Page 5 of Sheltered by the Lawman

Chapter 2

STANDING IN THE corridor in front of the apartment door, Sally knocked a second time. Water dripped from her hair and clothing and her worn tennis shoes were soaked. The light at the end of the hall flashed off and on and she could hear loud music playing from somewhere on the floor. It wasn’t what she expected to find for the woman with the fur coat and expensive jewelry, but as Sally had learned, not everything was as they appeared.

Sliding off her backpack, she pulled out the purse and verified the address. She definitely had the right place. Looking up and down the hall, she worked her bottom lip. Then it struck her. There was a key in the purse. She could open the door, drop the purse inside, and be on her way.

Just as she’d suspected, the key fit and she unlocked the door. “Hello?” No answer. Opening the door wider, she peeked in, noticing that a dim light was turned on. “Hello? Monica? This is Sally…Sally Holloway. Sorry, you don’t know me…I’m the coffee woman. Rather, the coffee disaster. The one who spilled it all over your coat.” Oh my gosh. What was wrong with her? The woman who spilled coffee on your coat?

She needed to just get this over with. She had a bench at the bus station waiting for her.

Hearing voices coming from down the hall, Sally panicked. It would be hard to explain to anyone that she was standing in the open doorway of a stranger’s home. Unsure of what she should do, she quickly stepped inside the apartment to wait for the talking men to pass.

They walked by and Sally sighed in relief, only to smell something strong, like gasoline. She glanced from the living room to the kitchen. Both looked like they’d been hit by a cyclone. Clothes, dishes and papers were scattered about. Had the woman been in a hurry to leave? Yet why was there a strong odor of gas?

It didn’t matter. She was wasting time.

Going into the kitchen, she dropped the purse onto the counter and started to turn back for the door when she heard a creaking sound and a large shadow loomed on the wall. Her heart slammed into her feet. Oh shit. There was someone in the apartment. How would she explain being here? Sure, the purse was proof, but what if Monica called the police? Would they arrest Sally? A homeless person never had a good defense.

She started to run for the door when a pair of strong arms grabbed her around the neck and shoulders and dragged her back. She knew this wasn’t Monica…

****

Cull grabbed his thermos and sipped on the coffee. He’d been sitting on the street for two hours and he hadn’t seen the woman. He’d been in Cheyenne for twenty-four hours and after speaking to a few of the staff members at the motel where Yates had been killed, he’d tracked Monica Warren to the apartment building that was rented under a false name, which didn’t surprise him. He knew finding her here was a shot in the dark, but he had a hunch she’d be back. He’d talked the apartment manager into letting him into the place under the pretense that he was a concerned family member, and when the man wasn’t looking, Cull did a little visual investigating and was quite surprised that Ms. Warren didn’t keep her large sum of money hidden better than under the mattress. He’d wanted to do more investigating, but the manager had mumbled something about getting back to watching TV.

Yeah, she’d be back, especially since her cash source was recently murdered.

He swiped a hand down his face. He’d never liked surveillance.

Reaching for his phone, he dialed his brother who answered on the second ring. “Find her yet?” Zander asked.

“Nope.”

“You giving up?”

Chuckling, Cull said, “Hell no. I’ll catch her.”

“If you say so, man. If you need—”

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Cull whispered. “I’ve got to go.” He clicked off and stared at the slender silhouette across the street. The rain made the vision blurry. Could it be her?

Easing back into the seat, he watched her cross. She stopped and looked up at the apartment building, then directly at him, or rather at his truck. He doubted that she could see him, but he could see her better under the light of the security lamp. She worked her bottom lip and tucked a strand of damp hair behind her ear.

He pulled up her picture up on his phone. Although it was difficult to be sure, they did look similar.

The woman looked around her as if checking to make sure she wasn’t being followed.

His adrenaline and curiosity spiked.

Cull watched her closely. She was petite, dressed in baggy jeans and an oversized jacket…not what he’d expected for an escort, but then again, exactly what he’d expect for a woman who was in hiding. She was smart enough to dress in disguise.

Once she entered the building, Cull slid out of his truck and watched her through the glass door. He could see her hesitate at the bottom of the stairs and then move up them. What the hell was she doing here? Could catching her suddenly be this easy?

Two men stepped into the lobby, casually greeted him and started for the stairs. Cull overheard them talking about the winning numbers at the bingo game.

Waiting a few minutes, he made his way up the stairs behind them and to apartment two-ten. Surprisingly, he found that the door was left ajar. Carefully, he opened it a few inches wider, listening. He didn’t see or hear anything, but he did smell something. Smoke?

Stepping in, he was immediately met with a thick, grey cloud that filled his lungs. He coughed and took a small step back, gathering his senses. His protective instincts shot into gear. The place was on fire. He ran out into the hall, triggered the fire alarm and raced back inside. The smell of gasoline was strong in the air and his years of training, skill, and knowledge overtook the shock.

The woman…she was inside. He knew she was here somewhere.

---