Her brows scrunched. “What for?”
“Just to make sure you don’t have any internal injuries.”
“I’m fine. Trust me. I’d know if I wasn’t.” Her gaze widened. “Are you bleeding?”
Following her stare, he saw that his jeans were ripped and several drops of blood splattered the material. “Yes, but it stopped before it even got started.” He guessed the glass from the broken windshield had cut him. “How far are we from your Uncle’s cabin?” He opened the back, grabbed his thick coat from his backpack and pulled it on as well as a pair of high-quality gloves that were both cold and water resistant. He was glad he’d been prepared. When she didn’t answer him, he found her wandering along the ditch line as if searching for something. “What are you doing?”
“Looking for the deer. Making sure we didn’t hit it.”
“You didn’t hit it.” He slammed the gate shut.
“How do you know? We were spinning.”
“I made eye contact with the sum’bitch before we skated around him,” he bit out, feeling his anger bubbling. His breath produced a cloud around his head as he joined her along the ditch. “You see his tracks?” He pointed out the group of prints in the otherwise untouched snow leading toward the ravine. “He and his family are all okay. If he was hurt his blood would be everywhere.”
Some of the tension left her features as she pulled her beanie down her ears and turned to head back to the Jeep, lifting her legs high to tread the snow. “We’re about three miles from the cabin.”
Shit! That’s what he was afraid of. They had plenty of light, thankfully, but the snow came faster and heavier and they’d have to trek the slippery mountain conditions. Alone, he could run and make it sooner, even with his hurting leg. In the Navy they’d trained in the most adverse conditions and this wouldn’t be anything new. Looking over at Hazel, he frowned. Although she now had on a coat and gloves, her tall boots weren’t the best choice for snow hiking. She could fall and injure herself and then he’d have to carry her. “Are those the only boots you brought?”
“No, of course not. Did you not hear me when I said I grew up on this mountain?”
The tension returned. What had he expected? “Good, then you might want to change. We’ll be hoofin’ it from this point on and we need to make good timing.”
Her eyes widened. “Walking? Why can’t we call for help?”
“For someone who said they knew this mountain you’re sure as hell missing the most important point. No one will be able to maneuver this shit, that is if we can get cell service.”
She frowned. “What about the Jeep? Our things?”
Opening the gate again, he grabbed his backpack and slid the straps over both shoulders. “The Jeep isn’t going anywhere, at least not today. As far as our luggage, there’s a silver lining to packing light.” He watched her look between the two suitcases she’d brought. “Best to pick one. Only take what you can’t live without. The rest we can grab later.”
“I need them both.”
“Then leave them both.” Her gaze narrowed and he sighed. “Or take both but you’ll be responsible for carrying them. We need to get scootin’. We need the light and it’s only getting colder out and the snow isn’t lifting.”
“I can call Uncle Brent. He’ll send someone to come and get us.”
Was she hard of hearing or just stubborn? “No one is coming off or on this mountain now. The road would be closed by the time you made the call, if it isn’t already. Tonight you’re depending on yourself and not being saved by Uncle Brent or one of his people.”
As cold as it was her gaze certainly held a lot of heat. “Believe it or not I’m capable of being independent.”
“Let’s hope you’re right because we have a long walk ahead of us. Three miles will feel more like ten in this cold and snow.” He left her to make her decision about the luggage while he checked his phone for service. Not a sliver, as he’d expected.
Chapter 9
Hazel changed her boots and grabbed a few items out of one of her suitcases and stuffed them into the smaller one of the two.
Guilt plagued her that she’d gotten them into this situation. She felt the need to apologize to Cox, but she was still a bit perturbed that he insinuated she couldn’t “save” herself in this situation. She ran almost every day and believed she was in top condition. For years she skied in the snow. She’d prove it to him that not only was she in great shape, but she could keep up with him too.
Dragging her suitcase out of the back, she dropped it into the snow. Now she wished she would have used the backpack instead of two cases but how was she supposed to know this would happen?
Cox stood in the middle of the road checking his phone. She knew that he wouldn’t have service and exactly why her Uncle had given her his cell. Maybe she should offer it for him to use, but who would they call? Cox was probably right that the road was closed. No one was at the cabin to come pick them up. There was no one to call.
Picking up the case, she followed the path that his boots had made in the snow. “Daylight’s fading,” she said snippily as she hurried passed him which made her breathing labored. They walked the road until they passed the rock wall and came to the edge of the woods.
She heard a loud whistle.
He was no longer beside her, so she stopped to look back. He had headed another direction. “Where are you going?”
“Walking instead of driving means we can take a short cut and chop off at least a half mile.”
“The road would be easier.”
“Okay, if you need easier, we can take the long way.”
Grinding her teeth she refused to allow him to spur her temper. “I don’t need easy. Let’s take the short cut. Prettier scenery anyway.” She led the way which took them across the wide ditch and what was now a snow-covered meadow. The view left her breathless.
“Pretty amazing, isn’t it?”
“Gorgeous. I love this area, love the peace and quiet. The beauty of nature. I could see myself living here year-round,” she admitted.
“Then we do have something in common. I could easily make this mountain my home. That’s part of the reason why I joined the Mountain Force.”
“How is it possible that you and I have lived next door to each other and I had no clue what you did for a living?”
“Probably because you didn’t care enough to ask.” He laughed.
“More likely because you didn’t seem sociable. I am quite nice once you get to know me.” She threw that out there.
“Really?” he scoffed. “Never before have I related nice to wanting to knock your head off.”
She jerked a glance over at him to see if he was joking. “I’ve never wanted to knock you head off.” Seeing his doubt, she smiled. “I’ve been upset with you, but not that upset. Do you think it’s possible for us to start fresh?” Did she see an element of surprise in his expression?
“You mean we can stop the bickering? Do you think it’s possible?”
“Probably not, but we can try.”
For the next few minutes they walked in silence. Not that Hazel wanted to admit it, but she felt tired. The temperature had dropped by at least fifteen degrees, and the thick gloves and coat weren’t living up to the price tag and promise. The scenery, and companion, kept her somewhat occupied. The quiet wasn’t awkward between her and Cox which she was grateful for. He stayed a few paces behind her, but never more than a few. Was it on purpose?
With her fingers starting to go numb, she switched hands and stuck one into the pocket of her coat. The other she held tightly to the handle of the suitcase and dragged it through the snow, not caring that she hit rocks and limbs, or that it was Gucci. She shouldn’t have acted so determined and sure at the beginning of the hike.
“Tell me what happened last night at the campaign office,” he asked.
Her stomach turned. “I’m not falling into that trap.”
“What trap? It’s a simple question.”
“Come on, I won’t make fun of you. It’s a sincere question.”
“I watched Trent Shoemaker murdered in front of my eyes. I’m guessing Uncle Brent already filled you in on the details.”
“Sure, he told me the basics, but you were there, and he wasn’t. I want to hear your side of things.”
“Are you with me now to solve the crime? I thought you were here to babysit.” Realizing immediately how bitter her words sounded, she followed them with, “I guess I’m bothered because I’ve told my story to everyone and no one believes me. I’m not stupid. I know my uncle and his people want me far away from the campaign.”
“Maybe telling me can help.”
She looked through the falling snow at a group of deer grazing along the edge of the trees and had to wonder if one of them was the booger on the mountain that made her swerve.
After a short hesitation, he finally added, “I’d like to hear your side of things before I make my judgement. That’s only fair.”
Starting to second guess his words, she bit her tongue. Her hope would be that someone believed her. “I was in the copy room and I saw Trent come into the outer room. Then two men came in after him. They had an exchange of words before they shot him in the chest.” Her throat tightened remembering the eerie stillness of Trent’s body lying on the floor. Tears developed in her eyes, but she refused to cry, especially in front of Cox. She had to protect her vulnerability—had to remain strong.
“What did the men look like?” His voice showed no signs of labor from the walk.
A clump of snow fell onto her face and she looked up to see birds perched on a tree branch. The ice crystals that had attached to her eye lashes melted. “Both looked similar and yet not at all.”
“What do you mean?”
“They looked like two men who could work security for my uncle. Bald heads, burly bodies. One had pockmarked features. And I think one is named Forty.”
“Forty?”
“Yes. At least that’s what the other killer called the man. He got angry, said he had a rap sheet. He was worried that if I looked at mug shots I’d recognize him.”
“Did you tell the detectives this?”
“Of course, but they didn’t seem to care. The security footage doesn’t show either man and there’s no evidence to prove that Trent was murdered. The police made their minds up before they even questioned me.”
“Don’t take it personal. They have a one-track mind.”
“It is personal to me. I know the lack of evidence portrays me as crazy.”
“Was it usual for the campaign manager to be there so late?”
“No, I don’t think so. Most of the time the workers hang out at a local bar destressing on Friday nights. It seemed like he was looking for something in his desk. He was rummaging through the drawers.”
“Let me get this straight. Shoemaker coming to the office so late is unusual for him, especially since he’d been fired—”
“Fired?” Hazel stopped and turned to face Cox.
“You didn’t know he was fired because he leaked information to a political opponent?”
“I’m not in the loop at work, but I had no clue.”
“Because you’re out of the loop is that why you weren’t invited to the bar?”
“I’m sure I could have gone, but I’d rather go to the dentist than to have my co-workers pretend that they like me.” Her lungs were now aching. The suitcase grew heavier and so did the snow. She wouldn’t complain though. Cox would only think she was weak just like the rest of her family. “Being the boss’s niece didn’t win me any BFFs as you can imagine. I think they thought I was there to spy on them.” She shifted the suitcase from one tired hand to the other.
“Were you? From what I understand betrayal is something candidates must watch for. Maybe he wanted you in the trenches to keep an eye on things.”
“I would have been the last person he would have chosen for that job.”
“You’re not on your uncle’s side?”
“Sure I am, but we’ve had some failures in our communication over the last few years. He doesn’t like it because I ask him often who’s running the show. His wife or his assistant. Both evil if you ask me.”
“Ah, so there’s some hatred in the ranks.”
“Have you met Lucifer?” She couldn’t help but say the name with contention. When Cox nodded, she shrugged. “Then you should understand.” She shifted the suitcase again.
“Need some help?” he offered.
“I’m fine.”
“Good.” He chuckled. “I was only asking. Anyway, why do you think the manager was shot?”
He cared for her opinion? “He had something they wanted.”
“What?”
“Don’t know, but he gave it to them. At least I think he did. I was in shock by that time. It was something small that he could hide in his hand.”
“Whatever it was it was too small for you to see. A key maybe?”
“I wish I knew.” She wanted more than anything for the killers to be caught. Not only because Trent had been murdered but while the killers still walked the streets, she felt her life could be in danger. And then it struck her— “I remember something.”
“What is it?” he asked.
“I had forgotten. The man who chased me into the storage room…he has a tattoo on his neck.”
“Could you make out what it was?”
“It was so small. I-I don’t know.” Seeing disappointment pass over Cox’s face she shrugged and turned around. “I was nervous. Maybe it’ll come to me eventually.”
“Don’t force yourself. That happens a lot with witnesses.”
Then silence.
They walked and she lost track of time. Minutes turned into another hour. The snow was slowing them down and the sun was starting to settle. It was only getting colder and her nose and cheeks were numb.
Seeing the woods ahead, she groaned. “This could be a problem.”
“We can go back and see if we can make a circle.”
“It’ll take us too far away from the cabin. It should be located straight that way and we’re so close.” A part of her wanted to plead for a break, but a bigger part of her needed to prove herself. Many times she’d been made to feel like her voice didn’t matter or that she couldn’t be trusted to make decisions for herself. She wanted Cox to look at her in a different way.
“If you think you can make it.”
“Of course I can.”
He was next to her now, looking at her in question. His eyes actually warmed her some. “You’re cold.”
“How long did it take for you to come up with that conclusion?” She smiled. As bad as she felt, she did get a sliver of enjoyment out of pestering him.
He grinned. “Your lips and cheeks are blue.” Then he took her by surprise when he reached for her hand, removed her glove and examined her fingers. “You’re in early stages of frost bite,” he growled.
“Give me my glove back and let’s do this before it gets any colder.”
“If you lose the ability to walk it only makes it tougher on me.” He unzipped his coat and shrugged out of it.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m giving you my coat. Trust me, it’s made for this weather. It’ll keep you toasty.”
“I’m not taking your coat. I have my own. You’ll freeze to death.”
“That’s not a coat.” He directed toward her jacket. “That’s a dress up to look warm. Now take the damn coat.”
“What will you wear?”
“Listen, I have about fifty pounds on you and I’m hot. I’ll grab a sweatshirt from my pack and I’ll be fine. Now come on, do yourself a favor, and me. I’d hate to have to carry you.”
Two things worked through her brain. One, she didn’t have the energy to argue. Two, she could see the determination in his expression. No doubt he�
��d carry her if needed. Although she’d be warm snuggled up against his brawny chest, she’d also be very uncomfortable. Taking the coat, she pulled her arms into the holes and immediately her eyes rolled back into her head at the heat she found in the thick material. It was nearly as joyous as if she had covered up in a blanket in front of a blazing fire. He hadn’t been joking when he said the coat would keep her toasty. She inhaled sharply and her lungs filled with a spicy, leather scent that was “Cox’s” scent. The man certainly did smell good for looking like he hadn’t showered in days.
He reached over and zipped the coat for her.
“I was getting around to that,” she said, meeting his gaze that was only a few inches away.
“We’re on a time frame,” he muttered then busied himself grabbing a sweatshirt from his bag and tugging it on over the long-sleeved flannel. He tugged the hood over his head.
A memory slashed through her. She’d secretly watched him through the rearview mirror at the gas station as he’d shrugged out of the coffee stained T-shirt and pulled on the warmer shirt. She hadn’t seen a man as strong and toned in, well, ever.
He motioned for her to follow him into the woods.
The woodland area reminded her of a winter wonderland. Snow and ice crystals had formed on the branches. The beauty would have been romantic under different circumstances. She looked over at Cox who looked grumpy and mean.
They walked on in silence and she was grateful. She quite enjoyed the comfort of the coat and the calmness surrounding them. And watching his firm backside under the nice fitting jeans did help like an invisible salve.
What the hell was she doing? She needed to take things seriously. She’d witnessed a murder and the killer had warned her that he’d come after her. Sure, he wanted her to fear for her safety, but what if he did search for her? Would he find her here?
What if Cox was the only thing standing between her safety and danger?
She’d have to form trust with him. How could she when she barely knew him? Uncle Brent once told her he had to trust his security team like they were his brothers. She didn’t have any brothers, but she certainly didn’t view Cox as one.
Tormented by the Lawman (Mountain Force Book 3) Page 8