Read Online Hard Evidence by Roxanne Rustand - Free Book Online

what I told you about hugging a tree?”
    She thought for a minute. “If I get lost, I shouldn’t keep going.”
    “Right. Stop where you are. Stay by a big tree, and don’t move until someone finds you.” Janna dropped to one knee, resting her hands on Rylie’s shoulders. “It’s the people who keep walking and walking who get confused and tired and even more lost. Then it takes a whole lot longer to find them. So hug a tree and stay put.”
    “I promise, Momma.” Rylie ran ahead and caught up with the dog, clearly unconcerned about any dangers that might lurk in the woods.
    But even now, with warm, golden sunshine filtering down through the thick canopy of pine boughs and the sweet trilling of birds flitting overhead, Janna felt a sense of foreboding.
    Off to the left was the ravine where the skeletal remains had been found. From this angle, she could see down into the mouth of the ravine where the earth had been disturbed, though now all the yellow caution tape had been removed.
    On that side of the trail, the investigators had left little sign of their search for evidence. But to the right there were several places where they’d gone digging after something and hadn’t taken as much care.
    At least it was all over. The remains had been removed. Answers would be found. Life would go on.
    Yet even as she firmly recited that litany to herself, an inner voice whispered, Beware—it’s not over yet.

SIX
    A fter thirteen years away, Janna had expected major changes at the Wolf Creek Community Church, given the growing influx of wealthy Californians into the area.
    The exterior gleamed with a new coat of white paint. The parking lot to the south had been asphalted. There appeared to be more headstones marching up the hill to the north, behind the iron grillwork fence dating back to the 1800s.
    But the tall, beautiful spire still stretched heavenward, its lacy gingerbread trim intact, and the massive oak doors with mullioned windows were wide-open, as welcoming as ever.
    Maybe the people had changed.
    But as soon as she and Rylie stepped inside, she knew even that wasn’t true. Elderly Mrs. Sawyer still sat at the organ down in front as if she’d never left that very spot, her white head bobbing along with the rhythm of the prelude she was playing.
    Pastor Lindsberg was up there, too, seated behind the pulpit. Built like a burly bear-wrestler of old but with a whimsical sense of humor, he’d always been a dynamic and captivating preacher whose deep love of God’s Word shone through every sermon he gave.
    Even the town’s pharmacist and sole funeral director were today’s ushers, just as they’d been years ago.
    As soon as Janna guided Rylie to a seat in a back pew, she saw a round of subtle shoulder taps, whispers and turning heads—and then familiar faces craning around to search her out: some of Janna’s old teachers; Wade, who nodded and smiled; the high school librarian, Mrs. Walker; Harvey, from the feed mill on the edge of town; a few old classmates—though after thirteen years, they looked as different as she probably did, and most of them were a hazy memory at best.
    High school had not been a happy time in her life.
    “They’re looking at us, Momma,” Rylie whispered, sliding down in her seat. “How come?”
    Janna gave her a reassuring pat, then curled a hand around Rylie’s. “Because I grew up here, and it’s been a long time since I left. In a town this small, people notice.”
    Especially when you leave in the dark of night and never come back.
    When heads started turning toward the other side of the church, she glanced over to the right and found Ian and Michael seated at the back. Ian was slouched, his head hung low and the tips of his ears red—a sure sign he was all too aware of the attention.
    Michael, movie-star handsome in a perfectly cut suede blazer and khakis, sat next to him. He smiled at someone in front of him who had turned around, his dimples deepening and his teeth