Then she looked at them closely. First Stephanie, then Clint. A long searching glance, then she grinned. “Or maybe not. We’ll see you later. I’ll time dinner in two hours.”
Stephanie led the way through the gate and the three horses cantered up from the pasture to say hello. She led them into the stable and reached inside a closed box to extract three carrots. She gave one to Clint for Beauty and she fed Shadow and Beast.
When the horses finished eating, she showed Clint how to saddle a horse. He watched carefully, and then saddled Beauty as she supervised. “Nicely done,” she said as he finished.
“A compliment?” He raised an eyebrow.
“I’m beginning to suspect you’re not such a tenderfoot, after all.”
“I swear I have never been on a horse before,” he said. “A camel, maybe,” he said with a twinkle. “I fell off.”
Dear heaven, but he was disarming. “Okay, I suppose you know you get up on the left side.”
“I do watch movies.”
“How can a grown man not have ridden a horse?”
“Us city slickers are just plain backward.”
The tension slid away from her, which was, she knew, his intent.
He mounted easily and settled into the saddle, but then she knew he’d told the truth. He had not the slightest idea of what to do with the reins. He was a fast learner, though, and a natural rider. A week ago, she would have been annoyed at that. Now she enjoyed watching him. After they walked around the pasture several times, she leaned over and opened the gate. She waited as he rode out, then she leaned down and fastened it.
They walked for a while, passing the small ranches as they headed toward the mountain.
“Want to try a trot?”
He did, and why was she not surprised?
They reached a path winding upward.
“We’re going up a little way,” she said. “There’s a small waterfall ahead and a little pool.” They rode another fifteen minutes, then they saw it. It wasn’t a high, straight waterfall, but rather a lot of little tumbling cascading falls ending in a pool. Sadly, the water had thinned to a trickle because of the drought. She slid from her horse and he did the same.
It was quiet, peaceful and very private. She leaned against him, and he put his arms around her, drawing her close to his body. “This is my favorite place,” she said softly. “I like it better than the big falls. Eve told me she used to ride over here when she was young.”
“I can see why,” Clint murmured.
“One of my favorite books as a child was The Secret Garden, and oh, how I wanted one. But we lived in a poor neighborhood in Pittsburgh with few gardens, much less secret ones.”
“So this became your secret garden,” he said, his hand stroking her back.
She turned around and faced him. “I like you, Clint Morgan. I like you very much.”
“Ditto.” He kissed her hard. “Double ditto.”
“That’s good. Let’s take it slow. Not because I want to. I feel I’m on a speeding train when I’m with you.”
“I know. And I’ll take it as slow as you want, but right now...”
Right now they didn’t take it slow at all.
* * *
THEY WERE ALL THERE, gathered outside around a grill. A plate of trout was on a portable table next to it.
Waiting for them to return were the former police chief Tom McGuire, Tony, Josh and Eve. Nick was taking care of the dogs, although Bart made a beeline to Clint as soon as he arrived.
McGuire shook his head. “Never would have expected that of Braveheart.”
“Bart,” three people corrected at once.
“That’s gonna take some getting used to,” McGuire grumbled.
Clint grinned. “Bart has a mind of his own.”
“I see that,” McGuire said.
Clint was only too aware that other eyes were on them, moving from his face to Stephanie’s flushed one.
“How did it go? You said you didn’t ride,” Eve asked.
“I managed to stay aboard,” he said. “Barely.”
“Don’t believe him,” Stephanie said. “He’s a natural rider, although he did confide that he fell off a camel.”
“Confide is the word,” he said, pretending to look betrayed. “Meaning confidential.”
Eve grinned. “I’m glad to see you two getting along.”
Josh laughed. “There’s something in the air in Covenant Falls.”
He placed the trout on the grill and closed the top to let them smoke.
“Drink?” Eve asked. “We have beer and wine.”
“A beer would be great,” he said. “Can I get it?”
“Sure. Top of the fridge.”
He went inside. Bart followed. Clint worried that Nick would feel abandoned. But then he saw Nick, who seemed totally absorbed in teaching Lulu to retrieve a ball.
He found a beer and returned to the yard. Smoke spiraled up from the grill. It was only a matter of minutes before Josh took the trout off the grill.
“Everything else is ready inside,” Eve said.
They made their way to the dining room table. It was already set. Eve brought in coleslaw and potato salad. Josh trailed with the platter of fish. The other guys got beers, as well, while Eve and Stephanie shared a bottle of wine.
After the meal, they headed back outside while Nick stayed to put the dishes in the dishwasher and stay with the dogs.
Kids were beginning to look pretty good to Clint.
“Down to business,” Tony said. He brought the others up to speed on what had happened in the past few days, particularly what could be a possible threat to Stephanie. He turned to Tom. “You know anyone in the Security Exchange Commission that could look into the investment firm?”
“I might have a contact. I’m not sure how strong it is or how long it might take. If I mention it could involve political figures he could make a quick check to see if there’s been any complaints or investigations. I can check on whether it’s registered and/or connected with any financial institution. If it’s completely private, it could be difficult.”
“Make sure the request comes from Washington, not from Colorado,” Tony said. “I don’t want to put Stephanie in danger.”
Tom nodded.
Tony turned to the others. “I didn’t like the tone of the phone call, nor the flowers, nor someone taking photos of Stephanie’s building. I also don’t like the fact that Bolling isn’t talking. He’s either afraid, which is truly worrying, or he doesn’t think there are consequences. He’s probably rethinking that now. I intend to keep him in Colorado. I’m also worried that this Townsend has a pattern of abuse and feels free to hire people to lie about his spouses. He clearly feels untouchable. People like that can be dangerous.”
Clint gripped Stephanie’s hand.
“I don’t think Stephanie should go away from town alone, particularly driving out in the country,” Tony continued. “When she’s in town, I think we should all be alert for any strangers asking questions or just looking out of place. Let it be known to various people like Maude and others who live close to Stephanie to be alert. And let me know if there’s anything that doesn’t seem normal.”
“I don’t need babysitters,” Stephanie said.
“Not babysitters,” Clint said. “People who care about you. And I’m one of them. I’m free most of the time. I volunteer to keep an eye out.”
Stephanie frowned. “What about the dock?”
“To hell with the dock,” Josh said. “That can wait. I volunteer, too. Both Clint and I have had weapons training.”
Tony spoke up. “Eve, I want to deputize Clint if that’s okay with you. I’ve run all the checks.”
Eve nodded. “What can I do?”
“Keep in touch so she’s not alone.”
Stephanie grimaced.
Clint knew exactly what she was thinking. She prized her independence above all else. What she dreaded most was losing it.
“We might all be wrong,” she said in a low voice. “He might just be making trouble, trying to scare me.”
“Maybe. Maybe not,” Eve said. “But we underestimated Sam and I could have lost Nick.”
Clint raised an eyebrow. “What happened?”
Tom answered this time. “Sam was one of my deputies who wanted my job. He saw Josh as an opportunity to show what a great lawman he was, tried to set him up for a series of burglaries and ended up kidnapping Nick when the boy saw him planting evidence. He’s awaiting trial now.”
Tom looked at his watch. “I have to get home. I’ll make those calls first thing in the morning.”
“And I have paperwork to do,” Stephanie said. “Thank you all.”
Clint and Stephanie left first with her two dogs and Bart.
When they reached her building, he went in with her. All the doors were still locked, and the dogs gave no cause for alarm. No suspicious sniffing.
When Clint finished checking everything, Stephanie touched his arm. “I really do have to work,” she said. “And I’ll be safe here. Stryker and Sherry are very protective. I’m sure Tony’s officers will be checking every few minutes.”
“If Townsend calls again or you have any feeling that things are not right, call me,” he said. “And please don’t leave town without me.”
“I won’t,” she said. “I swear.”
“Okay.” He kissed her lightly. Slow, like they’d agreed.
Slow.
He left, worrying and aching and yet knowing that to push now would not be appreciated. Tony had it under control.
But he and Bart would be watching.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
STEPHANIE’S LANDLINE WOKE her up first thing Monday. Light was beginning to creep through the windows. She looked at her clock. Seven thirty.
She should have been up by now. She needed to take the dogs for a walk before the office opened at 8:00 a.m.
She looked at the caller ID. “Anonymous.”
She picked it up.
“How’s my little redhead?”
“Not yours any longer, Mark.”
“I don’t think you paid any attention to me the other day,” he said. “I hear someone from Colorado is making inquiries.”
“Why should I pay attention?”
“Because I’m looking out for your best interests. David Matthews isn’t.”
“And what are my best interests?”
“Tell your friends to release Mr. Bolling.”
“Again, why should I?”
“There could be a rather large lawsuit against the town.”
“Why don’t you tell them yourself?”
A silence.
“Why exactly was Mr. Bolling here?” she asked. “Why was he taking photos?”
“I’m still looking out for you,” he said in that charming voice. “I was told some of the buildings there were old. I know you don’t have much money. Maybe a contractor could help improve the fire standards.”
She went cold. She knew exactly what he was insinuating. But he was being very careful with his words. She knew it was a threat because she knew him. But for someone else, someone who didn’t know him, it could be construed as helpful.
“Maybe if you gave me my money back, I can do it myself.”
“Is that what you want, Stephanie? Money?”
“Just what you owe me.”
“Let’s meet and talk about it.”
“Are you here?”
“Close enough.”
She was silent. He was desperate. She sensed it now. He couldn’t afford more bad publicity. Two stories, much the same, and missing money.
“Where do you want to meet?”
“There’s a closed motel outside of town,” he said.
“Someplace public,” she insisted.
“You name it.”
“The park at the lake.”
“I’ve missed you, Stephanie. That spark. Your fire. I never should have let you go.”
“You didn’t let me go. I ran.”
“We can forget all that.” This was old Mark, thinking his charm still worked. Even after the warning he’d made on the phone.
She didn’t answer.
“When?” he asked.
“Noon.”
“Noon, it is.”
“Bring my money,” she said, “and I’ll try to get your man released.”
She hung up and immediately called Tony to tell him about the conversation. He was at her office in minutes and listened to the recorded call. “Pleasant chap on the phone,” he said.
“Too pleasant,” she said. “He’s afraid of something. Maybe he’s worried about queries into the investment firm or what Bolling might say. Maybe he thinks paying me off will shut down any more investigation.”
“Why would he meet in a public place?”
“Because I wouldn’t meet anywhere else and he still sees me as the helpless person I was years ago. He really doesn’t like women. He doesn’t give them any credit for brains. I think he actually believes he can give me some money and I’ll go away along with any bad publicity.”
“And if you’re wrong?”
“I’ll be in a public park, and I suspect he’ll know you or other officers may be there. It’s our best chance to get him to say something we can use.”
“Clint won’t like it. Neither will Josh, but you might be right. As you said, he won’t try anything in public. I’ll wire you and I’ll have officers in the park.” He rubbed his chin. “Sure you want to do this?”
“Something has rattled him since two days ago. He’s always been able to charm himself out of trouble. I guess he figures he can do it again.”
“I’ll be here at eleven thirty with the wire. Just go along with him. Find out what he wants.”
She nodded, but she had no intention of doing that. None at all.
She was going to push every one of his buttons. She wanted assault charges. She wanted him on tape and camera.
She somehow got through her morning appointments and canceled the others. At eleven, she rushed upstairs and changed into a pair of slacks and a silk blouse. She brushed her hair and pulled it back with a silver clip. Then she carefully put on makeup. She knew she should call Clint, but Tony had probably already done that.
She was right. He came in the door with Tony at exactly 11:30 a.m.
“I don’t think you should—”
She shook her head. “It’s the only way to help Susan and her little girl. I have to goad him into saying something that can be used in court. Any other way is too slow. Please don’t argue with me.”
“I’m going to be there. With Bart.”
“Good. I’m taking Stryker, as well. Sherry’s too gentle.”
Tony looked at his watch. “It’s time.”
The two men headed out back. Stephanie put a leash on Stryker and Sherry barked at being left out.
“Sorry, girl. Not this time.”
Stephanie and Stryker exited the office. She took her time, strolling the distance. She wanted to be a little late. That would annoy Mark. Her heart pounded. He’d caused her so much grief.
She finally reached the park and saw him standing next to the monument. She glanced around. Tony was in workman’s clothes fixing a swing. Clint was sitting at a picnic table with Bart and one of the woman dispatchers at the police department. Stephanie didn’t see Cody, but knew he must be nearby.
She calmed her nerves as she approached Mark. It had been five year
s since she’d seen him, and he looked a little heavier, his hair a bit thinner, but he was still a handsome man. He smiled when he saw her, but his eyes didn’t.
“You look beautiful,” he said and reached out to take her hand. She took a foot backward to avoid it.
He ignored the slight. “You always were a striking woman.”
“You weren’t as nice on the phone the other night.”
“I’m sorry about that. I was just...”
“Worried that I would help your wife dig up dirt? What dirt is there to dig up?” She tilted her head. “An investment company, maybe?”
“I’m sorry you lost money,” he said carefully. “I’m willing to give you what you lost. I have a check.”
“I want twice as much,” she said, “after what you did to me, the jobs you made sure I didn’t get.”
His mouth tightened. She knew then that she had been right. He was worried about the investment company. Word must have leaked that someone from Colorado was asking questions. He’d thought a few words, a smile and some money would buy her off. Of course, he’d spent his life doing exactly that to people.
“I don’t have it all now,” he said. “I can give you a check for twenty thousand, the rest later this month.”
“A check from you? I don’t think so. You’re a bully and a liar and a cheat, and soon everyone in Boston will know it.” She had just gone off script.
Mark’s face flushed. She knew the signs. An explosion was coming.
“Tell me about the investment company,” she continued. “How many of your friends have invested in it, and how many wells does it really own?”
“You silly bitch,” he said, his voice rising. “You really think you can touch me.”
She saw Clint standing.
“Not only do I think,” she said. “I can. You think you’re untouchable, but you’re not. Other authorities are looking into your donations. I took some papers you carelessly left in your office one day. I wasn’t quite the quiet little mouse you tried to make me.” It was lies. All lies. But he didn’t know it.
He exploded then. Just like she knew he would. He struck her in the chest with his fist, a blow that knocked her to the ground. He leaned over to strike again. Stryker lunged at him, caught his wrist and held on.
Tempted by the Soldier Page 26