Cardwell Ranch Trespasser - By B. J. Daniels Page 0,42
all.”
His boss looked as if there was more he wanted to say. Or more he was hoping his deputy would. But Colt held his tongue. His friend at the crime lab had promised to run the prints as quickly as he could.
Whatever the outcome, he hadn’t figured out what to do after that. Until then, there was little he could do.
“We finally got a positive identification on Rick Cameron,” Hud said, and tossed the man’s file across his desk to Colt.
He opened it, glanced at the latest entry and jerked his head up in surprise. “Richard Northland?” So he hadn’t been using his real name at all?
Hud nodded. “And before you ask, Dee had no idea he was lying about his name.”
Colt let out a laugh as he tossed the file back. “As your friend? Get Dee out of your house. As your deputy? I really should get to work.”
* * *
HILDE WAS LOST in the memory of last night with Colt as she unlocked Needles and Pins. Dinner had been magical. The lovemaking had been beyond anything she’d ever experienced. She’d been lost in a dream state all morning.
That’s why it took her a moment to realize what she was seeing.
The shop had been vandalized.
Bolts of fabric were now scattered over the floor. Displays had been toppled, and spools of thread littered the areas of the floor that weren’t covered by fabric bolts.
She fumbled her phone from her purse, her heart pounding as she realized whoever had done this could still be in the shop. That was when she noticed the back door standing open. The vandal had left a large roll of yellow rickrack trailing out the back door like the equivalent of a bread trail through the shop.
“911. What is your emergency?” she heard an operator say.
“My shop has been vandalized,” Hilde said.
“You’re calling from Big Sky?”
“Yes. Needles and Pins.”
“Is the vandal still there?”
“No. I don’t believe so.”
“Please wait outside until the marshal or one of his deputies arrive. Do you need to stay on the phone with me?”
“No. I just can’t imagine who would—” That’s when Hilde saw the scissors. Six of them. All stabbed into the top of her counter just inches from where she’d pretended to attack Dee to get the woman’s fingerprints.
* * *
“YOU LOOK TIRED,” Dana said when Dee came downstairs. “Did you sleep all right?”
“Like a baby.” Once she got into bed again. Last night’s exploits had left her exhausted. Clearly just what she’d needed since once she’d hit the sheets, she hadn’t had the nightmare again.
Dana was busy with the kids as usual. “It might be just as well that I don’t have anything planned for you today. Maybe a day just resting would do us all good.”
Dee didn’t know how the woman managed with four kids. She’d apparently just finished feeding the two oldest because she was only now clearing away their plates. She sent them off to the bathroom to wash up.
The two youngest were in some kind of contraptions that allowed them to roll around the kitchen. They’d gotten caught in a corner and one of them was hollering his head off.
Dana saved him, kneeling down to cajole him before she asked, “I made Mary and Hank pancakes, Dee. Would you like some?”
The kitchen smelled of pancakes and maple syrup. Dee heard her stomach growl. She was starved, also probably because of all the exercise she’d gotten last night. She’d been careful to stay away from any streetlights, and she was sure no one had seen her leaving and returning to the ranch.
“I’d love pancakes, but let me make them,” Dee offered, knowing Dana wouldn’t take her up on it.
“It’s no trouble. Anyway, you’re my guest.”
Dee could hear something in Dana’s voice, though. Her hostess was tiring of her guest. Probably all the drama. Dana would be glad when Dee left.
Well, there was nothing she could do about that, because the drama was far from over. Forced to move up her plan, she said, “I’m thinking I’ve stayed too long.”
Dana turned from the stove. “No. I don’t want you to feel that way at all. I’m just sorry. I really wanted you to have a good time.”
“I am having a good time.” Dee went over and gave Dana a hug. “But I need to get back home and look for a job. I can’t be off work for too long.” Sometimes she couldn’t believe how easy lying came to her. She was more amazed by people who