Home on the Ranch: Wyoming Sheriff

by Rebecca Winters

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Please remember one thing. Assuming Seth is the one responsible for Trent’s death, every day he’s free puts you in greater jeopardy, so be on your guard.”

  “I promise,” Jessica said as she held the door open and watched him leave.

  * * *

  Jessica was between customers on Monday afternoon when her cell phone rang. “Holden?” she said when she saw the caller ID. “Thank goodness it’s you. I’ve been so anxious to talk to you.”

  He heard the panic in her voice. “What’s happened?”

  “Seth phoned the salon last night and left me a message. He wants to take Chase and me to dinner on Tuesday evening. This time he didn’t even ask about a haircut. Because he doesn’t have my cell phone number, he can’t reach me any other way.”

  “Jessica, you and I need to meet this evening.”

  “Does that mean you’ve learned more?”

  “I’ll answer all your questions when we see each other. Do nothing about Seth until we’ve talked. Can you get a sitter for Chase? I want us to be alone to discuss the case.”

  “Yes. I’ll ask my friend Donna if she can watch him. She has a daughter, Lily, who Chase likes to play with. If Donna can’t help, my mother will do it, though I hate to impose on her.”

  “Understood. I’ll come by the house at six and we can eat dinner at my house. I know Chase won’t be with us, but I want to treat you with dinner.”

  Her eyes closed for a second. He wanted to take her to his house. “That sounds ideal.” Her voice trembled. “I’ll be ready.” Jessica wanted to tell him she couldn’t wait, but she held back.

  “Perfect,” he murmured. “See you tonight.”

  After he hung up, she phoned Donna who was happy to have Chase come over. They chatted until Jessica’s next client came in, but she wasn’t free to tell her friend about the case.

  Later in the day, she picked up Chase. He was excited when she told him he was going to have a playdate with Lily that night. While he ate, she showered and put on a green-and-white-print sundress with a jacket.

  “Where are you going?” he asked when they pulled up in front of Donna’s house.

  She told Chase the truth—that she planned to meet with Holden.

  A smile broke out on his cute face beneath the sheriff’s cap. “Tell him I can’t wait to see him again.”

  “I think he knows that already.” She was living for it, too. “See you later. Have fun with Lily.”

  He got out of the car seat in the back and ran up to the front door. Donna and Lily opened it and waved before Jessica drove off.

  Holden’s Subaru was parked in front of her house when she pulled into her garage. Just knowing he was there meant everything to her. She closed up the garage and left the house through the front door.

  He’d gotten out of his car and had opened the passenger door for her. Holden really was the most gorgeous man she’d ever known. She felt his gaze on her with an intensity that sent her pulse fluttering.

  “You look lovely tonight.”

  “Thank you.” It would probably shock him if he knew how strong her feelings for him truly were.

  As she got inside their arms brushed, stirring her senses.

  “How’s Chase?”

  “He’s great and told me he can’t wait to be with you again.”

  “I feel the same way.”

  They drove to his ranch. When he pulled up in front, she took note of the welcoming wraparound porch. He turned off the engine, and she climbed out before he could open her door.

  They weren’t on a real date. He’d brought her here so they could talk about the case. She couldn’t forget for a minute that she was in the company of the sheriff of Sublette County, who just happened to be the most gorgeous man this side of the Continental Divide.

  “If you don’t mind, we’ll eat in the kitchen. I got off work early so I could make us dinner. All I have to do is grill the steaks. Everything else is ready.”

  His home had a very clean, modern feel. No frills. She liked it. “What can I do to help?”

  “Just sit at the table and enjoy some lemonade.”

  Before long, they were eating rolls and a green salad along with the steak and baked potatoes he’d made. “This is absolutely delicious, Holden,” she said.

  “Thanks. It tastes good to me, too.”

  All the while they ate, she sensed he was building up to tell her something important. When she thought she couldn’t stand the suspense any longer, he put down his empty coffee cup and said, “I finally have the proof I’ve been looking for to arrest Seth Lunt.”

  She gasped quietly. “You’re absolutely sure?”

  He nodded. “First, let me show you these blown-up photos from the surveillance tapes.” He reached for them on the counter so she could see.

  Jessica studied them. The long hair was unmistakable. “That’s Seth all right. He had no idea he was being filmed.”

  “Obviously not. But even more important, he left a three-quarter thumbprint on the Duralast ball joint he put on your car. However, before I could determine it was his print, I had to go to Judge Jenkins. He gave me another search warrant to see the sheets of fingerprints collected by the South Mall dealership where he formerly worked.

  “For some miraculous reason, that company required drug tests and fingerprint testing of all their employees. At that point, I called Cyril and asked him to check everything. It was probably too much to hope that Seth’s prints would match the ball joint print. Today, Cyril told me to drop by at noon and he’d have answers for me.”

  Jessica looked at the pictures again, then at him. “Seth couldn’t have had any idea that the investigating officer at the accident scene had taken the Duralast ball joint for evidence.”

  “No, and it was a miracle it was still in the evidence room now. He’d thought he’d gotten away with his crime, not realizing he’d left a fingerprint on it.”

  Elation swept through Jessica.

  “By the way, the cashier’s check had two sets of prints, but neither set matched the ones from the ball joint or Seth’s personnel file because Bryan wasn’t the criminal.

  “When I got to forensics there was a gleam in Cyril’s eyes. He took me into the lab and said, ‘I always knew you were a damn good investigator, but this time you’ve done something truly remarkable. Come over to the counter and let me show you what you’ve turned up.’

  “I got excited as he laid out the two sets of prints for me and said, ‘Here’s a picture of the three-quarter thumbprint. Now, take a look at the print you sent from the South Mall dealership. They’re a match! Both belong to Seth Lunt!’”

  She trembled. “Oh, Holden.”

  “Your nightmare is about to be over.”

  Jessica shook her head. “I just can’t believe it. You’re a genius.”

  “It doesn’t take genius, just perseverance. I asked Cyril if the match with the three-quarter thumbprint would hold up in court because it wasn’t a whole print. He said he’d swear to it for many reasons, and explained why.

  “He considers the point system of similarities, but also looks at the ridge width, shape, edge contour and pore distribution. He handed me the magnifying glass so I could see for myself. They looked the same to me compared to the other set of prints.

  “Cyril said other experts could try, but they would have a hard time disproving this result on the three-quarter print. Jessica, this gave me enough ammunition to take to the judge for an arrest warrant. We’ve got him.”

  She picked up the picture of Seth leaving the dealership. “There he is—going out to the parking lot to do his evil.” Tears stung her eyes, but they didn’t fall as she stared at Holden. “Because of you, he’ll be locked away where he belongs. Thank God for you!” she cried and, in the next moment, buried her face in her
hands.

  Chapter 8

  Holden could see her shoulders shaking and knew what this news meant to her. He came close to losing the battle and just taking her in his arms.

  A few minutes later she stirred. “What’s going to happen now?”

  Holden sucked in his breath. “I’ve already made plans for him,” he said, emotion behind his words.

  Her head reared. She wiped the tears off her white cheeks. “So he hid inside the building until he was sure everyone was gone before he went out to sabotage our car. Seth is evil.”

  “There’s no question the judge will say he was cold and calculating. I had those portions of the tapes enlarged and photos taken. It’s all part of the evidence I gave the judge for the arrest warrant.”

  She moaned. “I just can’t believe what he did. All this time I’ve been cutting his hair while he pretended to be a friend. He killed Trent!”

  Holden’s heart went out to her for the pain she was having to relive. “He’ll be charged with first-degree murder. Though Seth didn’t know Trent would get in an accident and die, the crime he committed was willful, deliberate and premeditated. He’ll go to prison for it.”

  Jessica examined his rugged features. “To think you caught him at last. You’re phenomenal.” Her voice shook. “No wonder you were elected sheriff. I’m in awe of you, Holden, and so grateful you’ve discovered what he did. I can never repay you enough.”

  “You played a part in this, too,” he stated. “If you hadn’t noticed that box of used ball joints, Seth would never have had to pay for his crime.”

  She shook her head. “Don’t give me credit. I would have seen them much sooner if I hadn’t waited two years before cleaning the garage. Even then, I feel that someone was watching over me when I opened that box because it reminded me of the accident.”

  “A higher power maybe?”

  “Yes. You were so wonderful to see me when I went to your office that day. Your taking me seriously helped reassure me so much.”

  He covered her hand with his, unable to help it. “Let’s be thankful we were able to stop him from committing another crime.”

  Her brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

  “I have no doubt in my mind he’s been waiting to have his chance with you for years. If you had eventually accepted a date with him without knowing what we know now, I’m not sure he wouldn’t have kidnapped you.”

  “Kidnapped?”

  “He fits the profile of a real psychopath. That’s why he’s under police surveillance as we speak. Once he’s arrested and taken to jail to be booked, I’ll be able to search his property, particularly his van, to see if my instincts bear out my theory.

  “Think about it. Seth has already made the phone call to get you to go out with him. This man doesn’t leave anything to chance. He’s after you, but I’m going to arrest him before he gets the opportunity to make another move.”

  “W-what are you going to do?” she stammered.

  “Before you pick up Chase, we’re going to drive to the salon. I’d like you to call your mother and alert her we’re on our way there now. Tell her everything that’s happened. She has to be a part of what we do to set things up.

  “Ask her to start phoning clients tonight to cancel all the appointments for tomorrow. When we get to the salon, I want you to call Seth on the salon phone and say that you’ll go out with him tomorrow evening after work at six.”

  She cringed. “What if he changes his mind for some reason and wants to go out another night?”

  “Then you’ll play along. If he doesn’t answer, then leave the message on his voice mail and give him your cell phone number. That way he can reach you no matter where you are. But my impression is that he can’t wait to be with you and will jump at the chance when you tell him yes.”

  Jessica shook her head. “I’ve seen enough news about stalkers to know they’re out there, but you never think it will happen to you.”

  “Seth has been extremely clever to have waited two years. His pretense of being a friend to you and Chase is classic. That’s a long time for him to have planned and prepared for this moment. He’s methodical and made certain to leave enough time since the accident before carrying out his dream of getting you for himself. He may even have seen you with me.”

  “It’s terrifying to think he’s been targeting me all this time.”

  “Thankfully we still have the opportunity to stop him permanently.”

  “I’m nervous.”

  “Anyone would be, but be assured that as of tonight, you, Chase and your mother are under police protection. It’s all been arranged with the chief of police. Deputies have been assigned to keep you safe. They’re outside the salon now.”

  “You’re kidding! And they’ll be watching my house tonight?”

  “Yours, and they’ll also be protecting Wilma’s. You’ll need to call her when we get to the salon and tell her what’s happening. I’ll want her address and phone number. It’s possible Seth might show up at the salon tomorrow with a devious plan once you’ve called him.”

  “But he doesn’t know where Wilma lives.”

  “I think he knows every move you make.”

  A cry came out of her. “If he ever hurt Chase... Oh, Holden, this is all so unreal.”

  “Don’t worry, Seth won’t get near any of you. Tomorrow you’ll drive over to the salon with Chase and park where you always do. A police van will be waiting in back to take you, your son and your mom to the Whitebark Hotel where you’ll be given a room with TV, room service and constant police surveillance. When the arrest is made, you’ll be driven back to the salon to get your car.”

  She took a shuddering breath. “What will I tell Chase?”

  “Leave that to me after we pick him up.”

  She bowed her head. “You’ll be making the arrest at the salon?”

  “That’s right. The open sign will be displayed in the window. I’ll be hiding inside while the undercover officers surround the shop. When he drives up in his white 2017 RAM ProMaster and walks in, he’ll be in for the surprise of his life.

  “To be on the safe side, it wouldn’t be out of character for him to show up earlier than six, so we’ve got two undercover female officers who are going to pose as a client and beautician. They’ll also be on hand to supply more backup.”

  He squeezed her hand a little tighter while she came to grips with what he’d just told her. “Don’t you know that I’d never let anyone harm you?”

  “I do know that,” she said. “His arrest can’t come soon enough for me.”

  “You took the words right out of my mouth. I do this for a living, and believe me, I’m invested in this case. You have no idea how much I’m looking forward to taking this guy down personally. Come on. Let’s get to the salon.”

  They hurried out to his car. He started the engine and they left. En route, Jessica called her mom using the speakerphone so he could hear them. She told her everything, including the specific plans for tomorrow.

  A strange sound came out of her mother. “Seth couldn’t have been nicer when he gave Chase that truck the other day. He always spoke so highly of Trent. Nothing in his demeanor has ever given him away. It’s beyond comprehension.”

  “Tell me about it. He personifies the meaning of sinister.”

  Her mother showed incredible calm once she got over the shock of learning that Seth was a criminal.

  “That sheriff of yours is brilliant, a man in a billion.”

  Jessica flashed him a look that turned his heart over. “Don’t you think I know that?”

  Her mom actually chuckled. “Yes, darling. I saw and heard it the moment you told me what happened after you came back from his office that first day.”

  Suddenly the speakerphone went off. “We’ll be there in a minute, Mom.”

  Holden savored thei
r conversation all the way to the salon. He nodded to the undercover officers stationed on the street in front of Style Clips where other cars were parked.

  Jessica got out of his car and they went inside the shop through the front door. She called to her mother who said she’d be right down, then made the call to Wilma.

  Once that was accomplished he watched and waited while Jessica walked over to the counter and made the phone call using the salon phone to Seth. She put it on speaker so Holden could hear. To his satisfaction, the suspect answered on the third ring.

  “Well, what do you know?” The tone of Seth’s voice grated on Holden.

  “This is the first chance I’ve had to return your call.”

  “You sound in a better mood than when you were at the dealership, Jess.”

  Jess?

  He saw her hand tighten on the receiver. Had he ever called her that before?

  “That’s because I was hoping for a little higher offer on the truck. But in the end, I sold it to Bryan. Now I have more room in my garage.”

  “I would have made an offer, but I knew Bryan really wanted it so I backed off.”

  Holden knew that had to be a lie. Seth didn’t need a used truck. He was living pretty off his father’s money.

  “I’m just glad it’s settled and we’re both happy. I now have a new Toyota.”

  “When I take you home after dinner tomorrow night, I’d like to see it. By the way, how do you feel about Italian?”

  “That sounds good to me.” Her eyes focused on Holden. “Chase loves spaghetti and meatballs. Thank you for the invitation. I’ve got to go.”

  “Hold on. Don’t be in such a hurry to get off.”

  Seth’s temper was already giving him away.

  “Sorry. Chase is waiting. Was there something else you needed to say?”

  “Yeah. I’m glad you called me back. I wasn’t sure you would.”

  “Why not? All you guys at the dealership have been so good to me over the past couple years.” Holden could tell she’d said that through clenched teeth.

  “But I didn’t know if you were willing to go out with another man.”