Page 20 of Shrouded Past

“That’s very helpful.” JT finished jotting down her description as someone entered the room. “Ah, Will’s here.”

Piper turned as a tall man in uniform came in. His bright red hair was combed back from his wide forehead.

The two men shook hands before JT introduced the chief of police to Piper and Bryce.

Both Bryce and Piper rose and shook his hand.

“Nice to meet you,” Chief Kelly told them. “I hate that it’s under these circumstances.” Will looked to Piper. “I understand the car you were taken in crashed down on Ocean View?”

“Yes, that’s right. As he was driving, I tried to escape, and he pulled a knife on me. We struggled. He lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree.”

Will nodded. “I checked with the county to make sure it wasn’t our people who towed it. It wasn’t.”

Holding Bella close, Piper retold her story to the chief. Once she’d finished, she didn’t see any of the doubts she’d expected on his features.

Bryce told him about bagging Piper’s clothes. “Hopefully there’ll be some DNA from the perp on them.”

“Let’s hope.” He turned to Piper. “I’ll need to get a DNA swab from you to rule your DNA out. Hopefully, this will help us identify who you are.”

Everything was happening so quickly, it was a bit overwhelming. Through all the years she’d waited to gain her freedom, in her imagination the outcome had always ended happily with her being reunited with her family. But what if none of that happened? What if Protector was right and her family were the true bad guys.

“Whatever we find out, you’ll know for certain what happened,” Bryce said as if reading her thoughts. “And you can move on with your life. Keep in mind, you don’t know if what Protector told you was true.”

She smiled. “You’re right. We don’t know anything yet.”

He returned her smile. She’d been so blessed that Bryce came along when he did. It could just as easily have been someone who didn’t stop or, worse, her kidnapper returning to take her away.

“I don’t think it’s safe for you to return to your house, Bryce,” Will told them. “Is there someplace you can go for a while until we can figure out who this threat is and if he’s still on Hope Island?”

“You can use Liz’s house,” JT volunteered. “She and her family are on vacation for another week. I spoke to her earlier. She’s fine with it.”

“That’s very generous of her.” Piper was moved by the kindness of people who didn’t even know her.

Bryce had packed an overnight bag before they left. He’d taken her to a small boutique so that she could purchase a few changes of clothes and other essentials.

“It’s no problem.” He gave Bryce the address before fishing out a key from his pocket. “This fits the front and back doors.”

Bryce took the key from JT. “Thanks.”

Piper handed Bella back to him, and he placed the anxious kitten back into the carrier.

“I’ll ride over with you to make sure you’re not being followed.” Will picked up the plastic bag with Piper’s soiled clothes. “I’ll get these to the lab. If you’ll hold on just a second, I’ve got a DNA swab kit in my vehicle.” He left the room with the bag.

“You’re going to need a weapon,” Janine said.

“I have one,” Bryce offered without giving details.

Janine’s curiosity peaked. “Do you know how to use a gun, Piper? You might need to.”

The question brought home how dangerous the situation truly was. Her life was on the line. Did she know how to fire a gun?

Piper only wished she knew the answer.

Chapter Four

Bryce pulled onto a long, winding drive. The sprawling gray clapboard house belonging to JT’s sister rose high on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Bryce’s attention flew from the breathtaking beauty in front of him to the police cruiser following.

He parked the truck. Once the chief was gone, he’d move the truck out of sight from the road.

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