Love Inspired Suspense April 2015 #1 (45 page)

“Head hurting?” he queried.

Melanie started to nod, then thought better of it. The pain throbbed behind her eyes. Her head suddenly felt as if it weighed a ton. She closed her eyes. Vaguely she was aware that the two men were talking about her. She was in too much agony to care.

“Stress headache,” Seth declared. “She doesn't get 'em a lot. But when she does, it's a doozy.”

“Can you give her something?” Jace bit out.

“Yeah, but she won't like it. Mel, come on, girl. You need to take this. Open your eyes.”

Melanie opened her eyes to find Seth holding a couple of tablets in his hand. Jace appeared with a glass of water. She felt bile rising in her throat even before she tried to swallow the medication. She moaned. Partly in pain, partly in protest. Her heart pounded at the idea of trying to swallow the pills. She knew from past experience what would happen.

“Can't!” she managed to gasp.

“Melanie, you're in pain. You need to take something for relief,” Jace coaxed her.

She swung her gaze to Seth. “He...doesn't...understand.”

“I know. But it might help.” Seth reached out and grabbed the small wastebasket that was beside the couch. He set it on the floor in front of her. “Look, I'm prepared if it doesn't work.”

Jace looked as if he wanted to say something, but wasn't sure what. His expression had grown more confused with every word. Mel was too distraught to explain it to him. Anyway, she was pretty sure he would understand the problem as soon as she swallowed.

Grabbing the water and one tablet, she did her best to comply. Unfortunately, her best wasn't enough. As soon as she tried to swallow, her gag reflex kicked in. It was a fearsome thing to behold. All her life she had suffered with it. She couldn't breathe. Her throat contracted and she retched. Again and again. Tears spilled down her cheeks. She flailed her arms, knowing she needed the wastebasket. Jace dove for it. He held it under her face just as she vomited. Spent, she lay back, panting.

“Does this happen every time you take pills?” Jace demanded, his face bewildered.

“Every single time.” Seth answered for her, his cocky tone gone. “She normally tries children's chewables, but I don't have any.”

“Maybe her aunt has some.”

“I looked in the medicine cabinet, before...” Melanie's voice faded away as exhaustion took its toll.

“Why didn't you just tell me?” Jace demanded of Seth.

“I guess I keep hoping she will have grown out of it. It's something you see in children. I have never seen another adult with a gag reflex like hers.”

In the silence that followed, only Mel's soft hiccoughs could be heard.

“What I would like to know,” Chief Kennedy's soft voice broke the stillness, “is how this young lady could have possibly attempted to commit suicide by swallowing half a bottle of prescription medication?”

A startled hush fell over the room.

“There were no needle marks, so it wasn't by injection,” Chief Kennedy mused, one hand cupping his chin. “I guess it's possible that she could have crushed the pills and mixed them with liquid. The lab report did say there was alcohol in her system.”

Melanie snorted. Then groaned. Jace touched her shoulder, but his attention was focused on Chief Kennedy.

“Not likely, Chief,” he asserted. “The pills were scattered around her. She was lying in a bed, without anything to crush the pills against. The pill bottle was even in her palm. It was made to look like she had been holding the bottle as she drifted off.”

“Made to look? Jace, are you implying someone set her up?” Chief Kennedy's quiet question set Melanie's heart racing. Was it possible Jace was starting to believe her?

“I have been telling people for four years now that I didn't try to kill myself,” Melanie murmured.

“Yes, but you couldn't explain what had happened. And you can't deny the drugs were in your system,” Jace responded.

“I know the drugs were in my system.” She opened her eyes slightly to glare at him. The effort was too exhausting, so they drifted shut again. “My throat hurt for three days because of that nasty tube they shoved down it to pump out my stomach. I just can't tell you how it happened. I'm thinking that many drugs messes with a person's memory.”

Jace turned his icy gaze on the paramedic. “You knew she couldn't swallow pills, and you said nothing? What kind of fiancé were you?”

“Hey!” An indignant expression crossed the young man's face. “We weren't engaged anymore. We had broken up two months earlier. I wasn't even in the country. I was spending my last year of university as an exchange student in Paris.”

Melanie huffed in annoyance.

“What?” Seth demanded.

“We didn't break up. Your father was embarrassed by my family and you went along with him. You signed up for that program, then dropped me. We had been best friends for years, you had asked me to
marry
you, but you totally abandoned me. You never even tried to communicate with me after I was arrested, which really helped me prove my innocence.”

Seth flushed, looking embarrassed for the first time. His eyes shifted to his feet. “I didn't know what to do. My father was running for the senate. His opponent was digging up as much dirt on him as he could—”

“And your father considered me ‘dirt.'”

Seth had the grace to look embarrassed.

Jace's lip curled as he looked at Seth. Her good humor was restored slightly to know that Jace was irritated on her behalf.

A sharp rap on the door frame caught their attention. “Yoo-hoo! Can anyone join this party?”

They looked up to see a bubbly blonde, around fifty with a kind face and a sharp designer suit, at the door. She glided into the room on a cloud of heavy perfume. For the first time in hours, Melanie smiled.

“Cathy! There's always room for you.”

Cathy sashayed over and leaned down to give Mel a kiss on her cheek. Mel held her breath until Cathy moved away. She liked Cathy, but she didn't want an asthma attack right now.

Mel grinned to herself when she heard Jace mutter to Seth, “We're not done. You will hear from me.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Seth grumbled.

“I never expected to see you!” Melanie gestured toward the woman as she made the introductions. “Cathy Jordan was my defense attorney and surrogate mother during the trial. She did her best.”

Cathy smiled at the greeting. “I heard you were here, and about your poor aunt! Thought I'd stop by and see if you needed anything.” Cathy stopped talking and sniffed, a confused expression crossing her face. “What is that awful smell?”

Melanie waved her hand in a negligent manner. “Oh, I had a small fire in the kitchen. It's out, but the place might smell for a day or two.”

Jace gave her a swift glance. She shook her head. Though they hadn't known each other before Cathy had agreed to represent Melanie during the trial, Cathy had become one of her dearest friends. She was the only person besides her aunt to visit her in prison. Yet for some reason, Melanie was reluctant to tell her what happened.

“Well, I'm glad you weren't hurt, Mel. Oh, I almost forgot!” Cathy said in her North Carolina drawl, handing a large brown envelope to Melanie. “This was lying on your front porch.”

SEVEN

M
elanie drew back against the couch. From the look on her face, Cathy might as well have been holding a cobra. It was clear there was no way she was going to touch it, so Jace took charge. Extracting the envelope from Melanie's grasp, he jerked his head toward the den. Paul nodded. Using his radio, he asked Sergeant Olsen to report to the house. As soon as the eager young sergeant arrived, Paul ordered him to remain with Melanie until he was told otherwise.

Jace was torn. On the one hand, Miles was so young, “wet behind the ears” as his father used to say. Jace doubted if the kid had ever even drawn his service weapon. On the other hand, he knew that Miles was tougher than he looked. The kid had a black belt. What had cinched it, though, was when Paul had pointed out that Dan was the only other policeman on scene. Jace followed Paul to the den.

After shutting the door, he opened the envelope and withdrew the contents—which were just what he had expected. More pictures. He and Melanie at the front door that morning. Leaving in the car. The hospital. There was a sheet of paper with another message in cutout letters. This one read HE CAN'T PROTECT YOU. LEAVE TOWN OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES.

“This needs to stop,” Jace ground out, his rage almost tangible. He thrust the offensive pictures and note back into the envelope, shoved them into Paul's hands and started to pace the length of Sarah Swanson's den. He was careful to keep his voice low so that it would not carry into the next room where Melanie and Cathy were still talking over the day's events.

“I agree,” Paul concurred. “What's your next step?” He leaned against the desk.

Jace stopped pacing and glared out the window. He rubbed one hand through his close-cropped hair, frustration gnawing at him. What
was
the next step? He was positive Melanie was being targeted. He wasn't sure why or by whom. The only thing he was sure of was that it was all somehow tied to the case four years ago.

“I need to finish questioning the rest of the jurors from Mel's trial. I drove to Grove City this morning and talked with one. That leaves ten more,” he mused aloud. “I also want to review the evidence and all the old case notes. I'm missing something.”

“You could assign someone else to call them, make the process go quicker.”

Jace was shaking his head before Paul finished speaking. “No, not this time. I want to see the jurors' reaction to Melanie. It's a long shot, but maybe their reactions will tell me something. They may be afraid to say if they were threatened.”

Paul snapped open his cell phone and dialed the station. He ordered the requested information and files to be located and made available to Jace immediately. He also requested that the information be kept secure. Only he or Jace would be allowed to peruse it. Jace raised an eyebrow at Paul. Although he appreciated the precautions, they were not the standard for the small-town police station.

“Something more on your mind, Chief?”

Paul shrugged. “I don't want to take any chances. And I definitely don't want Dan getting any more involved with this case than necessary. I checked on his story, and he did ask Sergeant Thompson to cover. Unfortunately, Thompson's wife went into labor and he left for the hospital. He forgot to mention to the operator that someone was needed here. Be that as it may, Dan should have waited until his backup arrived. He has some kind of bee in his bonnet about Miss Swanson. He is reacting to her too personally.” Then Paul narrowed his steely gaze on his lieutenant. Jace resisted the impulse to squirm. “So are you, old friend. I don't want you to mess things up by becoming too involved. Jace? Are you hearing me?”

Aggravated, Jace sighed. He barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “Too late for that, Paul. I am involved, and have been for four years. But I am not backing out of this case. It's mine. And if Melanie is innocent, then I owe it to her to prove it. I am the one who built the case that sent her to jail in the first place.” He thrust out his chin, daring Paul to pull him off the case. This time, badge or not, he would not let Melanie down.

“It appears the suicide attempt was bogus.” Paul stroked his chin, apparently deep in thought. “Tell me what else bothers you.”

Jace started ticking off facts on his fingers. “Sylvie and Melanie had made plans to meet that day. Someone at the college, another student, had seen Melanie exiting the elevator on Sylvie's floor the day of the murder. Melanie's driver's license was found at the crime scene. And there was the suicide note claiming she had sold the girl bad heroin, which killed Sylvie. That obviously was false if the suicide attempt was staged.”

Jace resumed pacing. “No one ever found any physical evidence of Melanie in the dorm room where Sylvie was found. No hair, no fingerprints, nothing.”

“I remember that. I thought perhaps she had worn gloves.”

“Yeah, but remember how we thought it was really strange that she had fingerprints on the outside of the door? If she had been smart enough to wear gloves inside, why not at the door? And why, if she was smart enough to have worn gloves, would she have taken out her driver's license?”

“Thoughts?” Paul said.

“I think she interrupted something. Maybe witnessed the murder. The killer drugged her, too, in hopes of killing her, and set her up with the suicide note to take the fall for Sylvie's death.” Jace uttered the idea that had started growing in his mind. “I think whoever killed Sylvie was responsible for the threats against the jurors. But now at least one juror decided to come forward. And was murdered. I think the killer is getting nervous. Trying to get rid of anything or anyone that links him to the case, or that would cast doubt on Melanie's conviction.”

“But why go to the trouble of making the attack on Melanie look like an accident?”

“Because as far as anyone knows, she is still the only suspect.”

Frustrated, Jace rubbed his hands over his face. What was he supposed to do? Let some nutcase kill Melanie? Because that's what would happen if he stepped back. He was dead certain about that. He should have listened to his gut the first time around.

A strong hand clasped his shoulder. Jace turned back to Paul, his cop mask once again in place. On the outside. Inside, his emotions churned. Paul was a real stickler for keeping the department's image spotless. Now that he could see how much this case—this woman—meant to Jace, it was very likely he would order Jace off the case. Maybe even suggest he take some vacation time. Jace had never disobeyed Paul's directives. He knew how jealous some of the other officers were of his friendship with the chief and was careful to never ask for special treatment. This time, however, was different. Jace would not be able to calmly step aside and let some less experienced officer, one who might think Melanie got what she deserved, take his case. No way.

“Fine. I'll let you stay on the case,” Paul stated. Jace blinked, sure he had misunderstood. “You have never let me down before, so I will trust you now. But I am warning you, Jace, I don't want this to hurt the department in any way.”

“It won't,” Jace promised.

“All right, then. Next question. She can't remain here. I want her closer to town. That way we can get to her quicker without spreading ourselves too thin. Any suggestions?”

“Yeah,” Jace drawled.

“You care to share?”

“I thought I'd take her to meet my mom.”

* * *

“It's a little baggy, but it'll do.” Mel scrutinized her reflection in her aunt's bedroom mirror. When Jace had demanded in his most authoritative voice that she pack a bag for several days, she had pulled Cathy into her room with her while she searched for clothing that still fit her. Or at least wouldn't fall off. Never a large woman, her thin frame now appeared almost skeletal. She didn't care for that at all.

“How long do you think you'll be gone?” Cathy inquired as she wandered the room, stopping every now and then to pick up a book or examine a photo.

Melanie shrugged, putting another outfit in the open suitcase on the bed. “I don't have a clue. Jace said it could be several days. Maybe even a week. He is really concerned that someone might be out to get me.”

Cathy flashed her a look that clearly said, “Duh...do ya think so?”

“Oh, don't give me that look.”

Light laughter spilled from Cathy's painted pink mouth. “Oh, now, honey. Don't go getting yourself into a flutter! If I had a handsome man like that getting all protective on me, I'd be lapping it up.”

“Cathy, there's nothing personal about it...”

The older woman rolled her eyes. Melanie flushed. There had been something very personal about the way Jace had watched her walk out of the room, and she knew it. Just as she knew that Seth had not been happy to leave. His scowl at Jace as he left was a clear indication of that. Not that Mel would ever take Seth seriously again. He had broken more than her heart when he'd abandoned her four years ago. He had destroyed her trust, too.

“Yoo-hoo. Melanie, sweetie? Where did you go?”

Melanie blinked. She had been so lost in her thoughts, she had completely forgotten Cathy's presence and their errand.

“Sorry, Cath. Did you say something?”

“I was just thinking out loud, that's all. Wondering why someone would be after you now.”

Head tilted, Mel pondered the question. “I've thought about that. I think maybe whoever really killed Sylvie is afraid that I might remember something.”

Eyes wide, Cathy whispered, “You really think it was deliberate? That poor thing dying? Honey, you were not accused of murder, but manslaughter. That means it wasn't premeditated.”

Melanie slammed the lid shut on her suitcase and latched it with a single fierce twist.

“I'm not talking about me. You do believe me that I had nothing to do with her death, right?”

“Of course,” Cathy answered, just a shade too quickly. She waved her hands as if erasing the subject. “Anyway, how likely is it that your memory will return? It's been four years.”

“I know how long it's been,” she said quietly, forcing herself not to snap. “But I have really hazy memories of that night. I remember standing outside a door, but after that, it's all a blur. Who knows? Maybe I will remember as time goes on.”

“Honey, that would be great,” Cathy gushed. “So where is Jace taking you, anyway?” Melanie opened her mouth, than closed it again. She couldn't quite explain it, but she was hesitant to say any more. Not that Cathy would ever do anything malicious. Oh, sure, she was a bit too sweet with all her
honeys
and
sweeties
. But she had stood beside Mel when no one else would. Melanie had been blessed when Cathy offered to become her defense attorney. Over the years, she had become more than Melanie's lawyer; she had become her friend. But still, Melanie had learned very well that one had to be cautious.

She lifted her shoulders in a noncommittal shrug. “Jace didn't say,” she answered truthfully. “I need to grab my spare inhaler.” Walking over to the night table, she grabbed it out of the top drawer.

“Oops!”

Melanie peered over her shoulder. And rolled her eyes. Cathy had knocked Melanie's purse off the bed, spilling its contents. The blonde was shoveling the items back inside the canvas bag at full speed. “Sorry, hon. You know I can be klutzy.” She handed the purse back to Melanie.

“Thanks.” Melanie swung the bag over her shoulder. Grabbing the handle of the suitcase, she hefted it with one hand, then led the way back to where the men were waiting.

* * *

An hour later, Jace pulled into the police station and shut off the motor. Mel half expected him to order her to remain in the car while he went inside, but instead he motioned for her to follow him. They headed toward the main door, but stopped when Senator Travis barreled out, red-faced. He saw Jace and headed in his direction.

“Someone get me a red flag,” Mel muttered under her breath. She cut her eyes up at Jace. Uh-oh. Judging by the way his lips were twitching, he had heard her.

He confirmed it when he replied sotto voce, “Toro!”

“Lieutenant Tucker,” the senator roared, coming to a stop mere inches from them. Mel almost stepped back, but a discreet tug on her wrist told her to stand her ground.

“Senator Travis,” Jace said, stone-faced.

The senator looked down his nose at Melanie. “You, leave us alone. I need to speak with the lieutenant on important business.”

“Sorry, Senator. Miss Swanson and I are busy. Whatever business you have can be handled by another officer.”

The senator seemed to swell before their eyes. “I don't want another officer! You have a reputation of being very thorough. I need you to look into the break-ins at my home and office.”

“You didn't mention your office before,” Jace rapped out.

The older man gave Melanie a distrustful scowl. “That's because I only noticed it today. Someone went through my desk. Messed up all my files. Broke several pictures. I think my opponent is searching for dirt.”

“Sir, I will look into it. I promise. I will send several officers out today to document the damage, and I will follow up later.”

Lips twisting, the senator nodded. “I guess I'll have to be satisfied with that for now.” He started to walk away, yelling back over his shoulder. “If I were you, son, I'd tell your boss you want to ditch the ex-con. Hang out with her kind and bad things are likely to happen.”

In a flash, Jace's cool facade melted. Furious, he stalked to the senator. “Are you threatening me, Senator Travis?”

“Whoa, easy now. You're getting mighty riled over some friendly advice.” The senator raised his hands and backed away, a knowing smile crossing his face. He twisted his neck to sneer at Melanie. “You may have this young lieutenant here fooled, but I remember your father, girl. The apple didn't fall far from the tree, as they say. You and your old man, rotten on the inside.”