The Inn at Misty Lake: Book Two in the Misty Lake Series (28 page)

Ryan wanted to play with the dogs. If he ran real fast, he could probably play for a little while before his mom got back. Deciding quickly, he grabbed his shoes, shoved his feet in, slapped the Velcro straps in place, and dashed out the door.

Funny how many people smiled and even stopped to talk when you walked with a couple of dogs, Susan thought as she strolled down Main Street. She watched as a young girl tugged on her mother’s arm and pleaded with her to let her stop and pet the doggies. The mother obliged after clearing it with Susan, and the two chatted as the girl got a double dose of puppy love.

When she heard footsteps racing up behind her, she slowed and turned, expecting another child wanting a turn petting the dogs. She was surprised when the child turned out to be Ryan.

“Hi, Ryan,” Susan said brightly, looking past the boy for either Riley or Lissa. When she didn’t spot either, she asked him, “Where’s your mom?”

Ryan was already on his knees in front of the dogs, wet tongues and cold noses eagerly greeting him. He giggled and hugged before finally managing, “I dunno.”

Susan did her best to calm the dogs and to get Ryan’s attention. “Who are you here with?”

“No one,” Ryan answered as he stroked Gusto’s head.

Susan scanned the street again, sure there must be someone looking for the boy. She didn’t see anyone. “How did you get here?”

“I saw you from the window.” He looked up at her now, a hint of fear in his eyes. “Are you mad?”

“No, I’m not mad. Did you come outside all by yourself? Did you tell your mom?”

“She’s not there. She left.”

Susan was growing alarmed but tried to keep her voice easy. “When did she leave?”

“I dunno. A long time ago.”

“Who was there with you when she left?”

“No one. She said Courtney was coming back but she didn’t.”

Ryan didn’t seem concerned but Susan certainly was. Maybe something happened to Lissa. Her earlier suspicions about the woman’s drug use came roaring back. She’d have to discuss it with Riley, but right now her concern was Ryan. She grabbed her cell phone and tried Riley. No answer. Not wanting to worry him unnecessarily, she left a message simply asking him to call. Now, what to do with the boy? She supposed the logical thing to do would be to go to the police, but she knew Jake wasn’t in and figured his deputies would have to follow protocol which would most likely mean calling in a social worker and who knew what else. She didn’t want to put Ryan through all of that.

Knowing it probably wasn’t the best decision and guessing she’d probably catch some heat later on, she decided to just bring him home with her and keep trying to get in touch with Riley.

“Do you think you’d like to come to my house for a little while and play with the dogs some more?”

Ryan seemed to hesitate and Susan assumed he’d probably been taught to not get in a car or go anywhere with a stranger. Susan could almost see him trying to decide if she was a friend.

“I’m sure it would be okay with your mom. We’ll wait there for her to get home. And we can call Riley, too.”

“Okay.” Ryan was already hugging the dogs again.

The shack was starting to feel familiar. Lissa parked and marched to the door, a far cry from the petrified, trembling mess she’d been less than two weeks ago. This time as she knocked on the door, she called out her name and demanded the man hurry.

When he opened the door, Lissa pushed her way in and sat at the table.  “Tell me what you’ve got today.”

Jake found Susan’s computer waiting for him when he got back to the office. He glanced at the note about Susan receiving another threatening email and immediately called Ian, their tech specialist.

He fired up his own computer and ran a quick search to see what he could find about the Cosgrove family. It didn’t take long to learn that Senator Cosgrove did, in fact, have a daughter named Jennifer. A few more keystrokes and he learned Jennifer was married to Randall Westbrook and lived in Oceanside, California. He easily found a phone number and dialed.

“Mrs. Westbrook, this is Sheriff Jake McCabe calling from—”

“Oh, God, it’s Lissa, isn’t it? Is she okay? How about Ryan?”

“She’s fine, Mrs. Westbrook, and so is Ryan. I didn’t mean to alarm you. I was just calling to try to verify some information.”

“Oh, thank goodness, you can’t imagine how worried we’ve been. So she’s there? Right now? We’ve been trying to find her for months.” The relief was evident in her voice. “Did Mr. Patterson contact you?”

“Yes, she’s here. Mr. Patterson?”

“Oh, I just assumed he traced her and was working with you. Mr. Patterson is a private investigator. We just hired him a few days ago and I know he was heading to Denver.”

“Denver? Mrs. Westbrook, I apologize for all the confusion. I haven’t been in touch with a Mr. Patterson and I’m not calling from Denver, I—”

Again Jenny interrupted. “She’s back in Omaha, isn’t she?” She sounded defeated, as if she knew she wasn’t going to like Jake’s answer.

The mention of Denver and Omaha set off warning bells in Jake’s mind. It was too much to be a coincidence. “She’s in Minnesota, a town called Misty Lake.”

“Minnesota? What in the world is she doing in Minnesota?”

“I’m afraid that’s something you’d have to ask her, Mrs. Westbrook.” The conversation wasn’t going at all as Jake had expected.

“She told us she was going to Denver. The last time we heard from her she said she was there and her cell phone records confirm that. I don’t understand what she’s doing in Minnesota. You said Ryan is with her? You’re sure he’s okay?”

“Ryan is here and, as far as I know, he’s just fine.”

“Then I don’t understand, Sheriff McCabe. Why are you calling me?”

Jake knew he needed to tread carefully. “It has to do with Ryan, as a matter of fact. Melissa came here to see Ryan’s father and Ryan’s father contacted me…he has some concerns—”

“I’m sorry, Sheriff, I’m just not following you at all. You say you’re calling from Minnesota and that Lissa is there to see Ryan’s father? That can’t be. Lissa told us she was going to Denver because that’s where Ryan’s father lives. She left California months ago. She never said anything about Minnesota.”

Jake leaned back in his chair and looked at the ceiling. It seemed as though Riley really wasn’t Ryan’s father, at least not according to Jenny’s information. Then what was Lissa doing in Misty Lake and what was she after?

“Mrs. Westbrook, you are under no obligation to answer any of my questions, but if you’re willing, I have a few. It seems as though there’s an awful lot of confusion regarding your sister.”

“That, Sheriff McCabe, I believe. I just want her and Ryan safe. I’ll answer your questions, but I need your word that it goes no further. I’m sure you’re aware of who our father is. He’s spent years trying to help Lissa and at the same time, keep her name out of the news. Given his position, it hasn’t been easy.”

“You have my word, Mrs. Westbrook. I have something of a personal interest in this matter, as well, and would really like to unravel some of the mystery.”

“Well then, it sounds as though we have some things to talk about.” Jake heard her sigh and heard the sounds of her footsteps before a chair scraped across the floor and he could tell she fell into it. “I think you’d better call me Jenny, Sheriff.”

Once Jake left, Riley flopped face down on his bed. He was exhausted, his head was pounding, and he simply didn’t know what to do. He had come to love Ryan. If his suspicions were correct and the boy really wasn’t his son, he didn’t know how he’d feel. He prayed Jake would learn something…soon. He felt himself drift off. A phone rang, but he was too tired to care.

32

Susan got Ryan and both dogs inside, and as she watched the tangle of arms and legs as boy and dogs wrestled and rolled around on the floor, wondered what to do next. She nervously drummed her fingers on the table as she considered. She figured Jake would call once he got to the office and found her computer. She’d fill him in and see how he wanted to handle things. She dug her phone out of her purse and tried Riley again but like before, there was no answer.

Lissa might be years removed from a place of honor at her father’s side, but that didn’t mean she’d forgotten the lessons he’d drilled into her. ‘It’s all about self-confidence, Melissa. If you believe in yourself, others are going to believe in you, too.’ She’d heard that one over and over. ‘Speak like you mean business. If you come across as weak or undecided, the vultures will circle.’ She hadn’t understood that one for a long time, but today it had come in handy.

Slick, as she’d decided to call him—she had no idea what his real name was—never knew what hit him. She’d demanded he give her his best stuff…and at a price she decided on, not him. Not that she’d cheated him, that had never been her intention, but she had made sure he didn’t cheat her.

And best of all was when she’d asked for a little something more. She knew he’d have it, everyone like him did. He’d denied it at first, afraid of the change in her and, she’d figured, afraid she was going to rat him out. But, in the end, she’d gotten what she wanted.

As she drove, she patted her jacket pocket again and felt the heft. She was past the first hurdle, but that had been the easy one. Her confidence started to wane a bit, but she gave herself another pep talk and tried to stay focused on the prize at the end.

Slick really did have some good stuff, she thought dreamily as she drove to the other side of the lake.

When Jake hung up, his head was spinning. He’d learned things from Lissa’s sister that had left him shocked, curious, and more than a little angry. Jenny had been cooperative, wanting only to get her sister and her nephew back home safe and sound, and willing to give Jake whatever information he needed in order to make that happen.

Jenny had said she was going to book a flight to Minneapolis as soon as they finished their conversation. Jake had given her his contact information and Jenny had said she’d be in touch as soon as she was in Minnesota. Jake had offered to help make arrangements to get her to Misty Lake as quickly as possible, but Jenny had brushed his offer aside saying she could handle it. After talking with her for twenty minutes, Jake didn’t doubt it. Apparently one didn’t grow up the daughter of a senator without knowing how to get things done.

Now, Jake needed to get back to Riley’s and tell him what he’d learned. He didn’t know how Riley would take the news, but suspected not well. His assistant had put a note on his desk letting him know Ian had called back and would be in shortly to take a look at Susan’s computer. He was almost certain Ian would find that the most recent email was sent from Misty Lake or somewhere close by. He needed to get in touch with Susan, as well, but decided he’d wait until Ian confirmed his suspicions.

Riley was trying to lay tile in a bathroom, but the high school marching band wouldn’t stop practicing. The drums got louder and louder, so loud that the floor shook and tiles slid out of place. He tried to block out the sound, but it was everywhere and he couldn’t escape it. Frustrated, he started to shout. His own yelling woke him. He looked around and struggled to focus. It took him a minute to realize he was lying on his own bed and he’d been dreaming. He rubbed his eyes roughly and tried to quiet the pounding in his head. He sat up when he realized the pounding was coming from his front door.

Still dazed and more than a little pissed off, he staggered to the door and ripped it open. He was ready to launch into his brother when he remembered he’d asked Jake for help.

“What did you find out?” he asked in a gravelly, sleep-deprived voice.

“Let’s go inside.” Jake pushed past Riley and headed for the kitchen where he grabbed the coffee and started to make a pot. Even though his brother would likely prefer a beer, Jake needed him clear-headed. And awake.

“Sit down,” he said to Riley who was leaning against the doorjamb, blinking and trying to clear his eyes. “We need to talk.”

Lissa pulled up to the house thinking how easy it was to learn just about anything from the Internet. Months ago, after she’d first reached out to Courtney and had fished around for information on Riley, she’d searched for details on the sale of the lake property and had easily learned about Susan Taylor’s plans for a bed and breakfast. Finding her website had been simple. Just this past week when she’d searched through articles for details about the Taylor house she’d been hearing so much about, figuring there was most likely a connection to Susan, she’d easily determined its location on the lake. It was nice, she admitted, as she scrutinized it, obviously some money behind it. Searches led her to Samantha Taylor and figuring out that she and Susan lived there together was so simple Ryan probably could have done it.

She’d come this far, now she just needed to finish the job. A little something as a reward for handling everything up to this point, she told herself as she reached in her purse and grabbed her latest purchase.

A few minutes later, she was leaning her head back on the seat, feeling as if she could conquer the world. She drew on the strength she’d harnessed when dealing with Slick as she opened her car door and strode to the house.

Susan heard the knock and guessed it was Riley. Opening the door, she was surprised to see Lissa.

“Lissa. How did you know he was here?” It wasn’t the most polite greeting, but Susan’s displeasure at seeing the woman at her door and taking in the glassy eyes and twitching fingers had her feeling less than gracious.

“Who’s here?”

Susan briefly considered trying to keep Lissa outside and away from Ryan. She had no idea why Lissa was there if it wasn’t to collect Ryan, and it was clear that Lissa was in no condition to care for her son. Before she could step out to the porch and close the door, Ryan came barreling toward his mother.

“Mommy!”

The force of Ryan grabbing her legs had Lissa stumbling and almost falling. Then, her entire demeanor changed in an instant. She whipped around to face Susan, her eyes blazing.

“What in the hell are you doing with my son?” she screamed.

“Nothing,” Susan shot back. “I’m just keeping an eye on him for the time being.”

“You have no business having anything to do with my son,” Lissa hissed.

“He was alone. I was just trying to see that he was safe.”

The dogs had followed Ryan out onto the porch and were standing close to Susan. Lissa was smart enough to know she needed to lower her voice or risk the dogs, sensing something was wrong, trying to protect Susan.

“Ryan,” she turned to her son who was looking at her with wide eyes. “Why don’t you go in the yard with the dogs and play for a while?”

“I don’t wanna,” he whined as he looked from his mother to Susan.

“Ryan, I told you to go,” Lissa said.

“The dogs have been in the house for a while, I’m sure they’d like to run a little. Just make sure you stay close to the house and far away from the lake.” Susan was terrified at the thought of leaving the child outside alone so close to the thawing lake, but was equally terrified of the anger and hatred she sensed coming from Lissa.

Susan watched as Lissa’s face grew red and knew she was struggling mightily to hold her tongue until Ryan was away from the house. Once he was running through the yard with the dogs at his heels, she whirled on Susan.

“Who do you think you are telling my son what to do? You are sadly mistaken if you think you are going to have anything to do with him.”

Susan chose to remain silent, waiting her out.

“And the same goes for Riley. Do you really believe he’s going to choose you over his son? You may think he loves you but blood is thicker than water. The two of them have become even closer than I hoped during the past couple of weeks. When I leave town, Riley will be coming with me, mark my words.”

That was Susan’s biggest fear, and by the look of triumph in Lissa’s eyes, it was apparent Lissa knew it. Her expression turned downright evil as she spoke slowly to Susan.

“Just so Riley’s decision isn’t a long, drawn out one, I’ve decided you’re going to help him along. You’re going to make sure he’s convinced any feelings you may have had for him are gone.”

Lissa was sneering now and Susan was becoming more and more frightened, but thoughts of her conversation with Rose and the promise she had made had her standing her ground.

“No, I’m not going to do that. I love Riley and I’m going to make sure he knows it.”

Lissa laughed cruelly. “Oh, I don’t think so…not when I explain the consequences.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, first off…this little bed and breakfast of yours? I have someone ready to torch the place. All I have to do is give him the word. And if you think I’m kidding, just try me.”

“You can’t be serious. You’ll never get away with it.”

“Oh, Susan, how naïve you are. It’s cute, really. I can almost see why Riley thought he might care for you. But, I will get away with it. You see, my connections run deep. Very deep. I know people in places and with power you can only imagine. I didn’t grow up the daughter of a senator and not learn a thing or two.”

Now Susan was terrified. She still didn’t believe Lissa would get away with it in the long run, but if what she said was true, the damage she could cause would be catastrophic. Susan knew recovering from it could be impossible. Desperately trying to come up with a plan, she worked to keep Lissa talking.

“My business is important to me, but Riley is more important. You aren’t going to scare me away with your threats.” It was a struggle to keep her voice steady and Susan knew she was failing.

Lissa blew out a breath. “Threats? No, not threats. Facts. But if that wasn’t enough to have you reconsidering, let me throw this at you. If you try to convince Riley to stay, I’ll start talking. I will tell this whole pathetic little town the real story of how I ended up pregnant with Riley’s child. Believe me, it’s not pretty.”

Anger replaced fear and Susan’s voice rose. “Now you’re lying. Your word won’t mean anything in this town. People here know and respect Riley.”

“That may be, but things change. When I explain how Riley tricked me into following him into the woods that night, far away from the party and from anyone who could hear me, and then proceeded to force himself on me, opinions will change.”

“You can’t be serious! That’s nothing but a lie and you know it.”

“No, it’s not. Why do you think I was so afraid to tell him about the baby when I found out and then so afraid to come back here for all these years? I was afraid of what he’d do to me. It wasn’t until Ryan started asking about his father and I felt I owed it to my son to let him know his father, that I worked up the nerve to come back.”

Susan just stared. She didn’t believe a word of it but had to give the woman credit. A rumor, a lie, could be just as damaging as the truth. There would be people who would choose to believe Lissa and Riley’s reputation, likely his business, would suffer. She began to shake with rage and fear and grabbed onto the porch railing to steady herself. She needed to get to a phone without Lissa realizing what she was doing, but didn’t see any way that was going to be possible.

“So, it looks like you’re starting to believe me.  That’s good. It will make things so much easier. Why don’t we head inside right now and you can make a call to Riley? You can tell him you’ve given it a lot of thought and your feelings have changed knowing that he has a son. You can explain to him that you don’t want to see him any more and that you think the best decision for everyone is if he tries to give his son a real family. Trust me, he’s already leaning that way. Hearing it from you will be the last little push he needs to make up his mind.”

She was crazy, plain and simple. Susan considered trying to make a break for it, trying to get inside the house and lock the door behind her before Lissa could react, but she glanced across the yard at Ryan running and laughing with the dogs and knew she couldn’t risk his safety. With as unstable as Lissa appeared, Susan had no idea how she’d react. Maybe she could call Riley and find a way to let him know something was wrong without Lissa realizing what was happening. Her mind raced with possibilities but she couldn’t seem to piece together a logical plan.

“Shall we?” Lissa said with a wave towards the door.

The last thing Susan wanted was to be inside with Lissa. “You can’t leave Ryan out here alone. He’s only yards from the lake on one side and the road on the other. It’s not safe.”

“I told you to keep your mouth shut regarding my son. I’ll worry about what’s safe and what’s not safe. Now, inside. Or do you need a little encouragement?”

Susan watched as Lissa reached into her pocket and pulled out a gun. Susan’s heart thudded wildly and every nerve stood on end.