She was alone, Candy saw. There was no one else in the vehicle with her.
Leaving the car door open, Felicia walked briskly to the cabin. She was dressed in a black hooded cloak with jeans and calf-high boots—the same outfit she’d had on earlier in the day when Candy had caught sight of her lurking among the trees in Town Park. She’d draped a gray scarf loosely around her throat and wore expensive leather gloves.
As she walked to the cabin door, she quickly looked around, but she failed to notice Candy hidden in the shadows among the trees. Felicia knocked softly, waiting only a few moments before she pushed at the cabin door, entered, and closed the door firmly behind her.
Candy saw a light flicker on inside. Cautiously she emerged from her hiding place, taking a few tentative steps toward the cabin. She was ready to dive for cover again should Felicia suddenly appear, but instead, after a few moments, she heard voices inside.
Voices? Who else was in there with her?
Curious, Candy took a few steps closer.
She could hear the voices raised in anger now. Candy listened, trying to make out the words, but they were too indistinct. Still, the second voice sounded familiar. Candy was sure she’d heard it before.
Then it dawned on her.
The more she listened, the more she was certain of it.
The argument inside had fallen into softer tones, but Candy still sensed an air of strain and desperation from the two people inside.
Again, she debated what to do. But even as she considered her options, she knew she had to take an aggressive approach. There would never be another chance. It had to be now.
With her stomach tightening in apprehension, and her throat suddenly dry in the cold, still air, she took the final few steps forward, stopped in front of the cabin door, slipped off her right-hand glove, and knocked decisively several times.
Instantly the voices inside fell into a hush, and the lights went out. Abruptly, they were all cloaked again in darkness.
Candy heard a quick toot of a horn behind her. She turned.
Maggie had been watching and was wondering if everything was okay. Candy could see her waving inside the car. Candy waved back, then turned and knocked again. “Hello, is anyone in there?” she called out. “It’s Candy Holliday.”
After a few moments she heard low whispers from inside. It took a while, but a latch flicked. The knob turned and the door opened a few inches. A face hovered in the shadows.
“What do you want?” a female voice asked from inside.
“I want to talk to Gina.”
The face disappeared. The door closed.
Candy knocked again. “I have a friend nearby. She has the police on speed dial. You have ten seconds or I’m going to tell her to call them.”
She had learned a little bit about bluffing from Doc, who played poker just about every Friday night with his buddies. She had fudged the truth, but it worked.
The door opened again.
Felicia had one hand hidden behind her cloak. She looked very unhappy. “Since you insist, you might as well come in.”
Candy took a deep breath, nodded, and stepped inside after kicking the snow off her boots.
It was a neat one-bedroom cabin, decorated in rose, sea green, and cream colors. The front room had a small sitting area with a TV and sofa, and a dining area and kitchen on the other side. Doors from the main room led into what Candy guessed were a bathroom and bedroom. The bedroom door was closed.
There was no sign of Gina.
“How did you find this place?” Felicia asked, standing nervously near the kitchen counter. But a moment later she answered her own question. “It was Preston Smith, wasn’t it? I knew he was up to something sneaky. He tipped you off, right?”
Candy ignored the question as she scanned the room. “Where is she?”
Felicia forced a smile. “Where is who?”
“Gina. I heard her voice. I know she’s here.”
“You’re mistaken.”
“There are two of you in here.”
“I’m here by myself. And you’re not welcome here. Now get out.”
Candy hesitated. She’d checked the place out. She’d done all she could. Now it was time to leave.
She was turning toward the door when she heard a thump from the bedroom. Her gaze shifted. “Someone’s in there. It’s Gina, isn’t it?”
Felicia threw up her arms and gave Candy an exasperated look. “Oh, for heaven’s sake.” She let out an exaggerated breath as she crossed to the bedroom door and swung it wide open. “You might as well come on out,” she said to the person inside. “She knows you’re here.”
Inside, Gina Templeton was seated on the bed, hands folded in her lap. When she saw Candy, she nodded, rose, and walked out of the bedroom into the living room. Her hair was uncombed, her clothes were rumpled, and she had bags under her eyes. She looked like she had just woken up. She still wore her scarf tightly around her neck.
“Gina, what are you doing here? What’s going on?” Candy asked, shooting a glance at Felicia. “Is everything okay?”
“No, everything is not okay,” Gina pronounced firmly, her voice raspy with sleep.
“Why? What’s happening?
“I’ll tell you whatever you want to know,” Gina said with tired eyes and a drawn face, “but you have to promise me one thing.”
“And what’s that?” Candy asked.
Gina rubbed her nose and sniffled. “No police.”