Desolation Point

by Lisa Phillips

  A place where they’d been shot at.

  “Did you forget you could’ve died a minute ago?”

  “I didn’t know I’d end up here.” She shot him a smile. “But it was worth it just to see this. How much did you pay for it?”

  “Come on.” Drew went back to the front door, where he waited for her to join him. “I’ll drive you back to your car.”

  Then he could go figure out who’d been shooting at them. Her. Him. It wasn’t a them and never would be. This woman wasn’t going to look past what she thought she knew to see the truth.

  None of them ever did.

  She seemed to suddenly realize she was in his house. Acting like something other than what she was—a professional. A sheriff’s deputy. She nodded. “Of course.” Then glanced around awkwardly. Out the front window.

  Her eyes flared.

  “There’s someone outside.”

  Chapter 2

  “Get away from the window.”

  He sounded exasperated.

  Ellie was already moving. Why he was exasperated, she didn’t know. She touched her shoulder to the wall beside the window and peered out. Gun drawn. She reached back and slid her cell phone out of her back pocket. “No signal.”

  “I know. That’s the way I like it.”

  “So how do we call for help?”

  He frowned at her, then moved to the hall, calling back, “We are the help, remember?”

  “I am.” Ellie pressed her lips together. He was a private investigator in a small town. She was the local law.

  He reappeared, holding a rifle. “I’ll be back in a sec.”

  “Hold up.” But he was already headed for the back door. “We can work together. Flush this guy out.”

  He twisted the lock and pulled the back door open. “There’s a landline in the kitchen. Call it in.”

  Then he was gone.

  She wanted to run after him, but he was right. The first thing she needed to do was call for backup. She had only her personal weapon on her. She wasn’t on duty, the sheriff himself was on shift tonight. He would get the call. Ellie didn’t especially want to see the look on his face when he showed up and she had to tell him why she was with Drew. Or that shots had been fired because of her.

  Could have been an animal she had seen outside. Though, that didn’t account for the gunshots. Would that be the first thing he said, another attempt to explain away her ideas? She didn’t want Drew to get in an altercation with whoever was outside, but it would validate the call she was about to make if he did find a shooter.

  Ellie hung her head. She wanted to pray but that part of her life was as dry as the rest. Nothing but frozen dirt. Hard. Unfeeling.

  The way she needed it to be.

  She dialed the number.

  “Malvern County Sheriff.” After hours, calls were routed straight to the on-call cell phone.

  “Yes, sir. It’s me.” Ellie didn’t hesitate to explain the situation and give the sheriff her location.

  Silence. It lasted a few seconds, and then he said, “Are you going—”

  The living room window shattered, the sound of a gunshot going off like a firecracker. She ducked as instinct flared. “Shots fired.”

  She hung up.

  Of course he would have figured out why she was talking to Drew. At least, he knew her well enough to know she didn’t go on dates. The only reason she’d be meeting with a male—or anyone—this late at night was if it were about work. Maybe she could just tell him she’d gone for a walk.

  Ellie headed out back, skirting the outside of the house to the front lawn. Most of it had been graveled. She stopped and silence greeted her.

  A distinctly male grunt echoed in the quiet, then the sound of a struggle. She ran toward it, not wanting to think what someone like Drew was capable of doing. Okay, so she was making assumptions. But if he’d wanted to be a police officer, he could’ve been. Right? Instead he’d decided to color outside the lines as a private investigator.

  What would he do now?

  She found them rolling across the ground. A rifle had been dropped, or discarded. She picked it up and held it with one hand, her own weapon in the other.

  The two men hit a tree.

  He rose up and laid a vicious punch in Drew’s gut, then started to climb to his feet. Drew doubled over, gasping. Ellie planted her left foot, swung her other leg around and kicked the guy in the head.

  He fell to the ground.

  “You okay?”

  Drew nodded, sucking in breaths. He climbed to his feet and they hauled the unconscious man between them, back over to the cabin where they deposited him on the porch. Drew disappeared inside, then came back with a plastic zip tie which he used to secure the guy.

  “Did you shoot out the window, or did he?” She motioned to it.

  Drew winced. “I’m just glad it didn’t hit you.”

  Way to not answer the question. She said, “I called the sheriff.”

  How long it would take him to get there, she didn’t know. It was a big county and he could be on the other side of it. Responding to a call. Waiting for speeding vehicles on the highway. Taking a nap. Nights like these were always quiet.

  Drew crouched to go through the man’s pockets. Wallet. Phone. She lifted the wallet and looked at the guy’s driver’s license. “Warren Shade. He’s a local, according to the address. You know him?”

  Drew shook his head. “You?”

  “I don’t think so, but I’ll run his name when I get back to the office. Find out who he is.” She rifled through the wallet. “Apart from a guy who had a dentist appointment four months ago.”

  She could get a ride with the sheriff back to her car. Or he could just drop her in town and she could have Laney drive her to retrieve it tomorrow morning. Her best friend wouldn’t mind, and Ellie could talk to her about that North photo Drew had in his living room.

  She glanced at her watch and saw the sheriff pull into the drive out the corner of her eye. She lifted the same hand and waved so he knew where they were. In her other hand she still held the rifle. “This yours?”

  Drew looked at the rifle, then her. “It’s his. I’ll have to grab mine.”

  “Why don’t you do that now?”

  He shot her a look, but she pretended it was too dark to see it. How could she know what it was supposed to mean? The same look he’d given her in the hallway freshman year, when he’d smiled and said, “hi” to her. It hadn’t meant he wanted to know her. Far from it. She’d been practically invisible to him the rest of the time.

  Since then she’d lived through the worst relationship ever—one that had ended in tragedy. Ellie wasn’t going to let another person cause her that much pain. Not again.

  The sheriff looked from Drew to her as he made his way over. No time to let her thoughts drift, even if she’d desperately wanted to distract herself.

  Thankfully Drew was out of earshot when Burgess asked, “This the guy who couldn’t hit you?” He waved at the unconscious man on the ground.

  “I’m not sure who he was aiming at.” She folded her arms. “But neither Drew nor I are hurt, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  Yes, she was being defensive. Was it her fault?

  Maybe.

  Still, he didn’t need to dismiss every idea she had. Or never compliment her the way he did the two other deputies. He even bought their receptionist and dispatcher, Barbara, pastries. Ellie’s father had been the sheriff before him, and so apparently that meant she wasn’t deserving of basic respect.

  She’d tried earning it, but he’d basically laughed at her attempts to make more effort. And yes, she was kind of whining about her job. But she’d had a bad night of getting shot at and then taking her frustration out on the guy whose help she needed—someone who could investigate this case outside of official channels.

  “Wanna tell me why he has a knot on his head?”

  “I kicked him.”

  “And you’re certain he’s the one who sh
ot at you?” The sheriff straightened to his full height. Probably taking pleasure at the fact he could look down his nose at her. She didn’t want to believe that was it. He said, “You told me you were over at Lookout Point. You really think he followed you all the way here just to try again?”

  “I think someone doesn’t want me looking into why Sheila and Brad were forced out of their home.” It had to be connected. She didn’t believe in coincidences and coming out here tonight had been about finding out what was happening in town.

  “It was an eviction, Maxwell. That happens when you don’t pay your mortgage.”

  Ellie pressed her lips together.

  The look on his face wasn’t good. Like she was unhinged, and he was thinking about taking her to a doctor.

  Maybe he should. Sometimes she thought she might be going crazy.

  . . .

  Both of their bodies were tense. Waves of frustration Drew could almost see, even from this distance. He slung the rifle across his back, then flipped the strap so it lay flat on his shoulder.

  Was the shooting about him? He’d certainly made enemies in his line of work, that couldn’t be denied. It was the nature of taking undercover cases from the feds.

  The scope of his career went far beyond the boundaries of this county, despite what Eleanor might think. Someone could have traced him here. Though he took steps to remain as below the radar as he could.

  He lived in the cabin he’d grown up in—the one he went to after his father had jumped to his death—even though they kept his name off the lease. Having emotional ties at all was dangerous, but God had given him favor. This far. The house was in Alma and Eric’s names, and they were enjoying life in a Florida retirement community. Drew visited them as often as he could.

  He thanked God right then that this guy who’d shot at him and Ellie hadn’t tried the same thing down south. Alma and Eric might have gotten hurt.

  If things changed here and someone had come seeking vengeance for something, he would find out soon enough.

  He couldn’t help wonder about the paper in his pocket. Did this have to do with the letter he’d found in his father’s things? Yet more proof that nothing good came from being nostalgic. He’d found the box while he’d been clearing out his storage unit. A bunch of his father’s old stuff. A pair of boots, a hat. Papers. A photo album full of grainy black and white images of men in uniform…and one wedding photo.

  Drew gritted his teeth but didn’t want to think about the woman his father had been hung up on. Though if she hadn’t died, then his dad wouldn’t have knocked up someone else. That woman hadn’t stayed either. She’d chosen to leave Drew and his father.

  But the grass wasn’t greener somewhere else. Anyone who thought that was kidding themselves because they couldn’t see the good to be found right where you were. If you had no contentment, then you couldn’t have peace or joy. Or real love. Or a home to call your own.

  That was how he knew Alma and Eric had saved him. They’d lived out God’s love in his life, passing on that gift of belonging. Finding peace and contentment. He’d taken all that on board when he accepted Christ into his life.

  Drew headed for the deputy and her boss. Squared off against each other over the unconscious man. Drew had nearly cheered when she kicked the guy. And she hadn’t even seen the knife he’d been about to kill Drew with.

  What would he have done with it after he’d finished Drew? Would he have gone after her?

  A shudder ran through Drew that had nothing to do with the cold.

  “…don’t recommend that you put too much stock in this PI. It’s not like he has much of a business in town,” the sheriff was saying. “He’s not going to find anything.”

  Drew held his breath, waiting for Eleanor’s reply. He didn’t want to put that much value in what she thought of him. He’d probably only be disappointed. Still, he did want to hear her answer.

  “What if he does?” She sounded hopeful. “What if there’s something to find?” Or, at least she was more concerned with her case than she was with how she felt about Drew…and his ability to investigate anything.

  The sheriff didn’t seem to agree with her. He lifted a gloved hand to scratch at his chin. “It’s unlikely. You’ll see that if you think about it. What happened to Brad and Sheila, losing their house like that after everything they’ve been through? It’s a tragedy, that’s for sure. But it couldn’t be helped. They must have gotten behind on their mortgage. Far enough they couldn’t make it up. You don’t have all the details.”

  “Then I’ll find them. I’ll find out what happened.”

  “Nothing happened. You aren’t going to find anything other than folks hard up. Everyone is right now.” The sheriff looked at his watch. “Dragging Turner into this won’t solve anything. Especially when he’s only going to try and dig up something that isn’t there. You know how people are. They want to impress you because you are the sheriff’s daughter.”

  She shifted. The hand she moved behind her back squeezed into a fist. Didn’t like what her boss had to say?

  That made two of them.

  “He isn’t like that.” It sounded like she spoke through gritted teeth.

  The sheriff shook his head, even though she was right. He spotted Drew walking over and lifted his chin. When Drew was close enough, he called out, “I’m going to take this guy in.” He glanced at the deputy. “Statements, Ellie?”

  “I’ll get Drew’s and come in on shift to do my paperwork.”

  “You’re on at noon, right?”

  She nodded. Ellie. He’d forgotten everyone called her that. Why did it suit her? Before Drew could figure it out, she said, “Yes, Sir.” Her tone was clear. She wasn’t happy, but she was going to be a professional.

  The sheriff gave him a short nod. “Turner.”

  “Night.”

  He watched the sheriff lift the unconscious guy and walk away carrying him all by himself. Because he was too stubborn to ask for help? Drew looked to his front window and tried to figure out if he had boards he could use to cover it until he got new glass put in. Eric was going to be disappointed someone had damaged the house, but he wouldn’t be mad. Drew wasn’t sure he’d ever gotten angry about anything in his life.

  For a grieving hot-headed kid accustomed to yelling, that had been the strangest thing.

  Truth be told, he still wasn’t exactly used to it.

  Drew preferred action, not sitting around. Or even praying about everything, though he tried to do that as much as possible. He needed the peace it brought. The wisdom God wanted to give him, and did.

  Enough he could let other people’s comments wash over him. Not get twisted up and torn up by what other people thought.

  “Give me what you’ve got,” Drew told her. “I’ll take a look at your case.”

  “What if it is nothing?” She sighed. “Maybe that guy was trying to kill you, not me.” Or she’d been the target, and it had nothing to do with Brad and Sheila. Or Drew.

  “I’d rather not take the chance.” With her life. “So pass over your file first time you get the chance. I’ll let you know if I find anything.” And if he was looking, it meant she was out of the line of fire. He would draw that himself.

  Outside of regular foreclosure, people didn’t get forced out of their homes. Not for nefarious reasons. That wasn’t something he even wanted to believe happened these days. Maybe in the old west. Nowadays there were regulations protecting people’s rights. Greedy moguls might be everyone’s favorite people to hate, but that didn’t mean justice was forgotten.

  The letter in his pocket sat heavy with the weight of emotions he didn’t know how to name. Addressed to his father, it had been delivered two days before he’d killed himself.

  An eviction notice.

  The bank had sold his land, and the investor wanted him out in fourteen days.

  “Thank you.”

  He nodded, his head full of thoughts. Years had passed. There was no way the two events wer
e connected, otherwise it meant there was some long-running conspiracy happening. Or at least someone buying up land around town, forcing people out of their homes for their own gain. What investor? He could look into it.

  Not for Ellie. For himself.

  Someone would have noticed. There was no way the two events were connected. But if they were, Drew supposed his particular skills meant he was uniquely qualified to find out. And if there was something going on? He and Ellie could both be in danger.

  Either way, Drew would find out.

  Chapter 3

  Ellie waved to the barista and stepped outside. She took a sip of her Americano and slid on her sunglasses. Drew should be here any second. He’d left her a voicemail before her alarm had even gone off this morning.

  Because he’d already found something.

  “Hey.” Drew stepped onto the sidewalk and headed her way. His truck was parked across the street. “You have a drink?”

  Her eyes drifted from the manila envelope in his hand, to his face. “Did you want a latte or something?”

  His brow crinkled for a second. “Never mind.”

  Ellie tried to figure out what just happened. Did he want to sit? Had he shown up thinking they were going to “get coffee together” while he told her what he’d uncovered? And why did she want to…now that she thought about it. Until this moment, it hadn’t even occurred to her that this might be about more than just the case she asked for help with. How dense could she get?

  Before his feelings could get any more hurt, she said, “Sorry. I’m so tired, I didn’t even think you might want one. I can wait.”

  He glanced left along the sidewalk where an old man wandered toward them. Across the street a young mother pushed a stroller, followed by two school-age kids with backpacks.

  Did he think… “It’s not that I’m ashamed to be seen with you or anything like that.”

  His gaze shifted back to hers, a challenge in those flared brown eyes. He really thought that?