by Rita Karnopp
“Hell, if that’s what it takes, I’ll wear it.” His laughter filled the cold, dead room. “You know, someone went to a lot of trouble to detour us, tack us down, and get us here relatively alive.”
“I’ve been thinking the same thing. It’s like we are—“
“Detained momentarily?”
“Right. It’s going to take us a while to get out of here but we both know we will soon or later. I’m hoping that’s sooner than later, of course. So the purpose of this—“ Cooper’s raised hand made her freeze in position. Once he pointed to his ears she heard it. Scraping … scraping … then a low growl. Cooper blew out the makeshift torch and she clung to his arm. A yip and another growl revealed there were more than one.
“Wolves would be my guess,” Cooper whispered.
“I don’t think whispering will help any,” Dallas said in a level tone. “They hear better than both of us. They can smell us, too. The good news is they are out there and we are snug as a bug in here … sort of. Maybe we should look around for something to burn and start a fire.”
“We’ll burn the place down and the wolves will have a feast.” He relit the makeshift torch.
“Listen boy scout, we have ground at our feet. We keep the fire low and there are no worries that this cute little cabin will have to burn down.”
“What exactly do you suggest we use for kindling?”
“I haven’t figured that out yet. Let’s continue checking out this place—“ The scratching continued as did the growling and an occasional yip.
“What about breaking down this old wagon for wood?”
Dallas looked it over. “Looks like an old rock bed.”
“A rock what?”
“You know a flatbed on wheels. Pull it with a tractor through the fields and toss rocks on it. It’s actually called rock picking. I helped my cousins do it once in Wisconsin. It’s only fun for a while, then it gets pretty tiring. Didn’t know they picked rock in Montana, though.”
“Could be used for—“
“We can use these stones to create our camp fire. Come on Daniel Boone, let’s—“ The scratching on wood turned into digging. Fear gripped her resolve.
“We have two choices and we’d better decide quick. One, we find a way to get ourselves high enough the wolves can’t reach us. With your shoulder, that’s not looking too good. Or two, we build a fire and hope that keeps them at bay. But if we can’t keep it going, we face—“
“Cooper, they’re digging under the door.”
“Damn, woman, I can see that.”
“Well, what you’re not seeing is the booby trap or bomb. They trigger that and it could blow us all to hell.”
“Well, I’d rather go up in a blaze of glory than be wolf chow.”
“You really think that comment is helpful? I mean, really, Cooper. We are two intelligent, trained for any emergency detectives. Think of something, but get us the hell out of here!”
“You wearing any other gadgets Joshua gave you?”
“Brilliant. You’re relying on a ten-year-old to get … wait … that’s it.”
“What’s it?”
“Well you won’t belie—“
“Skip the I won’t believe. I’ll believe! Just tell me.”
“Okay. I love dogs, so don’t get me wrong. But sometimes when I’m jogging and a stray dog comes up on me, well it scares the hell out of me. I would guess wolves are no different than dogs.”
“And this little story is leading us where?”
“Cooper, just shut up and listen. I … well … the batteries might be low … but … at the end of the dangle chains on my belt—“
“We’re really back to the belt?”
“Well, it’s our torch now. But you see the silver ball? Squeeze it hard and hold it down.”
“You’re serious? And why should I do this, or are you just trying to distracted me from the cold and the wolves scratching at my door?”
“Do I look like I’m kidding? Joshua found out that there is one sound that scares cats and dogs. Just push the damn thing.” She waited, staring at Cooper. She could tell he really didn’t believe her, and she was damned if she would do more than watch. He made his move and she braced herself before an echo of striking lightning and the loud roll of thunder rumbled into the night.
Several wolves yipped and the digging ceased. As the second blast of thunder and lightning boomed into the darkness, the yelps and scurrying of the wolves all but confirmed their departure.
“I’ll be damned! Do you realize how much money Joshua could make by creating key chains out of this contraption and selling them? Joggers will gobble them up! Hell, I’ll help him set it up. Your nephew is a genius, and let’s face it, a ten-year-old saved our lives.”
“Don’t be getting all too cocky just yet. Our asses aren’t exactly out of trouble. Instead of charging out in the night with no way of seeing where we are or which way to head, I say we should make that fire and wait out the night.” Dallas drew in a breath, grateful the wolves had moved on. “We’d better hurry. There’s no telling if those animals will be back or if they’ll be replaced by another pack. There’s a reason Montana voices an issue with wolf packs.”
“It never affected me before, so I always felt the ranchers were blowing smoke when they raged against re-introducing wolves back into the wilderness. Who would guess they’d move into the populated ranches?”
“I’m not going there. I see both sides.” Dallas gave him a quick glance. “Who wants natural, wild wolves to be hunted and shot down because they want to survive? Yet, what rancher wants his cattle, sheep or even family caught in peril by a pack of wild wolves? We’ve just experienced what that feels like. I don’t know the answer, and I’m not judging either issue. Ranchers have always been battling these issues.” Dallas grabbed a rock and tossed it to the center of the room, followed by a stream of others. Cooper pulled her hand in his, then pulled her close.
“You’ve lost a lot of blood. Sit down for a while and I’ll get this fire going.”
She sat on the edge of the rock bed, more tired than she’d ever been her whole life. Every inch of her body felt heavy and ached. She wanted to help Cooper, she just couldn’t make herself move. “I think we should save some of this wagon to sleep on. Will keep us directly off the frozen ground.”
“Good idea. Once I have the fire built I’ll work on moving what’s left closer to the fire. We’ll be lucky we don’t burn this place down. It looks like an original log cabin. A lot of the mud has dried and worked out between the logs. That would account for the amount of cold air blowing in here.”
“I wish at least one of us had been awake when he brought us here. We’d at least have an idea how far from my rig he took us. Maybe when we can get a look at the terrain, we’ll be able to figure out where the hell we are.”
“Here, take the torch and stand off to the side.”
Dallas backed out of the way while Cooper pull the old wagon forward. It creaked in protest, but moved with Cooper’s guidance. “Look, Cooper. I think there’s a trap door where the wagon was.”
“Hell yes. This is exciting, Dallas.”
Holding her breath, she tensed as he pulled up on the leather handle. She leaned in close, anticipation building. “Well, what do you see?”
“Patience.” He got down on his knees. “Hand me that torch.”
Dallas grew silent as Cooper lowered the small light into the cavity below. “Well, is there anything there?”
“This is a mighty interesting piece,” Cooper handed the near skeleton of an old pistol to her.
“Oh, this is so exciting. You want to bet this gun is probably early 1800s. Anything more down there?”
“You won’t believe this—“
“Come on, stop making fun.”
“I’m not. Look.”
Cooper pulled up a bundle wrapped in what looked like buffalo skin and tied with leather strips. He placed it on the wagon and snapped off several boards. “Let me g
et this fire going and once we settle down, we’ll open it together.”
“Really? Aren’t you the least curious?”
“Sure. But you’ll be happy I waited if those wolves come back to make us their meal after all.”
“Suppose you’re right.” She sat on the edge of the rough wagon and held the belt torch. Cooper made a circle with the stones, then broke off pieces of the old wagon until he had a substantial pile ready to burn. Within minutes a nice fire snapped to life. “I just might have to start calling you Daniel Boone if you keep this up.”
“Uh oh—“
“Uh oh what?”
“Well….” He leaned forward and paused.
“What’s wrong?”
“This will sound crazy, but I just got two sharp pains across my stomach. I hope to hell Candy isn’t having her babies.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You really can’t feel her pain, can you?”
“Tell you what.” Cooper pulled up his sleeve and glanced at his watch. “It’s Saturday, two in the morning. We’ll ask her next time we see her.”
“You’re on.” She reached over to touch the bundle.
“I wouldn’t if I were you. Buffalo skins are notorious for fleas and even spiders. We might want to tread carefully.” He sat down beside her.
“Um, there’s a small knife on the backside of the buckle.”
“You don’t say. Joshua and I definitely need to talk.” He chuckled and slid a two inch blade over the edge of the buckle base. He popped the ties and drew a breath. “You want to take a guess?”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Megan sat spent. She should have taken more time in killing Sarah. She should have allowed the killer more internal thoughts and even feelings. Without making the reader care about her victims and hate the killer even more, she’ll lose their interest.
Even though her body lay limp, he entered her again. He liked sex when the partner wasn’t demanding a certain reaction, a heightened arousal, and always the tenderness of love. He wasn’t capable of love. It was a useless emotion. He spilled his seed, then rolled her face down.
He knew each detail as though he’d performed the task before. He spread her legs in the most provocative position he could create. Drawing in a breath, he pounded at her inner thighs as though her flesh was a punching bag. He bit the cheeks of her buttocks and laughed.
Experience and training made him instantly realize the error of his actions. He gripped his knife and cut out the bite marks, dropped the flesh into a zip lock bag and gently placed it into a cooler. He wanted her heart, but he had to stay within the boundaries of the crime scene. He was certain if buttock was fried just right it could be quite tasty with a nice bottle of California’s finest chardonnay.
Megan paused and considered what angle to go from there. Hairs prickled on the back of her neck and she spun around. Her lover leaned against the doorway, silent and watching.
“What the fuck … you scared me.”
“Maybe that was my intent.”
“Aren’t you going to remind me to watch my mouth?”
“Would it do any good?”
“You say fuck. So big fucking deal.”
“What has put you in this foul mood? I expect all sexy and sweetness. I can get this attitude at home.”
“Good. Go home then. I have a deadline here and I truly don’t have time for you and your games. And, if you haven’t already guessed it, I’m certainly not in the mood. So, fuck off.” Three long strides and her lover pinner her arms behind her back and leaned into her. She sensed his hesitancy … or did she?
“Best be careful, lovely Megan. You really don’t want to push me.”
“You don’t scare me. I may not know what you look like, but I’ve learned a thing or two about you over the past four years.”
“Really. And what exactly have you learned that would interest anyone?”
“You really think you’re smart, don’t you? You’ve given me classified files and the police department would be very interested to know who leaked this information to me. You have a wife and kids … or do you?”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“How can I believe anything you’ve told me? Maybe you aren’t even married. You just like to fuck with no strings attached.” His forced laugh confirmed her suspicions, or did it?
“Megan … Megan … Megan. You are so cute when you try to be … what shall I call it? Clever, ingenious, shrewd, crafty, cunning, and even sneaky. You really don’t want to take me on. I can chew you up and spit you out in about ten minutes. What we have is good. If you want to throw it away, I don’t really give a fuck.”
“That doesn’t sound like you for some reason. You have a cold? Your voice sounds strange.”
“I feel fine but I woke up with a touch of laryngitis.”
“Not that I care. At least now I know where I stand. Tell me something. You really think I couldn’t put two and two together and guess you are the bastard that’s forcing me to write Physical Evidence?”
“What the hell are you talking about? Who is forcing you to write this book?”
“Don’t play surprised and dumb with me. Your mistake was the case files. All three files you gave me to write Malicious Intent came in manila envelopes just like the first two case files I’ve received for Physical Evidence. Now that I think about it, you really pushed me to write Malicious Intent. I don’t think I would have been able to even start the book if you hadn’t given me those case files.”
“What two cases do you have for Physical Evidence, Megan?”
“Please. Don’t play the surprise with me.”
“What two case files? What are the victim’s names?”
“I’m tired of this game and the deceit. I wanted to put Cooper in his place, but I don’t want to be part of framing him for these murders. Why do you hate him so much?”
“And you think I’m trying to frame Cooper because I hate him? What makes you think that, Megan?”
“That’s a strange question coming from you. If you have proof, then I want to know what it is. After all, Cooper is the father of my children.”
“There’s a dubious statement.”
“What the hell do you mean by that?”
“I think Tina and Tucker are mine.”
Megan stared into the dark, moody eyes glaring back at her from the mask. “You are wrong … and don’t you ever say that again.”
“Touched a sensitive spot, did I? Good. Paternity test would prove my point. Maybe I’ll have my lab run it.”
“I knew you were a cop.”
“I could be an attorney, a private dick, or even an insurance investigator. There are all sorts of labs out there. You really need to think these things through. Now, answer my question.”
“What question was that?”
“What two case files are you writing about?”
“Really, you still are going to pretend you didn’t give them to me? That you didn’t set me up in this lovely B&B so you could come each night and ravish me? That you aren’t the caller … making threats and my guess would be … to make life a bit more exciting. Come on. I’m so not falling for all this.”
“What calls? Megan, are you in some kind of trouble? What kind of threats has this caller been making? You’d better tell me what’s going on.”
“I … you sure you aren’t the caller?” Megan paused, a million thoughts rushed around in her head. Don’t tell anyone about me, because if you do— I’ll know. Your kids and mother are safe as long as you do as I tell you. Megan stepped away from her lover. She walked over to the window and peaked between the mini blinds.
“Well, you going to tell me what’s going on?”
“Actually, nothing is going on. I didn’t expect you to get so worked up. I was pissed with your comment and … well … I made the whole damn thing up.”
“Now you’re lying.”
“You’re wrong. I’ve been working my ass off on this new book. But, it’s
just not the same without your case files. I don’t expect you to put yourself in jeopardy by providing me with another three cases, so I’ve been trying to make them up as I go. But I’ll be honest. It’s just not the same without real details and pictures. I can’t seem to get the book started.”
He moved up behind her and kissed the back of her neck. Megan wanted to run, but held still. “I thought you didn’t give a fuck about me?”
“Tut tut, there is that mouth again. I didn’t say that … I said if you want to throw us away, I can live without you. There is a difference you know.”
He moved his palms over her breasts and squeezed, pulling her back into his chest. “I think it’s about time you did away with the mask.”
“You do? I thought you enjoyed the intrigue. It excites you when I appear and just as quickly disappeared. I thought part of the excitement between us was the suspense. I truly don’t want to give that up.” He pushed her sweatpants to the floor. “See, you were expecting me … weren’t you?”
“What makes you think that?” She tried to face him, but his firm grip kept her back to him.
“You aren’t wearing any panties.”
He slid his finger along the edge of her opening and licked her neck. “Oh, little Megan, you were made for love. You keep saying no and your body just reacts with yes.”
She tried not to respond to his strokes, but he was right, her body betrayed her. His touch put her skin on fire. She writhed inwardly, needing him as always. He seemed different somehow and that alone excited her. “There is nothing wrong with liking sex. It’s the one good thing I have left in life.” He pushed her over until she gripped the window frame with her right hand and pressed into the mini blinds and window with her left. He entered her, and she gasped at the power and sensual pleasure it brought. His thrusts took her higher and higher, and she moaned and cried out with pleasure.
“Do you want this to end, Megan love?”
“No,” she whispered back. “Don’t stop … come on … keep going,” she panted. He pressed her face into the blinds and drove hard against her. She opened her eyes and pushed against him. Through a slit in the blinds she saw him. Across the street, slightly behind a tree. Wasn’t that a man staring back at her? Her lover moved with rhythm to the point she could think of nothing but the sensations he created. They climaxed together. He pressed into her, matching her labored breathing.
