When Silence Falls

FOUR

A night spent tossing and turning on her hand-me-down sofa left Piper feeling groggy and irritable. Fighting Grayson for time in the house’s sole bathroom only worsened her mood. By the time she ran out to the car, already five minutes late, a bagel clutched in one hand and a diet soda in the other, her briefcase and purse under her arm, Piper felt like she’d already put in a full day’s work.

Grayson looked just as tired as he pulled open the door to his car. “You’re meeting Cade here at two. Don’t forget.”

He didn’t ask, and she decided to save an argument and not mention that she planned to cancel. “And you’re sleeping at your own place tonight.”

“We’ll see.”

“Gray—”

“We’re both running late. Let’s discuss it later.”

“Why is it that you always say that when we don’t agree on something?”

But Grayson was already in his car, waving as he drove away.

Piper shook her head, shoved a last bite of bagel in her mouth and yanked open the door to the GTO. There was no sense being irritated. Grayson was Grayson, determined to have his way in everything. They’d talk. She’d present her view of things. He’d disagree. In the end, he’d do exactly what he wanted.

And tonight he’d be sleeping on the couch.

Classical music was playing on the radio, but Piper needed something different this morning. Contemporary Christian music seemed just the thing to lift her dark mood and she hummed along with familiar tunes as she drove. The sun peeked over the trees, bright orange against the azure sky. It would be a beautiful day. Perfect for hiking near Smith Mountain Lake.

Too bad Piper wouldn’t have time for it. She had two classes to teach this morning. Then she’d stop at the police station to sign her statement, call Cade, practice for Sunday’s service and then teach piano from five to nine. A full day, but if she kept on schedule, everything should work out fine.

Of course, things never quite turned out the way Piper planned and she wasn’t surprised when it took her double the time she’d expected it would to sign her statement at the police station. Nor was she surprised when she arrived home and found an unfamiliar SUV parked in front of her house.

She glanced at the dashboard clock, saw that it was a few minutes after two, and knew exactly who was waiting. “Perfect.”

Piper shoved open the car door and climbed out, her breath catching as Cade stepped out of the SUV. Dark aviator glasses, too-long hair, an easy, comfortable way of moving. A smile that should be outlawed.

And that was something Piper did not want to be noticing. She had enough men in her life. One more would just complicate things.

She turned away, yanking her purse from the passenger seat and calling over her shoulder, “Sorry I wasn’t here when you arrived. Have you been waiting long?”

“Just a few minutes. I was a little early.”

“And I’m a little late.” She grabbed her briefcase, shoved the door closed with her hip.

“Rough day?” He pulled the briefcase from her hand, started toward the house.

“I’ve had worse. How about you?”

“I guess I could say the same. The photo shoot was easy. Dealing with my father, not so easy.”

“How is he?”

“Better physically. Mentally is a different story. I thought moving him back here would help. So far, it’s just made things worse.”

“Have you been back long?” Piper followed him up the stairs to the front door.

“About a month. I…” His voice trailed off. “Your door is open.”

“What? It shouldn’t be. I locked it before I left this morning.” Her pulse sped up as she sidled close, leaned past Cade’s arm and watched as he pushed with one finger and the door creaked inward.

“Go get in the car.”

“But—”

“Go. If I’m not out in ten minutes, call for backup.” The hard tone of his voice had her moving, hurrying back to her GTO, watching as Cade disappeared inside her house.

Seconds ticked by. Then minutes. She was supposed to wait ten, but Piper didn’t think she’d make it five. She grabbed her cell phone, clutched it in her hand, ready to dial 911. Was Cade okay? Should she call for help and then go inside?

Before she could decide, a figure rounded the corner of the house and Piper’s heart lurched, settling back into place as she recognized Cade.

She scrambled out of the car, searching his face, trying to determine what he’d found. “Did you see anyone?”

“Nothing. It doesn’t look like anything was touched, either. Want to come in and see?”

She did, and followed him into the house.

He was right. Everything looked just the way she’d left it. Her quilt thrown over the couch. A book sitting on the end table. A glass in the kitchen sink. A few crumbs on the counter. In the morning room, the mahogany wood of the piano gleamed in the sunlight that streamed through the window. Piper walked into the office, her bedroom and the bathroom, and found each in order, nothing out of place, nothing missing.

Finally satisfied, she grabbed a soda from the refrigerator, offered one to Cade. “So, what do you think?”

“It doesn’t look like anyone was here. The door was locked, just not closed all the way. Is it possible you didn’t shut it when you left?”

“No. I shut it.” She thought back, trying to remember the moment she’d closed the door. She’d been carrying her purse, briefcase, bagel, soda. “Then again, I was in a hurry and I had a lot in my hands. It could be I didn’t pull hard enough and the lock didn’t click.”

“Or someone was here, but doesn’t want you to know it.”

“Why? That doesn’t make sense.”

“Things don’t always make sense, Piper. If they did, police work would be a lot easier.” Cade took a swallow of soda, trying to decide how much he should say. “Most likely this is exactly what it seems to be—a locked door that wasn’t shut tightly enough.”

Piper relaxed at his words, the crease between her brows smoothing. “Good. The thought of someone snooping through my house while I’m gone is creepy.”

“I agree. Which is why getting a dog is such a good idea.”

“About that…” She shifted, turning away to grab a towel and wipe crumbs from the counter. “I’m not sure a dog will fit my lifestyle.”

“I guess that’s your choice to make.”

She glanced over her shoulder, meeting his gaze. “So you’re not going to argue with me?”

“No.”

“Try to convince me I’m wrong?”