A Breath Away (5 page)

Pines, dogwoods and maples lined the country roads, the trees thinning out as she entered the small town. Dust-coated signs that needed painting bore the same names as before, with the exception that the dime store had become the Dollar General, and the Cut & Curl was now Sally's Salon. Did Sally Orion, the chubby blonde she'd known in third grade, own the shop? It didn't matter. Violet hadn't come back to renew old acquaintances, good or bad.

She'd come home to find out the truth.

Uneasiness curled inside her as she passed the sheriff's office and jail. She had always avoided walking past the intimidating adobe-colored, concrete structure. Now it looked old and outdated, but still foreboding. Had Grady called from there when he'd delivered the news about her father? Had he already told the town? Would she see the news plastered all over the Crow's Landing newspaper tomorrow?

The small square still looked the same, although oddly smaller, and some of the storefronts desperately needed a face-lift. Woody Butt's gun shop was on the corner by the hardware store. A small bookstore had opened up, along with a place called the Fabric Hut, but the Redbud Café still stood in all its glory. Laney Longhorse's stories had always fascinated Violet. Was Laney still running the diner?

In the center of the square, a small playground and park benches had been added, although a three-foot-tall statue of a black crow in the center spoiled the peaceful feeling. At least to Violet. What was it about the crows?

Across from the park, the old-fashioned soda shop on the corner remained a perfect diversion for a hot summer afternoon. She could almost smell the cinnamon sticks old Mr. Toots kept inside to hand out to children, and see the thick, old-fashioned root beer floats he decorated with whipping cream and cherries. RC Colas and Moon Pies, along with Nehi's, homemade fudge and boiled peanuts, had been other local favorites. Unfortunately, Violet had never been able to afford the floats or fudge, not until Darlene had used her allowance money to buy both of them treats.

Suddenly Violet spotted the old street sign leading to her father's house. Pine Needle Drive.

She'd thought she might have forgotten the way.

But the turn seemed natural, and she found herself leaving the safety of the town square and heading down the country road. She passed the run-down trailer park in the less cared for section of Crow's Landing where rotting clapboard houses dotted the land, and overgrown weeds, battered bicycles and cars littered the front yards.

The road was bumpy and still unpaved. Although it was too late for kids to be outside playing, she could still picture the poor children who lived here—barefoot, with hand-me-down clothes two sizes too big hanging off their underfed bodies. She had been one of them. But not anymore, she reminded herself. She was strong, independent. She owned her own shop. She had a life ahead of her.

Her headlights flashed across the fronts of houses, and she grimaced, realizing things hadn't changed at all on Pine Needle Drive. One out of three homes had a washing machine or threadbare sofa on the sagging front porch. The old water wells remained, a testament to the fact that some of the houses lacked indoor plumbing.

And then there was her father's place, in much worse shape than she remembered. Overgrown bushes isolated it from the others. Two windowpanes in the front had been broken, the porch steps were missing boards, and some stray animal—most likely a mangy dog—had pawed the front door, scraping the dingy white paint. A cheap orange welcome mat graced the entrance, a mocking touch, while a caned-back chair that needed fixing was turned upside down in the corner. Three old cars that looked desperate for repairs sat to the side of the porch, weeds brushing at a rusty carburetor. Her father's unfinished projects, obviously. As if death had claimed them just as it had him.

The woods beyond echoed with loneliness. But she could almost hear her and Darlene's childhood laughter as they'd raced among the trees, building a playhouse in the pine straw.

Violet cut the engine and balled her hands into fists in her lap. Another, much newer car was parked sideways in the front drive—the sheriff's car.

What was Grady Monroe doing at her father's house?

V
IOLET TWISTED
the Best Friends necklace between her fingers as she stared at the door. Should she go inside or drive to the nearest hotel and spend the night, then return tomorrow when she wouldn't have to face Grady? But she had been running from her past all her life.

It was time to stop.

Besides, the sooner she found some answers, the sooner she could return to Savannah and move on with her life. She needed to know that her father hadn't killed her friend.

Gathering her courage, she opened the car door and climbed out, willing her legs to steady themselves as she ascended the steps. Honeysuckle sweetened the air, floating on the breeze. But the musty odor of the tattered welcome mat seeped upward as she stepped on it and raised her fist to knock. Then she caught herself. She didn't need to knock. This house belonged to her. Or at least it had once been her home. In another lifetime.

Footsteps rumbled inside. Grady?

She turned the knob, bracing for his reaction.

* * *

G
RADY HAD BARELY TOURED
the house when footsteps sounded on the front porch. He'd thought he'd heard a
car a minute or two before, and had headed toward the front. Who had driven all the way out here to Baker's place?

Someone who knew about his death? Grady's own father, maybe…

He waited for the knock, but it never came. Instead, the doorknob turned. He slid his hand to the gun holstered by his side, then drew his weapon just in case some troubled teen or vagrant had heard about Baker's death and decided to rob him.

The door creaked open. Faint moonlight spilled in from the front porch, silhouetting a human form. Grady inched farther into the den. The low-wattage lightbulb in the foyer showed him it was a woman. She was slight, her pale face in shadows. A tangled web of dark hair floated around slender shoulders. The rattle of her breath broke the tense silence.

“Freeze! Police!”

She threw up her hands. “Please don't shoot.”

He stepped forward just as she looked up, and he realized the face looked vaguely familiar. Her accent was familiar, too.

Dear God. It couldn't be.

“Grady?”

“Violet?” Tension crackled between them. She looked so…so different. Not like the homely, sad-faced, big-eyed girl who'd traipsed after him years ago.

More like a…woman. A very
attractive
woman.

Shit, he didn't need this.

“Yes, it's me.” Her lower lip trembled at the sight of his Glock pointed at her.

He lowered the gun to his side, his gaze skimming over her, cataloging her features. Yes, she had definitely
changed, had grown into a beauty. Not that any one feature was perfect, but she was stunning in an indefinable kind of way. Fragile. Earthy. Natural.

She stood around five-three and was still too slender. But her once scraggly brown hair shimmered with shades of gold, accentuating a heart-shaped face with high cheekbones and a small dainty nose. Her cheeks were pale, yet a natural rose color stained full lips devoid of lipstick. She didn't need it. She had kissable lips.

Damn, if she hadn't developed some luscious curves, too. Grady tried not to linger on the swell of her breasts, tried to stifle the elemental response of his body. Her denim skirt hung loosely on the gentle slope of her hips, and sandals showcased bare toes. Her toenails were painted pale pink.

The whisper of her feminine scent floated to him. That smell and those damn pink toenails made his body stir, waking nerve endings that had lain dormant forever.

For God's sake, this was Violet Baker.

He could not be attracted to her. She had been Darlene's best friend. Her father had confessed to killing Darlene. And Violet might have known.

Besides, he'd heard the rumors about her being strange, maybe crazy.

She cleared her throat, and he realized he'd let the silence stretch way too long.

“What are you doing here, Grady?”

“I…” He halted, not wanting to admit he was searching for evidence to corroborate her father's confession.

She seemed to read his mind, anyway. “Did you find anything?”

“No.” He secured his gun back in his holster. “But I haven't conducted a thorough search.”

Pain flickered in those expressive eyes—the one thing about her that hadn't changed. They were still huge and an unusual shade of blue, almost purple, the obvious reason her parents had named her Violet. And they still had the power to tug at emotions inside him just as they had when he was a scrawny kid.

He dragged his gaze away. He refused to get sucked in by emotions. He'd waited too damn long to crack this case. Besides, Violet was not a scrawny kid anymore; she was an adult who could take care of herself.

“How did you get in?” she asked.

He gestured toward the door. “It was unlocked.”

She frowned as if that surprised her.

He shrugged. “Most people around here don't lock their doors.”

The throat muscles worked in her slender neck as she swallowed. “My father always used to. At least he'd latch the screen.”

Maybe because he knew he wasn't coming back,
Grady thought, but he refrained from pointing that out. “How's your grandmother?”

More pain in her eyes. “Stable. She wanted to be near her sister to recover, so she's being transferred to the Black Mountain Rehabilitation Center today.”

He nodded. “Good. I'm glad she's okay.”

“She's not okay, Grady.”

He let the statement stand in the dank air between them for a minute. “What's wrong?”

“She needs therapy.” Her voice took on a hard edge.

“But it's not just the stroke. Your phone call upset her.”

Another awkward silence fell between them. He had no idea how to reply. Telling her not to blame the mes
senger seemed pointless. “I didn't expect you to come to Crow's Landing so soon.”

She folded her arms beneath her breasts, then tipped her chin up, offering a glimpse of the feisty little girl she'd once been. “I have a lot of things to take care of here.”

“Right.” The funeral arrangements. “I'll let you know as soon as the coroner releases your father's body.” Then she could get out of town. He didn't want her here.

Her hands tightened into fists. “Tell me about this supposed suicide note and the confession. I'd like to see it, too.”

Grady shook his head. “I've told you everything I know. And I sent the note to the crime lab to verify that your father wrote it.”

“Then I suggest you leave now.”

He frowned. “I'm not through here.”

“Yes, you are. I won't let you hunt for more evidence to incriminate my father.”

Anger flared. “I didn't realize you and your dad were close. You haven't been back here in years.”

Violet bit her lip. “My grandmother doesn't believe my father killed—” Her voice broke, her first visible sign of emotion. “She doesn't believe the confession is real,” she finished, sounding stronger. “And neither do I.”

Could she not even say his sister's name? “Is that the reason you came back?”

She stepped sideways, indicating the door. “Yes.”

His gaze locked with hers, and he saw her inner turmoil. She might claim she didn't believe her father was guilty, but she had doubts.

She was afraid her father had killed Darlene.

“Like I said, I'm not finished here,” he said baldly.

Her eyelashes fluttered. “Yes, you are. Come back when you have a search warrant.”

Her hand trembled as she toyed with a long chain dangling between her breasts. The Best Friends necklace Darlene had bought them. She still wore it.

So she remembered his sister. She
had
cared for her.

Or maybe she wore it out of guilt.

He caught her wrist with one hand, then flicked a thumb along the jagged edges of the necklace, tracing the word
Friends
with his finger. Her breath hissed in. “I'm going to find out the truth, Violet. All my life, I've wanted Darlene's murderer to pay. I'll see that he does.”

Both fear and courage emanated from her eyes as she glared at him. “I want that, too.”

“Really? What if the killer
was
your father, Violet?”

Ignoring the hurt and uncertainty that darkened her eyes, he released her arm, then stalked outside. But he would be back with that search warrant.

And no matter how much he had to hurt Violet, her grandmother or his own father, he'd uncover the truth and see that Darlene's killer got what he deserved.

And if one of them had covered for the killer…he'd make him or her pay, too.

* * *

A
S THE DOOR SLAMMED SHUT
, Grady's declaration echoed off the dingy walls. Violet shuddered, the empty house closing around her. The mustiness, the echo of abandonment, the stale smells of dirty clothes, booze and old sweat assaulted her. And the familiar smell of Old Spice…

Memories bombarded her, along with the unsettling feeling that she had never quite left this place. Unable to assimilate it all at once, she stood still, willing her
body to absorb the shock of homecoming, along with seeing Grady.

Over the years, she'd imagined what he might look like as a man. All the girls had doted on the teenage version, but he hadn't seemed to notice. Any trace of cuteness had disappeared, though, and in its place, a rugged prowess radiated from his every pore. Over six-three, he was big, powerful and muscular, almost frighteningly so. Prominent cheekbones and a nose crooked from being broken dominated his features. And those deep-set eyes were almost hypnotizing. When his callused hands had caught her wrist, heat had rippled between them, charged with frustration and something sexual.

No, she had mistaken that feeling.

The emotion had been anger.

He carried that in spades. An obvious hatred toward his sister's killer flashed in his tortured eyes.

A hatred she understood. But did the killer's face belong to her father?

And would Grady turn that anger toward her now that he realized they were on opposite sides? At least concerning her dad…

She sighed and forced herself farther into the house. Stifling heat and cloying odors of mildew and decay nearly suffocated her.

In the shoe box den, the same plaid sofa lined the back wall, the rust-colored recliner her father had lived in angled toward the ancient TV set, a stack of
Popular Mechanics
magazines stacked beside it. A dog-eared metal antenna jutted upward from the TV in a warped V, proving he hadn't updated the set or his service in twenty years. The beige carpet was stained, the lack of
photos a brutal reminder that her father had shut his family out of his life.

She stopped beside the wicker rocking chair and stroked the arm. She imagined her grandmother sitting in the chair, crocheting in the afternoon sunlight, sunshine that turned the tiny room into an inferno in summer. Violet had curled up at her knees and played with her rag dolls while her grandmother watched her soap operas. Now dust coated most of the ancient furniture, and cobwebs hung in the corners. She slowly walked through the kitchen, not surprised to find everything the same, only older and smaller. Newspapers and magazines littered a beige countertop spattered with stains. Dishes encrusted with half-eaten food cluttered the sink. Trash overflowed onto the graying linoleum floor, the stench almost unbearable.

A delivery box containing an uneaten pizza sat on the counter next to a full six-pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon, as if her father had just returned from getting dinner. Odd, but both had been untouched. And the want ad page lay on the table, a red circle around two ads. Why would her father buy an entire pizza and six-pack and be job hunting if he planned to kill himself?

Depressed people aren't exactly rational,
she reminded herself.

Her father's room was to the right, but she couldn't bring herself to go inside. On the left, her grandmother's room adjoined Violet's. The crocheted green afghan her grandmother had used to warm her feet at night still lay at the foot of the Jenny Lind bed, the scent of her grandmother's favorite lavender potpourri mellow, yet lingering. Violet grabbed the afghan and hugged it to her, then glanced at her own room. Had her father
changed it? Turned it into a study or storeroom for the old car parts he collected? The parts that had meant more to him than she had.

She pushed open the door and was shocked to see the sawed-off iron bed still rooted in the corner, the antique dresser laden with her childhood costume jewelry. Even more surprising, Bobo, her big brown birthday bear, hugged the pillows where she had once slept. Right next to Bobo were her Raggedy Ann doll and the stuffed pony her father had won for her at the county fair. The same pale pink chenille bedspread covered her bed, too, although it had yellowed with age.

Tears pooled in Violet's eyes. Taking a deep breath, she noticed the faint scents of mothballs and wood polish, as if her father had tried to preserve her room. Peculiar, when the rest of the house seemed in such disrepair.

She flipped on the radio her father had given her for Christmas one year. Static bellowed back at her, and she fiddled with the knobs, hoping to find some soft music to calm her. An oldies station came through, so she let it play while she retrieved her suitcase. The floor creaked as she entered the house again. Could she really spend the night in this old place?

Would the ghosts haunt her when she tried to sleep?

Exhausted and drained from the trip, she dragged on a thin cotton nightshirt. But just as she lay down, a newscaster's voice came over the radio. “This late-breaking story in just now, folks. The search for Amber Collins, the missing woman from Savannah, Georgia, has ended tonight.”

Violet gripped the sheets. She didn't need to hear the report—she knew what he was going to say.