by Michelle Kee
"Where the hell are we?"
"You'll see baby."
"Ugh, have you always been this annoying?"
Ethan laughed and shook his head. After pulling through a carded gate Ethan finally stopped the truck. He got out and moved to her side. With a smile, he helped her out and with his hand at the small of her back, led her inside the log cabin looking building.
"Ethan, I was wondering when you were stopping by again. It's been a while." An older gentleman greeted, rounding the wooden counter.
"Hello Eric. I'd like you to meet a very special lady. Krista, meet Eric. Eric, Krista." Ethan laughed as he took Eric’s hand.
Krista smiled and extended her hand. "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise." Eric nodded. "First time Ethan's ever brought a lady friend here."
"Where is here exactly? Mister Mystery over here wouldn't tell me." Krista said, elbowing Ethan.
"You're at my gun range." Eric answered.
Krista's eyes widened and she could literally feel her face break out in a huge smile as she faced Ethan. "You brought me to a gun range?"
She let out a squeal and threw her arms around him. What could she say, some women liked diamonds, Krista loved firearms.
***
Krista breathed in the crisp air as she and Ethan headed for the range. She carried her SIG P39 Scorpion, a S&W .40 and a good old fashioned Winchester lever action repeater rifle. Ethan walked alongside her with a M1 Garand, a couple of Colt 1911's and a shit tone of ammo.
"Thank you Ethan." She said, laying her weapons on the table.
"You said you wanted to blow something up, so I figured this would be a good place to do that." He replied, cupping her chin.
She closed her hand around his wrist, squeezed gently then turned to her weapons. Ethan watched as she expertly checked, cleared, then loaded the SIG. Though it shouldn't, watching her handle the weapon was quickly turning him on. What was it about a beautiful woman with a gun that turned a man on?
He had barely loaded his 1911 when she called out she was getting ready to shoot. He slipped on his ear protection and watched her. As kids she had been a good shot now however she was an even better shot. He felt his jaw drop.
"Damn. When did you become such a good shot?"
"Oh here and there."
She slipped back on her ear protection and loaded a fresh clip. As she fired away, Ethan moved to his spot next to her and sent his own rounds down range. What had begun as a stress reliever for Krista, quickly turned into a friendly firing competition between them.
"Okay, let's make this a bit more interesting." Ethan challenged.
"Are you actually challenging me?" Krista laughed.
"You bet that sweet ass I am."
"Alright Staff Sergeant, what are your terms?" She shot back resting her Winchester on her shoulder.
"Closest to the bullseye at 25 yards." He stated as he reloaded his 1911.
"How many shots?" She questioned reloading her SIG.
"One each."
"Alright. If you win, what do you get?"
Ethan thought for a moment. "I win, you wash my Thruxton and truck for a month."
Krista nodded. "If I win, hmmm. I'll get back to you on that."
"Fair enough. We'll flip a coin to see who goes first." He said.
Ethan pulled out a quarter. Krista called heads. It turned up tails. In a grand gesture, she waved Ethan to the firing line. He gave her the bird as he took his position. Giggling she slipped on her ear protection and stepped to the side. She studied him as he took aim. She had to admit he looked sexy as hell holding that 1911. A few moments later he fired.
"Quarter inch to the right baby." Ethan smirked.
"Not bad. Guess all that M-16 shooting's thrown off your aim." Krista shrugged.
"Let's see you do better then, smart ass." He grumbled.
Krista switched off the safety. Taking a slow breath, she raised her gun. The wind was about two miles out of the east, so she quickly made the corrections. Clearing her mind and focusing on the target she inhaled and on the exhale fired. She checked her weapon and laid it on the table before she and Ethan walked to the target.
"You've got to be shittin' me!" Ethan exclaimed.
"Bull's eye. Baby." Krista beamed facing him.
***
Ethan was still steamed as they pulled into Krista's driveway. She had beaten him. How in the ever loving hell did Krista Jameson out shoot him at pistols? He had been expert marksman in the Corps at pistols, specifically on the 1911, yet she hit the target dead center.
"Still pouting over there?" She giggled.
"You cheated. That's it, you cheated somehow." He countered.
She laughed as she climbed out of the truck and headed inside. He followed, slamming his truck door just a little harder than he needed. He closed the door behind him and set the alarm. He heard her in the kitchen and headed that direction. Krista had flipped on the radio and began working on lunch, but that smug smile still in place.
"Well, what's my penalty?" He sighed sitting at the bar.
"Hmm, still haven't decided." She replied.
As she continued working on their meal, Ethan rested his chin in one hand and watched her. She seemed more relaxed now. The worry and stress he had seen on her face that morning was gone, at least for the moment. He didn't like seeing her upset. She was too beautiful to have traces of fear, worry or stress on her face.
"What's this book you’re about to release about?" He asked.
"It's the sixth in my latest series. Midnight follows a family of ranchers up in Colorado. There are four brothers, two sisters and three cousins. The ranch is called Midnight Creek, hence the series title Midnight. All the books have midnight in the title. This one is called Midnight Passion and is the oldest brother, Cayden's, story. He is the main operator of the ranch.
"He has sworn off women saying they're nothing but trouble after he was jilted at the altar. Anyway, enter the heroine, Makenzie. She comes to the ranch as the live on site vet. She and Cayden butt heads big time. The book is full of sexual tension, heated arguments, a creepy stalker and hot bedroom scenes." She explained laying the plate of chicken salad sandwich, chips and pickle spears in front of him, along with a glass of sweet tea.
"A stalker?" Ethan questioned.
She sat across from him with her own meal. "Yep. Figured I could turn my shitty situation into inspiration. It's been working pretty good for me so far."
Ethan found it breathtaking how animated she got when talking about her book. Her face alight with emotion talking about the characters and the story line. Her hands flying as she spoke of her creation. He felt himself smiling. "Sounds interesting."
"Oh it is."
He took a bite of his sandwich as he collected his thoughts. "You mentioned hot bedroom scenes."
Krista saucily winked at him. "Oh yeah, like five alarm hot. I don't write that fluffy magnolias and moonlight shit. Oh I do write romantic scenes but they all have a bite to them."
"How so?"
"Well, the men I write are all Alpha with a capitol 'A'. The women aren't meek and timid either. I like to read romance with an edge so my writing reflects what I myself read. If I wouldn't read it, I sure as hell ain't going to write it."
"What do you parents say about you writing porn?" He teased.
"Geez, it's not porn." She countered, rolling her eyes. "Mom and Dad love them. In fact, after my second book dad thanked me for giving mom ideas for the bedroom. Course I think I had nightmares for a freaking week! No kid wants to hear about their parents banging like rabbits."
Ethan nearly fell off the stool from laughing so hard. His laughter doubled at the glare and double bird Krista sent at him. He finally calmed down, wiping the tears from his eyes. "Oh damn. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time."
Krista snorted. "Glad you find it amusing. Of course your own mother told me the same thing and so did your dad."
That wiped the smirk off his face. "Jesu
s Krista, I'm eating here."
"Serves you right. Jackass." She threw out, taking her plate to the sink.
Ethan finished his food and helped her clean up the kitchen. They then headed for the living room. Krista pulled her laptop from where she left it on the coffee table and fired it up while Ethan flipped on the flat screen to ESPN. Yet, his mind wasn’t on the football stats for the upcoming weekend game, but rather the beautiful blonde sitting at the other end of the sofa typing like a mad woman.
‘How did I get so lucky to have a second chance with this amazing and strong woman? She means so much to me and I can’t lose her.’ He thought.
Without knowing completely why, Ethan moved down the sofa so that he was now right next to Krista and slid an arm around her shoulders. It was almost as if he had to touch her in some way. Without pausing in her typing, Krista leaned over and kissed him sweetly on the cheek before looking back at the laptop screen. Ethan knew he had to be grinning like an idiot, but he didn’t care. For the rest of the afternoon they sat there on the sofa. Krista working on her novel and Ethan flipping between reading over her shoulder and channel surfing.
Chapter 9
"Hey Jer." Krista greeted as she and Gage walked into the hospital room.
Jerry opened his eyes and smiled a little. "Hey darlin'. You okay?"
"I'm fine. I’m glad you’re finally awake." Krista nodded sitting on the bed and taking his hand gently in hers. "You scared the hell out of me. I thought you were dead."
"I think I scared me too.” He chuckled a little. “So, what happened? Last thing I remember was this loud...explosion."
"Krista's fan sent you a pipe bomb. You both are very lucky." Gage said.
Jerry's eyes widened. "Was...was anyone else hurt? Patsy?"
"Sshh." Krista soothed, stroking his hair. "She's fine. You were the worst. I had a few bumps and bruises but I'm good now."
"Thank god." Jerry sighed, sinking back against the pillows on the bed. "How long have I been out anyway?"
"About a week. The doctor said your mind just shut down so the rest of you could heal up."
Jerry nodded, then looked at Gage. "What is Blackout doing to protect Krista?"
Gage sat in the chair next to them. "We are doing everything we can. The Feds, fire department and PD are helping us and sharing what they find. For the moment the New York trip is on pause. Krista here hasn't decided if she's still going or not."
"Oh bite me Carson." Krista said, sticking her tongue out him. She then faced Jerry. "Jerry, Ethan and I have talked. He says if I still want to go through with it then I'll have at least three guys from Blackout on my ass."
"Kris, please. Don't go." Jerry breathed. "I know you want to, but after what he did...hell he got a dammed bomb into my office!"
"Take it easy honey." She pleaded, stroking his hair as his heart monitor showed his stress. "Okay, okay I won't go. If it will ease your crazy, loveable mind, I won't go. I can do all the interviews from here via phone or Skype."
"Thank you. God I would never forgive myself if anything..."
"Don't Jerry. Don't go there. Like I told you when this fucker started after me. He wants me, let him come get me. It will be his fucking funeral." Krista stated, a murderous look in those beautiful blue eyes of hers.
***
Ethan sipped his coffee as he stared up at the board. He had started using a board much like Feds did when looking for a subject. He found it more visual and better for working out pieces of a puzzle. Pictures of the destruction from the pipe bomb were pinned up, as well as images from the building's security cameras. "So, anything on the delivery itself?"
"You would think we would have something, but we have nothing. It's like this guy was invisible or something. It's the damnedest thing too. In my fifteen years as a cop, I have never come across a case where the perp wasn't seen by anyone." Wilson stated.
Ethan let out a frustrated breath. If Shawn Wilson was stumped that didn't bode well. "You mean this fucker walked right into a building with a bomb and nobody saw him?"
"That's what it looks like Ethan. Hell, he must have been casing the place because he knew where all the cameras were in the lobby and the elevators. He keeps his head down and never looks at anything that could reflect what he looks like." Wilson nodded, moving to stand next to Ethan.
Tony spoke next. "I pulled every electronic magic trick I know and none of them worked. This is the clearest image I have of him. I can give you an estimated guess on height, but that's about it. I can't even tell if this guy is white, black, Hispanic or even a one-eye, one horned purple people eater."
"Then give me your best guess Tony." Ethan growled.
"From the size of the potted tree next to him, I'd guess he's maybe five ten, possibly six foot at most. It looks like he's wearing a Fed-Ex uniform so that doesn't help with his body build, but could also explain why nobody really noticed them. Course he doesn't look like he's a huge bodybuilder. Sorry I don't have much more than that." Tony reported.
"Well, it's something to start with. Are we assuming this guy is a white male?" Ingram, Wilson's partner asked as he and Lance walked into the room.
"Yeah. From what the Feds say, the writing analysis points to this guy being a semi educated male. Some of the so called poetry he sent Ms. James, it shows some intelligence. He's no Ernest Hemingway, but he has had some education." Tony replied.
"The fire department says they should have their final report on the components of the explosives in the next day or so boss and they also apologized for it taking nearly a week." Lance said.
"As soon as we get it, I want you and Grant on it. You guys know explosive better than the rest of us." Ethan instructed.
"How is Ms. James?" Ingram inquired.
"She's ok. She was shaken, but she's good. I know she's tougher than she looks. She wants to catch this guy as badly as the rest of us because her agent, who is also one of her best friends, got hurt." Ethan replied, with a soft smile.
"I met her once." Ingram replied.
"Yeah?" Tony questioned.
"Yep. She was hosting a book signing about two years ago here in Austin. My wife is a huge fan. So I surprised her for her birthday and took her. Got a picture with her, a bag thingy and even a signed book. I've read a few of her books. She's talented, but her style isn't my cup of tea. I'm more a Jack Ryan or Alex Cross kinda guy." Ingram chuckled.
"My wife and daughter love her stuff too. Wife keeps saying I should read her books, might learn something. I finally broke down and read that first one she wrote, Dress Blues. It was good no doubt but that's it. Not my style." Wilson shrugged.
Ethan was about to say something when the door flew opened and Krista, dressed in full Kris James persona, walked in. Gage was right behind her. "Ms. James, I don't think..."
"Gage, I like you but right now you're pissing me off." Krista sneered. She walked right up to Ethan. "Well, what do you know?"
"Um, Kris, meet Detective Shawn Wilson and his partner, Detective Cutter Ingram." Ethan stuttered, eyes wide.
"Hello. Ah, Detective Ingram I remember you. You brought your wife to one of my signings for her birthday." Krista nodded.
"Yes ma'am. She was on cloud nine that day." Ingram grinned.
"Ms. James, may I call you Kris?" Wilson asked.
"Sure." Krista agreed.
"Kris, this guy had to have cased your agent's building before that day." Wilson stated as Krista moved to study the pictures on the board.
"He knew where the cameras were. He's looking either down or straight ahead whenever he's in frame. And here in the elevator, he keeps himself angled so the doors don't reflect him fully." She pointed out.
"Good eyes." Ingram chuckled in surprise.
"Thanks. However, this information doesn't help me gentlemen. " she sighed as she began pacing. "This asshole has been threatening me for a year, now he decides to grow a pair of balls and comes after my friend and my agent? To what end?"
"To scare you."
Wilson stated.
Krista snorted at that remark. "Do I look scared Detective? I'm pissed off is what I am! This guy thinks he knows me? Well this attack proves he knows nothing about me. I'm not going to cower like a little girl. It’s been almost a week now and I won’t run."