Copper's Bluff

CHAPTER ONE Genna was so preoccupied with the map she was studying that she didn’t see the Sheriff Department vehicle swinging to a stop on the shoulder just in front of her, until she heard a tapping on her window, and a man’s voice said, “May I be of some assistance?” She glanced over and saw the center section of a Sheriff’s uniform. Genna rolled down the window. The man bent down to look at her through the open window. “Hello there,” he smiled. “Are you lost?” Oh, Jesus, it was him! It was Sheriff Randal. She wasn’t prepared; she hadn’t expected to meet him so soon, and in such an isolated area. What if he tried something? she asked herself, and then realized he was waiting for an answer. She forced herself to return his smile. “That’s what I’m trying to figure out,” she told him, indicating the map. “Where’re ya headed?” he asked, tipping his hat back just enough so she could see a thick swathe of jet black hair and piercing blue eyes. “Hodges Creek. You know it?” He nodded. “Sure do. I’m the law there,” he told her. “I’ll lead. You follow, okay?” he said, pointing toward his car. “Lookin’ to go somewhere particular?” “The elementary school,” she said. “I’m the new schoolteacher.” “Really?” he asked, looking at her curiously. “Well, fall in behind, and I’ll take you there.” “Thanks so much,” she said, smiling. “My pleasure,” he replied. He strolled back to his car and climbed behind the wheel. After making sure the way was clear, he steered back out onto the road slowly, waiting until she was tucked in behind him before driving off. * * * * Well, well, well, what have we here, Sheriff? the man wondered to himself as he stared through the binoculars and adjusted the focus. Another fish in the pond? He zeroed in on the woman. Oh, and this one’s quite a catch. In fact, he thought, as he studied her more closely, this one looks kind of like Linda, enough like her that they could be twins. Did you notice it, too, Sheriff? He lowered the binoculars from his eyes and smiled. Of course you did. This one’s a keeper, Sheriff. Don’t let her get away. As for me, I intend to reel her in, nail her to a plaque, and hang her on the wall in my trophy room, but not until you get tight with her first, Randal. That’s my plan—to let you have her first, so you can prepare the way for me. He stared after the cars as they dissolved into the distance. She’s the one, Sheriff, and I want you to love her good and love her deep, so that when I take her, you will suffer a wound so penetrating and so venomous, it can never be healed. You see, Randal, in my game, there are only two players—me and you, and only one of us will win, but the winner won’t be you. You won’t even come close to winning, Randal, because I’ve already created the game plan, and guess what? You lose, but not until I have the chance to destroy your life, and everyone in it. You are my new toy, Sheriff, and I am going to play with you until you beg me to stop. So, have fun with your new citizen, because the game’s about to begin. * * * * Genna followed the Sheriff’s vehicle closely, but at a safe speed. Just my luck I’d run into him on my first day, and even before I get to town! His pictures didn’t do him justice, she thought. He was much better looking in person—so good looking that even she could find herself truly attracted to him if she wasn’t careful. She would have to remember to keep her distance. She could see why all the women in town wanted to be the next Mrs. Quade Randal. Briefly, she wondered what kind of competition she would encounter in trying to win him over, but decided to toss the thought from her mind. She was on a mission, and she would make sure she accomplished that mission, no matter what. Agent Dennis had been very explicit in his instructions when they spoke last week. * * * * “I want you to get close to him, Agent Houston,” Dennis said. “How close, Agent Dennis?” “Intimately close.” “You know I can’t do that, sir,” she replied. “I need this information, Agent Houston, and I expect you to do whatever it takes to secure it. Do you understand?” “You know the number one rule is—“ “I know—never get emotionally involved with the suspect, but in this situation, there are no rules. The rules went out the window when he murdered my sister.” “Are you sure about that, sir, because my research—“ “Damn your research! I want him brought to justice. It’s time he paid for his crime like all the other criminals in the world.” “But you have to be absolutely certain, sir. You’re making a serious allegation here which could put him on death row for the rest of his life.” “That’s exactly where he belongs.” “Are you absolutely certain he killed his wife?” “I’m absolutely, positively certain, Agent Houston. All the evidence points to him. No one else could’ve done it.” “I believe his daughter witnessed the . . . . incident?” “Yes, but what child would talk against their father, besides she was only three years old at the time—too young to be of much help to the authorities.” “From what I understand, the girl still suffers nightmares related to the incident.” “That’s par for the course, Agent Houston.” “Par for the course?” she said, glaring at him in disbelief. “We’re not talking about golf here, sir; we’re talking about a man’s life—and a little girl’s future.”