Squinting, I tried to take in details of my abductor. His dark hair brushed the tops of his shoulders. Close-shaved sideburns reached down and around his jaw and ended in a well-trimmed goatee. His fingers gripped the black gun that reminded me of Tony’s weapon—I think he called it a Glock—and I didn’t like the way the barrel was pointed at my head.
He straddled me and leaned forward. “Now, where are the diamonds?”
Chapter 21
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The darkness made everything fuzzy, but he was close enough that I could see his face. I studied him as I tried to catch my breath. With a hard swallow, I struggled to formulate an answer to his question.
I noticed a large diamond earring stud in each ear, and my heartbeat ratcheted up another notch. My mind fled to the incident with the silver Camry on my parents’ canal bank. The man had turned to look at me, and the setting sun had glinted off something near his face. A chill cascaded down my spine.
“You’ve been following me the whole time.” I wondered if there was more than one guy, or if he was it. The police had figured a group of men were working together, and I had assumed the same thing, but only one man aimed a gun at me.
Some of my hair had come loose from the ponytail during the scuffle, and it hung down over one eye. I twisted my head, trying to get the hair to move, but froze when he reached his hand toward me. He pushed the hair away from my face and stared at me. “Observant little thing, aren’t you? But not very smart to take something that doesn’t belong to you.”
“I was going to give them to you.” My voice cracked, and I swallowed, trying to clear the fear that coated my vocal cords.
“Where are they?” He moved the barrel of the gun closer, and I couldn’t stop the tears from leaking out the sides of my eyes.
“I was on my way to get them.”
He let go of my hands and slapped my face. I cried out and struggled against him. He pressed his meaty palm against my mouth so hard I tasted blood. Then he removed his hand. “I’m not a killer, but there’s a first time for everything.”
“Please, I was just doing what you said.”
“I said to give me the diamonds. I’m happy to strip-search you, or you can hand them over. What’ll it be?”
The tears came now. I wanted to scream. He was going to win. After everything, he would get the diamonds, and then he’d kill me. He hadn’t tried to hide his face. I could pick him out of a lineup. I could tell a sketch artist about the gold ring he wore in his eyebrow or the mole on his neck.
“Okay, I’ll tell you where they are.”
He narrowed his eyes, took my hands, and pushed them down by my sides. He knelt on my arms, and I cried out as the pressure of his legs pushed my hands against the hard ground until I felt my bones would break.
“Sorry about that, but you’re taking too long.” He shifted so he leaned back on his heels but still put enough weight on my arms to keep me immobile. The gun was an ever-present reminder of how helpless I was in the situation. He reached under my shirt and groped my chest.
“Stop! I said I’d tell you where they are,” I cried.
But it was too late. He felt the bulge of the bag in my bra and reached inside. His hand strayed for a moment, and then he pulled the bag out with a grin. “That was fun. Maybe I should check for more hiding places.”
“No, that’s all of them. Please.”
He laughed and carefully unrolled the bag. He flicked on a penlight, and the diamonds shimmered through the plastic. “See, that wasn’t so bad. Now, what to do with you?” He leaned closer. “I have several ideas. Want to hear them?”
I didn’t respond but dug through the recesses of my mind for any fighting techniques that might help me. Squeezing my eyes shut, I held my breath. That’s when I heard something. My eyes flew open. The man kept talking about what he was going to do with me, but I heard another sound.
A crunching noise, like someone approaching through the weeds to the left. I kept perfectly still, praying for deliverance. The diamond thief stopped talking and turned his head toward the sound just as a body collided into him. They tumbled to the ground with grunts and cursing. Someone’s foot connected with my left thigh as I rolled away, but I didn’t stop.
I tried to stand up but fell forward as my legs tingled. My attacker’s weight had slowed my circulation. Sharp needles of pain pricked my feet as I rotated them, preparing to run.
The two men were still fighting, but it was too dark for me to see who was saving me. I could hear the impact of them hitting each other as I scrambled farther away. Then someone cried out, and the movement halted.
I paused and looked behind me. Who had won the fight? I wondered if I could hide somewhere until it was safe or if I should start running again. I heard a gurgling noise and felt the ground for something I could use to protect myself. My hand closed around a jagged rock, and I crept back toward the two men.
A light bounced along the trail ahead of me. Someone rushed past me as I approached. It was a police officer with a high-powered flashlight. The beam jogged back and forth and settled on the two men. One was on top of the other, his hands squeezing the man’s throat.
“Stop! Don’t kill him!” Tony shouted as he approached with his gun drawn. He stood next to an officer in running gear. Tony shone his flashlight on the man strangling the diamond thief. “Put your hands in the air.”
“Dallas?” I cried out as the man doing the strangling turned his face toward me. The fury in his eyes vanished abruptly, and he became the kind and gentle Dallas I knew. He turned his gaze back to the man, at his hands squeezing the man’s windpipe, and shuddered. He yanked his hands away.
Another officer shone his light toward me. “You know him?”
“That’s Dallas Reynolds. He saved my life.”
Dallas jumped off the man and ran to me. He opened his arms and pulled me tight to his chest. I could feel his heart racing against mine and a subtle trembling throughout his body.
The adrenaline rush flowed out of me in the form of tears, and I clutched Dallas and cried into the soft red cotton of his shirt. I could hear the police all around us, moving to examine the criminal.
“Adri, I’m so sorry I wasn’t here sooner,” Dallas murmured. “I got off work early and tried to call you, but I couldn’t reach you.”
I lifted my face toward his. “You came just in time.” I started to ask him what he meant by not getting here sooner, but he covered my mouth with a tender kiss. A sob broke free from my throat. “Oh, Dallas. I was so scared.”
“Me too.” He patted my back. “I love you so much. Are you hurt? I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you.”
I leaned against him and felt the concern he had for me in the way he held me. “I’m okay now.”
“But he hurt you.” Dallas moved my hair from my cheek. “He hit you.”
“I’m okay now, thanks to you.”
“But did I get here in time?” Dallas stepped back and looked me up and down. “Did he . . . ?”
“He touched me, but you came just in time.” I buried my face against his chest and murmured, “Did you kill him?”
“No, but I should have.” The vengeance in his voice was powerful, and frightening.
“No. It’s better to give him to the police.”
Something passed through his eyes, and he shook his head. “Just so long as you’re okay.” He tipped his head down and caressed my lips with his. I kissed him back with more passion than I probably had ever felt before.
I still couldn’t believe that Dallas had saved my life. He’d told me he loved me, and I knew he meant it. I had to admit, the way he held me at that moment
made me feel something I hadn’t before.
His hands moved in a slow circle on my back and then reached up to hold my head as he continued to kiss me. I pressed against him, feeling the warmth and security he exuded. Then he broke contact. “Why were you running so late at night?”
My shoulders drooped, and I took an uneven breath that caught on another sob. “It’s a long story, but I’ll tell you all about it.”
Dallas pulled me close again, and I could hear his breath heaving in and out of his chest. I put my hand on his cheek and kissed him, moving my hand to his heart. “I need you to be calm for me.”
“Sorry. I—he—I almost lost you.” He glared in the direction of the man now standing, handcuffed, next to Tony.
He spoke the truth, but it wasn’t something I wanted to dwell on. If Dallas had been a few minutes later, I might not be alive. “Thank you.”
Tony stepped up and clapped Dallas on the shoulder. “I don’t know how you happened to be in this area, but we’re all grateful you were.” Tony looked at me. “Are you all right?”
I nodded and put a hand to my swollen cheek.
Tony’s brow creased with concern. “We have an EMT. Maybe you should get checked out.”
“No, I’m just bruised and shaky.” I let Dallas support some of my weight as I leaned against him. Tony studied Dallas, and I realized I hadn’t introduced them. “Tony, this is—” I paused and glanced at Dallas. The word was on the tip of my tongue, but I still felt unsure. Obviously Tony had seen us lip-locked, so I might as well say it. “This is my boyfriend, Dallas Reynolds. Dallas, this is Detective Ford.”
The look in Dallas’s eyes made me thankful I had used the boyfriend label. I hadn’t thought he’d noticed my lack of commitment, but he had. The two men shook hands, and Tony scrutinized Dallas. “How did you happen to be here? Did you see that man take Adri?”
With one arm Dallas held me tight to his side and then lifted his hand to the east. “I went for a drive and saw Adri running along the trail. I parked at the first pullout I came to and ran back to meet her. But then she wasn’t there, and I heard a scream.” He paused and looked down at me. “I didn’t think. I ran as fast as I could and found that guy on top of her.”
“I’m grateful you intervened, but that was a huge risk. He was armed.”
“I knocked his gun loose when I jumped him,” Dallas said.
Tony nodded and then looked at me as if considering something. “Adri, it’s important that you not tell Dallas any of the particulars until we get things sorted out.”
I felt Dallas’s arm tense. I touched his hand and looked at Tony. “He deserves to know what’s going on.”
“I’m a witness, and I saved her. You can trust me,” Dallas said.
“I know I can trust you, but I have to follow protocol,” Tony said. He shook his head and looked at me. “Have you said anything to him?”
“There hasn’t been time. Can’t you tell him why we’re out here? At least the basics?”
“I know it’s hard to understand, but if you’ll please hold off until we’ve taken everyone’s statements, it would help.”
Dallas nodded. “I can wait.”
“Okay,” I answered with a frown.
“Adri, I know this probably isn’t the best timing, but we need to get a statement and ask you a few questions about your encounter with the suspect. And don’t kill me, but I just called Wes to see if your parents could come up here to help.”
“You didn’t.” I let my head drop to my chest. “My mom is going to freak.”
“I don’t want you to be alone after everything that’s happened, and I figured you would refuse my help, so I went over your head.”
“I can’t believe you did that.” A part of me felt angry, but the rest felt like crying because I really did need my mom. She would know how to comfort me.
“I can take care of her,” Dallas offered. There seemed to be a challenge in his voice. “I could stay with you—sleep on your couch.” There it was again. The love in his eyes was evident. I felt grateful that Tony had interfered because Dallas’s offer sounded nice, but I was afraid of getting carried away in the moment and going too far down the relationship path. It was still a leap for me to refer to him as my boyfriend. I needed to keep my head clear.
“Thanks, Dallas, but as much as I hate to admit it, Tony did the right thing. I have a huge bridal shower tomorrow, and I’m going to need my mother’s help.”
“And we’re going to need at least an hour of your time at the station,” Tony added. “Dallas, there’s an officer ready to take your statement now. Then you’re free to go.”
Dallas frowned. “I could drive Adri.”
Tony shook his head. “Actually, I’d feel better if she came with me. We still don’t know if this guy was working alone, or if there is someone else still waiting for an opportunity.”
I sucked in a breath.
“I don’t want to scare you,” Tony said, “but I promised to be up front with you, and that’s one aspect of this investigation. We’ll know more once we question the suspect.”
“Okay.” I turned to Dallas. “I’m sorry.”
Tony cleared his throat. “I’ll give you two a minute before we go.”
“I don’t want to let you out of my sight,” Dallas murmured. He pulled me close enough that I could feel his warm breath on my forehead. “Will you call me when you’re finished at the station? I don’t care how late it is.”
“Of course. And I’ll tell you everything as soon as I get the okay. I’m sorry I can’t right now.”
“That doesn’t matter. You are the most important thing, and as long as you promise you’ll be safe, I’ll let you go with that officer.”
I started to say that we didn’t really have a choice, but the look in his eyes stopped me. “Thank you.”
“I love you, Adri. I won’t be able to think straight until I have you in my arms again.”
I knew he was hoping for reciprocation, but I couldn’t say the “L” word yet. Instead, I pressed my mouth against his, kissing the words away and hoping that would be enough until I figured things out. I wrapped my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. His mouth moved against mine, and he tightened his hold on me.
He was strong—not with bulging muscles but a wiry build I hadn’t really noticed until tonight. The fact that he had overpowered the man who’d attacked me attested to his strength. I could feel the smooth lines of his chest muscles as he held me, and I let one hand slide down his arm to feel the power in his bicep. I pulled away and smiled. “I’m glad you’re stronger than you look.”
Dallas chuckled. “I’m glad you’re mine.”
I pecked his cheek and stepped away. “I’ll call you.”
He grabbed my hand and held on to my fingertips for a moment. “I’ll be waiting.”
Tony helped me into a patrol car and gave me a scratchy wool blanket. I draped it over my lap and took deep breaths as my body trembled. He put the cruiser in gear and glanced at me. “You could be experiencing some shock from everything that happened. I noticed you were shaking.” He handed me a bottle of juice. “Drink this.”
I unscrewed the cap and took a large swallow. “Where were you?” My voice raised in pitch, but I didn’t care. “I thought you said there would be officers along the path watching out for me.”
“There were, but that guy knocked one of our men out. He came out of nowhere. I’m sorry, Adri. I hate that you had to go through this.” He patted the blanket over my leg. “If it helps, Wes already chewed me out.”
“Thanks for calling my family. When do you think they’ll be here?”
“Probably within the hour.”
“I bet they’re calling my cell phone every ten seconds. Can we stop by my car and get my stuff?”
“Sure, but if I were you, I’d plan on texting them that you’re at the police station. That way, you won’t be tempted to say anything yet.”
I leaned my head against the seat
. The tears were right under the surface, and I kept seeing that man’s face leering at me. “I had the diamonds in my sports bra when he found them.”
He swore. “That scum. We have the diamonds now, but I’m really sorry about what happened.” He glanced at me. “He didn’t do anything else, did he?”
“No.” My voice sounded flat, and I could feel another lump of tears rising up my throat.
“Hang in there. This isn’t something you’re going to get over in a day. We have a victims advocate I want you to see. You could talk to her after you’re finished giving your statement.”
“I don’t have time for that. It’s June, and I’m a wedding planner.” I moaned. “And tomorrow night is Natalie’s bridal shower.”
“Take a deep breath, Adri. Drink some more of that juice.”
I obeyed and stared ahead at the taillights of another vehicle. Tony pulled into Rotary Park next to my Mountaineer and hopped out with me. I grabbed my cell phone, purse, and a ratty sweatshirt I kept in the backseat, and Tony tucked me back in the police cruiser.
“Looks like you’ve found time to date somewhere,” he said.
My stomach flipped when I thought about the way Dallas had kissed me good-bye. “Dallas is persistent and patient.”
“He’d have to be. You’re a hard one to nail down. So, how long have you been dating?”
“Only two weeks.”
Tony whistled. “And he’s already telling you he loves you.” He glanced at me with raised eyebrows. “He obviously kisses up to your expectations.”
I rolled my eyes. “He is a good kisser, but I’m not ready to be as serious as he wants me to be.”
“Don’t let him rush you. If he’s the right one, he won’t do that to you.”
“When did you become an expert on relationships?”
“Ouch. Don’t be mean—I’m trying here. My hours haven’t been the best for socializing, and Ketchum isn’t much of a party town, if you haven’t noticed.”
I laughed. “Unless you’re picking up on tourists.”
“Yeah, they don’t like cops much. We give out too many speeding tickets.”
Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things Page 21
