Protective Custody

by Wynter Daniels

  “It’s not a problem. I can follow you.” He set his hand on the knob. “Ready?”

  Her lips flattened into a line. “I’d like to go alone.”

  The punch stung. He swallowed back the hurt. “Megan, let me—”

  “No, Will. Go home. Get some rest.”

  He squared his shoulders. “Fine.” As he walked her to her car, neither of them spoke. Opening the door for her, he fought the urge to kiss her. “I’ll call you later.”

  She gave him a blank stare, then backed out of the driveway. He watched her drive away and prayed she’d forgive whatever he’d done to hurt her. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing her. Not again.

  Sitting in a hard metal chair beside Gram’s hospital bed, Megan stroked her grandmother’s thin hand. When had Gram’s skin gotten so dry, like crepe paper? She opened her purse and found a tube of lotion, then massaged some into her skin. Maybe the vanilla scent would somehow comfort Gram, who’d always hated the medicinal smell of hospitals.

  A young Asian woman in a lab coat entered the room. “Miss Jackson?”

  “Yes. I’m Hattie’s granddaughter.”

  The doctor moved to Gram’s bed and opened the chart. “I’m Dr. Chen.”

  “How is she?” Megan hugged herself to ward off the chill.

  Dr. Chen pursed her lips. “Well, according to the CT scan, she’s suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. We’re giving her medication to keep her blood sugar down and to lessen swelling in the brain.”

  Megan swallowed her fear. “Will she be okay?”

  The doctor’s somber expression didn’t leave much room for hope. “I can’t answer that yet, Miss Jackson. But we’re doing everything we can to keep her comfortable.”

  After Dr. Chen left, Megan found another blanket in the closet and spread it over her grandmother’s bed. Their last conversation replayed in her mind.

  “Couldn’t you at least wait until I die before you break my heart?”

  Guilt twisted around her insides. Could Gram’s emotional state have contributed to her stroke? Gram’s reasons for not wanting Megan to be with Will were antiquated and based on another man’s actions. As many times as Megan had pointed that out, Gram had held staunchly to her opinion.

  But none of that mattered now. Truth was, she’d made up her mind to end her relationship with Will before Jarity broke into the cabin. But I still love him.

  Sometimes the fates line up against you and tell you something isn’t meant to be. The best thing to do is to listen.

  Between Gram’s and Will’s parents’ objections, she ought to heed the warning.

  Will had saved her life, and for the last few days he’d shown her tremendous kindness and love. But when he’d blown up at her after she’d confessed her reason for breaking up with him, all that love and kindness had fallen away. She could hardly spend her life with a man who didn’t trust her.

  Gram’s hand stiffened, yanking Megan back to the moment. One of the monitors by the bed started beeping. Then Gram’s whole body began to shake.

  Megan stood, her heart beating wildly. “Help!”

  A man and two women in scrubs raced in, pushing equipment.

  “You’ll have to step outside, ma’am,” the man told her.

  She inched toward the door, panic coursing through her veins. “What’s happening?”

  “Seizure,” one of the women shouted. “Wait outside, please.”

  She was completely helpless and in the way. Summoning all her strength, she moved to the hallway. The bright, sterile surroundings left her cold and lonely.

  I need Will.

  She leaned against the wall and imagined his strong arms around her, cocooning her in his warmth and his familiar piney scent. Shutting her eyes, she pictured his face, heard his deep voice assuring her everything was going to be okay.

  The noise and commotion inside Gram’s room quieted. Megan opened her eyes and waited.

  The staff entered the hallway, pushing the equipment they’d brought. One of the women strode toward her, wearing a grim frown. “I’m sorry, Miss Jackson. We did everything we could.”

  Megan nodded and blinked against the stinging tears filling her eyes. A heavy weight settled in her chest.

  What will I do without Gram?

  How was she supposed to go on without her family? She’d never felt so lonely. “Can I see her?”

  “If you like.” The nurse followed her into the room. “Want some privacy?”

  Megan stepped up to the bed and stared down at Gram’s lifeless form. She appeared so tiny for a woman who’d carried such weighty burdens on her shoulders. “Yes. Thank you.”

  The door quietly clicked shut.

  Could her argument with Gram have brought on the stroke? Pain gripped her. Gram’s final wish had been for Megan to break up with Will, and she’d died thinking Megan had refused. “I love you, Gram.” Her tears came in earnest, a rush of emotion that weakened her knees. She reflected on the best times they’d shared, all her grandmother had done for her. Gram had tried so hard to compensate for Megan’s absent father and dead mother.

  Their last conversation hung in the air like a dark cloud of gloom over an otherwise peaceful landscape. She prayed Gram’s final thoughts of her hadn’t been tainted with anger or hurt. Doing what Gram wanted wouldn’t bring her back, but if Gram was looking down on her from heaven, maybe she’d have peace knowing Megan had walked away from Will.

  Bending over the bed, she gently kissed Gram’s forehead and bid her a final goodbye.

  ***

  Will put his shirt on after Kenny Horvath finished taping a wireless transmitter to his abdomen.

  “Make sure you’re within eight feet of him, or we won’t pick up everything he says.” Kenny glanced toward the door of the interrogation room. “I still can’t believe Dawkins would have anything to do with a piece of shit like John Jarity. The guy was my training officer, for Pete’s sake.”

  “He was mine too.” Will’s gut clenched every time he thought about Ed. “And the man has lots of friends here, which is why I don’t want anyone but you in on this.”

  Kenny waved away his concern. “I get it, Will. I don’t want any of these schmucks tipping him off either. Whole thing just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”

  “I know. But there’s no other possible explanation for what happened up there.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’m positive I was drugged. And Ed’s the only one who could have done it and told Jarity where to find Megan.”

  “Honestly I hope you’re wrong. I hate to see a guy like Ed Dawkins switch to the dark side.”

  “Yeah. Me too.” He took his jacket from the back of the chair and put it on. “Ready?”

  Kenny nodded. “Let’s do it.”

  With Kenny following in an unmarked car, Will drove his truck to Dawkins Security and Investigations. Kenny parked a block away.

  Swallowing his apprehension and anger over Ed’s betrayal, Will strode into the office.

  Ed looked up from his desk, and his jaw dropped, but he recovered in a split second. “Hey, you’re back. I…I figured you two kids would still be hiding out.” He put his pen down with shaking fingers, then moved his hands to his lap.

  Will set his hands on his waist. “Jarity’s dead.”

  Ed paled. “Dead? John Jarity? You’re kidding. Did he have a heart attack or something?” He shifted his gaze everywhere but toward Will’s. “Siddown. Tell me all about it. He’s one of our biggest accounts, you know?” He gestured to the chair opposite his desk.

  Will wondered how long Ed would keep up the charade. He sat and scooted the chair closer. “It was Jarity who Megan saw strangle that young woman. He was the one who attacked Megan too. Tried to kill her at the cabin.”

  Ed widened his eyes. “You must be shitting me. I mean, sure, Jarity’s an asshole, but a killer? I can’t believe it.”

  The fact that Ed hadn’t even asked how Jarity knew where the cabin was cinched the deal. Much as he hated to believe
Ed would be an accessory to murder, the omission was as good as a confession. “How do you think Jarity knew where we were? You were the only one I told, Ed.”

  “Hmm. He probably followed you.”

  “No way. Much of the way up was deserted highway. I know when I’m being followed, and I wasn’t.”

  “So Megan’s okay?”

  He could hardly stand to be in the same room with Ed. “A little shaken up is all.”

  “Thank God for that, huh? So what happened to Jarity? How’d he die?”

  “I shot him.”

  “Did he say anything before he kicked? Tell you why he did it or anything?” Ed gripped the edge of his desk, probably to keep his hands from shaking. Or perhaps from the suspense of not knowing if Jarity had squealed about his involvement.

  “He said all kinds of things.” He watched Ed squirm, and it made him sick to his stomach.

  “Such as?” Ed chomped on a fingernail.

  “He attacked Megan. Broke down the bedroom door to get to her. Do you have any idea how terrifying that was for her?” He leaned closer, hoping Ed would experience at least a fraction of the fear Megan had endured. “He would have raped and killed her if I hadn’t shot him.”

  “So…” His voice came out a high-pitched squeak. He cleared his throat. “So you shot him?”

  “After you left, I started feeling strange. Incredibly tired and dizzy. Like I’d been drugged or something.”

  Ed coughed. “Drugged? Weird.”

  “Yeah, very weird. Only thing I’d ingested for hours was that iced tea you brought.” He crossed his legs and folded his arms across his chest. “Only logical conclusion is there was something in that tea.”

  Ed walked to the file cabinet and opened a drawer. “Doesn’t make sense. We all drank it.”

  Will couldn’t see what Ed was doing when he rooted through the drawer, but he refused to take any chances. He moved his right hand close to his weapon. “We each had our own bottle. Apparently only mine was drugged. Like someone wanted me incapacitated.”

  The file drawer slammed shut, and Ed spun around to face him with only a manila folder in his hand, much to Will’s relief.

  “What are you saying, Will?” His expression was unreadable.

  “What do you think I’m saying? Someone drugged me so Jarity could get his filthy hands on Megan.”

  Ed’s Adam’s apple jumped.

  “Who the hell would do that, Ed?”

  He set the file on his desk but didn’t sit. “I don’t think I like where you’re going with this. Are you accusing me of something?”

  Will said nothing.

  “What, you think I was helping Jarity?”

  “Were you?” He leaned back in the chair but didn’t let his guard down for a moment.

  “What?” He staggered backward and centered a hand on his chest in a not-very-convincing show of shock and hurt. “You’re like a son to me, kid. How could you think I’d set you up? Ask any guy at the SO about my integrity. My record is spotless. Twenty-five years of ethical police work.”

  “If there were any other conclusion to draw, I’d be your biggest defender.” He swallowed back the rush of emotion. “But I know you did it. And I know you told Jarity exactly where to find us.”

  “Wasn’t me. Maybe you’re not as good at spotting a tail as you think.”

  “Why’d you do it, Ed? I trusted you.” The pain cut deep.

  Ed sat behind his desk and hung his head. He stayed like that nearly a minute. “You have no idea what I’ve been through, the shit that’s permeated my life. And it’s all fucked up now.”

  Pain stabbed behind his eyes. Holding his fury in check, he drew a deep breath. He was sitting opposite the man who’d helped a murderer try to kill the woman he loved. His first inclination was to rip the bastard to shreds, but he had to play it cool. “Tell me what happened.”

  “It started about a year after I married Veronica.” Ed heaved a sigh. “Her spending had gotten out of control. She’d been buying all these designer clothes and shoes, stuff I couldn’t afford. I asked her to stop. She blew up at me, said she’d have never married me if she’d known I was so cheap.”

  Will flinched when Ed opened his desk drawer. He fingered his gun, but Ed only took out a bottle of antacid. Relief washed over him as the older man tipped the bottle to his mouth for a swig, then returned the medicine to his drawer.

  “Then she started taking these junkets to Vegas and Atlantic City with her girlfriends. Racking up thousands in gambling debts.” He rolled his head back. “Aw, Christ, I don’t know if she was really doing that or shacking up with some young guy.”

  “I’m sorry, Ed.” But he wasn’t terribly surprised. Since he’d started working for Ed, he’d picked up bits and pieces of conversations, enough to convince him Veronica had been bleeding Ed dry.

  “Last week she tells me she owes this casino in Atlantic City a shitload of dough. And she knew, Will. She knew we were headed for the damn poorhouse, and she didn’t care. Then I caught Jarity at Megan’s house dressed like a fucking ninja.”

  “What?” He sat up straighter.

  “I’m a piece of shit, but I was a desperate one.” He met Will’s stare, and the misery in his eyes was plain. “I’m sorry, kid. He offered to give me more than I needed to pay off all Veronica’s debts. If I’d turned him in, my business would have gone under, and then where would I be?” He shook his head. “I’m not proud of myself, but Jarity talked me into giving up your hiding place, the rental cottage.”

  “So he set the fire.” Will gritted his teeth, thinking about what could have happened.

  “He promised me he wasn’t going to hurt her. I swear. But that’s what I get for trusting that son of a bitch. When he tried to burn the place down, I was furious. But then he had me, Will. He recorded our conversation, that double-crossing bastard.”

  Will thought about the microphone taped to his skin. “Go on.”

  “He also told me some stuff about my wife. That she’d been pawning the jewelry I’d given her.” He looked as if he was about to cry. “I went home and searched her things, and I found thousands, Will. She’d been stashing all that money.”

  He could only imagine how Ed must have felt, but it didn’t justify what he’d done to Megan. Or to him. Nothing could.

  “I couldn’t bear the thought of losing her. So I tried to rein her in.” He buried his face in his hands and sobbed like a baby. “She left me, Will. Now I have nothing. Nothing but a business that’s going down the tubes and a fucking mountain of debt.” He sat up and sniffled loudly.

  “She wasn’t worth it, Ed.” Could he be all that surprised that a beautiful yet trashy woman like Veronica had had ulterior motives for marrying him?

  “I told you. They’re no damn good. When I saw you were getting too involved with Megan again, I tried to talk you out of it, but you wouldn’t listen. Jarity told me he just wanted to scare her, I figured maybe she’d leave town, get the hell out of your life. Didn’t work that way, though.”

  Will wanted to jump across the desk and wring his neck, but he sat tight. Ed would get what was coming to him by way of the justice system.

  “I got nothing left, kid. That’s punishment enough, don’t you think? Let’s forget about this, huh?”

  Incredulous, Will couldn’t hold back a smirk. “No, Ed. I don’t think so.”

  Suddenly there was a gun in Ed’s hand, so fast Will hadn’t even see him go for it. Will stared into the barrel, then met Ed’s red-rimmed eyes.

  Ed would never shoot him. He’d stake his life on it. But he wished Ed weren’t watching him like a damn hawk. His own weapon was so close, but Ed would be able to crack off at least two rounds before Will could get to it.

  “Listen to me, kid. We can pretend we never had this conversation. All I have left is my reputation. If my friends at the SO hear about this…” More tears. “Jesus, Will, please. I’m begging you, man to man.”

  More like pussy to man.

&n
bsp; If he agreed too quickly, Ed would never believe him. “I don’t know.” Then he remembered Kenny could hear everything they said. “I don’t like having a gun in my face. You mind lowering that thing while I think about it?”

  Ed narrowed his gaze. He came around the desk, never moving his eyes—or his weapon—off Will. “You’re wearing a wire, aren’t you?”

  His heart rocketed faster. “’Course not.”

  “Put your hands up.”

  Blood pulsed in his ears. “Come on, Ed. It’s me.”

  “Put them up.”

  Will slowly raised his arms. Ed grabbed at his T-shirt and lifted it high enough to see the microphone. And the gun in his waistband.

  “Calm down, Ed.” He reached for his weapon, but Ed pushed his against Will’s forehead.

  “Take your hand off it, real slow.”

  He had no choice but to do as he was told. “This is crazy.” He lifted his hands in the air, and Ed took his gun.

  “Thought I knew you, Will.” He backed away a few paces.

  “Same back at ya.”

  “No one is who I thought they were.” He turned his weapon toward his head, then opened his mouth and pushed the barrel inside.

  He gasped. “Ed, no!”

  The door burst open. “Don’t do it,” Kenny Horvath said from the doorway. “Please, Ed. That’s not going to solve anything.”

  Ed squeezed the trigger.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Will waited outside Ed’s office building with Kenny, too shell-shocked to utter a single word.

  Will’s former boss, Captain Zuckerman, approached the men. “They’re almost finished in there, guys. Hell of a scene. Long as I’ve worked this job, it never gets any easier to see, particularly when it’s someone you know. Knew.”

  “Sure as hell wasn’t pleasant to watch.” Kenny paced the sidewalk and shook his head.

  “You both will need to see our mental health counselor this week. Don’t put it off. Even tough guys like you have trouble dealing with something like this.” The captain scrubbed a hand over his face. “Never in a million years would I have believed Ed Dawkins was dirty.”