Page 15 of Storm Warning

She’d taken plenty of photographs over the time she’d been here, even capturing a couple of eerie faces in thewaves—one a beautiful woman and the other the monster from nightmares. Those photographs were out in the lodge and also on the wall here in her office. She’d framed them and added snippets of Scripture.

“...who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar...”

God.

God stirred up the sea. He set the waves to roar.

Even now in her office at the back of the lodge she could listen to the cacophony. Waves roared so loudly that she could imagine sea spray on her face. The ocean battered the rocky coast. Breakers thundered and crashed. Though she felt safe here, the structure shuddered under the force of the wind. She’d been reassured by the powers that be that the structure was solid and would hold as it had in the past century. That erosion wouldn’t take the lodge or her cabins anytime soon.

But she’d heard from the locals that over the last few seasons, the storms were getting stronger. At least over the past two years, she felt like the strengthening storms were a perfect metaphor for her life as a maelstrom was gathering energy in her heart and mind.

The slashed ladder should have killed her. Had an attacker armed only with a knife shown up because she’d survived? If he’d chosen to use a gun, would she be dead now? She reached to her belt and felt her small S&W handgun in the holster at her waist. She wouldn’t carry anything too big that her guests could see. She didn’t want to scare or disturb them. She’d keep it with her from now on.Stupid, stupid.She shouldn’t have left it in her Bronco for even a moment. With these attacks, she knew she was running out of time.

They had to be related.

“Remember before it’s too late.”

Who was warning her?

God, please help me figure out what happened before.

She had no idea why someone wanted to kill her. Still, one thing she knew she needed was Dr. Holcomb’s help again. Remi found the psychologist’s number and called it on the landline. Of course she got voicemail.

“This is Remi Grant. I ... something’s happened. I need to talk to you. It’s urgent. Please call me.” Remi couldn’t have her psychologist leaving a message on the main voicemail at the lodge, so she left her cell number, but she wouldn’t get that call with no service. She’d just have to check for voicemail or text messages, which sometimes would come through. Heart pounding, she hung up.

At least she’d left the message.

A knock came at the door. Erika peeked inside, looking more stressed than usual. Remi moved toward the door, intending to come out with her and get busy again. Sitting in her office, worrying, wouldn’t solve anything.

“A county vehicle just drove up.”

“Thanks. Can you find Hawk Beckett for me and bring him to my office?”

She opened the door and waved at the deputy so she would head toward her office instead of going through the main lobby. Wearing a coat, the stout deputy tromped from her vehicle and headed toward Remi, who remained under the awning outside her office.

The deputy stepped out of the rain and pulled her hood back, revealing long silver hair pulled into a ponytail. This side of the lodge, the wind gusts were prevented from sending the rain sideways. Remi thrust her hand out. “I’m Remi Grant.”

“Deputy Carla Hunter.”

Remi motioned the deputy inside. “Please, take off your coat.”

Deputy Hunter removed her jacket, then hung it on a peg near the door.

“Thank you for coming all this way,” Remi said. “I know it’s messy out there.”

“I’ve been out in it all day already. It’s part of my job.” Deputy Hunter softened her tone with her next words. “I wasn’t that far, dealing with a domestic violence problem. So the sheriff sent me the rest of the way. Said you had some issues.”

“You could say that. Can I offer you some coffee?”

“I’d prefer to get to it. I want to get home before it’s dark and the driving’s even worse.”

“I’m just waiting on another witness, someone else you want to talk to. So, while we’re waiting...” She picked up the phone and called Shawna. “Hey, can you please bring...”

She paused and stared at Deputy Hunter, who then responded, “Just a large cup of black coffee.”

Remi relayed the order, then hung up.

“I don’t usually take anything when offered,” the deputy said.

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