Cowboy In The Crossfire(43)

"I'm handling it," Blake said, even though his lips still tasted of Amanda's sweetness. "Why did you really call?"

"Received a message from Shaun O'Connor. He wants to talk."

"I know him. Thought he was a good cop. But I thought Vince was a good cop, too."

"He says there's some bad stuff coming down. That he has information."

Blake's hair stood up on the back of his neck. Could this be a break? "What do you think? He on the right side?"

"My sources say he's straight. Then again, my sources don't know who the mastermind is."

Blake scratched his chin. He didn't want to get Amanda's hopes up. If the lead panned out, he might be able to end this without causing her more disappointment. He looked back toward the house. "How secure is this phone, Logan?"

"My technogeek expert guaranteed it can't be traced. Except by him."

"Is he that good?"

"I hired him."

"Give me his number. I'll set up a meet."





Chapter Ten


Ethan tugged on Amanda's shirt as she slipped bread in the toaster. "Where's Sheriff Blake going?"

She ruffled her son's head and scanned him up and down. "Don't even think about heading to that barn. It's cold and I see your bare toes."

He wiggled his feet and clutched the dog's fur. "Leo doesn't have shoes."

"He always has a coat. Now scoot. Get dressed, and by the time you get back I'll have breakfast."

"What if I--"

"The sheriff is doing important work."

She rifled through the freezer and found some sliced ham, defrosted it and set the meat on to cook. If they stayed here much longer, they'd have to make a run for supplies.

With a quick flip, their breakfast started to sizzle. Amanda shifted the kitchen curtains aside. Blake had left the barn door slightly open, but she couldn't see him.

If he did chores, wouldn't the teenager the Maddoxes paid notice? She bit her lip. Blake had been so careful keeping them hidden.

As she considered going outside, Ethan scurried into the kitchen, dressed and hungry, Leo at his heels. After she'd fed him, she took another look out the window.

"Can I go outside?" Ethan pleaded.

She sighed. "Sorry, little man. How about we set up a fort in your room?"

"Will you play with me?"

"For a while."

Amanda helped Ethan make the tent, and soon her son and Leo were defending the world against the bad guys.

She knelt beside the draped blanket. "You promise not to go outside unless you tell me?"

Ethan looked up at her and nodded while he tied a sheet around Leo's neck, turning the patient dog into a superhero.

"Okay, then. I'll be in the other room."

He didn't answer, and Amanda closed the door behind her. Blake hadn't come back. With a sigh she veered to the kitchen to grab some coffee, then paused by Maddox's office. A computer sat on the desk.

She stopped and stared at the machine. Had Vince sent her clues in the emails over the last few months that she hadn't recognized? They were few and far between, but maybe, just maybe.

Blake hadn't come back from the barn, but partners didn't sit around and wait. She had to prove to Blake she could help. She settled in front of the keyboard, booted up the machine and typed in the web-mail address that Vince had set up for her when she moved in.

She scanned the emails. Tons of junk mail. Typical.

Then Vince's name popped up. Her heart twisted, flashing on her last memory of him. Lying in a pool of blood. She shook away the image.

"Oh, Vince. Help me. Please."

She did a double take. The email was unread. She glanced at the time. Just one day before he'd been killed.

With a shuddering breath she opened the message.

I love you, Sis. Tell Blake I'm sorry.

And a link.

Her heart thudding, she clicked on it. A dialogue box popped up requesting a password.

She entered the only one she had--her email password.

A large warning message flashed on the screen.

You have entered an incorrect password. After three attempts, this file will be destroyed.

Amanda stared at the words. If Vince hadn't used that password, what could he have used? She was no computer expert. And she'd used up one attempt. Blake would be furious. They were supposed to work together.

After a quick check on Ethan, who now had the long-suffering dog in a makeshift jail, she grabbed her coat and trudged into the freezing cold to the barn.

As she slipped through the open door, she caught sight of Blake's backside, and his broad shoulders covered by the shearling coat. She knew what was under his clothes. He looked better without them.

Blake slapped a harness hanging on the wall. "If I bring her and the boy in, what guarantee do I have?"

The words punched Amanda in the gut. No. It wasn't possible. Blake couldn't be arranging to turn them in. She'd believed him. She'd bought every line he'd sold. She'd made love with him. She rushed over and grabbed the phone, quickly ending the call. "What are you doing? What happened to partners? You lied to me?"

He winced at the accusation but didn't deny it. "I was trying to find a way to keep you safe."