CHAPTER FOUR

– MARVIN –

She's fuming, I can tell by the death glare she's giving me. If she knew how my cock hardens every damn time she throws her sass and glare around? She'd probably make a run for it or shoot me in the balls, whatever crosses her mind first.

Yesterday I'd learned that we communicate in a civilized matter whenever we discuss leads and crucial case matters.

It's for this reason I start to explain, "The three foster kids were never on the ranch at the same time. Murphy Rambeau, Thorn Kendrick, and Robin Almond. Robin is a woman by the way."

Kathleen steps closer to the counter and leans a hip against it as I start to chop up the sweet pepper.

"A female serial killer? No. That doesn't add up." She snatches a piece of sweet pepper and pops it into her mouth.

I keep slicing and dicing. "I agree, but like I said, she fits the profile and we need to be thorough."

"I'll call my father later today and ask for a meeting with Weston, Roper, and a few of the others. They all might have some information about some of the foster kids, or at least about the Bronsons."

"Breakfast first, work later," I tell her and whisk the eggs, adding a bit of milk.

"Who taught you how to cook?" she questions.

I shoot her a grin. "My parents and some of the old ladies at the clubhouse."

Kathleen settles with some coffee at the kitchen table.

When I place a plate filled with food in front of her, she asks, "Any updates from your brother? The coroner? Anything?"

I should remind her we should have breakfast before discussing work, but on the other hand, we communicate nicely while discussing case related details.

It's for this reason I tell her, "Two out of three I mentioned have a criminal record, the other one was hospitalized after a mental breakdown. Robin Almond has several restraining orders filed against her, all ex-girlfriends. She spent a few years in jail for aggravated assault with a knife."

Kathleen points her fork in my direction and swallows some of her eggs before stating, "That's why you added her to the suspect list."

"Thanks to you we have a suspect list," I compliment her.

She spears a piece of egg on her fork. "It would have been a matter of time until he fucks up. He, or she, might feel invincible to stay one step ahead of the law, but no one's perfect. Something else that bugs me is the whole missing crime scene thing. I mean, we only find the bodies and they are not found at the kill site. No DNA, particulates, or anything to tie a suspect. It's almost as if–"

"The killer has knowledge of forensic science," I finish for her.

"These days you can learn a lot through the internet, TV series, books, whatever. The killer doesn't have to work in law enforcement or in a lab to have that kind of knowledge. Though, it definitely raises questions as to why there still hasn't been any fingerprints, blood, fibers, or anything found that will lead to the kill site. Even the vehicle used to dump the body in front of Eastlynne's ranch was found squeaky clean three miles down the road." Shoving her empty plate away from her she adds, "That was the only time there were any witnesses to a body dump."

I bob my head. "It's why you started digging into the ranch's background, along with the other body found the same day, except that one was killed and buried long ago. The lab has been backed up, causing delays in shit. We've brought in a forensic anthropologist to study the bones because we haven't been able to identify the body yet."

"Yeah. Smart thinking, bringing in an expert. Hopefully, we'll have an ID and more info soon." Kathleen gets to her feet. "Thanks for breakfast. I'm gonna take a shower and get ready for my shift."

Kathleen tries to pick up her plate, but I take it from her and place it into the sink. "I'll do the dishes, once you're ready we can swing by the Iron Hot Blood. I hope you're right, and questioning some of the brothers who were around when the family was still living at that ranch will lead to additional information."

She nods and checks her watch. "Maybe you should head there while I catch up on some work. We're still understaffed."

I shoot her a grin over my shoulder. "I also took care of that yesterday. Victor, a former brother and buddy of mine, arrived early this morning. We've hired him as the new deputy. I've left his credentials on your desk."

She gapes at me and I watch as flames practically bounce around in her gaze. Yeah, she's back to fuming again, all while I've solved the understaffed issue for her. Without a word or a curse, she spins around and stalks into the hallway.

I quickly rinse the plates and give a short whistle to get Wrench's attention. At least her dog is best buddies with me without any effort. I take my time to walk her dog and when we stroll back into the apartment, she's braiding her hair and is dressed in a fresh uniform.

Once she's finished, she grabs the keys lying on the table, along with her phone, and snaps her fingers to catch Wrench's attention. She completely ignores me as she walks out of the apartment. Grinding my teeth, I open the door and follow her.

The woman is quick and drives off in her patrol car. Good thing I've parked the other patrol car out front and am in pursuit within a few heartbeats. To my surprise, she's heading to the same ranch where I saw her yesterday when the old man Hemwig almost shot her in the chest with rock salt.

This time it's not Hemwig who is causing a scene in the middle of the road, but the neighbor across from him instead.

"Calm down, Ronald," I hear Kathleen tell the man in a soothing tone. "He's just looking for attention. Hemwig is harmless and his threats are empty, you know that as well as I do."

"Harmless? He fucking pissed in my mailbox," Ronald seethes.

I can feel the corners of my mouth twitch. Hemwig is a drunk, a lonely one, but it sounds like the fucker likes to torment his neighbor from across the street.

"I've had it up to here with that asshole. If you're still interested in buying my ranch, Sheriff, then you should head to my real estate guy because I put it up for sale about an hour ago. The first offer I get I'm going to accept and move out of state to live near my only daughter. The ranch is too big for me anyway, but I can't stand to live across from that asshole one day longer," Ronald seethes.

My interest is spiked and I turn to take a closer look at the man's ranch. Taking my phone out of my pocket, I search for the information and with a few thumb strokes I have what I need. Knowing Kathleen has a handle on this situation, I get into my patrol car and head for the real estate guy.

Rearranging my life is easier to do than catching a serial killer. Some of the brothers of Cowboy Bikers MC Lawmen declared me an idiot for moving to this small town, and certainly for giving up the president patch along with it.

I knew what I wanted in my future the second I met Kathleen. The fire between us is as vibrant as the back-and-forth banter. My father knew my mother was it for him and kept moving forward, solving a case together in the process, to get what he wanted. Forced proximity worked for them, being on a serial killer case just like me and Kathleen.

It's why the plan for what to do took root inside my head. Things just started falling into place when I made my decision. First, it was the job availability, the perks of crashing at the apartment along with it. Now it's a ranch becoming available.

I know the owner mentioned the ranch being on sale to Kathleen, but my end goal is to have her as my old lady. Which means what's mine is hers. So, in the end, it'll be her ranch as well. I know I'm not a Cowboy Bikers MC Lawmen nomad anymore, but Kathleen doesn't know I switched patches yesterday.

I was voted in as a full member of the Iron Hot Blood unanimously. Decker might not know the depths of my intentions toward Kathleen, but he'll know soon enough. For now, I've obtained another chess piece and once Ronald has moved I can bring my horses home. The ranch will need some work inside and out, based on the pictures I just saw at the real estate office.

Plus, I have to handle my new neighbor so the fucker doesn't piss in…well anything except for his own fucking toilet. I'm going over some details Dean sent me while sitting behind Kathleen's desk when she barges into her office.

"It was you, wasn't it?" she snarls.

Leaning back, I place my hand on my belt buckle and rumble, "I do a lot of things, babe. You have to be more specific for me to answer that question correctly."

"The ranch. I saw you there when Ronald mentioned it was for sale. You were the only one there and now it's sold. You bought it, didn't you? What's next? Taking my fucking job? Why are you even here? You're not the one who was born in this town. Do you like to piss me off? Does it get your dick hard? Well, I hope it shrivels up spending your lonely life living here because I've had enough. I'm leaving."

She whirls around to stomp out the door and I'm on my feet within my next breath. "I bought it for us."

Snorting she growls, "Bullshit. Unless ‘us' means you and your ego. You're worming your way into this town by flashing your badge and forcing other's hands to get what you want."

Okay, I can hardly deny that one 'cause she's mostly right.

"Is it so hard to believe I want you?" I ask, deciding to come clean instead of defending myself which would lead to a useless discussion.

She crosses her arms under her tits and pins me with a hard stare. "You want to fuck me? Is that why you're moving into town, took a lower job than your expertise requires, and bought a home you don't want to live in, all because you want inside my pussy?"

A smirk slides across my face. I should be aware of the fact that she's laying a trap, but hearing her talking about fucking her, wanting inside her pussy? The lust is overriding my brain with the visuals she just planted inside my head.

"Fine," she huffs. "Get naked, bend me over my desk, fuck me hard, and then leave. Then there will be no other reason for you to stay."

Okay, this is not what I was expecting. The dilemma thrown my way is a hard one. My cock is harder, that's for sure, but man do I want to jump on the chance to get inside her. I can either call her bluff and see if it is all bluff…or we end up fucking. She might think it'll be over and done with one time, but I've never felt like I needed a reminder to breathe whenever I look at her.

No other woman takes my breath away. Kathleen is the one who has made me aware of the fact that breathing is vital for living just by merely looking at her. That's what this woman does to me.

"We can fuck now, tomorrow, or any day of the week. Especially when we're living together on Ronald's ranch. I wasn't lying and I'm not bullshitting you, boss lady. I don't want your job, or this town if you're not right there with me. Because if I did, I would have taken the position instead of taking one underneath you."

It's time to lay out all the cards. "I'm here because of you. I want you as my old lady and I'm man enough to work underneath you because I know we're equal in knowledge and strength. I don't fucking care where I live as long as I have what I need and this job as underboss fills the crime-solving part my brain needs."

"Old lady?" She narrows her eyes. "Didn't you turn in your president patch and leave Cowboy Bikers MC Lawmen? You became a Nomad. That doesn't make sense to rattle how you want to settle."

Out of everything I threw at her that's what she questions?

I shoot her a wink and declare, "Didn't you hear, babe? I'm a full member of Iron Hot Blood now."

Her eyes go wide and she whispers, "No."