FIVE

You Scare Me

The way her hair tumbles down her back in curls, she looks so much like Jennifer. She senses me, looking over her shoulder, aware that death is stalking her. I’m sorry I have to do this; I’ll do anything for Jennifer to make her happy, make her mine. My pulse increases, the time is coming. I can feel it. Like a cat, I strike, wrapping the rope around her neck, feeling her life drain away. “Shh, die knowing you’re a gift for an angel.”

Sitting in a booth at Mike’s Burgers, not having visited this burger joint yet, I told Jack to order for me. Two burgers with rings and two root beers were served, the food piled high and delicious. The décor was inspired by the old west with red-checkered tablecloths, knotty pine walls, and pictures of chuck wagons with burgers grilling over an open flame. It was early October and the lunch crowd consisted of locals. The winter tourism for the area hadn’t started, making the streets and restaurants of Gunnison easier to navigate. Jack fielded questions from business owners in the area and the constant flirting from several of the waitresses. Learning long ago that women liked to flirt and not to take offense, I was still shocked at how much they did it. Even though he was eating with me, it didn’t stop these women from trying to get his attention. I was grinning at Jack while Trixie, a fake-boobed waitress who looked like she’d spent one too many nights drinking, was trying to get him to agree to a movie Saturday night. Jack caught my smile and rolled his eyes. “Trixie, babe, I’m busy Saturday. I appreciate your asking, but I’ll have to pass. You might give J.D. a call; I know he and Judy broke up, and he might be feeling lonely right about now.” Diplomatic, cares about her feelings, nice guy and hot…I’m in trouble with a capital T.

“How’s your burger?” Jack inquired once she had left. I jolted out of my thoughts and tried to cover the fact I’d been staring. Jack pointed at my food and smiled, then his smile got bigger as he watched me recover. I’d totally been caught daydreaming.

“Great. The rings are in a food group all of their own and will end up on my hips, but that’s not gonna stop me from eating them,” I laughed while stuffing my mouth with the heavenly rings. I was grabbing my root beer to wash them down when Jack floored me.

“I won’t complain if they do. Women should be curvy.” Trying to hold the root beer in my mouth, I swallowed and gave him a disbelieving look, catching his own smirk at my reaction. Nope, not going near that comment. I shook my head to avoid answering when Gerry walked up to the table, saving me from embarrassment.

“Jennifer, don’t be late for our meeting at three,” Gerry ordered.

“I won’t miss it, Gerry. What are you doing off the mountain? Are you meeting clients for rafting?”

“Just needed to order some more life vests from Jenkins’ and picked up a dry erase board so we can keep track of our suspect and victim’s list.”

“That’s a great idea, thanks.” Smiling, I turned back to Jack and caught the scowl on his face.

“What?”

“What the hell are you two up to?”

“Just research, Jack. Since Ben and Gerry know everyone, we’re gonna put together a suspect list for you.” Jack leaned back and chewed on that information, looking between Gerry and me, before he threw his napkin on the table and began his lecture:

“Jenn, what’d I say about getting involved with this investigation? Let’s say the killer is one of our own, and he hears about you and the boys making a suspect list…You think he isn’t gonna take aim on any of the three of you for doing it?” I looked back at Gerry, thinking that it actually made sense.

“I, uh…Gerry, maybe we shouldn’t advertise what we’re doing. Should we meet at my cabin instead?” Gerry looked like he was pondering this when Jack broke in again.

“Jenn, research on serial killers doesn’t mean making a suspect list. That kind of shit will get out. You and the boys back off and let me do the investigating, do you hear me?”

I narrowed my eyes and gave Jack my best “excuse me” look, but of course, he didn’t even flinch. I appreciated his concern, but he couldn’t dictate what I could and couldn’t do. Jack watched my reaction, and his face got hard as well. We were locked in a staring match when Gerry chuckled and broke my concentration, saving Jack from the daggers I was spearing him with. I looked at Gerry and bugged my eyes at him; he just patted me on the shoulder and turned to Jack.

“Sheriff, we’re helping her with the research to keep an eye on her. You don’t need to worry; we’ve got her back.”

“Jesus, I’ve got Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys on my hands.” Seriously?

Ignoring his obviously funny comment, but not about to react to it, I wiped my mouth, pulled out my wallet, threw money on the table, and then stood. Jack’s face turned hard again as he looked at the money.

“I ask a woman out, I pay. End of discussion. Put your money away, Jenn.”

“I’d feel better paying, Jack. I don’t need anyone telling me what to do. I’ve spent the last thirty-nine years doing what everyone else needed me to do. Now I’m gonna do what I want, and I want to pay for my own damn lunch,” I hissed, then nodded at Gerry, “See you at three,” before I turned on my heels and left.

Insufferable man thought he could order me around? Who did he think he was? Ok, maybe he’s the sheriff, but still, I didn’t need him barking orders at me. No wonder he’s still single. Who’d put up with that? I’d just give him a wide berth and do my own investigation, and he could kiss my curvy, onion-ring-padded ass.

***

“She’s got attitude. You’ve got your hands full there, Jack.” Gerry was not wrong. Jenn hurried her cute ass out of Mike’s before I could even stand. Christ, if that little display didn’t turn me on even more than I already was. I decided to let her go instead of following her. Something told me I wouldn’t get anywhere if I tried. “Gerry, what in Christ’s name are you thinking, helping her look for this guy?”

“Jack, it was clear she wasn’t gonna stop. She’s got a fire in her belly. It’s better she does it with Ben and me looking out for her than her running around half-cocked on her own.” I sighed, threw money on the table, and then put out my hand to shake Gerry’s.

“Keep her out of this as much as you can. I don’t want her to pique this guy’s interest.”

“I’d say she’s already got enough interest between you and Barry Todd sniffing around her.”

“Noticed that, did you?”

“Hard to miss Todd. He’s got these damn puppy dog eyes whenever she’s around…She’s not exactly your type though, Jack. I don’t want you to break her heart; she’s been through enough,” Gerry warned me, and my hackles rose.

“Old man, I’m not setting out to hurt anyone, so back off.”

“Jack, you’re not exactly known for longevity; not sure you have it in you.”

“Jesus, first of all, we’ve only had lunch, and secondly, did it ever occur to you that maybe the reason no one has ever lasted was because they tried to change me? Tried to tame me? I’m not opposed to settling down, but what I am opposed to is feeling the need to change who I am in order to do it. I’m a lawman who does whatever it takes to get the job done, and that means working all hours and missing shit or being late. Haven’t met a woman yet who didn’t want me home by five.”

“All right, Jack, all right, you’ve made your point. I just hope you figure out if Jennifer is one or the other before she gets her heart broken. She’s special to Ben and me. We’d take it personally if you hurt her. I know she’s a grown woman, but she’s alone and vulnerable right now.”

“Point made, and I’ll bear that in mind. Now, are you done warning me off Jenn? ‘Cause honest to God, Gerry, you don’t know me, how I think or what I feel, so I’d appreciate you backing the fuck off.”

We stared each other down for a moment until that sonofabitch smiled at me, then laughed before he slapped his leg and blurted out, “Never thought I’d see the day. Jack Gunnison is hung up on a woman, and not just any woman, no. He’s hung up on a woman who has no problem telling him off and doing whatever the hell she wants to do.”

“Gerry—”

“You can deny it all you want, Jack, but you’ve never cared about what someone thought of you or how you handled women. No, this is different even if you haven’t figured it out yet. Yup, gonna enjoy watching Jenn turn you inside out.”

I stared at Gerry as he walked out of Mike’s, laughing his ass off, and damn if I wasn’t a little scared he was right. There was something about Jenn that was different from the other women I’d dated. She was driven like me. in the past, I’d always gone for women who needed a man to complete them, and it had gotten me in trouble more than once. I couldn’t count how many times I’d been hung up on or cussed at for missing dinner because I was called out on an emergency. Thinking about what Gerry said, and not giving a damn if Jenn had cooled her heels or not, I pulled out my phone and called her.

“I’m not speaking to you right now,” she shouted into the phone.

“Jesus, you’re stubborn.”

“I’d respond to that, except I’m not speaking to you right now.”

“Babe, cut the crap. I’m not going to apologize for worrying about you.”

“Jack, I could understand if it was just that, but you’re telling me what to do. I promised not to interfere, and I’m not. I don’t need or want someone telling me what to do. I got married out of high school, delayed college for my daughter, married Doug before I was ready, and spent all those years taking care of them. I’m devastated he’s dead, but at the same time I’m finally living my life on my terms. I’m sorry, Jack, but this can’t go anywhere—”

“Bullshit.”

“Excuse me?”

“I call bullshit, Jenn.”

“About what?”

“I wasn’t telling you what to do. I’m the sheriff of this county. I was telling you to back off so I could do my job, which, incidentally, is keeping the residents, meaning you, safe. I’d tell anyone who was acting recklessly and putting his or her safety at risk to stop. You’re using that as an excuse to end things that haven’t even begun. I’m telling you right now: I’m not backing off. You intrigue the hell out of me with your smart mouth and sweetness all at the same time. I haven’t met a woman in twenty years who’s piqued my interest like you have, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you run from me because you’re stubborn.” That shut her up, and I heard her breathe hard on the other end of the phone. I waited for her to reply but got dead air.

“Jenn. Swear to Christ, you’re the stubbornest woman I’ve ever—”

“You scare me,” she whispered.

“Yeah? Well, join the club, ‘cause you sure as shit scare the fuck out of me.”

“Sorry.”

“For what?”

“For yelling at you.”

“Jesus, you’re somethin’ else.”

“I said I was sorry. Jeez.”

“Jenn, swear to God, it’s a good thing you’re on the phone or I’d spank your ass, then kiss you till you couldn’t see straight. I’m heading back to the station to try and find this sonofabitch or I’d drive to you right now.” Jenn gasped; then she giggled. Is this woman real? She giggled like a schoolgirl, and that went right through me, too. Christ.

“Ok, Jack, I’ll talk to you later.”

“You still planning on meeting Ben and Gerry?”

“Yes.” Reigning in my temper, I decided I’d fight that battle later.

“Ok, Sweetness, be careful and don’t talk about this with anyone but them.”

“Wasn’t planning on it, Jack, but thanks for worrying.”

“Talk to you soon, babe.”

“Bye, Jack.”

Fighting my need to go find her and make her listen, I headed to my truck. While I was walking, I got the feeling that I was being watched. Looking around but not seeing anyone, I climbed into my truck and pointed it in the direction of the station. Thinking about Jenn and her sass, I smiled when I thought about sparring with her again. That woman had no problem going head-to-head with me, a feat most would not try to do, but hell if that didn’t turn me on even more. She was a spitfire tied up in a sweet little package. Now, all I had to do was get her to follow an order.

I was almost back to the station when I saw Barry sitting in his patrol car just off Main. Deciding that a conversation was needed and not wanting to do it at the office, I pulled over and got out of my truck, walked across the street, pulled open the passenger door, and then bent my body into the unit. Barry looked at me and said nothing for a moment, then laid it out for me.

“You fuck her over, I’ll be waiting in the wings.”

“Christ, twice in one day I get shit about breaking hearts.”

“You’re not known for sticking it out.”

“I’m not known for putting up with bullshit either, but it happens.”

“So you're saying it’s different this time?”

“I’m saying it’s already different. She’s not like the others ‘cause she pisses me off.” Barry’s head snapped back when I said that, the confusion clear. Join the club. So I tried to explain.

“Women don’t piss me off; they annoy me first.” He still looked confused.

“Jesus, I’ve never been with a woman who pisses me off because she won’t listen.”

“How the hell does that make Jennifer different than all the other women whose hearts you’ve broken?”

“How the hell do I know? I’ve never been pissed at one! Jenn pisses me off enough to arrest her ass just to keep her safe. Does that tell you something? ‘Cause if it does, enlighten me. I’d really like to know why a woman who pisses me off turns me on.”

“Jesus, Jack, I’m not gonna interpret this shit for you. You like to fight with women, fine. Just don’t fucking string her along while you’re having fun.”

This was getting us nowhere. Barry wanted Jenn, and I wasn’t about to let him near her. Where the hell these possessive feelings for a woman I only met yesterday were coming from beat the hell out of me, but I learned a long time ago to trust my gut; it’d never let me down. I opened the door to get out and then turned back to Barry, who was still pissed off. “I’m not backing off. You got a problem with that, fine. I can respect that. But in the future, you keep your shit together and don’t bring your feelings for Jenn and me to the office.” I didn’t give him a chance to respond. I got out and headed to my truck. I had a killer to find, and I needed to focus on that.