ELEVEN

Fade To Black

After dropping off the cookies with Jack, I headed to my office to write my story on the bake sale. Lorraine saw me coming through the door and waved me over to her desk. I had a feeling I knew what this was about, but was surprised when she opened her mouth.

“Heard through the grapevine you’re pursuing a story on this killer.”

“I, well—”

“I’m in,” she whispered, looking around to see who was listening. Taking my cue from her, I looked around as well and in a hushed voice asked what the hell she was talking about.

“What do you mean, you’re in?”

“I want in on the story. We can work it together like Bernstein and Woodward.”

“Lorraine, I don’t have permission from Bob to do this story. I’m only working on this in my off time.”

“Even better. Bob can’t stand over our shoulders barking out how to investigate this.” Thinking that someone with her experience in journalism would be a benefit to me, I looked around one more time and then leaned in.

“Ok, Lorraine, how do you want to split this up?”

“How far have you gotten?”

“Ben and Gerry helped me put together a suspects and victims list yesterday. I’ve showed it to Jack, and Mandy’s had a look at it as well. She helped whittle down the list. She was out yesterday afternoon running errands and spoke with several of the suspects during the time of the killing.” Lorraine was writing in her notebook while I spoke, nodding her head as I relayed this information. When I finished, she looked around again, and I realized this was starting to feel very Bernstein and Woodward. “You got a copy of the suspect list I can have?” she whispered conspiratorially.

“Yeah, hold on. I’ll go run a copy for you.”

I moved to the copier and ran additional copies, all the while keeping an eye on Bob. I was looking over the list when it hit me the last name of one of the men was the same as Lorraine’s: Tom Beckett. I’d met her son once or twice when he came into the paper to visit his mother. Oh, man, I hoped this didn’t piss her off. But surely she’d understand, the list was long, and so many people were on it. I looked around one more time before heading back to her desk.

“Here ya go, Lorraine, but I need to warn you: every man within the age range for serial killers is on this list, so your son Tom is on also it. I hope you don’t take offense.”

“Please, I may be old, but I’m not stupid. That doesn’t matter if he’s innocent, which he is: he was out of town yesterday, up in Denver, so he’s got an alibi.”

“Good, we can mark him off our list then.”

“You said you met with Ben and Gerald?”

“Yeah, they heard me talking about the killer and saw my notes, so they figured, since they know every one in five counties, that they could help.”

“Smart, Jennifer, use the public and their knowledge when you’re investigating. You never know what someone knows that can break a story wide open.” Smiling at the compliment, I grabbed a chair and sat down next to her.

“Jack has another list. I tried to look at it but he caught me, so I didn’t see it. He knows I’m writing the story and said he would help me, but I can’t put it to print until he says so. I’m hoping he’ll share information.”

“Take him to bed. I bet he’ll share it then.”

“Oh, my God, you didn’t just tell me to sleep with Jack for information.”

“Whatever gets the story, I always say, but in this case, with a man looking the way he does? I may be old, but I’m not blind. You’d be winning on both accounts.”

“Lorraine, I’m not sleeping with Jack to further my career.”

“Suit yourself, but after that kiss I saw yesterday, I don’t think he’d mind.” The gleam in her eyes told me she was joking, so I laughed and then stood to go to my desk. As I was turning, Lorraine grabbed my hand, so I moved back to her.

“Jack’s a good man, he just hasn’t found the right woman yet.” I looked at her for a moment and then nodded my head. It was nice to hear something positive about Jack and his serial dating.

“Call Ben and Gerry, tell them I’m in, and that we need to meet. I want to pick their brains on this list.”

“Ok, I’ll call them as soon as I finish my piece. You want to meet at my cabin or have them come down the mountain?”

“Tell them to meet us at The Trough at seven. I’m in the mood for steak and a healthy dose of spirits.”

Nodding, I moved to my desk and pulled out my notes. I hadn’t been to The Trough since moving here, but I’d heard their steak and seafood were the best. Opening my Word software, I began typing my article for the bake sale and then thought better of waiting to call Ben and Gerry. Thinking they might need more notice than a few hours, I grabbed my phone and hit send on Ben’s number. While it was ringing, I heard Lorraine talking to someone and turned to see her son standing next to her desk.

“You got Ben.”

“Ben, this is Jennifer.”

“Jenny, what can I do for you?”

“Lorraine Beckett is offering to work on the serial killer story with me and wants to meet with you and Gerry. Are you free tonight at seven to meet us at The Trough?”

“I’m good to go. I’ll call Gerry and see if he’s free. Either way, I’ll meet you there at seven, ok, darlin’?”

“Thanks, Ben. You know I kinda love you, right?”

“Ha, been a long time since a pretty young thing said that to me.”

“Well, get used to it, old man, ‘cause you’re the bomb.”

“Ok, darlin’, if you say so. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

“See you at seven, Ben.”

“Later, darlin’.”

***

The Trough was crowded when we entered; Lorraine had invited her son to join us, and since she was helping me with the story and her son had an alibi, I figured she would remind him not to talk. Ben had reached Gerry, and they were both waiting for us when we arrived. Tom was forty-five, divorced, but not dating anyone. Though I wasn’t sure why he wasn’t dating, because he was a good-looking man: he had medium-blond hair and green eyes that would turn the eye of any woman. Even mine if I hadn’t already seen Jack. But then again, there weren’t many men who could outshine the sheriff.

Once inside, we got a large booth that could seat six people. Ben and Gerry took one side, Lorraine sat on the curve, and Tom and I sat next to each other on the opposite side. It wasn’t a tight fit, but Ben had considerable size and needed the extra room, and, not wanting to squish Lorraine, I sat closer to Tom than I was comfortable with.

The waitress took our drink orders: the men ordered beer and the women red wine to go with our meal. Once the waitress was gone, Ben turned to Lorraine.

“Ok, what did you wanna to talk to us about?”

“We need to narrow down the suspects list, and you gentlemen are the only ones who can help.” Gerry nodded at Lorraine’s request and took the list she brought with her.

“Ben and I have been going over the list again since there was another killing, and a lot of names can be crossed off since most were at work.”

“I agree. Last night, Mandy shortened the list by twelve and Tom here has an alibi for yesterday, so we can mark him off the list as well.”

“I’m sorry, did you just say I was on the suspects list?” Tom asked.

“Yeah, sorry about that, but all men within a certain age range and no physical limitations were put on the list. So don’t be offended, even the sheriff made the list.”

“I should think so considering he dates and dumps women like a sixteen-year-old football player.” I turned to Tom and noted the anger on his face. Wondering if he had a history with Jack, I asked him, “You sound like someone who has issues with the good sheriff.”

“He dated a woman I’m quite fond of, and she was devastated when he broke things off with her.”

Great, another woman whose heart was broken by the town’s resident heartbreaker, and I just agreed to see him. Well, I’d just pace myself with Jack, slow him down, make sure we didn’t move too fast. Then I remembered last night and snorted. If Jack and I moved any faster, we’d be married by the end of the week. Yikes!

“You think it’s funny he hurt my friend?”

“Oh, God no, I was just thinking about something else and…You know what, never mind, I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to be unkind.” Tom’s face softened, and he raised his hand to me.

“Apology accepted.” I looked to his hand and put mine in his and shook it. “Thank you.”

“Ok, let’s get back to the matter at hand. While we’re eating, Ben and me, and you, too, Lorraine, will go over this list and mark off people. Sound good?”

I watched as the three of them confirmed and argued about who they saw yesterday and who was out of town. Our food came and just as the reviews suggested, it was outstanding. We'd all chosen steak—big surprise—and it was thick and delicious. Tom and I chatted about nothing important, just about me liking Colorado and working at the paper. Ben, Gerry, and Lorraine worked while they ate and the list was shorter in no time.

With the checks paid, Lorraine and I made plans to meet in the morning and then moved to exit the table. Tom got up and was helping me to my feet when, suddenly, Naomi came charging at me. She shoved me sideways and started slapping me, screaming about me “stealing her man.” I’d never been hit in my life, so without thinking, I reacted. Father forgive me, for I know not what I do.

I punched her hard in the nose. I know….it shocked the hell out of me too. But to be honest, it felt good after this afternoon. Tom pulled me back, and Gerry jumped up and took hold of Naomi. Then Ben pulled out his phone, and, before I could say boo, he was on the phone with Jack.

The restaurant had gone quiet; all eyes were on us because Naomi hadn’t stopped her tirade. She was clearly drunk. The manager rushed over to intervene, and that just made it worse. Naomi struggled against Gerry, spitting and hissing like a damn cat, telling the manager, Lloyd Pinkerton, she was going to sue him for “unlawful concentration”—her words, not mine—and I’d have corrected her if I wasn’t concerned she would jump me and beat the shit out of me.

Fortunately, not soon after, Jack and a deputy I knew as Phil walked in. Jack took one look at the situation and his face got hard, his jaw ticked with anger. I shrunk back, not wanting to be close when he let loose.

He walked up to Naomi and looked at her nose, then turned to me and scanned my face.

“Cuff her.” Oh, shit

“Come on, Jack, I didn’t mean to hit her, she was slapping me. Please don’t arrest me.” Jack looked at me like I was nuts.

“Jesus, Jenn, I wasn’t talking about you.” Oh, well then, carry on. I nodded ok and went to sit down. Tom had a hold of my arm and joined me in the booth.

Jack watched this.

He looked at me, looked at Tom, then his jaw started ticking again. He’s such a man!

I scooted over, putting some distance between Tom and me, and this seemed to appease Jack. He turned back to Naomi.

“You have the right to remain silent—”

“You can’t arrest me! Your whore punched me in the face,” she argued.

“Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law—”

“Phil, don’t you dare put those cuffs on me,” Naomi shouted, struggling to pull away from him.

“You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you—”

“Jack!” Naomi screamed as the cuffs were snapped closed around her wrists.

I couldn’t watch anymore. This woman was drunk because she was heartbroken. Bitch or not, I was pretty sure she wouldn’t have struck me sober.

“Jack, stop,” I called out. He turned back to me, and I shook my head. “I’m not pressing charges. Please, just let her go and help her home so she can sleep it off.”

Jack watched me for a moment and his eyes grew soft. Then he turned back to Phil and motioned for him to turn her around. Jack pulled out a key and uncuffed her, then walked her toward the door with his hand at her arm. She struggled against him the whole way before he stopped and whispered in her ear. Whatever he said stilled her, and she walked quietly with him out the door.

“Holy cow, that was more excitement than I’ve had in years. Jennifer, we must go out more often,” Lorraine laughed, and I looked at her like she’d lost her ever-loving mind.

“I hit a woman! I’ve never hit anyone in my life.”

“Honey, you gotta learn to live a little,” Lorraine replied. Ben and Gerry started laughing, and Tom helped me out of the booth while he chuckled.

Mr. Pinkerton, the manager, apologized for the disruption, but we all waved him off. It wasn’t his fault Naomi lost her head.

As we left the restaurant, I was wondering if Jack or Phil took Naomi home when I saw the man himself, leaning against my Jeep. I smiled and headed towards him, but for some reason, Tom decided I needed to be walked to my car. I tried to tell him I was fine and could make my way safely to it, but he didn’t listen. As we walked up to Jack, he raised a questioning eyebrow, looking between Tom and me.

“Sheriff, you didn’t have to wait around to make sure Ms. Stewart got to her car safely. I can handle it.” Oh, boy!

“I have no doubt you can handle it, Tom. Problem is, I have an issue with you handling any part of Jenn,” Jack replied as he pushed away from my jeep and stood tall. A good four inches over Tom, I might add.

Jack reached out and grabbed my hand, drawing me to him, and continued, “So if you’ll excuse us, I’d like to speak with my woman…in private.”

“Your woman?” Tom turned to me and raised an eyebrow. I didn’t know this man, but his attitude was starting to piss me off. So I moved into Jack, his arm wrapped around me as mine wrapped around him, a united front against…well, I really wasn’t sure, but it felt like an attack. Tom studied us for a moment then gave a slight bow and continued speaking.

“My apologies. Had I known, I would have left you to the more capable hands of the sheriff, of course.” Now he was just being sarcastic, and he leered at Jack. Arrogant asshole. Jack drew me closer into his body, and Tom turned without saying another word and headed back to his mother.

“Like I said earlier, Sweetness, any man in town...”

“I remember, Jack, but you should know that one hasn’t got a chance in hell. I mean, what kind of man bows?”

Jack chuckled, then brought his hand up to my face and rubbed his thumb across what I’m sure was a handprint on my cheek.

“Can’t believe that bitch slapped you.”

“That makes two of us.”

“You wanna tell me why you’re having dinner with Lorraine, her son, and the Hardy boys?”

“Just going over the suspect list and eliminating those who had alibis for yesterday.”

“At least you weren’t peeking into windows. Where’s Mandy tonight?” I rolled my eyes, and he chuckled again.

“Ok, baby, time for you to head up the mountain. Do you need me to follow you? I’m on duty and can’t stay, but I’ll follow if you need me.”

“Ben and Gerry are going to follow me, so no, but thanks, Sheriff. All this special attention you’re giving me will go to my head.”

“Jenn, you want special attention, you only have to ask.” Sucking in my breath, thinking about what that special attention might be, I responded without thinking.

“Pretty sure I asked last night and you said no.” Jack looked shocked but recovered.

“Pretty fucking sure if that bird hadn’t broken your window, I would have said yes.”

“Then stop by after your shift and make it up to me.” Where had that come from?

“Try and stop me,” he growled, and just like that I was putty in his hands, and Jack kissed me.

I rose up on my toes and threw my arms around his neck as his hands cupped my ass and forced me into his growing erection. I whimpered, and he kissed me deeper. A cough from behind us broke the spell. Jack pulled back an inch, but just kept staring at me. “Fuck me,” he whispered and I replied without thinking, “No, fuck me.” Jack closed his eyes, sucked in a breath, then hissed, “Truck, now.”

Without another word he turned to Ben and announced, “I’ve got her. She needs to swear out a statement, and then I’ll see she gets home.”

Without waiting for a reply, Jack grabbed my hand and walked me to his truck, opened the door, picked me up and threw me in. I was breathing hard, ‘cause I knew where this was headed, and I was freaked out, yet ready at the same time. Jack climbed in, turned to me, grabbed my neck, and pulled me to him. Then he slammed his mouth on mine, our tongues battling.

He ripped his mouth away and growled, “You with me baby? ‘Cause there’s no turning back after this, no way. Once I slip into that sweet heat of yours, you’re mine, do you hear me? You. Are. Fucking. Mine.”

Dazzled like always, I swallowed and nodded, “I’m with you, Jack.” His face got darker, and he kissed me once more, then started the truck and took off heading out of town. Panting and my nerves raw, I looked over at Jack's rugged face and just knew I was making the right choice. We didn’t speak; Jack held my leg, rubbing his fingers over and over the inside of my thigh, keeping my thoughts on what he would do with those hands.

Halfway to my cabin, the calm of the night was broken when a tire exploded. Jack held tight to the wheel to keep us on the road, pumping the brakes, trying to slow the truck, but it veered. I braced for impact as the truck pulled to the right, jerking us onto the shoulder and heading toward a fallen boulder directly in front of us. Jack threw on the brakes, hoping to stop us, but it was too late.

Right as the airbags exploded, I screamed, “Jack!”, and everything went black.