Coleville Marcus Cole

By Mary L. Simmons

This story takes place in a little mountain town
called Coleville. Marcus Cole is an FBI agent
who had to leave the love of his life behind due
to circumstances beyond his control. When he
finally makes it back into town he finds out
Jenna, the love of his life is being stalked and
her roommate has been murdered. The town
seems to be against him. He battles to find
out whose stalking her and why. He has two
brothers, Lucas who is also an FBI agent, and
Jack who is with internal affairs. The town
Sheriff hinders the investigation. Can the
three of them together find out whats going
on?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 22, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483623030

Mary L. Simmons

to follow

Book preview

Chapter 1

Coming Home

It had been ten years since Marcus Cole had been to Coleville. He pulled off the freeway and headed down the road to the town that he loved so much.

The sight he saw shocked him. The streets were full of trash. The lampposts that lined the sidewalks were out and the globes, broken. The town was dark. He couldn’t believe his eyes. He had hired a property management, and they had let the town go.

He noticed a lot of the windows in the shops around town were broken. The owners had them taped with duct tape. He drove past Jenna’s grandmother’s shop to see if Jenna might be there. She had changed the name of the shop from Grandma’s Crafts, to Grammy’s Place. Jenna was not on the property.

Marc knew Jenna had kept the shop. She paid the rent to him. He wasn’t sure she even knew he owned the place. She hadn’t paid the rent for the past six months.

He thought about driving to the house that his dad had given her grandmother but decided it could wait till morning. It was late. He was tired. He didn’t even know if Jenna wanted anything to do with him.

Marc drove to the back of the shop and parked in the parking lot. He noted the parking lot needed some attention. It appalled him that the parking lot was in such bad shape. It looked like it hadn’t been touched since he had left the town. He would go see the property management in the morning. He would probably fire them.

He walked around the building and came around the block. He looked through the windows that lined the front of the shop. The place didn’t have much in it. It was almost bare. Was she thinking of letting it go? It was clean and neat from what he could see.

He didn’t like the dark in the town. It was hard for him to make things out. The surrounding pines were thick enough to block out the light. It was cloudy, so there wasn’t even the moonlit to illuminate. Why hadn’t he come home a long time ago? Were the things he wanted to get done really that important?

Marc walked back to his car and drove to Coles Landing. It was about twenty minutes from town. It struck him strange to see the lighting on and the place looking so nice. The grounds keeper he had hired to take care of the yard had done an excellent job. The place looked as nice as it had looked ten years ago.

He pulled into the circle drive and closed the gate behind him. He parked in front of the house and went inside.

The house was spotless. The cleaning crew he had hired last week had done an excellent job. The furniture his mother had chosen for the home was still in place. He was pleased with the way things looked.

Marc went to bed and slept till about six the following morning. He went into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. He opened the front door to see if the paper had been delivered. It was on the other side of the gate, so he walked out to get it. He picked it up and went into the house. It was Sunday morning.

He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down. He opened the paper. On the front page was an article about Jenna. He read it. He stood up and threw the paper across the room.

Jenna had been arrested for drunk driving. It angered him every time he read something about her drinking. It seemed to him she was drunk more than she was sober.

Marc stomped upstairs, showered, dressed, and stomped out to his car. He drove back into town. The first place he went was to Jenna’s shop. It was closed. He knew it was Sunday. He just hoped she would be at the shop. It worried him a little that he might find out she was with a man. He thought the shop would be a safe spot to talk to her.

Marc looked around the town before going to the Mountain Café for breakfast. He noted that the people in the town had their eyes on him as he entered. He realized that it had been ten years since they had seen him. He was older and had put on weight. They might not know who he was.

The waitress approached his table. She froze and looked into his face. Marc, Marcus Cole?

He looked up at her and smiled. It was Jennie, the same owner that had been there the last time he had eaten there.

He stood up and hugged her. She hugged him back.

It’s good to see you, Mrs. Henderson. Are you still the owner here? He let go of her and sat back down.

I wouldn’t let this place go. I think I have the best breakfast place in town. I get all the early-morning crew. She smiled.

He looked into her face. She was about sixty now, but she had aged gracefully. She was still heavy set, but she was still attractive. She didn’t have very many wrinkles; however, her hair had grayed, and she had cut it short.

You look really good. His voice was soft.

She blushed. It’s the mountain air. You look really good yourself. What have you been doing? Lifting weights for the past ten years? You’ve got some really nice-looking biceps there. She reached over and squeezed his bicep.

He watched her and let out a little laugh. Some, but I’ve had some training.

She smiled. Must have been some good training. What’d you weigh when you left here, about a hundred and fifty? You must weigh two hundred and thirty now. If I hadn’t looked into your beautiful blue eyes, I wouldn’t have recognized you.

He laughed. My eyes gave me away?

She let out a heavy sigh. Yeah, even when you were little, your blue eyes were gorgeous. I heard about your parents. I’m really sorry. She poured his coffee. What’ll you have this morning, pancakes?

Marc laughed because he used to have pancakes every time they came into town to eat. No, I’ll have bacon, eggs, and toast this morning.

She wrote on her pad and walked away from his table.

A heavy-set woman from the table next to him spoke, Have you seen Miss Jenna since you got here? She sounded downright snobby.

He looked over at her and smiled.

She swooned at the sight of his perfectly straight, white teeth. She looked him over from head to toe. His hair was jet black and cut short. His form looked perfect to her. He sat up straight with his shoulders back. It was obvious to him and everyone else; she found him attractive.

He ignored her and turned his head away from her.

So have you seen Miss Jenna or not? she snarled.

He faced her again. No, I haven’t seen her yet.

Yet, so you intend to see her?

Yes.

An elderly woman sitting on the other side of him spoke up also not sounding friendly. Why would you want to see Jenna? She cried for about a year after you left! It broke her grandmother’s heart!

It didn’t do my heart any good either. His voice was still soft.

You should just leave her alone! The elderly woman almost shouted.

Excuse me?

You need to just leave her alone! she repeated sounding snippety. It’s your fault she’s such a mess.

Father Thomas was in the restaurant. He got up from his seat and spoke up, She is a mess. Maybe she needs to see Marcus. I think it’s a good idea for him to go talk to her. He joined Marc at his table. You don’t mind if I sit with you a spell, do you?

Not at all, Father, let me buy your breakfast.

I’ll take you up on that. Do you mind if we go to a more private table. I’d like to talk to you for a few minutes.

Marc stood and took his coffee to the back of the restaurant. He noticed the entire café became silent. It was like everyone was straining to hear them.

Father Thomas always had a way of hushing an angry crowd. Of course, the whole town knew, if they didn’t leave it alone when he spoke, they would hear about it at his service this morning. And from the looks of the way everyone was dressed, they were on their way to church.

The waitress brought breakfast to both men and walked away.

Did you come into town because you heard about what happened to Jenna? the father asked politely.

Marcus looked into his face as he took a sip of his coffee. Are you talking about Jenna’s grandmother?

The father looked into his face seriously.

Marcus could see his concern. What is it, Father?

Right after her grandmother passed away, Jenna got a roommate. Her roommate didn’t have much of anything. She was trying to get a job anyplace she could. She went into Jenna’s shop, and Jenna hired her. She also gave her a place to stay until she could get on her feet. They got to be pretty good friends. Then your sister came into town.

The mention of his sister made the little hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He had that nagging feeling that something was wrong. It was a feeling he didn’t like. Karen and Jen are friends?

The father raised his hand. Let me finish.

Marc sat back and listened patiently.

Karen was real friendly with Jenna. She really liked her, and Jenna really liked Karen too. Of course, Jenna didn’t realize she was your sister at first. They had been friends for quite a while before she realized who she was. Then Jenna didn’t really care. The father took a long deep sigh. Karen had some trouble with a boyfriend. She came in to see me and told me you had put your foot down, and she couldn’t see him anymore.

He continued, "Anyway, Jenna’s roommate came into work every day at one. She worked until closing and then went back to Jenna’s. Jenna was lonely after her grandmother died, so everyone was glad to see her with friends.

I’m assuming you know about the problem with Jenna driving under the influence."

Marc shook his head yes. I read about it in the paper.

"Okay, so her roommate was supposed to go pick up an order for her. Jenna wasn’t supposed to be driving. I’m not sure why, but Jenna ended up going to get it. She took it to the shop. She was a little upset when she got there because Jane wasn’t at work, and she hadn’t called her.

When Jenna couldn’t reach Jane on the phone, she got worried. She got in the car and drove to the house. When she got there, she had to call an ambulance. Her roommate had been hurt by someone."

How long ago did this happen? I didn’t see anything in the papers about it. He also hadn’t seen any report on it through the legal channels.

Neither did any of us. I guess the sheriff put a gag order on the paper, and they couldn’t report it.

Why would he do that?

I couldn’t tell you. You probably should talk to Jen about this. He paused for a moment. I don’t know if it matters to you or not, but Jenna’s being stalked.

How do you know this, Father?

Jenna came in and talked to me about it.

Marc looked into his face. What’s the sheriff doing about this?

Nothing, he thinks she’s being paranoid, and so does most of the town. This place has never really had this kind of problem. About the only thing that ever happens around here happens from outsiders coming into town. Last summer, we had a group of kids come through who broke all the windows downtown and robbed everyone blind.

Marc watched him. He could see his concern. What do you think?

I think if Jenna thinks someone’s stalking her, she’s being stalked. I’ve never known her to be paranoid.

Marc let out a sigh. Is the sheriff checking into this at all?

Well… yeah. He’s had someone watch her. They’ve tapped her phone, and they can’t find any evidence at all that she’s being stalked, but Jenna insist she’s getting calls and someone is watching her. The town’s treating her like they think she’s crazy. It’s starting to take a toll on her. I think Jenna needs a stern hand to help her along the way.

Marc looked down at his plate that he hadn’t touched. Did Jenna ever get married?

The father looked into his face. No. Did you?

No, I dated a little, but I never found anyone that could take the place of Jenna. I’ve always loved her, even if she was a little brat.

The father laughed. She’s still a brat.

Marc laughed. Does she still live at the place my father let her grandmother live in?

Sure, she thinks it’s her house now; of course, you still own the property. You could still have it torn down if you wanted to.

Marc frowned. Why would I want to do that?

The father laughed. It was just a thought. Here’s another thought. Have you been out to the Eagle Eye yet? the father added.

No, I just got into town last night. Why?

You just might want to take a look at the place. I don’t know who the woman is out there managing it, but nobody likes her, and that place really needs some help.

Anything else you’ve noticed? Marc asked him smiling knowing the father knew just about everything that went on in town.

The father picked up his fork and shook his head. I imagine you’ve already seen the town. I saw you riding around looking things over last night.

Marc picked up his fork and sort of played with his food while the father ate. He didn’t have much of an appetite. When the father finished his breakfast, Marc took out his wallet and paid for both meals and left a generous tip for the waitress. The two of them stepped out into the mountain air. There was a little chill this morning.

Marc watched the father pull his coat closed. Would you like a ride to the church?

No, I like to take this walk in the morning. It gives me a chance to talk to people. There’s something else I’d like to talk to you about. Do you think you could find the time to come see sometime tomorrow? The father turned without waiting for an answer and walked off.

Marc watched him. He had a sick feeling in his stomach. He didn’t even know if Karen was still in town, but he had a feeling she needed him. The little hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and he felt a chill. When he got like this, his team always told his ESP was working. He didn’t think he had ESP, but he knew that when he had this feeling, something was wrong.

He was also worried about Jenna. If she did have a stalker, it needed to be looked at seriously. If she didn’t, she needed help. He got into his car and drove to the sheriff’s department.

Deputy Nicks was sitting at the desk when he stepped in. Marc recognized him and extended his hand. Deputy Nicks, how have you been doing?

He reached up and took his hand and shook it heartily. Pretty good, I’ve heard a lot about you. I understand you’re with law enforcement. Have you come in to help us out?

Nope, I’ve moved back home.

Is that right? Are you going to be staying out at Coles Landing?

Yeah, that’s my home.

That’s a big place for a home.

Well, I’m not gonna use the whole place.

The deputy shook his head. So what is it you need this morning?

I wanted to talk to you about Jenna.

The deputy looked into his face and frowned. Jenna Cambridge?

Yes.

What about her? He sighed.

I ran into Father Thomas at Jenny’s cafe. He told me Jenna was being stalked.

Deputy Nicks shook his head. Yeah, you’ll have to talk with Sheriff Gray about that. He has really checked into it, and he can’t find any sign of anyone stalking her.

You don’t have any reports you can show me?

No, he keeps it under lock and key. He’s taking care of that personally.

Why would the sheriff take care of it personally if he doesn’t think anything was going on?

He likes Jenna.

Marc watched him as he sat back in his chair and asked, Does she like him?

I don’t think so, but I’m not sure.

Marc shook his head. When can I talk to the sheriff about her?

Not today. He had to go into Clark County. He won’t be back until this evening. I can leave him a message if you’d like to meet with him.

Marc shook his head. Did he have to escort a prisoner?

No, I think it was personal.

Marc let out a sigh. Okay, just let him know I stopped by. I’ll be back to talk to him.

The deputy shook his head and watched him as he went out the door.

When he stepped out, he flipped open his cell phone and called his brother Jack.

This is Jack. What do you need, Marc?

I want you to do me a favor.

Okay, what is it?

Run a check on Sheriff Gray for me. Something isn’t kosher here.

You got it. What seems to be the problem?

I’m not sure. Did you know Karen was in Coleville?

No, she didn’t tell me where she was going, but why would she? It’s you she always had to answer to.

She didn’t tell me anything about it. You know that boyfriend we had so much trouble with?

How could I forget?

He’s from this town. If she followed him here, there’s gonna be hell to pay.

Marc, she’s nineteen years old. She has the right to see who she wants to.

I don’t care how old she is. She’s not going to hang around with this guy!

Jack took a deep breath.

Marc flipped his phone shut. He got into his Mercedes and drove out to Jenna’s.

Marc got out of his car and knocked on the door. No one answered. He walked around and looked at the place. He wondered why the Father had told him he could have it torn down. He knew the Father would say little things like that to make you pay attention.

Jenna’s house was small. The screen door was falling off. Most of the screens were missing, and the ones in place were rusted.

He got back into his car and drove to the hardware store. He bought some new screens and a new security screen door. He took them back to her house and hung them. He thought it looked better, but the house needed to be painted, and he wasn’t happy with it. It made him wonder what it looked like on the inside. He had the key. He could let himself in.

He decided not to enter until Jenna was at the house. He still needed to talk to her. He drove back into town and talked with several people.

Several times during the day, he drove to Jenna’s and wasn’t able to find her home. He finally went grocery shopping and drove back out to Cole’s Landing. He fixed him some dinner. He walked to the gym at the back of his house and worked out for an hour and then went upstairs, showered, dressed, and drove back to Jenna’s.

If she wasn’t home, he would check with the sheriff’s department again. He already knew she’d been arrested for drunk driving, and he figured they’d made her spend the night in jail. It disturbed him because she had been arrested in Clark County, which is where the sheriff had gone.

Now that he knew the sheriff liked her, he felt a little jealous. He didn’t like that feeling. He wanted her, but only if she still wanted him.

Her light was on. He knew she was home. He pulled into her dirt driveway. He looked at the trees that surrounded her house. He didn’t like the fact that there was no outside lighting, and the place was so dark.

He parked and took a deep breath. He didn’t know how Jenna would react to him. He didn’t even know if she would be interested in getting to know him again. He hoped and prayed she would. His heart pounded and his stomach was turning.

As he got out of his car, a sound from the side of her house caught his attention. He slowly walked in the direction of the sound. It was dark, but his eyes had started to adjust. Jenna’s bedroom light was on, and he could make out a small man looking into her window.

He quickly and quietly approached him, grabbed him by the neck of his coat, and spun him around. When he did, he was looking into the face of a young man. He guessed him to be about sixteen or seventeen years old.

His voice was stern as he spoke to him through clinched teeth, You see something in there you like?

The boy looked into his face and tried to jerk away from him. Get off me!

Marc didn’t loosen his grip.

The boy couldn’t break his grip. He scooted backward trying to move away from him. It surprised him when Marc scooted with him. Marc grabbed him by the front of his coat and forced him to face him. It took the boy off his feet for a few seconds. It obviously scared the young man.

What are you doing here, son?

I’m not your son! he said to him sounding snobbish.

No, you’re not. If you were, I’d blister your ass right where you stand. You’re a Peeping Tom.

The boy reached out to hit him. Marc grabbed his wrist and pulled it down in front of him. A moment later, he had him penned on the ground.

Look, man, I don’t want any trouble! the boy shouted out to him.

You’ve got it whether you want it or not. You can’t go around looking into people’s windows.

I just wanted to see what she’s doing.

It’s none of your business what she’s doing. You need to go home and stay away from this house!

If you don’t let me go, I’ll tell my dad.

Good! You need to be disciplined for this. I’m gonna let you go, but if I catch you here again, I’m not gonna be nice. Do you understand me?

Yes, sir. He was no match for Marc, and he knew it.

It struck Marc odd that the young man would call him sir. He let him go. He took off running for the Thunderbird that was parked down the road and didn’t look back. He climbed in it and took off. His tires threw dirt.

Marc got up and brushed himself off. He walked to Jenna’s front door and knocked.

Get away from my house, you little pervert! She shouted from inside the house.

He took a deep breath and stepped back. Jenna? It’s Marc.

There was a pause, and Marc turned to leave. A moment later, the door flung open. She stood silent for a few moments. Jenna looked him over from head to toe. He was so much bigger, and he was so handsome. He took up practically her whole doorway. He looked physically powerful, and yet she could still see the tenderness in his eyes.

Marc was taking her in. She was dressed in a tight pair of jeans that fit her perfectly. She still had the same figure she had the last time he had seen her. He thought she looked perfect. She was exactly like he thought she would be. She had aged into a real beauty. He loved everything about her.

All of a sudden, she ran out and jumped on him. She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. She held on to him tight.

He grabbed her around the waist with one hand and put the other on her bottom. He pulled her closer to him and held on to her tight. When she drew her head back, he searched for her lips and kissed her, easy at first, but it became powerful and passionate.

She was kissing him back and accepting his kiss. She felt so good. She was thrilled, and she had the feeling she never wanted to let him go. But she drew back and wiggled so he would put her down.

He put her down gently but kept his hand on her shoulder.

She stepped back with tears in her eyes. I’m sorry I grabbed you like that. I… I’ve just dreamed of this day for the past ten years. I just assumed you were here to see me, but I realize now it was you that put the new door and the screens on the house. She put her hand up and waved it around. Go ahead and look around. I won’t stop you, she added as she turned to walk away from him.

He took her by the arm and spun her around to face him. No, you were right the first time. I came to see you.

She swallowed down a lump in her throat and pulled away from him. As she opened the screen door, she turned to him and smiled. Well… come on in.

He followed her inside and closed the door.

She crossed her arms and faced him. So what is it you wanted to see me about? Are you about to ask me to move?

He looked into her face. He could see the smug little teenager he had seen ten years ago. He laughed at the sight.

She looked into his face and turned her back to him so he wouldn’t see her start to cry. She felt like such an idiot. She loved him so much. How could she think he still loved her?

He came up behind her and tenderly put his arms around her.

She felt like she was going to melt.

He took in the scent of her hair. You still love me, Jenna?

She turned and faced him. This isn’t the least bit funny, Marcus Cole! How dare you ask me that after all these years?

He looked into her face, and he bit back. It’s like this, Jenna Cambridge. I’ve dreamed of you for the last ten years. I love you. I’ve always loved you. You want to have a relationship with me or not? If you don’t, just say so, and I’ll walk out your door! I won’t bother you again!

Her mouth dropped open. She wanted a relationship with him more than she wanted anything in the world.

He reached up and put a finger to her chin and closed her mouth. He took her by the arm and jerked her to him and kissed her with passion again, only he intensified it.

Jenna accepted his kiss. She surprised him. She kissed him hard and long. Marc could taste the salt from her tears as they ran down her cheek and seeped into his mouth. He opened her mouth with his. She could taste the salt from her tears. When he let her go, she felt a little dizzy. He grabbed her when he saw her sway.

She took a deep breath and looked up into his face. Marc, I don’t understand. If you want me, why did you leave me?

"I had to leave. My mother had a stroke. My dad let everything go to hell. Then my parents were both killed, and I had to raise Karen.

You were only fifteen. I wanted to marry you. You grandmother didn’t want you to get married. I couldn’t marry you without her permission. She wouldn’t give it. I just did what I had to do, but I love you, Jenna. I’ll always love you.

Do you still love me? I’ll understand, and there won’t be any hard feelings if you don’t. I’ve been gone for a long time. If there’s someone else in your life, I’ll step out, Jen. I just—"