The Archer [Book 13 of the Hawkman Series] (29 page)

"Does that bother Laura?"

"No, but it makes me a bit nervous."

"You can rest assured I'll be very careful. I don't trust Cindy, and I want no problems with her."

"How will a gun help?"

Brett flopped back in his chair and swiped a hand across his forehead. “I don't know, Mr. Casey. Maybe it would just make me feel better."

"If you shot at and killed Cindy, I don't think you'd feel good. You'd probably go to jail on murder charges."

He shook his head, and slapped a hand on the desk. “I can't stand the thought of this woman trying to ruin my life."

"I understand, but let's be sensible. Let me handle the weapons. Leave yours at home."

He furrowed his brow. “What if you killed her?"

"I don't plan on using that style of gun. Even if I did, I'm a licensed private investigator and would have a much better chance in the courtroom than you would."

"How will you stop her if she aims that bow at Laura or me?"

"A taser."

"You're kidding. How will you get close enough."

"I can be fifteen to twenty feet away with the taser. The stun gun is the one where you have to touch the body with the barrel."

"This is all very scary."

"I know. The one thing we're wondering is how will Cindy know you have a date with Laura?"

"I'm sure she's put two and two together. She called last night and invited me to her house for a Friday night dinner. I refused because I have a business meeting. Which I do. Then she asked for Saturday night and I told her I already had plans."

"How'd she react?"

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Hawkman rose and hooked his thumbs in the front pockets of his jeans. “I hope you decide to leave your weapon at home. Remember, Jennifer and I will be close by and we're trained to take care of any trick Cindy pulls."

Brett nodded. “Yes, you've convinced me it's not worth the risk. I'll depend on you to keep Laura and me safe."

Hawkman nodded, feeling relieved. He left the building and prayed Gibson meant what he said. Before heading back to keep an eye on Cindy, he stopped at a gun store, and bought extra cartridges for the taser gun. When he pulled into the campus parking lot, and parked, he spotted the security guard approaching, and rolled down the window.

"Hello, Mr. Casey. How long are you going to keep one of our students under observation?"

"As long as it takes."

The man grinned. “You're not going to tell me any more, are you? I'm a nosey old cuss and your appearance here for the past week has made me very curious."

Hawkman grinned. “Sorry, but that's all you need to know."

The old fellow chuckled as he walked away, to continue his round of inspecting vehicles for parking permits.

Sliding his seat back to relax his long legs, Hawkman watched the students file into the lot at intervals to retrieve their wheels. He unwrapped the sandwich Jennifer had packed for his lunch, and unscrewed the cap on the water bottle. “Boy, this tastes good,” he mumbled.

Before long he noticed Cindy, flanked by Jason Calderidge and Blake Russell, coming down the steps into the parking lot. He wondered if this indicated anything, but was relieved to see her leave the boys and continue walking toward the rental car. Jennifer and Laura were not far behind, and headed for the street exit

Hawkman watched Cindy as she climbed into the Toyota. She seemed oblivious to his presence, but he knew she had seen him. He sensed the girl had become more callous each day.

She backed out and proceeded at a normal rate of speed from the parking lot. Hawkman let a few cars get between them, then pulled out behind her. It surprised him when she didn't go in the direction of her home, instead turned toward town. She pulled into the sports’ shop, took the compound bow from the trunk of the car and disappeared inside the store. Hawkman parked near the back of the lot and waited for thirty minutes before she finally came out, accompanied by Roy Summers who was carrying her equipment, plus some extra arrows in a sack.

Using his binoculars, Hawkman studied the two and decided Summers had adjusted her bow, as he kept pointing to different areas as he talked. Cindy took in what he said, and nodded her head on several occasions. Roy soon put the bow in the trunk of the car, along with the arrows, and waved as he went back inside. Lowering the glasses, Hawkman figured she wanted her equipment in top shape for tomorrow's adventure.

When she left the mall, he noted the time around five thirty. She then surprised him again as she led him to the main street, circled the block of Brett Gibson's place of work, then went into the private parking garage of the employees. She soon exited, drove straight to his apartment building, and parked in front so she could see Brett's Lexus.

"This girl is obsessed with the man,” Hawkman muttered, as he drove down the alley and parked at the rear of the lot as he'd done before. The Lexus was parked in the usual place, and about six o'clock Brett came out of the building. He then climbed into his vehicle, and not recognizing the gray Toyota, didn't give it a second look as he drove into the street.

Hawkman watched Cindy make an illegal U-turn in the middle of the block and follow Gibson around the corner. Turning on the ignition, he drove out of the lot and tracked the two as they drove to Brett's work building. Gibson disappeared into the employees’ parking garage and Cindy drove past. Keeping quite a distance between them, Hawkman tailed her home, pulled around the corner, watched as she left the car, and went inside.

Not trusting the girl's motives, he kept an eye on the house for about an hour before he decided she was probably in for the evening. Even if she did leave, he figured she'd just check on Brett's whereabouts.

Leaving the surveillance of Cindy Brown, he headed for Copco Lake, eager to talk with Jennifer about her day's events with Laura. He hadn't heard from his wife, so assumed things had gone fairly smooth. As he drove, his thoughts focused on the plan for tomorrow night. He needed to discuss timing with Jennifer, along with a few insignificant details, so their strategy would flow without a hiccup.

He soon crossed the bridge over Copco Lake, pulled into the driveway, and parked beside the Ford Escape in the garage. Jennifer stood in the kitchen reading the instructions on the stun gun.

"Thought you said you knew how to use it,” he said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"I do, but it's been a long time and I wanted to check to make sure I remembered."

"Good idea. I'm going to check out the taser too. I picked up some fresh cartridges while in town."

"How come you're so late?"

He gave her the rundown on Cindy's movements, as he placed the bag and his briefcase on the counter.

"The girl's weird. She can't accept the fact that Brett wants nothing more to do with her."

"Yep, she's obsessed with him. She can't believe plain Laura has stolen the man she had her sights on. By the way, how'd things go with you two today?"

"Good, except for one snippy remark from Cindy at the end of the day."

"I'm listening."

"She marched by us on the way to the parking lot, with those two boys that slobber after her, and hissed at Laura, ‘Have a good time with Brett. It'll be your last.’”

"What did Laura do?"

"I signaled for her to keep her mouth shut, but it took a lot of self discipline for her not to lash back with a remark. She told me on the ride home, she had to grit her teeth."

"Are you nervous about tomorrow?"

"Sort of. I wonder when and where Cindy will make her move?"

"My guess is when Brett takes Laura home."

"Why not beforehand?"

"It's still light and there's more traffic. Cindy doesn't want to be seen. The rental car has turned into a blessing. Her red convertible would be recognized easily; few people will even notice the gray Toyota going down the road."

"If she has murder on her mind, it's not going to make much difference what she's driving."

"True, but I don't think she wants an audience."

Jennifer nodded. “You're right. I hope you're going to keep track of her comings and goings."

"I intend to. You're responsible for Brett and Laura. What time shall we start?"

"You should probably hang out at Cindy's by five. I'll keep an eye out on the road to Kings’ ranch about six."

"Sounds good.” He removed his cell phone from the pouch on his waist, and placed it on the counter. “Get our phones charged while I go check on the old pickup."

"When you need to call me, you're going to have to pull off the road."

He winked at her. “Depends."

"You're one naughty boy."

"I know. I'll obey the law, if nothing's going on."

Hawkman took the pickup keys off the hook by the phone, flipped on the side porch light, and headed out the laundry room door. He had the truck parked in the yard near the oak tree. He inserted the key and turned it. The engine kicked in on the first try and sounded good. He checked the gauges and everything looked up to par, even the full tank of gas. Going back into the house with a big smile, he said, “Runs like it's brand new."

"You'll look like one of the farmers."

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Saturday morning, Hawkman and Jennifer woke up early and tumbled out of bed.

"How'd you sleep?” he asked.

"Not too good. Couldn't get Cindy off my mind."

"Same here."

"This is not going to be an easy task,” she said, running a brush through her short locks, and slipping on a terry robe.

"No, but we have to keep in mind we're protecting Laura and Brett."

"I've grown so attached to Laura, I couldn't stand the thought of her getting hurt or killed."

They moved to the kitchen where Jennifer filled the cat's water and food bowls, then proceeded to fry bacon. “I thought we could use a good breakfast. I'll fix sandwiches for us to take. If things get dicey we might not have a chance to eat much."

Hawkman put his arm around her shoulders and gave them a squeeze. “You're a good partner."

She smiled. “Thanks. If left up to you, we'd eat donuts and fast food."

He nodded. “You're right."

Hawkman did an inventory of the items on the counter: stun and taser guns, extra cartridges, charged cell phones, plus Jennifer's fanny pack with pistol inside. He'd already put on his shoulder holster when he dressed; so much a part of him, he'd be lost without it.

He went out to the aviary where Pretty Girl squawked and scolded him as he cleaned out her pen. Miss Marple sat on the window ledge inside and watched, her tail twitching slightly.

"I know, my pet, you want to go hunting. Maybe tomorrow. Concentrate on the feline at the window, she thinks you'd make a good dinner. Fuss at her, not me."

He replaced the falcon's food and water with fresh, then locked up her pen and pulled one side of the tarp down to protect her from the cool breeze. Leaving the hawk to do her protesting alone, he went to the side yard and drove the pickup to the front of the house. He checked all the gauges again, and nodded his approval.

When he went back inside, Jennifer had placed two lunch bags on the counter with a couple of water bottles, along with a mystery paperback. She came from the bedroom dressed in jeans, sweatshirt, tennis shoes, a light windbreaker jacket slung across her arm, and carrying a couple pairs of binoculars.

"Glad you thought of those. There's a pair in the glove compartment in the SUV, but I'm not sure if any are in the pickup.” He held up the book. “Think you'll have time to read?"

"My job is to watch Laura. There won't be any action my way until Brett picks her up."

"Just don't fall asleep. I'll call you occasionally just to make sure."

She put a hand on her hip, and narrowed her stare. “You have nothing to worry about."

"Uh, I'll take my cell, place it in the holder for you, and make sure everything's working okay,” he said, snatching his phone from the counter.

"Thanks,” Jennifer said, clipping her fanny pack around her waist. She picked up the stun gun and put a finger to her lips. “Not sure where to put this."

Hawkman turned around before going out the front door. “What?"

"The stun gun."

"Put it on the passenger seat. You won't need it until Cindy's down. You'll have plenty of time to retrieve it."

"Okay."

Hawkman took out the duffle bag containing the items he needed to disguise his appearance, and tossed it into the passenger seat of the pickup.

Once they had everything ready, it was close to two o'clock.

"Time to head for Medford,” Hawkman said, putting Jennifer's cell into the pouch on his belt. “I want to keep a close watch on our Cindy Brown."

Jennifer climbed into Hawkman's 4X4 and he climbed into the old green truck, both loaded with their paraphernalia. They left the house and caravanned into town. Jennifer soon turned off and headed toward the road leading to the Kings’ ranch. She needed to find a good hiding place, which might take a couple of runs. He traveled toward Cindy Brown's neighborhood.

Before reaching the area, Hawkman parked on the side of the street, deposited his Stetson on the passenger seat, then rummaged through the duffle bag until he found a ball cap, which he placed on his head, and pulled down the brim to the top of his brows. He slid on a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses, and glanced into the mirror. Still not satisfied with his looks, he searched through the items of disguise until he found a mustache, slightly darker than the color of his hair. He tore off the waxed paper protecting the adhesive, and pressed it against his upper lip. Checking his reflection again, he grinned. “Perfect,” he said aloud.

He crammed the extra stuff back into the bag, dropped it onto the floorboard and started the truck. Slowly rounding the corner, he spotted the gray Toyota parked in the Browns’ driveway. Cindy hadn't made her move yet, so Hawkman drove up the street, turned around and parked on the opposite side about half a block a way. Taking an old map from the glove compartment, he unfolded it across the steering wheel, and pretended to study it. He knew he couldn't stay long. Even portraying a lost handyman, his looks and vehicle didn't give the appearance as the most desirable creature to be loitering in this neighborhood.