Hidden Talents

would.”
    “I think the time has come to call the sheriff.”
    “Got a better idea,” Blade said. “Just dig a hole, dump him in it and cover him up. I know a good place where no one will ever find him.”
    “We are not going to get in the habit of burying bodies around Witt's End,” Caleb said. “Bad for business. Besides, it's never that simple. There are bound to be questions. Better to deal with them now.”
    Blade looked doubtful. “I dunno. Don't like callin' in the authorities.”
    “I'll handle them,” Caleb said wearily. “I'm good at that kind of thing.”
    A small sound near the mouth of the cave made him glance in that direction. Serenity stood there, her eyes huge with concern. Caleb decided that having to answer a few questions from the authorities was a small price to pay for the satisfaction of knowing that Kincaid would never again be a threat to her.
    “Are you both all right?” Serenity asked.
    “Situation's under control,” Blade reported.
    For the second time that night Serenity ran straight into Caleb's arms. It was exactly where she was supposed to be, he thought.

    “Two accidental deaths in the past week here in a little place like Witt's End seems kind of unusual,” Sheriff Banner observed two hours later.
    “Hell of a coincidence,” Caleb admitted. He watched as Kincaid's body was loaded into the back of the aid car.
    “Found out Kincaid had a restraining order issued against him almost a year ago.” Banner was a big man who appeared to be addicted to chewing gum. His mouth worked rhythmically as he watched the medics close the ambulance doors. “Looks like he was trying to violate it.”
    “He was. In the process he nearly killed Serenity Makepeace.”
    “Nice lady. I always stop by her store when I pass through Witt's End.” Banner chewed methodically. “Sells the best granola I ever tasted. You a friend of hers?”
    “Yes.”
    “You're a little different from most of the rest of the folks around here, aren't you?”
    “I'm a business consultant. I'm working on a project for Serenity.”
    “Uh-huh.” Banner chewed in silence for a while. “Don't quite understand why Kincaid wound up in that cave.”
    “Serenity convinced him that was where Marion was hiding. The guy was crazy. He believed her.”
    “And you and Blade trapped him inside?”
    “Right. As I told you, we were going to keep him pinned down in there while someone called you, but before we could get some assistance, Kincaid slipped and fell into the pool.”
    “Yeah, I got it all down.” Banner popped his gum and patted his notebook. “Sounds real clear-cut to me.”
    Caleb met Banner's eyes in the glare of the aid car lights. “Have I answered all your questions?”
    “Uh-huh. Kincaid was violating a restraining order, trying to find his ex-fiancée. He was armed and dangerous and had already attacked Ms. Makepeace. Went into the caves to look for a lady he called Marion. Didn't know his way around, slipped and fell. Hit his head on a rock in one of the hot springs pools. End of story.”
    “That about sums it up. If I can be of any further assistance, feel free to call.”
    “I'll do that.” Banner unwrapped a fresh stick of gum. “But I think this'll take care of it. Y'know, I've run into Kincaid's kind before.”
    “I don't doubt that, given your line of work.”
    “Real unpleasant types.”
    “I agree,” Caleb said.
    “Don't have a real good way of dealing with 'em.” Banner frowned as he put the gum into his mouth. “Anyone can see they're crazy as hell, but you can't lock 'em up till they finally kill someone.”
    “Must be frustrating for law enforcement personnel.”
    “Damned frustrating.” Banner rested his hand on the butt of his revolver and resumed chewing. “But it looks like we won't have that situation with Kincaid. Problem's solved, isn't it?”
    “I believe so,” Caleb said.
    “Just as well.” Banner nodded with cool satisfaction. “I've got too many problems as it is. Nice to have one out of the way.” He walked off to give final instructions to the medics.
    Serenity moved out of the small throng of Witt's Enders who had gathered on the street. She came up to stand beside Caleb as the aid car prepared to follow the sheriff down the mountain road to Bullington.
    “Everything okay?” she asked.
    Caleb put his arm around her and pulled her close. “Situation's under control, ma'am. But I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that this