by Vella Day
“Worse. As a kid I used to sneak over here hoping for a taste of one of Evie Harper’s apple pies. She was the nice one—the total opposite of her husband. He always yelled at me, but then, he yelled at Evie too. After she died, I was afraid to go near the place.”
“Did he ever get violent?”
“Let’s just say, the man used to carry a big scythe around, and one time he told me he liked to cut off little girls’ heads.”
Dax loved hearing stories of her youth. It gave him a better picture of what her life must have been like. “I guess that would have kept you away.”
“It did for a long time. I only returned about three years ago. His son, Wesley, who lives in Charleston, keeps saying he wants to move to Kerry and fix up the place, but he’s never followed through. Good thing too, since he took after his dad in the mean department.”
“Why did you go back there?” Dax gripped the wheel.
“One summer Clinton decided it was my duty to make sure no one messed with the property. I’d gotten wind that some vagrants had taken up residence in the house, so I sucked up my courage to investigate. Sure enough, three men were living there. I kicked them out, but in the last year, the world thankfully seemed to have forgotten about the place.”
The long dirt road to his farmhouse had become pitted from disuse, and the cruiser was taking a beating as they inched their way up the property. The grass was overgrown to about two feet tall and vines had snaked their way up the trees.
They rounded a bend, and she sucked in an audible breath, and pointed. “Dax, that’s Roberta’s car. I’ve not seen any other VWs like hers.”
He sped up, and the rocks hitting the undercarriage sounded like gunshots. He slowed then pulled to a stop about fifty feet away. “Can you walk the rest of the way? The ruts are so deep, I’m afraid the cruiser might rebel.”
She straightened in her seat. “I sure can.”
Unfortunately, once she stepped out of the car and began to climb the hill, her limp became more pronounced. Jessie should have used the cane or else asked that he drive slower.
Dax wrapped an arm around her. “It’s a little rough. Let me help.”
“Thank you. My balance hasn’t been the same since my calf muscle was cut.”
When they reached Roberta’s car, Dax pulled open the passenger side door. “I’m glad she saw fit not to lock it.”
“Maybe she wasn’t driving. Someone could have used her car to bring her up here against her will.”
Dax looked at her in surprise. “Since when did you become the cynic?”
“Oh, I don’t know. When people I cared about started disappearing. I used to think the best of everyone. It’s that old silver lining thing, but now I suspect everyone and everything.”
“It didn’t help that Brian wasn’t who you thought he was, I suppose.” Dax yanked something out of the glove compartment and unfolded a piece of paper. “It’s Roberta’s registration.”
Dax took her hand again, and even though they were on flat ground, Jessie thankfully didn’t pull away. They hiked to the barn where he drew open the door. Instantly, the smell of old straw and mold assaulted him.
Jessie held a hand over her nose. “I don’t think anything could stay in there for long. It’s foul.”
Dax stepped a few feet inside. “Hello?”
“I’ve got a flashlight in the cruiser if you want to check it out,” she said.
“Nah. Let’s look elsewhere first.”
They walked to the backside of the barn but only found a rusted out tractor, a pile of decayed wood, and some plowing blades.
Jessie nodded toward the house. “As long as we’re here, we might as well check out the old homestead.”
“It doesn’t look safe.”
Her shoulders slumped. “At one time, the Harper place was something to be proud of but not anymore.”
As they picked their way down the hill, sweat formed on Jessie’s forehead from the exertion. The cloudless day had heated up the air, but shouldn’t have been enough to cause her to perspire. Dax didn’t like it. He’d suggest she sit in the cruiser if he didn’t think she’d balk.
She fanned her face. “It must be at least seventy out here.”
Dax looked down at her and smiled. “It’s nice, isn’t it?” He stopped then faced her. “I just thought of something,” Dax said. “Roberta’s last name is Barton. Harold Barton owns the gas station. Are they related?”
“He’s her son.”
“That might not be a coincidence.”
“You’re not thinking Harold had anything to do with his mom’s disappearance, are you?”
“Who said she disappeared? I was wondering why we didn’t ask Harold where she might be.”
“Ah, Kerry’s dirty laundry is about to come out. They don’t get along, shall we say.” She stopped in her tracks and grabbed his forearm. “It can’t be.” She pointed to the Cadillac.
Off to the side of the house sat her grandmother’s car. “What the hell is Margaret doing here?”
“That’s what I’d like to know,” Jessie said.
They were half way to the car when he heard laughter out back. “Maybe she and Roberta are having a picnic,” he said.
“With those two, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
They snuck around to the other side of the house, keeping clear of the broken crates and assorted car parts.
Behind the house was a large mound of dirt, and on top of the dirt was a sight Dax couldn’t believe.
Chapter Nineteen
“What the hell?” Dax said.
Jessie broke away from him and hopped toward the group of ladies—or rather the group of hussies. Her calf screamed, but the view before her demanded she take action. Now she wished she’d brought the cane, mostly to beat some sense into Nana and her friends.
Nana, Mary Alice, and Eleanor were lying on their backs on some kind of shiny, aluminum foil type blanket holding hands, clad only in their underpants and bras. Each had what looked like foil antennae on their heads, implying they weren’t there to sunbathe.
Jessie loomed over her grandmother. “What the hell is going on here?”
Her grandmother sat up and crossed her arms over her chest. “Jessie? I need to ask you the same thing.” When her grandmother caught sight of Dax, she lowered her arms. “Oh, hi, Dax.”
Gross. Jessie had enough. “Answer me, please. Have you all lost your marbles?”
It was Mary Alice’s turn to sit up. “Shh. We’re trying to contact Roberta.”
“Roberta?”
“Yes. Roberta.”
“I don’t understand.”
Mary Alice sighed. “You young people. Sheesh. Roberta wants a real man, not some over the hill, limp dick guy, like Doc. Since this is one of the highest elevations in Kerry, we thought we could contact her from here. She said she was going to find the mother ship, and everyone knows the reception is best this high up.”
Jessie couldn’t put into words what was going through her mind. Her grandmother and her friends were plum crazy. “I can’t believe this. You’ll catch cold.” Stupid comment, but she was in too much shock to say anything intelligent. It didn’t matter she was sweating. “Nana, get dressed. You’re coming home now.”
Her grandmother’s lips pinched together. “I will do no such thing.” She turned to Dax and her face softened. “Dax, dear, why don’t you take Jessie to the movies or better yet, go to the house. It’s empty.” She winked. “Surely a young, virile man such as yourself can find something to keep her occupied while we old ladies contact our friend.”
“Nana!” Though snuggling in bed with Dax held a lot of appeal, she wouldn’t admit it to them. Knowing her grandmother, Nana had already told them about catching her and Dax in a hot kiss.
Jessie was about to stomp off when she decided these women might know something about Roberta’s disappearance. “Do any of you know for certain what happened to her?”
Eleanor sat up. “Roberta called me
last night and said she didn’t want to settle for Doc. She wanted a…what did she call him, Margaret?”
“A stud.”
“That’s right. Roberta wanted an alien stud. Mary Alice here convinced her that the mother ship had landed at this house at one time.”
Jessie shook her head in disbelief.
Dax tugged on her arm and leaned over. “We need to search the place. If Roberta drove herself up here, she’s got to be somewhere.”
“Right.”
Jessie looked at the three women. “We’ll be back.”
She waited until they’d traveled out of earshot before looking over at Dax who was actually smiling.
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
“Your grandmother and her friends. They’re hoots.”
“They’re crazy and horny.”
“That may be, but I hope I’m that feisty when I’m their age.”
Jessie turned wrong and her knee gave way. As she reached out to catch herself, Dax grabbed her around the waist. “Easy.” He made certain she was steady before letting go. “Take hold of my arm. The path is too uneven.”
“Stupid leg.” She inhaled to calm her racing heart. Thankfully, Dax took his time going back to the cruiser. “Where could she be?” Jessie asked.
“I don’t know.”
She leaned back against the cruiser door and then he stepped in front of her. The moment he placed his palms on each side of her head and gazed down at her, all thoughts of finding Roberta flew away. Dear Lord, the man had warm, rich eyes that actually sparkled in the sunlight.
“You’re grandmother’s a smart woman. Even she can tell that I want you, Jess.” His voice came out husky, hunky, and sexy.
She swallowed and opened her mouth to respond, but her gaze couldn’t leave his lips. Make those incredibly kissable lips.
Go for it. Sadie’s voice came in loud and clear as if the woman were standing next to her.
Aw, what the hell. She didn’t get her fill before. There was no time like the present. As Jessie touched Dax’s cheek, her lips parted and Dax leaned closer. He rubbed his thumbs along her jaw, and she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, couldn’t move. Every fiber of her being wanted him.
Jessie closed her eyes and when she tilted up her head, his mouth and hips met hers. She wanted to enjoy the sensation of his soft, pliable mouth, but his hard erection stole all thoughts. She let go of her pent up inhibitions and blocked out every objection her inner voice shouted at her. Her body flooded with hormones, as she entwined her fingers in his soft hair. Dax groaned then palmed her breasts. She couldn’t help but melt against him.
“God, you feel so good,” Dax whispered in the sexiest voice she’d ever heard.
The wind whipped through her hair and her body caught fire. Jessie lowered her arms to around his neck and opened her mouth to receive him more fully. He tasted like mint and honey, all wrapped together, and as their tongues tangled, probed, and explored, she couldn’t get enough of him. Wetness raced between her thighs with every breath. She’d never experienced anything like this in her life. Being in his arms seemed right—too right. Forever right.
Jessie tried to memorize the feel of his cheek, the softness of his lips, the hardness of his chest, and the size of his—
Dax pulled away.
Devastation slammed into her. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
Physically or emotionally? “You weren’t.”
“But I might.” He stepped back and grabbed her hand. “Come on. We need to find Roberta.”
Was he kidding? It didn’t matter if he was right, she wanted to forget all her obligations and kiss him forever. Sometimes, life wasn’t fair. He certainly had seemed willing this morning. So what had changed?
Jessie wanted to believe that if they’d continued, he’d end up needing to make love in the backseat of the cruiser. With her leg, it might not have been pleasant.
He retrieved her cane from the back. “Use this. I don’t want you to fall.”
“Spoilsport.” And to think she had him right where she wanted him. Hell, she was almost willing to drag him into the barn and have sex with him, not caring how bad it smelled. “Where do you think we should look?” She tried not to pout, but even she could hear the disappointment in her voice.
“Inside the house, if we can get in,” Dax said.
“The last time I checked, the place was unlocked. Vagrants had broken a few windows, and the owner’s son never fixed anything, so we figured why bother putting security on the door if he didn’t care.”
“Works for me.”
The sun continued to beat down on her face, and a few crows squawked loudly as they walked to the abandoned building. Dax held her hand as she hobbled up the three steps to the front porch. As she moved close, the smell of mildew almost took her breath away. “I can’t imagine anyone willingly going inside this place. The stench is worse than in the barn.” She didn’t want to consider a decomposing body could be inside.
He smiled. “Be thankful you’re a cop in a small town. In Baltimore, we’ve experienced a lot worse than this.”
“I’ll let you handle that duty.” Though, if he ever asked her to go with him, after that kiss, she might consider the move.
Dax had to use his shoulder to push open the front door. “Sticky little bugger.”
White sheets covered the furniture, though she doubted it did much good. She bet vermin had already eaten through the fabric by now. “How about you take the upstairs and I’ll look downstairs,” she said.
“Fine, but be careful.”
“Me? You’re the one who has to pay attention to the collapsed roof.”
Dax eased his way up the creaky steps while she headed back to the kitchen where Jessie could almost see Evie baking her pies. Poor dear. She’d had such a hard life being married to that tyrant.
Jessie’s foot slipped, and she almost went down on one knee but caught herself on the counter. Eww. A puddle of gray slime had slickened the floor. She bent down to examine the gooey substance, but it didn’t look like anything she’d ever seen before. It had the consistency of paint but wasn’t animal feces or blood. Plant material, perhaps?
“You find anything?” Dax said behind her.
Her heart pounded. “Don’t sneak up on me like that.”
“Sorry. What did you find?”
“Nothing. Just some goo.”
He studied the puddle. “Looks like alien juice.”
She looked up at his smiling face. “Funny.”
“Hey, don’t believe me? Get a sample. Maybe it’s some cosmetic lotion Roberta used to attract her alien. She could have dropped the bottle.”
“Then where’s the glass?”
He threw her an appreciative look. “Good point, unless it didn’t break.”
Speculation wouldn’t get them anywhere. “You find anything?”
“Nope. I say we look in the barn.”
“We already did.”
“I only said hello.”
Not having anything to hold the sample, she let the mystery material remain untouched. If need be, she could come back later. As they left the house, she glanced up at the hill. “How can my grandmother who is so sharp lose it so fast?” She knew Dax couldn’t answer her, but she needed to vent her frustration at her grandmother’s decline.
“Oh, I don’t think she’s losing it. She’s having the time of her life.”
“I hope you’re right.” Jessie’s mood lightened. She nodded to the barn. “I’m sure Roberta wouldn’t go in there. It’s too nasty.”
“I’ll be back in a sec. Let me get a light.”
Jessie waited at the barn door while Dax retrieved his precious beacon. She thought about suggesting he wear the damned thing around his neck but that would be cruel. The man had issues, ones she figured stemmed from his time in the service.
He turned on the light. “Let’s go.”
“What do you hope to find?”
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“Something she might have dropped that could give us a clue as to her whereabouts.”
If Dax thought it possible that Roberta had gone in there, it was her duty to check it out. Once inside, Jessie tried holding her breath, but it didn’t work, so she placed a hand over her nose to prevent the gag reflex from kicking in. Jessie was rather disgusted with herself. Her father had brought up stronger stock. Lowering her hand, she inhaled and coughed. Her sense of smell was too acute. Nana always claimed Jessie must have been a bloodhound in a former life. How true.
They shuffled around the floor, kicking up the straw as they went. Her toe hit something hard, prompting her to bend down and fish around until she found a triangular object one inch thick and about five inches on each side. “I found something.”
“What is it?” Dax flashed the light on it.
“I don’t know. Could be a GPS, though if I remember my Star Trek episodes, it looks like a tricorder.”
“A what?”
“A tricorder. Bones used it to heal people.”
“Bones? Whatever.” Dax held out his hand and Jessie placed the weird object with the shining circles in his palm.
“It’s a bomb detection device. We didn’t use one like this, but I’ve seen something like it.”
“I wonder what it’s doing here?”
“Excellent question,” Dax said.
“It looks like one of those things restaurants give out when you’re waiting for a table.”
“It does at that.” He stuffed it in his pocket for safe keeping.
Five minutes later, after taking too many bad breaths, Jessie moved toward the exit. “I need some fresh air.”
“Me too.”
As she stepped outside, Jessie shielded her eyes against the bright sun. “Now what?”
“The only place left is the field.”
Her shoulders drooped. The field was a good twenty acres of high grass. Good thing she had on leggings or else the bugs would eat her alive. “Let’s do this.”
He turned toward her and when he cupped her cheek, heat flushed her face. Her pulse raced with the hope he’d kiss her again.
“Why don’t you sit in the car while I have a look. It’ll be faster and a lot less painful.”