Eddie Hawthorne had been Pete’s lifelong friend. They’d gone through school together both choosing to serve the town of Pine Haven in different ways. Eddie was the town’s mayor. Had been for years.
“He called me earlier. I haven’t called him back. Why?”
“He stopped by looking for you. I guess he’d heard you were staying here. He’s pretty torn up about Pete’s passing and wanted to talk to you.”
Ryan could see that Charlie felt guilty. “I’ll call him soon and hopefully we can get together.” She glanced Ryan’s way. He wished he could confirm that would happen soon.
“Good. He mentioned something your uncle was working on about the ‘case.’” Lila frowned as she looked between them. “Does that make sense?”
Charlie told her it did. “You know Pete never stopped working on Abby’s case.”
Lila’s eyes widened. “You think what’s happening now with you two being shot at and Pete’s break-in is related to Abby? After all these years?”
“It’s possible. We don’t know anything for certain yet.” Charlie pulled in an unsteady breath, and Ryan wondered if she was thinking about what happened earlier.
“Please be careful. I don’t want anything to happen to either of you.” Lila squeezed Charlie’s arm then disappeared inside the café.
“On second thought, maybe we should leave your car here,” Ryan told her because the thought of her driving anywhere alone scared him. He expected her to argue the point but she didn’t. Further proof of how shaken up the incident had left her.
He followed Charlie up to the apartment and did a quick search before allowing her to enter. “I’ll wait for you here.” Ryan stepped out into the hallway and closed the door.
Outside the town of Pine Haven spread out before him. In the distance the ski resort was packed with visitors coming in for the holiday. Christmas was always a busy time for the town.
The roads were congested with traffic. And the person who wanted Charlie dead could be any one of them.
“I’m ready.” Charlie stepped from the apartment with her overnight bag. “I need to get some things from my car and then I’ll leave the keys with Lila.”
Ryan took the bag from her and led the way down the stairs.
He stepped inside the café along with Charlie.
Lila was busy waiting on a table. She spotted them and excused herself. “Did you get everything?”
Charlie told her she did. She handed her the apartment key. “Is it okay if I leave the Pathfinder parked here for now?” Charlie hit the unlock on the key fob from where she stood then handed it to Lila. “I’m getting some things from inside. Can you relock it after I’m done?”
“Yeah sure. I can move the vehicle if I need to. Take care of yourself.” She looked at Ryan. “Take care of her for me.”
Ryan smiled. “I will. I promise.” As he and Charlie stepped out into the late morning filled with sunshine, he prayed he could keep Charlie safe from the unknown danger chasing her. Because right now, he wasn’t so sure.
Chapter Seven
Charlie grabbed her camera and the second bag she’d brought with her. It held her laptop and some additional clothes. She didn’t know how long she’d be staying in Pine Haven so she’d come prepared.
Ryan took the bag and stowed it in his truck while Charlie grabbed her sunglasses from the center console.
As she opened the console, she froze at what she saw there. Lying on top of her sunglasses was a photo, an old Polaroid. She recognized the picture because she’d taken it with her new camera. That had been the year before Abby disappeared.
“What’s wrong?” Ryan’s voice hovered somewhere close by.
Charlie reached for the photo and brought it into the morning light. That innocent moment in time had been desecrated by a red marker. Someone had put an X across Abby’s smiling face. Above Charlie’s were the words, “You’re next.” She dropped the photo and turned away, slamming into Ryan.
He reached up to steady her. She went into his arms and held him tight.
Ryan’s arms tightened around her holding her close. “It’s going to be okay,” he whispered against her hair.
She’d give anything to believe that was possible, but the past seemed to be barreling full speed ahead toward a deadly ending.
Charlie slowly stepped back and turned toward the photo that now lay on her driver’s seat. “He’s been here. In my car. He left another message.”
