Person of Interest (16 page)

“You’re sure?”

“I am, but it still stings when I think of what I didn’t have growing up.”

“Have you forgiven her?”

“What?”

“Forgiveness. It’s therapeutic, healing. Maybe you’re looking back because you haven’t dealt with all the issues of that time.”

She shook her head, then peeked down the dark side of the mountain. Her stomach roiled, and she turned away from the window. “It’s resolved because it’s over.”

“Is it?”

“Yes, of course.”

“But you brought it up,” he said.

“I don’t understand.”

“You mentioned your mother and what you’d left behind because it’s still bothering you. You can’t close the door when you’re holding it open.”

“I slammed it shut when I walked away.”

“No, you didn’t, Natalie. Maybe it’s only open a crack, but your foot’s still on the threshold. You’re not willing to close off the past. Not yet.”

Frustrated, she wrapped her arms around her waist. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Because I came from a happy home?”

“Maybe. Or maybe you don’t see things clearly. You drive me all over Atlanta and then into the mountains. I don’t get it. It’s not that you think I’m innocent.”

She expected him to correct her. When he didn’t she felt even more unsettled. “Do you think I’m involved, so you’re sticking close? It’s easier to stay with me so you know where I am. Then when Frank snaps his fingers and tells you to bring me back to Fort Rickman, you’ll turn south and do what he tells you.”

Everett clenched his jaw.

Realizing she’d made a mistake being so vocal, she touched his arm. “I’m sorry. You’ve done so much for me. I shouldn’t have said those things.”

“You’re tired and probably hungry even though you didn’t want to get anything to eat in Atlanta.”

“You’re making excuses for me.”

“I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt.” He hesitated for a moment. “I’m concerned about your well-being, Natalie. If what you said about Mason coming on to you is true, I need to make sure the military tracks down the facts and the guilty are caught, namely Mason Yates.”

“I remember meeting Mason’s wife and thinking how pretty she was and what a nice couple they seemed to be. Appearances can be deceiving, as I know too well, but he seemed to have it all. At that time, he was well-thought-of in the CID. He had a lovely wife. A teacher who was a positive influence in a lot of children’s lives. They lived off the
kaserne
in a nice area of German homes. I used to drive by his house and imagine how life would be if I could have just a portion of what he had, if I’d ever get my life on the right track. I thought of the happiness they shared and the love that must exist between them.”

“You drove by his house?”

She nodded. “Silly, wasn’t it? He lived in the next little village that I had to go through on my way to the military
kaserne
.”

“Did he ever see you?”

“I doubt it. Why?”

“Maybe he read something more into your drive-by.”

SIXTEEN

O
nce they arrived at his uncle’s home, Everett opened Natalie’s door and grabbed her tote from the rear of his SUV, then walked her up the steps to the wraparound porch. He glanced back. The moon peered between the clouds and exposed the expansive valley below. The pristine scene was breathtaking.

Inhaling the crisp mountain air, he sighed. “It’s like heaven up here.”

She turned to follow his gaze. “I like the view, just not the road getting here.”

“There’s another route. It’s less steep, but a longer drive.”

“Which would be my choice.”

“That’s the one my uncle needs to use. He still has his license, but he shouldn’t be on the front mountain road. It’s winding and steep and much too dangerous.”

“Promise we’ll use the other road when we leave here.”

Everett nodded. “If you insist.”

Dropping the bags on the porch, he rapped on the door. “I doubt he’s still awake.”

When no one answered, he bent over a flowerpot, moved the stoneware and held up a key. “Uncle Harry kept his door unlocked for years. I talked him into being a bit more cautious, but he insists on hiding a key outside, just in case.”

“My roommate did the same.”

“Denise hid a key?”

She nodded. Her eyes widening. “The killer could have known that.”

“Could have known or could have hunted around in hopes she was like a lot of other people who worry about being locked out of their homes.”

“The boyfriend would have known about the key.”

Everett nodded. “More than likely she might have mentioned it to him. I’ll let Frank know.”

Before Everett stuck the key in the lock, the door opened and a big man with a wide smile, laughing eyes and open arms stood in the doorway.

“You must be Natalie.”

She stepped into his embrace after a hesitant glance at Everett.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Kohl.”

He gave a big, hearty laugh that filled the night. “I won’t know who you’re talking to with that Mr. Kohl comment. Folks call me Uncle Harry. Even those who aren’t kin.” He hugged her tight, then reached for Everett’s hand.

“How you doing, son?”

“Fine, sir.”

As Natalie stepped aside, the two men embraced. Although they were the same height, Everett was muscular in areas when his uncle had turned a bit soft. The one man’s face was lean and angular where the welcoming uncle’s round cheeks, crinkled eyes and wide smile reminded Natalie of a Saint Nick of sorts. For a moment she forgot the reason they had come to the mountains and the need to hide out.

“Come in.” Harry stepped back and motioned them into his home.

She was pleasantly surprised by the homey ambience. Wooden antiques and overstuffed furniture in warm hues invited her in.

A stone fireplace was flanked by two comfy chairs with matching ottomans that begged to be used. The round braided rug between the chairs stretched to the couch and oversize coffee table. A leather-bound Bible, a few magazines featuring Georgia settings on the cover, a stack of books and a candy dish filled with individually wrapped chocolates added to the pleasant aura of the room.

The smell of fresh-brewed coffee and something Italian wafted past her and made her mouth water.

“The coffee’s hot,” Uncle Harry announced, pointing them through the main room and into the adjoining dining area and kitchen beyond.

“Baked spaghetti is warming in the oven, if you’re hungry.” He glanced at Natalie. “How long since you’ve last eaten?”

“Breakfast some hours ago.”

He raised an eyebrow at Everett. “You forgot how to buy a lady lunch, son?”

“We were in a hurry, sir.”

“Don’t blame Everett. He wanted to stop, but I insisted we keep driving.” She inhaled the bountiful aroma. “Baked spaghetti sounds wonderful. May I help by setting the table?”

Harry nodded. “Silverware’s in the drawer closest to the sink. Plates are overhead.” He handed two quilted hot mitts to Everett. “Pull that casserole out of the oven, son, and place it on the wooden cutting board. There’s bagged lettuce in the fridge and an assortment of dressings.”

After arranging the silverware on the table, Natalie filled a large bowl with salad and carried it to the table along with three types of dressing, salt-and-pepper shakers and grated Parmesan cheese.

“There’s French bread on the counter,” Uncle Harry added.

“Shall I warm it in the microwave?” she asked.

“Sounds good,” Harry said with a nod. “I’m not used to having company this far up the mountain.”

“Except for Mrs. Beyer who likes to check up on you.” Everett turned to Natalie and winked. “Did she make the spaghetti casserole?”

Uncle Harry feigned being hurt. “You don’t think I prepared it myself?”

Everett chuckled. “I’m well aware of your many talents, my dear uncle, and cooking anything that smells and looks this good isn’t one of them.”

Harry slapped his nephew’s back playfully. “You know me too well. Bessie heard you were coming for a visit and insisted she provide food to tide us both over.” He laughed. “She was thinking of your well-being, Everett. By the way, your dad called me today.”

“Everything okay?”

“He wanted to see if I was ready to move to the city.” The smile slip from the older man’s face. “I told him I hadn’t made up my mind about moving.”

Everett patted his uncle’s shoulder. “You’ll know when it’s the right time.”

“Your father said this is a good time to sell my house, but I’m just not sure if this is the right time for me to move.”

“I understand.”

“Do you?” Harry pursed his lips. “Hard to know how it feels to have to leave a house you’ve lived in for so many years. The memory of my wife is here. I can sense her with me. Don’t know if she’ll cotton to a change of location.”

“I doubt she’d forsake you, Uncle Harry.”

“Maybe not, but I don’t want her to think that I’m forsaking her.” He walked to the window and looked into the dark night. “She loved the view up here. Said it made her feel close to God. ’Spect she’s with Him now and probably doesn’t need the view, but it warms my heart to wake in the morning and see the valley below.”

“Winter’s coming, Uncle Harry. The roads are bad. You’ll go days if not weeks without seeing anyone. If you got sick or needed to go to the hospital—”

The older man nodded and turned abruptly back to the kitchen. “Then I’d be in a difficult position. I understand that, Everett, but I still don’t like the idea of moving.”

Natalie smiled. “It’s hard to leave a place you love.”

Harry nodded, his eyes narrowed, and he patted her arm as he passed. “You’re a woman of wisdom, Natalie. I’ve only just met you, but you remind me of my wife.” He glanced at Everett. “Might be someone to get to know better, son. You could use a good woman in your life.”

Everett sputtered. “Ah, yes, sir.”

Natalie’s cheeks burned. Uncle Harry’s comment had put them both in a very awkward position.

“Everett and I are working on a case,” she quickly inserted. “As soon as he gets more evidence, he’ll head back to Fort Rickman.”

“And you?” the older man asked.

“I’ll need to go someplace, but I’m not sure where at this point.”

“Then you probably understand the way I feel about not wanting to leave my home.”

She nodded. “I understand about not having a home to call your own.”

Seeing Everett’s unease, she motioned to the table. “Why don’t we eat before the casserole gets cold?”

Everett held a chair for her as she grabbed the bread from the microwave and slipped into a seat across from him and next to Harry.

The older man held out his hands. She followed Everett’s lead and placed her hands in theirs.

Uncle Harry lowered his head and closed his eyes. “Father, thank You for my family.” He squeezed Natalie’s hand, making her feel included. “Everett and Natalie are so thoughtful to visit me when I’m struggling with this decision to leave my home. Strengthen all of us for what lies ahead. Nourish our bodies with this food and let us rest tonight so we’re able to serve You in the day ahead. Amen.”

“Your prayer was perfect,” Natalie said, reaching for the fork.

Tomorrow would be a new day. What would it bring? Hopefully, answers and new evidence that would identify the killer. She wanted to go home. When she tried to swallow the first bit of spaghetti, it lodged in her throat. She didn’t have a home. Her apartment was a murder scene and she had no place to turn.

What would tomorrow bring? She didn’t know. Did God? If so, He wasn’t willing to share anything with her. Not now, not when she wasn’t sure He was interested in her well-being. At least she had Everett, but was he interested in her or only his investigation?

* * *

Everett insisted Uncle Harry go to bed after they had eaten, and then he showed Natalie to a guest room upstairs. “I’ll sleep downstairs on the couch. Holler if you need anything.”

She placed her bag on the floor near the bed and then followed him back to the kitchen. “I need to help tidy up. You get the bedding you need while I wash the dishes and return the rest of the casserole to the refrigerator.”

Everett carried the plates to the sink. “We’ll work together if you insist. You must be exhausted.”

“And you aren’t?”

“I’m used to going for periods of time without sleep. It goes with the job.”

“Do you ever go off the clock?”

He shook his head. “You know the military’s a 24/7 type of job.”

“I know you need to take time for yourself. What’s your idea of fun?”

He hesitated. “Jogging relaxes me. I lift weights three times a week.”

“I said fun, Everett, not PT.”

He laughed. “I like to hike the mountain trails.”

“Maybe you’ll find time for that tomorrow.”

“Join me?”

She shook her head. “If it involves walking along that steep ridge, I’ll stay here with Uncle Harry. I told you how I feel about heights.”

“We could find an area that’s a bit more level and away from the mountain’s edge.”

Stepping closer, he took the dirty dishes from her hands.

Her heart skittered. “I’m not sure I can trust you.”

The look in his gaze made her wish things were different.

“Have I done anything to not earn your trust?” he asked. “Have I hurt you in any way?”

She inhaled quickly. “Of course not.”

“Then why can’t you trust me?”

She turned back to the dishes. “It’s a problem I have from my past.”

“I’m not your parents.”

She hesitated, then, turning, she wiped her hands dry on a dish towel. “You’re not them, but you’re an investigator, and the CID thinks I’m guilty of murdering two women. That puts me in a very difficult position.”

“Tonight we’re far away from Fort Rickman. You said I needed some downtime. Why don’t we both try to put the investigation behind us?”

“And forget that you’re a CID agent and I’m a possible suspect?”

“A person of interest,” he corrected.

“Are you sure you can shove aside the investigation?”

He stepped closer and took her hands, then, placing them on his shoulders, he pulled her closer. The scent of her perfume made him dizzy with interest. He stared down at her, noticing the blueness of her eyes and the smoothness of her skin. Her lips parted ever so slightly, and he lowered his mouth to hers. The sweetness of her kiss made him want to draw her even closer and wrap her more tightly in his embrace.