by Madelon Smid
“If I gave you a piece of clothing with my scent on it, but someone else’s too, could the dogs find it if the person had been on the side of that hill?”
“Yes. They’d have to have a sniff at you, so we can separate out the second scent, but if the person you’re suggesting was up there, his scent would be fresh enough to pick up. I’ll get the guys to swing by with the dogs as soon as they’re ready. I suggest you sit down before you fall down.”
“Thanks, Sheriff.” Sky did fall into the chair the moment he went through the door.
In seconds, Pops joined her. “Feeling pretty tough, huh?”
“Tough and mad and puzzled. Do you think this has anything to do with Adam? I heard the sheriff ask you about changes, and the only thing that’s changed is him showing up.”
“Using that criteria, then your new student Earl Henshaw and his girlfriend would also be suspect.”
“No, they weren’t around when Bully Boy was sabotaged.”
“I’d put my money on Adam being straight as a vector,” Max stated, settling into the extra chair. “But I did ask him if it was possible he was the target? A lot of people knew you were going to take him up. I thought it might have something to do with the work Hamilton Aeronautics does.”
“And I wondered if it has something to do with my grandmother.” Sky heard a car pull up outside, and looking through the window, saw a sheriff’s department SUV. She could hear the baying of hounds through the thickness of the vehicle chassis and the hangar walls. “I have to get something for these guys. Maybe it will eliminate one suspect.” She limped out, wishing she could avoid climbing the stairs again.
She handed the deputy the T-shirt she’d been wearing when Adam had laid her over the wing of her plane and kissed her passion into an inferno. She could feel heat flaming in her cheeks and hoped they couldn’t recognize a blush behind the patches of grazed skin.
“If you come with me, ma’am, I’ll just let the dogs have a sniff of you. And we also need to know if you’ve been up on the ridge anytime since the last rain.”
“I’ve never been on the ridge.” Sky followed him to the back of the SUV. The dogs were in cages, when he lifted the tailgate. She held out her fingers, and they sniffed them, a few giving her some enthusiastic licks. Great, now she had to wash and reapply the antibiotic cream.
“That should do it.” The deputy backed her up and closed the tailgate.
Sky trailed back into the office, feeling the after effects of an adrenaline high. She was coming down off a doozy. Combined with the pain killers, which were kicking in, she felt exhausted, didn’t know if she could make it up the stairs.”
“Pops, I’m going to lie down for a little while. I’ll come back and help you with the insurance claims, later.” She couldn’t raise her voice above a whisper. She felt like she was weighted and constrained by a heavy net that continued crushing down on her.
Pops jumped out of his chair and hurried over. “I’ll just give you a hand up the stairs. You’re out on your feet, and I don’t want you falling and hurting yourself worse.”
He guided her into her bedroom, pulled back the covers, and watched her crawl into bed. Sky laid the undamaged side of her face on her pillow and curled into a ball. In seconds, she was asleep.
****
Adam paced the loft like a caged panther. He fingered the photo of Sky and Max in front of the Tiger Moth, ran his hand across a shelf of trophies, and touched the titles of the books filling the shelves on either side of a small desk. Sky had been asleep when he arrived and still slept on. Max had let him into the loft, giving him a beer and a rundown of what had happened. He’d seen the blackened carcass of the plane, the shattered cameras, and the burned fuel tank when he’d driven in. But standing looking down at Sky, noting the asphalt burn across her cheek and her abraded hands, he felt like committing murder. Who would do this?
Max had floated several theories when he’d asked the question aloud, but they were no closer to finding an answer. The sheriff’s department had found no sign of the sniper nest on the hillside, almost impossible in the heavy brush. And apparently, they’d sent dogs up with a scent to track and found nothing. He couldn’t dismiss Max’s question. Did this attack have something to do with Hamilton Aeronautics? Had his sponsorship brought this on? He couldn’t rule it out, but could find no link, or reason, for Hamilton’s traitor to go after Sky.
Max had left him guarding Sky, while he dealt with the insurance agent, lawyers, and bankers, who all had a vested interest in the destruction of their property.
A soft groan from the bedroom captured his attention, he hurried in and found Sky resting her weight on one elbow and looking around the room as if disorientated.
“You’re safe, Sky.” He crossed to the bed and couldn’t resist touching her, reassuring himself she was alive. He brushed strands of hair out of her eyes, tucked them behind her dainty ear, and stroked across her unaffected cheek with a tender finger.
“Here, let me help you.” As if lifting a chick from a nest, he tucked his hands under her armpits and raised her into a sitting position, holding her upright while he arranged pillows behind her and settled her against them.
“Can I get you some water, another pain killer, tea?”
“Adam, what are you doing here?” She pushed at the silky strands of hair once more straggling across her face.
“Max called me. I jumped on the plane right away. He had meetings and was going to swing by his place and pack a bag so he could sleep here tonight. I’m staying with you till he gets back.”
“But what time is it. I just took a nap.”
“It’s after nine o’clock.”
“I slept all day.”
“Yes, the result of adrenaline overdose and work overload, no doubt. You haven’t been getting enough sleep, and with the right excuse, your body shuts down. Now you probably need some food. I made soup. Will you let me bring you a bowl?
She placed her bandaged hand against her taut stomach and nodded. “Yes, I’m hungry. Thank you.”
“No problem.” Adam moved into the modern kitchen, in one corner of the loft. He’d heated up a can of tomato soup and filled it with all sorts of vegetables and grains so it was more like a stoup—part stew, part soup. He’d added spices and a little heat for energy, and it smelled good. He hadn’t eaten either, so he filled two bowls, put some crackers and cheese on the side of the plates, and set Sky’s out on a bed table he’d found in one of her cupboards. He’d set it with a placemat and napkin and a small bowl holding pansies he’d picked from the office window box.
“This looks nice.” She seemed shy, as he set it over her lap. “And it smells good,” she said with more enthusiasm.
“How are you feeling?”
“Like a B-52 just rolled on top of me and exploded.” She bit into her soft bottom lip as she sat straighter. “Oh, apple juice and crackers that hurts.” She fell against the pillows, staring at her hands.
Adam clasped them and gently pried open her curled fingers. “This looks awful. Why didn’t the EMTs take you to the hospital?”
“I didn’t think they were so bad and refused to go.” She sulked a little. “I couldn’t feel anything right then.”
“Shock does that. I’m calling a doctor I know. She lives nearby and will stop by and treat these, if I ask her. Are there any more wounds you’re not dealing with?”
She gritted her teeth and twisted, peering at the back of her forearms. “I’ve scraped my elbow, and I can’t put any weight on my right hip.”
Adam shook his head as he set his dish aside and pulled out his phone. He paced out of the bedroom, keeping his voice low while he described Sky’s injuries.
“She’s on her way. Now let’s get this soup into you.” He sat on the edge of the bed and lifted the bowl off the tray, bringing it up under Sky’s chin. Filling the spoon, he carried the fragrant soup to her mouth. She opened like a baby bird. There was something so intimate about her taking food from hi
s hand, tenderness washed through him. She looked up, her mouth opening for the next spoonful and her eyes trusting. Not a shard of ice anywhere, he thought, much preferring her purring like a kitten, instead of shredding him like a tiger. But a good little housecat probably wouldn’t entertain him for long. He liked Sky at full power, taking him on, along with the world. His lips tilted as he pictured her haughty pose.
“What? Do I have soup on my face? You better not be laughing at me, buster.” She swiped at her mouth with her hand, yelped as the scabs over her gravel burn cracked, and blew hard on her hand.
“Here, let me.” He set the spoon onto her plate and gathered her hand into a gentle hold. Lifting it to his mouth, he blew cooling air over the stinging flesh.
Sky froze in place, the pupils of her eyes dilating, her breath coming in little pants. He definitely affected her—in a good way. He pressed his lips against the small patch of flesh on the top that wasn’t cut. “I’ll kiss it better.”
With a soft gasp, she wretched her hand free.
He took advantage of her focus on that hand to pick up her other and kiss it. This hand had sustained less damage and had fewer raw scrapes. Adding in the injury to her elbow and hip, he surmised she’d landed on her right side, when the blast knocked her off her feet.
When she didn’t pull her left hand away, he opened her fingers and pressed a kiss against her palm. “I’m sorry you were hurt, Sky, and I promise I won’t stop until I find out why and who did this.”
“Adam, I …” She leaned a little closer, her gaze resting on his lips. He closed the gap, sealing his mouth against hers.
The kitten soft whimper, as she reacted to the feel of his lips, fired his desire like a piston engine. Her lips opened inviting him in.
He whisked the tray from her lap, setting it on the floor, without lifting his mouth. Careful he didn’t jostle her, he deepened the kiss, learning her taste and texture, inhaling the scent of rose and clean linen that wafted from her warm neck and shoulders.
“Mmm,” she hummed deep in her throat, her left hand grabbing his shoulder and pulling him closer.
Her breasts pressed against his chest, the nipples hardened into peaks that taunted him. He found the bottom of her T-shirt, lifted it, and re-discovered the silken texture of her skin. This time he palmed her, testing the weigh and resilience, loving the warmth of her in his hand, the beat of her heart against his palm. He shifted, straightening a fold in his jeans, allowing his straining member a tiny bit more space.
His hand was seeking the catch on her bra. Her hand was trailing down his chest toward his waistband, when someone rang the buzzer for the hangar door. Disoriented, he drew back from her, taking in her flushed face, the well-kissed look, and glazed eyes.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he breathed. Pulling away and standing felt like torture. Answering the door was the last thing he wanted. “I imagine it’s the doctor,” he husked, turning his back and rearranging his tight jeans. “I’ll get it.”
When he looked back from the doorway, she’d fallen back, resting against the pillows, her eyelids hiding her expression.
****
“Sky this is an old friend, Dr. Margaret Murphy. She worked for Hamilton Aeronautics as our in-house physician for years.”
“Hi, Sky. I hear you had a run-in with a patch of asphalt.” The older woman took in the state of Sky’s hands, her exhaustion, and the stiff way she lay. “You’re in a lot of pain. Let’s see what we can do about that.” Soon, she had Sky’s hands and forearm cleansed and bandaged and had applied a comforting salve to the bruises blooming on her hip, thigh, and bottom.
“I feel like I bungee jumped without the bungee,” Sky joked, when Margaret asked her how she was doing.
“I bet. The best thing for you is some rest and then light physio, starting in three days. Meanwhile, I’ll help you get more comfortable. Where do you keep your pajamas?”
Sky pointed to the drawer holding her sleep shirts, and the doctor picked out the least heavy, a bit of apricot silk that left her arms and navel bare. Once she had Sky out of her jeans and bra and into the chemise, she helped her to the bathroom. Sky looked at her bandaged hands. “How am I supposed to…?”
“I thought about that and picked these up on the way here.” The doctor set a box of large-size latex gloves beside the sink. “You can use them and discard them, at will. So, you won’t get your bandages wet or need help in here.” She closed the door, giving Sky privacy.
Sky found brushing her teeth hurt her right hand too much, switched to her left, and managed the rest of her business by focusing on each act as if taking a flight test. Exhaustion kept her from fussing over her grooming. But feeling fresher, she opened the door and inched her way back to the bed.
The doctor helped her sit and swing her feet up, so she didn’t put more pressure on her hip. “I’m leaving a prescription pain killer with you. Don’t be hesitant about using it. If you can regulate your pain, you’ll be able to use your hands more and keep the scabs from crusting too hard. Use the ointment on them at least three times a day. If you want, I’ll check in on you again.”
Sky thanked the doctor for her help and was asleep before the other woman left the loft. She woke several hours later.
Pops came into the bedroom when she called out. “Hi honey, are you feeling any better?”
A silent inventory assured her she was. “I’m starved,” she said without thinking.
“Good thing there’s pizza delivery in the middle of the night.” He pulled out his phone.
“What time is it,” she asked, when he’d placed the order and hung up.
“Two in the morning, way past the witching hour.” Pops settled into the chair beside her. She heard the door of the loft shut and started up. “Someone’s breaking in.”
“Whoa, there, honey. It’s just Adam coming back from checking the grounds.”
Adam walked into the room, as Pops finished speaking.
Sky felt a sense of relief, followed by chagrin. She hadn’t wanted Adam to leave. There must be something wrong with me. I push him away, yet want him close. Crazy. Scary. Ding dang donuts. Get it together girl.
“All quiet out there. The new security cameras are working, and the monitors into the hangar and loft are giving a clear picture. The gate is locked, and so is the hangar.”
“I just ordered pizza a few minutes ago. Sky’s hungry, and so am I. I couldn’t eat while I was worrying about her.”
“I could go for some and a cup of coffee.” Adam muffled a yawn behind his hand.
“I’ll just go down to the office and watch out for the delivery guy,” Pops decided. “You need anything, Sky?”
When they were all settled around her kitchen table, sharing pizza, she asked, “Did they find out anything more?”
“Nothing. The deputies brought your T-shirt back, but they said the dogs hadn’t picked up any scent. They didn’t find his nest so they don’t have any shell casings or convenient cigarette butts, like in the movies,” Pops answered.
Sky darted a glance at Adam when Pops mentioned the T-shirt. She felt the red flush burning across her cheeks and ducked her head.
“It was smart thinking, Sky. I don’t blame you for being suspicious and checking it out. I’m just glad I’ve never been on that ridge.”
She looked over, comforted by the gentle understanding in his voice. He held her gaze, telling her he remembered their kiss, his hands under her shirt, her body pressed against him, all without saying a word.
From one beat of her heart to the next, craving replaced comfort.
“The only thing they have determined is he was a pro and probably hired by someone,” Adam told her.
“To kill me?” she asked in a small voice.
“That’s not clear either.” Adam wiped his fingers with a napkin. “As you told the police, you were in the open. He could have shot at you again. I think he was hired to scare you. Max thinks he was warning you away from Hamilton Aeronautics. What�
��s your take on his actions?”
“He was a crack shot and could have killed me, if he wanted. I’d prefer it was some crazed citizen with a sniper rifle shooting the place up. You don’t think Daniel could have hired somebody, out of a need for revenge?”
“The sheriff questioned his dad, and it’s not possible. Daniel hasn’t the means to hire a professional of this caliber. Besides, his dad said Daniel was really sorry for threatening you and had admitted he was out of line trying maneuvers before you gave him the go ahead. It doesn’t sound like he still carries a grudge.”
“I was afraid it couldn’t be that simple. But, why would someone want me away from your corporation?”
“We’re following up on some corporate espionage involving my plane crash and a government contract. I can’t give you the details, sorry. But it’s possible the traitor is using this attack on you to distract me, or using you as leverage against me, so I’ll cooperate with him.” He raked his hands through his hair. “If pulling out of my contract with Stravinski Aviation would ensure your safety, I’d do it in a heartbeat, Sky. But that might be their plan, getting me out, so you’re on your own.”
“I wondered if it had something to do with my grandmother.” Sky could hear the sincerity in Adam’s voice and gave him a little more of her trust.
“Someone doesn’t want you found, because they’ll lose out on an inheritance? I don’t know, but I’ll certainly ask Brigitta first thing in the morning. It’s a possibility.”
“There are too many possibilities and too few answers for my liking.” Pops finished his beer, scooped up the empty pizza box, and dumped it in the garbage. “Sky, you’re due for another pill, and I’m long overdue for my bed. Adam’s given me your spare room and taken the couch in here, so you won’t be alone. Best thing for all of us now is some sleep.” He pressed a kiss on top of Sky’s head and trudged off to the spare bed and bath.
