Perfect Alibi

by Melody Carlson

  “Maybe we shouldn’t have watched the news.” He kissed her on the forehead then stepped away and, folding his arms across his front, leaned against the counter with a hard-to-read expression.

  “But seriously,” she continued in a calmer voice, “are you buying into Brock’s innocence? Just because he’s so good on the air? Does it make you believe he’s not really behind Kestra’s murder? Or last night’s fire?”

  “I hate to admit it, but this guy comes across as fairly sincere on the screen.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure that’s what all the viewers are thinking. Besides that, he’s handsome and charming—how could someone like that be behind such a ghastly crime?”

  “If Brock loses his newscaster job, he could go into acting,” he joked.

  She frowned.

  “Want to catch him on the eleven o’clock news, too?” His eyes twinkled in a mischievous way.

  “You beast!” She threw a dishtowel at him.

  “I was kidding, but come to think of it, it’s not a bad idea.” He hung the towel by the sink. “For one thing, it would ensure he’s still in Portland. And if you’re right, if he’s really sent someone over here...to get you...well, it’s possible that he will slip up on the air.”

  “Slip up?”

  “I don’t mean by saying anything. But it’d be interesting to see if his facial expressions change at all. We could study his eyes and see if they reveal anything. At the very least we should record the news show to study later.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be as cool as this.” She shook a cucumber at Logan. “Believe me, that man has a heart of stone.”

  “Speaking of coldhearted men, Rod called me from the station while you were in the bathroom. Apparently Trent threw a hissy fit when they came for Winnie. Even when another firefighter offered to stay in her place, Trent was not having it.”

  “But Winnie did leave?”

  “She did. Fortunately her shift was over and she had plans this evening, anyway. Otherwise, she’d probably still be here.”

  “And he’s still out there?”

  Logan peered between the blinds on the kitchen window. “Yep. Still walking around like he expects to make some big discovery. But I’m kinda hoping he stays a while. Having a patrol car parked in the driveway is a nice deterrent to crime, don’t you think?”

  “Unless the cop is a crook.” She put the last cucumber slices on top of the salad then pushed the bowl away. “And I really think he is.”

  “We need to remember that’s a possibility.” Logan frowned. “Trent’s not real popular with much of anyone in this town. I don’t get why Winnie is suddenly a fan.”

  Mallory slapped her forehead. “That reminds me. I’d meant to do some research on Trent. How long till the steaks are done?”

  “Ten minutes, maybe.”

  She took off down the hall with Logan trailing behind her.

  “What’re you looking for?” Logan asked as they went into her father’s office.

  “I’m curious about something.” She slid into the chair and the computer screen came to life. “This shouldn’t take long.”

  Logan sank down onto the couch to wait.

  “Bingo!” she exclaimed after a couple of minutes.

  “What is it?”

  “Trent Fallows graduated from Boise State in 2009. That means he was there while Brock was there.”

  “Do you think they knew each other?”

  “It seems possible. I know when I asked Trent about whether he knew Brock, I got a funny reaction from him. It made me suspicious.”

  “You think Trent’s in cahoots with Brock?” Logan lifted the bottom of a blind to peer out the high window.

  “I know it seems a long shot, but I have a weird feeling there’s a connection. It would explain why he’s sympathetic to Brock.” Mallory turned off the screen and stood. “We know for certain he’s not sympathetic toward me. Even when I tried to be friendly today, he treated me like something stuck to the bottom of his shoe.”

  “The puzzle pieces fitting together.” Logan looked at his watch. “Ready to eat?”

  “On one condition.” Mallory held up a finger. “Do not let me talk about any of this, okay? Just a nice peaceful dinner.”

  “Works for me.”

  It was such a lovely summer evening that Mallory wished they could’ve eaten outside on the back deck, but knew that wasn’t safe. Instead she set the table in the dining room with the good dishes and, even though it was still light outside, with the drapes drawn, it was dark enough to light candles. The effect was lovely. She could almost imagine that they were on a date...a romantic date. Well, except for the firearms laid out across her mom’s antique buffet.

  With the subject of Brock officially banned, they focused their conversation on each other. They were eager to learn all they could, to fill in the missing blanks. But as they talked about their similar childhoods in the same town, comparing notes about middle school experiences and their favorite teachers in high school, Mallory could almost sense urgency in the air. As if they had to make up for lost time or cram in as much as possible just in case they never got another chance. Even though they weren’t talking about what might or might not happen later on, after it got dark, she knew it was on both their minds.

  It was close to eight when Logan helped her to rinse the dishes and load the dishwasher, but it was still light outside. For some reason that was reassuring. As she closed the dishwasher, Logan peeked between the wooden slats of blinds above the kitchen sink.

  “Is Trent still here?”

  “Uh-huh.” He let the blind slip back down. “Can’t imagine what else he’s doing out there. He’s got my report. And the area is pretty clean.” He rubbed his chin. “Unless...”

  “Unless what?”

  “Unless he’s looking for something specific.”

  “Like what?” Mallory put the leftover salad in the fridge.

  “Well, what if you’re right and he’s connected to Brock? Is it possible that Brock sent him out here for a purpose? Like, what if that guy in custody really is Brock’s lackey and he slipped up? Or maybe he was involved in the fire last night. What if he left something behind that my team missed?”

  “But you went over the area pretty carefully, didn’t you?”

  “Of course, but we were looking for clues related to arson. What if he’s looking for something else?”

  “Like what?”

  “I have no idea, but before it gets dark, I’d like to find out. Plus I want to hear what they found in the SUV today. I’d like to attempt a friendly little conversation with Trent. If that’s possible.”

  “Seriously?” Mallory felt a rush of panic. “Do you think that’s wise?”

  “Trent is a county deputy,” he reminded her. “He reports to Sheriff Lambert, who happens to be a friend of mine. I’m not usually a name dropper, but it might get his attention.”

  “You’re sure about this?”

  “We need to determine whether Trent is really the enemy. If he’s not connected to Brock, it’s an asset to have him around.” He placed his hand on her shoulder. “Will you be okay if I leave you alone for a few minutes?”

  As Mallory nodded, she wanted to put the kibosh on this, except that his plan made sense. Trent was just one more unknown factor in her already confusing dilemma. “You’ll be careful, won’t you?”

  “I’ll be armed with these.” Logan patted the pocket that contained his phone then strapped on the shoulder holster and checked the Ruger cylinder for bullets. “I think the handgun is less intimidating than the AR.”

  Mallory locked eyes with him. “I mean it, Logan. Be really, really careful, okay?” She could feel that shaky feeling coming again, remembering what it was like to be alone and afraid and hopeless. “It’s not just that
I want you around for protection.” She patted his stubbly cheek. “I really kinda like you, too.”

  Logan slipped the gun into the holster. “I kinda like you, too, Mallory.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “More than just kinda.” He leaned forward, and for a moment she thought he was about to kiss her again, but instead he kissed her tenderly on the forehead. “Don’t forget I’m a fire chief, Mallory. Caution is my middle name.”

  “Remember what my dad said about Trent.” She grabbed her .22 and followed him to the front door. “And if things get dicey, just tell Trent that I’m your backup and that my .22 is loaded and I’m a really good shot.”

  “Thanks.” He peeked out the side window before opening the door. “Make sure you lock up, and if anything goes wrong, call up some of your dad’s deputy buddies and tell them to get over here pronto.”

  After she locked the door, she positioned herself beside the front window with the drapes cracked open just enough for her to peek out. Keeping her eyes pinned on Logan’s back as he strolled down the driveway, she felt certain she could defend him if necessary.

  TWELVE

  Logan kept his stroll easy but confident. He didn’t want to intimidate Trent, but he wanted him to know he meant business. “You’re still here?” he asked as Trent got out of the patrol car.

  “That a problem?”

  “Maybe...maybe not.” Logan squinted into the sun that was sinking low in the western sky, positioning himself so that it wasn’t glaring directly into his eyes.

  Trent nodded to the holstered Ruger. “You planning to use that for something?”

  “Hope not. But if anyone comes after Mallory, I want to be ready.”

  “Taking the law into your own hands?” Trent put his hand on his own gun. “Turning vigilante?”

  “Self-defense is hardly vigilante.” Logan glanced toward the road, trying to see if anyone was parked out there. “What I’d really like to know is what you’re doing here, Trent. You’re obviously not still investigating the fire.”

  “I’m on duty.”

  “You do realize this is private property, don’t you?”

  “It’s also a crime site.”

  “I’m going to be straight with you, Trent. And I want you to be straight with me. We know for a fact you went to Boise State with Brock Dennison. And we strongly suspect that Brock Dennison is connected to last night’s arson as well as the murder of Mallory’s friend. What I want to know is just how connected you are to Brock.”

  “I’m not sure that’s any of your business.”

  Logan pulled out his phone. “Well, it’s Sheriff Lambert’s business. And he’s a good friend of mine—and of Mallory’s dad. If he thought you were out here because of a relationship with a possible criminal, a guy who might be guilty of hiring a hit man to murder two innocent young women, I’m pretty certain Gary would want to know.”

  “So you’ve really bought into that phony story? I thought you were smarter than that, Logan.” Trent’s smile looked sleazy. “But I supposed it’s easier to swallow baloney when it’s coming from a pretty girl.”

  “Mallory is a news writer, and she knows how to research the facts, Trent. What she’s found out about Brock is incriminating and—”

  “You honestly expect me to believe Brock Dennison hired a killer to—”

  “Do you remember a female student at Boise State? Amanda Samuels?”

  “The girl who went missing.”

  “And you know she was Brock’s girlfriend?”

  “Sure. Everyone knew that.”

  “And you know about other women in Brock’s life? Ones who’ve been hurt or gone missing?” Logan knew he was stretching things, fishing a bit, but mostly he wanted to determine Trent’s true motives.

  Trent frowned. “I’ve never heard about any other women.”

  “And yet you’re willing to defend Brock? Even though you don’t really know about his history with women? Are you saying you’d risk your badge for an abusive—”

  “I’m not defending Brock. And before you go off to Sheriff Lambert, you should know that the only reason I’m out here is because Portland PD asked me to keep an eye on Mallory.” He stuck out a defiant chin. “And that’s just what I plan to do.”

  “Is that because you’re worried she’ll make a run for it? Because I can assure you she won’t.”

  Trent shrugged. “If she does try to run, I’ll stop her...or put out an APB and notify State Police and Portland.”

  “So you really don’t believe her?”

  He made a smug grin. “Let’s just say I have my doubts.”

  “And that guy that got picked up today. The SUV that ran me off the road. You have any doubts about him?”

  “Sure. He’s locked up, isn’t he?”

  “What was in the car, Trent?”

  “Evidence.”

  “Okay, then, tell me the truth, Trent. If someone came around here to hurt Mallory, you’d—”

  “I’d do my job,” Trent snapped back at him. “I’m here to enforce the law.”

  “Fine. That’s all I wanted to know.” Logan stuck out his hand and although Trent hesitated, he shook it. “I’ll leave you to it, then.” Logan turned around and started back for the house, but as he walked he felt uneasy. Not that he thought Trent was going to shoot him in the back. That was ridiculous. But the sun was getting low and something just didn’t feel right. Almost as if he was being watched.

  As beautiful as this ponderosa forest was—in daylight—it could feel eerie in the dark. Too many places to hide. Hearing a crunch off to his left, Logan turned, pointing the gun toward the sound and waiting—his heart pounding rapidly as he strained to hear. If it was an animal, wouldn’t it keep moving? If it was human—was it watching him?

  Keeping his gun pointed toward the source of the sound, and his eyes and ears peeled, he slowly worked his way toward the house. If there was someone out there, maybe it was a good thing they could see this powerful rifle. Maybe it would give them something to think about. That is, unless they were armed with something similar. Or something worse.

  He was barely on the front porch when the door swung open and Mallory greeted him with a relieved smile. He hurried inside and, without mentioning the noise, he quickly filled her in on his conversation. “I probably made Trent think we had more dirt on Brock than we really do, just to gauge his reaction.”

  “And?”

  “I really don’t think he’s working with Brock.” Logan sighed. “But I’m not certain. And I wouldn’t risk my life—or yours—on that uncertainty.”

  “And we need to remember what my dad said. We shouldn’t trust him.”

  “I don’t. Not completely, anyway. And if he’s not working for Brock he’ll be a good deterrent for anyone who is. I honestly can’t imagine a murderer stepping onto your parents’ property with a patrol car parked out front.”

  “Except that someone was bold enough to come here last night to set that fire. And for all he knew, my dad—a deputy himself—could’ve been here to apprehend him.”

  “Good point.” He removed the holster, laying it on the kitchen counter. “And don’t get me wrong. I do think we need to be on high alert tonight. And I’ve already started putting together a plan. Want to hear it now?”

  “Sure.”

  “Got any more of that iced tea, first?”

  Before long they were back in the bear cave going over Logan’s plan. “First of all I need to know if you trust me,” he said.

  “Of course.” She looked slightly offended. “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “Okay, then, if you don’t mind, I’d like to be in command. I know from firefighting how important it is to have one person in charge. When things get dicey and decisions have to be made quickly, you need to know who’s calling the shots with
out any arguments.”

  “No problem. You can call the shots.”

  “And you’ll do as I say? No questioning me?”

  “Absolutely.” She smiled. “I trust you, Logan. More than I trust myself in this situation. I remember how petrified I was last night. I couldn’t even think straight.”

  “Okay...good.” He took a sip of tea. “For starters, let’s go put all the outdoor lights on. You’ve already got the windows covered as much as possible. But there are some open spots we need to be careful of.” As Mallory turned on the lights outside the great room, he noticed how some of the windows in there had no coverings. “And we’ll keep all the lights off in here. And when it’s really dark, the bear cave is our safe room.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “And I think we should put some water bottles and maybe some snacks in there...just in case it’s a long night.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  “And make sure your phone charger’s in there.” He frowned. “My charger’s at home, and my phone’s at half now so I’ll be leaving it off unless I really need it.”

  “My dad’s got some spare chargers in his office,” she told him. “Maybe one will fit.”

  He set his empty glass in the sink. “Let’s round up some flashlights and maybe a camp lantern. And can you find some candles and matches to keep in there? Just in case.” He glanced at his watch. “We better get busy. We’re burning daylight.”

  While Mallory gathered the things on her list, Logan went around to be sure all the exterior lights were on and trying to get the lay of the land fixed in his head. Then he searched the garage for a camp lantern, finding a few other things he thought might be handy, as well.

  It was dusk when he got back to the bear cave, where Mallory was just setting out some supplies on her dad’s desk. He pointed at Mallory’s shorts and sandals. “You should probably put on some long pants and sturdy shoes, just in case we need to make a run for it. I doubt that’ll happen, but best to be prepared.”

  “Yeah, I’ll do that right now.”

  Logan peeked out through the wooden blinds, but it was getting too dark to see much, and there was no exterior light to illuminate this side of the house. On one hand, he felt this was the most secure room, but on the other, it offered limited visibility. With the outside light fading fast, it was even darker in here. He decided to light one of the candles Mallory had set on the coffee table. As a firefighter, he was well aware of the dangers of candles, but this one was in a glass jar and looked pretty safe. And the flickering light was cheerful.