Page 25 of Shrouded Past

“He’d already killed our informant. When I got further into the building, I saw him. . . . He had Jenna. She was so scared.”

Piper didn’t move. Her heart broke for him at what was coming.

“My deputy was lying nearby. He’d also been shot. I told the drug dealer to let Jenna go. Before I knew what was coming, he shot me.” He absently pointed to his middle as if unaware. “And then he killed Jenna and escaped, but not before he set the place on fire.”

Tears stung her eyes. She touched his arm. “Oh, Bryce. I’m so sorry.”

He focused on her face. “For the longest time, I didn’t think I’d get through it. I wouldn’t if it hadn’t been for Eric—he’s the deputy who was shot. He’s also Jenna’s brother.”

“Did they catch the man who killed your wife and your informant?”

The corner of Bryce’s mouth lifted. “Several people were arrested. One man admitted to the murders and to shooting me and Eric. It was too easy.”

“You don’t believe he was the man in charge, do you? Someone else ordered the hits.”

“I believe so. Though it was dark and the man who had Jenna was in the shadows, I’m convinced it wasn’t the one who confessed to the shootings. He had the wrong build, and his motions were different.”

“Then why would he confess?” She didn’t understand.

“I believe he was ordered to by the real shooter—the man in charge. Probably in exchange for a large sum of money and protection for his family. Or, he wasn’t given a choice.”

“That’s awful. So the real killer is still out there. . .”

“I thought I could take down the leader and the organization would crumble.” A muscle ticked in Bryce’s jaw. “I accomplished nothing except getting Jenna and Tess killed. There are still drugs coming into the county. We stopped nothing.”

“Is that why you left Wyoming?”

“I hung in there for a couple more years. But I knew I was all washed up as a sheriff. I got to the point where I couldn’t fight that battle any longer. Losing Jenna took everything out of me. I knew if I were ever going to be able to move forward, I’d have to leave Wyoming. And so, I turned in my badge and came here on the recommendation of a friend.”

Piper couldn’t imagine losing someone you loved so much. She thought about her missing past. Had she been in love at one time? It stood to reason if she were in her twenties that there would have been someone in her life.

The coffeemaker beeped its completion. Bryce poured coffee into the cups and handed her one.

Piper added cream and sugar without thinking about it.

“Did you drink a lot of coffee at Protector’s house?” He pointed to her cup. “I’m wondering how you decided to add cream and sugar to it? Did you figure it out there?”

Piper’s hand stilled. “No, I’ve always taken it this way.” Her eyes widened. “Even though I didn’t realize it, something from my past is there.” For instance, she was right-handed. She preferred to wear her hair pulled back instead of loose. Those were things she’d done forever, she was pretty sure. Long before Protector.

“Did he give you the watch?” Bryce jutted his chin toward the watch she wore on her left arm.

“I don’t think so.” Piper furrowed her brow. “In fact, I’m certain he didn’t. It was on my arm when I woke up.”

“What about the clothes you had on? Do you remember the brand?”

Bryce was thinking maybe they could track her identity by finding out where her outfit had been purchased.

“I’m calling JT to let him know about the clothes. Do you mind if I take a photo of the watch to see if we can use it to at least narrow down where it might have been purchased?”

“No, not at all.” She removed the watch and placed it on the counter. “It looks like it may be a man’s watch. You think it belonged to Protector? He might have put it on your wrist for a reason.”

“I don’t know. It’s possible, I guess.”

Bryce’s frown deepened as he turned it over and noticed an inscription on the back. “To A.P. With Love. Marina.” He glanced up at Piper in shock. “Marina. The woman Protector mentioned.”

"That can’t be a coincidence,” Piper breathed the words out. “How is she connected to what’s happening?”

“Who’s A.P?”

---