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“Other than the forest?” Brett raised his brows and took the bag.
“Oh, yeah. Dude, I get your point.” Again, he bobbed his head. “Hey, would you like some coffee? It’s going to get cold out there.”
“That sounds great. Thanks.”
“It’s in the back. I won’t charge you; plus, I’ll bring you a paper bowl so your dog can get a drink of water.” He disappeared down the aisle and stepped behind the curtain.
Brett noticed a newspaper lying on the counter. A picture of Walter Tyler holding his grandson splayed across the front page with the headline: “AG Tyler Looks for Son’s Murderer.” Brett had seen the little tyke only a couple of times. They’d named him Walter Jacob Tyler. Dania couldn’t be happy about that since Matt’s father never liked her and had treated her so badly.
The teen came back carrying a paper bowl and a Styrofoam cup with steam leaking through the small hole in the lid. He’d noticed Brett reading the paper. “Is the killer in that article the woman you think might come here?”
“Sure is.” Brett cleared his throat.
“Why don’t you take the paper with you? It’s on the house along with the coffee and bowl.” He pushed the newspaper toward Brett.
Brett stuffed it in the bag. “Thanks,” he said and left, trailed by Jasper.
When he reached the car, he set the coffee and bag with his cherry pie on the hood, then took out the doggy treats and gave a few to Jasper. While the dog chomped down his food, Brett opened the bottle of water and poured some into the bowl. He’d barely set it down before Jasper readily lapped it up.
Brett leaned against the SUV and sipped his warm brew, which contrasted with the fresh mountain air that had a pre-fall chill to it.
“That looks pretty good.” The familiar feminine voice came from behind.
Brett whirled around to find Dania pointing what he assumed was Ted’s Glock 22 at him. Dressed in a flannel shirt and overalls that looked four sizes too big for her, she was a sight for his weary eyes.
Bits of leaves and twigs stuck out of her disarrayed hair. Moonlight played over her face, revealing a huge bump on her forehead. Black-and-blue bruising from whatever had caused the bump darkened one eye. She looked drawn and tired. Yet she stood there strong and defiant. He could hardly believe she’d gotten the drop on both him and Jasper. She was good at sneaking around. Very good.
He smiled. “You look a little worse for wear. Want a sip?”
Jasper went to her, tail wagging. Not taking her eyes off Brett or lowering the weapon, she stroked the retriever’s head. “Not right now. I want your cuffs and the keys to the car.”
Brett could pull on her, but he didn’t want a shootout that could end with one of them dead, most likely her. However, Dania was a sharpshooter, so maybe not.
Regardless, he wanted to take her in peacefully. He set the coffee on the hood of the SUV, held open his jacket so she could see he was getting the cuffs, then pulled them out and extended them toward her.
Keeping her distance, she said, “Toss them and the keys over here.” She pointed to the ground. “Then I want your guns.”
He readily gave her the cuffs and keys but stopped there. “I won’t pull on you. You don’t need my guns.”
“How stupid would I be to let you keep them?” Her voice hardened.
He didn’t move. “Seriously. You’re playing it like this? It’s going to be so much worse for you when I turn you in.”
“Worse! I’ve been in prison even though I’m innocent. It doesn’t get much worse than that.” She raised her weapon, aiming at his head.
Prison had definitely changed her. He gave a long, deep sigh and pulled his Beretta from his hip holster.
“Your SIG Sauer too. Matthew told me you carry it as a backup.”
He’d hoped she didn’t know about that. Reluctantly, he grabbed it as well and set both guns on the ground.
She clutched the cuffs and keys and motioned with the semiautomatic in her hand. “Go to the rear passenger door.”
“Dania, you’ve got to turn yourself in. I can help you.” He walked to where she’d pointed.
While keeping her gun aimed at him, she gathered his weapons and put them in the front seat of the Pathfinder. She motioned for him to open the rear door. “Why would you help me?”
“Because I know you didn’t kill Matthew.” He did as she directed.
