Livvy squared her shoulders. “There was no reason. I’m trying to organize my case, and questioning Deputy Tolbert is a critical part of that.”
Reed gave her a disapproving glance—she was getting used to those—before he looked at Shane. “We found blood spatter on the mantel in the cabin.” It definitely wasn’t the voice of a lawman, but it wasn’t exactly friendly, either.
Shane blew out his breath as if relieved. “I’ve been going over and over what happened, and I’m pretty sure the person who clubbed me was a man. Probably close to my height because I didn’t get a sense of anyone looming behind me before I was hit. I think you’re also looking for someone who might be left-handed because the blow came from my left.”
“Did you notice any particular smell or sound?” Livvy asked at the same moment Reed asked, “Did you remember what he used to hit you?”
Reed and she looked at each other.
Frowned.
“No smell or sound,” Shane answered. “And I saw the object out of the corner of my eye. I think it might have been a baseball bat.”
Livvy was about to ask if the bat had possibly been in or around the cabin, but her phone rang. One glance at the caller ID, and she knew it was a call she had to take—her boss, Lieutnenant Colter. She stepped away from the cell and walked back toward the desk area. Behind her, she heard Reed continue to talk to Shane.
“Livvy,” Lieutenant Colter greeted her. “I wanted to let you know that I won’t be able to get to Comanche Creek after all. There’s too much going on here. And with a suspect already arrested—”
“Don’t worry. I can handle things.”
His pause was long and unnerving. “I talked with the captain, and we’ve agreed to give you three days to process the scene and the evidence. By then, we can send in another Ranger. One with more experience.”
Oh, that last bit stung.
“Three days,” Livvy said under her breath. Not much time, but enough. She would use those three days to prove herself and determine if the evidence did indeed conclude that the deputy had murdered his former girlfriend. “Thank you for this opportunity.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Livvy, there’s one condition about you staying there.”
Everything inside her went still. “What?”
“You’re not in charge of this case. Sheriff Reed Hardin is. And while you’re there in Comanche Creek, you’ll be taking your orders from him.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Reed made his way across the back parking lot of the sheriff’s building. With the sun close to setting, the sky was a dark iron-gray, and the drizzle was picking up speed. He hadn’t even bothered to grab an umbrella from the basket next to his desk, but then he hadn’t thought Livvy would creep along at a snail’s pace either.
“This isn’t necessary,” Livvy complained again. She was a good ten feet behind him, and she had her equipment bag slung over her shoulder. “I can walk to the Bluebonnet Inn on my own.”
Reed ignored her complaint and opened his truck door so she could climb inside. “The inn’s a mile away, and in case you hadn’t noticed, it’s raining.” And because her expression indicated she was still opposed to a lift, he added, “The sooner you get settled into your room, the sooner you can go over the recording of my initial interview with Shane.”
Since Livvy had the envelope with the disk tucked under her arm, Reed knew she was anxious to get to it. But then, she was also anxious to be away from him, and a ride, even a short one, would only remind her that she’d essentially been demoted as lead on this case.
And he was in charge.
Reed didn’t know who was more ticked off about that—Livvy or him. Even though he’d wanted to handle this investigation himself, he certainly hadn’t asked to play boss to a Texas Ranger who already thought he was lower than hoof grit.
When Livvy stopped and stared at him, Reed huffed, blinked away the raindrops spattering on his eyelashes and got into his truck, leaving the passenger’s-side door open. The rain had caused wisps of her hair to cling to her face and neck. No more sleek ponytail. The rain had also done something to her white shirt.
Something that Reed wished he hadn’t noticed.
The fabric had become somewhat transparent and now clung to her bra and breasts. And the rest of her.
You’re her temporary boss, he reminded himself.
But the reminder did zero good. Nada. Zip. His male brain and body were very attentive to Livvy’s ample curves and that barely-there white lace bra she was wearing.
As if she’d realized where his attention was, her gaze dropped down to her chest. “Oh!” leaped from her mouth. And she slapped the large manila envelope over the now-transparent shirt. She also got in the truck. Fast. And slammed the door.
“You could have said something,” she mumbled, strapping on her seat belt as if it were the enemy.
“I could have,” he admitted, “but let’s just say I was dumbfounded and leave it at that.”
He drove away with her still staring at him, and her mouth was slightly open, too.
Reed didn’t want to defend himself, especially since gawking at her had been a dumb thing to do, but her continuing stare prompted him to say something. “Hey, just because I wear this badge doesn’t mean I’m not a red-blooded male.”
“Great.” And that was all she said for several moments. “This won’t be a problem.”
“This?” Yeah, it was stupid to ask, but Reed couldn’t stop himself.
“My breasts. Your male red blood.”
Well, that put him in his place and meant the attraction was one-sided. His side, specifically. Good. That would make these next three days easier.
Parts of his body disagreed.
Reed stopped in front of the Bluebonnet Inn, a two-story Victorian guesthouse that sported a crisp white facade with double wraparound porches and a ton of windows. Livvy got out ahead of him and seemed surprised when he got out as well and followed her up the steps.
“I just want to check on a few things,” he explained.
“Such as?”
“Security.”
That stopped her hand in mid-reach for the cut-glass doorknob. She studied his eyes, and then her forehead bunched up. “You think the person who burned the cabin might come after me?”
“It’s a possibility.” Reed glanced at her equipment bag. “He might be after that.”
“There’s no evidence in it. The blood’s being analyzed, and I left the photos of the spatter pattern at your office in the secure locker.” Then she quickly added, “But the arsonist doesn’t know that.”
Reed nodded and opened the door. He didn’t want to feel uneasy about Livvy’s ability to protect herself. After all, as she’d already informed him, she was a Texas Ranger, trained with a firearm. And he was reasonably sure his feelings had nothing to do with her being a woman and more to do with the fact there was someone obviously hell-bent on destroying any and everything that might have been left at the crime scene.
Someone he likely called a friend or a neighbor. Not exactly a comforting feeling.
“Reed,” the landlady greeted him when he stepped inside. Like most of the townsfolk, he’d known Betty Alice Sadler all his life. She was Woody’s sister and the owner of the Bluebonnet Inn and she had a smile that could compete with the sun.
“Betty Alice,” Reed greeted her back. He tipped his head to Livvy. “You’ve met Sergeant Hutton?”
The woman aimed one of her winning smiles at Livvy. “For a second or two when she dropped her things off this morning. In and out, she was, before we hardly had time to say a word.” The smile faded, however, when she glanced at the bulky-looking suitcase and garment bag in the corner. “One of those McAllister boys was supposed to help me out around here today, but he didn’t show up.”
Reed knew what Betty Alice didn’t explain. The woman had a bad back, and all the guestrooms were upstairs. No elevator, either. Taking up the bags herself would have been next to impossible.
“I’ll carry them up,” Reed volunteered. “Has anyone dropped by today? Maybe someone who could have slipped into the rooms?”
Betty Alice pressed her left palm against her chest. “Lord have mercy, I don’t think so. But you know I’m not always at this desk. When I’m in the kitchen or watching my soaps, it’s hard to hear if somebody comes in.”
Yes, he did know, and that meant he needed to do some further checking. “I’m sure everything’s fine. It’s just we had some more problems out by Jonah Becker’s cabin, and I want to take some precautions.”
Betty Alice’s hand slipped from her chest, and her chin came up a fraction. “Nobody around here would try to set fire to my place. Now, Jonah’s cabin—well, that’s a different story. Most folks know he’s got money and things to burn so that cabin was no real loss to him. Still, I’m real sorry about the sergeant’s car.”
“How did you know about my car?” Livvy asked.
“My second cousin’s a fireman, and he was at home when he got the call to respond. His wife heard what was going on and phoned me. I hope your car was insured.”
“It was,” Livvy assured her. And she walked toward her bags.
Reed walked toward them, too. “Let me guess—you put Sergeant Hutton in the pink room?” Reed asked Betty Alice.
The woman’s smile returned. “I did. You know it’s where I put all my single female guests. That room’s my pride and joy. I hope you like it, Sergeant.”
“I’m sure I will,” Livvy answered, and in the same breath added, “I can carry the things myself.”
He would have bet his paycheck that was what she was going to say, but Reed took the suitcase and garment bag anyway, and since Livvy had the equipment and the envelope, she couldn’t exactly snatch the items away from him.
“You’ll set the security alarm tonight?” Reed said to Betty Alice. “And lock all the windows and doors?”
“Of course. I’ll keep my gun next to my bed, too. Since all that mess with Marcie, I’m being careful, just like you told me.”
“Good. But I want you to be extra careful tonight, understand?”
Betty Alice bobbed her head and nibbled on her bottom lip that’d been dabbed liberally with dark red lipstick. Reed hated to worry the woman, but he wanted Livvy and her to be safe.
“I really can carry my own bags,” Livvy repeated as they made their way up the stairs.
Reed stopped at the top of the stairs in front of the pink room and set down the bags. Yes, it was dangerous, but he turned and met Livvy eye-to-eye. Since she was only about four inches shorter than he was, that made things easier because he wanted lots of eye contact while he cleared the air.
“Three days is a long time for us to be at odds. Yeah, I know you can carry bags. I know you can protect yourself, but I’m an old-fashioned kind of guy. A cowboy. And it’s not in my genes to stand back when I can do something to help. Now, if that insults you, I’m sorry. And I’m sorry in advance because I’m about to go in your room and make sure it’s safe. Just consider that part of my supervisory duties, okay?”
The staring match started. Continued. Reed had been right about the eye contact. And the other close contact. After all, Livvy was still wearing that transparent blouse, and she smelled like the smoky bacon cheeseburger and chocolate malt the café had delivered not long before Reed and she had called it a night and left the office. Normally, Reed wouldn’t have considered a burger and malt to be tempting scents, but they were working tonight.
“Okay,” she said, her voice all silk and breath.
Or maybe the silk part was his imagination.
Nope. When she cleared her throat and repeated it, Reed realized this close contact was having an effect on her as well.
Both of them stepped back at the same time.
“I want to go back out to the cabin in the morning.” She cleared her throat again. “Will you be able to arrange a vehicle for me?”
Reed mentally cleared his own throat and mind. “I can take you. Two of the nearby sheriffs sent deputies out to scour the woods. Don’t worry, they all have forensic training. They won’t contaminate the scene, and they might be able to find and secure any evidence before the rain washes it all away.”
That was a Texas-size might though since it’d been drizzling most of the afternoon.
She turned toward the door. Stopped. Turned back. “I’m sorry.”
Puzzled, Reed shook his head. “For what?”
“For being so…unfriendly. I’m just disappointed, that’s all.”
He didn’t know which one of them looked more uncomfortable with that admission. “I understand. I didn’t ask Lieutenant Colter to be in charge.”
“I know. He doesn’t trust me.”
Reed shrugged. “Or maybe he just wanted you to have some help on a very tough investigation.”
She made a sound to indicate she didn’t agree with that and opened the door. He supposed the room had some charm with its lacy bedspread and delicate—aka prissy—Victorian furniture, but it was hard to see the charm when the entire room looked as if it’d been doused in Pepto-Bismol.
“It really is pink, isn’t it?” Livvy mumbled.
“Yeah. You could ask for a different room, but trust me, you don’t want to do that because then you’d have to listen to Betty Alice explain every décor decision that went into the final result.”
“This’ll be fine. After all, it’s where she puts all her single female guests.”
And that was one of the primary reasons Reed had wanted to accompany her to the room. Everyone in town would know Livvy was staying there. It wouldn’t help to put her in a different room either because secrets had a very short shelf life in Comanche Creek.
Reed set down the bags and went to the adjoining bathroom to make sure it was empty. It was. No one was lurking behind the frilly shower curtain ready to start another fire. No threatening messages had been scrawled on the oval beveled mirror.
Maybe, just maybe, the threat had ended with the destruction of the SUV and cabin.
Reed was in such deep thought with this suite examination that it took him a moment to realize Livvy was standing in the bathroom door, and she was staring at him. “You’re really concerned that I can’t take care of myself. But I can. My specialty might be CSI, but my marksmanship skills are very good.”
He didn’t doubt her. Didn’t doubt her shooting ability, either. But after the past few days, he wasn’t sure any skill was good enough to stop what was happening.
“I have a spare bedroom at my place just on the edge of town,” he offered. “And it’s not pink,” he added because he thought they both could use a little levity.
The corner of her mouth lifted. Not quite a smile though. And her eyes came to his. “Thanks but no thanks. I’ll have a hard enough time getting people to respect me without them thinking that I’m sleeping with the boss.”
He nodded. Paused. Reed walked past her and back into the bedroom. “They’re likely to think that anyway.”
Reed waited for her to look shocked. Or to protest it. But she didn’t. “I take it you don’t have a fiancée or long-time girlfriend?” she asked.
“No.” And he left it at that.
Of course, Livvy would soon hear all about the breakup with Elena Carson four years ago when his high-school flame had decided to move to London to take a PR job. Heck, she’d even hear about the attorney from San Antonio that Reed had dated for a couple of months. The one who’d pressed him to marry her because her biological clock was ticking. And yeah, Livvy would even hear about the cocktail waitress who’d worn an eye-popping dress to the city hall Christmas party. No one would say he was a player, but he wouldn’t be labeled a saint.
“What about Charla Whitley?” Livvy asked. “Did you date her?”
Reed was sure he was the one who looked a little shocked now. “No. What made you think that?”
“She was giving me the evil eye, and I thought it was maybe because of you. Prob
ably had more to do with the fact that her husband could be a suspect, and she doesn’t want me here investigating things.”
Probably. But then, just about everyone in town was a suspect. Livvy could expect a lot of evil eyes in the next few days.
“What about you?” Reed asked, knowing it was a question that should be left unasked. “No fiancé or long-time boyfriend?”
She shook her head. “I don’t have a lot of time for serious relationships.”
“Ever?” And, of course, he should just hit himself so he’d stop prying, but for some stupid reason, a reason that had generated below his belt, he wanted to know more about Livvy Hutton.
“I dated someone in college, and it got serious. Well, on his part. You probably know it’s hard to keep up with a personal life when the badge is there. And my badge is always there,” she added, tapping the silver star on her chest while eyeing the one clipped to his belt.
He couldn’t stop himself. “Must make for interesting sex if you never take off your badge.”
There was another flash of surprise in her eyes. Then, she laughed. It was smoky and thick, the laugh of a woman who knew how to enjoy herself when the time was right. But she clamped off the laugh as quickly as she had the smile.
“You should go,” she murmured. There it was again. The sound of her voice trickled through him. Warm and silky.
Reed looked at her face. At her mouth. And knew Livvy was right. He should go. Betty Alice was probably already on the phone to her garden club, telling them that the sheriff had been in the lady Ranger’s room for a whole ten minutes.
A lot could happen in ten minutes.
His imagination was a little too good at filling in the possibilities. Sex against the door. On the floor. Location wasn’t important. It was the sex that he wanted.
But he wouldn’t get it.
Reed forced himself to repeat that several times until it finally sank in.
“I’ll pick you up at 7:00 a.m.,” he told her. “And after a bite or two of breakfast at the café, we can drive out to the cabin.”
“Can we get the breakfast to go?” she asked. “I’m anxious to return to the crime scene, and we can eat on the way.”
Shotgun Sheriff--A Western Sheriff Romance of Intrigue Page 5