by Alice Sharpe
Cody whipped around to find Sheriff Clayton Inkwell standing by the dining room table.
And he wasn’t alone.
As Cody watched, the sheriff, wearing his habitually rumpled green jacket and a billed hat obscuring a thatch of gray-blond hair, sauntered into the living room followed by a younger, neater-looking officer dressed in a blue uniform. The closer he got, the more visible became the legend on the star-shaped badge on his chest.
He was from Idaho.
Cody tensed. Cassie, meanwhile, grabbed his hand. It was obvious she’d leapt to the same conclusion Cody had: the gig was up. She would be returned to Cherrydell for questioning.
“Cody, Mrs. Westin, nice to see you both,” Inkwell said.
Cody shook Inkwell’s proffered hand. “Nice to see you, too, Sheriff.” He caught a glimpse of Pauline hovering behind the sheriff. She must have admitted the police through the kitchen door.
“How do you know my name?” Banner demanded, his gaze darting to the sheriff’s silent partner, brow furling as he studied the man’s badge. His frown immediately turned to a smile. “Ned Tucker? Are you Charlie’s boy?”
“You know my dad?” the Idaho officer asked.
“You bet I do. We both belong to the same club. What in the world are you doing here?”
“Is it Kevin?” Donna asked, pushing her father out of her way. “Did you find my husband?”
“No, ma’am,” the deputy said. “I mean, I don’t know anything about your husband.” The deputy was a solid-looking guy in his early twenties with a square torso and an even squarer jaw. “I’m here for you, sir,” he added, looking at Banner. “Your wife told us where to find you. I’m real sorry, but I have a warrant. Seeing as we’re in Wyoming, Sheriff Inkwell will make the arrest and then we’ll extradite you to Idaho. You’ll need to come with us.”
Banner blinked rapidly as though reviewing past events behind his eyelids. “You have a warrant for me? That’s crazy.” He pointed at Cassie. “This woman is the thief.”
As Cassie recoiled, the sheriff stepped in. “Now, hold on. You’re in enough trouble as it is. The deputy has been telling me all about some mighty sad goings-on back there in Cherrydell.” He rattled off the Miranda warning and cuffed Banner.
Banner turned his attention back to the deputy. “You don’t honestly think I am guilty of any of that, do you now, Ned? This is all just a misunderstanding.”
“I’m sure you’ll get it cleared up real soon,” Tucker said. “Meanwhile, I have to enforce the law. Ma’am,” he added with a nod at Cassie’s bulging midsection, “are you the woman who passed herself off as Laura Green?”
“Yes,” Cassie said, shrinking back.
“You need to come back to Cherrydell and answer a few questions.”
“Come on now, Deputy Tucker, just look at the lady,” Inkwell said. “Mrs. Westin is in no condition to be driving over mountain roads. Mr. Banner is going to be our guest tonight anyway. How about these nice folks just come on down to my office and you can ask them anything you want, say, tomorrow morning?”
“There’s lots of people have questions for her,” the deputy said. “Mrs. Banner is thinking of pressing charges.”
“Tomorrow morning,” the sheriff said, his voice a hair more firm.
“I guess that would work,” the deputy said. “I’ll have to check.”
Banner erupted again. “What do you mean I’m going to be your guest? I insist on going back to Cherrydell immediately.”
Sheriff Inkwell chuckled. “See, this is how it goes. We have to do things a certain way and you have to live with it. Life is compromise.”
Cody fought not to smile at Banner’s predicament and Inkwell’s folksy stubbornness. And despite Cassie’s obvious concern at being thrown into the middle of that which she’d tried so hard to avoid, Cody was relieved everything was finally out in the open. He didn’t much like secrets, especially when they threatened the life of his woman and unborn child. Sooner this all got cleared up, the better.
It didn’t hurt that Emerson Banner was on his way to jail. That was just icing on the cake.
“What are you arresting me for?” Banner demanded.
“Well now, I can’t speak for Deputy Tucker, but I just sort of assumed you knew,” Inkwell said.
“Misappropriation of funds. For now,” the deputy added.
“What’s that mean?” This came from Donna, whose rosy complexion had paled to ash. “Dad, is he talking about embezzling from Grandma?”
Banner shook his head.
Donna sucked in air. “Robert said you were stealing, but I said, ‘No, Dad wouldn’t do that!’ I’ve been a fool to defend you, haven’t I?”
“Donna, for heaven’s sake, pull yourself together,” Banner snapped. “Call Gibbons. Have him meet me in Woodwind.”
She look at the deputy and added, “What do you mean, that’s all you’re arresting him for now? What else is there?”
The deputy cast an apologetic look at Emerson Banner. “I’m sure this is all just a mistake,” he said.
“Cody, how about you and Cassie come on down to the station in the morning,” the sheriff added.
Cody glanced at Cassie. He wouldn’t mention the explosion, because that happened in Idaho, but he’d be damned if he wouldn’t bring up yesterday. “We’ll be there. Meanwhile, you should know someone shot Cassie up on the hill above the lake when we got home yesterday. Winged her arm. My money is on Mr. Banner there. I’ll bring in the spent casings.”
“I told you, my revolver was stolen—”
“Did you report it?” the deputy asked.
“Not yet. I am now.”
They all headed for the kitchen. Pauline, who was still hovering, hurried to get out of their way.
But Banner paused and looked over his shoulder, right at Cassie. “This isn’t over, Mrs. Westin. My lawyer will make sure that you never get a single penny, and if there’s any way on earth to prove you aided her killer, I won’t rest until you pay.”
The sheriff bundled him through the door.
Donna looked at Cassie, eyes wide. “Did you have something to do with my grandma’s death?”
“Of course she didn’t,” Cody said. He’d had enough of all these people. His urge was to saddle up Bandido, lift Cassie on behind him and head for the mountains…?.
Sure. She could give birth in the snow. Great plan. His goal was keep her safe, not freeze her to death.
“Donna, your father is right,” Cassie said, gripping the other woman’s shoulders. “Get in touch with his lawyer. Call your mother and Robert.”
“Okay,” she said vaguely, as she started for the front door.
“Are you all right to drive?” Cody asked.
Donna paused. “Yeah. Shocked, you know, that’s all. And Laura,” she added, covering her lips and shaking her head. “I mean Cassie. Please try to find my ring. I’ve been wrong about everyone else. Don’t make me regret trusting you, too.”
As the door closed behind her, Cassie looked around the room like a caged animal, her gaze darting from the door to the windows to the rock fireplace, as though she were wishing she could turn herself into a wisp of smoke, drift up the chimney and float away on the wind.
She’d always been a rock, so sure of herself it spooked him. Seeing her like this made his gut itch. He caught her hand, and she turned to stare into his eyes.
“Now what?” she said.
He tugged her toward him, the baby bumping against his stomach first. His baby.
“Now we get through it together,” he said. “All three of us.”
Chapter Nine
The pregnancy made sleeping difficult. Hard to find a comfortable position that supported her ponderous middle, hard to stretch out when she was afraid of waking Cody, hard to stop thinking.
That was the real problem. Random thoughts skittered around in Cassie’s head like startled ants. What had Deputy Tucker meant when he said that was all they were arresting Emerson Banner for now?
Were there more charges in the offing? Did they suspect him of murdering Mrs. Priestly?
Was that why he was hurling accusations and threats at her—to take the attention off of himself? Had he gone so far as trying to blow up a pregnant woman or gun her down in her sleep?
And could anyone prove anything against him? If he’d been stealing from Mrs. Priestly, there must be some kind of tangible money trail, right? He couldn’t schmooze his way out of that….
She got out of bed, stepped into her slippers and robe, and left the bedroom as quietly as she could, making her way down the stairs carefully. Slinking through the large, dark house in the middle of the night reminded her of the night less than two weeks before when she’d gone to check out what Mrs. Priestly claimed she saw through her bedroom window.
A murder. By the river. And that reminded Cassie of that article she’d seen in the paper about the body recovered downstream from Cherrydell. She’d all but forgotten about it until now, and she vowed to find out in the morning if the police had identified the man yet.
She walked through the dark house with the encouraging sensation of being home, of belonging. Bonnie greeted her in the kitchen, nuzzling against her legs, her eyes sleepy looking. But when Cassie opened the outside door and flipped on the electricity, the dog tore off into the night on some secret mission.
More memories of that night. The light hadn’t worked. Well, it hadn’t worked many times before that, either. The mansion was old. Cassie had overheard a couple of conversations where Emerson and Victoria had tried to coax Mrs. Priestly into spending money on upkeep, but the old woman hadn’t seen the decay. Maybe her memories were more vivid than the present.
It had stopped raining, but it was cold. As Cassie stepped outside, she drew her robe as close as possible and moseyed around the deck, pausing when she got to the pond, loving the darkness, loving the quiet and, most of all, loving the thought of Emerson Banner behind bars.
She sat on the bench carefully, rubbing her stomach as she so often did now, and leaned back just a little to give the baby room. “No offense, but you are going to be a bruiser,” she whispered, as she stared at the reflected moonlight in the pond that Cody had built for her.
How she had missed this pond. Oh, the Priestly fountain was much larger and grander perhaps, but it was like an old Victorian lady in a shabby dress. This pond was the essence of classic. Still, secret, nonobtrusive. And better yet, Cody had shoveled out the earth to create it just for her.
The first time she’d seen it had been on the return from their honeymoon, and she’d been equally enchanted with the ambience of the rocks and water and the implied affection of the man who had just married her.
How had she forgotten how much he loved her? How had she doubted his ability to roll with the punches? Had the last few years worn them both down to the point where they forgot how unique and special what they had was?
Love was like the pond. Rocky, tranquil, deep, shallow—frozen over at times, murky at others…
She heard the kitchen door close and knew at any moment Cody would show up. Did he really think she was going to leave him in the middle of the night? That wasn’t fair. If she didn’t want him jumping to conclusions, then neither should she. She turned to look over her shoulder.
But it was Pauline who approached, dressed in a thick robe belted tight around her waist. She stopped midstep when she saw Cassie.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you,” Pauline said. “I didn’t know—I’ll just go back inside—”
“No, come on, sit down,” Cassie said, patting the bench beside her. “It’s chilly out here but really peaceful. I just couldn’t sleep.”
Pauline sat beside Cassie, looking at her at last, full on, eye to eye. “I’m leaving the Open Sky,” she said.
Cassie looked deeper into the woman’s eyes. “What? You’ve been here—”
“—since before Cody’s mother disappeared, I know.”
“Is it because I’m home, because if it is, Pauline, that’s not necessary. You and I never had a problem—”
“No, no,” Pauline said, patting Cassie’s hand. “No, it’s not that.” She was quiet for a second, and then she added, “Birch told me that Cody talked to him and Adam this morning and told them why you left. I didn’t say anything, but I already knew it. Don’t be surprised. Your longing for a baby was all over your face. Every time you saw a chick or a duckling or a kitten or a calf or a foal, you just melted. And the way you treated that puppy of yours! Just like she was your baby.”
“I didn’t know I was that obvious,” Cassie said.
“Maybe you weren’t—maybe I just saw it. But Cody didn’t because Cody didn’t want to.” She put a hand on Cassie’s arm. “He changed after his mother left. He’d been closest to her, and then when she was gone and Birch was so angry, I think it just scared him, so he got real quiet and introspective. Pierce was a little hellion and Adam was the artist, but Cody just devoted himself to the ranch and to taking care of his brothers. And Birch was, well, Birch. Children were meant to follow orders. Pierce coped with his father’s stubborn streak by rebelling and ultimately leaving. Adam charmed his way into what he wanted. And Cody just kind of closed up more than ever.
“Then he met you. And I thought, hallelujah, he’ll open up again. And he did.”
“But parenthood still scared him,” Cassie said. “I know. But what does all of this have to do with you leaving?”
Pauline met her gaze and looked away. “I’m going to tell you something I never told anyone before. I’m in love with Birch. Have been since a couple of years after my husband died. I always knew Birch was still in love with his wife, so I never told him. A couple of months ago when we finally figured out what really happened to Melissa, Birch started to thaw a bit and I thought I had—we had—a chance for happiness together. But he’s still just a stubborn old coot and it’s time I get on with things. And that’s why I’m so glad you’re here for Cody again. You’re going to save him from turning into his father.”
“That’s a tall order for any woman,” Cody said from behind them.
Startled, Cassie and Pauline both turned to face him. Cassie didn’t know what exactly Pauline saw—probably the young man she’d cared for most of his life, standing there in pajamas and robe. But Cassie saw a tall, handsome, straight figure with starlight on his skin and dark shadows for eyes. He looked like a prince out of a fairy-tale book, perfectly capable of slaying any dragon who wandered across his path.
“How long have you been back there?” Pauline scolded as she stood.
His voice was gentle when he responded. “Long enough.” He stepped forward and hugged her. “I’ll miss you,” he said. “If you really go, that is.”
“I’ll miss you, too,” Pauline said. “Good night to both of you.”
Cody looked down at Cassie. “I thought we agreed you wouldn’t wander outside by yourself,” he said. Bonnie showed up, panting heavily, back from some private dog mission.
“But Emerson Banner is behind bars—”
He offered her a hand. “And what if he wasn’t working alone? What if there’s someone out there right now with a nightscope—”
She took his hand and awkwardly got to her feet. The comforting darkness now seemed more like a cloak for a killer. “Okay, you made your point.”
THE COURTHOUSE AND THE sheriff’s office had shared the same parking lot for decades. Cody knew there were plans for new facilities, but for now too many cars had to pack into too few spaces. In the end they had to park a couple of blocks away and hike back to the office.
The clerk informed them the sheriff had left in a hurry because of a brouhaha at the nearby courthouse, and they would have to wait for his return. They found an out-of-way corner, but Cassie declined to squeeze herself into one of the plastic chairs, choosing to stand instead. Cody staked out a piece of wall next to her.
The lobby was as crowded as the parking lot, filled with people coming and going
or just staring vacantly ahead, but one group stood out.
“That’s Robert Banner,” Cassie said with a nod. “He doesn’t look well, though, does he?”
Cody recognized Robert from their brief meeting the day of Vera Priestly’s wake, but Cassie was right. The man’s face was noticeably thinner, and it added a couple of years to his appearance.
Robert wasn’t alone—it appeared the whole Banner clan had come to Woodwind, including an older man with a hawkish nose and a shaved head. To Cody, he had “five-hundred-buck-an-hour lawyer” written all over him.
“Might as well get this over with,” Cassie said, and sighing, walked over to the Banners. He trailed along. He didn’t trust a single one of them.
She approached Donna. “Any word about Kevin?”
Donna shook her head. “Nothing.”
“He’s run off with some floozy,” Victoria Banner said.
“Mother!”
“I just want you to know I don’t have your ring,” Cassie added. “I don’t know what happened to it. I sent it to your parents, so someone should look for it there.”
“Are you accusing us of stealing our own jewelry?” Mrs. Banner huffed.
The lawyer touched her arm and shook his head. “Don’t let her engage you, Victoria. The truth will come out in court.”
“You and that bastard child of yours are going to rot in jail,” Victoria said.
Cody took a step forward. “Now, wait just a damn minute. If you think you—”
But Cassie caught his arm and, when he looked down at her, she shook her head. He allowed her to lead him back to their corner.
“We have to stay calm,” she said softly.
“I don’t want to stay calm.”
“I know. But this isn’t the time or place to let her get to us. Man, am I ever going to get away from those people?”
Cody saw Robert disengage himself from his family and approach. “Don’t look now,” Cody whispered, “but round two is about to start.”