“What happened?” she asked softly.
“A carjacking.” His words, so quiet they barely reached her ears, held a wealth of emotion.
“Oh, Luke,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry. How awful.”
“I was at a martial arts class one evening. I was at the dojo five days a week for their after-school program and I loved it because I got to take karate, too. I saw Mom drive up on time like always, but I wasn’t ready to leave yet because I had a belt test coming up the next day and wanted to go through the forms one more time. So, I pretended I didn’t see her.”
“What happened?”
“Halfway through my routine, a loud crack broke through my concentration. I spun to see a man in a ski mask pull my mother from the driver’s seat and throw her to the asphalt.” He pressed fingers to his eyes. “He got in the car and drove off, leaving my mother dying on the ground. He’d shot her in the head. She’d lowered her window because it was a beautiful fall evening, her favorite time of year. And he just walked up and shot her.” He lowered his hand from his eyes and looked at her. “If I hadn’t made her wait, if I had walked out of there on time, we would have left and she would still be alive.”
“You were a kid, Luke,” Sophie said, covering his hand with hers. “You can’t shoulder that blame. That belongs to the man who killed her.”
He offered her a small sad smile. “I know. Mentally, I do. I just...” He shook his head. “I’ve been thinking about her a lot since we found Jordan.”
“Because her killer was never found?”
“Yeah.” He stood and dumped the remainder of his coffee in the sink, then turned. “I can’t let another killer get away, Sophie, I can’t.”
“We won’t,” she said, her words a promise. “We won’t.”
ELEVEN
Luke gave himself a mental shake. Once again, he’d spilled his guts about a topic he never talked about. And spilled them all over Sophie. A woman he was extremely attracted to and needed to keep his distance from. Emotionally, if not physically since he was determined to protect her. And yet, he couldn’t seem to rein in his tongue. She was such a good, active listener that he could almost feel her compassion soothing his wounded childhood self. It was like he craved that.
Well, it had to stop. Period. “Are you ready? I don’t want to be late.” She flinched at his snapped words and he cleared his throat. “Sorry. I’m just... I didn’t mean to be abrupt. I’m sorry.”
Sophie stood. “It’s okay, Luke. We’re all on edge. Let’s go.”
With Bruno in his area and Sophie once again in the passenger seat, Luke started the vehicle and headed for the church. His eyes alternated between the road and the rearview mirror. The fact that someone had been at her window—and knew that it was hers—had his nerves on edge. Sophie’s, too, apparently, as he caught her watching the mirrors, as well. Good. She needed to be on guard.
When they turned into the parking lot, it was already overflowing with cars parked anywhere they could find a spot. Police cars and SUVs lined one side of the lot and down the street and around the block. News helicopters cluttered the air, sharing space with the police choppers.
“I’ve been to more police funerals than I would like to remember, but I’ve never seen a turnout like this. Are there any officers left to guard the city?” she asked. Her wide eyes bounced from one area to the next.
He smiled. At least he hoped it was a smile. “Plenty.” She knew it as well as he, but he had to admit that it looked like every officer in the state had come out to pay their respects to a man who had sparked admiration in each person he’d ever met or worked with.
“Do you think he’s here?” she asked. “The person who killed him?”
Instant tension threaded across his shoulders and the base of his neck. “It’s definitely possible.”
“Have you heard anything more about what killed him? I know the toxicology report won’t be back for a while, but it seems like there should be some kind of news.”
“That was Elena on the phone earlier, calling to tell me her initial assessment that his death is somehow related to his heart was correct, but that’s pretty much all she can tell us right now.”
Sophie sighed. “I want answers, and I want them yesterday.”
“We all do.” She was stalling. Asking questions she already knew the answers to. He didn’t blame her, but... “We have to go in, Sophie.”
With her eyes on the front door of the large church, she gave a short nod. “I know.”
“Sitting here dreading it isn’t going to make it any easier.”
“I know that, too.”
“Then I’m going to pull as close as I can to the back door, let Bruno out, and come around and open your door. Once you’re safely inside with some officer friends, I’ll move the SUV and join you. Bruno can stay with you until I return and then we’ll find Katie and the others.”
“You think he would take a shot at me here?”
“I’m not putting anything past this guy.”
She nodded. “Okay. Thanks. I’m ready.”
Once she was inside, Luke parked and returned to find her right where he’d left her. With three other K-9 officers and Bruno standing guard. She sent him a small, tight smile when he stepped through the door, and he gave a nod of thanks to the other officers. Cupping her elbow, he escorted Sophie to the front row and seated her next to Katie.
Katie’s gaze met his. “Thank you, Luke.”
He hugged her. “I’m so sorry, Katie. I can’t even tell you how sorry.”
“You don’t have to.”
The brothers nodded, and six-year-old Ellie sat in Carter’s lap, holding her father’s hand and looking confused with the whole proceeding.
When Katie reached over to grasp Sophie’s hand, Luke swallowed hard, clicked to Bruno and took his place, back against the wall so he had a good view of the room. He stood next to Gavin Sutherland and his K-9, Tommy. The dog glanced at him then settled his snout on his front paws.
“Hey, man,” Gavin said. “Wondered if you were going to make it on time.”
“Had to make a special delivery first.”
“Sophie?”
“Yeah.”
The music started, and they fell silent, but Luke’s thoughts continued to swirl even as his eyes landed on the coffin at the front. Instantly, his throat went tight, and he noticed he wasn’t the only officer in the room desperately fighting to keep his emotions under control.
Luke looked away, focused his mind elsewhere even as the soloist hit each note with a purity that sent chills down his spine.
Or were the chills from the fact that he couldn’t be sure someone hadn’t followed them to the church? Then again, someone wouldn’t have to follow them. It wouldn’t take a genius to figure out where they’d be. Where Sophie would be. But would someone really be brazen enough to try to attack her in the middle of a funeral with hundreds of cops around? Maybe. If he thought he could stay hidden—or escape in the midst of the chaos it would generate. Luke thought the last one might be the key.
He could see the back of Sophie’s head from his stance against the wall. And if he could see it, so could everyone else. It just occurred to him that the balcony would be the perfect spot for a sniper to draw a bead on Sophie’s carefully pinned bun.
* * *
Sophie held Katie’s hand through the service, barely registering the songs or the message. Memories of Jordan spun through her mind like a movie reel set to the greatest hits. Fun times, his laughter, his love. So much love. For his job, his family, the people who worked for him, the dogs...and most of all, for Katie and his unborn child.
But second only to Katie and his family were his love of justice and his desire to right the wrongs perpetrated on others. Sophie ground her molars to keep her tears at bay.
Justice.
The wo
rd seared itself into her heart. “We’ll get you justice, Jordan,” she whispered. “We will.”
Katie’s hand squeezed hers, and Sophie realized she’d spoken the words aloud.
And then the church service was over. Now she had to make it through the graveside part without having a complete meltdown. But if Katie could do it, so could she.
The family stood and filed from the church. It was just a short drive to the cemetery and for a moment Sophie and the family were the only ones outside at the gravesite as they waited for the limos to pull around.
The hair on her neck prickled and she swept her gaze around the area before landing on the lone figure leaning against one of the large mausoleums. Sunglasses covered his eyes and he had a baseball cap pulled low.
She gasped and stumbled to a halt.
Katie stopped, too. “Are you okay?”
Sophie glanced at her friend, then back at the spot where she’d seen the man.
Only to find it empty.
“What is it?” Zach asked. Carter and Noah shot her concerned looks.
Chills danced over her skin in spite of the warm weather. “Nothing,” she said slowly. “I’m okay. I just thought I saw the guy who’d kidnapped me over by the tree, but he’s not there now.”
“Someone we need to be watchful of or worried about?” Katie asked, her red-rimmed eyes narrowing.
“I’m not sure.” Her friend had enough to worry about and the last thing she wanted to do was to take attention away from Jordan. Not today. She rubbed Katie’s shoulder and shot Jordy’s brothers a tense smile. “It’s probably nothing but my recent paranoia. Please, let’s keep going.”
“No,” Zach said, “we’ll check it out. They won’t start the service without us.”
He and Carter took off to check out the area while Noah stood guard next to them.
The minutes stretched. Finally, Noah and Carter returned, mouths tight. Noah shook his head. “We didn’t see any sign of anyone, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t there.”
“Let’s keep going,” Noah said. “Everyone’s on the alert.”
Katie nodded, and they all fell silent.
Ellie stepped up to her and slipped her small hand into Sophie’s. “My uncle Jordy died, Ms. Sophie.”
“I know, honey.”
“He’s in heaven. Daddy said he’s with my mom.”
Sophie could only nod, her throat tight. “Yes. I know he’s in heaven. He loved God very much.”
“I do, too. I’m going to heaven when I die.”
“Well, hopefully, that won’t be for a very long time.”
And now, Sophie couldn’t help wondering if she was putting the family in danger just by being at the service. She turned to Carter and gave him the little girl’s hand. He raised a brow, but she shook her head.
The limos finally pulled to a stop next to them and Katie slid in the back seat. Sophie joined her. While the others’ attention was diverted as they loaded into the vehicles, Sophie leaned over to her friend. “I think I should leave,” she whispered.
“Leave? Why?”
“I don’t want to put any of you in danger by being close to you. Someone is after me.” She swallowed. “And I don’t think he cares who he hurts. I also don’t want to be the cause of any disruptions on this day.”
Katie linked her arm through Sophie’s. “You’re not going anywhere.” Her eyes narrowed. “If Jordan’s killer is here, then he’s going to see that we have you surrounded and he’s going to have to go through us to get to you. He’s not getting another one of us.” She kept her voice low, but her vehemence came through loud and clear.
Insisting she leave would only cause Katie more distress so all Sophie could do was nod and squeeze her friend’s hand. And then the limos were pulling up next to the two tents.
The first one held a K-9 SUV like the one Jordan had driven. Covered in roses, it was a stark reminder that her friend would never again climb behind the wheel. The second tent held several rows of chairs for the family. Jordan’s casket had been wheeled front and center.
Sophie tightened her lips and darted frantic glances around the scene. Where was Luke? As part of Jordan’s unit, he should be near the family during the next part of the service.
She stepped under the tent and sat in the end row seat so that Katie could sit next to her mother-in-law followed by Jordan’s father and brothers. As soon as they were all seated, a soulful bagpipe solo started, the clear mournful notes of “Amazing Grace” lifting and sweeping around her, causing that ever-present tension in her throat to grow into a near-strangling lump.
Sophie lifted her gaze to the coffin directly in front of her and swallowed hard, hoping the knot would lessen while refusing to let the tears fall. She blinked and drew in a deep breath, needing her vision clear.
Surrounded by police officers, she should be able to focus on being there for Katie and getting through the day without a complete meltdown, but her nerves wouldn’t settle. That feeling of being watched crept over her once more and she started studying faces, trying to catch the eyes of whoever seemed to be triggering the sensation. No one stood out and she shook her head, wondering if she truly was just being paranoid. Not that she didn’t have reason to be.
And yet there was nothing she could see that should have her nerves gathered so tight. It was what she couldn’t see that worried her.
When Jordan’s family was seated, the others gathered around the tent, forming a protective circle around them just as the song faded to a doleful end.
The only sounds were the occasional cough, sniff or shuffle from those attending.
Once again, Sophie swept the crowd and easily found Luke about ten yards away in the line of blue. No blending in for him. Everything about him stood out to her. Sorrow and grief had etched his face into hard lines, but his chin jutted, and his shoulders never sagged. She drew comfort from his strength.
His gaze locked on hers and his brow rose as though asking her if she was all right. She gave a slight nod. He returned it.
The rest of the service passed in a blur only to come into sharp focus when everyone fell into an expectant hush.
Sophie’s gut twisted. She wasn’t ready for this part.
The final call.
Radio static sounded over the loudspeakers and a sob slipped from Katie’s lips. Sophie reached over to clasp her friend’s hand as dispatch came on.
“Central to Officer 75990.”
Silence. Waiting.
“Central to Officer 75990.”
More silence. More waiting for the answer that would never come again.
“Chief Jordan Jameson, please respond.”
Tears flowed freely now for Sophie. She simply couldn’t control them. Katie’s grip tightened.
“Chief Jameson,” dispatch said, “no response. Officer 75990, Jordan Jameson, is end of watch. He has gone home for the final time.”
A long, loud beep resembling that of a flatlining patient pierced the air. Gasping sobs came from all directions.
Then dispatch finished the End of Watch Call by saying, “Chief Jameson, the city of New York and the K-9 unit thank you for your service and your sacrifices. May you rest in peace with your eternal Savior. We will miss you.”
Sophie thought the dispatcher may have smothered a sob on the last word.
More radio static. More muffled sounds of grief.
Then a heavy, misery-laden silence surrounded them, pressing in on her. Sophie likened it to suffocating. Could one actually die from grief? She drew in a deep breath and used the tissues she finally remembered she had to wipe her cheeks.
The bagpipes broke into the stillness once more and the strands of “It Is Well with My Soul” nearly undid her.
She couldn’t do this. Jordy had been her friend, her boss, her support when she’d needed it. He’d g
iven a green kid fresh out of college a chance because he said he saw great potential in her. He’d believed in her like her own father and it had left a permanent impression on her heart.
“I know he’s with you, God, but we’re going to miss him like crazy,” she whispered so low not even Katie noticed.
Luke’s gaze touched hers again and for a moment, it was just the two of them, drawn together by their shared sorrow, somehow finding strength in the visual connection.
When the song ended, Zach stood and walked toward the podium. His jaw like granite, he looked out over those who’d come to say goodbye to Jordan.
Sophie swallowed and glanced around, still on edge after seeing the man in front of the mausoleum.
“I have a lot of memories of Jordan,” Zach said. “Good times, bad times, crazy times. Times we swore each other to secrecy over. But one memory that stands out the most is... Well, Jordy’s the reason I’m a cop.” His voice broke and he took a moment to gather his composure. “You see, I’m dyslexic, which means school was never fun for me, but I graduated high school and decided to go to the police academy. About halfway through it, I was ready to give up.”
Sophie stared. Oh, how she could relate.
“But Jordy wouldn’t let me.” Zach cleared his throat again and drew in another steadying breath. “He helped me study, he figured out how to channel my attention by using short spurts of study time followed by some kind of exercise. Whether it was running with the dogs or going to get ice cream.” A tear slipped down his cheek and dripped off his chin. He looked up. “Jordy was one of the most unselfish people I’ve ever met. Even as a kid, he always put others first.”
Sophie’s heart thudded even harder, beating in sympathy with the man whose struggles had been her own. No wonder she’d been so drawn to Jordan, looking up to him like she had her own father. He’d done for Zach what her dad had done for her—and she now understood why he never mentioned any mistakes she made in her scribbled notes. She clutched her tissue.
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