Expired Cache - Lisa Phillips Page 0,23
her nose and realized she was still holding her grandfather’s journal. Like a tether while the world around her swirled out of control. “I don’t think otherwise.”
“No, you just insinuated it. Which is worse.”
Ellie didn’t know what that meant.
“Because it means you don’t trust cops—in particular, ones that are your family.”
“That’s not true.”
Her grandfather had been there for her when she needed someone. Since then, she’d tried to stay away from cops in general. There was nothing in her life that warranted a police officer. She didn’t allow herself to get into any dangerous situations.
“Besides,” Ellie argued. “How do you even know the shooter was trying to hurt us, or break any of these things? Could have been a hunter who missed.”
“I returned fire in his direction. Then he shot at you again.”
“Or he shot at you because you scared him.”
“Let us investigate this, and I’ll ask him when I arrest him.”
Ellie pressed her lips together.
“I’ll make sure they’re careful, El. Maybe you could start trusting me right now, with this.”
Dean shifted his stance, and she realized he could hear everything. Of course, he was standing right here while they argued deeply personal things in front of him.
She turned to face her sister. “Fine.”
Ellie moved to the kitchen where Jess had been when the first shot came through. There was an itch between her shoulder blades, and she didn’t know where it had come from. Like she was being watched. Or there was way too much scrutiny in this small cabin. She didn’t like other people judging her, even if it was harmless assessment.
Dean had found her right when she’d been losing her cool. Maybe he didn’t even care. Or he thought she should’ve been stronger, more like her sister. Or he felt sorry for her now. She didn’t know which the better option was. Or why she even cared what he thought of her.
Ellie had two reasons to still be here now that the will was done. One was to help her sister pack up their grandfather’s things, and the other was to solve this mystery. There was no room in that for her to be dealing with possible death threats. The last thing she needed was to be targeted by someone. And it wasn’t something Ellie would let bother her.
Whoever they were, she wasn’t going to waste energy being scared.
Ellie slapped the journal down on the counter. It definitely hadn’t tumbled out of her hands as she lost her grip on it—and her cool. Again. She gritted her teeth, grabbed the edge of the counter, and bent forward putting her head between her elbows.
No one was trying to kill her.
And if they did, why would she be scared of them?
She wasn’t being targeted by anyone, least of all the subject of her nightmares. She’d read the newspaper article. He’d been jailed. Now he was dead. What else was there to know? She’d moved on. It had been years ago. Ellie wasn’t a naïve high schooler any longer. She was a grown woman with a master’s degree and a career.
“El.”
She straightened and saw her sister had neared. “I’m fine.”
“Sure.” Jess leaned against the counter at a right angle to her, keeping her distance. Like Ellie was a skittish animal about to lash out. “This is probably a good time to remind you of something. That fear you’re feeling? It’s good instinct. You should be careful, and for the time being, not go anywhere alone. It’s worth staying safe. Being protected.”
“Because you have no idea what’s going on. Which means I could have no reason to be scared. And that means I don’t intend to waste time being scared.” She folded her arms. “At least until I have a reason to be.”
Which she planned on being…never.
She said, “After all, you don’t know if they were shooting at me or you. Or just trying to destroy the cabin. Could be that the hit and run was an attempt on your life.”
“Don’t tell my chief that, okay? He’ll put me on house arrest.”
Ellie shot her a look.
“That’s not my goal,” Jess told her. “I just need you to work with me.”
“She’s right that you do need protection.” He leaned against the opposite edge of the counter, arms folded across his chest. The man looked built for war. Ready to do serious business. It scared her, about as much as it reassured her, that he would do battle on her behalf.
Jess said, “Two near misses isn’t something you can brush off.”
“Being too busy