Sovereign Sheriff

by Cassie Miles

  There was a tap on the door and Maggie entered. “Hey, Saida. You look great.”

  “Will I fit in at your brother’s office?”

  “Not in a million years. Most of the women who work at the sheriff’s department are older than dirt and think cable-knit cardigans are the height of fashion.” She cocked her head to one side. “I thought you were going to be at the resort today?”

  “To start with. But I’ll be done quickly, and then I’ll go to his office.” She yanked her hair back from her face. “Should I wear it up or down?”

  “Doesn’t matter. Jake’s ready to go. He sent me to get you.”

  The thought of seeing Jake started a pleasant quivering in her stomach. All night, she’d dreamed about that kiss. She’d analyzed that moment from every angle. He hadn’t meant to kiss her, and the fact that it happened had to be kismet. Were they meant to be together? Was she making too much of one intimate gesture?

  She hadn’t come to Wyoming to kiss the sheriff. She was here to find her brother. “Wish me luck, Maggie.”

  Maggie gave her an impetuous hug. “You’re going to do great.”

  Saida threw the last few items in her suitcase, zipped it and lugged it down the staircase where the rest of her luggage stood waiting. Jake strolled in from the kitchen as he ended a call on his cell phone.

  He was wearing his dark blue uniform shirt with the sleeves rolled up—the same outfit he always wore when he did his daily press briefings. The first time she’d seen him on television, she’d noticed—as did probably every other red-blooded female who was watching—that he was a fine-looking man. In person, he was a thousand times more appealing.

  “Perfect timing,” he said.

  As far as she was concerned, perfect was an accurate description for her bright, blooming optimism. “I promised to be ready by eight.”

  “It’s eight-fifteen,” he said, “but that’s not a problem. We would have needed to wait anyway.”

  “For what?” A shadow slipped across her sunny state of mind.

  “I made arrangements to keep you safe today, and it took an extra couple of minutes for everything to fall into place.”

  “Arrangements?”

  The doorbell rang, and Jake answered.

  Nasim stood framed in the doorway. In spite of the silver sprinkled through his wiry black hair, he was a formidable man. His stiff-necked military bearing made his navy sports jacket and turtleneck look like a uniform. His features had always reminded her of a hawk with sharp eyes and a hooked nose that bore a strong resemblance to a beak.

  He gave her a nod which was his version of a bow. “My apologies, Princess Saida.”

  For destroying her plans? For inserting himself into a situation she’d rather handle herself? “Why?”

  “I selected the wrong rental vehicle for you. The possibility of a high-speed chase did not occur to me.”

  Nasim had expected her to drive that boring little rental car to her lodgings and stay there, safely ensconced with the royal entourage. “Why are you here?”

  “As soon as I heard what had happened, I perceived your need for a bodyguard.” He looked toward Jake. “Sheriff Wolf contacted me last night while I was en route. He confirmed the possible danger. We are in agreement.”

  Jake reached out and shook his hand. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “No.” She would not be shuttled off to the resort and kept out of the way. She hadn’t come all the way to Wyoming to hide in an ivory tower. “I’m part of this investigation.”

  “No argument,” Jake said. “I want your help, Saida. But you’re in danger, and I can’t provide the kind of full-time protection that you need.”

  Her hand rested on the front flap of her shoulder bag. In less than three seconds, she could draw her Beretta. In less than five, she could aim and shoot. Though she didn’t regularly take target practice, she consistently had a high accuracy rating. “I can protect myself.”

  “This is true,” Nasim said. “I trained you myself, and you are proficient. Nonetheless, the skills required to investigate are not physical.”

  “He’s right,” Jake said. “You’re not going to be chasing down the bad guys with a high-powered rifle.”

  Nasim continued, “You need to concentrate your energy on mental acuity. Use your mind.”

  “I hate when you get all Yoda.”

  Unsmiling, Nasim did his Yoda impression. “Your mind, use you must.”

  Dealing with these two men was nothing like her confrontation with Efraim. Both Jake and Nasim believed in her and thought she was competent. But she was still angry. “You should have discussed this with me. Both of you.”

  When Jake rested his hand on her shoulder, a shimmer of electricity raced through her body, and she hated herself for responding to him. She didn’t want to look at him, but she couldn’t help herself.

  “I’m not cutting you out,” he said. “Nasim is here for security reasons. I still need you.”

  “When will we get together?”

  “After I do the eleven o’clock briefing for the media. By then, I ought to have more information.”

  “What if you discover a significant clue before that?”

  “I’ll call you myself.” He gave her shoulder a squeeze. “I promise.”

  He was an honorable man, and she had no choice but to believe him. “I still don’t like this, but all right.”

  Nasim stepped aside to escort her through the door.

  Parked outside was a giant yellow Hummer. Apparently, he was going for indestructible with this rental car.

  INSTEAD OF THE ROOM THAT had been previously reserved for her, Saida moved into Amir’s suite at the Wind River Ranch and Resort. It was ultraluxurious with two separate rooms, high ceilings, sitting areas with plush furniture and a king-size bed covered with fine Italian linens. A subtle blue silk-linen paper decorated the walls, and the carpet echoed that blue in a deeper shade.

  Through the windows, she had a spectacular view of forested hillsides and a manicured lawn leading to green meadows. As she watched, two cowboys on horseback rode in the distance. Perhaps Amir had chosen this resort for no other reason than it was posh enough for the other princes and, at the same time, reminded him of the Old West stories their father told.

  She pushed open French doors that led onto a patio with a breakfast area and a private hot tub. Very handy, she thought. The patio gave her another exit from the room.

  Nasim supervised the unloading of her suitcases. Amir’s clothing had already been packed away, and the closets were vacant. Later, she would call housekeeping to help her unpack. Right now, she had an investigation to get started.

  Though she was supposed to be talking to the princes and uncovering their secrets, she wasn’t anxious to repeat her experience with Efraim. She had a better idea for investigation, and it involved Danny Harold.

  She sank into a blue-striped chair with a long view of the Wyoming countryside and signaled for Nasim to do the same.

  “Lovely place,” she said. “And there’s a working ranch attached?”

  “Several hundred head of cattle.” He sat without relaxing his shoulders. His rigid spine barely touched the back of the chair. “They offer horseback riding and many other outdoor activities.”

  “I’m not interested in any of those things,” she said. “I’m here to take an active role in searching for my brother.”

  “And I will assist you,” he said. “I’m concerned about Amir. His absence has left a power vacuum in Jamala.”

  That wasn’t the only reason. Even though he was more of a role model than their biological father, Nasim would never admit that he loved her and her brother as much as his own kids. But she knew. “I’m going to start my investigating by calling someone, and I need to meet with him alone.”

  “The suite has two rooms,” he pointed out. “You can meet in the outer area. I will stay out of sight.”

  “Two rooms but only one bed.” She took out her cell phone. �
�Where will you sleep tonight?”

  “Until the men who threatened you are apprehended, I will not close my eyes.”

  Oh, swell. She knew better than to argue with this stubborn old man. He’d flown halfway around the world to keep an eye on her and would not be dissuaded from his task. “I hope you got some sleep on the plane.”

  “Your security is my only concern.” He stroked his chin and tilted his head to one side—a gesture that meant he was thinking.

  “Something else?” she asked.

  “There is someone else I would trust to keep you safe, Princess,” he said. “Sheriff Jake Wolf. A good man.”

  She hadn’t expected that judgment. Nasim didn’t give his trust lightly. “Do you like Jake because he called on you to help?”

  “A wise decision.” Nasim nodded.

  She called the number on Danny Harold’s card and told him what she needed. Within a half hour, he was escorted to her room by the scowling head of security. After the security man introduced himself, he asked if she would inform him when her guest was ready to leave. He explained, “In light of all that’s happened we’re trying to limit the number of unauthorized people in the hotel.”

  “Understandable,” she said. “Thank you.”

  Danny sniffed around her sitting room like a stray dog and touched everything from the hand-carved mantel above the fireplace to the fresh flower arrangement on the side table. “Classy, real classy. I could get used to living in places like this.”

  She glanced toward the closed bedroom door where Nasim was resting. If he came crashing into the room, he might spook Danny. She kept her voice low so she wouldn’t wake her self-appointed bodyguard. “Did you bring the photos?”

  “Right here.” He patted the large camera bag he carried on a strap slung over his shoulder. “Memory cards for all the pictures I’ve taken since I got to Wyoming. I’ve got dozens of shots of the princes.”

  “And the crowds?” Photos of royalty didn’t interest her; she hoped to find suspicious individuals among those who had gathered.

  Proudly, Danny said, “I’ve got it all. Even a couple of landscapes.”

  She seated herself in a chair to the right of the polished cherry coffee table and opened her laptop. “I’d like to see them.”

  “Not so fast.” He plunked himself down in the center of the sofa. “What’s in it for me?”

  Saida had known that she’d need to barter with Danny; he was the sort of man who kept score. “I have a proposition.”

  “Wow.” His eyes popped wide, and then he leered. “If you’re going to offer what I think you’re going to offer, my answer is yes, ma’am.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Come on, Saida. You know there’s chemistry between us. Am I right?”

  Of course, he’d jump to the most obnoxious conclusion. As if she’d trade sexual favors for his pictures? After all these years of stalking her, he ought to understand that she would never sell herself so cheaply. In fact, never at all. “You insult me.”

  “On the contrary, princess. You’re a desirable woman, and I’m a—”

  “Listen to me, Danny Harold.” Her voice was ice-cold. “In exchange for your photos, I will hire you to take my official portrait.”

  “What’s that mean?”

  “I would be garbed in traditional clothing and royal jewels. If the portrait is satisfactory, it would hang in the palace in Jamala. Of course, you would be well paid for your work. But the real value is the honor of being chosen.”

  “Yeah, I can’t take honor to the bank,” he muttered.

  “I would recommend you to other royal families. This could be the start of a new career for you.”

  Danny transformed from lustful to greedy. Dollar signs flashed in his eyes as he imagined traveling from palace to palace as the royal photographer.

  “You got a deal.” He flipped open his camera bag. “I can load these memory cards into your laptop right now.”

  Her investigation was underway.

  Chapter Nine

  Jake stood at the window of his office on the second floor of the Wind River County Courthouse in Dumont. In ten minutes, he had his morning media briefing on the front stairs outside, and the crowd had already assembled. Television vans lined the street. Reporters with microphones, cameramen, photographers and paparazzi were waiting for him. Sheriff Jake Wolf was slated to be the guest of honor at a party he didn’t want to attend.

  There were more of them than yesterday. Saida’s arrival had fired up interest. Though she had less actual power than any of the other COIN royals, she was the most famous.

  His office wasn’t big enough to pace back and forth, but Jake felt the need to move around. Physical activity helped jog his brain, and he needed to be careful about how much he revealed to the reporters.

  Seated behind his desk, he picked up a cantaloupe-size basketball. Juggling the ball from hand to hand, he eyeballed the hoop mounted opposite his desk chair. When this office had belonged to Burt Maddox, that wall had been packed with framed certificates, awards, diplomas and photos of the former sheriff with important people, including a snapshot of Maddox and Dick Cheney on a hunting trip.

  His highly placed connections had saved him from criminal prosecution. Maddox had been suspected of dirty dealings that ranged from taking bribes to blocking criminal investigations that would have damaged the reputations of his supposedly important friends. Though Jake would have loved to see Maddox in jail, the district attorney didn’t want to open that can of worms. It was enough to have Big Burt out of office and retired to his horse farm on the outskirts of town.

  Recently, there had been rumblings from people who wanted Maddox back in office. They accused Jake of incompetence and questioned his abilities. The COIN crime spree was tearing his county apart and focusing a negative spotlight on Wind River.

  He tossed the basketball in a neat arc. It bounced off the rim. A miss. Damn. There was a lot he was missing.

  Forensics had found fingerprints on Saida’s vehicle, but AFIS turned up no matches. Wheeler had talked to the crew at the private airfield and had come up empty. Right now, the deputy was tracking down leads on the possibility of the sedan being a rental.

  As Jake left his chair to pick up the ball, he looked through the half-glass wall that separated his office from the other desks and file cabinets that made up the sheriff’s department. Deputy Wheeler came around the front counter and made a beeline for Jake’s open door.

  In spite of his long hours of overtime, Wheeler looked sharp in his uniform shirt and slacks. He yanked off his cowboy hat as he stuck his head into Jake’s office. “Sheriff, I’ve got a suspect. His name is William Dormund, and he’s from Cheyenne. Yesterday afternoon at approximately five o’clock, he rented a black four-door sedan at the airport.”

  “How do we know this is the car that chased the princess?”

  “I checked with every single one of the car rentals. Dormund’s car was the only one that fit our description. He rented it for the whole week and said he’d return the car when he got back home to Cheyenne.”

  It was the closest they’d come to a suspect. “You have the license plate number?”

  Wheeler nodded. “I already put out an APB.”

  “Good work.” He clapped his deputy on the shoulder. “Dig up all the information you can on William Dormund. Use Jane Cameron and her forensic computer geniuses.”

  “And the FBI?”

  “Let’s not inform them yet. We should make sure Dormund is our guy before we call in the big dogs.” Jake picked up the phone on his desk. “I need to make one call, and then I’ve got to talk to the gang downstairs. I want you with me for the briefing.”

  “How come?”

  “You’re looking all neat and official in your uniform. You’re a fine representative of this department.”

  “Thanks, Jake.”

  As Wheeler stepped outside, Jake punched in the number for Saida’s cell phone. He’d only
talked to her once this morning when she told him she’d been going through all the photos her paparazzo friend had taken and had found a couple of people who turned up in photos taken at different times.

  After the press briefing, he intended to go to the resort and take a look at those pictures. But getting her input on this new lead was important.

  She greeted him with a burst of excitement. “I’m so glad you called.”

  On the phone, he noticed the lilt of her slight accent. “Why’s that?”

  “I found a theme in Danny’s photos. Everybody is falling in love.”

  “What?”

  “Last night at your house, it was clear that something was going on between Efraim and Callie. And it appears that the other COIN princes have coupled up. It’s a bit unusual, to say the least. Anyway, I’ve been doing some prowling around and—”

  “You haven’t left your room, have you?”

  “Nasim is always with me,” she said. “And we’re driving in a bulletproof vehicle. We’re fine. No problems.”

  Though he would have preferred to keep her under house arrest, there was no way to cage this princess. Jake tried not to think of her and Nasim racing around the back roads and terrorizing the cattle in their yellow Hummer.

  “We have a lead,” he said. “There’s reason to believe that the man driving the sedan was William Dormund. Does that name mean anything to you?”

  She repeated the name a few times. “Sorry, Jake. I can’t place him, and I’m very good at remembering things like that. Recognizing people is part of my diplomatic training.”

  With her background, she’d probably handle the media better than he did. Right now, he should be on his way downstairs to meet them. But he didn’t want to hang up. “I have to do the media briefing.”

  “I’ll be watching you,” she said. “I found an internet connection that broadcasts your press conference live.”

  Just what he needed. More attention on crime in Wind River County. “As soon as I’m done, I’ll come to the resort.”

  “I’ll be waiting for you. Good luck.”