Chapter Eighteen
When Jessie finally managed to raise her head, she was sprawled on top of Dax, his arms wrapped tightly around her. She tried to wiggle free, to get away from the shooter, but Dax held on.
“Get out of there,” Milton shouted before she had a chance to ask if Dax was okay. The deputy ducked behind his cruiser and motioned they join him.
Dax scooted out from under her and half-carried, half-dragged her around to the other side of Clinton’s cruiser. Her legs ached and her heart raced. His hold on her loosened, and she slid to the ground, her rear end landing on a sharp rock. “Ouch.”
She hadn’t been shot, and she believed Dax hadn’t been either. After quickly checking him out to make sure, she was relieved to see there wasn’t any blood on him. Her leg was a different story. Red splotches covered the knee of her new sweat suit.
“Are you okay?” he asked. The look of horror on his face made her believe he really cared, and her pulse fluttered.
No need to tell him about the slight injury. “Yes.”
He drew his weapon and motioned for the deputy to stay down. The young man looked scared shitless and did as he was told. He’d probably never been this close to a shooting before.
A vehicle slowed down in front of them before driving past, and then a car door opened then closed. Amanda dashed the ten feet from the passenger’s side to behind DuPree’s cruiser. “You guys okay?” she asked, her voice cracking.
“Yes,” Jessie and Dax said in unison.
“Thank God.”
“Did you see who took the shot?” Dax asked Amanda.
“Hell no. The second I heard the glass explode, I ducked down. I figured when no more gunfire erupted, I’d chance coming out.”
“Damn,” Dax said with more animation than usual.
Jessie leaned back against the car door and hiccupped. “I saw a r-red light on your head, Dax. It took a second for me to realize someone had you in their sc-scope.”
“Then I guess you saved my life.” He winked and her stomach flip-flopped. Stupid hormones.
He had no right to be even remotely cheerful at a time like this. “Aren’t you upset?”
“Sure, but I’m used to it. Tell you one thing, this proves we’re getting close. Real close.”
“Well, we know it wasn’t Brian,” she said.
“True, and that means we’re back to square one.”
* * *
A soft knock sounded on Jessie’s bedroom door, and she figured it was Nana wanting to find out why she was still in bed. “Come in.”
To her surprise it was Doc with his little black bag. “Hi, Jess. How are you feeling?”
“My stomach’s still in knots from Sadie’s death, my life’s in a spiral, and my heart has more ups and downs than a yoyo. I guess that means I’m doing great.”
Doc shook his head. “It’s time to change the bandage on that leg of yours. I want to make sure it’s not infected.”
“It’s getting better but have a look.”
Doc did his usual fussing at her, then cleaned and changed the bandage, which was not fun from a pain perspective.
He pointed to Jessie’s other knee. “Now how did you get that cut? I don’t remember the wound from the shooting.”
“I was playing touch football.”
“Not funny, Jess. You need to take it easy. Doctor’s orders.”
“Yes sir.” Jessie saluted.
He cleared his throat. “You know Roberta Barton and I have been seeing each other for the last couple of months, right?”
She nodded. “Nana mentioned it.”
“Well, Roberta and I were supposed to go to the movies last night, but when I arrived at her house, she wasn’t there. The lights were off, her car was gone, and she didn’t answer her landline.”
A slow dread came over Jessie. She didn’t want to consider that Roberta had disappeared too. “What are you saying? Do you think she was killed, like Sadie?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. Roberta would never stand me up. She’s not like that. In fact, we’d made plans to have a fall picnic this Sunday.”
“I wish I had an answer.” All she could do was clasp his gnarled hand and hold on tight. “I’ll check into it today, I promise.”
“Thank you, but you shouldn’t be running around on that leg of yours.”
“I’ll be fine. When can I get off these crutches?”
“As a matter of fact, I left a cane downstairs for you.”
Not exactly sexy, but anything was better than hobbling around. “Don’t worry about a thing, Doc. I’m sure Roberta had some emergency and either didn’t think to call or couldn’t call. I’ll let you know what I find out, okay?” Jessie smiled, hoping to fool him into believing she was almost good as new.
“Thanks, Jess.”
After Doc left, she dressed. It was too cold to wear the A-line skirt Amanda had bought her, so instead, she pulled on a pair of stretch pants Nana had given her many Christmases ago. The soft fabric would be kinder to her leg than scratchy jeans. She then threw on a sweatshirt, along with a pair of sneakers, and headed out her door, this time without crutches. Yay!
The smell of bacon and eggs floated up the stairs and her stomach grumbled. As she turned to go downstairs, the bathroom door opened. Whoa. No, make that a double whoa. Dax had on a pair of jeans. That was it—no shoes and no shirt. He was freshly shaven and his hair was slightly damp as if he’d taken a shower. His chest had just the right amount of hair and his abs were to die for, just as she’d suspected.
Their gazes met. “Good morning,” Dax said with a smile.
She could have sworn he stuck out his chest a little and sucked in his belly. Hopefully, he couldn’t tell her mouth watered at the sight of him. Jessie blinked to stop from staring then wondered why he hadn’t put on a shirt. He must realize what a distraction he was to her.
You want him. I do, but he’ll be leaving soon. Then I’ll need to convince him to stay.
“Good m-m-orning.” When would she stop stuttering? Easy. When she stopped being nervous.
“Where are your crutches?”
“Doc stopped by and gave me the all clear.”
“Fantastic.”
When he didn’t move, Jessie edged closer. The longer his gaze remained on her face, the hotter she became. “You know you shouldn’t be walking around without a shirt on.”
Oh, God, that was so lame.
He looked down at his chest, acting as if he hadn’t realized he didn’t have one on. “Why not?”
“If Nana sees you, she might…” Jessie couldn’t even come up with something to finish her sentence.
“Want me?” he asked with a chuckle. “Or do you want me?”
Tell him yes. Ask him to stay! “I, ah…”
Before she could finish her sentence, Dax drew her close, leaned over, and kissed her. Yes! Stars swam in her head, bathing her brain in intense colors, stimulating every part of her body.
Without thinking, she begged for entry. When he opened his mouth and their tongues touched, her legs weakened. Never had a kiss made her this hot. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tight, thrilling to the way he tasted. His languorous movements had her panting for more. She hadn’t meant to moan but being pressed against him felt so damned good.
His hands roamed down her back and then pressed firmly on her butt. His erection against her stomach hardened. Oh, my. The rational part of her brain said to stop, but the emotional side told her to drag him into her bedroom and make love with him. She deserved to experience Dax one time before he left.
Jessie dragged her hands down his shoulders, ready to take his hand, when someone behind her cleared her throat.
“Jessie?” Nana said.
They broke apart so fast, she nearly fell backward, but Dax steadied her.
“Sorry, Margaret,” Dax said. “It was my fault.”
“Oh, I’m the one who’s sorry. I certainly didn’t mean to interrupt. By all means continue.” She grinned.
Heat raced up Jessie’s face. “Is breakfast ready, Nana?”
“Yes. I came up to see what was taking you so long. I thought I heard voices.”
“We’ll be right down.”
With her grin firmly in place, Nana nodded, turned around, and headed back down.
Could Jessie be any more embarrassed? Thank goodness, the man couldn’t read minds. He’d either decide to leave earlier than planned, or suggest they have a quickie before breakfast. She inwardly groaned at that decadent thought.
Jessie faced Dax. “I didn’t mean to….”
He held up a hand. “If you apologize, I’ll never forgive you.” He grinned. “Come on. Let’s eat.”
They went downstairs. When they rounded the corner, Nana was setting the table and looked up, acting as if nothing had happened. Dax pulled out Jessie’s chair and then sat down across from her.
“So what did Doc say?” Nana asked, as casually as could be.
Jessie wasn’t sure if Nana was referring to Roberta’s disappearance or her leg. “He said I could go without crutches. If I need to walk a lot, I can use a cane.”
“Oh, my, I didn’t notice you were walking by yourself. How does your leg feel?”
“Improved, but still sore.”
“Good. Sit down and I’ll bring breakfast out.”
Nana disappeared into the kitchen, and Jessie didn’t know how she was going to tell her grandmother that another one of her friends might be missing. Don’t think so negatively. If Nana didn’t have any information about what had happened to Roberta, Jessie and Dax would have to look around today.
Nana came out with a bowl of scrambled eggs and a plate of bacon. “Toast is almost ready, and coffee’s perking.”
“Nana, do you know where Roberta is?”
Nana’s lips pressed together. “No. Why would I?”
“Because you know everything that goes on in this town.”
“I do not.” She waved a hand without making eye contact. “Why do you ask?”
Ah, she did know something. “Because she stood up Doc last night. They had a date.”
Nana looked like she’d swallow a pickle. “They don’t date, not in the real sense. The man isn’t capable of getting it up.”
“Nana!” Jessie purposefully didn’t glance over at Dax. “I wonder why I ask you any questions. You have no internal filter.”
“Honesty is the best policy,” she said smugly.
As soon as Nana went back into the kitchen, Jessie whispered. “Doc told me Roberta has disappeared.”
He scrubbed a hand down his jaw. “Are you sure she didn’t just wander off?”
Nana came out again with a carafe of steaming coffee. “Don’t wait for me; you two, dig in.”
Jessie hadn’t told Nana about the shooting yesterday over in Hardy County, although she did mention Brian’s arrest. Hiding that from her would have been impossible.
“Dax, did you hear that Jess and I are going to get beautified today?”
“Oh, Nana. I can’t go today.” Roberta came first. “But you go.”
Her grandmother’s face sagged. “I wanted us to go together.”
Jessie looked over at Dax then back at Nana. “Can we make it tomorrow?”
Nana leaned over and patted her hand. “Sure we can. In fact, Mary Alice called this morning all excited about something. I’ll call her back and tell her I can meet with her today. Tomorrow will be our day.”
Glad they’d reached a win-win resolution, Jessie dug into her meal.
* * *
Lunch at The Sugar Shack seemed rather noisy for a Thursday, but then again, it was Halloween. Dax said he hoped Roberta’s disappearance was merely a case of a woman wanting some adventure, but given everything that had happened, they had to check it out. Jessie sat in the booth sipping her tea. She sat across from Dax who was seemingly lost in thought.
Now that Brian was being held at the station, someone needed to stay there. It couldn’t be Amanda, as she was needed to take care of other issues that had cropped up. That meant Jessie had to hire someone, at least temporarily.
“So what do you know about this Frank Matthews guy?” Dax asked plucking his napkin from his lap and tossing it on the table.
“He was Clinton’s deputy before he retired, and he likes to help out when he can.”
“How long do you plan to keep Brian locked up?”
“Until the judge releases him on bail. That assumes Brian has enough money to pay it.”
Dax leaned forward on his elbows and steepled his fingers. “Isn’t Amanda’s dad the judge?”
“Good memory, but he’s doing a trial in another town and won’t be back until tomorrow.”
Lena waltzed over. “Can I refresh your drink?”
Jessie shook her head. “No, thanks. Lena, when was the last time you saw Roberta Barton?”
Lena looked off to the side. “It’s been days, why?”
“Nothing. I just needed to chat with her, that’s all.”
As soon as Lena was out of earshot, Dax checked his watch. “Given Roberta’s not home, not with Doc, and not with your grandmother, about the only place we haven’t checked is the mine.”
She cocked a brow. “The mine? What reason would she have for going there?”
“Remember when my truck tire was shot out, your grandmother, Mary Alice, Eleanor, and Roberta were on the way there, but they never got out of the car because they had to drive me back to town. Roberta might have decided to return.”
“Why? She knows Sadie’s dead.”
“Perhaps she’s looking for alien love.”
Jessie almost spit out her ice tea. “I can’t believe you’re buying Nana’s theory about aliens.”
“Not me, but Roberta sure has.”
She shrugged. “Well, it’s worth a try. No one seems to know anything about her whereabouts in the last forty-eight hours, so perhaps she did take off on her own. With my grandmother’s friends, nothing would surprise me.”
Amen. “Let’s go.”
* * *
Dax tossed down enough money to cover their food and a tip. He took it slow so as not to make Jessie self-conscious about her walking. Doc shouldn’t have told her she didn’t have to use the crutches. She’d refused to use the cane, saying it made her look like an old lady. Old indeed. She was young, vibrant, soft, and sexy.
Outside, the sun had turned the day balmy. “Seems like Indian summer snuck up on us this year,” he said, wanting to keep the conversation light.
She smiled, closed her eyes, and raised her face to the sun. “Yes, isn’t it wonderful?”
My, she was pretty. Even though she wasn’t wearing the sexy red dress, the tight leggings enhanced her figure. If only he could get her out of that baggy sweatshirt he’d be a happy man.
Dax had been able to park in front of The Sugar Shack, which made the hike to the cruiser a short one. He was about to open her door, but she beat him to it. Chivalry must not have materialized in this town.
By now, Dax knew the way to the mine as well as he knew Baltimore’s roads. He rolled down the windows to enjoy the fresh air. Between the clear skies, bright sunshine, and the scent of pine, he couldn’t ask for a better day.
They reached their destination fifteen minutes later. “Except that my truck has been towed away, it doesn’t look any different from when we were here the other day,” he said, a bit disappointed they didn’t find Roberta.
“True.” Jessie slid out, shielded her eyes from the sun, and looked around. “Dax?”
“What?”
“Look over at the ridge to the east of the mine at Cyril Harper’s farm. He’s been dead quite some time, but doesn’t it look like there’s a car by the barn? It could be Roberta’s.”
“Dammit. My binoculars are in the truck.” He squinted. “How do we get over there?”
“There’s a turn off about a mile back up the road.”
“I say we check it out.”
They arrived a few minutes later. “Given the roof on the house has collapsed, I’d say the place is abandoned.” That made the car being there more suspicious.
“It has been empty for more than five years, but it still gives me the creeps every time I come here. I know Cyril is dead, but I swear his ghost is still roaming about.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Worse. As a kid I used to sneak over here hoping for a taste of one of Evie Harper’s apple pies. She was the nice one—the total opposite of her husband. He always yelled at me, but then, he yelled at Evie too. After she died, I was afraid to go near the place.”
“Did he ever get violent?”
“Let’s just say, the man used to carry a big scythe around, and one time he told me he liked to cut off little girls’ heads.”
Dax loved hearing stories of her youth. It gave him a better picture of what her life must have been like. “I guess that would have kept you away.”
“It did for a long time. I only returned about three years ago. His son, Wesley, who lives in Charleston, keeps saying he wants to move to Kerry and fix up the place, but he’s never followed through. Good thing too, since he took after his dad in the mean department.”
“Why did you go back there?” Dax gripped the wheel.
“One summer Clinton decided it was my duty to make sure no one messed with the property. I’d gotten wind that some vagrants had taken up residence in the house, so I sucked up my courage to investigate. Sure enough, three men were living there. I kicked them out, but in the last year, the world thankfully seemed to have forgotten about the place.”
The long dirt road to his farmhouse had become pitted from disuse, and the cruiser was taking a beating as they inched their way up the property. The grass was overgrown to about two feet tall and vines had snaked their way up the trees.
They rounded a bend, and she sucked in an audible breath, and pointed. “Dax, that’s Roberta’s car. I’ve not seen any other VWs like hers.”
He sped up, and the rocks hitting the undercarriage sounded like gunshots. He slowed then pulled to a stop about fifty feet away. “Can you walk the rest of the way? The ruts are so deep, I’m afraid the cruiser might rebel.”
She straightened in her seat. “I sure can.”
Unfortunately, once she stepped out of the car and began to climb the hill, her limp became more pronounced. Jessie should have used the cane or else asked that he drive slower.
Dax wrapped an arm around her. “It’s a little rough. Let me help.”
“Thank you. My balance hasn’t been the same since my calf muscle was cut.”
When they reached Roberta’s car, Dax pulled open the passenger side door. “I’m glad she saw fit not to lock it.”
“Maybe she wasn’t driving. Someone could have used her car to bring her up here against her will.”
Dax looked at her in surprise. “Since when did you become the cynic?”
“Oh, I don’t know. When people I cared about started disappearing. I used to think the best of everyone. It’s that old silver lining thing, but now I suspect everyone and everything.”
“It didn’t help that Brian wasn’t who you thought he was, I suppose.” Dax yanked something out of the glove compartment and unfolded a piece of paper. “It’s Roberta’s registration.”
Dax took her hand again, and even though they were on flat ground, Jessie thankfully didn’t pull away. They hiked to the barn where he drew open the door. Instantly, the smell of old straw and mold assaulted him.
Jessie held a hand over her nose. “I don’t think anything could stay in there for long. It’s foul.”
Dax stepped a few feet inside. “Hello?”
“I’ve got a flashlight in the cruiser if you want to check it out,” she said.
“Nah. Let’s look elsewhere first.”
They walked to the backside of the barn but only found a rusted out tractor, a pile of decayed wood, and some plowing blades.
Jessie nodded toward the house. “As long as we’re here, we might as well check out the old homestead.”
“It doesn’t look safe.”
Her shoulders slumped. “At one time, the Harper place was something to be proud of but not anymore.”
As they picked their way down the hill, sweat formed on Jessie’s forehead from the exertion. The cloudless day had heated up the air, but shouldn’t have been enough to cause her to perspire. Dax didn’t like it. He’d suggest she sit in the cruiser if he didn’t think she’d balk.
She fanned her face. “It must be at least seventy out here.”
Dax looked down at her and smiled. “It’s nice, isn’t it?” He stopped then faced her. “I just thought of something,” Dax said. “Roberta’s last name is Barton. Harold Barton owns the gas station. Are they related?”
“He’s her son.”
“That might not be a coincidence.”
“You’re not thinking Harold had anything to do with his mom’s disappearance, are you?”
“Who said she disappeared? I was wondering why we didn’t ask Harold where she might be.”
“Ah, Kerry’s dirty laundry is about to come out. They don’t get along, shall we say.” She stopped in her tracks and grabbed his forearm. “It can’t be.” She pointed to the Cadillac.
Off to the side of the house sat her grandmother’s car. “What the hell is Margaret doing here?”
“That’s what I’d like to know,” Jessie said.
They were half way to the car when he heard laughter out back. “Maybe she and Roberta are having a picnic,” he said.
“With those two, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
They snuck around to the other side of the house, keeping clear of the broken crates and assorted car parts.
Behind the house was a large mound of dirt, and on top of the dirt was a sight Dax couldn’t believe.