The Wanted Cowboy (Cowboys After Dark Book 5)

by Maggie Carpenter

  “What the hell?” he mumbled. “This isn’t good. Shit, this isn’t good. Luke’s gonna be pissed.”

  When Dwayne wasn’t sure what to do, he didn’t do anything, so he sat, staring, then finally decided to call Robbie.

  “It’ll be another hour before his train arrives,” Robbie told him after Dwayne reported what he was watching, “and with this weather gettin’ worse he sure as hell can’t get through those woods. I’m gonna go pick him and I’ll tell him.”

  “I’m worried about goin’ in,” Dwayne remarked. “I’m not sure what she might think if she sees I’m a deputy. I don’t think she knew it when we were at Barry’s, and I don’t know if Jeb said anything after we left.”

  “Can she see your car from the window?” Robbie asked.

  “Maybe, not sure. It’s dark out here,” Dwayne replied, “and the rain’s startin’.”

  “I doubt Patty will do anything to Tess. She has no reason to, and it’s bright in there, but you’re right, seein’ you in uniform…you just never know. I’d pull back and make sure you’re outta sight, then just keep watch.”

  “Yeah, okay, I’ll do that,” Dwayne replied, “but if Tess leaves with her-”

  “If Tess leaves with her,” Robbie interrupted, “follow them and stay in touch with me.”

  Dwayne knew Alex would be at station headquarters, and after silently pulling the car back he put in a call to him as well.

  Alex had been running the name, Daniel Griswald through the various data bases and had found nothing, but as his phone rang he got a hit, and found himself staring an old case from another state.

  “Stay put,” Alex said parroting Robbie. “Just keep your eye on things. I’m just finishing something up, but I’ll swing in there when I’m done, make my presence known. It can’t hurt.”

  “Okay, I’ll be here,” Dwayne replied, and settled back in his seat, determined not to let the girls out of his sight.

  Staring at his computer screen Alex began to read the pages of the old file, and his heart began to kick up. The first few pages told him everything he needed to know, and jumping to his feet he grabbed his coat and headed out the door, placing a call to Jeb as he did.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  The storm was intensifying, the freezing rain making the roads slick and visibility difficult. Alex had to make a choice, Tess’s cafe or Barry’s bar: Dwayne had the cafe covered, and Alex couldn’t imagine Tess and Patty leaving to go anywhere with the weather like it was. There was no answer when he’d called Barry’s; either the phone was being ignored or the lines were down, so his choice was clear, and grabbing his heavy-duty raincoat he headed out the door.

  As he drove through the tempest he told himself he’d made the right decision; he’d speak to Daniel then head back to the cafe and take care of business there. After reading the old case file Alex knew why Daniel was in town, and that he was a loose cannon; Alex had to make sure the guy didn’t do anything stupid.

  The drive to Barry’s was taking longer than he’d anticipated, and he thought about calling Dwayne and having him bring Patty into the station on some kind of pretense, but the woman was unpredictable at best, and while Dwayne had shown some newfound confidence, Alex wasn’t sure the kid was up to dealing with a cunning witch like Patty Jamison.

  As he peered through the wet stuff splashing against his windshield he finally spotted the glow of Barry’s bright pink neon sign, and saying a silent prayer of thanks he pulled into the sparsely populated parking lot.

  Dashing through the torrential rain he burst inside, and shaking himself off he stared at the empty tavern; there were only a couple of tables with customers, no-one sitting at the bar, and Barry was standing behind the counter.

  “Bad night,” the owner declared.

  “I’m looking for Daniel,” Alex said quickly, not interested in talking about the weather.

  “You just missed him, he said he had something urgent to take care of so I let him go. Not like I need him,” Barry grimaced, “not on a night like this.”

  “Did he say where he was going? Any idea?”

  “Nope, just said it couldn’t wait and took off.”

  “Thanks,” Alex frowned, and quickly turning he hurried back outside to his car.

  I’ll bet you’re on your way to Patty’s right now. Dammit to hell, you’re gonna get yourself electrocuted, or maybe even worse.

  Driving his truck slowly through the downpour, Robbie wasn’t worried about it being conspicuous; the streets were empty, and it was a lot safer in bad weather than the old Buick.

  The train from Longville was due in shortly, and should anyone ask he was going to say the old man was a great uncle coming to visit for a few days. As he rolled to a stop in the train station parking lot he realized he needn’t have worried; it was empty, not a soul in sight. Entering the waiting room he saw the ticket seller watching television in the small office behind his window. The small country community had yet to upgrade to high-tech machines, and moving to the old-fashioned radiator against the wall he suddenly felt as if he was living in the 1950s.

  Deciding to check in with Dwayne while he was waiting, he pulled out his phone and touched the screen; Dwayne answered right away.

  “They’re still sittin’ there,” Dwayne declared, “except Tess left for a minute and came back with a basket fat fries. Made me hungry watching them eat. Now they’re sharin’ a bottle of wine. I’m freezin’ here in the car. Wish I could go inside.”

  “Luke will want to go there right away. He’s not gonna be happy about this,” Robbie remarked.

  “Yeah, I don’t understand why Tess hasn’t closed up and left,” Dwayne agreed. “Maybe she’s gettin’ somethin’ outta Patty and doesn’t wanna quit.”

  “I doubt that excuse will hold much water. Luke told me how upset he was that he’d suggested Tess make friends with that crazy woman,” Robbie remarked. “Hang in there, Dwayne, we’ll be there soon…I think I hear the train…gotta run.”

  “Bye, drive safely.”

  Robbie moved quickly to the platform, and as the train stopped he saw Luke step off almost immediately and hurried to greet him.

  “Really glad to see you,” Luke said gratefully. “I can’t believe this weather came in, and I can’t believe I forgot to take a second phone with me. Best laid plans…”

  “There was no way I was gonna let you try to get through the woods in this rain,” Robbie replied as he pretended to help the supposed old man to the truck. Once inside the warm cab Luke pulled of the scruffy hat and let out a long sigh.

  “Wow, it’s been some day,” he declared. “What’s goin’ on here, any news?”

  “Yep, and some of it you’re not gonna like,” Robbie replied driving out of the parking lot and into the main street.

  “What? Is it Tess?” Luke asked urgently.

  “She’s sharin’ a bottle of wine with Patty Jamison at the cafe as we speak,” Robbie announced.

  “She’s what?” Luke exclaimed, I am gonna spank her butt so frickin’ hard.

  “Dwayne’s parked in front outta sight, keepin’ watch. Jeb and a bunch of his deputies took off for Longvile just like you planned. Except for Tess hangin’ out with Patty, everything’s workin’ out just how you thought it would.”

  “Take me the cafe,” Luke said sharply. “If go in dressed like this I doubt Patty will recognize me, and if she does I don’t care at this point, her days are numbered. It’s more important that I get Tess outta there. She knew I’d be home around this time. What’s she playin’ at?”

  “Why don’t you let me go in?” Robbie suggested. “She’ll see you sittin’ the truck and I’m sure it will be enough to get her to close up. If Patty does recognize you she’ll call the cops, and are you ready for that?”

  Luke stared out the window as he considered his friend’s sage advice, and finally nodded his head.

  “You’re right,” Luke nodded. “I have no desire for Patty to see me or to get myself arrested. T
hanks, Robbie, I owe you one. Where’s your phone? I’ll call Dwayne and let him know we’re on our way.”

  Sitting across from Patty inside her small restaurant, Tess was starting to get nervous. She knew Luke was due home, and given the weather she was sure Robbie would probably meet him at the train rather than at their meeting place on the other side of the woods, but try as she might she could not extricate herself from Patty’s company.

  “Don’t you want to go back to Barry’s and see that guy again?” Tess suggested. “I’ll bet the place is empty on a night like this, and you could really spend some quality time across the bar with him.”

  “Nah, I told you what he did, and two can play that hard-to-get game,” Patty remarked, “besides, it’s been ages since I’ve done this whole girl-talk thing.”

  “It’s been fun,” Tess nodded. “I am getting a bit tired though.”

  “Have some more wine,” Patty insisted as she picked up the bottle and poured the last of it into Tess’s glass.

  “Good grief, I couldn’t possibly,” Tess protested. “We both have to drive tonight, and it’s going to be tough enough in that downpour.”

  Patty smiled sweetly, then grabbed another handful of the sweet potato fries sitting in the basket on the table.

  “That cop sure has been sitting out there a long time,” Patty remarked.

  The comment took Tess off guard; she hadn’t seen Dwayne’s patrol car in the shadows, and was alarmed that Patty’s had.

  “There’s a cop out there?” Tess asked peering into the darkness.

  “Yep. Just been sitting there watching us,” Patty repeated with a flip of her wrist. “You wouldn’t know why would you, or who it might be? I mean, the Deputy Sheriff is your brother.”

  The girl was looking at her strangely, and Tess felt a chill shiver down her spine.

  “I have no idea, do you?” she asked, throwing it back at her.

  “Like I told you earlier, your brother and some other cat came out to my place today, and now there’s a cop parked outside your restaurant. Kinda odd that I should meet you just last night and now there’s all this action around me. Why do you think that is, Tess?”

  Before Tess could answer, powerful headlights shone through the window as a truck pulled up outside, and Tess said a silent thank you to the heavens.

  Luke was right, this girl is really creepy. Thank goodness I have a customer for a late night snack.

  “Be right back,” Tess smiled as she stood up.

  “Sure, take your time,” Patty answered, then pointedly added, “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Moving quickly to the counter she watched someone run through the rain and push open the door, and when she saw it was Robbie she almost ran to hug him.

  “Hi,” she beamed, “what are you doing here?”

  “Just picked my elderly uncle up at the train station,” he said casually. “I don’t have much at home, and he’s tired and hungry so I thought I’d stop in and get something to go.”

  “Sure,” Tess nodded, “what would you like?” Luke’s in the truck, thank God. I’m so glad he’s back.

  “You got any of that tomato vegetable soup left?” Robbie asked.

  “Sure do,” Tess replied. “It’ll only take a few minutes.”

  “Hi, Robbie, remember me?” Patty called out as she stood up from the table.

  “Patty Jamison if I recall. You accused my boss of-”

  “Hey, I just told the police what happened,” she snapped, picking up her bag and wandering towards him. “Real odd that you should suddenly appear. All these coincidences. See, the thing is I don’t believe in coincidences, and you showin’ up here is kinda settin’ off alarm bells.”

  Tess could hear the conversation from the kitchen, and after placing the soup in the microwave to keep up the charade, she stood out of sight by the swinging doors listening intently.

  “All of what stuff, I don’t understand,” Robbie frowned.

  “I think I want some coffee,” she heard Patty announce, and peeking into the cafe Tess saw her walk behind the counter.

  “See, the thing is,” Patty continued, fishing inside her bag, “I’ve survived as long as I have because I’m not an idiot. Do me a favor, go to the window and wave in that cop. He’s been sitting in that car since I got here.”

  “Why should I do-”

  “Because if you don’t,” she interrupted, pulling what looked like some kind of strange nail gun from her bag, “you’ll be jerking like a fish on the end of a line.”

  “What is that?” he demanded.

  “This?” she grinned waving it in the air, “this is a taser. You can either get that cop in here, or I’ll have him bursting through the door after he sees you go down. Your choice.”

  Filled with panic, Tess watched Robbie head to the window and start waving at Dwayne, signaling him to come inside. She knew that as long as Patty was behind the counter she wasn’t visible from the parking lot, and Dwayne would have no idea the woman was holding a weapon.

  “Shit,” she mumbled.

  “See what happens when you don’t do as you’re told?”

  The whispered words came from behind her, and spinning around she saw Luke, absolutely drenched, standing behind her.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Standing on the porch of Patty’s cabin, Alex’s heart was thumping like a jackhammer. Patty’s car was not in the carport but a black Range Rover was parked off to the side, and Alex had no doubt it belonged to Daniel Griswald.

  “Wish I’d been driving that,” Alex muttered under his breath. The torrential rain had made it a treacherous trip up the winding mountain road, and his patrol car didn’t have four wheel drive.

  Moving closer to the front door he strained to listen for any sounds, but the driving wind and pounding rain was all he could hear. Worried about a booby-trap he stood back as he gingerly reached out his hand to try the door handle; to his shock it turned.

  That’s weird, and it’s scary. I don’t trust this for a second.

  Expecting some kind of trap he pushed the door slowly open with the toe of his foot, but to his surprise nothing happened, and peering inside he saw the glow of a flashlight.

  “Daniel, it’s Alex,” he shouted as he moved inside and kicked the door shut behind him. “I’m not here to arrest you, I don’t care that you broke in.”

  He saw the flashlight freeze, then start its dance again.

  “You’ve obviously figured out who I am, so you know why I’m here,” Daniel called back. “If she finds out you’re sniffing around she could do a bunk and I could lose her. You people did nothing, so now it’s down to me and I have to search while I have the chance.”

  “Don’t touch anything,” Alex yelled urgently, “she has everything booby-trapped, don’t touch anything!”

  He pulled his own flashlight from his belt, and as he shone the powerful beam around the room he thought something looked different.

  The pictures I pretended to look at, they’re gone, huh, so are the knickknacks that were on the coffee table. Damn, he’s right, we’re too late. She’s pulled up stakes.

  “Daniel, for God’s sake don’t touch anything, I swear I’m only here to save your ass. Please, come out, but watch where you’re walking.”

  He saw the light in the hall swing around, and a moment later Daniel emerged from the hallway.

  “Save my ass? Like you guys saved my brother’s ass?”

  As a sudden flash of lightening illuminated the room Alex’s uncanny instinct kicked in and his eyes flew upwards.

  “Ah, dammit,” he exclaimed.

  The brief brightness dropped away sending the room back into darkness, and Alex waved his flashlight overhead.

  “What the hell?” Daniel muttered, following Alex’s gaze and staring upward. Strung across the ceiling was a fisherman’s net laced with barbed wire. “How the hell did she manage that?”

  “Don’t move,” Alex said gravely, “there’s a trip wire somewhere.
Don’t know how one of us hasn’t triggered it.”

  “Shit, it’s there,” Daniel declared, “right by your feet!”

  Shining his light downwards Alex saw three wires running from the legs of the coffee table. Following them with his light he saw one went to the bottom of the sofa, one had been nailed to the wall halfway between where he was standing and the hallway, and the third was an inch from his toes; like the second it was also stretched across his path and nailed into the wall.

  “What is it they say,” Alex muttered, “life is a matter of inches?”

  “Something like that,” Daniel managed. “I thought my heart was racing before, now it’s about to jump out of my chest. What the hell else is there?”

  “How did you get in and not fall over this?” Alex frowned continuing to move his light around the room.

  “I didn’t even try the doors, I just figured they’d be locked. I climbed in through the bathroom window, it slid right up.”

  “I assume you found nothing,” Alex remarked.

  “I literally just got here,” Daniel replied. “I thought I’d find her at home on a night like this.”

  “Dammit, I have to warn Tess,” he mumbled, “but let’s get out of here in one piece first.”

  “There’s a light switch,” Daniel announced.

  “No, don’t!” Alex warned sharply. “This girl knew enough about electricity to wire up a door. Just watch where you put your feet and come on out.”

  “Shit,” Daniel repeated. “I’m suddenly glad you’re here right now.”

  Shining his flashlight in front of him Daniel moved slowly forward, carefully stepping over the trip wires, while Alex nervously watched, keeping the beam of his flashlight steady to help.

  “This place is creeping me out,” Daniel shuddered as they headed to the front door.

  “I need to drive my car because I need the radio,” Alex declared, “but I’ll follow you in case I hit trouble on the way down the hill.”