Prime Catch (13 page)

“Glad to see you again, Darcy. You beat Mahoney. He wants him, too.”

Amos shook his head. “If he wants him, Mahoney has to wait until we’re done with him in Juneau.”

A voice from the cell invaded her ear. “See, Sarah, someone―”

“Shut your mouth!” she yelled back. “I don’t want to hear anything you have to say!”

“But―”

“Enough!” Her fingers clenched into fists.

Amos strode to the cell. “Listen, Annok, you’re going back to Juneau to face the music. Don’t let me have to put a charge of harassment of my deputy on that list.”

George opened his mouth for a moment, then shut it again. “All right, Sheriff.” His eyes shot daggers at Sarah.

Amos returned to Creag. “We’ll be here in the morning after breakfast to take him.”

Creag shook Amos’ hand. “He’ll be ready.”

Sarah’s emotions were percolating from her stomach to her throat as they left the building. She pushed them down and set her face in stone.

Amos glanced at her. “This is the reason I wanted Sam to come instead of you. George can play off your anger.”

“I won’t let him get to me. I can do this.”

Kate’s Kitchen loomed into view. They went into the cheery pine-paneled restaurant with its little tables scattered around. At one sat Bill nursing a cup of coffee. “Everything set for tomorrow?”

Amos nodded. “Creag will have him ready. We’ll have to handcuff him inside the plane.”

“That won’t be a problem. You can use the metal rings by the seats.”

They enjoyed the meal of stew and biscuits, but Sarah couldn’t get rid of the tension. She had visions of gagging George for the flight, knowing he would taunt her if he could talk.

Back at the hotel, they split to their separate rooms. Sarah bid the fellows a goodnight and, as they went into their room, she unlocked her door, then froze. A scrape came from the other side. The hairs prickled on the back of her neck as she turned the knob and then put her shoulder into it. It swung into the wall and she heard a surprised shout. Her prisoner struggled to push back.

Amos bounded out of his room, his shirt unbuttoned and disheveled. “What the hell was that?”

Sarah had her gun drawn. “I have a visitor.”

Amos darted around her. “Let him go.” As Sarah eased up, Amos grabbed the arm that was flailing and pulled him out. Not giving up, the thug tried to hit Amos with a club in his other hand.

“I wouldn’t do that, if I were you,” Sarah said as she leveled the gun.

The man dropped the club, and Amos shoved him against the wall. “Now talk. Who are you, and what do you want?”

“We don’t want any out-of-town lawmen messing with our people,” he barked.

“Are you with the Revenge Ravens?”

The man stared at Amos, but said nothing.

Amos shook him. “All right. We’re going to go to the sheriff’s office. I’ll let Creag handle this.” He turned to Bill, who was standing in the hall. “You two keep an eye open while I take this varmint across the street.”

Sarah holstered her gun, then looked around the room. “Nothing seems to be missing.”

Bill stood at the door. “How did he get in?”

She noticed the curtains billowing out. “Looks like he came in the window.” She glanced out. “This room is right over the porch. It would be easy to climb in here.” She noticed a stick in the window to hold the sash open. Closing the window, she jammed the stick into the upper section, thus preventing it from being raised. “Bill, look in your room and see if you have one of those, and do the same.”

Bill nodded and disappeared. They waited in the hall until Amos got back. When he came up the stairs, he had the proprietor tagging along.

Amos pointed to Sarah’s room. “He was in there, and the door was locked.”

Sarah told him about the window.

The man rubbed his hands. “I’m sorry this happened.” He turned to Sarah and Bill. “The sheriff’s department will keep an eye on things here tonight, so we shouldn’t have any more trouble.”

At their thanks, the man went downstairs again.

Amos glanced at Bill. “Go on to bed. I’ll be in later. I have to tell Sarah what I found out from Creag.”

Bill inclined his head. “Then I’ll say goodnight.”

Amos hustled her into her room and shut the door. He saw her face and said, “What?”

She gave him an impish smile. “This really isn’t proper. Especially with your shirt like that.” He hadn’t redone the buttons.

Amos actually blushed as he set to straightening his clothes. “Excuse me. Anyway, Creag told me there is a big group of Revenge Ravens in these parts and they don’t take kindly to one of their members being arrested.”

“Did he have any suggestions for us?” She sat on the edge of the bed when he settled in the chair.

“He said we should leave before breakfast.”

She thought for a moment. “That will be a long time before eating.”

“Bill told me earlier he had some provisions on the plane for emergencies. We can tide over with that.”

Something smacked against the outside wall and Sarah jumped to her feet. “Oh, no!”

Amos hurried to the window. “Nothing out there that I can see.” He came back and put his arms around her. “Don’t worry, we’ll be all right.”

His gesture melted her. “I know. Thank you for helping me.”

“I wasn’t about to let someone skin you alive, but I don’t think he was counting on you to squash him, either.” He chuckled. “Fast thinking, Lakat. Good work,” he said softer. Their faces were inches apart.

Sarah gazed at his gray eyes as they darkened to a steel blue. He looked back at her with a warm fire and the gentle hug grew tighter. “Amos?”

“Sarah,” he said with a husk to his voice. He clamped his lips to hers, and she ran her hand over the rough whiskers on his face, and then somehow they were both sitting on the edge of the bed.

Sarah’s mind raced.
Oh my! We’re on a job, and our pilot is sleeping in the next room.
She pulled back. “We shouldn’t do this now.”

“This was another part of the reason I didn’t want you to come with me. I didn’t know if I could control myself. A cheap hotel isn’t a good place for a first time.”

Sarah’s cheeks heated. He may as well know, since he’ll find out anyway. “It won’t be my first time.”

A puzzled expression crossed his face. “But you were never married.”

“I was promised and close to the wedding.”

He gritted his teeth. “George?”

She nodded. “I was so sure he was going to be my husband. The next day he ran off.”

“That damned bastard could have gotten you with child.” He drew her back and rested his chin on her head. He kissed her hair. “I’m no better. I was thinking of taking you myself.”

“You know, I am a fully functioning woman who can make up her own mind. If you want me, all you have to do is ask.”

He shook his head. “I’m not taking a chance on a scandal. If we do this, I want to prevent any accidents.”

She gave a half-smile. “I also know a few days after my time is safe.” She pulled away and gazed at him.

“Sarah, I―”

She put her fingers on his lips. “Hush. Give me a kiss.” She received one that curled her toes. Then he worked his way down her neck and gently nipped above her collarbone. A low moan escaped her as her body awoke with intense vibration.
Lord, it’s been years since I felt this way.

They rose and clothes fell. Amos moaned when her breasts were bared and her nipples hardened under his touch. He tugged on one with his lips and the heat seemed to come up from her feet. The muscles of his chest were tight, and she marveled how they moved in his skin under her fingertips.

He embraced her, and she pressed her body against his warm one. The reddish-brown hairs of his torso prickled her, further spiraling her into a lustful state she didn’t want to come out of. The rest of their clothes were removed, and she gazed in wonder. He was as virile as she’d thought he would be, and her body gave a deep tremor as she ran her hand up the smooth, hardened flesh. She was so ready for him.

“Lay back on the bed,” he rasped, following her. He gently stroked the inside of her thighs and she bucked with an erotic jerk.

“Amos, please,” she begged as he ran his finger over her wet slit.

He hitched himself over her. “Oh, my sweet Sarah.” He took a deep suckle of her breast as he settled on top of her. She felt the head of his shaft rub at her opening, and then he thrust in. His tongue invaded her mouth as he started the rhythmic rock of love. They moaned in tandem with the sensation and motion of their bodies.

Sarah was like a spring over-wound until she snapped and the blessed release came. Wave after wave of ecstasy left her boneless and breathless as Amos started pumping into her. Both collapsed with a satiny glow of sweat.

After what seemed like an eternity, they came back to their senses. Amos took a deep breath. “Sarah, you are magnificent.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I love you. I’d better get next door, or Bill will be wondering.”

Sarah smiled. “I love you, too. Goodnight.”

Amos dressed and paused at her door. “You want to know something? I don’t give a damn what Bill thinks.” He waggled his eyebrows and left.

Sarah’s alarm clock went off, and she heard clumps and bangs coming from next door. She shook her head to stir the cobwebs of sleep out. As she dressed, her mind went back to last night and a deep tingle of memory went through her.
I wonder if Amos is having repercussions this morning? Well, I’ll have to force my business side on today.

As she finished packing, she heard a knock. “Are you ready to go?”

She opened the door to find Amos and Bill standing there. “All set.” She studied Amos’ face, but he seemed to have put on his business side, as well. Dreading to see George this morning, she clamped her back teeth down.

The little group made its way to the sheriff’s office, where Bill waited for them outside. Creag’s deputy handcuffed George with his hands behind his back and led him out of the cell. Amos nodded at Sarah. “I’ll lead him to the plane and you follow behind with your gun trained on him.”

“Yes, Sheriff.”

George hadn’t said anything, and Sarah hoped it would stay that way. Amos firmly gripped George’s arm and turned to Creag. “Thank you for your help.”

“Welcome, Darcy, anytime.”

They went out the door, and Sarah drew her gun. Bill walked behind Sarah with the overnight bags. They were almost to the pier when Sarah heard a shout, and three men came running toward them from the docks. “What the hell do you think your doing, Darcy?” a burly red-haired man called.

“I’m taking George Annok into Juneau to stand trial, Mahoney.” Amos’ stance was a challenge.

Mahoney crossed his arms over his chest. “The first murder was in Cordova. I want him first.”

“But we have someone who can identify him.”

Mahoney paused. “I hate to think we came all this way to go home empty-handed.”

“Look at it this way. If we can convict him, that will make it easier to try him in Cordova.”

“All right, we’ll do it your way. But we get him next.”

Everyone went to the docks, and Bill loaded the bags and started warming the engine. Amos handcuffed George to one of the seats, and then he and Sarah strapped themselves in. Bill gave them a thermos of coffee and some packaged biscuits.

Amos held up the package to George. “Do you want some?”

George glared at the both of them. “I don’t want anything from either of you.”

Amos passed the biscuits to Sarah and poured some coffee for her. “Here, this will tide us over until lunch.”

She took the cup, then met his eyes. His gaze was intense, and she inadvertently felt her cheeks heat.
I can’t look at Amos and keep up this facade.
The trip back was very quiet. The easy banter between them seemed to have been abandoned with this new revelation regarding their relationship.

Back at the office in Juneau, Sam put George in one of the cells while Sarah joined Amos in his office. She wanted to express her concerns to him before they went to lunch.

He shook his head. “If we’re going to work together, we have to adjust. We can’t let our private life interfere with the crime work.”

“If we can’t”—she paused—“maybe it would be better if I quit the department.”

Amos hesitated. “I don’t want that. You’re the best detective I’ve ever worked with. Take the rest of the day off. We’ll talk to George tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you, Amos.” She gathered her things and walked toward home. She needed to sort out her life before she could continue her work.

She went a block, then turned toward the Golden North theater. Heading around to the back, she met up with Mrs. Cora Hutton, the Golden North’s chef. The gray-haired woman was dropping a bundle of trash in the garbage can when Sarah strode up. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Hutton, is Kata in today?”

The large woman smiled. “Hello, Sarah. Yes, she’s in the dressing room where she alters the costumes. The stage door is unlocked. Just go right in.”

She thanked Mrs. Hutton and slipped inside the theater. From the dim hall she could hear the sewing machine’s treadle making humming noises, and she followed her ears to the dressing room.

Kata turned as the door opened. “Sarah! What a pleasant surprise! What brings you here?”

“Personal problem.”

“What’s wrong?”

Sarah drew a chair next to the machine and told Kata about the changed relationship between her and Amos. “Now, I’m very uncomfortable around him. I was thinking about quitting my job.”

Kata looked back at her with a not-so-shocked face. “I’ve seen this coming for a long time. But why quit? You love your job. Are you going to talk to your mother about this?”

Sarah snorted. “She’d have me married to Amos before you could blink twice.”

“Did he ask you?”

“No. Everything is raw right now.”

Kata scrunched her nose. “Well, I’d say, don’t make any hasty decisions. Sleep on it.”

Sarah sighed. “Thanks for the advice and for listening. I think I will let it rest for a while.” She rose to go.

“You can come to me anytime. I’ll see you.”

Sarah left as Kata turned to her sewing. Seagulls were screeching overhead as she arrived home. Setting her overnight bag on a parlor chair, she put the teakettle on to boil. She opened the windows to let the fresh spring breeze in and steeped the tea. When it was ready, she took a cup and a plate of cookies to the porch and enjoyed her repast in her rocking chair, letting the salty air play around her hair.