Mountain Ambush

by Hope White

  “I’m good. I’ve got everything I need, plus the boss has approved paid time off for my recovery since it happened on duty.”

  “That’s great.”

  “Yeah.”

  Silence stretched between them. It was as if Rocky had something more to say, but couldn’t with Vivian in the room.

  “I’m sorry you got hurt by all this,” Maddie said.

  “Make sure you don’t get hurt,” he warned.

  “I won’t.”

  “Really? Even when he leaves town? Because we both know you’re not going anywhere.”

  That stung, not only because Rocky brought up the possibility of abandonment, but also because it felt like he was judging her again for needing to stay in Echo Mountain. Had he been right? Was she still in town out of some warped hope that her loved ones would return?

  “Maddie?”

  “I’m glad you’re okay, Rocky. Take care.”

  “I didn’t mean to—”

  “Talk to you later.” She ended the call rather abruptly, but couldn’t stop herself.

  His comment stirred up all kinds of fear and pain she’d kept safely tucked away. Sure, he’d commented on her motivation for staying in town before, but hearing it again made her wonder if she’d been fooling herself all these years. She thought she’d moved on, that she’d processed the grief of abandonment, but perhaps it was still driving her every decision.

  “How’s Rocky?” Ryan asked.

  “Better.”

  “Then why do you look serious?”

  “It was something he said.”

  “What?”

  She glanced at her brother. “You think we do what we do because Mom and Dad left?”

  “Can you be more specific?”

  “Like you becoming a cop to protect people, like you always tried to protect me because our parents weren’t around?”

  “Yeah, tried and failed.”

  “I can’t help it if I’m a self-reliant woman.”

  “In answer to your question, yes, things like that have to affect you on some level. Although I probably became a cop to boss people around because my little sister never listened to me.” He winked.

  “So, our past experiences drive our decisions?”

  “Sure, that’s how life works I guess.”

  Her phone vibrated with a text from Spence.

  Checking in. How r u?

  She answered that she was okay and praying for his safety.

  When this is over and we are safe, will you take me to church?

  She smiled as warmth filled her chest.

  Of course.

  Gotta go. <3

  She held the phone to her heart and said another prayer.

  “You’d better watch it or you’re going to break that thing,” Ryan said.

  “What, the phone?”

  “Your heart.”

  “Very funny.” She got up and went to the laptop. “I still can’t believe they fired him.”

  “He’s been acting kind of funky since the knock to the head,” he said, glancing out the window.

  “He’s fine now.”

  “If you say so, Doc.”

  “I do say so, and I’d like to give Dr. Carver and the hospital board a piece of my mind on the subject.”

  Her phone vibrated with a call and she hoped it was Spence, but instead, an unrecognizable number popped up. “Huh.”

  “Huh, what?”

  “I don’t know who this is.”

  “Let me answer.”

  She handed the phone to her brother. “Hello...? Sure.” He held the phone against this chest. “It’s Dr. Carver. Be nice.”

  Maddie snatched the phone. “Dr. Carver?”

  “Maddie, I’m worried about Spence. He’s not answering his phone. It seems like you two are friends so I thought I’d call you.”

  “I’m sure he’s okay.”

  “He was so agitated this afternoon. I’ve never seen him lose his temper like that.”

  “He felt he was being wrongly dismissed. And I agree. I’ve been with him since the first assault in the mountains and his condition has improved significantly. In another week or two he’ll be one hundred percent.”

  “I know, I know. It wasn’t up to me. I did my best to persuade the board to give him time to recover before they made their decision. But they had concerns, like prescribing inappropriate drugs.”

  “He never prescribed that drug for Gwen and he’ll prove it, along with other things.”

  Ryan got in her face and shook his head, indicating she shouldn’t allude to the fraud case.

  “What other things?” Ruth said.

  “False accusations,” Maddie recovered.

  “Well, I hope he does. He’s a fine doctor and a good man. That’s why I’m so worried about him. If only he’d respond to my messages.”

  “I’m sure he will when he can.”

  “I feel responsible, like I’ve let him down. Oh, Maddie, if he does anything foolish like hurt himself.”

  “Dr. Carver, really, don’t worry about anything like that. He’s fine. I promise.”

  “Okay, well if you do speak with him...” her voice trailed off.

  “Dr. Carver?”

  “Who’s there...? No!” A crash echoed through the line.

  “Dr. Carver!”

  THIRTEEN

  Maddie jumped to her feet. “Ryan, call for help.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “It sounded like someone broke into Dr. Carver’s house.”

  “Dispatch, this is Officer McBride,” he spoke into his radio. “I’ve got a suspected breaking and entering at...” He trailed off as he glanced at Maddie. “Where does she live?”

  Maddie gave him the address. She’d been called to the doctor’s house when her husband fell off a ladder and needed transport to the hospital.

  “There was an accident on Highway 2. It might take twenty minutes to get a unit there,” Dispatch said.

  “That’s too long. We can make it in ten,” Maddie said.

  “What’s this ‘we’ stuff?”

  “Let’s go.” Maddie grabbed her brother’s arm and pulled him toward the door.

  “Chief ordered us to stay in the cabin.”

  “Someone’s got to help her, Ryan.”

  “I’ll call Adam to relieve me.”

  “There’s no time for that. Come on, Ry. I’ll stay in the car until you secure the scene.” Maddie rushed outside.

  * * *

  Communicating via text messages with Maddie had given Spence a great sense of calm. But it was time to focus and get ready for the perpetrator he hoped was on the way. Spence should have thought of this plan sooner, luring the guy out of hiding so Spence and the police could be in control for a change. It could have saved his reputation for sure. But more importantly, it would have kept a lot of people out of danger, especially Maddie.

  When the violence was over and the case solved, what would happen to Maddie and him then? Maddie was a lovely, smart and positive woman, someone he could see himself traveling with, spending a week hiking in the Canadian Rockies. Her grounded nature pulled him away from the edge of panic, but there was more to it than that. She had faith in him, which felt...good.

  Nate gave Spence a signal and put his finger to his lips. He must have heard something outside. Spence and Detective Vaughn shared a glance, readying themselves.

  They’d shared their plan with Spence when he got to the cabin. Spence would pretend to be having a temper flare-up, going through files and looking for supposed evidence against hospital board members and staff.

  Nate and the detective would hide out and wait for the assailant to break in. Spe
nce hoped his performance had been convincing and word had spread that about him wanting revenge on the hospital. Drawing the perpetrator into their trap was a solid plan, but if he didn’t get the message, Spence might have torched his reputation for nothing.

  Detective Vaughn motioned to the bedroom. As they intensely focused on sounds coming from that part of the cabin, the tension threatened to trigger a headache.

  No, he would not be thrown off because of that first assault in the mountains and subsequent concussion. Nate stood on one side of the bedroom door and Detective Vaughn on the other side. Nate motioned for Spence to continue going through files and shouting words of frustration against his enemies.

  “They’ll never get away with his!” he shouted. “Firing me? What right did they have to fire me?” Spence threw a mug across the room, shattering it to pieces. “They won’t ruin my career with their accusations!”

  A squeak from the other room indicated the guy had opened the newly-installed bedroom window.

  “They’re all going down, starting with the ego-driven Vince Brunson, then Barbara and—”

  “Nobody’s going down, Doc.”

  Spence glanced up. At first he didn’t recognize the man because he’d shaved his beard, and his hair was blond instead of dark brown. He must have altered his appearance to elude authorities, but there was no doubt in Spence’s mind: this was the man who broke into his cabin.

  “What are you doing here?” Spence said.

  “Finishing what I started.” He stood just inside the bedroom as if skittish to join Spence in the main living area. He couldn’t know there were two police officers flanking the bedroom door, could he?

  “Why are you trying to kill me?” Spence said.

  “You’re bad for business.”

  “What business?”

  Nate stepped into the doorway and aimed his gun at the perp. “Drop the weapon.”

  The guy didn’t move at first, then let the gun slip from his fingertips. It hit the ground with a clunk.

  “Turn around, hands behind your head,” Nate ordered.

  Detective Vaughn stepped closer, gun drawn.

  Spence didn’t move, wasn’t sure what to do. It was over, well not completely, but at least the direct physical threat had been neutralized.

  “I said turn around,” Nate repeated.

  The guy slowly turned, putting his hands behind his head. Nate grabbed his wrists and secured them behind his back with cuffs.

  “Get in here and sit down.” Nate shoved him into a living room chair.

  “Hey, Chief,” Detective Vaughn said, holding the perp’s gun in her hand. “It’s Officer Carrington’s gun.”

  “So you’re the guy who assaulted my officer the other night? You’re just racking up the charges. What’s your name?”

  “Tom Wick.”

  “Tom Wick, you’re under arrest,” Nate said, and read him his rights.

  Spence stepped around the kitchen island and approached the man, who was in his twenties. “Wait, Wick as in Wicker?”

  Tom snapped his gaze to Spence.

  “What’s a wicker?” Nate said.

  “Wicker is the name of the guy who deals pills to kids like Gwen.”

  “Is that right, Wicker?” Nate said.

  Clenching his jaw, the guy glanced beyond Nate at the door.

  “So this was about drugs?” Spence asked Tom.

  “Sure,” he said, sarcastic.

  “Let’s lock him up, Chief,” Vaughn said.

  “Ya know, Mr. Wick, once we shut the cell door, it’s over,” Nate said. “But if you cooperate, tell us who else is involved, we could advocate for you.”

  Tom shot him a look of disbelief, and went back to staring at the door.

  Spence stepped into Tom’s sight line. “Why me?”

  Tom looked away.

  “What do you think, Detective Vaughn?” Nate said.

  “He doesn’t deserve any mercy, that’s for sure,” she said.

  Yet Spence had learned from Maddie that everyone, even criminals, deserved mercy.

  “I don’t know. I think he wants to talk to us, don’t you, Tom?” Nate pushed.

  Tom glared at Nate. “Lawyer.”

  Nate held his gaze, probably trying to intimidate him into changing his mind. Instead, Tom snapped his attention toward the windows and his eyes rounded with fear.

  “No!” Tom jumped to his feet.

  Nate shoved him back in the chair. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “Fire!” Tom shouted.

  Spence, Nate and the detective were so focused on Tom they didn’t see the bright orange flames crawling up the windows.

  “Bedroom!” Nate shouted.

  He grabbed Tom by the arm and pulled him to his feet. They ran into the bedroom, but flames sprang up across those windows, as well.

  “Grab blankets,” Spence ordered. “We’ll soak them with water and make a run for it.”

  “We’re gonna burn!” Tom shouted.

  Spence pulled blankets off his bed, and Detective Vaughn grabbed one from the sofa. Spence flipped on the kitchen sink and quickly soaked each blanket. He worked best in a crisis, which was what made him a good ER doc.

  After he and Detective Vaughn doused the blankets, they each took one.

  “It’ll help get us out without being burned,” Spence said, grabbing the fire extinguisher.

  “When you get outside, hit the ground and roll,” Spence said. “I’ll be waiting with the fire extinguisher. Keep your eyes closed when I blast you with the CO2.”

  Nate and Spence shared a knowing look.

  “See you out there,” Spence said.

  Gripping the knob with the edge of the wet blanket, Spence whipped open the door and sprinted through the flames. Once free and clear of the fire, he dropped the fire extinguisher, hit the ground and rolled, smothering any residual embers on his clothes.

  He jumped up, grabbed the fire extinguisher and turned to assist the others. With a guttural cry, Detective Vaughn sprinted out of the cabin, tossed the blanket and hit the ground.

  “Close your eyes!” Spence shouted, and got her with a few short bursts of CO2.

  “I’m okay, I’m okay,” she said, and jumped to her feet.

  The sound of a car speeding away drew his attention. “Look!”

  “I’ll try and get a plate number!” She took off in foot pursuit.

  Spence refocused on the cabin, anxious for Nate and Tom to get out of there. What was taking them so long? They should have been right behind Detective Vaughn.

  Spence got as close as possible. “Nate!”

  Did they find another way out? Then a horrible thought struck Spence: What if Tom assaulted Nate and the perp went out another way?

  “Go, go, go!” Nate shouted.

  The two men burst from the burning cabin, Nate shoving Tom from behind. They both hit the ground and Spence shot them with the CO2.

  “I’m good,” Nate said, standing.

  Spence examined Tom. “You okay? Were you burned?”

  Tom gasped for breath, eyes wide.

  “He was having some kind of attack,” Nate said. “I had a hard time getting him out of there.”

  Spence noted Tom’s labored breathing. “Asthma?” Spence asked.

  Tom nodded.

  Spence searched Tom’s pockets and found his inhaler, held it to his mouth and administered the medicine. “Try to relax. You’re safe now.”

  Detective Vaughn raced up to them. “I called in a description of the assailant’s car. Units will be on the lookout. Emergency fire and paramedics are on the way.”

  “They’ll send the engine from Wallace County,” Spence said. “It’s closer.”
/>   Nate glanced at the fire consuming the cabin, then back at Spence. “Man, I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah,” Spence said.

  Grief settled across Spence’s shoulders. He’d helped build the cabin with a local contractor. Even though he hadn’t planned to stay in Echo Mountain forever, it was his home, a place where he felt safe, and at peace. The locals had embraced him in a way no one else ever had.

  A flash of memory drifted across his thoughts: Maddie in the kitchen singing her heart out. He would have enjoyed cooking a meal for her in his cabin.

  “Good thing you cleared out the trees around the cabin or this thing could’ve gotten outta hand,” Nate said.

  “Which is why I did it. Plus the humidity and moist ground will discourage the fire from jumping.”

  “So now the question is, who set the fire? You?” Nate said, hovering over Tom.

  Tom shook his head, his breathing strained. “No, no fire. Only—” he gasped “—give the doc an overdose. Make it look like suicide.”

  “Why?” Spence said.

  Tom shook his head.

  “Don’t shake your head,” Nate said. “Answer him.”

  “He paid me...five thousand.”

  “You were going to kill a man for five thousand dollars,” Nate said, his tone flat.

  “And stay out of jail...for dealing drugs,” Tom admitted.

  “The guy who hired you to kill Dr. Spencer is linked to the drug activity?” Nate said.

  Tom focused on his breathing and stared straight ahead, the flames reflecting in his eyes.

  “Let’s go.” Nate pulled him to his feet.

  “The paramedics should check him out, Nate,” Spence said.

  “He’s fine.” Nate tossed Vaughn the keys and she went to get the car, which they’d hidden from view.

  “Nate,” Spence said. “I can’t let you take him in until he’s officially checked out.”

  “This guy tried to kill you, what, five times, and you’re worried about his condition?”

  “Five times?” Tom said.

  “Unless you can’t count,” Nate snapped.

  “I stole the girl’s phone and passed it to someone. I broke into his cabin twice. That’s it.”

  Nate got in Tom’s face. “You used her phone to lure Spence into the mountains, where you tried to kill him. That’s how this all started.”