Guardian Angel

by Lise Fuller

  Jim clenched his teeth. “I’ll tell you after I get my money.”

  Martin laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous.” He leaned into the plastic seat. “I have the power here. After I get my information, I promise to complete the deal.” He pointed the gun at Jim’s head. “I want my woman, cowboy. Where is she?”

  “Want, or need?” Jim arched his brows.

  The corners of Martin’s mouth turned downward as he stroked his chin then he noticed Katie already had several strips ripped. He ignored Jim’s jibe and swung the gun toward her. “Tie him up. Tight.”

  Katie’s look pleaded with Jim, asked what she should do. Jim repressed the anger that gripped him, pissed that Katie was afraid. “Do it, hon,” he tried to calm her. “It’ll be all right. You’ll see.”

  She did as he asked and muffled her teary response.

  Martin tested the knot she’d made then forced Katie to the end of the bed.

  “Sit down. Away from your girlfriend here.” The man waved the pistol’s tip at Jim and pointed to the covers.

  Jim took a few steps then sat near the headboard. After Martin stashed the gun in a holster at his back, he retrieved the knife. Giving Jim a wide berth, he tied Katie’s hands behind her and knotted some extra strips around her feet.

  “Now perhaps we can get to business,” Martin hammered then stalked toward Jim. He stopped midstride when the phone rang.

  All motion froze a moment. The two men eyed each other with unmasked fury.

  The phone rang again.

  Jim broke the silence. “If I don’t get it, the ranch hands will come looking for me.”

  Martin’s eyes narrowed. “Make it short.” He grabbed the back of Katie’s hair and yanked her head back then pulled out the pistol and put the barrel to her temple. “Or else.”

  “I get your drift.” Jim’s eyes narrowed.

  “Good.” Martin holstered the gun then closed the gap between him and the bed stand. As the phone rang a third time, Martin lifted the receiver and put the end against Jim’s ear.

  Before Jim answered, he took in the sight of the prick. Martin’s eyes were cold as ice—yet around him was the smell of fear.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Gramps, are you here?” No one seemed about the old army post, but Marie held her voice below a whisper just in case.

  The elder man popped in front of her. “Now calm down, Granddaughter, I’ve been with yuh.”

  “Gramps, he’s here.” Marie wrung her fingers. “He almost caught me at the diner. I had to leave Jesse there. I thought he’d be in trouble too if I took him with me.” She paced on the ancient brick sidewalk. “I don’t think he saw me.” Her body shook. “He almost killed me the last time. Then his friends shot at me and barely missed.” She broke down and sobbed as Gramps grabbed ahold of her.

  “Straighten up, Marie.” He shook her lightly. “You knew this wouldn’t be easy. Yuh know where Jake went?”

  “No. He took off when we got to the restaurant, like he had a call or something. He didn’t see us.”

  He held her at arm’s length. “Look, Marie, I want yuh tuh go back tuh the house. Martin just got in tuh town. He don’t know where you’re livin’. If, by some evil chance of fate, he comes tuh Jake’s, remember our plan. Hightail it out the back and make your getaway while he’s in the house. Hide in the barn if you have tuh. And saddle one a’ the horses in case yuh need it. I’ll find Jake.”

  Her bottom lip trembled. “Gramps, what if he catches me?”

  “Look, he ain’t gonna hurt yuh. He needs those papers and yuh don’t have ’em. Stall. Get ’em tuh come tuh the fort. I’m stronger here.” He hugged her for a brief moment. “Yuh can do this, Marie.”

  She nodded. “Can you get Cal to pick up Jesse? I want to make sure he stays well away from Bill.”

  “I’ll take care of it, now git. We don’t want that horse’s tail end to find yuh.”

  She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cool cheek. “Gramps, in case I don’t get the chance to say it, thanks for everything.”

  He eyed her hard. “Marie, you’re gonna git the chance for that and more. You’re a brave woman. Now don’t worry and git goin’. I’ll be around to protect yuh.”

  She bit her fingernails. “Don’t forget about Jesse. I’m more worried about him than myself. Gramps,” her unshed tears muffled her voice, “watch out for Jake too. I don’t want him hurt because of me.”

  “I will.” He placed his hand over hers. “Now git, gal. Quickly.”

  She nodded then ran to her vehicle.

  “Damn mess, already.” Gramps shook his head as he faded from sight. “Knew I’d have tuh stick around for this.”

  No one would hurt his family today. Not if he could help it. But it was about time fireworks started.

  —

  “You hear from Martin yet?” Jake knew his voice sounded like gravel as he spoke to Slim but he was anxious. He couldn’t find Gramps and Marie was gone. He hoped to hell she wouldn’t try to leave the state.

  “You could say that.” Slim sounded distant.

  “What does that mean?” Jake’s voice echoed his frustration as he glanced around the kitchen.

  “Well, the roundup’s gonna be a mite sooner than planned. Talked to the boss about it.”

  Slim was purposely obtuse. “When?”

  The other man hesitated. “I’ll let you know.”

  Jake huffed. “Is Katie in the room?”

  There was a pause. “Yeah.”

  “You haven’t told her yet, have you?” Jake asked.

  “No.”

  Jake heard the heavy sigh and decided he’d interrupted a brief lovers’ fling. Slim still shielded Katie from the truth. “Marie’s gone. She left a note saying she and Jesse went to the diner but I’m not so sure. I can’t get Gus on the phone. You been there yet?”

  “Nope.” A small catch hitched in his voice.

  “How ‘bout Katie? Has she seen them?”

  The man paused a moment. “No.” The response seemed more clipped than brief.

  “My gut tells me something’s up but I can’t put my finger on it.”

  “Listen to it.”

  Slim’s voice sounded strained. Was there a ring of desperation in it? Jake’s instincts went on alert. “I’m going to look for her. Get me through the station if you need me.”

  “Sure.” Slim’s voice wavered slightly. “I’ll be in touch.”

  Jake hung up. A curious niggling in his gut told him there was something more. After checking his pistol, he hopped into his cruiser and rushed to town.

  —

  Jim saw the hit coming but with his hands tied behind him all he could do was duck. The blunt end of the pistol caught him behind his ear then slid across his face. He tumbled onto the mattress. Katie’s shriek rang in his head.

  “Bitch, you want to see your boyfriend dead then scream again.” Bill Martin slammed the phone down and stooped over her. Jim was conscious enough to see him slap Katie off the bed. She inched toward the wall and huddled against the plasterboard, shivering.

  Anger burned in Jim. “You sonofabitch,” he mumbled past the blood that oozed from his lip. “Let her go. She has nothing to do with this.”

  “Stop wasting my time.” The angry man hovered over him and threatened to punch Jim again. “I told you to make it short, not warn whoever that was.” His abuser leaned into him, ready to strike.

  “You wanted me to sound casual. I did.” Slim’s gaze pierced the man. “Takes a lot to hit a woman, doesn’t it, Martin?” He spat a thickened lump of blood at him. “You damn coward.”

  He moaned when the man returned the insult with a punch to his gut.

  “Who was it?” Martin questioned.

  Jim glared at him and was backhanded.

  “I asked you a question.”

  “Leave him alone,” Katie pleaded.

  Martin tensed as he marched over to her. He lifted her up by the scruff of her blouse then slapped her.

&n
bsp; “That’s enough,” Jim growled over her cries.

  The man stopped and glared at him. “Tell me or it’ll get worse for her.”

  “She lives with the sheriff.” Jim bridled his outrage but his voice still held a threat.

  Martin snorted then dropped Katie and stalked toward him. “So, my wife’s with the sheriff. How convenient for her. Hmmm,” he purred and stroked his chin. Martin raised his hand, ready to strike Jim again. “Where does he live?”

  Jim paused. He hoped like hell MacDugal and Carter would hurry back.

  “You know,” Martin sneered as he lowered his hand and wiped his face. “I bet any one of these folks can tell me. It’d only be a matter of time.” He grabbed Jim by the collar. “You wouldn’t want me to hurt anyone else, would you?”

  “Don’t, Slim,” Katie bravely piped up from the floor.

  “I said shut up,” the man raged and walked toward her.

  Jim moved quickly to trip him. The bastard fell on his face. “I said, leave her be. I’ll help you but not if you hurt her.”

  Martin jumped to his feet. “Get up, cowboy.” He yanked Jim off the bed. “You’ll tell me where that prissy bitch is right now or you won’t like what I do to your lady’s face.” He pushed Jim onto the floor near Katie then pulled his penknife from his pocket.

  Jim grimaced. “Let her go and I’ll tell you where your ‘partner’ is.”

  “Partner?” Bill Martin backed into the chair and roared with laughter. “Oh my.” He covered his face with his hand. “Partner? Man, where did you ever get that idea? She’s my wife.”

  Jim shrugged. “Ain’t that the same thing?”

  “Not really,” Martin narrowed his eyes. “What did she tell you?”

  “Not much.”

  Martin stood and whacked him on the head again with the pistol.

  “Look, mister,” Jim pleaded, trying to stay conscious. “I’m in this for the reward, remember? That picture I had wasn’t great. The face was blurry. I had to be sure she knew you so I asked around, casual like, all right? She never suspected a thing so don’t get touchy. I’m on your side.”

  “Slim?” Katie’s wide-eyed innocence made him uncomfortable. “You…you didn’t track her down for this animal?”

  Martin paced toward her like a cat ready to kill.

  “Katie, stay out of this. This is man talk.” The command in Jim’s voice halted Martin.

  A snide grin of approval made its way across the creep’s face.

  Jim bit his swollen lip. Fear crept into Katie’s eyes. She shot Jim a look that said she’d never seen him before. She opened her mouth to speak but thank God, the look he gave her quelled her. Martin was nuts but Jim couldn’t explain that now. Somehow, he had to get her out of this.

  “Women always do cause problems, don’t they, my friend?” Martin scorned. “Hell, they’re only good to lie under a man.” Bill dropped on the bed and ran a hand across the messed covers then he looked at his lap and steadied himself. “Hmph. I was hoping Marie would behave.” A scowl etched his face. “But she had to go and poke her nose into things that were none of her business.” His wild-eyed stare sent cold chills down Jim’s spine. “She’ll have to be punished now.” He lifted the knifepoint toward Jim. “She betrayed me and she’ll pay.” His eyes narrowed. “Make sure you don’t make the same mistake.”

  Jim cocked his head. He worked to ensure his voice sounded even. “It’s a deal then.”

  The man looked at Katie. “She stays until the job’s done.”

  Jim twisted his body, working it against the wall to get to his feet. “I understand.” Jim grunted from pain as he struggled to rise then turned sideways to Martin and lifted his bound hands off his back as best he could. “You intend to keep me tied up? Be kinda hard to explain it.”

  Bill’s eyes narrowed as he studied his face. Suddenly the knife sliced through the layers of cotton. “Draw a map.” Martin folded the blade and put it away then pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and placed it on the table. “You don’t look pretty enough to go out.”

  The man handed him a pen and Jim drew on the white sheet. Per Jake, Marie wasn’t at the house. If that was so, she’d fled. The risk was minimal.

  Besides, he needed to get Katie out of this. Hopefully, giving directions to the ranch would buy them some time and at least he’d know where Martin was, temporarily.

  In a few minutes, Jim handed the instructions to the scum. “There’s only one way to go on the last road. You can’t miss it.”

  “I didn’t want it to go down this way, buddy, but your girlfriend left me no choice.” Martin’s voice held the threat.

  Jim jerked a single nod.

  Martin pulled an envelope out of his jacket. “Just to let you know there aren’t any hard feelings, here’s the reward money I offered.” He dropped a packet stuffed with bills on the table and handed Jim the strips of cloth. “Tie up one hand, turn around and put both hands behind your back. Please.” Martin reclaimed the pistol and aimed.

  If Jim had been alone, he would have taken the chance to overcome the man. Instead, he did as instructed. He didn’t want to risk a misfired shot hitting Katie. He felt the tug on the strips and figured Martin had holstered the gun again.

  “I can’t let you wander around ’til I’m ready to leave. Sorry.” The repulsive man knotted the strips tightly. “You’ll have to stay here.” Martin spun Jim around. He shoved some of the cloth in Slim’s mouth then secured another strip around his head. “I’ll call the motel after I leave town and let them know where you are.”

  Martin stuffed Katie’s mouth with the sheet. When he tied the ends, the bastard set the lock and walked out.

  Jim heard the man’s grating laugh as the door scraped closed.

  —

  Marie paced the old bedroom again, waiting. “Gramps?” Still nothing. She sat on the bed and stared into empty space.

  The winds gusted and the old house creaked. The sounds reminded her how very alone she was. “I can’t stand waiting.” She threw her hands in the air then rose and marched in the other direction. She’d never been one to sit and do nothing. She pressed her lips together. She wouldn’t run again. Jake and his spiritual predecessor had convinced her that would be a tragedy.

  Unbidden, she remembered the warmth of Jake’s arms and she hugged herself with the imagined embrace. His urgings had been more than words, they were a binding commitment that had tethered her heart. A deep peacefulness settled over her. For once she knew exactly where she belonged. She needed to be beside Jake and his clan. No more thoughts of running. She would stay and fight. She plopped on the bed. Marie had made up her mind. If Jake and his grandfather were willing to risk everything for her, she ought to be able to do battle for herself. After all, she wasn’t some princess in an ivory tower.

  She jumped off the bed and stomped down the hallway to the front room to get Gramps’ old infantry pistol. Juggling through the jumbled mess in the drawers of the cabinet, she looked for the key to the locked case. Nothing.

  She frowned. Where could it be? This was Jake’s private domain. Like his bedroom, she’d not disturbed the place except to do general cleaning. She reached over the top of the hutch and ran her fingers along the edge. Dust collected on the tips until she heard a tinkling sound. She touched the key and knocked it behind the case.

  “Damn.” Marie pushed against the old oak furniture and grunted as the massive piece inched forward. When she’d moved it a bit, she knelt down and patted the floor. Her arm scraped against the underside as she reached farther back. Her shoulders heaved with relief when she fingered the key and hooked it with her nail to pull it closer.

  The metal landed against the backside of the short thick leg and Marie fingered it several times before she got it free. Soon the iron rested in the palm of her hand. Her breathing grew easier.

  Clasping it, she sat on the Oriental carpet and stared at the ancient piece. This might give her access to her single source of protection.


  Marie stood and leaned her backside against the cabinet to slide it back into place. When she finished, she unlocked the glass front and pulled out the handgun. She held the heavy pistol and extended her arms, both hands in front of her, and pointed into the empty air. She wasn’t even sure how to use a pistol except that Gramps had told her the bullets were in the drawer underneath.

  She slid the drawer open. The bullets were there but she debated whether to use them. “Marie, you know nothing about guns.” Except that Gramps said it was easy.

  A scratching sound came from the outside door in the TV room across the hall. A shiver rolled up Marie’s spine. Was it the heavy wind around here? She didn’t know.

  “Gramps?” she whispered and peered around the doorjamb to the room she was in. What took the ghost so long? Marie scanned the other room. It was empty. She heard the noise again.

  “Jake?”

  The glass pane shattered. The sound stunned her. A gloved hand came through and juggled the door lock. Marie’s scream froze in her throat. Frantic, she grabbed the shells with one hand and fingered the chamber with the other, looking for the clasp that opened the barrel. “It’s supposed to be right here.” Her voice faltered.

  Frenzied, she held the pistol against her chest. The cartridges clattered around her. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Her hands shook as if she’d had an epileptic seizure. The door slammed against the wall and jarred the few pictures that hung on it.

  Bill stood in the doorway. His eyes burned with hate. The rancid sneer on his face mutated into a lewd grin.

  “D-d-don’t c-come near m-me.” The gun gyrated wildly in front of her as she pointed it at him.

  “Marie,” Bill snorted as he opened his coat and put his hands in his front pockets, “put that thing down before you hurt yourself.”

  “Y-you’re n-not going t-to get a-away with this, Bill. I’ve told the sher-riff about you.” She couldn’t control her fear as he sauntered toward her.

  She cocked the trigger and stepped back.

  He stood in the entrance to the room, saw the shells on the floor. “Babe, even if the piece was loaded, that thing is so old, if you fired it, it’d probably blow up in your face.”