Chapter Seventeen
Jack pushed open the office door and stepped inside, his footsteps echoing down the hushed hall before he reached his office. Removing his hat, he hung it on the rack, then pulled out his chair and settled into it, the soft creak of its wheels filling the quiet room. He powered up his computer, the screen coming to life with a gentle glow as he prepared to find anything on Phillips that he may have missed.
At that very moment, just as his fingers hovered over the keyboard, the shrill ring of the desk phone disrupted the silence. He reached for it and picked it up.
“Deputy Jack Lawrence.”
“Deputy Lawrence, this is Sheriff Pete Wilcox in Aspen. We scoured the cabin and didn’t find Phillips, but all signs point to him having been there recently since his personal belongings are missing, so I’m sure he’s on the run.”
Jack’s heart sank as he muttered a frustrated, “Damn it.”
“If we do happen to come across him, we’ll arrest him immediately and notify you,” the sheriff continued, his words carrying a hint of urgency.
“Thank you. I appreciate your help with this. We’ll keep looking,” Jack replied, the determination in his voice barely concealing his growing concern.
“If I can be of any further assistance, just give me a call. Have a nice day, Deputy.” With that, Sheriff Wilcox ended the call, leaving a lingering sense of unresolved tension in the air.
Jack set the receiver back on the base, leaned back in his chair, and ran his fingers through his hair, letting out a long, weary sigh. Logan entered his office and took a seat in a chair across from the desk.
“Not getting anywhere, huh?” Logan ventured; his tone soft yet edged with impatience.
“I feel like I’m just running in place,” Jack admitted, his voice heavy with resigned anger. “Sheriff Wilcox just confirmed that Phillips had been at the cabin, but now he’s vanished, and all his personal items removed. It’s clear he’s on the run, but I haven’t the slightest idea which border he’s aiming for.”
Logan sighed. “We’re doing everything we can, but it seems like he had a well-rehearsed escape plan. How’s Randi holding up?”
“She could be released tomorrow,” Jack replied. “She’s still in a great deal of pain, and she confided that Phillips had told her he had made plans. I want him caught, Logan. I want him so damn bad.”
Logan’s jaw tightened in silent agreement. “I know the feeling. I went through something similar with Dixie, and I wanted to tear him apart with my bare hands.”
Jack nodded in agreement; his frustration intense. “It’s just so damn infuriating.”
“We’re monitoring any credit card activity,” Logan added. “It won’t be long before we know when he starts spending; he’s going to need gas no matter which border he’s fleeing to.”
“That’s exactly what Sam was saying, and as much as I hate to admit it, Phillips isn’t stupid. He won’t fly anywhere. He probably knows we’re watching the airports,” Jack responded, with exasperation.
Just then, a soft knock at the door and Jack looked up to see Sam leaning in the doorway.
“Hey, Sam. What’s up?” Jack greeted him, trying to muster some cheer.
Sam’s concern was evident. “How’s Randi?”
“As I just told Logan, she’s healing,” Jack explained, his tone optimistic. “She mentioned that they might release her tomorrow.”
“That’s good news, though I’m sure she’s still in a great deal of pain,” Sam replied, offering a sympathetic smile.
“She is, but I’m confident she’ll get through it,” Jack said, his gaze meeting Sam’s. “After her release, she’ll be staying with me. Her grandparents are at my house too.”
A grin spread across Sam’s face. “You’ve really got a full house there.”
Jack chuckled. “I do, but I’m fine with it. Her grandparents are wonderful people.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear Randi is doing well. She was in rough shape,” Sam said. “I’m off to meet Tessa. I’ll catch up with you both later.” With that, Sam left the room, his footsteps fading down the corridor.
Logan stood up. “I need to make some rounds. If you need me, call me. For anything and at any time, Jack,” he said with a hint of seriousness in his voice.
“Thanks, Logan, I appreciate it,” Jack replied, offering a grateful nod.
“You’re welcome.” With a final nod of acknowledgment, Logan left the office, leaving Jack alone in the quiet room with only his thoughts for company.
After two hours spent staring at the same pages with no new insights, Jack pushed his chair back with a soft groan, stood, and stretched his arms. The muscles in his back and neck protested from being hunched over for too long. Glancing at the wall clock, he noted with a sigh that it was already past two, and he was still no closer to finding Phillips.
Jack reached for his hat from the peg, placed it firmly on his head, and strode out of the office. As he stepped into the bustling street, the sun glared down, and he squinted against its brightness. He scanned the crowded sidewalks, packed tightly with throngs of people, their chatter filling the air. The tourist season in Clifton was still in full swing, and it was both a blessing and a curse. The influx of visitors was great for the town’s economy but made his task nearly impossible. Phillips could be hidden among the sea of faces, and Jack knew he’d never spot him in such a crowd.
“Shit,” he muttered under his breath, as he slipped his sunglasses on, descending the steps and weaving his way through the tide of people along the sidewalks, his eyes constantly scanning for any sign of his target.
****
The following afternoon, Randi perched on the edge of the hospital bed, her fingers lightly fidgeting as she awaited the nurse’s arrival with her release form and detailed instructions about caring for her wound. Anticipation bubbled within her at the thought of finally going home.
A soft noise caught her attention, and she turned her head toward the door to find Jack standing there, a comforting presence. She smiled, so happy to see him.
“Hi,” she said.
Jack pushed off the doorframe and approached her. He leaned in, brushing her lips with a gentle kiss, before settling into the chair beside the bed.
“I see you’re all set to leave. What’s holding us up?” he asked.
“My release papers and instructions. I can’t wait to get out of here,” Randi replied.
“I’m sure.” Jack chuckled. “Your grandparents will be thrilled to see you.”
“They will,” Randi agreed. “They visited me late yesterday afternoon. Nana said she’d be so happy to see me get out of here.” She laughed. “That sounded like I’m getting out of prison.”
Jack chuckled. “Do I need to put handcuffs on you?”
“Ooh, I forgot you had those,” she teased, winking at him.
Jack shook his head with a smile. “I can tell you’re feeling better,” he said.
Just then, a nurse and a doctor entered the room, their presence bringing with them a sense of authority and care.
“Ms. Guthrie, you need to take it easy for several weeks—” began the doctor, a woman with kind eyes and a reassuring tone.
“Weeks?” Randi echoed; her surprise evident.
“Yes, ma’am,” the doctor confirmed gently. “You can work if you want, but not for at least another week, then still not a full day. Sit down whenever you can. Those stitches are still healing.” Her voice was firm but compassionate, emphasizing the importance of Randi’s recovery. “An appointment has been scheduled for you in two weeks to have them removed. No strenuous activity. You need to heal, so please follow these instructions,” she implored.
“I’ll make sure she does,” Jack interjected.
“Good,” the doctor nodded approvingly. “Ms. Guthrie, I have a prescription for you for pain. Take anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or naproxen. They will help reduce the swelling and manage the pain.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Randi replied, nodding. “I’ll get them filled on the way home. Can I go now?” Her eagerness to leave was deep, a longing for the comfort of her own space.
Jack chuckled. “She’s a little anxious to get out of here.”
The doctor grinned, understanding her desire to return to normalcy. “I understand. Once you’ve signed the release form and read through the instructions, you’re free to go. The nurse will bring a wheelchair for you in a few minutes.” She paused; her expression serious. “Ms. Guthrie, I can’t stress enough how serious your wound was, so please take it easy. Don’t overdo it. And no sexual activity for two to four weeks.”
“Four weeks?” Jack exclaimed, his eyebrows shooting up in disbelief.
Randi grinned as the doctor glanced at Jack with a knowing look. “At least two, depending on how she feels,” the doctor clarified.
“Two weeks,” Jack muttered, shaking his head in mock dismay. “Damn.”
Randi laughed. “Men.”
The doctor chuckled. “He’ll live.”
“I don’t know about that,” Jack murmured, drawing another round of laughter from them.
“I’ll see you in two weeks,” the doctor said, preparing to leave.
“Thank you, doctor. For everything, including saving my life,” Randi said earnestly, her gratitude spilling over.
“I think the deputy had a big hand in that,” the doctor replied, nodding at Jack. “You two can go once the wheelchair arrives. Good luck,” she added, casting a meaningful glance at Jack. “To you too.” With a light-hearted laugh, she exited the room.
Randi looked at Jack, one eyebrow raised. “I could stay at my apartment,” she suggested.
“Hell, no,” Jack replied with determination. “You’re staying with me. We’ll be fine. I’ll be horny, but we’ll be just fine.”
Randi laughed. “Okay. I just thought if I stayed at my apartment, there wouldn’t be any temptation for you.”
“Darlin’, you could be in another country and there’d still be temptation,” Jack said with a grin.
When the nurse returned, pushing a wheelchair, Jack gently helped Randi off the bed and settled her into the chair. With her bag and prescriptions in hand, they left the comforting, yet sterile confines of the hospital, stepping into the world outside with a renewed sense of hope.
After stopping at the pharmacy, Jack maneuvered his pickup truck so that it almost touched the porch of his house. With the engine now silent, he stepped out into the sun and briskly made his way around to where Randi was waiting. His eyes caught sight of the open front door, and a smile spread across his face when he noticed her grandparents standing there, waiting.
“Do you need help, Jack?” Randi’s grandfather called, his voice kind and low.
“No, thanks, Ralph. I’ve got her,” Jack replied, his tone both confident and tender. He swung open the door and, with ease, lifted Randi into his arms, carrying her steadily into the welcoming heart of the house.
“I could walk, you know,” she murmured softly, her voice threaded with both defiance and vulnerability.
“I know you can,” he replied with a grin. “I just want to carry you.” His smile deepened as she pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek.
Inside, her grandmother stood watchful, holding the door open as she lightly touched Randi’s hand, a brief, comforting contact, as Jack carried her. He made his way to the living room, setting her down gently on the plush sofa to rest. Then he covered her with a blanket.
“Do you feel okay there?” he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.
“I’m fine, Jack,” she replied, though a tremor of emotion tinged her words.
Kneeling beside the couch, Jack leaned in, his gaze earnest. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she said after a pause, a hint of sorrow in her whisper. “I’m just emotional being home.” She reached out to touch his cheek, a silent transmission of trust and comfort.
Leaning closer, his lips almost brushing her ear, Jack spoke in a soft, intimate tone. “I want this to be your home, Miranda, for as long as you want.”
Her eyes widened with a blend of wonder and apprehension. “What are you saying?”
“We’ll talk about it later,” he replied, tenderly kissing her forehead before slowly standing up. “I hate to go, but I have to get back to work. We’re all on the lookout for him. My gut tells me he’s still close by. Nevada and Brody will stay with you until I return. We’re not taking any chances. There will be one or two deputies here when I’m not around.”
Randi’s eyes shimmered with a mix of gratitude and lingering fear. “Okay. I appreciate that. I’m so scared he’s still watching me.”
Jack’s expression hardened with resolve as he continued, “I don’t want to scare you, but if he’s lurking, being alert is your best defense.” He turned to her grandparents, his tone shifting to one of firm reassurance. “All of you, listen up, Nevada and Brody are damn good at their job. They’ll be outside keeping a vigilant watch, and you have my number, and I’m going to give you theirs. They already have yours. If you need either of them, call immediately.” Jack handed over his contact details, ensuring each phone was updated.
“But Phillips won’t come around if he sees them,” Randi said.
Jack grinned. “If he notices them patrolling, he might be compelled to make a move when one of them goes around the house. I honestly don’t know if he’s foolish enough to stick around, but I also know he’s aware that we’re hunting him. And since he stabbed you, he might think he has nothing to lose, especially if he knows you survived, Randi. Both deputies will keep in touch. If they take a walk around the property, you’ll know immediately, and that’s when you need to be extremely cautious and call one of them if you hear or see anything. Understand?”
“Yes,” Randi murmured, her voice barely more than a whisper. “What about at night?”
“For one, I’ll be here, but Declan will be watching outside.”
“Alone?”
Jack smirked. “I don’t think having a hundred and twenty-pound Rottweiler with you is being alone.”
Jack then squatted in front of her once more and gently took her hand in his. “We’re not going to let him hurt you again. Not ever. I promise.” With a final soft kiss on her forehead, he stood up, exchanged a reassuring nod with her grandparents, and walked out the door, leaving behind a lingering promise of protection and hope.
****
Two weeks later, Randi was moving around with a newfound ease. Her grandparents had returned to Alabama just last week, their departure arranged once again by Grant’s generous intervention. She felt a deep sense of gratitude toward him, knowing that his assistance had been offered freely even when he had no obligation. She silently vowed that if fate ever allowed their paths to cross, she would express her thanks in person.
Seated on the comfortable sofa with the gentle hum of the television in the background, Randi observed the rhythmic flicker of images dancing across the screen. Outside, she was aware that Logan and Nevada were diligently watching over the property while Jack stayed busy at work, stubbornly pursuing every lead in the elusive case of Phillips. Since the brutal stabbing, there had been no trace of him; a mystery that weighed heavily on her mind.
A nervous energy stirred within her as she contemplated the possibility that Phillips was concealed nearby. His ability to vanish was unnerving: unseen by the public and now being monitored by multiple law enforcement agencies. His habit of lying low was both a calculated move and a dangerous gamble. The thought sent shivers down her spine.
Determined to break the monotony of indoor confinement, she rose from the sofa and made her way to the kitchen. The air was brisk as she stepped out the back door into the cool morning light. Standing on the deck, Nevada kept a vigilant watch, his eyes scanning the surrounding area.
“Nevada,” she called softly as she pushed the door closed, causing him to turn and face her with a composed expression.
“Yes, ma’am?” he responded respectfully.
“Please call me Randi,” she said warmly, her tone inviting. “Would you like a cup of coffee? It seems particularly chilly this morning.”
“If it’s not too much trouble, I’m sure Logan would like one as well,” he replied, his voice calm yet laced with a hint of fatigue.
“I’ll prepare two cups,” she offered with a kind smile, gesturing for him to come inside where the warmth of the house embraced him. “Come on in and warm up a bit.”
Nevada removed his hat, pausing to wipe the dust and remnants from his boots on the mat before stepping further into the house. His jacket was quickly removed and hung on a peg, revealing the bullet-proof vest discreetly layered over his khaki shirt, a silent reminder of the perils that accompanied his duty.
After finishing one steaming cup, she gently handed it over to him. “Cream and sugar?”
“No, thank you,” he said, taking a measured sip that seemed to fortify him against the brisk morning chill. “That’s good.”
“I can hardly believe how cold it has become,” she remarked, her eyes reflecting both wonder and concern.
Nevada grinned slightly. “That’s September for you. You’ll get used to it. Before long, the first snowfall will blanket everything around us.”
“I can hardly wait for that,” Randi confided, a spark of anticipation in her voice.
Nevada shook his head in mild amusement. “Living here, you’ll have plenty of chances to experience winter’s full embrace.”
He drained his cup, placing it carefully in the sink. Then he pulled on his coat and removed his hat from the peg. Once another cup was ready, Randi handed it to him again. “Here you go.”
“Thanks. I’ll take this to Logan,” he said as he began his steady walk toward the door.
“Deputy?” Randi called after him, her tone soft with genuine appreciation.
Nevada paused and faced her directly. “Yes, ma’am?”
“Thank you so much for being here. Your support means more than I can express.”
“Of course; it’s my job. Just let one of us know if you need anything at all,” he assured her, nodding before he exited, placing his hat on his head. As he left, the door closed quietly behind him and Randi watched him descend the steps, and her heart ached at the thought of being trapped indoors for so long. Her wound had healed now, the stitches removed two days ago, yet the memory of the ordeal lingered. No longer needing pain medications, she placed the nearly empty bottle in the medicine cabinet, a small sign of her moving on.
For two long weeks, she had endured more than physical pain. Every night spent lying next to Jack, missing his comforting touch, had driven her to the brink of despair. The longing for his embrace, and tonight, she resolved, she would let him know just how deeply she wanted him.
Settling back onto her sofa, she attempted to lose herself in another movie but fell asleep. The quiet of the day was interrupted by the distant hum of a vehicle approaching. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was three-thirty in the afternoon, a time when only Declan might be expected. With a mix of curiosity and cautious hope, she walked over to the window and peered out to spot him emerging from his SUV K-9-unit cruiser. While the canine companion remained inside at first, she was well aware that the dog would soon be joining him.
She watched as he engaged in conversation with Logan and Nevada. Moments later, Logan started walking toward the door, and Randi hurried to open it before he had the chance to knock.
“Ma’am, Nevada and I are leaving. Declan’s here, and Jack will be home soon. Thank you for the coffee,” Logan said, handing her his empty coffee cup.
“You’re welcome. Thank you,” she replied softly.
“Of course. Nevada and I will continue our rounds, keeping an eye out for Phillips,” he added reassuringly.
Nodding, Randi watched as Logan strode back out toward the fleet of cruisers. After exchanging a few more words with Nevada and Declan, the officers climbed into their vehicles and departed, leaving Declan standing alone at the front.
She observed him approaching the porch slowly, as if to silently remind her of his presence. With a resigned but gentle smile, she opened the door wider.
“Ms. Guthrie, I just wanted you to know that I’m here,” Declan said with a smile.
“Alright,” she replied, her voice warm and welcoming. “Would you like a cup of coffee or anything to help warm you up?”
“No, ma’am. I appreciate the offer, maybe another time,” Declan responded, his tone grateful yet reserved.
“Anytime. Please, do be careful,” she said, her concern evident.
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll have Tank with me. Have a good evening, and don’t hesitate to call if you need anything, no matter how trivial you think it might be.”
“I will, Deputy Cavanaugh,” she assured him with a sincere nod.
“Declan, please,” he added. “I’ll be taking a walk around with the dog.”
“Okay. Be safe,” she replied, offering a small smile. She then watched him walk off the porch, strode toward his SUV, and opened the back door for his dog to spring out energetically. Although she had seen Tank several times before, today he looked larger and more formidable, a silent guardian in his own right. Randi couldn’t help but think that if ever she were to be in danger, that dog would serve as a formidable deterrent.
Keeping a watchful eye on them as they disappeared down the barn path, with Declan leading Tank on a leash, her inner hope was to see all this turmoil come to an end. More than anything, she longed for Phillips to be caught before he had the chance to make another desperate move. With a deep, weary sigh, she sank back onto the sofa, letting the flickering images of the TV lull her tired mind. The weight of stress bore down on her as she struggled to keep her eyes open. At long last, surrendering to exhaustion, she closed her eyes and drifted into a light sleep, waiting patiently for Jack’s return.