“No. She was my friend and she knew how much I hated this town. How much I wanted out. Through her I was able to make some money toward my dream of getting out.”
He scratched his temple. “Working as an escort?”
“Don’t judge me.”
“I’m not. I’m only asking. Did Leandra and Cox make enemies with someone?”
“I-I don’t know.”
“You do know and that’s why you took off so fast from Leandra’s apartment. If we found you, they can find you too. Let me help you.” He pulled her diary from his pocket and laid it on the dashboard. “Recognize that?”
Her breath came out in a hiss. “Did you read it?” Her brows scrunched.
“Yes. Two of the names you have written in your diary are names on a list we found connected to the murders.”
She jumped for the diary so fast the car shook. “So, you’re not my friend after all.” She reached for a cigarette from a pack in her purse and lit one.
“Yes I am. I’m worried about your safety. Someone out there has a lot at stake in getting rid of people who are associated with the list. I’m worried that you might be one of them. I think you’re worried too and that’s why you’ve been going from place to place, staying away from home. If there’s something you know, tell me. I promise, we will keep you safe, but unless you talk to me, these bad men will continue until you’re dead.”
She stared out the window. “I don’t know anything.”
“Why are the names of two political figures written in your book?” Phoenix couldn’t give up.
“For no reason at all.”
He rubbed his forehead. “Think of your mom.”
She looked around. “Is she unsafe?”
“Talk to me, Tammy. Tell me what you know. Have you heard anything? Has someone threatened you? Do you know a man who is calling himself Snake?”
She dropped back on the seat and stared into space. “If I say anything, they will kill me.”
“Helping me catch them is the only way to stay safe.”
“I don’t think I will be much help. I don’t know names. Everything is secretive in this game.”
“You cared for Leandra, didn’t you?”
“Like a sister. She understood me…knew how drugs destroy families.”
“She was murdered in cold blood, Tammy. If the situation was turned and she knew something, wouldn’t you want her to help in catching the bad guys?”
“Leandra had been doing this work for a while, working her way through med school and planned to give it up. She gave me some pointers and guidelines, took me under her wing. At first, it wasn’t so bad, and the money was great. I never could have made that much money waitressing at my old job. And then…” She took a long drag of her cigarette.
“Tammy?”
“I don’t know all the details, but Leandra met Mason and she didn’t want to do this job anymore. He filled her head with dreams of leaving everything behind and running off to some place new to start over again after she got her degree. He had a plan and Leandra fell for it, but things got out of hand fast. One night, we’d been drinking. I had too much and she told me to go lie down. I fell asleep but woke up later and overheard Leandra talking to someone. It was Mason and their voices were hushed, but they got louder. I was still a little buzzed, but I can remember him saying that the big guys would pay whatever to keep their names from being linked with prostitution.”
“Mason Cox was blackmailing the men Leandra was providing entertainment for?”
Tammy nodded and tossed her cigarette through the crack in the window. “At first Leandra wanted no part of it. She knew it was wrong on so many different levels, and dangerous, but Mason said he’d done something like this before…telling her she wouldn’t have to do anything but make a list of the men she’d slept with for money and allow Mason to take some pictures, you know…” She shrugged. “Eventually, the dude got his way and she agreed.”
“Did any of the men pay?”
“A couple, but then something happened. Maybe they stepped on the wrong toes. Some big shot had threatened Mason. Leandra wasn’t herself and I kept asking her what was wrong, and finally she told me these men were after Mason and her, they were threatening to kill them. She was scared they’d find out her real name, where she worked, lived. Mason used the list as leverage though. He warned that if anything happened to him or Leandra, the evidence, with the pictures, would go public. When I heard what happened at the massage studio I knew the men had caught up to Leandra and Mason so they couldn’t talk. I was scared. I thought they’d connect me with her and I’d die too, so I ran.”
He patted her shoulder, seeing the fear in her eyes. “Where are the pictures?”
“I have no clue.”
“This is important.”
“I told you. I don’t know.”
“Do you know who wanted Leandra and Mason dead? Did they ever say his name while they were talking?”
She rubbed her forehead with a shaky hand. “They never said his name, but whoever he is, he can’t be touched. Leandra said he was protected.”
“How?”
“I have no clue. I told you, I never met him. I don’t want to either.”
“By chance, did you see the list Leandra had made?”
“No, but I knew who she was sleeping with. She always told me to keep a list of the men we meet, just for safe keeping. A girl never knows when she’ll need to protect herself.”
“Do you have a list, Tammy?”
“Sheriff…”
“Tammy, do you want me to catch the bad guys?”
Reaching into her purse, she drew out a sheet of folded notebook paper, but she didn’t hand it over right away. “Why do you need my list?”
“To find any connection. There might not be, but we won’t know until we check everyone out.”
Once he had the list, he opened it and read the five names. Number three he knew well and forth on the list made his throat constrict. “The doctor. He was a client?”
“I guess you could call him that. It turned out to be more like a G rated movie than a porn.”
He stuffed the paper into his front pocket. “You’re not safe out here on the streets. We’ll get you set up in a motel tonight and tomorrow we’ll get you away from this town until the murderer is caught.” He got out and motioned for Connor, explaining the plans.
“You’ve done the right thing,” Phoenix said to Tammy. “Not only have you saved yourself, but you’ve probably saved others. I need one more favor.”
“The gifts keep coming,” she snorted.
“Call your mom and let her know you’re okay.”
CHAPTER 14
SNAKE THREW OUT his orange peel as he watched the Sheriff’s truck pull into the parking space in front of the brick building. The blind woman wasn’t with him. He’d left her behind at the station.
Eating his orange, he swiped the juice from his mouth.
Itching to do some killing, the longer Snake dealt with the likes of the pig with a badge and the blind bitch he was getting more hyped, and angry. The boss was breathing down his neck to take care of the situation, adding more and more shit for him to take care of. What Snake would like to do was slice the man’s throat. That’d take care of one issue.
If only…
The bastard needed taken down a notch or two, thinking he had life by the balls. No, the boss thought he had Snake by the balls. No one led him around by a nose ring.
The Sheriff got out of the truck and headed into the building.
Snake had heard about Cade’s short temper for bad guys, his spot-on shooting skills and a family of cops. This just kept getting deeper. He could handle hurdles, but if anything happened to the Sheriff his family could be dangerous to Snake’s well-being. However, the longer this shit continued, the itchier his trigger finger got. Cade was doing a damn good job keeping his girlfriend safe, but nothing would protect her from Snake’s wrath. He had too much at stake here. The Boss
allowed him to do his business while keeping him and his brother from behind bars. After this job was over, the asswipe couldn’t demand anything else from Snake. His due would be paid in full.
In the end, because the chick was causing him so much grief, he’d see that she made amends before he sliced her pretty throat. He had a feeling that underneath her bulky clothing she had a nice pair of tits and a firm ass. Snake was a T and A man. Big, small, firm or dimpled, he didn’t give a damn. He liked to play with breasts that jiggled, and plunging into a virgin ass. If he had to guess, he’d say the chick would suit him just fine.
He wasn’t particular when it came to a good piece of pussy. Just like his whiskey. He never turned a bottle or a lay down. It had been a long time since he’d had a sweet, innocent snatch. He bet she’d taste like blueberries and smell like expensive soap.
His mouth watered.
His dick stretched and he grabbed his crotch, rubbing his groin.
Pulling down the zipper, he released his aching cock from the confines and wrapped his sweaty fingers around his long dong. It had been a long time since he’d been this hard, this crazy for a hard fuck. He could have about any pussy he wanted for a twenty, but buying cunt wasn’t doing it any longer. No, he ached for tight, slippery, smooth pussy.
As he moved his hand up and down his rod, he stared at the window into the Sheriff’s station, imagining he could see the blondie through the veil of the curtain. Her long hair that he wanted to grab in a tight fist and pound into her flesh. She’d fight. Yeah, the smart ones always did. He’d like that. Most women did resent his intentions at first, but that only made the game more fun…
He squirted all over the steering wheel and dashboard. The windows were covered in a layer of fog and he clicked on the cool air. He used a fast food napkin to clean his mess from inside the car he’d borrowed from his brother. Lowering the window, he tossed the used paper towel outside onto the sidewalk next to the peel, zipped his jeans, then slammed the car into drive. He had a hankering for a burger.
~~~**~~~
Ria bit into her burrito, savoring the taste of cheese, black beans and sour cream. “I haven’t had one of these in so long.” Prior to the murders, she would meet Phyllis once a week for burrito Tuesday at the local taco shack. Considering she’d been a little preoccupied for the last few weeks, she hadn’t had the chance to grab a burrito, or see her friend often enough. “Thank you for bringing me one. I know the ambiance isn’t like sitting in the park listening to the kids play. I miss seeing Grace and Markie.”
“Well, although I think Grace would think it’s exciting visiting the Sheriff’s station, I decided it best to leave them at home.”
“You didn’t have to take your lunch break and visit me, but thanks for bringing my mail.” Ria took a sip from the straw in her Coke can.
“I wanted to, honey. I also wanted to check in and make sure you’re doing okay.”
“That’s sweet of you, but I’m okay.”
“Are you spending your days here at the station and nights at the Sheriff’s cabin?”
Although they were the only ones in the office because Deputy Holloway had gone out on a call, Ria still felt the need to keep her voice down low. “You say that in a negative tone.”
There was a long hesitation. “No, I don’t think of it as negative, but I worry about you.”
“You don’t have to. I feel pretty safe here, and with Phoenix.” For the last few days they had spent hours talking and getting to know each other. Nearly crossing a boundary after coming back from the wedding, neither had made a move to cross that line again. It wasn’t that Ria didn’t want to, but she also liked the fact that Phoenix respected her. How many other men would have turned down an opportunity to have sex?
“I’m having Grace’s birthday party this Saturday.”
“Oh my gosh. I almost forgot it was coming up. Is she still into ponies?”
“Yes. She wants one, but she doesn’t quite understand horses need places to roam. Our backyard is too small for a kiddie pool let alone a horse.”
Ria smiled. “I remember you and Troy thought about relocating to the country. Any more thoughts?”
“I feel like I’m too busy to think about moving right now.”
“What’s going on? Is Markie keeping you up late again?”
“No. He’s sleeping all night long now,” Phyllis preened. “But…it’s Troy.”
“What about him? Same issue?” Ria pushed her burrito to the side and propped her elbows on the table.
“I think…,” Phyllis started. “I think he’s seeing someone.” There was an obvious quake to her voice.
“Troy? Seeing someone? I don’t believe it.”
“I wouldn’t have either, but there are warning signs that I can’t overlook.”
“Signs? Like what?” Ria couldn’t imagine anything coming between the two lovebirds.
“You know I’ve mentioned Troy’s libido before, right? Well, he hasn’t tried to touch me in several weeks.”
Ria sighed. “But you did say you haven’t been up for intimacy because of work and other things. Maybe he’s giving you space?”
“He was late getting home from work Thursday. I was already in bed and woke up when he climbed in next to me. I rolled over, wanting to snuggle, but I smelled a woman’s perfume.”
“He’s a doctor, honey. Maybe he brushed up against a patient and her scent lingered on his clothing.”
“I see your point, but he’s acting different. Distant.”
“I’m sorry.” Ria reached across the table and patted Phyllis’s hand. “He loves you, sweetheart, and I remember you thought he was cheating before and that’s when he was planning you a surprise birthday party. I don’t think he ever forgave me for letting you in on the surprise so you wouldn’t be suspicious. This could be one of those times.”
“My birthday has already passed, and he didn’t even get me a card.”
Ria settled into the cushioned chair. “Have you talked to him about your qualms?”
“No, I haven’t. And you’re probably right. I’m allowing my brain to work overtime. So, enough about me and my troubles. Tell me more about that hunk you’re living with.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m living with him. I’m his guest,” Ria corrected.
“Yeah, right.” Her tone was cynical.
“Phyllis! Stop right there. I know you want me to find Mr. Right, settle down and have a family, but keep in mind I haven’t known him long.” She wanted to be careful with what she admitted to.
“And I see the glow in your skin and the smile you gave him the other day. Maybe you should pay close attention to your feelings.”
“I am, and my instinct is warning me to take things slow. There are so many reasons why.”
“I know, but on the other hand, when it’s right, it’s right, and prolonging the inevitable could be taking a risk of losing him. I’m curious, is the new color to your cheeks due to what I think it is…,” Phyllis teased.
“No, we haven’t had sex. Almost, but we didn’t get that far.”
“What? You were in the “zone” and didn’t find out if he’s as good in bed as his moves promise?”
“Things are never as easy as you’d like to believe they are. He’s sort of right in the middle of a case right now, you know, catching the bad guys who want to put me six feet under. The man needs his complete and total concentration.”
“Pfft. There’s more to it than that. Confess. Two single, beautiful people don’t spend every night in a remote cabin and don’t do the funk, unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Unless you block his attempts.”
“And you think I’d do that?”
“Yes.”
“Well, if you must know, he was the one who put his brakes on.”
“Wow! Too bad.”
Ria shrugged. “It was for the best. Now, tell me, do I have burrito all over my face? In my teeth?” She put on a cheesy smile.
> “No, you’re clean. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drop food on yourself. As for me, I’m wearing a glop of sour cream on my new blazer and probably a toasty O in my hair from feeding the kids this morning.”
“And you love your life. You know it.”
“I do, but I’ve been thinking. Maybe I should take a few days off, call my mom, have her watch the kids so I can take Troy on a romantic vacation.”
“That’s a great idea. Gosh, we’re getting old. I remember when you and Troy use to run off on your trips at a slight change in the wind’s direction. He took you on that weekend trip to Paris, remember? And on your anniversary, he surprised you with a getaway to Aruba. Those are amazing adventures, honey. You and Troy might not be able to jump on a plane and fly across the world any longer, but you can experience romance right in your neighborhood.”
“You’re right. I’ll make the plans. You sure you don’t want to come stay with us again? I miss you.” There was a sad cadence to her voice.
“I miss you too, but there’s not a fat chance in hell that I’ll put you, Troy, or the kids in danger. When this is over, we’ll spend some time catching up outside of the Sheriff’s station. In the meantime, enjoy your family. I can’t even begin to tell you how lucky you are. You and Troy are just in a rut that together you can jump out of.”
“I love you, Ria. I’m so grateful I have you in my life, keeping me on my path.”
“That’s what friends are for.”
~~~**~~~
“Okay, are you going to tell me why you haven’t said more than two words since we left the station?”
Phoenix brought his gaze around and looked at her. He was glad she couldn’t see his expression, but he had to keep in mind that her instincts were spot-on. He toed off his boots by the door and watched her use her cane to navigate the furniture in the living room, and yet he knew it was habit because he’d watched her numerous times steer through the maze without her cane.
“Why do I get the feeling there’s something about this day that you’re not telling me?” She sat down on the couch, leaned her cane against the arm and tucked her feet up under her.
Protected by the Lawman Page 13
