Tessa's Treasures by Callie Hutton Page A

relax, he rubbed the back of his neck, and then jammed his hands into his pockets.
    “Lucas, calm down.” Mason dropped the receiver in the cradle. “Take a seat.”
    “You call to tell me Tessa’s ex-husband has been spotted in Duncan and you think I’m going to sit here and have a conversation?” He placed both fists on the desk and leaned into Mason’s face. “Why the hell wasn’t he picked up?”
    “Lucas, I’m serious. Sit down.” Mason’s stern tone brought Lucas into focus.
    He threw himself into the chair, legs sprawled, fingers tapping a beat on the curved arm. “Why the hell wasn’t he picked up?”
    Mason popped an antacid tablet into his mouth. “First, where’s Tessa now?”
    “I left her at the coffee shop. Told her to wait there for me. I don’t want her to know Phillips is here. So many bizarre things have happened lately, I’m concerned for her mental health. Hell, I’m concerned for mine.” He sat forward and ran his fingers through his hair. “So why isn’t he behind bars?”
    Mason’s shoulders slumped. “It was a screw up.” He leaned back in his chair, but his relaxed stance didn’t fool Lucas. The tension in his jaw and the way he kept rotating the kinks out of his neck told the story.
    “One of our patrolmen has been out on disability. Returned to work this morning. He strolls into my office first thing, holding the picture of Phillips I passed around earlier this week. Tells me he had a drink with the bastard two nights ago at a bar on the outskirts of town.”
    Lucas vaulted out of his seat like he’d been propelled by an explosive. “Holy shit. I knew the scum would come after her. What bar? Did anyone talk to the bartender?”
    “I sent a couple of guys out there right away. Bartender says this guy popped up about a week ago. Been in a couple times since. Except for his conversation with our man, he didn’t notice him talk to anyone else.”
    Lucas paced in front of the desk, and then walked to the window, stood with his back to the room, hands on his hips. He had to get back to Tessa as soon as possible. There was no telling what Phillips had in mind but it sure as hell didn’t include a loving reunion with his ex-wife.
    Lucas turned and eyed Mason. “You’re the Chief of Police. What do you plan to do?”
    The man’s face was gray, his forehead lined with tension. “We have people checking every motel between Duncan and Lawton. Also flashing Phillips’ picture at convenience stores and fast food places. I want you to stick to Tessa like a second skin.”
    Lucas snorted. “Like you have to tell me that.”
    “You have it bad, buddy.” Mason smiled for the first time since Lucas arrived. Then his smiled faded. “We’ll get him, Lucas. I won’t let him get his filthy hands on my sister again.”
    “Damn right.” He headed to the door, and then stopped with his hand on the knob. “You better make sure you find him before I do.”
    ****
    Her life had turned into a nightmare. Smoke poured from the windows at the back of the store. Tessa yanked the key ring out of her pocket, and shoved a brass key into the front door. When she flung it open, everything seemed fine, but smoke billowed out from under the door to the back. The doll! It was on the top shelf in the kitchen. She had to get it, or she’d be cursed for all eternity.
    In the distance sirens wailed. Thank God someone had the presence of mind to call the fire department. She put her palm to the kitchen door, felt some heat, but not as bad as she’d expected. Tessa hesitated, not sure about entering, when her gaze landed on the journal under the counter. Her eyes burned and she struggled to breathe. Smoke rolled out from under the door, throwing the room into a gray haze. She snatched the journal as two firemen strode through the front door.
    “Get out of here, lady.”
    Tears ran down her face and with every breath she took in more smoke. “I have to get my doll from the back room.”
    “You