Flames Of Deceit Read online

  “This answers one question.” Jake searched the street in both directions. “Obviously, we were the killer’s targets.” He grabbed her elbow as his gaze swept the area. Evidently seeing nothing, he turned in the opposite direction, keeping Mia at his side. “Let’s get going. We’ll take your car.”

  So we don’t end up like Leigh Anne Saddler.

  He didn’t say the words aloud, but Mia heard them in the tone of his voice and moved closer to his side. “I don’t remember where I parked.”

  Jake clamped her arm against his body and headed toward the corner where she remembered talking to the waitress yesterday. “I can guess. We can’t stay here.”

  Mia skipped to keep up with his long stride as he crossed the street. Thankful no cars were passing, and they didn’t have to stand exposed on the corner, she darted a look over her shoulder as they left the shelter of the buildings along the sidewalk.

  “This means the killer followed us, doesn’t it? He knows we were searching the building. Do you think he knows what we were looking for?”

  Jake urged her past the street she’d searched yesterday before he’d caught up with her and headed on around the traffic circle to the next street. “If he didn’t, once he spotted Leigh Anne Saddler, he worked it out.”

  “But why kill her?” Mia glanced over her shoulder, again.

  “Don’t do that.” Jake pulled her against his side. “Checking behind you makes you look guilty. Just walk normal and no one will pay any attention.”

  “Are you kidding?” Mia gave a snort of disbelief and sent him a sideways glance. Any woman with breath left in her body would notice Jake Stone from a mile away. “We don’t look like early morning joggers.”

  “You’d be surprised.”

  Those words were barely out of his mouth, when a woman in her mid-fifties stepped off her lawn onto the sidewalk to pick up her newspaper. “Out early aren’t you, Judge?”

  “Late night,” Jake replied without slowing his step.

  “It’s such a shame about the courthouse, but walking is smart. Get that smoke out of your lungs and you’ll feel better.” The woman kept talking as they passed.

  “See,” Jake cut a glance at Mia. “She didn’t notice a thing. Now, where is your car?”

  Mia spotted her Honda Accord parked along the street, three cars up. Pulling the keys out of her pocket, she said, “There it is. I’ll driv—”

  “Do you have control issues, Ms. Clark, or is this a reflection on my driving?”

  Mia gave a snort and jerked the door open. “Where are we going? The slasher attacked your truck, so he must know you.”

  “Good point,” Jake settled in the passenger seat and buckled his seatbelt, “but if he’s smart enough to work out what we were looking for, he’s figured out who you are by now. Take the next right.” He drummed his fingers on the dash as she headed toward Hwy 64. “That means we can’t go to your place or mine.”

  Mia groaned. “I need a shower. I’m filthy.”

  “You’re alive,” Jake stared across the small space separating them. “Now tell me. What’s really going on, Ms. Clark?”

  “I told you, Leigh Anne—”

  “Is dead. If you don’t want to end up the same way, tell me what’s going on.”

  Mia trembled as his words hammered the truth into her head. Dead. The vibrant ex-model she had wanted to hate when she saw her in court three days ago was dead. And the person who killed her could have been the same person who...

  “Do you think the killer is the person who locked me in that closet?”

  “If it is, I’d say you are lucky. Tell me the truth—”

  “I have.” Mia pushed down the gas pedal. “You know everything I know. The missing information must be on that disc.”

  “I don’t think so. Do you know where you’re going?”

  “No.” That one word blared repeatedly in her head. The things she didn’t know could get them both killed.

  ***

  Jake’s cell phone rang.

  “Keep heading east,” he said, lifting the phone to his ear. “Stone, here.”

  Mia gripped the wheel and tried to keep her eyes on the road. It wasn’t easy. Her gaze darted to the rear-review mirror every two seconds. What was she expecting to see? Some car flying a flag that said, I’m following you.

  Jake’s caution about avoiding their homes added to her worry. So did the tension she’d heard in his voice.

  “Chief, I can’t come right now. I’m following the person I saw leave the building. Did you find the body? Was there any identification?” Staring straight ahead, Jake sighed. “Yeah, I remember the name from the newspapers. Leigh Anne Saddler appeared in court last Friday.”

  Shivers chased down Mia’s spine. She had known the body must be the ex-model, but having the identity confirmed made things worse.

  A person connected to Phil had been murdered. What had her brother gotten into? Was he in danger? Worse, did Phil have anything to do with this murder? The sound of Jake’s voice close at her side added to her panic. He would suspect Phil, first and ask questions later.

  “I know, Chief. I just wanted to check the damage in my courtroom. I heard a noise across the hall. With the building supposedly empty—”

  Wincing, Jake hunched his shoulders. “Yeah, I know that meant me, too, but that courtroom is my life. I was careful—”

  He held the phone away from his ear and exchanged glances with Mia. “I can’t come to the station right now. I think the person who killed that model was after me.”

  Mia heard a loud screech from the phone.

  “Why? Eight reasons, that’s why. Someone slashed the tires on my truck last night. I borrowed a car to get back to the courthouse this morning. When I ran out to follow the guy I saw, the tires of my borrowed car had been slashed.”

  Mia watched muscles bulge along Jake’s jaw. He was stalling, but what if he was wrong? Shivers raced over her. What if she was the target, not Jake?

  He hadn’t mentioned her name to the chief. She appreciated that, but what if this whole thing had something to do with her investigation for Phil. Police would be on the wrong track.

  Jake had left the scene of a crime to help her. That meant he was risking his career to keep her safe. She couldn’t let him take that chance. Making a split second decision, she whipped the steering wheel and turned off on the approaching exit.

  Brows arched, Jake held her gaze. “I realize that, Chief, but I can take care of myself. If you don’t have to assign men to protect me, you can put more men in the search for the killer.”

  Mia tensed, preparing to face his objections as she turned into the parking lot of a large gas station. She wanted a bath and food. And sleep. Then maybe her brain could make sense of what was going on.

  Jake snapped the phone shut. “I thought we were going to Raleigh.”

  Mia turned the engine off and twisted in the seat to face him. “Why? The problem is here.”

  “We’re going to Raleigh because there is a killer on our trail.”

  “We don’t know who it is. We don’t even know if it’s a man or a woman. We’re covered in soot. And starved.” Mia tilted her chin. “I need a shower and clean clothes.”

  And a chance to see what’s on that disc.

  Frowning, Jake glanced around the parking lot. “You’re right.”

  Mia’s eyes widened. “I am?”

  “We need funds.”

  “I locked my handbag in the trunk. I’ll get my credit card.” She reached for the door, but turned back when Jake put his hand on her arm.

  “We need cash. Once the local police report the murder to the SBI, they might start looking for us and trace our credit cards.” Jake stared down at the cell phone and frowned. “And our phones.”

  “Now you’re scaring me. This isn’t a crime show on TV.” She shivered, trying to block out images of Leigh Anne Saddler’s bloody throat and soot streaked hair, but it was too late. Flashes of the model’s marble white
face filled her head. Wrapping her arms around her waist to stop the shivers, she looked at Jake. “We need a plan.”

  “Fill the car with gas. I’ll get a map.” Jake paused, his hand on the door handle. “On second thought, maybe you should go inside alone. We’re still in Courtney County. Someone might recognize me.”

  Mia fought the urge to glance over her shoulder every two seconds as she filled the Honda with gas. Stepping inside the station, she gave the room a quick search before heading for the cashier. At the last second, with hunger twisting her insides, she added two ice-cold Pepsi bottles and some snacks to her bill.

  Returning to the car with her arms full, she paused at the driver’s door when she spotted Jake behind the wheel. “Hey.”

  “Hey, back.” Jake nodded toward the passenger seat. “Hop in.”

  Mia thrust a cold Pepsi in his waiting hand and stomped around the front of the car. Flinging her body in the passenger seat, she slammed the door. “What’s going on?”

  “I thought I’d drive. I know the area better than you do.”

  Mia opened her mouth to argue, then noticed him glance in the rear-view mirror and changed her mind. She knew he could drive fast if he needed to. “I’m ready.”

  “There’s a strip mall down the road about a mile. We’ll get clean clothes there.”

  “I need a shower.” Looking in the side mirror, Mia checked for cars behind them, but the angle was wrong. She couldn’t see if anyone was following them.

  Jake turned into the parking lot and stopped at the ATM booth. “We need to get money in case an alert goes out. I don’t know how long it will take for the SBI to get curious about us. But we don’t need to worry about another tail.”

  Biting her lip, Mia nodded. Jake knew something and he wasn’t telling her. But what? Had the Chief called again? Had Jake told the chief about her part in the morning’s events? He and the chief were friends. She could tell that from the conversation she’d overheard earlier. As far as Jake knew, she was an arsonist.

  Sighing, she opened the car door. She should have tried to get away from him back at the courthouse when she’d had the chance, even if he did have the disc.

  ***

  They decided to play safe and maxed out both their accounts. Then Jake drove across the parking lot and stopped in front of a Dollar General store.

  “These stores carry everything.” He nodded to the wide double doors. “You’ll be safe inside. We shouldn’t go in together.”

  Mia climbed out of the car and turned, sticking her head back in the door, asking in a low voice. “Should I dye my hair?”

  Jake’s laugh came from deep in his chest and had a note of enjoyment she hadn’t associated with him up to this point. His wide smile and gleaming eyes sent heat racing through her body. What would it be like to spend time with Jake, without this murder hanging over their heads? Fun? Intense? Invigorating?

  All that and more, and thinking about the possibilities made her cheeks warm. “People in movies always dye their hair when they’re on the run.”

  “We aren’t that desperate, yet.” Jake’s eyes lost all hint of humor. “We’ll take that step later, if we have to.”

  Mia slammed the door and walked away. Thank goodness, he didn’t want her to cut or dye her hair.

  Jake watched as Mia entered the store. Checking that no one was following her, he pulled out his phone. They needed a place to stay while they figured out what was going on, and he knew just the person who could help.

  It was a risk. Using his phone to call his friend could alert police to their location. A second before he hit the call button, he reconsidered. Images of the model’s soot covered body changed his mind. He couldn’t put Dan and his family in danger.

  He started to put the phone away, paused. Taking the phone apart, he removed the battery, opened the door and smashed the phone under his heel. He hadn’t seen much of Dan since the accident, but he couldn’t draw attention to the area and risk his friend’s safety.

  Dan wouldn’t mind if Jake used the cabin at the lake. He and Sara had often spent weekends with Dan and his wife, but Jake wanted to make sure the cabin was available.

  Mia opened the passenger door and tossed several bags in the back seat. “I bought enough for four days.”

  Jake cocked his brow. “Did you leave anything in the store?”

  “I didn’t buy men’s clothing.” Mia angled her chin toward the store. “Feel free.”

  A car pulled in across the parking lot. Jake’s humor disappeared. It was too soon to assume they hadn’t been followed. Had he been careless by sending Mia in the store alone?

  Leaving her in the car seemed even worse. He tapped the steering wheel and checked the rearview mirror. The occupant of the other car went into a store and tension eased from his shoulders. Asking Mia to go back in the store would attract attention. He should have thought this through.

  “I don’t like leaving you out here alone.”

  Mia turned wide eyes on him. Was it a trick of light, or had she turned a shade paler under the soot?

  “I’ll lock the doors.”

  Jake frowned. “Did the clerk ask questions about the soot on your face?”

  “I told her I was working and got close to take pictures of the fire, and now my paper wants me to stay in town for a few days to get more.”

  “Good thinking.” Jake got out. “Lock the doors. If anyone tries to get in, hold down the horn.”

  Mia watched him cross the sidewalk and enter the store. The emotions filling her chest weren’t caused by her uneasy reaction to his words. Even with the coating of soot, Jake was handsome enough to turn heads, hers included. She gasped, realizing the trouble she was in, and new fears exploded in her head.

  What should she do? Being with Jake made her heart race, but he didn’t trust her. Looking around the parking lot, and not seeing anything suspicious, she pulled out her cell phone. Jake said his calls might be traced, but her phone should be safe since Jake was the only one who knew she’d been in the courthouse. There was no reason for anyone to monitor her calls. She had to take the risk.

  ***

  First, she called the newspaper and arranged to take a few days sick leave, then she made the call she dreaded.

  “Mother, how are you?” She pressed the phone to her ear to stop her hand shaking.

  “Ecstatic, haven’t you seen the news? That mudslinging model was found dead.”

  “Mother!” Mia pressed a hand to her chest and made a quick scan of the parking lot. “She was someone’s daughter—”

  “She was trying to ruin my son. Don’t expect sympathy from me.”

  The image of Leigh Anne Saddler’s body, covered in soot and debris, filled Mia’s head. What if it had been me? “Mother, I don’t have much time. I wanted to check that you’re all right.”

  “Of course, I’m fine. You sound strange. Where are you? Come over this afternoon for tea.”

  “Can’t, I’m…working…on an interview. Out of town.” She rolled her eyes and checked the parking lot, again. “If you’re all right, I’ll let you go.”

  Jake opened the driver’s door.

  Mia snapped the phone off.

  “Why are you using the phone? I told you we had to be careful.” He tossed bags in the back seat and settled behind the wheel.

  “I am careful. I needed to check on my mother. Besides, you’re the only one who knows I was in that courthouse.” Mia watched his strong hands grip the wheel.

  Jake grunted. “You’re right. It should be safe, but from now on,” he pulled disposable phones out of a shopping bag, “we use these.”

  Mia’s insides quivered. Trapped in a fire, finding a body, and now forced to use non-traceable phones. How had all this happened? How could her mother sound so cold about Leigh Anne’s death?

  Lost in thought, she waited until Jake assembled the phones and started the car. “Where are we going?”

  “Still want food and a bath?”

  “Y
ou have to ask? Did you find a motel?”

  “Better,” Jake turned left out of the shopping center and picked up speed. “A friend from law school has a cabin on the lake. We used to come here often.”

  “We?” Mia arched an inquiring brow.

  “My wife and I used to visit Dan and his wife on weekends.”

  “You’re married?”

  “She died.”

  Hearing the abruptness of his tone, seeing the muscle jerking along his jaw, Mia stared out the windshield. “Is it far?” Her stomach growled loud enough for him to hear.

  Jake gave a turn signal and pulled in a fast food parking lot. “I hope not. We need food.”

  “I’ll go in,” Mia wiggled out of her seat, “I need the restroom.”

  “Drop your cell phone in the commode.”

  Ten minutes later, with a large bucket of fried chicken scenting up the car, Jake pulled on the road again. “I called Dan. We can use the cabin.”

  Had he made the right decision? Mia’s life was at risk, and police wanted to question him about the body they’d stumbled over in the courthouse.

  “How far is it?” Mia turned from staring out the window at nothing trees. “This road is so secluded it’s spooky.”

  Minutes later, passing mile after mile of pine trees growing in the sandy soil, Jake turned in a narrow drive on the left and slowed the car. Bumping along the trail for another half-mile, he pulled the car to a stop beside a rustic A-frame log cabin.

  “It’s larger on the inside than it looks,” he nodded toward the house, “three bedrooms, two baths and a large great room. We’ll be safe here.” He got out of the car.

  “Are you sure your friend won’t mind if we use his house? I’d hate to add breaking and entering to my list of offenses.”

  Chapter 6

  After eating and taking a shower, Mia put on new sweatpants and t-shirt, and returned to the great room. Opening the laptop she retrieved from the trunk of her car, she turned a stern glare on Jake. Firmness and determination were her only weapons against increasing awareness of Jake. Sharing a car, a meal and now, living arrangements, meant they were up close and personal. She knew what he liked to eat…crust off the chicken first, then the meat, and his smoky masculine scent was seared in her brain.