Skeleton's Key (Delta Crossroads Trilogy, Book 2) (21 page)

Somewhere between the old bones, the dead bodies, and the bullheaded Yankee woman, he was no longer desensitized. Energy had his body revved up in ways he’d nearly forgotten about, leaving him with the urge to pull Dani close. And Cage had no idea what to do.

He parked behind Dani’s rental and caught up with her on Magnolia House’s front steps. “How long do you have this thing for, anyway?”

“Two weeks,” Dani said. “Then I’ve got to fly back to Indianapolis, get the rest of my stuff, and drive back here in my own truck.”

“You have a truck?”

“You seem surprised.”

“You don’t really seem the type.”

“Maybe you misjudged me.” Standing above him on the top step, Dani looked straight into his eyes. Blood pulsed through him, leaving Cage dizzy and breathing harder than he needed to. Dani licked her lips, the uncertainty on her face matching the confusion clouding Cage’s head. He finally realized he should say something.

“Guess I did.”

Dani turned away, crossing the porch to the front door, breaking the tension. Cage shook his head to clear the fog.

An envelope was balanced precariously inside the screen door. Dani reached for it. “Don’t you all believe in mailboxes?”

“It’s at the end of the drive.” Chills broke out on Cage’s overheated skin. Dani’s name was carefully printed in blue marker across the middle of the envelope.

“It’s for me.” Worry crept into her voice. “Who would leave me something? Not very many people know I’m even here, let alone staying at Jaymee’s.”

“This is Roselea. By now, everyone knows you’re here. Let’s go inside and open it.”

Flipping on the lights, Dani headed for the kitchen.

“I’m not sure about this,” Cage said. “Who leaves an unsigned envelope nowadays?”

“Someone who didn’t have my number.” Dani disappeared into the kitchen, and Cage quickly followed.

He grabbed a dish towel and then held out his hand. “Let me see it.”

“Why?”

“I’m a cop. Humor me, okay?”

She relented, her smile making it clear she was doing exactly that. Cage turned the envelope over. It was plain white, the blue scrawl standing out under the kitchen’s yellow light. He held the paper up to the overhead fluorescents. “Looks like there is some sort of letter inside.”

“What else would there be?”

He didn’t answer, instead carefully opening the envelope and making sure his hands were protected by the towel. He shook the envelope, and a brittle looking piece of paper fluttered to the counter. Yellowed with age, the letter was written in the classic scrawl of a fountain pen with various ink blots scattered across the page.

“My God.” Dani snatched the towel and picked up the letter as though cradling a newborn. With the tips of her trembling fingers, she unfolded the fragile page and read aloud:

August 9, 1883

Dearest Cary,

I am writing to inform you of my safe arrival to Natchitoches. The journey has been long and arduous, fraught with uncharacteristic summer rains. I should have written this letter last night upon my immediate arrival, but my body was weary. It’s been many years since I have traveled so far, and I am grateful this time was not by my own feet.

This morning I make ready to meet with my old friend and examine the property he is so eager to purchase. Louisiana is a land rich with natural resources, and the Cane River fields bloom with cotton that stands taller than your fair head. Free negroes still work the land, and the crop prospers from their skills. I think I will find this venture a fine investment, and our dear Ironwood will profit greatly.

But you are a child, and so I bore you with these details. Know that I am safe, and I miss you greatly. I will return as soon as my business allows, sweet daughter. I sleep at night with your picture close by, and I remember how fast the time passes, how quickly you grow into womanhood. Remember me fondly, dear girl.

Please keep watch over Papa. I fear he has not long left. And remember that Aunt Charlotte is a fragile mind. I fear giving her the key will come to be a mistake. Please ensure she does not lose it. You must also help her with the everyday duties of the house as much as possible. I look forward to reuniting with you soon.

Your loving father,

J.J. Laurent

For a moment, neither Cage nor Dani said anything. She brought the letter to her flushed face, eyes furrowed, mouth open with excitement.

“Is it authentic?” Cage asked.

Still holding the letter by just her fingertips, Dani laid it out on the counter. “I can say with certainty it’s an old letter. It’s no recent forgery.”

“So it’s probably authentic. Unless someone forged John James’s handwriting and sent a letter to his daughter over a hundred years ago.”

“There’s only one way to find out,” Dani said. “I’ll have to take it with me to the historical foundation tomorrow, see if I can find a documented signature of his.” She clasped her hands together, pressing them to her lips. “This could be an incredible find! An authentic communication. A personal connection between John James and his daughter. It could be a real asset if Ironwood is accepted into the Register.”

“But it’s not a find.” Cage hated to be the one to bring her back to reality. “Someone left this for you, Dani. Why?”

She pointed to the last lines of the letter. “To tell me we’re on the right track. There was a master key to Ironwood.”

“So where is it now?”

He called Gina
despite Dani’s protests. He didn’t need to consult a damned website or journal to tell him something was off about this letter business. Every ounce of cop instinct he had screamed that this stunk worse than an outhouse on a hot day.

Gina arrived a few minutes before ten, moving with a lethargic step that matched the deepening circles beneath her eyes. “I surely hope the trip over here is worth it, Cage. It’s been a long day, and I was about to head home for a rest.”

“Searching the abandoned buildings?” Dani asked.

“We hit four this afternoon. Not a damned thing, thank God. But I heard you were a busy bee, Cage. Paid a visit to the historical foundation, did you?”

He grinned. “Wanted to chat with Lee.”

“Find out anything interesting?”

“Not sure I should share. After all, I’m a suspect. And so’s he.”

“We’re working on eliminating him. And you. Unless you continue to interfere, and then I’ll have you in the hot seat just for spite. So start talking.”

He told her everything Lee had said, including his complaints about selling Ironwood and his strange reaction to the locks. Dani kept surprisingly silent. Cage figured she was stocking up on reasons to keep Gina from taking the letter.

“You might be reaching there,” Gina said when he finished.

Cage shrugged. “Still, it’s interesting that on the same day I visit the foundation, and Dani starts poking into the John James legend,” he motioned to the delicate paper now spread out on the dining room table, “that shows up.”

“I don’t see why you called her,” Dani groused. Hands on either side of the letter, he knew she’d fight to keep it. “Leaving me an old letter isn’t a crime.”

“Someone knows what you’re doing,” Cage said. “That you’re looking for John James.”

“You just said the whole town knew I was staying here by now.” Dani paced, her speech charged with excitement. At least Cage was getting better at understanding her when she got like this. “So they’ve heard what I’m up to.”

“You discovered the butler’s pantry today,” he said. “You figure there’s something not right about the lock–or that it at least means something. I start digging into that idea, you ask questions about John James. Then bam! This gift. Too many coincidences. Gina needs to know about this.”

Dani stopped, positioning her small body as though she were a linebacker ready to block. “Fine. But unless the Adams County Sheriff has a historical document specialist on hand,” she looked at Gina, “I really don’t want you to take the letter.”

Gina stayed silent, processing. Cage’s impatience won out. “Come on. Bodies in Ironwood, and now this out of nowhere, left anonymously? With the mention of a key? We can’t just ignore it.”

“I agree,” Gina said. “Thing is, what’s the connection? But if we’re assuming the killer left it–which you seem to be doing–what’s his motive? And more importantly, how did he get it?”

“Maybe the killer didn’t leave it,” Dani said. “Maybe someone heard about my search and wanted to help without getting involved.”

“Maybe he lifted it from the historical foundation,” Cage said.

“I doubt it,” Dani said. “Something like this wouldn’t be available to the public.”

“True,” Gina said. “But what’s the motive? Lee isn’t hurting for money. And from everything you’ve told me, he loves Ironwood too much to sully it with murder.”

“Unless that’s a front,” Cage said. “And all due respect, Captain, but these murders are about Ironwood. Those guys were probably trespassing, and our murderer attacked them to protect his turf.”

“The medical examiner hasn’t definitively established they were both killed at the same time, and I won’t believe that until she does,” Gina said.

“It’s happened before.”

“And why leave the letter?”

“Could be he’s toying with us, leaving Dani this letter. And Ben Moore’s back in town.” Cage didn’t look at Dani. “He offered to help research the John James theory.”

“Really?” Gina raised an eyebrow. “I’m surprised he’s back after the outrage over the new development.”

“Exactly what I thought. Timing is awfully interesting, don’t you think?”

“It’s something to consider.” Gina turned her attention to Dani. “You think the bones might belong to John James?”

Dani didn’t answer, instead glaring at Cage. “What does Ben being in town and helping me have to do with anything?”

“Just making sure Gina has all the facts.” Ire burned in his stomach. All that indignation over stupid Ben Moore.

What could she see in the man? And didn’t she understand how strange his reappearance was now?

Ben hadn’t been around much in the last few months, well aware that his efforts at tearing down part of poverty-stricken Roselea and replacing it with Yankee-built condos had made him very unpopular. Still, the guy could visit his mother. So what if his timing reeked of burnt collard greens? Maybe jealousy was clouding Cage’s judgment.

Gina stifled a yawn. “I’ve got to get a few hours of sleep tonight. As for Moore, he’s done nothing illegal by showing up. But a word of caution, Dani. He may seem sweet as molasses, but he’s not well liked around Roselea anymore. The stunt he pulled with the developers from Maryland pissed a lot of people off.”

Cage couldn’t help the satisfied smirk. Dani glared at him but addressed her comments to Gina. “You really think he could be involved?”

“His interest may be genuine, but it would be the first time,” Gina said. “Just be careful.”

Dani’s shoulders slumped, but she nodded. Cage wanted to shake her. Why did she take Gina’s word over his?

“What are you going to do about the letter?” Dani asked. “It’s fragile. If it’s going to be fingerprinted, it needs to be done by a forensic document specialist.”

“For now, I’m just taking the envelope,” Gina said. “I can process it for prints easily. The letter can stay with you, but make sure no one else touches it. Store it however you need to. I doubt we’ll get any fingerprints, but it can’t hurt to try.”

“You’ll keep me posted on the investigation, of course,” Cage said as Gina turned to leave.

Hands still gloved, she pointed the envelope at him. “You’re pissing me off, Foster.”

“Sorry, Captain. Just trying to be helpful.”

“Sure you were. Don’t come ’round Ironwood tomorrow. I see you there, I’ll toss you in lock up. I’ll show myself out.” She disappeared into the foyer and then the sound of the front door shutting echoed through the rooms.

Heat crawled up the back of Cage’s neck. He gathered his courage and faced Dani. She spoke before he could find the words.

“I think you should leave.”

“Why are you pissed off over some guy you just met?” Damn. He was jealous.

“You’re some guy I just met, too. Yet I’ve put my faith in your innocence. The least you could do is give me enough credit to not get taken in by Ben. I never said it was impossible for him to be shady, and if Gina thinks he needs to be checked out, then fine.”

That was it.

Cage threw up his hands. “You are unbelievable.”

“What?”

“I tell you to be wary of Ben, you blow it off. But Gina says it, and you believe her without question.”

“She’s a cop!”

“So am I.”

Dani cringed. “Right. But Gina is above you, and she’s got more experience. And she’s not biased.”

“I’m not some rookie,” Cage seethed. “I knew Ben Moore was a legit suspect as soon as I heard he was back in town. But I’m not high enough up the chain for you to take my word for it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“In order for you to accept something as fact, you’ve got to hear it from someone you see as being in charge. An authority figure. Lee tells you to back off Gina and let him handle it, no problem. You can’t trust our history–government’s got to confirm it for you. And God forbid you accept that I might know a thing or two about people I’ve known for years.”

“You’re overreacting.”

“Nope. You’ve got a reliance on being led around by authority figures. How about listening to a friend once in a while instead of searching for verification?”

Dani’s lips flattened into a line so tight, they turned as pale as her skin. “Right now, I’m not sure I could call you a friend. And you were putting me into the middle of your personal vendetta.”

“No I wasn’t. Even if I didn’t think Ben was the scum of Jackson, I’d be suspicious. And I wouldn’t want you to get involved with someone who could be dangerous. That’s all.”

“Right.” Her chin quivered. “You know, I’m just trying to get my footing. I’m in a new place, thousands of miles from home, there are dead people in my house, and everyone is telling me who I can and can’t trust. Excuse me if I look to certain people for guidance.” She rubbed her wet eyes.