Snowbound Suspicion

Chapter Two

Cody leaned over the stall to run his hand along the rough velvet of the mare’s shoulder, and smiled as the animal nuzzled at his shirt pocket. “Sorry, girl, I don’t have any treats for you today,” he said. He’d have to remember to bring a few horse nuggets or a carrot with him next time he visited the stables.

The mare lost interest and turned away to pull hay from the rack on the wall and Cody sat on the feed bin across from the stall. He inhaled deeply of the oats-and-molasses aroma of sweet feed and the still-green scent of hay, and tried to quiet his racing mind. He’d been spending a lot of time here since coming to the ranch. The stables were a quiet place to think. Or maybe brood would be a better word. He wanted to be out there, tracking down and apprehending fugitives, getting bad guys off the streets. Instead, his supervisors had forced him into taking vacation. One screw-up and they thought the answer was time off, but they were wrong. He needed to be back out in the field, proving to them and to himself that he could still handle the job.

He hadn’t minded so much about the forced leave at first—he’d figured this would be a good chance for him and Travis to catch up before the wedding. They could go ice fishing, or maybe elk hunting. Cody could help with work on the ranch. Instead, Travis was neck-deep in the hunt for a serial killer, and Cody could do nothing to help. Sure, his friend had taken pity and let him sit in on a few briefings, but Cody had no jurisdiction and, really, no experience figuring out who committed crimes. As a US marshal, his job was to find the suspects after they had been identified.

At least he wouldn’t be the only outsider at the ranch now. Bette Fuller had been a nice surprise. Somehow, when Travis had talked about the caterer, Cody had pictured an older woman—maybe someone who looked like Julia Child. Instead, a curvy blonde with the most amazing blue eyes and a full mouth that smiled with a hint of a challenge had emerged from the snowstorm to make life on the ranch a whole lot more interesting.

She hadn’t exactly warmed up to Cody. Was Bette so cool to him because he was a cop, or a man—or both? Never mind—he liked a challenge, and they had a couple of weeks to get to know each other better. And if they did hit it off, she was from Denver, and so was he. This could be the start of a fun friendship.

He stood. Time to head back to the house. Bette and Lacy should have had enough time to swap girl talk, and maybe he could find out from Lacy what was up with Travis. As he exited the stables, the scent of tobacco smoke drifted to him. He followed the smell around the side of the barn, where he found Doug Whittington, huddled out of the wind, with a half-smoked cigarette. “Hello, Doug,” he said.

The young man jumped and made as if to hide the cigarette behind his back. “Too late for that.” Cody joined him in the L formed by the stables and the tack room. “I don’t care if you smoke—just don’t set the barns on fire.”

“Don’t tell my mother,” Doug said, then took another long drag. In his late twenties or early thirties, he had close-cropped brown hair and freckles. Cody had never seen him smile, and probably hadn’t exchanged a dozen words with him in the week since he had arrived at the ranch.

Neither man said anything as Doug finished the cigarette. He threw down the butt and ground it into the snow with the heel of his boot. “Who’s that girl?” he asked. “The one who showed up today.”

“You mean Bette?” Was Doug asking because he was interested in the pretty newcomer? Cody couldn’t blame the guy, though he didn’t think the sullen cook was the type to catch the eye of someone like Bette. “She’s catering the wedding.”

“Yeah, but who is she? Where’s she from and who decided she should come here?”

“She’s from Denver and she’s a friend of Lacy’s.”

“Did you know her in Denver?”

“No. Why did you think that?”

“The two of you seemed friendly, that’s all.”

Cody laughed. He wouldn’t have called his interaction with Bette exactly friendly. “Are you worried she might take your mother’s job?” he asked. “I don’t think that’s her intention at all.”

Doug rolled his shoulders. “Just wondering. How long is she going to be here?”

“The wedding is in two and a half weeks, so I imagine she’ll be here at least until then.”

“Just wondering,” he said again, then stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I gotta go.”

He shuffled off through the snow, away from the house. He was an odd duck, Cody thought, but then, it took all kinds. He headed back to the house and found Lacy and Bette seated before the fire. “Cody!” Lacy greeted him with her usual enthusiasm. “We wondered where you had gone off to.”

“I thought I’d give you two a little time alone to catch up,” he said. He took a seat at the end of the sofa on one side of the woodstove, opposite Bette.

“So considerate,” Lacy said. “Have you been bored out of your mind up here by yourself? I hope not.”

“I’m okay,” he said. “How’s Travis? Any word on how the case is going?”

Lacy shook her head. “I saw him for a few minutes this afternoon, but you know him—he doesn’t like to talk about cases. He did say he’d try to make it home for dinner.”

“Being a cop’s wife isn’t for the faint of heart,” Cody said.

“Oh, I know that.” Lacy waved off his concern. “But I love Travis as much for what he does as for who he is. I like that he’s so committed to doing what’s right. If he wasn’t, I’d still be sitting in prison.”

Cody still marveled that Travis had ended up marrying a woman he had arrested for murder. Three years after her conviction, the sheriff had discovered new evidence that proved Lacy was innocent, and he had thrown himself into seeing that her conviction was vacated. After she was freed, he had enlisted her help to find the real murderer. Talk about an unlikely love story.

“I can’t believe there’s a serial killer in Eagle Mountain,” Bette said. “Lacy, why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want to scare you off,” Lacy said. “Call me selfish, but it’s true.” She leaned toward her friend. “You’re not scared, are you? You don’t need to be. I can’t think of anything safer than being here at the ranch, with two lawmen in residence, now that Cody is staying here. And Gage is up here all the time, too.”

“I’m not afraid,” Bette said. “Though Cody said one of the women was killed here on the ranch.”

Lacy frowned. “Well, yes, but that doesn’t mean it was someone from here. We were having a scavenger hunt. People were spread out all over the place, so the killer could have sneaked onto the property at any time. But if you make it a point not to go anywhere by yourself, you should be fine.”

“I’m happy to accompany you if you need an escort,” Cody said, but the offer only earned him a sour look from Bette.

The door from the kitchen opened and Rainey emerged, bearing a large silver tray. Cody rose to help her, but she shrugged him away. “I can get it,” she said, as she set the tray on the low table in front of the sofa. “I thought you might like something to snack on before supper.”

“Oh, it looks delicious,” Lacy said, scooting forward and helping herself to a cheese puff.

Rainey remained tight-lipped. “Have you seen Doug?” she asked. “He’s disappeared and it’s time for him to help me with supper.”

“I saw him a few minutes ago, out by the stables,” Cody said.

“Probably smoking a cigarette,” Rainey said. “He does that when he’s upset.”

Cody stuffed a sausage roll into his mouth, using it as an excuse not to comment.

“I can help you if you like,” Bette said. She started to stand. “Just tell me what you want me to do.”

“I can manage fine on my own,” Rainey said. “I’ve been doing it for years. I’m sure you’re the reason Doug is staying away. You’ve upset him.”

“What have I done to upset him?” Bette asked, but Rainey was already walking away, back to the kitchen.

“I’m sorry she’s being so rude to you,” Lacy said. “I can talk to Mr. and Mrs. Walker if you like. I’m sure they would speak to her.”

“No, don’t say anything. I don’t want to cause trouble.” She stood. “I think what I’d like to do is freshen up before dinner. And I want to check out that cute cabin where you’ve put me. I didn’t see much when we dropped off my luggage.”

Cody stood. “Let me walk you out. My cabin isn’t far and I should probably clean up before dinner, too.”

“I don’t think that’s really necessary,” she said.

“Humor me,” he said, lifting her coat off the pegs by the door.

“Let him go with you,” Lacy said. “I mean, you’re probably perfectly fine, but until Travis catches this killer, it probably doesn’t hurt to be overly cautious.”

If looks could kill, Cody thought Lacy might have been at least injured by the glare Bette sent her, but she allowed Cody to help her into her coat, and she stalked out the door in front of him.

Cody followed, not trying to catch up with her, more amused than insulted. He half suspected Lacy of doing a little matchmaking, trying to throw the two of them together, but it probably didn’t hurt for the women to be a little more careful until the murderer was caught.

Bette had been assigned the first in a row of four log guest cabins arranged alongside the creek, past the horse barns. Cody’s cabin was next to hers, the other two reserved for wedding guests due to arrive later. Someone—one of the ranch hands, probably—had shoveled the stone walkway leading to the cabin, which, if it was like Cody’s, consisted of a single large room and attached bathroom, and a small covered porch with a single chair and small table.

The sun had set, casting the world around them in gray twilight, but a light shone over the door of Bette’s cabin. She stopped at the bottom of the steps leading up onto the porch. Cody halted behind her. “What is it?” he asked, then followed her gaze to the door. There, in bright red paint, someone had scrawled the words Go Home!

* * *

ONCE SHE WAS over the initial shock of seeing the message on her door, Bette was more angry than frightened. “I guess we know what Doug Whittington was up to when his mother couldn’t find him,” she said, starting up the steps, her key in her hand.

“Don’t touch the door.” Cody took her hand as she was reaching for the knob.

She glared at him. “What? You think you’re going to find fingerprints? And then what? I don’t think a nasty message is exactly a major crime.” She pulled out of his grasp, inserted her key in the lock and shoved open the door. Not waiting to be asked, Cody followed her in—not that that surprised her. He was in full-on cop mode, on the case. Except there was no case.

“You don’t know that Doug did this,” he said.

“Unless his mother took a break from preparing dinner and ran out here with a can of red paint, my money is on Doug. No one else here is so anxious for me to leave.” She looked around the room, but clearly nothing had been disturbed. Her unopened suitcases stood by the bed, which was still neatly made, a blue-and-yellow patchwork quilt draped across it.

“I’ll talk to him,” Cody said.

“No.” She grabbed his wrist, squeezing hard, making sure she had his full attention. “Don’t say anything. The best way to deal with this kind of harassment is to ignore it.”

He set his jaw in a stubborn line and his eyes met hers—denim-blue eyes a woman could get lost in. Clearly, he wasn’t a man who ignored anything. “If I tell him to lay off hassling you or he’ll have to deal with me, I think he’ll stop,” he said.

“Your job is not to protect me,” she said. “I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself.”

He took a step toward her, so that the front of his duster almost brushed against her puffy coat. He was breathing hard, and she realized she was, too. She was torn between wanting to slap him and wanting to grab his shoulders and pull him down to her in a kiss. Her hormones were jumping up and down, shouting, “Big, sexy man—must have,” trying hard to drown out her brain, which was pleading that she had more sense than this.

Cody’s gaze shifted to her lips and she wondered if he was thinking the same thing—a dangerous thought that had her releasing her hold on him and stepping back, until she bumped into the bed. “You need to leave,” she said, her brain momentarily getting the upper hand.

“Yeah, I probably do.” He stepped back also, though his eyes remained locked to hers. “Just promise me if anything else happens—something more than annoying messages—you’ll call for me. My cabin is next door.” He nodded to his right.

“Sure.” She hugged her coat more tightly around her body. “But nothing is going to happen. This is kid stuff.”

“What are you going to do about the door?”

“I’ll find something to clean the message off the door before anyone sees it.”

“Or you could show it to the Walkers and let them know what’s going on.”

“No. I don’t want to do anything to upset them. They’ve got enough on their hands, between the wedding and this whole serial killer thing. I mean, it can’t be that easy, having two sons out hunting a murderer.”

Cody wanted to argue—she could practically see the words building up in his head. She braced herself to reply, but instead, he turned and took hold of the doorknob. “Have it your way. But remember—I’m right next door if you need me.”

He left and she dropped onto the bed, struggling to control her racing heart. Great. He was next door. Entirely too close for comfort. He had no idea, but Cody Rankin was a lot more dangerous to Bette’s well-being than Rainey and her son.

Chapter Three

Bette couldn’t decide if the dinner of roast beef, potatoes au gratin, green beans almandine and homemade rolls was designed to impress her with Rainey’s prowess in the kitchen, or if it was simply the way the Walker family ate every evening. Add in the gleaming oak table, polished silver and dishes she guessed were hand painted, and the place screamed laid-back luxury. “Everything is so delicious,” she said, determined to give credit where credit was due.

“I wish Travis and Gage could have been here,” Mrs. Walker said, as she passed the dish of potatoes.

“They said they were sorry to miss eating with us, but they think they have a break in the case,” Lacy said.

“I hope that means they’re close to catching the murderer,” Mrs. Walker said.

“And without another woman dying,” Mr. Walker said.

Silence descended on the table, broken only by the clink of ice in glasses and the scrape of forks on china.

“Not the most cheerful topic of conversation,” Travis’s sister, Emily, said, slicing into her roast.

“One of the hazards of living with law enforcement,” Cody said. “Lacy will get used to it.”

“Oh, I am,” Lacy said. “I think it’s interesting, actually.”

Mrs. Walker turned to Bette. “I hope you’re finding the cabin comfortable.”

“Oh, yes,” Bette said. “It’s beautiful. I’m going to really enjoy staying there.”

“Well, if you need anything, just let me know,” Mrs. Walker said.

“Maybe some more cleaner.” Seated next to her, Cody whispered the words under his breath. Bette kicked him in the shin. She had refused his offer to help scrub the painted message off the front door, but it was true she had used most of a bottle of cleaner and probably ruined a bath towel cleaning everything up. Someone looking closely would probably still be able to see the shadow of the words, but tomorrow she planned to make a wreath or something to hang on the door to cover them up. She had gotten to be pretty crafty, all those years behind bars.

“If I wasn’t staying here, you could have had my room,” Lacy said. “Though you’ll probably appreciate the privacy of the cabin.”

“I thought you had a place in town,” Bette said. She remembered Lacy’s excitement over the apartment she had rented from a friend.

“I do, but Travis persuaded me that I should stay here until the wedding.”

“He didn’t like the idea of you living alone while this killer is on the loose,” Mrs. Walker said. “And I don’t blame him.”

“It’s very sweet of you to take me in,” Lacy said. “My room is very nice.”

“We thought about putting you in one of the cabins,” Mr. Walker said. “But we didn’t want to make it too easy for Travis to sneak off to see you. It’s good for young men to have a challenge.”

Lacy blushed bright pink, while the rest of the table burst into laughter.

The door from the kitchen opened and Rainey entered. “Does anyone need anything?” she asked, surveying the table.

“Everything is delicious,” Bette said. “I’ll have to get your recipe for the roast—it’s so well-seasoned.”

“I don’t give out my recipes,” Rainey said.

Bette kept a smile on her face. She wasn’t going to let this old bat get her down.

“My favorite is the potatoes,” Cody said.

“Doug made those,” Rainey said.

“So I guess he made it back in time to help you with the cooking after all,” Cody said.

“I told you, he was just out smoking.” She turned on her heels and left them.

“I’m afraid Rainey’s feelings are a little hurt that Travis and Lacy didn’t ask her to cater the wedding,” Mrs. Walker said. “I tried to explain we didn’t want to burden her with so much work—and that it meant a lot to Lacy to have her friend do the job. I’m sure she’ll calm down soon. In the meantime, I hope you won’t let her bother you, Bette.”

“Of course not.” Bette took a sip of her water, aware of Cody watching her. Honestly, did he have to sit right next to her? She couldn’t make a move without being aware of him. When he reached past her for the rolls, his arm brushed hers and a tremor shuddered through her. So annoying. Tomorrow, she’d suggest she trade places at dinner with Lacy or Emily. Or maybe she could stick Travis next to his friend.

“What’s next on the wedding agenda?” Emily asked.

“The bridesmaids’ tea is Saturday,” Lacy said. “Now that Bette is here, we can finish planning that.”

“It sounds very formal,” Cody said.

“It’s just a chance for us to dress up and eat lots of fancy finger food,” Lacy said. “I wanted something different from a bar crawl.”

“There aren’t many bars to crawl to in Eagle Mountain,” Emily said.

“That’s not going to stop the men.” Lacy looked down the table to Cody. “Gage told me he’s planning to kidnap Travis and force him to attend his bachelor party Saturday night.”

“If the roads stay open, he’s booked a hotel in Junction,” Cody said. “If not, we’ll make do with Moe’s Pub.”

“I’m rooting for Moe’s,” Lacy said. “There’s no way they can get into trouble there, with half the town watching them.”

Rainey returned and began clearing the table. “Where’s Doug?” Cody asked. “Doesn’t he usually help you with that?”

“He wasn’t feeling well,” Rainey said. “I sent him to lie down.”

“Let me help.” Bette stood and began gathering the plates on her side of the table.

“There’s no need for that,” Rainey said. “I can manage on my own.”

“I want to help,” Bette said.

Cody stood and began collecting dishes also. “I’ll help, too,” he said.

The two of them followed Rainey into the kitchen. “Put the dishes in the sink and then go sit down,” Rainey directed. “I don’t like a lot of other people in my kitchen while I’m trying to work.”

“I’m the same way,” Bette said. “You know just where everything is and how you want to do things, and it’s annoying to have to keep stopping and telling other people what to do.”

Rainey glared at her, but Bette kept smiling.

“I don’t think your plan to win her over with flattery and kindness is going to work,” Cody whispered as they made their way back to the table.

“Maybe I’m not trying to win her over,” Bette said. “Maybe I’m trying to drive her crazy. Crabby people hate it when their enemies are nice to them.”

A few moments later, Rainey entered the dining room, carrying a large apple pie and a carton of vanilla ice cream. She set them in the center of the table. “You can serve yourselves,” she said.

“None for me.” Lacy stood. “I have a wedding dress to fit into.”

“Thank goodness, I don’t.” Bette picked up the knife and prepared to cut into the pie. “Who wants ice cream?”

Mrs. Walker declined, but everyone else wanted dessert. Bette dished up the pie, while Cody took charge of the ice cream. When everyone was served, Bette sat back and took a bite.

“What do you think?” Cody asked.

“It’s very good.” She took a small spoonful of ice cream. “A little sweeter than I like, and a dash more of cloves would have been a good addition—but very good.”

Lacy, who had left the room, returned, phone in hand. “I just had a text from Adelaide Kinkaid.” She glanced at Bette. “She’s Travis’s office manager.”

“Is something wrong with Gage or Travis?” White-faced, Mrs. Walker half rose from her chair.

“They’re both fine,” Emily said. She studied her phone screen. “Adelaide says they’ve made an arrest in the Ice Cold Killer case.”

“The Ice Cold Killer?” Bette asked.

“That’s what they’re calling the serial killer,” Emily said. “Apparently, he leaves behind little cards—like business cards—that say ‘ice cold.’”

“Who did they arrest?” Mrs. Walker asked, settling into her chair once more.

“I texted back that question,” Lacy said.

The phone pinged and Lacy swiped the screen. Her eyes widened. “She says they arrested Ken Rutledge.”

“Who is Ken Rutledge?” Cody asked.

“He’s a schoolteacher,” Lacy said. “He lives in the other half of the duplex where Kelly Farrow—the first murder victim—lived.”

“So he’s the serial killer?” Emily asked.

Lacy shook her head. “Adelaide doesn’t say. She just says Travis arrested Ken and Gage and Dwight are driving him to the lockup in Junction tonight.”

“Well, she can’t say, can she?” Emily asked. “But if Travis arrested him—and he’s really connected with the case—then he must be the murderer.”

“This whole situation has been horrible,” Mrs. Walker said. “But I hope it’s over now.”

“I do, too,” Emily said. “In any case, I know I’ll sleep better tonight, knowing a killer is behind bars.”

“Speaking of sleeping...” Bette pushed back her chair. “I’m going to say good-night now. I still have to unpack, and I’ve had a very long day.”

“The drive from Denver is enough to wear anyone out,” Mrs. Walker said.

“I’ll walk you to your cabin.” Cody stood also.

“I don’t need an escort,” Bette said.

She could see in his eyes that he wanted to protest, but she didn’t give him a chance. She hurried to hug Lacy, said good-night to the others and quickly made her way to the front door. To her relief, Cody didn’t follow.

As she took the shoveled path toward the cabins, she told herself she really didn’t have to run away from Cody Rankin. He was just another man, and she was a strong enough woman to resist his attractions.

Maybe she should go ahead and tell him she had a record. As a cop who devoted his life to putting away people like her, that information was sure to make him keep his distance.

* * *

CODY WAITED UP with the Walkers until Travis came home. The Rayford County sheriff looked as sharp-pressed and alert as always, though Cody recognized the fatigue in his eyes.

“Well?” he asked, once Travis had shed his coat and kissed Lacy.

“Well what?” Travis asked, his arm around Lacy.

“Is Ken Rutledge the Ice Cold Killer?” Lacy asked.

“Probably not—though we’re still tracing his movements around the time of all the murders.”

“If he’s not the killer, why did you arrest him?” Mrs. Walker asked.

“He attacked Darcy Marsh.”

“Darcy is a local veterinarian,” Emily told Cody. “She and Kelly Farrow were business partners.”

“But you don’t think he’s the serial killer?” Mrs. Walker asked.

“We’re not ruling that out completely.” Travis moved past them, toward the fire. “I really can’t talk about the case—except I’m wondering how you all already know about the arrest.”

“Adelaide texted me,” Emily said.

“Of course she did.” Travis settled onto the sofa.

“She wanted me to know you were all right,” Emily said. “And it’s not as if something like that is going to stay a secret very long. I imagine most of the town knows about it by now.”

“I imagine they do,” Travis said, without anger.

“Did you have anything to eat?” Mrs. Walker asked.

Travis shook his head. “I’ll get something in a minute. Right now, I just want to rest and warm up.”

“What’s the weather like?” Mr. Walker took a seat across from his son.

“It’s snowing again. I told Gage and Dwight to hurry to get the evidence we collected to Junction. If one of the avalanche chutes on Dixon Pass lets loose, they’ll have to close the road again.”

“You’ll be in big trouble if two of your officers get trapped on the other side of the pass,” Cody said. “You might even have to deputize me.”

“Only as a last resort,” Travis said. He didn’t smile, but Cody caught the glint of humor in his eye.

“Bette arrived this afternoon,” Lacy said. “She’s in the first guest cabin. Poor woman was exhausted from the drive.” She squeezed Travis’s arm. “I can’t wait for you to meet her.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Travis said, though he didn’t sound very enthusiastic. In fact, to Cody’s ears, his friend sounded like a man who was telling his fiancée what she wanted to hear, not what he necessarily felt.

Rainey appeared, carrying a tray, which she set on the coffee table in front of Travis. “I’ve been keeping this warm for you,” she said. “Eat it now before it gets cold.” Before he could reply, she had turned and fled.

“I see Rainey is in one of her moods tonight,” he said. He leaned forward and picked up a fork.

“Her nose is out of joint because Bette is here,” Lacy said. “But honestly, Bette is the nicest person in the world. If anyone can win over Rainey, she can.”

“She doesn’t have to win her over,” Travis said. “She just has to ignore her and cater the wedding.”

“Oh, Bette will do a good job,” Lacy said. “A wonderful job. And she really appreciates us giving her this chance. It means a lot to her.”

“Happy to help.” Travis focused his attention on his plate. “I’m starving.”

Mr. and Mrs. Walker said good-night, as did Emily, leaving Lacy and Cody alone with Travis. He was wondering if he should leave the couple to themselves when Travis said, “It would make it easy on everyone if Ken Rutledge turns out to be our killer. But I really don’t think he is.”

“What happened tonight?” Cody asked. “That is, if you think you can talk about it.”

“I can talk about it to you.” He turned to look at Lacy.

“You know I won’t say anything to anyone,” she said. “And this is your life. I have to be a part of it.”

Travis nodded and looked thoughtful as he chewed, then swallowed. “Someone has been harassing Darcy since Kelly was killed,” he said. “Someone ran her off the road, and someone attacked her and Highway Patrolman Ryder Stewart while they were skiing yesterday. Apparently, Rutledge was trying to frighten Darcy into turning to him for help. I think he saw his opportunity when Kelly and Christy O’Brien were murdered, but he went too far.”

“You say he attacked Darcy again tonight?” Lacy asked.

“He kidnapped her. Ryder spotted the damaged snowmobile at Ken’s duplex and figured out he was the man who had attacked him and Darcy. He found them at Darcy’s house and rescued her.”

“Why do you think he didn’t kill the other women?” Cody asked.

“He has alibis for two of the killings. Pretty solid ones. And while he was willing to admit everything he had done to Darcy, he’s adamant that he didn’t have anything to do with the murders. We’ll see.” He pushed his empty plate away and stretched his arms over his head. “I need a shower and bed,” he said.

Cody stood. “Good night. See you in the morning.”

After the warmth of the fire, the cold hit him like a slap. He hurried along the path to the cabins, his breath fogging in front of his face, snow squeaking under his boots. As he neared the first cabin in the row—Bette’s cabin—movement on the little porch caught his eye. He stopped and stared at the dark shape near the door of the cabin. He moved off the path and took shelter behind a tree. The shape on the porch didn’t flee or move toward him—maybe it hadn’t seen him coming.

No lights showed behind the cabin’s drawn blinds. Bette was probably asleep, unaware that someone was outside her door—and clearly up to no good. Stealthily, using the cover of the trees, Cody moved closer to the cabin. The shape on the porch shifted slightly but didn’t leave its position by the door. The shadow wasn’t tall enough to be someone standing—Cody thought the man was crouching by the door, perhaps trying to jimmy the lock.

Reaching the end of the porch, Cody didn’t hesitate. He made a flying leap and tackled the lurker, forcing him to the ground.

“Let go of me, you creep.” An elbow thrust hard into his ribs, followed by nails raked across his face. “Get off of me!” The voice—definitely not a man’s—demanded.

Cody couldn’t get off fast enough. The beam of a flashlight blinded him. “Cody Rankin!” Bette said. “What do you think you’re doing?”