Unmasking The Shadow Man

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Her breath caught at the heading: Autopsy Report of Presley Lee Catlett. The yellowed sheet of paper shook beneath her trembling fingers as she read on. “Cause of death: Asphyxiation from severe spinal cord injury at the fourth cervical vertebra.” Paragraphs of further medical description continued, describing the damaged tissue on the base of Presley’s skull and trauma to internal organs, all consistent with smoke asphyxiation. “Other findings: Deceased was nine weeks pregnant. Signed, Dr. Thomas J. Lumpkin, Pathologist.”

Pregnant? In stunned disbelief, Harper slapped the report against her thighs. “Presley was pregnant?” she squeaked in the silent room, as if someone was nearby and could respond. Why hadn’t her mother ever mentioned it? Harper stood and paced, running a hand through her tousled hair. She’d imagined herself all cried out years ago, but a fresh well of grief burst inside. Nine weeks, so her sister had to have known about her condition before her unexpected death.

And so had Mom. Yet she’d never mentioned a word of it to Harper. Why not? Did she imagine shielding her from the news would make her sister’s death any less painful?

Who else knew about this? Did the biological father know? Harper abruptly stopped pacing, recalling Presley’s old boyfriend, Allen Spencer. They’d broken up days before Presley’s accident. She hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but now she couldn’t help wondering. Did Allen break up with Presley when, or if, she told him about the pregnancy?

A sliver of muted light shone through the lace curtain. Another day dawning. And yes, learning about the pregnancy made Presley’s early death even more tragic.

Would Presley have kept the baby? Harper rather thought her sister was the kind of girl who would do just that. And maybe, just maybe, that had enraged her ex-boyfriend. Maybe even enough to kill her.

Harper crawled back in bed and rubbed her temples. Allen was no killer. The man was a well-respected preacher now, had been for many years. Last she’d heard, he was married with three kids. Besides, whatever she’d seen or not seen that night, it certainly wasn’t Allen.

She had to get out of the suddenly stifling house. The only place open this early in the morning would be the Dixie Diner, Mom’s old place of employment. A chocolate crème–filled doughnut and a vanilla latte would provide a welcome sugary distraction. On a whim, Harper whipped out her cell phone and texted Kimber to see if her old friend had time to join her calorie fest.

She was in luck. Kimber agreed to meet her there in thirty minutes.

“I CAN’T BELIEVE that murder last night was so close to you,” Kimber said with a shudder. “Practically in your own backyard.”

Rhoda, a waitress, hovered nearby, smoothing her hands over her apron. “Heard about it on the radio this morning. Not what you needed after all you’ve been through.” She patted Harper’s shoulder in sympathy before returning to wait tables.

“Did you see or hear anything?” Kimber asked.

“I’d rather not talk about it.”

Kimber nodded. “Okay. I get it. If you change your mind later, give me a buzz.”

Harper soaked in the sweet, heady scent of chocolate, coffee and fresh-baked doughnuts that permeated every square inch of the rustic diner, which sported turquoise Formica tabletops, waitresses in white aprons and local folks sipping white mugs of steaming coffee. It was like stepping into a 1950s soda shop. Even the windows were clouded with condensation, and Harper imagined herself embraced in a cozy cocoon of warm deliciousness. Just what she needed after last night.

“Here ya go, honey,” Rhoda said, returning with Harper’s food and drink. She patted Harper’s shoulder. “I think of your mom every day.” The two had worked the morning shift together for nearly three decades. She shook her head, her gray curls straining against a black hairnet. “Keep expecting her to breeze through the door any minute and put on her apron.” Rhoda turned to Kimber. “What’ll it be this morning, sweetheart?”

“Toast and black coffee.” Kimber smiled at Harper’s wince as Rhoda sauntered to the kitchen. “What can I say? I’ve been on a perpetual diet since having kids.”

“You look great,” Harper assured her. And she did. Kimber was a tall, cool blonde with terrific bone structure and a homecoming queen aura, even if she’d finished high school eons ago. Smart, too. Owned a successful real estate company and ruled her roost of husband and three kids with an easy aplomb that Harper couldn’t help but admire.

“How’s the house prep coming along?” Kimber asked. “Don’t forget, I have a cleaning crew that can make short work of it for you. Reasonable rates.”

Harper waved a dismissive hand. “I remember. I need to go through a lot myself, but after that, I’ll give them a call. Text me their info.”

Kimber nodded. “I understand. Lots of old memories tied up in the place. How much longer you reckon it’ll take? Aren’t you worried about your business in Atlanta?”

“I’m going to call my assistant today and have her take over a couple of outstanding jobs. She can contact future customers and explain there’ll be a short delay due to a family emergency.”

“I’m sure they’ll understand. Just give me the word when you’re ready to place your house on the market. It might be difficult—it’s an older home—but I’m the best.”

“Even after what happened to Presley in the house?” she asked doubtfully.

“It won’t be the first home I’ve sold where tragic accidents have occurred, so even though it’s an obstacle, I know how to overcome it. Not all agents do.” Kimber laughed. “Not that I’m trying to rush you for a commission. Hell, I wish you’d move back to Baysville.” Her classically sculpted face grew pensive. “I could use a friend.”

“You?” She scoffed, surprised at Kimber’s words. “You’ve got plenty of friends. You’ve lived here all your life.”

“Mmm-hmm,” she murmured, not revealing anything. “But small towns can be lonely places.”

Harper frowned at Kimber’s uncharacteristic vulnerability. “Is something wrong?”

Kimber folded her hands on the table and gave a tight smile. “Not at all. Just an off kind of morning.”

She studied her friend’s blue eyes—the exact shade of Pagan River’s navy hue. Harper had always viewed it as a sign that Kimber perfectly fit in with Baysville. But what did one ever really know of another person’s secret trials? Presley had carried a huge secret on her teenage shoulders, without a word to anyone, as far as Harper could tell. Weren’t small towns supposed to be an open book where everybody knew everybody’s history and where gossip ran rampant?

But not a word of Presley’s pregnancy had been whispered about in the grapevine. Not that had gotten back to her, at any rate. Harper leaned forward, keeping her voice low. “Have you ever heard any rumors about Presley?”

Kimber blinked. “What kind of rumors? I mean, she’s been dead for years.”

“Before she died, did you ever hear talk of anything about her, um, sex life?”

“She dated Allen Spencer. Whether they slept together, I haven’t a clue. Why do you ask?”

Harper silently debated. What did it really matter after all these years? But Presley had kept her secret, and it didn’t seem right to spill the beans now. “Never mind. It’s not important. I’ve been going through old family stuff and it’s made me maudlin, I suppose.”

“Understandable. Your sister always kind of kept to herself. But I remember Presley as smart and very likable. Just don’t put her on a pedestal, though…after all, she was very young. Whatever it is you’ve found, if Presley was less than perfect, so what?” Kimber lightened the mood with a wink. “The two of us did plenty of questionable things as teenagers.”

“True enough. Guess I’m in an off mood as well. My house is still…unsettling.”

“The memories?” she asked sympathetically.

“Yeah. And other things… Sounds, senses…something. I know there has to be a logical explanation, but it gets to me.” Kimber was the only one she could talk to about it. Everyone else either shut her out or stared at her with eyes full of pity. She hated that look.

“Here y’all go.” Rhoda set down their food and drink. “Enjoy.”

“Breakfast of champions,” Harper grinned, biting into the doughnut.

Kimber stoically bit into her dry toast and downed it with a sip of black coffee. “I’m glad you texted about meeting this morning. There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

Harper raised her brows and kept eating.

“I have a proposition for you.” Kimber straightened, assuming her professional Realtor mantle. “As I said, your house presents certain challenges to a sale. Even though I know I could meet them, there’s a simpler solution to its marketability issues—I’d like to buy it.”

“Why?” She was taken aback at the offer. Kimber and Joe lived in a rambling old farmhouse outside town that they’d renovated into a showcase. It was her pride and joy. “Thought you loved your farmhouse.”

“Oh, we do. We have no plans to move. Your house would be an investment. I’ve studied the market carefully, and I believe I could turn it into a profitable bed-and-breakfast.”

An unexpected twinge of sadness swept through her. “You know, that’s what Dad always wanted to do with the place. Mom had started to warm to the idea before Presley died. She gave up on dreams after that.”

“I remember. That’s what gave me the idea. Besides making a nice profit, I figured it would be a blessing for you as well. A win-win. I’d buy it immediately, and you could return to Atlanta without worrying about selling it.” Kimber’s face brightened with enthusiasm. “Not only would the house be in good hands, but also it’d bring your dad’s dream to light.”

All true, so why didn’t the arrangement make her happy?

Kimber’s smile dimmed. “What’s wrong? You don’t like the idea?”

“It’s just unexpected.”

Kimber patted her hand. “If you don’t want to, no hard feelings. But think about it, okay? And, of course, I’d hire you to do all the decorating. That way, you’ll always have a presence there. Might even entice you to visit Baysville more often if you could spend the night in your old home.”

“You’re the best, Kimber. Let me consider it for a few days, and I’ll let you know.”

“Of course.”

She still wasn’t sold, which made no sense. Her friend’s offer would hasten cutting all ties to her hometown. Wasn’t that what she wanted? More people bustled in the diner, grabbing breakfast or coffee before heading to work. Several uniformed officers entered, and she recognized Liam and Bryce heading to the counter. At the sight of Liam’s tall figure, her heart kicked up its heels.

Kimber’s cell phone buzzed, and she picked it up, a slight frown tugging her face. “Business calls,” she said crisply. “I’ve got an unexpected client meeting. Sorry, I’ve got to run.”

“No problem. Quick question, though. This cleaning crew of yours, can they handle large jobs?”

“They’ve done everything from hauling off old furniture in vacated houses to fire damage renovation. Nothing’s too big or too small.”

Harper dug the spare house key out of her purse and slid it across the table to Kimber. “Consider them hired. I need a good set of muscles to haul off all of Dad’s old tools and benches in the basement. They can donate anything in good condition to charity and dump the rest. Stop by anytime and go down there to assess the fee. I don’t need to be home.”

“I’ll do it today,” Kimber promised. After they made a dinner date for later in the week, she bustled off. Harper watched through the window as she quickly walked to her car and climbed inside. Sell the house to Kimber? She tried to convince herself to accept the offer. It was the rational move to make, and yet…

“Harper?” Liam approached her booth. “May I join you?”

“Please do.” He slid in opposite her, and his gray eyes bored into hers, as if he could read all her secrets.

Bryce stopped by the booth. “Morning, Harper. Any more threatening emails or unexplained noises?”

Several customers shifted their gazes to them, and her face warmed. Did he have to boom out the question within earshot of so many people? “Not in the past twenty-four hours.”

“Good, good. We’re always here if you need us. You coming, Andrews?”

“In a few minutes.”

A look passed between them, a tiny beat of tension. “Don’t stay too long—we’ve got a full load today.” Bryce turned from Liam to her and rapped his hand on the table. “See you around, then. Hopefully not in my official capacity.”

She sipped her drink, relieved to find the other patrons resuming their own conversations. Liam leaned in, keeping his voice low. “You sure you’re going to be okay? You look…weary.”

“I didn’t get much sleep last night,” she admitted. “I kept thinking about that poor guy killed nearby. I tried to tackle a project, to get my mind off the murder, but I read something in Mom’s old papers that disturbed me.”

“Want to talk about it?”

The loud rev of an engine distracted her. Outside, Bryce backed a police cruiser out of his parking place. “Don’t you need to get to the station? What with the full load Bryce mentioned.”

“No hurry.” Liam kept his eyes pinned on her.

Somehow, she found herself telling him about the autopsy report. Strange how she felt so free to confide in him instead of her longtime best friend. Maybe because he never knew her sister, it felt like less of a betrayal to confide about the pregnancy.

“Damn, what a horrible way to find out.”

“I can’t believe Mom never told me.”

“She might have been trying to protect you from more pain.”

“Probably. But I wish she had talked to me. Mom shut down after Presley’s death. Her life became a matter of merely going through the motions of living.”

“Do you think this report has any bearing on your sister’s death—on what you saw that night?”

“No. Her boyfriend, Allen Spencer, looks nothing like whatever I saw on the staircase. Although—I do wonder if Allen knew.” She set down her drink. The sugary sweetness that had tasted so good going down now roiled in her belly.

“I can ask him for you.”

“Seriously? You don’t think that would be presumptuous? I barely know the guy, and you don’t know him at all. Won’t you get into trouble for asking about his teenage behavior—wouldn’t he think you were harassing him?”

“It’s all in the approach. I’ll tell him I’m searching for answers about what happened to Presley since some new information has come up. It’s the truth.”

“He’s a minister now. He’s sure to be taken aback by you questioning him and his reputation. Let me do it. At least I won’t be a stranger.”

“I don’t know…”

“He’s a minister. He knew my sister. Knew of her tragic death. Surely he’ll respond with compassion.”

“All right. But I’ll go with you. Not in an official capacity. I’ll change into my civilian clothes but let you do all the talking.”

His kindness tugged at her heart, yet an ugly suspicion arose inside. Why was he being so helpful? He barely knew her. “Why?” she asked abruptly.

“Why what?”

“Why are you being so nice?”

“Maybe I’m just a decent guy.”

Of course, that was one explanation. Why must she always be so suspicious of people’s motives? If alive, Mom would advise her not to look a gift horse in the mouth. “Okay, let’s do this. When’s a good time for you?”

“When I get off work this evening. Find out the minister’s schedule, and we’ll work something out.” Liam finished the last of his coffee and set it down. “One last word of advice—don’t warn him we’re coming.”

She hadn’t expected that. “Why not?”

“He might not have been the man you saw that night, but say he and your sister argued about the pregnancy. Maybe she wanted to keep the baby, and that infuriated him. Enough so that he hired someone to hurt her.”

“A teenager hiring a hit man? Bit of a stretch, I think.”

“I’ve seen it all in my line of work. Never underestimate what people will do when they’re in a rage or feel cornered. By the way, I filed the report on that truck that came at you. Nothing’s come up yet, but I’ll let you know if something does.” Liam slid out of the booth. “I’ll buzz you later.”