Page 42 of Dark Terror
“What?” She gasped as her mouth fell open, and her eyes widened as she looked from Harry to him. “She was murdered?” He and Harry both nodded. “I can’t believe it. Wait. Are you questioning me because you think I did it? I swear I didn’t. I might not have liked her, but I would never—”
Harry shook her head. “No, we don’t suspect you. We have to talk to anyone who knew her is all.”
“Okay, I see. Is she the woman on the news, the one they said was killed in that park across from the library?”
“I’m afraid so.” Harry stood. “Thank you for your time, Meredith. Again, don’t hesitate to call me, not only if you remember something, but if something happens in the coming days that you think we should know.”
“I will. I promise.”
Once outside, Harry eyed the teens still loitering on the sidewalk. “Let’s scatter these kids.”
Gabe groaned. “I knew you were going to say that.”
Chapter Fourteen
Cara wasn’t comfortable in Harry’s apartment, and she’d stayed curled up on the sofa that had apparently been delivered earlier, bought just for her. Harry had made sure to let her know that. She’d passed the time with her Kindle, keeping Cricket on her lap. She didn’t trust Harry not to shoot him if he chewed on the leg of the new sofa.
“Let’s hope they catch my stalker soon so we can go home, Cricket.”
The little dog barked his agreement, making her laugh. She was going to miss him when the police located Sheri Carstad’s next of kin. It was kind of weird that she’d bonded with a dead woman’s pet. Maybe she’d get a dog, a rescue one. She understood what it felt like to not have anyone.
Lisa had wanted her to move to Dallas with her, and Cara had considered it. She’d gone home with Lisa for a visit to see if she would like it. She hadn’t. Lisa’s family wasn’t hers, and although they were nice and welcoming, she had felt like an outsider. Someone they should feel sorry for, but they weren’t her family. And Dallas was just too big for her. So she’d stayed in Colorado, returning to the town she’d grown up in.
She didn’t doubt that she was happier here than she would have been in Texas, but she missed David. Missed her parents. She wanted to create a new family of her own, one filled with love and laughter like it had been before losing her mom, dad, and brother.
Thinking of Lisa, she decided to call her.
“Hey,” she said when Lisa answered. “I was thinking of you tonight. How are you doing?”
“Good. Really good. You must have ESP. I was going to call you. I have some news.”
“Awesome. I could use some good news.” By the happiness she heard in Lisa’s voice, she knew whatever the news was, it was good.
“I’m a little worried about how you’re going to react, but I hope you’ll be happy for me. So…” Cara heard her let out a breath. “I’ll just spit it out. I’m engaged.”
Cara’s heart sputtered, the familiar ache making itself known. Lisa loved David. How could she love some other man? “Ah, that’s great.” She had to force the lie out. It wasn’t great. Her brother’s wife should not be engaged to another man.
“I can tell you don’t think so. Cara, you know how much I loved your brother, and I will until my dying day. He was everything to me, and I wish to God he was alive. But he isn’t. Hasn’t been for two years. It’s time for me to move on, sweetie.”
“How? How do you just move on after you’ve loved a man the way you did David? How long have you been seeing this guy, and how come you’ve never told me you were dating? We talked a few days ago and you didn’t mention it.” Cara heard the accusations in her voice but couldn’t stop it.
“I didn’t mention it because I didn’t think you were ready to hear it. Also, I wasn’t engaged the last time we talked. He asked me Saturday night.” She sighed. “I’m not betraying David, and if you’d only admit it to yourself, you know that he’d be happy for me. He wouldn’t want me to be alone for the rest of my life, Cara.”
Cara squeezed her eyes shut against the sting of tears. She didn’t want to admit to that. She selfishly wanted Lisa to forever belong to David. But in her heart she knew Lisa spoke the truth. David would be the first to tell his wife to find a way to be happy again.
“I do know that,” she whispered. “It’s just so hard to let go.”
“Hon, you’ve lost so much, more than me even. I know it’s hard for you, but if David were able, he’d tell us both to live and love to our fullest.”
“I’m trying. And it does get a little easier each day.” Although she hadn’t thought about it until now, that was true. She no longer cried herself to sleep, and she could smile now over memories of her parents and brother. The ache of missing them was still in her heart, but it was no longer the sharp, can’t-breathe pain like in the early days.
“I’m happy for you, Lisa. I really am. Tell me about him. Name, what he looks like, what does he do? All the deets.”
“Thought you’d never ask. His name is Rafe Lopez. He’s tall, dark, and handsome, and has a six-pack like you wouldn’t believe. His wife died a few years ago. Cancer. He has a little girl who is adorbs. I’m totally in love with her. And he’s a US marshal.”
“You’re marrying another cop? How can you even think of doing that?”
“Because I love him. If I’d been told before I married your brother that he was going to die, I would have married him anyway. Every minute I had with him was precious. Yes, it slayed me when I lost him. You know that. But life goes on. It has to, or what’s the point in living?”
