Page 39 of Shattered Sanctuary

“No, I’m not. We’re making progress. The worst thing you can do is to stuff your feelings—and your nightmares—inside yourself. It’s like when you cut your finger and someone tells you that leaving it uncovered will help with healing. You’ve got to uncover the trauma so you can heal.” Kaley reached over, tore a paper towel off the nearby spindle, and handed it to Erin. She stared at it, confused. It was then that she realized her cheeks were wet. How does someone cry without realizing it? She thanked Kaely for it and hurried up the stairs to change clothes.

Kaely watched Erin leave. She’d trained as a behavioral analyst and knew that Erin was suffering. She wasn’t certain how deep her depression went, but Kaely was definitely afraid for her friend. She really did believe that remembering the clock was a step forward. But what next? She was running out of options. Uncovering the trauma in Erin’s mind was one thing. But Kaely truly believed Erin needed what only God could give her. Yet, she wasn’t allowed to bring Him into their discussion.

“God,” she whispered. “You need to help me. I believe Youhave a plan and that You put me in Erin’s life for a reason. But I’m not sure what to do next. I’m trusting You to touch her. To bring her to a place of healing. She needs You so much. I’m not capable of doing what You can.”

Kaely ate a quick breakfast and checked the weather forecast. Sure enough, a storm was moving their way. It was hard to tell just how many inches of snow to expect. Down through the years, Kaely had learned how imprecise forecasts could be. Major storms turned out to be nothing, and light snow ended up a foot deep. It was hard to know how this one would end up, but the winds were certainly a concern. In an area like this, the wind was blocked some by the trees. But it could still wreak havoc when it was as strong as predicted.

She was grateful they had time to go into town today and that Erin had agreed to come with her. She needed to get out among people. Eat at a restaurant. Act normal. Buy stuff. There were so many cute shops in Sanctuary, Kaely was hopeful it would help her get her mind off of the night that had caused her so much pain—and the requests from her agent and publisher for more books. She’d heard Erin’s phone vibrate quite a bit since she’d joined her in the cabin. Erin never answered it. Kaely caught her checking her phone a couple of times, but she’d never seen her call anyone back.

Last night had been disturbing. When she was awakened by Erin’s screams, she’d run into her room and found her sobbing and shaking, disoriented and breathing so quickly that Kaely was afraid she was going to pass out. She was hopeful that the nightmares would stop now that she’d remembered the clock in the girl’s apartment. But the underlying trauma was still there. It seemed to Kaely that Erin still had a lot to deal with. All Kaely could do was follow theHoly Spirit and let him guide her. He was the Healer, and He was the only One who could set Erin free.

Kaely finished her breakfast, and then got up and headed upstairs to her room, praying quietly that God would order her steps and give her wisdom during the rest of their time together. From the things Kaely had noticed in Erin, it was possible that her life hung in the balance. And that made Kaely cling to God as hard as she could. This was a fight that must be won.

TWENTY-EIGHT

Mr. and Mrs. Banner had just left his office when Lisa knocked on Adrian’s door.

“How was it?” she asked after he told her to come in.

“About how you’d expect,” he said. “I got the feeling they blamed me somehow. That if our department was larger, Chloe wouldn’t have died.”

“I’m sure they don’t think that.”

Adrian shrugged. “Not consciously, but there was an... undercurrent. Of course, they were extremely upset after identifying their daughter’s body at the morgue. That made it worse. But I’m sure some of it was because I couldn’t give them much information. I can’t bring up the other bodies because we’re not sure they’re connected to Chloe’s death. I know what Erin and Kaely think, and I agree with them, but there’s no proof yet. Nothing to tie them together. For now, all these poor parents know is that their daughter came here on vacation and now she’s dead.”

“WhydidChloe come here?” Lisa asked. “A woman alone, who doesn’t seem to know anyone? Doesn’t make much sense to me.”

“Seems she had a friend who vacationed here last year. Went on and on about it. Chloe had been going through a stressful time in her life. She broke up with her long-term boyfriend, and her job had been taking a lot of her time. She wanted to get away and have some fun.”

“She just called the resort out of the blue?” Lisa asked.

“No, actually, the friend referred her to Steve Tremont.”

“The guy who owns the Watcher cabin?”

Adrian nodded. “He mentioned the resort. That’s all I know about it.” He frowned. “I’ve known Steve a long time. We’re acquaintances, not friends, but I can’t see him mixed up in this. Might be best though...”

“To find out where he was Saturday night?”

“Yeah.”

Lisa had a knack for finishing his sentences. It didn’t irritate him though. They’d just worked together for so long they knew what the other one was thinking.

“Where are the Banners staying?”

“At the resort. Merle gave them a free room. Told them to stay as long as they needed to.”

“Merle? That’s surprising.”

Merle Hubbard wasn’t known for his benevolence. Of course, he was in business to make money, not friends. Merle had never had a guest murdered, though. Something like that could make anyone compassionate. Even Merle.

“I agree.” He shook his head. “I think the Banners were in shock. I wish I could have said something to help them, but I couldn’t find anything comforting.” It would be a long time before Adrian would be able to get the look in Mrs. Banner’s eyes out of his mind. They were dead. As if her daughter’s murder had stolen her life as well. Mr. Bannerwas more aggressive. Trying to take charge. Probably for his wife’s sake. But Adrian noticed his hand tremble when he reached out to shake hands with Adrian. The man was suffering. “Oh, here’s the picture they brought. I promised we’d copy it and get it back to them.” He handed Lisa the photo. It was weird, looking at Chloe when she was alive after seeing her body. It was hard to believe they were the same person. The fire of life changed someone’s features. Her pale face had color in the photo. Her eyes sparkled, and her smile made her look like someone else. Someone who hadn’t suffered at the hands of a depraved human being who had no respect for the living.

Talking to the Banners left him feeling drained. He wanted nothing more than to go home and sleep. Try to forget the past few days. The quiet bodies, the lifeless eyes of the living and the dead. His past had come back to haunt him, and he hated it. He came to Sanctuary to start again. To be a law enforcement officer in a place that wouldn’t exact such a terrible toll. But the horror of murder and destruction had found him again.

“Hello?” Lisa said.

“Sorry. Just...”

---