Honor And Defend

“We’re running the investigation exactly as it’s supposed to be run.”

“I know that’s what you think, but I’m not sure I agree.” He held up a hand. “No, I’m not a cop and, no, I haven’t been trained in criminal investigation, but I can’t help thinking that you need to be looking at Veronica’s last day. Who did she come into contact with? Who did she speak with? Interact with? Fight with?”

Ellen pulled up at his house and simply sat while she digested his words. He watched her mull them over and knew she was formulating a response to appease him. He let her think while he looked at his home trying to see it through her eyes.

He loved what he’d managed to do with it. Now it had an outbuilding attached to a kennel. The exercise areas were fenced in and ready to see action. He’d built a good business before he’d been incarcerated.

His gaze wandered to the small three-bedroom ranch house that he’d grown up in. One her mother considered to be on the wrong side of town, but one where he knew Ellen had found acceptance and many hours of happiness—as long as Veronica wasn’t home. They’d all been happier when his sister hadn’t been home. Guilt hit him at the thought and he grimaced.

“I hear what you’re saying, Lee, I do,” Ellen said. “And we’re looking into all of that. I promise we’re doing our job.”

“I’m not saying you’re not. I’m simply saying your focus is in the wrong place. Ordinary people can snap when pushed too far, not just the troublemakers.” He’d learned that in prison.

She sighed. “I don’t know what else to tell you. We’re aware of this. We’re working on it. Investigations take time.” She tapped her fingers on the wheel. “Okay, I’ll tell you this.” She paused.

“Tell me what?”

“One thing that’s really got our attention is the break-ins that are happening all around town. I’m sure you’ve heard of them.”

“Yes, of course.” Everyone in town was on edge due to the break-ins.

“There’s been a rash of them,” she said. “Residents are worried and so are the cops. We understand their need to protect their property and their families, but we also don’t need a trigger-happy home owner accidentally shooting his neighbor.”

He grunted and climbed from the truck. “A valid concern. On both sides. But what do the break-ins have to do with the investigation into my sister’s murder?”

“They’re not your average, run-of-the-mill break-ins. The people doing them don’t steal anything. Yes, if there’s some cash lying around, they take it, but they don’t steal expensive electronics that could be easily fenced or even things like jewelry. One woman had a thousand-dollar diamond necklace hanging on her mirror and they left it.”

“Maybe they just didn’t notice it.”

“That’s possible. But it’s not just that. This just feels different. It’s like they’re looking for something and when they don’t find it, they just leave.”

“So what are they looking for?” He’d forgotten his anger with her for the moment, simply glad she was sharing the information with him.

“When we found your sister, we also found her with two German shepherd pups. We know she was planning on microchipping three.”

“Yes, I know all that.” He’d been told this when he’d gone to the station after his release from prison demanding answers about the progress in his sister’s investigation. “Hold that thought. Grab your food and let’s eat inside.”

She snagged the bag and released Carly. The dog sniffed the ground as she followed the humans toward the house. Ellen stepped inside his childhood home. She looked around. “I heard about your dad dying. I’m so sorry.”

Lee closed his eyes. “I am, too. Even sorrier that he drank himself to death and there wasn’t anything I could do to stop him.” He cleared his throat and moved aside a stack of magazines from the kitchen table. “Veronica kept the house up for me while I was incarcerated. As much as I hated this place growing up—with the exception of the times that you were here—I sure was glad to have it to come back to when I got out a couple of weeks ago.”

“I’m sure.” She looked at the dog. “Carly, sit.” Carly’s hind end hit the floor. “Good girl.” She scratched her ears.

He pulled the food out of the bag and set it on the table. “Water okay? I don’t have much to drink around here.”

“Water sounds great.” He filled the glasses and a bowl for Carly. The dog lapped it and Lee joined her at the table. “So enough about that. You said you found Veronica with two puppies, but she was supposed to be microchipping three.”

“Right. We still haven’t found the missing puppy, Marco.”

He lifted a brow. “I’ve seen the signs around town, the posters asking for information. Is he really that important to the case?”

“We believe so. And we believe the person who killed your sister is the one breaking in to the houses. We think they’re looking for that missing German shepherd puppy, as well.”

He frowned. “But...why?” He took a bite out of his hamburger and shook a few fries onto the wrapper.

“We don’t know,” Ellen said. “Unless the people who broke in to the K-9 training center were after the puppies in the first place. Maybe they wanted them to sell.” She shrugged. “Veronica was there microchipping those puppies as a last-minute thing. Maybe the people who broke in to the training center thought she would be gone. We don’t know. We haven’t put it all together yet, but the missing puppy is definitely a connection in your sister’s murder.”

He rubbed his eyes. “Thanks for telling me that. It helps to know there’s at least one lead you’re following.”

“So...” She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry.”

“For?”

“Judging you. I shouldn’t have reacted like that. I’m sure while you were in prison you came across a lot of troublemakers. Troublemakers you’d recognize once they were back on the street.” She shook her head. “I jumped to conclusions. I was wrong and I’m sorry for hurting you. Again.”

A lump formed in his throat and he looked away for a moment to get his emotions under control. He took a sip of water. “It’s hard not to get defensive sometimes. I’m working on it. I worked on it for the entire two years I was locked up for something I didn’t do. I watched my father become a bitter, hateful man after my mother walked out. Veronica changed, too. She went from being a loving sister to a nasty person I didn’t want to be around for very long. I determined at a young age that I wouldn’t let life do that to me.” He gave a low laugh. “I never thought life would throw an undeserved prison sentence at me, though, so it’s been a struggle to keep that promise to myself, but my grandmother’s influence, her unwavering support, visits—and prayers—have helped.”

“I’m sure. Your grandmother was a sweetheart.”

He nodded. “Still is.” He glanced at his plate. “She’s living in a retirement home now in Flagstaff and is loving it. I’m happy for her. I wish I could get down there more often to visit, though.” Flagstaff was about four hours south of Desert Valley. Lee took another sip of his drink and set the glass on the table. “You have some big plans for the assistance center. I like the way you think.”

She raised a brow. “Well, thanks.” Her eyes started to glow. “You know, coming from a wealthy background was often a pain when I was growing up. Everyone thought my life should be perfect because I was a Foxcroft. Didn’t matter that my parents fought all the time or that, when my father finally left, my mother started micromanaging my life.”

“I know your life wasn’t perfect.”

“Yes, you understood more than the average person. At first when I graduated from the K-9 training center and was given this assignment, I was furious.” She twisted the napkin between her fingers. “To be honest, I actually thought about quitting.”

“What?” He stared. “Why?”

She shrugged. “Well, it was only a brief thought. But I didn’t want to be back under my mother’s heavy thumb. I was afraid if I came back to Desert Valley, I would...ah...revert to my wimpy high school self, I suppose.”

He tilted his head. “But you haven’t.”

“No.” Her jaw tightened.

“So why did you move back in with her?”

Ellen sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I didn’t really want to, but...she played on my guilt.”

“How so?”

“Oh, you know. She was so glad I was staying in town, she went on and on about how worried she’d been about me going off and being a cop in a strange place and how she was so lonely.” Ellen sighed. “It was just supposed to be a temporary thing. I told her I’d move back until I found a place to stay.”

“Why didn’t you stay with the other officers? In the apartment for the rookies?” The apartment had been part of the program, set up to house all the trainees during their sessions. Now that the town was in the midst of a crime wave and the latest group of rookies were staying in town, the apartment had been opened up for them to continue living there should they choose to do so. Some had, but not Ellen.

She grimaced. “I felt like it would be a slap in my mother’s face, so I sucked it up and moved in with her.” Her eyes narrowed. “However, when I learned I was coming back here for an extended period of time, I was determined I would do something good with all that money sitting in the bank.”

“Hence the assistance program.”

“Yes.”

“It’s an awesome use of the money, Ellen. The assistance program is very much needed and not just in Desert Valley—you’ll be touching lives all over the country. There are never enough trained animals to go out to those in need.”

“I know. I’ve been thinking about that. If this thing gets up and running like I hope it will, the center could always expand as needed.”

“I agree. Expanding would be great. And I have an idea of what we’ll need in order to consider that at some point in the future.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“I’ve been meaning to discuss this with you and just haven’t had the chance. We had talked about ways to get the community involved in the center and, like we discussed, I have several tours of the space lined up. Some politicians, some families and some school groups. In spite of the money you’ve put into it, I think we should let the public give to it, as well. When people give money to a cause, they tend to pay attention to it and hold it close to their heart. We need that from the good folks in Desert Valley. Once we have that, we can think about other areas.”

She nodded. “That’s a great idea.” She smiled and his heart warmed. “You’ve done all of that in such a short time. That’s impressive.” She reached across and grasped his fingers. “I’m so thankful you said yes to working with me, Lee. You’re an amazing addition to the team.”

He felt the heat rise in his cheeks but focused on the feel of her warm hand on his. Her touch reminded him of the past, of the days they’d laughed and held hands as though their time together was as long as eternity. “Thanks.” His voice came out husky and he cleared his throat. “And I think your summer camp idea is a fabulous one, too.” She’d gone into detail about that when she’d hired him. “We won’t be able to do many weeks this summer, maybe the first two weeks of August before school starts back, but next year we should be able to get off to an immediate start when the school year is over.”

Ellen stilled and went quiet. Then gave a slow nod. “Yes, next year.”

“What is it?”

She blew out a low breath and shook her head. “Nothing, nothing. Your ideas are wonderful. Your long-term planning is amazing and a real benefit to the program.”

“But?”

She sighed. “But I don’t know where I’ll be in a year.”

His heart dropped and he cleared his throat. “I...ah... I see. So what does that mean?”

“Lee, I’m not hanging around here. I’m doing my best to get away from Desert Valley.” And my mother. He heard the words even though she didn’t say them out loud. Which meant she’d be leaving him, too. Again. “And as soon as we solve Veronica’s murder,” she continued, oblivious to his aching heart, “my assignment is complete and I’m free to move on to another city. Or state.”

He gave a slow nod. “Okay then. Thanks for the heads up.” And the warning to guard his heart. The one that was beating a sad rhythm as he tried to reign in his emotions. He fell silent for a moment then sighed. “At least when—if—you decide to go somewhere else, you’ll be leaving behind a legacy that will continue to help people for a very long time.” Because while he intended to finish vet school, he could see himself returning to Desert Valley to continue working with the program. Maybe even as the program’s full-time vet.

Maybe.

The thought of doing all of that without Ellen by his side left a bitter taste in his mouth. He pulled his hand from under hers and returned to his food. For the next few minutes an uncomfortable silence hovered between them.

Ellen finished her dinner and stood. “I should get going. I need to go by the hospital and check on my mother.” She tossed the wrappers into the trash can, then glanced at her phone. “I know if there was any change in her condition, they would call me, but sometimes I hope that just by my being there, she’ll know it. That it might trigger something in her brain and she’ll wake up. Even if it’s the desire to tell me I’m ruining my life.” She gave him a rueful smile.

“You’re a good daughter.”

The smile slipped off and her jaw tightened. “Too good sometimes, I’m afraid. And not good enough at other times.” She looked into his eyes and Lee’s heart beat a little faster at what he saw there. “I have regrets, Lee, I just want you to know that. I really do.”

He reached out a hand and dragged a finger down her soft cheek. He knew what she was referring to. “I do, too. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s possible to go through life and not acquire a few regrets.” He sighed and pulled her into a hug. She stiffened then relaxed and let him hold her. It hit home how much he’d missed her. “I’m sorry you’re having to go through this.”

“Thanks, me too.” She sucked in a deep breath and pulled back. His arms immediately felt empty but he didn’t protest. “Do you need me to come get you in the morning?” she asked.

“I suppose. I’ll need to get a rental car, I guess.”

“You can use one of my mother’s cars. She has a Jeep and a BMW. I recommend the Jeep.”

“Um, no way, thanks. If Marian Foxcroft wakes up and finds that you’ve let me drive one of her vehicles, she’ll have both of us arrested for grand theft auto. I’ll pass on that one.”

“Ha-ha. She will not.” She might try, though. “I have some pull with the police around here should she try anything. Seriously, I should have thought of it before I brought you home, but we’ll take care of it tomorrow.”

He was touched by her offer. Mostly because he hadn’t been expecting it. Still... “I really don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Well, I do. End of discussion.”

Lee drew in a deep breath. “Okay, if you’re sure.”

“I am.”

“Then...I’d appreciate it. I’ll call George at the body shop first thing in the morning and see when he thinks he’ll have my truck ready. Might be a while, though.”

“That’s fine. I’ll come get you in the morning.”

He nodded and stood to walk her out the door. A low thud made him pause. He looked at Ellen. “Did you hear that?”

Carly rose to her feet, ears cocked, attention on the front door. “I did and so did she.” Ellen lifted a finger to her lips and pulled her weapon. “Stay here. Someone’s out there.”

THREE

Ellen motioned for Lee to step back into the protection of the kitchen area. He frowned but followed her silent order. “Carly, heel.” Carly was at her side in a split second. She would stay right there until commanded to do otherwise. Ellen moved to the side window, staying away from the front of the door, and gently moved the curtain so she could see out.

Nothing. She flipped the porch light off, then let her eyes adjust. When nothing happened, her nerves tightening with each second, she eased the deadbolt to the right and slowly opened the door. Darkness greeted her. Stillness. At least no one shot at her.

Yet. Carly nudged her leg, her ears perked forward, attention on the outside.

“Who’s there?” Ellen called.

Again, nothing.

And yet Carly nearly vibrated.

She caught Lee’s eye. His frown deepened and he shook his head when he realized she meant to step outside. She frowned right back, moved out the door and slipped to the side, pressing her back against the wall of the house. She waited for Carly to pad out, then used her left hand to slowly shut the door. It was the best she could do to make herself as small a target as possible. She stood there, listening. Silence. No sound. Nothing that alarmed her.

She moved toward the steps, then froze when she heard a rustle to her left. She spun, lifting her weapon, wishing she had on her vest. But she could see nothing.

But her senses told her someone was out there. Watching. The hair spiked on the back of her neck. “Police! Who’s there? Show yourself,” she called. Then moved quickly in case someone decided to shoot in the direction of her voice.

But no bullets came her way.

Carly stayed right at her side, waiting for the command that would send her after whoever was hiding. But Ellen wasn’t ready to do that yet. As long as her own life wasn’t in danger, she wouldn’t let the dog go in blind. Ellen moved down the steps and out into the yard, taking cover behind the nearest tree. Her heart thundered in her ears.

Should she call for backup?

But no one had done anything yet. A flash of light in the direction of the kennel pulled her attention. She hesitated only for a moment. “Carly, seek,” she said and pointed.

Carly took off like a shot. Ellen moved quickly, following behind the animal. Sweat trickled down her back. She drew in shallow breaths and reached for her phone.

The sound of running footsteps just ahead of her reached her ears. She stayed behind Carly and whoever she was chasing only to stop when she heard an engine turn over and then a slight squeal of tires as the vehicle sped off into the night. At the edge of the road, Ellen bent and placed her hands on her knees. She took a long breath. Carly barked twice then settled at Ellen’s side. “Got away, didn’t he, girl?” Ellen slipped the dog a treat and Carly wolfed it down, proud of herself. Ellen scratched her ears and straightened when she heard footsteps.

“Ellen?”

She spun to find Lee behind her, only slightly winded. “What are you doing? Trying to get yourself killed?”

“Sorry, I had to make sure you were all right.”

“I can take care of myself. That’s what I’m trained for, remember?”

Again her words caused a flash of hurt to darken his features. She sighed. She was tired. It had been a long day. But that was no excuse to snap at the man and hurt his feelings. “Again, I’m sorry. I can’t seem to get the filters to line up with my tongue.” She paused. “I appreciate the concern. Next time it might best if you stay back, though.”

The mask fell away and he barked a short laugh. “You don’t have to pretty it up for me, Ellen. You’ve always been blunt. No sense in trying to change now.”

She felt the heat rush into her cheeks. “Well, when you put it that way...fine. Do you have a flashlight?”

“You want me to turn the floodlights on? Or would that put us in the spotlight?”

She hesitated. “I think whoever was snooping out here is gone, but we probably don’t want to make it any easier to spot us should the person double back. I’m nervous enough standing here in the moonlight.”

“Gotcha.”

Because while she’d heard the person drive away and Carly no longer seemed concerned, Ellen felt the need to take all kinds of precautions.

* * *

Still worried that the intruder might return, Lee entered the kennel where he used to keep the dogs he’d loved to work with. That was before he’d had to make other arrangements for them when he was sentenced to prison. Veronica had helped him out with that. He even knew that a couple of them were now working dogs, trained by his sister’s skilled hand and rehomed to help those who needed it. Anger at all he’d lost surged through him and he had to squelch it before it grew.

That was in the past, he reminded himself. He had a future now. A future that included this home, this kennel that he’d built with his own two hands in his backyard. Thankfully, Veronica had hired someone to keep the outside area cut and trimmed while she took care of the house herself. He supposed the house hadn’t been much work since no one was living there. Simply dust and vacuum once a week. His backyard had been another matter, though. And while this area might be empty at the moment, he hoped to fill it up soon with more puppies to train for people who needed them. After all, he still had the rest of his schooling to pay for.

One step at a time.

They’d left the puppies at the training center, so tomorrow he’d get the one golden retriever pup from Ellen. Dash. That little one seemed to need a bit more of his expertise than the other two. He grabbed the flashlight he’d come for and hurried back outside to find Ellen making notes on her phone. “You’re going to report this?”

“Yes. We need to keep everything documented. I don’t want whoever is doing this to slip through our fingers on a technicality. I’ve got the date, time and description of what I heard and saw—and Carly’s reaction, as well.”

He handed her the flashlight and she clipped the phone to her belt then flipped the light on. She aimed the beam toward the ground. “Follow me and let’s use both sets of eyes. You may spot something that shouldn’t be there before I would. Carly will let us know if anyone comes back.”

He moved closer to her. Drew in her familiar scent. He used to dream about that smell while he was in prison—and even before. A combination of vanilla and strawberries. He was glad some things hadn’t changed.

Even while his mind remembered, his eyes scoured the ground. They worked in a grid pattern. Up toward the road, then back. Finally, he pointed. “There. Near the gate.” She moved closer and aimed the light where he indicated. “The grass is pressed down. I’ve been meaning to get out here and cut it, but haven’t had a chance. With the rain a couple of days ago, it seems like it grew about a foot overnight.”

She pulled her phone off the clip and snapped pictures. “I don’t know what good the pictures will do. There aren’t any footprints to cast or anything like that, but I see what you mean about the grass.”

Her light flashed across something shiny in the grass and he bent down to pick it up then stopped. “Do you have a tissue or gloves or anything?”

“Not on me.” She moved closer and looked over his shoulder. Her nearness made him long for things he shouldn’t. She wasn’t going to be around any longer than it took to solve his sister’s murder. He needed to remember that. “I wasn’t planning on working a crime scene,” she said, oblivious to his inner turmoil. Good, he planned to keep it that way. “What is it?”

He drew in a breath and forced his thoughts to the object on the ground. “It’s the clip that keeps the gate closed. Some of the dogs can figure out how to lift the latch so I just use the clip. Someone undid it and gave it a toss.” He stood. “Be right back. I’ve got some paper towels and paper bags in the room I used to use as an office.”

He left her once again to retrieve the items. When he returned, he handed her a paper towel and she scooped up the clip and slid it in the bag. “We’ll send this off to Flagstaff and have them try to find any prints,” she said. “If the person wore gloves, it’ll be a lost cause.”

“Thanks. It’s worth a try.”

“If I were to go inside the gate, where could I get to?”

“Just inside the building I used as a kennel. It’s got some cages and dog runs out the back. I would put the dogs inside when the weather was too cold or too hot for them to be outside. But I keep the door leading into the actual building locked. There’s nothing worth stealing in there—just pet food, a few tools, water buckets, training toys...” He shrugged. “It’s really just a storage area.”