Car lights, moving slowly up the winding gravel road toward the cabin.
Oh, God, she whispered.
He watched for a second to make sure the lights were actually coming toward them. How much traffic does this area usually see at this time of year?
Angie said not a lot. There arent any cabins between here and the road, and none beyond here. Her voice sounded small and scared, catching him by surprise. To this point, shed been tough as rawhide, taking on everything thrown at her with pluck and grit. He turned to look at her in the pale glow of moonlight. She looked tiny. Fragile.
The way shed looked the first day he met her.
He knew better, now. He knew there were more layers to her than just the wounded bird who needed a little tenderness and patience to thrive.
But God help him, she could still get to him in spite of everything.
He touched her cheek. Its going to be okay.
She put her hand over his. What are we going to do?
He pulled her inside the cabin and shut the door, locking it behind them. The flood of adrenaline coursing through his veins started to clear the cobwebs from his sleepy brain. We have a few minutes. I need you to go to your room, put on extra clothing. Grab anything we can carry on us-matches, snack bars, whatever. I dont know if were going to have to make a run for it without the truck, but we better be prepared. Got it?
She nodded and hurried off to the bedroom.
He crossed to the window and moved the curtains aside, peering out at the lights moving closer, and prayed those headlights belonged to a tourist whod taken a wrong turn.
JANE RETURNED to the great room to find Joe shrugging on his heavy suede jacket. Hed already put on his shirt and boots. She didnt see his gun anywhere, but she knew it had to be within reach.
Outside, the low growl of the car engine continued its inexorable approach. Its my fault, isnt it? she murmured. For calling Doris.
We dont know that, he answered, even though she could tell he thought she was right. He didnt seem angry about it, though.
The sound of the engine grew louder, then suddenly died. Jane met Joes gaze, her heart pounding.
The knock on the door made her whole body jerk.
Shh, he murmured.
Maybe if we dont answer theyll go away.
I dont think so, he whispered. That doesnt sound like a tourist.
The next knock proved him right. Smith County Sheriffs Department!
Jane tried to calm her racing heart.
Joe looked at her. Two tourists, vacationing in the mountains, he whispered. Thats all we are.
Why dont you flash your badge and tell em to butt out of your investigation?
He grinned a little at that. Thatll be plan B. He flicked on the light and crossed to the door as their visitors knocked a third time.
He opened the door a crack. What is it?
Smith County Sheriffs Department. May we come in?
Can I see your identification? Joe asked.
Can I see your identification? Joe asked.
Jane heard a rustle of movement and caught a flash of metal in the narrow opening of the doorway.
Joe looked the badges over carefully for a moment, then stepped back. How can I help you?
Two deputies in tan uniforms stepped inside the cabin. The taller of the two tipped his hat at Jane. Im Deputy Lowell. This is Deputy Garland.
A nervous bubble of laughter caught in Janes throat at the polite introduction, so at odds with the terrified tension that had her wrapped up in knots.
Weve had a citizen issue a complaint against a Mrs. Sarah Holbrook, and he told us we could find her here. Garland, the shorter deputy, looked pointedly at Jane.
I dont know any Sarah Holbrook, she blurted.
Neither do I, Joe agreed. What sort of complaint?
Armed robbery. He said Mrs. Holbrook pulled a knife on him and stole his car and several thousand dollars in cash. Garland took a step toward Jane. Whats your name, maam?
Jane, she answered.
Last name?
Jane looked at Joe. He gave a little nod, and she answered, Doe.
Garlands eyebrow ticked upward.
She has amnesia, Joe said.
Both Garland and Lowell stiffened at his words. Garlands hand dropped to his hip holster as he exchanged a look with his partner.
Im going to have to ask you to put your hands up against the wall, maam, Garland said, motioning toward the wall by the fireplace.
Whats this about? Joe asked, taking a step forward. Lowell put out his arm, blocking him. Joe turned toward the deputy, his face flushed with anger. You dont know what youre doing here. This woman is not who youre looking for.
How do you know? You said she had amnesia, Lowell responded, drawing his weapon.
Joe held up his hands. Im a cop, thats why. Let me get my identification out of my pocket.
That wont be necessary, a new voice interrupted from the doorway.
Janes body stiffened at the familiar tone, her heart lurching to a stop before skittering into hyperdrive. She forced her gaze upward.
A tall, sandy-haired man in a black overcoat moved unhurriedly into the cabin, his gaze seeking Janes. He locked eyes with her, a slow, satisfied smile creeping over his full lips as he saw that she recognized him.
Hello, Sarah, he said.
He was clean-shaven and well-dressed now, but shed remember those cold blue eyes till the day she died.
He was the man whod killed Angie.
Chapter Eight
Joe looked from the newcomer to Jane, taking in the look of horror on her face. The hair on the back of his neck rose. Would someone like to tell me what the hells going on?
Mr. Holbrook, you were supposed to wait in the car, Deputy Garland gave the man a stern look, but Holbrook didnt even look at him. His gaze remained fixed on Janes pale face.
Joe stepped between Jane and Holbrook, blocking her from his view. Whos Sarah? he asked.
Holbrook looked at him through narrowed eyes. This woman. My wife. Im Clint Holbrook, Sarahs husband. His voice softened. Shes not a stable woman. You realize that, dont you?
Thats enough, Mr. Holbrook. Deputy Lowell moved in close, taking Joes arm. Sir, were taking Mrs. Holbrook in for questioning. Im afraid well have to ask you to come in with us, as well.
On what charge?
Right now, its just for questioning, Garland answered in a soothing tone Joe knew well. It only served to irritate him.
Im a policeman. I know how this works, and I want to know what this man told you to get you out here in the middle of the night instead of waiting until morning. And how had he found them? Had Janes friend Doris spilled the beans?
Sarah has already shown herself to be a flight risk, Holbrook answered smoothly. Havent you, darling?
Joe felt the heat of Janes body as she moved up behind him. She curled her fingers in the back of his shirt, just above where his Colt nestled in the waistband of his jeans.
Hes the one who killed Angie, she said, her voice low and strangled.
Joe looked up at Holbrook, trying to square him with the description Jane had given to Hank Trent. Add a beard, mustache and a baseball cap, put him in all-black clothing-
My wife is delusional, Mr.-? Holbrook paused, waiting for Joe to supply his name.
Joe didnt bite, pretty sure that Holbrook, whoever he was, already knew Joes name and probably a whole lot more about him. He turned to the two deputies. Mr. Holbrook is wanted in Trinity, Idaho, for questioning in a murder.
Garland and Lowell exchanged glances. He told us youd say that.
Im afraid the man has been infected by my wifes paranoia. Holbrooks voice was tinged with a hint of sadness. He met Joes gaze, a triumphant light burning in the blue depths of his eyes. You see, shes a very sick woman. Paranoid schizophrenia. She needs to be in a hospital, not in a cabin in the wilderness.
Janes fingers tightened their grip on Joes shirt.
I suppose you have proof of what youre saying? Joe asked, fairly sure the man would produce papers to support his statement. Clint Holbrook looked like the kind of man who tied up all his loose ends.
Of course. Ive shown them to the deputies.
We dont want a mess here, Lowell said, looking warily from Joe to Clint Holbrook.
We cant go with them. Janes voice trembled. He felt her scoot closer to him.
The two deputies exchanged a look, and Joe realized how out of proportion Janes fear probably seemed to them. It made her seem irrational. They probably thought he was just as irrational for indulging her fears.
They were wrong. He had a gouge in his side to prove it. And hed seen Angela Carlyles body. Jane couldnt have slit her throat that way, but Clint Holbrook couldve.
Proving it, however, was another matter altogether. And in the meantime, there were two suspicious sheriffs deputies looking for a reason to truss him up like a turkey and run him in.
He turned to Jane. We have to do this. He tried to communicate calm through his gaze and in the tone of his voice, but the panic in her eyes remained. The deputies will help us sort things out.
Janes expression hardened to a cold mask. Nobody can help me, she murmured. Her voice sounded distant, as if she werent even here in the room with him anymore. It sent another shudder rippling down his spine.
Suddenly, she wheeled and ran for the back of the cabin, catching everyone by surprise. Joe started after her, but behind him, Holbrook shouted, Gun!
Someone hit Joe from behind, slamming him into the cabin wall. He gasped as pain rocketed through his injured side, robbing him of breath. He felt an arm press against his neck, pushing his face into the wall.
Dont you move! Deputy Lowell growled in his ear. He reached under Joes shirt and pulled the Colt from his waistband, laying it on the side table next to them.
I told you Im a cop! Joe protested.
Just hold still-
Joe heard Jane cry out from the back of the cabin. Jane! he called, his own panic starting to rise. Where was Holbrook? Was he back there with her?
Joe tried to turn his head to locate the man, but Lowell pushed his face back into the wall. I said hold still!
She tried to bite me! Garlands indignant voice rang out in the hallway, followed by the sounds of a struggle.
She tried to bite me! Garlands indignant voice rang out in the hallway, followed by the sounds of a struggle.
Jane! Joe called out, needing to hear her answer.