Did You Miss Me? (38 page)

‘Just not used to it. Are all of these horses yours? Or just this one?’

‘They’re all technically mine. The four over here belong to me and Mama and Maggie and Ford. All of our horses were rescues except for Ford’s. Ford’s horse is a hunter – way different price bracket. We usually keep at least two rescues, sometimes more. Scott just brought one of them home a few days ago. He finds abused and abandoned animals while he’s on the road. If he has room in the trailer, he’ll persuade the horse’s owner to sell it or give it up. We rehab them and find them homes.’

‘Where do they go during the day?’

‘Pasture. They’re in here at night and in bad weather. I tell you, I saw that paint on the side of the barn and I was terrified of what I’d find inside. But it doesn’t look like he came in. Everything’s the way it should be.’

Except for the dead cow
. He figured he’d tell her once he got her safely away from the farm. There wasn’t anything she could do and no reason she should see such a senseless slaughter. Joseph edged his way to her side, realizing that cowboy boots were in his immediate future. ‘Why horses?’

She shrugged. ‘There’s something about caring for an animal. It’s healing.’

A curious choice of words, he thought. And then he couldn’t think because she’d moved close enough to touch. ‘How did you sleep?’ he asked, dropping his voice.

She looked away. ‘Not well.’

‘I can’t tell.’ He skimmed a fingertip under her eye.

‘The miracle of a good concealer. I’m ready to go, Joseph. I know we should have left already. I’m putting everyone in danger every minute we stay.’

‘I was going to wait for Brodie. But if you want to go, we can.’

She gave the animal’s neck a final stroke. ‘Maybe we can see Stevie?’

‘We’ll have to get our names on the waiting list.’ He followed her out of the stall and Tasha fell in line behind them. ‘There was a thirty minute wait this morning.’

Daphne shook her head. ‘Stevie’s as popular as the Olive Garden. We can call from the car. It’ll take us at least forty-five minutes to get into town.’

‘Let me talk to Cooper first. He does the maintenance around here, right?’

‘His son does.’ She frowned. ‘Why are you talking to him? Scott’s a good guy.’

‘I didn’t say he wasn’t. I have some questions about your power lines and generator. You can stay here a few more minutes while I talk to him.’

Cooper was standing next to his truck, filling a syringe topped with a seriously large needle. ‘Agent Carter, what can I do for you?’

Joseph’s radar went off at the sight of the syringe. ‘What’s that you’re filling those syringes with?’

Cooper gave him a calm, sideways glance. ‘Banamine. Non-narcotic pain reliever. Use it for colic. One of the rescues is on it. You can call the vet and ask.’

‘Okay. Do you keep any narcotics on your property?’

‘Not on this property because it’s not that secure. I’ve got narcotics up at my place. Keep ’em locked up. You’re free to check.’

‘You’re very cooperative.’

Cooper’s mouth curved, not quite enough to be a smile. ‘Daphne likes you. I want her to be happy. She’ll be happy if I cooperate with you. And I got nothin’ to hide.’

‘Do you keep ketamine?’

‘Nope.’

‘What about fentanyl?’

‘Yes. Don’t use it very often. May be expired. You’re free to check.’

‘I will.’

‘Now I’ve got a few questions. You’ve got quite an entourage around Daphne, protecting her. How long can you keep that up before you eat through your budget?’

‘Not long.’

Cooper stared at him with sharp eyes. ‘So what the fucking hell are you doing about this pissant psycho drama queen?’

The fear Joseph saw in the man’s gaze kept him from snarling back. ‘Not enough,’ he said quietly. ‘Do you have any thoughts?’

‘Yeah. He wants to be seen. Like any punk that does graffiti. His fascination with blood scares the hell out of me. And he knows how to butcher a cow,’ he added bitterly.

‘I’m sorry. Detective Rivera thought it was a pet.’

‘Maggie’s. She rescued that damn cow. Bottle fed it because it was weaned too soon and left to die. And then some punk kills it to do
graffiti
?’ Cooper’s voice shook with suppressed rage. ‘He’d want to see her reaction. Daphne’s.’ He lifted his eyes, swept his gaze across the trees. He’s out there now. Or was. Guaranteed.

Joseph agreed. ‘Does Maggie know about the cow?’

‘Yes. She’ll fall apart later, in private. That’s her way. She’s far more worried about Daphne right now. As am I. Who the hell would kill a defenseless cow for graffiti?’

‘Same person that kidnapped Ford.’

Cooper flinched. ‘My mind can’t accept that he’s being held against his will. I’ve known that boy since before he was born. I taught him to ride. To shoot. I gave him his first razor.’ He looked up at the sky, his throat working as he fought back tears. ‘First box of condoms too. Don’t tell Daphne.’

‘Our secret,’ Joseph said. ‘I think you’re right. I think there’s a good chance he’s going to want to watch. Where would he get the best view?’

‘A few places. I know this land. If it would help, I can take you or your investigators to those places. A man stands in one place long enough, he’ll leave something behind.’

‘I’ve got a CSU team on the way. Thank you. Now about your generator.’

‘I sent my son back to the house for the maintenance books. He should be back in thirty minutes if you can wait.’

‘I can. Excuse me.’ The cell phone in Joseph’s hand had begun to buzz, the number on the caller ID unfamiliar. The hair on the back of his neck lifted. ‘This is Agent Carter.’

‘Carter, this is Agent Kerr in the Pittsburgh Field Office. We got a hit on your BOLO.’

Joseph didn’t breathe. ‘Which one?’

Wednesday, December 4, 8.00
A.M.

‘Something’s wrong,’ Daphne murmured. She’d come out of the stall just as Joseph took a phone call, his body going statue still, his face blank.

Maggie tugged on her shoulders. ‘Come on. Scott brought a thermos of coffee.’

‘No.’ She pulled free, not wanting to watch, but unable to turn away. Joseph had stopped breathing. He was listening to his phone, his chest frozen. Daphne’s heart began to pound, hard and fast. He turned then, as if feeling her watching him. His mouth curved into a smile, but his eye were still blank.

‘I’ll be just a minute,’ he called. ‘Don’t worry.’

Daphne closed her eyes. ‘All right.’
Exhale, inhale
.
Rinse and repeat
.
‘
I’m going to sit in the office, Maggie. Can you ask Joseph to come talk to me when he’s ready?’

‘Of course.’ Maggie cupped her neck loosely, bringing her head close until their foreheads touched. ‘Whatever happens, we will do this. Together. You and me and your mama. Just like we’ve done everything else.’

‘I know. But for now I’d like to be alone.’ She left Maggie with a hug and made it to the office and sank into a chair, trembling so hard her legs were jelly. She twined her fingers together in her lap. Fixed her gaze to the clock. And waited. Four and a half times the second hand swept around. And finally the door behind her opened.

‘It’s me,’ Joseph said. He came around the chair to crouch at her feet. His warm hands covered hers. But all she could see was the clock. She couldn’t look at him. Because then it would be real.

‘Daphne, honey. Look at me.’ He gently pinched her chin and tugged her face down until she had no choice but to look into his eyes.

Kind. Not blank anymore.
Still can’t breathe
.

‘He’s alive. Did you hear me? Ford is alive.’

Her chest imploded. ‘What? I thought . . .’

He smiled at her, so gently. ‘I needed to be sure before I gave you news again.’

‘Where? Where is he?’

‘In a hospital in West Virginia just past the Pennsylvania state line.’

Hospital
.
‘
West Virginia? How did he get all the way out there?’

‘They don’t know yet. He’s not conscious.’

The room tilted. ‘Joseph.’

‘The cop I spoke to said the doctors were saying mild hypothermia, exhaustion, and dehydration. Maybe some frostbite, but not severe. No major injuries, Daphne.’

Her face was wet. And she still couldn’t breathe. Boneless, she slid from the chair to her knees, collapsing against him. He was there, warm. So warm.

His arms came around her, bringing her close, cradling her head against his chest, kneeling with her while the sobs wracked her body. ‘It’s okay, cry it out,’ he murmured.

She had no choice. The floodgates had opened and she couldn’t seem to make it stop. She just held on to Joseph, sobbing and gripping his shirt like a life preserver.

The door opened behind her. ‘Daphne?’ It was Maggie. ‘Honey?’

Daphne sucked in a lungful of air and gritted her teeth. The tears didn’t stop, but the noise did. Her fingers tightened their grip on Joseph’s shirt.

‘She’s okay,’ Joseph said, rubbing her back. He dipped his head to murmur in her ear. ‘I told them the news. Because they had pitchforks and wouldn’t let me pass.’

Daphne hiccupped a watery laugh and nodded against his chest.

‘I brought her some things,’ Maggie said.

Keeping Daphne’s head cradled against him, he reached forward and one at a time dropped a box of tissues, a bottle of water, and her bottle of headache pills on the floor beside them. ‘You’re a good nanny, Maggie. Does Daphne have any extra clothes or toiletries up at your house? We’re going to get Ford.’

‘I’ll pack her a bag.’ There was a pause, then Maggie’s hand was stroking her hair. ‘I called your mama. She’s crying too.’

Then she was gone and Daphne plucked a handful of tissues from the box. ‘So stupid . . . so stupid to cry. He’s alive. Why can’t I stop crying?’

‘This is normal, Daphne. So much emotion, all bottled up. Let it out.’

‘Tell me again,’ she whispered. ‘Please. Say it again. I need to hear it.’

‘Your son is alive,’ he said. ‘Ford is alive and he is safe. And I’m going to take you to him as fast as I can drive.’

‘You’re sure?’

‘Triple verified,’ he said wryly. ‘I had Bo call the Pittsburgh field office, then I called the local cops and the hospital. He’s there, honey. He was brought in five hours ago, but he didn’t have ID on him. One of the nurses had seen the TV reports on the shootings yesterday. When Hyatt and Bo gave their press conference after the shooting, they included photos of Ford and Kimberly. The nurse notified the locals who called the Bureau’s field office. They got patched through to me.’

Finally the tears had slowed enough for her to think. ‘Who brought him in?’

‘Local PD. They responded to a 911 call from an elderly lady who discovered him on her property after her dog wouldn’t stop barking. Ford was unconscious by then.’

‘Why was he there to start with?’

‘That’s what we have to figure out. Hopefully he’ll be awake by the time we get there and he can tell us.’

She let go of his shirt and inanely tried to smooth the fabric. ‘I keep messing up your shirts.’

‘I don’t mind.’ He lifted her chin, brushed his thumb over her lip. ‘Better now?’

‘Yes. Thank you.’

His dark eyes changed, heating. ‘I haven’t done anything yet.’

Last night. The solarium door.
Not until I give you something to be thankful for
. Her emotions swung again and the relief that had so overwhelmed her disappeared like mist in sunshine. Rising to take its place was lust, simple yet potent.

She framed his face with her hands. ‘You’re here,’ she said fiercely. ‘Right now, that’s a lot. More than I’ve ever had. And right now, what I need.’

‘And later?’

The way he looked at her gave her the courage to speak when she might otherwise have faltered. ‘You make me greedy, Joseph,’ she whispered. ‘You make me want more than I need.’

His eyes flashed, hungry, but his movements were slow. Precise. He bent his head, kissing the pulse point of her left wrist, then her right, never taking his gaze from hers. It was simple. And very potent. He took her breath away.

‘I think we need to work on your definition of “want” and “need”. And “greed”.’ His voice dipped, each word a feather-light caress that made her skin feel way too tight. ‘And we will. Later.’ He rose in a single powerful movement, capturing her hands in his and tugging her to her feet. ‘Now, we drive.’

Wednesday, December 4, 8.20
A.M.

Finally
. The Fed was driving Miss Daphne away in his Escalade, another Fed covering his back, while the others waved goodbye. Mitch took one last look at his handiwork on the barn wall before lowering his binoculars.

He’d expected the message to be discovered by whoever did the morning feeding. He never expected it would be discovered by Daphne herself. Amazing luck, fantastic show, and well worth the loss of one cow.

The Fed’s black Escalade should be passing this way soon. Once it had, the coast would be clear for him to head back home. Any time now he’d be getting a frantic call from his brother Mutt about the guns that were found in the houses Millhouse and Odum had purchased with Reggie’s defense fund. Mutt and his daddy would soon be very unhappy because they’d do a check on the books and see that somebody had been skimming guns from the deliveries.

Mutt’s father would be blamed and Mitch doubted his stepfather’s Russian boss would leave the old man alive.

Mitch would pay good money to see the old man’s face once he realized he’d been set up.
He’ll blame me, like he does for everything
.
Only this time, he’ll be right
.

Of course, what Mitch most wanted to see would be Daphne’s face when Ford gave her his message.
I’m back
.
Did you miss me?

He heard the low roar of the Fed’s Escalade as it passed by, followed by the quieter unmarked sedan.
I’m good to go
.

He walked through the woods to where he’d left his black van. He’d have to retire it now. He’d only planned to store it for a while, once the Feds found the Millhouses’ gun stash. But after that woman he’d had to kill in the parking garage . . .