Текст книги "Damsel In Danger"

By the time Brinley and Jason returned to Tremont the sun was down and she was yawning. It had been a very long twenty-four hours and so much had happened in that short span of time. Her entire life had been turned inside out.

Jason was right. She needed a good night’s sleep.

“We’ll be home in less than five minutes,” Jason said when she yawned again. “How about we get on the road about ten in the morning? You can sleep in. That will get us to Billings about lunchtime.”

Brinley nodded, shifting in her seat. She’d been sitting too long and her lower back ached. A long bike ride would take care of it and loosen up her muscles but that wasn’t going to happen at this time of night. The only thing she was good for was crawling between the sheets and spending the next ten to twelve hours unconscious.

“What the hell?” Jason hissed, the truck accelerating sharply now that he’d turned onto their street. Brinley grabbed the door handle in alarm as the engine growled, throwing her back in her seat.

“What’s wrong?”

But she could see it now even as Jason was muttering under his breath. Red and blue lights flashed on two police cars in her driveway. A crowd of people were gathered on her lawn including her neighbor Fran, Fran’s husband Richard, and Detective Westin Anderson with Huck alongside.

The blood pounding in her ears, she practically jumped from the truck before Jason even had it in park. Slamming the truck door closed she jogged toward her house, frantically scanning it for damage, fire or otherwise.

“Easy there.” Of course Jason had easily caught up to her. His hand wrapped around her upper arm, bringing her to an abrupt halt on trembling legs. “Let’s talk to West first.”

“I want inside my house. I need to see what’s happened.”

She jerked her arm free only to have West block her path as she made a beeline for her front door. Huck enthusiastically greeted Jason who scratched the canine behind the ears, much to the dog’s delight.

“Ms. Snow, I’m glad you’re home.”

The detective held up his hand in a halting motion that made her pause but her gaze was firmly on the house behind him. It was hard to see in the dim light but it appeared to be undamaged.

“What happened, West?”

Jason was beside her again. This time he draped his arm over her shoulders, pulling her close to his strong frame. Not in a romantic way, but more of a reassurance that if something bad had transpired he would be there. His fingers squeezed her shoulder as if he comforted semi-hysterical women every day.

Maybe he did but she wasn’t planning to make a scene. Yet, anyway.

West waved his flashlight toward the front porch. “Looks like an attempted break-in. The neighbor was outside and saw a flashlight through the windows. His dogs made a ruckus and while he was going for his shotgun the burglar ran off between the houses. I’ve got men out on foot looking for him but I’m guessing he’s long gone. Probably had a car parked a block or two away. Ms. Snow, you’ll need to–”

“I want to see.” Frustration with not knowing in general and these two men in particular made her yank away from Jason and zigzag around West’s imposing frame. She wanted inside her damn house. It wasn’t an unreasonable request. She didn’t want to be protected from the truth or coddled like a child. Jason and West seemed determined to delay learning the extent of the damage as long as possible.

“Wait.” Jason’s deep commanding voice made her pause but only for a moment. He wasn’t the boss of her, although he seemed used to giving orders. Without a backward glance she pushed through the crowd of neighbors and stomped up her porch steps only to find her front door hanging crumpled and sagging on its hinges. She reached out to touch the large footprint on the finished oak but a larger, stronger hand captured her wrist and pulled her back against his warm body, his arm anchoring her waist. “Don’t. That’s what West was trying to tell you. They’re still gathering evidence. You can’t touch anything.”

Her fingers curled back into her palm, the nails cutting into the flesh to keep from screaming. He didn’t get it. The utter feeling of helplessness. Outrage. She’d been violated. Like a million eyeballs staring at her stark naked. Someone had been in her home. The place she felt safe. At least until this moment. She needed to see where they’d walked and what they’d touched so she could bleach any trace of them away. If not from her mind at least physically.

With a free hand she scrubbed at her cheeks, surprised to find them wet with tears. Sagging back against him the fight drained out of her. She was exhausted. Worn out and beaten down by the last twenty-four hours. A human could only take so much and she’d had her fill.

“How did this happen? Why?” The words came out stilted but the detective seemed to understand.

West stood on the other side of her, a sympathetic expression on his face, probably grateful she wasn’t going to faint or scream or something worse. “I don’t know why this happened, Ms. Snow, but if I were a gambling man I’d say it might have something to do with Roger Gaines. Believe me, we intend to find out.”

She drew a shaky breath, hating the fact that she felt vulnerable and exposed in front of all these people. Most of them strangers. “I think under the circumstances, Detective, you should probably call me Brinley. I have a feeling we’re going to see a lot more of each other.”

“Thank you, Brinley. Just call me West. I need to talk to you about this. How about we all go into Jason’s house and sit down? Maybe have a cup of coffee or something.”

Needing to be away from the curious eyes of the neighborhood she nodded in agreement. “That sounds good. But I want to thank Richard and Fran for scaring him away.”

Jason patted her shoulder. “They can come over and join us. I’d like to hear the story directly from them.”

On automatic pilot, Brinley followed West and Jason down the steps and across the yard and driveway to Jason’s house, Huck on their heels. Her life didn’t feel like her own anymore. Something sinister – and very scary – was going on and she didn’t like it one bit.

And there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it.

Chapter Eight

‡

Brinley looked like she was ready to collapse. Jason had a feeling she’d been running on pure adrenaline all day and the supply was empty. The feistiness she’d displayed when they’d arrived was gone, replaced by an eerie acquiescence that concerned him. She was sitting quietly on his couch, Huck draped over her lap while she petted him absently, her fingers stroking the silky fur. She’d barely glanced at the cup of coffee he’d sat in front of her, instead staring vacantly out of his front window where a crowd still stood.

“Why didn’t you call me?” Jason whispered to his brother, who was directing a deputy to bring in Fran and Richard. “Jesus, I could have prepared her for this.”

“I was just about to do that when you pulled up. I hadn’t been on the scene all that long and I didn’t want to call before I knew something.” West grimaced. “Dammit, I was here earlier walking Huck and giving him dinner. I didn’t see a thing. When I heard the call on the radio I almost couldn’t believe my ears. I got over here as soon as I could.”

Jason rubbed his aching temples. “This is a clusterfuck all the way around. Something is going on and we’re ten steps behind. I don’t like this at all. Somebody is after Brinley and I don’t intend to let them near her.”

He was shocked to hear the ferocity in his voice, but something about this woman brought out his caveman protective instincts. She was caught in something very dangerous and had no one but himself to protect her.

“I’m glad to hear you say that.” West nodded in agreement, keeping his voice low. “I know you said you were going to keep an eye on her but now I think we need to watch her twenty-four-seven. I don’t have the manpower to do something like that, though. Nor the budget. The mayor and I had another of our knock down drag-outs regarding expenses. That man is a total asshole.”

Money and resources weren’t an issue. Jason knew exactly who to call in.

“Not a problem. I’ve got this covered.”

“That’s good because this case has me worried. Gaines is dead and it looks like the killer isn’t done. Did you find out anything from his brother?”

“Yes, I’m going back tomorrow to talk to one of Roger’s friends. But I want to hear from Fran and Richard first. What they saw and heard.”

The couple, dressed in their pajamas and robes, had entered the house and were comforting Brinley.

“You can talk to them but it isn’t much to go on,” West warned him but Jason still wanted to hear their story. He just needed that one detail that would blow the case wide open.

Jason sat down in a chair across from the couch trying to appear calm and in control, at least for Brinley’s sake.

“Fran, Richard, it sounds like you had an exciting evening.” He tried to laugh to keep the tension to a minimum. “What can you tell us about what happened?”

The couple looked at each other and Fran nodded at her husband who began to speak. “I was taking the dogs out to let them do their thing. I was in the side yard that connects the two properties. Anyway, I looked over at Brinley’s house and there was a light that swept through the living room. I didn’t think she was home yet because her car was gone.”

Shit. Brinley’s car was at the motor inn. They’d need to retrieve it tomorrow.

“Go on,” Jason urged. “What else?”

Fran patted Brinley’s hand. “Richard yelled at me to bring out his shotgun and call the police. I grabbed his gun from the wall while I dialed 911.”

“Then the dogs must have known something was happening because they started barking and howling, which of course started Huck doing the same over here.” Richard hopped to his feet and began to pace. “The light went out in the house and I heard a crash. He must have gone out the back door because I heard a rustle of bushes and then nothing but the barking dogs.”

“So you didn’t see him?” Brinley’s softly spoken question echoed Jason’s own thoughts exactly.

“I didn’t,” Richard agreed. “I keep saying him but I guess it could have been a woman too. Hell, it could have been more than one person. I just didn’t see a whole hell of a lot, to tell the truth. I wish I had. I would have shot his ass so full of buckshot he’d be walking funny for a week.”

“I know you would have. Thank you, Richard. And you, Fran. You scared him away and I don’t know how to thank you for that. I’m so grateful.”

“Now, honey, everything’s going to be fine.” Fran hugged Brinley and gave her a reassuring smile. “Now this person knows we’ve got some loud and angry dogs plus a shotgun. They won’t be coming around here again any time soon.”

Unfortunately Jason couldn’t agree with the sentiments. Someone was determined to get to Brinley.

One way or another. But they’d have to go through him first.

They chatted with Fran and Richard for a few more minutes before the couple took their leave. A deputy came into the living room holding a crowbar in a plastic bag.

“Is this yours, Brinley?” West asked, holding the tool up for her inspection. “My deputy found this on your dining room floor.”

“No, I’ve never seen it before.”

“We’ll send it to the lab and see if we can get any prints off of it.” West sat down next to Brinley and scratched Huck on the neck, getting a lick in return. “The lab is done with your home. They’ve pulled a few fingerprints and of course we’ll need you to check if anything is actually missing, but tomorrow morning is soon enough for that. In addition, your front door is broken and will need to be fixed. I can recommend a good handyman if you like.”

“Thank you—that would be helpful.”

Jason hated hearing that broken tone in Brinley’s voice. He’d rather have her feisty or even angry than this… She just seemed sad and beaten.

West glanced up at Jason and then back at Brinley. “You can’t stay there with a door that won’t close or lock. Do you have some place you can stay for the night?”

She blinked a few times and then nodded. “I can stay at a motel.” Her eyes widened when she apparently realized that would mean sleeping at the motor inn where Roger was murdered. “Or maybe a hotel on the edge of town. Out by the interstate.”

“You can stay here,” Jason cut in. The poor woman was dead on her feet and traumatized. He wasn’t that big of an asshole to send her to some motel where she’d be terrified and sit up all night staring at the locked door. “I have a spare room. You can even have Huck in there if you like.”

He thought she might argue but her eyes filled with tears instead. “I think I’d like that. I can’t–”

She choked up and buried her face against Huck’s fur. She didn’t want to be alone and Jason didn’t blame her in the least. What she didn’t realize was that he’d been in a few dangerous situations before. He wasn’t a rookie cop on his first big case.

“Let me walk West to his truck and then I’ll show you to your room, okay?” Jason knelt down in front of her so he could look into her eyes. Her lips were trembling and she looked like a woman on the edge. When everyone got the hell out of here he’d let her cry or scream. Whatever she needed.

“I’ll have my deputy board up your door, Brinley.”

She managed a watery smile. “Thank you, West. I’m glad you were here. I’m sorry if I was mean to you last night. I really am.”

“You don’t have to apologize. Just let Jason take care of you and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Outside the crowd was dispersing since there was nothing new or exciting to see and the deputy was pounding nails into a sheet of plywood over Brinley’s doorway.

“I’ll call you tomorrow if we find anything.” West pulled open the driver side door of his truck. “Take care of her. She looks shattered. I’ve seen that before in burglary victims. They feel violated. She’s not going to feel safe for a long time.”

“I’m sticking with her like glue from now until we find this guy. I’ll take her with me tomorrow. I’m going to talk to a friend of Gaines. Hopefully he’ll know something.”

“That reminds me. What did his brother say?”

Jason quickly reviewed what they’d learned, West taking notes and action items in his notebook.

“I should have the autopsy report sometime tomorrow. I’ll call you since you’ll be on the road. Did you get any gut feelings talking to Stuart Gaines?”

“Not really, although I guess you could say they have motive. Roger owed his brother money and was basically living above the garage sponging off of them with no end in sight. Seems pretty harsh to kill him though when they could have just tossed his stuff on the front lawn.”

West shrugged and shoved the notebook in his pocket. “I’ve seen people killed over a hell of a lot less. A pack of smokes and a Red Bull got a guy stabbed not long ago. If you’re okay I’m going to head out. Keep in touch with me tomorrow.”

“Will do,” Jason agreed, sending off his brother with a wave of thanks. Twenty-four hours after Roger Gaines’s murder they had more questions than ever.

It was long past time to get some answers.

Chapter Nine

‡

Brinley shoved the covers down for the millionth time but instead of trying to turn over and go to sleep she swung her legs to the floor and climbed out of bed. She’d been tossing and turning for hours – first too cold, then too hot – and despite being near exhaustion it was clear she wasn’t going to sleep easily. If she’d been in her own home she would have popped an antihistamine which would have put her out like a light.

But of course she wasn’t home. Her house had been invaded. Tarnished by some asshole who had kicked in her door. Had the burglar been looking for her just as Roger Gaines had been? Or was it simply all a not-so funny coincidence that she’d had someone break into her home the day after someone ended up dead with her address in his hand?

Not to mention what her mother said about coincidences…

Jason must agree with her mother because he’d tucked her up into his spare bedroom with Huck sleeping outside the door to the hallway. She was sure she was going to wake the dog up when she opened the door and stepped over him to head to the kitchen. Maybe some warm milk would help her sleep. Even if it didn’t, she couldn’t lie here all night staring at the ceiling and running ever more disturbing scenarios through her fatigued brain.

Brinley cracked open the door just an inch but Huck immediately jumped and began a low, menacing growl deep in his throat. She patted his head and scratched behind his furry ears to calm him and he licked her hand in gratitude.

“Let’s not wake up your human, okay?” she whispered, furtively looking right and left. Jason was as exhausted as she was and at least one of them should get some sleep.

She tiptoed down the stairs to the kitchen and peeked in the refrigerator. Grabbing a plastic jug of milk, she closed the door and quietly rummaged in the nearest cabinet for a saucepan.

“Do you need some help?”

Her heart stopped for a moment and she sucked in a strangled breath. Jason was standing right next to her, illuminated by the moonlight streaming through the windows. She exhaled in relief, resting her forehead on the cool wood of the cabinet and her heart started beating again. Her legs seemed to give way and she clutched the counter for support.

“You scared the shit out of me,” she hissed, her hand pressed against her chest. “My God, I thought you were an ax murderer or something.”

Jason reached behind her and flipped a switch, the room flooding with light that made her squint and wince. “I’m sorry. I heard footsteps and came to investigate.”

She blinked a few times to get accustomed to the light. “Is that how you confront an intruder? No weapon and in your jammies?”

Jason made nightwear look very good indeed. His wide shoulders strained against the soft cotton of his t-shirt that was paired with a pair of black boxer shorts that did nothing to hide the kind of muscular thighs that didn’t come from sitting behind a desk.

Suddenly the kitchen seemed way too warm and sweat was dampening the back of her neck. Lifting her hair to try and get a cool breeze, she realized she wasn’t wearing all that much clothing either. Dressed in one of Jason’s shirts that came down almost to her knees, she had nothing on underneath except a brief strip of panties. She tugged on the hem and tried to pull it lower, feeling way too exposed.

“If you were an intruder Huck would be barking his head off with your leg dangling from his teeth. I figured it was you wandering the house.”

Brinley sagged against the counter. “I was trying not to wake you.”

“I was already awake. I have trouble sleeping a lot of nights.” He picked up the jug of milk. “Were you thinking about some warm milk? How about some hot chocolate? It’s not really cold enough but I can turn down the thermostat if you like.”

“Hot chocolate sounds really good. Thank you.” She slid onto one of the barstools around the kitchen island. “I know why I’m awake. What’s your excuse?”

“It’s kind of a long story.” He poured the milk into a pan and added sugar and cocoa. “I’ve got some of those over the counter sleeping pills if you want to take one. It might help.”

Jason reached into a high cabinet above the refrigerator and pulled down a bottle. “I tried them once but they made me groggy the next day.”

“I’m desperate.” She checked the label with a knowing nod. “Just as I thought. They’re basically Benadryl. I will take one. It can take care of my allergies and sleeplessness all at the same time.”

“I took two. Maybe that was my problem. Do you want a glass of water?”

“I’ll take it with my hot chocolate. Now you said something about a long story. Well, I’ve got nothing but time before this pill kicks in. Is it a secret? Will you have to kill me if I find out?”

*