Fatal Encounter (A Counterstrike Novel Book 1)

by Jannine Gallant

  “You mean one of us hired a professional?” Relief filled him. This man was no backwoods good old boy. He was clearly on the right track without Eli having to drag Jaimee’s name into the conversation.

  “Let’s just say I’m looking at all the possibilities.”

  “Any favorites from my gene pool?”

  “Since I’m asking the questions, maybe you could give me your take on each of them? Your Uncle Stephen seemed to think you had the most to gain.”

  Eli snorted. “Why am I not surprised? Stephen and I have always butted heads. Still, I can’t imagine he had any reason to kill Maureen. I can’t imagine any of them has a reason. You’re certain money was the motive behind the murder?”

  “I’m not sure about anything, which is why I’m sitting here talking to you. I must say, you don’t seem too concerned you’re a person of interest in an ongoing investigation.”

  “Why would I be? I’m not guilty of anything. I want answers even more than you do.”

  “Then any insights you can provide would be helpful. I feel like you’re holding back.”

  Eli wondered what the detective would do if he told him the contract killer could very well be from Montreal, Canada and that he had a connection to someone in law enforcement who was feeding him information. Just one more reason to keep my mouth shut.

  “I wish I had something more to tell you. Unfortunately, I don’t. I don’t have any idea why a member of my family would have wanted Maureen dead. Finding your relatives irritating isn’t usually an excuse for murder.”

  O’Leary eyed him for a long moment before rising to his feet. “It was worth asking.”

  Eli stood, too. “I hope you’ll keep me in the loop if you do learn anything.”

  The man gave a noncommittal nod. “I’ll definitely be in touch, so stay close.”

  Sheriff Frank pushed away from the wall and set his empty coffee mug on a desk. “I’ll walk Mr. Croft out.”

  O’Leary held out his hand to Eli. “Thanks for coming in.”

  “No problem.” He shook the man’s extended palm then followed the sheriff across the room, past the female officer who didn’t even look up when he walked by. The waiting area was empty. When they reached the exterior door, Eli cleared his throat. “O’Leary seems like a take-charge sort.”

  “Throwing his weight around, if you ask me,” Bagley grumbled as he held the door open. “Hopefully things will get back to normal soon.”

  “Does that mean the detective has a favorite among my esteemed relatives?”

  The door thumped shut behind them. “As much as you annoy me, I don’t believe you’re guilty of anything but being smug. For your information, I know a lot more than people give me credit for. What if I told you your Uncle Stephen has gambling debts.”

  “He always enjoyed going to the track. I guess I wouldn’t be terribly shocked.”

  “Then there’s Webb and his penchant for the bottle. When O’Leary talked to his boss about his alibi, he found out your cousin is on borrowed time at the electronics firm where he works. Seems he shows up late and hung over more often than not.”

  “I’m honestly amazed he’s held that job for two years. Must be a record for him.” Eli leaned back on his heels. “Have you got something on Doyle, too?”

  “It’s common knowledge Doyle’s a bit of a womanizer, but his finances appear to be in order. In fact, he seems to be doing quite well, though nothing like your level of success.” The sheriff’s eyes widened. “This is between you and me, of course. Don’t go spreading rumors.”

  “I don’t gossip. I just want the bastard responsible brought to justice, no matter who it is.”

  “Funny, I believe you actually mean that. None of the others seemed to care, one way or the other. I’ll see you around, Eli.”

  “See you.”

  After unlocking his car, Eli climbed in and slammed the door. The only contact he wanted with Sheriff Frank was notification the police had made an arrest. He wondered if O’Leary would allow any of his “suspects” to leave the area after Maureen’s memorial service on Sunday. Not that he was in a rush to go home. He was perfectly happy to stay right where he was and get to know Jaimee a whole lot better.

  A frown pinched his brows as he started the engine. Unfortunately, he wasn’t too sure if his feelings were reciprocated since Jaimee was so damned tight-lipped about her emotions. The only thing he did know for certain was that she was both angry and scared.

  So was he.

  Eli put the car into gear. Deep in thought, he only paused to give a cursory glance before pulling out onto the street.

  Maybe they would have to make a bold move to end the unbearable strain of living under a constant threat. The cops didn’t seem to be close to a solution, but he wasn’t going to let Jaimee put herself at risk. Even if he had to tie her up, he’d keep her safe. Because if anyone was going to confront the killer, this time he intended to be the one in the crosshairs.

  * * * *

  Jaimee hadn’t meant to hike so far. With warm sunlight on her back, a light breeze rustling the leaves overhead, and birds chirping their brains out on an apparent spring high, she’d been loath to return to the house. Drawing a deep breath of fecund air, her side ached with a dull throb. The ibuprofen was wearing off. When a black fly buzzed her head, she stopped abruptly and slapped at it. Beside her, Watson dropped to his butt and scratched behind one ear.

  She was probably at least three miles from Eli’s home. Normally, she’d be able to cover that distance in well under a half-hour at an easy run. Today, she’d set a slow walking pace and had been out in the forest for nearly two hours, following a faint path deep into the woods. With a sigh, she turned to head back the way she’d come, only to pause when the faint sound of voices caught her ear.

  “What the heck?” Jaimee listened intently. Definitely not the killer since he wouldn’t announce his presence.

  Watson stared up at her with his head cocked. When laughter echoed through the forest, he spun around and barked, then took off into the woods. Excited yelps and deeper barks erupted in the distance.

  “Damn it! Come back here!”

  The dog ignored her and raced down the trail. Pressing a hand to her ribs, Jaimee sprinted after him. She’d gone a hundred yards when the trees thinned. Water glimmered up ahead. She slowed to a stop as she stepped out onto a short stretch of rocky beach.

  Watson was already halfway around the small lake, obviously intent on reaching the two dogs on the other side. A chocolate lab and a beagle ran to greet him, tails wagging, while their owners turned to stare in her direction.

  At least the humans seemed as innocuous as the dogs, just a handful of teenage boys with what looked like a twelve-pack of beer sitting on the open tailgate of her neighbor’s silver truck. Alex Jeffries was the only one of the four boys she recognized. When he raised a hand and waved, she waved back and trudged along the shore, following Watson.

  Three of the boys made an attempt to hide their beer cans as she drew closer. The fourth, a blond kid who was probably a linebacker on the high school football team, took a long pull and gave her an arrogant look from where he stood in the water.

  “Hey, Jaimee. Uh, we’re just having a little party. My dad knows I’m out here.” Alex swept longish brown hair off his face in a nervous gesture and didn’t quite meet her gaze. The boy was a horrible liar.

  “Not my business.” She pulled Watson’s leash out of the pocket of her windbreaker and clipped it to his collar while her dog sniffed the beagle’s butt and wriggled in excitement. “I hope you don’t plan to drive anywhere.”

  “We’re going to camp out here tonight. Our gear’s in the back of the truck.” Alex scratched his elbow and frowned. “I haven’t seen you around your house in a while. Did that guy find you?”

  Jaimee straightened slowly. “What guy?”

  “A dark-haired dude, probably in his forties, with a scar on his cheek. He showed up early this morning. My dad had left for
work already, and my mom was upstairs yelling at my sister to get ready for school. I opened the door to let Rufus out, and he walked around the side of the house. When he asked if I knew where you were, I told him he must have missed the driveway to your cabin.”

  “Did he give you his name?”

  Alex shook his head. “Nope. He started to leave and then stopped and asked if I’d picked you up at Sugarland yesterday. I told him I didn’t know what he was talking about.”

  “Was he driving a gray pickup?”

  “I didn’t see any car.” The boy shrugged. “I guess he must have walked up the road when he didn’t find you at home.”

  “I’ve been staying with a friend.”

  “Do you know him? The guy kind of gave me the creeps.”

  “I know who he is.” She backed up a couple of steps. “If he comes around again, don’t tell him you saw me out here, okay?”

  Alex grinned. “If you don’t tell my dad about the beer, my lips are zipped.”

  “It’s a deal . . . as long as you agree not to drink and drive.”

  “We won’t.” As she turned to leave, he called out, “Did you get a dog? Rufus seems to like him.”

  The chocolate lab was licking Watson’s ear and nearly wagging his tail off.

  “He’s one of the dogs I walk regularly. I’d better get going. It’s a long hike out of here.”

  “I could drive you.” Alex left his buddies and stopped beside her. His cheeks held a hint of color. “You keep holding your side. Did you hurt yourself?”

  “Uh, I tripped over a root and landed wrong.” She gave him a quick smile, and the color in his cheeks deepened. “I’m fine, and you aren’t driving anywhere. Remember?”

  “I’ve only had half a beer. We just drove up here after school let out.”

  “You’re seventeen. You shouldn’t be drinking at all.”

  “I’ll be eighteen in a month.” His tone was slightly defensive. “It’s not like I’m a kid, and everyone drinks.”

  Jaimee decided not to argue with him. Since he seemed completely sober, and her ribs were killing her, she nodded. “Actually, I’d appreciate a lift out to the main road.”

  “Sure.” He hustled over to the truck, and one of his buddies lifted the twelve pack off the tailgate before he slammed it shut. “I’ll be back in a few. Don’t drink all the beer.”

  “You leave with the hottie, you take your chances.” The linebacker didn’t bother to lower his voice.

  Jaimee grinned. “Come on, Watson.” She pulled the dog away from his new best friends, opened the passenger door, and lifted him up onto the floorboard. With a nod to the other boys, she climbed in and slammed the door.

  Alex got in and started the engine before gunning it. They hit the first bump and caught air. She gritted her teeth in pain.

  “Uh, maybe we could go a little slower.”

  “Sorry about that.” He let off on the accelerator. “So, is that dude who was looking for you an old boyfriend or something?”

  “No.” With a firm grip on the handle above the door, Jaimee turned to face him as he maneuvered down the rutted, muddy track. “The guy is trouble. I don’t expect he’ll bother you again, but stay clear if you see him around town.”

  He glanced her way. “Are you in some kind of danger? Is that why you haven’t been home?”

  “I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me. I’m more concerned about what you and your friends have planned for tonight.”

  He shrugged. “Nothing exciting, that’s for sure. We won’t get into any trouble. Well, not as long as you don’t tell my dad about the beer.” He stopped at the main road and let the truck idle. “Which way are you headed?”

  “This is fine. It’s only a short walk to where I’m staying.” She opened the door and stepped to the ground then waited while Watson jumped out. “I appreciate the ride. I’ll see you around, Alex.”

  “Okay. See you, Jaimee.”

  After he turned the pickup and roared off up the dirt road, fishtailing as he went, Jaimee turned right in the direction of Eli’s home.

  Why the hell did that asshole ask the kid if he picked me up at Sugarland? She vaguely remembered Alex driving by when she was hiding near the campground entrance, waiting for Eli. But there was no way the killer could have known the pickup belonged to her neighbor.

  A shiver slid down her back as she clicked her tongue to get the dog moving. “Let’s go, Watson. I have a bad feeling about this.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Where have you been?” Eli clenched his fists at his sides and focused on keeping his voice even.

  Jaimee shut the door and turned to face him. For someone who’d been outside all afternoon, her face didn’t have much color.

  “I told you I was going to walk the dog.”

  When Watson raced across the stone entry to give him a goofy, canine smile, some of Eli’s tension eased. He bent to rub the silly mutt’s ears. “You didn’t mention that you’d be gone for hours. I came home and didn’t know what to think. Jesus, Jaimee, there’s a killer tracking you. I was getting ready to go search the woods for your body.”

  “I’m sorry you were worried.” She pulled off her windbreaker and hung it in the closet before facing him head-on. “I guess I’m not used to checking in with someone. You could have called me.”

  “I did.” He gritted his teeth. “Six times.”

  She pulled her cell from her pocket, and her lips formed a round O. “I guess I didn’t have service out in that area of the forest.

  “I suppose that’s better than you couldn’t be bothered to answer.” When her gray eyes darkened to the color of storm clouds, he held up his hand. “Sorry. That bit of sarcasm was uncalled for.”

  “I really am sorry you were worried. Honestly, I didn’t expect to be gone so long. I walked too far, and then my ribs started to ache. I should take something for the pain.”

  His righteous indignation faded. “Go sit down. I’ll get the pills Patch gave you.”

  “I don’t want them. Just some ibuprofen.” She gave him a quick smile. “Please.”

  While he poured a glass of water and shook tablets into his palm, she headed for the couch. A few moments later, he handed them to her, and she let out a long sigh.

  “I’ll admit I’m an idiot for pushing myself so hard, but I don’t like caving in to weakness.”

  “You were shot. That hardly counts as a weakness.”

  “The result is still the same.” She swallowed the pills. “Anyway, I would have been out in the woods even longer if I hadn’t run into Alex and his buddies. I got a ride back to the main road and only had to walk a quarter mile from there.”

  His chest tightened. “Who’s Alex?”

  “Remember the kid driving his truck way too fast yesterday when you thought the hitman was following us? Alex Jeffries, my neighbor. He and his friends had a twelve-pack of beer and were settling in to party up at some lake well off the beaten path.”

  “I know the lake you’re talking about. I can’t believe you hiked that far with a cracked rib.”

  “Turns out, I’m glad I did. Alex and I had an interesting conversation, and then he gave me a ride. Honestly, I’m a little freaked out by what he had to say.”

  Eli dropped down onto the couch next to her. “Let’s hear it.” While she recapped the teen’s tale of the killer questioning him at his home, Eli’s temper soared.

  “Johnson or Legrand or whoever he is asked Alex if he picked me up at Sugarland. Somehow, he knew the boy drove by while I was waiting for you.”

  “Maybe he saw your neighbor’s pickup when he was staking out your house.”

  “That’s possible, but when Alex drove past Sugarland, the killer’s view would have been partially blocked by one of the tour buses. There’s no way that freak got a good look at it.”

  Eli stared blindly through the window as he ticked over the possibilities. “A place like Sugarland must have security cameras.”

 
“That’s exactly what I was thinking. If he studied video feed, he could have gotten a better look at the truck from a different angle and recognized it from his reconnaissance missions to my neighborhood. He might even have glimpsed the driver.”

  “If he saw you getting into my car on the video, he wouldn’t have questioned the kid. He would have come after me.”

  Some of the worry lines creasing her forehead smoothed out. “You’re right. I hadn’t thought of that.”

  “The line of sight must have been wrong, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t see me when I drove away.”

  “Yours can’t be the only blue BMW in the area. Without a plate number, he wouldn’t have any way of knowing the car belonged to you.”

  “It’s registered in Massachusetts not New Hampshire, so even if he checked the state database for blue Beemers, he wouldn’t find it.”

  “That’s a relief. If it wasn’t for this damn injury, I wouldn’t have needed to call you for a ride. I would simply have run back through the woods.”

  “I’m more concerned the bastard was able to access the video feed. Who the hell is this guy?”

  Jaimee leaned against the cushions and closed her eyes. “If Sugarland has a security guard working at night, I doubt getting past some wannabe cop would be that difficult. Anyone with basic skills could have gotten in, made a copy of the feed, and left the property in under ten minutes.”

  “I guess so.” He decided to change the subject and picked up her hand. “You don’t look so great. How’re you feeling?”

  “I overdid it. The ibuprofen should kick in soon.” She smiled at him. “Thanks for worrying about me.”

  “Of course, I worry.” He leaned in and kissed her. You don’t take care of yourself the way you should.”

  “Probably not.” She touched his cheek before pulling her hand away. “While I’d like to just chill with you for the next few hours and not think about any of this crap, business first. What did you learn from your interview with O’Leary?”

  “Nothing much from him, but Sheriff Frank shot his mouth off before realizing he’d said a little too much. Apparently, a few of my relatives have financial issues, so that’s the angle they’re following. Also, O’Leary suspects one of us hired a killer. Other than that, I don’t think either of them knows squat.