The youth was clearly close to tears. “Wh-what happened?”

  “I told you somebody was out to get me. Well, this is more proof. You need to stay away from me for your own safety.”

  “You’re bleeding!”

  Finn gingerly touched a spot on the back of his head that was beginning to sting. “Yeah. Didn’t see that coming.”

  Selena rejoined them. She was reporting the shooting via cell phone, and he heard her say she had not seen anyone fleeing the scene.

  Then she was crouching next to him. “How bad?”

  “No idea,” Finn said. “I can’t see the back of my head.”

  “Okay. I’ve called an ambulance.”

  “For a couple of little glass cuts? Don’t be silly.”

  “I’m not being silly,” Selena countered. “You’re my responsibility and you’re injured. We’re going to have you checked out.”

  “Okay, okay.” Truth to tell, he was feeling a little woozy. It wouldn’t hurt to let her have her way this time. However, there was one mistake he didn’t intend to repeat. “Sean here goes with me unless you plan to give him back to the sheriff.”

  “I promise I won’t steal another car,” the teen insisted. “You don’t have to watch me twenty-four-seven.”

  “Humor me,” Finn said. Shifting, he started to stand. Selena stopped him with a firm hand on his shoulder. “Stay put. Backup and the ambulance are only a few minutes out.”

  Head aching, blood still dripping, Finn didn’t argue. Perhaps it was the waning of the adrenaline that had pumped through his veins when the window broke, or maybe it was just the realization of how close he’d just come to being killed, but he was beginning to feel pretty out of it.

  Rather than try to hide his condition, he decided to let Sean know how he felt in the hopes that would convince the teen to stick close. Besides, at this point, there was no way Finn could chase him down, let alone affect a capture.

  He reached for the teen’s hand. “Stick close. Promise? I may need you. Okay?”

  Relief flooded Finn when his brother looked at him and said, “I promise.”

  For once, Finn didn’t doubt him. Sean was clearly as scared as he was. It was about time the kid wised up.

  If Finn had been asked to suffer injury to facilitate the shift in Sean’s thinking, he would gladly have agreed. He just hoped and prayed—yes, prayed—that greater sacrifice would not be necessary.

  Nineteen

  Selena turned off the ankle monitor control so she could send Finn ahead in the ambulance with Sean, then followed as soon as Kyle arrived to manage the crime scene, aka her living room. Judging by the evidence and what Finn had reported, he’d had a very close call. Again. Patterns of damage on the side of the house and the back of the blinds indicated use of a shotgun rather than a pistol or rifle. Her fondest wish was that none of the tiny pellets had caused those wounds in his scalp.

  Cell phone conversation with Chase Rawlston, currently back in Wyoming, ran through her SUV communication system so she could safely drive and talk at the same time. “That’s right,” Selena said. “He was injured while inside my house. Somebody shot through the window.”

  “Are you tying this to his case or something else?”

  “His case. I had no personal problems until I was assigned to guard him. What has the lab learned about the poisoned meat?”

  “Not much. You were right about the gopher bait grain they mixed in to the ground meat. The only interesting thing was the source. It wasn’t beef, it was elk.”

  “Are we going to get further tests for origin?”

  “Not at this time.”

  “Why not? It could tell us where the elk lived.”

  “Assuming our serial killer runs around with a freezer full of meat from Wyoming? Highly unlikely. Let’s concentrate on the major crimes here. Kyle and Meadow have just about finished canvassing the shops in and around Sagebrush, asking about the collar our suspect bought for Cowgirl, and I’ll be reassigning them soon.”

  “What about Scout and me? I don’t want to be left out of any missions the team is on.”

  “One thing at a time,” Chase said. “Sheriff Unger tells me you’re still needed there, so I’ve agreed to let you stay for the time being. When you tie up the Donovan case—if you do—I’ll bring you back to headquarters.”

  “We’re sure Luke Randall’s murderer is the Rocky Mountain Killer because of ballistics, right?”

  “Positive,” her boss answered. “I’m expecting another picture and threatening message soon. If the killer used a computer, we could trace the IP address, but he keeps changing disposable phones, so that doesn’t help. Someday, hopefully, he’ll make a mistake and leave some kind of a trail we can follow.”

  “Speaking of trails,” Selena began, “we did manage to follow that labradoodle Isla saw, thanks to Scout. He led us to a black pickup truck, and she got a picture of it.”

  Rawlston cleared his throat. “Right. And then it, and the dog, got away from you. I read the report. Without a better photo, there’s no proof it’s the right labradoodle, even with a darker spot on one ear. They’re everywhere these days. The similar one you spotted later might be a totally different dog.”

  “I know, and the experts are up in arms about all the crossbreeding, but speaking for that particular K-9, she’s perfect as a therapy dog. So sweet. I really hope we can get Cowgirl back.”

  “Without too much emotional baggage,” he added. “The sooner we locate her, the less damage improper handling will do.”

  “Right.” Selena shook off a feeling of guilt about the way she’d handled the sighting. “I was between a rock and a hard place. You know that.”

  “I do. And preserving human life always comes first. Who knows? Maybe you’ll spot her again.”

  “I truly hope so. In the meantime, I’ll keep the Donovan brothers close and keep Finn away from windows.”

  “What’s the latest on his injuries?”

  Selena sighed. “I’m on the way to the hospital to find out. Sheriff Unger sent a deputy with the ambulance. I’ll relieve him when I get to the ER and call you to report.”

  “Affirmative,” Chase said. “Take care.” He chuckled. “That’s a valuable K-9 you’re paired with.”

  “I’m fairly fond of my own skin, too,” Selena joked back. “Scout and I will look after each other.”

  The yip from the back compartment at the sound of his name struck Selena as K-9 affirmation, and she was smiling as she ended her call to Rawlston. Since Scout was off duty at the moment, she told him, “Good boy,” the way a pet owner might. He was her partner at work and the perfect companion in leisure hours, yet there was still a void in her life that she was having more and more trouble ignoring as the days passed.

  Her heart knew exactly what was missing. She’d tried to draw Finn into a conversation about it, and all he’d done was remind her how wrong they were for each other. Could he be correct? Was she the one who was fooling herself? Perhaps, perhaps not. It seemed the longer his need for her persisted, the greater the chance they would eventually come to some kind of an understanding that made sense to both of them.

  Pulling into the hospital lot, she parked in a space designated for law enforcement, harnessed Scout and headed for the entrance to the emergency room. Other than an injured skier on crutches and his fussy friends, the area was quiet enough to easily locate Finn without resorting to Scout’s enhanced senses.

  Finn was seated on a gurney facing away from her, while a doctor used forceps to extract detritus from his hair. Selena assumed the tiny objects were glass shards until she heard the physician drop one into a metal pan. The clink was unmistakable. Finn had been hit by shotgun pellets. On her watch. In her house.

  Distressed, she circled the gurney and looked him in the face. “I’m so, so sorry.”

  “Not your fault. I was the one standing in front of the window. I sometimes forget I’m still a target.”

  “Will you remember better now?”

  Wincing as the doctor probed in his hair, Finn said, “Oh yeah. No question. Ouch!”

  Now that she had seen for herself that his injuries weren’t life-threatening, she took the time to look around. A sheriff’s deputy stood at ease by the exit. Everything seemed normal and well in hand until she realized who was missing.

  She leaned toward Finn. “Where’s your brother?”

  The deputy spoke up. “He’s right down the hall using the restroom.”

  Selena’s heart sank. She faced the lackadaisical officer. “If he actually is, I’ll buy pizza for your whole station.” Reluctant to leave Finn until the doctor had fully assessed him, she told the deputy, “Go get him. I’ll wait.”

  * * *

  When they brought Finn out of X-ray in a wheelchair, the first person he saw was Selena. His brother was nowhere around. Rolling his eyes made him slightly dizzy, so he stopped. “He’s gone?”

  “Of course.”

  “Any idea where?”

  “Best guess? Back to the Double Y. The very worst choice.” She gestured at his head. “Stitches?”

  “Nope. And no more lead hiding in my hair,” Finn said.

  “That’s a relief. No internal damage?”

  “Just my pride. I thought I was smarter than that.”

  “We all think we’re invincible to a certain degree. Then there are teenagers. They see themselves as superheroes.”

  “Is the sheriff going after Sean again?”

  Selena was nodding. “Yes, he is.”

  “We should, too.”

  “Not on your life. Literally. I’m convinced your uncle Edward is responsible for the attempts on your life. Showing up on his turf is not only dangerous; it’s—”

  “Stupid. I know. But my brother needs me.”

  “He’ll get you killed.”

  “Not if it’s not my time to go.” He wasn’t surprised to see her making a face at him. “I’m serious.”

  “There’s another way to look at that,” she countered. “If you make a poor choice, there can be serious consequences regardless of your faith. God’s not going to jump in to save you, even after you confess, if you continue to go against what He’s telling you is foolish. Case in point, Sean.”

  “That’s not necessarily so.”

  “You may be right, and in the case of your brother, I hope you are,” Selena told him. “However, we’re not going to solve eons-old questions about God’s mercy and wisdom by debating them in the hallway of a hospital.”

  “Agreed. So let’s go.” When Selena stepped behind to push the wheelchair toward the exit, Finn was convinced she planned to take him to her house. That he’d have to change while they were alone in her car.

  Scout stayed at heel, following obediently, as they checked out. Finn started to show him affection, then remembered that the K-9 was on duty and drew back. There actually was a visible change in the dog when he wore his working vest, and that made him even more admirable because it proved he could tell the difference.

  At the curb, Finn stopped Selena and pushed himself up out of the chair, pausing a moment to make sure his balance was good. “I’ll walk from here.”

  She seemed unsure but didn’t argue. “If you say so.”

  “I do.” As far as he could tell, his equilibrium was pretty good as long as he didn’t make any quick movements. That would do, especially if he could mask the mild symptoms enough to fool Selena. “We need to go to the ranch.”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “My brother needs me.”

  “He has two deputies on the way to check on him.”

  “Please?”

  She remained firm. “As long as I’m in charge of you, we play it safe. Rescuing him from the Double Y the first time was ill-advised. I’m not going to make the same mistake twice. We were fortunate we got away then.”

  “But...” Falling into step beside her and Scout as they walked to her SUV, Finn didn’t bother finishing his sentence. The Selena he’d gotten to know since her return to Sagebrush wasn’t likely to back down without a reason. Until he could think of something convincing, he figured he may as well save his breath. Besides, his head was starting to throb.

  She got Scout and him into the car, then slid behind the wheel. “I’ll ask for an update if that will help,” she offered.

  “Yes. Thanks.” Blinking rapidly, Finn held still to clear his vision, and the vertigo subsided.

  Listening to her requesting information on Sean, he fully expected to hear that the deputies had the teen in custody. Unfortunately, although they reported visiting Yablonski’s ranch and had also checked the rental home where the Donovan family had lived, there was no sign of Sean.

  “You and I need to look,” Finn insisted. “I know the ranch property better than the sheriff does, and we can’t trust Edward to tell the truth. What if he’s hurt Sean? What if he’s holding him prisoner and plans to kill him?”

  “How would Sean have gotten all the way out there? No cars are missing this time.”

  Something in Selena’s tone told him she wasn’t convinced, so he pressed it. “He could have hitchhiked. Will you ever forgive yourself if we don’t check for ourselves?”

  Finn knew by the way her hands gripped the steering wheel that she was about to capitulate. She keyed the radio. “Bearton County, this is K-9 officer Smith. Are your deputies still on scene at the Double Y?”

  “Negative. Returning to station.”

  With a sigh, Selena said, “Copy. This unit will be en route to check that area.”

  “They said Sean Donovan was not on the property.”

  “I know. We heard. Just making sure. Over and out.”

  Finn was so relieved he could hardly say, “Thank you.”

  Accelerating, Selena eyed him from the side. “Just so you know, I turned your ankle monitor back on. You’re still in my custody.”

  He almost laughed. “Lady, after the day I’ve had, you could shock me with your Taser, and I’d take it without complaint.”

  Smiling back at him, she arched an eyebrow. “Don’t tempt me.”

  Twenty

  This time, Selena drove through the Double Y’s main gate and pulled up to the big house, the home that had been Zeb’s until his murder. Winter freezing and thawing had obviously been hard on the siding. It needed repainting. Ornamental foundation plantings looked scraggly, too, as if everything about the home had been left to deteriorate while the barns and outbuildings were well maintained in contrast.

  “Typical rancher,” she commented. “It looks as though Edward is putting all his money and effort into the cattle operation.”

  “That was one of the things that impressed me about my father when I first met him.” Finn smiled slightly. “Zeb took good care of his half of the business.”

  “What was his half?” Selena asked. “He and Edward were partners in the ranch, weren’t they?”

  “As an investment, yes. Zeb handled their other business interests while Edward ran the ranch. That’s why I met Edward long before I figured out who my dad was. When I was hired to work cattle, there was no reason for me to visit the house.”

  “Why did you?” She couldn’t help thinking how much better it would have been if Finn had not been in or near the big house at the approximate time of the murder.

  “Like I said, Edward accused me of theft and fired me. I made up my mind to argue my case in person rather than just walk away, and that’s when I met Zeb. The minute I laid eyes on him, I sensed a connection. It was uncanny.”

  Selena removed her key from the ignition, opened her door and started to step out. “Stay put. Let me handle this.”

  “I’m going with you,” Finn insisted.

  “No, you’re not.” She leaned in the open door. “If there is something shady going on here, and I’m not saying there is, you are the last person I want Edward to see. He’d know right away why I was here, and I’d lose the element of surprise.”

  “What about Scout?”

  “I don’t want to appear aggressive. He can stay and guard you. It’ll be safe enough. Edward has been smart enough to act in secret so far. I don’t think he’ll try to harm you while you’re sitting in a police vehicle in his own front yard.”

  “What if he’s not in the house at all?”

  Pausing, Selena made a face at Finn. “One problem at a time, okay? If I can’t rouse anybody, I’ll come back to get you, and we’ll discuss our next move. In the meantime, keep your eyes open. Your baby brother is resourceful enough to have found another way to get himself out here.”

  “No argument about that,” Finn said. His “Be careful” was muted when Selena slammed the door. He watched her pause to straighten her jacket and hitch up the heavy utility belt that held her holster, Taser and other equipment. Then she began to stride across the lawn toward the covered front porch.

  Finn’s heart leaped, and his mouth was so dry he could hardly swallow. Yes, he admired the federal officer Selena had become. And, yes, he knew she was well trained and capable. But some buried part of his consciousness feared for her safety, for her ultimate survival. He couldn’t help himself.

  Asking why was unnecessary. Finn was no fool. He might be putting one over on everybody else, Selena included, but he couldn’t bluff enough to hide the truth from his own heart and mind. Bottom line, he loved her. It was that simple and that complicated. If he had been thinking only of his personal preferences, he would have told her long ago. That wasn’t the problem. Because he cared so deeply, because he wanted only the very best for her, he had to back off. He had to.

  Selena had reached the house and was knocking on the carved oak front door. Finn held his breath. Would she be able to convince his uncle to admit the truth if Sean was actually there? Even if he wasn’t, someone might have spotted him around the ranch. Assuming she returned empty-handed, Finn planned to insist they quiz everybody working at the Double Y.