A Woman to Die For

by Erin Wade

  Why purchase a gun if she wouldn’t use it?

  “For protection,” she mumbled.

  But she has Bear. He’s protection enough and better than any gun.

  The chiming of her phone pulled Shay away from her dark thoughts. Katie’s beautiful face graced the screen.

  “Katie, oh God,” Shay gasped.

  “What’s wrong, baby?”

  “Where are you?” Shay demanded.

  “In Washington,” Katie blurted. “You know where I am. Why do you ask?”

  “Your jet is at the airport.”

  “Yes, my pilot returned so he could see his daughter’s one-act play competition tonight. Shay, what’s going on?”

  “David’s been shot!”

  “And you think I did it?” Katie sobbed. “Shay, how could you?”

  “Katie, no! I—” But Katie was gone. Only silence remained on the line with Shay.

  She redialed the brunette’s number, but it went straight to voicemail. She’s turned off her damn phone. What can I do? I must talk to her, tell her I believe in her.

  Shay rushed to her desk, turned on her computer, and logged onto Face2Face. “Katie, please talk to me,” she typed. “I don’t think you had anything to do with David’s shooting. He’s doing fine, by the way.”

  While she waited for a response, Shay called Beverly Wyatt. “I’m sorry to bother you at home,” she said when the detective answered the phone. “But I just spoke with Katie Brandt, and she’s in Washington. She’s not your shooter.”

  “Was she on her cell phone?” Beverly asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Then she could have been anywhere.”

  “Did you speak with her pilot?” Shay said.

  “Not yet, but I will tomorrow,” Beverly informed her.

  “He will tell you Katie’s still in Washington,” Shay said. “Don’t waste your time looking for Katie and let the real shooter get away.”

  “I don’t need you telling me how to do my job, Dr. Copeland,” the detective said.

  Shay hung up the phone and tried to decide how to reach Katie’s pilot. She didn’t even know his name. Tomorrow I’ll go to the airport and see if I can get a phone number for him, she thought.

  Chapter 39

  Shay awoke from a restless sleep and looked at the clock. “Six o’clock?” she mumbled as she turned over and burrowed back into the covers.

  At 8:05 Shay called the airport and inquired about the pilot of Katie Brandt’s plane. “This is Dr. Shay Copeland. It’s imperative that I get in touch with him.” She knew her doctor’s credentials would get her more cooperation than being a plain Jane.

  “That boat has sailed,” a young woman informed her. “Or should I say that plane has flown?” The woman giggled at her own wittiness. “It took off at seven thirty this morning. Hang on. I’ll check the flight manifest and see when it’s scheduled to return.”

  Shay waited impatiently until the woman finally came back on the line. “Looks like he went to Washington to pick up Mrs. Brandt. According to the manifest, they should be in around seven tonight.”

  She was telling the truth. She thanked the woman and ended their connection. She texted Katie. “I know you’re angry with me, but I’ll be at the airport tonight to pick you up.”

  A text dinged into Shay’s phone. A single digit was in the message: “7.”

  ##

  Shay showered and dressed in her navy slacks and jacket. The white silk blouse gave her the look of casual elegance. By ten o’clock she was making her rounds at the hospital. Her first stop was David’s room.

  David’s handsome face was almost as pale as the pillow he rested on. “Hey, Doc,” he croaked. “Am I going to live?”

  Shay frowned at him. “Yes, but just barely. You gave us quite a scare.”

  “They told me you saved my life,” he said.

  “I just happened to be the surgeon on duty.” Shay bowed her head. She didn’t tell him she had no idea she was operating on him until after it was over.

  “I thank you.” David tried to move and moaned with pain.

  “Let me help you.”

  Shay raised the head of the bed and held a straw to David’s lips so he could sip some water.

  “What happened, David?” she asked.

  “She shot me, Shay. She tried to kill me.”

  “She who?” Shay asked.

  “Katie,” David declared. “Katie wants me dead.”

  “Did you see her?” Shay scowled.

  “Of course I did!”

  “David, Katie was in Washington yesterday. She won’t be back here until sometime tonight.”

  David glared at her. “You don’t believe me,” he rasped. “You think I’m lying.”

  “Did you get a good look at her?” Shay asked again. “I mean, is it possible it was someone else in the shadows or something?”

  “The lights were on. It was bright as day.” David’s face contorted in disbelief. “It was my wife. I swear, Shay.”

  Shay was still processing the latest turn in events when the door opened.

  “Knock, knock,” Detective Wyatt said as she entered the room. “How’s your patient, Dr. Copeland?”

  “He’s doing as well as expected,” Shay replied.

  “I went to your home,” Beverly said to David. “I recovered a Kimber 38. Two bullets have been fired from it. I’m taking it to forensics to check for fingerprints and see if the slug Dr. Copeland pulled out of you was fired from it. I’ll also check the registration on it.

  “Are you sticking with your statement that Katie shot you?”

  “Yes,” David snapped. “I want to press charges. I want her tried for attempted murder.”

  Beverly nodded. “I’ll stop by tomorrow when I have the forensic report on the gun and help you file your complaint.”

  “I’ll leave you two to talk,” Shay mumbled as she left the room. Her head was spinning. Katie had purchased a Kimber 38. But Katie wasn’t a stupid woman. There was no way she’d leave the gun at the scene of the crime.

  ##

  It was still daylight when the jet landed and coasted down the runway to the hanger marked Brandt Technologies. Shay was standing at the foot of the stairs when Katie and Bear stepped onto the ramp. Bear’s tail beat a staccato rhythm against the door as he spied Shay waiting for them.

  Katie slowly descended the ramp, keeping Bear at her side. She said nothing until she stopped to stand in front of the blonde.

  “Shay, I—”

  Shay’s lips interrupted her statement as she pulled Katie into her arms and kissed her as if her life depended on it.

  “Oh my,” Katie sighed as Shay pulled back from her. “I thought you were upset with me.”

  Shay smiled. “I could never be upset with you.”

  “I’m not upset with you either,” Beverly Wyatt taunted, “but I do have a warrant for your arrest.

  “Katie Brandt you are under arrest for the attempted murder of David Brandt.” Beverly clamped the handcuffs on Katie. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in court. You have the right . . .”

  Bear crouched, ready to maul his human’s attacker. “No, Bear,” Katie commanded.

  “Grab him,” Beverly instructed the uniformed policeman with her. “We’ll put him in the animal shelter.”

  “No!” Katie pleaded. “Shay, please take him with you. Call Chandler and meet me at the police station.”

  “Where are you taking her?” Shay asked.

  “To jail,” Beverly grumbled as she jerked Katie toward the terminal.

  Shay called Chandler and informed him of what was transpiring. “Wyatt won’t tell me where she’s taking her,” Shay wailed.

  “Central booking,” Chandler informed her. “It’s in the courthouse on Bowie Street. I’ll meet you there.”

  Shay ran to her car with Bear and attempted to follow Beverly’s vehicle but lost it as they encountered the heavy downtown traffic. She told
her navigation system to take her to the courthouse on Bowie Street, and it began voice directions.

  Thirty minutes later she pulled into the parking lot of the complex that housed the courthouse and the county jail. Shay jumped from her car, locking Bear inside. She found Chandler arguing with an officer.

  “I have a right to see my client,” Chandler declared. “She’s being booked. You can’t keep me from talking with her.”

  The officer shrugged and motioned for Chandler to follow him. Shay ran to catch up.

  “Where is she?” Chandler demanded as Beverly stepped into the hallway, pulling the door closed behind her.

  “She’s being booked,” Beverly sneered. “You know. Fingerprints, mugshots, delousing . . . all the fun stuff.”

  “You’re actually enjoying humiliating her,” Shay said.

  “She bit me.” Beverly showed them an angry, red bite mark on her arm. “Bitch broke the skin. Now I need a tetanus shot.”

  “I’m sure you deserved it,” Chandler muttered as his phone rang. “We’re in central booking. In the hallway.” He gave the caller instructions.

  “I have an order for Mrs. Brandt’s release from Judge Hathaway,” Chandler stated. “Don’t you dare delouse her.”

  “Aww.” Beverly shrugged. “Too late. I knew she was at risk, so I had them do that first thing.”

  Shay clenched her fist to keep from punching Beverly in the face. She’d never wanted to hit anyone so badly in her life. She turned her attention to a young man sprinting toward them, holding out an envelope to Chandler. “The order.” He grinned.

  Beverly snatched the paper from his hand and slowly read it. “Seems to be valid,” she snorted. “Wait here. I’ll get Mrs. Brandt for you.”

  ##

  It felt like an eternity passed before Beverly returned with Katie. Shay wanted to cry. The petite woman looked like a drowned rat. Her long, dark hair was still dripping the delousing liquid she’d obviously been doused with. Her makeup was gone, and she looked exhausted.

  Shay took Katie’s elbow. “I’ll take her home,” she told Chandler.

  “That’s probably best for tonight,” the attorney said, “but I’ll need to meet with her tomorrow. I need to know what’s going on.”

  “It’s simple,” Beverly butted in. “She shot her estranged husband.”

  Shay steered Katie out the door and to her car, where Bear gleefully greeted his owner.

  “I’m taking you home with me tonight,” Shay informed her. “Oh Katie. I’m so sorry this has happened to you.”

  “It’s okay,” Katie mumbled. “I just want to get into a hot shower. They stripped me and doused me with cold water but gave me nothing to dry off with. I’m freezing.”

  ##

  Bear ran ahead of them and waited patiently for Shay to unlock her front door. She led Katie to the bathroom and turned on the hot shower. “I’m going to put Bear in the backyard and let him run. I’ll be right back.”

  Katie nodded and quickly stripped off her damp clothing.

  Shay took care of Bear then laid out a soft T-shirt and sweatpants for Katie to wear.

  Shay started her Keurig so the coffee would be ready when Katie joined her. She searched the fridge, cursing herself for having nothing on hand to feed Katie. She settled on hot ham and cheese sandwiches. At least it’s hot, she thought, pulling chips from the pantry.

  Shay had everything ready when warm arms encircled her waist, and Katie’s softness rested against her back. “Thank you for being there when the plane landed,” Katie murmured. “I especially liked your initial greeting.”

  “It didn’t exactly go as planned,” Shay said, chuckling as she turned to face the woman who now filled every facet of her life. She pulled Katie into her arms and held her tightly. “Mmm. You smell so good,” Shay whispered.

  “Good enough to eat,” Katie teased.

  Shay swallowed hard, avoiding the suggestive comment. “I made grilled ham and cheese sandwiches.”

  Katie held her gaze. “Thank you. I am hungry.”

  “Was your Washington trip successful?” Shay asked, carrying their plates to the breakfast nook.

  “Very,” Katie replied, “but I’m getting a lot of pressure to move along with the construction and development of the vehicles. David’s latest stunt will cause me so much grief. I don’t know what he’s up to.”

  “Do you have any idea who shot him and how your gun ended up at the scene?”

  Katie scowled. “No. I left my gun in my apartment. I’m assuming Beverly traced the weapon to me, or she wouldn’t have met me with an arrest warrant. That means someone broke into my apartment while I was away.”

  A short yelp at the back door reminded both women that Bear was outside. Shay let him in and opened a can of water-packed chicken to feed him. “This is all I have,” she explained to Katie. “I should run to your apartment and pick up his dog food.”

  “We’ll all go,” Katie said. “I want to check on things and see if my gun is really gone.”

  “You should pick up clothes for your meeting with Chandler tomorrow too,” Shay reminded her.

  Chapter 40

  Katie’s apartment was locked, and it appeared no one had entered it in her absence. She pulled open the drawer of her bedside table. “I’m not surprised,” she noted. “The gun is gone.”

  “You pack an overnight bag while I carry Bear’s food and dog bed to the car,” Shay said.

  Katie was ready to go when Shay returned. “Whoever broke in came for one reason and one reason only,” Katie surmised. “My gun.”

  As Shay drove from the parking lot, Katie reached for her hand and pulled it into her lap. “Shay, I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she said softly. “All of this is almost overwhelming.

  “I don’t know what David is up to, but I have a feeling it is some insane attempt to influence the judge’s decision in our divorce settlement.”

  “What’s the worst that could happen in the settlement?” Shay asked.

  “The worst-case scenario is if the judge splits my holdings in Brandt Technologies and F2F with David,” Katie explained. “We’d each have thirty percent of the stock, except David has one percent left from selling his original twenty percent. He’d have controlling interest in the company as the single largest stockholder.”

  “Chandler needs to make certain the judge understands that,” Shay advised. “If she splits your shares, she needs to split David’s.”

  “I’m just hoping she awards him everything but the stock,” Katie said. “She can give him the house, the plane, the lake house, the cars . . . everything. If she’ll just leave my stock intact.” She sighed and squeezed Shay’s hand.

  “And on another note, I think he shot himself,” Katie blurted.

  “Really? I don’t know,” Shay said. “Another inch and he would have been dead. The bullet was that close to his heart.”

  “David would know exactly where to put a bullet into his chest to keep from killing himself. I wish it had been closer,” Katie muttered through clenched teeth. “I wish he was dead.”

  Shay pulled her car into the garage and lowered the garage door before turning to face Katie. “Don’t ever say that again,” Shay said. “Even if you mean it, don’t ever say it out loud. If someone overheard you and testified against you in court, it would be disastrous for you.”

  Katie burst into tears. “It was a stupid thing to say,”

  she sobbed. “I didn’t mean it.”

  But in her heart Shay knew Katie did mean it, and she had to admit she understood why the brunette felt that way.

  Chapter 41

  The meeting in Chandler’s office was not a pleasant one. “Were you with others when David was shot?” the attorney asked Katie.

  “No, I was in my hotel room alone,” Katie admitted.

  “Did anyone see you? A maid? Room service? A concierge?” Chandler pressed.

  “No,” Katie muttered. “But I was in Washington. Question my pilo
t. He’ll tell you he left me in DC to return to Texas for his daughter’s one-act play. I’d intended to stay until the weekend. I called him back early to get me when I found out David had been shot.”

  “The prosecutors will suggest that he is lying to protect you. How do you explain your gun at the scene and your fingerprints all over it?” Chandler grilled the brunette.

  “It’s my gun,” Katie wailed. “Of course it had my fingerprints on it. I have no idea how it ended up at the scene of the shooting. I only know I didn’t put it there.”

  “I spoke with her while she was in Washington,” Shay volunteered. “Can’t someone verify that? I mean, they do it all the time on TV.”

  Katie perked up. “Yes, that can be done. I can go online and print out a copy of my phone calls, both incoming and outgoing. AT&T provides that information online to their customers.”

  “It will only verify a call between the two of you,” Chandler pointed out. “It won’t show where you were when you made the call. Do you turn on your GPS tracking?”

  Katie grimaced. “No. I don’t trust government agencies, so I make a point to disable my GPS tracker software.”

  Paranoid, Shay thought.

  “That’s a shame,” Chandler muttered. “It would have proven where you were.”

  “My phone would still ping off the towers in the area I was calling from,” Katie pointed out. “We just need to get that information from AT&T. I’m sure it will take a court order, but it can be done. Contrary to what you see on TV, they can’t always pinpoint the exact location, but they can tell if a phone accesses a tower in an area.”

  Chandler agreed. “I’ll make the necessary arrangements. I’ll also contact the judge. I’m sure Grafton has notified her of the shooting and informed her that David is in the hospital. They’ll try to postpone as long as possible.

  “When will he be released from the hospital, Shay?”

  “In a few days,” she said. “I’ll check on him after we leave here, but I don’t anticipate any complications.”