No Good Deed: A Small-Town Romantic Suspense Novel

14. A Good Defense

Troy wanted to wrap Piper up and keep her safe in a bubble. Protect her from having to imagine her former coworkers as criminals. Mostly, he wanted to protect her from whichever jerk had hurt her.

What kind of person crashed into a car to get back a USB?

Someone desperate. He’d tried mugging her, breaking into her office and her home. What did the spreadsheets mean? They needed to figure out the code to protect Piper.

Tessa, out at Midnight Lake, was a zoologist, but she also contracted with the FBI for analysis work. She could sort patterns, numbers, and data like no one else Troy had ever seen. “I think we should talk to the people out at Midnight Lake. Tessa Flores is an analyst, and there are several former FBI agents who might have some experience with this kind of thing.”

Piper sagged into his side as if the weight of the case was too hard for her to bear. After a slow breath, she straightened again. “I can’t imagine this is something that involves the FBI.”

“They’re not current FBI. They’re friends with lots of experience. They’d be happy to help.”

Marcus chuckled. “Honestly, I think they’d be annoyed if Troy didn’t bring this to them. We’ve become a pretty good team over the past year.”

Troy agreed. “We’ve helped them out with a few problems they’ve had. They’d all be more than happy to return the favor.”

“But it’s not your problem. It’s mine.” Her voice was soft and sad.

Troy didn’t care that they weren’t alone. He turned to face Piper and cupped her face with his hands. “First, they would do it for anyone who needed help. We all would. Second, you’re not alone. Not anymore.”

She studied him with a solemn expression for a long moment. “If you’re sure.” But her eyes were still sad.

She turned back to the paper she’d filled with names. There were three pages of names. “I wrote down everyone I could think of, but some of these people were short-term clients or staff members who have moved on. Should I eliminate them?”

Marcus shook his head. “Let’s not scratch off anyone yet. How about you add a mark beside them?”

She sighed. “It would be easier to categorize them on a spreadsheet.”

Troy laughed. “Now you sound like Tessa and Tansy.”

That earned him a ghost of a smile.

The chime for Phail General sounded, so Troy kissed Piper’s cheek lightly. “We’ll figure this out. I’ll be back in a few.”

Troy helped a couple of customers get lightbulbs and baking soda, all while trying to figure out the next steps. He knew what he wanted. To use all the resources at his disposal to keep Piper safe. He wished they’d had time to visit Midnight Lake without the pressure of this discovery. That way, Piper wouldn’t feel as awkward with his friends. She’d met a couple of them at the diner but didn’t know any of them well.

On impulse, he called Addison Syrette. She was a single mom and an author of children’s books. She and her daughter Nina had moved to Phail a few years back. Addison always kept her background private, but he sensed she could use some extra money. He also figured Nina might have fun. The twelve-year-old was bright and friendly. And she was always asking questions about running a business.

“Hey, Addison, it’s Troy Phail. I have a weird favor to ask. I need someone to watch the store for me for a few hours. I’d pay you both, of course. Nina has asked enough questions, I’m sure she could run the place by herself. And I’m rambling. It’s okay to say no.”

Addison laughed. “Let me ask my partner.”

A few seconds later, she was back. “Nina says it sounds like fun, so we can help you. We can be there in about ten minutes. Does that work for you?”

“Perfect. Thanks.”

Troy moved back to the deputy’s office, where he found Piper and Marcus going through the list of people she’d written down, making notations beside them. “Any ideas?”

Piper shrugged, but Marcus nodded. “We’re making notes about the jobs and personalities of each man, but it’s draining work. Why don’t you take a break? That’ll give me some time to sort things out and talk to the police back in Illinois.”

Which proved again how well he and his buddy understood each other.

He reached out a hand to Piper, and when she took it, he tugged her to her feet and into a hug. “I’ve got a friend and her daughter taking over the store for the afternoon. Once you meet them, you can decide if you want to leave Oreo in their care or take him with us.”

She frowned up at him. “Where are we going?”

“Midnight Lake.”

* * *

Piper hadn’t spent much time in the woods and certainly never in the winter. Hiking hadn’t been part of her life before. Now, she wondered if she could do it regularly.

The trail from the sawmill to the lodge wasn’t exactly hiking, but it was fun. The trees blocked the wind and the outside world. It was like walking through a bubble that contained only them.

The path had been flattened by many feet and was easy to spot. Piper could walk and check out everything around her without fear of falling. So many trees. If she’d considered it before, she might have expected the rural winter landscape to be stark and barren. It was anything but.

In Chicago, the snow was more something to avoid than enjoy. Being surrounded by trees rather than skyscrapers made her realize it was gorgeous. Despite the temperature hovering in the teens and the snow everywhere, the atmosphere was somehow warm and cozy.

They’d left Oreo with Addison and Nina Syrette. Addison had been a little shy but lovely. The girl had been full of fun and confidence. She’d begged Piper to leave Oreo with them. The bulldog had climbed into the girl’s lap and Piper hadn’t been able to turn her down.

Plus, the two-mile hike from the road to Midnight Lake was far too long for his little legs. With all the snowbanks along the trail, they’d have been hours while he stuck his head in them all.

Nerves built as she spotted the trees thinning ahead of them. She’d been able to shove her worries to the side while they’d walked. Now, her heart raced, and she wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans. “Maybe we should just get a look at Midnight Lake and the lodge, and not mention the USB.”

Troy reached out to take her hand and tug her to a halt. “Why?”

“These people don’t know me. It’s rude to show up and demand help. I think we should leave it with Marcus and the police. They’ll figure it out.”

He frowned at her. “The more people keeping you safe, the better. The quicker we figure out the information on the spreadsheet, the quicker we get this guy in custody and away from here.”

From his town. She was bringing danger Phail. Piper glanced behind her at the trail. “I should head back. Take off for a little while. He hasn’t bothered me in a few days, so maybe he’s gone. If I leave, he won’t hurt you or do any damage here. I’ll come back when it’s safe for you.”

Troy’s frown deepened, and instead of arguing with her, he wrapped her in his arms and held on. “You’re shaking.”

Because she was scared, but she wasn’t going to say that. Although Troy had probably figured it out already.

He leaned back and looked down at her. “It’s going to be okay, Piper. I don’t want you to leave, but if you’d feel safer somewhere else, I’ll go with you for a few days.”

Tears filled her eyes at his offer. Other than her parents, no one else had ever had her back. She blinked away the tears but didn’t trust herself to speak. She’d either burst into tears or tell him she loved him. Not the time for either.

Troy smiled, then leaned down to kiss her. It started soft, like a comforting kiss, but it immediately deepened with desire. It burned so brightly that she knew she’d never not crave this again. And again.

Dogs barking had them breaking apart, and Troy grinned. “They’re friendly, but if you need to hang onto me, I won’t mind.”

And then three dogs bounced their way. A German shepherd reached them first and circled Troy with a cheerful face and lolling tongue. Then he approached Piper and stared at her face while wagging his tail.

She held out her hand for him to sniff. “Aren’t you a beauty?”

“This is Jetson. These other two are Willow and Spike.”

Once the dogs accepted her as part of the group, they led the way along the trail. Troy took her hand. “Let’s meet everyone and check out the space. Then we’ll see how you feel. Okay?”

She nodded, knowing she’d agree to almost anything if this man asked it of her. Meeting his friends was an easy thing. She’d decide on the rest after that.

When the trail widened enough to show the lodge, Piper gasped. The structure was enormous. Three stories with space for dozens of rooms. “In my head, I imagined a log cabin tucked in the woods. It’s huge.”

“It amazed me the first time I came here. Still makes me smile. It gets better every time with Aisling and Tansy working their magic.”

As they neared, she could see a large garage off to the side and then the lake in front of them captured her attention. With the snow-covered trees surrounding it, the sight hit her right in the feels. “It’s like a fairy tale. I can imagine Elsa loving it here.”

“Is that a friend of yours?”

A genuine laugh burst out of Piper. She hadn’t had that kind of laugh in a long time. “Not up on your Disney movies, I take it?”

He shot her a look with a raised eyebrow. “I’m not sure I’ve seen one since I was a kid.”

“We’ll have to change that.”

He groaned, but his grin told her he would do it with her, which gave her all kinds of flutters.

They moved around the lodge, closer to the lake, and Piper spotted a large cabin off to the right. “That was more the size of building I was picturing.”

He grinned. “Midnight Lake is full of surprises. That’s the office for our Midnight Security business.”

“You said you’re a part of that and running Phail General?” And the fact that saying the name didn’t make her think Fail anymore said a lot. She’d have to make sure she helped others see past the town’s name.

“I am. I liked what they were building here, so I bought into the business. I teach some classes too.”

That perked her interest. “You mentioned before you taught about security systems.”

“I do. And some communication systems as well. Cell phones and walkie talkies. Secure channels and that kind of thing.”

“Impressive. That all sounds complicated.”

He shrugged. “Everyone has their own areas of specialty. I learned a lot of stuff in school and the Army. I enjoy knowing how the tech works. And sharing that with others is fun, too.”

Piper could see that. Troy was outgoing and obviously liked people. He was kind and fun. Teaching would be a natural thing for him. “Doing the presentations for my projects has never been my favorite part of the job, but I don’t throw up before them anymore.”

Troy hooted with laughter. “You did not.”

Her cheeks flushed even as she smiled. “I totally did. All through school and during the first year of my job. I’m better now, but it still makes me nervous.”

He grinned. “I wouldn’t have thought that at all. I only noticed you were nervous when you shared your ideas because I know you so well. But when it’s time to present your ideas to everyone, we can do it together if that makes it easier for you.”

“That would be perfect.” Because she’d like to do a whole lot of things with Troy.