Echo: A Linear Tactical Romantic Suspense Standalone Read online

Peyton rubbed her eyes. “I think he was just as surprised to see me. He thought I was visiting Cecelia. . .or him.”

  Riley shook her head in disbelief. “Like you heard he was coming into town and decided to stop by his house five years later? After everything?”

  “Yeah. Pretty much exactly like that.”

  Riley leaned back against the porch railing. “You know, I knew Cade when we were growing up. He was younger than me, ran in different circles, and his whole family was rich as God, but he was never an asshole. If I hadn’t seen what he’d done with my own eyes, I would’ve never believed him capable of something like this.”

  “Listen,” Peyton said. “I’ve been fortunate. I know Cade has been back a couple of times, and I was able to avoid seeing him. I don’t know how long he’s back this time, but the fact of the matter is Oak Creek is his hometown. The Linear guys are his guys too.”

  “If the Linear guys knew—”

  Peyton shook her head, cutting Riley off. “But they don’t. And they’re never going to.”

  Riley let out a sigh and crossed her arms over her chest again. “All I’m saying is they would kick his ass. Hell, Boy Riley has taught me some moves. I’ll kick Cade’s ass.”

  Riley’s long-term boyfriend, also named Riley, was an extreme sport YouTube sensation. He wasn’t in Oak Creek very often, but Peyton had no doubt he’d taught his girlfriend a few moves.

  “Nobody is kicking anybody’s ass. Hell, it was so long ago, Cade probably wouldn’t even know why some midget nurse was attacking him.”

  “I prefer ninja midget nurse, if you don’t mind,” Riley huffed out.

  “Alright, ninja midget. I need you to be cool. You can’t let anyone know I’ve talked to you about this, especially Cade, or I’m in big legal trouble. Let’s just get through however long he’s here. Keep everything as easy as possible.”

  “What can I do to help?”

  “Watch the kids while I go get my stuff.”

  Chapter 7

  Mark hadn’t been thrilled about Cade going out for a run on his own.

  But since Cade was more than capable of protecting himself, and wasn’t the damn president, he’d gone anyway. He wasn’t going to change his life or his routine because of a stalker he may or may not have in a completely different state. Here he had home turf advantage.

  Neither Mark nor Everett were going to be thrilled when they got his text that he wasn’t coming back to his house. He’d had one built a few years ago, much farther from town, when it had become evident that way too many people knew where he lived if he stayed at Cecelia's house.

  There hadn’t been any real problems at Cecelia’s house over the years when he’d come to visit, but no privacy either. The new place allowed him a lot more freedom since it was farther away from town.

  But right now, what Cade wanted wasn’t at his new home; it was back at his aunt Cecelia’s.

  He wanted to know why Peyton had been sitting on the couch in the den yesterday as if she’d visited the house dozens of times before.

  And he sure as hell wanted to know why she’d completely lost her shit at seeing him again. He couldn’t lie, he’d thought about what it would be like to see her again. He’d imagined her laughing nervously and apologizing for not responding to any of his texts or emails.

  Or maybe she wasn’t sorry at all for ghosting him. She’d had a life trajectory planned out before they’d spent that night together, and Cade hadn’t been part of it. Honestly, he could respect refusing to let anything derail her.

  But yesterday, seeing her look at him with something akin to fear in her eyes? That he couldn’t stomach.

  He slowed down to a jog as he finished five miles and started up the driveway to his aunt’s house.

  Maybe Peyton was just a little nervous about his celebrity status. It wasn’t something he thought about a lot, but he knew it could affect people. He would hate it if that was true, but he would deal with it.

  But it hadn’t seemed like that at all. It wasn’t a sort of starstruck or even embarrassed discomfort.

  It had been a get the hell out of here as fast as possible discomfort.

  Cade was going to have answers, there was no doubt about that. He’d start with his aunt. Maybe figuring out the relationship between Aunt Cecelia and Peyton would provide some insight.

  He pushed for speed the rest of the way up the long driveway, then decided to go into the back rather than the front.

  That’s when he saw the vehicle.

  Peyton was still driving that POS Buick? He could hardly believe that thing still ran. It had been on its last legs five years ago.

  One more question.

  He was about to have answers.

  He let himself in the backdoor, grabbing a dishtowel to wipe off the worst of the sweat. He didn’t want to be smelly and disgusting when he faced Peyton again.

  “I-I had an emergency and had to leave. I’m sorry.”

  Cade stopped in the middle of the kitchen at the sound of Peyton’s voice in the front formal living room.

  “You should be sorry,” Cecelia shot back. “Not finishing your duties then leaving your supplies all over the house where I had to pick them up is unacceptable. I thought I was paying you to clean, not vice versa.”

  “With all due respect, Cecelia, I finished all but one room and only left the supplies in one area, not all over the house. I can finish cleaning today if you want.”

  Cade stood there trying to make sense of what he was hearing. Peyton was cleaning his aunt’s house? His house? That couldn’t be right.

  “No, that isn’t necessary. I finished it myself. I placed your supplies in the first garage. Please just get your things and return next week. I’ll allow you to continue since we’ve never had any issue like this since you’ve started working here. Don’t make it a habit.”

  Peyton muttered something he couldn’t hear. A few seconds later, the back door opened and then shut. Cade stood frozen in the middle of the kitchen holding the dishtowel in front of him, sweat dripping on the ground.

  What the hell was going on?

  Peyton was gone, but that was probably for the best anyway. He needed to know what he was dealing with before talking to her.

  He finally forced his legs to work, walking toward the living room, wiping sweat as he went.

  “Aunt Cecelia, was that Peyton Ward you were just talking to?” As if he had any doubt.

  Cecelia turned around, hand at her heart, strained smile on her face. “Cade! I didn’t realize you were coming back here today. Aren’t you planning to stay at your house? Of course, this is your house too, I don’t mean to imply otherwise. You’re always welcome here.”

  “I was out for a run and decided to stop by and talk with you. That was Peyton, right?”

  Her smile became more strained. “Why, yes dear. Do you remember her?”

  “We were…friends in high school.” He took another step into the room. “Does she clean the house for you?”

  Her lips pressed together. “Yes, that’s right. She comes in once a week and does basic cleaning.”

  He reached up and wrapped the towel around his neck, trying to figure out exactly what was happening.

  “Peyton Ward comes in once a week and cleans the house? How long has this been going on?”

  Cecelia cleared her throat and glanced at the front door. “About a year. Is that a problem?”

  Was it a problem? How had Peyton cleaned their house every week for the past year if she had been in London? Had she finished early? And even if so, why would she be back in Oak Creek cleaning houses?

  “She was supposed to be studying film in London.”

  Cecelia’s nose crinkled as she glanced away. “If I’m not mistaken, Miss Ward never left this area. And certainly didn’t go to London.”

  “What?”

  She gave a one-shouldered shrug. “Cade, not everyone is like you. Some people aren’t cut out to succeed.”

  He opened his mouth to say something then closed it again when the words wouldn’t come.

  “Nothing was more important to Peyton Ward than going to film school,” he finally got out.

  Cecelia tilted her head and gave him a sad smile. “She was from Pinedale, right? Before she moved to Oak Creek? Worked at a gas station? I had her checked out before I hired her.”

  “Yes, all that’s true but she had plans…”

  “Her stepfather, Dennis Redman, is in prison. Did you know that?”

  Cade shook his head numbly. No, he hadn’t known that.

  Cecelia walked over to him and patted him on the arm. “I didn’t hold that against her. I still hired her since she had no criminal record of her own. But like I said, dear, some people aren’t meant to be successful. It sounds like Peyton’s family might be one of those.”

  “Peyton isn’t like that. She was so driven…”

  Cecelia shrugged again. “Well, she didn’t go to college, and she makes a living cleaning. Perhaps the apple didn’t fall as far from the tree as you might have hoped.”

  He shook his head, still trying to make sense of it all.

  “It’s best to leave it alone, don’t you think?” she continued. “After all, you’re only in town for a few days, right? I’m sure you’re not going to run into her in that time. Or if you do, you should be very careful. She might try to take advantage of your celebrity status.”

  Cade stared as his aunt patted him on the arm then walked out of the room.

  He had so many more questions. But he wasn’t going to get the answers here.

  Cade had Everett on the phone as soon as his aunt was fully out of the room.

  “Dude.” Everett let out an exasperated sigh. “Where are you? I thought we were going to go over the new songs you wrote. Not to mention Mark’s about to send out a search party.”

  “I went out for a run. I need you to send a car for me over at my aunt’s.”

  Everett’s voice dropped. “You okay? I’ll come get you myself.”

  “No. I need you to research an address for me. Send someone else with a car that I can take alone.”

  There was a noticeable pause. “Okay. I’ll send Lance and have someone follow to bring him back. You planning to run away to join the circus?”

  Cade couldn’t even muster a laugh. “I need you to pinpoint the address of a Dennis Redman in Pinedale. And Renee, I think.” He knew roughly where Peyton’s parents lived, but she’d never actually invited him to her house, so he wasn’t certain.

  “Is this going to be hard info to obtain?”

  “Probably not.”

  Everett paused again. “Is there a reason you need Redman’s address?”

  “I need some questions answered.”

  Everett let out a sigh. “Maybe we should try Google first.”

  “Do it, Ev. It’s important. I need it now.”

  “Fine. Lance is on his way over with a car. Call me when he gets there.”

  Cade showered quickly, changed into some clothes he found in his old room, and was waiting when the car arrived.

  “Everything okay, boss?” Lance asked. “Everett said you’re going to get in a rumble or something.”

  Cade rolled his eyes. “No. Just need to find some answers.”

  Lance’s eyes narrowed. “Sure you don’t want some help? Does this have something to do with the stalker?”

  “No. Nothing at all to do with that. Just an old friend I want to see.”

  Cade thanked his friend and got into the car Lance had brought, calling Everett as he pulled down the driveway.

  “You didn’t tell me you were going to visit a convicted criminal,” Everett said without greeting.

  Cade wasn’t surprised Everett had already found that out. Everett knew people who could get the answers he wanted if he couldn’t find them himself. “Is Redman out of jail?”

  “No, he’s still in. For assault and battery.”

  Shit. “And Renee?”

  “Looks like she still lives in Pinedale.” Everett gave him an address.

  “That sounds right.”

  “You going to tell me what’s going on, man?”

  “I have some questions I need answers to.” Cade disconnected the call before Everett could ask more questions of his own. His friend would forgive him.

  Pinedale was like Oak Creek’s poorer relation. The cousin who couldn’t quite measure up: school system, medical care, general employment, everything.

  Everybody in both counties knew it, but it had never been as evident to Cade as it was now as he drove to Peyton’s parents’ house.

  He wasn’t even sure house was the correct word for these buildings. He was surprised some of them would make it through a Wyoming winter.

  He pulled up at the correct address, one near the end of the street, this one not any worse—or better—than the others. Taking a breath, he got out of the car and walked up to tap on the door.

  The door cracked open slightly. “Yeah?”

  Definitely not Peyton. “Hi. I’m looking for Peyton Ward. I’m a friend of hers.” Not entirely accurate, but close enough.

  The door opened a little wider, enough for him to see a woman probably in her late forties staring out at him with narrowed eyes.

  Deep, brown eyes. And that wasn’t the only resemblance she had to Peyton—same slight build, same brown hair. “Peyton doesn’t live here no more.”

  “I know she still lives in this area. I ran into her yesterday. Would you mind telling me where she lives?”

  “She moved in with Riley Wilde after…after she left here. Then got her own place. But I can’t be just giving out her address.”

  “No. I understand.” Damn it, now he was going to have to hunt down Peyton’s address himself. Asking Everett would lead to questions he didn’t want to answer. But getting her address himself was going to take longer, and Cade was damn near going out of his mind already.

  While he had Mrs. Redman, he had to ask the question that had been burning in his mind. “Did Peyton really not go to film school in London?”

  He prayed Cecelia was wrong. The rumor mill didn’t always get information right.

  Renee’s eyes narrowed. “Aren’t you that singer from the country music channel? The one everyone’s always talking about? You’re Cecelia O’Conner’s kid.”

  “Actually, I’m her nephew.” He let out a sigh. “And right now, I’m just someone looking for a friend, nothing more.”

  “If you want to leave your number, I’ll tell Peyton you were looking for her.” She stepped back from the door and a few moments later came back with a pen and pad of paper. That’s when he could smell the alcohol on her breath. It was pretty early on a Saturday morning for that, but Cade didn’t comment. He wrote his personal direct line on the pad, well aware Renee might sell it and never give it to Peyton at all, leading to him having to change his number yet again.

  “If you would make sure she gets this, I would truly appreciate it.”

  She nodded. “Will do.”

  Somehow that didn’t reassure him.

  “Will you at least tell me if she went to film school?”

  Renee backed farther into her house, closing the door so it was only open a crack again. “No. She never did.”

  He closed his eyes, trying to process it

  “Why?”

  “That’s something only Peyton can answer.”

  The door closed with a resounding click.

  Cade walked slowly back to his car.

  Peyton hadn’t gone to film school. She’d had such a fundamental talent, and she hadn’t gone. Why?

  He hadn’t even been in his car for ten seconds when his phone rang. Everett again.

  “What do you want?” Cade bit out.

  Shit. He shouldn’t take his foul mood out on his friend.

  Everett wasn’t fazed. “This little wild goose chase doesn’t happen to have anything to do with a Peyton Ward does it?”

  Cade let out a curse under his breath. “Why do you ask?”

  “You know I wasn’t about to leave this alone. I wanted to know what we were dealing with here.”

  Peyton wasn’t something he wanted to discuss publicly. “We’re not dealing with anything. I’m merely trying to touch base with someone I went to high school with.”

  Everett was uncharacteristically quiet.

  “What?” Cade finally asked.

  “Nothing, man. Your business is your business. Just, according to her address at the time, she should’ve gone to Pinedale High School, in Sublette County.”

  “It was complicated. Look, it’s not a big deal, and doesn’t involve anything with my music, I have a few questions for her; that’s all.”

  “Did you get your answers?”

  “No. She doesn’t live at home anymore, of course. Let’s just drop the whole thing.”

  Cade wouldn’t be dropping the whole thing, but Everett didn’t need to know that.

  “Sure. No problem. Like I said, your business is your business.”

  Cade felt like a jerk. Everett had been one of his best friends for years, and Cade was being a secretive asshole. “Everett. . .”

  “Cade, it’s okay. Whatever reason you have for wanting to keep this private, it’s okay. But I want to say one thing, and maybe save us all a bunch time.”

  “Yeah, what’s that?”

  Everett let out a sigh. “If you’re still looking for Peyton Ward you might want to try her current employer.”

  “My aunt Cecelia?”

  “No. You. Peyton Ward works part-time for Linear Tactical.”

  Chapter 8

  Cade made it to the Linear picnic much earlier than he’d originally expected to. His first inclination was to storm around until he found Peyton and got his answers, but he forced himself to pause.

  He’d learned patience in the very same woods surrounding him right now, with some of the same men currently milling around or manning the grill. It was with them he’d learned that tactical advantage usually came to whoever was willing to best plan for it. Sometimes, planning included waiting. Gathering as much data as possible.

  He wouldn’t necessarily call Peyton his prey, but he was definitely on the hunt. He hadn’t seen her yet and didn’t want to draw attention to the fact that he was looking for her. But he was going to find her, no matter what it took.