Colton on the Run

by Anna J. Stewart

  And the knowledge that he had to let her go.

  * * *

  “Anything else you need in town?” Leo asked her the next afternoon as he motioned for Ollie to jump into the cab. The dog inclined his head, let out a bark, then circled back around to stand beside Jane.

  Jane, who looked as radiant and perfect as she had every day she’d been on the ranch. Jane, who had her arms loaded with some of the plants he’d brought back from the nursery for her. Jane, who was currently frowning at him as if he’d lost his mind. “That’s the third time you’ve asked me that. No, we don’t need anything. Will you go already? The sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll be back, and I need your help with dinner.”

  “Don’t you mean I need your help?” The teasing banter normally made his heart lighter. But today, the words weighed him down.

  “It’s amazing how well you know me.” She walked over and tilted her head up for a kiss, which he willingly did. But not the quick brush of lips she expected. He cupped her face, dived deep and committed the taste of her, the feel of her, the sound of her, to memory. “Now you really have to hurry back,” she moaned against his mouth, then pushed a hand against his shoulder. “Go.”

  Ollie trotted after her, but not before tossing Leo a questioning look. Darned dog was too smart for his own good.

  Leo watched as she disappeared around the corner of the house, no doubt on her way up to Gwen and Lacey’s place, before he climbed into the truck and drove into town.

  He waited for the doubt to descend, for his conscience to kick in and tell him he was making the wrong decision. The guilt was there, hovering, but even that didn’t dissuade him. Nothing would. Because he knew he was doing the right thing.

  He parked in front of the Lucky Diner, gave Miss D a quick wave as he locked up his truck. But instead of heading in for a cup of coffee and an order of pie, he walked across the street.

  And into the police station.

  * * *

  It took over an hour and three trips from the house to the family cemetery, but Jane was finally ready to get started. The fencing outlining the area needed a coat of paint, but that would have to wait until after the weeding, the cleaning and the seeding next spring. She’d purposely requested late-blooming flowers so there would be some color to the area through the winter. Or at least until the first snowfall. For now, this would do.

  It didn’t occur to her until she stood amid Leo’s family that there were five graves. She’d expected four: his mother, father and grandparents. But there was a fifth grave. A smaller marker stood between his mother’s and father’s. Gabriel Mitchell Slattery. Who had died the day he’d been born. The same day, Jane noted, as Leo’s mother had passed. Tears pricked her eyes as she sank to the ground, her heart breaking for the man she loved. A man who had every reason to be bitter and angry and yet spent most every day with a smile on his face.

  Last night had meant everything to her. Not just because making love to Leo made her feel alive, desired and loved, but because now that her memory was intact, now that she knew what had come before, she knew, to the core of her soul, that she had never loved anyone the way she did Leo. What had he said about his grandparents? That they’d been tethered at the heart?

  She tapped a finger against her chest and smiled. “I know just how that feels.”

  Phoebe.

  Guilt clanged deep inside her, as she debated for the hundredth time about reaching out to her twin, but she wasn’t ready for the questions, the suffocating attention. A few more days weren’t going to make that much of a difference. She’d needed last night with him; she needed today with Leo, just to solidify plans in her mind. So she could finally move on. With him.

  And yes, that meant going to the police. It had to be frustrating Leo to no end believing she wouldn’t give in to that request, but once again, she knew he was right. The time would come. She knew it would. And he’d give her that time. He’d promised he would.

  One thing she knew for absolute certain where Leo Slattery was concerned: he never made a promise he couldn’t keep.

  * * *

  “Can I help you?” the dark-haired deputy on the other side of the counter asked Leo, who had been admiring the polished wood railings and cabinetry in the reception area. He’d clearly watched too many cop shows growing up, expecting to find yellowed linoleum, ancient metal desks and whining computers that wouldn’t cooperate. Instead, what he was seeing was a streamlined, modern structure with attention to the town’s history, including etched glass windows from when the building had been a men’s fine-clothing department store. “Sir?”

  “Sorry.” Leo managed a smile as he removed his hat. “I was wondering if I could speak with Deputy Daria Bloom?” The second the words left his lips he felt the course of his life tip. Even if Jane never forgave him, he was doing the right thing. At least, that’s what he kept telling himself.

  “Do you have an appointment?” The deputy’s cool expression didn’t change. His obsidian black eyes barely shifted as he focused on Leo.

  “I’m afraid not, Deputy—” Leo glanced at the deputy’s badge “—Gates. But it is important.”

  “I’m sure it is. Go ahead and sign in.” He gestured to the clipboard on the counter. “Can I tell her what this is about, Mr. Slattery?” Deputy Gates asked after Leo filled in his name, address and phone number.

  “Um...” Leo hesitated.

  “It’ll help determine if she sees you today or later this week. We’re a bit busy these days. You might have heard we’re working a serial killer case.”

  “I did hear, actually. That’s part of why I’m here. But you can tell her it’s about a missing person case.”

  “Missing person?” Deputy Gates’s eyebrows shot up and disappeared under his hair. “Sure. Have a seat. I’ll let Daria know right away.”

  “Thanks.” Leo chose not to sit, and as the deputy disappeared into the depths of the station, he paced up and down the aisle, skimming the missing persons flyers, most wanted listings and community bulletin board.

  “Mr. Slattery?”

  Leo turned and found an attractive, determined-looking woman heading his way. She was a bit older than he’d expected given she was still a deputy, but he had no doubt this woman could hold her own in any situation. Her navy-blue uniform only boosted the air of professionalism and dedication he picked up from her. “Yes. Deputy Bloom?”

  “Daria, please. I understand you have some information about an ongoing investigation?”

  “Sure do. Can we speak in private?”

  “Of course.” She nodded at Gates and motioned for Leo to follow. “Coffee?”

  “Pass.” One look at the ancient coffee maker had him cringing.

  “Smart man.” Daria grinned as she poured herself a cup. “Enough of this stuff and I won’t only stay awake, I won’t be wasting time blinking. Come on back.” She led him into her office. “Don’t mind the boards. It’s a work in progress.” She sat down and leaned back, eyeing him.

  Leo set his hat on the chair and walked over to one of the whiteboards filled with photographs, dates and other forensic information for the Avalanche Killer. When he looked over his shoulder, he found Daria watching him. “I shouldn’t be seeing this, should I?”

  “Depends. Anything we might have gotten wrong about anything up there, Mr. Slattery?”

  “Leo. And only one that I know of.” He reached up and plucked Skye’s picture off the board. “She’s alive.” He dropped the picture onto her desk.

  “So I heard.” Daria swayed in her chair. “I spoke with Kaitlin and Delaney Sommars yesterday evening after Delaney reported seeing Skye at Dr. Monroe’s. They also mentioned a well-mannered cowboy named Leo who was with her. Not many Leos around these parts, so I’m guessing that’s you.” She looked at him for another few seconds, then leaned forward in her chair, folded her hands on top of her desk. Tig
ht enough he saw her knuckles turn white. “Is she okay?”

  “Yeah.” Leo nodded and saw tension he hadn’t noticed melt off the deputy. “She is now. She wasn’t when I found her.”

  “When was that?” She clicked open a pen and started making notes on a tablet.

  “Late July.” Daria arched a brow as Leo sat across from her. “Don’t even say it. Believe me, I’m right there with you. She’d taken a pretty bad blow to the head. Didn’t have any memory of who she was. Where she came from. And she was scared. Terrified, actually. She’d been attacked.”

  “Attacked how?” Daria’s eyes sharpened. “Raped?”

  “She said no. But that’s all she remembered.”

  “And you believed her.”

  “I’m not sure I can explain it. I could just... I just did.”

  “So she didn’t know what happened to her, but she did know she hadn’t been sexually assaulted.” Daria’s doubt was obvious.

  “That’s what she told me. You can ask her about it yourself.”

  “I plan to, thanks. I take it she’s still staying with you?”

  “Yes.” There it was. The final thread to his promise had been broken.

  “Why didn’t you bring her to us? Why didn’t you call the police?”

  Leo could understand the accusation in her tone. He’d been expecting it. Didn’t mean he was ready for the spark of anger he saw in Daria’s eyes. “Because the mere mention of talking to the police sent her into a panic attack.”

  “Did it?” Daria’s brows knit. “Explain.”

  “The first time I mentioned the police was when I found her in my barn. Her clothes were ripped, torn and bloodied. She had cuts and scrapes and bruises along with the head wound. There was a welt on her cheek, from a ring I’m guessing. I could see the handprint.”

  “Don’t suppose you thought to take some pictures.”

  “Didn’t have a cell phone at the moment, so I didn’t think of it. No reception in my area. I did put the clothes in a paper bag, though. Just in case.”

  “Smart. There might be some trace we can use.” Daria nodded. “Go on.”

  Where did he start? “She’s had nightmares, almost every night since she’s been with me. Lights are always a part of it. Spinning red and blue lights. And a man in uniform. Dark. The last nightmare she had, she remembers a patrol car ramming her from behind, which sent her into a crash. She tried to get out the passenger side, but he broke the driver’s window, opened the door, grabbed her ankle. Hauled her out of the car. Next thing she woke up in a gardening shed at an abandoned property. She got herself free and ran. Ended up on my ranch.”

  Daria listened without a hint of emotion flickering across her pretty features. “Any idea where this abandoned property is?”

  “It’s Paul Preston’s place. A few miles from my spread. I took her back there. She didn’t remember being there, not specifically, but I’m pretty sure that’s where she was held. Her description of where she woke up fits.”

  “Preston’s been dead going on five years now,” Daria said.

  “A friend of mind suggested it might be the place.”

  “A friend?”

  “John McHugh Trapper. You might—”

  “Oh, I know Trapper.” Daria actually grinned. “Cranky old coot, but he’s a good guy. Also a wealth of information.”

  “Trapper thought the place she described sounded familiar so we checked it out. Preston might be long gone, but someone’s been using his place as a drug hub.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out the scorched ID. “We found this in the fireplace.”

  Daria looked down at what was left of the plastic card. “Levi McEwan. Well. That’s interesting.” She sat back in her chair, her frown increasing. Then the deputy shot to her feet and started shuffling through files on her desk. “When did you say Skye showed up at your place?” She yanked one free and flipped it open.

  “Late July. The twenty—”

  “Twenty-fourth?” She tapped a finger against the notes inside.

  “Sounds right. What’s going on? What do you know?”

  “Know? Nothing for certain. Yet. Hang on.” She picked up her phone and asked someone to bring in any updated information on Levi. When she hung up, she pinned him with another look. “So it’s because Skye was afraid of the police you lied to the deputy when he came out to your place looking for her?”

  “I’m sorry?” Now it was Leo’s turn to frown. “When who came to my what? I haven’t seen anyone other than Trapper and Jane on my land in forever.” Trapper. Leo sat up straighter in his chair. “But Trapper told me about a guy in an SUV who was lost and asked for directions.”

  “Jane?”

  “Skye,” Leo said to clarify. “She didn’t remember her name so we’ve been calling her Jane.”

  “Zero points on originality,” Daria muttered. “Thanks, Blue.” She accepted the file handed to her by a young female deputy. “Do me a favor and get the log for the door-to-door on Skye Colton? And do you know if the sheriff is back yet?”

  “Sure.” She was so young and enthusiastic her ponytail actually bopped. “And nope on the sheriff. Want me to try his cell?”

  “No. I’ll take care of it, thanks.” Daria flipped through pages in the file while Leo began fidgeting. “Relax, Leo. I’m just putting some pieces together. You’re absolutely sure no one came out to your place to ask about Skye?”

  “I’m positive. Trapper would have told me if I’d been away, and there’s no way Jane could have hidden that from me. She still freaks out when I mention the cops.”

  “Can’t say I blame her if a cop is responsible for what happened to her. Wait.” Daria glanced up and he could all but see the wheels spinning in her head. “She doesn’t know you’re here, does she?”

  “No.” He shook his head and swallowed a new lump of guilt. “And believe me, she isn’t going to be happy when she finds out I came to you behind her back, but I figured you were a safe bet.”

  “Me? Why?”

  “Because whoever attacked her was a man. And you’re...not.”

  “Who says ranchers aren’t observant.” Daria actually grinned. “For the record, no, I wasn’t the one who attacked Skye. So Levi McEwan was a small-time drug dealer in Roaring Springs. Coke, some meth, heroin occasionally. He’d been branching out, some new poison hitting the streets in the bigger cities. They found his body in late July, near a gas station. The same gas station Skye used to fill up on the twenty-fourth according to her credit card. The coroner puts McEwan’s time of death within that time frame.”

  Panic of an entirely new sort swirled in his chest. “You think what happened to Jane is related?”

  “I’m thinking I don’t believe in coincidences.”

  “Here you go.” Blue returned, the same eager expression on her face as she handed over a thick binder. “Anything I can help you with?”

  “Give me a second.” Daria flipped through the pages. “Oppenhymer, Palmer, Preston, Pullman...Slattery, Leo.” She flipped the binder around, tapped the entry. “Right here. Deputy Gerald Gates recorded visiting your property. Even made note of the discussion he had with an elderly gentleman. No result.”

  “I don’t know what to tell you,” Leo said. “Like I said, the only person who’d stopped by was a guy looking for directions. Said he was looking at property in the area to buy.” That bubble of unease continued to build in his chest. Something wasn’t right.

  “Blue, would you have Deputy Gates come in?” Daria asked.

  “Oh, well, I would, but he just left.” Blue pointed behind her. “Said he had a family emergency come up and needed to take the rest of the day off. He asked me to mind the counter.”

  Leo’s ears began to ring. “You said his first name was Gerald?”

  “Yeah.” Daria’s gaze narrowed.

  “
GG. Skye’s nightmare last night. She remembered a name badge on the man’s chest. She couldn’t remember the name, but she did remember the initials. G and G.” Leo swore, and bolted for the door.

  “Wait, Leo! Where are you going?” Daria raced after him, Blue right on her heels.

  “He had me sign in. With my name and address. He would have recognized it, wouldn’t he?” He headed for the front door.

  “How long ago did he leave?” Daria demanded.

  “Maybe ten minutes?” Blue told them.

  Leo was past listening. He needed to get home. He needed to get to Jane. This was his fault. If he hadn’t gone against her wishes, if he hadn’t thought he knew better, then Gerald Gates never would have found out where she was.

  “Hold up, Leo.” Daria grabbed his arm and steered him away from his truck.

  “You can’t stop me from going. I need to get home.”

  “I’m not going to try to stop you. But we need to get there fast. Blue, call the sheriff, tell him we have a possible suspect for the McEwan murder and the assault and kidnapping of his cousin Skye Colton. We need backup out at the Slattery ranch ASAP.”

  “Right.” Blue disappeared back into the station.

  “You.” She pointed at Leo. “In the squad car.” Daria dug keys out of her pocket and ducked inside. “We’ll get there faster with sirens.”

  * * *

  Jane wasn’t sure what she heard first. Ollie’s low growl or the grinding of tires in the gravel beyond the house. Wrist deep in the new soil she’d put over the top of Essie’s resting place, she abandoned the plantings and pushed to her feet. She swiped a dirt-caked hand across her forehead, her fingers catching in the hair that had come loose from her braid. Tires ground in the gravel by the house. She’d been listening to that sound every day for months. The same sound that brought her a sense of comfort and excitement, and the promise of Leo walking through the door.

  Whoever had arrived, it was not Leo.

  “Come on, boy.” She smacked her hand against her thigh to call for Ollie to follow, then headed toward the house. She stepped carefully, quietly, as she drew closer and bent down to grab hold of Ollie’s neck. He growled again, and this time she took his warning seriously.