WHO KILLED EMMALINE? (15 page)

He nods, his lips curving upward in a playful smile. “That doesn’t mean I don’t want to continue making out,” he murmurs as his lips lower back down to mine.

I really have to use the bathroom. I’ve had to pee for the last hour or so, but the store has been too busy for me to even consider going to the back to use the restroom. Owen’s around here somewhere, but I haven’t had a chance yet to let him know I need a quick break.

After I ring up another line of customers, I sneak a peek at the clock behind the register. Only one more hour to go, then my shift is finished since Owen and Dane will be doing the nightly closing duties tonight. I’m not sure I can wait that long. The second the line dwindles down to the point where there isn’t anyone waiting in line, I grab the “Be right back” sign and post it on the counter. I tell myself I can go and be back within three minutes, and no one will notice I was ever gone.

I hurry to the back of the store and slip through the employee door. With my bladder begging me to book it fast, I stride down the hall and glance into the prep room. The door is halfway open, and my eyes widen as my feet come to an abrupt halt.

Dane has Owen pressed against the wall, and both men are kissing. Not lighthearted kissing, but full-on, tongue-involved kind of kissing. Owen’s hands are fisted in the back of Dane’s shirt, and I can tell both men are struggling to control themselves.

Feeling a bit like a voyeur, I spin around and rush back towards the store before they can realize that I’d seen them. Even though my bladder wails at me to go back, I ignore it and enter the store. If I use the bathroom, they’ll know I’d witnessed them and their kiss. I’m not sure what is going on between those two, but I definitely do not want to be caught up in it.

There’s three people waiting at the register, and I apologize as I quickly take my place behind the counter. As I ring up purchases, my mind stays on Dane and Owen. Dane is
gay?
I never would have guessed with the way he’d looked at me last week in the bathroom. Maybe he’s bisexual? I decide that I’ll call Cord tonight and ask. I know he’ll be upfront with me, and hopefully he won’t say anything to Dane. It’s not really my business who Dane kisses, but I’m definitely curious as to how tight Dane and Owen are.

When I arrive home an hour and a half later, Mitch is waiting for me. “Any problems?” he asks lightly.

“Nope. Everything is good,” I assure as I walk over to the refrigerator.

Mitch has been asking me that daily since the prank last weekend, and I’ve been assuring him that all is fine. He doesn’t need to know about the mask on my car, because I think Mitch’s talk with Riley probably pissed Riley off even more. I’m going to have to find a way to get Riley to back off. I’m a little unsure as to how to proceed where he’s concerned, though. Dane had warned me off him because of his past with Emmaline. I can’t imagine Riley killing Emmaline, but if he’s lashing out at me like he is, who’s to say that he didn’t lash out at Emmaline? Maybe he had found out that Emmaline was secretly seeing Cord?

“Your mom went to Manchester to run errands earlier, so she should be back soon. There’s left over pizza on the top shelf,” Mitch says, his voice cutting into my thoughts.

“Great, thanks.” I reach for the refrigerator door handle, then hesitate. I really want to bring up Riley and Emmaline, but I’m not sure how to bring it up to Mitch. I’m assuming he’d be the best person to ask since he’s Riley’s father. I turn and look at him.

Mitch notices my hesitation. “Everything okay?”

“Actually, can I ask you something? I mean, it’s none of my business, but I’ve been hearing things at school and stuff. I figure you’re the best person to ask with you being Riley’s dad…”

Realization flickers in his gaze. “You want to ask about Emmaline.”

I nod. “I heard that they dated on and off for quite some time.”

“They did,” he confirms. His eyes hold mine as he says, “He didn’t kill Emmaline, Krista. He was out with friends in a public establishment. Security footage shows he was right where he said he was.”

My face heats up. “I didn’t mean I was suspicious of him, I just wanted to know about their relationship. He seems so angry all the time. He must miss her.”

Mitch’s expression softens. “I wouldn’t know. My son doesn’t say much when it comes to Emmaline. I know he loved her, but he’s not the type to share what he’s feeling.”

I nod. “I’m sorry for bringing it up. It’s just Riley’s had a lot of upheaval in his life, starting with her death. Maybe he needs to find an outlet for all that anger…”

“You think he’s taking his anger out on you because you’re the easiest source,” Mitch guesses.

“Don’t you think that’s a possibility?”

“I think you might be on to something. I never looked at his behavior from a different perspective. I’ll look into it,” he assures.

“Okay, Um, sorry for bringing it up.”

“It’s fine.” He turns wary. “It was just a tough time those first few months after Emmaline’s death. Fingers were pointed at Riley as well, even though he has a secure alibi. The subject is a touchy one around here.”

“I’ll be careful not to bring her up again,” I promise.

We make short chit-chat as I re-heat my pizza, then I go up to my room. I set the plate down on my bed and pull my phone out of my purse. I see that Chelsea had called earlier. I’ll have to call her back, but first I want to talk to Cord. He’d given me his number at the end of our hike yesterday, so now we can call and text back and forth.

His phone rings on the other end, and then I hear loud music in the background. “Hey,” he greets. “Hold on a second.” The music turns down. “There, that’s better.”

I sit down on my bed. “What are you doing?” I ask curiously.

“I’m molding a mask. You’re lucky you called before I could start mixing the Ultra Cal or you’d be getting my voicemail.”

“You’re mixing what?” I ask with confusion.

“It’s a part of the molding process. I’ll show you sometime instead of trying to explain it by phone.”

“Okay. Cord, can I ask you something without coming off as being too nosy?”

“Now I’m curious. What do you want to know?”

“Just how close are Dane and Owen?” I ask lightly.

The music in the background abruptly turns off, then there’s a moment of silence on the other end. “Why do you ask?” he finally asks.

“I saw them kissing in the prep room,” I confess. “I didn’t mean to. I had to use the bathroom, and the prep room door was halfway open when I was walking past.”

“I see. Does Dane or Owen know that you saw them?”

“No.”

“Dane is bi, but it’s not something he wants the public to be aware of. We get enough heat in this town as it is, the last thing we need is anyone boycotting the store because of his sexuality.”

“So Dane and Owen are together?”

“Their relationship isn’t easy to label. They started seeing each other about two years ago, but Dane’s not willing to fully commit due to the rumors and the store. They have a relationship, but it’s not serious.”

“Is Owen bi too or is he strictly into men?”

“He’s only into men.”

“How does he feel about the secrecy?” I ask with interest as I pull my legs up and fold them beneath me.

“I think the secrecy is starting to bother him, but he’s head over heels for Dane. He’ll wait until Dane is ready.”

“Do you think Dane ever will be?”

“I don’t know. Dane’s into women too, and he’s had past girlfriends. There was only one guy before Owen. I’m not sure what Dane sees for his future, and I haven’t asked. I think when he’s ready to settle down, he’ll have more of an idea as to what he wants by that point.”

“What about you? You’re okay with their relationship?” I wince. “I mean, oh never mind.”

Cord chuckles in my ear. “I don’t care who Dane is seeing, just as long as he’s happy.”

“So I should continue pretending that I never saw anything?” I ask.

“Yeah. I don’t think Dane would be upset or anything if you knew, but I’m betting he’d be more comfortable assuming you didn’t.”

“Okay.”

On Thursday, I work with Dane and Owen again. When I started my shift, I’d worried that something in my expression might give away that I know their secret, but shortly after arriving, I’d quit worrying over it. Now that it’s getting closer to Halloween, the store is quite busy in the evenings, so there isn’t much time for my mind to wander.

As I ring up a purchase for a guy sporting a green Mohawk, I hear a few girlish shrieks and then thunder rumbles overhead. Dane has thunder and lightning effects going tonight, and every time he comes into the store area to check on things, he wears a monster mask in hopes of scaring customers. Shrieking and laughter have now become the store’s background noise instead of music.

I don’t mind working with Dane and Owen, but I’m beginning to wish I worked with Cord more often. It seems like he’s never scheduled to work my shifts anymore. Tonight, he’s at home working on a new order that is due to be shipped out tomorrow morning. He doesn’t care that Dane seems to be separating us intentionally, but it bothers me. I still can’t put Dane’s warning out of my mind. Cord didn’t kill Emmaline, so what else could Dane be worried about? It’s going to have to remain a mystery unfortunately, because I can’t tell Cord about my conversation with Dane since I’m certain he would be upset over it.

By the time my shift ends and the store has been organized, my feet ache. I call out a good night to Dane and Owen before exiting out the back door. The small parking lot behind the store has only one overhead light, and I shiver as I retrieve my car keys from my purse. I should really talk to Dane about putting in a second light somewhere. There’s only six parking spaces back here, and since I’m usually the last one to arrive, my car is the furthest from the light.

It’s windy tonight, and the wind whips around my hair, tangling it across my face. I push it aside as I cross the darkened parking lot.

My steps begin to slow.

Something seems weird about my car. It’s darker, shinier.

When I pause beside it, I see that even the windows are red. Feeling confused, I lean forward and inspect the windshield. Then, I back up and scan my car once more, noting that it’s completely covered in a substance that looks very similar to blood.

I peer around the darkness of the parking lot as I back up another step, beginning to retreat the way I’d come. Is someone watching me? Was it Riley who did this? The second I think of him, my fear eases and irritation takes its place. I quickly turn and jog to the store’s back door and enter the prep room, which is always a chaotic mess these days.

I cross the room and enter the hallway. My heart is still pounding, but I’m beginning to calm down. I tell myself that it’s not real blood, and that Riley has struck again. I can hear low voices coming from Dane’s office, and I approach his open door and peek inside, praying that I’m not interrupting anything too…personal.

Dane is sprawled lazily in his chair, and Owen is standing with his hip resting against the desk as they talk. Both look up in surprise when they see me.

“My car is covered in blood,” I announce. They both look back at me with blank expressions, my announcement clearly not registering. “Fake blood, I’m sure,” I add.

Dane, realizing that I am serious, bolts to his feet and quickly strides past me and into the hall. I turn and follow him with Owen right on my heels. Dane pushes open the back door and walks over to my car.

We all stand there, staring at the red, bloody mess.

Dane rakes a hand through his hair, his expression turning troubled as he scans my car.

“Is there any sort of surveillance back here?” I ask hopefully.

If I could just get some proof that Riley is harassing me, it might be time to go to the police and have something done about the situation. Mitch and my mom would be upset that I went behind their backs, but I’m getting to the point where I don’t care anymore. If Mitch lecturing Riley isn’t going to do anything, then maybe a threat from the authorities might. He can’t go around destroying property. First it was the window at the house, tonight it’s my car. He’s taking this way too far.

Dane shakes his head and rubs the back of his neck. “No. The only surveillance we have is inside the building. Nothing outside.”

My heart sinks. Then there’s no proof that Riley vandalized my car.

Owen looks at me questioningly. “Does this have anything to do with your stepbrother?”

“Riley’s upset over his parents’ divorce.” I wave a hand towards my car. “This has him written all over it.” My attention shifts to Dane. “Has Riley been back to the store lately?”

Dane stares at my car a second longer before he drags his eyes away from it to meet my questioning gaze. “No, I would have noticed. It’s October, you can buy fake blood from anywhere right now, not just at Cordane’s.”

“Should we call your parents? I’m sure they’re going to be upset over this, but they should know,” Owen suggests.

I stare at my car as I chew on the tip of my thumbnail. As much as I would like to get Riley in trouble, I have a feeling it’ll backfire. I shake my head. “No, I don’t want my mom and stepdad to know about this. They’ll want me to quit since it happened here. My mom will completely overreact, and I’m sure Mitch wouldn’t believe that Riley had anything to do with it. I could see both of them trying to blame one of you,” I murmur.

“Maybe you should quit,” Dane says quietly.

I look at him sharply. “Quit? Why?”

He looks at me, his expression grimly resigned. “This store has enough of a reputation without this added to it.”

Owen steps forward, shaking his head. “That’s not fair, Dane. You’re punishing her for something that isn’t even her fault.”

Dane looks at me with stoic eyes as his posture remains rigid. “I’m not blaming you, Krista. But if the police get involved…”

“I don’t plan on calling the police,” I insist. “Can’t we clean it off somehow? No one will ever know,” I add quickly. I don’t want to lose my job because of Riley.

Owen looks at Dane. “There’s that twenty-four-hour car wash two blocks away. I can go run it through there for her,” he offers.

Dane thinks it over, and as he gazes at me in the dim light, I can tell that he looks torn. Then he slowly nods. “Yeah, good thinking.” His eyes shift to mine. “That okay?”

“Yes.” I hand my keys over to Owen. “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

Dane walks over to me and lightly touches my back to get my attention. “Let’s go inside and wait.”

We both leave Owen with my car and go back inside. Once we’re in Dane’s office, he motions for me to sit in the chair behind his cluttered desk. I sink down into the cushy chair and gaze up at him. “I’m sorry. I’ll find a way to get Riley to leave me alone.”

Dane folds his arms over his chest as he gazes at me resolutely. “What I want to talk about has nothing to do with Riley. Krista, you’re not going to like what I have to say,” he warns.

I sit upright. “You’re firing me anyway?” I ask with alarm.

“No, this is about Cord.”

Cord? I look up at Dane with confusion. “What does Cord have to do with anything?”

“I think you should distance yourself from him until this…situation can be resolved.”

“Why?”

His eyes hold mine. “You do realize this stuff that’s happening to you could easily be pinned on him, don’t you?”

I never thought of that, and my lips part. This situation is growing worse by the minute. “But we
know
it’s Riley,” I insist.

“There’s no proof, Krista.”

There’s no denying that Dane has a valid reason to be concerned. The last thing I want is for Cord’s reputation to be damaged further.

“Break it off for the time being,” Dane says gently as his eyes soften. “After all the allegations he’s had to deal with, he doesn’t need this.”

“I’ll think it over,” I say reluctantly.

“That’s all that I ask.”