Читать книгу When Silence Falls - Shirlee McCoy - Страница 12

Cade sped down Main Street, took a hard right onto Fifth, his sirens blaring, adrenaline pumping through him and waking him more than the strong, bitter coffee he’d been drinking. He barely braked as he turned left onto Apple Orchard Lane. Dark and lined with large, lush trees, the street offered plenty of hiding places. He searched the area as he pulled up in front of the tiny bungalow at the end of the road. Flanked by woods on one side and an oversize Victorian on the other, it looked like a fairy-tale cottage. Soft light spilled from the front window, illuminating the yard and the vintage GTO that sat in the driveway.

The front door of the house flew open as Cade stepped out of his car, and a woman tumbled out. Five foot three, maybe a hundred and ten pounds, wearing baggy sweats and a bright pink T-shirt. Cade didn’t need to see the color of her hair and eyes to know the woman.

He strode forward, caught Piper’s arm as she raced off the last step. “Are you okay? Is he inside?”

“Yes and no.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.” Her eyes were wide with fear, her teeth chattering.

“Then go back inside. I’ll knock when I’m finished out here.”

“But what if he’s out here?”

“Let’s hope he is. I want to have a little chat with him. Go on. Inside.” He nudged her toward the three steps that led to the front door, waited until she was locked inside and made his way around to the back of the property. There was no light here, only the silvery glow of the moon reflected on grass and trees. The yard was empty, but he walked the perimeter anyway, flashing his light into the woods, searching for signs that someone had hidden there. Closer to the house he found a patch of matted down grass, but nothing more. He’d dust the windows and siding for prints, though he doubted he’d find anything. Whoever had been here had fled, leaving little of himself behind.

Was it a coincidence that Piper had stopped a kidnapping attempt three hours ago and was now the victim of an attempted break-in? Cade didn’t think so. He radioed for dispatch to locate Jake Reed, and then strode back around to the front of the house.

An engine roared through the darkness and headlights illuminated the street. Cade’s hand dropped to his gun, then fell away as a silver Jaguar pulled in behind his cruiser, and a lean, hard-built man stepped out. Grayson Sinclair. Even if Cade hadn’t known him years ago, he would have recognized the deputy commonwealth’s attorney. Well-known by the community and well-loved by the media, his was a face often in the news.

He strode toward Cade, calm, but for the hot anger that shot from his eyes. “Is my sister okay?”

“Yes.”

“What happened?”

“Someone was at her back window.”

“You’ve checked out the backyard?”

“Yes.”

“Dusted for prints?”

“Doing it now.”

“Have you called—”

“How about you go inside and talk to Piper and leave me out here to do my job, Gray?”

Grayson’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. “I know you, don’t I?”

“Used to. Cade Macalister.”

“Seth’s friend. Last I heard you were an MP.”

“Now I’m a freelance photographer.”

“And part-time cop?”

“Reserves.”

“I guess Jake needs the help. Things get busy around here when the summer crowd arrives.”

“Grayson?” Piper peeked out the front door, her pale face just visible.

“We’ll catch up later, Macalister. You okay, Piper?” Grayson’s attention turned to his sister, the anger and frustration Cade had noticed well-hidden as he walked up the front steps and disappeared into the house.

Twenty minutes later, Piper’s hands were still shaking. She grabbed cups from the cupboard and tried to pour coffee for the three men sitting in her living room. It splattered over the rim, and she muttered under her breath, wiping the spill up and trying again.

“Need some help?”

Her hand jerked. More coffee spilled. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and turned to face Cade. “Only if you’re better at pouring coffee than I am.”

“I can give it a try.” He stepped beside her, eased the coffeepot from her hand, a half smile showing off a deep dimple in his cheek. Had it been there when they were kids? If so, Piper hadn’t been mature enough to appreciate it.

“You’re staring.”

Her cheeks heated, but she didn’t turn away. “I’m just trying to match who you are now with who you used to be.”

“Don’t bother. There’s not much of the kid left.” His words were light, but something in his eyes made her wonder where he’d traveled in the past years, what he’d seen.

Now wasn’t the time to ask. Maybe there wouldn’t be a time. Four years her senior, Cade had been Seth’s best friend. The last time Piper had seen him, he’d been eighteen and getting ready to enlist. Now he was thirty-three. A man who was nothing like the teenager he’d once been.

“You have a tray for these?” He gestured to the cups he’d filled.

“Right here.” She set the cups on the tray, then pulled out a package of chocolate chip cookies and piled some on a plate. Before she could lift the tray, it was in Cade’s hands and he was leading the way back into the living room where both Grayson and Jake were waiting.

Piper stepped into the room behind him and sensed a tension that hadn’t been there when she’d left to make the coffee. She glanced at Jake Reed, who’d arrived soon after Grayson. He looked frustrated and angry, his mouth set in a firm line.

Grayson looked just as angry and just as frustrated. Jaw lined with dark stubble, his short hair slightly mussed, he was as close to unkempt as Piper had ever seen him. He looked up as Piper approached, some of the anger seeping from his gaze. “Coffee. Just what I needed.”

Piper grabbed a cup and handed it to him. “Why don’t you take it to go? You look like you’ve had a long day.”

“I have. But I’m not going anywhere until I hear what Jake plans to do to keep you safe.”

“What do you expect him to do? Put a guard on me twenty-four hours a day?”

“If that’s what it takes.”

“You know that isn’t possible, Gray.” Jake’s words were calm, with just an undertone of irritation. Obviously, they’d been discussing this while Piper was in the kitchen.

“Possible or not, it’s what I want.”

“And I wish I could give it to you, but I can’t. We don’t have enough evidence that Piper’s in danger to justify the manpower.”

“Evidence? She got knocked around at that weight-loss class. Now someone’s tried to break into her house—”

“If he’d wanted to get into the house he would have. Old single-pane glass. Flimsy doors. It wouldn’t take much effort to get inside,” Cade said, his words interrupting the argument. Piper was sure he’d planned it that way.

She glanced at the door and windows, pictured a masked person breaking in, and shivered.

Grayson nodded. “I think you should come stay with me for a while.”

“You’ve got a one bedroom condo. I’d be sleeping in the living room, and I’d have to come back here to teach piano lessons.”

“Then I’ll stay here.”

“Gray, I’ll be fine.”

“Maybe. But your brother’s right to be worried about you,” Cade said, his gaze traveling the room, touching on the windows and the front door. “You don’t have a security system, do you?”

“No, I never thought—”

“A dog’s a better idea, anyway.” Grayson stood and began pacing the room.

“A dog?”

“Sure. They’re more effective than a security system when it comes to scaring people away.”

“I don’t think a dog will fit my lifestyle.”

“One of my men brought a German shepherd to the SPCA a few days ago,” Jake added, completely ignoring Piper’s protest. “Female. Maybe two years old. She was wandering around near the lake. If she hasn’t been claimed she’d be perfect.”

“Why don’t I pick you up after work tomorrow? We can go to the SPCA, see if the shepherd’s still there.” Grayson paused, his brow furrowed. “Wait. I can’t. I’ve got a dinner meeting.”

“That’s all right. I’ll go myself.” Maybe. Though as far as Piper was concerned, Grayson’s unavailability was the perfect excuse to not get a dog.

“Do you know anything about dogs?” Cade’s question caught her off guard, and she shook her head, recognizing the mistake immediately.

She tried to backtrack, think of a good reason why she’d be capable of picking out the perfect guard dog, but came up blank. “I’m sure someone at the shelter will be able to help me.”

Apparently Cade wasn’t. He leaned forward, his steady, reassuring gaze almost masking the humor that danced in his eyes. “Maybe it would be a good idea for one of us to go with you.”

“I wouldn’t want to put anyone out.”

“You wouldn’t be. I’m doing a photo shoot at the new medical clinic tomorrow. It’s ten minutes away. Why don’t I stop by when I’m finished? We’ll go to the shelter together.”

“I’m giving a final exam tomorrow. I can’t be out.”

“It’s your early day isn’t it, Piper?” Grayson knew it was. Just as he knew she wasn’t gung ho about the dog idea. Of course, being Grayson, he focused on the part that coincided with his plans and completely ignored the rest.

“Yes, but I’m not sure—”

“Then it’s settled.” Cade set his coffee cup down on the tray and pulled a business card from his pocket, flashing his dimple and acting like he had no idea Piper would rather not go to the shelter. “Here’s my card, Piper. Call if something comes up. Otherwise I’ll be here at two. I’d better get back on patrol.” He stepped past Grayson and disappeared into the darkness. Jake followed close on his heels.

“I’m staying the night, and don’t even bother trying to talk me out of it,” Grayson said as he stepped out onto the front stoop. “I need to talk to Jake. I’ve got the key. Lock the door. I’ll let myself in when we’re finished.” With that, he was gone, too.

Which left Piper alone, wondering how she’d allowed herself to be railroaded into a trip to the SPCA.

“Men. Can’t live with ’em. The end.”

She grumbled the words to herself as she snagged a cookie and marched to the linen closet. She was half tempted to make Grayson sleep on the sofa, but since it was only a little longer than a love seat and he was just over six feet tall, Piper thought that would be cruel and unusual punishment.

The curtains in her room were open and she hurried over to close them, her gaze drawn to the branches that swayed in the breeze outside the window. If someone was outside watching the house, watching her, she’d never know it. Not until it was too late.

Maybe a dog wasn’t such a bad idea.

She shook her head. No way. Dogs were messy and they stunk. She did not want a dog. Then again, she wasn’t sure she liked the idea of being alone in the house with a snake-tattooed kidnapper holding a grudge against her. She knew she didn’t like the idea of Gray sacking out in her house every night. She loved her brother, but he was overprotective and bossy. One night was about all she could take of him.

She tugged fresh sheets onto her bed, her mind racing with a million thoughts, a million worries. She had a lot to do in the next few months. A book to write. Piano lessons to teach. Finals needed to be administered and graded. She had to plan and practice the music for church. Make sure the collection of musical antiques she’d inherited were catalogued, appraised and ready to go on loan to the Lynchburg Museum of Fine Arts. And she’d offered to help Miriam plan the exhibit’s grand opening to coincide with Music Maker’s twenty-fifth anniversary.

What had she been thinking?

She hadn’t been thinking. That was the problem. She’d been asked and she’d said yes. At the time, she’d really thought she could do it. Now, she wondered if what she’d thought she could do was a little more than what she was capable of.

A few weeks ago Gray had accused her of having superwoman syndrome. Had he been right? Did she think she could do everything? Accomplish everything? Did she jump into things without thinking them through? Maybe sometimes. But not now. Now she was thinking. And what she was thinking was that she definitely didn’t need a dog complicating her life. She’d call Cade tomorrow and tell him she wasn’t going to the SPCA. That would take care of at least one of the problems. Everything else would work out in its time. She hoped.

As Piper finished making the bed, she had the sinking feeling that that wouldn’t be the case, that maybe tonight’s troubles were only the beginning. She shivered, grabbed the quilt off the end of her bed and walked back out into the living room. Huddled on the sofa, gaze fixed on the door, she could only pray that she was wrong.