She huffed out a breath and grabbed her shard from the kitchen table. “I’ll just have to think of something else, then, I guess.” She jammed the pottery into a side pocket of her bag.
Like what? She was out of options with her father’s men on her heels. He didn’t want her to be caught and dragged back to her former restrictive life. Especially without the statues she cared about so much. “Take my truck. At least it’ll give you a fighting chance. Those guys asked about your Jeep earlier.”
She stopped stuffing bags of potato chips into her duffel and blinked at him. “You’d let me take your truck?”
He shrugged. “I trust you to get it back to me. Dani trusts you, too. We can load the ATV in the back if you’d like. But leave me your keys. In case I have to go to town for something.”
She crossed her arms. “What’s to stop you from calling your police buddies and telling them I stole your truck?”
“What’s been stopping me from calling my buddies and telling them that you broke into Dani’s cabin, hit me over the head, and held me hostage?” He didn’t want to have to worry about her out there on her own. But he didn’t want to make good on his earlier threat, when he’d told her he’d either help her or he’d turn her in. He’d never turn her in, so why upset her even more?
She sank into a chair at the table. “I need to think this through for a minute.”
Gabby needed more than a minute, and he’d let her have it. He rose to grab a beer while she decided whether to walk out on him, like all the other women in his life had.
Where had that thought come from? She wasn’t walking out on him. She was going after a damn statue. “I’d rather you let me help you. But if you’re still determined to forge out on your own, I could call a friend who rents out his cabin from time to time. It’s just up the road from here.” He didn’t want her sleeping in a vehicle. That could be dangerous for a woman alone in the boonies.
She dropped her head into her hands and moaned. “If I were going to do that, I might as well stay here. All you’d have to do is tell the sheriff where to arrest me.”
He took a long swig from his beer. “If you still don’t trust me, then your best bet is to shoot me with that fancy gun of yours. I’d be out of the way, and no one would be the wiser for weeks.”
She lifted her head. “You know I’d never shoot you. But it’s tempting to hit you. Just once.”
“I already gave you one free lick, Red.” He pointed to his bruised face. “You said I had kind eyes, remember? And that you trusted Dani and me. Listen to your gut. It hasn’t been wrong yet as far as I can tell.”
She studied her clenched hands, as her shoulders slumped. “Being a cop, don’t you have to turn me in for what I’ve done?”
“If you’d hit someone else, maybe. You’re lucky it was just me you clobbered on the head. I won’t call the police unless I think your life is in danger. Don’t make me do that.” He got up from the couch and then knelt at her feet. “Look at me, please.”
When she lifted her gaze, it was filled with fury and defeat. “What?”
He took her hands in his. She had long, graceful fingers and soft palms. “I honestly care about what happens to you, Gabby. Let me help you with the clue. I’m a detective. It’s what I do.”
Before she could answer, his cell chimed in his pocket. He reluctantly let go of her warm hands and swiped the screen as he sat in the chair beside her.
Gabby glanced at the screen, and then her eyes grew wide. “Why would a Sheriff Martinez be calling you if you’re banned from duty?”
“He’s local.” Dammit. This wasn’t going to help her trust him again.
Panic and adrenaline made her hands shake so hard she clenched them together to still them. Had he lied about not calling the police, too? It was one thing to make her own mistakes, but when they could compromise her father’s freedom, that took Jake being a cop to a whole new level.
Sure, she’d lied to the world about her identity, but her life span depended on a lie. Jake’s lie was a deliberate cover-up. He asked numerous questions about her father, surely digging for ways to arrest him. Every cop knew her father was on the most-wanted lists for money laundering and racketeering charges. Trumped-up charges according to her father. He’d avoided arrest for years.
Would it do her any good to run? She’d probably either run right into Sal’s and Louie’s arms or be arrested. Both felt like the same thing—a prison sentence.
Jake poked the “Speaker” button and laid the phone on the table between them. “This is Morris.”
The cop said, “Hey, buddy. Heard you’ll be here for a few weeks?”
Jake’s forehead creased in annoyance. “Yeah. Taking a little break.”
Not a break he’d wanted, clearly. Jake seemed to be telling the truth about that part. He’d said to trust her gut, but she was so hurt that he’d lied to her she couldn’t find it in her to forgive Jake. She’d trusted him, dammit.
The sheriff said, “George is worried about a couple of guys you all saw earlier. They’re at the diner now. But you know how he can be.”
“Yeah.” Jake beamed a relieved smile her way. “But this time I think he’s right. They might be worth watching. If I see them around, I’ll give you a shout.”
“Appreciate it. Let’s grab a beer this weekend. Catch up.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll call you. See ya round, Rich.”
“Yep.” The call disconnected.
Jake met her steady stare. “See? I didn’t turn you in.”
Relief cooled her temper a bit, but what would she do? What could she do? It was cold enough at night that she needed some place warm to stay. Staying a few cabins away could work, but only if she trusted him not to call the cops.
He was right. He’d had plenty of chances to turn her in if he’d wanted to. Was he helping her because he was bored? Or had he been trying to get information about her father?
Rather, how much had he tricked her into telling him after he and Dani confessed to knowing her father’s true identity? Was the story about his parents even true, or had he made it up to gain her sympathy? To make her explain why she loved her criminal father? Maybe those scars had really come from a motorcycle accident. But then, he wasn’t faking the part about not wanting to be touched. That was real.
What exactly had she told Jake about her father? Nothing specific. Just that her dad had many homes, owned businesses under different names—all things the cops probably already knew or suspected. That he had planes, but those had been owned under different corporate names for years, too.
Dammit. There was one thing she shouldn’t have said. The weekly Sunday dinner revelation was something the cops couldn’t have known. If they could figure out which house was hers, it’d be too easy to catch him with that information. Those dinners would have to end. A wave of sadness squeezed her heart. She loved the little bit of time she had with her father.
Worse, Jake and Dani knew who she was. If they told anyone, her father’s enemies would find her and kill her, just like her mom and brother. It probably meant getting a new degree in something and starting over in a new town. Or sticking with her father and living like her aunt, with nothing to do all day but shop online and watch television. What kind of life was that? She loved archaeology. It was the only reason she got out of bed every day.
Everything was a mess. If she still wanted to find the statue, she could use a borrowed cabin, but what was the point of that? She’d be able to hide easier with Jake if that deputy guard came knocking at the door to check on things. Her only choices were to call it quits and go home without the statue, or let Jake help her. It pissed her off.
He said, “I can see those wheels turning inside, Gabby. What are you thinking? Are you going to let me help you or not?”
It was hard to look at him because she was so . . . disappointed in him. That’s what it was. She had actually seen herself with him. At least for the month he’d invited her to stay. She’d never f
elt more comfortable yet at the same time more challenged by a man before. Jake pushed just the right buttons, or at times annoyed her enough to become the bolder person she’d envisioned being.
Just one more kick in the teeth, like the rest of life. But before she threw in the towel and started over, whether on her own or with her father’s help, she was damn well going to find those statues. It was probably the last thing she’d ever be able to do for the archaeology world. She didn’t have anything left to lose. Why not go all in? She could probably do it without that traitor’s help. “Any chance I could convince you to let me find the statues alone but stay here at night until I do?”
“Nope.” He shook his head. “You heard what Dani said. You’re going to need my help. She’d seen something that indicated you’re going to be in danger.”
“Then I’m thinking I have no choice but to let you help me. But I have one condition, Jake, that I won’t compromise on.”
His right brow quirked. “What’s that?”
“No more questions about my past life, or my father. Is that clear? Once I decide to talk to him, I’m going to tell him I’m with a cop so he stays away. And I’m sleeping on the couch from here on out.”
Jake’s jaw clenched, but he nodded. “Fair enough. But no worries if you ever change your mind about the couch . . .”
She studied his eyes, looking past the man flirting with her as usual, and searched for the truth in them. “So, you still want to help me?” She certainly wasn’t getting anywhere on her own. She had no idea why Dean would’ve left that shard for her. She’d looked at it from every angle and was out of ideas.
“Yep. Let’s get busy with the clue Dean left. Let me get you a cup of tea.” He stood and filled the teapot with water.
That he’d still help her, even knowing her father was off-limits, made her feel a little better about working with him. And the sooner they found the statue, if they weren’t too late, the sooner she’d be able to decide what to do with the rest of her life. Besides, because he knew who she was, it was safer to work with him, keep him close, until she had to disappear forever.
She grabbed her laptop and the notes she’d brought along from the backpack at her feet. Then she checked her e-mail while Jake’s back was to her. She wanted to see how mad her father was.
She quickly scanned the messages that he’d left in the draft mailbox, each angrier than the next, proving her father was losing patience with her. And he was worried for her safety. She hated for him to worry about her.
I’m safe. Extra so, because I’m with a cop. So please don’t come after me yourself as promised. I’ll be home in a few days if all goes as planned.
She held her breath and waited for her father’s response. Maybe she’d be lucky and he wouldn’t be online.
What the hell do you mean you’re with a cop? I know you’re in New Mexico looking for that damn statue. Your aunt told us the whole story. Are you in trouble?
She couldn’t catch a break.
No trouble. Just enjoying the company of a handsome man. Be back in a few days. Sooner, if you’d call off my guards and let me find the statue in peace.
A lead ball formed in her stomach again as she waited for his reply.
Not happening. Dean’s reneging on our deal. Other people might be involved now. He’s on a flight to London this morning, probably to sell your precious statue. To thieves, Gabby, who will kill to get what they want. Don’t get in the middle of my war, sweetheart. Call me so we can talk.
That was the last thing she wanted to do. Let him talk her out of doing what she needed to do.
Can’t right now. I’ll write tomorrow. XOXOXO
She quickly logged off.
Crap. That confirmed Dean was involved for sure. But by choice or by force? Dean didn’t know who he was dealing with. Messing with her dad could be a big mistake. Or, maybe Dean wasn’t cooperating with her dad to save the statue from ending up in the wrong hands. That might make sense, too. Either way, Jake might be right. Dean could be dangerous now.
Jake rumbled around the kitchen while she waited for her computer to load her cataloging software. “So was that story about your parents and brother true, Jake? Or was that just to get me to spill intimate details about my father?”
Jake slid a steaming cup of tea in front of her. “All true. My brother joined the military right out of high school instead of going to college as I wanted him to. I did my time, got out, and became a cop. He keeps re-upping for combat duty because he hasn’t got anyone or anything else to come home to.”
“Except you. Doesn’t that count?”
Jake grunted, then grabbed milk and sugar. He placed them in front of her. “I was strict with him when he was a kid. Even sent him to military school while I served in the army. Didn’t want him to turn out like our parents. I’ve asked him to come home. He’s done more than his share for our country. But he still thinks I’m just a bossy SOB and keeps his distance.”
Despite her anger, the pain in Jake’s eyes made her heart ache for him again. His brother was the only family he had. “You are a bossy SOB. Maybe you should try a different tactic. With him . . . and me.”
He smiled and sat beside her. “Maybe I get a little overprotective of people and ideals I care about.” He laid his hand over hers and gave it a quick squeeze.
She moved her hand away from his and laid it on her keyboard. “Big words for a man who withheld pertinent information. And has me backed into a corner, and who won’t let me out.”
“You make it sound like I’m holding you hostage instead of protecting you. And I’ve never told you a lie, Gabby. I swear. Sometimes being a cop means I hold the truth close to my vest until I get the lay of the land. You could’ve been stealing the statue for yourself. I had to get to the bottom of it before I let on who I was. I knew you’d figure that out soon enough. So, can we call a truce please?”
Sipping her tea, she pondered his words. His defense made a little sense. Dani said he was trustworthy. And he’d been a perfect gentleman in bed the night before. He’d even asked her permission before he’d kissed her. She appreciated that in a man. And he was a cop, for goodness’ sake—someone who took upholding the law seriously. For everyone. It totally explained his strict right-and-wrong attitude.
She still felt a little silly for not thinking to google him sooner. But a million things had happened in the last twenty-four hours, and googling Jake had been the least of her worries. Until she’d seriously considered sleeping with him, which was totally off the table now. “Fine. But only if you promise you’ll never lie or keep the truth from me again, Jake.”
He closed his eyes and finished off the rest of his beer. When he opened them, he said, “Deal. But Gabby, please understand that it’s my duty to uphold the law. That includes arresting people with outstanding warrants.”
She couldn’t bear the idea of her dad living the rest of his life behind bars. “I told my father about you. So, that isn’t going to happen, but something interesting has. My father said that Dean left for London this morning, most likely to sell the statue, and disregarded a deal they had. Dean might be dealing with dangerous thieves now. And that I needed to stay out of their war. I think the stakes just got higher.” Now she was glad to have someone trained like Jake on her team. She was a match for her father, not real criminals who’d actually hurt her.
But that didn’t mean she’d fall for his charm again. No way.
She was tougher than that—she hoped.
Chapter Nine
Jake focused on pictures of Native pots on Gabby’s computer screen as he and Gabby sat at the kitchen table in the cabin, relieved she’d seemed to have softened toward him a fraction.
She held up the shard. “The pattern on this piece and the type of clay tell all. New Mexico’s dirt has a different texture and hue. Even if I mistook the pattern, because it’s broken, the composition proves it’d never be found here. Dean had to have left it for me to find. Or, it could have fallen o
ut of his bag when he grabbed for a tool, I suppose.”
He said, “Let’s go over the possibilities. Dean left the piece there to let you know he’d been there. But what good would that do? Could it be a clue for where they went? Possibly to reunite the statues if they have them both? Your father said he and Dean had a deal. What kind would they make?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. I’ve tried to think of all the angles, but nothing is making sense.” Gabby turned and finally looked into his eyes. She’d been avoiding his gaze ever since he revealed he was a cop. Maybe it was progress.
He studied the rows of numbers and the diagrams on the screen again. “Then let’s start from the beginning. Where did these shards in your office come from? Did someone on your team find them? If so, was there something significant that happened at that particular dig?”
“No. Dean’s brother, Will, acquired them from a private collection. Will is wealthy and likes to dabble. He’d bought them and then donated them to our museum.”
Jake stood to pace. “Would Will be interested in the two statues for himself?”
“I don’t think so.” Gabby’s forehead crumpled. “The last time we had a date we went to dinner. Over dessert, he told me how much he hates that so many treasures are lost to the world in private collections.”
You have a boyfriend? Then why did you let that amazing kiss in the woods happen?
“How often do you see Will? And what happened after this dinner filled with sexy archaeology talk?”
“We’ve dated a few times in the past six months. And after the last one, I went home, and he went back to his hotel.” Her gaze quickly snapped from his to her computer screen. “Is that relevant, or are you just being nosy again?”
“Both.” Her cheeks were turning red. He loved how easy it was to make her blush. But that she’d dated the guy who was responsible for the shard had some possibilities. “Why did he stay at a hotel instead of his brother’s house? And did Will take you somewhere nice?”
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