Ladies Love Lawmen: When It's A Matter of The Heart or Death...

by D'Ann Lindun

  “I’m not hungry,” Kyra said.

  “Eat anyway,” January ordered. “You have to keep up your strength. You can fall apart when you’re safe.”

  Together, they ate in silence until Kyra dropped her chip wrapper. Listlessly, she watched it land at her feet. January bent to retrieve it, and when she did, something flashed on one of the tires. She reached for it, expecting a clump of mud or grass. She pulled her hand back and held up something. “Look.”

  From her fingers dangled a key ring.

  A small spark of life entered Kyra’s eyes. “Oh my God. Where did you find those?”

  January indicated the wheel well. “Under there. On the tire. Let’s get out of here.” She unlocked the passenger door and rummaged through the glove box until she spotted the registration. Taking it from the small plastic holder, she read who the owner was and sagged into the seat. “This truck belongs to the sheriff.”

  “These horses don’t belong to Davey’s killer?”

  “I don’t think so. The one I was riding brought me right to this truck, so I’m guessing these are the sheriff’s horses. We’ll take the horses to her people and tell them about your boyfriend and also Sheriff English. They can rescue her in the morning.” January moved to the trailer and opened the back door, then untied both palominos. She had no clue how to load or haul horses, but luckily both stepped inside with little prompting.

  After closing and bolting the trailer door, she went to the driver’s side of the truck. Kyra had climbed into the passenger seat and closed her eyes. Exhaustion claimed January, too. She’d like nothing better than to climb in bed and sleep for twelve straight hours.

  Shaking it off, she started the ignition. Thank the gods her little sports car was a stick shift or otherwise they’d really be screwed. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

  “It can’t be too soon,” Kyra muttered.

  January agreed wholeheartedly.

  ~*~

  The dim reflection of January’s Fiat and a dark SUV came into view around two in the morning, according to the glowing blue lights of the dashboard clock. Kyra had fallen asleep almost immediately, leaving January to navigate the slick dirt road alone. She’d figured slower was safer and she’d crawled the rig down the mountain in first gear.

  Although tempted to park the truck and trailer to drive her own car home, January realized the horses had to be as tired and hungry as her. What to do with them? She didn’t have a barn in her backyard. She supposed Sheriff English’s ranch would be the best place.

  With a sigh, she drove by the parked vehicles.

  About an hour later, she turned into the long lane leading to the English ranch. “Kyra, wake up.”

  “What?” The other girl straightened and looked around with frightened eyes. “Where are we?”

  “You’re safe. We’re at the sheriff’s ranch. We have to do something with her horses.”

  Kyra nodded, but made no comment.

  In the barnyard, January circled and parked. The rain had finally let up about a mile back. “Let’s get these guys put to bed, then call the cops.”

  Together, they unloaded the two palominos and put them in the barn. After feeding them from a nearby stack of hay, January closed the stall door. Her knees wobbled. “I’m going to call the sheriff’s office now.”

  “Okay.” Kyra sank onto the hay pile. “My phone is in my car. We left them there—”

  “I have mine.” January patted the girl’s back and dialed her cell phone. After four rings, a man’s sleepy voice answered. “Sheriff’s Department.”

  “This is January Devlin. I need to report a murder. Please send someone to Sheriff English’s ranch. We’re in her barn—”

  The man on the other end gasped. “Is Jamie, er, Sheriff English dead?”

  “No,” January hastened to say. “But she’s stranded in the mountains. A man has been murdered. A camper. Please, just send someone and we’ll explain it all then.”

  “I’ll be there within a few minutes.”

  “Thank you.” On legs no longer able to support her, January sank into the hay next to Kyra. “They’re coming.”

  ~*~

  Deputy Carver hung up the phone, his hands shaking. How had he gotten so damn lucky? Jamie lost in the mountains; the target within striking distance. He picked up his keys and almost ran to his Jeep.

  He skidded to a halt.

  Incoming calls were recorded.

  He had to erase it.

  Tearing back inside, he deleted the conversation. What if another call came in while he was gone? He’d have to risk it, say he was in the john. Hopefully there wouldn’t be an emergency. He’d cross that stream when he came to it.

  Leaving off his headlights, he eased out of town. Confluence was dead at three in the morning, but he didn’t want to risk being seen by some mom feeding an infant or some old geezer up peeing for the tenth time.

  He reached over and opened the glove box. Pulling the cell phone he only used for one person, he dialed.

  “Hola?”

  “You aren’t going to believe what’s going on.” Tad filled in the details, then said, “Tell the buyer I’ll have his product by dawn.”

  “Meet at the usual location. I’ll take it from there.”

  “When?”

  “As soon as I take care of our little problem. Later tonight, most likely. I’ll be in touch.”

  “Don’t forget my payment,” Tad said darkly.

  “You’ll be well compensated, amigo. Don’t worry.” He hung up.

  With his heart racing, Tad drove the long dirt road leading to the English ranch. Isolated place. No neighbors within shouting distance. Hell, none within shooting distance. He couldn’t have found a more perfect location if he’d tried.

  Jamie’s distinctive red Dodge, with a horse trailer hitched to it, sat in the barnyard. Damn. He’d have to hide that. Buy some time. He parked and took a deep breath. The goal was in sight. The whole reason he’d gotten involved in this clusterfuck sat within a few feet. All he had to do was walk in there and take her.

  He grabbed his notebook and opened the door.

  January Devlin huddled in the haystack like a frightened kitten. When she saw him, she struggled to her feet. For once she looked glad to see him and not like he was lower than shit on her shoe.

  Next to her sat another woman.

  Fuck!

  His carefully constructed plan had a hitch.

  Taking a closer look, Tad realized the girl looked familiar. The same one he’d stopped the other day, although she didn’t appear to recognize him. The one who was supposed to take the place of the dead girl from the flood. What the hell? He forced a concerned smile. “Ladies. You called the sheriff’s office?”

  “I did.” January sat beside her companion again.

  “Want to tell me what’s going on?” Tad tried to hide his impatience as he opened his notebook. “Names?”

  The icy blonde model gave him a funny look. “January Devlin.”

  “Kyra Jacobi.” The dark haired girl spoke in a monotone. “My boyfriend Davey and I went camping for the weekend. The day before yesterday, we were attacked. He was killed and I was held hostage. I got away and January found me…”

  Tad pretended to take notes. His pulse kicked into overdrive. His contact had killed the boyfriend? How had this girl managed to escape? “How did you get away?”

  She shuddered. “I got my feet loose and I ran, but fell.”

  “Did you see the perpetrator? Any idea who would do this?”

  The girl wrapped her arms around her middle. “I don’t know him. I think he was Mexican-American by his accent.” Her eyes looked bleak. “He wore dark sunglasses.”

  “Where do you come into this story?” he asked January.

  “I went camping, too,” she said. “I found Kyra lying in the weeds. After she told me what happened, we got out of there as quickly as possible.”

  “How did you get here to Jamie’s place?” He made
a circular motion with his pen.

  “The horses came into my camp. I had no idea who they belonged to, and the situation seemed dire enough that I decided to take them,” January explained. “We found Sheriff English’s truck and trailer and it seemed wise to bring the horses home.” She paused for a breath. “The sheriff needs your help. She’s stranded in the mountains and it’s been pouring. There might even be snow up there by now.”

  Tad could hardly hold his glee. He hoped she froze to death. “I’ll tell dispatch. Wait here.”

  At his truck, he pretended to talk into his radio before heading back into the barn. “We’ve decided to hide you girls until we find this guy. We feel you’ll be safer out of sight.”

  January frowned. “I’d rather go home. I’m safest there.”

  He fought his impatience. “Sorry, ladies. Not an option. Let’s go.”

  They rose slowly and he fought the urge to drive them like cattle to his Jeep. The trio eventually reached the vehicle where Tad helped each woman into the backseat, waiting for them to buckle up before jumping into the driver’s seat.

  As they turned back the way the women had come, January spoke. “Where are we going, Deputy?”

  He met her worried blue eyes in the rearview mirror. “Kate Hollenbreck’s line cabin.”

  “I don’t know where that is,” she said.

  “Far enough off the beaten path no one will find you.” He tried to sound reassuring.

  “Is there cell reception there?”

  “No, and that’s for the best.” He shifted in his seat. “Until we find this killer, we want you to stay low key and well hidden.”

  She nodded. The other girl hadn’t said a word. She seemed oblivious. What the hell was he going to do with her now that he had the target? The other girls had been nibbles for a big shark’s appetite. But now that he had what he wanted, would he be interested in another girl? If not, what would the contact do with her? Kill her?

  Not Tad’s problem.

  He had fulfilled his end of the bargain.

  He would be set free.

  What had begun as an easy way to make a few extra dollars had quickly escalated into something he had never even imagined.

  Turning off the dirt road leading to the White Forest, he crossed a cattleguard and headed toward Kate Hollenbreck’s line cabin. The deeply rutted road slowed him to a crawl and he muttered a curse.

  He had to be back at his desk by at least six a.m. and Jamie’s rig still had to be hidden.

  The outline of the cabin came into sight. Time to play. He parked close to the front door and killed the engine. They sat in absolute silence until Tad said, “Okay, we’re here.”

  Slowly, the girls climbed out of the truck. Did they suspect something? He fought for normalcy.

  The trio stepped onto the porch. There was no light. Kate had installed a generator for lights and heat some time ago, but he had no intention of firing it up. “Wait here. I’ll check things out.”

  Leaving the girls on the porch, he slipped around to the back of the cabin. There was no back door, only the front, but he wanted to make sure the lone window on the west side had stayed boarded shut in anticipation of this day. It looked just as he’d left it. The plywood he’d nailed over the window held firm.

  He forced a smile as he walked around front. “All’s good. I’ll check inside.” After a cursory glance around, he stepped out. “After you, ladies.”

  Kyra first, then January, stepped into his trap.

  The minute they crossed the threshold, he slammed the door shut and latched it. “Gotcha.”

  “Let us out!” Kyra cried.

  “Deputy! What’s going on?” January pounded on the door. “Open the door this minute.”

  “Just stay put,” he ordered. “I’ll be back later.”

  “It’s dark in here,” Kyra sobbed. “I don’t like it.”

  “Shut up.” He shook his fist. “Just shut up.”

  Making sure the bar he’d installed across the door wasn’t going to move without him, he hurried to his truck. He still had to hide Jamie’s rig and let his contact know the target had been hit.

  He’d done it!

  The impossible.

  He held January Devlin firmly in his grasp.

  Elated laughter gurgled out of him. The no good loser had won. Supermodel, zero. Bitch thought she was too good for him. Who was laughing now?

  He drove back to the English ranch faster than he should have on wet roads. What to do with a pickup and horse trailer? The barn seemed the best solution for now. Later he’d move it somewhere else.

  After driving the rig inside the old barn, he paused. The damn horses stood in their stalls, contentedly munching hay. Would they raise a ruckus when nobody came to feed them tonight? He’d either have to come back tonight or risk turning them out in the pasture and hope no one noticed them there.

  Weighing his options, he decided to come back. If worse came to worse, the damn horses could just starve. In the meantime, he’d give them more hay and hope it was enough. He filled each manger and made sure the water buckets had plenty. Taking one last look around, he slammed the barn doors shut. He had to get to the office before Hattie did.

  The parking lot was empty.

  He’d beat Hattie. With a grin, he slid out of his Jeep and hurried toward the building. Inside was exactly as he’d left it. He sank into his chair and checked the phone. There had been no calls. A big sigh of relief whooshed out of him. Home free. Although his heart raced so hard he feared it might burst out of his chest, he kicked his feet up on the desk and leaned back, striving for nonchalance.

  He’d been in that position for a few minutes when the front door opened and Hattie rushed in with her usual frown. “Good morning, Deputy. Anything happen last night?”

  “Not a thing.” He shook his head somberly.

  “Has Sheriff English checked in yet?” She placed her purse on the desk, clearly wanting him to get out of her seat.

  Checked out, more likely. “Not yet.”

  Hattie frowned. “I’m a little concerned. I thought she’d be back last night.”

  “I’m sure she’s fine. Probably come strolling in any minute.” He stood, yawned and stretched. “I’m headed home to bed.”

  Jinx walked in, carrying a steaming cup of coffee. “Quiet night.”

  “Did you have any stops last night?” Hattie asked.

  “Nothing.” Jinx sipped his coffee. “I did call to check in and nobody answered.”

  “What time?” Tad fought for casual.

  “About four.”

  “I had to take a run to the men’s room,” Tad said. “Sorry.”

  “Sure.” Jinx dropped the subject.

  “Have you heard from the sheriff?” Hattie asked.

  Damn. Why wouldn’t she just shut up? She was like a dog with a bone.

  “No,” Jinx said. “She should be in any minute though.”

  Tad picked up his coat and slipped into it. “Well, I’ve had a long night. I’m going to bed.”

  Hattie narrowed her eyes at him. “Been feeding animals, Deputy?”

  “What?” He followed the direction of her gaze. Double damn. He’d forgotten to brush off after throwing the hay to Jamie’s horses. “Oh, yeah. I lifted a couple hay bales the road crew left by the highway. They were too close to the side and I thought a driver might hit them, so I moved them out of the way.”

  “I see.” Hattie sounded doubtful.

  Fuck her. She always acted like his mother. He forced a nice tone of voice. “Talk to you later.”

  “Later,” Jinx said.

  “Goodbye.” Hattie sounded distracted.

  He passed Benny and Daralee coming in and nodded. How much fun would it be to be a fly on the wall in the next hour when Jamie didn’t show up for her shift? If he could feign a good enough reason, he’d stick around for the shit show.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  January pounded on the door until her fists felt raw. Mem
ories of being trapped on Dominic’s boat crashed through her head and her breath came in short, fast gasps. Very close to a panic attack, she wrapped her arms around her middle and took some deep breaths until she felt a little better.

  The musty smell of an old building filled her nostrils and she sneezed.

  “Why did he do that?” Kyra asked. She sounded about five.

  “I don’t know, but the bastard is going to pay for it.” January dug in her pocket and found her cell phone. No bars, but enough dim light shone from the screen that she could get an idea of their surroundings. Small, square. A bunk bed on the west wall. A table and two chairs on the opposite. A counter with some canned goods. A stove. No wood to burn in it though.

  January circled the room as Kyra huddled by the door. The lone window had a board across it. No other exit. Dominic had held her captive in a similar place. A tiny airless room with no windows.

  She’d gotten away from him; she’d get out of this, too.

  How?

  The door held firm. Going through it wasn’t an option.

  The window didn’t look much better.

  Kyra had begun to rock, keening.

  January wanted nothing better than to join her. If they were going to survive, one of them had to keep their wits. January went to the window and held her phone close to it. Someone had screwed a piece of plywood over it. If she had something to use as a screwdriver, she could possibly take off the board.

  But what could she use for a tool?

  Her backpack was in Jamie’s truck.

  Maybe Kyra had something she could use. She knelt beside the other girl. “Kyra?” She continued to wail and rock. January raised her voice. “Kyra? Do you have a pocketknife?”

  “N-n-n-ooo.”

  “What about a file of any kind?” January knew she grasped at straws, but maybe…

  Kyra shook her head, but stopped wailing.

  “Damn.” January collapsed on the floor next to her. “Just damn.”

  “We’re gonna die,” Kyra sobbed. “Just like Davey.”

  January put an arm around her shoulders. “No, we are not. I won’t let that happen.”

  “What if that cop doesn’t come back?” Kyra continued sobbing. “Then what?”