Behind the Badge

by Susan Sleeman

  “You won’t believe this,” Reid said. “The car belongs to Krueger.”

  Stunned, Russ sat back on his haunches. “I can’t begin to figure out how he’s involved in this, but my gut says we should try to take him out.”

  “I’m on my way,” Reid answered.

  “I’ll scope things out so when you get down here we can act.” Russ circled the building until he could get a clear view through the family-room window. Krueger, if indeed it was him under the mask, stood over Sydney. His mouth moved and Russ could make out garbled conversation.

  The good news was Krueger didn’t have his gun drawn. The bomb must’ve made him overconfident.

  Russ made his way to the other side of the cabin and told Reid what he’d seen. They planned a strategy. Russ would reenter from the rear and get into position to take a shot at Krueger. Reid would force open the front door, drawing Krueger’s attention. Russ would either charge Krueger or shoot him, depending on how Krueger reacted.

  Russ started to move into position and heard Krueger badgering Sydney for the flash drive. At least he thought it was Krueger. He had the right build, but he was using the same creepy voice the man had used at the town houses. Russ’s finger itched to take him out and end this, but he had to work the plan.

  Phone still in his pocket, Russ pressed Send on a call he’d dialed to Reid before entering the cabin. This was the signal for Reid to break in the door.

  And he did. Slammed it into the wall, then took cover. Krueger spun, drawing his gun as he went. Russ charged from his spot and tackled Krueger. The man was as tall as a tree, but the desire to protect Sydney gave Russ superhuman strength.

  “Enough, Krueger,” Reid called from above them.

  This was enough to sidetrack Krueger. Russ overpowered and cuffed him.

  As Reid flipped on the light, Russ rolled him over and ripped off his mask. It was Krueger all right. A snarly, angry Krueger.

  Reid crossed the room and removed Sydney’s gag. “I’ll go wait for the bomb squad.”

  “Thanks,” Russ said.

  “Why, Sarge?” Sydney asked, her voice raspy. “Why are you doing all of this?”

  Krueger opened his mouth, but before he said anything to compromise the case, Russ read him his Miranda rights. Krueger clamped his mouth shut. Fine. They’d get the details out of him later. Russ searched Krueger, as he knew he’d have one or more backup guns. He jerked the growling man to a sitting position.

  Krueger broke free and grabbed the leg of Sydney’s chair. “Let me go or I’ll dump her to the floor.”

  “You don’t want to end your own life,” Russ said, though he saw imbalance and rage in Krueger’s eyes.

  “Would be better than going to jail. Now take off these cuffs and back off.”

  “Then what? You escape. If my brother doesn’t plug you when you step outside, I’ll hunt you down. And you know I’ll get you.”

  “Let me worry about that.” He lifted his hands a fraction. “The cuffs.”

  Russ needed to stall. He’d start Krueger talking about his role in this fiasco as a distraction while Russ figured out how to end this.

  Slowly, with his hands raised so Krueger didn’t overreact and move Sydney, Russ eased toward the tainted cop. “I don’t get it, Krueger. Who got you involved in all of this anyway?”

  “Involved? You think I’m merely involved?” His voice rose in disbelief before he laughed. It came out maniacal. “I’m the mastermind, you fool. I’ve run a drug operation in the county for six years. Right under every LEO’s nose.”

  Though appalled, Russ was also impressed that he’d pulled this off for so long. That meant Krueger was a more dangerous foe than Russ thought. “But Dixon was your downfall.”

  “If I’d been in town, Tucker wouldn’t have arrested him and none of this would’ve happened.” He jerked his head toward the cuffs. “Off. Now, Morgan! I mean it.”

  Russ dropped to his knees and used his eyes to urge Sydney to keep Krueger talking.

  “But you made a big mistake,” she said, drawing up Krueger’s head. “I don’t have the flash drive you’re looking for. Why would you think I’d take it, anyway?”

  “Dixon said you did.”

  She snorted. “And you believed him?”

  “He claimed it holds pictures of your sister buying and using drugs. That when you arrested him, you palmed it so she wouldn’t get in trouble.”

  “Not hardly,” Sydney said.

  “But that’s not the reason you want the drive, is it?” Russ slipped the key into the lock.

  “Dixon knew his…ah…usefulness to the organization had come to an end. So he took pictures of my suppliers as an insurance policy. But one of them saw him. Ratted him out. When he couldn’t produce the drive, he claimed you had it.”

  “So you killed him and came after me.” She looked at him with rage burning in her eyes.

  Russ removed the cuffs.

  “And now I’ll be leaving.” Krueger came to his feet. “Give me your gun. Get mine, as well. And don’t forget your backup gun.”

  Officer training dictated never to give up a weapon, but Russ couldn’t see a way out of this situation without complying. So he did.

  “The mighty Morgan failing.” Krueger stared, his eyes hot and angry. “This’s just icing on the cake.” One at a time he tucked the guns in his belt with his free hand. Then got to his feet, keeping a hand on the chair at all times.

  “Now what?” Russ asked. “Once you step out that door, I’ll be on you. Or Reid or the bomb squad will. You can’t go anywhere, so give it up.”

  “I’m not going alone. I’m taking Tucker with me.” He wrapped his foot through the rung on the chair and opened the timing mechanism. “With this dismantled, she’ll travel quite nicely.”

  Sydney locked eyes with Russ. He expected to see fear, terror, but fury filled her eyes. Good. If Krueger somehow got away with her, this determination would keep her alive. But Russ was going to do his best to stop that from happening.

  “A few more to go.” Krueger removed a wire from the post, slipped his leg from the chair and retrieved his gun, which he pressed to Sydney’s temple. He moved the last wire, then stepped to her side.

  “You,” he said to Russ. “Untie her.”

  Russ did as instructed. Then Krueger lifted Sydney. She wobbled, looking as if she was going to keel over. Russ wanted to reach out to her. But the last thing she needed was for Krueger to know he had feelings for her. That would only incite him more.

  She shook her arms and regained her balance.

  “Good,” Krueger said. “We’ll be leaving, then.” He prodded Sydney out the door.

  “Everyone back off or Tucker gets it,” Krueger yelled.

  Russ had no intention of backing off. He followed the madman outside as he tugged Sydney down the stairs.

  She glanced back and cut her eyes to the side at construction scaffolding clinging to the porch. Krueger walked on that side. He took her signal to mean she would elbow him into the bars. Tangle him up and end this.

  Not a good plan. Too risky. He shook his head.

  Too late. She’d turned back.

  Russ saw her raise her arm and heave her body into Krueger. A shot rang out. Krueger crashed into the pipes. The scaffolding shivered, groaning as it moved.

  Russ raced forward. Dived for Sydney. Came up short.

  Iron and wooden planks tumbled to the ground like a house made of cards raining down on Krueger and Sydney. The crash was deafening, robbing Russ of all sanity.

  “Nooo!” His keening voice cut through the inky blackness when he saw Sydney’s twisted body in the wreckage, blood gushing from her neck.

  As he got to his feet and searched for something to use to stem the bleeding, a prayer welled up in his heart. Exploded in his head. He ripped off his shirt and fell to his knees.

  There was so much blood. Too much. He balled his shirt and pressed it against her neck. Panic turned his hands cold. His heart filled with icy
fear.

  Please, God, don’t let Sydney die. Not now. Not after I just found her.

  EIGHTEEN

  A steady beeping sound drew Sydney from sleep. Listening to hushed voices, she opened her eyes. A hospital room? She explored bandages circling her neck and head, and struggled to remember what’d happened.

  “She’s awake,” she heard Russ say from above.

  She blinked hard, trying to clear her vision, and felt the warmth of his hand cupping hers. She squeezed and attempted to sit up, but pain and a swirl of dizziness held her to the pillow. She closed her eyes. Felt sleep pulling her back.

  “Syd.” Russ bent close, his face filling her line of sight. “Don’t go back to sleep. I’ve waited too long for you to wake up to let you leave me again.” He turned, worry etching his forehead. “I think you should get the nurse.”

  “You got it,” Reid said and leaned over her. “Welcome back, Sydney. You nearly scared this big old lunk to death.” He leaned closer and whispered, “Go easy on him, Syd. It’s been a long time since he opened his heart. He’s scared to death.”

  He clapped Russ’s back. “Be right back.”

  Sydney couldn’t comprehend what Reid meant, so she looked around the room. “How long have I been here?”

  “We’re going on day three.”

  “No wonder I feel so bad.” She smiled, but a stab of pain stopped it from widening. “My head hurts.”

  “The scaffolding landed on your head, leaving you with brain swelling. You also suffered a gunshot wound to the neck. Nearly bled out.”

  The terrifying events flashed back into her head.

  “I’ve been praying nonstop.” He squeezed his eyes closed then reopened them as if the same memories assaulted him. “God got us through this, Syd, and I now know I need Him in my life every day, not just when things are falling apart around me.” He squeezed her hand. “And you’ll never guess who prayed right along with me.”

  “Who?”

  “Nikki. Can you believe that?”

  She shot up. “Nikki? How’s Nikki?”

  “She’s fine.”

  She clutched Russ’s shirt to keep the dizziness at bay. “You’re not just saying that?”

  “No. She’s in the lounge. Been here all three days. I’ll get her if you want.”

  “Please.” She slowly lowered her head to the pillow.

  Russ left and Sydney closed her eyes, replaying the events of Sarge’s betrayal. It was hard enough to have been the target of a maniac, but then to learn she’d worked alongside the man every day was nearly too much to handle.

  She heard the door open.

  “Hey, Nikki,” she greeted her sister. The teen raced into the room, followed by Russ and someone dawdling behind that Sydney couldn’t make out.

  Nikki sat on the side of the bed and grinned. “Wish I could get away with sleeping for three days.”

  “I’m happy to see you, too.” She smiled. “Seriously, that guy didn’t hurt you, did he?”

  “Nah. I’m fine.”

  “We found Nikki right after you tackled Krueger.” Russ approached the other side of her bed. “She was alone in a cabin. No bomb. Also nabbed the guy working with Krueger. He’s agreed to testify against Krueger.”

  “Guess that means Sarge survived.”

  “Yeah, but he’s going away for a long time.” Russ smiled with satisfaction. “We located the flash drive. One of the kids at the party swiped it to use for his homework. He didn’t bother to erase the pictures. His teacher saw them and called us. Krueger’s suppliers are also now behind bars. And Dixon also lied about having pictures of Nikki on the drive.”

  “Enough of the business talk,” Nikki said. “Someone else’s here to see you. She’s been sitting with me since the accident.” She turned toward the door. “C’mon, Mom.”

  Sydney’s stomach knotted. How could Nikki possibly think she’d want to see their mother?

  Nikki got up and twined her fingers through their mother’s, drawing her forward. Sydney saw the love and acceptance in Nikki’s eyes and wished she could accept her mother as easily. But only raw, aching pain surfaced.

  She searched for Russ’s hand and held tight. Her time alone in the dark at the cabin had given her a new sense of direction, strengthened her faith, made her realize life was too short not to forgive and give someone a second chance. She should be able to forgive her mother, but even looking at her was proving more difficult than Sydney thought.

  She sent a quick, desperate plea to God for help.

  “Sydney,” her mom said, “I’m glad you’re awake. We were worried about you.”

  “Thank you.” Her words were formal. Like a stranger.

  Her mother’s eyes displayed the hurt. “I shouldn’t be here.” She backed away.

  “No,” Nikki said. “You want to talk to her, so do it.”

  “Is it okay?” she asked Sydney. “Can we talk, or do you want me to leave?”

  She really didn’t want to talk about this. Not now. Not here. Not ever. But seeing Nikki gazing fondly at their mother reminded Sydney of the promise she’d made to her sister. She’d have to face this at some time, so she might as well get it over with now.

  She smiled to reassure her mother. “What did you want to tell me, Mom?”

  Her mother drew in a long breath and made solid eye contact. “I’m sorry. Plain and simple. I hurt you beyond measure, and I’m so sorry for what I did.” Tears glistened in her mother’s eyes. “I could give you all kinds of excuses for my behavior. I could say it was your father’s fault for leaving me. But I’m the one who turned to alcohol for comfort. I’m the one who said the horrible things to you. I’m the one who chose to drown my sorrows instead of being the mother you deserved.”

  Nikki turned to Sydney. “She really is sorry, Syd. She’s been sober for two years now.”

  Her mother nodded. “Two years when I couldn’t get up the courage to face you.”

  “So what’s changed?”

  “I had a little health scare a month ago and came face-to-face with my mortality.”

  “You’re okay, aren’t you?” Nikki asked.

  “Fine.” Her mother looked lovingly at Nikki. “But it was the wake-up call that I needed. I didn’t have forever to talk to you.” She stared crying. “And I didn’t have forever to spend with you two, to make up for all the things I did wrong or to ask for your forgiveness.”

  Nikki leaned forward and laid her head on their mother’s shoulder. “You know I forgive you, Mom.”

  Sydney searched her mother’s face for deceit. The pain she found melted Sydney’s heart. This was the same look Russ had when he had talked about how he hurt his family—the same sincere remorse mixed with the hope of forgiveness. Russ had messed up in the same way, and Sydney believed with every ounce of her being that he deserved a second chance. Could she do any less with her mother?

  No, but the pain and heartache from the years of mistreatment didn’t ebb. Letting go of the pain and falling into her mother’s arms as easily as Nikki had would take time. But she could offer forgiveness.

  “I forgive you, too, Mom,” she said softly. “I’d like to spend time with you. See if we can repair our relationship.”

  Her mother broke into full-out sobs.

  Nikki patted her shoulder. “It’s okay, Mom. We’ll be okay.”

  Her crying slowed. “Thank you, Sydney. And thank you for bringing Nikki up to be such a fine young woman. I am so proud of both of you.”

  Nikki offered Sydney an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, too, Syd. I’ve been making things hard on you. After what Mom told me, I know you were trying to protect me from hearing she wanted to give me away.”

  A contented sigh slipped out. For once in Sydney’s life, she believed everything would be okay. Nikki would listen more and they would work out how their mother would factor into their lives.

  Russ squeezed her hand. She turned to focus on him. Not everything was resolved. She still hadn’t told Russ ho
w much he meant to her, and if the anguish in his eyes told her anything, it said he had something to tell her, as well.

  She turned back to her mother. “Do you two mind if I talk to Russ for a few minutes?”

  “We need to get some lunch.” Her mom clearly understood what was going on.

  “But I want to talk to Syd,” Nikki whined.

  “There’s plenty of time for that later.” Their mother took Nikki’s hand and led her out of the room.

  Russ perched on the side of the bed, his expression so warm and tender it stole her breath. She sat up, sliding into his arms and resting her head against the warmth of his chest.

  He held her so tight breathing was a challenge, but she reveled in the closeness and didn’t move. He moved back and leaned down for a kiss. His touch as soft as down and warm as the heat searing her heart.

  He suddenly pulled back.

  “Why’d you stop?” she asked.

  He met her gaze. “I’m so sorry I let this happen to you.”

  She pulled away. “Oh, no, you don’t, Russ. You are not going to take responsibility for this. I was the one who took off on my own. You had nothing to do with that.” Vehemence shot through her words.

  “Relax, Syd.” He stroked her arms. “I’m not blaming myself for this. When I found out you were gone, I did my best to find you and keep you safe. You got hurt. I wish it hadn’t happened, but I’m through taking blame for things I can’t control.”

  She sat, openmouthed, for a few moments. “Who are you and where is my Russ?”

  His lips tipped in that crooked little grin she loved. “I went to see the Babcocks yesterday. They said if they blamed me for not doing the extra search then they’d have to blame themselves for every little thing that led up to being outside the station when Willie was shot. It helped me realize that although I made a mistake, there were so many other things that day that could’ve changed the course of events…and that I couldn’t continue to blame myself.”