Holdin' On for a Hero (24 page)

Wyatt thought about Tsa’li’s words. While part of him wanted to argue, the smarter part knew that Tsa’li was right. If he were wise he would follow the advice Tsa’li gave.

* * * * *

Despite John’s protests and attempts to change her mind, Chance was determined to keep her date with Greg Holling. She dropped John at his house with a promise to return after she had seen Greg, then drove to the motel.  She stuffed the directions to the Holling’s lake house in the pocket of her jacket along with her miniature recorder and then paused long enough to call her office and leave instructions for Steve to call his contact in the State Bureau of Investigations and find out everything he could about the murders.

It was a quarter past two when she pulled up behind the red Jaguar parked in front of the house at Fontana Lake. “You stay here, okay?” she said to the wolf. “But if you hear me scream come running.”

He growled softly and she gave him a rub then got out of the Jeep. The front door opened to display Greg Holling as she started down the walk. Dressed in a pair of dark green designer slacks and an unbuttoned shirt, he held an almost empty drink glass in his hand.

“Well, I was beginning to think you’d stood me up,” he said as he reached for her hand.

She let him take it and pull her inside. “No way. Especially not after I heard what happened last night. It scared me to death! Are you all right?”

He shut the door and leaned back against it. “Yeah, I’m okay,” he sighed dramatically and slumped. “But I lost three of my oldest friends.”

“Oh, Greg.” She moved closer to him. “I’m so sorry. It must have been horrible for you.”

He pulled her to him and wrapped one arm around her. “It was pretty bad.”

Chance waited a moment then pulled away. “I can’t even imagine how horrifying it must have been.” She frowned fiercely and clenched her fists as if enraged. “I just hope they find whoever did it and string him up!”

Greg’s eyes brightened at her words and he pushed away from the door. “I need another drink. Care to join me?”

“No, thanks. It’s a little early for me but you go ahead.”

He led her to an enormous room at the back of the house. Floor-to-ceiling windows dominated the curved rear wall providing a panoramic view of the lake. Chance walked over to look outside as Greg went to the bar at the end of the room. Cutting a look at him to see him pouring a drink, she reached in her pocket and turned on the recorder then took a seat on the couch.

After downing half his drink Greg crossed the room and sat down beside her, stretching his legs out to prop his feet on the expensive marble and walnut coffee table. Chance shifted so that she was turned toward him and put her hand on his shoulder. “Greg, I know this has been terrible for you and I’m really sorry. I know that sounds trite but I just don’t know what else to say. I wish there was something I could—wait! Maybe there is something I can do. Maybe if you tell me about it I can help.”

He looked at her for a moment then put his hand on her leg. “It’s been a nightmare, a fucking nightmare. You can’t imagine how it feels to see your friends die right before your eyes and not be able to do anything about it.”

She nodded and squeezed his shoulder sympathetically. “How awful! You mean you actually saw it happen? You know who the murderer is?”

Greg polished off his drink and set the glass on the table then moved a little closer to her. “Remember me mentioning Wyatt Wolfe??”

Chance knew that her entire plan of getting information to use against Greg and his family hinged on her reply and how convincing she could be. “Yes, and unfortunately I’ve had the displeasure of meeting Mr. Wolfe!” she spat the words as spitefully as she could. “But why do you ask? Does he have something to do with what happened?”

“He’s the murderer! That goddamn red-skinned bastard killed my friends!”

Chance opened her eyes very wide and gasped. “My god! You mean— Greg, you have to tell the police so they can arrest him!”

Greg smiled and rubbed his hand higher up her thigh. “They know. By now he should be sitting in jail.”

“Thank god! I hope they throw away the key! Anyone who could do something like that doesn’t deserve to-to live.”

As his hand moved a little higher his smile turned sly. “I agree. And just between you and me I’d like to be the one that puts the gun to his head and blows him to hell.”

“Well, I can certainly understand why you’d feel that way,” she replied, hoping that now he had admitted he wanted to kill Wyatt she could get him to admit that he had already killed one man. “But do you really think you could just shoot someone? I don’t know about you, but I just don’t know if I’d have the courage.”

Greg’s hand moved higher. “Babe, I wouldn’t give it a second thought. But right now I’d kill to get you out of those clothes and next to me. Why don’t we get naked?”

Chance would rather have eaten cow manure than let him touch her but she could not let him know how he repulsed her. “You don’t really mean that, do you? About killing someone, I mean. Do you really think you could do that?”

“Sure.” His hand crept higher on her thigh. “In a New York minute.”

“I can’t believe that. You just don’t seem like—”

“Like what?” He tensed and straightened up. “Like someone who has balls enough to off someone. Well, let me tell you something, Miss Porter—”

The phone rang and he stopped to pick it up. “Yeah?… Oh, hi… No, I’m kinda busy right now. Why don’t I call you back later… Yeah, will do. Bye.”

“You were saying?” Chance prompted. She was sure that he was about to tell her he had already killed someone when the phone rang.

“Forget it.” He reached for her. “I got other things on my mind.” His hands moved up her sides to her breasts and she stiffened despite her intentions to appear willing. “Nice.” He grinned as he squeezed. “So, you wanna do it here or in the bed?”

“Actually, I’m afraid I have to go.” She wiggled free of his grasp and put some distance between them. “I have to make a conference call on this story and I can’t put it off. How about we get together, say tomorrow night?”

“How ‘bout you forget your call?” He leaned over and grabbed her leg.

Chance picked up his hand from her leg and held it in both of hers. “Greg, I’d love to…but I can’t. Besides, this story could help put a murderer on death row. I don’t know about you but I’d like to see him get what’s coming to him.”

Greg leaned forward and kissed her, moving his hand behind her to press her against him. Trying not to tense in response, Chance let him kiss her but moved back as his tongue tried to work between her closed lips.

“Sure you won’t change your mind?” He moved his hand to her breast.

She smiled and moved away. “You really make it hard on a girl to say no, but I have to. Give me a rain check for tomorrow night?”

“Well…” He crowded in on her again. “I might be persuaded.”

Chance would have like to give him a swift kick in the teeth but instead she smiled and traced her fingers up his leg from his knee to the crotch of his slacks. “I promise it’ll be worth the wait.”

Greg smiled and put his hand over hers, pressing it against his groin. “You got that right, babe.”

Babe? The word and the arrogant supercilious way it was said made her skin crawl. She forced a smile to her face and disengaged her hand from his so that she could stand. “I’ll be in anticipation. Where shall we meet?”

“Why don’t you come over to the house around seven?”

“You mean here?”

“No, our estate in Bryson. I’ll introduce you to my hot tub.”

Oh
,
thrill
, she thought in complete disgust. “I’ll be there.”

He grinned but made no move to rise as she turned and started across the room. When she reached the door she heard him call out behind her. “Hey, babe!”

“Yes?” She looked over her shoulder.

“Just so you’ll know, I like my women horny and willing. I’m a very creative lover and I’m counting on you to be. Don’t disappoint me.”

She raised her eyebrows then turned and grimaced in distaste. As she let herself out of the house she turned off her recorder.
Disappoint you
?
If I have my way you
’
ll have lots and lots of time to be creative
,
Greg
,
old boy
.
And lots of new playmates to do it with
.
I hear those boys in prison are real creative
.

Smiling at the thought, she got into her Jeep and pulled away with the wolf sitting beside her, hanging his head out of the window.

* * * * *

John looked up as the back door opened and Wyatt looked in. “Dad? Is it safe?”

“Come in!” John jumped up and hurried to the door.

Wyatt entered, followed by Tsa’li. He stopped and put his arm around his father’s shoulders to give him a hug. “You okay?”

“I’m fine. I was worried about you, son.”

“Was the sheriff here?”

John nodded. “Come on, have a seat and I’ll tell you what happened.”

Wyatt and Tsa’li sat down and John filled them in on everything that had happened. When he finished, Wyatt’s face wore a deep scowl. “You shouldn’t have let her go, Dad. If Holling finds out Jenny pointed her out as being the woman she saw then she’ll be in danger.”

“I tried to tell her that, but she wouldn’t listen. She’s determined and to tell you the truth, she’s about as stubborn a person as I’ve ever met.”

“I know,” Wyatt sighed. “So how long has she been gone?”

“Less than an hour.”

“She give you any idea when she’d be back?”

Before John could answer, the phone rang. He picked it up. “Hello?… Hello, Miss Waters. What can I do for you?”

“It’s what I can do for you that prompted me to call. Mr. Wolfe, are you aware that Wyatt is the prime suspect in a murder investigation?”

“Yes, I am. But Sheriff Smith told me that the fingerprints from the murder scene didn’t match Wyatt’s so I don’t see—”

“Mr. Wolfe, you seem to forget that there are three eyewitnesses who have positively identified Wyatt as the murderer. Considering that I think it would be wise for Wyatt to have counsel and I’m offering my services. Do you know where I can reach him?”

“Hold on…” John covered the receiver with his hand. “It’s Iris Waters. She seems to think that you need a lawyer since Holling and his boys are swearing you did the killing. She offered to represent you.”

Wyatt frowned thoughtfully. There was something that he hadn’t considered until now. Iris had been with him just before he had been overcome by whatever possessed him. He didn’t know how much she knew but he thought he better find out.

“Tell her to come over and we’ll talk,” he said at last.

John relayed the message. “Why don’t you come over to the house, Miss Waters?”

“Actually, I think it’d be best if Wyatt and I met alone. Have him meet me at his house in half an hour.”

“I’ll relay the message. Thanks for calling.”

John hung up the phone. “She said she’d be at your house in thirty minutes.”

Wyatt stood and John tossed him a set of keys.  “What’s this for?” Wyatt asked.

“Miss Walters took your jeep so you’ll need the truck.”

“Thanks. When Chance gets back tell her to wait here for me. I won’t be long.”

He started out but Tsa’li’s voice made him stop. “Remember where your strength lies.”

Wyatt looked at him for a moment and nodded. “I will.”

He left the house and John turned to Tsa’li. “What did that mean?”

“It means that all things are tested in life, even love. If love cannot survive the test then it dies.”

A stricken look came over John’s face. “What you’re saying is that Wyatt could die, isn’t it?”

Tsa’li looked in his eyes but didn’t reply. After a moment John walked to the door and looked out in the direction Wyatt had gone. When he turned back around Tsa’li was gone.

Chapter Eight

Wyatt’s jeep was  parked in front of the house when he got home.  When he didn’t see anything in the car or in the yard he bounded up on the porch and started to put his key in the lock. The door opened and Iris smiled at him.

“How did you get in?” He was as surprised by the way she was dressed as he was that she was in the house. She was wearing a very short, skintight black skirt and a sheer lace black top that clearly displayed the fact that she was not wearing a bra. Black sheer stockings and high, spike-heeled shoes completed her outfit.

She smiled seductively at him. “The door was open and I didn’t think you’d mind.”

Wyatt walked in and she closed the door behind him. He turned and looked back at her and she gave him a look he could read only as invitation. He said nothing as she slithered over to him. “You don’t mind, do you, Wyatt?” Her voice was husky.

For a moment he was distracted. She was very beautiful and it was hard not to look at her. Especially since she was dressed in a way that demanded attention. “Mind? No, I guess not. My father said you wanted to talk.”

“Ummm, yes,” she purred and ran one finger down the center of his chest.

Her touch provoked excitement and for a moment he didn’t move. Then an image of Chance’s face flashed in his mind and he moved back from her. “How about a cup of coffee?”

“A drink would be preferable.” She took a step toward him.

“Why don’t I make a beer run?” He dodged around her for the door. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Not giving her a chance to reply he walked outside and got in his father’s truck. He took a deep breath and started the engine. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that Iris was interested in more than just talking about being his lawyer. And she was a very appealing woman. Even though he had no desire to get intimate with her, it was hard not to be affected.

And maybe you
’
re just letting your ego take over
, he considered.
Maybe she
’
s not interested in you in that way at all
.

* * * * *

Chance arrived at John’s to find him cooking. He turned as soon as she walked in. “So, what happened?” he asked as he eyed the wolf that followed her.

“I thought I had him,” she complained. “I was sure he was going to give something away but the phone rang and…well, to make a long story short he didn’t admit anything to me about what really happened. But he sure made it clear that he hates Wyatt. And he’s sticking to the story that he and his friends could identify Wyatt as the murderer.”

“So what now?”

“I have a date with him tomorrow,” she said with a grimace, kneeling down and rubbing the wolf as she talked. “Have you heard from Wyatt?”

“That lawyer, Iris Waters, called. She said that Wyatt was still a suspect even though his fingerprints didn’t match the ones at the murder scene. She offered to represent him and he went to meet her at his house.”

“When was that?”

“Over an hour ago.” He checked his watch. “I thought he’d be back by now.”

Chance thought about it for a second. “I think I’ll ride over there. I want to meet Miss Waters, anyway. You want to come?”

“No, you go on. I’ll have dinner ready if you want to eat.”

“Thanks.” She walked over and gave him a hug. “We’ll be back as soon as we can.” The wolf followed her silently as she left through the back door. He jumped in the door of the Jeep when she opened it, settled onto the passenger seat and barked sharply as if to tell her to get in. She smiled, got in the Jeep and pulled out onto the road.

* * * * *

Iris was sitting on the steps of the front porch when Wyatt returned. She stood up as he walked up the steps and opened the door. He continued into the house and she followed, closing the door.

“You want a beer?”

She shook her head and walked over to him. “Actually I had something else in mind.”

Wyatt felt very uncomfortable. Putting the beer down on a table he walked across the room to take a seat on the couch. “What do you want to talk about?”

She made a show of her trip to the couch, swaying her hips provocatively and reaching up to brush her hair back over both shoulders, pushing her breasts out as she did so. She sat down close to him and leaned even closer. “You do realize that you’re a suspect in the triple murder that happened last night?”

“Yes, I’ve heard that.”

“The sheriff will want to talk to you.”

“I suppose so.”

“And just what will you tell him?” She leaned a little closer.

“The truth,” he replied, wanting to move away but not doing so. Her eyes were locked with his and they held such a naked look of hunger and invitation it was hard to resist.

“And just what is the truth?” She reached over and put her hand on his leg.

“I wasn’t alone.”

She tipped her head back and laughed then let herself fall back on the couch. Her skirt rose higher and without wanting to, Wyatt found himself looking. Aside from the sheer black pantyhose, she was wearing nothing else.

“Wyatt, I told your father that I’d represent you, so you can be honest with me. I was with you at your father’s house last night, remember? I saw what happened to you and I know you didn’t just toddle off home. Why don’t you tell me what really happened.”

“I told you. I wasn’t alone.”

“Oh, yes.” She smiled and put one arm behind her head. “All right. Then who were you with?”

“That’s not important.”

“But it is.” She sat up and leaned toward him. “Very important. If I’m going to represent you then you’re going to have to be honest with me.”

He didn’t comment and after a moment she moved closer. “Let’s talk about what happened last night.”

He still didn’t speak. She reached up and smoothed his long hair back from his face, letting her hand rest on his shoulder as she moved closer.

“I saw what happened to you,” she breathed the words. “I’ve never seen anything like it. It was so…stimulating.”

Wyatt tensed. It was clear to him she was trying to seduce him. He knew he should put a stop to it, but he told himself that he needed to know what she had seen.

“You were like a great wild beast,” she purred, “primitive and powerful. It was almost as if you changed into someone else right before my eyes, becoming even more masculine, more aggressive, more…virile.”

Wyatt felt her pull and part of him weakened. She seemed to sense it and moved to loop her other arm around his neck. “I wish I could have seen what happened next. I thought about it all night, imagining you as a warrior from long ago, thrilling to the chase, anticipating the upcoming battle, your body tensed and ready, the need to feel warm blood spill on you making you excited.”

An attack of dizziness made Wyatt blink. It felt as if a hurricane was blowing in his mind. He could feel the pressure behind his eyes like the pulse of a giant heart. His breath quickened and his heart sounded louder, like the beating of a drum.

Iris smiled and moved again, pressing against him. He could feel her hard nipples against his chest and smell her scent. She pulled his face down close to hers. “I am not afraid of the beast within you, Wyatt. It excites me. You don’t have to hide what you are from me. Let it go. I’ll protect you.”

Wyatt put his hands on her shoulders to push her away but she wrapped her arms around his neck and held on. Her lips moved to his and even though he didn’t want to, he felt his own hands tightening on her. Their lips met and she groaned lustily.

He didn’t understand why he was responding to her the way he was. He knew that although she was tempting, he was not interested. And yet he could not stop his hands from moving to her lush breasts.

Suddenly it dawned on him what was happening. It was not him that was attracted to her so much as it was the other. That thought gave him the strength he needed to push her away. “No!” he shouted, trying to make his body obey his desire to stop the transformation.

Iris reached out and put one hand against his groin, cupping him firmly. “Don’t fight it,” she whispered eagerly. “Let it happen.”

Suddenly the front door opened. Iris turned and Wyatt jumped up. “Help—” his voice broke, “me.”

Chance ran over to him. “Wyatt, hold on, just concentrate. It’ll be okay.”

She led him to a chair across the room. Once he was seated she turned to Iris, who was watching the big wolf standing just inside the door with a scared look on her face. “Miss Waters, I assume?”

Iris tossed her hair and smiled smugly. “And you are?”

“The woman who’s paying you.” Chance’s eyes narrowed as she took in Iris’ sheer top and short shirt. “Chanc— Daven Porter.”

Iris’ eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. Then she seemed to compose herself. She crossed her legs and leaned back. “What can I do for you, Miss Porter?”

“You can get the hell out!”

Iris laughed, “Well, it just so happens that I’m not ready to leave. Wyatt and I have…unfinished business.”

The wolf growled menacingly as Chance advanced on her with eyes blazing. “I don’t think so. Your business here is finished. Now get out!”

Iris looked up at Chance for a moment then at the wolf who had silently inched closer. The fur on his back was bristled and his ears were flat against his skull. After a moment she stood and looked at Wyatt who was holding his head in his hands and breathing hard. “Darling, give me a call when you finish with Miss Porter. You know where to find me.”

Chance glared at her as she gathered up her purse and keys and carefully walked to the door. The wolf watched her leave as Chance ran to kneel down in front of Wyatt. “Wyatt? Wyatt, listen to me. You can push him back. Please, you have to. I love you, Wyatt. I need you here with me. Please, don’t let his rage overpower you. Think about how much we’ve gone through to get here—all the years we wasted. Don’t let him rob us of any more time. I love you, Wyatt. Please, do it for me.”

For several moments emotions played on his face—rage and bitterness battling with tenderness and love. Abruptly he howled, jumped up and pushed her back. She bounded to her feet as he picked up the chair he had been sitting in and hurled it. It flew across the room and crashed into the wall.

The wolf bounded up and howled as she grabbed Wyatt’s arm and he whirled, slinging her around. She screamed as she was tossed to the floor. “Wyatt! You have to try harder!”

In the middle of picking up a table he stopped and looked down at her. He dropped the table and pounced like an animal. Chance grunted as he landed on her, pinning her to the floor. The wolf snarled and moved closer.

“Wa’ya, no!” She panted to breathe under Wyatt’s weight as she looked at the wolf. “It’s okay. He won’t hurt me.” She tried to speak as calmly as she could. “Wyatt, please try to hear me. You can push him back. You’re stronger than he is. Don’t let him out.”

He bared his teeth in more of a snarl than a smile and she reached to take his face in her hands. But he grabbed them and slammed them down on the floor. Chance was afraid that Wyatt was losing the fight and that made her fear for her own safety. She didn’t think she could fight the Warrior.

In desperation she did the only thing she could think of. She surrendered. “I won’t fight you, Wyatt. I can’t. You’re all that matters to me—all that I love.”

His expression changed slightly and gave her hope. She continued to speak softly to him, expressing her love. Little by little his face lost its hardness.

“Chance,” he rasped.

“Wyatt.” She pulled him down on her and wrapped her arms around him.

He gathered her in his arms and held on to her tightly. The wolf moved to lie beside them. For a long time there was only the sound of their hearts beating in time with one another and the soft breath of the wolf. Wyatt pushed back to look at her and she smiled and touched his face. “It’s over. You won.”

“The battle maybe,” he replied. “But I’m afraid we still have to face the war.”

* * * * *

Iris’ fury was in full bloom by the time she reached the hotel. Slamming the door hard enough to jar the walls, she threw her purse across the room then flung herself down on the bed with a scream of rage. “Chance Davenport!” She spat the name like trying to get rid of a bad taste in her mouth. “The princess herself—fucking snobby, high-brow bitch!”

She grabbed a pillow, shoved it under her head and stared at the ceiling through narrowed eyes. She had been caught off guard by Chance’s appearance at Wyatt’s. When Larry Horton had contacted her on his client’s behalf, he had said that his client’s name was Porter, a producer for CNN who wished to remain anonymous in the Cherokee’s legal action. Iris had not let on to Larry that she knew who the client was. Just as she had not let on that she knew Chance was posing as Daven Porter.

Iris wondered now if she should have told Greg the truth. She had informed him that her client, Porter, was siding with the Indians and for him to be extremely careful if he was approached by her. Iris had anticipated Chance attempting to get information on the Holling family and knew there was no better fish to fry than Greg. With his reputation for being a playboy of sorts and unable to resist chasing skirts, he made an ideal target. She had also anticipated the approach Chance would use, pretending to be sympathetic with the rich white citizens and in favor of stopping the casino project.