Charlotte Dean Mysteries Collection

Chapter 18

Charlotte veered left from the bookshop, away from the shopping precinct and roundabout with its empty space where a pretty tree once stood.

Away from the broken glass in front of Esther’s shop, the glass Sid saw not as a clue to catching the thief, but a nuisance needing cleaning up.

Away from the book club ladies who were not ladies but rude and conniving women with nothing better to do than question her right to be there.

And away from the apartment on the bookshop with its email from the place she’d sent her own mother to live.

Without slowing, she crossed streets for block after block until a narrow track took her away from the main road. In darkness she ran, not caring if low-lying branches of bushes stung her bare legs as she got too close to them, nor where she was going to end up. Her heart pounded in her ears until she knew she’d pass out if she didn’t slow.

She staggered to a walk, then stopped, hands on her knees as she gasped in air. This was stupid. A stupid, primal response. Running away didn’t outrun the demons.

Breathe.

Breathe.Bit by bit, she slowed her racing pulse, sliding the bracelet round and around her wrist. She straightened and closed her eyes, reaching out with her senses to the peace around her.

One breath. Two.

One breath. Two.She dug deep into her body with the calming mantra she’d perfected long ago.

One breath. Two. You have control.

One breath. Two. You have control.Her fingers stretched out.

One breath. Good. Two. You are in control.

One breath. Good. Two. You are in control.Her ears still rang. Except, it wasn’t her ears, but a sound in the distance. Perhaps running water. A creek?

Eyes open again, Charlotte followed the sound, taking in her surrounds as she walked. The path beneath her feet might be narrow but was solid and smooth. On either side, trees and bush enclosed her. She glanced up and saw stars through a canopy of branches.

A small clearing appeared with a couple of timber benches and an information board. This was lit by a single solar light. It was a map of the area.

Kingfisher Falls Reserve.

Kingfisher Falls Reserve.Several trails forked out, one leading to the actual falls. “I didn’t know there were real falls.” She took a path that initially climbed, zigzagging around old tree stumps, and some ancient trees. Then there were steps leading down, with a sign warning they were steep. With only moonlight to guide her, Charlotte appreciated the rail on one side and was careful of her footing. Partway down was a sign to Kingfisher Falls Lookout, which now seemed a more sensible choice than going all the way down in the dark.

Kingfisher Falls LookoutCharlotte gasped aloud as she stepped onto the lookout.

Around her, the trees gave way to a gully where a waterfall cascaded down sheer rocks to a pool below. Moonlight reflected in the pool. Charlotte sank to the ground, sliding her legs through the railing to dangle over the edge. Head on her arms on a rail, she soaked in the majesty of the falls.

As reluctant as Charlotte was to leave the lookout, the night air had cooled, and exhaustion racked her body. Her mind, though, was refreshed, and the anxiety and guilt were relegated back to their normally locked boxes in her brain.

There’d been no alternative to institutionalising her mother. Not after years trying to help her and failing every time. Charlotte had the skills to reduce the symptoms, but Angelica possessed neither the will nor interest to do what was needed. It was time to stop blaming herself for her mother’s choices.

She wandered back along the path she’d earlier run along. On her next free day, she’d come here in daylight, bring a picnic and her phone to take photos. This might turn into her go-to place when the world got a bit too much. What a wonderful accidental find.

Ahead, the streetlights of the main road shone through the trees. Charlotte took a deep breath, almost ready to return to civilisation. The earlier panic was gone. Or at least at bay. Time to make a cup of tea and settle for the night. She smiled at the thought and turned right.

Straight into Sid Morris, who stood, feet planted apart, arms crossed.

Barely stopping before ploughing into him, Charlotte copied his stance, right down to the crossed arms. She didn’t speak, merely looked at him with a raised eyebrow. Her heartrate was through the roof.

Not tonight.

Not tonight.“Explain your reason for lurking in the bushes.”

“Seriously?”

“It’s about time you took this seriously, missy. Since you arrived in town there’s been trouble. And now I find you hanging around a reserve at almost midnight.”

Was I there so long?

Was I there so long?“I’m getting to know my new town. And I’m quite certain there was trouble happening before I moved here. Now, I’m going home.” Charlotte went to step around Sid, but his arm shot out like a barrier and he leaned in toward her.

“You need to be careful.” He hissed at her, his breath fowl. “Don’t think being with Rose will somehow protect you if you take a wrong step. Her and her son have no jurisdiction here and I’m the one who makes the rules.”

It took all of Charlotte’s self-control to prevent hysterical laughter exploding into his face. He really believed he was straight out of a western movie. Why bring Rosie and Trev into this? She sobered as she remembered she was out late at night on a deserted street with a man who hated her. One with a g*n.

“I’m going to leave now.” She used her best therapist voice. “There’s no reason for you to suspect me of any wrongdoing. I’m just settling into a new job and not looking for any problems.”

“Then stay off the streets at night. No more wandering around when you hear things.”

“Great advice. Goodnight, Sid.” Fingers metaphorically crossed, she waited and the moment his arm dropped, rushed past. Charlotte didn’t look back or slow down until she reached the bookshop.