At the Crossroads (Buckhorn, Montana #3)(83)

She was still in the shop? It was getting dark. It wasn’t that long until they were supposed to be at her parents’ for dinner. He felt his concern jump when he reached the front door to find it locked.

He thought about breaking the glass but decided going in the back might be the smartest thing he could do. At this point, Alexis might not even be in trouble, he told himself even as his heart argued just the opposite. Something was wrong. He could feel it. He should never have let her go alone.

“DEPUTY CLINE,” ALEXIS said, surprised how calm her voice sounded since her heart felt as if it was about to burst from her chest. Helen looked terrified and with good reason. “You really shouldn’t be seeing me in my wedding dress.”

He looked confused as if Alexis hadn’t quite realized what was going on. He tightened his hold on Helen’s throat and shoved the blades of the scissors closer to her cheek. “I’ll kill her.” Helen began to cry, tears rolling down her cheeks, her lips quivering.

“Why would you do that?” Alexis asked. “Helen’s never done anything to you.”

“You almost killed me!” he cried, his voice shaking with anger. “You messed me up big-time. I... I can’t think straight. The doctor said I might never be able to think straight again.”

Alexis wondered if Cline had ever thought straight. “You kidnapped me.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t hurt you.”

“But now you’re threatening to hurt this woman who never did anything to you. Why don’t you let her go so you and I can settle this?” She saw him considering whether it was a trick. “I have no weapon. I’m in my wedding dress. What could I possibly do to you?” She could see that he still didn’t trust her. Maybe he wasn’t as injured as she thought.

His arm seemed to relax a little around Helen’s throat, the scissors not quite so close to her face. “They’re going to put me in prison because of you. They had me cuffed to a hospital bed.”

She hadn’t noticed the metal at his wrist until then. It made a tinkling sound, reminding her of the Christmas bells she’d heard ringing earlier. She had to swallow the lump in her throat at the thought but refused to let herself think of everything that would be lost here if this didn’t go her way. She couldn’t let him harm Helen. She thought of her gun on the upholstered bench only feet away in the changing room. But if she made a move for it, she couldn’t trust what Cline would do.

“This is between you and me, Terry,” she said as calmly as she could. “Let her go so we can finish this.”

WHEN CULHANE REACHED the alley entrance, he stopped to catch his breath. He could see where the lock had been broken. Pulling his weapon, he slowly eased the door open, hoping it didn’t make a sound.

It was dark back there in the storage area, but he could see a light in the distance. As he slipped in, he let the door close silently behind him. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust. He didn’t want to fall over any of the boxes stacked along each side as he moved cautiously forward.

He hadn’t gone far when he heard voices and someone sobbing. His heart dropped. He’d been right to come here. He’d been right about there being trouble. He knew who he’d find in the next room. He just prayed he could get Alexis out of it alive.

As quietly as possible, he crept toward the sound of the voices as he tried to make out who was talking. He was rewarded by hearing Alexis’s. It was strong and assured. He smiled inwardly at the thought of her.

It was the other voice he heard that had anger welling up like lava from inside him. He told himself he couldn’t blame Garwood for this, even though he did. Garwood cultivated men like Terrance Cline for his dirty work. He brought out the worst in them and then cut them loose on society.

He stepped closer until he could see through a gap in the doorway into the dressing-room area. Cline had his back to him, one arm locked around a gray-haired woman’s neck and a pair of large scissors in his other hand that he was using to threaten both women.

What Culhane couldn’t see was Alexis. She must have been in one of the fitting rooms beyond his view. He understood now why Alexis’s voice had sounded so reasonable. She was trying to get Cline to release the woman.

“Let Helen go,” Alexis said. “Your problem is with me.”

“Why don’t I just kill you both?” Cline asked. “My life is over. What do I care?” He tightened his hold on the older woman making her cry out.

Culhane realized he couldn’t get a clear shot from where he was. He could try to get closer, but if Cline heard him coming, there was no guessing what the man might do. Clearly he had nothing to lose at this point.

He frowned, wondering if Alexis had her gun. He told himself that he knew this woman. She would have done what he’d asked her. She’d have the weapon. But if she were wearing her wedding dress right now, she wouldn’t have it on. However, if it was within reach... She would have already gone for it, possibly.

But maybe she couldn’t reach it without a distraction.

Culhane knew he was gambling on knowing his bride-to-be. If she had her weapon with her in the dressing room like he suspected, then she was just waiting for an opening.

Praying he was right, he looked around for something he could use to give her that opening.

ALEXIS COULD FEEL everything going south. Cline was starting to lose it. He was realizing what his future held. He was already in so much trouble that his injured mind was telling him that another two deaths wouldn’t matter.