AllFreeNovel
Share Us
EIGHT
The Cutler Police Department was tucked between the courthouse and a coffee shop in the center of town. On the other side of the block, the main square bustled with activity. The Christmas Fair kicked off tonight. It was an annual event complete with carols, a tree-lighting ceremony, and fun games for the children. Booths were being set up for vendors and a stage was half-assembled for the choir.
Chase kept his senses alert as he escorted Faith and Anna across the street toward the police department entrance. Overprotective, perhaps, but the man who’d attacked them at the grocery store had done so in broad daylight. He wouldn’t underestimate the criminal again.
Faith cast a wistful glance at the main square while pushing Anna in the stroller. “I wish we could attend the festivities tonight. The Christmas Fair is always so much fun.”
“I’m sorry to miss it, too, but it’s not safe. The crowds will make it impossible to keep you and Anna protected.”
“No, you’re right. I shouldn’t complain. The main priority is keeping Anna safe.” Faith smiled down at the baby. “Isn’t she the most precious thing you’ve ever seen?”
She was. Inside the stroller, Anna waved her tiny hands, blue eyes wide as she studied the black-and-white mobile hanging above her. She wore an oversized bow that made her look like a present. Even given the serious circumstances, the sight of Anna brought a smile to Chase’s face. She was such a good baby. Happy and easygoing…that is, unless she was hungry. Then watch out. She had a healthy set of lungs on her.
They’d spent the last few days holed up in Faith’s house while Aiden worked hard on the investigation. If you’d asked Chase before the experience, hunkering down with a baby would’ve been last on his list for welcomed experiences. But the reality was better than he could’ve ever imagined. And there was no doubt in his mind, Faith was the reason. Being with her, taking care of Anna together, had been like falling into a life he hadn’t known existed, but somehow came naturally.
His heart was in dangerous territory. Every second with Faith only made his feelings for her stronger. He was teetering on the edge of a very painful heartbreak when this case was over. Chase knew it. But he was also powerless to stop it.
Which is why his stomach hadn’t stopped churning since receiving Aiden’s phone call this morning. His boss had some developments in the case and wanted to speak with them. Chase desperately wanted Faith and Anna out of danger, but he wasn’t looking forward to losing the closeness they’d developed.
Chase held the door to the police department open for Faith. The scent of her perfume teased his senses as she passed by. Her hair flowed loose around her shoulders like a silky curtain, and the cold winter air had put color in her cheeks. He wrestled with the urge to place a hand on the small of her back as they signed in and headed for Aiden’s office.
The police station had a main area with cubicles for the officers. Twinkling lights flashed from every available surface. Garland was strung from the ceiling, marching across the wide room over the officer’s desks. A tree, its branches burdened with ornaments and tinsel, glittered in the corner. Chase stopped midstep, his mouth dropping open. “Wow, that’s a lot of Christmas decor.”
Holly hurried across the room toward them. She was dressed in a Santa sweater, complete with flying reindeer. “I know, I know. I went overboard with the Christmas decorations. I can’t help myself.”
“They’re beautiful.” Faith smiled, her eyes bright with happiness. “You’ve inspired me to put up my tree. I’m sorry to say I’ve been neglectful in that area.”
Chase’s brows arched slightly, surprise rippling through him. Faith always decorated the outside of her house, but never pulled the tree down from the attic. He offered last year, but she refused, and he hadn’t pushed. Her lack of Christmas cheer was connected to Mitch’s death. Was it possible she was ready to move on?
Cool it, McKenzie. Decorating a Christmas tree was a far cry from dating. Over the last few days, there had been moments…subtle looks or slight touches that made Chase wonder if his feelings for Faith ran both ways. But he wouldn’t allow himself to even hope. Especially not now. Faith’s life was being threatened. The last thing she needed was for Chase to complicate their relationship.
Holly tucked her hair behind her ears and bent over the stroller. “Anna, you look so pretty. I just love that bow you’re wearing.” She straightened, and the joy in her expression melted. “Aiden’s waiting for you both in his office. Why don’t you leave Anna here with me? I’ll babysit while y’all talk.”
The news couldn’t be good. Faith must’ve come to the same conclusion because some of the color drained from her cheeks. She reached for Chase’s hand, and he interlocked their fingers. Together, they went into Aiden’s office and settled into the visitor’s chairs.
Chase’s muscles tightened at the look on his boss’s face, and dread sat like a rock in the pit of his stomach. “You’ve found Hillary.”
Aiden nodded. “Hikers located a body in Grayson Park yesterday afternoon. I received confirmation from the coroner this morning. It’s Hillary. According to the autopsy, she was strangled. The estimated time of death coincides with the morning Anna was found in the barn.”
Faith closed her eyes. “I was praying things would turn out differently.”
Chase squeezed her hand. “We all were.” He turned toward his boss. “Have you interviewed Dr. Whitcomb about his relationship with Hillary?”
“Yes.” Aiden had dark circles under his eyes, a testament to how hard he was working on this case. “He claims they dated briefly but broke up months ago. His explanation coordinates with the times that Tom and Marsha Bradley spotted them out.”
“That doesn’t mean he isn’t Anna’s father.”
“No, but I checked with the hospital. Dr. Whitcomb clocked in at six o’clock on Friday night, so he couldn’t have attacked Faith and Anna in the grocery store parking lot. It doesn’t rule him out completely—he could’ve hired someone—but I’m inclined to believe he’s not involved.”
Chase didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed by the turn of events. “So that puts us back to square one?”
“Not exactly.” Aiden clicked on a tablet and tapped the screen before turning it toward Chase and Faith. “Have either of you ever seen this man before?”
Chase leaned over to study the image. It was a mug shot. The guy stared into the camera with a cold expression. His wheat-colored hair was sticking up in all directions and there were smudges of dirt on his cheek. A nasty cut, fresh but not bleeding, rode the line of his brow. A memory niggled the back of Chase’s mind.
Faith shook her head. “I haven’t seen him before.” She glanced at Chase. “You?”
He frowned. “He may have been walking on the sidewalk near the daycare Friday afternoon. There was a guy with a dark hat and blue jeans, but he was far away…” Chase closed his eyes, trying to envision the man in his mind, but the picture was unclear. He shook his head. “Sorry, Aiden. There were a lot of people out doing Christmas shopping. I can’t swear it was him.”
