LYING COP Read online

  “So…what’s your name handsome?” she asked.

  “Colt Mallett, LR…” He clenched his jaw and tapped his foot. What was he doing? Where’s his brain? He couldn’t say LRPD. He couldn’t let her know he was a police officer.

  Or could he? Like—I’m a cop on vacation and I’m here to spy on you to get information as to whether or not you know anything about the whereabouts of your escaped convict brother, and if you’re assisting him. That wouldn’t work. She’d clam up in a heartbeat. And he would miss out on any clues that could possibly lead to his capture. Escaped convicts were desperate and callous human beings. Lives could be in jeopardy if he wasn’t caught.

  Alaska arched a brow. “LR what?”

  “Sorry, I got distracted.” He smiled. “I work construction in Little Rock. You have a little bit of gravy—” He pointed to the side of his own mouth.

  “Oh,” she said, reaching for a napkin.

  And he was going to have to keep a close check on exactly what he was supposed to not know about her. “And you are?”

  “Alaska Roper, the owner of this fine establishment.”

  A middle-aged couple stepped up to the register.

  “Excuse me.” Alaska jumped up.

  Colt studied her as she cashed out her customers. He heard most of what was said, but there was nothing about her brother, nothing whispered. She acted normal, but he didn’t know what her normal was. But that waitress Stormy did and she had detected that something happened to her.

  His cell binged one time. He flipped it open and read the text. The plates to the muddy truck belonged to Alaska Roper. Interesting, but now the chances that she wasn’t guilty lessened. Oh well, maybe when he was done extracting the info he needed from her about her brother, he’d find some other female to set his sights on, hang out with and go floating down the Buffalo with. He also read that Sheriff Thornville was on his way to the café to inform her of the escape and question her. It would be good to get business taken care of so he could get back to being himself, and his vacation. He flicked the top closed. Pearl placed his breakfast before him.

  Alaska rounded her and sat.

  At first he ate fast. He wanted to be done by the time Thornville arrived. But then again, he wanted to spend as much time as possible in the café. He should slow down and maybe stop eating when she was being informed of her brother’s escape. Then get his food nuked or order more after the sheriff left, and that would give him plenty of time here with her.

  “Are you passing through?” she asked.

  “Not really. My parents own some old rental cabins out by the river. And I came out here for a while to help the old man do some repairs. I’m on vacation.”

  “And you wandered out for breakfast, leaving your wife at the cabins?”

  He chuckled. “I’m not married.”

  “Oh…but you left your girlfriend at the cabins?”

  “All alone.” He put his fork down. “Why don’t you and me get together this afternoon and go floating?”

  Placing her elbow on the table, she leaned toward him. “I’d like to but…today wouldn’t be good for me, maybe in a couple of days if you’re still around?”

  “I’ll be around.”

  She leaned back in her chair and he continued eating. He realized that since he sat down he hadn’t had the urge to look behind himself. No need to, he knew who was in the dining room. He kept a close eye on the comings and goings. Getting hit by the door was a good thing. Not only did he befriend Alaska, but he was now totally focusing on what was in front of him.

  From out of no where, a creepy sensation washed over him. It was as if someone had stepped into his personal space directly behind him, probably just him thinking about his obsession. But the hairs on the back of his neck prickled. He searched Alaska’s face. If somebody stood that close to him, she would say something. But she said nothing.

  She rearranged the dishes on the table, glancing up and down. “I need more coffee, how about you?”

  “Sure.”

  Colt twisted in his seat to watch her. He expected her to reach for the coffee pot but instead she grabbed Stormy’s arm. The waitress happened to be standing there for some reason with her hands in her apron pockets. They went into the kitchen. And as much as he wanted to, he didn’t dare stand next to that door and eavesdrop again. He really didn’t think she was telling her anything now anyway. Alaska came right back out and refilled their cups. She put five packets of sugar in hers. She seemed to flinch when the phone rang behind her.

  ******

  Alaska was never a good liar, and she didn’t want to be. She hated liars. They had ruined her life, first her own mother, said she’d be back the next day after dropping her and Blade off at their horrible granny’s, but she never returned. Tom Ketch and his mother, Esther, lied on the stand. Earl lied about not being married. And now finding out that Whip wasn’t dead meant others lied to cover that up.

  This wouldn’t be lying she told herself, only pretending, she could do that. Just like when Stormy stood over Colt pointing her finger at the top of his head and mouthing questions. And she herself sat there and plainly pretended that she wasn’t there, that’s all she had to do now.

  It wasn’t the law on the phone but someone inquiring about the café’s hours. Alaska stared out the window as she spoke and spotted the sheriff’s car cruise by. She placed the receiver back in the cradle. She could do it. Blade’s life was at stake.

  She piddled around the register and cashed out an elderly couple.

  The sheriff came in behind by his fast paced deputy who almost barreled down the old people as they tried to leave. Deputy Haggard was a pockmarked rail of a man. He marched to the middle of the dining room and spun around in circles, glaring at everyone.

  The customers either ignored him or snickered.

  The sight of Doug Haggard made her skin crawl and her head want to explode.

  Jackass—he was the one who had responded to the Ketch’s emergency call when Whip was supposedly beaten to death. But now she knew, it was all a set-up, and he was a liar.

  Sheriff Thornville strolled over to the register. “Miss Roper, I need to speak to you for a moment,” the big man with a handlebar moustache said with no expression on his face.

  “What can I do for you?”

  “Blade escaped from the penitentiary last night.”

  “Escaped!” Alaska’s hand gripped her throat. “Oh, my God…do you know where he is?”

  “No. Now Miss Roper, if you should hear from him you must call us or the sate police immediately.”

  “Yes, of course.” She wondered if he had anything to do with the scam even though he was out of state at a Civil War reenactment.

  “If you help him,” he continued, “you will be charged with aiding and abetting.”

  Alaska was proud of herself. She masked her crime well. She could lie too, just like the rest them. She noticed the deputy entering the kitchen. “Sheriff, if there is anything I can do to—”

  “Hey, I paid my tickets!” Jack hollered and the whole café heard it.

  “I’m not here because of your tickets!” Deputy Haggard shot back.

  “Oh no,” Alaska said, fleeing toward the kitchen. There had been bad blood between them for years.

  “Then get the hell out of my kitchen,” Jack shouted.

  “I’m looking for Blade,” Haggard retaliated.

  “Blade’s in the pen, you numskull.”

  Alaska burst through the swinging doors.

  “Well he got out,” Haggard’s voice rattled. “He’s an escaped convict now, armed and dangerous.”

  Armed? Dangerous? Bullshit. Alaska stepped up to the man who had arrested her brother for a murder that didn’t even happen. Ignoring the sheriff and everyone else who followed her, she blurted, “I’d like to ask you a question, Mr. Deputy Haggard!”

  He spun around. “What? You want to ask me a question. I’m asking the questions around here missy.” His eyeballs twi
tched. “Where’s Blade?”

  Alaska wanted to spit in his face. “Who the hell do you think you are coming in here and disrupting my business?” For a moment, her intuition detected a streak of fear in him. Did he suspect Blade knew Whip was alive?

  “You know where he is,” Deputy Haggard said. “Now tell me!”

  “I ain’t telling you shit!”

  “Then you’re coming with me.” He gripped her elbow with a painful squeeze.

  “Let go of me you freaking Jackass!”

  Sheriff Thornville pulled his deputy off her. “Now Miss Roper, if you’re not going to cooperate and call us names, I’m going to have to place you—”

  “Excuse me.” A deep voice called out. Colt appeared, nudging past Stormy and David. “This has gone far enough.” He wrapped his arm around Alaska and pulled her in tight. “Sorry for interrupting, but the lady has just learned bad news about a family member and from what I’m hearing, this is harassment.”

  “And who are you?” Sheriff Thornville asked.

  “I’m a friend.”

  “You need to butt out friend,” Haggard said, spraying spittle. “All of you. Get out of here.”

  Colt dropped his arm from her shoulder. “I’m also—”

  Sheriff Thornville raised his hand. “Everybody hold it. Doug, you go on back out to Blade’s trailer.”

  Haggard shot Alaska an evil glare before he hit the door and she screamed at him, “I’m glad he’s out of that hellhole!”

  “Shut up Alaska,” Stormy hissed. Everybody turned toward her.

  Haggard stopped with one foot out of the kitchen.

  Stormy added, “They’ll haul you off for disorderly conduct.”

  Alaska chewed on her lower lip and gazed at the ceiling.

  “Miss Roper,” Sheriff Thornville said. “I’m going to give you a few minutes to collect yourself, and then you and me, we’re going to sit down and have ourselves a little chat.” He stalked off, urging his deputy along.

  Questions bombarded her from Stormy and David. Sprinting out the back door had crossed her mind. “I don’t know anything,” she said, and then she strolled out front. The dining room was still, as if it was occupied by people watching a show, but they were all staring at her. She went to the register and pretended to focus on a delivery receipt.

  She sniffled and blinked back a few tears. Damn deputy, she’s going to send his ass to prison.

  The café came alive as if a stage curtain dropped. The employees chatter sang out above everyone else. The dishwasher let it be known that he too, was glad that Blade was out of that hellhole. New customers came in, oblivious to what had happened. She applied the best smile she could.

  Glancing at Colt, who was back at the table sipping coffee, she noticed he had positioned his chair sideways so that he was leaning back against the wall, of all times for a good-looking man like him to come along. Or maybe this was the right time. He did help her. The seed of a plan germinated. She could use him. He set the cup down and winked at her. A butterfly in her stomach fluttered.

  She sashayed over and sat. “Well, Colt Mallett, I must thank you for saving me from the law back there.”

  “Anytime, and I mean that.” Colt rested his arm on the table and leaned forward. “I can understand how upsetting it would be to hear news like that.”

  “I’m really worried about him.”

  “Are you two close?”

  She nodded. “Very.”

  “What’s he in prison for?”

  “Second degree murder—and he didn’t deserve it either.”

  “So you’re saying he didn’t do it?”

  “Oh Blade was there. And he got in a scuffle with Whip but he didn’t kill him.” She almost blurted out, he’s not even cotton-pickin’ dead, but pursed her lips instead.

  Sheriff Thornville came back in.

  “Oh great, I guess I’ll have to have that chat.” Alaska propped her elbow on the table and cupped her mouth, shielding her words. “Deputy Haggard is definitely dirty but I don’t trust him either, not as far as I can spit.”

  “What do you think he’ll do?”

  “I bet he’s going to try to trick me so he can take me to the jailhouse.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  “That’s just the way they are.”

  “You know,” Colt said, “you don’t have to be alone when you talk to him. I can sit in and be a witness.”

  She held back the urge to grab him and kiss him. “Would you?”

  “Miss Roper.” Thornville nodded at Colt. “Excuse us.”

  “I’d like for him to stay, Sheriff.”

  “This is private business. Is he family?”

  “No, but this isn’t fair, me and Blade don’t have family. Our mother abandoned us at our grandmother’s when we were kids, and now that she’s gone…”

  “I promise I won’t interfere,” Colt said.

  Sheriff Thornville glanced around. “Okay, but let’s go out back.” He led the way.

  As she strolled through the dining room with Colt behind her, she passed Stormy who stared at them with raised eyebrows. Alaska whispered, “Watch the register.” Then she stepped out onto the deck.

  A young couple stood at the end, facing the vast terrain of green rolling hills that dropped down into the canyon. Their arms wrapped around each other in a lover’s oblivion. The sheriff barked at them to leave. One look at the lawman and they scurried off. Then he placed the back of his bulky frame in front of the glass door, guarding the threshold from any possible intruders.

  Alaska stepped up to the railing and turned toward him. Colt wandered off to the side.

  “Now Miss Roper,” the sheriff began, “I only have a few questions to ask you, but before I do, I need to remind you of the seriousness of this matter. I know you love your brother and you want what’s best for him, but you have to understand the frame of mind that he is in. A man with a long prison term doesn’t have much to lose when he escapes. He is unstable and desperate. He is in a war all his own, and everybody is his enemy, and that may even include you.”

  Alaska stared through the windowpanes. Stormy was not watching the front; she stood on the other side of the door with a butter knife in her hand making jabbing motions toward the sheriff’s back. Customers were watching and laughing.

  Thornville tapped a small clipboard against his leg. “He’s likely to hurt somebody, maybe even kill again. An innocent person’s life could be in your hands right now. I’ve even known children to be murdered from an escaped convict’s rampage. Nothing personal against Blade, but that’s just the way it is.” He paused and then asked, “Where were you last night?”

  Alaska twirled around and clutched the iron railing. She gazed out towards the Missouri Mountains. A hawk soared nearby with outstretched wings, letting the wind carry him like a kite. Crows cawed viciously in a tree down below, probably stealing eggs from a nest, causing the parent flock to holler.

  What if somebody saw her at the truck stop with Blade? Or leaving the mountain? Or high-tailing down the back roads at dawn? How could she get out of that? He probably realized that of course Blade was going to contact her. She was the only family he had. It was obvious the sibling bond ran deep, what with her outbursts at his trial, twice she was kicked out of the courtroom.

  The man wearing the uniform that pronounced his authority over all persons, lost patience and bellowed like a bull, “Where were you!”

  Chapter 4

  Colt stood on the café’s balcony with his arms folded and feet parted as he observed the escapee’s sister. She stared out over the canyon, absorbing sunlight. Why was she not answering the sheriff’s question? Strands of long brown hair fluttered in the warm breeze and crossed her face, but her hand didn’t leave the railing to brush them aside.

  Thornville stood behind her in front of the connecting door that led into the café’s dining room, tapping his clipboard against his leg. “Miss Roper!”

  Alaska spun around. �
��Okay, okay,” she said loud and sassy. “He called me last night, said he escaped. He told me he was at the bus station in Little Rock and not to worry. I wanted to see him but he said no and hung up. So I got in my truck. I was going there anyway, but I stopped at the Skid-N-Go where I changed my mind, figured I’d let him be.” She looked away from the sheriff.

  “Did he say where he was going?” Thornville asked.

  Barely audible, she said, “The swamp.”

  “What swamp?”

  “Louisiana.”

  “What town?”

  “I don’t know, he just said he was going out there to hunt gator.”

  “And what else did he say?”

  She shook her head. “That was all he said. I only talked to him for a minute.”

  “If he should call you again, you find out his exact location and then you call me or the state police. And if you don’t call us, you’ll be arrested for aiding and abetting. Do I make myself clear?”

  Alaska looked back at the sheriff. “Yes, sir.”

  Thornville left the balcony, snapping the door closed behind him.

  The conversation lifted a heavy weight off Colt. She told the sheriff what she knew so there was no reason to continue to observe her under the guise of a construction worker. But now he needed to tell her his real occupation, hopefully she would understand and not get angry. Maybe he could still establish a friendship and have her come out to the cabins.

  He stepped up to her and she looked him straight in the eye. She stood almost as tall as him. He could kiss her without having to bend over and strain his back. How was he going to tell her? He should choose his words carefully. “Uh…”

  With a smirk she announced, “Well that got rid of him, maybe all of them, at least long enough for…”

  What the heck just happened? He didn’t respond to her, wanted her to finish what she was going to say. She bowed her head and placed her finger to her lips. Finally he said, “What were you going to say, long enough for?”