Trained To Defend

She only vaguely recalled driving around as if on autopilot. Of deciding to come here but changing her mind. Of wandering country back roads in the dark, worried about running out of gas.

She remembered the panic. Remembered not thinking clearly.

As more details from last night flooded back to Sarah, she gasped.

Details about Loretta. Of the woman’s final moments.

Tears sprang to her eyes, and her limbs shook uncontrollably.

Loretta was dead. She’d passed right there in Sarah’s arms while her attacker had lain collapsed against the wall.

As Colton released her hands, Sarah leaned back, desperate to hold herself together. Yet she couldn’t.

No, she’d been so frantic that she’d run to the very man who’d broken her heart—only he refused to acknowledge that he’d been the one to pull away. Colton refused to understand why Sarah had no choice but to leave, refused to understand that this was never about her art.

Buzz appeared beside Sarah, and his cold nose nuzzled her hand. She smiled and rubbed the dog’s head, finding comfort in his familiar scent.

Her smile faded quickly.

Poor Buzz…he must feel worse than she did. Buzz had loved Loretta so much.

And now she was gone.

Another guttural cry escaped.

Colton leaned toward her, his gaze intense and concerned. “Sarah, you need to tell me what’s going on.”

She studied Colton a moment. Glanced at the perfect lines of his face. His messy light brown hair.

The man always got her pulse racing.

But he was off-limits. Sarah needed to remember that. He’d already broken her heart once. If he broke it again, she wasn’t sure it could ever be repaired.

Which was why coming here had been such a horrible idea. Sarah definitely hadn’t been thinking clearly. Otherwise, she would have gone anywhere else.

She gathered the blanket around her and stared at the fire in front of her. Buzz lay down beside her, his icy blue gaze on Colton, as if daring him to make one wrong move.

She needed to tell Colton why she was here. But first she needed to collect her thoughts. Besides, she wasn’t sure she could say the words aloud.

Every time she remembered what happened it felt like a punch in her gut. Maybe this was a nightmare. Maybe she would wake up. Sarah wished those things might be true and, even more, she wished she believed them.

But she knew the truth. She just didn’t know if she could find her voice long enough to share.

“Can I…can I have some tea?” Sarah asked, buying herself time. “Please. I… I just can’t get warm.”

As if on cue, her teeth chattered. The reaction had little to do with the cold, however. No, it felt like someone had rammed an icicle into her chest and shattered her emotions.

“Of course.” Colton stood. “But then we need to talk.”

Why had Sarah come here? Why couldn’t she think of anywhere else she’d be safe?

She knew why. Colton had always been a protector. Even if he had been distant and withdrawn toward the end of their engagement, he was still, in some way, her safe place.

The drive here flashed back to her.

There had been headlights behind her. They’d appeared about fifteen minutes into her escape.

Sarah had tried to lose the driver, fearing it was the man who’d killed Loretta.

But what if she hadn’t lost him?

She jumped to her feet and pulled the blanket around her as she walked toward the window. She had to know if she was truly safe here or not. Sarah had to see if anyone lingered outside, waiting to make his next move.

Buzz followed beside her, keeping a watchful eye on her.

“What are you doing?” Colton asked from across the open expanse of the room. His hands froze on the teakettle, as if he braced himself for action.

“That man…” Sarah started, fear seizing her again.

She couldn’t get the image of Loretta’s dying figure out of her mind. Couldn’t forget the horror of finding that man standing over her.

“What man, Sarah?” Colton stepped from around the breakfast bar, coming toward her. “Who are you talking about?”

Sarah shook her head, battling the memories and hoping this was all a bad dream. She knew it wasn’t. “I’m afraid… I’m afraid he followed me.”

Colton took her elbow and led her back to the couch. “If that’s the case, the last place you want to be is in front of the window.”

She felt stoic as she sat back on the cushions and stared at the fire. The kettle whistled.

“One minute,” he murmured. “Then we need to talk.”

A moment later, Colton handed her some tea, complete with sugar and cream. He’d remembered what she liked. The thought shouldn’t bring her so much delight.

“Sarah, you need to tell me what’s going on.” Colton stood with his hands on his hips. “Tell me why you have blood on your clothes.”

At his words, she glanced down and gasped. He was right. Loretta’s bloodstained her sweater.

A new round of tears welled up in her eyes. She jerked the sweater off, unable to stand the thought. She tossed it on the couch out of sight, wishing she could discard her memories as easily. But life didn’t work that way.

Colton’s intelligent, compassionate gaze remained latched on to hers. He sat on the chair near the couch, leaning toward her, waiting to listen.

He’d positioned himself at a place where he could also see the windows.

Sarah didn’t miss that fact. Colton was always the cop, wasn’t he? He was ever vigilant, kind of like Buzz.

She sucked in a deep, shaky breath. She wanted to forget about tonight. Erase it from her mind. Yet she realized that she couldn’t do that. She was going to have to go back and revisit those dark moments.

As she opened her mouth, words wouldn’t escape. “I…”

Where did she even start?

“It’s okay,” Colton prodded. “What happened last night?”

She drew in a deep breath, praying for courage as she shared the truth. “I’ve been working for a woman, Loretta, and living in her home. I returned to her house last night and found her on the floor in her room. Bleeding.” Her voice cracked.

Colton’s eyes widened. “What happened next?”

“Buzz knocked out the man who attacked her. I tried to help Loretta, but she told me to take Buzz and run and to not trust the police. And then she…” Sarah swallowed hard. “Then she died. She was gone.”

“I’m sorry, Sarah.”

She nodded stiffly. “So, I did what she told me. I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t even put my shoes on. I just… I wanted to get away.”

“What happened to the man?”

“He was still in the house when I left. Buzz had jumped on him, and I think the man hit his head and was knocked unconscious. But then, on the way here, I was certain someone was following me.”

Colton stiffened. “Why do you say that?”

Sarah shivered at the memories. “There were headlights. And they always seemed to be there, even when I turned off the main highway. I lost him… I think. I mean, I didn’t see the car for the last thirty minutes of my trip.”

“Why did you come here, Sarah?”

She swallowed hard, downing every last ounce of her pride as her gaze met Colton’s. “Because I didn’t know what else to do or who else I could trust. Please help me, Colton. Please.”

Colton tried to process everything that Sarah had told him. He had so many questions but most of those could wait until later. Right now, he was concerned about Sarah. About how frail she looked. About how her arms trembled so badly she could hardly drink her tea.

“Sarah, I need to call the police—”

“No!” She nearly jumped off the couch, and Buzz followed her, standing on guard. “You can’t. Loretta said not to.”

“Why would she say that?” What sense did it make? The woman had been murdered. If Sarah had called the police, maybe the guy who’d committed the crime would be behind bars right now.

“I have no idea. But if she said it…she had a reason.”

“But the police could catch this killer. Time is of the essence in situations like these and—”

Sarah glanced around, as if looking for her keys or purse or whatever she would have brought with her. “I should leave. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come here. Some part of me thought I could trust you, though.”

Colton touched her arm, ignoring the electricity that came from feeling her soft skin. “Don’t leave. That’s not what I’m saying. Please, sit down. We’ll figure this out. I’m just asking questions right now.”

She stared at him. Said nothing.

Finally, she nodded and lowered herself back onto the couch across from him. Buzz jumped up beside her and laid his head on her lap.

“Let’s just talk.” Colton spoke softly, trying to put her at ease and alleviate some of her caginess. “Okay?”

Sarah nodded, but her eyes looked strained and unconvinced. Instead, she leaned forward and rubbed Buzz’s head.

“Do you have any idea why anyone would want Loretta dead?” he asked.

Sarah shook her head. “No. And…the more I think about it, the stranger it all is.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because I found Buzz locked in my closet upstairs. He couldn’t have gotten himself locked in there. It wouldn’t make any sense.”

“Okay. You think Loretta put him there?”

“It’s the only thing that makes sense. If the killer had put him there, Buzz would have been a wreck, clawing to get out. But he was sitting there obediently.” As Sarah talked, she continued to rub the dog’s head.

“So, he’s well trained.”

Sarah nodded. “That’s right. But the thing is… Loretta could hardly get up the steps. She had ALS. If she went through all that trouble…”

“Then she suspected something might happen.”

“Exactly.” Sarah trembled again. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t like it. I hope I didn’t lead trouble here, Colton. I didn’t think I was going to make it. The roads were so icy. And the drive was long and dark. I barely had enough gas. So many things were not in my favor.”

“It sounds like God was watching over you to bring you this far,” Colton said.

“I agree.” Her gaze met his, her brief moment of gratefulness at their spiritual connection replaced by fear. “What am I going to do?”

“We’ll figure something out, Sarah.” Had he just said that?

Colton had taken time off from law enforcement, even though he’d been offered a job in investigative services with the Idaho State Police.

One day, he thought he might go back into that line of work. But, if he ever had hopes of doing that, the last thing he needed to do was harbor someone who might be wanted in a police investigation. And if the police weren’t looking for Sarah yet, they would be soon.

Still, one look at Sarah, and Colton knew he couldn’t refuse helping her. She’d always had that effect on him.

Sarah rubbed her hands against her dress and frowned. “Colton, is there a way you could… I don’t know. Maybe call someone? Maybe use some of your connections to find out if there are any updates? Maybe the police caught this guy. Maybe those headlights I saw were just another traveler headed in the same direction I was. I just don’t know. Nothing makes sense, and nothing will make sense until I have more answers.”

He didn’t say anything for a moment and instead sat there, letting her words settle.

She frowned. “I’m asking too much, aren’t I? I’m sorry.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Colton finally said before nodding toward the hallway. “Listen, first, why don’t you take a shower?”

“A shower sounds nice.”

“I’ll find you something to wear and you can leave what you have on now outside the door. I’ll wash everything for you and leave you something fresh. Once you’ve cleaned up, we figure out a plan.”

Sarah continued to stare at him, as if trying to gauge his thoughts, to figure out if he was still trustworthy. “You’re not going to call the police while I’m in the shower, are you?”

“I won’t. You know I’m as good as my word.”

Finally, she nodded. “Okay then.”

But just as she stood, her phone buzzed. She pulled it from her purse and looked at the screen. Her face went pale.

“What is it?” Colton moved closer, sensing something was wrong.

“It’s a message…from Loretta.”

The killer must have grabbed the woman’s phone, Colton realized.

“What does it say?” Colton asked, glancing over her shoulder. As he read the words there, his blood went colder than an Idaho winter.

I know who you are, and I will find you. You have something I want.

THREE

Sarah’s heart raced as she sat on the couch and stared at the words on her phone.

The killer knew who she was? How? What did this mean?

Fear rushed through her. Exactly what was this man planning to do when he found her? Sarah didn’t even have to ask that question. She knew what he planned on doing.

He would kill her.

She should have pulled up his mask and looked at his face. At least then she would know what the man looked like.

But it was too late for that now. It didn’t matter.

Her head spun as reality again hit her and left her reeling.

“It’s going to be okay, Sarah,” Colton said beside her.

His voice snapped her back to the moment. His platitude was meant to bring her comfort but it failed. Nothing was going to be okay. Nothing.

Why couldn’t Colton see that? Why did he always think things would be okay when they clearly wouldn’t? Sometimes people couldn’t change their circumstances, no matter how hard they tried.

Sarah’s life had been a case in point.

Nothing had gone the way she’d planned—including her relationship with Colton.

She put her hands over her face. Why had she ever come here? What had she been thinking?

This was just one more bad decision in a long line of them.

Colton leaned closer, still staring at her phone. As he did, his arm brushed hers, and a surge of old memories rushed through her. Memories of when life used to be happy. When the future had seemed bright. When it looked like her future wouldn’t be a repeat of her past.

Sarah had been wrong then. As much as she wanted to believe and trust in God’s plan for her future, she’d accepted the fact that her future was meant to be full of struggles. Other people might cruise through life and find happiness. But not Sarah.

Her father had left. Her mother had been arrested. She and her sister had grown up with a string of foster care families—and they hadn’t been together in most of those homes.

No, life had never been smooth sailing. Even now as an adult, life had been full of financial and career struggles, all of which had led her to this point.

“Do you have any idea what he’s talking about when he says, ‘You have something I want’?” Colton asked, his gaze still laser focused on her phone screen and that text she’d received.

Sarah’s mind raced, charging back to the present. What did the man mean? What exactly had he come to Loretta’s to get this evening?

“I have no clue,” she said, her voice shaky. “I left with nothing. All my things are still at Loretta’s. It was just me and Buzz and a few of Buzz’s essentials that were in a bag by the back door.”

She leaned down and patted Buzz’s head. The dog leaned into her, but Sarah noted how his eyes remained on guard as he scanned the room.

She felt sorry for Buzz. He’d cherished Loretta so much and had been such a faithful companion.

The dog was truly beautiful. White with gray spots. His eyes were an icy blue, and he had a matching collar. Despite his regal demeanor, the dog also had a playful side. Loretta had trained him well. All she had to do was cluck her tongue once, twice or three times, and he would immediately obey whatever command corresponded.

In fact, in some ways, the dog had been like a child to Loretta. Buzz had been raised to act as an emotional support canine for her.

“Is Buzz special?” Colton asked, staring at the husky.

Sarah looked at the dog again. “I mean, he’s special in the sense that he’s a great dog. But he’s not of a championship bloodline or anything.”

“That’s strange that the man would say that then.” Colton reached over and rubbed Buzz’s head also. “Whoever killed Loretta must think you have something—something worth killing for.”

Sarah wrapped her arms over her chest. “I agree. But it doesn’t make sense. What am I going to do, Colton?”

Colton stood. “You should take that shower. Maybe it will help you clear your head.”

She rose to her feet. “You’re right. I need to get this blood off me.”

Loretta’s blood.

Nausea churned in her stomach.

Everything still felt surreal, like a nightmare.

Only Sarah knew she wouldn’t wake up and everything wouldn’t be better this time.

Colton waited until he heard the door to the bathroom open and close before he peered around the hallway.

Sarah’s clothes were on the floor, neatly folded, just as he’d asked.

His heart twisted as he quietly stepped from his room, carefully picked the dress up and slipped it into a bag.

The clothing would most likely be needed as evidence. Though Sarah didn’t want to tell the police what had happened, Colton hoped to make her come around. And, when she did, these clothes would need to be examined.

Though Sarah wanted to stay far away from the police, they would only help her. That was their job—to find the truth. Colton had no idea why her boss had told her not to talk to them. Was there more to that story? Or had the woman been delirious during her final moments?

Colton left the bag on the washing machine for the time being and then went into his bedroom. He opened the door to the attic and stepped inside, a musky smell enveloping him. He searched for a moment before finding what he wanted.

An old burgundy trunk. With a touch of trepidation, Colton opened the lid.

Sarah’s old clothes stared back at him.

She’d left them at his old place when they thought they were getting married. She’d needed somewhere to store a few things, and his place had seemed like a logical choice. When he’d moved, he’d thought about getting rid of them. Why hadn’t he?

He wasn’t sure. It didn’t matter now.

He rummaged through several things before pulling out some choices for Sarah.

Colton deposited the clothes for Sarah outside the bathroom door. He could still hear the water running on the other side and steam seeped from beneath the doorway.

He pulled out his phone, remembering that call he’d promised to make to find out more information on Loretta’s death. He glanced at his watch. It was early—too early to make any inquiries without bringing attention to himself, which was the last thing Sarah would want.

But there was one person Colton could call. Fred Higgins. The man was his closest neighbor and one of the most vigilant people he knew. If there was any suspicious activity in this area, Fred would know about it.

The man always woke at the crack of dawn, and it was already past 7:00 a.m. Quickly, Colton dialed his number and waited for an answer. Mr. Higgins didn’t disappoint.

“What I can I do for you, Hawk?”

“Morning, Higgins. Listen, did you hear anyone coming down our road last night?” Colton got right to the heart of the matter, knowing the ex-military man would appreciate his directness.

“Funny you ask that. As a matter of fact, I did. An old beat up sedan came through about four thirty, taking it real slow.”

Sarah. That had to be Sarah’s car. “An old friend is here visiting me.”

“Good to know. Strange thing is that a few minutes later, another car crept by.”

Colton’s spine stiffened. “Is that right?”

Colton walked to the window and peered out, looking for any sign that someone was there. The sun hadn’t risen yet, and everything was still clothed in darkness, making it nearly impossible to see.

“That’s right. But it turned around and left a few minutes later. Figured someone got lost.”

Colton wished he felt as confident about that. But at least he knew more now. “Thanks, Mr. Higgins.”

“Everything okay?”

“It’s fine. I know you like to keep an eye on this mountain. My friend thought she saw someone behind her.”

“Well, she was right. But, like I said, that other car turned around.”

But that also meant that someone knew where Sarah was. Most likely, the killer. The thought made Colton’s stomach churn.

“Will you let me know if you see anyone else?” Colton asked.

“Absolutely.”

Colton ended the call and leaned against the wall as the impact of this early morning’s encounter hit him. Sarah…he never thought he’d see her again, especially not like this.

The two had met when he’d been a detective in Seattle. Sarah had worked in a coffee shop he liked to frequent. They started talking about some of the artwork hanging on the walls, and Sarah had finally admitted the paintings were hers and that she’d been working as a barista just until she got her big break in the art world.

After a month of coming in every day for coffee, Colton had finally asked her out. They were inseparable after that first date. They’d gotten engaged six months later and planned for a spring wedding.

But one night on a case, Colton had been forced to shoot an intoxicated, belligerent man who’d put innocent people in the line of fire. Guilt had haunted Colton ever since—especially when he remembered the rage the man’s wife had toward him afterward. He wasn’t a hero to her. No, he was the villain.

It wasn’t long after that that Colton had decided to move from Seattle to northern Idaho. He wanted a slower pace of life in a more peaceful area. He wanted a lot of land and clean air and fewer demands.

Sarah had seemed onboard at first…and then she’d taken that job at an art gallery in Spokane, saying it was too big of an opportunity to pass up.

Apparently, that opportunity was bigger and more important than he was. His stomach clenched at the memories.

His life looked so much different today than it had two years ago. Colton had taken a break from police work. Instead, he built live-edge tables out in his barn.

His friend with the state police called him every month, asking when he wanted to come work for him. But Colton had refused. He’d know when the time was right to go back—if he ever did go back.

Despite all of that, sometimes he wished he could turn back time and go back to those days when his life had seemed so full. Back when he’d had someone to share his sorrows and joys. When his dreams of having a family had seemed close enough to touch.

There was no use dwelling on all of that now. He had other more pressing concerns to think about. The first thing he wanted to do right now was move Sarah’s car out of sight—just in case.

He grabbed Sarah’s car keys—she’d left them on the table—and then went outside and climbed into her sedan.

Colton cranked the engine and slowly pulled around to the back of his cabin.

As he did, he glanced around. This car was old. It was the one Sarah had back when they’d been engaged. And it had been unreliable then.

In fact, Colton was surprised the vehicle had even made it this far. It was probably fifteen years old, one of the seats was ripped and the engine made a puttering sound.

Colton put the car into Park and shook his head. Just what had happened with Sarah in the past two years?

His jaw tightened. It wasn’t important. That wasn’t his business. Nor was what kind of car Sarah was driving or what kind of condition it was in.

As he took the keys out of the ignition, he glanced on the floor and saw a bag there. It seemed out of place in the vehicle. The leather looked expensive and new.