As if sensing his presence, Kat whirled around. “Oh.” She rubbed her hands on her jeans drawing his eyes to her thighs. “Sorry I took so long.”
Jude forced himself to look at her face and received yet another surprise. The rat-tails were gone. Silky ebony hair fell just below her shoulders. Lifting her arms, Kat pulled her hair into a ponytail and slipped on a rubber band, the movement bringing his eyes to her breasts. They were perfect. The whole package was perfect. So perfect that it didn’t need any ribbons or other accessories to make it complete.
“Aren’t you going to take a shower?” Kat’s question startled him out of his trance. “The water’s hot.”
The water wasn’t the only thing hot around here. “Yeah.” Jude escaped to the bathroom, thinking he’d better make it a cold one.
*****
Kat stood at the window thinking about everything Jude Callahan had told her. Should she trust him? His credentials appeared authentic. He probably knew more than he’d admitted, but her instincts told her he wasn’t one of the bad guys.
After her shower, she’d put on a pair of old jeans and a T-shirt sporting the slogan ‘Go Army.’ Four years in the military had packed a lot of muscle onto her body, so it had been a struggle pulling on the jeans. For the first time in her life she wished she had something feminine to wear. Snap out of it. Jude Callahan wasn’t interested in her as a woman.
She looked at herself in the mirror and had second thoughts about the outfit. The jeans hugged her legs and butt like a glove. Forgetting her outfit, she moved back to the window and continued to mull over what Jude had told her this morning. Could her father have been involved in a jewel theft? According to her mother, he’d returned from Vietnam with serious problems, but Kat had never heard anything about any gems, stolen or otherwise.
Willie Card being a suspect didn’t surprise her. She hated the man. Before he went to prison, he’d come visit her father once or twice a year. Just the memories of his visits gave her the creeps.
Still, Kat couldn’t grasp the concept of her father stealing and smuggling gems out of Vietnam. If it were true, why had the family constantly struggled with finances? If not for the Army’s ROTC scholarship, Kat wouldn’t have been able to attend college. The entire scenario didn’t add up.
The storm had ended, leaving a beautiful double rainbow in the sky. The bathroom door opened, and she turned to see Jude walk into the room.
She beckoned him. “Come see the double ribbon of rain.”
He walked over and stood close behind her. She basked in the heat radiating from his body. She breathed deeply, inhaling his clean soapy smell. Her toes tingled. The dull ache between her legs returned. “Aren’t they beautiful?” Her voice was husky.
“Ribbon of rain? Is that what you call a rainbow?”
“The Penobscot word for rainbow is Marunga, which translates to ribbon of rain. My grandmother called me her little Marunga because she said I brightened her day.”
“You loved your grandmother.” It wasn’t a question.
Kat nodded her head. “We had a special bond. One that can’t be broken. Even with death,” she added, thinking about her grandmother’s message yesterday.
She turned and her head bumped into Jude’s chest. “Oh, I’m sor—” she began to apologize, but stopped when she looked up and saw the hungry look in his eyes. Neither spoke. He reached out, and trailed his fingers down her cheek. Kat’s mouth went dry and moisture pooled between her legs. Christ.
Marunga. Pay attention. Evil is close.
At the sound of her grandmother’s voice, Kat jerked away from Jude. She tensed waiting to see if he’d heard the voice.
“Kat, I—”
“I’ve got to go downstairs.” She cut him off and headed toward the staircase, calling over her shoulder. “Come down when you’re ready.” Her grandmother was warning her, but about what? A strong sense of foreboding trickled through her.
Jude followed on Kat’s heels as she rushed down the stairs. She moved off the last step and stopped. Jude plowed into her and reached out to grab her shoulders to prevent her fall.
An unkempt man with beady eyes sat in a chair with his feet resting on the table, picking his yellowed teeth with a jackknife. Two rifles lay on the table within his reach, one of which was Kat’s.
“Well, well,” he drawled, “The wild Kat emerges from her lair, with a mate in tow no less.”
Chapter 3
Anger burned inside Kat at the sight of Willie Card lounging in her home as if it were his own. Years of loathing this man surfaced like a boil ready to burst. She shuddered, remembering his visits to the lodge when she was a child. Remembering the smell of whisky that always permeated his clothes. She’d never let him breathe on her. Her sister enjoyed Willie’s visits and the gifts he brought, but Kat had always detested the man.
The familiar scene played in her head. Elizabeth dancing around his feet, chanting ‘Unca’ Willie, what you’d bring me this time?’ Elizabeth crying when he left, making him promise to come back real soon.
The feel of Jude’s heart beating against her provided comfort, and she leaned back seeking his warmth.
Why hadn’t Red barked when Willie arrived? Trepidation swept over her, along with a wave of nausea. Jude whispered against her neck, “Keep your cool, Kat.”
Willie ended the silence. “What’s this?” He grinned, reminding Kat of a decomposed corpse. “No welcome for your long lost Uncle Willie?” The twitch in his right cheek caught her attention. In the past that twitch had been her cue to make herself scarce.
“You’re not my uncle. Where’s my dog?” She couldn’t control the slight tremor in her voice. She deplored weakness in herself, but the thought of Willie hurting Red was too much to bear.
“Outside. See for yourself.” Willie gestured toward the window with his jackknife.
Kat forced herself to turn to look through the window. Not even the comforting warmth of Jude’s hands on her shoulders stopped the jolt of pain that shot through her. Red lay as still as death on the green grass.
She shut her eyes and squeezed back the tears, determined to make Willie Card pay for killing her dog. Inhaling deeply, she opened her eyes just as Willie slipped his jackknife into his pocket. She lunged toward Red’s killer. “You goddamn bastard. You’re dead.” She wanted her hands around his skinny neck.
Jude’s arms caught her around the waist. She twisted, turned and thrashed, but couldn’t break free without hurting him. For reasons she didn’t have time to analyze, she was reluctant to harm him.
“Calm down, brat.” Willie got out of the chair and scurried further down the table, his facial twitch becoming more pronounced. He took both rifles with him. “I didn’t kill your damn dog. He’s sleeping. I tranquilized him.” His fingers caressed the gun he’d brought with him. “The mutt will be good as new in a couple of hours. Jesus, Kat. I thought maybe you’d calmed down by now, but you’re wild as ever.”
Kat stopped struggling. She had to regain her equilibrium. Jude lowered her until her feet hit the floor, but kept an arm firm around her waist. With his free hand he reached out and tucked some loose strands of hair behind her ear. That small gesture helped dispel the chill running down her spine.
“Well, Kat. Aren’t you going to introduce me to our guest?” Her shoulders tensed at Jude’s jovial tone, as if Willie were a neighbor stopping by for a cup of coffee. Lover-like she put her arm around Jude, her fingers searching for the gun that should have been in his shoulder holster. She sighed in disappointment, remembering it was still in the cargo pocket of her fatigues.
Kat waved a hand in Willie’s direction. “This is Willie Card, a friend of my father’s.” Kat made the one-way introduction. “He’s leaving. Isn’t that right, Willie?” Her question implied command. “I’ll see you out,” she continued. “I want to check on Red.”
She pulled away from Jude and walked toward the door, but again Jude grabbed her from behind, just as Willie stepped toward her.
“You ain’t going anywhere, missy,” Willie hissed. “Always were too big for your britches.” He picked up her rifle, using the barrel to indicate they move further into the room, away from the staircase.
“What do you want, Willie?” Kat demanded and felt Jude’s hand poking her. She turned and flashed him one of her famous ferocious looks. He pinched her midriff, leaned down and whispered. “Play it smart, Kat. Gain information.” She took a deep breath, searching for strength to control her anger. The difference between a soldier and a government agent. One wanted information and one wanted action. At least she wasn’t alone in this situation. She squeezed Jude’s hand in gratitude.
“Hey what’re you two whispering about?” Willie asked, shifting his weight from foot to foot. “Who are you anyway?” He directed his agitated eyes at Jude.
“A friend of Kat’s,” Jude replied leaning back against the stone wall of the mammoth fireplace. Kat admired Jude’s nonchalant attitude.
“Just a friend?” Willie asked snidely.
Jude shrugged.
“Maybe you are just friends.” Willie’s thin lips spread into a cunning smile. “No normal man would bed a wild half-breed like Kat.”
Kat’s body stiffened. Jude’s fingers rubbed her midriff where he’d pinched her. His touch soothed the raw edge of her anger.
With a feigned sigh, Kat flung a question to Willie. “I doubt you came traipsing all the way here only to insult me. What do you want?”
His eyes narrowed to slits reminding Kat of a snake. She wouldn’t be surprised if his tongue started to flick in and out. “You know damn well what I want. I want what belongs to me.”
Kat clasped Jude’s hand, needing his reassurance, knowing later she’d berate herself for needing anyone. “Are you talking about my father’s marijuana?” Kat pushed aside the twinge of shame at revealing her father’s drug problem to the FBI. “It’s gone. I found a full bag when I got home. I burned it.”
A manic laugh escaped Willie’s mouth. “I can get all the pot I want. I want the gems, the fuckin’ gems. They’re mine, and I want them.” Spittle sprayed from his mouth.
“Gems? What gems?” Kat did her best to look puzzled. This would have been a lot easier if Willie had shown up yesterday.
Another thought hit her and her eyes widened. “Did you kill my parents?”
Willie’s face turned a mottled shade of red. “No one’s gonna pin that on me!” he shouted. “Why the hell would I kill Bill and Mary? Bill had the goods. I wanted to fence them from the beginning, but no, he wanted to wait a few years.”
He paced back and forth pace. When his back was turned, Kat tensed to spring. Jude stopped her. This time she pinched him, satisfied when she heard his sharp intake of breath.
“Willie, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He moved within three feet of Kat and Jude. His fetid breath hadn’t improved over the years. Kat held her own breath so she wouldn’t gag.
“Last time I saw Bill, I told him he had two weeks to give me the stones. Said he didn’t have ‘em–they’d disappeared years ago. He suspected your witch of a grandmother hid ‘em before she died.” The beady eyes watched Kat. “I ended up in the slammer and never made it back here. Now Bill’s dead, and you’re going to find the gems for me.”
“Me?” Kat’s eyebrows shot up, and she laughed. “Sorry, Willie. Today’s the first I’ve heard about this. If they do exist, I don’t have a clue where they are.”
“If the old lady took them, I figure she told you where she put ‘em. You two always were as thick as thieves. I told Bill over and over that old lady would cause trouble.”
“How strange. My grandmother had the same opinion of you.” Kat put her finger on her forehead. “Let me see if I can remember her exact words. Oh yes. She said you were as slippery as deer guts on a glass door knob.” She smiled. “Guess she was right.”
“Why you—” Willie raised the butt of the rifle.
“Touch her, and you’re dead.” Jude said. His voice was soft, but Kat had no doubt he meant it. Willie lowered the gun.
“I got no fight with you, Mister.” He scuttled back a few feet.
Willie’s actions were weirder than usual, and she wondered if he was stoned. Perhaps his behavior was a symptom of insanity. Maybe a combination of the two.
“You’d best be careful what you say about my grandmother.” She paused for affect. “She’s here, you know.”
Willie’s attention shifted back to Kat. ““What are you talking about?” His gaze darted around the open area of the lodge. “She’s dead.”
“That’s true, but her spirit’s here.” Kat leaned against Jude’s chest, beginning to enjoy herself. Willie always knew how to push her buttons. It felt good to be at the control panel. “She spoke to me a few minutes ago. Told me ‘evil is here.’ She must have meant you.”
“You’re as crazy as she was.” Willie’s head snapped around toward the door. “What was that noise?” Keeping eyes on his two prisoners, he sidestepped to the window. “You expectin’ company?” Beads of sweat trickled down his face, following the deep lines etched in his skin.
Kat hadn’t heard anything. Willie’s paranoia must be rearing its ugly head. “Nope.” From her peripheral vision she saw an iron poker leaning against the hearth several feet away.
“You.” Willie looked at Jude. “Get out there and check it out. And don’t get any ideas,” he warned. “This .308 is aimed at Kat until you get back. Understand?”
Jude scowled. “Last time I’m telling you. Harm her and you’re dead.” He moved towards the door. Willie stood sideways to Kat, his attention centered on Jude walking through the door onto the porch.
Kat saw her chance and took it. In a flash she grabbed the poker. Using both hands, she raised it over her head and brought it down hard, striking Willie’s right arm. A blood-curdling scream erupted from his mouth, and the .308 dropped to the floor.
His arm dangled at an odd angle from the elbow. “You broke my arm.” He staggered outside with Kat in close pursuit, still wielding the poker. Willie looked over his shoulder. “I’ll be back, bitch. Don’t ever doubt it.”
Willie stumbled down the stairs and headed for the thicket of trees behind the lodge. Jude leaned against the porch rail. He reached out and grabbed Kat, taking the poker.
She turned on him. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why didn’t you stop him?” In spite of the dark anger on Jude’s face, Kat continued her tirade. “If you’re an example of our FBI agents, this country is in serious trouble.”
Jude propped the poker against the porch rail, took her by the shoulders and shook her hard enough to rattle teeth. “Listen to me. I’ve had enough of your insults and your one-sided decision-making. I’m the one in charge here. Got it?” He stopped shaking her, but his hands still gripped her tight.
“I’m not taking orders from you.” Kat held his menacing gaze without flinching. Her shoulders tensed, and she raised herself to her full height.
Jude released her and rubbed his hand across his forehead. “Damn it. Can’t you see? Willie Card hasn’t a clue where the gems are, but he might know something of value. Something he isn’t aware of. He’s more useful to us alive and a free man. Now, thanks to you, he’s running around in the woods with a broken arm. God knows what’ll happen to him.”
Kat was disgusted. “Don’t worry about Willie. He crawled out of a jungle in Vietnam with a bullet in his leg. A broken arm won’t slow him down in the Maine woods.”
*****
A myriad of emotions, including anger, fear and relief threatened to surface. Jude turned away so Kat wouldn’t see them. The woman reacted to situations with no thought of her own safety. He jumped off the porch and walked toward the dock to kneel by Red. The dog’s tail thumped on the grass. His eyes were open and looked alert.
“Will he be okay?” Jude looked up at the sound of Kat’s voice. She stood next to him, a frightened look on her face. One moment fea
rless enough to attack a half-crazy armed man, the next terrified her dog might die. Would he ever understand her?
“He’ll be fine.” Jude said and stroked Red’s head. “Right, Red? Kat, you take his front, and I’ll get the back. Let’s bring him in the lodge.” In a matter of minutes, Red was in the lodge.
Jude removed the tranquilizing dart from the dog’s rump and brought him a bowl of water. Red, now settled in his favorite spot on the rug, thumped his tail vigorously, a sure sign he was feeling better.
Jude pushed himself up from the floor. “Any chance there’s some whiskey around?” His taste for alcohol leaned toward a few beers or a glass of wine, but right now, he wanted a good stiff drink.
“I think there’s some Jim Beam in the right hand cupboard over the sink.” Kat answered from her position on the floor next to Red. “Pour me one, too. Glasses are over the sink on the left.”
Jude found the glasses and set them on the knotty pine counter, briefly admiring the beauty of the wood before pouring each of them a double shot. He carried the drinks to the living room and put them on the coffee table made from an enormous pine tree cut down the middle. He flopped onto the huge overstuffed sofa. “Come up here, Kat,” he patted the cushion next to him. “Red is fine. You and I need to talk.”
“I should make us something to eat.”
Kat was dragging her feet, putting off the inevitable. “Sit down and have your drink first.”
Kat retrieved her .308, placing it on the coffee table before she sat. He smiled when she sat a safe distance away from him. She picked up her glass and took a big swallow. Her eyes watered, and he smothered a smile, watching her efforts not to cough.
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