by Terri Reed
“It’s not a story, it’s the truth.” The doctor’s voice shook with rage. “Clearly, I need to speak with the chief.”
“You could do that, sir, but he’s awfully busy solving a murder. Your ex-wife’s,” Shane added. “We will leave no rock unturned in our investigation.”
Dr. Pennington sniffed. “Well, I’m sure you’ll be turning over many rocks and uncovering many lizards in Veronica’s past. But I wasn’t involved and would appreciate if you’d leave me alone.” The doctor hung up.
Shane put a check mark beside Pennington’s name. The next couple of calls were to Veronica’s hairdresser and her dentist. Both had alibis, which Shane verified, and both at least had expressed some sympathy for the deceased.
“Hey,” Gina said when she came over to sit beside him. “I completely forgot that I have a commitment this afternoon at the library.”
Shane tensed. “Cancel.”
“I knew that was going to be your reaction.” Her hazel eyes took on a determined gleam. “You told me not to let my brother have power over me. If I cancel, then I’m giving Tim power over my life by flaking out on my commitment.”
Not liking to have his words come back to bite him, Shane pinched the bridge of his nose. He appreciated and admired her desire to fulfill her commitments. But... “What is it you have to do?”
“Today is story time in the children’s wing of the library.”
He tucked his chin in confusion. “And you want to go listen to fairy tales?”
She laughed. “No, silly. I read the stories to the kids. I’ve been doing it every week since I arrived in town. It’s my way of giving back to the community.”
He hadn’t known she did that. Knowing her wish for a family, her time with the kids must be precious to her. His respect and admiration for her increased. But he couldn’t allow it.
“Take today off,” Shane said. “You don’t want to put all those kids in jeopardy.”
A little V appeared between her brows. “Of course not.”
“There you go.”
The sparkle in her eyes dimmed. She scratched Bella behind the ears. The dog nearly climbed in her lap.
“You’re right, of course. I want this to end. I want Tim caught so I can resume my life.”
He hated to see Gina’s disappointment and could sympathize with her. No one like having their freedom restricted, especially when it was taken away in such a dramatic fashion. He wished there was a way to make her smile again. His gaze snagged on her lush lips. Smooth and soft. The remembered feel of them against his own mouth reared through his brain. Suddenly the collar of his shirt was too constricting. He gave it a good tug but that didn’t alleviate his discomfort.
Her cell phone rang. She brightened as she glanced at the caller ID. “Whitney,” she said aloud to him before she pressed answer. “Hi, Whitney.” She listened for a moment then glanced at Shane. “I think so. Let me clear it with my shadow.”
Shane made a face at her teasing jab, which elicited a smile, and the impact speared through him like a ray of sunshine, heating him from the inside out.
Covering the phone’s mouthpiece with her hand, Gina explained, “Whitney has a meeting with the chief, and her babysitter is not feeling well. She’d like for me to watch Shelby for an hour or so. That okay with you?”
He appreciated her asking and he knew she was chafing at having to ask permission for something that she’d normally agree to without any reservations. “We could meet her at the station and watch the baby there.”
Gina gave a small roll of her eyes. “My shadow says we’ll meet you at the station. I’ll bring the puppies.” Gina laughed at something Whitney said. “Okay. See you then.” She hung up, tucked her phone away and then rubbed her hands together in apparent glee. “I get some baby time.”
The sparkle in her eyes nearly undid him. His chest constricted. His breathing hitched, but the cause wasn’t his asthma—it was the woman in front of him. She took his breath away.
He cleared his throat in an attempt to calm his racing pulse. “I’ll call Ryder to let him know we’re heading over.”
“Great.” She pirouetted away to herd the puppies out of the training room. “I’ll ask Sophie if we can take the center’s vehicle,” she said over her shoulder.
He jumped to his feet and followed her while dialing the nonemergency number for the Desert Valley police station. He watched her coax the puppies into the crate with treats and then step into Sophie’s office out of his line of sight. His breathing finally eased.
Carrie Dunleavy answered the station phone. Shane asked for Ryder.
“One moment, please,” Carrie said and then music filled the line and tension flooded Shane.
A moment later Ryder was on the phone. “Weston, I was just about to call you. The Flagstaff crime scene techs will be doing the ballistics test today,” Ryder informed him.
Shane’s stomach dropped. If the ammo in his grandfather’s handgun matched the .45 slugs taken out of Veronica’s body... Acid burned beneath his breastbone. “How soon...?”
“They said they’d have results by this evening.”
Shane clenched his jaw. It took effort to ask, “Were you able to confirm my alibi?”
“As a matter of fact, yes.”
Shane rested a hand against the wall for support as relief rushed over him. He sent up a silent prayer of thanksgiving. “That’s good. Gina and I are headed over to the station now. Whitney needs someone to watch her little girl while she meets with the chief.”
“Ah. I’ll see you soon then.”
Shane hung up, feeling the weight on his shoulders lighten. Gina stepped out of Sophie’s office.
Concern dimmed her smile. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes.” He straightened and shoved his phone into his pocket. “My alibi checked out.”
He needed to make sure she knew, though why it was important to him to dispel any doubts she might have about him was a mystery. He told himself it was because, as her protector, he needed her to trust him. And knowing he wasn’t a viable suspect would go a long way toward building that trust again.
“I knew your alibi would prove you innocent,” she stated with certainty, and stepped close to unexpectedly hug him.
His heart thumped as he slipped his arms around her. Holding her felt so right, so natural. The fresh floral scent of her shampoo teased his nose and her hair felt silky against his cheek. He didn’t want to let her go, but he did. Stepping back, he shoved his hands into his pants pocket.
She ducked her head, but he noted the pink brightening her cheeks. She bent to scoop up the puppies and handed him one. The fluffy ball of fur licked his face before he could tuck the squirming bundle under his arm. Gina’s laugh invaded his heart and stole his breath once again.
He had to concentrate to force his legs to move. He carried the puppy and followed Gina out of the building.
“Tim killed Veronica to get to me. You had nothing to do with her death.” She placed her free hand on his arm. Her touch sent a ribbon of warmth curling through him.
He covered her hand with his own. Their fingers entwined. He lifted her knuckles to his lips. “Thank you for believing in me.”
“Always.” She sounded breathless.
Did he do that to her? He leaned closer, wanting, needing to kiss her. Her lips parted in silent invitation. His breath grew erratic as he slowly touched his lips to hers.
One of the puppies yelped, breaking the enthralling moment. He jerked back. She gave a nervous laugh and turned away. Disappointment fisted in his gut. He’d have liked to continue kissing her. Her lips were so soft and tasted like the cherry ChapStick she wore.
He helped secure the puppies in one crate then secured Bella in the second and tried to pick up the conversation where they’d veered off. �
��Though my alibi checked out I’m not in the clear yet. If my grandfather’s gun was used to do the deed the chief would have to investigate whether I hired someone else to kill her.”
She walked around to the passenger side and stopped to let him open the door. As she slid into the vehicle, she said, “Yeah, that’s a sticky wicket, isn’t it? But I know it will work out in the end. You’ll be proven innocent.”
“Yes, it is, and I pray you are right.” Anger at whoever took his gun churned within him as his chest bound up, making his lungs feel too big. He paused, breathing in and out through his nose in an effort to regain some calm.
There wasn’t anything he could do about the person who’d stolen his gun until they apprehended the culprit.
Giving the anger any room only set him up for more stress. He shut the passenger door and walked around to the driver’s side. His gaze snagged on movement near the tree line. The vague shape of a person shifted in the shadows.
The instinct to give chase was strong. From the back compartment of the SUV, Bella let out a loud series of barks. Clearly, the dog had seen the same thing as Shane. But he had to fight the urge to release Bella and go after the person trying to hide in the trees. Keeping Gina safe was his priority.
He yanked open the driver’s door. “Get down,” he instructed Gina as he slid onto the seat, keeping his gaze trained on the dark woods. There. Yes. Someone was in the woods skulking around. He grabbed his cell and dialed 911.
The dispatcher answered. “What is your emergency?”
“This is Officer Weston. Requesting backup at the Canyon County Training Center. I may have spotted Tim Perry, suspect in a homicide case, in the woods behind the center.”
“I’ll send officers to your location.”
TEN
Gina hunkered down on the passenger side of the Canyon County Training Center’s SUV. Her heart hammered against her ribs, creating a thunderous beat that banged through her body. Had Shane really spotted Tim? Would Tim show himself again so soon? Was her brother more bent on hurting her than concerned about being caught?
Beside her, Shane slid down, making himself less of a target. The thought of Tim shooting a crossbow bolt into the vehicle filled her with dread. She’d been spared the last time by the grace of God. The bolt hadn’t pierced all the way through the back of the truck’s cab and embedded itself in her flesh. Her muscles tensed and she fisted her hands.
Please, Lord, have mercy on me. On Shane, she silently pleaded with God. Again.
She remembered the promise she’d made to God when she’d been quivering with fear in the training center, sure that Tim would find and kill her. She’d promised she’d resume going to church, would study her Bible and spend time in prayer.
Shame washed over her. Not once since then had she thought about her promise. She didn’t want to call on God only in times of distress. Where was her praise and thanksgiving when life wasn’t fair or neat and tidy? Why did she wait to reach out to the Lord when her life was on the line? She was like David from the Bible. God constantly provided and protected David and yet his faith had been weak and he doubted God at every turn.
She vowed to keep her promise. She just needed to live long enough to do it.
Within moments, the screech of sirens announcing the arrival of the Desert Valley Police Department echoed through the SUV, stirring the puppies into a barking frenzy. She longed to comfort them. They were scared by the chaos. So was she.
“Stay out of sight,” Shane advised before sliding out of the vehicle.
She couldn’t stand not seeing what was happening. Mindful of Shane’s warning, she inched up enough to peek over the top of the dash. Shane conversed with Officer Bucks and Officer Ryder Hayes. Sophie came out of the training center and joined them.
A second later, Ryder and his yellow Lab, Titus, hurried toward the woods with Bucks and Sophie trailing behind them. Gina noticed Titus’s odd gait as if his hips were bothering him. Something she’d have to mention to the officer. It wouldn’t be good for Titus or Ryder if the dog couldn’t perform his duties because of his hips.
Shane returned to the SUV and slid down as best he could, despite the steering wheel in his way. “We’ll sit tight while they secure the area. I doubt your brother stuck around, but Ryder wants to be sure.”
Her legs were beginning to cramp and the door handle dug into her back. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could stay crouched on the SUV’s floor. She shifted, trying to find a more comfortable position.
At Shane’s curious glance, she said, “I’m cramped and freaked-out and angry.”
With a gentle hand, Shane smoothed back a chunk of her hair that had fallen over her eyes. Her skin tingled where his fingers lightly touched her forehead.
“It won’t be much longer,” he said. “I promise.”
She wanted to believe him, though she knew he was referring to being trapped on the floor of the SUV. She wanted to believe the police would find and arrest Tim quickly. But so far he’d evaded capture. And as long as he was out there, she wasn’t safe.
A knock on the window startled her. She let out a small yelp.
“It’s Ryder,” Shane said as he straightened and popped open the door.
Relieved, she crawled out from under the dash. Sophie went back inside the training center while Bucks leaned against the police-issue cruiser to wait for Ryder.
“Nothing,” Ryder said. “Titus didn’t alert on any scent either. And the ground’s too dry for footprints. Are you sure you saw a person?”
“Someone was in the woods.” There was no mistaking the frustration and disappointment in Shane’s tone, because the same emotions choked Gina. “It had to be Tim Perry.”
“If it was, he’s gone now,” Ryder stated.
A muscle in Shane’s jaw flexed but he didn’t respond. She was proud of Shane. No good would come from him arguing with Ryder. They were on the same side. She leaned toward the open driver’s-side door to see Ryder. “Thank you, Ryder.”
Ryder nodded at her. “No problem.” He and Bucks left.
Shane slid back behind the wheel. “Sorry about that. I know what I saw.”
She laid a hand on his arm to show her support. “I believe you.”
The muscles of his forearm flexed as he gripped the steering wheel. “I’m not sure Ryder did.”
“He has no reason to doubt you.”
“Right.” He started the SUV and she buckled up. As they drove through town toward the police station, Gina noted with gratefulness that the police presence didn’t decrease. Ryder followed close behind in his vehicle.
“I’m a little on edge,” Shane admitted.
Understatement. “Aren’t we all? A lot is going on. Veronica’s murder is hanging over all of us. Your grandfather’s special handgun is in question and my brother could be lurking around any corner,” she pointed out. “But I appreciate your diligence.”
“Thanks.” He sent her a smile full of gratitude that curled around her heart.
She lifted a shoulder, trying not to let on how much she cared about him. “It’s true. I didn’t even think to look at the forest. But it makes sense that Tim would use the cover of trees to hide in. It’s been his thing for some time. He’d take refuge in the park after a particularly bad manic episode. Dad had tried to interest him in wilderness training, but Tim was more interested in archery. Hence the use of the crossbow. He traded up from the harmless target archery set Dad bought him to the very deadly weapon that has become so popular in recent years.”
“The woods. I wonder if he’s holed up in the Desert Pines campground.”
“I doubt he’d be somewhere that public, but maybe.”
“It’s worth having the campground ranger take a look around. I’ll ask Carrie to send the ranger Tim’s photo.”
“Good idea.” She appreciated Shane’s proactive way.
At the station, Shane backed into the parking stall near the side entrance. Gina put a harness around each pup and held tight to the leash as both sprinted for a patch of grass. Bella followed the puppies, herding them to keep them from straining at their leads. It was so sweet the way the older dog’s natural instinct was to protect and guide the two younger canines.
Officer Louise Donaldson pushed open the door to the side entrance. Tall and solidly built, she wore her short-sleeved, navy-colored uniform, complete with utility belt.
A badge pinned over the left side of Louise’s chest gleamed in the spring sun. Her short brown bobbed hair had streaks of silver that glinted in the sunlight. If not for the graying hair, Gina would believe Louise to be younger than her sixty-plus years.
“Hey, I was heading out on a coffee run,” Louise said. “You two want anything?”
“I’m good,” Shane replied.
Gina smiled at the older woman while coaxing the puppies to the entrance. “No, thank you. Do you know if Whitney has arrived yet?”
Louise shrugged. “Haven’t a clue.”
Gina managed to get both puppies to the door. Lucy sniffed at Louise’s shoes while Ricky chased his tail, twisting the leash around Gina’s hand.
Louise’s gaze softened on the puppies. “They sure are cute. But I’m glad I’m not the one taking care of them. They seem like a lot of work.”
Gina didn’t mind the work. “They are well worth the time and energy.”
“If you say so.” Louise slipped past the dogs and headed toward town.
Once inside the police station, Gina and Shane found Whitney with her four-month-old, Shelby, already in the break room. A stroller was pushed into the corner with a bright pink diaper bag hanging from the handle.
Whitney bounced Shelby on her knees. The baby giggled. The sound rippled through Gina, making her heart ache for a child of her own to love.
