At the Crossroads (Buckhorn, Montana #3)(68)

Furu stuffed a glove into her mouth, making her choke. He grabbed her arm and shoved her toward his SUV parked nearby. She stumbled along with him prodding her if she moved too slowly.

What happened now? That’s what she kept asking herself. She might have killed Cline. Just because he’d been breathing when they’d left him didn’t mean he would survive without medical attention—and soon—given the temperature. Nor had she heard Furu make a call for an ambulance.

Was that why Furu was in such a bad mood? Was he worried about what the sheriff would do? What could he do? Earlier Furu had let her talk to Culhane—only long enough that he knew she was alive. They must be setting up a trade. Her for the necklace? What about Jana? Was she part of the deal?

She knew Culhane would never go for that. He wouldn’t risk another life even to save hers and his own. Surely Culhane knew that he couldn’t trust the sheriff not to renege on the deal. No way was Garwood going to let them live.

At the SUV, Furu opened the side door and shoved her in. She fell awkwardly to the floor face-first and became trapped between the front and rear seats.

“Stay there.” He didn’t have to say or else. The or else was in his tone, in the way he slammed the door.

He climbed behind the wheel to start the engine. As he pulled away, he turned on the radio. A Christmas song came on, reminding her how close it was to the holiday. She hadn’t shopped yet for Culhane.

Tears burned her eyes at the thought of how excited she’d been. This was to be their first Christmas together as a couple. Culhane had talked about them getting a tree, but neither of their apartments was large enough for much of a tree.

“You’ve never gotten a tree for your apartment before,” she’d said. “Why now?”

“Because I want to start the tradition with you and me.”

She recalled that feeling that had rushed through her veins and warmed her all over. He’d moved closer, drawing her to him for a kiss. “This is the first year that I’m actually looking forward to the holidays.”

That day now seemed like it had been months ago instead of only days.

The song ended as Furu turned onto what sounded like a busy highway and sped up.

CULHANE CLIMBED OUT of the pickup and into the cold morning air. The hard ground crunched under his boots as he stuffed his gun into his jacket pocket, curling his palm around the grip, a finger on the trigger. Gloveless, he put his other hand in his pocket with the necklace.

He knew Garwood would want to see the necklace before any exchange was made. He also knew that the sheriff wasn’t above killing him for it.

As he approached, he could see his breath. The sun was at his back. Garwood stood in profile as if more interested in the river. Culhane wasn’t fooled. Out of the corner of his eye, he kept watch for movement. He didn’t trust this man any farther than he could throw him. Garwood wouldn’t come alone. Then again, his boys probably had Alexis. Maybe the sheriff had run out of those deputies who would do anything for him—especially if murder was involved.

He stopped a good distance from the sheriff. He’d seen the man at the firing range. He was deadly with a handgun. But not at this distance.

“Culhane, I wasn’t sure you would show up,” the man called, turning only his head to look at him. “Did you bring it?” Was he afraid of turning broadside because it made him an easier target? Garwood had also seen him shoot at the firing range so he should have been worried.

“Where’s Alexis?” he called, their voices echoing off the silos.

“She’ll be here.” The sheriff glared at him.

“In case you’re worried, I’m not wearing a wire. I don’t even have my phone with me so you can be honest. If you remember how.”

“You really enjoy taunting me, don’t you?” the sheriff said.

“You’re a corrupt cop, so yes. You are everything I despise. It’s my duty to try to get some justice—especially for Jana.”

“Jana? So she is dead. I didn’t know you cared,” Garwood shot back.

Culhane was fine with letting the sheriff believe Jana was dead. He feared what the man might do if he learned the truth. That Jana was not in the custody of the FBI.

“Sadly, Jana didn’t realize that making a deal with you was like making one with the devil. Have you ever kept your word about anything?”

The sheriff laughed. “You made a deal with me, Culhane. The necklace for your... Alexis. Let’s see it.”

“Not until I see Alexis. It’s only fair—a word you aren’t familiar with.”

Garwood shook his head angrily. Clearly Culhane was getting under the man’s skin. They both had so much to lose, but the sheriff was on his heels. If the necklace surfaced—especially publicly, then his life as he knew it would come crashing down. Garwood might be able to wiggle out of it. He was adept at lying. But Jana could seal his fate, putting the last nail in the coffin with her testimony. What Garwood didn’t know was that Culhane had even more to lose.

ALEXIS THREW UP in the back of the SUV, making Furu swear as he drove.

“Carsick,” she said, not wanting him or his boss to know what was really going on with her. “Sorry.”

Furu didn’t say anything for a long while. “I used to get carsick when I was a kid,” he finally said, sounding almost compassionate. “It drove my father wild. He thought I should be able to control it.”