Protective Instincts (20 page)

Three rings, then her message, "Yeah, I know you're running away from me, bitch. I'll find you. I don't fail!" His voice rose. "I do not fail! When I find you, you'll pray for a quick death, but it won't happen!" he shouted. "Think of the worst nightmares you've ever had and they'll seem tame compared to what I'll do to you." He wiped the spittle from his lips.

A man approached.

He slammed down the receiver. "What the Hell do you want?" He pointed his gun at the man.

The stranger took off quickly.

Two calls to his contacts got him access to a computer with a modem. Did the teacher think he couldn't find her? He drove the van to a garage owned by a cousin. He left in an Explorer with tinted windows. It had taken thirty minutes to move his equipment to the new vehicle. The tag had been altered just enough to fool from a distance. He loved chop shop shopping.

By the time he had spent an hour online at the owner's computer he had drawn a blank. He hadn't found the teacher's house listed for sale or a record of a sale.

Time to get back to his watch. He needed to get back inside her house. He needed to find a way inside her neighbor's house, but every window and door was locked and the house was wired. He could give up his motel room if he could get inside.

* * * *

Brit ran as hard as she could, but he was gaining on her. She knew who he was, though she didn't recognize his face.

"Gonna get ya! Gonna get ya, bitch." She felt his hot breath on her neck as he closed the distance between them. Sam? Where was Sam? She needed him to chase the monster away like he always had. Hands clutched her shoulders, pulling her back.

"Can't get away from me this time. They're dead. I killed them all! Now I'm gonna kill you!" Hands closed around her throat, choking her life away. Sam, dead? Oh, no! No! No!

"Brit, wake up." Esther's voice broke through the haze of sleep. "It's just a dream, honey, just a dream."

"Sam? Where's Sam?"

"He and Drew have gone to watch the police watch the bad guy. They wanted to check out the local cops. They also wanted to see what should be done before we move back into your house."

"Oh, are we alone here?" Brit rubbed sleep from her eyes.

"Nah, Detective Peters is in the other room, reading a book that looks like a romance novel. Don't worry; my brothers will be back before you know it."

"Thanks." Brit settled back on the bed. "You've been a great help. But I miss Julie … I didn't get a chance to tell her we were coming back. She doesn't know Drake is loose. I miss Monster." Brit couldn't stop rambling.

"Monster's fine at my mother's house and Drew has kept your family posted on your safety. We'll call your friend, Julie, and let her know what's happening. Where should we contact her? The guys need to be sure no one's watching her."

Brit wrote Julie's cell phone number on a slip of paper.

"I've wanted to play cops and robbers since I graduated from college, but my family wouldn't hear of it. We all worry too much about Drew for me to get by with that."

"What do you do?" Esther kept a straight face. "I'm a CPA, freelance."

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Sam hated leaving Esther and Brit at the hotel. Hours later, he sat in an old model, black, pickup truck around the corner from Brit's house. By two AM, Drew had slipped out from the passenger side three times already. Within minutes the truck door opened to let him back in. The interior light was disconnected for stealth. "So, what did you see, Drew?"

Drew opened the thermos, poured a half-cup of coffee. "Cops are dozing and our man found a way inside the house where he's been hanging." He gulped the steaming brew and grimaced. "Strong enough to take the hair off your tongue. He broke the lock off the storage shed in backyard." Drew made a face when he gulped another swallow. "The van's gone. There's a Ford Explorer in the drive. I'll check the Explorer next."

"What's he doing?" Sam rubbed his stubble-roughened chin. He skimmed his knuckles along his bottom lip. If he could have his way, he'd off the jerk and scare the crap out of the cops 'watching' Brit's house.

He hated not being in touch with Brit and Esther, even for a short time, despite having their man within his sights. He held the infrared camera to his eye and watched the man he believed was an escaped criminal, sneak to the Explorer and slip inside. Every move he made looked so damned suspicious. Drew must've answered Sam's question, but Sam couldn't remember the answer.

"Tomorrow we send a pair of yardmen over to water the neighbor's yard. We'll have them go over to Brit's and water hers, too. If we can wet down his surveillance equipment that should tick him off."

Drew slipped out again. Within minutes, a police car pulled through the neighborhood. When it stopped beside the stakeout car, a uniformed officer exited and rapped on the window. A horn sounded and the door opened. The driver stood beside the uniform. Sam watched them argue. The driver showed his ID, then got back inside the car and left.

Drew returned as silently as he always did. One minute he wasn't there and the next he was. "Now our man probably thinks he has the place all to himself."

"Looks like you're right, brother." Sam chuckled. "There he goes, bold as brass."

Sam and Drew watched the shabbily dressed man move across the yard where the Explorer was parked, nearing Brit's yard. Sam snapped a picture. The man stopped beside a tree and looked around. Sam snapped. The man crept toward Brit's house.

"Smile, dirt bag, you're on candid camera," Drew muttered. Sam's beeper vibrated. He showed the digital message to Drew.

"Reinforcements, we can go back to our headquarters and check out the computer videos from the house." Sam snapped one last frame, then handed the camera to Drew. He backed the truck from its sheltered place, to head away from Brit's house.

* * * *

By the time Brit heard Sam's key in the motel room lock, her clock read five o'clock. Sam looked exhausted. Unable to go to sleep, Brit and Esther had joined Detective Peters at the computer screen. Sam handed the digital camera to the detective, who loaded the information into the computer.

Brit moved into Sam's arms. In his embrace she felt safe and cherished. Despite the audience, she nuzzled his neck, then kissed his cheek. His response was so gentle and warm she couldn't doubt his love. This was no time to explore the possibilities. When Sam rested his forehead against hers, she could feel his weariness.

"Sit," she pushed him toward a large chair.

He practically fell into its cushioned depths. Leaning over the chair back, she grasped his shoulders. Her hands worked his tired muscles. Her thumbs pressed circles against his taut skin. Within seconds she felt his shoulders relax. His head rested against the chair back. His eyes closed. His breathing slowed.

"Let him rest, then we'll put him back to work," Drew leaned back in his chair.

Brit hadn't mentioned her nightmare to the men and had warned Esther not to, either.

"We need to step things up and start the move tomorrow. I'll send a truck to cart some of Brit's things away." Drew studied the images saved in the computer. Nothing said the man camped out across from Brit's house was the man they wanted. If Drake watched the whole scene, they didn't want to alert him.

* * * *

Making the most of her fake persona, Brit stood in the driveway watching a moving company truck loaded with her belongings. Sam, wearing his killing machine look, stood with her, watching the movers.

"Isn't it sweet of the teacher lady to let us rent some of her things 'til she gets settled? I love her piano and the big old sofa. It's just like my mama's." She purred and rubbed against him. "My mama's sofa has some interesting uses." She tilted her face to Sam's. "Real interesting." She stretched up to whisper in his ear. "Is that guy across the street watching?"

He nuzzled her neck, whispered against her hair. "Yep."

"I'm gonna get him. I know he's the bastard who attacked me," she mouthed against Sam's lips.

"I'll help. But we can't just walk up and ask him." She returned his kiss. Pulling away from the show, Brit swung her hips, strutting up the steps to the porch.

"Coming?"

Sam grabbed three suitcases from the Jeep and followed her onto the porch and inside.

* * * *

Douglas pretended to trim the hedge. He got a hard-on just watching the black haired woman. He hoped she didn't have a job 'cause he'd like to make a visit or two to her house while the warrior guy worked. Maybe she'd know where the teacher was or could find out. If she let 'em use her furniture, she'd likely keep in touch. Maybe they had her forwarding address.

He'd peeked into the garage last night. The Mustang was still there. He had to remain calm or he'd get caught.

What the Hell? A yard maintenance truck pulled to the curb. The man getting out of the passenger side looked big enough to tear the door off. He moved around to the back and pulled a tank with a hose attached.

The other man got out of the driver's side. He was even larger than the first guy. Shit. They walked up the drive. Douglas shuffled past them on his way to the sidewalk. Ducking his head he mumbled, "Nobody home." He shrugged. "What ya doin' here? Ain't nobody here to pay you."

"That's okay," the guy answered. "We already got paid to take care of the yard all month. Gonna spray grass seeds and weed killer. The owner wants his yard to look good when he gets home." Each man walked around the yard, spraying away. "What are you doing here?" the other man asked.

"Just keepin' an eye out," Douglas answered. "The owners said I could stay here if I keep an eye on the place."

"You don't look like a house sitter." The larger man squinted at Douglas.

Douglas wanted to waste the man for being too nosy. What business was it of his? He kept his voice humble. "I did some work for the lady of the house before they left and she offered me a place to sleep. Lost my house last month."

"Lose your job?" the smaller of the two men asked.

"And my family, too."

"Gotta get to work," the taller one reminded his partner.

Douglas watched for a minute, then walked back toward his Explorer. Maybe these guys wouldn't take long.

The sprayers were getting too damned close to the camera and listening device in the hedge.
Shit! Oh, shit! There goes the equipment. No! No!

By the time they left the yard, Douglas was ready to bust a gut. The new broad was coming from her house. She was motioning for the men to come to her porch. They hurried right over. That was some short skirt.

He couldn't hear enough to tell what they were saying. He'd probably have to replace everything. At least they hadn't messed up the stuff he'd planted in her yard last night.

Each tipped his cap, then returned to the truck. They're leaving. No! The driver pulled the truck in to her driveway.

The Jeep left, but the woman didn't. The moving truck closed up and left, but the yardmen sprayed everywhere Douglas had planted surveillance equipment. He'd like to stuff their equipment somewhere they wouldn't enjoy.

Another car pulled up. Nice car.

Could they possibly be spraying the equipment on purpose? Nah, too dumb looking. He approached the larger spray man. "So, why are you spraying both yards?"

"The lady asked us to." He looked like he didn't want to be bothered. Tough!

"We'da done it, anyway," the other man volunteered. "We always spray her yard. Didn't know the teacher was gone." He shrugged. "Nice lady, the teacher."

"Yeah, I heard she was a nice person."

The equipment had been loaded and the larger man held a clipboard and a pen. "This invoice says we sprayed this yard. Wanna sign?"

"Sure," Douglas signed a fake name.

"Gotta get the lady to sign for her yard." The man with the clipboard walked to the porch. The sexpot came outside and signed the man's papers
. She knows how to flaunt it.
His mama had always said you could tell the easy ones. This one had hot panties for sure. He'd check them before he was through.

She had to have some idea where the teacher bitch was. Once he knew, he'd have a good time with this one, then find and kill his assignment. He'd kill her slowly. He'd kill her interfering boyfriend and his son and the blonde friend. Maybe he wouldn't have to kill the pretty blonde friend.

The yardmen were finally leaving. Now he'd have to go back to his friend to restock his listening devices. Better check to see if any of his stuff had escaped the green spray. Damn! Damn! This job was costing him. His reputation would be in ruins, his employers would want their money back and his expenses were escalating as he breathed, or as the bitch breathed! After the truck was gone, he moved to the Explorer. He needed to make sure the vehicle couldn't be traced to him or his friend.

First, he needed a pay phone to see if the message on the teacher's phone had been changed or if she had a new listing. Why did she have to make his job so difficult? She was as difficult to kill as her stupid husband had been easy. He'd stepped in front of Douglas's truck as easy as you please. One hit with the truck and he'd been dead, out of the way.

* * * *

Brit sat at her kitchen table and sipped iced tea. Men had come and gone from their watches and already she was tired of it. She wanted to get her dog and settle back in her own house, in her old life. In four days she was expected back in school with everybody else. No one would be safe with her around. The scum had better show up soon, so the cops could put him back in jail.

Drew had promised to explain things to her family and Julie before anyone tried to reach her here. Empty boxes had been loaded in the moving van and taken away. The yardmen had thoroughly watered and sprayed grass seed all over the areas her enemy could have stashed cameras or listening devices.

The scraggy guy across the street had paced the whole time the men had worked outside. He must be the man she needed to see put away for good. He'd be over here before long to check on the woman he'd attacked, the woman who'd sent him to jail.

He disappeared while she daydreamed and enjoyed a glass of tea. Brit ate a sandwich and wandered, waiting for Esther to join her. God, she missed Julie. Hardly a day would go by when she and Julie didn't see each other.

The doorbell rang and Brit rushed to answer it.
No
, she stopped. She checked the peephole and saw Esther. Drew had hidden his hair under a western style hat.

"OOOOh you're here, finally!" She hugged Esther like her long lost friend. "You look gorgeous," she whispered. "Smile for the camera in case the asshole is watching." She made a point of ogling Drew. "Who's the cowboy?"

Drew stepped forward, offering her his hand. "Just a friend, ma'am. This pretty lady and I met last night and she told me about your great house."

"Well, come on in and see the inside. It's so cute." She turned to Esther. "Did you bring your stuff so you can stay? There's plenty of room."

Drew went back to get the extra empty suitcases. He followed the girls inside and returned twice, to make it look like Esther was really moving in. Once all the suitcases were in, he checked each camera, then joined the girls in the kitchen.

Brit's phone line rang and the answering machine went on. "I won't be returning to this number or address but will answer any messages you leave. I'm sorry if this causes any inconvenience, but circumstances beyond my control prevent my leaving more information."

An angry voice came on as soon as the beep stopped echoing. "You don't believe you can run away, do you? I'll find you, you bitch. I'll find you." The dial tone was deafening.

"Nice man," Esther shuddered.

The phone rang again. The message played. This time the voice seemed so reasonable. "Hey there. It's time for your oil change and tune-up. Please call for your appointment. Our number has changed to 912-732-1554. Thanks, Joey."

Drew's brow rose as he looked over at Brit.

"Not even." She shook her head.

The phone rang. Julie's voice followed the message. "What the Hell is going on? You'd better call me."

Drew shrugged. "She and her mother have been out of the house. I've sent a messenger to stake out her house and deliver a very important flower box. It has enough information about your change in plans that she shouldn't worry."

"If the jerk is listening in on my messages, he'll be a believer after that one."

"Sam will call here as himself. He'll act upset he can't find Brit." Drew held her attention. "Even if the strange character across the street isn't Drake, he seemed upset about the spraying. If he's planted by Drake, or Drake's employers, he's dangerous. Whoever he is, he bears watching. I've checked and no law enforcement agency admits to owning him."

Drew drained the glass of water he'd been holding. "Come on, Essie, girl. Time to see the sights."

Both girls and Drew made a tour of the cameras, still and video. Conversations required scrambling and coding in case any listening devices planted by the enemy were sophisticated enough to record them. "Bad bugs have been killed." Drew explained. "If our man comes in this yard, or in the house, we'll get him."

* * * *