Lone Star Justice Read online

  "I saw the police car. Is something wrong? Is Brandy okay?" Matt pushed past her and entered the house.

  Maddie sighed and closed the door. "Everything's fine, Matt. Just a little trouble over some work stuff."

  "That's not what I heard on my police scanner," he said, making himself comfortable on the couch.

  Oh God, she'd never get rid of him now. She needed to go check on Brandy, who had been awfully quiet these last few minutes, holed up in her room. "You have a scanner? Why?"

  Matt shrugged. "I like knowing what's happening. I'm kind of a news junkie.

  "Well, as you can see, I'm perfectly okay. I lost my best friend today and I'm tired and really need to go to bed. So can we talk about this some other time?" She felt like she'd kicked a puppy when his face fell into a pout. But honestly, the man was at least thirty. Most of the time he acted like a sixteen year old.

  He stood up and walked to the door without saying a word.

  "Matt, I…"

  "It's okay. I'll keep and eye out to make sure no one sneaks around here. Call me if you hear anything." And with that he was gone and Maddie felt worse than ever.

  She was exhausted by the time she climbed into bed. Brandy had cried over the news about Anne until she literally had no tears left to shed. Anne had been her daughter's babysitter and a frequent visitor at their house. She'd gone to law school with Maddie's encouragement and had spent many hours studying along side Brandy, stopping her own studies to help Brandy with a difficult math problem or science question.

  Maddie had held Brandy until she finally stopped shaking. It had taken three trips around the house, checking doors and windows to be sure they were locked and the alarm set before either of them felt secure enough to sleep.

  She laid down to rest for a moment before she took a shower. The picture of Anne's body, swinging from the tree branch, blood covering the front of her white suit with a note pinned to the lapel, was burned into her brain so that she saw it as soon as she closed her eyes. Tears stained her pillow as she grieved for her friend. Though she hated to admit it, even to herself, she was also a bit scared. If Max Lucas had gone after Anne, then he might decide to follow through on his threats and come after her too.

  ***

  As soon as her mother was occupied with the police, Brandy logged into the chat room where she knew Sam would be waiting for her. It was the only secret she kept from her mom, but Sam meant too much to her to risk having her computer privileges pulled. And her mother would definitely ground her if she found out.

  With a glance toward her bedroom door to make sure it was locked, she began to type.

  BRANDYWINE: Sam? You here?

  BOONDOGGIE: Of course. I've been waiting for you. How was your day?

  BRANDYWINE: Fine until tonight. Then it got awful.

  BOONDOGGIE: What happened?

  BRANDYWINE: Mom's best friend was murdered. I'm scared, Sam.

  BOONDOGGIE: Why are you scared? Your mom wasn't hurt, was she?

  BRANDYWINE: No. But I'm still scared.

  BOONDOGGIE: That's natural, I guess. How is your mom taking it?

  BRANDYWINE: She's really upset. She tried not to let it show, but I could tell she'd been crying. They've been friends ever since Mom moved to Oklahoma.

  BOONDOGGIE: That was when you were a little kid, right? Where did she come from?

  BRANDYWINE: You asked me that before. Texas, remember? Why do you want to know that, anyway?

  BOONDOGGIE: Oh, yeah. I forgot. And no reason. I just want to know all about you. We're friends, remember?

  BRANDYWINE: Yeah, I'm sorry. Guess this whole thing has freaked me out. I'd better go before Mom catches me. She'd ground me for life. Thanks for talking to me, Sam. Maybe I can sleep now.

  BOONDOGGIE: Anytime. Give the dragon a kiss for me.

  BRANDYWINE: Why do you always call her that? She's only a dragon sometimes. Anyway, gotta run. Same time, same place tomorrow?

  BOONDOGGIE: I'll be here. Let me know what they find out about the murder. I get a kick out of keeping up with gruesome details. Ha ha. Just kidding. Night Brandy.

  BRANDYWINE: You worry me sometimes, Sam. Good night.

  ***

  The next morning, Brandy's scream yanked Maddie, still fully clothed, from her fitful sleep. Her daughter yelled again. "Mom, please Mom!"

  The terror in her daughter's voice sent her heart into overdrive and her body full-tilt off the bed. Not knowing what she would find, Maddie grabbed the baseball bat that leaned against her bedroom wall and ran into the living room.

  Brandy stood in front of the fireplace, pointing at the portrait above the mantel. The portrait that had once been of the two of them. Now only Maddie's face remained--with a knife stuck in the middle of her forehead. Brandy's image had been completely removed.

  The front door stood open and Brandy gestured wildly toward the porch, her eyes wide with fear.

  Maddie marched to the door, took one look outside, and slammed it closed, locking it behind her. First she had to calm Brandy down, then she'd take a closer look. She pulled her daughter into her arms and held her tightly, rocking back and forth in an attempt to comfort and calm her.

  "Someone was here, Mom. In the house while we were asleep. How did he get in? Why did he do this?" Brandy gulped in air, her body trembling. When she'd calmed enough to speak, she whispered against Maddie's chest. "I'm scared, Mom."

  "I know, honey. So am I." Maddie nearly jumped out of her skin when something brushed against her leg. Domino. "How did he get in the house?"

  "I don't know. He woke me up scratching on my bedroom door."

  He must have come in with the intruder. It was unnerving to think someone had been inside while they slept and Maddie hadn't heard a thing. And why didn't the alarm go off? She was absolutely positive she'd set it before going to bed.

  Matt's shout sent her already hammering heart into overdrive.

  "Maddie? Brandy? Are you okay?" Matt pounded on the door. "My God, Maddie, open the door."

  She peeled Brandy's fingers from her shirt and led her to the couch. "Sit here while I let Matt in. You're okay, understand? You're safe." When Brandy nodded, she went to the door, took a deep breath, and opened it.

  The sight that greeted her sent bile racing up her throat and she felt her vision blur and fade. If not for Matt's hand on her arm, she would have fallen when her knees buckled.

  "Don't look. I'll clean it up in a minute." He led her to the couch and eased her down next to her daughter. Then he settled onto the coffee table, facing them. "What's going on, Maddie? Who would do such a thing, and why?"

  She shuddered. A clumsily made dummy lay on the porch, dressed in Brandy's clothes, a knife through the chest anchoring a crudely printed piece of paper. She's next was written in what looked like blood. More of the red substance was smeared on the dummy and across the porch.

  Maddie gagged and pressed her hand against her mouth, trying desperately to hold on to what was left of her self-control. "I don't know." Her voice cracked, and she tried again. "I don't know anyone who would do something like that." Maddie put an arm around Brandy, pulling her close. Her daughter was still in shock, her face pale and streaked with tears.

  Matt started toward the kitchen, then turned back to ask, "Where do you keep your cleaning supplies? I want to clean that blood, or whatever it is, off the porch."

  "No, don't do that. Not until the police have seen it."

  He frowned, and then nodded. "I guess you're right. It's probably best to have them take a look, although it's most likely nothing more than a sick prank. But then I'm cleaning it up before either of you have to look at it again."

  Maddie might believe it was nothing more than a prank if she hadn't discovered Anne's body the night before. Now she was wary, and scared. That was a very definite threat on her porch, and this time it was directed toward her daughter. "Thanks, Matt." With Brandy snuggled close to her side, she picked up the phone to call Detective Thacker.


  Matt headed into the kitchen, returning a moment later with a bottle of bleach and a scrub brush. He set them on the coffee table and headed for the door.

  When she hung up, he said, "I guess I'll go home. I was just getting ready to fix breakfast when I heard Brandy scream. Call me when the police are finished and I'll come back to clean the porch."

  Maddie gave him a grateful, though somewhat wobbly, smile. He tried his best to take care of her and Brandy. He'd hinted more than once that he'd like to take their relationship to a physical level, but she'd kept him at arm's length. "Be careful not to step on anything."

  He gave her a sardonic look and shook his head. "Too late. Call me if you need me."

  ***

  Detective Thacker was at the house in minutes with a forensics team. They dusted for fingerprints inside and out, checked every window and door for signs of forced entry, and tested the alarm system. "Damn, this guy's a ghost. Other than the set of footprints on the porch, we have nothing. We have no idea how he got in. Must be a pro to get past that system you have."

  That didn't do anything to make her feel better. Some guy just waltzed into her house without setting off the alarm, stole clothes from her daughter's closet and sheets from the bathroom, and proceeded to build a dummy on her porch. And no one had a clue how.

  "John, what should I do now? I'm worried about Brandy. Do you think she's in danger?"

  He thought for a moment, then stood and slipped his notebook into his pocket. "I don't know. If someone intended to harm her, they could have done so while they were in the house. I don't think they would have called attention to their plans like this. Most likely he's trying to scare you."

  He headed for the door, stopping with his hand on the knob. He turned around, his expression serious. "But do me a favor. Make a list of all the people who have been vocal about any recent judgments you've handed down. Watch the people you work with, see if anyone acts out of character. Then drop by the station tonight and give me the list. In the meantime, I'll check on Lucas' whereabouts."

  "You think it might be someone at the courthouse? I can't believe that." The idea unnerved her. She'd worked with most of those people for several years.

  "You never know. It might be this Lucas character, then again, it might not. Just don't let on that you're watching. Be extra cautious. Don't go out after dark alone. Don't let Brandy walk to school. Better yet, take a trip. Go visit some family until this nut is caught."

  He opened the door and Matt almost fell inside. He quickly covered his surprise and said, "Hi. I was just about to knock. Is everything okay now?"

  John glanced at Maddie, a question in his eyes.

  "Matt, this is Detective Thacker. John, Matt is my neighbor. He came over earlier when he heard Brandy scream."

  John looked Matt up and down, frowning as he eyed Matt's shoes. "So those were probably your footprints on the porch. Are those the shoes you were wearing earlier?"

  Matt glanced at Maddie, swallowed, and nodded. She tried to smile reassuringly, but she had a feeling it came across as a sickening grimace instead. Now Matt had been dragged into this mess just for being a friend.

  "I need to borrow them long enough to compare them to the casts we took. Then you can have them back." Detective Thacker held out his hand until Matt pulled his shoes off and handed them to him.

  With a nod to Maddie, the detective left, closing the door behind him.

  "They're taking this pretty seriously, aren't they?" Matt padded to the couch in his stocking feet and sat down, patting the cushion next to him.

  Maddie ignored him and sat in the wing chair across the room, her brows drawing together as Brandy picked up Domino and retreated to her bedroom. She always made herself scarce when Matt came around. "Yes, they are. And so am I."

  "So, what are you going to do?"

  What was she going to do? React like a frightened rabbit jumping at shadows, or continue on as usual, refusing to show her fear? "I'm not going to do anything different than I normally do, except that I'll take Brandy to school and pick her up instead of letting her ride the bus."

  "Let me take you both. That way I can keep an eye on you." When Maddie started to decline, he added, "I can watch your back, make sure no one tries to get to you between home and work."

  "No, that's not necessary. We'll be fine. But thank you for the thought."

  "Well, if you're sure. But if anything else happens, I'll be right next door. Call me and I'll come right over.

  "Thanks, Matt. But seriously, we'll be fine. Nothing else is going to happen.

  ***

  Sheriff Rand McCade tipped his hat to Gertrude Roberts as she emerged from the grocery store. The old woman nodded and said, "Sheriff. Nice morning, isn't it?"

  Rand grinned and replied exactly as he did every Monday morning, "Yes, ma'am, it sure is." He took her grocery bags and carried them to the car. When he'd put them in the trunk of her twenty-year-old Buick, he tipped his hat again and continued on his way.

  He knew most of the residents of Greendale, Texas, population three-thousand and sixty, by name. Three thousand and sixty-one, now that Misty Johnson's baby had arrived.

  Some days he wished the city council would vote to establish a police force for the city proper, but they always insisted things were just fine as they were. He had fifteen deputies who worked rotating shifts, cruising the back roads and highways, through the small towns, always on the lookout for trouble. So far it had been enough. At least his county was small, population-wise. Strangers stood out, and he knew who the troublemakers were. If something happened, he usually had a pretty good idea who was responsible.

  Doc Myers waved as Rand strolled past the clinic and he waved back. Melanie Bickers pushed a stroller down the sidewalk in front of Green's Dry Goods, and Mr. Gilley swept the curb along the brick street in front of his print shop. Everything was as it should be.

  Rand had almost completed his round of the town square when he noticed something out of place. Fresh paint on the side of the pharmacy. A can of spray paint lay across the alley, the same color as the ugly words on the side of the building.

  He approached the wall and touched the first letter. A smear of red coated his finger when he pulled it back. Whoever had done this hadn't finished long ago.

  Rand crept toward the end of the alley and placed his back to the wall as he leaned cautiously around the corner. A few yards away, Andy Briggs hurried down the street. Rand stepped around the corner and eased up behind him. Before Andy knew Rand was there, he was up against the pharmacy's brick wall, one arm twisted behind his back.

  "Hey! What the hell…"

  "Shut up, Andy. You're under arrest."

  "What for? I wasn't doin' nuthin' but walkin' down the street, mindin' my own bizness."

  Rand snapped the handcuffs around Andy's wrist, then pulled his other arm behind him and locked it in place. "Yeah? What about this red paint on your trigger finger? I don't suppose you know anything about the vandalism to the pharmacy?"

  "Not me, Sheriff. I don't know nuthin'."

  "Uh-huh. And I'm the tooth fairy. Let's go."

  He frog-marched Andy across the square to the squad car and pushed him into the back seat. He almost resented the couple of hours of paperwork that would result from Andy's mischief, but it was just another part of his job.

  He'd made a promise, to himself and to the people of the county, that as long as he was Sheriff there wouldn't be a repeat of the day fourteen years ago when Greendale had been paralyzed by the murder of his parents.

  During his five years in office, he'd kept that promise. Troublemakers didn't stay long. They quickly learned it was in their best interest to move on. If strangers came through town, Rand kept a close eye on their activities until they went on their way. If they stepped out of line, he helped them across the county line. Or to the jail.

  As long as nothing happened to disturb the peace in Greendale or the surrounding county, he was content.

  That wasn
't completely true. He'd been restless for the last few months, pining for something he couldn't have, regretting the past he couldn't change. He'd finally started dating, if only to force himself to forget the woman he'd loved with all his heart and who'd left him when he needed her the most. It didn't seem to be working. If anything, he thought more about Maddie Cooper now than he had in years.

  In the beginning, he'd buried himself in school work, pushed himself to be the best at the Academy, busted his butt as a deputy--all so he could keep his thoughts off of Maddie. Then he'd run for Sheriff and won, and he'd had plenty to keep him busy getting things set up just the way he wanted them. But now he had things running a little too smoothly, leaving him with too much time to think. Lately, he'd been going through cold case files to take his mind off Maddie. Nothing seemed to work.

  When he arrived at the station, he turned Andy over to the booking officer and stalked down the hall to his office and closed the door behind him. Why was he thinking about Maddie again? She'd left him, plain and simple. And she'd done it at the worst point in his life, when he'd just suffered a devastating loss and needed her by his side. Yeah, he'd refused to speak to her for a few days, but who could blame him? He was in shock, under sedation, and angry at the world.

  If she'd just waited, he would have married her that summer and he wouldn't have spent the last fourteen years alone. God, he was so tired of being alone.

  ***

  Maddie's hands shook so hard she had trouble keeping her car in its own lane. She'd held herself together for three days, always looking over her shoulder, wondering if someone was watching her. She'd wandered the house at night, listening for any noise, watching for anything out of place. She'd watched her coworkers with unwarranted suspicion. But she'd held herself together--until Brandy found her backpack in her locker, with a bloody knife in it and another threatening note, along with the picture that had been cut from the portrait.

  The guy had not only been in their house while they'd slept, he'd also been at Brandy's school. Her daughter wasn't safe anywhere.