Chapter 4
FOUR
Jesslyn made it to the Cornerstone Café seconds ahead of Nathan and Andrew. Honestly, she needed to get it together or she was going to lose all semblance of professionalism and come across like a lovesick girl with her first crush. Which would not be totally inaccurate.
Ugh and double ugh.
The restaurant held just a scattering of patrons, so she grabbed a booth in the back corner with a view of the front door. Nathan and Andrew stepped inside, followed by Lainie and James. Jesslyn met Lainie’s gaze and grinned. Her friend hurried over and slid into the booth beside her. “Hey, when you said y’all were headed here, I talked James into picking me up so we could meet you.”
“I can’t think of a better surprise. How’s the wedding planning going?”
“The planning is basically done. Now it’s just making sure I keep all of the plates spinning in an orderly manner until the big day.”
James walked over. “We’re going to need a bigger table. Cole and Kenzie and Steph and Tate are coming.” At her raised brow, he lifted his hands. “It’s a slow d—”
Lainie shot out of her seat and clapped a hand over his mouth. “Don’t you dare.”
He smiled beneath her palm, kissed it, and said, “I know you’re not superstitious.”
“Well, no sense in tempting ... whatever.”
“Fine.” His phone buzzed. “Hm. Kristine is coming too.”
“Kristine?” Andrew asked. “The mysterious air marshal I keep hearing about but never see?”
Jesslyn laughed. “She flies a lot and she’s been distracted with family stuff but managed to slip away for a bit.”
“Oh fabulous,” Lainie said. “It’ll be great to catch up with her.”
Twenty minutes later, the group surrounded a large table in the private back room. Andrew and Kristine had been introduced and were seated next to each other. They fell into easy conversation.
With their drinks in front of them and their orders placed with Tamryn, who served them almost every time they walked into the café, all that was left to do was catch up.
Steph cleared her throat. “So, Jesslyn, any progress on the fire?”
Jesslyn stifled a sigh. She’d known the topic would be addressed at some point. And she truly didn’t mind, but Steph’s query brought back the hollow feeling in her gut. Then again, it was their church too. “No, not at the moment.”
Andrew waved his phone. “We do have a BOLO going out on the car Jesslyn saw at the scene and we’ve released it to the news outlets, just requesting the guy contact us.”
“You think he will?” Kristine asked, skepticism in her eyes.
Andrew snorted. “No, but with it on the news, maybe the public will also be on the lookout and will report any sightings.”
Tamryn set the food on the table and James blessed it, ending the prayer with, “And thank you for letting this group be in town at the same time and available for this gathering. We appreciate it. In your name, amen.”
Murmured amens floated from the group and then silence descended for a few moments while everyone dug in. “So,” Lainie said, “the wedding is fast approaching—if you consider a year from now fast approaching—and I want to make sure you’ve all got that date on your calendar.”
Steph gaped while Jesslyn raised a brow. “You really have to ask?” Jesslyn asked.
Lainie flushed. “Well, not usually, but since I scheduled something on that very day because I didn’t have it actually written on the calendar at home, I figured I’d better double-check. If it could happen to me...”
Kristine went into a coughing fit. Jesslyn, who was sitting next to her, pounded on her back until the woman gained control. Kristine cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, but you had to say that just as I was swallowing?”
Lainie giggled. “I can’t believe it either. In my defense, it was after a particularly brutal night in the ED and I hadn’t had much sleep.”
“You work too hard,” James said, his voice low, eyes concerned and caring.
A twinge grabbed Jesslyn in the vicinity of her heart, and she had to admit, she wouldn’t mind someone looking at her like that. Her gaze slid to Nathan. A certain someone. His eyes met hers and she focused back on her coffee while she worked to keep the heat climbing into her neck from reaching her face.
Rats.
“Anyway,” Lainie said, “it didn’t take me long to realize what I’d done—and why I had the nagging feeling that I was missing something. It’s all fixed now and in big bold red letters on my refrigerator and my phone calendars. Crisis averted. Just trying to be helpful and make sure no one else has any similar issues.”
Kenzie shook her head, using her hand to cover the smirk Jesslyn had already seen. “I’m not laughing at you,” Kenzie said, “really.”
“And when are you two setting the date?” James asked Cole.
Cole spread his hands. “Hey, I’m ready when she is.”
Which Jesslyn found shocking, but Cole had certainly done a one-eighty from his carefree bachelor days. He’d reconnected with Kenzie and been a goner. Which was really sweet, but all these couples were beginning to give her longings for things she’d always convinced herself she didn’t want.
Or could never have.
At least not until her family’s murderer was found.
The thought grounded her.
Only she chose that moment to look up and find Nathan’s gaze on her again, so that ground shifted with the force of an earthquake. She grabbed her drink.
What in the world?
Kenzie laughed. “I’m getting there. Dad wants to walk me down the aisle, so I’m trying to give him some time to practice with his walker.” Kenzie’s father had been injured in a car accident years ago but had recently put a lot of effort into his physical therapy. He’d just advanced to a walker for short distances.
Again, Jesslyn’s gaze connected with Nathan’s, and she could no more look away than fly to the moon. Then he blinked, and whatever she thought was there was gone.
She wondered if she was seeing things.
Whew. He could be a complete distraction. Something she definitely did not need. She hardened her resolve. She had to find her family’s killer. Then she could think about the future.
“...right, Jess?” Kristine asked.
Jesslyn jerked and took a sip of her water. “Um ... what? Sorry, I was just thinking about ... um, someone ... er ... something.” She rubbed her forehead and wanted to crawl under the table.
Lainie grinned, but at least she had the grace to duck her head and snag another bite of her food.
Kristine simply repeated herself. “Andrew was saying after y’all ate, you were going to visit the businesses to ask about the chemicals used in the fire.”
“He told you what was used?” She raised a brow at the man. He really shouldn’t have done that. Talking about an ongoing investigation was a no-go. Which he knew.
He raised a brow right back at her. “Nope, just that we were going looking.”
“Oh. Right. Yes. Sorry.” She needed to shut up and get herself together, so why was she on the verge of tears? “Excuse me a minute, please?” She tossed the napkin onto the table and shoved her chair back, ignoring the suddenly concerned looks coming her way. “I’ll be back.”
She wound her way from the back room to the other side of the restaurant and made it to the bathroom with no time to spare before the tears tracked down her cheeks. Knowing she only had a few seconds before someone came to check on her, she stepped into the nearest stall and grabbed a wad of toilet paper to mop up her face.
The door creaked open. Right on time. She supposed it could be one of the other few diners in the restaurant, but she doubted it.
“Jess?”
Lainie’s voice reached her. Bingo.
“I’m okay,” Jesslyn said. “Be out there in a sec.”
“I’ll wait.”
Jesslyn shut her eyes. “Can I just have a few minutes? Please?”
A pause. Jesslyn could picture Lainie’s concerned frown. “Sure.” The door opened and shut once more, and Jesslyn opened her eyes and exited the stall. While she ran cold water over her face and dried it, she decided not wearing makeup most days was definitely a perk.
The door opened again and Jesslyn wondered who it was this time. Kristine? Steph? Kenzie? She reached for the paper towels stacked at the back of the sink and pressed one to her face.
Something hard dug into her left kidney and she froze.
“Don’t talk,” the person said. “Don’t scream. Just do what I say.” The voice was low. Menacing.
Her breath hitched in her lungs and she lowered her hands from her face, curling the towel into a fist. She met the man’s sunglass-covered gaze in the mirror. The beanie on his head did an excellent job of covering any hair color. He looked ... generic. Average. Completely nondescript. She couldn’t even see his eyebrows. “Who are you and what do you want?”
“Walk out of the restaurant and I’ll tell you. If you cause any problems or try to signal for help, I’ll start shooting.” He paused. “And I’ll start with the mom and child in the corner just outside this bathroom.”
Jesslyn walked, mind spinning, fear churning. There was no way she was getting into a vehicle with this guy, but she wasn’t going to risk him following through on his threat.
The clatter of dishes and the murmur of conversation faded into a distant hum as Jesslyn followed the silent directions of the gun pressed into her back.
“Hey, Jesslyn, are you okay?” Tamryn asked, balancing a huge tray of food.
Jesslyn stilled at the question. The weapon pressed harder into her kidney. “Yes, fine. I’m not feeling well and my friend here is just helping me out.”
Tamryn’s brow arched like she wondered if that was true or not, but she nodded. “Okay. Feel better.”
“Thank you.”
Jesslyn continued the trek toward the main door, heart pounding. Stay calm, think. Her self-defense training was limited, but it might be enough. Especially with the element of surprise.
Outside, the cool air hit her. The parking lot was mostly empty. Just a few scattered cars including hers and those of her friends. Her eyes fell on the closest one and a plan formed. She just prayed it didn’t get her shot.
She pretended to trip.
Her attacker shouted, but his grip loosened. She fell against the vehicle, slamming her hand hard on the window. The blare of the car alarm tore through the quiet mountain air, and she spun to see the weapon rising, aiming for her face. She brought one arm up in a roundhouse block while stepping closer and aiming her fist at his nose at the same time. He ducked and her punch scraped along his forehead, but it was enough.
He stumbled backward with a harsh cry, and she followed, grabbing his wrist with both hands. She spun, putting her back to him, shoved his arm up, and dug her fingernails into his wrist while jamming her right foot on his.
Another yell rattled her eardrum, but he let go of the weapon and it clattered to the ground. A surprise punch from his left hand against her head stunned her and blackness swam in front of her for a moment. At her sudden stillness, he shoved her away and she fell to the asphalt on top of the gun.
Curses trailing behind him, he ran.
She started to get up and after the first attempt decided to give herself a minute to catch her breath and get her spinning head under control. But she did notice he got into a dark blue sedan with mud-covered plates.
NATHAN GLANCED IN THE DIRECTION of the bathroom for the third time in as many minutes. Finally, after another five minutes, he set his fork down. He caught Lainie’s eye, hoping his questioning look was clear.
She shrugged.
He tilted his head and raised his brows. She frowned and shook her head.
Not acceptable.
He cleared his throat and put his napkin on the table. “Excuse me.”
Ignoring the questioning looks from those around him and Lainie’s laser-eyed what-do-you -think-you’re-doing gaze, he made his way back to the bathroom, hoping to run into Jesslyn coming out. No such luck. After a few seconds of hesitation, he knocked and waited.
“Nathan?”
He turned.
Lainie stood there, hands on her hips. “What do you think you’re doing?”
He bit off a laugh, wondering if she realized how easy she was to read. “Checking on a friend.”
“Well, she was my friend before she was yours and she asked for a few minutes to herself.” Her tone was soft, friendly. And had a thread of steel running through it. “She’ll come out when she’s ready.”
“I really think we should—”
“Excuse me.” Tamryn stood there, drinks on a tray and unable to get by. They were blocking the kitchen.
He moved aside. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. You’re talking about Jesslyn?”
“Yes.”
“She came out just a few minutes ago with a guy.”
Lainie frowned. “What?”
“Yeah, it was a little weird. She looked like she’d been crying and he looked a little sketchy. I asked her if she was all right and she said she was feeling a little sick and her friend was helping her out.”
Lainie gaped. “B-but—”
Nathan shot toward the front door and shoved outside into the cold air with Lainie on his heels. And there next to a truck, Jesslyn was pulling herself to her feet.
“Jesslyn!” Nathan ran to her side and grabbed her bicep to help her the rest of the way up. “What happened?”
A gun lay on the asphalt. She’d been on top of it. He started to reach for it, and she stopped him.
“Don’t.” She dragged in a ragged breath. “That’s evidence. Need a bag.”
The light went on. She’d been attacked. He glanced at one of the bystanders. “Someone find the owner of that vehicle and get the alarm off.” He shot a glance at a wide-eyed Lainie who’d moved closer, her eyes on the seeping welt on the side of Jesslyn’s face.
“Let me get a look at that,” Lainie said.
“It’s okay. He just stunned me.” She touched the wound and frowned when she looked at the blood on her fingers. “And cut me. But it’s not deep.”
“Lainie,” Nathan said, “after you check her out, can you let the others know what’s going on and ask one of the guys to bring an evidence bag?”
“Of course.” She examined the wound and stepped back. “It’s not too bad. Needs cleaning and a bandage, but other than a headache, you should be all right.”
“Thanks.”
The car alarm abruptly—and blessedly—shut off.
“Now I’ll go get the others.” With one last glance at Jesslyn’s head, she hurried back inside the restaurant.
Nathan studied her. “What were you doing out here?”
“I was in the bathroom and he came up behind me while I was rinsing my face.”
“We’ll get any security footage available, but you didn’t happen to see his face, did you?”
“No. He had sunglasses and one of those beanie hats on.” She paused. “He was clean-shaven, and his breath smelled like onions. And”—she looked at Nathan—“he got into a dark blue sedan, with mud on the plates.”
Nathan nodded, his face grim. “Good observations.”
The others came streaming out of the building, faces concerned. Nathan filled them in on what happened, and James gave her the once-over. “Glad you’re okay.”
“Thanks. Me too.”
“I’ll get that bag Lainie said you needed.”
She nodded and winced. Then glanced at the door. Staff and patrons rubbernecked trying to get a glimpse of whatever was causing such a commotion. “Talk to Tamryn. She saw the guy, I think.”
“She did,” Lainie said. “She’s the one who saw you leave with Beanie Man and alerted us to the fact that not all was well.”
“Beanie Man?”
Lainie quirked a tight smile at her. “It’s nicer than some of the names I could call him.”
Jesslyn huffed a soft laugh. “Yeah. I’ll have to thank Tamryn.”
“We all will,” Nathan said.
Kenzie was pacing the parking lot, phone pressed to her ear. She finally hung up and stopped in front of Cole, who leaned in to listen. Nathan would love to know what they were talking about. Probably requesting the security footage ASAP.
The ambulance arrived. “Who called them?” Jesslyn asked.
“I did,” Tamryn said, stepping over to her. “My manager told me to.”
“Oh, thanks, but I’m all right.”
“They can at least put a bandage on that. Please,” she said, “it would make me feel better. I can’t believe I didn’t act faster ... I’m sorry. It just didn’t occur to me that you were in trouble.”
“It’s not your fault, Tamryn.”
“Come on, Jess,” Lainie said, taking her arm. “Might as well, now that they’re here. It’ll save me from having to follow you home to do it.”
Steph took the other arm. “And me to make sure she does it right.”
Jesslyn quirked a smile at the three ladies, but Nathan caught her desire to run in her eyes before she blinked it away. “Sure. Fine.”
Kristine walked over to him while the paramedics worked on Jesslyn. “She’s a good one.”
“I think so.”
“I know you do. She’s also got baggage, so unless you’re prepared to deal with that, leave her alone, okay?”
He cut her a sideways look. Her tone wasn’t mean, just matter-of-fact. He could appreciate that. “Jesslyn would probably rake you over the coals for saying that. Not because you said it—she wouldn’t care about that—but because of the whole protective thing. You might be stepping just a little too close to the boundary she doesn’t allow many people to cross.”
She snorted, then laughed. “I see you know her better than I thought you did. Interesting.”
The calculating look in her eyes made him chuckle. “Don’t go there. We’re just friends. And I’m not sure I do know her that well. But I am observant.”
“Because you want to be more than friends.”
“I see you’re observant as well.” He turned serious. “She’s not ready for anything more than friendship. I’m okay with that for now.”
She nodded. “All right then. I’ll get back in my lane.”
Nathan left her and walked to the ambulance. Jesslyn raked a hand over her hair and tightened her ponytail with a wince. Nathan grimaced for her. She was going to have to change that habit until she healed up.
Once they finished up all the legal necessities, Nathan nudged her gently with his shoulder. “Take inventory and decide if you feel like driving or need someone to chauffeur you.”
She paused, touching her bandaged head. “I think I’m all right. I’m not dizzy or anything.”
“Okay. I think someone should follow you, though. Just to make sure you get there and get settled.”
“I’m not going home. I’ve got a job to do.”
“Come on, Jesslyn,” he said. “You were just a victim of an attempted kidnapping and got a conk on the head. You should probably rest.”
“I ... No. I need to analyze whatever evidence is ready and”—she waved a hand—“I need to work. Besides, it wasn’t a conk. It was barely a graze.” She glanced at the watch on her wrist. “I’m supposed to be at a church to inspect a new wing for code compliance. Then I’m supposed to talk to high school students about what it’s like to be a fire marshal and—”
He held up his hand. “Okay, got it. But I still think you should take precautions.”
Lainie walked up just in time to hear his last sentence. She frowned at Jesslyn. “You think you were targeted?”
Jesslyn lifted a shoulder. “It’s possible.” She waved Cole and James over. “While you’re waiting on the security footage, can you guys check the database and see if there are any other crimes that match someone grabbing women in the bathroom and walking them right out the front door?”
“‘And no one ever hears from them again’ kind of crime?” Tate asked.
She grimaced. “Yes. Exactly.”
“Sure, we’ll check.”
“Let’s circle back to you thinking you were targeted,” Lainie said.
“Well, with three sightings of the dark car and now this ... I’m starting to wonder if I’ve picked up a stalker.”