“Other than being covered in his blood, I’m good.”
“What happened?”
“Obviously he’s been attacked.”
Her frown increased. “Where is Logan? Do you think he’s been assaulted too?”
“I doubt it. No one’s ever been able to get the drop on him.”
Before Marshall could call the sheriff’s department for backup, his cell phone rang. When he answered he discovered it was Logan. “Where are you?”
“Just coming in the back door now. Looks like Gregory left it unlocked. I saw him drive up and then stagger out of the car. I thought he was drunk.”
Marshall explained that Gregory had been wounded.
Logan cursed. “I’ll make a check on the house, then go out for recon.”
“You didn’t see anyone earlier?”
“No one.”
After he finished talking to Logan, Dana said, “Gregory had to have been attacked somewhere else.”
Although he no longer believed she had anything to do with the weird occurrences at the house, Marshall asked, “How do you know?”
She shook her head. “We haven’t heard anyone else moving around and no one has attacked us. Someone must have stabbed him somewhere else and he drove here. But why would he come here? Why wouldn’t he go to the hospital?”
A soft whistle came from the top of the stairs and Marshall knew Logan had arrived.
“No one in the house. Nothing outside,” Logan said as he came down the stairs.
Marshall looked up from the injured man next to him. “Any clues in the car?”
“Nothing I could tell without opening the car door, and you know what the cops would think of that,” Logan said as he dropped to one knee next to Metcalf. “How’s he doing?”
“Not good.” Dana’s soft voice made Marshall’s insides feel like jelly. He couldn’t believe how close he’d come to making love with her. The thought made him ache with need and at the same time angry at his own folly.
Before he could berate himself any more, the ambulance with paramedics appeared as well as two deputies. As the emergency team worked on Metcalf, Deputies Johnson and Castone took statements. Neither of them looked eager to question the undersheriff, but Marshall wanted it all by the book. He’d have plenty of explaining to do to Pizer anyway. Soon the emergency crew loaded Gregory into the ambulance. After the deputies finished obtaining statements, Logan and Marshall huddled on what approach to take next.
Dana sat on the sectional couch looking stunned. Blood stained her shirt and Marshall felt his insides shudder with the thought she might have sustained injury because of his stupidity…because he wanted her so much he couldn’t see anything beyond making love.
Dana looked up at him. “We’ve got to notify Neal and Aunt Lucille about Gregory.”
Logan headed for the phone behind the bar. “I’m on it.”
Dana’s frown sent creases across her forehead. “How does he know where they are?”
Marshall sat down next to her, resisting the urge to put his arm around her. “He’s kept tabs on everyone. Logan knows his work.”
A faint smile came to her lips. “What is he, a secret agent man?”
Glad to see her sense of humor intact, he dared to smile back. “Something like that.”
“You could tell me but then you’d have to kill me?”
“Logan would kill me.”
She slumped back against the couch, looking uncomfortable in mind and body. “Now that would be a sight to see. What do we do now?”
“If you want to see Metcalf at the hospital, let’s make it later when I can go with you. In the meantime, we’re going to my office. Logan will see if he can get any information out of Gregory when he wakes up.”
She looked amazed and pleased. “I can’t believe you let up and said I could visit him. You’re usually ranting and raving—”
“Yeah, yeah.” He shoved his right hand through his hair, then remembered he hadn’t been able to get all the blood off his hands. “Don’t push it. Come on, we need to get into some new clothes and get out of here.”
As he headed for the stairs Dana followed and her footsteps made muffled thumps on the carpeted stairs. “Why am I going with you?”
He sighed when he reached the top of the stairs. “I know you’re an intelligent woman, Dana.” He turned toward her and stopped as they entered the living room. “Which is why I’m not going to ask why you don’t know.”
She stopped, her hands propped on her hips. He remembered how those curved hips had shaped under his fingers, and a dart of arousal pierced his belly. Marshall noted that her hair had become mussed from the fall and maybe the way he’d pushed his fingers through it. She looked wild and ready for anything.
“I’m not helpless, Marshall.”
Fire returned to his blood, the kind that always surged when she tried being contrary. Refusing to argue with her might work. When he cupped her slim shoulders, she stiffened under his touch. He almost let her go, remembering how yielding and warm she’d been earlier.
“I know that.” He kept his tone low, hoping she’d lose that sandpaper look. “I’d like you to come with me because it’s not safe here. And even if Logan stayed with you…” Swallowing hard, he let a corner of his feelings show. “…even if he was here, I want to keep you safe. From now on, until we figure out what the hell is going on, I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
Until we figure out what the hell is going on… I’m not letting you out of my sight.
Dana heard the words over and over again in her head as she slumped in the chair in Marshall’s office. She drifted in and out of sleep, realizing as the sun peeked through the vertical blinds in Marshall’s office that morning had arrived. She wished for a warm bed and maybe a cozy book to read. No. A warm bed and Marshall. Yeah, no use pretending I don’t want him. I wanted him last night, and I want him now. Instead the hard chair under her head and butt was all she had to keep her company.
Aunt Lucille called about an hour ago to report that Gregory hadn’t wakened. The doctors said he had sustained a concussion around the same time someone knifed him.
She sat up and groaned. A kink had formed deep in her back and neck and she stifled a curse. She’d had enough scares in her short time here to conjure nightmares for the next ten horror novels.
“Dana?”
She started. “Damn.”
Marshall had opened the door without her hearing him. He closed the door and crouched down next to her chair. “Hey, why don’t you lie down on the couch outside?”
Feeling cranky and stiff, she slumped again. “Sleeping in all that noise? I don’t think so.”
“All that noise? I wouldn’t call this place hoppin’.”
“No, but a hard plastic couch isn’t my idea of comfort.”
He touched her hand as she clutched the armrest, and her skin tingled as his big hand covered hers. Before she could say a word, he reached up with his other hand and brushed his fingers over her cheek. “You’re exhausted. I’m sorry we’re still here. It won’t be much longer, I hope.”
She stared at him, aware of the dawning glow in her stomach region that signaled desire.
In the silence, she gathered the heat of his stare into her where it warmed the last cold spot in her soul. She knew this man had stolen a piece of her heart and carted it off…she’d never get it back, no matter how many years passed or how far she traveled.
Oh-oh. You’ve got it bad, Dana. Really bad.
Could she run far enough and fast enough to escape the feelings barreling through her like a stampede? Probably not. Better to ride it out until this whole mess disappeared and she could leave Macon again.
“Anything new?” she asked. “What about Neal?”
He shook his head. “Logan is checking the hotels. He wasn’t at his usual hang out.”
As much anxiety as she’d had for Gregory being attacked, her worry over something dreadful befalling Neal outweighed it. “What
if something’s happened to him too?”
Concern touched his eyes. “I don’t give a damn about him.”
A smidgen of anger tickled her. “A great attitude for a law man.”
“My top priority is you. Yeah, I want to uphold the law and make sure other citizens are safe, but your well being is my biggest concern.”
By the fierce expression in his eyes she realized his conviction ran deep in his bones. He’d keep her protected no matter how high the water rose. “You’d better watch out, Marshall. A woman could get real used to this kind of treatment.”
Dana saw two emotions pass through his gaze…alarm and satisfaction. When he didn’t speak, she took the plunge and decided to speak. “Does that expression mean that I’ve just scared the crap out of you?”
“Pretty much.” He allowed a grin to spread over his lips. “I’m not used to you approving of my actions.”
She smiled. “Don’t get too used to it. When can we get out of here? I think my ass is starting to adhere to this chair.”
His gaze glided over her, hot and full of unspoken, erotic messages. “Please don’t start talking about your pretty butt. I don’t think my heart can stand the strain.”
She let out a short laugh. “God, Marshall. I never knew under all that…that…” She made a helpless motion with one hand. “Stoicism lay such a…a…”
He leaned closer, his voice dropping into a husky pitch. “Spit it out, sweetheart.”
Sweetheart. The word said so many things coming from him. Teasing. Flirting. Tender. She shuddered deep inside, excitement flickering up like the beginnings of a bonfire. She licked her lips and his gaze settled on her mouth.
She could barely get the words out, her heart pounded so much. “A wild man.”
His slow, gentle grin tormented her, and she wanted to crawl into his lap and show him how crazy she could be. “We’ll be out of here soon. We’re going to my place.”
“Your place?” Dana didn’t know if she liked the sound of that. It meant she’d be alone with him again. Alone and tempted.
“Just outside town. I built it about a year ago.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “I didn’t know you had such talents.”
He grinned. “There are lots of things you don’t know about me.”
“There are lots of things I want to know,” she said before she thought about the implications.
Again he gave her a long, hot stare that ate into her defenses and melted them down to the core. Maybe the ache of hunger in her stomach, both for food and his love making, had rattled her brains and made her vulnerable.
“I didn’t really build the house myself. My father’s an architect. I gave him ideas on what I wanted and he built the plans from the ground up,” he said.
“I can’t wait to see it.”
Before she knew it she’d cupped her hand against his bearded face and caressed him. He felt so good against her she wanted to give him a big hug.
The devouring look in his eyes reduced her to quivering deep inside. “I’ve got a big tub you can soak in to take away the aches. Or a shower…”
The rasp in his voice gave the desire in his gaze an edge. She slipped her hand free of his face. “A shower big enough for two?”
“Big enough for two. The tub is huge. You can practically do laps in it.”
Erotic possibilities danced in her head. The message came clear. Once they made it to his house…well…all restraints would dissolve. The idea of pushing aside inhibitions and finishing what they’d started at Aunt Lucille’s house had infinite appeal.
A knock on the door interrupted them. Skeeter walked in as Marshall shot to his feet and turned toward the door.
Marshall’s frown could have melted steel, and the young deputy took a step back. His expression held regret for barging in. “Sir, it’s Lucille Metcalf. She’s calling for Dana.”
“We’ll take it in here,” Marshall said.
Dana picked up the phone, her stomach doing back flips. “Aunt Lucille?”
“Hello, darling. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” Dana sank into the chair, too tired to endure much more. “How is Gregory?”
“His vital signs are improving. But he still hasn’t regained consciousness. A deputy is here to get his statement when he…if he wakes up. Logan is still here.”
Dana twisted a strand of her hair around her finger. Her throat felt tight. She realized that Marshall had slipped out of the office. “Not if Gregory wakes up. When.”
Aunt Lucille’s sigh echoed over the phone. “My dear, I realize he hasn’t treated you well. He’s been boorish and insensitive, and downright ugly in his dealings with people. But you understand why I have to be with him? He has no one else, and I think Brent would like it if I looked after him.”
When she explained to her aunt about the ghosts doing the nasty once again, Aunt Lucille managed a small laugh. “It doesn’t surprise me, dear. It does make me wonder what is going to make the bed stop. An old woman’s heart can only take so much.”
Dana laughed. “An old woman’s? What about mine?”
They chuckled together, and Dana enjoyed the momentary respite from anxiety and fear. “I’ll be at Marshall’s later if you need me.”
“Good. That’s what I hoped to hear. Now what about Neal? Any sign of him?”
“Marshall said they haven’t found him.” A long silence commenced, and Dana knew her aunt had to be thinking the same as she. “He’ll be all right.”
“You can’t know that.” Aunt Lucille sounded resigned. “It would break my heart if either one of these boys…”
“Don’t think it. Just concentrate on staying safe. Logan will watch out for you.”
“He’s a sweet boy. Has a fierce look sometimes, but he’s really very nice.” Aunt Lucille’s relief at changing the subject came through. “Now if you weren’t already in love with Marshall I’d say Logan would be a nice man for you.”
Dana gasped in surprise. “Aunt Lucille, you are a very naughty girl.”
“Now don’t try and deny it. The truth has to come out eventually. You are in love with Brennan Marshall. That’s the only bright spot in the mess, I think.”
How could she tell her aunt that she didn’t love Marshall when the idea made the old woman so happy?
Marshall returned to the doorway, and his scrutiny made Dana watch her next words. “I’ll call when I get to Marshall’s house.”
When she hung up he stepped into the room. His mouth held an angle she’d seen before when he wanted to strangle someone. She frowned as she wondered what she’d done now. “Okay, out with it. You look like you’ve eaten a lemon.”
He sat on the edge of his desk and fisted his hands. Now she could see that she’d mistaken annoyance in his eyes for something far worse. “They just found Neal in the woods near his hotel. He’s been shot.”
Chapter Eighteen
Dana walked through the hospital lobby toward her aunt, her steps making an urgent click on the cloud gray linoleum. Marshall stayed close behind. As Dana approached Aunt Lucille through the glare of fluorescent lighting, she wondered if fate had handed them both a big raspberry.
Correction. Dozens of raspberries. Overripe, no less. Life can’t get any more exciting than this.
Then she saw Kerrie, Eric, and Logan in the waiting room area and felt a little better. They stayed seated while Aunt Lucille rushed forward and embraced Dana. Dana felt a shudder ripple through her aunt, then a soft sob issued from the older woman’s slim body.
“Oh, Dana,” Aunt Lucille whispered. She pulled back from her niece; her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. “I can’t believe this is happening. What is the world coming to?”
Dana didn’t have the heart to tell her the world had always been this way. “It will be all right.”
Aunt Lucille sniffed and turned to Marshall. He pulled her into his arms and closed his eyes as he gave her a bear hug. Lucille looked swallowed up in his arms. “We’ll catch whoever
did this. Prints were taken out of Gregory’s and Neal’s hotel rooms, though most of them are probably from the hundreds of people who’ve stayed there.”
“Hundreds?” Kerrie asked.
Marshall nodded. “Apparently neither of the owners are exactly the cleanest people there. When they dust the rooms they do it lightly. No rubbing oil into the wood and eliminating prints. Good thing for us.” After a sizable sigh, he brushed a hand through his hair. “Lucille, the nurses told us that Gregory and Neal aren’t allowed any visitors for the rest of the day.”
Lucille nodded. “That’s right. Just me. They’re letting me stay here in case one of them wakes up. And of course Logan and Skeeter will be there as long as I am.”
“I’m not going to Jamaica with all this happening,” Kerrie said.
Dana put up one hand. “Now wait a minute. You’ve got reservations, and it’ll cost you money if you back out now.”
“But—”
“No buts. Go and enjoy yourself.”
With a self-deprecating grin Kerrie slipped an arm around her stubborn friend. “I can’t go without knowing you’re safe, and I’ll worry the whole time I’m there. What kind of vacation is that?”
“A safe vacation. Away from here.” Dana hadn’t wanted to say it, but she did. “Macon is not a good place to be right now if you’re close to me.”
Marshall made a noise that sounded somewhere between disbelief and annoyance. “Wait a minute. We don’t know this has anything to do with you.”
Giving him a calm, steady look, she proceeded to correct him. “I think it does. Sure, the bed in Aunt Lucille’s house was doing the two-step before I got here. And other weird things were happening too. But nothing violent occurred until I got here.”
No one spoke. The whisper of automatic doors opening and closing at the entrance, the soft swish of people bustling by and the lingering odor of pine antiseptic all made their impression on Dana’s senses. She held on to that peace, unsure how long the rest of her world would remain stable.
Eric put his hand on Kerrie’s shoulder and she looked at him. “Maybe Dana is right. Better to be safe.”
Kerrie’s lips firmed. “Friends don’t leave friends alone in times of trouble.”
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