Cold Dawn

by Susan Sleeman

  “What’s in there?”

  “Extra ammo. Flash bangs. A knife or two. Maybe a backup gun.”

  She stared at him, mouth open. “You came prepared for war.”

  “I came prepared to keep you safe.” He met her gaze and held on, trying to transmit his feelings for her. He moved a strand of hair that had blown into her face and settled it behind her ear.

  Her forehead furrowed. “I do have some skills, you know. I managed to stay alive on patrol for eight years after all. Five of them in the big city.”

  “I know. And I respect that, but you know me. Keeping you safe has always been my job. One I take seriously.” He cupped the side of her face, and she shuddered under his touch.

  Her unfettered reaction shot straight to his heart, and all logical thought fled from his brain for a moment. This wasn’t good. He should leave her in the Jeep so she didn’t distract him, but he was the problem, not her. Besides, leaving her behind where he couldn’t make sure she was okay would distract him even more.

  He let his hand fall and blinked hard to clear his head until he was mission ready. “Ready to go.”

  Her phone dinged, and she pulled it from her pocket.

  “You’ll want to silence that, too,” he said, thinking ahead and wondering what else might go wrong.

  She tapped her phone. “It’s from Eryn. Place is an abandoned gravel pit. Hasn’t been operational for twenty years.”

  “I don’t like the thought of that.” Concern tightened Griff’s stomach. “It’s a perfect place for Nobles to ambush us.”

  21

  Sam crept along the tree line, following in Griff’s big footsteps. Before they departed, he’d taken out an assault rifle. She’d said he was prepared for war, and with a similar rifle in her hands, she felt like they were actually going to war.

  She rolled her bum shoulder and prayed she could properly back him up. She probably should’ve told him about the strain placed on it in the crash, but he would’ve sidelined her. Then he would be out here alone. And her backup was better than none.

  Please let me handle whatever we come up against and keep Griff safe. I can’t lose him.

  And there it was. She couldn’t lose him. She was back seven years ago when this amazing man was part of her world. She remembered her love for him. Wanting a family with him. Spending the rest of their lives together.

  He motioned for her to come alongside him. He took out his binoculars and peered between the arborvitae lining the drive. “Nobles is talking to a guy with a truck. Ford F-150.

  “White?”

  He shook his head. “Light gray.”

  “It was dark last night, and we could’ve been wrong on the color,” she whispered back.

  “He’s the right build and height, and F-150’s are pretty common.” Griff lowered his binocs. “I want you to take a stand just down the drive. “

  “And you?”

  “I’ll circle around behind and take the guy by surprise. When I do, you get a bead on Nobles. Can you do that?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Sam.” He met her gaze and held on like he was looking for a lifeline. “Be careful. Okay, honey?”

  She nodded.

  He bent down and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. “For luck.”

  She grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him in for a real kiss. “Now that’s what I call a kiss.”

  A wide grin claimed his mouth, but he shook his head. “Good thing you were never on Bravo team, or I wouldn’t have been able to think straight.” His grin widened as he reached into his backpack and handed over handcuff zip ties. “You’re going to need these for Nobles.”

  She shoved them in her pocket. “You really did think of everything.”

  His expression sobered. “I hope so. Follow me. I’ll show you where to hold up.”

  He took off, graceful and forceful at the same time. She could easily imagine him as a SEAL operator, moving in fluidly with his team to breach buildings and take out the bad guys or rescue people in need. Problem was, she was always able to imagine him getting shot, too. And dying.

  But not today. Neither of them would get hurt today.

  Please, God. Please.

  Griff stopped within earshot of the men and motioned for her to stay put. She crept closer to listen in to the conversation and get a look at the men’s positions. She needed to be on her game and ready to act the instant Griff attacked.

  “We have to do something,” one of the men said, and she recognized the low voice as belonging to Nobles. She eased around the tree to confirm. “We can’t let them figure it out. I won’t go to prison.”

  “And just what are you going to do about it?” The tall, muscular guy she put in his thirties had a scraggly beard, a crooked nose, and nasally voice. His hand was cupped around a Dr. Pepper can, and he chugged a drink. “You’re afraid of your own shadow. Needed me to do your dirty work because you were too big of a baby.”

  “But you haven’t done it successfully, have you?” Nobles fired back. “The chick and her SEAL are suspicious of my involvement. It’s only a matter of time before they figure it out.

  The guy crushed the can in his hands. “Maybe if you hadn’t insisted on torching all three buildings so close together. I told you not to do all of them.”

  “Well it’s done now,” Nobles snapped. “So now what?

  She tried not to dwell on their confession but readied herself by putting her hands on the rifle hanging from a strap around her neck. She itched to lift it into position now, but the barrel would poke out of the tree line and give away her location.

  Tension mounted, raising her nerves. She took several deep breaths, but her heart started pounding. Adrenaline flowing. Fear rising.

  Anyone who said they had no fear in a dangerous situation like this was likely not telling the truth. It was being able to control the fear and still act wisely that made her a successful police officer. Constraint and focus under pressure were essential for everyone in law enforcement. First responders. Firefighters. The military.

  Calm yourself.

  She took a long breath. Let it out. Took a few more.

  Griff suddenly came out of nowhere—his arm curling around the man’s neck and bringing him to his knees. She raised her rifle. Bolted from the trees.

  “Don’t move, Nobles,” she called out.

  He spun. His eyes went wide. His hands up.

  “On the ground, now! Facedown.” She glanced over at Griff who had the other guy’s face in the dirt, cuffs already secured. He worked fast and quietly. Deadly silent.

  Nobles lowered his large body, seeming to collapse to the gravel drive. Not a surprise after the conversation with his pal. He was too afraid to do his own dirty work.

  Afraid. Seemed to be the topic of the day. Nobles let his fear keep him from acting on his own, but he would have the same consequences. Be charged for murder, or at least accessory to murder, and likely be convicted and sent to prison.

  Was this a lesson for her? That letting fear hold you back didn’t help? Something to think about later.

  She dug out the cuffs and restrained him. She looked at Griff. He gave a nod of approval, and his praise for a job well done warmed her clear through. She didn’t let it distract her, though.

  Griff moved his guy into a sitting position, leaning him against the large tire of his truck and maybe using a bit of excess force in doing so. She glared at Nobles. He was responsible for Andy’s death, and his face belonged in the dirt. But she had questions for him and wanted to look him in the eye as he answered. She helped him move to lean against the other truck tire.

  “What’s your buddy’s name, Nobles?” Sam asked.

  Nobles clamped thin lips together, flattening them out.

  “You know the first one who gives us information will get the deal, don’t you?” Sam asked.

  “You’re not even cops,” the other guy said.

  “So you know who we are,” Sam replied.

&n
bsp; He glared up at her, his snide grin quickly disappearing.

  Sam widened her stance. “I may not currently be a police officer, but I do have friends who can try to help you. Or they can make your life difficult. Your choice.”

  “Fine,” Nobles burst out. “He burned the buildings.”

  The younger man’s eyes hardened into granite as he glared at Nobles. “Shut up, old man.”

  “No. No. It’s over.” Nobles expression filled with panic. “I needed the insurance money, and he torched them for me.”

  “Nice try blaming everything on your friend, Nobles,” Sam said, lacing her words with sarcasm. “But how do you explain your DNA found on Andy’s hand?”

  “What?”

  “You heard me,” she snapped. “Andy Hollis. The man found dead in your cannery. We swabbed his hand. Recovered your DNA.”

  He jutted out his chin. “How do you know it’s mine? I never gave anyone permission to collect my DNA.”

  “Ah, but you did give me permission to take your soda bottle.” Griff locked his gaze on Nobles. “And your claim that you had nothing to do with Andy just won’t fly. You’ll go away for murder, too.”

  “But I didn’t kill him. I just…” His words fell off.

  Sam didn’t care what he claimed. She was looking at Andy’s killer, and she could barely breathe. Couldn’t speak. Couldn’t think, other than knowing deep in her gut that she wanted to hurt this man. This killer. Hurt him badly.

  She took a step toward him. She didn’t know what she might do when she got to him, but she must have had murder in her eyes as he scooted back against the wheel.

  Griff stepped between them. “No, Sam. Not this way.”

  She looked at Griff. At his face. Calm. Filled with caring for her. He’d seen more friends die than she could possibly imagine. Or endure. Yet he was able to control himself when faced with Andy’s killer. Her respect for Griff grew tenfold.

  She took a long breath to release her adrenaline and calm down. She flashed Griff a quick look of relief and moved to face Nobles again. “Why’d you kill Andy?”

  He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing under excess flesh. “I didn’t. As I said, I didn’t even start the fire. We didn’t expect Hollis to be there.”

  “Oh come on, now,” Griff said, sounding like he was starting to lose patience. “Andy was in the middle of the room you torched. How could you miss him?”

  “Again, I didn’t start the fire, but it was dark, and it’s not like the building had any utilities so the lights couldn’t be turned on. So he,” Nobles shot a look at his buddy. “He’s Jarod Timms with two m’s, he started the fire.”

  Timms growled low in his throat. “Last warning, old man. Say anything more and you’re gonna find out what my fist feels like in lockup.”

  Nobles lifted his chin for a moment as if he suddenly found the ability to stand up to Timms. “It’s over. O.V.E.R. Over. No point in fighting it.” His chin dropped to his chest, and his entire body sagged. “My wife. Family. When they hear. They’ll be so upset. What have I done?”

  Sam felt no mercy for him. “Engaged in actions that resulted in a man’s death, and I aim to see that you pay to the fullest extent of the law.” She stepped back. “Everyone sit tight while I grab my supplies.”

  She took off for the Jeep to retrieve her field kit. Maybe took off to keep from doing something stupid like decking one or both of the men. She’d never felt a violent need to retaliate like this, and the deep-seated hatred and anger baffled her. Not the usual way for her to respond. Sure, Andy was a friend, but this visceral reaction? Wanting to harm someone? Over the top for her.

  Was there more to her response? Her need to control things coming out? Everything she felt due to her dad, finally erupting?

  Is that it? A message here for me. What You want me to see?

  She grabbed her supplies, concentrating on what God would want her to do in this situation. He sure wouldn’t want her to deck the man. He’d want her to forgive him. No way she could do that yet. But maybe she could take this lesson, apply it to her life, and forgive her dad. But trust him again? Trust anyone? She was afraid that was still a long way off.

  She returned to the men and stared at Nobles who simply looked like a pathetic lost man right now, not a killer. “One last chance to come clean before I start collecting DNA and prints. Next I’ll turn you over to the sheriff.”

  Nobles looked at his buddy who was glaring at him. “We have to tell the truth. Worst case we get charged with tampering with a crime scene, but we didn’t murder the guy…neither of us, and I won’t go away for it.”

  “Shut up, man.” Timms lurched forward as if he wanted to get to Nobles. “Just…shut…up.”

  “No. No. I don’t care what you do to me. It’s time to tell. I’m tired. So tired.” Nobles shook his head hard. “This Andy person was there. In the building. Timms called to tell me about it. I freaked out. Came over to the cannery. Touched Hollis to see if he was really dead. His hand was…”

  Nobles’ face paled. “I thought someone would try to connect this with my other buildings, and I would be charged with murder. So I told Timms to torch the place as planned. Hollis didn’t have any ID on him, and I hoped the police would think he was a vagrant and not try to figure it out.”

  Sam didn’t want to believe him, but she did. “And you’re sure Timms didn’t kill him?”

  He shot Timms a look. “You didn’t, right? Really didn’t?”

  “Don’t be stupid, old man. I said I didn’t, and that should be good enough for you.”

  “We recovered DNA from Andy’s face, and we’ll soon know if you’re telling the truth, Timms.” She watched him, but his expression didn’t waver. She shifted her focus to Griff. “I’ll just lift a few prints and DNA then call Blake.”

  Griff nodded, and she set to work on processing Timm’s gun and soda can. If a crime had been committed here, she wouldn’t even consider touching the evidence, but these men hadn’t done anything illegal standing here and talking, so she felt free to gather Timm’s prints and hopefully DNA.

  She took her time, and when she finished, she stepped out of earshot to call Blake and explain.

  “You’re sure about this?” he asked, sounding skeptical.

  “I heard them discuss it with my own ears. Then Nobles confessed. Griff heard it, too. We can testify to the conversation.”

  “I can hold them both for arson and have my team take a DNA swab from Timms while we hold them in lockup.” Blake cleared his throat. “Good work, Sam. I’ll be there in twenty minutes or so.”

  He disconnected. She really did believe Nobles. It was Timms who she didn’t believe. He was lying through his teeth. She could read people, and it was obvious he was withholding information.

  She turned her ringer back on, and her phone buzzed in her hand. Griff stepped over to join her, and they backed away from the men to talk, Griff’s gun still trained their direction.

  “Text’s from Emory. She compared Scanlon’s DNA to the other profiles and finished the butt and casing. He’s not a match for any of it, and Nobles only matches the hand DNA.”

  Griff gave an impatient huff. “I’m not glad that it doesn’t give us a lead, but I am glad we can rule Scanlon out.”

  She nodded. “Unless one of his flunkies took the shot at me, but I just don’t see that happening.”

  “Do you think Timms killed Andy, or he was already dead like they claim?”

  She looked at the guy, his eyes dark with anger, his expression still belligerent. “I think he did kill him since we’re eliminating our other suspects. But his DNA will prove that.”

  Griff pursed his lips in thought. “What I don’t get is what their motive was for killing him? Their connection? Did they know about Andy’s embezzlement and texted him?”

  “Good question.” She thought about it for a moment. “I have the feeling that they didn’t text Andy. That he went out there with someone else for some other reason. Maybe s
omething to do with the cash windfall he was expecting. Then he saw Timms setting the fire. Timms couldn’t let Andy ID him and had to kill him.”

  “Sounds very plausible.” Griff’s focus shifted to the men. “Once the DNA results come in, I gotta figure Nobles will tell us the rest of the story. If he knows anything more. Seems like Timms may not be sharing everything with Nobles.”

  “I agree.”

  Griff swung his gaze back to her and smiled. “Good job in taking Nobles down. We make a good team.”

  They did. Always had. It hit Sam then that if Timms was their guy, that Griff’s work here was done. What was she going to do about that? Say goodbye to him, of course. She might love him. Want to be with him, but nothing had changed. She still had trust issues.

  Sadness invaded her heart, but she forced out a smile. “Good news. You can go home today and to work tomorrow. You won’t need to ask for that extra leave.”

  He didn’t respond right away but stared over her shoulder at the men. “Maybe we could have dinner tonight and talk about things.”

  Oh, how she would love to, but what good would that do? Ending things now, here in a public place without any emotions, was a much better idea. “Thanks for the offer, but I want to get the DNA to Emory.”

  “Won’t Blake do that?”

  “Sure he will, but you know me.” She forced her smile to widen. “I like to be thorough, and I want to tie up loose ends.”

  “I could help you.”

  She was so tempted. Wanted to give in. But she had to stay strong so she didn’t give him false hope.

  “I appreciate the offer, but I’d rather work alone. Less distractions.” She gave him a quick platonic hug. “Thanks for all your help, Griff. I hope you find everything in life you want. I’ll just take my kit back to the Jeep.”

  She turned and walked away, nearly running, her heart aching. It took everything she was made of to keep going. But she had to. She couldn’t be with this man until she got over her trust issues, so why prolong the inevitable pain that would be even worse than what she was feeling now?

  22