Unlocking Lies Read online

  Jace wanted to offer the sound advice of not torturing herself over something she couldn’t change, but it was doubtful she’d listen to him. He’d been in far too many horrific situations that he would have given anything to change. Each individual had to come to some understanding on their own that one couldn’t change the past. She would never succeed in doing so.

  “Well, if you need anything, you must stop by the house and let me know.” Gus gestured toward Jace with a pointed finger. “You two went to school together, didn’t you?”

  “Be careful,” Molly warned Gus, saving Shae from responding. The waitress set the two meals on the table. “Your plate is hot, Gus.”

  The tension in Shae’s shoulders faded somewhat as she recognized the out offered to her by Molly. It wasn’t that Gus’ question was difficult to answer, but it led into a longer conversation that Shae apparently didn’t want to have at the moment…or if ever, for that matter.

  Jace would have questioned if he’d done something in the past to upset her that he wasn’t aware of, but the reason was glaringly obvious—the Kendalls had reinitiated the investigation into her sister’s disappearance. Technically, Noah was to blame. But Shae was acting like Jace had the plague.

  “I’ll let you two enjoy your dinner.” Shae lifted a half-raised hand in farewell. “It was good to see you both.”

  Now that was a flat out lie if he ever heard one. Jace couldn’t take his gaze off her as she slid in the booth and pushed away her uneaten slice of pie. Instead, she reached into her purse and pulled out her phone as she settled back against the seat.

  “She’s been away for a long time.” Gus used the edge of his fork to cut into the thick slice of meatloaf. His insight told Jace that his dad hadn’t missed a thing. “Give her a few days to get reacquainted with the everyone, and she won’t be so wary of those who really care about her.”

  Jace wasn’t so sure about that, given that Shae had her phone pressed against her ear and was talking to someone in a hushed tone. She used to be good friends with Stephanie Green and Andrea Cox back in the day, but those two hadn’t lived in the area in quite some time. Besides Brynn and Julie—who had been Emma’s closest friends—who would be there for Shae when she needed advice or comfort?

  She was an adult and more than capable of taking care of herself. He imagined that she liked it that way.

  Gus switched topics and started talking about the renovations to the barn he’d mentioned earlier. Jace did his best to listen and concentrate on the pulled pork in front of him. It was his first day back home, and he had best cherish every second of it. He grimaced when the vibration of his cell phone cut into his effort to do just that.

  “Sorry, Dad,” Jace mumbled, leaning back in his chair so that he could take the cell phone out of the front pocket of his jeans. The display read a number he wasn’t familiar with, and he almost ignored the call. Something told him to answer. “Hello?”

  “Jace Kendall? This is Detective Kendrick. I’m investigating the murder of Whitney Bell, as well as the disappearance of several young girls dating back over a twelve-year period.”

  “I’m aware of who you are, Detective.” Jace’s reply caught his dad’s attention, as well as every other diner in the place…including Shae Irwin, who was looking over his way while seeming to pause the conversation on her own phone. Well, this couldn’t be good. “What can I do for you?”

  “I know this is an odd request, but I’d like to stop by tomorrow morning with a forensics team and search the premises of your newly acquired property. I’m sure I don’t need to explain to you the reason why, but…”

  Detective Kendrick went into more detail as to why he was making such an appeal, even though he could have easily obtained a warrant to carry out such a task after linking the most recent discoveries to the other properties his father had purchased. Jace understood the detective’s quandary at not wanting to upset any more of the locals, yet needing some type of lead that would end the threat of terror that had seized this town. So far, two houses that were bought by Gus Kendall had been tied to a serial killer. It wasn’t a stretch to believe that the other three properties could contain some type of evidence, as well.

  Unfortunately, this type of request could easily be misconstrued by the other residents. Rumors were bound to fly and stir up the inevitable hornet’s nest.

  “I’ll be there,” Jace replied, making sure he didn’t convey too many details to those who were hanging onto his every word. “Goodnight, Detective.”

  “What was that about?” Gus asked warily, setting down his utensils before wiping his mouth with a napkin. His concern for all of his children was written across his face.

  “Just like Shae, I’m meeting with Detective Kendrick tomorrow.” Jace made eye contact with his father, who understood there was more to the story. He took the hint, though, that it wasn’t something he wanted to share with everyone in their proximity. “It’s routine background questions. Nothing more.”

  Jace purposefully avoided Shae’s questioning stare from across the diner. All would be made clear with time. He concentrated on his sandwich platter and began talking to his dad about the changes he’d like to make to the barn. He didn’t much care for the pole barn idea. Eventually, everyone went back to their meals and private conversations.

  It was a good thing Noah and Lance hadn’t joined them for dinner. Jace might very well have been arrested for a murder, though it would have been his own kin. He’d waited twelve long years to come home for good, and now his ass was being dragged into an old murder investigation.

  What the hell had his brothers gotten him into?

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Shae repeatedly dipped her Lipton’s teabag into the hot water she’d warmed up in the microwave a moment before she walked to the window. It was a little after seven o’clock in the morning, but she hadn’t been able to sleep past five. Her recent bout of insomnia had become an unpleasant habit. She couldn’t legally write herself a prescription for sleep medication. It was just as well. She’d long ago accepted that no drug could kill the root of her problem.

  She leaned against the windowsill as she looked down on Main Street. A lone vehicle drove through town, but she didn’t recognize the driver. There were quite a few new faces she could add to her catalog she classified as locals. The streets were quiet on this Saturday morning, though that was bound to change as the time grew near for her meeting with Detective Kendrick.

  Saturday afternoons were usually busy here in town. Those who commuted to the city during the week would be home and catching up on their projects and chores.

  She and Detective Kendrick had decided days ago that they should have their talk somewhere private. The studio apartment she was staying at above the bar would provide a venue of discretion. It would serve its purpose without adding too much intrigue for the residents of Blyth Lake to blather on about. It wasn’t like the authorities had anything to tell her that she didn’t already know. This upcoming meeting was what her fellow colleagues referred to as a basal foray. Shae understood it would amount to nothing more than an initial reconnaissance mission into hostile territory.

  Shae blew on the contents of the steaming cup before tentatively testing the temperature of the darkening liquid. Still too hot to drink, although it was time to remove the blend. Morning tea was meant to be stimulating, not bold.

  The movement of yet another vehicle driving down Main Street caught her attention. This time, the car didn’t sail past the parking lot of the Cavern, but instead turned in and parked. It was then that she could make out the individual behind the wheel. What was Brynn doing at the bar so early?

  Shae pushed off the ledge of the window, figuring she’d go downstairs and keep Brynn company rather than waiting for the eventual knock at the door. The two of them hadn’t had a chance to talk at length. Other than Brynn handing Shae a key over for the apartment last night while mixing a cocktail, they might have exchanged a handful of words since her arrival.r />
  She didn’t bother to lock the door behind her, carefully walking down the inner staircase rather than using the private exit that led to the parking lot outside. She was very confident in the fact that she wouldn’t spill a drop of her tea. Grace was one of her qualities, though she was quite short in many others.

  “Brynn?” Shae searched the bar area, but didn’t see the honey blonde owner. A few muttered curse words drifted back from the short hallway that led to the restrooms and Brynn’s office, announcing her whereabouts. “Is everything okay back there? You’re here rather early.”

  “Oh, I can’t find my damn purse,” Brynn replied, rolling the chair away from her desk. She glanced underneath with a frown. “I couldn’t find it at the house, so I thought I’d left it here last night.”

  “Red?” Shae asked, pointing to the filing cabinet in the corner where a small clutch had been set on the top.

  “Thank you!” Brynn exclaimed, throwing her hands up in victory. She quickly snatched it up before advancing to the door. “Are you heading over to Jace’s new house?”

  She must have misunderstood Brynn, because there was no valid reason why Shae would visit Jace. Not for any reason she could determine, anyway. Their friendship had faded long ago. For all intents and purposes, they were complete strangers. Last night proved to her that she had warped feelings about the man. No, it was better to stay away.

  “Um, no, I hadn’t planned to,” Shae answered, taking a sip of her tea to cover up her unease.

  The sweetness from the teaspoon of sugar she’d put into the cup caused her system to flush with endorphins. At least, that was the reason she attributed for the slight tremor of her fingers and not the mere mention of his name. She had counseled compulsive eaters who were in fact slowly killing themselves with high sugar diets. Her rationalization was just another introspective path to avoid yet another bout of guilt.

  She should have downed the contents of her cup sooner.

  Often, working as a psychiatrist made dealing with her feelings more complex. Her thoughts became tangled up with ethical dilemmas and ethereal motives rather than simple solutions.

  “I was up early and happened to see you pull into the parking lot. I’m thinking of going to see Julie this morning. I haven’t talked to her in quite some time.”

  “I’m warning you now, she’s been dating Billy Stanton. What an ass.” Brynn shook her head in disappointment. Shae’s stomach revolted upon hearing the man’s name. The tea didn’t taste as good coming back up. “I’ve had several conversations with Julie, but she won’t listen to me.”

  “I didn’t know that.” Shae could hear Billy’s villainous words about how he’d only danced with Emma that fateful night out of pity, not because he felt anything for her. The sharp slice of anger was as fresh today as it had been then. “It might be best I put off that reunion, then.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to drive out to Jace’s new property with me? Detective Kendrick said he’d be there with a forensics team around eight o’clock.” Brynn glanced at the black and white clock hanging on the side wall of her office. “We can ride together since I have to be back here at ten thirty anyway. I just need to make a quick stop at the bakery for their house coffee blend and a dozen donuts. Who knows how long the search will take? Those forensics lab guys are pretty thorough.”

  It was as if Shae were trying to take part in a discussion where she only heard one side of the conversation. Her conflicting emotions were quickly becoming muffled inside her head.

  “Brynn, why is Detective Kendrick having a forensics team search Jace’s property?”

  She and the detective had engaged in long conversations about the Kendalls involvement in Sophia Morton’s murder, as well as Emma’s disappearance. She agreed with him that it was entirely circumstantial, and there was nothing of substance to be gained from pursuing that line of investigation further. These crimes were committed over a decade ago, and the finding of Sophia’s body had provided closure to her family. Well, some small measure of closure.

  As for Lance subsequently discovering pictures of the victims in his basement, one could only assume the previous homeowner—Arthur Fetter—had something to do with the missing girls or that the pictures were a plant to skew the investigation. Either one of those two possibilities had some teeth. Or maybe someone connected with the Fetters hid them at the house at some point over the years. Seeing as he was well into his eighties and his estranged children weren’t anywhere around Blyth Lake at the time of Emma’s disappearance, that left the police with nothing to follow up on.

  Brynn telling Shae the latest update had her second guessing her original stance.

  Were the Kendalls somehow involved?

  “You didn’t know?” Brynn asked, somewhat startled by that fact. “I’m so sorry, Shae. Jace mentioned last night that he ran into you at the diner. I assumed you were there when Detective Kendrick called and asked to search his property, given what happened to Noah and Lance when they took possession of their homes. I can follow the detective’s logic if the killer is truly trying to implicate the family’s involvement. Better to nip whatever thorny flower is planted than to stumble on it and draw blood.”

  Shae wasn’t sure she should be relieved that there wasn’t more to Detective Kendrick’s reasoning in searching Jace’s house or she should be pissed at Jace for not informing her as a courtesy. It wasn’t as if he owed her anything, but she had been sitting in the diner when he got the call. Why would he keep it from her?

  Shae wasn’t usually the spontaneous type, but she quickly made the decision to take Brynn up on her offer.

  “I wasn’t aware of the search, but you know what? I think I will join you, after all.” Shae glanced down at the shorts and t-shirt she’d thrown on this morning. She’d planned on getting a shower and changing before meeting with Detective Kendrick, and that was still the plan…just accelerated a bit. “What house did Jace buy? I need to change and take care of a few things first, but I can meet you out there.”

  “I can see we’re going to have to sit down to catch you up on the comings and goings in Blyth Lake. The Kendall boys didn’t buy those houses.” Brynn raised her right eyebrow, stressing another fact that Shae hadn’t been made aware of in the twelve hours she’d been in town. “Mary and Gus bought each of the boys and Gwen houses as their homecoming gifts. It was Mary’s dying wish that each of them would raise their families here. Noah now owns the old Yoder farm and Lance lives out at the Fetters’ farm. Jace was given the former Stoll horse ranch west of town. He only found out yesterday.”

  Shae had assumed that Noah and Lance had purchased their new homes when they’d gotten to town, but now she understood why Kendrick dismissed their connection. That bit of knowledge leaned her toward believing the detective wanted access to the property not because of Jace, but because of who may have had access to the houses prior to the boys’ arrival back in town.

  “That was very generous of Mary and Gus to do that for their children,” Shae said with utmost sincerity. She’d always liked the older couple who had played cards with her parents once a week. She didn’t think they had the kind of money needed to buy five commercial properties, but people around here kept their prosperity, or lack thereof, to themselves. That was, with the exception of the Stantons. They made it their business to spread their affluence throughout the entire county. “You don’t think Jace will mind me showing up out of the blue, do you?”

  “Of course not.” Brynn wiggled her fingers for Shae to get a move on. “Jace wants to help as much as he can. He’s a friend of your family. Now go. I’ll run over to the bakery and then meet you out at his place.”

  Shae backed out of Brynn’s office and then walked around the corner behind the small stage she’d installed for the live bands to play on during the weekend. Her cup of tea was still fairly full, so she carefully made her way upstairs. She locked the door behind her, knowing she’d take the outer exit to the parking lot below when it was
time to leave.

  She forced herself to walk to the small kitchen instead of hurrying over to her suitcase, which remained full of her clothes. Unpacking was something she’d not managed to find time for just yet. She needed every minute to get her thoughts in order. Emptying the contents of her cup down the drain and throwing away the used tea bag, she had to wonder if she wasn’t setting herself up for disappointment getting personally involved following up on another useless lead.

  All she’d ever wanted to do was find out the truth about what happened to her sister. It logically followed that now might be that time given Sophia’s body being discovered a few months ago to Whitney being brutally murdered. It meant Shae might finally get her wish—a chance to get justice for Emma.

  The most compelling and disturbing question remained—would the individual responsible be a total stranger or would it be someone she’d grown up with throughout her childhood in Blyth Lake?

  CHAPTER SIX

  Jace dragged his gaze from the front door of his house to the old barn located immediately to the south. Noah, Reese, Lance, and Brynn did the same. It was like watching a massive grownup game of hide and seek or an action flick with an epic chase scene between the good guys and the insane douchebags who had the home turf advantage, keeping themselves three blocks ahead of the pack of the pursuing patrol cars.

  Detective Kendrick had arrived with two complete forensics teams—a unit to search inside the house and larger crew to explore the surrounding land. They even had ground penetrating radar, which the technician said was only capable of reaching a depth of six feet down unless the soil was loosely packed.