Sawmill Springs

by Gerri Hill

  Murphy smiled. “That could be fun. The kid who gave us a ride…I’ve got the license number. We could harass him.”

  Kayla smiled too and wiped at a tear that had escaped. “That was kinda funny, all those empty beer cans in the back.”

  “We should have called his parents.”

  “I know. But we were kinda busy.”

  They were quiet for a moment, saying nothing, just lying beside each other, touching. Murphy rolled her head to the side, looking at Kayla. Kayla turned too.

  “You know, I’m supposed to have a dinner date tonight.”

  Kayla’s eyes widened. “Oh?”

  “Gloria. You remember…college friends in town.”

  Kayla shook her head. “No. No, no, no. You’ll have to call and cancel.”

  “I will?”

  “Yes. Sorry, but I’ve got you tonight.” Kayla leaned closer, kissing her softly. “I kinda think I might want you every night.” She smiled against her lips. “You can tell Gloria that you’re going to be busy for a while. Quite a while.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Kayla stood patiently as her mother hugged her tightly, her hands patting her face, then her shoulders, as if making sure she was okay. She surprised Kayla by turning to Murphy and hugging her as well.

  “I’m just so thankful you’re both in one piece.”

  Kayla could tell she was fighting back tears. “We’re fine, Mom. Part of the job.”

  “Well, you’ll probably tell me that these last few days have been mild compared to your FBI stint, but I don’t believe it for a minute.”

  Kayla smiled at that. “That’s because I never told you about my undercover work in New Orleans. I knew you wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if you knew what I was doing.”

  Her mother held her hand up. “Well, please don’t tell me now.”

  “How’s Dad?” she asked quietly.

  “Keeping everything to himself, as usual.” She motioned with her head toward the den. “He was on the phone with Judge Peters. I’m sure we’ll have to beat it out of him to get the scoop on that conversation.” She then linked arms with both Kayla and Murphy. “To change the subject to something much more pleasant…how are you two doing?”

  “Doing?”

  “You’re glowing, honey. Sex used to do that to me too.”

  Kayla blushed. “Oh, my God! You did not just say that!”

  “I knew this would happen,” her mother continued. “I could tell.”

  “She thought I was straight,” Kayla said, pointing at Murphy. “Tell her.”

  It was Murphy’s turn to blush. “No. I’d rather not talk about it.”

  Kayla laughed. “I was flirting with her and she was trying her best not to flirt back because she thought I was straight.”

  “Why did you think she was straight? I thought you had…what’s it called…‘Gaydar?’”

  Kayla laughed again, finally taking pity on Murphy. “Because I was once married and because she thought Jennifer was a guy.”

  “In my defense, you never said her name,” Murphy said.

  “True.” She smiled at her mother. “To answer your question, we’re doing fine.”

  “Good. Because you look happy. You both do.” She tugged them along into the kitchen. “Come help me with dinner. Your father said he didn’t have much of an appetite so I made his favorite, hoping to tempt him.”

  Kayla turned to Murphy. “You’ll never guess what his favorite thing is. You’d think a big roast or something, but no.”

  “Swedish meatballs over buttery egg noodles,” her mother supplied. “I will admit, I make pretty good meatballs, but I think it’s the gravy that gets him.”

  “I don’t know that I’ve ever had homemade Swedish meatballs,” Murphy said.

  “Then you’re in for a treat.”

  * * *

  Murphy felt a little awkward sitting at the table across from Earl. She didn’t know if it was her imagination or not, but he appeared to be glaring at her. She avoided his eyes as much as possible.

  “I don’t suppose anyone at this table is going to fill me in on what really happened, are you?” Bobbie Dixon asked.

  Murphy glanced at Kayla. Kayla shrugged.

  “It’s probably best left unsaid, Mom.”

  “I see. Gonna make me read it in the paper then. I heard from Donna Everett that it had something to do with drugs.”

  “No sense hashing it over,” Earl said gruffly. “There’ll be enough of that in the next few days, I’m sure.”

  “I went by Wayne’s house,” Bobbie said. “Dropped off a casserole. They’re just heartbroken.” She shook her head. “I don’t think it’s set in with me yet either.”

  “The whole situation…it’s…well, it’s awful,” Kayla said.

  “Awful don’t begin to cover it,” Earl said. “Now I’ve got to explain my goddamn brother’s actions, as if I had something to do with it.”

  “Is that what Judge Peters thinks?” Bobbie asked.

  “He’s in shock like the rest of us. Sheriff Ramsey and I are meeting with Gavin Craft in the morning. I imagine Judge Peters will be there too.”

  “Gavin Craft?” she asked.

  “District attorney.”

  “Do you need us to go along?” Kayla asked.

  “I think I can handle it.” He raised his eyebrows. “Are you thinking I won’t be able to put the right spin on it?”

  “What spin are you talking about?” Bobbie asked.

  Murphy, Kayla and Earl all exchanged glances. It was only then that Murphy realized that Bobbie had no idea what had really happened. She’d heard a rumor about drugs, so Earl hadn’t said anything to her, apparently. She obviously hadn’t been told that Ned had a gun held to her daughter’s head…and she most likely didn’t know that it was Murphy who’d shot him. Murphy stared at Earl, wondering why he’d kept her in the dark.

  Earl put his fork down. “Yeah, there were drugs involved. All of them…Guy, Lance, Billy N and Ned.”

  “So that was true? My goodness, I never would have believed it.”

  “Uncle Ned was hiding cocaine in his concrete statues and birdbaths, then shipping them out,” Kayla said. “Their business arrangement hit a rocky road.”

  Bobbie shook her head. “I can’t believe he’d kill over it. And poor Charlotte…”

  “It’s over with now,” Earl said abruptly. He looked at her, then at Kayla. “Gavin will want to interview both of you too. Especially Murphy. Might not be a bad idea for you two to come along tomorrow. Maybe we can get it all over with at once.”

  Kayla nodded. “Sure.”

  Earl picked his fork up again and bit into a meatball. He glanced again at Kayla. “Got your car towed in to Kirby’s. He’s gonna get some tires for you.”

  “Good. Thank you.”

  “Drove by your duplex this afternoon. Was gonna let you know about the car.”

  Murphy shoved a forkful of food into her mouth, watching as Kayla’s expression changed from serious to amused.

  “Did you now? I wasn’t home.”

  “I gathered that when you didn’t answer the door.” He turned his attention to her, and Murphy nervously picked up her glass of tea.

  Earl tapped the table with an index finger, over and over. Murphy finally looked at him, meeting his gaze.

  “What Ned said…was that true?”

  Murphy didn’t need him to clarify what he meant by that. Before she could answer, Kayla reached over and squeezed her arm, letting her fingers linger.

  “Dad…quit trying to intimidate her.”

  “I’m asking a question, that’s all.”

  “You already know the answer. Yes, Dad…we’re lovers.”

  Murphy nearly spit out her tea.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Kayla stood beside Murphy at the dresser, looking at their reflections in the mirror. Murphy was a little taller, not much. Her dark hair hung below her eyebrows and Kayla had to stop herself from brushing it aw
ay. Murphy saw where her gaze was as she impatiently moved the hair to the side.

  “I need a trim.”

  “I like it. It’s sexy.” She turned to her. “Speaking of sexy, you in this uniform…I could just…eat you up.”

  Murphy’s lips twitched in a smile. “Yes, I think you already did that.”

  Kayla laughed. “Sex with you is so much fun. I never thought I’d like handcuffs.”

  “Don’t you ever tell your father that.”

  “God, no.” She leaned closer, kissing Murphy lightly on the mouth. “And despite how he acts, he really does like you.”

  “You think so?”

  “Yes. How else do you think we got the same shift?”

  “I can’t believe they’re still making you ride with Tim for another four weeks though.”

  “I think it’s good,” she said. “I have experience in a lot of things, but I’ve never been on patrol before.”

  “Tim’s got a crush on you, you know.”

  “So you say.” They stopped in the kitchen on their way out, each pouring a cup of coffee for the road. “Speaking of that…I think I’ve got a huge crush on you, Detective Murphy.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Murphy gave her a lopsided grin. “I kinda have a huge crush on you, too, Agent Dixon.”

  Their eyes held for a long moment. “Come to my place tonight,” she offered as she leaned against the counter.

  “Okay. You gonna cook for me?”

  “Not a chance,” she said with a smile.

  “Want me to pick something up on my way over?”

  “Sure.” She shoved off the counter, smiling as her lips met Murphy’s. “Get something we can eat in bed.”

  * * *

  Murphy was whistling as she drove down the street to Kayla’s duplex. She stopped up short however when she saw Earl’s patrol car parked along the curb. Now what? Did something happen? She glanced to the seat where the large pizza sat…a loaded pizza. She was starving. But Earl was there. Should she drive on by? Should she stop? She slowed as she passed by, not sure what to do. She could always text Kayla, ask her if it was safe to come in.

  She blew out her breath. She was being childish. Of course it was safe to go in. It was only Earl…her boss and Kayla’s father.

  Yeah…right.

  So she drove on past.

  Her escape was short-lived, however, as her phone rang.

  “I saw you sneaking away,” Kayla said. “Come in. He’s got some news.”

  “Good or bad?”

  “He won’t say.”

  “Okay. Be right there.”

  She turned around, wondering what news Earl could have. Was he resigning? God, she hoped not. He was ornery and cantankerous, but she was used to him now. If he resigned, then Sergeant Wilson would most likely be appointed, if only temporary. She liked Pete okay, but he wasn’t police chief material. That made her smile. Was Earl?

  She took the pizza with her, finding the door opening before she could knock. She and Kayla stood there smiling at each other, their eyes meeting. She hadn’t seen her since six that morning.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey, yourself,” she said. She looked past her, seeing Earl watching them. “Are we in trouble or something?” she asked quietly.

  “I don’t think so.” She stepped aside. “Come in.”

  Murphy walked in, nodding at Earl. “Chief,” she greeted.

  “Pizza?”

  “Yeah, you want a piece?”

  “No, better not. Bobbie will have dinner waiting.”

  Kayla took the pizza from her and put it in the oven to keep warm. They all stood in the living room, no one making a move to sit. She looked at Earl expectantly, wondering what was on his mind. He was twisting his Stetson in his hands.

  “Pete Wilson resigned this morning.”

  “You’re kidding,” Kayla said. “Why?”

  “Said he felt like it was time. I didn’t try to stop him.”

  “You two have worked together for years.”

  “Yeah, we have. He’ll turn sixty in a couple of months. Says he’s gonna work with his son for a few years.” He motioned for them to sit. “He’s got that portable building place over on the interstate.”

  She and Kayla sat next to each other on the sofa. Earl continued to stand. The room was small and he stepped around the end table, pacing in the space between the living room and the kitchen. He tossed his hat on the bar that separated the two rooms.

  “Gonna shuffle things around a bit.” He stopped and looked at them. “Don’t mind saying that the thought of me resigning has crossed my mind a time or two.” He rubbed the hair of his mustache with an index finger and thumb. “I wouldn’t have been shocked, either, if I’d been relieved of my duties. Doesn’t look like that’s going to happen.”

  “I thought the meeting went well,” Kayla said. “In fact, they were impressed, I think.”

  “Thanks to you two,” he said. “If it’d been left up to me and Ramsey, I imagine Ned might just have gotten away with it. And that would have mostly been my fault. You two are the ones who followed up with Lou Ann, found out about the tapes, found the link. Hell, I’d—”

  “Dad…”

  He held his hand up. “I know what you’re going to say, but the fact of the matter is, I let my personal feelings get in the way of the job. Lesson learned the hard way.” He started pacing again. “I’m gonna move Timmy up to sergeant. He’s been here long enough to warrant the promotion. Y’all got a problem with that?”

  “No,” she said.

  “Not at all,” Kayla said.

  “Good. I haven’t told him yet.” He looked at her, meeting her gaze. “I’m creating a new position. Captain.” His gaze went between the two of them. “Captain Murphy. It’s got a ring to it, don’t you think.”

  Her eyes widened. “Me?”

  “Yeah, you. You got a problem with it?”

  “I don’t know the first thing about being a captain, Earl,” she said.

  “Well, I imagine being a captain in Sawmill Springs will be a whole lot different than being one in Houston,” he said with a laugh. “For one thing, you’ll still be on patrol.”

  “Why are you doing this?”

  “You deserve it. You have enough experience. You ran this case.” His mustache lifted up at the corner of his mouth as he smiled. “Besides, it wouldn’t look too good if I gave that position to my daughter.”

  Kayla leaned against her. “I think it’s a wonderful plan, Dad.”

  Earl pointed his finger at them. “And no playing favorites when it comes to assignments.”

  “No, sir.”

  Kayla got up and went over to him, hugging him tightly. “Thank you.”

  “Well, we’ll see how the guys handle it.” He looked over at her. “Don’t expect much of a pay raise.”

  “Of course not.” She got up too, walking over to shake his hand. “Thank you. I guess.”

  “You’re a good cop, Murphy. And what happened this week in Sawmill Springs is likely to be the only time you’ll put your skills to use.” He looked over at Kayla. “Both of you, wasting your talents here. I hope you don’t grow to regret it.”

  Kayla linked arms with her. “I think coming back to Sawmill Springs was the best decision I ever made.”

  Murphy smiled at her. “I have to agree.”

  Earl took a step away from them. “God…let me get out of here before you start kissing or something.”

  * * *

  Kayla took a bite of her pizza slice, then leaned over and kissed Murphy, nibbling the sauce away from the corner of her mouth.

  “I can’t believe he did that,” Murphy said for the second time.

  Kayla scooted closer to her, moving the sheet aside. Murphy had a beautiful body, and she didn’t want anything to hide it from her gaze.

  “The guys are going to be pissed.”

  “No, they won’t,” she said. “They like you. They respect you. They won’t be pissed.”

  �
�I hope you’re right.” Murphy leaned back against the pillow. “What do you think they’ll do when they find out that we’re sleeping together?”

  “I’m not sure. Lori will be the biggest gossip, of course. Part of me wants to tell her and get it over with.” She smiled. “But then it’ll be so much fun trying to hide it from them and have them speculate and guess what’s going on. Remember, they all think I’m straight.”

  Murphy laughed. “Yeah, I know the feeling!”

  “There is probably someone we should tell though.”

  Murphy raised her eyebrows.

  “Gloria.”

  “Oh, yeah? Should I tell her I’m seeing someone?”

  “You should tell her you’re seeing someone and that someone is quite enamored with you.”

  “Enamored, huh?”

  “Very.”

  Murphy tossed her pizza slice into the box, then took her own as well. She closed the lid and slid the box aside.

  “Show me.”

  Kayla smiled. “Show you what?”

  “Show me how enamored you are.”

  Kayla laughed delightfully. “Again?”

  “Again.”

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