From the Heart: Romance, Mystery and Suspense a collection for everyone (31 page)

Chapter Sixteen

Maggie clutched a damp cloth and scrubbed the last remnant of jam from the round oak table. She volunteered to clean up after their late morning breakfast so Richard and Ryley could take off for a few hours on the ATVs. Ryley followed his dad, revving the powerful four-wheeler and taking off, a little too fast, south on an old trail at the back of the property that led onto an old logging road near the state park.

Breakfast had been tense, but Richard remained vigilant through everyone’s anxiety and kept the stilted conversation flowing. She felt like a guest and through each bite, stared obsessively at Ryley. She knew she was making him nervous when he gawked at her with big startled eyes each time the conversation lagged. Richard covered her wrist with his supportive hand and squeezed gently. That was enough of a reminder to pull it together. But her mind continued to reel, desperately trying to find a way to bridge the gap between herself and Ryley.

The telephone rang, and she dumped the rag in the sink, and after wiping her hands on a dishtowel, she grabbed the cordless phone. A quick glance at the caller ID display, she read Private Number. “Probably someone just selling something.” She hesitated for one ring wondering if she should answer. “Hello.”

“Richard…” Static crackled in the background.

“No, he’s not here right now. Can I take a message?”

But the strangely familiar male voice was impatient. “No, I’ll call his cell.”

A rude disconnect clicked in her ear. Uneasiness burned her stomach, and she grabbed the counter to settle herself.
No, it can’t be
.

But then the phone rang again—same display, Private Number.

“Hello, Dan.”

“Hey Maggie, how’s it going?”

“What do you want?”

“I’m sorry, really sorry, about Lily. I never got a chance to tell you.”

He hadn’t changed. And for a second, she could almost believe his sincerity as his deep voice took on a soft edge of caring, which made you want to believe. Except, all his smooth kind words were a mirage. Because she knew better.

“Um, listen. Richard isn’t answering his cell, and I really need to talk to him.”

She closed her eyes. She should hang up. “Sorry Dan, he’s not here. I don’t know when he’ll be back.”

“So, are you two back together? I heard you split up.”

Fight the urge; don’t confide. He made it too easy to slip into a false sense of comfort where you wanted to tell him everything. Except that would be dangerous.

“I’ll tell Richard you called.”

“Not going to answer me? I’m sure after everything you’ve been through, things are pretty shaky between you two. I told Richard the same thing the other day.”

It felt like she swallowed her heart, a heavy lump stuck in the middle of her chest, and instinctively, she gasped aloud. Then she winced knowing he heard. “He didn’t tell you? Maggie, I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize… I shouldn’t have said anything. I just thought… well I would’ve thought Richard told you. Why would he keep that from you?”

Damn you, Richard, don’t you be involved with him.
“Actually he did, I just forgot. He raced out of here in a hurry the other day late. I guess I just forgot it was you.” She wasn’t any good at lying. This was a game Dan played well. She really had no business stepping into his arena. A snake, he changed his colors as rapidly as a chameleon and would strike when least expected.

He laughed. “Well, he was late. Okay, so maybe I was wrong.”

Oh fuck! Richard, you stupid idiot I’m gonna kill you when you get home.
“Yah, can you remind me what the meeting was about. I’m forgetting things lately.” She winced.

Dan let out a heavy sigh. “What are you doing? Don’t play games with me. Richard needs to be careful with you… I’m sure he’s got a good reason for not telling you. But I meant what I said. I’m so sorry for your loss. It can’t be easy for you. And if you ever need to talk… any time, I mean it. I’ll bring over some exotic beer, and--”

“I’ll tell Richard you called.” She hung up and slammed the phone down on the counter. He was slippery with that soothing compassion he could turn on and off. She trembled because she scared herself with how much she wanted to confide in him, even knowing what he’d done to her, Sam, Marcie, and Richard. What was wrong with her? “Richard, you stupid idiot. What the hell are you doing bringing him back into our life?”

She punched his cell number into the phone, but it went right to voicemail, “Hi, this is Richard, you know what to do.”

“Call me as soon as you get this, Richard. Dan called.” Maggie knew that, when Richard was in range and listened to her message, he’d come home. What worried Maggie was what business Richard had slipped back into with Dan.

Chapter Seventeen

Several hours passed and still no Richard. Maggie paced the kitchen and then the living room until she was sure she’d worn a path in the hardwood floor. Unable to wait patiently like a good little girl, she searched Richard’s office—the spare room just off the living room—and rummaged through each drawer of his big mahogany desk and the bookshelf. When she yanked the top drawer of the file cabinet, it was locked, and she searched everywhere for the key. And all she’d been able to find were receipts, invoices, and work orders. Nothing that would give her a clue as to what Richard and Dan were involved in. With Dan, it would be something not quite legal.

“What’s this?” Maggie slid out a folder from the bottom drawer of the file cabinet. In it were insurance papers for a new Chevrolet full size, extended cab truck, registered to Dan McKenzie. “What the hell’s this?” She scattered the file on Richard’s desk and jumped a foot when the phone rang beside her.

“Hello.”

“Maggie, I just got your message. We were out of cell range. We’ll be home in ten.”

“Richard, what are you doing with Dan?”

“Maggie… don’t. If he calls again, don’t talk to him. We’ll discuss this when I get home.”

“Richard, you know better than to get involved with him. I found insurance papers for a truck with his name on it. Why do you have this?” She clutched the papers and waved them in the air as if he was standing there and could see them.

“You searched my office?!” Richard snapped.

“You bet I did. Last night you tried to--”

“I’ll talk to you when I get home.” He hung up. The dial tone buzzed in her ear.

Maggie stared at the phone in disbelief just before she heard the roar of two ATVs. Maggie dropped the phone on the desk and hurried to the kitchen door, just in time to see Richard and Ryley drive into the barn. Richard ruffled Ryley’s helmet hair, and he hugged his dad and then ran to the huge sand pile beside the barn where his large Tonka trucks were piled.

Richard smiled at his boy and then faced the house as if he knew she watched. And his smile disappeared as he stared at her with a look that had her taking a step back. Richard yelled something at Ryley before heading straight for her. He leaped up the stairs and yanked open the screen door.

“No more lies, Richard, no changing the subject. No blowing me off. I want to know the truth.” She shoved papers in the air. “What’s this?”

“Dan’s registration. He signed it over to me.”

“Why?”

He let out a sharp breath and she knew his patience was thin.

“Maggie, leave it alone.”

“No. Not this time. By God, you’ll tell the truth. Is he dragging you back into business with him?”

“No. There are some things you don’t understand. And I’m asking you to please trust me and leave it alone.”

“Richard, that’s a lot for you to ask of me after what he did.”

“No, I don’t think it is. I’ll tell you this though. There’s stuff going on I don’t want you involved in. And sometimes there are things you
don’t
need to know. It’ll be all right. I promise you.”

Sometimes when Richard decided on something, it was as if he erected a steel wall. One she couldn’t budge. Why was he shutting her out? Was he protecting her? She didn’t know, and it didn’t calm her by any means. In fact, her unease increased.

Richard brushed past her and hung his light brown coat on a hook by the door. “Ryley wants pizza for dinner. Can you order one, and I’ll go pick it up?” He changed the subject so neatly, walking away with the registration. She was about to follow and demand answers, but when she glanced out the screen door, Ryley looked up and smiled at her. She stepped closer, pressing her hands against the screen, and what he did next nearly brought her to her knees. He stood up and waved.

Chapter Eighteen

“We’re investigating a stolen truck reported by a Dan McKenzie seven days ago in Seattle. A search and rescue team discovered the truck at the bottom of Buckhorn Lake when flying overhead during training. And this morning, a team of divers went down and discovered the truck fits the description of the stolen truck… the serial number matches.”

Maggie stood in the open doorway facing two Sequim deputies. “Come in, please.” Her heart raced, and her hand trembled as she held the screen door open.
Richard, what are you doing?!
She wished he were here, because right now she was fighting the panicked urge to ramble. But he wasn’t; because he’d driven Ryley to school while she was getting dressed this morning.

“Richard’s not home right now. I’m not sure how I can help.”
Call Diane.

“What can you tell us about this stolen truck?” Maggie felt her face heat, and she knew her eyes widened. Both officers glanced at each other.
Why don’t you just tattoo the words
“she knows something”
on the middle of your forehead and be done with it
. She closed her eyes to shut out that voice.

“Ma’am, if you know something and withhold evidence, you can be charged as an accessory.”

“I don’t know anything.” She cringed and wondered how pink her face was.

“Where did you say your husband is?”

“He’s not my husband, we’re divorced.” This was not their business. She wanted to take a step back. She wanted to pinch herself, anything to stop her mouth. Both officers glanced at each other again. One opened his notebook and scribbled something down. The sound of Richard’s truck pulling in should have made her breathe easier, and she was calmer, sort of, if she could just get her damn hands to stop trembling. So she jammed them in her back pockets.

Richard hurried up the steps, and both officers turned in the doorway. Richard glanced once at her, his hard eyes giving nothing away as he walked around the officers and slid his arm around Maggie’s shoulders. “Why are you talking to my wife?”

The cute young deputy with the million dollar smile and sun-streaked blond hair crossed his arms. “Well, she said you’re divorced.”

Maggie wanted to kick the arrogant deputy who grinned again.

“She’s confused. We’re back together, and we’re not divorced.” Richard spoke to the deputy, but glanced down at Maggie with a look that said he was done with this subject. This was the second time he said they weren’t divorced. She wanted to clarify and find out everything. Because she couldn’t believe he’d told the lawyers they were back together, and they’d simply believed him.

“Mr. McCafferty, that’s obviously a bone of contention between the two of you and does not concern us. We’re here about a truck reported stolen by Dan McKenzie, yet the registration appears in
your
name, sir.”

Richard dropped his arm from Maggie’s shoulders and somehow moved her away from the deputies. “Maggie, can you please excuse us.” He didn’t ask, he dictated again.

She wanted to refuse outright. She even crossed her arms and opened her mouth to say so, but instead she beamed up at him and batted her eyelashes, “Why, absolutely darling. I’ll just go powder my nose like a good little girl.”

Richard stiffened and glared at her. She knew she’d be hearing about it later.

One of the deputies smirked. The way the other watched her let her know he’d do anything to talk to her alone. She hurried up the stairs and leaned against the wall outside her room where she could hear everything. But Richard, that sly bastard, must have known because the next thing she heard was the screen door slap closed as the men went outside. Maggie raced to Ryley’s room at the end of the hall and stepped over his pile of clothes scattered on the floor, glanced at his unmade bed, and leaned over the cluttered desk against the window. Richard stood with the deputies beside their cruiser. He was talking, motioning a couple times with his hands as if to emphasize something. He shrugged and shook his head a couple of times. She would give anything to listen in.

What was Richard up to? What was he hiding?

She darted out of Ryley’s room and grabbed the portable phone from the narrow hall table. She dialed as she raced back to the window and peeked out from the side. It went right to voicemail. “You’ve reached Diane. I’m not here so leave your name and number, and I’ll get back to you.”

“Diane, it’s Maggie. I really need to talk to you. Can you call me back? I’m at Richard’s.” Why did she keep saying that? This was home. Wasn’t it? She hung up the phone. She knew with her head clear, she really needed to address several things, her house in town, and her and Richard, but first things first. What was Richard up to with Dan?

The car doors slammed shut. The deputies were leaving. Maggie blinked and looked down as they pulled away. Richard was watching her. Maggie hurried down the steps determined to get some answers. He was good at avoiding, why even last night, he managed to evade her questions about Dan.

Maggie raced into the kitchen just as Richard grabbed the phone and turned to leave. “Richard, what’s going on? First Dan calls. Now the cops show up here about that truck. What are you doing?”

He reached out to cup her cheek, but she smacked his hand away and stepped back. “No way are you going to distract me or change the subject. And just so you know. My head’s clear. So start talking.”

He breathed deeply and gazed briefly out the window as if deciding something before meeting her gaze. “You’ve been through a lot, babe. I don’t want to put this on you. I’ll handle it.”

“No Richard, you need to talk to me and tell me what’s going on.”

He firmed his lips and shook his head. “I need to go out. I’ll pick up Ryley from school on the way home.”

She felt her jaw slacken and held up both her hands in disbelief. “Richard, I’m not some mindless ditz. You don’t trust me. That’s it, isn’t it? After everything we’ve been through, how could you not trust me?” She stepped back and pressed both palms over her chest.

Richard shut his eyes and appeared to clench his jaw for a second before he spoke. “I trust you with my life, Maggie. But there are some things I don’t ever want you to know. I’m cleaning up a mess. So stop worrying.” He didn’t move. In fact, he didn’t try and touch her.

“No, Richard. I won’t let you brush me off. You need to tell me. I expect no less, or else I’m walking out that door and going home.”

The way he glared and stepped toward her, she wondered what he was about to do. So she stepped back again until she bumped the fridge. “I took care of your house in town. You no longer have possession. I had all your things moved out.”

“What! You can’t do that. I rented that house. It’s in my name.”

He closed the distance between them. “You’re not leaving. This is your home. This is where you belong, so get it through your head.”

“Then I’ll stay in a hotel. You’ll not dictate or tell me what to do. You want to share a life with me? Then you need to be honest and share everything. What you think, you feel, and if you’ve done something wrong.”

He tried touching her again, but she pushed him hard with both hands flat on his chest. “Don’t touch me. This is your last chance, and then I’m leaving.”

He crossed his arms in front of him. Maggie sighed and slipped past him, grabbing her coat off the hook and shrugged it on, rummaging her pocket for keys, but they were empty. She touched her forehead with her fingers. She didn’t have her car. It was the broken heap in her driveway. The driveway that wasn’t hers anymore. So where was her car? She refused to look at him as she walked around the kitchen island and pulled out the telephone book from the kitchen junk drawer and flipped through the pages.

“What are you doing, Maggie?”

She did her best to ignore him and punched in the phone number for the town taxi. It rang once before the telephone was ripped out of her hand. “Stop. Maggie, please stay.”

She wanted to cave. She loved him, she really did. But some strength poured from inside, and she knew trust was more important. She couldn’t have it any other way. “Will you tell me the truth?”

His answer was another wall of silence.

“I’m calling a cab, and I’m leaving, and you can’t stop me. I’ll walk if I have to.”

He must have sensed her unbending resolve. “No, you’re not taking a cab. I’ll drive you.”