The Dead Season (24 page)

Sonny’s expression softened and she stepped forward, embracing me. My lashes were wet when we parted. She said, smiling, “See you at home.”

When they were gone I was left alone with Buck. I opened my mouth to say something, I don’t know what, but he touched my arm and gestured toward the door. “I’ll walk you out,” he said.

Cisco trotted happily between us as we moved into the corridor, unconcerned with the strange noises and smells as long as his two favorite people were with him. That’s the great thing about dogs; their needs are simple and their memories short. Cisco was going home, and as long as he got to sleep by my side at night, I doubted very much whether he would have nightmares about what had happened on the mountain.

But I would never forget it.

I said quietly to Buck, “Thanks for getting Cisco. I was so worried.”

“Hey, it’s the least I could do for my best bud, right, Cisco?”

Cisco trotted a little lighter and swished his tail.

“I can’t believe you came all the way up here in the snow.”

He answered, more solemnly, “It was the least I could do.”

He touched my arm and turned me toward a corridor I didn’t recognize. “There are some folks I thought you’d like to say good-bye to,” he said.

A group of people was standing around a set of vending machines. Intermixed among the adults I didn’t recognize were some very familiar faces. I dropped Cisco’s leash and he rushed forward. So did I.

We didn’t say anything. We just hugged. Lourdes. Tiffanie. Angel. Pete. Jess. Even Heather. Our embraces were hard and fierce and born of the things we had endured that no one else would ever share. They each were different people now than they had been five days ago. So was I.

It was only when it came time to say good-bye to Cisco that the party became exuberant. They rubbed his fur and patted his sides and hugged his neck and called him “little dude” and “golden baby” and “the best dog ever,” and they clung to him so long that I felt bad when at last I took his leash to go. Some of the parents wanted to thank me, and others just wanted to touch me, too emotional to speak. I didn’t know what to say to them. I was a little emotional too.

It wasn’t until we were walking back toward the lobby area that Buck said, “That’s Cisco’s hiking leash, isn’t it? Is that the same one he was wearing when you fell?”

I nodded. “I only have one.”

“Because I couldn’t help noticing it has been cut.”

I said nothing, and I didn’t look at him.

“A normal person, listening to your statement, would assume that someone unfastened the leash from your waist. But when the kids were yelling, ‘cut the rope’ they knew they could, didn’t they? What do you suppose they used?”

I looked straight ahead. “I couldn’t see.”

“I guess they could have gotten your knife.”

“I guess.”

“But it would have taken a long time to saw through the leash.”

I did not reply.

“There was more than one hatchet on that expedition, wasn’t there, Raine? I’m guessing both of the hike leaders would have had one. Or maybe Heather.” He glanced at me briefly. “It only makes sense. The one that was found with Rachel was probably the murder weapon. But the other one, Paul’s hatchet… I wouldn’t be surprised if some camper found it someday, not far from where you guys were picked up.”

I said stiffly, “I told you, I didn’t see anything.”

“Sure. You couldn’t have, from your position. And none of the statements mention a second hatchet.” He slid another glance at me. “Guess those kids learned the meaning of team work after all.”

I determinedly remained silent.

He shrugged. “It’s probably just as well. The existence of two hatchets would only cloud the investigation, cast suspicion on innocent people, maybe even call for a murder trial. And we have the murderer.” He paused a beat. “Don’t we?”

I said softly, “Those kids have been through enough.”

He stopped, and this time I met his gaze. I did so without shame or regret, and we looked at each other for a long time. Then he said, “I guess you all have.”

He lifted a hand as though to stroke my hair, or perhaps even draw me into an embrace.  My breath stopped, just for a moment, as I looked at him, and waited.  And then his gaze noticed something behind me, and his hand fell innocently to my shoulder. He nodded toward the glass door that led to the lobby. “Someone is waiting for you. I’ll see you later.”

He turned and went back down the hall, and I pushed through the lobby door.

I thought my chest would explode with joy when Melanie sprang from one of the chairs by the window and flung herself upon me. Cisco barked with delight. I laughed out loud. Melanie said, “I’m sorry I was a brat on the telephone. I’m glad you’re okay. We got to ride in a helicopter to get here! Pepper couldn’t come, though. Dad said she would throw up.”

I smiled over her shoulder at her father, who stood waiting patiently, and who made my heart soar for an entirely different reason. I gave Melanie a hard hug and then took her face between my hands. “Do you know how much your daddy loves you?” I demanded.

She was sanguine. “Sure.”

“And if you ever want to talk about things—you know, girl stuff—you can come to me, right?”

She looked puzzled. “Yeah, okay.”

I hugged her again and told her, “You were a brat. But I forgive you.”

Melanie turned to Cisco, who was nudging her insistently for attention. “Hey, Cisco! I brought you some dog biscuits.”

I laughed as I stood, leaving Cisco in Melanie’s capable hands. “Music to his ears,” I said.

I walked into the arms of her father and lay my head on his shoulder. “Thank you,” I said, trying not to choke up.

“You’re welcome.” I felt the touch of his lips on my tangled hair, his hands strong on my back, gently cupping my neck. I wanted to stay like that forever, safe in his embrace.

“Are you ready to go home?” he asked.

I murmured, “I’d rather go to St. Bart’s.”

He stepped back and touched my chin with his fingers, tilting my head upward so that I could look into his smiling eyes. “That,” he assured me, “can be arranged.”

“Say, Dad,” Melanie said, bringing Cisco over to us, “aren’t you afraid Cisco will throw up on the helicopter?”

I laughed, and Miles said, “Cisco is a hero. He’s allowed.”

I took Cisco’s leash in one hand, and Melanie hand in the other. “Come on,” I said. “Let’s go home.”

And home, when I finally got there, had never looked so good.

##

Also in
T
he Raine Stockton Dog Mystery Series

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A child has been kidnapped and abandoned in the mountain wilderness. Her only hope is Raine Stockton and her young, untried tracking dog Cisco...

RAPID FIRE

Raine and Cisco are brought in by the FBI to track a terrorist …a terrorist who just happens to be Raine’s old boyfriend.

GUN SHY

Raine rescues a traumatized service dog, and soon begins to suspect he is the only witness to a murder.

BONE YARD

Cisco digs up human remains in Raine’s back yard, and mayhem ensues. Could this be evidence of a serial killer, a long-unsolved mass murder, or something even more sinister… and closer to home?

SILENT NIGHT

It’s Christmastime in Hansonville, N.C., and Raine and Cisco are on the trail of a missing teenager.
But when a newborn is abandoned in the manger of the town's living nativity and Raine walks in on what appears to be the scene of a murder,
the holidays take a very dark turn for everyone concerned.

Spine-chilling
suspense by Donna Ball

SHATTERED

A missing child
, a desperate call for help in the middle of the night… is this a cruel hoax, or the work of a maniacal serial killer who is poised to strike again?

NIGHT FLIGHT

She’s an innocent woman who knows too much. Now she’s fleeing through the night without a weapon and without a phone, and her only hope for survival is a cop who’s willing to risk his badge—and his life—to save her.

SANCTUARY

They came to the peaceful, untouched mountain wilderness of Eastern Tennessee seeking an escape from the madness of modern life. But when they built their luxury homes in the heart of virgin forest they did not realize that something was there before them… something ancient and horrible; something that will make them believe that monsters are real
.

EXPOSURE

Everyone has secrets, but when talk show host Jessamine’s Cray’s stalker begins to use her past to terrorize her, no one is safe … not her family, her friends, her coworkers, and especially not Jess herself.

RENEGADE
by Donna Boyd

Enter a world of dark mystery and intense passion, where human destiny is controlled by a species of powerful, exotic creatures.  Once they ruled the Tundra, now they rule Wall Street.  Once they fought with teeth and claws, now they fight with wealth and power.  And only one man can stop them… if he dares.

Also by Donna Ball

The Ladybug Farm series by Donna Ball

For every woman who ever had a dream… or a friend

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At Home on Ladybug Farm

Love Letters from Ladybug Farm

Christmas on Ladybug Farm

Recipes from Ladybug Farm

Romance Revisited by Donna Ball

MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER

He was a cowboy looking for a wife. She was a lady specializing in brides. They were made for each other... They just didn't know it yet.

A MAN AROUND THE HOUSE

He was the answer to a busy working woman's dreams. But was he too good to be true?

FOR KEEPS

He's an animal trainer who lives by one rule: never get attached. She's a social worker who knows all too well the price of getting involved. It may take an entire menagerie to bring them together, but eventually they both must learn that sometimes it's for keeps.

STEALING SAVANNAH

He was a reformed jewel thief now turned security expert and her job depended on his expertise. But could he be trusted not to steal the most valuable jewel of all-- her heart?

UNDER COVER

She's working on the biggest case of her life, and her cover has already been blown-- by the very man she's investigating. Now they must work together to solve an even bigger mystery-- their future together.

THE STORMRIDERS

They were thunder and lightning when they were married, and their divorce has been no less turbulent. But trapped together during a deadly blizzard with the lives of an entire community depending on them, they discover what's really important, and that some storms are worth riding out.

INTERLUDE

Sometimes a chance encounter is over in a moment, and sometimes it can last a lifetime.

CAST ADRIFT

She was a marine biologist on short deadline to find a very important dolphin, with no time to waste on romance. He was a sailor who knew there could only be one captain on his ship-- himself. But two weeks at sea together could change everything...

~

ABOUT THE AUTHOR….

Donna Ball is the author of over a hundred novels under several different pseudonyms in a variety of genres that include romance, mystery, suspense, paranormal, western adventure, historical and women’s fiction. Recent popular series include the Ladybug Farm series by Berkley Books and the Raine Stockton Dog Mystery series. Donna is an avid dog lover and her dogs have won numerous titles for agility, obedience and canine musical freestyle. She lives in a restored Victorian Barn in the heart of the Blue Ridge mountains with a variety of four-footed companions. You can contact her at
http://www.donnaball.net

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