Assignment: Marriage

by Jackie Merritt

Tuck heaved a long-suffering sigh. He didn’t want to frighten her, but naturally she’d be curious about his time-consuming route.

  “All right, I’ll tell you what’s going on. I’ve seen the same car twice, once last night before reaching Tonopah and today it was parked at the truck stop, getting gas.”

  Nicole gaped at him. “Are you saying that someone is following us?”

  “The possibility is extremely remote. I just don’t want to take any chances. We’re going to cut north on 278.”

  Nicole looked at the map and located 278. “That road connects with Interstate 80. What are you going to do after that, go east or west?”

  “If everything looks okay, I’ll probably go east and pick up 225 north at Elko, which will take us through the Duck Valley Indian Reservation into Idaho.”

  Studying the north-south dimension data on the Nevada and Idaho maps, she sighed. “When we reach the reservation, we’ll only be halfway to Coeur d’Alene.”

  “About that, yes.”

  “And we still have hundreds of miles to travel in Nevada.”

  “Yes. But barring further mechanical problems, we’ll still reach Coeur d’Alene sometime tonight.”

  “The middle of the night,” Nicole said gloomily.

  Tuck didn’t answer because he was again feeling sympathy for Nicole’s plight. There were alternatives to making this long drive, and he should have thought of them when discussing the trip with Captain Crawford. For one thing, they could have chartered a private plane and already be in Coeur d’Alene. Why hadn’t Joe thought of that? Why hadn’t he?

  Then again, Joe Crawford didn’t miss much. He probably had considered every possibility and decided driving was their best course. At least Nicole was out of Vegas, which was undoubtedly Joe’s primary concern.

  Nicole tried to resign herself to the torturous journey. What else could she do, get out and walk? Sighing, she opened the sack and pulled out two cans of soda. “Would you like one?”

  Blinking in surprise at her even tone of voice, Tuck nodded. “Yes, thanks.”

  They stopped for dinner and gas in a little town in Idaho. Tuck was certain now that if the blonde in the white sports car had been tailing them, he had lost her. Unless she knew his destination, that is. There was no way she could have followed his circuitous route without being seen, so if she showed up again, something was damned wrong.

  After ordering his meal, Tuck went to the restaurant’s pay phone and dialed Captain Crawford’s direct line.

  “Joe? It’s me, Tuck.”

  “Everything going okay?”

  “Our schedule was thrown off by a minor glitch with the car, but we’re finally in Idaho. Having dinner in a small town—Riddle. It’s about twenty miles across the state line. I’m figuring about eight hours of steady driving to reach Coeur d’Alene. Might be closer to nine with stops.”

  “That’s going to put you in town in the middle of the night.”

  “My passenger’s words exactly,” Tuck said dryly.

  “How is she holding up?”

  “Let’s put it this way. You owe me big-time for this ‘cushy’ job, and I don’t plan to let you forget it.”

  Joe chuckled in his ear. “Aren’t you two getting along?”

  “You could say that. She’s a chronic complainer and doesn’t respond kindly to taking orders. Plus, she’s not exactly complimentary about police methods.”

  “You’re probably saving her life. Have you said so?”

  “In spades. But I guess she’s got a right to complain, being uprooted and all. She called it ‘banished.’ Banished from her home. Anyway, I’m just checking in, as you instructed. One question, Joe. You said this was all pretty hush-hush. Any chance of a leak?”

  “Why?”

  “I saw the same white sports car twice, on two different highways. It’s probably coincidence, but run this license number for me.” Tuck recited the plate number.

  “Do you want to hold on while I do it?”

  “No, my supper’s getting cold. Probably wouldn’t mean anything to me anyhow. Keep it in mind, though, and let me know if it means anything on my next call.”

  “Will do, Tuck. Take care.”

  Once it was dark, Nicole found her head nodding every few minutes. She wanted to stay awake. Hannigan was a good driver, she had decided, but he had to be as tired as she was. Every so often she asked, “Are you getting sleepy?”

  His answer was always the same, a flat, rather disgruntled no. Finally he added, gruffly, “Stop worrying. I’m not going to fall asleep and run into something.”

  There was a lot more to “run into” in Idaho than in Nevada, although there were still long stretches with little population. But without question there were more cars on the road and more towns.

  He was paying her no mind whatsoever, Nicole noted irately. Not unless she spoke. When she was silent, Hannigan sat behind that wheel as though he were the only one in the car. Her glance slid his way and her eyes narrowed in circumspection. What was he thinking? What was he like when not on duty? His rugged good looks bothered her, which in turn annoyed her. Thinking him good-looking was irritating when she didn’t like him in the least. They had been together for more than twenty-four hours and he hadn’t smiled once. Did he think a simple smile would diminish his control over her and the situation?

  Sighing heavily, she laid her head back against the seat. They were going to arrive in Coeur d’Alene very late. He must know how to locate the lake cabin, though he hadn’t given her the courtesy of explaining exactly where it was.

  She couldn’t stop herself from expanding that thought. “Have you been to the cabin before?”

  “Pardon?”

  “The cabin we’re going to be staying at. Have you been there before?”

  “No.”

  “But you know where it is.”

  “I have a map. A drawing.”

  “Might be hard to find in the dark,” Nicole said with some sarcasm.

  “I’ll find it.” He hoped that was true. It had been four, five years since he’d been in the Coeur d’Alene area, and they were coming in from the south, on Highway 95, a road that he couldn’t remember being on during his previous visit. Once in the city, he’d have to stop and get his bearings, he realized. Then he’d figure out Joe’s hand-drawn map.

  It was almost three in the morning when they finally saw the lights of Coeur d’Alene.

  “Thank God,” Nicole mumbled, her voice thick with exhaustion.

  Tuck remained silent, though he felt the same. He kept driving until he reached a well-lighted area, which, he saw, was a large hotel complex. Pulling into the parking lot, he stopped.

  “Are we staying here for the rest of the night?” Nicole asked hopefully. It was a beautiful place, and right on the lake. She could almost visualize an elegant room and a comfortable bed.

  Tuck was digging into his wallet. “No. I’m checking the map for directions to the cabin.” Turning on the overhead light, he studied Joe’s drawing.

  Nicole yawned. “If I don’t get to a bed very soon, I’m going to pass out.”

  Ignoring her, he kept peering at the drawing until he understood it. Then he got the car moving again.

  “We’ll be there in about thirty minutes,” he said. It was an estimate, a guess. But he knew the way now, and it shouldn’t take long.

  The lights of the city were soon behind them. They were on a two-lane road that was black as ink. Longingly, Nicole looked back at the city. She would give almost anything she had to stay in town rather than in a cabin that was obviously miles from civilization.

  “Damn,” she whispered, too tired to even cry.

  Four

  Tuck was driving slowly, watching intently for the sign designated on Joe’s map. The road curved with the terrain, in and out and around, with mountains on one side and the lake on the other. A swath of moonlight seemed to divide the dark water. An occasional dock or buoy light felt like a friend in the black night. A few time
s in the trees on his right he spotted dim night-lights, belonging, undoubtedly, to a cabin or house. Actually he was surprised that the perimeter of Lake Coeur d’Alene had so much evidence of residency. He’d honestly thought Joe’s friend’s cabin would be isolated and a good distance from any neighbors. His impression was becoming much different.

  Nicole, on the other hand, saw little beyond the heavy forest on their right and the deep, dark water on their left. Bleary-eyed, she noticed only a few of the dock lights.

  The road curved away from the lake until Tuck realized there was land between it and the water. “There it is,” Tuck muttered under his breath as he spotted a wood sign with Mathison painted on it. Making the turn onto a dirt driveway, he cautiously wound through the trees. And then he saw it. The cabin. “We’re here,” he said, breathing a relieved sigh.

  The headlights shone on a varnished log structure with a wide front porch. Nicole peered at the building, wondering if she had the strength to make the short trek from car to cabin.

  Tuck killed the engine but left the headlights on. “Stay put till I turn on the power. Captain Crawford told me where to find the electricity panel.” Carrying a flashlight, he got out and disappeared around the back of the cabin.

  Yawning, Nicole laid her head back. If she ever got into a decent bed, she thought, she might sleep for a week.

  The next thing she knew Hannigan was shaking her shoulder. “Come on, wake up.” Opening her eyes, she saw light beaming from the cabin windows. Numbly she swung her feet around to get out. It was a good thing Tuck was nearby, because her legs gave out and he caught her around the waist and stopped her from sinking to the ground.

  “Take it easy,” he said. “I’ll help you in.”

  She didn’t care that his arm was around her as he guided her to the cabin, up three stairs, across the porch and inside to a chair. He left her there and went back outside. She was sleeping again when he brought in the last of their luggage.

  Rubbing his jaw, he stood there and looked at her. Why in hell hadn’t she slept during today’s long drive? Silly damn female. If he was going to run into something, it could have happened with her watching just as easily as with her sleeping.

  Leaving her asleep on the chair, he took a few minutes to explore the cabin. Two bedrooms—each with a connecting bathroom—a large kitchen, a laundry storage room and the main room, where Nicole was parked. He was impressed, as he’d been visualizing a much more rustic place.

  Returning to the main room he glanced at Nicole slumped in the chair, then began toting luggage to the bedrooms. Finally it was time to get her out of that chair and into bed.

  He touched her shoulder. “Nicole?” She never budged. “Okay,” he said grimly. “We’ll do it this way.” Bending over, he slid his right arm under her legs and his left behind her back. Lifting her from the chair, he started for the bedroom containing her luggage.

  She stirred and came partially awake, only to wrap her arms around his neck and lay her head on his shoulder with a soft sigh. Tuck felt a surging in his blood. It was her scent causing it, he told himself; the scent of a woman was usually arousing for a man. Even a tired man.

  He laid her on the bed and she instantly curled into a ball. Standing there, he wondered if he should try to awaken her enough to get undressed and under the covers.

  Deciding to let her sleep, he found an extra blanket in the closet and spread it over her. Switching off the light, he closed the door, turned off the other lights in the cabin and went to his own bedroom. He placed his gun in the drawer of the nightstand. It took him about two minutes to shed his clothes and crawl into bed.

  He was asleep almost before his head hit the pillow.

  Tuck awoke to bright sunlight streaming through the bedroom window. He checked his watch: 9:15 a.m. Stretching, he yawned and got out of bed. He wasn’t completely rested, but he had to look over the area and couldn’t lie in bed all day.

  A shower and shave shook the cobwebs from his brain and he dug into a suitcase for clean clothes. In the kitchen he found the coffeemaker and a can of coffee. Putting on a pot to brew, he went outside through the kitchen door, then stopped to admire the tall pines surrounding the cabin. He took a hike around the building, spotted several other cabins in the trees, took note of a small shedlike building all but hidden in a copse of trees and brush behind the Mathison cabin, discovered that the property made a gradual descent to the shore of the lake, then went back inside for that coffee.

  Sitting at the table with a cup, he used the wall phone to dial Captain Crawford’s private number.

  “Joe? We’re here.”

  “Good. Did you see any more of that sports car?”

  “No.”

  “I ran the plate and it’s registered to a Jillian Marsden.” He spelled out the last name. “Las Vegas address. No record, other than a speeding ticket about six months ago. She appears to be clean, but I’ve got a man checking her out.”

  “Thanks.”

  “How is our friend this morning?”

  “Still sleeping.”

  “How do you like the cabin?”

  “It’s a nice place. I didn’t expect neighbors, though.”

  “There are cabins and homes all around the lake, Tuck. I wouldn’t worry too much about the neighbors. A lot of those places are only used on weekends and such, most of them owned by locals. Now that I know you’re there and all right, don’t call again unless it’s necessary. I’ll call you if there’s anything going on here you should know.”

  “Got it.” Tuck hung up and sat there sipping his coffee. There were sounds piercing the quiet—motorboats on the lake, he realized. But, damn, it was peaceful here, and it smelled good. The piney odor of the trees was even inside the cabin. A small smile played with his lips. Maybe this was a cushy job. For certain Joe couldn’t have picked a prettier spot to secrete his witness.

  Nicole opened her eyes, looked at her watch and gasped. She had never slept until 1:00 p.m. in her life…and in her clothes, to boot. The room felt hot and she felt sweaty and choked by her clothing. Sliding off the bed, she looked around the room, wondering where its three doors led.

  Before trying any of them, however, she needed some fresh air. Opening the window, she took a deep breath and smelled the tang of pine. Then she noticed the trees and the sunshine. “What a gorgeous day,” she said softly, suddenly anxious to be outdoors.

  But first things first. One door opened onto a closet, one onto a hall, and the third, hallelujah, opened onto a very nice bathroom.

  Tearing off her clothes, she turned on the shower.

  Tuck was hungry enough to start gnawing bark by the time Nicole made an appearance. His gaze slid over her. She was wearing knee-length blue shorts, a white T-shirt and sandals. Her pretty face touched something within him, ringing a warning bell. They were going to be spending a lot of time together, and admiring her good looks wasn’t the smartest way to maintain their unusual relationship.

  “There’s no food. We’ve got to drive back to the city and do some shopping,” he said brusquely.

  She had been all set to say something cheery, but Hannigan’s gruff and unfriendly attitude dispelled the impulse.

  “Why didn’t you just go without me?” Her voice was cool and disdainful.

  “I think you know the answer to that question as well as I do. Come on, let’s go.”

  Nicole followed him out the front door, which he locked behind them. “Are you telling me that you are never going to let me out of your sight?” Her gaze swept the area and she stopped in her tracks. “Oh, it’s beautiful out here. Look, the lake is right there. And the trees, so many trees.”

  Her enthusiasm for the beauty of the area matched Tuck’s, but he wasn’t going to gush with her over anything. Distanced behavior was their best course, and he was determined to maintain it.

  “Let’s get going,” he said gruffly.

  Shooting him an irritated look, she trailed him to the car and got in. “Why didn’t
you wake me? It’s ridiculous that you’ve been hungry for hours while I slept.”

  Tuck started the engine. “You were exhausted. Don’t worry about it, okay? We’ll load up on groceries and you can sleep in every morning, if that’s what you want.”

  “I never sleep in,” she said frostily. “Or I never did before today.” Hannigan obviously didn’t like her, but there was little sense to them constantly snapping at each other. Lord only knew how long they would be sharing that cabin. She figured they might as well make the best of the situation.

  Nicole’s tone became less chilly. “I really haven’t slept a night through sense I phoned Detective Harper,” she said. “Add that to the long trip, and I’m sure that’s the reason I was so worn out last night.”

  They were on the winding road to town and Tuck’s mind was mostly on driving. But her reference to phoning Harper raised a few questions. “Captain Crawford never did explain what you saw. He only told me that he had a witness that could place Lowicki and a guy he thinks was Gil Spencer at the scene of the murders.”

  Nicole was entranced with the scenery. The lake was sparkling in the sunshine, and there were boats and water skiers dotting the large body of water.

  “All I saw was two men leaving a building at one in the morning,” she said rather absently. “When I read about the double murders at that building in the paper the next morning, I thought I should call Detective Harper. Frankly, it never occurred to me that my information was of any real importance.”

  “You must have identified Lowicki,” Tuck said.

  “Well, he has an unusual scar…”

  “On his left cheek. What about the other guy?”

  Nicole hesitated. “Rather nondescript. Average height, a little overweight, dark hair. I couldn’t pick him out in the hundreds of photos John Harper had me look through.” Thoughtfully she added, “But the man with the scar was so…well, frightening, that I really didn’t pay a lot of attention to the other man.”

  “They didn’t see you?”

  “I’m positive they didn’t.” Nicole bit down on her lip for a moment, her brow furrowed. “What they did see was my car. They were driving a dark blue or black Lincoln, and it slowed down as it passed my car, as if they were giving it a thorough once-over.”