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Partners In Crime Part 3
Alicia Scott
36 Hours SerialAs a devastating summer storm hits Grand Springs, Colorado, the next thirty-six hours will change the town and its residents forever….Partners in Crime Part 3A mysterious blonde is suspected of killing Mayor Olivia Stuart, and now Josie Reynolds is in handcuffs. The arresting officer? Jack Stryker, straight-arrow cop and lover of said suspect.But a case that seemed clear-cut goes sideways when another blonde named "Jo" hits Grand Springs, linked to the mayor's murder and determined to tie up loose ends.Adversaries under the law, Josie and Jack must form an alliance when danger has them both on the run….Don't miss the next book in the continuing story of Grand Springs in Nine Months by Beverly Barton.
36 Hours Serial
As a devastating summer storm hits Grand Springs, Colorado, the next thirty-six hours will change the town and its residents forever….
Partners in Crime Part 3
A mysterious blonde is suspected of killing Mayor Olivia Stuart, and now Josie Reynolds is in handcuffs. The arresting officer? Jack Stryker, straight-arrow cop and lover of said suspect.
But a case that seemed clear-cut goes sideways when another blonde named “Jo” hits Grand Springs, linked to the mayor’s murder and determined to tie up loose ends.
Adversaries under the law, Josie and Jack must form an alliance when danger has them both on the run….
Don’t miss the next book in the continuing story of Grand Springs in Nine Months by Beverly Barton.
Dear Reader,
In the town of Grand Springs, Colorado, a devastating summer storm sets off a string of events that changes the lives of the residents forever….
Welcome to Mills & Boon exciting new digital serial, 36 Hours! In this thirty-six part serial share the stories of the residents of Grand Springs, Colorado, in the wake of a deadly storm.
With the power knocked out and mudslides washing over the roads, the town is plunged into darkness and the residents are forced to face their biggest fears—and find love against all odds.
Each week features a new story written by a variety of bestselling authors like Susan Mallery and Sharon Sala. The stories are published in three segments, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and the first segment of every three-part book is free, so you can get caught up in the mystery and drama of Grand Springs. And you can get to know a new set of characters every week. You can read just one, but as the lives and stories of each intertwine in surprising ways, you’ll want to read them all!
Join Mills & Boon E every week as we bring you excitement, mystery, fun and romance in 36 Hours!
Happy reading!
About the Author
Alicia Scott is the award-winning author of thirteen romantic suspense novels, including Maggie’s Man, MacNamara’s Woman and Brandon’s Bride. In addition to winning an award for career achievement from RT Book Reviews, Alicia was also a finalist for a prestigious RITA® Award for best contemporary romance for MacNamara’s Woman. Living in New England with her family, Alicia now writes hard-edged suspense as Lisa Gardner. For more information on both careers, please visit www.lisagardner.com (http://www.lisagardner.com).
Partners in Crime Part 3
Alicia Scott
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Even the weather forecasters didn’t predict how strong the spring storm would hit Grand Springs, Colorado. But it isn’t the physical damage that is wreaking havoc these days, it’s the murder of the mayor, Olivia Stuart. During the panic and chaos of those horrible 36 hours someone poisoned Olivia. The main suspect for Detective Jack Stryker was Josie Reynolds. All evidence pointed her way…planted evidence! Now on the run with Josie, Jack knows that this was a professional hit. The killer’s next victim: Josie. The hit woman is the best tracker he’s ever seen and she is zeroing in on their hiding spot…
Contents
Chapter Nine Continued (#u24adb21f-fb9f-5aee-8963-551542192897)
Chapter Ten (#u35a98c55-a144-5daf-b68a-ae234a86557f)
Chapter Eleven (#u5bcf2cd4-cba2-559f-ae96-0fcfb2515254)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine Continued
Jack Stryker felt Josie stiffen by degrees.
The hit woman drew out her fancy tranquilizer gun—it had been tucked into her utility belt at her trim waist. Her gaze swept the top of the mine, ensuring that she was not jumped from above.
Then her sharp eyes settled on the pile of boulders.
The hit woman stared and stared, and the tension rose unbearably. Quietly, soundlessly, he rocked Josie against him, trying to hold them both steady.
If the woman looked too closely. If she just saw the two footprints right before the boulders…
Josie’s fingers dug into his arm fierce enough to hurt. He didn’t make a sound.
The woman turned and stepped into the mine. In a matter of seconds, the mountain had swallowed her whole.
There was no time for indecision. Jack unfurled from Josie. He took her hand. Her cheeks were stained with fresh tears. Her lower lip bled where her teeth had taken their toll. He wiped the moisture from her cheek. He pressed his thumb against her lip.
Then, unable to help himself, he dipped his head and kissed her. Her arms tangled around him instantly. She clung to him as if he were the last bastion in a storm, and he clung to her just as hard. They kissed hard, they kissed sweet.
And it felt good to have her against him again. Good to hold her. Good to taste her.
He wanted to curl up with her in her bed right now. He wanted to drape her in red silk and roll with her on her feather mattress. He wanted to hold her a long, long time, and tell her with his touch how sorry he was that he’d ever doubted her.
And how much it had hurt him, too.
He brought his lips away gently, resting his forehead against hers because he couldn’t bear to lose all contact.
“Quietly,” he whispered, and she nodded back.
Like two thieves, they crept away from the mine, and this time, Josie stopped on her own so he could pick up another tree branch and wipe their passing from the earth.
Chapter Ten
Josie was shivering. She didn’t say anything, but he felt the uncontrollable shudders ricocheting up his arm. The sun was gone, and this high on the mountain, the wind was cold against their water-drenched clothes. They had to move painstakingly slow to cover their tracks, chilling muscles that had already been abused.
Jack figured they had about another hour to heat up before hypothermia and exposure set in. They were at least eight miles from Grand Springs—or four hours of hard hiking.
He veered them sharply up the mountain and heard Josie muffle a groan.
“Are we there yet?” she panted at last. “I’m sure this qualifies as cruel and unusual punishment. I’ll sic Edward Finnley on you.”
“At least you haven’t lost your sense of humor.”
She paused long enough to glance over her shoulder. “I don’t see our guest. Think she’s lost in the mine?”
“Maybe for a bit. But if she’s smart at all, she’ll eventually head back out and give the ground another once-over.”
“You’ve covered our tracks.”
“At first glance, Josie. But an experienced tracker can read the signs of a tree branch raked over the ground. I don’t know. It will depend how good she is.”
Josie hesitated. “I think she’s good.”
“Me, too.”
They lapsed back into silence, forcing their tired muscles up the hill. After a bit, Jack pointed them to the left. “Over there.”
“Over there?”
“Another mine.”
“Is that good or bad?”
“Good. I know this one. It’s pretty stable—the man-made passages lead to a series of natural caves. A lot of the teenagers use it for spelunking.”
“Spelunking?”
“Exploring caves and canyons.”
“Oh, no. Bats.”
“Yeah, bats. And narrow crevices and long, dark tunnels without the light of day.”
“Can’t we just make a lean-to out of twigs?” she asked weakly.
Jack stopped walking at last. He took both of her hands in his. “I won’t lie to you, Josie. You’re not going to like it in there. But we’re not doing so well out here. Exposure will set in soon. We don’t have matches, we don’t have food, we don’t have a set of dry clothes. We’re too far from civilization for help. This is the best idea I have.”
“I know.”
“Will you follow me, will you do as I ask even when it’s going to scare you to death?”
She regarded him steadily. “I suppose I will.”
“Josie…I’m sorry. For everything, I’m sorry.”
“I know, Stryker. Maybe…maybe I even understand.” She shrugged halfheartedly, wanting to make things right as much as he did, but too tired and worn to sort through all the emotions that clutched at her chest. “Well, maybe someday we’ll look back on the whole thing and laugh.”
“Yeah, maybe. I just wanted you to know I was sorry…in case.”
She silenced him with her fingers over his lips. “Straight Arrow Stryker,” she whispered.
His lips, warm and soft, curved against her finger ruefully. “Still trying to hold all the pieces together,” he admitted quietly, filling in her unspoken thought. “I can’t help myself, Josie. I…I don’t want anything to happen to you. And I can’t help but feel like this whole thing is my fault. I should’ve listened to you—”
“You did. You checked out my house.”
“I should’ve trusted my instincts—”
“A cop can’t write instincts on an arrest form.”
“I should’ve been there for you, Josie. I shouldn’t have left you feeling all alone.”
“No, you shouldn’t have. But, news flash, Stryker: You’re not perfect. Another news flash—neither am I. Hmm, maybe that’s how we ended up handcuffed together racing through the mountains. It’s a thought.”
“Josie—”
“Come on, Stryker. We’re both chilled to the bone and who knows when Super Chick will appear again. Let’s walk, okay? Later, you can tell me how sorry you are. I’m thinking flowers, lots of tiger lilies. No, rare orchids. Hmm, maybe wildflowers, bluebells, daisies, sunflowers. No, no, peach roses. I want a lot of peach roses. And dinner, of course. Then we’ll move on to fine gems. Have I mentioned yet how much I like opals? I like fiery opals. Think about it, Stryker.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Josie nodded, satisfied, and turned back toward the rising mountain. The opening of the mine was barely visible from here. It gaped like the hole from a missing tooth in a monster’s gruesome smile.
Dark, stale, and most likely filled with bats.
Josie started walking, and Jack understood completely then why he was so enraptured with her. Not too many women would walk willingly into an abandoned mine. Not too many people could make him feel better about his own mistakes.
It made him want to kiss her again. Kiss her and hold her and wrap his arms so tightly around her nothing would harm her. She would always be safe. Because if something happened to her, his father was right—he would shoulder the burden of the failure, adding it to the load he already carried. He knew how to forgive everyone but himself, and he had never learned how to forget.
He followed her toward the mine. Behind them, the trees remained undisturbed.
* * *
“Fasten it here, and fasten it here. How’s that?” Jack pushed at the hard yellow mining hat experimentally, but it remained firmly attached to Josie’s head. He turned on the lantern bulb resting on her forehead, then found a hat for himself. The entrance to the mine held half a dozen miner’s caps. He figured on Friday night, they were all put to use, and he didn’t know whether to curse or praise the recklessness of the local teenagers.
He’d half hoped to find dry matches, a canteen of water or leftover snacks. No such luck. Only the hats were left at the mine.
He turned on his own light, illuminating the dark, dank tunnel. Oak beams held the hand-carved ceiling in place above them. Farther on, the sides turned to rock, still bearing the marks from the dynamite that had blasted the tunnel so many decades ago.
The tunnels had been mined out two decades ago, but they remained popular, particularly for serious explorers—or Boy Scouts who had read Tom Sawyer one too many times. When Jack had been a teenager, he’d spent an entire summer coming to know first the man-made tunnels, then the labyrinth of natural caves and canyons that formed catacombs inside the mountainside.
Here, he hoped to find the home court advantage at last. He finished adjusting his hat, took one last look at the gathering dusk, then turned to Josie.
“Ready?”
She looked the palest he’d ever seen her. “I don’t like dark places.”
“It’s stable.”
“It’s wet and cold.”
“It twists down below the water table.”
