Chapter Eleven
“Mr. Howard, mind if I steal a minute of your time?” Judd plunked his ass in the seat across from the man before he could respond.
Boone Howard had always had his nose bent out of shape about something in Bracken and was seen in the sheriff’s office at least once a month. It was no secret Boone had been pretty happy when Judd’s ex had won half the property he owned around town—because it meant he could buy it up.
He also regularly rubbed it in Judd’s face.
Resting against the chair back, Boone offered a wide smile. “For you, of course, Sheriff.” He waved a hand toward the waitress. “Bring the sheriff a coffee.”
Yeah, Boone owned half the coffee shop now. Apparently when your wallet was tied up here, you were exempt from saying please and thank you.
“What’s brought you to my table this morning, Sheriff?”
Judd hadn’t taken time to rehearse what he’d say. Things came out better that way. “Wanted to ask you about some of the businesses you have a hand in.”
“Why, you hit more oil money and lookin’ to buy me out again?” He leaned across the table and laughed in Judd’s face.
Drawing a deep breath, he fought down the urge to fine the guy for bad breath. Luckily, the waitress brought his coffee and set it in front of him with a smile. Judd thanked her and took a sip before addressing Boone.
“Your affairs in order, Boone?”
He straightened. “What’s that supposed to be—some kind of threat?”
“I wasn’t asking if you have a will updated. I’m referring to your businesses. You got the proper licensing, all the taxes paid up?”
“Of course I do,” Boone sputtered. “Everything I do is on the up and up. What are you digging at?”
Hopefully a scab.
“I saw you had a permit a few months back to break ground for a spa. Nothing ever happened.” Judd brought the mug to his lips again. The coffee shop was busy at this time of day—Boone liked to frequent it when everybody could see him and kiss the elk-tooth ring on his pinky.
“Well, plans fall through. No crime in that.” Boone eyed him like a poker player who believed his opponent was calling his bluff.
Judd might be. Just wanted to see what Boone had to say and how the man reacted when he said it.
“I just wondered about that piece of ground, if you still have plans to put a spa in there.”
“Did at one time, but no longer. One spa in Bracken’s enough, don’t you think?”
“I wouldn’t know. What interested you in opening a spa, Boone?”
He waved a hand. “A notion of my daughter’s. She’s since moved on to other pursuits.”
“Ah. You planning to buy her a pony for the 4-H fair?”
Boone’s face flushed from the neck up. He stared at Judd for a long minute, the blue of his eyes sharp against the red of his face. “What happens in my family is none of your affair, Sheriff. But if you must know, my daughter has a business partner fixin’ to put a fast-food restaurant in that location. Perfect place for a drive-thru, don’t you think, Roshannon?”
Judd nodded. “You plan to secure a permit for that soon?”
“I’ve gifted the land to Audrey, and what she does with it is her business. Any licenses would come from her or her partner.”
“Who is?”
“You’re the sheriff—can’t you do your own investigatin’? Oh yeah, you crime types only do bullshit CIA stuff, analyzing DNA in labs these days rather than doing real law work.”
Judd chuckled. Boone was set off-balance, for sure. “I can look if I have a mind to. But this is only a friendly conversation between citizens of Bracken. Small-talk.” He lifted his mug. “And coffee.”
Boone issued a sigh through his nostrils. “Her partner’s name is Sam McFee. You might have heard of him.”
“Why would I have heard of him?” Judd asked.
“Because he owned part of the same oil well you did.”
* * * * *
“Troyer, get in here.”
At Judd’s call, the deputy appeared in the doorway.
“Close the door.”
He did, taking up most of the doorway. “What’s up, boss?”
“You hear anything about the oil well up north lately? Any calls of trouble? Rumors?”
Confusion etched itself between Troyer’s brows. “Not lately, no. Last call we had was a while back, when that guy broke into the rigger trailer on site.”
“Yeah.” Judd flipped his pen end to end on his desk, thinking and staring into space.
“What’s this about?” Troyer sank to a chair.
“Just tryin’ to make sense of things in my mind. Place people where they belong.”
Troyer grinned crookedly. “Which means in jail?”
“Didn’t say that. A guy who owns part of the well I used to own is planning to open a fast-food place in town.”
Troyer blinked. “Seems an odd investment.”
“Not really, if you think about it. He’s got money to spend and that venture will make money in a skiing town.”
“True. So what’s up with the guy?”
“Well, he’s got a record.”
Troyer sat up straighter, looking like a Great Dane in a child’s chair. “Record for what?”
“Breaking and entering—that trailer at the oil rig. He confessed, was given a slap on the wrist.”
“And now you’re thinking to connect him with another B&E here in town?”
Judd dropped the pen. “Didn’t say that. Just thinkin’ aloud, I guess. Bouncing around theories.”
“Might be a good call to pay him a visit.”
Judd’s lips twitched at the corner. “You free right now?”
“Just been lookin’ at internet porn. You know, wastin’ the taxpayers’ money.”
Judd knew damn well Troyer was lying, and he laughed. “As long as Birdie doesn’t catch you. She’s a stickler for being idle.” He came around the desk and he and Troyer walked out of the office. Snowflakes were rioting in the air, the good fluffy stuff to bring in more visitors over the weekend. Cecily would be thrilled.
Judd got behind the wheel and half an hour later, they arrived at the well. A few trailers for the men who were on constant watch were parked well off, though if something exploded, they’d still be launched sky-high. When they approached a couple workers, Judd stuck out his hand.
“Sheriff Roshannon. Just stopping by to see how things are going here.”
“You want to talk to my super.” The guy twitched his head to another man standing some distance away, a cell phone in hand.
Evasion. Passing the buck. Normal among the blue-collar man to do his job and get home to his family as quickly as possible. Judd shot Troyer a look to see what he could find out and walked toward the supervisor.
The man didn’t look up from his phone. Judd cleared his throat.
“What can I do for you, Sheriff?”
Judd met the man’s gaze. “I’m investigating a breaking and entering in town and I’d like to discuss the trailer that was broken into here. My deputy was on the scene after that took place, and he reported the door was forced, broken on its hinges.”
“That’s right.” His phone buzzed again and he punched a few more things on the screen.
“I understand you’re busy, but can I ask what you know of the man who was connected with that crime?”
He glanced up. “Sam McFee. Part owner here of the well.”
“Yes.”
“All I know is he had a bit of a jealousy thing against this guy who was staying in the trailer. Trashed the place and stole a few things just to shake him up, warn him, I guess.”
“Yes, that’s the motive in the court reports. Do you know what the cause of the jealousy was?”
The supervisor narrowed his eyes. “You’re the sheriff—you have access to all that. Don’t you?”
“Just wondering what you know. Answer the question.”
“Sam was fucking around with the guy’s wife, is the story. Now I have a problem on my hands and I need to take care of it. Excuse me, Sheriff.”
Dismissed, Judd went back to Troyer, who was standing with one of the workers, shooting the breeze. “Hey, I’ll catch ya later,” Troyer said with a wave.
They walked some distance away from the well before Troyer spoke. “Find out anything?”
“Nothing we didn’t already know. The guys here aren’t involved—I know that much. All of this Sam McFee stuff could be nothing.”
“Or not.”
“Right. We need to talk to him next.” Judd stared toward the mountain, almost completely blurred out by the falling snow. Imagining Cecily’s shop booming and her running back and forth between customers.
Later, instead of her giving him a massage, he’d be happy to work over her muscles.
* * * * *
By a stroke of luck, Judd and Sam McFee ended up at the same bar in the neighboring county at the same time of day. When Judd sank to the stool next to Sam, the man didn’t look up from the beer he was nursing.
College football was on the TV and Judd watched for several minutes while sipping his own brew. Their team scored a touchdown, and Judd commented on it.
Sam looked up. “Yeah, good one.”
“Hey, aren’t you Sam McFee?” Judd asked in feigned surprise.
The man looked at him more closely, his dark brows drawn down. “Do I know you?”
Judd wasn’t in uniform and with his Carhartt and jeans, he could be any other working man in the county. “I used to co-own the well with ya.”
It took understanding a full minute to dawn, and Judd watched with amusement as the emotions played over Sam’s face. Judd could almost pinpoint the second he realized he had a record and a man of the law was his drinking buddy.
He moved to get off the stool, but Judd grabbed his shoulder.
“Sit down and have one on me. Bartender,” he called.
Tense, Sam sank back to the stool but didn’t speak. The bartender placed another beer in front of him.
“We’re just having a talk here, Sam. No need to worry. Unless, of course, you have something to worry about.”
“I got nothin’ to worry about.” His voice elevated.
“Then enjoy your beer. And the view. That bartender’s sure got some sway in those hips, doesn’t she?”
Sam’s gaze locked on the bartender’s ass. He grunted and brought the beer to his lips. “She’s okay.”
“You prefer blondes?”
“Don’t have a preference.”
“That business partner of yours sure has a great body. The Howard girl—Aubrey?”
“Audrey. And I don’t notice. We’re not like that.”
“Ah. She won’t let you in her pants then.” Judd sipped.
Sam’s male pride was bruised, which was exactly what Judd had been going for. “She’s willing enough. I just haven’t gone there.”
“Damn, why not? Maybe she isn’t enough for you in the sack.”
“Don’t know that—yet.” Sam grinned and downed more beer.
Judd chuckled. “Women are all the same, don’t you find? A few sweet words and they’re taking off their panties for you.”
Sam nodded. “Mostly.”
Judd couldn’t tell if Sam was holding out on him about Audrey Howard. She had a motive—she wanted a spa and Cecily had beat her to it. Killed her dream. And Sam had experience with breaking and entering and a beef with the sheriff’s department that had been responsible for his arrest.
If Judd could prove they were more than business partners and Audrey had coerced Sam to do her dirty work…
Sam set the bottle down on the bar top.
“Have another.” Judd started to wave to the bartender, but Sam grabbed his sleeve.
“I’ve had enough for one night. Can’t have the good sheriff carting my ass to jail for a DUI, can I?”
“Not my town.”
“But you’ve got friends, I assume.” Sam got up and swaggered to the door without another word.
Judd watched him go. He didn’t have a reason to follow or engage him in conversation again. He’d given away nothing, and Judd knew no more about the crime against Cecily than before.
He tossed down a few bills to cover the tab and left the bar too.
* * * * *
Judd turned up the volume on his phone to better hear his brother and cousin on the three-way call. “Thanks for taking the time to talk to me, guys.”
“Anything for your ugly ass,” Wes returned.
“Have you finally hung up your helmet now that the first snow’s on the ground?” Aiden asked his cousin.
Wes snorted. “It’s a light snow. Burns off at the first ray of sunshine. You two aren’t about to nag me like your momma, are you? I don’t know why she’s so against me ridin’ anyway. It’s not like I’m in the illegal stuff. I work for the government, for God’s sake.”
Judd sat up straighter. “The government?”
“Uh… Classified. Shouldn’t have said anything. Let’s erase that from your memories, all right, guys?” Judd could almost see Wes chewing the inside of his cheek, as he did at times when under the gun.
“Scratched from my memory—at least until I see you face-to-face, Wes,” Aiden said.
“Same,” Judd added. “Now I called you both to see what you know about the Howards, if anything.”
A beat of silence. “Like the king of Bracken?” Aiden asked.
Judd snorted. “If you wanna call him that.”
“Shouldn’t you know more about a man in your own town than we would?” Wes asked.
“I know what I know. I just need to know if you’ve heard anything.”
“Anything criminal?”
“Anything at all. Rumors, wind of him buying or selling businesses. Also, any word of a Sam McFee is appreciated.”
“Sounds like you already know something. What the hell’s going on up there?” Aiden put in.
Judd stared out the windshield of his SUV at the white-cloaked mountains. Wes was right about the sun burning off the snow in the valleys. The streets were only wet right now.
“I found out he applied for a new business license and then pulled it before it could go through.”
“What was the business?”
“Some sort of beauty shop. Spa.”
“Oh shit,” Aiden said.
“Yeah.”
“When did this take place?” Wes asked.
Having the three of them on a call this way raised nostalgia in Judd, memories of them hidden in Wes’s closet talking about local crimes and how they could help to solve them even though they were just boys.
“The license was applied for a few weeks before another day spa moved into Bracken.”
“What in the hell would a man like Howard want with a day spa? He owns half the shit your ex got in the divorce, right? Beer distributor, bowling alley…” Aiden trailed off, probably seeing his error in bringing up Judd’s ex.
Funny enough, that sore spot was no longer so sore. Cassie had half of his shit—and her own life. The minute he’d walked out the door of the jewelry store with a shiny new two-carat engagement ring in his pocket for Cecily, that door on his past had slammed shut.
The ring was in his console. He hadn’t quite worked out when to pop the question, but he ran on instinct most of the time, and he’d know when the time was right.
“Unless it’s not Howard who has interest in a spa. Doesn’t he have daughters?”
“A daughter. That’s my thinking too. Actually, she’s got motive enough,” Judd said.
“You think she is the cause of the break-ins at Cecily’s shop? How is that possible? You said the place was wrecked, the door broken off the hinges. Unless the Howard girl’s an Amazon woman, she couldn’t have that sort of strength.” Leave it to Aiden to question all angles. He always was the skeptic who shot down his and Wes’s ideas.
“She’s got a business partner with a past and enough muscle for the job.” Judd’s voice silenced the others.
“Then what are ya doin’ talking to us about it? Go follow the lead.” Wes was the guy who jumped on the tiniest hint of a rumor and followed it to the end. No waiting, no bullshit.
“Spit it out, Judd.” Aiden was as impatient as ever.
“Sam McFee.”
“That asshole who owns part of the well you did?” Wes had his finger on the pulse of every arrest list in the state.
“Yeah.”
“Seems like you’ve made up your mind who to investigate, bro,” Aiden said.
“Yeah. But I’ve got a little problem. He’s got an alibi—was pulled over for speeding the same time as one of the break-ins took place.”
“So? He could have still made it to the shop and broken in,” Wes said.
“Not that night. He wasn’t even in the state that night.”
Aiden let out a whistle. “That does put a damper on your theory.”
“There’s a little get-together down at the creek, all the Howards go every year and invite their friends. Bonfire in the snow, beer and visiting.” Judd didn’t often ask for backup, especially on such a simple case. Asking now didn’t set well with him, but if anybody got it, Aiden and Wes would.
“When?” Wes asked.
“Tonight. I think it’s a good opportunity to catch the Howards when their defenses are down.”
“And you want us to come along?” Aiden asked.
“Since it’s about Cecily, I don’t exactly trust myself to remain unbiased. I could take my deputy with me, but you guys know me.”
“You mean we’re the only guys strong enough to hold you back when you get pissed off.” Amusement sounded in Wes’s tone.
“That’s right,” Judd drawled.
“Name the location and we’ll meet you there,” Aiden said.
Judd sat back against his seat, relaxed for the first time in weeks. “I knew you’d want in on this.”
“We’ve got your back,” Wes said.
* * * * *
Cecily walked past Judd’s living room window for the tenth time, looking out for his headlights. Dusk had fallen rapidly, the snow making Judd’s little rental home seem like something out of a postcard. Flakes fell slow and steady. By morning, there would be more accumulation, which meant more snow bunnies needing facials on their wrecked winter skin.
She should smile at the thought of more business, but she was worried about Judd. Where was he? She hadn’t heard from him in hours, and even Echo went to the door again and again, whining to be let out to find his master.
Cecily adjusted the apron over her naked front. Last time she’d welcomed her hunky sheriff at the door wearing only an apron, they’d had hot, mind-blowing sex. Ever since tying those apron strings, she was raring to go.
If only he’d come home.
Echo sat up straight, ears alert. She swung her gaze to the dog. “What is it? Do you hear something?”
The dog sat as still as a statue for another heartbeat before launching off his haunches and racing for the door. Tingles ran up and down Cecily’s spine as she thought of her man walking in and putting his hands on her the way he had last time. She was all about spicing things up and not falling into a routine in a relationship, but this fantasy had been too good not to relive at least one more time.
Barking made her ears ring as she made her way to the door and let the dog out. He hurtled through the dark and snow to greet his master. She heard a soft oomph as Echo jumped on Judd.
Warmth spread through Cecily and she leaned in the doorway, sheltered from the worst of the draft as she waited for him to come inside.
At the sound of his boots on the porch, liquid heat shot between her thighs. Oh yessss, she’d been waiting for this all day. Her hands might be tired from giving so many massages today and her feet ached from standing, but she’d never be too tired for this man.
He walked in with Echo leaping around his legs. “Hey, baby doll.” He leaned in and planted a cold kiss on her cheek, not sparing her so much as a glance.
She blinked in surprise—he really must have a lot on his mind tonight. No matter. She’d get him out of work mode.
Closing the door, she watched him tug off his gloves and fondle Echo’s ears. Patiently, she waited, but honestly, she was starting to feel like she was in one of those dreams where you showed up naked to school.
“Smells great in here. Can you keep a plate warm for me? I’ve gotta meet Aiden and Wes.”
Her face fell. “Umm. Okay. I can keep it warm. When will you be back?”
He met her gaze for the first time but didn’t hold it very long before looking away.
Something was up.
On high alert, her nipples strained against the apron cloth and it had nothing to do with the cold swirling around her knees. It was the icy treatment she was getting from Judd.
“Why didn’t you just meet them straight from work?” She folded her arms over her breasts, causing the strings around her back to pull against her skin.
“I needed to stop home and grab that chainsaw Aiden lent me a few months back after a storm blew down a tree in the yard.”
She had no idea what he was talking about, but she could smell bullshit a mile away. Whatever Judd Roshannon was up to, it stunk.
“I see,” she said.
He leaned near and dropped a kiss to her cheek. “I won’t be too late.”
“All right.” She watched him stomp back outside. The night enveloped him as he made his way back to his SUV. She didn’t wait to see the lights pull out—she rushed for her cell phone and dialed Amaryllis.
“What’s going on with our men?” she asked before the woman could say hello.
“Cecily?”
“Yeah. Judd just marched in here with some story about being late and meeting with Aiden to give him a chainsaw. I think he was just checking up on me. Where’s he really going?”
Silence on the other end.
“Amaryllis, you know what’s going on. Why am I being left out of the loop? Is it because Judd isn’t that committed to me?” She heard the break in her own voice and wanted to smack herself silly.
“No! Nothing like that. Judd’s head over boots for you, Cecily.”
“So where’s he going? You know. Tell me.”
“Uhh, I can’t.”
Cecily used her own leverage she had against a pregnant woman with intel. “I know your joints are starting to loosen up with your pregnancy. I bet your lower back aches.”
“Oh, does it. Especially after sitting on those long-distance drives.”
Cecily could nearly see her stretching now. She moved in for the kill. “I’ll offer you a weekly massage whenever you can drop by the Drift Away. Good until you have that baby, though you’ll need some postnatal massage as well. New-mommy back and all that.”
She groaned. “Dammit, Cecily, you know how to work a woman’s weaknesses. I’d love those massages.”
“So tell me where they went. What’s Judd up to?”
“I have a better idea. I’m sitting here wondering why I’m being left out too. I’m just as capable as the Roshannon men are. Get ready and I’ll pick you up.”
In excitement, Cecily ripped off her apron and ran to the bedroom for her clothes. She blew out the half dozen candles she’d lit on the dresser, only slightly sad that their night had been ruined. She and Amaryllis had some adventures to see to.
When Amaryllis showed up at Judd’s place, Cecily ran outside and hopped in the passenger’s seat. Amaryllis hit the gas and sped out of the driveway. “We don’t have much time. If we hurry, we might beat them.”
“How’d you get here so quick? Don’t you live an hour away?”
She slanted a look at her. “I have my ways.”
Cecily stared at her.
“Okay, I was nearby at a doctor’s checkup. I realized Aiden hadn’t asked me to reschedule because he didn’t want me to be there when—” She cut off.
Cecily wanted to grab her arm and shake her. “Tell me what’s happening.”
“Judd thinks he’s found out who’s been breaking in to your spa.”
Her jaw couldn’t have dropped lower if she’d seen Bigfoot flying a UFO. “What? He didn’t tell me.”
“He asked Aiden and Wes for backup.”
“B-backup? Why? Who is this person? Is he a dangerous criminal?” Her blood froze in her veins.
“Not any more capable of violence than any other man.”
“Then why did he need backup?” She gripped the seat to hold herself in it.
Amaryllis made a humming noise low in her throat as if deciding whether or not to tell her. Finally, she pushed out a breath. “Because Judd doesn’t trust himself not to go apeshit on the guy for what he did to you. He needs Aiden and Wes to hold him back.”
“Oh God. Drive faster.”
Amaryllis flashed a grin and stepped on it. The woman could have driven Nascar races. She took the turns around the Wyoming mountains like she’d lived here her entire life, though she was a Texas transplant.
Within minutes, she stopped on a dirt pull-off. Three other trucks were parked there.
Cecily looked to her sidekick, eyes wide. “Where are we?”
“Word was there’s a party down at the old bridge. A big spot for people to go and have a bonfire. In the summer, there’s a rope from a branch and they swing into the deep parts of the creek.”
“And we’re going down there?”
“Yup.” Amaryllis got out of the truck.
Cecily’s face felt numb as she followed. She’d never faced anything like this before. What if they got in over their heads? She trusted Amaryllis had a weapon, but where the hell was Judd and the other men? He’d left well before her. Of course, if he was meeting the guys, they could be delayed.
Amaryllis walked with confidence to the head of a trail. She pulled out a flashlight and shined it on the ground, revealing a rocky path wending through the trees to the creek. She could hear the burble of running water.
“Watch your footing. Aiden will kill me if you fall and injure yourself or the baby,” she whispered to Amaryllis.
She waved a hand. “I’m fine. Surefooted. C’mon.”
A couple minutes later, they were at the creek, the bridge a short distance from them. A bonfire had been lit, and someone had a guitar. The scents of burning wood hit her senses, and she was having a hard time remembering she wasn’t attending the party but going to… what?
“Oh shit. The guys are already here. They must have parked where we didn’t see them.” Amaryllis’s words barely registered before Cecily spotted Judd.
Face carved by the flicker of firelight. And he was in a black temper as he spoke with man in a lawn chair who held a woman on his lap, a blanket wrapped around them both.
Judd’s words drifted to Cecily. “…come with me nicely or you can—”
“Lawyer!” the blonde woman screamed.
The blonde hair was very familiar to Cecily. Her mind couldn’t wrap around the fact that Audrey, one of her best clients, was sitting here being asked to come with Judd.
“Hold up, Roshannon. You can’t just take my daughter—”
“Keep out of this, Boone, or you’ll find yourself in a cell next to her. An hour ago, we questioned a man named Sam McFee. It took a bit to get him talkin’, but once we did, we found out that Audrey here is responsible for the break-ins at the Drift Away Massage and Spa.”
Cecily’s jaw dropped. She wanted to make a sound, but nothing came out. Or maybe it had--everyone in the group swung their gazes to her and Amaryllis. Aiden gave a low growl, and Judd glowered at Cecily.
“Stay out of this. Get back to my truck.”
“I have a right to be here. You can’t order me to go. I’m not under arrest.” Cecily lifted her jaw a notch, and Judd’s face blanked.
She glanced at the man holding Audrey. He too looked familiar, though it took her a full second to place him.
He was the guy at the Slug and Chug who hadn’t wanted to take no for an answer on her first day in Bracken. He’d asked her to dance and Judd had stepped in to put a stop to it.
She met the man’s cold stare. “You…” She found her full voice and an inner strength that came with righteous fury. She balled her hands and let loose. “You’re the one who’s been breaking in to my shop! You stole my cash, ruined my things. Why?”
“I want a lawyer,” Audrey screamed, getting to her feet. Jake lurched out of the chair too.
Judd, Aiden and a man who could only be their cousin all laid hands on the weapons on their hips. Jake swayed, and Cecily realized he’d been drinking. Apparently it was a theme in this man’s life.
She didn’t recall moving, but suddenly she pushed past Judd and slammed the heels of her hands into Jake’s chest. They stung from the blow, but she didn’t get an opportunity to hit him again, because Judd picked her up.
He carried her several feet away and said in a cold voice, “Stay there.”
Like she was his dog? Telling her in the bedroom to stay on her knees or not to move was one thing, but this was real life, not fantasy role-playing. Anger heated her cheeks and made her throat constrict.
She dodged Judd and ran back to Jake, who rocked on his feet but didn’t fall. “Why did you rob me? Better yet, why try to destroy everything I worked for? You wanted to drive me out of Bracken. Why?”
“Get. Back. To. The. Truck,” Judd said tightly.
She barely registered his deep tone as she went after Jake again.
“Dammit, Amaryllis. How did you get wind of this?” Aiden asked. “I’m gonna have to handcuff you, aren’t I? Let us handle this.” His voice, so like Judd’s, broke through Cecily’s haze of anger.
She turned to look at the men. A streak of movement from the corner of her eye had her whirling to see Audrey taking off on foot.
Wes nabbed Audrey and whipped her off her feet.
“Lawyer!” Audrey screamed until the hairs on Cecily’s neck prickled, followed by a torrent of cuss words volleying from her mouth. She kicked at Wes’s shins, the blows affecting him as much as a fly’s kick.
“Let me go!”
“That’s enough!” A pudgy man in a plaid hunting jacket yelled. Everyone ignored him.
“You will calm down and stand here like a lady or you will find yourself hog-tied on the ground,” Wes said in a slow, even tone.
Judd faced Jake, legs braced wide and his arms folded over his chest as if he was about to shoot the breeze with the man. Cecily took a step in their direction, and Judd threw out an arm to barricade her.
She glared up at him.
“Stay outta this.”
“Stay outta this?” Her voice was a lethal slice. “This man is responsible for all the trouble I’ve had with my spa!”
She has a right to face the man about a crime committed against her,” Amaryllis defended.
“Both of you, leave,” Judd and Aiden said together. The twin thing would be spooky if Cecily hadn’t been so furious.
Jake wobbled and then sat down hard on the snow-covered bank. The sizzle of snowflakes hitting the flames seemed much louder to Cecily’s hearing. Everything was amplified—the darkness, the coldness in Judd’s tone. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself.
The rest of the group of people gathered here was on their feet, clustered away from Audrey and Jake. The man in the hunting jacket, who must be Audrey’s father, hung somewhere in the middle as if torn whether to stay out of it or support his daughter.
Judd slanted a hard stare at Cecily, but she planted her boots, held her ground.
He sent her a look that said he’d deal with her later and she may not like it very much.
“Where were you on the night of October the twenty-eighth?” Judd asked Jake.
Jake looked up, hatred twisting his features. “Ask your momma.”
A growl sounded from Aiden.
“Now you’ve done it.” Wes’s tone was nothing but amused.
“You will answer my questions seriously or you will be taken in under suspicion.”
“I don’t know where I was on that date. Who can remember these things?” Jake snapped.
“Miss Howard, where were you on that date?” Judd turned his attention to the woman Wes held.
She jerked her face away. “Lawyer,” she said again, like a little girl demanding candy.
“You can’t question her, Roshannon. You have nothing against her,” her father said.
“I have hospital records that you took Audrey into the ER for a couple stitches on the same night as Cecily’s shop was broken into the first time. How did she receive a cut like that?”
Cecily felt tears well—angry, cold tears. The icy wind braced her, and she glared at the woman who’d seemingly tricked her into believing she was a loyal client all these weeks. All those times Audrey had come in for services, had been so nice… Hell, she’d been Cecily’s very first paying customer!
“This isn’t a court of law and we refuse to answer your questions!” Audrey struggled against Wes, who seemed bored as he restrained her.
“You had all the reason in the world to want Cecily to close her spa. So you could get your daddy to build you one of your own on that piece of ground. Right, Audrey?” Judd continued.
Cecily gasped at the information being tossed around. Audrey had wanted a day spa of her own, but Cecily had beat her to it. Every word the woman had uttered seemed twisted and darkened with an ulterior motive.
“You scoped out my place and knew where everything was kept. You knew that door could be forced!”
“You have nothing on me, Cecily,” Audrey spat.
“When you didn’t keep me from opening my doors again, you got Jake in as your muscle.”
“Maybe you have a career in law enforcement, Cecily,” Aiden said.
Judd sent him a look that silenced him—for now. Aiden stood back with Amaryllis protectively in his arms, listening to the exchange.
Cecily took a step toward Audrey, and she let out a piercing shriek. Wes dug his finger into his ear and shook it. “Damn, woman, you got a set of pipes on you. But if you’re smart, you’ll shut up.”
“How did you know my passcode to open that lock?” Cecily demanded.
“Don’t take another step closer to her.” Judd locked a hand on Cecily’s upper arm, holding her back. She wanted to curl around the heat of his touch, even as she wanted to shake free and tell him off for ordering her to stay out of something that completely concerned her. It was her livelihood—her life.
“Lawyer,” Audrey muttered.
“Wait—you were on the street that day. You walked behind me while I was keying in the code. You saw it and used it.”
“Everybody knows you should shield people from seeing the numbers you enter.” It wasn’t an admission, but Audrey wasn’t saying much more right now.
Judd used his chest to force Cecily back a few steps. “Go back to the truck and get inside.”
She shook her head, and his dark gaze drilled into her for a heartbeat. Her submissive side, so new to this game, wanted to buckle under that stare, but she just couldn’t walk away. They weren’t in the bedroom right now.
Judd issued a low growl and turned to nudge Jake with the toe of his boot. “Jake, get on your feet, you sorry piece of shit.”
Jake slumped as if passed out. But the minute Judd reached for his arm to haul him to his feet, Jake swung. His fist glanced off Judd’s ear. Everything was a blur of firelight and snowflakes as Judd flipped Jake face down and rammed his knee into his back as he cuffed him.
“I’m going to read your Miranda, and if you’re smart you’ll shut your goddamn mouth. You’re looking at assaulting an officer and public drunkenness even if you weren’t involved with the breaking and entering. But tell me, Jake, how did you cut that security camera line without detection of any other cameras on the street?”
Cecily’s eyes flared wide. Security cameras?
* * * * *
Damn, now Judd had stuck his boot square in his mouth and Cecily was looking at him like she didn’t know him.
As he hauled Jake up out of the valley to his waiting SUV, he tossed glances over his shoulder to ensure Cecily got out safely. She walked a few steps behind, not speaking, staring at her footing. Or trying to avoid looking at him?
When he got her alone, he was going to turn her over his knee for risking herself that way. Dammit.
He didn’t blame her one bit for being angry. Not only had he failed to tell her about the security cameras, but he’d completely brushed her off when he’d come home to find her wearing an apron.
All that warm, touchable skin begging for his hands. He’d stopped in to make sure she was safe for the night and barely kept himself from picking her up and carrying her to his bed. Stretching her out beneath him and doing all the things he wanted to her. But he’d been on a mission.
Now he was in the doghouse and needed to dig himself out. But first, he needed to interrogate Audrey and Jake as an accomplice.
Cecily was throwing him looks that he couldn’t read.
He cuffed Jake securely in the back seat and Wes took Audrey. Cecily paused at the passenger’s door, looking toward another truck.
“Wait—is that how you and Cecily got here?” Aiden asked Amaryllis.
She nodded, a wide, unapologetic smile on her face.
“Whose truck is that?” Aiden walked up to the back to look more closely at the plates in the darkness. “Is that our neighbor’s?”
“I couldn’t get my truck started. I swear you’ve done something to the starter or keep disconnecting the battery,” Amaryllis shot back.
“Would you wonder if I did? Jesus, woman, you’re pregnant and out speeding all over the countryside apprehending criminals when it isn’t even your case.”
Judd turned away from the couple just as Aiden muttered, “I’m so spanking your ass for this.”
Let them work it out themselves. Judd had his own mess to deal with in one little brunette staring at him as though zen was the furthest thing from her mind. Her eyes glittered in the darkness and her hands were balled at her sides.
He closed the driver’s door to keep their “passenger” from overhearing and came around to Cecily. He caught her hands and enclosed her icy fists in his warm ones.
Looking into her eyes, he said, “I’ll explain after we get him to the jail. I’m asking you to get in my vehicle.”
He waited to see if she’d listen to him or if she walked out. Just like Cassie.
“You’d better, Judd Roshannon. Though I don’t know what you can possibly do or say to make this right.”
“Look, I should have told you about having a security camera installed on your premises.”
To her surprise, she said, “I don’t care about that. If I’d known, I would have argued with you about paying for it myself. But it was only smart business, and you were protecting me.”
He shook his head. “Then what is all this about?”
“You think you can order me around out here? In the bedroom, yes. I’ll do whatever you ask, but not—”
He gripped her upper arms, pulling her onto tiptoes, and slammed his mouth over hers. For a long minute, he took control, feeling her resistance fade away and tremors rise in its place.
He let her heels touch the ground again. “Please get in,” he said quietly.
She climbed into the passenger’s seat and didn’t look back at Jake once during their drive back to Bracken. She snorted. “The man actually said please. Better tell Echo you can teach an old dog new tricks,” she muttered.
He hid his smile.