by Toni Leland
The terriers raced out to meet her, barking and dancing on their hind legs, stubby tails twitching with delight. The red Volvo was still parked in the driveway and a green pick-up truck sat beside it. The troops were on the case. She stepped into the barn and was greeted with high squeals from Little Bit. A tall woman stood near the stall.
“Boy, somebody is happy to see you!”
Julia laughed and offered her hand. “Yes, she’s my baby. I’m Ginger.”
“I’m Terry. How’s Casey doing?”
Julia blew out a long breath. “She’s pretty beat up, still heavily sedated. Terry, my plans have changed and I’ll be staying here after all, so you won’t need to spend the nights. I sure appreciate your help, though.”
The woman nodded. “Anything for Casey. She was my salvation when my mother died.” A far-away look came into the woman’s eyes. “I spent my life caring for Mom, then when she was gone, I didn’t think there were any years left for me. But Casey doesn’t put up with that carry-on.”
Julia nodded. “She’s very special.”
Terry gestured toward the stalls. “Bill and I got everything done except bringing the outside horses in.”
Julia zipped her jacket. “I’ll help and we’ll be done before dark.”
As she followed Terry across the aisle, her phone rang. Terry continued on toward the back doors and Julia’s heart thumped at the sight of Dillon’s number on the screen.
His voice curled around her like a warm blanket. “Hey, can you talk?”
She swallowed, glancing around. “Yes. Where are you? Are you okay? God, Dillon—”
“Listen to me. I’m fine, just had a little run in with some snot-nosed kids. I think I bumped your speed dial number accidently in the fray. I hope I didn’t worry you.”
Should she tell him she’d called the police? She squeezed her eyes. She did not want to revert to half-truths again. On the other hand, what was he hiding? Her better judgment said to err on the side of caution.
“A little. Tell me what happened.”
“Later. I’m heading into Cincinnati right now and after I deliver this load, I need to get the truck serviced. How about I call you tonight?”
“Okay. Talk to you later.”
She hung up, not happy about the niggling feeling that Dillon wasn’t telling her the truth. She glanced toward the back of the barn and hesitated. Bill and Terry came in leading four horses, and she called out.
“I have to make an emergency call. Can you guys manage without me?”
Bill laughed. “Of course.”
Julia headed out the front and across the driveway. Stephen would still be at the office and she needed to get this over with. Several scenarios played through her mind, but she’d just have to take it a step at a time, depending on his reaction when she called. She thought about all that had happened in the past twenty-four hours. It didn’t matter what Stephen wanted, or thought he wanted—she was going to be free to pursue this life she’d adopted.
Taking a deep breath, she activated call-blocking, then dialed Seattle.
“Stephen Dorsey’s office.”
Panic grew in Julia’s chest, making it difficult to breathe. She inhaled slowly, re-gathering her courage.
“May I speak to Mr. Dorsey, please?”
“He’s not available. May I take your number and have him return your call?”
“I can call back. When would be a good time?”
“He was called out of town. I don’t know when he’ll be back. If you’ll—”
Julia hung up and closed her eyes. He was already on the way.
Chapter 42
Dillon drove down an industrial road lined with warehouses and distribution centers. At the end, he turned left and headed toward a huge warehouse door. As he approached, the door slowly rose and he eased the rig into a building the size of an airplane hangar. The door closed behind the truck and he killed the engine. Chief Rusher and three agents walked toward him. Uh oh. The big man in person.
He swung down from the seat and moved to the rear of the trailer. Hollow thumps emanated from inside as he unlocked the doors. Two of the agents climbed into the trailer, and Rusher came to stand beside Dillon.
“Good work. This guy might be the break we need to clean up the operation.”
“How many other locations have you found so far?”
“Ten. We’ll stay on the surveillance plan for another couple of weeks, then wrap it up.”
“Same instructions? Follow and get locations?”
Rusher shook his head. “You’re off the detail.”
Anger boiled up in Dillon’s chest. “Why? Because I went off course once? Even though I got you a real, live suspect? Don’t pull that protocol crap with me!”
The chief didn’t rise to the bait. “I’m already in shit up to my armpits. How’m I going to explain having a suspect in custody without writing a report? A report that would have to include use of a civilian in this operation.” He shook his head again. “Sorry, but this is the way it has to be.”
Dillon spun on his heel and took three strides away, his chest exploding. He wanted to smash someone, anyone. He took a deep breath and turned around. The agents were herding the suspect into a van, and Rusher was closing the trailer doors. Dillon’s voice echoed in the cavernous building.
“What about your end of the deal?”
The chief glowered at him. “I always keep my word. Follow me.”
Dillon caught up to him, but didn’t say a word. Rusher opened the rear door of his vehicle and leaned inside. A minute later, he held out a brown envelope.
His tone was apologetic. “I’ve been working on this since you left the agency. I should have told you, but didn’t want to get your hopes up. Everything you want to know is in this file.”
Dillon stared at the packet. Was his search over? Could he end this and get on with his life?
He stuck out his hand. “Thanks. Let me know if you ever need anything.”
Rusher laughed. “Like a huge spike in my shoe? Sure will!”
The immense warehouse doors slowly rose and the chief rolled down his car window. He gave Dillon a sly grin, then drove out and disappeared. The van followed, and Dillon climbed into his truck, tossing the envelope on the passenger seat. As he left the warehouse, his thoughts were riveted on that brown package. Its contents beckoned and, finally, he pulled over and set the brake, then turned to stare at the envelope for a moment. Slowly, he picked it up. The contents would determine where his path would lead, and he wasn’t sure it would fit in with his new optimism. If he had a target, he’d want to follow it, and that would leave no choice but to walk away from Ginger for as long as he needed.
He blew out a long, slow breath as he laid the envelope back on the seat. He’d look at the files when he returned to the motel.
Julia crawled out of bed at dawn, groggy and achy from a night of wakefulness. She’d lain in the dark, rehearsing what she would say to Stephen and considering her responses to anything he could possibly say to her. It had been a long night, but at some point today, the nightmare would come to an end. She looked out the window into the pale winter light. Dillon hadn’t called back. A small twist of anxiety knotted her stomach. Much as she resisted admitting it, her new freedom would be an empty victory without him. She moved slowly through the motions of getting dressed. He had been frank about the dangers of what he was doing and his concerns about involving her. Whatever had happened yesterday had something to do with his search for Sal’s killers—of that, she was certain.
An hour later, Bill Thomas’s Volvo rolled up the driveway as Julia was leaving the barn. He parked next to the door.
She grinned. “My, you are the early bird!”
“Thought I’d get a head start on the day’s chores. I’d like to get over to the hospital to see Casey this morning.”
His face colored a little and he looked away. Julia resisted the urge to smile knowingly. So this was Casey’s mystery man.
“Good, I know she’ll be glad to see you. I’ve filled all the water buckets and fed the foal. I need to get in to work early today, so I’ll see you again tomorrow.”
She walked across the driveway and climbed into her car, then sat quietly for a moment, thinking about Stephen and wondering when he would show up at Bud’s. At least she had the advantage of her boss’s presence. Surely Stephen wouldn’t touch her if someone else was there. A flash vision materialized of the last time he’d assaulted her and a violent shudder passed through her body. She stared at the center of the steering wheel, focusing on the design, forcing her brain to blot out the past. She took a long, slow breath, then reached out and turned the key. Nothing happened. She frowned and tried again, then swore softly and climbed out of the car.
Bill was tossing flakes of hay when she entered the barn. “Could you come give me a jump-start? My battery’s dead.”
A couple of minutes later, Bill pulled his head from beneath the hood and frowned. “The ignition wires have been torn out. You’re not going anywhere.”
An icy pool formed in the pit of Julia’s stomach and she glanced toward the road. Someone had come onto the property during the night and done this.
Bill stepped away from the car and shook his head.
“Maybe I watch too many action movies, but I sure don’t like the look of this.” He gazed at her. “You in trouble with anyone?”
She bit her lip. “I might be. Just close the hood. I’ll take Casey’s truck to work.” She turned away, then stopped. “If anyone comes looking for me, just tell them you don’t know where I am, okay?”
Bill nodded. “Understood. You should keep your phone on, though. I can let you know if anything suspicious happens.” His eyes narrowed. “You think somebody might be watching this place?”
I’m sure of it now. She glanced back toward the road. There were no cars in sight, but that didn’t mean anything. Her stalker could be watching from the trees with long-range binoculars. If that were the case, he’d see her get into Casey’s truck.
She nodded. “Maybe.”
“You go on into the barn. I’ll back my car up to the door and load a sack of grain into the trunk. You can slip out the back door, go around the barn, and crawl into the rear seat of my car, and I’ll drive you out.”
Bill’s eyes glowed with the excitement of the plot, and Julia felt she could trust him to help her. She nodded and headed toward the barn, trying to stay calm. If the dark sedan had been the private investigator, then Stephen knew where she lived. If he left yesterday, he’d already be in the state and on his way to get her. Her brain replayed his vicious attack in the motel bathroom and, without warning, her determination evaporated and she just wanted to run. But where?
Ten minutes later, Julia’s cheek burned against the cold leather on the back seat of the Volvo. How could her life have deteriorated so quickly? Here she was, being spirited away like a fugitive only hours after she’d embraced the promise of her new freedom. The car bumped over the ruts in the driveway, then the ride smoothed out as Bill turned onto the paved road.
His voice drifted from the front seat. “You okay back there?”
“Yes. Let me know when you get to the main road.”
“Just so you know, I didn’t see any cars parked anywhere back there.”
She didn’t respond. Anyone Stephen hired to do a job would be the best money could buy. They wouldn’t be stupid enough to wait in plain sight.
“Okay, we’re in Lakeville.”
She struggled to sit up and immediately looked out the back window. The road was clear. Now she needed to decide where she would go. She bit her lip. If Dillon were there, she wouldn’t feel quite so unsure of herself. Hmm, that’s an interesting thought. Since when do I need someone else to make decisions for me? Like I haven’t had that experience!
She leaned forward and peered out the windshield. “Would you take me to Edwardsville? I’ll get a room there until I figure out what to do.”
“None of my business, but are you running from the law?”
“Nope. An ex-husband who can’t take no for an answer.”
“Ahh, well, good. I don’t want to get mixed up in anything illegal.”
The next fifteen minutes passed in silence, then Bill pulled into a small motel on the south end of Edwardsville and parked.
“This okay? It’s not fancy, but it’s cheap. I put my sisters up here when they visit.”
Julia reached out and touched his shoulder. “Thanks, Bill. I really appreciate it.” She opened the car door, then turned back. “Listen, please don’t tell anyone about this—including Casey. I plan to get it sorted out before the day is over.”
She climbed out and waved, watching the red Volvo turn back toward Lakeville. As soon as the car was out of sight, she set off toward the center of town.
Dillon tossed his grubby clothes into his duffel bag and took one more look in the mirror. The man staring back looked like a man who’d been ruled by demons for too long. He hadn’t slept well. The previous day’s excitement had been an incredible high. Dillon’s instincts and training had been right there, under the surface, serving him well. In some ways, he missed the Secret Service, but realistically, that life had kept him isolated and lonely. He’d now reached the point where he wanted something more, something secure. Dodging bullets wasn’t the path to that destination.
He glanced at his watch. Ginger would probably be up and feeding the horses by now. If he hustled, he could get to the farm to surprise her before she left for work. He climbed into the cab and started the engine, glancing at the manila envelope, lying right where he’d left it. His arm felt leaden as he reached out, then his phone chirped and Ginger’s number glowed on the screen.
“Dillon! He’s here! He’s coming after me!”
“Honey, calm down. Who’s here? Stephen?”
He heard her take a deep breath. “Yes. That private eye came to Bud’s yesterday and I think he followed me to the farm.”
“Are you there now?”
“No, I’m in Edwardsville, at the bus station. It’s a long story, but I got away without him seeing me.”
“What about—never mind. I’ll be there in thirty minutes. Don’t leave.”
Julia shivered in the deserted waiting room. A large window faced out onto the main street and she felt vulnerable, though she had no reason to think the private eye had followed her here. A trickle of anxiety moved through her brain. He wouldn’t harm Bill, would he? She pushed the thought away. Bill Thomas was a retired Marine and most likely could take care of himself. Besides, the investigator didn’t look like he ever got his hair mussed. Stephen, on the other hand, was another story. She shuddered, astonished that she’d brought all this on herself. Other than being a fake person, she’d had a calm life that suited her. What was so important about complete severance of ties with her husband? Her shoulders sagged. She knew the answer, but wondered if it was valid. Dillon had given her no indication that he had any long range plans which included her, so what difference did it make if she was still married?
A dark sedan cruised past the station and she gulped. Was it the same one? She closed her eyes. Don’t be silly. There are hundreds of dark sedans out there. He had no way of knowing where I went. Just the same, she rose and headed for the ladies restroom.
Ten minutes later, she peeked out the door into the waiting room. Several people had settled into the seats, and traffic on the street had picked up. Dillon’s truck idled at the curb. With a huge gasp of relief, she hurried toward her rescuer.
Dillon reached out and grabbed her hand as she scrambled up into the seat. When she’d settled, he leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“You okay?”
“I am now.” She looked down at her hands, feeling her lower lip tremble. “Thank you for coming so fast.”
He pulled away from the curb. “Tell me everything from the beginning.”
When she’d finished, he nodded. “So, what’s next?”<
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“I honestly don’t know at this point. I’d expected to have my discussion with him over the phone, not in person. I don’t know if I can do this face-to-face.”
“That’s easy, I’ll be there. He wouldn’t dare touch you.”
She looked over, her chest aching with tension. “You’d do that for me?”
A slow smile turned up the corners of his mouth, sculpting his profile as he stared straight ahead at the road. “I’d do pretty much anything for you.”
After some brief discussion, Julia decided to go to Bud’s as usual. Dillon would stay close by, just in case.
“If anything happens, I’ll have to tell Bud about all this. I really didn’t want to, but now I’m involving him.”
Dillon smiled. “He’s a good guy. You can count on him.”
Julia laughed. “He said the same thing about you.”
Dillon maneuvered the truck into an out-of-the-way spot in Bud’s parking lot, then sat back.
“My phone’s on. If you need me, just call. I’ll keep an eye on anyone who shows up. I saw the PI, but what does Stephen look like?”
Julia shuddered. “Sophisticated, cruel, imperious.”
“Okay. His looks?”
“Oh, yeah. Six foot, slim, perfect hair, sharp features. He’ll be well-dressed.”
She hesitated and Dillon’s hand reached out to touch hers. “I’m right here. You have nothing to worry about.”
She left the truck and walked across the parking lot, her skin crawling, her brain spinning. She felt exactly as she had the day she’d walked off the fairgrounds in Oklahoma. Like a target.
The morning hours crawled by and Julia’s nerves jangled every time the front door opened. Several customers had big jobs scheduled and, to her relief, the office wasn’t ever deserted for more than a few minutes. During the times when she wasn’t looking out the window every two minutes, she thought about Dillon. He’d called her “honey”. Honey. She liked the sound of it. When was the last time someone had used an endearment with her? Certainly never Stephen—it had always been “Babe” or “Darling” or something similar. And only Stephen could use those terms and make them sound like accusations.