Distortion Control (A Makayla Rose Mystery Book 3) Read online

  The sneer remained in place. He didn’t like me, and I, quite frankly, didn’t care too much for him. We were wasting time. I hoped our meeting would mean something in the end, however, my fears were growing.

  Paul scratched his head. He glanced around the parking lot and in through the glass doors of the police station. When another visitor to the station walked up, he grabbed my arm and pulled me a little ways along the walk. I followed because I wanted to know what he would say, but he would not drag Makayla Rose around the corner out of sight. I was not that desperate for answers as to risk my life.

  Paul came to a stop in an area that was clearly visible from the entrance but far enough from others no one would overhear what he said. He gestured with his hands before his words were audible. “I was…accused of something.”

  “Accused of what?” I asked, my annoyance rising.

  He hesitated, drew in a deep breath, and blew it out. “You need to understand who my family is, specifically my uncle.”

  I kept my mouth shut in my ears open.

  “My uncle was put on trial for organized crime. He was convicted and incarcerated. During that time, it was believed that I had some involvement with him, that I was also a part of what he was doing and using my position as an attorney for his advantage in his organization.”

  I gaped in disbelief.

  “No evidence was found. However, it didn’t stop my reputation from being dragged through the mud and the bad press affecting my wife.”

  I had the feeling if Paul was involved with organized crime, he might be ruthless enough to do what it took to get at the truth regarding Spencer. That is, if he could move past his dislike.

  “I gathered my family and we decided to move to Briney Creek.”

  His words shocked me. Organized crime? Sure I understood it existed, but to meet someone with ties to it dumbfounded me. I didn’t know what to say.

  At the same time, I wondered about how he presented his story. Paul didn’t say he was never involved with his uncle’s business. He said the police believed he was and that it ruined his reputation. He said no evidence had been found. Didn’t innocent people normally deny false accusations? His wording was both interesting and frightening.

  “I was never charged with anything,” Paul reiterated, obviously taking my silence as disbelief. “Therefore, my ability to practice law was never jeopardized. However, it could have been. The situation was serious, and I decided the best action for me and for Gloria was to separate ourselves and to break ties from my family. So there you have it.” He shrugged with a look of take it or leave it. I decided to take it. What else could I do?

  “Thank you for explaining it to me, and all I want to ask is that you just please do everything you can to help Spencer, not for him and not for his brother Ash but for me.”

  He looked at me, and I couldn’t read by his expression what he might be thinking, but after some time he nodded and walked to the door. He pulled it open and waited for me to pass ahead of him. My nerves went into overdrive. I had heard a little of Paul’s story, but Spencer already knew it. Now, we needed to see what his reaction would be. I didn’t know whether Pete had allowed Ash to talk to Spencer or not, so it remained to be seen.

  Pete met us as we entered, the frown on his face forbidding. When he saw Paul, a look of resignation came over his features. Paul moved in front of me and squared his shoulders. “I’m here in an official capacity, Sheriff, as Spencer Norwood’s attorney.”

  I winced at his decision to call Pete sheriff. Pete was acting as the sheriff for the time being, but calling him by the title reminded me of Spencer’s vulnerable position, and I didn’t like it.

  “What about her?” Pete asked.

  Paul glanced at me. I tried to look useful. How one does that was beyond me, but I attempted to anyway. Neither man appeared fooled by it. “She’s with me,” Paul grunted. “I need to ask him questions with her there to cross-reference the stories. I’m working to get him released, so you understand I want the process as simple and short as possible.”

  Pete didn’t appear to comprehend at all, but as I held my breath for approval, he at last gave his consent.

  While Paul requested information on Spencer’s case, I glanced around the station. The officers that were present met my gaze briefly, and then slid away. These were the same men that I had brought donuts to on several occasions when I visited the station to see Spencer. I had a feeling they were feeling guilty and maybe they weren’t sure what to think.

  I pulled my phone from my purse and selected text messaging. I wanted to see if I had heard anything from Ash. After firing off a message to him saying I was at the station and that I was with Paul, I waited for his response. Several minutes passed, and I heard nothing. Where was he? He was the one that set up this appointment. I had thought that he would join us, but I was wrong.

  “Are you ready, Makayla?”

  I looked to where Paul stood at the door leading to the back of the station and pulled in a deep breath before blowing it out.

  Paul and I entered the area where Spencer was being held. Spencer was stretched out on the floor doing push-ups without a shirt. At any other time I might’ve enjoyed the view, however, I waited for him to look up.

  Paul tapped a pen against the bars to capture Spencer’s attention. I was pretty sure Spencer already knew we were there. After all, the noise of unlocking the steel doors reverberated around the small area.

  Spencer pushed out five more push-ups before he rose to his feet and brushed his hands off. His silver gaze met Paul’s, and a muscle ticked in his jaw. “Why are you here?”

  Paul smiled, a triumphant glint in his eye. “You know why. I’m the one that’s going to get you freed, and you’re going to owe me.”

  “No, I don’t think so.” Spencer looked at me. “Why is he here, Makayla? You didn’t hire him to be my attorney, did you? You should know better than that.”

  “Don’t be a baby,” Paul said before I could answer. “I said I’m here to represent you. I will, and I don’t have to like you to do a good job.”

  “Really? Because I don’t think you could do a good job either way.”

  “Stop!” I positioned myself between the two men holding my hands up and then pointed a finger at Spencer. “You don’t have much of a choice, and you, Paul, already told me you need to work. So, boys, I suggest you get over the attitudes and let’s work together.”

  Both men appeared to have eaten something sour. I would laugh if this wasn’t such a serious situation.

  “Makayla,” Spencer enunciated, “I don’t trust him.”

  “Well the feeling is mutual, isn’t it?” Paul shot back. “You got me. Money talks. Your brother—”

  “Whoa,” Spencer interrupted, “what does my brother have to do with this?”

  Spencer’s question answered mine as to whether he knew Ash was in town. “Your brother, Ash, hired Paul.”

  Spencer’s eyes narrowed. He approached the bars and gripped them until his fingers turned white. “I thought I told you before we parted the last time, Makayla, I didn’t want my family to know.”

  “Well, sorry, Spencer. I wasn’t the one that told him. I think Pete contacted your hometown during his investigation, and somehow Ash learned you’re in trouble. I for one think it’s a good thing that your family is here. You can use the support, and he’s a detective, which helps.”

  Spencer’s nostrils flared. He looked like he wanted to throttle me, but I would not back down. I approached the bars and laid my hands over his. I looked into his eyes, and pain constricted my heart. Tears welled in my eyes, but I blinked them away. Despite that, his expression softened because he must have seen my fear.

  “It’s okay, Makayla. This isn’t your fault. Where is Ash?”

  I tensed. “I don’t know. I texted him, but he hasn’t answered yet. I’m guessing he’s following a lead.”

  For long moments Spencer and I stared into each other’s eyes. I had fallen for
him against my better judgment, but I also had my doubts about what he felt for me. He was attracted to me. Otherwise we wouldn’t have been lovers, but whether he cared more about his late wife than me might never come to light.

  Paul cleared his throat, and I snapped out of my reverie. I dropped my hands to my sides and took a few steps back from the bars. Paul pulled out his briefcase and removed a notepad from it. “What I need to know is if you’re going to accept me as your lawyer.”

  Spencer’s fingers squeaked on the bars. “Fine, but I’ll be the one paying you. If I even suspect you’re trying to screw me over, we’re going to have a serious problem.”

  Paul’s cold smile made me wonder how well this was going to go. He opened his briefcase once again and pulled out more papers to pass to Spencer. “I’ll let you get away with saying something like that this time.”

  Spencer glared.

  “Couple papers to sign,” Paul said. “What I need from you now is to tell me everything you know and everything that happened.”

  “Of course.”

  Paul looked at me. “And I need you to remember, Makayla.”

  Easier said than done.

  After a grueling session where Paul asked question after question, clarifying Spencer’s story—all with the tone of voice as if he scarcely believed it—he clicked his briefcase closed over pages of notes.

  “I’m going to question a few people and make some phone calls,” he said. “The first thing I’m going to do is get you released. I think because you were the sheriff, people panicked. Our citizens didn’t help the situation. It’s possible now that a few days have gone by, I can get the decision to deny you bail reversed. I can’t make any promises.”

  “I understand,” Spencer said.

  Paul nodded and walked toward the exit. I let him go, hesitating to leave Spencer’s presence. I expected him to encourage me to go, but when I approached the cage, he reached his hand out and I laid my palm in his.

  “Makayla, I have regrets.”

  “Regrets?” His wording amused me. “That’s how you describe ignoring me?”

  “I didn’t exactly ignore you,” he explained. “I was still considering my position.”

  “Your position?” I’m sure my expression added lots to the conversation. “You are very funny man, Sheriff.”

  “When I get out of here—”

  “No.”

  His eyes widened. “No?”

  “No,” I repeated. “Do you think Paul believes you’re innocent?”

  “I don’t know if he does or doesn’t. If he can get me out of here, I can take control of this investigation and get myself off. That is what’s important to me right now.”

  I turned to go, but he held onto my hand and gave it to squeeze. I turned back to face him. He drew me close, but I kept my head. “This isn’t the time, Spencer.”

  “I’ve had a lot of time to think while I was in here,” he said. “About you and about us and about Penelope.”

  “There is no us, Sheriff. I have to go. Be strong. It won’t be long.” I shuffled out the door before he could respond and rushed out to my car. I was being a coward, but that was all I could do at the moment.

  Chapter Six

  When I still hadn’t heard from Ash, even though I had called him and texted him several times, I began to wonder just what was he up to. Was he serious about solving his brother’s case, or was there something darker going on? Okay, maybe I jumped to conclusions, but it didn’t excuse his being missing. I had enough to deal with. I was determined not to leave him alone until I found out what his motives were for coming to Briney Creek.

  Since he hadn’t specifically told me he was staying at a hotel, I first called Pattie Lane, the owner of our local inn, to see if he was staying at her establishment.

  “Good morning, Pattie,” I said when she answered the phone. “This might sound strange, but I’m looking for Ashton Norwood. I’m not sure if you’ve met him. He—”

  “Oh, yes, Ash.” I could hear the blush over the line and knew Ash had been up to what I now knew in such a short acquaintance was his “old tricks.” He had been flirting with Pattie so much that just asking about him caused her to blush. “I-I-I’ve met him. He seems…nice.”

  I chuckled. Too late to adopt a casual attitude, young lady. “I agree. Ash is nice, among other things. He’s been working with me to help Spencer, and I lost track of him. Have you seen him? Is he staying at your inn?”

  “I wish… I mean… No, he’s not.”

  She faltered so terribly, I felt sorry for her.

  “I believe he’s staying at the hotel not far from here. If you need it, I can give you the number.”

  If she thought I would miss that little hesitation and how she started to say how much she wished he were staying at her inn, she was sadly mistaken, poor thing. I knew the sound of a desperately lonely single woman when I heard one. Of course, that had nothing to do with me, mind you.

  “No, that’s okay. I think I’ll just drive around a little and see if I can spot him. Thanks for your help, Pattie.”

  “No problem, Makayla. Have a good day. Goodbye.”

  “Goodbye.”

  I ended the call and moved ahead with my plan to drive around and look for Ash. The challenge was that I didn’t know him very well. I had no idea what might interest him or what leads he might’ve come across to explore. I didn’t know who he had decided to interview or even who he might have already spoken with. Well, aside from a flustered Pattie.

  So far all I had learned about Ash was that he was not forthcoming with information. What I heard from Ash was what I had to pull from him after the fact.

  Twenty minutes of driving around Briney Creek, subject to the happy waves of every citizen I came across, I determined I wasn’t making any progress. Being unable to see inside the shops or know if Ash met with someone in their home, I couldn’t find him.

  I pulled to the side of the road and parked my car. At least today it wasn’t raining. The sun peeked through the clouds, but the temperature was a chilly forty-five degrees. I bundled up tighter in my jacket and started walking.

  Along Vineberry were little storefront shops that sold souvenirs and other trinkets produced locally and of interest to tourists. Unfortunately, with it being winter, the street was not as busy as it had been in the summer time. Most shops were either closed during this cold season or the hours open were truncated.

  Peeking into the windows didn’t produce a glimpse of Ash anywhere. I decided I needed a better, more deliberate plan of locating the man rather than wandering around. Retracing my steps to Main Street, I headed in the direction of David’s jewelry shop. I had been putting off talking to him, and I suspected he was doing the same with me. Now might not be the best time for our heart-to-heart, but I meant to have it soon.

  Just as I reached his side of the road, I spotted a man who I thought was Ash at the other end of the block. His long legs moved at clip that would soon distance him from me if I didn’t pick up my pace. I sped up, tucking my hands into my pockets to keep them warm, and was glad that I had decided to wear sneakers today rather than the more professional pumps I wore to the studio. I could keep up with Ash as long as he didn’t run.

  Moving close to the line of buildings, I managed to close much of the gap between Ash and myself. No one could accuse me of being a good private investigator or a good spy. In broad daylight, if anyone happened to spot me, they might get a nice laugh.

  At one point during his flight, Ash pulled his cell phone from his pocket and held it to his ear. I bristled. So, his cell phone was still working? He had definitely not answered my calls or my texts. To be sure, I removed my phone from my pocket to see if maybe he was calling me back now or texted me. No, my screen remained blank.

  In the next instant, he disappeared from my sight. I sucked in an increasingly painful breath and took off running toward the corner where I had seen him last. When I got to the end of the block, I stopped cold and fl
attened myself against the wall. I scanned my surroundings. Thank goodness no one was nearby…scratch that.

  Across the road, my neighbor Opal stood frozen and staring at me. She was the elderly woman who was never disturbed by Talia’s music choices because she was deaf. I ducked my head and offered her an apologetic smile and a tiny wave. I couldn’t see her face clearly, but something told me Opal had just marked me down as another town weirdo. Wonderful.

  Since this wasn’t the first time I had been looked at strangely, I didn’t let it get to me too much. Having no time to reassure Opal, I dismissed her from my thoughts and peeked around the corner. Ash was nowhere in sight. I darted around the bend and took a quick scan of the street. Nothing.

  I hurried down the block a short way, but this was one that dead-ended into the trees. There weren’t many options of where to go. A couple of the shops in this block had never showed activity to my knowledge, and the one or two places that looked like private houses had never shown any life all the time I had been living in Briney Creek. There was nowhere Ash could have gone.

  I started along the short road toward the trees and hesitated to believe he had gone that way. If he had, why? Was he chasing someone? What was he up to? With no other plan or idea, I continued on. Before long my feet transitioned from paved road to gravel and dirt. I stopped and swallowed. The shadows pulled at me, inviting me into the foliage. I resisted.

  “You’re getting fanciful, Makayla,” I whispered. “Pull yourself together.”

  I glanced behind me and seeing no one, I started in. This was insane, and I had no reason to wander farther. I should be thinking of who I needed to speak with regarding Spencer. If nothing else, I should harass Pete to do something, or wait for Paul to make headway into getting Spencer released.

  My feet kept moving.

  Birds in the tops of trees tweeted, and to me that was a good sign. Every horror film I had ever seen, and I admit there weren’t that many, indicated when the wildlife grew quiet, danger lurked. For a moment, I wondered how true that was. Nevertheless, I delved deeper into the woods and pushed branches aside as I progressed.