by Cindi Myers
“Or you could show it to the Walkers and let them know what’s going on.”
“No. I don’t want to do anything to upset them. They’ve got enough on their hands, between the wedding and this whole serial killer thing. I mean, it can’t be that easy, having two sons out hunting a murderer.”
Cody wanted to argue—she could practically see the words building up in his head. She braced herself to reply, but instead, he turned and took hold of the doorknob. “Have it your way. But remember—I’m right next door if you need me.”
He left and she dropped onto the bed, struggling to control her racing heart. Great. He was next door. Entirely too close for comfort. He had no idea, but Cody Rankin was a lot more dangerous to Bette’s well-being than Rainey and her son.
Chapter Three
Bette couldn’t decide if the dinner of roast beef, potatoes au gratin, green beans almandine and homemade rolls was designed to impress her with Rainey’s prowess in the kitchen, or if it was simply the way the Walker family ate every evening. Add in the gleaming oak table, polished silver and dishes she guessed were hand painted, and the place screamed laid-back luxury. “Everything is so delicious,” she said, determined to give credit where credit was due.
“I wish Travis and Gage could have been here,” Mrs. Walker said, as she passed the dish of potatoes.
“They said they were sorry to miss eating with us, but they think they have a break in the case,” Lacy said.
“I hope that means they’re close to catching the murderer,” Mrs. Walker said.
“And without another woman dying,” Mr. Walker said.
Silence descended on the table, broken only by the clink of ice in glasses and the scrape of forks on china.
“Not the most cheerful topic of conversation,” Travis’s sister, Emily, said, slicing into her roast.
“One of the hazards of living with law enforcement,” Cody said. “Lacy will get used to it.”
“Oh, I am,” Lacy said. “I think it’s interesting, actually.”
Mrs. Walker turned to Bette. “I hope you’re finding the cabin comfortable.”
“Oh, yes,” Bette said. “It’s beautiful. I’m going to really enjoy staying there.”
“Well, if you need anything, just let me know,” Mrs. Walker said.
“Maybe some more cleaner.” Seated next to her, Cody whispered the words under his breath. Bette kicked him in the shin. She had refused his offer to help scrub the painted message off the front door, but it was true she had used most of a bottle of cleaner and probably ruined a bath towel cleaning everything up. Someone looking closely would probably still be able to see the shadow of the words, but tomorrow she planned to make a wreath or something to hang on the door to cover them up. She had gotten to be pretty crafty, all those years behind bars.
“If I wasn’t staying here, you could have had my room,” Lacy said. “Though you’ll probably appreciate the privacy of the cabin.”
“I thought you had a place in town,” Bette said. She remembered Lacy’s excitement over the apartment she had rented from a friend.
“I do, but Travis persuaded me that I should stay here until the wedding.”
“He didn’t like the idea of you living alone while this killer is on the loose,” Mrs. Walker said. “And I don’t blame him.”
“It’s very sweet of you to take me in,” Lacy said. “My room is very nice.”
“We thought about putting you in one of the cabins,” Mr. Walker said. “But we didn’t want to make it too easy for Travis to sneak off to see you. It’s good for young men to have a challenge.”
Lacy blushed bright pink, while the rest of the table burst into laughter.
The door from the kitchen opened and Rainey entered. “Does anyone need anything?” she asked, surveying the table.
“Everything is delicious,” Bette said. “I’ll have to get your recipe for the roast—it’s so well-seasoned.”
“I don’t give out my recipes,” Rainey said.
Bette kept a smile on her face. She wasn’t going to let this old bat get her down.
“My favorite is the potatoes,” Cody said.
“Doug made those,” Rainey said.
“So I guess he made it back in time to help you with the cooking after all,” Cody said.
“I told you, he was just out smoking.” She turned on her heels and left them.
“I’m afraid Rainey’s feelings are a little hurt that Travis and Lacy didn’t ask her to cater the wedding,” Mrs. Walker said. “I tried to explain we didn’t want to burden her with so much work—and that it meant a lot to Lacy to have her friend do the job. I’m sure she’ll calm down soon. In the meantime, I hope you won’t let her bother you, Bette.”
“Of course not.” Bette took a sip of her water, aware of Cody watching her. Honestly, did he have to sit right next to her? She couldn’t make a move without being aware of him. When he reached past her for the rolls, his arm brushed hers and a tremor shuddered through her. So annoying. Tomorrow, she’d suggest she trade places at dinner with Lacy or Emily. Or maybe she could stick Travis next to his friend.
“What’s next on the wedding agenda?” Emily asked.
“The bridesmaids’ tea is Saturday,” Lacy said. “Now that Bette is here, we can finish planning that.”
“It sounds very formal,” Cody said.
“It’s just a chance for us to dress up and eat lots of fancy finger food,” Lacy said. “I wanted something different from a bar crawl.”
“There aren’t many bars to crawl to in Eagle Mountain,” Emily said.
“That’s not going to stop the men.” Lacy looked down the table to Cody. “Gage told me he’s planning to kidnap Travis and force him to attend his bachelor party Saturday night.”
“If the roads stay open, he’s booked a hotel in Junction,” Cody said. “If not, we’ll make do with Moe’s Pub.”
“I’m rooting for Moe’s,” Lacy said. “There’s no way they can get into trouble there, with half the town watching them.”
Rainey returned and began clearing the table. “Where’s Doug?” Cody asked. “Doesn’t he usually help you with that?”
“He wasn’t feeling well,” Rainey said. “I sent him to lie down.”
“Let me help.” Bette stood and began gathering the plates on her side of the table.
“There’s no need for that,” Rainey said. “I can manage on my own.”
“I want to help,” Bette said.
Cody stood and began collecting dishes also. “I’ll help, too,” he said.
The two of them followed Rainey into the kitchen. “Put the dishes in the sink and then go sit down,” Rainey directed. “I don’t like a lot of other people in my kitchen while I’m trying to work.”
“I’m the same way,” Bette said. “You know just where everything is and how you want to do things, and it’s annoying to have to keep stopping and telling other people what to do.”
Rainey glared at her, but Bette kept smiling.
“I don’t think your plan to win her over with flattery and kindness is going to work,” Cody whispered as they made their way back to the table.
“Maybe I’m not trying to win her over,” Bette said. “Maybe I’m trying to drive her crazy. Crabby people hate it when their enemies are nice to them.”
A few moments later, Rainey entered the dining room, carrying a large apple pie and a carton of vanilla ice cream. She set them in the center of the table. “You can serve yourselves,” she said.
“None for me.” Lacy stood. “I have a wedding dress to fit into.”
“Thank goodness, I don’t.” Bette picked up the knife and prepared to cut into the pie. “Who wants ice cream?”
Mrs. Walker declined, but everyone else wanted dessert. Bette dished up the pie, while Cody took charge of the ice cream. When e
veryone was served, Bette sat back and took a bite.
“What do you think?” Cody asked.
“It’s very good.” She took a small spoonful of ice cream. “A little sweeter than I like, and a dash more of cloves would have been a good addition—but very good.”
Lacy, who had left the room, returned, phone in hand. “I just had a text from Adelaide Kinkaid.” She glanced at Bette. “She’s Travis’s office manager.”
“Is something wrong with Gage or Travis?” White-faced, Mrs. Walker half rose from her chair.
“They’re both fine,” Emily said. She studied her phone screen. “Adelaide says they’ve made an arrest in the Ice Cold Killer case.”
“The Ice Cold Killer?” Bette asked.
“That’s what they’re calling the serial killer,” Emily said. “Apparently, he leaves behind little cards—like business cards—that say ‘ice cold.’”
“Who did they arrest?” Mrs. Walker asked, settling into her chair once more.
“I texted back that question,” Lacy said.
The phone pinged and Lacy swiped the screen. Her eyes widened. “She says they arrested Ken Rutledge.”
“Who is Ken Rutledge?” Cody asked.
“He’s a schoolteacher,” Lacy said. “He lives in the other half of the duplex where Kelly Farrow—the first murder victim—lived.”
“So he’s the serial killer?” Emily asked.
Lacy shook her head. “Adelaide doesn’t say. She just says Travis arrested Ken and Gage and Dwight are driving him to the lockup in Junction tonight.”
“Well, she can’t say, can she?” Emily asked. “But if Travis arrested him—and he’s really connected with the case—then he must be the murderer.”
“This whole situation has been horrible,” Mrs. Walker said. “But I hope it’s over now.”
“I do, too,” Emily said. “In any case, I know I’ll sleep better tonight, knowing a killer is behind bars.”
“Speaking of sleeping...” Bette pushed back her chair. “I’m going to say good-night now. I still have to unpack, and I’ve had a very long day.”
“The drive from Denver is enough to wear anyone out,” Mrs. Walker said.
“I’ll walk you to your cabin.” Cody stood also.
“I don’t need an escort,” Bette said.
She could see in his eyes that he wanted to protest, but she didn’t give him a chance. She hurried to hug Lacy, said good-night to the others and quickly made her way to the front door. To her relief, Cody didn’t follow.
As she took the shoveled path toward the cabins, she told herself she really didn’t have to run away from Cody Rankin. He was just another man, and she was a strong enough woman to resist his attractions.
Maybe she should go ahead and tell him she had a record. As a cop who devoted his life to putting away people like her, that information was sure to make him keep his distance.
* * *
CODY WAITED UP with the Walkers until Travis came home. The Rayford County sheriff looked as sharp-pressed and alert as always, though Cody recognized the fatigue in his eyes.
“Well?” he asked, once Travis had shed his coat and kissed Lacy.
“Well what?” Travis asked, his arm around Lacy.
“Is Ken Rutledge the Ice Cold Killer?” Lacy asked.
“Probably not—though we’re still tracing his movements around the time of all the murders.”
“If he’s not the killer, why did you arrest him?” Mrs. Walker asked.
“He attacked Darcy Marsh.”
“Darcy is a local veterinarian,” Emily told Cody. “She and Kelly Farrow were business partners.”
“But you don’t think he’s the serial killer?” Mrs. Walker asked.
“We’re not ruling that out completely.” Travis moved past them, toward the fire. “I really can’t talk about the case—except I’m wondering how you all already know about the arrest.”
“Adelaide texted me,” Emily said.
“Of course she did.” Travis settled onto the sofa.
“She wanted me to know you were all right,” Emily said. “And it’s not as if something like that is going to stay a secret very long. I imagine most of the town knows about it by now.”
“I imagine they do,” Travis said, without anger.
“Did you have anything to eat?” Mrs. Walker asked.
Travis shook his head. “I’ll get something in a minute. Right now, I just want to rest and warm up.”
“What’s the weather like?” Mr. Walker took a seat across from his son.
“It’s snowing again. I told Gage and Dwight to hurry to get the evidence we collected to Junction. If one of the avalanche chutes on Dixon Pass lets loose, they’ll have to close the road again.”
“You’ll be in big trouble if two of your officers get trapped on the other side of the pass,” Cody said. “You might even have to deputize me.”
“Only as a last resort,” Travis said. He didn’t smile, but Cody caught the glint of humor in his eye.
“Bette arrived this afternoon,” Lacy said. “She’s in the first guest cabin. Poor woman was exhausted from the drive.” She squeezed Travis’s arm. “I can’t wait for you to meet her.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” Travis said, though he didn’t sound very enthusiastic. In fact, to Cody’s ears, his friend sounded like a man who was telling his fiancée what she wanted to hear, not what he necessarily felt.
Rainey appeared, carrying a tray, which she set on the coffee table in front of Travis. “I’ve been keeping this warm for you,” she said. “Eat it now before it gets cold.” Before he could reply, she had turned and fled.
“I see Rainey is in one of her moods tonight,” he said. He leaned forward and picked up a fork.
“Her nose is out of joint because Bette is here,” Lacy said. “But honestly, Bette is the nicest person in the world. If anyone can win over Rainey, she can.”
“She doesn’t have to win her over,” Travis said. “She just has to ignore her and cater the wedding.”
“Oh, Bette will do a good job,” Lacy said. “A wonderful job. And she really appreciates us giving her this chance. It means a lot to her.”
“Happy to help.” Travis focused his attention on his plate. “I’m starving.”
Mr. and Mrs. Walker said good-night, as did Emily, leaving Lacy and Cody alone with Travis. He was wondering if he should leave the couple to themselves when Travis said, “It would make it easy on everyone if Ken Rutledge turns out to be our killer. But I really don’t think he is.”
“What happened tonight?” Cody asked. “That is, if you think you can talk about it.”
“I can talk about it to you.” He turned to look at Lacy.
“You know I won’t say anything to anyone,” she said. “And this is your life. I have to be a part of it.”
Travis nodded and looked thoughtful as he chewed, then swallowed. “Someone has been harassing Darcy since Kelly was killed,” he said. “Someone ran her off the road, and someone attacked her and Highway Patrolman Ryder Stewart while they were skiing yesterday. Apparently, Rutledge was trying to frighten Darcy into turning to him for help. I think he saw his opportunity when Kelly and Christy O’Brien were murdered, but he went too far.”
“You say he attacked Darcy again tonight?” Lacy asked.
“He kidnapped her. Ryder spotted the damaged snowmobile at Ken’s duplex and figured out he was the man who had attacked him and Darcy. He found them at Darcy’s house and rescued her.”
“Why do you think he didn’t kill the other women?” Cody asked.
“He has alibis for two of the killings. Pretty solid ones. And while he was willing to admit everything he had done to Darcy, he’s adamant that he didn’t have anything to do with the murders. We’ll see.” He pushed his empty plate away and stre
tched his arms over his head. “I need a shower and bed,” he said.
Cody stood. “Good night. See you in the morning.”
After the warmth of the fire, the cold hit him like a slap. He hurried along the path to the cabins, his breath fogging in front of his face, snow squeaking under his boots. As he neared the first cabin in the row—Bette’s cabin—movement on the little porch caught his eye. He stopped and stared at the dark shape near the door of the cabin. He moved off the path and took shelter behind a tree. The shape on the porch didn’t flee or move toward him—maybe it hadn’t seen him coming.
No lights showed behind the cabin’s drawn blinds. Bette was probably asleep, unaware that someone was outside her door—and clearly up to no good. Stealthily, using the cover of the trees, Cody moved closer to the cabin. The shape on the porch shifted slightly but didn’t leave its position by the door. The shadow wasn’t tall enough to be someone standing—Cody thought the man was crouching by the door, perhaps trying to jimmy the lock.
Reaching the end of the porch, Cody didn’t hesitate. He made a flying leap and tackled the lurker, forcing him to the ground.
“Let go of me, you creep.” An elbow thrust hard into his ribs, followed by nails raked across his face. “Get off of me!” The voice—definitely not a man’s—demanded.
Cody couldn’t get off fast enough. The beam of a flashlight blinded him. “Cody Rankin!” Bette said. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Chapter Four
Cody held up a hand to shield his eyes and took another step back from an enraged Bette. “I saw someone on the porch and thought they were trying to break into your cabin,” he said.
“I couldn’t sleep and I was sitting out here, enjoying the moonlight.” She gathered what appeared to be the quilt from her bed around her. A knit hat covered most of her blond hair, and thick gloves on her hands had probably prevented her from doing more damage to his face.
“It’s zero degrees out,” he said. “Who sits outside in that kind of weather?”
“It’s not bad if you’re wrapped up,” she said.
