Target on the Mountain

by Elizabeth Goddard

  Even a private investigator looking into a major crime like murder could get charged with obstruction if he or she wasn’t careful. “I will, I promise.” She eyed him. “I trust you with this case, honestly.” More than he would ever know or believe. “And you’re a good detective. You’re a good man, Ryan.”

  He stared at her as if he didn’t know how to take the compliment, but she saw the doubts swimming in his eyes. Being a county detective hadn’t been good enough for her. Before emotions rushed through her, she looked at the river. She shouldn’t think about the past, but she almost regretted the choices she’d made that caused her to lose him.

  Almost.

  Because truly regretting her choices would mean she’d made the wrong ones. And she couldn’t accept that.

  * * *

  While Ryan spoke to his team of deputies and his techs who would process and then transport the kayak, Tori waited near the river. Was the shooter out there somewhere, watching?

  Two techs began processing the kayak—taking pictures and documenting everything. Tori was glad Ryan hadn’t just hauled it in his SUV as if it had no importance. The slightest detail could be vital in a case like this.

  He left his team to work and approached her. “You ready to go?”

  “I thought we were going to look up top for rifle shells. We could help those deputies search for evidence. We aren’t doing anything.”

  “Let the county sheriff’s department handle it. I’m taking you home.”

  Though she didn’t need the lead investigator acting as a chauffeur, how else would she get home? Dad had already gotten her car from the river. Back in his SUV, Ryan steered them toward town.

  “Is there any remote chance that the fact someone targeted you has to do with something unrelated to Sarah—maybe one of your past cases?”

  “I suppose anything is possible, but it’s not probable.”

  They remained quiet for the remaining miles back to town. As he drove down Main Street in Rainey, her mind constantly flashed to memories of them together. It seemed so strange to be with him again, only for an entirely different reason than because they simply wanted to be together.

  A gut-wrenching reason. Her breath hitched and she squeezed the hand rest.

  “I keep asking if you’re all right.” He steered into the driveway of Sarah’s small bungalow and parked. “You keep telling me that you are. But you’re not okay. I’m worried about you, Tori.”

  “You’ve said that.” Tori hung her head. She didn’t want to get into this conversation with him. Why did he have to keep asking? Why did he have to care? Of course she wasn’t okay.

  “Is it me?” he asked.

  That question brought her head up to look at him. “What do you mean?”

  “Is being here with me too much for you? Too awkward? I know we’re both trying to stay focused on the case, but maybe it’s too much. Maybe it’s just too hard to work together.”

  And you want to avoid me, Ryan? She kept the question to herself. “Even if it’s too hard, we have to push past that. We can’t change it.”

  “We can. You can go back to work in South Carolina. Be safe. Let me find who killed these people. Your sister. I don’t need your help.”

  Tori had no response to that. She got out of the vehicle, slammed the door and stomped up to the home that reminded her so much of Sarah. She remembered when her sister had picked it out. Sarah had emailed so many pictures to Tori. She’d been so excited to find such a cute place to live in on her own.

  Oh, Sarah...

  What had happened to her was wrong on so many levels. Why couldn’t Ryan understand that Tori could not leave this alone? She wanted to look Sarah’s killer in the face. And deep in her heart, she wanted to be the one to bring him down.

  At the door, she fumbled for the keys in her purse with shaking hands and then finally unlocked the door. Ryan remained in his vehicle, making a call, waiting for her to get safely inside. She wished he would hurry up and leave.

  Inside, she slammed the door and pressed her back against it, her heart pounding for no other reason than she was upset with Ryan. Upset with herself. Upset that this nightmare was real. Tears leaked out the corners of her eyes.

  She swiped them away. No time for grieving.

  Tori needed an escape from the events of the last weeks, days and hours. Unfortunately, Sarah’s home was full of reminders instead. She shoved herself away from the door and dropped her bag on the table in the foyer. Dad had retrieved it from the car and Mom had brought it up to the hospital. Mom. She’d better text—

  Clank, clank...

  Tori froze. She listened.

  The hair on her arms rose. Someone was in the house just down the hallway.

  She pulled her weapon from her bag. Even on leave, she was required to always carry her FBI-issued weapon with her.

  Weapon at the ready, she crept down the hallway toward where the sound had come from and cleared the first room. That left only one more room. Heart pounding, she whipped the weapon around as she stepped through the open door. “Freeze!”

  A masked man stood much too close—her mistake—and he knocked the SIG from her grasp. She fought him, but with her injured shoulder, she struggled. Still, Tori was determined to best him. Somehow, she needed to get to her gun on the floor. Tori punched him in the solar plexus for good measure, then slammed his throat.

  He coughed and gasped, but pulled out his own weapon—a nine-millimeter Glock.

  Oh, no...

  Tori dove into the hallway as gunfire exploded.

  * * *

  At the crack of gunfire, Ryan’s heart jackhammered.

  He tossed his cell aside and radioed dispatch that shots had been fired and to send backup. But with Tori in danger, he couldn’t wait for them. He jumped from the SUV and pulled his Glock from his holster all in one smooth motion.

  Please let me be wrong, please let me be wrong.

  But it was hard to mistake the sound.

  He sprinted up the driveway toward the front door. The distinct sound of glass shattering resounded from the back of the house.

  Weapon held at low ready, he quickly crept along the side of the bungalow, cautious near the bushes in case someone hid behind them. At the back corner, he peeked around, prepared to face off with a possible perp.

  But he saw no one in the neat backyard that included a blue-and-white-striped hammock. His heart kinked as he pictured Sarah relaxing in that hammock. But there was no time to think about what had been lost. Ryan kept his weapon ready to aim and fire and continued all the way into the backyard to make sure it was clear.

  At the back of the house, he found the shattered glass and the window that had been broken.

  “Tori!”

  While he didn’t want to destroy any evidence, his primary focus was on finding her. He approached the window carefully and glanced inside. He saw nothing. “Tori?”

  There was no response. His heart rate ratcheted up.

  Lord, please let her be okay.

  He ran around to the front of the house and, shoving the door open, forced his way inside. “Tori! Are you okay?”

  “Here. I’m in here.”

  Following the voice, he rushed into the hallway and found her on the floor. His pulse thundered in his ears as he crouched next to her. “Tori, honey...”

  Sweat beaded her face and blood soaked her arm. His heart pounded. “You’re hurt! Someone shot you?”

  “No, it’s just my wound broke open.”

  He wanted to reach for her but was afraid to make her pain worse. “What happened?”

  “First, help me get up.”

  He assisted her to her feet.

  She bent over her thighs as if to catch her breath, then leaned against the wall, her hand pressed to her chest. “Someone was in the house. A masked man. I wa
lked in on him. We fought, but my shoulder isn’t so good, so he got the best of me.”

  Blood soaked her shoulder and arm now. While she talked, he grabbed towels from the bathroom, then pressed one against her shoulder. “We need to stop the bleeding.”

  “I made a mistake and he was too close to me when I confronted him. He was able to knock my gun away. We fought and I almost had him, but then he pulled a gun of his own. That’s when I dove into the hall. He broke the window and climbed through it to the backyard.”

  Tori pressed the towel against her shoulder, relieving Ryan of the task.

  “He didn’t pursue you into the hallway?” Thank You, God. He couldn’t bear to think of how this could have ended—and on his watch, no less.

  “No. I’m not sure why he didn’t just flee out the front door, but maybe he was afraid he would run into you. I’m also not sure why he didn’t try to...” She trembled.

  Kill her? Was that what Tori would have said had she completed her sentence?

  “I’m not sure why he didn’t finish the job,” she said.

  His insides quaked. Ryan never ever wanted to see his Tori, tough FBI agent Tori Peterson, this shaken again.

  His Tori?

  “Oh, honey.” He took her into his arms, careful of her shoulder.

  She cried into her hands against his chest, the bloodied towel pressed between them against her shoulder. Tori had always been the strongest person he knew—but she’d been through so much. These latest attacks meant she’d barely had time to grieve over the loss of her sister. But he supposed that this was how she’d chosen to grieve—by fighting back and trying to find Sarah’s killer. Tori’s job was all about law and justice, and for her sister to be murdered chafed in every way.

  Sirens rang out in the distance and grew louder.

  Finally...

  “I called reinforcements when I heard gunfire.” His chin rested on the top of her head, stirring memories of him holding her in his arms—but those times from their past couldn’t be more different than the current situation.

  She sniffled and stepped away. Swiped at her eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

  Strong Tori was back again, and strong Tori refused to show any weakness. She left him standing there and stomped into the bedroom. The guest bedroom...he knew that because he was the detective on the case, and he’d already been through the house in search of clues. Ryan trailed her.

  “This is my FBI-issued gun.” She pointed at the weapon lying on the floor on the other side of the room. “He knocked that out of my hands. He was wearing gloves, but maybe there could still be DNA. Certainly not prints, though.”

  “Jerry will look it over first to make sure.”

  “Okay. I want it back as soon as possible.” She moved to the window. “You already know that he broke the window getting out. While your people sweep this place for prints and evidence, I’ll canvass the neighborhood.”

  Right. He fisted his hands on his hips. “You really can’t let it go, can you?”

  She scrunched her face but her gaze swept the room. “What are you talking about?”

  “You are not the law around here anymore. You gave that up, remember? Your FBI credentials don’t change the fact that this murder case isn’t in your jurisdiction.” Nor would she be allowed to work it professionally because Sarah was her sister.

  “Fine. I’m going for a walk then. I need to get my head together.”

  Ryan grabbed her arm. “You’re not going anywhere.”

  “Get your hands off me.”

  He released her slowly but stayed close. “Tori, just calm down. You’re bleeding, remember?” He lifted the towel and held it out to her.

  She scrunched her face and took the towel, pressing it against her shoulder again. She wasn’t thinking clearly, either, or else she would suggest looking at the rest of the house. Maybe the intruder had been in Sarah’s home searching for something. Was anything missing? But Ryan wouldn’t bring that up just yet. Tori needed to see the doctor again, and she’d only insist on looking through the house if he brought that to her attention. Discovering if something was missing could wait. Her well-being came first.

  Deputies finally entered the home. Tori appeared pale and remained shaken, so Ryan stayed near as he explained what had happened. Her official statement could be given later. Ryan escorted her out of the house. “I need to take you back to the hospital so you can get that looked at.”

  “I’m supposed to replace the bandage anyway.” She shrugged. “I’m fine to take care of it myself.”

  He’d expected her resistance and knew the best method to counter it was to redirect the conversation. “I’m considering this more than a simple break-in.”

  “You mean...”

  He nodded. “Yes. I told you I don’t believe in coincidence. My working theory—which I’m hoping the evidence will confirm—is now that Sarah was the primary target, not Mason or any of the others. For now, I’m going to investigate as if the rest of them were in the wrong place at the wrong time or killed to throw off the investigation. Satisfied?”

  She offered a tenuous smile. “Yes.”

  Outside, he ushered her back to his SUV. “I’ll take you to the ER first.”

  “Ryan, I was serious when I said I would be fine. My shoulder just needs a new bandage. There’s nothing more the doctor can do, really. It needs time to heal.”

  “So let it heal and stop fighting criminals. Do we have a deal?” He tossed her a wry grin, and was rewarded with a half smile.

  “If you stop insisting on taking me to the hospital.”

  “Fine. Then is it all right if I take you to your parents’ for the night?”

  She nodded.

  “Once we’re finished processing the bungalow and release the crime scene, you can go back to staying there, but I wouldn’t advise it. Whoever broke in can try again. Next time you might not be so fortunate.” He hated saying those words. Hated that Sarah had somehow made an enemy, and Tori had put herself in the line of fire to find the person responsible.

  Tori said nothing more, which troubled him. Normally she would have objected or put forth her opinion, but even the strongest FBI agent could become traumatized when they had lost a loved one and been personally targeted. A female officer would pack a small bag of clothes for Tori’s stay with her parents and deliver it. He drove the SUV from the quiet neighborhood where Sarah had lived to the Petersons’ home only a mile away. After parking in the driveway, he ushered Tori to the house.

  Tori knocked softly and then opened the door, peeking her head in. “Mom? Dad? It’s me.”

  She stepped through the door, and Ryan remained on the porch, unsure if he was invited. Tori glanced at him.

  “Tori?” Sheryl appeared in the foyer. “I thought you were with—” Her eyes caught on Ryan. “Well, don’t just leave him standing there. Come on in, Ryan.”

  He looked at Tori, searching her eyes for reasons he couldn’t explain. He should get back to his investigation. He couldn’t read her. Did she want him to stay or...

  “Are you coming or what?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “I can only stay a few minutes.”

  Sheryl gasped when she saw Tori’s arm. “See, I told you they let you out too soon! We need to take you—”

  “Mom, please. I just need some fresh bandages.” Tori headed down the hallway like she was a disgruntled teenager, Sheryl on her heels.

  Arms crossed, Tori’s father stepped from the kitchen area and watched them go. “What happened?”

  Ryan was glad he’d stayed for a few minutes, after all. He wasn’t entirely sure how much he was ready to share with her parents, but since it appeared that Tori truly was in danger, they needed to know what was going on for their safety and hers. He was glad for the opportunity to explain things to her father; then Dav
id could figure out the right way to tell Sheryl.

  As Tori’s father listened to Ryan detail the events of the day, his face paled. Ryan almost regretted telling him, but he needed all the help he could get to protect Tori.

  Tori and her mother stayed in the bathroom redressing the wound and Ryan bade David goodbye. He had work to do. On their porch he took in the surroundings of the middle-class neighborhood and hoped Tori would be safe here.

  But he knew that once she was able, Tori would stay at the bungalow again—tracing Sarah’s steps, she’d said. Those steps could lead her right to her own death.

  Ryan couldn’t let anything happen to her. For her sake, for her parents’ sake and for his own sake.

  He was a homicide detective, but he’d give that up in a heartbeat to be her bodyguard. If she would let him.

  He knew Tori would say she didn’t need him.

  She never needed him—not in the past, and not now.

  But this time, that wouldn’t stop him.

  FOUR

  The morning sun broke through the crack between the drapes, startling Tori awake and away from the grips of her nightmare. Heart pounding, she bolted upright and reached for her weapon—but it was gone.

  Just calm down. She drew in a few long breaths. They’d taken her gun to look for fingerprints.

  It took her a breath or two to remember that she was in her old bedroom in her parents’ home—the home where she and Sarah had grown up. Mom hadn’t changed much in the room. She’d taken down the posters of teenage idols and replaced them with Scripture-laced nature pictures. Tidied up the room a bit and, oh, replaced Tori’s bed with a smaller twin bed. No wonder she hadn’t slept all that well. She was accustomed to spreading out in the queen-size bed she’d purchased for her apartment back home.

  Home.

  And just where was home exactly? Was it here in California or was it back in South Carolina? She pushed aside the complicated musings—too much to think about at seven in the morning.