Reasonable Doubt. Tracey V. Bateman

      “Make one wrong move and you’ll find out how serious I am,” she dared, her heart sliding into her throat. What would she do if he turned violent? If he gained the upper hand out here in the middle of nowhere in blizzard-like conditions.

      “Okay, just take it easy. My wallet is in my back pocket. You can have the money. Just…don’t get nervous with your trigger finger.”

      Keri blinked. He thought she was the criminal here? “No. I’m…” What was she doing? As far as she knew, he hadn’t yet been charged. Still…why would he be up here in the winter unless he was running from something? “I’m a cop,” she blurted.

      He glanced over his shoulder. “You can’t arrest me. Last I heard there’s no law against sliding off the road.”

      “I—I know who you are—and about your wife.”

      Dropping his hands to his side, he turned with a scowl.

      Keri adjusted her position, praying that she wouldn’t lose her footing.

      “I don’t know what you saw on the news, lady, but I’m bringing my boys for a vacation.”

      “Up here? In the winter? That seems a little suspicious to me.”

      “Look, I don’t really care what looks suspicious to you. I’m not running away. I’m free to go wherever I want.”

      “Oh, yeah? Well, until I have a little chat with my chief and verify that, I’m going to have to detain you.”

      “How do you plan to do that?”

      Was that a challenge? She sent him her fiercest frown. “Any way I have to, tough guy.”

      He smirked at her bravado. “I meant, how do you plan to get back to town in this ice? You know, for that ‘little chat with the chief’?”

      Her cheeks warmed, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d rattled her. Instead, she tossed him a glare icier than the pellets stinging her eyelids. “I’m driving a Jeep, if you hadn’t noticed. As in four-wheel drive.”

      He gained his footing and faced her, all traces of amusement gone, his voice steely. “Jeep or no, you’re not taking my boys out on the highway in that ice.”

      “Boys?”

      “Yes, my sons. They’re in the car.”

      Keri followed his gaze and saw two identical faces pressed against the window. “You have sons,” she said staring back at him.

      “Yes, I do. I happen to know there’s a cabin down this road where we can go to get my boys out of this weather.”

      “Nice to know your memory works fine when you’re in trouble,” she muttered.

      “What?”

      “Nothing. Get your boys and hop in the Jeep. We’ll go to the cabin for the night. And just for your information, I meant I’ll have to use the radio and call my chief to see if there’s been a warrant issued for your arrest.”

      He sat back down on the road.

      “What are you doing?” Had Justin somehow lost his mind? Was that why he’d never come back? Was this why he’d killed his wife? He was a raving lunatic? Or was he just organizing a one-man sit-in on an icy road in the middle of nowhere, protesting the injustice of getting caught?

      Without answering her, he pulled off his boots, stood, and shoved them at her. “I’ll have to carry the boys one at a time. I don’t want to take a chance on falling and hurting one of them. Hang on to these for me, will you?”

      Keri’s heart pounded against her ribs as she took the boots and backed up toward the Jeep, tucking her gun in her belt behind her back. Once inside the Jeep, she reached over and unlocked the passenger-side doors—front and back.

      In moments, Justin opened the back door and deposited a boy onto the seat. “Scoot over so I can get Billy in,” Justin said.

      The boy complied. Keri turned in her seat so she could look at him. “What’s your name?”

      “I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.”

      Her heart lifted with amusement. “Yeah. You’d think a cop would know that, huh?”

      “You’re a cop?”

      “Yeah.”

      He sneered. “I don’t much like cops.”

      “All cops or just certain ones?”

      A shrug lifted his shoulders through his gray, down-filled jacket. “I don’t know. All of them, I guess.”

      “Most people like me once they get to know me.” She sent her best grin to the back of the Jeep. “How about giving me a chance? Looks like we’re going to be holed up together for a day or two.”

      “We will?”

      “Yeah. The roads are pretty slick. Your dad thinks we better hang out at my cabin until it’s safe to drive.”

      “Okay.” His eyes lit with a glimmer of interest, belying his nonchalant response.

      Keri grinned. “So, think we know each other well enough to exchange names?”

      “I guess so.” He extended his hand. “Josh Kramer.”

      A lump formed in her throat as she grasped the chubby mittened hand. “Nice to meet you, Josh.”

      “What’s your name?”

      “Keri.”

      “Keri what?”

      From the corner of her eye, Keri saw Justin return to the Jeep. At his sharp intake of breath, she knew he’d heard her identify herself. He gently set the second twin in the seat.

      His gaze captured hers, accusing her.

      Indignation flamed through her like a ball of fire. He, of all people, had the audacity to pretend she had betrayed him?

      “Keri Mahoney?”

      “Yes,” she said. What else was there to say? Especially in the presence of his sons, whose eyes were wide with curiosity.

      “So you’re a cop now?”

      “That’s right. You want to get inside before we freeze?” Her voice remained surprisingly calm, despite the nervous energy pricking her gut like a million needles. “This ice isn’t letting up.”

      “Hang on. I have some groceries in the car.” He returned with two bags, deposited them into the back with the boys, then climbed into the front seat. His nearness caused Keri’s pulse to race. She passed him his boots. “Better put these back on. You’ll be lucky if you don’t have frostbite.”

      “Frostbite is the least of my worries right now.” His teeth chattered, and he shivered as he slipped the boots back on.

      “Hang on a sec.” She switched off the ignition and opened the door.

      “What are you doing?”

      “You’ll see. I’ll be right back.” Grabbing the keys—just to be on the safe side—Keri hurried to the back of the Jeep, lifted the hatch and pulled out a thick wool blanket…part of the “emergency pack” Dad insisted she keep with her at all times. Now she was glad for his tendency to meddle.

      Sliding back under the wheel, she tossed Justin the blanket. “Here. This should help until we get you inside.”

      “That was thoughtful,” he said softly. “Thank you.” He unfolded the blanket and brought it up to his neck. And still he shivered. “A warm fire is going to feel great.”

      “Dad’s already at the cabin. I imagine he’s got a fire going and a big pot of chili on the stove for tonight’s supper. Sound good to you boys?”