Chapter 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Cam pushed open the heavy station door, the familiar scent of coffee and paperwork enveloping him. Inside, the station was just beginning to wake up, with deputies and clerks moving about in their early morning routines.

Sheriff Dare Jensen was already at his desk, poring over a stack of reports. He looked up as Cam approached, noting the dark circles under his eyes. Dare arched a brow his way. "Rough night?"

Cam sank into the chair across from Dare and rubbed his temples. "You could say that. I spent the night at Kinley's.

At Dare's surprised look, Cam elaborated. "When she woke up a few mornings ago, she found the back door standing wide open."

Dare's brows dipped low. "We didn't get a call."

"No." Cam shook his head. "She didn't call it in. She said she let it go because we would think she was crazy."

Dare opened his mouth to speak, but Cam lifted a hand to stall him. "I know. I told her the same thing. But that's not all." He ground his teeth together. "When she came downstairs yesterday morning, it was wide open again."

Dare leaned back in his chair and regarded Cam for a long moment. "And? What do you think?"

"Hell, I don't know. All her scans were clear, but…" He let out a sigh. "I just don't know. She's upset, because she thinks it's her. But she swears she doubled checked it the night before. There's nothing wrong with the door or the lock—I checked those myself. But the door being open twice now? It doesn't make sense."

Dare steepled his fingers and rested them against his lips for a moment before speaking. "You think someone's messing with her?"

Cam shook his head, frustration welling up inside his chest. "I don't know. Maybe you're right about the head injury. Maybe it's affecting her faculties. But we can't ignore the possibility that something else is going on."

Dare sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I understand where you're coming from, but…"

Cam knew exactly what he was thinking. Unless they got some concrete evidence that it was, in fact, someone trying to cause trouble for her, their hands were tied.

"I was thinking," Cam said slowly, leaning forward in his chair, "maybe you could send Ainsley over to spend some time with her. She could go over and ask Kins for some help planning the wedding. It'll help take her mind off everything. Plus, Ainsley knows her sister—she can let us know if anything seems off."

Dare nodding slowly, considering the suggestion. "That might work. Ainsley's been wanting to involve Kinley more in the wedding plans anyway. She'd be happy to go over there and keep an eye on things."

"Great," Cam said, relief washing over him. "I just want her to be safe."

"I'll talk to Ainsley," Dare promised. "She'll be over there by this afternoon."

Cam leaned back in the chair, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. "Thanks, man. I appreciate it."

"Don't thank me." Dare waved one hand dismissively. "I know that feeling better than most. "Trust your gut."

And he did; Ainsley had survived a hell of an ordeal with her ex, and Dare had witnessed it unfold. Cam gave a little shake of his head. "That house has caused her nothing but stress. I need to get her out of there sooner rather than later."

"And into yours?" One eyebrow ratcheted toward Dare's hairline, but Cam couldn't find it in him to feel the least bit abashed. Before he could speak, the sound of footsteps approached the office.

Yvonne, obviously eavesdropping on their conversation, moved closer, coffee cup in hand, and gave a slow shake of her head. "That house is bad luck. I'd hoped it turned around, but…"

She trailed off, and Cam turned to look her way. "What are you talking about?"

"The woman who disappeared." She tipped her head his way, an expectant look on her face. "You know—Misty."

Cam tossed a look at Dare who shrugged, and Cam turned back to Yvonne, brows furrowed. "What about her?"

Seeing Cam inside the office, Sawyer had drifted toward them and now stood in the doorway.

Yvonne slid into the chair next to Cam. "The Collins family lived there at the time—David Collins, his father, Dennis, and his stepmother, Misty."

Cam swiveled her way. "Wait. They lived in Kinley's house?" How had he not known that? "Did you know them?"

She nodded. "My aunt Agnes lived across the street at the time, so I would see them once in a while when I visited." She shook her head sympathetically. "Not every day something like that happens."

"What did happen?" Sawyer asked from where he lounged against the doorjamb.

"No one's really sure." Yvonne took a sip of her coffee. "Misty just up and disappeared one day. Dennis came home and found her gone."

Her lips turned down in a frown. "Such a nice family. They always seemed so happy together. Dennis was devastated. He loved Misty somethin' fierce."

"She just left?" Sawyer lifted a brow in disbelief. "People usually don't just take off like that without a good reason."

"I seem to remember her leaving a note. Told them she couldn't do it anymore." She gave a slow shake of her head. "Old Sheriff Johnson and his men did what they could, but there was never any sign of foul play."

"When did they move?" Sawyer asked.

Yvonne glanced up at the ceiling, presumably drawing back to that particular period of time. "Maybe a week or so after she went missing?"

Dare's jaw went slack. "Johnson just let them leave?"

"Not much he could do." Yvonne lifted one shoulder. "There was no evidence, and Dennis had an alibi. He was at work when she supposedly disappeared. Neighbors saw her that morning picking up the paper. Next think you know, Dennis gets home and she's long gone."

Dare grimaced. "So they think she skipped town while Dennis was at work and David was in school."

"That's right." She gave a little nod. "Sheriff Johnson questioned everyone, but no one had seen anything. It was like she'd just disappeared into thin air."

"Odd," Cam murmured. The story left him feeling unsettled and anxious.

"I think Dennis went a little crazy that day," Yvonne said slowly. "Aunt Agnes said Dennis quit his job, packed up the house and was ready when David got home from school one afternoon. They took off and never came back."

"Strange," Cam murmured. He didn't know how it played into the current situation—if at all—but it was intriguing.

"Crazy to think she might have been murdered." Yvonne shivered. "You really think Dennis could have had something to do with it?"

"I'm not sure, but it's possible. Maybe he killed her the night before and dumped the car in the lake." Cam shrugged. "Misty stayed at home during the day, so no one would have missed her."

"I guess." Yvonne's didn't look convinced. "I just never would have suspected it of him. They seemed so great together."

"They usually do," Dare said drily.

"You think any of this is tied into what's been happening at Kinley's house?" Cam asked.

Dare shot him a dubious look. "Misty died thirty years ago. Why would someone start causing trouble now?"

"What about that older couple who lived there…" Yvonne snapped her fingers. "The Barkers. Aren't they the ones who sold Kinley the house a couple years back?"

Cam nodded. "I never heard of any trouble with them, but it's worth checking out."

"Maybe see if they filed any complaints, or if they have ties to anyone who might want to cause trouble."

Cam arched a brow. "They were like… eighty."

Dare lifted a shoulder. "I've seen stranger things. Just gotta find the right motive."

Cam made a face. "Fair point. I'll see what I can dig up."

He left the office, mind whirling. It was a strange coincidence, and definitely worth looking into. But right now, he had another target in mind.