“No. I just waved as I drove by his car. He just sat there staring at me from behind the driver’s side window.”
Cain tensed. “What kind of car?”
“A powder blue 1995 sedan that can’t remember the last time it was washed.” She entered the bathroom, and a moment later he heard running water in the sink.
A sigh of relief eased from his mouth, followed by one from the deputy. If she’d mentioned a gold SUV, they’d have known their plan was working. The trouble was, drug buyers and sellers didn’t like being interrupted. They liked a witness even less.
Right now, he didn’t like anything about this whole stakeout scenario. Or the fact Betsy was involved. He took the call off the speaker and turned his back toward her. “Doesn’t sound like the drug runner’s MO that we’ve been able to piece together. Definitely not the car model and color.”
He pulled a Glock from behind the headboard and checked the magazine before slipping it back into the quick access panel he’d built. Never hurt to have an extra hideaway gun. If the drop guy he was zeroed in on was brazen enough to show up when people were still at the car lot, then the man had no qualms about taking someone out if necessary.
Keeping one of his weapons hidden but close was a lesson Cain had learned from his first partner. Home. Truck. Job location. Wherever he planned to be for any length of time, he planted a gun. Had saved him more than once.
“Evans, it might be a good idea to get a look at what’s on those cameras we installed, too.”
“Already top of my list. Plus, we’ll pull recordings from Betsy’s own security at Peyton’s. In fact, I’ll have some patrolmen meet me there to take a look around the entire dealership.”
Still on the phone, CAIN walked into the hall and lowered his voice as he talked to Evans. “You know, Betsy’s gonna blow a gasket when we tell her we moved some cars into her lot with surveillance cameras attached.”
“Yeah. But then again maybe we picked up the man in charge coming or going. All we need is one break.”
At what price though? Cain had told the sheriff, the deputy and every other lawman involved in this setup that this was a case riding on top of a grenade. They all disagreed. Said he was being overprotective.
“Maybe so, but she’s still not gonna be happy when you tell her.”
“Don’t you mean when you tell her.” Deputy Evans chuckled.
“Don’t you forget this is a team effort. Technically, I can end my consulting contract with the Crayton Police any time I want.” Not that he would, but that was going to be his story if ever needed.
The familiar scrape of Evan’s chair on the floor echoed through the receiver. “I assume you’re headed back to Peyton’s, so don’t go off half-cocked if you get there first. We’re on our way.”
Cain rummaged in the clean laundry basket sitting on the chair in the corner of his bedroom. Grabbed a pair of socks. “Don’t worry, you’ll be there first. I’ve still got to get dressed.”
“What?”
“Long story.” Cain shuffled into his boots. “We’ll be there soon.” He disconnected the call and bent down to lace them up.
The conversation had definitely not been one of his better reports. Cain grabbed a black T-shirt from the chest of drawers. He pulled it down over his head and tucked it into his jeans, then finished by raking his fingers through his still damp hair. He was ready to go. “You ready, Betsy? We need to meet the police at the lot.”
“I hope you don’t mind, but I used some of your mouthwash.” She walked back in the bedroom with a clean scrubbed look to her face. Her hair neatly pulled back in her signature long, loose ponytail once again. “You don’t happen to have any Chapstick around, do you?”
“Not hardly.” He opened the closet and tossed her a sweatshirt.
“What’s this for?”
He pointed at her blouse. “There’s mud on the back of your top. You might want to change before we head out.”
“Where are we going?”
“Like I said, we’re going to meet the police at Peyton’s.”
She nodded and scurried back into the bathroom. “Why aren’t there any doors on these rooms?”
“Stored in the spare bedroom for now.” He knew he should turn away, but when she slid the blouse off, he continued to stare at her reflection in the mirror. The skin on her back flowed beneath the straps of a deep purple bra, smooth and supple with each move.
“Makes it kind of awkward for a guest.” She skimmed his way-too-big shirt over her head, then turned around and caught him looking. Planting her hands on her hips, she shot him a look to cool his gut. “Or did you plan it that way?”
“Didn’t plan to have an uninvited guest drop in.” He grinned and knelt next to his bed, then pulled a metal box from underneath.
