Deadly Dozen: 12 Mysteries/Thrillers (312 page)

“I know you didn’t kill Marisa Hutchins. So, why the hell…”

He looked at her, his eyes fierce, and for a moment she wavered. Guilt was written all over his face. Could she have been wrong?

“And how do you know that, Sarah?” Gavin stood up and approached her, anger in his every movement.

Sarah swallowed. She hadn’t really meant to say that.

“I just know you didn’t do it. You’re not that evil.”

“Maybe I am. Maybe I …” Gavin hesitated. He didn’t even know how Marisa had been killed. “You don’t have to actually pull the trigger to be responsible.”

Their eyes met, a struggle of wills. Something flickered in his. Passion burned with a muted intensity, warring for control with the anger building inside him. Sarah wanted to back away. Her legs refused to move. She knew he was going to touch her. Knew she was powerless to stop him. All the pain and loneliness inside her screamed out for that touch. His fingertips gently stroked her cheek, his eyes on her lips. Sarah closed her eyes as desire flowed through every muscle in her body, making her legs weak, filling her with butterflies. She accepted the inevitable. She’d known this was going to happen from the moment she’d met him. She’d fought it, but now as desire coursed through her, she waited for the moment when his lips would claim hers.

A moment that never came. Even with her eyes closed, Sarah felt his withdrawal. Felt him move away from her.

“You were the only person I told that Marisa didn’t believe the Nelson girl’s death was an accident. Now she’s dead.”

Sarah’s heart clenched in pain, an anguished sound escaping her lips. He couldn’t believe she…

Gavin continued, his voice cold, emotionless. “I was with Carl Jackson from six last night until ten this morning. You can verify that by calling the FBI office in Richmond. Here’s his card.”

Sarah’s eyes jerked open at the harshness of his voice. The room had suddenly gone cold. She took the card he held out before he once again put as much distance between them as the small room would allow. She gazed at the card without really seeing it. She had to look at something, anything but him. Her cheeks flamed red with embarrassment. She had thought—but he thought she—

Sarah continued to look at the card, as she struggled for control. She had to get out of here. Throwing the card on the floor she slammed the door and locked it, not trusting herself to speak. She could hold the son-of-a-bitch until she checked out his alibi. And she wasn’t going to be in any hurry to do that.

Gavin picked up the card from the floor, careful not to touch where she had held it and placed it in the holder Carl had given him. The deputy hadn’t taken his billfold, which surprised Gavin. So much for writer’s knowledge.

The more Gavin tried not to think of Sarah, the more she entered his thoughts. He knew he’d hurt her. Dammit, he didn’t believe she’d killed Marisa Hutchins. So why had he said it? He needed to get close to her, not alienate her. Groaning, he sat down on the cot. It wouldn’t be easy for him to get close to her again. He wondered if she knew what it had cost him not to take what she had offered. Closing his eyes he felt the softness of her skin against his fingertips, saw her full lips ready, waiting. The ache of desire filled him so strongly he groaned out loud. She’d left here thinking he didn’t want her. His need for her was so strong he knew if she had stayed, he’d have taken her whether she wanted him or not.

The sheer force of his desire terrified him. No woman had ever had that effect on him before. Opening his eyes, he shifted on the cot for a comfortable position. He finally gave up and started pacing the small room. He needed to get out, get the card to Carl. They were running out of time, and every moment was precious. He should have told Sarah about Nikki.

After an hour Gavin realized Sarah wasn’t coming back. She hadn’t bothered to check his alibi. His body was tired, his mind exhausted. He didn’t want to sleep. Sleep brought dreams, and the dreams brought death. He paced until it was virtually impossible for him to take another step. His legs trembled, his vision blurred. Lying down on the small cot he closed his eyes and prayed.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“Be a good girl.” Sarah hugged Nikki before pulling Juanita to the side with a whispered, “I don’t care if it is church, don’t let her out of your sight.”

Juanita clucked something in Spanish that Sarah didn’t understand, but the tone of her voice spoke volumes. Sarah knew that Juanita would tackle the devil himself to protect Nikki. Still, a wordless uneasiness settled over Sarah. Something intangible she couldn’t touch, feel, smell or see, yet it hung in the still gray light of dawn each morning, hovering just out of reach, watching.

Sarah hugged Nikki again against the child’s protests. She missed her time with Nikki. Guilt washed over her. She should be the one taking Nikki to church. She wanted her daughter to grow up informed so she could make her own decisions. They couldn’t hide forever. Nor could they run forever. The thoughts filled Sarah with an overwhelming sadness as she waved and headed toward town.

#

The Edgewood van was parked in front of the funeral home. Sarah breathed a small sigh of relief. The sooner the autopsy was performed, the sooner the body could be released. At least then the Hutchins would be allowed to bury their daughter. The healing could begin. Sarah frowned, her thoughts once again turning to Gavin McAllister. What was it he had said?
The dead don’t rest, until the guilty are punished.
She’d tossed and turned all night. The mayor had been right. Since Gavin McAllister had arrived, she’d thought and acted more like a woman than a sheriff. Her face flamed red as she pulled into the parking slot marked “Sheriff”. That wasn’t the worst part of it. The worst part was that she wanted him to see her as a woman.

“Shit.” Sarah slammed the door to the Explorer. Well, she was the sheriff, and Gavin McAllister was going to start talking. Pride raised her head, straightened her spine, and her stride brooked no interference.

“Morning, Ella Mae.”

“Morning, Sheriff. We didn’t think you’d be in today.”

Sarah didn’t bother to answer, but strode determinedly toward her office. She didn’t feel up to small talk today. In fact, she didn’t feel like talking to anyone at the moment. The sound of male laughter brought her up short. She’d never heard him laugh before, but something inside her recognized it. For just a moment she felt jealous, before the anger set in. What the hell was Joshua doing with Gavin McAllister in her office?

Not bothering to knock, Sarah opened the door and strode in. She watched the deep red flush that started at the base of Joshua’s neck. Damn him; he should feel guilty. Ignoring McAllister, Sarah focused on Joshua.

“Sarah, what are you doing here?” Joshua stuttered slightly, a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, Deputy Cross, but I believe I’m the sheriff, and the last time I looked, this was my office.”

The brusqueness of her tone had the opposite of the effect she had hoped for. Joshua simply smiled, a gleam of amusement lurking in the cool green eyes.

“I was just finalizing the paperwork on Mr. McAllister. I checked his alibi.”

Sarah felt her color heighten at the unspoken accusation. Joshua knew she hadn’t tried to verify the alibi last night. Knew she’d deliberately left Gavin in jail overnight.

Gavin cleared his throat. “Sarah, I think it’s time we talked about some things.”

Sarah finally looked at him, her gaze chilling, impersonal. “I don’t remember giving you permission to use my Christian name, Mr. McAllister. Even with your alibi, you’re still a suspect in a murder investigation. And you’re right, we are going to talk about some things. I’ll let you know when I want to see you. For now, if you’re finished with the paperwork, I’d suggest you start looking for a place to stay. And if Deputy Cross didn’t warn you, I will: don’t leave town.”

“It’s your call.” Gavin reached across the desk and shook Joshua’s hand. With a curt nod and “Sheriff,” he left the room.

Sarah stood still, her back to the door. Her anger was dissipating quickly, leaving her feeling weak, vulnerable. Tears stung behind her eyelashes. Too little sleep, too much caffeine. Flopping into the chair Gavin had vacated, she forced herself not to jump up as his warmth wrapped around her.

Joshua cleared his throat.

“Go ahead and say it, Joshua.”

“I just wondered if there was something you wanted to tell me?”

“He couldn’t have found a place to stay last night, and he was safer in the jail cell.” Her words sounded lame, even to her own ears. “Tell me about Edsel Hutchins.”

A shadow of pain crossed Joshua’s face. He and Mary wanted children, had one on the way. They’d wanted to raise them in Glade Springs where they would be safe. The murder of Marisa Hutchins and the pain of the parents had almost changed his mind. No place was safe.

“He took it hard. Doc was late, something about Mrs. Cooper burning her hand. He could be dangerous, Sarah, when the sedatives wear off.”

“I was afraid of that. Anyone keeping an eye on him?”

“I sent Thomas out there last night. Told him I’d relieve him this morning. We’ll take turns for a couple of days. The man’s hurting. It’d be easier if he could go ahead and bury her, but with the autopsy it’ll probably be a couple of weeks.”

Sarah nodded. A hurting man was a dangerous man. “Keep me informed. I’ll talk to him if I need to.”

Joshua rose to leave. “Since you didn’t ask, Millie gave McAllister the rooms over the store.”

Sarah wanted to throw something at the retreating figure. He was right. She hadn’t asked and she should have. It was definitely something she needed to know.

#

Placing the card inside the overnight envelope, Gavin jotted Carl’s address on the paperwork. He didn’t know how long it would take to run the prints, but he couldn’t shake the feeling he was running out of time.

Gavin spent the rest of the afternoon getting settled in the small apartment above the bookstore. At least here he’d be close to Nikki. If Sarah allowed her to visit Millie. Millie had told him she only used the apartment in the winter and he could stay as long as he liked. For everyone’s sake, he hoped his stay would be short. He placed a call to Carl, not surprised when he got the answering machine. He left a brief message that the package was on its way and where he was staying. There was no need to go into the rest of it. Joshua had talked to Carl to verify his alibi. Carl knew all hell was breaking loose down here. He just hoped Carl stayed put a few more days. Gavin’s muscles ached from the small uncomfortable cot. He’d finally managed to sleep, but what he really needed now was a hot shower and a real bed.

The hot water washed away the dirt and some of the soreness from his muscles. He wandered into the kitchen, expecting to find it bare. To his surprise, Millie had evidently stocked it earlier in the day. Bless her. He was going to have to send her something special when this was all over.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Carl played Gavin’s message again, listening to the tone of voice more than the words. Boy was in way over his head. Didn’t have a clue. Love could blind you that way, make you vulnerable. It only took a second for life to change, mistakes to be made. Carl went over the phone conversation with Deputy Cross in his mind. The young deputy was sharp. He’d accepted Carl’s explanation about the pink card, but he still might run it through the system. And if he did …

Shit, it didn’t matter anymore. He was going to lose his job when this was all over. That didn’t matter either. What mattered was catching this bastard. Stubbing out the cigarette, he picked up his keys. It was time to kick some ass.

The drive to Rob’s apartment was short, but the closer Carl came, the madder he got. Ignoring the doorbell, he pounded on the door and waited.

“What the fuck …”

Carl grinned as he took in the bloodshot eyes and wrinkled clothes Rob was wearing. He was going to enjoy this. Grabbing a fist full of the wrinkled shirt, he shoved Rob into the room and kicked the door shut.

Rob stumbled over the mess in the floor and landed on his butt, his eyes reflecting drunken confusion as he looked up at his partner. “What the hell’s wrong with you?” he slurred. “Leave me alone.”