Unveiled Treasures (8 page)

“Sure thing, Todd, but I’ve been running some theories of my own and we were headed down the same path, until you drew Rachel into the picture,” Mike said, propping a booted foot up on his desk.

Mike Logan was Todd’s best friend, had been since they were kids. It didn’t surprise him their ideas would run down the same lines. Todd studied him from across the desk. Mike was a little shorter than he was, medium-build, kept his dark brown hair clipped short and had chocolate brown eyes flecked with gold. He was handsome, he supposed. He knew that boyish grin of his kept the ladies coming back for more.

Mike continued to talk after burning his mouth on hot coffee. “All the houses hit with the exception of three, are summer rentals. The management company has ten employees currently. I’m going to start questioning people this morning. The other three houses were private, Johannesburg’s, Coffman’s and Riley’s. There was a lot of high-end stuff snagged from there but you already knew that.”

“Go on,” said Todd, listening intently.

“Well the necklace is bugging me. I’ve done some research on it. It’s a one of a kind. The Irish Star dates back to the early 1700’s. It’s not going to be easy to dump.”

“So, are you thinking our perp was looking for this item specifically, or just happened on it during the jobs?”

“I think he was looking for specific items, or an item in this case, and everything else was done to make it look more…random break-in-ish. What I don’t get is why would this author lady call us and report finding everything in her garage if she was involved?”

“Love the technical jargon there, Mikey,” Todd said then laughed. “But you may be on to something. I’m going back out to Rachel’s and look around some more. Maybe we missed something last night. As far as her involvement, I’m not sure. It just seems too nice and tidy for me. Maybe she is innocent of this mess but I for one want to be sure.”

“Are you sure that’s the only reason you want to go out there?” Mike said suggestively.

“What are you getting at, Mike?”

“Oh, just an investigator’s eye catches things…like the long looks or the way you made a point to touch her last night. It’s so romantic.” He sighed, batting his eyelashes for good measure.

Todd tried to suppress a grin. “You’re going a little overboard on the dramatics, buddy. But yeah, if I can mix a little pleasure with business, I’m game. I’m also going to be working. I’m the suspicious one, remember? If she’s not involved, then she won’t mind my visit. You hold down the fort while I’m out.”

“Sorry, boss, I’m headed over to Cabin Rentals to interrogate ten employees, but I’ll lock up the store before I leave. I want details when you get back!” he yelled jokingly at Todd’s retreating figure.

Driving out to Rachel’s cabin, Todd thought back to the brief kiss they shared. He was having a hard time keeping her off his mind. He was having an even harder time keeping his professional and personal lives separate. Was it purely coincidental that she showed up two days after the Irish Star was stolen? Was she being on the up and up with him? She was already wealthy so he didn’t think it was for the money. If she was involved, she sure knew how to play the victim. She’d honestly seemed frightened and upset last night.

Rachel was sitting out on the patio, shielding her eyes from the sun. She smiled as Todd pulled up in the driveway.

“Good morning, Sheriff, what can I help you with today?”

“Well, you could start by agreeing to go out with me Saturday night,” he asked, stunned the request came out before he could stop it.

“I think that would be nice, I understand there’s a charming little restaurant at the Sandstone Statue Museum. I still have childhood fears to overcome there. Maybe you could help me through them,” she replied, her eyes sparkling mischievously.

“I also need to look around some more, Rachel. I feel like we might have missed something last night. Mike is checking out some other leads while I work on this angle.”

“Why, Sheriff,” she said coyly. “This wouldn’t be an excuse to come an’ see little ole’ me, would it?” In her best southern belle impression, she waved an invisible fan. “A gentleman caller at this time of day could send a girl into a fit of the vapors.”

Todd slowly stalked towards her, knowing there was a wicked gleam in his eyes as he added a crooked little grin. Rachel reached out and put one hand on his shoulder and the other on his chest. His muscles bunched under her touch. A small fire began to burn in his stomach as he buried his hands in her hair. Sliding her arms up to wrap around his neck, she leaned her head back and looked in his eyes. Mouth plundered mouth, there was nothing gentle about the kiss, it was purely animal, almost savage. Their tongues darting to taste and feel each other, she pressed her body in closer. They fit like they were made for each other. A low moan came from somewhere inside her as he slid kisses down the side of her throat. Todd pulled back and pushed her to sit down on the wall. He couldn’t get enough of her. She’d cast a spell and he’d been caught. Breathing hard and not thinking clearly, he needed to put some space between them.

* * * *

Rachel had been swept away by the passionate kiss. Her lips felt gloriously bruised. She wanted more. When Todd pulled back, she was stunned.
Why did he stop? Doesn’t he want me? Can’t he feel my reactions towards him?
Breathing heavily herself, she wrapped her arms around her knees to regain some composure. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him. Todd reached out to cup her chin and brought her face up.

“I’m not sure what just happened here, Rachel, but I am sure if I hadn’t stopped, things might have gone a lot further. I can’t seem to think clearly when you’re in my arms. I want to make love with you, but not out here on the patio in broad daylight. I didn’t come out here to kiss you either, I came out here to follow up on our investigation. Kissing you is a definite bonus though.” He smiled at her. “I’ll let you get back to work so I can get back to mine.”

She nodded, not sure of her speaking ability yet. Clearing her throat, “I appreciate your honesty, Todd. I don’t know if I’m ready to take things to the next level. You throw me off center.” Her voice quavered slightly. “I find myself very attracted to you, but I don’t know you and you don’t know me. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I feel there is something more here between us than just sexual attraction.”

He smiled down at her, took her face in his hands and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “Rachel, I will pick you up Saturday night and we
will
get to know one another. A man to woman Q&A session, we’ll make a game out of it. Trust me, it’ll be fun. What happens from there will happen. I feel it too. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing else I’d rather do right now than to scoop you up, kick open your door and have my way with you, but you’re right. There is something more. The fates sent you to me, didn’t they, my little wood nymph?”

Blushing, she smiled at his sentiment. “You know your way in to the garage. I’ll be sanding the kitchen floor if you need anything.”

Todd walked into the garage. He didn’t really expect to find anything else. Still feeling a little guilty for not thoroughly checking the place out when she first arrived, he went over everything again. He and Mike had completed a very thorough investigation. If she was hiding something, she was very good at it. As he walked the garage again, his mind wandered back to Rachel’s bath in the creek. Her creamy white skin, that rain of dark hair down her back, small, firm breasts and beautiful legs all flashed through his mind. The more time he spent near her, the more he wanted her. He began questioning his earlier thoughts of her involvement. Not finding anything else inside, he walked outside behind the garage. The thief had done his homework. He had used an abandoned cabin, tucked back in the forest with no visibility from the road and easy access to the old fire trails.
I’ll give you credit for being clever, very clever indeed. But I will catch you. I promise you that
.

Todd walked in and watched her. She had an inner strength and determination he found both stimulating and attractive.
She also has a great ass.
He snapped out of his daydream when she turned and saw him standing there.

“You finished?” she asked, smiling at him.

“Yeah, we did a complete job last night. I wanted to double check anyway. Everything okay last night?”

“I didn’t get much sleep.” She sighed. “I kept hearing noises. I don’t know if they were real or imaginary. I guess it spooked me more than I realized.” She gave him a weak smile and shrugged her shoulders. “Brutus was here with me though. I don’t worry a whole lot with him around. His bark is usually enough to deter anyone from getting too close.”

“I can see why. I wouldn’t want to mess with a dog that size. You’re pretty remote back here. I’m sure you get quite a few four legged visitors.”

“I kept telling myself that was what I was hearing, or it’s the wind through the trees. It helped a little.”

“It more than likely was. I also thought you’d like to know Mama Raccoon and family are to be relocated in the National Forest.”

She smiled. “Thanks, I needed some good news.”

“Well I’m off. If I don’t run in to you before then, I’ll see you Saturday night,” Todd said as he walked to the door.

“Todd,” she said softly her pulse began to hammer as she continued. “I’m a little overwhelmed by all this right now. Can we take things slow?”

Todd walked over to her, bent his head down and gently kissed her lips. It was a warm, yet passionate kiss that left him wanting more. “I can only promise you one thing, Rachel. Nothing will happen unless you want it to.”

She smiled up at him, her blue eyes held his for a moment. “Thank you,” she whispered.

* * * *

“I’m leaving now. No, this time I really mean it,” he said as she tried to hide a laugh behind her hand.

“Good bye, Sheriff Bradley. I’ll see you out,” Rachel said, grabbing his arm to guide him out the door. Todd didn’t fight. He let himself be led outside and to the door of his SUV. Rachel walked back to the patio and waved. She stood there until his truck was gone from sight, with a sigh, she looked down at Brutus who was lying on the patio enjoying the warm sunshine. “Now I can get some work done.”

Rachel finished sanding the living room and kitchen floors. She was sweeping up her mess when she heard Brutus frantically barking outside. She opened the door to see what the commotion was all about. “Brutus, what is going on out here?” He continued to run around in circles, barking madly. She reached out to grab his collar as he dashed off down the driveway. Chasing after him, she soon discovered what he was so excited about.

“You need to do something about your driveway if you want me to come and visit you, girl.”

“Dad! What are you doing up here?!” She ran down the drive and jumped in his arms giving him a big hug.

“I wouldn’t be if you hadn’t sounded so scared on the phone last night. I took the day off work to make sure you were alright,” he said, smiling down at her. Daniel Hardy was a thin, short man with silver hair and sparkling blue eyes. Years of working in the sun added wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. He liked to call them laugh lines. At sixty-two years of age, he showed no signs of slowing down.

“Why are you walking up the drive?” she asked, hugging him again.

“I can’t get the Mustang up here, not enough ground clearance. Not everyone drives a four wheel drive.”

“Well they should.” She laughed. “Come inside and I’ll tell you all about my little adventure.”

They decided the patio was more comfortable and Brutus wanted to run. She sat there watching him as he lit a cigarette. “Well, what’s this all about?” he asked.

Rachel proceeded to tell him about the break-ins, the regionally infamous Canyon Cat Burglar, and the stolen property in the garage. “The sheriff hauled everything out of here last night. So far, it’s been quiet. I don’t think the media has heard yet,” she finished.

“Why don’t you come home with me for a few days? Let things cool down up here. When this blows over, you can come back. Your moving van will be here tomorrow, by the way. You can get it unloaded and we’ll go.”

“Tomorrow? The movers will be here tomorrow?” she perked up.

“Yep. I took the call personally,” he answered.

She began chewing on her lip. “I haven’t gone through any of the bedrooms yet. Nothing is ready. I didn’t plan this out very well, did I?”

“You usually don’t. I don’t know how you manage it, but things seem to work out for you in the end.”

She laughed as she pulled him to his feet. “You are so good for my ego. Come on inside, I’ll show you what I’ve been doing.”

“Have you gone through anything in the garage yet?” he asked as they finished touring the last bedroom.

“No, when I first got here, there was a family of raccoons living out there, then after last night…I didn’t want to go back out there yet.”

“I just meant your mother left some things out there. I thought you might like to go through it, maybe you can find something to use in your decorating.”

“I’ll do that, just not now. I think I would like to do that alone. That is, if you don’t mind?”

“Do I mind not helping you dig through some dusty old boxes? Not at all, just make sure you go through everything before you start throwing stuff away. You got anything to eat in here, or do I need to go outside and forage for nuts and berries in the forest?” he asked with a mischievous gleam in his blue eyes.