by Rebecca Deel
Customers drifted in and out, some purchasing books, some browsing and doing their best to learn what happened to Judge Reece. So far, the grapevine had missed the early morning excitement. Wouldn’t last. She figured noon at the latest before the news broke around town.
Fifteen minutes before the Christie ladies were due, Serena Blackhawk arrived, two trays in hand, one loaded with assorted cookies, the other bearing blueberry muffins. She laid them on the coffee bar counter which separated Del’s bookstore from Madison’s yarn shop, the Bare Ewe.
“Morning, Del.” Serena smiled at her, sympathy in her blue eyes. “Heard you and Ivy had more excitement overnight.”
“Your brother came to our rescue.”
“He’s good at that.” She removed plastic wrap from the trays and rounded the coffee counter to brew a pot for the store’s customers. “Ruth asked for cookies and muffins for this morning’s book plot discussion.” Serena wrinkled her nose. “For some reason, the scent of cookies and muffins is bothering me today. Want any tea?”
“Sounds perfect. Josh made mint tea that tasted wonderful.”
“Excellent suggestion.” Serena smoothed her blond hair behind her ear and pulled two mint tea bags from the dispenser on the counter. “I’m looking for a good book for Ethan’s birthday. Any suggestions?”
“A new Clive Cussler book came in yesterday. He’ll like the latest John Sandford, too.”
“I’ll take both. Maybe we can introduce him to a new author soon.” She laughed. “Not that he has much time to read these days. He’s always at someone’s beck and call.”
“Does he like his job?”
“Most of the time. He hates the politics, though. Ethan’s a cop at heart, not a politician. He’d love to pass that responsibility to someone else. Too bad it’s part of his job description.”
Del considered her recent interactions with him. “He’s good with people. This isn’t just a job to him. Ethan seems to care about those he encounters.”
Serena beamed. “Thanks for saying that. I think so, too.”
“You’re totally in love with him.”
“He’s amazing. I’m so blessed to have him in my life.” Serena checked the two mugs of tea. “The magic elixir is finished brewing.”
“Serena, I didn’t expect to see you this morning.” Madison Santana mooched a cookie from the tray. “You brought my favorite cookies. I adore these chocolate chunk delights.”
“Special request from Ruth.”
Del’s gaze shifted between the sisters. The Cahill triplets were identical except for personality and Madison’s facial scar and a limp, leftovers from a devastating car accident a few years earlier.
Madison eyed the tea in Serena’s hand. “Feeling okay?”
Serena shrugged. “A little upset stomach.”
“What about you, Del?” Madison leaned closer to Del’s mug, sniffed, and locked her blue gaze on her face.
“Short on sleep, but otherwise fine.”
“Nick’s on duty. He’ll check on you during the day.”
Del smiled. “Aw, come on. Fess up. He might say he’s checking on me, but we all know Detective Santana is looking for any excuse to steal a kiss from his wife. That man is smitten.”
Serena laughed. “She’s got him nailed, Maddie.”
A subtle glow lit Madison’s face. “Like Ethan is any different.”
Ivy drifted up to the counter. “Okay, enough already. You’re making the single women in the room envious. Cookies!”
“If you want a chocolate chunk cookie, grab one now. Madison is crazy about them.”
“I don’t blame her. It’s chocolate.”
Serena finished her tea. “On that note, I’m off. I have Josh’s meals to cook this morning. Can’t let my brother starve.” With a wave at one of Madison’s customers who called out to her, she left the store and drove away in her yellow Volkswagen Beetle.
Two minutes after Serena’s car left the town square, Ruth Rollins strolled through the door. Del drew in a deep breath. “The grilling begins,” she murmured to her cousin.
After watching Del go into her store, Josh backed into the town square and drove to Highway 18. He needed to make purchases without leaving a trail. Feds were nosy.
On the highway, he accelerated. He checked frequently for tails, was relieved not to spot one. He doubted the murderer would follow him. A small smile crossed his mouth. Not yet, anyway. At some point, they would meet face to face. Josh welcomed the opportunity as long as Del and Ivy weren’t in the line of fire.
He pulled out his cell phone and punched in a number.
“Major, been a while.”
Josh grinned. “Too long, Alex. How you been?”
“Bored. Got something interesting for me?”
“Maybe.”
“When and where?”
“No questions?”
“What will I need?”
Just like that, his battle buddy committed to an unknown op, like he’d never left Delta. Man, Josh missed his unit. The men he served with always watched each other’s backs. His unit followed his orders without question. Though he loved being a town cop, he wasn’t used to a small playing field. In Delta, their field was global.
“Personal security detail. Have to work around Uncle Sam’s assets.”
Alex groaned. “Which ones?”
“Marshals, FBI.”
His friend muttered a few choice words about the competence of the alphabet agencies. “Still in Otter Creek?”
“Yep. This may turn out to be nothing, but my gut says otherwise.”
“Your gut saved our hides more than once. I’ve got some time. Why don’t I come down. The guys have been kicking around an idea, one you might want in on.”
“I’m not interested in full-time black ops work right now, Alex.”
“I’ll fill you in later.” The sound of a keyboard clicking drifted through their cell connection. “I need to wrap up a couple things. Look for me around six.”
“I’m staying with Mom for a few days. Dad left this morning for a three-night trip.”
“Oh, man. Time with the amazing Liz Cahill.”
Josh snorted. “You want her to feed you.”
“Guilty. Hey, you told me to keep my hands off Serena and now she’s married to that big bruiser, Blackhawk. Surely your mother will take pity on me and feed me. I can’t remember my last home-cooked meal.”
Alex Morgan didn’t have family, at least none who acknowledged his existence. They disowned him when he joined the military. Senator James Morgan wanted his son to be more than a front-line Army grunt. Fifteen years of silence from his parents and older brother. No one crossed James Morgan’s wishes. Their loss, Josh thought. Alex Morgan was one of the finest men he knew.
“Mom already thinks you’re one of her own. She’ll expect you to stay with us at the house.” Alex could help him keep watch tonight.
“I’ll bring my Go bag. Want me to alert the rest of our unit?”
“Roger that. Fully loaded Go bag, Alex. The perp is trained. See you at six.”
Josh ended the call, gut churning. He prayed all this precaution was unnecessary. However, he wasn’t willing to risk Del’s life by being unprepared.
Thirty miles later, Josh exited Highway 18, drove into Westchester and parked in the lot of a big box store. He bought two pre-paid cell phones, then drove to the gun shop across town. He needed supplies not on the Otter Creek police department’s normal supply list.
He pushed through the front door and hailed a few retired military guys who liked to hang out in the shop with Harry Willis, the owner. “Where’s Harry?” he asked.
“In the back getting your gear ready.”
Josh wound his way through the store, stopped twice to look at a Desert Eagle and a Sig. Later, he reminded himself. He didn’t want to be gone from Otter Creek too long. He knocked on a door that was always locked. “It’s Josh.”
A series of locks clicked and the door opened to r
eveal the gray-haired former Marine. “Bag’s ready.” He closed and locked the door behind Josh. Harry’s sharp gaze settled on Josh’s face. “Flashbangs, grenades, C-4, detonators, ammo. Need weapons? Got a new Ruger.”
“Add it and more ammo. Rope, two mylar blankets.”
Harry added the supplies and said, “Ruger’s out front.”
Josh slung the bag over his shoulder and followed him from the storeroom. With no customers other than the former military personnel hanging around, Harry relaxed his vigilance. Those guys would watch for customers or nosy law enforcement personnel. Josh’s lips curved at the irony since he was now law enforcement. Harry didn’t seem to mind since he knew a little about Josh’s military background.
The store owner unlocked the gun case and pulled out the weapon for Josh to examine. The Ruger fit his hand like it was made for him. “Very sweet, Harry.”
“If you want to swap it for something else, bring it in after your op.”
“Who said anything about an op?”
Harry gave a bark of laughter. “This stuff ain’t standard cop equipment, son. You got a good team backing you?”
“The best. We’ve been through many firefights together.”
“If you need something else, get in touch. We’ll settle the tab later.”
With a nod, Josh left the store and piled the gear into the hatchback of his SUV. A glance at his watch and he slid into the driver’s seat. He’d been gone long enough he was feeling twitchy. He should head back to Otter Creek. One more stop to pick up lunch, then he’d check on Del and Ivy. Didn’t matter that one of his brothers-in-law would have been in touch at the first sign of trouble. He had to see for himself they were okay. He knew in his gut trouble was coming and he didn’t want to be separated from Del when it struck.
CHAPTER SEVEN
As the last of the Christie Club members exited the store, Del dropped onto a stool at the coffee bar. “I thought they would never leave.”
Ivy grinned. “Ruth Rollins is very persistent.”
“I was afraid to turn my back. She followed me all over the store and peppered me with questions. Now I know where Ethan learned his dogged persistence. I’ve never seen her so frustrated.”
“I wouldn’t want Ethan, Rod, or Josh mad at us for spilling information about the Reece murder.”
“I’m surprised Megan hasn’t tried to weasel answers from me.”
“Just a matter of time.”
The bell over the front door rang. Del turned, expecting to see Josh. Instead, Detective Nick Santana walked through the door, sunglasses pushed to the top of his head, a bag from Burger Heaven in one hand, two drinks in the other. The scent of grilled hamburgers with a side of fries reached her nose before Nick did. Oh, man, that smelled great. Her stomach, however, knotted, confirming the wisdom of asking Josh for a light lunch.
“Lunch with your wife, Nick?” Ivy asked.
“Best part of my day.” He eased onto a stool next to Del. “Ethan told me what’s happened since yesterday afternoon. You okay?”
“Sleep deprived and grumpy.”
He turned to Ivy. “What about you?”
“Ditto, except I’m not grumpy.”
“Staying with the Cahills should help you sleep better. Nobody will slip past Josh.” He studied Del’s face. “If you want to talk, Madison and I want to listen. We’ve been through similar circumstances, got the scars to prove it.”
Tears burned her eyes. “Thanks.”
“We’ll find this man and nail his hide to the wall.” His expression hardened. “He’ll make a mistake and we’ll nab him.”
Madison finished ringing out a customer with a huge yarn order and walked into her husband’s open arms. “Hi, sweetheart.”
A brief kiss, a longer one, followed by Nick’s husky voice. “Ready for lunch?”
“Starved. Ruth’s band of murder plotters descended like vultures on Serena’s cookies and muffins. I scored two cookies before they were gone.”
Nick chuckled. “Bet the intrepid ladies were buzzing about Reece’s murder.”
“They ganged up on me,” Del complained.
“Not surprised. Too bad Ruth is over seventy. She would have been a great cop.”
“Enjoy your lunch. I’ll watch the yarn store until Annie arrives.”
“Are you sure?” Madison asked. “The bookstore’s been busy all day.”
“We’ll handle it,” Ivy said. “Your helper should be here soon.”
Nick slid from the stool. “Come on, beautiful.” He handed Madison the bag of food, grabbed the drink holder in one hand and slid his free arm around her waist. “Yell if you need us.”
She waved them on. Ivy sighed watching them, wrapped up in each other. Made Del’s heart squeeze to see their happiness. “Sweet.”
“Think there are other men like him left in this world?”
“I do.” She wanted to see the same happiness on her cousin’s face one day. “The right man is out there, Ivy. Don’t settle for less than the best.”
Her cousin propped her chin on her hands. “Don’t worry. I’m never settling again. I learned my lesson with Lee.”
The front door opened. This time, Josh strode through with his own bag and drink carrier. He scanned both sides of the busy store. “Can you break for lunch?” he asked.
“We’re watching the yarn store for Madison. She and Nick are in the back.”
“If we eat at the coffee bar, we can watch both stores.”
“What’s for lunch?” Del peeked at the bag. “Nick brought Madison food from Burger Heaven.”
Josh froze, one hand in the bag. He glanced her direction. “You want lunch from there? We can save this for later.”
“You seemed to know what my stomach might tolerate when you left this morning.”
He shrugged. “Serena loves this deli. Says they have the best grilled chicken salad wrap. She’s hoping to sweet talk the owner into sharing her recipe.” He slid one wrap to Del, one to Ivy, and pulled out a third for himself. “I brought iced blueberry tea.”
“Oh, man.” Ivy moaned as she unwrapped her lunch. “This smells fabulous. Who needs Burger Heaven?”
Del sipped the tea. Oh, boy. She closed her eyes. This was so good.
“Like it?” Josh asked.
“Incredible.” She opened her eyes and smiled. “Thank you.”
Karen Kendall, one of Madison’s favorite yarn customer’s, strolled through the doors. “Hi, ladies, Josh. Where’s Maddie?”
“Lunch date with Nick,” Ivy said. “Need something?”
“My yarn order came in. Can you find it or should I stop by later?”
Ivy waved Del off. “I’ve got it. Eat.” She glanced at Josh. “Make her.”
Josh saluted her. “Yes, ma’am.” He turned his head in Del’s direction. “You heard the lady.”
She peeled the paper covering from her wrap. “Ruth came with her cronies today.”
“How did it go?”
“I probably have grill marks all over my body. Those women were merciless. I didn’t cave to pressure, much to Ruth’s disgust.”
Josh laughed. “Good for you. Anything else happen?”
“Like what?”
“Anything make you uneasy?”
She scowled. “The day is still young. The way my life is going right now, the next crisis is due to hit soon.”
Del and Ivy took turns answering questions, deflecting curious inquiries, and checking out customers. Throughout their meal, Del noticed Josh scanning the store and the street. What or who was he looking for? The man who broke in last night wore a mask.
Annie Jenkins breezed through the door. “Sorry I’m late.” She blew her silver corkscrew curls away from her mouth, brown eyes twinkling. “My dog escaped from the backyard again. I swear that mutt is part mole. Every time I turn around, he’s running around the neighborhood.”
“Why don’t you get a GPS tracking chip for his collar?” Josh suggested. “You’ll be able to
find him when he escapes.”
The grandmother of four tossed her shoulder bag in the cabinet under the cash register. “Great idea. Don’t know why I didn’t think about that before.” She grinned. “I don’t want to add to your pet rescues.”
Josh groaned. “Fluffy and I spend too much time together. I have a scar collection from rescuing that stubborn feline.”
“You, Josh Cahill, are a softie.”
“Don’t spread that around town. I’ll never hear the end of it.”
“You kids finish lunch. I’ll cover the register.”
“I’m finished.” Ivy crumpled her trash and threw it in the waste can. “I’ll unpack boxes from yesterday’s shipment, Del. Finish eating.” She left Del and Josh alone.
He polished off the rest of his wrap and policed his trash. “She seems better this afternoon. So do you.”
“Cops have dropped by all morning. I think the only person who hasn’t is your sister, Megan.”
He snorted. “She just put the weekend edition of the paper to bed so your reprieve is almost over.”
“I don’t want another inquisition. The Christie Club was brutal.”
“Tell her to harass her husband or Ethan for information.” He studied her face. “Will you answer two questions?”
“I’ll try.”
“Good. One easy. One hard. Which one’s first?”
“Hard.”
“Think back to yesterday at the Reece place. You and Ivy said you didn’t see the shooter. Did you see anyone before you went in the house?”
Del thought through their arrival. Broiling heat came to mind, but no people. “No one.”
“You returned to your vehicle and retrieved your laptop. Did you see anyone then?”
She started to say no, stopped, frowned. “A man in a truck drove by.”
“Recognize him?”
She shook her head.
“Description?”
“A baseball cap left most of his face in shadow. He did have dark hair, a square jaw.”
“Caucasian?”
“Yes and he was muscular. Not as much as Ethan or you. He looked tall. The top of his head nearly reached the cab’s ceiling.” She sighed. “This can’t help Rod.”