The Devil Wore Sneakers (21 page)

“They have to find the person who killed Ryan, not just anyone.” She fisted her hand on the counter.

Father Francis’s eyes darkened with concern. “Ryan is gone. You don’t need to stay in Barley. Whatever still needs to be done can be accomplished through the Internet or by phone. If you want advice, a real estate lawyer belongs to our parish.”

His words blurred together. One fact was clear. Liam was in trouble.

Hank strode toward them, clenching his phone in his hand. Father Francis straightened on his stool.

“Bad news?” she asked, relieved to get the attention off the current discussion.

“The ex is playing hardball, but my lawyer keeps claiming he’ll iron out a deal.”

“Looks like we’re missing a few customers.” Dressed in a leather jacket, work boots, and jeans, Liam entered from the rear hall.

The sight of him set off the tingling in the pit of Lucy’s stomach. “Is the search done? Did you find Ali?”

“No, we had a great turnout, but we’ve covered less than a couple of miles. We’re out of drinks and power bars. The Maple Leaf offered us a food donation, so I drove back to pick up their contribution.” He dropped his gaze to the priest. “Good to see you, Father Francis.”

“Liam.” The priest stood. “I’m afraid I must leave. Sorry we don’t get much chance to talk. Remember, I’m next door if I can be of service.”

“Thanks, Father. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to grab the bottled water from the third floor to load into the truck.”

“I’ll come with you.” Lucy jumped off her stool. “Father, I’ll let you know when I upload your picture to the website.”

She caught up to Liam in the hallway. “Father Francis told me the police plan to arrest you for Ryan’s murder.”

“What?” He raised a brow at her. “Does Sullivan confide in him?”

“I’m not sure if it’s fact or gossip, but whatever, you should call a lawyer, a good one.”

“As opposed to a bad lawyer?”

“Don’t joke. This is serious.”

“Luce, I appreciate your concern. The cops are watching me. My shadow in the car was back today.”

“Did you get a look at the driver?”

“No. C’mon, let’s get the water.”

They worked in silence, grabbing and carrying the cardboard boxes from the third floor to the pickup. Once the cartons were loaded, Liam started unscrewing his rear taillight. “Whoever is following me is a little too lucky. No matter where I go, he finds me.” He examined the wires and replaced the cover. “I might have to ask Gage to put the truck on the lift.” He crawled under the body. His clothes scraped against the dirt. “C’mon, where’s the GPS?” he muttered.

Lucy held her breath.
Let it be our imagination, a coincidence.

Next, he searched the grill and came up empty again. He ran a hand through his hair and scanned his vehicle.

“Maybe it was the local news team hoping to score a headline,” she suggested. “Ryan’s death was on TV and got them big ratings. They’re hoping you’ll lead them to a scoop.” A worse thought hit her. The media must have heard the police were arresting Liam. They wanted to be at the scene of a breaking story when he was taken into custody.

“You should drive the food over to the searchers, Liam.”

“Not until I’m done. I’m finding that sucker.” His mouth thinned to a slash of determination. He climbed up onto the hood and then balanced on the windshield.

“Be careful.” She closed her eyes.
Don’t fall. Don’t find anything.

At the thud of him landing on his feet next to her, she looked at him.

He opened his fist and held up the black coin-like device in his palm. “Jackpot.”

Chapter 30

The searchers would never find Ali Smith. Matt grinned as he putted past them in the pickup. The idea sent adrenaline pumping through him. He wanted to taunt the crowd in the meadow. “You’re so cold, icicles are growing out of your nose.”

He scanned the group under the canopy standing near the roadside check in and out. A middle-aged man with short hair and city clothes staffed the tent area.

Matt recognized him: FBI. The locals had called in the big guys. At least now he might have a challenge.

Lucy wasn’t there. Disappointment speared him. Was she out in the woods hunting for the missing girl?

He hit the gas pedal and drove past the command center. His time with Ali had been rewarding. Her defiance had turned to terror. Delicious. He replayed it over and over in his mind. Even now, his blood was flowing, his anticipation and need for her growing. He planned a surprise for today. A little rewiring, and he had a new toy that would give her a twice-as-shocking good time.

Soon, he’d have to find a place for her body. Maybe he’d leave her in the middle of a field and let the searchers think they’d gotten one up on him. He imagined the volunteers buzzing around her lifeless, rotting form like flies.

Too bad. He’d enjoyed the girl, but her disappearance had brought more law enforcement to the area than he’d expected. Forget them. He was ready for his prize, Lucy Watson. “It’s you and me together, the way it was meant to be.”

Then he’d head out and disappear into another person. He’d become one who people trusted and admired, but in the end, regretted in their soul that they’d met. Just like Lucy did.

Chapter 31

“Why plant the tracker on your roof?” Lucy tilted her head upward, imagining someone climbing on Liam’s truck.

“Because the person who put it on up there thought I’d never look for his device on top of my pickup, even if I became suspicious.” Liam closed his fist over the dime-sized circle.

“You mean, they wanted to hide the GPS in the open?”

“That seems to have been the plan.”

She glanced around. “I wonder how long you’ve been tracked.”

“After I punch out whoever’s responsible, I’ll ask him.” He hopped inside his pickup. Sullivan most likely smirked each time he imagined Liam always within his grasp. The man wouldn’t be gloating after Liam’s next visit.

“Where are you going?”

“To find Sullivan.”

“What? No.”

He keyed the engine and hit the pedal. Out of the corner of his eyes, he caught sight of Lucy grabbing the passenger handle. What was she doing? He jammed on the brake, and the truck jerked to a stop. Her door swung open wide, and she dove inside.

“You could have killed yourself.”

“Me? What about you? Consider what will happen if you attack an officer of the law.”

“I’ll feel great satisfaction.”

“Sullivan will throw you in solitary.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, no solitary in Barley.”

“I wouldn’t bet on it after you attacked the police chief, and we don’t have proof he planted the GPS.”

“You’re right.” Liam frowned and shifted the truck into park. A new place to stash the tracker struck him. In fact, a lot of places floated into his mind.

“Why are you grinning?”

“I’m going to listen to your advice and play it cool. Thanks, Luce.”

“Be safe, not cool, Liam. Get legal counsel and— Why are you still smiling?”

His eyes darkened with emotion. “You remind me of the old Lucy.”

“Focus, McAllister. Promise me you’ll speak to an attorney.”

“I will. Take care and stay around the Moose while I’m gone.”

“I think you should worry about yourself.” She shook her head. “I need to take Target outside. I’m surprised he’s not upstairs barking.” She climbed out from the truck and went inside.

Liam reached down to grab the shift, and his gaze fell on the piece of paper sticking up between the two seats.

Pulling it out, he stared at the one-way bus ticket to Manchester. The stamped date showed she’d bought it yesterday. Lucy was really leaving Barley. He fought the urge to toss the receipt out the window.

He stuffed the voucher in the glove compartment, slamming it shut. Well, he’d known it would happen. He’d leave the ticket at the bar for her. Someday. Meanwhile, he’d head to the roadside search center.

* * *

After Liam left, Sallie arrived and said she’d work the rest of her shift. Lucy took Target into the lot for his walk. He strained at his leash, but she’d promised to stay close. After she came back inside with the dog, she settled in Liam’s office. Working in his room gave her sensations of comfort and security.

“Lucy.” Bella, dressed in jeans and an eggshell-blue fleece jacket, stood in the doorway, her eyes wide. “I wasn’t sure you were in here. Can we talk?” She entered before Lucy answered. “I saw Ryan last night, and I can’t get the conversation out of my head.”

On the couch, Target wagged his tail and then went back to sleep. Lucy rolled her chair to the side of the desk and faced the young woman. “I understand. Every day I notice something Ryan will miss or never experience again.”

“Has he visited you recently?” Bella crossed the room to Lucy.

“No, he hasn’t.”

“He told me the girl, Ali, is being punished for being with him.” Tears trickled down her cheeks. “I thought he loved me. Why was he with her?”

“Bella, dreams aren’t real.”

“No, Ryan came to me in the night. It wasn’t a dream. I asked him why he was with that girl. He didn’t answer me. You have to find out for me.”

Lucy jumped up to face Bella. The girl needed a reality check. “Ryan’s gone. He can’t come home, and if he said he loved you before he died, he did. Forget Ali. She was a young kid. You’re confused.”

“No, I understand what’s going on.”

What did she mean? Lucy chose the words with care. “When we’re emotional, it’s tough to be rational.”

Bella bit her lip. “I have a feeling about where Ali is.”

“Feeling?” Nausea shot through Lucy.

Bella nodded. “Can you get me a drink of water before we talk more?”

“Bella, are you done working?” Hank was in the open doorway. “You’re early. You shouldn’t bother Lucy.”

“I had to leave the shop. My head ached too much for me to think. Was I interrupting?” Bella massaged her forehead and winced.

“I was going to take a break anyway,” Lucy said.

“Hank, will you drive me home? I hate walking alone. Ali’s kidnaper might grab me.”

“Let me ask Sadie to watch the bar for a few minutes, and I’ll run you up the hill.” The door swung shut behind him.

“Maybe your doctor will prescribe meds to help you sleep,” Lucy suggested.

Bella grabbed Lucy’s wrist. “I can’t go sleep. I have to find out what went on between Ryan and Ali. Ryan can give me the answers.”

Pain shot up her arm from Bella’s grip.

The young woman’s eyes lit with a glassy glare. “Do you understand?” Bella leaned forward into Lucy’s face as though willing her to accept Bella’s compulsion to stay awake.

Alarmed, Lucy pulled free.

The door opened. A frowning Hank glanced at his sister. “Ready to go?”

“Don’t forget to ask Ryan,” Bella whispered and turned to join her brother.

Lucy released a breath of relief when they left. She sat at the desk for another five minutes, but couldn’t concentrate on work. “Target, we’re going upstairs.”

Then she’d shake the unease her visitor had stirred. She closed down the computer. What did Ryan know? He was gone and in a grave.

No one sat in the bar area as Lucy and Target headed up the rear stairs. Inside the apartment, she threw a glance out the front window. A dark vehicle slowed and crept past. The vehicle’s tinted glass protected the driver from identification. Wasn’t that the car that had followed them to Ryan’s house? No wonder Liam had figured out someone was tailing him.

Outside, the car disappeared from sight. She turned away and remembered she’d left her phone downstairs. “Be back in a minute, Target.”

At the bar, Sadie poured herself a Coke. Hank was still absent. Sadie faced Lucy as she approached. “You missed your company. Your ex-sister-in-law stopped by a second ago. She wanted to remind you to drop off her dog and to make it after five o’clock today, when she’ll be home.”

Why had she thought ignoring Clarissa was a solution? The woman enjoyed tormenting people.

“I offered to call you, but she was in a hurry to get to the club. Is she a cocktail waitress?”

“She works at a gym. Clarissa is delusional. I’d never hand over Target just so her boyfriend’s kid can play with him once a month.”

Sadie eyed her. “Her boyfriend’s the confused one if he wants a life with Clarissa. That woman is colder than Jack Frost stranded on an iceberg.”

“I agree. Sadie, have you noticed a black sedan driving around like they’re looking for someone or something?”

The cook hopped up on the stool. “Yup, that’s the FBI. The police have been using them as consultants. Didn’t they tell you?”

“I heard rumors,” she mumbled.

“More of them showed up today. Ali’s parents demanded the chief bring in”— she made air quotes— “‘professionals’ to search for their daughter. They’re probably driving around getting the lay of the town.”