Claimed by the Lawman (Lawmen of Wyoming Book 4)

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  “You should get that. I understand. You still have a job to do,” although she was highly disappointed that he couldn’t finish what he was about to say.

  With a disgruntled moan, he picked up his phone. “Yeah? Okay…she’s gone? Are you sure? If you find her let me know. I want to speak to her immediately.” He clicked off.

  “What is it?” Tyler placed her cup on the table, more concerned on what was happening.

  He gave her a wavering smile. “It’s okay. Just our witness is missing. This happens sometimes. We’ll find her. In the meantime, enough about my job. You need your rest.” He reached for the blanket and pulled it up over her.

  When he got up, she grabbed his hand. “Where are you going? Please stay with me, Kace.”

  He nodded and his chest filled with emotion. He became a giant when she was near, wanting to take care of her. She was a strong woman and he doubted that she wanted him hovering over her, but when she reached out and took his hand, how could he do anything but sink next to her.

  Lying down next to her, he pulled her in and held her close. She nestled her body against his, her bottom fitting into the spoon of his hips so perfectly.

  Before the call had interrupted him, he’d been about to ask for her to marry him.

  Kace wanted things he hadn’t wanted in years. He wanted a family.

  This brought up many questions. Was he ready to settle down? Could he take care of a wife? Offer her a good life of comfort and love? He was damn sure willing to go above and beyond to prove to Tyler that he could offer everything she ever wanted.

  But he needed to slow down. How could he ask anything of her until he solved the mystery of her sister’s death? He was a skilled lawman, had solved a hundred cases over his career, and yet this one case that should be clear cut had him stumped. Possibly he wasn’t on his toes, too caught up in his feelings below the belt and not enough focus on the clues.

  He placed his hand on the indentation of her waist and she laid her hand over his, entwining their fingers. “What were you wanting to ask me before the call?” she asked in a soft, sweet voice.

  Although he ached to ask her to marry him, he knew it was only fair that he give her the gift of solving Susy’s death. Then she’d have her closure and they could go on, hopefully together with a clean slate. He nuzzled his nose in her hair, breathing in her heaven scent. “It wasn’t important. You should go to sleep. You’ll need your strength for tomorrow.”

  She didn’t argue. Her body relaxed against him as he held her close, listening to her even breaths, feeling her chest rise and fall rhythmically.

  Chapter 21

  “STILL WORKING ON the Posey case?”

  Kace poured himself a cup of coffee and turned to look at Mildred. “Yeah and getting nowhere fast. Ruby is still missing.”

  Mildred sighed. “It’s hard to understand why Kyle would do what he did. I worked with him a lot of years, and although he had his faults, he wasn’t the kind of man that would do this.”

  “Sometimes we just don’t know a person, Mildred.”

  “True, but to kill Susannah Posey?”

  Kace took a long sip of his coffee, feeling it sting all the way down into his stomach. “I wish I knew for sure, but it doesn’t fit.”

  “Sometimes they just don’t.” She nodded. “I’ll have to leave a little early today. Heading in this morning, I had to swerve to miss some of Mr. Bane’s men in the road. They were putting up a new sign in front of his ranch and didn’t even care a lick for oncoming traffic. I ran over something in the grass and flattened my tire just like that.” She snapped her fingers. “Thankfully, one of the boys was nice enough to bring me in. Why do they need a new sign anyway? They just keep getting bigger and bigger. Now a huge swirly B hooked on a rope.” She shook her head.

  Kace stepped into his office and placed the cup on his desk. Grabbing the Posey case file, he emptied the photos out and scattered them across the desk so that he could look at them. Finding the one he was searching for from Susy’s autopsy, the one with the brand on her shoulder, he turned the picture at different angles until he blinked in shock.

  The letter wasn’t an M. No, it was a loopy B. And he was certain it was for Bane.

  He slammed his fist to the desk, sending coffee sloshing out over the rim of his cup. “Shit!” How could he have missed the obvious?

  Grabbing his hat, he slammed it on his head and stormed into the other room. “Mildred, I’ll be back.”

  He stepped out of the building, cursing himself with each step he took. How could he have missed that? Although he didn’t have enough to arrest Bane, he certainly did have enough to bring him in for questioning.

  He was almost to his truck when the Mayor caught him. “I was just coming to see you, Sheriff.”

  “Sorry, sir. I’m on important business.” He opened his truck door hoping the other man got the hint.

  “You won’t return my calls, Cade. We need to protect the Sheriff’s office from this Mansfield bullshit. We’re going to be blamed.”

  Under enough pressure to blow, Kace looked at the Mayor with a tight jaw. “The case isn’t close yet, sir. Give me a few days and we’ll have enough answers.”

  “What? You can’t be serious.”

  “Yeah, I am.” Kace climbed into the truck.

  “Where the hell are you going?”

  “To connect the dots.”

  “Mr. Bane will be with you in a moment, Sheriff,” the stern looking man wearing a simple suit said, then stepped away. Once the man took his leave, Kace sniffed loudly and headed down the hallway impatiently.

  Without a knock or warning, Kace opened the door and stormed in. Bane was sitting behind his desk and a look of shock swept over his features before it switched to a smug smile. His assistant, who was sitting with her notebook open, looked a hell of a lot more flabbergasted. She stood, her eyes wide. “Sheriff, you can’t just barge in here like this,” she stammered.

  “It’s okay, Brenda,” Bane said. “We’ll finish later. Leave us alone. It seems like he has a bone to pick.” The man’s smirk couldn’t be missed.

  The second the door closed, Kace stomped across the office and slapped down the picture. The other man took a long look, then rubbed his chin. “You barged in to show me a picture? Why don’t you have a seat.”

  “What do you know about this, Bane?” He didn’t bother sitting. He stood at the desk, keeping himself calm.

  “Well let’s see.” The man picked up the picture and looked at it closer. “Looks to me like a scar.” He dropped the photo back onto the desk. “Can you get to the point why you thought it necessary to storm in here? I’m a busy man, Sheriff.” He steepled his fingers.

  “You’re going to have a whole lot of time on your hands unless I get some answers.”

  Bane dropped back into his chair, his jaw tight and his gaze narrowed. “I don’t take kindly to threats, Cade. My patience is about hair thin.”

  “Good. That makes both of us. Answer the damn question. Why did Susannah Posey have your brand on her body?” He stabbed the picture.

  Bane laughed. Not the reaction Kace expected. “My brand? Son, you’ve lost your mind since that Tyler girl came waltzing back into town, feeding your brain with bullshit. That’s not my brand. Now, unless you have something more that requires me to call my attorney, I’d like for you to leave so I can get back to my work.”

  “You were involved in Susannah Posey’s death.”

  Anger splashed his wrinkled features. “Sheriff, I don’t know who you think you are shooting around a serious accusation like that, but you better take some time and think things over carefully. We both know Mansfield admitted his guilt by way of bullet. If that ain’t a guilty plea, then I don’t know what is.”

  “I’m not saying he didn’t have any involvement, but I knew the man. Before he died he made sure to let me know that he wasn’t in this alone. What happened, Bane? Did Mansfield turn his eye to crime for you and others? Did you line his p
ockets? After looking into Ruby’s business it appears that she has a hefty financial backer by the name of Husk Banks. Is that you? It’s only a matter of time, like hours, and I’ll know the details.” Kace couldn’t give away all his cards, but he certainly wanted to see the man’s reaction. Bane was good. He didn’t even flash a sliver of worry.

  “Apparently you didn’t know Mansfield as well as you thought.” Bane stood and rounded the desk, going to the bar. “Care for a drink, Sheriff?”

  “I have Susannah Posey’s diary. She mentioned her fear, and she mentioned another man, someone who had a lot of pull, a big reputation.” Kace picked up the picture and pushed it into his pocket. “Susannah worked for Ruby. See the connection?”

  After pouring himself a scotch, Bane turned back to Kace. “And you think I’m that man? The orchestrator of all the bad stuff in Bohannan.”

  “Yes, I do, and you might have had Mansfield under your thumb, even afraid, but times have changed.”

  “Are you sure this is the way you want to do things, Cade? I once thought you were a smart man, but I’m starting to think I was wrong. I’m bringing business and wealth to Bohannan. Without me and this place will be dead in about three months,”

  “Too bad that ego isn’t enough to get you out of this mess, Bane.”

  “Where’s your proof, Sheriff? If you were here to arrest me I’d already be in cuffs. Now get the hell out of my office and home before I have that badge.”

  “Just wait, Bane. In time I’ll prove that you played a role in Susannah’s death, and how many others? I don’t think you’ll like the accommodations over at the jail.”

  “You’re putting everything on the line for a good piece of pussy. What happens when that sweet Posey girl runs back to the stage and you’re left without a job?”

  Kace turned and took his leave, slamming the door behind him. Once he was outside, his phone rang. “Cade here.”

  It was Deputy Payne. “Rogue Posey was found half dead in a ditch almost an hour ago.”

  Cade dropped the phone into the console. Things were turning upside down. He swiped his tight jaw and swore by the end of the day, he’d have answers to this case.

  Minutes later after seeing Cade’s truck pull away, Bane picked up the phone and dialed a number. It was quickly answered. “Did you take care of him? Good. He is dead, I hope? Now take care of the girl before this spirals out of control to our disadvantage.” He stabbed the “end” button. He reached for his drink and drank half of it, then angrily threw the tumbler against the wall, splattering shards of glass and expensive scotch.

  His assistant raced in. “Sir, is everything okay?”

  “Get out,” he barked.

  She hurried and closed the door.

  Chapter 22

  TYLER LOOKED BACK at her resting father, glad to see he was better that morning. Taking her phone, she stepped out into the corridor and dialed her brother’s number. After three rings, voicemail picked up and she left a message. “Rogue, you were supposed to be here this morning. I’d like for both of us to be here when Dad wakes up. Where are you?”

  Clicking off, she dialed another number and Roy answered. “Roy…I wanted to let you know that dad is doing better. The doctor said they’ll probably stop the sedatives soon. Yes…it is great news. Have you seen Rogue? No…he was supposed to be here…I guess…maybe he got caught up…I’ll try his phone again.”

  She stared at the screen of her phone and sighed. This wasn’t like Rogue not to show up. And to not answer his phone.

  Peeking in through the door and making sure her dad was still resting, she stepped out to the nurse’s station. “Merideth?”

  “Hi, Tyler. Isn’t it wonderful news about your father? He’s a trooper that man.”

  “Yes, it is. I’m just wondering if Rogue was here at the hospital before I arrived?”

  Meridith thrummed her fingers on the counter. “I worked the night shift and I haven’t seen him.”

  “Okay. Thank you.” She started back to the room, when another thought came to her. She went back to the desk. “Meredith, I’m going to need to step out for a bit. Can you call me right away if the doctor comes in?”

  “Sure. I’ll call.”

  Tyler wouldn’t rest easy until she made sure Rogue was okay. Instinct warned her that something wasn’t right.

  Calling Kace, he didn’t answer, and his voicemail greeting wasn’t set up, so she hung up.

  She was probably overreacting, and she’d find her brother had overslept. She’d be back to the hospital before anyone was the wiser.

  Fifteen minutes later, Tyler turned onto the narrow, gravel road that led to the family ranch when up ahead she saw a stalled car in the grass. The hood was up. A woman with flaming red hair stood in the middle of the road, waving her arms frantically. Tyler pulled to the side and rolled her window down. “Car trouble?”

  The pretty woman smiled. “I didn’t think I’d ever see another living soul out here.”

  “You won’t see much traffic around these parts.”

  Threading her fingers through her hair, the redhead took several steps toward Tyler’s car. “I’m not from around here and I took a wrong turn somewhere and, wouldn’t you know, the GPS isn’t working.” She fanned herself. “I don’t think I’ve ever sweated this much. I hate to put you out, ma’am, but could a girl ask for a ride into town?”

  “Well…I—”

  “I know it’s a lot to ask.”

  Tyler worked her bottom lip. Although she’d been anxious to check on Rogue and get back to the hospital, she couldn’t leave the woman stuck in the middle of nowhere to fend for herself in three inch heels. “Sure. I can run you into town.”

  Her smile grew by leaps and bounds. “I’ll grab my bags. It might take me a moment because I think I packed everything but the kitchen sink. You know how us women are.” She laughed.

  “I can help. Are the bags in the trunk?”

  “Let me pop the lever.”

  “There’s a rental shop in town that should be able to get you some—” Tyler turned and the redhead was standing uncomfortably close. With a nervous laugh, Tyler said, “Oops. You scared me. What did you say your name is?”

  “I didn’t.” The woman’s full bottom lip quivered.

  Tyler’s heart kicked up in speed. When the woman shook her head, her large earrings clanked loudly and reflected the sun. Tyler blinked and lowered her gaze. The woman’s shirt had moved off her shoulder, revealing a puffy white scar. A brand. Tyler’s throat constricted and her knees weakened.

  Taking a step back, she was too late. The woman now had pulled a gun out and pressed it against Tyler’s stomach.

  “Now listen, bitch. I don’t want to shoot you, but I will. Just listen to what I tell you to do and everything will be okay. If you make one wrong move, I’ll put a bullet hole straight through that cute figure. Got it?”

  “Wh-what do you want? Who are you? Why do you have the same brand that my sister had?” The back of Tyler’s thighs bumped the fender of the car.

  She laughed. “Wouldn’t you like to know? Now get in the trunk.” She used the tip of the gun to motion.

  “No, I won’t get in there.” Tyler gritted her teeth. “I want answers.”

  “Listen, sweetheart. I admire that kind of spunk. Your sister had it too, but I’m not here to have a pow wow. Let’s make this easy on the both of us. It’s freaking hot.”

  “You knew my sister? You knew Susy?”

  “One last time. Get in on your own or I’ll make you get in.”

  Tyler’s mind scrambled. She knew the statistics. If she got into the vehicle her chances of survival dropped drastically. “You won’t get away with this. The Sherriff will be looking for me.”

  The redhead laughed. “You let me take care of that.” She gave Tyler a hard push, sending her partway into the trunk. “If it was up to me, I’d get rid of you right here and now. You’ve caused a lot of problems, bitch!”

  Reluctantly, Tyle
r climbed into the back, hoping the woman didn’t realize that she still had her phone shoved into her back pocket.

  “Hand it over!” the redhead hissed.

  “What?”

  “Do you think I’m stupid? The phone, bitch!” She stuck out her hand.

  Reluctantly, Tyler pulled the cell from her pocket and handed it over. She realized her situation just became dire.

  ~~**~~

  “Is he able to talk?” Kace asked the doctor who attended to Rogue Posey’s wounds.

  The doctor shrugged. “I’ve given him some pain meds and he’s in and out. You can try but I can’t promise anything.”

  Kace had no choice but to try. He started for the emergency room department.

  “Sheriff?”

  He turned back to look at the doctor. “Yeah?”

  “I think you should see this.” The doctor held out his hand which held a shiny pink lighter. “Rogue had a death grip on it when he was brought in. I don’t know if it’ll help you catch who did this or not, but I have a feeling it holds some meaning.”

  Kace recognized the lighter, and just as he suspected, Ruby knew more than she let on.

  Taking the lighter, he dropped it into his pocket and hurried into Rogue’s room. Time was ticking and it was taking all of Kace’s control not to allow his emotions to bleed through. He was held together by a few strands of strength, but it wouldn’t take much to fray his seams.

  Pulling a chair over to the bedside, he sat down. “Rogue, I know it’s hard to talk, man, but this is important.”

  Rogue fluttered his eyelids and looked at Kace.

  “Tyler left the hospital this morning and her car was found a few miles from the ranch, abandoned. I haven’t been able to get ahold of her. The person who did this to you must think you’re dead, and I’m pretty certain they have your sister. I need to know who it was that did this to you. And you had this in your palm.” Kace lifted the lighter from his pocket and held it up. “Look familiar?” His throat was tight and he’d been full of tension since he found out Tyler was missing. His first thought had been to rake the town up and down, wreaking havoc on everyone, until his brother, Cullen, reined him in, reminding him how important it was to stay calm and logical. Why did Kace ever leave her at the hospital alone? He was supposed to protect her, and he failed miserably. If anything happened to her, he’d never forgive himself.