Present Danger by Elizabeth Goddard (heaven official's blessing novel english txt) 📕

Jack nodded. “The man’s been informed he shouldn’t leave town in case we have more questions.”

“What about the interns and volunteers, other employees?”

“I have deputies working on questioning them in the morning. Relax, Terra. You can use the information we gather when you follow up. You can’t be everywhere.”

Terra avoided Jack’s questioning look and scooted her chair back. She moved to the counter and got more coffee, which would probably keep her awake too late tonight. She calmed her frustration. Jack was right.

She slid back into the seat, wrapping her hands around the hot mug. “Why would Jim’s murderer take a knife from a museum to use as a murder weapon and then return it?”

“Maybe he thought it was a way to forever hide the weapon. Who would ever look at the museum’s artifacts?”

“Are you telling me he didn’t notice the knife’s missing tip?”

Jack angled his head. “He might not have noticed it because he was in a hurry or it was dark. Or he still didn’t think the weapon would be discovered. But I see you’re tracking a different way on this.”

She nodded. “I think that if the museum is involved in illegal trafficking along with Jim, that would be the last place the killer would take a weapon from. It leads us right back there.”

He crossed his arms. “Criminals make mistakes, Terra.”

“Or leading us back to the museum wasn’t a mistake at all and could be exactly what the killer wants. He wants to lead us the wrong way. Get us looking at the museum to pull our attention off the right path.” Though that would be going to a lot of trouble. “How sure are you that the knife is the murder weapon?”

“Almost positive.” He whipped out his cell and showed her the images he’d taken, along with the images of the knife tip from the deputy coroner.

“Okay, then. I would be surprised if this wasn’t the knife. But this makes no sense to me. Jim’s killer went to all that trouble to hide his body, then he put the knife back? He would have been better off throwing the knife into the Grayback River.”

“I can’t argue with you there.” His deep green eyes bored into her.

She never imagined she would be in this position again. Looking into Jack Tanner’s intense gaze. Emotions weaved with deep-seated memories rushed forward. Good ones up until that final devastating end.

She pushed herself away from the table. “Look, it’s been a long day. I have a big caseload and need to follow up on a couple of them tomorrow.”

“What about this investigation?”

She wanted to complain about her boss, but she offered a small smile instead. “It’s my job, Jack. This case is my priority, but you know how it is. This isn’t my only case. I’ll see you in the morning to oversee the transfer of the artifacts. And if I don’t see you then, I’ll call you tomorrow afternoon and you can catch me up. For starters, send me the museum interviews you’ve gathered.”

Jack scooted his chair back and stood, his gaze moving over her face before settling on her eyes. Her breaths quickened. Had she imagined his eyes had stopped at her lips before moving on?

“Call me, text me, email me with new information.” She couldn’t hold back her smile. “I’m absolutely sure I don’t want you driving all the way out to the ranch to deliver the news, especially if it means you ruin your record of never getting caught in the rain.”

“Oh, that’s already gone. Obliterated.” He sent her a crooked smile.

Terra wanted to touch the corner of his dimple. “Why’d you ruin it?” Just for me?

“You already know. I had to make sure you were okay. Now that I know you are, stay that way. Be safe tonight, Terra.” Jack headed down the hallway. “I’ll let myself out.”

He didn’t know that she’d followed him to turn off the alarm and stood at the door as he ran to his truck in the rain.

Terra closed and locked the door and armed the security system again. She pressed her back against the door and released the breath she’d been holding. Another disaster averted. She was safe for the moment. Safe from the likes of Jack Tanner.

Why had Providence suddenly thrown him back into her life in such a profound way?

EIGHTEEN

Terra plopped down on the sectional with her laptop. She’d made popcorn and hot chocolate and turned on the television so she wouldn’t feel so alone in this big, dark ranch house. She considered several romantic comedies and decided she couldn’t stomach those tonight. Her one and only serious romance so far had been anything but funny. Tragic was the word.

She wouldn’t count the debacle during her time with the NPS as a romance.

Terra continued searching. Nope to crime shows and psychological thrillers. Especially with that old picture of her great-great-great—how many greats again?—grandparents hanging on the wall. Something about the photograph made it look as though the eyes followed her everywhere. She’d never liked it as a kid, and sometimes it had given her nightmares. She paid no attention to it as an adult, but alone in this big house on a stormy night, the same stormy night she thought someone had followed her, she suddenly felt those eyes were watching her again.

They were watching her now. She chuckled at the idea that she was definitely not alone if she counted her great-greats to keep her company. A shudder crawled over her and she rubbed her arms, then found a Disney movie that didn’t involve a princess.

Except, she knew she wouldn’t actually watch the movie. Instead, she opened her laptop. She would work on finding Jim’s murderer by looking for possible connections through online auction houses.

She startled when her cell buzzed. Edginess was becoming a thing with her lately.

When she saw it was just Erin, Terra smiled and answered. “It’s like you have