by Carolina Mac
She trotted out to the SUV and stowed the gun and the box of ammo under the back seat.
Dental Office. Downtown Austin.
MAX headed downtown to his office minutes after Renee left for Round Rock. He locked himself in the treatment room and prepared what he’d need for later. He’d gone over it in his head several times and was sure it would work smoothly. After they arrived at the cabin and celebrated their vacation with a bottle of wine, he’d inject Renee with anesthetic. While she was out cold, he’d finish the job with a pillow over her face, then drag her skinny body into the woods and bury her.
He didn’t need to talk to Hannah about shuffling the patients around because he’d drive back home from the cabin as soon as the job was done and show up for work at the regular time on Monday.
Later in the day tomorrow, when I come home from the cabin and Renee is gone, I’ll dump her car somewhere and report her missing. Perfect.
Olivia Green’s House. Austin.
BLAINE stopped on Olivia’s driveway, lowered the kickstand and hopped off his Super Glide. The detached garage was built at the very back of her lot next to the fence. The overhead door was up and dressed in her leathers, Olivia was on her knees beside her Sportster with a wrench in her hand making some kind of an adjustment.
“I should have started it last night and worked on it,” she said, “instead of waiting until I was ready to go. Sorry. She won’t start.”
Blaine took off his shades and shoved them into the pocket of his leather jacket. “Let me take a look.”
After twenty minutes of fiddling and not finding the problem, he said, “I’ll have Nevada come get it and give it a tune-up at my dealership.”
“You have a Harley store?”
“My Mom and I do. Ross Harley out on route seventy-one.”
“That’s where I go when I need something,” she said. “Didn’t have a clue.”
Blaine grinned. “Lock up the garage and ride with me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Uh huh.”
Coulter-Ross Ranch. La Grange.
BLAINE stopped at the gate and gave Jose a wave. He enjoyed riding with Olivia behind him, her arms wrapped around his waist. There was something comforting about it. He’d never ridden with a woman on his bike before, and there was something to be said for it. Uh huh.
Annie rushed out to greet them as Blaine parked the bike. She hugged her son and kissed him, then turned and waited to be introduced to Olivia.
“Mom, this is Olivia Green.”
Annie gave her a big smile and took her hand. “Come on in where it’s cooler and I’ll get y’all a beer.”
Olivia stopped, mesmerized by the huge stone and timber edifice in front of her. “Gorgeous home,” she said.
“Thank you,” said Annie, “It’s comfortable and it suits us. We’re a large family.”
Jacks ran straight to Blaine and hugged him. “Hey, bro, I been missing you.”
Blaine chuckled. “I been missing you too. When are you coming to sleep over at my house?”
Jacks frowned and made a funny face. “Don’t know if I can get away any time soon. I’m kinda busy watching out for my baby sister. Charity don’t listen too good.”
That’s Neil talking.
Jesse laughed as he entered the kitchen carrying the baby. “You are so right, Jacks. She’s got a mind of her own.”
“She listens to me,” said Lucy. “Jacks is too bossy.”
Olivia smiled. “I didn’t know you had so many brothers and sisters.”
“There are more,” said Blaine, “Can’t unleash all of them on you at once. “Olivia, this is Jesse Quantrall, my partner in the agency, my mentor and my step-dad, all rolled into one.”
“Nice to meet you, sir,” said Olivia.
“Sit down and we’ll have a beer,” said Annie. “So nice to have you home.”
Olivia sipped her beer, glanced around the massive kitchen and didn’t say much as Blaine caught up with Jesse and Annie.
Maybe she’s bored.
“Do you want to take a couple of horses out and see the ranch?”
Olivia brightened. “I’d love that. I haven’t ridden in months.”
“Come on,” said Blaine, “I’ll show you our prize Appaloosas.”
“Saddle Target for Olivia, sugar pop. She’s gentle and I haven’t had her out for a few days.”
Blaine nodded and walked Olivia through the compound to the barn. He saddled his own horse, Ranger—a gorgeous leopard gelding he had inherited from the ranch foreman when he died—and Annie’s Paint for Olivia.
“I love the smell of the barn,” she said. “I was raised on a ranch north of San Antone.”
Blaine led the way and they galloped down the back lane, through a couple of cattle guards and past big herds of black Angus, then along the banks of the Colorado where it cut through the ranch and ran through a corner of the pine bush.
They circled through the bush following one of the many trails and came out at a small clearing. Blaine stopped, jumped off Ranger and tied the reins to a tree branch. He held his arms up and Olivia slid into them. He pulled her close and kissed her.
“Want to sit here for a minute?” asked Blaine, “This is one of my favorite spots.”
“Peaceful here in the woods. I can hear a lot of birds over our heads.”
“I couldn’t guess how many chipmunks are in here. Maybe a billion.”
Olivia laughed and sat down on the log beside him. “Your mother is so beautiful, I couldn’t help staring at her, I’m afraid.”
“I stare at her too, in wonder. I was so lucky she came into my life and saved me from the O-Zone gang. She gave me a new life, educated me, loved me unconditionally. Annie is everything to me.”
Olivia squeezed his hand. “I can tell how much you love her.”
Hyde Park Area. Austin.
FARRELL had followed Doctor Endicott to his dental office, then to the Piggly Wiggly, then back home to his residence. Nothing out of the ordinary seemed to be happening.
He parked his red Silverado down the street and waited. At four o’clock, the junk truck pulled in behind him and Jack took over.
MAX packed all the grocery bags, coolers of drinks, wine and liquor, and two suitcases into the back of the SUV after Renee came back from Round Rock.
He’d checked the street several times and glanced often in his rearview on his trip downtown, and the tail was gone. Good. He didn’t need anybody spying on him.
His plan was perfect, and nothing was going to mess it up. While he waited for Renee to grab a couple of last minute items, he went over it again in his head. Nothing could go wrong. It was so simple.
Max beamed a smile at her as she came out of the house and locked the door behind her.
IT was almost dark when the SUV pulled out of the dentist’s driveway. Jack started the junk truck and prepared to follow. He knew the locations of both cabins Endicott had looked at and had both programmed into the nav system of the truck. He hung back but kept them in sight all the way out of the city. There was no tag on the wife’s SUV, so he had to do a visual. The first half hour went well, but darkness came down quickly and when Jack hit a stoplight in Johnson City and Endicott caught the caution and drove straight on through, he lost them. They could have gone four different ways. He circled around trying to pick them up and there was no sign of them.
Shit.
He called Blaine.
Coulter-Ross Ranch. La Grange.
BLAINE sat at the end of the long harvest table next to Jesse on one side and Olivia on the other. Annie put on her usual huge Sunday spread with roast beef, mushroom gravy and hot biscuits straight from the oven.
Olivia’s eyes were wide when Annie’s cowboys came in from the barn for their dinner. They burst through the door, talking and laughing, then they all hugged Blaine and welcomed him home like a long-lost brother. Blaine introduced her all around but didn’t expect her to remember all of their names.
&nbs
p; After pie and coffee, the cowboys went back to the bunkhouse and the family adjourned to the great room. Blaine took a sip of his second coffee and his cell rang. He set his cup down and stepped into the hallway. “Jack, what’s up?”
“Lost the dentist in Johnson City. He and the wife were going somewhere loaded up with food and luggage—no kids. They took the SUV and it wasn’t tagged.”
“If his wife was with him, I wouldn’t worry about it. We’ll pick him up when he gets back to the city and switches back to his Beemer.”
Olivia’s Bungalow. Austin.
THE warm September night was perfect for a ride. Blaine cruised along just over the speed limit with Olivia hanging on to him. They’d had a fantastic relaxing day and he hoped she’d enjoyed it as much as he had. He needed to make a point of going home every Sunday for dinner. Annie deserved it.
He parked close to Olivia’s front steps and turned the bike off.
“Are you coming in?”
“Okay, sure.”
She reached for his hand as they walked to the side door. “I had a wonderful time. Your ranch is spectacular with the river running through it and the pine woods. I loved it all.”
“Thanks, it’s a special place.”
“I don’t understand how you can live in the city when you have a place like that to call home.”
“Things happened to make me leave, but I’ll explain it to you some other time.”
She opened the door and turned the light on. “I’m asking too many questions again. I’m sorry.”
“No problem.” He walked up three steps into a compact kitchen painted bright yellow and spotlessly clean. Your house is nice. It smells fresh.”
“Just a rental. All my money is tied up in my business for the next couple of years.”
“You’ve achieved a lot on your own, Olivia. Your parents must be proud of you.”
“I think they are. Initially, my Daddy helped me some, but I’ve paid him back already.” She opened the fridge, “Would you like a beer?”
Blaine leaned against the counter. “Just one, then I should go. I have to walk Lexi.”
Olivia paused with her hand on the fridge handle. “What if I asked you to stay the night?”
Blaine smiled. “Then I’d have to seriously consider the offer.”
“You’d better do that.” She placed the beer on the counter, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. Her body pressed him hard against the cabinets as she held onto his long hair and shoved her tongue into his mouth.
Blaine moaned and pulled her tighter against him, his erection pushing into her crotch. “Save the beer for later,” he whispered.
Olivia took his hand and led him a few feet down a short hallway to her bedroom. She whipped her jacket off, then her leather pants.
Blaine had his jacket off and was pulling his t-shirt over his head when his cell rang. “Not now,” he said out loud. He glanced at the screen and saw it was Misty. He let it go to message.
Olivia dashed into the bathroom for something and Blaine grabbed for his cell. He listened to the message as he sat naked on the side of the bed.
“Brad’s out. He found out my new address and he’s coming for me. I’m scared.”
Blaine called her right back. “Take Hoodoo and go to my place. Go now. I’ll be there in five minutes.” He pressed end, called Greg and woke him up. “Misty is on her way over. Let her in and lock the gate behind her. Make sure you’re armed. Put her in the house and don’t leave her until I get there.”
“Got it, boss.”
Blaine was zipping up his jeans when Olivia came out of the bathroom smelling all tantalizing and sexy. “I can’t explain to you what’s happening, but I have to go. Somebody’s life is in danger.” He ran for the door pulling his t-shirt over his head and dragging his jacket behind him.
Blackmore Agency. Austin.
BLAINE gunned the Harley between Misty’s house and his own, adrenaline pumping through his veins, urging him to go faster. Greg opened the gate when he saw him coming and stood inside the gate. “Is she here yet?”
“No.”
“Jesus Christ, come on.” Blaine parked the bike, ran for the truck and motioned for Greg to get in. “Call it in,” he hollered, “this is the address.” He burned rubber as he careened into the roadway and took off down the street. Tires screeched as he barely made the corner and flew the six blocks to Misty’s new house. “Her ex is a fuckin maniac. He’s right out of his fuckin tree. He’ll kill her in a second if we don’t get there first.”
Greg pulled out his sidearm and cocked it.
Brad’s car was in the drive parked behind Misty’s when they arrived. Blaine jumped out of the truck and ran for the door.
Hoodoo was barking inside the house and Misty was screaming. Blaine turned the handle and couldn’t get the door open. Locked. Greg caught up on the run and put a size twelve boot to the lock. The door splintered and flew open.
They ran through the foyer and turned right into the kitchen where Misty was screaming, and Hoodoo was running in circles barking and snarling. Brad had Misty pinned down backwards over the island with a butcher knife to her throat and was yelling all kinds of stuff in her face.
Blaine drew his Beretta. “Drop it, Brad,” he shouted, “You’re under arrest.”
Brad turned and fired the knife at Blaine. He ran for it through the patio door with Hoodoo following him. The knife caught Blaine just above his left elbow, gouged out a huge chunk of skin, tissue and meat and clattered to the floor. Blood gushed everywhere, and Misty screamed. She ran and grabbed tea towels that were hanging on the oven door, wrapped them around Blaine’s arm and tried to stop the bleeding.
Greg had taken off at top speed after Brad and the dog.
Sirens sounded outside, and Greg came into the kitchen breathing hard with two uniforms and two paramedics.
“We need an all points out on Brad Mulligan,” said Blaine, as the medics worked on his arm. “Pull up his mug and put it on the wire. The guy is on foot, crazy as a loon and dangerous as hell. Put out a ‘do not approach’ on him.”
“Right Mr. B.,” said one of the officers. “I’ll do it in the squad right now and get all in the vicinity to search the streets.” He headed for the door and Blaine called after him, “And have his car towed, Freddie.”
“Yep. Will do.”
One of the medics removed the towel and peeked at the wound. “We’ve got to get you to the hospital, sir. You need stiches in a huge way.”
“Yeah, I feel it,” said Blaine. “Let’s go.” To Greg: “Find the dog, pack a bag for Misty and lock up the house. You may have to board up the side door. Take Hoodoo home with you. Wake up Farrell and send him to the hospital.”
“Roger that, boss.”
Misty followed the gurney out to the ambulance with tears streaming down her cheeks. Looking like she might faint, she stood next to the door while the paramedic’s loaded Blaine inside. Brad had punched her several times before Blaine and Greg had arrived and the results were beginning to show up in color.
Blaine held his hand out. “Get in, sweetheart. Stay with me.”
“I love you, Blaine.”
Rented Cabin. Hill Country.
MAX left the headlights on while he tried the combination for the lockbox the rental agent had given him online. The light was poor, and the lock was low, hanging below the doorknob. Bending over, he was in his own light and it didn’t open on the first try. He tried again, cursing under his breath, finally he heard the click and opened the box. He grabbed the key, then dropped it and had to feel around in a pile of leaves to find it again. As he inserted the key into the lock he realized his hands were shaking.
Settle down. This will go perfectly.
Renee followed him inside and glanced around the small interior when he turned on the light.
“Look how nice this is, Renee. Paneled walls, rustic furniture and hand-hooked rugs. Do you like it?”
“It’s nice, Max. Very cozy. I�
��ll help you bring everything in.”
Once the SUV was unloaded, Max uncorked a bottle of Merlot—Renee’s favorite—and poured them both a glass. They sat on the sofa and toasted the fresh start to their marriage.
“Have another glass, honey,” he said, “We’re just getting started.”
“Okay, one more then I think I’ll get ready for bed. It’s been a long day.”
With the bottle almost gone, Max set his glass on the coffee table and stood up. “I’ve got to use the bathroom.”
I’ve got to get ready.
He pulled his shaving kit out of his suitcase, went into the small bathroom and locked the door behind him. He sat on the toilet lid and spread out his supplies on the side of the tub. He prepared the needle and set it down.
AS SOON as Max went into the bathroom, Renee ran out to the SUV and pulled the loaded gun out from under the seat. She marched back into the cabin, crossed the main room and tapped on the bathroom door. “Almost ready, Max?”
“I’m ready, sweetheart.” Maxed opened the door, saw the gun pointed at his chest and took a step backward.
Renee pulled the trigger, and the noise was deafening in the small space.
Max shot backwards from the impact and fell into the bathtub. Blood shot up the tiles and all over the plastic shower curtain. He groaned once, and blood gurgled out the side of his mouth.
“Not dead, Max?” Renee shot him twice more. Once in the face at close range and the second time in the crotch. “See how Monster Max likes that one.”
Renee stared at him for a few seconds to see if he moved. “Are you dead now?”
Max didn’t answer. Couldn’t really. His head was pulp.
Renee picked up her unopened suitcase and carried it and the gun back to the truck. She gathered up leaves and sticks and some bigger pieces of wood while she was outside. She only ventured into the area illuminated by the outside light, but she thought she had plenty of wood to get things started.
Back in the bathroom she built a nice little fire on the bathmat. When it was snapping and crackling, she took the barbeque lighter she’d found in one of the kitchen drawers into the bedroom and set the bed covers on fire, then in the main room she started the curtains.