My Deadly Valentine (5 page)

EIGHT

B
y the time Rachel and Jace were finally finished at the card shop, it was late afternoon. He had insisted that they needed to go for coffee to pass the time while the professionals did their jobs regarding the crime scene and he’d been surprised by how easily she’d agreed.

There had been only a few brief instances when she had acted afraid, especially when she’d taken a look at the latest communication from her stalker. The rest of the time, if he hadn’t known the circumstances, Jace would have assumed she didn’t care that much.

“I’m glad I phoned Eloise and filled her in. I was sure she’d decide to close the store for a few days but she says she’s game to hang in there if I am. We’re going to have to keep our coats on all day though. It’s going to stay chilly now that the heater’s disconnected.”

“Why don’t you just call and make an appointment with a repairman to take care of it tomorrow morning?” He smiled. “I know. Don’t tell me. You can’t arrange anything on a Sunday.”

“That’s pretty much it,” Rachel replied. “But I will call someone tomorrow unless Eloise has already taken care of it. You may think I know a lot of people in this town but I’m a newbie compared to Mrs. McCafferty. Her kin have lived around here for six or seven generations.”

“I hadn’t thought about the town being that old.” He glanced across the square at the brick, three-story, county courthouse. “Guess I should have figured it out by looking at the architecture, huh?”

“And reading the carved text on the monuments on the courthouse lawn,” Rachel said. “They mention Civil War battles taking place right here.”

“I’ve heard Harlan call it ‘The War Between the States,’ instead.”

“That’s not as politically correct but it is a lot more locally acceptable. Arkansas was part of the South.”

“South. Right. That’s why I expected to find hot weather down here.”

He saw Rachel shiver before she said, “Hot, like the place where my stalker wants to send me?”

“Don’t let it get to you.” He escorted her to his truck and held the door open while she climbed in. “We’ll solve the mystery before long and everything will get back to normal.”

Although she smiled and nodded, Jace could tell she wasn’t convinced. Neither was he. Whoever had been harassing Rachel was either very clever or amazingly lucky because the sheriff’s office hadn’t been able to unearth much in the way of clues.

Jace was deep in thought as he pulled away from the curb and they headed for Rachel’s house. At least she didn’t live on one of those far-out pieces of property that was totally isolated. She had neighbors on both sides of her as well as across the narrow, tree-lined street. That was good. The only thing better would be if he were one of those close neighbors.

“You’re awfully quiet,” she remarked. “What are you thinking about?”

“You. This area.” Leaning slightly forward over the wheel, he peered at the passing homes. “It looks like a good place to live. Is everybody pretty friendly?”

“Very. There are a lot of retired people nearby so I see them often, especially once spring comes and they start gardening.”

“And all the houses are occupied?”

“You mean near me, right? Yes. Except for the Duggins place. Floyd died a couple of months ago and his kids haven’t decided what to do. I suppose they’ll eventually sell the property and split the profits.”

“Really?” Jace’s mind was spinning. “That gives me an idea. Why don’t you get in touch with them and tell them I need a place to live? I wouldn’t have to have a lease or anything. Just be sure to stress the fact that I’m Harlan’s deputy and can look after it for them. Renting to me has to make more sense than letting it stand vacant and taking the risk that vandals will trash it.”

Rachel laughed lightly. “Now you’re starting to think like a local. That’s a wonderful idea. It’s probably even furnished.”

“And I’d be closer to you, too, so I could keep an eye on your place at the same time.”

It amused him to see the arch of her brows and her lopsided smile so he added, “Well, I could. And any time you needed company, I’d be handy.”

“No good,” she said, shaking her head and making her hair swing gently. “It might be safer temporarily but it would be terrible for my reputation. Rumors about us are probably already flying. Having you casually come and go, especially after dark, would be disastrous.”

“Do you mean to tell me you wouldn’t call me in an emergency?”

“I’d call 9-1-1 first.”

“And then me.”

“Maybe.”

There were those rosy cheeks again. Rachel’s tendency to blush was endearing. Sandra had never done anything like that, nor had she seemed a bit shy about whether she might be creating a negative impression. Now that he could look back on her behavior and contrast it to Rachel’s, he was amazed at how unappealing Sandra’s attitude seemed.

The change of perspective caught Jace by surprise. When had he stopped brooding over his lost love and started seeing her for who and what she really was?

When he’d met Rachel Hollister, he answered without hesitation. It was she who had opened his eyes and given him hope for the future.

His jaw clenched. All he had to do now was make sure Rachel
had
a future. If he didn’t put a stop to whomever was threatening her pretty soon, the attacks might escalate until they became deadly.

“I’d ask you in, but…”

“I know. Rumors. Can’t have that.”

“Right.” She held out her hand, expecting him to shake it. Instead, he grasped her fingers in his and simply held them. The intense look in his eyes was so serious it made her pulse speed and her breathing grow ragged.

“Tell you what,” Jace said softly, “if I can’t come in to stay awhile, how about you leaving the door wide open until we’ve checked the place over very carefully, just to be on the safe side?”

“You think someone may have been in my house, too?” That notion would have seemed preposterous mere days ago. Now, it made all too much sense to suit her.

“We won’t know for sure until we look. Or you could stay outside while I go in and check.” He made a motion as if stepping toward the door.

“I’d rather do it myself but you can wait on the porch and watch if you want.” Pulling her hand from his grasp she reached for the doorknob and felt his light touch on her shoulder.

“Hold on. Where’s your key? Don’t you lock your house?”

“I haven’t for as long as I’ve lived here. Nobody does.”

“Well, start,” Jace grumbled. “I don’t believe you country people. Do you trust everybody?”

“Pretty much, yes. We really have very little crime in these parts.”

“Yeah, except for the occasional homicidal maniac.”

“That’s not funny.”

“It wasn’t meant to be.”

Jace was just standing there staring at her, his arms slightly outstretched in a silent plea for understanding. She knew he had a valid point. She also knew that she didn’t like the lifestyle changes she was being forced to make.

“All right. I know I have a house key somewhere. I’ll dig it out and start locking my doors. Satisfied?”

“It’s a good start,” he said. “I’ll pick up dead bolts tomorrow.”

“You don’t have to do that. I can get them.”

“When? Last time I looked, your hours were the same as the hardware store’s.”

“I can run over there on my lunch hour.”

“And I can do it as part of my regular patrol. If it’s the cost you’re worried about, you can repay me later.”

“I’ll never be able to repay you as well as I should,” Rachel said, meaning every word from the bottom of her heart. “I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t come to my rescue.”

“You’d have managed.”

“Would I have? I wonder.”

“You could have always called your father.”

“And listen to him rant and rave and insist that I need a husband to take care of me? No, thanks. Been there, done that. Didn’t like it one little bit.”

“Is it the idea of marriage that you hate or your dad’s choices?”

She huffed. “That’s a very good question. I’m not sure. I thought it was both—until recently.”

She saw Jace’s eyebrows arch. A lump the size of a summer cantaloupe suddenly blocked her throat and stuck there. What in the world was wrong with her? Didn’t she have a lick of sense? One tiny kiss and all her decisiveness had flown out the window, along with her common sense—what little she had left of it after being around Jace for the past three days.

Three days?
Was that all the time that had passed? Rachel was shocked to realize how briefly they had known each other. There were instances, like now, when it seemed as if they had been acquainted for ages.

And had cared for each other, she added, chagrined. At the least, she was unduly fond of him. Judging by the way he’d been behaving, he might actually share those tender feelings. It was possible. It was also unlikely. A nice fantasy but nothing more.

Was she ready to let a career cop into her dreams, let alone into her life? A short time ago she would have said no. Now, she had to admit she craved his company. The biggest question was, would she feel the same way once her stalker was captured?

Trying to mask a shiver that zigzagged all the way from the nape of her neck to her toes and back again, she insisted he wait on the front porch while she entered the quiet house. Her home. Her sanctuary. The first place in which she had ever felt truly at peace and in control of her life.

Crossing the small living room, she circled the end of the buff-colored leather sofa and proceeded to the sixties-style kitchen, flipping on lights as she went even though the sun had not yet fully set. Everything seemed in order.

“Are you okay?” Jace called through the open door.

“Fine. You can go.”

“Not till you check every room. How about the bedrooms?”

“Okay, okay.” Rachel shot him a begrudging look as she retraced her steps and headed into the hallway. A sudden chill made her pause.

Jace had apparently been paying close attention to the sound of her footsteps after she passed out of his sight because he shouted, “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing. I’m fine. I’ll just…” The mayhem which greeted her when she flipped on the bedroom lights took her breath away and made her gasp audibly.

“What? Talk to me, Rachel.” When she failed to answer promptly he said, “That does it. I’m coming in.”

She was not about to argue. As soon as Jace came up behind her, she turned into his arms and buried her face on his chest so she wouldn’t have to look at her bedroom. “Who would do this to me? Why?”

“I don’t know,” he said flatly. “But you’re not staying here tonight. I want you to go to a friend’s house. There must be somebody you can stay with. Maybe Logan Malloy and his family. That should be safe enough.”

“Look at all my clothes. They’re cut to ribbons.”

“Yes,” Jace said as he guided her back outside. “Maybe this time the person responsible made a mistake and left a clue.”

What if they didn’t?
she wanted to shout.
What if they get away with all this? How much longer can it go on?

Until they get what they want,
Rachel answered as her stomach twisted painfully.
And if the notes are to be believed, they want me dead. Dear God, help me! Please.

NINE

A
s Jace had assumed, Logan Malloy was more than happy to help once he had finished officiating at the Sunday evening service. His wife, Becky, had welcomed Rachel like a long lost sister and had immediately ushered her into their home, leaving Jace on the porch with Logan.

“How bad was it?” the pastor asked.

“Bad enough. Very thorough. I left Harlan there with a photographer but I don’t know how much they’ll be able to tell. All I saw was ripped and cut clothing. Plus, it looked as if whoever did it turned out all the dresser drawers. If there hadn’t been those previous instances of threats and break-ins, I might have thought a burglar was looking for something in particular.”

“Rachel doesn’t think so?”

“No. She insists there was nothing valuable in the house, which leads me back to the vandalism motive.”

Raking his fingers through his hair, Logan began to pace. “We haven’t gotten anything out of the notes I faxed to Chicago yet, except that my friend thinks they may actually have been written by a child.”

Jace frowned. “What? Why?”

“Something about the way the letters were made. He says he’ll be able to tell us more once he sees the originals and checks the pressure of the crayons on the paper. He insists that an adult would write differently, even if he were trying to emulate childish efforts.”

“How odd. And interesting.” Jace paused, then added, “Hey. Wait a minute. If this guy is using a real kid to print the notes, what about the writing on the wall? Surely, he wouldn’t take a child into the store with him. It would pose an unnecessary risk.”

“I agree. The first thing I want to do is get copies of those pictures of the wall that were taken this afternoon. I think you and I should head over to Rachel’s place, too, and help Harlan.”

Jace smiled. “Help him? Don’t you mean see that he doesn’t mess up too badly?”

“Something like that.” The pastor chuckled and reached for the doorknob. “Just let me tell Becky where we’re going.”

“Hold it. Is it safe for us to leave the women alone?”

That question brought more soft laughter. “My wife is a true country girl,” Logan said. “She’s not afraid of guns and knows how to properly handle them if need be. They’ll be as safe as if you and I were standing guard.”

“If you say so. I haven’t been doing so well in that regard. It seems like the more I try to protect Rachel, the worse the situation gets.”

“Only because this guy has been one step ahead of us. He can’t keep it up without stumbling. One of us will nail him.”

“As long as it happens before he carries out the threats he’s been making,” Jace said soberly. “I’m really worried about Rachel.”

“A lot of folks are praying for her.” He clapped Jace on the shoulder as he passed. “Wait for me. I’ll be right back as soon as I talk to Becky.”

I think it’s going to take more than prayer,
Jace told himself as the pastor went inside.
I think it’s going to take every trick I know, and more. I just hope that’s enough.
He grimaced.
It had better be.

The hours she spent away from Jace were the longest in Rachel’s memory. Drinking tea and nibbling cookies with Becky Malloy would have been a lot more pleasant if they had not discussed the threats in such depth. By the time the men returned to the house, Rachel was so emotionally and physically worn out she could barely keep her eyes open.

One look at the concern on Jace’s face, however, awakened her fully. She jumped to her feet and went to meet him before he and Logan had come halfway across the living room. “What is it? What did you two find out?”

“Not a whole lot,” Logan said. He bent and kissed his wife as Jace slipped an arm lightly around Rachel’s shoulders.

Jace nodded. “He’s right. Harlan is bagging your clothes, what was left of them, to send to the lab in Little Rock, but it didn’t look promising to either of us.”

“We’re right back where we started?”

“Not entirely,” Jace said. “At least there was no threatening note found this time. Come and sit down. Pastor Logan has an idea.”

Rachel let herself be guided to the sofa. Jace sat next to her while Becky took a matching chair and Logan paced in a confined oval in front of them.

“It’s time we set a trap,” Logan said. “Jace and I have talked it over and…”

Becky was quick to object. “Uh-uh. No way. This is not like the trouble I had with my family a few years back. This person is bent on either scaring poor Rachel to death or doing actual harm. There’s no way you two can dangle her out there like spinner bait in a bass tournament. I won’t allow it.”

“Yes, Mama,” Logan teased. He turned to Rachel with a grin. “She’s been like this ever since our Timmy was born. As protective as a mother tiger.”

“I can use that kind of protection right now,” Rachel said.

Jace reached for her hand and she not only allowed him to grasp it, she wove her fingers between his.

“Something Becky just said gave me another thought,” Jace said. “I’m sorry to suggest this, Rachel, but is it possible that your own father is trying to scare you into listening to his advice and doing things his way?”

Her first reaction was to take offense. In the space of a heartbeat, however, she realized that it just might be possible. She’d known her stubborn, self-righteous father to go to great lengths to get his way with her mother, so what was to say he wouldn’t lie to keep his grown daughter in line? Then, she remembered her destroyed wardrobe and made up her mind.

“I started to say I don’t know. But that was when I was only considering the earlier threats and silly notes. Dad is hardheaded but he’d never be as mean as whoever it was who ruined my clothes.”

“I agree,” Logan said. “I’ve known George Hollister since I’ve lived in Serenity. He may be opinionated to a fault but he’s not vindictive. No. It’s somebody else. Somebody who thinks Rachel has done something bad to them.”

She shivered. “But who? I wouldn’t hurt a fly. Not on purpose.”

“We know that,” Jace said. “I’ve discussed it with Pastor Logan and we’ve decided to take turns keeping an eye on you. If you can get me into that house near yours it will simplify matters, but even if you can’t, we’ll manage.”

“I hate to put you to all that trouble. Maybe Becky could stay with me, instead.”

It did nothing to calm her fears when both Logan and Jace adamantly rejected that idea. Clearly, neither of them wanted to jeopardize Becky’s safety, which left Rachel feeling exactly like the bait the other woman had mentioned.

No matter which man was keeping watch, her enemy might outwit him and get into her house or shop anyway. If she came face-to-face with someone so evil, so bent on harming her, would she recognize him for what he was?

She certainly hoped so, because the way things were going, she was pretty sure it wouldn’t be long before she and her stalker met. Her only true defense was her faith. And the fresh can of Mace in her purse, a secret gift from the pastor’s wife.

It was another week before Rachel could get Jace to commit to letting her return to her normal routine. He had been visiting the shop so regularly that Eloise had begun referring to him as Rachel’s shadow.

“I don’t want you going back to your house until Logan and I are all set up,” Jace said in answer to Rachel’s most recent query.

“Phooey. I need to go home. My potted plants must be dying from lack of water by now. Besides, I’m sick of imposing on the Malloys.”

“One more day. Just one more. I’ve got my stuff moved into the Duggins place and Logan is almost through setting up the cameras. We’d be done already if we weren’t taking pains to make sure we aren’t seen.”

“In my neighborhood there’s little chance of getting away with anything,” Rachel countered. “But have it your way.” She began to scowl. “You aren’t going to be watching me inside, too, are you?”

“Only in the living room and kitchen. Don’t worry. Most of the surveillance will be concentrated on the outer perimeter of the property.”

“Meaning, if he gets by that, I’m on my own.”

“Not at all.” He’d been waiting for the right moment to go over the entire plan and couldn’t think of a better opportunity than this. “We’ll set up a code system you can use to let us know if there’s a problem.”

“How about a nice, loud scream? I can do that.”

Jace had to laugh. “I was thinking more of a word or two that would fit into normal conversation. If there’s no immediate threat, we’d rather capture the guy red-handed, so to speak.”

“Blood is red,” she said with a grimace. “Just make sure it isn’t mine, okay?”

He stepped closer and held out his arms, hoping she would accept the comfort of an innocent embrace. Not that it would be so innocent on his part, he admitted ruefully. The more time he spent with Rachel, the more emotionally involved he became, like it or not. And he wasn’t sure if he did like it. After all, she had made her position regarding police officers quite clear. Unless something happened to erase all the damage done by her father’s attitude of superiority, there was little chance she’d ever consider getting serious about marrying a cop.

That surprising thought brought him up short. Marry? Him? No way. He was just feeling connected due to his professional concern for a crime victim, that was all.

And then Rachel stepped into his embrace, wiping away every misgiving, every doubt. As Jace closed his arms around her and she slipped hers around his waist, she laid her head on his shoulder.

The closeness that had developed between them was not simple, nor was it harmless, he realized. Their relationship had deepened in a few short days until it was much more than that of victim and protector. He cared about this young woman far too much to be able to reason his feelings away or laugh them off.

For Jace, that was nearly as scary as it would have been for him to have become the focus of the stalker’s ire. He wished he could somehow step between Rachel and her nemesis and relieve her of that burden once and for all.

Sighing, he hugged her and prayed silently for the opportunity to do just that.

“My car is safely locked in the garage and I have the only remote control so I’ll be able to drive to and from work from now on,” Rachel told Jace.

“Good. Pastor Logan and I don’t want you to walk anymore, especially not until daylight savings time starts.”

“I know, I know. And I won’t after today.” Rachel prepared to close the shop. “As soon as I get home, I’ll phone you on your cell. You and Logan will be able to see everything. Right?”

“Right.”

“It’ll be okay.” She reached up and patted his cheek. “You’re the guys with the plan. Don’t you trust it?”

“Sure we do. I just…”

“You worry too much. We haven’t had a single bad thing happen around here in over a week. Not even accidentally. Maybe whoever was mad at me gave up after he trashed my clothes.” She didn’t believe that for a second. Unfortunately, she could tell from Jace’s expression that he didn’t, either.

“I promise I’ll take all the precautions we discussed,” Rachel said. “I have my Mace handy, too. Nobody is going to hurt me.”

“Just see that you don’t panic and use it on the wrong guys,” Jace told her. “I had the experience of being sprayed with it in training and it wasn’t fun.”

“I’m sure it wasn’t. Becky tells me it will stop a grown man in his tracks.”

“A normal man, yes. Anybody who’s on drugs or is otherwise deranged may be another story.”

“Point taken,” Rachel said, smiling. “Look, are you going to get out of the way and let me finally go home or not?”

To her chagrin he stepped aside without insisting on a parting hug. Such innocent expressions of affection were an integral part of Southern custom and Rachel hadn’t thought much of it until Jace had started emulating the locals. His hugs were definitely not as platonic as most. The mere thought of them made her blush.

She scooped up her purse and keys and headed for the door. “The back is locked, including the new dead bolt. Come on. Time to go.”

Although she knew she sounded unconcerned, it was all an act. Inside, she was trembling so badly her stomach was upset and she had a tension headache that ran all the way from her shoulders to her throbbing temples.

The few new clothes she’d bought to add to those Becky had loaned her had already been delivered to her house and were, hopefully, waiting. There had been little salvageable among her damaged personal belongings, making the incident even more traumatic.

Leaving Jace to follow at a discrete distance, she started up Main and turned down Third Street, walking boldly with her head held high, knowing that each step was bringing her that much closer to finding out who was so bent on destroying her peace of mind.

“If that’s all they end up doing, then praise the Lord,” Rachel murmured, trying to reason away some of her fear.

It was no use. The nearer she got to her house, the more she trembled. Her throat felt as dry as the native creeks in August. Her hands shook like leaves in a gale.

She paused in the street and stared at the neat, brick-fronted home that she had always viewed as her one sanctuary. Now, it loomed like a forbidding cave filled with unnamed monsters. The windows were dark as if hiding an unspeakable terror that was lying in wait. For her.