Double Exposure: Kovak & Quaid Horse Mystery Series (Kovak & Quaid Horse Mysteries Book 1)

by Toni Leland

  Kim refrained from nodding this time. “I’ll try, but everything seems a little disconnected right now.” She gazed at Dixie for a moment. “You know if Quaid has any family? He seems to be a real loner.”

  “He mentioned a nephew, so there must be someone.” Dixie smiled sweetly. “Why do you ask?”

  Kim looked away. “Just curious.”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  ~~

  Tired as he was, Quaid couldn’t sleep after they got back to Cleveland. He had put Ricky on the couch and gone into his own room to unwind, but the long drive coupled with the drama unfolding through the night had sent his adrenaline levels to an all-time high. He rolled out of bed and went into his office. Wade Warren was the pivotal figure in this mess. The fact that the guy was so clean made it even more obvious. With some digging, Quaid knew he would discover that Wade Warren was someone else, someone capable of doing evil things.

  Reviewing the information he already had, Quaid again tried to fit the pieces together of how the whole theft operation had worked. He was reasonably sure that the slaughter auction was the key factor in the disappearance of Talisman. And Kim—there it is again—had pretty much proven that Wade Warren was present at every location where horses were stolen. Unfortunately, all her proof had disappeared with her computers. But that was another problem for another time. The only out-of-step incident in the scenario was Teri Fortune’s murder. Was that just coincidental? Quaid hardly thought so. The woman had been too closely associated with Warren.

  Just for the heck of it, Quaid brought up the international criminal database he seldom used. It was a long shot, but no stone unturned and all that. The name Wade Warren did not register in the files, and Quaid couldn’t even think about how difficult it would be to look up someone named Bill Smith. Quaid’s eyelids grew heavy and he headed back toward the bedroom. He’d have to deliver Ricky home in a couple hours. Quaid would be a basket case himself by the time he got to the hospital in Columbus.

  ~~

  Kim woke up with a start, again briefly confused by her surroundings. She looked at the IV running from her arm to the bag hanging next to the bed. Whatever was in that drip seemed to control the pain. She looked down at the tent over her right leg. She didn’t even know yet what they’d done. She closed her eyes, remembering the grueling physical therapy after her gunshot injury. This would be worse. The physician’s assistant had said the surgeon would come by sometime during the day to explain everything. One thing was sure, she wouldn’t be riding Bandit any time soon.

  A small sound caught her attention and she looked across the room at Dixie, sound asleep in a large chair. Without being told, Kim knew that her friend had been there all night, been there for her the whole time. Dixie had saved her life. How could she ever repay that debt? Did she need to? Wouldn’t she have done the same for Dixie? Of course she would.

  Thinking about Bandit brought to mind a number of problematic questions. First, even though pasturage was available at her grandfather’s old farm, Marietta was two hours from home—not exactly convenient. Owning a horse involved more than just “owning a horse.” The day-to-day communion and bond-building required closer proximity, not to mention the cost of gas to do all that driving. No, Bandit would have to live closer to Kim, and that would require some money. But after all they’d been through together, it would be money happily spent.

  A moment later, the reality of the situation sank in. Kim did not own Bandit. On the surface, he belonged to Reggie Fortune. Until she sorted out some official arrangements with the real owner, there was no point in making boarding plans.

  Dixie sat up suddenly and stretched. “Oh, good, you’re awake.” She looked at the clock on the wall. “Garrett will be here in about a half hour.”

  “I hope I can remember everything,” said Kim. “Seems like days ago.”

  She pulled the rolling bed tray toward her and opened the top. As she caught sight of herself in the mirror, she gasped.

  A wide swath of gauze circled her head, a dark blood stain marring the white fabric over her left eyebrow. Half of her face was the color of hematite, a melange of black and brown and blue and dark red. Dark circles hung below both eyes, and the swelling gave her the look of one of those nylon stocking craft dolls. Her lower lip was cracked and scabbed over, and her hair was stringy with who-knew-what.

  She looked up at Dixie. “Can you call him and tell him to come tomorrow?”

  Dixie grinned. “Well, aren’t we just being a girl. I don’t think he’d pay attention. If he hadn’t had his nephew with him last night, he’d have driven straight here.”

  Kim pushed a hank of hair off her cheek. “Crap.”

  ~~

  Quaid waved at Ricky and Jenna, then backed out of the driveway. In the rearview mirror, he watched Jenna give her son a big hug. Deep satisfaction rolled through Quaid’s head. The trip had been both painful and wonderful at the same time. Connecting with Ricky was the best thing Quaid could have done for himself, and it was clear that it had been good for the boy too. Jenna had been tickled to see them, admitting that she’d really missed him, that the house felt too empty. Quaid knew that feeling, the emptiness of a dwelling when an important person disappears. The empty place at the table, listening for the footfall that would never come, the longing to hear a familiar voice.

  Had he purposely avoided commitments to prevent that from ever happening again?

  The trip to Ohio State University Medical Center took less time than he’d expected and, as he pulled into the parking garage, he started organizing his thoughts. Kovak would have key information that would help them solve this case, but she also might be in such distress that some of it might not be accessible. He’d have to take it slowly.

  The elevator rose to the fourth floor, the doors whispered open, and Quaid stepped into the wide hallway. To his left, framed watercolors hung on walls painted in muted colors and, to the right, a large nurse’s station hummed with activity.

  He approached the counter. “Kim Kovak? She was brought in last night.”

  The woman pointed down the hall to the right. “She’s in 457A.”

  As he walked toward the room, Quaid’s chest tightened, whether from anxiety over her condition or the prospect of seeing Dixie again, he didn’t know, but it was a feeling he did not like. At the door, he knocked lightly, then stepped inside. Dixie was standing beside the bed and she turned, flashing him a smile that would have brightened the darkest room. His heart thumped. Then he looked at the woman in the bed. Oh, my God. His heart did another spin around his chest and he almost felt sick. Anger surged up out of the emotion. Whoever you are, you bastard, I will find you and I will make you pay!

  Dixie tilted her head. “Garrett, you look like you haven’t slept in a week.”

  “Pretty close. I’m gettin’ too old for these all-nighters. Uh, drives.” He turned to Kovak, trying not to let her see how upset he was, trying not to stare at the kaleidoscope of colors flowing across her cheeks and forehead.

  “Hey, how are you doing?”

  She gingerly licked her battered lower lip. “I could be better, but you should see the other guy.”

  The old joke fell flat.

  “So tell us about the other guy.”

  She tried to scoot up to a sitting position, without much luck. Dixie darted forward to help and, with much scrunching about, Kovak finally leaned back against a pile of pillows.

  She exhaled slowly. “Wade Warren.”

  “I knew it!” Quaid punched the air with his fist. “That son-of-a-bitch has been on my radar from the beginning.”

  Dixie murmured, “You might want to lower your voice or we’ll have the security people in here with us.”

  Kovak took a deep breath. “I went up to the barn to check on Bandit because this morning Reggie Fortune was escorted away by a guy flashing a badge. I don’t for a minute think he was legitimate, but that’s not important. I was worried that Bandit didn’t have food. Someone had cleared the off
ice desk of everything, but I just figured Reggie had come back at some point.”

  She took a sip of water, then continued. “Since I had the place to myself, I decided to snoop around a bit.” She grinned sheepishly. “I do that a lot. Anyway, the file cabinet had been cleaned out, too, but before I could look at anything else, the lights went off and someone hit me on the head.”

  “You didn’t hear them come up behind you?”

  She started to shake her head, then winced. “I think he was right there in the office the whole time. I was concentrating on my snooping.”

  Dixie sat on the edge of the bed. “What happened next?”

  “I woke up on the floor in the feed room, with a splitting headache. And there he was, Wade Warren, just leaning against the wall, watching me. Then he started giving me a hard time about minding my own business.” She grinned. “But you know me...”

  “Did he tell you anything useful?”

  “He admitted to killing Teri because—get this—she was a loose end. Then he got agitated and started threatening me. I pretended to be impressed by his theft organization, and his ego bought right into it. When I asked about how they got the stolen horses to buyers, he lost it. That’s when he knocked me out again.” She took a deep breath. “When I woke up, the place was on fire and I had a knee the size of a football.”

  Quaid paced the floor at the end of the bed. “We’ve got him. You can identify him and we’ve got him.”

  “But no proof he was ever there, Quaid, other than my word.”

  He stopped pacing and turned to Dixie. “Was the barn completely destroyed?”

  “Only some parts.”

  Quaid headed for the door and Kovak called out, “Hey, where are you going?”

  “Fortune Farms to collect some fingerprints.”

  “Quaid, that’s dangerous!”

  He turned, grinning like a Cheshire cat. “Yeah, but unlike you, I have a gun.”

  Dixie’s voice followed him down the hall. “Garrett, wait!” She trotted up to him, eyes flashing. “I should go with you.”

  He hesitated for just moment, his thoughts torn between getting evidence for the case or spending time with Dixie. The case won out and he shook his head.

  “Not a good idea. She needs you here.”

  Dixie’s tone became wheedling. “I can help you. I can get the prints run by one of my friends at the department. Otherwise, you’ll have to ask the sheriff’s department and they won’t appreciate your meddling.” She grinned. “You remember Deputy Dexton, don’t you?”

  Damn. This is why women always get the upper hand. They don’t play fair.

  “Okay. Your car or mine?”

  “Yours. I still have the squad car and the dog. Let me go tell Kim what’s going on. Be right back.”

  Quaid watched her small, trim body saunter down the hall and disappear into Kovak’s room. This would be interesting.

  Chapter 40

  Quaid waited in the garage while Dixie parked her vehicle and put the dog on a leash. The animal was magnificent, muscular and masculine, covered in shiny mahogany-colored fur. His muzzle and ears were black and his intelligent eyes took in every detail as he approached. He glanced up at Dixie, adoration and respect reflected in every movement.

  Dixie stopped about four feet away. “Sit.”

  The dog obeyed immediately. Dixie leaned down and stroked the top of his head.

  “Saskie, this is my friend. Say hello and play nice.”

  The dog’s tail thumped once and he looked up at Dixie, clearly making sure he understood her tone. Dixie stepped forward and the dog rose to his feet, his tail waving softly from side to side.

  “Saskie is a Belgian Shepherd Malinois. Just stand there and let him get your scent. When he noses your hand, you can pet him on the head. Then we can go.”

  Saskie checked out Quaid’s shoes and pant leg, then shoved a cold, wet nose into his fingers. Quaid grinned, pleased that he’d passed inspection.

  A few minutes later, Quaid drove the truck out of the parking garage and turned onto the street that would take them to Route 23. Saskie sat in the middle of the bench seat, an effective chaperone for his handler.

  Quaid grinned. “I guess no one has to worry about your safety any more.”

  She ruffled the dog’s ears. “It’s an amazing feeling, even though I carry a weapon.”

  Saturday traffic was heavy and they managed to hit every other red light. Quaid didn’t mind, though, because he had Dixie’s full attention. As far as he was concerned, the trip could take forever. The feeling was short-lived.

  “Garrett, I really need to talk to you seriously.”

  He waited a beat before answering. “About what?”

  “Us. I’ve just been being selfish, enjoying your attention and company.”

  He glanced over at her solemn face. “So what’s wrong with that? Isn’t that what relationships are all about?” He gulped at his use of the word “relationship.”

  “Exactly. But I haven’t been completely honest with you.”

  Quaid gripped the wheel. Here it comes.

  Just then, a car shot out of a side street, slithering into the small space in front of them and clipping a car that waited at the light. Quaid slammed on the brakes, nearly knocking Saskie off the seat.

  Dixie jumped out of the truck and strode toward the culprit, unsnapping her holster as she walked. Saskie put his front feet on the dashboard, eyes riveted to his handler, ears rigidly upright. He whined, then let out a yip.

  “It’s okay, boy.”

  The dog turned his large head, pinning Quaid with unfriendly eyes.

  Oh my God, I’m mixed up with a woman who packs heat and a vicious dog. Good choice, Quaid.

  He immediately broke eye contact with the dog, turning his attention back to Dixie. She was on the phone while she examined the driver’s papers. Three minutes later, a city patrol car rolled up. Dixie spoke briefly to the officers, then walked back to Quaid’s truck.

  “Damned smart-mouthed kid. I’m so glad I don’t do traffic anymore.”

  The police directed the backed-up traffic around the fender-bender, and Quaid relaxed as they left the urban area and rolled into the more rural part of Columbus.

  “I think maybe you shouldn’t bring Saskie on our next date.”

  Dixie was quiet for a moment. “That won’t be a problem. Say, could you find a place to pull over so we can talk?”

  Quaid didn’t like the direction this was headed, but there wasn’t much he could do about it. A few miles up the road, he saw signs for a public park. He pulled into the deserted parking lot, then turned to Dixie, trying to peer around the dog.

  “Okay. What’s going on?”

  She told Saskie to get down on the floor, then she scooted over to sit closer.

  Touching his hand, she smiled sadly. “Garrett, I’m gay. I should have told you right from the beginning, but I like you. A lot. I wanted to be able to spend time with you and laugh the way we did the night we met. So, I kept putting it off and putting it off.”

  He gazed at the woman who’d finally penetrated his armor, wondering why his choices were always so wrong. She was so beautiful, so nice. So unavailable.

  Apology reflected in her blue eyes. “Can you forgive me? Can we still be friends?”

  He smiled wryly. “I think I knew, but didn’t want to admit it. You were just too easy to be with, not like any other woman I’ve ever tried to date. They all turned me into a blithering idiot.”

  She chuckled. “Some of my best friends are men, for the very same reason.”

  What the hell, go for it.

  “So, are you and Kovak...”

  “In a perfect world, yes—realistically, no. I’m crazy about her, but she plays for a different team.”

  Why this made Quaid feel better, he didn’t know, but suddenly his life seemed a little less confusing.

  “Thanks for telling me before I made a complete fool of myself.” He grinned and put the truck
in gear. “Let’s go catch some bad guys!”

  ~~

  Quaid sucked in a sharp breath as they turned into the driveway leading to Teri Fortune’s barn. Only two-thirds of the structure remained standing, rising above piles of charred wood and debris. The ground was saturated with thousands of gallons of water, and the heavy fire equipment had left cavernous ruts in the mud. Yellow caution tape surrounded the site, draped from fences to the corner of the building and tied off on a burned-out tractor parked by the back of the structure. Even with the truck windows closed, Quaid could smell the acrid odor of disaster.

  “At least no one’s here to run us off,” said Dixie.

  She opened the door and stood aside while Saskie jumped down. He sniffed the ground, lifted his head and tested the air, then looked at her expectantly.

  “He’s been trained as a rescue dog, so he probably thinks that’s what we’re doing.” She led him over to a grassy spot by the fence and waited while he peed, then put him back in the truck. “Good boy. I’ll be right back.”

  Quaid watched her, thinking about their earlier conversation. What he didn’t understand was why a beautiful, intelligent woman like Dixie would be a lesbian. She could have any guy on the planet. Had she always been this way, or had some unhappy event in her past driven her in that direction? It didn’t matter. He liked her and if the only way he could spend time with her was in a platonic relationship, he’d take it.

  She gestured toward the door. “You first. I’m just along for the ride.”

  “Hang on.” He opened the truck door and reached into the glove compartment to grab a small blue box. “Okay, we’re all set.”

  He ducked under the yellow tape. “You found her in the feed room?”

  “Yeah, down at the end there. I hope I didn’t destroy any evidence when I shot off the lock.”

  “Warren had to touch both sides of the doorknob, so we’re probably okay. He would never dream that the fire wouldn’t take the whole building, so I’d be willing to bet money he didn’t wipe his fingerprints.”

  At the door to the feed room, Quaid hesitated, his brain churning with images of how terrified Kovak must have been, crippled and trapped inside a burning building. He tried to discard the thoughts.