Imperfect Justice

by Olivia Jaymes

  Jared scratched down the location, his blood pumping in his veins. “Listen, I appreciate you keeping your eyes out for him. This will really help our investigation.”

  “No problem. I know you’d do the same. Good luck. I hope you get your man soon.” Griffin signed off and Jared snagged his car keys from his desk drawer.

  “Knox, you’re with me. We’re headed for Hope Lake.”

  Dale and his friend could be armed and dangerous. Jared didn’t want to walk into a situation like that alone.

  During the drive Jared and Knox discussed the strategy of how to deal with Dale. Doubtful the man would be cooperative.

  Jared pulled alongside an official Hope Lake SUV and rolled down his window. The deputy in the truck did the same.

  “Sheriff Monroe?” he asked.

  “That’s me,” Jared confirmed, reaching out of the window to shake the deputy’s hand. “You must be Deputy Levi.”

  “I am,” the man nodded. “The man you’re looking for is staying in a makeshift campsite just up the road less than a quarter of a mile. This is a dead end so no one has been in or out since I called Sheriff Griffin. Do you want me to hang around for back up?”

  Jared liked the odds of three officers better than two. “Hang back and stay by your radio in case this gets out of hand. Hicks is unpredictable.”

  Jared and Knox followed Levi’s vehicle until they could see the tent from the road. Pulling off to the side, Jared parked his truck and slowly exited, his gaze darting from left to right and then back again. Levi had done as Jared asked, staying in his SUV but he had a shotgun perched on his dashboard just in case.

  Jared and Knox hiked up the small slope to the campsite, their guns drawn and ready. Dale came out of a scrub of trees carrying a large bucket. When he saw Jared and Knox he tossed the bucket at them and took off running in the other direction.

  “Dammit, not again,” Jared growled. But this time luck was on his side. The man tripped on a tree branch and landed face down, his arms and legs sprawled in all directions. Knox snapped cuffs on Dale and dragged him over to a chair by the campfire.

  “Where’s your friend?” Jared asked. “We know you’re not here alone.”

  Dale spat on the ground but jerked his head toward the trees. “He’s hiding in there. We ain’t done anything wrong.”

  “Then tell your friend to come out. With his hands where I can see them.”

  “Royal!” Dale yelled. “Get out here!”

  An older man with salt and pepper hair came out of the trees with his hands in the air. Knox escorted him to the other chair after patting him down for weapons. The deputy stayed close to the friend so that Jared could concentrate on Dale.

  “Your brother Boyd is dead, Dale.”

  The man looked up at Jared, his eyes narrowed. “I heard. Is that what you came to tell me? Then you can leave because I already knew it.”

  “News travels fast,” Jared observed. “You were certainly someone who wanted to see your brother dead.”

  Dale didn’t deny it. “Didn’t kill him. Now let me go about my business.”

  “You don’t seem too broke up about Boyd’s untimely passing. Maybe you and Boyd argued. Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking. You argued and things got out of hand. Maybe he even tried to kill you first. That’s self-defense.”

  Clyde scowled and shook his head. “I ain’t seen Boyd for weeks so we couldn’t have argued. And I couldn’t have shot him because my gun disappeared. Besides, there’s plenty of people that wouldn’t mind seeing Boyd six feet under.”

  “Your gun disappeared?” Jared snorted. “Now there’s an excuse I haven’t heard in almost an hour. Your gun just up and vanished. Like so many firearms do.”

  “Well, it did. It was in my house and now it’s gone. Maybe Angie took it.”

  “You’ll throw anyone under the bus won’t you? A real gentleman. Who else could have taken your gun?”

  “Lots of people. Angie likes to have people over.”

  “So anyone could have used your gun and killed Boyd? Except none of them have motive like you do.”

  “I told you I haven’t seen him. I’ve been in Cheyenne. I just got back here the day before yesterday. I couldn’t have killed Boyd.”

  “Cheyenne, huh? And I suppose you were all alone and no one can confirm your whereabouts?” Now Dale was just grasping at straws.

  “Wrong, Sheriff,” Dale taunted. “I was in the county lockup there. I did fourteen days for not paying a traffic ticket. I was supposed to do thirty but they let me out for good behavior. I was a model prisoner.”

  “I can check that, you know,” Jared warned. The man wasn’t a genius but he had to know that his alibi could be easily confirmed or disproven.

  Dale crossed his legs and smiled. “You should do that. I’ll wait.”

  “You’ll wait at the station. With me.”

  With a deep sense of satisfaction, Jared and Knox placed Dale into the back of the SUV.

  “I didn’t do it, Sheriff. I swear on a Bible.”

  “I’ll call Cheyenne, don’t you worry. Wonder what they’re going to tell me?” Jared kept his eyes on the road. He wasn’t going to be pulled into Dale’s drama.

  “That I was in jail,” he growled. “I didn’t kill Boyd.”

  “Then you’ve got nothing to worry about,” Jared answered mildly.

  As soon as Jared arrived back in Fielding, he’d call Cheyenne, Wyoming and put Dale’s alibi to rest once and for all.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “So when are you going to marry him?” Rayne asked Misty at lunch. They were munching on pizza and catching up. “How many times has he asked you anyway?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe three or four.” Although he hadn’t lately. In fact, he’d been decidedly silent on the subject for over a week. For all Misty knew he’d changed his mind. “It doesn’t matter because I’m not going to marry him. That’s not the kind of marriage I want.”

  “Yeah, I wouldn’t either.” Rayne rolled her eyes. “Who wants a gorgeous husband who treats you like a princess? That would suck big donkey balls.”

  Jared was handsome and sexy. And he was good to her. Great, really. But…was it wrong to want someone to love her? She could easily fall in love with Jared of course. If she let herself. But could he love her too?

  “Looks aren’t enough,” Misty argued. “Marriage is for a lifetime. Forever. If you don’t love someone I would imagine it feels even longer.”

  “He cares about you. Anyone can see it.”

  Jared did care about her. He liked making love to her as well but that wasn’t enough to build a family. Not the lasting kind.

  Rayne tilted her head and smiled. “I think you’re falling in love with him. And can I say I don’t blame you? He’s a good guy, Mist. It’s okay to fall for guys like him. Your ex-boyfriend? Not so much.”

  “He doesn’t love me.” Misty avoided the question. “How could he? I’m the girl from the wrong side of the tracks, remember? He’s practically royalty here in Fielding. The only reason I’m in his home is because I’m having his baby.”

  Rayne tapped her chin. “Let’s see…how are babies made these days? Ah yes, by sex. He didn’t care that you were the girl from the wrong side of the tracks when he was getting horizontal with you, and I doubt he cares now. He’s not the type.”

  “I don’t want to sit here.” A loud voice interrupted their conversation. “Not next to her. Or her trampy friend.”

  Misty wanted to sink into the booth and never be seen again. Two older women – she didn’t know their names – were standing next to Misty’s table with looks of distaste on their faces. The only thing she knew about the women was they were members of the Ladies Auxiliary and had always made a point to cross the street whenever Misty was walking down the same sidewalk.

  The host who was trying to seat them looked lost and unsure. The pizza place was packed as it always was at lunchtime and few other tables were to be had. Certainly none that
had been cleaned by the busboy.

  Rayne slapped the table, her expression militant. “For such fine ladies of Fielding, you have some nasty mouths on you. Who died and made you queens?”

  Why didn’t Rayne just ignore them like Misty’s mother always said to do? She admired Rayne’s bravado but it would only make things worse. She simply didn’t understand.

  The taller of the two women sniffed in disdain. “I know trash when I see it. Look at you,” she scolded. “Tattoos and piercings. I know what your kind is like. It’s shameful, that’s what it is.”

  Misty’s hand tightened on her glass and her heart beat wildly in her chest. This was why she’d wanted to leave Fielding. She’d never understood the hate this town had for her mother and for herself but she doubted she’d ever get used to being the whipping girl for every citizen.

  The other woman tut-tutted, holding her handbag as a shield as if Rayne or Misty were planning to mug them or pull a knife. “And you, Misty Foster, sitting here with decent folk as if you had a right. Everyone knows you’ve trapped the poor sheriff with some story about a baby. If you are having a child – and I doubt it – the father isn’t a good man like Jared Monroe. You should go to the church right now and repent all of your sins and lies.”

  “And what should I do, Mrs. Petitt?” Jared’s voice, deep, compelling, and yes, a little angry sounded behind her. “Should I also repent my sins?”

  Jared stepped into view, a thunderous look on his face. His eyes were almost gray and his lips were a flat line of displeasure. Mrs. Petitt’s hand fluttered to her chest, her lined cheeks turning pink.

  “Sheriff, how good to see you. How is your father?”

  “My father is fine but I’m concerned about you,” Jared answered evenly. “You seem to be under the mistaken impression that Misty has somehow trapped me with a baby. So I’m going to say this once and for all. Since you’re the biggest gossip in town I’m sure it won’t take long for everyone to hear it.”

  Mrs. Pettit flushed a deep red and her mouth gaped open like a fish trying to breathe out of water. Her companion wasn’t any better; her hand covered her mouth and a look of chagrin and horror now covered her features.

  Jared leaned down so he was eye to eye with Mrs. Pettit. “In no way have I been trapped. If anyone is trapped it’s Misty. She was an innocent girl and I, an older man, took advantage of that innocence. And trust me when I say the baby she carries is mine. All mine. Are we clear?” The woman nodded faintly but Jared wasn’t done. “When she told me how this town treats her I couldn’t believe my ears. But I had to believe it since I heard it myself today. Perhaps you should go repent your sins, Mrs. Pettit, and we both know you have your share now, don’t we?”

  There was an edge to his voice as he posed his question. Both women had gone from bright red to pale in a matter of seconds. Whatever Jared knew about their secrets his words had hit home. Hard.

  The women scuttled out of the restaurant that had gone eerily quiet when Jared had shown up. He looked around as if daring anyone else to say another word before sliding into the booth next to Misty.

  “I guess they lost their appetites,” Rayne said loudly. “Too bad.”

  The rest of the patrons began to go back to their meals. The show was over. Misty, however, was mortified. She pressed her hands to her hot cheeks and closed her eyes, trying to block everyone out. If she’d moved to Seattle this wouldn’t have happened.

  Jared put his arm around her shoulders but she wouldn’t look at him. This was exactly what she’d been afraid of. Had warned him about. But he hadn’t listened to her.

  “It’s over, honey.”

  That pissed her off because she knew better. She lifted her head and their gazes locked. Hers angry and his gentle.

  “It’s not, Jared. It will never be over. I could save a school bus full of children from a burning building and they wouldn’t care. I should have left when I’d planned to.”

  “You’re going to let a couple of women run you out of your hometown?” Jared asked, his fingers massaging her shoulder. “You’re stronger than that, Misty. To put up with that shit your whole life you’ve got to have a spine made of steel. You should have just told her to go to hell.”

  Misty tugged nervously at her braid. “Mom always said to ignore them. What you did just now? Believe me it will only make things worse. I’ve tried to fight back and it doesn’t work.”

  “It’s not going to get worse because I won’t allow it. Everyone now knows that you’re under my protection. And as for fighting before, you were a child—now you’re a grown woman,” Jared reminded her. “I see what your mother was saying but when someone comes at you like that…”

  Rayne pursed her lips and made a face. “Those two old battleaxes can go fuck themselves. Judging me for tattoos and piercings. Thinking they know me or you, for that matter. They don’t know shit and I won’t hesitate to tell them that. I have no idea how my sister can stand to live in this town.”

  “Now don’t you go putting ideas of leaving into Misty’s head,” Jared warned. “I’ll just come after you, honey.”

  “And drag me back?” Misty crumpled up the paper napkin in her hand. “I said I would stay for awhile and I meant it. I’m not a liar.”

  “No, you’re a good person who has allowed a few people in town to make you think that everyone feels the same way they do.” Jared pointed to the diners in the restaurant. “Do you think these people care what you or Rayne do? I mean…honestly? They’re busy worrying about their own lives. They don’t have time to worry about yours. Sure, they might like to hear some juicy gossip about how I knocked you up but that’s only to take their mind off their problems.”

  His vernacular lightened the mood which she was sure he intended. “Knocked me up? I’m not sure I like the sound of that.”

  “I liked it when we did it.”

  Misty shook her head and elbowed Jared. He was trying to make her forget what had happened and she had to admit she wasn’t feeling as badly as she had ten minutes ago. He had unquestionably stood up for her and for that she was grateful. Having him – and Rayne – here did make it somewhat easier.

  But that didn’t mean she wanted a repeat performance. She’d just as soon never see Mrs. Pettit and her friend ever again.

  “Not in front of everybody.”

  Her friend laughed and took a generous bite of her pizza. “The way you two look at each other there was no doubt you both enjoyed it.” Rayne pushed the pizza closer to Jared. “You might as well join us for lunch. We’ll never eat all of this.”

  Jared helped himself; his appetite she’d learned was always hearty. “Don’t mind if I do. It’s been a busy morning.”

  “You always have a busy morning. You haven’t had a full day off in awhile.” Misty placed her napkin beside her plate. She’d lost her appetite. “I need to get going. I have a doctor’s appointment in half an hour.”

  Jared grinned. “I know. They called the house to confirm and the call was routed to my phone. That’s why I’m here. I’m going with you.”

  “You don’t have to,” Misty replied automatically, too used to doing everything on her own. “I’ll be fine.”

  “I’m sure you will but I’m still going. I have questions for the doctor,” Jared replied confidently. “Are you asking me not to go?”

  “Of course not. I just didn’t think you’d want to go to a doctor’s office with a bunch of pregnant women.”

  “I’m sure they’ll be partners there. I’m a part of this, Misty. Don’t shut me out.”

  Rayne was watching the back and forth with great interest. Misty needed to end this conversation immediately. “Then we should get going. The receptionist said I would have new patient paperwork to fill out when I got there.” She pulled her wallet from her purse but Jared’s hand stayed her movements.

  “I’ve got this.”

  Rayne smiled and lifted her glass of iced tea. “Thank you, Jared. You’re such a gentleman. A real keeper.
”

  Misty didn’t miss the meaningful look from her friend. After Jared’s display of chivalry today, Rayne was never going to shut up about marrying him. She was firmly in the pro-Jared camp, obviously dazzled by his looks and charm.

  Jared paid the bill and took Misty’s arm as they exited the restaurant. She was determined not to let what had happened dampen her excitement about seeing the doctor for the first time. No matter what, she had her baby.

  Dr. Farber was a smiling middle-aged woman with kind brown eyes. Her nurse had taken Misty’s blood pressure, weighed her, and then finally had her pee in a cup. Misty had kept Jared up by her head during the doctor’s exam but the entire time he’d peppered the poor woman with questions. She must have been used to it though because she never lost patience, even when Misty was ready to slap her hand over his mouth.

  “Now we’re all done with that part of the visit. Would you like to see your baby?” the doctor asked with a knowing smile.

  Who was going to say no?

  “Very much.” Misty nodded her head along with Jared. The doctor wheeled a large machine over next to the examination table and began typing on the keyboard.

  “Let’s take a look at your baby.”

  The doctor inserted the wand inside of Misty and while at first it was uncomfortable she quickly forgot all about it as she stared at the screen. There was a small light pulsing and Misty couldn’t seem to tear her eyes from it.

  “That’s your baby’s heartbeat.” The doctor pointed to the light. “Nice and strong. He or she is still pretty small but everything looks as it’s supposed to.”

  Her heart in her throat and practically shaking with excitement, Misty turned to Jared but his expression stopped her. He too was staring at the screen but his expression had gone white as if in shock and his hand was now pressed to her abdomen.

  “Jared?” she prompted. “Are you okay?”

  His hand slid from her belly and his fingers entwined tightly with her own. “It’s just so…real.”