Cold Case Christmas. Jessica R. Patch

       TWO

      “How’d you sleep, honey?” Dad looked up from his desk with tired eyes.

      “I’m guessing about like you. Harrison stopped in at first light.” Dad’s Chief of Security had scared her half to death. He ought to be thankful he’s alive. She almost shot him.

      “I should have called and told you he’d be by to paint over the graffiti. I wanted it done before too many people saw it. I’m sorry that happened.” He scooted out from his mahogany leather chair and crossed the room. Dressy jeans. Dress shirt that brought out the lighter flecks of brown in his eyes. She’d always wished she’d been blessed with her father’s eyes. He opened his arms to her, as he always did.

      She walked into them and let his comfort shield her and make her feel safe. A different safety than how she felt in Rush’s arms last night. She didn’t want to think too much on that. There was nothing left between her and Rush romantically.

      “I had him put more security around the chalet for you.” He touched the tender area on her cheek. “Rush taking care of this?”

      “He is.” She pulled away, cleared her throat. “Dad, I’ve never asked because I never wanted to know. Or I didn’t believe. But after last night there has to be some truth to the gossip.” She peered into his eyes, waiting for the bomb to drop.

      Dad didn’t speak for what seemed like an eternity. He touched her shoulder; his eyes held a mix of resolve and sadness. “Nora, why don’t you remember your mother in all the good ways like Friday manicures and pancakes on Sunday. Or even that silly song she sang to help you sleep that only made you giggle and stay up longer. I think she did that deliberately to have more time with you. Don’t try to pull up anything ugly. You’ll find no peace there.”

      Nora held back the burning tears. Those were the memories fueling her search for truth. Mom had loved her, but did she ever love Dad? “You’re not denying it. Is that why you didn’t go on a mad hunt to find her after she disappeared? Were you relieved she was gone?”

      Dad’s jaw ticked and he inhaled sharply. “I loved your mother, Nora. The only relief I have is that now I have some closure. Let Rush look into who assaulted you and vandalized my property, but as far as the past, you stay out of it.”

      Nora had zero closure. Stay out of it?

      Dad wasn’t going to give her any answers; no point in bringing up the fact Mom had a huge sum of money in the camera case. If he did know about it, he wouldn’t tell her. Nora had searching to do. Searching no one else seemed to want to do. Rush believed the past was an accident. He wouldn’t put the proper time into it. Someone needed to fight for the truth.

      “Now, why are you really here?” he asked. “I’m thrilled to have you. I hate that you came home to this.”

      “Can’t a girl come home longer than Christmas Day?” She didn’t have the courage to admit the truth. Besides, he was keeping secrets of his own.

      He raised a dark eyebrow but didn’t push. “You can always come home, honey.”

      “I know.” Outside the sky was painted gray. Trendy on walls. Gloomy in her heart. “We’ll have snow again soon. More rain and ice too.”

      “Knock, knock.” Rush rapped on the side of the door frame. In uniform. He’d shaved and his fresh, soft cheeks held the dimples she’d always loved. “I see you got the spray paint covered up. You wanna report it officially?”

      Joshua nodded. “Absolutely. I’ll go down to the station this afternoon. I put Harrison and the night security on more rounds, especially at the chalet.”

      “Good.” Rush cleared his throat and glanced at Nora. “How’s the noggin?”

      “Thinking about the next step.” In between the thumping. “Which is breakfast,” she added.

      He chuckled. “I’ll walk you down to the dining area, if that’s okay.”

      “See you tonight,” she said to her dad.

      “Honey, remember our conversation.”

      She would. But it wasn’t going to change her mind. As they walked down the hall to the elevator, she spoke. “Dad thinks I should back off. But why wouldn’t he want to know what happened that night?”

      Rush hit the elevator button. “He might want to spare himself further pain. Or he could know more than he’s letting on to spare your feelings. Sometimes people keep secrets to protect loved ones.” They stepped in and he pushed the first floor to go up from the basement offices.

      “Secrets don’t protect people. They hurt people.” She slid him a sideways glance. He’d kept the fact he was dating Ainsley from her, and it hadn’t spared her feelings. It had hurt more than anything. Her secrets of why she was back now would hurt and disappoint Dad.

      They stepped off the elevator and took in the beautiful snowcapped view from the wall of windows that lined the hall and the dining area.

      “I’m going to try to follow that money trail, Rush. It came from somewhere. If I can track it, I can get answers.”

      Rush pulled a chair out for her and sat across from her. She didn’t miss his grimace. “I reviewed the initial police report from when she went missing, and the follow-up notes from Sheriff Parsons. Nothing about money. Nothing at all that would be a lead.”

      “What did your dad say?”

      Rush unrolled his silverware, a grim expression. “I haven’t had time to talk to him.”

      “You haven’t had time?” She stared at him dumbfounded.

      Rush balled his fist on the table. “Anything he would know would have been put in the report, Nora. And I was a little busy last night taking care of you.”

      Nora counted to ten. Rush had rescued and protected her. “Okay. But I still want you to talk to him. Or I can—”

      “I’ll do it. I’ll do it.”

      The server came and Rush ordered coffee and toast. Nora ordered pecan pancakes with vanilla syrup and a side of bacon. She ate when she was wound up. She shivered and scanned the room. No one looked suspicious, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.

      When the server left the table, Rush continued. “Right now, I need you to be objective. Think back. Do you remember your parents ever fighting? Especially within a day or two of the ball?”

      Nora shook her head and sipped her Irish breakfast tea with honey. “My parents never fought. I mean, if they did, then they kept it from me and Hailey. Plenty of space around here to raise voices and no one but the mountains to hear.” She leaned forward. “Why? Do you think my dad had anything to do with this? I mean, I know he hasn’t searched hard, but to murder my mom?”

      “Whoa!” Rush put his hands up. “Don’t jump to conclusions and certainly not out loud where diners can hear. I never said that.” He scowled across the table.

      “Well, you certainly implied it.”

      He shifted in his seat. “I didn’t mean to. I’m saying if you could remember