• ♥ •
“Boy, I’m glad I was on call tonight. I haven’t had a breakfast like this in a long time,” Allen said as he was about to finish everything on his plate.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” The thought fluttered through my mind that I was getting to be like my mother. It pleased me when people complimented me on my cooking.
“No wonder Jason comes in to work every day grinning and refusing to eat our bag breakfasts.” He looked at his boss. “Does she cook like this every morning for you?”
“Most of them.” Jason smiled at me.
“Don’t let him make me out to be a better wife than I am, Allen. Jason cooks a lot of breakfasts himself.”
“Well, all I’ve got to say is you’re the luckiest two people I know.” He stood. “I’ll waddle my way to work and see what I can get done.” He looked at me. “Thanks for cooking, June. It was great.”
Jason and I cleaned the table together after Allen left. “I’ll feed Dingo,” I said, as I turned on the dishwasher.
“Okay. I’ll take something to Buzzy.”
After the animals were fed, I followed Jason to the bedroom. While he took his shower, I sat on the bed and thought about what had happened. I knew someone was out to get him for some reason. This had to be connected with the tossed bodies. I wondered if the sheriff’s staff had checked out their former cases to see if anyone would be holding a grudge for some past action of the department. I couldn’t come up with anything else, so I got up and began laying out Jason’s clothes.
When he came out of the bathroom, he put on the pants to his uniform. He hesitated as he glanced at the vest. “I plan to spend most of the day in the office…”
I interrupted him. “Please, do it for me. Someone means us harm, Jason, and I think we should take every precaution we can.”
“Okay, if you insist.” He slipped the vest over his head. “Since you feel that way, I want you to go to your parents’ house while I’m at work. I’ll feel much better if you’re with someone.”
“I’ll be fine here.”
Jason put his arm around me. “I know that, honey, but I guess it’s inbred in a man to want to protect the thing he loves the most. And you know, to me, that means you.”
I didn’t want to go, but when I looked at those pleading green eyes, I couldn’t refuse him. “I’ve never doubted you love me, Jason.” I smiled at him. “I’m sorry I’m so feisty at times. I guess I’m just used to looking after myself.”
“I know you are, but please let me do it this time.”
“Okay, I give in. Do I have time to shower and changes clothes?”
He nodded, and I slipped into the bathroom. When I came out of the shower, Jason wasn’t in the bedroom. I dressed in a charcoal gray pants suit, and again put on my squash blossom necklace. I knew Mom and Dad would probably want to go to church and I felt this outfit would suffice if they insisted I go with them.
I found Jason in the third bedroom which we use as an office. He was talking on the phone and looking something up on the computer. He was saying, “So he’s still incarcerated? … I understand… Thanks for looking… Yes, I’m taking June to her parents’ house, then I’ll be there… Thanks, Allen.”
I came up behind him and put my arms around his neck. “I wish you’d let me stay here,” I whispered against his neck.
He swiveled his chair around, so he could pull me into his lap. “Not a chance. I want you out of harm’s way.”
“You act as if the shooter might come back.” I snuggled against his chest. It felt funny with the thickness of the vest, but he put his arms around me, and that felt good.
“You never know. As you said earlier, we don’t need to take any chances.”
“I can’t argue with that.” I looked up at him and changed the subject. “Who were you talking to Allen about?”
“A guy we sent to prison a couple of years ago. He’d threatened to get even with us, but he’s still incarcerated, so it couldn’t have been him.”
“I see.”
“There are others who threatened to get even with us. We’re still checking them out.”
“Please do.” I put my arm around his neck and pulled him toward me. “I want you to get this culprit behind bars. The sooner the better.”
“And I want the same thing.” He moved me from his lap, stood, and took my hand. “Now, let’s go wake up Brad and Celia.”
Chapter Eighteen
I finally convinced Jason to let me take my car to my parents’ house. I might need it, I’d said, and driving Dad’s pick-up truck just didn’t cut it with me. I even promised I wouldn’t go anywhere alone if I had to leave. I’d have Mom or Dad go with me. He gave in, but insisted on following me to their house in his patrol car. I didn’t object.
I hadn’t told him the main reason I wanted my car. I left the papers I’d copied at the library in it, and I knew I’d have time during the day to read all of them. If I found anything in them, I’d confess. As I threw the bag—in which I’d put a pair of jeans, a sweater, a pair of socks and my sneakers—into the back seat, I noticed I’d left the uniform I’d picked up at the laundry for Jason in the car. I decided I’d leave it there and bring it inside when we came home tonight.
Of course, Mom and Dad were upset when Jason explained why he wanted to pawn me off on them. I tried to tell them it wasn’t as bad as it seemed, but they didn’t believe me.
“We won’t let her out of our sight, son,” Dad said. “She’ll be safe and sound here, just like she is when she’s with you.”
“Thanks, Brad. Together, we’ll make sure she’s taken care of.”
“Okay, you two,” I said. “I’m not a little china doll who has to be protected. I can do pretty well taking care of myself.”
Jason put his arm around me. “I know that, honey, but you promised to humor me this time. Remember?”
“We won’t even go to church today,” Mom said. “We’ll stay locked up in the house.”
Before I could protest, Jason said, “I think going to church would be fine, Celia. Just stay together. That’s all I’m asking you to do.”
“Maybe going to church would be a good thing,” Dad said. “We’d have lots of people around us there.”
I knew I was fighting a losing battle with the three of them against me. “Okay,” I said. “We’ll go to church. I wouldn’t mind that, but then could we come back here? I have some things I want to read.”
We left for church at ten-thirty. It lasted until almost twelve-thirty. Then, the three of us plus May and her husband, Bert, and April, her two kids, and the Reverend Larry Smithers ended up back at the farm for the Sunday dinner Mom had mostly cooked before attending the service.
In spite of myself, I began to enjoy being with my family. After lunch, the kids decided to watch the Cinderella DVD Mom kept for them. The adults were having a second helping of Mom’s cake and cobbler and celebrating May and Bert’s announcement about their coming baby.
I couldn’t help noticing how easy and casual Larry and April were with each other. Jason would tell me to not get the cart before the horse, but I wondered how long it would be before there would be another wedding in the March family. After her terrible marriage and the death of her husband, I was sure my older sister was going to get it right this time. And Reverend Smithers seemed to be the right man for her.
It was two-thirty when May and Bert left. The rest of us retired to the living room. Cinderella was over, and the kids were busy coloring. April and Larry sat on the sofa. Dad leaned back in his recliner and Mom and I took the side chairs. Dad flipped on the television and turned the sound low. I thought it was going to turn into a relaxed afternoon.
The tranquility was ripped apart when a breaking story came across the screen about a house fire the local fire department was trying to get under control. I had a sudden feeling of fear. At the same time, I heard a siren. In a minute it turned off and gravel flew. I knew the car had wheeled into my parent’s driv
eway.
I jumped up and looked out the window. “It’s Allen Ledbetter.” My heart began to pound. “Oh, Lord, something’s wrong. Please, God don’t let anything be wrong with Jason.”
Dad stood and opened the door. “Allen, what’s the matter?”
“Jason sent me to get June.” His voice was rushed.
I turned around and almost shouted, “Is Jason all right?”
“He’s fine, June. There’s some trouble at your house, though. And he wanted you to come.”
I didn’t question him further. I grabbed my coat and followed him out the door. When we were in the car, I said, “Allen, you need to prepare me. What’s going on?”
“There’s a fire, June.”
“A fire? What kind of fire?”
“It seems someone set fire to your house. Thank God, you and Jason weren’t home.”
“I don’t understand.”
“We don’t understand it all, either. What time did you leave this morning?”
“Around five or so. Jason wanted to get an early start, and he insisted I go to Mom and Dad’s.”
“They think the fire was set somewhere around six to seven and smoldered for several house before it became a big blaze. The perpetrator…maybe I should let Jason tell you all this.”
“Jason will try to protect me, Allen. You tell me.”
“He knows he’ll have to tell you. It’ll come out on the news. Somebody called the television station, and they’ll be there soon. A man for a radio station is already there.” Allen took a deep breath. “It seems the person had barred the door, hoping no one would get out of the house. The fire started somewhere around your bedroom. I guess he was trying to get…” His voice trailed off.
In a stunned voice, I asked, “Was somebody trying to kill us, Allen?”
He nodded. “It looks that way, June.”
I didn’t say anything else. I was almost numb, and I’d heard all I wanted to hear. Now, I just wanted to get to Jason.
When we pulled into our driveway, I couldn’t believe my eyes. One of the walls of our pretty little house was crumbling. I knew without asking that our home was going to burn to the ground.
Jason came toward the car as soon as it stopped.
I got out and staggered into his arms. For a minute we didn’t say anything. We just held each other. Finally, I whispered, “At least we’re alive.”
“Yes. We can be thankful both of us are okay.”
Then a terrible thought crossed my mind. “Dingo,” I cried. “My poor Dingo and Buzzy.”
“No, no, June. Dingo is fine.” Jason caressed my hair. “One of the firemen saw your pet sticker on the window and went in to get him.”
“And he got him out?”
“Yes. They found him hiding under the bed in the guest room. They got Buzzy out of the garage, too. Our cats are fine.”
I knew some people would think I was crazy with all we’d lost, but I was thankful our cats had survived. Before I could respond, the reporter with a radio station microphone and a camera crew from the TV station headed in our direction. There was no reporter with the TV cameras. I didn’t want to talk to any of them. I wanted to hide my face against Jason’s chest and let him do the talking, but I knew I wouldn’t leave him to face them alone.
The reporter stuck the mike in Jason’s face and asked, “Sheriff Striker, can you tell us what happened?”
“It’s under investigation. At this point, I’m sure the fire chief can tell you more than I can.”
“I know this is hard for you and your wife, but could you tell us how you feel at this moment?”
“We’re both very upset, but we’re thankful to be alive.”
I could tell by Jason’s voice he wasn’t in much better shape to be answering questions than I was. I looked at the reporter and said, “It’s hard to stand here and answer questions when you’re watching practically everything you own go up in flames.”
He looked a little flabbergasted, but he said, “I’m sure it is, Mrs. Striker, but I’m sure you know the public is interested in what is happening here.” He turned back to Jason. “Do you have any idea who would burn down your house, Sheriff?”
“If I did, I’d be arresting them right now.”
The reporter looked at me. “Would you like to elaborate on that, Mrs. Striker?”
“No. I don’t want to elaborate on that, but I’d like to say that though we’re devastated, my husband and I are truly thankful we are okay, and the firemen were able to find and rescue our two cats.”
“That’s wonderful, Mrs. Striker. Sheriff, do you feel that way, too?”
Jason tensed in my arms, but he had his composure when he said, “Yes. There was nothing else in the house alive, and though it might take a long time, everything without sentimental value can eventually be replaced.”
The reporter started to say something else, but a pick-up truck came into the driveway. It was Dad and Larry Smithers. Jason edged me away from the reporter toward them. The persistent man followed.
I ignored him. “Dad,” I said and held my hands out to him. “Isn’t it awful?”
“Yes, honey. It sure is.”
“Good of you to come, Larry.” Jason reached out and shook the preacher’s hand.
“Are you Mrs. Striker’s father?” the reporter asked, sticking the microphone out toward Dad.
“I am, young man. Now, why don’t you go point that thing at somebody who wants to talk to you? These two grieving people have enough to cope with right now. They don’t need to be harassed by the media.”
“But, sir, the public has a right to know what’s happening here.”
“They do know, young man. A house is burning down. A nice couple has lost most everything they own. They’re sick at heart, and they need their privacy. Now the public knows everything we know. So, let’s stop bothering them, okay?”
“But, sir…”
I was glad to see a car pull up and Natalie Bennett and Charles Easton get out. She walked up to the reporter and grabbed the microphone out of his hand and said, “How dare you use my camera crew to do your interview.”
“But—”
“Don’t ‘but’ me. If you stick this thing in their faces again, I’ll see to it that you get it down your throat.”
“Who do you think you are?”
“I’m a reporter, not a muckraker. Now, get out of here.” She turned toward the cameraman and handed him the man’s microphone. “Put this away, Ben, and come with me.” She turned back to the reporter. “I think I told you to leave.”
“You have no right to tell me anything.”
“Maybe not, but if you ever want to work in the news media in this area again, you’ll do what I say.”
He took a deep breath and walked away.
Natalie looked at me and shook her head. “I’m sorry this happened He won’t bother you again.” She then motioned to the cameraman and said, “Let’s go over here.”
She paused in front of the smoldering ruins of our home. “This is Natalie Bennett reporting from the lawn of what used to be the home of Sheriff and Mrs. Jason Striker. As you can see, their home will soon be a pile of rubble. If this happened to you, ask yourself how you’d like someone coming up and asking you how you felt about losing everything you own? I’m sure you’d be confused, lost, devastated, sorry, upset, angry, and have many other unexplainable feelings. And I’m sure you’d be in no mood to do an on-camera interview with a pushy reporter.” She took a breath. “Well, this did happen earlier to this couple, and it may even hit the airways, but I will not be focusing on that kind of reporting. Yes, I’ll talk with the Strikers, probably privately at first, and when they feel up to it, I will ask them to do an on-camera interview. But for the time being, I will not try to exploit their feelings. I plan to dig up some facts concerning this horrendous act with some possibly deranged person has committed. As soon as he is available, I want to question the fire chief. I also want to speak to the fireman or men who were a
ble to rescue the Strikers’ two cats. I may even get a chance to introduce you to Buzzy and Dingo.” She turned her head. “As a matter of fact, I see the cat carriers over there. Let’s go see if the rescued felines are in them.”
Charles came up to us. “I’m glad we got here. A radio station was carrying this live, and Natalie was furious when she heard what the reporter was asking you. I know she won’t be bothering you until you get a chance to let it sink in.”
I nodded. “Thanks, Charles. And please thank her for us.”
“I appreciate you coming on your day off, Charles,” Jason said. “Let me introduce you to the Reverend Larry Smithers.”
Charles and Larry shook hands.
Allen motioned for Charles to come over where he was. He said quick good-byes to us and headed toward Allen.
“June, honey, why don’t you let your dad take you back to his house? There’s really nothing you can do here. I knew I had to have you come see what was happening, because I didn’t want you to find out about it on the news.”
“I want to stay with you, Jason.”
“But, honey—”
Dad butted in. “Maybe she needs to be with you, Jason. She’d do nothing at the house except fret and worry, anyway.”
Jason pulled me close to him. “Okay. We’ll see it through together.”
“Dad,” I said, “I’d appreciate it if you’d take Buzzy and Dingo with you as soon as Natalie is through showing them off. Even animals can get stressed out in a time like this.”
“I’ll do that, June. You won’t have to worry about the cats.”
“Thanks, Brad,” Jason said. He looked down at me. “Let’s see if we can find a spot where we can be by ourselves for a few minutes.”
“How about your patrol car?”
He kind of grinned. “Sounds like a good place to me.”
Chapter Nineteen
As the sun went down, a cold drizzle began to fall. Jason insisted I sit in the patrol car as he and his men met with the firemen. The rubble was still too hot to poke around in and the chief said it would be tomorrow before they could do a thorough investigation.
Deadly as the Driven Snow Page 11
