Shadow of Suspicion (Haunted by the Past) (14 page)

“Are you okay?” Trish’s shaken voice
penetrated the fog surrounding Callie, but she couldn’t seem to reply. Hands
ran over her body and she could hear people’s murmured voices that buzzed
around her head like a swarm of insects. Still, she couldn’t seem to break the
spell that held her immobile.

“What the hell were you doing just
standing there? Were you playing chicken with the lunatic or are you just plain
stupid?” The words were as effective as a slap. Callie knew that voice. Her
head snapped round and her eyes narrowed onto Jason. He sat next to her,
brushing down his jeans and rubbing his back with one hand.

“Of course not!” She curled her
fingers into fists. He smiled at her, further igniting her ire. She punched his
arm.

“There you go. She’s back.” Jason
addressed the crowd around them. He grinned wickedly at her and rubbed at the
spot she’d just hit. “No need to worry, folks. She’s relatively unharmed.”

“Thanks to you! You were amazing!”
Trish patted his shoulder. She turned to Callie. “What a knight in shining
armour. If he hadn’t appeared, I can’t bear to think what might have happened.”

Callie gazed at Jason. It slowly
dawned on her that he was her rescuer. Her heart constricted in her chest and
she licked her dry lips. “You saved my life,” she breathed out. Her insides
turned to mush in one heart stopping second.

Jason climbed to his feet and held
his hand out to help her up. She grabbed hold and let him pull her up beside
him. He gripped her chin with one strong palm and stared deep into her eyes.
Callie couldn’t breathe.

“You’re not going to phase out on me
again, are you? You gave everyone quite a fright.”

Callie touched his hand with her
fingertips. “I’m okay. Just a little shaken up.”

“We need to contact the police about
this. Did anyone see the driver or get the licence plate?” Jason turned to the
group of people standing around them. Several heads shook as everyone looked to
others to supply the answers.

“I got the number plate,” a small
voice piped up. An elderly lady shuffled forward and offered a piece of paper
to Jason.

“That’s great. Thanks.” He shoved the
paper into his pocket.

“I’ve called the police.” A man
called out, shaking his phone in their direction.

Callie felt completely humbled as the
crowd surged forward, and offered their comfort and support. Her body began to
tremble. She grabbed hold of Jason to steady herself. He wrapped an arm around
her shoulders, his warmth penetrating her chilled body. She breathed in his
masculine scent, and allowed his presence to drive away the remains of the
terror that had held her in its grip.

Over and over, Callie played the
incident in her mind’s eye. Who had been in the car? It had to be the same
person that had pushed her down the stairs. She had no idea why anyone would
want to harm her, but the situation had become critical.

The sooner she could leave for home
the better. A small nagging voice whispered in the back of her mind. What if
the person didn’t just want to run her out of town? Would she be safe, even in
her own flat with Jade? Callie closed her eyes, terrified at the thought. If
the person responsible for these incidents really wanted her dead, was she safe
anywhere?

“So, Lucinda Green issued a threat
against Miss Price a couple of days ago?” The officer scribbled notes in his
little book. He glanced up at Jason.

“I’m not sure ‘threat’ would be
completely accurate.” Jason shrugged. “She was pretty mad and blew off some
steam. I doubt she would actually follow through with action against Callie.
Lucinda isn’t violent.”

Sue crept into his mind. He couldn’t
be sure that Lucinda’s friend wouldn’t have planted an idea like this into her
head. He knew from bitter experience how much influence Sue had on Lucinda.

“But you can’t say for sure that she
wasn’t driving the car?” The officer persisted.

“No, I can’t be sure that she wasn’t.
I didn’t see the driver. It all happened so fast.” Jason shook his head.

He’d been on his way back to the flat
when he’d spotted Callie over the road. Even now, he couldn’t believe what he’d
seen. The car had definitely been driven directly at Callie. If he hadn’t
reacted so fast, she could have been killed.

He glanced over to where she stood
talking to a second officer. Her face was still deathly white. She’d really
worried him after the car had sped off down the road. Her expression had been
completely blank. He’d never seen anyone so totally unaware of their
surroundings before. Jason hadn’t known what to do. Thankfully, his attempt to
provoke her temper had snapped her out of her shock. He’d been relieved to see
the fire back in her eyes.

“Is there anything else you can tell
me that might help the investigation?” Jason turned back to the officer. The
man studied him intently.

“Not that I can think of. I’ll
contact the station if anything springs to mind.”

“Thank you for your time, Mr Hawkes.”
The man smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He stepped away from Jason and
approached a group of bystanders that had witnessed the scene.

Jason glanced back to Callie. She
smiled and nodded to the policeman she was talking to. She pulled something out
of her bag and handed it to the officer. Jason couldn’t help but notice the
strain on her features. He frowned. What on Earth had she had hidden in her
bag? Was it the reason she was nearly hit by a car? Curiosity nearly
overwhelmed him.

“This has been such a shock.” Trish
touched his arm. He jumped slightly. She’d crept up on him without the
slightest sound.

Jason glanced down at her. “It’s
certainly unexpected in such a small town. We’ve never had anything worse than
a break in or two.”

“Who would have done such a terrible
thing?” Trish clasped a hand to her face. “Poor Callie hasn’t looked quite
right since it happened. Do you think we should take her to the doctor?”

“That won’t be necessary, but thank
you.” Callie joined them, her hand clasped to her ribs. “I’m fine really.”

“You sure?” Jason pointed to where
she clutched her injury. “You seem to be nursing that quite a bit. We could get
you checked over…..just to be safe.”

Callie shook her head. “No. I really
don’t feel like being poked and prodded right now.” She gazed at him, her eyes
filled with gratitude. “You cushioned my fall. I hurt my arm a little and
knocked my ribs, but when I think what could have happened.” She broke off, her
voice thick with tears.

“It was nothing. Anyone would have
done the same,” Jason said awkwardly and glanced away from her.

He didn’t feel comfortable with all
the praise everyone kept heaping on him. After all, if Lucinda was responsible,
Callie would have been in danger because of him. That thought left a bitter
taste in his mouth. He wished he could dismiss the idea that Lucinda was behind
this, but he couldn’t.

“I really think you need to sit down
or something, dear.” Trish patted Callie’s hand. “You’ve had quite a shock.”

Callie glanced around her. She looked
like a lost little girl. Jason’s heart constricted in his chest and he
swallowed hard.

“If you want, my place is just across
the road. I can get you a brandy or something. It would ease the shock.” He
cleared his throat and scratched the back of his head.

Her large golden eyes rested back on
him. She smiled faintly. “That’s very kind, but I don’t want to put you out.”

“It’s no problem. I think we could
both do with something after this.” Jason turned to Trish. “Do you want to join
us?”

“That’s kind of you, dear, but I must
be going. I have a million things still to do this morning and I’m already late
for an appointment.” She smiled at Callie. “I hope you feel better, Callie.
Jason will take care of you. I’ll see you again soon, I’m sure.”

She waved at them both, then turned
and hurried up the street. Jason grasped Callie’s elbow and steered her across
the road.

“Are you sure you don’t mind? I can
just head home.” Callie trotted beside him. Her breathing sounded strange. He
slowed his steps down when he realised that she was having trouble keeping up
with his long strides.

“I would prefer to keep an eye on you
for a while. I need to see that you are as fine as you say you are.” He slid
her a side long glance. She flicked her gaze to his and just as quickly
diverted her attention elsewhere.

“This looks like a nice building to
live in. The gardens are very pretty.” She sounded nervous.

Jason grinned at her, noting the
slight colour on her cheeks. “You’re not worried about being alone with me in
my flat are you, Miss Price?” He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “You don’t think
that I have wicked intentions, do you?”

Callie flushed a deeper shade of red.
“Don’t be ridiculous!” She licked her lips and hastily turned her gaze towards
the block of flats they were approaching.

“Just checking. I wouldn’t want to
make you uncomfortable or anything.” He grabbed the door and pulled it open,
waving her in ahead of him.

Callie stuck her nose in the air and
sailed past him. “As if you could!”

Jason chuckled and led her to the
lift. He pressed the button. The doors rattled open and the stuffy smell of
stale air washed over him. He waited for Callie to step in, then followed her.
The cramped space didn’t leave them much room. Jason could feel Callie’s body
heat penetrating through his jeans. The light scent of her perfume tickled his
nose. He began to sweat. Was it his imagination or was the damn lift smaller
than he remembered?

Jason pressed the button and the
doors slid shut. The familiar whirring and clanking filled his ears as the lift
rose upwards to the third floor. It seemed an eternity until the doors
reopened. Jason burst into the hallway, glad to be away from the confining
contraption.

“This way,” he said gruffly and led
the way down the corridor to his front door.

Jason didn’t bother to see if Callie
was following him. He could
feel
her presence behind him. He was sure if
he turned around, he’d find her large golden eyes right on his back. He ignored
the insane urge to scratch the back of his head.

“You’ll have to excuse the place. I
haven’t been in the best of states lately and I wasn’t expecting company.”

He twisted his key in the door and
winced at the sight that met his eyes. He hadn’t realised he’d left that much
rubbish lying around the room. He should never have invited Mitch over last
night, but he hadn’t been thinking straight. The guy could eat and drink his
own body weight without batting an eyelash, and often passed out afterwards. 

As a result, the sofa was buried
under a stack of pillows and blankets. Jason was sure he could hear the table
groaning under the weight of plates, cans and empty take out cartons. He’d
thought about clearing up this morning before he went out, but had decided to
leave it until later. Big mistake! What was it his mother had always said?
‘Never put off to tomorrow, what you can do today.’ He’d always hated that
saying, but maybe she’d had a point.

“I’m sure it’s fine.” Callie tapped
his shoulder. He realised he’d left her stuck behind him, while his horrified
gaze skittered over the mess. What he wouldn’t do for a magic wand right now!
Still, there was no hiding it. What had he been thinking when he’d invited her
to his place? He must have rocks in his head!

Jason darted in and quickly picked up
several cans of beer that lay on the floor. He carried them into his small
kitchen and dumped them in the recycling bin. He’d forgotten he’d left a stack
of washing up in the sink. The whole place was starting to smell somewhat rank.

Jason leaned forwards and opened the
window, hoping the smell would drift out before Callie could notice. He turned
to see her surveying the mess, her nose wrinkled up. He sighed and placed his
hands on his hips.

“I can run you back to the Lazy Boy
if you want. I know this place needs fumigating right now.”

Callie laughed softly. “It’s fine.
You’ve seen the Lazy Boy. This little bit of mess can’t compare to the years of
neglect in that place.” She whipped off her coat. “I could help you tidy up if
you want.”

“No. I’ll do it later. Just take a
seat………..if you can find one.” He shook his head. “Do you want a brandy?”

“Actually, I’d prefer a sweet tea, if
you don’t mind.”

Jason picked up the kettle and filled
it with fresh water. He clicked it on and placed two clean mugs on the only
small space on the kitchen counter that wasn’t covered with clutter. Jason
rummaged in the cupboard and found the tea bags. He added one to each mug. A
clatter behind him drew his attention. Jason turned to find Callie struggling
into the kitchen with an armful of cans. She dumped them in the bin.

“Just leave it, really. I’ll do it
later.” Jason felt rather uncomfortable with her clearing up after him. It was
too intimate………….something a girlfriend would do.

Callie glanced up at him. “I’m sorry.
I just wanted to help. I kind of feel responsible.” She broke off and waved a
hand around the area. “I’m guessing this was all because of the other day.”

Relief surged through him. He hadn’t
really believed Lucinda’s accusation that Callie had wanted him for herself.
Still it was good to know that she’d been motivated by guilt and not romantic
notions about him. He wasn’t sure his heart was on the market again. It was
simply too soon.

“It wasn’t your fault.” He stared
into her eyes. The sound of water rumbling towards boiling point filled the
room. “I’m glad you told me about Lucinda. I wouldn’t have wanted to keep
living a lie with her.”

He sighed as the kettle clicked and
he poured the boiled water into the mugs. He swished the tea bags around and
removed them before adding milk and sugar. Jason handed one to Callie. She murmured
her thanks and wrapped her hands around the mug, her gaze on the floor.

“Did you tell the police about
Lucinda’s threats?” She asked hesitantly.

“Of course. Did you think I would
keep it quiet?” Jason was shocked. Did she really think he’d cover up for
Lucinda?

“I wasn’t sure if you would back me
up or deny it. After all, she was your girlfriend and you must still care about
her. You can’t just turn feelings off after a couple of days.” She peeked up at
him from under her thick lashes.

“I do still care about her, to a
degree.” Jason admitted. He cocked his head in silent invitation towards the
table and chairs that sat along one wall. They sank down on the cushioned seats
after Jason hastily cleared the mess occupying the space. He made mental note
to spring clean the flat at the first opportunity.

Jason leaned back and placed one foot
over the other, stretching his long legs in front of him. He regarded Callie
intently. He could still see guilt reflected in her features. He sighed. He may
as well tell her the truth. It wasn’t like it was some kind of closely guarded
secret.

“Lucinda and I hadn’t been getting
along for a while. It was about time we broke up and stopped making each other
unhappy.” Callie glanced up at him in surprise. “You did us a favour, Callie.
Okay, finding out she’d cheated hurt. It will take a little time to get over
that, but I do think it’s all for the best.”

“She didn’t see it that way.” Callie
didn’t look convinced. She blew on her tea and sipped it daintily.

“I know she issued threats, but I
don’t think she’d ever carry them out. Lucinda is many things, but she’d not
intentionally hurt someone.” He sipped at his own hot brew. It scolded his
mouth and he winced.

“Are you sure about that? She
wouldn’t take her revenge if she thought someone had wronged her? What about
the lengths she’d go to in order to secure a job? Would she harm someone then?”
Callie’s voice rose slightly as she fired question after question at him.

Jason stared at her, shocked. Her
face had lost the little colour she’d gained since they’d left the street
outside. Small lines appeared between her brows and at the corners of her
mouth. Her hands tightened visibly around her mug.

“Why would you ask that? What has it
to do with this morning?” He couldn’t understand her sudden Spanish Inquisition
routine. He half expected her to pull out the thumb screws. Something about her
expression unnerved him. Was that fear he could see in her eyes?