Page 20 of Dusty
“Those people at the diner,” she began, setting the plates on the table with more force than necessary. “They were Cooper’s, weren’t they?” she asked, looking for confirmation of what she already felt in her gut.
Dusty nodded, pulling out a chair for her before taking his own seat. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t hold them; they hadn’t technically done anything wrong. Rafe made it clear they weren’t welcome to stick around here, though.”
“They’ll be back, or others just like them.” Sharon sank into her chair, appetite fading despite the comforting aromas rising from the food. “Cooper doesn’t give up when he wants something.”
“And he wants you.”
Sharon served herself a small portion of food, buying time. “What I know could ruin him. Send him to prison for life. And Cooper doesn’t take kindly to anybody trying to ruin him. He ruins others first.”
Dusty covered her hand with his own, calloused palm warm against her skin. “You talked to Antonio.”
“He’s looking into the financial records and other information the Feds have in Chicago, not that I think it’ll help him much.” She turned her hand over, allowing her fingers to intertwine with his. “But Cooper has people everywhere. Powerful people. I don’t know who to trust.”
“You can trust the Boudreaus,” Dusty said firmly. “And you can trust me.”
Sharon looked into his eyes, the same warm brown that had first made her feel safe when she’d stumbled into him on the side of the road leading to Shiloh Springs, exhausted and terrified. She’d never meant to stay, never meant to get involved with the town or its people. Especially not its devastatingly perceptive sheriff’s deputy with gentle hands and watchful eyes. And a dangerous smile that melted her insides every time she saw it.
“I was Cooper’s executive assistant—and his fiancée,” she whispered the words softly, wondering again how she’d ever been foolish enough to think she’d loved the monster. “I had access to everything: his calendar, his contacts, his private files.Well, most of his files. I wasn’t ever allowed access to his personal computer. You have to understand, I thought I was beyond lucky to land such a prestigious position with Chicago’s most celebrated entrepreneur.”
Dusty waited patiently as she pushed food around her plate. “I know a little about Madison. I did a little checking on him after you came to town. On the surface, he appears to be a philanthropist and benefactor to the Chicago area.”
“Yes, he’s got a public persona that is charming, but it’s all a façade. It’s hard to explain, because I fell for it too, so much so I agreed to marry the man. I couldn’t believe how blessed I felt. This amazing man said he loved me, wanted to marry me. We had everything planned, right down to the church and the flowers. The honeymoon in Fiji was reserved and paid for. But the Cooper Madison the public sees is a lie. It’s like he’s two people—Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Anyway, about six weeks ago, I stayed late at the office. I needed something out of Cooper’s office. I don’t even remember why I went in there now. Anyway, I noticed Cooper had left his laptop on his desk and it was open. I knew I shouldn’t do it, but I was curious, so I snooped. I found emails—Cooper was blackmailing city officials, threatening to expose corruption that he himself had orchestrated. He and his partner, Oscar Kerrigan, are dirty. Corrupt. They have their hands in so many illegal pies it would make your head spin. But it gets so much worse.”
“You have proof?”
Sharon nodded. “Enough to start a serious investigation. But when I tried to take it to the authorities, I discovered Cooper had connections in the Chicago Police Department. There was one sympathetic detective I spoke with who warned me I was in danger, then was found dead the next day.”
Dusty’s jaw tightened. “That’s why you ran.”
“No, even that wasn’t enough to shake me. I had faith the police would do their investigation, and Cooper and Oscar would be arrested. Prosecuted for what they’d done. I…there was evidence that Cooper had killed people. At least three men that I could find links to. I grabbed what evidence I could, and I was going to take it to the Feds. But Cooper’s network is extensive. The agent I talked with was in Cooper’s pocket. When Cooper found out I’d made copies of the information on his laptop, he framed me for the murder of the company’s vice president, Vincent Frame. So, I ran. Every day looking over my shoulder, wondering when I’d feel the bullet hit me. I came south, thinking Texas might be far enough away, out of Cooper’s reach. Thinking I’d finally be safe. But every time I think I’ve got a reprieve, a few days of respite, his people find me.” Sharon’s voice cracked. “I never meant to bring this to Shiloh Springs, to put you all in danger.”
Outside, the freezing rain fell faster, blanketing the small town in crystals glistening under the starlight. The wind picked up, rattling the cottage windows.
“You’re not putting us in danger,” Dusty said, his voice low and fierce. “Cooper Madison is. And if he thinks a small-town sheriff’s department and a bunch of Boudreaus aren’t up to the challenge, he’s about to learn differently.”
Sharon’s eyes filled with unexpected tears. “I’m so tired of running, Dusty.”
He reached across the table, brushing a tear from her cheek. “Then stop. Stand and fight. With us.”
The warmth of his touch lingered on her skin. For the first time in months, Sharon felt the knot of fear in her chest begin to loosen. Maybe Shiloh Springs, with its tight-knit community, the holiday spirit, and a loving family named Boudreau could be more than just another hiding place.
Maybe it could be a sanctuary.
“You’ve told me the facts. Now tell me everything,” Dusty said, his eyes never leaving hers. “Don’t leave anything out. Start at the beginning.”
Outside, the ice turned to rain and continued to fall, but inside the cottage, Sharon allowed herself to finally share the burden with someone. Tomorrow would bring fresh challenges, but tonight, in this small cottage with Dusty across from her, Sharon finally began to see there might be a light at the end of the tunnel, a finality to her racing against the clock.
Cooper might be powerful in Chicago, but she smiled when she thought about the Boudreaus. Douglas, a mountain of a man with a big heart. Ms. Patti, the woman who’d helped her, no questions asked, simply because she saw another person who’d reached the end of her rope. All their sons, their daughter, all the women who’d joined their lives to the Boudreau sons.
Cooper Madison had no idea what was about to hit him.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Sharon stared atthe doorway of her cottage, momentarily frozen as Ms. Patti stood in the threshold, arms loaded with bags. Behind her, Jill, Beth, Harper, and Daisy struggled with cardboard boxes, their faces flushed from the December chill. And towering behind them were Douglas and Antonio, hefting a Christmas tree that seemed too large for the small rental cottage.
A Christmas tree? What in the world is Ms. Patti thinking?
“Well, don’t just stand there catching flies,” Ms. Patti said, brushing past Sharon into the warmth of the house. “It’s colder than a banker’s heart out here.”
