Chapter Twelve
Mason got to the sheriff’s station moments after I did and disappeared into Jeff’s office with him. Someone ordered sandwiches, and I ate two of them while delivering my statement. Afterwards, I sat at an empty desk and waited for Mason. Someone gave me a Sudoku book, but I couldn’t concentrate. I kept eyeing the phone. Jeff had told me he hadn’t heard anything about Bruce Wayne, but I also knew the department was more concerned with finding Crocker. Jonah was still looking, though, and might have a lead.
Still, it was close to midnight and too late to call him. Jonah was an early-to-bed kind of guy and although he wouldn’t mind me waking him up, I couldn’t do it. I also considered calling Violet. I wanted to hear how Muffy was doing. I hadn’t seen my little dog in a day and a half and missed her more than I would have thought possible.
Just when I’d started to think they’d be in there forever, Jeff’s door flew open and Mason and Jeff hurried out of the office. Mason stopped at my desk and sat on the edge, his no-nonsense expression on his face. “I have to go out for a little while. Jeff had a couple of cots set up in the back. If you’re tired, you can lie down and get some sleep.”
“So I’m going to spend the night here?” I wasn’t about to complain. I felt safer here than I did hiding at the motel.
“Yeah, it looks like it.”
I could tell he was distracted. “Mason, is everything okay?”
He leaned over and kissed me lightly. “Yeah, get some rest, okay.”
He was lying. Something was wrong, but I decided to let it go. I had to trust that he had a good reason for not telling me. If they’d found Crocker I’d be told soon enough. Unless…
My eyes flew open. “Is Violet okay?”
“What?” He blinked. “Yes. She’s fine. But I’ll have Jeff send someone to check on her to ease your mind, okay?”
“Okay. And could they check on Muffy?” My mouth twisted into a grimace. “I know she’s just a dog…”
He took my hand. “Rose, she’s not just a dog. She’s important to you.” He gave me another kiss and then stood. “I should have checked on her for you. I’m sorry. But Neely Kate and Jonah were okay when I talked to them this afternoon. I’ll have the deputy make sure she’s okay when they check on Violet. Now I have to go.”
“Okay.” I couldn’t help but worry as I watched him and Jeff head for the exit. Something was really wrong.
He still hadn’t returned a couple of hours later, but when I asked the other deputies about it, they only gave me vague answers. I tried waiting up for him, but I kept dozing off and writing nonsense numbers on the Sudoku puzzle I was trying to solve, so I finally gave up and went to the back storage room to rest on one of the cots.
When I awoke, Mason was sleeping in the cot next to mine. I watched him for several minutes, wanting to reach across the three feet between us and smooth the worry lines from his face. I hated to think that I was the one who put them there.
As though he sensed me watching him, his eyes opened and a lazy grin spread across his face. “All the times I’ve imagined sleeping with you, this was not what I pictured.”
A shiver ran down my spine and my mind turned to dangerous thoughts. “You’ve imagined sleeping with me?”
He didn’t answer, but his grin grew wider.
“Where’d you go last night?”
I’d asked the wrong thing. His expression turned serious as he angled his body toward me, still lying on his side. “My office.”
“Why the big secret?”
“It was broken into.”
“Why would someone break into your office?”
He hesitated. “They were looking for files. On you.”
I sucked in my breath. “And did they get them?”
He rubbed his face. “Yes.”
“I don’t understand. Why would someone want my files?”
“Not someone. Crocker. Or more likely, his men.”
I sat bolt upright, and he did too. “Why would he want my files?”
“I don’t know. To find out what you’ve said about him? To get more information on you? Because he’s obsessed with you? I’m not sure, but one thing is certain: files are gone.”
I tried to absorb the information. “Why were you away for so long?”
“Because my office was trashed… And because Crocker left a note.”
I gasped. “What did it say?”
“‘Smart men don’t take what is mine.’”
I felt like I was going to be sick. “He threatened you because he knows we’re together…”
He stood and pulled me off my cot, taking me into his arms. “It’s going to be okay.”
“But they still don’t know where he is.”
His tightened his embrace. “No.”
“He’s going to hurt you, Mason. Because of me.”
“No, Rose. Jeff’s worried enough that he wants me to go into protection with you.”
I buried my face in the nape of his neck. Was it wrong that I was relieved that he was going with me? Even if his life was in danger? I pulled back to look at him. “Where will they take us?”
A hesitant smile lifted his lips. “Your farm.”
Not my farm. My mother’s farm. Fear washed through me, not of Daniel Crocker but of the unknown from my past that awaited me there.
“I told Jeff about the farm and he had two deputies he trusts check it out yesterday afternoon. It’s perfect because so few people know it exists. But we’re only telling a few key people. We think there might be a leak in the department.”
“What?”
“Jeff and I have suspected as much for a couple of months. Our lunch date the other day was just one of many meetings we’ve had to try and piece it together. Even though the Henryetta safe house wasn’t so secret, the sheriff thinks Crocker’s men might have gotten a tip from someone inside the Henryetta or Fenton County law enforcement departments.”
“Then how can we trust them to protect us?”
“Because Jeff has handpicked a handful of men whom he’s positive he can trust.”
I struggled to breathe.
“By going to your farm, we’ve added an extra layer of protection. It’s not one of their usual safe houses and no one knows anything about it. We’ll hide there with the detail and wait for them to catch Crocker.” He cupped my cheek and leaned down to kiss me. “I know you’re scared, but trust me.”
“Always.” I grabbed his face and kissed him to show him not only how much I needed him, but how much I wanted him.
He wrapped his arms around my back and pulled me to him, kissing me until I was breathless.
He groaned and pulled back, staring at me with eyes full of longing. “As much as I want this to go further, a cot in the back room of the sheriff’s department doesn’t seem like the best place.”
I rested my cheek on his chest. “Is it wrong that I want you on the farm with me?”
His hand stroked my arm. “No. It would be wrong if you didn’t.”
The door opened and Jeff appeared in the doorway. “Oh, good. You’re awake. It’s early, so half the county’s still asleep. Now would be a good time for us to head to the safe house.”
“Yes, we’re eager to get settled,” Mason said.
“Then let’s get going.”
After ordering his men to pull two unmarked cars behind the building, Jeff led us to the back door, stopping with his hand on the door handle. “I’ll be in contact a couple of times a day. You’ll have one guard during the day and two at night. Here’s the list of guys who will be watching you.” He handed Mason a folded sheet of paper. “Hopefully, we’ll catch the bastard soon and you won’t have to be out there for very long.”
Mason shook Jeff’s hand and pulled him into a guy hug, thumping him on the back. “Thanks. You have no idea how much I appreciate all your help.”
“Don’t mention it.”
We followed Jeff into the parking lot. “You’re going to take separate cars just to be on the safe side.” He opened the back door of the first car and I slid onto the seat, then looked back to watch as Mason climbed into the other car.
Mason’s car pulled away from the curb immediately, but Jeff still hadn’t closed my door. He squatted down in the opening. “Rose, I’d like to apologize for yesterday. I think we got off on the wrong foot. When we were in Mason’s office last night, he confessed that he’s had feelings for you for months and that you two have been friends for even longer.” He took a deep breath. “I was just being an overprotective friend and I jumped to the wrong conclusion. No hard feelings I hope?”
“No. Of course not.”
“I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t mention yesterday’s talk to Mason.” His face reddened. “It’ll make him angry and he has enough to deal with right now. Maybe we can all sit around and laugh about it someday.”
“I don’t see any reason to tell him. And I appreciate that you’re such a good friend to him.”
“Thanks. And don’t worry. We’ll catch this guy.” He stood and shut my back door, thumping the roof with his hand.