Debra Burroughs - Paradise Valley 06 - The Harbor of Lies

by Debra Burroughs

  Colin turned back to Cantrell. “We’re only waiting on one.”

  Before long, Isabel approached, the sound of her boot heels clicking as she marched down the dock. She struggled to hold onto her small black umbrella in the wind, and she was not alone. There was someone with her, someone taller, wearing a hat and coat and walking behind her. As they drew closer, Colin saw it was Evan.

  “What’s he doing here?” Angry, Colin pitched his chin toward Evan.

  “I have as much right to be here as you do,” Evan snapped back.

  The chief stepped between them, facing Evan. “And you are?”

  “Emily’s husband.”

  Chapter 24

  “Emily’s husband, eh?” Chief Taylor’s gaze slid over to Colin. “Sounds like an interesting story, but right now we need to catch that boat. Everyone on board!”

  As fast as they could, the four of them poured into the police vessel. The officer untied her from the dock. “Squeeze into the control cabin and hold on,” he yelled.

  Chief Taylor checked the GPS monitor again as the boat backed out of the slip and pulled away from the dock. “We’d better get moving at warp speed, Cantrell, if we want to have any chance of catching up to them.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Isabel moved to a rear corner of the enclosed area and held onto the metal railing that ran around the back of the interior. Evan took a spot beside her, and Colin went to the other corner and stood behind Cantrell, grabbing onto the bar.

  Cooped up with Evan was the last place Colin wanted to be, but he didn’t have a choice. He stepped up next to the chief, grabbing hold of a rack overhead to steady himself. He peered at the screen over the chief’s shoulder. “Looks like we’ve got a lot of distance to make up.”

  “We’ll do the best we can, Detective,” the chief said. “I’ve become kind of fond of that feisty girl of yours.”

  Cantrell turned the forward lights on and gradually pushed the speed lever upward until they were away from the other boats, then he opened it up full throttle.

  Colin gazed out over the dark water with a dreadful heaviness in his chest. Hold on Emily—we’re coming.

  The wind whipped at the boat and the rain was beginning to come down harder against the windows. The water was already choppy, with three- to four-foot-high waves slapping against the hull as the rescue boat cut through them.

  “What does the weather report say?” Colin asked.

  “I just got an updated report. It says the storm has taken an unexpected turn and is heading back toward land,” the chief hollered, raising his voice over the wind and the roar of the engine.

  Colin’s gut tightened at the thought.

  “Where are they now?” Cantrell asked.

  The chief checked the monitor. “Looks like the Hoosier Daddy is just about to break the mouth of the bay. It’s best if we can reach them before they hit open water.”

  “Chief,” Cantrell’s head turned toward his boss, “do you think we should wait for the Coast Guard?”

  “I wish we could.” Chief Taylor sounded concerned.

  Officer Cantrell checked the gauges again. “But what if—”

  “Don’t worry,” the chief jumped in, seeming to know what the man was about to say. “The storm is moving pretty slowly.”

  The chief’s gaze drifted to Colin. “But even at that, Cantrell is right. It could get real nasty out here.”

  Emily’s image filled Colin’s mind. How terrified she must be out there with those men. She was probably pretty confused too, considering what happened with Evan and Isabel only minutes before she ran off. He willed his eyes not to move in their direction, but he couldn’t seem to stop his thoughts from going there.

  What if those men had already killed Emily? Or dumped her overboard somewhere in the bay? They wouldn’t need to wait until they were out at sea to do it. No. He had to stay positive. He shook his head, trying to let loose of the negative thoughts.

  His gaze drifted out the window, to the dark waves and black sky, his eyes watering with emotion as he wondered about Emily.

  “You okay there, Colin?” the chief questioned, studying him with concern.

  The sting of embarrassment rippled through Colin’s chest and up his neck, flashing hot on his face. He roughly wiped a hand over his eyes. “Yeah, it’s just rain dripping from my hair. I’m fine.” He didn’t dare look over at Evan now, although he was certain he could feel the heat of the man’s eyes boring into the side of his head.

  Why did Evan have to show up now? Why couldn’t he have just stayed dead?

  “I’ve radioed for the Coast Guard,” the chief announced loudly, “but they’ll be about fifteen minutes behind us. With any luck, they can make up some of that time with their larger vessel.”

  Colin nodded at him, then his gaze went back to the ominous black water outside. The growing swells mirrored the emotions that were roiling inside of him. The boat continued to rise and crash against each angry wave in a jolting rhythm. “Looks like the waves are getting bigger.”

  “Eyah,” the chief agreed, watching the GPS monitor. “Hopefully it won’t be too long now. We’re gaining on them.”

  Colin stared out the window again, his anxiety growing. He hadn’t realized how tightly he had been gripping the grab bar until his hand began to tingle, having gone almost numb. He switched hands and flexed the fatigued one.

  This rescue was taking too long. Each minute seemed like an eternity and the proximity to Evan was becoming unbearable. Would they reach Emily in time? How many times before had he almost lost her? Tonight, on the eve of their wedding, would this be the last time? Would he lose her for good, or would he be able to rescue her one more time? And if he did save her, would he then lose her to the resurrected ghost of her dead husband?

  Evan’s voice jolted Colin out of his thoughts. “What’s the plan when we catch up to them?”

  Chief Taylor turned toward Evan. “I’ll use the bullhorn and order them to give up.”

  Evan shook his head. “Give me a gun. Come alongside the other boat and I’ll jump across onto theirs before they know what’s happening.”

  “You have no jurisdiction,” the chief eyed him, up and down, with suspicion in his eyes, “whoever you are.”

  “I’ll go,” Colin declared. “I can handle these guys.”

  “She’s my wife,” Evan bit out.

  “Not anymore!” Colin stepped nearly nose to nose with Evan, daring him to take a swing.

  Isabel stepped between them. “Settle down. This isn’t going to do Emily any good.”

  Colin took a step back and his gaze moved to the waves before them. Faint lights glowed in the distance. “Look! Up ahead!”

  ~*~

  The boat was pitching and rolling on the waves and Emily fought the nausea. Caleb had tied her hands to a metal rail that ran around the dining area of the cabin.

  She sat quietly on a banquette, trying to hear what Eric and Caleb were saying on the other side of the room. It sounded like Caleb was becoming more concerned about the growing storm and Eric was beginning to agree with him.

  “All the money in the world won’t do us any good if we’re lying on the bottom of the ocean,” Caleb said with a groan.

  “Rosco assured me this boat can weather it,” Eric argued back.

  Just then the boat pitched over a big wave. The men grabbed whatever they could reach and held on. Things went flying around the cabin.

  Emily was ready to vomit.

  As soon as the boat settled a bit, Eric flew up the steps to try to convince Rosco they needed to wait it out or turn back.

  “Whitley really cares about you, Caleb,” Emily said in the calmest voice she could muster. “Who’ll take care of her and your mother if we all drown out here?”

  Caleb released his death grip on the railing and took a couple of steps toward her. “You know my sister?”

  “Yes. Sweet girl…and she’s worried about you.”

  He briefly glanced
over his shoulder at the steps, seeming to check to make sure no one else was in the cabin.

  “You might spend a little time in jail for the drugs, but if you kill me, your life is over.”

  He stared at her without a word, but Emily could see in his eyes that the wheels were turning in his head.

  “You didn’t kill Ben Kinney, Rosco did. If you testify against him, I’m sure you can cut a deal and get your sentence reduced. Think of your mom and your sister.”

  He ran a hand over his face and dropped down onto the seat across from her, then he looked back toward the stairs.

  “Eric doesn’t seem like a killer, either,” Emily said. “Don’t let Rosco make this worse for you two than it already is.” Or for me.

  “But he’s the one with the gun,” Caleb argued.

  “That’s true, but he gave it to Eric, remember?” Was she making inroads with Caleb?

  “But it belongs to Rosco and I’m sure he’ll get it away from Eric if he needs to. Maybe I can do something to disable the engine.” His gaze bounced around the cabin as if he was looking for anything he could use. “That would stop the boat.”

  “And leave us drifting in the storm,” Emily said.

  The noise from the engine decreased and the boat slowed.

  Caleb nodded at her comment, not seeming to notice the change in speed yet. “I just meant temporarily, otherwise we’d be stuck out here on the ocean like a sitting duck.”

  “Who’s a sitting duck?” Eric asked as he descended the steps.

  ~*~

  “Is that them?” Chief Taylor called out, pointing ahead.

  “I believe it is,” Colin replied.

  The chief got on the radio and checked in with the Coast Guard once more. “They’re about ten minutes behind us,” he reported.

  “We can’t wait for them,” Colin shouted, his heart pounding in his ears.

  “Colin’s right, Chief,” Isabel added. “We need to act now.”

  “We’re closing in on them,” Cantrell declared.

  The chief checked the monitor again. “Looks like they’re sitting still.” His gaze flew to Colin. “Engine trouble?”

  “Maybe they’re reconsidering going farther out into the storm,” Isabel surmised.

  “We’ll need to approach with caution, Cantrell,” the chief said.

  “Got it, Chief.”

  Cantrell pulled back on the throttle as they closed in on the Hoosier Daddy.

  “It’s go time.” Chief Taylor’s gaze went from Colin to Evan, then back to Colin. He pulled his pistol out of its holster and handed it to Colin. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “What about me?” Evan asked angrily, his brow dipping low over his eyes. He pulled a weapon out from under his coat and held it down against his thigh.

  “I don’t need your help,” Colin snapped back, seeing Evan’s gun.

  “Don’t be pig-headed, Colin,” Isabel chided. “Take the help.”

  There was no way he was going to let Evan swoop in and play the hero by saving Emily. It was bad enough he was there at all. Colin wasn’t going to give him the chance to steal her heart again—if her heart was still beating.

  “Looks like there’s no one on the bridge,” Cantrell said, peering at the other boat through night-vision binoculars.

  Colin tucked the gun in his waist and took them from Cantrell to look for himself. “That means either they’re all below or another boat came by and picked them up, doesn’t it?”

  Chief Taylor pulled his hat off and scratched his head. “The Coast Guard would have mentioned another boat in the vicinity.” He flipped his hat back on, grabbed the binoculars from Colin, and took a look. “Cantrell, cut the engines and sidle up beside that boat.”

  “I’ll do my best, sir. With these waves, I can’t promise anything.”

  “Don’t be a fool, Andrews,” Evan argued. “Let me come along.”

  ~*~

  Rosco was close on Eric’s heels as he descended the steps, a scowl on his face, seemingly because of Caleb’s chatting with their hostage. As he unzipped his coat, his pistol could be seen stuck in the front of his waistband. Apparently he had retrieved it from his boss.

  Caleb cleared his throat nervously. “Uh, we were talking about the storm, how it’s getting worse.”

  “Captain Obvious,” Rosco quipped and rolled his eyes.

  “We decided to regroup and see what our options are,” Eric explained.

  “The weather channel’s now reporting that the storm has shifted direction and is coming back toward land,” Rosco said. “I think we should go for it, but Eric wants to wait it out or turn back. As much as I hate to say it, Eric might be right. We can’t spend all that money if we’re dead.”

  “That’s what I said,” Caleb pointed out.

  A rumbling sound came amidst the battering waves and the howling wind, and something jolted the boat.

  Rosco put a hand out to hush everyone and his other hand went to the gun. His eyes squinted and he tilted his head to listen. “What was that?”

  Colin? Hope leapt into Emily’s heart.

  Eric cocked his head and his gaze rose to the ceiling. “I don’t hear anything but the wind and the waves crashing against the boat.”

  “No, it’s something else,” Rosco insisted.

  The sound came again and the boat jerked sideways, like something hitting the vessel.

  Rosco pulled the gun from his waistband and put a finger to his lips, cautioning everyone to be silent. He climbed the steps and pushed the door open.

  Chapter 25

  Officer Cantrell had deftly brought the boat up alongside the Hoosier Daddy.

  With the gun in the pocket of his tightly zipped coat, Colin jumped from the police boat onto the Hoosier Daddy as the two boats banged together. As soon as he landed on the deck of the other boat, he pulled his weapon out, fighting to stay on his feet with the boat rocking and pitching in the storm.

  The rain was now coming down in sheets. It would have been pitch-black if not for the illumination from the police boat and the dim lights coming from the cabin windows of the trawler.

  He prayed Emily was still on board—and breathing.

  A large wave pitched the boat high on one side and Colin lost his footing. He stumbled back to his feet and glanced over to the police boat, seeing the outline of several people watching him through the windows of the control house.

  He pulled his attention away from them as the door to the trawler’s cabin opened and a large, stocky man stepped through. With light coming up from behind him, Colin couldn’t make out the man’s features, but he did catch a ray of light sparking off a pistol as he raised his hand, and pointed it.

  Colin knew what would be coming next, and there wasn’t much time to do anything about it. He quickly drew his gun and fired. A flash of light emanated from the man’s pistol just as the blast of gunfire sounded from Colin’s own weapon discharging.

  The dark figure dropped heavily onto the deck.

  As Colin began to take a step toward the cabin door, a burning pain ripped through his chest. Colin had hit his target, but his target hadn’t missed his mark either. He put a hand to the source of the searing pain and felt the warm and sticky-wet confirmation. He’d been hit.

  He managed to stay on his feet, but stumbled down the steps.

  “Colin!”

  He heard Emily scream his name before everything went dark and he crumpled to the floor.

  ~*~

  As Colin lay bleeding, Evan flew down the steps behind him, dripping wet, wearing only a shirt and pants. He must have seen what happened to Colin and launched into action. Eric and Caleb took a step forward, as if ready to pounce on the gun by Colin’s hand, but Evan quickly scooped it up before they had a chance and he turned it on them.

  Evan?

  “The game’s over, fellas,” Evan said, looking as dashing as ever. “Now get those ropes off my wife.”

  Since being captured, the only thing that had
consumed Emily’s thoughts was trying to stay alive. She had pushed thoughts of Evan out of her mind and the sight of him again jolted her. As if in slow motion, Emily’s gaze drifted down to Colin. Her fiancé was laying shot and bleeding on the floor, just feet from her—unconscious or dead, she didn’t know—and the husband she thought was deceased was now calling her his wife. The enormity of the circumstances made her head swim, and she felt like she might pass out. She urged herself to keep it together.

  “Sorry about all this,” Caleb said as he untied Emily’s hands. “I never wanted to hurt you.”

  Once freed, her choice was clear. It was Colin’s name that came to mind as she heard the commotion outside the boat earlier. She ran to him now, and threw herself on the floor beside him. She didn’t care what Evan thought at this point, her heart belonged to Colin.

  “Colin?” She put a couple of fingers to his neck and felt for a pulse. “He’s alive!” She leaned down and kissed his face, tears streaming down her own. “He’s alive.”

  “We don’t have time for that, love.” Evan took her by the arm and pulled her to her feet. “The storm’s a nasty one and I’ve got to get you out of here while I can.”

  “What about us?” Eric asked, standing beside Caleb.

  “Yeah, what about us?” Caleb joined in.

  “You two grab a life preserver for yourself and swim for it. The other boat’s not far away. They’ll be waiting for you, I’m sure.”

  “What about Colin?” Emily cried as she watched Eric and Caleb scramble up to the deck.

  “I’ll come back for him, but I’ve got to get you to the other boat first.”

  “No. Take Colin first. Then come back for me.”

  “But, Emily—”

  “We don’t have time to stand here arguing—just do it!”

  Evan grumbled as he reached under Colin’s arms and grabbed him around the chest. Colin moaned as Evan dragged him up the steps and rushed to strap an orange life vest on him.