Christmas Conspiracy

by Susan Sleeman

  If he feared an attack, she’d be a fool to insist on staying elsewhere. After all, she was a grown woman, and she could control any potential budding romance between them.

  Decision made, she firmed her shoulders. “I’ll stay here under one condition.”

  “Name it.”

  “You need to promise that we’ll keep things strictly professional between us.”

  He ran a hand over his face. “I’ll do my best.”

  It wasn’t hard to see he couldn’t promise not to slip. She couldn’t promise that, either, and his best would have to be good enough. “Then that’s all I can ask for.”

  Rachael’s phone chimed with a text. She dug it from her pocket. The message was from Pam. “Pam’s ready to be picked up from work.”

  “I need to make sure Brady will be here while I’m gone, or find someone else to transport her.”

  “We should go so I can talk to Francie about keeping Kelly for a few more days,” Rachael said, bringing Jake’s sharp gaze her way. “Also, if I’m going to be staying here indefinitely, I need to pick up some things at my house.”

  “Can’t Pam or I talk to Francie? Or maybe you could call her.”

  Rachael shook her head. “I don’t want to tread on my friendship with her. She’ll agree to help anyone at any time, even if it’s not the right thing for her. I need to look her in the eye to see if she’s really good with a longer-term care arrangement.”

  “Why don’t we compromise?” Jake suggested. “I’ll ask Darcie or Skyler to pick up your clothes, since that’s where the suspect is likely to be hanging out, and you can come with me to Francie’s place, as he doesn’t likely know anything about her.”

  “That sounds like a perfect solution to me,” she said. “I’ll just get my jacket and purse.”

  She didn’t give Jake time to rethink his decision, but gathered her things and hurried into the hallway. He escorted her to an SUV he’d borrowed for this afternoon’s transport.

  Once on the road, he glanced at her. “How are you doing with this added pressure?”

  Fear still lingered from his earlier warnings, and she wished she could let it go and trust God more.

  “Rachael?” His tone was more insistent.

  “I’ll get through this,” she replied. “I just have to keep remembering that God has a plan for me, and I’ll be fine.”

  He pulled his gaze from the road, his expression one of surprise. “Sounds like your faith is strong.”

  “Are you a man of faith?”

  He nodded.

  “Then you know there are times when you’re strong and times when you struggle.”

  “And now you’re fine? Even with all of this going on?”

  “Fine is a relative term. Compared to when I lost Eli, I am fine. When he died, it took me a long time to come to grips with his loss. But after a lot of dialogue with God, I finally figured out He wanted me to get on with my life and help low-income families. Now that’s what gets me out of bed in the morning. They’re always in need of help, so I can’t let setbacks make me waver. I must think of them first.”

  She peered at him. “I’m like you in that respect, right? One focus. One direction. No distractions. Just work.”

  He nodded, clamped both hands on the wheel and put his attention on the road. She took it as a signal that he was done talking—and perhaps it also meant he was questioning his single-minded focus.

  They picked up Pam, who chattered nonstop on the drive. Rachael responded when necessary, but she mostly stared out the window and watched the sun sinking toward the horizon. By the time Jake turned into the parking lot of Francie’s apartment complex, long shadows shrouded the area, making Rachael shiver.

  Jake suddenly craned his neck toward the building. Rachael searched ahead and caught sight of two patrol cars in the lot.

  “What’s going on?” she asked.

  “Do you think they’re here because of Kelly?” Pam’s voice rose toward panic levels.

  Jake slammed on the brakes and shifted into Park. “You two wait here and I’ll find out. Keep the engine running, and if anyone other than a police officer approaches the car, you take off.”

  * * *

  Jake held out his credentials as he met one of the cops at Francie’s apartment door. “What’s going on?”

  The officer hooked his thumbs in his duty belt. “Attempted break-in.”

  Jake’s heart rate kicked up. “Are Francie and the baby okay?”

  “Yeah, the guy never got inside. A neighbor saw him trying to jimmy the lock and scared him away.”

  Was this attempted break-in related to Kelly, or was it a coincidence?

  Jake strongly suspected the former.

  “Do you have a lot of crime in this complex?” he asked.

  The officer shook his head. “Not in this part of town.”

  So it was likely related to Kelly. “What did the suspect look like?”

  The officer described a man identical to the intruder at the center. “He took off in a white or tan Honda Accord, but the neighbor couldn’t make out the plate. We have an alert out on the vehicle, but you know how common Accords are, so we aren’t holding out hope.”

  Jake explained the reason for his visit. “I’ll be taking Francie and the baby with me.”

  “My partner’s finishing up with her statement now, so she should be good to go in a few minutes.”

  “Let me tell the mother that her child is fine, and then I’ll be back for them.” Jake jogged to the car and signaled for Rachael to lower the window.

  He explained the situation and tried to play down his unease. “I’ll go back for Francie and Kelly, then take you all to the firehouse for safety.”

  Pam blew out a long breath as if she’d been holding it. “At least Kelly is okay. If anything had happened to her I’d...”

  Rachael’s eyes narrowed. “Do you think the suspect came for me?”

  Jake shook his head. “He’d have to have been following us today to know where you were, and trust me, he didn’t follow us.”

  “Then how did he know Kelly was with Francie?”

  “I hate to say this.” Jake ground the words out through his frustration. “But I suspect he followed the deputy this morning.”

  “So he was here to kidnap Kelly.”

  “Yes,” Jake answered, not taking his gaze from her. “It’s becoming clear this man’s quest is specific to Kelly, and she’s in grave danger, too.”

  NINE

  Rachael grabbed a single slice of pizza from the kitchen island and put it on her plate. Sitting down at the table with the entire First Response Squad and their significant others was a first for her, but Jake had called them together to discuss the second kidnapping attempt. She’d never seen the entire team together, and she had to admit, four big, strapping law enforcement guys made her uncomfortable. And, of course, she was still apprehensive of Detective Hunter, not to mention her FBI husband, and Darcie’s detective fiancée, Noah.

  Francie had opted to stay with her sister in McMinnville, and Pam hung out in Jake’s condo, where Kelly slept in her portable crib. Rachael had delivered some pizza to Pam, and now she took her own slice into the dining room, where Skyler was deep in conversation with Jake. They didn’t seem to notice she’d entered the room, so she sat in the chair closest to the door. She picked at her pizza but knew she should eat, since with all the craziness they’d all missed dinner, and this late-night snack replaced it.

  “I’ve come up empty on women connected to Ms. Baldwin who’ve lost a child,” Detective Hunter said. “Now that there’s been a second attempt on Kelly, we know the kidnapper is after her, and this is all tied to Ms. Baldwin somehow.”

  “I concur,” Jake said.

  “Maybe it’s the gran
dparents,” Skyler said. “When I went back and put the pressure on them, they admitted to knowing about Kelly, and they’re angry that Ms. Baldwin has chosen to raise her without telling them about her.”

  “That’s not necessarily a reason to kidnap the child,” Archer said. As a negotiator, Rachael thought he must have strong insight into motivations. “But it’s the best one we’ve got so far.”

  “I really think it’s possible,” Detective Hunter said. “Not the grandfather himself, mind you, as he doesn’t fit the size and build of the kidnapper, but he could have arranged it.” The detective took a long drink of water.

  Jake slid forward on his chair. “I want to talk to them first thing tomorrow.”

  The detective set her glass down. “That’s not a good idea, Jake. You’re too personally involved.”

  He held up his hand. “My mind’s made up, so don’t try to talk me out of it.”

  Rachael saw the frustration on Detective Hunter’s face that was pale, her lips drawn. She went to pick up her pizza, then dropped it back on the plate and wrapped her arms around her stomach as if she was ill. Rachael thought about asking how she was feeling, but she didn’t want to ask something so personal of a woman who’d made it clear there was nothing personal about their relationship.

  Deciding to mind her own business and get through dinner, Rachael took a bite of her pizza and chewed, though she didn’t really taste it, her mind on Pam’s parents. If they were indeed trying to take Kelly, Pam would be so hurt. She’d also be afraid that they might succeed, and she’d lose Kelly. Rachael wouldn’t be surprised if once Pam learned of this, she’d decide to move somewhere the grandparents couldn’t find her. Pam couldn’t afford to care for Kelly on her own, so what would become of them?

  Rachael would have a talk with Pam. If she had any inkling that Pam planned to leave town and Rachael couldn’t convince her to stay, she’d make sure Pam left with plenty of money to help her get settled in a new home.

  The others started filing into the room, and Cash dropped one of the large pizza boxes in the middle of the table. It was then that Jake seemed to notice Rachael sitting at the table. Darcie, Krista and Morgan entered, talking and giggling about Darcie’s upcoming wedding.

  At the moment, Rachael would have given almost anything to be that lighthearted again. She lifted the pizza to her mouth, but her lips started tingling, and she dropped the piece on the plate just as her tongue began to tingle, too.

  The tingling was a warning sign. She shot a look at the pizza.

  “Peanuts,” she said, her throat itching. “Could there be peanuts on this pizza?”

  “Who ever heard of peanuts on a pizza?” Cash laughed.

  “I’m allergic.” She felt her throat closing, and her hand came up to scratch at it. “It has... Oh, no. I need my EpiPen.”

  “Where?” Jake asked.

  “Purse...family room,” she managed to get out before her airway narrowed more.

  Jake bolted to his feet. She heard his footsteps pounding through the kitchen. She tried not to panic as her airway continued to constrict.

  Darcie rushed to her side. “Let’s get you to the floor.”

  Rachael knew it was a precaution so that if she passed out from lack of oxygen, she didn’t fall and hit her head. That thought made the situation seem more dire. Panic reared up as Darcie and Brady helped her sit on the cold concrete behind the chairs.

  Her ears started ringing, and she grew light-headed. A black ring circled the edge of her vision.

  Jake charged back into the room.

  Rachael’s gaze went to his hands. He held the padded case for her pen, but the tight look on his face terrified her.

  “The EpiPen,” he said, dropping to the floor next to her. “It’s missing.”

  * * *

  “I have epinephrine in my bag in the equipment room.” Darcie jumped up, and Jake nearly shouted out in praise.

  “Someone call an ambulance!” she yelled over her shoulder as she ran from the room, moving past the rest of the team members, who had come to their feet and were staring down on Rachael.

  “I’ll call,” Cash offered.

  Jake’s gut cramped as he took Rachael’s hand. Her eyes widened in horror, and she clawed at her throat with the other hand. Her lips had swollen, and her mouth was open, her tongue swelling, too.

  His heart creased and panic raced up his back, but he had to hold it together for Rachael.

  He squeezed her hand. “Focus on me, honey. Panic will only make it worse.”

  He felt like a real hypocrite, as his gut churned with acid from his own panic.

  She looked into his eyes. Hers were dark with worry, and she gripped his hand tighter.

  “It’s okay,” he said softly. “Darcie will be back in a second, and she’ll fix this.” He stroked Rachael’s hair from her face and forced a smile. “I promise.”

  She focused on him, but neither that nor his touch replaced her obvious fear of suffocation. She started to thrash around.

  Darcie careened into the room, a medical bag slung over her shoulder, an oxygen tank under her arm and a syringe already in her hand.

  “Put the mask on her.” She shoved the tank at Jake and quickly stuck the needle into Darcie’s arm, then pressed the plunger.

  Jake strapped the mask over Rachael’s mouth. A hint of blue colored her lips, and she continued to gasp for air. He grabbed her hand again and held it tight, his heart thumping so hard he thought Darcie might need to treat him, too.

  Darcie rested her hand on Rachael’s shoulder. “Give it a few seconds to work.”

  After several moments, her breathing seemed to ease a bit, and her hand relaxed a fraction in Jake’s. She coughed. Breathed deeper. Again and again. Blinked hard.

  Darcie strapped on a cuff and took her blood pressure.

  “Good,” she said. “Are you doing better?”

  Rachael nodded, and Jake hissed out a breath, then nearly melted into a puddle on the floor.

  Rachael lifted the mask. “Thank you, Darcie. If you didn’t have the syringe—”

  “No,” Jake interrupted and gently settled the mask back into place. “She did, and you’re okay.”

  “You said you’re allergic to peanuts?” Darcie clarified.

  Rachael nodded.

  “Peanuts in pizza?” Brady asked. “Cash is right. That’s just crazy.”

  Cash leaned over the table, fumbling with the box, then studying a pizza slice. “I don’t see anything.”

  “You think the shop has an issue?” Darcie asked.

  “One way to find out.” Cash pulled out his phone and was soon deep in conversation with the pizza store manager.

  Everyone else stood looking at Rachael, making Jake even more uncomfortable. Usually so strong in a crisis, his team acted as if they were in shock. Jake got it, though. It was one thing to go to a callout for a stranger, and quite another to have an emergency play out under their own roof with someone they knew.

  Rachael stirred and looked like she wanted to get up, but lying there was in her best interest, so Jake remained holding her hand to keep her still.

  Cash slammed his phone on the table. “They have no nuts, nor have they ever had a nut in the shop.”

  “Maybe one of their vendors?”

  “No, they make all pizzas from scratch. There’s no way the pizza was contaminated at the shop.”

  “Sabotage?” Jake asked.

  “The kidnapper,” Skyler said. “But he’d have to know that Rachael has a peanut allergy and then intercept the delivery guy to taint the pizza. Maybe with a few drops of peanut oil.”

  Cash ground his teeth. “Which means I got the pizza from the kidnapper at the door.”

  “Darcie, stay with Rachael.” Jake jumped to his feet a
nd ran from the room.

  He wanted to jerk open the door, but the kidnapper could be outside waiting. He checked out the front window and saw the pizza delivery car still parked in the drive. Cash, Brady and Archer joined him, and he pointed out the car.

  “I’ll lead,” Jake said, without even suggesting that they should check out the car. He knew none of them would stay behind and do nothing. “One of you cover me.”

  “My mistake,” Cash said, his tone frustrated. “I’ll take the lead.”

  He pushed past Jake without regard for his own safety and, holding his weapon at the ready, he proceeded down the driveway.

  Jake didn’t waste any time, but followed Cash into the chilly night.

  “Brady and I’ll do a perimeter check,” Archer offered, and the pair split up, moving cautiously toward opposite sides of the house.

  Jake walked to the car, making sure to sidestep icy spots in the drive and keep alert for any threat. He approached the delivery vehicle, where Cash stared through the back window. Skyler had stepped outside, too, and she joined them.

  Jake looked inside the car and spotted a man tied and gagged. Jake could only assume he was the legitimate driver. Jake opened the door and freed the man so they could question him.

  “I’m so glad you came out,” he said, rubbing his wrists.

  “Tell us what happened,” Skyler said.

  “Some guy stuck a gun in my back and tied me up. Then he took your pizzas and used a dropper to put something liquid on them.”

  Cash shot a look at Jake. “Could be peanut oil.”

  Jake curled his hands into fists.

  Skyler mumbled something before stepping out of earshot of the driver. Jake and Cash joined her.

  “So it looks like the kidnapper came to the door with pizza right under our noses,” she said.

  “My fault.” Cash frowned and stared into the distance. “I should have been more diligent. After all, he fits the build of the kidnapper. All I saw was a delivery guy.”

  “Don’t beat yourself up,” Skyler said. “That’s what each of us would have seen if we answered the door.”