“Thank you for the gifts. I’m super stoked that you thought of me. And the lock. Maybe I’ll try out my new tools. Jeff did mention that I needed a new lock and he’d be happy to install one.”
Her words socked him so hard in the gut he had to deny himself the need to bend her over. He didn’t want the deputy, or anyone else, touching her locks. “I tell you what, he did a lot upstairs, so let me handle the downstairs.” And everything— especially everyone—in it.
“You must have nothing better to do than to help me out.”
“All I planned to do was drink a beer and watch a game. No biggie.” He’d rather be here anyway.
“I’ll only let you install the lock if you let me fix you dinner. It’s the least I can do.”
There was no denying those pretty eyes. “Okay. It’s a deal. Looks like Susie-Q has no plans of moving from her spot anytime soon anyway.”
CHAPTER 10
“SHE SUFFERED A deep laceration to her forehead. Two broken ribs. Frostbite on her nose and fingers, but mostly on her feet. Her vaginal wall was torn too. The examiner swabbed her, however, the DNA results usually take eight weeks, but he said he’d push them up a few weeks if possible. Formal cause of death, severe asthma exacerbation induced by cold air.” Rudy closed the preliminary medical exam file and looked at Zander who was sitting on the corner of the desk in the Sheriff’s office.
Frustrated, he got up and paced the floor several times. “The examiner isn’t listing this as a homicide? She was beaten and possibly raped…,” he practically growled the words.
“Obviously she wouldn’t have the broken ribs, the cuts, and be running through the snow unless she was running from an assailant, or assailants, but the examiner can’t rule this a homicide without the evidence. Cade, the girl had a significant amount of heroin in her bloodstream.”
Zander blew out a breath through his tight lips. “So she shot up and decided to take a run outside? The victim deserves for everyone to know the truth. To find her killer. You can’t get an FBI team out here unless this is ruled a homicide that involves rape.”
“Hell, Cade, I know that. We have four deputies handling the entire county and we’re already struggling to keep up. You don’t think I want a federal team out here to find the bastard, or bastards, who did this? I wish this was one of those cases that just crawled into our lap with all the evidence intact, but it’s not, just like the others who are dying from the drug epidemic. These kids get high and do crazy things and it’s possible she did freak out, maybe over nothing, and found herself in the middle of a freaking snowstorm.”
“This is a murder. We know it. Not an overdose.”
“The examiner can’t just call it a homicide for the sake of doing it. You know it doesn’t work that way. Let’s face it, that’s why I asked for your help. You have more training in this than anyone I know. Help me prove she was murdered. Please tell me you’ve had a chance to look over the case files I gave you and you saw something I didn’t?”
Zander swallowed against the constriction in his throat as his blood boiled. “All the deaths were ruled accidental overdose, but there are obvious similarities. All four girls are around the same age, eighteen to twenty-two. They attend college, but not the same one, and have decent grades. None of them have a history of drug use yet have been known to drink socially. They are similar in physical characteristics. Brunettes, dark eyes, pretty, but unless any evidence is missing—”
“I investigated those cases myself,” he interrupted.
“Then no clues were left behind except a used needle.”
“And yet that’s where the clues end.”
Zander dropped down in the wooden chair and leaned his elbows on his knees. “Take a look at the evidence from a different angle. Can you honestly believe these girls, A/B students with no history of drug use, all overdosed and all were found outside, in the middle of nowhere?”
“I see your point.” Rudy scraped a palm down his jaw. “But without anything more to link the cases…”
The door came open and one of the deputies stuck her head in. “Sheriff, that boy, you know the one you were looking for, is here.”
“Dalton Sines?” Rudy looked at Zander. “He’s the kid our victim, Sabrina, was seeing.”
“Big favor, Rudy. Can I stay and ask some questions if I think of anything?”
There was a moment’s hesitation before Rudy finally nodded. “Just keep in mind this is a kid and not a terrorist. It’s important to use gentle tactics to get him to tell us what he knows.”
“Are you saying I can’t be gentle enough?” Zander chuckled.
“I’m saying that he’s eighteen but barely.”
The tall kid in a letterman had his hands tucked into his front pockets when he stepped in. Zander introduced himself after Rudy. “I’m helping the Sheriff on the case involving a friend of yours, Sabrina Dexter.”
“Yeah.” He withdrew his hands but instantly stuffed them into the pockets of his jacket.
“Have a seat.” Zander pointed to the chair.
The kid looked from Rudy to Zander, back and forth several times before he finally sat down in the chair Zander had previously occupied.
“I’m glad you finally decided to come and see me.” Rudy sat on the corner of the desk while Zander stood by the window, keeping the space so he didn’t overwhelm the boy.
“I was away at football camp. I didn’t get back until last night,” Dalton said.
Zander watched the kid, noticing how sweat beaded on his forehead and he shifted his tennis shoes nervously. One could tell a lot by a person’s behavior. “You heard about—”
“Yes, I heard, but why do you want to see me?”
Rudy grinned, and Zander knew this was a tactic to make the boy comfortable. “You were dating her, right?”
He gave a short shrug of his shoulder. “Nah, not really. We went out a few times, but that’s about it. Like I said, I wasn’t in town when this happened.”
“Can that be verified?”
“Yeah.”
“So, you’re saying what you and Sabrina had was just a…”
“Sex, Sheriff. Twice. That’s it. I don’t have time for the dating scene.” He resituated himself in the chair as a smirk crossed his expression. “I’m not sayin’ I’m glad that she’s dead, just that I didn’t know her. You know how it is for us.”
“For us? Who’s us?” Zander asked.
“Guys, man. You two are old, boss, but you remember what it’s like to be young and all these pretty girls are wanting a piece of the quarterback.” He laughed.
Slowly, Rudy rounded his desk, crossing his arms over his beefy chest. “No, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but maybe you can tell me if Sabrina was seeing someone else? Did she have “sex” with a lot of boys? By chance did she drop a name while you two were…hanging?”
“Nah. She wasn’t like that, you know…I was the first to hit that and she thought it meant something. But no tears. That bitch was over me.” Dalton must have caught Zander’s seething stare because he shifted and turned two shades whiter. “Sorry. I mean Sabrina.”
Zander would give the kid the defense of being young and stupid, but until his alibi checked out he certainly wasn’t off the list of suspects although Zander doubted the boy could tie his shoes appropriately let alone pull off a murder without pissing his name in the snow. “What do you mean that she was ‘over’ you?”
“I ran into her one time and she told me she was dating again, this time some old man who was mature.”
Zander looked over at Rudy who exchanged a look of interest. “You say an older man, like Cade and me?” Rudy hid his grin.
The kid shrugged and rolled his eyes. “I have no effing clue. I didn’t see him, but I don’t think she was into geriatric. I don’t know nothing. She never said his name and I never asked.”
“Was she into drugs?” Zander planted his hands on the edge of the desk.
“Not when we were together. A c
ouple of times she had a spliff but that’s all, man. She wasn’t into that serious shit. She said she had to keep her focus on getting good grades and not getting into trouble again.”
“Again?” Rudy and Zander asked at the same time.
Dalton shifted impatiently. “I don’t know much of the details, but she was pulled over when she was drunk a year back and she thought she was done for, but the cop let her roll because he was off duty. It scared her, made her think about her life. She said he was cool.”
“I’m going to assume you have no clue where she was pulled over?”
“Here. She was partying with some people she met at college or something.” He waved a hand.
~~~**~~~
The cool night breeze whipped through the parking lot and the man lifted the lapel of his jacket to keep some of the air off. He saw headlights coming from down the street and he scooted deeper into the shadows so there was no chance of being seen, but still had a clear view of the house he’d been watching. Right on time, the car stopped and the young girl got out. Her hair was contained by a purple knitted hat, but he knew she had long, soft waves that he ached to run his fingers through. She was on the phone and the wind caught her laughter which brought it to his ears like a soft melody. He heard her say ‘Goodbye’ and she hung up. The darkened street was empty and one of the security lights near her house was broken. He could easily steal from the shadows and take her before anyone would be the wiser. Although he was thirsty for another kill, he knew the importance of waiting and learning his targets before he did something impulsive that could be the end of his game.
The pretty brunette hurried up the sidewalk and a clanging sound from down the street made her stop. She turned, staring out into the night and her gaze seemed to pause on him. He held his breath. He was safe where he stood and was certain she had no clue that he watched her…and yet he wondered if she could feel his presence? Sense his hunger? She was a smart girl. His mouth salivated.
A cat darted up to her and brushed her ankles. She bent to pick the fur ball up and a jealousy unlike anything the man had ever felt before rushed through him. Sweat beaded his brow. His gut clenched with a need much stronger than any addiction. He wanted her and soon he’d have her. He had to have her.
He always got what he wanted…
Just like the dead girl on the mountain. His dick hardened. He had liked her, even enjoyed spending time with her, and hadn’t meant for things to go so wrong so quickly. In the end, the outcome was as it was meant to be. He couldn’t allow any of his victims to live once they realized the torment inside his mind—realized he had demons that needed fed with sweet, innocent blood.
His cravings were getting stronger. His need was growing out of control.
Once the girl disappeared inside of the house, he pulled back against the brick building and drew a deep breath into his tight lungs. In due time…
CHAPTER 11
WYNN WOKE UP feeling refreshed. Two nights ago, she and Zander had sat down for frozen cheese pizza. Unfortunately, the frozen lasagna she’d had in the oven had burnt in the antique stove. Apparently, it was as old as the mountains in Wyoming. Zander didn’t seem to mind as they munched and talked about nothing too important.
Although they’d enjoyed their conversation and things had been completely innocent, one thing had led to another and she’d realized how attracted she was to him which made her pull away, ending the evening with a simple goodnight.
Getting up and getting dressed as planned, Zander met her out front to give her a lift into town. He had work to do and she asked him to drop her off for her first day working on the Graham’s nursery. Because she had some time, she walked to the cafe and bought herself the largest coffee and doughnut they had and wolfed them down, before heading to the small white house on the quiet street. Wynn liked Lanie from the minute they met. The petite blonde looked like Reese Witherspoon and she had a giant personality. She was also big with the baby, so much that she wobbled when she walked.
Lanie invited Wynn to sit down over sweet tea and homemade cookies while they discussed plans for the nursery, but conversation ended up on the old house of Wynn’s.
“A bed and breakfast? That sounds exciting,” Lanie said, biting into a crisp cookie.
“I have to do something if I plan to stay in Crooked Creek. I’m excited thinking of decorating each room, but I first need to work up some numbers. Of course, first things first. I need to get the nursery finished before that baby makes its arrival.”
“I’m just glad my husband had the sense to hire someone, although I did push him that direction.” She winked. “It wasn’t like he was going to get it done before the baby made her debut appearance.” She patted her stomach lovingly.
“I imagine being Sheriff keeps him busy.”
Lanie’s sigh spoke volumes. “I guess I knew what I was up against when I married him, but I told myself it’d get better. I guess I lied to myself. He works more hours now than ever. I’m lucky to see him an hour a day, especially lately. And when I do he’s distant. He carries his work on his wide shoulders. You’re probably seeing how lawmen are dedicated to their jobs since you and Zander have been spending some time together. He’s another workaholic.”
Wynn sipped her tea and hoped her cheeks didn’t flush like she feared. “He’s my neighbor and has been kind. Nothing more than that though.”
“Ah, one of those friendships. Well, have you heard about his ex? They were hot and heavy, but not so much that things lasted. Although he’s better off, I guess he fits the old saying, “Once bitten, twice shy’.”
“From what I know, they grew apart.”
“Or rather they never were attached. He’s a catch, but unfortunately, he’s about as particular as they come. He’s waiting for that special one.” She looked at Wynn through thick lashes.
Wynn automatically leaned in, ears open wide. She’d wondered about Zander’s past affairs but didn’t dare ask him too many questions. They’d danced around too deep of a conversation during dinner.
There was a long, pointed hesitation, but she shrugged. “I never liked Sam from the beginning, but who was I to say anything. Don’t get me wrong. She was nice enough, but she’s one of those people who are sickly sweet, want to help with everything, be a part of everything, and then she brings out the claws and suddenly you’re her enemy. I don’t know what they call folks like that. I always told Rudy she called herself country, but she was city all down to the marrow of her bones. Maybe if she’d been up front from the beginning Zander wouldn’t have fallen for her.”
“What broke them apart?”
“I’m not sure what exactly the breaking point was. I think there were a compilation of things that divided them. This was before Zander moved here. I know it took some adjustment time for him, but once he got over the initial shock of the split, I think he realized she did him, and herself, a favor.”
“Sounds familiar.”
“You’ve gone through a break up also?”
“Rory and I had been together for a few years. We never married, thank goodness, but we were living together. He turned out to be the opposite of who I thought he was.”
“I’m sorry. I’m lucky I found Rudy. He changed my life.”
“He seems like a very nice man.”
“Oh, honey. He is. When he met me I was a hot mess, and through his patience I started loving myself again. You see, I had gotten into some trouble years back and then I met Rudy during that time. He never holds my past against me though. It’s a balance I guess. He forgives me for my flaws and I forgive him for being gone a lot.”
“When are you due?”
“In a few weeks.”
“Then we should get started on this nursery. We want it to be finished and waiting for the baby.”
Still thinking over her new friend’s words when Wynn was dropped off at home, she didn’t realize anything was amiss until she had already stepped up onto the porch and had her hand was on the doorknob.
It was unlocked. Thinking back, she remembered locking it, hadn’t she? Doubt slithered through her.
Twisting the knob while balancing her bag with paint samples and a note pad, she stuck her head in and listened. She could hear the muffled sounds of someone upstairs. As quiet as she could, she laid her bag down by the door and slowly moved toward the kitchen. Reaching for the only weapon she had available which happened to be a twelve-inch knife, she made her way to the end of the stairs and paused. Swish-swishing sounds reached her ears. A burglar was painting? Her heart pounded against her chest and she concentrated on keeping her breaths even. Who would be in her house?
Taking the first step, then the second, she was consciously aware of which steps squeaked. By the time she made it to the upstairs landing, her palms were sweaty making it difficult to grip the knife handle. The noises were coming from one of the guest rooms and she could see the shadow of a figure reflecting off the wall. A part of her—the fearful part—warned her that she should turn, head back down the stairs and call for help. Yet, the braver side, the one that usually won the war of doubt, pushed her forward. If someone had the audacity to break into her house, then they better be ready to face the end of her knife.
Four steps took her to the open door and slowly, she leaned in…
A long breath emptied from her lungs.
Zander had his arm lifted high with the paint roller in his hand, but the most amazing thing, outside of finding him in her house painting, was that he had lost his shirt. As he moved, the muscles in his back shifted under olive-toned skin like coils of rugged masculinity. Her mouth salivated and her lips tingled at the thought of painting his body, using her tongue as the brush. Her inner thighs wept with need, wishing she was on the end of his strong hand that moved along the wall, spreading the paint.
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