by Vella Day
“Not yet, but I’m not finished investigating,” Jessie said. “No, wait a minute. I found receipts in Clinton’s desk that were for a large screen TV, a tractor and a generator.”
“Meaning what?” Dax asked.
“Big ticket items? Blackmail? They go hand in hand.” She looked up at Amanda. “Did you see a big TV or a generator when you were at his house?”
“I didn’t see either of those things,” Amanda said, “but then again, I wasn’t looking at his décor.”
“Just because a guy spends some money, doesn’t mean he’s blackmailing someone,” Dax said. He leaned back in the chair and switched his glance from Jessie to Amanda, and then back again. “For a crime, you need means, motive, and opportunity. Motive I get, but we don’t even have a body, and until we do, these photos and those big ticket items mean squat.”
“That’s one man’s opinion,” Amanda said acting tough. “I want to speak to these men to see if DuPree approached them with the photos.”
Jessie grabbed her arm. “Don’t be stupid. If they killed Clinton, they could come after you.”
She shrugged. “I can take care of myself.”
“Amanda, please don’t do anything until I’m feeling better.” Jessie smiled. “You know how you could help me?”
“How?”
“Dax would you excuse us? We have some girl stuff to discuss.”
He wasn’t happy, but he went upstairs. Girl talk, indeed. For the life of him he couldn’t fathom what that would be about.
* * *
Refusing to sit home another day, Jessie was thrilled to finally be back at work. Over Nana’s protests, she’d convinced Dax to drive her to town. She had a lot of paperwork to do and could rest her leg sitting just as well as being in bed.
Dax admitted he didn’t mind taking her, claiming he wanted to check on the progress of his truck repair. There would come a time when he was able to leave, and she wondered how long he’d stay. Murder investigations could drag on for months, or so she’d been told.
Once she fired up the office computer, the first thing she did was run Dax Mitchell’s name through VICAP, the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program, as well as through the National Criminal Database to see if he had a record. She suspected Bruno’s warning was made out of jealousy, but she wouldn’t be a good officer if she didn’t follow through on one of her constituent’s suspicions.
The little processor clock ran and ran. Come on. A screen popped up that gave her the chance to type in Dax’s name. After a few seconds, the search came up empty, and she looked up to the ceiling to say a silent prayer.
He’d mentioned something about being in Iraq, which was where he probably received his leg injury, but she didn’t have access to any military databases.
To be thorough, though, or perhaps because she was plain nosy, she Googled Dax’s name, and three newspaper articles appeared. That surprised her. She was a little uncertain if she even wanted to read any dirt on him, but hell, she’d come this far, so she might as well find out if there was anything to Bruno’s claim.
Jessie took a sip of her freshly made coffee and began to read. The first article was dated three years ago. Apparently, Dax’s fiancée, a fellow detective by the name of Laura Santiago, was involved in a drug sting gone bad. The Santiagos had received a ransom note stating if they wanted to see their daughter alive again, they had to convince the Baltimore Police to release Roberto Ramirez from custody and drop all charges, as well as pay one million dollars. Dax was quoted as saying the department was doing everything possible to bring Laura back alive.
The second article showed Dax by a gravesite, head bowed, looking years older. According to a police spokesperson, the department had refused to bend to the will of the terrorists, despite the Santiago’s willingness to cough up the money. Because of their decision, the drug lords followed through with their threat and Laura’s body was found a week later in an abandoned warehouse. She’d been executed, but the kingpin had not been apprehended.
Jessie’s headache returned. Poor Dax. To lose a woman he loved in such a horrible manner would destroy anyone. No wonder he seemed like such a lost soul, and why he wasn’t with someone now.
The sudden need to comfort him overwhelmed her. Stop it, Jess. You’ll only end up hurt when he returns to Baltimore.
The third article, dated six months ago, showed Dax standing next to a six-year old girl who looked like she might be his daughter. Her heart pounded as she leaned closer to the computer and read further. The little girl had wandered off into the Maryland woods and wasn’t heard from for days. Dax had followed the informational trail, as well as the literal one, and found her. She’d been abducted, but then was saved by some hermit. Dax was proclaimed a hero by both the press and the little girl’s parents.
Her pride swelled. Stupid Bruno. Villain, indeed. Dax saved people, not slayed them.
A knock sounded on the office door, and Brian waltzed in, but she wasn’t in the mood to socialize.
“Hey, Jess.”
“Brian.” She lowered her propped up leg to the ground, and blood rushed to her wound, sending stabbing spikes up her leg. Stupid bullet.
“I heard you were shot. How’s the leg?”
He sounded friendly enough, but she could tell he wasn’t there to chitchat. “Sore, but I’ll live.” She checked her watch. “Shouldn’t you be at work?”
He threw her a sheepish grin. “I haven’t started my job at the cement plant yet. I’ve been busy fixing up the old homestead.”
“So you’re living in your old house? I thought your mom’s place was rented.”
“It had been, but the old geezer living there had to leave.”
“I’m surprised I hadn’t heard.” Nana must becoming forgetful.
“His daughter took ill or something. It was actually good timing for me. I needed a place to stay, and it was one of the reasons why I chose to come back to Kerry.”
He scanned her from head to toe, making her uncomfortable. He acted as though he wanted to pick up where they left off ten years ago, but she’d never date him again. “What can I do for you? Are you here to report a crime?” she asked in her most professional voice.
Brian pulled up a chair too close to her desk and sat down, forcing Jessie to scoot back.
“I was taking a break and wanted to see if you needed anything. I don’t think I mentioned it but I served in the Military Police for a few years, so if you need any help with Clinton’s murder or Sadie’s, I’m your man. At least for the next few weeks until I start work.”
She had to think how she could let him down gently. “I do appreciate the offer, but Dax and I are on the case, and Amanda is helping too.”
He cocked a brow. “Dax and you?” His lips pressed firmly together. “I trust he’s the big fella who’s been hanging all over you?”
“Dax doesn’t hang, nor are we an item. He helps me move about. We’re just coworkers.” Part of her—the insane part—wanted more.
“I hear differently.”
She had to laugh at that. “Well, you heard wrong.” She tapped the screen. “I hate to be antisocial, but I have work to do, so if you wouldn’t mind?”
He held up a hand. “Ask no more. You know where to find me. I’ll stop back tomorrow to see if you’ve changed your mind, but don’t worry, there are no strings attached. I don’t move in on another man’s woman.” He shoved his chair back so hard, it almost tipped over. “Take care, Jess.”
Before she could respond that she wasn’t Dax’s woman, he shot out the door, although as soon as she healed, she wouldn’t mind snuggling up to the sexy P.I. for the time he was here. She was strong enough to keep her emotions at bay—or so she hoped.
Once the quiet returned, she went back to her computer. On a whim, she typed Brian Richards’ name into VICAP, but nothing popped up either. For the sake of being thorough, she looked in the National Criminal Database.
After an interminable wait, several Brian Richards showed
up, so she chose the one with the correct age and clicked okay to get a more detailed description of the crime. She got a hit.
As Jessie scanned this list, her palms sweated. Brian, what have you done?
His list of offenses surprised and depressed her. The two convenience store thefts didn’t bother her, but the most recent crime did—one that was bad. Really bad.
“Hey,” Amanda said, bouncing into the office.
Jessie’s heart skipped a beat. “I wish you wouldn’t startle me like that. Knock or something next time.”
“Sorry.” Amanda was carrying three large bags. “Wait until you see what I have for you.”
“I didn’t ask you to buy the store. I can’t afford all that stuff.” She could almost hear her bank account nosedive into the negative.
Jessie was about to protest when Amanda held up her hand. “Don’t worry, I found good deals.” She pulled out a long red, slinky dress with a low V-neck, and Jessie gasped. Next, her friend dragged out a pretty jeweled necklace and matching earrings.
“I’m not wearing all that jewelry. I’d look ridiculous. As for that dress, it’s ob-ob-obscenely low cut.”
“Listen, Jess, if you want to attract a man, you have to look like a woman, not one disguised as a man.”
She refused to rise to the bait and argue the second assertion. “Who says I want to attract a man? I asked you to buy me some clothes I could wear that wouldn’t rub against the wound on my leg, and that’s all.”
“A dress is just what you need. Anyway, I figured as long as I was shopping, I might as well buy you some makeup.”
“Makeup? Sheriffs don’t wear makeup. Dear Lord in Heaven, I’ll feel totally out of place with goo all over my face.”
“That’s your problem. You don’t consider yourself feminine, but I plan to change that.” Amanda smiled and pulled out a fleece sweat suit. “Huh? You like?”
“Now you’re talking.”
“It’s fitted, so you won’t look like you’re swimming in your clothes. The dress is for evening, the sweat suit is for lounging around, and these,” Amanda said, holding up a few more items, “are for work.”
The A-line jeans skirt and modest sweater she could do. “Thank you.”
“Why don’t you try something on?”
“Now?”
“Yes, now. Oh, I almost forgot. I bought you a pair of sneakers and some flats for the office and matching red pumps to go with the dress.”
Jessie laughed. “It feels like Christmas.”
“I bet it’s been that long since you’ve treated yourself to anything new, am I right?”
“Too right.”
Amanda set all the packages on her desk. “Try on the dress. I’m dying to see if it fits.”
Her friend wouldn’t leave her alone until she put on at least one outfit. Using her crutches, Jessie swung her way over to the bathroom, while Amanda carried the dress. Believing her friend would follow her in, Jessie turned and held up one hand. “I want to surprise you.”
Before Amanda had the chance to protest, Jessie snatched the dress and jewelry before closing the door. Standing on one foot, she was able to change. The small wall mirror only gave her a glimpse of what she looked like, but she could tell she looked good. Too bad her boobs didn’t fill out the dress as nicely as Amanda’s or Lena’s would, but there was little she could do about it.
Jessie slipped on the heels, but she drew the line at Amanda slathering makeup on her. She took a step and the pain in her leg eased. Interesting that the added height allowed her calf to relax a little.
When she hobbled out, Amanda sucked in a loud breath. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. You look gorgeous, and those earrings are striking.”
Jessie shook her head, and the cold, dangly steel caressed her face. She actually felt sexy.
“Now for the makeup,” Amanda said as she routed through another bag.
Jessie held up her hand. “Let’s not waste it. I’m just sitting here, so no one’s going to see me.”
“Dax will when he picks you up tonight.”
Heat raced up her face. “Why should I care? He’ll be leaving as soon as his truck is fixed.” There was no use discussing his generous offer to stay. Amanda could help just as well.
“It’ll be fun to get a rise out of him. Come on, let me do my girl thing.”
As though they were back in high school, Jessie gave in and let Amanda line her eyes and lips, then fill-in with who knows what color. She felt like a poodle after a day at the doggie spa.
Amanda pulled out a compact mirror and held it up to Jessie. “What do you think?”
“Wow,” said a low, sexy voice at the entrance.
Jessie jerked around.
“W-what are you d-doing here?”
Chapter Fourteen
Jessie blushed the prettiest shade of red, her cheeks matching her dress perfectly.
“I finished with Walt and came back to see if you wanted to go to lunch.” Dax never expected to find someone this hot sitting in the sheriff’s office. Her transformation made him tongue-tied.
Amanda smiled. “Yes, she’ll go to lunch. It’s a date.”
“Am-an-da.”
Dax stepped over to Jessie and her perfume made him even harder than he already was. “You are truly beautiful.”
Jessie looked down at her shoes. “Thank you.”
“I know it’s a little early, but are you okay to eat?” He was only hungry for her, but he was willing to go now just to be near her.
She looked up at him. “I’m starving, actually.” She turned to Amanda. “Thank you for the clothes. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
Amanda waved away the compliment. “What are friends for? It was fun dressing you up, just like we used to do in high school. Now go, and don’t worry. I’ll hold down the fort.”
“I can’t go to the restaurant looking like a… a vamp.”
Dax laughed. “You look like a very sexy woman that any man in town would be proud to be with.” He hoped he wasn’t drooling when he told her how remarkable she looked.
She kept her gaze averted as she threw on her Pea coat—a too-big, worn Pea coat that definitely didn’t go with the fancy dress and earrings, but he understood her need to stay warm.
Jessie fingered the lapels. “I guess I’ll need a new coat if I plan to dress up again.”
“I think you look cute,” he said.
Jessie focused on the ground as she hobbled outside. Fortunately, The Sugar Shack was only a block away. While using her crutches appeared painful, driving her the one block had its drawbacks. Once he dropped her off, he’d have to return to the station to park, and she’d be alone for too long.
Dax purposely walked slowly so she wouldn’t feel rushed. The wind had died down and the easy stroll made him feel as though they were on a real date. Unfortunately, the moment they walked inside the restaurant, the calm he’d experienced shattered.
Lena started screaming Jessie’s name as she raced over to them. “I can’t believe it. Jessie Nash, what did you do to yourself? You’re gorgeous. You look so different, so good.”
Every pair of male eyes swung in Jessie’s direction—something he didn’t like.
“Did I really look so bad before?”
Lena’s face contorted. “Bad isn’t the right word, maybe—”
“I get it. You sound like Nana.” She chuckled. “Do you have a booth in the corner for us?”
Lena looked flustered, poor thing. “Absolutely.”
As he and Jessie made their way to the back of the restaurant, several men whistled, and Dax couldn’t help but glare at them. He wanted to wrap his arm around her waist to indicate the men needed to back off, but with the crutches, he couldn’t get near enough to her.
When they reached the booth, Dax set her instruments of torture on the floor then scooted in across from her. “So what have you been up to this morning?” He wanted to take the focus off her new appearance and onto a more co
mfortable topic.
“Before my fairy godmother came in and bestowed all the clothes on me, Brian Richards stopped by.”
“Who’s Brian?”
“He was the one I was sitting across from at the diner.”
“What did he want?” He worked hard not to sound possessive.
She bit her lower lip, sending his thoughts below his waist. The cool air had dampened his lust for a moment, but now the urge was back.
“I’m not quite sure.”
Her avoidance sent a message. “Are you two dating?” This time, he failed to keep the anger from his voice.
“No, not at all. And that’s what made me a little suspicious about why he’d stopped by. We dated like ten years ago, but he’s been gone forever.”
No doubt he stopped by to check out his hot ex-girl friend. The guy probably wanted to pick up where he left off, but if that were the case, Dax would have to set him straight. “Suspicious how?”
“He told me that given I’d been shot, he wanted to see if he could help with the investigation. He let me know that he’d been with the MP’s in the service and thought he could lend a hand.”
“Sounds like a reasonable request, although in truth, he probably just wanted a chance to get in your pants,” Dax mumbled.
“Excuse me?”
There he went again, thinking out loud. “Sorry. What did you tell him?”
She didn’t answer for a moment, which didn’t bode well for him. Between her scowl and pursed lips, she looked as if she was about to tell him to fuck off but then thought better of it. “I told him you and I had everything under control.”
Relieved he didn’t have to deal with seeing Brian with Jessie every day, Dax leaned back against his seat. “Good.” From the way her gaze bounced from her hands to the other customers, she was hiding something. “What aren’t you telling me?”
She grimaced. “You see, of all the people from school, Brian was the most gung ho about the service, and he couldn’t wait to get away from Kerry. He even falsified records to get his then sixteen-year-old brother into the Army. Brian had almost finished his second tour of duty when his brother was killed, and Brian claimed it was his fault for convincing Jimmy to enlist.”