by Rebecca Deel
“Technically, I don’t have an appointment. You do.”
“With who?”
“The feds. They’ll be livid that no one knows where you are.” He shrugged. “Doesn’t bother me to keep them dangling a while longer, but Ethan and Rod are pushing it to give you this much time.”
“Let’s go home, Del.” Ivy sighed. “What’s the worst that can happen? We’ll give them the same unsatisfactory answers we’ve given everybody else and they’ll go away.”
Del hoped that was the case. The way things had been going lately, she was afraid to believe it. She noticed the telling glance Alex shot Josh. “What’s wrong?”
“The feds might take you into custody as a material witness, baby. Especially if they connect your midnight visitor to Reece’s murder.”
“We don’t know that’s true,” she protested. “It could be a coincidence.” She knew the chances were slim, but Del didn’t want to leave her store and her readers. She loved her job. She also needed the income to pay bills. Padlocking the doors and moving home was not an option. She also had Ivy to think about.
“Don’t set your heart on staying free,” Alex said. “We’ll do what we can, but we’re limited beyond going on the run with a target on all our backs.”
“It won’t come to that.”
Josh didn’t answer.
Del sighed and turned to watch the darkening sky. A gloomy silence fell in the SUV, unbroken except for faint road noise. Alex drove well. He navigated traffic like a driver with serious training. Twenty miles from Otter Creek, a cracking sound drew her attention. Before her eyes, the front windshield spiderwebbed from right to left.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Down!” Josh shoved Del and Ivy flat on the seat. He considered making them unbuckle and crouch in the floorboard, discarded the idea. If Alex lost control of the SUV, they might wind up in a rollover. He wanted them belted in for safety. “Don’t raise up until I tell you it’s safe.”
“What’s happening?” Ivy asked, voice tight.
The SUV leapt forward. “Bullet hit the windshield,” Alex said, voice grim.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, just stay down so I’m not worried about you or Del.”
Josh’s grip tightened on his weapon. The bullet had been aimed at his side of the vehicle. If not for reinforced glass, he’d be dead. Was their perp arrogant or that good a shot? Either way, he could have hit Del. His jaw flexed. Shooting through glass messed with bullet trajectory. One miscue and Del would have left the SUV in a body bag.
“Change of plans?” Alex asked.
“Negative.” Josh reached into the luggage area and grabbed his Go bag. He jammed his hand into the side pocket, seized night vision goggles and slipped them on for a minute. He scanned the area for heat signatures. Nothing. Didn’t mean the shooter wouldn’t try again before they made it to Otter Creek. Nearly impossible, though. Probably wanted to scare Del and Ivy, maybe get lucky and take him out. They would be vulnerable with him down.
Even if he succeeded, the shooter was an idiot to discount Alex. His partner didn’t run from a fight. Ever. Alex Morgan tracked terrorists and captured or killed them. In Josh’s mind, the shooter fell into terrorist category.
“What now?” Del asked.
He stroked her cheek while scanning their surroundings. Alex had his hands full driving at top speed over unfamiliar roads. He’d dispatched warlords and terrorists while driving in war-torn countries during his military stint. If that became necessary now, the women were in dire straits.
“We burn rubber for the next eighteen miles. Once we cross the town limits, we’ll be harder to pin down.” He unclipped his cell phone from the holder and hit his speed dial. Ethan answered on the second ring.
“Blackhawk.”
Must have one or more feds within hearing range. Didn’t matter if the Washington boys knew they were en route. His priority was Del and Ivy’s safety. “Coming in hot. We took a hit to the windshield on Highway 18 twenty miles out.”
“Injuries?”
“Negative. Ride’s reinforced.”
“ETA?”
“Ten.”
“Roger that.” The noise level rose dramatically. Ethan must have moved out into the bullpen. “Back door. We’ll be ready for you.”
“Feds?”
“Ready to tear a strip off our hides. If you planned on a job in federal law enforcement, better try another career path.”
Josh chuckled at Ethan’s cheerful response. “I’ll make a note. How’s Serena?”
“Pukey, amazing.”
Guess the shock was wearing off. Ethan was perfect for his baby sister. He treated her like a princess, loved her as his most precious gift. Serena looked upon him the same way. “Told Dad about the baby yet?”
“He’s creating a list with names for more than one baby.” Ethan’s tone was tinged with amusement. “I hope the effort’s wasted.”
“Five minutes.”
“We’ll cover you,” he said, and ended the call.
Josh leaned forward. “Drive to the back of the police station.” He gave terse directions. Alex weaved through slower moving town traffic, muttering under his breath while swerving into the opposite lane to by-pass an ancient pickup doing ten miles under the speed limit. Tires squalling, Alex rounded the corner and guided the SUV into the back lot of the Otter Creek PD. At the gate, Josh leaned forward, waved his card in front of the scanner, and the iron gate swung open. Alex’s vehicle halted far enough away from the building to allow Ethan to open the door. Four other officers, weapons drawn, provided promised coverage. Two feet to safety. A lot could happen in two feet.
“Can we sit up?” Ivy asked.
“Give me fifteen seconds to take position,” Alex said. He turned off the engine, freed his weapon, shoved open his door, slid to the asphalt. After scanning the surroundings, he rapped on the glass.
Josh opened his door. “Slide to me. Rod’s waiting inside.”
Del sat up, her gaze locked on his. “What about you?”
“Behind Ivy, sweetheart.” He climbed out, helped her to the blacktop. An officer hustled her inside to safety. He turned to Ivy. “Your turn, kitten. Same routine.”
She scrambled across the seat and grasped Josh’s extended hands. Alex drew her under his arm and hurried her inside the station.
“You, too,” Ethan said. “You’re not going hunting while you carry a badge.”
A flame burned in Josh’s gut. He wanted to do just that. If he did go hunting, though, someone else would be tasked with Del’s safety. He scowled. Not happening unless the feds placed them in protective custody. Inside, his brother-in-law led the way through the station to his office.
“Where are Jordan and his flunkies?”
“Dinner. We don’t have long. Tell me.”
For the next few minutes, Josh gave his report in rapid-fire fashion, much like his reports to his commanding officers in the Army. Ethan sighed, ran his hand down his face. “You know what’s going to happen.”
“Can we avoid it?”
“Doubt it. Jordan’s being hardnosed about this.”
“What about hassling his crime scene team?”
“They finished despite his interference.”
“Where are Del and Ivy?”
“Interrogation.” He held up a hand before Josh spewed any blistering words. “It’s the safest place. No windows and controlled access.”
“Can the fed session wait until tomorrow?”
Ethan sent him a pointed look. Yeah, he knew better. Didn’t mean he liked it. “Would the marshals allow them another night before taking them into custody?”
“No, they wouldn’t.” A deep bass voice sounded from Ethan’s doorway. A six foot, barrel-chested male with brown hair and eyes stood in the doorway wearing a dark suit, white shirt, dark tie, and black shoes. Typical fed uniform.
Behind him, a blond male assessed him with an icy blue gaze wearing identical attire. The growing s
neer on his mouth conveyed the marshal’s attitude about Josh’s request. Jordan wasn’t the sole hardnosed fed in town. Young, too. Probably a rookie with the accompanying attitude.
“Josh, meet Marshals Ken Burns and Stone Vance. Gentlemen, Officer Josh Cahill.”
Josh figured the blond was Stone. Couldn’t see the middle-aged guy sporting a yuppie name like Stone.
Blondie said, “You’ve already hindered our investigation. We’re racing the clock to track down Reece’s killer.”
“Join the line of excellent people working on that.”
Anger flushed his cheeks. “Trail’s already cold thanks to your department’s inept investigation.”
The other marshal held up his hand, stopping his partner’s tirade in its tracks. “Enough, Stone. Not their fault Jordan got the jump on us. My apologies, Officer Cahill. No disrespect intended. You have to understand where we’re coming from. Judge Reece was a friend.”
“He was a good man,” Ethan said. “This is personal for us. We want this shooter behind bars. If we can help, we will.”
Burns shifted his attention from Ethan to Josh and back. “Where are the witnesses?”
“Interrogation room. Down the hall, first door on your left.” Ethan smiled, more a baring of his teeth. “The ladies need a meal. You will let them eat before questioning them.”
“Wait a minute,” Stone blustered. “We have jurisdiction over Reece’s murder. You can’t prevent us from questioning the witnesses.”
“Not negotiable, Vance. Their well-being is my responsibility. They eat first.”
“We can wait a few more minutes, Chief,” Burns said. “Is there an office where we can check in with our supervisor?”
Ethan inclined his head to the right. “Office is empty right now.”
“Thanks.” With a nod, he preceded his partner next door. The wooden door shut with a soft click. An angry voice sounded muffled through the walls into Ethan’s office.
“I’ll take care of dinner,” Josh said. “You or Rod need anything?”
“We grabbed dinner while the marshals ate theirs.”
“Where’s Jordan?”
“Chatting up a waitress at the diner.”
Josh grinned. “You have a spy?”
“Whole town’s in on it. I spread the word he might cause trouble for Del. Reports started the minute he left his hotel room.”
“Chief Blackhawk, you’re getting the hang of small-town living.”
He snorted. “Get going. The marshals might give us a few minutes. Doubt Jordan will be so accommodating.”
“If the feds grow impatient, don’t let Del and Ivy talk to them alone.”
Ethan’s gaze raked over Josh’s face. “Your friend is sweet on Ivy. You interested in Del?”
“Don’t know if it will go anywhere, but I want the chance to find out.”
“Your objectivity’s shot.”
“Your objectivity took a hit a couple years ago. You didn’t step aside either.” Josh moved in closer. “Don’t ask me to do that, Ethan. Not as my boss or my friend. I’d prefer to hide her and track the shooter. I’m giving us and the feds a chance to find this guy before I bring in my team. I’m not losing Del.”
He watched Josh a minute, then said, “Your plan better be set when you return.” He headed toward the interrogation room.
Josh drove to Burger Heaven. Back at the station, he found his Go bag in Ethan’s office. He closed the door and blinds, and located two tracking devices. He slipped them into the phones he bought for Del and Ivy.
He stashed both phones in his pocket and retrieved the food from Ethan’s desk. A stop by the vending machine netted four Cokes. In Interrogation, Alex and Ivy sat on one side of the scarred wooden table. Del waited alone on the other side. Rod rested one hip on the table’s edge while Ethan lounged against the wall near the door.
“Text came in a couple minutes ago,” Ethan said. “Jordan was at the cash register.”
“Stall. Del and Ivy haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
“Don’t know how long Jordan will cooperate.”
Rod stood. “I’ll help.” He grinned. “Love to tangle with that lame fed. Might call Meg. She’d love to get in a punch or two at him.”
“My money’s on my snoopy sister.”
He chuckled and left the room. Ethan leaned in close to Josh’s ear. “Jordan won’t let you stay for the interview. Don’t make an issue of it,” he murmured. “Pick your battle. This one isn’t the place to dig in. The feds will take them into custody as soon as the questioning is finished. I’ll get you a few minutes with Del before they’re under wraps. Make those minutes count.”
“Thanks.”
Ethan closed the door behind him.
“What’s going on?” Del asked. “Does he know something he hasn’t shared?”
Josh handed Alex a couple Cokes and unpacked the food bags. “I brought cheeseburgers with everything on them.”
Alex dug into his burger. He chewed, swallowed, grabbed a couple of fries. “Oh, man, I’ve missed these burgers.”
Josh unwrapped a cheeseburger and took a bite of his own. Nobody else grilled hamburgers this good in town. He dreamed about the taste of these while deployed. The chow hall never came close to Burger Heaven. He took the seat beside Del and nudged her with his elbow. “Eat, sweetheart. We’ll have company before long.”
“Is that what Ethan said?”
“Feds aren’t patient.”
She frowned, but picked up her hamburger. She and Ivy finished the last of their fries when a sharp knock sounded on the door. Ethan came into the room followed by Burns, Vance, and Jordan. From his brother-in-law’s expression, his last few minutes hadn’t been peaceful.
Josh stood. “Jordan.”
Craig Jordan scowled. “Cahill. What are you doing here?”
“Dinner.”
“Take a hike.”
Heat burned Josh’s cheeks. He wished for a couple minutes with the cantankerous fed. End up in jail, though. Jordan wasn’t one to let an insult or a punch to the gut pass without reprisals. “Does this mean we’re not friends anymore?”
“I’m not friends with cowboys who play by their own rules.”
He grinned and gathered the trash. “Don’t know what you’re missing.”
“Reams of paperwork explaining why I didn’t follow protocol.”
“No imagination.” Josh turned to Ethan. “Okay if I bring in more Cokes?”
“They just finished dinner,” Vance protested. “An obvious ploy to delay us. Again.”
“Josh,” Del said, voice soft. “It’s okay.”
“No, baby, it’s not.” He crouched at her side. “Jordan and company will need you to go over the day you found Reece, several times. Carbonation will settle your stomach.” Had she understood his unspoken message to talk about Reece and not the break-in or shooting incident?
She swallowed hard. “Good idea.”
One look at Alex had his friend standing. He laid a hand on Ivy’s shoulder, squeezed. “Back in a minute.”
Jordan frowned. “Don’t you have anything better to do, Cahill? Surely some cat needs saving.”
Josh narrowed his eyes. So, Jordan had been checking up on him. “I’m off duty. If Fluffy or his friends need hauling out of a tree today, I’ll be sure to pass them your number.”
Alex returned with two more bottles of Coke. He gave one to Ivy, the other to Del.
“Blackhawk, take your two flunkies and get out.”
He smiled. “One of us stays with them or I’ll remind Del and Ivy about their right to legal counsel.” Ethan motioned for Josh and Alex to leave the room.
Josh brushed his lips over Del’s. “I’ll be waiting,” he whispered and stood. At the door, he glanced at Del. Uneasiness filled her gaze. He winked at her and closed the door.
Jordan’s words, though muffled, seeped from the room. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were avoiding us. I’m sure Blackhawk informed you that such
behavior would land you behind bars for obstructing justice. Now, let’s begin.”
His hand gripped the doorknob, knuckles white. As a friend, he longed to whisk them away and hide them. As a cop, he understood questioning was necessary. Posturing or not, the more people working Reece’s case, the faster law enforcement could chase down leads. Del and Ivy’s safety depended on them capturing or taking out the killer. Turning, he motioned to his friend. “Come with me.”
He led Alex into Ethan’s office. Josh handed one cell phone to Alex. “Ethan thinks the marshals will take Del and Ivy into custody as soon as the interrogation is finished. Installed a tracker. Get it to Ivy.”
“We going to spring them?”
Josh leaned against Ethan’s desk, frowning. “Got a bad feeling. I want to know where they are in case things go south. Not sure about Ivy, but Del couldn’t find her way out of a paper bag. She got lost going to Knoxville a few weeks ago and that was with directions she’d printed out.”
Alex shook his head. “She’d never make it in the military.” He slipped the phone into his hip pocket. “Why won’t you give this to Ivy? She doesn’t know me.”
Josh chuckled. “Might look funny to the feds if I play the boyfriend card with both women.”
“You owe me a Porterhouse steak if she slaps me.”
“Deal.”
Three hours passed before the interrogation room door opened. Vance, a look of disgust on his face, shouldered past Josh and Alex who stood on both sides of the hall. Josh hadn’t wanted to give the marshals a chance to leave with Del and her cousin without giving him a chance to hand over the phones. He wouldn’t put it past them to try that to spite Ethan. Power plays were the norm for all federal law enforcement, no matter how much they spouted words of cooperation with the locals. Burns nodded at them as he followed his partner into the bullpen, phone pressed to his ear. “Atkins, we leave with the wits in ten minutes.”
Josh’s stomach knotted. He hated this. No idea if these marshals were any good, knew for sure they weren’t as good as his team.
Ethan’s voice carried into the hall. “You’ve got your witnesses, Jordan. You will give Ms. Peterson and Ms. Monroe time to say goodbye to Josh and his friend.”
