Prime Suspect Read online

  They went to Caleb and took turns hugging him.

  The blonde held him at arm’s length after her hug and looked up into his face. “I’m glad you’re okay. We’ve been praying for you.”

  The big man bent down to give her another hug. “Then that’s why I’m okay.”

  The other female smiled at Darcie. Her black hair and warm brown skin spoke of Hispanic origins. “Hello. I’m Karina Sinclair. And you must be Darcie.” She surprised Darcie by pulling her into a quick embrace. “We hear you’ve had a rough day. I’m so sorry.”

  “Thank you.” To her utter embarrassment, tears prickled in Darcie’s eyes. Detective Samuels’s harsh accusations and insinuations frightened and angered her, but the kind words of a stranger reduced her to tears. I’m an emotional mess tonight.

  Karina kindly pretended not to notice and nodded toward the blonde. “This is Lauren, and these are our husbands, Mason and Brent.”

  With some focused swallowing and blinking of eyelids, Darcie got herself under control enough to offer a quick smile. Lauren was the name Caleb had mentioned, the one who had agreed to shelter her and Percy for a day or two.

  Caleb looked around the group. “What are you doing here? I told you to go on to bed.”

  Mason splayed out his hands. “Dude, do you really think we’re gonna let our friend sit in the hoosegow without his buddies?”

  Brent’s lips twisted. “We met your new friend, Detective Samuels.”

  Mason whistled a low tone. “That is one uptight cop.”

  If she weren’t so tired, Darcie would have laughed. Uptight? Well, that was one way to describe the man.

  “Ah, that explains how he knew about F.A.S.T.” Caleb sounded relieved. “I thought he’d been investigating me.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t get too comfortable in thinking you’re off the hook,” Brent said. “He seemed pretty irritated to find out about our investigative work.”

  Mason clapped Caleb on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, buddy. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

  Percy’s crate seemed to pick up an extra ten pounds when a wave of exhaustion washed over Darcie. She wavered on her feet.

  Lauren was beside her in an instant. “Here, let me take that. You’re worn out. Let’s get you home.”

  Relieved, Darcie relinquished the crate. With an effort she placed one foot in front of the other to follow the women out of the station, the men trailing behind.

  At the direction of the police, they’d pulled Caleb’s truck into a parking lot before being brought to the station. The officer at the front desk confirmed that the pickup had not been impounded. Karina and Mason promised to come to the Emersons’ in the morning, then climbed into their car while Darcie followed Lauren and Brent to a silver Lexus. She slid into the backseat and scooted across to make room for Caleb. Percy’s crate was once again stationed between them. Caleb gave Brent directions to the location of the truck, and the Lexus followed the Sinclairs’ car out of the police station’s parking lot.

  A comfortable silence filled the car’s interior. So comfortable, in fact, that Darcie’s eyelids grew heavy. It would be embarrassing to fall asleep in these people’s car, so she cleared her throat and broke the silence.

  “Thank you for letting Percy and me stay with you. I really appreciate it.”

  Lauren half turned in the passenger seat. “We’re glad to have you. I’ve been in a similar situation, so I know how hard it is to feel like you have nowhere safe to go.”

  “You have?”

  Green light from the instrument panel reflected off honey-blond hair as Lauren turned a smile on her husband. “That’s how we met.”

  Caleb provided the explanation. “Lauren was falsely accused of killing someone, and Brent helped her get out of it.”

  “Not just me,” Brent corrected. “Things would have turned out a lot different without you and Mason.”

  “That’s how the Falsely Accused Support Team got started,” Caleb said. “We worked together to find the real killer. Brent’s a whiz with a computer, and Mason’s uncanny at investigation work.”

  Lauren twisted farther to raise an eyebrow in his direction. “I helped out a little, too, don’t forget.”

  A genuine laugh filled the car. “Yes, you did, sister.” He turned a grin toward Darcie. “I hope you’re a better houseguest than Lauren was. When she stayed with me, she set my house on fire.”

  “Only your back porch.” Lauren’s protest was delivered with a companionable smile. “And saved your hide in the process, brother.”

  “That you did.”

  Their companionable banter spoke of shared troubles and deep friendship. Darcie felt more of her tension seep away.

  Curious, she looked at Caleb. “What’s your role in the team?”

  He shrugged. “They let me hang around because they feel sorry for me.”

  “Not true.” Brent grinned into the rearview mirror. “I don’t feel sorry for you one bit, you big ox.”

  “Caleb is our ‘ear to the street,’” Lauren told her. “Everybody knows him and trusts him. so they talk to him. He digs up tips that no one else could get.”

  He held up a finger to clarify. “Addicts, gangsters and generally disreputable people trust me. They’ll tell me things they won’t tell a cop or a private investigator.” He flexed the muscles in the arm closest to Darcy. “But mostly my friends use me as their bodyguard. That’s about all I’m good for.”

  “Not true, Preacher Man.” Lauren bestowed an affectionate glance on him before telling Darcie, “His most important contribution is providing spiritual guidance and prayer cover.”

  Darcie looked at Caleb with new interest. Preacher Man? Somehow she didn’t have to stretch her imagination very far to see him giving guidance, and she’d already seen him pray.

  “So you can see that you’re in good hands, Darcie,” said Lauren. “These guys will get to the bottom of everything.”

  Darcie’s gaze slid from her to the back of Brent’s head and finally to Caleb. Maybe they really could help her. Maybe the life she had hoped to start in Atlanta wasn’t completely wrecked after all.

  No. I can’t stay here.

  She shook off the feeling of false hope. Coming to Atlanta had been a mistake. Calling Mr. Fairmont for help had been an even bigger one. There was only one thing she could do. Leave.

  “I appreciate your help. I really do.” She included Lauren and Brent both in her glance. “But I think the best thing I can do is put this all behind me and start over.” She looked at Caleb. “As soon as I can, I’m leaving Georgia.”

  A curious guilt wrenched her heart at the look of utter betrayal on his face.

  * * *

  Darcie’s words fell on Caleb like blows. His instincts had been right all along. She was just like Anita.

  “That’s the most immature decision I’ve ever heard.” The words snapped out before he could stop them.

  Her expression became incredulous. “Pardon me?”

  “You heard me. Let me spell it out for you. Leaving town is the stupidest thing you could do.”

  Part of his brain urged caution. But the other part was reeling from the realization that he’d been duped again. He’d let his desire to rescue a soul in trouble overcome good sense.

  Her incredulity gave way to anger. She glared darts across the top of the dog crate. “Did you call me stupid?”

  From the front seat Lauren said, “I’m sure he didn’t mean—” At a sharp glance from her husband she fell silent and turned around in her seat.

  “You heard the detective.” Caleb ground the words between his teeth before releasing them. “He told us both not to leave town.”

  Spine ramrod straight, she snapped, “Maybe you didn’t hear me say as soon as I can. I’m not stupid enough
to run away from the police. But I’m also not stupid enough to stick around and let myself be attacked again. Next time I might not be so lucky.”

  Luck didn’t save you. I did. That time he managed to bite his tongue. Thankfully, Brent pulled the car into the parking lot at that moment. Caleb’s pickup was parked exactly where he had left it.

  He opened his door before the Lexus came to a full stop. He couldn’t get out of that car fast enough.

  “Pop the trunk.” His voice sounded brusque, the words clipped, so he added, “Please. I’ll get her stuff out of the pickup.”

  Lauren turned in surprise. “You’re not coming home with us?”

  “What for?” A snort escaped. “She’ll be fine with you two. She doesn’t need me.”

  His gaze slid for one moment to Darcie’s face, which was flushed with anger. Then he shut the door. When her things were transferred, he slammed the trunk of the Lexus with a little more force than necessary. Then he climbed into his truck, started the engine and pulled out of the parking space without another glance her way. He did lift a hand in thanks and farewell to Brent as he rolled from the parking lot onto the main road.

  Finally, when the wheels of his truck were rolling smoothly down the road, putting distance between him and Darcie, his head began to clear.

  What’s the matter with me? I’m acting like an idiot. If she wants to leave Atlanta when this is over, let her. No skin off my nose.

  But his attempt at self-pep talk didn’t work. He knew what was wrong. He’d flown off the handle not because of Darcie’s decision to leave Atlanta, but because that decision reminded him so starkly and painfully of Anita.

  Which meant he’d unconsciously developed deeper feelings than mere friendship for Darcie.

  “I told You this would happen.” The angry words were slung heavenward. “I knew this woman was prone to run, just like Anita. I told You I didn’t want to get involved.”

  He did not speak the question that dragged at his heart like a truckload of cement. Why are You doing this to me again? Are You trying to hurt me? To pour out his hurts to God was one thing. To accuse the Almighty of cruelty aloud bordered on blasphemy.

  One thing was certain. His involvement with Darcie stopped here.

  Only...I promised to help her.

  His grip on the steering wheel tightened. No, he hadn’t. He had promised that F.A.S.T. would help her. And they would. She was in good hands with Brent and Mason.

  I can’t pawn her off on my friends and then stand by and do nothing. I’m not that guy. If only I’d never made that promise. If only I’d never felt that nudge.

  Had the Lord urged him to help Darcie? Or had that been his imagination, his budding attraction for her overpowering his ability to listen to the spiritual voice that had guided him in the past?

  Doubt spilled over him like dirt on a coffin. If he’d mistaken God’s voice for his own this time, it would happen again.

  A void seemed to gather around him, and Caleb felt utterly alone.

  * * *

  An hour later Caleb’s angry words still rang in Darcie’s ears. She and Percy sat in an armchair in the corner of Lauren’s guest room. After a few wild circuits to investigate his new surroundings, the little dog had settled down in her lap, content to let her pet him. He didn’t even seem to mind the tear or two that dripped off her chin and disappeared in his fur.

  The exhaustion that had weighed her down earlier had deserted her, chased away by a whirlwind of worries and fears—and questions.

  Why did he get so angry with me?

  The question went unanswered, but pondering it had made her aware of one thing. Caleb was right. Though oh so tempting, running away from a stalker who had already followed her once was a stupid idea. If she didn’t find out now why she was being targeted, she would live in fear and uncertainty no matter where she went. She didn’t want that. What she wanted was peace.

  A quiet knock sounded on the bedroom door.

  With a sniff and a quick swab at her wet cheeks, she said, “Come in.”

  The door opened and Lauren stepped inside. “I saw your light on so I knew you were awake. Are you comfortable in here? Anything I can get you?”

  “Everything is wonderful. It’s a beautiful room.” She glanced around at the tasteful decorations. A real oil painting graced the wall above the gleaming cherry dresser. Above the matching dressing table hung a mirror in an ornately gilded frame. The carved posters at each corner of the bed stood taller than Darcie. “I really do appreciate you and Brent letting us stay.”

  Lauren waved a hand in dismissal as she crossed the room and perched on the edge of the mattress facing Darcie. “We’re glad to have you.” She grinned at the sleeping dog. “Percy, too. He sure is adorable.”

  As though aware that he was being discussed, Percy raised his head, opened a sleepy eye to look at Lauren and then settled back into Darcie’s lap with a sigh.

  After a short silence, Lauren went on, “I do know some of what you’re going through. If you need an ear to listen, I’m here.”

  “Thank you.” Darcie smiled at a sudden memory. “Did you really set Caleb’s house on fire?”

  “I sure did.”

  They shared a quiet laugh.

  “Speaking of Caleb.” Darcie cleared her throat, aware that this woman was Caleb’s friend. “What did I say to upset him?”

  “I don’t know.” She shook her head, clearly perplexed. “I’ve never seen him flare up like that. He’s always so calm and levelheaded. The first one to pray, too.” She peered into Darcie’s eyes. “Are you a believer?”

  Darcie averted her eyes. “I used to be.” That was a topic she didn’t want to discuss right now. She had too much hanging over her head to worry about a God who had either forgotten she existed or didn’t care about her troubles.

  As though she sensed Darcie’s hesitancy, Lauren changed the subject. “I sent everyone a text and told them to come for breakfast at ten o’clock tomorrow. Brent has an early meeting at work. He’s a vice president at Sterling Foods, so he can’t really miss this meeting, but is going to try to get home by then. Karina answered that they’d be here.” She rose. “Get some sleep. And don’t worry. F.A.S.T. is good. They’ll find a way out of this mess.”

  Darcie’s fingers ran through Percy’s soft fur, and she asked in a carefully casual voice, “Will Caleb be here, too?”

  An upward glance showed her that she’d failed in her attempt at nonchalance. A smile hovered around Lauren’s lips. “I’m sure he will. Caleb never misses an invitation to a meal.” She paused in the act of turning toward the door, her expression serious. “And he can always be counted on to help someone in need. Always.”

  With a final good-night she left the room. The door closed with a soft click.

  Alone with her thoughts, Darcie continued to stroke Percy. Was Lauren right? Would F.A.S.T. find out what was at the bottom of these attempts to kidnap or hurt her? She wanted to believe it, wanted it badly. Maybe it was time to trust someone else for a change.

  Who am I kidding? I have to trust them. Where else will I go?

  A sense of helplessness stole over her. She had no other option. Tomorrow over breakfast she would force herself to open up to these people. She’d lay it all out for them. Hold nothing back. If they were as good as Lauren claimed, they might be able to piece something together that she had missed.

  And what of Caleb?

  An emotion she refused to name stabbed at her. “He can always be counted on to help someone in need.” There had been no hesitation, no doubt in Lauren’s tone when she said that.

  Oh, if only I could believe her.

  She wanted to believe in Caleb, to trust him. But even thinking of his name probed at a tender place in her heart, a place she shied away from. Placing her trust in the one the
y called Preacher Man was more frightening than being stalked by kidnappers.

  EIGHT

  Karina and Mason arrived a little before ten while Darcie was mixing up a pitcher of frozen orange juice.

  “Good morning.” Mason’s booming voice preceded him through the arched doorway into the kitchen. He raised his nose and inhaled loudly. “Mmmm. Are those cinnamon rolls I smell?”

  Grinning, Lauren turned from her task of drizzling icing over a pan of piping hot rolls. “Of course. I know they’re your favorite.”

  Karina planted her hands on her hips and fixed a mock-stern stare on him. “You can only have two. This time you’re going to share with everyone else.”

  Percy charged into the kitchen, yapping wildly at the arrival of new people. He’d spent the morning investigating the house and apparently had decided it was his territory to protect.

  A delighted squeal rose from Karina, and she bent down to look at him. “Oh my goodness! He is the cutest puppy I’ve ever seen. Hi, fella.” She stretched out a hand, and Percy stopped barking to sniff it.

  “Isn’t he? I’ve had so much fun playing with him this morning.” Lauren scraped the last of the icing out of the measuring cup. “Darcie, would you put these on the table please? I need to check on those burritos.”

  Darcie picked up the baking dish full of fragrant cinnamon rolls and set it on the table. She stretched her neck to look through the doorway and down the hall. “I thought Caleb would be here by now.” A nearly imperceptible knot of worry wiggled its way into her voice.

  “He lives in the other direction,” Mason said over his shoulder as he hovered over the table. He stuck a finger into the warm icing and put it in his mouth. “I’m sure he’ll be here in a minute.”

  The sound of the front door opening came from the hallway, and Percy charged out of the room, barking like a fiend. Darcie’s breath caught in her chest. Was it Caleb?