The Third Twin

“I can’t.”

“We don’t have to talk, Leigh,” he coaxed gently. “I told you I’d make an appointment for that. I’d just like some company right now. I’m not used to having nothing to do all day.”

She stared at him blankly.

Tempted to explain his temporary suspension, he decided it was better not to remind her of the events of the other night. She’d come far too close to being killed as it was.

“We could drive out to Golden’s, grab a cone and come right back.”

She was shaking her head back and forth even before he finished.

“You could call Gavin and invite him to come with us,” he added.

“No!”

Instant and vehement. So there was some sort of problem between them. A lovers’ spat? He’d never realized his friend was an idiot. Wyatt shouldn’t have liked the fleeting notion that maybe their relationship wasn’t what he’d thought.

“I don’t want to talk to Gavin right now,” she amended quickly. “I’m not… I don’t feel like talking to anyone right now.”

That was pointed enough, but he wasn’t about to let her go when she was so obviously upset.

“Then we won’t talk,” he agreed. “But let’s get out of this sun before we fry.”

She studied his face. Wyatt was relieved when, after a moment’s hesitation, she fell into step beside him. Despite this unexpected jolt of attraction to her, he had no intention of encroaching on his friend’s relationship with Leigh. This was strictly business. He was a cop with a case to solve, and the contents of that briefcase were of major interest to him. He’d keep things light and impersonal. Once he gained her trust, he’d ask her about the case.

Of course, gaining her trust would be the hard part.

ALEXIS WONDERED if she’d taken leave of her senses. Going anywhere with this incredibly handsome stranger was pure folly, yet she’d taken one look into those warm brown eyes and felt an instant connection to this man. The impact had rattled her more than she cared to admit. He wasn’t breathtakingly handsome, but he was the sort of man a woman would always notice.

What on earth had possessed her to let him believe she was someone else?

Because it had seemed the quickest way to get rid of him. Obviously that had been a big mistake on her part. What would he do if she told him she had no idea who Leigh or Gavin were? Or him, either, for that matter?

The thought was dangerously tempting. She was so tired she couldn’t seem to think past her fear and exhaustion. Her father’s note had told her to come here for answers, only there were no answers for her here. Ira Rosencroft was dead.

Alexis had wanted to ask the woman inside how he’d died, but a man had come out of an office to ask a question. Maybe this Gavin person. The receptionist or whoever she’d been had asked the man to wait while she offered Alexis an appointment to see a Mr. Jarret next week.

Alexis declined. Her father’s note had said not to trust anyone except the lawyer and someone named Kathy. But when she had asked the woman if a Kathy worked there, the woman had shaken her head. With the man standing there waiting, Alexis had thanked her and left. Now she didn’t know what to do.

An uneven bit of pavement sent her stumbling. The man beside her had a firm, strong grip as he took her bare arm to keep her from falling. His touch reinforced her vibrant awareness of him. Under other circumstances, she might have welcomed the unexpected reaction. As it was, she wished he’d go away and let her think.

“Easy, there.”

His voice was soothing to nerves that felt stretched far too tight.

“Why don’t you let me carry that case for you?”

Panic lifted her eyes to his. “No!”

Instantly his expression changed. What was the matter with her? She’d overreacted, made him curious. Calling his attention to the briefcase like that had been stupid. He’d already expressed an interest in the contents. If he saw all that money…

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you like that. I haven’t had much sleep and my nerves are a little shot right now,” she told him truthfully.

His expression relaxed. Her stomach gave a funny little lurch at the compassion in his eyes.

“I know,” he told her. “It’s okay. Come on. I’m parked right over here.”

There was nothing for it but to resume walking. The kindness in his warm brown eyes was dangerous. Dangerous, because she wanted to trust him. She was so tired. So scared. Grief had vied with fear all night long. She’d taken a room at a motel right off the highway last night and had lain sleeplessly, going over and over her father’s death, wondering what she could have done differently.

The half cup of coffee she’d managed to swallow this morning was still burning a hole in her stomach lining. It was so hard to think.

Her roommate was in California for the week, which meant that no one had yet discovered her father’s body.

Except his killers.

She shouldn’t have run. She should have stayed and called the police. She nearly had called more than once last night. But each time she’d reached for the telephone, fear had stilled her hand. The police would have questions. Alexis didn’t have answers.

She’d thought if she talked to this Mr. Rosencroft first, everything would make sense. But if he was dead, too, she didn’t know where to go next. Had he been murdered, as well?

Her father had said his killers would come after her next. He’d been right. But who were they? What was she supposed to do with all this money?

Her companion stopped at a car parked in front of a fire-gutted building. Alexis had noticed the burned-out remains earlier on her way into town. He opened the passenger door of the trim black sedan and began stacking several files sitting on the seat.

This was insane. What was she doing, getting in a car with a total stranger? Only a fool would do something so stupid. She wasn’t a stupid person. Yet she had no desire to turn and run in the opposite direction.

He cleared the passenger seat of papers and folders, dumping everything on the back seat, which was already littered with other items.

“Sorry. I’m afraid I’ve been using the car as something of a spare closet.”

His embarrassment was sort of reassuring. Tall and lean, with a thick head of dark, curling hair, he had an easygoing manner that offered her frazzled nerves a false sense of security. There was confidence and a sense of strength about him. More important, he knew things. Things she desperately needed to know.

Who was Leigh? Undoubtedly related to her if they looked enough alike to be mistaken for one another. Stony Ridge did have answers after all. So did this man. All she had to do was to ask the right questions.

Alexis hesitated, debating her options. She glanced at the building behind her. A smoky scent lingered in the heavy, humid air. The fire must have burned hot and furious, because the insides had been destroyed with savage completeness.

“You and Gavin were lucky the other night,” he said in a hard tone of voice. “If you’d been upstairs when that gas line blew…”

Upstairs? She raised her eyes and realized there had been living quarters above the shop. The thought that anyone might have been inside was horrifying.

“You want to toss your briefcase back here?” he asked, dismissing both the fire and the building.

Should she go with him or stay here?

He waited calmly, as if he sensed her indecision. There was nothing remotely threatening in his manner. She liked that he was giving her time to decide. But when it came right down to it, she had nowhere else to go.

Alexis handed him the heavy case. He set it on the back seat without a word about its weight and stepped back, holding the door open for her.

The car was low. Her skirt scooted up her thigh as she sat. She felt his stare as she struggled to pull it into place. If his expression had been the least bit lecherous, she’d have been out of the car instantly, but his gaze held only a masculine appreciation she might have enjoyed if things had been different.

Watching him stride around to the driver’s side, Alexis had all sorts of time for second and third thoughts. Going anywhere with this vibrant stranger was a really stupid thing to do. He thought she was someone named Leigh. How long could she maintain the pretense before he saw through the sham? She wasn’t up to this. Heck, she didn’t even know who she was anymore.

He offered her a smile as he slid behind the wheel. Her clenched muscles began to relax. The man had a breathtaking smile.

“I’m afraid it’ll take a second or two for the air conditioner to put out anything like cool air. Jezzy here isn’t up to dealing with this sort of heat.”

“You named your car?”

His grin widened unselfconsciously. “Blame it on my mother. She and my sisters always named our cars. I guess I picked up the habit.”

There was something rather endearing about that, which was ridiculous. So what if the man had a mother and sisters? Even serial killers had family.

“Jezzy?” she asked nervously.

“Short for Jezebelle. You’ll notice the faded leather seats and all the fancy dashboard equipment. At one time this girl was loaded with all the extras, flashy and pretentious for such a cheaply made little car. When I found her on the used car lot, she reminded me of an abandoned harlot, past her prime but determined to make the best of what she still had.”

“Oh.”

He chuckled, a warm rumbly sound that was as oddly soothing as the man himself.

“Don’t worry about it. My family thinks I’m a little nuts, too, but it isn’t contagious.”

“Too bad.”

He tilted his head. Alexis squirmed. “I just meant that it’s a nice sort of nuts to be.” That grin of his was dangerously disarming.

“Thanks.”

Alexis looked away quickly. The man gave a whole other meaning to the words “perfect stranger.” She was suddenly all too aware of how rumpled she looked. She’d done the best she could this morning considering she’d had no fresh clothing and only the contents of her purse to work with. She’d only wanted to look presentable when she spoke with the lawyer. Now she wished she’d taken the time to stop and buy a clean outfit. There was nothing she could do about it at the moment, but she’d noticed a dress shop in town. She’d go there as soon as they returned. Hopefully the prices wouldn’t be too outrageous. Her bank account was a little slim these days.

With a start, she realized he’d spoken to her again. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“I just said you look tired.”

“I am tired.” A gross understatement. Alexis closed her eyes in despair.

“It’s going to be okay, Leigh.”

Her eyes flew open. Who was Leigh? Cousin? Sister? Aunt?

“Look, I don’t mean to be rude—”

“You aren’t being rude. You’re tired. You’ve been through a lot in the past few days.”

Startled, she inhaled sharply. How did he know?

Puzzled concern creased his forehead. He didn’t know, she realized. He’d meant this Leigh person had been through a lot in the past few days. He’d said the woman could have been inside the burned-out shell of that building back in town. It was simply an unnerving coincidence that this Leigh person had been through an ordeal, as well.

“Hey, how does a milk shake sound? Chocolate? Vanilla? One of the more exotics?”

A milk shake? Somehow she couldn’t get her mind to focus on something so mundane. She was pretty sure she wasn’t going to be able to swallow a single sip anyhow.

“Surprise me.”

“Okay, but I like the exotics, myself. Some of those candy-flavored ones are dangerously addictive, you know.”

It was impossible not to return that smile, even if hers felt weak and distant. She suspected candy-flavored milk shakes weren’t the only things potentially addictive around here. Why couldn’t someone like this have been her roommate’s cousin instead of Seth?

Golden’s Ice Cream turned out to be a drive-up place in the middle of nowhere. Yet, judging from the number of cars clustered around the parking lot, being in the middle of nowhere wasn’t a drawback. A scattering of picnic tables sat in a grove of trees off to one side and all of them held people.

“Do you want to come with me or stay here while I get us something?” he asked.

“I’d rather stay.”

He opened all the windows before stepping out of the car. “You sure you won’t get too hot waiting for me?”

“I’ll try to contain myself.”

He winced in consternation as he realized how his question had come out.

“I meant, try not to melt before I get back, okay?”

That dredged a genuine smile from her. “You’d better quit while you’re ahead.”

“I think you’re right. I’ll be right back.”

She liked him. Not only was he extremely good-looking, he was a genuinely nice guy, as well. She watched him stride toward the long line of customers waiting under the awning for service. More than one person called out a greeting as he passed.

“Hey, Wyatt!”

“Wyatt! Are we still playing ball tomorrow?”

“That’s the plan, but if we get more rain, we may need snorkels.”

His name was Wyatt and he played ball. She tossed the name around in her head. Unusual, but it suited him. Alexis could picture him as gunslinger in the Old West. Tall and loose-limbed, Wyatt had an athletic body that moved with a comfortable grace. Yet there was a sense of barely restrained energy about him. Wyatt never seemed to just walk. He strode with a sense of purpose, a sense of power. Like his namesake, the role of sheriff would suit him. Wyatt was the sort of man people looked up to, a natural leader.

What was the matter with her? She had no business sitting here thinking about some stranger, no matter how appealing he might be. She was in real trouble. She needed to stop thinking about Wyatt and to start planning a course of action.

Alexis leaned her head back against the headrest and closed her eyes. How could she plan a course of action when she lacked the most basic information? She was out of her depth and so exhausted she could barely think at all.

“Leigh? Wake up, Leigh.”

The low, warm voice seeped through the barrier of half-sleep to stir her conscious mind awake. Alexis forced her heavy lids apart. For a second she had no idea where she was or why this incredible stranger was bending over her.

“I know you’re tired, but it’s too hot to sit in the car. I appropriated one of the tables in the shade. It may not feel all that much cooler, but the ice cream should help.”

Loggy, she stared at his handsome features. Her fingers started a quest toward the strong line of his jaw.

“Hey, you awake?”

She lowered her hand, confused. “I’m not sure,” she admitted.

He reached across her to unfasten her seat belt. Awareness tightened her nipples as his bare arm brushed her chest. He pretended not to notice, stepping back and extending his hand to her. Her body responded as if it was a different sort of invitation altogether.

His large, warm hand enveloped hers, making her feel small and delicate and surprisingly feminine. For a dizzy, disorienting second, their gazes locked. She came out of the car and swayed slightly.

“Easy, there,” he said.

Anticipation rippled through her. He released her hand and stepped back quickly.

“Why don’t you go over and have a seat? I’ll grab our stuff and be right with you.”

He’d felt it, too. His eyes had reflected the same spark of awareness that had sprung to life inside her, tightening her belly and making her aware of him on a sensual level she’d never experienced before.

What was she thinking?

Shaken, Alexis turned away and started across the parking lot. This was crazy. She was so exhausted that her mind was playing dangerous games with her. If she didn’t get control she was going to make an utter fool of herself.

Relieved to see that the empty table he’d indicated was near the edge of the treeline, she headed there quickly. Several people nodded greetings as she passed. A few offered sympathetic smiles. Thankfully no one approached, wanting to talk. She sat quickly with her back to the other tables and hoped no one would.

Wyatt had said he didn’t know Leigh very well. That was the only reason she’d gotten away with her masquerade so far. She’d never be able to maintain the pretense with anyone who really knew this Leigh person.

When he joined her a few minutes later she had her reckless emotions under control. Until Wyatt set down a tray full of food on the table.

“What is all that?”

“Lunch.”

“You said ice cream.”

“Yes, ma’am. Best milk shakes in the state.” He placed an enormous paper cup full of thick liquid in front of her.

“I can’t drink all this.”

“They make great hamburgers, too. I figured we could share the fries.”

Alexis stared at the thick hamburger in dismay. “But I’m…” On the verge of telling him she was a vegetarian, she stopped. Leigh might not be a vegetarian. That was something Wyatt might know about the woman.

“When did you eat last?” he demanded.

Her mind went blank. “I don’t—”

“That’s what I thought. You look like a stiff wind would blow you away. One bite. Please, Leigh?”

She looked at the hamburger, then at the determined set of his strong, firm jaw. “Could I start with a French fry?”

He offered her another of those devastating grins. “Help yourself.”

She was sure she wouldn’t be able to swallow the thick, chewy potato, but at the first taste, her stomach let her know it had other ideas. She hadn’t known she was hungry, but she was. The milk shake was so thick she needed a spoon, and true to his word, there were chunks of candy blended into the mix. The cold ice cream tasted even better than the French fry.

“Oops. Forgot the napkins. Let me return the tray and grab some. I’ll be right back.”

As Wyatt headed toward the building, Alexis quickly tore the meat from between the bun and tossed it into the underbrush nearby. With all the lettuce and tomatoes, maybe he wouldn’t notice. She picked up the bun and bit into it. Her stomach eagerly accepted that offering, as well.

Wyatt returned, looking slightly more subdued.

“The Krolberths asked me to offer their condolences. I told them you weren’t up to talking with anyone right now.”

Alexis swallowed quickly. “Thank you.”

Wyatt nodded and took a bite from his sandwich. For several seconds they ate in silence. She studied him covertly. Her instincts said she could trust him, and she needed to tell someone the truth.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Her head jerked up. Her heart hammered against her rib cage. Had he just read her mind?

“Talk about what?”

“You could tell me what’s bothering you,” he said, “or we could start with your mother’s murder.”

Chapter Three

For a second Alexis thought Wyatt had said he wanted to discuss her father’s murder. Her father had been murdered, the lawyer was dead, and now the mother of the woman who looked like her had also been murdered? Why? What was happening here?

The briefcase!

She couldn’t believe she’d forgotten all about the briefcase full of money. She’d left it sitting in plain sight on the back seat of Wyatt’s unlocked car! Not only that, she’d put her purse inside it this morning.

Alexis was on her feet and moving. Panic sent her running across the tarmac, dodging cars and people. The money must belong to someone. This Kathy person might want it back. What would Alexis do if it was gone?

Maybe she should hope it was. Maybe if the murderer got the money, she’d be safe.

“Leigh, wait!”

No one was near his car. She was almost there when Wyatt caught her by the arm and spun her around. Alexis jerked free. Her heart thudded painfully against her rib cage.

“Keep your hands off me!”

Wyatt sent a quick glance around. “Calm down.”

So, he didn’t want to create a scene. Well, too bad. A scene was exactly what he was going to get. If she could make him mad enough, maybe he wouldn’t push her for answers she didn’t have.

“I don’t want to calm down.” Alexis steeled her heart against the genuine regret she could see on his strong, handsome face. “‘We don’t have to talk, Leigh,’” she mimicked. “‘I’d just like some company.’”

“You’re right,” he agreed quietly. “I’m sorry.”

His sincerity made it all the harder to pretend indifference. She liked Wyatt. On some level she even trusted him—but she couldn’t tell him the truth. She didn’t know the truth. Besides, the truth could get him killed.

“Come back and finish your lunch.”

“I am finished.” Her personal feelings had no place in this. She had to get away from Wyatt.

Pivoting, she turned back to his car. Despite the open windows, the briefcase sat on the back seat, exactly where she’d left it. Alexis breathed a sigh of relief.

“Hey, Wyatt. I thought that was your truck,” a voice called to them. “Hayley?”

“Leigh,” Wyatt corrected tersely.

Alexis pulled the briefcase from the car and turned around. Another good-looking, dark-haired man sauntered toward them. He held an ice-cream cone in one hand and a large paper dish of ice cream in the other.

“Sorry, Leigh. I never could tell you and your sister apart.”

Leigh must have a twin sister named Hayley. Alexis couldn’t have said why that knowledge was so frightening, but it was.

“Put the briefcase back in the car, Leigh,” Wyatt said. “I’ll take you back to town.”

“No, thank you. I’d rather walk.”

He set his jaw. “I didn’t think you were the petty type.”

Her mind supplied something he’d said to her earlier. “And I didn’t think you were like your uncle. I guess we were both wrong.”

Wyatt’s lips tightened. Before he could respond, his cell phone rang. He reached for it automatically.

“I’m really going to have to work on my timing,” the newcomer said wryly. “He isn’t, you know.”

“Like his uncle? I’ll take your word for it.”

Easy enough to do since she had no idea who Wyatt’s uncle was. Wyatt growled into his cell phone. Alexis had a hunch her luck was playing out.

“Do you think you could give me a lift back to town?”

“Uh, I’m not going back into town right now. I have to swing by Heartskeep to pick up a piece of equipment.”

Her father had tried to tell her something about Heartskeep, and Wyatt had implied Leigh lived there.

“Even better,” she told him.

The man looked to Wyatt, but Wyatt’s expression was intent as he listened to his phone.

“Uh, let me give Lucky this ice cream before it melts.” Alexis followed the stranger to a well-used pickup. An enormous black dog of questionable parentage woofed a greeting and leaped down from the bed of the truck. She’d always liked dogs, but this one was a lot bigger than the apartment-size animals she was used to seeing. Fortunately his tail wagged in a friendly fashion.

“Here you go, Lucky.”

Lucky looked from her to the ice cream. She was relieved when the ice cream won. He set to work inhaling the contents of the dish with a large pink tongue.

“I know it isn’t any of my business, but do you want to tell me what’s going on?” the man asked.

“Wyatt promised not to hound me when he brought me out here. Now all he wants to do is ask me questions.”

“Official questions?”

I could make the request official, he’d said. What was wrong with her brain? She wasn’t generally this slow on the uptake. Wyatt was a cop!

The other man was frowning at her, looking troubled. “I knew you should have told Wyatt about the hidden room. Did the police discover the entrance through the closet?”

Alexis tried not to gape at him. What was he talking about? Police and hidden rooms? She shook her head and picked what she hoped was a safe response. “I don’t see how they could have, do you?”