Chapter 33

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

His ass had just hit the recliner when the scream pierced the air. Without a second thought, Sawyer bolted out of his chair and sprinted across the yard to Brynlee's back door.

He threw the door open and burst inside, his gaze already scanning the small space. “Bryn!”

Brynlee stood at the kitchen counter, an open box in front of her, tears streaming down her face. Fury immediately engulfed him as he strode forward. “What’s wrong?”

“That son of a bitch!” She swiped at her tears, and a strangled sob escaped as she stormed toward the living room.

He grabbed her hand to stall her, but she struggled against him. “Let me go!”

He did as he asked but moved in front of her. “Talk to me, Bryn. What’s going on?”

She ignored him, and he reached for her once more. “Brynlee, goddamn it, wait!”

She shrieked as his arm came around her waist, and he couldn’t tell if was more from pain or anger. She struggled against his hold, her hysteria making it impossible for her to calm down. Suddenly, her anger gave way to grief and she collapsed against him with a heart-wrenching sob.

He wrapped his arms around her more firmly, whispering words of comfort, gently rocking her back and forth. "Shh, it’s okay. I’m right here. Breathe, Bryn. Just breathe. Everything’s going to be okay.”

Gradually, her struggles lessened, and her sobs turned into quiet, shuddering gasps. Sawyer loosened his grip slightly, giving her the space to breathe but keeping his hands on her hips.

His gaze raked over her, taking in her expression, tear-stained and full of grief and anger. The scream had been filled with a raw terror that had sent chills down his spine.

"Can you tell me what happened?" he asked gently.

Another tear slipped down her cheek, and she hastily swiped it away. “I… When I got home, I couldn’t find Scooter. I looked everywhere.”

Her voice cracked, and he gently rubbed her back, lending silent comfort. She drew in a shaky breath, glancing towards the kitchen where the box still sat open on the counter. “That box you got today… It’s him, Sawyer. It’s Scooter.”

Her eyes, glassy with tears, met his, and his stomach flipped over. Jesus Christ. “Oh, Bryn. I’m so sorry.”

Guilt assailed him. How had he not suspected something like this? He should have known that asshole would retaliate. He cupped her face in his hands and gently swiped away the trail of tears that clung to her skin. “I’m going to figure out what happened—I promise.”

He leaned in and kissed her forehead before gently easing her in the direction of the couch. “I’m going to check it out, but I need you to stay here for a sec, okay?”

She looked like she wanted to protest for a moment but in the end, fear won out and she pressed her lips together and nodded. He lightly squeezed her shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”

Sawyer moved toward the kitchen. The box sat open, and anger coiled inside him at the sight of the lifeless cat inside. He closed his eyes for a moment, composing himself before turning back to Brynlee.

“Can I borrow your phone?”

She blinked uncomprehendingly for a moment before pointing toward the counter. “I think it’s there… somewhere.”

Sawyer rooted around for a moment and found the phone tucked out of sight behind the box, next to her keys and purse. He tapped the screen, and it immediately brought up the screen to enter the passcode. He started in her direction, but she anticipated his question and rattled off the numbers.

Sawyer typed in the digits, then brought up the phone app and dialed the sheriff's department, his stomach swooping violently. "This is Detective Sawyer Reed.” He briefly explained the situation and directions to Brynlee’s house. “I need a deputy over here as soon as possible."

He hung up and moved to her side. “We’re going to find out who did this. I promise.”

She gave a little shake of her head, the anguish from a few moments earlier replaced once more by anger. “Do you think it was Zane?”

Sawyer took her hand in his, anger boiling beneath his calm exterior. "I don’t know, but I’m damn sure going to find out.”

Brynlee blew out a deep breath. “Why? Why would he do something some hateful?”

He squeezed her hand, unable to answer the rhetorical question. "Come on. Let's go to my place and wait for them. You shouldn't be here right now."

She nodded, allowing him to help her up. He looped an arm around her waist, careful not to hurt her, as they made their way to his house next door. The late evening air was cool, and the silence of the neighborhood felt oppressive, as if the world had paused in the wake of the horror they had just discovered.

Inside, Sawyer gently pushed her in the direction of the couch. “You want some coffee?”

Brynlee shook her head and veered toward the kitchen. “I’ll do it.”

Sawyer lightly squeezed her waist. “I can?—”

“Your coffee is terrible.”

Sawyer bit back a smile as they moved to the kitchen. It wasn’t a lie. He relinquished his hold on her but leaned on a cabinet nearby, watching as she worked.

“Besides,” she continued quietly as she scooped grinds into the machine, “I need something to do.”

He understood that. Brynlee pushed the button to begin the cycle, then settled against the counter next to him. Neither of them said a word. A minute later, the tantalizing aroma lifted on the air, and the brewer spit out the last of the liquid.

Without a word, Sawyer reached into the cabinet behind them and passed her a packet of sugar. She started to shake her head, but he pressed it into her hand. “It will help—I promise.”

She nodded then dumped it into the dark liquid and took a fortifying sip. Sawyer curled one hand around the back of her neck and lightly massaged the tense muscles.

The minutes stretched into what felt like an eternity before the sound of tires on gravel reached their ears. "They’re here," he said unnecessarily. “Why don’t you stay here for a few while I go explain what happened. Okay?”

She gave a tentative nod, and he lightly squeezed her shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”

A faint glimmer of gratitude flickered in her eyes as she turned his way. "Thank you, Sawyer. I don't know what I'd do without you."

He squeezed her hand gently. "You don't have to worry about that. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

Sawyer exited the front door and intercepted Deputy Duke Turner just as he climbed from the cruiser. “Not a great way to start your shift,” Sawyer said as he tipped his head toward Brynlee’s house. “It’s in here.”

Turner fell into step next to him as Sawyer led the way up the steps and into her house. “What happened?”

Sawyer gave him a quick rundown of the past week—Brynlee firing Jessica, the car accident, finding Zane outside her house, and now this.

Duke’s expression darkened. "Someone really has it out for her.”

Sawyer nodded. “I spoke with her ex. He seemed genuinely concerned, but?—”

A knock on the door snapped Sawyer’s attention to the front of the house. A moment later, Cam’s voice floated his way.

“Hey,” he said, his brows pulled low. “What’s going on?”

“This.” Sawyer pointed to the box on the counter and Cam drifted closer, his face pulling into an expression of disgust when he saw the contents.

“Jesus. What the fuck is wrong with people?”

He nodded to Turner. “We need this bagged and printed. See what you can find.”

A memory niggled at the periphery of his brain. “Hold on a sec.”

Sawyer slipped on a pair of gloves and turned the flap down, then glanced at Cam. "It didn’t go through the mail service. No postage, no postmark. Someone had to hand-deliver it."

Turned nodded, his eyes narrowing. "Whoever did this wanted to create the illusion that it was mailed, but they were close enough to drop it off themselves."

Cam’s jaw tightened. "So, someone grabbed Scooter during the day, killed him, and then left the box for Brynlee to find. That’s sick."

Duke tossed a look his way. “We need to talk with Brynlee again.”

“She already told me everything she knows,” Sawyer argued. “She’s been through enough; she doesn’t need to deal with more of this tonight.”

Cam paused midstep and turned to face him. “You know as well as I do that the faster we get her to talk, the faster we can find out who did this.”

Sawyer growled. He knew Cam wasn’t wrong, but still… “Fine. But go easy, would you?”

Cam studied him for a moment before nodding. “Of course.” He glanced over at Duke. “Take care of this, would you?”

The deputy nodded, and Sawyer led the way over to his place, knocking softly and calling out to Brynlee before pushing the door open. Brynlee sat on the couch, the mug of now-cold coffee still clutched in her hands.

He gently extracted it from her fingers and set it aside, then dropped into the seat next to her. “Cam wants to ask you a few questions.”

She offered him a small smile that didn’t reach her eyes, and Cam settled on the edge of the recliner. “Bryn, do you have any idea who might want to do this? Anyone with a grudge, someone who’s been acting strange lately?"

Brynlee shook her head, tears welling up again. “There is one person… but it seems so unlikely.”

“Who?” Sawyer asked, his interest piqued.

“Jessica.” She fiddled with the hem of her shirt. “She used to work for me as a stylist. I had to fire her.”

“When?”

“Last Saturday. She wasn't happy about it. She made a scene at the salon, said I'd regret it.”

“Anyone else?” Sawyer pressed.

“Not really,” Brynlee admitted. “I mean… you know about Zane.”

Yeah, he did. That asshole was still on his list. Sawyer's expression tightened. "Tell me more about Jessica. Did she threaten you?"

"Not directly," Brynlee replied. "But she was angry, really angry. She said I'd pay for what I did, that I was ruining her life. I didn't take her seriously at the time, but now..."

Sawyer's mind raced. Jessica could be a potential suspect, but he needed more information. "Do you have any contact information for her? An address, phone number, anything?"

Brynlee nodded. "I have her address at the salon.”

Sawyer placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We’ll check into both of them."

Cam made a few more notes. “Do you mind if I take a look around?”

Brynlee shrugged. “Go ahead.”

With one last smile, Cam pushed from the chair and headed toward the door. He paused and tossed a look at Sawyer, indicating he should follow. Sawyer dipped his chin a fraction, and Cam disappeared, closing the door behind him.

Sawyer turned back to Brynlee. “Bryn, do you remember anything unusual happening recently? Anything at all?”

Brynlee bit her lip, looking deep in thought. “I’ve been thinking about it all afternoon, but nothing stands out. We’ve just been trying to get back to normal after the damage.”

Sawyer nodded, considering her words. “Whoever did this wanted to scare you, but it was more than that. They wanted to hurt you. The cat was a personal hit.”

Brynlee’s eyes filled with tears again, but she nodded resolutely. “I know. Scooter wasn’t just a pet; he was family. I know you didn’t like him, but?—”

Sawyer took her hands in his and shook his head, effectively cutting her off. “I’m sorry for that. I know he meant the world to you, and I promise I’ll find who did this.”

She nodded listlessly. “Thanks.”

“I don’t think you should stay here tonight,” he ventured cautiously. “If you don’t want to go to your parents’ house or your sisters’…”

He trailed off, letting the unspoken offer hang in the air. Brynlee swallowed hard, her gaze fixed on the floor. Finally, she shook her head. “I’ll go to Ainsley and Dare’s tonight. I’m sure they won’t care.”

A zing of disappointment cursed through him but he shoved it away as he pushed from the couch and extended a hand her way. Brynlee remained silent as they moved to her bedroom and packed up enough clothes for a couple of nights, then fired off a text to Ainsley and let her know that she would be coming over.

Sawyer texted Dare, letting him know that he’d apprise him of the situation soon, then walked Brynlee out to her rental. “You sure you’re good to drive?”

She offered a faint smile as she slid behind the wheel. “Yeah. Thanks.”

Crouching down in the open space between the door and the cab, he reached inside and squeezed her hand. “If you need anything—doesn’t matter what time it is—call me.”

“I will.”

She pulled away and started the car, then disappeared down the street. Sawyer watched her go, anxiety churning in his gut. She didn’t deserve this. They would uncover the truth—and they would make damn sure justice was served.