Midnight Exposure (Midnight #1)(54)

They trooped downstairs. Mae had the local news on the TV in the small parlor off the lobby. Jayne’s eyes were riveted on the reporter as she detailed the impact of the storm on the Mid-Atlantic region. Nearly four feet of snow had accumulated back home. Airports were just opening. Millions were without power. Phone lines were down. Many major roads had yet to be plowed.

“You can try your brother again later,” Reed said. “Looks like it may take a day to get Philadelphia straightened out.”

Jayne nodded but concern was etched in her face. “We’re not used to this. We normally don’t get more than six inches or so a couple of times each winter.”

Reed turned to Mae. “Jayne’s camera equipment isn’t in her room. Any idea where it might be?”

Mae nodded. “Sure. Hugh took it. He was going to lock it up as possible evidence.”

“Thanks, Mae.” Reed accepted another hug before leading Jayne out the front door.

He climbed behind the wheel of the truck and closed his door. In the passenger seat, Jayne huddled against the cold.

Reed hesitated, key an inch from the ignition. “Jayne, tell me again what you did when you arrived in Huntsville on Thursday. Don’t leave anything out, no matter how trivial it seems.”

Jayne shivered. “You think the fire was set to destroy something in my bags?”

He started the engine and cranked on the heater. “Let’s just say I’m skeptical of coincidences.”

“OK. I stopped at the Quickie Mart for gas, and then took some pictures around town.” In the middle of changing Scott’s oversize boots for her own sneakers, she tapped her forehead. “Pictures. Could it be that simple?”

“I don’t know. It’s awfully convenient that everything in Hugh’s office was destroyed, including your camera equipment.” Reed gripped the wheel. “But if all he wanted was your pictures, why did he try to grab you today?”

Because there was another reason this man wanted Jayne. And Reed’s gut instinct told him the reason was personal.



Jayne jumped out of the Yukon and followed Reed into Huntsville Auto Repair. In her pocket was the new disposable cell phone Reed had just purchased for her at the drugstore. She scanned the garage. Her Jeep sat in the rear bay, ready to go.

Jayne’s freezing palms dampened with sweat as she contemplated heading out of town alone. But what was her choice? Staying in Huntsville?

Not gonna happen.

Her stalker had burned down the municipal building and killed Hugh because of her. The shock settled low in Jayne’s belly. Her insides turned icy.

Reed and Scott were in danger every second she was with them. Reed had probably realized the risk she brought to his son. Otherwise why would he be acting so strange, so distant? She couldn’t imagine he’d really be that upset about her juvie record. Jefferson Kimball maybe? Had one of Reed’s relatives done something bad? It wouldn’t matter to her. A man couldn’t pick his family. The chill spread to the center of her chest as she realized how deep her feelings ran for Reed.

But she’d let him go rather than risk his life or bring him more pain.

She had to get as far away from Huntsville as possible.

This guy could follow her to Philadelphia or grab her anywhere along the way. But that was a risk she had to take. She would not put other lives in danger to protect herself. She stuck her hands in her pockets to conceal the trembling of her fingers as she walked to her vehicle. She tried the door. It wasn’t locked. She bent down and reached under the driver’s seat. Yes! Her fingers encountered the plastic sandwich bag. She peeled the tape free and pulled out her second emergency stash. All in all, three hundred bucks would get her back to Philly.

A thin man in his twenties walked across the concrete garage floor. Wavy blond hair, parted in the middle, hung down to his shoulders, rock-star style.

“Put on two brand-new tires. Rotated the rest.” The mechanic stopped to degrease his hands with orange Zep. Then he led the way to his office in the corner of the garage. A metal desk and filing cabinet were the only furniture in the small but spotless room. “I’ll get the bill and your keys for you, ma’am.”

He handed her an invoice. The total would eat up most of her funds. “I’m sorry. My purse was stolen. I don’t even have a credit card. Is there any way I could send you a check?”

The mechanic sighed. “I can’t afford to let a few hundred bucks slide, especially since you’re out of state. I’m sorry.”

Jayne’s stomach clenched. She’d never get out of here. If something happened to Reed or Scott because of her…

Reed drew his wallet from his back pocket.

“I’ll cover it.” “I’ll send you a check,” Jayne promised. She would’ve promised him anything to get her Jeep back.

“Don’t worry about it.” Reed shot her a suspicious look and Jayne averted her eyes. She wasn’t telling him she was leaving until the last possible minute.

“I will send you a check.”

Jayne collected her keys. Outside, Reed stood oddly still while she transferred her duffel from his Yukon to the Jeep. “What are you doing?”

Jayne glanced at the display on her phone. “It’s only three o’clock. I can get as far as New Hampshire tonight.” She forced a smile on her stiff lips. The cold rose from the asphalt into her sneakers. The garage blocked the sun, and without its rays, the winter chill seeped right into her bones.