Paula’s pep talk—if that’s what it could be called—kicked Madelyn into gear. Her friend was right. This was no time to be a chicken. This was her time to shine. “Okay. I’m on it.”
“Just think about what this can do for you. This would put you in the big league. Just like Wilcox Industries did for me.”
Paula had broken the story about a board member with Wilcox Industries who was embezzling money from the power company and therefore had been embezzling from investors. After her article went viral, Paula had been nominated for awards for her fearless reporting. It was one of the reasons she’d made editor in chief of a popular magazine at only thirty-six years old. The fact that she’d seen something in Madelyn meant the world to her. Madelyn might not ever get another chance like this again. She had to seize the opportunity while she could.
Madelyn felt more determined now than ever.
“You sent the right person, Paula. I’m going to write the story of my life. My feelings won’t get in the way of doing what’s right and what’s necessary.”
“That’s my girl. Now, go knock this exposé out of the park.”
Madelyn hit End on her cell phone. She had to push through her doubts and do what needed to be done. But what a start to her stay here.
She didn’t even like being center of attention. That’s why she liked reporting so much—it allowed her to be in the background, yet to make a difference. Paula, on the other hand, should have gone into broadcast journalism. She loved to be in the spotlight.
Madelyn set her phone on the kitchen counter, staring at her temporary home. It was really a lovely, contemporary space. The kitchen had stainless steel appliances. The furniture all looked exotic, like it had been imported with its heavy wood frames and intricate designs. The walls had a Caribbean vibe with their mango, lime and pineapple colors.
She took a deep breath and gathered her courage. She had to be tough and strong if she was going to stay in this town and tackle her first big assignment.
With that thought, she walked across the hardwood floor toward the living room. She opened the door, revealing a huge, second-story porch. Stunning views of the bay waited there. Despite the cool breeze that swept inside—no doubt chillier because of the wind brushing over the water—Madelyn took a step out.
When she did, she sucked in a deep breath. It was beautiful here, and the duplex allowed a top-notch view of the water.
Her parents had always talked to her about God making the heavens and the earth. About nature declaring the majesty of God. About God being the ultimate creative and Creator.
Madelyn had stopped believing in God a long time ago, though, right about the time her parents had died. No loving God would ever allow a tragedy like that, and nothing anyone ever told her would change her mind. College had only confirmed her suspicions. Intellect and reason were the route to go if she wanted to find true satisfaction in life.
Her parents had been good people. Madelyn had been a good girl, for that matter, someone who’d always tried to follow the rules. What had she gotten as a reward? Nothing but pain and hardship. That’s when she’d decided to throw herself completely into her career. If not God, what else was there to live for? She certainly didn’t want to put her faith in romance or finding the right man. Paula had been through enough bad relationships to prove that point. Madelyn had dated a lot herself, but the process just seemed futile. She couldn’t really see herself spending forever with any of the men she met.
With a bitter taste now in her mouth, Madelyn scanned the shoreline. Her gaze came to a stop as something reflected the moonlight. What was that glimmer?
She tensed as she looked more closely. She wasn’t sure why the glare had caught her eye, but she had to trust her gut. Something out of the ordinary stirred her instincts.
She walked to the corner of the porch, leaning in to get a better look. That’s when the gleam disappeared.
What?
She held her breath, watching for a clue. The glare had come from near the public pier that stretched into the water not far from the house.
She saw movement. Almost a shadow blowing in the wind. But that was no shadow. The movements were too purposeful.
It was a man crouching as he crept away from the pier.
And he’d been holding binoculars, she realized.
Someone was spying on her.
Her heart leaped into her throat at the realization, and fear shuddered through her.
She’d just arrived in town, but she knew one thing for sure: she was in trouble.
Zach knocked on Madelyn’s door after receiving her frantic phone call. She’d told Lynn—the dispatcher—that a man had been watching her from the beach and that he could be connected with the earlier incidents. Zach had still been at the police station when the call came in, so the trip to Madelyn’s place had been quick.
She jerked the door open and stepped back. Her arms were wrapped across her chest, her eyes had that dazed, wide-eyed look and her breathing seemed too shallow. The woman was honestly scared, he realized. This wasn’t a game or a cry for attention or any of the other possibilities that had wandered through his mind.
“Thanks for coming.” Madelyn tugged her beige sweater closer around her neck. “I’m sorry. I’m not always a damsel in distress. I don’t know what’s going on here.”
Zach didn’t know what was happening either, but he would love some answers. “Again, the only thing we can assume is that it sounds like someone doesn’t want you here in Waterman’s Reach. And I have to ask once more, any idea why?”
She frowned. “Haven’t we been through this? And shouldn’t you be looking for the man who was watching me out there instead of interrogating me?”
He hooked his hand on his gun belt and nodded toward the water beyond the house. “I already searched the beach on my way here. Whoever was there is long gone. He probably went to his car and drove off as soon as he realized he’d been spotted.”
“Or he went to his white truck.” Madelyn raised her eyebrows, waiting for him to follow her chain of thoughts.
“Or his white truck,” he conceded before shifting his stance. “Look, Madelyn, I’m sorry. I know this can’t be easy on you, but I assure you we’re doing everything we can to find the person responsible. This isn’t normal for Waterman’s Reach.”
She offered a stiff nod, still not appearing totally convinced. “I appreciate it.”
“Can I come in a moment?”
“Of course.”
As she moved aside, he stepped into the duplex and followed behind her up a set of stairs into the living area above. He needed to find out more information so he could write a report.
Madelyn paused between the combined kitchen and dining room. “Can I get you some coffee? I think there’s some around here.”
Zach started to refuse but changed his mind. “If you wouldn’t mind, I would love some. It’s been a long day.”
“I wonder why.” Her voice was tinged with sarcasm as she went into the kitchen and began fiddling with the coffeepot. A couple of minutes later, a fresh pot was perking.
She came over to the kitchen table, where he sat. The sleeves of her oversized sweater were pulled down over her hands, almost like she was using the clothing as a blanket.