Page 25 of Shiver

“How are you doing?” Riley asked, knowing it was a dumb question even as the words left his mouth.

“As well as can be expected,” his father replied. “You have news for us? Anything that will help explain how this has happened to our family?”Again?The unspoken word hung heavily in the air.

“Not yet. We’re working on it.”

“I understand you brought a young lady home with you. Timing’s not real good for that, Riley.”

“Trust me, Dad. I’ve got my reasons.”

“I hope so, son.” His father let out an uncustomary sigh, his head bent as he stared at the top of his desk.

“She’ll stay out of your way,” Riley added and was thankful he and Devra would be dining alone. His family didn’t need a vision of Michelle sitting across the dinner table tonight. They were too raw, too hurt. For a second, he regretted bringing her, but she’d stay until he got what he needed out of her. Until he got the truth.

Chapter 10

“So, Devra,”LuAnn said, as soon as Riley disappeared down the hall. “Tell me a bit about yourself. I don’t detect a Southern accent. Where are you from?”

There was something in the woman’s hawk-eyed gaze that made Devra uncomfortable. “All over I guess.” She offered a small smile and tried not to choke on the cloying scent of too many flowers. A pinprick of a headache pinched her temples.

LuAnn was still staring at her. “There’s something familiar about you.” Her eyes squinted in speculation.

“Can I do anything to help prepare dinner?” Devra asked, and brushed her hand across her hair to make sure it was still firmly in place.

“No. The neighbors brought enough food to feed us for a week.” LuAnn turned to the fridge and removed several Tupperware containers and placed them in a bag.

Before she could question her more, Devra turned toward the door. “Thank you so much for your hospitality. If you don’t mind, I’d like to take a short walk.”

LuAnn turned toward her. “Stay on the path, dear. We wouldn’t want you to get lost.”

Something in her voice sent a shudder skipping down her spine. Surely she didn’t mean anything by that? As LuAnn turned away to busy herself with the food, Devra shook off her uneasiness and walked out the door.

She was seeing danger where there wasn’t any. She was perfectly safe here, safer than anywhere she’s probably ever been. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right as she followed the path in front of her.

The stones meandered beautifully through large bushes of camellias and other flowering shrubs. In a perfect picture-postcard setting, wisteria wound its way around tree trunks forming a canopy over her head as she continued away from the house.

A hummingbird flitted past her ear. She ducked and hoped it was a small bird and not some giant-sized insect. The park-like setting of the estate was breathtaking. Someone had put a lot of love and care into these grounds. She should feel soothed, calm even. Yet as she walked further down the path, the uncanny feeling that someone was watching came over her.

Uneasiness prickled the nape of her neck. She stopped and turned, her gaze searching the shrubbery, but no one was there. Obviously, her nerves were stretched too thin, she told herself. Still, she continued forward again, her ears straining for any unusual sounds. Was it possible the killer had followed them? Was there a chance he knew where she was?

Something small lying further along on the path caught her eye. She felt herself being pulled toward it, even though in the deep recesses of her mind something urged her to turn.

To run.

Slowly, she approached the object, telling herself how silly she was, how ridiculous. Her heart started pounding as she stared down at the perfect yellow daisy lying in the middle of the path. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t swallow.

Images flashed through her mind—Tommy placing a yellow daisy behind her ear, ice-cold water tumbling over the rocks. She heard laughter—hers, his. Then she saw him, crumpling before her, his blood splattering her blouse.

A guttural cry emitted from her chest and she dropped to her knees. The pain of the rocks scraping her skin pushed away the long-buried memories and brought her reeling back to the present. She grasped the daisy to prove to herself it couldn’t hurt her, that it was just a flower, and then wiped its soft petals across a tear on her cheek.

It was a coincidence that was all. Yellow daisies are common, they’re found everywhere. She peered through the dense greenery.Just not here.

The slight crackle of leaves broke into her thoughts. She listened intently. There it was again. A footstep? A fist of fear clutched her heart and squeezed. “Is anyone there?” she tried to call, but her voice came out no louder than a hoarse whisper.

Silence answered her. Complete silence. There was no sound at all. Not even the raucous noise of insects or the chirping of birds. Something was wrong. “Hello,” she called again, a slight quiver to her voice drawing out the syllables.

Bushes rattled behind her. She stood, turning, her breath catching in her throat, her mouth opening to scream. A bird burst through the leaves and flew into the sky. Shocked, she stared at it, then took a deep breath and tried to settle her nerves.Only a bird.

“Hey, there you are.” Riley turned a corner in the path. “You hungry?” He held up the bag of food LuAnn had packed.

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