Prime Catch

by Ilona Fridl

  He shook his head. “I’m not taking a chance on a scandal. If we do this, I want to prevent any accidents.”

  She gave a half-smile. “I also know a few days after my time is safe.” She pulled away and gazed at him.

  “Sarah, I―”

  She put her fingers on his lips. “Hush. Give me a kiss.” She received one that curled her toes. Then he worked his way down her neck and gently nipped above her collarbone. A low moan escaped her as her body awoke with intense vibration. Lord, it’s been years since I felt this way.

  They rose and clothes fell. Amos moaned when her breasts were bared and her nipples hardened under his touch. He tugged on one with his lips and the heat seemed to come up from her feet. The muscles of his chest were tight, and she marveled how they moved in his skin under her fingertips.

  He embraced her, and she pressed her body against his warm one. The reddish-brown hairs of his torso prickled her, further spiraling her into a lustful state she didn’t want to come out of. The rest of their clothes were removed, and she gazed in wonder. He was as virile as she’d thought he would be, and her body gave a deep tremor as she ran her hand up the smooth, hardened flesh. She was so ready for him.

  “Lay back on the bed,” he rasped, following her. He gently stroked the inside of her thighs and she bucked with an erotic jerk.

  “Amos, please,” she begged as he ran his finger over her wet slit.

  He hitched himself over her. “Oh, my sweet Sarah.” He took a deep suckle of her breast as he settled on top of her. She felt the head of his shaft rub at her opening, and then he thrust in. His tongue invaded her mouth as he started the rhythmic rock of love. They moaned in tandem with the sensation and motion of their bodies.

  Sarah was like a spring over-wound until she snapped and the blessed release came. Wave after wave of ecstasy left her boneless and breathless as Amos started pumping into her. Both collapsed with a satiny glow of sweat.

  After what seemed like an eternity, they came back to their senses. Amos took a deep breath. “Sarah, you are magnificent.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I love you. I’d better get next door, or Bill will be wondering.”

  Sarah smiled. “I love you, too. Goodnight.”

  Amos dressed and paused at her door. “You want to know something? I don’t give a damn what Bill thinks.” He waggled his eyebrows and left.

  Sarah’s alarm clock went off, and she heard clumps and bangs coming from next door. She shook her head to stir the cobwebs of sleep out. As she dressed, her mind went back to last night and a deep tingle of memory went through her. I wonder if Amos is having repercussions this morning? Well, I’ll have to force my business side on today.

  As she finished packing, she heard a knock. “Are you ready to go?”

  She opened the door to find Amos and Bill standing there. “All set.” She studied Amos’ face, but he seemed to have put on his business side, as well. Dreading to see George this morning, she clamped her back teeth down.

  The little group made its way to the sheriff’s office, where Bill waited for them outside. Creag’s deputy handcuffed George with his hands behind his back and led him out of the cell. Amos nodded at Sarah. “I’ll lead him to the plane and you follow behind with your gun trained on him.”

  “Yes, Sheriff.”

  George hadn’t said anything, and Sarah hoped it would stay that way. Amos firmly gripped George’s arm and turned to Creag. “Thank you for your help.”

  “Welcome, Darcy, anytime.”

  They went out the door, and Sarah drew her gun. Bill walked behind Sarah with the overnight bags. They were almost to the pier when Sarah heard a shout, and three men came running toward them from the docks. “What the hell do you think your doing, Darcy?” a burly red-haired man called.

  “I’m taking George Annok into Juneau to stand trial, Mahoney.” Amos’ stance was a challenge.

  Mahoney crossed his arms over his chest. “The first murder was in Cordova. I want him first.”

  “But we have someone who can identify him.”

  Mahoney paused. “I hate to think we came all this way to go home empty-handed.”

  “Look at it this way. If we can convict him, that will make it easier to try him in Cordova.”

  “All right, we’ll do it your way. But we get him next.”

  Everyone went to the docks, and Bill loaded the bags and started warming the engine. Amos handcuffed George to one of the seats, and then he and Sarah strapped themselves in. Bill gave them a thermos of coffee and some packaged biscuits.

  Amos held up the package to George. “Do you want some?”

  George glared at the both of them. “I don’t want anything from either of you.”

  Amos passed the biscuits to Sarah and poured some coffee for her. “Here, this will tide us over until lunch.”

  She took the cup, then met his eyes. His gaze was intense, and she inadvertently felt her cheeks heat. I can’t look at Amos and keep up this facade. The trip back was very quiet. The easy banter between them seemed to have been abandoned with this new revelation regarding their relationship.

  Back at the office in Juneau, Sam put George in one of the cells while Sarah joined Amos in his office. She wanted to express her concerns to him before they went to lunch.

  He shook his head. “If we’re going to work together, we have to adjust. We can’t let our private life interfere with the crime work.”

  “If we can’t”—she paused—“maybe it would be better if I quit the department.”

  Amos hesitated. “I don’t want that. You’re the best detective I’ve ever worked with. Take the rest of the day off. We’ll talk to George tomorrow morning.”

  “Thank you, Amos.” She gathered her things and walked toward home. She needed to sort out her life before she could continue her work.

  She went a block, then turned toward the Golden North theater. Heading around to the back, she met up with Mrs. Cora Hutton, the Golden North’s chef. The gray-haired woman was dropping a bundle of trash in the garbage can when Sarah strode up. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Hutton, is Kata in today?”

  The large woman smiled. “Hello, Sarah. Yes, she’s in the dressing room where she alters the costumes. The stage door is unlocked. Just go right in.”

  She thanked Mrs. Hutton and slipped inside the theater. From the dim hall she could hear the sewing machine’s treadle making humming noises, and she followed her ears to the dressing room.

  Kata turned as the door opened. “Sarah! What a pleasant surprise! What brings you here?”

  “Personal problem.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  Sarah drew a chair next to the machine and told Kata about the changed relationship between her and Amos. “Now, I’m very uncomfortable around him. I was thinking about quitting my job.”

  Kata looked back at her with a not-so-shocked face. “I’ve seen this coming for a long time. But why quit? You love your job. Are you going to talk to your mother about this?”

  Sarah snorted. “She’d have me married to Amos before you could blink twice.”

  “Did he ask you?”

  “No. Everything is raw right now.”

  Kata scrunched her nose. “Well, I’d say, don’t make any hasty decisions. Sleep on it.”

  Sarah sighed. “Thanks for the advice and for listening. I think I will let it rest for a while.” She rose to go.

  “You can come to me anytime. I’ll see you.”

  Sarah left as Kata turned to her sewing. Seagulls were screeching overhead as she arrived home. Setting her overnight bag on a parlor chair, she put the teakettle on to boil. She opened the windows to let the fresh spring breeze in and steeped the tea. When it was ready, she took a cup and a plate of cookies to the porch and enjoyed her repast in her rocking chair, letting the salty air play around her hair.

  Chapter 16

  Amos had to stop himself several times, after work, from going to Sarah’s home. What is wrong with the woman? Why the hell is she ruminat
ing over this? Women! Who can figure them out? It didn’t help that Millie asked where Sarah was when he went to the restaurant.

  “I gave her the afternoon off,” he said tersely.

  Millie slipped the pencil behind her ear. “Sorry if I stepped on someone’s toes.”

  “Don’t go reading something into this that ain’t there. I know how stories are spread.”

  She raised both her hands. “Okay! Just wondering, that’s all.” She hurried off to get his order, while he steamed.

  Back at his apartment, he paced back and forth. I’m supposed to be coming up with what I’m going to ask Annok, not fretting about Sarah. Trying to sleep wasn’t any better. His thoughts overran with Sarah. He came to the horrifying conclusion that he needed her.

  The next morning, he arrived at Millie’s for breakfast and saw Sarah giving her order. He strode to the table. “Would you mind some company?” he asked, removing his hat.

  Sarah smiled. “Yes. Sit.”

  “Millie, I’ll have the sunny-side-up eggs with bacon and coffee.”

  “Thanks, Sheriff.” Millie left with their orders.

  Amos glanced at Sarah. “I’ve had the whole night to think about this. Like it or not, you mean something to me. I tried to fight it for months, but I can’t anymore. Damn it, woman, I’m in love with you, but I also need you on this case.”

  Sarah paused. “I had a lot to think about, too. We work so well together, there’s no reason we can’t continue. I was confused about my feelings for you―and yours for me.”

  He put his hand over hers. “We were both hurt by love before, but there’s no reason to deny what we feel. That seems to be getting in the way, and we shouldn’t let it.”

  Their breakfast was delivered, and Sarah gently pulled her hand back. “You’re right.” She paused before she started eating. “I had no idea you were so sensitive.”

  “That’s something that better not leave this table,” he growled, but he believed Sarah saw the small smile that was trying to come through.

  On the way to the office, Amos snagged Mr. Perkins from the newspaper building so he could make a positive identification. After picking up the case folder from his desk, Amos and Sarah escorted Mr. Perkins into the cell room. Amos pointed at George. “Is that the man who placed the Personal ad about Polar Star?”

  Perkins peered at him over his glasses. “Yes, Sheriff, that’s the man.”

  George scowled at him. “Don’t we all look alike to you?”

  Perkins ignored that as he turned. “Anything else?”

  “No. Thank you.” Perkins left as Amos turned the key in the cell door lock with a metallic click. The hinges squealed as he pulled it open. “Stay seated on your cot and don’t try anything. You’ll have to go through several deputies, and your chances wouldn’t be very good.”

  Sarah tore a sheet off her notepad, handing George that and a pencil. “Write this: There will be a third at Polar Star, Wednesday next.”

  “Go to hell.”

  Amos clamped George’s shoulder. “A request was made of you. Now, do it!”

  George wriggled out of his grasp, then threw the pencil and tore up the paper. “No!”

  “Look, Annok, we got a positive identification on you. We know that you were involved in the murder of Mr. Thornton at the cannery. You can take the whole rap for it or you can name the persons who helped you.”

  Sarah spoke up. “First thing, where is Bobby Cusnoo?”

  George spit on the floor. “How the hell should I know?”

  Amos frowned. “Was it you who came up with the plan to spring him? You were in town at the time.”

  “Sally was the one who sprung him.”

  “How do you know that?” Amos’ eyes flashed.

  “Well… Naturally, I thought… Hmm…” George slammed the heel of his hand on his forehead.

  Sarah folded her arms across her chest. “What else do you know? What about the attempted murder in the Sitka plant?”

  “Sitka?”

  Amos planted himself solidly in front of George. “We fended off your planned attack then, and in desperation you shot Mr. Orville Jensen with an arrow. Then you strung a net over the path to the river where your boat was waiting, and took off.”

  “How do you know it was me?”

  Sarah’s mouth set in a tight line. “By the river we found tracks of a dog about the size of a Husky. You told me that Shadow goes with you in your travels.”

  “I’m not saying anything else!”

  Amos glowed with success. That little slip about Sally Cusnoo had helped to convince him they had the right man. “We’re finished with this session, but you can be assured there will be more.” Amos relocked the cell door, and he and Sarah went out to the main room. Amos tossed the keys to Sam. “We’ll be in the office.”

  Sam set the keys on the hook. “Yes, sir.”

  As soon as he closed the door, Amos grabbed Sarah in an embrace. “We can still work together. That was a swell interrogation. Now, we wait.”

  Sarah looked puzzled. “Wait for what?”

  “I want to see if the Revenge Ravens try to get him out.”

  “Do you think they were behind Bobby breaking out?”

  “From what you told me, Sally doesn’t seem like the type to break the law. I think she was talked into it by the gang.” Amos became aware he still held Sarah and felt the twinge of lust. He broke away and sat behind the desk.

  Sarah picked up their cups. “Coffee?”

  Amos nodded and waited until she brought over the steaming brew. “Sit. What we need to do is be ready without looking like we are. They might try anything, from a trick from the outside, like when they sprung Bobby, to an all-out assault.”

  “For one thing, we’ll have to inspect everything and everyone who goes in to see him.”

  “That’s good. The gun came in on the food tray.” Amos tapped his fingers on the blotter. “We’ll have to keep an eye on the outside cell window, too, in case anyone tries to slip him a message.”

  “When does the judge have the hearing scheduled?”

  “In two weeks. I’ll set up a duty chart on outside stakeouts.”

  Sarah rose. “I’ll tell the others the special inspections on visitors.”

  “Good. Dinner tonight?”

  “As long as you don’t put me on stakeout.” She smirked, then disappeared.

  Amos scratched his head. This time they wouldn’t be caught with their pants down. Lesson learned. He started drafting the chart to schedule his six deputies.

  Later, at Millie’s, he and Sarah were waiting for their order. “I have you for the nine-morning-to-three-afternoon watch. If we put the stakeout in the patrol car where its parked, there’s a perfect view from there.”

  Sarah wrinkled her nose. “I know we have to do it, but I hate stakeouts. At least it’s during the day.”

  Amos walked her home, and they stood on the porch. He felt very uncomfortable. “Let me say goodnight.”

  Sarah smiled. “Come in for a while?”

  It disturbed him that desire could be triggered so quickly. “I don’t think I should. People will talk.”

  Her arms snaked around his shoulders. “Oh, they need some juicy gossip to keep them busy.”

  He leaned in and found her lips. Lord, she tasted sweet. The heat radiated out to his whole body, and Sarah grew warmer in his arms. He was fast losing himself.

  “Well, isn’t this something?” came a voice from the street.

  Sarah jumped back. “Mother!” she squeaked.

  Amos’ cheeks heated. “I―um, should be going.”

  Grace set herself squarely in front of him. “Before you do, may I ask what intentions you have for my daughter?”

  Amos quickly went through several scenarios. Then he bit the bullet. “I’m in love with your daughter, madam.”

  Grace set her fists firmly on her hips and turned to Sarah. “Well?”

  Sarah opened and closed her mouth a couple of times.
“I love Amos.”

  Grace’s arms went skyward. “Well, glory hallelujah! My prayers were answered!”

  “Mother, what are you doing here?”

  Grace smiled. “It’s the last Tuesday of the month. I usually come for a visit in the evening.”

  Sarah flushed. “I forgot. I’m sorry, Mother.”

  With a chuckle, she replied, “I’m not.”

  Amos tipped his hat to the both of them. “I’ll go and leave you two to your visit. Good evening.”

  He hurried to the sidewalk and turned toward his apartment. Well, it’s officially out in the open now and, to tell the truth, I’m relieved. Grace seems pleased. I guess I owe George a thank you for being such a two-timing bastard. He hummed tunelessly as he opened the door to his walk-up.

  ****

  Sarah poured the fresh-brewed tea into her mother’s cup. “Then you don’t mind that Amos isn’t a native?”

  Her mother reached for the sugar. “I’d prefer he was, but the fact that he cares for you is enough. Kata found a good match in Ivan, so I guess some Americans are all right.”

  Sarah snorted. “Between Amos and George, Amos is A-one in my book. I found out George has been married for several years. He was diverting my investigation by pretending to court me.”

  Her mother steamed. “He fooled me, too. I thought he was genuinely sorry for running out on you.”

  They went on to other topics that evening, but Sarah was happy her mother seemed to be on her side. They parted a couple of hours later and, as Sarah cleaned up, the thought that she and Amos were still able to work together made her night. We can adjust to this. I know it. She sang to herself as she got ready for bed.

  A spring rain woke her up the next morning. The wet moss in her yard was fragrant, and the breeze was fresh and crisp as she came down the steps of the porch. Opening her umbrella, Sarah strode into the street and on to the bakery, where she stopped to pick up a cruller for a quick breakfast.

  She greeted Sam as she went to her desk. “Did you hear of anything happening last night?”

  Sam shook his head. “No, but Amos is talking to Luke now. He said you were to go in when you arrived.”

  “―only thing I saw was an old man walking his dog down the alley,” Luke was saying as she sat across from Amos.