Runaway Heiress (19 page)

Bree didn’t know which of them moved first, but suddenly she was melting in his arms as his mouth gently caressed her lips. The moment stretched, filling her with a sense of rightness and love. He could be passionate and aggressive, or gentle and loving. He seemed to know what she needed exactly when she needed it.

              His cell phone rang and Chad seriously considered throwing it against the building across the street. He didn’t care who was calling, he wasn’t getting interrupted again.

              “Woo hoo, ride that cowboy,” someone called out, and Chad groaned against her mouth. It looked like he couldn’t catch a break.

              He reluctantly pulled away, nearly changing his mind when he saw Bree’s flushed cheeks and swollen lips. Her eyes slowly opened, full of confusion – probably wondering why he stopped. He was going to take her to a deserted island – no phones, no teenagers and no stalkers.

              His phone went off again and he pulled the annoying device from his pocket. Bree just buried her head against his shoulder, seemingly as frustrated as him.

              “What?” he snapped into his phone. After a pause, he spoke again.

              “Is it necessary? She’s been through a lot the last couple days.”

              “Fine,” he answered, then hung up.

              “The police have someone in custody. They think we should come in,” Chad told her. Bree’s eyes widened, but he was impressed by how quickly she squared her shoulders and pulled herself together.

              “Then we’d better get down there,” she said without hesitation.

              “I can deal with it on my own,” Chad offered.

              “No. I want answers. I want this to be over,” she answered and he heard the steel in her voice.

Chapter Fourteen

              Bree’s stomach turned as they stepped inside the huge double doors into the sheriff’s station. She glanced at the reception area with people calling out orders, and chaos reigning. Somewhere among the throng of individuals was someone who could be responsible for disrupting her life, shooting her in the head, and endlessly pursuing her.

              She squeezed Chad’s hand tightly in her own. She was unaware of Chad scoping the room, looking for possible exits, noticing anyone looking suspicious. She would feel more reassured if she could see how aware he was of everyone and everything around him.

              This could be the end of the chase. She could possibly start focusing on her life and getting her problems worked out, without having to look over her shoulder every five minutes. If the person after her was caught, then she could focus on her child, and if she were relaxed, then maybe she’d get her memory back.

              She smiled at the thought. She really wanted to know her past – her family.

              Chad led her to the reception desk, where a harried looking woman in uniform barely glanced away from her computer screen as they approached.

              “How can I help you?” she practically yelled, reaching into her messy hair and grabbing a pen that had seen better days.

              “We’re here to see Captain Musket,” Chad replied. That seemed to snap her to attention.

              “Name?”

              “Chad Redington and Bree Anderson.”

              She typed something on her computer keyboard, dropping the pen on her desk.

              “ID, please,” she said while sticking her hand out, still without looking up. Chad reached into his wallet at the same time as Bree pulled her purse forward. They handed over their ID’s and waited while she typed something else.

              “Head over to the door on the far right. Deputy Mitchel will let you through,” she said without as much as a smile. Bree felt like a criminal for all the warmth the woman showed. She’d hate to be on the wrong side of the law.

              “This way, please,” Deputy Mitchel said when Bree took too long to move forward. She jumped at the sound, then followed Chad’s assured steps as he made his way toward the huge officer. He looked around the room, his hand resting on his gun, before opening the door for them. “Go down this hallway, turn right. It’s interrogation room number two. Wait there and the Captain will meet you.”

              Chad pulled Bree along as they made their way down the plain, narrow hallway. They passed a door where she heard someone shouting and a chill went down her spine. The place gave her the creeps.

              Bree had always been curious what a jail was like from the inside. How the cells looked, if the interrogation rooms really were the same as they appeared on her favorite crime dramas. Now that she was there, her curiosity took a nose dive. She couldn’t wait to get back out into the fresh air. She didn’t understand how prisoners could stand the confined space, day in and day out. It was too much.

              They stood where the officer told them to and waited.

              “Are you okay?” Chad asked, startling Bree out of her thoughts.

              “I was thinking I wouldn’t want to be locked up in one of these places. Just standing here in the hallway is intimidating enough,” she answered with a nervous laugh.

              “This is luxurious, believe it or not. I’ve been places overseas that still give me nightmares,” he said in a voice that made Bree realize she didn’t want to hear about those places. If he wanted to talk, she’d listen, but she knew it would rip her apart. She knew nothing of his life, nothing at all about the father of her unborn baby.

              “Sorry to keep you waiting, Chad, Bree,” Captain Musket said as he stepped up to them with his hand out. He was a pleasant looking man, appearing to be in his sixties; probably about five feet seven, with a round belly. Even with his weight, he still looked like he’d be able to take down a criminal if the need arose. By the twinkle in his eye, Bree had a feeling he’d love for someone to get out of hand. She liked him instantly.

              “We understand. You’re a busy man,” Chad replied.

              “Let’s step into the viewing room so Bree can look at who we have,” the Captain said while opening a door. Bree was the first to enter, coming face to face with a dreadful looking man. She didn’t have any clue who he was, but he was staring right in the window at her.

              “Don’t worry, Bree. He can’t see you. He just knows we can see him and he’s trying to intimidate you. This room is soundproof so he doesn’t even know we’re in here for sure. He’s just assuming,” the Captain assured her.

              The man seemed to be looking directly at her, freezing her with his cold stare. Then, she watched as he placed his hands on the window and leaned his head forward. He stuck his tongue out and swiped it up the glass. Bree jumped back, completely disgusted.

              Chad bunched his fist, having to fight the urge to punch the bullet proof glass, rattling the window, surprising the creep.

              “He’s a winner,” the Captain said with a disgusted sigh. “Is anything coming to you, Bree?”

              “No, I have no clue who he is or what he could possibly want.”

              “Do you want to stay in here and watch the interview?”

              “No, he said he wanted to speak to me, so I’ll go in there. I refuse to let him intimidate me,” she said with resolve. The Captain patted her back, then opened the door and waited. Bree took a deep breath before she stepped out. She could do this. She wouldn’t let any person control her emotions, especially a disturbing, pathetic man.

              “Hey, sexy lady. You can use my lap if you want a more comfortable seat,” the man said with a leer as Bree entered. She heard Chad curse behind her, and she put out her hand to touch him, letting him know she was fine.

              “I’m fine in a chair. What do you want?”

              “Is that any way to act when a man calls on you?”

              “You can cut the act, or sit it off in a cell. Your choice,” Captain Musket said, bending down on the table and pressing his face up close to the man’s.

              “You’re just no fun, are you?” he sneered, but he leaned back, intimidated by the Captain.

              “Not with dirt bags like you.”

              “What the hell do you want? Spit it out,” Chad said as he took a seat facing the man. Bree slowly sat next to Chad, her leg brushing against his, keeping her grounded, reassurance that he was right there.

              “Look, I’ve been trying to get an honest job in this town for a year, but because of my past record, no one wants to give me a chance. So this guy approaches me and asks if I want to make some money. Of course I wanted to make money, not like anyone is handing out jobs,” the man started speaking.

              “What man?” Chad interrupted.

              “He’s not the type of guy who gives you a name, you know? I just called him Mr. X. Well, I was just supposed to write these letters and stuff. Trail a girl. Nothing big – not anything that could get me in any real trouble, and he was paying well – real well,” the man continued.

              “You consider scaring an innocent woman not a crime?” Chad demanded.

              “I didn’t break the law. It wasn’t like I tried to touch her or anything,” the man defended himself.

              Chad stood up from the table, leaned down and got in the man’s face. The guy scooted his chair back, fear displayed in his eyes.

              “Okay, you’re a freaking boy scout. Do you have any useful information for us?” The Captain interrupted before things got out of hand.             

              “Well, things started escalating. Mr. X wanted me to break into her house and take some items. I wasn’t going down for that crap. I know the lock-up time for breaking and entering. I was just supposed to shadow her, you know? I’m not up for the hard core stuff. I’ve cleaned up my act – learned my lesson,” he said with a fake smile.

              Bree knew the man was full of it. She wouldn’t put it past him to do anything for a few bucks.

              “Besides, I didn’t get paid after the last time I hand delivered a note. I’m out there risking my reputation, and he stiffs me,” the man stated.

              Bree realized why he was so willing to turn over his boss. He wasn’t getting money any longer, so he had nothing to lose. He thought maybe he could get out of charges if he came forward instead of being busted.

              “How did you get ahold of this man?” the Captain asked.

              “He gets ahold of me. I don’t have contact information on him. But, I thought you could do one of those wire thingy deals, or something like that. I’d be willing to risk my life… if there were some benefit to me,” he smirked.

              “Do you seriously think we’re going to pay you after what you’ve done? You’re going to be lucky to get out of jail in the next five years,” the Captain thundered. He was obviously furious at what was looking more and more like a waste of all their time.

              “Look, I didn’t have to come forward,” the man said, starting to sweat as he squirmed around in his chair.

              “You came forward because you thought it could somehow benefit you, you piece of crap,” Chad said. He was sick of speaking to the low-life thug, and he didn’t think they were going to get anything useful out of him.

              “Wait!” he shouted when it was obvious he’d lost their attention. “I know he’s going to be calling me soon. He said he has something real big planned for the upcoming holiday,” the man said, trying to hook the bait.

              “I’m not listening to this anymore. You’re obviously where you belong,” Bree said. She couldn’t stand the stench of the man any longer and wanted out of the room. She felt like the walls were starting to close in around her.

              “You high and might b…” he started to say, when Chad reached out and backhanded him across the room.

              “I dare you to complete that sentence,” Chad said, itching to pummel him.

              The man glared at him, then turned his head and spat a stream of blood.

              “That’s assault. I want to press charges,” he shouted to the Captain, who was looking at the door.

              “What? I didn’t see anything. It looks to me like you tripped over the legs of the table. You really should work on your balance,” the Captain said with a serious face.

              “All you high and mighty pieces of crap stick together. I’ll sue you – all of you. I know you have lots of money, little girl. Mr. X talked all about what a rich family you come from. I’ll own everything you have. This is brutality,” he shouted.

              Bree had to fight the sudden urge to laugh. The man was pathetic and he couldn’t help them. Her hopes had been raised for nothing. She stepped past him, and at the last minute dug her three inch heel into his shoeless foot. He screamed out, but Bree was at the door before he made a lunge for her.

              Chad threw his elbow back, connecting with the man’s head, sending him sprawling to the floor. His yelling stopped as he was knocked unconscious.

              “Let’s go,” Chad told her. Neither of them looked back as the Captain ordered one of his deputies to lock the man up.