Deception (12 page)

“Looks like chunks are splitting up there, ready to fall down on us. With all this water dripping, I'm going to be soaking wet.” Buck hadn't been talking to anyone in particular, then he glanced at Colin. “Kind of creepy, isn't it?”

Colin nodded, but he wasn't thinking about the ice. The way Buck stared at him, grinning; he had a strange feeling the guy knew as much. What was his game? What was he up to?

“How much farther?” Buck called to Jenkins.

“It's a ways. Nothing you can't handle. We can go back at any time.”

“What do you think, Meral?”

She glanced at Jewel, who nodded. “I'm good if you are. I've never seen anything like this. I'm not ready to leave yet.”

Jenkins led them deeper into the bowels of the cave. The ice swirled over and around. The group was silent, taking it all in, and Colin admitted it was just a little terrifying. Ice caves had been known to collapse without warning—they were constantly shifting and changing with the glacier, melting off, blocks of ice tumbling.

Despite being enraptured with the natural beauty of their surroundings, Colin never let Jewel out of his sight, albeit peripheral vision at moments. He remained near and stood between her and Buck at all times. Had his weapon ready to use if needed.

Jewel paused to rest on a boulder, and Colin waited with her while the others continued exploring deeper inside the cave.

“How are you doing?” he asked.

Colin was surprised at her agility, especially after her injuries. But she'd spent the past twenty years hiking the wilderness and exploring on a regular basis. He supposed it shouldn't surprise him she would bounce back so easily.

She rubbed her leg while glancing intermittently at Jenkins, Buck and Meral, who had entered another tunnel.

Jenkins hung back. “You guys coming? We need to stay together.”

Jewel nodded. “We'll be right there.”

He didn't look convinced, but disappeared into the tunnel, his voice echoing with Buck's and Meral's.

“This trip seemed like a good idea,” she whispered. “A way for me to be safely away from Mountain Cove, but we're not safe, Colin.”

She looked up at him, her hazel eyes looking blustery and taking on the crystal blues of the cave. He thought they'd already agreed on that last night when she'd answered the door holding a Glock.

“When I told you to get away, this wasn't what I meant,” he said. “Jewel, I know you want to spend time with Meral, but maybe we should let them continue the cruise without us. You and I will get off right here and now. We'll go back to the visitor center and say our goodbyes.” He almost held his breath waiting for her answer, hoping she'd agree.

She hung her head. “It seems ridiculous. We're like two couples on a romantic cruise, but you're my bodyguard. Anyway it doesn't matter. I can't do this anymore. So, yes, let's stop this charade. Me pretending I'm enjoying myself, that I'm not worried about my safety. I don't know about you, but I got next to no sleep last night. I'm sure you didn't either. But... Colin...let me be the one to break it to Meral, okay?”

“Okay.” Colin was interested to see how Buck would react. “How are you going to explain it to her?” He'd like to hear that answer from Jewel. He prided himself in his ability to ask the hard questions, but he hadn't yet pushed Jewel for answers the way he should. It was long past time he did. “Why do you believe you're in danger on this venture with your sister and her husband, with me, the police chief, as your bodyguard?”

Footfalls crunched. Jewel watched the tunnel and shook her head. The timing was no good.

Jenkins approached and gave Jewel a concerned look. “We need to get moving. You think you can make it?”

She nodded. “Of course.”

He led them down the tunnel to join Buck and Meral and then through a tight space, where they brushed against an ice wall and had to move single file. Colin looked up at the cracks in the ice, the icicles, frozen spears, hanging above. This wasn't safe, but he could almost understand why people risked so much to come here in spite of the dangers. It was a sight one couldn't see anywhere else.

“Meral,” Jewel whispered.

Meral slowed and let distance grow between her and Buck.

“Meral, listen, I'm not going to stay on the yacht. I thought I could do this, but I can't.”

Buck stopped and turned. “What's that?”

Colin tensed. He would have waited until they were back at the visitor center, had their gear in hand, and could stand on the dock and wave goodbye. He'd assumed she would wait to break the news.

Meral appeared hurt and shocked. She grabbed Jewel's arm.

Colin took a step toward them. Instinct. Reflex to put himself in position to intervene, if necessary.

“What do you mean, Jewel? This trip is for you to keep you safe. To get away. Please, no, you have to stay with us. I'm worried about you.”

“Maybe Jewel's injuries are too much for her to enjoy all of this.” Buck had joined the conversation now.

Was that all part of his plan? Bring her out here and wear her down? But why? What was he after? This wasn't unfolding the way Colin would have wanted or expected. Was he even any help at all?

“Is that it, Jewel? Is this too much? I'm sorry for pressuring you,” Meral said.

“Well, then, let's make it through the cave and we can just rest on the yacht. We have it for ten days, and in that time we don't have to do any more strenuous activities,” Buck said.

He sounded like he was a man who cared, but Colin wasn't fully convinced—and Jewel didn't seem to be either. It was clear to Colin that she didn't trust her brother-in-law. What was less clear was
why
.

Maybe it all went back to what she knew and refused to tell Colin. He'd been a fool not to press her until he got answers. He must be in much deeper than he could admit. The mayor's words about Colin's feelings for Jewel—that she could see it so easily—should have been warning enough that his feelings were impacting his judgment.

He tried to shove his emotions aside, but it was too late. He was already there with Jewel.

Jewel opened her mouth to speak, but Colin cut her off. “That'll work. You guys can do the hard stuff. Jewel and I will just relax on the yacht.”

She glanced at him. That wasn't what she'd intended.
Please, just let it be. Read it in my gaze, Jewel
. They could announce their plans to leave the cruise, leave Meral and Buck, once they were back.

“Do you think you can make it through the cave?” Meral asked. “Or should we go back now?”

“Going back or forward makes no difference from this point,” Jenkins said. “The distance is about the same since we're going to circle around anyway. Might as well make the most of it instead of backtracking over terrain we've already seen.”

Meral and Buck stared at Jewel, waiting for an answer. “Yes, of course, I can make it the rest of the way. I'm sorry I brought it up now. We could have talked about this later.”

“Everybody good?” Jenkins tried to hide his scowl and look like a patient tour guide, then marched on.

The ice tunnel opened up into a deep and wide cavern with jagged ice sculptures at the bottom. Jewel and Colin both hung back far from the edge while Meral and Buck boldly moved forward to get the best view. Despite her clear nervousness, Jewel kept inching forward to be close to Meral as though concerned for her. Colin had to maintain his stance between Jewel and Buck just in case the man got any ideas. He wished he had pushed for going back instead of completing the circle.

Jenkins shared his vast knowledge of the ice cave and all things glacier related, and Colin eyed Jewel—so beautiful. He'd often seen that same look of awe on her face. She loved nature. The Alaska wilderness. If he knew anything about her, he knew that. Still, in the midst of her admiration for the beauty around them, she appeared distracted.

Seeing her concern for Meral, Colin ushered her back away from the ledge. “I'll watch out for her,” he whispered, and left Jewel resting on a rocky outcropping.

Colin went back to stand next to Meral. Jenkins pointed up at the icicles as one broke off and fell to the bottom, where it shattered like glass. Cut like glass, too. Caught up in the man's voice, Colin looked up at the rest of the glass knives hanging in the cavern.

He felt something at his back. A shove, a push...or a nudge. Reacting, he jerked around.

Then he slipped.

And suddenly the deep cavern loomed ahead. He was falling, sliding on the ice. Desperation and survival skills had him twisting around, reaching for the unforgiving ice, hoping he could stop his fall.

Voices cried out, echoing through the cave. Someone screamed his name.

Heart pounding, he reached for something, anything solid to grab hold of, when a hand grasped his.

Buck held on to Colin, his grip strong and sure. Jenkins dropped prostrate, belly down on the ice, and anchored himself. He grabbed Colin's other hand. “We've got you.”

Colin's feet dangled precariously over the cavern, and he couldn't gain any traction against the wall even with crampons. His life depended on these two men.

Pulse racing away and roaring in his ears, Colin stared into Buck's eyes. Familiar eyes. Shadowy, malicious eyes, yet Buck had caught Colin, stopped his fall to certain death. Was even now pulling him back to the ledge. The men heaved and pulled Colin all the way, and they all fell back onto the ledge. Colin crawled away from it completely. Sat with his knees to his chest and tried to catch his breath.

What had just happened?

Jenkins started in on him for slipping to begin with. For getting too close. But that wasn't how it had gone down. He eyed Buck. He thought the man was a killer. Colin had been pushed, enough to cause him to slip, but minor enough so it hadn't been obvious. Who had done it?

Confusion crawled over him.
Had
he been pushed, or had it been his imagination? This must be how Jewel had felt with all the questions. Yet why push him only to save him? Jewel's arms slid over his shoulders and then around him as she plopped onto the iced rocks next to him.

She pressed her face into his shoulder. “That was close, too close.”

Who did he think he was, trying to protect her? He hadn't adequately identified the true danger and had nearly died himself. He'd suspected Buck and now the man had saved him.

He watched Buck, who'd taken Meral into his arms, and the man stared back, his eyes cold and hard and...laughing.

One question ran through Colin's mind.

Who are you really, Buck Cambridge?

TWELVE

J
ewel thought they would never make it back to the US Forest Service's Bledsoe Glacier Visitor Center. This had to have been the longest hike of her life. She kept replaying the incident in her mind. She'd been watching Meral, listening to the tour guide, when Colin had slipped on that ledge.

She'd thought her heart would drop right into that cavern with him.

Thank You, God. Thank You for saving him.

Her legs had gone weak and hadn't recovered. But they had made it back to the visitor center and now sat at a small round table. Colin and Buck had left to get them all coffee, everyone avoiding the inevitable conversation they must have.

Colin stood with Buck at the counter of the café. They were talking about something. She would never have known by looking at Colin that he'd almost died. He stood tall and confident. She smiled a little to herself, admiring his broad shoulders. How could Colin seem so strong and durable after nearly losing his life? He was like a heavy-duty truck. He was a force to be reckoned with.

As if sensing she was admiring him, he glanced back at Jewel. Watching, always watching. Except for that one moment when he'd let down his guard. Had that been what caused him to slip? Had he been too busy watching out for her and Meral?

She already knew they couldn't continue like this, and Colin's near miss in the ice cave served to confirm she'd made the right decision to leave the travel “fun.” Joining Meral and Buck had seemed like the right thing at the time, her only choice. She'd thought she could handle it. But she'd been wrong.

“Jewel, I don't know what I'm going to do if you leave the cruise Buck arranged for us.” Meral's words pulled Jewel back to the moment. “He's already talking about going back to Baltimore when it's over.”

Jewel looked into Meral's beautiful, sad eyes. “I'm not ready to say goodbye yet either. I just know I can't go back to the boat.” How much could she share with Meral? What could she say that wouldn't hurt her more?

Even if she wanted to stay, she couldn't ask that of Colin.

Jewel couldn't shake the sense that all their lives were in danger. That Colin's role in her troubles, his decision to appoint himself her bodyguard, had made him a target, not just collateral damage like Jed.

Nausea welled inside. If she were to share her thoughts with a therapist, she would probably be diagnosed with paranoia.

Except it's not paranoia if they really are after you.

“Meral.” Jewel watched a group of glacier hikers leave. She should have had this conversation a long time ago, but dreaded it. Had hoped to avoid it. She might not get another chance, since Buck always turned up at the worst moments, as if he somehow knew what Jewel was about to say.

“I'm listening, Jewel. I haven't gone anywhere. Say what you've wanted to say to me. What you've been holding back from me. You can be open and honest with me.”

“What do you really know about Buck?”

Meral jerked up her chin as though Jewel had slapped her. Whatever she was expecting Jewel to say, this clearly wasn't it. “Why would you ask that? I know all I need to know, okay? I'm in my thirties, for crying out loud, and don't need anyone's approval. How dare you question my judgment.”

Jewel frowned. Despite Meral's soft invitation for Jewel to be open and honest, her reaction was anything but inviting.

“Coming from money you have to be careful, so careful.”

“You mean like you were with Silas.”

“He wasn't after money. I gave it up for him, remember?”

Meral's eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Why are you doing this, Jewel? I came to see you. Buck found you so we could reconnect. Why are you trying to make me question my happiness? Are you...are you jealous of me because I have someone who loves me? Because I'm married?”

Jewel could hardly stand to hear the hurt in her sister's voice. Her heart palpitated.

This was why she'd wanted to avoid this conversation. She loved her sister. Didn't want to hurt her. Jewel had missed her family and hated to do anything that might jeopardize her newfound connection with her sister. She reached for Meral's hand, but Meral jerked it out of reach.

In her eyes, Jewel could see the deep hurt turning to anger. A defense mechanism. She'd seen the same thing in her father's eyes when she'd refused to give up Silas. It had hurt him badly to realize that she placed Silas above her family. So in return he'd turned his pain into anger and had used it against her, disinheriting her.

But Jewel wouldn't give up. She had to try again. She snatched Meral's hand and gripped hard. And deep concern turned to determination. Even if Meral didn't want to listen to her, Jewel would still speak her mind. It could save Meral's life. “I love you. I don't want it to be like this. Please understand. But I can't stand by and watch without saying this. You could be in danger, Meral. Buck is a dangerous man.”

Meral's eyes widened, and she brushed at the tears. Then fury replaced the hurt, and Meral pushed slowly to her feet.

“How dare you.” Her tone was a low growl.

“Did you tell him what I took years ago?” Jewel asked.

Meral had to know that she had the diamond. Her family had to have figured out that Jewel had taken it. She'd been so foolish to pretend otherwise.

Jewel saw the truth in Meral's eyes. And she saw denial. Meral didn't want to believe Jewel, but Meral had doubts about Buck—doubts she'd tried to ignore all along. Jewel saw them there as plain as day. She knew her sister. They were flesh and blood, and even after twenty years she knew her.

“There's no need for you to come aboard the yacht for your things.” Meral had turned cold. “I'll get them packed up and delivered to you here.”

“You're just going to leave us stranded.”

“You said you couldn't go back. Now you don't have to. You'll find a ride home, I'm sure. After all, you have the chief of police following you around wanting to be a guard dog, but acting more like a puppy in love.”

Jewel stood, too, feeling the ice behind Meral's words and the agony of her own so strongly that her pain was physical. “Meral, I would never do anything to hurt you. I love you. I'm trying to protect you. Please, don't do this. Don't end our time together like this.”

“You haven't changed one bit, Jewel. I remember how you were so self-righteous when you left with Silas, not even caring that you were hurting Mom and Dad and me the way you did. Just leaving us all for a man you hardly knew. And don't say I'm doing the same thing. This isn't anything like what you did.”

Jewel lowered her voice so she could be sure that only Meral heard her. They had already drawn the men's attention. “You're right. It isn't. You're in love with a murderer who is using you to get what he wants.”

The Krizan Diamond. But Jewel was afraid to say it out loud.

Meral flinched. “How do you know this? If Buck was guilty, your man would have already arrested him. But he's not. There's nothing you can prove.”

Could it be true? Was Jewel blind to the truth or being paranoid? “Please tell me you're not involved in this.” She instantly regretted the words. “I'm sorry, Meral, I didn't mean it. I could never doubt you like that.”

But the damage had been done. Icy daggers shot from Meral's eyes. “And yet you doubt my choice of husband. Buck has his own money. He doesn't need mine or yours.” Meral stiffened. She glanced across the space to Buck, who held two coffees and was headed their way.

He closed the distance quickly and was at her side, with a curious, mischievous half smile for Jewel.

“Buck, I'm ready to head back to the yacht.”

“Yes, my sweet.” He kissed Meral's head, but where she couldn't see he had a cruel, mocking expression on his face. Even if he wasn't guilty, he was still a creep.

“We'll pack Colin's and Jewel's things, and the staff can drop them here.”

“Are you sure?” Buck set the coffees on the table and turned her to look him in the face. “After all, I went to a lot of trouble to find her and arrange this wedding gift for you. I'd hate for you to regret this decision later. Once we cross this bridge, I'm not sure we'll be turning back.”

“I'm sure. Don't worry. It's not your fault that your gift of a jewel turned out to be a fake.”

* * *

Acrid. Who could have thought the woman could be so acerbic to her sister?

Colin could hardly stand to watch the scene unfolding before his eyes. On the one hand, he would be glad to see Meral and Buck gone and out of Jewel's life. Maybe that would end the attacks. He just wanted to get Jewel somewhere safe. But on the other hand, seeing her hurting about undid him. And he still believed Buck was responsible for the death of one of his officers. He needed to catch Buck when the man made a mistake. Colin needed evidence to make his arrest.

He'd heard the mayor loud and clear.

If he was going to come back, he needed to return with the bad guy. He was on the case of his life and career. It all surrounded a woman he cared deeply about. And he couldn't seem to see a way to get Jewel to safety while still catching the criminal.

As Buck ushered Meral out of the visitor center, Jewel pressed her face into her hands, her shoulders shaking. That had been one very public scene. Colin moved next to her and sat down. He held his hand above her back, her shoulder, hesitating, wanting to comfort her, but fearing his growing emotional attachment to this woman.

This is about her. Not you.

Colin pressed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. He leaned in close to whisper. But what could he say to her when she was hurting like this?

His heart pricked. Anger tangled up with feelings so deep he couldn't fathom them. He wanted to run after Meral and stop her from going away like this, but he knew there was nothing he could say. If Meral wouldn't listen to Jewel, then she certainly wouldn't listen to him.

“Jewel,” he said gently in her ear. People were still staring. He had to get her somewhere private.

This was a woman who had left behind family and wealth to move to a harsh land for the man she loved, and then had learned to run her business on the edge of the wilderness on her own after her husband was gone. Jewel could have gone back home, but she'd chosen to stay. She'd been so strong for so very long.

And now she appeared broken.

Reconnecting with her family had ended in heartache, after all.

Jewel sat up straight and wiped her eyes. Drew in a breath and looked at him. Though the grief he saw there was a punch in his gut, he recognized her determination had returned.

Attagirl.

She stood then and waited for him to join her.

“I have to go back to the yacht.”

“What? After all that, you want to go back? You can't be serious.”

“Dead serious.”

Time for Colin to stop coddling. Time for him to make his own demands. “No.”

She stood and attempted to walk by him. He grabbed her arm and swung her around, keeping his grip gentle but implacable, ushering her toward the restaurant at the back. Leaning in as they walked, he spoke in her ear. “Listen to me.” He kept his voice low. “You can't go back to the boat.”

“You can't stop me.”

Finding a booth in the corner, Colin practically forced her in.

“You know I can use those self-defense techniques you taught me on you, right?” she said.

Colin slid in next to her, blocking her exit. “Then why didn't you?”

“Why are you doing this?” Her eyes pleaded. “I have to go before they leave.”

Colin needed to keep her here long enough to miss the boat, but her pleas tugged at his heart. “This is life-and-death, Jewel.”

Something he couldn't read flashed in her eyes, and she backed against the wall.

“What do you mean?”

“I think you know what I mean.” Time to ask those hard questions and get answers. “Your sister's husband is a dangerous man. And I think you know that, too.”