Should she leave it? Maybe the intruders had planted it there for some lack-of-character-reveal once Chrissy’s death hit the news.
Melanie dropped her shoulder bag and stared at it, wondering what to do. Evidence – would she tamper with evidence? All of her police training screamed no. But Drew and his woman friend had a plan, and Melanie did not want the package to be held against Chrissy if they’d planted it. Who knew when Mel would get to go back to the apartment?
She withdrew her camera, flashed a picture of the bag’s location, and hurried to the kitchen. Melanie grabbed a set of tongs from the utility drawer and rushed back. Without touching the merchandise, she lifted the plastic bag and dropped it into an empty make-up bag she found in the same drawer.
Keeping the developing case from the police was out of the question now. Drew would have to figure his own way out of this predicament.
Melanie closed the bedroom door behind her with a firm pull as if demons had chased her from its darkness. Her heart bled for both Chrissy and Drew. Whatever this scheme entailed, he was in the thick of it.
When prayer entered her mind, Melanie’s shoulders sagged. She’d hadn’t darkened the doorway of a church since the staunch, main line church in Georgia was reflected in her rear-view mirror the day she left home – it had failed to offer the contentment she craved. The voice she heard now was not a formal, demanding meaningless actions, but a personal invitation to prayer, almost like a friend yearning to reconnect. She grabbed the summons eagerly and whispered a petition heavenward. Her heart needed healing before she could ever hope to reach the darkness in her brother’s soul.
Melanie wondered what she’d tell Trevor Knight about his niece. He’d come all this way expecting to meet with Chrissy, and Melanie didn’t know how to proceed without spilling the entire can of beans and blowing her deceased-cover. It felt terrible to doubt everything and everyone that crossed her path, but caution might be the only factor keeping her alive. She’d continue to keep Trevor at arm’s length until he won her trust.
Step two in this mess popped into her mind unexpectedly: she needed to allow Trevor to play the gallant gentleman she knew would surface during their encounter later in the day. His mansion would give her a place to hide while she investigated the case. She could play dumb, all upset about Chrissy’s disappearance. There was no play-acting necessary – she truly was upset about Chrissy’s disappearance.
Melanie refused to follow Drew’s advice to disappear and allow him free rein, not after the lie about the man in the van and his part in ravaging her apartment. His condo was close to Knight estate, and she believed Georgia was at the root of Chrissy’s demise. Backing down from a case was not her norm, and this would not be any different. She’d make a statement with the police after her meeting with Trevor, and before she left the state, in the chance she went missing a second time.
A quick search of the main rooms offered no clue as to why the intruders had invaded her privacy. Nothing appeared to be missing, so Melanie returned the key to its hiding place outdoors and locked the patio doors from the inside. She may need to sneak home again sometime in the future.
In prayer, patience, and unconditional love, stand firm and watch for God’s miracles:
Chapter 7
Melanie ducked into the convenient store and passed Lorraine the money she’d borrowed. The store clerk was on the phone so she was not delayed with chatter. She smiled and mouthed a big, “thank you,” then left the building. The taxi pulled up and parked, and with her head low she hurried to secure her ride. She gave the driver the motel’s and settled into the backseat. What now? As much as she’d tried to remain firm in her dealings with Drew, he was in deep trouble. She hoped that family priorities were high on his character list but the immature young man had not proven that loyalty to be his strongest asset.
Once Melanie crossed the neighboring town’s limits, the motel sign came into view. Why had Drew registered there instead of going to Langley? The town had at least three motels of much better quality than this dive. After gathering her bags from seat beside her, she paid the cabbie, swiped the card and hurried inside the dingy room. Should she stay there and wait for Drew? Part of her said no, leave him to fight his own battles, but curiosity kept her stationary, for at least one more night, if only to hear the excuse he’d offer for abandoning her to search her apartment.
The clock on the night table showed six p.m.; about the same time, her stomach set up a hunger mutiny. Melanie sighed. She was apprehensive about meeting Trevor Knight for dinner but starving at the same time.
After a quick shower, she rummaged through the wardrobe she’d thrown into the suitcase. A woman never knew what she might need, and she’d been taught to over-pack. That night, she’d have something descent to wear. She pulled the printed dress over her head, wriggle her arms into a light summer sweater, clipped the sides of her hair loosely, and let the rest tumble down her back. A pair of yellow sandals with spike heels completed the casual, yet distinct style.
Melanie called for a cab. Three times in one day was more than she’d ridden on public transit her entire life. When it pulled up ten minutes later, it was the same driver.
“Not too settled, are you?” he said in fun.
“Busy day.” After closing the backdoor, she said. “Take me to the Inglis Hotel in Langley, please.”
He chuckled as he started the
