Die Before Nightfall Read online

  Raven didn’t think so. The puppy was too friendly for her own good. If the intruder had approached her with a baseball bat in one hand and a shotgun in the other, Merry would have sat on her little rump, tail wagging and tongue lolling.

  Where were the police? The wait seemed endless, though it was less than ten minutes after Shane’s call that Raven heard the first siren. Another followed seconds later.

  “I’ll go out and meet them.” Shane started toward the door, and Raven stood and hurried after him.

  “I’ll go with you.”

  By the time they made it down the stairs and around the side of the house, the first cruiser was pulling up. An officer stepped out, his hat shadowing his face. Raven recognized him anyway, the height and the breadth of his shoulders clearly marking him as Jake Reed.

  “Hear you’ve got some trouble.”

  Raven nodded, stepped forward and felt the weight of Shane’s hand rest on her shoulder. It felt good, welcome, and for once she didn’t pull away, didn’t force herself to deny the comfort and support he offered. He stayed beside her as Jake approached.

  “Why don’t you tell me what you saw at the cottage. I’ve got men there now, checking things out. I’ll get the facts from you, then join them.”

  Raven did as she was asked, speaking in the quiet monotone of a person in shock. She recognized this, but told herself she was fine. Just as she always had been, as she always would be.

  After a few questions, Jake seemed satisfied and closed the notebook he’d been writing in. “All right. We’ll check things out. When we’re done, I’ll come get you and bring you home. We’ll do a walk-through. See if anything’s missing.”

  There was no question in his voice, just a simple statement of the way things would be. It needed no response, and Raven gave none.

  “What’s going on, dear? Is that an ambulance?” Abby stepped outside, a young Asian woman beside her.

  “A police car, Aunt Abby. There’s been a break-in at the cottage.”

  “Oh, no. Is everyone okay?”

  “Raven’s fine.”

  “What about Nora and the boys? Her husband’s out of town, you know.”

  Raven wondered what Shane would say to that. Would he try to argue with his aunt’s faulty memory? Would he play along?

  He did neither. “I’m sure they’re all fine. You were a great neighbor to them.” He paused, squeezed Raven’s shoulder. “This is Raven, Aunt Abby. She lives in the cottage now.”

  “Hello, dear.” Abby squinted, her gaze focusing on Raven as if seeing her for the first time. “I’m sorry to hear you’ve had trouble. Would you like a cup of tea?”

  “That would be nice. Thanks.”

  They walked into the kitchen together, the aide leading Abby to a chair and helping her sit. Raven moved to the stove and the teakettle, hoping to keep her hands busy and her mind off what was happening at the cottage.

  “Anyone else want a cup?” she asked.

  “Let me do that.” Shane shifted close to Raven, edging into her space so that his arm brushed hers as he grabbed the teakettle from her hand, filled it and set it to boil. “You okay?”

  “I’m fine. Just anxious to know what’s going on.”

  “It shouldn’t take Jake long to get back.”

  His hand came to rest on her neck, kneading tense muscles there and offering comfort she didn’t want to need but seemed helpless to deny. She leaned against him, allowing herself a moment of comfort. Then, realizing what she was doing, how dangerous it could be, she stepped back, grabbing teacups from the cupboard.

  “Did you want tea, Shane?”

  “I’m thinking something stronger might be in order.”

  “Stronger?”

  “Sure.” He reached into the refrigerator and pulled out two soda bottles. “This stuff packs a wallop. I think they put in extra caffeine.”

  “Maybe I should give it a try. I could use a pick-me-up. But first, let’s get Abby her tea.”

  “I can do that.” The aide stepped forward as the sound of an approaching car engine drifted through the open window.

  Jake was already coming up the porch steps as Raven and Shane stepped back outside. “No one’s in the house. We’ve dusted for prints. We’ll get yours, as well as those of the people who’ve visited you recently. Don’t know if we’ll come up with anything, but it’s worth a try. Ready to go?”

  “Yes.” Not really. She’d rather stay put. Go back into Shane and Abby’s warm kitchen, drink her soda and forget the reality of what had happened.

  “Good. Let’s go. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I found something of yours. Thought you might want to have it back.” He opened the back of the cruiser, reached in and pulled Merry out. “She’s scared, but seems fine otherwise.”

  “Merry!” Raven grabbed the puppy, pulled her close and kissed her head. “Thank goodness. I was so worried. Where’d you find her?”

  “Cowering in the bathroom.”

  “Poor thing. Are you okay?”

  Shane listened to Raven coo and cosset the ugly little pup. She seemed smitten, completely oblivious to the fact that her dog looked like nothing so much as a giant rat.

  “She isn’t ugly.”

  Raven’s comment startled Shane from his thoughts and he met her gaze, doing his best to look innocent and benign. “I never said she was.”

  “No. But you’re thinking it. I can see it in your eyes.”

  “My eyes—”

  “Let’s save your defense for another time, Shane,” said Jake. “Right now I want to get Raven home.”

  The humor Shane had seen dancing at the corner of Raven’s mouth disappeared. She seemed to shrink back, as if cowering from some unspoken fear. Then, as quickly as it had come, the look of fear was gone and she straightened her spine and stepped forward. “I’ll have to call Nora when we get to the cottage. She’ll need to know what happened.”

  “I called her a few minutes ago. She’s on her way.”

  “I feel terrible about this. I hope there isn’t too much damage.”

  “There isn’t. And even if there was, it wouldn’t be your fault. Seems to me what happened would have happened whether you were in the house or not.”

  Jake’s words were meant to reassure, but Shane could see that Raven didn’t believe them. He wasn’t sure he did, either.

  He stepped past Jake and leaned in close to Raven. “Why don’t I come with you? I can help you clean up the mess.”

  For a moment he thought she’d agree, but she shook her head, her desire for independence apparently stronger than her need for support and help.

  “I appreciate the offer, Shane, but Abby needs you.”

  “She’s got her aide.”

  “Thanks. But I’ll be okay.”

  Shane whispered close to her ear. “We can’t always go it alone. God didn’t design us that way.”

  She blinked, her discomfort at his comment obvious. She might have spoken, perhaps argued, but Jake stepped behind Shane and slapped a heavy hand against his shoulder, the gesture too rough to be friendly.

  “She said she’s fine.”

  Shane whirled, ready to let loose the anger and frustration he felt. Then Raven’s hand slipped into his, tugging him back and holding him still. He glanced down, saw the almost pleading expression in her eyes, and knew he’d tread carefully with Jake, if only to ease Raven’s anxiety.

  “All right. Call if you need something, Raven.”

  “I will.”

  But they both knew she wouldn’t. And Shane wondered as he watched Jake’s car retreating down the driveway, why he cared so much.

  Chapter Twelve

  Raven knew things were bad at the cottage and had expected the worst. Still, she gasped as she stepped across the threshold and got a better look at the damage. To say the house was a mess was like saying a hurricane was a spring storm. Papers were strewn across the floor, books ripped from their bindings, pictures slashed and torn. It seemed an act of senseless violence
, the purpose beyond anything Raven could imagine.

  They walked from room to room, lifting items, checking closets, drawers, Raven’s jewelry box…her heart thudded as she lifted the small teak-wood box from the floor. The items it contained were scattered across the dresser and floor, and she bent to pick them up, cataloging each in her mind, searching for the only one that meant anything to her.

  It wasn’t there.

  She searched the floor, found her wedding band, the diamond studs Jonas had given her for their first wedding anniversary, the bracelet she’d gotten from a patient. But no silver locket. She felt dizzy with the knowledge, her body swaying.

  “You okay?” Jake put a hand on her arm, holding her steady.

  “Fine.” But she wasn’t. Not if the locket was missing.

  “We looking for anything in particular?”

  “A silver locket. Large. On a long chain. Victorian era.”

  “Valuable?”

  “It’s worth the price of the silver, anyway.” And it was priceless to Raven.

  Jake pulled a penlight from his pocket and shone it under the dresser. There was nothing there. Not even dust. He did the same to the area under the bed and beneath the armoire. Then he helped Raven lift piles of clothes that had been pulled from the drawers and closet.

  With each item moved, each crevice searched with no sign of the locket, the storm inside Raven grew, until she didn’t know how she’d contain it.

  “You sure you’re okay? You’re trembling.”

  A sweater landed on Raven’s shoulders and she pulled it tight around herself. “Thanks. I’m freezing.”

  “You’re in shock.”

  “I don’t understand why someone would do this. And why take the locket and not the earrings? They’re worth much more.”

  “Wish I had some answers for you, but until we find the person responsible, we can’t know the motive. And even after we find that person, we might not have an answer.”

  Raven nodded but didn’t speak. She couldn’t, not with the lump in her throat.

  “So far we’ve got a missing locket.” Jake made a note in his notebook. “Anything else?”

  “No. I don’t think so.”

  They moved into the kitchen and Raven winced. Flour and sugar coated the floor in a thick layer. Broken dishes, cups and containers littered the counter and table. Everywhere she looked, destruction. Was anything else missing? She ran a hand through her hair, trying to force her mind from the missing locket and back to the task at hand. “The cookie tin’s missing.”

  Jake raised an eyebrow. “Cookie tin?”

  “Used as a keepsake box. There were a few pieces of jewelry in it. Thea’s diary is missing, too. My laptop was sitting on the table. It’s gone. My Bible’s gone, too.”

  Several other items were missing and Raven listed them. “That’s it, I think.”

  “Odd mix of items.”

  It was. Raven wasn’t sure what that meant, or if it meant anything at all. All she knew was that she wanted to go through the cottage again, recheck every room and search under the piles of debris, in the hope that the locket was there.

  “Oh my, this is terrible.” Nora walked into the room, her face lined with worry. “Who would do such a thing?”

  “I don’t know, Ms. Freedman, but I plan to find out. You want to walk through, see if any of the original furniture and paintings are missing?”

  It didn’t take long for Nora to make a tour of the house. She returned minutes later. “Nothing’s missing as far as I can see.”

  “Thea’s diary and keepsake box were taken. I’m so sorry, I’m sure her family will be disappointed.”

  “They’ll understand. I’m not sure they were that interested, anyway. Most of them didn’t even know Thea.”

  “Still—”

  “Now, don’t waste time worrying. Things’ll work out. Was anything of yours taken?”

  “A few things. Jake has the list.”

  He stepped forward. “Looks like we’ve done all we can for now. I’ll have people keep an eye out at local pawnshops, see if any of the items show up.”

  Raven winced as she imagined her locket being bought by a stranger, the photo ripped out and thrown away.

  “You okay, doll? You’ve gone pale.”

  Nora’s concern was obvious, and Raven tried to smile a reassurance.

  “I’m fine. Is there anything else I need to do before I start cleaning up, Jake?”

  “The lock will need to be replaced. Looks like someone jimmied it open. Dead bolt’s still good. Make sure you use it.”

  “I will.”

  He nodded and stepped outside.

  “Guess we’d better get started on this mess.” Nora grabbed a broom and began sweeping up glass and flour.

  “I’ll do that, Nora. It won’t take me long to get this cleaned up.”

  “I don’t mind. Do you have some trash bags?”

  Raven didn’t argue further—just grabbed trash bags from a drawer and set to work, eager to get busy and force her mind away from the missing locket.

  Nora kept up a steady stream of conversation as they tidied, and Raven joined in as best she could, her mind fumbling for answers to the simplest questions, until Nora paused, her hand on a pile of torn paper, and looked at her.

  “You’re quiet.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m not in the mood for conversation.”

  “I understand. My way of dealing is to talk. When my husband passed away, I spent two full days talking about nothing.” She smiled, the expression bittersweet. “Harold used to call me Chatter. ’Course, he was a quiet one—never much to say unless it was really important.”

  “He must have been a wonderful man.”

  “He was. Actually, all the Freedmans were good people. Though I have to say, my Harold was the best of the bunch.”

  “Did you grow up together?”

  “Went to the same high school. Got married as soon as we graduated. Moved to this cottage for a while, then across town when the boys got older. Not enough room in this place for three teenage boys.”

  “I imagine not. Did Thea have many siblings?”

  Nora shot a look in Raven’s direction, but answered the question. “She was an only child.”

  “Is that why your husband took care of the cottage for Thea?”

  “Yes. He was a few years younger than Thea, but they were close. Like brother and sister. When she disappeared, we took care of the property, made sure the taxes were paid—all the things that needed to be done to keep the cottage habitable in case Thea returned. Eventually the family decided Harold should have the property.”

  “That makes sense.”

  “Harold would have preferred to return the property to Thea, but she never came home.”

  Raven wanted to ask more, but Nora didn’t give her a chance. “Looks like we’ve got things cleaned up. Insurance should cover the damage. I’ll call in the claim and give you a ring later this week. I’d better head home now, though. The grandkids are coming by tonight.”

  “Thanks for helping with the cleanup. I’m so sorry this happened.”

  “You’ve got no fault in this, so there’s no need to apologize.” She smiled and stepped out onto the porch. “Do like Jake said and keep the doors bolted.”

  “I will.”

  Raven watched Nora get into her car and drive away, then closed and locked the door. The silence of the house wasn’t as comforting as she wanted it to be, so she picked Merry up and hugged her close as she made her way back through the living room and into the bedroom. Maybe, just maybe, they’d missed the locket and it was still hidden somewhere in the house.

  It was a long shot, probably an impossibility, but Raven couldn’t rest until she checked one last time.

  “Montgomery!”

  Shane didn’t need to glance up from the lawn mower he was trying to start to know who’d called his name. He looked up anyway, despite the childish urge to ignore the man.

  “Jake.�
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  “Got a minute?”

  “Depends. If you’re here to lecture me on Ben’s sister, then no. If it’s something else, maybe.”

  “Guess we’re both in luck. I’ll meet you on the porch.”

  Shane took his time, dusting his hands off on the faded jeans he wore, ramming the baseball cap a little tighter onto his head. When he finally moved toward the porch it was with the leisurely steps of someone who had all the time in the world. Which, he imagined, as he caught sight of Jake’s dark blue eyes, irritated his guest.

  “What can I do for you, Jake?”

  “Move a little faster, for one.”

  Shane didn’t bother hiding his grin as he stepped onto the porch. “Sorry.”

  “Sure you are.”

  They eyed each other in silence for a moment. Then Jake held out a hand. “We got started on the wrong foot. I wanted to apologize.”

  In the face of Shane’s childish behavior, the gesture and words were burning coals being poured, with purpose, onto his head.

  “Don’t pull your punches, do you.”

  Reed had the nerve to smile, his teeth flashing in an expression that was more triumphant than friendly. “Not usually. How about you?”

  “I would have done the same.” He clasped the other man’s hand and restrained himself from testing his strength against Jake’s grip.

  “Yeah, I thought we were more alike than not.”

  “So, what brings you here?”

  “Raven Stevenson.”

  “Thought this wasn’t about her.”

  “It isn’t about you and her. It’s about her. You know much about her?”

  “Not a lot. Why?”

  “Something’s bothering her. Something more than the cottage being trashed. Couldn’t put my finger on it, but it’s been worrying me. I called Ben. He wants to cut his trip short, but he’s afraid she’ll run if he pushes too hard.”

  “Makes sense. Raven doesn’t seem like the kind to want to be coddled. I can see her running from too much attention.”

  Jake’s brows arched. “I thought you said you didn’t know her well.”

  “I’m a writer—analyzing people is what I do.” Shane met the other man’s doubt head-on. “I don’t see what any of what you’ve said has to do with me.”