Girl on the Hill (Dana Gray Book 2) Read online

  Girl On The Hill

  C.J. Cross

  Liquid Mind Publishing

  Copyright © 2021 by C.J. Cross.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book.

  Liquid Mind Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously.

  Also by C.J. Cross

  Dana Gray Mysteries

  Girl Left Behind

  Girl on the Hill

  Girl in the Grave

  To stay up to date on the latest news from C.J. Cross, sign up for her free newsletter here: Liquidmind.media/cj-cross-sign-up-1

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Chapter 58

  Chapter 59

  Chapter 60

  Chapter 61

  Chapter 62

  Chapter 63

  Chapter 64

  Chapter 65

  Chapter 66

  Chapter 67

  Chapter 68

  Chapter 69

  Chapter 70

  Chapter 71

  Chapter 72

  Chapter 73

  Chapter 74

  Chapter 75

  Chapter 76

  Also by C.J. Cross

  Girl in the Grave: Ch 1

  Girl in the Grave: Ch 2

  Also by Without Warrant

  About the Author

  Prologue

  This is going to work. It has to work. I trust him. He loves me. Everything’s going to be okay.

  That was easier to believe when she wasn’t alone in the dark. But she promised him she’d wait. She hadn’t expected it would take quite this long. She knew he was busy. Important men were always busy, but still, he’d always made time for her.

  He made her feel special. That’s why she was here. But how long could she wait? People were going to start to miss her.

  She reminded herself of the promise she’d made. She stayed put. Not that she had a choice. She didn’t want to go back to her old life. He’d promised to take her away from all of that.

  The door creaked open, flooding the cramped space with light. The brightness momentarily blinded her. Holding up an arm to block the light she spoke, her voice hoarse thanks to her parched throat. “I thought you forgot about me.”

  “I never forget a pretty face. Speaking of, you look just like her.”

  She shivered, fear slipping beneath her skin. It wasn’t him. Did he send someone for her? “Who-who are you?”

  “That’s not important.” His hand shot out grabbing a fistful of her blonde hair. He yanked her to her feet, and she screamed. It was a mistake. He wanted her to scream. With her mouth open the rag slipped in easily, gagging her until the only sounds that escaped were weak gurgles.

  “Good girl,” he crooned, stroking her hair. “Play along and this will go much easier.”

  He slipped something over her head, and the world went dark.

  1

  “Why are you staring at me like I’m one of those crusty old books you’re trying to decode?” Jake asked.

  Dana tilted her head. “Because you look different.”

  He couldn’t help himself. He’d missed her more than he should have and now that they were finally back together, he couldn’t seem to rein in his flirtation. “Good, different?”

  “Tan, different.”

  He laughed. “Well, Florida tends to do that to a person.”

  “So you enjoyed Key West?”

  “Everyone enjoys Key West. Palm trees, sunshine, piña coladas. It’s paradise. I’d move there in a heartbeat.”

  “Why don’t you move there now?”

  “‘Cause I still have work to do here. Like teaching you how to shoot. Come on, you have to hit the target at least once before we call it a day.”

  Jake sent the untouched paper target back down the lane and reloaded his Sig Sauer 9mm. “Square up.”

  Dana pulled her ear protection back in place and did as instructed. Her long brown hair was pulled into a ponytail. It swayed down her back as she moved into her shooting stance. Even with her safety glasses on, she still somehow managed to be the best thing Jake had laid eyes on in months.

  A few weeks of vacation had turned into a few months. Key West had no shortage of gorgeous women, and Jake had enjoyed himself with a few, but none were Dr. Dana Gray.

  That was the problem, and partly why Jake had extended his vacation. He’d been trying to get the sexy librarian out of his head. They weren’t partners anymore, no matter how much he might want her to be. He couldn’t blame her. Their last case had even made Jake reassess his commitment to the FBI.

  Ultimately, he still felt he had unfinished business to atone for. But it was different for Dana. She wasn’t an agent. She’d only been consulting on the case, and it had almost gotten her killed. He understood why she wouldn’t be eager to go down that road again.

  He told himself it was for the best. Dana was a distraction. In his line of work distractions could be deadly. Yet here he was, appreciating her ass when he was supposed to be correcting her form.

  Jake had only been back in D.C. for two weeks before he caved and called Dana, using these promised shooting lessons as an excuse to see her. But then again, if her aim hadn’t been so bad, they could’ve ended their last case before things got out of hand.

  Refocusing, Jake nudged Dana’s stance wider, tapping his shoe against her boots. He moved his hands to her hips and shifted her balance back into her seat. “Now bend your knees a little. That’s it.”

  Feeling her warm body against his was testing his willpower, but he fought through his desire, determined not to be one more person to take advantage of Dana.

  She deserved better.

  Certainly better than him.

  Reminding himself of that, Jake brought his hands up, correcting Dana’s grip and lowering her arms a bit more. “Okay. Now pull in a breath and squeeze the trigger on your exhale. Three round bursts in one breath, like I taught
you.”

  Dana gave a slight nod and Jake stepped back, giving her the lane. He watched her shoulders rise on the inhale and relax momentarily before she discharged the weapon. Three shots in succession, just like he’d instructed. And this time, she nicked the target. Dana whirled around glowing with delight. “I did it!”

  Jake reflexively neutralized the gun. Pointing it down-range until the safety was on, he holstered it and grinned. “Nicely done. A few more lessons and you might be able to hit the broad side of a barn.”

  She cut her eyes at him, before striking out with a playful right hook meant for his shoulder. He dodged it and pulled her into his arms instead. For a moment they were both caught by surprise. Dana glanced up at him, her brown eyes full of questions. He could feel her heart beating against his chest.

  How many nights had he’d ached to have her in his arms like this? Had she thought about him, too? He had to know. His whole body was vibrating with anticipation as he gathered his nerves to just man up and ask her already.

  “Jake?”

  Dana’s voice brought him back to reality. “Yeah?”

  “Your phone’s ringing.”

  “Oh. Right.” He cleared his throat and straightened, backing away until he had enough space to think coherently. He wasn’t vibrating, his phone was. Moron. Swallowing his embarrassment he answered the call. “Agent Shepard.”

  He listened intently as his new supervisor filled him in on a missing person case. “I know you’re still settling in, but we could really use your help on this one. It’s high profile, and I don’t want to see it get out of hand. We need to get ahead of the Press.”

  Jake agreed. “Text me the address. I’ll head there now.”

  “Report back here ASAP.”

  “Roger that.”

  Jake hung up and turned to Dana. She was already putting her jacket on. “Sounds like shooting lessons are over for today.”

  “Yeah. Missing person case just came in.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah, these are never easy.”

  “I know.”

  Their eyes met. Of course, she did. Dana had been through more than her fair share of heartache. “It’ll be strange not having you in the field with me. You’re good at it. Ever think about a career change?”

  She shook her head. “I’m done with that, Jake.”

  “You sure? We’ve proved we work well together.”

  “I’m sure. I’ll stick to my area of expertise.”

  Jake nodded, but he couldn’t fight his disappointment. He knew it was probably for the best that Dana wouldn’t be involved in another high stakes FBI case. He cared about her too much already. A little distance would be safer for them both. “Need a lift back to the Smithsonian?”

  “No, the weather’s nice for a change. I’d rather walk.”

  “All right.” They moved toward the exit together. “This case is probably going to keep me wrapped up for a while. But I’ll touch base when I resurface.”

  Dana caught his hand and gave it a squeeze. “Take care of yourself.”

  He grinned faintly. “Always do.”

  2

  “Dr. Fredrick?” Dana couldn’t hide the shock in her voice at seeing her boss in her office when she returned to the Smithsonian. The occult studies library didn’t get many visitors. “Is there something I can do for you?”

  “I’m not sure there’s anything anyone can do.”

  Dana shrugged off her coat and hung it on the antique Alcott in her office. She gestured for her boss to have a seat, while she took the worn leather one behind her ornate fourth century desk. “What’s this about?”

  “The Kincaids.”

  The name needed no further explanation. Everyone in D.C. knew the Kincaids and their wealth. Archer and Elizabeth Kincaid were the Smithsonian’s largest donors. It was no wonder Dana’s boss looked so distraught. He was probably preparing for their visit, or maybe the Kincaids wanted to host another gala at the museum. Dana knew how stressful it could be trying to impress such a prestigious family. They were intimidating, but to Dana they didn’t seem so bad. Mostly because she’d befriended their eldest daughter, Meredith, during her summer internship at the Smithsonian a few years back.

  Dana briefly wondered how her old friend was. It had been ages since they’d spoken. Last she’d heard, Meredith was following in her father’s footsteps, working her way up the political ladder as a junior aid.

  “Do you need help preparing something for the Kincaids?” she asked, hopeful they were planning something extravagant that Meredith would have to make time for.

  “No, the opposite actually. I’m afraid I have some bad news.”

  Dana frowned. “I don’t understand.”

  Dr. Fredrick sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know how to tell you this. I know you’re close to the family, so I wanted you to hear this from me first. Their daughter’s been abducted.”

  Dana’s stomach dropped. “Meredith?”

  “Yes.”

  “When?”

  “I don’t have all the details. Just that the FBI has officially taken over the case. Are you still in touch with Agent Shepard? He might know more than I do.”

  Dana nodded. “I’ll check with him.”

  “Please do. And keep me informed.” Dr. Fredrick stood. “My heart just breaks for that family. Meredith was such a sweet girl.”

  “Is,” Dana corrected. “Meredith is a sweet girl.” She reached across the desk and squeezed her boss’s hand. “We’ll get her back.”

  Dana would make sure of it. And not just because Meredith was some rich donor’s daughter. Dana wanted to find her because they were friends. Or at least the closest she’d come to having a friend until Jake Shepard walked into her life.

  With Dr. Fredrick’s footsteps fading further and further away, Dana’s mind filled with memories of her missing friend.

  Meredith Kincaid had interned at the Smithsonian during one of her summer breaks from college. Dana had gladly taken the bright young girl under her wing. They were only a few years apart and had gotten along instantly. She remembered late night movies, philosophizing about politics over wine and popcorn and sneaking into the museum after hours to play tourist.

  Of course, they hadn’t actually been doing anything illegal.

  Dana had a key to the Smithsonian, but it made Meredith so excited to think she was getting away with something. The girl had a rebellious streak. Had she taken it too far?

  Shepard’s offer itched beneath Dana’s skin. What was she waiting for? She knew there was no way she could sit this one out. Picking up her phone she dialed his number.

  “Dana? Everything okay?”

  “Not really.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Is your missing person Meredith Kincaid?”

  “How did you know that?”

  “Does your offer to help still stand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Because I’ve changed my mind.”

  “Dana. What aren’t you telling me?”

  “I’ll explain when I see you.”

  Dana opened the desk drawer. The temporary badge was right where she’d left it. She’d kept it as a souvenir. But apparently her work with the FBI wasn’t done yet.

  3

  Jake handed the sobbing woman a box of tissues. “I need you to answer the question, Mrs. Kincaid.”

  Dana gave him a warning glance, then moved closer to the woman on the sofa, taking her hand. “Elizabeth, I know this isn’t easy, but we’re here to help.”

  “I just can’t believe this is happening. Meredith is a good girl. She knows better than to get mixed up in anything like Agent Shepard is suggesting.”

  Jake fought the urge to laugh. If he had a dollar for every time a parent thought they knew what their children were up to. He’d worked more than enough missing person cases to know nothing could be taken at face value, least of all the alibis of kids who still lived with their parents. br />
  Granted, Meredith Kincaid wasn’t really a child. But the twenty-eight-year-old still lived at home. Not that Jake blamed her. The Kincaid Estate was hardly the average home.

  The house Jake stood in was just one of the many dwellings on the massive property. He’d seen stables, a carriage house and even a private heli-pad on the manicured grounds once he’d been allowed past the manned iron gates.

  It was easy to see why Meredith wasn’t eager to leave such a lavish nest.

  A staff of three women whisked away discarded tissues, refilled teacups and offered Mrs. Kincaid her anxiety medication. Jake glanced around at the art-lined walls and the rich leather upholstery of the sitting room. The place smelled of old money; a mix of leather, mahogany and aloofness that just couldn’t be duplicated.

  Elizabeth Kincaid, formerly Elizabeth Blair, wouldn’t know that. Her family had helped found the Nation’s Capital and carve out its political system. She’d never known anything but this level of lavishness.