Dangerous Interference Page 4

  Chapter Three

  From Alena’s few trips into town, it hadn’t taken her long to discover the sum total of Blue Springs business district and shopping mecca could be found along Main Street. As she drove from the marina into town one week after arriving, she tried to rein in her frustration over the dead end results of her constant surveillance of the Hirst lake house. Taking a wild guess, she assumed the town’s beauty shop would be as much of a gathering place for local gossip as her own upscale New York salon and headed that way this morning. If all else failed, she could always use a trim.

  She found it near the end of Main Street, aptly named Beauty Shop, located across from the town library, its catchy name—Blue Springs Library—drawing a reluctant grin from her. Shaking her head, she mumbled, “What the heck am I doing here?” If she weren’t so riddled with both worry and anger over Ashley’s latest stunt, she’d hightail it back to her beloved big city in a heartbeat.

  Finding the library helped ease her frustration though. Whenever the stress of her job got to be too much, she would hole up in the library and bury herself in ridiculous romance novels. She preferred the quiet ambience of the old building to her boring apartment when she took a much needed break from the blood and gore of her job and photographing the terrible things people were capable of doing to each other. Although, she mused, stepping out of her car, if the boredom of photographing trees and deer started to get to her, she might have to check out a good murder mystery.

  Oh, good Lord, she groaned in silence as she entered the beauty shop and found herself smack dab in the middle of the movie Grease. Pink hair dryers along with pink-draped stylists damn near blinded her, but the small shop was almost full, so she had to count that as a plus.

  “I’m Cora Sue. What can I do for you, sweetie?”

  The woman behind the counter looked to be her age, her smile as warm and friendly as everyone else’s in this town.

  “I just need a trim, but I don’t have an appointment.”

  Waving her arm, Cora Sue indicated an empty pink seat in front of a bank of mirrors. “Oh, walk-ins are most of my business. Have a seat.” Whipping a drape over Alena’s shoulders, she asked, “You on vacation with family?”

  Alena didn’t even question how the woman knew she wasn’t a resident. From the quick research she had done on this area, the lake provided vacation homes for a lot of people but the lack of any other activities kept a steady flow of nonresident vacationers to a minimum. “No, it’s just me getting away from the big city and work to get a little R & R.” Taking a chance Cora Sue wouldn’t ask for specifics, she tacked on, “A coworker recommended your lake and I’m pleased she steered me here, at least so far.”

  Twisting Alena’s top layer on top of her head, the stylist picked up a pair of scissors without asking Alena her preferences. Before she could stop her, Cora Sue nudged her head down and started snipping. God, she really missed Rico, who knew exactly what she wanted, and his classy, modern salon. “Huh, just a trim, not too short.”

  “No problem, sweetie. Now, me, I’ve vacationed in some of our country’s finest cities, but lord, can all that hustle and bustle tire a body out. Always a pleasure to arrive in someplace new and different, but I’m usually ready to hightail it home before too long. You into lake sports, camping, fishing, or just hanging out?”

  Alena knew she’d be ready to hightail it home before long. “Mostly hanging out, hiking a few trails and doing some sightseeing.” Sucking in a breath, she ventured tentatively, “But I have to admit I’m now a bit leery about staying on. I just heard about a girl who went missing from around here.” She gave a fake, delicate shudder before continuing. “My friend never said anything about the crime rate in these parts.”

  “Crime rate!” the older woman seated next to her exclaimed in a huff. “Why, I’ve lived here all my life and can vouch for our peaceful community. It’s just those kids getting themselves into trouble is all.”

  “Well, the young girl was seen with the Hirst boy and his friends, and we all know how wild that trio used to be.” This tidbit came from a woman who popped her head out from under her dryer, obviously having heard the exchange.

  “Kevin’s not near as bad as his brother, probably because of the seventeen year gap in their ages. Why, I just happened to be walking by his place late one afternoon and, well,” the woman getting her nails done fanned her face with her free hand, “let’s just say the rumors about the goings-on at that lake house are true!”

  Cora Sue chuckled and rolled her eyes as she loosened Alena’s top hair then leaned down to whisper, “One of our part-time residents likes to come up here to indulge in some, well, let’s say, extracurricular activities of a different nature.” Rising, she sent an admonishing look around the room. “Come on, ladies, you know our sheriff not only goes to those private parties, but he makes sure anything that might offend some of you or a visitor is kept under wraps.”

  Alena liked the amusement she heard in Cora Sue’s tone, and she wondered if perhaps she had firsthand knowledge of what went on at those parties, but she kept quiet, hoping something would be said that she could look into.

  When the conversations started to turn to other topics, she spoke up again. “Maybe this girl went to one of those parties and things got out of hand.” A sex party would be right up Ashley’s alley, and she had to admit she was now even more curious about what went on at that lake house, as well as the sheriff who apparently had a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ attitude.

  “That’s doubtful, hon. I’ve known Bryan Hirst since he bought that place, and while it’s true he’s a tad overprotective of his brother, he wouldn’t condone or cover up any mischief of that nature. Just ask Carlee down at the diner. Those two have been on and off again for years.”

  “So there’s no truth to the rumor this girl is missing?” she hinted, gleaning as much as she could.

  “Oh, she’s missing, but Sheriff Janzen’s on the case. As soon as the Hirst boy returns to town for his summer visit, he’ll pin him, Joel, and Brad down for more details. I heard Carlee say Bryan left for Portland the other day and will most likely return in about a week along with Kevin.”

  “Well, I hope it’ll be soon and he can shed some light on the girl’s whereabouts,” Alena said as Cora Sue removed the drape and fluffed up her hair. Eyes widening, she gave her head a shake, liking the bouncy sway of her now shoulder-length hair. “Thank you, Cora. I really like this,” she commented, surprised at how much she liked what the stylist had done.

  “Next time I’ll treat you to a nice scalp massage, but I don’t have time today.”

  She followed her to the register and paid her with a fervent, “Thank you,” leaving the shop with the tidbit about Hirst being gone giving her ideas. If her snooping still didn’t turn up anything, once Kevin Hirst returned, she’d do whatever she had to pull answers from him.

  * * *

  “That can’t be good.”

  Nash and Randy stepped out of the sheriff’s office and they both spotted Alena’s bright red hair as she emerged from the beauty shop. Seeing Randy’s frown, Nash asked, “Why?” as he watched her fold that round, lush body into her car, his cock twitching as he imagined the feel of her underneath him.

  “Because Cora Sue, along with half the women in this town, is the biggest gossip within a twenty-mile radius. I made the mistake of playing with her one night at Hirst’s and damned if we weren’t labeled a couple by noon the next day. That was the first and last time I fucked anyone who lives in my county.”

  “I do love your small town antics. What do you think our girl was up to?”

  “Ten to one, she’s been prying again.”

  As they strode down the boardwalk, Cora came out of her shop with a broom. Nash liked the way the shop owners along Main Street kept their places neat as a pin, making sure the large barrels filled with colorful flowers were kept watered and the walk swept clean. “Shall we find out?”

  The sheriff heaved a sigh, r
eplying, “Yeah, I guess we better.”

  Randy’s disgruntled tone amused Nash. He continued to be surprised by how much he enjoyed his temporary partner and new friend’s company despite their differences. He was more laid back, tended to be easygoing over small matters, such as interfering redheads, whereas Randy had been as tense as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs since she’d walked into his office. On the other hand, Nash had little control over his temper over the big things, usually exploding first and asking questions afterward. The sheriff, on the other hand, always maintained a tight rein on his anger, but he’d seen kids and adults alike cringe from just a cold look and a few softly spoken words from the man.

  “Come on, how bad can it be?” Slapping Randy on the back, he grinned and picked up their pace until they approached Cora.

  “Afternoon, Cora Sue. That one of our visitors I’ve seen around?” Randy asked her by way of a lead-in.

  “Sure was, Sheriff. Alena, I think she said her name was. Full of questions about that missing college girl, but otherwise seemed to be enjoying her stay. Liked the cut I gave her. How’re you, Nash?”

  Enjoying the flirtation from the other woman as much as the scowl from his partner, he replied, “I’m good, how about you, luv?” He almost laughed outright when Randy rolled his eyes.

  “Can’t complain. I….”

  “Cora, what did Alena want to know? I can’t have tourists poking their noses into my investigation or worrying about their safety,” Randy interrupted, wanting to move along.

  “Oh, she just heard about what happened is all. I let her know you were on top of it and would question both Bryan and Kevin together when they returned. Really, Randy,” she said, frowning at him. “I do know how to keep our visitors both happy and wanting to come back.”

  “Sorry, I’m just edgy because that girl’s case has been stagnant for so long. Have a nice day.”

  Nash waited until they had walked down to the end of the street before admitting, “Okay, Ms. Malloy might get up to mischief knowing Bryan isn’t in the vicinity right now.”

  Randy sent him a rueful grin. “Your turn to keep tabs on her and put the fear of us in her if need be. I’m going to do something easier, like check for signs of poachers in the south woods.”

  “Very funny, chap. I’ll be happy to take prickly, interfering woman duty. And if I catch her snooping where she doesn’t belong, I won’t be as nice as you were.”

  Nash spun back around, Randy’s rude snort following him as he returned to the sheriff’s office where he’d left his Jeep. A mile out of town, he took the turnoff that put him on the narrow, two-lane road that wrapped around the lake, elevated above the water just enough to afford motorists glimpses of the crystal clear expanse between the tall pines. No one had been more surprised than he at how much he had come to like the area, the town, and the people. A far cry from foggy, damp London with its crowded streets, he discovered the dense forests, sometimes too friendly residents, and sunny days were a pleasant change and diversion. If he hadn’t been so obsessed with solving the case of the twenty-year-old girl pulled out of the Thames last summer, he would have missed the opportunity to visit this state and get to know Sheriff Randy Janzen.

  Randy’s tenacity and determination to find his missing victim matched that of Nash’s to track down his perpetrator, both of them agreeing it was too much of a coincidence Kevin Hirst and his friends were among the last people to have been seen with both college girls. Having been a member of a private sex club back home for several years, Nash knew right away what had caused the ligature marks around his victim’s wrists and ankles. Restraints applied with too much pressure, or left on too long were signs of a sadist or a completely incompetent newbie to BDSM, either one unacceptable to him. Bruises had covered the girl’s back, buttocks, and thighs, the beating she had endured resulting in several welts deep enough to break the skin. Unforgivable. Add to all of that torment, when the coroner’s report stated Lisa Ames had suffered through several episodes of autoerotic asphyxiation and died from the final strangulation, he knew he wouldn’t rest until her killer was caught and punished.

  Having dual citizenship, Nash subscribed to several online periodicals and had just happened to come across the article detailing Ashley Malloy’s disappearance, which included a list of people questioned. Randy hadn’t welcomed him with open arms or embraced his theory the three boys connected their cases with enthusiasm. But, being the thorough lawman he now knew the sheriff to be, Randy wouldn’t out and out dismiss the possibility.

  As much as he had enjoyed his stay this past month, bunking with Randy and the two get-togethers they had attended and indulged in at the Hirst lake house, he wouldn’t let anything get in his way of getting justice for both these girls, especially if his and Randy’s cases proved to be linked. And that meant finding and dealing with Alena if he caught her where she didn’t belong, possibly putting their case at risk. Which would be a nice perk of this otherwise tedious, slow investigation.

  It didn’t take him long to spot her boat rental moored in an alcove around the bend from Bryan’s private dock. Shaking his head, he counted himself lucky she didn’t realize she wasn’t as hidden as she thought. Pulling into the entrance to the Hirst property, clearly marked with a sign and double iron gates barring entry down the long graveled drive, he hopped out of his Jeep and bypassed the gate on foot through the woods. A few minutes later, he found her crouched at the back door, using a nail file as she attempted to jimmy the lock, curses flying right and left as she met with failure at each small twist.

  Bent over, he took a moment to admire her lush ass nicely displayed in loose, thin shorts, her long legs conjuring up fantasies of the feel of those soft thighs clutching his waist as he rode her hard. He took another moment to indulge in a few more scenarios before he forced them to the back of his mind in order to focus on the problem at hand.

  He grinned, anticipation zinging through his veins as he stepped forward and took her by surprise. “Problem, luv?”

  With a squeal that made her blanch in mortification, Alena whirled around and found Nash Osborne not two feet from her. How the hell had he snuck up on her? Those cobalt blue eyes held amusement, but the stern set of his very enticing mouth told her she was in trouble. Again.

  Taking heart he wasn’t the law, just a friend of the law, she bent to retrieve her purse and dropped her nail file in it, trying to act as if she hadn’t been caught doing anything illegal. “No, English, no problem. Just out for a stroll, thought I’d ask for a glass of water, but it appears no one’s home, so I’ll be on my way.”

  She moved to walk around him when he wrapped his large hand around her upper arm, stopping her with his gentle, but firm grip. Glancing up, his look confirmed she was in trouble before he spoke.

  “Had a nice chat with the beauty shop owner, Cora Sue, I believe her name is. You’ve been prying again.”

  She refused to give him the satisfaction of trying to pull her arm free and failing to break his hold, so she stood her ground and pasted on a cool look of unconcern, she hoped. “I told both you and the sheriff I was going to find my sister, or a lead to her whereabouts. I’m not leaving until I get something I can give to the Portland PD.”

  The smile that creased his lean, tanned face sent a shiver of warning down her spine and a warm gush of heat between her legs. Oh, good Lord, she almost groaned aloud. This couldn’t be happening again, not with the same reaction to a different man.

  “You have two choices. I can haul you into town and to the sheriff and let him know I caught you attempting a break-in of one of Blue Springs’ finest residents in another attempt to hinder his investigation, or you can suffer the consequences of your actions the old-fashioned way again.” Nash almost made the mistake of chuckling aloud when he dropped that hint he knew of Randy’s discipline and her eyes widened in shock, and just a touch of arousal.

  Heat curled low in her abdomen from the look in his eyes, his suggestion responsible fo
r the warm pulse flooding her sheath with moisture. Was she turning into a spanking slut or was it just these two men whom her radar had zeroed in on and refused to let go?

  “Randy already tried that,” she responded, attempting to defuse his intentions and regain her sanity.

  “An introductory lesson, from what he relayed to me. I won’t be as nice.” Turning, he sat on the small glider, keeping hold of her arm as he looked up at her. “What’ll it be? Bend over my lap or a trip to see the sheriff?”

  She really didn’t want another confrontation with Randy, he just might toss her in jail for the night and she certainly couldn’t afford an attempted break-in charge on her record. That could cost her her job. With a sigh of resignation, she ignored the leap of her pulse and the light in his eyes as she replied with a terse, “Fine. I’ll take the spanking.”

  Before she lost her nerve, she followed his slight tug and lay across his thick, hard thighs. But when he yanked her shorts down, along with her panties, she twisted around to glare up at him. “Hey! I didn’t agree… ow!” The crack of his hand on her right buttock startled her, but not nearly as much as her response to the sharp sting that left her skin throbbing with heat.

  “Do I continue or do we go have a nice chat with Sheriff Janzen?”

  Oh, she honestly did not care for his cool, amused tone or the knowing look in his eyes, but, God help her, she did like the soft stroke of his broad palm over the tender skin he’d just abused. Determined to win this battle, she huffed out an annoyed breath then flipped back around, making a desperate attempt to ignore the way the warm breeze caressed her bare buttocks, the outdoor exposure adding to the arousal his slap had initiated.

  “That’s a girl, luv.” Nash smacked her other cheek, enjoying her reluctant capitulation.

  She groaned as that accent curled her toes and the next swat landed with blistering heat on her other buttock. Biting her lip, she concentrated on stifling her escalating arousal as he rained a litany of steady, hard smacks across her butt. Each one burned hotter, stung harder, and worked to increase her arousal. By the sixth stroke, her buttocks throbbed with heat and pain she felt reciprocated in her sheath.