Page 33 of Chasing the Past

“We just left. The nor’easter is coming in faster than they predicted. I’m afraid it’s going to make the snowstorm from earlier look like a walk in the park. We’ve battened down the hatches at the house and now we’re all going to our homes to get them ready.”

Eli glanced out the window at the afternoon skies. A cloud covered the sun dropping the temperature dramatically. A shiver sped down his spine while he sensed that more than another storm was moving their way.

Chapter Fourteen

The closer to Hope Island they came, the more threatening the skies appeared.

What happened to Fatima could have happened to Asal. She’d been moments away from death. Omar had been ordered to kill her by the familiar man.

“The weather’s really deteriorating,” Eli muttered. The wind kicked up as the edge of the storm hit. “I’m glad we’re almost there.”

Asal cast a worried glance out the side window as the first wave of snow from the approaching nor-easter began to fall from foreboding skies. This storm was going to be the real threat.

Eli crossed the two-lane bridge that separated the mainland from Hope Island. As they reached the halfway point, the tension in Asal’s shoulders doubled. It seemed as if the weather was to play a huge part in the danger pressing in.

By the time they reached the midway point of the bridge, the snow had picked up enough to make visibility difficult. “Will you be able to make it to the house?” she asked because she was worried.

Eli smiled at her. “We’ll be okay. I’ve gotten used to driving in winter weather.”

She settled back into her seat and tried to push aside the demons haunting her. Someone had died. She shuddered as she remembered Fatima’s bloody body in the corner. “Do you think Omar killed her?”

Eli exited off the bridge and turned onto the main street. “Probably. Fatima’s description of the guy matched Omar.” Eli’s mouth tightened. “None of this would have happened if I hadn’t reached out to Fatima.”

“This isn’t your fault.” Asal tentatively touched his hand. “Omar and whoever he’s working for are worried. I’m hoping Gavin’s people can figure out what those numbers on the drive represent.”

“But why kill Fatima?”

Eli shook his head. “I’m guessing Omar thought she may have had something incriminating with her.”

Asal frowned. “But how did he know Sashi gave her anything?”

Eli looked her way. “That doesn’t make sense unless somehow Sashi told him as much or maybe he had her followed and saw the exchange.” He turned onto the causeway as the edge of the nor’easter grew stronger. “I’m glad our people storm-proofed the house before they left. We need to get inside and wait out the storm. The house is equipped with a generator, so we shouldn’t have to worry about losing power. I’ll double-check the firewood situation. We may have to use it to keep the house warm to conserve the generator’s fuel.”

Asal didn’t answer. She couldn’t get the image of Fatima covered in blood from her head.

Eli parked close to the front entrance and got out. Asal did the same. Together, they headed up the steps. Eli removed the house key from beneath the planter and unlocked the door. He ushered her inside before securing the locks.

Asal rubbed her hands down her arms against the chill, and the fear that wouldn’t go away.

“I’ll start a fire and then check on the firewood in the basement.”

She stared out the window that reflected the turmoil of the water as the storm approached.

“Here we go,” Eli’s voice captured her attention. She noticed sometimes when he was worried there was a rough edge to it that sounded so familiar.

She turned from the window and found him watching her. “Thank you. That feels better already.”

He stepped closer. There was that look in his eyes every time he was close that made her wish it was all for her . . . but it wasn’t. She reminded him of Sashi.

“How are you holding up?” The tenderness in his tone made her shiver.

“I don’t know anymore.”

“I’m so sorry you had to go through this.” He tugged her into his arms and held her. For a moment, she froze and then she relaxed against him and put her arms around his waist and marveled at how familiar he was.

“We’ll get through it, Asal. We’ll figure out what’s happening and then . . .”

He didn’t finish, and she wondered what he’d left unsaid.

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