Cowboy In The Crossfire(39)

"That's me. Did he say anything else?"

Ethan wrinkled his nose in thought. "Joey's in the clouds."

Blake rubbed his forehead and a wave of pain washed through him. Why had Vince mentioned Joey? It didn't make sense. Unless he was trying to make sure Blake helped them.

"Why were the man's boots funny?"

"They had dragons. Like in the stories Mommy reads me."

"Custom-made," Blake mused. He smiled at Ethan. "You did good, buddy. I'll get the bad guys, Ethan."

"Keep Mommy safe." The boy frowned in worry and fear.

Blake looked over at Amanda, at her pale face and delicate features, her haunted expression. "Whatever it takes."





Chapter Nine


The lieutenant slumped back in his leather chair and hitched the heel of his custom-made boots over the stone hearth while the fire crackled in front of him. He'd commissioned the dragon design from a craftsman in Dallas. Despite the risk, he'd never go east of the Mississippi for a pair of boots.

"They're not on the Triple C Ranch, but Logan knows something." Johnson's voice filtered through the phone.

No way they could let Logan Carmichael get away with his silence. No matter what government alphabet soup he came from.

"Get our friends at the Department of Public Safety to review Carmichael's P.I. license, taxes, anything you can. Find something. Adjust the information. He almost lost his family's ranch once. Let's see how he reacts when he's faced with losing his home again."

"That'll take time."

"No excuses. He needs to learn who to get involved with and who to avoid." The lieutenant stared at the original Remington hanging on the wall of his library. He'd fed the story that his father had invested in Apple before the iPod to explain away the painting and the remodel. Anyone who counted believed him. "What about Blake's mother?"

"We checked out her house. Saw signs that she left in a hurry. Half-eaten breakfast, back door unlocked."

"Stake it out. Take care of her. Blake needs to know we mean business." He swirled a hundred-year-old finger of cognac. Now down to the real business. The real risk to everything he'd built. "Whose bright idea was it to send our man to blow up Vince's house with Blake and the Hawthorne woman inside?"

The phone went silent. The lieutenant smiled. Fear and uncertainty were great motivators.

"You said you wanted the boy alive and the evidence destroyed. Blake and Amanda were expendable."

Johnson was so easily intimidated. His voice trembled. It should.

"The situation has changed. Who ordered it? No, let me guess. Farraday likes large fires and explosions. He doesn't know the meaning of the word subtle. You inform him he gets a free pass this time. One more mistake, though, and he pays."

Johnson cleared his throat. "Sir, this is getting out of hand."

"Do I pay you to think?"

"No, sir."

The lieutenant could picture the wimp cringing. One thing about Farraday, he might barrel in, but he had some guts. Johnson's conscience put him on a suspect list that made the lieutenant's gut burn.

"I didn't think so. Our forensic computer expert found some very interesting evidence in my system." He rose and hurled the priceless crystal tumbler into the fire. Flames flared as the cognac hit.

"We have a mole. You and Farraday wouldn't have any idea about that, would you?"

"No, sir." Johnson's voice shook.

"Change of plans," the lieutenant barked. "I need to know who betrayed me. I need the evidence. I want them alive--for now. And Johnson, keep Farraday under control. You're partners. What happens to one, happens to the other."

"But--"

"No excuses. I'm taking care of your loose ends. By tomorrow night, we'll have Redmond and the Hawthornes cornered. Amanda Hawthorne's life on the run won't end well. Sometimes, the good guys have to shoot to kill.

"Before they die, though, we get what we want. If they don't give us the evidence..." the lieutenant paused "...we take them apart piece by piece until they do. Starting with the boy. A few screams from her kid should convince even Blake to spill his guts."

*

AMANDA TOOK ONE LAST LOOK at Ethan snuggled in bed with Leo at his side. He would miss the dog. Maybe, once they settled... She closed the door quietly not wanting to think about the future ahead of them.

"Is he out?"

She started at Blake's voice but nodded. "He's had a long day."

"I contacted Logan. He's looking into the boots."

Amanda didn't want to face Blake. She knew what she had to do, and he wouldn't like it. She didn't respond to him; she simply shrugged into the oversize coat and walked onto the back porch. The chill of the night stung her cheeks.

Blake followed as she expected. She could feel the warmth of his body standing too close behind her. Everything was happening so fast. Her life falling apart, but more than that, the way Blake had wrapped himself around her heart. She'd miss his nearness. Even preparing for a confrontation, she took comfort in his strong presence.

She stared into the night, the stars glittering like twinkling diamonds on an endless black field. "Ethan and I are taking off in the morning," she said, her voice a whisper, although the words shouted into the dark.