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“The teller did as he was told but before the thief left, he turned his gun on the teller and shot him. Then he moved the gun in my father’s direction and shot him.”
Emily’s hand flew to cover her mouth. “Oh my goodness, that’s terrible. He gave the man the money, why did he shoot him?”
“I’m assuming so there wouldn’t be any witnesses.”
Her mind in a whirl, she tried to make some sense out of what Hunter had just told her. “So I’m thinking the outlaw didn’t know you were there?”
“Exactly. After he shot my father, he glanced quickly around the room, then left. I sat there for quite a while—I couldn’t tell you exactly how long since I was numb—and then I left through the back door.”
“And no one else came in the entire time?”
Hunter shook his head. “It was past closing time, so even though the door wasn’t locked, no one came.” He rubbed his eyes with his index finger and thumb.
She sat for several minutes, trying to understand Hunter’s story. To witness your father gunned down in cold blood must have been awful for a young boy. How horrible to have to see such a thing. “What did the sheriff say?”
“Nothing. I never told him.”
“What?”
He reached out and dragged her close to him, tucking her snugly under his arm, making it difficult to look directly into his eyes. Perhaps that was his purpose. “I couldn’t talk about it. The numbness stayed with me for days. All through the funeral and for a time afterward I ran the scene around in my mind, but couldn’t form the words. When I had reached a point where I felt I could tell someone what I’d witnessed, we had already moved to Oklahoma.” He turned to her. “This happened in Kansas.”
“Even then you could have contacted the sheriff.”
“Maybe. But you know how a kid’s brain works. I figured we were too far from our town to deal with it. So I mostly shoved it to the back of my mind. In fact, it only came out in nightmares—which I am still plagued with today.
“Once I finished high school I packed up and left, with the intention of finding his killer. After drifting from job to job, mostly on ranches in Kansas, I joined the Texas Rangers. I figured that would give me the best chance to find him since criminals tend to travel state to state evading the law. For ten years I swore I would track down the killer and see that he was brought to justice.”
“And you’re telling me the killer was Louis?”
“Believe me, honey. No one was more surprised than I was.”
“It happened so long ago. How can you be sure?”
His jaw muscles worked and shifted so he could look at her. “I’ve dreamt that face at least once a month for the last eighteen years. It was Louis. Or whatever his name was when he held up the bank. I figured him to be about nineteen or twenty back then.”
She nodded. “That fits. He’s thirty-seven now.”
“Oh, there’s no doubt. Even with the passing years, I had no trouble recognizing him. Some things your brain simply does not forget.”
Emily blew out a breath, running her palms up and down her arms. “I always suspected Louis had it in him to kill. Lord knows he’s threatened me enough. At times there was something in his eyes that told me it would not overly distress him to kill me.”
What a horrible man. Why had she not seen that before she foolishly married him? Barely two weeks after her parents’ deaths she’d become engaged to Louis, and within another month they were married. Still numb from the shock of the boating accident, she’d leaned on him, assuming his support to be caring. He’d immediately taken over her finances and had her move into his house. Only the presence of his staff stood between her and disgrace at that move.
The wedding had been beautiful, the only thing missing had been her parents. The church overflowed with guests, the scent of dozens of bouquets of flowers filling the air. She’d worn her mother’s wedding gown and looked at Louis like he was her savior. He played the part well the entire day, through the reception afterward, keeping her by his side, patting her hand and smiling for all the world to see.
Then the guests had left and they retired to the bedroom. And her nightmare had begun. What a fool she’d been.
“You never told me you felt he was that dangerous. I had no idea, but now that I know his background, it becomes even more important for us to get you out of here.”
“Will you go to the Galveston police?”
“With what evidence? An eighteen-year-old memory of a thirteen-year-old boy? No. They would laugh me out of the office. Especially with the name Louis has built up for himself in the community.” He glanced at his watch. “We’d better get you back to Millie’s or your driver will be looking for you.”
“Yes, you’re right.”
“However, before we go . . .” Hunter cupped her face with his palms and rubbed his thumbs over her cheeks. “You are so beautiful. I want so badly to take you away from here.” He slowly closed his eyes and brought his mouth to hers. Softly, at first, then with more need as he slid his tongue along her lips, urging her to open to his taste.
The tiny flutters in her stomach grew until her heart pounded and her breathing sped up. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer until her breasts were crushed against his steel hard chest. Somehow the sun grew brighter and the ocean more fragrant. Every awful thought their conversation had dredged up faded as the kiss continued.
