Scene of the Crime Deadman's Bluff - By Carla Cassidy Page 0,11
occurred previously.
He’d have all the players reinterviewed, check and double-check alibis, and set up a task force to specifically work on it. But this wasn’t a usual case, and he forced a smile as the biggest clue of the case came into the kitchen with Samantha.
“We’re having meat loaf and mashed potatoes for supper. The meat loaf is already cooking, but I’ve got to peel the potatoes and get them boiling,” Samantha said.
Jane pointed to herself, indicating that she’d peel the potatoes. Within minutes she was at the sink working as Samantha got out salad makings from the fridge and talked about the events of her day.
Jane appeared perfectly at ease, responding to Samantha with smiles and head nods. Maybe Samantha with both her teenage angst and cheerful natural exuberance was just what they needed to open up Jane.
Seth remained in the kitchen, seated at the table and out of the way as the two worked side by side to finish preparing the evening meal.
Dr. Kane had done a quick exam of Jane’s throat and had found no physical reason why she wasn’t speaking. Seth had already known that she was capable of talking. He would never, for the rest of his life, forget the sounds that had come from her throat in those moments when she’d tried to scrabble away from him...from the sand that surrounded her.
It was simply a choice that she refused to say a word. Her words were probably trapped inside the trauma and somehow they needed to break through.
By six o’clock Linda arrived home, pleased that her daughter had the evening meal ready and that Jane seemed to be settled in just fine.
“Mom, even Uncle Seth agrees that a puppy is a good idea,” Samantha said once they were all seated at the table.
“Whoa.” Seth held up both hands. “Don’t get me in the middle of this argument.” Samantha glared at him and Jane laughed.
Time seemed to freeze at the low, pleasant sound. Jane’s eyes widened and then she quickly focused on the food on her plate as Linda and Samantha began their discussion about a puppy.
Seth scarcely heard the conversation going back and forth. He was focused on Jane and the beautiful sound of laughter that had escaped her.
It wasn’t much, but it was a start, and hopefully by the end of the evening she’d be able to give him more...she’d be able to at least tell him her name.
Chapter Three
Amnesia was a terrible thing, Jane thought as she showered early the next morning. She had no memories to draw upon, no place to go inside her head where she felt safe. She didn’t even have a name.
And yet somebody had tried to kill her. Somebody had tried to bury her in a sand dune where she’d remain until some dirt-bike riders had discovered her body. Why? And who? The two questions screamed inside her brain.
How had she gotten here in Amber Lake, Oklahoma, and how had she hooked up with a killer? Who would want to hurt her and why? So many unanswered questions screamed inside her head.
She stood beneath the warm water and thought of the night before. As sexy and handsome as she found Seth, all evening she’d felt like he was a praying mantis poised to spring should she show any sign of weakness.
She knew he wanted her help, desperately needed her to talk about what had happened to her, but she had absolutely nothing to offer him. She didn’t know anything about herself or what events had transpired to put her in that sand dune where he’d found her. Right now being in the blankness of her own head was a frightening place to be.
Finished with the shower, she stepped out of the stall and grabbed the thick fluffy towel that awaited her. She was thankful that Linda was a kind and gracious hostess, and Samantha was an absolute doll. It was obvious that Seth loved them both very much.
Seth. If she were in a position to speak she had a feeling he’d make her tongue-tied. His broad shoulders, slim hips and long legs made her feel both safe and yet in just a little bit of danger.
The danger she felt wasn’t for her physical being, but rather her emotional state. She was acutely attracted to him, but she knew she’d be a fool to even entertain thoughts of any kind of a relationship with him.
Although she didn’t know her own name, she knew for certain she wasn’t a