Critical Doubt

by Barbara Freethy

  "That's why I said you didn't have to answer it."

  "I wanted to be honest with you. It's the way I live my life now. No more pretending. No more lies. So, if I say something, you should believe me."

  "All right. I believe you."

  She flashed him her high-voltage smile, and his body warmed more than a few degrees. He couldn't imagine how cold his life would be without that smile in it.

  "I like you being jealous," she said.

  "I wasn't jealous."

  "Yes, you were." As she finished speaking, her gaze moved to her phone, where she'd just received a text. Her smile disappeared. "Abby is on her way upstairs to the waiting room."

  She stood up and motioned to Jax, who hurried across the room.

  "What's up?" he asked.

  "My friend has arrived."

  "Let's go," he said, taking the bowl of ice cream topped with whipped cream, nuts, and chocolate sauce into the elevator with them.

  By the time the doors opened, he was halfway done, but as Savannah ran down the hall to embrace a bewildered and terrified Abby, Jax hung back, and so did Ryker. Abby and Savannah needed this moment to themselves.

  "I can't imagine what that woman is going through," Jax murmured. "She buries her husband and then finds out he's alive, but he might be dying. That's a hellish roller coaster to be on."

  "It amazes me that Paul would have done that to her. Todd didn't have any family left, just a mother with Alzheimer's, who doesn't know who he is anymore. But Paul had Abby and a son. He had a life that he chose to give up, and for what?"

  "Cash? Revenge?"

  "Neither motivation seems worth it. I know Paul was in a lot of debt. He must have felt that he was better for Abby dead than alive, but I still don't understand how he could do that to her. It was unbelievably cruel, and he wasn't a cruel man. But he was injured on our last mission, and he had nerve damage in his arm. He couldn't continue to serve. And he didn't know what to do next. At least, that's what Todd told me. I haven't actually heard Paul's side of the story." He paused. "I could have heard it, but I didn't keep in touch with anyone. Maybe if I had, I could have stopped this."

  "It doesn't sound like they wanted to give you that chance." Jax tossed his empty ice cream container into a nearby trash can. "By the way, I'm not interested in Savannah, just in case you were wondering."

  "I wasn't," he lied, realizing that his poker face was apparently nowhere as good as it used to be.

  Jax gave him a knowing look. "Something you might want to know about me, Stone. I see everything."

  "You think very highly of yourself."

  He laughed. "Guilty. But I'm good at what I do. I don't pretend otherwise."

  He used to be a lot like Jax, and for the first time, he actually started to like the guy.

  "This looks like our security team," Jax added, moving toward two men in uniform who were coming down the hall.

  Leaving Jax to deal with that, he went to join Abby and Savannah in the waiting room.

  Abby finally let go of her and sank into a nearby chair. Savannah was happy that they had the waiting room to themselves. But then, it was almost ten and most surgeries were probably done for the day. Paul's surgery was now past the three-hour mark. She couldn't imagine what was taking so long. But she hoped it was a good sign that it was still going. That had to mean he was still alive.

  She took the seat next to Abby as Ryker entered the room. He sat down across from them, resting his arms on his legs.

  "Why would he do this, Ryker?" Abby asked. "Why would Paul fake his death?"

  "We're going to need him to tell us that," Ryker answered.

  "If he wakes up," Abby said darkly.

  "When he wakes up," she corrected. "Don't give up, Abby."

  "Give up? I don't even know how I feel. All the way down here, I felt like I was in a dream, that none of this could possibly be real."

  "How did you get here so fast?" she asked.

  "My dad's friend is a pilot for a charter service. He flew me here. First time I've ever been in a private plane, but I couldn't enjoy it. I spent most of the trip crying or trying not to cry."

  "I thought you were bringing your mom."

  "I did. She's downstairs. She wanted to get something from the cafeteria before it closes."

  "We were just there. I'm surprised I didn't see her."

  "You must have just missed her. Do you have any idea what Paul has been up to, where he's been living, how he'd been living?" Abby asked. "He doesn't have any credit cards or money. Is he on the street?"

  "We're trying to figure that out, but it looks like he's been in DC the past few days."

  "What about Todd? Is he alive, too?"

  She'd been expecting that question. "We don't have evidence that he is, but it's possible."

  "Chief Tanner told me they found Todd's body. I believed him. But I also believed him when he told me Paul was dead. Why would he lie? He's the chief of police. He has known me my whole life. He plays cards with my dad. How could he do this?"

  She wished she had an answer, but all she could do was offer an unhelpful shrug.

  "Chief Tanner can't just break the law like this," Abby continued.

  "Who would turn him in?" Ryker interjected. "He controls the investigation. He must have also had someone at the morgue and mortuary working with him."

  "More people who lied to my face," Abby said bitterly. "I want to scream at each and every one of them. Tell me again what Paul said tonight when you saw him."

  "He said he was sorry," Savannah replied. "That he thought what he'd done would be better for you in the long run."

  "How could he think that?"

  "Maybe he thought the insurance money would make your life easier." She stopped abruptly, remembering something else Abby had told her. "The other day you said something about a veteran's fund that might pay you additional money. Do you have that information?"

  "It's in my email. Why?"

  "I'm curious where that money comes from."

  "Well, I haven't gotten any of it yet. I haven't even had time to fill out the form. Now that Paul is alive, I'm sure I won't be getting anything. And if he dies today, maybe the insurance won't come either, because of the suspicious circumstances. Not that I care about the money. I mean, I have to care a little, because I have to support Tyler. But I really just want Paul to wake up and tell me that everything will be all right. He has to do that, Savannah. He has to."

  Every word tore at her heart. "He will," she said, hoping she wasn't lying.

  "I need to use the restroom. Is there one nearby?" Abby asked.

  "Across the hall. I'll come with you."

  "Just give me a minute. I need to be alone."

  As Abby left the waiting room, she let out a breath, turning to Ryker. "This is killing me. She's in so much pain. And even if Paul wakes up, I don't know that they can ever have what they had."

  "It seems unlikely," he said quietly. "But at least he won't be dead. And she'll know the truth, whatever it is."

  "I don't know how she'll explain it to Tyler." She drew in a breath and slowly let it out. "That fund that Abby was talking about bothers me. I've been wondering how Paul's death could benefit her besides the life insurance, and I'm wondering if that special fund is somehow a part of this. I need to get that information from her."

  "That would make sense. There has to be some payoff. But she's right. With everything that's going on, if Paul dies now, her circumstances could be even worse. The life insurance will get held up. There will be an investigation."

  "It will be a huge mess," she agreed.

  Jax stepped back into the room, and they both stood up.

  "The security team is here," Jax said. "I have a man stationed outside the operating room. He'll stay with Paul wherever he goes next. The other security guard will stay with Abby. He's outside the restroom as we speak. He'll stay with Abby while she's here in the hospital. Parisa also arranged for a room at the hotel across the street if
Abby and her mother want to get some rest, the guard will accompany them whenever they're ready to go.

  "Parisa thinks of everything."

  "She's very good that way," he agreed. "I'm going to take off, unless you need anything else."

  "No, we're good."

  "I'll let you know what I find out in Dobbs. It's going to be interesting to see your hometown."

  "Trust me, it will be anything but interesting."

  He smiled. "Somehow, I doubt that."

  Jax had no sooner left when Abby returned, and her mom was now with her. Jeanette set down a plastic grocery bag and opened her arms to Savannah.

  She was touched by the gesture and gave her a hug. Jeanette had always made her feel a part of their family.

  "Thank you for doing all this, Savannah," Jeanette said. "You've always been a good friend to Abby."

  Guilt ran through her at that comment. She didn't think she'd been a very good friend at all, but hopefully she was making up for it now. Before she could say anything, a man in scrubs walked into the room.

  "You're all here for Mr. Hawkins?" he asked.

  "I'm his wife," Abby said.

  "I'm Dr. Nicholson. I operated on your husband. The carotid artery was nicked by a bullet. It took some time to repair it."

  "But you did?" Abby asked. "Does that mean Paul will be all right?"

  "We're cautiously optimistic. He's stable, but his condition is still critical. He lost a lot of blood. We'll know more tomorrow. He's going to be sleeping for hours. You should all get some rest. We won't know any more tonight."

  "When can I see him?" Abby asked.

  "Tomorrow," the doctor replied.

  "I can't just sit with him now?" she begged.

  The doctor hesitated. "All right. You can see him for a few minutes. The nurse will take you to him shortly."

  "Thank you," Abby said. "For saving his life."

  The doctor gave them a brief smile and then left the room.

  "He's alive," Abby said, the tears spilling out of her eyes. She crossed the room and gave Savannah another long hug. Then she turned to her mother, and they embraced as they cried.

  Savannah's gaze moved to Ryker. He hadn't said a word, but she could see the relief in his eyes. There was still anger there, too, but Paul had saved their lives, and that meant something.

  "Abby," she said, as her friend pulled out a tissue and blew her nose. "I hate to leave you, but I need to get to DC. I need to find out what's going on."

  "Don't you want to stay and ask Paul?"

  "He won't be awake until tomorrow. There are things I need to do before then. There's a hotel across the street where you can spend the night. We have a security guard who will stay with you here at the hospital and will accompany you to the hotel when you're ready to go."

  "That's the guy outside?"

  "Yes."

  "Why do we need security?"

  "I don't know. I just want you to have it. Paul will also have security. He'll never be alone."

  "I hate that any of us needs this," Abby said. "But thank you. And you should go, Savannah. Find out what Paul has been up to and how we can fix it."

  She nodded, really hoping they could fix it.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  They arrived in DC around midnight. Parisa had texted them on the way that there were two Bagel Mania cafés in the city, and they were still trying to open Paul's phone to see if they could narrow down a location. They decided to split up in the morning and each take one of the cafés. Parisa and Jared would visit the one in Georgetown, that was near their townhouse, and she and Ryker would hit up the other one, which was located in Logan Circle.

  They found a hotel about a mile away from the bagel shop with a secure underground parking garage. They had been vigilant on the drive from Chesapeake Beach, especially once they'd gotten into DC, doing everything to ensure they were not being followed.

  When they got to their room, Savannah put the overnight bag that Parisa had thoughtfully packed for her on the dresser and then moved to the window to close the curtains. She paused in front of the glass for a moment, looking at all the bright city lights.

  Ryker came up behind her, sliding his arms around her waist, and pulling her back against his chest. With his strong, warm embrace, she felt the tension seep out of her.

  "What are you thinking?" he murmured. "You haven't said much the last hour."

  "Right now, I'm thinking about how many views we've seen today. We've been all over; Hank's gym, Spear Enterprises, the boat, the beautiful bay, and now we're back here. So much has happened. My head is spinning." She turned in his arms to face him. "But I have to say that out of all the views I've had today, this is the best one."

  He gave her a smile. "I would have to agree. But it's after midnight now, so it's actually a new day."

  "We need to be ready for it."

  "We will be. Failure is not an option. I'm going to find out what my team is up to, and I'm going to stop them."

  She liked the steel glint of determination in his brown eyes. "We're going to stop them," she corrected.

  "That's right—we. And your team will help."

  "They will. We can count on them."

  And just like that, his smile dimmed. "I used to feel that way about my guys." He cleared his throat. "But I'm not going to think about the way we used to be. It's all about the present and the future. Did Parisa pack you something to wear to bed? Otherwise, you can have one of my shirts?" He waved his hand toward his duffel bag.

  "That's a nice offer. I'm sure Parisa packed something for me."

  "Good. I want you to be comfortable."

  She gazed into his eyes. "What if I just wear you instead?"

  Sparkling lights of desire filled his gaze. "Even better. But I know you're tired, Savannah. We can just…sleep."

  "I'm exhausted but also wired. And, to be honest, after we almost died earlier, I had this thought that I can't seem to let go of."

  "What's that?"

  "I didn't want the last time we were together to be the last time."

  "I was thinking the same thing," he murmured.

  "So, it won't be the last time."

  She put her hands on either side of his face, feeling the stubble of his beard under her hands, loving the way the waves of his hair fell over his brow. His lips parted and she could feel his warm breath and that little bit of heat spread all the way through her.

  "Are you going to kiss me any time soon?" he teased.

  "I'm getting to it. I like looking at you, Ryker."

  "I like looking at you. But I love doing more than looking."

  She pressed onto her toes and gave him the kiss they both wanted. It set off the explosive sparks it always did, which made it really difficult to go as slow as she wanted. But she had this feeling down deep in her gut that this time might be the last time, and she wanted to remember every second of it.

  So she fought the feelings of impatience and need and took her time tasting his mouth, molding her body to his, letting the anticipation build higher and hotter.

  But Ryker wasn't on the same page, his eager hands running up under her top, his mouth demanding more. She might have been able to resist his mouth, his hands, but when he lifted his head, when he looked into her eyes, when he said, "Savannah," in a husky, rough voice, her heart melted. And when he added, "I need you," she was completely lost.

  "I need you, too," she admitted. "It's scary."

  "Terrifying," he murmured. "I'll protect you if you protect me."

  It was the most honest, most vulnerable, most amazing thing he could have said to her. He'd made them equal. He'd respected her in a way no one else had. She did the only thing she could do—she pushed him toward the bed. When the back of his legs hit the mattress, he sat down, and she moved onto his lap, straddling his legs, taking another long, deep kiss.

  And then he shifted, tossing her onto her back, pulling up her shirt, and pressing his mouth against her stomach, lighting every
nerve on fire. Then he lifted his head and said, "You're going to remember this."

  "So are you," she said with a promising smile.

  He grinned, then undid the button on her jeans and slid them down her hips, taking her panties along with them.

  They made love twice, which was the number of condoms he had in his bag. He really should have brought more, Ryker thought as he held Savannah in his arms, Thursday morning, watching the light break through the slit in the curtains. It had been a great night. They hadn't gotten a lot of sleep, but he wasn't complaining. They'd made every touch, every kiss, every time they'd lost themselves in each other completely memorable. He wasn't worried about forgetting anything about her anymore.

  He was now more concerned with not being able to forget her. In the crazy world that he was living in, Savannah had become an island of truth in a sea of lies. He trusted her. She might be the only one he could trust.

  His mind drifted to Paul, to the moment when Paul had looked into his eyes and said he wasn't supposed to get hurt. That he would have never fallen for the lie.

  What was the lie? What had made Paul do what he'd done?

  It had to be a huge lie, an incredible but obviously believable fabrication.

  And Paul had thought his wife and kid would be better because of the lie.

  What about the other guys?

  Did they know someone had gone to Chesapeake Beach to kill him? Or, like Paul, had they thought someone was just going to scare him? Scare him away from what? Investigating? Searching for the truth? Had his questions to Mason and Hank worried someone—perhaps even one of them?

  He wanted to believe that if Todd or Hank or Mason had known he was going to die that they also would have stepped in and tried to stop it. But Paul had been alone.

  The buzzing of a phone took his gaze to the nightstand. It was Savannah's burner phone that was vibrating. He was about to give her a nudge when she woke up, her eyes flying open, as she rolled out of his arms. Her long blonde hair tumbled down her bare back as she reached for the phone.

  "Hello?" she said, her voice breathless. She listened for a moment and then said, "What? All right. I guess I shouldn't be surprised." She paused. "I'll ask Ryker and text it to you."