Safe at Home (Warm Springs Trilogy Book 1) Read online

  “She was rocking and calling his name over and over. For as long as I live, I’ll never hear a sound more paralyzing than a mother holding her dying son. Jason’s body was limp and his mother’s shirt held the same dark stain as my dress.”

  Sam stood up and began to pace. Spencer sat transfixed with his mouth in a tight line and his jaw hardened.

  “The following hours were a blur. The sirens and lights from ambulances and police cars were everywhere like some sort of dance floor you can’t escape. Media vans began to poor into the parking lot having heard about the event from their sources. It was a circus. I answered the same questions a hundred times and then Denise was there. She held me and finally told the police I’d had enough. She took me home, where we cried for what felt like days.

  “The following week passed in a haze. I don’t know what I would’ve done without her. She played interference for me at every turn. She was there when I called Tyler’s family, and at the funeral where I watched him get lowered into the cold earth. She even understood why I couldn’t return to the bank. I turned in my resignation and just sort of hibernated for a while. I had no direction, no motivation.”

  Sam sat back down then and lowered her eyes.

  “They found a ring in his pocket, Spencer. He was going to ask me to marry him that night after the banquet. His mother told me I could keep the ring, but it didn’t seem right to take it from her. It was her mother’s and now I wasn’t going to be part of her family. I was the girl who was responsible for her son’s death.”

  “So, that’s why you decided to move here?” Spencer asked in a low voice.

  “Not exactly.” Her shoulders tensed and she twisted her fingers together.

  He could tell she was having an inner debate whether or not to disclose her thoughts. Spencer couldn’t imagine what more there could be, but he knew she was holding back.

  “Sam, you know you can tell me anything. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Sam looked up at him and smiled sadly. “I know. There’s something about you, Spencer Malloy.”

  Chapter 15

  “But, there’s more,” he prompted her.

  “Yes, unfortunately.” Her hands began to shake.

  Spencer resisted the urge to reach out and steady them in his own.

  “For over a year, I was terrorized. If it had just been me, maybe I could’ve handled it, but it wasn’t. It was my family and my friends. Everyone I cared about was affected.” She paused to take a steadying breath. “It started with phone calls. First, it was just annoying. You know, letting it ring and then hanging up when I answered, but no one said anything. Then the phone calls took a turn. He would say things to me, horrible things about how I was a murderer or how I was a slut. It happened over and over. He always called in the middle of the night or right around dinner to say things such as, ‘Just think, your boyfriend stopped breathing right around this time.’

  She stood and crossed to the railing. He saw her shoulders shake from an invisible shiver and then she continued.

  “There were also slashed tires and broken windows on my car, as well as my friend’s. He was following me all the time. I brought destruction with me wherever I went. I left town for little while and stayed with my parents, but he knew where I was. One morning, I awoke to the sound of my mother’s screams. My parent’s dog was floating in their pool. The next day, there was some sort of animal blood smeared on the porch. It got to the point I had to leave them. They told me I could stay. They even insisted at one point, but I couldn’t keep doing that to them. Now they’ve moved and I’ve never visited them at their new house, just to be safe.”

  “So you know who was doing these things to you and your family?”

  “Yes, I know who it was.”

  “The cops never arrested him?” Spencer shook his head in disbelief.

  “No, they did.” She turned, put her back to the rail and folded her arms over her chest. “He served time for violating a restraining order and harassment, but that’s all the DA could prove.”

  “Well, who was it? Was it one of the guys that robbed the bank?”

  “No, it’s a guy named Eric. He’s the older brother of the little boy, you remember the one who was murdered in the bank that night, Jason? He blames me for his brother’s death and I understand why. I mean, maybe he’s right to blame me.”

  “Oh, Sam, come on,” Spencer’s words held some heat.

  “No, just think about it, Spencer. If I hadn’t been late or forgetful, maybe none of this would’ve happened. Tyler and Jason would both still be alive if it weren’t for me. Maybe this is karma and I’m getting exactly what I deserve.”

  “Sam, just stop.” He hadn’t meant to shout, but he couldn’t help it. He couldn’t sit there and listen to her beat herself up. “Things happen. It’s tragic in a way that’s unbearable, but you didn’t pull the trigger. You weren’t the one robbing a bank.”

  “But, still if I hadn’t…”

  “No.” He pushed out of his chair with such force it rocked on its back legs. “You didn’t do anything wrong. People forget things. They run late. It happens to everyone at some time or another. You have to stop blaming yourself for this. It’s been long enough.” He stepped in front of her, so close their shoes were almost touching. “When are you going to let yourself off the hook?”

  “Considering what’s happened to Denise, I don’t think this is ever going to end.” Tears filled her eyes and she put her back to him. “Look, I’m sorry I’ve burdened you with all of this. I didn’t mean to, but you happened to show up and here we are.”

  “Yes, here we are.” Spencer removed his hat and ran his hand through his hair. “So, let me see if I have everything straight. Do you think this guy, Eric is it, is to blame for Denise’s death?”

  “I think it’s possible. He’s out of jail now.”

  “Why would he go after her? She wasn’t there the night of the robbery.”

  “He doesn’t know where I am. She’s a tie to me. He’s still coming for me.”

  Spencer’s insides twisted. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt her. “How do you know that?”

  “Trust me on this. He told me a long time ago that I would never be happy again as long as he was alive. He said death was too easy for me, but if that’s what it takes for me to learn my lesson, then so be it.”

  He moved behind her and rested a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry about Denise. I know she meant a lot to you, but maybe it was a random break-in.”

  “Maybe it was.” Sam agreed, but he could tell she didn’t mean it. “Thanks for listening, but you don’t have to stay.” She massaged her temples. “I’m sure you have other things to do than sit around here.”

  “I have all the time in the world, plus I owe you a back door.” Spencer decided it was time to break from this conversation for a while. He needed a chance to think on everything she had said.

  Sam carried their plates into the house and cleaned up the kitchen while Spencer grabbed some tools from his truck and began to fix the back door. The atmosphere had changed between them. Her new life was contaminated now. Eric had found a way to interfere with her life without even knowing where she was.

  The soapy water was hot, but Sam barely noticed. It felt good to have something to do, but her mind still wandered to Denise. She needed time and hoped the guilt wouldn’t consume her. First Tyler and Jason, and now Denise. Why was this happening?

  She had been so close to putting the past behind her. She had a new job, a house and a few friends. Maybe she really didn’t deserve happiness.

  Spencer knelt down at eye level with her locking mechanism and screwed a new gold plate into place. Her heart stirred as she watched him, but this time it didn’t have anything to do with his eyes or the way he filled out a pair of jeans. Today, he’d proven to be not only a friend, but also a caring man. The kind one should grab onto and share their innermost thoughts and dreams with. Of course, in her case, it wasn’t the time for sharing dreams
so much as nightmares.

  “I think that’ll about do it on the door. Are you okay?”

  Sam blinked back the tears that were beginning to fill her eyes. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.” She pulled her wrinkled hands out of the dishwater and wiped them on a towel. “Thanks again for everything.”

  “I’m glad I could be here for you, Sam. I know you probably need some time to yourself so if you feel okay to be alone, I’m going to head out, but I’ll be by to check on you tomorrow.”

  “That’s not necessary. I’ll be fine here.” She held her arms out to the sides. “I feel safe here, in this house.”

  “Oh, I know you’re fine, but it would make me feel better.”

  She smiled, nodded and clicked the new lock into place behind him. Maybe one day it would be safe to dream again.

  Spencer was true to his word. He stopped by the following day and every day after for the entire week. He had a new excuse to stop by every night. One evening, it was because he wanted to make sure there were no leaks where he had fixed the door since it had rained earlier in the day. Another night, it was because some of the ladies from church had too much food left over and they’d given it to him, and since there was so much, he figured he ought to share. They both knew what he was doing, but neither of them mentioned it. Spencer hated to admit he thought about her all the time and worried about her almost as often.

  Saturday morning, when he rang the doorbell at seven, he hoped she was up and enjoying her first cup of coffee. If not, there was going to be hell to pay. He took a step back from the door and glanced down at his sidekick who was standing beside him.

  “Spencer, hey, what are you doing here? It’s early. I haven’t even had time to break anything that would call for a Mr. Fix-it type. Oh, and I see you brought a friend.”

  “Alex and I are going fishing this morning and were wondering if you’d like to tag along?”

  “I don’t really know how to fish.”

  “It ain’t hard. Uncle Spencer taught me and now I’m better than he is. Come on, let’s go.” It was hard to say no to Alex. He was giving her his eager pleading stare as only a kid could.

  “I guess I could give it a try.”

  “Great, we’ll wait while you change.”

  A little unsure about what she had just agreed to, Sam ran upstairs and grabbed a pair of jeans, a tee-shirt and a flannel shirt to help ward off the briskness of the morning. She pulled her hair through the back of a baseball cap and eyed her reflection in the mirror. Fishing.

  The truck bounced along the dirt road with Alex chattering in the seat between them.

  “Remember last time we went fishing, Uncle Spencer? I got that great big ole’ bass.” Not waiting for a reply, he turned to Sam. “I did. I got the biggest bass you ever seen. He pulled and pulled, but I pulled harder. He nearly broke my fishing pole. That’s why Uncle Spencer got me a new pole for my birthday. He said that if I was going to catch a fish that big again, I needed a bigger pole. Ain’t that right, Uncle Spencer?”

  “Yep.” Spencer looked over and smiled at Sam.

  They turned off the dirt road into the middle of a pasture. The ride got even bumpier and she saw their destination. There was a pond at the bottom of a hill surrounded by oak trees. A little green rowboat floated among the aquatic plants at the edge of the water.

  Spencer pulled the truck to a stop and they all got out. The boys grabbed the fishing gear out of the back of the truck and Sam joined them as they headed down to the edge of the murky water.

  “Let me get Alex set up and I’ll be right back to give you your first fishing lesson.”

  “Sounds good.” Sam sat down in the grass and took it all in. The pond was still except for the occasional ripple caused by a bug touching the surface. The birds were singing their morning song and just down from her, Alex laughed as Spencer tousled his hair. There was beauty in the simplicity of the morning. Something nearby splashed into the water causing her to jump and her heart to leap into her throat.

  “Just a frog,” Spencer said as he approached. “They’re all along the water’s edge.” He set his tackle box on the ground at his feet and extended a fishing rod to her. “You ready to give this a try?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  “Grasp it in your left hand at the bottom and hold down the button there. Okay, now pull your arm back a little and give it flick with your wrist.”

  Sam’s hook didn’t make it very far, but by the third try she had it under control. “Now, if you feel a tug, slowly turn the reel on the right side.”

  “I can do that, but I may never get the hang of baiting my own hook.” She stuck her tongue out and scrunched her face at the memory of Spencer shoving the hook through the live cricket that was now dangling off the end of her line.

  “City girl. What am I going to do with you?”

  Sam’s face heated a little at his words and she began concentrating very hard on her line.

  The morning passed in comfortable silence for the most part. Every now and again, Spencer wandered over and checked on Alex’s progress, but the fish seemed to be sleeping in until Alex squealed with delight.

  “Uncle Spencer! I got one!” Alex reeled it in and Spencer took it off the hook.

  Sam clapped and cheered for Alex as they put the fish in a cooler for safe keeping.

  “Maybe I should’ve had Alex teach you to fish.”

  Alex grinned and they all had a laugh.

  Lunch was quickly approaching, so Spencer began to load up the gear. Sam was sitting in the grass lost in thought when Alex shuffled over and dropped down beside her.

  “You look sad.”

  “Do I?” Sam asked. “I don’t mean to look sad. I had a lot of fun today. I’ve never been fishing before.”

  Alex’s eyes widened. “That’s awful. Didn’t your daddy ever take you?”

  “No, but we did other things together.”

  “Well, he should’ve taken you fishing or maybe if you had an uncle like my Uncle Spencer, he could’ve taken you.”

  “That would’ve been nice.” They looked out over the water in silence a few minutes.

  “Are you sure you’re not sad,” Alex asked again.

  “No, not really. My very best friend went away last week and I miss her a lot.”

  “Is she going to come back?” Alex picked at a blade of grass and squinted at her.

  Sam shook her head. “No.”

  “Well, I can’t be your best friend because you’re a girl, but maybe my mom can. I’ll ask her for you.”

  Sam couldn’t help but smile.

  “You two ready to go?” Spencer called.

  “Coming!” They shouted in unison.

  On the ride home, Sam felt better than she had all week. How was it he’d known exactly what she needed?

  Chapter 16

  “Detective Martin?” Stephens asked from the office door.

  “What’cha got?” Martin swiveled in his chair and gestured to one of the chairs across from his desk.

  “Not much.” Stephens flipped open his notepad and scanned his notes. “I’ve spoken to all the bank employees and the victim’s neighbors. No one had anything negative to say about the deceased. She was a hard worker. She socialized and went out, but not excessively. She didn’t have a boyfriend. No one from her office knew of any recent altercations with any disgruntled customers, out of the ordinary.”

  “There must be something. Random killings take place, but someone was gunning for her. They took their time. They mutilated her body. You wouldn’t risk going into a building like hers with security and witnesses, just for the thrill of a kill. And since there haven’t been any other murders like this lately, it doesn’t seem as though we’re talking about a serial killer.” Detective Martin was talking more to himself than Stephens, but it was his way of working out the facts.

  “We’re missing something,” Martin continued as he twisted his wedding band. “We need to look further back. I know she doesn�
��t have a record, but let’s see if there’s anything else of significance. Banks have a high turnover rate. Stephens, I want you to go back over there and meet with someone in the human resources department. We’re going to need a list of all the employees in the last, let’s say, five years. We’ll start there and see what we can get. Don’t ask for the specific employee files. We can’t do that without a warrant. Just see if the bank’s human resources department can spare someone to go over the names of anyone who’s quit in the last few years. Then we’ll worry about the warrant.”

  “I’ll go right away, sir.” Stephens flipped his notepad closed and retreated to the door.

  “Remember, time is of the essence. We don’t want this happening again and turning into some sort of twisted mind game. There’s enough crazy assholes out there as it is.”

  Stephens nodded and left his superior alone. Roger Martin had been a police officer for a long time. He swiveled in his chair and grabbed his mug full of stale coffee from the desk. The view from his office wasn’t anything to write home about, but it was nice having a window looking out into the city he did his best to protect. He’d grown up there and he loved it. He couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

  He ran his hand through what was left of his wiry salt and pepper hair. What were they missing? Whoever had visited the woman in her apartment had been clean. They had been careful not to leave any footprints or fingerprints. The forensics team had squat as far as DNA went. They needed to catch a break and he knew it.