Harlequin Intrigue March 2021--Box Set 1 of 2

by Cindi Myers

  He got Rhea settled in the cruiser. “I’ll be back in a second.”

  She nodded, and he joined his friend as Diego rewarded his dogs and then loaded them into their boxes.

  With a quick glance in Rhea’s direction, Diego said in a low whisper, “Do you know what you’re doing?”

  Jackson didn’t dare look toward Rhea, afraid he’d reveal too much. He also wasn’t sure what to tell his friend. “I know we’re trying to investigate her sister’s disappearance.”

  “But that’s not all, Jax. It’s obvious you have feelings for her,” Diego said and finished securing the latches on the dog boxes. He leaned on the tailgate. “Is that going to compromise your investigation?”

  “No. I won’t let whatever is happening between us change what I have to do.”

  Diego arched a brow. “Which is?”

  “Find out what really happened to Selene Davis.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  After grabbing a quick bite at an outdoor café, they decided it was worth a go at the building location. They also wanted to look around Matt’s home, but Matt refused to allow any inspection without a warrant.

  Matt’s client was not as reluctant. In fact, he welcomed it.

  “I want this all behind me, and would feel better knowing there’s nothing going on at my home,” he said on the phone.

  With that approval, Jackson, Rhea and Diego went to the ridge and allowed the cadaver dogs to roam the property. They were just about finished when Matt pulled up in his SUV and jerked to an angry stop in front of the home.

  He jumped from the SUV and came at them, jabbing his finger in their direction. “You have no right. No right,” he shouted.

  Jackson tucked Rhea behind him protectively and braced for Matt’s attack, but at his glare, Matt stopped dead in his tracks. But apparently Rhea wasn’t about to hide behind him.

  With the spunk he’d come to love, she shifted from behind him and said, “We have every right. We have the owner’s permission, because he has nothing to hide.”

  “I have nothing to hide,” Matt said and jabbed his chest angrily.

  “Seems to me that if you had nothing to hide you’d let us search your yard,” Jackson said and gestured to the dogs who had returned to Diego’s side.

  “You’re six months too late. I’m done with this. I’m done with being harassed. You can bet I’m going to file a formal complaint.”

  Without waiting for a response, Matt whirled and stomped back to his SUV. Gravel spewed from beneath the tires as he whipped around and raced away.

  “Someone’s got anger issues,” Diego said as he watched the SUV bounce down the road.

  “It hurts to think of Selene suffering from that anger,” Rhea said, the sheen of tears brightening her gaze. “What do we do if he files a complaint?”

  While Jackson liked that it was a “we,” he didn’t want Rhea to worry. “Let him file a complaint. It won’t go far. We’ll put together all our evidence for the Avalon PD and see if they can’t get a warrant to search the property with the dogs. Especially the bonfire area.”

  Rhea peered at the animals. “They can identify remains if there’s been a fire?”

  Diego nodded. “Their sense of smell is strong enough to detect human remains in ashes. Especially if they have a scent to pick up on. Do you have anything with Selene’s smell on it?”

  With a quick nod, she said, “I do, but back in Denver. Do you want me to get it?”

  It was nearly a two-hour trip to Denver, but totally worth the time if Diego’s dogs could rely on the scent. “Are you sure about the ashes?” he asked his friend.

  Diego nodded. “It’s possible, Jax. I can come back once you get the warrant.”

  With a nod, he looked at Rhea. “I guess we’re going to Denver.”

  * * *

  IT WAS DARK by the time they started the trip back to Regina from Denver. Rhea had picked a number of items that Selene had left behind in her apartment, and then they stopped for dinner since it was getting late.

  It has been an emotional day, Rhea thought as she sat in silence beside Jackson. She’d been filled with dread as they’d hiked through the woods. Not finding Selene’s body had been a mixed blessing.

  When they were almost on the outskirts of Regina, Rhea said, “Thank you for arranging for Diego to help us today.”

  Jackson shot her a quick look, then immediately glanced in the rearview mirror. “He’s a stand-up guy. I knew he’d come if I asked him.”

  “He served with you?” she asked and, as Jackson again checked the rearview mirror, Rhea likewise looked over her shoulder and saw something way behind them. The lights on the vehicle were off, making it difficult to see it on the dark roadway.

  “What is that?” she asked, eyes narrowed as she examined Jackson’s face to gauge just how worried he was.

  “Nothing good,” he said and swept his arm out to press her back against the seat. “Hold on.”

  He increased his speed, trying to put distance between them and the vehicle that was racing toward them. In front of them, a slow-moving lumber truck blocked the road, and they were on a section of highway that made it difficult to pass.

  Jackson muttered a curse beneath his breath and slowed. He shot another look in the rearview mirror, and she did the same. The unknown vehicle was advancing on them. Too quickly.

  Inching into the lane for opposing traffic, Jackson whipped back behind the truck at the sight of lights coming toward them.

  He splayed his hand across her upper chest and said, “Brace yourself.”

  The first hit against the back of the car sent her reeling forward and back, while Jackson battled to maintain control, working the steering wheel to stay on the road. Hitting the brakes to stay away from the back of the lumber truck and the logs that would break through the windshield and kill them.

  A second jolt had the cruiser swerving, fighting against the momentum sending them toward the truck and a fatal collision.

  Jackson swung the wheel into opposing traffic, searching for an escape, but the threat of lights coming toward them drove him back behind the truck again.

  He shifted to the open shoulder and hit the gas. Gravel pinged against the underside of the cruiser. Another ram almost sent them off the shoulder and into the woods beside the road.

  As soon as Jackson cleared the truck, he swung in front of it, earning a loud blare of the truck’s horn as he cut if off. He used the truck as a shield for their rear, but the vehicle that had been chasing them switched tactics.

  While riding on the shoulder, the vehicle smashed into the side of their car, sending them into the opposing traffic. It swung into the lane, blocking their way back onto the right side of the road, leaving Jackson little choice but to race onto the far shoulder. It was much narrower and, as he did so, the cruiser sideswiped a number of trees until he jerked to a rough stop.

  Their attacker sped away, any view of them blocked by the slow-moving lumber truck.

  “You okay?”

  Am I? she wondered, finally taking a deep breath. Her heart pounded so powerfully in her chest it echoed in her ears.

  “I’m okay,” she said, forcing calm into her voice even though she was anything but.

  The lumber truck had stopped, and the driver exited the cab and came racing over. Jackson lowered the windows on the cruiser to speak to him.

  “You folks okay?” he asked, leaning in through Rhea’s window.

  “We’re okay. Did you get a plate number on the vehicle that hit us?” Jackson asked.

  The trucker shook his head. “No, sorry. I was too busy trying to control the truck. All I can tell you is that it was a Jeep Wrangler. Red, I think.”

  Jackson and Rhea shared a look. “How about the driver?” Rhea asked.

  The trucker tossed his hands up in apology. “No, sorry. Didn�
�t see him.”

  “Mind if I get your contact info before you go?” Jackson asked and, without hesitation, the trucker pulled out his wallet and handed Jackson his license. Jackson snapped a photo and handed it back to the man, who ambled to his truck and took off.

  Jackson grabbed his radio to call in the incident, but they were in a dead zone. Same for their cell phones.

  Grumbling, Jackson said, “We’ll have to drive closer to town to get a signal. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  Rhea blew out a rough laugh. “As okay as you can be when someone tries to kill you.”

  Jackson brushed the back of his hand across her cheek. “Davis is obviously angry that you’re not letting this alone.”

  “I won’t let it alone until we know what happened to my sister,” Rhea said, no doubt in her voice despite the fear that had filled her barely moments earlier.

  Jackson smiled. “That’s my girl.”

  She wanted to say she wasn’t his girl or anyone else’s, but in truth, it felt good. She felt good. Protected despite all that had happened in the last few days. Jackson would keep her safe, but she was no damsel in distress. She’d keep him safe, as well.

  The cruiser, damaged and worse for wear, could be driven, and Jackson pulled back onto the road.

  In less than fifteen minutes they had arrived at the Regina Police Station where Jackson had to file various reports regarding the attack. While he did so, Rhea sat beside his desk, sipping on a coffee someone had been nice enough to bring over. Despite the heat of the liquid, a chill had settled into her center as she considered that someone had tried to kill them.

  Matt? she wondered again, despite the call to the Avalon police who had confirmed that Matt’s Jeep was sitting in his driveway with a cold engine and nary a scratch on the vehicle.

  A gentle hand on her knee pulled her from her thoughts. “I’ll only be a little longer,” Jackson said.

  She nodded. “It’s not a problem. Take whatever time you need.” She didn’t think she could sleep anyway once they got home. Cradling the coffee mug in her hands, she let it warm her cold fingers and still the slight tremble.

  Less than five minutes later, Jackson shuffled all the papers he’d been working on into a neat stack, shot to his feet and held his hand out to her.

  Without hesitation, she slipped her hand into his and rose unsteadily from the chair. He grabbed hold of the coffee mug from her other hand and set it on his desktop.

  A gentle tug on her hand urged her close, and he wrapped an arm around her. Hips bumping as they walked, they left the station and walked to a different cruiser. The first one was now evidence.

  Once she was seated, she wrapped her arms around herself, shock still filling her center with cold. “We’re going to find out who did this,” Jackson said and rubbed a hand across her shoulders.

  “I know,” she said, confident that Jackson would keep his promise.

  Jackson started the cruiser, turning up the heat and, little by little, the cold left her thanks to a combination of the warmth blasting from the vents and Jackson’s presence.

  Another police cruiser sat in the driveway of his home.

  Jackson waved at the young officer behind the wheel and the officer waved back, confirming he had their attention.

  “He’ll be there all night,” Jackson advised, and it offered some comfort.

  “Thank you for all that you’re doing. I know it wasn’t easy for you to buck your chief.”

  Jackson cupped her cheek. “It wasn’t easy, but everything that’s happened just confirms there’s more to Selene’s disappearance.”

  Rhea wouldn’t read more into his use of disappearance instead of murder or suicide. There still wasn’t enough to substantiate her belief that Selene was alive. But there was certainly enough to prove that whatever both police departments had believed might be wrong.

  “Do you think Matt had anything to do with what happened tonight?” she asked, certain that her sister’s husband had to have been the one who’d driven them off the road.

  Jackson blew out a breath and swiped his thumb across her cheek. “He’s my prime suspect, but if he did it, it was with another SUV. If he does own another one, we’ll find it.”

  With another gentle caress, he said, “Let’s get some rest.”

  She nodded and met Jackson at the front bumper. She tucked herself against him, wanting to not only draw comfort from his presence, but to offer it, as well.

  When they entered, she had no doubt where she’d be sleeping that night.

  Beside Jackson.

  Upstairs they separated only long enough to change, but she went straight to his room and slipped into bed beside him. Turning, she laid a hand on his chest. His skin was hot beneath her palm, and she cuddled close, laying her head against him. But despite that, she felt restless with too many thoughts racing through her brain.

  He eased his arm around her and splayed a hand across her back to hold her close. He soothed it up and down and said, “You need to shut it down and get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.”

  She raised her head to peer at him. At the strong, straight line of his jaw, stubbled with his evening beard. “I can’t stop thinking about all that’s happened. All we still have to do.”

  He shifted until they were almost eye-to-eye. Until his nose bumped hers and his breath warmed her lips. His body was hard beside hers. Strong. The body of a warrior with the scars to prove it, she realized, noticing the shine of old scars along his shoulder and upper arm.

  She raised her hand and ran the tips of her fingers along it, her gaze on those injuries before skipping up to meet his.

  “Shrapnel from an IED. Kandahar province.”

  He said it matter-of-factly, but there was no missing the tension that crept into his body.

  “Did you lose anyone?” she said and stroked her hand across the scars, wanting to soothe him the way he had her so often in the last few days.

  “We avoided the worst of the blast and didn’t lose anyone. Didn’t lose anyone on my tours of duty and brought everyone home,” he said, pride evident in his tone.

  She had no doubt his leadership was part of the reason. That kind of leadership would have been coveted anywhere, which made her wonder why he had chosen Regina.

  “Was Regina home for you?” she asked, wanting to know more about the man who was unexpectedly becoming a part of her life. A man who was tempting her at a time when she needed to be focused on only one thing: finding her sister.

  He nodded. “I grew up in Regina, and my parents lived here until they moved to Florida. It’s a safe place that I want to keep safe so I can raise my kids here.”

  Kids. She wondered if there had ever been anyone he’d wanted to have his children and the question escaped her before common sense could silence her.

  “No one special,” he said. “Before now,” he quickly added and locked his steely gray gaze on her. He cradled her cheek and traced the outline of her lips with his thumb.

  Her heart skipped a beat, and her breath trapped in her chest. The rough pad of his finger was a powerful caress and jolted her core alive.

  “Jax,” she eked out past the knot in her throat.

  “Relax, Rhea. It’s too soon, and we have too much to do,” he said and tempered his touch, releasing her gaze and shifting his hand to the back of her skull to draw her close. He massaged her head tenderly, easing past the charged moment. Bringing some peace as her mind traveled from thoughts of the past and Selene to those of a happier future. One possibly spent exploring whatever was going on with Jackson. Maybe kids. Maybe a little shop along the quaint street in Regina. A Matt-free Selene finally doing what she loved.

  Rhea’s light snore and the softness of her body along his confirmed she had fallen asleep. It brought a smile and relief to Jackson.

  It had been a dif
ficult day and night with all that had happened. Tomorrow would be no less stressful.

  Even though they had picked up clothing from Rhea’s apartment that hopefully had enough of Selene’s scent to examine the bonfire ashes, unless Matt consented they’d have to wait for a search warrant. Regardless of that, he’d done enough research to recreate the bonfire Matt had kept going all night.

  Hopefully that recreation would provide the information they could use to either charge Matt or get the search warrant they needed.

  And if not...

  Jackson refused to consider that possibility. One way or another, he’d find out what had happened to Selene that fateful fall night.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Jackson examined the circle of pavers that his friend Declan had recreated from the crime scene photos. A large pile of wood sat a few feet away, ready for a fire.

  “What do you think?” Declan said, arms crossed as he also scoped out his work and shot a quick look at Rhea.

  “It looks like Matt’s firepit,” Rhea said and strolled around the circle, likewise scrutinizing Declan’s work. “Thank you so much.”

  “Anything for my friend Jax,” Declan said and clapped Jackson on the back, making him wince from the force of the blow.

  “Easy, dude,” Jackson warned and eyeballed Rhea, hoping she hadn’t caught his pain, but she had.

  “Sorry, dude. I forgot,” Declan said. He gestured toward the back of his restaurant. “I’m going to go get the hog, okay?”

  Jackson forced a smile. “That would be great, and thanks again for helping us with this. Let me know what I owe you—”

  “No way, dude. I owe you big time,” Declan said, raising his hands to stop Jackson from insisting on his request.

  “Well, thanks,” he said and watched as his friend returned to his building to fetch the pig carcass they were going to cremate.

  “You okay?” she asked. Laying a hand on his shoulder, she gently skimmed her hand from his upper arm to the middle of his back, as if trying to soothe his pain.

  He nodded, his lips tight against both the slight sting that lingered from his friend’s exuberance and admitting weakness to Rhea. “I’m okay. I still have pain sometimes from the shrapnel damage.”