She bit back an angry retort. “You can walk, even unassisted. The more you do, the better you’ll feel. I’m not repeating this argument again. I’m headed out to do a favor for a friend.” Not knowing what else she could say or do, she turned her back on her mother and left, hating that she felt guilty when she knew she had no reason to.
A startlingly beautiful, willowy brunette with emerald green eyes greeted her outside a bland office building in the heart of Riley Creek. She leaned against a newer sedan wearing a friendly smile. Despite her beauty, the smile seemed forced—like it was out of a sense of obligation and not true happiness. “Nice to meet you. I’m Leigh. I really appreciate you helping me at the last minute. If it weren’t for Joe or Rick, I’d go by myself, but it’s just not worth the very slight risk or their He-Man anger. It’ll be a quick drop-off today. I won’t keep you long.”
Again Cara couldn’t help but wonder what Rick had gotten her into. She smiled in return, not knowing what else to do. “Hi. What exactly are we doing? I don’t mind, but I’d like to know what kind of situation we’re walking into.” Cara opened the passenger door when the other woman gestured for her to get inside.
“A sad one.” Leigh’s shoulders slumped, but she started the car and they headed out. “Earlier this summer, Rick and I stumbled across a runaway. Well, she’s not really a runaway, because she lives at her home, but we can’t seem to find or catch her there. Mary’s father is in jail and will likely be headed to prison soon. Among other things, he was arrested for the manufacture, sale and trafficking of crystal meth. Now he’s behind bars, where he rightfully belongs. His daughter, who we estimate to be about thirteen or fourteen, lives there alone. Rick and I alternate dropping off food and water for her. Someone is using the supplies we leave and has even left small gifts for us in thanks, but no matter what time we show, she’s not there. We’ve never once encountered any trouble, but Joe is a bit overprotective and Rick is just as hardheaded.”
Cara could only imagine. Protectiveness was part of Rick’s DNA and, though she had only met Joe twice, she couldn’t believe he would be any less so. She hadn’t expected that things could be so bad she’d need a weapon, but after everything Rick and Trent had done for her in Afghanistan, she’d always be in their debt. They didn’t see it that way, but she always would.
“No one knows who she is? You haven’t seen her at all?” She didn’t doubt Leigh’s story, but it all seemed too impossible. How did a child of any age fall so far through the cracks?
“No one knows who she is. I’ve contacted the schools and no one from that address is attending school or listed as truant. Joe has looked through missing persons reports until his eyes crossed. Her father had horses at their place, likely so the manure would mask the chemical smell of cooking meth. When he was arrested, the last living horse went to Kate and her rescue. The girl showed up at Kate’s one night looking for the horse. Rick, Joe and I are the only ones who saw her that night.” Leigh wiped the corner of one eye as she drove.
“I can’t imagine.” Cara and her mother didn’t always get along, but she’d had a decent home and everything she’d ever needed. She’d had friends and love. She’d had food and security. An aching pit opened inside her chest. “You’re certain that she’s living there and not just trespassing?” Cara suspected she knew what Leigh would say, but hoped she was wrong. Rick didn’t make mistakes and Leigh seemed competent.
“The only things we found on our first visit were a few drawings in a ratty old notebook and a pitiful pallet on the bare floor. I don’t think she has anywhere else to go. We figure she spends as much time in the wooded hollow behind the house as she does indoors.” Leigh’s voice was somber as she slowed the car and pulled off onto a weed-choked, gravel driveway.
The ache beneath Cara’s heart grew as a small, pitiful house, little more than a shack, came into view.
“Damn him.” Leigh shook her head as she shifted into park.
“What’s wrong? And which him are you damning?” Cara got out and looked around.
“Most likely Rick, but it’s possible I can lay this one on my brother. Someone’s been out here and cut the grass. Rick has been slowly fixing things up. He’s paid to have the electric and water turned on so I wouldn’t put it past him to pay a lawn service to some out. But…” Leigh’s speculation trailed off as she opened the trunk of her car and pulled out a couple of grocery bags.
“The more people you have coming by, the more you increase the chances she’ll run and not come back.” More out of habit, than necessity Cara snapped off her holster’s thumb-break as they walked up the driveway.
“Yeah, and Rick would think the same way so that leaves my brother, the manicured lawn freak. By the way, this is the part where you’re supposed to do your soldier thing and look for bad guys. We never find any, but you never know.” Leigh shrugged her shoulders at the house’s corner.
“Very true, and I already am. That soldier thing is not something we ever turn off. Once you learn it, if you live through the nightmare, the instinct becomes a part of you.” Cara took in the details around them, paying extra attention to the windows of the house and shadows at the edge of the woods. “Do you usually go in the back door?”
“Yes. I think a stiff breeze might blow the front porch down. I guess you’re supposed to go in first?” Leigh asked wryly and pointed to the back door. “They usually take out their gun and wave it around all macho-like.”
“Yes, ma’am. I don’t know about the macho part, but I think I can handle the rest.” Cara looked at the peeling finish on the old wood and wondered how long ago it had been painted. When was the last time anyone had shown the house a little love? And the girl who likely lived inside it? She removed her handgun and held it down by her side, but ready.
She opened the door slowly, having no idea what might lay beyond, but all kinds of certain that it wouldn’t be good.
“Mary?” Leigh called over Cara’s shoulder. “It’s me, Leigh, and I’ve brought a friend with me. Her name is Cara. She’s taking Rick’s place as my protector today.” Silence and surprisingly cool air greeted them.
Cara looked around the barren house and her heart broke. Little more than exposed framework remained inside. In one corner sat a half-empty case of water and a couple of boxes of pre-packaged snacks.
Leigh carried the bags of groceries over and set them down beside the water. “I brought her some sports drinks, fruit and cookies this time. I try to change things up, but it's tricky finding things that don’t require refrigeration and are even remotely healthy. And I can’t help but include a treat each time.”
Cara watched, speechless. She’d believed Leigh’s story and seen Rick’s heartache, but the situation smacked her in the face with a wretched sense of reality. Mary’s existence wasn’t a story and it wasn’t Rick’s heartache. Mary, the child, lived the reality.
She put her weapon away, looked up and fought back tears.
“Well, that answers one question at least. Joe must have been out here and not told me. She left him a gift as well. Here’s mine.” Leigh handed her a jaw-dropping sketch of a beautiful butterfly sitting atop a daisy. “No matter how many she’s given me, they take my breath away.”
“She drew this? It’s gorgeous.” The fine pencil lines and shadows making up the detailed wings stunned Cara.
“We believe so. She usually leaves something pretty for me and something masculine for Rick, usually horses. Here’s his newest gift. I’ll leave it for him to pickup but I can’t resist looking at them.” Leigh handed her a sketch of a herd of running horses with a muscular stallion at the lead. “She calls me lady and Rick Mister. I wonder what she left for Joe or, as she calls him, cop?”
Cara looked down to watch Leigh lift up a sheet of paper that did indeed have the word cop written on it. “What in the world…oh no.” Leigh’s voice shook with despair.
“What is it?” She took the paper from Leigh’s hand and braced herself.
Leigh’s words tumbled out in a rapid tumble. “The little brat’s trying to be an informant. I wish she were here so I could bust her ass into next week. I mean, I’ve never spanked a child in my life, and she’s probably too old, and I don’t even approve of spanking, but…. My god. What am I going to do? Maybe it’s not real? Tell me it’s not real.”
Cara looked at the drawing, her heart in her throat. “We need to call Joe right away. Are you making the call or am I?”
“I…”
“I’ll call. Are you finished for today?” Leigh appeared shaken, and Cara understood why, but this was a time for action. That, Cara could handle, no matter how badly her heart bled.
“Yeah. I just wanted to drop this off and see if she’d been here. You’re holding the proof.” Leigh nodded to the paper in Cara’s hand.
“Okay. Let’s go. You drive. I’ll call Joe and then Rick. He’ll want to be in on this as well.” Cara took charge in her way. Completely, but with kindness. She hoped giving Leigh something else to focus on, even as simple as driving, would settle her nerves.
Relieved to be finished with court for the day, Joe stepped out into the sunlight. Although it might be a necessary evil that came with a job that he loved, he despised being trapped indoors, especially when it was due to someone else’s stupidity. Starved, he started across the street, toward the diner, when his phone rang.
The caller ID read Sis. “Hey, brat. Everything okay?”
“Joe?” Though familiar, the voice sounded nothing like his sweet, but pain in the ass, sister. He recognized the caller by the way his body reacted to her sultry voice. Damn, he had it bad. She hadn’t even identified herself yet. But why was she calling from Leigh’s phone? Worry put the brakes on his lust.
“Cara? What’s wrong? Leigh?” He stopped at the diner’s door and readied to go back the way he came.
“She’s fine. We’re leaving Mary’s house now. Have you been out here recently?” Cara sounded calm, all business. His tension eased, but his confusion remained.
Why does it matter if I’ve been out there?
“Yes. About a week ago I brought the tractor and mower out. I couldn’t stand the thought of any kid with yard full of waist high grass. I didn’t stay long. What’s going on?” His appetite and patience long gone, he headed for the courthouse’s parking lot. “Where are you two exactly?”
The sudden urge to do something filled him, only he didn’t know what to do. Where was he supposed to direct his energy?
“We’re almost back to Leigh’s office now. I promise, we’re fine. It was just easier to use Leigh’s phone. I don’t have your number.” He’d change that quick. The thought of her needing help and not knowing how to get in contact chilled him. “Listen, have you seen the gifts, the drawings Mary leaves for Leigh and Rick?”
“Yes.” She’d called him about drawings? Did they need to have Mary’s house checked for carbon monoxide? “Probably not all of them, but a few. Why?”
“It looks like she left a drawing for you, but it’s not a nice picture. She drew you a picture of a crime. Maybe. You need to see it. When are you free?”
“With a little time, I can free up my evening. Kylie is with Mom today. I’ll have my parents keep her for the night. How about you and Leigh meet me at my place around five this evening?”
“Okay. I’ll tell Leigh. See you then.” She disconnected and the silence made him ache. He assured himself that the empty feeling in his gut came from his worry over Mary and her trouble. It had nothing to do with missing Cara.
After a few phone calls and a rushed shower, Joe answered his doorbell to find Cara waiting on his front porch. She raised her hand in a little wave and her smiled sucker punched him. Those bright eyes and jean-clad legs would be the death of him.
“Hey, come on in. The place looks like a bachelor pad meets a daycare. Just kick the mess aside and make yourself comfortable.” He gestured for her to come inside. “Thanks for going with Leigh.” When Rick said he’d handle it and make sure his sister was safe, Joe had thought he’d meant Rick would go or another Dark Horse member would escort her. Cara had never crossed his mind.
“I didn’t mind. It was good to get out of the house for a little bit. Momma and I are getting on each other’s last nerve. And your house is fine. Did Kylie stay with your parents?” Her voice rang with what sounded like genuine interest.
He picked his daughter’s stuffed frog and snake up off the couch. “Yeah. They’re always happy to keep her. Hell, I think they’d take her from me if I let them.”
“But you wouldn’t.” There seemed to be a smile in her voice as she looked at their wall of memories. It had been Leigh’s idea to cover the bare living room wall in framed photos. She assured him that if he put enough pictures on there, he wouldn’t have to worry about making everything match. She’d been right. He and Kylie hadn’t done too badly on the weekend project, if he did say so himself.
He tossed the animals in a toy box in the corner and walked over. Unable to resist, he laid a hand on the smooth skin of her bared shoulder. He just stopped himself from running his thumb under the strap of her tank top. “I can’t say I haven’t been tempted when faced with a tantrum but, no. She’s my world. Thank you for going with Leigh. I didn’t know Rick had you in mind, but I appreciate it all the same.”
She turned to face him. “Does it bother you that he sent a woman to watch over your sister? I know you two are close.” Her hazel gaze met his without judgment, only honest curiosity.
“I’ll always worry about Leigh. She’s my baby sister.” When the urge to place his other hand on her opposite shoulder hit him, he forced himself to not only deny it, but release the first one.
“Nice evasion.” She smiled crookedly and shook her head.
“What does that mean?” He didn’t know what to make of her comment. Usually when his sister gave him the it’s a good thing you’re cute, because you’re a dumb man look it amused him. When Cara gave him the same, he felt like he’d missed something important.
The front door opened and they turned to see Leigh walk in.
“Yay! It’s about damn time. I’ll have to knock from now on, won’t I? Sorry I’m late.” His sister wore a big smile as she breezed in and dropped her tote on his couch. She appeared to be anything but apologetic when she stopped and put her hands on her hips. “I won’t stay long.” Her grin only grew bigger.
Oh shit.
She thought he and Cara were a thing. He’d have to set her straight at the first opportunity. He gave her his best glare, which she ignored.
“Let’s get to work so I can get out of here. I’m sure you two have better things to do.” Leigh clapped her hands together once and sat. She pulled out a folder and laid it on the coffee table. Then all her excitement faded when she looked to Cara. “Did you tell Rick?”
“I did. He’ll be back in town the moment he’s free. And I suspect he’ll move Heaven and Earth to make that happen yesterday. I told him we’d show Joe first, but we would keep him updated.” Cara moved to the end of the couch and stood with her arms crossed under her breasts.
“What exactly did you two find? Was there anything other than the drawing to make you think she saw a crime?” He sat beside Leigh and slid the folder close. Dread coiled in his belly. He knew his sister wasn’t prone to theatrics and though he hadn’t known Cara long, he didn’t believe she would be either. But it was a child’s drawing. How bad could it be?
Leigh pointed to the folder. “This is our only proof, but it’s pretty convincing. You’ve seen the drawings she’s left for us. She always lays a plain sheet of paper on top with a name written on it. Our usual gifts were waiting just like normal but lying on the floor beside them was a third. I’m no art expert but it looks like the same style and artist.”
He picked up the seemingly innocent folder and opened it. Inside was the blank coversheet with the word cop written on it. “I had my badge on my hip the night of the fire at Kate’s.”
�
��Yeah. And I think Rick threatened to turn her over to you when she was fighting to get away from him. You were also at her place in uniform the day your department served the search warrant and found the lab.”
Dreading what he’d find, he flipped to the next sheet. His blood turned to ice. He closed his eyes, hoping that when he reopened them he’d see something different.
“It’s the old limestone quarry, isn’t it?” Cara’s voice was soft, gentle even, beside him. She must have moved closer when he wasn’t looking.
“It is.” He forced his eyes open. “I’d have to look at a map to be certain, but I think if you set out from Mary’s backdoor and head deep into the hollow for a couple of miles you’d come up on the backside of it. “That fits the viewpoint this was sketched from.”
Above the quarry, at a cliff’s edge, a man faced the drop-off on his knees. His hands were tied behind his back, and Jimmy Hawkins pointed a gun at the back of his head. Dale watched from a mere few feet away.
“I’m sorry, Joe. I hated to share this with you, but…” Leigh’s quiet words trailed off.
Grief and blistering anger choked his voice. “You did the right thing. I’ve had a bad feeling about the department for a while now and this only cements what we suspected the other night at the Thirsty Beaver.” It killed something inside him to confirm that he’d been working for someone dirty for so long. How long had this been right under his nose? He’d been clueless.
“Will this be any good as evidence?” Doubt laced Cara’s words as if her question was one born of futile hope and not curiosity. “What do we do with it?”
“We don’t do anything with it. I want you two and Mary as far away from this mess as humanly possible. I’ll take it to Bowie and show him. He already has his own suspicions. As far as evidence goes, it won’t do much good. It’s a drawing, not a photograph and even if the artist is willing to testify, she’s a child whose father was arrested and taken away by the Potter County Sheriff’s Department. To think that she could have been close to a possible murder…it makes me sick.”
Catching Cara: Dark Horse, Inc: Book 2 Page 6
