by Rebecca Deel
Charles looked at his watch. “Time for Bible study, Zach. Guess we’ll finish the game later.” He nodded at Serena and Ethan. “Don’t let anybody mess with our board, now.” They walked out of the fellowship hall, still razzing each other about playing styles.
Ethan laughed. “I take it they’ve been friends a long time.”
“Since first grade. They’re both in their 70s now.”
He sipped his coffee and glanced around the empty fellowship hall before settling his gaze on her. “Any problems today?”
She shook her head. “I took Ruth to Mr. Miller’s funeral and came here to prepare dinner. I locked myself in and kept my cell phone handy.”
“Zach is right, you know.” He smiled. “You did hit a home run tonight. I’ve never eaten lasagna that good.”
She seemed to glow from his compliment.
Ethan’s cell phone rang. He dragged his gaze from hers and grabbed his phone. “Blackhawk.”
“Chief, it’s Rod. You need to hightail it to your aunt’s house.”
A vice closed tight around his chest. Breath stilled in his lungs. “Why?” he asked, his voice sharp. From a distant place, he registered Serena’s small hand gripping his.
“Suzie just dispatched a unit to Ruth’s house. Looks like a break-in.” Rod hesitated, then said, “Ethan, she had a request for an ambulance.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Ethan’s heart raced so fast he thought it would fly out of his chest. His grip on Serena’s hand tightened as they rushed across Ruth’s lawn and up her porch stairs. The small house blazed with light and teemed with various police and medical personnel.
“I’m fine, I tell you. I don’t want to go to any confounded hospital.” The sound of Ruth’s querulous voice carried across the night air.
A shudder of relief rolled through Ethan. He squeezed Serena’s hand, then released her and stepped over the threshold into Ruth’s living room.
His aunt sat on her couch with crossed arms and a stubborn expression on her face. When she saw him, she smiled. “Ethan, tell these boys I don’t need to go to the hospital.”
The ambulance personnel moved out of his way. He knelt beside Ruth and took her hand in his. He scrutinized her, noting the goose egg on her forehead and red marks on her arms. “What happened?” His relaxed movements belied the inferno roaring in his gut.
“Ruth took out one of our perps all by herself.” Rod strolled into the room. He grinned at Ethan, laughter dancing in his eyes.
Ethan turned back to his aunt, a smile tugging at his lips. “I’m almost afraid to ask but which one did you bag?”
A broad smile appeared on Ruth’s face. “The big one.”
Serena gasped. “My no-neck guy?”
“He fits that description. You’ll have to see for yourself if it’s the same man.”
Ethan stared at his 72-year-old aunt. At 5’6” and 130 pounds soaking wet, how had she defeated a man Coronado’s size? “How did you bring down a man the size of a moose?”
“You told me to use whatever weapon is handy to defend myself since I won’t carry a gun.” She looked pleased with herself. “I need a new pair of crutches.”
Ethan sat back and laughed. When he regained control, he kissed his aunt on the cheek. “You’re priceless.”
He re-examined the goose egg on her forehead. “How did you get that?”
Ruth’s smile faded. “After the moose went down, the other man grabbed my arms and threw me to the floor. He took my flash drives and laptop, and ran.” Fury boiled in her eyes. “That idiot has my latest manuscript.”
“I’ll get it back.” His fingers curled into his palms. “Can you identify the man who hurt you?”
“No. He wore a ski mask.”
Ethan stood and motioned to the EMTs. “Take her to the hospital. I want her checked out from head to toe.”
“Ethan Blackhawk, I don’t need a hospital.” Anger stained her pale cheeks.
“You’ll go in the ambulance, or I’ll take you there myself.” Ethan folded his arms across his chest. “You can choose the transportation, but you are going.” She hated hospitals, but he wouldn’t take chances with her health. Ruth might be strong-willed, but this was one battle she would lose.
She must have read the determination on his face because she gave an exasperated sigh and said, “Oh, very well, if you insist. But I’ll get even with you for this high-handed behavior.”
Ethan grinned at the writing vocabulary peppering her speech. “I’m counting on it.” Ruth must not hurt too much or she would use one-word answers. He waited by Serena’s side while the EMTs helped his aunt onto the stretcher. “Will you stay with her? I’ll go to the hospital when I finish here.”
“Sure.” She licked her lips. “Do you want me to identify moose man before I leave?”
Her tension told him she volunteered to identify the man out of good conscience. Knowing his aunt, he wasn’t sure what kind of injuries the man sustained. He didn’t want Serena getting sick again. “I’ll show you a picture of him later.” With a restroom close by and no crime scene technicians to dodge.
He followed the stretcher to the ambulance, boosted Serena into the back with his aunt, and shut the door. As the vehicle pulled away, he signaled to Officer Preston.
“Yes, sir?”
“Follow them to the hospital. I don’t want either of those two women out of your sight.”
#
Rod waited for Ethan in the living room. “I figured you might want to interrogate Coronado before we book him.” He chuckled. “Ruth whacked him pretty good. He needs stitches.”
“Good. Where is he?”
“Her office.”
Rod trailed him down the hall. Coronado sat handcuffed in a straight-backed chair, silent. Blood oozed from a cut on his head, a split lip and a broken nose. When Ethan walked into the room, Coronado turned his head and stared at the wall.
Ethan stood just inside the door and willed the perp to look up. Coronado’s gaze remained fixed. He grabbed a heavy ceramic statue, one Ruth had mentioned tossing, and let it drop. The statue hit the hardwood floor, shattering in an explosion of sound.
The big man jerked his head around to stare at the rubble and let his gaze creep up Ethan’s long body until it finally settled on his face. He sneered. “Dropped something.”
“You’re lucky I dropped it on the floor instead of your skull.” Tension permeated the room. He stalked toward Coronado. “I despise grown men who beat on helpless old women.”
Coronado snorted, tearing his gaze away from Ethan. “I didn’t touch that old lady and she ain’t helpless. I might sue. Look what she did to me.”
Ethan banked his fury. He wanted more than the satisfaction of decking the arrogant bruiser. He wanted a name. Confirmation of his suspicions.
“You think a jury will convict an old woman for assaulting you?” He forced a laugh. “Get real, Tony. They’ll give her an award for ridding society of scum like you.” He halted a few feet from Coronado. “You’re going to prison for a long time.”
“You got nothing on me.”
Ethan stared at him, allowing a humorless smile to settle on his lips. “I’ve got evidence linking you to a string of robberies and a homicide.”
Tony’s throat muscles worked.
Satisfaction bloomed in Ethan’s gut. “I’ll make sure the D.A. asks for the death penalty. He’ll be happy to oblige when he learns you pulled the trigger.”
Coronado’s gaze darted around the room as if seeking an avenue of escape. “I didn’t kill nobody.”
“You’re going down for it anyway. Our evidence links you to the crimes. Eyewitnesses can identify you.” Ethan tilted his head. “I’d say we have an open and shut case. Hope you don’t mind needles, Tony. Tennessee uses lethal injections.” He ambled toward the door.
“Wait. I didn’t kill the old man.”
Ethan stopped, obliterated all expression from his face, and swung back to confront Coronado. “What d
id you say?”
“I didn’t kill the old man.”
“Then who did?”
Sweat rolled down the big man’s face. “Don’t make me tell, man. He’ll kill me.”
“He will if he gets to you.” Ethan fisted his hands. “If you don’t tell me who killed Miller, I’ll help the med techs put the needle in your arm.” He waited in silence for Tony to weigh his chances.
“Can’t we work out a deal or something?”
“I don’t make deals.” Ethan swiveled. He stepped into the hallway.
“I don’t know his real name, but he calls himself The Fox.”
Ethan unclenched his fists, and smiled.
#
“How is she?”
Serena laughed. “She’s in top form, Ethan, so be careful. The doctor says she only has bumps and bruises, but he is keeping her overnight for observation.”
Ethan’s mouth twitched. “Did anyone give her more crutches?”
“I heard that,” Ruth snapped from her hospital bed. “You better be out of reach when I get them.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled at his furious aunt. “I’m escorting Serena to the lobby. Don’t browbeat the nurses while I’m gone.”
He opened the hall door. “Thank you for staying with Aunt Ruth.” As soon as the door closed behind him, he reached for Serena’s hand.
“Let me know if I can help tomorrow. I have to bake blueberry tarts for Saturday’s dinner, but I can do that at her house if your men are finished in the kitchen.”
“The perps stayed in the living room and Ruth’s office.” Ethan rubbed his eyes with his free hand. With the adrenaline surge gone, his body ached from fatigue. “I thought you weren’t cooking for the Saturday shindig.”
“The pastry chef quit today. Ethan, let me stay with Ruth tonight. You must be exhausted.”
He couldn’t remember the last time someone besides his aunt spared a thought for his well being. Serena’s concern sent a flood of warmth through him. “Don’t worry about me, Serena. I’ll sleep between nurse visits.” He nodded at the cruiser waiting in the lot. “Officer Preston will drive you to the church to your car. Then he’ll follow you home.”
She started to protest, but Ethan placed a finger on her lips. “Please, do this for my peace of mind.”
“I’ll agree to it since you’ll worry if I don’t.” Serena scowled. “But I don’t like it.”
He hugged her. “I can live with that.”
#
Ethan opened the door to Ruth’s room and padded to the chair beside her bed.
“No need to sneak around, Ethan. I’m wide awake.” Ruth’s eyes glittered. “It’s too noisy to sleep around here.”
He chuckled. “The noise will settle down in a few minutes. Most people aren’t night owls like you.” He reached for her hand and cradled it between his. “You took a few years off my life, Aunt Ruth. Why were you home? I thought you’d be at church tonight.”
“After attending George’s funeral today, I was tired. I decided to stay home for the first time in years.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’ll think twice before I lay out of church again, tired or not.”
Guilt weighed on his heart. He’d resigned his commission as a Ranger to keep a closer watch on his beloved aunt. He should have been there for her. “I gave you my word years ago I would protect you, Aunt Ruth. I’m sorry I let you down.”
“No more apologies, Ethan.” Her gaze locked with his. “You aren’t Superman. You can’t be everywhere and you can’t protect me from life.” A mischievous grin appeared. “And you must admit you trained me well for just such an emergency. I’d say I completed the mission with style.”
#
Serena shoved a pillow behind her back and leaned against her headboard. Though well after midnight, she suspected Madison’s lights still burned. Attending Miller’s funeral and visiting the cemetery where Luke and her baby lay buried meant a late night knitting session. She picked up her phone and dialed.
“Hey, Maddie. How are you?”
“Serena, I’m glad you called.” Madison’s voice sounded thick.
“Tough day, huh?” Serena hurt for her sister. Madison had been through such hardship in the last year, losing her husband and baby, and almost her own life in an automobile accident. In the middle of a six-month recovery, Maddie learned the accident was no accident after all, but caused by someone with a vendetta against Luke.
“Definitely one of the harder ones,” she said. “Meg tells me you’re dating a cop. Is it the one I saw you with at the cemetery, Rod Kelter?”
Serena laughed. “No, Rod is the detective working the burglaries and Miller’s murder.”
“So who is this guy? Meg wouldn’t give me his name. Tell me about him.”
“Not much to tell yet, Maddie. You met him the other day at lunch.”
“You’re dating the new police chief?”
Serena heard the surprise in her sister’s voice. She utilized Ethan’s response to the same question. “We’re working on it.”
“What do Dad and Josh think of him?”
“Dad didn’t say what he thought about him. Josh hasn’t met him yet.” And with Ethan torn in a dozen different directions with this investigation, he might not get the chance for a while. “Maddie, when does your knitting circle meet?”
“Tomorrow morning. Why?”
Serena grinned. At least her request would give Madison something new to think about. “I need you to drop some information on the town grapevine for me.”
Madison laughed. “You want me to pass the word along that Ethan’s taken? Grace isn’t one of my knitters, you know. Should I find a carrier pigeon to deliver a message to her?”
“Very funny, Maddie.” Sisters could be a pain sometimes. “I want word to get around that Pam left a package with me until she comes back.”
“Did she leave you something?”
“Sort of.”
“Serena, what’s going on? Does this have anything to do with Pam’s disappearance?”
“Maybe.”
“Please, try not to overwhelm me with information,” Madison said, her tone sardonic. She paused. “Floating this rumor isn’t going to put you in danger is it?”
“I’ll be careful for the next couple of days, Maddie. Don’t worry.”
#
Ethan sat motionless in the chair and watched his aunt sleep. Though Ruth gave him a hard time about staying in the hospital overnight, he’d been relieved the doctor insisted. Ruth thought herself invincible, but the break-in and rough treatment were a shock.
A noise across the room disturbed the silence. Rod peered around the cracked door and motioned to him. Ethan slipped into the hallway and closed the door behind him.
“How is she?” Rod asked.
“She’ll be fine. Anything new to report?”
“The doctor stitched up Coronado. Gage and Hernandez are taking him to the station as we speak.” Rod opened his notebook and scanned the information listed. “I called Lt. Parrish. He said he’d get back to you in a few hours with the latest information on The Fox.”
“Did we get any prints from Aunt Ruth’s house?”
“We did better than that.” Rod grinned. “The Fox scraped against the door frame in his hurry to escape with her computer.”
Ethan smiled. “He left us a DNA sample.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Serena clicked the off button on her cell phone. Looked like Ella had fingered her problem with Home Runs. The Johnsons and the Paynes left messages overnight on her cell canceling their contract for her chef services. Serena got out of her car, tears filling her eyes.
The Stephens’ party might turn out to be a good thing after all. The fee ought to keep her finances in the black for another couple of weeks. Maybe by then she’d figure out how to keep her customers from acting like she poured motor oil in her biscuits. She hoped the ad in the Gazette coaxed more business her way.
Serena picked up her grocery bags and walked
to Ruth’s front door. Ruth answered her knock. “Come in, Serena.”
“Look at those crutches.” Serena grinned, examining the glistening equipment. “Are those extra heavy duty?”
Ruth laughed and moved back so Serena could take her bags into the kitchen. “I don’t know yet. Ethan won’t get close enough for me to try them out on him.”
Ethan strolled into the living room. “You didn’t raise a fool.” Eyes twinkling, he kept a safe distance away from Ruth.
“I have a long memory, dear nephew.”
Serena uttered a shaky laugh. Ruth and Ethan were good company for her today. She needed the distraction. She unloaded her bags, then shifted perishables to the refrigerator for later.
When she turned around, her nose brushed against Ethan’s badge. “Sorry,” she said without raising her head. “I didn’t realize you were that close.”
Ethan put one hand under her chin and tilted her head. He didn’t say anything for a moment, just studied her face. “What’s up?” he asked.
Serena moved away from his touch. She held onto her control by a fingernail. If he gave her too much sympathy, the dam would break. “Nothing you need to be concerned about, Ethan. You have your own alligators to juggle.”
“I can handle a few more. Now what’s with the tears?”
“Two more customers bailed.” Serena filled the teakettle with water and turned on the stove burner.
“Did they say why?” Ruth asked.
“They called my cell overnight so they could leave a message instead of talking to me. No explanations, just no thanks.” Serena sniffed, and dropped a teabag in each cup. “I think Ella Burch nailed my problem. People think being my client sets them up for burglary.”
“But Coronado went after Pam’s clients,” Ruth said.
Ethan sighed. “Most of them are also Serena’s customers.”
“How is she supposed to learn if fear is killing her business? What if someone’s encouraging the fear, someone like Grace for instance? Serena’s customers won’t talk to her.”
