Vince stumbled back into the room holding a wooden frame. His gait was unsteady, but the tears were gone. The blood veins in his eyes rivaled those from old vampire movies. With a whoosh of air, he collapsed into a chair like he’d been on a forty-mile march. He dismantled the frame and held out the snapshot of Jessie for Rey to take.
“What kind of car does your wife drive?” Rey’s voice held a touch of sympathy, pulling Vince’s gaze away from the floor.
“A new Focus. Dark blue.” Vince’s eyes shifted from dazed to that of a wild animal. He sprang to his feet at the sight of Matt. “I gotta call Will and the boys. Get out.”
Rey stepped between Vince and the phone on the countertop. “Easy, Vince. We don’t know for sure she’s been kidnapped.”
Vince’s lips curled back over clenched teeth. “What the hell are you sayin’?”
“Have you two been having trouble?”
“My wife didn’t run off, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“You and I both know she’s left you before.” Rey softened his voice. “Last time it was over another woman. Have you been messing around on Jessie again? Maybe she found out?”
“Get. Out.” Vince brushed past Rey and grabbed the phone. He punched in a few numbers and stopped, his hands trembled. “You.” He glared directly at Matt, hate rolled off his body in waves. “Out.”
“Bring the picture, Rey.” Jake calmly crossed the room and opened the door.
Matt was the last to leave. He turned to caution Vince about staying on the right side of the law but didn’t. The lines of communication between the law and the bereaved husband had been severed. Matters would only get worse if they didn’t find Jessie. And soon.
Jake and Rey ran a GPS route to the grocery store then left to try and retrace the drive Jessie might’ve taken. Before he and Ash headed for the market to question her coworkers, Matt called in a team to canvas her neighborhood. Rob Thornton made a good impression on Matt the day they’d found Annie’s body. He assigned him the responsibilities of coordinating a neighborhood search and interview.
“If she’s not dead, she will be soon.” Ash spoke when they pulled onto the highway. He’d been silent since they’d arrived at the Bradley’s.
“Thanks for pointing out the obvious.”
“Just keeping it real.”
Ten minutes later Matt pulled in front of the grocery store. Maybe a dozen cars were on the lot. None matched the description of Jessie’s.
Jake called with news. Her car was sitting on the side of the road, keys in the ignition, and her purse lay on the seat. No signs of a scuffle, no skid marks, nothing.
Like Julia and Annie, Jessie had vanished.
Chapter Twenty
Friday, September 1st, 10:00 p.m.
Catherine hoped September would bring cooler weather, but she’d also asked Santa to bring her a pony when she was seven. Neither wish had been granted. The bank sign had flashed one-hundred-four degrees when she’d driven past on her way to the Saddleback. August had rolled through Texas with the same vengeance locusts sweep across the plains, leaving untold devastation. Spontaneous wildfires ate across the dry, parched pastures devouring homes, horses, and cattle like a ravenous army. Undermanned, volunteer fire fighters abandoned their jobs and families to battle against the hellish heat and wind.
Tonight the Saddleback was hosting a fundraiser for those honorable men and women with a pool tournament and dance to buy additional equipment. Catherine helped Marty hang flyers all over the county, and working at the bar was off the Never list for now.
Catherine glided around the building on a cloud, taking orders and delivering rounds. Her mission? Get back to where a gorgeous hunk and his friend, Ash Hunter, sat on stools. She understood as Sheriff, Matt couldn’t hang out at the Saddleback, but this celebration provided him the opportunity to drop by and say hello. When they arrived, Matt had leaned down and given her a quick kiss. Her heart literally soared when his gaze followed her movements.
His smile—the special one where one side of his scrumptious mouth tilted up higher than the other—pulled her to him. He brushed a wayward strand of her hair back, tucked it behind her ear, and let his fingers lightly trace the line of her jaw. It was a quick motion, probably unnoticed by others. Catherine’s world spun away, blurring her vision and hearing for a fleeting moment. Behind his blue eyes was a flicker of unhappiness. She’d noticed it a couple of times tonight but couldn’t ask. Not in here. Was he thinking about their relationship? Would he understand when she worked up the courage to tell him the cause of her nightmares? He valued honesty and truth in a person. She’d denied him both.
Oh, God. Matt was talking to her. She had no idea what he’d said. He caught her hand in his when he stood. Ash slapped him on the arm and headed for the men gathered around the pool tables.
“You’re leaving?” She hid her disappointment with a smile.
“Yeah. I told Rob Thornton I’d ride patrol with him tonight.”
“He’s the deputy you told me about?”
“Yeah. Call tomorrow if you’re up early enough for company.”
“I will. And I promise to be careful.”
He tossed her one last look over his shoulder when he reached the exit then disappeared through the door into the darkness. A noise behind her snapped her back. JC was rapping her tray with his knuckles.
“I’m going.” She laughed and headed out to collect empties and orders.
She made her way over to where Marty had the tournament brackets spread out across a table. She was setting up the Pairs round of competition. Rey Santos and Ash teamed up as partners in the final match. Catherine had never held a pool cue in her hand, and the players’ abilities fascinated her. She stopped and watched when she had a few minutes. At midnight, Marty sent the band on break and announced the final match of the night. Catherine wasn’t surprised to hear that Rey and Ash had advanced. Their opponents turned out to be two of the men from the County Patrol Group. A fun night edged toward disaster.
The group had driven back trails, farm roads, and highways, hoping they’d see something. No way could they cover the entire county. Not all fifteen-hundred miles of roads.
Tonight, they were blowing off steam, wisecracking about how inept the sheriff’s department had become. Catherine didn’t know much about Ash, but Rey came in on the weekend. She’d never seen him get angry, but he had the reputation for having a quick temper. It didn’t take Marty long to threaten Harvey and Danny with a forfeit if they didn’t shut their mouths.
Catherine relaxed when Ash and Rey won the match. While they argued over who kept the trophy, Marty made the announcement followed by her usual Dolly Parton goodnight. Catherine and JC wasted no time getting the tables cleaned and the chairs stacked while Marty shooed the last of the customers away. Ash stopped by on his way out to say goodbye.
“I’m riding with Rey. You want us to wait outside?”
“No thanks. JC walks us out to the parking lot. He makes sure we’re on the road before he drives away.”
Ash draped an arm over her shoulder and whispered, “You’re sure it’s okay? Rey and I are meeting a couple of ladies at the truck stop for breakfast.”
“Go. Enjoy. I’m closely watched when I leave.”
Marty dabbed the corners of her mouth while Ash walked out of the bar. “Excuse the drool. If I were a few years younger, I’d give that one the ride of his life.” She tossed Catherine a rag and joined her wiping down tables. “Let’s wrap this night up.”
****
Saturday, September 2nd, 3:45 a.m.
He wasn’t a last minute kind of guy. He hadn’t planned on following Catherine home. It wouldn’t do for someone to see him. Forgoing an evening with sweet Jessie was tough, but he’d made the right choice.
Tonight changed everything. JC had been all over her. How many times had he reached across the bar and touched her? He wouldn’t allow her to whore around. Mama fucked anybody who’d give her a drink, a
dollar, and a good time. No. Hell, no. He wouldn’t allow his doll to spread her legs the way Mama did. She should save herself for him.
His hands curled into fists, and he pounded the steering wheel a couple of times. Catherine belonged to him. A dessert you savored a long time, stroking your tongue across the sweetness, and letting the flavor soak in before you wolf it down. Not something you shared.
The time had arrived to track Catherine’s movements, lay some groundwork for when the time to kill Jessie came. Then he could move on Catherine right away.
Parked behind a row of scraggly trees, he waited. And waited. Soon he’d bust a kidney. He couldn’t open the door to piss. The damn overhead light would come on. The windows were down, but sweat ran from every pore. Running the engine was dangerous because somebody might hear. He reached over to start his pickup and leave when Marty, JC, and Catherine came outside. His hand stilled.
That idiot JC stood in the middle of the parking lot like he was on patrol. Pissing his pants wasn’t an option, but when JC yelled, ‘Ladies, start your engines’ his dick nearly popped a leak. Marty started her car and gave him thumbs up. God, this was too much. They both turned their gaze toward Catherine. Wasn’t that too fuckin’ sweet. They caravanned for safety. Little did they know, there wasn’t a safe place for Catherine. He’d take her when he got ready. Nobody would stop him.
She got inside her car, but a few minutes later popped out. JC hustled to her and sat behind the wheel. Shit, she was having car trouble. Too bad it hadn’t happened a few days later and on her way home. His gut slammed into a knot when JC put his hand on her. He fuckin’ touched her. Then he walked her to his pickup and opened the door for her.
There was no doubt he had to follow her home. If she let that sleaze ball JC into her bed, they both might die before morning.
The trip out the dark road was hair-raising at best. The only way to remain undetected was to turn off his lights, stay far enough back not to attract attention, and concentrate on the taillights in front of him. He came to a full stop when JC turned down a driveway. Hell, it looked more like a landing strip. He had to see, had to watch. He drove past the house and pulled behind a line of scrub oaks. This was dangerous and stupid, but his dolls weren’t sluts and whores. Catherine had better not let him down.
Lucky for JC, he dropped Catherine off and drove away. She’d redeemed herself. JC hadn’t fooled him, acting all chivalrous and shit. Maybe she turned a blind eye to JC’s motives, but they were clear as day.
Maybe he should keep an eye on her house. See who visited.
Sweet Jessie expected him. He’d promised to bring her something to eat. No fuckin’ way was he going out to the trailer. She’d begged him to lengthen her chain enough that she could reach the kitchen. But he wasn’t stupid. He’d have to go through and remove anything she could use as a weapon. No, it was best she only had access to the john. That was enough.
He yawned. Had to go home and get some rest. Missing another shift with the County Patrol wouldn’t be smart. Will’s schedule paired him with Vince tomorrow night. As an upstanding citizen, he’d be there. They’d drive the streets and back roads keeping a watchful eye on the young women. No one would disappear on his watch. How would he keep from laughing out loud?
Catherine’s house went dark. She’d sleep alone tonight. He pictured her naked body sliding into bed, and his cock pushed against the zipper of his jeans. “You want to get inside that, don’t you?” He rubbed his crotch. “Soon. For now, we wait. I’ll take a leak when I get home then I’ll take care of you.”
****
Saturday, September 2nd, 1:00 p.m.
“When we finish the dishes, I should be going. I didn’t want you to worry when you didn’t see my car in the drive.” Catherine hadn’t intended on staying, but Emma offered lunch.
“I’m glad you told me. You’re being stubborn to not take my car. It’s old but serviceable.” They stood side-by-side while washing and drying the dishes.
“There’s no way I’m leaving you out here alone with no means of transportation. It wouldn’t be safe.” Catherine rinsed a plate and passed it to Emma.
“You’re a sweet child.” She paused, her gaze drifting to the window, and her face softened. “My mother lived in the country all her life without a car. I have everything I need right here.”
“Thank you for the offer, but I’ve already made arrangements to be picked up today and Sunday.”
“Then you’ll take mine starting Monday. Discussion’s over. I insist.”
Catherine blinked back tears. Emma’s kindness knew no boundaries. The people she’d found in Butte Crest didn’t exist in today’s world. She must’ve driven into an old episode of the Twilight Zone.
“You make me miss my mother. She’d have loved you.”
“I figured you were alone. Too bad. A person needs family.”
“I have a brother, but we’ve been estranged for years. We talk occasionally but haven’t found firm footing, not yet. Too much happened. My fault...not his.”
“Guess I’ll have to step in and fill that void. If you’ll let me.”
Emotions flooded Catherine’s chest to the point of pain. From out of nowhere, memories of past friends and family who’d turned accusing eyes toward her made her heart ache. The pain hit like a powerful wave, knocking her off her feet. She sat down hard.
Emma quietly refilled their tea glasses and joined her at the table. “Carrying a burden around all by yourself can be mighty daunting. Thank goodness you’ve found a new home where people love and care about you.” She extended both her hands across the table. “You can finally lay it down. Leave it here with me.”
Tears flowed from Catherine’s eyes. A dam broke in her heart and words poured out, flowing fast like the river after a spring rain. The moment was surreal, as if her spirit hovered above her body while someone else unraveled the past and laid it out for Emma to see. The years of abuse, the cruelty, the belief she had no one and nowhere to go, spewed from her mouth. Bile rose and burned the back of her throat while she explained how she’d fought for her life then ultimately killed her husband.
“Emma, I’m responsible for taking another person’s life.” Self-recrimination Catherine thought she’d worked through bubbled out on a sob. The taste as bitter as it had been over a year ago.
Emma’s delicate hands remained on the table. Still open. Still waiting. She didn’t pull them away after learning Catherine’s horrible story. Catherine clasped them in hers and squeezed.
“Forgive yourself, child. No one else can do that for you.”
Catherine looked into Emma’s warm eyes. She showed no sign of blame or disgust. Her expression was understanding and love.
“You’re the first person I’ve told. Ever. Most of the time I don’t have to tell. Somebody recognizes me and calls the local newspaper. I left Oklahoma to get away from the shame.”
“You’ve nothing to be ashamed of. I didn’t run from the room screaming and hollering...did I?” Emma released her hands and retrieved a box of tissues. “Tell your story. Tell anybody and everybody who’ll listen. Gives folks a chance. They’ll surprise you.”
“It’s hard. I’ve tried, but I lose my nerve.”
“Better they hear it from you instead of on the TV. Sylvia Horning did an awful thing yesterday, telling how the sheriff let his partner get killed. Must’ve hurt him something powerful.”
“I didn’t know. Oh, Emma. Something was bothering him last night. You can bet somebody told him.” Catherine’s lunch soured. Why hadn’t she followed him outside? She wanted to run to him and hold him in her arms forever.
“The Horning woman said he failed in Houston and came here to hide. She’s a mean-spirited woman, that’s what she is.”
Catherine’s heartbeat jumped when she glanced at the clock on the wall. “I don’t believe the time got away from me. I have to run. Marty will be here soon.” She hugged Emma close. “Thank you for listening. And for believing in me.”
****
Saturday, September 2nd, 4:00 p.m.
Staking out her house was turning into a fuckin’ disaster. Things turned for the better when JC called. It seemed he’d told Catherine he could get her a good deal at the garage. Who the fuck did JC think he was promising shit he had no control over?
Nothing had happened except for Catherine running up to the main house. An old woman let her in, and she’d stayed inside for a long time. When she finally came out, she’d hit the ground at a run.
Wasn’t long after, Marty pulled into the drive and honked. Catherine, all dressed up in her western clothes ran out and jumped in the car. Soon as they left, he was taking a quick leak and then he’d go straight to the trailer. Jessie would be hungry. He was too. Hungry to have her red lips wrapped around his cock. He’d feed her all right. She’d earn every bite.
He let Marty and Catherine get out of sight before unzipping and taking a pause for the cause. He’d slid behind the wheel when a red pickup came into sight. His fingers squeezed together in fists. JC in his big Dodge Ram and oversized tires. What the fuck was the sonofabitch doing? Did he think Catherine was still here? JC parked on the road and crept around the main house to the back carrying a small package. The sneaky bastard disappeared.
The hornets’ nest woke up with a vengeance. The buzzing in his ears grew louder, and his jaw hurt. His mouth tasted like iron. Shit, he’d bit a chunk out of the inside of his cheek.
Ten minutes later JC came back, got in his truck, and drove away. Stupid fucker discovered she wasn’t home, but the package was gone. What’d he leave her?
He hiked a good two blocks down the road before cutting through the pasture and coming up behind the small house. Goddammit, the old woman had come out. She was looking around. Had she seen JC? He leaned flat against the back of a rundown barn. He had no excuse for being on the property. What if she caught him? Shit, he’d have to kill her. No way was he explaining what he was doing out here. He could see the top of her head from his vantage point when she walked back down the drive and disappeared into the main house. No reason to turn back now.
The Green-Eyed Doll Page 21