SILVER FALLS

EPISODE 2—Into The Night

The only thing Jayce took to bed that night was a gun. After placing the letter in a sealed evidence bad, he found a flashlight in the kitchen drawer and went outside to search the perimeter of the house. Whoever had paid him a visit was long gone, but they had made their point.

To set his mind at ease, Jayce worked his way to Amber's house, searching the woods as he went. After finding nothing out of the ordinary, he retreated to the relative safety of the house and locked up all the doors and windows.

For years, Jayce had made a habit of sleeping with his pistol on the nightstand. But that night, he slept with a finger on the trigger and one eye open. The intruder had caught him off guard, but he was determined not to let that happen again.

As he lay in bed, listening to the sound of the ceiling fan hum overhead, the words from the note played over and over in his mind. Whoever left the note had fired more than just a shot over the bow. This was serious. But whether they would spill more blood or not remained to be seen.

Regardless, the whole experience had shaken Jayce to his core. He hadn't felt genuine fear like this since his days in the war, and although that was a fear unique to battle, this was shockingly similar and no less real. This was the reason he feared returning to Silver Falls in the first place, the reason he'd forced himself to stay away all those years. The secret that had hung over him like a dark cloud, now had put them all in danger—Pete, Alice, Amber, Jessica—and most importantly, Stephanie.

At first light, he was eager to search for clues. He got up and splashed some cold water on his face. Any effects from last night's wine were all but a distant memory as he rounded the house and set off toward the backyard. As he scoured the ground behind the house, he was looking for anything out of the ordinary—cigarette butts, shoe prints—something that would bring him closer to whoever had left the note.

Working his way diligently away from the house, in the water's direction, he tried to find a place where he thought the intruder may have been watching him and Amber. He stopped halfway down the yard and looked back at the house. From that angle, he glimpsed the ceiling, but nothing more. He turned his eyes back down the hill. The backyard wasn't deep, but rocks littered the ground. The terrain was also very steep, and a row of tall pines separated the earth from the water. Then, as he continued a sweep of the property, his eyes settled on a small opening in the trees. The gap couldn't have been over ten feet, and at its center, jutting out into the shallow water of Lake Murphy, was a small boat dock that appeared to need repair. Beyond that, nothing but open water.

That's it, he thought as he stared out toward the lake. Whoever was here must have been watching from the water. That's when he noticed the rope dangling from the side of the dock. He must have tied here, he thought, assuming a man was the one watching them.

A short distance from the dock, preserved in the mud, was a single shoe print. Jayce froze where he stood, careful not to disturb the area. “That print belongs to a man,” he said to himself, comparing the size to that of his own shoe. “Eleven, eleven-and-a-half,” he muttered.

A camera would have been useful, or a cell phone, but he had neither, so he withdrew the notebook from his back pocket and sketched the design of the tread. The print came from a work boot, that much was obvious, but a break in the tread revealed a piece of the shoe was missing. Interesting, he thought as he stowed away the notebook.

When his search had concluded, Jayce went back inside and grabbed a bowl of cereal. A check of the time revealed a quarter to eight. Pete would be arriving soon. He had to make Pete aware of the situation ASAP.

***

While Jayce set off to pay Pete a visit, across town, two things were happening. First, Jessica, who was nearly an hour late for her shift, was behind the wheel of her Jeep, making a feverish attempt to get to work on time. Second, Stephanie, who had been at the restaurant since just after six, was serving breakfast alone and starting to worry.

Jessica was late, again. What else was new? Normally, she would be five or ten minutes late, but today was far worse. As she sped down Wilshire Road, trying her best to concentrate on the road and do an acceptable job of putting on her makeup, she was worried what Stephanie would say when she arrived. Stephanie had never been late for anything in her life, something Jessica was all too aware of. She, on the other hand, was the exact opposite.

Jessica Anne Glover was a thirty-three-year-old divorcee who, despite her flawless appearance and charming personality, was a bit of a mess, at least on the inside. Before moving to Silver Falls, she had hopped from job to job. Her latest string of failed attempts at employment included secretarial duties for a construction company in Dahlonega and an office manager for an electrical co-op in Chattanooga. Work wasn't the issue. Jessica was smart. Punctuality was her downfall.

It was only after Stephanie had come up with the idea for the restaurant that everything changed for Jessica. The two of them were opposite as night and day. Stephanie was the anchor that kept Jessica from wandering, and Jessica provided the spark Stephanie needed to keep from turning into an old maid. Individually, they had their flaws, but together they were unstoppable.

Jessica grew up in Marietta, Georgia, in an affluent neighborhood on Cobb County's east side. Her father was a successful lawyer, and her mother was a socialite who spent all her time entertaining. The bar they set for their daughter was so high, no one could have lived up to their standards. Following in her father's footsteps, Jessica had attended Georgia Tech hoping to earn a law degree, but during her sophomore year she met a young man named Gary Durham, an up-and-coming medical student who swept her off her feet. Six months later they were married. Within a year, she was divorced. That's when she met Stephanie.

Jessica made a sharp right turn into the parking lot as the clock struck eight. She was more than an hour late, and by the looks of things, the place was already hopping. Grinding the jeep to a stop, she jumped out and hurried inside.

“Sorry,” she whispered to Stephanie as she slid past her on her way to the kitchen. Jessica threw on the apron and pulled her hair quickly up into a ponytail, then joined Stephanie a short time later behind the bar as she let out a long breath.

“What happened to you?” Stephanie asked curiously. “Did Eric come home early from Charlotte?”

“I wish,” she mumbled under her breath. “Overslept again.”

Stephanie could tell there was more to Jessica's tardiness than staying in the shower too long. She was exhausted. Ever since Heather O'Donnell, their hostess, had returned to college, the stress level in the restaurant had sky-rocketed. Jessica wanted to hire someone new to replace Heather, but Stephanie insisted money was tight, and if they wanted to keep paying Trevor to make deliveries on the weekend, the business couldn't take on any more help.

“Stop button instead of snooze?” Stephanie guessed, as she attempted to introduce some levity to the situation.

Jessica fought a smile. “You know me too well,” she said as she finished tying the apron behind her back. She grabbed a pot of coffee, slapped a smile on her face, then set off to greet the morning customers.

Jessica was as loyal a friend as anyone could ask for. She had been by Stephanie's side through some hard times, which is why Stephanie overlooked her tardiness.

“So, how'd things go with Jayce?” she asked as she returned and put the pot on the warmer.

Stephanie hesitated.

“Steph? I thought you were going to talk to him?”

“I was. I am,” she answered quickly, before she was scolded. “I was thinking of inviting him to dinner at mom and dads this afternoon.” She glanced over to gauge her reaction.

“Do you think that's a good idea?”

“Why not? They always loved Jayce, and besides, the pressure will be off me for once. You know how they're constantly hounding about the restaurant.”

“I guess you're right,” she conceded, “but don't let him off the hook. He owes you and explanation.”

Stephanie knew Jessica meant well. Even though Stephanie was older, albeit a month, sometimes she felt like Jessica treated her like her little sister.

***

The last of the morning fog was burning off when Jayce pulled up to the station. Pete's SUV was already in the lot, sandwiched between a tan Ford Taurus and a White tech van. Marsha Rayburn said hello to Jayce when he entered. He acknowledged her with a nod as he turned toward Pete's office.

Pete was still on the phone, but Jayce went in anyway and shut the door.

“We have a problem,” said Jayce as he threw the letter down in front of him.

Pete leaned forward and glanced at the paper, then to Jayce, and said, “I'm going to have to call you back.” He hung up the phone and put on his glasses as he inspected.

“Where did this come from?” he asked, raising his eyes to Jayce.

“Someone was watching us last night. I stepped out of the house for no more than three minutes. This was on the coffee table when I walked back in the door.”

“Us?”

“Yeah, me and Amber,” Jayce replied, looking irritated.

Pete sat back and scowled at him.

“I know what you're thinking,” said Jayce, sensing his disdain, “but it was all harmless. Her car broke down a couple of miles from the house. I gave her a ride home, and she came by later and thanked me by cooking me dinner. Nothing happened—swear to God.”

By the time Jayce finished his explanation, Pete had already lost interest. He got up from his chair and stood by the window that looked out toward the woods. “I was afraid something like this might happen” he said darkly.

“What, with Amber?”

“No. I was talking about the note. I almost didn't mail that letter to you,” he said as he turned back to Jayce. “I wish I hadn't now.” He paused. “When your mother passed, Eddie started poking around. I told him I would take care of it, but—”

“You should have told Eddie to mind his own business. Now, everyone I've come in contact with is in danger—you, Alice, Jessica, Steph—”

“I told you already,” said Pete sternly as he turned on his heel, “I won't let anything happen to her.”

“Pete, I know you mean well, and God knows you'll do everything in your power. I don't doubt that for a second. But whoever this is, they're familiar with the area. Hell, they've probably been under your nose the entire time and you didn't realize. My point is, you can't protect her twenty-four hours a day. Even I can't do that. We need to find this person, sooner rather than later. Now, I searched the backyard this morning,” he said as he withdrew the notebook and began flipping through the pages. “Someone left this footprint in the mud near the water. Size eleven, maybe eleven-and-a-half. I also sketched out the design of the tread.”

He handed the notebook to Pete.

“Looks like Wolverine to me,” he said without hesitation.

“Good. That's a start.”

“Yeah, but I'm not sure how much that helps. I mean, every man in the county has a pair of work boots like that.”

Jayce's heart sank. He and Pete both had on something similar. “Like I said, a start,” he mused aloud, feeling the slightest bit dejected. He paused, during which Marsha poked her head in and dropped a stack of folders on Pete's desk. Jayce waited until she was gone before speaking again. “Look, I'm probably going to regret this,” he said half-heartedly, “but if you need my help, I'll do whatever I can. I don't exactly have jurisdiction in Silver Falls, but you have the power to deputize me.”

“Are you serious?”

“As a heart attack,” he answered. “I want to help. Like you said, the people of Silver Falls deserve to feel safe. Besides, I can't help but think I'm partially responsible for all this.”

“Don't beat yourself up, son,” Pete told him. “This isn't your fault, not in the least.” He paused while he pondered Jayce's offer. “All right, if that's what you want, let's make things official.”

When Pete had sworn Jayce in, he grabbed his jacket and hat and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?” Jayce called, following him with his eyes.

“Not me, we,” said Pete as he slipped an arm through the sleeve of the jacket. “Now that you're officially on the case, there's something I need to show you.”

Pete drove Jayce out to the north side of the lake, to the head of Muddy Creek as a mist fell. Harmon Point was a popular spot for fishermen to launch their boats when they wanted to avoid the five dollars the marina charged. Pete parked at the top of the ramp near the boat house.

“See that,” said Pete, pointing to a dock at the other side of the cove. “Six months ago, I got word of a floater in the water. Tom Adams, the old man who lives up on the hill, phoned it in. I thought little about it...assumed someone likely got drunk, fell in, and drowned. Then, three weeks later, another body. Only this time it was no accident.”

Jayce's face turned from curious to concerned. “Why didn't you say anything?”

“Would you have come if I had?” Pete asked, turning and looking at him.

“Fair enough, but I've been here for almost a week. Why are you waiting until now to tell me this?”

“I thought it was an isolated incident. Besides, that murder could have taken place twenty miles upriver, which is outside my jurisdiction. But when you combine the two of them with the letter you got, well, too many coincidences... Look, the truth is I'm glad you offered to help because I'm understaffed and don't have the resources to handle something like this. Also, I'm not as young as I once was.

“Why don't you call in the TBI? They've got plenty of personnel for something like this. Besides, word will get out eventually. Then, you'll have every agency in the state asking questions. You could lose your job over this.”

“I just need a little more time,” he pleaded.

“Pete, you know I love you like a father, so I'm going to say this as respectfully as I can. You've had sixteen years to solve this case, and from what I can tell you're no closer to finding the person who did this than you were the night Tiffany was murdered.”

They sat in silence for several minutes. Jayce hadn't crossed the line, but he'd come close. Feelings aside, Pete realized he was right.

“Then it's your call,” Pete acquiesced as he turned to Jayce. “If you think I should call the TBI, we'll go back to the station right now and make the call.”

Jayce sat and stared out at the water as the mist gave way to a steady rain.

“One week,” he said with some reservation. “But not a day more. And if we find out all this is connected, we're calling in the big guns.”

“Deal,” Pete agreed as his lips curled into a smile.

***

Jayce went back to the house and phoned Sharon to tell her he wouldn't be back to work on Monday.

“Things must be going better than expected if you're sticking around.”

“I wish,” Jayce remarked as he peered out the window toward the water. “Actually, just the opposite, but enough about my troubles. How are things at the station? More specifically, how's Tommy holding up?”

“Smooth as silk,” she said happily. “Tommy's done a real fine job of standing in while you've been away. To tell you the truth, I didn't think the kid had it in him, but I was wrong. You've taught him well.”

“That's good to hear,” said Jayce as a smile broke across his face. That was the first piece of good news he'd heard all day. “Listen, I'm going to need to stick around for another week. I've got a bit of a situation here that needs my attention.”

“That sounds ominous.”

He hesitated to tell her, but she was the one person he had learned to confide in over the years.

“Remember me telling you about that thing that happened when I was a kid.”

“You mean the murder?”

“Yeah, that. Well, they never caught the person and I think he's back at it again. To make matters worse, Stephanie is back in town.”

“You mean, the Stephanie?” she asked. “Jayce, you need to be careful. That's a lot to take in., even for you.”

“I'm having a tough time processing it all,” he admitted. “The main thing is finding whoever is responsible for the murders. The other stuff, well, I'll figure that out as I go.”

“Murders? You mean there have been more?”

Jayce was kicking himself for providing her with that last detail, but it was too late to take it back.

“Perhaps,” he said, sounding uncertain. “Anyway, don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. I'll call you a little later in the week to give you an update.”

He hung up with Sharon without telling her about the note. He knew if he told her, she would only worry herself to death.

He went to his room and searched for the blue sticky note Stephanie had given him, the one with her number on it. She deserved to know what was going on, but he didn't want to do it over the phone. But before he could locate her number, the phone rang.

“Steph, hey, is everything okay?” he asked, thinking how her timing couldn't have been better.

“Yes, fine. I noticed you didn't come in for breakfast this morning. That's not like you. I wanted to make sure everything was all right?” He thought he caught a hint of concern in her voice.

“Everything's great,” he told her, thinly concealing his worry. “I was up late last night, that's all—” He hated lying to her, but he couldn't risk upsetting her over the phone.

There was a long pause. Stephanie wanted to ask what had kept him up, but after what Jessica had told her about Amber, she couldn't bring herself to ask him. “Listen, the real reason I called was to see if you'd like to come to dinner at mom and dads this evening. I realize it's last minute, so if you've already made plans, I understand.” She held her breath while she gave him time to respond.

“No—no plans. I'd love to come to dinner. It'll give me an opportunity to catch up with your folks. Plus,” he continued, his tone darkening, “there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, but I want to do it in person rather than over the phone. Don't worry. I'll explain later. What time would you like me to be there?” he asked, his tone brightening.

“We eat dinner at six, so five-thirty will be fine.”

Jayce looked at his watch—almost noon.

“Okay. Do I need to bring anything?”

“Just yourself.”

“I think I can handle that,” he joked. “See you then...and Steph, promise me you'll be careful.” He hung up the phone and sat back on the sofa while he pondered his next move. Surely, he would be an opportunity to explain to Stephanie what had been going on.

Just then, he remembered the promise he'd made to Amber. Her car was still on the side of the road and he still needed a new set of plugs. He made a quick trip to the parts store, then swung by and picked up Amber. He was glad to see she was okay. He thought about telling her what had happened the night before, but he didn't want to alarm her, so he sat quietly and listened as she went on about how much fun she'd had the night before.

“I really appreciate you doing this,” she said as she ran a hand through her dark brown hair. “I wouldn't have known where to start.” She had on sunglasses, which shielded her eyes, but Jayce rather liked the way they looked on her.

“It's no trouble, really,” he reassured her as he drew in a breath of her perfume. She was incredibly alluring, even in jeans and a t-shirt. “Actually, I should be the one thanking you, for dinner last night. What you pulled off in the kitchen is much more difficult than replacing a set of plugs.”

She turned to him and smiled. “I'm glad you enjoyed it. There's more where that came from. Like I said, my mother taught me everything she knows about cooking. We could do it again tonight,” she offered without hesitation. “I have a recipe for chicken carbonara that's to die for, and I always have a bottle of wine on hand.”

“I'd love to, but I already made plans.”

“Wow, you really get around, don't you?” she teased.

“It's not like that,” he laughed. “Stephanie Ryan invited me to dinner with her family out on Poplar Point. We're old friends, Steph and I.”

Amber appeared unfazed. “That sounds like fun. Tell her I said hello.”

Jayce told her he would, but he had no intentions of bringing up Amber in front of Stephanie. Not that there was anything wrong with him befriending Amber, but he didn't want to make things worse with Stephanie, especially before he had a chance to clear the air.

“Can we do something later in the week?” Jayce suggested.

“I'm busy the next couple of days, but I'm free Wednesday, after work.”

“Wednesday it is. Oh, and I was thinking, this time I'd like to cook dinner for you, if that's okay?” he asked as her car came into view.

She was shocked.

“You cook too?” she asked. She turned her head and looked at him with a huge grin. “God, where have you been my whole life?”

Jayce blushed as he put the truck in park.

In no time, the new plugs were in and the car started right up. That sealed the deal for her; Amber was completely taken with Jayce. She had been the moment he walked into the law office, but everything that had happened since then only strengthened her desire for him. He was strong yet sensitive, respectful, and was good with his hands. Not to mention he could cook. He was also generous, which she found very appealing. In her head, she imagined how he'd be in the sack, and each time he got better and better. Fighting the urge to seduce him right in broad daylight, she instead concentrated on the task at hand—getting the car back home.

One step at a time, she told herself as she collected her thoughts.

***

By the time Jayce got back to the house and washed the grease from his hands, he was running on empty. The bowl of cereal he'd scarfed down for breakfast had worn off hours ago, and he needed something to last him until dinner. He went into the kitchen and warmed up some pasta from the night before. Amber had saved the leftovers for him. The jury was still out on Amber in terms of her promiscuity, but one thing was for certain, she was a magician in the kitchen. Now that he had opened his big mouth and offered to make her dinner, he wondered if he was up to the task.

By a quarter to five Jayce was ready to go, so he saw in the living room watching TV while the minutes ticked slowly by. It was only a ten-minute drive to Poplar Point, so he didn't want to leave too early. A little after five he went to the mirror to check one last time. He was wearing jeans and a blue polo with the sleeves rolled up. After adjusting his hair, he took a step back and said, “Well, Jayce, you still got it.” It had been a long time since he had seen the Ryans, and he wanted to make a good impression. After all, they had taken a chance on him when he was younger. They hadn't been keen on letting him date Stephanie, at least not at first, but when they saw how eager he was to gain their trust, eventually they let him see their daughter.

The drive from his house to Poplar point was picturesque. The trees, donned with patches of red and gold, blazed in the evening sunlight, and the water from Lake Murphy sparkled. He crossed the bridge just south of the marina and descended the hill toward the campground. With only a handful of RV's in the lot, the place appeared like a ghost town. He hung a left on Cider Lane and wound his way through the woods until he topped the hill and the lake stretch out before him. Years ago, the Ryans had that whole side of the lake to themselves. The closest house was a half mile away, but now a dozen homes sat on either side of the lane that led to the Ryan's front drive.

Stephanie was already waiting on the porch when Jayce pulled up. She was wearing a white sweater and stonewashed jeans, and she had her hair up in a ponytail. Jayce always thought she looked taller with her hair up.

“Hey,” she said, giving him a wave as he stepped out of the truck.

“Hey yourself,” he replied, taking her in with his eyes. “What's with all the houses leading in?”

“Breaks your heart, doesn't it?” she said as she gazed off down the road. “That used to all be beautiful farmland, and now, well, progress, I guess.”

He could tell it made her sad.

“Well, at least this place hasn't changed... just like I remember,” he commented, giving it the once over.

“Mom and dad do an outstanding job of keeping the place up,” she said brightly. “Come on in. They're dying to see you. Ever since I told them you were coming, they haven't shut up.”

Jayce followed her into the house as his ego swelled. The inside of the house had been repainted a burnt orange, but aside from that it was exactly how he remembered, down to the nick in the doorframe he'd made with his keys when he was seventeen.

“Jayce Callahan,” Glen said as he greeted him with a handshake. “What's it been—fifteen, sixteen years?

“Sounds about right,” Jayce confirmed.

“I hardly recognized you.”

“Mr. Ryan, so nice to see you again, sir. It must be the beard—throws everyone off.”

“You're a grown man now. Please, call me Glen.”

“Thank you s—I mean, Glen.”

“And you can call me Mary,” said Stephanie's mom as she leaned in and hugged him. She was in her mid fifties, but didn't look a day over forty. She had taken care of herself and it showed.

“Nice to see you again, Mary,” replied Jayce, feeling the warmth spread across his face. “Thanks again for inviting me to dinner.”

“Our pleasure,” said Mary, leading him into the kitchen. “Do you mind pouring the wine?”

“Not at all.”

She handed him some glasses, along with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and a corkscrew. Jayce wasted little time in getting the glasses filled, then returned to the kitchen and sat the bottle on the island.

“Thank you so much,” said Mary. “I have such a hard time opening those bottles. My hands aren't as strong as they used to be.” She paused as her smile faded. “By the way, I'm sorry about your momma. Steph tells me the two of you hadn't spoken in a long time.”

“Yes ma'am, a long time,” he said as he dropped his eyes.

“Well, I don't want to ruin the mood, but you have our sympathies.”

“Thanks,” he said politely.

As they sat down to a meal of roasted chicken, fingerling potatoes, and French-style green beans, it was just how Jayce remembered in the old days. For a time, he and Stephanie had been inseparable. Since she had been the one to help turn his life around, he wanted to be with her every minute of every day, including Sunday dinners. Once Glen and Mary saw she was good for him and him for her, they welcomed Jayce into their family with open arms. What they didn't know was how Jayce had broken Stephanie's heart. She gave them a less dramatic story—something about Jayce getting accepted into an ivy league school, so they wanted to end things before it became too difficult.

“Jayce, Steph tells me you're a Sheriff now,” Glen asked as he downed the first bite of chicken.

“That's right...for a little town up in the mountains of Virginia.”

“Forgive me for staring,” Glen laughed as his eyes lingered on Jayce, “but when I look at you, I still see that long-haired kid in a leather jacket who used to pull up on a motorcycle to take Steph here tot he movies.”

Jayce stifled a laugh. “I've changed a little since those days,” he admitted. “Honestly, it was Stephanie that first got me headed down the right path.” His eyes drifted to her. “If it hadn't been for her, I'm not sure where I'd be.” He let his eyes linger on her for a few seconds.

“I don't see a ring on your finger,” Mary began, stealing his attention. “I don't suppose there's a Mrs. Callahan?”

“Mom?” blurted Stephanie, looking mortified.

“What? I figured a handsome young man like Jayce here would have every woman in Virginia after him.”

Jayce blushed. “That's nice of you to say, Mary, but I'm afraid it's just me and my dog, Camo.”

“I didn't know you had a dog,” said Stephanie, turning her eyes to him.

“Three years now. I got her as soon as I got back from the war.”

The table fell silent.

“You served?” asked Glen, looking serious now.

Glen Ryan had spent twenty years in the Navy. He was a pilot during the Vietnam War, and he was proud of his service.

“Yes sir, I mean Glen. I spent four years in country, first in Afghanistan, then Iraq.”

“You saw combat then?”

“Yes sir, I did,” Jayce admitted as the last remnants of his smile dissipated.

Glen could sense the sadness in his eyes. “Well, I'm proud of you. It takes a certain kind of man to serve, especially one that has seen war up close and personal.”

“Thank you. That means a lot.”

“Okay,” said Stephanie, eager to lighten the mood. “Anyone for dessert?”

When dinner was over, Jayce helped Mary clear the table, then Stephanie poured them another glass of wine and suggested they go out onto the porch and enjoy the sunset.

“Sorry about my parents,” she apologized once they were alone. “They can be a little much.”

“Don't apologize. I think they're great.” He paused as he leaned against the railing, peering back into the house through the bay window. He turned back around and scanned the water below. “I forgot how quiet things were on this side of the lake,” he said as the sun hung low in the sky.

She smiled happily. “This is my favorite place in the entire world,” she said as she sipped conservatively on the wine.

“I can see why. The view is amazing.” His eyes were on her now.

Between the wine and the way the light hit Jayce's face, Stephanie felt light as a feather.

“So,” she began as she turned her eyes back out toward the water, “have you been by your mom's place yet? Pete told me you were thinking of putting it on the market.”

“I'm going to swing by tomorrow and see how much work needs to be done.” He paused as he stared at his half-empty glass. “I should have already been by, but I suppose part of me is dreading it.”

The way he said it made Stephanie feel sorry for him.

“Why?” she wondered.

“I haven't stepped foot inside that house since the day I left. I'm just afraid of how it will make me feel to be back.”

They both turned their eyes westward as the sun melted into the horizon.

This was the moment Jayce had been waiting for. He and Stephanie were alone, and she appeared to be in good spirits. It was now or never.

“There's something I've been meaning to say to you ever since I saw you the other day,” he said as he turned to her.

“Oh?” She finished the wine in one giant gulp.

“Yeah. Perhaps we should sit?”

They sat in the Adirondack chairs and placed their wine on the small table between them.

Jayce took a moment to collect his thoughts. This was more difficult than he imagined. “I, uh, wanted to say I'm sorry...for everything that happened the last time we saw each other.” He checked her reaction.

Her eyes drifted slowly to him.

“It was wrong of me to leave you the way I did, with no explanation. I bet you think I'm a terrible person?”

“No, I don't,” she confessed. “In fact, I think the opposite. Why else would I have invited you over tonight? I just think there has to be more to the story, that's all.”

“There is. Much more,” he admitted, feeling instantly better to have at least that much off his chest. He paused as he considered the consequences of telling her everything.

“Jayce, if you don't want to talk about it, it's okay—” she said tenderly, putting a hand on his shoulder.

He frowned. “But I owe you at least that much. You deserve to hear the truth.” He took a deep breath and told her everything. “Do you remember the night Tiffany Clark disappeared?”

“How could I forget?” she said, looking as if it were the furthest thing from her mind. “Tiffany and I were best friends.”

“The night it happened, I had been here, with you, watching—”

“The Pelican Brief,” she recalled.

“Right. Well, remember my bike was in the shop, so I took the boat to your house that night.”

She nodded as she thought back to that night.

“When I started home, I heard a scream. It was late. I thought I was just tired, but a few minutes later I heard it again.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “I turned and set off for Hope Island; that's where I heard the screams.”

The look on Stephanie's face grew darker by the minute.

“I made a pass of the island. I saw what remained of a fire and there was a green boat pulled up on the sand. I waited for a while and eventually a man came out of the trees and sped off in the boat. Convinced I had heard a girl scream, I searched the front of the island, but it was dark, and I didn't have a light, so I called out a few times. When no one answered, I went home. Then, the next morning when I saw the police boats—”

“Oh my God,” she said, putting a hand to her mouth. “You mean, you were there, when it happened?”

“Yes, but only for a couple of minutes, and I didn't actually see her being killed. She must have been only a few feet from where I was standing. I felt so bad. I didn't know what to do, so I went to Pete for help. I was the only witness. Pete told me not to tell anyone about what I'd seen, and I didn't, but the next day I received a letter warning me to leave town or else. That's when Pete suggested I sever ties with Silver Falls and everyone I knew. I didn't want to leave, but—”

Stephanie's face was a mix of horror and confusion. “Why didn't you say anything?”

“I couldn't risk putting you or your family in danger. Whoever killed Tiffany obviously had no regard for human life, and if he killed once, he'd likely do it again. I couldn't have lived with myself if anything happened to you.”

There was silence for a moment, then she said, “I don't know what to say.”

“You don't have to say anything, but I wanted you to know I didn't break up with you because I wanted to. I loved you, Steph.”

Her expression went from concern to shock. For years, she had been angry at Jayce, never understanding why he had done what he did, but now that she knew the truth, she was left with a hollowness.

“But why stay away all that time?” she asked, thinking more clearly.

“Because the case was never solved.”

“Then what changed your mind about returning?”

“Honestly, I thought I'd come down here, sign some papers, and slip out of town before anyone knew I was here,” he said as he thought about how naïve he had been. “Then, I ran into Pete, and you showed up, and—”

“And you think there's a chance I could still be in danger?”

Jayce dropped his eyes and turned away.

“What? Tell me?” she said, recognizing he was still holding back.

“Last night, I got a note,” he said darkly, looking her in the eyes. “It was from the killer.”

Stephanie's eyes grew wide with horror.

“It warned me to leave town or there would be others.”

“Others?”

“More bodies,” Jayce said calmly.

It took Stephanie a minute to process. “What are you going to do?”

“I went to see Pete this morning and had him swear me in.” He flashed the badge to her. “We have to find whoever did this, and don't worry, Pete and I are going to do everything in our power to keep you and your family safe. That's a promise,” he said, looking deathly serious.

“Is that why you've been coming around the restaurant so often, to keep an eye on me?”

Jayce didn't exactly know how to answer her question. He wanted to say yes, that he would always be there to protect her, but how would she take it? Would she assume he thought she couldn't take care of herself? She was thirty-four, a grown woman, but against a murderer? “That's part of the reason, I guess,” he admitted.

“And the other part?” She looked him directly in the eye when she said it.

Just then, Mary appeared with another bottle of wine.

“I shouldn't,” Jayce said, forcing on a smile. “It's getting late and I have to get up early and start work on mom's house.”

“I didn't mean to run you off,” said Mary apologetically.

“No—you didn't,” Jayce reassured her as he eased toward the door.

“Come on,” said Stephanie morosely. “I'll walk you out.”

Jayce passed through the house and said goodbye to Glen on his way out.

“You okay?” Jayce asked as Stephanie joined him on the front porch.

“A little confused and concerned,” she said feebly as she folded her arms on her chest. “But I'll be fine.” She conjured a smile, but it lasted only a second.

“Do you want to stay over at the house tonight, just in case?” he offered.

His question took her by surprise, and a few seconds passed before she answered.

“Thanks, but I think I'll be fine. I had planned on staying here tonight anyway, so—”

“Oh, okay. That's a good idea.”

“Jayce?”

“Yes?”

“Will I see you tomorrow...for breakfast?” She wanted to ask another question, but she held back.

“I had planned to get to work early, but I'll swing by for dinner.”

He stepped back up on the porch, circling his arms around her as he pulled her close to him. “Everything will be all right,” he whispered against her ear. “I promise.”

She nearly melted at the sound of his voice. She wanted to believe him, needed to believe him, but there was an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach, but building inside her was an uneasiness that left her cold.

When their goodbye was over and Jayce had driven off, Stephanie went inside and shut the door. She leaned against it and let out a long breath. Even though she had been fighting it since the day he arrived, there was a part of her that was still in love with Jayce. Now, though, she was fighting something different—fear.

***

Jayce returned to the house and, after a thorough search of the place, he settled in for the night. He went to the bar and poured himself a drink, then started a fire and sat on the couch for a long time. He turned on the TV, but kept the volume down.

As he sipped on the bourbon, his mind drifted to Stephanie. Something about her struck a chord with him. Even when they were teenagers, he knew she had something special about her. Now, unexpectedly, those feelings were returning. As he sank into the sofa and shut his eyes, he made a promise to himself that no harm would befall her.

The following morning, Jayce woke with a clear head. Despite the alcohol from the night before, he wasn't hung over in the least. He was relieved to have finally told Stephanie the truth. He liked her, maybe even loved her, and the last thing he wanted was for her not to trust him. He was also relieved that she knew a murderer was on the loose, so at least she could be aware of her surroundings.

Jayce had put off going to his mother's house for as long as he could. Given what had happened, it was just another distraction he didn't need, so he hoped it wouldn't require much work to get it ready to sell. He had always hated that house. It was large, old, musty, and he was almost positive the place was haunted.

The house sat at the end of a long, gravel drive. On either side stood pines and cedars that frowned heavily upon the narrow lane, as if they were fighting one another to shroud it in secrecy. The house was hidden from the road, but not from the water. It sat on a bluff, hovering over the lake like a giant specter. This was the place that had, for so many years, haunted his dreams.

He advanced up the drive and parked in front of the house, which wasn't nearly as menacing as he remembered. A shiver ran the length of his spine as he got out of the truck and admired it from a distance. After a quick scan, he could see a window had been broken in the attic and the gable above the porch had come loose. No doubt he had work to do, but nothing he couldn't handle.

He reached for the keys and found the one to the front door, then stepped up onto the porch and slid it in the lock. With little effort he swung the door wide, and a second later he was standing in the entry way gazing straight ahead at a painting of his mother. He gulped.

“Home sweet home,” he said as he kicked the door closed behind him.

It was eerily quiet, except for the ticking of the grandfather clock, which echoed loudly in the hollow space. He reached for the light switch and when they buzzed to life, he went from room to room in search of items that needed fixing.

When he had completed his sweep of the upper floors, he returned to the main level and found the door to the cellar. He had always hated that part of the house when he was a kid. The place gave him the creeps. But as he pulled the chain, illuminating the space, he found it to be much tamer than he remembered. He searched the shelves for anything of value, but there wasn't much to look at other than some old nick-nacks and dishes his mother kept taped up in boxes. Then, off in the corner, he discovered a box with some maps of Silver Falls, a one of the property the house sat on, and an original blueprint of the house. Being someone who appreciated old things, Jayce kept the maps and blueprints for himself.

He lugged the box up to the kitchen and sat it on the counter beside the list of repairs he'd made.

“This isn't as bad as I thought,” he said as he examined the list top to bottom. No more than a day or two of work, he thought as he looked out to the backyard.

After a quick trip to to the hardware store to pick up some nails, screws, and a couple of outlets, Jayce arrived back at the house in time to find an older man wandering around the property. From a distance, the man appeared harmless, but Jayce grabbed the gun just in case.

“Can I help you?” Jayce asked as he exited the truck.

“You must be Jayce,” said the man, easing in his direction. He was medium height and build, salt-and-pepper hair, and walked with a slight limp. “I'm Robert Worsham. I live on the Moffitt Island, across the lake.”

Jayce looked out across the water and spotted a ribbon of smoke rising above the trees.

“Your momma and I were good friends. I used to come visit her on Saturdays,” he continued, keeping his distance.

“That's nice,” said Jayce politely, though his guard was still up.

“So, you thinking of moving into the place?”

“No,” said Jayce reflexively as he cast an eye toward the house. “Once I finish with the repairs, I'm putting it on the market.”

“Selling it? Well, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a buyer, what, with the location and all. That's one hell of a view.”

“Sure is,” Jayce confirmed. “By the way,” he began, looking around and noticing the man hadn't arrived by car, “how'd you get up here?”

“Got a little john boat. I tied up at the dock at the bottom of the hill.”

“That climb is brutal,” he said, thinking of the steep stairs that led up from the water.

“Ah, it's nothing. I don't get around as fast as I once did, but I still manage.” He paused while he chuckled. “Since you're thinking about selling the place, I may know someone who'd be interested in taking it off your hands. It'd be an all-cash deal.” He cast an eye in Jayce's direction.

“Okay,” replied Jayce, eyebrows raised. “You have my attention.”

“I've got a brother who's thinking of moving to the area. He's been looking for a place with a view, and this might be right up his alley. If you don't mind my asking, have you given any thought to what you might sell it for?”

While he considered the man's question, he thought about what Pete had told him. Jayce wasn't terribly familiar with the real estate market, but he knew had some idea.

“I'd take a million for it,” he said, testing the waters.

Robert grinned. “That's a lot of money.”

“You're right,” Jayce countered. “But like you said, one hell of a view.”

“Indeed. Well, I'll be sure and pass that information along to my brother.” He reached over and shook Jayce's hand. “I've taken up enough of your time. It was a pleasure meeting you, Jayce. Good luck on the repairs.”

“Nice meeting you as well, and thanks,” he said as he watched the man head off toward the stairs.

When he was gone, Jayce went to the back porch and watched as Robert set off across the water in his boat. Something about the encounter left Jayce with an uneasiness.

***

Jayce worked until around five and called it a day. He was hungry, and with only a few repairs left to make, he could easily knock them out the next day.

He went back to the house, cleaned up, and drove out to Rafters. Stephanie had been on his mind all day.

“Hey stranger,” Jessica said as he entered.

“Jess.”

“Inside or out?” she asked, grabbing a glass and a pitcher of water.

“Inside will be fine,” he told her, finding the warmth of the fire appealing. “But something near the window, if you have it.”

She sat him at a small table near the bar and asked if he'd like a beer.

“That'd be great,” he said.

When she was gone, he scanned the room in search of Stephanie. She was standing behind the bar, talking with a man in a blue suit. Jayce watched them intently for several minutes until Jessica returned with his beer.

“Who's the suit?” he inquired, his eyes still on the man.

“Who, Mark?” she answered, looking over her should. “Oh, he and Steph are old friends.”

Jayce raised his eyebrows. “No. Me and Steph are old friends, and I don't remember ever seeing that guy in Silver Falls.”

Jessica stifled a smile. “You're right. They met senior year of college. Mark is some kind of doctor or something. Anyway, he lives in Mobile, but he stops in a couple of times a year on his way to a conference.”

Jayce wanted to ask if there was anything going on between them, but Jessica must have sensed it, because she reassured him they were only friends.

After he ordered, he sat and watched them for a while longer. Doctor, huh, Jayce thought as the jealousy swelled inside him. It wasn't as if he and Stephanie were dating, but he didn't want to see her hurt. For all he knew, Mark could be the man who had left the note. From what Jayce could tell, his shoe size was about right.

Before he got too worked up, Jessica came back with a cup of chowder and some oyster crackers.

“By the way, how was dinner last night on the point?”

“She told you?”

“Of course. We're best friends. Steph tells me everything.”

That's good to know, he thought. “I had a great time. Her folks are the best.”

“Yes, they are,” she echoed. “Well, enjoy your meal, and if you need anything all you have to do is holler.”

Jayce ate in peace, and when Mark had left the restaurant, Stephanie came over and sat down.

“How's the chowder?”

“Excellent,” he said as he leaned back and took a swig of beer.

“Were you able to make any progress on the house today?”

“Some,” he answered. “Actually, it wasn't as bad as I thought. In fact, I should have things wrapped up by tomorrow.”

“That's great. So, will you be heading back home after that?” She looked at him directly.

“I'm here at least until the end of the week, maybe longer, depending—”

“On what?”

He gazed into her eyes. He wanted to tell her it was because of her, but he couldn't. The last thing he wanted was to complicate things between them. Breaking her heart again was not something he wanted to do.

Before he could answer, Jessica appeared and asked if he wanted anything for dessert. He declined but was thankful she had arrived when she did.

“So, who's Mark?” he said, unable to hold it in any longer.

“Oh, you saw that?” she said coyly.

“Jess says you guys are old friends?”

She looked away. “Something like that,” she said, fighting a grin. “You're not jealous, are you?” she asked, looking as though she took great pleasure in watching him twist in the wind.

“Me? No. Curious, perhaps, but not jealous.”

She tightened her eyes and stared curiously at him. She could sense the jealousy in his voice, even if he wouldn't admit it. “Mark and I have known each other since college. He's a—”

“—Doctor. Yeah, Jess already told me.”

“I was going to say nice guy, but yes, he is a doctor—surgeon, actually.”

“Ah,” Jayce muttered, taking a long draw from the beer. He flagged down Jessica and motioned for her to bring him another. “So, are the two of you—”

“Seeing each other? Is that what you were going to ask?”

Jayce shrugged.

“Not that it's any of your business,” she began, looking slightly annoyed, “but he has asked me out a couple of times.”

“And I take it you've turned him down?”

She dropped the grin and her eyes and looked away.

“I know that look,” said Jayce, searching her face. “Someone hurt you, didn't they?” He leaned forward and waited for her to answer. Now he seemed to be the one taking delight in her agony.

“I, um, need to get back,” she said darkly as she quickly rose from her seat and retreated to the safety of the kitchen.

Jayce let her go, but he knew he had hit a nerve. Someone other than him had wounded her deeply, and whatever it was must have been serious because it still had control over her.

***

The next day, Jayce went back to the house to finish the repairs. He took the toolbox and sat it in the house, then went back to the truck to grab a ladder. He was quite handy at fixing things, which was good since he didn't want to be in that house one minute longer than was absolutely necessary.

The morning went by quickly. He changed the lights that were blown, patched a couple of holes in the sheetrock, and went to fixing the faucet in the upstairs bathroom. His mother had always been a stickler for keeping the house tidy, and it showed. Other than needing a good cleaning, the house was immaculate, not one thing out of place. With the toilet running like clockwork, he stood back and admired his work. He grabbed a few more tools from the truck and went into the kitchen to sit down. He was getting light-headed, so he called down to the café to see if he could order lunch.

“Hey Jessica, it's Jayce. I was wondering if I could place an order?”

“For you, sure thing. What'll it be?”

“How about one of those club sandwiches...and a sweet tea to drink? And how about a piece of apple pie to go along with it?”

“Well, all right. You must be working hard to have an appetite like that. You going to come by and pick it up or you want me to have someone bring it out to you?”

“You'd do that?”

“Sure. Trevor's here today, so he can run it out to you.”

“Yeah, that'd be great. Thanks.”

A half hour later, Jayce heard a car pull up and stop in the driveway. Food, he thought as he climbed down the ladder from the attic. He grabbed the towel and wiped the sweat from his brow as he descended to the main floor.

“I really appreciate you brining it all the way out here. Does a ten cover your gas money?” he said as he walked into the kitchen, expecting to find Trevor.

“Yeah, that'll cover it,” said Stephanie, happily snatching the bill from his hand.

Jayce was speechless.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, looking shocked.

“The bank called in a big order, so went sent Trevor into town. I had a little time to kill, so I thought I'd bring you lunch. I hope that's all right?”

“Better than all right,” he smiled. “You want to join me? There's no way I can eat all this?”

“Um, sure,” she said, looking at her watch. Even though she owned the restaurant, she didn't want to leave Jessica alone for too long. Besides, it was Helen's day off, so Jess was pulling double duty—waiting tables and cooking.

“How are the repairs coming along?” Stephanie asked as she looked around the kitchen.

“Good,” he said in between bites of club sandwich. “Mom kept the place in great condition, so aside from a few electrical outlets and a broken doorframe, the only thing the place needs is a top-to-bottom cleaning and it'll be ready to sell.”

“You're still going to put it on the market, then?”

“I think it's the best option.” He paused as his eyes drifted to her.

Stephanie had looked away, but he could tell there was something bothering her.

“You okay?”

“Yeah,” she said brightly, turning back to him. “Actually, no. Look, I wanted to apologize for last night.”

“No, don't. I was out of line. You were right—It was none of my business. I shouldn't have pried.”

“You were right about someone hurting me,” she admitted. Stephanie hated being vulnerable. “I want to tell you what happened, but not yet. I just need a little more time.”

Jayce could tell whatever her secret was pained her a great deal.

“Take your time. No rush. Eat some lunch. That'll make you feel better.”

They ate in silence for a few minutes, then Stephanie seemed to be feeling better.

“So, what about the rest of the property?” she asked as she took a sip of the Coke she had brought with her. “We had a terrible storm come through about a month ago. Many people had downed trees and lines.”

“I looked yesterday evening but haven't taken the time to walk the property. I guess I'll do that after lunch.”

When they had finished eating, they walked outside and stood on the back porch. From there, the entire lake stretched out before them.

“It's a shame someone else will get to enjoy this view,” she said as she stared out at the blue water as a boat sped by. “This really is the best view in the entire county.”

“I don't know about that. Your mom and dad's place on the point is pretty awesome.”

“Yeah, it is, isn't it?” She paused. “They enjoyed seeing you the other night, by the way. They've been talking about it ever since.”

His blushed. “Well, you can tell them I enjoyed the invite, and it really was nice seeing them again. It had been far too long.”

The smile faded from Stephanie's face. “Hey, I was thinking we could do it again.”

“What, dinner with your folks?” he asked, turning toward her.

“Dinner, yes. But how about my place instead?” She paused and held her breath.

“Just the two of us?”

She nodded.

“I'd like that.”

She smiled. “You up for a walk?”

Jayce followed her off the porch and across the back yard that led off into the trees.

The woods behind the house were thick with pines and the occasional cedar. Jayce remembered many afternoons as a boy wandering around among the trees, talking to them and pretending they were giants. He also remembered tying a rope swing to one and using it to swing out over the water and jump in on hot summer days. The rope had long since rotted away, but the tree at the edge of the bluff was still there.

They took the time to walk to the bluff, weaving their way along the narrow path that was overgrown with weeds and wildflowers.

“It's been years since I've been down here,” said Stephanie, thinking back.

“Same here. I always liked this spot. I know the view from the porch is amazing, but this was always my favorite place.”

“I never knew that.”

“Believe it or not, I was a very shy kid.”

Stephanie looked over at him and laughed. “You? I don't believe that for a second.”

“It's true. I was very sheltered as a child. It wasn't until much later that I broke out of my shell.”

“I wish I had known you then,” she said tenderly. “I think I would have liked the softer side of you.”

“No, you don't,” he said. “That kid was scared of everything, and everyone. He didn't have what it took to make it in this world.”

Stephanie could see it hurt him to talk about his childhood. It turns out she had been wrong about him. He wasn't the rebellious, say and do anything boy she had known all those years ago. There was much more to him.

“What about now? Does any of that shy boy still exist somewhere beneath that rugged exterior?”

“I suppose I'm more like that boy now than I've ever been,” he confessed as he came to a stop near a large oak tree.

Stephanie's eyes looked up and locked with his, but something caught her attention and she looked away. “Oh my God. Will you look at that,” she exclaimed as she caught sight of letters that had been carved into the side of the tree. “I had forgotten all about this,” she said as she ran her fingers across them. “Do you remember the day we carved these? I wore that—”

“—Blue dress,” he said, cutting her short. “The one with the—”

“—White polka dots,” she replied, finishing his sentence. “You always loved that dress.”

“It wasn't the dress I loved,” he said, gazing at her.

She locked eyes with him briefly but forced herself to look away. She had already promised she wouldn't fall in love with him, but now, at that moment, all she wanted to do was feel his lips on hers.

“Steph, it's okay.” He reached over and turned her face gently toward him. Their eyes met, and there was no turning away.

Jayce leaned in toward her, stopping inches short of her lips. Her eyes closed, and she waited for him to make the first move. He brushed his lips against hers, parting them, then he kissed her slowly, tenderly.

He pulled back, and as he did, she leaned forward and kissed him, this time with greater passion. When their lips parted and they withdrew, he looked at her and smiled, and she did the same.

“That was like—”

“—Old times,” she said, looking up at him.

They stayed there and talked for a few more minutes, then walked back up to the house. Stephanie had to be getting back but said she would see him later.

***

Later that evening, after a quiet dinner, Jayce was emptying his pockets when he came across the key his mother had given him. He still did not know what it unlocked, and why she felt it was so important he should have it.

Then, he spent some time reviewing the box of old maps. He was particularly interested in the blueprint of the house. As he unrolled it and lay it flat upon the table, he did his best to follow the design. It was from the original builder, dated 1967. As he examined the plans, he noticed something strange. In between the living room and the kitchen was a small room. He tried to recall what this might be—a closet, perhaps—but he couldn't remember seeing anything there before.

Strange, he thought.

He spent another hour combing through the rest of the papers, and when he was satisfied there was nothing more to look at, he climbed into bed and turned out the lights.

The phone rang at ten minutes to four. It took Jayce a few long seconds to clear the fog from his head, but he fumbled around in the dark and found the phone.

“Hello,” he said hoarsely.

“You'd better get down to Harmon's point,” Pete said urgently. He was already on the scene.

Jayce sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes. His mind, now alive with thought, went to the worst possible scenario. “Pete, what happened?” hoping it had nothing to do with Stephanie.

“We've got another one,” he said darkly.

Jayce sat there with a lump in his throat as he fought back a wave of emotion. “Pete, tell me it's not—”

“No. She's safe,” he reassured him.

Jayce jumped out of bed and threw on some clothes, then got in his truck and raced to the scene. By the time he arrived, Pete had the entire ramp sealed off and paramedics were working diligently to fish the body from the lake. Harmon's point was on the north side of the lake, fifteen minutes from Silver Falls. It had a boat ramp and a bait and tackle shop, which was used by It was within a mile of where the two previous bodies had been discovered.

Jayce jumped out of the truck and found Pete.

“I got here as quick as I could,” he said as he peered out toward the water's edge. “What happened here—drowning?”

“I'm afraid not,” said Pete, looking white as a sheet.

They strolled down to the water together.

“Looks like his throat was cut,” said a young man named Austin. He had only been a paramedic for a few months. Jayce could tell by the look on the young man's face he was going to be sick.

“Why don't you get some air?” he suggested.

Doug Motter, the senior paramedic on the scene, looked at the boy, then to Jayce, and stifled a grin. It had been the same way for him the first time he saw a dead body. Jayce and Pete weren't any different.

When Austin was out of earshot, Jayce looked down at the corpse and recoiled in horror. The body was pale, almost gray, and swollen from being in the water.

“That's Chad Hall,” he said at once, looking shocked.

“You know him?” asked Pete.

“We went to school together. He was a year ahead of me.”

Pete inspected. “I'll be damned,” he said, confirming Jayce's assumption. “I'll have to call Larry and Marge.” He dropped his eyes and shook his head. Making that call was the worst part of his job, and one he didn't have to make very often.

“Pete, you okay with us getting him over to the medical examiner's office?”

“Yeah, go on. We can't do anything else until morning, anyway.”

Jayce led him up the ramp, in the direction of the car, as Doug and Austin loaded the body into the back of the ambulance.

“Pete, this is serious,” said Jayce, looking concerned.

“It gets worse.” He grabbed a plastic evidence bag and handed it to Jayce.

“He left a letter?” Jayce's heart sank.

THAT'S FIVE

YOU HAVE TWO DAYS TO DROP THIS BEFORE I MAKE IT SIX

“Five?” Jayce asked. “Even if we count your two, plus Chad, and Tiffany, that only leaves us with four. Who's the fifth?”

Pete's eyes drifted to Jayce. He was holding something back, but Jayce paid little attention as his mind was elsewhere.

By the time they got to the station, the sun was just poking its head over the horizon. Marsha hadn't yet arrived, so it was just the two of them.

Pete unlocked the door and went in first. He removed his jacket and hat and rubbed his hair as he collapsed in the chair.

“I'm getting too old for this,” he said as he rubbed his tired eyes.

“You and me both,” said Jayce, feeling a wave of exhaustion overtake him.

“You're going to need to sit down,” said Pete ominously. “There's something I need to tell you.”

Jayce did as Pete instructed. “What is it?”

“I got the toxicology report back on your mother late last night,” he said, holding a paper in front of him.

“My mother? Why did you run a tox screen on her?”

“Standard procedure at the hospital. Honestly, I didn't expect to find anything, but—”

Jayce felt suddenly cold.

“Based on what I'm seeing, we believe her death wasn't an accident.”

The color drained from Jayce's face. “What? I don't understand. You're saying she didn't have a heart attack?”

“She had traces of tetrodotoxin in her system.”

It took Jayce a few seconds to digest what the Sheriff had told him. Jayce tried to recall the narcotics training he'd received at the academy. Tetrodotoxin is a neurotoxin often found in pufferfish. It was virtually untraceable if administered properly. and also difficult for the average person to get their hands on.

“Who would want to murder my mother...and why?” he asked as a thousand thought swirled inside his mind.

“I don't know yet. I realize the two of you weren't close, but was there anything she was into that would have put her in harm's way?”

“Not that I know of. You're right, we hadn't been close in years, but my mother was as straight-laced a person as I've ever met. I don't think the woman ever even had a drink of alcohol.”

“That's what I thought,” the Sheriff sighed.

After collecting his thoughts, Jayce looked to Pete and said, “Okay, you going to make the call, or should I?”