Protected by the Lawman

by Carver, Rhonda Lee

  “What do you mean? Isn’t she remarried?”

  “I-I don’t know if I should say anything…”

  “Lauren, I won’t tell Phoenix. I’m just curious.”

  “She came to the office the other day and, although I couldn’t hear what she was saying, I did see them hugging. For the life of me, I don’t know what he ever saw in her, but he’s too good for the likes of her.”

  Ria kept her surprise hidden. Why hadn’t he told her that he saw Katy? Then again, why would he? Phoenix had never made any promises to her, and yet, hadn’t he said things, done things, to make them seem close? She’d been there, done that, before. Missed the neon warning signs.

  “I just remembered I have to make a call.” Ria stood.

  “Oh, okay. Thank you for the coffee.”

  Once back in her bedroom, she picked up her phone and dialed Phyllis’s number, taking a shot that she would answer. She didn’t. No surprise. Ria had called ten times with no luck. Starting to call Kora, she put her phone down. If she told her sister everything, she would be on the first plane back to Wyoming and that couldn’t happen. They had spoken a few times and Ria had done a great job keeping the truth from her sister. She would be home in two weeks. Ria would wait until then to confess what had happened.

  Her mind reeled after what she heard from Lauren. Could it be possible that Katy wanted Phoenix back? Why else would she come to see him? And why else would they hug unless he still had feelings for her? Would he take her back? Even after what she’d done to him?

  Going down the hall and into the bathroom, Ria splashed her face with cold water, gathering her senses and preparing for when Phoenix showed up. He would be home soon. She wasn’t sure what she’d say. Would she tell him what Lauren had said? Would he deny it?

  Hearing a thud, she opened the door a few inches. “Lauren?” Nothing.

  Pulling the door open wide, Ria listened. She couldn’t hear anything but the humming of the refrigerator. “Deputy Holloway?” she called again.

  Still nothing.

  Inhaling sharply, a citrus scent tickled her nostrils. This wasn’t Phoenix’s scent. No, it was Snake’s…

  Ria grabbed her cane from the corner of the bathroom, glad she’d left it in there after her shower. Making her way into the bedroom to grab her phone, she slid her hand over the table and came up empty. The cell wasn’t where she’d left it. Had it fallen? Bending and swiping her hand along the floor, she couldn’t find it. Her heart was beating so fast she could barely breathe.

  Then she heard… “Sheriff Cade calling. Sheriff Cade calling.” Swiveling on heels, she listened…she was no longer alone. She could hear breathing.

  “Looking for this?” The familiar husky voice made her take a step back, her thighs struck the edge of the table, sending the lamp to the floor with a loud crash. Snake was here, in the cabin, with her.

  “I’m not alone. There’s a deputy here,” she said in warning.

  His snicker made her stomach roll. “No, sweetheart. We’re all alone.”

  “What did you do with her?” Ria forced through clenched lips, all the while moving her fingers along the table top attempting to find something she could use as a weapon.

  “She’s taking a nap. You should be more concerned about what I’m going to do with you.” He took one step closer.

  “Phoenix will be here any second, and when he finds you—”

  “He’s about fifteen minutes away. No, it’s not enough time for what I had planned to do with you, but plenty to do what I should have done the night I took care of Cox and the assistant—or should I call her, the whore? Do your instincts only work on special occasions? I slipped right past the bathroom and you didn’t even notice.”

  Fear nestled into her muscles, but she had to keep her wits about her. She refused to go down without a fight. “You have no reason to be here. I can’t see your face and I’m not a credible witness.”

  “It’s too late for that. I was clumsy the first time, but I always finish my business. Just as the Chief found out.”

  “You killed him, didn’t you?” Ria had to keep him talking until Phoenix arrived.

  “The bastard thought he could threaten me and get by with it. Don’t waste your time worrying over the piece of shit. He had more politicians in his pocket than I can count on two hands. Just as Cox was going to prove. He had the pictures, a dozen showing the bastard’s lucrative business dealings. I had thought about allowing the asshole Chief to live just so I could let him see what it feels like to be sitting on the other side of the law, but when it came down to it, I couldn’t risk that he’d take me down with him, just as I can’t risk allowing you to stay alive. A shame really, considering you’re pretty damn clever. How did you manage to hide from me that night?”

  “I was under the massage table.”

  “Ahh…that’s where. That answers a question I had been asking myself over and over. Well, time’s a ticking and I need to finish business.”

  She heard his footsteps, then held her breath, and once he was within reach, she lifted the heavy vase and landed it somewhere on his head. The dull thud told her she’d made contact and he fell, but she could hear him still moving.

  She started past him, but he caught her foot with a hard grasp, tripping her. She came down hard onto the floor, feeling a sudden icy hot pain in her arm. Recovering quickly, she kicked at his hands that still held her, her foot made connection with his face and he cried out, but it wasn’t enough to immobilize him. Before she could move, he was over top of her, pinning her down under his weight. Her shoulders bore into the floor.

  “You fucking bitch! I would have made it quick, but not now. Now you’ll find out why they call me Snake.”

  Through her fear, she felt him shift, followed by the unzipping of his pants. She squirmed but he was much heavier than her. She knew she’d fight to the death if necessary. Bringing her hands up, she clawed at his eyes and again his curdling-yell bounced off the walls. This made him angrier because he smacked her hard against the cheek, not once but twice, until her temple ached and she felt blood on her nose. A cloud seemed to come over her and she couldn’t move.

  Feeling him tug at the waist of her jeans, he was steadily ripping at her clothes. She brought her knee up and deep into his groin, but he was quicker.

  “That’s it, you cunt! Consider this a gift, bitch. Maybe you’ll have your eyesight in your next life.”

  She felt the cold tip of the gun press against her head and she waited…

  Bang!

  Snake groaned, jerked, then dropped on top of her, not moving. Instantly, she felt a sticky wetness on her neck, soaking into her shirt and puddling around her shoulders.

  She screamed and tried pushing him off, but he was too heavy and then the weight was gone in exchanged for a strong pair of hands grabbing her shoulders and bringing her up off the floor. She was dragged into a warm embrace and pressed against a wide, familiar chest.

  “Are you okay? Were you hurt?”

  “Phoenix. H-he was going to kill me. Is Lauren okay? He did something to her. We have to help her.”

  “It’s okay. She is groggy from the hit on her head, but she’s alive. But you, sweetheart. Tell me, are you hurt?” He pushed her back and she assumed he was looking her over. “So much damn blood.”

  “It’s his…Snake’s. He didn’t have a chance to do what he wanted.”

  “That fucking bastard. I didn’t want to scare you, but I feared this was what he’d do. Evidence against him was found in Chief Brody’s safe that Snake couldn’t get to. Apparently, everything had been saved, probably suspecting Snake would betray him. There was a recording of a conversation between Snake and Brody stating that he had been here watching the cabin all the time, waiting for the chance to get to you. I’m sorry that I didn’t get here sooner.”

  “You got here in time though. The only person who is dead is Snake. He is dead, right?”

  “He’s dead.”

  ~~~***~~~<
br />
  The cabin was swarming with federal agents. After giving his statement and handing over his weapon, which was standard for any investigation like this, Phoenix found Ria sitting at the kitchen table. The blanket he’d given her was still wrapped around her shoulders, but her face was smeared with blood, like when he found her after the murders in her studio. The difference was the feeling in his heart. He loved her, wanted to spend his life with her. Now that the case had ended, he could finally pursue something with her outside of all the chaos.

  If she wanted him too.

  “Ria?”

  She brought her chin up. “Are you finished with giving your statement?” she asked in a low voice.

  “Yeah. How about you?”

  “I’m finished. I think I repeated myself ten times. Is every interrogation by the feds the same?”

  “Pretty much.” He pulled out the chair closest to her and took a seat. He laid his hand on her knee and she jerked, which took him by surprise. Yet, after what she’d been through tonight, hell, over the last three weeks, she had reason to be jumpy. “Are you okay? Do you need to be seen by a doctor?”

  “No, I told you. I’m fine. I’d like to take a shower and get that bastard’s blood off me, but I’m told this is now an official crime scene and I won’t be allowed to even grab my things today.”

  “I can find out if there’s anything still needed and if not, I’ll take you home.”

  “I like that idea, but you don’t have to take me. I’ve already asked one of the agents if she’d give me a ride and she said she would.”

  He narrowed his eyes, her words socking him in the chest. “I want to take you, Ria. I thought we could talk after we got cleaned up. I have a lot to say…”

  “Not tonight, Phoenix,” she said firmly. “Maybe in a few days we can, but tonight I want to go home, sleep in my bed and absorb all that has happened. I hope you’ll understand.”

  He stared, wanting to ask more questions, but he understood that sometimes victims need space to get their thoughts in order. It wouldn’t be right for him to pressure her on their relationship right now. Sure, he was disappointed that she didn’t want him along with her, but she’d been through a lot.

  “Okay. This is probably best so I can go to the hospital and check on Deputy Holloway. She was hit pretty hard, but she was conscious and lucid when the EMTs got here.”

  “Yes, you should check on her.”

  “Sheriff, can we grab you for one more question?” One of the agents asked.

  “Sure. Give me one second.” He turned his attention back onto Ria. “If you decide you want me to take you home, just let me know. If I don’t see you before you leave, I’ll be in contact soon.”

  She simply nodded. Was she trying to send him a message? “You better go.”

  CHAPTER 20

  PHOENIX WALKED INTO Lauren’s room. She was awake, hooked up to an IV, and eating a cup of pudding. She saw him and dropped her container to the table, frowning. “I’m so sorry, Sheriff. I-I heard a noise and went to investigate, and then I was struck over the head. I heard Ria is okay.”

  “She’s fine. Shaken up, but not hurt.”

  “Are you going to fire me?” She looked pale and tiny in the bed.

  “Fire you? Because you were hurt in the line of duty? You know me better than that.”

  “Well, I wasn’t sure because I put Ria’s life in danger. And since I’m pregnant. Not to mention I opened my big mouth and told Ria about Katy coming by the office. I didn’t realize you and Ria…well, you and she were involved. I knew by her expression that she was upset.”

  He pulled over the plastic chair from the corner and took a seat. He wanted to tell Ria that Katy had stopped by the office, but he’d been focused on the case. Would she understand that it was nothing? Katy had only wanted to apologize for the past. “Okay, let’s slow down. One thing at a time. You’re pregnant?”

  “Ria didn’t tell you? Only three months, but I promise I’ll still do my job. Snake getting one over on me today had nothing to do with raging hormones and the morning sickness I’ve been having all day, every day.”

  “No, she didn’t tell me. Is the baby okay?”

  “Yes. The doctor listened for a heartbeat and he or she is fine.”

  “First, Snake was a dangerous criminal, and this could have happened to anyone. Second, what happened between Katy and I was innocent. I’ll explain that to Ria.”

  Tears welled up in her eyes and she sucked in a sob. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. My hormones are out of whack. I cry at the drop of a pin. I open my mouth when I know better.”

  He reached for a tissue and handed it over. “It’s okay, Deputy. Take your time.” Now things were making sense and why Ria had given him the cold shoulder.

  “I-I. T-Told. Her K-Katy and you hugged.”

  “You didn’t mean any harm, but I have to ask. How long were you and Marx dating?”

  She brought her chin up so fast he swore he heard her neck crack. “You knew?”

  He nodded. “After I found his name on the list and did some investigating, it became obvious. He was with you to find out information.”

  “I didn’t know, Sheriff, and I promise I didn’t tell him anything, especially not where Ria was staying. He overheard conversations mostly, and I believed he was your friend. He didn’t want me to tell you about us. I wanted to tell you after I saw his name on the list, b-but I was afraid. And angry.”

  “We still haven’t been able to find him. Have you heard from him?”

  She shook her head against the pillow. “No. I’d tell you. He’s a lying bastard.”

  “Okay. You rest now. We’ll talk later.” If it was the last thing Phoenix did, he’d find the bastard.

  ~~~**~~~

  “Okay, listen, that’s the hundredth time he’s called. If you don’t want to talk to him, fine, but at least tell him why. He deserves that.”

  Ria continued to stack massage oil bottles on the shelf. “Kora, I appreciate you staying with me and helping as an assistant until I hire another, but if you take Phoenix’s side, I’m going to fire you.”

  “Sweetie, don’t think I’m not still upset with you for not telling me about the killings and your life being in danger so you owe it to me to let me be the helicopter sister for a while.”

  “Fine, but don’t think I’m over you leaving your dream vacation early to come be with me. Phyllis shouldn’t have called you. If I wanted you here, I would have called you myself. People need to stop thinking because I’m blind I can’t think properly.”

  “Honey, no one even suggested you can’t think properly. You’re one of the smartest, strongest people I know. How many other people who’ve been through what you have could get up each morning and stay focused on business? I couldn’t.”

  After shelving the last bottle, Ria turned to her sister and sighed. “I love you, Kora, but you just said what I’ve been trying to prove to you, and Phyllis, for a long time now. I’m strong and I need to do some things for myself. Mostly though, you need to focus more on your own life. You deserve to be happy and as long as you think your role is to hover above me, protecting me, you’ll never start thinking about your needs.”

  “Well, Phyllis cared enough about you to call me so she’ll come around. And I, just so you know, did meet a man in Paris.”

  “You did?” Ria pulled the swivel chair over and sat down. “You have to tell me everything.”

  “He’s tall, dark, and handsome.”

  “That’s a generic description.”

  “Okay, he’s American and was in Paris on business. We met in a little quaint shop that served melt in your mouth croissants. He showed me around while I was there, and we seemed to have a lot in common.”

  “And? Will he be coming home to visit?”

  “Next month he has to be back in the States. He lives in Chicago, but we’ll meet up somehow.”

  “Wow! I’m happy for you.”

  “You
have to speak to the Sheriff, sweetie. Phyllis said you had feelings for him. True?”

  She wanted to lie, should’ve lied, but she couldn’t. “I fell for him.” She’d leave out the fact that she had cried herself to sleep for the last week, not only because she now had lots of time to think about all that had happened, but also she missed him terribly.

  “You did? And you’re going to let him go? Are you crazy?”

  “I-I can’t risk being hurt again.”

  “Come on, sis. You know that’s silly.”

  Ria stood and made her way to the laundry basket of sheets and started folding them. “I believe that he still loves Katy. If she wants him back, I need to move out of the way and let him figure it out.”

  “I think you’re allowing your emotions to convince you of something that’s not entirely true.”

  “If it wasn’t how it appears, why didn’t he tell me he saw her? If Jamie stopped by, I would have told him.”

  “Maybe there’s nothing to tell you.”

  “Or maybe he didn’t feel it was any of my business.” She shook out a towel and it cracked the air.

  “Sweetie, if he wants his ex, why is he calling you?”

  Leave it to her sister to put Ria on the hot seat. “He wants to explain?”

  “I don’t get you. Jamie has moved on and he still has you cuffed to his baggage.”

  “I am over him.”

  “Yeah, I know, but you’re not over the insecurity of getting your heart broken or cheated on. Realize the facts, Ria. You think Phoenix might have just been “with” you because of the case. Or, you might actually believe you two have a chance and you’re scared. You know he doesn’t want his ex.”

  “I guess.”

  “And yet here he is, calling you and leaving you voicemail after voicemail asking for you to give him a chance to explain. Hmm…wouldn’t you think if he didn’t care he’d be long gone? But no. He’s wanting a chance. If you weren’t afraid of your feelings, you’d tell him to shove off.”