by Terri Reed
“That’s a lot of people,” Sophie remarked dryly.
“So a lot of people could have done this.” Shane shook his head in puzzlement. “Though why would someone want to frame me? And how would some past rookie even know about my grandfather’s handgun or this safe? And how could they get my fingerprint to open the safe?”
The questions hung in the air like dark clouds threatening thunder and lightning. Gina didn’t have answers, and, apparently, neither did the others.
A sound in the front of the condo had Shane, Ryder and Sophie visibly tensing. Gina moved closer to Shane.
A moment later, James, his T-shirt and running shorts drenched from his run, halted in the doorway. He blinked at them, obviously noting their tension. His eyebrows rose as he scanned them. “What’s up?”
Shane explained the situation.
James frowned. “You don’t think I had anything to do with this, do you?”
There was a heartbeat of silence before Shane shook his head. “No, I don’t.”
James turned his gaze to Ryder and arched an eyebrow.
“I’m not ruling anyone out,” Ryder replied.
Sophie made a disparaging sound in her throat. “That’s apparent.”
Ryder widened his stance and stared Sophie down. “Do you have a problem with the way I’m conducting this investigation?”
Gina hated how the situation was pitting them against each other. And from the manner in which Sophie squared her shoulders and met Ryder’s glare with one of her own, Gina had no doubt things were only going to get worse.
“I don’t like being repeatedly interrogated,” Sophie ground out.
Needing to defuse the tension, Gina stepped forward. “This animosity isn’t helping anyone. We know that my brother most likely killed Veronica and wants to harm me. He could have stolen the handgun hoping to get Shane into trouble. We know he was lurking outside the condo. I mean who else could it have been?”
Sophie cocked her head. “Well, there is the other murder to consider.”
Ryder glanced at her sharply. “It’s doubtful Melanie’s murder is connected to Veronica’s.”
“Are you sure?” Sophie challenged. “I know you’ve been asked to reinvestigate her death as well as the other two rookies’ accidents. And if those weren’t accidents but murders...?”
“But the marks on the safe,” Gina pointed out. “Tim could have succeeded in prying it open.”
“Your logic is flawed.” Shane’s gentle tone inserted itself through the tension mounting in the room. “How would Tim even know about the gun? Even peeping through the curtains, there’s no way he could have seen into the closet, let alone been able to get my print to open the safe. And we know he wasn’t in Desert Valley when the other deaths happened, right?”
“No, he wasn’t here. Tim was in Mesa when—” She faltered, not wanting to cause Ryder pain at the mention of his wife’s murder. “The other incidents occurred.”
“Time to change the door locks and maybe even add a dead bolt,” James said. “The idea that anyone could come and go as they please creeps me out.”
“I agree,” Ryder said. “I’ll have Carrie make the arrangements.”
“I can take care of it,” James offered.
“The department will pay for it,” Ryder said. “But it will need a signed work order.”
James shrugged. “Okay. Whatever you say—you’re the boss.”
“Only temporarily while the chief’s away,” Ryder reminded him. He walked out of the room. In a line, they followed him to the living room.
Bella, Titus and Hawk lay near the sliding glass door. Both puppies played with chew toys nearby. Gina wished she’d had a camera handy because the animals made a cute picture. That would be even better if little Marco were here to complete the trio. A deep hurt burned inside of her. Where was Marco? Why hadn’t someone come forward with him? Please, Lord, let the little puppy be alive and safe somewhere.
Ryder whistled. Titus struggled to his feet and trotted to Ryder’s side. Once again Gina noticed Titus’s odd gait. She exchanged a concerned glance with Sophie. Ryder may not want to acknowledge that Titus was getting on in years, but the dog definitely was having some hip trouble. Hip dysplasia wasn’t uncommon in large-breed dogs. Now wasn’t the time for her to discuss with Ryder the fact he would soon need a new partner.
Bella and Hawk stood, their gazes trained on their respective partners, as if waiting for the call to action. Gina was gratified to see both Shane and James use the training technique she’d taught them as each gave the hand motion that let the dogs know they weren’t going to work.
It was the same hand motion that Veronica had objected to. She’d thought the signal would be too confusing for the dogs and the handlers because it closely mimicked the halt command and the separate lie-down command.
However, Gina didn’t think combining the two signals with an added motion was confusing, and obviously the dogs and their partners didn’t either.
With his hand on the doorknob, Ryder said, “Shane, I’ll follow up on your alibi. Then we’ll talk again.” His gaze swept over the rest of them, lingered a moment on Sophie, and then he gave a slight nod before leaving the condo.
Sophie blew out a breath that sounded full of frustration. Gina refused to believe Ryder thought Sophie had anything to do with Veronica’s death. Though Sophie did benefit with Veronica gone, since the chief had appointed Sophie as the lead trainer.
The position came with the use of the training center’s SUV and an apartment above the facility, which Sophie didn’t need since she had her own place.
However, she had no hesitation about the SUV and had started it using the morning after Veronica’s murder. Though the thought of Sophie being a suspect didn’t settle well with Gina. She refused to think badly of her friend. Tim had killed Veronica. There was no other explanation that made any sense.
“I should go, as well.” Sophie touched Gina’s arm. “You have my number. Call me if you need anything.”
Grateful for her friendship, Gina nodded. “Thank you, Sophie. I will.”
Left alone with Shane and James, Gina sought something to neutralize the strain filling the air. “You said something about steaks?”
Shane ran a hand through his hair. “Yes. I did.”
“I’m going to the store,” James announced “Do either of you need anything?”
“The makings for a salad,” she said, thinking they needed something besides protein for dinner. “I’ll get some cash.”
James held up a hand. “I’ve got it.” He whistled for Hawk and the two left the condo.
Shane moved to the kitchen to prep the steaks. Gina hesitated, torn between retreating to her room and wanting to be with Shane. She could only imagine the blow it must be to think someone had used his grandfather’s handgun to kill Veronica.
Until the ballistics test proved conclusively that was indeed the case, Gina would keep hoping for the best.
However, the need to comfort Shane moved through her in a strong wave, and she found herself wanting to ease his worries.
But did she really want to get too involved with him?
Who was she kidding? She was already involved. He was her guardian protector until Tim was caught. And they’d kissed. Not that kissing signified a deeper connection, but whether she wanted to admit it or not, her heart was caught up with Shane. That was pretty involved, right?
She had to remember not to let things between Shane and her become personal. Or do anything that would lead to more kissing, no matter how much she’d enjoyed the one they’d shared. She knew he was only temporarily in her life. Once the cases were solved, he’d leave. Shaking her head at her preposterous thoughts, she pivoted and went in search of the pups.
After making sure they had sufficient w
ater and food, Gina stepped into the kitchen, determined not to let Shane affect her. They were living in the same domicile for the moment; she had to overcome her awkwardness. Shane stood with his hands gripping the edge of the sink, his head bowed and his lips silently moving.
No doubt praying. Empathy swamped her. She hated seeing him so vulnerable. She started to back away but he lifted his head and turned toward her.
Reminding herself she had to keep things impersonal, she asked, “Can I help?”
Assisting him with something in the kitchen would distract her. After a beat of time, her words’ double meaning made her press her lips together as heat spread up her neck and into her cheeks. She’d meant with the food, not with his emotional struggle. But to point that out would make too big a deal out of it, not to mention would be embarrassing.
His jaw tightened. The desolate expression in his green eyes tugged at her heart. She clasped her hands together to keep from reaching out to offer comfort.
He shook his head and pushed away from the counter. “Not much to do. I have the steaks marinating. I’ll get the barbecue fired up.”
He brushed past her, the air swirling with the force of his masculinity. He towered over her, yet she never felt intimidated by his size. Comforted, that’s what she felt. Comfort and safety. Which were good, considering she was putting her life in his care.
She followed him to the patio with the puppies at her heels. Her gaze swept over the yard. The grass was dry and brittle but short, as if someone had recently mowed. James, she thought, since she and Shane hadn’t been apart much all day.
Well, except for when she was in the training center and he’d been in a meeting with the other officers. She’d noticed earlier when she’d let the puppies out that one of the planks in the fence had been replaced with a newer one and nailed tightly down. Shane had said that whoever had been spying on them had broken one of the boards loose. She hoped the fix prevented any more unwanted visitors.
From her place at the counter, she could see Shane preparing the grill. His body language was anything but relaxed. His wide shoulders were hiked up and the muscles in his back bunched beneath his shirt. His movements were jerky as if he was struggling to go through the motions. Seeing his obvious upset overwhelmed her with the desire to ease his suffering. Her defenses were wobbling. One strong blow would bring them down for good.
But even if she could make him feel better, if she could rewind time and banish the situation, doing so would only leave her exposed and vulnerable.
She had to dig deep for the strength to resist the powerful draw she felt for Shane. Or they would both end up hurt in more ways than she wanted to think about.
* * *
After dinner, with Gina secured in her bedroom and Bella lying at the foot of her bed, Shane and James agreed to take turns on guard duty in case Tim Perry showed up at the condo.
James took the first shift. Shane tried to rest on his own bed though he remained fully dressed, but his mind wouldn’t cooperate. Too many scenarios played in his head. Ones where he was charged and found guilty of a crime he hadn’t committed. But the worst were of failing Gina.
When he did finally drift off, his nightmares were filled with him being unable to protect her. Tim dragged her away. Terror contorted her face as she reached out to Shane and called his name.
Shane jerked awake, drenched in sweat, adrenaline fueling his fear as if he were still within the dream. But the cacophony of chaos assaulting his senses revealed his nightmares had followed him into reality.
Dogs barked. Glass shattered. Gina screamed his name.
James shouted, “Halt, police.” This was followed by the sound of an engine roaring to life and tires screeching on pavement.
Heart pumping with panic, Shane jumped up and raced out of his room. He kicked open Gina’s bedroom door. The sight that met him squeezed the air from his lungs.
Her room was on fire. Or rather her bed. Three arrows pierced the thick bedding and flames licked at the comforter, threatening to engulf the whole room if Shane didn’t put them out quick. Smoke and ash filled the room along with a sugary sweet scent that was out of place.
Gina struggled to free the puppies from their crates. Her long red hair flowed down the back of her pink robe. Her bare feet stuck out beneath.
Shane let out a relieved breath to see her unharmed. But he needed to put out the fire. He grabbed a decorative blanket Gina used as a throw from the back of the corner chair and beat at the flames.
One of the puppies got loose. Bella grabbed the pup by the scruff of the neck and carried him out while Gina hugged the other pup to her chest. For a moment she stood still, her gaze fixated on the flames.
“Get out of here!” Shane shouted.
She turned and fled. A moment later James ran into the room with a fire extinguisher. He sprayed the remaining embers with white foam. Smoke billowed out of the broken window.
Once the flames were completely out, Shane inspected the bolts. Two had the remnants of steel scrubbing pads wrapped around the tips. The third arrow, not a bolt, had a charred, gooey substance melted on its end and on the bedcover.
“There were two perps,” James informed him. “They got away in a car a block down the street. I didn’t get a good look at them or the vehicle. They’d broken out the street lamp.”
“It had to be Tim Perry and he’s got himself a buddy,” Shane said. He touched the sticky mess on the bed and brought a sample to his nose. “What in the world? Marshmallow?”
“I know, right? The exterior wall took two marshmallow hits,” James said.
“Can you call this in?” Shane asked. “I’m going to check on Gina.” He found her in the living room, hunkered down on the floor in front of the couch with Bella and the puppies. He crouched down beside her. “We put the fire out. It’s okay.”
She lifted her gaze. Her eyes were wide and her pupils large. “Tim tried to burn me alive.”
Shane gathered her in his arms. “But he didn’t. No Gina flambé today. Though the marshmallows were a nice touch.”
She slapped at his arm with a snort. “Thanks a lot.”
“Hey, it could have been worse.”
She trembled in his arms. “The first arrow broke through the glass and landed near my feet and woke me. I jumped out of bed before the other two arrows came through the broken window.”
He hated to think what would have happened had the bolts found their target. He kissed Gina’s hair. He was grateful she was alive and uninjured. But it could have gone so wrong. He banished the terror from his nightmares turned reality and vowed he would not fail Gina. Her brother would not succeed in hurting her, not on his watch.
* * *
The next morning Shane and Bella escorted Gina to the training center. They were both exhausted. Neither had slept after the flaming arrows. They’d disposed of the burned bedding and mattress after Ryder and Harmon had collected and bagged the arrows. The chief surmised that Tim had used a battery attached to his bow to ignite the steel scrubbing pads. No one had any answers as to why Tim and his cohort had shot burning marshmallows at the house.
First thing that morning, Shane had Carrie, the station secretary, order a new mattress and bedding for the condo. Now Shane carried with him the list of potential suspects in Veronica’s murder that he needed to call, since yesterday’s efforts had been a bust. Not that he thought anyone but Tim Perry was the culprit. Still, he’d been given a job to do. The few people he’d been able to get ahold of yesterday had alibis, which he verified. But no one had been overly upset about Veronica’s death. How sad was that?
Granted, he didn’t get along great with his family due to his inability to fit into their idea of the perfect path a lawman should take. Still, he hoped he’d be mourned a little more deeply when his time came.
He planned to wor
k inside the training center while Gina did her thing with the puppies. That way he and Bella could keep her under their watchful eyes. There was still no clue about Marco’s whereabouts, and he knew the fate of the missing puppy weighed heavily on Gina. On all of them. He sent up a quick prayer for the pup’s safety.
Sitting on a bleacher near the door where he had an unobstructed view of her and the two high-spirited puppies, he used his cell phone to make calls. The first name on his list he’d been unable to reach yesterday was Dr. Pennington, Veronica’s ex-husband.
The chief had already conversed with the man, but wanted Shane to follow up to see if there was any change in the doctor’s alibi.
In most murder cases the spouse, or ex-spouse as in this case, was first on the list of suspects. Despite believing Tim Perry was the murderer, the police department had to do due diligence.
Shane watched Gina work while the phone rang. She had such a lovely and lively face. She was more relaxed when she was with the puppies. More like she’d been in their training class.
Today she wore a kelly green long-sleeve top with tan-colored pants. Her long red curls were tamed back with a ribbon. He liked it when she let her hair hang loose about her shoulders. It looked so soft. He tightened his hand on the phone, fighting the urge to go to her and release the ribbon.
“Hello?” The deep male voice boomed in Shane’s ear.
Shaking his head to clear his focus, Shane asked, “Is this Dr. Pennington?”
“Yes, it is. Who is this? I don’t usually receive calls on this line.”
“This is Officer Shane Weston with the Desert Valley police,” Shane began. “We—”
“I’ve already talked to Chief Jones,” the doctor stated firmly. “I have an alibi for the time of Veronica’s death that Jones was supposed to substantiate.”
Shane looked at the chief’s note. “Yes, I see that you were in the emergency room at the Canyon County Medical Center at the time of Veronica’s murder, and a nurse and another doctor have corroborated your story.”
The doctor certainly didn’t seem too upset by his ex’s death. He could have hired someone to kill Veronica. But that didn’t explain Shane’s missing gun. He prayed it wasn’t the one used to murder Veronica.