by Laura Scott
Before he could say anything, Katy stomped on the accelerator. The car jerked forward, and Duke let out another yelp. She pulled back onto the freeway, crossed three lanes of thankfully light traffic to find a turnaround where cops sometimes sat to catch speeders. She executed a completely illegal U-turn and headed in the opposite direction.
“Were you a stunt driver before attending medical school?” he asked dryly as his heart returned to a normal rhythm.
Her smile was strained. “No, but maybe I should have been. How’s Duke? Is he okay?”
“He’ll be fine.” Reese could tell she was badly shaken, and he didn’t blame her. “I’m sorry, Katy. I suspect the driver of that black truck was after me.”
“You don’t know that for sure,” she protested.
Oh, yes, he did. He scrubbed his hands over his face, regretting the fact that he’d dragged her into this mess. The blond dude must have been watching his truck last night, waiting for him to show up. Otherwise how could he have known which car was Katy’s? The idea that they’d been followed made him feel sick to his stomach.
This had to end. Now. Before something else happened.
“Head to the sheriff’s department,” he said in a low tone. “We’ll file a report, and since we have a license plate, there’s a good chance they’ll find this guy.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to head to Madison first?” she asked. “We can always report the near miss later.”
“No, it’s not worth risking your life.” He hated thinking about just how close the near miss had been. The way the truck had barreled down at them, he suspected the driver had been planning to hit them in the rear, hoping they’d lose control while he kept going.
Good thing he’d managed to get the license plate number. At least the sheriff’s deputies would have something to go on.
Katy was quiet as she drove back toward Crystal Lake and the Hope County Sheriff’s Department. He kept sneaking glances at her, wondering if she might break down now that the danger was over.
But he should have known better. She parked the car in the parking lot and jumped out from the driver’s seat before he’d even gotten his door open. He quickly lowered the back window for Duke, commanding him to stay, before following her inside.
“Did you hear me?” Katy said, her voice rising with anger. Reese could certainly hear her, so he had to assume the deputy standing in front of her could, too. “I demand to speak to Sheriff Torretti immediately!”
“Calm down, Dr. Katy,” one of the deputies said, holding up his hands as if in surrender. “I understand you’re upset, but Sheriff Torretti isn’t here. He’s out of town with his wife. I’m afraid you’ll have to make do with me.”
Fury radiated from her in waves, and he hid a smile at her redheaded temper as he stepped forward, putting a reassuring hand on her arm. “We’d like to file a police report against the black truck that tried to run us off the road.”
“I’m Deputy Ian Kramer,” the deputy said, holding out his hand, looking relieved to have someone calm to talk to.
Reese hadn’t met this deputy before and reached out to shake his hand. “DNR Game Warden Reese Webster, and I have the license plate number for you. I’d appreciate your cooperation in finding this guy.”
“We’d appreciate it,” Katy interjected. “It was my car he almost hit.”
“I understand. We’ll put out a warrant right away,” Deputy Kramer assured them.
It didn’t take long for the deputy to take down all the details, and Reese tried not to think about the fact that they didn’t have much to hold the guy on, if they even found him. Reckless driving? That was nothing more than a traffic offense.
“There’s a few other things I’d like to discuss,” Reese said when Katy had finished her story. “Could we go someplace private?”
Deputy Kramer looked surprised and wary, but nodded. “Sure, this way.”
The Hope County Sheriff’s Department had two small interrogation rooms, and he pulled out a chair for Katy before dropping into the seat beside her. Deputy Kramer sat across from them, eyeing them expectantly.
“As you probably know, I was tracking a poacher who shot a bear and a cougar,” Reese said carefully, unsure of how much Kramer actually knew about his case. “When I shouted at Marcus Boyle to stop, he took a shot at me, and I fired back.”
Deputy Kramer nodded. “I read Deputy Armbruster’s report.”
“I forgot to mention that there was a second man I’d seen a few times while tracking Boyle. A tall blond guy, about six feet tall and weighing roughly two hundred pounds. I’d estimate his age to be in his mid-to late-twenties. The way he moved made me think he might have spent time in the military.”
Kramer raised a brow. “You think this is the guy who trashed your truck. Which was towed to Billy’s, in case you’re wondering.”
“I know, I was already over there.” His truck was beyond repair, at least according to Hank. But right now that was the least of his problems. “I have some evidence linking the poaching to Boyle. After the incident with the bear, I caught a glimpse of the blond guy, but so far I don’t have anything to prove he exists. I even thought that maybe Boyle had done the damage to my truck sometime before I caught him shooting the cougar. But after today, I know that it must have been the blond guy since Boyle is still in the hospital.”
Kramer nodded. “All right, let’s say the blond guy tried to run you off the road. Why? Just for revenge because you caught Boyle? That doesn’t seem logical. You’d think Boyle’s partner would take off to poach someplace else. There’s plenty of wilderness for the guy to use. It makes no sense to keep coming after you.”
“I know it’s not logical,” he admitted. “Unless he’s some sort of relative to Boyle. What have you guys found out about him? Does he have family? Brothers? Friends? There has to be some link to the blond guy somewhere.”
Kramer sat back in his chair with a heavy sigh. “Boyle’s daddy is dead, and he doesn’t have any brothers. Obviously, we’ll keep digging, but right now we don’t have any leads on who this second guy might be.”
If he exists at all. The deputy didn’t say the words, but he could read the doubt in his expression.
Great. Just great. Reese ground his teeth in frustration. “All right, but I hope you keep looking. This guy tried to seriously hurt us today. In fact, I want protection for Katy. This guy knows what kind of car she drives. It won’t be a stretch for him to find her address, too.”
Deputy Kramer grimaced and shook his head. “I’m sorry. As much as I’d like to provide Dr. Katy protection, we don’t have that kind of manpower. I’ll make sure that the deputies do frequent drive-bys though. She lives close enough to town that it won’t be hard for us to keep an eye on her.”
Drive-bys weren’t at all what he had in mind, but what could he say? He didn’t exactly have an alternative.
As much as he’d prefer to bunk down in her living room, it was clear she was afraid of Duke. No matter how much danger she was in, he didn’t think she’d allow him to move in with his dog. And he didn’t have a car, so he couldn’t very well park outside her house.
“I have a question about the bullet that was lodged in Boyle’s lung,” Katy spoke up. “Have you sent someone to Madison to pick it up?”
“Deputy Armbruster is planning to do that as soon as he has a chance,” Deputy Kramer acknowledged. “Look, Dr. Katy, I understand your concern, especially after the scare you just had on the freeway, but I need you to trust us to do our jobs, okay?”
“All right,” she agreed with obvious reluctance.
Reese rose to his feet, wishing there was some way to keep Katy safe.
Because the alternative was too painful to contemplate.
Katy did her best to rein in her frustration as they left the sheriff’s department, but it wasn’t easy. Her footsteps faltered when she noticed Duke hanging his head out the back window.
“Don’t be afraid,” Reese murmured, coming u
p beside her. She liked the feel of his hand in the small of her back a little too much. “If you’d spend more time with him, you’d know there’s nothing to worry about.”
Despite the soaring temperatures and the sun beating down on their heads, she shivered at the thought of spending time with Duke. “He’s the biggest dog I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“And he’s probably the best-trained dog you’ve ever seen in your life, too,” Reese argued mildly. “He’ll obey me without hesitation. And he’d protect us both with his life.”
She sensed Reese was hurt that she was afraid of his dog, but she couldn’t bring herself to approach the animal, not even for his sake. “I’m sure you’re right, but I think it’s best if I take you back to the motel.”
“Thanks. We can always walk if that would make you feel better.” There was no mistaking the disappointment lining his tone.
“Don’t be silly. As long as Duke stays in the back, I’ll be fine.”
Reese jogged around to open her door for her, and she flashed him a smile before sliding in. No one had ever opened her doors for her, and she suspected Reese’s mother had something to do with his gentlemanly manners. On one hand, she was perfectly capable of opening her own doors, but the fact that he cared enough to be polite resonated somewhere deep within.
The last guy she’d dated, Jeff Andrews, had distanced himself in the aftermath of Steffie’s death. Even after she’d been exonerated from any wrongdoing, he’d kept his distance. When she’d informed him she was leaving Baltimore General, he’d assured her it was for the best. He’d actually appeared relieved to have her gone.
Looking back, she understood that Jeff had been trying to protect his own reputation in the hospital. But still, he clearly hadn’t really cared about her as a woman. Or even as a colleague.
Shaking off the troublesome memories wasn’t easy. She glanced over at Reese only to find him watching her intently. She blushed and then mentally bemoaned her fair skin.
“Katy, how would you like to go for a boat ride on the lake?” he asked.
She blinked in surprise. Had she missed something? “You have a boat?”
“Well, actually, Hank has one that he offered to let me use for the day,” he explained. “To make up for not having a car ready for me. And the thought of sitting in a motel room doing nothing isn’t at all appealing. Please come with me. There’s no reason not to enjoy a nice day out on the water.”
Katy wanted to say yes, but she couldn’t help glancing in the backseat at Duke. “How does Duke like the water?”
Reese flashed a grin. “Actually, he loves it, but I can leave him in the motel room for a few hours.”
“Really?” She couldn’t keep the relief from her tone. “All right, then I’d be happy to go out in a boat with you.”
“Great. Why don’t you drop us off and then head home to change into something more comfortable.” He gestured lightly to her short-sleeved sweater and flowered skirt that she’d worn to church. “I’ll get the boat keys from Hank and meet you back at the motel.”
“Sounds good.” She pulled into the motel parking lot and kept the car idling while Reese slid out and then opened the door for Duke.
The dog didn’t move but waited until Reese said, “Come,” before he bounded out of the backseat. Reese flashed her a quick smile. “See you soon.”
“All right.” After he slammed the door, she put the car in reverse and backed carefully out of the parking space. It wasn’t until she was at home, while changing into shorts and a tank top, that she began to doubt the wisdom of spending time with Reese.
Even if she was ready to have a relationship, they would no doubt have completely different schedules to go along with their opposite personalities. She cared for people; he cared about animals. He adored the outdoors while she preferred sitting at home with a good book.
He didn’t know anything about the mistakes of her past, and while he didn’t seem the type to judge her unfairly, the fact of the matter was, she still wrestled with guilt.
She’d almost talked herself out of going out on the lake, but the thought of leaving Reese standing at the motel, waiting for her, made her wince. Talk about rude! And going over there just to tell him she’d changed her mind seemed ridiculous. He’d see right through whatever pathetic excuse she came up with, and that would only make him more curious about why she’d backed out of something any number of friends would do.
She stared at her reflection in the mirror. She needed to remember this wasn’t a date. They were two adults spending time together, nothing more.
This absolutely wasn’t a date.
Reese was sweating by the time he’d gotten the boat keys from Hank and made his way back to the motel. He risked a quick cold shower before pulling on cargo shorts and a T-shirt. The boat was moored along the public dock, one of the few boats left since most of the others were out on the water.
He was looking forward to relaxing on the lake. Granted, spending the afternoon with Katy was no hardship, either, but he knew he couldn’t afford to think of her as anything but a friend.
Any woman who didn’t like dogs—or any other animals, for that matter—wasn’t for him. Best to remember that fact.
He stopped in at Rose’s Cafe, requesting a couple of cold sandwiches to go. Josie’s knowing smile made him grimace but even the gossip that would surely follow wasn’t enough to stop him. There were already two bottles of water from the vending machine chilling in a bucket of ice in his room.
Katy pulled up mere seconds after he’d returned to the room. “Stay,” he said to Duke, who looked forlorn at being left behind. “Guard.”
Duke obediently stretched out on the floor, watching him with his dark eyes. Was he crazy to take Katy out on the boat when he could be spending time with his best friend?
As he walked outside, holding their sandwiches and water, the sight of Katy wearing casual shorts and a tank top stole his breath. She was beautiful. No way was he going to regret spending the afternoon with her.
“Hope you don’t mind, I brought some food for us,” he said as he met up with her. “This way we don’t have to hurry back.”
Was it his imagination, or was her smile strained? “Sounds great.”
“This way,” he said, walking down to the community pier. Hank’s red speedboat was nothing fancy, but he didn’t care. He jumped in and set down the food and water in a small hollowed out area in the bow and then went back to give Katy a hand.
“You know what you’re doing, right?” she asked, looking a bit apprehensive.
“Absolutely. I used to own a boat of my own.” He didn’t add that he’d had to sell it at a loss when Suzanne had cleaned out their joint bank account. He’d managed to get enough for the boat to cover the outstanding loan, leaving nothing extra.
Katy sat down in the seat next to the pilot’s chair, watching as he disconnected the moor lines and then started the engine. He put the throttle in reverse and carefully backed away from the pier.
He putt-putted across the no wake zone and then gave it a little gas when they passed the buoys.
“Wow, this is amazing!” Katy exclaimed as the wind whipped at her hair. She once again wore it back in the fancy braid she favored, and he found himself wishing she’d wear it long and unbound for him. Although it was hardly practical while out on the boat.
“Hang on,” he said, pushing the throttle forward. The front of the boat leaped up and bounced against the waves. He grinned and steered clear of a boat pulling an inner tube with a swimmer riding inside it.
He pulled back on the throttle, slowing down so he could make a circle around the lake. When he glanced over at Katy, she looked dazed yet happy.
“That was fun,” she declared. “I like going fast.”
“Me, too. But there are a lot of boats out, so we can’t let her rip too much.”
“I know; it’s crazy busy out here.” A shadow darkened her eyes. “I hope the ER doesn’t get slammed.”
/> “I’m sure they can handle it, just like you do when you’re on.” There was a boat coming toward them, so he cranked the wheel to get out of the way.
But the boat didn’t move off course. He laid on the horn and pushed up the throttle, trying to get out of the way. At the last possible moment, the boat sped past, missing them by inches.
The boat rocked crazily against the wake, and he pulled back the throttle, glaring over at the careless driver. The boat was heading in the opposite direction now, but he could easily see the broad-shouldered man driving it.
A man with close-cropped blond hair.
Chapter Five
When Reese hit the gas, Katy swallowed a shriek and clutched the edge of the boat, silently praying for safety, relieved when the boat swept past, missing them by inches.
“Did you get a good look at that guy?” Reese asked harshly.
“No, why? Did he look familiar?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.” Reese grimaced and shook his head. “He had blond hair, but so do dozens of other people on the lake.”
She realized he thought the boat driver might be the same guy who’d tried to crash into them earlier. Seemed unlikely, though. How would some stranger figure out that Reese had rented a boat from Hank? A car, maybe, but a boat? “Does Hank lend out this boat often?” she asked.
“Sometimes, but not often,” Reese said. “You’re right, though, it doesn’t make sense that the blond dude just happened to follow us onto the lake.”
“It’s not impossible,” she mused. “Do you think we should report this to Deputy Kramer?”
“Nah, I didn’t get the ID number from the boat, and unfortunately, the guy is long gone. For all we know, this was nothing more than some tourist looking for a thrill.” The dark shadow in his eyes made her think he’d only tacked on that last statement for her benefit.