Sworn to Protect Read online

  Sierra shook her head. “Not that I remember. Just the balloon smell. I think it was from his gloves but I’m not sure. I’m sorry.”

  Iris rubbed her arm. “Hey, remember? No sorries. You’re doing great.”

  “Yes, you are,” Sundance agreed. “Now tell me what you remember next.”

  “It’s fuzzy. I was hurting all over. I was cold. It was almost morning. Somehow I dragged myself out of the woods and back to the parking lot. I guess Vince found me and brought me to the urgent care clinic.”

  “How did Vince know to look for you at the store?”

  “I was supposed to meet him at the party after work. I told my dad I was going to stay at a friend’s house so he wasn’t expecting me at home. When I didn’t show up at the party, he came looking for me.”

  “Sounds like a good guy,” Sundance said.

  “Yeah,” Sierra agreed, giving a little watery sniff. “He feels pretty bad. He thinks this is his fault for leaving me alone.”

  “Well, that’s natural. He probably feels like he should’ve been protecting you when you got hurt.”

  “I tried to tell him it’s not his fault.”

  Sundance smiled. He knew how the kid felt. Somehow he felt he should’ve been able to prevent what had happened to Iris, though how he wasn’t sure. Feelings weren’t rational, that was for sure. “He can be there for you now. That’s what’s important, okay?”

  She nodded. Before Sundance could ask any more questions, James poked his head in, visibly worried about his daughter and Sundance didn’t blame him. The kid had been through hell. Sundance waved James in. “Go ahead and come in. We’re done. Sierra did great. She helped me a lot.”

  James nodded but it seemed he had aged ten years since Sierra’s attack. He handed James a business card with his phone numbers on it. “If she remembers anything else, just call my cell. Day or night.” A tight-lipped nod followed but Sundance knew James would make the call if needed. He advised Sierra with mock sternness, “Rest up so you can get out of here and back to your own bed. I know I never sleep well unless it’s in my own bed.”

  Sierra smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes and that killed him. So young and now burdened with such pain. It wasn’t fair.

  He let himself out and within minutes Iris was behind him. “Wait up,” she called out, causing him to stop and turn. Unexpected warmth shone in her eyes as she said, “You were really good with her. Thank you for being so patient and kind. She needs that right now.”

  He acknowledged her with a short nod. “I just want to find this—” he bit back the swear word and amended the sentiment with difficulty “—predator. I’m starting to get a clearer picture of who this guy is.”

  “Really?” she asked, surprised. “How so?”

  “It’s the little things. The details. In both attacks he wore fancy shoes, which suggests he works a job that requires an education. He’s not blue collar. That’s something. The fact that he didn’t think to change his shoes says he’s either cocky or sloppy and I think it’s cockiness. He doesn’t think he’s going to get caught, which tells me he’s done this more than a few times. He knows what he’s doing and he’s gotten familiar with the routine. But with cockiness comes mistakes. His arrogance will trip him up.”

  Iris shivered. “That means he’s not going to stop.”

  “Yeah,” he admitted, catching the way her pupils dilated with the fear she couldn’t hide. He wanted to fold her in his arms but he didn’t. He stayed rooted to the spot. “But I’m on to him this time. When he screws up…I’ll be there to catch him.”

  Chapter 14

  Iris stepped into Dr. Seryn’s cozy studio, her nerves strung tight as razor wire. Several times during the drive she considered turning around but when she thought of Sierra it buoyed her courage.

  Now she was here and there was no turning back.

  Dr. Seryn smiled warmly as she ushered her into the studio. “I’m so happy you came.” She gestured to a chair, not the chaise, and Iris felt immediate, if not an inordinate amount of, relief. She knew this was silly because she was going to end up there anyway once the session started. “I wasn’t sure if you were ready from the last time we spoke.”

  “I wasn’t,” Iris confessed, rubbing her arms briskly as a chill dusted her body even though it was comfortably warm in the studio. “But a young girl was hurt, too, and I feel I can’t in good conscience let fear of what’s locked in my head stop me from doing everything I can to bring this monster to justice.”

  “You’re very much a protector,” Dr. Seryn murmured. “It’s easy to see why Sundance thinks so highly of you.”

  Iris did a double take. She hadn’t expected to talk of Sundance. “What do you mean? What has he said?”

  Dr. Seryn smiled. “All good things.”

  “Could you be more specific?” Iris asked, feeling compelled to explain. “We haven’t always been close. In fact, once he actually called me the bane of his existence so you can understand why I find it difficult to grasp his change of heart.”

  Dr. Seryn shrugged. “Well, all he’s ever said about you is how good, strong and loyal you are. In my book, those are good things. Yes?”

  Iris, remembering how kind he’d been as of late, smiled a bit shyly. “Yeah, those are good things.”

  “I agree. Let’s focus on that for now. So, shall we get started?”

  Jitters returning, Iris nonetheless nodded. “It’s now or never. Do I have to lay on that chaise?”

  “Not at all. If you’re uncomfortable in the chaise you can stay where you are. The chair you’re in has a mild recline so feel free to lean back to your preference.”

  “I guess we can’t do this standing up?”

  Dr. Seryn smiled indulgently. “Not the way I do it.” Iris eased back in the chair with a sigh. Dr. Seryn waited until Iris was settled, then said, “I’m going to record our session so that you can take it with you and play it at home. Hypnosis works best with repetition in the meditative state. And often you’re more comfortable in your home environment, making it easier to reach those theta brain waves.”

  Iris closed her eyes, determined to succeed at this for Sierra’s sake, even if she was leery about the process and the science.

  The melody and cadence of Dr. Seryn’s voice soon lulled her into a relaxed state and Iris’s muscles lost the tension she’d been carrying around for a month. It felt good to sink into the soft cushions and focus on something other than her trauma. Dr. Seryn led her down an imaginary staircase and into a beautiful place in her mind where it was safe and peaceful. Once there, Dr. Seryn asked her to go back to the night she went to The Dam Beaver for karaoke night.

  “What are you wearing?” she asked.

  Iris smiled. “My favorite going-out top. It’s a tight pink V-neck. My hair is down and curled at the ends. The music is loud. The bar is hopping.”

  “Are there lots of people?”

  “Yes. Karaoke is popular.”

  “Did you sing, too?”

  “Yes.”

  “What did you sing?”

  “‘I Hate Myself for Loving You’ by Joan Jett.”

  “Are you singing it to anyone in particular? Someone at the bar?”

  “Not at the bar. Sundance hates karaoke.”

  “What else do you see?”

  Iris floated over the scene in the bar that night, apart from the action, yet taking in everything. She saw Butch, the bartender/owner slinging drinks as fast as he could pour them. Karaoke night was a big moneymaker. People needed liquid courage to get onstage to embarrass themselves in front of an audience. A man to her left was leaning in, whispering in her ear. She was tipsy and enjoying the attention. Iris didn’t know him but he was attractive and she liked that he kept buying her drinks.

  “What do you see, Iris?”

  “A man.”

  “What does the man look like? Do you know him?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t recognize him. He seems nice. Buys me drinks all
night. I tell him I need to stop so I can drive later. He laughs and buys me another.”

  “Do you drink it?”

  “Yes. I figure I can call Mya if I really shouldn’t drive by the end of the night.”

  “Does he touch you at all?”

  Iris’s frown deepened and her heart rate kicked up a bit. “I…I don’t know.”

  “That’s okay. What does he look like? Can you describe him to me?”

  “Tall, dark hair, looks my age. A little bit of scruff on his chin.”

  “Are you attracted to him? It’s okay if you are.”

  “He’s nice but he won’t stop buying me drinks.”

  “Do you feel threatened?”

  “No…maybe a little annoyed…”

  “Can you remember his name?”

  A voice in her ear floated from her memory as Iris said, “Brett. His name is Brett.”

  Sundance was finishing paperwork on a poaching case when Iris walked through his door. Her cheeks were dusted with pink and her brown eyes blazed with wild intense energy. For a moment he was so caught off guard by his body’s reaction to seeing her that he almost missed what she was saying but finally the words “I might’ve come across something useful” sank in, and he had to give himself a mental shake to focus when he realized she was talking about the case.

  “Yeah? Were you with Dr. Seryn today?”

  “Yes,” she answered, impatient to get to the point. “I remembered a name and a face.”

  That got his attention fast. He grabbed a pen and paper. “Go ahead.”

  “Tall, dark hair, about the same age as me, with some scruff on his chin, like a manicured goatee. And his name is Brett. Do you know of anyone that fits that description?”

  Grant guy. “Yeah, I do. A guy by the name of Brett Duncan fits that description. He’s the new grant man Chad brought in to find government grants for the relocation effort. I caught him chatting up Sierra the day before she was attacked. Thought it was inappropriate at the time but Chad assured me he was clean as a whistle. Not that I took his word for it. But, unfortunately, his wife gave him an alibi. According to her, he was sleeping soundly beside her, just as he’d claimed.”

  “Wives lie for their husbands,” Iris said.

  “And sometimes husbands lie to their wives. I think it’s time to revisit Mr. Duncan and see what he remembers of the night when he was supposed to be sleeping beside his wife.”

  Iris smiled tremulously. “Do you think it could be him?”

  He grabbed his keys. “I’ve never liked him. Something about the man seems wrong but I’ll see what I can shake out of him.” Sundance locked up and they walked to their vehicles. He was anxious to question Brett Duncan but he wasn’t quite ready to jump in the Durango without talking to Iris about her session. “Did you recall anything else?” he asked carefully.

  She shook her head. “It’s still a blank spot but Dr. Seryn recorded our session on CD so I could do some work on my own. She said I might be able to break through after a few more sessions. But a name is a good start, right?”

  “You bet it is. It’s more than we had yesterday,” he agreed solemnly, and she rewarded him with a shy smile. “You off for the day?”

  Iris nodded. “I didn’t know how this hypnosis stuff worked so I figured it was probably best to take the day off.”

  “You want to grab a bite to eat or something later?” he asked, not quite sure what he was doing. He had no business asking her out. She’d been through a traumatic experience. He tacked on “To talk about the case” before she had the chance to answer. The light in her eyes dimmed and he realized, somehow, he’d said the wrong thing. Her veiled disappointment poked at him but he wasn’t sure how to fix it. “It was just a suggestion but you’re probably tired. I’ll let you know what I find out when I talk with Duncan.”

  “Sundance, wait,” she called out as he climbed into his Durango. He paused, his stomach somewhere near his throat. She licked her lips, the full pout of her mouth drawing his attention before he could stop it. She ventured hesitantly, “You could stop by my place. I still have more casseroles than I could ever eat in my lifetime. I think Mya thought I was going to hibernate for the winter and she prepared appropriately. Either that or she’s on a mission to make me fat so she can raid my closet with impunity,” she added with a hint of her former dry humor.

  It was on the tip of his tongue to decline—it’d been foolish to start down this path—but he liked the idea of spending more time with her, even if it was spent talking about the case. “A casserole sounds good. Mya is a good cook. Anything she makes tastes great.”

  “Yeah, unlike me who has a tendency to burn everything,” she quipped.

  He managed a grin. “See you tonight. Around sixish?”

  Iris nodded and even returned a small smile. “Sixish. Come with your appetite.”

  “I will,” he promised, though silently he wondered which appetite he truly wanted sated.

  Sundance went straight to the Tribal Center. When Chad saw him coming, Sundance’s expression no doubt dark and dangerous, he rushed from his office to delay him.

  “Where’s the fire?” he asked, concerned. “You’ve got murder in your eyes. Somehow I doubt that whatever you’ve got on your mind is good for your career. Let’s chat in my office first.”

  “Where’s Duncan?” he asked, ignoring Chad’s offer, eager to put the grant guy under a hot bulb. “I have questions for him.”

  “He left early. Something about his wife, sick or something. What’s wrong?”

  “He failed to mention that he’d been with Iris the night she was attacked, tried to get her drunk. I want to know why he thought that wasn’t important enough to mention.”

  Chad’s expression faltered, as if caught between a rock and a hard place and he gestured for Sundance to follow him. Since Duncan was already gone, he blew out a breath in frustration and trailed Chad into his office. Chad leaned against his desk, setting his rump against the ledge, saying, “Here’s the thing, Brett and his wife…I think they’re having problems. Brett said he needed a drink and I didn’t think he ought to be out by himself. I went with him to the bar that night but I never saw him with Iris.”

  Sundance narrowed his stare at Chad. “You never told me you were at the bar, too.”

  “You never asked. I didn’t think it was relevant. I didn’t end up staying. In spite of my good intentions, I must’ve eaten something bad because I left early with a sick gut.”

  “So you don’t know what time Brett Duncan left the bar then?”

  “Not exactly but I talked to Brett the next day and he said he didn’t stay long.”

  Sundance’s mouth firmed. Chad was trying to protect his employee but in Sundance’s opinion, Brett Duncan was a prime suspect. And for that matter, Sundance realized with a sinking heart, so was Chad. “I still want to talk to him. I need his address.”

  Chad appeared resigned and supplied an address off the reservation. “For what it’s worth…I don’t think Brett is capable of what happened to Sierra or Iris. He’s as soft as a marshmallow inside. He shuffles paper and stares at a computer all day.”

  Sundance allowed a short, tight smile. “Isn’t that what you do?”

  “Guilty,” Chad admitted, then met Sundance’s stare head-on, adding with self-assured conviction, “And I’m not into raping women, either. Just not my style, you know? Come on, Sundance. Guys like you and me…we don’t have a problem getting a woman into our bed. It’s just a fact.” Sundance shifted, not sure how to feel about being lumped up in Chad’s assessment but the sun was fading fast and he was supposed to be at Iris’s house soon. Chad pushed off the desk. “I can tell you’re hell-bent on questioning Brett so I’ll just stay out of your way. I’m sure you can catch him at home tomorrow. In the meantime, it’s quitting time for me. My dad is coming in tomorrow to tour the clinic and I get to play tour guide.”

  Sundance looked at him sharply, bothered by this bit of news. “I thought your
dad put you in this position so he didn’t have to travel to the reservations so much.”

  Chad shrugged. “I’ve long ago stopped trying to unravel why my father does anything. Maybe he’s feeling nostalgic or maybe he wants to see what all the fuss is about. He’s getting a lot of pressure high up about the flood situation. He wants to see how stretched thin the resources are here.”

  Sundance worried about Mya and Iris but he couldn’t think of a good enough reason, that didn’t sound suspect, to keep them away from Paul, until he said, “If he wants to see the true issues firsthand I’d be happy to take him to the flooded areas, show him where the houses used to stand. He might find that compelling enough evidence of a problem.”

  Chad waved away his offer. “Nah, he’s hell-bent on seeing the clinic. I figure we’ll spend a little time there and then I’ll take him to lunch. The man loves food, women and drink—and not necessarily in that order. In the meantime—” Chad clapped Sundance on the shoulder good-naturedly “—good luck finding the bad guy. You’re nothing if not tenacious. I’ll give you that.”

  Sundance accepted the compliment, but his gut remained unsettled. He had questions circling in his brain but they’d have to wait until tomorrow.

  He watched as Chad exchanged light banter with everyone on his way out. Sundance was bothered by the fact that Chad had also failed to mention he was at the bar that night with Iris. Having a drink wasn’t a crime, but Sundance would’ve felt a whole lot more secure if Chad had been forthright from the beginning.

  Sundance climbed into his truck, his thoughts grim.

  Brett Duncan wasn’t the only person Sundance needed to question further.

  Chad Brown had just been added to the list.

  The question that nagged at him…should he add Paul Brown to the list, too?

  His shoulders tensed at the thought of going after a man high up in the food chain in the BIA, but he’d do it if he had to.