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“That’s going to be difficult to prove.” Why had Paula sent her here to do this job? She claimed it was because she was editor now and that she was trying to give Madelyn the break she wanted. But Paula was the type who liked to do things herself. The question had wafted through Madelyn’s mind more than once.
“Zach can be quite charming. That’s what I heard at least. Don’t fall under his spell.”
Madelyn straightened. “Wait—did you know him?” Was there more to Paula’s determination to see this article through than she’d originally let on?
“No, of course not. I just know people who know him. He’s a horrible person masquerading as someone who’s noble. He needs justice, Madelyn, and you’re the one who’s going to give it to him. Can I count on you?”
Madelyn wished she felt so certain. That pesky compassion always crept in at the worst times and sometimes made her wonder if she was suited for this career. She wasn’t cutthroat, and nothing she did would ever convince her she would be. But according to Paula, there was no prestige in simply writing travel articles. To be taken seriously in this career, one had to stick her neck out. She had to take risks, to write articles that impacted the world. How could Madelyn argue with that?
After a moment of silent contemplation by Madelyn, Paula spoke. “Madelyn, remember what that cop did to your parents. Did he get justice? No. People need consequences. That’s one of the problems with the world today. Everyone’s babied, so they think they can get away with wronging other people. It’s not right. People need to take responsibility for their actions. That cop who killed your parents needs to take responsibility. Zach Davis needs to own up to what he did and face the consequences. Do you understand?”
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.
FOUR
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. She lowered herself into the chair across from him.
He leaned toward her. “Madelyn, I need to ask you some questions so we can narrow down what’s going on here. Obviously someone has you in his crosshairs—figuratively, of course.”
She frowned. “Of course.”
“I can’t believe at this point that this is random—that someone simply saw you driving down Lankford Highway, decided to follow you and this chain of events is a result.”
“I agree that sounds like a stretch. But I really don’t have any good ideas for you.”
“Usually in cases like this, we look at the people closest to you. I know you said there’s no boyfriend or ex-boyfriend. But maybe you have an admirer or even an ex-boyfriend who’s in your distant past, whom you haven’t heard from in years.”
She stood as the coffee finished perking, grabbed a mug and poured a cup for him. “Cream or sugar?”
“Just black. Thanks.”
She brought him the drink and grabbed a cup for herself before sitting down again. Tight lines stretched across her face, and her movements looked stiff, almost stoic.
She sighed before saying, “I really have no idea. I haven’t had any serious boyfriends. I have no secret admirers. I have no blatant admirers for that matter. I mostly just have my career.”
Zach found that hard to believe. He’d guess there were plenty of guys who wouldn’t mind dating someone like Madelyn Sawyer. She was pretty, her eyes were kind and when she smiled it could take someone’s breath away. The woman was probably so focused on her career that she didn’t notice. She seemed like the driven type.
“Okay, how about family? Any arguments or fights or bad blood?”
She shook her head, her hands trembling against her coffee mug. “No, I have no family.”
“None at all?” Certainly they were just estranged. She was too young to be all alone.
“None. I was an only child, and my parents died in a car crash.” It sounded like it took all of her energy just to say that.
Zach had the impulse to reach forward and grab Madelyn’s hand. Of course he didn’t. It wouldn’t be professional. Instead, he said, “I’m sorry.”
She nodded, but the action was tight. Grief shone in waves through her eyes. “Thank you.”
He snapped back to the investigation, trying to push away any concern and to deny his strange urge to offer her comfort. “How about coworkers? Any of them have a grudge against you?”
She stared out the window a moment. “I write travel articles. It’s not like I’m a critic who tears apart movies or restaurants. I don’t write about crime. I help towns get business. The office staff is small. It’s just me, my editor and a couple of other full-timers. Everyone else is freelance. We all get along.”
He frowned. “So there’s really no one? This doesn’t give us much to go on.”
Madelyn pulled her sleeves down farther over her hands and rubbed them together. She appeared so alone, so lost. “I’m sorry. I wish I had more. I haven’t seen anything. I haven’t talked to anyone or had any confrontations with strangers. I’m pretty sure I haven’t even looked at anyone the wrong way.”
“That sounds pretty thorough.”
She frowned. “So what should I do? Should I listen to the man’s threat and go home?”
“I can’t make that decision for you.” Part of Zach thought that sounded like the best idea of all. But there was no guarantee someone wouldn’t follow her wherever she went. Plus, Zach never liked to give in to pressure caused by bullies.
He knew all about that.
He’d held his ground and ended up losing his job because of it.
Madelyn’s eyelids drooped, and she still hadn’t touched her coffee. She was exhausted, he realized. He stood, feeling like he’d done all he could do here.
“I should let you get some rest. Call me if you need me.”
“Will do. Thank you again.” She started to stand.
Zach held up a hand to stop her. “I can walk myself out. Really.”
He lumbered down the steps. At the bottom landing, he saw a piece of paper that had fallen against the wall. He picked it up and started to call for Madelyn when the words there caught his eye.
“Zach B. Davis
30 years old
Originally from Richmond, Virginia.”
Was this Madelyn’s? Why would the regional reporter have personal information written out about him? Wasn’t she here to do a travel piece on the town?
His back muscles suddenly went rigid. She may come off as being kind and sweet, but that didn’t mean she was.
He needed to keep an eye on Madelyn Sawyer, that was for sure. One wrong move, and she could ruin everything.
* * *
Madelyn had awakened the next morning with a new determination to investigate Zach Davis. When he’d shown up at her duplex last night, she’d found herself softening, opening up. She had to remember her mission—she needed to put professional distance between her and the subject of her article.
She glanced across the beach now. The sun set in the distance, streaking royal colors across the sky. She was a guest of honor at an oyster roast. The event was amazing. Mayor Alan was hosting it at his place, which was located on a long, private stretch of beach. A band played on a makeshift stage closer to the house, tables full of seafood had been laid out and people were readily engaging in the feast there. The smell of seafood, unappealing when she’d first arrived in town, now seemed alluring.
She’d spent the day with Eva Rogers, the town’s publicity manager, and had taken a tour of the retail area. They’d gone in various shops that featured items from local artists. They’d had coffee at The Java House. Then lunch at a seafood restaurant called Jim Buoy’s.
Later, a horse and carriage had eased them down the town’s streets and offered amazing views of some of the character-rich homes. A historian had joined them and had given Madelyn an account of the town from all the way back in the day when the area had been a bustling port and a playground for wealthy hunters and fishermen.
Despite herself, Madelyn was fascinated by everything she learned. She hadn’t thought she’d enjoy hearing about or seeing the town like she did. But the community was quaint and friendly and had something Madelyn had been seeking for her entire adult life: belonging. Her car had even been personally delivered back to her today with a note that the repair was “on the house.”
If she would allow herself to forget about the threats she’d encountered since leaving Maryland for the sleepy town, she might actually enjoy this place. Those things remained in the back of her mind, though. As did the real reason for her being here.
She glanced across the crowd again and spotted the one person she’d come to town to research. Zach Davis.
He was here at the oyster roast, talking with a group of people near the large grill. He’d dressed casually in jeans and a well-fitting T-shirt. He didn’t seem like the life-of-the-party type, but instead he stood back, engaging in the conversations around him in an easy-going manner. His back was never toward the crowd, and she’d caught him scanning his environment several times.
He seemed calm and steady, not the least bit impulsive or flighty, Madelyn mused. Maybe he hadn’t always been like this. Maybe he’d sobered after the fiasco in Baltimore. She couldn’t draw her conclusions too quickly, though. Even if she’d come into town with a different image of the man than the one he presented, that didn’t mean he was innocent.
As he glanced up, she quickly looked away.
“He’s quite handsome, isn’t he?” Eva suddenly appeared at her side. She carried a plate of oysters in one hand and a tall, dewy glass of a cheerful-looking drink in the other.
Eva was probably in her midfifties and had short brown hair that seemed to poof around her face. The woman had a quick smile and a bubbly personality that had made Madelyn feel right at home.
Madelyn shrugged, desperate not to give herself away, and took a sip of her lemon water. “I suppose.”
“We’re all so excited to have him here. He’s done an outstanding job so far.”
“Where’d he come from?”
Eva tapped her lips. “Hmm...you know, I can’t remember. But it was some other little town. Smuggler’s Cove, I believe. It’s a little island out in the bay.”
“I can’t imagine his job keeps him busy here.”
“Oh, I’m sure it’s boring, but that’s the way we like it. Boring equals safe so we’ll take it.”
Suddenly, Madelyn straightened as she peered in the distance beyond Eva. A white pickup truck disappeared down the road and out of sight. She sucked in a deep breath at the sight, that fear that was becoming all too familiar coursing through her until her arms shook.
“Is everything okay?” Eva examined Madelyn with motherly concern.
Madelyn rubbed her neck and nodded. “Yes, of course.”
Madelyn hadn’t mentioned anything to Eva about last night—either about the snatched oysters or the binoculars she’d seen someone using outside her apartment. It was better if she kept any attention off herself.
And Zach obviously ran a tight ship. In most small towns, it would be easy for word to spread and for everyone to know other people’s business. Zach seemed to have high standards. Had he encouraged those working under him to keep the incidents confidential?
“If it’s not our favorite reporter,” someone said.
Madelyn recognized the man as Mayor Alan. They’d been introduced briefly when she arrived at the oyster roast. The man had a thick blond mustache and matching hair that was graying on the edges. He had a solid build, a tanned complexion and a ready smile. His clothes screamed expensive and, based on everything she’d observed about him, he was wealthy. Maybe one of the wealthiest, most powerful people in town.
“Are you having a good time?” he asked.
“Yes, it seems like a great town you’ve got here.” She scanned her surroundings again, waiting to see a figure lurking.
She was being paranoid. Certainly there were other white trucks here in town. She had to get a grip.
The sun was setting over the bay, and the sky was lit in deep reds and purples. In other circumstances, this would have been an enjoyable day. A perfect day for that matter.
But Madelyn couldn’t relax. Not when so much was on the line.
She made chitchat with Eva and Mayor Alan, talking about the town and all of its charms and quirks. She tried to properly sell the idea that she was writing a travel article.
Just then, her phone buzzed. She pulled it out and looked down at the screen.
It’s Chief Davis. I have an update for you, but I’d like to tell you in person. Can you meet me by the shed on the edge of the property?
The chief was texting her? She had given him her contact information yesterday in case he had any more questions. But this seemed almost unprofessional.
She glanced around, looking for the chief, but she didn’t see him anywhere. Interesting.
“Could you excuse me a minute?” she asked Eva and Mayor Alan.
“Well of course!” the mayor said. “You’re the guest of honor here. I know you have a lot of people you want to speak with while you’re in town. Go right ahead.”
With a touch of trepidation, she started toward the shed. She supposed there weren’t many landmarks they could meet at besides on the beach. But unease continued to grow in her stomach with each step.
Did Zach Davis know why she was really here? Would he confront her? If he was as dangerous as Paula seemed to think, would he do more than confront her? Did he have the potential to...harm her?
She rubbed her hands on her linen pants as she reached the door. The sun sank below the horizon and sent another shiver down her spine.
In other circumstances, this would be romantic. Instead, she was alone. Was she always destined to be single? The question seemed both morbid and inconsequential. Paula always told her it was better to be alone. Having no plus-one meant freedom.
But Madelyn had seen what a good relationship her mother and father had, and she wanted that for her own life. She didn’t want to see the world by herself. She wanted a partner by her side to share her struggles and to celebrate her victories.
She let out a sigh and continued trudging through the sand. She was probably wishing for too much, and that made her seem weak. She needed to be strong right now, especially if she was meeting the chief. Zach Davis was the type who could easily see through facades. His gaze made it clear that he was always analyzing things around them. That would include Madelyn. The thought made her nervous. What if he could see through her? What would she do then?
She reached the shed, but no one was there. She glanced around. The crowds from the oyster roast were on the other side of the beach, far away from this building, which was set back on the grassy banks, away from the sand.
Where was Chief Davis? She searched the crowds in the distance again but didn’t spot him.
Impatient, she peered around the back side of the building. When she did, a masked man lunged at her from the shadows.
In an instant, her life flashed before her eyes.
FIVE
Madelyn struggled against the man in black—her captor. She thrashed, trying to get out of his grip. She tried to scream, but a gloved hand went over her mouth.
“I warned you,” the man grumbled.
Just hearing his gravelly voice ratcheted her fear to the next level. She thrashed even harder. She used her elbows to catch the man’s ribs. She kicked at his shins.
It was no use. He was stronger than she was and easily overpowered her. All of Madelyn’s efforts seemed futile.
She wasn’t ready to give up, though. She craned her neck, straining to catch a glance at her captor. His face was covered with a black mask, making him unrecognizable.
Had this been Zach all along? Had he secretly followed Madelyn into town and pretended someone else shot at him in the woods yesterday? Had he disguised his voice so she wouldn’t recognize him? He was the only person in town who’d known she was at her duplex alone last night. He’d had enough time to change before coming back and trying to run her out of town as she stood there on the stoop. He could have even been down by the pier with binoculars. The dispatcher had answered when she called, so Zach would have enough time to change again. Right now he could be concealing his face and trying to scare her out of town.
The man raised her off her feet and edged her toward the shed.
No!
She glanced down, trying to get any kind of clue as to who he might be. All she could see were his shoes. Black, glossy, sandy. She tried to memorize what she could.
In one motion, he tossed her into the shed. Her backside ached on impact, and the sudden motion caused a shovel to fall, landing hard on her hand.
“Go home,” the man growled as he leered into the darkness. She could only see the whites of his eyes, and that was enough to turn her stomach with fear.