Twisted Rock

by Jill Sanders

  “You’ll have plenty more this week. As long as you promise me you’ll take it easy.” She pulled off one shoe, then reached for the other.

  “I’ll try, but as soon as I feel better…” His eyes darkened. “Rose, someone has to figure out who’s doing this.”

  “Carson seemed to think it was Nat Willis.” She set his shoes at the end of the bed. “The man worked under RJ before he quit on me.”

  “Was he around the night Isaac…?” he asked.

  “I’m not sure.” She sat next to him on the edge of the bed and tried to remember. “I know the workers had finished the pre-wall work and left early before Sean and Hunter arrived. I can’t imagine them sticking around and waiting until after we’d eaten dinner.” She shrugged.

  “Still, if he had issues, he could have come back that night and caught Isaac off guard.” He reached up and rubbed his head, then winced.

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “Yeah, it hurts when I raise my hands over my shoulder.” He rolled his shoulder and looked down at himself. “Dressing and undressing is going to be fun. Not to mention showering.”

  “There’s always the bathtub.” She smiled when he gave her a face that clearly said, ‘not a chance.’ “Come on, then.” She stood and reached for his shirt.

  He chuckled. “I think I can—” He shut his mouth when she gave him a look. Then he smiled. “Nurse Rose. I’m in your very capable and sexy hands.”

  She nodded. “Lift your arms as high as you can.”

  She slowly tugged the T-shirt the nurse had helped him into earlier that day over his head.

  When the shirt was off, she gasped at the massive bruise over his ribs and his side.

  The bruising covered his left shoulder and back, as well, and there was a nasty red scratch just above his hip where the toe of the boot must have connected with his skin.

  Her fingers played gently over the area.

  His breath hitched, and she stopped.

  “It only hurts when I breathe,” he joked.

  “I’ll start a bath.” She got up, but his hand on hers stopped her.

  “Rose, I can take care of myself.”

  “I know, but this is a lot more fun.” She touched his face. “Besides, I’d like to repay you as much as I can for helping me put in the flooring.”

  He nodded. “Bath it is then.” He dropped her hand and she moved out of the room.

  She poured some Epsom salts into the water to help with the swelling and left him to soak in the tub as she went downstairs to let the dogs out. The floodlights the workers had installed lit up the entire side yard and she watched both dogs rush out, do their business, and then come back in.

  After they came back inside, she poured herself another glass of wine and took it upstairs. She settled in the window seat and pulled out her tablet to read a little. The dogs settled in the dog bed, snuggling close together as if they had been best friends their entire lives.

  She had read for almost a full half hour when something caught her attention from the corner of her eye. Looking into the darkness, she thought she had probably just seen a snowflake fall and was about to turn away when the beam of a flashlight shone in the backyard.

  Her entire body tensed as the light made its way closer to the house. Then she realized that whoever it was must be heading towards the hole in the basement wall.

  Not sure what to do, she jumped up and rushed towards Sawyer’s room. Without thinking, she barged in, calling his name.

  He was standing in the bathroom door, a towel wrapped low around his waist.

  “Someone’s out there.” She tried not to shout. “They’re heading towards the basement.” She turned as both dogs rushed into the room behind her.

  “Stay here.” He reached into his bag and pulled out a gun which looked personal since it was different than his service weapon she’d seen many times before in the holster on his hip.

  She frowned, remembering that she’d emptied that bag and hadn’t felt a gun in it earlier.

  “Wait,” she cried out, gripping his arm. “It’s snowing. You can’t go outside like that.” She motioned to the towel. “Besides, you look like you’re about to pass out.” His coloring was off, and she could tell that he was drained.

  He groaned and walked over to pick up his phone.

  “Carson, someone’s sneaking around here. Normally I’d take care...” He was silent. “Yeah, on the west side of the basement near…” He looked at her. “You know.”

  He hung up and turned to her. “He’s five minutes away.”

  Fourteen

  Twisted…

  Sawyer pulled on his jeans quickly while Rose stood in the doorway watching him. Then he tossed the wet towel over the back of the chair and reached for his shirt, only to hiss with pain as his kidney reminded him that he was supposed to be taking it easy.

  “Let me.” She placed the shirt over his head carefully.

  “Shoes.” He nodded to them on the floor. He didn’t want Rose to know that he was already winded just from putting on his jeans and would probably pass out if he had to bend over again.

  “You’re not going out there.” She held his shoes away from him.

  “Yes, I am. Carson’s on his way.” He reached for the shoes, only to have her jerk them high above her head. She knew that lifting his arms was pretty much impossible at this time.

  “Rose,” he warned.

  “We’ll wait for Carson. You are barely standing up as it is.” She tilted her head as if challenging him.

  Just then, they heard a shot from far away. It was more instinct than anything, but he grabbed her and threw her on the bed, then quickly covered her body with his.

  Their breathing was the only sound as they waited for what seemed like minutes even though only seconds had ticked by.

  “That was outside,” she whispered, looking up at him. She’d dropped his shoes and both of the dogs were now cowering on the pillows of the bed.

  “Damn it.” He picked up his phone and punched Carson’s number.

  “Was that you?” Sawyer asked when Carson answered.

  “What? I’m about a minute out.”

  “Shots fired.” He relayed the details as he slipped on his shoes without tying them.

  When he went to move, Rose was standing in the doorway, arms on either side of the doorjamb, glaring at him.

  “Rose won’t let me go check it out,” he finally conceded.

  “Alone?” Carson said in his ear. “Sit this one out until I get there. I’m pulling in the driveway now.”

  Since he was finding it hard to focus on her face, he tossed the phone down and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Happy?” he asked.

  She smiled and nodded. “Yes.” She turned to go, but he stopped her.

  “You are not going outside,” he growled. A wave of energy spiked at the thought of her outside and in danger.

  She glanced back at him. “No, I’m turning on the front floodlights so that Carson can see clearly.”

  “I’ll go down with you.” He stood again and followed her downstairs. They turned on the lights as they went until almost every bulb in the house was lit up.

  The knock on the door made Rose jump. One hand covered her heart and the other her mouth.

  “It’s Carson,” his partner called from the other side of the door. “I’m freezing my butt off out here,” he added.

  Rose rushed to open it. “Did you find anything?” she asked.

  “Haven’t fully looked yet.” His partner eyed him. “I knew you’d want to go out with me. Do you think you’re up for it?”

  Sawyer nodded. “I’m game.” He started, but again Rose stopped him.

  “You are not leaving me alone in the house by myself. Haven’t you seen any horror movies?” She grabbed her jacket and slipped on a pair of mud boots. “Stay.” She snapped her fingers and both dogs sat on their butts.

  Sawyer already had his jacket on and an extra flashlight Carson had handed him
.

  “Let’s go.” He waited as Rose locked the front door.

  “In the movies, they wait until you’re outside, then sneak inside.” She shrugged and tucked the key in her pocket.

  Sawyer wanted to laugh, but he had to admit, playing it safe was smart at this point.

  They walked around the massive manor, shining their lights in every dark corner as the interior lights and floodlights lit up the night. When they reached the place on the west side where Isaac’s body had been found, she stopped.

  “If you want, you can stay here,” Carson said to them both.

  “No.” She held up her chin and marched quickly around the spot.

  Their flashlights shone around and when they spotted fresh footprints in the snow, Carson pulled out his weapon.

  He reached for his, but his partner shook his head. “You’re not on duty. Besides, all anyone would have to do is blow on you to push you over and take that weapon.”

  He wanted to argue, but Carson was right. He was having a hard time just keeping up with the man at this point.

  They followed the footprints away from the house towards a group of trees near one of the entrances to the beach area. When Sawyer’s flashlight beam hit a pair of boots in the grass, everyone froze.

  “Take her inside,” Carson said, but it was too late. Rose gasped at the site of the body.

  He pulled her into his arms, sheltering her eyes from the worst of it.

  “Who…” She tucked her face into his shoulder. “Who is it?”

  Carson walked over and reached down.

  “I’m not sure. We’ll have to wait until the coroner tells us.” Carson shined his light where the man’s face used to be.

  Sawyer turned away and started walking back to the house. “I’ll take her up.”

  “Watch out for anything,” Carson called after him. “I’m calling this in.”

  The entire walk back to the front door, his eyes scanned the darkness. The only set of footprints were that of what he assumed was the victim. Could it be suicide? Why would someone kill themselves on Rose’s land?

  When they reached the front patio, the snow was falling faster and Rose’s hands shook as she tried to unlock the door. He reached over and took the keys from her, then opened it himself.

  The dogs greeted them as if they’d been gone for days instead of fifteen minutes. Rose picked up Tsuna and held her to her chest as she went to sit in front of the fireplace.

  He knew it was going to be a long night, so he started a fire in the fireplace. Quickly, the room was heated, and he went back into the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee.

  This time, when the doorbell chimed, Rose was tucked under a blanket on the sofa with both dogs snuggling against her, a hot cup of coffee in her hands.

  “I’ll get it,” he said, standing up.

  “I’m supposed to be watching you, not the other way around.” She started to get up, but he stopped her.

  “I can open a door.” He touched her shoulder. “Stay.” He smiled down at her.

  She nodded, and he walked over. The chief was standing on the other side with Carson and Brown.

  “Come on in.”

  “The coroner just arrived. We’ve got the scene marked off and they’re out there taking pictures and looking for any sign of foul play.”

  “Do we have an ID yet?” Sawyer asked.

  “The wallet.” Carson moved closer to the fireplace to hold out his hands towards the warmth. His partner had been outside in the falling snow for more than an hour already. “Belonged to Nat Willis.”

  “The construction worker?” Rose asked. “The guy who might have been the one who attacked Sawyer? Who would kill him?”

  Deter broke in. “Rose, do you think you can get us some coffee?”

  “Oh, sure.” She jumped up and made her way back to the kitchen.

  Deter turned to him. “Carson says you didn’t see another set of footprints, is that correct?”

  “Yes, but it had just started snowing harder. Another set, maybe say, coming from another direction, could have been covered by the time we made it out there. We could barely make out the first set.”

  Deter nodded. “How long after you heard the shot did you discover the body?”

  “Ten minutes, tops,” he answered.

  “I hate to ask it, but, are you taking your pain pills? They could have distorted time.”

  “No, I’d just gotten out of the…” He stopped himself from saying bath. “Out of the shower. I was about to take them then head to bed. Besides, I called Carson right after we heard the shots.” He turned to his partner, who nodded in agreement.

  Deter sighed, then turned back to him. “How are you feeling?” he asked as Rose carried a tray of mugs and a pot of coffee into the room.

  “I’ll manage,” he answered truthfully. He was in pain, but nothing he hadn’t experienced before.

  “Good.” Deter took a cup and waited while Rose poured the hot coffee into it. “We’ll try to finish up quickly, so you can get some rest.”

  “Sugar? Cream?” Rose held up a small jar.

  There was a quick knock on the door. The dogs barked, and Rose rushed to gather them.

  Sawyer wasn’t surprised to see Detective Anderson walk in.

  “I heard you had some excitement tonight,” he said, walking in.

  “I’ll get another cup.” Rose rushed from the room. Sawyer could tell she was uncomfortable around the detective and knew that most people were. The man’s job was to question people, not be their friends.

  Sawyer filled the detective in. When he was done going over the details, he sat in the chair by the fireplace. His head felt heavy and his eyes were burning from lack of sleep.

  “Sawyer needs his rest.” Rose stood up, gaining everyone’s attention. “If you’re done with him, I’ll help him upstairs to his room. He needs to take his pills.” She walked over to him, her eyebrows up as she waited for him to argue with her. Instead, he surprised her and everyone else in the room by standing up.

  “She’s right, I’m not one hundred percent at the moment. If you have any questions, you know where I’ll be for the next few days.”

  “He’ll be here for the next week,” Rose corrected. “Doctor’s orders.”

  He wanted to roll his eyes, but he was dizzy from the excursion and was pretty sure that if he tried it, he’d end up on the floor.

  “We’ll get out of your way,” Deter said quickly. “However, we will keep a car stationed at the end of the drive to watch the place and be close if you need them.” The men set their mugs on the tray and started towards the front door. Rose followed them while he stood at the mantel, waiting for her to help him up the stairs again. He doubted he could even walk across the room without blacking out.

  When he heard the door shut and the lock slide into place, he bit the inside of his lip to try to keep himself conscious. His stubborn pride caused him to make his way slowly towards the base of the stairs. “I would help you clean up, but…”

  “I’ll do it after I put you back to bed.” She took his arm. He felt like an invalid, but he let her lead him back to his room. Once again, she tugged off his shoes, putting them back in place. He pulled off his jeans, too tired to care if she saw him in his boxers and then sat on the bed and waited as she took the wet towel he’d set on the back of the chair back into the bathroom. When she came out, she glanced at him.

  “I need help with the shirt,” he said.

  She slowly pulled the shirt over his head. “Where did you put your gun?” she asked, glancing around.

  He pulled it out from behind him. “Can you put this in the top drawer?” He asked and nodded to the nightstand.

  “Yes,” she moved to touch it, then pulled back.

  “The safety is on.” He added.

  “Good.” She sighed and set the heavy weapon in the top drawer. “I feel better knowing you’re here.”

  She lifted his legs up to the bed, and he crawled under the she
ets, watching her once again disappear into the bathroom. She came back holding a glass full of water and a handful of the pills he’d been prescribed.

  Without complaint, he swallowed them, and she set the glass down on a coaster on the nightstand.

  “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to keep the doors open,” she said, and he thought he saw her shiver.

  He nodded, already feeling his head grow heavy. “Night.”

  She reached down and turned off the light and left the room.

  He didn’t hear her go back downstairs and clean up. Hell, a semi truck could have run through his room and he wouldn’t have stirred again.

  When he did open his eyes, it was too bright sunlight coming through his window.

  He moved and winced. He must have slept in the same position all night. His left arm was asleep and when he sat up, he was pretty sure there was drool on her fancy pillowcase.

  He set his feet on the floor and cringed at the coldness of the hardwood flooring as he made his way towards the bathroom.

  He’d had Rose pack a few button-up shirts since he couldn’t pull T-shirts over his head himself. Pulling on a fresh pair of jeans and a flannel shirt, he carefully tugged on his wool socks and made his way down the front stairs.

  Halfway down, he smelled something amazing and his stomach growled loudly. When he stepped into the kitchen, both dogs jumped up from the dog bed and greeted him.

  “Morning,” Rose said from in front of the oven.

  “Whatever that is, it smells wonderful.” He looked over her shoulder.

  “Breakfast quiche.” She smiled over at him. “You’re looking better this morning.”

  He’d noticed the same in the mirror, but when he’d pulled on his clothes, he knew that looks could be deceiving.

  “I feel a little better too.” He leaned against the counter since the walk down the stairs had caused a little shortness of breath. “Can I help you with anything?”

  “No.” Her eyes ran over him and he could tell she was seeing his labored breathing. “Sit, I’ve got this. The quiche is almost done.” She walked over and set a cup of hot coffee at the table near the back windows. “I thought we’d eat in here this morning, so we can watch the snow fall.”