“No. I don’t think that would be advisable,” she replied, her tone equally dry.
Hayes pulled a stack of paperwork in front of him. “I won’t keep you any longer. I’m sure you have things to do.”
As Emily went back to work, it occurred to her that, since the investigation was over, there was no official reason for her to see Wade Davenport again. And she told herself that it was utterly ridiculous to feel even a twinge of disappointment that the embezzlement case was now closed. She should be thrilled that she was no longer a suspect That she was free, once and for all, to leave this town and its convoluted history behind her.
So why was she suddenly feeling a bit depressed?
THE NEXT TIME Wade saw Emily, she had blood dripping from two deep, ugly puncture marks in her neck. Her skin was a ghastly white, with dark purple hollows beneath her eyes. Blood had pooled around the corners of her mouth, and her hair was a tangled mess around her death-mask face.
She had obviously been the victim of a most heinous crime.
“Damn,” Wade said. “I was kinda hopin’ to be the one to take a bite out of your neck.”
He saw a bright pink flush spread beneath her stark white makeup, spoiling the dramatic effect. Her eyes darted from side to side, obviously checking to make sure there had been no eavesdroppers.
It was a week before Halloween, and full dress rehearsal was underway for the Community League’s haunted house. Wade had stopped by on his way home from the office primarily because he’d known she would be there.
He’d missed seeing her. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her during the two weeks that had passed since he had kissed her. He had deliberately stayed away from her after his quick call to her employer to let her know that she had been officially cleared in the Jennings case.
Emily had made it obvious that she had no intention of allowing Wade to change her mind about leaving, and he’d told himself that he had no time to begin something he couldn’t finish. Yet, no matter how many times he tried to convince himself that he should forget about her and get on with his life, he still found himself lying in bed in the middle of the night, reliving those kisses. Wanting to kiss her again.
Wanting more.
“Wade,” she said, both her voice and her smile a bit strained. “What are you doing here?”
“Just thought I’d see how things were coming along.” He glanced around the ticket lobby, which was bustling with ghoulish characters and people in work clothes carrying hammers and paintbrushes for last-minute touch-ups to the scenery. Someone was shouting directions, but no one seemed to be listening. “A bit hectic, isn’t it?”
“Things always are, at this stage.” She ran her hands down the sides of her floating white dress, which was dotted with make-believe blood from her fake injuries. Wade found it very interesting that she was still so skittish around him. Maybe she couldn’t forget their kisses, either.
“Grand opening is tomorrow night?”
She nodded. “Yes. At seven.”
“I’ll have to bring Clay.”
She looked doubtful.
Wade lifted an eyebrow. “You don’t think that’s a good idea?”
“It’s going to be pretty scary. Do you think Clay’s old enough to handle it?”
“Well...” Wade looked around at the townspeople dressed up so gruesomely. “I thought he would understand that the characters are just people in costume.”
“They look that way now, but when the lighting is turned down and the scary music and sound effects begin, and everyone is screaming and wailing for atmosphere, it can get pretty intense. I’ve seen adults come out of these things shaken. And when my cousin took her twins through a haunted house when they were about Clay’s age, she said she had to deal with nightmares for weeks. Of course, you know your son better than I do.”
“And you know this haunted house better than I do,” he returned. “I didn’t realize it was going to be so scary.”
“It’s designed primarily for teenagers. Some smaller kids will go through, but I think you should be prepared for what to expect if you decide to bring Clay.”
“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Okay, everyone, places!” the woman directing the cast shouted through cupped hands. “We’re going to have a dry run. Chief Davenport, would you like to be our first victim...er, guest?”
Wade grinned. “Sure. That sounds like fun.”
Emily murmured something he didn’t quite catch and ran off to take her place with the others.
It turned out that Wade was one of five test guests, as the director, whose name Wade thought was Tressie something-or-other, referred to them. The other four were teenagers, who were introduced to Wade as Jessica, Shelly, Scott and Adam. The girls giggled and the boys postured while Tressie, who would be serving as their guide through the haunted house, gave them what she explained would be the standard entrance spiel.