Page 53 of Break Away
“I know that. But I also know how easily hurthe can get. I’ve always looked out for him and it’s hard to turnthat off.” Zoey sipped again, gaze steady over the rim of herglass. She set it down carefully. “Are you going to tell me how yougot the bruise on your cheek?”
He pushed his cleared plate back. He’dmention Clauson and the awful memories would return for Zoey. Butshe needed to know, and she was strong. She’d deal with it. “Iarrested Paul Clauson today. He’s been living in Hangman’s Loss forthe past ten months.”
Her indrawn breath was quick and sharp,matched by shock. Then her expression hardened and her words cameout in a snarl. “That bastard. That fucking bastard. I bet it washim who hit me. Here I was not pursuing it because I thought it wasan accident. That whoever had done it would lose their license andbecause of that maybe their job and they’d be homeless, but it washim. Did you arrest him? Did he punch you in the face? Did youpunch him back?”
“I arrested him, and yeah, he punched me inthe face, and being the guy wearing the uniform, I didn’t punch himback.” Levi pointed to the bruise. “This bought him the ticket tojail.” Then he paused. “Clauson is going to make bail.”
“I’m not afraid of that pervert. If he triesanything with me, I’ll kick him in the balls like I should havedone back then.”
“Zoey, you stabbed him in the hand, and he’swearing that scar. I’d say you protected yourself admirably. Buthe’s twice as big as you. I don’t want you close enough to him tokick him in the balls. We got a warrant to search his house andfound enough weapons to outfit a small army. Some of the guns areillegal to possess in California so we’ll have more charges to add.We also confiscated his computer and we’ll search that.”
She set down her wine glass. “Do you thinkhe’s responsible for everything that’s happened to me? Thehit-and-run, messing up my porch, the pole dancer post?”
“We’re looking into all that.”
“Getting hit by a car aside, don’t the otherthings seem kind of minor for him? I’m not saying Paul isn’tcapable of doing mean things, but they seem kind of low-key.”
Which was something that had been botheringLevi, too. “A lot of the time that’s how harassment starts.” Heraised her hand when she opened her mouth. “I know, we think thingsstarted for you with getting hit by a car, which is a giant step upfrom low-key. I’ll be questioning him tomorrow once he’s got hisattorney lined up. At this point, your name hasn’t been mentioned.He thinks we were at his house because of noise complaints from hisneighbor.”
“He liked country music, the twangymy-dog-up-and-died kind.”
“That’s what the neighbor reported. But Ineed anything else you might remember from since you moved back totown. Think back to anything that happened that maybe you dismissedat the time, that could have been Clauson targeting you.”
Zoey shook her head. “There’s nothing. I’vetold you everything.”
He reached across the table to pick up herhand. “Once we question him, he’ll know you’re involved, and whenhe makes bail, he’ll come out pissed.”
“If he’s been after me, he’ll know that’s whyyou were knocking on his door.” Her fingers tensed around his.“You’re afraid he’ll come after me.”
“The thought’s crossed my mind. He’s alsopissed at the neighbor. We confiscated Clauson’s weapons for thetime being. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have others stashedsomewhere else.”
She pulled her hand free. “I’ll becareful.”
“What’s your schedule tomorrow?”
“I’m in the field. I’m partnered with a newguy. We’re going out along Rock Creek to Little Lakes Valley. Lucywill be with us.”
“Who all knows where you’ll be?”
She shrugged. “People in my department.”
He thought for a minute. “You’ll take aForest Service vehicle?”
“Yep.”
“Okay. Check in with me when you can duringthe day.”
She nodded. Levi picked up his dishes to taketo the sink. Zoey followed, shadows darkening her eyes. She setdown her dishes and he caught her hand, tugging her toward him. Hetook her other hand and brought them both up to his lips.
“You’re not alone in this, Zoey. I’ve gotyour back. Brad does, too, and the rest of the department.” He usedhis teeth to nip lightly at her knuckle. “Do you want me to staywith you tonight? I could sleep on the couch.” He’d rather be inher bed with her, but if she wasn’t ready for that, he’d suck itup.
She was already shaking her head. “Paul is injail tonight, so if he’s the one messing with me, I’ll be safe. AndI really hate the idea of changing how I live because some assholewants to scare me.”
“Bravado will only get you so far. Sometimesyou need to rely on others. That’s what I’m here for.”
***
By the end of the week Zoey would be donewith her current pika survey. Driving from the Forest Serviceoffice, she cranked up the air conditioning. Lucy rode in thebackseat, panting despite the blast of cold air.
