Page 18 of Ambush

“The doctors thought I blocked them out, and we all agreed it was for the best. There was no benefit to remembering that horrible night.” She hugged herself and shivered in spite of the heat shimmering in the air. “I cut out the pills because I’d rather deal with the pain than with the nightmares and sudden slams of memory. But it didn’t help. It was as if once the door was open, it couldn’t be shut, no matter how hard I tried.”

“Did you try sleeping pills?”

“No. I hate drugs, but that wasn’t the reason. The things I’ve remembered make me feel like I did something that set this into motion. That somehow it was my fault. And I can’t endure not knowing if it’s true or not. I have to find out what happened that night, Blake. Ever since I arrived, I feel like someone is watching me. I think it’s the murderer.”

She saw the concern settle over his face. “I’m not crazy, Blake. What if the killer is afraid I’ll remember something? What if he knows that’s why I’m here and he feels he has to either drive me away or get rid of me? Maybe he set fire to my cottage.”

“I don’t think you’re crazy. You’re a deep thinker and the most sane person I know. What can I do to help?”

His quiet confidence calmed her heart, which had been stuttering with dread. “You and your mom know everyone. Help me find the people who lived on our street and who might remember. Maybe the more I uncover, the more I’ll remember.”

“I’m sure Mom will want to help too.” He started the engine and ran up the windows. “I have a friend in the state police department. Maybe he can send us a copy of the murder files. You’ll have to prepare yourself for the graphic pictures.”

She shivered. “I’m ready.” Her bravado felt hollow though. She would have to face her worst nightmares.

Chapter 9

Nova Cambridge was a small university town four miles from the entrance to The Sanctuary. There were only a few shops, two gas stations, a grocery store, a coffee shop, and a few other places that catered to the students at Tupelo Grove University. It had seemed a safe and perfect place to live, and never once had Paradise sensed danger lurking anywhere. Her life had been idyllic until the terrible night her parents were murdered.

Blake drove slowly through town, past the old hotel that had been converted to shops and businesses. The building’s lights and antique streetlamps showed people sitting at tables and chairs on the large front porch of the former hotel. She read the lit sign over the door. “University Grounds. Coffee shop?”

“It’s got great coffee. Cider and beignets too. Want to stop?”

“Not just yet.”

She didn’t have to direct Blake since he’d grown up here in a different neighborhood from her parents’ home. He was a year ahead of her in grade school, but when she was placed in foster care with his next-door neighbors, he’d started looking out for her.She’d idolized him, and when she was fourteen, he’d started to notice her in a different way.

Their path to the old neighborhood took them past Tupelo Grove University. Tupelo trees marched in rows along the brick paths, and she spotted the little pond she used to love. The stately old buildings had decayed some since she lived here. “Seems a little worse for the wear.”

“New management is working on increasing enrollment and adding new classes.”

It felt right to be here with him tonight. Back when they’d dated there was no coffee shop, and they would cruise the dark streets talking for hours. Sometimes they’d make the trip to Pelican Harbor and buy beignets to eat as they walked past the shimmering waves of Bon Secour Bay. It seemed a lifetime ago and yet just yesterday. Did he ever think about those times?

She studied the line of his jaw and the strong column of his neck. If she had more courage, she’d ask why he never married. It didn’t matter though—their time had come and gone. And maybe it wouldn’t have lasted anyway. They’d been kids, young and in love, but still kids with a lot to learn.

“We should have gotten beignets when we were in Pelican Harbor. Petit Charms is just as good as ever. The boys beg me to buy them anytime I head to town. When I get back, they’ll ask for them.”

“We could stop at University Grounds and get them some. Or is it Petit Charms or bust for them?”

“They aren’t picky. I’ll grab some on the way out.”

Did he ever regret giving up his career to help his mom? Knowing Blake, she would bet his decision wasn’t something he’d had to think about. Even as a teenager he’d been selfless and had always tried to help his mom. Jenna had raised a fine son, and Paradisealready saw the signs the other two boys would turn out as well as Blake.

“How’d you manage to finance college and vet school?” Blake asked.

She tensed at the thought of more revelations. “Mr. Gibson paid for it as long as I promised not to press charges against his son.”

“The father of the guy who raped you?”

She clenched her hands together and nodded. It wasn’t something she was proud of as it smacked of blackmail.

He touched her hand. “I’m sorry. I can tell it’s all still very painful.”

“Dragging the case into court would have been agony, but maybe I shouldn’t have taken the easy way out. What if Scott did it again? The thought has haunted me all this time.”

“There wouldn’t have been good answers back then. At least you did something with your life. You didn’t let it define you.”

“It has though.” She hugged herself and still couldn’t look at him. “I don’t like to be touched.”

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