An Officer and a Maverick

by Teresa Southwick

  He set the longneck bottle on the granite-topped island beside him. “Anderson just called.”

  “Oh?” She figured it had something to do with Russ’s visit, but as a lawyer’s daughter she’d learned not to say much before knowing the full scope of the situation.

  “He said Detective Campbell was at the ranch asking questions about a fight at the July Fourth wedding.”

  “That’s true.”

  “Did you know that Anderson decked Skip Webster that day?” Ben was wearing a white dress shirt with sleeves rolled up and his red tie loosened, not the way he would appear in court. But that authoritative voice firing the question made it feel as if she was in the witness box with judge and jury looking on.

  In her mind she heard the words: swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. So help you God.

  “I’m waiting, Lani.”

  “Yes, sir. I knew Anderson hit Skip. For the record, the jerk had it coming. He threw a punch, the first one, at Travis. When he wasn’t looking. Anderson did what he had to do.”

  “You saw what happened?”

  “Yes.”

  Ben took another pull on his beer. “I’d heard that Gage Christensen hired Detective Campbell to find out why everyone went off the rails that night.”

  “I heard that, too.” Because Russ had told her himself.

  “It’s a good idea. And folks will rest easier knowing that something is being done.” But her father was frowning. “I just never expected my family to be accused of spiking that punch.”

  “Russ wasn’t accusing, just asking questions, Dad. Gathering information. It put Travis on the defensive. You of all people should know that Russ can’t play favorites if he’s going to get to the bottom of this.”

  “I do know. That doesn’t mean I like it.” He toyed with the bottle sitting on the island, turning it in his fingers.

  “He’s talking to everyone who was in the park that night.” She leaned her back against the cupboards across from him and folded her arms over her breasts.

  “Have you spoken with Detective Campbell about this before today?”

  “I was the first one questioned.” Possibly because of her behavior in the jail cell that night.

  “Why?”

  What she did wasn’t something she could share with her father. “Because Gage told him that my access to the public could be useful, and Russ must have agreed.”

  “Why?” her father asked again.

  She wished it was because he liked, respected and wanted her with an intensity that burned bright and hot but that wasn’t the case.

  “Why not start with me?” she said instead. “It’s as good a place as any, what with the flow of customers in and out of the Ace in the Hole on any given day. People tend to say too much when they’re drinking. I might have inadvertently come across information to help him in the investigation.”

  “Did you?”

  “No.”

  “I don’t mind telling you that I’m very concerned, Lani.” Her father’s expression was grave.

  “I can see why. In a town that prides itself on community and fellowship, it would be a shame to cancel public celebrations because of what happened.”

  “That’s true. But I actually meant that I’m concerned about you.”

  Back to not embellishing at the risk of giving away something she didn’t intend to. “Oh?”

  “I know what you’re doing.” Her father’s look was wry. “I taught you.”

  “What?”

  “Answer everything with a one-word question when you’re trying to hide something.”

  “Why would I?” That was a three-word answer. “I have nothing to hide.” Liar, liar, pants on fire. If there was a deception buzzer, it would have sounded just then.

  “Okay.” Her dad looked at the floor for several moments then met her gaze. “Then tell me this. Why did Russ Campbell arrest you that night?”

  “You know why. All of Rust Creek Falls knows why. It was in the Gazette, in that gossip column.”

  “Tell me again.” He was in full lawyer mode now.

  “I drank the punch. Along with everyone else, I was completely unaware that it was spiked and made me drunk and do things I wouldn’t ordinarily do. I jumped into the fountain at the park. It was hot and the water was refreshing.”

  Some of the heat she’d experienced was less about summer weather and more about her close proximity to Russ Campbell. Again, not something she planned to share with her father, of all people!

  “I think there’s more to it than that.” He gave her the dad stare, which intensified exponentially when he threw in some attorney-on-the-attack technique. “If I have the timeline right, Anderson was involved in that altercation just before you took your act into the water.”

  “So?”

  “Really?” He looked at her. “That’s not going to work.”

  “I object.”

  “You don’t get to. This isn’t a court of law. But points for trying.” His grin was fleeting.

  “I’m not sure what you want me to say, Dad.”

  “The truth would be good.” He dragged his fingers through his hair. “You’re involved in something.”

  “What do you mean?” A four-word response. Proof that he was gaining the upper hand.

  Their father was an exceptional lawyer; Anderson should let him help with his legal problem. But they’d gone over that and he refused then swore her to secrecy. She’d never realized how truly awful it was to be caught in the middle.

  “What I mean is that Anderson told me,” her father said.

  This was where she couldn’t afford to get trapped and involuntarily spill something. “What did he tell you?”

  “He said Detective Campbell was going to arrest him for assaulting Skip, and you created a diversion in the fountain.”

  “He told you that when he called a little bit ago?”

  Her father shook his head. “It was a day or two after the fact.”

  “Then why are you asking me about it now?”

  “Because now there’s a police investigation into the park incident that endangered folks who unknowingly got drunk. And you were arrested during that incident. This has taken a serious turn. A detective is asking questions, and if I’m going to protect my kids, I need to know the truth.”

  “You know it already, Dad. Like Anderson said, I created a distraction to keep him from being arrested.”

  Lani knew her father was only trying to help, but the truth she’d been entrusted with weighed heavily on her. That put a defensive note in her voice. This interrogation was headed to a place where she’d have to draw a line in the sand, and she hated doing that. Ben Dalton was the most honest and loyal man she knew, and he set a high bar for his children. She looked up to him and tried to be like him. By that standard, she needed to guard the secret entrusted to her.

  “What I don’t understand is why you got involved. Anderson can take care of himself.”

  Not this time, she wanted to say. Her big brother had always been there for her. Taught her how to drive; and when she dinged the bumper of his new truck, instead of yelling at her, he made her get back in and drive it until her confidence was restored. When Lani and a couple friends toilet-papered the house of a popular boy who bullied some of the weaker kids, her brother took the blame to keep her from a grounding that would’ve made her miss the Homecoming dance. He was like their father, loyal and strong. And she wanted to be that for him.

  She met her father’s gaze without flinching. “He was protecting Travis, and I protected him. It’s what Daltons do.”

  “I know.” But her father was looking at her as if he could see into her soul.

  She really hoped he couldn’t because she would never willingly be
tray Anderson’s trust.

  “The problem is,” he continued, “Russ Campbell spent some time locked in that cell along with you. That was also in Rust Creek Ramblings. I know it’s gossip and so left it alone. Until now. But as I said, things have taken a turn, and we have more questions than answers.”

  “I know, Daddy.” The worried look in his eyes made her move closer and put her arms around him. She pulled back and met his gaze, willing him to understand and not judge even though she couldn’t give him all the facts. “I can only say that I had a very good reason for spending the night in jail. Fortunately, there were no legal consequences. Besides, in my own defense it has to be said that I was a victim of the spiked punch, too.”

  “Yes, but you made the conscious choice to intervene for your brother.”

  “I did. And you’re not going to like this, but I can’t tell you why.”

  “You’re right. I don’t like it.” Was it a trick of the overhead lighting, or did he have more gray hair than a few minutes ago?

  “I won’t say I’ve never given you reason to worry,” she started.

  “Good. Because I’d take issue if you did.” He smiled. “A father will always worry most about his daughters. It’s part of the job description.”

  “Let me rephrase. I can say that I’ve never given you reason not to trust me.”

  He nodded. “That’s the truth. You’re a good girl.”

  “You and Mom taught us to put family first. I’m asking you to keep trusting me without all the facts. I know what I’m doing, Dad.”

  He studied her for a long moment and finally nodded. “Okay.”

  She kissed his cheek. “I’m going to take a long, hot shower.”

  “Good. I was going to say something—” The teasing expression was back on his face and, knowing him, that wasn’t easy to pull off.

  Lani headed upstairs feeling both better and worse. It was technically true that there were no legal consequences from her actions that night. But the personal ones were unsettling and ongoing. She hated that she was keeping the truth from the best parents on the planet, but awed that they trusted her in spite of it.

  If only Detective Dreamy would give her the benefit of the doubt. Even the sheriff vouched for her, but Russ refused to be swayed.

  Maybe skepticism was a by-product of being a cop. Or the reason was something more personal. Something that caused him to leave Denver and come back to Montana.

  It was time to find out which.

  Chapter Eight

  Russ had Lani’s cell number on speed dial and had been fighting the urge to use it. Two days ago she’d defended him to her brothers, and he didn’t know what to make of that. And her.

  Now it was Sunday. He’d been working seven days a week since starting the investigation, and Gage insisted he take the day off and clear his head. Now the prospect of a very long day stretched in front of him.

  And before he could stop himself, Russ hit the call button. Now he’d done it. Maybe she wouldn’t pick up.

  “Hello?”

  And there was the sugar-and-spice-with-a-splash-of-sexy voice that took his breath away. “Hi, Lani.”

  “Russ. What’s up?”

  Damned if he knew, but now he was on the spot. “I know Friday and Saturday are busy at the bar. Just wondered if you’ve heard anything.”

  “Not so far.”

  He looked around the room he’d been renting at Strickland’s Boarding House. It was neat as a pin and lonely as a space walk. The bed was covered by a quilted spread without a single wrinkle, and that made him think about twisted sheets and tangled legs. The problem with hearing her voice was that it gave him a powerful need to see her.

  “Maybe it’s time to shake up the investigation,” he suggested.

  “How?”

  “Good question.” He blew out a long breath. “Maybe we should get together and brainstorm.”

  “Well, I—”

  “You’ve got plans.” The depth of his disappointment was surprising. “Another time.”

  “Not so fast. The thing is, my mom cooks dinner for the family every Sunday, and expects us all to be there. Very few excuses get sanctioned. I’ll have to figure out what to tell her.”

  “You’re not planning to say anything about being involved in the investigation?” He didn’t like the idea of not having that excuse to see her.

  “Of course not. I just meant it’s important for me to come up with an acceptable reason for not being here. Since I’m not bleeding, on fire or just had a baby, I need to get creative.”

  “What about meeting my family?”

  “Well,” she said thoughtfully, “they think we’re going out, so it’s a logical next step. As lies go it would probably work because one of the ironclad Dalton rules is family first.”

  “It wouldn’t be a lie if we actually go to the farm.” In for a penny, in for a pound, he thought. “I’ll pick you up in an hour.”

  “Okay.”

  Russ didn’t want it to be the truth, but suddenly his day off looked a whole lot more exciting.

  * * *

  It was late in the afternoon when Lani sat in the passenger seat of Russ’s truck as he drove toward Boulder Junction, the small town halfway between Rust Creek Falls and Kalispell. Her parents happened to be together when she broke the news about not being there for Sunday dinner. She knew her dad told her mom everything, including the conversation they’d had after Russ interviewed her brothers. And she could see the curiosity in her parents’ eyes, but they were on their best behavior when Russ came to the door to get her. There was no interrogation and she appreciated that they trusted her.

  “Your parents are very nice.” It was as if Russ was reading her mind.

  “I know. And now they’re very curious about us.”

  “Oh?”

  “When I told them you were taking me to meet your family, I was questioned relentlessly about how serious we are.”

  His mouth curved up, but aviator sunglasses hid the expression in his eyes. “Then you’ve already had a preview of what to expect from my family. Just maintain your cover and follow my lead.”

  “Yes, sir. Understood, sir.”

  He laughed and she felt an unexpected sense of satisfaction because that didn’t happen often. Sometimes being with him felt easy and natural, not an act. A peek into what it could be like if they hadn’t started out on the wrong foot. Best not to think about what might have been and concentrate on what was happening now.

  During the drive, Lani waited for him to bring up the investigation, but by the time they reached the Campbell farm he hadn’t mentioned it. Just over a rise she could see a two-story yellow clapboard house with white trim. Behind it there was land as far as she could see, planted with different crops that formed a sort of natural patchwork.

  Russ pulled into the curved drive and parked his truck in front of the house. Beyond it, down a dirt road, there were outbuildings that no doubt contained tools and equipment. She could see a green tractor and another huge machine. No idea what it did for a living. Trees shaded the house, and the grass in the yard was neatly trimmed. Shrubs and flowers lined the walkway up to the solid oak front door.

  “This is very charming,” she said.

  “Yeah.” He took off his sunglasses and set them on the dashboard. “Let’s go get the interrogation over with, then I’ll give you a tour of the place and we can talk about the case.”

  “Okay.”

  After exiting the vehicle, they walked up two steps to the front door, where Russ knocked. Moments later a pretty young woman answered.

  “Hi, Addie.”

  “Russ.” The green-eyed redhead grinned then gave him a big hug. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

  “Surprise.”

 
Addie looked at her, one auburn eyebrow lifting. “And who’s this?”

  “Lani Dalton. A friend.” He put his hand at her waist, apparently remembering their cover. “Lani, this is my little sister, Adeline.”

  “Russell, you know I hate that name.” She winced. “Addie will do.”

  Lani shook her hand. “It’s lovely and old-fashioned.”

  “That’s what Mom says and exactly what I don’t like about it.” She pulled the door wide. “She’ll be happy to see you, big brother. And to meet your friend. Everyone is here for dinner. Don’t be afraid, Lani.”

  “I’ve got three brothers and two sisters. I’m not easily intimidated.” But now that they were actually here, she was a little nervous.

  Just inside was a formal dining room where the large table was set for dinner. The wood-plank floor of the entry led to the kitchen with stainless-steel appliances, double ovens and cooktop. Very modern and not quite what Lani had pictured in a farmhouse. This place could be in a photo shoot for Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

  “Look who’s here,” Addie announced.

  A woman who looked to be in her fifties turned from stirring something. She had short, stylishly cut brown hair and hazel eyes. Russ’s eyes. She smiled and, like her son, it transformed her appearance.

  “You should have told me you were coming.” She looked at Lani. “And that you were bringing someone.”

  Russ looked down at her. “Lani, this is my mother, Teresa Campbell. Mom, Lani Dalton.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Teresa said.

  “Same here,” Lani answered.

  “Everyone come meet Russ’s friend,” his mom ordered.

  Three men were standing in the spacious adjoining family room, their attention focused on a wall-mounted flat-screen TV and the football game that was on. They took one last glance then did as directed and walked into the kitchen.