The Sheriff

Chapter Three

“I’ve told you several times now, I’m not sure what rammed me off the road. It had to be a chopper, but the lights blinded me and I never got a good look at what model.”

Everyone seemed to know the man who had brought Andrea to the hospital. He leaned his broad shoulders against the wall closest to the door. He’d scribbled notes and asked questions while the doctors looked her over. And almost every other sentence had been spent correcting someone congratulating him for his new position as sheriff.

Pardon, acting sheriff.

A sprained wrist, a minor concussion and dirty clothes, that was the extent of her accident injuries. Her favorite jeans were ruined. Not to mention Sharon’s car.

The nurse said she could get her a hospital gown, but the good-looking deputy hadn’t offered to leave the room while she changed. Ruined and filthy clothes would just have to do. She’d feel too open and exposed in front of Acting Sheriff Pete Morrison.

It was hardly fair to have such an attractive lawman interrogating her. It made her mind wander to forbidden topics, so it was much safer to remain completely covered.

“How tall are you?” he asked, flipping another page in his notebook.

“Five-nine. How could that be important?” As tall as she was, she’d have to tiptoe to kiss him. What was wrong with her thinking? Had she hit her head a little too hard? Of course she had. Hello. Concussion!

“Just being thorough.”

She watched him sort of hide a grin, draw his brows together in concentration and drop his gaze to her chest. So he’d noticed the pink bra? No worries. Why? Because he’s extremely cute, that’s why.

“You’re certain you didn’t hear anything? The man who ‘came from the desert,’ as you put it, he didn’t say anything?” he asked.

“I don’t think so. By the way, how is that guy doing? Is he still in surgery? I keep asking, but no one seems to know anything about him. This is the only hospital, right?”

The nurse looked confused when Andrea had asked earlier. This time she turned to the sheriff, who shook his head, then shrugged. Everyone coming into the room had looked to the young sheriff for permission to speak and been denied.

“Can you tell us who your friend is?” he asked, flashing bright blue eyes her direction.

“Check your notes, Sheriff Morrison. I’m certain I told you he wasn’t my friend. That was sometime between having my temperature taken and my wrist x-rayed.”

“Yes, ma’am, you did say that.” The sheriff looked at his notes and flipped to the previous page. “No need to call me Sheriff. Pete will do.”

“Guess there’s nothing wrong with her memory, Pete,” the nurse said as she continued to wrap Andrea’s left hand, pausing several times to smile at the hunky man.

Andrea had regained consciousness in the emergency room with a horrible smell wafting under her nose. It wasn’t her first time for smelling salts. She’d gotten rammed a couple of times as a shortstop on the softball field in college. She could just imagine what her mother would say when she told her parents about this sprain. Peggy Allen would be glad her daughter was uninjured and it was simply a miracle how her middle daughter had managed to avoid a car accident until the ripe old age of twenty-six.

Not a miracle to her father, who had taught her how to drive like a naval aviator late for a launch at NASA. That was a phone call she dreaded. At least it could wait until morning. No sense worrying her parents tonight.

“How’s that, Miss Allen?” the nurse asked, securing the last bit of elastic bandage around her wrist. Miraculously—to use her mother’s word—the slight ache was the only pain she experienced. Other than a headache from the concussion.

“Great. Thanks. Can I go now?”

“I just need to get the doctor’s signature and I can get your discharge papers.” The nurse put her supplies away, smiled prettily again at the annoying officer. “See you, Pete.”

“What’s your hurry?” the good-looking man asked as she left.

At first she thought he was flirting with the nurse. He dipped his dimpled chin, raised his eyebrows, expectantly waiting...

“Oh, you mean me? I’m not overly fond of hospitals.” Oh, Lordy, he really had a dimpled chin. She was a sucker for that little cleft under rugged, nice lips. Whoa.

How could his straight brows rise even higher? It was as if getting asked a question made him feel guilty for not answering, or he assumed she’d seen a lot of hospitals. Either way, she immediately regretted giving the officer any insight into her character. “The answer to your question, Sheriff, is no. I haven’t escaped from a loony bin. I told you, I’m a PhD candidate working at the McDonald Observatory.”

“I didn’t say a word.”

“Your face says enough without your lips moving.” She covered her mouth with her good hand to make herself shut up. The annoying man just laughed and grinned even bigger. “What are you waiting on, anyway? I told you I can phone and get a ride home. The student I was covering for is already in Alpine. Somewhere.”

He pulled a cell from his pocket. “Use mine.”

She held her hand out, wincing at the soreness already setting into her muscles. It didn’t matter, she had no idea what Sharon’s number was without recovering her cell from the Viewing Area.

“I don’t know her number.”

She hated to think what a cab ride to the north side of Fort Davis would cost. If they even had cabs in Alpine, Texas, that traveled the fifty miles or so outside the city. She’d probably have to bribe the driver by paying him double.

“We tried to locate the owner of the car, but the listing is in Austin.”

“I did mention she’s a student.”

He stood straighter, slipping the cell back in his chest pocket. “To answer your question, I’m still here because I need your official statement and I thought you might need a ride back to wherever you’re staying in Fort Davis.”

“Oh. Thanks. That’s very considerate of you. I’m at the observatory, actually. I guess you do things differently here.”

“Spent a lot of time with the law back home?”

She just stared at him. The man was actually being extremely nice. And seemed to be charming. Part of his expressive nature, she surmised.

“We’d never get along.” She clamped her hand over her mouth again.

“I don’t know about that. I like a woman who speaks her mind. Kinda refreshing.”

“They gave me a pain pill. It must have gone straight to my mouth.”

He nodded and covered a grin by rubbing long fingers over his lips. “I was here before the pain pill. You weren’t exactly holding back then, either.”

For some reason she wanted to push her hands through his slightly mussed hair and see the sandy waviness up close. Wow. What had the doctors given her to make her think like this? She had to remain professional.

“Do you think I did something wrong, Sheriff?”

“Miss Allen—”

“Please, my name’s Andrea.” She checked out her torn black jeans and ragged undershirt still stained with blood, not feeling like a Miss anything.

“Andrea. We’ve done some checking.”

“Don’t tell me, there weren’t any planes or helicopters flying in that area. So I actually saw a UFO.” She was trying to be cutesy or sarcastic or just funny. A giggle even escaped, but the expression on the officer’s face didn’t indicate that he was laughing with her. In fact, he looked dead serious. “I’m joking, you know.”

“You did mention that aliens were chasing you.”

“I was referring to illegal immigrants. Or maybe I was just delirious from being knocked out cold. I never once seriously thought I was being chased by an extraterrestrial, something foreign to this modern age of flying machines. I study the stars. I don’t live in them.” Exhausted, she wanted to lie back on the examining table and sleep. “I’m here working on my last dissertation.”

The room tilted. Or maybe she did. It was hard to tell. She was conscious of falling, knew it was about to happen before it did. The heaviness of her arms prevented her from stopping herself. She didn’t hit the floor.

Instead, a firm grip kept her in place, then lowered her to the pillow.

He had the best hands. Strong, short practical nails. Firm. And she shouldn’t forget how quick. He’d taken a step and caught her as she swayed.

“Maybe we should talk later?”

“I’m sorry, Sheriff.” She rubbed her head and winced at the little bump. “I’m...sort...of...woozy.”

“Not a problem. I’m not going anywhere. And it’s Pete.”

“I’m Andrea.” She could really get into liking that mouth of his. “You have a super-cute smile. Did I—” A yawn escaped and she almost couldn’t remember what she was saying. “Oh, yeah. Did I tell you I like your smile?”

“I think you did, Miss Allen. I think you need to get some shut-eye.”

She turned into his hand, still holding her shoulder. She caught a clean, musky scent before letting her heavy eyelids close and stay that way. “Can’t think of a better place to do it.”

* * *

THE SHERIFF WHO’D taken Andrea’s statement stood outside the door, which was open just a crack. The person he spoke to was in scrubs. Maybe the nurse who’d checked her out earlier, maybe someone new. Shoot, it could be the doctor there to discharge her. She didn’t know. She grabbed the side of the bed and began pushing herself upright, jerking to a stop as a hiss of pain whistled between her teeth.

“Wow, that really hurts.” Her wrist was bandaged. Funny, she could remember everything except that her wrist was sprained.

“I’m headed back to the scene,” Pete said. “I’m waiting on the local PD who are going to stay with Miss Allen until we have a few more facts.”

“What if we need the room?”

“Mrs. Yardly, it might be a Friday night in downtown Alpine, but when was the last time the ER filled up?”

The casual stance and charm disappeared quickly as a balding man approached, flipping open a flat wallet. The kind she’d seen many times before.

The Suit Man seemed to have no personality. He wasn’t attempting to make friends. His straight, thin lips never curved into an approachable welcome. “Steven Manny, Department of Homeland Security. I’m here for Andrea Allen.”

“I was told local police would be here to escort her to the observatory,” the sheriff answered, shifting his right hand near the top of his gun.

“I have a few questions and will make certain she gets returned to her residence. You’re relieved.” A light knuckle tap on the door and Suit Man walked inside. “Miss Allen, are you ready?”

She nodded but locked eyes with Pete, silently imploring the sheriff not to leave her alone. Before she verbalized the words, he stepped into the room behind the new guy and closed the door.

“She passed out a few minutes ago and they’re not ready to discharge her.”

“We understand your concern, but we’re moving. Now. Miss Allen.” He gestured for her to head to the door.

As anxious as she was to escape the hospital before landing in Pete’s arms, she was scared to leave without him. The guy demanding she put on her shoes wasn’t the average government-issued suit.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“That’s classified.”

“I won’t tell anyone.” Pete seemed taller, firmer. He waved his hand for her to stay put. “Think you can give me another look at your badge?”

When Pete took another step, ready to do battle, the Suit shoved his forearm across the sheriff’s windpipe. Andrea jumped to her feet to help but received a backhand with the Suit’s free arm, knocking her across the small emergency room bed.

Pete was no slouch. He was younger, three or four inches taller and in really good shape. His strength kicked in and he shoved Suit Man straight into the path of her hospital-socked feet. Without shoes she couldn’t do much damage, but she did put a heel in Suit Man’s gut, hurtling him into the supply cabinet.

Pete was there, swung his left fist and connected with Suit Man’s jaw, sending him flying backward into the door. Her rescuer swung again, connected a second time. She recognized the panic in Suit Man’s eyes. He knew he’d failed.

Suit Man had something in one hand and the other hand on the door handle.

“Watch out!” she yelled.

Pete ducked, but she couldn’t get out of the path. The metal hit her square in the ear, and she tumbled to the linoleum.

There was some yelling, really close to her ear, but the world was spinning sufficiently enough that it didn’t register. She saw the blur of black dress shoes running from the room. It was all she could do to focus on not passing out. Then the strong arms she admired lifted her to the table.

“Everything okay in here, Pete?” the voice she’d heard earlier from the hall asked through the intercom.

“Yardly, I need a doctor, and where’s security?”

“It’s just a bump. My ears are ringing. That’s all.” She’d seen double for a few seconds, but that had already passed. “What are you waiting for?”

A nurse and then a doctor entered. Pete slipped out, but she could hear his raised voice in the hall. She saw his phone to his ear. Watched him pace in front of the rectangle of a window and then speak with the doctor before coming back in the room.

“Why aren’t you chasing Suit Man?” she asked between the blood pressure cuff and insisting she was fine.

“You’re stuck with me while I ensure your safety. That’s your best option.” He didn’t seem at all satisfied being saddled with the position of her protector.

“I can wait for the police. There are plenty of people here. So go.”

“You’re serious?” He followed the nurse to the door, looked down the hall and slammed it shut. “Someone’s trying to kill you and you want me to leave you here, defenseless?”

“And I appreciate your saving me. Twice. But I can’t tell you anything else, so isn’t it more important to catch that creep and find clues at the accident?”

“The scene and Suit Man aren’t my priority. You are.”

She watched his Adam’s apple bob nicely as he swallowed hard. His blue eyes searched hers. If she’d known what he needed to hear, she would have said it. But she was a little frightened or worried or maybe just confused from the blow to her ear.

What was she thinking? These men had rammed her car off the road trying to kill her. Okay, technically, it was Sharon’s car. And in all probability, they had killed the man she’d been trying to help. She’d been knocked silly-unconscious by a complete stranger with really good counterfeit DHS credentials who also wasn’t afraid to show his face and try to kill her with security cameras everywhere.

“I’ll concede that you don’t know me, but I’m not defenseless.” The soreness in her jaw screamed otherwise. “He caught me off guard. That’s all. I can take care of myself.”

“Not tonight.” He stepped back, one hand going to his hip and the other pushing through a thick head of short, light brown hair. “I’m escorting you home until someone decides what to do with you. The local authorities will find Suit Man.”

“Are you sure about that?”

She’d lost her chance. He’d made his decision. And it was probably best. The only personal possessions she still had were her earphones. They’d hooked around her neck and somehow not fallen off. If she’d been alone when the Suit attacked, she would have been dead before she could press the nurse call button.

Or maybe worse. She might have actually been woozy enough to leave with him. Then what?

The sheriff opened the door. “Yardly!” The nurse he’d been speaking to came running. “We’re not waiting to give an incident report. We’re leaving. Do what you have to do to get us out of here. Now.”

“Well then...it isn’t just another boring Friday night, after all.”

Chapter Four

Pete kept Andrea Allen in sight through the sliver of an opening in the door. There weren’t any windows in the exam room, and he needed to keep an eye on her. Victim or perpetrator. He didn’t know if that was an unsuccessful rescue attempt or an averted abduction.

Whichever, something didn’t sit right and he wanted to know what she was doing. She was the prime suspect or witness in a man’s death.

“I’ve got things under control, Dad. I don’t need backup at the hospital. I’ll be gone before anyone can get here. We’re just waiting on a prescription. There’s nothing you can do. I know you’re already at the office. Just stay there and handle that end of things. When exactly did Peach call you?”

“Now, son, it’s no reflection on your abilities that she called. We’ve been working together for a couple of decades.”

When were any of his instructions going to be followed?

He’d been at the hospital almost three hours waiting on Andrea to be treated and discharged before Suit Man—it was as good a description as any—had shown up. And to get the okay for her to leave was taking a lot longer than he’d anticipated. The murderers seemed to be a lot more organized than the hospital staff, who couldn’t get them out the door.

“Who am I kidding? Peach called the real sheriff as soon as I reported the dead body. Right?” A guy who went missing by the time the ambulance showed up twenty minutes later.

“You are the sheriff now and never mind how long I’ve been here,” his father said, sounding wide-awake and probably on his third cup of coffee. He’d dodged answering like he usually did. “The picture you sent popped a red flag. I’m waiting on a call from the DEA and DHS.”

“You think this guy was working undercover?” His charge was lying on an ER bed, ice bag on her ear.

“Could be, Pete. They’re waking up some top-dog bureaucrat to get instructions. I don’t want the call to drop on my way out to the Viewing Area. But I want to take a look at that car before it disappears, too.”

“So you believe our Sleeping Beauty’s story about the flashing lights?” His dad would take over the crime scene while Pete babysat the witness. This night just kept getting better and better.

“Well, something’s not right. Dead bodies don’t just walk away. The paramedics are sure there was no sign of animal involvement?” his dad asked.

“They actually accused me of yanking their chain when they returned to the hospital.” A quick look into the room confirmed Andrea was still asleep, secure and safe.

“Then whoever was in the chopper chasing our witness didn’t want the body found.”

“Did Peach get anyone at the observatory to verify her ID?”

“Yeah, the director confirmed everything. She’s lucky you got there as soon as you did or she’d be dead twice over now. Don’t let her out of your sight until we get this thing figured out.”

“I hadn’t planned to. I know my job, Dad.” He wasn’t normally a pacer, but he couldn’t lean against the wall much longer. He looked at the nurses’ station, where there was still no sign of activity.

“You’ll make a fine replacement. I’m looking forward to sleeping in,” his dad said.

“That’ll never happen. You’ll just be at the café for breakfast earlier.” He left the replacement statement hanging. He couldn’t get into a conversation they’d been avoiding for almost six weeks while in the middle of what was becoming a major mess. “Listen, you know you’re supposed to take it easy. I’ll stop by the crash site on my way back.”

“I’m not an invalid.”

“You should be after a quadruple bypass.”

Andrea yanked the door open.

“He’s dead?” She was obviously panicked, more upset than she’d been earlier after the Suit had backhanded her jaw. “The man who stumbled out of the desert is dead? Did he die in the crash? Did I kill him?”

“Gotta run, Dad. Get a deputy there to pick you up. You shouldn’t be driving.” He slid the cell into his pocket and faced her. “I’m sorry you had to hear like that. How he died wasn’t clear when I viewed the body, so I don’t have the answer to your question.”