by Kathy Harris
“Don’t shoot, please.” The man fell limp. Caleb released his hold slightly, grabbed the weapon, and tucked it inside his own belt, well away from the intruder’s reach.
Within minutes, Danni, Zach, and Sophie were standing ten feet away.
“Stay back.” Caleb motioned to them and then plucked his phone from his pocket. He dialed the TBI switchboard operator. “This is Special Agent Caleb Samuels. I have a suspect under arrest and am requesting backup at Centennial Park. We’re about fifty yards from the dog park. Behind the Parthenon.”
Caleb stowed the phone back inside his pocket and recited Miranda rights to the man on the ground. “Do you understand?”
The man nodded.
“Yes or no?” Caleb asked.
“Yes! I understand.”
“If you promise to mind your manners, I’ll help you stand up. Can you do that?”
“Yes.” He nodded again.
Caleb assisted the suspect to his knees and then his feet. “Place your hands behind your back and grab one wrist with the other hand.”
“Yes, sir.” For the first time, Caleb saw his face up close, and he was the spitting image of the composite Agent Force had drawn from Danielle’s memory.
He heard Danni gasp behind him.
“Are you okay?” He shouted over his shoulder.
“Yes.” Her breathy response wasn’t convincing.
“Zach, take care of Danielle.”
“Yes, sir!” The boy replied with the enthusiasm and calm deportment of a junior agent.
Satisfied everything was okay behind him, Caleb readdressed the offender. “Why have you been following this woman?”
The man shook his head, not speaking, and kept his eyes focused on his shoes.
“You’ll either tell me now or later.” Caleb assured him in his gruffest tone.
“I don’t understand. Why am I under arrest?” His expression wavered, and then finally looking into Caleb’s eyes, he pleaded his case. “This is a public park. I didn’t do anything illegal.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” Caleb tried to suppress a smile, knowing he had the man on a technicality. “You’re under arrest, my friend, for carrying a firearm inside Centennial Park, a violation of a special ordinance set forth by the city of Nashville.”
A look of panic crossed the intruder’s face. “I wouldn’t have used it. I swear.” His ruddy complexion turned a darker shade of red. “Robert Evans hired me to follow her.”
Behind him, Caleb heard Danielle cry out, and then the sound of her—or someone—hitting the ground.
CHAPTER 26
Danni swiped her hand across her face. What was that? Blood? She pried open her eyes and saw Sophie standing over her, panting.
“Ewww. Soph, back off.” Danni pushed the dog away and wiped drool from her cheek.
“Are y-you all right, Ms. Danni?” Zach appeared in her peripheral vision.
She turned in his direction. “I’m okay.”
“I think you might have fainted.” The boy’s blue-green eyes widened. “Sophie and me . . . and the police officer, we’ve been taking care of you.”
Police officer? What police officer?
Danni tilted her head to the right, opposite Zach, and the familiar shape and color of a uniformed Metro police officer emerged. The man was kneeling alongside her, shielding his eyes from the sun.
“Are you hurt?” His voice was gruff.
Danni shook her head and made an attempt to sit up.
With both hands on her shoulders, the officer pushed her back down. “We have EMTs on the way, ma’am. Please let them check you before you get up.”
“I’m okay . . . really.” Against the officer’s wishes, Danni struggled to a sitting position. The world shifted into slow motion, and her vision wavered, so she planted her hands into the thick grass on either side of her and closed her eyes.
“She doesn’t look too good.” Zach sounded worried.
“Your mom will be okay, son. It’s just the heat and the excitement.”
Mom? Danni shook off her lethargy. And what excitement?
Oh . . . that excitement. Caleb had saved her from the sandy-haired stalker. Or was it all a dream? She strained to catch a glimpse of her hero, and then remembered the kiss.
Had that really happened? She brought a hand to her lips and from a few yards away heard Caleb talking. Sophie must have heard him too because she whined.
Danni looked to Zach. “Is Caleb okay?”
“Yup! He’s good.” The smile on the boy’s face stretched from ear to ear. “Did you see him tackle that guy?”
So it wasn’t a dream?
“He did good, didn’t he, Ms. Danni?”
She mirrored the boy’s smile. “Yes, he did, Zach—”
The officer beside her intruded on the conversation. “Ma’am, do you know both of these men?” He asked.
Danni shook her head.
“Only Caleb and Zach. I met them for a picnic at the park today, and then that man—” she raised her right hand toward the stalker, who was now surrounded by a swarm of policemen less than twenty yards away—“was following me. He appeared out of nowhere just before Caleb . . . before Agent Samuels took him down.”
“Did he attack you, ma’am?” The officer pulled a notepad from his shirt pocket, poised to write down her every word. Couldn’t these guys remember anything? They were always taking notes. Her waiters logged multiple orders every day without so much as a scribble.
“Ma’am?”
“No.” Her thoughts traveled back to the moment when Caleb bested the stranger. “But he had a gun.”
Zach frowned. “Caleb’s not in trouble, is he? He saved our lives.”
Before Danni could reassure the boy, Zach jumped to his feet.
“Didn’t you, Caleb!”
“Didn’t I what?” Caleb walked up beside them and ruffled Zach’s hair.
“You saved our lives.” The boy repeated.
“I did the best I could. That’s all anyone can do.” Caleb’s words seemed strained. “You know, Zachary, I think Sophie needs a walk. Would you mind taking her to the dog park again while I talk to Danni and this officer?”
“Sure!” Zach grabbed the leash, and the boy and the dog padded off.
Caleb turned to Danni, “Are you okay?”
“I should be asking you that question. You did all the work. All I did was faint.”
He grinned and opened his mouth to respond, but the officer behind him intervened.
“Excuse me.” The man pointed to Danni. “Don’t let her get up. We’re still waiting on the EMT.”
“I’m okay.” Danni insisted, then looked to Caleb. “I’m just sorry I wasn’t much help.”
“Actually, I’m proud of you.” He had a twinkle in his eye. “You’re a good . . . um, actress.” He lowered his voice. “I want to apologize for the kiss.”
“Oh.” Her hand found her lips again. “It was all a part of the ruse, right?”
“Well, you could say that.” His smile lingered. “But, of course, some parts of my job are easier than others.”
So she had felt it too? He could see it in her eyes. Was it even possible she was attracted to him?
No way. He was only a cop. She had far richer tastes. Besides, the last thing he needed was to lose his heart right now. Especially to an informant in the biggest case of his career.
It wasn’t that he doubted her character or that her attachment to Evans was over. If it wasn’t now, it would be soon. Evans would see to that with his complete disregard for the one beautiful thing in his life. That alone was enough to define the man as a fool.
No. Danni Kemp would end her relationship with Evans. Of that he was certain. But she wouldn’t be looking to Caleb to fill that void in her life. He was nothing more than a temporary hero, if that.
Thankfully, he had been at the right place at the right time to help her out of a bad situation. She might be grateful, even find him somewhat attractive, but
she would never have serious affection for him. Not that he even wanted that.
Of course he was attracted to her. A man would have to be blind, deaf, and just plain dumb not to recognize her as something special. And not just physically attractive. He had seen the beauty inside her the day they had talked in front of Zach’s house.
Zach?
Caleb refocused on his surroundings. Another good reason to temper his feelings for Danni Kemp. She had a way of taking his mind off his work—and in this business that could get you, and others, killed.
“Zach!” He called to the boy. “Help me carry the picnic supplies. We need to get you home.”
Once there, Caleb would explain to Ginny Franklin what had happened. If he didn’t, Zach might fill her head with an exaggerated tale about their adventures, and Caleb didn’t want her to worry about her son’s safety on their outings. The last thing Zach needed was to lose another male role model in his life.
While the paramedics examined Danni, Caleb helped Zach carry the leftover food and drinks to the truck. He would have a busy afternoon after he dropped the boy at home, starting with a stop at the police station for paperwork pertaining to the arrest.
Then it would be time to explain to Martin Ridge why he and Danielle Kemp had been on a picnic. That news wouldn’t sit very well. Dread burrowed a hole in Caleb’s gut. He prepared his speech while carrying the cooler to the truck.
On his way back to retrieve the food and blankets, Caleb saw the boy laughing and clowning around with Danni and Sophie. It was quite the picture—the beautiful woman, the kid, and the dog. They were oblivious to him as he watched them, so he pulled his phone from his pocket and snapped a few pictures, quickly reviewing them. One was good enough to frame.
He thought for a moment about putting it on his desk, where he could gaze at it whenever he wanted, feeling as if he had accomplished a major goal in life. The one about having a family, giving grandkids to his parents, and actually moving on despite the pain of losing Jonathan.
A rustle of activity ahead caught his attention. The Metro guys were escorting Danni’s stalker past her and Zach on their way to the patrol car. Caleb stepped up his pace, quickly inserting himself between them and the man who, according to his driver’s license and a preliminary records check, was Edwin Burton, a Nashville area businessman.
Burton, with hands cuffed in front of his body, stared at Danni with disgust. “No wonder Robert asked me to follow you. You’re running around on him. You sl—”
A swift tug on the arm by the escorting officer obscured Burton’s final word, but he had said enough to make his point.
Danni’s mouth dropped open, and Caleb feared she might reach out to slap the man. Instead she laid out a verbal punch. “Things aren’t always what they seem. You don’t know half the story.”
“Then why were you kissing him?” Burton shot Caleb a glance.
Danni recoiled.
“Get him out of here.” Caleb ordered, wedging himself between her, Zach, and Sophie.
The big dog growled as the Metro guys whisked Burton toward the police cruiser.
“Are you okay?”
Danni nodded, but her face had taken on every color of red in the rainbow, and she had tears in her eyes.
“It’s okay, Ms. Danni.” Zach said. “The bad guys don’t win in the end”
Danni smiled and wiped her eyes.
Leave it to the kid to save the day.
In the meantime, Caleb had to calculate the long-term cost of the kiss he had used as a momentary ploy in pursuit of Burton. On the one hand, it had been a great way to divert the man’s attention. But he hadn’t thought enough ahead to realize the deeper implications it would have for Danni. And for himself.
CHAPTER 27
The next day – April 15
Rob opened his hotel room door to a woman more beautiful than he had imagined. Her headshot didn’t do her justice. Not even close. Spending this week with Cassia Noelle would be a pleasure.
“You must be Rob.” The tall blond glanced flirtatiously from his head to his feet.
Forward too. This should be fun.
“And you must be Cassia.” He stepped sideways, pointing her toward the sofa. “May I get you a cup of coffee or tea?”
“Tea would be lovely.” She cast a glance around the room before taking a seat, then stroked the sofa cushion with the palm of her hand. “Nice place you’ve got here.”
“Thanks.” He tossed the reply over his shoulder on his way to the drink cart. “I’m away from home a lot. Having a nice hotel while I’m away is one of my few perks. “Cream and sugar?”
“Both, please.” She pulled a phone from her handbag.
Rob recognized the designer label from having shopped for gifts for Danni. Either Celebrity Lifestyles paid very well or designer handbags were one of Cassia’s favorite indulgences. He made a mental note. Gifts could be useful for swaying someone to your way of thinking. And he had several days to learn more about Cassia Noelle’s tastes. From the looks of her, despite her playful flirtatiousness, her price was high.
He handed her a cup of tea and retrieved his own refreshed coffee. He would enjoy the challenge. She appeared to be his kind of woman. Although he had to admit he was easily infatuated. Thankfully, he also had some semblance of self-control. He enjoyed the single life far too much to make a mistake that would tie him down. Well, at least on the road.
He took a seat in the wing chair nearby.
“Where do we start?” he asked.
“Let’s start at the beginning.” Martin Ridge pointed to the chair in front of his desk. “What were you doing at the park yesterday with Danielle Kemp?”
Caleb took a seat on the edge of the rickety old ladder back, half hoping it would break apart and send him tumbling to the floor. It could be more merciful than the dressing down he was about to receive from his supervisor.
He had been summoned into his boss’s chambers as soon as he had stepped inside the door this morning, less than twenty-four hours after his confrontation at Centennial Park. He had broken the news to Ridge over the phone yesterday, but it was time to talk about the details, even though much of what had happened was already making its way up and down the grapevine.
Scandalous news traveled fast in the law enforcement community. The TBI now had egg on its face, and it was his fault his department would bear the brunt of nonstop locker room jokes over the next few days.
What does a TBI agent do when he can’t get a date? Kiss the confidential informant.
The only good news was that the local paper hadn’t run the story, and the kiss was merely hearsay. The angry accusations of an indignant felon.
“Well, Samuels?” Ridge stared at him, waiting for a response.
“Yes, sir. You’ve always said the best way to get information from a CI is to get close to them. That’s all I was doing.”
His boss arched an eyebrow. “That’s an inappropriate attempt at humor. I’m not in the mood.”
“Sorry, sir.” Caleb inhaled and started over. “I realize my method was unorthodox, but it was the best way I could think of at the time to position myself to have an advantage over the suspect.”
“You’ve been watching way too much television. We’re the laughingstock of the Nashville law enforcement community.” Ridge pushed away from his desk. “And I don’t have to tell you that a romantic relationship with a CI, even a perceived one, is way over the line.”
“Yes, sir, but—”
“I should put you on unpaid leave for a month. In fact, I haven’t decided that I won’t.” He drummed his pen on the desk. “If I don’t, it’s only because we’re shorthanded right now. And you know this case better than anyone else.” He turned to stare out the window. “I’m disappointed in you.”
Caleb wished for the thousandth time he had thought of another way to take down Burton. Not only for his sake but for Danielle’s. And the Bureau’s.
“I did the best I knew to do at the time, si
r. And in my defense, I did get the job done.”
Ridge spun around and drilled him with a stare. “Are you letting this woman get to you? Because if you are, that’s dangerous.” He stabbed his finger in Caleb’s direction. “Dangerous for you, dangerous for her, and dangerous for the case.”
Caleb thought before speaking. “I’ll admit she’s an attractive woman, Captain. But I’m an agent first and foremost in my life. I would never do anything intentionally that would jeopardize anyone at the Bureau or put my personal integrity in question.”
From the expression on his face, Ridge wasn’t buying what Caleb had to sell. He threw his pen on his desk, frowning. “I’m not so sure you haven’t already—”
“Captain Ridge. I’m sorry to bother you, sir.” It was Ridge’s secretary on the intercom. “But Lieutenant Hale at Metro asked to speak to you as soon as possible.”
“This ought to be good.” Ridge grumbled under his breath. “Thanks to you, Samuels.”
Caleb sat back in his chair, dreading the verbal beating his superior was about to take on his behalf.
“You might as well hear it firsthand so you will know what you’ve caused.” Ridge engaged his speakerphone.
“Ridge here.”
“Martin, it’s Jeff Hale. I’m sorry to bother you, but we’ve had an interesting turn of events. The background check we ran on Edwin Burton’s fingerprints just came back with an alias. And an arrest warrant.”
Caleb held his breath.
“Don’t keep me in suspense, Hale,” Ridge huffed.
“Your agent took down a pretty interesting character. His real name is Maximilian Roman. He’s an accountant by trade, and he’s wanted for conspiracy to commit income tax fraud against the United States government.”
Yes! Caleb suppressed an urge to pump his fist in the air.
A smile slowly crawled across the Captain’s face. “Interesting.”
“Congratulations, Martin. I’ll email copies of the paperwork for your files.”
Ridge disengaged the phone and leaned back in his chair. “You’re one lucky man, Agent Samuels. Now get out of here before I change my mind.”
