Chapter 23
TWENTY-THREE
Drizzle dampened Jonah’s face and hair as he stepped off the small front porch onto the walkway.
He’d forgotten his hat in the SUV earlier.
One of the patrol cars was gone, but two others still sat at the curb.
Chief Deputy Williams was speaking on the phone.
She nodded in his direction and held up a finger, indicating he should wait.
Hopefully, she had good news.
Jonah retrieved his cowboy hat from Laney’s SUV, settling it on his head, before tugging on a lightweight rain jacket. The glow from the kitchen window caught his attention. He watched for a moment, but didn’t see Laney. His pulse still hadn’t settled from their kiss.
Had it been a mistake to tell her that he was in love with her?
Jonah wasn’t sure. All he knew was that his heart demanded he speak the truth.
And after that kiss…well, if there had been any doubts about his feelings, they’d been erased completely.
He loved her. Wanted to marry her. Have kids with her.
A white-picket fence and a mortgage and arguments over where to spend the holidays.
He wanted to wake up next to her, and hold her in his arms as he fell asleep.
He wanted it all.
And buried underneath all of those desires was a bone-deep fear that Laney would reject him. That she’d conclude he wasn’t enough for her. Because after that kiss, he’d seen those walls of hers shooting straight back up.
Hold steady. Have faith. Be patient.
Ryker’s advice rang in his mind. Jonah breathed out and bowed his head. “Lord, I don’t know what the future you have planned for me is, but my heart says Laney is in it. I want her in it. But I’ve done all I can to show her that we belong together. So I lift up this problem to You.”
Considering the danger they faced, and Papa Earl’s unknown condition, it seemed selfish to pray for his relationship with Laney.
But Jonah knew how to solve cases. And he trusted the doctors to do all they could for Papa Earl.
In those things, he knew the path forward.
His relationship with Laney however…that was a gray area that triggered all of his deepest insecurities.
The subsequent peace that washed over him following the prayer centered his emotions. Inexplicably, the burden on his shoulders felt lighter, as if he’d done all he could about his feelings for Laney.
Raising his head, he noticed Chief Deputy Williams finishing up her call. He approached. “Any news?”
“Next-door neighbor has a front doorbell camera. Caught the assailant.” She tapped on the phone screen, pulling up a video.
The footage was grainy, but Jonah could identify Mitchell Caldwell as he stealthily approached the house. A few minutes passed, and then Mitch appeared again, this time running across the grass. He hopped into a black Jeep Cherokee parked across the street and took off.
Jonah stiffened. He’d suspected Mitch was behind the assault, but seeing him on the security footage cemented his suspicions into hard evidence. “I’ll need a copy of this video.”
She nodded. “I’ve already alerted Ryker and Tate to be on the lookout.
Laney should advise her rangers as well.
Chances are, this mole we’re hunting is going back into hiding somewhere on the park grounds.
” The chief deputy frowned. “He took a big risk by attacking Papa Earl. What message is he hoping to send? That he can get to Laney’s family? ”
“Maybe.” Something about the entire situation didn’t sit right with Jonah, but he couldn’t put his finger on what it was. “When we interviewed Garrett, I was certain he was the killer.”
“Me too.”
“Could they be working together?” He mused aloud.
“It’s uncommon among killers, but it’s not unheard of.
Emilia Knox was involved in a serial killer case in which there were two perpetrators working together.
.. Hold on. Let me call her.” He dialed Emilia’s number and put her on speaker.
Quickly, he explained the evidence they had against Mitch and asked about his theory.
Emilia was quiet for a long moment. “There’s no evidence there was more than one assailant in the cabin.
And Laney was attacked by only one person.
So I think we’re dealing with a single killer.
But…it’s possible our killer and Mitch crossed paths.
Mitch is desperate, in need of cash, and hiding out in the woods.
He could be manipulated or blackmailed into working for the killer. ”
“Working how?” Chief Deputy Williams asked.
“By keeping tabs on Laney,” Jonah filled in.
“Think about it. Mitch was fishing in an area of the park that was marked as forbidden. When Laney confronted him, he bolted like a scared rabbit. That’s not the action of someone bold enough to march into a cabin or a campsite and murder two people.
Mitch was there because Garrett couldn’t be. ”
His gaze shot to Breanna’s house. “Garrett was escorted down to the sheriff’s department.
He requested his attorney, knew he’d be there for hours.
Since he came in willingly and wasn’t under arrest, he would’ve still had his cell phone.
He could’ve contacted Mitch at any time.
It would explain why Papa Earl was attacked.
” He turned back to the chief deputy. “He’s setting up Mitch to take the fall for everything. ”
Emilia’s voice spilled from the phone speaker.
“That could be the killer’s plan, and it would fit with what we know.
The real problem is that if Garrett is our killer, he knows Mitch is on law enforcement’s radar and he’s going to get desperate.
Garrett will need to act fast to complete his mission and kill Mitch before anyone is any the wiser.
” She paused. “Jonah, he’s obsessed with Laney. It was obvious in the interview.”
“He’s going to make a play for her.”
“And you. The killer has an MO. Kill the significant other in front of the female victim and then attack her. He won’t want Laney on her own. He needs you both.”
Jonah’s muscles tightened. “We need to find Garrett. Now.”
Laney set a fresh cup of tea on the small table next to her sister’s rocking chair.
Breanna was holding Asher, slowly swaying him back to sleep.
She smiled her thanks. “I heard from Marcus.” She kept her voice at a whisper to avoid waking the baby.
“Papa Earl is awake and as ornery as ever. He suffered a slight bump to the head, and they want to keep him overnight, but it looks like he’s going to be just fine. ”
“Praise God.” Laney breathed out a sigh of relief.
She tucked herself into the corner of the couch with her own cup of tea.
Jonah was still outside with Chief Deputy Williams. Laney should join them, but after everything that’d happened tonight, she wanted just a few minutes of normal.
Or maybe she just wanted to be with her sister.
The soft glow from the lantern on the side table illuminated the paint cans in the corner. She tilted her chin toward them. “You decided on Mindful Gray. Good choice.”
Bre nodded. “You were right. It’ll bring out the yellow in the wood floors.” She was quiet for a beat. “So…when were you going to tell me that you and Jonah were dating?”
Laney nearly choked on her tea. She sputtered and used a napkin to wipe her mouth. “We’re not.”
Breanna leveled a look in her direction. “I saw the two of you kissing in the kitchen.”
“Oh.” She blushed and squirmed on the couch. “Well…that wasn’t what it looked like.”
“It looked like two people in love.” Breanna’s mouth stretched into a giant grin. “And it’s long overdue. The two of you have been dancing around each other for more than a decade. It’s about time you both realized what the rest of us already knew.”
Her brain short-circuited. “The…rest of us?”
“Me. Marcus. Papa Earl. Ryker. Tate. My neighbor across the street. Basically, anyone with eyeballs.”
She groaned and laid her head back on the couch, hiding her face in her hands. “You’re making that up.”
“Umm, no, I’m not.” Breanna tilted her head, her dark hair falling over one shoulder. “What’s the matter, sis? There’s no reason to keep it a secret. Everyone will be overjoyed. We love you, and we love Jonah. Seeing the two of you together and happy is the best thing ever.”
Laney dropped her hands. “Because…I’m not sure we’re going to be together. It’s…complicated.”
Breanna stopped rocking. “What are you talking about?” Her vision narrowed. “Please do not tell me you are letting your fear of commitment get in the way of this?”
“I don’t have a fear of commitment.”
She gave a very unladylike snort. “You’re so scared of commitment, you’ve practically got one foot out the door at all times. You never settle down anywhere, always moving every few years. You change boyfriends like I change socks.”
“Ew. First of all, change your socks more often. Like every day.”
Breanna waved off the comment. “You know what I mean.” Her expression grew sad, and her voice soft. “I know you’re itching to move again. I can feel it, and I’ve been holding my breath waiting for you to tell me that you’re going.”
Guilt swamped Laney. “I’m sorry, Bre. I don’t mean to hurt you. And I don’t want to hurt Jonah.” She bit her lip. “This is who I am. I think it’s who I’ll always be.”
“No, Laney. It’s who you choose to be.” Her sister let that comment hang heavy in the air, and then said, “If you were happy, I wouldn’t think twice about it, but I know you’re not. You’re scared. And you’re running. The real question is why?”
Tears pricked her eyes. She was exhausted, her emotions raw.
The attacks, the pending job offer, these feelings for Jonah…
it was all bearing down on her. Normally, Laney would run.
But now, she didn’t have the strength to fight against it anymore.
“Jonah says he’s in love with me. And I believe him.
But you and I both know that love doesn’t last forever.
People change.” She swiped at the runaway tear on her cheek. “Dad did.”
Breanna’s expression softened. “And you’re afraid that Jonah will become like Dad?”
“Not exactly like Dad. But maybe one day, Jonah will wake up and realize that he’s not in love with me anymore.
It happens. And if I give my heart to him…
” Laney choked up. “I’m too much like Mom.
I can’t go back. If I give my heart to him, and he walks away, I’ll never recover. I can’t do it, Bre. I just…can’t.”
She dissolved into tears. Her sister rose from the rocking chair and left the room. When she came back, she didn’t have Asher anymore. Instead, she carried a box of tissues.
She sat next to Laney on the sofa and handed her a few. “I have a confession to make. You’re not going to like that I kept it a secret, but I think you need to hear it.”
Laney mopped her face and sniffed. “What is it?”
“I met with Dad.”
Shock vibrated through her. “You what?” She blinked to clear her vision from the tears. “When?”
“After Mom passed. All I knew about him was the little you and Mom had told me. I wanted to meet him and see for myself what kind of person he was.” She rested a hand on Laney’s knee.
“And you know what I discovered? Dad was on his fourth marriage. He spent the entire time we were together talking about himself. Never once did he ask about Marcus or Asher. Or even you.”
“What are you saying?”
“Dad was always a selfish person, sis. I know you remember him as a loving father. I’m glad that you do, but I think your perception is skewed because you were so young when he left.
” Breanna let her process that for a minute and then continued, “Mom fell in love with the wrong kind of man. I’m sure she thought he would change.
And after it fell apart, she couldn’t let go.
But what she held on to…I don’t think it ever existed in the first place. ”
Laney swallowed hard. Could Breanna be right? It was hard to know. “We can’t be certain of that.”
“You’re right. We can’t. But there is something you can be certain of.
” She lightly touched Laney’s chest. “Your own heart. God wants you to be happy, Laney. He is a loving and kind Father who only wants the best for you. If you look inside your heart, and find that Jonah is there, then trust in that. Don’t let what happened between Mom and Dad rob you of the happiness that is meant for you. ”
Fresh tears swelled. Her sister’s words hit home, and Laney desperately wanted to believe… “I’m scared, Bre. What if I can’t do it?”
“You are the smartest and bravest person I’ve ever met.
No one loves more strongly or is more dedicated than you.
Except for maybe…Jonah.” Breanna smiled.
“He’s a good man. He’s stood by your side for the last fifteen years, through difficult times.
If anyone has proven themselves, it’s him. Take the leap of faith, Laney.”
She bristled at her sister’s commanding tone. “How do you know that’s what’s in my heart?”
“Because I’ve seen the two of you together. That kind of love can’t be faked.” Breanna’s expression was understanding but firm. “Ultimately, the decision is yours. God—and I—can only do so much.”
Laney grabbed a pillow and smacked her sister with it, laughing. “I hate when you talk down to me.”
“Then don’t be short-sighted and I won’t have to.” Breanna smacked Laney with a much larger pillow.
The two of them continued whacking each other childishly until they were both on the floor in a puddle of giggles. Laney couldn’t stop laughing. Her cheeks hurt from it.
She hugged her sister. “I love you.”
“Love you too. Now help me pick up these pillows off the floor.”
That set off a fresh round of giggles. It was a side effect of the stress, and a relief that they were all safe.
But as Laney put the last pillow onto the couch, her cell phone rang.
She glanced at the screen. It was one of her night rangers on patrol.
Concern immediately shot through her as she answered the call. “What’s wrong?”
“We have a missing child.”