“Collier—”
“Okay, okay. It’s been a hell of a day. I get it. Sierra and I only just got to the station. Typing up the arrest report wasn’t my first priority. Getting her into the cell without her biting off my arm or kicking the hell out of me was. No telling what she’d have done if she hadn’t been handcuffed. I swear the woman’s half-feral.”
Loud swearing told Beau that Sierra didn’t appreciate that comment.
“Did you tell any other officers about her?”
“Not yet. When they get here, we’ll spill our guts in the conference room and decide our next steps.”
“Do me a favor, Collier. Don’t. Don’t tell the others about Sierra. Don’t put anything about her in your report. I don’t want any online trace of her being there.”
“Please tell me you’re kidding. She brandished a shotgun at me. Heck, you told me to arrest her.”
Beau dodged another low-hanging branch. “I’ll explain when I get there. I’m heading toward my cabin now to get my truck and a few other things before coming to the station.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll wait. But if you honestly expect me not to put everything in the report and hide the truth from my fellow officers, you’ll have to give me a damn good reason.”
“Sierra’s life could very well depend on it.”
Collier let out a long-suffering sigh. “Guess I can’t argue with that.”
“One more thing. Keep an eye out for any strangers near the station. These are some very, very bad guys.”
“No kidding. I was in the gunfight with you earlier. Remember?”
“I mean it, Collier. Be extra vigilant. Something strange is going on. Something dangerous. And Sierra is right in the middle of it.”
Chapter Eight
The sound of the front door opening had Sierra sitting up straighter on the cot in the cell. Beau Dawson strode into view, his black boots creating a dull thud against the hardwood floor as he headed toward Officer Collier.
He didn’t even spare her a glance as he sat beside Collier’s desk, turning his chair to face the glass entry door and windows fronting Main Street.
She crossed her arms and watched the two men conversing in low tones, obviously not wanting her to hear whatever they were saying. Some of her frustration and anger at being locked up faded as she noted the tension in Beau’s posture. His handsome brow was drawn into lines of worry. And his frequent glances toward the door and large plate-glass windows did even more to broadcast his concern.
It seemed safe to assume that the men who’d shot up his cabin had gotten away or they’d have been brought here in handcuffs, just like her. Was that why Beau was so worried? Did he think the gunmen would be bold enough to actually come to the station?
Collier nodded in agreement with whatever Beau had just said. Then Beau stood and crossed to what had been his office until a handful of hours ago and disappeared inside. When he came back out a few minutes later, he was wearing a black backpack. He didn’t stop at Collier’s desk. Instead, he crossed straight to her cell.
His dark eyes were intent, his expression a mixture of worry and determination as he punched a code into the electronic keypad on the wall. A buzzing noise sounded followed by a loud click. Then he slid open the door and motioned for her to come out.
She didn’t hesitate, grateful to be free of her cage. “I was beginning to think I’d never get out of there. Your officer didn’t even give me a phone call to start the bond process.”
“He’s no longer my officer. And he kept you here for your protection. We’re leaving.”
She blinked. “Where are we going? To the courthouse?”
“Mystic Lake doesn’t have a courthouse.”
“Right. Too small. Chattanooga, then? If you’ll let me have that phone call, I can have a lawyer waiting there when we arrive. He’ll bond me out so I don’t get locked up again.”
He arched a brow. “You seem to know a lot about the legal process. Is that from personal experience?”
She put her hands on her hips. “Not the kind you’re thinking. I have, uh, friends who’ve been in a bit of trouble here and there.”
“Friends. Right. We’ll go with that. Officer Collier has graciously agreed to release you into my custody.”
The stinging comeback she was about to deliver in response to his sarcastic tone died unspoken when he mentioned her being released. When he didn’t elaborate, she said, “You’re the one who encouraged your officer to arrest me, and now you’re circumventing the legal process to get me out? No, not get me out.Release me into your custody, whatever that means. Why?”
