Murder Under the Mistletoe

by Terri Reed

  Flipping down the night vision goggles, Tyler approached the closed side door. Without hesitation, he kicked the door in, then immediately crouched, making himself a smaller target in case Liv or whoever else was inside took a shot at him.

  He rushed into the workshop. In the center was a large metal barrel on fire and Liv was ripping pages from the journal to use as fodder for the flames.

  “Liv, it’s over,” he said as he advanced on her with his weapon aimed at her head. He stayed alert in case another goon was waiting to ambush him.

  Seeing him, she tossed the rest of the book in the flames and then gloated, “All your evidence is up in smoke.”

  “I don’t need that book to make sure you end up in jail for a very long time,” he countered as he continued to close the distance between them.

  “What kind of cop are you?” she asked as she backed away. She jammed her hands into the pockets of her pink coat.

  “Show me your hands!”

  “Now, now,” she said. “No need to be rude.” She withdrew her hands. “You didn’t answer my question. Are you FBI, ATF, DEA?”

  Not willing to give her the satisfaction of guessing which agency he was with, he said, “It doesn’t matter who I work for. What matters is you’re going to jail.”

  Her mouth stretched in a feral grin. “What makes you think you can make any charges stick?”

  Behind her, Nathanial entered through another door and slowly moved toward Liv. Wanting to see if he could get more information from her, he gestured for Nathanial to hold up. “Look, tell me who you’re working for.”

  She snorted. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  He didn’t quibble by arguing with her. She obviously assumed that by destroying the book Heather had given her, they had no information on the drug cartel and no way to connect her to the smuggling ring. He decided to ask something else that was bothering him. “Why were you poisoning Heather?”

  “Who says I was?”

  “We found the vial of poison,” he told her. From behind Liv, Nathanial was ready to apprehend her and gave him a questioning look. Tyler lifted his hand in a subtle gesture to wait. He wanted answers. “You weren’t trying to kill her. So I can only guess you wanted her sick enough that she’d have to rely on you.”

  The way Liv twitched made Tyler believe his guess had hit the mark. “You’re the sick one.” He tipped his chin, giving Nathanial the go-ahead.

  Nathanial holstered his weapon. Then in one fluid motion, he grabbed Liv from behind before she even had time to squawk a protest. The stunned surprise on her face was priceless. While Nathanial quickly secured her wrists behind her back, Tyler recited her Miranda rights.

  Together, they escorted her to the main entrance of the junkyard where sheriff’s deputies and Bonners Ferry police officers waited for them. The thug was already confined in the back of a cruiser.

  As Tyler and Nathanial approached with their suspect in tow, Heather ran from where she’d been talking to the sheriff. Tyler sought out Colin. He was with Deputy Potter.

  Heather skidded to a halt in front of Liv. “Liv, why? We trusted you.”

  Liv’s lip curled. “Your mistake. Not mine.”

  Anger flinted in Heather’s eyes, making the green and gold flecks spark. “Where’s Seth’s journal?”

  “Up in flames.” Liv’s smug tone grated on Tyler’s nerves.

  Seeing the disappointment marching across Heather’s face prompted him to say, “Really, Liv? Did you really think we’d be foolish enough to hand over Seth’s journal without making a copy?”

  Liv blanched. She bared her teeth at him. “A copy won’t hold up in court.”

  “Maybe not,” he said with a shrug. “But that’s not something we have to worry about since you burned the copy and we still have the original.”

  She hissed at him.

  “Tell me what happened to my brother,” Heather demanded.

  “I’m not telling you anything.” Liv yanked her gaze back to Tyler. “I want a lawyer.”

  She was playing this smart. They had her dead to rights with the information in Seth’s notebook. “Take her away,” Tyler said to the approaching sheriff.

  “Please, Liv.” Heather blocked their path. “Did Seth really overdose or did you kill him?”

  Liv lifted her chin but remained mute.

  Heather fisted her hands. “You may think you’re clever. But my brother was more so.”

  Liv sneered. “He was a lapdog, making promises he couldn’t keep. He’d have lost the farm if I hadn’t bailed him out.” She made a disgusted sound. “Get out of my way.”

  Tyler tugged Heather aside and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Let it go for now,” he told her as they watched the sheriff escort Liv to his car, put her in the backseat and shut the door. “We’ll eventually get the truth from her. Especially if she makes a deal.”

  “I guess it’s over, then,” she said, leaning into him.

  “Not quite. There’s still the matter of who was working with her on the farm,” Tyler said, figuring it was better to let her know what was coming next. She had to be ready to face the fact that another person or persons that she knew and trusted had betrayed her and her brother.

  Her weary gaze met his. “Can that wait until morning?”

  “I wish it could, but as soon as news gets out that we’ve arrested Liv, her associates on the farm are going to disappear.”

  “I understand,” she said. “And then what?”

  Staring into her beautiful face, he wanted to tell her that he loved her and never wanted to leave her side, but the words stuck in his throat. He couldn’t make her any promises. He didn’t think he was cut out for a settled domestic life on the farm. He had no skills other than being a cop. And he would never put her and Colin through the agony of disappointment if he couldn’t cut it as a father and husband. So instead he said, “With Seth’s journal we’ll be able to track down the cartel in the US and on both sides of our borders.”

  “Do you have to go?” The pleading in her eyes shredded his emotions. “Can’t someone else do that?”

  He shook his head. “I started this—I need to finish it.”

  No matter how much he wanted to stay and be the man she needed, he couldn’t because he wasn’t that man. She needed someone who’d be content working the Christmas tree farm year-round. A man who’d know how to parent a little boy. A man who’d know how to be a good husband to Heather.

  Tyler had to seal away his feelings for the widow and son or he might do something foolish and throw caution to the wind and stay.

  * * *

  “What’s all this?” From the backseat of her car where she sat with Colin asleep at her side, Heather gaped as they pulled up to the tree farm. The place was ablaze with freestanding lights and a sea of uniformed law enforcement officers was everywhere along with the farm’s employees.

  Tyler brought the car to a halt at the back of the house. Beside him Nathanial jumped out and hustled around to the front of the house where all the action was going on.

  Tyler twisted around to face Heather. “A full-scale investigation is under way. My IBETs taskforce leader is here, along with ATF, ICE, RCMP, DEA and most likely the FBI.”

  Her head spun with all the acronyms. That was a lot of manpower.

  “I told you we would be looking for Liv’s cohorts. Seth’s journal gave initials and a few names. But for their operation to have worked, more than a few people were involved. And with the added detail of the fertilizer gone missing, we have to do our due diligence. If a terrorist cell is involved under the disguise of a drug cartel, we need to find out.”

  The heaviness of distress pressed on her chest. “This keeps going from bad to worse. I’m still struggling to wrap my brain around what Liv did.”


  Tyler reached over the front seat and took her hand. Their palms fit neatly together. She entwined her fingers through his, wishing she’d never have to let go. But the reality was she’d have to. His job wasn’t over. He would follow the trail of the drug cartel, or terrorist cell, or whatever it happened to be. His dedication to serve his country and the people was admirable. Yet she couldn’t stop the selfish desire to ask him to give that up and stay with her and Colin. She wouldn’t ask, though. For the same reason she’d never asked Ken to give up the military. She never wanted to be the reason they walked away from what they felt called to do. That would only lead to resentment and bitterness down the road. It was better for her, for Colin, to keep her feelings to herself. She smoothed a hand over Colin’s dark hair.

  “I can only imagine how disappointed and hurt and even angry you are at Liv,” Tyler said, drawing her focus back to him. “What she has done is beyond betrayal.” He squeezed her hand. “I hope you’ll find it in your heart to forgive her.”

  Taken aback by his words, Heather tried to tug her hand out of his, wanting to break the connection between them. He wouldn’t let go. “How can you ask me to forgive her? She used my brother and probably murdered him. She kidnapped my son and would have had us killed if not for you.”

  “I know it sounds too hard to forgive,” Tyler said. “But if you don’t forgive her, the anger you feel will turn to bitterness and hate. And that will poison you far worse and faster than the stuff she was giving you.”

  Heather stared at the night sky. She knew deep in her soul that God would want her to forgive Liv and all of those involved.

  But how? Her spirit cried out to God. Aloud she said, “How do I do that?”

  Tyler let go of her hand. Startled, she watched him climb out of the car and come around to the back passenger door. He opened it and then crouched next to her and reclaimed her hand. “It’s a choice you have to make. Evil is like a cancer. It ravages hearts, minds and souls. Yes, she chose her actions and will pay the price here on earth. But you don’t need to pay the price along with her.”

  He reached up to wipe away a tear. She hadn’t even realized she was crying.

  She knew the Bible talked of forgiving those who wronged us. Tyler had asked her to trust God. She would have to trust God to help her learn to forgive, as well. She reached to touch Tyler’s face. Her emotions swelled to the point where she couldn’t contain them any longer. Taking a leap of faith like she’d never taken before, she said, “I love you, Tyler Griffin.”

  Tyler closed his eyes for the briefest of moments, but she’d seen the stricken expression before his shuttered gaze came back to meet hers.

  A knife of pain twisted in her heart, but she wouldn’t regret telling him. She dropped her hand. “It’s okay if you don’t feel the same. I understand.” She gave him a smile that wobbled despite her attempt to keep it from doing so. “You’ve made an impact on my life. And on Colin’s.”

  “And you both have made an impact on me.”

  He tipped his chin toward Colin. “Let’s get you and this little guy in the house. I’m sure you must be exhausted, too.”

  She was, but doubted she’d sleep soundly again for a long time. She unbuckled Colin’s seat belt.

  “Here,” Tyler said. “Let me carry him in.”

  Grateful for the offer, she scooted out of the car and allowed him to scoop Colin up into his arms and carry him inside to his bed. She followed them.

  As Tyler covered Colin with his comforter, she whispered, “Will you stay long enough to say goodbye to him?”

  Tyler put his arm around her waist and led her into the hall. “I’ll be leaving early in the morning. If he’s up, I’ll definitely say goodbye to the little man.”

  “Thank you.”

  He hesitated as if he wanted to say something. Then a resigned, stoic expression settled on his handsome face. “Try to rest. I’ll keep everyone out of your hair until morning. Then you’ll be asked questions.” He tucked a lock of her hair back behind her ear, his fingers gently caressing the line of her jaw before his hand fell back to his side. “Just tell them what you know. This should wrap up pretty quickly once everyone has been interviewed.”

  “How will you get anyone to confess to helping Liv?”

  One side of his mouth lifted. “The journal will be a powerful motivator. My boss has already agreed that we give everyone an opportunity to come clean for a reduced sentence.”

  She let out a weary sigh. “I hope they will cooperate.”

  “It will all work out,” Tyler assured her. “By late afternoon tomorrow, your life will resume, and you can move forward.”

  “But without knowing what really happened to Seth.” That burned inside her like a lit match.

  “Be patient,” he said. “As soon as Liv breaks, and she will—they always do—I’ll send word.”

  Be patient. That would be a test. “I should let you get to it, then.”

  “Yes. I’ll see you in the morning.” He left, his footsteps echoing in the quiet house.

  Heather made herself crawl into bed. She did need rest. Tomorrow would be grueling. In so many ways. Sleep came quickly, and so did the morning.

  The aroma of fresh-brewed coffee wafted upstairs, stirring her awake. She dressed, choosing a pair of stretch jeans in a dark wash, a green sweater that she knew brought out the green in her eyes and short boots. She combed her hair into bouncy waves and put on just the barest hint of mascara and lip gloss. If she had to say goodbye to Tyler, she wanted him to remember her like this and not in her baggy sweats. She checked on Colin. He was still fast asleep. She headed downstairs and found Tyler sitting at the dining table with a cup of coffee.

  He rose as she entered. The appreciation in his gaze brought heat to her cheeks. “Hope you don’t mind, but I helped myself to some coffee.”

  Her heart thumped. He looked so handsome in his cargo pants and black T-shirt. His dark hair was damp from a recent shower and his jaw clean-shaven. She could smell the spicy aftershave he used. She imprinted the scent in her mind. “Not at all.”

  “I hung Seth’s coat in the hall closet.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Crime scene techs will need to collect Liv’s things that she left in Seth’s room.”

  “Okay.”

  “Is Colin still sleeping?”

  Hoping her son wouldn’t feel the disappointment of Tyler leaving as keenly as she did, she said, “I’ll tell him you said goodbye.”

  An awkward silence descended between them.

  Finally, he held out his hand. She grasped it like a lifeline.

  “I have to go now,” he said.

  Her heart cried out, No! She put on a brave smile. “I’ll walk you out.”

  He opened the front door, and they stepped out onto the porch. He drew her close and pointed up to the sprig of mistletoe hanging over their heads.

  This time she didn’t run away. She wasn’t sure if she moved first or if he did, but they met in a fiery kiss that curled her toes and left her breathless.

  Uncertainty shone in his eyes. “I’ll keep in touch, okay?”

  She wasn’t sure she could stand the torture of hearing from him without being able to see him. “Would you like to spend Christmas here? We’d love to have you.”

  A pained expression crossed his features. “As much as I’d like to say yes, I have no idea where I’ll be at Christmas. I can’t make any promises to you, Heather.”

  Though he didn’t say it, she heard the unspoken Not now, not ever.

  Needing to be strong for him and herself, she stepped out of his embrace. She had to send him on his way and make sure he didn’t see how torn up inside she was. Forcing her voice to an even tone, she said, “Then I wish you well, Agent Tyler Griffin.”

  “Goodbye, Heath
er.”

  He walked away, taking her heart with him.

  FIFTEEN

  Tyler hunkered down inside the small confines of a battered surveillance van. He was parked in an alley outside of the known hangout of a major drug dealer, a nightclub in central Los Angles.

  It had been nearly a month since he’d left Idaho; following the information in Seth Larson’s journal had led to a successful closure to the case. The IBETs force had confiscated thousands of dollars’ worth of cocaine, made multiple arrests, closed off this particular Mexican pipeline of illegal drugs both in the US and Canada.

  The Mexican authorities were cracking down on the members of the drug cartel’s operatives that the Border Service had shared with them.

  It was Christmas Eve, and as he had for every major holiday, with the exception of the wonderful Thanksgiving he’d spent at the Larson Christmas tree farm with Heather and Colin, Tyler had volunteered for tonight’s assignment. Doing so meant another man could spend the time with his family.

  Never before had Tyler begrudged his career choice. Never before had he felt restless on a stakeout with questions bombarding him. Had he done the right thing by not telling Heather he reciprocated her love? He’d walked away, allowing her to believe he didn’t love her. Which was so not the truth. He loved her. Loved her in a way he had never loved anyone else. Sure, he’d dated and he’d had relationships, but he’d always bailed when things became too emotional. Too complicated.

  Just as he had with Heather.

  He was an idiot. He didn’t want to be here tonight. Or tomorrow on Christmas Day, if the drug deal that the information grid indicated went down.

  “We’ve got a live bogey coming your way,” the voice of his fellow DEA agent, Paul Summers, came over the radio. Paul was in another vehicle on the main thoroughfare with a clear view of the alley entrance.

  Tyler snapped to alertness. Through the dingy front windshield of the van, he saw a figure scurrying down the alley. “On it.”