Small Town Secrets by Stella Mace

Author:Stella Mace [Mace, Stella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

It was Parker’s turn to bang on somebody’s door.

Sometime between Parker arriving at the police station, and the news breaking that another malicious attack had taken place, Jake began to phone Parker. The initial call dropped, and Parker assumed it had been a mistake. He had dialed her accidentally and noticed just before she had the chance to pick up.

And thank God for that, she thought, pulling into her driveway for the first time in days.

But after a brisk shower, a real plate of warm food, and a much-needed change of clothes, Jake was once again on her line. She ignored him intentionally, unwilling to commune with someone who was likely reaching out to see what she didn’t know. Or, perhaps, he had garnered some information of his own, and whatever it was contradicted what he thought Parker believed. Little did he know that Parker finally had someone in her corner—Paul would be participating in the dissemination of intel now.

Perhaps that was why, after three more missed calls, she finally picked up. She wanted Jake to know that she had moved on. She had a partner—a cop, no less—and he actually valued the theories that Parker wove. Not only that, she had a renewed sense of purpose with the recent slate of ransoms. The hacker hadn’t disappeared with a load of cash, and Parker had a host of avenues to investigate. She wasn’t relegated to the same old pointless drivel.

“What do you want?” she murmured into the receiver.

Jake sighed, but he didn’t address her with a similar combativeness. Instead, he asked with full sincerity, “Can you come over?”

“Why?” was her short reply.

“We need to talk.”

“I think you’ve said enough.”

“No, really, Parker. I want to apologize, and it’s only fair to do that to your face.”

“Oh...” She was taken aback. “Alright.”

So, there she was on his porch, her knuckles colliding with the wood grain he brought back to life with several coats of an expensive stain. Another day was coming to an end, the sun drowning below the serene sea, casting the rest of the world in a purple haze. The air was thick with frost, and Parker could see her staccato breaths as they interacted with the frigid atmosphere. She pulled her cardigan tighter around her waist, anxiously looking in Jake’s windows for any movement.

She felt as though he was keeping her there. Another twist of the knife, asking her to freeze while he puttered around the house, unbothered by her time or temperament. Parker should have figured this out for a ruse—maybe he was genuine when he called, but after having some hours to think on it, decided against allowing Parker back into his perfect life. She was about to give up when the door cracked open.

“Parker?” Jake whispered.

“Yeah. You didn’t hear me?” She couldn’t hide the hurt in her voice.

“No, sorry. I was upstairs.”

“I’ve been standing here waiting for you.”

“I’m sorry.”

For once, she believed him. “Okay.”

“Come in,” he said and moved so she could enter.

“Thanks,” she mumbled.

Pushing through the foyer, Parker kicked off her shoes and tossed her bag on a bench.

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