In the Arms of the Enemy

by Carol Ericson

  He didn’t know if he was angry at her for lying or angry at himself for getting taken in by a pretty face and a sad story—again. Or even worse, was he angry because she was leaving?

  He was not telling his sister about this one. She’d start to have doubts about whether he could date without supervision—not that Caroline had ever been dating material, though he’d wanted her to be. He could be a man and admit that, even admit he’d been a fool.

  “I think that’s best, don’t you?” She grabbed his arm and turned those big, baby blue eyes on him.

  He shook her off. “Do what you want, Caroline. I think you’ve been lying to me from the get-go.”

  Her face drained of all color and she jerked back from him.

  “I don’t know what your game is with your husband and his so-called friend. I don’t know if he’s abusive or if you told that story to your cousin so she’d take you in. Who knows?” Cole jumped up from the sofa to get away from the scent of her flowery perfume. “Maybe it’s all a scam you two are running to get money out of Linda and Louise.”

  Caroline emitted a strangled cry and covered her mouth with both hands.

  He turned away and walked toward the window. “All I do know is not calling the sheriff’s department after someone pulls a knife on you is a huge red flag. You didn’t realize that a DEA agent, of all people, wouldn’t be suspicious about that?”

  She gulped down the water he’d brought her and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “Actually, I thought you’d be relieved to keep the cops out of it, since you’d have to come clean about who you are and what you’re doing in Timberline.”

  “Is that a threat? ’Cuz bring it on.” He spread his arms out to his sides. “You can go ahead and tell everyone in town that I’m DEA. You know the funniest thing about it? I’d realized my cover would be blown, but I figured it would be worth it to keep you safe. Pretty funny, huh?”

  She dropped her gaze from his and another tear slid from the same eye. She must’ve perfected the art of crying from one eye only. She’d have to work on the tear ducts for that other eye.

  “That’s not funny at all. I’m grateful and humbled you’d feel that way.”

  His heart lurched—just a little—and then he widened his stance and crossed his arms. “Yeah, another sucker.”

  Rolling the glass between her hands, she rose from the sofa and sauntered to the kitchen to place it on the counter. He tried like hell to keep his eyes off her rounded hips as they swung from side to side, and her long, tangled, toffee-brown hair tumbling down her back.

  She turned suddenly and his gaze jumped to her face. “I’m not going to do it.”

  “Do what? Scam Linda? Leave town? Give your husband his money back?”

  “Blow your cover.”

  “Whatever. Do what you have to do. I’m not hanging around much longer, anyway. This was a wild-goose chase for me.”

  Except for meeting Caroline, this investigation had been a bust. The single female in the cabin hadn’t fit the description of the woman at the Stardust at all. Only Caroline had come close in appearance and general arrival time to Timberline, and her cousin Linda had vouched for her already.

  Caroline’s visit to the therapist had also thrown him for a loop. There would be no reason for Johnny’s murderer or girlfriend or accomplice to head to Timberline and see a therapist.

  “I’m not a bad person, Cole. I mean, I don’t feel like I’m a bad person.” She folded her hands in front of her. “I’m not trying to...scam Linda.”

  “Whatever is going on between family members is their business. I’m out. I don’t need to be involved anymore. I’m not going to rat you out to the police, or Linda or Larry or Larry’s many friends, real or imagined.”

  “I appreciate that...and everything you’ve done for me.” Caroline tipped her chin toward the window. “You saved me out there. You comforted me the other night when I thought someone had broken in. You’re a good guy, Cole Pierson.”

  “That’s me.” He thumped his chest twice with his fist. “The good guy.”

  Caroline’s cell phone rang.

  “Better get that. It’s probably your accomplice.” He stalked toward the front door and whipped off the chain.

  Caroline’s voice, high-pitched and breathy, stopped him. “Linda? What’s wrong? Oh, my God. Hang on. I’ll be right over.”

  He’d turned at the door and watched Caroline as she swiped a key from the countertop and grabbed her jacket.

  “What’s the matter with Linda?”

  “I’m not sure. She’s sick, vomiting, and she collapsed on the floor when she tried to get out of bed. I’m going over to help her. C-can you call 911?”

  “I will, but I’m coming over with you. I have some first-aid training as part of my job.”

  She nodded and flew out the front door.

  He followed, phone in hand, calling 911.

  And just like that, he’d been swept back into the helter-skelter world of Caroline Johnson—or whatever the hell her name was.

  Chapter Nine

  Caroline paced back and forth across the hospital’s emergency waiting room. “I didn’t think she was that drunk. Maybe it’s been a while and it hit her wrong.”

  “She’s getting up there in age, and it looked like she drank a lot on an empty stomach. Bad combination.” Cole patted the plastic chair next to him. “Have a seat.”

  Caroline glanced over her shoulder at his worried face. Just when she thought he was going to walk out of her life for good, he’d been a steady rock when they’d found Linda semiconscious on the floor of her bedroom, choking on her vomit. He’d taken control of the situation. He’d known just what to do and had probably saved Linda’s life.

  While Caroline had been a babbling idiot, he’d explained everything to the EMTs as they worked on Linda and loaded her into the ambulance.

  Then, instead of abandoning her, he’d driven Caroline to the emergency room, following the ambulance and getting her settled in the waiting room. He did all that and he hated her. Imagine what a man like that would do for someone he loved.

  She plopped onto the chair next to him, stretching her legs in front of her. The only silver lining from that entire episode in the driveway was that Cole clearly still believed she was Linda’s cousin and had nothing to do with Johnny Diamond. That was the only good that came out of it.

  Of course she couldn’t call the Timberline Sheriff’s Department. They’d have wanted her name, driver’s license, information about her mythical husband, Larry. It was one thing telling a few lies here and there around town, but she couldn’t put herself in the hands of the police—not now. She needed a few more sessions with Dr. Shipman.

  Cole put a steadying hand on her bouncing knee. “Linda’s going to be okay. She overindulged, got...snockered, got sick and didn’t have enough fluids in her body. They’ll hook her up to an IV and she’ll be fine.”

  “I’m so glad she was able to get to her phone and call me. She could’ve died.”

  “She knew she could count on you.”

  “Really?” Caroline slid a glance at him from the corner of her eye. “I thought I was trying to scam her.”

  His jaw formed a hard line, as if she’d just reminded him he couldn’t trust her.

  She bit her lip. She should just shut up about all that instead of trying to prove something to Cole. In a sense, he was right. She’d been lying to Linda since the day she met her behind the shop. She’d taken advantage of her good and sympathetic nature, all the while hiding her true intentions.

  Cole lifted one shoulder. “Okay, maybe I was harsh earlier. You’re here now, and I’m not going to say another word about it.”

  She rubbed her eyes. “You said a few things back there. You’re divorced?”

  “Anot
her statistic.”

  “But you don’t have children. You mentioned that in the store the other day.”

  “One of my regrets, but since the marriage ended I suppose it’s a good thing we didn’t bring kids into the mix.”

  “How’d it end?” He’d left his hand on her knee and she traced a finger across his knuckles. “I’m sorry. You don’t owe me any explanations.”

  He flexed his fingers. “I don’t mind. In some ways it’s easier opening up to the woman of mystery. You know nothing about her, so you won’t read any judgment in her eyes or tone.”

  Caroline snatched her hand away and stuffed it in her jacket pocket. “Like I said, you don’t have to tell me anything.”

  “She cheated on me.”

  “That’s awful. I’m sorry.” Was his wife crazy? Hot, sexy, steady. What more could you ask for in a man?

  “With a drug dealer.”

  This time Caroline couldn’t contain her surprise. Her mouth dropped open. “You’re kidding.”

  “I wish I was.”

  “Did she pick him on purpose? I mean, what are the odds that she’d fall into the arms of one of her husband’s natural enemies?”

  “Natural enemy. I like that.” Cole stretched and yawned, obviously no longer bothered by the incident...or hiding it well. “It’s complicated.”

  “Is it someone she knew before you?”

  “Exactly. Wendy ran with a wild crowd. I met her at a club while I was working undercover. I just didn’t realize she was in so deep with the bunch we were investigating. Bust went down and I ran into her about six months later, getting her life together, she said.”

  “So, she fell hard for the straight-arrow DEA agent. She liked the domesticated lifestyle for a while and then started to get the itch,” Caroline murmured.

  Cole leveled a finger at her. “You’re good. One session with that therapist and you’ve got it all figured out.”

  “Is that what happened?”

  “Yeah. I discovered what was going on pretty fast. She’d been with the dude once, and I knew it right away.” Cole hit his forehead with the heel of his hand. “God, she could’ve ruined my career.”

  “It’s a good thing you got out of that marriage when you did.”

  “Uh-huh.” He tipped back his head and stared at the ceiling.

  As Cole got lost in thoughts of the past, Caroline twirled a strand of hair around her finger. No wonder he’d gone ballistic on her when she refused to call the police. She thought she’d had him fooled, but he never really trusted her.

  He couldn’t nab her for Johnny’s accomplice, but he’d known something wasn’t right about her. He didn’t want to get tricked by another wild woman, and she didn’t blame him.

  God, she must’ve come across exactly like his ex—troubled, needy, looking for a white knight. Cole Pierson could totally deliver in the white knight category, but he’d want to know his damsel really needed rescuing and wasn’t running a con.

  Caroline wasn’t, but she’d have to tell him the truth to explain everything—and she wasn’t ready to do that. So he’d go his way and she’d go hers, whatever that way turned out to be.

  She’d have to leave Timberline unless she wanted another experience like tonight’s. She didn’t think for one minute the encounter in her driveway was a random incident.

  Give me the money, bitch.

  That could mean only one thing. Johnny Diamond’s business partners somehow knew she’d lifted some cash from the duffel bag. But how? The police had those bags—the cash and the drugs. How would Johnny’s associates know about the missing money? That wasn’t the type of information the authorities would release. Had the accounts of Johnny’s murder mentioned drugs or money at all? Must’ve mentioned drugs, because everyone knew he was a drug dealer.

  She sucked in her bottom lip and chewed it. Maybe Johnny’s cohorts believed she’d taken all the money. That could be bad—really bad.

  And how did these guys even know who she was or what she looked like? Rocky. Rocky, the kidnapper of little children, somehow knew who she was.

  Her stomach rolled with nausea. She had to get out of here.

  The emergency room doors swung open and Chloe from Sutter’s and her boyfriend, Jason, came into the waiting room. Jason was holding up a bloodied and broken hand.

  Caroline clutched the arms of the chair. Had he done that on Chloe’s face? Caroline shifted her gaze to Chloe, who gave her a half smile and a shrug. “Boys being boys.”

  Whatever that meant, but at least Chloe didn’t show any signs of abuse. Maybe Jason had hit the wall in anger—better than hitting Chloe.

  The doors to the examination rooms swung open and the doc on duty strode across the waiting room, never looking up from his clipboard. “Ms. Johnson?”

  She shot out of the plastic chair and Cole jumped up beside her. “I’m Caroline Johnson.”

  “You’re—” he flipped a page over on his clipboard “—the cousin. Ms. Gunderson is going to be fine. She was dehydrated, weak and extremely intoxicated. We’re getting some fluids into her right now and she’s resting. Because of her age, we’re keeping her overnight.”

  Caroline sighed and caught Cole’s arm. “She’s going to be okay?”

  “She’ll be fine, but I’ve warned her to lay off the booze in the future. Her body can’t handle it. She wants to see you, but don’t tire her out. She’ll be released tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, Dr....?”

  He nodded once, dropped the clipboard at the front desk and shouted out a few orders before disappearing behind the swinging doors.

  The nurse at reception rolled her eyes. “That’s Dr. Nesbitt—busy man. Stella will take you back to see Linda.”

  “Thanks.” Caroline tugged on the hem of Cole’s jacket. “Do you want to go back with me?”

  “I’m sure Linda doesn’t want me there when she’s not feeling well. Give her my best, and I’ll be waiting here for you.”

  “Thanks, Cole. I won’t be long. The charming Dr. Nesbitt said she needed her rest.”

  One corner of his mouth lifted. “I never got to eat my dinner tonight. I’m going to get a candy bar from the vending machine. Take your time.”

  Caroline pushed open one of the doors and a nurse in a pink lab coat met her with a big smile. “I’m Stella. Follow me.”

  Caroline followed Stella’s comforting pink form down a hallway past a few curtained off areas until she stopped at an open door. She tapped. “Linda, Caroline’s here to see you.”

  Linda was so white, she practically blended in with the sheets, and Caroline rushed to her bedside. “Are you feeling better? I was scared to death, but Dr. Nesbitt said you’re going to be okay.”

  Linda looked at her with a pair of watery eyes and a deep furrow between her eyebrows. “I felt like I was going to die.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Caroline took her clammy hand in hers. “I should’ve never left you in that condition.”

  “How could you know I’d react that way?” She covered her eyes with her free hand, which was trembling. “It was so foolish. I’m glad Louise wasn’t here to witness it.”

  “We all do foolish things.” Caroline smoothed the crisp sheet over Linda’s thigh. “Are you comfortable here? They’re keeping you overnight. Do you want me to bring you anything?”

  “N-no. I’ll try to get some sleep.” Linda glanced over Caroline’s shoulder at the open door and dropped her voice to a whisper. “Did that young doctor say anything about what caused my illness?”

  Caroline began to organize the items on the small tray next to the bed. “You drank too much wine, Linda, became ill and then got dehydrated.”

  “Oh.” Linda sank back against her pillow. “Would you believe me if I told you that’s never happened to me before, Caroli
ne?”

  “Of course. Sometimes things hit us funny.” She drew her eyebrows together. “What are you driving at?”

  “I felt ill, really, really ill. It hit me before I even left the restaurant.” Linda put her hand over her mouth and murmured, “I don’t even remember leaving the restaurant. I didn’t make a scene, did I?”

  “Not at all.” She patted the older woman’s hand. “I guided you out of there and nobody noticed a thing.”

  “I’m not trying to make excuses, but I wonder if I had a touch of food poisoning.”

  “Really? Maybe that’s why you didn’t finish your meal. But doesn’t it usually take a few hours before the symptoms of food poisoning appear? It doesn’t happen immediately, does it?”

  “I don’t know, but something didn’t feel right.”

  “I can check with Sutter’s tomorrow to find out if there were any other complaints.”

  “Would you?” Linda clutched her hand in a weak grip. “I’m so glad I had you to call on, Caroline. You more than paid me back for any assistance I’ve given you since you came to Timberline. You’ll stay for a while, won’t you? You’ve truly become like a daughter to me.”

  Tears stung Caroline’s nose. How could she tell her she was ready to hightail it out of town? “I’ll stay until Louise comes back, at least.”

  “Is that all?” The corners of Linda’s mouth drooped. “You’re welcome to start over here. We’d love to have you.”

  “You know what?” Caroline pulled the sheets up to Linda’s chin. “You’re tired. Get some rest, and I’ll be back to pick you up tomorrow when they spring you from this joint.”

  Linda gave her a weak smile. “And Cole?”

  Caroline snapped her fingers. “I almost forgot. Here I am, basking in your gratitude, and you owe your life to Cole. He was with me when you called, and he came over to help out. He cleared your air passages while we were waiting for the EMTs.”

  A hot red blush flooded Linda’s pale cheeks. “Oh, for Cole to see me like that. I’m mortified.”

  Caroline laughed. “You have such a crush on that man. He was so relieved he could be there to help, and he sends his best wishes.”