Shadow Of Suspicion

“I’ll have one of my guys bring it by later. Sound okay?”

Hesitantly, she nodded. If she protested too much, she’d probably only look guilty. Besides, she was awfully shaky. There was no need to add “auto accident” to an already horrible day.

“I guess so. Thank you.”

* * *

Thirty minutes later, Mark pulled to a stop in front of a nice hotel in an upscale area outside of Richmond. He supposed that he shouldn’t go out of his way for a potential suspect, but she was also potentially innocent. In fact, she was technically innocent until proven guilty. He intended to treat her as such.

He remembered Captain Hendricks’s instructions to him: get on her good side and keep an eye on her. The captain hoped Laney would let something slip and she’d lead them to Sarah.

Mark was uncomfortable with deceit. If it could save a life then he was more inclined to justify his actions, though. He knew what it was like to be in Sol’s shoes—to be sick with worry over a loved one’s disappearance. He had to do whatever was necessary to get the girl back.

Their encounter with Sol still stained his thoughts. The man had been in Laney’s front yard. The other officers had taken his gun and restrained him. But he’d still been able to hurl insults at Laney, calling her every name in the book. Her trembles had returned as he’d walked her to his car.

Laney glanced at the front door of the hotel and then back at Mark. “What’s going to happen to Sol?”

“We’re taking him down to the station.”

Lines of worry appeared at the corners of her eyes. “I don’t want to press charges. He’s just reacting out of grief and anxiety. He doesn’t need any more heartache on top of what he’s already experiencing.”

Her compassion impressed him, especially considering her situation at the moment. “I’ll make sure to pass that along.”

“Thank you for bringing me here. I appreciate it.”

Before she could object again, he opened the door and stepped out. He was walking her inside, whether she liked it or not.

Almost hesitantly she seemed to step out. He sensed her shivering beside him as they ventured through the brisk winter air. Darkness had long since fallen, adding even more eeriness to an already tense situation. He grabbed her bag from the backseat and walked with her to the front desk.

“She needs a single,” he told the clerk behind the counter. A table with coffee and cookies waited beside the check-in desk, and the scent of them both made his stomach rumble.

Lauren had loved chocolate chip cookies. She ate some every night before bed and never gained an ounce. At sixteen, she’d been as skinny as a rail without even trying.

The memory made his heart pang.

Laney pulled a credit card from her wallet and slid it across the counter. The police would be tracking all of her financial movements, of course. They were looking for anything that might give them a hint as to what was really going on here. Finances often showed a trail leading to answers.

With her room key in hand, Mark walked Laney to the second floor of the building and watched as the door to her room clicked open. She turned toward him, trepidation in her gaze. “Thank you... I guess.”

He understood her dilemma. She owed him thanks for saving her life, but after he’d interrogated and accused her, he could see why she wouldn’t want to express her gratitude. Gratefulness and bitterness collided.

“Call me if you need anything,” Mark instructed.

Her big, wide eyes looked up at him. “I don’t have a phone.”

“Use the hotel phone.”

She nodded and looped a hair behind her ear. “Of course.”

“Don’t leave town.”

“I can’t. I don’t have a car.”

“We’ll probably have more questions for you.” He felt hesitant to leave—but why? Some kind of instinct urged him to protect her, yet he didn’t want his compassion toward her to cloud his judgment. He had to keep it in check.

“I wouldn’t expect any less.”

Finally, he nodded. “Well, good night, then.”

She seemed to force a smile. “Good night.”

She closed the door, and Mark heard the locks click in place. With Laney safe and secure in her room, Mark started back down to his car. He’d scanned the hotel as they’d walked. There appeared to be three major exits. One at the front, one at the back, and one at the side near the pool area. It would be impossible to keep an eye on all three. But Laney’s room was closest to the side exit, so he needed to position himself for the best angle of that door.

He suspected Laney wouldn’t try anything, that she would stay put for the evening. She probably wouldn’t be getting much rest—she looked too wound up and wired for that. But, just in case she did leave, he parked his car and started his surveillance. And in the meantime, he had his computer with him so he could do more research.

Out of curiosity, he typed in her name on a search engine. A news article about her husband’s death popped up. He cringed at the details.

Nate Ryan had been found stabbed in his bedroom. The killer had never been caught, but authorities thought it was a home invasion gone wrong due to some missing jewelry and cash.

Laney had discovered her husband’s body. He could only imagine how that had messed with her psychological well-being. Every detail of scenes like that would ingrain themselves into the minds of loved ones.

Mark still vividly remembered the first time he’d been called to the scene of a homicide. Every detail was burned into his mind. Since then, he’d learned to compartmentalize better. But he couldn’t imagine finding a loved one like that.

It had been hard enough hearing about the murder of a family member. His sister, Lauren, had been abducted by their stepdad. Ralph had denied his involvement for weeks, but Mark had always known the truth. Six months later, Lauren’s body was discovered in the woods by some hunters. She’d been shot. When his stepfather learned she’d been found, he’d quickly realized—maybe because of paranoia or guilt—that he would be a suspect. His solution was to kill himself—and Mark’s mother.

According to his suicide letter, his stepdad had wanted his mom’s attention all for his own. He and Lauren had been arguing and not seeing eye to eye. His stepdad had decided it would be easier to kill Lauren than it would be to try and work things out.

Anger had burned within Mark for months—for years, truth be told. He’d wished that things could be different, that he could have seen the signs earlier, that he could have predicted the future and saved both his mom and his sister.

Thankfully he’d found Jesus during that hard time. His relationship with God had turned his life around and had literally saved him from the depths of despair that threatened to consume him. He’d been in a bad place, but eventually all of that had led him to go into law enforcement. He’d abandoned a successful career in sales, searching for something that would be more fulfilling and make more of an impact. Being a detective had done just that.

He snapped from his thoughts as he saw movement in the distance near the side exit. Was that... Laney? He straightened, zeroing his gaze on the figure.

A woman stepped from the hotel, looked both ways, and then darted toward a gas station in the distance. It was definitely Laney, he realized. But what was she doing? If she was innocent, why was she acting so suspiciously right now?

He watched carefully as she hurried inside the gas station. She stayed there for six minutes until a cab pulled up and then she jumped into the backseat, and the car pulled away. Wasting no time, Mark followed the vehicle.

Was this the big moment? Would Laney lead him to Sarah? Or would that be too easy?

He stayed a safe clip behind them, trying not to tip Laney off that she was being followed. As the roads became familiar, he realized she was going back to her house. Had she remembered evidence she’d left there? Was she going back to destroy it?

He remained at the corner and watched as the cab dropped Laney off at the curb a moment later. She looked all around her before sprinting toward her house and slipping inside.

Mark waited until the cab pulled away before he approached the house. He withdrew his gun as he slunk toward the front door. He had no idea what he might find inside, and he had to use every precaution necessary. Maybe she really was dangerous, and his gut had been wrong.

He quietly twisted the door handle and pushed the door open. When he saw what was in Laney’s hands, he drew his gun, realizing he’d been wrong about the woman all along.

FOUR

Laney gently placed a laptop computer onto the table in the foyer and drew her arms into the air as she spotted Mark there with his gun pointed at her. Even in the dark, she could see the accusation in his gaze. But there was something else there also. What was it?

Disappointment, she realized.

He’d followed her. Of course he had. Had she expected anything less?

“This isn’t what it looks like,” she muttered, quickly observing his gun. He was anticipating the worst and prepared to do whatever it took to find answers. She looked guilty—how could she convince him she wasn’t?

“And what exactly am I looking at, Laney?” His eyes were ice-cold again as he stared at her with enough intensity to burn holes into her skin. “What are you doing here?”

Laney’s heart lurched as she glanced at the computer. She’d been so close to leaving with the programs and data she had there. She couldn’t let the wrong people get their hands on it. “There’s nothing wrong with picking up a computer.”

Doubt flickered in his gaze as he came closer, his gun still drawn. She hadn’t turned the lights on in the house—another act that would make her look suspicious. But she’d been trying to remain on the down low.

However, that choice now left the house in darkness—eerie darkness. The shadows felt like they were moving and the silence in the in-between spaces of their conversation felt painful and long.

“The police had a warrant for your computers,” Mark reminded her. “How’d they miss that one?”

Laney licked her lips, panic quelling inside her. This looked bad. Really bad. And she was a terrible liar.

“I know how this appears,” she started. “But it’s been here all along. If anyone had asked where I kept it, I would have told them.”

“Unless you hid it and came back to destroy evidence on it.”

Laney shook her head, desperate to get through to him. “There’s no evidence on this. I use it for my work. It’s my lifeline to the outside world.”

He stepped closer and glared down on her. A whiff of evergreen tingled her nose and caused her heart to skip. The moment was short-lived as she quickly remembered the trouble she was in.

“Someone either really hates you and has gone through a lot of trouble to make you look guilty or you’re guilty,” the detective muttered. “I’m not sure which one yet. Based on the fact that you’ve been incredibly sneaky tonight, I’m learning toward the latter.”

She swallowed hard, her throat dry.

“I’m going to need that computer.”

Her fingers traced the top of her laptop. She’d rather the police have a hold of it than the bad guys. But still—there were things hidden on the hard drive that would raise suspicions. Thankfully, it would take the police department a while to locate that information. Maybe she could buy herself some time.

“Of course,” she finally said. “It’s like I said, I just remembered a few things I needed to pick up. That’s the only reason I came here. I promise.”

His gaze remained suspicious. “You could have called me.”

“I figured you were home with your family.” Her voice trembled with anxiety. “It really wasn’t a big deal. At least, I didn’t think it was.”

As something dark crossed his face, she realized that any of his earlier goodwill was gone. She’d broken her trust with him and just diminished her chances of having someone in her corner.

“Why’d you go into that gas station?” he asked.

She didn’t say anything. She knew how it would sound when she told him she had to buy a burner phone. She’d had no choice but to do so. She had to reach her CIA contact somehow. Nicholas was her only chance of getting help.

“I had to buy something,” she finally said, sticking with the truth.

He shifted and narrowed his eyes. “What did you have to buy?”

She nibbled on her bottom lip a moment. There was no need to deny it. Certainly the police would end up checking her credit card records. They’d find out what she purchased one way or another.

“I bought a phone,” she admitted. “You confiscated my cell, and I don’t like to be without one. It’s only smart as a single woman.”

It was the truth—just not all of it.

Detective James shifted in front of her, his frame imposing and almost intimidating. “Who do you want to call? Your partner in crime maybe? The person who’s helping you get away with this?”

“I just want to have the ability to call someone.”

“Your hotel room has a phone.”

Laney’s shoulders slumped. Mark James didn’t accept answers easily. She was certain that made him a good detective, but he frustrated her now. Her top-secret job was only working to make her look guilty, and she knew it.

“I wanted to call my boss, okay?” Laney crossed her arms over her chest, wishing something would go her way. Instead, life seemed to be working against her.

He finally lowered his hand from his gun. “Why?”

Her shoulders relaxed, but only slightly. “I might be missing work over the next few days. That’s kind of important. I depend on my job to pay my bills. I can’t afford to simply drop off the face of the earth without explanation.”

“Again, you could have used your hotel phone.” His calculating eyes continued to assess her.

Laney forced herself to raise her chin and not appear spooked by his interrogation. She had to be strong. Besides, she’d done nothing wrong. If she acted guilty, the detective would only have more ammunition against her. “I don’t see where this is a big deal.”

“It’s a big deal because that phone you purchased will have an untraceable number. Maybe you want to make a ransom call with it. Or maybe you have an accomplice and you don’t want us to know about your communications with him. I could continue to list more reasons, but I’m sure you can see my point.”

Alarm rushed through her as the truth of his words settled in her mind. They were looking for anything possible to nail her. She had to be careful. “It’s not like that. I promise.”

Mark’s gaze locked with hers. “I’m having a hard time taking you at your word, Laney. You’ve been less than honest with me.”

At the moment, she felt both dwarfed by his presence and like she wanted to shrink and hide. “I haven’t lied. I just didn’t realize I needed to run these things past you.”

The detective narrowed his eyes. “You’re our number-one suspect. We’re watching your every move. Surely you realize that. I need you to turn over that phone to me.”

She raised her chin. She had no one to fight for her. That meant she had to fight for herself. It was that or let herself go down for a crime she didn’t commit. Still, she had to choose her battles.

Begrudgingly, she slapped the phone into his hands. “Fine. But you’re wasting your time investigating the wrong person. Meanwhile, the real culprit is probably burying himself deeper, which lessens your opportunity to find him.”

They stared off for a moment, neither saying anything.

She waited, wondering if the detective would arrest her again.

* * *

Mark’s phone buzzed. He kept his eyes on Laney as he pulled it from his belt. The woman wasn’t telling him everything, and he wasn’t ready to let this drop. But the phone call was from his partner, and he hoped Jim might have something new to move this case along.

“We have new information,” Jim said.

“What’s that?” Mark didn’t dare pull his gaze off the woman in front of him.

“Ms. Ryan’s in-laws never got that money she said she sent to them. Said they didn’t know anything about it.”

Mark watched as Laney stood against the wall, looking as rigid as a statue. Had his gut instinct been wrong? Was she guilty and trying to play him for a fool?

“Interesting. Any record of where it went?”

“Into a secret account,” Jim said. “The amount was just deposited yesterday. It would be the perfect amount of money to get away from everything. Ten thousand dollars would last a long time.”

His stomach twisted with disgust. Laney was obviously a great liar. The best criminals had looks that were deceiving. They hid in plain sight under the guise of being a good citizen. They won awards. They had no police record. Their pasts seemed to provide alibis within themselves.

Wolves in sheep’s clothing, he reminded himself.

They were out there, just waiting to strike.

He rubbed his jaw, more annoyed than ever. “How does the captain want us to handle this?”

“Same protocol. Keep an eye on her. He’s hoping she’ll lead us right to Sarah. If she really cares about the girl like she claims, she’ll have to get back to her eventually to check on her and give her food.”

“Not if she has a partner,” Mark said.

“I thought of that. But the woman’s a loner. Who would she be working with?”

“I’m not sure.”

“We’re looking into her records and trying to get in touch with her boss,” Jim said. “The number she gave us keeps on coming up as disconnected.”

“I’ll keep all of that in mind,” Mark muttered. That was another strike against her. They continued to add up. “Thanks.”

Mark hung up and turned to Laney. Her eyes were wide with anticipation, as if she knew something was wrong. He wasn’t letting her off the hook this time.

“You want to rethink your story?”

She stared a moment before shaking her head. She rolled back her shoulders, as if finding some kind of internal courage. “No, I don’t. I told you the truth.”

“Then explain why your in-laws know nothing about that money you supposedly sent to them.”

Her eyes became even wider. “I did send it to them. Just two days ago. Ten thousand dollars. My father-in-law has been out of work and dealing with multiple health issues. It seemed the least I could do. Nate would have wanted me to do it. I used part of his life insurance policy that I’d been saving for a rainy day.”

“The money never got to them.”

Her forehead wrinkled with confusion. “I was going to surprise them. I had a cashier’s check cut and sent out. I have no idea why they haven’t received it.”

“Can you explain why another bank account was opened in your name and the money was deposited there?”

Her lips parted. “You can’t be telling the truth. I didn’t do that. It doesn’t make any sense.”

“Computer records say you did.”

“Computer records are wrong.” She crossed her arms. “They can be manipulated.”

“How do you know that?”

“I have my PhD in computer science. I’m a software engineer, in simple terms. That’s why.”

Mark shifted, determined not to let this go. “Why isn’t your boss answering his phone?”

She tilted her head. “He hasn’t answered for me, either. Maybe something came up. It’s the only thing I can think of.”

“Maybe that’s because the company doesn’t exist.”

Her eyes widened with something close to panic. “Of course it exists. I’ve worked there for three years. Can’t you see that I’m being set up? I know you probably don’t believe me, but I’m telling you the truth.”

“Who would have had access to your information to do something like this?”

She shook her head. “I feel like a broken record, but I truly have no idea. Someone who’s better at computers than I am...” Her voice trailed and her eyes got a faraway look.

“What are you thinking?”

She fidgeted. “I work with computers and programming. If I could access my computer—”

“Then you could potentially delete more evidence against you.”

“I didn’t.”

“Maybe you’re working with someone?”

She shook her head more adamantly now. “No! I’m not. At least give me the chance to prove myself.”

“As soon as my partner is able to go before a judge, we’ll have a warrant for your arrest.”

Panic quelled in her gaze, and she gripped the wall again, as if she needed it to hold her steady. “No! Please. I just need time. I want to find Sarah just as much as you. Maybe even more.”

“There’s something you’re not telling me, Laney, and I intend to figure out what that is.”

She raised her chin. “If I’m not under arrest, then I need to ask you to leave.”

He stared back. “I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

“You’re violating my rights. Unless you’re arresting me, then leave.”

He considered his words carefully. His hands were tied there. The woman was right: he couldn’t force her to let him stay. But his boss had ordered him to keep an eye on her. “You’re making a mistake if you send me away.”

She stared back, a fire igniting in her gaze. “No, you’re the one making a mistake here. And I’m going to prove it.”

Just as he stepped out of her house, an explosion rattled windows.

FIVE

Laney rushed out her door and gasped when she saw the flames burning from the center of her yard. “What...?”

A vehicle squealed away. Mark quickly called for backup before grabbing Laney’s arm. “Stay back.”

“But what...?”

“Molotov cocktail,” he explained. “It’s a type of homemade bomb. Maybe someone wants to let you know you’re not welcome in the neighborhood anymore. It’s not all that unusual in situations like these.”

She narrowed her eyes at Mark. No one would think she was guilty if the police hadn’t taken her in. They were wasting so much time on her when the real kidnapper was getting away.

Mark paused for long enough to respond to someone on his phone. The flames had quickly died down—the explosion more for a surprise effect than to cause damage. Well, it had worked. Laney was more shaken than ever.

She had to be proactive here. Sarah’s life was on the line, but so was Laney’s. She’d learned a long time ago she couldn’t wait around for other people to save the day. If she was going to prove her innocence and help Sarah, she had to make the most of her time.

Laney stormed toward the back of the house.

“What are you doing?” Mark called, following after her.

“I’m looking for evidence that your guys aren’t searching for.”

“If you’re innocent, then you won’t mind if I tag along.”

She turned toward him, her eyes blazing. “Be my guest.”

She was all too aware that he was on her heels as she went into her backyard. She desperately longed to get on her computer, to do what she did best: researching. Maybe she could contact Nicholas through her email. Maybe the agency would hire a lawyer for her or give her advice on how to manage this situation.

That computer was like an appendage. It was her work, her livelihood, her fun, her connection with the outside world. While other girls had been doing their hair and makeup, she’d been writing code. The odd quirk hadn’t gained her many friends, but eventually she’d gotten a full-ride scholarship to MIT. She’d been sought after by the biggest and best companies.

None of her professors would have predicted this.

“What exactly are you looking for?” Mark asked.

“I have no idea. But somewhere here, there’s evidence that tells a different story than the one you guys have put together. I intended to find out what it is.”

“Go for it.”

She turned her flashlight app on her phone and shone the beam along the ground. No doubt the police had trampled any evidence in their effort to nab her. But maybe there was something they’d missed.

Common sense sometimes eluded her, but she was book smart and had attention to details. Her brain, it seemed, sometimes worked like a computer. She was always processing facts but not always great at interpreting them.