Page 60 of Wanted by the Lawman

Swiping a hand down his whiskered jaw, he reached for the Styrofoam cup from the console and gulped down coffee, which was already cold. “Why does this interest you so much?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Maybe because you seem different.”

Zander resituated his Stetson. “If you say so.”

“You should admit you find her attractive.”

Snapping his head up, Zander pierced his buddy with a frustrated stare. “What are you? Oprah?”

Rudy laughed. “Lanie thinks you two would make a perfect match.”

“She also thought I’d make a perfect match with her second cousin and the cashier at the corner market. It appears I have many perfect matches.”

“Try to pull that stick out of your ass, buddy.”

Zander opened his mouth, but snapped it shut. He couldn’t argue. He was a bit uptight. He hadn’t seen Wynn for two days and all he could think about was having another crack at making love. He’d gone home for a few hours to get a few winks of shuteye and when he’d stopped by her house, she wasn’t home. “Has she been working on the nursery?”

Rudy chuckled. “Yeah. She’s partway through.”

He didn’t realize he was squeezing the cup so tightly until the lid popped off. A strange tightness took residence in his chest. The image of Wynn filled his head, her beauty, how responsive she was to his touch on her naked skin. How her breasts had quivered, and her nipples beaded into succulent nubs. He shifted in the seat, hoping to adjust his fly before the situation became dire.

Rolling down the window, he inhaled the sweet scent of oxygen after a heavy snow had fallen, filling his lungs and hoping the ache in his body settled some. Not only was he as tense as a bee, but she’d made it clear to him that she didn’t want to make any plans for the future—or rather, with him.

Not that he was vying to make a claim on her with a ring, but truth be known, he did see her as long term and not just a fuck. Why was it that he was lectured at least three times a week on the importance of settling down, getting over the ex, and then he finally met someone who intrigued him into thinking about his future only to discover that she wanted a friend with benefits? Figured! He’d found himself in the middle of a shitty mess.

Most men would be all into a sex affair without any expectations, and if it were any other woman, so would Zander, but why was the petite brunette with the wild ringlets different? His chest swelled and he became dizzy. He recognized this feeling…and it didn’t end well for him the last time. In fact, he couldn’t remember it being this strong before.

He needed to get his brain back on track. “Run me through the suspect again.”

“His name is Dane Townsend. He’s been in and out of prison for crimes from aggravated assault to car theft.”

“And he was seen on the camera at our last victim’s place of employment?”

Rudy nodded. “Co-workers say he came in almost every day asking her out, and she finally had to demand that he leave her alone. One of her co-workers said he became angry and knocked over a display on his way out. He’s almost thirty years old.”

“You think he’ll be willing to speak to us?” Zander asked.

“He’s still on probation so I’d say hell no, but we’ll have the element of surprise on our side.”

“Looks like it’s ride time.” Zander jutted his chin toward the car pulling up in front of the trailer. “Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

Both men slipped out of the truck. Zander took out his gun, grasping it with both hands and held it at his side as they approached the front door. He made a hand signal to Rudy who took the steps and Zander swept around the side of the small porch, gun lifted and targeted at the door.

“Townsend, it’s Sheriff Graham.” Rudy yelled through the door, then knocked once, twice, but no answer. “We know you’re in there, Townsend. Open up. We just want to talk.” He tried the doorknob, but it was locked. After several more knocks, and still nothing, Rudy gestured for them to move in.

Zander saw movement in the window. Rudy was preparing to kick in the door…

“Rudy…move!”

The other man reacted, but not quick enough. The blast exploded through the metal door and Rudy went flying back off the stairs. Zander fired, then all hell broke loose.

~~~**~~~

The man dropped his coins into the machine, pressed a button and reached through the door and took out his candy bar. He felt he deserved it as celebration. He almost found it funny that he got by with another slaying and no one was the wiser. He knew he was smarter than the Sheriff, but he’d thought Cade might be wiser, but both men were stumped. And they’d almost been blown away by the wrong suspect. This chaos made things more delicious, and his desire to find another victim was almost unbearable.

Too bad the Sheriff wasn’t dead. His poor pregnant wife looked devastated sitting in the lobby. He almost felt sorry for her—almost. Although, he didn’t have anything to do with her stupid husband following the wrong lead.

The man had been clever when he sought out his victims. He knew Townsend had berated the last victim to the point that she’d been frustrated enough to call the Sheriff’s department to make a report. That’s how he’d met her.

Just as he suspected, Townsend was on the security tapes.

He bit into his chocolate and started to back away when he caught a glimpse of a delightful breath that just swept in. She was radiant, just like the others. Her beauty stood out without her trying. His feet were frozen as he watched her, and his limbs tingled. His fingers ached to touch her, to hear her plead for her life. His thirst grew and he knew he wouldn’t be able to ignore the addiction boiling in his blood…

Lanie Graham greeted Wynn and accepted the coffee she offered her. Yeah, the man knew just how sweet Wynn was, and how she would satiate his thirst…

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