Erica Spindler - In Silence

Buddy looked as if he wanted to argue, then nodded. "Okay, but keep me posted. And bring her back to the ranch. Lilah and Cherry will get her fixed up for the night."

Matt agreed and they walked to his cruiser. He helped her into the vehicle, went around and climbed behind the wheel. He looked at her. "Where are we going?"

"The Guesthouse. I think there might have been another murder."

Matt flipped on the vehicle's cherry lights and siren and threw the cruiser into gear. He flew through the streets, handling the vehicle like a professional driver, the only indication of his distress the muscle that jumped in his jaw.

"What the hell's going on, Avery?" He didn't take his eyes from the road. "How do you know Gwen Lancaster?"

"It's a long story." She wrapped her arms around her middle. "Do you know her?"

"Yes, because of her brother. I worked on the investigation." He paused. "I felt real bad for her. She seemed like a nice person."

"And now she's dead, too."

"We don't know that."

"Then where is she?" Her voice rose, hysteria pulling at her. "We were supposed to talk. She didn't call. She wouldn't have left without-"

"Stop it," he said sharply. "We don't know she's dead. Until there's a body, we'll presume she's alive. Okay?"

They arrived at The Guesthouse. He screamed to a stop; they piled out and hurried up the walk. Unlike earlier, Laurie sat at the front desk. She stood as they entered. "Matt, Avery, what-"

"Have you seen Gwen Lancaster today?"

Her gaze moved between them. "No, I-"

"Mind if we go upstairs?" She shook her head. "We may need you to open the door."

It was only the second time Avery had seen Matt acting in an official capacity and she acknowledged being impressed. And a bit taken aback. Gone was the aw-shucks small-town sheriff, replaced by a determined lawman whose tone left no doubt he meant business.

The three hurried up the stairs. Matt rapped on Gwen's door. "Sheriff, Ms. Lancaster." When he repeated the process without answer, he turned to Laurie. "Open it, please."

Laurie nodded, face deathly pale. She took out a master key, unlocked the door and stepped back.

"Wait downstairs for now. But don't leave the premises, I may need to question you." He softened his tone. "Please, Laurie."

The woman hesitated for a fraction of a moment, then backed toward the stairs. Avery watched her, frowning. She looked frightened.

Did she know more than she was telling? Had she played some part in Gwen's disappearance?

Matt unsheathed his service weapon. "Stay put, Avery." He stepped across the threshold, Colt.45 out. "Sheriff!" he called.

He disappeared into the unit, reappearing several moments later, features tight.

"Is she-"

"No."

Avery brought a hand to her chest, relieved. "Thank God. I was so worried."

"I'd like you to look around. You might see something I missed." He paused. "But don't touch anything. Take as few steps as possible."

"I don't understand."

"The fewer people through a crime scene the better."

"But you said she…wasn't dead. You said you didn't find evidence of…"

Her words trailed off. He hadn't said either of those things, she realized.

"Until we find a body, we presume she's alive."

Obviously, he hadn't found a body.

But he had found something else.

She stepped inside. Moved her gaze over the room. "She's cleaned up. The last time I was here, the place had been ransacked."

"Ransacked?" he repeated, scowling at her. "Just how much haven't you told me?"

She met his eyes, feeling like an idiot. "A lot."

His mouth thinned, but he didn't comment. Instead, he motioned to the room. "Anything else?"

She carefully studied the interior. The unmade bed, robe thrown over the foot. Blinds open, Gwen's running shoes on the floor by the bed.

Her gaze stopped at what appeared to be a puddle. "The floor's wet."

"Excuse me?"

"Look."

She pointed. He crossed to the spot, squatted, dipped his middle and index fingers into the liquid and brought his fingers to his nose. "Water."

He shifted his gaze toward the bathroom. "There's another."

In all they found three in what appeared to be a line from the bathroom to the bed.

"What do you think it means?" she asked.

"Don't know yet." He touched her arm. "I need you to take a look at this."

He led her to the bathroom. A circular-shaped bloodstain marred the white wooden door. Splatters radiated from the circle, drips from the bottom of the stain.

Avery stared at the mark, pinpoints of lights dancing in front of her gaze.

"Blood's dry." He leaned close, examining the mark but not touching it. "A few strands of hair," he murmured. "Maybe some tissue."

"I don't feel so good," she said, swaying slightly.

He caught her arm, steadying her. "Are you okay?"

"No."

He led her out of the unit and into the hall. He ordered her to sit.

She did, lowering her head to her knees. She breathed deeply through her nose until she felt steady enough to lift her head.

"My note's gone," she said.

"You left a note?"

"Slid it under her door. Around noon." She realized what that meant and brought a hand to her chest, relieved. "If she picked it up, she's alive."

"If she picked it up. Someone else may have."

"But who? The door was locked." She shook her head, refusing to acknowledge he had a point. "No, she got it."

"Avery-" He squatted in front of her, caught her hands, gripping them tightly. "The blood's completely dry. It's been there a while."

"I don't understand what you're…" Her words trailed off as she got it.

"I'm sorry, Avery. I really am."

She brought her head to her knees once more.

"She could have fallen," he said softly. "Have you checked the hospitals?"

She looked up, hopeful. "No."

"I'll do it. I need to make a few calls, including one to Dad. Order an evidence crew over. Talk to Laurie, her family. The other guests. But first, I think we should talk."

"Talk," she repeated weakly. "Now?"

"It's important." He rubbed her hands between his. "I need you to tell me everything. Are you up to it?"

She managed a nod. "I'll try."

"That's my girl. First, how did you become involved with Gwen Lancaster?"

As quickly and as succinctly as she could, Avery filled him in on how she and Gwen had become acquainted. She explained about Gwen coming to her with proof of The Seven's existence. The suicides, the freak accidental deaths. "I didn't believe her until I researched at the Gazette. When I saw all the deaths…there…in black and white, I couldn't ignore her. Plus, she believed my father was murdered."

"And that's what you believed?"

She laced her fingers. "I just couldn't accept he had killed himself."

"Go on."

"So we joined forces."

He paused a moment as if mulling over what she had told him, putting the various pieces together, filling in the blanks. "Why did you believe she had been murdered?"

"Because we had arranged to speak by phone and I wasn't able to reach her. And because The Seven knew she was onto them. They had given her a warning."

He frowned. "What kind of warning?"

"A gutted cat. They ransacked her room. Stole her notes and interview tapes." When he simply stared at her, she stiffened her spine. "You think I'm making all this up, don't you? You think I'm losing my mind."

"I wish I did. As unbelievable as this all is, I can't discount it." He pointed. "That bloodstain is stopping me. The fact that she's missing. And that two other women are dead."

He paused. "The note you left, what did it say, Avery?"

"To call me. That I had found some evidence." It seemed a lifetime already since this morning, so much had happened. "Sallie Waguespack was pregnant, Matt."