Mountain Peril (7 page)

No wishing could make that come true. They were a product of their experiences, and nothing was going to change that. He came with too much baggage, and he wouldn’t wish that on any woman. Especially not Danielle.

D
anielle carried the tray with the coffeepot into the living room and placed it on the table in front of the couch. Jack set their cups beside the pot and sank down on the sofa. He leaned back and closed his eyes.

“I could take a nap after that good meal.”

Danielle hadn’t seen him so at peace in the time she’d known Jack. His trademark frown was gone tonight. At times she’d wondered why his forehead didn’t have permanent lines from the constant scowl. In his relaxed state she had to admit there was something very appealing about Jack Denton.

For the first time she became more aware of the small cowlick at the crown of his head. An impulse to reach out and smooth the dark hair into place overcame her, and she clutched her hands together. She wondered what he had been like as a young boy. Had he shied away from friendships then? She wished she knew what had molded him into the man he’d become.

His eyes fluttered open, and surprise flashed across his face. Embarrassed at having been caught studying him so intently, she sat down, grabbed the coffeepot. He cleared his throat and sat up straight.

“Sorry. I got a little too comfortable.”

The cup rattled in the saucer as she picked it up. “I’m sorry if you thought I was staring. I thought you might be going to sleep. I knew I was boring, but I must confess I’ve never had that effect on a man before.”

He set his coffee on the table and smiled. “I’m not bored. Just the opposite. It’s nice being here.”

She smiled. “And it’s good to have you.” She took a sip from her cup and settled back in the cushions. “Your tech guys examined the computers in my office today. They didn’t tell me anything, but I didn’t expect them to. Have they found the computer where the encore message was sent yet?”

Jack shook his head. “Not yet. It’s a bigger job than we thought. The school gave us permission to do all the computers that the school owned, but I didn’t think about all the students’ computers having the ISP of the school. We can’t go into dorm rooms and check private property.”

Danielle set her cup on the coffee table and nodded. “I never thought of that. So what do you think you’ll do?”

Jack took a drink from his cup. “I think they’ve probably done all they can at this point. It’ll be a stroke of luck if we find that computer.”

Danielle pulled her feet up underneath her on the couch and crossed her arms. “So that leaves you with nothing.”

“Not necessarily. I wonder if there’s something you might remember about Jennifer’s murder that could throw some light on this case?”

As it did every time Jennifer’s name came up, she recalled the sight of Jennifer’s body beside the mountain trail. She closed her eyes, bit down on her lip and willed the fluttering in her chest to stop. When she opened her eyes, Jack was staring at her. She swung her feet to the floor and, after a moment, she looked at him. “What do you want to know about Jennifer’s murder?”

The frown she’d come to know wrinkled his forehead. “Tell me about Landon Morse.”

Her eyes grew wide. “Landon? Why would you want to know about him?”

Jack shrugged. “I’m just trying to get a feel for all the people who were around when Jennifer died. He was a student, too. What was your impression of him then?”

She thought for a moment before she responded. “Landon has always been a loner. He was a music major and seemed more interested in his violin than anything else. Most of the kids who were musicians hung out together, but he never seemed to have time for anything but practicing.”

Jack nodded. “I guess it paid off. He’s now the head of the music department at Webster.”

“He went to graduate school in the East, then worked somewhere before he came back. Sorta like me.” She smiled. “I guess he felt this was home.”

Jack swiveled to look at her. “Did he know Jennifer well?”

“I don’t think so. Nobody knew Landon well. Of course, we’d speak on campus, and I had a few classes with him. English and history, I think. But on the whole, he seemed to live outside the natural scope of campus life.” She hesitated for a moment. “I do remember, though, that he used to appear at the oddest times. I would be in the library studying, and I’d look up. He’d be across the room staring at me. Sometimes when Jennifer and I went into town, I’d see him in the crowd of shoppers.”

“Did you ever think he was stalking you?”

Danielle shrugged. “At the time I just thought it was a coincidence.”

“Why do you think they hired him at Webster?”

Danielle pursed her lips. “I asked Jeff that once, and he said Landon had made quite a name for himself in the music
world. He’d published some original works for violin and piano, and he’d also conducted a community orchestra where he taught.”

“What about since you’ve been back? Have you ever thought Landon was stalking you?”

She shook her head and chuckled. “No, but I’m afraid he still gives me the creeps. I try to appear professional when we’re together. He’s left messages for me several times wanting to take me out, but I’ve never responded.”

“Do you think he might have sent the roses?”

“It’s crossed my mind. I’ve tried to think of anyone else who was here when Jennifer was murdered, and he seems the likeliest person to have done it. The notes sound a lot like something he would say, but I don’t know.”

The phone on the table at the end of the couch rang, and Danielle reached for it. “Hello.”

“Hello, sugar. How’s my girl doing?”

“Daddy,” she squealed. “Are you and Mom home?”

“Yep. We got in this afternoon.”

“How was the trip?”

“Oh, baby, I wish you could have been with us. I’ve never seen so much poverty and hunger in my life. We’ve come back more determined than ever to launch our relief program.”

She smiled at the excitement in her father’s voice. “And when will that happen?”

“We expect to have all the paperwork done by the first of the year. We’re starting our concert tour to raise money in the spring and think our first shipment of food and medicine should happen by the end of next summer.”

“Oh, Daddy, that’s wonderful. I’m so proud of you.”

“There’s just one thing that would make it better.”

Danielle braced herself for what she knew was coming. “And what’s that?”

“For you to be a part of it.”

“We’ve talked about this before, and you know how I—”

“I know. I know,” he interrupted. “But, baby, we need you. This could be a family affair. We want you to be the chairman of our nonprofit and deal with all the day-to-day hassle of running the organization. Your mom and I will raise the money and do all the public appearances.”

“But I’m happy here.”

“Please, darling. Just pray about it before you say no.”

She looked at Jack, whose eyes had grown large. “I will. And by the way there’s a friend of mine here who’s a great fan of yours. His name is Jack Denton. Why don’t you say hello?”

“Sure. Put him on.”

She pushed the receiver toward Jack, but he held out his hands and shook his head. He mouthed the word
no,
but Danielle giggled and thrust the phone into his hands. “He won’t bite. Say hello to my father.”

Jack stared at the phone and cleared his throat before he pressed it to his ear. “H-hello.” He nodded and glanced at Danielle. “It’s good to meet you, too, sir. I’ve been a big fan of yours for years.”

Danielle stifled the giggle she felt bubbling in her throat. She’d seen the same hero worship in her friends all her life, but somehow it didn’t seem to fit Jack Denton.

“I’m a policeman,” he said.

She rolled her eyes and grimaced. Her father was checking Jack out. She’d also lived with that all her life.

“I’d like that. Maybe we can.” He listened for a moment, and Danielle thought his face paled a bit. “I will. It’s good to talk with you. Here’s Danielle.”

He pushed the phone at her, and Danielle put it back to her ear. “Okay, Daddy, what did you say to scare Jack? He looks like a frightened rabbit right now.”

Her father laughed. “I just told him that he’d better treat my little girl right, or the whole Jade Dragon band would come after him.”

Her face warmed. “Oh, you didn’t. You’re awful.”

“No, I just love my daughter.”

She smiled. “I love you, too, and I’ll talk to you soon.”

“And you’ll think about the job?”

“I will. Bye.”

She placed the phone in its cradle and turned to Jack. “I’m sorry if my father came across a little strong. I’m his only child, and he’s very protective.”

Jack shook his head. “Don’t be sorry. I think it must be wonderful to have a dad who cares about you. I never had that.”

Danielle felt like Jack had just shared the first clue that could give her some insight into his personality. She couldn’t imagine what it must be like for a child who isn’t loved. “I’m sorry, Jack.”

He exhaled. “I got used to it.” He glanced at her. “But I got the impression from your conversation that your father is trying to get you to do something.”

“He is.”

She hadn’t told anyone about the decision she was pondering, but it seemed natural to tell Jack. “A year or so ago my parents took a trip to Africa. While they were there, they came across a relief organization that was aiding the Batwa people.”

“Batwa? I’ve never heard of them.”

She nodded. “Most people haven’t. They’re a pygmy race. They’re scattered across Africa in various countries, which makes them a minority wherever they live. When the forests where they lived were cleared for agriculture, they became displaced. Most of them are destitute.” She smiled. “Of course
this was just the kind of situation that fired my parents’ determination to help.”

“It sounds like a big project.”

“It is, but they want to aid the organizations who help the Batwa. They’re launching the project right after their record comes out.”

Jack sat up straight. “They’re making a comeback?”

Danielle laughed. “Well, of sorts. Jade Dragon is now devoted to playing Christian music. They’ll be making appearances this summer at Christian gatherings all across the country in hopes of raising money to help the Batwa. They hope their record, along with the concert tour, will bring in a lot of money for their first shipment to Africa at the end of the summer or early fall.”

“Wow! And they want you to work with them.”

She directed her attention back to her coffee cup and took a drink. The now-cool liquid tasted bitter, and she scrunched her lips together. Setting the cup on the table, she glanced at Jack. He seemed to have taken in every word. “But I don’t know,” she added. “I’m happy at the school, and I don’t want to leave. On the other hand, I’d love to be a part of this with my parents. My dad told me to pray about it before I decide.”

He swallowed and looked down at his watch. “I guess you have some heavy decisions to make, and I need to be getting home.” He rose and stuck out his hand. “Thanks for dinner, Danielle. Next time I’ll treat.”

She placed her hand in his, and his fingers tightened. A tremor ran up her arm, and she slipped away from his grasp. “That sounds like an invitation.”

He sucked in his breath. “I guess it is. I’ll call you.”

Dropping her gaze, she hurried to the door and held it open for him to leave. “I’ll see you later.”

He stepped onto the front porch, turned to face her and
gave the half smile she was used to seeing. “I’m glad I got to know more about your parents. You’re a mighty lucky woman, Danielle.”

Before she could respond, he hurried down the steps and to his car. She watched as he drove away before she closed the door. The evening had been one of the best she’d had in years. Having someone in the house had made it seem more alive, more like a home.

Her parents had often told her that it was time for her to live again, to see what new blessings were waiting for her to experience. Maybe they were right. The thought of putting the problems of the past behind her sent a wave of excitement through her, but the next thought brought her back to reality. A new beginning would have to wait. First there was a killer to catch.

D
anielle pushed her office door open, flipped on the lights and surveyed the room. No rose lay next to her computer this morning. Relieved, she walked to her desk and tossed the briefcase on top.

As she settled into her chair, she chided herself on being so paranoid. Jack’s questioning about Landon’s actions when she was a student at Webster had troubled her ever since the night before. Long forgotten memories kept popping into her mind—like how Landon used to show up at unexpected times.

She’d be eating with friends in a restaurant, and he’d be watching her from another table. Or she’d be walking across campus, and he’d be leaning against a tree studying her with an intense stare.

Chills ran down her arms. She had thought his behavior strange then and had tried to tell herself he was different now, but he wasn’t. There was no denying Landon scared her, and she didn’t have one concrete bit of evidence to support her fear.

“Dr. Tyler?”

Startled, Danielle glanced up to see April standing in the open door. She motioned her into the room. “What can I do for you today, April?”

“I was wondering when Flynn’s coming back to work. I didn’t know how much longer you would need me.”

“He said he’d be back the first of next week. His parents flew into Asheville, and they’ve been staying there all this week. I expect him back Monday, but I really do appreciate all you’ve done since he’s been out.”

April dropped into a chair across from Danielle. A sad expression creased her face. “I’m glad to help out. Tricia and Flynn have been good friends ever since our freshman year. I miss Tricia.”

The face of the vivacious Tricia flashed in Danielle’s mind. She could almost see the young girl running across campus, late to class, and yelling a greeting to everyone she passed. Danielle wondered if that memory would haunt her like the ones she had of Jennifer.

She picked up a pencil from her desk and rolled it between her fingers. “I do, too.”

April clasped her hands in her lap and sat silent for a moment. “I saw the Web site, but I don’t understand why anybody would do such a horrible thing to her.”

Danielle had been trying to answer that question ever since the murder. “None of us can.”

April wiped at a tear. “I’ll never forget the last time I saw her. She was laughing and looked so happy.”

“Was she late to class?”

April chuckled. “She never was on time for anything, but the last time I saw her was the afternoon before she was killed. I was going back to the dorm, and I saw her in the parking lot with Professor Morse.”

Danielle sat up straight and grasped the arms of the chair. “She was with Dr. Morse? What time was that?”

“About four o’clock. I remember because I had just gotten out of my chemistry lab.”

“What were they doing?”

April shrugged. “They were walking toward his car.”

Danielle’s chest tightened. “Did she get in the car with him?”

April thought for a moment before she responded. “I saw them stop beside his car, but I don’t know if she got in it or not.”

Danielle rose and came around the side of her desk. “Did you tell the police this?”

April shook her head. “No. I wasn’t questioned, and I didn’t think it had anything to with her murder. It was just Dr. Morse.”

Danielle stopped beside April and placed her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “You have to talk to the police and tell them this.”

April’s eyes grew wide. “If you think I should, I’ll be glad to do it.”

Danielle walked back to her desk and pulled her cell phone from her purse. Clicking on the saved number Jack had given her the night Tricia was killed, she smiled what she hoped was an encouraging signal to April. “I’m sorry if I’m overreacting, but I don’t think we can allow any information to go unnoticed. The police want—”

A voice on the line interrupted her. “Jack Denton.”

“Detective Denton, good morning. This is Danielle Tyler at Webster.”

A low chuckle reached her ear. “Good morning. Aren’t you being a little formal? Especially since I’m still trying to recover from your father’s threat last night.”

Danielle’s face warmed, and she turned her back on April. “I have a student with me. She has some information I think you need to hear.”

“Is this about the murder?” The humorous tone vanished to be replaced by his professional no-nonsense attitude.

“Yes.”

“Can you keep her there until I arrive? It should take me about fifteen minutes to get out to the school.”

“We’ll be waiting in my office.”

“Good. See you soon.”

She closed the phone. “Detective Denton’s coming right now. If you have a class, I’ll call your teacher and get you excused.”

April shook her head. “I don’t have anything until after lunch.”

“Good.” Danielle walked back to her chair and eased into it. “Until Detective Denton gets here we might as well make the most of the time and get some work done. Did you finish that mailing list I gave you yesterday?”

April stood up. “I still have a few names to enter in the computer. I’ll work on that while we’re waiting.”

Danielle nodded and faced her computer. “I have a report I’m working on, so that should keep me busy.”

Within minutes April was engrossed in her work, but Danielle found it difficult to concentrate. She stood, walked to the window behind her desk and looked out at the campus.

She stared across the manicured grounds to the mountains that provided a breathtaking backdrop. The first time she visited the school with her parents, she had thought it the most beautiful place she’d ever seen.

She loved this school, and yet it harbored the worst tragedies of her life. The deaths of Jennifer and Tricia would haunt her for the rest of her life. And then there was Stan. Although he didn’t attend school here, he had visited the campus with her once right before his death.

They had walked across the grounds holding hands and laughing as she showed him all the places she’d frequented while a student here. It had been a glorious day, the last fun-filled one they would ever share.

She closed her eyes and concentrated on Stan’s face. His picture blurred in her mind. Through the foggy haze that swirled inside her head, the face of Jack Denton emerged clear in her vision. His lips curled in a half smile. All the haunting memories faded from her mind, only to be replaced by a new thought. It scared her to think Jack Denton might become too important in her life.

Fifteen minutes later Danielle still hadn’t focused on the report due to Jeff by the end of the day. A tap at the door interrupted her thoughts, and she rose from her chair. “I’ll get that. Maybe it’s Detective Denton.”

When she opened the door, Jack stared at her, the slight smile she’d been thinking of earlier on his lips. “Good morning, Dr. Tyler.” A glint in his eye underscored the formal emphasis he put on her name.

“And to you, Detective Denton.” She held the door open and waved him into the room. She closed the door behind them and nodded in April’s direction. “Do you remember April? She’s taking over Flynn’s duties until he comes back to school.”

“I remember.”

April rose and walked around her desk. She held out her hand. “You were here the other day when I came to work. It’s good to see you again, Detective.”

Jack shook her hand, but when he started to pull away, April curled her fingers tighter and covered his hand with her other one. Danielle stifled a smile. She should have warned Jack that April had quite a reputation on campus as an aggressive young woman with members of the opposite sex.

With a tug, Jack slipped from her grasp and nodded toward Danielle. “Dr. Tyler tells me you have some information I may find helpful.”

“Before you begin,” Danielle said, “maybe I should
leave. You may not want me overhearing what you and April talk about.”

Jack shook his head. “I thought she’d already told you her information.”

“She has, but I didn’t want to intrude.”

“Then I don’t see why you should leave.”

Danielle nodded. “I’ll go get us some coffee in Jeff’s office and be right back.” She glanced at April. “Would you like some, April?”

April shook her head. “No, thanks. I don’t drink coffee.”

“I’ll take a cup.” Jack pulled a chair in front of April’s desk and motioned for her to be seated. He opened the notebook he always had with him. “Now, April, what is it you have to tell me?”

Danielle glanced over her shoulder as she reached the door and smiled. April had pulled her chair to the side of her desk and was sitting with her knees almost touching Jack’s. Danielle pulled the door closed and stood in the hallway thinking about Jack and their time together the night before. As she got to know him, she found she liked the person that Jack tried so hard to keep hidden.

Her first impression of him had been different, though. That first day they met,
granite
was the word that came to mind as she stared at him. Although he appeared friendly, there was a remoteness about him. Something in his eyes reminded her of the slow-cooling magma that had formed the granite veins running through the surrounding mountains.

She wondered if she would ever know what had fired his soul and left hardened emptiness behind. Perhaps it was the death of his wife. Whatever had scarred him, it had left him with a fear of opening himself up to anyone. She could only pray that he would come to know the strength he could draw from faith in God. Until then, she doubted he would ever trust anyone.

She reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, straightened her shoulders and walked into the reception area of Jeff Newman’s office. “Morning, Betty.”

Betty, Jeff’s assistant, looked up from replacing the telephone on the handset and motioned for her to enter. “Good morning, Danielle.” She inclined her head toward a sideboard on the far wall of the room. “Sally brought coffee and pastries from the dining room. Help yourself.”

“Thanks.”

“Those blueberry muffins are delicious.”

Danielle shook her head, poured two cups from the coffeepot and turned back to Betty. “Detective Denton is speaking with April in my office right now. I just came to get us some coffee.”

Betty closed the leather folder with Jeff’s official calendar in it. “Oh, before I forget, Landon Morse was looking for you earlier.”

Danielle’s skin prickled at the mention of Landon. “What does he want?”

Betty propped her elbows on her desk and leaned forward. “I don’t know. Maybe he wanted to talk about the Christmas Fundraiser.” Betty paused for a moment. “Or maybe he wants to ask you out to dinner again.”

Danielle grasped the two cups of coffee tighter and walked back toward Betty’s desk. “Oh, I don’t think so. But I’ll check with him later.”

Betty got up and walked around her desk. She stood in thought for a moment before she took off her bifocals and dropped them to dangle from the gold chain encircling her neck. “Jeff has asked you out time after time, and you won’t go. Poor Landon can’t get you to give him the time of day. It’s time you had a life, Danielle. Why won’t you at least try one of them?”

Danielle tried to sidestep Betty, but she blocked the path to the door. If Betty only knew how this conversation was upsetting her. She gave a nervous laugh. “Try one of them? You make it sound like I’m buying a used car.”

Betty arched a pencil-thin eyebrow. “You know what I mean. You need to get a social life.” She paused, and her lips parted as if she’d just had an important thought. She stepped closer to Danielle. “Or maybe you’re not interested in going out with anyone because there’s someone else.”

Danielle frowned. “Who?”

Betty smiled. “I’ve noticed that good-looking detective has visited the school on a regular basis. Is there something going on between the two of you?”

Danielle’s face grew warm. “Betty, I assure you there’s nothing but friendship between Jack and me.”

“Aha!” Betty smacked her hands together. “Jack, is it? Since when did you get on such friendly terms with him?”

Danielle felt as if her skin were on fire. She pushed around Betty. “Stop it. There’s nothing between us.”

“Between who?” Jeff Newman stood in the door from the hallway, a smile on his face.

Danielle glared at Betty and strode toward the doorway. “Betty is giving me a hard time this morning. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to my office.”

“Give Jack my best,” Betty called.

“Jack who?” Jeff’s voice drifted behind Danielle, and she stopped to hear Betty’s response.

“I was just teasing Danielle about being smitten with the handsome Detective Denton.”

Jeff gave a disgusted snort. “I’d think she had better taste than that.”

Guilt about eavesdropping washed over Danielle, and she hurried across the hall toward her office. She stopped at the
door, placed one of the cups in the crook of her arm that held the other cup and opened the door. She could see Jack’s profile from where she stood. April was talking, and a muscle in Jack’s jaw twitched as he concentrated on her words.

Granite. Danielle recalled the word she had first used to describe him, but now that didn’t seem to fit at all. His reaction to seeing Tricia the night she was murdered, his concern for her safety that same night, the enjoyment of a simple meal with her, and the starstruck awe of her parents—all these told her a kind soul with a soft heart lurked somewhere within Jack Denton.

It saddened her to think she might never be able to scrape away the layers and find that hidden person.

He glanced around and smiled when he saw her. Her heartbeat quickened, and she suddenly knew one thing. No matter how long the task of searching out the real Jack, the end results would be worth the wait.