Seasons of Love (18 page)

She nodded. “That’s what I hear.”

Riley told Zane about Eric’s involvement and the part she’d played in her brother’s demise.

He reached across the table to hold her hand. “You couldn’t have known. Don’t blame yourself. John’s occupation wasn’t a secret.”

She relished his comforting words and touch. There was no doubt that she would have to ask God to help her forgive herself. The urge to talk about her relationship with God spilled over, but she bit her lip. She knew Zane wouldn’t want to hear it now. But when?

Lord, please help me to speak to him when the time is right.

Nor would he want to hear the worst part of her story. She hesitated while she considered how to break the news to him.

Zane’s insides ached as he watched Riley. He was grateful that the scoundrel hadn’t hurt her. He played with her fingers, hoping to help her relax. At the same time, he fought his own frustration. It would go a long way to relieve his anger if he could get his own hands on the man responsible for John’s death. Yet according to what Riley said, Eric hadn’t known anyone would be hurt.

Riley’s words that they would not see Eric again echoed through Zane’s mind.

Too bad.

Zane froze as the thought grabbed him.

“Riley, why won’t we see Eric again?”

“Excuse me?” She drove her fingers through her tousled hair, weaving it out of her face.

“You said we wouldn’t see Eric again.”

She frowned and took a sip of her coffee.

“Riley. What did you give him?” Zane stood up from the picnic table. “Did you find the locket?”

“Yes, I rushed to the carnival to tell you—then Eric grabbed me.” She frowned. “I’m so sorry, Zane. I had no choice.”

Zane sunk back to the bench. He was grateful for Riley’s safety. That was more important than anything, especially a ridiculous clue. But without the locket, they could go no further in solving John’s puzzle.

Riley’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth while she reached into her pocket. “You’re right, the coffee helped clear my thoughts. I was so focused on the locket, and Eric upset me. I forgot.”

A mischievous smile spread across Riley’s face. “I said that I gave him the locket. But I didn’t give him this.”

She held out her palm. A tiny square rested in the center of her hand.

A memory card.

Riley held Zane’s hand as she followed him through the festival crowd then to the parking lot. He headed in the opposite direction of her parked car.

“My car is that way,” she said.

He continued in the same direction and increased his pace; he noticed Riley lagging behind and pulled her along.

“But what about my car? I could just follow you.”

“No way. I’m not letting you out of my sight.” Zane opened the door to his car for Riley. “I want you to see this through with me. We can get your car later.”

He stroked her cheek with his thumb and pressed his lips into a tight smile.

Riley nodded her agreement and climbed in. She called her grandfather to check on Chad, and she explained about Eric. Millie and several others had stopped over to visit after leaving the festival, relieving her of concerns. She reminded her grandfather to arm the security alarm.

Sooner or later, Eric would discover that she hadn’t given him all that he’d asked for. She silently prayed for him, concerned for his life in all this chaos, as well.

She reached under the seat to adjust the legroom and found Zane’s computer. He slid into the driver’s seat and shut the door.

“Are we going to look at the memory card now?” she asked.

“Afraid I’ll have to get an adapter—a card reader. So we’re going to an electronics store.”

Zane started the car, and they exited the parking lot to head toward Plymouth on Interstate 44.

“So what’s stored on this thing? What is so important that it cost John his life?”

“I thought I knew. But I’m not so sure anymore. I’ve been hoping that John stored an extra copy of the new encryption software so that I would still be able to go forward with the business.” He paused as he merged to head north. “But now I don’t think I want software that someone is willing to kill for.”

“What else could it be?” Riley gripped her seat as Zane passed the slower traffic.

“We’ll find out as soon as we see what’s on that card. Could be the software itself or other files that John wanted us to see. But there’s something else. I haven’t told you everything. John had a run-in with the law a few years ago. He illegally hacked into—well, you don’t need to know the details.”

Riley’s curiosity was piqued. “So what are you saying, Zane? That my brother was a hacker and this whole thing has to do with something illegal?”

Zane looked out the driver’s window. She wished he’d keep his eyes on the road.

He returned his attention to driving. “It’s possible—in fact, it’s probable—that Eric’s friend wanted John to hack into someone’s system. But his moonlighting activities have taken Cyphorensic down with it. It’s either that, or they simply wanted what John had been developing for Cyphorensic—a new hack-proof algorithm. Then they could offer it to the highest bidder. But obviously, they’re still searching for something. I thought they were looking for the key, because they have his software—they stole the computers, remember?” He chuckled. “But they couldn’t get into John’s stuff.”

“What do you think they’re after if not the key?”

“Well, let me just say that we may have the same problem. If the key isn’t on the minidisk, then we can’t open it.”

Riley sighed and stared out the window. She shook her head and frowned, saddened by thoughts of everything that had gone wrong in the last several months.

Still, she had Chad, and her grandfather appeared to be happy. The same peace that surrounded her while she was in Eric’s company on the Ferris wheel burned inside her. She turned to look at Zane, who concentrated on driving.

“Something happened to me while I was with Eric.” She looked out the window again.

“I’m sorry I didn’t stop him from taking you on that ride. You’re okay, aren’t you? He didn’t physically hurt you, did he?” Zane placed his right hand over hers and steered with his left one.

“No, nothing like that. In fact, it has nothing to do with Eric.”

“I’m listening.” He shot her a wry grin.

Riley hesitated, considering how to explain it. “I hated my life in California. I was so preoccupied with my job that I barely had time for myself. And no time for my relationship with God.” She held her breath, waiting to sense any tension in Zane as she broached the subject.

When he said nothing, she continued. “I wanted to break up with Eric. In fact, I did, but he wouldn’t accept it. I thought coming all the way across the country and giving up my career would change things. I believed living with Grandpa and working the farm would bring back the wonderful feelings I had when I was a child.”

“Riley, we’re all looking for anything to fill the void, to make us happy.” Zane exited the freeway, drove down the frontage road, and turned right, into a large shopping center.

“When I finally moved here, I prayed and read my Bible. It was almost as though I was trying to force things to happen.”

He frowned as he pulled into a parking spot.

“Zane, I found it. I found the peace I’ve been looking for.”

He smiled. “You’re coming in, right? I wouldn’t want to leave you out here by yourself.”

He started to open the door, but Riley grabbed his arm. “Please let me finish.”

“All right.” Zane shifted in his seat, turning his full attention to Riley.

Riley’s heart warmed to think that he was willing to listen, though he had to be anxious to review the information on the disk. But she felt a heavenly urge to tell him everything.

“I found that peace when I was on the Ferris wheel with Eric. I finally understood God’s peace could come in the midst of striving. It’s not a matter of what’s going on around me—if I’m busy or if I’m not. It’s a matter of what’s going on inside of me and if I’m able to receive His peace in all circumstances.”

He narrowed his eyes as if contemplating her words. “And what about now? Do you feel it?”

She nodded and grinned. “I do.”

He gripped the steering wheel and stared out the windshield. “Well, at least one of us has found the answer. Shall we go?”

She swallowed the sudden knot in her throat and got out of the vehicle. His response was not what she’d expected. Still, she knew she’d done the right thing by telling him of her experience. God would have to do the rest.

They rushed into the large discount electronics and appliance store. Zane headed straight for the ministorage devices and searched the aisle.

A store clerk wearing a red polo shirt joined them. “Can I help you find something?”

Zane glanced at the man’s name tag and held the memory card up between his fingers. “Yes, Darryl, I need an adapter to run this on my laptop.”

Zane got into the car and tossed the small sack containing the adapter in the backseat. He’d hated the disillusioned expression on Riley’s face when he hadn’t responded as she expected. He was happy that Riley had found contentment. And… it gave him hope.

He started the car. “You ready?”

She nodded, appearing preoccupied.

“Do you think your grandfather would mind if we did this at the farm?”

Her eyes widened; then she smiled. “You know he wouldn’t. Thanks. I mean, for thinking of me. I’d like to check on Chad.”

“Thought so. We need to be there, too, in case Eric shows up again.” Zane put pressure on the accelerator to bring them to the speed limit. In less than half an hour, he could have the information in his hands that could solve John’s puzzle.

They rode in comfortable silence, though Riley’s words about finding God’s peace would not be quieted in his mind. He glanced over at her several times as she stared out the passenger window.

“All right.” He winced, wondering if he was making a mistake. But Riley had come to mean more to him than anything. He didn’t want to let her down. He could at least try—for her.

“All right, what?”

“All right. If it’s time to talk about God, I’m ready.”

A beautiful, breathtaking smile filled her face, and the previous stress appeared to melt away, revealing an inner glow. No, this idea had not been a mistake.

“I grew up in church. My mother made sure to take me every Sunday, so I thought I knew God, or at least that I knew who He was.” His throat tightened as the memories he’d pushed down for years began to surface.

“It’s really strange, but the last person I spoke to about this was your brother, years ago when we were in high school.”

A look of awe crossed her face. She moved her lips as if in silent prayer. “I’m glad you’re telling me this.”

Zane took the exit to head back to Carver and Sanderford Cranberry Farms. “My brother drowned when he was a senior. I looked up to him, idolized him. He was only two years older than me and on the swim team. Can you believe it?”

Though the words came out with difficulty, Zane found that an enormous weight began to lift as he shared with Riley. “We all took it hard, of course, but none took it harder than my father. He had big plans for my brother, and when he looked at me, his entire attitude changed. I thought he wished I had died instead.”

Riley placed her hand on his arm. “Oh, Zane, you must be mistaken. I’m sure he loved you very much.”

“I know you mean well, but you didn’t know my father. He ended up leaving us—me and my mother. Don’t misunderstand; my father was wealthy, and we were well taken care of, but he divorced my mother and moved to Europe. I never saw him again. All I have left of him is the money he willed to me when he died four years ago.”

“And your mother? Where is she now?”

“A cemetery near Plymouth.”

Silence filled the vehicle, but this time, tension accompanied it. Zane knew the tension emanated from him alone.

“If you’re wondering what this has to do with God, I’ll tell you. I couldn’t understand why my brother died and my father left. Why should I count on God after He let me down? So rather than relying on Him, I’ve relied on myself, working hard to make it where I am today.” The words sounded crass even to his own ears.