Prime Catch (14 page)

Chapter 16

Amos had to stop himself several times, after work, from going to Sarah’s home.
What is wrong with the woman? Why the hell is she ruminating over this? Women! Who can figure them out?
It didn’t help that Millie asked where Sarah was when he went to the restaurant.

“I gave her the afternoon off,” he said tersely.

Millie slipped the pencil behind her ear. “Sorry if I stepped on someone’s toes.”

“Don’t go reading something into this that ain’t there. I know how stories are spread.”

She raised both her hands. “Okay! Just wondering, that’s all.” She hurried off to get his order, while he steamed.

Back at his apartment, he paced back and forth.
I’m supposed to be coming up with what I’m going to ask Annok, not fretting about Sarah.
Trying to sleep wasn’t any better. His thoughts overran with Sarah. He came to the horrifying conclusion that he needed her.

The next morning, he arrived at Millie’s for breakfast and saw Sarah giving her order. He strode to the table. “Would you mind some company?” he asked, removing his hat.

Sarah smiled. “Yes. Sit.”

“Millie, I’ll have the sunny-side-up eggs with bacon and coffee.”

“Thanks, Sheriff.” Millie left with their orders.

Amos glanced at Sarah. “I’ve had the whole night to think about this. Like it or not, you mean something to me. I tried to fight it for months, but I can’t anymore. Damn it, woman, I’m in love with you, but I also need you on this case.”

Sarah paused. “I had a lot to think about, too. We work so well together, there’s no reason we can’t continue. I was confused about my feelings for you―and yours for me.”

He put his hand over hers. “We were both hurt by love before, but there’s no reason to deny what we feel. That seems to be getting in the way, and we shouldn’t let it.”

Their breakfast was delivered, and Sarah gently pulled her hand back. “You’re right.” She paused before she started eating. “I had no idea you were so sensitive.”

“That’s something that better not leave this table,” he growled, but he believed Sarah saw the small smile that was trying to come through.

On the way to the office, Amos snagged Mr. Perkins from the newspaper building so he could make a positive identification. After picking up the case folder from his desk, Amos and Sarah escorted Mr. Perkins into the cell room. Amos pointed at George. “Is that the man who placed the Personal ad about Polar Star?”

Perkins peered at him over his glasses. “Yes, Sheriff, that’s the man.”

George scowled at him. “Don’t we all look alike to you?”

Perkins ignored that as he turned. “Anything else?”

“No. Thank you.” Perkins left as Amos turned the key in the cell door lock with a metallic click. The hinges squealed as he pulled it open. “Stay seated on your cot and don’t try anything. You’ll have to go through several deputies, and your chances wouldn’t be very good.”

Sarah tore a sheet off her notepad, handing George that and a pencil. “Write this: There will be a third at Polar Star, Wednesday next.”

“Go to hell.”

Amos clamped George’s shoulder. “A request was made of you. Now, do it!”

George wriggled out of his grasp, then threw the pencil and tore up the paper. “No!”

“Look, Annok, we got a positive identification on you. We know that you were involved in the murder of Mr. Thornton at the cannery. You can take the whole rap for it or you can name the persons who helped you.”

Sarah spoke up. “First thing, where is Bobby Cusnoo?”

George spit on the floor. “How the hell should I know?”

Amos frowned. “Was it you who came up with the plan to spring him? You were in town at the time.”

“Sally was the one who sprung him.”

“How do you know that?” Amos’ eyes flashed.

“Well… Naturally, I thought… Hmm…” George slammed the heel of his hand on his forehead.

Sarah folded her arms across her chest. “What else do you know? What about the attempted murder in the Sitka plant?”

“Sitka?”

Amos planted himself solidly in front of George. “We fended off your planned attack then, and in desperation you shot Mr. Orville Jensen with an arrow. Then you strung a net over the path to the river where your boat was waiting, and took off.”

“How do you know it was me?”

Sarah’s mouth set in a tight line. “By the river we found tracks of a dog about the size of a Husky. You told me that Shadow goes with you in your travels.”

“I’m not saying anything else!”

Amos glowed with success. That little slip about Sally Cusnoo had helped to convince him they had the right man. “We’re finished with this session, but you can be assured there will be more.” Amos relocked the cell door, and he and Sarah went out to the main room. Amos tossed the keys to Sam. “We’ll be in the office.”

Sam set the keys on the hook. “Yes, sir.”

As soon as he closed the door, Amos grabbed Sarah in an embrace. “We can still work together. That was a swell interrogation. Now, we wait.”

Sarah looked puzzled. “Wait for what?”

“I want to see if the Revenge Ravens try to get him out.”

“Do you think they were behind Bobby breaking out?”

“From what you told me, Sally doesn’t seem like the type to break the law. I think she was talked into it by the gang.” Amos became aware he still held Sarah and felt the twinge of lust. He broke away and sat behind the desk.

Sarah picked up their cups. “Coffee?”

Amos nodded and waited until she brought over the steaming brew. “Sit. What we need to do is be ready without looking like we are. They might try anything, from a trick from the outside, like when they sprung Bobby, to an all-out assault.”

“For one thing, we’ll have to inspect everything and everyone who goes in to see him.”

“That’s good. The gun came in on the food tray.” Amos tapped his fingers on the blotter. “We’ll have to keep an eye on the outside cell window, too, in case anyone tries to slip him a message.”

“When does the judge have the hearing scheduled?”

“In two weeks. I’ll set up a duty chart on outside stakeouts.”

Sarah rose. “I’ll tell the others the special inspections on visitors.”

“Good. Dinner tonight?”

“As long as you don’t put me on stakeout.” She smirked, then disappeared.

Amos scratched his head. This time they wouldn’t be caught with their pants down. Lesson learned. He started drafting the chart to schedule his six deputies.

Later, at Millie’s, he and Sarah were waiting for their order. “I have you for the nine-morning-to-three-afternoon watch. If we put the stakeout in the patrol car where its parked, there’s a perfect view from there.”

Sarah wrinkled her nose. “I know we have to do it, but I hate stakeouts. At least it’s during the day.”

Amos walked her home, and they stood on the porch. He felt very uncomfortable. “Let me say goodnight.”

Sarah smiled. “Come in for a while?”

It disturbed him that desire could be triggered so quickly. “I don’t think I should. People will talk.”

Her arms snaked around his shoulders. “Oh, they need some juicy gossip to keep them busy.”

He leaned in and found her lips. Lord, she tasted sweet. The heat radiated out to his whole body, and Sarah grew warmer in his arms. He was fast losing himself.

“Well, isn’t this something?” came a voice from the street.

Sarah jumped back. “Mother!” she squeaked.

Amos’ cheeks heated. “I―um, should be going.”

Grace set herself squarely in front of him. “Before you do, may I ask what intentions you have for my daughter?”

Amos quickly went through several scenarios. Then he bit the bullet. “I’m in love with your daughter, madam.”

Grace set her fists firmly on her hips and turned to Sarah. “Well?”

Sarah opened and closed her mouth a couple of times. “I love Amos.”

Grace’s arms went skyward. “Well, glory hallelujah! My prayers were answered!”

“Mother, what are you doing here?”

Grace smiled. “It’s the last Tuesday of the month. I usually come for a visit in the evening.”

Sarah flushed. “I forgot. I’m sorry, Mother.”

With a chuckle, she replied, “I’m not.”

Amos tipped his hat to the both of them. “I’ll go and leave you two to your visit. Good evening.”

He hurried to the sidewalk and turned toward his apartment.
Well, it’s officially out in the open now and, to tell the truth, I’m relieved. Grace seems pleased. I guess I owe George a thank you for being such a two-timing bastard.
He hummed tunelessly as he opened the door to his walk-up.

****

Sarah poured the fresh-brewed tea into her mother’s cup. “Then you don’t mind that Amos isn’t a native?”

Her mother reached for the sugar. “I’d prefer he was, but the fact that he cares for you is enough. Kata found a good match in Ivan, so I guess some Americans are all right.”

Sarah snorted. “Between Amos and George, Amos is A-one in my book. I found out George has been married for several years. He was diverting my investigation by pretending to court me.”

Her mother steamed. “He fooled me, too. I thought he was genuinely sorry for running out on you.”

They went on to other topics that evening, but Sarah was happy her mother seemed to be on her side. They parted a couple of hours later and, as Sarah cleaned up, the thought that she and Amos were still able to work together made her night.
We can adjust to this. I know it.
She sang to herself as she got ready for bed.

A spring rain woke her up the next morning. The wet moss in her yard was fragrant, and the breeze was fresh and crisp as she came down the steps of the porch. Opening her umbrella, Sarah strode into the street and on to the bakery, where she stopped to pick up a cruller for a quick breakfast.

She greeted Sam as she went to her desk. “Did you hear of anything happening last night?”

Sam shook his head. “No, but Amos is talking to Luke now. He said you were to go in when you arrived.”

“―only thing I saw was an old man walking his dog down the alley,” Luke was saying as she sat across from Amos.

“Did he stop by the cell window?” Amos asked.

“No, sir.”

Amos nodded. “All right, you can go home now.” As Luke left, Amos looked perturbed.

Sarah shrugged. “Well, it has only been two nights. Maybe they don’t have a plan yet.”

Amos shook his head. “Trouble is, if it goes on too long, the person on stakeout tends to get careless and misses things. If these people are smart, they’ll wait.”

“Too bad you can’t have a bigger staff.”

“I’m at my allotment right now. Any more, and the government starts complaining about expenses.”

“What next, Amos?”

He tugged his mustache. “Nothing but routine work now.”

“Should we look for Bobby?”

“No. I have a feeling he’ll come to us.”

Sarah rose. “I guess I’ll get back to my paperwork. It has been sadly neglected lately. I’ll see how much I can get done before I go on stakeout.”

Amos glanced up. “Would you like to go with me to Golden North for dinner and a vaudeville show Saturday?”

“Sounds good. What time?”

“I’ll stop by your house at five-thirty.”

Sarah flashed a smile. “I’ll be ready.” She headed to her desk to wage war on her typewriter.

Chapter 17

Amos, cleaned and pressed, went up Sarah’s porch steps with a lighter-than-air lilt. He had been looking forward to this all week. All work and no play made Amos grumpy. He turned the doorbell. A few moments later, Sarah appeared in her green silk dress. Her still-a-little-too-short hair was hidden under a green cloche hat. She came out throwing on a fringed shawl and clutching her drawstring bag.

“Oh, Sarah, you’re a sight for sore eyes.” Amos kissed her hand.

“Thank you.” She ran her fingers over his smooth cheek. “You’re very handsome without the fuzz.”

That gentle touch ignited him like a brand-new spark plug. Amos took a deep breath. “Let’s go.”

The early May sun was still high in the sky, and the channel breezes brought the salty air to his nose. Sea gulls dived overhead as they called to each other. Up the next block, the theater and restaurant stood like a white palace, with its colorful marquee announcing the traveling troupe.

After giving their order at the restaurant, they toasted each other with ginger ale. Amos brandished the glass. “Here’s to our first official outing.”

Sarah grinned. “And here’s to many more.” They clinked their glasses and drank of the bubbly liquid.

Their order of prime rib with roasted potatoes and gravy kept them busy eating until it was time to file into the theater for the show. The evening was filled with music, comedy, and dramatic readings. Amos held Sarah’s hand during most of the performance. They joined the crowd for the enthusiastic applause at the final curtain, then filed out the lobby doors with everyone else.

Back at Sarah’s house, the late evening sun made long shadows on the grass as they walked to the porch. Sarah turned and gazed into his eyes. “Thank you for the wonderful time. Would you like to come in for a few minutes?”

He touched her cheek. “You’re welcome. I’d love to.” He glanced around. “Your mother isn’t going to pop up anywhere, is she?”

Sarah laughed and punched his arm. “No. Now come in!” Inside the door, she tried to go into the kitchen.

Amos grasped her hand. “Not so fast.” He pulled her back into an embrace. His lips found hers in a thorough kiss. As she relaxed into his arms, he could feel the throb and tightening of his groin. His body knew hers and wanted her again.

Sarah pulled back and wobbled a bit. “You sure know how to sweep a girl off her feet.”

Amos stopped a moment. “I can’t seem to help myself.” He cupped her face in his hands and leaned in for another kiss. Suddenly, an explosion rocked them both. “What the hell was that?”

Sarah ran to a window. “I see flames coming from a couple of blocks away.”

Amos joined her. “That’s the direction of the office! We’d better get over there.” He dashed out the door with Sarah close behind. They raced up the hill, then turned on the side street, and Amos gasped. There was a twisted pile of metal heaped at a broken wall of the office, with fire licking up the side.