Hidden in Shadows (17 page)

She eyed him and tipped her head slightly. “You're awfully quiet.”

“Got nothing to say.”

“Uh, right. Try again. Timothy upset you. What happened?”

“You first. What did you and Natalie talk about?”

“The potluck, her latest real estate sale, the wedding. They've rented Michigan Shores for July of next year.”

“She didn't—” he paused “—say anything about me?”

She shrugged.

“She told Timothy I was a federal agent,” Luke said.

“Yeah, I heard that.” She sprinkled rose petals across the buffet table. “He was freaking out, saying I should stay away from you because you're not good for me. Natalie explained what was going on and why we're—” she hesitated “—together all the time.”

“Maybe he's right.”

Krista focused on her rose petal display. “What do you mean?”

“About me not being good for you.”

She waved him off. “Timothy doesn't even know you.”

“Neither do you, Krista.”

She straightened. “I disagree.”

“I'm here to protect you. Naturally you're going to be drawn to me. It happens all the time.”

“Not to me it doesn't.”

“Whatever you think is happening—”

“I don't think, I know.”

“Krista—”

“I left something in the car,” she interrupted, and walked to the spiral staircase leading downstairs.

“Stop. I'll get it.” He didn't want her going out there alone.

She handed him her car keys, but didn't make eye contact. “The lighter should be in the front seat. I need it for the candles.” She put on latex gloves and placed tea sandwiches on a china plate.

He didn't want to hurt her, but the sooner she stopped this fantasy about she and Luke, the better she'd be. He went outside, scanning the property for danger.

He'd been here for days, yet still wasn't any closer to knowing who hunted Krista and what he wanted. Luke felt like a fool, and wondered if his feelings for Krista were messing with his ability to close this case.

Maybe it was time to bring in someone else to lead the investigation, or at least act as Krista's bodyguard while Luke flushed out the perp. Another agent would have the distance needed to focus on keeping her safe.

His cell vibrated and he noticed he was low on battery. He'd been so distracted by potlucks and random kisses that he forgot to do the most basic things.

“McIntyre,” he answered.

“It's Marks. Got prints on the note. You know someone named Alan Jameson?”

Luke's straightened. Alan was always close to Krista, checking on her, touching her.

“I'll question him as soon as I can,” Luke said.

“Anything else you need from us?”

“Don't suppose the suitcase was any help?”

“Haven't got the labs back. I'll call as soon as I do.”

“Thanks.”

Luke grabbed the lighter from the car and walked back to the lighthouse, waiting for Alan to pop out of the shadows. Luke had a hard time believing he was involved in an international drug ring.

He made his way up the spiral staircase and handed Krista the lighter.

“Thanks.”

She smiled, as if they hadn't just argued about their relationship, as if he hadn't just hurt her feelings. But he knew he had. He'd seen it in her green eyes.

“My boss called with a lead,” he said.

He hesitated. “And?”

“How well do you really know Alan?”

She pinned him with disbelief in her eyes. “You're kidding me.”

“Afraid not.”

“Alan is always so nice and solicitous. I guess the whole time he was playing me because he wanted to smuggle drugs?”

“I doubt it's that simple.”

She shrugged. He knew she didn't like Alan romantically, but still, she'd developed a certain amount of trust for the man.

Trust now broken.

“I'll call the chief and ask him to bring Alan in for questioning. What's left to do here?”

“I can teach you how to fold napkins,” she offered as she lit a candle on the buffet table.

Luke groaned, then pulled out his cell and called the chief with the news about Alan.

Suddenly the lights went out, plunging them into darkness.

L
uke grabbed Krista's hand and shifted her behind him. He slipped his other hand inside his jacket and pulled out the Glock, careful not to flash it to Krista.

“Someone forget to pay his light bill?” he joked.

“The wiring is pretty outdated.”

They shared a knowing look in the candlelight. This wasn't about old wiring or light bills.

He should check it out, but for all he knew this could be a diversion to get him to leave her alone, unprotected and vulnerable.

“Has this ever happened before?” he asked.

“Once.”

“What did you do?”

“Called Luther, the maintenance guy.”

“Call him.”

“My purse is under the table.”

Pointing his gun at the stairs, he led her to the buffet table and she got her cell phone from her purse.

“It's going to voice mail,” she said.

“Leave a message. Then call the chief.”

She made the calls. “What now?”

“We wait.” He didn't have much choice. Once people started arriving, they'd be relatively safe. A crowd would chase off the stalker, if he's what caused this blackout. It could just be
a power surge, after all, she had hot pots and soup warmers plugged in.

He scanned the room and spotted an ice chest in the corner. “Let's get behind the ice chest.”

Their position behind the wooden icebox shielded them from a frontal assault. Although if there were more than one guy coming up those stairs and they packed more than a typical handgun, Luke was toast.

“It's Garcia's men, isn't it?” Krista asked.

“Maybe, maybe not.”

She put trembling hands together in prayer and whispered under her breath. Her prayers seeped into his chest and he found himself wanting to whisper along with her.

But God didn't answer prayers for people like Luke McIntyre.

“…Lord, all-forgiving…” she whispered.

Luke blocked out her voice and focused on the stairs, on the attacker.

But no one came. The lighthouse drifted into an eerie silence.

Krista stopped praying. Seconds slowly ticked by, adrenaline flowing through his body, making his heart race triple time.

“Luke?” she whispered.

“Yeah?” He didn't look at her.

“If we die—”

He glanced at her. “I won't let that happen. Not to you.”

“I want you to know I've never felt this strongly about a man, I mean, the way I feel for you.”

He redirected his attention to the stairs. “It's transference, Krista. It happens in cases like these.”

“Then why do you feel it, too?”

A door slammed downstairs. “Krista?” a male voice called.

“Timothy?” she said, scooting out from behind Luke.

He holstered his gun and accompanied her to the top of the stairs. “Don't go down there.”

“It's just Timothy,” she said.

“What happened to the lights?” Timothy said, coming up the stairs with a flashlight.

He flashed it in Luke's face, probably to irritate him. “What's going on here?”

“We were setting up and the lights went out,” Krista explained. “What are you doing here?”

“Natalie asked me to drop off some brochures for the new property in Millstown. Who were the two guys outside?”

“What guys?” Luke said.

“Two guys hovering by the garage. They saw me and took off.”

“Did either of them look familiar, like Alan Jameson?”

“No, they were bigger than Alan.”

“Which direction?”

“Toward Alpine Lodge next door.”

“Stay with her,” Luke said and rushed past Timothy.

“Luke, don't,” Krista called after him.

Nothing was going to stop him from pursuing the guys who'd been stalking Krista. He flew down the stairs and out the back door.

He kept flush to the garage, took a deep breath, and eyed Alpine Lodge. Besides the news about Alan, this was the best lead they'd had and he wasn't letting it slip through his fingers.

Keeping low, he sprinted across the property to the lobby and peeked inside. There was a woman behind a desk reading a magazine, but no customers in sight. Luke slipped his gun into his holster and stepped into the lobby.

The middle-aged woman glanced up and smiled. “Hi. What kind of room would you like?”

“Actually, I don't need a room.” Luke flashed his I.D. “I'm looking for two guys, husky-looking?”

“Don't have anyone like that staying here.”

“Did you see anything strange or unusual outside tonight?”

“It's so dark out, I can hardly see anything but my own reflection in the window. Sorry.”

“Who are your guests?”

“You mean all four of them?” she chuckled. “Let's see, Mr. Pete Ingram, in town on business. Wanda and Monroe Casperson, in town visiting their grown kids. And Lyle Alder.” She glanced up. “Traveling salesman on his way to Traverse City.”

“You always know so much about your customers?”

“I like them to feel at home.” She smiled.

“Okay, well, if you think of anything…” He handed her a card. “Have a good night.”

“You, too.”

He stepped back outside into the frigid night. Chasing his tail again, yep, that's what he was doing. Round and round, and never catching it.

As he headed back to the lighthouse, a small pickup pulled into the driveway. An older gentleman got out and grabbed a toolbox.

“You Luther?” Luke said.

“Yep. Lost power again, did she?”

“She?”

“Madeline, the house.” He pointed.

“Yeah.” Okay, so some people named cars, and this guy named houses.

“I'll start with the fuse box,” Luther said.

“Mind if I look on?”

“Doesn't bother me.”

Flashing lights sparked across the property as the chief pulled up behind the pickup. He swung open the door. “What's going on?”

“Lights went out,” Luke said. “Krista's upstairs. Could you check on her?”

With a nod, the chief went into the lighthouse and Luke followed Luther into the basement. Luther flipped the switch for the basement light. It didn't come on.

Luther pointed the flashlight at the fuse box and hummed.

“Easy fix,” Luther said. He flipped the fuse switch and lights popped on. “Wish they were all this easy.”

Luther headed upstairs. “You comin'?”

“In a minute.”

The guy nodded and went upstairs.

Luke glanced at the dirt floor and spotted an orange, foil candy wrapper. He squatted and picked it up, thinking it looked familiar, but he couldn't place where he'd seen it.

So it wasn't a random blown fuse. Someone had purposely shut off the power…to what? Scare Krista? Attack her?

The guy had to assume Luke would be close and because word had gotten out that Luke carried a firearm, the perp would know she'd be protected.

Something was off. A smart perp would go after Krista when she was alone, or at least not with Luke.

He went upstairs where the chief was grilling Krista.

“The lights went out, that's all,” she said, glancing at Luke.

That wasn't all. A few minutes ago he'd stopped her from professing her love for him. He knew that's what she was about to say, and he couldn't let her, wouldn't let her say it out loud. Then it would be real, and he'd have to deal with his own feelings.

She was right. This wasn't simple transference.

Timothy placed his hand on Krista's shoulder. “You sure you're okay?”

“I'm fine. And I have to get ready for the reception.”

“You call if you need anything,” Timothy offered.

“Of course. Love to Natalie.”

He kissed her cheek. With a curt nod to Luke, Timothy left.

Krista got busy putting baked goods on a plate.

“Can I talk to you downstairs?” Luke said to the chief.

Krista glanced over her shoulder, but didn't say anything. No, they'd both said enough.

Once downstairs, Luke turned to the chief.

“So it wasn't a random outage?” the chief asked.

“No, sir.”

“What are you thinking?”

“That someone knocked the lights out figuring I'd come after them, leaving her alone and giving them access.”

“They're like a hound dog sniffing out a trail.”

“Timothy saw two guys running toward Alpine Lodge. I spoke to the woman at the desk. She didn't see anyone or anything suspicious.”

The chief shook his head. “This is getting stranger and stranger.”

“I'm thinking of requesting backup.”

“Probably a good idea, for everyone.” The chief pursed his lips.

“What do you mean?”

The chief nodded toward the lighthouse. “She's taken to you. It's obvious. And she's gonna get hurt.”

“Not intentionally.”

“I know that, son, but all the same…”

“I'll have the other agent stick close to her while I finish the investigation.”

“Good plan. What's on the schedule for tomorrow?”

“I'm hoping a day off.”

“That's right, it's Sunday. Okay, we'll see you at church, then.”

Church? He had to be kidding.

As he watched the chief drive off, Luke realized he might not have a choice. If Krista went to church Luke would have to follow her, sit with her…

…pray with her.

Surprisingly, he wasn't turned off by the thought after everything he and Krista had been through these last few days. They'd been lucky so far, Krista hadn't been hurt and somehow he'd been able to protect her.

He had a little help with that. Divine help.

That's when it hit him—he should go to church with Krista if for no other reason than to thank God for allowing him to protect her.

Protect her…and fall in love with her.

 

It was Sunday, church day. He still couldn't believe he was here, sitting next to Krista in church.

Halfway through the service, the knot in Luke's chest seemed to melt away. He let the music drift over him and released the tension he'd been holding on to for the past few days.

Krista was right. He did feel safe here, accepted in a way he'd never felt before.

Walking into the place hadn't been easy. He'd hesitated at the door.

“There are no enemies here,” Krista had whispered and led him inside. She assumed he was scanning the place for suspects, when in fact he was in awe of the atmosphere of Peace Church.

Then again, it had been years since he'd stepped into a church. It had been…

His mother's funeral. The day he'd been completely abandoned. Dad had been gone for years; Grandma Annie and Grandpa Joe had passed away when Luke was young. Luke had been left all alone.

You're never alone,
an inner voice whispered.

He glanced up at the colorful stained-glass windows. Oddly, here, in this place, he didn't feel so alone.

Yet deep down he didn't feel that he deserved forgiveness.

Krista squeezed his hand. He glanced into her eyes and was immediately transported into a fantasy of living in Wentworth with her, helping her run the shop, taking Roscoe on walks around Silver Lake.

“Amen,” the congregation said.

People gathered their things, the hum of conversation floating in the air.

“See, that wasn't so bad, was it?” she said with a smile.

“No, it wasn't.”

“Hey, Krista, Luke,” Julie Sass greeted them. “You guys coming to the warming house for caroling after the tree lighting tonight?”

“It's not even Thanksgiving yet,” Luke said.

“It's a tourist town. We start the celebration before Thanksgiving to give retailers a bump just before Turkey Day,” Julie explained. “So what do you think? Stop by for hot chocolate later? Or did you guys have something else planned?” Julie smiled.

Krista actually blushed and Luke found himself drifting, toying with the possibilities.

“We'll see,” Krista said.

“Hey, Krista, they're having problems with the coffeepot again,” an older woman said from the back of church.

“Duty calls.” She squeezed Luke's hand and headed down the aisle toward the back of the church.

“I can help,” he called after her.

She turned. “Stay. I'll be right back.”

He was about to follow her, but was flanked by Lucy and Ralph Grimes. He'd scratched them off the suspect list after the background check.

“When can you stop by the farm to do some handiwork?” Lucy asked.

“I didn't know—”

“I can do it,” Ralph argued with her.

“You cannot. You should see what this boy has done with Krista's tea shop.”

“I asked him first,” the streusel lady from the potluck said.

“Wow, now you've got them fighting over you,” Julie joked.

“Let's go, Lucy.” Ralph glanced at Luke. “Nice to see you at church, son.”

“You, too.”

Son.
The chief called him son and Mr. Grimes called him son. And for some reason, Luke didn't mind.

He realized standing here amongst the congregation that he felt a part of something bigger than himself, bigger than the DEA and catching bad guys.

He liked the feeling.

“We'll see you tonight, then?” Julie said.

“Most likely.”

“By the way, thanks,” she offered.

“For what?”

“Being good to Krista. I've never seen her smile this much.”

With a nod, Julie walked away.

Leaving Luke with a whole slew of guilt to process. He was here to protect Krista, but he was also using her for his case, sticking close to get a lead on what Garcia's men were after.

No, that was his original motivation for coming here. Find the bad guy and shut him down.

Things had changed.

As people filed out of church Luke sat back down, taking a second to evaluate the turn of events.