Page 45 of All You Want
“Looks like a note,” Tami says when I take pictures and then pick it up with gloved hands.
“Yep. Let’s see what it says.” I untie the twine and put it in an evidence bag along with the rock.
The paper is wrinkled, but there’s no mistaking the message scrawled across it.
I’m watching you. [smiley face emoticon]
“That’s all? No signature?” Tami asks to look at the other side. “And what’s with the smiley face?”
“It looks like a man’s handwriting, or someone strong.” I examine the back and find the indentations made with the ballpoint pen. “See here where they ripped part of the paper with the pen?”
“Maybe it’s a joke.” Her voice lilts brighter. “I bet I know who’s behind it.”
“Who?” I dart a glance at her face, wondering if she has a boyfriend I don’t know about.
“When I was at the Sixty Miners, I saw your buddies laughing about fake ghosts and giving the guests a scare.”
“Looks like anger to me.” I put on a stern and cautious expression. “This isn’t a prank. The broken window and mutilated raccoon cross the line.”
“Who would want to watch me? The boogeyman?”
“I think we should post guards here.” I place the paper into the evidence bag. “I’ll volunteer.”
“Don’t you have a lot to do with policing the rest of the town?” She twirls her hair around her finger. “I mean, maybe someone’s trying to get my attention.”
“Like who?”
A sly smile creases her face, and she taps me with her index finger. “Could it be one of the manly men who volunteered to protect me? I heard you approved my permit because of the new deputies you’re hiring.”
Is that the story her father told her?
“I had a lucky break with volunteers,” I reply. “Don’t count on the Vice Squad to do more than direct traffic.”
“That’s a pretty condescending thing to say. They’re every bit men like you are. Why, Donnie says he’d like to escort me to the opening night dinner.”
“I didn’t know you were having dates for opening night,” I stammer. “I know my uncle’s making a speech, and your father asked me to attend and say a few words.”
“Oh, are you coming? I can put you at the head table with me if you want.” Her eyes twinkle like gems, and suddenly, I’m wondering if this raccoon and broken window is all staged. What game is she playing?
I have to get to the bottom of this, because filing a false police report is a crime, and I can’t be having anyone “cry wolf” around here—not when there are real threats to deal with.
I put on a stalwart smile and puff out my chest. “If you’re asking me to escort you, I’ll be happy to sit with you at the head table and keep you safe.”
“Would you, Sheriff?” Her eyelids flutter, and she’s back to being a simpering flirt.
“I would, as long as you let me do a security check of the hotel before opening night.”
“Oh, that I would.” She swallows and shudders. “I hope the raccoon isn’t bad luck.”
“Don’t worry.” Somehow my hand is on her back, comforting her. “I won’t let anything happen to you or your hotel.”
“You’ll keep me safe, big Sheriff Todd?” Her hands wrap around my waist, and her luscious softness billows against my torso.
I shouldn’t let her touch me, but my blood is rushing so fast from my head that all I can do is close my eyes and hold her still so she won’t faint.
“Of course, I will.” The words are breathed into her mouth as she sucks my tongue between her hot, wet lips. How she tempts me and torments me with what I cannot have.
There’s no will left in me. My head is light, and my hands are full of Tami’s pillowy sweetness. Every thought flees, and I resign myself to kissing and tasting the forbidden fruit I desire more than my lifeblood.
