Lone Star Justice Page 14

  Linda leaned over to whisper in his ear. "Why aren't you over there with them?

  Rand shook his head, turned on his heel, and left the lobby. There was work to be done, and it wasn't going to do itself. He shut the office door behind him, peeled out of the Kevlar and put his riot gun in the corner. He should put the equipment away properly, but he knew Linda would take care of it later. Right now, he didn't feel like doing much of anything.

  He sat at his desk and started writing his report of what had transpired. Some of the information had come from the Smith County Sheriff's office, including the fate of his deputy, who had been found bound and gagged, but alive, hidden in the bushes behind the hospital. He'd have a headache for a day or two, but was otherwise unhurt.

  There would be a long list of charges against Aaron when they caught him, but at least Rand wouldn't have to house him in the jail for long. With serial murder, kidnapping, assault on a police officer, impersonating a sheriff's deputy, drug trafficking, and arson, the Feds would be arguing amongst themselves about who had jurisdiction.

  Doc was another story. Rand was pretty sure there would be a change of venue for the trial, because there were bound to be some very strong feelings against him in Greendale. Not much chance of a fair and impartial jury. Too bad Maddie couldn't oversee the proceedings. Then he'd be sure Doc would get what was coming to him.

  Rand leaned back, his mind wandering back to the past. He tried to remember Aaron as a teenager, but mostly he remembered a punk kid with a chip on his shoulder and a surly attitude. Why had they ever believed he'd gotten into med school? His grades hadn't been all that great in high school. But Rand had been a kid back then and his life had just been turned upside down and inside out. He really hadn't thought about Aaron at all. When girls started turning up dead, he'd been relieved that Maddie wasn't one of them and was no longer around to be a target. He'd never wondered who was behind the killings until after he'd become sheriff, and they'd stopped just about the same time.

  The coincidence hit him, then. It was no coincidence at all. Doc had put Aaron in a mental institution to stop the killings so Rand wouldn't investigate them.

  Damn him. This whole mess could have been avoided if Doc hadn't kept trying to protect him.

  As a new father, he could understand to some degree. But he couldn't understand Doc standing by while girl after girl was murdered.

  He called Detective Thacker to tell him what had happened, then faxed him a copy of the report so he could finish his investigation into Anne Pioretti's murder. They talked for a few minutes, comparing notes. "Anything new up there that relates to Maddie Cooper?" Rand asked.

  "Nothing since her house was ransacked. Her next door neighbor cleaned up most of the mess, so other than needing a new couch and television, she should be clear to come home whenever she's ready."

  Though he hated to admit it, Rand was pretty sure that would be as soon as they caught Aaron.. She hadn't found what she was looking for in Greendale. Not safety, not peace, and definitely not him. Rand couldn't be the man she needed.

  ***

  Maddie watched Rand walk away and wanted to follow him, to thank him, but he'd been so withdrawn on the drive back to the station that she hesitated. Did he blame himself for their capture? It wasn't his fault. She and Brandy both made stupid mistakes, mistakes they wouldn't make again. In fact, she wasn't sure she could trust anyone after today. People weren't always who they appeared to be.

  She wasn't sure what to do now. With Aaron on the loose, she and Brandy were still in danger. If they went back to Oklahoma, he might follow them. If they stayed here, he might find another way to get to them. She had a feeling that no matter where they went, he'd find them. He was obsessed.

  At least with Doc in jail, the attempts to frighten her would stop. Rand was sure Doc was behind those, though Doc refused to admit to anything. But that didn't explain the things that happened back home. Doc had been right here in Greendale, so he hadn't been the one who put the dummy on her porch and came inside while they slept. He couldn't have ransacked her house, either.

  It was all too much to take in. Three people who hated her enough to torment her, one who hated her enough to kill her. And she'd never done anything to a single one of them, at least not intentionally.

  And now Rand was avoiding her, just when she'd thought they'd come to some kind of understanding.

  After a while, the crowd finally dispersed, leaving Maddie and Brandy alone with Linda.

  "Why don't you two sit down and wait for Rand? He'll be out in a few minutes. I imagine he's tying up loose ends." Linda led them to the break room down the hall, away from the lobby where the large glass expanse along the front left them too exposed and vulnerable. She bought them drinks and snacks from the vending machines and sat them down at one of the round café-style tables.

  Maddie's legs wobbled a bit and she plopped hard into the chair.

  "You okay?" Linda asked. "Should I have Rand take you back to the hospital?"

  Maddie shook her head. "No, I'm okay. I think it's just a delayed reaction to everything that's happened today. I'll be fine in a minute."

  Brandy scooted her chair close to Maddie's, as though afraid to be separated even by a couple of feet. "I've never been so scared in my life. I'm sorry, Mom. It was all my fault."

  "No, honey. It was my fault. I should have kept a closer eye on your online activities." She ruffled Brandy's hair. "Sometimes I forget you're still a kid."

  Linda shook her head. "If anyone's to blame, it's me. I was supposed to keep an eye on her. If I hadn't left her in my office alone, she wouldn't have gone out to meet Aaron, and you wouldn't have left the hospital with him."

  "We all have some responsibility for what happened today." Rand stood in the open doorway. "Beating ourselves up over it isn't going to help. We have to make sure it never happens again, because I don't think Aaron will give up after one attempt. He came too close to getting what he wanted. He'll feel compelled to try again. But next time he'll be smarter, more devious."

  Brandy shivered, and Maddie put an arm around her, pulling her close. "It's okay, I'm not letting him get near you again. We know what he looks like now, and you know not to talk to anyone you don't really know online."

  Rand sat in the remaining chair across the table from Maddie. "This time, I want you both at the ranch. No argument. I'm taking a leave of absence until Aaron is caught so I can be with you twenty-four seven."

  "But boss, who's going to take your place?" Linda looked shaken by Rand's announcement.

  "Cody. I've already talked to him. Matt Everett will be his back up. Every law enforcement agency in the area is combing the woods and watching the highways, looking for Aaron. Cody can coordinate things from here. You can call me if there's any problem."

  "Sure, boss. Whatever you say."

  Rand looked at Maddie. "You aren't going to argue with me?"

  She shook her head. "Not this time. It hasn't served me very well so far."

  He nodded. "Good. I have two deputies checking out your place right now. We'll go pack your things and move you out to the ranch now if you're ready."

  Linda squeezed Maddie's hand as she stood. "I'm really sorry, Maddie."

  Maddie gave her a hug. "It's okay. Please don't blame yourself."

  Rand said, "You can make it up to Maddie by watching her cat for a few days."

  "But," Brandy said, "I can't leave Domino."

  "Yes, you can. It's only for a couple of days and Linda will take good care of him. I can't watch you properly if I'm constantly tripping over a cat, and there's the chance he'll get loose. It's either Linda or board him at the vet."

  Brandy glared at him. "Fine. I'd rather Linda keep him."

  "I'll take good care of him, sweetie."

  Linda smiled and nodded at Maddie's mouthed thank you. Maddie and Brandy followed Rand out the door. The sun was beginning to set, leaving pink and purple streaks across the sky. How something so beautiful could her
ald the end of such an awful day, Maddie couldn't imagine.

  It was fully dark by the time they'd packed the majority of their possessions and left the house. One of the deputies secured crime scene tape across the door after making sure the door was securely locked. The other one went around the house to do the same with the back door. Her SUV was parked in the garage. Maddie hated the idea of leaving her car behind, but she understood why.

  "Why the tape?" Maddie asked.

  "Just in case Aaron doesn't know you're both alive. I thought this might buy us a little time if he decided to come check the house, just in case." Rand held the car door open so they could climb in the back.

  With the two deputies as escorts, they drove out to the ranch. After carrying Maddie and Brandy's possessions into the house, the deputies came back outside to stand watch.

  Maddie took a deep breath and forced herself to walk through the door.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Nothing happened. No ghosts jumped from the shadows to warn her away. There were no voices reminding her she didn't belong. No feelings of dread swept over her.

  In fact, she was surprised to see that the main room looked nothing like it had before. Where Rand's mother had favored cabbage roses on the walls and furniture and deep, plush carpet on the floors, Rand had replaced those with smooth-textured walls in shades of tan, and hardwood floors. The furniture was black leather with accessories in dark teals and rust. It gave the room a feel of the southwest without being overdone.

  Maddie began to relax. Maybe this wouldn't be as bad as she'd feared.

  Rand took her on a tour of the house, with Brandy following close behind. He'd updated the kitchen with gleaming stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and maple cabinets and knocked out the wall between the kitchen and dining room, opening it up into a friendly, inviting space with bay windows and skylights. The small den was now a home office, with an oversized desk, leather chairs, and bookshelves lining the walls.

  The guest bathroom was no longer pink. He'd used large slate tiles to line the walls, replaced the outdated fixtures with modern ones, and added a walk in shower.

  Everything suited him. While not overwhelmingly masculine, he'd rid the house of the fussy, stuffy feeling Maddie had despised. It was no longer his parents' house, but his and his alone. "It's beautiful, Rand. You have excellent taste."

  He chuckled. "I had a lot of help. I hired an interior designer to get it right."

  "Mom, wait until you see the basement!" Brandy tugged her toward the door under the stairs. "He's got the coolest game room!"

  At the bottom of the stairs, the room opened up into a large, well lit space with a pool table, large flat screen television, an impressive collection of movies, cd's and games, a small kitchen and bar, and even a movie-style popcorn machine. Brandy spun in a circle. "I could be happy living in just this one room!"

  Rand grinned and tousled her hair. "That's good to know. But let's get your things upstairs so you can get unpacked, okay?"

  The second floor was a little more intimidating for Maddie. She'd never been allowed up these hallowed stairs before. While Rand's mother had tolerated her presence for the one meal Maddie had agreed to, she'd never offered to show Maddie anything other than the first floor.

  Rand opened the first door at the top of the stairs. "This is my room."

  Maddie loved it immediately. The walls were covered in pine, painted a bright white, giving it a clean, crisp look. The king-sized bed sported a thick comforter in shades of black and gray. Black end tables flanked either side. On the other side of the room, a massive gray stone fireplace took up most of one wall, faced by matching overstuffed arm chairs. A window seat with soft burgundy cushions looked like a great place to read or just sit and look out over the pasture.

  But it was the master bath that took her breath away. He'd spared no expense to make the room as inviting as possible. From the claw foot tub to the multi-headed shower, granite counter tops, and slate tile floor, this was a place to close yourself off from the world and relax.

  "I'm impressed, Rand. It's not at all what I expected. I thought the house would be just like your parents left it, but you've made it completely your own."

  "It took a while, but it was something I had to do. Like you, I found it hard to be here the way it was. But now the ghosts of the past are gone and it's just home."

  He led the way down the hall and opened doors directly opposite each other. "Y'all choose which one you want while I bring your things up."

  Maddie wandered into the room on the left, which would put her next to his room. A smaller fireplace covered part of one wall, with well-stocked bookshelves on either side. Another window seat sat under the single window in the room, and cherry furniture gave the room an old-fashioned feel. There was a large walk in closet off the full bath at one end of the room.

  She walked across the hall to find Brandy sitting on the canopy bed. "Isn't this great, mom? It's almost like he knew I was coming and got the bed just for me."

  Maddie had to wonder if the canopy bed was a new addition, purchased after he'd found out he had a daughter. But that was almost impossible. He hadn't had time since she'd told him about Brandy to buy a bed and have it delivered. Had he been hoping he'd have a daughter some day? Or was it the decorator's idea? Either way, it was good to see Brandy smile again.

  Rand brought Brandy's suitcase into the room. "Somehow I thought this was the room you'd choose," he said with a grin.

  Brandy gave him a hug. "It's perfect!" He put the suitcase on the bed and she immediately started unpacking.

  Maddie and Rand left the room, closing the door behind them. "She doesn't seem any worse for the wear," he said. "I was afraid her ordeal today would be more than she could handle."

  "She's a pretty amazing kid." Maddie followed him down the stairs to help bring up the rest of their belongings. "She reminds me a lot of you."

  "Ah, so does that mean you think I'm amazing?" Rand handed her a couple of shopping bags to carry and picked up her heavy suitcase and laptop bag.

  He'd casually tossed the comment out, but Maddie could see by the tension in his body that he was holding his breath, waiting for her answer. "I've always thought you were an amazing man, Rand."

  His smile made her heart melt. Did he feel as vulnerable as she had lately? She'd never thought much about his insecurities as a teenager. He was her hero, and so by default that made him strong, fearless, and capable.

  Had that all been a show for her benefit?

  ***

  They settled into a routine, with Maddie taking over the household duties and Brandy helping Rand take care of the animals. Everywhere they went, a deputy stayed close by. If not for the bodyguards, Brandy thought, they'd look like a real family.

  She loved everything about the ranch. The wide open spaces, the dogs and horses, even feeding the chickens was fun. But the best part was the small herd of Alpacas. She'd never seen one before and was fascinated by their different personalities. They looked like llamas, only smaller. "Do they spit?" she asked Rand, staying a safe distance back just in case.

  He laughed and urged her forward. "They might, if they don't like what you're doing, but mostly they spit at each other. They're very friendly. Here, this is Sarah. She's due to deliver in just a few weeks."

  Brandy followed his lead and ran her hand over the animal's thick fleece. "She's beautiful." Cute might have been a better word. With their long necks, large eyes, and prominent noses, the Alpacas were a little funny-looking.

  They put out hay and pellets for the animals, then headed back to the house for breakfast. She searched for a way to ask the question that had bugged her all morning, and finally just blurted it out. "Dad, what happens when Aaron is caught and Mom and I are safe again?

  He stopped and looked down at her. "I'm not sure what you mean."

  "To us. You and me. I don't want to leave you now that I finally found you, but Mom needs me. I can't stay here and let her go
back to Oklahoma alone. But I don't want to go back without you." She wiped away a tear.

  "Aw honey. I wish I could answer that question, but your mom and I…well, I don't know what will happen. We've changed a lot since we were kids. Who knows if we can ever find a way back to what we once had?" He brushed the back of his hand across her cheek. "But I promise you this. I will always be a part of your life from here on out. You can come out here for holidays and the summer if it's okay with your mom. And I'll come visit you whenever I can, okay?"

  Brandy nodded, but didn't meet his eyes. It wasn't the answer she'd hoped for, but it would have to do…for now.

  Somehow, some way, she had to figure out how to get her mom and dad to realize they all needed to live together--as a family.

  ***

  Damn! He knew he should have hunted down the owner of that boat. It wasn't unusual to find fishing boats tied up along the river's edge, but on that particular day, at that particular time? Too coincidental. But he'd heard the approaching men, the cautious footsteps, and knew they were closing in. Escape was first and foremost on his mind. He'd hoped they'd be too late, but there was nothing on the news about bodies found in a burned out cabin. Nothing at all.

  He'd stolen another vehicle and retreated to the vacant farmhouse he'd found during his night time wanderings. He'd been watching it off and on for a few weeks and no one had ever stopped by to check on it. There were no neighbors nearby to tell on him, either.

  He only had a few days left to get Maddie back, before it was too late. To heck with Brandy, she was more trouble than she was worth. Maddie was the most important target, and he needed a plan to get her away from Rand. He knew where she was now, at least. He'd seen the deputies in front of the house, watchful and on guard. He had to find a way to separate them. He could take on one, but not both.