The Green-Eyed Doll (29 page)

Emma beamed with pride when she came back and handed him a key. “Here you go.”

“Why, thank you, Miss Emma.” He stuffed the key in his pocket. “I better run. Work’s waiting.”

“I’ll walk you out.” Catherine stood on her tip-toes, waiting for a quick kiss, laughing at the widening of his eyes.

“I’ll see you around closing time.”

She waited until Matt was out of sight to blurt out her secret to Emma. “I think I’m in love with him. Good Lord. Did those words come from my mouth?”

“I know you are.”

“Really? Oh, wise Obi-Wan Kenobi, tell me how you came to this conclusion.”

“I’m old...not blind. There’s an unspoken communication, a look two people exchange when they trust each other completely. His eyes shout it. You followed my advice and told him then?”

“No. I didn’t.” Catherine ran to the window to watch while his truck pulled down the driveway. He honked, and the engine accelerated as he drove away. Tears sprang to her eyes when she felt Emma’s hand rest lightly on her arm.

“Child, the man loves you. I thought for sure he knew.”

“I couldn’t take the chance of losing him. He’s dealing with a lot. Not catching this killer is eating him alive. And then the stalker pops up again. Right now, I can’t add to the load Matt’s already carrying on his shoulders.”

Catherine left Emma’s and slowly walked back to her place. The tendons in her back tensed and tightened with each step. The stalker had invaded her life on such a personal level her fear had turned to pure unadulterated hate. Was he the killer? Was she his next victim? She didn’t feel safe anywhere except in Matt’s arms, but he couldn’t be there all the time. She had to be able to take care of herself. Her stomach roiled against the coffee and cake she’d eaten. Food of any flavor sounded revolting.

Thankfully, she had enough time to exercise. She increased her reps, doubled her aerobics, and moved to the heavier dumbbells she’d bought at Wal-Mart. Sweat poured and muscles screamed, but she pressed on. In the limited space of her living room, she worked on her kicks, spins, and punches.

Catherine removed a small wooden box from the top of her closet. The story of her tormented past, the court documents, doctor’s deposition, and a few nasty news articles resided inside. Odd, how the thick stack of paperwork, which represented all those wasted years, weighed so lightly in her hands.

It wasn’t in Matt’s personality to snoop, but she couldn’t have him stumble across her past without previous explanation. Catherine ran back to Emma and pressed the box in her hands. Then she went home.

Home to a mess. Dishes needed washed, bedcovers needed picked up off the floor. God, how did things get so screwed up? Before she showered and dressed for work, Catherine went into a cleaning frenzy. Crazy thoughts ran through her mind while she worked. One minute she was sure she loved Matt, and the next she’d panic and contemplate moving on. No, she wouldn’t run. Fear would not rule her life.

By the time Marty honked, Catherine had control of her emotions. Again.

****

Sunday, September 3rd, midnight

Catherine cleaned the last table and turned to find Matt walking toward her. The blood in her veins double-clutched and shifted from calm to rapid. Did pleasure show on her face? “You’re right on time. I’m not quite finished.”

“I can help. Show me what to do.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek hello.

She and Matt stacked the chairs and worked their way around the bar.

“I wish I could tell you to take Catherine home. But JC not showing up put me in a bind.” Marty loaded another flat of beer into the cooler, slamming one can after another hard enough the metal rack reverberated in protest.

“No problem. Did he call?”

“Hell, no. And he’s not answering his phone. I’ll wring his scrawny neck for leaving me and Catherine high and dry.”

“Did you send somebody out to check on him?”

“No. He’s pulled this once before. Disappeared on me for a couple of weeks. Drinking and mourning the loss of some girlfriend.” Marty halted her movement, the flat of beer suspended in mid air. Her eyebrows shot toward the ceiling. “You think I should’ve?”

“It might be a good idea to send a car. I’ll call Charles Ray.” He pulled his phone from his hip and dialed. “Hold on a second.” He covered the mouthpiece. “I need JC’s address.”

“I’ve got it.” Marty grabbed her bag from behind the counter and rummaged through a purse the size of Idaho. She handed an open address book to Matt. “On the bottom of the page.”

Marty hadn’t seemed concerned about JC not coming to work. At the same time, Catherine trusted Matt’s instincts and training. He certainly appeared worried, and a nagging doubt formed. She pushed her thoughts aside and concentrated on finishing her work. Within minutes, Matt hung up and finished the chairs.

“We’ll call if we learn anything.” Matt and Catherine waited while Marty locked the building.

“Good. Don’t disturb me if he’s passed out drunk. I’m tired and pissed. Going home and getting some shut-eye.”

Marty’s abrasive tone of voice didn’t fool anybody. She was worried now that Matt had Charles Ray checking on JC.

“Ready to go home?” He held her door then went around to the driver’s side without waiting for an answer.

Home? Together? Everything had happened fast. There hadn’t been much discussion about him moving in with her. She’d suggested Matt stay with her, and he’d said yes. He’d moved in this afternoon after she went to work. She hadn’t completely figured out what that meant. Were they a couple? Or was he her bodyguard? Either way Matt was sleeping in her bed.

Catherine turned and stared at his beautiful profile. Breathed in Matt’s masculine scent. Matt in her bed every night. Matt in her bed every morning. Matt making love to her whenever they wanted. He’d shown her the way back to passion, and she couldn’t get enough of him. Fire shot through her. Desire flared and swept across her like a coastal wave. Moisture pooled between her legs.

“Hey.” His hand gripped her knee. “It’s been a while since you spaced out on me. Where’d you go?”

Thank God for the darkness. Catherine had no idea they were already on the road. No doubt, she was blushing. “You sure you want to know?”

“Let me have it.”

“I was thinking of all the things we’ll do now you’re putting your boots next to my bed.”

“Don’t forget the kitchen.” His laugh, a low, sexy, rumbling growl filled the cab of the pickup. “I definitely want a repeat of the counter. You tasted like honey. Sweet honey.”

Lust flashed through her body like wildfire. Her nipples pebbled and pushed against the lace of her bra. Anticipation throbbed between her legs. He made love to her with his words. The memory of her losing her mind while his raven head was buried between her thighs heightened her already electrified nervous system.

“Matt?”

His gaze left the road for a second and blistered her skin. “Hmm?”

“Do you have to drive like an old lady?”

“We’re almost home, Cat.” The word was a mere whisper.

She cried out in frustration when his cell buzzed. Not now. Not tonight. She didn’t work tomorrow, and she planned on sending a tired sheriff to the office Monday morning. She held her breath and listened to his half of the conversation.

“Thanks for the callback, Charles Ray. Yeah. Leave it on my desk.” He ended the call and slid the phone into its clip.

“JC sleeping one off?” She sighed audibly in relief.

“Don’t know. His pickup’s nowhere in sight, and there were no signs of trouble. Not much we can do at this point.”

Emma’s outside light array came into view. They were on a back road with no traffic. Catherine unhooked her seatbelt and slid across next to Matt. She leaned up and pulled his earlobe into her mouth.

“You’re breaking the law, lady.”

He sucked in a breath when she slipped her hands between his legs.

“So arrest me, Sheriff.”

****

Monday, September 4th, 8:00 a.m.

“Jesus H. Christ. At least make an effort to wipe the silly grin off your face.” Ash made a disgusted sounding huff and went back to reading the weekend reports lying on Matt’s desk.

“Remind me again why I had Sue fix you a work area.” Matt eased himself into his chair and propped the heels of his boots on his desk. Something he normally wouldn’t have done.

“So you got Catherine all squared away? Must have, I didn’t hear from you yesterday.” Ash passed the file over.

“I’m staying at her place until we catch her stalker. The bastard breaking into her house was the final affront. She’s filing charges.” He watched for a blink or reaction to his moving in with Catherine, but Ash showed neither surprise nor disapproval.

“Good. Looks like she’s beginning to trust you. What about JC?”

“Marty said he’s disappeared before. I’ll call her today. Let her know we checked on him.”

“Sue’s typing a couple of interviews I conducted with your team. Are you aware she had to purchase new handcuffs for Rey Santos a couple of months ago?”

Matt blew out a sigh and tried to remember. “No. She doesn’t report every expenditure. What are you trying to say?”

“Nothing. I’m telling you what I learned. Jake’s so damn clean he should sound like a squeegee when he walks. His alibis were easy to check. Did you know he coaches both his boys’ summer hardball teams?”

“I didn’t.” For some reason Ash knowing the intimate details of Jake’s life irritated Matt. Maybe he wasn’t as close to his men as he thought.

“Well, he does. And Rey? He’s the original whore-dog. Women follow him around like his dick’s made of solid gold. I can’t imagine him having to kidnap one. Not when the few good looking ones out here in the boonies are willing to give it to him.”

“So is he a suspect because he lost his handcuffs or because his dick’s bigger than yours?”

“Very funny. You should feel good they all checked out clean.” Ash stood and strolled out of Matt’s office.

Ash leaving was a good thing, because folders covered Matt’s desk, his callback stand ran over, and two mayors had scheduled meetings with him later today.

Sue tried to keep him organized. A file rack sat on the front left corner of his workspace. Each slot held a different colored folder. Each color held its own significance. Matt had finally memorized which was which. Blue, the color of her eyes, and being a color of leisure meant read when you have a chance. Green indicated money and held performance reviews, renewals, or expenditures of some nature. Yellow, he’d refused the original pink one, meant this is getting old and needs your attention soon. Red, would never be placed in the rack because that would be hand delivered, meant hh my god handle immediately.

Movement in the doorway brought his attention up from signing the approval on an outrageously high electricity bill.

All Sue’s grin needed was a yellow feather sticking out of her mouth. “Ms. McCoy would like to see you.”

“Catherine’s here? She really came.” He pushed back from his desk. Damn, he was proud of her. Whatever her hang-up was, she’d put it behind her and climbed those steps alone. “Where?”

“At my desk.” She wiggled her eyebrows then winked at him. “Want me to show her in?”

“Yeah, it’s business. Is Jake in his office?” This must’ve been hard for Catherine. Somewhere, somehow, the legal system had let her down. He hoped to change her opinion.

Sue’s back straightened and her cheeks flushed. “I’m sorry, Sheriff. I’ll get him right away.”

“Sue.” He stopped her with his tone of voice. “There’s nothing to apologize for. Catherine’s here to file charges on the stalker.”

“I shouldn’t be joking and running my mouth about things none of my concern.”

Matt stood, went to Sue, and draped his arm over her shoulder. “Please don’t change. Your sense of humor is why we love you around here.”

Relieved eyes looked up at him. “You’re trying to butter me up so I’ll bake you another apple pie.” She huffed a sound of disgust and ambled out.

“Duh,” he called out after her.

Catherine stepped inside his door with the reluctance of a child headed for the principal’s office. Work be damned, he pulled her into his arms and held her for a second. Maybe the hug was more for him than her, because he breathed deeply and moaned. Her hair smelled like some exotic flower, and if he ever figured out the name, he was ordering her a bouquet of them. Her slender body molded against his briefly before the muscles in her back tightened.

“I’m proud of you. We’ll make this as quick and painless as possible.”

“Easy boss, you make it sound like we’re about to execute her.” Jake stepped around Matt to the small table and held a chair for Catherine. “With your complaint and the evidence you’ve given us, we’ll make a good case when we catch this guy.”

“I hope so.” She squirmed in the chair. “Can we get this over with? Today’s my only day off. I’ve got tons to do.”

Matt remained silent while Jake took her statement. The different emotions playing across her face while she retold her shock and horror as each item got more personal sent Matt’s anger meter spinning. His nerve endings burned with the desire to pummel the sonofabitch to oblivion. He’d gladly leave his gun and badge in the drawer for a good street fight with the bastard.

Catherine finished her written statement, signed the complaint, and leaned back in her chair with a whoosh of air. “Done.” She handed Jake’s pen back. “Now, all you need is the guy to come forward and confess.”

Always the patient one, Jake either ignored her sarcasm or didn’t take the bait. “Yes, ma’am.” He slid the form and statement into a folder before standing. “My missus and I want to have you two over for a backyard cookout, but time for socializing has been slim to none lately.”

“I understand. Until JC shows up, getting a day off on the weekend might be impossible for me.”

Matt marveled at her stamina. How could she not be exhausted? She worked nonstop, dealt with the stalker, constantly worried about her car, and now had a coworker missing. Not to mention the fact neither of them slept much last night. Yet when she stood to leave, she looked like she’d spent the weekend at a spa instead of an emotional rollercoaster.