Perfect Night

by Laine, Terri E.

  I checked my phone. Darcy hadn’t texted me the information I requested yet. Just as I put my phone back in my pocket, a car drove down the lane. There were only a few houses on this street and the car didn’t slow, so they had to be headed here. Evan. I stood straighter. He wouldn’t make a scene or upset Emma.

  Since the road ended just past Emma’s house, the car circled back at the end before pulling to a stop beside Evan’s vehicle.

  A window rolled down. “Morning, officer,” Evan’s tidy lawyer said. “I hope we will have no problem here.”

  “As long as your client doesn’t start any,” I called from the porch.

  The lawyer turned his head and said something to Evan. The passenger’s door opened, and he climbed out. I thought of Emma and Darcy and how this man had manhandled them both. I gripped the railing tighter to ensure I didn’t break the laws I’d sworn to uphold.

  Evan didn’t speak, likely based on the advice of his lawyer. His glare however said everything he didn’t. I maintained a bored expression because he didn’t scare me. I’d been in enough scrapes over the years to trust my abilities. It was a time like this where I wished I didn’t wear the shield. A good old fashion kick in the ass would do the pompous bastard good.

  As he reached his car, he finally spoke. “Emma’s never going to stay in this town for you. And when she’s gone…” He got into his car and turned it on before I could react. He whipped it around to the other side and sped off.

  “You should remind your client of the speed limit laws here in town. I’d hate to have to pull him over on a misdemeanor charge. It wouldn’t go well with his current list of charges,” I said to his lawyer.

  In response, the man rolled up his window and drove off. However, I did see him putting his phone to his ear. Unfortunately, Montana didn’t have distracting driving laws, so I couldn’t do anything about the lawyer talking on his phone while driving. Too bad. I really wanted to make my day brighter by writing them both citations.

  Not long after, the door opened behind me. Emma asked me what was wrong. I put off the conversation until later. Instead, I followed her to the salon.

  I thought she’d park and go in for her appointment, but she surprised me by coming to my vehicle instead.

  As she talked, I listened, yet wondered when we wouldn’t hide our feelings for each other in front of the town.

  When her eyes dropped to my lips, I said, “Your choice.” I was playing by her rules though I was determined to win.

  She leaned in and I met her halfway. The softness of her lips wasn’t lost on me as I was fully aware of every touch that passed between us. She pulled back far too quickly for my liking. Yet, she’d crossed the first barrier we’d been dancing around for weeks.

  “My girl has kissed me. I wonder how long before someone asks me about it?” I joked.

  It was cute how she nervously glanced around. “I don’t think anyone saw.”

  “Maybe not, but now I can kiss you when I want.” It was a promise I hoped she understood.

  Then she was walking away, leaving me mesmerized by the sway of her hips. I waited until she was behind the closed door before driving to the station with a smile on my face.

  Darcy’s text came as I’d entered through the back and heard yelling from the sheriff’s office. I went past the closed door to see Bess first.

  “What the hell is going on here?” That had been clearly heard by anyone in the station.

  Bess gave me a sympathetic look before saying, “Sheriff’s back and he’s looking for you.”

  I sighed and headed back in that direction. I knocked on the door.

  “Is that you, Aiden?” he asked through the door.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Get in here,” he bellowed. I pushed the door open as he hung up his desk phone. He gestured with his hand for me close the door. Once it was, he laid into me. “Do you want to tell me why Doug Hawkins grave was dug up?”

  I didn’t flinch. “To determine cause of death, sir.”

  He narrowed his eyes at me. “He died due to a heart attack.”

  “The evidence suggests something else.”

  “What evidence?” he barked.

  I laid it out for him from the missing surveillance video to the videos I’d gotten from the jewelry story and auto body shop.

  “That’s not enough to open an investigation,” Sheriff said with a scowl.

  “Not after the fact, no. But couple that with the autopsy and we will have what we need.”

  “And when the result comes back saying he died of natural causes, then what? You’ve given Emma hope where there’s none.”

  “Respectfully, sir, you gave her platitudes. There was enough to rule the death as suspicious when he was found. If you’d done even a little investigation, you would know he wasn’t alone when he died. That was enough to open an investigation.”

  “Who was he with?”

  “That’s what I intend on figuring out. Give me the go ahead to investigate and I’ll find out.”

  He studied me. I was certain he wanted to tell me to move on, but he couldn’t, not anymore. “You don’t have enough to get a judge to sign off on anything.”

  “Only because the death certificate says natural causes.”

  He pursed his lips. “This isn’t LA,” he ground out.

  “That doesn’t mean there aren’t bad people. I know you don’t want to think anyone is town is capable of murder. That shouldn’t stop justice being served.”

  “You do nothing until those autopsy results are in and stay away from Evan. He’s made a formal complaint about you.”

  I gave him a curt nod. “I have my dash and body cams to show I followed procedure,” I said.

  Though I had no intentions of not following up on leads where I could. Especially as I decided what to do with the new information Darcy had given me.

  “Dismissed,” he said.

  When I left his office, I headed to my own. I had a call I needed to make. The sooner the better.

  Chapter 25

  Emma

  I felt lighter after leaving the salon and it wasn’t because of the trim. Faith had only cut an inch or so off. What had me smiling was her advice which was how I ended up at Queen's Unmentionables.

  Olivia’s smiling face greeted me when I entered. “How can I help you on this bright morning?”

  “Faith sent me by,” I said.

  Her eyes twinkled with mirth. “She did, did she?”

  I nodded. “I’m taking her advice.”

  “Do you want something for your upcoming honeymoon?” she asked.

  Could it possibly be true that she hadn’t heard? “Actually, no. The wedding is off.”

  She arched her eyebrow. “Well, then. Should I guess who the lucky guy is?”

  What harm did it cause in telling her? I gave it twenty-four hours before the entire town knew that Aiden and I were together.

  “No judgment here,” she added.

  “Aiden,” I said.

  Her grin widened. “Good for you. I have the perfect thing,” she said, and then I was immersed in the world of seduction, something I didn’t know a lot about.

  I left with a little black bag, proud of myself. Aiden wanted to wait. I was banking he’d change his mind when he saw me in the little number I’d picked up.

  My next stop was the grocery store. I wanted to pick up a bottle of wine and hoped I would run into Alana. To my luck, she was at the register, serving customers. When it was my turn at checkout, I tossed out what I wanted to tell her.

  “It’s official, I’m seeing your brother.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Like I didn’t see that coming. It’s been in the making since high school.”

  “We didn’t date in high school.”

  “Exactly, but those long lingering gazes were hard to miss. Just don’t call me with your relationship drama. I don’t want to be in the middle of that.” She held up a hand. “And don’t tell me about sex with him either.
Gross.”

  I laughed, as I took my wine and teasingly promised to give her all the details anyway. By the time I made it to the bar, I was practically hovering on air. My phone buzzed.

  “Hello?” I didn’t recognize the number.

  “Emma Hawkins?”

  “This is she.”

  “Hi, this is Grady Jackson with Dream BIG travel agency.”

  “Yeah, hey.” I had no idea why he’d be calling me.

  “I’m sorry to call you about this. Your father bought tickets for you and Evan.”

  “Honeymoon,” I said to myself.

  “Yes.”

  It was like a lance through my heart. Dad hated Evan, yet he’d gotten me a thoughtful gift for a wedding that was no longer going to happen. “Can it be canceled?”

  “He did buy the trip insurance—”

  “But?” I asked.

  “But, that insurance relates to you and Evan, not your dad.”

  “I’m stuck with it?”

  “Kind of. I can probably switch Evan’s tickets to another name or cancel if we can get credits.”

  “I’m not marrying Evan. So cancel it.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, and thank you.”

  “One more thing,” he began. “I run a real estate agency as well if you’d like to sell or buy anything.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Jack called me to the front to help. Apparently, two of our waitresses called out sick. Just as I was ushering the last of our lunch patrons, Darcy walked in and took a seat at the bar.

  I forced a smile because I did have to live here. We would run into each other and I didn’t want it to be awkward.

  “Emma,” she said when I returned behind the counter.

  “Yes, Darcy.”

  “I thought we should talk.”

  I glanced around and there was no one in the area. My bartender had gone on their break.

  “Say what you have to say,” I said.

  “I wanted you to hear it from me. I hooked up with Evan.”

  I folded my arms. “I guessed. Did you want to rub it in my face?”

  “He swore things were over between the two of you.”

  “Of course, he did. You’re welcome to him, or is pain a hard limit for you?” Okay, that had been mean, but it was too late to take back. Apparently, she’d seen the humor.

  “Ha. Ha. Ha. He’s a psychopath. If I were you, I’d leave town. He’s obsessed with you.”

  “You’d like that wouldn’t you?” I asked.

  “I would.”

  “Is that all?” At this point, I wanted her to leave.

  She narrowed her eyes in the face of my sarcasm. “Not exactly. Did Aiden tell you I come over once a week and we spend time together, eating pizza.”

  I lifted my shoulders and let them fall like I didn’t have a care in the world. “Aiden doesn’t have to check in with me. I trust him.”

  “Pretend not to care all you want. I’m tired of living in your shadow and I’m not giving up Aiden without a fight,” she said.

  “I’m not fighting you over a guy. Besides, I would kick your ass. But if you haven’t gotten the memo, Aiden chose me.”

  She got up from her seat and tossed the ring Evan had given me on the counter. She’d taken it. “For now. He’ll get bored with you and come back to me. He always does. He never stays away for long. So enjoy yourself while you can.”

  I will not hate her. I will not hate her, I repeated in my head. I hated her.

  The drinking rush was worse later. It felt like everyone in town wanted an escape. Down two people, I couldn’t leave early. I was stuck until closing time. It was late when I arrived at Aiden’s. I used the key he left me. He’d texted me that he’d left it in the same place.

  He wasn’t downstairs, so I went upstairs. He was on the bed with one arm folded behind his head and his eyes glued to the TV. I dropped my bag in the chair in the corner. Then, I proceeded to remove my clothes.

  Once done, I stood in the lacy bodysuit I’d paid good money for at Queen’s Unmentionables. His eyes had tracked me the entire time.

  “Your hair looks nice,” he said, his smile half-cocked.

  “That’s what you noticed?” I shifted on my feet feeling more confident than I had all my life.

  “I notice everything about you when you walk into a room.”

  “Do you now?” I asked.

  “Yes. I’m just waiting for you to come closer.”

  “Yeah,” I said, moving forward.

  He snagged my wrist and I giggled as he tumbled me onto the bed.

  “I take it, waiting is over,” he said.

  My answer was ruined by the sound of his phone ringing. He exhaled. “I have to get that.”

  He was a cop and was never truly off duty especially in a small town like this.

  I couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation. What I did get was a lot of grunts until he said, “I’m on my way.” Then he turned to me. “I’m sorry Emma. I have to go.”

  He rolled me onto my back and kissed me before jumping out of bed. He rushed to get dressed. It didn’t escape my attention when he strapped on a bulletproof vest and a shoulder hostler before leaving.

  “Be safe,” I said as he left.

  Was this what all spouses and partners felt when their significant other left for duty? I talked myself out of worry because we didn’t live in LA. This was Mason Creek. Nothing ever happened here, except my dad. Aiden would be okay. He had to be.

  Chapter 26

  Aiden

  As much as I wanted to stay with Emma, Sam had called for backup. He pulled over a vehicle because of a busted tail light. There was something in the hole that made it suspicious outside of the normal repair that needed to be made. He followed procedure and was waiting for back up before he approached.

  Based on his account of what was happening, I didn't like the sound of things either. It worried me that Sam was alone on a two-lane road on the outskirts of town. I didn't waste time and put on my issued bulletproof vest and holster before jogging down the stairs. Once I was in my vehicle, I tore down the highway like Sam's life depended on it because it may very well be.

  I pulled behind Sam’s service vehicle. I radioed over to him that I would approach the vehicle. Because it was after hours, county dispatch was on the line and not Bess.

  My hand was on the butt of my weapon as I approached the vehicle Sam had pulled over. I signaled to him to watch my back as I did so, though he was trained to do just that. Wyatt was en route, but he’d been on the other side of town.

  The older model sedan engine was still on. As I got closer, I signaled for the driver to roll the window down. The back windows were tinted. That left me at a disadvantage to see if other occupants were in the back. The driver rolled down the window a few inches.

  “I’m Chief Deputy Sheriff Faulkner. Do you know why you’ve been pulled over?”

  “No, sir.”

  It was a good sign that they’d complied so far. But that didn’t mean I would take my hand off my weapon.

  “You have a busted tail light. Driver’s license and registration,” I asked for.

  “Sure man.”

  While he was retrieving that, I asked, “Did you know that your tail light was broken?”

  “No, sir.”

  There was too much movement in the car I couldn’t see, but I heard.

  “There is something sticking out. Can I check your trunk?”

  “Why?” he asked.

  I didn’t have the ability to compel the driver to do so without probable cause that someone’s life was in immediate danger. “It’s dark. There is something sticking out.”

  “I don’t have to, do I?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “So no,” he slurred.

  He’d given short answers before. His slur had me worried he was driving under the influence. The next minutes would decide the outcome of this traffic stop.

  “Please exit the vehic
le,” I commanded.

  Several things happened at once. A muffled cry and pounding could be heard from the back, possibly the trunk, as the driver said, “Aww man. You shouldn’t have,” to either me or the person trapped.

  There was a flash before the sound of a gun discharging. I had my gun out as the punch hit my chest taking me off my feet. I got off a shot before I saw stars as the back of my head hit the pavement.

  Chaos ensued. With my vision off, my ears took over. I heard Sam shouting for whoever to get down as sirens approached. I rolled to my side, not wanting to make myself a bigger target as the back door flew open.

  I aimed and fired on the person attempting to exit the vehicle with what appeared to be a sawed-off shotgun.

  It was over shortly after that. I rolled on my back still trying to catch my breath.

  “Aiden, are you okay?” Sam said, crouching next to me.

  I nodded. “Did you check the trunk?”

  His eyes widened.

  “You didn’t hear?”

  “I’m on it,” he said and left.

  Though it hurt like a son of gun, I was pretty sure the bullet caught my vest.

  “Shit,” Sam called.

  I forced myself to sit up. “What do you see?”

  “A girl,” he said.

  Wyatt was there with a helping hand. I got to my feet and shuffled over to the trunk. There, bound and gagged, was a young girl. Though I couldn’t be sure, I had a feeling she was the missing girl from the BOLO. Her foot was lodged in the left back taillight.

  “Call the paramedics,” I directed, but not for me.

  Wyatt used his radio to inform dispatch as Sam and I helped free the young girl. By the time an ambulance arrived, we had the girl sitting in Sam’s squad car with a blanket around her.

  I waved off any care for me and directed their attention to our young charge. With no visible injuries, they had no choice but to take my word for it. The last place I wanted to be was the hospital when there was little they could do for me. When the ambulance took her, Wyatt followed. He and Sam wanted me to go to the hospital as well, but I made my excuses.

  “I wasn’t hit. I’ll be fine,” I told them.