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  FIRE MOUNTAIN

  FIRE MOUNTAIN

  A Coyote Wells Mystery

  Published by Castletown Publishing

  Copyright © 2019

  Vickie McKeehan

  All rights reserved.

  Fire Mountain

  A Coyote Wells Mystery

  Copyright © 2019

  Vickie McKeehan

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic format without written permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, incidents, locales, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, businesses or companies, is entirely coincidental.

  Castletown Publishing

  ISBN-10: 1097908202

  ISBN-13: 978-1097908202

  Published by

  Castletown Publishing

  Printed in the USA

  Titles Available at Amazon

  Cover art by Vanessa Mendozzi

  You can visit the author at:

  www.vickiemckeehan.com

  www.facebook.com/VickieMcKeehan

  http://vickiemckeehan.wordpress.com/

  www.twitter.com/VickieMcKeehan

  https://www.instagram.com/vickie.mckeehan.author/

  Put the two of us together and we become

  Like moonlight and fireflies...

  all burning and glowing and lighting up the night.

  MELODY LEE

  Table of Contents

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  11

  12

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  20

  21

  22

  23

  24

  Cast of Characters

  Fire Mountain

  by

  VICKIE McKEEHAN

  Castletown Publishing

  Copyright © 2019 Vickie McKeehan

  1

  On a chilly September morning with a heavy drizzle spattering the windows outside, the Mayor and Chief of Police made slow, sweet love.

  Snuggled under the covers giddy from sex, Gemma opened her amber eyes and stared at the man in bed with her.

  With his hand still resting on soft, silky flesh, he whispered, “Rainy days were made for staying in bed and making love.”

  Encouraging more foreplay, she rolled over and pressed her lips to his, propping herself up on one elbow. “I miss Hawaii, that luxurious hotel room, the white sandy beaches, snorkeling, oh, and room service. I miss everything about it. And now, it’s official. The honeymoon is over.”

  “Not this part.” He ran a finger down her cheek. “But I have to admit our time there was way too short. We should go back again. I don’t even want to think about what today means. Back to work for both of us…Mayor Bonner or is it Channing?”

  Her playful mood went south as she realized she’d have to deal with the reality of coming back to what had happened while they were thousands of miles away, romping on a sunny beach.

  In Maui, their biggest problem had been how much sunscreen to slather on each other while sprawled at the beach. Or maybe what to order for dinner. Now, she had to face the results of an election she’d taken no part in, and therefore, did not want.

  “Please don’t remind me that I have to go to work. Or that the people in this town went off the rails and actually cast a ballot for me. It’s not my fault they wasted their vote. Mayor. What a joke? And it’s Bonner from now on. Gemma Bonner. No more referring to me as Channing.”

  That declaration made him smile. After all this time wondering if she’d really take his name, he pointed out, “But Leia and Lianne put Channing on the ballot.”

  Her brow wrinkled forming an escape plan. “Hmm, do you think I could use that as a loophole to wriggle out of this deal on a technicality issue since I’m Bonner now?”’

  “Unfortunately, not a chance.”

  “Figures. That’s why I’m going to kill those two first chance I get for getting me into this mess. And since we’re on the subject, you should be the first to know I’m not sitting in that stupid office where Fleet Barkley sat and stabbed people in the back.”

  Realizing they were reaching a dangerous patch of quicksand, Lando nuzzled her neck. “Then at what location do you intend to run the town if not down the hall from me?”

  “Where do you think? From behind the counter at the Coyote Chocolate Company. Fleet had businesses. Being mayor didn’t stop him from running his daddy’s company.”

  “Into the ground,” Lando added. Scowling down at her, he quit nibbling her throat and whispered, “I’m not sure how running the town from the chocolate shop will go over with your constituents.”

  “Why couldn’t voters line up in front of the counter, take a number like everyone else, and state their complaint when their number is called?”

  Getting worked up now, she bolted up. “I don’t care what they say. I didn’t ask for this. People don’t like it, they can recall me or vote me out. Whatever it’s called. And if I don’t know the answers to their questions, I’ll look it up. Maybe I’ll encourage a recall. Start one of those online petitions myself at the town’s website.”

  “Start a petition to recall yourself? I’m not sure that’s ever been done before.”

  “Then I’ll be the first.”

  “I thought you wanted a mayor who was good for this town. That’s you. You’re good for Coyote Wells.”

  “But I don’t even have a platform. I’ve got zero experience. I’m a rookie at this thing. It scares me a little bit. And I’d really like to focus on being Mrs. Lando Bonner before jumping into a big job like mayor. Plus, I’d like to keep my Gram’s business going. The shop meant everything to her. I won’t just sit around behind some desk and rely on Lianne to make the truffles. I love Lianne like a sister, but Gram’s shop is my responsibility. I’m pretty sure Gram would agree with me.”

  He let her rattle on because he knew she was overwhelmed at the prospect of walking into City Hall. “After Leia called you with the results, we all decided to be as
supportive as possible. I won’t let you down. Neither will your friends.”

  “I know that. I do.” She let out a nervous breath and placed her hand on Lando’s jaw. “And to think all I wanted the second time around was to be a wife to the man I love more than anything else in the world.”

  She snuggled closer. “Don’t tell me you aren’t the slightest bit worried because technically I’m now your boss.”

  “Technically. But I’m sleeping with the boss,” he cracked as he brought her down for a kiss before deepening it.

  When she came up for air, she patted his chest. “I don’t want to let anyone down though, most of all you.”

  “Me? I’m fine with it. But you’re going to be very unhappy as mayor because it’s a thankless job. Accept the fact that you can’t make everyone in town happy with your decisions and you’ll do just fine. And prioritize.”

  “What does that even mean? This mayor stuff is not me. Besides, that office has been all about corruption for so long how am I supposed to turn it around? I’m not a politician. Look at all the horrible things Fleet did while he was in office. And we all thought we knew him.”

  “The city council let him have his way too often. This time around, the townspeople were trying to elect someone they trusted, someone who was an honest alternative. That’s you, Gemma. You’re as honest as they come.”

  “But aren’t most politicians dipping their hands in somebody’s cookie jar and lying about it before they get elected? How many bribes did Fleet take while he was mayor? How many people did he disappoint?”

  “Look, stop worrying. Take it slow. Get your feet wet. I have an idea that might help. Why not go sit down with Paloma this afternoon and talk to her? Your grandmother had the job for years. Let her give you a few pointers.”

  “That’s a great idea. See, that’s why I love you. What should my first project be as mayor? I should have some idea, don’t you think?”

  “Fixing that pothole on Water Street would make me happy.” He leaned back into his pillow and laced his fingers behind his head, stretching out his legs. “I’m sensing this is what our life is gonna be like from now on. I woke up early to make love to my wife before going to work. Instead, we’re talking about this mayor crap. Fleet is water under the bridge. You probably shouldn’t mention him moving forward, reminds people that the office had major problems before you got there. You’re the person the people wanted in charge. Think about that when you’re on the brink of making decisions. Make the right choices for the people, and you’ll be fine.”

  “You’re right. I’m honest and truthful. I run Gram’s business without doing sneaky things to people behind their backs. I’m a nice person. Mostly.”

  “You are.”

  An ear-piercing blast from somewhere outside shook the house and had them bolting upright. The glass panes in the windows rattled. In the distance, car alarms went off.

  “Was that an earthquake?” Lando said, shoving back the covers and racing to the sliding glass door across the room.

  The car alarms set the dogs off, barking and making a racket. The chocolate Lab named Rufus trotted in leading his partner in crime, the Westie called Rolo. The pooches began pacing and snarling in front of the slider.

  Despite the weather, Lando opened the door and let the dogs out the back just as his cell phone went off.

  “It’s Suzanne,” he muttered before answering, “Bonner here.”

  Suzanne Swinton, the dispatcher, had clocked in ten minutes earlier and was in the middle of eating a breakfast sandwich when her switchboard lit up. “Chief, we have a plane that reportedly went down over Fire Mountain. Our side, not the reservation. Actually, the calls are saying the thing exploded in mid-air.”

  “I’ll be right there. Notify everyone else, will you? Call Payce, Jimmy, and Dale. Get them moving to the scene. And call Jeff Tuttle, the medical examiner just in case. Got all that?”

  “No problem. I’m on it.”

  Gemma grabbed her robe, belted it, and then stuffed her feet into a pair of slippers with doggie faces on top. “What’s going on?”

  Lando pulled on his jeans and grabbed his boots. “Plane went down over Fire Mountain.”

  “I’ll go make you some coffee to take with you.”

  “No time for that. Maybe one of the guys will bring a thermos with them. As mayor, do you want to come with me?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Really? Do mayors do that?”

  “Not usually, but then Fleet never claimed to be psychic.” He winked at her and cracked a grin. “Maybe you can tell me what happened.”

  “I’ll assume you’re serious and not making fun of me.”

  Buttoning up the white shirt he’d pulled out of his closet, he stated with some emphasis, “I’m not making fun of you.”

  “Okay. Then I’ll get dressed and give it a whirl. Although I’m not sure that I’m firing on all cylinders yet this morning.”

  “Monday morning no one’s firing on all cylinders,” Lando pointed out as he went into the bathroom to swig a capful of mouthwash in hopes of rinsing away morning breath.

  The dogs came back in, muddy from the romp outside. Gemma stuck her head in the bathroom to grab a towel to mop up the drips and dirt. She studied him, standing at the sink, swishing his mouth out. “You’re adorable.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “You look really hot in that white shirt. It sets off your dark hair and sultry dark eyes.”

  Grinning, he yanked her in for a kiss. She turned her head at the last minute. “I need mouthwash, too.”

  “No, you don’t. I like the taste of you just fine.”

  “Aww, I like this newlywed feeling. But I really need to scoot out there and clean up the mess the dogs made.”

  He ran a free hand over his stubble. “I need to run a razor over my face.”

  “For what it’s worth, I like the rugged look better.”

  After toweling off the dirty floor, Gemma was already switching gears. Tossing the robe aside, she slipped into a pair of worn cropped jeans. From her dresser drawer, she pulled out a cream-colored sweater and yanked it down over her head. Standing in front of the mirror, she pulled back her toffee-colored hair and used a scrunchie to twist the mop into a ponytail. Remembering the wet weather, she jerked a cap down over her head. It would be perfect for keeping the rain from dripping into her face.

  One final touch had her reaching for the pendant she never went anywhere without. The silver chain held her three power stones—turquoise, moonstone, and lapis—joined together in an ornate wire wrapping.

  The dogs were still acting nervous and wired.

  Gemma snapped her fingers and stared them down. “Come on, mutts. Time for breakfast. You guys have to use the doggie door till I get back. No excuses.” Darting out of the bedroom with the dogs at her heels, she made a beeline into the kitchen.

  She flipped the switch on the coffeemaker, which was already set up to kick in at their usual seven-thirty start time. She scooped out dog chow into two separate dishes and set them on the floor. Rufus and Rolo gobbled up the nuggets like they hadn’t seen food for several days.

  “Easy, guys,” she cautioned while changing out the water with a fresh supply. “I know you’re glad to be back home after being in the kennel, but no one’s gonna take away your food here. Slow down.”

  In the pantry, she found a box of Lando’s favorite Pop-Tarts, red velvet, to eat on the go for breakfast and stuffed it down into her bag.

  She ran into the mudroom to retrieve her rain boots and sat down on the bench to slip them on. Rolo trotted in for some attention. Picking the little guy up, something she couldn’t do with Rufus, she held Rolo close, nuzzling his head to hers. “I was hoping to spend some quality time with you guys this morning, but that’s the way life turns out sometimes. I promise I’ll be back. I’m not abandoning you again. And use the doggie door like Rufus.”

  By the time Lando appeared in the kitchen with a smooth face, he’d already stra
pped on his holster that held the Colt Commander he carried as his service weapon. Sniffing the air, he noted, “You started coffee anyway.”

  Still holding Rolo, Gemma stood next to the coffeemaker waiting for the final drip to drop. “Yup. We need caffeine. So don’t complain, it’s almost done brewing.” She zipped around the island and found a thermos underneath the cabinet. “While we’re waiting for it to finish up, could you coax the dogs back outside through the doggie door? I just want to make sure they haven’t forgotten how it works.”

  “Sure. But Rufus is a pro at this. And whatever he does, Rolo does. Besides, we need to get moving. Like now.” To prove his point, he took Rolo out of her arms and whistled for Rufus to go first. He watched as the Lab approached the flap, ducked his head down, and scooted through to the outside. Immediately, he set Rolo down on the floor, and the Westie followed his buddy into the backyard. But with the rain, both dogs hightailed it back inside in less than a minute.

  “See, they’re okay with getting in and out. Feel better now?”

  “As a matter of fact, I do. We’ve been gone two weeks from the house and so have they. I just wanted to make sure we could leave them on their own. They aren’t happy about it, either. Us leaving again. They think we’re running off and never coming back.”

  She was probably right, he concluded. And then reminded himself that wedded bliss meant compromise. He watched her pour steaming coffee into a thermos and screw on the lid. “Could we have this conversation in the cruiser? Because we need to go.”

  She held up the thermos like a trophy in victory. “You’ll thank me for the coffee when the craving hits an hour from now.”

  He planted a kiss on her brow. “I know you’re right. Now move out before Tuttle beats me to the scene.”

  On the drive up to Fire Mountain, they passed through Shadow Canyon and the rolling hills that made up the rural countryside. Once they reached the old rusted-out truck surrounded by high grass and fading sedge, they knew they were halfway there.