A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

by Wilton, Patrice

  He moved aside when they heard Moore’s footsteps returning. “It won’t. That I can promise.”

  She watched him check the bullets in his revolver, and click the safety. He secured his holster and gun, grabbed his coat and keys and headed for the door. “I’ll call you if I hear anything.”

  She walked with him, and whispered at the door. “You think he’s ever fired his weapon? He looks more nervous than me.”

  Ian winked at her. “Let’s just hope he won’t be tested. If you hear anything…or see anything suspicious, even if it’s just a gut feeling, you call me right away. You know my cell number?”

  “No. Write it down.”

  He handed her a card from his front pocket. “Here it is. Remember it. And go easy on him. He’s just a kid.”

  “So was Jessie James, and look at the trouble he got into.”

  Ian looked over her shoulder, and spoke to Moore. “I’ll be in touch. If I can, I’ll swing by around noon. Bring you some deli for lunch.”

  “Pastrami on rye?” the kid asked.

  “We’ll see what the day brings.” His hand was on the door knob, but still he hesitated, giving them both a long look. “If I’m not back until late, you all hang tough. Don’t be ordering anything, or answering the door unless you know damn well it’s me.” His eyes narrowed. “You’ve got this, right?”

  “Right. You can trust me, sir. My old man was a cop.”

  “Was or is?”

  “He’s dead, sir.”

  “What happened?”

  “Shot.” Kid shook his head. “Domestic disturbance. You know how that goes.”

  “Unfortunately. Sorry to hear it.”

  When the boy nodded, Ian mumbled a curse, then walked out the door.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Ten minutes later, Ian walked into the police station. Officer Stuart Barnes stood up. “Chief? What are you doing here? Thought you were supposed to be in a hospital bed overnight?” He took a look at Ian’s wrapped head and pale face, and grimaced. “You look a little worse for wear.”

  “I’m fine. Bit of a headache still, but sleeping in a hospital bed would have given me a backache too.” He hung up his coat. “Don’t want to be lying around when there is work to be done.”

  “West Chester’s got nothing?”

  “Not yet. Miss Holmes’ dog has gone missing. Son-of-a-bitch was brazen enough to just walk into her cabin and snatch him. Musta happened when I was lying on the floor next door, out cold.”

  “So if it is the stalker, you think he’s planning to hang around? Not on the run?”

  “I’d stake my life on it. Again, we don’t know for sure that it is him, but if so this Wharton guy came here for something, and he’s not leaving until he’s got it.”

  “Ally.” The older man bristled. “Well, he’s come to the wrong place. We take care of our own. Not like some big cities where folks will walk past a dying stranger in the street, or ignore a woman’s screams, afraid to interfere.”

  “There are good people in major cities too, but I know what you mean. Here, everybody knows everybody and with a sense of community like this, well, we’re all in it together.”

  Ian moved to the counter and used one of those pod things to make a cup of fresh coffee. He took a big sip and carried it toward his back office. “You heard from Finn?”

  “Few hours ago. He was heading home to catch a few hours sleep. Been up all night. “I’ve been waiting for him. Didn’t expect to see you though.”

  “I know I’m asking a lot, but you think you can hang here a little longer? I’ve got to get over to West Chester and talk to the chief.”

  “Sure thing. I’ve got this.” He rubbed his jaw. “Been here forty years and there’s never been anything like it in Heaven. First the Jenkins boys, and now this. It’s a real shame. Don’t want to see this town end up like the others.”

  “No, we don’t.”

  “Well then, don’t you worry about me. You do what you’ve got to do to catch this fellow.”

  “Got to make a few calls. Then I’ll be doing just that.”

  “Right, Chief.”

  Ian’s cellphone rang. “Chief Brown.”

  “Harry Bower.” He cleared his throat. “Got some bad news.”

  Ian’s stomach clenched. Had he found Ally? God no!

  “That dog you were looking for? We found him out in the woods, next to some tin cans. Looks like that young lady uses it for target practice.”

  “Dog’s dead?” Fury shot through him.

  “Hanging on by a thread. He was shot, probably left for dead. He’s been taken to the animal hospital. Not sure if he’ll make it though.” The chief cleared his throat. “We’re combing the woods. Guy’s here somewhere. Like a rat, he knows how to hide himself good.”

  “Has Ally been told?”

  “Not yet. I called you first. You want the privilege, or should I ring Deputy Moore?”

  “No, leave it to me.” He let out a weary sigh, hating to give Ally more bad news. She could be a tough cookie sometimes, but she had a soft heart. And he had a soft spot for her that was growing everyday.

  “I better get on over there and deliver this information personally. She’ll take it hard.” She hadn’t wanted the dog in the first place—he’d tricked her into it. He knew she kept her feelings on a tight leash, afraid to care, but she had a fondness for that pup. If he died, that would be one more thing this creep took from her.

  “You do that. And I know the kid doesn’t look like much, but Jake’s a good man. His father was one of the best on the force. Real shame about him.”

  “I heard. Give me about an hour, then I’ll join the search.” He clicked off and told Stuart what was going on, then grabbed his coat and headed out the door.

  When he returned home, he knocked softly on the door, and announced himself instead of using his key. He heard Jake tell Ally to go into the bedroom and lock the door, then he opened the front door a crack.

  “Okay. It’s you. Thought you were back too soon.” He stepped away, allowing room for Ian to enter.

  “Ally?” he called out. “It’s safe to come out.” He glanced at Jake. “You handled it good.”

  “That’s my job. I might be a rookie, but I know what I’m doing.”

  “Of course you do. Your chief speaks highly of you.”

  He stood a little straighter hearing those words, and turned to watch Ally approach. She looked wary, guarded, as if fearing the worst.

  Ian kept his eyes on her, wanting to take her into his arms and hold her tight while he delivered this chilling news. Unfortunately, Jake’s presence vetoed that.

  He shifted his big feet, looked down at the floor, then back into her green eyes. “Got a call from Chief Bower. They found Speed.” Her eyes took on a fearful look, and she wrapped her arms around her middle in protective mode. “He’s been shot, Ally. But he’s a fighter like you, and the vets have him now.”

  “He tried to kill Speed? Can I see him?” she whispered, and closed her eyes. When she opened them he could see that for now anger was stronger than grief. And was glad for it.

  He shook his head. “Soon. But I need you to stay here where you’re safe for a little longer.” Then he stepped forward, putting his hands on her shoulders. He didn’t care who was around, he had to touch her. Be there to hold her, if she needed support.

  Her eyes flashed fire. “I’m not going to stay holed up. Don’t you see, that’s what he wants! I’m coming with you and don’t you dare try to talk me out of it.” She glanced at Jake Moore as if enlisting his support. “We both are, right Jake?”

  So he was Jake now? Ian looked at the young man, almost resenting him.

  Jake wasn’t sure how to play it. He glanced from one face to another, then nodded his head in agreement. “Chief Brown, I think Ally’s right. We’re not doing any good sitting here. We need to be active, and if this jerk-face wants Ally,” his face flushed pink, “then maybe he’ll make himself easier to find. Either
way we’ll be of better use scouring the woods than playing a chess game here.”

  Ian marched into the center of the room, went over to look outside at the road beyond, calculating the danger, and wondering exactly where this madman was. If anything happened to Ally he’d never forgive himself. It would be worse than his partner’s death. Worse than anything he’d experienced both personally and professionally.

  “It’s too risky.”

  Ally had her hand on the door. “I’m leaving. You can come with me, or stay.” She dangled the car keys in her hand. “What’s it going to be?”

  Jake looked at her, his eyes wide with surprise, and a touch of admiration. “You should listen to Chief Brown,” he said in a hesitant voice, “he’s looking out for your best interests.”

  “My best interest is seeing Jimmy Wharton dead. Until then, my life will be nothing but misery and he will never let me be free.”

  She didn’t even grab her coat, but flung the door open wide. “Who’s coming?”

  “Stay with her,” Ian shouted to Jake, then ran for her parka and gloves and strode out the door. They were standing at the elevator as he locked the front door. He stormed over to them and whirled Ally around.

  “How the hell did you know he wasn’t standing outside the door? You took an unnecessary risk that was plain stupid and could have gotten all of us killed.”

  She glared back at him, her chin held high. “Who said he was a killer? He’s just a control freak. A stalker, who wants me. Not you. You’re not his type.”

  Ian wanted to shake her he was so mad. He held her by the arms and she struggled to get him off her, but he wouldn’t let go. “He shot your dog, left him for dead. He’s playing a twisted game, and I don’t know what he has in store for you.”

  Instantly he was sorry for the harsh words, as she sucked in a breath and her face began to crumple. The defiance slipped away and big tears slid down her cheeks. Her lips trembled.

  He dropped his hands. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  She ignored him. “Jake? Can I drive with you?”

  “Ally?” The door to the elevator opened and she stepped inside. Jake had a hand under her elbow, supporting her the way Ian had wanted to.

  He stepped in after them and didn’t say a word until they reached the ground level. “Your car out in the lot?” he asked the younger officer.

  “It is, Chief.”

  “Mine’s downstairs in underground parking. You both ride with me. No way can you leave this building by walking out the front door without backup protection. Got it?”

  Ally shot him a look that sliced him like a bayonet. “Whatever.”

  They didn’t speak again until they neared Ally’s cabin. When they arrived they found Chief Bower and one of his men. They’d been waiting for him.

  He looked surprised to see both Deputy Moore and Ally step out of the car, but nodded curtly at Moore and spoke to Ally. “Sorry we haven’t found him yet, Miss, but we will soon.”

  “Can I see my dog?”

  “He’s at the animal hospital in West Chester. Vets are working on him now.”

  She nodded and swallowed hard. “I’m only beginning to understand the depth of his cruelty. Please catch him,” her voice broke, “because if I see him first, I’ll blow him to smithereens.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Ally was dismayed to see that her quiet, peaceful cabin was being used as police headquarters for their search. Two men were standing around her kitchen inside drinking coffee. She wanted to shout at them and demand to know why they were lounging around her home when they should have been foraging through the forest to find Jimmy.

  She picked up her rifle without saying a word and Jake Moore stepped in front of the door. “I don’t think you’ll be needing that.”

  “I have a license for it, and my shotgun which I keep next to my bed.” She jutted out her chin. “I’m taking both.”

  “The chief removed your gun and your rifle is empty. You have two police units in charge of this investigation now. You should pack a bag, see to your dog, and I’ll return you back to the apartment where we can wait for the news of his capture.”

  “Traitor.”

  She ran to her bedroom, saw the drawer where she kept a spare gun was empty. Her skin crawled. Something wasn’t right. She could feel it in her bones. She glanced around, looking to see what was misplaced. The idea that Jimmy had been in her room, touching her things, made her queasy inside.

  She walked to the door and was about to leave when instinct made her turn toward the trunk she kept in the corner—the one filled with the teddy bears she’d bought on her travels. The lid was half open and the stuffed animals had their stomachs slit open.

  Her eyes filled with tears and a strangled sob ripped out of her. Jake was there in an instant. “Ally?”

  She pointed to her beloved teddy bear collection and couldn’t form words. His eyes regarded her with a look of sympathy. “I’ll tell Chief Brown.”

  She nodded, wanting to be alone for a minute. Her hands shook as she reached for one of the toys and held him to her heart. It was silly, she knew. They were only soft, cushy toys for children. But how could that evil man know how much they meant to her? Why did he have to take away everything in her life that she cared about?

  “Ian!” She half-ran out the door, only to collide with him as he entered. She clung to him for a moment, wanting to reassure herself that he was alive and fine. Furious as she was, she couldn’t bear the thought of him harmed. If anyone raised a finger to him, she wanted it to be her.

  “I heard,” he said softly, and not caring who saw that he put his arms around her and held her tight. “I’m so sorry.”

  “He’s a sick bastard and you have to get him, Ian. Promise me you will.”

  “I promise. He can’t torture you anymore. I won’t let him.”

  She lifted her eyes to his. “I need my rifle and I need it loaded. It’s the only protection I have.”

  “Leave it to the professionals. Those two guys in your kitchen? They’re sharp shooters.”

  “So am I.”

  He kissed her forehead. “Since you’re here, pack up some clothes and go back to my place to wait. I want to know you’re there. This guy’s been holed up for some time and he could be anywhere, hiding in one of these trees, just waiting to pop us off.”

  She shivered. “Please? Give me my rifle. I don’t feel safe without it.” Without waiting for a reply she pushed out of his arms and found the hidden key, then unlocked a cabinet where she kept her ammunition. It too was empty.

  “Who took my ammo?” She glanced at the men who stood next to the counter reading a map of the lake district.

  “Bower had it removed, Ma’am.”

  Ian stepped up to her. “I suggested he move it, for your own safety.”

  “You did that?” She sucked in a breath as her stomach clenched and roiled. Had he been snooping around her place while she’d been sleeping? Had he made love to her to win her trust? Who the hell did he think he was? She’d kept herself safe all these years and she would do so again. But she needed her weapons and all of her skills.

  She picked up her rifle and stormed outside to confront Chief Bower. “I need my ammo, Chief Bower. It appears to be missing.”

  “Sorry, Miss Holmes, but we can’t have you running around with an armed weapon. We have highly skilled officers here doing their jobs, and if things get heated you might end up shooting the wrong person.”

  “You don’t get me my ammo, then the only person I’ll shoot is—”

  Ian came up to her and took the rifle out of her hands. “She doesn’t mean that, Sir. And Ally, I know you’re upset but you can’t go around threatening the chief of police.” He shot the fellow officer an apologetic smile. “She knows her weapons and is as good a shot as I am.”

  She felt slightly mollified by that remark, but then remembered that he was the one who suggested they get rid of her guns and ammo and had told
them where to find it.

  “And you…” she sputtered, facing Ian. “You were snooping around my place. You made me trust you and then betrayed me.”

  Ian slung an arm around her neck, and forcibly stepped her away. “Ally. I’m not going to coddle you because you’re too tough for that, but this is a dangerous situation and you shouldn’t be here.”

  She was seething, but somewhere deep inside of her she knew it was probably true. No one could really protect her, if like Ian said, Jimmy was already watching them from his perch in one of the thousand trees surrounding this property. And she might be putting them all in danger. If he was half the shot Ally believed herself to be, he could easily pick them all off one at a time.

  Her shoulders drooped in defeat. “He’s taken enough. I don’t want to give him rein to take anymore.”

  “That’s my girl. Smart. Beautiful.” His next words were cut off when the first shot rang out.

  * * *

  Everything happened so fast that there was no time to think, only react.

  Ian pushed Ally down and shielded her body with his own, heading her back toward the safety of the cabin. The two men came rushing outside in full body gear, their assault weapons raised.

  Glancing back, Ian saw that Moore was down, bleeding but alive.

  Reaching the door of the cabin, he shoved Ally inside. “Lock it!” he shouted, creeping back into the line of fire. Shots still rained down on them, but he managed to get to Moore and pull him to safety. The sharp shooters scrambled around, shooting into the trees, firing at anything that moved.

  It was chaos and reminded him of the firefight that ended his career in drug enforcement. On that day his partner had taken one in his back. He’d failed to protect him, and he damn well couldn’t let that happen to the men here—or to Ally waiting and listening inside.

  During the shouting and sounds of weapons exploding, his ears were ringing and then suddenly stopped. Weapons were lowered and the silence was more terrifying than all the gunshots that preceded it.

  He knelt on the bottom step, still shielding the young Moore, when he looked up to see the front door of the cabin was wide open. Ally stood there, her tormentor behind her, a gun to her head. The guy looked like a jungle warrior. Wearing military-style camouflage clothing, black streaks running down his face, eyes crazed.