Courage Under Fire

by Sharon Dunn

  The one bright spot about feeling like a prisoner because of her stalker was that she and Noah had spent more time together. She found herself looking forward to being around him. She was glad he hadn’t asked her about her dating history again. The whole thing was so painful. Men tended to see her blond hair and blue eyes and nothing more. She was a whole person, and she wanted to be loved for who she was inside and out. It was better to be alone than with someone whose attraction to her was only skin-deep.

  She placed the forms on Noah’s desk and gave Scotty’s head a pat from where he lay on his dog bed. She kneeled so the dog could lick her face.

  “What a good boy,” she said. “And your boss isn’t a bad guy either.”

  After texting Noah that she was leaving for the day, she grabbed her purse and headed out of the building toward the parking garage. The text was a courtesy. She was a trained officer, she didn’t need an escort to the parking garage. The police lot was for NYPD vehicles only. Her personal car was in the parking garage not far from headquarters. Her feet seemed to echo on the concrete as she walked toward the elevator that would take her to the third story where her car was parked.

  She watched the numbers light up. The door slid open and she stepped out onto the concrete. As she walked toward her car, she heard the sound of a car pulling out and racing down the ramp to the exit.

  Some people were just anxious to get home on a Friday night. She had no plans other than to stay in, make some popcorn and find a movie to watch. The thought that maybe she could take Noah up on watching a John Wayne movie together put a smile on her face.

  When she arrived at her car, there was a folded piece of paper on the windshield. She assumed it was some sort of solicitation or announcement of an event. She reached for the paper.

  Her breath caught in her throat.

  None of the other cars had the paper on them.

  A sense of dread fell on her like a lead blanket as she opened the folded paper careful to only touch the edges in case there were fingerprints on it. The note was neatly typed in a squarish font.

  I took Oscar because I know you love him. Next time it might be your brother or that other cop you’ve been hanging around so much. I have that kind of power. Say you love me, and I’ll give you back the dog.

  Feeling as though she’d been punched in the stomach, Lani turned and leaned against her car for support. She opened her purse, feeling for the gun she always kept there.

  She listened to cars on the floor above her pulling out and rolling down the ramp. The sounds from the street, traffic and people, reached her ears.

  She took a deep breath to calm herself. With her hand still on the gun in her purse, she pushed off the car and surveyed all around her. The note could have been placed here anytime while she was at work. Maybe her stalker was long gone and maybe he was keeping his promise and watching her always.

  She could hear but not see cars pulling out and gaining speed. Footsteps echoed somewhere on the other side of this floor of the parking garage. But she could not see anyone.

  Her heart squeezed tight, and the blood whooshed in her ears.

  She tilted her head. Maybe the parking garage camera had picked up the stalker when he’d placed the note.

  Her phone buzzed. A text. The number was Noah’s. She clicked on it. Somehow even a text from him made it easier to breathe.

  Where are you?

  In the parking garage.

  Another text from a different number came in. Out of habit, she clicked on it.

  I am watching you always.

  Lani’s gaze darted all around the garage. She felt light-headed as she took in several shallow breaths. Though he could be texting from anywhere, it couldn’t be coincidental that she’d read the note and then the text had come through. He knew what time she got off work and when she would be at her car.

  Her phone dinged again.

  She didn’t have time to answer it, didn’t want to answer it. She pulled the gun from her purse and placed it on the hood of the car. She fumbled in her purse for the keys. Her fingers trembled.

  She had been as cool as a cucumber dealing with potentially violent people when she’d been on regular patrol and when an intruder had entered their home. But this was different, it was personal.

  She pulled the keys out and pressed the unlock button.

  Footsteps moving at a rapid pace sounded behind her. She whirled around not seeing anyone.

  “Lani?”

  The voice was Noah’s. Relief spread through her and she was able to take a deep breath. “I’m over here.”

  More pounding footsteps. Noah with Scotty beside him came into view. Though she remained standing, her knees felt like cooked noodles. She hadn’t realized how afraid she was until she saw Noah.

  “Hey, I was worried about you when you didn’t answer my second text.” His voice filled with compassion as he stepped toward her. He must have seen something in her expression despite her best effort to hide the fear that had been like a wave pulling her under.

  She cleared her throat. “He found me again.” She wanted to crumple the note and tear it to pieces, but knew she needed to keep it pristine if they were to get any DNA off it at all. She lifted it toward Noah.

  Noah took the note and read it. His jaw grew tight and hard indicating that he was upset, maybe even angry.

  “Then...he...sent a text.” Her voice faltered. She couldn’t be the hard as nails police officer, not under these circumstances. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall apart.”

  “Anyone would.” He gazed at her with a welcoming softness in his green eyes. “You’ve been stronger than anyone I’ve ever worked with Lani.”

  It felt as though a weight had been lifted off her and she fell into his arms. He wrapped his arms around her. “It’s okay,” he said. “It’s going to be okay.”

  She relished the warmth and comfort of his arms. How safe it felt to be held by him. Her cheek brushed over his collar and she took in the musky aroma of his cologne. She tilted her head to look into his eyes. “Thank you for understanding.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “I know it’s not very professional...to lose it like this.”

  He reached up and swiped the tear away with his finger. His touch was as gentle as a feather brushing over her skin. “I think we are more than just colleagues, don’t you?”

  Her heart fluttered. “Meaning?”

  “I consider you a friend, Lani. I hope you see me in the same way.”

  What had she thought he would say? And what was this pounding heart and ooey-gooey melting feeling inside her belly all about. “Yes, friends.” Even if he was attracted to her, Noah was too much of a man of integrity to ever cross a line. There could never be anything but a friendship between them.

  She took a step back trying to escape the magnetic pull being close to him created. It wasn’t just the attraction that was a problem. The truth was she felt safer when he was around. She wasn’t sure that kind of dependence on him was a good thing.

  She studied him for a moment. For his meetings today, he’d dressed in a light blue button-down shirt, khakis and a camel hair coat. She had thought he looked quite handsome when he left the office earlier in the day. She had teased him and now she reminded him of her comment. “You still look like you are ready for the opera.”

  “Yeah, opera’s never been my thing.”

  Noah was one of those guys who could dress like he was ready for a business meeting, and he could pull off the jeans and T-shirt look just as easily.

  Scotty whined and adjusted his stance.

  “Well, I suppose I better get home.” She turned back toward her car. “I’m glad you showed up when you did.”

  “Got a big Friday night planned?”

  “Not really, just going to go home and find a funny movie.”

  “I suppose Reed will be ou
t with Abigail.”

  “Once he gets off duty. That’s usually what he does.”

  “Listen, I have a favor to ask of you since you don’t have anything planned.” He touched the collar of his coat. “At the meetings today, it became obvious to me that there is an expectation that as chief I ought to be rubbing elbows with—” he made quotations marks with his hands “—the important people of New York.”

  “You have to attend some kind of event?”

  “Yes, at the Bayside Historical Society. A lot of bigwigs will be there.” Noah stared at the ground, shoved his hands in his pockets and kicked at nothing. “I’ve never been good at that sort of thing...schmoozing. You’re so articulate and outgoing. It would be great if you came with me.”

  This was a side of Noah she had never seen, such vulnerability. “I’d like that. It won’t take me long to shower and change.”

  “Great. How about I follow you partway out to your house, before I turn to get to mine. And then if you could text me that you got there safe, I’ll come by in an hour.”

  “That sounds good.” She gave Scotty’s head a rub, which made his tail wag.

  He waved the note the stalker had left on her car. “Of course, we’ll take this in to Forensics.”

  Her mood shifted. “I’m worried about Oscar.”

  He exhaled through his teeth. “Clearly we are dealing with someone who is not only unstable but not very logical. He says you get Oscar back when you declare your love for him.” He shrugged. “How would you even do that? Are you supposed to text him that?”

  She shivered. “Maybe he’ll communicate further. If he comes out into the open, we’ll be able to get him, right?”

  He squeezed her arm. “I don’t like the idea of you being bait.”

  “It might be the only way,” she said. “I don’t get my life back until this guy is behind bars.” Her voice sounded strong, but her insides still felt like gelatin.

  “Let’s not think about it right now.” He pointed across the parking garage at where his car must be parked. “Why don’t you pull out. Let me and Scotty get back over here and then we’ll follow you. I’ll drop this note off at Forensics in the morning.”

  She nodded, got into her own car and exited the space. Soft instrumental music played on her sound system while she watched her rearview mirror until she saw the headlights of Noah’s car. She could just make out the outline of Scotty’s square head in the passenger seat. She rolled down the ramp and out onto the street.

  It got dark around dinnertime this time of year. The city was already lit up. She pulled out into traffic. Every time she checked her mirror Noah was right behind her. She felt a sense of loss when he turned off to go to his house.

  Lani circled the block before a space opened up a few blocks from her house. She hurried home, unlocked the door and the dead bolt, and stepped inside the quiet house. After making sure the door was locked behind her, she switched on lights. She was glad Reed had met Abigail, but getting used to being alone was a challenge. Reed and Abigail were always inviting her to their activities, but they were in love and surely wanted time alone. Plus they were becoming instant parents because of Dominic. They had enough on their plate.

  She was grateful for Noah’s invitation. She liked the idea of being friends with him.

  She headed toward her room to pull something from her closet to wear. She’d had to attend galas and fund-raisers when she was doing theater and dance, so her wardrobe of evening wear was extensive.

  Have gown, will travel.

  She smiled and shook her head at her own joke.

  She was glad to have somewhere to wear the gowns. It was nice to have something to do on a Friday night with someone she liked being with. She suspected one of the reasons Noah had invited her was because he didn’t want her to be alone in her house.

  As she showered and then dressed, a thought weighed heavy on her mind. The stalker had figured out that she was attached to Oscar. Next time, would he go after a person that she cared about, like Reed or maybe even Noah? The note had said as much.

  NINE

  Noah found a parking space on the street opposite Lani and Reed’s house. He walked across the street feeling a sense of anticipation. When he had thought about having to go to one of these functions alone, all he’d felt was dread. He knocked on the door. His shoulder holster dug into his chest when he lifted his arm.

  Even when he was off duty he carried a gun, especially now that Lani’s safety was under threat. He heard the lock open and the dead bolt click back. Lani opened the door.

  Noah nearly fell backward at the sight of her. His knees felt mushy. She wore a long light blue dress that brought out the blue in her eyes. Her hair was pulled up on top of her head in a loose bun with soft curls framing her face. Her skin glowed like she’d put some sort of glitter on it.

  He shook his head and managed only a single word. “Wow.”

  She smiled faintly. “Believe it or not, I’ve had a lot of practice with this dressing up and schmoozing.”

  Still not able to catch his breath, he held an elbow out for her. “Shall we?”

  She stepped across the threshold and then turned to secure the door, pulling a key out of the tiny beaded purse she held.

  As they crossed the street to his car, Noah’s stomach felt like it was filled with melting wax. His throat had gone dry. He hurried around to the passenger side of his car and opened the door for Lani. He caught the faint scent of her floral perfume as she got inside.

  She lifted her chin and locked him in her gaze, which made him feel like he might fall over.

  “This should be fun,” she said.

  He nodded, unable to form any coherent words. On the walk back around to the driver’s side of the car, he gave himself a combination pep talk and kick in the pants.

  Come on, Noah, pull it together. This isn’t junior high.

  Noah got behind the wheel and offered Lani a grin that he hoped didn’t look too dorky. He pulled out onto the street. He drove through the neighborhood and then got on the Van Wyck Expressway.

  Lani went into her usual hundred mile an hour talk. He was grateful he didn’t need to do much talking due to the fact that he’d lost the ability to form words.

  She finished her story and then fell silent for a moment. “It’s nice to be able to get out and do something social.”

  “I’m sorry having this stalker at large limits your ability to do things. Maybe if we can figure out his motive, it would be easier to catch him. You never finished answering my question. Do you think an old boyfriend might be stalking you?”

  “It would have to be from a long time ago. I gave up on dating.”

  “Really?” Why would someone like Lani not want to date?

  She didn’t answer right away. “I don’t know how to explain it exactly. It’s like all men see is who I am on the outside, and they don’t want to get to know me in a deeper way. Even Christian guys.”

  Hadn’t he just been guilty of kind of the same thing? Making assumptions about her because of her background and if he was honest because she was pretty. Images flashed before him of Lani showing so much compassion to the boy with autism at the horse stables. “As your friend, I’m telling you they missed out on getting to know a really great person.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Lani, I’ve underestimated you in a hundred ways. If I ever made you feel like one of those boyfriends, only seeing who you were on the surface, I’m so sorry.”

  Noah veered onto the Cross Island Parkway. It was about a half-hour drive from Rego Park to the historical society.

  He took the exit and drove up Totten Avenue. The parking lot was about half-full when he pulled into it. The building that housed the historical society was also known as the Bayside Castle. With its striking red and white brick structure and turrets it was aptly named. Th
e castle had once been part of a working fort where soldiers stayed.

  Noah got out of his car and hurried around to open the door for Lani. She stepped down and straightened the skirt of her dress. Made of layers of sheer fabric, the dress made a sort of whispering rustling sound as they walked toward the double doors of the castle. Light spilled out from within and he could hear the sound of people visiting and laughing.

  They entered a long wide hallway with wooden floors. People were gathered in clusters of three and four, sipping drinks and eating from small paper plates.

  “So I guess we just wander, right?” Noah said as a note of sadness filled his voice. “My brother Jordy was always better at this sort of thing than me.”

  She leaned close to him, wrapping her arm around his. “Don’t worry, the time passes quickly.”

  The castle contained rooms for dining, rooms that had rotating displays of art, and some permanent collections of both art and artifacts. He knew from having come here as a kid with his brothers that they had exercise classes and activities for children. They walked past a room where a quartet played classical music.

  They wandered into a room that had been turned into a sort of labyrinth because of the way the temporary walls that displayed artwork had been set up. A man with a tray wandered by and Noah grabbed two glasses of water from him.

  Lani took her glass.

  A man walked toward them with his hand outstretched. “Noah, so glad you could make it.” Noah knew he’d met the man previously, but he couldn’t quite place him.

  “And who is your lovely date?” The man turned toward Lani.

  “I’m Lani Branson, I’m with the K-9 unit Noah oversees, Mr. Liscomb.”

  “Delighted,” said Mr. Liscomb.

  The three of them exchanged small talk about the event and food with Lani carrying the conversation before Mr. Liscomb faded into the crowd.

  Noah leaned close to her and whispered in her ear. “How did you know his name?”