The Green-Eyed Doll (26 page)

“Vince, control yourself. This isn’t about you or me. Don’t make me put you back in jail.” Matt stood and moved back, allowing Vince to scramble to his feet.

He swiped the back of his hand under his nose. Tears of anger and fear dripped from his eyes. A rough night sleeping off a drunk on a hard bunk coupled with the panic of finding his wife missing had him right on the verge of getting himself into trouble. He didn’t know it, but Matt would tolerate a lot under these circumstances. He understood the horror crawling around inside Vince’s mind.

“I’ll have your badge for this. I wasn’t here to know Jessie didn’t come home last night. You had me locked up.” Vince’s voice rose with each syllable, climbing to soprano and ending in a screech. “If the murdering bastard has her—” He turned away, chest heaving and tried to compose himself.

Jake’s hand closed around Vince’s elbow and together they walked back up the sidewalk. “Let’s take this inside. We need a recent picture of Jessie and some information about her.” The voice of reason, he might be able to calm Vince enough to talk rationally.

Rey parked his cruiser then joined Ash and spoke directly to Matt. “I’ll find out what kind of car Jessie drives, get a BOLO started. I buy groceries at the market where she works. We can drive the route as soon as we know what vehicle we’re looking for.”

“Let’s go inside. Jake’s probably got Vince calmed down.” Matt considered staying outside. His presence might stir up Vince again, but Matt shrugged off his concern. Jessie’s life was more important than Vince’s emotions.

With each step Matt took, a small piece of guilt nagged at him. In the dark when he tried to sleep, Jessie’s abduction would sneak into his thoughts and he’d wonder. Was it his fault for keeping Vince in jail overnight?

The living room hadn’t changed much. Smelly ashtrays still needed emptying. Newspapers and magazines were strewn across the coffee table. Hell, they could’ve been the same ones from the night he questioned Vince and Jessie about Julia Drummond. The only thing missing was husband and wife.

“Where’s Vince?” Ash wrinkled his nose. “Stinks in here.” A die hard, reformed smoker, he could be rude when affronted by the stale odor of cigarettes.

“He’s getting a recent picture of his wife.” Jake stared at the dark screen on the TV. “We missed the noon news.” He didn’t expand on his announcement.

No one touched the comment. “I guess we’ll have to get an update from Sue. You can bet she watched.” Matt had no doubt.

Vince stumbled back into the room holding a wooden frame. His gait was unsteady, but the tears were gone. The blood veins in his eyes rivaled those from old vampire movies. With a whoosh of air, he collapsed into a chair like he’d been on a forty-mile march. He dismantled the frame and held out the snapshot of Jessie for Rey to take.

“What kind of car does your wife drive?” Rey’s voice held a touch of sympathy, pulling Vince’s gaze away from the floor.

“A new Focus. Dark blue.” Vince’s eyes shifted from dazed to that of a wild animal. He sprang to his feet at the sight of Matt. “I gotta call Will and the boys. Get out.”

Rey stepped between Vince and the phone on the countertop. “Easy, Vince. We don’t know for sure she’s been kidnapped.”

Vince’s lips curled back over clenched teeth. “What the hell are you sayin’?”

“Have you two been having trouble?”

“My wife didn’t run off, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“You and I both know she’s left you before.” Rey softened his voice. “Last time it was over another woman. Have you been messing around on Jessie again? Maybe she found out?”

“Get. Out.” Vince brushed past Rey and grabbed the phone. He punched in a few numbers and stopped, his hands trembled. “You.” He glared directly at Matt, hate rolled off his body in waves. “Out.”

“Bring the picture, Rey.” Jake calmly crossed the room and opened the door.

Matt was the last to leave. He turned to caution Vince about staying on the right side of the law but didn’t. The lines of communication between the law and the bereaved husband had been severed. Matters would only get worse if they didn’t find Jessie. And soon.

Jake and Rey ran a GPS route to the grocery store then left to try and retrace the drive Jessie might’ve taken. Before he and Ash headed for the market to question her coworkers, Matt called in a team to canvas her neighborhood. Rob Thornton made a good impression on Matt the day they’d found Annie’s body. He assigned him the responsibilities of coordinating a neighborhood search and interview.

“If she’s not dead, she will be soon.” Ash spoke when they pulled onto the highway. He’d been silent since they’d arrived at the Bradley’s.

“Thanks for pointing out the obvious.”

“Just keeping it real.”

Ten minutes later Matt pulled in front of the grocery store. Maybe a dozen cars were on the lot. None matched the description of Jessie’s.

Jake called with news. Her car was sitting on the side of the road, keys in the ignition, and her purse lay on the seat. No signs of a scuffle, no skid marks, nothing.

Like Julia and Annie, Jessie had vanished.

Chapter Twenty

Friday, September 1st, 10:00 p.m.

Catherine hoped September would bring cooler weather, but she’d also asked Santa to bring her a pony when she was seven. Neither wish had been granted. The bank sign had flashed one-hundred-four degrees when she’d driven past on her way to the Saddleback. August had rolled through Texas with the same vengeance locusts sweep across the plains, leaving untold devastation. Spontaneous wildfires ate across the dry, parched pastures devouring homes, horses, and cattle like a ravenous army. Undermanned, volunteer fire fighters abandoned their jobs and families to battle against the hellish heat and wind.

Tonight the Saddleback was hosting a fundraiser for those honorable men and women with a pool tournament and dance to buy additional equipment. Catherine helped Marty hang flyers all over the county, and working at the bar was off the
Never
list for now.

Catherine glided around the building on a cloud, taking orders and delivering rounds. Her mission? Get back to where a gorgeous hunk and his friend, Ash Hunter, sat on stools. She understood as Sheriff, Matt couldn’t hang out at the Saddleback, but this celebration provided him the opportunity to drop by and say hello. When they arrived, Matt had leaned down and given her a quick kiss. Her heart literally soared when his gaze followed her movements.

His smile—the special one where one side of his scrumptious mouth tilted up higher than the other—pulled her to him. He brushed a wayward strand of her hair back, tucked it behind her ear, and let his fingers lightly trace the line of her jaw. It was a quick motion, probably unnoticed by others. Catherine’s world spun away, blurring her vision and hearing for a fleeting moment. Behind his blue eyes was a flicker of unhappiness. She’d noticed it a couple of times tonight but couldn’t ask. Not in here. Was he thinking about their relationship? Would he understand when she worked up the courage to tell him the cause of her nightmares? He valued honesty and truth in a person. She’d denied him both.

Oh, God. Matt was talking to her. She had no idea what he’d said. He caught her hand in his when he stood. Ash slapped him on the arm and headed for the men gathered around the pool tables.

“You’re leaving?” She hid her disappointment with a smile.

“Yeah. I told Rob Thornton I’d ride patrol with him tonight.”

“He’s the deputy you told me about?”

“Yeah. Call tomorrow if you’re up early enough for company.”

“I will. And I promise to be careful.”

He tossed her one last look over his shoulder when he reached the exit then disappeared through the door into the darkness. A noise behind her snapped her back. JC was rapping her tray with his knuckles.

“I’m going.” She laughed and headed out to collect empties and orders.

She made her way over to where Marty had the tournament brackets spread out across a table. She was setting up the Pairs round of competition. Rey Santos and Ash teamed up as partners in the final match. Catherine had never held a pool cue in her hand, and the players’ abilities fascinated her. She stopped and watched when she had a few minutes. At midnight, Marty sent the band on break and announced the final match of the night. Catherine wasn’t surprised to hear that Rey and Ash had advanced. Their opponents turned out to be two of the men from the County Patrol Group. A fun night edged toward disaster.

The group had driven back trails, farm roads, and highways, hoping they’d see something. No way could they cover the entire county. Not all fifteen-hundred miles of roads.

Tonight, they were blowing off steam, wisecracking about how inept the sheriff’s department had become. Catherine didn’t know much about Ash, but Rey came in on the weekend. She’d never seen him get angry, but he had the reputation for having a quick temper. It didn’t take Marty long to threaten Harvey and Danny with a forfeit if they didn’t shut their mouths.

Catherine relaxed when Ash and Rey won the match. While they argued over who kept the trophy, Marty made the announcement followed by her usual Dolly Parton goodnight. Catherine and JC wasted no time getting the tables cleaned and the chairs stacked while Marty shooed the last of the customers away. Ash stopped by on his way out to say goodbye.

“I’m riding with Rey. You want us to wait outside?”

“No thanks. JC walks us out to the parking lot. He makes sure we’re on the road before he drives away.”

Ash draped an arm over her shoulder and whispered, “You’re sure it’s okay? Rey and I are meeting a couple of ladies at the truck stop for breakfast.”

“Go. Enjoy. I’m closely watched when I leave.”

Marty dabbed the corners of her mouth while Ash walked out of the bar. “Excuse the drool. If I were a few years younger, I’d give that one the ride of his life.” She tossed Catherine a rag and joined her wiping down tables. “Let’s wrap this night up.”

****

Saturday, September 2nd, 3:45 a.m.

He wasn’t a last minute kind of guy. He hadn’t planned on following Catherine home. It wouldn’t do for someone to see him. Forgoing an evening with sweet Jessie was tough, but he’d made the right choice.

Tonight changed everything. JC had been all over her. How many times had he reached across the bar and touched her? He wouldn’t allow her to whore around. Mama fucked anybody who’d give her a drink, a dollar, and a good time. No. Hell, no. He wouldn’t allow his doll to spread her legs the way Mama did. She should save herself for him.

His hands curled into fists, and he pounded the steering wheel a couple of times. Catherine belonged to him. A dessert you savored a long time, stroking your tongue across the sweetness, and letting the flavor soak in before you wolf it down. Not something you shared.

The time had arrived to track Catherine’s movements, lay some groundwork for when the time to kill Jessie came. Then he could move on Catherine right away.

Parked behind a row of scraggly trees, he waited. And waited. Soon he’d bust a kidney. He couldn’t open the door to piss. The damn overhead light would come on. The windows were down, but sweat ran from every pore. Running the engine was dangerous because somebody might hear. He reached over to start his pickup and leave when Marty, JC, and Catherine came outside. His hand stilled.

That idiot JC stood in the middle of the parking lot like he was on patrol. Pissing his pants wasn’t an option, but when JC yelled, ‘Ladies, start your engines’ his dick nearly popped a leak. Marty started her car and gave him thumbs up. God, this was too much. They both turned their gaze toward Catherine. Wasn’t that too fuckin’ sweet. They caravanned for safety. Little did they know, there wasn’t a safe place for Catherine. He’d take her when he got ready. Nobody would stop him.

She got inside her car, but a few minutes later popped out. JC hustled to her and sat behind the wheel. Shit, she was having car trouble. Too bad it hadn’t happened a few days later and on her way home. His gut slammed into a knot when JC put his hand on her. He fuckin’ touched her. Then he walked her to his pickup and opened the door for her.

There was no doubt he had to follow her home. If she let that sleaze ball JC into her bed, they both might die before morning.

The trip out the dark road was hair-raising at best. The only way to remain undetected was to turn off his lights, stay far enough back not to attract attention, and concentrate on the taillights in front of him. He came to a full stop when JC turned down a driveway. Hell, it looked more like a landing strip. He had to see, had to watch. He drove past the house and pulled behind a line of scrub oaks. This was dangerous and stupid, but his dolls weren’t sluts and whores. Catherine had better not let him down.

Lucky for JC, he dropped Catherine off and drove away. She’d redeemed herself. JC hadn’t fooled him, acting all chivalrous and shit. Maybe she turned a blind eye to JC’s motives, but they were clear as day.

Maybe he should keep an eye on her house. See who visited.

Sweet Jessie expected him. He’d promised to bring her something to eat. No fuckin’ way was he going out to the trailer. She’d begged him to lengthen her chain enough that she could reach the kitchen. But he wasn’t stupid. He’d have to go through and remove anything she could use as a weapon. No, it was best she only had access to the john. That was enough.

He yawned. Had to go home and get some rest. Missing another shift with the County Patrol wouldn’t be smart. Will’s schedule paired him with Vince tomorrow night. As an upstanding citizen, he’d be there. They’d drive the streets and back roads keeping a watchful eye on the young women. No one would disappear on his watch. How would he keep from laughing out loud?

Catherine’s house went dark. She’d sleep alone tonight. He pictured her naked body sliding into bed, and his cock pushed against the zipper of his jeans. “You want to get inside that, don’t you?” He rubbed his crotch. “Soon. For now, we wait. I’ll take a leak when I get home then I’ll take care of you.”

****