Reid sighed. “Sadly, yes.”
“How’d Marceline react? Do you think she got it?”
“Actually, she seemed to. She said she wants her love back.”
Again Piper exchanged a glance with Cord. “That’s great. But I don’t understand why you felt that story, touching as it is, was important enough to call me.”
At her words, Reid laughed. “Because there’s more. Marceline and I rarely talk, but for whatever reason, once she heard my lost love tale, she got chatty. She mentioned you.”
Piper braced herself. “Oh, yeah? What’d she say?”
“She felt she might have been too hard on you. She blamed herself—well, Fowler, too—for your disappearance. When we discussed that bloody shirt and who might want to frame you, Marceline said she had a good idea who.”
Inhaling sharply, Piper swallowed. “Well? Who? Don’t prolong the suspense, Reid. Not about something as important as this.”
“Sorry,” Reid responded, sounding anything but. “Anyway, Marceline said she has this maid named Sarah she sometimes uses to do her dirty work. Apparently this woman has known you for years, Pipe. Seems she’s bitter.”
“Sarah Sleighter,” Piper said slowly. “She used to be really jealous of me. But why would Marceline give her up?”
“You know, I asked that same question. Marceline said she wanted to be helpful to her family. Sort of to prove she really is a big ole softy.”
Piper snorted at that. “She’s still a snot.”
“I’d use a much stronger word,” Reid said, laughing. “Anyway, I wanted to pass that on to you. I went to try and talk to Sarah, but it seems she’s disappeared. No one’s seen hide nor hair of her for weeks.”
“Because the police probably have her in protective custody,” Cord drawled, speaking up finally. “They told me—if she’s their witness—that she fears her life is in danger.”
Reid went silent. Piper knew why. He was trying to figure out if he could recognize Cord’s voice.
“I didn’t realize you were with a man,” Reid finally said, sounding as if he’d just swallowed a lemon.
Piper grimaced and Cord mouthed the word “Sorry.”
Since she didn’t know what to say, Piper didn’t speak. Reid apparently got the hint. “Sorry,” he said. “I know it’s none of my business. But, Pipe, I’ll always be your big brother, so I’m going to have to say this—Guy with my baby sister, whoever you are, don’t hurt her. Because if you do, I can guarantee I’m going to come looking for you. You got that?”
Appalled, Piper looked at Cord to see how he was taking Reid’s threat. To her shock, a grim smile creased his face. “I got it,” he said. “No worries there.”
“As long as we’re on the same page.” Some of the tension had gone out of Reid’s voice.
Piper and Cord exchanged a glance. “Good to know.” Cord crossed his arms. Piper couldn’t read his expression.
“What are you thinking?” Reid asked. “You understand you can’t go to the police with this information, right? It’s all in confidence.”
“I made no promises,” Cord said. “But I can reassure you I’m not going to the police.”
“Don’t be involving my sister in anything illegal, you hear?” Reid sounded pissed again. “She’s got enough trouble as it is.”
“I don’t think I need you telling me—or Piper—what I can and cannot do,” Cord began, his expression hard. “I appreciate your concern, but your sister is an adult and—”
“Thanks for the information,” Piper interjected. “We’re going to let you go now. Keep in touch.” And she ended the call before either man could escalate things.
“Please don’t provoke my brother.” Piper faced Cord and grimaced. “He’s very protective of me.”
“I got that.” Cord’s expression softened. “I’m sorry. What he said just hit me the wrong way.”
She sighed.
“However, what he had to say underscored my point. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Are you planning on hurting me?”
Her question appeared to surprise him. “Of course not.”
“Then don’t say we have to stop. Because that’s what will really hurt me. I can’t fathom the pain if you and I don’t ever tangle up the sheets again.”
He laughed. “You win. Now tell me about Sarah Sleighter. I remember her from when I lived on the ranch. Shy, quiet little thing. Her mother was a maid. Why does she hate you enough to do something like frame you for murder?”
“I didn’t really get that she hated me,” Piper said slowly. “She seemed bitter over what she called my good fortune when Whitney adopted me. She used to always make snide comments about that when we were kids.”
“What about lately? Did she ever speak to you?”
“Not really. When her mother retired, Sarah took her place. She works as one of Marceline’s personal maids. I didn’t see much of her.”
“Servants.” Cord shook his head. “I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be that rich. I bet you miss it, don’t you?”
“Not at all.” Piper didn’t even have to consider her answer. “Sure, it’s nice to have someone cook and clean for you, but I never used the maids the way Marceline did.”
“I wonder if she’s really in protective custody, or if that’s a lie,” Cord said. “Such a thing seems extreme for something like this. It’s not like you’re a mobster or hardened criminal.”
“Right?” Piper sighed. “It’s entirely possible the other ranch staffers are keeping her hidden. If she convinced them she’s really in danger, they’d close ranks around her. They’re really loyal to each other.”
“Interesting. If she’s on the ranch, I want to talk to her.” Cord stood and walked to the window, turning his back to her while he looked out into the darkness.
“How are you going to do that?”
He glanced over his shoulder at her. “I’m going out there in the morning, after I check on Ms. Berens. And you can go with me, if we can disguise you well enough so that no one recognizes you.”
*
That night, even though Cord had much on his mind, exhaustion claimed his body and he slept soundly. To his relief, the phone didn’t ring with bad news from the hospital, and he woke in the morning refreshed and reenergized.
And aroused, with Piper on his mind. Since this had become a regular occurrence these days, he hopped in the shower and got ready to face the day.
After dressing, he called the hospital to check on Ms. Berens. There had been no change, she was still unresponsive and in the ICU. He decided he’d pop in there personally and check on her later.
After breakfast, he ran to the discount superstore and purchased supplies for Piper’s disguise. She disappeared to get ready, promising to be gone only a few minutes. When she reappeared, he could barely recognize her.
“Amazing,” he drawled, eyeing the new Piper with a long, wavy wig of medium brown hair. With her thick, nonprescription glasses, she looked nothing like herself, yet Cord had to admit he still found her sexy. Of course, he had personal experience with those curves under her baggy tunic. The only part of her that remained unchanged were her bright green eyes.
“Let’s go.” They climbed in his truck and were off.
Though years had passed since he’d set foot on the Colton family ranch, Cord remembered the layout as if it had been yesterday. As a child, he’d explored every nook and cranny of the place; every barn and shed and pasture. He hadn’t really been inside the mansion except for the kitchen. One of the Coltons’ cooks had been fond of the various children running wild around the place and used to bake them cookies and allow them in the kitchen to eat. Mrs. P. He wondered if she still worked there.
“No, she retired a few years ago,” Piper said in response to his question. “She was a nice lady and worked directly under the head cook, Bettina. All of us kids loved her. The cook that took her place isn’t nearly as kind. Sometimes I think she and Marceline are long los
t twins.”
He laughed. A short silence fell. Next to him, Piper fidgeted in her seat.
“Are you nervous?” he found himself asking.
“A little.” The tightness of her laugh gave her away. “I’m just worried about being recognized.”
“Don’t talk to anyone and you should be fine.”
She nodded, her gaze once again faraway.
From memory, he followed the road to the drive. The huge black iron gates were open.
“They haven’t been working right for weeks,” Piper said. “Whitney keeps saying she’s going to have someone repair them, but it never happens.”
“Good thing. If they’d been closed, you would have had to put in your code to open them. That might have drawn more interest than we want.”
She nodded, sitting up straight as they drove slowly down the long driveway. “It’s funny, but I feel like a tourist right now. Curious and slightly excited, but not like I’m at home.”
“But this is still your home,” he reminded her.
“Maybe.” Her casual shrug didn’t fool him. “I haven’t felt comfortable here for quite some time, if you want to know the truth. I’ve never belonged. Especially after both Marceline and Fowler confronted me.”
He doubted she was aware of the pain in her voice. Unable to help himself, he squeezed her shoulder.
Chapter 13
They rounded a curve and ahead, the ranch mansion came into view. Two stories, with columns, the structure resembled nothing so much as a Southern plantation from the old Deep South. Cord figured the Coltons had intentionally built it that way. As a small child, the house had seemed magical, like some sort of newer castle. He couldn’t imagine what it must have been like growing up in such a place, especially since it had been made clear by Marceline that Piper didn’t belong.
“Drive a little faster,” Piper hissed. “You can park out in the lot near the covered arena.” She held up those hideous thick glasses. “Once we’re out of the car and walking around, I’ll wear these, plus the Texas Rangers baseball cap.”
Her jitters came through in both her voice and the way she bounced around in her seat. “With all that, no one will recognize you, I promise.” He tried to reassure her. “Just remember not to talk to anyone.”
“Except Sarah,” she said darkly. “If we manage to locate her, I promise you, I’ll have a lot to say.”
“After,” he cautioned. “Don’t say anything until after we get her cornered so she has no choice but to talk to us.”
“What are you planning to do?”
“I’m not sure. We’ll play it by ear.”
Piper exhaled sharply. “But no one gets hurt, right?”
“I’ll do my best,” he promised. “Now, are the staff quarters still inside the main house?”
“Not anymore. Eldridge built a huge dormitory-style building for them. We can walk to it from here.”
“Good.” He parked, wondering at his sudden, savage urge to protect her. “Stay close to me, okay?”
She regarded him curiously. “What are you worried might happen?”
Ignoring this, he took her arm. “Now remember our story.”
“Yes. If we’re stopped and questioned, we’re there to visit our cousin who’s a maid.”
He nodded and they continued to walk, with him holding on to her arm like an old married couple. Across the large parking lot, she skirted the side of a huge indoor arena. “There.” She pointed. “That’s where most of the staff lives. At least, the ones who don’t drive in from town.”
As they approached the building, a short, slender man in stained coveralls came out. “Excuse me, sir?” Piper called out, earning an annoyed look from Cord. “Can you tell us where to find Sarah Sleighter? She’s our cousin and we’re hoping to surprise her.”
“You’re family?” He eyed them suspiciously. “I wasn’t aware she had any people here in Texas.”
“She doesn’t,” Piper replied. Even though she’d agreed not to talk, she felt she had to since she knew Cord wouldn’t tell an outright lie. “We drove down from Oklahoma. She called us and said she was in trouble.”
“That she is.” He nodded, looking tired. “But truth be told, I wonder about her sometimes. She’s fond of making up stories and several of us have come to believe her supposed danger is all in her mind.”
“Is she here?” Cord asked, his voice casual.
The man shrugged. “I’m not sure she is, but she lives in room 223. I think her stuff is still there, but who knows. I haven’t seen her in a good while. Second floor, turn right after you step out from the elevator.”
Without waiting for their reply, he hurried off, leaving Piper and Cord to mull over his words.
“Room 223,” Cord repeated. “I wonder if she’s there. Even though Deputy Briggs said the witness was being protected, he never said where.”
“Let’s go find out.” Leading the way, Piper strode up to the front door.
They located the room without difficulty. Of course, the door had been closed. Cord knocked. “Sarah? It’s your cousin Sam, come up all the way from Tulsa.”
The door opened, just a crack. “I don’t have any cousins in Oklahoma,” she said, her voice dripping scorn.
Cord shoved the door open, ignoring her strangled cry. “Sarah Sleighter? Cord Maxwell. I’m a private investigator. I’d like to have a word with you.”
But Sarah’s gaze had slipped right past him to find Piper. “Your eyes...” Sarah said. “I’d recognize that particular shade of green anywhere. You’re Piper Colton.” She shoved Cord. Hard. Not expecting the move, he stumbled slightly, but righted himself quickly.
Not fast enough. Pushing past Piper, Sarah took off down the hall, running.
Piper went after her, Cord close on Piper’s heels.
They caught her before she reached the staircase, having bypassed the elevator. Cord twisted her around and handcuffed her.
“You can’t do that,” she protested. “If you’re the police, you have to read me my rights and tell me what I’m being arrested for.”
“Well, then, it’s a good thing I’m not the police,” Cord responded. “I’m a bounty hunter.”
“He’s helping me,” Piper put in.
Panting, chest heaving, Sarah eyed Piper, her narrow gaze full of bitterness. “I can’t believe you had the nerve to come back around here after what you’ve done.”
“What I’ve done?” Piper got real close. Too close. “How about you? Putting that old bloody shirt in my closet and setting me up for something I didn’t do.”
Sarah curled her lip and spat.
“That’s enough.” Cord spun her around and nudged her forward. “I’m taking you to the police station. We’re going to get this shirt thing straightened out once and for all. We know you planted it to frame Piper.”
On the way to the car, with Sarah cuffed, Cord half expected her to scream for help. To his surprise, she didn’t, just walked silently and sullenly, getting in the backseat of his truck without protest.
Cord signaled Piper to wait. Closing the doors so Sarah couldn’t hear them, he touched her shoulder where Sarah had shoved her. “You okay?”
“I think so.”
“Good. I want you to call Reid and have him meet us at the sheriff’s office. Tell him to have your lawyer there as well, if possible. On the way there, I’m going to drop you off on Third and Main. You can wander down to that little coffee shop and have something to drink. I’ll pick you up when we’ve finished.”
She nodded.
Sarah endured the ride in silence, contenting herself with shooting hateful looks at the back of Piper’s head. When Cord pulled over and dropped Piper off, Sarah protested. “She needs to go, too. She’s the whole reason nothing’s been right.”
Deciding to let that statement go, Cord made a noncommittal sound and drove on. When he reached the sheriff’s department, a tall man waited in the parking lot, leaning against his truck. That had to be Reid.
> Pulling up next to him and parking, Cord jumped out and greeted him. “Reid Colton?”
“I am.” Reid eyed him dispassionately. “And you are?”
“Cord Maxwell.” He held out his hand.
They shook. Cord appreciated Piper’s brother’s no-nonsense grip.
“You’re that bounty hunter, aren’t you?” Reid asked, following him around to the backseat passenger side.
“I prefer fugitive recovery specialist, but yes. I run Sam Ater’s place. S.A. Enterprises. I own it now. I’m also a PI.”
“Ah, now I understand.” Reid’s expression cleared. “Piper hired you, didn’t she?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes.” Opening the back door, Cord helped Sarah from the car. “Meet Sarah. She planted the bloody shirt and gave false testimony against Piper.”
“You have no proof of that,” Sarah protested.
Both men ignored her. Propelling her toward the doorway, they got her inside.
The instant he saw them, Deputy Briggs’s gaze went to Sarah. “What are you doing here? You were supposed to go into protective custody.”
Mouth sullen, she shrugged. “It was boring. So I left and went home. I have a job and bills to pay. It seemed like a good idea.”
“Until it wasn’t,” Briggs pointed out. “Now look what kind of mess you’ve gotten yourself into.”
“I believe Ms. Sleighter has a statement to make,” Reid put in.
“No, I don’t.”
Cord stepped forward and shot her a warning look. “Yes. You do.”
Briggs looked from one man to the other. “Would you fellas mind telling me exactly what is going on?”
“I’d rather let her do that,” Cord said.
Everyone stared at Sarah. She stared right back, defiant and stubborn.
“Come on, now,” Reid interjected, his voice soft. “The game’s up and you know it. You might as well just go ahead and tell them the truth.”
Her eyes flashed anger, but finally she nodded. “Fine. I planted the damn shirt. Eldridge gave it to me to clean right before he disappeared. He’d had some sort of accident with a hunting knife and went to the hospital for stitches. That shirt couldn’t be cleaned, but I hung on to it. When Eldridge vanished, and it seemed clear someone killed him, I saw my opportunity for revenge. Piper shouldn’t have gotten the life she did. It just wasn’t fair.”
Runaway Colton Page 17