A Reason To Breathe (7 page)

Chapter Seven

Smartass

       Traveling down the mountain into Gunnison, I figured getting this list to Jack was important, even if it meant being in the same room with him a second time in one day. I’d gone home after playing “Name The Killer” with Ben and Gerry and worked on my story. But women were dying and the longer I sat there going over the information; I knew I had to get it to Jack, sooner, rather than later.

But I couldn’t stop thinking about lunch and what he’d said, and I’ll admit I was nervous about seeing him again. Was I even ready for a relationship? And let’s not forget Jack couldn’t seem to commit anyway! Seriously, I’d have to be all kinds of crazy to start something with this man. But even so, I’ll admit I’ve never felt this way before. I felt out of control; like I couldn’t trust myself around him. Knowing this, I had to learn to stand firm, not let him back me into the preverbal corner with his charm and web of seduction.

So, tonight I’m going to try a new tactic. I’m going to walk in there and approach him like a reporter, just hand over the list and keep it professional. I just have to remember; he’s the Sheriff and I’m a reporter working on a story, simple… So simple, I’m not holding out hope this will work.

Pulling up to the two-story, red brick turn of the century building that housed the Sheriff’s department, I took several deep breaths to steady my nerves before exiting my Jeep.
You can do this, be professional, get in and get out, no muss no fuss.

Checking my watch and noting it was already 8 pm, I got out, grabbed my stuff and headed to the entrance of the building. Inside the reception area, I was surprised to see someone still on duty this time of night.

“Hi, can I help you?” Asked a young woman in uniform.

“Hi, yeah, I’m Jennifer Stewart; I need to speak with the Sheriff if he’s still in?”

“Is the Sheriff expecting you?”

“No, I didn’t know I was coming or I would have made an appointment, is that a problem?”

“No problem, he’s usually gone this time of night, but we had a busy evening, and he just got back. I’ll just buzz back and see if he has time.”

Smiling at the friendly woman, I turned back to look at the pictures of previous Sheriffs. I eyed Jack’s grandfather immediately. For an older man he was seriously hot, the genes in Jack’s family were definitely testosterone driven. You could tell just by looking at the man he took no shit and commanded respect. Glancing at the picture next to his, I noticed Barry’s grandfather, as well. The former Sheriff had a more laid back look to him, but his eyes held something that told you he was sharp. I looked between the two former Sheriffs and wasn’t surprised that just like their grandsons, one was more powerful and handsome, and one looked like he could be your friend.

After standing in the lobby a few minutes, I started wondering if Jack had time to meet with me? With an investigation to run he might be busy, and I was thinking about leaving the file with the receptionist, when I felt a presence behind me.

“That’s my grandfather, John,” I heard softly in my ear. Jumping, then turning to see the current Sheriff grinning down at me, I froze and stared into those amazing eyes. Oh yeah, I was caught in his web; I was a fly to his spider, and If I wasn’t careful he was going to devour me
. Focus, you can do this…be professional

“Sheriff, sorry to drop in on you like this, but I wanted to give you our list of suspects.” Jack grinned like something was funny and then grabbed my hand, dragging me down the hall and into what looked to be his office. He pulled out a chair and motioned for me to sit, then backed against the front of his desk, leaned forward and looked down on me. His large frame was so close it made me nervous, so I shoved my file between us, trying to break the mood. He looked at the file, then back at me and smiled even bigger. Something about his face told me he knew my game and thought it was cute, so I cleared my throat to get us back on track, and explained the lists.

“Here are the names of men who live within five counties of where the bodies were found. We eliminated anyone over the age of fifty-five and anyone under the age of twenty. We concentrated on men, but Rosie thinks Janice Rutherford has the arm strength to strangle and detain a woman, and there are no people with obvious physical limitations or disabilities on the list.”  Jack stared at the file with a humorous look, then took it and began reading. I tried to keep my face and body as casual as possible, indicating I was not the least bit intimidated by him, and was thinking I felt more in control than a few minutes before, when Jack’s eyebrows hit his hairline, and his eyes shot to mine.

“I’m on this list,” He growled.

“Well, yeah, you fit the age range,” I tried to explain.

“My whole staff is on this list,” He growled again.

“I know Jack,” I replied, starting to get nervous.

“Christ,” Jack hissed, and I jumped to our defense.

“Jack we had to be fair, we couldn’t eliminate you just because you wear a badge. My research found army pilots and professionals, all serial killers and all respected members of society.” Jack held my eyes for a moment, and then read through the list again. Shaking his head, he moved around the back of his desk and took a seat, all business now.

“Ok, Jenn, I’m reminding you that anything I say is off the record, are we clear on that point?”

“Right, off the record until you give me the go-ahead.”

“There was another killing this afternoon, a local woman this time and my staff, with the exception of Phil who was out in the field, were all here when the killer called, and
I
answered the phone.”

“Oh, my god, another woman?”

“Yeah, Babe, another woman. Sick fuck grabbed her while she was out jogging this morning. She’d been dead hours when we found her.”

“Wait, you spoke to the killer?”

“Yeah.”

“What did he say?”

“Sorry, Jenn, I can’t release that information to the press, not even for you.” Nodding and thinking about the poor woman who died, while Jack went back to our notes, I couldn’t help wondering what he said. That must have been so weird talking to an unknown person, knowing they had killed someone. I felt chills run up my arms, and I rubbed my hands up and down to warm up. Jack was still going over our notes, when his head shot up, and he mumbled, “Christ,” again.

“What?”

“You have a victim’s list?”
Oh, boy.

“Yeah, we figured since this guy has a type, we would list everyone in the county who fit that description.”

“Jesus, Jenn, you’re on this list.”

“Yeah, not a list I want to be on either.”

“Yeah, Babe, this also puts your intruder last night into a whole new light.”

“But you said it was just someone looking for something to steal?”

“And that may still be the case, but considering you’re on this list, I’m not taking any chances.”

“Ok, what do you suggest I do to keep safe? Take a self-defense class?”

“First off, you can stop researching this guy, and second, I’m coming over after I’ve finished here to check out your locks and windows.”

Knowing arguing with him about my research, would only start a fight; I decided to ignore that order and nodded. Jack being a smart man saw right through how quickly I agreed, and bossy Jack took over.

“I mean it Jenn, no more investigating or research, we have no idea about this guy and your list proves he could be anyone.”

“Jack, I’ll keep my research to my home and office, but I’m not going to stop. Whoever this is doesn’t care if I write a story about him killing women, he probably would love the attention.”

“Why are you so fucking stubborn?”

“Why are you so fucking bossy?” I countered.

“It’s my job,” he shouted.

“Well it’s my job to be stubborn.”

“What?”  Jack snapped in exasperation and just a hint of disbelief. Grabbing my purse from the floor and standing, I threw my bag over my shoulder and then leaned across Jack’s desk.

“A good reporter is tenacious and doesn’t back down,
ever
, so that makes us stubborn,
hence,
making it our job to be that way.” Then I turned towards his door but didn’t make it.  No way in hell Jack was going to let me have the last word.

Jack stood from his chair and grabbed me by the elbow as I tried to leave, and swung me around. His jaw was tight, and he looked pissed. He didn’t speak; his eyes were focused, like he was working something through, then without warning, he grabbed my face and kissed me. Sucking in my breath as his mouth connected with mine, I breathed in his scent of mint and coffee. I resisted at first; something about the kiss felt like he was trying to kiss me into submission. But there was only so much my body and mind could take of this man, so I melted after a moment and Jack felt it, and responded. He shoved one hand in my hair and jerked my head to the side, so the angle for the kiss got deeper. His other hand slid down my back and grabbed my ass, squeezing once, and then pulling me into his hips. I gasped as my front met the evidence of his attraction, and damn if I didn’t, without even thinking, rub myself up and down that man slightly. He moaned in my mouth as my hips met his and then deepened the kiss. Even his tongue battled for dominance, and I found I was inclined to let him win. Slowly the kiss ended, and Jack moved from my lips to my neck, nipping and kissing his way to my ear.

“Jesus, what are you doing to me?” He whispered.

“Nothing,” I gasped, when his tongue circled my ear.

“Baby, if that’s nothing, you’re gonna kill me when it means something.”

Moving his lips back down and nipping the spot where my neck meets the shoulder, the moment was suddenly broken when we heard a knock on the door, and before they waited for a reply, the door opened, and in walked Mayor Hall. I tried to pull back from Jack, but he held me in place; I looked down at the floor too embarrassed to meet the Mayor’s face. Jack had no problem looking at, and confronting this man, nor any problem holding me close, almost in possession. I needed to break free so I could get the hell out of there and escape, not only the embarrassment of getting caught by a man I was supposed to have lunch with this week,
don’t ask
, but also to escape the man holding me close. I should have faxed the damn lists. Why did I come here?
To see Jack,
I realized with clarity…
I’m such an idiot
.

“You mind waiting for a reply before you walk into my office unannounced, John?”

“My apologies, Sheriff, I was under the impression you were at work, not on a date.”

“It’s after five, John, if I’m putting in overtime on my own dime, and my woman wants to pop in for a visit, she’ll fucking pop in for a visit. Now excuse me while I walk her safely to her car, since there’s a killer on the loose. Take a seat, and I’ll be right with you.” Jack grabbed my hand and led me out the door and back down the hall to the front. He didn’t stop till he had pulled the doors to the station open, and walked me to my Jeep.

“Jack, I’m sorry if I got you in trouble with the Mayor,” I broke in, trying to break the silence and more than uncomfortable situation.

“Sweetness, I don’t give a fuck if he’s pissed or inconvenienced, you kiss me like that again, and I’ll make the whole fuckin’ town wait.” Grinning at him, ‘cause how could I not after that, I giggled like the adolescent schoolgirl he’d turned me into, and for some odd reason that made him grin.

“Ok, Baby, get your ass home and lock the doors and windows when you get there. Be aware of your surroundings before you exit your car, and call me and let me know you got there safely.”

“Yes, sir, Sheriff,” I laughed as I saluted him.

“Smartass,” Jack answered before he kissed me sweetly, then smacked my ass, opened my door, and deposited me in slamming my door shut. Stepping back to the curb as I started my Jeep, I gave him a smile and wave as I pulled out and headed towards the interstate.

How the hell did I lose control again? I was supposed to walk in, hand over the lists, answer any questions he had, and then leave. Simple. So not simple, well-done Jennifer, Jesus that man is overpowering. I became a mindless idiot when he touches me. I needed to regroup and think this through. No, I needed to pack up and leave like I should have last night. Deciding before I made any rash decisions; I needed more energy to think clearly, and coffee seemed to be in order. So I made a U-turn and headed back towards Gunnison and The Bean.

Chapter Eight

Game On

       “All right Mayor, what can I do for you?”

Mayor Hall was standing at my window looking at the street when I came back to my office. He didn’t turn at my return, just kept facing the window looking out.

“She’s a very attractive woman isn’t she?” He observed.

Crossing my arms over my chest, not surprised by his comment, I knew this afternoon when we spoke on the phone he was interested in Jenn. I didn’t bother answering his stupid question. Jenn was beautiful and soft in all the right places. A face that made you think of an innocent girl with those big brown eyes, so yeah, she was attractive, but what really stood out was the light that lit her face when she smiled. That smile could make you do just about anything.

“You’re not here to talk about Ms. Stewart, Mayor, so let’s cut to the chase.”

“Indeed, Jack, I’m here to find out how the investigation is going?” I moved to my desk and sat down, then laid it out for him.

“Still waiting on Drew at the morgue, Shannon Davis was caught off guard; we’re hoping to find something on her body. There were tracks in the mud near the river, but we have no way of knowing if the killer made them.  Plaster casts of the prints were collected, and we have them in evidence. Grady is searching phone records; Phil is looking through files of shoe treads, trying to find a match, and Barry is out canvassing the area looking for any witnesses. FBI has been notified, and all of our evidence and notes have been copied and transferred to them for a profile, and last-known’s are being worked up.”

“Impressive, you seem to be on top of the matter it seems.”

“As I said on the phone, John, we’re all putting in overtime.” The asshole was still standing at the window with his back to me. So I waited for his next move. I didn’t have to wait long.

“Jack, I’m counting on you to bring this guy in, but if your priorities are elsewhere, I’ll know, and I will bring it up with the City Council. Next year is an election year for both of us; I’d hate to see your chances of re-election hindered by an untimely “sowing of your oats,” as they say. My advice to you, move on from the reporter and keep your head in the game.”

And there it was; the threat of my job if I didn’t back off Jenn. Stupid sonofabitch thought he could control me with that threat?  I’ve been Sheriff for seven years and have run this office with a firm, but fair hand. My arrest rate is one of the best in Colorado, and my office has a great reputation with the people, the same people who vote. How this asshole thought he could threaten me with my job, when it was the people who voted me in or out, was beyond me. Short of a complete breakdown of the office or some sort of scandal, the City Council, had no authority to fire me, only the people could by casting a ballot.

With his back still turned to me, as if I were insignificant, I answered that sonofabitch.

“John, appreciate the heads up, but if you’ll excuse me I have work to do before I head out.”

“I see you’re going to ignore my advice?”

“Yup, my record speaks for itself, if the good people of this county want to vote me out, that’s their prerogative.” The Mayor finally turned and stared at me for a long moment, then moved away from the window, put out his hand to shake mine, so I gave him my hand.

“Give my regards to Jennifer when you see her, and remind her of our lunch date on Thursday.”
 I felt my hand tighten on those words, his grin told me even though I staked a claim with the “my woman” comment; he wasn’t going to back down. So I smiled at him and tightened my grip even more.

“I’ll be sure to pass on your message.”

“You do that, Jack,” John answered then turned and walked out of my office.

“Fuck.” I did not need this complication with everything that was happening. I picked up Jenn’s folder then slammed it back down. Looking up at the window, I saw the Mayor walk to his truck. He looked up, then back at my window and saw me staring. Then the asshole put his finger to his forehead and with a grin, saluted me before he climbed his truck and drove away.

“All right, asshole, game on,” I mumbled, as I grabbed Jenn’s file and headed down the hall to find Grady.

*
                            *                            *

Jenn

       Running on empty and needing a boost, I stopped off at The Bean on Main Street, to grab a coffee to go before hitting the interstate back home. Mandy, one of the Barista’s I’d met when I first moved here, and had instantly hit it off with, was younger than me by nine years, single, and cute as a button. Short dark hair, brown eyes, and a pixie face; I had no doubt she was beating off men with a stick. We’d hung out a few times, movie, dinner, and a crafts fair in Ouray. I was hoping she was on duty and had time for a break, but when I pulled open the door I saw Barry at the counter. My immediate reaction was to turn tail and run; I’ve never been good with confrontation, and today’s incident at lunch made me uncomfortable. Needing to get some of the headaches out of my life, so I could concentrate on my story and what to do about a certain bossy Sheriff, I figured no time like the present and headed to the counter.

“Hey, Mandy, Barry, you two doing good this evening?” Barry turned his head to me but didn’t offer up a smile. Mandy being Mandy jumped right in.

“Hey, Jennifer, you done for the day?”

“Yeah, just getting coffee to go, then heading home.”

“What’s your poison?”

“I’m not picky, something with chocolate in it.” Mandy moved to make the coffee, so I turned to Barry and smiled. Barry took a drink of his coffee studying me, so I searched for something to say.

“I heard there was another killing.”

“Not at liberty to talk about the case, Jennifer.” I nodded in return, understanding more than what was spoken. Damn.

“Sorry, of course. Are you working tonight?”

“Yup, just getting coffee for the road,” He replied while picking up his cup and keys and then turning to leave.

“Well, stay safe.” I mumbled as he moved away from me.

Barry stopped, looking back at me, saluted and then kept moving towards the door. When he reached it, he turned back and warned me once again about Jack.

“Jennifer, remember what I said… Jack isn’t the type to settle down, just be careful.” I had no response to that. He was probably right, and I probably did need to keep my distance, someone just needed to inform Jack of that.

I watched Barry walk out the door, and then turned around to find Mandy with a cup of coffee in her hand, and a smile on her face.

“You’re like the shiny new toy.”

“What’s like a shiny new toy?”

“You are… All the men want you; all the woman want to be friends with you and all the old men want to protect you.”

“Great, so what you’re saying is once the shine has worn off I’m screwed?”

“Ha, yeah, probably, just like the rest of us. You’ll be a mere mortal once again and totally screwed over by men.”

“Bitter much, Mandy?”

“Hell yeah, men have been nothing but trouble for me.”

“I’m so out of my league with these men asking me out. My only experience with dating was my husband twenty years ago.”

“Heard the Sheriff curled your toes today outside of Mike’s,” She laughed and then wiggled her eyebrows.

“Pfft, he curled my toes, my hair, and left me in a puddle.”

“That good, Huh?”

“Unfortunately, yes, that man throws me off balance. I wasn’t looking for a relationship, and he just keeps moving forward no matter how hard I dig in. The minute he touches me I lose control. I only met him yesterday, and he’s kissed me
three
times, off the chart hot kisses mind you, but still, who moves that fast?”

“I don’t know Jennifer, there’s a lot of women in this town who would like to have your problem. If Jack Gunnison were pursuing me, I’d walk slow.”

“Mandy, if I can’t think straight around him then he holds all the cards. I don’t remember it being like this with my husband; this can’t be normal behavior? The attraction is off the charts, sure, but it would be with someone like Jack, it’s just, he’s so damn bossy; he orders me around like he expects me to obey?”

“Jack’s used to being in charge, he’s an alpha male or more like
the
alpha male. You’ll just have to put your foot down,” She advised like the answer to my problem was that simple. But somehow I didn’t think putting my foot down would even register on his alpha index. Deciding I needed to focus on something other than that bullheaded man, or I’d be stewing over him all night, I moved to the other topic I wanted to discuss.

“Hey Mandy, you’ve heard about these killings, right?”

“Yeah, heard he got a local woman today. I didn’t know her, but I’m starting to freak out over this. I’ve even got my brother coming to pick me up after work.”

“Well I’m working on the story with help from Ben and Gerry, and we made up a list today of possible suspects. You seem to know everyone around here; could you take a look at the list and see if anything pops?”

“Sure, I know every creep in this county, in fact, I’m pretty sure I’ve dated them all. I’m due a break, grab your coffee and I’ll meet you out front on the deck.”

Moving outside to the deck, I grabbed a table off to the side and away from other customers. Mandy joined me a few minutes later, and I handed her the list when she sat down. As she started reading the list, she laughed.

“Ha, you have the Sheriff and his Deputies on here?” She continued reading and then stopped. “Jesus, you have my brother on here too? What the hell Jennifer is there any man who isn’t on here?”

“That’s the problem; the list is too long, and we need to narrow it down. Serial killers age range is so broad, we had to list practically every man who wasn’t in diapers or using a walker.”

“Well, I can tell you based on today’s murder these two are innocent, they work with me and were on duty. Father Jenson is off the hook too, he was busy at the church with the women’s auxiliary, and my mother was there. Give me a pen, I’ll circle the ones I saw today; I was out running errands and went to several businesses.”

Mandy made my long list shorter by twelve men, but the list was still lengthy. Since the bodies keep showing up in Gunnison or Crested Butte, something told me the killer was local, so I asked her to circle the men who lived the closest to Gunnison. Mandy was still looking over the list when she tapped the paper with her pen.

“Hey, this guy, he’s always given me the chills when he comes in, he constantly stares at my boobs.” Thinking her boobs were one of her best features, and probably the first thing men noticed about her, I didn’t think that was proof but I’d never met this Chad Brown, so what did I know?

“He also lives in a cabin off route 135, maybe two miles from where they found the last woman.” That got my attention. I put a star next to his name and wondered if I should call Jack and tell him, when Mandy’s boss stepped outside.

“Mandy, it’s slow tonight, why don’t you head home.”

“Killer,” Mandy replied and then turned to me, “Give me one second Jennifer, I’m gonna call my brother to come get me.”

“I can give you ride it’s not out of my way.”

“That would be great thanks, are you ready to leave now, I can call my brother from the road if you are?”
“Whenever you are is fine with me.”

Mandy stood, so I followed suit, and after she retrieved her jacket and purse, we jumped in my Jeep and headed out 135 towards her home. We’d been shooting the breeze, making plans to see the new movie that was coming out, when she shouted and pointed.

“Hey, that’s Chad’s place up ahead, you wanna drive past and look around, see if he has any dead bodies buried in his backyard?” Thinking that sounded like a terrible idea and also thinking that sounded like an awesome idea, I battled myself for an answer.

“Shit, I don’t know, what if he catches us?”

“There’s two of us, he can’t get us both.” I glanced at her and wondered if she might just be a little crazy. For someone who was scared of this killer, she didn’t seem to mind jumping into a possible dangerous situation. Didn’t she realize if he had a gun he could shoot both of us, and then bury us in his backyard, and no-one would be the wiser… Then again, I’m a little crazy too, so why not?

“I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this, but ok, let’s do it.”

“It will be fine, he’ll never know we were there.”

The phrase, “Famous Last Words” ran through my head as I pulled off the road and turned off my lights. There were no lights on in his small A-frame. No cars or trucks in the drive either. It appeared he was out, and I didn’t know if that made me feel better or not. Pulling past his cabin and parking up the hill, we got out of my Jeep and crept down the road, heading to the side of the cabin. There were two windows and without lights on. I didn’t know what we thought we could see, but I cupped my hands around my eyes and tried to look inside. Light shined in the room, and I thought the light came on, so I jumped back and looked at Mandy. She had a flashlight in her hand.