Face in the Mirror

by Paula Mowery

  “We’ll have to indulge in that when I show you the best place for grouper fingers.”

  “Grouper fingers?”

  “Oh, yeah.” She took in the passing scenery for a few minutes. “Of course, I didn’t just get into that Amish home by seeing them at the market. I am childhood friends with the daughter, Rebecca. She was born deaf and had to attend a school where she could learn to sign. God brought us together. We were inseparable. She’s the main reason I discovered my love for sign language and what God was calling me to do with my life.”

  “Is this the island? Solomon’s Island?”

  “Yep. Turn here and go over the big bridge.”

  “This is beautiful.” After passing over the bridge, Nathan glanced her way. “Where to now?”

  She pointed ahead. “Right down this road is a little store with various souvenirs. Why don’t we stop there?”

  He pulled into the gravel lot and hopped out. She followed suit, meeting him behind the car. He was staring out at the water.

  “This is a neat little place.”

  “Quaint, right?” She touched his arm. “Come on.”

  They meandered through the shop. Exactly as she remembered. The familiarity was comforting and helped her forget she was on the run.

  She exited behind Nathan. His head turned in all directions. Then he nodded.

  “We can walk down to the water right over here.” She gestured to an area across the street. “You can leave the car here.”

  He guided her with a light touch of his hand to her elbow. They stopped at the water’s edge.

  She gazed out at the gently waving water. “I can’t believe I’m here when I need to be at school, finishing my degree.”

  Nathan’s hand brushed down her arm, and he pivoted toward her. He looked her in the eyes. “I’m sure under the circumstances, they can do something.” His voice was filled with compassion.

  He leaned nearer. Sydney’s pulse picked up. His eyes gazed into hers with such softness. She swallowed. Then Nathan stepped back and diverted his attention to the water. Had he almost kissed her? Did she want him to?

  He glanced at her and turned toward the car across the street. “How about that grouper you were talking about? I’m pretty hungry.”

  “Yeah, sure. It’s not far from here.”

  She directed him to the restaurant, and they scooted into a booth in the back.

  “Doesn’t look like much, but wait until you taste the food.” She settled across from Nathan in the booth and studied him.

  “What? Do I already have something on me before we even get our food?” He chuckled and swiped at his mouth.

  Sydney folded her arms on the table. “No, just trying to figure you out.”

  Nathan fidgeted. “What’s there to figure out?” He offered her a weak grin.

  “I don’t know.”

  The food arrived. Nathan jumped right in.

  “Do you mind if I say a prayer?” Sydney added.

  He looked up and dropped his fork. “No, go ahead.”

  She bowed and blessed the food and prayed for protection. When she opened her eyes, Nathan was staring at her. “Thanks. I didn’t mean to offend.”

  He shook his head. “No, it’s OK.” He turned his attention to eating. In a few moments, he glanced at her. “This is really good.”

  “Told you. You can trust me.” She winked at him.

  He nodded and went back to his food.

  Why the uncomfortable vibes? What was going through his head? Why was he a compassionate protector one moment and a distant stranger the next?

  Halfway through their grouper finger basket, Nathan’s cellphone vibrated. He glanced at her and then answered. “Sure, yeah. I understand. We’ll pay and be on our way there.” He ended the call. “That was Officer Thomas. We need to head toward the airport now. They’ll contact me for our exact arrival time at the private terminal area.” His brow wrinkled. “Wait here. I’ll pay and come right back.” He wandered off toward the cashier.

  Sydney scarfed down a couple more bites and sipped her drink. Could it be any more evident that a struggle was going on inside Officer Nathan Greene? Was it spiritual? Would he let her help?

  ~*~

  Nathan’s insides trembled. This was it. Would Raul be waiting at the airport? But if Raul told Charlie the truth about his connection, he could get into trouble. He could lose his position. He’d worked so hard to get to this point. How could he start over again? Would he even be able to start over?

  But Sydney? He didn’t want to have feelings for her, but he did.

  “Nathan?” Sydney touched his arm.

  He winced.

  “What’s wrong? Why aren’t we heading for the airport? I’m so ready to get this over with.” Anxiety streaked her tone.

  He started the engine of the rental car and pivoted toward her. “I’m sorry. I’ve put you in danger.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I know this guy who’s after you.”

  “How?” Her voice shook.

  He swallowed. “After my injury, I got hooked on the pain pills…”

  Sydney’s eyes widened.

  He drew in a deep breath and let it out. “He’s contacted me. Blackmailed me.”

  Sydney squared her shoulders and looked him in the eyes. “So what are you going to do?” Her voice was now strong.

  He gripped the steering wheel and headed north.

  11

  Nathan had no idea when the call from Charlie would come. The sun was already easing into late afternoon. Now was the time to make the move. He pulled the car over to the side of the road and scrolled through his received calls. He hit the recall button to Raul.

  The drug dealer answered, but Nathan cut him off. “The airport. Twenty minutes. Your prearranged hanger.” He hit end call.

  He breathed in and exhaled in a whoosh and eased the car back out into traffic. This would all be over soon.

  ~*~

  After a long uneventful night in the surveillance van, Charlie and Jordan were back inside the corporate lobby. “Jordan, I’m sorry about getting sick again in that cramped van.”

  “No need.” He leaned toward her. “But I have to tell you that I think we both know it’s not a virus or a reaction to something you’ve eaten.” He winked.

  Her face heated. “You think so?”

  Jordan nodded. “And it’s OK. You can do both.”

  She gestured toward Colton. “I’m not sure I’ll get support for that.”

  “He’ll come around. When you’re called to something, God will work it out.”

  “Thanks.”

  She sipped her soda and paced over to the window, scanning the area. When would the OK come to have Nathan bring Sydney? Charlie’s nerves crawled more the longer they were delayed.

  Colton joined her at the window. “It’s gonna get dark soon. Probably be in the morning.”

  She glanced at a nearby table where Jordan and Marshall sat.

  “Wait a minute.” Jordan jumped to his feet and peered out the window. “Isn’t that the car?” He grasped Charlie’s arm.

  She whirled around. “It can’t be.” She grabbed the binoculars. “Certainly appears to be Nathan. Something’s not right.” She slid the binoculars onto the table and looked at her husband. “Stay here.”

  ~*~

  Nathan searched for a glimpse of Raul. He steered the car to the darkened hanger past the lighted lobby area.

  A dark figure stepped from the corner of the hanger. Nathan stopped the car and killed the engine. He eased the door open, slid out, and eased the door shut.

  Raul marched up to the car, studying the front passenger seat area. His gaze trailed to the back of the car. “Where’s my package? Backseat?”

  Nathan grabbed the rear door handle and froze.

  ~*~

  Charlie and Jordan crept up closer but remained hidden behind a fuel truck.

  Charlie mouthed to Jordan. “What is this? Where is Sydney
?”

  Jordan mouthed back. “We can’t let him open that door.”

  Charlie nodded. She sneaked around the other side of the fuel truck. She glanced back at Jordan and nodded again.

  “Freeze and get on the ground,” Jordan yelled.

  Raul’s arms shot into the air but then he lunged forward, grabbing Nathan around the throat.

  Charlie and Jordan eased from behind the truck, weapons drawn and aimed.

  “Look, there’s no way out. Just give it up,” Jordan called to Raul.

  Raul chuckled. “Are you kidding? There’s always a way out.” He dragged Nathan backward toward the dark hanger.

  Nathan flailed in an obvious attempt to break free of Raul’s grasp. Raul slid something from his pocket. The edge of a knife glinted in the one overhead light. Raul stuck the blade against Nathan’s neck. “I would stop fighting if I were you. I won’t hesitate to slit your throat. I should for the trouble you’ve caused me.” Raul growled out his words.

  Nathan quieted.

  Charlie was out of ideas and personnel to assist. But they couldn’t let Raul drag Nathan into that hanger. He’d never see the light of day again. She had to stall.

  “You definitely don’t want to add murder to your rap sheet. Your brother did enough of that.” Charlie’s voice emerged harsh.

  This man’s brother had been responsible for her parents’ deaths. If she could only get a shot, she’d take it. But she knew better than to risk hitting Nathan. She wanted to take this guy down. She gritted her teeth.

  Her attention was drawn to the vehicle Nathan had driven. Jordan stood peering into the backseat. He whirled around and shook his head, his eyes wide and shrugged.

  Where was Sydney? The puzzling question rolled around in her brain. Charlie focused her gaze back on Raul. He was still easing backward into the shadow toward the hanger with Nathan in the crook of his elbow.

  Charlie and Jordan eased forward. Raul pulled the knife closer to Nathan’s neck. “Don’t come any closer.”

  Jordan waved Charlie back.

  She stopped. They were stuck. Neither could discreetly call for backup or inform the captain of this predicament. If Nathan survived this, Charlie would ring his neck herself. She squeezed the gun she held.

  Suddenly, a flash and a gunshot boomed from behind Raul. He called out and fell forward. His elbow slackened around Nathan’s neck and the rookie officer ducked. Just as he pushed away from Raul, he called out. In the dim light Charlie couldn’t tell what was happening. But with Raul caught off guard, she rushed up with Jordan.

  Raul was on his hands and knees. “Lay flat on the ground.” Jordan screamed the order at him.

  Raul looked up at Jordan.

  Jordan pointed his gun in the drug dealer’s face. “I mean it.”

  Raul finally eased to the ground. When Jordan pulled Raul’s hands behind his back, the trafficker screamed. “Man, I’m injured. Watch it.”

  Charlie kept her gun aimed into the dark shadows of the hanger. Who had shot Raul from behind? “Come out with your hands high above your head.”

  Colton and Marshall walked toward her with their arms in the air. She let out a breath. “I thought I told you to stay in the terminal.”

  Colton grinned. “You had no backup but us. You didn’t teach me to shoot for nothing.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Not bad, honey.” She holstered her gun and turned to where Nathan had fallen.

  He was lying on the ground with a pool of blood under his upper arm and shoulder area. Had Raul been able to slit his throat anyway?

  She knelt down and touched his uninjured side. “Nathan?”

  He moaned and rolled over. Charlie spotted the gash in his shirt and upper arm. He was losing a lot of blood. She ripped off the lower portion of his sleeve and placed it over the laceration, applying pressure.

  Nathan looked up at her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do.”

  “Where’s Sydney?”

  “Safe.” He glanced at Raul. Then he took hold of the makeshift bandage Charlie held. “Thanks. I got it.” He stood up, groaning.

  “You’re gonna need several stitches there.” Charlie nodded toward his arm.

  “But I need to go for Sydney.”

  “Actually, Marshall and Colton are going to take you down the street to the emergency room and get that sewn up. As soon as the authorities come for our buddy over there, Jordan and I will retrieve Sydney.” She looked him directly in the eyes and lowered her voice. “Where is she?”

  “Back at her original location.” He dug into his pocket with the hand of his injured arm and dropped an object into Charlie’s hand. “Here, you’ll need this. You won’t make it up the driveway unless you show them this.”

  “OK. Nathan we’ll have a lot to talk about on the ride home in the airplane.”

  “I’m aware of that.”

  “Come on, man. Let’s get you to the ER.” Colton guided Nathan toward the rental car. “Meet you back in the lobby over there. Don’t get yourself in trouble.” He winked.

  Charlie smiled back. “Deal.”

  12

  Sydney sat at the house window, staring down the lane. Where was Nathan? She stood and paced back and forth and then plopped back into the straight back chair she had dragged from the kitchen table. Please God, let him be all right.

  Headlights flashed up the driveway. She jumped to her feet. The car stopped at the end but soon started winding up the gravel road to the house. She strained to see if it was the rental car. The vehicle neared the porch, and she was sure it was the same car. She bolted out the front door and down the steps.

  A man and a woman stepped from the car and Sydney stopped. She covered her mouth with her hands. Where was he? He hadn’t returned for her as promised. Who were these people?

  The woman approached pulling out the cookie cutter. “Sydney? I’m Officer Thomas, and this is Officer Wynn. You can call me Charlie. We’re here to take you to the airport and home.”

  Sydney slid her hands off her mouth. “Where’s Nathan? He promised to come for me.”

  Charlie glanced at Officer Wynn and back to her. “Nathan was injured.”

  Sydney gasped and tears sprang to her eyes.

  Charlie slid up next to her and patted her shoulder. “He’s OK. Just required some stitches. He’ll meet you at the airport.”

  She nodded, still wanting to see Nathan for herself. “Let me grab my bag.” She raced up the porch stairs.

  Rebecca stood in the doorway. She signed. “Take care. I love you.”

  The two embraced.

  Sydney turned to Rebecca’s father. “Thank you so much for everything.”

  Rebecca’s father slipped his hat from his head. “You will always be like another daughter to me. God protect you and bless you.”

  Sydney bit her lower lip to stave the quivering. She could only nod and try to smile. She followed the officers to the car and ducked into the backseat. She waved and then flashed the I love you sign.

  When they were on the road headed for the airport, Sydney couldn’t hold back any longer. “So, you say that Nathan is OK? His injury isn’t life threatening or anything?”

  Charlie pivoted in her front seat and gazed right into Sydney’s eyes. “That’s right. His injury isn’t life threatening. He received a pretty bad gash from a knife wound that will require several stitches, but he’ll be fine.” Charlie looked out the front windshield and then turned back. “Sydney, could you fill us in on how this all turned out this way? This wasn’t the plan.”

  Sydney wrapped her arms around herself. “Nathan was trapped, pretty much. He had heard from Raul and was trying to protect me. The rest isn’t my story to tell.”

  Charlie shook her head. “Maybe so, but he should have told us. This could have turned out much worse.”

  “He was determined to make sure Raul was caught so I wouldn’t have to fear him anymore.” Sydney rubbed her hands on her arms. “He said there was really no
other way.” Emotion rose in her throat, and she swallowed. “There was no way Nathan could ever be near me again if he didn’t bring Raul down. That’s what he said.” A tear rolled down her cheek.

  Charlie’s expression softened. “I think I’m beginning to understand.” She reached over the seat and patted Sydney’s knee. She smiled and turned back around.

  ~*~

  Nathan gritted his teeth as the last stitch went into his arm. The nurse bandaged the wound. “Are you sure you don’t want something for pain? That’s probably going to become quite sore before you make it home.”

  “No, I’ll be fine. Thanks for patching me up.”

  The nurse shrugged. “Have it your way.” She sloughed off her gloves into the trashcan. “You’ll need to make sure you change the dressing and cleanse it. Here are instructions on that and when you need to return to a doctor to have the stitches removed.”

  Nathan accepted the paper. “Got it.”

  “Your friend is in the waiting room, right through those doors.” She gestured at two large wooden doors.

  “Thanks again.” He slid down from the exam table.

  As he emerged Colton stood and hurried to his side. “How are you doing, man?” He glanced at Nathan’s arm. “That was a nasty cut.”

  “Several stitches but I’ll live.”

  “Are you set to go? We’re to meet back at the airport.”

  “Yeah. I’m ready.” Nathan stopped Colton. “Did they get Sydney?”

  Colton smiled and nodded. “Come on.”

  The fifteen-minute drive from the hospital to the airport seemed like an hour. Finally, they pulled into the lot and walked through the entrance. His gaze landed upon Sydney and relief flooded his insides. She jumped to her feet and sprinted to his side, flinging her arms around his waist.

  All eyes turned toward the two of them. Nathan didn’t care. He returned her embrace, resting his chin on her head.

  She pulled back and pointed her finger in his face. “You said you would come for me.” Her voice was firm. Then her face softened. “You scared me to death. Don’t do that again.”