Chapter Eleven
As Skylar drove home, she kept checking her mirrors, her knuckles white against the steering wheel. No one was behind her, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. When her infotainment center lit up with Ryan’s name, she flinched so hard she nearly swerved into the next lane.
“Hi,” she answered, hating the tremor in her voice.
“Hey! How was your lunch with Rawley?”
“There wasn’t one.” Skylar sighed, torn between wanting to unload everything and protecting Ryan from worry. “We just need to stop trying to meet up for lunch.”
“What happened?”
Skylar hesitated, then told Ryan about the confrontation, downplaying parts that still made her stomach clench.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. I think I’ve finally stopped shaking.” She glanced at her rearview mirror again. “I’ve been making sure no one is following me.”
“But, if they followed you before, they know where you live.”
“Oh, thanks so much for that, Ryan. Damn.” Skylar’s chest tightened with fresh panic.
“I’m sorry. It’s true though. You be damn careful once you park.”
“Now you’re scaring me.” She wanted to sound annoyed, but her voice came out small.
“I want you to be alert, not scared. Just park, lock the vehicle and get inside. Make sure all the doors and windows are locked too.”
Skylar wanted to dismiss these precautions as overreaction. “I wouldn’t think they’d do anything since so many people saw them.”
“You never know. I cannot believe Rawley just casually walked up to them.”
“I think he wanted them to see he was a livestock agent.” She felt a flash of admiration mixed with frustration. “He said he thinks they could be involved with the rustling going on.”
“Maybe since they did see he was one, they’ll leave.”
“I hope so, but I’m telling you, they’re all cocky but the one who seems to be the leader, is way worse. He didn’t back down from Rawley at all, even though Rawley’s a lot taller.” The memory made her shiver.
“Yeah, I can see that. Sometimes those men who act all big, aren’t.”
“I know what you mean.” Skylar slowed, approaching her house with equal parts, relief and dread. “I’m pulling up to my driveway. I’ll call you in a few minutes, once I get inside. Love you.”
“Okay. Love you.”
Skylar pushed the button to shut off the vehicle and sat motionless for a moment, scanning the street.
Part of her felt ridiculous, was she really going to live in fear now?
But another part couldn’t stop replaying those cold eyes staring her down.
She grabbed her purse, got her keys ready between her fingers like a weapon, and quickly exited the car.
After locking it, she hurried up the path, constantly looking over her shoulder.
On the porch, she fumbled with the lock, cursing her shaking hands.
Before closing the door, she looked around once more, feeling both foolish and terrified, then slammed it shut and turned both locks.
When Cosmo wound around her ankles, Skylar screamed and looked at the cat.
“Damn, Cosmo. You just gave me a damn heart attack.”
The cat sat, lifted a paw, licked it, then headed for the kitchen with his tail held high.
“Oh, sure. You don’t care that I’m scared. All you care about is getting fed. You have dry food for the day. The only time you get special food is for breakfast.” She laughed when the cat stopped, looked over his shoulder, then blinked his eyes, as if to say, ‘so?’
“Let me change into my comfy clothes and I’ll give you a little bit of canned, but do not get used to it. You spoiled little pain in my ass.”
Skylar walked to her bedroom, entered, stripped her clothes off and changed, then headed back to the kitchen.
After giving Cosmo a small bit of canned food, she made her way to the living room, sat on the sofa, and turned on the TV.
She was between books right now and to be honest, she was still shaking and knew she’d never be able to concentrate.
****
As Rawley reached his truck, he heard his name being called but didn’t turn around. He placed his hands on his hips, hung his head and took deep breaths.
“Rawley.” Killian’s voice was steady as he put his hand on Rawley’s shoulder, but Rawley shrugged it away with a sharp jerk and took a few steps across the lot, pebbles crunching beneath his boots.
“I know they have something to do with this case. I know it,” he said, his voice a low growl that seemed to rumble up from his gut.
“I believe you.” Killian’s eyes held Rawley’s gaze. “I’ve seen how you work, and I’ve never doubted you over any... hunch you’ve had.”
Rawley looked at his friend. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t even think about it. I know you’re pissed. Dave’s wrong on this, Rawley. Dead wrong.”
“Yeah, he is, but he won’t listen to me.” Rawley shook his head, his jaw clenched tight enough to make a muscle twitch in his cheek.
“I’ll talk to him and get back to you. Go home. Relax.”
“Relax, he says.” Rawley smirked. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Alright. Be careful going home. Cool down first.”
“Yeah, I will. Thanks, Killian.”
“Anytime.”
Rawley yanked open the door of his truck, climbed inside and turned the key.
The engine roared to life, then he pulled out of the parking lot.
During a break in the late afternoon traffic, he pulled onto Main Street, the setting sun glinting off his rearview mirror as he decided to stop at Skylar’s to see if she was okay.
He tried to call her first, his thumb jabbing at the phone screen, but she didn’t answer.
“Damn it,” he muttered through clenched teeth as he pressed the accelerator to the floor, the truck surging forward with a throaty rumble.
He eased his pickup into her driveway, the engine’s rumble dying as he killed the ignition. In front of his truck, he spotted only her SUV. He paused, his hand brushing the holster at his hip, then opened the door and stepped onto the gravel. At the door, he glanced around then knocked.
Just as he turned to head back to the truck, he heard the latch click. The door swung open, and Skylar stood framed in the doorway, hands on her hips, brow arched.
“Did you look to see who it was first?” he asked in a low growl, ducking his head to hide the grin threatening his lips.
“No,” she said coolly. “I just figured whoever it was would be a jerk.”
He straightened. “I’m sorry. It’s been one hell of a day.”
She checked her watch. “What are you doing here at this hour?”
“Dave got angry and told me to take the rest of the week off.” He shrugged. “Not suspended, yet.”
“Come inside.” She stepped aside. He removed his hat, tapped the dirt from his boots on the welcome mat, and followed her into the living room, where soft sunlight warmed the hardwood floors. He placed his hat on the arm of the sofa.
“Thank you.” He ran a hand through his hair.
“Can I get you something?”
“Water, please.” As she turned, he reached out and caught her wrist, gently drawing her around. She met his gaze.
“I’m sorry for snapping at you.”
She softened. On tiptoe, she brushed her lips against his. He inhaled the faint scent of vanilla and deepened the kiss, then wrapped her in his arms.
She broke away, smiling. “Please, sit. I’ll get your water.”
He nodded but remained standing. He heard the ice clinking and the water hitting glass. When she returned, she set the cold glass on the coffee table and slipped onto the couch.
“Rawley, sit.”
He sat beside her. Her warm hand settled over his.
“Tell me.”
He drew a breath. “After the night they followed us, I went back for their plates, wanted to make sure they weren’t circling your neighborhood.
They weren’t at the bar. Scarlett heard one of them mention the motel.
” He met her eyes. “There’s only one motel in Clifton.
I drove by the lot, saw the truck, took photos of the plate and tire treads. Couldn’t run them.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to worry you.”
She squeezed his hand. “I’m worried now.”
He lowered his gaze to the floorboards. “I know. I should’ve told you sooner.
” He sighed. “I didn’t think they were anything more than a few punks trying to impress a beautiful woman.
I can guarantee that most women don’t fall for it.
But, when they followed us, I knew there was something more to it.
I believed they were in Clifton to cause trouble, but what kind, I wasn’t sure. ”
“But now you are?” Skylar’s voice was taut with concern.
“Ninety-nine percent. If I can compare those tire treads—” He stopped mid-sentence, his body suddenly tense.
“What is it?” She leaned forward, her fingers gripping his hand.
“I have to go back to the office.”
“You were told to take time off.” Skylar frowned at him.
“Well, if I come back, then I suppose I will, but I need to talk to Dave.” He tapped his fingers restlessly against his thigh.
“You’d better hope he doesn’t throw you out of the building.”
Rawley smiled and kissed the top of her head, breathing in the faint scent of her shampoo. “Lock the door behind me.”
He picked up his hat, lightly kissed her lips and walked out the door. The truck’s engine roared to life in the quiet afternoon as he headed back to the department, dust billowing behind his tires.
Rawley eased his pickup between two SUVs in the crowded lot, the engine’s rumble fading as he cut the ignition.
He swung open the door, the leather seat protesting, and climbed out.
The late-afternoon sun cast long shadows across the concrete as he strode up the steps.
A faint tang of exhaust and pine filled the air.
Inside the lobby, the hum of fluorescent lights mingled with muffled conversations.
Spotting a line of’ people waiting at the elevator, Rawley veered left, to the heavy steel door marked ‘Stairwell’ and jogged up the steps.
At the third floor landing he emerged beside the elevator, eyes locking on the tall glass door ahead, the MDOL logo etched on it.