SEVEN

Smartass

Traveling down the mountain into Gunnison, I figured getting this list to Jack was important, even if it meant being in the same room with him a second time in one day. I’d gone home after playing “Name The Killer” with Ben and Gerry and worked on my story. But women were dying and the longer I sat there, going over the information, I knew I had to get it to Jack, sooner rather than later.

But I couldn’t stop thinking about lunch and what he’d said, and I’ll admit I was nervous about seeing him again. Was I even ready for a relationship? And let’s not forget Jack couldn’t seem to commit anyway! Seriously, I’d have to be all kinds of crazy to start something with this man. But even so, I’d admit I’d never felt this way before. I felt out of control, as if I couldn’t trust myself around him. Knowing this, I had to learn to stand firm and not let him back me into the proverbial corner with his charm and web of seduction.

So tonight, I was going to try a new tactic. I was going to walk in there and approach him like a reporter, just hand over the list and keep it professional. I just had to remember that he was the sheriff and I was a reporter working on a story. Simple… So simple I wasn’t holding out hope this would work.

Pulling up to the two-story, red brick building that housed the sheriff’s department, I took several deep breaths to steady my nerves before exiting my Jeep. You can do this. Be professional, get in and get out. No muss, no fuss.

Checking my watch and noting it was already 8 pm, I got out, grabbed my stuff, and headed to the entrance of the building. Inside the reception area, I was surprised to see someone still on duty at this time of night.

“Hi, can I help you?” asked a young woman in uniform.

“Hi, yeah, I’m Jennifer Stewart. I need to speak with the sheriff if he’s still in?”

“Is the sheriff expecting you?”

“No, I didn’t know I was coming, or I would have made an appointment. Is that a problem?”

“Oh, no. He’s usually gone this time of night, but we had a busy evening, and he just got back. I’ll buzz back and see if he has time.”

Smiling at the friendly woman, I turned back to look at the pictures of previous sheriffs. I eyed Jack’s grandfather immediately. For an older man he was seriously hot; the genes in Jack’s family were definitely testosterone driven. You could tell just by looking at the man he took no shit and commanded respect. Glancing at the picture next to his, I noticed Barry’s grandfather as well. The former sheriff had a more laidback look to him, but his eyes held something that told you he was sharp. I looked between the two former sheriffs and wasn’t surprised that, just like their grandsons, one was more powerful and handsome, and one looked like he could be your friend.

After standing in the lobby a few minutes, I started wondering if Jack had time to meet with me. With an investigation to run, he might be busy, and I was thinking about leaving the file with the receptionist when I felt a presence behind me.

“That’s my grandfather, John,” I heard softly in my ear. Jumping, then turning to see the current sheriff grinning down at me, I froze and stared into those amazing eyes. Oh, yeah, I was caught in his web; I was a fly to his spider, and If I wasn’t careful he was going to devour me. Focus, you can do this…be professional

“Sheriff, sorry to drop in on you like this, but I wanted to give you our list of suspects.” Jack grinned like something was funny and then grabbed my hand, dragging me down the hall and into what looked to be his office. He pulled out a chair and motioned for me to sit, then backed against the front of his desk, leaned forward, and looked down on me. His large frame was so close it made me nervous, so I shoved my file between us, trying to break the mood. He looked at the file, then back at me and smiled even bigger. Something about his face told me he knew my game and thought it was cute, so I cleared my throat to get us back on track and explained the lists.

“Here are the names of men who live within five counties of where the bodies were found. We eliminated anyone over the age of fifty-five and anyone under the age of twenty. We concentrated on men, but Rosie thinks Janice Rutherford has the arm strength to strangle and detain a woman, and there are no people with obvious physical limitations or disabilities on the list.” Jack stared at the file with a humorous look, then took it and began reading. I tried to keep my face and body as casual as possible, indicating I was not the least bit intimidated by him, and was thinking I felt more in control than a few minutes before when Jack’s eyebrows hit his hairline, and his eyes shot to mine.

“I’m on this list,” he growled.

“Well, yeah, you fit the age range,” I tried to explain.

“My whole staff is on this list,” he growled again.

“I know, Jack,” I replied, starting to get nervous.

“Christ,” Jack hissed, and I jumped to our defense.

“Jack, we had to be fair. We couldn’t eliminate you just because you wear a badge. My research found army pilots and professionals, all serial killers and all respected members of society.” Jack held my eyes for a moment, and then read through the list again. Shaking his head, he moved around the back of his desk and took a seat, all business now.

“Ok, Jenn, I’m reminding you that anything I say is off the record. Are we clear on that point?”

“Right, off the record until you give me the go-ahead.”

“There was another killing this afternoon, a local woman this time, and my staff, with the exception of Phil who was out in the field, were all here when the killer called, and I answered the phone.”

“Oh, my God, another woman.”

“Yeah, babe, another woman. Sick fuck grabbed her while she was out jogging this morning. She’d been dead hours when we found her.”

“Wait, you spoke to the killer?”

“Yeah.”

“What did he say?”

“Sorry, Jenn, I can’t release that information to the press, not even to you.” Nodding and thinking about the poor woman who died while Jack went back to our notes, I couldn’t help wondering what he said. That must have been so weird, talking to an unknown person, knowing they had killed someone. I felt chills run up my arms, and I rubbed my hands up and down to warm up. Jack was still going over our notes when his head shot up and he mumbled, “Christ,” again.

“What?”

“You have a victim’s list.” Oh, boy.

“Yeah, we figured since this guy has a type, we would list everyone in the county who fit that description.”

“Jesus, Jenn, you’re on this list.”

“Yeah, not a list I want to be on, either.”

“Yeah, babe, this also puts your intruder last night into a whole new light.”

“But you said it was just someone looking for something to steal.”

“And that may still be the case, but considering you’re on this list, I’m not taking any chances.”

“Ok, what do you suggest I do to keep safe? Take a self-defense class?”

“First of all, you can stop researching this guy, and second, I’m coming over after I’ve finished here to check your locks and windows.”

Knowing arguing with him about my research would only start a fight, I decided to ignore that order and nodded. Jack, being a smart man, saw right through how quickly I agreed, and bossy Jack took over.

“I mean it, Jenn. No more investigating or research. We have no idea who this guy is, and your list proves he could be anyone.”

“Jack, I’ll keep my research to my home and office, but I’m not going to stop. Whoever this is doesn’t care if I write a story about him killing women. He would probably love the attention.”

“Why are you so stubborn?”

“Why are you so bossy?” I countered.

“It’s my job,” he shouted.

“Well, it’s my job to be stubborn.”

“What?” Jack snapped in exasperation and just a hint of disbelief. Grabbing my purse from the floor and standing, I threw my bag over my shoulder and then leaned across Jack’s desk.

“A good reporter is tenacious and doesn’t back down, ever, so that makes us stubborn, hence it makes it our job to be that way.” Then I turned toward his door but didn’t make it. No way in hell was Jack going to let me have the last word.

Jack stood from his chair and grabbed me by the elbow as I tried to leave and swung me around. His jaw was tight, and he looked pissed. He didn’t speak, though; his eyes were focused, like he was working something through, then, without warning, he grabbed my face and kissed me. Sucking in my breath as his mouth connected with mine, I breathed in his scent of mint and coffee. I resisted at first. Something about the kiss felt as if he was trying to kiss me into submission. However, there was only so much my body and mind could take of this man, so I melted after a moment and Jack felt it and responded. He shoved one hand in my hair and jerked my head to the side so the angle of the kiss got deeper. His other hand slid down my back and grabbed my ass, squeezing once, and then pulled me into his hips. I gasped as my front met the evidence of his attraction, and damn if I didn’t, without even thinking about it, rub up and down that man slightly. As my hips met his, he moaned in my mouth and deepened the kiss. Even his tongue battled for dominance, and I found I was inclined to let him win. Slowly, the kiss ended, and Jack moved from my lips to my neck, nipping and kissing his way to my ear.

“Jesus, what are you doing to me?” he whispered.

“Nothing,” I gasped when his tongue circled my ear.

“Baby, if that’s nothing, you’re gonna kill me when it means something.”

Moving his lips back down and nipping the spot where my neck met the shoulder, the moment was suddenly broken when we heard a knock on the door. Before they waited for a reply, the door opened, and in walked Mayor Hall. I tried to pull back from Jack, but he held me in place. I looked down at the floor, too embarrassed to meet the mayor’s face. Jack had no problem looking at or confronting this man, nor any problem with holding me close, almost possessively. I needed to break free so I could get the hell out of there and escape not only the embarrassment of getting caught by a man I was supposed to have lunch with this week—don’t ask—but also to escape the man holding me close. I should have faxed the damn lists. Why did I come here? To see Jack, I realized with clarity…I’m such an idiot.

“You mind waiting for a reply before you walk into my office unannounced, John?”

“My apologies, Sheriff, I was under the impression you were at work, not on a date.”

“It’s after five, John. If I’m putting in overtime on my own dime, and my woman wants to pop in for a visit, she’ll fucking pop in for a visit. Now excuse me while I walk her safely to her car since there’s a killer on the loose. Take a seat, and I’ll be right with you.” Jack grabbed my hand and led me out the door and back down the hall to the front. He didn’t stop until he had pulled the doors to the station open and walked me to my Jeep.

“Jack, I’m sorry if I got you in trouble with the mayor,” I hurried to say, trying to break the silence and the more than uncomfortable situation.

“Sweetness, I don’t give a shit if he’s pissed or inconvenienced, you kiss me like that again, and I’ll make the whole fucking town wait.” Grinning at him— ‘cause how could I not after that statement—I giggled like the adolescent schoolgirl he’d turned me into, and, for some odd reason, that made him grin.

“Ok, baby, get your ass home and lock the doors and windows when you get there. Be aware of your surroundings before you exit your car, and call me to let me know you got there safely.”

“Yes, sir, Sheriff,” I laughed as I saluted him.

“Smartass,” Jack answered before he kissed me sweetly, then smacked my ass, opened my door, and deposited me on my seat before he slammed it shut. Jack stepped back on the curb as I started my Jeep, and I gave him a smile and wave as I pulled out and headed toward the interstate.

How the hell did I lose control again? I was supposed to walk in, hand over the lists, answer any questions he had, and then leave. Simple. So not simple. Well done, Jennifer. Jesus, that man was overpowering. I became a mindless idiot when he touched me. I needed to regroup and think this through. No, I needed to pack up and leave like I should have last night. Before I made any rash decisions, though, I needed more energy to think clearly, and coffee seemed to be in order. So I made a U-turn and headed back toward Gunnison and The Bean.