Border Breach

by Darlene L. Turner

  “Yes, and he’s targeted you and your father.”

  The waitress brought their meals and Kaylin unwrapped her silverware from the linen napkin. She breathed in the trout’s scent. Her mouth watered.

  She grabbed her fork. “We know he has gangs across the country and into Michigan. Why hasn’t anyone sold him out yet?”

  “They’re scared of him. He’s proved his ruthlessness and they abide by all his commands. Plus, he seems to have eyes and ears everywhere.”

  He took her hands in his. “Let’s say grace, shall we?”

  Right. Grace. How could she have forgotten about her newfound Father? She bowed her head and let Hudson take the lead.

  “Father, thank You for this night and time together. I praise You once again for keeping Kaylin safe. Be with us now as we discuss the case. Give us insight, so we can bring these smugglers to justice.” He paused. “Thank You for this food and bless it to our body’s use. Amen.”

  “Amen.” She reluctantly let go of his hands.

  He grabbed his phone and punched in a number. “Let me check in and see if there’s a ballistics report yet. Bianca told me she’d be working late.”

  Kaylin took a sip of iced tea and waited while Hudson spoke on his cell phone.

  “What?” He sat up straighter. “When will we get the warrant?”

  Muscles jumped under her skin. Did they just get a lead?

  “Sounds good. The morning, then. Thanks again.” He put his phone on the table. “Interesting news.”

  “What?”

  “The police found a 51 mm shell casing near the beach where the sniper held his position before shooting Jake. The same slug was taken out of Akio. Both from an M24 sniper weapon.”

  “Same shooter in both cases, most likely.”

  “Looks that way. There’s more.”

  She waited, praying it would lead them closer to the gang. “Tell me.”

  “They found fingerprints on the gas can used in the fire at DJ’s Florist. Lyle Oliver’s.”

  She dropped her fork. It clanked on her plate. “What? He torched his own shop?”

  “Apparently. We got him on arson. He’s being released from the hospital and we’ll get the warrant in the morning.”

  “That’s a big break.”

  He raised his iced tea. “To the possibility of an end to this case.”

  They clinked glasses.

  Euphoric, she dug into her meal. A minute later, her cell phone buzzed.

  She swiped to bring it alive. A picture of her and Hudson raising their glasses at the restaurant moments ago popped up on the screen.

  Stop your investigation or you’ll pay.

  Kaylin dropped her phone and glanced around the room as an erratic pulse of terror swept through her veins.

  They’re watching.

  FIFTEEN

  Kaylin’s heartbeat crashed against her ears, pulsating quicker by every moment. She gripped the sides of the table and closed her eyes as nausea rose in her throat. Who was this person targeting her? She thought it had ended with Jake’s death, but it appeared there was still a stalker out there. How did they get a number for a police-issued phone? It was clear. Someone had infiltrated the police.

  She pushed her dish away. She’d lost her appetite. Her knife slipped from her plate and clattered to the floor.

  “Kaylin, what’s wrong?” The concern on Hudson’s face melted her heart.

  She turned the cell phone in his direction. “Look at this.”

  He picked up the phone, eyes widening. “I thought it was Jake who targeted you?”

  “It appears I have more than one stalker.”

  He grabbed his phone. “We really need to contact your father. Get you off the case.”

  She placed her hand on top of his. “Please don’t. He’ll never let me hear the end of it.”

  “Don’t you think he’ll want to keep his daughter safe?”

  “Probably, but I don’t want to take the chance.”

  He raised a brow. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  How could she explain without him judging her?

  Trust.

  The word popped into her mind. Was God showing her what to do? If so, it was time to come clean. She looked him straight in the eyes. “Promise you won’t hate me.”

  “What? I could never do that.”

  Father, I need guidance. Should I share my secret? What if Hudson rejects me?

  God had led her out of the boathouse. He would help her now.

  “You once said you couldn’t trust anyone keeping secrets. Well, I’ve done that. There’s much you don’t know about me. A lot I’ve kept hidden from many people.” She twisted her napkin as if trying to wring out past hurts.

  He shoved his plate aside and took her hand. “Tell me, Kaylin. I listen well and I promise, I won’t judge you. Not after the many mistakes I’ve made in my life.”

  She hesitated.

  “Please. I can help.” Hudson squeezed her hand. “What is it?”

  “My father isn’t what he appears to be.” She held his gaze. “He hates me.”

  He tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

  She pulled away. Could she go on? She had to. No turning back. “When I was born, my mother hemorrhaged and died. My father lost the love of his life and gained a colicky baby. One he grew to hate as the years went by.”

  Hudson drew forward. “How do you know that?”

  She draped a cardigan around her shoulders, trying to keep out the drafts of the past. “Because he ridiculed me with every breath. I couldn’t do anything right and, believe me, I tried.”

  “I’m so sorry. I find that hard to fathom. He seems so gentle. Caring.”

  “Looks can be deceiving. He did the same to my brother. After years of verbal abuse, Todd took up drugs.” She tugged a strand of hair, curling it around her finger. “I lost the only hope I had when I was ten. My best friend.”

  Hudson rubbed her arm. “That must have been hard.”

  A tear rolled down her cheek, but she did nothing to stop it. “Very. It got worse after that.”

  He wiped her tear away with his thumb. “Did you try telling someone?”

  She huffed out a heavy sigh. If only it had been that easy. “That was just it. No one would believe me. My father acted all innocent, putting on a pious face at church.”

  “That’s why you found it so hard to trust God.”

  She fiddled with her pendant. “Yes, how could I accept Him as a Father after the example I had here on earth? No way.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I couldn’t take it anymore, so I stole money and ran away when I was fifteen.” The best thing she’d ever done. Facing it had been hard, but she knew she had to do it. “But soon the money ran out and I ended up on the streets.”

  Hudson intertwined his fingers with hers. “Where you met Mary.”

  His touch calmed her racing heart.

  Her lips curved into a smile. “Yes, she sheltered me from all the others who only wanted to hurt me. She introduced me to another young girl. Hannah. My best friend.” The only ones who truly understood her. Would she be able to add Hudson to that list? Her pulse fluttered at the thought, but would he still want to be her friend after this confession? “We met Diane at the shelter. She felt sorry for us and took us in. Clothed and fed us. Gave us a roof over our heads. I now realize God put that loving, amazing woman in my path.” Why hadn’t she’d seen it before?

  “But you and your father are talking now, right?” Hudson asked her.

  She picked at her fingernails. “After seven months, my father found me and confessed he’d changed. Said he was sorry for everything and wanted me to come home.”

  “What did you do?”

  She slumped back against the booth, blow
ing out a breath. “Diane convinced me to give him another chance, so I did.”

  “What happened?”

  Somewhere in the restaurant, a diner scraped a chair. She jumped. Talk of her father always put her on edge even after all these years. “He was the gentle, loving father I had always wished for.”

  “So why do you still think he hates you? I don’t understand.”

  How could she explain it when she had a hard time figuring it out herself? Her father tried hard to make amends after all these years, so why couldn’t she let him? “It’s me. I’m holding on to the past. Diane urges me all the time to forgive him, but I can’t.”

  He took a drink. “She’s right, you know. Bitterness will overtake you if you don’t. Believe me, I know.”

  Did he have secrets, too? “Rebecca?”

  He fiddled with a college ring on his right hand. “Yes. I need to forgive her, but also myself.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I, too, have secrets. Ones I’ve kept to myself for years.” He paused.

  She caressed his fingers. “Tell me.”

  “I lost a parent, as well. My father shot himself when I was eight years old.”

  “Oh, Hudson. I’m so sorry.”

  “I saw him do it.” The vein in his neck protruded as if reliving the event.

  “What?” The turmoil he must have gone through after witnessing such a horrific tragedy was evident. It was a wonder he’d turned into such an amazing man and not one living in fear. Then again, he had God on his side.

  “Yes. The image has haunted me all my life. I blame myself for his death.”

  “But why? You didn’t pull the trigger.”

  “That’s what my mom told me, too, but I had just gone through a week of disobeying him and he had told me he was disappointed in me. I thought I wasn’t a good enough boy and he didn’t want to live anymore.” He rubbed his stubbled hair.

  “That’s foolish.”

  Hudson took a sip of his iced tea before continuing. “I know, but that’s all my eight-year-old brain could think of. I eventually had to forgive myself and years of counseling helped me see that.”

  “Did you forgive him?”

  “I’m learning to. That’s why I want you to try and do the same with your father.”

  She pulled away. “I wish it was that easy.” Kaylin chewed the inside of her mouth. Should she tell him all her secrets? This one would definitely make him reject her. But she needed to get everything off her chest. She picked up her fork and played with her food, stalling the inevitable. She put the utensil back down.

  Get it over with, Kaylin.

  “There’s more and I’m scared to tell you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because of what you’ll think of me.”

  He shook his head. “Whatever happened in your past is just that. The past.”

  “When I was younger and started to date Jake, I made some bad decisions. I wasn’t a Christian and didn’t know better. Diane warned me, but I still didn’t listen.” She hesitated. “I did drugs with him.”

  “Even after what happened to your brother?”

  “I know. It was stupid and a bad judgment call, but I wanted him to love me. I was scared if I didn’t do what he said, he’d leave me.” She hung her head.

  He reached across the table and tipped her chin up. “Listen, we’ve all made bad decisions when we were younger. We grow from them.”

  “But you’d think I’d know better. I still can’t believe I did it.”

  “For how long?”

  “Couple of months. I came to Diane’s place high one day and she was livid. She challenged me, knowing my background. Told me Jake wasn’t worth it.” She fiddled with her sweater. “I knew she was right and I had to break it off, so I mustered up the courage and did it.”

  “Good for you.”

  “But then a year ago, we got back together. He said he’d quit doing drugs. We got engaged. I found out later that he lied. After I learned he was selling drugs, I knew I needed to help put him away.” It had been hard to let go of what she thought was love for him. Now she knew the truth. She just wanted someone to love her.

  “And I came into the picture.”

  “Yes.” She cradled her head in her hands. “Do you hate me now?”

  He grabbed a hold of her wrists and pulled her hands from her face. “I couldn’t hate you, Kaylin. You need to forgive yourself for your mistakes.”

  Tears welled. “I know. I feel so unworthy.”

  “God has forgiven you. Why can’t you do the same and believe in yourself?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  “God will show you how.”

  “Thanks for listening and being so understanding.”

  “Anything for you.”

  Their gaze locked and the moment stretched on while the clinking of dishes and glasses sounded around them. Her heart hitched. Did that mean he cared for her? Wanted to be more than friends, even after everything she’d shared?

  First, they had to solve the case. Nothing could happen before.

  He pushed her plate back toward her. “Shall we eat now?”

  “Of course. Sorry for the interruption.”

  “You don’t have to apologize. I’m glad you finally told me.” He cut into his steak and took a bite.

  By the time they finished their dinner, she was exhausted. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. After an overwhelming day, her weary body demanded sleep. Especially after nearly dying today.

  “You ready to head out? We have another big day tomorrow.” Hudson grabbed her hand and stood. “Stay close to me in case we’re still being watched.”

  She did a cursory check of the room, but there were only diners enjoying their meals. Or so it seemed.

  Fifteen minutes later, Hudson pulled his car to the curb in front of her apartment building. They walked up the steps to the door in silence.

  The stars twinkled in the summer night. She breathed in and let out a soft whoosh of air. Peace settled into her body as her limbs relaxed.

  Everything is going to be okay.

  He turned her to face him. “Kaylin, I want you to know I respect you even more for telling me your story.”

  “Thank you for being so understanding. You’re an amazing guy.”

  He traced her face with his finger and stepped closer.

  All around her, crickets chirped like a syncopated orchestra.

  Hudson eyed her mouth, moving in slowly.

  Then stopped and pulled back.

  Was he thinking about Rebecca? Maybe he wasn’t over her.

  She stiffened. Even though he respected her for telling him about her past, he only wanted to be friends. Perhaps he was right. They had a job to do and romance wasn’t in the picture. “See you tomorrow.”

  That night she tossed and turned as dreams of kidnappings, drownings and her father held her captive. No matter what she did, she couldn’t shake the recurring pictures rolling by in her slumber world.

  It was a fitful, restless night and she didn’t fall asleep till nearly daybreak.

  Her cell phone beeped, waking her early in the morning. She fumbled for the device and held it to her ear. “Hello?” Her voice sounded foggy from lack of sleep.

  “Kaylin? Help me. I’m—”

  She jolted upright. “Daddy? What’s wrong?”

  Silence.

  “Daddy!”

  She heard another voice come onto the line. “We told you there’d be consequences if you didn’t listen. Now your father will pay.”

  The menacing voice sent a chill racking her entire body.

  Lord, protect my father. I need to tell him I love him. Before it’s too late.

  * * *

  Hudson sipped his coffee as he waited for Kaylin.
He thought about their evening together. Why had he pulled back last night at her door? You know why. His heart couldn’t take another rejection, especially since his feelings for this woman had grown. He found himself thinking about her when she wasn’t around and his heart thumped while they were together. He had to contain his feelings. It would never work between them.

  Lyle Oliver had been released from the hospital and arrested late last night after the judge signed the warrant earlier than expected. He now waited in the interrogation room.

  The office door slammed open and Kaylin rushed toward him, her eyes wild and hair disheveled.

  He rose from his chair. “Kaylin, what’s wrong?”

  “They have him. We need to find him. Before they kill him.” Her breathless words came out forced.

  He pulled her toward a chair. “Sit. Slow down. Who has who?”

  She plunked herself beside him. “The stalker has my dad.”

  “What? When did they call?”

  “Half hour ago. I raced to get here. We need to see if Bianca can get a hit from the number or do whatever you guys do.” She shoved her cell phone across his desk as tears slipped down her cheeks. “I need to tell him I love him. Before it’s too late.”

  “I’ll take it to Bianca right now.” He wiped her tears with his thumb. “We’ll find him.”

  She wrapped her arms around her stomach. “I hope so.”

  He rubbed her shoulder, then pulled away. He had to stop getting so close to her. It wasn’t the right time. “Stay here.”

  He explained the situation to Bianca. She downloaded information from Kaylin’s phone and handed it back, promising to do all she could to help. In the meantime, they had to interrogate Lyle. He walked back to his desk.

  “Bianca is checking into it.” He handed Kaylin her cell phone. “We have Lyle Oliver. Let’s talk to him. Maybe he has information that could lead us to your father.”

  She popped out of the chair. “Yes, let’s go.”

  His cell phone dinged and he checked the text. No. He drew in a rough breath. “Bad news. Benji Rossiter just died.”