“Maybe she ran from someone and was trying to use the cell phone to call for help,” Teri suggested.
“Or she dropped it when she was unloading things from her car and someone else took the phone out back.”
“And crushed it?” R.J. shrugged again. “I agree it’s unlikely, but we have no idea what happened. She simply vanished.”
Teri wasn’t sure what to make of the undercurrent of anger in his voice, but the suppressed violence set her stomach churning. She’d seen how strong he was.
But if he’d hurt Valerie, would he be angry? She didn’t think so. The problem was, she no longer trusted her instincts when it came to men.
“How is it you know Valerie?” Had they been lovers?
“Her brother was one of my best friends in high school. Valerie used to tag along after us like a puppy.”
Or a girl with a crush? Teri didn’t voice that aloud but it seemed likely. A lot of women would be drawn to R.J.’s good looks and self-confidence.
“Valerie has a brother?”
“I thought you were a private investigator.”
“There wasn’t time to run a background check on her,” she told him quickly. “My job was to find her and offer her protection from her husband.”
“Who hired you?”
“I told you, I’m not at liberty to say.”
Those dark blue eyes turned frosty. Teri worked to control a shiver, but she refused to be intimidated by him.
“You’d better get permission, then,” he said softly, “because Wyatt isn’t going to accept that answer.”
“The police can’t force me to answer questions.”
“Don’t bet on it.”
She hoped he couldn’t tell how the softly spoken threat had unnerved her.
“Why did she e-mail you in the first place? Were you her lover?”
The last part came out before she could stop the question. Only a flick of his eyes revealed any emotion at all. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but she wished she hadn’t asked.
“How long have you been a private investigator?”
She raised her chin defiantly. “Long enough to know when I’m being stonewalled. If you’re her friend, you’ll help me.”
“Will I?”
Trust came hard, but if she wanted his help she knew she was going to have to bend a little. “We could sit here glaring at each other all day, but it wouldn’t solve a thing. I came here to offer Valerie and Corey a safe refuge from Lester.”
“What sort of safe refuge?”
Exasperated, she set down her fork and pushed aside her plate. “If I told you that, it wouldn’t be safe.”
“You think I’d hurt her?” he demanded.
“I don’t know you, do I?” she replied, mimicking his earlier words to her.
His eyes narrowed. “You could be working for her husband.”
“And you could be the person she met out by the fountain,” she countered.
His penetrating gaze would unnerve most people. She was far from immune, but Teri forced herself to hold his gaze steadily, even though her heart thudded against her chest.
Without comment, he set her gun on the table and stood, carrying his dishes to the sink. For a moment, Teri was stunned. The relief hit her hard. Her fingers trembled as she picked up the gun and tucked it into her waistband. Without a word, she gathered her dishes and joined him at the sink.
“What made you decide in my favor?”
“Who said I have?”
They proceeded to neaten the kitchen in silence while she seethed. He was the most arrogant, annoying man. Then she saw an answering anger simmering in his gaze.
“So why did you give me back my gun if you don’t trust me?”
“Stupidity. On the other hand, I can always take it back from you if you try anything.”
Arrogant, obnoxious… “You think so?”
“We both know so.”
She wondered if she should have kept the steak knife instead of replacing it this morning. Lucky watched them anxiously, sensing the tension in the air. Teri swallowed down a hot reply. She needed R.J.’s help, not his anger. But the man did know how to infuriate her.
“I’m pretty sure her husband knows she came here, R.J.”
“So you said.”
“I also think he followed her here. I think he got to her the other night.”
That made him pause. “How?”
“The same way I did. Your e-mail message. Your name, Stony Ridge and Heartskeep were all mentioned.”
“I meant, how do you think he got to her?”
“Isn’t it obvious? He called her cell phone.” R.J. didn’t respond.
“Look, Lester won’t be satisfied with hurting Valerie. He’s going to come after you next for helping her.”
“I sincerely hope so.”
His expression clearly said he’d relish the idea.
“You’re a fool. I may not have done my research on Valerie, but I did on Lester. The man is dangerous.”
R.J.’s expression hardened. “I can be dangerous, too.”
The hairs on the back of her neck raised. She didn’t doubt his words. There was a core of steel in his tone. Just maybe he’d be a match for Lester.
“Earlier you said you broke into their house?”
She shifted at that steady stare. “Not exactly.”
“What…exactly?”
Teri released a breath and reminded herself that she needed his trust. “I let myself in through an unlocked window. But that’s not the point. I think Lester killed her.”
For a long minute, R.J. didn’t move. He didn’t speak, but his features clearly showed a starkly dangerous side to the man. Then his normal expression settled into place.
“That’s a strong statement.”
She managed not to shudder. “Yes.”
“Why would he kill her?”
Could she make him understand? Would it matter if he did?
“Lester is not what he appears to be. Most people who meet him will tell you he’s one step from a halo.”
“Murderer to saint is a pretty far leap.”
She was no longer fooled by his mild tone. “Not as far as you might think. You haven’t met him yet.” She set her jaw, unwilling to get into a discussion about Lester Boyington. “Look, if you really care about Valerie, help me.”
His eyebrows lifted. “How?”
“Take me to Heartskeep and introduce me to the people who were there.”
“The police have already talked to everyone.”
“Female officers?”
He didn’t respond.
“These are women who’ve been abused, right? I can get them to tell me things they may not want to tell a male authority figure.”
She