CHAPTER THREE
Shae Irwin gripped the steering wheel of her Jeep Grand Cherokee for the umpteenth time. Maybe she should start the engine, turn her SUV around, and head back the way she’d come. It wasn’t like her presence here in Blyth Lake would change anything for anyone.
“Stop being a coward,” Shae muttered to herself, glancing in the rearview mirror. Instantly, she wished she hadn’t done that. Her bloodshot eyes only reminded her that she hadn’t been sleeping too well lately. “Get a grip, Shae.”
Without giving herself time to second guess her decision, she took the keys from the ignition and grabbed her purse from the passenger side seat. It was time she faced her demons instead of remaining on the same old road that led anywhere but home.
Yes, Blyth Lake was her hometown. It didn’t matter that she and her parents had turned tail and run away after Emma’s disappearance. They’d even lost touch with neighbors and old friends that the family had for years…quite on purpose. Anything to wipe out the painful memories of their loss.
Shae stared at the front entrance of Tiny’s Cavern before glancing down Main Street. Nothing here had changed in the twelve years she’d been gone. Most of the old businesses that lined both sides of the street were still here, unlike most of the rest of middle America. The town council controlled what business came to town and who received a license to operate in most of the county. They’d even tied up the water rights and kept the big chain stores out of town. But a few of the established storefronts had been swapped out for newer ones. No longer was renting videos a thing, nor was having a small credit union in demand when one could do everything at the main bank.
The past was vanishing little by little, and they’d all allowed it to slip away one piece at a time. Hell, they even had a local High-Speed Internet Service Provider here in town, right across from the same old Ben Franklin Pharmacy.
“Shae Irwin?”
She’d all but been standing in the middle of the street. A quick look over her shoulder revealed Calvin Arlos—a man who the police had suspected might be involved in her sister’s disappearance.
Then again, so was everyone else in this accursed town.
“Hi, Mr. Arlos,” Shae greeted softly, dropping her keys in her purse as she rounded the back end of her vehicle. He ran the hardware store a few blocks over and used to give her a lollipop every time she accompanied her dad into the shop. She didn’t believe for a second this man was involved with what happened to Emma, but the Smith & Wesson model 360 loaded with 158 grain .357 magnum Federal Hydra-Shok rounds sitting in her purse assured her personal security all the same. It was amazing how a person changed after a tragedy. “How are you feeling? I heard you were in the hospital recently.”
Shae might have purposefully maintained her distance from the residents of Blyth Lake, but that didn’t mean she didn’t check in from time to time. Mr. Arlos had been taken in for questioning by a detective by the name of Kendrick all because Calvin had taken a few pictures at a summer camp her sister had attended a few months before her abduction. The pictures weren’t even his idea. He’d taken them for inclusion in the local community business association’s brochure. Back then, the camp had been a part of the town’s business collective.
The stress of the whole investigation had been too much for Calvin. He’d suffered a heart attack. Honestly, Shae was surprised to see him out and about so soon.
“Oh, you know how it is. These people around here make a big deal out of the inanest thing possible.” Calvin gingerly stepped off the curb, seemingly surprised when Shae lifted up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “My ticker just needed a little fine tuning, if you know what I mean.”
“I’m glad to hear that it was nothing,” Shae replied with an understanding smile, figuring it was best to go along with him. “Are you still fishing up at the lake? Anything biting?”
“I was, though I’ve been under house arrest for the last few weeks. I’ve still got the trolling motor battery on the trickle charger.”
For a brief moment, Shae believed Calvin meant he was literally under house arrest. His throaty laugh and how he held his chest to ease the ache from his recent surgery proved otherwise. He was referring to his doctor’s orders.
“I thought I’d hit up the Cavern this evening and show everyone that I’m not some weak-kneed old man who’s about to kick the bucket.” Calvin adjusted his John Deere baseball cap, still seemingly a bit unnerved to be around her. “I’m sorry that your family has to relive the pain from losing Emma. I hope they catch that stupid son of a bitch who’s been terrorizing all those young girls. Would you be interested in an escort, if you’re heading inside?”
Terrorizing was nothing compared to murder, but Shae understood what Calvin meant in his expression of remorse. She’d come to town for that very reason.
She wanted justice.
“I appreciate that, Mr. Arlos.”
Shae couldn’t bring herself to go into Tiny’s Cavern quite yet. It was still relatively early—maybe around seven o’clock in the evening—but it was a Friday night, after all. The whole town would be here within the next couple of hours. Everyone and their father would be hitting this bar.
Unfortunately, her temporary sleeping arrangements for her stay was the apartment above the Cavern. She’d have to go inside and see Brynn Mercer for the key eventually, but not right this second.
“I’ve been driving most of the day, so I’m going to walk to the diner for a bite to eat.”
“You be careful,” Calvin warned, his gaze leaving her and scanning Main Street. “Keep your head on a swivel. After what happened to Whitney, you’d think the town board would add more deputies to the department. People need to feel safe in their own neighborhood.”
Shae nodded her agreement, but she wisely remained silent. She wasn’t ready to talk about Whitney Bell or the fact that another murder had taken place.
Honestly, she wasn’t so sure she was ready to be back here in Blyth Lake.
Shae looked both ways before crossing Main Street, stepping up onto the sidewalk away from the few oncoming vehicles looking for a parking spot. The bar’s small lot was full, though that wasn’t unusual for a Friday night. Main Street would have cars lined up by the night’s end. Some from the bar, and others from the two-screen movie theater down the street.
Neon lights denoted both of the nighttime attractions here in Blyth Lake, more so for the theater. The owner had just finished a renovation, and the place was lit up like a mini-city. There wasn’t one car, truck, or SUV parked along Main Street that she recognized right off, but then again, she’d been gone for a very long time.
Or not long enough.
“Jack.” Shae would have run into the man had she not been trying to see who was inside the diner by craning her neck. He’d come barreling out the glass door as if the building were on fire, not caring who was in his way. He always was a little self-centered, even when he was younger. “It’s been a long while.”
It was really wrong of her to experience a streak of pleasure as Jack Stuart seemed a bit speechless at her presence. Bygones should be bygones, but the memory of him making fun of Emma when she got her braces was hard to forget. His stymie now provided a little satisfaction.
“Shae, I didn’t know you were back in town.” Jack awkwardly leaned in for a hug, as if he wasn’t sure how to greet her. A handshake would have been fine, but she followed suit. They were in a small town, after all. “It’s good to see you.”
They were still standing on the sidewalk, but Shae could sense each heavy stare from those who were left inside the diner. She never thought returning to her hometown would be easy, but this was downright awkward. Were they all staring at her because they expected her to start screaming and losing her shit?
“Please tell me that there’s still a slice of Annie’s apple pie left in the bakery case.” Shae was going to make this exchange as normal as she could muster, given the circumstances. “I’ve been driving all day thinking of her homemade apple pies.”
“I don’t know,” Jack admitted reluctantly with a crooked smile. “I was just saying hi to my mom before meeting up with Beth Ann over at the Cavern.”
That’s right. Brynn had mentioned in their last phone call that Jack was dating Beth Ann.
“Well, I won’t keep you then,” Shae said, meaning every word. “I’m starving, but give Beth Ann my best. I’m sure I’ll see the two of you shortly, seeing as I’m staying in Brynn’s old studio apartment above the bar.”
Calvin Arlos being somewhat shocked at stumbling into her in town was one thing. After all, he’d been holed up at home and recovering from open heart surgery. Jack, on the other hand, was something entirely different. He seemed thrown for a complete loop at the sight of her knowing smile.
Brynn hadn’t told a soul that Shae was returning home.
Oh, this should be illuminating.
She was grateful for the small favor. The Irwin family had been the talk of the town for far too long, and she certainly didn’t want to add to the local gossip mill. The opportunity to catch everyone unprepared for her appearance had its own benefits. Unfortunately, keeping the residents in the dark about her return also meant uncomfortable meetings such as this one. She might as well have spilt the beans regardless, especially considering that Calvin was currently announcing her arrival to the entire bar.
“Yeah, I heard Brynn had moved in with Lance,” Jack replied, most likely because he wasn’t sure what else to say. “I’m sure I’ll see you around then. Are you visiting or are you staying for a while?”
“Just visiting,” Shae replied honestly, not sure she’d ever come back to Blyth Lake once Emma’s case was solved. “Have a good night, Jack.”
Shae didn’t give him time to ask her any other questions. She shouldered past him and opened the door, covering her wince as the bell above her began to ring.
“Shae Irwin, I don’t believe my eyes!” Molly Stuart came around the counter wiping her hands on the white apron tied around her waist. Shae didn’t believe for a second that the woman’s hands had anything on them. Everyone had been waiting eagerly for Shae to walk inside. “Aren’t you absolutely beautiful. Cassie, come here! Shae’s come home!”
Shae managed a smile as she was engulfed in Molly’s embrace. It wasn’t long before the other patrons began standing from their tables and coming over to greet her. It was as if the town’s welcome wagon had been rolled out.
Harlan Whitmore and his wife had been very good friends with her parents, as were Chester and Stella Mayer. The couples used to have a weekly game of Euchre, and probably still did. Shae hadn’t meant to make anyone uncomfortable, least of all these few couples who had always been friends to the family.
Yes, she was well aware that Harlan had been called in for questioning due to his connection to the properties linked to the so-called serial killer. Not even Detective Kendrick had proven to her that scenario existed one hundred percent. As for Harlan, he’d sold both properties to the Kendalls. She chalked everyone’s involvement up to this point as a coincidence. Every loose connection to this case was circumstantial.
“How are your parents holding up under all this scrutiny?” Harlan asked after everyone had settled down some. Molly had gone back around the counter to fetch a fresh pot of coffee, while some of the others returned to their food before it got cold. “I, um, I hope you know that I had nothing to do with your sister’s disappearance. You and your family mean the—”
“Harlan, it never occurred to me that you were.” Shae stressed her reassurance by resting a hand on his arm. “I didn’t come to town to accuse anyone of harming Emma or anyone else.”
It was rare that Shae ever spoke her sister’s name aloud. She gave Harlan a small smile to cover up her misstep.
“It’s been so long since then. We’ve gone without answers for so long that I thought maybe being here might jog my memory of what happened back during that time. I’m sure everyone knows I’ve been in contact with Detective Kendrick, but those long-distance calls just weren’t enough for me anymore.” Shae shrugged in the futility of her objective. She was technically here for selfish reasons, because no answer would bring back her sister. “Go on and enjoy your dinner. I’m sure we’ll have time to catch up once I’ve established a foothold.”
It was apparent Harlan wanted to ask her more questions, but he thought better of it as he joined his wife and the other couple. She hoped her words reassured him that she had no hard feelings that he had been dragged into this investigation just like so many others. Technically, it wasn’t even Emma’s case.
Detective Kendrick was investigating Sophia Morton’s death.
Emma was still listed as a cold case.
Shae was tired. She should have gathered enough courage and gone into the Cavern the minute she’d arrived in town. She could have simply asked Brynn for the key while avoiding eye contact with the other patrons and then slept until tomorrow morning. That would have been the smart thing to do. Now, she had no choice but to take a back booth and eat a piece of pie and wash it down with a hot cup of tea.
It was hard not to look around for Cassie Osburn. The daughter of the infamous Annie’s Diner owner had been sentenced to community service for her role in trying to drive Reese Woodward out of town. That just went to show that making assumptions could get anyone into trouble fairly easily. Shae wanted to be sure before she acted.
Cassie’s criminal woes didn’t seem to be hurting business, though. A third of the tables still had diners, and Shae could safely bet a hundred dollars that every seat had been occupied an hour ago. Nightlife in Blyth Lake was almost nonexistent, so the fact that Brynn started to host live bands at Tiny’s Cavern had everyone going early to vie for a decent table.
Shae set her purse with its deadly contents on the far seat and slid it across the faux red leather. Her back protested the position, though her taut muscles from the long drive most definitely appreciated the small walk from her car to the diner. She was really glad the meeting she scheduled with Detective Kendrick wasn’t until tomorrow afternoon. She would need to catch up on her sleep, if possible.
“One slice of warm apple pie along with one scoop of vanilla ice cream,” Molly announced, having asked earlier what she could get Shae to eat. The white porcelain dish was set gently on the table in front of her. “Can I get you a nice tall glass of milk to go with that? Maybe a coffee?”
“I’d love a hot cup of tea, please.” Shae had found that drinking English style tea reduced her stress level by half. She’d read quite a lot of different reports on how certain beverages could alter the way a person dealt with stress in their life. Seeing as she had an abundance of it, she’d given the theory a try by switching from coffee to tea. It had successfully worked in her daily life. “Thank you, Molly.”
The waitress had been about to say something to Shae when the bell above the door jingled, alerting everyone to another newcomer. In this case, a father and son.
Shae was glad she hadn’t taken a bite of her apple pie. She wasn’t so sure she would have been able to swallow it around the knot that had formed in her throat.
As she lived and breathed, it was none other than Jace Kendall.
He’d changed since the last time she saw him, somehow managing to become even more strikingly attractive. She couldn’t help but rake her eyes down him to prove to herself that he was real. His shoulders had gained considerable width, inches had been added to his over six-foot height, and he still had that charming, crooked grin that could melt a girl’s heart like ice on a hot summer’s day.
Yet all she experienced upon setting her gaze on his gorgeous features was guilt.
She’d heard that two of his brothers—Noah and Lance—had returned home from their time in the service. Their combined chosen path had been the Marine Corps, if she wasn’t mistaken. Her mother had mentioned that Jace wasn’t due back to Blyth Lake until the end of the year, which was probably why seeing him was such a blow to the serenity she’d been trying to marshal.
Her original plan had called for her to be out of Blyth Lake before he returned.
It wasn’t personal. She was here for a purpose.
Shae was grateful that the diners had averted Jace’s attention with their overzealous reception. He hadn’t glanced her way, so he didn’t even know that she was there. The distraction gave her time to slip out of the booth and head to the restroom, though her path took her right past the small group of greeters. No one noticed, and it wasn’t long before she was behind a locked door and leaning over the sink to give her time to regain her composure.
“Why me?” Shae whispered to herself, hanging her head a little lower as she fought off the dancing lights. “I just needed a few weeks, Emma. Was that too much to ask? He will prove to be nothing but a distraction.”
Shae didn’t believe for a second that her baby sister was alive. She never had, regardless that her parents had proposed that scenario a time or two over the years. It had been easy for her to slip into a one-sided conversation, believing that Emma’s spirit was somewhere out there watching over all of them.
Then there were times when Shae’s unanswered requests made her question her own sanity. Talking with ghosts was crazy, wasn’t it?
One of the saving graces about returning to her childhood home was knowing Jace Kendall wouldn’t be in town. Shae understood that it wasn’t fair to him, but he was a trigger of guilt that she couldn’t deal with right now. She calculated her chances of just paying her tab and leaving without being noticed.
After all, he’d been the reason she’d taken the car the night Emma disappeared. Given her profession, she understood that the what-if game wasn’t healthy to her mental state. She just couldn’t prevent the perpetual question from rising to the surface once again—would Emma still be alive if Shae hadn’t been with Jace Kendall that fateful night?
No one would ever know. Not unless Shae got the opportunity to personally ask Emma’s killer.