The moonlight shone bright enough she found her way easily down the trail back to the cabin. Heeding Tanner’s advice, she found a plywood plank and nailed it over the broken window. She’d never been afraid to be alone in the cabin before, but tonight the shadows and quiet seemed ominous. After checking all the locks, she wandered into the living room and sank onto the sofa, too weary to attempt a shower. A cricket sang within the ancient log walls. Was it welcoming her home or warning her away?
She leaned back and studied her parents’ portrait over the fireplace. She’d never understood why her father kept the painting after the divorce. But then, she’d never understood a lot of things about Sam McGuire. Like what he’d been doing at Wildcat Ravine before the fire started.
She blinked rapidly as a fresh wave of grief engulfed her. She wasn’t going to cry. Tears didn’t do any good. She needed to concentrate on the case so she could leave the harsh memories behind and return to her real life. Not only would she run out of vacation pay, but she’d lined up job interviews for a position in arson investigation. A breakthrough here might help her chances to move up in rank.
A scratching noise drew her attention to the hole in the corner where her dad had designed a makeshift pet door to the crawl space under the cabin.
“Max?”
A soft meow answered, and the pet door flap lifted, revealing yellow eyes. The cat sprang through the opening and scampered to the couch. Kitty buried her face into the purring white fur. “I’ve missed you.”
The cat’s rough tongue swiped Kitty’s chin. Oh, how she’d wanted to take Max to the city with her after the funeral, but she knew he’d be miserable in a tiny apartment. Max was born a mountain cat and enjoyed roaming the woods. Thankfully, her neighbor Mrs. Oakley lived across the meadow and graciously offered to adopt Max and keep him fed. Apparently, he still liked to visit his old home.
Kitty pulled one of Nana’s knitted afghans over her legs. Max circled in her lap and settled into a vibrating tubby lump. Kitty rested her head on the cushion, but sleep evaded her as troubled thoughts swirled in her mind.
Her reaction toward Tanner disturbed her. Unfortunately, he hadn’t fit the profile of the inept dolt she’d imagined on the long drive up here. This man wouldn’t be easily swayed. His eyes held an unusual intensity and worldly intelligence that intrigued her but also warned her to be cautious. She couldn’t let a physical reaction cloud her judgment. She’d use him just like he’d use her to get the job done. Past experience had taught her well. Rule your life with your brain, not your heart. It was safer that way.
It was a mistake, Luke Tanner told himself for the tenth time as he charged up the steep, rocky hill. No doubt about it, he was slipping. How else could he have let the McGuire woman and her sick grandmother get under his skin so easily?
Three months retired from the Bureau and he’d already lost his objectivity. His research revealed Sam McGuire’s mother still lived in a nursing home, but Kitty, despite her innocent-looking blue eyes, could be lying through her pretty, pink lips. Her eighty-four-year-old grandmother might be senile and not even know McGuire had died. He’d been fooled before, and the process nearly cost him everything he loved.
He sprinted for the steps to his porch and leaned over, his hands on his knees. Living at seven thousand feet above sea level had some disadvantages—like less oxygen. If he hadn’t spent so much time in the Sacramento office the last couple months wrapping up loose ends, maybe he’d be acclimated by now. Jack panted beside him. Luke rubbed the dog’s soft ears. “Come on, let’s check on Michael.”
The dog raced ahead as Luke deactivated the alarm and climbed the stairs to the attic bedroom. The glow from the night-light illuminated the peaceful expression on Michael’s face, so unlike the surly one dominating it most days. Jack sniffed the boy from head to foot, and then lay on the rug, apparently satisfied no harm had come to his young charge.
Luke untangled the quilt from around the lanky ten-year-old body, gently tucking the ends under. “Thank you, God,” he whispered, awe in his voice. Even now, six months after the kidnapping, he found it difficult to believe he had Michael back safe and sound. Well, maybe not sound yet, but in time.
Luke smoothed a wisp of copper-colored hair off the boy’s forehead and then stepped toward the intercom that connected to downstairs and his father’s bedroom. “Dad? I’m back. Any problems?”
“Heard you come in.” His father’s gruff voice erupted from the small, black box on the wall. “Not a peep out of the kid.”
“Thanks for staying up. I didn’t mean to be gone so long.” He flexed his stiffening shoulders. What a night.
“No problem. With this contraption, I can hear a mouse tiptoe across a pile of pillows. It’s been a quiet evening, just what I needed to finish up this book on the John Muir Trail.”
“You thinking of taking a hike?”
James Tanner chuckled. “No, just wishful thinking. You know my old knees wouldn’t last five miles. You, though, work too hard and ought to take a vacation. Take my grandson camping like we used to do. Spend more time with him. A group from the church goes once a month in the summer.”
“I know. I’ll check it out soon.” Luke’s neck muscles knotted tighter. Finding the time for getting active in the church was another reason to get this case wrapped up fast.
“I’d lend you the book, but I need to return it to the library tomorrow.”
Luke smiled. He had a sneaking suspicion his father liked Miss Grant, the town’s kind, silver-haired librarian. When he wasn’t fulfilling his pastor duties at the community church or spending time with Michael, Dad hung around the library. Luke had mixed feelings about this possible romantic development. Logically, he wished his father happiness, but the thought of anyone taking his mother’s place twisted his gut.
First Mom, then Miranda. Too much heartache in the last three years. He didn’t know how he could’ve gone on if he’d lost Michael too.
“Night, Dad.” Luke switched off the intercom. He gestured to the German Shepherd.
“Come.”
The dog followed him down to the kitchen where Luke scooped out dry dog food. Jack stared at the bowl until Luke remembered to give the command to eat, a safety precaution to prevent poisoning. His father had thought Luke overly cautious by purchasing the specially trained dog for Michael’s protection, but having Jack gave Luke more peace of mind. And Lord, you know I need more peace.
Still too keyed up for bed, he trudged onto the long deck that hugged the length of the house. The crisp, mountain air soothed his hot skin. He leaned on the redwood railing and gazed down at the quiet town huddled next to the lakeshore. Pine Lake boasted clean air, good schools, small-town values and even an active church congregation.
After the horror of their last year in Chicago, the secluded valley seemed like the perfect place for Luke and Michael to start a new life. Luke hoped that with love and his grandfather’s spiritual guidance, Michael’s troubled spirit would heal, and the child could learn to trust again.
Jack trotted to the railing and whined. “I know, boy, you feel it too. Things aren’t right.” Luke moved to where he could see the McGuire cabin. Despite the tranquil setting, something sinister brewed in Pine Lake, and he couldn’t shake the feeling Kitty McGuire had bulldozed her way into the middle of the mess surrounding her father. How deeply she was involved, he didn’t know. Someone wanted her to come back. But why?
“Jack, go inside,” Luke said, releasing the dog to his post. Except during school hours and an occasional night run, Jack stuck close to Michael.
Luke moved indoors and caught a whiff of the McGuire woman’s light flowery scent on his arms. Her courage and determined loyalty to her father stirred something inside him. A longing he thought he’d buried with his wife. A longing he didn’t dare indulge in. Not now. Maybe never again.
Luke sighed and locked up the house. As usual, his timing stank. Who would’ve guessed after he’d turned in his badge and moved to Pine Lake, he’d be fighting crime again? When Sheriff Johnson, the only person in Pine Lake other than family who knew Luke was ex-FBI, asked him to temporarily assume the fire chief position to assist in the arson investigation, he couldn’t refuse. If the town wasn’t safe, then neither was Michael. Protecting his son consumed his whole life now.
He headed to the shower. The steamy water washed the intriguing woman’s scent away, but an edgy feeling lingered as he toweled off and crawled between the cool sheets. Exhausted, he tried to sleep, but Kitty’s parting words, “You won’t regret it,” kept echoing through his mind.
Luke groaned, rolled over and punched the pillow flat.
Regret it?
He already did.
TWO
“Land sakes, it’s Kitty McGuire,” a voice boomed over the din of the Monday breakfast crowd at Sarah’s Café. “Come give me a hug, child!”
Kitty stood in the doorway and grinned at Sarah Moore maneuvering through the sea of tables. Despite living in an outdoor sports-oriented town in the rugged California Sierra Mountains, the proprietor of the lakeside restaurant consistently wore fashionable business suits and matching designer pumps.
“It’s great to see you.” Kitty hugged the petite, middle-aged woman and breathed in the familiar spicy scent of Sarah’s perfume mixed with citrus from the oranges she squeezed every morning. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“Well, you wouldn’t know it on my end.” Sarah propelled Kitty toward the table by the front window overlooking Main Street and the lake. “Not an e-mail or phone call in months.” Her smile took the edge off the scolding.
“I’m sorry. I meant to call, but I’ve been so busy with work and classes. I finally made it into the arson investigation program.”
“Great news. Your pa would’ve been proud.”
If only that were true. She couldn’t remember the last time Sam McGuire noticed or approved of anything she’d done.
Snagging a coffee pot, Sarah said, “Anyway, never mind my fussing. I know you have your own life. This town isn’t exciting enough for most young people, unless you’re a wilderness enthusiast or ski bum. So, how long are you visiting?”
“A couple days. I have some details to wrap up concerning Dad’s affairs,” Kitty answered, not wanting to discuss her father in such close proximity to so many other ears. She hesitated by the wooden chair her father had claimed every morning during his nineteen years in Pine Lake. She could almost see him sitting there in his worn blue uniform, pager by his plate, drinking coffee while debating local issues with Sarah’s husband, Daniel.
“Are you all right, dear? You’re so pale.”
Kitty’s throat tightened. “It seems so strange not having him here.”
“How thoughtless of me,” Sarah said, her hand pressed over her heart. “Would you like to sit somewhere else?”
“No, no, this is good. I want to sit here.” Kitty eased in the chair. The sooner she learned to deal with the situation calmly and systematically as a professional investigator, the sooner she’d solve this case and leave this town. Permanently.
Sarah poured steaming, fragrant coffee into two mugs and joined Kitty at the table. The older woman sighed and smoothed back a frosted wisp of hair that had escaped her French braid. “Do you know how sorry I am that I wasn’t here for your father’s funeral?”
Kitty’s eyes stung. “Oh, Sarah, please don’t apologize. I got your message and card. You needed to be with your poor sister. Is she any better?”
“Not really, but she’s still able to enjoy the Florida sunshine. That’s something, anyway. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Just tired. I got in after midnight,” Kitty said, almost adding, “and wrestled with the new fire chief,” but preferred to try to wipe the disturbing image from her mind.
“Poor dear, you must be exhausted, and you have to stay in that filthy cabin all alone. Daniel’s been keeping an eye on the cabin for you, but it must be dusty and full of spiders. Why don’t you come stay in my guest room?”
“Thanks, Sarah, but I’m fine in the cabin.”
“Then I’ll send Daniel over with a mop and dust rags. In fact, I’ll go with him to make sure the job’s done properly. It’s the least we can do for you under the circumstances. Clarence is perfectly capable of running things around here.” She nodded toward her part-time cook framed in the kitchen window. “I’ll call Daniel at the hardware store.”
Kitty grabbed Sarah’s hand before she could summon her husband. “Whoa, I appreciate you wanting to help, but I’m not a kid anymore. I can take care of it myself.” She grinned at Sarah’s dubious expression as her gaze swept over Kitty’s faded jeans and blue T-shirt.
“Can you? You’re still way too skinny. I’m going to see that you eat a decent meal.” Before Kitty could protest, Sarah signaled to Clarence. He trundled across the floor and set a plate and a frosty glass of orange juice in front of her. After nodding a solemn hello, he retreated behind the counter.
Kitty smothered a groan as she eyed the mounds of steaming pancakes, scrambled eggs, and Sarah’s famous homemade turkey sausage. “Thank you, but I only stopped in for a quick cup of coffee and toast. I’m on my way to the fire station to pick up Dad’s personal things.”
“That can certainly wait until after breakfast.” She stood. “I’m pretty sure everything got packed up after the new chief took over, but Daniel’s on duty this afternoon. He’ll be glad to help you.”
“Oh, it’ll be okay. I don’t want to cause anyone extra work.” Except for maybe Luke Tanner and the sheriff. Obviously, they needed to start the investigation from scratch. She ran her fingertip around the rim of her coffee mug. Had Tanner sent someone over to fix the broken window yet? “Did you say Daniel has been looking after Dad’s place?”
“Of course, I told you he would when I called you after the funeral,” Sarah replied in an insulted tone.
“But—”
The sound of breaking dishes crashed through the café.
“Oh, that Clarence, now what’s he done?” Sarah said. “He can cook up a storm, but he has such butterfingers. I’d better go see what this will cost me. You eat and I’ll be right back.” She waited until Kitty picked up her fork before marching to the kitchen.
Kitty stabbed at the buckwheat pancakes and took a reluctant bite. The syrupy cake melted on her tongue and despite the knot still in her throat, it slid down, warm and smooth. She sighed and gazed through the lace-edged windows at the sunlight dancing on the deep blue of Pine Lake. She would’ve enjoyed the food and scenery more if her mind wasn’t whirling with disturbing questions.
If the town council had appointed Tanner in charge of the cabin, why did Sarah say Daniel was still looking after it? Didn’t they know the town had repossessed the property? Strange. Sarah hadn’t mentioned the break-ins at the cabin, or elsewhere either. The café was the town gossip hub, and few events escaped Sarah’s knowledge. Maybe she just didn’t want to scare her. Or maybe the council didn’t want anyone to know what they were up to.
The bell on the door jingled. Kitty nearly choked as Tanner entered. His gaze flicked around the crowd, then lingered on her before he strolled across the room and claimed a stool at the counter.
She swallowed her mouthful of eggs, annoyed that her heart thumped faster every time she looked at him. At least Tanner’s entrance affected others besides her. Men exchanged glances and women nearly drooled behind his back as he opened a copy of the local newspaper. Without a word, Sarah shoved a coffee mug in front of him.
Kitty tapped her foot impatiently on the wood floor. Did she dare join him? It’d probably just give him another opportunity to tell her to leave town. She didn’t want to blow her chance of getting into the fire station. Somewhere in there may be a clue as to why her father visited the ravine that fateful day. Maybe he saw something suspicious and decided to check out the area.
She slumped in her chair, drained after the Tanner-induced rush of adrenaline. It wasn’t fair. He certainly appeared fresh and well rested. Her entire body ached, and even though she’d shampooed her hair three times, she still wasn’t sure if she’d gotten out all the flour.
His thick, ebony hair didn’t show a speck of the chalky stuff that turned to paste when water hit it. Brushed back from his wide forehead, the shaggy, unruly waves tumbled down his neck almost to the broad shoulders that strained against the confines of his white T-shirt. The shirt, tucked neatly into black jeans, couldn’t hide the strength in his chest and arms.
Her eyes followed the line of his long legs down to the black boots crossed at the ankles. Nice boots, Kitty thought, tucking her own under the table. Her gaze lifted and collided with Tanner’s dark eyes. He flashed a grin and hoisted his mug in mock salute.
Heat curled in her stomach, and her face flushed. He obviously enjoyed her discomfort at being caught gawking at him. He took a gulp of coffee and raised his eyebrows as if daring her to do something about it.
She stood, ready to wipe the teasing smile off his face with a scathing remark, but her elbow bumped something on the wall. She turned and grabbed a swinging frame.
“Way to go, Kitcat.”
Kitty jumped at the use of her old nickname. Only one person ever called her that. She looked over her shoulder at compelling blue-gray eyes set in a tanned, boyishly attractive face fringed by silvery-blond hair. “Evan Stone, what on earth are you doing here?”
“Eating breakfast?”
Kitty grinned. “No kidding. I meant what are you doing in Pine Lake? Last I heard, you were on assignment in China.”
“Actually, Mongolia, and I left there a year ago.” Evan spun Sarah’s vacated chair around and straddled the seat with his lanky, khaki-clad legs. “So, what do you think?”
“Of Mongolia?”
“No, silly. The photo.”
“This is yours?” She sat and studied the breathtaking shot. Two bald eagles clinging together by their talons, tumbled through the brilliant blue sky above a jagged canyon wall. “What are they doing? Fighting?”
He cleared his throat. “Actually, they’re mating.”
“Yikes. They don’t fall to the ground, do they?”
“Nope. When it gets too risky, they break free of each other. You know, like most relationships.” Bitterness edged his tone, causing Kitty to glance up. He still smiled, but the wariness etching the corners of his eyes hadn’t existed in his younger, carefree days.
She concentrated on the photograph, critiquing it as Evan had taught her when they were kids and Evan was a budding photojournalist. “It’s an awesome shot, well framed, very powerful, but yet a vulnerable feeling comes through.” She raised her head. “When did you start photographing birds? All you ever talked about as a kid was how much you wanted to photograph war zones and other hot pockets in the world.”
“Got tired of living out of a duffel bag.” He shrugged. “Figured I’d try something different.” He tapped the glass on the frame. “I won the Piedmont Award with this one. You’re going to come by my place and see my portfolio, aren’t you? I’d tell you it’s spectacular, except you know how modest I am.”
Kitty laughed with him as she hung the picture back on the wall. She leaned forward on her elbows. “I’m so glad to see you. I’ve missed you.”
“Ditto, kid. I came through L.A. several times but never had time to hook up. I was traveling on location until after your dad’s funeral. Wish I could’ve been here. Don’t know why, but I liked the old grouch. What do you say to dinner tonight? We can catch up.”
The eager tone in his voice caught Kitty by surprise. Was Evan Stone flirting with her? They’d always been just friends, even if her teen-aged heart had yearned for more. What a disaster that relationship would’ve been. She’d learned the hard way how it felt to have her feelings shredded without his help.
“I’d like to visit, but I don’t know if I’ll have time. It all depends on how today goes. I need to get back to L.A.”
“What’s the rush? Your boyfriend waiting for you?” he asked. “Sarah told me about him…”
“Jordan?” She grimaced. “Look, I really don’t want to talk about him. He—”
“Sarah said you’re going to tie the knot.”
Kitty gaped at him. But then why should she expect the gossip to stop just because she’d moved hundreds of miles away. “That was over a year ago. He’s long gone.”
“What happened?”
“It’s boring. Let’s talk about something else.”
“You might as well tell me.” He leaned forward in the chair he still straddled and propped his elbows on the chair back, resting his chin on his hands. “I’m a journalist and I can’t help myself. I won’t stop pestering ’til you spill your guts.”
“Eww, isn’t it considered bad manners to talk about spilling guts in a restaurant?” She tried to joke, but Evan continued to stare owlishly at her. Tenacious as always.
She sighed. “Fine, if you must know. Irreconcilable differences. He wanted kids right away, a picket fence and a wife who wasn’t gone for days pursuing a risky career. He didn’t want to wait for me to go back to school, either.”
“Sounds like a real loser.”
“Told you it was boring. But he wasn’t all bad, or wrong, in fact. People need to be around to make a relationship work. Spend time together. You should know about that.”
“Which is why I stick to my policy of no serious commitments to any woman.”
Kitty rolled her eyes. “I can’t blame Jordan. Look where I came from. Maybe I’m not cut out for marriage. Maybe it’s in my genes. Dad was a workaholic who communicated with me less than my cat, and my mother took off and never looked back. Jordan gave me an ultimatum. Quit the department or quit the relationship. I quit him.”
“Sounds like you made the wise decision.”
“Somehow, that doesn’t make me feel better coming from Mr. Love ’Em And Leave ’Em. I can’t believe I’m talking to you about this.”
Evan grinned. “I am what I am. And since we’re both currently unattached, why don’t you accept my invitation to dinner? We can have some fun.”
At her hesitation, he crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes. “Surely you still don’t hold the window incident against me.”
“What window?” Kitty asked startled, thinking of the glass she’d broken last night. He glanced at the wide picture window beside them. “Oh! Well, of course I do. It was your fault. You called me a city brat and pulled my pigtails. I only tried to defend myself.”
“Yeah, with a big stick.”
“The stick flew out of my hands by accident. You left me to face Sarah all alone.”
“It takes a smart man to know when to retreat.”
“Or a coward!”
“Now, that hurts. As I recall, I was the one in danger.” He laughed and squeezed her hand. “Ah, Kitcat, despite our shaky—or should I say shattering—beginning, we had good times, didn’t we?”
“Yes, we did.” Kitty sighed. Not many thirteen-year-old boys would’ve paid attention to a skinny, shy eleven-year-old tomboy. Maybe he tolerated her because she was gullible enough to believe the sun rose and set by his adventures, which, unfortunately, landed her in trouble more times than she could count. But no matter the reason for their friendship, she’d cherished every moment. Hanging with Evan had been exciting, and in the process, Kitty learned her way down every back alley and dusty trail in Pine Lake. The knowledge had come in handy numerous times when eluding the sheriff.
“How about this?” Evan asked, glancing at his watch. “Let’s shoot for dinner together sometime this week or whenever you’re free. Call me when you know what your plans are. Deal?”
What could it hurt? Time had patched her cracked heart and made her wiser. “Deal.”
“Great, and while you’re sampling my barbecued steak, I want an interview. If you haven’t heard, I own the Pine Lake Tribune.”