29

 

Words evaded Sloan upon seeing Teddy at the counter. He’d entered the store to ask directions but there she stood, her hair a mess, her face covered with dirt and blood. He’d never seen anything, anyone, so beautiful. She collapsed into his arms in tears.

“Don’t you two boys just stand there staring,” The large woman, whose name tag read Martha, spoke to the men who still had their mouths open. “Make sure you got bullets in them guns of your’n in case anyone comes down off that hill.” They nodded before leaving. She then placed a hand on Teddy’s back. “Now there’s no need to worry. You’re gonna be just fine. Ain’t nobody gonna hurt you no more. The sheriff's on the way.”

Sloan refused to let Teddy go for fear this might all turn out to be a dream.

“Detective.” Upon entering the store, Sheriff Vic Bowman introduced himself. “I understand from Martha here, we got us possibly a dead cop up on that hill. And he’s one of yours.”

Sloan nodded and lifted Teddy away from his chest. “Listen, I need to take Sheriff Bowman to the cabin. I hate to let you go, but I think it would be a better idea for you not to be there.”

Teddy continued to cling to him.

“Do you have someone who can stay with her?” He asked Bowman.

“I got a man outside.”

Martha came around the counter. “She’s staying right here. I’ll take her in back. Child looks like she could use a nice place to sit herself down. Come on, girl. Everything’ll be all right.” Sloan released Teddy into Martha’s safe grasp before following the sheriff outside.

“She your girl?” Bowman nodded toward the store.

“Yeah.” A car door shut behind Sloan.

“Maybe we’d better get someone else out here to ensure there’s nothing fishy about this whole situation.”

“It’s OK Vic. You can trust him.” Ryan walked up and took the sheriff’s hand in his. “And I know Martha will take care of Teddy.”

“You tellin’ me that woman back with Martha is the sister you called about?” Bowman removed his hat and dabbed at his brow with a red handkerchief. “We would’ve got here sooner but there was a pretty nasty accident on the other side of town.”

“Yeah, she is.” Ryan turned to Sloan. “Is she all right?”

“She’s pretty upset but she’s alive,” Sloan said. “That’s the important part.”

Ryan nodded in agreement then turned his attention back to the sheriff. “As I said on the phone, she’s one of the witnesses to the shooting last year at that club in Jacksonville. The cop who had her turned out to be dirty and wanted to keep her from testifying.”

The sheriff removed his hat. “You had several people shot in that killing spree, didn’t you?”

“Six,” Sloan said. “Now we’re dealing with most of our witnesses being killed or scared off.” Sloan turned to the entrance of the store. He wanted to stay and ensure himself of Teddy’s safety but knew he couldn’t. The best thing he could do right now was make sure Donny was not coming after her.

“You telling me that officer of yours was a killer?” Sheriff Bowman said. A look of astonishment crossed over his face.

Sloan nodded. He’d liked Donny and hated the fact he turned out to be a murderer.

"Why don't you catch the sheriff up while I go check on Teddy." Concern carried in Ryan's eyes. He didn't wait for a response before heading into the store.

Twenty minutes later, Sloan, Ryan, and the sheriff headed up the hill. Tread marks decorated the dirt road from where someone spun tires. Just outside a small wood cabin lay a body off to the shoulder. All three men got out of the car. Sloan and Ryan pulled their guns from their holsters. The sheriff crouched beside Donny’s body.

“Ain’t no need for them guns. He’s not getting up.” Bowman looked at the cabin. “Ain’t had nothing but trouble from that place. Parties, fighting. Nothing but trouble.”

Sloan swallowed hard. It's difficult when you lose a fellow officer, even under these conditions.

"What say we get back and see what that sister of yours has to say about all this?" Bowman wiped his arm over his forehead. "We'll try to be gentle with her."

Once back at Martha’s, Sloan was able to see Teddy again. He sat with his arm around her while riding in the police car to the small building housing the sheriff’s office. After they finished, she went to the bathroom to clean up. Sloan thought Teddy looked fine the way she was, but she insisted. He hated having to take his eyes off her.

Jason arrived and took her to a diner across from the station. Sloan spent the next half hour filling out paperwork. He had to force his mind to focus. A hard thing when all he could think about was Teddy.

“It’s rough when one of your own goes bad,” Sheriff Bowman said. “It’s obvious you care for this girl. Not to worry. If she’s got Federline blood in her, she’ll be fine.”

Sloan nodded. He hoped the sheriff was right.

"Let me make a copy of this so you can take it with you." He patted Sloan on the shoulder. "She's a might pretty lady. And strong too. You're lucky to have her.”

Sloan glanced over at Ryan who stood by the doorway. His face was stoic. Sloan imagined he was biting his tongue to keep from saying anything.

The sheriff left through a pair of swinging doors leading to the back. Sloan and Ryan remained in the outer office. Sloan knew he hadn’t kept Teddy safe. The last thing he needed was for her brother to remind him of it. Ryan leaned against a pillar in the office.

“I keep messing up where she’s concerned.” Ryan stared down at the floor while he spoke. “You sent her here to be safe, and the first chance I get I let some dirty cop have her.”

“You couldn’t have known.” His guilt surprised Sloan. “We didn’t know until after he had her.”

“You and Teddy getting back together?” Ryan leaned back on his heels.

“I hope so. I told her about the accident. She doesn’t hold it against me.”

“I know. She told us.” Ryan lifted himself from the pillar. “It would’ve given you points if she’d known I was the one who ran you off in the first place.”

“At the moment she needed to know she could rely on you.”

“Well, we told her the whole thing.” Ryan scratched his temple.

Sloan glanced over at him. Was Ryan getting soft? What other reason could there be for him to tell Teddy of his involvement?

Ryan’s boots echoed on the hardwood floor until he’d walked up even with Sloan. “You OK with the cancer?”

“I’m in for the long haul.” Sloan then lowered his voice. “If she’ll have me.”

Ryan slapped him on the back. “She’ll have you. Just don’t hurt my sister. She’s been through enough. If you do, I’ll hunt you down and beat you to a pulp.”

“If I do, I’ll let you find me.”

 

****

 

Teddy sat in a booth near the far corner of the diner. She tried her best to convince herself the terror was over, and she no longer had a reason for her body to shake. It did no good. She watched Jason decide what type of drink to get at the coke fountain.

She recalled the answers to questions about that early afternoon. Could she have avoided hitting Donny? Maybe. But fear took the lead, and she just wanted to get away. She gave no thought to Donny. She swallowed a sob. How could she, a Christian woman, feel that way? Weren’t you supposed to care about everyone no matter what? What was worse? Killing a man or dealing with cancer? Both were equally disturbing. Her stomach continually jumped, giving her no appetite for the tuna sandwich in front of her.

When she glanced toward the door, tears fell without warning She felt like everyone in the diner stared at her—the loony woman in the corner, sobbing. Everyone except Sloan who was suddenly beside her, pulling her into his arms.

“It’s all right. I’ve got you. You’re safe.” His soft, gentle voice rushed through her. “No one blames you for what happened. You had every right to fight back.”

She clutched him needing all his reassurances. When the crying slowed, she looked up at him. He wiped at a tear that trailed into her mouth. Comfort rose through her body. He took a napkin to her wet face.

“It’s almost over. Then we can move on.” He tucked his knuckle under her chin. His breath warmed her face. He gave her a kiss that added security to the knowledge it was all right to be with him. She wanted to stay like this for her lifetime.

“Whew.” Sloan let out a loud breath. “Are you sure you’re all right?” He ran his hand over her cheek.

“I am now.”

“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again. I love you so much.”

Her heart swelled. “I love you, too.” She ran her hand over his jaw. “I knew I had to get away from him, if just to tell you that.”

He kissed her again.

“You two should probably get a room if you’re going to continue.” Jason stood behind Sloan and grinned. “Unless of course you want an audience.” He used his head to point in the direction of the other diners.

“What do you say we go home?” Sloan said.

Teddy nodded, knowing her ordeal hadn’t yet ended. She still had to testify. But with Sloan at her side, she knew she could do anything.

 

****

 

Tab took a swig of mouthwash, hoping to cover the smell of bourbon on his breath. Paige entered the office followed by her father. From the looks on their faces, they hadn’t come for a friendly social call.

“So to what do I owe this visit?” He rose and greeted his wife with a kiss on her cheek.

“I want this whole thing fixed.” Paige glared at him. “I can’t stand it anymore. You're both involved in murder. It’s unbelievable. Daddy claims Phillip is the one who did it all, including the planning and carrying it out. You two were just pawns. I want to know the truth.” Her jaw was tight.

Tab shot Kellerman a wary look. Anger stretched across the old man’s expression. Tab wondered what the backlash would be for telling Paige about the club shootings. He eased his way around the desk and plopped down in his chair.

“It’s true.” Tab stared at Kellerman. “Phillip said we needed to deal with Brenda but he never said how. Afterwards we learned the truth.”

“See honey. I told you we were innocent in this whole thing.” Kellerman walked over to his daughter and placed an arm around her shoulder. “We never would’ve let it happen if we’d known.”

Paige jerked his arm away. “Do you really think I’m stupid? I know when my husband’s lying. And I know how far you’ll go to get what you want. Make this go away. I will not lose everything over some pregnant waitress.” Her voice came out a harsh whisper.

“There’s no connection between us and the killings,” Kellerman said. He retreated to a chair across from Tab and glared at his son-in-law. Daggers pierced Tab’s chest with each blink.

“Is that true?” She turned to her husband.

He glanced at her and nodded. “Just Phillip.”

Paige crossed her arms over her chest. “You both better finish this. I will not end up the laughing stock of the club just because of some zoning problems.”

She then turned on Tab. “Or your mistress and brat. People are already talking behind my back. I won’t have any more. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes dear,” Kellerman said.

Tab only nodded.

Paige jerked her purse over her shoulder. “I’m going to the spa. I need a massage to get rid of some of this tension. You two work this out and work it out fast.”

She stormed out the door leaving Tab wanting a drink more than when she first arrived. He’d never seen her so angry and cold before. How could they make it go away without another murder? Is that what she was suggesting? Maybe the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.

No, there’s no way. He would have seen it earlier. She’s just angry, lashing out. Who could blame her? She’d be ostracized in her social circles if this ever got out.

“I told you not to say a word to her.” Kellerman’s voice came out low and lethal once the door closed. “She has no part in this.”

“No part? She’s my wife and your daughter. If anyone’s going to get hurt, it’s her. Yet she had nothing to do with it.”

“You’re the one who started it. You’re the one who’ll fix it.” Kellerman leaned back. “Phillip’s the only connection. Once he’s gone, it’s over.”

“I’m sorry. I have no stomach for murder.” Tab jerked the bottle from his desk. “This seems to be more up your alley.”

“You better watch your tone with me.” Kellerman rose. “It wouldn’t take much more money to have two people dealt with as opposed to one. My daughter being the widow of an astronaut would garner her more sympathy than that of a killer’s wife.”

Kellerman left, slamming the door behind him. Tab’s mouth went dry. This had all gone too far. In a matter of time, he would have an “accident.” Something tragic where no one would realize it occurred because of Edward Kellerman. Would Paige even mind? There might be a sense of loss but her friends would offer her sympathy. The papers would express shock at the tragedy of his death. His heart dropped into the pit of his stomach.

He had to find a way out of this. He drained the remainder of the bottle. There was really only one way to escape the clutches of Edward Kellerman.