The Devil Wore Sneakers (17 page)

Liam stepped closer to whisper comforting words, but she moved out of reach. Mentally, he shrugged. “I didn’t get Bella’s locket. I guess we’ll have to wait until the next trip.”

“My men will finish up here,” Sullivan said. “Got anything else to report?” His brows knit together in a straight line on his forehead.

“We’re ready to head out, right, Luce? We’re available, Sullivan, when you learn more.”

She held up a finger. “My last question for the chief, did Ali pass the polygraph?”

He twisted his lips as if trying out different answers. “She passed.” Without a further word, he turned on his heel and walked to his vehicle. The SUV took off with the spit of gravel from under its wheels.

“Charmer,” Liam muttered when the vehicle was out of sight. “He must trust his men to do the job on their own.”

“What did he mean when he said Ali passed, Liam? She confessed to an affair, or she didn’t? What about the picture from Ryan’s funeral?”

“He was vague, but I’d interpret his answer to imply Ryan didn’t have sex with Ali. I guess we’ll have to wait on the answer about her photography skills.”

“Now the police can stop investigating the high school rumors and find out the real truth.”

“About time. I’ll get Target.” Liam went inside and held the door open for the dog. He bounded out of the house to the truck.

Lucy opened the door, and the animal jumped inside. She hopped into the passenger side next to Target. Liam climbed in and plugged the key into the ignition. “Okay, posse, we’re off.”

The silence wore on him as they bumped over the frost heaves on the road. Target stared out the front window like a navigator checking their course. He began to bark at the house ahead.

A group of sheep huddled together in the driveway of a red farmhouse.

“Looks like someone’s 4-H project got out of the barn.”

Target growled and settled down once the animals were out of sight.

Lucy slumped in her seat. What could Liam do to ease her fears and sadness?

He took a sharp right.

She sat up, blinking. “What are you doing? You’re not pulling over on the shoulder like the first time we left Ryan’s, are you? Really, Liam, we can talk at the Moose.”

“I want to show you something.”

She gazed out the window at the landscape, and then a smile spread across her face. “The castle.” Her features softened with anticipation.

He pressed the gas pedal, and they flew up the mile-high rise. “You remember it.”

“Well, it’s not often a girl’s first date involves driving up in the pitch dark to a fallen-down palace. Then getting chased off the property by the hundred-year-old groundskeeper.”

“I still don’t understand why the guy wanted to live in that run-down cabin on the side of the hill. Honest, I thought the place was empty.”

“I did too. The trip was memorable. For a while, I kept a pebble from my shoe as a souvenir.”

“Luce, you’re so sentimental.”

“Sappy, you mean. I ate up that hogwash you fed me about wishes coming true when you made one in the castle.”

“Hogwash? Is that a new buzzword for cool?”

“Funny, McAllister. If we’d been caught, it would have meant a trip to the police station.”

“What was your wish?”

No way was she telling him. “Who remembers? Tell me yours.”

He shrugged. “It’s like a birthday wish. You can’t tell them if you want them to come true.”

“Too bad there’s not an expiration date. Are you able to drive up, or will the groundskeeper chase us again if you do?”

“The man must be two hundred by now. Besides, the place is for sale. The Barley Conservation Committee hopes to put together a couple of grants to buy the land.”

At the top of the hill, he swerved into a cleared spot and cut the engine. A few yards away sat the graying granite remains. The first-floor windows and doors were boarded up. The roof of the second story was missing, but crumbling walls stood as reminders of separate quarters.

“You don’t expect me to go inside, do you? I’m not eighteen anymore.”

“If the spirit moves you—”

“No chance, McAllister. At least there was a roof the last time.”

Target rose, waiting for her to move. Liam opened his door, and the dog sprang over him and charged across the light covering of snow. He scooped up a snout full with his nose and tossed the icy mixture in the air.

“Target approves.” She slid out and stood, searching the property. Trees and overgrown brush surrounded the hilltop.

She leaned against the truck, where Liam joined her. “The woods grew a lot. The place used to have a great view of the mountains.”

He folded his arms across his chest and scanned the area.

“Not much is left of the castle except for the walls and the first floor,” she continued. “I’m glad the owner isn’t alive to witness the end of his dream. The relatives must be sad. Imagine living in such a gorgeous home and feeling like you could see forever.”

“Don’t worry about the family. The descendants inherited lots of cash from the golden age of the railroad when their great-great-grandfather made his money.” Liam picked up a stick and threw it for Target, who bounded after his new toy. “I’ve heard teens still come up here.”

“Kids these days. They’re curious like we were.” She inhaled a deep breath of the cool, dry air. “It’s quiet and peaceful.”

He tracked Target across the grounds and spotted the view. “There. I found Mount Washington.” He pointed toward the north. “C’mon.” Taking their time over the icy spots, he led her near the edge. “Look between the two pine trees to your left.” He peered through the slice of open sky. The mountain’s towering white peak soared upward and kissed the clouds floating in the sky. “Amazing. When you live in Barley, you forget to appreciate the surrounding beauty.”

She sidestepped, and her eyes glowed with wonder. “It’s a gem. I hope the conservation committee can save the land.”

The emotion in her voice told him the detour had been worth the extra minutes. He wished they could linger longer over their shared memories— and make more.

“Thanks for bringing me here. I feel like I’ve taken a break from my life.”

He slipped his arm around her waist and held her against his hip. She leaned into him. Her simple action sent quivers jumping through him. He didn’t move, barely breathed. For so many years, he’d dreamed of holding her, sharing a moment. The fresh scent of her flowery shampoo filled his senses. The heat of her body blended into his. He wanted to seize the second and slow down time. He tried to read her inscrutable expression, judge the invisible line between them and if he should cross it. His pulse quickened.

The dog burst past them, kicking up clumps of ice and dirt on them.

“Target!” Lucy shouted, brushing off her hair and jacket.

He skidded to a halt, lowered his head toward the brush, and the fur on his back rose. Growling, he stared at something in the bushes.

She broke away from Liam and headed for the dog. “What is it, boy?”

“Luce, stop.” He reached under his jacket for the .357 Magnum he’d brought along, just in case.

A squirrel burst into the open, ran up the pine tree, paused, and scolded Target before leaping to another branch.

She faced him. “Target’s on the trail of Rocky the Squirrel.” Her gaze traveled to his hand beneath his jacket and narrowed in speculation.

He moved away from her. “We’re never alone with Mother Nature around us.” His joke didn’t lessen her stress.

“Are you carrying that gun, McAllister?”

“The Magnum’s unloaded. As you must remember, I’m not into killing Bambi’s mother. My friend told me you scare a lot of people when you wave the sucker in the air.”

She narrowed her eyes at him.

His moment with Lucy was over, and he’d landed in the reality of death, stalking, and abductions. Damn. “We’d better head to the Moose.”

The supper crowd had arrived by the time they pulled into Liam’s parking spot. She grabbed his arm as Liam pushed down on the truck’s door handle.

“Before you go in, I’ve been thinking.”

“Is that unusual?”

“You almost had a good joke, McAllister. I remember how slow a keyboarder you were. If you can use help with online promotions for the Moose, I’ve plenty of time.”

“What about the inventory?”

“I’ll do both.”

“Mm, you’ll have to pass my test.”

“O-kay.”

“Do you tweet and Facebook?”

“Yes.”

“Great. I accept your offer.”

She raised one brow. “That’s all you know about social media, isn’t it?”

“You got it, Luce. We’ll discuss the benefits later.”

Her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen. “It’s Sullivan.” She hopped out of the truck and pressed her cell to her ear. Listening, she went to the corner.

Liam debated leaving her alone for privacy, but decided not to wander too far. He stopped by the Moose’s entrance and looked in the front window. Sadie’s sister Sammie was waitressing. She hovered over four women seated at the table. She waved a hand around in the air and shook her head. The customers were glued to whatever she was saying. Were the specials that spectacular? None of them noticed him.

“Liam.” Lucy walked toward him, clenching her phone.

“Did he find Ryan’s truck?”

“No.” Her voice came out low and tense. “Ali Smith’s parents reported her missing thirty minutes ago. Today the school released students at noon. Ali never showed for cheerleading practice after classes.”

Chapter 23

March 25

“Ali disappeared?” Liam asked Lucy.

“Ali told a friend she left her change of clothes in her car and would be back in a few minutes. She set off to the parking lot and never returned. The police are trying to determine if she met a classmate, or she was abducted. I guess she’s not answering her phone either.” Lucy heard her voice sounding tense and unnatural.

“Have officers checked the school cameras?” Liam’s brows creased with worry.

“She parked in the overflow across the street, no cameras. Ali’s parents are frantic.” Lucy’s fingers cramped from clutching her own cell. Stuffing it in her jacket pocket, her mind whirled with explanations for the cheerleader’s absence. She ran away with a boy. She decided to go shopping. She was mad at the cheering squad and blew them off. None of them seemed logical. A disturbing answer hit her. Matt had taken her. Lucy’s stomach clenched.

Liam touched her hand, drawing her attention to him. “How did her parents find out she was missing?”

“The cheerleaders’ advisor contacted them when she didn’t show for practice. The principal and teachers searched the building. Her mother called Ali’s friends to ask if they’d seen her. No sighting since school ended. The police are releasing information to the media at any moment. Liam, what if Matt took her, and it’s because of me? He followed me to Barley.”

“Hold on. You’re not her kidnaper. A guilt trip won’t help Ali. Now, why did the chief call you?”

“Ali kept talking about how badly she felt about taking the picture at the funeral. She mentioned several times to friends that she wanted to apologize again. Sullivan called on the slight chance we met after school. To be honest, I could tell he was shaken and was grasping at any possibility.”

“Maybe the school video will show someone lurking around her.”

“Let’s hope. Liam, Ali could be dead.” Lucy’s hands shook as terrible images flashed in her head. The image of an uneasy Ali by the police station offering a heartfelt apology popped up in her mind. The girl was young and inexperienced in life. Like most teens, she trusted too easily or took chances that made her easy prey. Was she now in a place similar to Matt and Seth’s secret chamber of torture where girls were electrocuted, suffocated, and died a slow, painful death?

Lucy closed her eyes.
Oh, my God, I’m so sorry, Ali.

Liam took her hands and forced her to meet his gaze. “We’ll find her.”

“Boss?”

Sadie’s sister Sammie was standing in the open doorway. Concern pulled her brows together. “Excuse me, I was talking to the customers when I saw you out the window. Are you guys okay?”

Liam released Lucy and turned to the server. “Ali Smith’s parents reported her missing. She disappeared after school today. The media will release the details on the afternoon news.”

“She might still show up, right?” Sammie glanced from Lucy to Liam.

“We’ll be praying she does,” he said. “Have Hank turn to the local channel.”

“People will want to help,” Sammie said and shook her head. “What’s happening to Barley? Life in this town has changed into a Stephen King movie.”

“If Ali doesn’t appear soon, we’ll contact the police about joining a search,” Liam said to them.

“I’ll tell Hank to put on the channel right away.” Sammie scooted through the entryway.

While they walked inside, Lucy’s thoughts returned to Matt. They had to find him before he tortured the girl to death. Where would he take her? Lucy searched her memory for a place she might have mentioned to him.