The Lawman Returns (10 page)

TEN

C
lay was not a happy man. He was afraid Sabrina’s gut was right and Stan wasn’t the man they were after.

But if not him, then who? “Let’s go get you settled at the ranch. I want to think things through.”

“What about checking the abandoned mill for Jordan and Trey?”

“I’m going to do that without you.”

“What? Why?”

Her outrage didn’t move him. “It’s not safe, Sabrina. Someone managed to follow us up to the caves and shot you. You should be resting anyway.”

“I want to go. Jordan came to me for help, and I failed him. I need to do this.”

Her words bit at him. He knew how it felt to think you’d failed someone who needed you.

He sighed. “Fine. Fine. But this time you’re staying in the car. With the doors locked.”

“Why? Bullets can’t go through windows?”

He groaned. “You’re staying at the ranch.”

“I’m sorry. I’m being difficult, aren’t I?”

“Very.”

She gave a humorless laugh. “So, we go to the mill?”

He still hesitated, and she kept her gaze steady on his. “Yes, we’ll go to the mill.” He looked at the sky. “It looks like snow, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. I hope it holds off. I’m not in the mood to battle the weather in addition to everything else.”

“I’m with you on that one,” he murmured.

Her phone rang as he headed for the highway. “Hello?” She listened, and he frowned when she gasped, “Oh, no. We’ll be right there.”

“What is it?”

Her fingers curled around the phone. “My grandmother fell and they’re taking her to the hospital.”

At the next intersection, Clay whipped the car in the direction of the hospital. Her white, pinched face pulled at his heart. “What’s wrong with her?”

“They think she’s broken her hip.”

“Oh, no. You said she fell? Where? How?”

“She was getting out of Lance’s car, and she just stepped wrong and went down.”

“Hang on—we’ll be there soon.” His phone rang and he snagged it on the second ring. “What’s up, Ned?”

“Not good news, I’m afraid.”

“What do you mean?” He braced himself.

“The forensics team found something up at the caves.”

“Yeah?”

“They found your uncle Abe’s ball cap.”

“My uncle’s? How do you know it’s his?” Clay asked. But he knew. Everyone in Wrangler’s Corner knew his uncle wore one hat. A beat-up old Yankees cap he’d gotten when he’d gone to New York six years ago to see his favorite baseball team play. “Ned, that hat could have been up there for days. Weeks, even. There’s no way to know if it was left today.”

“I saw him in town eating at the diner this morning. He had it on.”

Clay fell silent.

“Several hairs were found in it, as well as dandruff. All it’ll take is a DNA test, but I think you and I both know what’s going to come back,” Ned said.

“Or he can just tell you it’s his and why you found it there. There’s an explanation, Ned. My uncle wouldn’t shoot at me.”

“He’s a mighty bitter man, Clay. He might very well shoot at the daughter of the woman who stood him up at the altar.”

It saddened Clay to think Ned would believe that. “No, he wouldn’t.”

“Just wanted you to know. I’m going to pick him up and question him. You’re not welcome, you hear me?”

Clay sighed. “Yeah. I hear you.” He didn’t want to be there anyway. Uncle Abe would have some good reason for being up there at the caves and for losing his cap. No way would he be taking potshots at anyone.

Would he?

No. Of course he wouldn’t. No sense wasting his time worrying about it. He kept his gaze on the rearview mirror. “I’ll talk to you later, Ned.”

A silver truck had been following him for the past mile or so. Normally he would probably notice but not be too worried. Unfortunately, normal had gone down the drain the minute someone started taking shots at Sabrina.

“What is it?” she asked.

“That truck behind us. Do you recognize it?”

She turned in the seat. “It’s too far back.”

“But it’s closing in pretty fast, and we’re coming up on a pretty sharp curve.”

She gasped.

“What?”

“I think that’s the same truck that tried to run me off the road right after Steven’s funeral.”

Clay gripped the wheel. “Hang on.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Try and get a license plate.”

* * *

Sabrina gripped the armrest and kept her eyes on the truck. The closer it got, the more certain she was that it was the same front grill she’d had riding her bumper the day of Steven’s funeral. “It’s him,” she whispered. “Definitely.”

Clay pressed the gas pedal and they shot forward. The truck closed the gap without effort.

“Clay, the curve.”

“I know.”

“If we go over, it’ll just look like you were driving too fast.” She paused and her breathing increased to keep time with her racing pulse. “Which you are.”

“Just hold tight.” His eyes never left the mirror. How was he staying in the lane? “All right, you ready?”

“For?”

“A little defensive driving. Here we go.”

Her fingers tightened and he whipped the car into the other lane. The oncoming-traffic lane. He slammed on the brakes and the cruiser screeched a few feet before stopping. The truck sped past and braked just as hard as Clay had. Smoke from the abused tires filled the air.

And then they were moving again. Pulling up close to the truck. “Can you see it?”

She read it off to him.

The truck sat for a fraction of a second before the driver floored the gas and roared forward. Clay got on his radio and called for backup. “Ned, I need you to run a plate for me. Nine-eight-seven-Q-L-M. I’m following the truck, headed west on Brighton Road.”

The truck lurched forward, spun around the next curve and hit the exit for the highway. Sabrina bit her lip against a scream as the truck rocked, swerved and then jumped the median. “He’s going the wrong way!”

Brakes squealed and tires smoked. Clay followed, siren blaring. A loud pop sounded. Then the car jerked. Clay stomped the brakes and pulled to the side of the road. He slammed a hand against the steering wheel. Sabrina gasped.
Breathe, girl, breathe.
“What just happened?”

“He got away and we’ve got a flat tire.”

“Did he shoot it out?”

“No, just an accident.”

“But you got the plate. You’ll be able to find out who the truck belongs to now, right?”

“Yes indeed. Just waiting on Ned to let me know.” Clay climbed from the car and opened the trunk. Within fifteen minutes, he had the flat changed and the tool tossed into the trunk.

“Come on, let’s get out of here.”

Sabrina shivered and gladly climbed back into the car. Clay had said it was too dangerous for her to sit in the vehicle while he changed the tire. “I don’t want to take a chance on some crazy speeder losing control and running into us.”

Of course, he’d been right there at the car changing the tire, so she’d appointed herself the watch person, ready to warn him if anyone got too close. No one had and soon they were on their way.

As they drove to the hospital, Sabrina’s mind whirled. She desperately wanted to find Jordan, but she had to make sure her grandmother was all right. “Will someone watch over her while she’s in the hospital?”

“Of course. I don’t know if Ned has a deputy who can stay on her room 24/7, but we’ll figure something out.”

Sabrina twisted her fingers together as Clay drove. Jordan and Trey were the key. She had to find them.

As though he could read her mind, Clay said, “Okay, forget about Stan Prescott. He’s probably not our guy, although I’m having trouble with the fact he had Steven’s wallet in his trailer. But for now, go through everyone else who had any connection with you and Steven.”

“I have, Clay, and I’m coming up with the same names. We need to find Jordan or Trey Wilde. I honestly believe they’re our key to this mess.”

He turned left onto the main road that would take them to the hospital. “Unfortunately, I’m in agreement. I’ve talked to all the other deputies and while they seemed to resent me taking over Steven’s spot on the force initially, they’ve warmed up to me in the last couple of days.”

“Why would they resent you?”

He shrugged. “Steven was their buddy. I’m an outsider.”

She frowned. “You grew up in this town, the same as Steven. You’re no outsider.”

He shot her a smile. “I am when it comes to their close-knit group.”

She harrumphed. “That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard. A clique? In a police force?”

“It’s okay. I get it. I didn’t take it personally.”

“Well, I would have.”

Clay squeezed her hand and turned into the parking lot of the hospital. He took the police parking spot and threw the car in Park. They hurried into the revolving door. Sabrina rushed to the information desk and the woman seated in the chair. Sabrina had graduated high school with her. “Cyndi, I’m looking for my grandmother. Yvonne Mayfield.”

“Sabrina! How are you? I heard about you getting shot. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Sore but fine.” Cyndi’s concern touched her. “The bullet only grazed me. What I really want to know is how my grandmother’s doing.”

Cyndi went for the keyboard. A few clicks later, she said, “She’s still in the E.R.”

Sabrina headed that way, throwing a “thanks” over her left shoulder.

Clay followed at her heels. “Hey, slow down.”

“I can’t, Clay. She wouldn’t be in this situation if it weren’t for me.” Tears threatened, and she swallowed, refusing to let them flow. She stepped into the elevator and blinked hard. Clay stood beside her for the one-floor ride.

“It’s not your fault. She stepped wrong getting out of a car. It could have happened anywhere.”

“I know you’re right,” she whispered. “But I still feel guilty.” When the doors opened, she bolted for the triage station. “I’m Yvonne Mayfield’s granddaughter. May I see her?”

“Of course.” The young man, who looked to be in his mid-twenties, hit a few keys on his keyboard. “She’s already been taken back. Room eleven.”

“Thanks.”

Sabrina waited for him to press the button to unlock and open the double doors. Clay placed a hand on the small of her back to guide her down the hallway. She didn’t need any help, but she took great comfort in having him there with her.

She stopped in front of the room, braced her hand on the door and took a deep breath. And then Clay was pulling her into a hug. She leaned against him, savoring his strength, trying to tug some of it into her own being. The feel of his arms around her, her nose buried against the second button of his shirt uniform helped. A lot.
You can do this. You can be strong for Granny May.

She pulled back and smiled up at him, ignoring the fact that it felt more like a grimace. “Thanks.”

“So this is what you two are up to while an old woman takes a tumble. How very respectful of you.”

The grave sarcasm jolted Sabrina. She spun out of Clay’s embrace to find Abe Starke staring at the two of them. His malevolent expression slapped her in the face. She took a step back and felt Clay steady her.

“Uncle Abe. What are you doing here?”

“I brought Mrs. Yvonne in. Lance got a call, and I told him I’d bring her.” He sneered at Sabrina. “If this is how you show your concern, playing kissy-face outside her hospital room, I’d hate to see what you have planned when she dies.”

Sabrina gaped, nausea churning in her stomach. Clay turned red. Chili pepper–red. He took a step toward his uncle and she laid a hand on his arm. “Don’t,” she said, her voice low. “He’s not worth it.”

This time Abe’s face flushed. “I’ll show you who’s worth it, you little—”

“Enough!” Clay’s roar echoed around the E.R. They had the full attention of the E.R. staff and everyone in the hallway. “Sabrina, go check on your grandmother.”

She pushed open the door, stepped inside and let the wooden door shut. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, whispering prayers for divine intervention. “Please, Lord, take control of this crazy situation.”

“Amen,” came the weak voice from the bed.

Sabrina moved forward to take her grandmother’s hand. “Granny May, are you all right?”

“Not so much, my dear. I fell.”

“I heard.” She squeezed her grandmother’s fingers. “I’m so sorry.”

“Trust me, I am, too, but they’ve given me some medication for pain and I’m feeling a bit better. I just have to be real still so it doesn’t hurt so bad.”

“Good. Granny May?”

“Mmm-hmm?”

“Why did Abe Starke bring you to the hospital?”

“I suppose because he felt bad he was the reason I fell.”

* * *

Clay stared at his uncle and waited for the man to say something. But he just stared back, lips tight, anger burning like a hot fire in his eyes. Clay finally relaxed his stance. “I don’t want to fight with you, but I won’t put up with your ugly, unwarranted comments or slurs against Sabrina.”

Abe acted as if he might fire back a response, but he shut his mouth, turned on his heel and walked toward the exit.

Clay followed. As soon as Abe hit the parking lot, Clay confronted him. “Why was your ball cap found up at the caves where someone shot at Sabrina and me?”

Abe froze midstep, then swiveled to face Clay. “What’d you say?”

“You heard me.”

Abe’s fingers curled into fists at his sides. “Yeah. I did, but I thought I must have been mistaken.”

“Why were you up there?”

“Well, I wasn’t shooting at you or that girl in there. I might have a lot of hate for her mama and I might not want to have her presence forced on me, but I wouldn’t shoot her.” Clay thought he saw a flash of hurt on the man’s face before he covered it up.

“I really didn’t think you would. In fact, that’s what I told Ned when he asked me about it.”

Abe blinked, then relaxed a fraction. “You did?”

“I did. So what were you doing up there?”

Abe sighed and shook his head. “None of your business, but I sure wasn’t shooting at you.”

“Come on, Abe. Ned’s going to want to talk to you. They’ve got your hat and your DNA. They can place you in the area around the time of the shooting.”