by Rita Karnopp
“Ta ta, with the language, Megan. I’m just saying that you should have a paternity test run … might shed some light on who your lover is.”
“You don’t think I know who my lover is? Who are you?”
“Don’t lie to me. Your lover sneaks in and out of your bed with a mask on. Tell me it’s not true.”
“How would you know that?” Megan looked around for a possible camera. “He does it for my protection. He gave me the information for my first book. If I get subpoenaed on where I got my information for Malicious Intent, I can honestly say I don’t know.”
“First of all, you were sleeping with him long before you decided to write this book. You’re making excuses. Besides, doesn’t it bother you not knowing?”
“Like not knowing who you are bothers me? I’m best not knowing who either of you are. He’s my lover—not a killer. He fills my needs. He doesn’t ask for anything in return. He makes me feel like a woman, someone he worships and desires. He’s a great lover. That’s the way I like it.”
“Hmm, I’m not convinced. I think you want more from the relationship, but he’s not willing to give it to you. He doesn’t want anyone to know he’s your lover. Either he’s ashamed or he’s close to Cooper and doesn’t want him to know. Have you ever thought about that, Megan?”
“Yes, and I don’t give a shit who he is. He has a wife and kids so that’s why all the secrecy. Besides, he’s my rock. When I need him, I can count on him.”
“Don’t be too sure of that.”
“Meaning?”
“What do you think I mean, Megan? “
“Do you know who he is?”
“See! You do want to know. What if I told you it will shock the panties right off you.”
“Is he someone I know?”
“Tell you what. When you finish writing about the Bannack Ghost Town killing, I’ll tell you who he is. When you finish writing about the murder at Garnet Ghost Town, I’ll tell you who Cooper is going to kill. After you finish writing about the murder at Marysville Ghost Town, I’ll tell you who I am.”
“I thought you said Cooper already killed someone. Now you’re saying he’s going to kill someone else? I don’t want to know who you are, because if I do—you’ll kill me. You’re scaring me. ”
“Good. Now get your ass in the chair and start typing.”
Megan shuddered and tossed her cell phone on the table. She closed her eyes and drew in a long steady breath. He’d said her lover was someone close and she’d be shocked. Who would she be shocked to find in her bed?
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Maybe we’re being paranoid. He might be just trying to pass us.” Dallas stretched to get a better look.
“With a gun?”
“Okay, so you ready to feel foolish? It’s not a gun, it’s a cell phone.” Cooper stepped on the gas, taking the next corner faster than he should have. She gave him a warning glance.
“I’m telling you, I saw a gun. And I’m driving eight-eight and he’s catching me.”
“You might have a point there.” Dallas slipped her 9mm Beretta from its holster and held it low. “Let him catch up and be ready to slam on your breaks.”
“On your command.”
Dallas smiled, then grew serious. The driver definitely wanted to move alongside them. She tensed as the van inched closer and closer, then suddenly swerved toward them. She held on as Cooper took a dirt turn-off at neck-breaking speed. Hitting a dip in the road sent them both bouncing like mannequin dummies in a crash test.
“Damn, he did that on purpose. It doesn’t look like he’s following us.”
“Another warning or an attempt to scare us?”
“No, I think he’s letting us know he’s in charge. He can kill us anytime he wants to. He’s just toying with us right now.” Dallas leaned back in the seat while Cooper continued slowing their vehicle down. A sharp right corner sent them down a slimy mud slide.
“That loony son of a bitch.”
Dallas hung on as they descended without control, swerving into the right bank, then left. The downhill incline caused them to pick up speed. Any attempt at breaking sent them swerving. What seemed an eternity, they came to a complete stop in a dip that oozed heavy, wet mud up past the wheel hubs. They were in deep and driving out, even with four-wheel-drive wasn’t much of an option.
“We’re fucked.” Dallas slammed her palms down on the dashboard. Cooper’s laugh took her by surprise. “What?”
“You look so refined and ladylike … and then you let her rip. It’s just so unexpected.”
“Probably not the most professional way to talk. I’ve been around men all my life. If you can find a better way to express the predicament we’re in, have at it.”
“Nope. I’d say we’re fucked, too.”
Dallas laughed out loud and the instant Cooper joined her there didn’t seem a way to stop. Tears rolled down her face and once she saw Cooper was having the same reaction, she started laughing all over again. Lord, that man had a way of getting her going. “I don’t think I’ve laughed this much since … oh yeah, you were trying to find a light switch, if I’m not mistaken.”
“Don’t remind me.” Cooper shook his head. “You have a way of making just about everything seem hilarious rather than aggravating. Although why we’re laughing about being stuck in mud up to our asses, I have no idea.”
“Guess it beats screaming obscenities about it. You might try four-wheeling us out of here, although I don’t think we have an ice cube’s chance in a microwave of that working.” She no sooner got the words out of her mouth when Cooper popped the vehicle into four-wheel drive and gunned the gas. Mud slapped against the windshield and in every direction. Unfortunately, the vehicle didn’t move an inch.
“Well that wasn’t what I was hoping for. I think we’re in for one hell of a walk. Or we could call for a wrecker to pull us out.”
“Walking out of here doesn’t hold much interest.” Dallas slipped her cell phone from her pocket. “Cold mud up to my knees isn’t my idea of fun. Let’s call for a wrecker—damn, no service. How about you?” She impatiently waited while Cooper pushed button after button.
“That’s just great. You have a cell phone in case you have an emergency and when you have an emergency, there’s no service. I don’t suggest we open the doors, it looks like the mud is over the edge. How about I climb out the window and I’ll carry you over to the rocks. No use both of us getting covered in sludge.”
“Now that’s downright nice of you, Cooper.” She unhooked her seat belt and waited as the tall, lean man slide through the open window with ease.
“You have no idea how cold this mud is. Good God, it’s like sinking into freezing, slimy quick sand. You trust me to get you safely to the rocks?”
“Your history isn’t exactly encouraging. The good news is there aren’t any obstacles for you to bump into.” With her back to the window, Dallas moved her head, then shoulders out the window and sat on the edge. Cooper moved his warm hand around her waist and slipped the other under her thighs. A rush of tingling excitement washed over her. As he pulled her clear of the window, she once again landed in the arms of Cooper Reynolds. What were the chances? What bothered her the most was she liked it. It had been a long time since a man even interested her. “How far is the main road do you think?” She moved her arm around his neck, holding on for dear life.
“I’d say a good two miles uphill. I can barely pick my feet up to walk. ”
“If we can get to the rocky edge and stay out of this mud—“ Flying through the air, Cooper gripped her against him. They ended in a cold splash of mud. Dallas pushed up from his chest, then grabbed his jacket, pulling his head up before submerging beneath the life-sucking mud.
“Damn, this is disgusting.”
She pulled with all her weight, helping Cooper sit. She didn’t move from his lap. “I think your efforts to keep me clean and dry have failed.” A plop of mud dropped from his ear and landed on her arm. She looke
d at it for a second, then burst out laughing. They sat laughing like two six-year-olds enjoying the wonderment of a good mud bath.
“I think this guarantees us no one will stop to give us a ride.”
Struggling to gain control, Dallas took a deep breath. “Can you imagine how this is going to feel once it starts drying? This is so not going to be a good thing. And, it’s my guess—“
“I don’t know what’s in your pocket, but it’s poking the hell out of my leg.”
She frowned in thought, then reached into her pocket and retrieved an evidence bag. They both stared at the silver pen. “I’ll be damned! I thought I had entered this into evidence.”
“This is good and bad. It’s good because we still have it and can have forensics run it for prints and blood type. And it’s bad because I think the killer knows we still have it.”
“Cooper, are you saying you think we are down in this mud bog because we have this evidence?” Dallas looked around, her senses alert.
“Well, we didn’t drive off the beaten path of our own free will. I’d say we’d better get ourselves out of this mud and get hiking back to the main road as fast as we can. We’ll call for help as soon as we have service. I’d say we’d better be on the alert.”
Dallas slid off Cooper’s lap and managed to get to her feet. She extended a hand toward Cooper and was surprised when he took it. By the time he got to his feet, they were teetering on the verge of falling her way.
“Don’t you even think it! I’m fifty percent covered in mud and I can barely move. I can’t afford to add more to it.” She shook her arms and hands and mud flew.
“Woman, you can stop that any minute. You’re like a dog shaking after a bath.”
“Nice. Talk like that will get you arrested.” She couldn’t help chuckling. She barely took a step and found the effort exhausting. “This is not going to be easy.” Dallas scraped mud with the straight edges of her hands along her jeans, then jacket. Chill was quickly seeping to the bone. Things were not going well.
“I’ve been in predicaments before, but this is a first. I don’t mean to scare you, but I think we might be in some real trouble here. We don’t show up in Missoula and we might be missed. But I don’t think anyone will be worried until tomorrow.”
“That will not look good for me. I’m investigating you. I’ve made no secret of the fact that I think you’re innocent. I can be removed if my boss thinks I’ve been compromised.” She paused to groan while pulling her leg up with both hands gripping denim in aid. “They could put someone else on the case who believes you’re guilty. It’s not smart of us to be in this position.”
“We didn’t choose—“
The echo of a discharged gun resonated around them. Dallas dived for the rocky edge and pulled herself as far behind it as she could. “Cooper, get your butt over here.” She reached for his hand and pulled hard, bringing him hard alongside her.
“Can’t say I’m surprised. I was hoping we’d get closer to the main road before being ambushed. You okay?”
“Fine. You?” She slid her Beretta clear, grateful it had escaped the mud.
“Not bad considering I’m covered in mud, the cold has my teeth chattering, and that last dive alongside you jammed my right hip into a rock and it’s hurting like hell.”
“Men are such babies.” Dallas chuckled under her breath. “I’m beginning to believe you are just bad luck to be around.”
“Did it occur to you that maybe you’re just bad luck to be around?”
“Not possible. I’m more— likeable than you.” She couldn’t help smirking as she scanned the tree line up the hill. “I think the shot came from up there,” she pointed. The sharp crack of a bullet hitting the rock just in front of them caused them both to jump and duck down tighter together.
“Well, that answers that question. We need to figure out how to move out of here.”
“Really? What do you suggest, Sherlock?”
“You always this snippy in a stressful situation?”
Dallas ignored him as she checked out their surroundings. “If we keep low and inch our way on the ground we can work—“
“I’m not crawling out of here like a wounded duck.”
“And what do you suggest? Going out in a blaze of glory?”
“That’s dramatic. No … I mean … let’s make him shoot at us again and pin-point his location. We can give him a few rounds and see how he likes it. Maybe if he knows we can shoot back, he’ll high-tail it out of here.”
“Cooper, that shooter knows everything about us, including the fact we both have guns. He has us pinned down because he wants to see us submit. He wants to point out he’s in charge and we are at his mercy. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s already left, laughing because we’re both laying here afraid to move. There’s only one way to find out.” Dallas slid her shoulder up, while slightly peaking around the rock. The bullet hit before she’d even heard the gun fire.
“Dallas, damn … Dallas, you okay? That son-of-a-bitch—“
Several more rounds pinging off the rocks immediately silenced Cooper. “I’m okay. The bullet went right through. It burns like hell, I won’t lie.”
“Women are such babies.”
She appreciated his light tone. “What do you suggest now?”
“We’d better put some pressure on both sides of that wound to stop the bleeding. Then, I think you should stay here and keep alert. I’m going to work my way back down this road and circle around to where I think the shooter is. I’m sick of this ambush shit.”
She unzipped her jacket and moaned as she struggled to pull her injured arm free.
“Here, let me help you with that. This isn’t as romantic as I imagined undressing you would be.”
His snicker made her smile, which was quickly replaced with a controlled moan. “And I never imagined being with you could make me moan so easily.”
His laughter cracked through the stillness. “I’m sorry, but that truly was funny.”
“Truly,” she repeated. She waited while Cooper shed first his coat, then shirt, before sliding back into his jacket. He tore the shirt in half then in several strips. She remained still while he tied the strips together.
“You’re not going to appreciate this, but I need your t-shirt, too. I’ll use it to press against the wound and then I’ll wrap and tie it in place with these. I’m going to tie your arm against your chest.”
“That’s a good plan. We’d better hurry. Keep as low as you can. We can’t afford you getting shot, too.”
“When I get my hands on that bastard, he’ll be lucky I don’t tear him apart with my bare hands. He comes and goes like a ghost. He knows our plans before we know them. I’m not sure if he’s after you or me, and maybe he’s after us both. The one thing I do know is he wants that pen. I don’t think he’s going to leave here until he gets it.”
Dallas figured Cooper was talking to keep her distracted from the discomfort of being jostled around. She couldn’t help liking him for that. “It would be a lot easier if I could sit up, but that is out of the question.” A single tear slid down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away.
“I’m sorry I hurt you, Dallas. I’m trying to be careful. I’m almost done.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not all that bad.”
“Like hell. I’ve been shot in the shoulder and it burns like hell fire. You don’t have to be brave for me, because I’m telling you—“
Dallas jumped and moaned when Cooper dropped across her.
“I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”
“No, I think I was more startled by the unexpected shots than hurt.” She closed her eyes for a moment, concentrating on the surrounding sounds. “I think he’s moving,” she whispered. “That was a branch breaking underfoot. There, you hear it?”
“You’re right. Here’s your gun. Lay low and don’t try being a hero.”
“Ditto, Cooper,” she whispered. “Don’t go getting yourself killed. You hear me?” W
hat frightened her more: Cooper dying at the hands of the killer or that she might never see him again? How could she possibly have fallen under the spell of Cooper Reynolds? Rule number one: never start a relationship with a policeman, detective, or any type of service man. What was she thinking? And now it was too late, she cared about him already.
* * *
Megan stretched her back upward, then rolled her head from side to side. Page thirty stared back at her. She pushed her chair from the computer and slowly strolled to the window. It was an incredibly beautiful day. The flower garden below called to her. Megan was tempted, but didn’t take the bait. Physical Evidence wasn’t going to write itself. And the sooner she was done with this whole thing, the better.
She returned to the table and studied the crime scene photos. What a sick monster he had to be to mutilate such a lovely young woman like this. Would the reader be more sympathetic if the book read from the victim’s point of view? That wasn’t possible, since once the killer had done his deed, the point-of-view would have to stop with the death. And switching to the detective’s view point wasn’t as dramatic or violent as sharing the insight of the killer. Yet, this angle was unnerving and … should she foreshadow that the detective could be the killer?
The idea fascinated Megan. What if she cast a doubt, that the detective might be manipulating the evidence? That the detective was able to unfold the murder scene just the way he wanted the other detectives to see it. Megan froze in her thoughts. Was her lover the killer? It would explain how he knows everything about her and Cooper as well as the murders.
Megan sat at the keyboard.
“You know I’ll never be caught, don’t you?” The killer slid the scalpel across his tongue without cutting it.
“Sooner or later, you all get caught.” Ella spat the words at him.
“That was gutsy of you, dear. You know you’ll pay.”
“You’re going to kill me anyway. Why should I give you the satisfaction of seeing my fear? By the way, I wrote all about you in my journal. You’ll never find it but I’m sure—“