The Archer [Book 13 of the Hawkman Series] (26 page)

Jennifer rested a hand on Laura's shoulder. “Well, cousin, I'll see you in the morning."

"It's a date. Wednesday is my longest day, so you might want to bring a book to read. I'm sure it will be boring."

"No, I'll bring a binder to take notes. I've found all your classes very interesting and we're never to old too learn."

Laura smiled. “Great. I'm glad you're enjoying them."

"Shall I bring sandwiches for us tomorrow, or do you prefer to lunch in the cafeteria?” Jennifer asked.

"Your suggestion sounds fantastic. I get a little tired of the ones at the student union."

"My treat,” Jennifer said. “Hope you like tuna salad."

"Love it."

Hawkman and Jennifer left the ranch, and headed for town. “I'm going to swing by Brett's apartment and see if Cindy is still waiting,” Hawkman said.

"Do you think she thought Laura was inside Brett's apartment?"

"Who knows. If she had any reasoning skills, she knew you were with Laura. Why would the two of you go to his apartment? Of course, Cindy probably doesn't trust him at all, and figures he could be having an affair with another woman."

"If it happened, wonder if she'd add her to the list of victims?"

"In her state of mind. Yes."

"I wish you could have seen her face when I intervened."

"Bad?"

"Evil."

Hawkman slowed and pointed to the apartment building. “This is where Brett lives, and Cindy had parked right here in front. Her car is gone. Let's see if Brett's black Lexus is still in the lot.” He pulled in and circled the rows, pointing out where he'd been earlier and how he'd conveniently driven down the alley. He craned his neck looking through the rows of vehicles. “Nope, don't see his either."

"He must make good money to afford a Lexus."

"Yeah, I think he does. His apartment is very nicely furnished, and from the clothes I've seen him wear, he must do quite well."

"What does he look like?” Jennifer asked.

"Neat appearing guy, with sandy colored short hair, blue or green eyes, tanned face with sharp features, but none stood out in particular. He's about six foot tall, wide shoulders and big biceps. I suspect he works out in a gym. When I first met him, he appeared to limp, but I didn't notice it today. So he could have just had a temporary injury."

"He sounds quite handsome and professional,” Jennifer said. “I can see why Cindy thought she had a catch, and now competition is moving in. I bet when Brett left his apartment, she followed him. Just to make sure he didn't head for Laura's."

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Out of the corner of his eye, Brett saw Mark usher Cindy into the shooting range area. She immediately covered her ears as she glanced around. Mark handed her a pair of ear muffs and directed her not to go across the line before he exited to the lobby.

She slipped on the protectors, and stood behind Brett as he shot off several rounds. As he pulled the target forward, he felt a poke on his shoulder.

He turned. “Well, hello. What are you doing here?"

She lifted the muff off one ear. “I followed you."

He made a face. “Why'd you do that?"

"We need to talk."

"What about?” he asked, loading the pistol.

"How long are you going to stay here?"

"Until I'm through practicing."

"I want to talk to you now."

"Well, go ahead, if you want to yell above the noise."

She glared at him. “In private. I don't want the world to hear."

"Guess you'll have to wait until I'm through. I'm not giving up my lane. They're too hard to come by when this place gets busy.” He glanced up and down. “It's already filled."

"Do my wants mean anything to you?"

He shrugged, turned toward the target and aimed.

She ripped off the ear protectors, threw them on the floor, and stormed out of the building.

Mark rescued the muffs. “Boy, you've got yourself a high spirited little filly."

Brett shook his head. “I don't claim her, but she'd like to hook her claws into me."

"Right,” Mark said, rolling his eyes, as he walked back toward the lobby.

After finishing several more rounds, Brett pulled off his target, pocketed his gun and remaining ammunition, then left the stall. He waved at Mark as he pushed open the door and headed for his car. Night had fallen, but the lights in the parking lot reflected off the vehicles. He didn't see Cindy's red convertible, and exhaled in relief. Feeling good about his hitting the bull's-eye so often, he definitely didn't want to deal with a spoiled rich girl. His thoughts wandered fondly to Laura.

Opening the trunk, he tossed the ear protectors into the box, closed the lid and went around to get into the car. Just as he opened the door, something whacked into the side, and fell to the ground. When Brett saw the arrow, he quickly grabbed it from the pavement, jumped inside and slammed the door. “What the hell,” he said aloud.

He studied the outskirts of the lot, but darkness prevented him from seeing anything. Grabbing his cell phone from his belt, he frantically searched for the business card Tom Casey had given him, and finally found it in his shirt pocket. He didn't dare turn on the overhead light and give the archer a good target. Instead, he used the pin light dangling from his keychain and leaned toward the floorboard. Quickly punching in the numbers, he put the instrument to his ear.

"Mr. Casey, this is Brett Gibson. I've just been the victim of an arrow assault. Fortunately, it hit the side of my car and not me."

When Hawkman's cell phone rang, he hit the button on his hands free unit.

"Tom Casey.” Hawkman listened for a minute, then said, “Where are you?"

He glanced at Jennifer in the passenger seat as she watched him.

"Would you feel safe in going back to your apartment?"

"Okay, I'll meet you there in about forty-five minutes."

Turning off on a ramp, Hawkman circled and headed back toward Medford.

"What's going on?” Jennifer asked.

"You're going to get to meet Brett Gibson in person. He just had an arrow shot at him in the parking lot of the City Gun Club. It hit the side of his car, fortunately."

"The City Gun Club? What was he doing there?"

"Practicing. He obviously knows how to shoot a gun."

"This case is broadening. Too many people are getting involved. I think you need to solve it soon."

"Need to first catch the tart in action."

"Tart? Ooh, you're getting naughty.” Jennifer said, laughing.

"Sorry about that, but Cindy is getting under my skin and I want to catch her before someone gets hurt."

Jennifer raised a finger in the air. “Maybe you should let me deal with Laura and you take on Cindy. I'll drive my Ford tomorrow and take Laura to school. It should throw anyone off wanting to mess with her car, if they can't find it."

"You're a genius, my sweet. That's a great idea. You can park across the street from the school lot, since you don't have a sticker for parking."

Jennifer frowned. “How'd you get by with parking there all day?"

He smiled. “Security guys don't mess with a licensed private investigator. All I had to do was show my card."

"Of course, I should have known."

"I think you did, you just forgot."

Hawkman soon arrived at Brett's apartment and parked in the lot. He pointed out Brett's car. “He's here. I don't see Cindy's convertible."

Brett let them in and Hawkman introduced Jennifer.

"Keep her identity a secret, as she's escorting Laura to classes under the guise of being a cousin."

Brett smiled. “Got it."

"Tell me what happened."

Brett told them about Cindy following him to the range, then how she left in a rage. When he got into the parking lot and opened the driver's door, an arrow banged against the metal. He produced the shaft.

Hawkman took it in his hands, figuring Brett had handled it to the point of smudging any prints. He noted the fletchings were yellow and black. “Did you see Cindy's car anywhere when you were leaving?"

Brett shook his head. “No, and believe me, I searched."

"I didn't realize you were a gun enthusiast."

"My dad was a policeman, and gave me his Glock G17, before he passed away. He and I used to go hunting a lot. So, I've known about guns all my life, but I have to admit, the Glock's my favorite shooting pistol."

"It's a good gun. Do you have a permit to carry it?"

Brett nodded. “Yes. After you told me about Cindy, I figured I'd better brush up on my shooting for my own protection. I would never want to shoot a human being, but if my life depended on it, I would."

"Are you a good shot?"

"I hate to brag, but, yes. I can hit the bull's-eye with the Glock eight times out of ten."

"I may have to hire you,” Hawkman said smiling.

"Hold on a minute,” Jennifer butted in. “I'm your shooting partner."

"Whoops, forgot she was here. Yep, have to admit, she holds an excellent shooting record. She's even saved my life a few times."

"Sounds like you two are quite a team."

Jennifer nodded. “We are."

"Getting back to the problem,” Hawkman said. “Do you want to join us in our effort to get Cindy off the streets?"

"After what happened this evening, absolutely. I had my doubts about getting involved when I talked with you earlier, as I knew I had a lot at stake; but now I know what I need to do."

"What do you have in mind?” Hawkman asked.

"It's probably too dangerous and you might not approve. I figure I need to string Cindy along, but make her extremely jealous by talking about other women. The thing which bothers me the most now, is she's going after Laura."

Jennifer intervened. “Keep your women vague, so she doesn't know any of their names. It might be wise for you to stay away from Laura until we have this thing solved. If Cindy comes after you, at least you're armed."

Brett ran a hand over his hair. “Man, it's scary to have such an unstable woman around."

"Another thing we have to watch for are black pickups. She borrows them from friends,” Hawkman said. “So she's not always going to turn up in her red convertible."

"Really? You didn't tell me about those."

Hawkman quickly ran through the episodes of Cindy in the trucks. “She's quite a conniver."

"Do these people realize they could be accessories to her crimes?"

"They're all naive about what she's doing. She's just this sexy little thing that gives her body to those who do what she wants."

Brett raised his brows. “Interesting. There are definitely things about Cindy Brown I didn't know. If I brought up rumors I'd heard, it might trip that delicate line and send her overboard."

"You be very careful,” Jennifer said. “Don't let her know you're carrying a gun. Her weapon is much more bulky and she can't hide it. She normally has to retrieve the bow from the trunk of her car, which should give you time to get prepared. Obviously, from your comment at the shooting range, it made her mad enough to shoot at you later."

"She's on the edge,” Hawkman said, holding out his hand to Brett. “Thanks for joining us."

"I'm really doing this for Laura."

"Would you mind if we told her?"

"Not at all. We're supposed to go out this coming weekend. At least she'll know I'm on her side."

Hawkman scratched his sideburn. “Are you sure you want to keep the date?"

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Jennifer sat quietly and stared out the passenger window. Hawkman kept throwing glances her way and finally couldn't stand her silence any longer.

"Hon, what's on your mind?"

"I'm very worried about both Laura and Brett. Cindy is dangerous. I could see it in her eyes."

"Brett's a sharpshooter, so I think he can hold his own."

"Not if Cindy is behind him. He wouldn't even see her. She could have an arrow through his back before he knew what hit him."

Hawkman furrowed his brow. “Do you think she's capable of killing in cold blood?"

Jennifer looked at him. “Yes. I think she'd murder either of them without blinking an eye."

"Hey, you're giving me chills."

"I mean it. She'd do the same to you, me, or anyone who happens to get in her way."

"Any suggestions on how to prevent this from happening?"

She shook her head. “None. We're doing all we can to protect Laura, and Brett has been warned. All we can do is pray they'll stay very alert when together."

Once they arrived home, Jennifer took care of Miss Marple's needs, as Hawkman went about getting ready for bed in silence. They hit the sack and lay entangled in each other's arms until they drifted off to sleep.

Wednesday morning, they took their separate cars as planned, and headed for Medford. Hawkman veered off toward the Browns’ residence, while Jennifer headed for the Kings’ ranch.

Since Laura hadn't been notified of their new strategy, Jennifer hoped to get there before the usual time, so she could explain to the family the reason Laura's car would not be driven today. She pulled around to the rear of the house and parked. As she walked toward the back door, she met Olly coming out.

"Hi, Mrs. Casey. You're a tad early, Laura's just finishing her breakfast."

"No problem, I planned it this way.” She raised a hand, but before she could ask him to wait a moment, he'd already headed toward the barn in a fast walk.

"You gals have a good and uneventful day,” he called over his shoulder.

"Guess Violet can tell you,” Jennifer said under her breath, as she knocked.

Laura poked her head out. “Oh, hi, am I running late?"

Jennifer grinned. “No, I'm ahead of schedule."

"Thank goodness.” She glanced around. Where's Mr. Casey?"

"We're going in my SUV today."

"Come in and tell me what's going on.” She stepped aside for Jennifer to enter.

Violet stood over the stove, removing a skillet from the fire. “Hello, Mrs. Casey. How are you?"

"Fine, thank you."

"Have a seat and I'll pour you a cup of coffee while Laura's getting ready."