Where Shadows Meet(51)

Hannah took a step back and rubbed her palms along the material of her skirt. The attempt on her life left a bad taste in her mouth. “Maybe the killer knew I’d know. Maybe it was a warning he was coming after me.”

“Maybe. And now we know he knows where you are as well.”

“Reece saw me at the door when Vanessa came by.”

“And you’re just now telling me?”

“Sorry. I was more concerned with finding the little girl.”

He rolled his eyes. “You’ve got my number. I need to be aware of everything. I’ve got a murder on my plate to try to solve. Every clue is vital.”

“Four murders,” she reminded him.

“Okay, four.”

Maybe she should just pack up and head back to Milwaukee. Her arrival seemed to have brought more trouble to the people she loved.

“I showed the picture to some people at the ice-cream shop. I think the girl behind the counter recognized her, but she wouldn’t say anything. I’m going to start hanging out there.”

His lips flattened, and his nostrils flared. His words came out clipped and hoarse. “Just leave it alone. Do you want to hurt her?”

Hannah stared at his face. Was that anguish in his eyes? “You know where she is, don’t you?” The air thickened around her, close and still as she waited for his answer.

“Just forget it, Hannah.” He turned his back to her and went to unlock the house.

But she knew why he wouldn’t look. Her daughter was with someone he knew. But who? She rubbed her forehead. Oh, she was jumping to conclusions. If he knew, he’d tell her. What did he have to gain from hiding anything? She was so used to Reece’s games, she questioned everyone’s motives.





FIFTEEN


“The Pineapple Quilt has long been a symbol of hospitality. And the Amish can welcome you to their home like no others.”

—HANNAH SCHWARTZ,

IN The Amish Faith Through Their Quilts

Lights blazed from the house into the thickening twilight. Reece hurtled the fence in the backyard and fell onto his knees in the mud. The wet soaked through his jeans, and he swore as he stumbled to his feet and crept toward the house, shaking mud from the steak he carried.

At least the dog didn’t come snarling to face him down. The recent rain had left the yard a mess, and his foot plunged into something soft, followed by an unmistakable odor. The dog was destined to leave his mark anyway. Reece bit back the vicious words that wanted to spew out. Someone might hear. After cleaning his shoe on the wet grass, he finally made it to the window that looked into the kitchen. The wide opening between the kitchen and living room revealed the women sitting on the sofa watching TV.

The lamplight lit Hannah’s loose hair. It had been up when he caught a glimpse of her through the open door when she was talking to Vanessa. He loved her locks spread out across her shoulders. The red glinted so brightly. He could feel the texture of her hair in his hand, the silken strands twining around his fingers.

He should have known better than to take the kid from her. He’d underestimated her maternal instinct. If she’d just explained it to him better, he would have made a different decision. He’d only tried to do what was best. His every thought was of her and their love.

They’d be together again, the three of them.

The dog lifted his head, his ears flicking. Reece ducked out of view and moved around to the back door. He’d hide out in the garage until the time was right. Then he would go see Hannah. He longed to feel her softness, to feel her fragrant breath waft over his face. They’d been apart too long. Maybe she was missing him by now. The storm thundered overhead as if in approval.

But first, a minor matter needed his attention. Reece picked the lock with a tool he’d had for years, then opened the door noiselessly. He whistled softly, and Ajax came padding to the rear entrance. He sniffed Reece’s hand. “Good, Ajax,” he crooned. The dog wiggled with delight and came out onto the porch. Reece pulled out a steak loaded with tranquilizer. “Want to take a little nap, boy?” He dropped the meat on the patio and watched as Ajax gobbled it up.

He wanted to start the ball rolling, but Hannah deserved every possible chance to come with him of her own free will. It was the only way he’d ever fully trust her again. She had to want him. Only him. He had to convince her he’d converted. Maybe he could get his bishop to write a letter.

He settled down to wait until Ajax was out.



MATT RUBBED HIS eyes. The clock on his wall read eight o’clock— he should have been off duty hours ago. He ached to see his daughter. The flowers sent to Hannah today had been chock full of strychnine, but at least Ajax hadn’t inhaled enough through the box and paper to hurt him. He stared at the folder on his desk. Matt knew the background check on Hannah might contain anything. Did he really want to know?

“Aren’t you going to take a look at it so we can go home?” Blake asked.

“Yeah, sure.” Matt flipped it open and began to read. “Did you look at it yet?”

“Yep. Reece was a nasty guy to her, from the looks of it. There are three hospital reports in there, all emergency room visits.”

“Broken arm, broken nose,” Matt said. “A concussion on one visit.”

“The hospital personnel wanted her to press charges on that one and she refused. Said she fell down the steps.”