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

by Shirlee McCoy

  Danny studied Nia’s eyes and shook his head. “If I tell them, we’re both dead.”

  “And if you don’t, just your sister dies,” Nevins snapped.

  “It’s okay, Danny,” Nia said. “I forgive you.”

  Parker snapped the gun back and stood. “What’s wrong with you, woman? Get him to tell us—”

  Two shots rang out.

  Nia shrieked.

  Agent Parker gripped his chest. With a stunned expression, he fell into the water.

  She struggled to make sense of what was happening. Agent Nevins had just killed his partner.

  A few seconds later, Nevins pressed the barrel of his gun against the back of her head. “Where’s the money?”

  If this was Nia’s last moment on earth, she wanted to be focused on love and beauty, not violence and fear. She interlaced her fingers in prayer.

  “Don’t do that,” Nevins said.

  “You can kill me, but you can’t tell me how to die.”

  A gunshot echoed across the falls.

  “This is the police! Put the gun down!” a man called.

  Nevins grabbed Nia’s arm.

  “Let her go!” the policeman called.

  Nevins started to pull her to her feet.

  Two shots echoed across the water.

  Nevins’s fingers sprang free of her arm and she collapsed against Danny. Her body trembled violently.

  “Spike, get him out of the water,” a man said. She recognized the voice as Deputy Nate Walsh. “Doc, check on the brother. Harvey, get the litter ready. I’ll check on the other agent.”

  It sounded as if help had arrived in time, yet she couldn’t stop trembling.

  “Nia? It’s Dr. Spencer. May I examine your brother?”

  She nodded affirmative, unable to peel her body off of Danny.

  Nia felt a hand squeeze her shoulder.

  “Sweetheart?” The sound of Aiden’s voice made her breath catch. “You’ve done a great job protecting your brother, but now let the doc take a look, okay?”

  As she pushed away from Danny, Aiden pulled her against his chest and rocked slightly.

  “They shot Danny,” she said.

  “I know, honey, I know.”

  “I think…I think they were setting him up.”

  “Don’t think about that now. The police will figure it out. Shh.”

  She sobbed against him, realizing how utterly foolish she’d been to think she could leave this man, a man who, even with stitches in his arm and a mild concussion, had come out to rescue her.

  “You shouldn’t be here,” she said.

  “Ah, still micromanaging, I see.”

  “Your arm.”

  “It’s fine. We’re all fine.”

  “My brother…?”

  “Doc?” Aiden said.

  “Through and through. She did a good job of stopping the bleeding. He should be okay, but he needs a hospital.”

  “Let’s get him on the litter,” Harvey said.

  “Honey, they need space to work.” Aiden guided her to a rock a few feet away. “Hang on while I get you a blanket.”

  Hugging herself against the chill, she watched him whip off his pack and dig inside, one-handed. Yet somehow he managed to find a dry blanket and draped it across her shoulders.

  “I fell in,” she uttered.

  “I can see that,” he said with what sounded like amusement in his voice.

  “How did you find me?”

  “Tracked your cell phone. Then Will called, filled me in on your plan.”

  “Are you upset with me because I agreed to help the agents?”

  “The only thing that matters is that you’re alive.”

  Nate felt for Agent Parker’s pulse and glanced at Nia and Aiden. He shook his head, indicating that the agent was gone.

  Nia bit back a gasp. How foolish she’d been to trust these men. “I thought…I thought it was the best way—” she glanced up “—to protect you.”

  “Shh.” He pulled her against his chest and stroked her back. “You’re okay. It’s all over now.”

  *

  Later that day, Nia sat beside her brother’s hospital bed, wishing he’d open his eyes. Apparently so did the local authorities. Nate Walsh stayed close, as did Aiden.

  Aiden kept trying to convince her to get checked out by a doctor, but she knew she wasn’t hurt physically. Emotionally, on the other hand…

  It was going to take a while to forget all that had happened, to wipe away the images of her brother’s bloody shoulder, Aiden’s bloody arm and the feel of a gun pressed against her head.

  Danny moaned and opened his eyes.

  “Hey, little brother. You’re awake.”

  “Are you okay?” he said.

  “Me? You’re the one in a hospital bed.”

  He reached out to hold her hand, but his wrist was handcuffed to the bed.

  She slipped her fingers through his. “Are you up to talking to the police?”

  “No, no way. Never.”

  “Danny—” she squeezed his hand “—I trust these people.”

  “Cops lie. Those federal agents were going to kill you.”

  “Yes, but Deputy Nate Walsh saved our lives today. I think you should give him a chance.”

  “They’re going to pin the murders of those first two agents on me. I didn’t kill anyone.”

  “If you tell the truth, they’ll believe you,” Nia said.

  “You’re too trusting.”

  “Please?”

  “Fine.”

  Nia went into the hallway and motioned to Nate. “He’s awake.”

  Nate, Chief Washburn and Aiden joined her in the hospital room. Aiden offered a curt nod as he passed. What was that about?

  “We’d like to take your official statement, Danny,” the chief said.

  “I was duped.”

  “Please explain,” Nate said.

  “Back in Detroit, I got into some—” he glanced at Nia “—some trouble with a drug operation. The two feds that arrested me said if I helped them they’d give me immunity.”

  “Those feds being Nevins and Parker?”

  “Yeah. They were on a special task force to weed out corrupt agents. They wanted me to steal a few grand from my boss, who they claimed was working with them.”

  “Federal agents working with a drug cartel?” the chief scoffed.

  “I know, I’m an idiot, but they were offering me a deal to stay out of jail, so I’d pretty much believe anything.”

  “What happened next?” Nate asked.

  “My job was a deliveryman, so I picked up a messenger bag but didn’t deliver it. Brown and McIntyre were supposed to arrest me. When the cash went missing, that would be Nevins’s evidence they were dirty. But I didn’t get arrested, and the bag had way more than a couple of grand inside. Then people started trying to kill me.”

  “Oh, Danny,” Nia said, touching his hand.

  “What people?” Nate asked.

  “My boss, Parker and Nevins, take your pick. So I ran. Hitched my way out here to see Nia. I guess they assumed she was in on it, or she’d launder the money through the resort or something. I don’t know. I thought about shipping the money back to my boss, but what if someone else opened the package and kept it for himself? I figured the money was my only leverage. I didn’t know what to do.” He sighed. “I watched Nia take off into the mountains and I followed her. When I saw Brown and McIntyre go after her, I fired off a few shots to scare them away but I didn’t shoot them, honest.”

  Nia glanced at Aiden. “That must have been the gunshots we heard.”

  He nodded.

  “But not the gunshots that killed Agents Brown and McIntyre,” Nate said.

  “Gus Chambers probably shot them,” Danny said. “He’s muscle for the Detroit operation.”

  “And he came to retrieve the money?” the chief said.

  Danny nodded.

  “But why kill two federal agents?” the chief asked.


  “Unless Gus didn’t kill them,” Nate offered. “It’s more likely Parker and Nevins shot the other agents. After speaking with the FBI, I got the impression Agents Brown and McIntyre were suspicious of Parker and Nevins, so Parker and Nevins wanted them out of the way. Plus, if they pinned the murders on Danny, that would turn up the heat.”

  “Right, so more law enforcement would be on the lookout for him,” the chief said.

  “Once they found him, he’d be arrested for murder.” Nia squeezed Danny’s hand.

  “And no one would believe my word against a cop’s.”

  The room fell silent as they all digested Danny’s story.

  “So, where is the money?” the chief asked.

  Danny looked away.

  “Danny, these are the most trustworthy men I know,” Nia said.

  He sighed. “At the cottage.”

  “Bree’s cottage? With the golden retriever?” Nia asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Why there?”

  “I was going to stash it at your apartment that first night, but your boss showed up. Then I heard Gus was in town and didn’t want to give him a reason to come after you. I needed to stash it in a place they couldn’t trace back to me.”

  “How did you get into her cottage?” Aiden said.

  Danny glanced at Nia. “I sneaked into the house the day I texted you to meet at the restaurant. I was going to sneak in after you left, but when the dog escaped and you ran after it, that’s when I went inside and hid the money. You came back into the house and almost caught me, so I hid until you left.”

  “That must have been what set off the alarm,” Aiden said.

  “So, where’s the money now?” Nate asked.

  “I hid it behind a dresser upstairs.”

  “I’ll get on it,” the chief said.

  *

  The next few days were a blur. The FBI had Danny under constant protection, and by Wednesday he was well enough to be released from the hospital. He’d agreed to go back to Detroit, where the FBI would question him further. The hope was if he cooperated and told them everything he knew about the drug gang, they’d dismiss the original charges brought by Nevins and Parker.

  *

  It was hard saying goodbye to her brother, but she felt as if he was finally on the right track.

  She glanced at the mended Peace figurine Aiden had left on her desk. Unfortunately, she didn’t feel as if she and Aiden had gotten back on track. Since she’d returned to work, Aiden had been polite and businesslike yet kept his distance, like before…

  Before they’d kissed, before she’d told him she loved him.

  That day at the falls when he’d said it was all over, had he meant their relationship was over, as well?

  No, that was the one good thing that had come out of this violent mess: she and Aiden had admitted their feelings for one another.

  How did that suddenly disappear?

  “Daydreaming at work, Miss Sharpe?” Aiden said from her doorway.

  “Oh, hi.”

  “Did your brother get off okay?”

  “He did.”

  “Good. I’m glad.” He stepped into her office and placed a folder on her desk. “Some vendor inquiries about Independence Day weekend events. Please narrow down that list by the end of the day tomorrow.” He turned to leave.

  “What’s wrong?” she said.

  He hesitated, then turned to her. “I’m sorry?”

  “You’re not talking to me.”

  “Aren’t we talking right now?”

  “You know what I mean.”

  He glanced at the floor but didn’t respond.

  “Are you angry because I worked with the agents to bring in my brother?” she asked.

  “I’m not angry.” He hesitated. “I’m disappointed.”

  Her heart sank. “In me?”

  “In the choice you made not to share your decision with me.”

  “I didn’t need your permission.”

  “That’s not the point. Couples, partners, rely on each other equally. That doesn’t seem to be happening here, between us. You rely on yourself, and you shut me out—”

  “I wanted to protect you.”

  “Nia, every time you keep something from me, something potentially life threatening, you’re basically reminding me how broken I am.”

  Nia stood abruptly. “Don’t say that. I’ve never thought of you as broken. Ever.”

  “Actions speak for themselves.”

  “Aiden—”

  “I’ve got work to do. If you’d like to take a few days off to recover from the past week, I’d completely understand.”

  He left her office and closed the door.

  *

  Aiden stood in the hallway for a good five seconds. He’d done it. He’d said what was on his mind. Not easy for a guy who usually kept his feelings bottled up inside.

  He headed for his office, but instead of going in, he went outside to get some fresh air, to think.

  He loved Nia. No doubt about it. And maybe she loved him. But theirs had to be an equal love, the kind of love that encouraged honesty, respect and trust. He’d been honest about how he felt. He knew that was the only way to see if a relationship had the foundation it needed to survive the trials of life.

  They’d already experienced their share of trials. You’d think after everything they’d been through, their relationship would be stronger. Perhaps it could be, but not if she continued to protect him. He hoped he’d gotten through to her, that she understood where he was coming from and how he got here.

  What happened next was totally up to Nia. In the meantime, he’d put up the wall and be his usual gruff self. After all, he may have lost Nia, but he was still manager of the resort.

  *

  When Nia stopped by Bree’s for a quick visit, she found Bree and Scott having coffee with Nate Walsh.

  Bree led Nia into the kitchen and poured her a cup of coffee, as well. “Nate was filling us in on Gus Chambers.”

  “They’ll deal with him back in Detroit,” Nate said. “He still claims he wasn’t out to hurt you, Nia, that he wanted to pick your brain about your brother.”

  “He sliced Aiden with a knife,” Nia countered.

  “Says he was trying to intimidate Aiden into stepping aside, but Aiden charged him.”

  “My brother.” Bree shook her head.

  “Hey, your brother is a hero in my book,” Scott said.

  “I still can’t believe Agent Nevins killed his partner,” Nia said.

  “He was going to pin that murder on your brother,” Nate offered. “It looks like Parker wasn’t dirty, but Nevins needed him dead so Nevins could recover the money himself. Nevins could claim Danny killed Parker, so Nevins had to kill Danny, but Danny never confessed the whereabouts of the money.”

  “So Nevins traded his integrity for a couple hundred grand,” Scott said.

  “Actually, it turns out there was more than two hundred grand in Danny’s bag. It was closer to half a million bucks, but he claims he didn’t know that. Anyway, I’d better get back.” Nate stood and glanced at Bree. “How’s your sister doing?”

  “I think she’s okay, although she’s not asking as many questions as usual.”

  “She might have nightmares for a while,” Nate said. “Get her to talk about them. That usually helps.”

  “Okay, thanks.”

  “I’ll walk you out,” Scott said. “Gotta get back to work anyway.” He kissed Bree on the cheek.

  “Later, handsome,” Bree said.

  The men left the cottage and Bree cracked a playful smile.

  “What’s with the smile?” Nia said.

  “Methinks Deputy Nate has a crush on my little sister.” She sat at the table and sighed. “Love is in the air.”

  “For some of us,” Nia muttered.

  “Okay, what’s up, girlfriend?”

  Nia didn’t intend to complain about Aiden, but Bree kept pushing.

  “Aiden didn’t approve
of my decision to work with the feds,” Nia said.

  “And now he’s, what? Ignoring you?”

  “No, it’s not like that. But he’s closed himself off again.”

  “What does that look like? I’m curious.”

  “He avoids eye contact, keeps his physical distance, and he shuts down every time I’m near him. It’s like his thoughts are locked in his mind fortress, and he’s not letting me in.” She stood and paced to the window. “We grew so close during the last week. We know things about each other, personal things. But now it’s like I’m back to being an employee, nothing more. He accused me of shutting him out, yet he’s doing the same thing to me.”

  “And how does that feel?”

  Nia spun around. “Horrible. It’s like he doesn’t care about my feelings. I mean, how could he…?” Her voice trailed off.

  The anger and frustration, the gut-wrenching pain of being shut out by Aiden was exactly what Aiden must have felt when he found out she’d decided to help the agents find her brother, without talking to Aiden first.

  “Nia?” Bree said.

  “I think I get it. I understand how he felt.” She let the wave of emotions wash over her: the shame and hurt of being excluded.

  “What do I do now?” Nia said. “I love him so much.”

  “Well—” Bree crossed her arms over her chest “—love is awesome, but it has its challenges. Like being honest with one another. It sounds like Aiden was honest with you today. Are you willing to do the same?”

  *

  Aiden locked up the barn and headed for his cottage. The SAR meeting had gone well, although his mind was only half in the game tonight.

  He couldn’t stop thinking about Nia. Would she accept his offer and take a few days off work? He’d miss her if she did. Sure, he kept his distance, but he always felt better when he knew she was on resort property.

  “You have to stop doing that,” he grumbled.

  He had to stop thinking about her, wondering how she was doing, if she had nightmares from the shooting at Spruce Falls. He missed her so much, even though she worked in the same building. What a mess.

  “Hey,” Nia said.

  He glanced up and noticed her sitting in a chair on the front porch of his cottage.

  “I’m sorry. Did I miss a meeting?” he asked.

  “Nope.” She stood and approached him.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I will be.” She looped her hands around his neck and kissed him.