Every Move She Makes (30 page)

Walker grunted. “You got more of a response than you bargained for.”

Using both hands, she lifted the cup to her lips to sip the steaming liquid. “That maniac shot Kane. He pushed me out of the way and took off after him. I called 9-1-1. That’s about it.”

“You took a risk.” The sheriff eyed her steadily. “I guess Kane felt it was worth it.”

“He knew he was in danger?” Rachel’s voice rose.

“I imagine so.” Sheriff Walker heaved himself out of his chair. “I’ll go look for the bullet in the living room. I have Pete checking outside for evidence. We should be able to determine where the suspect was standing when he fired.”

Will studied her with worried eyes while she drank her tea. “This is getting to be a regular habit.”

“What is?”

“These late night phone calls. First the flat tire, and now this. You’re playing hell with my sleeping habits.”

Rachel’s eyes widened. Tea slopped onto the table as she dropped her cup. “That’s it!”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“When Ivy described the truck the man was driving, I had the strangest feeling I’d seen it before. Now I know where it was. Do you remember a pickup was just leaving when you arrived to fix my flat tire?”

“You told me someone had stopped to offer help.”

“Yes, he was driving an older, dark pickup.”

Will sat straighter. “What did the driver look like? Could he have been one of the suspects?”

“I don’t know. I never gave him a second thought.”

“Try to remember.”

“It was really dark.” Rachel closed her eyes and forced the memory. “He had on a ball cap and sunglasses. I remember thinking it was odd the man wore dark glasses at night.”

“What color was his hair?”

“I don’t remember.”

“What about his voice? Did any of the men at Granite Lake sound familiar when you first met them?”

“Just Dennis, and that’s probably because I talked to him at school when Lark was one of his students.”

“It wasn’t because he’s your stalker. We can eliminate Olmstead from the mix.” Kane walked into the kitchen.

With a cry, Rachel jumped up and ran to him. “Are you okay?”

He hugged her to his side. “It’s just a scratch. There’s no reason to worry.”

The
scratch
was wrapped in a gauze bandage sticky with blood. Kane wore a T-shirt Rachel didn’t recognize.

“I’m taking you to the ER, and I don’t want an argument.”

“You can take him just as soon as we clear up a couple of details.” Sheriff Walker followed his deputy into the room. “Sit down, Kane. You, too, Brandon. Now, let’s hear what you found out.”

Brandon Hendricks cleared his throat and flipped open his notebook, blue eyes bright with excitement. “I found Kane two blocks south of here. Blood ran down his arm, and he was swearing a blue streak.”

“That’s because I lost the bastard. He jumped in that rattletrap pickup and was gone before I reached him. I would have had him if I hadn’t been so damned light-headed.”

“That settles it. You’re going to the emergency room. You might need a blood transfusion or something!”

The sheriff held up a hand. “He isn’t going to keel over just yet. Let’s hear the rest.”

“I called in a description of the vehicle, our location, and the direction the suspect was headed. Then I slapped a bandage on Kane’s arm to stop the bleeding and gave him a spare T-shirt I had in my car. I also offered to take him to the hospital, but he refused.”

Kane sighed. “I wish people would stop harping about a little scratch. I wanted to check on Olmstead. He lives less than a block from where we were. If he was home in bed, then he couldn’t be our man.”

“You went to his house?” Sheriff Walker’s brows rose.

“There was no sign of the pickup anywhere nearby.” Brandon referred to his notes. “It took a while, but Olmstead answered the door when we pounded on it. He was wearing a flannel bathrobe. Kane barged in. The man put up a half-hearted protest, but he didn’t refuse us entry.”

The sheriff hit the table with his fist. “God damn it, Kane, without a warrant any evidence you found would have been thrown out in court.”

“Good thing Olmstead’s only crime is watching porn flicks and yanking his own chain. The movie was on pause on his bedroom TV. It was pretty obvious what he’d been doing.”

Rachel glanced over at Kane. “That’s why he looked guilty when he said he enjoyed movies.”

Kane shrugged. “The man may be a bit of a pervert, but he’s not your stalker.”

“So it’s either Bob or Curt?” Rachel glanced around the table.

“Looks that way.” Kane squeezed her hand. “What were you and Will talking about when we came in?”

Rachel told them about the flat tire and the man who had stopped to help her.

Will gripped the edge of the table. “If I hadn’t come when I did, this psycho could have taken Rachel then?”

“Shit.” Kane’s hand tightened on hers.

“You didn’t recognize him, Rachel?” Sheriff Walker asked.

She shook her head. “It was too dark to see much of anything.”

“So this son of a bitch was following her before she went up to Granite Lake.” The vein throbbed at Kane’s temple. “It’s possible he’s been following her for months.”

“Now he’s stepped up his game.” The sheriff frowned. “He was obviously prepared to kill or injure Kane in order to get to Rachel. The man is extremely dangerous.”

“Don’t forget he was provoked.” Will leaned back and frowned.

“That’s a good point. Jealousy could be the trigger.”

Kane drummed his fingers on the table. “We have a profiler on staff at the department. I’ll get her take on this guy to see if it fits either Mayfield or Dawson. That way we can focus on the most likely suspect.”

“Call her in the morning, Kane. I’ll check our two remaining suspects for alibis. Maybe we’ll get lucky and one of them was at a party with a dozen witnesses.” The sheriff heaved himself out of his chair. “Right now I want to finish up out front then go home to bed. Brandon, let’s see if Pete found anything besides that partial footprint. Rachel, you’re free to take Kane to the emergency room if you can get him to go.”

“Oh, he’ll go.”

Will stood. “I’ll take off then. Sharon is probably worried sick.”

“Thanks for coming.” Rachel hugged her brother.

“I’m glad you called. Would you like me to break the news to Mom and Dad, or do you want to do the honors?”

“I may as well do it. I’ll phone them from work in the morning.”

Will nodded. “Take care of her, Kane.”

“That’s my plan.”

Once they were alone in the kitchen, Rachel put her hands on her hips and studied him with a frown. “No more excuses. We’re getting your arm checked out.”

He rolled his eyes. “Let’s get it over with.”

* * * *

It was two o’clock before they returned home. Kane’s wound had been cleaned and dressed, and the doctor had given him a shot of antibiotics to combat possible infection.

Rachel paused in the entry as Daisy rushed to greet her. She rubbed the dog’s ears while her gaze turned toward the glass strewn across the living room floor.

“I forgot all about the broken window.”

His hands dropped onto her shoulders. “You’re exhausted. Go to bed. I’ll clean up this mess in the morning.”

“Aren’t you coming with me?”

“I’ll stay down here. Until that window is repaired, the house isn’t secure. I won’t take any more chances.”

“He wouldn’t come back tonight, would he?”

“Probably not, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. I’ll take a look around upstairs just to make sure no one left any surprises while we were gone.”

Once Kane determined the house was undisturbed, he pulled Rachel into his arms and kissed her. “Try not to wake up at the crack of dawn. You need your rest.”

“I can’t sleep late. I have to take all the cinnamon rolls we baked earlier into the store.” She leaned against his chest. “This isn’t the way I pictured the night ending.”

“That makes two of us.” He kissed her again then pulled away with a groan. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Rachel slept hard until the alarm sounded. After a quick shower, she went downstairs with Daisy at her heels. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and bacon drew her, but she paused to poke her head into the living room. It was neat, tidy and free of glass. Her lips tightened as she glanced toward the empty window frame.

Kane smiled as she headed straight to the coffee pot. “How do you like your eggs, scrambled or over easy?”

“However you’re having them is fine.”

“Over easy it is. Pop down that toast, please.”

Rachel did as he asked then leaned against the counter. “You’re very at home in the kitchen.”

“I don’t mind cooking. I’ve never been a big fan of those frozen meals, so it was either learn how to cook or starve.”

“Or eat take out. Grace lives on pizza.” Rachel sipped her steaming coffee.

Kane expertly tipped two eggs onto a plate. “Have a seat. I put butter and jam on the table.” He handed her the dish and gave her a lingering kiss. “What’s the plan for today?”

“I have to work. What about you?”

“I have a few phone calls to make, and I need to stop by the sheriff’s office. Then I may go have more chats with Bob and Curt.”

Rachel laid her toast back on her plate. Her stomach churned. “Who do you think it is?”

“My money’s on Bob, but I wouldn’t stake your life on it.”

“Why do you think Bob’s responsible?”

“Because the Dawson reservation for Granite Lake was made long before you decided to go up there. Still, it could have been a coincidence you chose the place where Curt was attending his family reunion. Coincidences do happen.”

He sat next to her with a full plate of food. “Eat.”

“I’m not very hungry.”

“Tough. Would you let your kids skip breakfast?”

Rachel smiled. “No.”

“Then eat.”

She picked up her fork and took a bite of egg. “You’re good for me, Kane. Thanks for making breakfast.”

“You’re welcome. I also called a glass shop. Someone will be out to replace the window this afternoon. Thankfully it’s a size they have in stock.”

“You are a marvel of efficiency, Mr. Lafferty.”

“I certainly am.” When they finished, he picked up their empty plates and stepped over Daisy on the way to the sink. “Where was she last night?”

“As close to me as she could get. At one point she tried to climb on the bed, but I kicked her off. She’s been very worried about me.”

“I guess we know where her loyalties lie.” He looked into Daisy’s soulful brown eyes. “I’m the one who got shot, and she hasn’t given me a second glance.”

“Speaking of which—how’s the arm this morning? The bandage looks clean.” She walked around the table to study the white gauze dressing with a critical eye.

“I changed it. It’s a little sore but healing nicely.”

Rachel linked her arms around his neck. “Did I thank you properly for being a hero last night?”

Kane snorted. “Getting shot doesn’t make me a hero.”

“I don’t know. Seems pretty heroic to me.” She kissed him, and her stomach fluttered. “I should make you leave. Being here with me put you in the line of fire.”

“Do you actually think I’d go?” He pushed a lock of hair behind her ear.

“No, so I won’t waste my breath.”

“Smart woman. Go get ready for work while I wash these dishes.”

“I’m ready to go now. I’ll clean up the kitchen. Pour yourself another cup of coffee and relax for a change.”

Kane reached down to rub Daisy’s ears. “I’m not very good at relaxing.”

“So I’ve noticed. If it’ll make you feel better, you can help by feeding the dog.”

“I suppose it’s something. All I want to do is help. I want to make this madness go away for you.”

Reaching up, she stroked his cheek. “Without you, I would have slipped over the edge into complete and utter panic. With you, I have the strength to cope. Don’t ever doubt your worth, Kane. Having you beside me means everything.”

“Good, because I’m not going anywhere.”

Rachel shouldered her way through the bookstore door carrying a tray of cinnamon rolls and called out a greeting to Ellen.

“I hear you had some unwelcome excitement on my days off. Did the girls get to San Diego without a problem?”

“The girls are fine.” She set the pastries on the counter. “They’re planning to spend the day at the beach.”

“Lucky them.” Ellen shut the cash register and offered a sympathetic smile. “I imagine you miss them.”

“I do, but I’m more thankful than I can say they weren’t around last night.”

“What happened now?”

When Rachel told her, Ellen’s eyes widened behind her glasses.

“Are you kidding? There’s no doubt this psycho is a real threat. Someone could get hurt—or worse.”

“It might be a good idea if you, Chandra and Tim think about your own safety. Maybe you should each take some time off until this man is caught.”

“How would you run the bookstore without us?”

Rachel shrugged. “I’d have to close for a while.”

“You can’t do that. This is our busiest time of the year.”

“I know, but I wouldn’t forgive myself if one of you was hurt. He shot Kane. God only knows what he’ll do next.”

“Do you really think we’re in danger?”

“I don’t know.” Rachel rubbed her temples.

“Why do the police think he shot Kane?”

“He was probably motivated by jealousy. When he saw me with Kane, he lost control.”

“If that’s the case, there shouldn’t be any danger to the three of us. We’ll be fine.”

Rachel squeezed her arm. “If you’re certain, I’ll go call my parents and tell them what happened last night.”

“That doesn’t sound like much fun. I’ll let you know if it gets busy.”

Rachel gave her a weak smile. “Thank you.”

Dreading the conversation, she sat down at her desk and turned on the computer before reaching for the phone. Twenty minutes later, she hung up. It had taken some doing, but she’d finally convinced her mother she wouldn’t be any safer if she moved back home with them. Determined to get some work done, she went online and pulled up her e-mails.