Billion Dollar Mistake by K.C. Crowne

Chapter 26

SAWYER

Another murder had taken place.

A few days ago, I’d asked one of my contacts in the state police to keep me in the loop with news of the killer terrorizing the Whitepeak community. The murders were the top discussion at the state police post, according to him. He’d also told me that it was only a matter of time before they would get involved. Not only that, but the FBI had gotten wind of the murders and was chomping at the bit for the first sign that the crimes were an interstate affair.

While I was concerned for the safety of the people of Whitepeak, I couldn’t help but focus my attention on one person, in particular.

So, when I got the news that afternoon, I’d hopped in my Porsche and driven to Whitepeak as quickly as I could. My contact had let me know the murder had happened in another forested area outside of town, but still within the city limits. He’d even given me the geocoordinates for my map on the condition that I didn’t make myself too much of a nuisance around the area and that I told absolutely no one where I’d gotten the information.

I pulled into the parking lot of the hiking area; the woods thick all around me. The lot was full of squad cars, leaving little doubt that I was in the right place. After checking my phone to make sure I was heading in the right direction, I took off into the woods.

I didn’t need to search for long. The commotion from the officers in the distance let me know that I was near the crime scene. My heart began to beat faster as I approached. Part of me knew it was silly to just show up, but all I could think about was Jolene, and how I wanted to make sure she was safe.

When I spotted the crime scene in the distance, the place buzzing with uniformed officers and surrounded by yellow tape, I made my way to the border and got the attention of one of the officers there, letting him know that I was Dr. McCallister’s husband.

With a nod, he went off to get her. I only had to wait a few minutes before I spotted Jolene. The sight of her on the job…it was something else. She was dressed in jeans and boots and a flannel shirt, her hair in a simple ponytail and an expression of cool professionalism on her face. It was sexy and admirable all at the same time.

“Sawyer?” she asked. “What…how are you here?”

“Those contacts with the state? They’re useful for more than just putting in a good word for my wife.”

She frowned, shaking her head.

“You shouldn’t be here Sawyer; this is a crime scene. What’s up?”

“That’s what I came here to ask you. Heard there was another murder and wanted to make sure you were OK.”

“That’s sweet. Unnecessary, but sweet. I’m fine. Well, I’m going to be fine until the state police show up – then it’s going to be a madhouse.”

I glanced over her shoulder at the bustling crime scene.

“This is insane, Jolene – four murders in Whitepeak?”

“I know, it’s crazy. But I can’t tell you anything.”

“Who the hell could it be? I mean it’s been a while since I’ve lived in Whitepeak, but never once had I met someone who I’d mark as a potential murderer.”

“You know I can’t comment on it.”

She sighed, checking her watch.

“Anyway, I need to get back to it.”

“Sure. What time you think you’ll be back? I can have some dinner ready for you when you get home. Or, at the very least, some food on the way.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. I’m going to finish up here and then it’ll be time to go to the morgue. I can grab dinner in town. And you probably shouldn’t expect me until late.”

“Of course. But let me know if there’s anything I can do to take the pressure off.”

That got a small smile out of her, and it surprised me, too. I couldn’t think of the last time I was with a woman who I’d been this…thoughtful with. Something about Jolene was bringing all sorts of emotions out of me that I didn’t know I had.

“I’ll keep that in mind. And…thanks. Anyway, I should get back to it.”

“You got it.” As she turned, something occurred to me. “Wait – I heard you in the bathroom last night puking your guts out. You alright now?”

Her eyes flashed, as if I’d asked a question she hadn’t been prepared to handle.

“I’m fine.”

You didn’t get to be the CTO of a billion-dollar organization without knowing how to spot bullshit when it was right in front of you, but I wasn’t about to make her day any harder by grilling her while she was in the middle of a crime scene investigation.

“Alright. I’ll see you tonight then, OK?”

“OK.” The worried expression was still on her face, and I could tell she couldn’t wait to put some distance between us.

I spent the drive back to Denver thinking about the conversation, how she’d turned on a dime the moment I’d asked her about her illness. Once I was back in town, I headed to the office to put in a few hours of work, to give myself something to think about other than the tension between Jolene and me. She’d been warm enough back in Whitepeak, but there was still an unmistakable coldness.

I also couldn’t help but wonder what was with the face she’d made when I’d asked her about her sickness. It was as if I’d found out about some horrible secret she hoped I’d never discover.

I didn’t get back home until late into the evening, having grabbed dinner with Zander after work.

When I arrived home around ten, I noticed lights were on in the apartment.

Jolene was there.

I didn’t call out to her. Instead, I put down my keys and made my way upstairs. Her bedroom door was shut, and when I approached, I heard the same vomiting that I’d heard the night before.

I waited until it was done, until I heard the toilet flush and the sink run. I decided that I wasn’t going to let her lie to me again. Something was wrong. I was going to find out what it was.

I knocked on the door.

“Jolene!” I called out. “I want to talk to you.”

“Just a sec!” I heard movement inside, as if she were putting the room back together in a hurry. Finally, quick footsteps approached the door and she opened it.

“What’s up?” Jolene, dressed in comfy clothes and looking as if she were getting ready for bed, stood before me with a worried expression on her face.

“You’re sick again.”

“It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing. Tell me what’s going on.”

She glanced down, wringing her hands. It was so strange to see Jolene, typically confident and assertive and never afraid to speak the truth, standing there like that.

Something was wrong.

“Jolene. Whatever it is, you can —”

She glanced up, her gaze cutting me off.

“I’m pregnant.”