by Sharon Dunn
She’s here.
Jackson headed for the ER as he pulled his phone out and pressed Gavin’s number which he had memorized.
Gavin picked up right away. “Jackson. How is she?”
“I don’t know. The doctors haven’t said anything. The cut in her stomach looked pretty bad and she suffered a blow to the head. I’m sure she’ll be admitted. We need to get her some protection. I’ll stay with her until an officer can be put outside her hospital door.”
“Give me a couple of hours. I’m pretty sure we can put something like that in place given the level of threat against her,” Gavin said.
“It wouldn’t hurt to do a search of the hospital,” Jackson suggested.
“You have some evidence that Chloe may be hiding in the hospital?”
“Just a hunch based on her past behavior.”
“Jackson, I understand your concern, but I can’t send officers over on a hunch. We’re stretched thin as it is combing the city for her. Because of the past attacks and Chloe being at large again, I acknowledge that Darcy is in significant danger. It makes sense to have some protection for her. That is the best that I can do right now.”
“I understand,” Jackson said.
“We’re looking into all her known associates besides Reuben Bray,” Gavin told him. “She may be staying with one of them. She’s from upstate and has no relatives in the area. We believe that as long as Darcy is alive and Reuben Bray’s trial goes forward, she will stay in the city. I’ll let you know if we get any leads. Also, we got a warrant to search her place. We recovered a handgun.”
No wonder Chloe had used a knife and Taser. “What else can we do, right? Thanks, Sarge.” Jackson shut off his phone and wandered back to the ER. Darcy wasn’t there anymore. He double-checked with a nurse that she’d been taken into surgery.
Jackson found a seat and rested his head in his hands. He straightened and watched the people milling through the ER. Mostly doctors and nurses. He looked at each one a little closer, remembering that Chloe had worn a disguise to the press conference, so she wouldn’t be above dressing like a medical professional to gain access to Darcy.
He settled deeper into his chair once he was confident none of the medical staff was Chloe. Gavin was right. Jackson had no solid evidence that Chloe was in the hospital. He knew, though, that letting his guard down was not an option.
He waited.
Twenty minutes later, the nurse he had talked to earlier came toward him. He burst to his feet. “How is she?”
“In addition to the cut to her stomach, the blow to her head was pretty severe. The doctors want to see if she wakes up on her own. We’ll need to do a scan of her brain to assess if there is any permanent damage. The cut on her arm was superficial.”
“I need to be with her. I’m a police officer and she’s in a degree of danger of being attacked again.”
The nurse’s eyes grew wide, but she seemed to regain her composure. “I’ll make sure the staff who will be taking care of her on the third floor knows that.”
“Good, we’re working on getting an officer posted outside her door. Until then, I’ll stay in the room with her,” Jackson said. “What room is she being taken to?”
“Three thirteen,” the nurse replied.
Jackson jogged toward the elevators. He pushed the button to call the elevator and waited for the car to arrive. Growing impatient and not wanting Darcy to be alone for even a few minutes, he glanced around for the stairs. The run would get rid of some of his nervous energy.
He sprinted up the stairs to the third floor. A nurse was just stepping out of Darcy’s room when he arrived. Jackson explained the situation.
“I just took her vitals. Everything seems stable,” the nurse said. “Does Miss Fields have any relatives?”
“Her sister, who’s on an overnight field trip.”
“You might want to give her a call just to let her know.”
“I don’t know the number and I think Darcy’s phone is still back at the house.”
“Maybe later then. In these kinds of situations, it’s good to have family around.” The nurse headed down the hall toward the nurses’ station.
Jackson entered the room and scooted a chair closer to Darcy’s bed. The nurse mentioning about family made Jackson remember that he hadn’t locked up Darcy’s apartment in his haste to follow the ambulance. He didn’t know when her sister was due back.
He made a call into headquarters to request an officer go to the apartment, search it, get Darcy’s phone and make sure the place was locked up.
Jackson pushed up from his chair and leaned over Darcy. Even in the dim light, she looked cute. Her cheeks had a pink tinge to them. “Come back to me, Darcy.” He brushed his thumb over her chin. “I miss you already.”
Jackson sat back down in the silent dark room. His eyelids grew heavy with fatigue. At some point, he knew he’d have to go out to check on Smokey and let him out of the car for a while. He napped in short spurts, waking when a nurse came in to check on Darcy and when he heard hushed voices in the hallway.
His phone buzzed with a text from Lani Jameson that Darcy’s apartment was locked up tight and that she’d arrange for the phone to be dropped off. He drifted off again and then woke some time later. The sound of Darcy’s breathing was a comfort to him.
He checked to see if an officer was posted outside her room. Glad to see one there, Jackson left to check on Smokey. Even though she had protection, he didn’t want to leave her at all.
* * *
Darcy awoke in total darkness. Fear gripped her heart. She had no idea where she was. She waited for her eyes to adjust to the light and to absorb the sensory information around her.
She had a moment of thinking Chloe had kidnapped her and was holding her hostage. The last thing she remembered was breaking free of Chloe’s grasp. Even the memory of the attack caused her to take in an intense breath.
Her hand touched the cool metal of the railing that surrounded her bed. She could just discern the outline of an IV stand with a bag hanging from it. She was in a hospital. She turned her head one way and then the other.
An empty chair had been pushed very close to her bed. Someone had been in the room with her. Her sister? Or maybe Jackson?
Feet padded in the hallway then stopped. It sounded like someone was standing right outside her open door. A new wave of fear gripped her. When she turned her head to look, there was no one standing on the threshold. Her mind was playing tricks on her.
She listened to her heartbeat drumming in her ears. The window curtains were drawn. She had no idea what time it was or how long she’d been out. It must be late at night.
She heard more voices outside her door. One of them sounded familiar. Jackson was here in the hospital. She released a breath and rested her palm on her chest. Everything was going to be okay.
Jackson stood in the doorway. Light coming from the hallway revealed that his expression and even his posture changed when he saw her. He rushed over to her and gripped her hand. “Hey, you’re awake.”
“Barely,” she said. “Did Chloe get away again?”
Jackson nodded. “Every officer is on high alert at this point. They don’t think she’ll leave the city with the trial so close and you still able to testify.”
She touched her forehead where there was a bandage. “What happened?”
“You had a pretty big gash. The doctor will do a scan and wants to keep you until he’s sure you are out of the woods. The cut into your stomach was pretty deep.”
“Right now, I have a pounding headache.” She rested her head on the pillow and touched her stomach. “And I think the pain pills are wearing off.”
Jackson leaned over her, gazing into her eyes. Even in the dim light, he beamed affection and connection. “Sorry I wasn’t here when you came to. I had to go out and walk Smokey.”
“Thank you for staying with me.”
“There’s an officer posted outside your door. Unfortunately, I have to start my shift any minute.”
She felt a tightening in her chest.
“Sarge extended me some grace because I wanted to make sure you were going to be okay.” He reached for her hand and squeezed.
Releasing her hand, he sat in the chair that had been scooted close to her bed.
She stared at the ceiling. “What time is it?”
“Just a little past 2:00 a.m.”
“I’m starving. Do you think they would bring me some food?”
He laughed. “It never hurts to try.” He pushed the call button toward her hand.
She fumbled with the device, which was the size of a TV remote control, until it made a binging noise.
A woman in her early twenties stuck her head inside the room. “Hey, you’re awake.”
“Awake and starving. Is there any way I could get something to eat?” Darcy asked.
“The cafeteria is closed, but they might be able to bring up a sandwich.”
“Anything would be fine with me,” she said.
A few minutes later, a tray with two sandwiches and two juice boxes was brought in by a different woman. “The nurse suggested putting an extra serving on there in case your friend was hungry. Both of you have had quite a long night.”
“Thanks,” Jackson said, standing. He unwrapped the first sandwich while Darcy struggled into a sitting position. “Here, let me help you with that.” He readjusted her pillow and then pushed the button that raised the top end of the bed.
His attentiveness touched her heart.
He grabbed the second sandwich and unwrapped it, handing it to Darcy.
She bit into the sandwich. Cold ham and cheese never tasted so good.
Jackson spoke between bites. “I got in touch with your sister. She’ll come by as soon as she gets home from the field trip, and your phone is here.”
“You took care of a lot while I was out of it.”
While they ate, a uniformed officer stuck his head inside. “Just saying hi now that you’re awake. I’m here to guard you, Miss Fields.”
She smiled at him.
Jackson took the last bites of his sandwich in a hurry. He must be anxious to get to work, Darcy thought as she sipped at her orange juice.
Jackson answered his ringing phone. “I’m ready to go to work... Really... You think it might be her... Yes, count me in. I want to be there for the takedown... I can meet you there in twenty. Bring a uniform for me,” he said, turning off his phone and rising from his chair.
“There’s an athletic facility where the biathlon team trains,” he told Darcy. “Someone who lives near the facility phoned in and said they thought they saw a person wandering around like they were looking for a way in. It could be Chloe. Three other K-9 officers are meeting me there.” He touched her shoulder and then pointed to the door where the guard was partially visible. “You’re in good hands.”
He leaned over and kissed the uninjured side of her forehead. “Hopefully, the next time you see me, I’ll have good news about Chloe’s capture.”
He stepped out of her room.
She felt like a balloon losing air when he was no longer close to her. The care he’d showed her made her want to be with him always. When he wasn’t close, she could feel the chasm of loss. What was this feeling blossoming inside her? Maybe it was just because he had been so kind and attentive. She shook her head softly. There was something deeper going on.
Darcy lay back and closed her eyes. She prayed for Jackson’s safety and for the rest of the team.
SIXTEEN
In the predawn hours, Jackson and the rest of the assigned team assembled near the athletic facility. Gavin, who was there to coordinate the search, had obtained a blueprint of the layout, which included a pool, weight room and running track, along with a rifle range. The team—Belle Montera, Tyler Walker, Jackson and their K-9 partners—had positioned itself a few blocks from the facility so the lights of their vehicles wouldn’t draw attention if Chloe was hiding there.
They each agreed to search a separate quadrant and look for a point of entry where the “suspicious person,” whom they believed to be Chloe Cleaves, might have broken in. Since the call had come in that the facility might have an intruder, a patrol officer had been dispatched to circle the facility. He had reported no sign of someone trying to enter or leave.
Gavin rolled up the blueprint. “Keep radio communication to a minimum. Use flashlights only as necessary. If she is in there, we don’t want to alert her to our presence. The tracker dog will work off the scent from the wig she left behind. Be safe. Let’s go.”
After putting on their night-vision goggles, they separated and hurried up the street. The buildings they ran past were all dark. The athletic facility was a two-story brick structure with an adjacent parking lot. The only car in the lot was the patrol officer’s and he was still watching the place. That didn’t mean Chloe hadn’t found a way of escape out of view of the officer—if it was even her who had been spotted—or that she wasn’t hiding somewhere inside just waiting for the officer to leave.
Heart pounding, Jackson circled the building with Smokey, moving slowly in the dark. He had a view of the pool through several large windows. From what he could see, everything looked quiet inside.
His radio beeped and Belle came on the line, speaking in a whisper. “I think we found the point of entry. Southside door is open. Looks like the lock has been jiggered.”
Jackson circled the facility again, looking for signs of movement inside and outside. The windows on the part of the structure he had just passed were small and high up, likely the dressing rooms.
He found the open door that Belle had mentioned. Procedure dictated that they search their assigned quadrant even if it meant filtering through the open door. Once he entered, he didn’t see any other member of the team.
“I’m in,” he said into his radio.
As he moved through the facility to where he was supposed to search, he heard the other officers whisper a quiet “I’m in” over their radios, as well.
Jackson circled the swimming pool. The smell of chlorine was heady in the air. Above the pool, on the second floor, there was a viewing area with a railing—a sort of balcony that looked down on the pool.
He and Smokey cleared several of the rooms adjacent to pool, an equipment storage room and an office.
With Smokey taking the lead, Jackson returned to the main pool area. The night-vision goggles revealed other doors on the other side of the pool that he needed to check out. He looked once again at the viewing area above the pool.
His heart skipped a beat. A shadow danced on the back wall. Something or someone was moving around up there. He advised the team of where he was headed and circled the pool until he found the narrow stairway that led up to the viewing area.
Jackson took the stairs slowly, trying to be as quiet as possible. If Chloe was there, she would have seen him enter the pool area. He came to a door that was slightly ajar and pulled his weapon, Smokey perched beside him.
Easing the door open, he stepped inside and turned in a half circle to clear all four corners of the viewing area. The room contained some folding chairs positioned close to the railing that looked down on the pool. A couch and beanbag chair were positioned by the far wall. Some children’s books and toys were stored in a box by the couch. There was a second door that led to a hallway.
He let out a heavy breath. Maybe he’d been wrong. He stepped toward the railing and gazed at the pool.
Static came across his radio and then he heard Tyler’s voice. “I’m in the area where the rifles and ammunition are stored. The scent was really strong through here.” There was a pause on the other end. “Looks like someone broke the glass and took a rifle. The
lock on the ammunition drawer is disabled, as well.”
Jackson froze in his tracks. Chloe was armed again. His first thought was that she wasn’t even there anymore. She’d broken in to get the gun and ammo and could be across town by now, trying to get access to Darcy. Before they could draw that kind of a conclusion, they needed to clear the entire facility. He moved back down the stairs and worked his way over to the doors on the other side of the pool. He and Smokey entered the first locker room and checked the larger lockers, bathrooms and shower stalls. He stepped back out into the main area and hurried to the second locker room.
Smokey stiffened when they stood on the threshold. With his weapon drawn, Jackson entered slowly, working in his way past the benches and pulling back shower curtains. These lockers were too small for a person to hide in. Smokey still seemed agitated. The place was empty but maybe Chloe had been in there at some point.
The rest of the team had grown quiet. No mention of even having cleared a section of the facility. The silence was eerie. The thrumming of his heart in his ears augmented as he returned to the pool area.
Once again, he stared up at the observation balcony. If he was Chloe, he would hide there. It provided a view of much of the facility and of the people coming and going. The pool was at the center of the building. Most of the doors to other parts of facility connected to the pool, with the exception of the rifle range, which was separated by a long corridor.
Jackson circled the pool deck again, wondering if there was a second way to access the observation area, which would mean a way to escape. He remembered the second door. He returned to the balcony, stepped through the second door and out into the hallway. He followed it all the way to the end. There was another stairway down.
A door slammed somewhere not too far from his and Smokey’s position. He hurried down the stairs, where he found Belle with her German shepherd, Justice. She looked not quite human in her goggles.
“Sorry,” she whispered. “I was trying to shut the door quietly.”
“Find anything?”
