by D'Ann Lindun
Had that happened to her? Had Dani’s father left Jamie with a broken heart? It was on the tip of Austin’s tongue to ask, but he snapped his lips tight. He was already way too attracted to her. Getting any more involved in her personal life was a mistake.
He hadn’t been able to protect Marisol.
Losing another woman he cared about would be more than he could stand.
~*~
Chipeta was quite a bit bigger than Confluence, but finding Broadmoor Street wasn’t difficult. Scooter Wentworth lived in the middle of a quiet street on the east side of town. Austin found the two-story brick building without a lot of trouble. He parked and glanced at Jamie.
“Ready?”
“Yep.” She reached for her doorhandle. “Let’s get him.”
She was halfway up the cracked sidewalk before Austin caught up to her. “Hold on, Speedy.”
Together, they walked up to the door of the red brick building. Austin opened the door and Jamie stepped through with Austin on her heels. They moved to the wall where the tenants were listed. They found S. Wentworth in 212.
The old elevator creaked as they rode it upstairs. On the third landing, they stepped out and walked down the dim hallway. The scent of garlic and onion drifted toward them.
At 312, Austin stopped and motioned for Jamie to step behind him. She glared, but complied. He knocked on the door and waited until a gruff voice said, “Yeah?”
“Scooter Wentworth?”
“Who wants to know?”
“Colorado Bureau of Investigations. Open up.”
A lock slid back and the door opened. A big, bearded man stood blinking at them. “Whaddya want?”
Austin stepped forward. “You going to let us in, or are we going to do this in the hallway?”
With a shrug, he moved aside. “Come in.”
Austin took a quick glance around the room. A beige sofa, two chairs, a dinette at the window overlooking the street below. Nondescript, but neat and clean.
Jamie stood in front of the door, her back against it. She waited for him to speak.
Austin indicated Jamie. “Sheriff English from Confluence.” He showed his badge. Agent Varner, CBI.
Wentworth seemed unimpressed, but didn’t speak.
“We’re here investigating the disappearance of some women in Confluence. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”
“No.”
“I think you do.” Jamie stepped forward. “Because you were feeding some of them cocaine.”
“That’s a stretch, Sheriff.” Wentworth sounded bored.
She clenched her fists. “Is it? Does the name Kate Hollenbreck mean anything to you?”
“No. Should it?”
“A brunette. Cowgirl. You supplied her with cocaine. I have an eye witness—”
“Can’t have an eyewitness to something that didn’t happen, Sheriff.” He folded his massive arms over his chest. “If someone said I sold or gave coke to any woman in your town, I’d look at the source to see what axe they have to grind with me. I’m a bartender. People have a few too many, I cut them off. They get rowdy, I toss them out. Lots of folks don’t like me much.”
Austin took control of the interview again. “We’re not naming sources, Wentworth. But we have it on good authority you like to supplement your bartending duties with a few side deals in the parking lot.”
Wentworth chuckled. “No way.”
Austin glanced Jamie’s way. Her face blazed with anger, but she held her tongue. He looked back to the large, bearded man. “If you’re not giving these women coke, who is?”
“I have no idea.”
Jamie snorted. “I bet if we took you in, your memory would improve.”
Wentworth smiled like a bear with a lamb in its paw. “Look south.”
Jamie’s head swiveled that way, to look at a brick wall.
“Mexico?” Austin knew a steady stream of drugs crossed the border, flowing in a steady river from the USA’s southern neighbor.
“Yup,” Wentworth grunted.
“Any of that white powder flowing north end up in the nose of Rosie White?” Austin asked.
“Hell, no!” Wentworth chuckled. “You’re chasing the wrong cat up the wrong tree. Rosie hated drugs of any kind. Booze? That’s a different story. But dope? Not her thing and she made sure everyone knew it.”
Interesting. The second bartender to say the same thing. Mark Boyd had told him that, too.
“If you weren’t supplying Rosie and Kate Hollenbreck coke, why did they both go to the parking lot with you on the night Rosie vanished?” Jamie wanted to know.
Wentworth shrugged. “They didn’t. I went out to smoke. Alone.”
“Did you see either of them that night?” Austin asked.
“I already told you, I don’t know no Kate. But, yeah, I saw Rosie. She came out the back door. I assumed she needed a smoke or a break to cool off. She went around the side of the building.” Wentworth paused. “That’s the last time I saw her.”
“You see her with anyone?” Austin pinned a steely stare on the other man. “And you didn’t think it odd that she didn’t come back to work?”
He shook his massive head. “No. Rosie sometimes hooked up with some dude she just met. I figured that’s what happened. To be honest, she was a little flighty. It wasn’t the first time she bailed on a shift, but Mark is in love with her, so she stays…”
“Did you see her flirting with anyone that night?” Jamie demanded.
Wentworth glanced her way. “Sure, Sheriff. Your deputy. The fat, blond dude. He was annoying the hell out of her, just like always.”
“But Rosie had no interest in him,” Austin said. “She liked Benny Torres.”
“Right,” Wentworth said. “Just a big old soap opera going round and round.”
Austin voiced the question he knew Jamie would hate. “Is there any possibility that one of the deputies agreed to meet up with Rosie in the parking lot?” Her indrawn breath let him know he’d hit a nerve.
“No. I already told you Rosie hated Carver so much she wouldn’t speak to him unless forced to. She had the hots for Torres, but he’s all into a little Mexican gal. Pretty little thing.” Wentworth sighed. “We done here?”
“Not yet.” Austin stared hard at the big man. “Does the name Monique Ayers mean anything to you?”
“Nope.”
“Short, plump blonde.” Jamie held her hand shoulder high. “Cute lady. Looking for some drugs to help her lose weight.”
“Her?” Wentworth chuckled. “Yeah, fish out of water, that one. She asked me for dope. I told her she was in the wrong bar. I wasn’t a dealer.”
“That fish out of water is missing,” Jamie said. “And you’re one of the last people to see her.”
Wentworth’s mirth vanished. “I had nothing to do with that lady except serving up cheap white wine.”
Oddly, Austin believed him. “Could you pass a polygraph?”
“Yeah, but I ain’t taking one unless you put me under arrest.”
Jamie reached for the handcuffs on her belt. “That can be arranged.”
“You ain’t got a thing on me but talk,” Wentworth said, apparently unfazed by Jamie’s threat.
He was right.
Austin glanced at Jamie and saw the truth reflected back in her eyes. She knew it, too. “Okay. We’ll leave for now.”
“What? No warning not to leave town?” Wentworth went to the door and opened it. He made an ushering motion. “No worries. I’ll be bartending at The Moon this week, just like always.”
With no choice, Jamie stalked through the door. Austin followed right behind her.
The door slammed behind them shaking the floorboards of the old building. In silence, they descended the steps.
Jamie waited until Austin unlocked the door, then she stepped into his truck. As soon as he joined her, she turned his direction. “Do you believe that song and dance?”
“I do.” He started the engine.
>
“Why?”
Austin looked in his side mirror. “Because he had every reason to lie, yet my gut doesn’t think he is.”
“I’m not so sure about our unfriendly bartender,” Jamie muttered.
“I think his answers were straightforward enough.” Austin pulled onto the street.
“Maybe. But one thing’s for sure—we keep going round and round and getting nowhere. Not one solid piece of evidence to go on.” She blew out a sigh of frustration. “We’re smart people, so how is this guy outfoxing us at every turn?”
Austin glanced her way. “How soon do you have to pick up Dani?”
“Mom’s got her. Why?”
“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. Some food would make me think clearer. You hungry?”
“Starving,” Jamie answered promptly. Some girls might pretend not to eat, but she wasn’t one of them.
“I want a steak,” Austin said. “That okay by you?”
“Sounds good.” Better than good. Perfect. Her mouth watered thinking of a rib eye.
They found a steakhouse on Main Street that looked promising. Austin parked and walked around to open Jamie’s door. He took her hand as she stepped out. Her stomach fluttered a little that had nothing to do with hunger.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” His silver-gray eyes darkened to steel.
A hostess met them with a friendly smile. “Table for two?”
Austin nodded. “Yes, please.”
“This way.” The hostess led the way through the dimly lit restaurant. Each table had a candle centerpiece, the tantalizing scents of grilled meat and baked potatoes drifted out of the kitchen and the low hum of conversation filled the air.
Jamie hoped Austin didn’t notice her shiver when he placed his hand on the small of her back to guide her. This wasn’t a date, just a break to catch their breath and refuel. Austin remained standing while she slid into the booth. She removed her Stetson and placed it on the seat next to her. “I have a massive headache.”
He removed his own Stetson. “Do you need a Tylenol?”
Jamie sighed and relaxed back into the comfortable leather booth. “No, thanks. Just water. I’m a little dehydrated.”
“And stressed.”
Jamie wiggled under his scrutiny. She probably looked like hell on a cracker. “Yeah, I’m stressed. Big Jim is counting on me and I’m failing him in a big way.”
“You’re not letting anyone down. You’re working your tail off trying to find this guy. If anyone has any complaints, they don’t see how hard you’re working to bring in this killer.” He paused as the waitress appeared with water and menus.
“I don’t think the families of the missing girls see it that way.” Jamie drank deeply from her water and sighed.
“I’m sure they don’t, but they don’t understand what we’re up against either.” Austin picked up his menu. “Let’s get something to eat and maybe we can come with the angle we’re missing.”
Jamie ordered the rib eye she craved. Austin chose a Porterhouse. They both wanted salad and loaded baked potatoes. And each ordered a beer—Coors for her, Corona for him.
The waitress promptly appeared with big, cheesy rolls and butter and their drinks. Both of them dove into the bread without apology. As Jamie munched, she realized Austin must be as tired as her. He hadn’t complained once, though.
She drank from her longneck. “How did you draw the short straw?”
He looked puzzled. “For what?”
“This assignment. Coming to Nowhereland, Colorado, to work with an untried sheriff.” She lifted her beer, but didn’t drink. “What’d you do wrong?”
He flinched almost as though she’d struck him, and the skin under his tan paled.
“God, Austin. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by that. I just meant—”
“I know what you meant. No big deal.” He took a big slug of his Corona.
She reached across the table and touched his arm. A faint tremor ran up it. “Don’t lie to me, Austin. I didn’t mean to, but I hit a nerve.”
“You have a right to know,” he said in a low tone.
Curiosity burned through her. My God. What had he done? He looked so serious it had to be something awful. “You don’t have to tell me anything,” she said. “It’s not my business.”
“The thing is, it is your business. You should have gotten a full background report before I came to Confluence.”
Her curiosity turned to fear. What in the world? She shook her head. “No, it wasn’t necessary.”
The waitress reappeared, carrying their plates. She set them down. “Will there be anything else?”
“No,” Jamie said. “Thanks.”
“We’re good,” Austin told her.
“Okay, enjoy.” She fluttered away.
The meal Jamie had been looking forward to now turned her stomach. “Tell me. What did you do that was so awful?”
Austin looked a little green around the gills. “I killed my partner.”
Jamie shook her head. Surely she had not just heard that correctly. “You did what?”
He swallowed more beer. “Marisol. Fresh out of the academy. We were working on a drug cartel out of Mexico. She looked like she could pass for a native with these big brown eyes and caramel colored skin—” He cleared his throat. “I stupidly let her go undercover and she was tortured and killed. I’m responsible for her death.”
“Oh, Austin.” Jamie didn’t know what to say. She reached across the table and slipped her hand into his. “I’m so sorry.”
“So am I,” he said hoarsely.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Tad Carver leaned back in his chair and reached for his belt buckle. The images on the computer screen had his cock throbbing. Just as his fingers settled on his zipper, his phone rang. At first, he planned to ignore it. But after a second thought, he reached for it. “Carver.”
“Busy?” A cool voice inquired.
“What do you need?” His hard-on faded faster than a western sunset.
“You know what I want. When are you going to deliver?” The malice in the voice made Tad’s hair stand on end. “You better make it soon, or I might have to find someone a little better suited for the job.”
“The sheriff is looking everywhere. I can’t draw attention to myself.” Tad tried not to let his voice shake. “She’s even been to see the mark.”
The man snorted. “That little girl got you by the cajones, Deputy?”
“Not hardly.” Carver softened his tone. The guy on the other end of the line could wipe him out with a single word to one of his associates. “I’m just being careful.”
“You need to move quickly. The buyer won’t wait forever. He grows impatient. Do I have to repeat what you owe me?”
“I know you killed Kate Hollenbreck,” Tad blurted. As soon as the words were out of his mouth he wished them back.
“Threatening me, Deputy?” The voice went ice cold.
Tad’s legs shook. Had he just signed his own death warrant? “Just reminding you how much I know.”
“You’re in awfully deep to be making threats”, the man said. “Even thinly veiled ones.”
“No threats,” Tad said. “Just a reminder.”
“And I’m reminding you we have a deal. But you’re failing on your end.”
“I’m on it.” Tad pushed the disconnect button. “Fuck.”
How had he gotten into this mess? That didn’t matter. Trouble was, he’d gotten in and there was no way out. Coming clean would put him in prison for the rest of his life. Running wouldn’t work. The organization had people everywhere in the country. He’d be a marked man. Dead before he hit either the New Mexico or Utah state line.
His only choice was to deliver what he’d promised.
~*~
January Devlin moved around her shop, putting out the box of books she’d received that day. Her nerves were on edge. Not sure why, she stopped and brewed a cup of chamomile t
ea. Maybe it would soothe her a little.
Ordinarily her little store gave her great comfort and a sense of peace. But tonight, it felt like a cage. Confluence, Colorado had been a balm to her wounded body and soul. After Dominic, she had fled to the tiny mountain community striving to put the big city and the ugly memories behind her.
And she had, until Monique disappeared.
Worry about what could be happening to her friend kept January awake at night. The very real fear of what the sweet young mother could be enduring wouldn’t let January rest. She knew all too well what a sadistic man could do.
A fall festival was in order.
If the other women weren’t so freaked out, she’d invite them to come with her to the mountains for the cleansing ceremony. But she knew better than to ask. Even fearless Brenna was scared of whoever was out there stalking and taking the women of Confluence.
Fear or not, January knew if she was going to find some peace, she had to perform the ritual.
It was the only way.
A shadow outside her front door made her jump. She stifled a scream. Good grief. Her nerves were frayed. On shaking legs, she crossed the room and pushed back the lace curtain. One of the town deputies stood on the other side. She unlocked the door and opened it, but kept it half closed.
“Deputy. Is there something wrong? I’m afraid I’m closed right now.”
The chubby blond smiled until the dimple in his cheek appeared. “Not at all. I saw your lights and just wanted to check on you. With the trouble we’ve been having and all.”
She relaxed a fraction. Deputy Carver was nice enough. He reminded her of a Golden Retriever—big, kind of clumsy, but sweet. Until you looked into his eyes. They were cold and emotionless. “That’s very kind of you. Would you like to come in?”
“Maybe for a minute.”
He stepped inside and she closed the door behind him with a click. The wind had picked up and clouds were gathering over the mountain peaks. A storm was on the way.
“I was just having a cup of tea. Would you like some?”
“That sounds good.” He chuckled. “It’s a little chilly out there. Fall’s coming early this year.”