Deadly Dozen: 12 Mysteries/Thrillers (317 page)

The cell phone rang again, just as he reeled in his line. Asshole. “I’m on my fucking way.”

“Jackson!”

“Chief, I thought you was somebody else.” Carl cursed himself silently for not looking at the caller I.D.

“That’s apparent. Where the hell are you and Walker?”

“Florida, sir. Just catching a few fish.” Carl fidgeted for his cigarettes.

“Get back here. Gavin McAllister’s been shot.”

#

“He’ll be all right. Constitution of a mule. Bullet went straight through. Not a lot of damage. Going to hurt like hell for a couple of days, though. Be best if you could keep him quiet.” Doc Hawthorne patted Sarah on the shoulder as he left the room.

Sarah contemplated her choices. Gavin McAllister could destroy her life. She was sworn to protect and serve. His handsome face was pale against the white sheets, his wavy hair midnight black. Sarah felt strange inside, tender and vulnerable. She reached out to brush a stray curl back from his forehead. The feeling grew, and she knew he was awake, felt his eyes searching her face. Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly as she turned away.

“Sarah, I’m sorry.”

“Are you?” Sarah turned just in time to see the flicker of pain in the deep brown eyes. It wasn’t his fault. She knew her past had finally caught up with her. She didn’t know where he was, but she’d felt him. Knew he was close. Closing off her thoughts, Sarah concentrated on the job at hand. She had no choice but to see it as that, just a job.

“Did you see anything? Have any idea who might have done this?”

“No.” Gavin grimaced as he struggled to sit up.

“Anything strange happen, anyone say anything to you in the past few days that maybe made you suspicious?”

Gavin frowned, trying to think back over the past few days. So much had happened since he’d arrived.

“The mayor’s wife called on me. Nice lady. Told me to get out of town. She didn’t say ‘Or else,’ but I had a feeling the or else was there.”

“Did she say why?” Sarah chewed thoughtfully on her bottom lip.

“Yeah, she said this town didn’t need my kind.” The memory rekindled his anger, but it quickly died as a bolt of pain moved through his shoulder.

Sarah decided to end the interview. She could question him later. “Can you get dressed? Doc says you have to rest for a few days.”

Gavin nodded, and Sarah left him to fend for himself. She checked in with the office and let Millie know that Gavin was okay. What she was about to do might have repercussions. The attraction between them was too strong. Needs too primal. Could she actually have him that close and not let him break her heart?

“Okay, boss, Doc says I’m ready to go.”

Sarah winced at his grimace of pain as he climbed into the Explorer. She buckled his seat belt and gave him a wan smile, realizing from the moment she’d met him she’d never really had a choice.

“So, where are we heading? You locking me up to keep me safe?”

“No. I’m taking you to my house.”

The words shocked Gavin into silence, and within minutes Sarah realized he’d fallen asleep, his breathing soft and steady. She smiled, that strange feeling of tenderness washing over her. Maybe this wasn’t going to be so hard after all. Sarah regretted her thoughts seconds later as he turned in his sleep, one hand falling to rest comfortably on her thigh. Desire coursed through her. She gritted her teeth against the sensation as he smiled in his sleep, almost as if he knew her discomfort. Cursing softly, Sarah stepped on the gas. The sooner she got him in bed, the better off she’d be. The total absurdity of her thoughts struck her just as she swung into the driveway.

#

Millie pulled the .38 from the closet. People getting murdered, shot in broad daylight. Dammit, she had to do something. This was her home. Her hands trembled as she loaded the gun. What to do? She was just an old woman. She gazed off into the distance, memories of another life, before Cardona. Before she’d had to disappear. To the eyes of the world she was dead. At first, shut away from her family and friends, she’d wondered if perhaps that wouldn’t have been a blessing. Then she’d come here. Dammit, this was her home now and no faceless monstrosity was going to take it away from her. She’d find him, or them, or whatever. Sarah needed help. This was out of her league.

The light tapping on her door pulled Millie from her memories. Placing the gun in the closet, she raked a hand through the curly gray hair and brushed the tears from her face before going to the door. Clarence stood on the doorstep, hands full of roses. Life had passed her by the past twenty years.

Throwing the door open wide she chuckled, crushing the roses between them as she seized him in a tight embrace. “Oh, Clarence, come in, come in. I’ve got coffee and jam cake, and have I ever got a story to tell you.”

Slightly flustered, Clarence stared at the crushed roses. Jam cake, coffee, story … he looked at her flushed face, gray eyes alight with mystery and life. Taking off his hat, he grinned foolishly at her, like a teenager on his first date. “I’m your man.”

Clarence sat quietly, listening to her. He never interrupted, and asked no questions. Occasionally he would cover her hand with his, squeezing gently, to let her know he understood.

Drained from all the talking Millie waited, breathless. It was a lot to take in all at once. She waited for him to speak, but he just sat there quietly, holding her hand.

“Humph, you could say something, you old coot. Can you live with that?” Her voice was brusque, but Clarence saw the fear reflected in her eyes. Afraid what she had told him would send him packing.

Clarence smiled, quickly closing the distance between them. Without saying a word, he kissed her soundly before pulling away, the twinkle in his eyes now a determined gleam. “You just let someone try and stop me.”

For the next two hours they put their heads together, coming up with strategic plans, tossing them aside as too complicated or unfeasible. The seriousness of their plans never entered their minds as they laughed like teenagers, holding hands. Millie kissed him good-bye, telling him she’d be sure to lock the doors and keep the gun loaded. For the first time in years, she felt in control of her own destiny. She felt alive.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

“Damn,” Sarah cursed, struggling to bring the Explorer under control. Letting her foot off the gas pedal, she breathed deeply and pulled over to the side of the road. What the hell was she thinking? Her hands trembled as she pried them loose from the steering wheel, realizing she’d almost met the same fate as Johanna Nelson. And for the same reasons. Everything was moving too fast. Her emotions had run the gamut, and now she was left with nothing but fear. Fear of losing control. She had three dead bodies, and no suspects. Gavin lay wounded in her bed, and Nikki was scared and upset. Continuing to breathe deeply, Sarah forced herself to calm down. She needed to think rationally. Allow her mind to sort through the evidence, look for the catalyst. It all started with Corrine Larson, and the death of Johanna Nelson. Sarah tightened her hands around the wheel. It was her job to protect the people of Glade Springs. If that meant stepping on toes, then she’d step on toes. Someone knew something, and it was time she asked the right questions and got the right answers. She headed to Doc Hawthorne’s.

Sarah wasn’t surprised to find Doc’s light still burning in his office, nor did he appear surprised to see her.

“Come in, Sarah. Been expecting you.”

“Why’s that, Doc?”

His eyes narrowed, a scowl accentuating the deep furrows of his face. “Shouldn’t of done it. Thought I was doing the right thing.”

“What did you do?” Sarah was beginning to feel as if she’d fallen into the twilight zone of riddles and parables as she watched Doc Hawthorne fidget with the manila folder.

Doc came towards her, his smile sad, eyes showing the burden of too many years of caring, too much pain. “All I can say in my defense is I did it for the right reasons.”

Sarah took the folder, skimming the autopsy report of Johanna Nelson.

“Dear God, Jim, why didn’t you tell me?”

“You know how this town is, Sarah.”

Sarah nodded. The gossip, the scrutiny, the blame. It wasn’t just this town, it was all towns. They lived in a very unforgiving world.

Sarah stood at the doorway for just a second, wishing she had time or words to relieve his pain and guilt.

“I have to go, Doc. We’ll discuss this later.”

Sarah waited for an answer, some acknowledgement that he’d heard her. When none came, she quietly closed the door behind her.

#

Sarah parked in front of the sheriff’s office and turned off the engine, wishing she could turn off her thoughts as easily. The image of Doc Hawthorne standing head bowed, liver spotted hands clutching the desk chair as if he no longer had the strength to stand, haunted her. If she reported him, he’d lose his license. Grabbing the manila folder, Sarah pushed open the door of the Explorer and forced her thoughts away from Doc. There was no time for empathy; Doc would have to deal with his own pain.

Entering the office, Sarah stood for a moment basking in the warmth of her second home. She glanced around the room, surprised to find that Ella Mae and Joshua were still on duty. Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, she barked out orders.

“Ella Mae, I want the file on Johanna Nelson’s accident. Joshua, my office, now.”

Sarah saw the questioning look that passed between the two, as Ella Mae jumped to obey, handing the file to Joshua who followed Sarah meekly down the hall.

“Close the door.”

Sarah stopped, her eyes drawn to the vase of red roses in the center of her desk.

“Where did these come from?”

Joshua grinned. “Good Reverend delivered them himself. Didn’t read the card though.”

Sarah removed the small card from the vase. Sheriff, I hope you’ll accept my apology for my wife’s rudeness. I assure you, it won’t happen again.

She fingered the card for several seconds. There was something there, something not quite right. Picking up the phone, she placed a call.

“Edgewood Police Department.”

“Arthur Daniels, please. Sheriff Sarah Burns calling.”

“Hold on.”

Sarah fingered the card as she waited for Arthur to pick up.

“Hey, Sarah, what’s going on?”

“Need a favor, Arthur.”

“Sure. What you got?”

“Run a background check, and see if you can get me a picture of the Reverend Jacob and Sheila Cooper. Came here from Van Cleve about two months ago.”

“Take a couple of days, but I’ll see what I can get.”

“Thanks, Arthur.” Sarah hung up the phone, tossed the card into the trashcan, and sat down at her desk. She didn’t have time to worry about the Reverend or his marital problems, but she was glad the roses had reminded her to run that background check. Taking the file, she studied the report she’d written and frowned. Nothing seemed unusual.

Joshua fidgeted impatiently. “Sarah, are you ever going to tell me what the hell is going on?”

“I don’t think Johanna Nelson’s death was an accident. I think she was murdered,” Sarah stated, glancing up to emphasize her words.

“Your eyes are blue.”

Sarah felt the blood drain from her face. She’d forgotten to put the contact lenses in. And how long had they been out? Joshua’s face registered shock, along with the million questions Sarah knew must be running through his mind. There was just not enough time. Recovering quickly, she plunged on.

“I’ll explain that later, Joshua. Right now, you’re just going to have to trust me that there’s a good reason for that. We’ve got bigger problems. What do you know about David Nix and Johanna Nelson?”

Joshua looked away from her steady gaze. “I know he was seeing her. Hell, Sarah, everyone knew he was seeing her.”

Everyone except me, Sarah thought.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t think it was important. He didn’t kill her. I mean, it had to be an accident. Nix is an ass, but he isn’t capable of murder.”

“Did you know she was pregnant?”

“Shit.” Joshua sank into the old armchair, the word summing it up for both of them. People did a lot of things to cover up mistakes. And if David Nix had gotten Johanna pregnant, that was definitely a mistake. Nix had plans to run for governor next year. Nothing like an affair and illegitimate child to kill a political career. And then there was Claire. She wanted that governor’s mansion. Claire Nix could be ugly when she didn’t get what she wanted. Real ugly.

Sarah reread the report, looking for anything that might give her a lead. The car had been towed to George Riley’s Body Shop.

“Joshua, I want you to get Tommy over to George Riley’s. I want that car checked from top to bottom, brake lines, tires, steering, everything.” Sarah slammed the file shut and stood up. “I’ll call you after I’m finished with David Nix.”

“I’m going with you.”

Sarah hesitated, knowing the decisions she made in the next hour could have a drastic effect on her future. “All right, but get Tommy started first.”

Sarah didn’t wait for Joshua, but left the office, striding determinedly. It was all coming clear now. Ever since Johanna’s death something had been niggling at her. She knew now who had been in the car with her. What she didn’t know was what had happened after the crash. Sarah thought back over the past few weeks. David had been upset, different. He seemed to have lost some of his obnoxious confidence. When Gavin had told her about the visit from Claire Nix, it had all come together in her mind. Secrets. Gavin was right, the whole world was full of secrets. She just hoped this one hadn’t caused the death of a young woman and her child.