The waiter refilled their coffees, but the pair barely noticed.
“I have one more important question to ask you.” Nick slid his free hand into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. Carly’s heart leaped in her chest, and her hand squeezed Nick’s.
“There’s no one else I want to spend my life with. I asked you this once, and then I broke my vows. Can I ask you again? This time I promise to keep all my vows and cherish you forever. Will you marry me?” He opened the box, and to Carly, the sparkle of the beautiful new engagement ring outshone the candles on the table.
“Of course I’ll marry you!” Carly wiped away happy tears with her napkin. “You even got a new ring. I hadn’t really thought that far . . . I mean, I knew I wanted this, but I hadn’t thought ahead to rings and ceremonies. This is so beautiful.” She’d tossed her old ring into the ocean and realized she’d never told him that. Now, gazing at the beautiful new diamond, she didn’t think she’d mention it unless he asked. Like the sins God tosses into the sea and leaves there with No Fishing signs posted all around. She wasn’t going to go back and dredge up memories of how their first marriage ended.
“Yes. A new ring, a new beginning.” Nick grasped her hand and slid the ring on. “We are new in Christ. There will be a new and firmer foundation to this marriage, so I want what symbolizes my pledge to you to be something new.” He smiled, and Carly saw his eyes fill with tears. “Once we’re married, you can move home. You don’t need to worry about another roommate. And I was thinking, since the channel swim is two months away, how about we plan quickly and honeymoon there in Maui?”
Carly laughed, feeling giddy. “I didn’t want to admit it, but when I sent in my application, that thought was in the back of my mind. I think that would be an awesome honeymoon.”
She loved the way her hand felt in his and only now realized how much she had missed this closeness. She never wanted to lose it again. “I love you, Nick. We will make it this time and grow old together.”
Epilogue
Ka’anapali Beach
THEY FINISHED THEIR WALK and stopped on the beach near the finish line. The race was tomorrow, but the finish chute had already been marked off with flags. The sky blazed with swirling colors of pink, orange, and red—a glorious Hawaiian sunset. Carly sighed with contentment as she leaned against her husband’s shoulder.
He kissed her head and whispered, “You nervous about tomorrow?”
“No, not at all. I’m ready.”
In the distance she could see the island of Lanai, the starting point for the 9.5-mile channel swim. Tomorrow morning the escort boat would pick Nick and Carly up around six and take them across the channel to the starting line. The gun would go off around eight, and she’d plunge into the water with the other swimmers—most swimming in relay teams, but a few doing the whole distance solo like Carly—to compete in a swim that would likely take several hours. But she didn’t consider herself to be swimming solo. Nick would be in her follow boat, watching, shouting encouragement, next to her the whole way.
“Not worried about sharks, jellyfish, or currents?”
She smiled, squeezed his waist, and then looked into his warm eyes. “Jellyfish may sting, but I’ll take my allergy pills to prevent a reaction. As for the current, well—” she shrugged—“that’s what all my training was for, right? And sharks? I’ve got you in the follow boat. You’ll make sure I’m safe from any sharks. I trust you.”
He smiled, and she felt the warmth down to her toes. “You got that right. No sharks will come close to you. Enjoy the swim and do your best.”
They shared a kiss. As Carly hugged her husband of two days, she knew they were a strong and committed team. With God at the center of this new marriage, Carly found that trust was not an impossible action where Nick was concerned.
About the Author
A former Long Beach, California, police officer of twenty-two years, Janice Cantore worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, administration, juvenile investigations, and training. She’s always enjoyed writing and published two short articles on faith at work for Cop and Christ and Today’s Christian Woman before tackling novels. A few years ago, she retired to a house in the mountains of Southern California, where she lives with three Labrador retrievers, Jake, Maggie, and Abbie.
Janice writes suspense novels designed to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Abducted, the sequel to Accused, is the second book in the Pacific Coast Justice series, featuring Carly Edwards. Janice also authored the Brinna’s Heart series, which includes The Kevlar Heart and A Heart of Justice.
Visit Janice’s website at www.janicecantore.com and connect with her on Facebook at facebook.com/JaniceCantore.
Discussion Questions
How do you respond during crisis situations? How does God’s supernatural peace affect crises in your life?
Nick begins distancing himself from Carly during his long recuperation. What do you think of his reasons for pulling away? How should he have handled their relationship?
Joe and Christy go through a terrible ordeal, wondering whether their son will ever be recovered. Has anything precious ever been taken from you? If you are able, share the circumstances, along with how you responded and what the outcome was.
Throughout the story, Carly struggles with her roommate, Andi, especially when Andi lashes out in anger. What are some of the things Carly does well in her relationship with her roommate? What could she have done better? What lessons can you take away from their interactions and apply to relationships in your own life?
Think of a time you’ve felt distanced from someone you cared for. How did you respond to the situation? When is it right to let a relationship dwindle, and when is it appropriate to fight to maintain it?
What is your take on Alex’s pursuit of Carly? Did he conduct himself honorably? Did Carly respond appropriately to Alex?
At the end of chapter 10, Carly asks herself if she’d “somehow tied God and Nick together so getting one meant getting the other.” Do you think, at that point in the story, she believed her desire for Nick was part of God’s plan? Is there something in your life that you desire but that God might be telling you to let go of? What steps can you take to evaluate that desire in light of God’s will for you?
Andi lashes out against Carly’s newfound faith because, in her past, people who professed to follow Christ had deeply wounded her. Is there anyone in your life who has suffered similar hurts? What can believers do to love such wounded people and heal the damage?
Pastor Jonah Rawlings is devastated when he realizes his connection to the kidnapper and remembers their shared history. Were you surprised when you read about his secret? Why does Jonah feel so much guilt? How might you have reacted if you were facing a similar situation?
What did you think of Mary Ellen’s actions near the end of the story? What is motivating her? If you were a judge or jury member helping to determine her future, what kind of recommendation would you give? Would you follow the letter of the law or show some grace?
Bam! The door to the van slammed shut.
Diondre struggled to sit up, spitting out blood. He’d bitten his tongue when the Ugly Dude shoved him in the van. He never even said what it was he wanted.
Next to him, Rojo cursed. On the other side of him, Crusher sobbed; Diondre could tell by the smell that he’d wet his pants. The Ugly Dude was Crusher’s friend, his new supplier, so this was his fault, and Rojo swore at him.
“Crush,” Diondre said when Rojo finished. The van moved, jerking Diondre into his friend. “Come on, man. We got to get out of this. What does this guy want?”
“Us dead,” Rojo hissed with heat.
Diondre ignored him. “Crush, talk to me.” As he spoke, he tried to loosen his hands and felt the plastic cuffs cut into his wrists.
Crusher sniffled. “I don’t know, man. He told me he had stuff for us to move—lots of stuff. He gave me the money for the TV. I swear I thought he was on the level.
I don’t know why he’s trippin’.”
“What did Trey say?” Diondre asked about their boss, the OG of the gang. Tough and smart, Trey would be outraged that three of his homeboys were being treated this way.
“Didn’t tell him.”
This brought more curses from Rojo, and fear erupted anew in Diondre. If Trey didn’t know where they were, they were as good as dead. He pushed himself up a bit so he could lean against the side of the van, fighting for control as panic threatened. He thought about what his friend Londy had said to him earlier in the day.
“Man, the gang life ain’t no life. It’s just going get you sent to jail—or worse, dead.”
Londy used to roll with the Ninjas, but no more. He’d been trying to get Diondre out of the gang. Diondre wanted out when he was with Londy, but when Rojo and Crusher came calling, he wanted to be with them. And now he was going to die.
“God is there if you call.” Londy’s words rang in Diondre’s thoughts as loud as if Londy were in the van with him. Diondre squeezed his eyes shut and focused on everything Londy had told him about God. He prayed all the words he remembered, trying hard not to cry.
“You praying, D.?”
Opening his eyes, he saw Crusher looking at him, face dirty with smeared tears.
“Yeah, as best I can, man. As best I can.”
“Pray for me too, will you?”
Diondre nodded as Rojo cursed them both in Spanish. The van came to a stop, and the side door whipped open. Moist, foggy air that smelled like the ocean assaulted his nostrils. Diondre hoped they weren’t at the ocean. He hated the ocean because he couldn’t swim.
But there wasn’t time to consider where they were because the Ugly Dude and his two friends were at the door and they all had guns. Diondre hoped Londy was as right about God as he had been about the gang life.
• • •
Carly and Joe stepped out of the Las Playas police station and headed to the rear parking lot. It was a mild, hazy summer night, the kind of hazy that developed into thick fog as the night wore on. A familiar voice sounded from her left.
“Officer Edwards, Officer King.”
Carly turned, and both she and Joe stopped.
“Hey, G-man, Agent Wiley, how are you?” Carly held her hand out to a man in a dark suit, the stereotypical picture of an FBI agent, a man who had helped with the investigation into the kidnapping and rescue of Joe’s son. Wiley shook both their hands.
“Good, busy.” He turned to Joe. “How’s A.J.?”
“Absolutely great and getting bigger every day.”
“Glad to hear it. Do you mind if I have a word with your partner?” He nodded toward Carly.
“Not a problem. I’ll get us a sled while you talk,” Joe said to Carly. He left her with Agent Wiley.
Carly set her kit down and spread her arms. “Well, I knew you’d catch me sooner or later. And I hid the bodies so well.”
Wiley cracked a hint of a smile, which was about the most he ever did. “Why don’t we have a seat?” He motioned to some break tables on the back patio.
“What’s up?” Carly asked as they sat.
“I’m here to talk to you.”
“Then I’m all ears.”
“I’m heading up a federal task force. We’re pulling in good officers from agencies all over Southern California.”
“Mission?”
“Homeland security. Under that umbrella we’ll work on a lot of different things. There will be travel involved; it’ll be exciting, always changing, and infinitely challenging.”
“I’m happy for you. But why are you telling me?”
“Because I want you to join us. It’s been cleared with your chief, should you decide to hop on board.”
Carly stared at Wiley across the table as bursts of blue, red, and amber flashed intermittently when officers checked their vehicle light bars. The sounds of graveyard shift beginning were swirling around them—cops swapping stories, Ford engines roaring to life, and the occasional short blast as a siren was tested.
“Talk about out of proverbial left field. I don’t know what to say.” The question What would Nick say? shot through her mind as she tried to predict her husband’s reaction. He thought she needed a change. That a federal task force would be change was an understatement. It would afford her investigative opportunities she’d never see in small Las Playas. But it would also take her away from home a lot.
“I didn’t expect you to answer right now.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a flash drive. “Here, take this; study it. It has all the pertinent information about the job. I’ll be in town for a while.”
Carly took the flash drive and closed her fist around it even as the gravity of what Wiley just offered her sank in and excitement started to swell. This was a huge honor.
“This will take some thought,” she said, working to keep her tone noncommittal.
Wiley stood and Carly followed suit.
“You’ve got two weeks. I’m hoping you’ll decide soon, but don’t rush,” he said. “You know where to find me when you’ve made a decision.” Wiley shook her hand once, then turned and left her standing by the table.
Carly stared at the flash drive for a minute, the rush of such a challenging assignment biting hard. She couldn’t suppress the grin as she slipped the drive into her pocket.
• • •
Joe drove their patrol car out to the old marina, where the pier with a boarded-up Walt’s restaurant would stay until an environmental impact study could be prepared, outlining the ramifications of its removal. From Walt’s north a beautiful new seaside shopping plaza was taking shape. It would be connected to the inland Apex shopping complex by a pedestrian bridge over Seaside Boulevard. Carly told Joe about Wiley’s offer as they got out of the car.
“Wow, what an opportunity,” Joe said. “You’d learn a lot and you’d get to do a lot.” He cocked his head. “Be great experience for a promotion.”
Carly rubbed her face. “I don’t know that I want to promote, but I’d love the challenge of a task force like that.” Her mind raced with everything the job would entail. Homeland security—protecting the nation, not just Las Playas.
“I’d hate to give up our partnership,” she said, turning Joe’s way. “That’s the part that stinks. But maybe I do need a change.”
He met her gaze and smiled. “I’d hate to lose it too. But nothing lasts forever, and I would never try to talk you out of a gig like that. To be honest, if it were me, I’d jump on it. Jobs like that don’t grow on trees.”
“What would Christy say?”
Joe shrugged. “She’d probably be happy to have me out of the car. She worries that uniformed police officers are easy targets.”
“If you traveled a lot, that wouldn’t bother her?”
He shot her a sideways glance. “Are you afraid of what Nick will say?”
“Not afraid, exactly. Just not sure.” She stopped as they reached the stairway leading up to the pedestrian bridge. “I—”
Bang.
A sharp, distinct gunshot, close by, cut her off.
Her hand went to her gun.
Bang. Another sounded and before she could speak, a third.
She looked at Joe, intently peering into the darkness. Carly pulled out her radio to advise dispatch. “Can you tell where they came from?” she asked before she keyed her mike. “You think some nut out here has a gun?”
Joe shook his head. “Sound echoes here, but I think that came from farther out, near the Catalina dock.”
Carly keyed the radio. “1-Adam-7, we heard what sounded like three gunshots, possibly from the Catalina dock area. We’ll be investigating. Please advise if you get any calls regarding possible gunshots.”
“10-4, Adam-7. Be advised, we’re getting a call now. Stand by.”
They hurried back to the black-and-white. Joe started the unit and turned for the gate. By the time Carly pushed the gate open, dispatch advised that they had one call about possible
shots, a complaining party who lived in the old marina. The CP also thought the shots came from Catalina Shores.
They weren’t that far away. The new Catalina Shores terminal was attached to the north end of the marina complex but on the other side of Shoreline Park. There was also a large hotel, the Bluestone, between them and the park. It was encircled by construction fencing for the marina renovation and was dark and unoccupied at the moment.
“The CP called from a cell phone.” Carly read more information sent from dispatch on the computer screen as Joe made the turn north on Seaside. “From a marina employee. It’s Jarvis; he lives aboard a boat. Says he heard three distinct gunshots”
“I know Jarvis,” Joe said, making a face. He slowed as they rolled past the park. “He sleeps at work during the day. Why doesn’t it surprise me that he’s up at this time of morning?”
A longtime marina patrol officer, Jarvis had a well-earned reputation as a slug.
“He doesn’t want contact, just called to make sure the beat car checks it out,” she read.
Joe sighed.
They passed the Bluestone; the next ramp would be Marina Access Way. They were on the water now and the haze became thick patches of fog hanging in the air. The streetlights gave off the yellow glow of fog lights and the smell of salt water wafted into the car. But other than the hum of the black-and-white and the sound of the water in the distance, the night was quiet.
Carly’s gaze roamed and her ears strained for any noise out of the ordinary. When Joe turned left onto the ramp, Carly unsnapped her holster.
Marina Access Way ended at the Catalina Shores parking structure and dock, a business that ferried people back and forth to Catalina, twenty-four miles across the channel. This was the only part of the renovation that had finished early.
Carly picked up the radio to announce that she and Joe were 10-97, on scene. Besides police cars, Carly had seen no other traffic or headlights anywhere. They reached the parking structure attached to the Catalina Shores pier, and again Joe slowed so they could listen. During business hours a parking arm would be down and parkers would have to pull a ticket to get in. At this time of the early morning the arm was up, and from what Carly could see, the lot empty. She knew that a section of the lot on top was marked off for long-term parking, for those people leaving their cars to spend more than a day on Catalina and for Catalina residents who wanted to keep their cars on the mainland. She couldn’t see up there at the moment.
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