A Promise to Protect (Logan Point Book #2): A Novel (5 page)

Of course she didn’t. Leigh clenched her jaw, sending a spasm down her neck. Deputy Jenkins was entirely too complacent. He could at least sound worried. “But what if whoever did this goes to the babysitter’s house? He may even be there now.”

“Ben sent a county constable over there. He’ll contact the sheriff if anything unusual shows up.”

Fear’s grip on her heart loosened a little, but she still wanted TJ with her. Then again, she didn’t want to scare him. And showing up at Jenny’s house with a strange man wearing a gun . . . that would definitely freak TJ out.

She sank into the overstuffed chair and rubbed the bridge of her nose. No need to add that to her Bad Mom column. Along with uprooting him and bringing him to Logan Point. Only last week, she’d overheard him confide in Bear that he missed Miss Sarah and his friends. Sarah. She needed to call her, tell her about Tony.

Leigh turned her head toward the window as tires crunched in the drive. “Maybe that’s Ben.” Or the shooter returning. Her heart lodged in her throat.

“I got this,” Jenkins called to the deputy in the kitchen. He eased to the window and looked out. “Ian and Danny Maxwell.”

She took a shaky breath and rose. “Tony’s bosses. Let them in.”

The other deputy stood guard beside Leigh as Jenkins opened the door before they knocked. “Come in, gentlemen.”

Ian stepped through the doorway first, his brows knit into question marks over his light blue eyes. “Leigh, what’s going on? Are the deputies here because of what happened to Tony?”

Danny was right behind him, a slightly taller and heavier version of his cousin with high cheekbones and blond hair but with darker blue eyes. “Are you all right?”

Unexpected tears sprang to Leigh’s eyes, and she blinked them back. “I’m okay now. How did you find out about Tony?”

Ian was beside her in an instant, clasping her hands in his own. “When Tony didn’t show up this morning, I called his cell phone,
and it went to voice mail. Then Danny came in and said he’d heard Tony was killed last night. Why didn’t you call?”

It had never occurred to her. “I . . . his death was such a shock . . . then the house . . . shooting this morning—”

“Shooting? What are you talking about?”

She pressed her hand against her head. “Someone ransacked the house last night. Ben thinks the person was looking for some flash drive that Tony had.” She swallowed, remembering the sound of gunfire. “This morning someone tried to kill me.”

“What!” they said in unison.

Leigh caught her breath. The words had tumbled from her mouth, and now tremors started in her shoulders and worked through her body. Tony’s death, the shooting this morning—nothing seemed real until this very minute. It was as if suddenly her mind comprehended that Tony was gone and nothing would ever be the same.

Ian wrapped his arm around her and guided her to the couch. His concern set off her tears, and she buried her face in his shoulder, inhaling the faint fragrance of sandalwood cologne. It reminded her of the fragrance Tony wore. She couldn’t stop the flow of tears.

“It’s going to be okay, Leigh.” Ian patted her shoulder. “But you can’t stay here. You need to be somewhere safe.”

She pulled away from him. Black mascara streaked his white dress shirt, and she pressed her fingers against her lips. “I’ve ruined your shirt. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t worry—it’s washable. Let’s talk about a place for you to stay. I have a condo and a house sitting empty, and it won’t take but a couple of days to get either one ready. Take your pick.”

She dabbed her eyes with a tissue he handed her. “I want to stay here. My son’s life is going to be disrupted enough when he learns Tony died.”

Danny cleared his throat. “You said something about Tony and a flash drive. What was on it?”

A nerve pinched in her neck, and she massaged the knotted
muscles. “I don’t know. Ben thinks it’s important to find it, though. But why would someone try to kill me because of it? None of this makes sense.” More tears flowed. Why couldn’t she quit crying? She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Why would anyone want to kill Tony in the first place?”

“That’s what I want to know,” Ben said.

Leigh turned toward the door as Ben entered the house like a bull elephant. She hadn’t heard him drive up.

Ian stood and held out his hand. “Sheriff, I’m so glad you were here this morning.”

Danny nodded curtly.

The Golden Boy. Danny’s nickname from high school stirred in her memory. The three of them graduated together three years after Ian. Tension mounted in the room as Ben took Ian’s outstretched hand and barely acknowledged Danny. So their rivalry had carried beyond high school.

Ben eyed the two men. “Which one of you employed Billy Wayne Gresham?”

Ian straightened the cuff on his dress shirt. “Billy Wayne? He maintains our computer system.”

Danny tilted his head. “You said employed, as in past tense.”

“He just wrapped his motorcycle around that oak tree in the big curve on Highway 310. Dead at the scene. We found a Sub-2000 and two 9 mm magazines in his saddlebag.”

Leigh gasped. “Is he the one who shot at us?”

“Possibly. Unfortunately, he died, so I can’t ask him.”

She pressed her fist against her mouth. First Tony and now another death. This Gresham man had tried to kill her, but she couldn’t help but feel pain for those he left behind. She didn’t want anyone to hurt like she hurt over Tony.

“If Billy Wayne fired the shots and he’s dead, then the danger is over for Leigh?” Danny asked.

Hope edged its way into her mind. Could her nightmare be over?
And she could stay in her house. She wouldn’t have to go to the Logans’. Leigh held her breath, waiting for Ben’s answer.

“I won’t know until I get the ballistics report back,” Ben said. “Until then, I’ll operate under the assumption that the person who shot at us this morning is still out there.”

That meant Ben wouldn’t let her out of his sight. Her shoulders sagged.

Danny rubbed his chin. “But you believe Gresham is that person. Do you think he killed Tony?”

“Look, I’m not discussing this case with you.” He turned to Leigh. “Would you like to go pick up your son?”

“Definitely. But you don’t have to go now. There’s no danger.”

He rested his hand on his gun. “I’m afraid it doesn’t work that way. I’m ready whenever you are.”

She didn’t want to argue with him in front of Ian and Danny and turned to the cousins. “Thanks for stopping by. It means a lot.”

“Tony was a good guy. He’ll be missed.” Danny shot Ben a dark look as he walked toward the door.

Ian squeezed her hand. “If you need anything, anything at all, give me a call.”

“I will. And thank you for offering me a place to stay.”

When the door closed behind the Maxwells, Leigh eyed Ben. “What is it with you and Danny? You’re still like oil and water.”

“You think? What did you mean about Ian offering a place to stay?”

She lifted her shoulder. “He had a couple of empty rental places and thought one of them would be safer than here. But now I don’t need to leave.” She cocked her head. “Why don’t you like Danny? I mean, this isn’t high school anymore.”

His lips pressed together in a thin line. “He’s never had to work for anything—everything just falls into place for him.”

“You sound a little jealous. How about Ian?”

Ben stiffened. “I am not jealous. And Ian’s different. He works hard. I’ve heard he’s the first one at the plant and the last one to
leave.” He stared at her a moment. “I thought you wanted to go get your son.”

“I do, but I want to go by myself.”

“Ain’t happening. Until I know for sure that Gresham is your shooter, either me or one of my deputies will be with you. I can send Jenkins, but are you sure you want to pick TJ up with some deputy he doesn’t know tagging along? At least he knows me.”

Leigh hated to admit he might be right. But she didn’t understand Ben’s attitude. What was his problem? “Okay.”

“What’s your plan? Will you tell him at the babysitter’s or bring him back here?”

Leigh winced. She hadn’t thought about what she’d tell TJ, much less where she’d tell him. An ache settled in her heart. TJ had loved his Uncle Tony. She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Here, I guess. I just wish Sarah was here.”

“Who’s Sarah?” Ben’s voice had softened.

“Sarah Alexander took me in after Matthew died. She needed someone to take care of her after a minor surgery but ended up taking care of us.” Leigh rubbed the back of her neck. Sarah would know what to do. The older woman’s words rang in her head.
“Call God. He’s always home and
you never get a busy signal.”

Maybe God would help her—she was his child, had been since right after Matthew died and Sarah had led her to him. But the way she’d ignored God lately, it’d be more likely that he’d have a hard time remembering who she was.

L
eigh pulled her white Avenger into the drive of the babysitter’s red brick house and parked in the shade of a maple tree.

“Is this okay?” she asked. At least Ben had acquiesced to coming in her car rather than his truck with the Bradford County Sheriff logo on the side.

Ben craned his neck, looking around. “Should be.”

She’d talked with Jenny on the drive over, and the babysitter had assured her TJ was fine, albeit a little antsy because she wouldn’t let him outside. Leigh waited for Ben to get out and scan the area. She’d noticed he kept glancing in the side mirror, presumably to make sure no one followed them. The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

“It’s clear.”

She stepped out of her car and led the way around to the back door and pressed the bell.

“TJ, your mom’s here!” Jenny yelled over her shoulder as she opened the door. Then she hugged Leigh. “I’m so sorry about Tony.”

“Thanks,” Leigh whispered. Every condolence got a little harder. She quickly pulled away as TJ bounded into the kitchen, dressed in his favorite ragged jeans.

“Mom! You’re late!” He wrinkled his freckled nose.

Lately he’d been talking in nothing but exclamation points,
nearly wearing her out. She knew better than to hug him in front of Jenny; instead she tousled his straight copper hair that stuck out in all directions. A straw hat and corncob pipe and he’d be perfect for the role of Huck Finn.

He skidded to a stop when he saw Ben. “Whoa! What’re you doing here, Ben? And you’re wearing your gun!”

“I, ah, was at your house and decided to come with your mom.”

“Cool.” TJ turned to Leigh. “Are you off today? ’Cause if you are, you can come to baseball practice with me this afternoon. You remember, I told you about the team . . . Miss Jenny took me to practice last week, and Uncle Tony’s taking me this afternoon, but if you’re not working—”

“Slow down, son.”

“But I want you to see me play. We got a game this weekend, and you’ll probably have to work.”

“Oh . . . We’ll see.” Leigh vaguely remembered something about a ball practice last week. “Are you ready to go home?”

“Can I start the car?”

She held out the keyless remote. He grabbed it and shot for the door. “Wait and walk out with me,” she called to him. At the door, Leigh paused. “I’ll call you later today,” she said to Jenny.

TJ stopped a few feet from the car and pressed the remote, and the car jumped to life. He grinned at Ben. “It’s like magic.”

When Ben grinned back, Leigh’s breath caught in her chest. For the barest second, the resemblance between TJ and Ben flashed like a neon sign. She blinked, and it was gone. What if someone else saw it? No, she was just looking for it. TJ looked just like her. Everyone said so—her coloring, her hair, the shape of her nose. He didn’t have her eye color, but neither were they dark brown like Ben’s. More of a hazel. But what if someone did notice the little ways he was like Ben? That grin, for one thing, and he had Ben’s lanky frame and broad shoulders. But it’d be years before that would be noticeable.

Tony was gone, no need to stick around Logan Point now. She would call her advisor, see if she could get a transfer to another rural hospital until she finished her contract.

Ben touched her arm, sending a shiver straight to her heart. “Leigh, are you okay?”

She shook her head, clearing it. “I’m fine. TJ, hop in the back and fasten your seat belt.”

On the short drive back to her house, Leigh rehearsed what she’d say to her son. Everything that came to mind sounded so stilted, cold. Her stomach churned at the thought of telling him. She glanced in the rearview mirror and caught TJ’s eye. “When we get home, come inside with me.”

“Aw, Mom, I want to practice my swing.”

She gripped the steering wheel and stared straight ahead. “After we talk,” she choked out.

When they pulled into the driveway, Leigh realized she should’ve taken TJ to the park to tell him about Tony—she’d forgotten Ben’s deputies were still combing the area for evidence. She flicked Ben a glance. “Why didn’t you remind me they were still here?”

He shrugged. “You were so bent on doing things your way, I thought I’d let you.”

Leigh ground her molars. She needed someone to save her from herself.

“Mom, what are those guys doing here?”

“They’re looking for something,” Ben said before she could answer.

“Can I help?”

“Not right now. Let’s go in the house. Your mom wants to talk to you.”

TJ jumped out of the car and raced to the door. “Mom!” He pulled it out to two syllables. “The door is locked! Hurry. I want to get my bat!”

Leigh dragged her feet. She didn’t want to do this. Tony was the
closest thing TJ had ever known for a dad. And this last month after they’d moved in, her brother had really stepped up to the plate.

“Do you think Uncle Tony will take off from work early?” TJ’s eyes widened in little-boy eagerness.

“There’s something I have to tell you about Uncle Tony . . .” Leigh sucked in a deep breath.

Leigh listened from the hallway outside the living room as Ben and TJ talked. Ben had given her a startled glance when she asked if he would stay with TJ while she found something, but he’d stayed. It had taken her a few minutes to remember where she’d put TJ’s stuffed animal, but after finding it, she’d hurried back to the living room with every intention of making her presence known. But a glimpse of Ben in the living room mirror, sitting stiffly beside TJ, stopped her.

“It’s okay for boys to cry, you know.”

Ben was trying, at least. In the reflection, TJ’s chin quivered, and he looked down. “Big boys don’t cry.”

She swallowed down the lump in her throat. She waited for Ben’s reply, wanting to stop this interaction, but could not get her legs to move.

“Sometimes they do, TJ. When a hurt is this big, it’s okay.”

She covered her mouth with her hand as TJ threw his arms around Ben, burying his head in Ben’s shoulder. His small frame shook as the tears came.

“Why did God take Tony?” TJ’s muffled words echoed in her own heart.

Ben’s hand finally came up to pat TJ on the back. “I don’t know, TJ. Bad things happen sometimes, and we don’t know why. But God is here with you. He’ll get you through this.”

She leaned against the wall. This didn’t sound like the Ben of ten years ago. Maybe he’d changed.

“It’s going to be okay. You’ve got your mom.”

“But what if someone hurts her?”

There was silence, and she could imagine Ben patting her son’s back again. “I won’t let anyone hurt her.”

“Will you come to ball practice with me?”

The want in TJ’s voice curled around her heart, squeezing it. As much as she didn’t want Ben around her son, it would mean so much to TJ for him to be there, especially right now. She held her breath, waiting for Ben’s answer.

“Ah, uh . . . I’m sorry, TJ, I just don’t have time.”

Relief mingled with disappointment. Relief that she didn’t have to worry about Ben spending time with TJ, but disappointment for her son as he heaved a sigh.

She rounded the corner into the living room. “Hey, look what I found.” She held the stuffed animal out to her son. His look said “Aw, Mom, not now,” and she pulled the bear back, hugging it to her chest. “Maybe I’ll hold on to him for a bit.”

She gave Ben a sidelong glance and caught her breath. Sweat beaded his bloodless face. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” He clipped the word off and stood. “I need to help my deputies finish up.”

She laid the toy bear on the sofa and followed him to the door. “The deputies won’t be staying, will they? I mean, if this Gresham is the shooter, I won’t need protection any longer,” she said, keeping her voice low.

Ben seemed to be fighting for control. He took a deep breath. “They will be staying.” He wiped his hands on his jeans. “Gresham may not have acted alone.”

“You don’t know that.” She wanted to get her life back to normal.

“No, I don’t, and that’s why Jenkins and Ford will be hanging around.” He opened the door, and his gaze slid past Leigh to her son sitting on the couch. “You have a good kid there.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Look, uh, if TJ needs someone to talk to . . .” He licked his lips. “You can, uh, call me.”

Ben puzzled her. One minute he didn’t have time, the next, he wanted her to call him. “Thanks. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a funeral to plan.”

He paused before going out the door, and she looked away from his intense stare.

“I’ll be around if you need me,” he said.

Where was he ten years ago when she came home to tell him she was pregnant? She shook the thought off. That wasn’t all his fault. She hadn’t exactly given him an option. “Thanks.”

With one last glance, he turned and walked toward his deputies. She shut the door firmly behind him and leaned her head against it with her eyes closed.

“You okay, Mom?”

TJ’s subdued voice snapped her eyes open. Her son hugged Bear to his chest. She mustered a smile. “I’m okay.” She crossed the room and sat beside him. “How about you? Are you okay?”

He shrugged. His chin dimpled as he pressed his lips together. “Will the bad guy come back?”

Her stomach sank to her feet. She and Ben had tried to downplay what happened this morning, but evidently it hadn’t worked. “I don’t think so, honey. Ben was pretty sure the man that wrecked is the bad guy. He won’t be coming back. Okay?”

He stared at Bear’s belly, picking at the seam she’d stitched. “Why did Uncle Tony have to die?”

Leigh pulled him close, smelling the fruity scent of his shampoo. She kissed the top of his head. “I don’t know.”

After a few minutes, TJ pulled away. “Can I go outside?”

“Hmm, maybe not just yet. Why don’t you play a game on your iPod?”

His eyes grew round. “Really?”

“Just today.” She limited the time TJ spent playing video games
to an hour after dinner, but she had calls to make, calls she didn’t want him to overhear. And the first one was to see how fast they could get out of Logan Point.

After Ben left instructions with his deputies to hang around, he climbed into the cab of his truck. For five minutes he didn’t move, just breathed slow, deep breaths and pictured a big stop sign. What kind of man had a panic attack when a kid asked him to come to ball practice? He was the sheriff, for goodness’ sake, a man’s man. Not some weak-kneed sissy who couldn’t handle being around kids. Except he was, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop the panic attacks. Maybe it was time to see that counselor again.

When his heart finally returned to normal, Ben called his chief deputy and learned Wade was at Gresham’s house. “Did you get a search warrant?”

“Yep,” Wade replied. “How did Mrs. Gresham take the news?”

Ruby hadn’t cried. Just thanked him for coming to tell her, then turned and walked back into the house. “Stoic. Almost like she was expecting me.” Ben sighed. “See you in about ten minutes.”

Since Billy Wayne lived alone, a search warrant probably wasn’t necessary. But Ben had learned a long time ago, it was better to have the warrant than to wish down the road he’d obtained one. Now, if there was only something at Gresham’s house to settle his mind, something that would tell him whether the kid acted alone or with someone else. Leigh seemed determined to stay in that little house, and he’d like to be comfortable in agreeing with her.

He’d like to be comfortable around her period—without getting too close. Leigh was getting to be a bit like a barnacle, attaching herself to his heart. For a nanosecond this morning, the wall between them hadn’t seemed so thick, and it’d been like old times. Then in a heartbeat, she couldn’t get rid of him fast enough. Which suited him fine.

Turning onto the highway, Ben flipped his sun visor down, and TJ’s earnest face popped into his mind.
Will you
come to ball practice with me?
Why couldn’t the kid stick with easy questions? Like the one Sunday.
How did Jonah get spit up by the whale? Did
he go through the blowhole?

No, he had to ask the impossible. If Ben showed up at ball practice with Leigh’s son, his deputy, Andre, would hound him about coaching, and no matter how much he’d like to coach, he truly didn’t want everyone to see him in full-blown panic mode. Kids, little ones or teenagers, came with a high price tag, and the plain fact was, he couldn’t take the responsibility.