Truth is in the Darkness (Paynes Creek Thriller Book 2) Read online

  “I’d like that.”

  “Coop,” I said, closing my eyes when my nerves kicked up.

  “Yeah?”

  “I shouldn’t make assumptions. You can drop me at Grammy’s, or I can stay with Bryn.”

  “I know you can, but I already told you: you changed things. You can’t take it back.”

  “Okay. See you in fifteen.”

  I didn’t go to Bryn’s. Not right away, anyway. Instead I slipped inside the local framing shop, Frames on Main. I’d used the shop numerous times, and had always loved their superior quality of work. And luckily for me, they stayed open later than most stores in town.

  “Well, hello! If it isn’t Lily Thomas.”

  “Hi, Mr. McCracken,” I said.

  “I heard you were in town. How’s your grandmother doing? Heard she had some trouble out at her place.”

  “Yeah, but she’s doing okay.”

  “I need to make it a point to check in on her.”

  “She would like that.” I smiled.

  “I know you didn’t pop in here to chit-chat. What can I do for you?”

  “I’m always up for some conversation with one of my grandmother’s dearest friends, Mr. McCracken.” I’d known Mr. McCracken since I was young. Even worked for him the summer before my senior year in high school. “But you’re right, I was hoping you could frame something for me.” I pulled a drawing from inside my bag.

  “Why Lily, this is lovely.” He slipped on some gloves, and after sliding his bifocals up on his nose, he picked up the piece and studied it. “How would you like this framed?”

  I gave him some instructions for matting and size of frame. As usual, he masterfully honed my general suggestions into a half dozen excellent framing choices, any of which I’d have been thrilled with. Once I had picked out the perfect one, I nearly skipped out of his shop.

  Back on Main, I headed toward Bryn’s. Coop was out front, leaning against his truck and talking on the phone. He ran a hand through his light-brown hair, the sun capturing hints of even lighter streaks. He had an intense look on his face.

  As I neared, he lifted his head, and his eyes met mine. “Thanks for passing that along. Not sure what it means, but I’ll add it to the list of confusing details.” He hung up.

  “Something else has happened,” I said.

  “No. Nothing else.” His lips lifted in a smile, but his eyes remained steady, serious.

  “What is it then?”

  “Come on. Let’s get you home.” Home. It was a slip of the tongue. By the look on his face, he knew it, but he didn’t bother to correct it.

  Neither did I.

  At Coop’s house, he placed his gun in the gun cabinet just inside the side door, but didn’t lock it. We hadn’t spoken much on the way home, and when he looked back at me, he looked tired.

  “Want to tell me what happened today?” I said.

  “No.” He set his phone and keys on the island.

  “Coop.”

  “Lil, I’m an FBI agent. I don’t want to weigh you down with every detail of my day.”

  “Under most circumstances, I would accept that,” I said. “But these aren’t most circumstances. These details you don’t wish to burden me with directly affect me. You are not keeping me safe by keeping me in the dark. Besides, don’t you get tired carrying around all that stress?”

  I sighed while he pondered my words.

  Then I moved toward him. Slid my arms around his back and looked up. “Answer me this: are you done for today?”

  “Yes.” He eyed me with curiosity.

  “Good. Then how about we open a bottle of wine and I tell you about my day? Then you can consider telling me the things that you don’t want to tell me but absolutely should.”

  “Fine. I know you’re right. As much as I hate it, this case involves you. And it would be nice to unload the portions that I’m able to.”

  He poured two glasses of a lovely merlot, and we took our wine outside. Coop lit a fire in the pit on his back patio. Lounge cushions were already stretched out, and he went back inside and brought out a couple of blankets to quell the chill in the air.

  “You need a dog,” I said, looking out over the large back yard and into the woods. “This yard is begging for a Labrador, or maybe a golden retriever. Better yet, you could adopt a mutt from the shelter.”

  He took a seat on the cushion next to mine. “A dog is always a good idea. But I’m never home.”

  “Well, I was going to tell you about my day. Surprisingly, under the circumstances, it was a really good day. I got a lot of sketching done, and some writing. It felt really, really good to get work done.” I took a large sip of my wine. It was delicious.

  “You seem more relaxed,” Coop said.

  “I am. Escaping into my work for some good quality hours was therapeutic. And I think I’ve made kind of a big decision.”

  “Oh yeah?” I could feel his eyes on me.

  I let my eyes find his. “I’m leaning toward staying in Paynes Creek for a while.”

  Coop said nothing. And that made me nervous. What was happening between us felt new—like we were getting to know each other for the first time again. I didn’t want to ruin things by adding pressure to a young relationship.

  I looked away, concentrating on the fire crackling in front of me. “I’m not sure what that will look like, but I’m having Jake draw up the papers for a new LLC for me to publish under and to run sales of my art through. I think it will be good for me to get a change of scenery. To concentrate on my art and my craft, and not on New York living and how to impress a publisher. And…” I found his gaze again. “And I’m rambling because I’m nervous.”

  I took a drink of wine.

  When Coop still hadn’t spoken, I said, “You think I’m doing this because of last night.”

  He looked away.

  “Say something, Coop.”

  He turned back to me. I was having trouble reading the expression on his face.

  Finally he answered. “I’m terrified of saying the wrong thing.”

  “You can’t possibly say the wrong thing if it’s the truth.”

  “The truth.” The corners of his lips twitched. “Okay…” He hesitated for a moment longer. “I’ve been wanting you to tell me you’re moving back to Paynes Creek since the moment I saw you on the side of the road. I’d be fine if you told me that you’re staying in Paynes Creek because of last night. I’d be even more thrilled if you told me that you’re staying in Paynes Creek to be with me.”

  “When you look at me like that, I’m convinced everything in my life is about to be perfect.”

  He smiled, but again said nothing.

  “Coop, I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t consider what happened between us last night as I formulated a plan for the next chapter of my life. At the same time, I’m in no position to make any promises. And I’m not expecting any from you.”

  He frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

  “I mean, look at me. Look at us. I’m trying to start a new company. Someone has been stalking me. You’re investigating a murder case that somehow ties to that. And I still don’t fully understand the status of your career, but I know it’s important to you.”

  He placed a hand over mine—a calming touch. “We’re both taking steps to stabilize our careers. And I’m going to catch the person who’s harassing you, Lil. I promise.”

  “I know you are.” I moved closer to him, settling in on the same cushion with him and snuggling in close. “And it comforts me to know it.”

  He kissed my temple while holding me close.

  “Now,” I said. “Tell me what happened when you spoke to my mother.”

  “Ah, yes. Dear old Linda.” He took a drink of wine. “She claims she was trying to scare you into going back to New York.”

  “Why would she do that?”

  “That’s a great question.”

  “Do you think she’s been doing all the other things? Is she my ‘stalker
’? But then… then why would Tricia’s fingerprints be on one of the gifts?”

  “More excellent questions—you’re a natural investigator. To answer the first: no, I don’t think your mother has been stalking you. But I do think she might know who is. And Lil?” Coop looked down at me. “She seemed genuinely scared. She hasn’t asked to make a single phone call, and she said repeatedly that you shouldn’t be here. That you’re safer in New York. I don’t know what that means.”

  “I was being stalked in New York, too.”

  “I’ve been thinking about that. All of the stalking in New York involved things sent by mail, right? No actual threats?”

  “Unless you count the characters in my books having their eyes cut out.”

  “Look at me,” Coop demanded.

  I sat up and faced him.

  “I’m working under the assumption that Tricia was working with your stalker—that she sent you that candle on his behalf. Right before she was killed, she was questioned by the Lexington PD about that candle. I think your stalker learned about that, feared we were getting too close, and killed her before she could say anything to implicate him.”

  “And you think maybe Linda is in the same situation? She defaced my suitcase for someone else?”

  “Maybe. It would explain why she’s not asking for a phone call, or an attorney, or making any effort to get out of that cell. She may fear that she’ll meet the same end as Tricia.”

  “Someone will talk eventually,” I said. “Or whoever is behind this will make a mistake.”

  “I hope so. But until then, you need to be very careful.”

  “I am being careful,” I said. “The only person who has even come close to scaring me was your partner Luke.”

  “Well, I can assure you Luke is not stalking you.” Coop grabbed the bottle of red wine beside the cushions and gave us both a bit more. “Okay,” he said, tipping his glass to mine. “Let’s talk about you moving to Paynes Creek some more. That’s a much more fun topic.”

  I smiled, then leaned into him again and took a sip of wine. “Well, I’m going to need a car; I can’t rely on my cousins, Grammy, and you to drive me around forever. And I need to sublet my apartment in New York. I think Winn will help me with that.”

  “Have you considered where you might live?”

  “I’ve been thinking about that. Since Grammy’s not moving yet, I guess I could live in one of her guest rooms. But honestly, I don’t want that. I need my own space. And I want a studio. While I can write at a kitchen table, I like to spread out when I sketch and paint, so I need a space with good lighting where I can create. I’m thinking I might look at some of the buildings downtown. I love the space Bryn has over the coffee house, so I was thinking maybe there’s another building like that I can fix up as a living-space-slash-art-studio.” I swirled my wine around in the glass. “Anyway, it’s been fun to think about the possibilities, but I’m nowhere close to deciding the specifics yet.”

  He leaned in and kissed the top of my head. “Well, in case I didn’t make it clear enough… I would really like it if you stayed in Paynes Creek. Whatever the specifics may be.”

  Deciding the conversation was becoming way too serious, I sat up and batted my eyes. I set my glass aside, took Coop’s and set it beside mine, then threw a leg over him, straddling him. “You’re just thinking it would be more convenient for us to do this.” I leaned down and nipped at his ear, then sat back up. “And this.” I leaned further and brushed my lips across his neck. “And this.” I placed my lips on his, pulling back when he tried to deepen the kiss.

  “Well,” he said, tilting his head side to side. “Those things would all be nice every once in a while. Plus, you would be my ‘in’ for Barb’s famous carrot cake and poolside parties.”

  “Pfft.” I waved a hand. “Like you need an ‘in.’ Sometimes I think Barb would choose you over me. That woman loves her some Cooper Adams.”

  He sat up, cupping his hand behind my neck. “You’re wrong. She loves me only so long as I don’t interfere with any of her grandchildren’s happiness.” He captured my lips with his. Teased, then deepened.

  Pulling back, he stared into my eyes. “I know it’s too soon. We’ve only just reconnected. But don’t sign any leases too quickly. Talk to me first.”

  I studied his eyes, then nodded.

  “Have you told anyone else that you plan to stay?”

  “Only Jake, but he’s bound by lawyer-client confidentiality. I wanted to tell you first, but I also wanted it to be my decision. Fail or succeed, I need it to be my decision. That’s why I didn’t tell you before I met with Jake.”

  He kissed me again, then rolled me onto my back. “I have no doubt that you’ll succeed.” After a little more teasing and gentle kissing, Coop and I made love by the light of the fire. Afterward, he carried me to his bed and held me until morning.

  Thirty-Five

  Coop

  My phone rang in the predawn hours. After a short conversation with Sheriff Daniels, I rolled out of bed.

  “What’s wrong?” a very drowsy Lil asked.

  “I don’t know the details yet. I’ll call you later. Go back to sleep.” After a quick brush of the lips, she rolled over and dozed.

  I took a lightning-fast shower before heading out to grab Luke. I saw the officer parked at the end of my drive—a constant reminder that Lil was in trouble and needed protecting when I wasn’t with her.

  Luke was waiting at the entrance to the barn. Because Tricia’s murder hadn’t happened inside the barn or the barn apartment, the police had cleared it the day before Luke came back to town. Police tape, however, did still stretch across stakes and trees next to the barn where Tricia’s car had been.

  “Do we have details?” Luke asked as he got in the passenger seat.

  “No. Only that a girl is missing. Last seen at the Stop & Go three miles from here.”

  Luke’s head jerked toward me. “Isn’t that the—”

  “Same gas station Lil was taken from? Yes it is.”

  I sped down the country roads to the Stop & Go I passed by daily. Not once had I driven past this gas station and not thought of what had happened to Lil there. And now it was happening all over again, to another young innocent girl.

  Three police cars were already there, and I parked beside them.

  “What do we know?” I asked Sheriff Daniels as we got out.

  “Katelyn Berry, age seventeen, pulled into the gas station at 3:07 a.m. She paid for her gas at the pump. When she got back into her vehicle, a man in a dark hooded jacket got in on the passenger side. All of this was captured on security video. Berry then pulled around to the side of the building and stopped next to a dark sedan, right over there.” Daniels turned and pointed. “At that point, the camera only had a view of the cars’ trunks. Sixty seconds later, the man in the hood carried Katelyn and placed her into the trunk of the sedan. Ten seconds after that, he drove off.”

  “Did we get a shot of the man’s face?”

  “No. The hood was pulled low.”

  “Did he have a weapon, or do we think she knew him?”

  “Can’t tell from the security footage. Too grainy.”

  “License plate?” Luke asked.

  “It was covered up.”

  I sighed. “Maybe some other local businesses have cameras that captured the vehicle coming or going.”

  “I’ve already got officers checking. So does Chief Robinson. We’re canvassing the whole town and the entire county.”

  “It’s a big county,” I said.

  “That’s why we called everyone in.” The sheriff narrowed his eyes on me. “I don’t have to tell you how similar the details are…”

  I shook my head. “No, you don’t.”

  “You think this is a copycat?” he asked.

  I glanced at Luke. “No, I don’t. I think the same man who tried to take Lil twelve years ago is here in town now—and has been for as long as I’ve been here. And I think he has help.”<
br />
  My phone buzzed with a text. I pulled it out and unlocked it.

  The text featured a photo of a teenage girl curled up in what looked like a dark trunk, along with the words, This one’s not getting away. And neither will Lil.

  I flung open the door and practically sprinted into the kitchen.

  Lil spun around, sloshing coffee from her mug. “Sheesh, you scared me.” She set the mug down and placed a hand over her heart. “What’s wrong?”

  I went to her and pulled her into my arms. “Just give me a minute.”

  Her hands came up around me. “Okay… But whatever it is, I’m fine. I’m right here.”

  Luke entered the house behind me. “Hey, Lil.”

  “Hi, Luke.” She stepped back. “So… tell me.”

  I decided not to sugarcoat it. “A seventeen-year-old girl was taken from the Stop & Go early this morning. She’s the third high school girl to go missing in three days.”

  A hand flew to Lil’s mouth. It shook as much as she did.

  “There’s more,” I said. “I received a text. It was a photograph of the girl in the back of the trunk, along with a message.” I read the message aloud to her.

  She walked to the island and practically collapsed onto one of the barstools. “It’s him. It’s Rudy Richardson.”

  “And he has help. He can’t be acting alone.”

  She lifted her head, her jaw set. “I want to see Linda.”

  “Lil, you can’t—”

  “I can’t what? Ask my mother who she’s working for? Why she’s helping people who want to hurt me? Who have hurt others?”

  Luke shrugged. “It’s not a bad idea. We sure didn’t get anywhere with Linda. Or Bree White, for that matter.”

  I didn’t like the idea, but they were both right. We needed information, and we needed it fast, before anyone else was hurt. “Okay,” I said.

  As Lil hurried off to get ready, Luke stepped up beside me.

  “We’re not going to let anything happen to her,” he said. “And we’re going to catch this motherfucker. He’s getting sloppy.”