Deadly Dozen: 12 Mysteries/Thrillers

by Diane Capri

  “Who?” Gavin’s voice was barely a whisper, and he wasn’t sure the deputy even heard him.

  “Marisa Hutchins.”

  Gavin felt the blood drain from his face. Guilt washed over him at the gut wrenching relief he felt that it wasn’t Sarah or Nikki. Marisa? God, she was only a child. He wanted to close his eyes, but knew if he did, he’d see her face, hear her voice as she whispered, I don’t think it was an accident. He remembered his conversation with Sarah the day before and shuddered. He’d told Sarah that Marisa thought Johanna had been murdered. What if Sarah had…

  Gavin’s guilt became a heavy weight that caused his shoulders to slump. He heard the hollow, maniacal laugh inside his head. It was his fault. He’d killed her.

  #

  Sarah replaced the receiver softly. She’d wanted to slam it down a dozen times in the last fifteen minutes.

  “That bad, huh?” Joshua asked gently.

  Sarah nodded, meeting Joshua’s eyes across the desk. “He’s asking for my resignation.”

  “He’s an idiot. This town needs you. Especially now.”

  Sarah nodded again. Glade Springs was falling apart. Murder did that to a small town.

  “What about McAllister?”

  Sarah knew they couldn’t hold Gavin much longer without charging him. Dammit, he hadn’t even requested an attorney. In fact, according to Joshua, he hadn’t said a word since he’d been brought in. The ringing of the phone kept her from having to answer immediately. She answered it automatically, moments later wishing she’d ignored the ring.

  “Edsel Hutchins is coming in. He wants to see his daughter.”

  “Damn.”

  “Exactly.” Sarah laid her head down on the desk. The sleepless night and emotions from the day had drained her. And now she had to deal with Edsel Hutchins.

  “Sarah …”

  Raising her head, Sarah placed her hands on the desk and pushed herself to her feet. She had to take charge of the situation.

  “Joshua, call Doc Hawthorne and meet him at the funeral home. Edgewood took her there temporarily until they arranged for transport. Have Tommy keep an eye on Edsel the next day or so. He’s going to be angry and he’s hurting. That makes a dangerous combination.”

  Joshua nodded, glad to see the old Sarah.

  Sarah rubbed her eyes. She’d forgotten to tell the Hutchins about the autopsy. She’d have to deal with that. First, she had to deal with Gavin McAllister. She fished around in her desk looking for the keys to the jail cell. It had been so long since they’d actually locked someone up that she’d forgotten where the keys were. It would be so much simpler if she could leave him locked up. But she couldn’t. And she no longer had the option of asking or making him leave town. Even if he wanted to go, he couldn’t now. Until she found Marisa’s killer, Gavin McAllister was the town’s number one suspect.

  Gavin didn’t look up as she unlocked the cell.

  “I wish you’d never come here,” she whispered.

  He raised his head, haunted eyes meeting her own. “Believe it or not, Sheriff, so do I.”

  “I don’t suppose you’d agree to stay in jail for your own protection?” Or mine, Sarah thought.

  He shook his head.

  “I didn’t think so, but I had to try. There are a lot of scared and angry people out there, Gavin. I can’t ask you to leave, and I may not be able to protect you.”

  Gavin shrugged, not even noticing she’d used his first name.

  Sarah felt her jaw muscles tighten. She was getting angry. There was nothing emanating from him. He had totally walled himself off. No anger, no fear, no sadness—no emotions. Why the hell didn’t he defend himself, say he didn’t do it?

  “Where were you last night?”

  Gavin shrugged again, eyes downcast.

  “I know you didn’t kill Marisa Hutchins. So, why the hell…”

  He looked at her, his eyes fierce, and for a moment she wavered. Guilt was written all over his face. Could she have been wrong?

  “And how do you know that, Sarah?” Gavin stood up and approached her, anger in his every movement.

  Sarah swallowed. She hadn’t really meant to say that.

  “I just know you didn’t do it. You’re not that evil.”

  “Maybe I am. Maybe I …” Gavin hesitated. He didn’t even know how Marisa had been killed. “You don’t have to actually pull the trigger to be responsible.”

  Their eyes met, a struggle of wills. Something flickered in his. Passion burned with a muted intensity, warring for control with the anger building inside him. Sarah wanted to back away. Her legs refused to move. She knew he was going to touch her. Knew she was powerless to stop him. All the pain and loneliness inside her screamed out for that touch. His fingertips gently stroked her cheek, his eyes on her lips. Sarah closed her eyes as desire flowed through every muscle in her body, making her legs weak, filling her with butterflies. She accepted the inevitable. She’d known this was going to happen from the moment she’d met him. She’d fought it, but now as desire coursed through her, she waited for the moment when his lips would claim hers.

  A moment that never came. Even with her eyes closed, Sarah felt his withdrawal. Felt him move away from her.

  “You were the only person I told that Marisa didn’t believe the Nelson girl’s death was an accident. Now she’s dead.”

  Sarah’s heart clenched in pain, an anguished sound escaping her lips. He couldn’t believe she…

  Gavin continued, his voice cold, emotionless. “I was with Carl Jackson from six last night until ten this morning. You can verify that by calling the FBI office in Richmond. Here’s his card.”

  Sarah’s eyes jerked open at the harshness of his voice. The room had suddenly gone cold. She took the card he held out before he once again put as much distance between them as the small room would allow. She gazed at the card without really seeing it. She had to look at something, anything but him. Her cheeks flamed red with embarrassment. She had thought—but he thought she—

  Sarah continued to look at the card, as she struggled for control. She had to get out of here. Throwing the card on the floor she slammed the door and locked it, not trusting herself to speak. She could hold the son-of-a-bitch until she checked out his alibi. And she wasn’t going to be in any hurry to do that.

  Gavin picked up the card from the floor, careful not to touch where she had held it and placed it in the holder Carl had given him. The deputy hadn’t taken his billfold, which surprised Gavin. So much for writer’s knowledge.

  The more Gavin tried not to think of Sarah, the more she entered his thoughts. He knew he’d hurt her. Dammit, he didn’t believe she’d killed Marisa Hutchins. So why had he said it? He needed to get close to her, not alienate her. Groaning, he sat down on the cot. It wouldn’t be easy for him to get close to her again. He wondered if she knew what it had cost him not to take what she had offered. Closing his eyes he felt the softness of her skin against his fingertips, saw her full lips ready, waiting. The ache of desire filled him so strongly he groaned out loud. She’d left here thinking he didn’t want her. His need for her was so strong he knew if she had stayed, he’d have taken her whether she wanted him or not.

  The sheer force of his desire terrified him. No woman had ever had that effect on him before. Opening his eyes, he shifted on the cot for a comfortable position. He finally gave up and started pacing the small room. He needed to get out, get the card to Carl. They were running out of time, and every moment was precious. He should have told Sarah about Nikki.

  After an hour Gavin realized Sarah wasn’t coming back. She hadn’t bothered to check his alibi. His body was tired, his mind exhausted. He didn’t want to sleep. Sleep brought dreams, and the dreams brought death. He paced until it was virtually impossible for him to take another step. His legs trembled, his vision blurred. Lying down on the small cot he closed his eyes and prayed.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “Be a good girl.” Sarah hugged Nikki before pulling Ju
anita to the side with a whispered, “I don’t care if it is church, don’t let her out of your sight.”

  Juanita clucked something in Spanish that Sarah didn’t understand, but the tone of her voice spoke volumes. Sarah knew that Juanita would tackle the devil himself to protect Nikki. Still, a wordless uneasiness settled over Sarah. Something intangible she couldn’t touch, feel, smell or see, yet it hung in the still gray light of dawn each morning, hovering just out of reach, watching.

  Sarah hugged Nikki again against the child’s protests. She missed her time with Nikki. Guilt washed over her. She should be the one taking Nikki to church. She wanted her daughter to grow up informed so she could make her own decisions. They couldn’t hide forever. Nor could they run forever. The thoughts filled Sarah with an overwhelming sadness as she waved and headed toward town.

  #

  The Edgewood van was parked in front of the funeral home. Sarah breathed a small sigh of relief. The sooner the autopsy was performed, the sooner the body could be released. At least then the Hutchins would be allowed to bury their daughter. The healing could begin. Sarah frowned, her thoughts once again turning to Gavin McAllister. What was it he had said? The dead don’t rest, until the guilty are punished. She’d tossed and turned all night. The mayor had been right. Since Gavin McAllister had arrived, she’d thought and acted more like a woman than a sheriff. Her face flamed red as she pulled into the parking slot marked “Sheriff”. That wasn’t the worst part of it. The worst part was that she wanted him to see her as a woman.

  “Shit.” Sarah slammed the door to the Explorer. Well, she was the sheriff, and Gavin McAllister was going to start talking. Pride raised her head, straightened her spine, and her stride brooked no interference.

  “Morning, Ella Mae.”

  “Morning, Sheriff. We didn’t think you’d be in today.”

  Sarah didn’t bother to answer, but strode determinedly toward her office. She didn’t feel up to small talk today. In fact, she didn’t feel like talking to anyone at the moment. The sound of male laughter brought her up short. She’d never heard him laugh before, but something inside her recognized it. For just a moment she felt jealous, before the anger set in. What the hell was Joshua doing with Gavin McAllister in her office?

  Not bothering to knock, Sarah opened the door and strode in. She watched the deep red flush that started at the base of Joshua’s neck. Damn him; he should feel guilty. Ignoring McAllister, Sarah focused on Joshua.

  “Sarah, what are you doing here?” Joshua stuttered slightly, a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

  “Correct me if I’m wrong, Deputy Cross, but I believe I’m the sheriff, and the last time I looked, this was my office.”

  The brusqueness of her tone had the opposite of the effect she had hoped for. Joshua simply smiled, a gleam of amusement lurking in the cool green eyes.

  “I was just finalizing the paperwork on Mr. McAllister. I checked his alibi.”

  Sarah felt her color heighten at the unspoken accusation. Joshua knew she hadn’t tried to verify the alibi last night. Knew she’d deliberately left Gavin in jail overnight.

  Gavin cleared his throat. “Sarah, I think it’s time we talked about some things.”

  Sarah finally looked at him, her gaze chilling, impersonal. “I don’t remember giving you permission to use my Christian name, Mr. McAllister. Even with your alibi, you’re still a suspect in a murder investigation. And you’re right, we are going to talk about some things. I’ll let you know when I want to see you. For now, if you’re finished with the paperwork, I’d suggest you start looking for a place to stay. And if Deputy Cross didn’t warn you, I will: don’t leave town.”

  “It’s your call.” Gavin reached across the desk and shook Joshua’s hand. With a curt nod and “Sheriff,” he left the room.

  Sarah stood still, her back to the door. Her anger was dissipating quickly, leaving her feeling weak, vulnerable. Tears stung behind her eyelashes. Too little sleep, too much caffeine. Flopping into the chair Gavin had vacated, she forced herself not to jump up as his warmth wrapped around her.

  Joshua cleared his throat.

  “Go ahead and say it, Joshua.”

  “I just wondered if there was something you wanted to tell me?”

  “He couldn’t have found a place to stay last night, and he was safer in the jail cell.” Her words sounded lame, even to her own ears. “Tell me about Edsel Hutchins.”

  A shadow of pain crossed Joshua’s face. He and Mary wanted children, had one on the way. They’d wanted to raise them in Glade Springs where they would be safe. The murder of Marisa Hutchins and the pain of the parents had almost changed his mind. No place was safe.

  “He took it hard. Doc was late, something about Mrs. Cooper burning her hand. He could be dangerous, Sarah, when the sedatives wear off.”

  “I was afraid of that. Anyone keeping an eye on him?”

  “I sent Thomas out there last night. Told him I’d relieve him this morning. We’ll take turns for a couple of days. The man’s hurting. It’d be easier if he could go ahead and bury her, but with the autopsy it’ll probably be a couple of weeks.”

  Sarah nodded. A hurting man was a dangerous man. “Keep me informed. I’ll talk to him if I need to.”

  Joshua rose to leave. “Since you didn’t ask, Millie gave McAllister the rooms over the store.”

  Sarah wanted to throw something at the retreating figure. He was right. She hadn’t asked and she should have. It was definitely something she needed to know.

  #

  Placing the card inside the overnight envelope, Gavin jotted Carl’s address on the paperwork. He didn’t know how long it would take to run the prints, but he couldn’t shake the feeling he was running out of time.

  Gavin spent the rest of the afternoon getting settled in the small apartment above the bookstore. At least here he’d be close to Nikki. If Sarah allowed her to visit Millie. Millie had told him she only used the apartment in the winter and he could stay as long as he liked. For everyone’s sake, he hoped his stay would be short. He placed a call to Carl, not surprised when he got the answering machine. He left a brief message that the package was on its way and where he was staying. There was no need to go into the rest of it. Joshua had talked to Carl to verify his alibi. Carl knew all hell was breaking loose down here. He just hoped Carl stayed put a few more days. Gavin’s muscles ached from the small uncomfortable cot. He’d finally managed to sleep, but what he really needed now was a hot shower and a real bed.

  The hot water washed away the dirt and some of the soreness from his muscles. He wandered into the kitchen, expecting to find it bare. To his surprise, Millie had evidently stocked it earlier in the day. Bless her. He was going to have to send her something special when this was all over.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Carl played Gavin’s message again, listening to the tone of voice more than the words. Boy was in way over his head. Didn’t have a clue. Love could blind you that way, make you vulnerable. It only took a second for life to change, mistakes to be made. Carl went over the phone conversation with Deputy Cross in his mind. The young deputy was sharp. He’d accepted Carl’s explanation about the pink card, but he still might run it through the system. And if he did …

  Shit, it didn’t matter anymore. He was going to lose his job when this was all over. That didn’t matter either. What mattered was catching this bastard. Stubbing out the cigarette, he picked up his keys. It was time to kick some ass.

  The drive to Rob’s apartment was short, but the closer Carl came, the madder he got. Ignoring the doorbell, he pounded on the door and waited.

  “What the fuck …”

  Carl grinned as he took in the bloodshot eyes and wrinkled clothes Rob was wearing. He was going to enjoy this. Grabbing a fist full of the wrinkled shirt, he shoved Rob into the room and kicked the door shut.

  Rob stumbled over the mess in the floor and landed on his butt, his eyes reflecting drunken confusion as he looked up at h
is partner. “What the hell’s wrong with you?” he slurred. “Leave me alone.”

  Carl didn’t wait for him to get up, but reached down and grabbed him again by the shirtfront. Picking him up, he threw Rob across the room. “Want to die? Is that it, Rob? Want to sit on your ass and drown in your fucking whiskey?”

  “Hey, Carl, wait. I …”

  Rob didn’t get the chance to say anything more as Carl slammed a right fist into his stomach. Chuckling, he followed with a left to the chin.

  Rob fell to his knees, gagging. He knew the old man was pulling his punches, but still it hurt like hell. And it was pissing him off. Anger ate away at the whiskey-fogged cells of his brain. He shook his head trying to clear the fog. Carl was coming at him again. Raising both hands Rob pleaded with him. “Wait a minute, dammit. At least tell me what the hell you’re mad about.”

  Carl chuckled again. “Mad? Hell, I ain’t even started getting mad yet. Cory was lucky. Look what she could have wound up with. A sniveling, pant pissing wimp!”

  Carl’s grin widened as Rob roared out in anger and pain, coming off his knees and rushing him. He’d finally gotten through the whiskey fog.

  Carl allowed Rob to land one punch before he shoved him away, laughing. “That all you got, boy? What a fucking wimp.”

  Landing a solid left to the stomach, Carl followed through with a right upper cut and watched as Rob smashed through the coffee table and lay still. “Lights out, partner.”

  Carl lit a cigarette and took a long, deep drag before bending over Rob’s prone figure and gently brushing the silvery blond hair out of his eyes. “Shit, you stink,” Carl whispered. Picking Rob up, he headed toward the bathroom.

  Rob jumped, sputtering and cursing as the cold water revived him. A huge black hand pressed him into the bathtub. “Sit down and shut up. You smell like a fucking brewery.”

  Rob stopped struggling. His head ached, and it wasn’t from the whiskey. The old man hadn’t pulled those last two punches.

  “Now, you ready to listen, or do you want to fight some more?” Carl chuckled, the cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth. He almost hoped Rob would take option two. He hadn’t felt this good since Sharon died.