The Christmas Stranger Page 14

  Jon’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Because it was Ryan’s case!”

  “Ryan and I never discussed his cases. You know that.” She drew herself up and leveled her shoulders. “I didn’t want to hear about the parade of murders and robberies and child neglect that he dealt with every day, and he didn’t want to rehash his cases when we were together. That was our agreement from the beginning.”

  Ryan had wanted his home life unmarred by the seaminess he encountered at work, and the reminder of human nature’s darker side, the details of the cases he prosecuted only depressed her.

  “Ignorance is bliss?” The disapproval in Jon’s tone chaffed, and she bristled.

  “For me, it was. He knew I supported him and that was enough for us.”

  Jon pulled his keys from his pocket. “Well, maybe it’s time you broke your rule and found out a little more about the case.”

  “Matt’s already told me most of what happened, the evidence they had against him.”

  “He’s given you his side. I mean get Ryan’s take.”

  She tipped her head and gave Jon a curious look. “How?”

  “Didn’t Ryan keep a copy of his files here at the house somewhere?”

  “Well, yeah. Sometimes he’d work from home on the weekend, so he kept a copy of all his case files in his office.”

  Jon turned up a palm. “So read Randall’s file.”

  Holly scowled. “I can’t—”

  “Why not? Who’ll know?” When she opened her mouth to protest, Jon stepped closer and placed a hand on each of her shoulders. “Robert told me his theories about Randall seeking you out for revenge. Now, I don’t know if that’s the case or not, but if I were you, I’d want to know all I could about what transpired in the courtroom between my spouse and Randall.” He squeezed her shoulders before he stepped back. “Better safe than sorry, especially if you’re gonna let Randall stay on until these renovations are finished.”

  Her stomach seesawed. She hated the idea of rifling through Ryan’s files, invading his privacy. Or was it just that she was afraid of what she might learn about Matt?

  Jon sent a meaningful glance up the stairs before he turned and headed out to his truck.

  What if Jon was right? What if the answers she needed were downstairs, boxed up in her dusty basement?

  Holly pressed a hand to her swirling stomach and shuffled into the kitchen to fix a cup of tea to soothe the riot in her gut. She took the kettle from the stove to the sink to fill it and was absorbed in her thoughts when the scrape of a chair startled her out of her musings. She spun around to find Matt watching her, one hand braced on the back of a chair.

  “I think Jon’s right,” he said calmly.

  “Excuse me?” She tipped her head in query.

  “I think you should read Ryan’s case brief. I want you to see that everything I told you is the truth.”

  Holly tensed. “You were eavesdropping?”

  “Not intentionally. Jon’s voice carries.” He rocked back on his heels and set his jaw. Intensity and purpose blazed in his eyes. “I think you should look into Ryan’s death, too. Read through the police files on that investigation.”

  Holly carried the kettle back to the stove and turned the burner on. “Matt, I don’t—”

  “You need answers, Holly. Closure. That’s why you were in that old church the day we met. And now, with all these new questions and allegations against me, I want the opportunity to clear my name.”

  He moved closer, and the familiar scent of soap and spice teased her nose. Her traitorous body reacted to his proximity, her skin tingling and her senses hyperalert.

  “You asked me earlier if I had something to do with Ryan’s murder, and I welcome the opportunity to prove to you that I didn’t.” The conviction in his tone kicked up her pulse. “I’ll work with you. We can go down to the police station together and talk to the investigating officer.”

  She stepped back, shaking her head, needing distance from him to think clearly. “I’ve already talked to Robert about—”

  “Forget what Robert’s told you. You told me that he always put you off when you questioned him in depth. He could easily have sugarcoated what little he told you or withheld information he thought would upset you. You need to get firsthand information, not some filtered, sanitized version from your overprotective brother-in-law.”

  She paced across her kitchen, debating, trying to sort out her tangled feelings. “You don’t think Robert’s been honest with me about the police investigation?”

  He lifted a shoulder. “It’s possible. I know that when you care about someone, sometimes it’s hard to tell them news you know will cause them pain. If he did withhold information from you, I’m sure it was simply because he wanted to spare you unnecessary pain.”

  Matt’s gaze locked with hers. The honesty and heartfelt emotion behind his argument held her spellbound, and the instincts that had told her to trust him from day one raised their voices again. The internal pull, the unique connection she felt with Matt battled with the ache of his deception, tying knots in her chest.

  Do you really think he kept his connection to Ryan a secret out of malice? As Paige’s question replayed in her head, tears filled Holly’s eyes.

  “All right. I want to know the truth. The whole truth. About everything. About you and Ryan and his murder.”

  When the kettle whistled, she jolted, then moved it from the hot burner with a sigh of resignation. “Before he left, Jon all but accused me of living in ignorance to protect my sensibilities. And in a lot of ways, he was right. But in doing so, all I did was open myself to more pain when the truth came home to roost. Well, no more.” She faced Matt and gave a tight nod. “I’ll pick you up at the Community Aid Center tomorrow afternoon. We’ll start by talking to the police about Ryan’s murder investigation.”

  The next afternoon, Holly tapped her foot nervously as she waited for the detective in charge of Ryan’s case to meet with her and Matt. The lobby of the Morgan Hollow P.D. was not an especially busy place, but the ringing of phones and the clack of computer keys added to the buzz of adrenaline winding her tight.

  Matt reached over from the next chair and placed a hand on her knee. Startled, she turned toward him.

  “It’ll be all right.” His calm tone and steady gaze took the edge off her frayed nerves. Heat from his hand seeped through her slacks and spread a soothing warmth through her.

  She huffed a sigh. “I don’t know why I’m so jumpy.”

  “You don’t know what you’re going to learn. I can understand you being a little anxious.” He sent her an unwavering look. “But whatever you find out, I’m here for you. Everything will be okay. You have to believe that.”

  Holly inhaled a slow, deep breath and gave Matt an appreciative grin. Her ragged pulse had almost returned to a normal rhythm, when a familiar voice called her name.

  Robert strode toward her from the front door, a confused and concerned look darkening his face. He stripped off the overcoat he’d been wearing as he approached her and frowned when he noticed Matt beside her.

  “What’s happened? What are you doing here?” Robert draped his coat over his arm and braced a hand on his gun belt.

  “Nothing’s happened. I came to talk to Detective Parker about his investigation of Ryan’s murder.”

  Robert stiffened his spine and squared his shoulders. “Why? Have there been new developments?”

  Holly turned up a palm. “I don’t know. That’s why I’m here. I really know so little about the case, and it’s time that changed.”

  Robert looked away for a moment and sighed before returning his gaze to Holly. “If you have questions about the case, you could’ve asked me. I’ve told you I’d keep you up-to-date.”

  She nodded. “I know. But secondhand information isn’t enough for me anymore. I want to see the evidence, talk to Detective Parker myself. I want to know why the investigation has stalled out.”

  Robert’s jaw tightened, and he sl
anted a dubious glare toward Matt. “I suppose he put you up to this.”

  “Yeah, I suggested it.” Matt leaned back in his chair and draped an arm across the back of Holly’s seat. His casual pose belied the tension she could feel radiating from him. “I knew she needed answers she wasn’t getting from you. And I wanted to prove to her that I had nothing to do with Ryan’s death. Despite your allegations.”

  “Mrs. Cole?” An older man in a suit coat and open-collared shirt addressed her from across the lobby.

  Holly rose from her chair and gathered her purse, but as she turned to meet Detective Parker, Robert grabbed her arm. “Holly, are you sure you want to do this? I’ve tried to spare you the gory details, because I didn’t want to tarnish your memories of Ryan.”

  Holly patted Robert’s hand. “And I appreciate your looking out for me, but it’s time I take off my blinders and learn the whole truth.”

  As she pulled free of Robert’s grip, Matt placed a hand at the small of her back and escorted her to the small interrogation room with Detective Parker.

  After introductions were made, Holly explained her frustration over being kept in the dark concerning the investigation and asked to see the detective’s files.

  Detective Parker rocked back in his seat and laced his fingers over his chest. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Cole. I was under the impression your brother-in-law was keeping you up-to-date.”

  “To an extent. But I want to see for myself the evidence that’s been gathered.”

  The detective gave her a measured scrutiny. “You do understand that open case files are not open to the public. We have to keep our records confidential to avoid jeopardizing the case. If we tip our hand to the guilty party, they could use that information to cover their tracks. In fact, we’re very selective about the information released to the press.”

  Holly flattened her hands on the conference table and leaned toward the detective. “But I’m the victim’s wife. Aren’t I allowed to know how the investigation is going?”

  Detective Parker jerked a nod. “I’d be happy to keep you posted on my progress, but I still can’t show you all my cards.”

  As Holly’s frustration mounted, her muscles tightened.

  Matt placed a wide hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Could you tell us how the case stands now? Do you have any helpful leads, any suspects at all?”

  Scooting his chair back, Detective Parker rose and adjusted his pants. “Tell you what…you wait here, and I’ll go get the file on your husband’s case. To be honest, I haven’t looked at that case in several months. I’ll tell you what I can, and try to answer any questions you have. Sound fair?”

  Holly nodded. “Thank you.”

  When Detective Parker left the room, Matt wrapped his fingers around Holly’s hand and stroked her wrist with his thumb. Rather than soothing her, his tender touch stirred a heady heat in her blood and evoked sensual memories of making love to Matt.

  Making love. She’d chastised him for using that term, but she couldn’t deny the emotion that had been behind her actions. Their nights together held a special place in her heart, and memories of their bodies intertwined created an achy longing to hold Matt again, to feel his hands on her skin.

  She shifted in her chair to face Matt. “Doesn’t sound like we’ll get the information we’d hoped. Although…” She scoffed at herself. “What did I expect? I already knew they didn’t have a suspect, that they had little evidence at all.”

  He smiled and brought her knuckles up to his lips for a soft kiss. “But you still hoped to find something that would ease your mind, give you a little peace.”

  “And maybe something that would clear you, as well.”

  She should’ve pulled her hand away, but somehow she couldn’t. His gentle touch and the affection in his eyes held her spellbound.

  He sent her a crooked grin. “Yeah, I’d kinda hoped for that, too.”

  The tender warmth in his expression speared Holly’s heart, reminding her of the emotion that had filled his eyes as he’d joined their bodies. The affection and spiritual connection she’d experienced in his touch and seen on his face couldn’t have been faked. Could it? Could her instincts about Matt really have been so far off base?

  And even if she could believe he cared about her as he had claimed, how did she get past the secrets he had kept from her and learn to trust him again? Was that even what she wanted? She hadn’t gone looking for a new relationship. Yet in the days since she’d evicted Matt from her house, she’d been lonelier than in the days following Ryan’s death.

  Holly nibbled on her bottom lip and sighed. Loneliness wasn’t a good enough reason to let a man into her heart. She had to know there was a basis for a solid, trusting relationship and real love.

  Matt brushed her hair back from her cheek and tipped his head to meet her eyes. “Holly? What’s that sad look about?”

  Before she could answer, the interrogation-room door opened, and Detective Parker strode back in. The file in his hand was disappointingly thin, and the consternation denting his brow stirred an uneasy prickle at the back of her neck.

  He slapped the folder on the table and shoved his hands in his slacks pockets. “Here’s what I have, but—” He scowled and stared at the file, flexing the muscles in his jaw.

  “But?” Holly prompted.

  “There are documents missing. Key reports, lab results, photos.”

  Matt shifted to the edge of his chair and leaned forward, narrowing a stunned look on the detective. “Missing? How is that possible?”

  “I don’t know. I lock my desk at night, and the file room has restricted access.”

  Holly shook her head, trying to make sense of this turn of events. “Could you have just misfiled the other documents? Or maybe someone borrowed the file to—”

  “I know for a fact everything was still in this file the last time I reviewed it.” He stabbed the file with his finger to emphasize his point. “Nothing was misfiled. And no one could have gotten the file without my knowledge.”

  “And yet key evidence is missing.” Though calmly spoken, the challenge in Matt’s tone was unmistakable.

  Detective Parker straightened and glared at Matt. “Make no mistake, I will get to the bottom of this.” He turned to Holly, adding, “I will find the person responsible for removing the documents and let you know when the evidence is recovered. I promise you, Mrs. Cole, I won’t rest until I know who stole my file…and why.”

  Chapter 13

  As they left the police station, Matt assessed Holly’s pale face and trembling hands. News of the missing evidence had hit her hard. When she stabbed her key at the truck lock, he slipped the keys from her fingers and nudged her away from the door. “You’re upset. Let me drive you home.”

  She only hesitated a second before nodding her assent. She slid across to the passenger seat and leaned her head back with a weary sigh. “They’re never going to catch Ryan’s killer, are they? These incompetent oafs can’t even file key documents properly. They let evidence go missing, for crying out loud!”

  Matt cranked the truck’s engine, allowing Holly to vent her frustration. While Holly seemed inclined to believe the missing documents were the result of mismanagement and careless police work, Matt suspected something more nefarious was to blame. Ryan had been a high-profile prosecuting attorney. He could easily have made enemies in the community—even in the police department. Just because they were on the same side of law enforcement didn’t mean his handling of cases sat well with all of his colleagues.

  He glanced at Holly, whose drawn face and stunned expression told him she was in no frame of mind to hear his theories. She needed a soft, safe place to land as the weight of this latest trauma crashed down on her. If she’d let him, he intended to be that calm harbor for her.

  She smacked the armrest with the flat of her hand. “I should have stayed closer to the investigation from the beginning and not let Robert spoon-feed me information like some fragile child who couldn’t d
eal with the ugliness of her husband’s murder.” She heaved another shuddering sigh. “If I’d stayed in touch with Detective Parker, stayed on top of the progress of the case myself…” She clenched her teeth and growled.

  He reached over to squeeze her shoulder. “Holly, don’t beat yourself up over this. I think everyone wants to believe the police are infallible and that justice will always prevail. But the truth is, they’re human. They make mistakes.”

  When she slanted a sharp look his way, he lifted a hand to forestall her argument.

  “I’m not excusing sloppiness. Losing those documents is unconscionable. I’m saying you shouldn’t blame yourself for expecting them to handle the case properly. It was a reasonable expectation.”

  “You know what my problem is?”

  He angled a patient look toward her, allowing her to let off steam.

  “I’m too trusting. I always have been. I always thought I had good instincts with people, always wanted to believe the best in people, give them the benefit of the doubt.” She waved a hand as she ranted. “Ryan told me I was being naive, and I’d tell him he was just jaded because of his job. But maybe he was right.”

  Matt locked his attention on the winding mountain road as they left town and headed back to Holly’s farmhouse. Guilt twisted inside him, knowing he was primarily responsible for her disillusionment. Holly’s warmth and caring, her innocent belief in the goodness of humanity and her determination to show kindness to others were among the things he loved most about her. That he’d tarnished her simple faith and willingness to trust gouged a raw place inside him.

  He’d hurt another woman he loved, and that was unforgivable. Holly would be better off if he walked away now and never looked back, his commitment to her renovations be damned.

  But some misplaced protective inclination whispered to him to stay, to make sure she weathered this latest storm in her life. The healer in him wanted to mend her broken spirit and revive her zest for life. For the mistakes he’d made with Jill, for the hurt he’d caused Holly, he deserved to be alone. But Holly didn’t. He wouldn’t abandon her, wouldn’t let her push him away until he knew she’d be all right.