Page 68 of Unpacking Secrets
The police would need to ask her some questions later about what had been inside, but for now, I simply tucked her against my chest and thanked all the forces of the universe that she’d been with me tonight instead of inside the devastation that was Nan’s cottage.
With a shudder, my arms tightened around her.
She’s safe,I reminded myself, but it didn’t quiet my panicked thoughts.
It was nearly dawn by the time the fire was completely contained. Once Juliet finished talking to the police officers lingering on the property, I gently touched her cheek with my fingertips.
“Libby texted me as soon as she heard. She brought a bin of clothes for you over to the house. I know it’s not—” I broke off, running my other hand through my hair. “I know what you’ve lost is so much more than just that, but it’s a start.”
“That’s really sweet of her,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.
Another car pulled in behind us and Chief Roberts stepped out onto the lawn. With the emergency lights blinking across his face, the man looked like an avenging angel as he met my eyes over her head. He grew up in Oakville, but like everyone else here in Spruce Hill, he had come to love Nan Montgomery like his own grandmother. His role was mostly administrative these days, but I wasn’t surprised he’d shown up in person.
When we arrived, I’d told the Spruce Hill PD’s senior detective, Rose Hanson, about everything that had happened so far, whether it seemed pertinent or not, including Melissa’s warning to Juliet.
If the chief’s stony expression was anything to go by, Detective Hanson had already relayed those details to him—and he believed it was all related.
“Chief,” I said when he approached us. “This is Juliet Morrison. Juliet, this is Chief Roberts.”
His expression was gentle, his voice low, but nothing could cover the fact that Juliet had experienced another loss, gained one more thing to mourn.
How much more could she take?
“Nothing I can say will give you back what was inside the cottage, Juliet, but I assure you both I’ll keep you informed about the investigation.”
I flinched at the shudder that trembled through Juliet’s body and murmured, “Thanks, Chief.”
“We will get to the bottom of this. I won’t rest until we do.”
All Juliet managed was a nod, her hair tickling my throat, as Roberts inclined his head and walked away. We watched in silence as the police cruiser pulled back down the gravel drive, followed by a parade of emergency vehicles.
Entering the cottage was strictly off-limits for now, but Juliet gestured to her little green sedan.
“Do you think I should leave it parked here?”
“Mark and I will come get it later,” I replied.
We’d check over the car top to bottom before Juliet got anywhere near it. Maybe I'd seen too many movies, read too many thrillers, but I would protect Juliet from whatever threat was out there. I just hoped I was up for the job, because now that I'd found her, I absolutely would not risk losing her.
She gave another weary nod, so I bundled her into the truck, buckling the seatbelt around her still form.
As soon as we returned to the house, I tucked her back into my bed—she might not sleep with the images of the burning cottage seared into her mind, but the dark smudges under her eyes practically begged for rest. Though I wanted to stay, to hold her, shield her, she shook her head and whispered that she wanted to be alone, so I simply pressed my lips to her forehead before heading downstairs.
Sighing heavily, I sat down on the couch with my laptop to do some research. I needed to distract myself, to keep from thinking too long about what might've happened if Juliet had been asleep there when the cottage caught fire instead of safe in my bed.
It was all too easy to imagine a very different phone call. I forced myself to swallow down the tide of raw fear that threatened to choke me and dropped my face into my hands. Each breath that wheezed from my lungs was a revelation, not entirely unwelcome but still unexpected.
I'd fallen head over heels for this woman who’d swept into my world like a tornado.
The spectrum of emotions she inspired in me over that short period of time was impressive. As my pulse steadied, I rubbed my jaw and smiled a bit grimly. I’d told Juliet I didn’t expect her to profess her undying love for me, and that was still true. I never promised not to fall in love with her, though.
With a tiny smile lingering at the corners of my mouth, I turned my focus to researching the information we’d found in Nan’s little lockbox, the news clippings that had assuredly been destroyed in the fire.
After sending a dozen articles to the printer, I checked my watch. It was almost noon, so I tracked down the phone number for Lewis Zoratti and set up a time to drop by after lunch. The Zorattis’ oldest son was the same age as Aaron, so they knew me well enough to welcome a social call.
The sooner we got to the bottom of this, the better. If that meant talking to everyone in town who’d known Melissa Montgomery before she left Spruce Hill, so be it.
Juliet had come here for answers, and I’d be damned if I let her keep trudging along without them.
