Fugitive Pursuit Page 6

  “Which means what...exactly?” Kyle matched his gaze.

  He shrugged. “I sold her a story.”

  Parker banged his forehead against the doorjamb. Kyle massaged his temples, mumbling a prayer no doubt. Jessa whistled as she flipped another page of her magazine.

  Zack pressed his lips together. Somehow this conversation wasn’t happening the way he’d practiced it in his head. “Guys, I know I messed up a little, but—”

  Kyle snickered. “No, you messed up a lot.”

  “You’re a fool to risk your career for a woman who may or may not be lying to you.” Parker crossed his arms.

  “Are you attracted to her?” Kyle asked. “Is that why you’re acting stupid? ’Cause I can tell you now—”

  “That’s gotta be it,” Parker added.

  “No, guys. You know I’m not interested in a relationship with anyone.” Too many emotions created too much vulnerability, which could lead to too much pain for him, for a woman or for an innocent. “It’s just...” Something he didn’t know how to put in words.

  “You’re not thinking, Z. Do you realize...”

  Kyle’s words morphed into mumbles Zack had no desire to hear. How he felt about Jamie didn’t matter. Even if he wanted to hear her laugh or see her give him a genuine smile, he had to focus on getting her to safety. “No, listen, Kyle. I brought her here to keep her safe from crooked authorities. It’s a sound business decision. I brought her to you and Parker because we need to know what we can do next.” Zack walked to the center of the lobby.

  Kyle rubbed his forehead, then began pacing across the room. “I don’t know, Zack. I’ve been at this job longer, but you’re the best bounty hunter I’ve seen. When you’re on the hunt, you’re steady, cool, even shrewd. You’ve got good instincts, but I don’t know where your head is right now.”

  “Which is why I came to you.”

  “Guys, let’s focus on the immediate problem.” Parker held his hands out, one to each of them.

  “She may not be telling me the whole truth, but something’s definitely not right, and we can’t let a woman suffer physical pain if we can help it,” Zack said.

  Silence crept up, stopped only by the crick-crack of the air conditioner coming on.

  “She almost took a bullet for me. I owe her.”

  His older brothers, the men who had trained him in the business, who had watched out for him and gotten him out of countless rounds of trouble as a kid, both stared him down.

  “Okay, so I messed up.” He glanced behind him to the conference room door. Could Jamie hear him defending her? Maybe it would help her trust him enough for her to share all her hidden secrets. Her case hidden secrets, not her personal ones. “Should we take her to the state police and turn her in?”

  “Yes,” Kyle, Parker and even Jessa said at the same moment.

  “Then you better get going.” Lily pointed outside. “A sheriff’s car is pulling into the parking lot as we speak.”

  “Timmins is here? Already?” Zack and his brothers turned to face the doorway. Jessa peeked through the blinds.

  “You had to know this would be his first stop.” Parker grabbed one of their fugitive folders and held it open next to Lily, as though they had been discussing a case. Jessa sat back against the couch.

  “Yeah, but I thought we’d have a plan by then and Jamie and I would be gone.”

  Kyle shoved Zack down the hall. “Hide her out back, then get your behind in here.”

  A dark-haired man, taller and thinner than Deputy Linden, exited his vehicle. A few steps closer to tearing apart Zack’s lies.

  “Move, Zack,” Parker urged.

  Zack rushed to the conference room and waved Jamie toward him. “We’ve got to go.”

  “Why?” She maneuvered around the furniture. “What’s wrong?”

  “Later.” When she was close enough, he set his hands on her waist and pushed her toward the back door. “Go.”

  Sunlight temporarily blinded him, but he kept going. He opened his truck’s tailgate. “Take the blanket and whatever else you can find to cover yourself and don’t move until I come out for you.”

  “What’s happening?” Worry lined her tired features.

  “Do what I tell you,” he snapped.

  For a few seconds she stared at him, looking as vulnerable as he felt. “Jamie.” He grabbed her arm and urged her into the truck.

  This time she did as he instructed. While she grabbed the blanket and pulled it over her, he closed the truck tailgate as quietly as he could.

  After taking a deep breath, he reentered the building. Sharp threats charged from the front of the office. “I demand you tell me where they are.”

  For good measure, Zack slipped into the bathroom to flush the toilet before walking into the front room.

  Parker pointed to him. “There’s our brother.”

  Zack made a quick evaluation of the new guy—taller than the deputy by a couple inches; not as bulky in the chest but still well-built. He definitely spent time in the gym. When he wasn’t beating up on helpless women. “You must be Sheriff Timmins.”

  The sheriff nodded once. “I hear you found my sister-in-law. Thank you. We’ve been worried. But now I need her back. Where is she?”

  “How would I know?” Zack asked.

  “Don’t play dumb with me. Sharon told my deputy and me you took Jamie this morning.” The sheriff drilled his gaze into Zack. “Something about her being rebonded.”

  God, forgive me for lying. “I turned her in at Stenness County Sheriff’s Department like I told your secretary.”

  “Yet she wasn’t there when I called to verify.” Timmins planted his hands on his hips. “So where is she?”

  “Like I said, I don’t know. Instead of harassing me, why don’t you go downtown and find her yourself? I know you probably can’t wait to get your hands on her again.”

  Timmins motioned Zack closer as he inched forward. “Why don’t you come over here and say that?”

  Kyle shifted to Zack’s left, Parker to his right. “You don’t want to do anything stupid, Sheriff,” Parker warned.

  Timmins glanced at each of them. “You want to talk about dumb? I could have you out of business in three seconds flat if I wanted, yet you insist on helping a woman you know nothing about.”

  “And I could have you investigated for sending goons to shoot at her and me.” The men at the campsite hadn’t worn uniforms or flashed badges, but Zack was sure they came on Timmins’s orders. “Shoot first and ask questions later. Is that the way you run your office, Sheriff?”

  “I’m sorry if you feel you got caught in the cross fire, but the men thought you were helping my sister-in-law to escape and evade us.”

  Lily piped up, “He’s a bounty hunter. He was trying to bring the woman in peacefully.”

  Timmins glared at Lil. Zack wasn’t used to seeing his big sister back down, but Lil’s eyes widened then she looked down to the papers on her desk.

  The sheriff shifted his gaze to Zack. “Did you identify yourself as a bounty hunter?”

  No, he hadn’t. “They didn’t give either of us a chance to say anything before they assaulted us.”

  “They wouldn’t attack, as you say, unless they felt threatened.” Timmins fiddled with his handcuffs. “I should take you into custody.”

  “Sheriff, aren’t you out of your jurisdiction?” Jessa remained on the couch. “We’re in Gilliam, which is in Stenness County. Where are you from again?”

  Zack grinned.

  “Listen, little lady,” Timmins began.

  “Ouch,” said one of his brothers.

  “Uh-oh,” said the other.

  “Dumb,” Lily whispered.

  Like a rabbit on Easter Sunday, Jessa jumped off the couch and closed the distance between her and the lawman. “Excuse you
? My name is Ms. Ross.”

  Timmins sneered. “I don’t care if you’re the Queen of England. If you interfere with my job, I’ll haul you in, too.”

  Jessa’s lips pressed together for a moment. “You know—” Before she could finish, Parker gripped her wrist, urging her to stay in place and shut up.

  Their unwanted guest returned his gaze to Zack. “If you’re not harboring Jamie, then you won’t mind if I have a look around.”

  “Go ahead.” Kyle waved the man through the office.

  Timmins sauntered through the room and disappeared into the break room. His feet tapped the floor in an uneven rhythm. Kyle shot Zack another vicious glance. Zack pretended not to notice. The sheriff picked up his pace as he exited one room, passed behind Lily and entered the other room. When he came out, Kyle asked, “Are you done?”

  “Almost.” Timmins held up one finger. He turned and walked to the bathroom and closet. After another minute and some clattering of items on the closet floor, he returned to the front room. “Just so you know—” he strolled over to stand in front of Zack “—I will find her and you will pay for your crime.”

  Zack’s nerves prickled. “Is that a threat?”

  “No, it’s a promise.”

  Still sounded like a threat to Zack.

  Behind their unwanted company, Jessa shoved the front door open. “We’ll be sure to let you know if and when we see the woman. Have a good day, Sheriff.”

  As Timmins passed by her, his gaze rolled over Jessa. Part of Zack waited for her to belt the guy. Part of him wished she would.

  Once Jessa yanked the door closed behind Timmins, Zack’s siblings began to talk at once and none of them to him. Not a problem. His brain focused on one thing: Timmins sliding into his front seat and driving away.

  “Zack.” Kyle’s harsh voice sliced into his thoughts.

  He turned around. “Huh?”

  “Did you hear me? I am going to drop your woman off at the state police station.”

  “She’s not my woman.” He crossed the room and grabbed his truck keys.

  As though Zack said nothing, Kyle continued, “You are staying here with Parker, Jessa and Lily.”

  “No.” He clenched his keys in his palm.

  Kyle narrowed his gaze. “What do you mean, no?”

  Parker shook his head. “Little brother—”

  “Stop treating him like a kid, Parker. He’s not seventeen anymore. Zack, you need to take responsibility and make the right choice here. Think of your career.”

  The angst roiled tighter through him. Yes, the right choice. He straightened. “I won’t let you take her in.” Kyle had forced him to put his career first all those years ago, but the circumstances were different this time. Zack had no emotional connection to Jamie. He just wanted to see justice upheld.

  Like when they were kids, Kyle stood shaking his head and opening and closing his fists. But they were no longer children. They had a duty to help put criminals away and protect the innocent.

  Jamie.

  “I appreciate what you’re trying to do and I respect your reasons,” Zack explained, “but I cannot, in good conscience, turn her over. Not yet.”

  Kyle pointed to the back door. “Then you need to go.”

  “What?” Parker, Jessa and Lily said at once.

  Their older brother kept his gaze on Zack. “If he won’t follow the law, then he can’t stay here.”

  Lily gasped.

  “Wow,” Jessa whispered.

  “Kyle, think for a minute.” Parker stepped between Zack and Kyle, as though to play referee.

  “No. He either fixes this by turning her in or he runs with her before we take them both in.”

  Tension filled the room. Was Kyle really leaving him hanging out to dry? Knowing how much Zack valued his guidance, his brother stood here giving him an ultimatum? Kyle didn’t get it. Jamie needed someone. Temporarily it would have to be Zack. He hoped he’d be good enough.

  “Fine. We’ll go.” He pushed between his brothers and walked down the hallway.

  “Zack, wait!” Parker called out even as Kyle kept arguing with him.

  Zack shoved open the metal door.

  * * *

  Heat surrounded Jamie, stifling her breathing. Something metal slammed against...maybe the building. Jamie froze. What if it wasn’t Zack? The tailgate to Zack’s truck opened seconds before the blankets and surfboard she’d covered herself with disappeared. Sunlight blinded her, but she couldn’t miss the handsome man standing before her. Although at the moment, his jaw was tight and tension bunched his shoulders. “He’s gone.”

  She rolled onto her knees and peeked around him. “Who?” Parts of her hair floated over her head as she met his gaze.

  “Your brother-in-law came for you.” As she climbed out of the truck, he reached forward to steady her with gentle hands. “I told him I turned you in to the Stenness County sheriff.” Once he flipped the tailgate closed, he dangled the keys. “Go ahead and get in the front.”

  As Zack slid into the driver’s seat, Jamie scooted into the passenger seat and set her backpack between her feet. With both hands, she smoothed out her hair. “What now?”

  He stuffed the key into the ignition, then wrapped his hands around the steering wheel. “We move on, figure out our next step.”

  “Is your family going to help us?” Her stomach knotted, but she had to ask.

  “No, we’re on our own.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  He held up his hand. “Don’t.”

  The word sorry itched to leave her lips again, but his narrow, accusing eyes stared her down. She lowered her head and threaded her fingers together. The knots in her belly tightened even more.

  He blew out a breath. “I chose to help you,” he said with softness in his voice. “They didn’t.”

  “But still, it would’ve been great to have more people on our side.”

  “We have justice on our side. And God.” He covered her hands with his own. “It’ll work out.”

  A spark of hope flashed through her and she held on to his fingers for fear of losing confidence. Zack, she believed in. God? Not so much, not since He’d abandoned her after Erin died.

  From the building came his sister. “Look.” Jamie pointed.

  As he turned his head, Zack lowered the window. “What’s up? Did Kyle have a change of heart?”

  The woman smirked. “No, listen. The sheriff will be looking for you any way he can. It’ll be easy enough for him to tail you in your truck, but he won’t be looking for my Jeep.” She shoved her keys into his palm. “It’s not a perfect plan, but it’ll buy you some time.”

  “Are you sure you want to get involved, Lil?” He pulled his own keys free and handed them to her.

  She nodded, clasped the windowsill and glanced at Jamie. “No woman or child should have to live in fear. I’ll keep you in my prayers.”

  Jamie’s voice cracked. Those were words she could’ve said to Erin if Jamie had kept her phone handy during the last morning of vacation. If she hadn’t been so selfish. “Thank you.”

  Zack turned back to his sister and kissed her cheek. “What would I do without you?”

  She smiled. “This is what big sisters are for. Now get going.”

  Once they’d switched vehicles, Zack shoved the key in the ignition but didn’t start the Jeep. “Jamie, I’m taking a lot of risks for you. I need you to tell me what’s going on.”

  He was right. She owed him that much. “I’m pretty sure my brother-in-law killed my sister or had her killed. I also think he’s involved in drug trafficking throughout the community.”

  “Do you have any proof?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing concrete, but my sister mentioned having something incriminating against Drew. Plus, I’ve overheard students discuss buying drugs
and all rumors point to the Ponahochet County Sheriff’s Office. I intend to investigate, find evidence and take it to the state police.”

  For several seconds, Zack did nothing. Oh, what she’d give to know what thoughts crowded his mind.

  After starting the Jeep, Zack headed south on the busy downtown roads.

  Jamie chose to remain silent. Yes, the man had given up so much for her, but still... She’d never forgive herself if he got into trouble, whether with Drew and his deputies or the law-abiding police, because of her. She had enough guilt crushing down on her shoulders already.

  But the reality was she couldn’t leave him. She needed all the help she could get. Proving Drew was an evil man would take more than her tired teacher brain. The most challenging thing she ran across each day was trying to motivate high school kids to get papers written. Never had she dealt with people who broke the law. Nor had she had a bull’s-eye on her own back.

  No matter what, she had to focus on Charlotte. Everything she did had to be for her niece.

  She glanced at her watch. Twelve forty-five. Charlotte would be having her lunch snack now. Jamie’s heart squeezed in her chest. Leaving the little girl had been one of the hardest things to do, but life on the run was difficult enough for her alone. Charlotte wouldn’t have done well. Plus, her presence would’ve taken Jamie’s concentration away from her work. Putting her brother-in-law behind bars for his involvement with drugs, and maybe for her sister’s death, had to remain Jamie’s number one priority. It was the only way to make it up to her sister. Although, she still struggled with how best to make it happen.

  “Hey, you okay?” Zack’s fingers drifted along her arm.

  A shiver rushed through her skin. “Yep, just thinking of my niece.”

  “Speaking of her, where do you have her stashed?” He flipped the blinker on and glanced behind him.

  She’d known Charlotte’s whereabouts would come up in conversation with Zack sooner or later. Now that he’d asked, she wasn’t sure she was ready for the discussion. “Somewhere safe.”

  “Maybe we could go there to regroup. My guess is your brother-in-law will step up his attempts to find you.”

  She kept her gaze straight ahead. “I’m not taking you where Charlotte is.”