by Jill Sanders
“Thank you.” She smiled.
“We’ll get this paperwork finished quickly so you can take her home.” She motioned for her to follow her into a small area.
Less than half an hour later, Rose walked out holding the little dog in one arm and a packet of paperwork in the other.
Sawyer and Carson stood leaning against the front hood of the patrol car.
“Who’s this?” Carson walked up and gently scratched Tsuna between the ears. The little dog did a happy shake and looked up at her for approval.
“This is Tsuna. Tsuna, this is Carson.” Tsuna licked his hand.
“Cute. I’ve been thinking of getting another dog since my Gus died last year.” His eyes turned to the shelter.
“What’s been stopping you?” Sawyer asked.
Carson chuckled. “The fact that if I walk in that place, I’ll probably come out with more than one animal.”
Sawyer chuckled. They all turned when a car pulled into the drive. Instantly, Rose tensed.
“We’d better go before they have a chance to…” Carson started, but it was too late. The van stopped, and a camera crew jumped out, already filming.
Sawyer grabbed her arm and quickly rushed her back to her car as she tucked Tsuna tight against her chest for protection.
“Straight home,” he warned her as she got in the car.
“I need supplies for Tsuna.” She nodded to the small dog who was now shivering from fear in her lap.
“Home. We’ll grab what you need after we make sure you get there safely.”
She nodded and started her car. The drive back home was stressful, since the van and a few others followed them back, as far as her gates. She continued up the drive, but the patrol car stopped, blocking the entrance. She knew that Sawyer and Carson would keep anyone from entering her property and she thought that it was past time to get the gate fixed.
Parking in the garage, she snuggled Tsuna to her chest and walked towards the back porch. Stopping only a few feet from the garage, she gasped.
Every board that she and Sawyer had hammered into place the other day was destroyed. Some of the large pieces were completely missing, leaving gaping holes where they once sat.
She gripped the small dog to her chest as if, somehow, she could make it all better. Tears streamed down her face.
“Hey,” Sawyer said directly behind her. He was pulling her into a hug, and she buried her face into his shoulder. Tsuna gave a little squeak between them, waking her up. She jumped back and checked the dog.
“She’s okay,” he assured her. “Carson will fill out a report for all this and file it.” He nodded to the destruction. “I know we talked about it the other day, but it appears that your neighbor Boone Schneller is stirring up trouble after making bail.”
“Do you really think he did this?” She motioned to the mess. “Just because I won’t let him cross my land anymore?”
“He’s known around town for holding a grudge. He was top of my suspect list for piercing my tires, but since we didn’t have proof...” He sighed.
She had forgotten about that and nodded. “I’ll just have to be more diligent.” She moved towards the door.
“You can’t become a prisoner in your home. How about those security cameras? I looked into a few brands and have some information I can send you.”
She nodded. “I’ll have the new contractors look into it, as well as fixing those gates.” She looked back down the long drive at the vehicles still parked on the street.
When she spotted a few cameras pointing in her direction, she carefully stepped over the destruction and opened the back door.
“I’ll wait here. Carson’s going to go get Tsuna a few supplies.” He stepped in after her as the patrol car disappeared back down the driveway.
“Thank you.” Setting Tsuna down on the rug, she busied herself by pulling out a bowl and filling it with water for the dog. “How about a cup of coffee?”
He nodded, and she turned to complete her task. It was strange, being alone with him again for the first time after what he’d done to her upstairs.
Her body ached for him to touch her again, but now there was all this… Isaac mess between them and she doubted he would ever look or touch her again the way he had before.
Setting the mug down on the table, she motioned for him to sit. “How about some crackers…” She turned to go, but he reached out and grabbed her hand lightly. He held it until she exhaled and met his eyes.
“Rose, nothing has changed between us,” he said softly.
“Hasn’t it?” She tilted her head slightly as she studied his eyes. She was mesmerized by what she saw there; it was so hard to look away.
“Not as far as I’m concerned. Unfortunately, I have a job to do and I can’t let this… get in the way of clearing your name. Not when there’s a possibility someone could use it against you.”
She thought about what he was saying and nodded after a moment. “Then, until after this is settled, friends?” She twisted her hand in his until they were shaking.
He smiled and nodded. “Friends,” he said softly and just the way he said it caused her knees to almost buckle.
“I have a cherry pie I made the other day. Would you like—”
“Yes,” he answered quickly and smiled. “Pie is my kryptonite.”
She laughed. “Good to know. I may need that knowledge in the future.”
He dropped her hand and she turned to head back to the kitchen. She smiled down as Tsuna followed behind her and sat at her feet while she cut them each a slice of pie and dabbled cream over the top of each one.
That night, she and Tsuna snuggled in her bed and watched the news. Once again, Kristy Owens filled her screen. Only this time, she wasn’t alone. There were images, snapshots of her with Isaac at an event, two months prior to his death. Images of the younger couple, who had apparently met at college in Boston. Isaac seemed so young and so happy as he held onto a very young Kristy Owens, known back then as Kristina Renaldo. Anger flooded Rose as more and more shots of the couple appeared, shots that, according to the dates shown, had been taken after she and Isaac had married.
There was one from less than two weeks after they’d returned from their honeymoon when they were living in New York City. But the image that totally broke her heart was the image of Isaac holding a small baby boy. The child couldn’t have been more than a day old, and Isaac smiled up at the camera like a proud father.
Tossing the blankets from her legs, she jumped from the bed. Tsuna watched her as she paced back and forth in front of the television set.
“Owens, for her part, has been seen recently playing host to a very hot cop in the small town of Erie.” An image of the blonde seductress on the arm of Sawyer made Rose sit on the edge of the bed. Her heart felt like it had just burst in her chest. She covered it with her hands as she watched a few more images of the pair flash by. They were all from the same day, but while one was clearly at the police station, the other was at a private residence were Sawyer was stepping in the front door behind Kristy. The jumpsuit the woman wore hugged every curve on the busty blonde. “It’s rumored he’s been on private security duty since the actress arrived in town. Could this be the beginning of a new scandal as the town’s police force continues the investigation into the death of Isaac Clayton?”
There was a quick commercial break and Rose sat there, replaying her conversation with Sawyer earlier that day. Had he been backing off for more reasons than not wanting to bungle the investigation? Maybe it was just an excuse to break things off with her so he could pursue Isaac’s lover.
Obviously, Rose hadn’t even known how to keep the man she’d loved for most of her life loyal. How was she expected to keep the interest of a man like Sawyer? What did she really know about him anyway, other than he’d been in Twisted Rock for a little over a year? He’d lived in Cleveland before moving into town.
The next report started and caught her attention again.
“Our
next segment is about the financial gains that are possible for Kristy Owens from pursuing Rose Clayton. Could Kristy Owens’s motives be the financial turmoil she’s been in the past six months? After signing a lucrative contract with Fuller Films earlier this year, Owens breached the deal a little less than two months later. Fuller Films successfully sued Owens and won back almost double the amount of the advance. It’s been rumored that Owens has struggled financially since then and is on the brink of bankruptcy. Could Owens be pushing Rose Clayton’s guilt in the murder of her husband in order to get her hands on Isaac Clayton’s fortune? The fortune has been estimated in the high millions, left to him by his mother after her suicide when Isaac was only five years old. The fortune was left to Clayton’s late wife upon his death. If Rose Clayton is found to be guilty of her late husband’s murder, just where would the vast fortune go? Could Kristy and her son with Isaac actually get Isaac Clayton’s father and the courts to reverse the will implemented almost a full year ago?” The newscaster turned towards another camera. “Here to answer that question and more is Owens’s lawyer…”
Rose shut off the television, unable to listen to any more. Walking over to her dressing table, she looked down at the ring on her finger. The ring Isaac had placed on her hand when he’d promised to be loyal to her. Pulling it off, she shoved it in the bottom of her jewelry box and turned to look at the room.
It was lies, all lies. Sure, Isaac had left her comfortable after his death, but there was nowhere near what they had hinted at. The house and cars were all paid off, and his life insurance check had come six months after his death had been ruled an accident. There had been their checking and savings accounts as well as a few bonds and stocks. The fact was, before his death, she’d been a rising artist in New York. Some of her paintings had sold for six figures, money she hadn’t had to touch.
She continued to pace as the small dog watched from her spot on the bed.
Carson had gone a little overboard purchasing things for Tsuna. The man had gotten two dog beds, food, bowls, treats of every kind, and even several toys for the girl as well as a leash and a new collar.
Rose couldn’t imagine not having the small dog up with her in the bed at night.
“I have to do something.” She turned to look at Tsuna, who tilted her head as Rose spoke as if she was trying to understand what she was saying. “I’m so mad right now, I could…” She kicked out and her bare toe hit the soft ottoman at the base of the bed. “Ugh!” She groaned with frustration. “How about we tackle hanging the new shelves in the sunroom?”
When the little dog stood up and barked, Rose took it as a yes. She snatched her up and descended the stairs.
She was halfway down them when she heard the noise. Every fiber in her body froze. Her breath stuck in her throat as she watched a dark shadow cross at the base of the stairs.
She’d been so determined to get to work, she hadn’t bothered with turning on a light. She reached for her cell phone, but it was back on her nightstand upstairs.
Glancing back, she wondered if she could make it up there and lock the door before whoever it was jumped her, or worse.
She took one step back, thinking that stealth was the best chance she had. The old stairs had a different idea as the floorboards let out a loud creaking sound.
Without waiting for a better chance, she darted up the stairs as Tsuna barked in her arms. She was just about to open the door when she heard her name and froze.
“What the hell are you doing here?” She turned on Hunter, who stood at the top of the stairs, a little breathless and laughing at her.
He reached over and flipped on the light, casting the entire upstairs into brightness. Rose had to blink a few times before she could see.
“I told you I’d be back for your meeting in the morning.” He smiled at her, then his eyes fell to Tsuna and his smile disappeared. “What is that?”
She looked down and laughed. “This”—she held the small dog up and kissed its nose— “is Tsuna. My new dog.”
“I’m allergic to dogs.” He frowned.
“I know, but she’s so small, I didn’t think it would be a big deal. Besides, you’re only here every other weekend now. I figured she could stay out of the room you stay in.” She shrugged.
“Still.” Hunter shook his head as Tsuna made little growling noises at him. “It’s a dog.”
“Shush, this is Hunter. He’s family.” She held onto Tsuna, whose entire body vibrated with growls. “You’ve scared her.” She rolled her eyes at Hunter. “You scared me.”
“Sorry. I thought I’d drive back tonight, sneak in, and you’d be none the wiser. What were you doing up?”
“I was pissed.” She motioned back to her room. “Isaac’s mistress is all over the television. Pictures of them together.” She felt the anger return.
“How about we head downstairs? I’m starving. I was heading to the kitchen to make a sandwich when you scared the hell out of me.”
“I scared you?” She walked over and wrapped her arm around her brother, tucking Tsuna under her free arm. “What do you think you did to us?”
Ten
So, you’re being investigated…
The small room was packed. Since he couldn’t officially take part in the questioning, Sawyer stood behind the one-way mirror with Carson and a few other investigating officers. The chief had tried to keep them out, but Carson had persuaded him that they might need to know some answers and see how Rose answered them.
Rose sat next to Hunter, looking very nervous as the detective sat across from her.
“As you know, there’s been more information come to light since the last time we talked,” the detective started. “With your lawyer’s permission, we’ll continue the line of questioning.”
Hunter nodded and gave Rose a reassuring smile.
“I’m ready.” Her shoulders were straight as if she was trying to project courage, but he could tell she was nervous.
As the detective started his questions, Sawyer watched Rose closely. She’d chosen a soft rose-colored blouse with a slight V neck. She wore delicate silver necklaces over the softness of her neck with matching bracelets on each wrist and several rings on each of her fingers. For the first time since he’d known her, she was without her wedding ring, which caused something deep inside him to stir.
He watched the scene and wished he could punch something when the questioning turned harder and more direct. He’d been on the other side of the glass plenty of times. Hell, he might even have pushed her as much had he not been so sure of her innocence and so damn attracted to her.
Turning away, he decided he couldn’t take anymore. “Take notes, will you?” he asked Carson. “I’ve got to get some fresh air.”
“Sure,” his partner said, slapping him on the back lightly.
He stepped outside, expecting a few minutes of quiet. Instead, it was his turn to be bombarded with questions from the media. Microphones and cell phones were shoved in his face as cameras rolled or snapped pictures of him.
“Is it true you’re involved with Kristy Owens?”
“How long have you and Kirsty Owens been seeing one another?”
“Is your affair with Miss Owens going to hinder the case against Rose Clayton?”
He blamed himself for freezing up. But, upon hearing Rose’s name, he spun around and stormed back into the station.
“What was that all about?” someone asked him.
He turned to see Rick Brown and Sue Madsen walking towards him.
“Media frenzy.” He stormed past them and thought he heard them chuckle.
He stepped into the break room to pour himself a cup of coffee and spotted his face on the television set that was always running. Walking over, he turned on the sound and watched the news report. Apparently, it was common knowledge that he and Kristy Owens were having an affair. Even more shocking was when a fuzzy image of him holding Rose with Tsuna tucked between them as he comforted her at the destruction of her back de
ck flashed on the screen and the newscaster actually said the words “deadly love triangle.”
He marched into the chief’s office without knocking.
“I am not having an affair with Kristy Owens,” he blurted out.
The chief narrowed his eyes at him, then motioned for him to shut the door. Sawyer slammed it.
“Contrary to what every news station is saying right now, I didn’t—”
“I know,” the chief broke in, almost laughing. “Sit.” He motioned to the chair across from him.
Sawyer was too pissed to sit, but when the chief asked you to sit, he didn’t ask a second time.
“We think Owens started the rumor herself to get the media off her financial problems.”
He remembered the report mentioning something about it. “How deep is she in?”
“Bad. I’ve just been going through it all.” He turned his screen around. “She’s dollars away from heading into bankruptcy. She dumped her son off on her mother a few months back because she couldn’t afford childcare while she worked.”
“They mentioned something about breaking a contract?” he asked.
“Yeah, Fuller Films signed her for a remake of some classic film, but the contract had a gag order clause. One of the first things Owens did was to sell an interview and do a tell-all to one of those entertainment magazines. You know, the kind at every check-out stand?”
“Yeah.” He shook his head. “Not the brightest one there.”
“No,” he agreed. “I’m sure the entire Owens thing will blow over, but for now, my concern isn’t your relationship with the actress.” He punched a button and the fuzzy image of him holding Rose popped up on the screen. “Is this going to be a problem?”
“Does it have to be?” he asked, already knowing the answer. “No.” He shook his head. “No problem.”
“Good.” The chief turned his screen around again. “For now, you’re off the case. I can’t afford the time I’d waste on an investigation into one of our officers.”
He nodded. “What about Carson?”