Dropping the Hammer Read online

  RACHEL HAD SHOWERED and changed into a pair of pink flannel pajamas by the time Sydney joined her in her bedroom. Sydney was dressed in jeans and a sapphire-colored sweater.

  “Sorry to be so late, but I was painting Esther’s toenails for her. She thinks shop pedicures are a waste of money. Besides, I thought you might need some time to regroup after Claire Covey left.”

  “I don’t know that it helped.”

  “Want to start from the top with Claire Covey?”

  Rachel fed her the details.

  “Eric Fitch is going explode when he hears you lured the highest-profile case of the decade.”

  “I didn’t lure.”

  “You’ll never convince him of that.”

  “Does that mean you think I shouldn’t take the Covey case?”

  “No. It means I hate to miss the blowup when he gets what he deserves for trying to manipulate and then blackmail you.”

  “It wasn’t quite that bad.”

  “It is from my point of view. Do you think you’ll run into legal hassles?”

  “My contract was renewed a little over a year ago. A friend from law school specializes in contract law. She reviewed the contract and I’m certain she didn’t let me sign anything overly constrictive at that point in my career.”

  “I guess the legalese would matter. I mean, if it says you can’t start your own firm and lure away his clients, that wouldn’t cut it in this case, would it? You’re not opening your own firm and you didn’t lure her from him. Claire Covey came to you.”

  “True to a point. The most pressing question may come down to, do I really want to defend a young man I just gave up a prosperous career position over so that I didn’t have to defend him?”

  “That’s a tongue twister,” Sydney said. “But you didn’t actually resign because Eric asked you to take a case you didn’t want.”

  “True. I resigned because I was being used. At the time, money and promotions had nothing to do with my decision.”

  “Do you want to defend Hayden Covey?” Sydney asked.

  “Not unless I can believe in his innocence. The murder was brutal. I get sick just reading about it.”

  “I’ll see what I can find out about the crime, though the FBI is not involved. I checked.”

  “Anything would help.”

  “I wish I could hang around with you for a few more days and keep up with your continuing saga, but I have to cut my minivacation even shorter. I’m needed in Wisconsin asap for an important investigation. All hush-hush.”

  “Okay, now I’ll worry about you instead of me.”

  “Please don’t. I’ve got the FBI behind me, and it doesn’t get any safer than that.”

  Rachel wasn’t convinced that was always true. “Not to try to outdo you, but I have other news, as well. I’m seeing Dr. Kincaid and Roy Sales tomorrow.”

  “I don’t like the sound of this,” Sydney lamented. “I can understand talking to the doctor, but why Roy Sales? I wouldn’t have told you the doctor called if I’d known he was going to ask that of you.”

  “Sure you would have. You’re a stickler for the truth and we always level with each other. Besides, if it helps get Sales to trial, it will be worth it.”

  “Not necessarily. At any rate, if things get too harried in Houston, you can always come to Winding Creek for a rest. Esther would love to have you. So would the rest of the family.”

  “Actually, I’ll be staying in Houston only one night.”

  “Really? Does this have anything to do with Luke Dawkins?”

  “He’s driving me to Houston. He wants to be there when I talk to Roy Sales. He thinks I may need a little moral support for that and for my talk with Eric if I decide to meet with him.”

  “That’s generous of him and probably a good idea.”

  “He’s a genuine guy.”

  “I don’t doubt that. I just worry that with all that’s going on in your life right now, is this the best time to fall into a serious relationship?”

  “Is there ever a good time to fall into a relationship?”

  “Some might be better than others.”

  “Was it the right time when you met Tucker? His best bull-rider friend had just been killed in competition. You were trying to find and rescue me from a monster.”

  “Point made. Tucker and I didn’t find love. It found us. We were just smart enough to listen to our hearts.”

  “I’m just taking this one day as at a time,” Rachel said, “but I like him and I like being with him. That feels really good right now.”

  More than good and she more than liked him. And she couldn’t wait to make love with him again. That part she wouldn’t share with Sydney.

  “Don’t worry about me, Sydney. I’m not fully healed. I may never be, but I’m making progress. You and Tucker saved my life. I’m planning to make the most of it, and right now that includes Luke.”

  “Got it. Just keep me posted—about Sales and Hayden Covey. And what you decide about your job.”

  “I will, but I’m definitely leaning toward leaving the firm.”

  “Take that job and shove it. I’m with you all the way. There’s more to life than work. Try it. You might like it.”

  “You’re a fine one to talk, but I may just do that.”

  “I’m really glad we had this time together,” Sydney said.

  “Me, too. Luke and I didn’t set a time to leave in the morning, but I doubt I’ll be leaving before you get up.”

  “Unfortunately, I’m leaving—” Sydney glanced at her watch “—in about thirty minutes. I have to catch an early flight to Kansas and Tucker wasn’t ready to say goodbye, so we booked a hotel near the airport for the night. He’ll see me off and head out a day early for his next competition.”

  “Then I guess this is goodbye.” Rachel pulled Sydney into a hug. “Stay safe,” she whispered.

  “That’s the plan. You be careful and call me if you need to talk about anything. And forget what I said about your relationship with Luke. If he makes you happy, that’s all that matters. I love you, sis.”

  “I love you, too.”

  And the good part was they always would.

  * * *

  ROY SALES WATCHED as Eddie cracked his knuckles and then stuck his index finger into his water glass like it was a straw.

  “Get your finger out of your water,” Doug the crank complained. “You’ve got no manners.”

  “Don’t need them in this place,” Eddie said. “I’m leaving here any day now. My son’s got a yacht down in the Gulf. He wants me to come live with him.”

  “Sure he does,” Roy said. “I’ll come down and visit you.”

  “You wouldn’t like it. My boy Rick don’t allow no drinking or smoking. He don’t even cuss.”

  “Then why go there?” Doug asked. “You might as well go to jail.”

  “Jail’s for jerks,” Eddie said.

  Roy smiled. Any other time, Doug and Eddie would be getting on his nerves so bad he’d have gone back to his room and read another paperback Western.

  He never thought he’d say it, but he missed working for Dudley Miles. Work was hard sometimes, but he had a lot of freedom and a house of his own.

  He wouldn’t be going back to Dudley’s, but he wouldn’t be leaving Texas just yet. He had one little detail left over from his life here to take care of.

  Killing Rachel Maxwell wasn’t just for fun. It was necessary if he was going to even the score. A real man had to even the score.

  Doug Crank was going on and on now about the fact that they didn’t ever get a decent steak. That was the damn truth, but it wouldn’t matter much longer to Roy.

  He’d played the game like a championship boxer going for the knockout punch. He’d figured out fast who could help him and how to make sure they would.
r />   The pawns were all in place. It was only a matter of time. Maybe tomorrow. By next week, for sure.

  First he’d take care of business and then he’d get his steak.

  He looked up and saw Dr. Kincaid walking toward him. Something must be up. Kincaid never came around this late in the day.

  “Good evening,” the doc said, approaching the group of three.

  “You working overtime?” Eddie asked.

  “No, I’m here to talk to Roy. Would you two mind giving us a few minutes alone?”

  “We can go to my room,” Roy said, not that it was much of a room, but it was still nicer than any bunkhouse he’d ever slept in. He had a nice bed with clean chairs and a soft pillow. There was even a chest and a small desk. The chair wasn’t so much, but it was good enough.

  The doc followed him to his room. Roy sat on the edge of the bed and the doc took the chair. “I’m not in trouble, am I? That yelling fight at lunch wasn’t my fault.”

  “You’re not in trouble. In fact, I have a surprise for you.”

  Roy didn’t bite. He just waited to see what the doc had to say.

  “You’re having a visitor tomorrow.”

  That was a shocker. The only visitors he’d had since he’d been here were unfriendly reporters and his jerk of an attorney, and they weren’t allowed in often.

  “Aren’t you going to ask who?” Kincaid asked.

  “I figure you’re going to tell me or you wouldn’t be here.”

  “You’re right. Rachel Maxwell is stopping by tomorrow.”

  Roy swallowed hard. That was the last person he’d expected. “What does she want?”

  “I asked her to come.”

  Roy should have known this wasn’t Rachel’s idea.

  “You’re always telling me how the two of you bonded. I figured you’d enjoy seeing her.”

  “Yeah, well, you never know about women. She wanted to run away with me, but she lied about that to the police and she’ll probably lie about it again.”

  “Maybe she won’t. Anyway, I thought I’d prepare you for her visit so you wouldn’t be too surprised when she shows up.”

  “Are you going to be with us in the room when we talk?”

  “Do you want me to be?”

  “Suit yourself.”

  “We’ll talk about those arrangements tomorrow with Rachel.”

  The doc blabbered on a few minutes and then left.

  Roy kicked off his shoes and stretched out on the bed. Rachel Maxwell was coming here. She probably felt bad about all those lies she told about him. He wasn’t that bad. She’d wanted him to come around and always wanted him to stay longer. But then when he had his back against the wall, she’d turned on him.

  She’d left him no choice but to leave her to burn to death in the fire.

  He tried to remember what she looked like the day he first saw her in downtown Winding Creek. All that hair catching the sun and shining like gold. Great eyes. He’d never seen eyes as beautiful as hers.

  He hadn’t wanted to hurt her so bad, but she kept fighting him.

  He didn’t want to kill her now, but she’d betrayed him. In the end, she’d treated him like a monster, the way the others had.

  “What should I do, Mommy?”

  “Wait and see. We just have to wait and see.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Light rain pattered on the roof as Rachel fell into a troubled sleep. She woke to a blazing streak of lightning that lit up her bedroom like a flashing neon sign. A thunderous bolt of thunder that shook the windows followed a second later.

  It was pitch-dark outside until the next light show created an eerie shadow dance on her wall.

  Rachel shivered and reached for the extra quilt on the foot of the bed. Evidently the promised cold front had arrived with the storm. From short sleeves to jackets in a matter of hours and then back to shorts again within days. That was Texas weather.

  She’d just snuggled under the extra covers again when she got a whiff of coffee. The storm must have wakened Esther, too, though she was always up with the rooster’s first crow. She claimed the big, noisy bird that Grace swore had it in for her was the only alarm clock she could always count on.

  Esther loved her chickens. The fresh eggs were just a bonus.

  Rachel reached for her phone and checked the time. Ten after five. She looked a second time to be sure she’d seen that right.

  Seven hours straight of sound sleep and she might still be asleep if not for the storm. She hadn’t slept that long since...

  Since Roy Sales with his tortured brand of misery had forced himself into her life.

  And now she’d agreed to interact with him again. Agreed to stare into his cold, heartless eyes and get another glimpse of his dark soul. She had a growing fear that she might live to regret this.

  Rachel swallowed hard, kicked off the covers and slid her feet to the soft rug as the nauseating memories began to haunt her mind yet again. Only this time, she wouldn’t give in to the terror.

  Luke had been the catalyst who helped her bring everything into the open. They were friends and lovers, but she wasn’t so naive that she was convinced what they had would last forever. She didn’t need a promise of forever.

  What they shared was enough for now.

  Rachel padded to the window in her bare feet and opened the blinds. Rain pelted the windows, the water falling in sheets. Hopefully the storm would pass before they had to leave for Houston. It wouldn’t be safe driving in this. Sydney and Tucker had been smart to leave the night before.

  Wide-awake, she grabbed a robe and gave in to the lure of the smell of coffee. She heard male voices. Surely Luke hadn’t shown up this early and in the peak of the storm.

  When she reached the kitchen, she saw that it was Pierce and a young man she didn’t recognize, both in their work clothes as if this was just another ranching day.

  Pierce turned toward her and tipped his steaming coffee mug. “Good morning, Rachel. Hope we didn’t wake you.”

  “The storm beat you to it. Is something wrong? Are Jaci and Grace okay?”

  “They’re fine, though Grace didn’t sleep much last night. Between the storm, going to the bathroom and trying to find some way to get comfortable, she tossed half the night.”

  Esther poured another mug of coffee and handed it to Rachel. “I don’t know if you’ve met Buck Stallings,” she said, nodding toward the other man in the room.

  “I’ve heard his name from Luke,” she said, “but no, I haven’t met him.”

  “Buck’s only the hardest working wrangler in the county,” Pierce said. “And the closest thing I’ve ever seen to what I’d call a real horse whisperer.”

  “Don’t buy that tall tale,” Buck said. “Most of what I know I’ve learned from Pierce over the last year.”

  Esther shook her head. “Don’t neither one of you seem to have the sense God gave a goose this morning. No good reason I can see for you two to get out in this weather. It’s not like the cows need you to bring them a slicker.”

  “Horses are likely riled,” Buck said. “A soft voice, a couple of pats and some fresh hay to chew on will settle them down a bit.”

  “You’ll be back for a hot breakfast, won’t you?” Esther asked. “I’m thinking fried chicken and waffles.”

  “You do know how to tempt a guy, but I can’t make any promises,” Pierce said. “It all depends on what we run into. I’ve got a few pastures I need to check. Drainage is improved, but it hasn’t been tested like this.”

  “You need hot food,” she mumbled, obviously reluctant to give up the argument. He and Buck were already pulling on their jackets.

  “I’m hoping Grace went back to sleep for another hour or so. If I’m not back by seven, can one of you give Grace a call just to make sure she’s okay and see if she needs a
ny help getting Jaci up and ready for school? Not that I expect you to get out in the storm, but call me if you think she needs me and I’ll get back her on the double.”

  “Of course we will,” Esther said. “Would have done that even if you hadn’t asked. I don’t care if the doctor did say she had another two weeks to go. That son of yours is about to kick himself into the world.”

  “I know Grace hopes you’re right. You two stay warm and dry.” Pierce gave Esther a peck on the check and he and Buck headed toward the back door.

  Esther went after them and pushed a large thermos of hot coffee into Pierce’s hand. “Be careful,” she said.

  “Always. And like I said, if you think for a minute Grace needs me, call.”

  “You bet your best past pair of spurs I will.”

  “I can’t believe they’re going out in this weather,” Rachel said when the door shut behind them.

  “It’s the ranching life,” Esther said. “Living with my Charlie for fifty-two years, I learned that the livestock comes first. You get used to it, honey. Fact is, I wouldn’t have changed it for life in a golden tower. I sure wouldn’t change it for city life where you’re lucky to even know your neighbors.

  “Not that I’m faulting your life, Rachel. The world needs good lawyers, too. It just wouldn’t be the life for me.”

  “There are days I’m not sure it’s the life for me.”

  This was one of those days, but Rachel was doubtful she’d fit into this life, either.

  Another bolt of lightning sizzled across the sky. This time the thunder was so loud the house felt like a giant was shaking it.

  Rachel wondered if Luke was out in the storm, checking on livestock this morning. If so he was no doubt regretting that he’d offered—no, insisted—to drive her to Houston today. Like Esther said, livestock comes first.

  Rachel’s life was in Houston. Luke’s was here, at least for the time being. She couldn’t imagine the two lifestyles meshing.

  Only, unless she and Eric Fitch Sr. came to an agreement, she didn’t exactly have a lifestyle or a career.

  And work was the only life she knew.

  * * *

  AN HOUR LATER, the sky had grown lighter and the thunder rumbled in the distance instead of shaking the house. The rain was still falling steadily, with bursts of monsoon-level intensity. If this kept up, she might have to delay her trip to Houston until tomorrow.