Against Me (Cedar Tree Book 3) (14 page)

A tug on my foot almost has me going under.

"Falling asleep there, Pixie?" Of course it's Arlene. "We're just about to grill Naomi here about her interesting chemistry with our buddy the recently appointed Sheriff Joe Morris."

"Buzz off Arlene," Naomi balks, "nothing happening there."

"Oh I know nothing's happening now, but something did at some point. Sparks like those don't fly all by themselves. Come on, girl, you've been holding out on us long enough. You know every bit of dirt there is to know about us. Time to spill."

"Ugh, you're relentless, woman. Fine, but I warn you; it isn't as interesting as you might think it is." Naomi concedes. "I met Joe three years ago when I just started my rotation in the ER in Cortez. He came in with someone in custody who had gotten hurt driving drunk and needed stitches. I was relatively new in town and had come off a nasty drawn out divorce, he asked me out and I said yes. It was a big leap of faith for me, because I hadn't been with anyone but David. We'd been together since we were fifteen, so the prospect of even a date terrified me, but having just moved myself and my kid to a new place, I figured it would fit in with the whole 'new beginnings' thing. It was pretty much a disaster."

"I can't imagine," Emma sighs, "Joe is such a sweetie."

"Yeah, well, the physical chemistry was all there. No complaints on that front, but when his phone kept blowing up during dinner and souring his mood, and then some bimbo eventually stopped at the table demanding to know why he wasn't answering 'his wife's' calls, I figured it was time to call it a night."

I think we all gasped at that, but of course Arlene piped up.

"Joe is married? No shit! I've known him for years and I would know if he was. Are you sure she wasn't some disgruntled ex pissed at being passed over?"

"Pretty damn sure. In fact, he tried calling afterward for days, which I ignored. Until finally he cornered me in the ER, wanting to explain. I said there was only one thing I needed to know and that was whether he was married, and that that answer only required a yes or a no. His answer was yes, so I told him I had had enough of adulterers for a lifetime and left him in the hallway. That's the end of that." A shrug of her shoulders indicates she is done with it, but a shadow in her eyes tells me the experience still stings.

In an effort to steer the focus away from what seems to be an uncomfortable trip down memory lane for Naomi, I bring up a sure-fire topic, "So what's this about special chocolates?" And with a loud cheer of approval, the girls get out of the pool and make their way to the dressing room, leaving me to call after them, "Hey! Excuse me, some help here please?"

"Neil? The fuck is going on there... Neil?"

"Yeah. Sorry man, I got your message. Reception is for shit up here. Been checking my phone every couple of minutes while the women were in the pool."

I blow out the ball of tension that has been sitting on my chest like an anvil. The instant relief makes me almost light-headed and I bend over, leaning on the hood of the car.

"Everyone good? Haven't seen anything out of the ordinary?" I prompt him.

"Nah man. Just these crazy broads having a good time, why? Something happen?" The concern is evident in Neil's voice.

"Keep your eyes peeled. Make sure you have connecting doors in the hotel or sleep on the goddamn floor of their room if you must. I'm guessing they'll all be bunking like a bunch of schoolgirls, yeah?"

"Guess so," he says with a snort, "although I can't for the life of me figure out what's so fun about that."

"This time, just be glad they do weird shit, because I'm not sure we can get more coverage up there on short notice and we might be in a shitload of trouble. I got a call tonight, I pegged it as a Duarte family member or someone closely connected, telling me to back off and the promise I would be left with some incentive. I'm worried about Katie. If they've had eyes on me the whole time, they would've had them on her too. You hearing me?"

"Loud and clear. Want us to head back tonight?"

"No. Safer to bunk down for the night and travel in daylight but it might be a good idea to split the women over two cars. Did Katie bring her sidearm?"

"Didn't see it, but that doesn't mean it's not there. I'll have her in the car with the doc and Emma and Arlene can get in the truck with me, and I'll be behind the doc."

"If she has her gun, then yes that's a good option."

"Want me to talk to her?"

I'm pretty sure this is not something I can leave Katie out of, nor do I really want to. She has every right to know that she might have an even larger target on her head now.

"Hand the phone to her. I'll talk to her, but Neil? You give Gus a call and let him talk to Ems after. He's been trying to get through too."

"Sure."

I can hear him call out to Katie and a minute or so later I can hear her out of breath voice on the line.

"Hey you. How come you're calling on Neil's phone?"

Always sharp on details, she knows right away something is off.

"We may have some trouble heading your way, sweets. Nothing specific, but I was given the message that something might be coming down in connection with this cartel business. You'll see a few missed calls on your phone from me too. Couldn't get a hold you, apparently your reception sucks there."

"Fuck. You safe? Do you need back up?"

I chuckle at that, because I am likely better covered here, with the Farmington PD as well as the Feds backing me up should I need it.

"I'm good, little one. You, however, are a bit exposed. Are you carrying?"

"Brought my baby with me. In my bag, but she'll be on my hip from here on in."

I want to say much more but I have another call coming in so I have to cut it short.

"I've got a call, gotta go. Discuss course of action with Neil, okay?"

"Gotcha. And Caleb?" Her voice dips down to almost a whisper, "please try hard to come home to me."

I love you
is in my heart and on my lips, but no way in hell am I going to tell her over the phone. She knows anyway.

"Always."

With a quick glance at my phone to see who's calling, I answer the other line.

"Gus. They're fine. Just talked to Neil, they have dick all in reception up there." I quickly fill him in.

"Thank fuck for that. Tell 'em to stay the night?"

"Yeah I did. Neil's gonna be calling you soon. I'm heading back inside. It's getting fucking cold here in the parking lot."

I can hear his chuckle coming over the line, "Bags packed and ready to roll, right?"

"Absolutely," I admit.

"Figured you weren't gonna listen when I told ya to wait. What else is new? Stay safe; I'll see to it we get some more eyes on the girls for tonight. I'll be in touch."

I slide my phone in my back pocket, open the back door to my Tahoe and am about to haul out my bags again, when I hear a car pull up beside me. Cops.

"Caleb Whitetail?"

"That's me." I notice the young officer who addressed me is doing his best to avoid my eyes.

"Sir, we need you to come with us."

Just then I notice the second officer standing by the patrol car.

"What's going on?"

"Detective Jonas asked us to pick you up. There's been a problem at your family home."

Fuck.

"I'll follow you." I move to get into the truck when the other officer's voice stops me.

"We were instructed to drive you."

I throw him a scathing look. "I'm not getting in the fucking patrol car with you unless you're willing to give me better information than you just did. My guess is you won't. So you either lead the fucking way or shoot me as I drive over to my parents' house where, as you point out, there is
'trouble'
. I'm sure your Detective Jonas as well as the FBI, with whom I am working closely together, would be thrilled about that." Fucking son of a bitch little punk ass cop thinks he's gonna sit me in the back of his patrol car.

I tear out of the parking lot in the direction of Shiprock with the cops on my tail trying to keep up. They wanna lead, they're gonna have to go faster.

I
can see the thick plume of smoke from a distance. Fear and anger course through me as I pull the truck in behind a collection of emergency vehicles and jump out. There is fucking nothing left of my parents' house. Not a damn thing but a pile of burned out and smoking rubble.

Walking up to the remnants of my childhood home I barely notice my name being called until a hand is slapped on my shoulder.

"Hold up, son." A familiar deep rumble comes from behind me.

Detective Manuel Jordan is probably only ten or so years older than I am, but has a fatherly way about him.

"Where are they?"

My eyes closely scan the small crowd that has gathered, but the slight pressure of the hand on my shoulder warns me that I won't find my parents' faces among them.

"Your father was found just outside the door and has been taken to Farmington. No sign of your mother outside. Waiting for word from the Fire Marshall to go in and look for possible remains. I'm so sorry."

I haven't left the safety of my Tahoe since filling Manny Jordan in on the threatening phone call and suggest he call Gus to inform him of the latest. I just don't have it in me to talk to anyone right now. I'm not sure how long it's been; likely hours. Silently I watch as a group of three men starts sifting through the rubble in what I know to be a search for my mother's body. All the while I try to honour her with memories of who and how she was before my sister's death broke her. I don't really need the confirmation; I can feel she's gone.

My eyes shoot up when I hear a yell and I see one of the men standing in the still smoking remains of our house, his arm in the air, marking the location where my mother died. It's her; don't need the confirmation, I know. Rubbing my hands over my face, I'm surprised to find them coming away wet with tears, and that makes me pissed. Why the fuck was my father out the door, but my mother still inside?

"Caleb?" Manny is standing in the open passenger side door, a look of concern on his face. "Can't confirm until the coroner has done his thing, but it looks like it might be her."

I simply nod at him and get out. "I want to see her." I start walking toward the group of men now huddled around their find, but Manny holds me back.

"I hear there isn't much left. Not a good idea, Caleb."

Shrugging his hand off my arm I walk on. "Not negotiable," is all I say.

"So glad you guys convinced me to come," Arlene is laying with her head on Emma's lap, a goofy smile on her face. I'm pretty sure she's three sheets to the wind with the white wine and truffle combo she's been hitting.

Neil and I managed to get our rooms changed to a suite with two bedrooms and a pull out couch, which put us all within the same walls and that makes protection a shit load easier. Only one door to watch. I feel bad about leaving the others in the dark, but Neil was right when he pointed out there was no use in spoiling everyone's night. Wasn't like we weren't gonna say anything tomorrow. They're likely to find out when they get wind of the driving arrangements that something is up.

Not wanting to dull my rusty reflexes even further, I made up the excuse that I couldn't drink because of medication, something that was quickly accepted in this group.

We're lounging on the big king-sized bed in one of the bedrooms and just finished watching some sappy movie on the big flat screen when Arlene sighs, "I used to be like that you know? All lonely and frustrated... Sad, really. Having to go without two or three good orgasms a day should be a crime."

Naomi and I burst out laughing, but Emma just smiles dreamily, "I used to get so fucking horny, I'd wonder with every guy that passed me on the street or stopped next to me at a light, how he'd be in the sack. Some of those fantasies would be so hot; I'd live off them for weeks. Nowadays, who has time for fantasies?"

Ahh. Slightly uncomfortable for me, knowing exactly what she has... or maybe that's not fair. I don't really. There is no comparing what I thought I had with Gus and what he and Emma have. No comparison whatsoever.