Marshall's Law

by Denise A. Agnew

  “Brought here?” Marshall lifted one eyebrow, then looked at the deputy leaning against the wall with casual disinterest. “Jackson, did you give Mr. Metcalf the impression he was under arrest?”

  Jackson smiled. “Of course not. I told him you’d come down to see him if he didn’t come along with me.”

  “Intimidation will get you nowhere.” Gregory’s gravel-loaded voice irritated Marshall to within an inch of screaming.

  Instead, in a flash, Marshall watched Gregory’s expression turn from pissed to worried. Mr. Business Tie yanked on his collar.

  Marshall laid on a casual smile. “I needed you to come down here for my convenience, actually. It seems I’ve been too busy to come out and accommodate your schedule.”

  “Either tell me what this about, or I’ll call my lawyer right now.”

  Marshall sat his cup down on the table and a little coffee sloshed over the edge. “You haven’t called him yet? I’m surprised. But you see, when you say things like that it makes you look guilty. You don’t want that, do you? A friendly chat doesn’t amount to a suing offense, does it?”

  Taking a deep breath, Gregory showed blinding white teeth in a parody of a smile. “Of course not.”

  Marshall let Gregory simmer in his own juice a little longer.

  “So are you going to ask me questions or stare at me all day?” Gregory asked after excruciating long minutes.

  Deputy Jackson suppressed a smile, and Marshall decided Gregory had marinated long enough. “Where were you last night at about midnight?”

  “I was with a friend,” Gregory said.

  “Who and where?”

  “A woman friend.”

  Marshall retrieved his mug and took a slow sip of coffee. “Okay, so now we’ve established you like women rather than men.”

  Gregory shot up from the chair as if he’d shot out of a cannon. The deputy reached for him, clamping a restraining hand on Gregory’s shoulder.

  Marshall didn’t flinch a millimeter. “Sit down.”

  When the deputy applied pressure to Gregory’s shoulder, he sank into the chair with a thud. “This is outrageous.”

  The pleasure that came from watching this big, arrogant man humbled and surprised Marshall. He’d never felt this much antagonism for either Metcalf brother before. He’d never liked them, but now his suspicion and distaste rose to new heights. Part of his brain screamed that he’d pushed too far.

  Marshall nodded to Jackson. “That’ll be all for now, Jackson. Mr. Metcalf and I are going to have nice little talk.”

  “What’s this?” Gregory sneered and placed his hands flat on the table as if he might launch upward again. “Playing bad cop, Marshall?”

  Marshall remembered Dana had asked him the same thing last night. “Good guess.” After the deputy left, Marshall decided the time for playing cat and mouse stopped now. “Who did you visit last night at midnight?”

  Gregory glanced at the mirror again. “I can’t tell you.”

  “You can’t or you won’t?”

  “Won’t.” Gregory’s jaw kept a defiant angle as he leaned back in the chair and folded his arms.

  Marshall had to concede he couldn’t hold Gregory for not telling where he’d been loitering at midnight. Still… “If you’re innocent, you have nothing to hide.”

  “You haven’t told me what crime I’ve committed.”

  “Did I say you committed a crime?” When his adversary didn’t blink, Marshall took a deep breath. “Don’t tell me you don’t know what happened last night?”

  “No, I don’t know.” Gregory threw a full force glare at Marshall.

  “Dana was in an accident last night. A very bad accident.”

  Gregory’s face turned pale and pasty in two seconds. “What?”

  “She’s alive. She’s one very lucky lady.”

  Gregory unfolded his arms and leaned forward, his eyes wide with a good impression of innocence and concern. “Is she hurt?”

  “Last I heard she’s fine and resting at home. Someone ran her off the road.” Marshall planted both hands on the table and pinned the other man with a stare. “And if you had anything to do with it, I swear I will hunt you down and see you’re prosecuted.”

  Gregory’s eyes widened, but he leaned back in the chair and rearranged his face into a calm, almost bored look. “I had nothing to do with it. And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave it at that.” A speculative gleam entered Gregory’s eyes. “I see what the real problem is here.”

  Marshall didn’t move. “The real problem is you. If you lay a hand on her—”

  “You’ve got the hots for her, don’t you?”

  Anger and a touch of reality seeped into Marshall, but he kept his aggressive stance. “We’re talking about you. I don’t want you within a mile of her. That means you’re going to stay away from Lucille’s house. I don’t care where you stay. You can go back to that roach motel for all I care. Or you can make me real happy and get out of Macon all together.”

  “This is rich.” Gregory’s mouth went up at the corners but didn’t form a complete smile. “Looks like the boy’s in love. Or is it lust? I can understand. So did you ever get your money’s worth?”

  A burn started in Marshall’s gut. He looked at his coffee for a moment in case he could blame the liquid for the pain. He wouldn’t admit love or lust because neither applied. Dana might be more than attractive, but he didn’t plan on doing anything about it. Instead, he straightened and gave Gregory the silent treatment again.

  “So?” Gregory said after a full minute. “Have you kissed her yet?”

  It spilled from Marshall before he could hold back. “Yeah, I’ve kissed her. Good and long and hard.” Marshall immediately felt like a heel for lying, but he relished seeing Gregory’s face go flat and mad. “Now, let’s get back to the real issue. Who were you with last night?”

  Again Gregory’s gaze flashed to the two-way mirror. “Unlike you, I don’t kiss and tell.”

  Another burn roasted Marshall’s gut. He shrugged. “Like I said before, if you don’t tell me, it makes you look guilty. No alibi.”

  “So arrest me.”

  Marshall knew he couldn’t throw Gregory in the slammer any more than he could Neal. Not yet. “We’ll have information very soon on the identity of the car that pushed her off the road.”

  “So? One of your deputies already looked at my car, and you bastards took a sample of paint. You’re not going to find a scratch on it. It’s a brand new car and sure as hell wasn’t used to push anyone off the road.”

  After a long pause, Marshall said, “You may think we’re a hick town with no resources, Metcalf. But I can guarantee if you had anything to do with Dana’s accident you will be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I’ll make sure of it.”

  Gregory plastered a bored rigid look onto his face. “Am I free to go?”

  Marshall backed away from the table and gestured toward the door. “Get out of here.”

  Dana walked with Aunt Lucille along the grassy lane that led into the park in the center of town. People had started filing into the park even though most of the booths hadn’t opened yet.

  Dana noted that despite the tornado destroying the gazebo and tearing out some of the grass, the park looked good. The day had dawned sparkling clear with a forecast in the upper seventies. She’d dressed in a short-sleeved copper microfiber blouse and stonewashed jeans. Aunt Lucille wore a multicolored caftan over jeans. The cowboy boots didn’t exactly go with the picture, but oh, well.

  Makes her look like a fortune teller.

  Dana looked back and saw that one of the deputies assigned to their protection trailed behind several yards. Although he wore plain clothes, everyone in town no doubt knew him. Dana shoved her hands in her pockets. “Looks like Skeeter’s still shadowing us.”

  Aunt Lucille chuckled. “He’s kinda cute, don’t you think, dear?”

  Dana gazed in disbelief at her aunt. Whatever blows her skir
t up. “You’re not serious? Do I detect some interest there?”

  The older woman batted her eyelashes. “I may be old, but I’m not dead. I recognize a hunk when I see one.”

  Dana issued a bark of laughter. “Aunt Lucille, should I have locked you in your room?”

  “What? Can’t an old woman have fun?”

  “Stop answering a question with a question.”

  “Okay, I just don’t feel that old. I’ve got lots of great ideas, youthful feelings and a zest for life. What can I say? I don’t plan on slowing down, haunted house or no haunted house.”

  A kid on a bike whizzed past, zooming along at a perilous speed. Dana hunched over and imitated an old lady walking with a cane. “Young whipper snapper.”

  Aunt Lucille giggled. “Dana, you’re a hoot. I’m so glad you’re here.”

  Dana slipped her arm around her aunt’s shoulders and gave her a brief hug. “Me too. I mean, I’m glad I’m with you. I’m not so sure about here.” She glanced around at the growing masses and grimaced a little. “I think I like my mayhem securely captured on my TV screen. This might be a little too much.”

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” Aunt Lucille asked as she stopped. Her collection of bangle bracelets jangled. “If you’re not feeling up to it…”

  “Are you kidding? And leave you all alone with Skeeter?” They dissolved into giggles and they had to stop walking. Dana gasped for breath and her sides ached from mirth. “By the way, is his name honestly Skeeter Buffit? Sounds like a country music singer.”

  “Actually, I think his mother had a crush on a country music artist one time. She insisted they name him after two famous singers.” She tapped her finger on her chin as she thought. “That’s right. Dwight Skeeter Buffit, I think.”

  Dana laughed but didn’t say a word.

  “I didn’t think you’d be up to this. Last night was a horrible ordeal,” Aunt Lucille said.

  Dana shrugged and started walking again. “I’m good. No reason to back out of a little fun because someone tried to kill me.” Aunt Lucille’s frown said she didn’t think Dana’s comment amusing. Dana hadn’t seen her aunt look this grave in a long time. “I’m fine, Aunt Lucille.”

  The last assurance seemed to help her aunt’s mood.

  Booths stretched from one end of the park to the other. “Lovely. Looks like everyone in town is here.”

  Aunt Lucille swung her arms like a little kid. “Isn’t it wonderful? That’s one thing I love about this town. It’s almost picture perfect. If you come back to Macon for Christmas you’ll see it. The place turns into a Currier and Ives portrait.”

  She’d seen the effect before, but Dana didn’t anticipate visiting at Christmas. “Snow and everything.” She sighed as she noticed the idyllic setting did have serenity she’d experienced few other places. But, she knew that someone in town had a big grudge against her. That took away the pleasantness that might otherwise have made her feel secure.

  Yeah, Dana, the only time you felt safe in the last twenty-four hours was in Brennan Marshall’s arms. A blush washed into her cheeks as she recalled the sensation of well being she’d experienced in his powerful embrace. Time to nip that particular feeling right at the root before it had a chance to grow like kudzu.

  As they passed a group settled around a picnic table, she felt rather than saw their scrutiny. She glanced at her aunt. “It’s probably all over town by now.”

  “What dear?”

  “About my crash last night.”

  Aunt Lucille stopped swinging her arms and returned to a mature woman. “That’s the way it is here. No stopping it.”

  Deciding that her aunt just didn’t get it, Dana said, “So what does Kerrie have you doing?”

  “Fortune teller.”

  “Ha!” Dana gave Aunt Lucille a sardonic look. “You’re kidding, right?”

  Her aunt’s eyes sparkled like gemstones. “Crystal ball and the works.”

  “So that top you’re wearing is for show only?”

  “Of course. Do you think I’d wear this thing otherwise?”

  Dana laughed. “Uh, no.”

  They wandered through the popcorn, hot dogs, soft drinks and candy booths. Dana’s stomach growled. Breakfast had worn off about two hours ago.

  Aunt Lucille took her arm and led her toward a huge stall that sported first aid and information. “This way, dear. Kerrie said she’d be at the information booth.”

  “I wonder why she wouldn’t tell me what kind of cage I’m minding.”

  “Cage?”

  “A figure of speech.” Dana dodged a toddler girl that ran full blast away from her scrambling-to-keep-up mother.

  “Uh-huh. Why do I get the feeling you’re not looking forward to this?”

  “Could it be all the whining and moaning I did this morning?”

  “That might have been it. But I knew you really wanted to do it. I don’t know why I asked.”

  “Because you’re a sweetie, that’s why,” Dana said as they reached the information stall.

  Kerrie headed around the table and came toward them. “I hope all was quiet on the western front after I left last night?”

  “Never fear.” Dana gave her friend a reassuring pat on shoulder. “I’m as tough as boot leather. It’s already been a ball of fun talking to the insurance company. Yada, yada, yada.”

  Kerrie’s intense look transformed into determined. “This crime wave can’t continue. We haven’t had trouble in town like this before.”

  Aunt Lucille nodded emphatically. “Society going to dickens in a hand basket.”

  Dana smiled at the exaggeration. “Come on, ladies. It’s not that bad around here.” Not wanting to dwell on the accident, Dana continued. “Now, where’s this booth and what do I do?”

  Aunt Lucille grabbed Dana’s forearm. “Now wait a minute, young lady, you’re not supposed to go anywhere without Skeeter.”

  Dana shoved a hand through her hair and winced when hairspray kept the strands together. “I forgot. But really it doesn’t matter. Skeeter can stay with you, and I’ll go with Kerrie. No one is going to try anything in this huge crowd.”

  Her aunt didn’t look convinced. When Skeeter strolled up to them with a wide grin plastered on his model perfect mouth, Dana figured the jig was up.

  “Ladies, is there a problem?”

  Dana started to open her mouth, but Aunt Lucille zipped in faster. “My niece needs to go to her booth.”

  Skeeter grinned, his eyes luminous with good humor. “No problem, Mrs. Metcalf.” He nodded toward the crowd and made a hand signal that looked something like sign language. “Logan can help us out.”

  Logan Reece sauntered through the noisy crowd toward their group. Dana took in his tall form with appreciation. No flannel today for this knock-your-socks-off-man. Instead he wore a plain navy blue T-shirt and jeans along with athletic shoes. Several women in the surrounding area gawked at him like he was the last slice of chocolate cheesecake at a picnic.

  “Who’s that? I saw him dancing with you last night, Dana,” Aunt Lucille asked.

  “Logan Reece. A friend of Marshall’s,” Dana said.

  Logan’s lazy smile as he approached made Kerrie and Aunt Lucille blush. This man could conquer the entire female population of Macon with one hand tied behind his back.

  After greeting them, Logan said, “I’ll be watching you whenever Skeeter can’t be around.”

  Dana heaved a sigh. “Okay. Let’s get this show on the road.”

  “Don’t worry, Dana.” Logan started back toward the crowd. “You’ll never know I’m there.”

  “That’s comforting,” Dana said as soon as he drifted out of earshot.

  Kerrie cleared her throat. “Come this way.”

  They left Aunt Lucille to get ready for her fortune telling booth. Dana strode alongside Lucille as they headed for the outskirts of the carnival like atmosphere. They passed the Ferris wheel and a few other children’s rides. Dana watched the Ferris wheel and co
uld have sworn she saw Marshall in one of the seats with a little girl.

  “Did you recognize the car that ran you off the road?” Kerrie asked.

  So much for forgetting about last night. “I can’t remember anything about the sedan or the person in it.”

  Dana meant to say more, but then she saw the booth. She stared at the banner strung across the overhang belonging to the stall.

  Kerrie, why you little—

  “Are you out of your mind?” Dana asked with a squeak.

  The sign said: Kisses For Charity: Minimum Donation, One Dollar.

  Chapter Ten

  Dana could tell by Kerrie’s expression she knew she’d hit big time trouble.

  Kerrie’s sheepish look lasted all of two seconds. “Come on, you know you’re going to love it.”

  “Love it? Are you nuts? Kissing for charity? Whose charity? The Colorado Chapter of the National Kissing Disease Foundation?”

  “Now don’t have a cow.”

  “Maybe if it was for Mad Cow Disease I wouldn’t mind.”

  Kerrie steered her behind the booth. Of course, the table had been draped with a tablecloth that had large passion red lips on full display. “You said you wanted to help me. So you’re helping.”

  Dana’s slow burn fuse began to light. “Why me? Why not some nubile tart from town?”

  Kerrie wrinkled her nose. “Tart? Does anyone really use that word anymore?”

  “Smart aleck.” Dana stomped from one side of the booth to the other. “It’s claustrophobic. You can’t leave me in here.”

  “Bull.” Kerrie’s eyes took on a mischievous gleam. “Maybe I can persuade Logan to come over here—”

  “Don’t you dare.”

  Kerrie relented and showed her the money box beneath the table, and the bowl of individually wrapped mints. “The mints are for men who have…uh…”

  “Unpleasant breath.” Dana smacked her lips. “Oh, goody.”

  “You got it. There’s also a jug of water down there in case you get a dry mouth.”

  Dana produced another long-suffering sigh and sank into the metal chair. “The things I will do for a friend.”