Cain's Law (Cowboys on the Edge Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

search on Joey Guiducci, he leaned back, a knot settling hard in his gut. Little Carina Black sure could pick ’em. Several arrests for assault. A person of interest in at least one homicide. Known connections to a crime family whose reach stretched down the east coast to Florida. Despite his run-ins with the law, the man had never served a day of jail time. Witnesses either disappeared or recanted their stories.
    His thoughts turned to the woman sitting alone in the interrogation room, and he knew without a doubt she wore a target on her back that would never expire. He glanced up as Sherry Thacker walked through the entrance, a large department store bag in one hand, a box of doughnuts in the other.
    She gave him a smile and deposited the box on the dispatcher’s desk, then headed straight for him. “Found some things that might do. Had Kelly go through the racks at the thrift shop.” She held up the bag. “Included a couple of pairs of shoes, too. Hope one of them fits.”
    Cain gave her a nod. “Thanks. She won’t be choosy.”
    “Heard the poor thing crawled out of her bedroom window. Lost everything but her car.”
    He took the bag.
    She aimed another smile at him. “Better head out to the fire. Kelly’s in the car with the food. Deputy Perez is out there, making sure she’s safe. Really think someone might try to get to her in the police station?”
    Cain knew the grapevine was already in full whirl. Not that Sherry was a gossip, but the fact she already knew as much as she did only verified the fact folks in town were talking. “I don’t think he’s stupid enough to come in guns blazing, but having folks keep their doors locked wouldn’t hurt. Report any sightings of strangers.”
    Sherry nodded. “I’ll have Kelly start her telephone tree. Maybe get Ole Red Dalton to put out a broadcast on his illegal radio station.”
    Cain grunted. “Sounds like a plan. And thanks again, Ms. Thacker.”
    She flashed a grin. “Sherry. I keep telling you that.”
    “Sherry.”
    After she left, he picked up the sack.
    “Want me to take Carina Black to the ladies’ room to change?” Rita asked from her desk.
    Taking Rita up on her offer would sure be easier, but he shook his head. “I’ve got this.” He paused beside her desk to hand over the report he’d pulled on Carina’s boyfriend. “Make sure an APB goes out on this guy. For him, and the Viper he’s driving.”
    When he reentered the room, he found Carina sleeping in her chair, one side of her face pressed to the table. Cain stood still for a few moments, barely breathing as he watched her. From the report Rita pulled from the Illinois DMV, he knew she was young. Just twenty-two. And from her own words, she’d been with Joey Guiducci for two years. Young enough he knew better than to get involved. But he thought maybe his fate was already sealed.
    At last, he let go of his doubts. Deep inside, he’d known she was innocent. Knew she needed help. Protection. Something he could give. Something that, right now, he wanted to give. All those years ago, he hadn’t been there to save his sister when she’d been swept away during a flash flood. And he still carried that guilt even thought he’d been just a kid. His guilt had led him by the balls through several terrible relationships. The last being his marriage to Susan. Only, she hadn’t needed protection. She’d played him, using her big brown eyes to sucker him while she’d cheated with her previous boyfriend—who, as it turned out, hadn’t been the abuser his ex claimed.
    Carina was different. Scared, but still a fighter. And exhausted. How sad was it that in this place she likely felt the safest she had in days? He placed the bag on the table, letting it thud.
    She stirred, jerking backward, her eyes widening until she saw him. Her gaze went to his hair, and then the badge on his shirt. She turned her head and wiped the back of her hand across her mouth.
    Was she afraid she’d drooled? A smile