Page 58 of In the Dead of Night

The knowledge sent a rush of adrenaline through his system. “Dispatch paramedics. Call the highway patrol.”

“They’re en route. ETA ten minutes.”

“Where did it happen?”

“Half a mile north of Fall River Road.”

The words hit him like a punch to the solar plexus. It was the exact place where Nancy had lost control and gone over the edge and into a ravine.

“I’m on my way.”

Nick disconnected, his heart pounding. He looked at Sara to find her eyes already on him. “I have to leave,” he heard himself say.

“What happened?” she asked.

“There was an accident. On the coast highway.” Mechanically, he strode to the hall closet and pulled out a slicker. “Description of the vehicle matches my mother’s car. I have to go.”

She came out into the hall and stood behind him. “How bad?”

“I don’t know.” Nick wanted to say more. He wanted to put his arms around her and take back all the cruel things he’d said and done. More than anything he didn’t want to come back and find the bungalow empty.

“Don’t go anywhere,” he said.

She said nothing, but he could tell by the look in her eyes she would be gone by the time he got back.

“Don’t leave, damn it. I’m sorry. I want to talk this out.”

When he reached out to take her hand, she stepped back. “I hope your mother’s all right.”

Knowing there was nothing more he could do, Nick turned and headed for the door.

* * *

THE SLAM of the door echoed inside Sara’s heart, bringing with it the deep ache of loneliness. Her mind whirled with news of the accident and the terrible possibility that Nick’s mother had been hurt or killed. She prayed it wasn’t so. He’d already endured so much loss. How much could one man take?

That brought her back to the situation at hand. The scene between her and Nick replayed in her mind, his words cutting a second time. She knew what he’d been trying to do: push her away by hurting her. She knew he was still recovering from the deaths of his wife and their unborn child. What she didn’t understand was why it had to be all or nothing.

He’d hurt her tonight. He’d made love to her and then he’d treated her like dirt. Deep inside, Sara knew he hadn’t meant it. But he had intended to hurt her. The smartest thing she could do now was give him some space.

Still, her heart ached as she gathered her things and tossed them into the suitcase. She resolved to drive until she found a motel. Then she was going to expose the truth about what had happened that night twenty years ago. She didn’t need Nick to do it.

She was midway to the front door when her cell phone trilled. “Hello?”

“Sara Douglas? I’m sorry to bother you so early. This is Brett Stocker. I met you yesterday.”

“Hello, Mr. Stocker.” Wariness rose inside her, and she wondered why he would be calling her when he’d practically thrown them from the house the day before. “What can I do for you?”

“I’m trying to reach Chief of Police Nick Tyson. He’s not answering the cell phone number he gave me.”

“He’s out on a call. Is there something I can help you with?”

“Well, I wanted to see if Mr. Tyson could meet with me. I found something very disturbing at my father’s home. I need to get it to the authorities.”

“What did you find?”

“Let me preface by saying I don’t believe a damn thing you guys said yesterday about my father. He’s a good and decent man. But…this…My God.”

“Mr. Stocker, what did you find?”