Janie's Secrets: The Harrell Family Chronicles, #2

Chapter 1: Janie

WELCOME TO LEEWARD, North Carolina, a sleepy little town on the Innerbanks of the Carolina coast. It hardly looks like a place where a crime syndicate would be located. But a few months ago, several prominent members of this town were arrested in one of the nation’s largest sex trafficking scandals. As you can see, the town looks like a ghost town now. Businesses are boarded up. For sale signs are popping up on lawns and posted on buildings. Lee Creek Mining Company is being managed by its legal representatives. The town is in chaos and it all started with a book.  I’m Tracy Harrell and this is WBCS News’ The Town that Sex Built.

The documentary went live last night right after the evening news.

JANIE DROPPED INTO the chair and let her head fall into her hands, exhausted. Who would have thought spending the day at the hospital could tire a body worse than sanding and painting a fence line? She’d had enough experience at both to make the argument. If she had the energy to argue.

With a groan she turned on the computer. As she waited for it to boot up, she tried to stretch the kinks from her neck. If she hadn’t promised to return to the hospital in the morning, she would have let the reports wait but the main office was adamant about their reports. Janie sighed, her new assistant’s training had been derailed after she had discovered Ellen Cavanaugh on the floor of the laundry mat next door.

Janie still felt jittery. She had stopped in to speak and found Mrs. Ellen had fallen off the ladder. The woman was lucky it was only a broken hip. What had she been doing on the ladder in the first place? A woman her age had no business climbing a ladder.

It had become routine, Janie stopped in after her morning walk, if there was time before opening the library. The two women had become friends though Mrs. Ellen was closer to her grandmother’s age than her own. They might have a bottle of water together and a bit of gossip. Mrs. Ellen had introduced her to delicacies from her homeland in south Asia: spring rolls and rice balls made with coconut and wrapped in big green leaves.

Finding the older woman on the concrete floor in obvious pain, Janie had called 9-1-1 and tried to comfort the older woman. Mrs. Cavanaugh would not rest until Janie moved the ladder and promised to lockup the laundry. The paramedic whispered to Janie, She might have a head injury.

It’s okay, Mrs. Cavanaugh, I’ll move the ladder. Janie had returned the ladder to the storage room and it had calmed the older woman. Janie had followed the ambulance to the hospital to reassure herself she would be okay. The old woman’s family lived out of state and it would take a few days for someone to arrive. Until then, Janie would act as her family.

Janie crossed her arms on her desk and put her head down, only intending to rest her eyes.  

What do you think you’re doing!

Janie’s eyes flashed open as she leaped to her feet, knocking her shin on the computer terminal. What the hell, Mike?

Police Chief Mike McKenzie slammed the door, the antique glass rattling in its ancient wooden frame. Yes, Janie, what the hell?

The old store which now housed the library was over a hundred years old and Janie was pretty sure the glass in the front door was original.

Narrowing her eyes, her hands akimbo, Janie growled, We don’t have funds in the budget to replace the glass.

Mike crossed his arms over his broad chest and returned her glare. His dark eyes flashing gold and green sparks. I don’t give a damn about the door.

Janie limped around her desk and hissed, Well, I care, it’s my door, my budget and it’s my library they can never seem to find a nickel in this town’s budget for. She lifted her chin standing toe to toe with him.

The fire in his eyes turned to molten chocolate, as he grabbed her by the upper arms and lowered his head. His voice husky as he whispered against her lips. Damn it, Janie, I’ll pay for the freaking door myself. His lips touched hers.

Janie forced her eyes to remain open though she longed to close them. She kept her arms by her side and not wrapped around his neck. Her lips were locked together in a firm line as she refused to give into this madness. But her nipples hardened, her skin tingled and the nerves in her belly fluttered like electric eels. She trembled, the long, not so forgotten ache cracking open the armor around her heart leaving her to wonder which one of them had lost their minds.

Janie? Mike teased her bottom lip. Oh god, this is insane...

Unable to resist, Janie opened her mouth on a sigh. Returning his kiss with a fevered passion. She rubbed against him in her need to assuage the aching desire that had plagued her since she last felt him inside her. She clung to his shoulders, panting, longing to feel him fill her. She wanted to strip him naked and ride him...sanity returned like plunge into ice water. Breathlessly, she pushed away and tried to regain her equilibrium. It’s an antique, the door, well, nearly everything in this library.

With a dry, derisive chuckle, Mike huffed out a sigh and released her.

The loss of him was as acute as it had been at fifteen when she’d given him her heart and her virginity. Trembling, she took a step back.

Fine, I’m sorry, I’ll be more careful about the door. Now, what are you doing at the library after dark without even locking it?

Janie rolled her eyes and returned to her desk, hoping to pretend she hadn’t reacted to the man. God, why did he still affect her so?  Like locking the door would make a dang bit of difference.

Janie?

She sighed and eased into the seat, rubbing her shin. Mrs. Cavanaugh fell and broke her hip. I went to the hospital to be with her.

Oh jeez, what happened to Mrs. Ellen?

I’m not sure. She fell off a ladder, but I’m not sure why she was on it to begin with.

Mike frowned. I’ve told her before if she needed anything, I would help her or get the guys from town-works.

Janie frowned, she couldn’t get any kind of assistance but then she wasn’t seventy. I need to get these reports done.

Can’t they wait until morning?

She waved her hand to brush away his concern. No, I told Mrs. Ellen, I’d come back to the hospital in the morning. Her family can’t get here until after her surgery.

Can’t your part-timer do the reports?

If she could, I wouldn’t be here. Janie sighed. Linda did everything but the daily reports. She’s still in training... her voice trailed off as Mike McKenzie stomped around the circulation desk. What are you doing?

Damn it, Janie, you’re the smart one. I can’t believe with everything going on in this town, you wouldn’t take a few intelligent precautions.

Janie narrowed her eyes, she’d spent the last ten years being cautious and afraid, what had it gotten her? Maybe I’m tired of being the smart one.

He leaned over her chair, caging her between his muscular arms, as one hand rested on the desk and the other on her chair. He hovered over her, nearly nose to nose.

Her breath caught between want and need. She wanted him to kiss her again, but the smart thing would be to push him away. She needed to be smart, to shove him away before he could destroy what was left of her heart. Part of her wanted to say the hell with him, but the other part, the part that still ached for him in the loneliness of her empty bed, yearned to pull him closer. Tears gathered unshed behind her eyelids. Shutting her eyes, she forced herself to remember all the reasons not to trust him. He’d rejected her. He’d made love to her and made her believe there was something between them, and then he left without even saying goodbye. She couldn’t put herself out there again. She couldn’t risk her heart, and she could never reveal her secrets. If he knew the truth, the secrets she still kept, he’d never forgive her. Her shoulders sagged as she turned her head. I’m tired, Mike. I only want to get my reports done and go home.

When you’re tired is when you forget to be vigilant, and that’s when they get you.

Oh my god, would you listen to yourself? A tired chuckle escaped her. No one is going to get me, Janie said. Heck, I can’t even get a date. I’m not interesting enough to get kidnapped or murdered. I’m a librarian. No one cares about a small-town librarian.

Mike stared at her for a beat too long.

She waited to hear the words, but he never said them.

Instead, he shook his head. You don’t know who’s watching you. We had a serial rapist here...

Who was targeting young, beautiful girls, and I’m neither. Besides, Elliot Barton is dead. She tried to push him away.

He caught her hands. You are beautiful, and you aren’t old. He stared into her eyes and for a moment she thought he might kiss her again, but the moment passed. Janie, there’s more than one evil bastard in this town.

Heat scorched her cheeks as he once more dashed her hopes. Yeah, I’m so beautiful then why I’m still alone? She muttered, setting her office chair into motion, she unbalanced the chief, and he fell into her lap.

He touched her face, his soulful dark eyes staring into hers. We’re both alone because I was a stupid kid who messed up, he muttered as he scrambled from her lap.

What? She asked, reaching for his arm.

Nothing. Don’t mind me.

Janie wanted to scream. What the hell? It had been this way for the past ten years. Every time they got close, one of them would back off. I can’t keep doing this to myself.

Lights flashed across the front of the library and a siren chirped a warning.

Mike stepped away from her as the deputy poked his head in. Everything all right here?

Everything is fine, deputy. I’m waiting for Ms. Harrell to close up the library.

You’re off duty sir, if you want me to...

Mike’s glare cut off whatever the county deputy was about to offer. We’re fine deputy, go ahead about your duties. I will wait for Ms. Harrell.

Yes sir, the fresh-faced young deputy backed out of the door and a few minutes later drove away.

The county is sending guys out to patrol now? Janie asked.

Mike nodded. Yeah, right now the Leeward Police force is comprised of me and Tar. The two of us can’t be on duty 24-7, and you know our jurisdiction is only five miles out of town unless the county requests backup. We’re trying to work out a relationship with the new sheriff to help protect the town as well as the township.

The past few months had been a little too exciting in Leeward and Richland Township. Between the sex trafficking ring, the bikers and the serial rapist, the murders and arson, it’s a wonder they had a town left. If the phosphate plant closed, they probably wouldn’t. Janie tried not to think about what that would mean for her family and neighbors, Lee Creek Mine was the biggest employer in the area.

You about done? Mike muttered and started pacing.

Give me a few more minutes.

I saw you on TV.

Hmm, yes, Tracy did a good job on the documentary.

You looked pretty.

Janie glanced up at him and bit back an ugly comment. I really need to finish these...

With a beleaguered sigh, he said, Yeah, sure, take your time. He dropped into the seat beside her. He shifted his weight. Tapped his foot. Drummed his fingers on the chair arms. How was Mrs. Cavanaugh when you left her?

Janie glanced up from the computer and gave him a gentle smile. In pain. They’ll do surgery in the morning, and then she’ll have to go to rehab for a few weeks. The color drained from her face, and she rushed up from her chair. Crap, I’m not sure if I locked up the laundry mat. I promised Mrs. Ellen...

With his hands on her shoulders, he pushed her back into her chair. Do your reports. We’ll check the locks before we leave.

You don’t have to stay.

I’m staying.

His hands were warm on her shoulders, as were his eyes when she dared meet them. She forced herself to look away before she could lean in and kiss him. God, I want to kiss him. I’d better get these reports finished so we can both go home.

JANIE TURNED OFF HER computer and stretched. Finally, Mike thought, glancing up from the magazine he’d been pretending to read. It shouldn’t seem erotic, watching her stretch. Janie in her frumpy, shapeless jumper hardly exuded sex appeal, but he’d felt the sensuous curves of her body well hidden in the hideous garment.

Are you done? He didn’t think he could stay this close to Janie Harrell much longer and not kiss her again. All he wanted to do was take her to bed. It had always been like this between them, ever since they were teenagers. He regretted not fighting for her. He wondered if things would have been any different now if he had. 

She nodded and pulled keys from an oversized tote and handed them to him. The words on the bag read, Let your imagination soar, and they appeared to be flying out of a book. Hiking the strap over her shoulder, she grabbed another tote, this one larger and loaded with several books.

Let me get that for you. He grabbed the book bag from her and grunted. He’d expected it to be heavy, but it felt like she was toting around a dead body. Jeez, what do you have in here?

Books, my laptop, stuff, she grinned and gave a little shrug. I carry it all the time.

Damn woman, remind me not to arm wrestle with you.

Her sweet laughter filled the quiet library and sent shivers of need dancing along his nerve endings. They’d laughed and played the first time, swimming and teasing in the water until...

You have the key, Janie reminded him.

Mike locked the library, checked the door and carried her bags to her car. He stowed them in the trunk and was lowering the hatch of Janie’s car when he thought to ask about the laundry. You want me to check on the... Mike offered, but Janie was already headed next door. Damn it, Janie, wait.

There’s a light left on in the office. Janie called over her shoulder, I should probably turn it off. She put the key in the lock, but the door didn’t open. She jiggled the handle and turned it back the other way just as someone came barging out of the office running towards the back door.

Mike pushed past her to go around the building. Stay here, he ordered as he ran, he radioed for back-up. Running around the side of the building shouting into his radio, Breaking and entering at the laundry mat on Main Street. Suspect fleeing on foot out the back exit onto Fifth Street. I’m pursuing on foot. A little red car nearly ran him over. He turned to curse at the driver, but seeing Janie, he slowed.

Janie pulled up beside him. Wouldn’t you rather ride?

Damn it, Janie, I told you to stay put.

Janie smirked. Yeah, he’s getting away.

Cursing under his breath, Mike climbed in.

Seat belt, she ordered.

Your car is so tight I couldn’t move if I wanted.

At her glare, he complied. Now, Janie, he ordered with the click of his seat belt.

She whipped her little car onto Middle Street, glimpsing their suspect headed towards the Marina.

Mike shouted directions into his radio as Janie’s little red Versa hit a manhole cover and caught air. He was afraid it would flip over. She handled the little car and sped down the lane to the waterfront. Sliding to a stop, Mike unfastened the seat belt and opened the door hurdling himself from the car. Stop police, you’re under arrest!

The suspect didn’t pause. He ran down the pier and jumped. The roar of a boat motor vibrated the wooden dock as Mike followed. He tried to see the boat’s registration number, swearing as the