Love Inspired Suspense June 2015 - Box Set 2 of 2: Exit StrategyPaybackCovert Justice

by Shirlee McCoy

  Scott motioned the men to leave.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. McBride,” Agent Nevins said. “I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

  “This is a time-sensitive situation,” the other agent, who’d said his name was Parker, protested.

  “I understand,” Scott said, encouraging them to leave. “I was on the job for ten years. But right now we need to tend to their injuries.” The door shut with a click. A moment later, Scott knelt beside Aiden. “How’s Nia?”

  “Not sure. Nia?” Aiden brushed chestnut-colored hair away from her face.

  She opened her warm brown eyes. “Now you see why I hate cops.”

  “Are you hurt?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  They were so close, closer than they’d ever been. He could feel the warmth from her breath against his skin. Even up close she was perfect.

  “You didn’t hit your head?” he asked.

  “No.”

  She shifted off him and sat up. Stretching out her arms, and then her neck, she said, “Surprisingly, everything seems okay.”

  “You’ll probably be sore tomorrow,” Scott said.

  “Dr. Spencer is on the way,” Bree offered, kneeling beside Nia. “That was scary.”

  Aiden tried to sit up, but Nia placed her hand against his chest. “No, just say there until the doctor arrives.”

  “You got up.”

  “Please?”

  He realized it was important to her that he remain still. “Okay.”

  “I can’t believe you got those bullies to leave,” Bree said.

  “They’re not bullies,” Scott defended. “They’re doing their job.”

  Bree planted her hands on her hips and glared at her boyfriend. “You’re supposed to be on our side.”

  “I am, sweetheart. I’m always on your side.” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

  Nia glanced away, uncomfortable by the show of affection. Or maybe she was just sad that she’d never experience it for herself.

  “Excuse me,” Aiden said. “I could use some ice. If you’re not too busy making out.”

  “Right, sorry.” Bree dashed off toward the kitchen and Scott followed.

  “I’ll help,” Scott said.

  Aiden smiled at Nia. “Maybe you should make sure she doesn’t get distracted.”

  “Oh no, if I leave, you’ll try to get up and hurt yourself even worse.”

  “It’s not that bad.”

  “Then what do you need the ice for?”

  “An old football injury.”

  “Aiden,” she said in a warning tone.

  “Okay, fine. I might have banged my knee trying to get to you.”

  She glanced away, shame reddening her cheeks.

  “Hey, hey.” With his forefinger and thumb, he coaxed her to look at him again. “I don’t like the sound of whatever you’re thinking.”

  “How do you know what I’m thinking?”

  “I can guess. I know you pretty well.”

  Aiden hadn’t realized until now just how well he knew her. He knew that she took personal responsibility for so many things, including Aiden’s well-being, which always puzzled him. What did he ever do to deserve her compassion?

  “Here’s the ice,” Bree said, coming around the corner with a towel-wrapped ice bag.

  Nia took it from her. “Okay, boss, where does this go?”

  “Left knee.”

  When Nia placed the ice on his injury, he made sure not to wince or show any kind of reaction to the pain. He reached out to hold the ice securely over his knee and accidentally placed his hand over hers.

  “Thanks,” he said.

  “I should be thanking you. You saved me from breaking my neck.”

  “You would have done the same for me,” he teased.

  She smiled and glanced at their hands. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

  *

  The next morning Aiden awoke in Bree’s cottage sore from the tumble down the stairs. After Dr. Spencer checked him out and said he was okay but should go for X-rays, Aiden planted himself on the couch, determined to stay close and protect Nia.

  Sure, a protector with a bum knee and sore back and neck. It was the second night in a row he’d spent on Bree’s lumpy couch instead of in his own bed, but he didn’t mind. His place was lonely anyway and the nightmares didn’t seem to plague him at Bree’s place.

  Standing, he tested the knee, which didn’t hurt as much as he’d expected it to. His phone buzzed with a call.

  “McBride,” he answered.

  “It’s Nate. Thought you’d want to know—Gus Chambers wasn’t charged.”

  “What, is this guy made of Teflon? Wasn’t he charged with assaulting Will?”

  “Witnesses said it was a shoving match on both their parts, so no. The good news is, Gus is leaving town.”

  “Yeah, I’ll believe that when he’s gone.”

  “How’s Nia?”

  “Almost broke her neck falling down the stairs thanks to a late-night visit from the feds.”

  “They were supposed to check in with me first.”

  “Guess they can’t follow directions.”

  “Did they question you?”

  “I sent them away. Said I’d be in touch.”

  “Okay, well, call if you need me.”

  “Thanks.” Aiden ended the call and shuffled into the kitchen.

  “You walk like you’re ninety,” Bree said, leaning against the counter drinking coffee.

  He hip-bumped her out of his way. “You’re bad for my ego.”

  “That’s my job as your little sister.” She handed him a mug.

  He poured a cup of coffee. “Nia asleep?”

  “Nope. She’s been up since dawn, putting final touches on some family reunion and coordinating temporary accommodations for mud slide victims.”

  “Wait—she left the cottage?”

  “Relax. She did it by phone.”

  “But it’s only…” He glanced at the clock. It read eight-thirty.

  “You let me sleep in?”

  “Not me—Nia. She said you needed the rest. I wanted to wake you at six.”

  “Where is she?”

  “On the front porch with the two agents from last night.”

  He nearly spit out his coffee. “What?” He started to go to Nia, but Bree grabbed his arm.

  “Hang on, big brother. It was her idea. She asked Scott for Agent Nevins’s number and called him.”

  “I’d better go check on her.”

  His sister wouldn’t release him. “Do you have faith in Nia?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then show her.”

  “What…? I don’t understand.”

  “Don’t go out there guns blazing. Be calm and supportive, not bossy and irritable.”

  “She doesn’t like cops. She doesn’t trust them.” He glanced toward the front of the house. “Why would she meet with the agents alone?”

  “To protect you.”

  “Me?” He snapped his attention to Bree.

  “She probably doesn’t want them arresting you like they tried to last night, because with your attitude, you’re asking for it.”

  Bree’s phone buzzed on the counter and she eyed it. “It’s a SAR text. Since they didn’t find anything yesterday, they’re enlisting K9 teams to search for the missing federal agents.”

  “You and Fiona go ahead,” he said, limping toward the front door.

  “You should ask to borrow Nia’s crutches while you’re out there,” she teased.

  “Maybe I will.”

  Aiden reached the front door and hesitated. Bree was right. If he stepped outside with a chip on his shoulder he’d only make things worse for Nia. And that was something he definitely didn’t want to do. But resentment about how the agents had acted last night simmered low in his gut. Somehow he had to release it.

  “Dear God, don’t let me do anything stupid,” he whispered. “I just want to help her.”

&nbs
p; He took a deep breath, opened the door and joined them on the front porch.

  “Good morning.” Aiden extended his hand to the lead agent who’d tried to arrest him. “Sorry about last night.”

  The agent, who’d introduced himself last night as John Nevins, returned the gesture.

  “Please accept my apologies, as well,” Agent Nevins said. “This case is complicated and frustrating.”

  “Mr. McBride,” the second agent greeted him.

  “Agent Parker, right?” Aiden said.

  “Yes, sir, Rick Parker.”

  They also shook hands.

  “You guys need something to drink?” Aiden asked. “My sister makes an amazing cup of coffee.”

  “We’re good, thanks,” Agent Nevins said.

  “Would you mind if I hung around? You’ve probably figured out that I’m protective of Nia. She’s my best employee. The resort would crumble without her.”

  Nia glanced down at the wooden floorboards, but he couldn’t tell if her expression was one of embarrassment or disappointment. Did she dislike him referring to her as an employee?

  “Actually, you might be helpful since you seem to have been around when much of this happened,” Agent Nevins said and then shot an apologetic frown at Aiden. “Wait—I didn’t mean for that to sound like an accusation.”

  “I didn’t take it as one,” Aiden said.

  “Good. Miss Sharpe was giving us a rundown about what’s happened over the past few days. We’re concerned about Agents Brown and McIntyre not returning from the mountains.”

  “It’s rugged terrain out there. If you’re not an experienced hiker, you could find yourself in a world of trouble,” Aiden said.

  Bree bounded out of the house with Fiona beside her. “Headed to the command center. See ya later.”

  “Be careful,” Aiden said.

  “You, too.” His sister’s golden retriever hopped into the front seat of her truck and they took off.

  “So, back to your missing agents,” Aiden said. “May I ask why they were looking for me?”

  “They said they were following a money trail that led here, to Echo Mountain Resort,” Agent Parker said. “They had identified you, Mr. McBride, as a suspect in an international drug ring.”

  “What?” Nia snapped. “That’s ridiculous.”

  Aiden leaned against the house for support. “How did they come to that conclusion?”

  “Emails sent by Danny Sharpe to your account at the resort.”

  “I never received any emails.”

  “Aiden would never do anything illegal, and don’t you try to frame him for anything,” Nia defended.

  Agent Parker put up his hands. “We’re not framing anyone for anything.”

  “But you think I’m some kind of drug runner?” Aiden said.

  “The agents were following the evidence. Maybe the email landed in your spam folder?”

  “I received an email, one I found just the other day,” Nia offered. “But it was just a link, so I assumed Danny’s email had been hacked.”

  Agent Parker looked at Nia. “Your brother was a drug courier. Agents Brown and McIntyre suspected him of disappearing with proceeds from a sale instead of turning it in to the cartel he was working for.”

  “A drug cartel,” Nia whispered. “Danny, what have you gotten yourself into?”

  “When he went off the grid, the agents thought he’d been killed by cartel thugs. They pulled his phone records and found the emails and multiple calls made to Echo Mountain Resort. They said that’s why they were headed out here, to speak to the manager.”

  “They challenged Aiden’s exemplary military record,” Nia said. “They were trying to intimidate me.”

  “I’m sorry about that,” Agent Nevins said.

  “Hang on,” Aiden said, curious. “What aren’t you telling us?”

  Agent Nevins hesitated. “There have been recent indications that Agents Brown and McIntyre may have gone rogue. At any rate, we need to find them.”

  “You mean they’re corrupt?” Aiden said.

  “It’s possible, yes.”

  “I was right not to trust them.” Nia glanced up at Aiden. “If they thought you were involved in hiding drug money, they would have done anything to find it. Even hurt you.”

  Aiden placed his hand on her shoulder for comfort.

  “They don’t know we suspect them of anything,” Agent Parker said. “Please keep that to yourselves. We need to find them ASAP, before they either figure out our suspicions or get the money from Danny and dispose of the evidence.”

  “You mean kill him,” Nia said.

  “Your brother is critical to resolving this case,” Nevins said. “If the agents couldn’t track down the money through Mr. McBride, they would have gone after Danny directly.”

  “They thought I was hiding the money at the resort?” Aiden said.

  “Possibly, which is why they wanted to find you. Would you mind if we looked into your accounts, just to cover all our bases?”

  “You won’t find anything,” Nia said.

  “I’ll have to check with the owner of the property for permission,” Aiden said. “But he shouldn’t have a problem with that.”

  “In the meantime, Danny is the key to finding Agents Brown and McIntyre.” Nevins glanced at Nia. “Did your brother give you any indication where he was headed next?”

  “He said he was going home to pay back his boss, but that was obviously a lie. Wait—why did he need money from me if he has all this drug money?”

  “If the bills were marked or identifiable in any way, he wouldn’t want to use them,” Agent Nevins said.

  A small pickup truck pulled into the driveway and Dr. Kyle Spencer stepped out. Dr. Spencer—or Spence, as he liked to be called—had recently moved to Echo Mountain and hadn’t wasted any time joining the search-and-rescue team. The team appreciated the doctor’s skills, and the single females appreciated a new bachelor in town. The clean-cut, handsome physician had caused quite a stir when he’d arrived, although Aiden sensed the man wasn’t interested in romance.

  “Good morning,” Spence said, eyeing the agents. “Everything okay?”

  “These are Agents Nevins and Parker from the FBI. They’re investigating the missing agents,” Aiden explained.

  “I’m on my way to the command site but wanted to check on my patient first. How’s the knee, Aiden?”

  “Still working.”

  “Good. I brought you this.” Spence pulled a brace out of a plastic bag. “Wear it.”

  Aiden must have made a face because Nia said, “I’ll make sure he does.”

  “And you could probably use a stronger wrap for your ankle, Nia.”

  “Yeah, since she refuses to use the crutches,” Aiden countered.

  Spence redirected his attention to Aiden. “Wouldn’t hurt you to get a CT scan on that head of yours.”

  “It’s fine. No headache, nausea or anything indicating a concussion,” Aiden said.

  “Is that so, Dr. McBride?” Spence jabbed.

  “You said you were headed to the command site?” Nevins asked the doctor.

  “I am.”

  “Mind if we follow you?”

  “No, although you won’t be allowed to accompany our teams into the mountains. Only trained volunteers are allowed on missions.”

  “But we could help.”

  “Sorry, but we can’t risk you becoming victims and giving us two more bodies to haul down the mountain.”

  “All the same, we’d like to be close when you find our men.”

  “I understand.” Spence narrowed his eyes at Aiden. “You’d better be wearing that brace by the time I get back.”

  “Will do.”

  “Thanks for your help.” Agent Nevins turned to Nia. “You’ve got my number in case you hear from your brother or you think of anything else that might be helpful.”

  “Yes, sir,” she said. “Wait—what about interrogating the man who threatened me at my apartment?
He’s involved in this somehow.”

  “We did. He’s after Danny for something unrelated to our case.”

  The three men took off for the command post in the mountains.

  Nia stood but didn’t make eye contact with Aiden. “Let’s go inside and get that brace on your knee.”

  As she passed him, he reached for her hand and interlaced their fingers. “Nia? What’s going on in that head of yours?”

  She glanced into his eyes. “They suspected you of being a drug courier—” she paused “—because of my brother.”

  She shook her head, pulled her hand from his and went into the house. Aiden followed. “But I’m not involved with drugs and they know that.”

  “Still…” She motioned him to a thick-cushioned chair. “Take a seat and I’ll help you with the brace.”

  He was about to say he was perfectly capable of doing it himself, but thought better of it. He wanted to stay close, maybe even get her to articulate her frustrations so they wouldn’t eat away at her. She had to be incredibly disappointed in her brother right now.

  He took off his boot and stretched his leg out on the sofa. Handing her the brace, he said, “Thanks for offering to help.”

  “It’s the least I can do considering all the trauma I’ve caused you and your family.”

  As if she just realized what she’d said, she froze and looked at him. He’d never get tired of gazing into those warm brown eyes.

  “Are you…? Have you been sleeping okay?” she asked.

  “Sure. Why?”

  “I thought…” She hesitated, focusing on adjusting the brace. “I mean, with everything that’s been happening, you might…you know…”

  Right, trigger more nightmares.

  Yet except for the one he’d had outside her apartment the other day, the nightmares had been less frequent, actually, ever since she’d pounded on his cottage door and awakened him from an unusually violent one. He’d never forget the look on Nia’s face when he’d answered, a horrified look. Aiden’s expression had probably terrified her.

  “I should get to work,” he said as he finished strapping on the brace.

  “I’m going with you,” she said.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “I can’t sit here all day and night, Aiden. I’ve got work to do. Besides, I’m more isolated and at risk here at the cottage than if I’m surrounded by a resort full of people…” She hesitated. “Unless you think I’m putting them at risk, too.”