“I think you’re probably right. So how can I help you, Ian?”
“I’d love to know what James Wharton is driving right now. For starters. Also I’ll email you some old photos I pulled up. A driver’s license, high school graduation, and a college picture. Think you can run it through Sketch Cop?”
He knew his old precinct had a face recognition software system installed. Sketch Cop Facette Face Design was highly used among police units. They had sketch artists for their more serious cases, but for right now, this would work.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Fletcher answered. “I expect you’ll be up for awhile?”
“Yep.”
“Check back in about twenty minutes.”
“Thanks, bud.” He hung up.
“Ian?”
He turned to face Ally, who was strutting down the hall wearing a black lace thong and push-up bra. “I’m ready to model now.”
“I see.” His body reacted to the sight of her. A warning went off in his head. This was a woman who could get under a man’s skin and stay there. Ignoring the warning, he crooked his finger and beckoned her forward. “You ever do a lap dance?”
She laughed. “Nope. But seems like a good time to learn.”
She pushed his chair back and sat facing him, legs open, encasing him. She kissed him long and slow, and Ian’s last coherent thought was to hope Fletcher took his time with that sketch.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Ally had never been a sexual person, and she wouldn’t consider herself one now. But with Ian things were different. Perhaps it was because he was so old school and honorable that she liked to tease him and bring out the naughty boy inside.
Whatever it was between them, it sure helped keep her mind off what was happening outside. And if this innocent diversion could stop her from fretting over Jimmy Wharton, her dog Speed, then she was all for it.
And apparently so was he.
She kissed him for a long time and his breathing got hard. So did the rest of him. She unzipped his fly and stroked him, and he moaned in response. He traced the outside of her undies, making her wet.
He stood up, taking her with him. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her to bed. Then he dumped her on it, and jumped down next to her, bouncing a couple of times.
“You know we shouldn’t be doing this,” he said, between hungry kisses, hands roaming over her bare skin.
She quivered as he touched her, and knew they wouldn’t last long. “Is there a law against it?” she asked nibbling on his neck and guiding him between her thighs.
“I’m gonna make one.” His voice was guttural, his breathing hitched as he pushed into her.
She wrapped her legs around his back and held on, meeting his thrusts head on.
“Ian,” she gasped. “Don’t stop.”
She felt his chest rise and fall, his stomach muscles contract. He took her deep and she raised her hips off the bed to get even more of him. They were both panting, and when his cellphone rang, they ignored it.
She bit his shoulder, her fingers digging into his back. She cried out with pleasure as the tremors began. A moment later, he bellowed and came, then fell on top of her like a giant panda.
She giggled, and caressed his bare ass. “I forgot about your head. Are you all right?”
He kissed her softly. “Couldn’t be better.”
* * *
Ian knew he should get up, but her legs were still entwined with his, and the look on her face was of contentment and peace. The Jimmy creep had taken so much away from her—college, her family and friends, for a life on the run. Heaven had been a safe haven for her, and he’d now taken that too.
He just wanted to hold her for a little longer, make her feel safe. The fact she was still stroking him made it easy to ignore his instincts—the gnawing inside his belly to get moving, help with the search before Jimmy got smart and disappeared again.
“What’s going to happen now?” she asked softly, her finger tips running up his spine.
He kissed her cold nose. “You should stay and sleep. I should get back to work.”
“You mean go out? Leave me here?”
“No. Not tonight. But I need to be active in this investigation.”
“I know. I understand.”
Still, she didn’t move. She just ran her foot up his calf, and kissed his neck.
“Try to sleep,” he said and kissed her forehead.
They both heard his cellphone ring. He reached a hand out and fumbled in his jean pockets for it. “Finn?”
“The deputies searched the woods near Ally’s cabin. The dog’s still missing but they did find a trail of blood.”
“Shit.”
“I know. You going to tell her?”
Ian glanced at Ally, and knew she’d heard. Her eyes were wide, her mouth open, then she pushed away and began to sob.
“I’ve got to go. Keep me informed.” He hung up and pulled her into his arms, letting her cry it out. “The blood could be the stalker’s, not Speed’s. Or maybe another skunk. Who knows? We’re in the dark here. Don’t know who this man is, or what he’ll do.”
“But if he does hurt Speed, it’ll be my fault.” She clung to him, and cried some more.
“Nothing is your fault.” He swore. “How the hell did he get into your place and get the dog with a police car sitting outside?”
“Maybe he headed directly there while you were still knocked out.”
“Could be. Maybe he was expecting you to be home.” Ian stroked damp curls off her face. “Brazen son-of-a-bitch, I’ll give him that.”
“Don’t give him anything. He’s not worthy.”
“And that’s the truth.” He sat up, put his pants back on, and stood gazing down at her. “We’ll find the dog, and lock this animal up. I promise you that.”
She nodded, tears filling her eyes. “I believe you. It’s just that I’m so tired of being afraid.”
“You’re one of the bravest women I know.” He slid on his shirt and left her in the bedroom to get back to work. He went to his emails and discovered that Fletcher had come through for him. They had a composite sketch which he forwarded to the West Chester police and the make and model of the car. A 2012 Toyota Corolla in blue. Like a thousand others on the streets. It was one of the most commonly used cars in the country. Had it been chosen for that very reason?
He heard Ally in the shower and used the moment to update Finn on the latest information. Then he spoke to the West Chester chief of police.
“I want to come in. Tomorrow, first thing,” he told Harry Bower.
“Fine. We need a man with your experience.”
“I’ve got Ally here with me. Can you arrange for a deputy to relieve me and spend the day with her?”
“Sure. I’ll give you one of my best guys. This fellow’s crafty and he might have had a tail on her.”
“I’m thinking the same. He’s not running, so he’s biding his time.”
“Well, you stick close to her tonight and we’ll get someone over there in the morning by eight. We’ve got an APB out on him, and have leaked the sketch to the press. This is a small town. He won’t get far even if he decides to run.”
“Right. This cocky S.O.B. is giving me a headache. I don’t like headaches.”
“How strong is Miss Ally Holmes? Or more correctly, Allison Cornwall? Would she testify against him in court?”
“Sure enough. This lady’s got grit, and wants to nail this prick as much as we do. More.” He gave a short laugh. “I expect she’d kill him herself if she had to. Especially if he’s done anything with the dog.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
They rang off just as Ally came back into the room. She was wearing one of his plaid shirts. And her black lace thong.
Just looking at her made him want her again. But he wasn’t going there. It had to end. He got up out of his chair and went into the kitchen for a bottle of water, handing her one too.
&n
bsp; She gave him an inquisitive look. “No wine tonight?”
“No. I’m working.”
“Could have fooled me,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.
“I slipped up. You’re so damn tempting, it’s no wonder.” His eyes roamed over her, and he glanced away, taking a slug of water. “I need to stay focused, my head on the job.”
“Of course you do. But can’t you multi-task?” She unbuttoned the top button of the shirt she was wearing.
He stopped her from going any further and ignored her pouting look.
He had to stop sleeping with this woman. The moment the unsub was caught, Ally would be free to leave. A girl like her had places to go. She was smart, talented, and had years of living to do.
Not so with him. He’d done more than his share, now he longed for the quiet life, the peace he’d found in this pristine and friendly town. To him and the people who lived here, they’d already found a slice of Heaven.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Ian was up at the crack of dawn. He made a large pot of coffee and had some day old donuts in the fridge that he took out and set on the counter, wondering how he was going to tell Ally that she couldn’t go to work.
She needed to stay here, safe, protected, hidden. The restaurant was too big of a risk. It could easily turn into a hostage situation and neither Ally, Nick, or the deputy sent to protect her, would be able to do a thing. If the restaurant was crowded with customers, an officer’s hands would be tied. The best outcome they could hope for would be no shots fired.
He glanced out the patio window, sipping on his scalding hot coffee, when she came up behind him, still wearing his plaid shirt, smelling like spice.
She slid a hand around his waist. “Good morning. Where did you sleep last night? Your side of the bed was empty.”
“The couch. Seemed safer that way.”
“Safer for who? You or me?”
He smiled, caught up by her sassy pout. “You know the answer to that. I can’t control myself around you. It’s best if I stay clear of your bed.”
“You don’t look like a chicken to me. Always took you for a teddy bear.”
She waltzed over to the counter and poured herself a coffee, adding a big dash of cream. She sipped, and pinched an end of a chocolate donut to nibble on. Her eyes were on him.
“What’s up? You’re wearing your uniform.”
“Someone will be here soon to relieve me. I can’t sit still while this guy’s running loose.”
“I don’t need a babysitter.” Her green eyes flashed fire. “I’m going to work.” She glanced at the clock. “Not for a few hours, but I can hang here until it’s time to leave.”
“You can’t work.” He lifted his mug, appealing to her reason. “It’s not safe for Nick, you, the customers. Sorry.”
“Don’t tell me what I can or can’t do.” She slammed her cup on the counter, her body emanating years of angry frustration. “And where’s my dog?”
He gave her a sympathetic look, wishing he had better news. “Speed hasn’t been found yet.”
Her eyes welled with tears. “Well, somebody should be looking!” Her voice shook. “I don’t want that asshole to do anything to Speed. He’s just a dog. Jimmy doesn’t have to hurt him. It’s me he wants.”
Ian put his coffee down and walked across the kitchen to take her in his arms. He cradled her head against his chest, stroking her hair. Soft, purple-ish spikes. “It’s okay. You have a right to be mad. To be afraid.” His throat clogged and he coughed to clear it. “I promise you that if he’s hurt Speed, or hurts one hair on your head, then I will hurt him.”
“You’d have to catch him first,” she answered, pushing away. She folded her arms under her breasts and heaved a sigh.
“Exactly. And that’s what I plan to do.”
“Then go.” She shooed him off. “Don’t hang around here. I have my car, a change of clothes. I can leave when I’m ready.”
“You’re not leaving here. You can’t. You’re in protective custody until he’s caught.” His eyes searched hers, desperate for understanding. This was no time for her to be headstrong—she needed to listen. “The restaurant is out. If he knows where you live, he knows where you work.”
“What if you were with me?” she asked. “Or this guy who’s supposed to come here?”
“With customers around, or staff, any deputy worth his salt would hand over his weapon. He couldn’t chance it.”
“Great! Just great! Hand over his weapon to someone who might kill me. Now that’s the protection I need.” She hugged her waist, looking fragile in his shirt.
“Ally. If the unsub had a weapon on you, he’d have no choice. I would do the same.”
“Stop calling him the unsub! It’s Jimmy, and this is ridiculous!” Ally tossed her arms to the side, drawing strength from a place he couldn’t see. “If you can’t fire your own damn weapon, then I’ll carry my revolver and shoot the bastard myself.”
“Ally. Finish your coffee. Sit down with a donut. This will end today.”
She blinked rapidly. “You promise?”
“I wish I could, but promises have to be kept.” He kept his voice steady. “I can only hope that he wants you bad enough to do something foolish.”
“Well, then I should be at Nick’s. Right? No customers. A sign on the door saying we had a power outage or something. That could work. He’d see my car in the back.”
“It’s too risky. We can’t take a chance.” He paced the floor and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “Let’s play it my way for now. We want a quick, safe, and peaceful ending to this situation, and then to send him away for a long, long time.”
The doorbell buzzed, and after Deputy Jake Moore identified himself, Ian let him in.
* * *
Ally ran off to take a quick shower and dress, and when she returned to the kitchen the young officer was seated at the table, drinking coffee and eating a stale donut. He stood up quickly and introduced himself.
Her nerves were frayed, and she was in a bad temper. The dog she hadn’t wanted was missing, she couldn’t go to work, her stalker was back in control—and not one damn thing was right in her world.
She hadn’t even been able to entice Ian for another round in his bed!
She lifted her chin, nodded at Deputy Moore, but didn’t shake his hand. He looked about the same age as Finn and had longish, dark hair, and a big mustache that he began to stroke.
Anger and frustration made her blurt, “So you’re my guard dog now?” Ally didn’t want him here and had no patience for pretense. If she had to be stuck in this apartment all day, well then she wanted Ian to keep her company. But no. He got to run off and play cop, while demanding that she stay put. With a stranger who didn’t look old enough to shave, little alone grow the mustache he seemed so proud of.
“Here for your protection, ma’am.” The young officer glanced at Ian, a question in his eyes.
“I want Speed,” she said, sure she sounded whiny and ungrateful. Because she was. “He’s my German Shepherd pup.” Her voice broke. “He’s missing.” Ally put a fist to her mouth, and Ian put a hand on her shoulder, sensing that she was hanging on by a thread.
“I’m sure they will find him, ma’am,” Deputy Moore said quietly. “Is this your only entrance?” he asked Ian.
“There’s the balcony. But this is the fourth floor.”
“Right.” Moore opened the balcony and stepped out, glancing around. He locked it behind him when he returned.
“You face the street,” he said as if Ian might not have noticed that fact.
Ally snatched up one of the donuts and bit into it, needing to put something in her mouth to keep the ugly words and thoughts from spilling out. She was seething mad, wanting to scream and to lash out.
It was so unfair. Why did her life have to be turned inside out? She liked it here. She loved Nick and Jennie and the kids, her job, the sweet town, and the peaceful cabin by the lake. Jimmy Wharton was pure evil, a man
who destroyed and made the world an ugly place. He needed to go and to be punished. Not her.
“It’s cheap,” Ian answered Moore, but his eyes were on her.
She knew he was worried about how she’d be when he left, but she didn’t have the energy to reassure him and send him off with a cheery smile. It was all she could do to remain standing, and not break down and cry.
Deputy Moore nodded. “Just a statement, sir. Easy to watch.”
“Agreed. I recognize that.” Ian glanced out the window again. “Don’t even have any damn blinds.”
“Ma’am, I’ll have to ask you to refrain from going outside, or standing near the windows,” Moore said, sounding to Ally like a B actor playing Robocop. He had his hand next to the revolver on his hip, as if expecting someone to jump through the patio doors at any minute.
She swallowed nervously. All this high drama had her heart pumping. “You think he might try to shoot me?” she asked, glancing from one man to the other. “He’s a stalker. Not a murderer.” Her eyes dropped to the floor. “I think.”
“Well, until we know for sure we need to do what we can to keep you safe.” Robocop nodded toward the hall. “Mind if I check out the bedrooms?” he asked Ian.
“There’s only one. Go right ahead.”
While he was gone, Ian took a moment to hold Ally in his arms. He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. “I’m sorry. I know you’d rather have me here, but I have more experience on the force than most of the men, including the West Chester chief, Harry Bower. I’m needed, and I want to catch this creep as much as you do. For what he’s done to you. And for us.”
“Us?” She licked her lips, and her stomach fluttered. Was there an us, or would this fleeting romance disappear once the danger was gone? She had no answer, and doubted he did either.
“I have a personal interest now. You know I do.”
Her eyes clung to his. “Thank you.” She managed a brief smile, although her heart squeezed painfully. “Go, but be safe. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.”
A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION Page 28