by Chloe Lang
“I remember you saying that.” Jason tapped his pencil on the surface of his desk. “I think the key is finding Kaylyn’s dogs. Once we do, we might discover some link to the doctors. If those five did take the dogs, they couldn’t have stashed them far. We’ll find them, Kaylyn. I promise.”
“I’d like to interrogate the doctors. Ask Nicole. I was one of the best at getting perps to confess back in Chicago.”
“You know what, I think that’s a good idea. I’ve been meaning to deputize you both. Once you take the oath, it’ll be official and you can interrogate your ass off, Jaris.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Chance was clearly as surprised as he was. “Jaris and I are blind. What kind of deputies would we make?”
“It’s Dragon Week. There are a ton of outsiders in Destiny for the event. I need you. With or without your eyes, you two are massive and intimidating. Add Sugar and Annie to the mix and nobody is going to mess with you. Plus, both of you see more than most with your other senses.”
“Sheriff, are you sure?” Jaris reached in his jacket pocket and touched the handle of his ever-present gun. It had been ages since he fired it.
“More than sure. You’ll be given radios. If there’s anything you need backup on, Nicole and I will be right there.”
“We’ll I’m not convinced,” Chance said.
“Maybe these will help both of you.” The sheriff opened one of his desk drawers. “These are your badges.”
Jaris wrapped his fingers around the shield and smiled.
“Seriously, Jason. I’m willing to help you in any way I can, but I can’t carry a badge, even a deputy sheriff’s badge.”
“Really, Chance? You and Jaris saved Kaylyn. You acted quickly and responsibly. You gave us the clues, which resulted in us bringing in Potter and his gang. Sounds like good police work to me. Does it to you?”
“It feels good to have a badge in my hand, Sheriff.” Jaris turned to Chance. “Buddy, you are capable of so much. Besides, being deputies will allow us a leg up on keeping Kaylyn safe.”
“I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Chance, I know you and Jaris would make wonderful additions to Destiny’s law enforcement team.” Kaylyn’s voice was full of pride and admiration.
Jaris imagined she was looking at Chance and smiling. When he felt her grab his hand, warmth spread through him.
Keep your head. She belongs with Chance, not you.
“If Kaylyn and Jaris both think we can do the job, who am I to stand in the way?” Chance laughed. “When do we start?”
“Right away. Raise your right hands, gentlemen, and repeat after me.”
Taking the oath of office, Jaris’s life had come full circle. He was going to be a cop again. That miracle should’ve been enough to satisfy him, but it wasn’t. He inhaled Kaylyn’s scent and knew nothing would be enough for him ever again. Didn’t matter. Even if he didn’t get his heart’s desire, she and Chance would be happy together. That had to suffice.
Chapter Seven
In the wheelchair next to Chance, Kaylyn stared through the one-way glass into the interrogation room. The man sitting in the metal chair at the table seemed cocky. He had a receding hairline. He looked to be in his midforties. Slim stature. Dark eyes.
This is my shooter.
She trembled, wondering if he was somehow connected to Lunceford. Maybe Potter’s and his friends’ stories were true. Maybe everything that happened had been just an accident of poor timing and judgment.
That didn’t explain Rex, Blue, King, and Rosie still being missing. Where were they? So many questions and not enough answers.
Chance touched her cheek. “You doing okay?”
“Yes, but I’m ready to hear what this guy has to say.” She sighed, closing her eyes. Answers. That’s what she needed and fast.
“Me, too.”
Doc had told her she couldn’t work with dogs for a week. Even if the four were found today, she wouldn’t be able to help Jaris and Chance with their final training. “I’m going to have to call the new owners and tell them we don’t have their dogs ready.”
“Sweetheart, don’t lose faith. We’ll figure it all out together. If they have to wait a few days longer, that’s not a big deal.”
“But if we don’t find the dogs, they’ll have to wait at least three months for us to get four more dogs up to par.”
“We’ll find them. You’ll see. Jaris will find out the truth. Maybe even today. I have all the confidence in him in the world.”
“I do too, Chance.”
The sheriff marched into the interrogation room with Jaris, who had Sugar by his side.
Dr. Potter sat up straight, staring at the black German shepherd with wide eyes. “Why is this dog here?”
“Relax, Doctor,” the sheriff said. “My associate is blind. This is his service dog. You have nothing to fear.”
Kaylyn knew better. If Potter made any threatening move toward Jaris, Sugar would rip the guy apart.
Jaris reached out with a trembling hand, acting as if he was completely helpless, which she definitely knew he wasn’t. “Where’s my chair, Sheriff?”
Jason took Jaris’s wrist and moved his hand to the back of the chair. “Here it is, Deputy.”
“Deputy?” Potter looked back and forth from the sheriff to Jaris. “What kind of crazy town is this?”
“It’s my town, Doctor. This is Deputy Simmons.”
Jaris smiled, taking a seat directly across from the man. “I can understand why you think it’s strange. Destiny isn’t like anywhere else in the world. The citizens here take chances on people like me. Stay a little while and this place will grow on you. It has on me.”
She smiled, liking how Jaris described her hometown. It was unique and special, just like him.
“It would be easier to like if I weren’t in jail, Deputy.”
“I agree. Once we get to the bottom of this, perhaps you won’t have to stay in here any longer.” Jaris’s demeanor was warm and charming. It was clear he was trying to break the ice with Potter, to get on the man’s good side. Very impressive. Though she’d worked with him training dogs for some time now, she’d never seen this part of him before. He must’ve been quite the detective prior to losing his sight. “Before we get started, would you like something to drink?”
Potter smiled broadly. “I sure would. I’m trying to keep my weight down. Do you have Diet Coke, Sheriff?”
Jason nodded, stood, and left the room.
“What’s your background, Deputy? Your boss asked me and my friends a bunch of questions. That cute deputy did, too. What was her name?”
Nicole.
“Doesn’t matter, Dr. Potter.” Jaris smiled, patting Sugar on the head. “I just have a few things to ask you. That’s all.”
“Like what?”
“I hear you came to Colorado to hunt. Could you tell me about that?”
Potter went into great detail about how he and his friends had come up with the trip. They’d learned that you didn’t have to have a license to hunt coyotes in the state. They’d bagged three.
The sheriff returned with a Diet Coke and placed it in front of their prisoner.
“Thank you.” Potter popped the top and took a drink.
Jaris continued questioning the guy, clearly probing for cracks in his story.
“Jaris is doing a great job.” Chance placed his arm around her shoulder. “I bet the guy is sweating bullets by now.”
She stared directly at the man. “Not yet. Potter doesn’t seem rattled one bit. Everything he’s saying sounds reasonable to me. Maybe this is just an unfortunate turn of circumstances and has nothing to do with Kip Lunceford.”
“Doctor, when your gun misfired, what did you hear?”
“I don’t know what you’re getting at, Deputy.”
“You were out in nature. There are plenty of noises. What did you hear?”
“Birds, mostly.”
“Anything else?”
�
�A waterfall. We parked both our trucks near it.”
“Where were your friends when your gun went off.”
“By the trucks.”
“And you?”
Potter shrugged. “A little bit away from them. I’m not sure how far.”
“Five feet? Ten? Thirty? Approximately how far?”
“A hundred yards, maybe. Like I said, I’m not sure.”
“Did you hear anything else?”
“No.” Potter leaned back in his chair, going on and on about how much he enjoyed hunting.
“What kind of medicine do you practice in Salt Lake?” Jaris’s question seemed to stump the man, as his eyes narrowed.
In an even tone, Potter answered, “I’m just a regular doctor, Deputy.”
“We sure need more of those. What about your four friends? Do they specialize in anything?”
“Go, Jaris,” Chance whispered, even though he couldn’t be heard in the other room. “You’re onto something.”
She agreed. Potter’s face was tight. What was the man hiding?
Potter shook his head. “You’ll need to ask them, Deputy. We don’t share patients.”
Suddenly, Jaris switched gears, asking all sorts of unrelated questions. Was Potter married? Kids? How long had he practiced in Utah? Had he practiced anywhere else?
Potter’s answers were short and to the point. It was clear that the man was clamming up. Jaris was getting to him.
“What medical school did you go to, Doctor?”
Potter frowned and turned to the sheriff. “I’ve answered all your questions and still you keep grilling me. I feel awful that someone got shot because of my gun misfiring, but I’m not a criminal. I’ve answered all the questions I’m going to answer until my attorney arrives. That’s within my rights, isn’t it?”
“Relax, Doctor.” The sheriff stood. “We’re only trying to make sure we report everything accurately.”
“Just doing our jobs.” Jaris also stood. “You’ve been most helpful, Dr. Potter. Thank you for your cooperation on this.”
Potter smiled, the lines in his face softening. “You’re very welcome, Deputy. Tell me, how is the woman doing? She’s okay, isn’t she?”
Jaris’s eyes narrowed slightly for a brief second. “She’s in good hands.”
* * * *
Sitting in her wheelchair, Kaylyn waited in the band’s trailer for the show to start. She took a sip of water and blew out a deep breath.
“You don’t have to go on tonight, Kaylyn.” Mitchell was the leader of Wolfe Mayhem. He was also a good friend. Mitchell was Jason and Lucas’s brother. The three Wolfe brothers were happily engaged to Phoebe.
“I told you. Doc gave his blessing. I just have to stay seated. I’ll wheel myself out in this chair.”
“You won’t be wheeling yourself out.” Chance stroked her hair. “I will.”
“And Chance and I will be next to the stage, ready for anything.” Jaris, like Chance, had become even more protective of her ever since the interrogation of Potter. Still, his demeanor had seemed off somehow since last night. “The first sign of trouble and you’re coming off the stage.”
She shook her head. “Nothing is going to go wrong.” But something was definitely wrong with Jaris.
“We have everything under control.” Chance placed his hand on her shoulder. “Jaris and I will do whatever we have to do to keep you safe from Potter and his buddies.”
“All those guys made bail,” Mitchell said. “Any word from Jena and her guys about what they’ve found on the information highway about them?”
“So far, everything lines up with what they’ve said.” Jaris leaned down and rubbed Sugar’s back. “But I know Potter is hiding something. The way his voice stiffened when I asked him about his practice tells me he’s lying. If anyone can get to the truth, it’s Jena.”
Kaylyn looked at Mitchell. “Seriously, I’m fine. I want to sing. Jason is keeping a detail near Potter and his friend during the whole evening.”
“I heard. Nicole is leading some of the team and Dylan the others.” Mitchell smiled. “Add to them Chance, Annie, Jaris, and Sugar on the job, any of those five doctors make a wrong move and they’ll be sorry they did.”
Hank, the band’s lead guitarist, came into the trailer. “We’re on in five, you two.”
“We’re ready.” She turned to Chance. “You really want to wheel me out?”
“I do.” He grabbed the handles of her chair.
Hank held the door open.
“Hold on,” Jaris said firmly.
“Don’t try to talk me out of this.” What is up with him? “Everything is going to be okay. I promise.”
He bent down and touched her on the shoulder. “Keep your eyes on the crowd. You see anything that doesn’t seem right, just say ‘I see a cowboy out there.’ That will tip me and Chance to get you off the stage.”
“That’s a great idea, Jaris,” Mitchell said. “I’ll keep my eyes peeled, too. If need be, I’ll pull the plug and help you get Kaylyn back to the trailer.”
She reached up and touched Jaris on the cheek. His stubble tickled her fingertips. “I promise. Now, can Chance take me to the stage?”
Jaris stepped back and his bearing turned dark and withdrawn again. “Yes. Let’s get her out there.”
She didn’t have time to ask him about it now, but she was determined to ask him at home tonight. Chance pulled her into his big arms and carried her down the three short steps. Mitchell lugged the wheelchair through the door and Chance settled her back down. He pushed her toward the stage.
Like everyone in Destiny, Kaylyn loved Dragon Week. It was one of her favorite events of the year.
She glanced over at the O’Leary family, the founders of Dragon Week and the town’s most loved trio. All three were in their eighties, but their advanced age didn’t slow them down one bit. They were vibrant, charming, and full of life. Though they were the richest family in Destiny, with an extreme wealth into the billions, they were the most generous and down-to-earth people she’d ever known. Patrick O’Leary, the Master of Ceremony and dragon expert, sat next to his wife. Ethel, who still was the county’s judge, looked gorgeous with her silver hair neat as always. Ethel’s other husband, Sam O’Leary, stood behind them, holding a walkie-talkie in his hand. Even at his age, Sam, like many of the locals, had volunteered for the event’s security team, which was double from last year. Had to be, since Lunceford was still on the loose.
Thinking about Destiny’s most evil enemy, Kaylyn trembled. Were Jaris and Chance right about her shooter? Did Potter have some connection to Lunceford? If so, did the bastard have her four precious dogs?
The stage was dimly lit but would be washed in light once Patrick introduced the band.
“How are you doing?” Big Jim, who played rhythm guitar for Wolfe Mayhem, looked at her with concern all over his face.
Godric, their British bass player, stood next to Big Jim with the same look.
“I’m doing much better. It’s only a flesh wound. That’s not going to keep me down.” She turned her head to Chance. “A little to the left and you’ll have me right at my microphone. That’s perfect. Thank you.”
He locked the brakes of the wheelchair and came to the side of her. “Sweetheart, I love you.”
Utter joy filled her entire being. How long had she wanted to hear him say those three precious words to her? Since last night he’d said them many times. “I love you, too.”
He pressed his lips to hers, causing butterflies to take flight inside her. “Jaris and I will be only steps away. Use your eyes. Say those words.”
She grinned, loving how protective he and Jaris were being with her. They made her feel so safe. “I remember. I’m to say ‘I see a cowboy out there.’”
“That’s my girl.”
She reached down and patted Annie. “Unless you and your master want to be part of the show, girl, you better lead him off the stage.”
Another kiss, and then Chance m
oved away.
Her eyes wandered over the crowd, which was clearly bigger than last year. Dragon Week continued to grow and grow. There were people here from around the country and the world. There were attendees from as far away as China, Nepal, Australia, South Africa, and more.
She spotted familiar faces. Nicole and her two husbands, Sawyer and Reed. The three were obviously keeping watch for any sign of trouble. On the front row was one of Kaylyn’s dearest friends, Paris. Paris sat with some other locals, but there was no sign of Doc or Mick Ryder. Kaylyn wanted her friend to find love, like she had just yesterday.
A spotlight came on, illuminating the O’Learys. The crowd went nuts, coming to their feet and cheering. The energy was incredible.
Patrick held a microphone. “Welcome, believers.”
More applause.
Godric stepped next to her, and in his typical British accent said, “This is quite the party, isn’t it, Kaylyn?”
“Yes, it is.” Like her, he was new to the band. Unlike her, this was his first time at Dragon Week.
Patrick continued with the introductions, explaining some of the things that would be happening over the week.
She closed her eyes, getting her mind settled on the set they’d picked out for tonight’s performance. She loved singing almost as much as she loved training her dogs.
When she opened her eyes, her heart nearly stopped when she spotted her shooter sitting five rows back in the audience. She was about to say the words that would bring Chance and Jason running, when she saw who was right behind Potter. Jason and Dylan.
She took a deep, calming breath.
Patrick continued, “Please put your hands together and welcome, Wolfe Mayhem.”
Mitchell hit the snare three times, setting the beat.
She began singing their opening number.
Chapter Eight
Kaylyn stared at Jaris standing by her front door with Sugar. “I’ve already talked to Belle. You don’t have to go check on the boys.”
Chance sat next to her with Annie at their feet. “Buddy, you should listen to her. You know how she likes to get her way.”