Page 9 of Lucky in Love
A photo flashed onto the screen, and Alex slapped a hand to her mouth.
“What?” Lauren asked.
“That looks a lot like the guy I just checked into cabin twelve.”
“What?” This time, the word came out louder and higher-pitched.
“I’m gonna go over there and get the license plate. You wait here.”
“Don’t do it, Alex. It’s too dangerous.”
“It’ll be fine. He’s in a canoe out on the lake. I won’t get near him. I promise.”
Alex ran back the way she’d come, double-checking that he was still out on the water. Once she got to cabin twelve, she used her phone to snap a picture of the license plate and then approached the car. The tinted windows made it impossible to see inside though.
Checking her six and seeing nothing, she climbed the porch steps. She had a master key, but didn’t need it. The door was unlocked. Just a quick peek might prove or disprove her hunch.
The first thing she noticed was a wallet! He’d lied about his being stolen. Or he’d stolen this one. She grabbed a wooden spoon from the canister on the counter and used the end of it to flip open the wallet.
“Brody Collins?” she said aloud. Another victim of the escaped con? This was above her pay grade. Time to call for reinforcement.
She pulled her phone from her pocket and dialed the sheriff’s personal cell. Nick Walker was the sheriff, but also Tess’s brother and Faith’s husband. In a small town like Green Valley Falls, everyone knew or was related to everyone else.
“Nick,” Alex said, grateful this cabin had good cell coverage. “You gotta come out here. Cabin twelve. I think the runaway fugitive’s here.”
“What makes you say that?” Nick asked.
“This guy came byunannouncedthis morning to rent a cabin. He has a rental caranda beard.”
“That’s hardly proof he’s the escapee.”
“He also paid cash. Said his wallet and ID were stolen. But…I’m looking at a wallet right now,” she said triumphantly. “I don’t think it’s his though. Picture’s off and the name’s different.”
“Alex, please tell me you’re not in his cabin.”
“Um…”
“I’m on my way,” Nick said, engine revving in the background. “Get out of there.”
“Don’t worry. He’s out on the lake. Since I’m already here, should I look around? Find something he touched and bag it for evidence?”
“No.” Loud sigh. “Just go.”
“Fine. I will. Hey, bring Faith so I don’t have to rehash the whole story later.”
“Alexandra Gray!” Nick’s exasperation was palpable over the phone. “I’m not bringing Faith. Leave that cabin right now.”
“All right. All right. Hurry.” She hung up.
There was a little time. If she could find more evidence, it would help Nick with his case. At the very least, she should hide the kitchen knives. No sense in giving this guy a weapon, especially if Nick was about to confront him.
She replaced the wooden spoon, opened the freezer, and tossed in all the knives from the knife block. Then, feeling how heavy the block was, threw it in too for good measure. How many times had she heard of someone dying of “blunt force trauma?” Better safe than sorry.
Just as she turned to go, the front door swung open. She screamed.
CHAPTER FOUR
After a quick jaunt on the lake, Brody put away the canoe and oars and started back on the trail to his cabin.
