Read Online Gathering Shadows by Nancy Mehl - Free Book Online Page A

honest with each other. And I’d like to help you, Wynter. Really. No more tricks, I promise. I’m sorry for being such a jerk. It’s not who I really am.”
    â€œI don’t know if what you did can be fixed, Zac.”
    â€œI sent the pictures to a friend of mine, Amy, another photog. After she sent the e-mail, I called her and asked her to dump the pictures and delete the e-mails. I didn’t want this thing to be traced back to me. That’s when I found out we weren’t even supposed to be here.”
    â€œWhat if she tells Ed?”
    He shook his head. “She won’t. We keep each other’s secrets.”
    â€œI hope you’re right,” I said. “I won’t leave Sanctuary until I know for certain that young man isn’t my brother.”
    Zac stared silently at me for a moment. “Wynter,” he said finally, “if Ed knows the truth about your past, wouldn’t he understand why you need to be here?”
    â€œWhen he hired me, I promised to put the past behind me. Ed made it clear he wasn’t looking for someone who was so wrapped up in her own story that she couldn’t be trusted to put the interests of the station first. You know Ed.” I lowered my voice. “‘The story comes first. It’s all about the story.’”
    My attempt at sounding like Ed made Zac smile. “But you have a real lead. That should make a difference.”
    â€œNo, I don’t. I’ve found a boy who looks somewhat like my brother. That’s it. I have no reason to believe he’s Ryan. This is probably an exercise in futility. It’s just . . .” I bit my lip, unwilling to continue.
    â€œThat you have to know.”
    I nodded. “I intend to proceed very carefully. I’m not looking to destroy my career. Nor do I want to cause these nice peopleany trouble. I need to do some digging. Some investigative reporting. I’ve done it before for a story. Now I’m doing it for myself. If I find out this teenager, this Elijah, isn’t Ryan, we’ll finish the story, head out of here, and get back to the station. No harm, no foul.”
    â€œBut how long can we remain in Sanctuary before Ed gets suspicious?”
    â€œI don’t know. We’ll probably have to take a few quick trips to some of the other towns on our list while we’re here.” I lowered my voice so I wouldn’t be overheard. “I’ve seen Elijah only once. Somehow I’ve got to get some time with him—or with someone who knows him.”
    Zac’s eyes darted toward the closed door to the dining room. “Seems to me Esther would be the best source for your questions. She’s lived here forever. She’d know when Elijah came to Sanctuary.”
    â€œYou’re right. But I’ve got to be careful. I’m afraid if I show my hand . . . let anyone know why I’m really here . . . they’ll kick us out.”
    â€œWhat about calling the police?”
    I shook my head. “Not yet. Not until I’m sure he’s Ryan. You heard Reuben. There are people here who value their anonymity. I don’t want to endanger them for no reason.”
    Zac forced back a yawn. “Sorry. Didn’t sleep too well last night.”
    â€œGuilty conscience?”
    â€œYes. And believe it or not, I do have a conscience. Just haven’t listened to it much lately. By the way, have you wondered why people are hiding out here? I mean, this town doesn’t look like the kind of place where hit men and Mafia bosses would retire.”
    â€œYeah, I’ve thought about it. My guess is the name Sanctuary means something. Maybe some folks are here for their own safety. If I’ve actually found Ryan, I wonder what will happen to this town. The truth could cause a media firestorm. Who would I be putting in danger?”
    â€œI see your point. So what’s our next move?”
    I