Cowboy Cool: Book 5 (Cowboy Justice Association) (20 page)

“What now?” Her voice sounded distant even though she was only a few feet away. “What do I do now?”

Reed’s eyes narrowed at her seemingly innocent question. But Kaylee was a writer and she knew words had meaning. And her words had formed the question of what
she
was to do, not what
they
should do.

Like a freight train slamming into a car on the tracks, he realized he’d made a huge mistake. With her background she’d be looking for any sign of a man leaving, running away when things got tough. She’d taken his pulling away last night not as him dialing down how personal this had become but that he didn’t want to be here at all.

She thought he was leaving.

“We,” he emphasized the word deliberately and her bent head shot up, “go back to the beginning. Review everything. Then we start asking questions. Lots of them.”

She still didn’t look at him. “What kind of questions?”

“We need to talk to Linda and find out whom she can account for at the party at the time that car came after you. If she’s not one hundred percent sure a guest was within sight we need to talk to them.”

“And Brent?”

“We already know that he left early so we definitely need to talk to him.”

Kaylee’s stormy green eyes, almost gray at the moment, finally looked into his own. “But we can take Linda off the suspect list? We know she was in the house.”

“As far as I’m concerned Linda is off the list,” he conceded.

“Good. The toast is burning.”

Reed let go a string of expletives but managed to save breakfast from disaster. He slid the toast onto two plates and put one down in front of her along with a fork.

“Why don’t you just yell at me, honey, and we can move on with our day.”

“Why would I yell at you?” she sniffed disdainfully. “Have you done something that I should be angry about?”

“Yes,” he answered calmly. Kaylee needed to blow her top and get all that rage out. “We both know why so let’s get it over with. We have work to do today.”

She smacked her fork down on the table. “Fine. If you want to leave, Reed, then just fucking leave. I don’t need a damn babysitter.”

He regarded her steadily knowing they both had issues in their life that had scarred them. The least he could do was not make hers worse.

“I’m not going anywhere. I never planned to leave. I should have realized that when I pulled away last night that you would think that though. I’m sorry that I hurt you that way.”

She really was beautiful when she was angry. Her formerly pale cheeks were bright pink and sparks practically flew from her eyes. “You were a jerk last night. I needed you. I was scared—I mean, I am scared. Dammit, Reed. I’m so angry with you.”

His Kaylee wasn’t a screamer when she was mad. If anything her voice had gone softer and softer until the last words had come out as a whisper.

“I was a jerk and I’m sorry.” He tried to put as much sincerity in his tone as possible. “I’m in deep here, honey, and I’m not too proud to admit that it makes me edgy. I thought that pulling away from the personal side of our relationship would be a good idea. But I never intended to leave you. I’m here until we catch this son of a bitch. I wish you could trust me.”

“I wish I could too,” Kaylee said sadly. “But maybe it’s best if I don’t, especially since you don’t want there to be anything personal between us. You want it to be strictly business?”

What he wanted and what he needed were two different things, but Tanner had made a good point last night when they’d spoken.

“It’s not fair to you, Kaylee. My friend Tanner said it’s wrong to angle for a woman’s love if I don’t intend to return it. And I simply cannot return it. I am not capable of love. He said my past owns me and he’s probably right. I can’t even begin to plan a future with someone when all I do is look over my shoulder. The present is all I have.”

Her lips trembling, she brushed a few stray tears from her cheeks. He’d made her cry. Again. Just more evidence that he was bad for her.

“Then we’re just friends. No benefits.” Kaylee looked sad and he cursed the day he’d ever come into her life. She would have been better off never meeting him. “But I wish you could talk about it. It might help.”

Reed couldn’t picture any scenario where talking about what had happened would help.

“Talking about it won’t change it. I wish I could be someone different for you. I wish I really was like the men in your books, but I’m just not hero material. I’m so sorry.”

Kaylee picked up her fork and smiled a little too forcefully. “I’m sorry too. I told you at the beginning that I wouldn’t hold you to some commitment and I meant it. I think we could have fun while you’re here but I see that you’ve made up your mind. We’ll keep things friendly and casual from now on.”

She’d given him exactly what he wanted so why did he feel like shit? When he finally did leave she’d be well rid of him. She’d placed him on some sort of pedestal and everyone knew there was only one direction to go from there.

Down.

*   *   *   *

Kaylee had thought Reed might argue about her accompanying him to speak to Linda but he didn’t bat an eye. Instead he’d simply stated that he didn’t intend for her to be unprotected until this guy was caught which had been disheartening news. Being with Reed twenty-four-seven wasn’t going to be easy. He wanted them to return to being friends but she craved the intimacy they’d found together. It wasn’t just the sex, although that was beyond awesome; it was how close she felt to him before, during and after. She’d never felt that close to anyone in her life.

But she wouldn’t push the issue. She could see that caring about her was frightening the living shit out of him and that thought alone made her smile. It gave her a tiny bit of hope that he might eventually change his mind. She wasn’t looking for marriage and kids but she genuinely liked Reed. They could have something…special. She wouldn’t ask him for more than he could give.

“Won’t the police have talked to Linda already?” Kaylee asked as Reed parked his truck in Linda’s driveway.

“They have and I’m sure they’ve talked to other people as well. But we’re not privy to those conversations. I’m not a cop here and I’m trying to respect what they’re doing. They seem sincere in their efforts and they’ve done all they could really. But I haven’t done all I can. I have this one case to work on while they have dozens, if not hundreds. I want to talk to people myself and make my own conclusions.”

“Then let’s do this.” Kaylee hopped out of the truck but not before seeing Reed wince as he did the same. He was hurting whether he wanted to admit it or not. No lightweight, she’d landed right on top of him last night. “Did you take anything for that?”

He lifted one shoulder carelessly. “I’m only bruised. I’ve had far worse.”

“You’re more stubborn than I am,” she said, brushing past him to ring the doorbell. If he wanted to fucking suffer she’d be happy to let him.

Linda opened the door with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Kaylee had called her before they’d shown up and there had been little enthusiasm in Linda’s voice for this visit.

“Come in. I was just sitting down to have some coffee. Would you like a cup?” Linda asked as they followed her into the living room.

“None for me, thank you,” Reed declined and sat down. Kaylee shook her head as well, simply wanting to get to whatever they were there for.

All three settled in and Linda lifted the cup to her lips. “How are you feeling, Kaylee? Did you see the doctor this morning?”

“I’m fine. It’s Reed that took most of the impact when he pushed me out of the way. No doctor needed.”

Linda’s gaze swung to Reed and he smiled charmingly. “No doctor needed for me either.” He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “Thank you for talking to us. I have some questions that I’d like to ask about last night.”

Linda placed her cup on the end table and smoothed a few imaginary wrinkles in her slacks. “I already told the police everything I know. I’m not sure how I can help you.”

“You never know what can be important. Sometimes it’s the smallest detail. Can you remember who was in the room with you last night after Kaylee and I walked outside?”

Her brows pinched together in thought, Linda shook her head. “I can’t remember everyone. I’d had a few glasses of wine.”

Reed pulled a tiny notebook and stubby pencil from his shirt pocket under his sweater. “Whatever you can remember will be great. Only the ones you know for sure.”

Linda reeled off several names and then shrugged. “That’s all I can remember. There could have been others in the kitchen or even the bathrooms.”

“But Brent left before we did?”

Linda nodded, her color high. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that Brent would be a suspect in this case. The police knew about the words that had been exchanged between Reed and Brent.

“Did he ever come back to the party?”

“Not that I know of.”

“What about Walt? You didn’t see him when Kaylee and I were outside?”

“No, but he was around shortly after. I don’t think there’s any way he could have done this. I saw you both come back into the house and Walt was there too.”

Reed scratched more on the notepad but the doorbell interrupted any more questions. Linda hopped up from the couch and looked out the front window.

“That’s Cheryl. I talked to her this morning and told her you both were stopping by. She was worried about you so she asked if she could join us. I hope that’s okay.”

It had to be because Linda was opening the door whether they liked it or not. Cheryl’s appearance did seem to put Linda more at ease as she poured another cup of coffee for her friend and refilled her own.

“I was so concerned about you,” Cheryl said with a shudder. “I didn’t sleep a wink last night.”

“I didn’t either,” Linda declared. “What has the world come to? It’s not safe to leave your house anymore.”

Separately, Cheryl and Linda each a flair for the dramatic but together? They were a couple of Barrymores. Kaylee highly doubted either woman had lost much if any sleep.

“We’re both fine,” Kaylee assured them. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

“But what about you? Some terrible person is trying to hurt you because they don’t like your books. It’s a horrible thing.” Cheryl’s cup clattered on the coffee table as she sat it down with too much force. “When you can’t even write what you love the world has gone too far.”

“Cheryl, where were you when Kaylee and I were outside?” Reed queried.

“Upstairs in the restroom. I came down when I heard all the racket.”

“Linda, do you remember Cheryl coming downstairs?”

The two women quickly glanced at one another and Linda nodded vigorously. “Yes, she and Walt joined me downstairs at about the same time.”

Reed scratched more notes. “Cheryl, did you see anyone else upstairs?”

“Hmmmmm.” Cheryl tapped her chin. “I saw Walt and one of the actresses from the play. The one who played the waitress.”

“What would they have been doing upstairs?” Kaylee asked. “Did they know each other?”

Dear Lord, had Walt been taking a woman to a…bedroom?
Ewww.

“I can answer that,” Linda interrupted. “Walt had a tad too much to drink last night and spilled some wine on his shirt. Alice was taking him upstairs to help him clean up. I gave her a bottle of club soda from the bar.”

“And I think he got her phone number by the end of the evening.” Cheryl wore a suggestive smile.

I guess there’s a lid for every pot.

Reed asked a few more questions while Kaylee sat back and watched the reactions of the two women. Linda did appear more confident with Cheryl by her side but all Cheryl seemed to be thinking about was Reed. She’d turned on the charm every time she answered one of his questions.

Got jealousy?

“I just have one more question and it’s for both of you. Have you ever heard anyone in your writer’s group or friends that resent Kaylee’s success? Anyone who has spoken ill of her?”

Kaylee sure as hell wanted the answer to this one. Were there people out there that talked badly behind her back? Everyone wasn’t her friend but she didn’t normally spend time counting her enemies.

Both women looked uncomfortable, fidgeting on the couch and glancing at each other instead of at Kaylee and Reed.

That’s my answer. A resounding yes.

Finally Cheryl nodded. “I don’t think he really means it. He’s simply frustrated about his own career. He’s just blowing off steam and Kaylee is the natural choice since she’s the most successful of all of us. Plus she writes romance and it’s very common for men to denigrate the genre.”

“Who is he?” Reed’s pencil was poised to take down the name. “Is it Brent?”

Linda’s brows shot up in surprise. “Brent? No, he never has a bad word to say about anyone. Cheryl was talking about Walt.”

Reed nodded and tucked away the notebook and pencil. “Thank you for being so honest. I’d like to talk to Walt so we can mark him off the list of suspects. I’m sure it’s just as you say, he was blowing off steam. Do you know where I can find him?”

“He would be at his home,” Cheryl shrugged. “He lives out in the country on some sort of a farm. I think he manages it for a friend.”

“Do you know where exactly?”

Cheryl shook her head but Linda nodded.

“I was there once. I can draw you a map.”

Linda stood and walked over to a desk on the far wall and retrieved a piece of paper and a pen from the drawer. “I don’t know street names. I only know landmarks.”

“That’s fine. I can usually find my way around.” Reed also stood to look over her shoulder as she marked the roads and intersections. He folded the map and shoved it in his hip pocket when she was done. “Thank you again. You’ve been a big help.”

Kaylee and Reed said their goodbyes and climbed back into the truck.

“This cop stuff sucks. I hate putting my friends through this.”

Reed kept his attention on the road. “One of your friends is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, honey, and doesn’t deserve your loyalty.”

“In the meantime I may lose all of them, good or bad.”