It was just a matter of time.
SEVEN
Caleb picked up the remote and punched in two numbers. A herd of elephants replaced the pretty news anchor who’d occupied the screen. He wasn’t staying to watch the nature program, but since he didn’t like a silent house, he assumed Kira didn’t, either. Tess probably didn’t have a preference one way or the other.
He laid the remote on the end table and picked up his keys. Kira beat him to the door, tail wagging furiously. He knelt and cupped the dog’s face between his hands. “I’m sorry, girl. You have to stay here.”
Those big brown eyes couldn’t possibly look any sadder. He ruffled the fur on the back of her neck and gave her a couple of pats.
“I’ll only be gone for the day.” And his friend would be dropping by twice to walk her and feed both her and Tess. Knowing Cortland and his affection for animals, he’d probably hang out for a while to love on them both. “Trust me. I’m leaving you in good hands.”
Kira gave a single bark, a final plea to take her with him. He straightened and turned his back on a pouting dog and the soothing voice of the TV program narrator. As he closed the door, an elephant bellowed in the background.
He removed his phone from its case. He’d promised to let Amber know when he was coming in her direction.
Two days ago their friendship had deepened to a new level. He hadn’t planned to share those personal details about his wife. But when Amber had accused him of never experiencing regret, he hadn’t been able to let it go. Now he was glad he hadn’t. Honesty was important in a friendship.
He stopped before opening the truck door and scrolled to her last call. Today they’d celebrate the Fourth at her uncle’s ranch in Ocala. According to Amber, they had a big party every year with food and games and even a live band.
Before he had a chance to place the call, the phone vibrated in his hand and a number appeared on the screen. Frank Mason again. Knowing Caleb’s acquaintances were involved, Frank was keeping him up to date as events occurred rather than letting him find out when he reported to work.
The call meant something had happened.
Frank skipped the greeting. “As of last night, we had a new development and it’s not good. Two people dead.”
Caleb’s stomach dropped to his knees. Oh, God, please don’t let it be Amber. “Who?” The word came out in a whisper.
“Raymond Ellis and the deputy who was watching him.”
His jaw went lax. “He killed the deputy, too? How?”
“Raymond had a late-afternoon doctor’s appointment in Dunnellon. The deputy followed him. They never made it back home. Both vehicles were found wrecked along 40, several miles apart. Numerous shots had been fired into the deputy’s vehicle. One hit him in the face.”
Caleb closed his eyes. “And Raymond?”
“Shooting wasn’t necessary. He was killed on impact. His car slammed into a tree so hard, the engine ended up in the back seat. Based on what we’ve been able to put together, someone was waiting alongside the road with a high-powered rifle. After Raymond passed, the person stepped out and fired several shots into the deputy’s car. Then the subject jumped back into his vehicle and went after Raymond, who apparently tried to flee.”
Frank cleared his throat. “Raymond either lost control of the car and ran off the road or he was forced off by the other vehicle.”
“What were Logan Cleary’s whereabouts?”
“Driving home from work in Chiefland.”
Caleb leaned against the door of his truck. Four down, two to go. If not for the dead deputy, Raymond’s death could look like an accident. The man’s driving record was terrible, with several speeding tickets and a couple of DUIs. In fact, Raymond had just gotten his license back after a five-year suspension.
But this was no accident. Raymond was yet another victim of someone’s perverted sense of justice.
One by one, debts are paid.
Ramona, Alex, Vincent and now Raymond.
One by one.
Amber and Liv had been out in the open all day Monday and the killer hadn’t taken a shot at either of them. But that wasn’t how he worked. He waited until each of his victims was alone.
As soon as Caleb ended the call, he climbed into his truck and called Amber.
After two rings, her cheery voice came through the phone. “Good morning.” She was likely looking forward to a day of fun with family and friends.
He was about to put a damper on her enthusiasm. “I’m on my way. Until I get there, keep your blinds drawn, stay away from the windows and don’t open the door for anyone.”
“What’s going on?” The cheer had turned to concern.
He clamped the phone into the holder on his dash and plugged it into the truck’s stereo system. “Raymond’s gone, along with the deputy who was watching him.”
She gasped. “The deputy was killed, too?”
As he backed from the drive, there was movement on the other end of the line.
“Don’t look out the window.”
“I want to make sure the deputy is still there.”
“He’s there, along with backup. Detective Mason assured me that, after last night, they’re doubling your protection.” Not only were units watching from the road, deputies were also patrolling on foot.
She released a pent-up breath. “Okay. I’ll trust they’re still standing guard. But be careful. I don’t want you to walk into anything.”
“I’m watching.” He paused. “You mentioned Monday about maybe having Liv stay with you. It might not be a bad idea. Better yet, any chance Hunter and his wife could put you both up?”
“They’ve got a two-bedroom house and Meagan uses the second one for her studio. It’s just got a daybed. Too cozy for two people.”
“Convenience isn’t a consideration right now. Your focus needs to be on safety—both yours and Liv’s.”
“I know. I’ll make a decision today.”
“And the cats?”
“I’m calling now. I won’t put it off any longer.” Her tone was heavy with resignation.
“Good. If you have to go into hiding, you’ll need to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.”
He ended the call and made a right onto 24, which would take him the rest of the way to Cedar Key. Staying with Hunter would be better than staying alone. Leaving Cedar Key altogether, would be better yet.
An idea stirred and his pulse quickened. He might know just the place—away from Cedar Key, surrounded by pastureland bordered by woods. It was vacant, owned by his aunt and uncle. Tonight he’d give them a call.
Amber would have to take time off work, something she’d balk at. But it was better than being a sitting duck in Cedar Key.
When he pulled into Amber’s driveway, the blinds were drawn. He scanned the area then exited the truck. A car sat at the edge of the road and another one waited on the opposite side two doors down. Both matched the descriptions Frank had given him.
As he closed the truck door, a silver Taurus made its way down the street, a middle-aged blond woman inside. She cast him a sideways glance and raised a hand in greeting. Likely not their killer.
He turned to make his way toward the house. A viburnum hedge stretched across the front, broken only by the small porch. Something white lay at the base of the far right shrub. Maybe a piece of trash. Or something more sinister.
After retrieving some latex gloves from his truck, he stepped closer to inspect what he’d seen. It was paper, crumpled into a tight ball.
He glanced at the woods twenty feet away. Someone approaching from there could wait until the deputies had moved to the other side of the house, lay the object under the bush and disappear in a matter of seconds. Or if they had a half-decent throwing arm, they wouldn’t even have to leave the w
oods.
He picked up the crumpled sheet and carried it to Amber’s porch. After ringing the bell, he called a greeting through the front door. The blinds to the right separated then fell into place. Good. She was being extra cautious.
The door swung open and Amber’s eyes dipped to his latex-covered hand. “What is that?”
“I’m hoping it’s a piece of trash that blew into your yard. It was under one of your shrubs.”
After carefully unwrapping what he held, he flattened it against one of her end tables. It was six lines, written in poetry format. A knot of dread formed in his gut before he even read the words.
Amber stepped up next to him and he draped an arm across her shoulder, the supportive action feeling not only natural but necessary. As he scanned the words, he pulled her closer.
Deputies, officers, you’ve got them in force—
You, your boyfriend and your brother, of course.
That security you feel is just a mirage,
’Cause justice is a bullet you can’t dodge.
When I decide your payment is due,
the armies of Heaven won’t be able to save you.
Amber looked up at him, her green eyes wide, and a sense of protectiveness surged through him. He’d always fought for the underdog, for those being bullied. It was in his nature, an intricate part of his makeup.
But this was different, the motivation behind his actions more than pity and a simple quest for justice. If he wasn’t careful, Amber was going to slip right past his professional exterior and get hold of his heart.
He’d told God that if He chose to send the right woman along, he wouldn’t fight it. But it would have to be someone he could keep safe. Falling for a cop wasn’t an option.
Amber stepped away and started to pace. “While we were at Atsena Otie, Liv wondered if he was watching us. This proves he was.”
“And he was close enough to realize Hunter and I were with you.”
“And close enough to all of us to know who you guys are.”
She didn’t mention the label he’d been given, so he didn’t, either.
She stopped pacing, her expression thoughtful. “I’m guessing Logan was nowhere near.”
“Chiefland.”
“I still think he’s somehow involved. It’s obvious he’s holding a serious grudge. He wouldn’t mind seeing every one of us dead. He knows us, he knows you, and it’s likely he knows Hunter, being we all grew up in Chiefland.”
“Believe me, he’s topping the list of suspects.”
“He’s the only suspect.”
“True.” Only one suspect and no hard evidence against him. Last night, Liv had gone through Amber’s yearbook and hadn’t been able to give him any more than Amber had.
Caleb indicated the crumpled paper lying on the table. “We need to turn this over to the police.”
She gave him a crooked smile. “We are the police.”
“Someone who’s on duty and can do an official report. And we need to get you some safer living accommodations.”
She nodded. “I called Sheltering Hands. They’ll be placing my four somewhere else.”
“Good. And what about Liv?”
“She called this morning. She came down with some kind of flu bug during the night and isn’t going anywhere, even told the deputy watching her place that she was making his job easy, taking some heavy-duty medicine and staying in bed. She’s pretty free right now. I don’t think she has any pets, and I know she doesn’t have a job. If I don’t move in with Hunter, I’ll see if she wants to move in with me.”
Amber picked up her purse and walked to the door. “I don’t want to think about it right now. Let’s give the poem to one of the guys watching this place and get out of here. I want to go to Uncle Randy’s and forget about everything.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
She seemed to be handling everything better than Olivia, but the events of the past two weeks were taking their toll. Dark shadows underlined her eyes and creases of concern often marred her face. She needed a break from the stress and worry and fear, if only for a day.
While she enjoyed herself, he’d remain alert for both of them. Other law enforcement would be watching, first making sure they weren’t followed and then standing guard at her uncle’s ranch.
But he wouldn’t relax his vigilance. Whatever Amber did, he’d be watching.
If anyone wanted to hurt her, they’d have to go through him first.
* * *
Amber stood in an open field with a dozen other people. Thirty feet away three wooden circular targets were fastened to posts. Her father was in front of her, to the right. He held a bow in one hand and arrow in his other, pulled back, ready to release.
Archery was an activity he could do. Actually there were several. It was gainful employment that was the issue. When he surprised everybody by pulling through his massive heart attack, continuing his stucco business had been out of the question. Hauling around ladders, scaffolding and buckets of goop weren’t on his list of approved activities. So her mom had taken a job as office manager for a large medical facility, and they’d been able to keep the house. Barely.
The familiar knot of guilt formed in her gut. That night, all of their lives had made a complete one-eighty. Although her father had since been approved for disability payments, her mom had never been able to leave the nine-to-five grind.
But through it all, they’d never complained. Or placed guilt. She’d done enough of the latter for all of them.
She shifted her attention to Caleb, several yards to her father’s left. He was dressed the way he’d been two days ago, except today’s shirt was a deep maroon. He filled it out as well as he had the blue one. Currently he stood with his feet shoulder-width apart, bow drawn, aiming at a board identical to the one in front of her father. Archery was a new activity at this year’s Independence Day celebration. She didn’t know yet if she was a fan.
Caleb opened his right hand. The arrow sailed through the air and hit the edge of the bull’s-eye with a sharp thud, its point embedded deep in the wood.
She handed him a second arrow. “You look like you’ve done this before.”
“I didn’t participate on a team, but when I was a kid, my uncle taught me how to use a bow and arrow. I spent a lot of hours doing target practice at his farm.”
She arched a brow. “I thought you were all about studies and band and chess.”
“I had a few activities that weren’t nerdy.”
She laughed then handed him the third arrow. While he prepared his shot, she swiped the perspiration from her forehead. Clouds dotted the sky, providing brief periods of respite from the blazing sun. But even in the shade, it was still hot. A heavy rain would drive them all to the huge pole barn for protection, but it would also make the temperatures more tolerable.
A good rain was possible. Today’s forecast had been a carbon copy of yesterday’s, which had been the same as the day before—partly cloudy with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms.
After his fourth shot, everyone stopped to retrieve arrows. Caleb removed his from the center of the board then handed the bow to Amber. Instead of walking her to the point where he’d taken his shots, he stopped a few feet closer to the target. “Try it from here.”
She pulled back the arrow, her arm quivering with the effort. When she released it, it made a sloppy arc, finishing in a nosedive. She frowned at the shaft protruding from the ground at a sharp angle. It had looked much easier when Caleb had done it.
Her second attempt went slightly farther. She heaved a sigh. “I can’t believe they used to fight wars with these things.”
“You’ve got to fix your form. May I?”
“Please do.”
Caleb moved to stand behind her and gripped her shoulder
s. “First, you need to turn to the side. You’re facing the target too directly.”
After he’d rotated her body, he placed his left hand over hers and stepped closer, his chest resting against her shoulder blades.
“Hold the bow steady and draw back, nice and smooth.” His right hand wrapped around hers, putting her in the circle of his arms. Her heart fluttered and her palms grew slick. She’d be lying if she attributed it to the heat or the activity with the bow. And she’d be an even bigger liar if she denied that being there somehow felt right.
Caleb seemed oblivious to their closeness. He continued with his lesson, his cheek against the side of her head. “You’re bringing your right hand just below your ear.” His voice was liquid-smooth, sending a wave of goose bumps cascading over her. “Notice the tension gets tighter and tighter. At a certain point, it’s going to get suddenly easier. Check your aim and release.”
She did as instructed and the arrow cut a straight path to the target. It didn’t make the bull’s-eye, but it hit the board.
She spun in his arms then stopped, her face inches from his. “We did it.”
His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. He released her and cleared his throat. “Good job. Now try it without any help.”
She seated the arrow and drew it back, focusing on her form. When she released it, the arrow missed the target by a good six feet and disappeared into the edge of the woods.
“Not bad.”
She cocked a brow at him and he shrugged.
“It went a long way. Your aim is just a little off.”
“A little off? If that round board out there was the broad side of a barn, I would’ve still missed.”
“It takes practice.”
“I’d better stick with my pistol.”
She handed Caleb her bow and walked toward the target, picking up the first two arrows on the way. While Caleb pulled the third from the wooden board, she marched toward the woods.
In the shade of the trees, the temperature felt ten degrees cooler. A soft breeze rustled the leaves, creating a steady shhhh. She turned in a slow circle and wasn’t surprised to see Caleb had followed her. She spread her arms, palms up. “I was sure it went into the woods right here.”
Reunited by Danger Page 10