by Regina Duke
Terri nodded. “That makes sense, Russ. Vet techs assist during surgery, doing whatever the vet needs. So the vet tech would get rid of all that stuff, clean the instruments and trays. At least that part of Chad’s story is accurate. I think he’s telling the truth.”
“I am, honest to God I am,” blurted Chad.
Terri grabbed his arm and stopped him in his tracks, then pinned him with a hard stare. “What was it, Chad? What did you find when you opened the case?”
“Look, I know it was stupid. I didn’t want them, I swear. I just wanted the container. I couldn’t just throw them away. I mean, they had to be real, right? All sewn up inside that poor dog, they had to be the real McCoy.”
Russ was losing patience. “What were they?!”
His tone startled Chad. He wet his lips nervously, then looked around at the trees before leaning toward them to whisper, “Diamonds.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
TERRI’S EYES widened in surprise. “Diamonds?!”
“Where are they now?” asked Russ.
Chad checked his watch and shifted nervously from one foot to the other. “Look, I figured if they were inside that poor dog, someone was doing something illegal, right? I mean, is it stealing if you find something that is obviously ill-gotten gains? Whoever put those diamonds in the dog had to be a crook. And besides, I didn’t plan to take the diamonds, I just wanted the container. When I opened it at home, I freaked out. Then I thought about it for a while and decided I should put them somewhere for safe keeping. You know, until I could figure out what to do about them. That night I got the call about this job. One of the employees broke an ankle hiking and I was next on the waiting list. That was last Wednesday. So I brought the diamonds with me.”
Chad was getting more and more uncomfortable. “Look, my dad had nothing to do with this. He is a great vet. He’ll do anything to save somebody’s pet. He did that surgery for free. You can bet no one paid him for it. And then he turned that dog over to German Shepherd rescue to make sure it gets a good home. He’s a great guy.” He started walking again.
Russ glanced a question at Terri. She’d picked up on it, too. Chad was very sensitive and defensive about his dad. They jogged to catch up to him.
Terri said, “Someone has sent a hired killer after you, Chad. He was after me because I accidentally picked up those photos with you in them. He tried to rob me in Beatty, he tried to run us off the road on the way up here, and he tried to throw me into the Canyon. We don’t want anything to happen to you, Chad.”
Russ couldn’t help smiling as Terri used “we” regarding the investigation. He was pleased that she was willing to participate to that degree. And she was helpful, too. Her soothing tones were calming Chad.
“I know you want to help me,” said Chad. “And frankly, I’m kind of scared. Not just for me, though. I mean, what if they go after my dad?”
“They already did,” said Russ. “They broke into his office, obviously searching for something. The police report said they took drugs and artwork. No mention was made of any stainless steel containers or any diamonds, either.”
Chad’s brow was creased in concentration. “My dad’s a great guy.” He started walking again.
Terri tilted her head to one side, inviting total honesty. “What is it, Chad? Is there something we should know that could help protect your father?” She and Russ fell into step beside him.
“My dad is a great vet and a great human being. But sometimes he’s under a lot of stress. Him and my mom separated a couple of years ago, and it was awful. I love them both, so I can see both sides. My mom is the strong one. She did fine, but my dad? Well, he sort of borrowed some stuff from his drug cabinet. You know? Mild sedatives, just to mellow him out. Then later he used some other stuff. Stronger stuff. Barbiturates.”
Russ nodded. “We know how that can happen sometimes,” he said.
Chad seemed relieved to finally share the problem. “Dad went through hell. He joined a substance abuse program, started seeing a counselor. He wants to keep his license. This is his livelihood, his passion. It’s so frustrating, you know? There are vets every year who are cited for substandard practice, but my dad is a great vet. He does charity work, all kinds of stuff. And yet, because he has this one problem, he could lose everything.”
Terri turned a hand over. “But Chad, if he was getting help, he was working things out.”
“He was getting help. He did everything he had to do to satisfy the State Board. But afterward, he sort of got busy, you know? He quit going to counseling as often. And pretty soon he wasn’t going at all. And when the divorce papers came through a few months ago, I think he may have had a relapse.”
Russ nodded. “That would explain why he said drugs were stolen. He was covering the fact that he took them himself.”
Chad looked miserable. “Look, I don’t want to get my dad in any trouble. But I don’t want the people who are after the diamonds going after him, either.” He glanced up at the door to his cabin. “Oh, man! Even the lock is busted. No wonder my roommate is freaked.” He pushed the door open carefully, then stood and stared at the mess. “That DaSilva guy did this, didn’t he?”
“I think so,” said Russ. “Unless you’ve got a whole pack of bad guys after you that we don’t know about.”
Chad ran a hand through his hair. “Crap.” Then a flash of genuine emotion emerged when he spotted the contents of his Canyon portfolio crumpled beneath the clutter of his belongings. “No! Those charcoals were going to pay my bills during the winter. Son of a bitch!” He began retrieving his artwork.
Terri pushed the cabin door shut. Russ tried to get Chad’s attention. “This is only going to get worse, you know. They aren’t going to stop until they get their diamonds.”
“Fine,” snapped Chad. “I’ll give them the damn things. It’s not like I can put them in my bank account.”
“So, you still have them?”
“Yes, of course. But not in here. I have, I mean, I had a roommate. Jeez, this is awful. Some of my work is missing.”
“Chad, listen to me,” said Russ, “I’m sorry about your artwork, but there’s a bigger issue here.”
“Not to me,” muttered Chad.
Russ took his arm and pulled him around. “Your life is more important, isn’t it?”
Chad pulled his arm free. “Don’t start that again. I’ll just give him the damn diamonds.”
Terri threw her hands in the air. “Are you insane? Or just stupid? This guy tried to toss me into the Canyon because I knew he had pictures of you that could tie him to you and those diamonds. He’s dangerous.”
Russ nodded. “Terri is right. DaSilva is an ex-con. Did you know that one of the first things a man learns in prison is that you can get away with eighty-five percent of all crimes if there are no witnesses? Defense attorneys can twist a jury into knots, as long as there are no witnesses. Want to get away with murder? Leave no witnesses.” He kept emphasizing the phrase, trying to drum it into Chad’s head.
“That’s what they learn, Chad. DaSilva has already tried to eliminate Terri, simply because she was in possession of his photos, the ones that link him to you. Once he gets his hands on those diamonds, his next order of business will be eliminating you as a witness.”
Chad sagged onto a chair. “You’re serious.”
Terri said, “At last, he gets it.”
Chad looked up at her and then at Russ. “What do I do?”
“Let’s get out of here so we can talk freely,” said Russ. “DaSilva may have invested in some surveillance equipment. Some of that stuff is tiny and hard to find. Grab some clothes. You won’t be staying here tonight.”
“But—”
“Don’t talk anymore. Just pack.”
Chad did as he was told. Terri handed her tote to Russ and helped him. Ten minutes later, he had a duffel stuffed full of clothes and art supplies, and a black portfolio holding as many charcoal drawings as he could salvage.
Russ l
ed them out of the cabin and they walked until they found a picnic table in the campground. It was eight o’clock and the shadows were thick among the trees, but it was still light enough to see who was coming and going.
“Let’s sit here,” said Russ, “and figure this out. Where are the diamonds?”
Chad hesitated. “What if you’re working with DaSilva?” he asked.
Terri looked disgusted. “Oh, for crying out loud. Now you get smart?”
Russ suppressed a grin. “That’s okay. He’s finally thinking about self preservation.” He pulled out his wallet and let Chad examine his I.D. “Satisfied?”
“Yeah, okay.”
“So, where are they?”
“In a safe in the office at the lodge. People can store their valuables there, and it seemed like the smartest place to put them. They’re still in the steel flask.”
“Good thinking,” said Russ. “Now that we know diamonds are involved, I’ll have my office look for smuggling activity involving dogs. Meanwhile, Chad, you need a place to stay.”
“I’ll go talk to the housing people. The office is closed, but someone is always available for employees. I’ll be fine tonight.” He nodded at his own words, as if trying to convince himself.
“As long as you’re working, surrounded by people, I think you’ll be safe,” said Russ. “When you’re off duty, try to stay in sight of others. Don’t take any crazy chances. You drew DaSilva’s portrait at the courthouse, so you know what he looks like.”
Chad snapped his fingers. “That’s what was missing!” He tapped his portfolio. “I gathered all my work I could find. But the portraits, the faces from the courthouse, they’re all missing.”
Terri shivered. “He has eliminated another link between him and you.”
Russ examined Chad’s face. “Are you sure you’re okay tonight?”
Chad nodded again. “Yeah, sure. He can’t get the diamonds without me, so I feel pretty safe right now. I’ll head to the lodge, talk to the staff about a place to stay.” He stood up and hefted his duffel over his shoulder.
“We’ll check on you in the morning,” said Russ.
“Good,” said Chad. “Okay, then. See you tomorrow.” He took off toward the lodge.
Terri watched him go, her eyes narrowed in thought.
“What is it?” asked Russ softly.
“Just a feeling,” said Terri. “His behavior and his reactions, they seem a little off to me.” She shrugged. “But what do I know? I don’t drink at all, and yet one little slide over the edge of the Canyon had me begging for alcohol. I’m not the best judge of people’s reactions.”
Russ grinned. “I think you did fine. Come on, let’s go see if we can catch one of those programs at the lodge.”
“Okay, but I want to freshen up first,” said Terri. She hooked her tote over her shoulder and was ready to go.
Russ reached out and took her hand. Terri felt a tickle deep within. He was so handsome and protective. She loved the way his voice hovered on the brink between tenor and baritone. And those lips! He should have been a movie star. She could imagine posters of him adorning the walls of every teenage girl’s bedroom. Then she had a twinge of jealousy and decided she was glad he wasn’t an actor, after all. She decided to shut out everything else and just enjoy holding hands as they walked back to the cabin.
Russ’s voice deepened toward the baritone side as he strolled beside her. “You’re a natural, did you know that? The way you calmed Chad down and eased that information about his dad out of him? You have a gift.”
“I’m better with dogs,” shrugged Terri. She looked down at the ground and marveled that her feet were actually touching it. She felt like she was floating along the trail. She wondered if Russ was feeling the same way, but decided she was being silly. She wasn’t even sure men felt that way inside, all gooey and lovesick.
Lovesick? That was like being in love. No, no more complications. Not in love. Maybe in like. There, that was better. Could a girl be likesick? No, that sounded awful. In like was better.
Russ spoke again. “I’d love for you to come to my place in Reno and meet my girls.”
Terri’s heart leaped in her chest.
“I think they’d really love you,” he added as they reached the porch of their cabin. He paused with his hand on the door knob. “I’m a pretty good judge of who they’ll like,” he said, “and I think they’d cover you with kisses.”
Terri looked into Russ’s eyes and wished he would cover her with kisses. Then she blushed at the thought of it. But as if he’d read her mind, Russ pulled her close and kissed her softly on the mouth.
A moment later Terri’s arms were around his neck. He smelled so good, like sunshine and good health and something slightly tangy that she couldn’t put her finger on. Then she remembered the gun in her hand the night before and knew it was the firearm and its holster adding to the montage of scent. She felt a yearning deep inside, and the desire to satisfy it pressed her closer to him, until they were thigh to thigh, chest to bosom, and the kiss grew warmer and more insistent.
At last they had to break off the kiss in order to breathe.
Terri was suddenly aware of a pair of tourists walking by on the path. “Maybe we should go inside,” she murmured.
“Good idea.” Russ’s voice was now a sexy baritone, husky with arousal.
“One of us should open the door,” said Terri, mesmerized by his brown eyes.
“Another good idea,” murmured Russ. He fumbled behind himself for the door knob, but had to half turn to use the key. They moved indoors without separating. Terri let her tote slide off her arm to the floor. The heat of their embrace made the cabin feel overly warm. Russ pushed the door shut and turned the lock with one hand while the other pulled Terri into a deep kiss. She began to moan, and the sound made Russ’s blood pound in his ears. He felt like a teenager again. The excitement of her touch was overwhelming. He marveled at the scent of her, the sensuous sweetness of her mouth.
They turned their faces to the side for a breath of air.
“Oh, Russ, you feel so good,” whispered Terri.
Russ wanted to reply but only managed an affirmative mumble.
Then Terri’s cell phone rang.
Terri groaned in disappointment.
Russ whispered, “Ignore it.”
But it kept ringing.
“I can’t,” said Terri. “I’ll wonder who it was until I look.”
Russ pulled away. “I know. I understand. Go ahead.”
She reached down into her bag and pulled the phone out. The tiny screen told her the caller was Gavin. Russ saw it, too. Suddenly he was more alert. He nodded at her to answer.
Out of habit, Terri answered in speaker mode. “Hello?”
The anger in Gavin’s voice chilled her.
“You slut!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
TERRI SCREAMED and threw the phone across the room.
Russ retrieved it and snapped it shut. “They’re watching us,” he said grimly. His eyes moved around the room. He took Terri’s hand and impelled her gently toward the bed. “Sit over there and let me search for hidden cameras.” He kept his voice very low.
Terri leaned against the headboard and used a pillow as a shield. She covered her mouth like a pitcher talking on the mound, and said very softly, “I’ve seen those long distance microphones in the movies. Could they be outside, aiming something at us?”
Russ’s eyes never stopped searching. “Possibly.” His lips moved but almost no sound came out. “We weren’t doing much talking, though.”
Terri forced herself to set the pillow aside. If Gavin was watching her, she was not going to cower on the bed. She got up and began moving around the cabin, examining every inch for something that did not belong.
When she got to the table, she saw the teddy bear with its sequins and hearts. Without a word, she took a notepad out of her tote and wrote, ‘Teddy bear?’
She showed the note to Russ. He loo
ked a question at her, and lifted a finger in her direction.
She scribbled, ‘No, not mine.’
Russ stepped to the table and grabbed the bear. A moment later he had his pocket knife out and he ripped through the bear’s middle. There it was. He held it on the palm of his hand so Terri could see it, then closed his fist over it.
“It’s so small!”
“That’s the whole point these days,” said Russ, still keeping his voice low. “They can put them anywhere.”
“I thought Tony had bought it for his sister and forgot to take it out of the grocery bag.” She shook the empty teddy bear.
Russ nodded. “DaSilva handed him the envelope and while he was distracted, his partner dropped the bear in the bag. I’d guess Gavin, since that’s who called you.”
Terri felt sick. “How could I have such poor judgment? How could I think I was fond of someone like that?”
“People change, Terri. Don’t beat yourself up about it. You’re not responsible for Gavin’s slide into disrepute.” He glanced around the cabin again.
“You think there are more?” asked Terri.
“Could be. I’ll destroy this one, but now you know what to look for in the rest of the cabin. Anything else that doesn’t belong here?”
Terri used her eyes and hands to go over the cabin walls and furniture. Russ went into the bathroom, ran a sink full of water, and dropped the camera into it. While it soaked, he searched.
After a tense thirty minutes, Terri let herself fall back on the bed.
“You okay?” asked Russ, his voice at a normal level.
“Oh, yeah, I’m great,” said Terri. “Crazies are chasing me and trying to kill me, and here I thought my only problem in the world was a manipulative gambling ex who kept threatening me for fun and profit. I’m just hunky-dory.” She stared up at the ceiling.
And spotted another camera on the ceiling fan.
She sat up like a shot. “There’s one on the fan,” she whispered.