Love Inspired Suspense May 2015 - Box Set 1 of 2: Trail of Evidence\Gone Missing\Lethal Exposure (48 page)

“I'm not,” she said. “I still have faith in God's plan for my life.” She dropped her voice to barely a whisper. “It's just hard to accept the plan.”

He looked over at her, but her eyes were fixed on the flat, green land whizzing past the window. “Do you think you might have gotten it wrong?” he asked. “I mean, I don't know much about faith, but isn't it blind?”

“Blind?” she repeated, holding up her hand to shield her eyes from the glaring sun.

He pulled the visor down above his head, and Rebecca's aviator sunglasses tipped out into his lap. He handed them to her. “I thought the whole point of faith was not knowing what the future holds, but trusting in it anyway.” He smiled. “I apologize if I'm way off track, but I'm new to all this church stuff.”

She was quiet for a moment. “No, you're right,” she said finally. “Faith
is
blind.”

“So you don't really know what God has planned for you, right?” he asked, hoping that he wasn't overstepping his boundaries. “You're just assuming things based on your own judgment.”

“I can't explain it,” she said, putting her hand on her heart. “I just feel it inside.”

“Feel what?”

She turned to face him. “Loneliness.”

He wished he could screech to a halt to take her in his arms, to ease her pain, if only for a short time. But instead he asked, “Do you think God wants you to feel that way for the rest of your life?”

“I think He'll give me the strength to live with it,” she said. “Because it seems to me that the empty feeling will never be filled.”

He tried to choose his words carefully. “Maybe you just need to wait a little longer.”

She let out a laugh, and he guessed that this was something she had considered many times already. “I've reached the conclusion that God must want me to dedicate my life to raising the children and serving the community,” she said. “Rather than meeting someone special.”

“You don't know that,” he said. “Maybe you just haven't met the right man yet.” He looked over the top of his sunglasses at her. “Or maybe you met him already and you just don't know it.”

“No,” she said quickly. “I can't imagine opening up the secrets of my heart to a man again.”

He smiled slowly as a thought crept into his mind—
you just did
.

* * *

Jack pulled the minivan into Sarah's gravel driveway as the sky clouded over and the mercury dipped to a temperature that reminded Rebecca it was still winter in Florida. As soon as the tires crunched on the long path, Charlotte and Emily came running from Sarah's neatly maintained ranch-style home. They were closely followed by Sarah herself, who made the girls stand and wait while Jack parked in the carport. When Rebecca stepped from the vehicle, they tore over to her with arms outstretched.

“Mom,” they both called in unison. “We miss you.”

She dropped to her knees, not caring about getting dirt on her tailored pants, and scooped them into her arms. “Hey,” she said with a wide smile. “I hope you've been behaving yourselves for Grandma?” She looked up at Jack and winked. “Because the swamp monster will get you if you've been misbehaving.”

The girls squealed with delight at the mention of playing their favorite game of chase. Jack dutifully played along and stretched his arms out wide, making groaning noises and walking toward them with slow, heavy steps. They turned and raced into the yard at the side of the house, running around the swing set while Jack attempted to grab them as they wriggled out of reach.

Rebecca stood and watched them. She had seen Jack play chase with the girls many times before, but this time she took the opportunity to savor it. She didn't know how long this pretense of family life was going to last, and she wanted to bask in the pleasure it brought.

“Are you okay, Rebecca?” Sarah asked, rubbing her hand on her shoulder. “You look pensive.”

Rebecca bit the inside of her cheek to keep from crying. The last thing she needed right now was somebody showing kindness, especially her sweet and gentle-natured mother-in-law.

“I'm fine,” she said, giving Sarah a kiss on the cheek. “It's been a difficult weekend, is all.”

Sarah led her toward the house. “We all have good and bad days,” she said. “When we go through hard times, it makes us appreciate the good times so much more.”

Rebecca gave a brittle laugh. “I'm still waiting on those good times.”

Sarah pointed to the lawn where Charlotte and Emily were giggling with joy, each one dangling from Jack's strong arms. “The good times are right here, honey,” she said with a smile. “Sometimes we don't see what's in front of us because we're too busy looking to the future.” She opened the door. “I made iced tea. You want some?”

“Sure,” Rebecca answered. “I'll be there in a minute or two. I'd like to stay out here awhile longer.”

Sarah went inside, leaving Rebecca standing alone in the carport, contemplating her mother-in-law's wise words. Had she really been so blind that she had failed to recognize the situation as it really was? She had assumed that her life needed to be changed in order to make it better, but would change make her happier? Was she trying to fix something that wasn't broken? She gasped and put a hand over her mouth as an idea of such enormity entered her mind that her stomach dropped away. Could her feelings of loneliness actually be caused by pushing Jack away? She had felt more and more hollow with each day that she pulled back from him.

“Don't be ridiculous, Rebecca,” she said under her breath. “You are not in love with Jack.”

She turned and walked into the house. Her resolve was being tested, and she would not waver.

TEN

J
ack leaned back in his chair and slid his belt buckle a couple of notches further along.

“Sarah, that meal was awesome,” he said, patting his belly where it protruded a little more than when he had arrived.

“I'm glad you enjoyed it,” she replied, gathering the empty plates together. “I love to cook.” She looked at the four faces around the table. “And I especially love to cook for my family.”

“Come on, girls,” Rebecca said, squeezing Charlotte's arm. “Let's help Grandma clean up in the kitchen.”

Sarah waved her hand in the air. “Jack and I can manage just fine,” she said. “The girls look tired. Why don't you put them to bed, Rebecca? It's been a long day.”

Charlotte and Emily looked up at their mom, clearly desperately trying to keep their eyes open and prolong the day, but they were too weary to protest.

“Okay,” Rebecca replied. “If you're sure. I'd like to tuck them in before we leave.”

After kisses and hugs from Jack and Sarah, the girls dragged their feet along the shined wooden floor and climbed the stairs to bed, being cajoled and coaxed by their mom. Jack noticed the way Rebecca's face had slowly changed since arriving at Sarah's house, becoming softer and more relaxed. He knew that the sinister event of the day wasn't gone from her mind, but being here had given her the ability to overcome its power over her. He felt it, too. Sarah's house was like a haven of tranquility in a sea of darkness. He had always loved Ian's family home, having been a regular visitor there even while Ian was alive. As his friendship with Ian had deepened, so too his bond with Sarah had grown until she had become something of a second mother. He loved his own mother with all his heart, but there was plenty enough room for another special lady like Sarah in his life.

He turned back to the large family dining table and rose from his chair, picking up the leftover pumpkin pie to take through to the kitchen.

“This,” he said, holding it aloft, “is too tasty for words.”

She laughed. “Ian always said that my pumpkin pie was the best in the world. But I used to joke that he couldn't possibly have tasted
every
pumpkin pie in the world.”

“For what it's worth,” Jack said, turning the dish around in his hands, “I agree with him.”

“Well, that's no surprise,” she replied with a teasing voice. “You two always stuck together like glue on most things.”

Jack nodded in agreement. “Yeah, we sure did.”

Sarah let out a contented sigh. “It's so nice to be able to talk about Ian with you, Jack. I worry about speaking of him in front of Rebecca.” She dropped her voice. “I don't want to upset her.”

Jack sat back down in his chair. “She's doing fine,” he said gently. “Don't avoid talking about Ian. He's still a part of the family, even though he's not here.”

Jack looked around her large dining room, with photographs on every wall, chronicling the lives of Ian and his younger sister, Mary. The space on the walls was added to each year with new family members. Mary had recently given birth to a son, Sarah's fifth grandchild. Sarah often said that every new addition made her feel younger and more energized. It certainly did appear to be that way, as she easily could have passed for ten years younger than her sixty-five years of age. Her ash-blond hair and lightly lined skin never seemed to look different each time Jack saw her.

“But Rebecca seemed so distant today,” Sarah said with a look of concern. “Is everything okay?” She leaned forward and put her hand on top of his. “You know her better than anyone.”

He smiled and placed another hand on top of hers, making a triple layer. “She's under a lot of stress at work,” he said, wanting to keep the truth from worrying Sarah further. “But I could tell she relaxed while we were here. She may have been quiet, but she was happy, trust me.”

Sarah broke into a beaming smile. “That's a relief.” She patted his hand softly. “You've been so good for her, Jack. When Ian left us, our world fell apart.” She tilted her head at him. “But you helped us put it back together again.”

Jack swallowed hard. He didn't quite know what to say. “We've worked as a team,” he said. “And we've helped each other. I can't take all the credit.”

“Ian would be incredibly proud of the way you've stepped up to take care of his family,” she said, her face turning serious. “You can certainly take praise for that.”

“I don't do it for Ian,” he said quietly. His heart started to beat fast in his chest, and he avoided Sarah's eyes. “I do it for me.”

Sarah remained silent for a while, and Jack wondered if he had overstepped. He hoped he hadn't upset her.

“I'm glad,” she said finally. “I'm pleased you enjoy taking care of Rebecca and the children. You all look so happy together.” She drew a deep breath before adding, “Ian would be pleased about that, too.”

Jack raised her eyes to meet hers—they were a little wet in the corners, but her face was relaxed and content. “Sometimes I feel a little disloyal,” he admitted. “Ian asked me to make sure his family had everything they needed.”

“Which you've done,” Sarah said. “Ten times over.”

“Surely that means my job is done,” Jack said, thinking aloud. “Rebecca is doing well at work. The children are doing great in school. They have a beautiful home and supportive church.” He looked at the floor. “They don't need me anymore.”

“Oh, Jack,” Sarah said, putting her hand flat on her chest. “Do you really think your role is just to make them strong enough to stand on their own?”

“Isn't it?” he asked. “That's kind of what I assumed after Ian died.”

“A lot has changed since then,” she said. “You probably didn't notice it happening, but you've become a part of the family. You and Rebecca have become...”

He nervously awaited the end of her sentence.

“...more than friends.”

Jack shook his head. “We're still just friends,” he insisted. “Rebecca made it clear that she wants to move on with her life.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Without me.”

Sarah sighed. “I think Rebecca is struggling to understand her feelings at the moment. Be patient and give her a little time.”

“But I don't have time,” Jack said. “She wants to make the changes to our lives as soon as...” He stopped.

“As soon as what?” Sarah asked.

He shook his head briskly, annoyed with himself for almost revealing the reality of their situation. “Just as soon as possible.”

Sarah leaned over the table toward him. “And what do
you
want, Jack?”

“I want things to stay the way they are.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Really?”

“Yes, really,” he said. “We're doing fine as we are.”

“Well, Rebecca clearly doesn't see it that way. She's unhappy with the way things are, so that means they have to change.”

Jack raised a weak smile. “I thought you were on my side, Sarah.”

“I am, Jack,” she said solemnly. “You've become like another son to me.”

Moisture threatened to well up in his eyes, and he bit his lip to focus his mind. “So I need to let her go?”

Sarah shook her head. “Is that the only alternative?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “What other choice do I have?”

Sarah smiled knowingly. “You could ask her to marry you.”

His jaw dropped. “Marry me?” he repeated. “Are you serious?”

“Of course. Isn't that what you both want?”

“No,” he protested. “Neither of us has even considered marriage as an option.”

“Not that you'll admit to,” she said with a wink.

Jack felt as though Sarah had knocked the wind out of him, and he fell silent for a while. She was stripping him bare emotionally, and he didn't like it. He felt exposed and weakened, and his current situation demanded that he remain resolute and strong.

“I'm sorry, Sarah, but you're wrong,” he said, rising to gather the remaining dishes together. He changed his tone to a more lighthearted one. “Now, these dishes sure aren't gonna wash themselves, so I'll make a start in the kitchen.”

Sarah seemed to sense his desire to change the subject, and she didn't push the conversation any further. She knew Jack well enough to know when to back off.

“We'll do it together,” she said with a smile. “We can talk about old times.”

“You got it,” he said, walking through to the kitchen. Old times was safe territory. There would be no danger of him mulling over Sarah's suggestion of asking Rebecca to be his wife. He and Rebecca had a good friendship, and friends were all they were destined to be. Rebecca herself had made it clear that she did not intend to marry again, and Jack already felt a sense of betrayal to Ian for getting this close to Rebecca. If he were to let his feelings for her run free, he would surely be dishonoring the memory of his best friend further. Sarah couldn't possibly understand the bond of brotherhood between soldiers. There were some lines you didn't cross, and stealing your buddy's wife was one of them.

“No,” he muttered under his breath as he ran the hot water from the faucet. Sarah was well-meaning, but in this instance she was dead wrong.

* * *

“You've gone really quiet, Jack,” Rebecca said as they headed out onto Highway 20. “Did I say something to upset you?”

“No,” he said, glancing over at her. “I'm just trying to keep a sharp mind. We need to be watchful as we enter Bristol. We don't know what's waiting for us.”

“Did you tell Darius we were on our way home? He could check out the house for us before we arrive.”

“He's already on the case,” Jack replied. “I spoke to him earlier, and he's keeping watch on the house from his car in the street. Ideally, we won't get any nasty surprises.”

Rebecca heard the flat edge to his voice, and she reached over to lightly brush his jacket. “Are you sure you're okay, Jack? You sound sad.”

“I am,” he admitted. “But there's nothing you can do to help, so I'd rather not talk about it.”

Rebecca removed her hand and focused her eyes on the road ahead. She guessed that her decision to put some distance between them had not been a welcome one, and he was feeling the same sense of sorrow she was at the thought of breaking up the semblance of family life they had built up. He was right. There really was no point in talking about it any further. It would just be like picking at a wound.

They remained silent throughout the journey home, both lost in their own worlds. Rebecca's mind snapped back into focus when they turned onto Charles Road and saw Darius's car parked a little way from her house, with his unmistakable haircut silhouetted against the moonlight streaming into the car. He looked to be perfectly still and unmoving, and she saw Jack tense up in the driver's seat, gripping the wheel tightly. He brought the minivan to a halt at the end of the street, some distance away from the house, and reached for her cell phone, which she had left on the dash. He switched it on and punched in Darius's number. She could hear the tinny ringtone from the speaker and, with each ring, Jack looked more and more anxious. Despite the fact that Darius's cell would be ringing in his car, he was clearly making no effort to answer it. Eventually the cell went to voice mail and Jack hung up, handing the phone back to Rebecca.

“Keep your cell turned on,” he said, his eyes trained on the unmoving figure in the chief's car. “You shouldn't switch it off.”

She sighed. “I just wanted a little peace and quiet with the girls,” she said. “I knew it wouldn't last long. What do we do now?”

“I need to go check the situation out,” he said. “Rebecca, you slide over into the driver's seat once I'm gone and get out of here immediately if anything bad happens.”

He shifted into reverse and turned the minivan around in case she needed to drive back the way they'd come. A feeling of dread slithered into her body as she watched Jack take his gun from its holster around his waist and check the bullet chamber.

“Shall I call 9-1-1?” she asked. “The detectives said we should call if we needed help.”

“Let's hold off for a while,” he replied. “Darius could be taking a nap, or he could have left his cell someplace else. Let me check it out first.” He opened the door and planted one foot on the pavement. Turning back to her, he held up his forefinger. “If you see me do this, you should leave and call 9-1-1.” He lowered his voice and emphasized each word. “Do not come back for me.”

Rebecca couldn't stop a feeling of panic bubbling up inside. “I can't just leave you, Jack,” she protested. “Not if you're in danger.”

“Yes, you can,” he said strongly. “I don't want you putting your life at risk unnecessarily. The girls need you to stay healthy and strong.”

“But this could be a trap, Jack,” she said. “Let's drive by Darius's car and take a look inside first.”

“No,” he said, keeping his voice low and controlled. “That might be what they want us to do. You should stay far enough away to have a good chance of escape.” He exhaled loudly. “I'm not real family. The girls don't need me like they need you, so let me take all the risks, okay?”

“Okay,” she croaked. “Stay safe, Jack.”

“Trust me, Bec,” he said. “I'm not about to go and get myself killed.”

That's probably what Ian believed,
she thought silently to herself. Jack seemed to be able to read her mind.

“I'm sorry,” he said. “Bad choice of words. But don't worry. I'll be fine.”

He then slid out of the car onto the sidewalk and closed the door behind him. She scooted over into the driver's seat and watched him in the side mirror, moving quickly along the sidewalk, staying low beneath overhanging trees in her neighbors' front yards. It was almost ten, and thankfully the street was quiet. She noticed Mrs. Harper's drapes twitching in the darkness, sending a chink of light shining out on her lawn.