by Jill Sanders
“Why would he need a group of lawyers?” Sawyer asked.
“He was there that night, left after dinner. He used to own a house a mile or two down the road, and that’s where he spent the rest of the night his son was murdered, alone. Now he owns a house in Buffalo. Sold the place shortly after Isaac went MIA. Plus, he has his pilot’s license.”
“Right.” Sawyer leaned back in the chair.
The chief looked down at the folder. “Now a mistress shows up. It shuffles the list of suspects around some. Kristy Owens is rumored to stoop to blackmail and we all know there isn’t a whole lot of steps from blackmail to murder.”
“What do you need me to do?” he asked.
“Go home, you look like shit. Sleep, shower, eat, walk that funny-looking mutt of yours, and then I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow. We can’t afford to not keep this one professional.”
He nodded and got up. “I won’t fuck this up. It’s too important.”
“Yeah, I figured as much when I walked in and your face was as white as Rose’s.” He waved him out of his office.
Sawyer headed home to do just what the chief ordered. However, when he found himself staring at the ceiling instead of falling asleep, he flipped on the television. The news was playing, and he listened for a while about world events. His eyes began to shut but then popped wide open when he heard Rose’s name.
“We have an exclusive interview with Kristy Owens, who claims that her lover—the father of her three-year-old son, Ash—was murdered by the man’s wife, Rose Clayton. Stay tuned.”
The station went to commercial, and Sawyer picked up his phone to text Rose. He’d read her last message but knew that any further communication with her could look bad on his part.
Now that the entire world was watching, he couldn’t chance sending a text to her. He set the phone back down and turned up the volume when the commercials ended.
The interview started like any other. They ran over the woman’s career and her past run-ins with both the law and with scandal, while the woman looked on, smiling as if the introduction highlighted her in a positive view.
“Thank you for joining us tonight, Kristy. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.” Kristy’s smile had instantly disappeared, and her eyes pooled with giant tears that almost instantly flowed down her painted cheeks. “Isaac was my life. He was an amazing father to my Ash. And it’s such a shame that my son will never get to know his father because of that woman.”
“The woman in question is Rose Clayton, Isaac’s widow,” the broadcaster said.
“That woman is no widow, she’s a murderer,” Kristy jumped in. The camera zoomed to her eyes and Sawyer shut the screen off.
Now pissed, he jumped up from the bed and paced his small bedroom.
“Fuck it.” He picked up his phone and dialed Rose’s number. It rang three times before she answered. Her voice was a whisper and he worried that he’d woken her up.
“Where you asleep?” he asked softly.
“No,” she answered.
“Did you catch the news?” he asked, fearing.
“Yes.” He heard it now, the sadness, which caused his heart to wrench.
“Don’t let it bother you. Remember, she’s an actress,” he added quickly.
“She has Isaac’s son. Something he…” She stopped and took a deep breath. “Hunter has advised me not to talk to you.”
“Yeah, I’m not supposed to talk to you either.” He sighed. “Want to hang up on me?” he asked.
“Do you want to hang up on me?” she returned softly.
“No, what I want is…” He decided he didn’t care anymore. “I want to hold you in my arms and assure you this will all blow over soon.” She was silent. “Are you still there?”
“Yes, tell me again,” she said.
He smiled and leaned back against the bed frame and filled her in on everything he wanted to do with her, to her.
When he woke the next morning, he had a new spark and purpose. He’d play it by the books, but he wasn’t going to let anyone tell him he couldn’t keep his private life and his professional life separate.
He walked into the station ready to get to work. When he noticed all the people standing around outside the chief’s office, he pushed through the crowd and glared at several people until they all went back to their own desks and jobs.
He knocked on the chief’s door.
“Come in,” Deter called out.
Sawyer opened the door and instantly knew why everyone had caused a scene.
Kristy Owens sat in the chair opposite Deter.
Deter stood up, looking slightly uncomfortable. “Good, you’re here. I was just telling Miss Owens that you’d be happy to give her a police escort to her rental home.”
“Rental?” He stepped into the room and the woman turned around and ran her eyes over him slowly. The instant interest that flooded the woman’s eyes almost made Sawyer recoil. She practically purred like a kitten or, rather, a lioness.
The woman might not live in Hollywood, but she sure knew how to dress the part. The bright white jumpsuit she wore screamed for attention. The top was no more than a vest, exposing far too much skin for this time of year in upper New York state, as her very full double Ds hung out the front of the vest for anyone to see. Her bright blonde hair fell over her shoulder in a stylish hairstyle. She was beautiful, easily one of the prettiest B movie stars he’d ever seen. Okay, the only one he’d seen in person. Still, there was something behind her eyes that made his skin crawl.
“Yes.” Kristy stood up and almost purred the next words. “I figured it was best that I stay close during the investigation. She stepped closer to him. “After all, I need to know what happened to my dear Isaac.”
“For your son’s sake?” he asked. Surprise flashed behind her eyes.
“Why, yes, of course.” She shook her head slightly and smiled, and he could see the lies behind the crystal blue eyes of hers, which were hidden behind heavy black eyelashes.
“Is Carson in yet?” Sawyer asked Deter.
“Called in sick. He said that both he and Brigit got it at the same time,” Deter answered.
Sawyer nodded, then motioned for the woman to follow him out.
“Sawyer,” the chief called. He glanced over his shoulder. “Make sure to take care of Miss Owens and remember what I told you last night.” He added the last part as a whisper, meant for his ears only.
He nodded, then left.
When he stepped out of the chief’s office, Kristy instantly took his arm as if they were strolling down the Thames in the middle of spring.
“So, your name is Sawyer?” she asked.
“Officer Sawyer.” He pulled her hand from his arm and opened the outer door for her. “Where’s your car?”
“Oh, over there. The driver is waiting for me.” She waved, then noticed a few paparazzi hovering near the limo. “See, I can’t even step outside.” She sighed but straightened the hem of her vest top as she licked her lips. “Walk with me.” She wrapped her arm through his again.
He wanted to push her off but knew that the media was watching, and besides, he was in uniform.
She smiled and waved as they walked closer to the flashing cameras. Several questions were shouted at her and she threw back a few answers, making sure to include the line from last night’s interview.
“That woman is no widow, she’s a murderer.”
He opened the back of the limo for her, then nodded to the driver. “I’ll follow you.” The man waved and stepped into the car.
Turning on his red and blue lights, he followed the limo out of the parking lot. He wasn’t surprised at the house she’d rented. It overlooked the lake and was one of Twisted Rock’s most expensive rental places.
He pulled in behind the limo, intending to quickly disengage himself from the property, but Kristy waved for him to roll down the car window.
“Why don’t you come in, you know, check the place
out. My security hasn’t arrived yet.” She frowned.
Taking a deep breath, he mentally kicked himself for falling into her web.
Getting out of the car, he nodded to the limo driver, who was already retreating towards the garage area.
He stood back as she opened the glass doors with a code from her phone. “It’s always such a pain to do all this myself.” She glanced at him over the rims of her black sunglasses. “My assistant just had a baby.” She smiled, and he wondered if she had an assistant at all. He remained silent as she opened the door and motioned for him to go in.
The second the doors were shut, he started walking around the place. “I’ll check everything out. Once your security detail gets here, you may want them to check in with the chief. He’ll need their information.”
She nodded and tossed her purse and sunglasses down on a glass table.
“Well, I suppose this will have to do,” she said in a disapproving voice loud enough for him to hear how bored she sounded.
He ignored her and moved around the massive three-bedroom place, checking every closet and room and even the garage.
When he returned to the living area, she was reclining on a white leather sofa, glancing down at her phone as if she was bored.
“All clear,” he said, heading towards the door.
“Oh, Sawyer, I mean…” She giggled. “Officer, could you stick around until my security gets here? They say they’re only half an hour away.”
“I’m sorry…” he started but she sighed and tilted her head.
“Your chief did say to take care of me.” She patted the spot next to her on the sofa. When he remained standing, she frowned. “How about a drink?”
“I’m on duty,” he said.
“No, you silly, for me.” She got up and walked over to the bar area.
It had been a very long time since he’d been called silly. Junior high maybe? He watched her while she poured herself a martini. She looked like she’d spent quite a few nights behind a bar.
She walked over to him with the drink in hand and tugged on his hand until he sat down. Since his weapon was by his side, he had to adjust it as he sat on the low furniture.
“There, now isn’t this better?” She sat next to him, leaning closer until her breast brushed his arm.
Then she leaned down and slowly sipped the martini, making sure to lick her lips as her eyes met his. She reached over and set the drink down, causing her vest to fall open and expose her full, round, puckered left nipple. He kicked himself instantly for looking at it, for being a total man and letting desire well up instantly at the sight of tits. Even if they were really nice tits, his mind screamed at his body for the gut reaction.
“Miss Owen, I understand you’re used to how things are done—”
He didn’t get any further because she plastered herself to him. Her long-manicured fingernails raked over his crotch, causing his cock to jump at her demands. When her bright pink lips descended to his, he jumped up quickly, bumping the coffee table and causing her drink to spill.
She laughed, actually laughed at him.
“I’ll wait outside,” he said firmly.
“Don’t be ashamed. I’m sure it happens to some men. The next officer they send my way will know more about pleasing a woman,” she called after him.
He stopped, his hand on the fancy door handle, then he turned back towards her, his eyes narrowed.
“You can think whatever you want about me, but the men on our police force are not here to please you. We’re here to serve and protect, and there is nothing in the rules that says I can’t haul you in for assaulting an officer if you jump on another Twisted Rock officer like you just did me.”
She chuckled. “Don’t be sour.” She stood up and walked closer to him. “I won’t tell anyone.” She ran her finger over his lips slowly and he gripped her wrists to pull her back a step. “It’s our little secret.” Her hand escaped his and she slowly ran it over his crotch as a low moan vibrated from her chest. “You do have such powerful… tools.” She winked and turned away. “It’s too bad you’re afraid to use them. Go.” She waved, dismissing him. “Wait outside.”
Nine
A picture is worth everything…
Rose was going stir crazy. She needed to get out of the house. But ever since the news of Kristy Owens’s affair with Isaac had broken, she’d feared to step foot out of her front door.
There were normally several cars parked at the end of her long driveway, and she was afraid that whatever she did, she’d be followed and harassed.
Hunter had arranged for another meeting with the detective for tomorrow since he had to drive back home for the night, he’d promised her he’d return long before the meeting tomorrow. Which had left her alone in the big mansion again that night. Trapped.
Last night, she’d dreamed the entire night about finding Isaac’s body again. At one point, she’d imagined him standing over her bed, looking down at her with such a lost look, such desire as if they were stuck in two different realms and he understood they could no longer be together. When she woke, she’d been crying for him, which had given her another headache.
When her cell phone rang, she was surprised to see the animal shelter’s name on the screen.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Mrs. Clayton, Tsuna is ready for you to pick up. If you want, we’re open until five today.”
“Oh.” She smiled instantly, remembering the small dog. She glanced down at her watch. “I’ll be there in… half an hour.”
“No rush, she’ll be here for you.”
“Thanks.” She hung up and looked for her keys.
She picked them up from the mantel and was halfway to the door before she actually looked down at the set of keys in her hand.
It took her a moment to realize what was wrong with them. The tiny four-leaf-clover keychain she’d given Isaac on their short one-day trip to Ireland stared back up at her.
She hadn’t seen these keys since… Isaac had disappeared. She’d always believed that Isaac had the keys on him when his plane had gone down. Steadying herself by placing her hands on the back of the dining room chair, she set the keys down on the table. She looked at them as if they’d jump up and bite her as her mind whirled.
With shaking hands, she pulled her cell phone out of her back pocket and dialed the first number she thought of.
“Hi.” Just hearing Sawyer’s voice settled her world.
“Isaac’s keys. I found them. They were…” She turned her eyes to the mantel and frowned. “They were on the mantel.” It sounded silly when she said it, but there it was.
“Okay…”
“No, I’m not crazy. They were lost, or so I thought, at the bottom of the Atlantic with my husband. Don’t you see? The keys are here. The keys to his car, his hangar, the jet.” She felt her breathing hitch and her head grew light. She was instantly afraid she’d pass out again.
“Are they the only set?” Sawyer asked, sounding interested finally.
“To the hangar and the jet, yes. His car, no, we had two sets.”
“We’ll be right over.” He hung up and she sat down on the chair until her breathing settled again. She watched the keys, as if afraid that if she took her eyes from them, they’d disappear again.
When the doorbell rang, she stood up, keeping her eyes on the keys and walked backward to open the door for Carson and Sawyer.
“There.” She pointed to them across the room.
“You’re sure these are your husband’s?” Carson asked.
“Yes, I bought him the keychain in Ireland on our honeymoon. We had a layover and spent the night there before coming home. He never removed it from his keys.”
Carson bagged the keys. “Where did you find them?”
“The mantel. I was running late.” She turned to Sawyer. “Tsuna’s ready and I was so excited to pick her up, it didn’t register that they weren’t my keys until here.” She motioned to the spot she was standing in. “Where ha
ve they been? How did they get here?” She shook her head.
“We’ll have to find out. You said you held them?” Sawyer asked.
“Yes,” she sighed. “I suppose my fingerprints are all over them now.” She closed her eyes. “God, I’m so easy to set up. Just like all the stupid people in those CSI shows and movies.”
She heard someone chuckling and opened her eyes to see Carson smiling at her. “I’ll have to remember that one. As long as you didn’t touch every single key, here,” he tossed her his keys. “Show me how you held them.”
She gripped the bundle of keys like she had earlier. “Like this.”
“See, in your fist. I doubt there’d be more than one good print of yours on here. We might get lucky and get someone else’s as well.” She handed him back his keys.
“Thank you.” She touched the man’s arm.
“We’ll follow you to the animal shelter,” Sawyer jumped in. “It’s kind of… crazy out there.”
“Oh?” She turned to him with a frown.
“Yeah, ever since Kristy Owens arrived yesterday, the entire town is flooded with news stations and paparazzi vans.”
“She’s… Is that woman in Twisted Rock? Why?” She sat down in the chair.
“Why else? To get her three seconds of fame,” Carson said. “Sawyer spent some time with the woman yesterday. What’s she like in person?”
“Scary,” she thought she heard him mumble. “Come on, let’s go get Tsuna. I’m sure she can’t wait to get home.”
With a police escort, she drove to the shelter and waited for the worker to bring out the little dog who’d stolen her heart.
Tsuna was carried out, and the little dog’s entire body shook with pleasure when she spotted her.
“I’ve never seen this little girl so happy before,” the woman said as she handed her over to Rose. Tsuna instantly wiggled in her arms, crying happily, and kissed her face as Rose laughed and held the little dog tight. Tears streamed down her face and she closed her eyes as emotions overwhelmed her.
When she opened her eyes, the woman was smiling at her. “Like I said, I’ve never seen her this happy before.” She touched her arm.