Smoky Mountain Investigation

by Annslee Urban

  “It’s time for you to give up, Kylie,” he grunted, his husky frame pinning her to the ground.

  Fortunately, willpower trumped exhaustion. Kylie relentlessly twisted and writhed beneath him, and somewhere between a sob and a prayer, she managed to wrestle one arm free to scratch his face.

  With a snarl, Dave knocked her hand away, then grabbed her throat and started squeezing.

  “Dave, please don—” she gasped. A loud thud drowned out the rest of her words. Then a crash as the front door burst open.

  Nick’s shout rumbled like an avalanche. “Kylie!”

  Unable to answer, Kylie thrashed about, struggling to breathe and working to dislodge Dave’s fingers from her neck, but he grasped harder.

  As Nick bolted into the room, Dave sprang up and in one jerky movement he was on his feet, dragging Kylie with him. He wrenched her in front of him, clutching his arm around her waist. He fumbled in the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a knife. He thrust the steel blade against her throat.

  Kylie’s heart thrummed against her sternum.

  * * *

  Nick’s steps ground to a halt. Out of habit, he surveyed the scene, but his eyes kept going back to the knife at Kylie’s throat. “Let her go, Dave.” He started to raise his arms, a gesture of surrender and to show he had no weapon.

  Dave didn’t budge, but the blade of his knife pressed more firmly to Kylie’s jugular. “One step, Nick,” he growled, “and she’s dead. Remember, I’m good at this.”

  As if he could forget. Nick nodded, lowered his hands. His gaze moved from the knife to Kylie’s eyes.

  She stared back at him; a fat tear spilled onto her cheek.

  A desperate plan started to form in Nick’s head. “It’s your game, Dave. What do you want from us?” Nick lowered his hands and took a tentative step.

  “I’m not kidding, Bentley!” Dave shuffled back a bit, dragging Kylie with him.

  Cringing, Kylie’s gaze went wide.

  “Dave, I believe you,” Nick said, shooting one hand up again. “Just tell me what you want from me.”

  “I want you dead, Bentley!” Dave spat. He pulled Kylie tighter, terror etched her fine features.

  Nick’s jaw tightened. “Okay, Dave. Let Kylie go and you can go at it with me. You have a knife. I’m unarmed. It’s more than fair.”

  A cynical laugh escaped him. “I don’t need to prove anything to you, Bentley. I have everything I need to hurt you right here.”

  That fact scared Nick to death. “This isn’t about Kylie, is it? It’s about us.”

  Dave bobbed his head as madness gleamed in his eyes and a hint of a grimace curled his thin lips. “You’ve taken everything from me. You are the reason I have to kill. The reason I can’t have Kylie.”

  As Nick glared at Dave, he watched his every move. The way his teeth clenched, the way his hand trembled, the knife quavering at Kylie’s neck. Dave’s composure was starting to shred. One wrong move and Nick would be ready.

  “Dave, you misunderstood my intentions with Kylie. So let go of her and we’ll talk.”

  “Do you think I’m crazy?” Dave roared and Nick held his tongue. He wasn’t about to answer that. “We have nothing to talk about. You’ve already ruined my life!”

  “I’ve ruined your life?” Nick kept his voice calm and his eyes locked on Dave’s.

  “You absolutely have!” Dave pointed his knife at Nick.

  Those were the few seconds of opportunity that Nick needed. He broke eye contact with Dave and quickly gestured with a flick of his head for Kylie to get out of there.

  As Kylie shot out of Dave’s grip, Nick lunged forward and threw a straight left kick, knocking the knife from Dave’s hand.

  Dave’s growl lit the air as he whirled around and charged at him. Jumping back, Nick swung his leg over Dave’s head, sending him into the back of a chair. Dave nearly tumbled to his knees, but regaining his footing, he turned, a bloody gash over his eye, and came at Nick with a right hook. “Are you going to kill me, Nick? Do it! You’ll be no better than me!”

  There had been enough killing. With a groan, Nick shielded himself and grabbed Dave’s arm, flipping him over his shoulder. Dave landed with a thud. “Give it up, Dave. We’ve both had enough.”

  Back on his feet, Dave huffed, “I’m not finished with you, Bentley.” He clumsily danced around as if he was trying to gain momentum, then lunged at Nick, grabbing for his neck.

  Nick’s heart rate spiked as he thrust a palm into Dave’s chest. Latching on to Nick’s shirt, Dave stumbled back, ripping the fabric and sending buttons flying.

  Nick readied himself. Although Dave was no match for him, he’d let him exhaust himself.

  Regaining his balance, Dave came at him again, but Nick jumped in the air, spun around and pummeled him in the abdomen with a flying left kick, sending him slamming into the wall.

  “I’m...going to...kill...you...Nick.” Hyperventilating, Dave went to his knees.

  Okay. Done. Hunkering down, Nick secured Dave’s wrists behind his back. Then, giving a cursory glance around, he spotted Kylie standing in the kitchen doorway. She was gaping slightly, eyebrows tentatively raised, and gripping an iron skillet in her hand.

  Resourceful. He liked that.

  “Ky, are you okay?”

  She nodded. “I am now.”

  “Could you grab some duct tape? And if you haven’t called the cops yet, that would nice.” He winked and was pleased when she smiled.

  She lowered the pan. “They’re already on the way.”

  Got to love that girl. And he did.

  * * *

  Thirty minutes later, Kylie clung to Nick, feeling safe in his embrace as they stood on her front porch and watched two officers wrestle Detective Dave Michelson into the backseat of a police cruiser.

  The nightmare was over. The mystery of Conrad Miller’s death was finally solved. Tears of relief stung Kylie’s eyes. Thank You, Lord, for getting us through this.

  “I think I’ve got everything I need.” The older police sergeant pocketed his notepad.

  “You have my number if you think of any other questions,” Nick said, tightening his grip on Kylie. “We’d like to see Dave tried and convicted in short order.”

  “I understand.” The officer nodded. “The whole town will be glad to put this ordeal behind them. With the charges facing Michelson—four counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and a stalking charge—he’ll be locked up for a long, long time.”

  “Good to hear,” Kylie and Nick said in unison.

  As the sergeant walked away, Kylie twisted out of Nick’s arms. She looked up at him. “So what now, Captain Bentley?”

  A smile curved his generous lips. “Well, I’ve recently had a bit of a revelation.”

  “Really?” Kylie looked at him more intently. “What kind of a revelation?”

  “I realized how much I lost when I left ten years ago. My home, my faith and my heart. And the hurt I caused you because of those choices is my greatest regret.”

  She fluttered her lashes. “What does all that mean?”

  “It means I no longer want to live a life of regrets.”

  A trickle of hope snaked into her heart, but she held it at bay. She swallowed. “Then don’t leave Asheville again.”

  “And if I stay?” He gave her a questioning look.

  Kylie shook her head, convinced that he wasn’t serious. “Don’t play with my emotions, please.”

  “All right.” Nick extended his hand. “Let’s do this right.”

  For a moment she couldn’t breathe. “What?”

  “Come on.” He canted his head and captured her hand. In one steady movement she was in his arms.

  She gulped a breath and her heart melted at the hope in his eyes. She almost requested that he pinch her, to make sure this wasn’t a dream. Because if this wasn’t real, her heart was history.

  His arms tightened around her. Not a pinch, but good enough. She sighed.

  �
��Are you okay?”

  Kylie nodded. Very much okay, she wanted to say, but she couldn’t speak for the lump in her throat.

  She glimpsed the thoughtful expression crossing his features, and she could almost feel his hesitation. Then he smiled, a slow, crooked smile that warmed her deeply.

  “Kylie Harper, I’ll ask you again. What happens if I stay?”

  She closed her eyes, scarcely believing. “A new life between us, I suppose.”

  “You suppose?”

  She flinched and opened her eyes. “I hope.”

  He arched a dark brow. “Only hope?”

  “I know,” she whispered.

  He leaned closer to kiss the tip of her nose. “Sold.”

  Nearly blinded by the tears in her eyes, she curled a hand over the nape of his neck. “I’m going to hold you to this.”

  “Promise?” That crooked smile again.

  “Promise.”

  Pressing his forehead against hers, he stared intently into her eyes. “Forever?”

  “Forever,” she whispered before he kissed her, his lips gentle against hers. And their love, kept at bay for so long, blossomed, deepening their kiss and flooding passion into their souls.

  TWENTY

  Six months later

  There was good-size turnout. Nick counted about two hundred people gathered by the front steps of the Asheville Municipal Building.

  Mayor Delbert Carlisle stepped up to the microphone. “It is my pleasure to extend congratulations to Captain Nicholas Bentley following his election as police and crime commissioner for the city of Asheville and Buncombe County.”

  The crowd burst into applause.

  Mayor Carlisle held up a hand. “Let me just share some of our incoming commissioner’s accomplishments. As a veteran of the United States Army, Captain Bentley was part of a Delta Force special-operations unit. As an elite Special Forces soldier, he was involved in covert missions...”

  Standing off to the side and out of spectator view, Nick leaned in and slipped his arm around Kylie. “I already don’t like this part of my job.”

  Kylie cast him a sidelong glance. “What part?” she whispered.

  “Public speaking. I’m more of a behind-the-scenes, hunt-down-the-criminal kind of guy. Politics and pomp are not my thing. And this suit—” Nick pulled at the collar “—definitely not me.”

  “Should I be surprised by this revelation?” Kylie picked a piece of lint from his jacket.

  Nick laughed when he saw her teasing smile. “So you won’t mind if we skip out early from the mayor’s banquet today?”

  “Well,” Kylie said, giving a slight shrug, “the dinner’s in your honor, but if you don’t want to stay long and mingle, I guess that’s fine.”

  Nick bent in a little closer. “I have plans tonight that I can’t break.”

  Pulling back, Kylie blinked up at him. “Really? Do I know about these plans?”

  “Actually—” Nick glanced right and left and then winked. “It’s a surprise for my wife.”

  A killer smile crossed her face, the one that sent his heart into palpitations. “A surprise, you say?” Kylie nuzzled up to him.

  “Yes.” He brushed a kiss against her temple. “I’ll give you a little hint. A cozy cabin in the woods, three dozen yellow roses...”

  “Oh, my, three dozen yellow roses?” She pulled back slightly, flicking a glance at him.

  “In celebration of our three-month anniversary.”

  Kylie melted against him again.

  Marriage was definitely working for him.

  “Citizens of Asheville, let’s welcome Commissioner Nick Bentley to the stage!” The mayor’s introduction was followed by more applause.

  Nick snapped back into commissioner mode. “Come on.” He grabbed Kylie’s hand and they started walking.

  “I don’t think I’m supposed go on stage with you.”

  Nick glanced at his wife before he stepped into public view. “Ky, I want you by my side now and forever.”

  And the smile she sent him told him that was exactly where she wanted to be.

  Now and forever.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from PROTECTIVE INSTINCTS by Shirlee McCoy.

  Dear Reader,

  I hope you enjoyed reading about Nick and Kylie in Smoky Mountain Investigation. Their story is built around lost love, forgiveness and trust. By pushing aside guilt, forgiveness and trust are possible and by God’s grace they are able to move on together in love.

  Nestled between the scenic Blue Ridge and the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, Asheville’s abundant natural beauty and great quality of life made a beautiful setting for the story to evolve. Although street names and names of establishments visited by the characters are fictional, the lush forests and rich mountain setting play an integral part of the story.

  Life isn’t always easy and rarely goes as planned. Many things happen we don’t understand. But there is one constant in our world that never changes: the living God. It blesses me to know that by His grace anything is possible.

  May you find His blessings in all you do,

  Annslee Urban

  Questions for Discussion

  Why did you decide to read this book? Was the story appealing to you?

  Were the memories Nick and Kylie shared from their past clear to you? Was the tragedy that happened at camp believable?

  Did you find Nick’s and Kylie’s characters likable and believable?

  As the story evolved, did the suspense keep you turning the pages?

  Did you enjoy the pace at which the romance built between Nick and Kylie?

  Nick held on to the guilt of his friend Conrad’s death. How did forgiving himself impact the story? What happens when we carry guilt?

  Detective Dave loved Kylie from afar. Why did he finally decide that he needed to kill her?

  Horrific memories left Nick with a sour taste for a city he once loved. What happens when someone forgets the good memories and focuses on the bad?

  Did you enjoy the Scripture at the beginning of the book? What do you think God is telling us? How does it apply to your life?

  Nick left behind the woman he loved to escape the pain and guilt he felt after his friend was murdered. What happens when we run away from our problems instead of addressing them?

  Did you enjoy the author’s writing style and pace of the story?

  What life lessons can you take away from Nick and Kylie’s story?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.

  You enjoy a dash of danger. Love Inspired Suspense stories feature strong heroes and heroines whose faith is central in solving mysteries and saving lives.

  Enjoy four new stories from Love Inspired Suspense every month!

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  ONE

  Help me, Mommy. Please! Help me!

  The cries drifted into Raina’s consciousness, weaving their way through vivid dreams: Africa. A young boy who wasn’t Joseph, but who could have been. Hot sun. Desperate thirst. Fear.

  And that cry!

  Help me, Mommy! Please! Help me!

  She jerked awake, her heart thundering so loudly, she thought she was still hearing the cries.

  She was still hearing the cries.

  Wasn’t she?

  She scrambled out of bed, the sheets and blanket dropping onto the floor, her flannel pajamas tangled around her waist and legs. Wind rattled the windows, the darkness beyond the single-pane glass complete. She cocked her head to the side, heard the house creaking, ice pattering on the roof. Other than that, there was nothing. Her hand shook as she brushed bangs from her forehead and tried to take a few deep breaths. Tried, but her lungs wouldn’t fill
.

  “Calm down!” she muttered. “It was just a dream, and you’re still waking up from it.”

  It wasn’t as if she hadn’t had the dream many times in the six months since she’d returned from the mission trip, and it wasn’t as if she hadn’t learned how to deal with it.

  She paced to the window then back to the bed, inhaling, exhaling, forcing herself to relax.

  She’d spent the past thirty hours wondering how the young boy who’d given her a drink of water and unlocked her cage was faring. Was it any wonder that she’d had such a vivid nightmare? After fighting red tape and bureaucracy, petitioning, begging, pleading and pulling every string she could think of, Raina had finally managed to get him to the United States on a medical visa. He’d stepped onto U.S. soil the previous morning. The flight from L.A. to Atlanta had gone off without a hitch, but the flight from Atlanta to D.C. had been canceled.

  Good thing Raina had hired an escort to bring Samuel to the United States. One she trusted implicitly. Stella Silverstone worked for HEART, the hostage rescue team that had risked everything to save her and the rest of the mission team. Stella had been brusque and to the point when she’d called to tell Raina about the delay. They were stuck in Atlanta, their flight canceled because of the storms. Samuel was fine. Stella would call again when they got a flight out.

  That had been more than twelve hours ago.

  Raina hadn’t heard a word since. She was worried about Samuel. His leg had been amputated above the knee, and he’d suffered reoccurring infections in the stump. He’d been hospitalized for a few weeks before his trip to the United States, and the doctors hadn’t been hopeful for his recovery. No wonder Raina was having nightmares.

  “But now you’re awake, so do something productive instead of standing around panicking.” Her words echoed in the room she’d once shared with Matt. Like everything else since the accident that had taken her husband and son, the room seemed to be nothing more than a shadow of its former self. Wedding pictures hung crooked on the wall. Family photos lined the dresser, their frames covered with dust. The pretty yellow bedspread that had been a wedding gift was faded to a muted ivory.