"These lights and sirens would have come in handy in Chicago. Traffic is terrible there."
He nodded grimly. "I admit they do help." He returned to concentrating and she stayed quiet while he drove. The last thing he needed was a bunch of questions distracting him.
Tanner slowed the vehicle down and pulled into a field. The truck bounced on the rough dirt road until they pulled up beside an old building. She peered into the darkness and squinted, trying to read the weathered sign on the side of the gray concrete building. There were several other cop cars already there and one officer was stretching yellow crime scene tape around the perimeter.
"What is this place?" she asked. “I’ve driven by it but never knew what it was.”
"It's an old meat packing plant that hasn't been used since the seventies." Tanner reached under the seat and pulled out a long flashlight. "I'll leave the truck running and the heat on. I'm sorry about this, honey. I really am."
He pushed open the door and she made a quick decision. Staying in the vehicle sucked. She wanted to go with him. She hopped out and made it to the front of the truck just as he did.
Tanner scowled. "You can't come in with me. You need to stay in the truck, Maddie."
"Why?"
"It's a murder scene. I don't want you to see it. You'll have nightmares for the rest of your life."
She started walking toward the building. "You have to be kidding. I've cut up cadavers. I've stitched together kids who have been blown apart by automatic rifles. Do you think I'm going to get sick at a little blood?"
He grabbed her elbow, spinning her around. "Maddie, I mean it. You can't go in there."
"I want to see what you do."
Tanner sighed as if she was trying his patience. "I don't come barging in when you're seeing patients, do I? Besides, it's a crime scene."
"I took a forensics medicine course in school. I know what to do to keep from contaminating a scene." She looked around. "I don't see the coroner here yet. Maybe I can look at things until he gets here? Just look, not touch."
"You want to see a murder?" Tanner's eyebrows shot up. "Maddie, you never cease to amaze me."
Deputy Sam walked up to them. "Boss." He nodded to Madison. "Dr. Shay."
"Call me Madison, Sam. Everybody does."
Sam smiled. "Thanks, I will." He turned back to Tanner. "It's around this way." He pointed to the side of the building with his flashlight.
"It's not inside?" Tanner craned his neck to see.
"No. I've got a couple of guys looking for evidence inside but the scene is out here. Follow me."
Because they were outside the tape, Madison was able to tag along. Tanner didn't say anything to her until they were right up on it. Someone, possibly Sam, had placed a couple of spotlights on the body. What was left of it, anyway.
Tanner stopped and turned to her. "You stay outside this yellow tape. Dammit, Maddie, I mean it."
She was deeply curious about what this amazing man did for a living but she wouldn't jeopardize his investigation. "I promise I'll stay on this side."
Tanner nodded then ducked under the tape, followed by Sam. It gave Madison a chance to really examine the sight before her.
Grisly.
The man had been murdered but it hadn't happened quickly. He appeared to be cut in dozens of places and allowed to bleed to death. Some of the wounds were shallow and some appeared deep, although it was hard to tell from this distance. The man's mouth was open in a silent scream and his eyes were fixed in a stare as if he still bore witness to the atrocities committed upon him.
The copper smell of blood was thick in the air and the white snow was colored pink with pools of red, dotted here and there, where the liquid had ran into a low spot.
Tanner was speaking in a low voice to Sam and another deputy. He was pointing to various areas around the body, and his expression was tense. She didn't know how long she stood there in the cold watching him as he directed the gathering of evidence but she was startled to hear the sounds of an approaching helicopter.
She covered her ears as it landed a few hundred feet away. A tall man with dark hair exited the chopper followed by another man in a beige jumpsuit carrying a square case. They hurried up to the yellow tape, brushing by her. Tanner turned and waved them in.
"Hey, Anderson. Glad you could get here. We've been working the crime scene. Looks like another drug route murder."
The man peered at the deceased and nodded. "That's Jerome Allen. He's in the Jackson cartel. He's in charge of transport, shall we say."
Sam shook his head. "Not anymore. He took an early retirement."
The man named Anderson wore a grim expression, lines deeply grooved in his forehead. "This is the final stake in the heart to the Jackson cartel. It looks like Warner won the war."
Tanner crossed his arms over his chest. "Will Jackson give up?"
"No. He'll regroup and strike back. Eventually."
Tanner looked up and suddenly seemed to notice Madison standing there. She'd been quiet and observant. Watching this intense man work had been riveting. He gave everything to whatever he was doing whether it was work or play. If anything, she was falling further in love with him with each passing day. She couldn't even begin to express how much she respected him. The way he dealt with his job and with his family spoke of bone-deep integrity. In that way he reminded her of her father.
Tanner motioned to one of his deputies and ducked under the tape. "Maddie, I'm going to have Deputy Leo here take you home. I'm sorry I had to drag you out here."
"It was interesting to watch you work." She looked down at the body. "Will the coroner get here soon?" The man in the jumpsuit was taking pictures and talking to the other deputies that had begun to gather evidence.
"He's on his way. I'll walk you to the cruiser."
Tanner and Madison, followed at a discreet distance by Deputy Leo, walked through the snow toward the vehicle. They paused and the deputy walked around them, starting the car and turning on the headlights illuminating the snow. She caught something out of the corner of her eye.
A coffee cup, exactly the same as the to-go cups at the coffee shop, was dropped in the snow. She turned and reached for it.
"One of your deputies dropped his coffee cu—."
Tanner grabbed her arm, holding it in place. "Don't touch that." His voice came out raspy, but she could hear the urgency in his tone.
She pulled her hand back. "Um, okay. It's just garbage. People shouldn't litter."
Tanner walked closer and knelt down, shining his flashlight on the paper cup, the black marker more easily seen under the light. It looked like the person who had thrown it down was partial to a Sumatra blend with shots of vanilla, cinnamon, and caramel.
He cursed and stood before yelling at the agent. Agent Anderson ran over, his breath making vapor in the Montana cold.
"What's wrong?"
Tanner pointed his flashlight at the cup. "I think that's evidence."
The agent quirked an eyebrow. "Then we'll gather it. May I ask why you think it's evidence?"
"Because Fenton Jacks was drinking that very cup of coffee earlier today."
Chapter Nineteen
The steakhouse in Billings was quiet and upscale; only the murmur of voices could be heard. Madison took in the dark wood and leather furnishings as the hostess led them to their table. The aromas wafting from the kitchen were tantalizing and the trays of food passing them appetizing. Madison's father had been right in recommending this restaurant. It was the perfect place to celebrate Tanner's birthday.
Madison sunk down into the chair covered in a red and gold brocade on the seat and arms and the hostess handed her an oversized menu. Tanner sat to her left, and on her other side was Presley Reilly, a pretty brunette and wife of Sheriff Seth Reilly from a neighboring town. So far Presley was an absolute hoot. Constantly smiling, she was lively and entertaining, and just plain nice. She reminded Madison of Sherry in a way. Both women had never met a stranger in th
eir lives.
Next to Presley was Seth, then Sheriff Logan Wright and his date, a gorgeous young blonde woman named Christina. She was quiet and more subdued than Presley but seemed to be just as friendly. Christina's hand was on Logan's arm and she lit up whenever he looked at her.
The waiter approached their table with a smile. "Good evening. I'm Charles and I'll be your waiter this evening. Can I start you out with something from the bar or perhaps bring the wine list?"
Madison tensed, wondering if Seth and Logan knew that Tanner didn't drink. Logan laughed and waved his hand. "We men are the designated drivers tonight, but the ladies might like something."
Madison shook her head and Presley also demurred, turning a pretty shade of pink. Seeing that no one else was drinking, Christina also declined. The waiter took their drink orders and bustled away. Madison relaxed back and Tanner threaded their fingers together under the table. She liked how he didn't make a production about their feelings, but he always let her know he cared.
Seth sat back in his chair. "Well, happy birthday, old man. You seem to be holding together pretty well for someone of your...advanced age."
A smile played around Seth's mouth. He seemed like a good man and he obviously adored Presley. He hung on her every word and his gaze constantly sought hers.
Logan, obviously the jokester of the group, grinned. "Shit, you're lucky you can still walk at your age." He looked around the table. "Excuse my language, ladies. I'll try and behave myself tonight."
Madison had a feeling Logan didn't behave himself very often. His tousled dark blond hair, twinkling blue eyes, and mischievous grin spoke of a man who liked to have fun. A lot of it. He laughed easily and had turned almost every female head in the restaurant with his easy self-confident air and movie star looks.
It was clear, however, that Christina was out of her league with Logan. Her eyes had a hungry look in them, but Logan didn't seem engaged. Unlike Seth with Presley, Logan didn't lean closer to her when she spoke, nor did his eyes follow her around a room. There was a detached air about him. It was like a part of him was here with them, but another part far away.
"He never behaves." Seth grinned. The waiter placed their drinks down in front of them and Seth cleared his throat. "Actually, Presley and I have some news." Seth looked down at his wife, his gaze tender and loving.
Presley was practically bouncing in her chair, her face alight. "We're pregnant," she announced with glee. "We're having a baby."
Seth looked every inch the proud father as they accepted everyone's congratulations. He wrapped an arm around Presley and she looked up at him with such love it made Madison's heart ache. She wanted what they had.
Logan slapped him on the back. "I don't have any cigars to hand out."
"You don't hand out cigars when it's announced. You hand them out when the baby's born. And the father does it," Christina said. "You're not a father. Not yet anyway."
"I'm not ready for fatherhood." Logan grinned. "I'm happy the way I am."
Christina's mouth drooped slightly and Tanner must have noticed. He lifted his glass in a toast. "Congratulations to the new parents. May your children be healthy and happy."
They all clinked glasses and the waiter came back to take their order. Since it was a special occasion, Madison ordered a filet mignon with the potatoes au gratin. Tanner ordered the same in a larger cut and added an order of grilled shrimp. When the waiter headed back to the kitchen, Seth turned to Tanner, his expression now sober.
"Any more on the coffee cup found at the scene?"
Tanner's lips tightened. "It will take a few weeks, maybe more, to put the cup through the FBI lab. But I know it belongs to Fenton."
Logan stroked his chin. "Is he that careless? Did he think it was far enough away from the actual crime no one would notice? It seems like a bonehead move."
"He meant for it to be found, of that I'm sure. He's taunting me. Letting me know it doesn't matter what we do, he's untouchable."
Madison frowned. "If the DNA or fingerprints come back as his, he'll be arrested. That's hardly untouchable."
"Assuming he hasn't disappeared," Tanner answered. "By the time we get a result, he could have vanished from the face of the earth."
"A person can't really just disappear," Madison protested.
Presley pressed her face into her palms and groaned. "Do I have a story to tell you."
Seth chuckled and put his arm around her shoulders. "That is a good story. My favorite, in fact."
Presley began recounting how she walked out of a restaurant and her car blew up. Next thing she knew, she was being whisked away by Feds and put in witness protection. That's where she'd met Seth and he'd protected her until her would-be killer was apprehended.
Madison was wide-eyed. "Wow, that's some story. Thank goodness you're okay. It must have been scary as hell to have to start a new life with a new name and everything."
Presley gazed up at her husband. "It had its perks. I kept the name and the new life. Honestly, it was better than my old one."
They all laughed as Logan told a story about working on a cattle rustling case with Tanner. Each story led to another one and before she knew it the waiter was clearing away the dessert dishes. They had all ordered a decadent chocolate mousse that had managed to be light and rich at the same time. It was the house specialty.
As they drank their after-dinner coffee, Madison was feeling happy and comfortable. She'd never been big on socializing but it felt easy with these people. She liked Tanner's friends and hopefully they liked her.
Logan put down his coffee cup with a flourish. "Are we ready to have some fun? I know a country-western bar not far from here where we can kick up our heels and the ladies can let down their hair."
Madison wasn't sure she had ever let down her hair one night in her life. She wasn't sure she could do it, but trying was going to be fun. Presley beamed and leaned forward. "I can't wait to get Seth out on the dance floor. Soon we'll be parents and will probably hardly ever get a night out on the town."
They paid the check and headed to a place a few miles away. The parking lot was packed and that only hinted at how many people were crammed into the building. The bar had been built in an old warehouse but it still didn't seem large enough. There was a crush of bodies on the dance floor dancing to the latest Kenny Chesney song. Music was blaring from the speakers, the lights were dim, and the smell of sweat and beer was strong.
The DJ announced a line dance and suddenly the crowd formed neat rows of at least a dozen people. Presley grabbed Madison and Christina and tugged them toward the dance floor.
"Come on. If we go, the men will follow."
Her words turned out to be prophetic. Madison danced shoulder to shoulder with Tanner and Presley for several songs. The steps weren't hard and soon they were all hot and thirsty from their efforts. Logan jerked a thumb toward the bar.
"How about we get some sodas and some air?"
Madison nodded gratefully and lifted her long hair to cool off her neck. Someone had opened the back door and a chilling breeze blew over her flesh, raising goosebumps. Presley pointed to the ladies room.
"I need to visit the restroom and repair my lipstick."
"Me too," Madison agreed. "Christina?"
Despite Logan being a perfect gentleman all evening, Christina looked down. She'd probably figured out Logan wasn't as in to her as she was with him, and it had to hurt. Madison felt a little guilty thinking it, but Christina should probably cut bait and find another guy. Whatever issues Logan had, it was clear he wasn't looking to pair up. At least not with the pretty blonde.
Christina followed Madison and Presley to the ladies room. They repaired their melted makeup and Madison tried to tame her wild hair.
Christina applied some lipstick. "You have the most beautiful hair, Madison. Maybe I should go red."
Presley shook her head. "You have gorgeous blonde hair. Why would you want to do that?"
Christina shrugged nonchalan
tly. "Something different. Something more exciting maybe."
"Is this about Logan? Do you think he'll like you better with red hair?" Presley asked bluntly.
Madison admired Presley's ability to cut through the bullshit and get to the heart of a matter. Christina looked shocked for a moment and then her expression crumpled, her eyes watery.
"I just love him so much."
Her tone was filled with emotion, and Presley put her arm around the woman. "Why don't you tell us all about it?"
In a halting voice, Christina told them about meeting Logan one night a few months ago when she and some friends had car trouble. He'd rescued them and her world had never been the same.
Her eyes lit up. "You know how it is when you meet the one? The man that's going to change your world and rescue you from being alone? That's how I felt when I met him."
Madison's eyes met Presley's. Madison had never in her life thought about a man rescuing her from anything. Even when she thought about Tanner, it was how they could build a life together. It wasn't about him building one for her.
Presley patted Christina's shoulder. "I don't think Logan is looking to settle down. He's got bad boy written all over him."
"But a good woman could change him," Christina argued.
"You know," Madison began. "I have a good friend named Sherry. She always says that men are capable of change. For the worse. Her motto is that men don't change unless they damn well want to. I'm not sure Logan is looking to change."
Christina pressed her lips together. "But I love him."
Presley shook her head. "You can't make someone love you back whether it's your family or a man. I learned that one the hard way. You want someone who will give you love without you having to beg for it."
Christina nodded. "I know you're right, it's just that he's so wonderful. He's handsome, charming, funny."
"Have you told him how you feel?" Madison asked, pretty sure of the answer. If Logan knew how Christina felt, he'd be gone so fast he'd leave skid marks on the floor.
Justice Healed Page 18