Boji Stones

by Sandra Cox

  Jack clicked off the phone. “Go on in the house. I’ll put the horses away.”

  She nodded and dismounted. She could feel his eyes on her as she hurried up the steps. The porch door swung shut behind her as she walked in. Stepping into the kitchen she stopped in her tracks. “Tony!”

  He turned. “Hi Maureen. I was hoping you’d call when you got back.”

  “I’m sorry.” The words carried a world of meaning. I’m sorry I didn’t call. I’m sorry it’s not going to work out.

  His eyes searched hers. They were dark brown, nearly black, betraying his Italian heritage. With restless fingers, he pushed back a black curly lock that had fallen over his forehead.

  She gave Hank a questioning look then pursed her lips, her brows shooting down like thunderclouds. She hadn’t seen Hank since he and Jack had come to an understanding. A magnificent shiner circled his right eye.

  Catching her eye, he shrugged, sheepish.

  She turned back to Tony. “What brings you out this way, Tony, business or pleasure?”

  He tucked his hands into his gray slacks. “It’s looking more and more like business.”

  Before she could respond, the screen door slammed behind her. Jack had gotten the horses put away in record time.

  “Maureen, you should have locked the door,” he said strolling into the kitchen and stopping beside her as he saw Tony. “Detective Cardoza, what brings you out here?”

  Tony held out his hand. “Glad to see you up and about, Dr. Wolfe.” He frowned, puzzled. “I’d heard you were at death’s door.”

  “I’m afraid my illness was greatly exaggerated.”

  “Really? I’d heard you resembled a bowl of Jell-O.” His glance went from Tony to Maureen and back again, his eyes narrowing.

  Jack grimaced. “Not a very flattering description.”

  Maureen took a deep breath. “Why are you here, Tony?”

  Reluctantly, he turned his gaze from Jack to Maureen. “I hate to tell you this, Maureen but Price escaped.”

  She slumped down on one of the kitchen chairs and closed her eyes. Even though she’d been expecting it, knew it, she’d hoped against hope that she was wrong.

  Jack put his hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture. She looked up at him. His eyes were cold as a warrior’s. She looked over at Hank. He wore the same expression.

  She almost smiled. The men ready to protect their womenfolk, in this instance her.

  “And how the hell did that happen?” Hank demanded, his eyes snapping, his fists clenched as if he’d like nothing better than to take a poke at the messenger.

  Tony looked him straight in the eye. “We aren’t sure, sir. We think there was a guard involved.”

  “You think?” Hank glared at him.

  She moved to Hank and laid her hand on his arm. “It’s not Tony’s fault, Hank. He’s done us the courtesy of coming out to tell us in person. We should be thanking him not hassling him.”

  “That’s one way to look at it,” Hank growled.

  She turned to Tony, her hand still resting on Hank’s arm. “He’s here.”

  Tony tipped his head to the side, his eyes narrowed. “Who’s here?”

  “Price. Victor Price.”

  “How do you know? Has he threatened you?” Tony asked, at the same time Hank bellowed out, “What?”

  Still looking at Tony, her arm squeezing Hank’s in warning, she responded, “No.”

  “You’ve seen him?”

  “No.”

  “Maureen, how do you know?”

  “I’ve felt him. I know he’s here.”

  Tony threw up his hands in a gesture of helplessness. “I’m a policeman, Maureen, I deal in facts not feelings.”

  Hank took a threatening step forward. “Listen, bub, if she’s says she feels him, he’s here.”

  For the first time Jack spoke. “Detective Cardoza, I understand that in your line of work you deal with cold hard facts. But if Maureen were to say day was night and night was day, I’d believe her. And I believe her about this. We need all the help we can get to protect her. Will you help us? You know that Price is a psychopath.“

  Maureen threw Jack a warm smile of appreciation. He believed her. He believed in her. Even after she’d thrown his proposal back at his feet, he still stood by her. A woman would have to be a fool to walk away from a man like that. And she, Maureen Kelly-Sinclair was nobody’s fool. If pain came with the package so be it, she would deal with it.

  Tony looked into the distance then as if making up his mind said, “I’ll call Atkinson County and ask for a drive-by. Since Price was responsible for putting Dr. Wolfe here,” he nodded his head in Jack’s direction, “in the hospital and attacked Maureen, it’s not an unreasonable request.”

  Maureen smiled. “Thank you, Tony. I appreciate it.”

  “That goes for me too, Detective,” Jack added.

  “It’s the least you can do,” Hank said belligerently.

  Ignoring the other two, Tony looked at Maureen. “Is there any point in asking you to dinner?”

  Her heart singing she smiled her joy. “Only if you invite us all. I’m getting married, Tony.” She turned to Jack as she spoke.

  Her fiancé’s lips tipped up in that slow easy smile she loved and a light seemed to radiate from within him. He took two steps and scooped her into his arms and oblivious to everyone in the room proceeded to thoroughly kiss her.

  Hank pounded Jack on the back hard enough to end the kiss. “Congratulations.”

  Jack lifted his head reluctantly. “When did you decide?”

  She looked up at him, certain her expression was as dazed and radiant as his. “When I understood that no matter what I say or do, your faith in me is unshakeable. I love you, Jack.”

  “I love you too.”

  Tony cleared his throat.

  Jack drew back but left his arm around Maureen.

  Tony looked at Maureen. “If this is what you want then I wish you happy.” He looked at Jack. “If I hear you’ve made her unhappy, I’ll throw your ass in jail and throw away the key.”

  For the first time since he’d made his announcement about Victor’s escape, Hank gave the policeman a look of approval. “I’m going to break out my best brandy. Care to join us in a toast?”

  “Thanks. But I’m on duty. I’ll be in touch.” And nodding to the happy couple walked out the door.

  Hank rubbed his hands together. “Let’s break out the brandy.”

  Maureen extricated herself from Jack’s arms and went to the hutch where her mother’s crystal was stored. She pulled out three intricate-edged crystal glasses. Hank rooted in the cabinet for the brandy. He found it and blew the dust off the bottle while she carried the glasses to him, the crystal ringing like the sweet note of bells whenever they happened to clink together. She held out the glasses and Hank poured the rich amber-colored liquid into them.

  Hank raised his glass in toast. “To Marnie and Jack.” He tapped glasses with them then said to Jack, “You hurt her in any way and you answer to me.”

  By the time they’d finished toasting, half the bottle was gone and everyone was feeling quite merry. Enough in fact that, when Hank tucked the bottle under his arm and headed for bed he said, “I’ll sleep like a log tonight. If there should be any bedroom doors opening and closing I doubt I’ll hear them.” He winked at Marnie then headed up the stairs, weaving only slightly.

  She stared after him, her mouth open.

  Jack wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Now that I know what a mellowing affect it has on Hank, I’m going to buy him a case.”

  “He bought that bottle when I was born.”

  He leaned down and kissed her nose. “We’ll buy him a bottle every time we have a baby.”

  She chuckled. “Better make it two, one to celebrate with and one to save.”

  “Good idea.” He put his arm around her and pulled her close, “And speaking of celebrating care to show me your etchings or would you rather see mine?”
/>   She slipped her arms around him all thoughts of Victor forgotten. “How bout your room tonight and mine tomorrow night.”

  He slow danced her across the kitchen floor. “I like how you think, just give me a second to lock up and I’m all yours.”

  She watched as he strode away from her to check the doors. Apparently, she was the only one who’d forgotten about Victor.

  * * * * *

  The next three days passed in a haze of happiness for Maureen. Even knowing Victor was lurking about did not worry her unduly. For the first time in her life she was in love and was savoring each moment.

  She and Jack were curled up on the couch watching the evening news and giggling like teenagers when the call came.

  Hank, sitting in the easy chair with his head buried in the newspaper, reached out to answer the phone when it started ringing. “Hello.” The paper dropped to the floor. He put a finger to his ear to lower the noise level and made a shushing motion with his hand.

  A quiver of unease crawled up Maureen’s spine.

  “Thank you. I’ll be there in the morning.” He hung up the phone and stared at the television as if having trouble focusing.

  Maureen extricated herself from Jack’s arms and leaned over the side of the couch. “Hank, what is it?”

  “Edna.”

  “Your sister?” she asked.

  He nodded then looked at Maureen. “She’s in the hospital. She was run off the road. A hit-and-run.”

  Maureen felt the blood drain from her face. She put her hand over her mouth, staring in horror. She dropped it and said, “Oh no, Hank.”

  “That son of a bitch,” Hank swore, his expression vicious.

  “Hank, maybe it’s a coincidence,” she said, knowing it wasn’t.

  “He wants me out of here, Marnie, so he can get to you.” He pounded the side of the chair, his jaw working. “Dammit. I’ve got to go. Edna’s my only living relative. She’s all I’ve got left and I’m all she has left.”

  “Of course you do,” she soothed.

  “Where does Edna live?” Jack asked.

  “Michigan. About six hours from here.”

  “I’ll call Tony and ask him to see if he can’t get someone out here or have the drive-bys doubled up,” Jack said.

  “I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all,” Hank muttered.

  “How do you think he found out about Edna?” Maureen asked, rubbing her forehead.

  Jack took her hand. “He probably hired a PI.”

  Hank put his elbow on the chair and leaned toward the couch. “He’ll try to get rid of you next.”

  Jack nodded. “I think you’re right. But I’m not going anywhere. Besides, it’s not as if I have family.” He narrowed his eyes, thinking. “I don’t know what he’ll use for bait but he’ll try something. I’m going to call Tony.” He pulled out his cell phone and walked out of the room.

  “Hank I’m so sorry, I’ve brought this down on you and yours,” she said, her voice strained. Biting her lips, she touched the amulet seeking comfort. Peace surged through her but worry ran like a strong current just beneath the surface.

  “Nothing for you to be sorry about, girl. I’m the one that’s leaving when you need me and I got to tell you it’s eating my gut.”

  She got up, went to him and dropped to the floor beside his chair. Resting her head on his knees, she said her voice low, “Please don’t worry, Uncle Hank. There’s nothing else you can do. You have to go.”

  He patted her head awkwardly. “I don’t suppose you’d come with me?”

  She lifted her head and smiled. “Thanks but who’d take care of the horses?”

  “Let North Carolina make himself useful.”

  She shook her head. “We’d just be putting off the inevitable, Hank. He’s coming for me and I’m not running.”

  He sighed. “You always were too stubborn for your own good, Marnie.”

  “How bad is Edna?”

  “Bad enough. But out of danger or I’d be hauling you down there to heal her.”

  Hank straightened an arrested expression in his eyes. “Maybe we can make him think you went with me.”

  “How?”

  “Remember that life-size cardboard picture of you your college friends got you for your twenty-first birthday? Is it still stashed in the attic? I’ll leave while it’s dark, take it with me and he won’t know the difference.”

  A slow grin spread across Maureen’s face. “Hank you’re a genius.” Then sobered and shook her head. “No. I won’t have him running you off the road too.”

  Hank stood up, his eyes gleaming. “Just let the bastard try.” He grinned down at her, “I’d love to see your fiancé plant one on that cardboard picture though just to add a touch of realism.”

  Jack strolled back into the room, pocketing his phone. “Plant one on who?”

  Hank and Maureen explained the plan.

  Jack nodded soberly. “It’ll buy us sometime and if he does try anything hopefully you can get his license plates. I’ll give you Tony’s cell phone number in case you need to cut through any red tape. When are you leaving?”

  “I’m going to pack now. If you can help Marnie pull that cardboard picture out of the attic I’ll be on my way in twenty minutes.”

  While Hank packed, Maureen and Jack hauled the dusty cutout downstairs.

  They stood in the kitchen with the curtains drawn saying their final goodbyes. Hank gave Marnie a swift hard hug. “Stay out of trouble, girl. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  She bit her lip. “You too, Hank,” she whispered, less than thrilled that he was playing human guinea pig.

  Hank turned to Jack. “Okay North Carolina, put your arm around the cardboard Marnie and walk her to the truck.” He tipped his chin in Maureen’s direction. “Be seeing you.”

  She nodded not trusting herself to speak past the lump in her throat. She moved into the dark shadows on the screened-in porch and watched them. Wrapping her arms around her middle, she rocked back and forth on her heels, cold in spite of the warm breeze blowing through the screen.

  When they reached the pickup, Hank said in a caring voice, “Well kiss her goodbye so we can be on our way.”

  Maureen pressed her lips together and covered her mouth to keep from laughing. A strangled snorting sound escaped her but was covered up by the revving of the truck motor.

  Jack stood at the edge of the drive and watched Hank drive down the lane, the red tail lights growing smaller and smaller. He turned in a circle looking around then walked back to the house.

  Opening the door, he stepped onto the porch. As he walked past her, she reached out and touched his arm.

  He jumped straight up. “Geez, Maureen,” he whispered, “are you trying to give me a heart attack? I thought you were inside.” He held the door open a crack and let her slip into the dimly lit kitchen.

  Nudging the door shut with his boot, he took her in his arms. “He’ll be okay, love. As ruthless as Victor is, I’d match Hank against him anytime anywhere.”

  She watched Wolf trot across the floor and plop down on the old braid rug behind the table. A troubled frown pleated her brow. “I hope you’re right.”

  * * * * *

  He sat a mile down the road in a stolen SUV. He knew the county police’s schedule. They wouldn’t be by for another hour. He lifted the powerful telescopic lens and watched Dr. Wolfe escort Ms. Sinclair to the oversized cab truck, then lean over and kiss her goodbye. In the dark, their forms were shadowy but visible. As Hank McHenry started the engine and switched on the lights he felt a gleam of pure pleasure light his features. Finally. He waited until Hank pulled out of the lane and turned left before he started up the car. The SUV purred like a kitten. He left the lights off as he pulled back on the road.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The morning sun streaming in through the east window woke her. Maureen reached for Jack but the bed was empty. She stretched like a cat her body replete. Then memory came flooding back. Hank. Before
she could toss off the covers and hop out of bed, Jack strolled through the door carrying the old wooden breakfast tray, heaped with two steaming cups of fragrant coffee, two plates loaded with fluffy yellow eggs, buttered toast and a single fragrant pink rose. She looked at the rose and smiled. He must have picked it from the rose bush beneath her bedroom window.

  She scooted up in bed and leaned her bare shoulders against the wooden backboard. “I could get used to this. You and Hank spoil me. You know don’t you, I’m marrying you for your cooking?”

  “And you know don’t you that I’m marrying you for your ability to work with horses?” he countered, sitting the tray on her lap and slipping back in bed with her.

  She picked up a coffee mug, swallowed the steaming liquid and felt the first wondrous jolt of caffeine kick into her system. “Have you heard from Hank?” she asked reaching for a piece of toast.

  “Not yet. He’ll call us when he can.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry, darling. “

  She sighed. “I’m less worried about Victor running Hank off the road then I am about Hank taking Victor out with that arsenal he keeps in that truck and winding up in jail for murder.”

  Jack laughed.

  “It’s not funny.”

  He put his arm around her and gave her a light squeeze. “Hank’s neck may be a little red but he’s not stupid. If he did wind up shooting Victor by the time he’d got finished with the police, they’d be offering him a badge for meritorious duty.”

  Maureen laughed in spite of herself.

  Just then the phone on her bedside table rang.

  They both grabbed for it but Maureen was closer. She snatched it up. “Hello.”

  “Marnie, it’s Hank.”

  “Hank!” She clutched the phone her relief spilling over into her voice. “Are you all right? How’s Edna?” She moved the phone so that both she and Jack could hear.

  “She’s had some complications. I’m going to need to stay another couple of nights.”

  “I’ll pack a bag and head out. Be there in five hours.”

  “No,” Hank and Jack said simultaneously.

  “Listen to me,” Hank said, his voice pitched low as if fearing being overheard. “You can’t waltz into another hospital and heal somebody. It’s not a matter of life and death, if it were I’d drag you down here. She’s got an infection and it’s complicated things. As soon as I get her out of the hospital, I’ll drive her to the ranch and you can lay hands on her. But we don’t need anyone starting to make the connection between you and the healings. Yours was risky enough, not to mention North Carolina’s. You need to keep a low profile girl.”