Intent(82)

“Before the fire, Layne walked in on an argument between Margot and Zoe. Margot was threatening Zoe, said Zoe had to do what she told her to do or she’d make Zoe’s life hell.” I stop and shake my head.

How did I ever get mixed up with someone like this?

“Hey, does George still own that old hunting cabin set way back in the woods on Crane Ridge?”

“Martha is our resident real estate agent. I can ask her to find out. You think Margot’s hiding out there?”

“I think it’s a good possibility. George probably hasn’t been in any shape to use it for several years now, but it was fully furnished from what I remember of it. It’d be a good place for her to hide out since there aren’t any neighbors to see her coming and going.”

She calls Martha and asks her to check on who currently owns the property while I call Detective Ledger.

“Ledger.”

“Hey, Matt. How are ya?”

“Good, Ace. What’s up?”

“I just remembered an old hunting lodge George Edwards used to own on Crane Ridge. Thought if you haven’t already checked it out, it might be a good place to look for Margot. No neighbors for miles.”

“Appreciate the tip, Ace. I’ll definitely look into it. Has she tried to contact you or Layne at all?”

“No, I haven’t heard a word from her. Why do you ask?”

“She sprayed graffiti on the front of the courthouse last night. She’s not very good at staying off the security cameras when she commits a crime.”

“What did it say?”

“It’s a giant heart. In the middle, it says ‘Margot + Ace 4EVA.’ It’s really juvenile, even for her. Outside of the heart, she wrote Layne’s name with a circle and slash through it. Beside that, she drew a skull and crossbones.”

“She’s threatening Layne’s life, and I’m just now hearing about this?” I bellow.

“That’s not a direct threat on her life, Ace.”

“The hell it isn’t. You know what she’s already done, Matt. Her intent is pretty clear, isn’t it?”

“Listen, as your friend, I completely understand where you’re coming from. As the lead detective on this case, I have to make sure we do everything by the book so she doesn’t walk on some technicality. Right now, she’s vandalized public property with the graffiti. It’s up to the DA to tie it to her other crimes and prove intent.”

I know he’s right. But damn if that doesn’t piss me off even more.

“You’re doing your job, I get it. And I appreciate everything you do. It just really sucks to not be able to do anything and feel so helpless.”

“Anything you can think of to help us find her or flush her out is helping, Ace. Don’t be so hard on yourself. We’ll check out the old hunting cabin, and I’ll let you know if anything turns up.”

After we hang up, I relay the conversation to Mom, including the skull and crossbones associated with my wife’s name. The grim expression on her face conveys the words she doesn’t verbalize. She knows Margot as well as, if not better than, most anyone else. There’s no hidden meaning in that drawing. She’s blatantly taunting all of us.

“Martha said there’s no record of the property deed being transferred to anyone else. Ace, I really hope she’s there and Matt finds her before she does anything stupid.” Mom stands and walks to the window.

It’s now that it really hits me. She still feels responsible for failing that little girl she used to represent.

“You know, none of what she’s done is your fault. You heard what George and Louise said to Layne. You did everything you could possibly do to help her, apparently for many, many years. Don’t blame yourself because her parents failed to give her what she needed.”

“Maybe you’re right. I sure don’t have all the answers,” she replies absently.

“I have a question you can answer.”

She turns to look at me, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears and emotions she’s trying her best to control.

“Sure. What is it?”

“Did you send Layne down here because you knew she’s my barn owl?”

Her tears spill over onto her cheeks when she laughs. With a smile, she wipes her cheeks and nods. “Of course I knew. I just had to wait until she realized that jerk she was dating wasn’t the one for her.”

Then a rapid-fire, urgent knock on the front door instantly puts us both on edge.





Chapter Twenty-Six





Layne



“Baby, wake up.”

The voice sounds like Ace, but the face doesn’t match his. I stare at him in confusion and quickly move away.

“Layne, sweetheart, I need you to wake up now.”

A warm hand on my shoulder shakes me gently and I struggle to open my eyes. When I finally do, I realize dusk is setting in and I have no idea how long I’ve been asleep. “Ace? What’s wrong?”

“How do you feel? Are you better?”

“I’m too groggy to feel my body,” I chuckle lightly. “I guess I needed that nap.”

He sits on the bed beside me and takes my hand in his. When I move my other arm from its awkward position, I realize River isn’t with me anymore and I fly straight up to a sitting position. “Where’s River? Is she okay?”