Sighing, I pulled into my driveway and got out of the SUV. As I walked up the steps, my front door swung open.
I stared in surprise. “Lieutenant Parker – what are you doing here?”
He smiled. “I couldn’t find anyone to cover your place for the next couple of hours, so I decided to do it myself until backup came. So for now, you’re stuck with me.”
I moved past him into my house. “Well, thank you for that. Where’s Franklin?”
He shut the door. “We’d driven separately to Darcy’s tonight because he had to get home to his kids.”
I cocked my ear. The house seemed unusually quiet for eight-thirty. “That’s fine, he infuriates me anyway. So, where are my mom and the kids?” I asked, setting my purse down.
“Oh, they’re fine. Kids are up in their rooms and your mom is lying down. She mentioned that she had a long day.”
Something about the way he watched me was a little unnerving. If I didn’t know it, I’d say he was actually checking me out. I cleared my throat. “Okay. Well, would you like some coffee?”
He stepped closer and pulled a piece of lint from the front of my T-shirt, near my right nipple, as I held my breath. “Sure,” he said, smiling. “But only if you’ll join me.”
“Sure,” I answered, quickly, turning around and leading him towards the kitchen. “You know, I have one of those Keurigs. I can make a cup in less than two minutes.”
“That sounds great then.”
“Sit down, please,” I said, motioning towards the counter stools.
“That’s okay. I need to stretch my legs out a little. You don’t mind?”
“No, not at all. So, um, do you have any kids?” I asked.
He smiled. “No. Not with my job.”
“I’m sure you’re always working.”
“Yeah. Plus, I have a pretty big family. If I want to see kids, I just go visit one of my nephews.”
“That’s good. Are you married?” I asked, trying to keep up the small talk.
His lips thinned. “No.”
Although I’d noticed he looked perpetually tired, he was still very a good-looking man, so I assumed he had girlfriends. “Well, marriage is tough,” I said. “You’re probably better off not being married, especially with your busy career.”
“Well, it’s not only that,” he said moving closer to me.
Too close, actually.
An alarm went off in my head and I took a step back until my buttocks touched the counter. “Oh?”
He closed the distance, trapping me. “I’d fucking kill myself if I had one of you whores waiting for me at home,” he growled.
I felt like he’d sucked all the air out of my body. I couldn’t breathe. Instead, I just stared at him in horror.
An evil grin spread across his face. “Figured it out yet?”
“I…”
He grabbed my right breast and squeezed it painfully. “Does this help? It’s not the first time I’ve touched your tits.”
“No!” I cried out, pushing against him, but he was strong.
He grabbed the back of my hair with one hand and my throat with the other. “Now listen here, you stupid bitch,” he spat. “We’re going for a little ride. You come, without a fight, and I won’t kill your fucking mom or your pain-in-the-ass kids.”
“They’re alive?” I whispered.
His eyes penetrated mine. “For now. You come with me peacefully and they’ll stay that way. Otherwise, I’ll skin them alive, right in front of you.”
Realizing he’d probably killed Scott and Darcy, I knew his threats were more than valid.
I let out a whimper and nodded.
“Good,” he said, loosening his hold on my neck. “Don’t you dare try and fuck with me, though. I’ll make sure you regret it for the rest of your life.”
I shook my head. “I won’t.”
Just then, someone rang the doorbell.
“Fuck, who the hell is that, now?” he snapped.
“I don’t know,” I replied in a shaky voice. “The cops?”
He paused for a minute and shook his head. “No. I don’t think so. Get rid of whoever it is,” he ordered, pushing me out of the kitchen. “Tell them you’re in mourning or something,” he said following me. “Say what you have to say to make them leave or I’ll kill everyone in this house.”
The doorbell rang a second time as we moved towards the front door. He pulled out his gun and stood to the side of it. “Open it,” he whispered.
I cleared my throat and opened the door.
“Jesus, Lindsey,” exclaimed Jake, his hands on his hips. “What the hell is going on?”
“I’m… just… tired,” I murmured, trying to remain calm. “It’s been a really, long day.”
His studied me. “Are you okay?”
I forced a smile. “Yes. I’m fine. Like I said, just had a long day.”
His eyes narrowed for a fraction of a second and then returned to normal. “I understand,” he said. “The funeral was today?”
I nodded quickly. “Yeah. I really need to lie down now, Jake. I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”
“No problem. I’ll see you soon. Sleep well,” he answered, turning away.
I stared at him longingly as he stepped off the porch. Even after everything he’d done, I knew that Jake was saner than the person standing next to me, aiming a gun at my head.
“Close the fucking door,” whispered Parker.
Trembling, I obeyed.
“Jesus Christ. He’s just as stupid as you, even for a cop. A funeral? The body hasn’t even been released yet.”
My eyes filled with more frustrated tears. To him Scott was just a body, nothing more.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the kitchen and the back of the house.
“Please,” I whispered. “I’ll do anything you want if you stop this. Please.”
He yanked on my arm harder. “Guess what? You’re going to do exactly what I want anyway. Just shut the fuck up before I kill you right away so I don’t have to listen to your whiny voice one more minute.”
“Why are you doing this?” I choked. “I haven’t done anything to you.”
He pushed me against the back door and put the gun to my face. “You’re right about that, you didn’t do anything to me, but you fucked with my brother, Jerry. I’d do anything to protect him. Kill anyone who messes with him.”
“Jerry is your brother?”
He smiled, cruelly. “What, you don’t see the resemblance?”
I shook my head.
He traced the gun along my cheek. “We had separate fathers,” he said with a psychotic gleam in his eyes. “No big deal. Our mother was a fucking whore, just like the rest of you sluts. A good-for-nothing slut who sold herself out and never protected either of us when we really needed it. But I won’t let my brother down. Nobody will ever fuck with him again, not if I can help it.”
“But…”
His face twisted into a scowl. “No more questions. Let’s get out of here and have us a little fun.” He then pulled me away from the door and opened it.
“Just one more question, did you really kill Scott and Darcy?” I whispered.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me outside. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
“Please,” I begged. “Just tell me.”
He stopped and turned to face me. The satisfied grin on his face made me recoil in horror. “Let’s just say…”
Before he could finish, a large shadow rushed Parker from the side, tackling him to the ground. I quickly moved away from the two struggling men, and back into the house.
I slammed the door and locked it. “Ohmygod,” I sobbed.
A gunshot went off, and it was at that point I’d remembered my own revolver. I rushed to the bedroom to grab the gun from my closet when I heard someone kick the back door down.
Terrified, I raised the gun and pointed it towards my bedroom door, my hands shaking as I waited.
Crap, the safety!
/> I unlocked it and pointed the gun towards the door just as it was flung open. Frightened beyond belief, I pulled the trigger and fired.
“Lindsey!” grunted Jake, falling down to his knees.
“No!” I choked, rushing towards him as he collapsed to the floor. I bent down on my knees and touched his flushed face. “Jake, oh, my God – are you okay?”
He groaned. “I…”
It was then that I heard the click of a gun and looked up to find Parker aiming his towards my head.
He smiled triumphantly. “Looks like you shot lover boy by mistake. How unfortunate for you.”
I stared at him incredulously. “I thought…”
He snorted. “What, that he’d killed me?”
I didn’t answer.
“Let’s go, Lindsey,” he demanded. “Hand me your gun first.”
“It’s there,” I said, pointing towards the floor.
He reached out his hand. “Fine, bring it to me, and no funny business.”
I glanced at Jake’s still form and swallowed the lump in my throat.
“Get the fucking gun now!”
I nodded and crawled towards the revolver, grabbing it.
“Bring it to me,” he ordered.
Before I could move, Jake’s arms snaked out and grabbed Parker’s ankles, making him lose his balance. Parker screamed in rage as he fell forward. Then, at the last minute, he twisted his body and aimed his revolver at Jake’s head.
But, I fired my gun first.
The bullet caught Parker in the cheek and I watched in horror as his face became a grisly mess of cartilage and blood.
“Oh God!” I shuddered, closing my eyes.
“You okay?” asked Jake, crawling towards me.
I dropped my gun, now shaking uncontrollably. I nodded and wiped my face.
“Lindsey,” he whispered, standing up.
“I…I don’t understand,” I asked, incredulously. “How come you’re not dead?”
He smiled, grimly. “I’m wearing a bulletproof vest.”
“How did you know?”
“I knew there was something wrong right away,” he said, pulling me up and into his arms.
I pushed him away. “I have to go check on my family.”
“Of course.”
He followed me as I rushed out of the room and ran up the upstairs.
“Thank God!” I cried, never feeling so relieved in my life. Tied to three of my folding chairs were my mother and two children, very much alive but obviously terrified beyond belief. I removed the duct tape from my mother’s mouth while Jake began freeing the children.
“Did you catch that bastard?” hollered my mother.
I kneeled down to free her feet. “Yes. He’s gone. Are you guys okay?” I asked noticing the bruise on her face.
“I’m fine,” said my mother. “So are the kids.”
Regan wiped her tears and nodded. “Is he really gone?”
I stood up and pulled Regan into my arms while Jake freed Jeremy. “Yes, honey.”
“He said he’d kill you if we tried to escape,” sobbed Jeremy.
“He’s gone, honey,” I said. “He can’t hurt anyone.”
“I’ll call the police,” said Jake, standing back up.
“Thank you,” I said, now holding both of my kids tightly.
“Who was he?” asked my mother, rubbing her wrist. “I didn’t even get a chance to see his face. He wore a mask.”
I told her everything I knew while Jake walked back into the bedroom and listened in.
“I’m so glad I made it back into town,” he said after I finished. “I almost missed my flight.”
“I thought you were supposed to be gone for a couple of days,” I said.
He sighed. “I was misled to believe that my informant had skipped town, and then to top it all off, somebody stole my cell phone. I have a feeling that this Parker character was responsible for that, too. I think he wanted me out of town so he could get to you.”
I stared at him for a minute and then turned to my mother. “Watch the kids. I need to talk to Jake alone for a minute.”
She nodded. “Of course, dear.”
“What’s up?” he asked, following me downstairs.
I turned around to face him. “I know.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You know?”
I glared at him. “The photos, the lies, your little boy!”
Jake took a step backwards. “My what?”
I laughed coldly. “Your son. I met Connie.”
“Connie?”
“Don’t play me for a fool, Jake. I met your wife!”
He stared at me blankly for a minute and then started laughing.
“Oh, you find this funny?”
He moved towards me, still shaking his head in amusement. “Lindsey…”
I stared at him incredulously. “How dare you laugh!” I snapped.
“Lindsey,” he said, grabbing both of my wrists and pulling me towards him. “Just settle down.”
I struggled to break free, furious. “Jake, dammit, let me go!”
He tightened his grip. “Lindsey, listen to me, Connie is not my wife, she’s married to the guy I’m renting the house from.”
I froze and stared up at him. “What?”
He chuckled. “Yes. His name is Tony Bradley and I’m renting the house. Actually, his mother purchased it for him after he and his wife separated. Now he’s renting it out to make some extra cash, I guess.”
I raised my chin defiantly. “Okay, what about those pictures you have of me in your nightstand? What in the hell is that all about?”
Jake closed his eyes and sighed. “Fuck. I was going to tell you about those photos in time…”
“Is that so?”
He nodded. “Yes. Tina gave those photos to me. She found them in the trunk of Jerry’s car and was pissed as all hell.”
My eyes widened. “Jerry took them?”
“Either Jerry or Parker. I didn’t tell you right away because I knew you were terrified out of your mind already.”
I released a long sigh and then looked up at him. “I’m sorry.”
He pulled me back into his arms. “No, I’m sorry. I should have told you.”
“It would have saved me a lot of stress and worry,” I said.
“You’re right. I was just trying to protect you, though. I guess it backfired.”
“Speaking of protection, what ever happened to Carter?”
Jake’s face fell. “He’s dead, too. I found him in your flower garden when I went through the backyard. Apparently, Parker took him out.”
I rested my cheek against his chest. “I’m sorry. Jesus, what a nightmare, huh?”
“At least it’s over, though,” he said into my hair. “And I didn’t lose you.”
“But I still lost Darcy,” I whispered. “Scott was one thing…but Darcy, we were like sisters.”
“Hey,” he said, tilting my chin up towards his face. “I bet your friend wouldn’t want you dwelling on her death. In fact, wherever she is, she’s probably satisfied that you took care of her killer personally.”
My lips trembled. “Maybe, but it’s still hard to accept that she’s gone.”
“I know,” he said. “But you don’t have to face her death alone. I won’t let you.”
I fell against him and closed my eyes.
Chapter Thirty
One Year Later
Lutsen, Minnesota
“What do you think?”
I looked around the cozy cabin and smiled. “Jake, its perfect.”
His eyes sparkled. “Wait until we go skiing. There’s nothing like the freedom of flying down the mountain on skis, especially after a fresh coating of snow.”
I laughed as I removed my jacket. “The only hill I’m flying down is the one with all the children. I’ve only been skiing once and it was years ago.”
“Oh, you’ll graduate off that hill in no time, and then I’ll take you down some of the tamer on
es.”
“Look at you,” I said, moving towards him. “I haven’t seen you this excited…ever.”
He pulled me into his arms. “What’s not to be excited about? It’s our honeymoon and I have you alone for a full week, without kids or the station interrupting us. I’m ecstatic.”
Feeling his excitement pressed up against my stomach I giggled. “Wow, I can tell.”
He released me and removed his jacket. “I think we should hit the slopes before it gets dark and then I’m going to wine you, dine you, and then handcuff you to the bed for the rest of the night.”
My eyes narrowed. “I told you to leave those at home.”
He chuckled. “Still despise the cuffs, huh?”
“I just don’t like feeling powerless. I’d rather keep my hands free for other things.”
“On that note,” he said, slapping my butt, “I’m going to grab the rest of our suitcases so we can start skiing. The faster we get that over with, the faster you can show me what you can do with those hands.”
I laughed. “I like that idea, Detective. Meanwhile, I’ll go get changed.”
An hour later, I stood on the Bunny Hill with three young children, re-learning how to snowplow while Jake went on to tackle the moguls. Fortunately, it didn’t take long to graduate to the “easy slopes”, and by the time we reunited an hour and a half later, I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face.
“Having fun?” he asked, removing his goggles.
I nodded. “I forgot how fun skiing can be.”
“It’s a blast, isn’t it? So, how about a break? Care to join me for a hot drink in the chalet?”
“Sounds good.”
The chalet was busy but we lucked out and found an open table by the fireplace. Once seated, I stretched out my legs and let out a satisfied sigh. “This is wonderful, isn’t it?”
He grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “I couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be than alone with you. I’m a very happy man.”
I licked my lips. “Jake, there’s something I have to tell you.”
He straightened up. “This sounds serious.”
“It is.”
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