Daniels B.J. - Wanted Woman

Youre risking your life because of me. I have to be able to do the same for you.

Too bad, because thats the way it is, Maggie said and stepped to him, standing on tiptoes. Her lips brushed across his cheek like a sweet whisper, sending sparks shooting along his nerve endings.

He flinched and stepped back.

Sorry, she said, looking both surprised and confused.

You shocked me, thats all. Static electricity, you know. He could see the lie reflected in her gaze.

No woman had ever affected Jesse like this. He told himself it was because he couldnt have her. Might never be able to have her. But he knew it was a hell of a lot more than that or his heart wouldnt ache the way it did at the thought.

Wanted Woman B.J. Daniels

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Deputy Jesse TannerHe knows the moment he lays eyes on Maggie Randolph that she is in troubleand so is he.

Detective Rupert BlackmoreAll

he wants is to retire, buy an RV and spend winters in Arizona playing shuffleboard. But first he has to tie up a few loose ends.

Norman DrakeThe legal assistant gets caught napping on the joband witnesses a murder.

Clark IversonThe lawyer wants to make things right, and it costs him his life.

Wade and Daisy DennisonBoth lied about the night their daughter Angela was kidnapped twenty-seven years ago.

Mitch TannerThe Timber Falls sheriff is recuperating from two gunshot wounds so his older brother Jesse is in charge.

Charity JenkinsHer snooping could get her killed.

Lydia AbernathyThe antique-shop owner says the new man in town has been casing her joint. Or does she have ulterior motives for putting Charity on the story?

Angus SmytheThe Englishman has been taking care of Lydia for yearsever since the car accident that left her in a wheelchair. But is his interest romantic or financial?

Jerome Bruno LovelaceThe small-time crook is romancing the owner of Bettys Café.

Ruth Anne TannerShe left her two sons and husband years ago and didnt look back.

This book is gratefully dedicated to the Bozeman Writers Group for all their wonderful support and encouragement. Thank you, Randle, Wenda, Kitty, Bob, LuAnn and Mark. Youre the best!

Contents

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

Chapter One

The smell of fish and sea rolled up off the dark water on the late-night air. Restless waves from the earlier storm crashed into pilings under the pier and in the distance a horn groaned through the thick fog.

Maggie shut off the motorcycle and coasted through the shadows and damp fog. She couldnt see a thing. But she figured that was good since he wouldnt be able to see her. Nor hear her coming.

Shed dressed in her black leathers and boots. Even the bulging bike saddlebag was black as the night. She told herself she was being paranoid as she hid the bike and walked several blocks through the dark old warehouses and fish plants before she started down the long pier.

He would be waiting for her somewhere on the pier. With the dense fog and the crashing surf, she wouldnt know where until she was practically on top of him. She assured herself that she had taken every precautionshort of bringing a weapon.

But she was no fool. He had the advantage. Hed picked the meeting place. He was expecting her. And because of the fog, she wouldnt know what was waiting for her at the end of the deserted pier until she reached it.

Fortunately, she was a woman used to taking chances. Except tonight, the stakes were higher than theyd ever been.

The sound of the sea breaking against the pilings grew louder and louder, the wet fog thicker and blinding white. She knew she had to be nearing the end of the pier.

And suddenly Norman Drake materialized out of the fog.

He looked like hell. Like a man whod been on the run from the police for three days. He looked scared and dangerousright down to the gun he had clutched in his right hand.

He waved it at her, his pale blue eyes wide with alarm. And she wondered where hed gotten the gun and if he knew how to use it. He was young and smart and completely out of his leaguea tall, thin, bookworm turned law student turned law assistant. She could smell the nervous sweat coming off him, the fear.

You alone? he whispered hoarsely.

She nodded.

You sure you werent followed?

Positive.

He exhaled loudly and wiped his free hand over his mouth. You bring the money?

She nodded. The ten thousand dollars hed demanded weighted down the saddlebag. She reached in slowly and held up one bundle. Unmarked, all old, small denomination bills, dozens of bundles making the bag bulge.

It took him a minute to lower the weapon. His hands shook as he shoved it into the front waistband of his wrinkled, soiled slacks. Not a good idea under any circumstances. As nervous as he was, hed shoot his nuts off.

I didnt know who else to call but you, he said, his gaze jumping back and forth between her and the fogged-in pier behind her. They killed Iverson and theyll kill me, too, if I dont get out of town.