Emergency Response

by Susan Sleeman

He took a few deep breaths and blew them out. Waited a few more moments until his emotions were back on an even keel, then headed up the steps and tapped lightly on the door in case she was asleep. It wasn’t long before he heard her footsteps coming his way. She opened the door and peered up at him with red and swollen eyes.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t come back downstairs,” she said before he could ask. “I’m beat and just want to go to bed.”

  “I understand.” But he didn’t. Not really. Something was up that she didn’t want to share with him and it hurt.

  “Well, I should...” She jerked a thumb over her shoulder.

  “Could I get the bedding for the couch?”

  “Oh, right. I’m sorry. How could I forget?” She shook her head. “Hang on, I’ll be right back.”

  She quickly returned and shoved the bedding into his arms like she was shoving him out of her life. Her hand smacked his injured arm.

  “Argh,” he said before he could control his reaction, then bit down on his lip to ride out the pain.

  Her gaze searched his face. “Your arm. I hit it, didn’t I?”

  “No biggie,” he managed to get out when all he wanted to do was shout or hit something until the pain receded. He turned to leave. “Good night, Darcie.”

  “I’m coming with you.”

  He spun. “What about going to bed?”

  “I want to take a look at your arm.”

  Her touch, when his emotions were already running high, was the last thing he needed. “The doctor said it’s fine and to change the dressing tomorrow.”

  “Yeah, well...” She crossed her arms and jutted out her chin. “I’m not going to accept that until I’ve taken a good look at it myself.”

  “Not necessary,” he said and headed down the hall.

  She jerked her door closed and caught up to him. Maybe she was experiencing the same needs he was facing. He felt compelled to use his skills to make sure she was safe. Perhaps she needed to use her training to make sure his arm healed.

  She took the steps before him and he trailed her down, the echo of their footsteps ringing through the quiet firehouse. She marched into the family room with purpose in her steps and gestured at the sofa.

  “Sit,” she commanded. “I’ll grab my bag from the equipment room and be right back.”

  With her tone, he didn’t even think twice about complying. He dropped the bedding on one end of the couch and sat on the other end. She soon returned carrying a large tote bag.

  “Don’t tell me I’m going to need all of that,” he joked to lighten the mood.

  “You’d better hope not or that means you’ve messed up the arm in record time.” She dropped the bag on the floor and pulled up a padded ottoman.

  She held out her hand. “Your arm. Now.”

  “I never knew you could be so bossy.”

  “Trust me. Living with so many bullheaded guys around, you learn to stand up for yourself real quick.” She jiggled her hand. “Come on.”

  He leaned forward, giving her access to his arm. She gently removed the dressing, but the simple touch further irritated his damaged nerves. To keep it under control, he focused on the top of her head. Several strands of hair had come out of her ponytail and stuck out like porcupine quills. He wanted to tuck them back in. Not something he should, or would, do.

  She tsked and gazed up at him with a look his mom had often used when he’d done something wrong. “Some of your blisters have broken and you’ve soaked through this dressing. Didn’t the doctor tell you to change it if that happened?”

  “Yes.” He didn’t tell her it was fine a moment ago because then she would know the jolt from her hand had likely caused the blisters to rupture.

  She shook her head and continued to watch him. “Men. You all think you’re invincible. You may have mostly sustained second degree burns, but we need to keep on top of them to keep the risk of infection down.” She turned her attention back to the burn, her touch clinical, but he could feel the softness of her skin as her fingers brushed against him. His pain disappeared as heat traveled up his arm. He wanted to toss aside the medical equipment, draw her close and kiss her as he had in the elevator.

  She suddenly looked up, her cheeks wet with tears. “I’m sorry you got hurt because of me.”

  “Hey,” he said. “It’s okay.”

  “But you keep risking your life for me, when I...” She shrugged and a lone tear rolled down her face.

  He looked deeply into her eyes and ignored the need to wipe away her tear. “Don’t you know by now that I’d do anything to keep you safe? Anything.”

  “Yes,” she said on a breathless whisper. “And I’m so thankful.”

  Her eyes locked on his, the raw emotions drawing him toward her like a magnet pulling steel. This thing between them felt right. Good. Natural.

  “I wish—” he said and the mere act of speaking broke the spell. They couldn’t keep heading down this path or he’d soon have her in his arms. He had to change the subject. Get them talking about something safer.

  “So.” He blew out a breath. “Do you see a lot of burns on the job?”

  Confusion battled with longing in her eyes before a mask of professionalism fell over her face. “More than I’d like, but I treated more burn patients when I was an ER nurse.” She resumed working on his arm.

  Good. He’d focus on her job. That could work. “You don’t see too many nurses as medics.”

  “No, you don’t.”

  “Ha! Nice job at avoiding my question.”

  Her head popped up. “I wasn’t aware that was a question.”

  “Let me rephrase. Why’d you leave the ER?”

  She frowned and looked back at his arm.

  “Guess you don’t want to talk about it,” he said.

  “There’s really no big secret. It was simple. I couldn’t go back to work in the same place where Haley died.”

  “But there must be plenty of other nursing jobs.”

  “There are. It’s just...” She shrugged. “I needed a change. Something completely different. Then I got to join the FRS. No better group of people to work with, so I stayed.” She finished winding the gauze and sat back. “I’ll be asking to see this often.”

  “That’s not—”

  “Necessary,” she interrupted, finishing his thought. “You decide what’s necessary with my attacker, and I’ll decide what’s medically necessary with your arm.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He mocked a salute, bringing a grin to her lips.

  “It’s nice to see you smile.” He reached out a finger and before he could stop himself, he ran it over her lips. “I wish I could make you smile more often.”

  “This isn’t a good idea, Noah.” She jerked back and started packing up her supplies.

  “Don’t you ever want to let go of that iron control you have and do what’s not good for you?”

  “Of course,” she said as she zipped her bag closed. “But starting a relationship can only lead to pain, and I’ve had enough of it to last a lifetime.”

  “How do you know it’ll lead to pain?” he challenged. He had just thought the same thing, but her rejection stung.

  “How do you know it won’t?”

  “Touché,” he said, wondering how to continue this conversation. Logically, he agreed with her that a relationship between the two of them would be a bad idea. Yet he couldn’t deny the draw he felt, pulling him toward her. Would giving in really be so bad? “Aren’t some things worth a little pain?”

  “A little pain? Sure. But losing someone you love? There’s nothing little about that.” She stood and walked away, calling good-night over her shoulder.

  He sat back and watched her leave. He didn’t have a clue what to do about the way he was feeling. He couldn’t eve
n keep things on a professional level with her for five minutes. Then there was Evan. Noah didn’t have a clue what to do about Evan, either. The boy had left his social media open for public viewing, allowing Noah to follow his son’s life. To see him acting out.

  As a cop, Noah had seen this downward spiral many times before. Too many times. If someone didn’t intervene soon, Evan was headed for real trouble and Noah would have failed his son yet again.

  TWELVE

  Noah disconnected his phone call from Judson and headed for the firehouse family room to share the morning conversation with Darcie. Frankly, Noah was getting tired of giving her bad news. He wanted to tell her something to make her smile. Or simply grin and receive that shy, intimate smile that he’d caught from her at times.

  Right, like wishing for something would make it happen. If that was the case, Evan would be part of his life, with God in his heart. Maybe Noah wouldn’t have given him up, or he would have gone to live with a Christian family.

  He found Darcie sitting on the sofa, the red scarf for a fortunate foster child trailing from her knitting needles. Though she said she didn’t want another child, she felt compelled to help children. Maybe he could take a page from her book and find a place to work with kids, too, to help him deal with his issues over Evan.

  She looked up and let her gaze linger. “Your look says it all. That must have been some phone call.”

  “Judson was able to read me in on their big investigation.” Noah perched on the arm of a chair. “Looks like the Nuevo leaders are laundering money in local motorcycle shops.”

  “Money laundering. A gang?” She sat forward. “Doesn’t sound like typical gang activity.”

  “Judson said gangs are into so much more than drugs these days. Unfortunately, the shops are legally registered under a shell corporation so Judson hasn’t been able to prove the gang connection. They’d hoped their snitch would help, but he died before he could give them what they needed.”

  “So how will they make their case?”

  “That’s up to them,” Noah said, not wanting to sidetrack the discussion. “What we need to focus on is if, or how, this could be related to your attack.”

  “I’m not a biker chick, if that’s what you’re asking me.” That grin, the one he often hoped to see, tipped her lips.

  Noah laughed and was glad to see she was keeping a sense of humor today. “I simply want you to think if there might be a connection to your attack.”

  She lifted her head in thought. “There are motorcycle shops in several of the malls where Tom has stores.” She stared over Noah’s shoulder and he could almost see the wheels of thought turning in her head. “Kerr Development. Yes, that’s it. They’re the connection. They own those malls.”

  Noah thought this was another long shot, but he tried to stay positive. “Could be the connection we’re looking for.”

  “Really? You think this might be about Winnie’s sons? Or Tom, even?”

  “It’s still a reach, but I think it’s time that I meet your ex.”

  Darcie dropped her knitting into a basket. “I’m going with you.”

  Noah planted his feet. “It’s safer for you to stay here.”

  She stood. “Safer maybe, but you want to get information from Tom, right? He’s more likely to talk to me than to you.”

  “After your last conversation with him, seems like you’re the last person he’d want to talk to.”

  “Maybe, but he’s a private guy. He’s not going to offer you anything that he doesn’t absolutely need to give you.” She rested her hand on Noah’s healthy arm. “You need me here, Noah. I was married to the guy for ten years. I can read him far better than you’ll be able to.”

  Noah refused to think about the ten years she belonged to another man, but he couldn’t refuse to accept that her help would be invaluable. “There’s only one way I’ll let you go.”

  “Name it.” Enthusiasm sparked in her eyes and he felt his resolve slipping.

  “In case your attacker is watching this place,” he said. “We’ll have the FRS drive off in decoy vehicles, and I’ll smuggle you safely out of here in my car.”

  “You’ve got it.” She squeezed his arm. “I know Jake’s still in his condo and we can arrange it with him.”

  Noah liked seeing her enthusiasm, but apprehension wove through his mind at the thought of taking her out of the house. “I have a call to make and then I’ll be ready to strategize with Jake.”

  “Perfect.” She hurried from the room and Noah went to look out the front window, running his gaze up and down the street as he dialed Bill.

  “Yo, Lockhart,” Bill answered. “What’s up?”

  Noah wasn’t about to waste time on small talk. “Any word on your background check into Tom Stevens?”

  “You’re not going to like this. It’s just like you suspected.”

  “What is?” Noah’s gut knotted.

  “The guy’s having serious financial difficulties. He filed for Chapter 11 on his stores. Looks like the reorganization isn’t going to fly with the courts and he’s heading for bankruptcy.”

  “So he needs money and needs it yesterday,” Noah said as he pondered the implications.

  “And we all know money’s a powerful motivator to break the law.”

  And the need for money could lead to money laundering for the gang where Tom could earn some ready cash.

  “What about Darcie’s background?” Noah asked. “Anything to indicate she was involved with the money issues?”

  “Nah, as far as I can tell they’ve been estranged for most of the last six years, but...” Bill paused, the silence filled with tension. “We’ve both seen stranger things happen, so you can’t rule her out.”

  Noah didn’t for one minute believe Darcie was involved in anything illegal with Tom, but if he was to do his job right, he had to ask. “We’re headed over to talk to Tom soon. Maybe he’ll help clear things up.”

  Another longer pause. “Sure you don’t want me to talk to Stevens?”

  “Thanks, but I’ve got it,” Noah said quickly, knowing full well the situation was far from under control. He was even more vested in Darcie now than when he’d tasked Bill with investigating Tom. But after learning of her ex-husband’s immediate financial needs, there was no way Noah was letting anyone else question Tom. No way at all.

  * * *

  Tom crossed his arms, his stance defensive. A stance Darcie had seen many times in their marriage. It meant he was clamming up. If history repeated itself, he’d storm out the door and go somewhere to blow off steam. Maybe back to wherever he’d gone when he’d bailed on her.

  He shook his head, then stared at her. “I don’t know anything about your attack. Do you honestly think I could be a part of someone hurting you? Un-be-lievable.”

  “Take it down a notch, Stevens. We have to look at all avenues.” Noah’s expression held a mix of anger, disbelief and something else Darcie couldn’t read. She got that he didn’t believe Tom was innocent, even if she did, but she wasn’t sure what was causing Noah’s anger. Maybe he wanted Tom to be guilty so they could finally wrap up this investigation and get back to their normal lives.

  Normal. She didn’t even know what that was anymore. “We think this could be gang-related.”

  “Oh, that’s even better.” Tom huffed a laugh. “Me involved with gangs. Priceless.”

  “You know anything about Rocket Cycles down the mall?” Noah asked.

  “Puh-lease.” Tom rolled his eyes. “You can do better than that, can’t you? Everyone knows the shops are operated by the Nuevos. You’re trying to connect me to them.”

  “Is that what I’m trying to do?”

  Tom uncrossed his arms and stepped closer to Noah. “Look. I’m not involved with them, but I do see gang members comi
ng and going from the Rocket shops. More in this location than the others. But I don’t know what they’re up to and I don’t want to find out.”

  Noah moved on. “What about Kerr Development?”

  “What about them?”

  “How’s your relationship with them?”

  He paused for a moment and she suspected after his request to sell the house, that he was behind in his rent. “We’ve always had a positive, professional relationship, why?”

  “When was the last time you talked to someone there?”

  “I don’t know. Last month, maybe. I don’t have a reason to keep a record.”

  “And LK Design?”

  “What?” Tom stared at Darcie. “What does Lee have to do with anything?”

  She looked to Noah to encourage him to explain his line of questioning. He shook his head.

  “What’s going on, Darcie?” Tom demanded.

  She was caught between them. Her ex and the man she was coming to care for. She didn’t have to think long about who would come out on top in this argument. Noah, hands down. At one time, it would have been Tom. They’d been so in love and happy together. They had their share of normal problems, but they’d faced them together. Then he’d left her and filed for divorce, a word she’d never thought would apply to her. But it did. It was her reality now. And yet, here he was asking for her support.

  As he’d said, un-be-lievable. She stepped back, telling him he was on his own with Noah. “Just answer Noah’s questions. Please.”

  Tom scowled at her. “Fine, but then I expect an explanation.”

  “We’ll see about that,” Noah said.

  Tom turned his attention to Noah. “LK handled my advertising campaigns. In fact, Leland was referred to me by the Kerr brothers.”

  Darcie’s mouth dropped open. She didn’t expect this connection and had to clarify. “You’re sure Kerr Development used LK Design?”

  “Yeah, sure. What’s the big deal? LK still does their design work.”

  “But not for you?” Noah asked.

  Tom shook his head. “Money got tight and I had to quit advertising. That was a few years ago.”