Thirty minutes after touchdown they were on their way in a compact rental with a map of the area. The rental car agent had drawn out the quickest route from Jackson to the Maddox estate in Jefferson County in the middle of the Mississippi Valley.
Low, gray clouds had hovered menacingly when they started driving. Half an hour later, they opened up to a torrent of rain. The rhythmic swoosh of the wipers and the hum of the tires on the road were the only sounds as Don drove.
The rural landscape was vastly different from her beloved New England. Flat, green fields extended for acres on both sides of the highway, dotted by the occasional modest home, rusted car or abandoned farm equipment overgrown with weeds. It all looked so lonely and desolate.
Caroline consulted the map, then pointed to a sign that read Fayette Road. It looks like we turn right up here.
They left the main highway for a more rural road. Another turn put them on a narrow, unpaved road that ran along a creek. Tall pine and hardwoods provided some relief from the pelting rain but there was no respite from the hot, choking humidity, even with the air conditioning on. Her winter wool jacket wasnt very practical for this climate. She hadnt thought to check the weather or even bring an umbrella. Her mind had been focused on meeting her biological family and learning somethinganythingabout the woman whod given birth to her.
What in the world?
Dons mutter drew Carolines attention. His gaze was fixed on a truck bearing down on them at a rapid speed from the opposite direction. Don slowed and edged as close to the side of the roadway as possible. Trees and brush lined the road, their branches scratching the paint of the car. The truck mirrored their movement without slowing.
Gripping the door handle, Caroline tried to breathe past the knot of apprehension tightening her chest. The older model Ford truck seemed intent on playing some sort of game of chicken as it roared ever closer, directly in their path.
Don?
Hang on!
At the last second Don revved the motor and swerved to the other side of the road out of the path of the oncoming vehicle. The truck passed close to the passenger side in a rain-splashed whirl of color. Caroline couldnt make out the drivers face, only that he wore a baseball cap.
Don accelerated. Caroline twisted in her seat to stare after the truck until it roared out of sight.
That was random, right? She worked to calm her heart rate.
Given someone stalked you, broke into your apartment, then bombed said apartment? No.
Dread chilled her blood. This incident cant be related to I mean, how would anyone know what kind of vehicle we rented and that wed be on this road at this time?
I dont know. But apparently someone is keeping tabs on your movements. He slanted her a glance as the car slowed to a normal speed. We could turn back and go home right now.
She shook her head. No. Whoever is after me clearly knows where to find me. Running wont help. And it wont give me any answers about my family.
He gave a rueful shake of his head and resumed staring out the front window. Tension rolled off him in waves, making her taut nerves stretch tighter.
The road leading to the Maddox estate shouldnt be much farther, she said.
At the five-mile mark, Don turned the car down a long graveled drive. Large trees lined the road, their spindly branches tangling together overhead to form a canopy. Soon the tree line ended, opening up to a flat lawn stretching on either side eventually leading to more trees.
A large, two-story, redbrick home with a white colonnade across the front came into view at the end of the drive.
Through the pouring rain, Caroline studied the structure.
At first glance it appeared majestic, as if theyd stumbled on an old pre-Civil War movie set. But soon she started noticing signs of decay and disrepair. They passed a shed that looked ready to crumble and a more modern detached garage big enough for at least three cars. It seemed more stable than the shedbut not by much. As they drew closer to the main house, she noticed the peeling paint on the columns, the brown and green moss creeping up the edges of the foundation. Several of the cracked blue window shutters hung off their hinges.
The old plantation home appeared uncared for, resembling something more fitting for a horrible B slasher movie than a wealthy Southern family at Christmas time. No festive decorations spruced up the place. No sign of celebration at all. A stark contrast to her parents home with twinkling lights, a glittering tree visible through the front bay window, and a nativity scene on the front lawn.
A shiver of disquiet skated across her flesh. Maybe she really had made a mistake in coming here. This felt all wrongnothing at all as shed imagined when she thought of coming here. Maybe she should have left well enough alone.
No. She squared her shoulders, determined not to back down now.
Don parked at the foot of a set of crooked stairs leading to the front entrance. This isnt exactly the prosperous Southern estate I expected.
More misgivings stirred. I dont get it. Someone tried to kill me for this?
Looks can be deceiving.
True.
Not too late to turn back.
Keeping her gaze on the house, she shook her head. Now was not the time to lose her courage.
Okay, then. He shrugged into his water-resistant coat. You ready?
Not really. Her pulse pounded in her ears. Nervous tingles made her feel a bit queasy. Pushing her anxiety aside, she quickly buttoned her jacket to protect her blouse from the steady stream of rain.
Forcing herself to appear more confident than she felt, she nodded. Yes. I need to do this.
They exited the car and hustled up the stairs to the porch under the overhang. Humidity hung in the air, making her rethink the buttoning of her coat. Empty wooden rockers creaked in the blowing wind. The faint noise of dogs barking unchecked somewhere in the distance accentuated how different this country setting was from her life in Boston, where animal control would be called for such a racket.
She shook out her loose hair. Water dripped down the collar of her coat, the sensation causing a chill despite the mild temperature. She must have shuddered because Don stepped closer, his protection as enveloping and unspoken as the warmth radiating off him.
The wide, wooden front door swung open with a creak that gave her the same creepy feeling as if she were watching a horror movie and the unsuspecting hero and heroine were about to find themselves in peril. What utter nonsense! She gave herself a mental shake.
A tall, lean man stood on the threshold. He wore a sorely outdated dark suit and a white dress shirt that needed some bleach. His gray eyes studied Caroline as if she were a piece of artwork and he sought the flaw.
She smiled, though she felt more like squirming. Hello. Im Caroline Tully. You should be expecting me.
Solemnly, the man nodded and stepped back. Come in. Im Horace, the man said in a nasal drawl. His gaze flicked to the sky. Nasty weather were having. The weatherman says the rain will continue on til New Years.
Not sure what to do with that tidbit of information, Caroline stepped inside. Don kept his hand at her back, the pressure soothing.
Ill tell Mr. Maddox youve arrived, Horace said with a deferential nod before quietly disappearing down the hall.
Interesting place, Don muttered.
Caroline nodded in agreement. Most of the furniture looks like its been here since the house was built.
Despite the graceful and refined lines of the Federal style furnishings, the pieces did little to impress or offer welcome. The rose-colored damask material covering the horseshoe-shaped seats on two fiddleback chairs had faded to a lackluster hue. Everything looked worn and threadbare, including a thick and tattered leather-bound Bible that sat on an oil varnished table. The gold lettering on the cover was nearly worn away.
A hutch loaded with dusty books sat against the wall beside an arched doorway. She noticed there were no signs of Christmas here, either, regardless of the presence of a Bible.
Not even a hint of the commercialism of the season, no mistletoe in the arched doorways, no tree, snowmen or Santas, even.
No nativity set commemorating the true meaning of the holiday.
The strange sensation of being watched raised the fine hairs at the nape of Carolines neck. She tensed and searched for the source.
Scarred hardwood floors stretched across the entryway and fed into a wide staircase with an ornately carved banister leading to the second story where two teens, a boy and a girl, waited at the top. Both had raven hair and light hazel eyes.
Caroline smiled a greeting. Neither teen smiled back.
Creeped-out, she glanced at Don. Hed been watching the teenagers, too. He met her gaze and shrugged.
The butler returned. The teenagers scurried out of sight. Mr. Maddox will see you now.
A flutter of nerves hit Caroline as they followed Horace up the stairs and down the hall to the other end of the second story. He opened a door and stepped aside.
The room was shrouded in shadows. The curtains were closed and only a small table lamp in the corner glowed near a full-size bed where a wizened old man lay. Thinning silver hair covered his head. He stared at her with bloodshot eyes and lifted a hand, beckoning them closer. Isabella?
Heart hammering in her chest, Caroline walked forward. She wasnt sure what to say to this obviously ill man. Her grandfather. Compassion filled her, as it would for anyone brought low by sickness. She took his hand in hers. His skin had darkened on his arm and felt clammy, and the bones were so fragile. No, Im Caroline. And this ismy fiancé, Don.
The old man seemed to shrink a little. Im sorry, Elijah Maddox said in a raspy voice. I shouldnt have brought you here, child. Its not safe.
Stunned, Caroline glanced at Don. Good thing she had him to protect her.
A thundercloud of anger darkened Dons expression. He stepped closer. So you know someone has tried to kill her?
Elijahs eyes widened. No! He closed his eyes for a moment, a spasm of pain crossed his bony features. When he opened his eyes, real fear shone bright in the amber depths. He looked toward the door then back to Caroline. Someones killing me!
TWO
Dons blood pressure skyrocketed. His fists clenched. Hed known coming here was a bad idea. Why would you summon Caroline if you knew shed be in danger?
I didnt know. Not when I sent Willard to find her, Elijah insisted.
Whos Willard? Don asked.
A local private investigator. His rheumy gaze pleaded for understanding. I thought I was dying so I sent for you. But by the time I realized that someone wanted me dead, it was too lateyou were already on your way.
Distress played over Carolines face. Why do you think someone is trying to kill you?
Elijah shook his head. Not trying. Succeeding. The doctor says I should be getting better but Im not.
What sickness do you have? Don asked.
Addisons disease. Or so the doctor claims. His bushy gray eyebrows drew together. No one believes me that theres more to it than that.
Don exchanged a dubious glance with Caroline.
What is Addisons? Caroline asked.
My adrenal glands arent producing enough of their hormones, allowing my immune system to attack the glands. But Addisons can be controlled with medication. I should be getting better, and instead He gestured around him.
Have you sought a second opinion? she asked.
Dr. Reese is the only doctor around. Ive asked to have a doctor from Jackson come in. Samuel said hed see to it after the holidays. I might not make it that long.
Why not go to the nearest hospital? Don asked.
Elijah frowned with frustration. I dont like hospitals. The doctor can come to me. But no one will call him.
Why do you think someone wants you dead? Don pressed, unsure what to believe, but needing answers so he could keep Caroline safe.
The old man snorted beneath his breath. Greed, why else? Once Im gone He paused as a spasm of pain twisted his wrinkled face.
Dons thoughts turned to Samuel Maddox. Carolines uncle, Isabellas brother. Don might not have a background in investigative work, but he knew the first rulefollow the money. Was Samuel the one behind the attempt on Carolines life and his fathers? He had the most to gain and the most to lose. You named Caroline as a coheir in your will. I assume your son, Samuel, is the other heir.
Yes. Ive made provisions for his family of course, and the staff. But Samuel and Isabellas child are my heirs.
He searched Carolines face. You look so much like Isabella. When you walked in, I thought I was seeing her again.
Caroline blinked. I do?
The wistful note in her tone brought an ache to Dons chest.
Where is she buried? Caroline asked.
Elijah dropped his gaze. Anguish washed over his face. Fayette Cemetery. In the family plot next to her mother.
Can you tell us what happened to her? Don asked. Though hed read the brief report the NOPD sent to Trent, he wanted to learn what the family knew.
Torment filled the old mans face. Murdered. My baby was murdered.
Blunt force trauma to the back of the head. The weapon used had been the base of a brass table lamp. The police found no fingerprints in the apartment other than Isabellas suggesting the killer had worn gloves.
The heartbreak on Carolines face twisted Dons insides into knots. A fat tear rolled slowly down her cheek, leaving a wet trail. Don fought the urge to pull her close and soothe away her tears. A real fiancé would. But he wasnt her fiancé. Not even close.
A clap of thunder exploded in the charged silence. Don flinched, the sound triggering old terrors, old memories. Caroline reached for his hand and held on tight. The warmth of her touch grounded him in the moment and made him feel needed as a man, not just as a bodyguard.
Oh, brother, he was treading in deep water here.
The police said it was a burglary gone bad, Elijah said. His brow furrowed. Except
Except? Don probed. The police report stated there were jewelry and other items missing, leading them to suspect robbery as the motive.
The lead detective told me there was no forced entry.
A cold knot of apprehension fisted in Dons gut. Isabella Maddox had opened the door to her killer. A far different situation than a random intruder. That wasnt in the report hed read. Something wasnt right about Isabella Maddoxs murder. But he wasnt an investigator nor was it his job to solve a cold case. His sole intent was to protect Caroline.