Murder at Sunrise Lake

That really said it all.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Roy and Bernice Fulton, the only couple who lived and worked on the property full-time, had left a note on the front door for them. Stella was too tired to even ask Sam what it was about, although she should have, because poor Sonny might have been really injured. Although he seemed to be talking to the deputy, Mary Shelton, quite a bit by the time Griffen was helping her prepare Bailey for his ride down the mountain. Sonny even had a flirtatious note in his voice.

Stella collapsed in her bed and cried herself to sleep, vaguely aware of Sam sliding in beside her, wrapping his body protectively around hers. She fell asleep cocooned by his warmth. As always with Sam, she woke to exactly what she needed. He had her coffee and the latest news on Bailey. Her dog had lived through the night, had another blood transfusion and seemed stronger. He’d been stabbed four times, and each wound had to be stitched inside and out. Fortunately, none had been to his chest cavity or he never would have survived. The idea that someone had attacked him in such a vicious manner sickened her.

Sonny was fine. Mary had taken him to the hospital just to be certain he was okay. He had a small bump on the head and some bruising around it, but there was no laceration. He was told to go home and rest. That was a relief, that he hadn’t been really hurt. Bailey must have interrupted whatever the watcher had planned on doing to Sonny.

She showered and dressed while Sam made breakfast. “Scared me last night, woman,” Sam said as he put the plate with the egg scramble in front of her. “I detested the fact that I wasn’t home with you and couldn’t get to you and Bailey when you needed me most.”

She wrapped the scramble in the warm tortilla like a burrito. “You might have been stabbed instead of Bailey, Sam. Do you think this person watching us is the killer?”

“I’ve asked myself that a million times. It seems too coincidental for it not to be. The timing is just too close.”

“But that would mean he would know who I am.” She tried not to look or sound alarmed.

“Not necessarily. He could have other motivation for stalking you. The Fultons left us a note last night. It was pinned to the front door. The alarm went off while we were gone. Right after the deputy left with Sonny, which means the watcher was hanging around waiting for them to leave. He came up to the house and tried to get in. The alarm was on.”

She nodded, her mouth full of food. He was really a good cook. It didn’t seem to matter what meal it was—morning, noon or evening—he could whip something great together.

“He wanted in the house. He tried the doors and then the windows, but was good enough to keep from actually getting caught completely in the security cameras. When he couldn’t get in, he tried breaking a window at the back of the house. One of the mudroom windows.”

Stella put down her breakfast burrito and regarded him with shocked eyes. “He got in?” That seemed such a violation. She looked around her kitchen. “Do you think he was in the bedroom?”

“No. The minute the window broke, the alarm went off. The sheriff’s office was alerted and so were the Fultons. Roy and Bernice immediately drove over to the house to see what was going on.”

“They could have been killed. I didn’t even think to text them about Bailey and Sonny,” Stella said. She covered her face. “What’s wrong with me, Sam?”

“There was a lot going on last night, Stella. You had your hands full trying to save Bailey. I made certain they were aware. I did tell Roy that it wasn’t a smart idea confronting whoever was trying to break in, but you know Roy. He wasn’t going to let someone get into your house. I don’t know if the alarm going off scared him, or hearing the sound of Roy’s truck, but he was gone by the time Roy got here with his double-barrel shotgun. Bernice was armed with hers as well. After hearing what happened to Sonny and Bailey, if they weren’t already, I think they’re now itching to use those shotguns.”

Stella picked up her burrito. “I wonder what he was looking for?”

“I have no idea, but now we know he wants in the house. I checked the window. The glass is spider-webbed, but it held. I’ve called to get it repaired. We don’t want it like that through the winter. Nor do we want him to know there’s any part of this house that is vulnerable.”

“He must have known you weren’t here, Sam.”