EIGHTEEN
Terra plopped down on the sectional with her laptop. She’d made popcorn and hot chocolate and turned on the television so she wouldn’t feel so alone in this big, dark ranch house. She considered several romantic comedies and decided she couldn’t stomach those tonight. Her one and only serious romance so far had been anything but funny. Tragic was the word.
She wouldn’t count the debacle during her time with the NPS as a romance.
Terra continued searching. Nope to crime shows and psychological thrillers. Especially with that old picture of her great-great-great—how many greats again?—grandparents hanging on the wall. Something about the photograph made it look as though the eyes followed her everywhere. She’d never liked it as a kid, and sometimes it had given her nightmares. She paid no attention to it as an adult, but alone in this big house on a stormy night, the same stormy night she thought someone had followed her, she suddenly felt those eyes were watching her again.
They were watching her now. She chuckled at the idea that she was definitely not alone if she counted her great-greats to keep her company. A shudder crawled over her and she rubbed her arms, then found a Disney movie that didn’t involve a princess.
Except, she knew she wouldn’t actually watch the movie. Instead, she opened her laptop. She would work on finding Jim’s murderer by looking for possible connections through online auction houses.
She startled when her cell buzzed. Edginess was becoming a thing with her lately.
When she saw it was just Erin, Terra smiled and answered. “It’s like you have a sixth sense or something.”
“Why?” Erin crunched. Cheetos? “Did you need to talk?”
“Maybe. Lots going on in my head. It helps to have a sounding board. But this is about my investigation, so I shouldn’t talk about it, even if you are a criminal psychologist and could help me figure this out.”
“But that’s not really why you could use a sounding board.”
Her friend was too sharp. “Hey, before I forget to ask, are you going to make it to Owen’s welcome-home party this coming weekend?”
“I’ll be there. We have our memorial visit coming up too, remember?”
“I wouldn’t forget,” Terra said.
“How’s Owen been doing since he got back?”
“Better than I expected.” Except for those dark moments. “He has a new project now, but I don’t want to steal his thunder. I’ll let you hear about it at the party.”
“Any news from Alex?” Erin crunched again.
“I emailed him. He usually answers quickly, but I haven’t heard anything.”
“And that disturbs you.”
“It should disturb you too. Unless you’ve talked to him.”
“No. I definitely need to be more deliberate.”
“He’s always been overprotective, like a brother even. Especially once Owen was gone.” But then Alex left too. “So I’m worried about him.”
Erin yawned. “Maybe he fell in love and that is taking up all his extra time. Wouldn’t that be something?”
“He hasn’t mentioned anyone.”
“Honestly, Terra, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. He’ll be in touch.”
“Says the psychologist.” But Terra wouldn’t be at ease until Alex contacted her.
The three of them had been so close before. She had the feeling that time and distance were working against them. Was that just life? Or could they be more deliberate about keeping their friendship, their bond, close? She worked hard to keep what she had left of her family—Gramps and Owen—close. Together. To that end, maybe she should move back in with Gramps permanently.
“So, what else is going on?” Erin asked. “Why do you need a sounding board?”
Should she share the news? Or did she need more time to process?
“Come on, I can tell something’s eating at you. Something beyond an investigation. Oh, and by the way, I was sorry to hear about Jim’s death. Mom told me that he was found in the wilderness. That he jumped off a cliff, but police think it’s foul play.”