Behind the Shield

by Sheryl Lynn

  He didn’t need the hassle, the drama, the heartache. She had too many problems to ever commit, and she dragged around too much baggage for a stable relationship. He didn’t need her.

  Now if he could just convince his stupid heart.

  “She’s safe.” He hung up and called for entry.

  “I found her, Chief,” an officer said.

  Judy Green’s shrill voice raised in outraged protest.

  Carson didn’t like thinking of himself as a vindictive man. But a crime was a crime and he’d warned Judy.

  “Send her on in. It’s time she gets a lesson in what accessory to attempted murder means.”

  MADELINE SET a sandwich and cup of coffee on the table next to Tony. He stretched out on a leather sofa. He’d been very, very lucky. The bullet had struck his shoulder, breaking his clavicle, but it prevented the bullet from spiraling through his body and striking a lung or his heart. He was in pain and he had to keep his right arm bound to his chest, but he’d suffer no lasting damage.

  “After I eat,” he said, “think you could help me wash up?” He rubbed his bristling jaw. “Shave?”

  This was ludicrous. Staying with Tony was a mistake. Leaving Carson had been a mistake. Maurice Harrigan had spooked her badly. Witnessing how easily the town of Ruff had turned their backs on Carson plunged her into despair. What did she do? Run like a coyote with her tail tucked between her legs.

  It’s what she always did. She ran from her father. She ran from her mother. She ran away every single time she came close to caring. When she couldn’t physically escape, she dived into art, hiding inside the intricate mindlessness of beadwork.

  “Maddy?” Tony asked. “Is there a problem?”

  She forced a smile. “Yeah, I think there is.”

  “Spill, my sweet.” He picked up the coffee cup. “What’s bothering your pretty little head?”

  Leaving Tony would be a lot easier if he weren’t being so kind and generous. “Have you ever been in love?”

  “At least once a week since I hit puberty. Why?” His smile turned impish. “Got the bug, huh? Carson’s a lucky guy.”

  “I don’t know what to do.”

  “Funny how sex can wreck the best intentions.”

  She slid him a look askance. “For the first time in my life I’ve met a guy who makes me feel good. Comfortable. No games, no lies. He’s absolutely perfect.”

  Tony gazed over the rim of his coffee cup. “It must be my injury. I’m failing to see the problem here.”

  “He’s perfect. I’m not.”

  “Carson’s a good old boy, but he’s not quite perfect. Love is blind, Maddy, never forget that.”

  She wandered to the front door and stared out at the rocks and scrub and faraway mountains. “I mean, he’s perfect for me. And I’m all wrong for him. All I do is wreck things.”

  “I know how you can get over him.”

  She looked over her shoulder to find him broadcasting his million-dollar smile. He was gorgeous, funny, intelligent, wealthy and the baddest of the bad boys. All he wore was the sling and a pair of running shorts, a combination almost guaranteed to rouse lust and a woman’s nurturing instinct. An affair with Tony didn’t stand a chance of lasting, but it would be a wild ride. He had tried to save her from Maurice and taken a bullet on her behalf.

  And yet…he wasn’t Carson Cody.

  “I don’t want to get over him.”

  Dust rose over the trees. A few seconds later the sound of an engine drifted to the house, growing louder. Nick Iola’s rolling wreck of a Volvo came up the driveway.

  Nervousness ruffled through her body and she moved away from the door. “It’s Nick. I’ll wait in the bedroom.”

  “You aren’t scared of Nick.” He laughed.

  “No, I just…” Okay, damn it, she was scared. She was scared of everything these days and she was sick of it. “Okay, the kitchen then. I’ll make coffee.”

  Her belongings were stacked, untouched in the kitchen. Tony was a demanding patient and she hadn’t been able to get any work done. He was better now. No sign of infection and his wound was healing nicely. He could take care of himself. After her intensive nursing, even Tony would concede they were square.

  If Carson turned her away? If he decided she wasn’t worth the bother? She certainly wouldn’t accept Tony as her consolation prize.

  The doorbell rang. Tony yelled for Nick to come on in.

  If Carson didn’t want her, she’d ask Nick for a ride to Whiteriver in exchange for an exclusive interview. She’d camp out in Nona Redhawk’s yard.

  No! That was running away again. She’d make Carson listen to her. She’d make him believe.

  “Oh, Tony, have I got problems!” Nick said.

  Madeline walked into the room.

  Nick started and stared at her as if he didn’t believe his eyes. “Hi.”

  “We don’t have to bother telling you to keep Maddy’s location on the hush-hush,” Tony said. “What kind of problems?”

  Nick shrugged a bulky leather bag off his shoulder. “My damned laptop crashed. The first real break in the hijacking and bam! Stupid computer is deader than roadkill. I can go to Flagstaff, but you’re hooked up and right here. I am at your mercy.”

  “A break?” Tony sat upright and swung his feet to the floor.

  “Straight from my source in the FBI. They got an anonymous tip telling them to check out Jonathon James Garman. Unlike the thousands of other tips they got, this one actually leads somewhere.”

  “Really?” Tony scratched absently beneath the sling where it rubbed his neck. His brilliant blue eyes glittered with excitement. “Where does it lead?”

  “Straight to the top of the food chain. Garman has been giving the FBI the slip for years. Giving them fits, too. He’s involved in some major robberies. Jewels, art, rare coins. He knows how to cover his tracks. But they’re convinced he slipped up this time. The FBI is sure they can get a DNA match to connect him to the hijacking.”

  “Do they know where Garman is?”

  “That I don’t know. But with his rap sheet there has to be some file footage archived somewhere. The tip claims Garman is in the area. I’m hoping for pictures good enough for the locals to recognize. I’d give my right arm to be there when the FBI arrests him.”

  Filled with rising hope, Madeline stared at the reporter. If he had his facts right, then the end of all this madness was near.

  Tony assured Nick he was free to use the computers as much and as long as he liked. He held up his left hand. “Hold on a sec and let me check something first.” He headed for his bedroom.

  “I hope this is over soon,” Madeline said. “Would you like some coffee? I’m about to make a fresh pot.”

  “Love some. Are you okay? Carson changes the subject when I ask about you,” Nick said.

  A pang squeezed her heart. “Is he all right?”

  Nick lowered his head and pulled at his jaw. “Truth? No. He’s about to lose his job.”

  Grit burned her eyes and her throat tightened. That crying jag at the creek had loosened something inside her. Before then, she had gone so many years without shedding a tear she didn’t think she could cry. Lately it seemed that’s all she did. “I’ll make the coffee.”

  Tony strode into the room. He was smiling. He raised his left arm. He held a pistol. Madeline had opened her mouth to ask him what he was doing when he pulled the trigger. Madeline clapped her hands over her ears. Nick staggered, struck his bag with his heel and fell. He hit the floor hard and cried out.

  Stunned, Madeline stared openmouthed at Tony. This had to be one of his stupid jokes. Expecting, hoping, Nick would leap to this feet and cry, “Gotcha!” she shifted her attention to the man on the floor. Nick rocked, his right arm cradled against his belly. Blood seeped between his fingers. Real blood. Real pain.

  “I hate this sling,” Tony said. “I can’t do anything left-handed.”

  Nick gasped, “Tony? Hey, man, why’d you shoot me…ah, jeez.”
His lips pulled in a grimace.

  Tony gestured with the pistol. The stench of cordite reached Madeline’s nose, startling her from her shock. She dropped to her knees and reached for Nick’s wounded arm.

  “Get up, Maddy. Step away.”

  Tony’s conversational tone made her skin crawl. She sheltered Nick in her arms. He was trembling. “Are you crazy?” she shouted. “What are you doing?”

  “Don’t get mad at me. Nick’s the one trying to wreck everything.”

  Nick muttered a curse. “It’s you.” His voice was shaky.

  “Who needs crappy mug shots when you can behold the real thing,” Tony said.

  Madeline hugged Nick more tightly and he squirmed. “You’re the man the FBI is looking for? No, it can’t be….”

  “I really hoped we could do this the easy way, Maddy. We could get to know each other, have some good times. I’d love to see you draped in diamonds, behind the wheel of a hot little sports car.”

  Madeline shook her head. “You’re crazy.”

  “Better crazy than stupid. Quit playing dumb. You want the key. Well, lo and behold, my little Indian princess, I have the key.” He aimed at Nick. “Since wine and roses are out, let’s get right down to business. Tell me what to do with the key.”

  He looked like Tony and sounded like Tony, but she didn’t understand a word he said.

  Those fine blue eyes were hard, flinty and ruthless. He took a step closer and she wrapped an arm around Nick’s shoulders, shielding him as best she could.

  “Even left-handed I can put a bullet in his ear.”

  “I swear to God, Tony, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Madeline said.

  Tony straightened his arm, closed one eye and squinted down the sights at Nick. The reporter quailed.

  “I don’t know!” Madeline screamed. “Please, please, don’t hurt him! I don’t know about any keys. You have to believe me. Please.”

  Tony pointed the pistol at the ceiling. He frowned, worked his mouth and made musing sounds. “Crap, I’m almost believing you.”

  Tony rolled his eyes. “I’m a tolerant guy, but there are limits. Okay, Maddy, IQ test. For every wrong answer, Nick loses a body part.”

  She shared a frightened look with Nick and rose. She planted her body squarely between the men. “Leave him alone.”

  “Ooh, tough girl.” He waggled his eyebrows. “I’m tougher.”

  “If you want something from me, deal with me.”

  “That’s what I’m trying to do,” he said with exaggerated patience. “Let’s cut the crap. There is only one reason you came to this godforsaken hellhole overrun with idiot goat-ropers and big-hair country gals. You want the key. Okay, you caught me, fair and square. I have the key.”

  She shook her head.

  “Greed is a deadly sin, sweetie. It will get you killed. I know nice ways to get what I want and I know some really nasty ways. Either way, I will get what I want.”

  She searched his face for humanity or mercy. “You saved my life. How can you do this now?”

  “Who do you think told Maurice about you in the first place?” Tony snorted. “I had to get you out of Carson’s house. Of course, I didn’t count on him shooting me. Just like I didn’t count on old Nick coming up here. I swear, this whole county is conspiring to wreck my plans. I used to be a really lucky guy. Then I met your dad and it’s been one damned thing after another.”

  Fear clambered up her chest, threatening panic. She choked it down.

  Nick said, “The FBI is on to you, man.”

  “Yeah, I can see all those black sedans and suits ringing the house.” He barked a laugh. “Maddy, I can see you have a soft spot for Nick. So I tell you what. Cooperate and he lives.”

  “Don’t believe him.” Nick’s voice was strained. “He’s going to kill both of us.”

  “You’re not helping the cause, man.” He made a “move it” gesture with the pistol. “Get my key ring.”

  Never taking her eyes off him, she sidled to a small table and picked up a key ring. He had her sort through keys until he said to stop. He ordered Nick on to his feet then marched Nick and Madeline down the hall where she unlocked a large closet containing a solid steel gun safe.

  “Inside,” Tony said. “Lock him in, Maddy.”

  Don’t worry about me, Nick mouthed to her. Get out.

  Sick and helpless, she closed and locked the door.

  “He’s fine. Now you make nice with me.”

  She considered how far it was to the front door and could she reach it before he shot her.

  “Ahem. Want to know what happens if you go scampering off? I’ll give my good buddy Carson a call. When he shows up. Boom, right between the eyes.”

  “I swear, Tony, I don’t know anything about a key.”

  “You are the little Indian princess, right?”

  Any answer would get Nick killed. She couldn’t think of a lie to save him. She swallowed hard. “It was my father’s nickname for me.”

  Tony scowled and murmured, “Hmm.” He herded her into the front room and ordered her to sit. He paced back and forth and scratched his chin with the pistol bore. “Your dad, what a piece of work. I don’t usually make mistakes in judging character, but I’m the first to admit I blew it with Frank.” He gave her an offended look and half turned, giving her a view of his ribs beneath the sling. A small puckered scar marred otherwise smooth, suntanned skin. “He shot me. He left me to die in Utah.”

  “You did kill those other men,” she pointed out.

  “That was the plan. Shooting me was not. But he wasn’t that smart. He should have disabled the other truck. Or at least made sure I was dead.”

  “You killed Jill and Billy.”

  “No!” Tony looked offended. “That was Frank. The dumbass panicked like a rabbit in a dog kennel. I swear, up until Carson blew him away Frank had the luck of the Irish. I mean, I spent years hunting him down. I had to wait, twiddling my thumbs, until the parole board kicked him loose. When he and Deke hooked up, I thought I had them. Only Frank wasn’t there.”

  Madeline’s chest was so tight it hurt to breathe. “You killed Deke Fry.”

  “Well, yeah. First he wants to play dumb, then he wants to scream like a little girl. If you’d been there, you’d have wanted to shoot him, too. I tucked him under the house, got the place cleaned up and Frank shows up in a rental truck. I’m thinking, great, this will be easy. Frank tells me where my money is and everybody is happy. I was even willing to forgive him for shooting me back in Utah.” He shook his head as if amused by the memory. “But good old Frank had to screw that up, too. He came out of the truck armed to the teeth. I figured he was going to do in Deke. He spotted me and started shooting. You wouldn’t think the cops around here could respond that fast, but they did.” He gave her a rueful grin. “I guess when Frank saw the woman and kid down at the creek he thought they were with me. Bummer for them.”

  Tony’s lack of compassion and remorse terrified her. She had to get away. She had to keep Tony from killing Nick.

  “Okay, here’s the deal. Deke Fry had the key and Frank had the location. That’s how they kept each other honest. Clever, huh? When I got the key from Fry, he told me he was supposed to pick up the little Indian princess. It’s the only way he and Frank could retrieve the money. Are you following the logic, Maddy? If you’re the little Indian princess, then you know where the money is.”

  Cringing from the pistol, she shook her head. “He lied to you.”

  “In the end, nobody lies to me.” He touched her chin with the pistol. It felt icy cold. “I knew if I waited around long enough you’d show up looking for the key. So come on, Maddy. You can’t get the money without the key and I can’t get it without you. We’ll be partners. I really enjoy hanging with you. What do you say?”

  “Maybe it was something he sent me. My father told me Fry was going to ask me for a favor. But I don’t know what he meant and I wasn’t there so I never saw Fry.”

&nb
sp; “Yeah, that’s what he said. What did he send?”

  She lifted her shoulders. “Things he made for me. I saved it all from the fire.” She caught herself before blurting out that the FBI had picked over her belongings. Honest yes, stupid no.

  “It’s here? Okay, then, lead the way.”

  THE BOX LABELED Dumb Stuff was at the bottom of the stack in the kitchen. As she moved boxes of beads and tools, she debated throwing one at Tony. He was disabled; he couldn’t move that fast.

  But if she was wrong, she was dead and Nick was dead and, out of spite, Tony would make sure Carson was dead, too.

  Tony peered into a box. “What’s the stuff wrapped up in tissue?”

  “Finished pieces. Mine, not his.”

  “Show me.”

  She unpacked the beaded vessels, baskets and boxes. One by one she lined them up on the table. A shaft of sunlight through the kitchen window sparkled and glowed against the glass beads.

  “You do good work,” Tony said. “Next.”

  She opened the flaps on the Dumb Stuff box. Cool and calm, she told herself, wait for an opening.

  He picked up the wooden puppet doll and shook it. “Is this hollow?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Smash it.”

  She swung it for all she was worth against the table. The doll cracked and one leg fell off. She tried again. The body split in half. It was drilled to accommodate wires, but it wasn’t hollow. Tony picked through the box. He had her smash some wooden carvings and take apart a tin puzzle box. None of the items concealed anything. He unrolled a drawing. He shoved the box to make room to spread it out. The box struck the phoenix vessel. Instinctively Madeline grabbed it and cradled it against her breast.

  “Sorry,” Tony said. “Frank did this?”

  She petted the vessel’s long slender neck as if it were alive. If she died, this was all that would be left of her. No real family, no children and the only man she had ever loved would never know how she felt. “Yes.”