Past Secrets, Present Love. Lois Richer

heaved a sigh of relief, then concentrated on the task at hand.

      “There was a chair blocking it. I’ve moved that but I can’t budge the knob. Is there a lock on the inside?”

      “I—I don’t know. Just a minute.”

      The doorknob rattled but didn’t turn. He tried to twist it, to no avail. Ross stepped back, studied it, caught a glimmer of silver.

      “Just a minute. I see something.” A metal rod had been shoved under the door, tilting it just enough to jam it closed. He grabbed a mop handle and inserted it in the space. At last the metal rod rolled out. “Try the door now, Kelly.”

      The knob turned, she stepped out and stood there, tall, slim and more afraid than he’d ever seen her. Her brown eyes looked glazed, glossy with unshed tears, and her hand trembled as she lifted it to smooth her shoulder-length sun-kissed strands of hair.

      “Someone locked me in,” she whispered.

      He could have handled the weak trembly note in her voice. He might even have managed to ignore the teardrop clinging to her long spiky lashes. But as he watched her face, saw how she grappled for that mantle of self-possession and couldn’t find it, he couldn’t ignore that.

      Ross reached out, gathered her into his arms.

      “It’s okay, Kelly. You’re safe. You’re okay.”

      “Yes. Thank you.” Her hands wrapped around him and she clung for timeless moments.

      He held her until the fragile weight of her body stopped shaking, until the strong, capable Kelly returned, took control and stepped away.

      “Okay now?” he asked quietly.

      She nodded.

      “I think so. It was just a little nerve-wracking when I started thinking I’d be locked in there for two days. I didn’t think anyone would come into the office on the weekend.”

      So she’d come here to be alone.

      “How did you get it open?” She listened carefully as he explained. “That couldn’t have been an accident,” she whispered when he’d stopped speaking. “Could it?”

      “I doubt it.” He frowned as suspicion niggled at the back of his mind. “Who would have done something like that?”

      “I don’t know. I thought I heard something, someone. But I guess it was just nerves.”

      She wasn’t telling the truth. Ross had been reading people for a long time and he knew Kelly Young wasn’t telling him something. That was okay. She could tell him later. But right now he needed some questions answered.

      “Kelly, when I arrived I saw someone leaving via the side exit. They drove away in a black car. I didn’t get the plate number.”

      “From the side? The emergency exit?” She bit her lip. “But it’s always kept closed. How could they get in? The building was locked up when I arrived.”

      Maybe not as tightly as she thought, Ross surmised.

      “I don’t know who it was. They were dressed in black, a smallish person—maybe a kid who’s angry at you, a teenager?”

      “Angry? At me?” She blinked, her eyes dark and confused. “It’s possible, I guess, but I don’t think so.”

      “Then maybe—”

      Kelly’s eyes widened. She reached over and flicked on the hall light, then she bent over to pick up something from the floor.

      “What’s that?”

      “A note.”

      The shaky tone was back, threading through her soft voice. Ross glanced down, saw the sheet of paper in her hands.

      Leave town. Or pay the consequences.

      Kelly felt Detective Zach Fletcher’s intensive scrutiny even though she wasn’t looking at him. Ross had insisted on calling him away from the wedding reception and Zach had come immediately. Now, half an hour later, Tiny Blessings was swarming with police.

      “You’re sure you can’t tell me anything more?”

      “I didn’t see anything, Zach. I was working in the closet. I turned to leave but the door slammed closed. I couldn’t get it open.”

      “But you heard a voice?”

      She nodded.

      “It said there was nothing in town for me anymore and that I should leave before it’s too late. I told you all this.”

      “Yes, you did. And they left this.” He stared at the note for a moment, flicked a finger against the plastic covering it, then glanced at her, his blue eyes softening. “Are you sure I can’t call Pilar? She’d want to be here. For that matter, so would Meg and Rachel.”

      “Please, no. Nobody else needs to know about this right now. I’ve already spoiled your evening. I don’t want to ruin anyone else’s. You should be with Pilar, celebrating Ben and Leah’s wedding.”

      He smiled. “We’ll celebrate, don’t worry. But I’m concerned about you. I don’t want you to go home alone.”

      “I’ll go with her,” Ross volunteered.

      Kelly jumped at the sound of his voice from behind her. She’d almost forgotten he was still there.

      “You don’t have to—”

      “Thanks, Ross. I’d really appreciate that.” Zach overrode her weak objections. “I’ll get the lab working on things as soon as I can, but with holidays and everything, it might take a while to get any answers.”

      “Doesn’t matter. I’ll be in town for a while longer.” Ross and Zach exchanged a funny look before Ross turned to her, raising one eyebrow. “Unless you object?”

      Even the thought of being locked in that room again, with someone outside the door, whispering, it made Kelly shiver.

      “I’d very much appreciate your help,” she murmured. “After the thing with the car and now this, I’m a little nervous.”

      “What thing?” Zach was all ears while Ross explained the accident.

      “I gave her a ride, then came back and watched while they towed the car. Vinnie should be able to tell you more when he gets back to work, but the way Kelly described her steering seemed odd for a simple malfunction.”

      “Actually, Vinnie left a message on my machine.” She glanced from one ruggedly handsome face to the other. “I think he said the steering had been tampered with.”

      Kelly watched the two men exchange a glance and wished she’d kept silent. Now they’d think she was paranoid. “It’s probably nothing, a mistake. In fact, I’m sure it’s a mistake.”

      “I’ve never known Vinnie to make a mistake like that.” Zach scribbled something on a pad. “I’ll talk to him. In the meantime, why don’t you head home? We’ll finish here and lock up for you. I should be able to set the security system by myself, shouldn’t I?”

      “Just press the set alarm button and leave within twenty seconds.” Kelly chewed her bottom lip. “Um, Zach? The system wasn’t on when I came in.”

      “Wasn’t on?” More writing.

      “I punched in my code, but I didn’t need it,” she explained. “It wasn’t on. I’m sure someone just forget to set it in the hectic rush before the wedding today.” She wasn’t going to blame Florence.

      “Anybody ever forgotten that little detail before?” Zach’s blue eyes were dark as thunderclouds.

      “No. Not that I know of.”

      “Uh-huh.” He scribbled in his little book some more, then peered at her through his lashes.