Running On Fear Page 5

  “Wow, Tiffany. If I wasn’t already married, I’d drop to my knees right now.”

  Tiffany smiled. “Sorry, I’m only thirteen. Got my life mapped out to get serious with my cooking school before I settle down. Best keep Aunt Melanie.”

  Duncan swept his eyes over Melanie. “Can you cook?”

  “Of course.”

  “In the bedroom or the kitchen?” He lightly whispered in her ear.

  A hot flush covered Melanie’s face.

  “She can cook, Uncle Duncan. Do you want us to call you Uncle Duncan or Mr. McGregor?” Tiffany asked, while pouring Melanie and Duncan each a cup of hot coffee.

  “Perhaps in public, you should call me ‘Dad’ and your Aunt Melanie ‘Mom’. I mean, until the assignment is over. When we’re all alone, I have no objections to you and Matthew calling me Duncan.” Duncan turned his head searching for the boy. “Is Matthew still upstairs?”

  “He said something about a plan. He was going to go up to the loft and scribble something in his notepad, then return.”

  “I’ll go get him,” Duncan said, smearing a kiss to Melanie’s cheek and whispering, “Your cheeks are still a mite hot from my earlier statement.”

  Melanie sipped the hot coffee thinking about how Duncan’s breath sizzled over her ear and cheek. Come on girl, this is only a game until the killers are caught. Nothing more. Then he will be out of your life for good. She heard his voice calling out for Matthew, and then heavy footsteps pounding down the steps.

  He opened the door to the downstairs bathroom.

  “Tiffany, why is the chain off the kitchen door?”

  Melanie bolted out of her chair. “Duncan, what is it? Isn’t Matthew upstairs?” Color drained from her face. Panic seized her chest. “Duncan? Tiffany, did you see him go outside?”

  “I didn’t notice. I was busy. Please, Aunt Melanie, I—”

  “No one is blaming you. Duncan and I will go outside and search. You keep this door locked until we return. Promise me!” It wasn’t a question.

  Tiffany’s eyes reflected Melanie’s concern. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Stay here with Tiffany,” Duncan ordered as he checked his gun then slapped it inside his waistband.

  “No! I am more responsible for Matthew than you are. I’m going.”

  “I can’t be searching for the both of you, Melanie!” No sooner had the words passed his lips, than he hated the way they’d sounded.

  Melanie opened the door. “We’re wasting time! Tiffany, lock up.”

  Duncan shook his head. He didn’t have time to argue.

  “He’d go off into the woods whenever we came up during the summer. He wanted to try to find a bear,” Melanie remarked as they started walking hurriedly up the hill to some other nearby cabins.

  “Any place in particular?”

  “One time he went this way.”

  Duncan followed her. They both started calling his name but received no reply. There was no sign of him, nothing. They climbed further into the woods but there was still no sign.

  “I don’t understand it. Just where could he be? Why would he go out like that? You told him, Duncan. You stressed it often enough. When I get my hands on him—”

  Duncan grabbed her arm and pointed to their right. Matthew was with a man in camouflage clothes and the pair were coming their way.

  Melanie raced to meet them. “Matthew, do you know what you have done to me?”

  Duncan took hold of her arm. “Melanie, don’t. Please.”

  “Don’t? You sure love cracking out orders.”

  “Matt, are you all right? We didn’t know if you—son, you should have told us you were going outside. You had us all worried.” A lump constricted Duncan’s chest. He felt as if his heart would stop ticking any minute. “Have you been injured? Did anyone try…”

  Melanie noticed how upsetting this was for Duncan.

  “I’m fine.” Matthew saw tears misting in Melanie’s eyes. “I’m sorry. We weren’t supposed to go outside, but I wanted to see if my trail was still here.”

  Melanie wiped the tears from her eyes. She eyed the man that was standing near Duncan. No doubt he was an agent keeping a watch on the place. Even with the camouflaged clothes, she could see the deep tan on his face. Not to mention the dark hair and moustache. He had his long black hair pulled back in a ponytail, but what caught her eye was the glimmer in his dark eyes. They seem to sparkle.

  “Melanie, will you take Matt back to the house? I’m right behind you.”

  Melanie clutched Matthew’s hand in hers as they started back down the hill.

  Behind her, Duncan said, “Thanks, Ramon. We told the children not to venture outside.”

  “You know boys. They want to grow up to quick,” the husky man stated. “I’ve got two boys of my own. Want to be just like their dad.”

  “We’ll be heading out after breakfast. Keep an eye on the place. Better yet, watch your back.”

  “You heed that advice too, McGregor.”

  Duncan took long strides until he was walking beside Melanie and Matthew. “Melanie, back there. I didn’t mean—”

  “No, you did the right thing. Being a therapist I should know the first thing you ask is if the person is all right.”

  “Then you beat the crap out of them,” Matthew expounded.

  “Matthew!” Melanie scolded.

  “That’s what mom always said.”

  Mom. Soon she would be seeing their mom. That was one word Allison would never hear from her children again.

  “If the child was okay then you shake some sense into them,” Matthew expounded further.

  “He makes a point, Melanie.”

  “That man?”

  “A good one. Ramon Delepaz. The best we’ve got. Keeps that hair pulled back in a ponytail. Boss wanted him to cut it once, but found out what a great asset he was to us, so told him he could grow it down to his toes.”

  “He seemed nice. He had a sparkle in his eye that caught my attention. A family man?”

  “Yes, wife, and two sons. Like I said, can’t do any better than Ramon. He’d give you his shirt off his back.”

  Melanie said a silent prayer. Ramon was out watching over them when he had his own family to consider. She wondered how his family felt, having to wait for their loved one to return home. No doubt, theirs was a caring and loving family.

  Minutes later the four of them sat around the table enjoying a hot breakfast. Melanie couldn’t taste the flavor of anything. All she wanted to do was cry, but once again she willed herself not to shed any tears. She had to be strong for the children’s sake. The earlier thoughts of Matthew kept jumping into her memory. She would never forgive herself if something happened to the children.

  “That was a delicious breakfast, Tiffany. Melanie is right. You’re an excellent cook. Most young girls your age don’t even know how to boil water. And, you got up at the crack of dawn and prepared this meal.”

  “Thank you … Dad. Matthew and I are use to rising early because of catching the school bus, but we do sleep late on occasion. Did you tell Matthew?”

  “Tell me what?” Matthew asked wiping a milk moustache from his top lip.

  “To be undercover, it’s best that we refer to Aunt Melanie as Mom, and Uncle Duncan as Dad when we’re in public. When we’re alone, then we can switch back.”

  “Wow! I don’t mind. Uncle Duncan is a great dad. He’s a cop. My own personal dad, a real live cop protecting the world from dirt bags.” Matthew dropped his gaze to the empty plate in front of him. “If I ever had a wish, I’d want a dad just like you, Uncle Duncan. I don’t know much about mine. Mom said he never paid a dime for child support. Just told her bye and that was it. Mom’s always been truthful to us about everything.”

  Duncan was touched. “I think that’s the best honor that you could give me, Matt. That would be my wish, too. A son like you, a daughter like Tiffany.”

  “And a wife like Aunt Melanie?” Tiffany added.

  Duncan
exchanged glances with Melanie. “It would be like living in heaven every day. Just like the name of your cabin, a Small Touch of Heaven.” He sent a warm smile Melanie’s way. This was hard on her and there was nothing he could do to ease the strain. Matthew hadn’t made things easier this morning either.

  “Have you ever had a family, Uncle Duncan?” It was Tiffany inquiring.

  He glanced at his watch then drained the coffee in the cup. “Would you look at the time? Almost eight o’clock. We need to get going. I didn’t know it was this late. Can we hurry and load the dishwasher?”

  “Sure,” Melanie answered as she started clearing the table. Eight o’clock was late? They had all day. He sure had changed with that prompt question. Why had he avoided it? Just like the one she’d asked earlier about the sharp curve. Had he been married? Surely he wasn’t married now. He wouldn’t have married her if he already had a wife. Was there someone out there sitting at home waiting and worrying about him? Maybe Andrea was the ex Mrs. McGregor. One thing was for sure, Duncan McGregor wanted to avoid any prying into his life. As she watched him help load the dishwasher she noted a mysteriousness about him again that she hadn’t been aware of earlier. She’d have to do some of her own background research.

  Duncan strapped the holster on, then rechecked his gun once more. He had to be ready at all costs.

  “Won’t you get warm in that jacket?” Melanie asked, as they headed toward the SUV?

  “Not much. I’m use to wearing a lightweight sports coat. Guess it comes with the territory. And being in the mountains the air isn’t as humid as it is further south.”

  “That’s true. Should I go change?”

  “For?”

  “Even in jeans with that sports coat, you look like you’re making a fashion statement.”

  “What, drop-dead gorgeous?”

  “Yes, I was…” She stopped immediately. “Don’t be putting words into my mouth.”

  Duncan made sure the kids were in, then helped Melanie into the car. His hand slightly swept her backside. “Hmm. I saw the way your eyes swept over me when I walked to your car, correction SUV, yesterday. Not to mention the way you were drooling last night.”

  Melanie turned her face so it was level with his. “Would you stop it? The kids could hear you.” Did he have to stand that close? He smelled so like a man. Complete muscular, pure unadulterated man. Breathe Melanie. Hurry, breathe. “Besides, didn’t I call you an idiot when you entered our home?”

  “I haven’t forgotten that. I just might have to send you up the creek for that little insult. Now get inside. We need to get this over with.”

  Melanie’s breathing once again tapered off, then returned.

  Duncan kissed her forehead, and helped her inside.

  A few minutes later they were headed for Knoxville.

  “Yeah, they’re on their way now,” Ramon announced over the radio. “Just be sure not to lose them.”

  “That’s a ten four.” The other voice was muffled as the speaker quietly twisted the man’s neck and dropped him to the ground. Scattering leaves over the dead body, he raced to the pickup and headed for Knoxville.

  Three more fish to fry, and one big one, and he would be in the clear.

  “Oh don’t forget, Ramon. When and if he discovers the body he won’t really have much time to tell anyone.” A chuckle fell from his lips. “No, there will be plenty more bodies before all this is finished.” Another chuckle. “Soon, Melanie. Soon.”

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  Chapter 4

  Andrea turned out to be extremely nice and warm. Just the touch of her hands left a soothing calm over Melanie. She didn’t have too many people to turn to now, and one more was a great addition. What was she talking about? She really had no one to turn to but the children and Duncan.

  Tiffany was intrigued with a woman being an agent and able to carry a gun. The thought of being a chef and a Federal Agent crossed Tiffany’s mind more than once. Maybe she could do both. Yeah, that would be a great cover.

  Melanie was happy the kids took a liking to Andrea.

  “So, when did big love bite you?” Andrea asked, as she handed Melanie a styrofoam cup of coffee. “Was it when you focused on those sexy blue eyes of his?”

  “Excuse me? And thanks for the coffee.”

  “Duncan. It’s written all over your face.”

  Was she that readable? “Detective McGregor and I are only working undercover.”

  “He works well undercover, Melanie.”

  Melanie’s face flushed. “Are you and he? I mean were you and he…?”

  “No, honey. What I mean is he really works well undercover. As for under the covers, that is something I wouldn’t know. I don’t mix business with personal stuff. Not with these fellows. We’re all business here.”

  Melanie sipped on the coffee. Normally she didn’t have more than one cup in the morning, but something told her Andrea was using it as a stimulant to calm her nerves. Sort of like the calm before the storm. Soon she would be walking into that cold room of death.

  “Andrea, can I pry?”

  “You’re wondering about his life?”

  “Tiffany asked about his family. He instantly changed the subject.”

  “Normally I don’t issue any information, but you, I think I can trust. Call it instinct. Duncan had a wife and son. His wife was expecting a little girl when it all happened.”

  Melanie caught a glimpse of Duncan glancing their way, as he stood by Matthew exchanging some conversation with Tiffany. “Did she leave him?”

  “He was working on a case. Somehow they got into his house. You don’t want to know the grizzly facts. They frightened his wife in the worst way. Cut her up pretty badly. She and the boy were able to get to the garage, but that’s how they had it planned. She had no idea they had cut the brake lines. The moment she put the car in reverse and went racing down the driveway, Duncan knew it had been staged just for him. No sooner did she hit the curve at the top of that hill, than the Camry flipped. It happened so fast. Duncan got word just in time to see it happen, but hated himself for not being there before it started. He and two other agents witnessed the car roll before hitting the barrier and crashing through. He saw the explosion and everything. The other two agents had to hold him back. He was frantic trying to get to that car.”

  Melanie swallowed hard. No wonder he had lingered along the sharp curve in the road last night. The picture was probably dancing in his head at the time. “How long ago?”

  “Five years. The boy would have been Matt’s age now.”

  Melanie touched Andrea’s hand. “Thank you for sharing.”

  “Something tells me he cares a little about you and those kids. It’s not just this case. I’ve seen him date a few times in the past, try to get close to women. But you, I know he has feelings for you that want to come right out. I haven’t seen him look at any woman since Jean the way he looks at you.”

  “That was his wife?”

  “Yes. Jean and he were married five years before they even had Johnny. She thought they’d never have any children. Most of us have known him a long time. When he walked in here this morning with you and those kids, well it was as if his heart had been filled with happiness. I don’t know what you’ve done, Melanie, but the little time you’ve spent with him seems to have worked wonders. Even that marriage deal between the two of you makes this whole scene look authentic.”

  “He said we can have it annulled afterward.”

  Andrea thumbed her finger on her chin. “Makes me wonder if he’ll really want to. Or if you will really let him go.”

  Duncan was approaching with the children.

  “Andrea, want to take these kids and show them around? I’ve briefed them. Now I need to brief Melanie.”

  “Aunt Melanie, you’ll have to go into a special room,” Matthew announced. “Uncle Duncan said that you were an adult and they had different rooms for adults.”

  “Yeah Matthew, you’re right abou
t that.” Melanie tried not to choke on the words.

  Duncan circled her waist with his arm. “We won’t be long, you two.”

  The walk down the long white hallway was the longest Melanie had taken. Her feet felt as if they were in cement blocks instead of tennis shoes. The door to the morgue wasn’t that far but it was as if it was being pulled further and further away from her. Would she ever reach it? Perhaps it didn’t want her to go inside. When they stood facing the door, she couldn’t take another step.

  “Melanie, we don’t have to do this. I thought you might want to … before you have to lay her to rest.”

  Melanie’s small face leveled a gaze at his, practically pleading for help. “How can I face the children and tell them when all this is over, if I can’t face my sister one last time?” She breathed in, then out again. “No. Let’s go inside now while I still have the courage.”

  “Mac, this is the girl’s sister. I told you about her,” Duncan said to the medium-size man wearing the white doctor’s coat. “Melanie, this is Mac.”

  Mac extended his hand to hers and she shook it. “I wish it was under different circumstances, Melanie. The body is over here.”

  Mac started to turn down the sheet.

  “Wait.” Melanie felt Duncan reach for her hand and lace her fingers through his. “I want to see her right ankle first. Please don’t uncover her face until I’m ready.”

  Mac exchanged a glance with Duncan, then did as she asked.

  Her hand touched the ankle that was no longer warm and full of lively flesh. Instead it was cold, as cold as ice. “She had surgery there near her ankle once. Seems she had a problem with her foot. Now can I see her left thigh?”

  Mac pulled the sheet up for viewing.

  “Her birthmark. She hated for it to be there, especially when she went swimming. I told her it was barely noticeable.” The words caught in Melanie’s throat. “Now her right hand.” She found it easier to let go of Duncan’s hand.

  Lifting the heavy cold hand, she looked at the inside of the palm. “She opened a jar of barbecue sauce one afternoon. Said she wanted to make barbecue chicken. Somehow the lid didn’t open. Instead, it broke off the whole upper part of the glass jar, slicing her hand right below the center of the palm. Daddy wanted to take her to the doctor for stitches but she refused.”