by Lori King
Kyle had been on patrol at dawn when the call had come in about an unconscious man lying in a ditch along the side of a country road. When he’d arrived on scene, it didn’t take him long to realize this wasn’t someone who’d gotten drunk and passed out trying to walk home. It was a dead body.
He’d called it in to dispatch and then promptly dialed his boss, one of his best friends. Noah would want to know about a possible murder in his jurisdiction. In a rural county like Warren, it was rare for someone to die of anything other than natural causes. Most of what they dealt with involved DUIs, domestic violence calls, and some vandalism from bored teenagers.
It had taken several hours for Mac and her assistant, Brandon, to gather all the evidence and load the body into the van. Kyle and another deputy had stayed on scene to make sure none of the locals decided to stop for a closer look while Mac and Brandon did their thing.
By the time Kyle had strolled back into the station hours later, he’d planned to check in with Mac then head home to crash. His plans had been waylaid when Noah spotted him in the hall. He’d been pulled into Noah’s office and told that two homicide detectives from Indianapolis would be coming to take a look at the body and the crime scene.
He wasn’t given a whole lot of information other than the John Doe he’d found earlier that morning might be linked to another homicide case in Indianapolis. And the icing on the cake? Noah informed Kyle that he was to be the two detectives’ tour guide. He was to make sure they were shown around and had access to everything they needed.
At first, Kyle wasn’t thrilled with his new assignment, but things were looking up. The pretty blond detective standing beside him talking to Mac was a benefit he hadn’t been expecting. She was of average height, probably around five five or five six, and had long dark eyelashes that framed her hazel eyes.
He let his gaze linger over her curves as she spoke to Mac about the John Doe. Janey Davis had long legs that led up to a nice round ass and sturdy hips.
“Kyle’s the one who found him,” Mac said, pulling him out of his daydream.
Janey looked at him as if waiting for something. Of course, he hadn’t been paying attention. His mind had been on other things. “Sorry. I must have missed the question.”
Mac rolled her eyes. “Janey was asking how the body was found.”
“A call came in through dispatch about someone passed out along the side of the road. When I went to check it out, I found our John Doe here.”
“Did you notice any footprints at the scene?” Janey asked.
Kyle shook his head. “No. It’s been pretty dry around here lately. Aside from the body itself, everything else appeared to be undisturbed. Not even the corn a few feet away had any damage. No signs of a struggle.”
“So the body was most likely dumped there.”
“That would be my guess,” Kyle said, agreeing with her assessment.
Mac pointed to marks on the victim’s arms. “Given the guy’s size, I would have expected him to put up more of a fight if he’d seen his attacker coming, but I haven’t been able to find any defensive wounds. There was some dirt under his nails. I sent a sample off to a lab that specializes in soil samples.”
Janey nodded and leaned in to take a closer look at the bruise the Taser left on John Doe’s side. “Might be able to help us narrow down where he was killed.”
They spent a few more minutes looking over the body before saying good night to Mac and going upstairs. It was almost dark by the time he escorted Janey out to the parking lot. She halted beside a silver SUV, which seemed to suit her.
“You mentioned knowing somewhere I could crash for the night?” she asked after unlocking her vehicle.
“I did.” He smiled, hoping it had the effect on her he wanted it to. “It’s a little outside of town. You can follow me over there.”
She opened her door, not looking him. “That isn’t necessary. I’m sure I can find it if you give me directions.”
“I have no doubt about that, but considering I’m going to be dumping you on my sister’s doorstep, I figure I owe her a bit of an explanation.” Janey’s eyes went wide as she met his gaze. He couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s not as horrible as it sounds. Ava runs a bed and breakfast, and I happen to know she has a free room.”
“I don’t want to cause trouble between you and your sister.”
“You won’t. Besides, the closest motel is about a half hour away.”
He waited for several moments while she weighed her options. “All right. If you’re sure she won’t mind.”
Kyle stifled a chuckle. He was sure his sister would mind, but she’d get over it. “I’ll pull my truck around.”
The drive to his sister’s place didn’t take long. Ava only lived about ten minutes outside Liberty. His sister must have heard them pull up because by the time they exited their vehicles, she was standing on her front porch. “I didn’t expect to see you tonight.”
“Can’t I just drop by and see my little sister?” Kyle asked, bounding up the stairs. He pulled her into a hug and kissed her on the cheek.
She batted him away. “Of course you can, but you usually don’t. At least, not at this time of night. Shouldn’t you be at home getting ready for your shift?”
“Normally, yes, but plans change.” He nodded at Janey who was walking toward them. “Ava, I’d like for you to meet Detective Janey Davis. She’s here consulting on a case and needs a place to stay for a night or two.”
His sister raised an eyebrow. “And you figured you’d bring her to me.”
“Of course.”
Ava shook her head then looked at Janey. “It’s not that I mind having you. It’s just that I wish my brother would’ve given me a heads-up.”
“If it’s a problem, I’m sure I can find somewhere else,” Janey said.
“Not without driving a ways. Besides, I do have room.”
She motioned Janey to follow her inside. Kyle trailed after them. He knew he should leave and let Janey get settled, but he didn’t want to. Not yet.
Ava led them down the short hallway to the kitchen. “Are you hungry? I’m sure I can dig something up for you.”
“Thank you, but I ate a sandwich on the drive up.”
His sister nodded. “Make yourself at home. Kyle knows where everything is if you need something and don’t see it. I’m going to run upstairs and get a room ready for you.”
Janey placed her purse on the large farm table that took up almost half of the kitchen. “I don’t want you to go to any trouble.”
Ava ignored her protest. “I’ll be right back.”
When they were alone, Kyle went to the cabinet and began making tea. He’d rather have coffee, but considering it was after nine and he actually needed to sleep tonight, he figured tea would be the better option.
Once the kettle was on the stove, he returned his attention to Janey. She hadn’t moved from her position beside the table. “You can sit down, you know.”
She met his gaze and then looked at the table as if she were seeing it for the first time. “I’m debating whether or not I should go.”
“If you go now, my sister will be insulted.”
“And whose fault would that be? You never should have brought me here.” Her eyes lit up with her annoyance.
Kyle leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. He would love to have moved closer, but something told him he might regret it. “Would you rather have spent the night at my house?”
She straightened her shoulders and jutted out her chin. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
“That’s not a no.” He was enjoying pushing her buttons.
Janey snorted. “Are you always this arrogant?”
He chuckled. “Only when I have a beautiful woman standing in front of me.”
It took her a moment to respond. “I’m here to do a job, Deputy Reed.”
“So am I.” He paused and lowered his voice a little. “It’s Kyle. We are goin
g to be working together, after all.”
She swallowed, her gaze never wavering.
He stared back at her, wondering what she saw there. She was a detective. It was her job to look beyond the surface.
They stood there until Kyle heard his sister at the top of the stairs. He removed the kettle from the burner. “Do you take milk or sugar in your tea?”
“Sugar.” Her voice sounded a little strained, which made him grin. Having her around was going to be fun.
2
Janey had set her alarm for six the next morning. She wanted to get up and moving before things in the house got too hectic. The night before she’d run into another couple who were staying at the bed and breakfast with their two young children. While she liked kids well enough, she knew what breakfast could be like when there were children involved, and she wanted to avoid that. More than anything, she needed to stay focused on why she was there and not get distracted.
She finished getting dressed and headed downstairs to see if there was something quick she could grab to eat, or if Ava could recommend a local restaurant. When she rounded the corner, Janey did a double take. Ava stood rolling out dough at the counter while her brother, Deputy Kyle Reed, stood next to her holding a little boy who didn’t look to be more than two. Unlike the night before, Deputy Reed was wearing his uniform.
A few seconds passed before he noticed her standing there. “Good morning, Detective.”
Ava looked over her shoulder. “I’m making cinnamon rolls, but they won’t be ready for another hour. I could make you something else if you don’t want to wait.”
“Thank you, but if you could point me in the direction of some coffee, I’ll be good,” Janey said. She’d worry about food later.
“It’s by the sink. Kyle started it about fifteen minutes ago, so it should be ready. And there are mugs in that cabinet.” She motioned toward the one to the right of the sink, directly above the coffeemaker.
“Thanks.” Janey took her time selecting a mug, pouring her coffee, and adding the sugar. It was something she could have easily done in less than a minute, but she needed the distraction. A good night’s sleep hadn’t affected her reaction to Deputy Reed . . . Kyle. If anything, it was worse.
When she turned back around, coffee in hand, he was no longer standing at the counter with his sister. He’d moved to the large wooden table, the boy on his lap, playing with sugar packets. They were lining them up to form a train. She felt her heart clench again.
“Are you sure I can’t make you something? Surely you need more than coffee before you and Kyle head out.” Ava’s voice was almost like an electric shock to her system.
Before she could answer, Kyle did. “We’ll grab something in town. Noah wants to meet Detective Davis before she and I head out to Butler Road.”
“Noah?” Janey asked.
Kyle grinned up at her and she felt her heart rate pick up. “Sheriff Jenkins. He called this morning and asked if I could bring you by. He wants to meet you.”
“Oh. Well, I guess that makes sense. I am in his jurisdiction, after all.” Janey took another sip of her coffee and placed it down on the counter next to the sink. “We should probably get going, then.”
He shook his head. “There’s no rush. Finish your coffee. Besides, Noah’s probably at the diner having breakfast right now. If we go to the station this early, we’ll just be hanging around waiting.”
Janey picked her coffee back up and rested against the counter as she watched Kyle and the little boy push the packets of sugar around and make little choo-choo sounds. He looked up at her a couple of times, but for the most part, he focused on the child on his lap. It was a complete contradiction to how he’d been the night before when they’d been alone.
Ava kissed the top of the little boy’s head before walking to the sink to wash her hands. Janey stepped to the side to give her room. “He comes over in the mornings when he can to watch Cole for me so I can cook. I don’t ask him to. He just does it.”
“That’s what family’s for, right?” Not that Janey would know. The only family she had were the people she worked with—Paul in particular. He, his wife Megan, and daughter Chloe had sort of adopted her.
“It wasn’t always like this. Kyle’s ten years older than me. But after my husband was killed . . .” Ava paused. She cleared her throat and reached for a towel to dry her hands. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
“There’s no need to apologize.”
Ava met Janey’s gaze, a look of sad resignation in her eyes. “He was killed in the line of duty. A sixteen-year-old kid who’d robbed a liquor store.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.” Ava took a deep breath. “It’s been almost two years. Cole was just a baby. Which is why I decided to move back home.” She looked over at her brother and her son. “There’s no way I could have done it on my own, and luckily I didn’t have to.”
Janey was glad Ava had a strong support system, but hearing how great her brother had been wasn’t helping.
“Let me pop these in the oven,” Ava said, “and then I’ll make us all some eggs and toast.”
“Really, that isn’t necessary. I’m . . .”
The look Ava gave Janey had the words dying in her throat. Apparently, she’d be having breakfast this morning whether she liked it or not.
A half hour later, belly full of not only eggs and toast, but bacon and fresh fruit, Janey and Kyle made their way into town. All along the main street, there were little shops. Most of their signs still read Closed, but she could see people moving around inside, getting ready to open.
“Is this your first time in Liberty?” Kyle asked as they turned down the street that led to the station.
Janey nodded. “I don’t get out of Indy very often.”
“That’s too bad.”
She raised an eyebrow in question as he pulled into the parking lot and found a spot. “Why’s that? I happen to like Indianapolis.”
“Because you’re missing out. Sure, the big city has a lot to offer, but so do places like Liberty.”
“Like?”
“Like . . . I bet you all don’t have hog roasts in the big city.”
Janey laughed. “Hog roasts? We do eat pork in Indianapolis, you know.”
He smiled and turned to face her. His knee grazed her leg when he changed positions, reminding her how tall he was. “Eating pork in a restaurant isn’t the same thing at all.”
“Really? And how is it different?” Her heart was pounding in her chest and it had nothing to do with their conversation.
Kyle rested his arm on the back of the seat and leaned in. “You’d have to see for yourself.”
“And how would I do that?” She knew it was the wrong question to ask the moment the words slipped from her lips.
“Ethan’s family is having a roast tonight. Come with me and I’ll show you.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” Janey knew she wasn’t misinterpreting the signals Kyle was sending out.
“I think it’s a great idea. And besides, most of the town will be there.” One side of his mouth turned up in a smirk. “You’d be perfectly safe.”
“I can take care of myself. Maybe it’s you who should be worried about your safety.”
His smile grew. “I think I’ll take my chances.”
He swiftly got out of the vehicle, leaving her sitting there, wondering what had just happened. She had no idea what she’d agreed to. Well, not exactly agreed to, but she sure hadn’t said no. Maybe the country air was getting to her.
Kyle was still grinning when she joined him in front of the building.
“You can wipe that smile off your face. I didn’t agree to go with you.”
Instead of responding to her comment, he asked, “Ready to meet Sheriff Jenkins?”
Janey narrowed her eyes a little, but nodded.
The station was busier than it had been the night before. It still wasn’t anything like where she worked, but t
here were several people moving about. One woman wore a headset. Janey figured she had to be their dispatcher.
“Noah’s office is this way,” Kyle said.
“After you.” That smile of his got bigger again. Janey could only imagine what was going through his head at the moment. “You call your boss by his first name? Is that a small town thing?”
“Maybe. But in this case, it’s that we’ve known each other most of our lives. His brother and I played football together in school.”
“So you’re friends.”
It wasn’t really a question, but he answered anyway. “Yep.”
Not much chance the sheriff would help keep Kyle from crossing professional boundaries, then. If anything, they’d probably be giving each other pats on the back.
Kyle walked to the far side of the room. He stopped in front of a big door with the word SHERIFF embossed on the glass. “I think you’ll like Noah. He’s a lot like me.”
Great.
* * *
Kyle knocked twice before entering Noah’s office. The room had wall-to-wall bookshelves which Kyle had always found a little confining, but Noah seemed to like it. He said it gave him places to put things. The only contrast to all the wood was a single window at the back. It wasn’t enough, in Kyle’s opinion.
“Perfect timing,” Noah said.
“I figured you’d just be getting in.” Kyle motioned toward Janey. “Noah, I’d like for you to meet Detective Janey Davis.”
Noah stood and extended his hand to her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Detective Davis. Your captain speaks highly of you and your partner.”
“Thank you. I appreciate you allowing me to come take a look at things. We’ve run into a dead end on our case back home. If this is related, it could provide the lead we need to catch this person.”
“We don’t get many murders around here, so when Kyle discovered the body, I did a little research. That’s how I found out about your victim in Indianapolis. The similarities were too close for me to pass them off as coincidence without doing some more investigation.” Noah sat down and leaned back in his chair. “I trust Kyle is taking good care of you . . . showing you around?”
