Seth mentally kicked himself. He’d set himself up for that one. He shifted the cell to his other ear, tried again. “How are you feeling from the accident?” A more pointed question.
Another sigh, but less heated. “Other than being a little stiff, I feel better, thank you.”
“Good.” Now, if she would only hightail it back to Durham, he’d feel better. “Paige, I’d like to talk to you about your decision to stay in Boone. I really don’t think it’s a good idea, especially after—” He was trying to tread lightly around the sensitive subject, but she shut him down quickly.
“Seth, I need to get going. I have a full agenda today.”
Of course she does. Seth swallowed a snort. Trouble. That’s what he saw on her agenda. She was setting herself up for more grief and pain...or worse. “Paige, you really need to go back to Durham.” So much for treading lightly.
“I’m not leaving, Seth.”
Seth’s jaw tightened as he willed away the protective anger that was building in his chest. “Paige, two days ago someone ran you off the road and yesterday someone was following you. Aren’t you concerned about your safety?”
“I’m concerned about my brother.”
“Well, I’m concerned about you.”
Silence.
Seth ran an agitated hand through his hair, remembering a time when talking to Paige was anything but awkward. A time when she was rational. But that time wasn’t now.
“Paige—”
“I have to go.”
Before he could say more, she disconnected.
An hour later, Seth hunkered down behind the computer in his office, nursing a strong cup of coffee as he read over Trey Becker’s case file.
The click of the doorknob, and his office door opened, breaking his concentration. Seth peered over the top of the computer screen as Detective Ted Hanson stood in the doorway.
“I thought I saw a light on in here.”
Seth smirked and lifted a brow. “And you didn’t think to knock?”
A chuckle rumbled from deep in Ted’s chest. “I suppose I would have, had I thought you’d actually be here. What happened to not stepping a foot back in this place until you used up every minute of your vacation days?”
He’d obviously been talking to the chief. Seth glared at his friend. “Don’t ask.”
“Can’t stop thinking about Paige’s case, huh?”
Ted was a lifelong buddy; they’d both grown up in Raleigh before leaving to attend Appalachian State University in Boone. And after Seth’s stint in the navy, Ted recruited him to the sheriff’s department. Ted was a good man, thick as a bear, all muscle, and didn’t believe in beating around the bush.
Still, Seth ignored his comment. The truth was, Ted was right. He couldn’t stop thinking about Paige, period. A fact he hated to even admit to himself. “You know Ralston’s on the case.”
“Yeah, I heard.” Ted leaned against the doorjamb. “Although I also heard he’s working on a strong lead.”
Seth set down his cup and rocked back in his chair. “He’s on the hunt for a white Ford extended-cab pickup.”
“Wow.” Ted whistled softly between his teeth. “There’s no shortage of those around here.”
“No kidding.”
“Any suspects?”
“Nope.”
Ted folded his arms across his chest. “Do you really think someone’s targeting Paige?”
Seth shifted in his swivel chair, elbows propped on the arms. After a moment, he nodded and gave his one-word conclusion. “Yes.”
“And all you have going for you is a make and color of a truck.” Ted shook his head. “Buddy, you have your work cut out for you.”
A pang of uneasy worry tightened Seth’s gut, but he shoved it away. He rocked back farther in his chair and intertwined his fingers behind his head. “Tell that to Ralston. It’s not my case.”
Ted gave a short, amused laugh. “Maybe not officially. But you’re not here on your day off for nothing. Let me guess what you’re looking over.”
Ted was also perceptive. Just not always right. “It’s not Paige’s case,” Seth said with a wry smile.
“Really?” Ted’s brown eyes narrowed. “So, then what are you doing here?”
Seth had asked himself the same question more than once since he arrived. “I’m looking over Trey Becker’s files.”
“Trey Becker?” Ted echoed, then added, “I thought the case against him was airtight.”
“Just looking over it with fresh eyes. Brainstorming.” Seth rocked forward and shrugged. “Probably a waste of time.” But he wanted to make sure the case was as rock solid as he remembered, secured by evidence and not assumptions.
Ted nodded. “The good news is, Trey’s trial is in less than two weeks. So Paige shouldn’t be in town long. In the meantime, where’s she staying?”
Thirteen long days. Seth bit back a smirk. He looked at Ted. “She’s staying at a friend’s condo at Beaver Creek.”
“That’s good. A gated community.” Ted nodded again. “I heard that patrol cars were making extra rounds in the area last night. Ralston must have ordered that.”
Seth wished Ralston had been so proactive. He shook his head. “Ralston didn’t. I did.” Seth thought he’d sleep better with beefed-up security in the condo area. He was wrong.
Ted’s laugh rumbled through the room as he walked out the door. “And you’re not on Paige’s case? Right. You might want to buddy up with Ralston on this one.”
“No. Ralston’s got it.” For now. Seth planned to keep his eye on things from a distance. Like it or not, Paige didn’t want him around.
* * *
The bell tinkled over the aged wooden door when Paige stepped into Cramer’s Antique and Gift Mart, a quaint shop filled with not only antique treasures, but also floral arrangements, gourmet treats and unique works of art.
Several steps inside, Paige’s nose picked up the rich scents of dark chocolate and fresh flowers mingling with old polished wood. An aroma that on any other day might have been appealing. But today a wave of nausea overtook her.
Paige swallowed against it, hoping she wasn’t wasting her time coming here. Originally, she had planned to get in touch with Madison’s friends and coworkers and distance herself from the Cramer family. But without the list of contact information she had on her phone, she was left with no choice but to stop by the family business to make those connections.
Paige said a quick prayer that she wasn’t overstepping her boundaries and that she’d learn something new. Anything. A single clue. One little piece to the puzzle. She’d be happy with that.
Every clue matters. Seth’s words played in her head. A warm feeling washed through her, and she felt a momentary twinge of peace. Inwardly she smiled. One clue at a time, and God would lead her to the truth.
Paige heard muffled steps. She looked to the right as a tall thirtysomething woman in jeans and a purple sweatshirt rounded the corner, a potted plant in her hand. The woman stiffened and froze when she saw Paige. Her eyebrows gathering over her wide, challenging stare confirmed Paige’s greatest fear.
She wasn’t welcome. Her heart throbbed. So far, she’d met opposition at every juncture. Trembling yet determined, Paige swallowed