Silent Night Standoff

by Susan Sleeman

  “We have things covered,” Logan said, trying not to snap.

  Skyler sat forward. “Maybe Cash is right.”

  “I’m always right, squirt.” Cash winked at her. “And it’s about time someone admitted it around here.”

  “Puh-lease.” Darcie rolled her eyes, then looked at Skyler. “What do you think he’s right about?”

  “Maybe I was wrong last night and we should help in the investigation.” Logan opened his mouth to respond, but Skyler rushed on. “Specifically, I mean I should help. I have the highest closure rate in my department, so I’d like to think I have strong investigative skills.”

  “You’re on medical leave,” Darcie reminded her.

  “Plus, your supervisor in the Special Investigative Unit will nix it, anyway,” Jake added. “And you have zero justification to work a robbery falling under the FBI’s jurisdiction.”

  “Fine,” Skyler said. “Internal Affairs is investigating as they always do when an officer fires a weapon. I could work the case under the guise of helping them.”

  Brady shook his head. “They don’t care about the robbery. They’re only concerned about making sure I followed protocol. Since I did, the investigation will be over as fast as it started.”

  She cast a pleading look at Logan and he was hard-pressed to find a reason to deny her help. Or maybe deny spending more time with her.

  Was it possible she didn’t care about the investigation and wanted to spend time with him, too?

  Daydream, Hunter. A big fat daydream.

  It didn’t matter anyway. He had no right to consider anything with Skyler unless he could make the kind of commitment she deserved. That he couldn’t—wouldn’t—do. No matter how much the sparkling blue eyes pleading with him made him want to say yes.

  He’d make sure she was safe—that she could count on him—but the investigation had to remain his top priority.

  * * *

  Skyler felt Darcie watching her from the driver’s seat, but she ignored her friend’s questioning gaze and thumbed through the screens on her new phone. As the self-professed “mom” of the group, Darcie had to be itching to ask about Skyler’s ride into the office with Logan, but, honestly, she was still too raw from her earlier discussion with Logan to rehash it with anyone. Even with her best friend.

  Skyler stared out the window at the misty rain blanketing the city. In the side mirror, she caught sight of an older-model red Jeep racing toward their bumper with no signs of slowing.

  Good. A much-needed distraction. She grabbed her phone and dialed dispatch to report the car’s reckless driving. If there was a unit in the area, they’d pull the driver over before he or she hurt anyone. As Skyler talked with dispatch, she glanced in the mirror to catch the license number. She didn’t see a plate on the front—possibly an indicator of an out-of-state driver. Not all states required front plates like Oregon.

  She provided a detailed vehicle description when the sudden surge of the Jeep’s engine coming even closer sent concern winding through her.

  She hung up and turned to Darcie. “That Jeep behind us is gonna hit us if he doesn’t back off.”

  Darcie raised her eyes to the rearview mirror. “Maybe that’s his intent.”

  “You think it could be Marty?” Skyler’s heart started racing. She searched the Jeep’s windshield to get a look at the driver but couldn’t see through the spitting rain.

  “I’ll change lanes to see if he follows.” Darcie jerked into the other lane. Their rear end slid on the wet road before Darcie righted the vehicle.

  The Jeep swung in behind them, closing the distance.

  “He’s going to ram us,” Skyler cried out, wishing she was driving, as Darcie had never taken a defensive driving course.

  Darcie pressed the gas pedal. They jetted forward, but the Jeep kept pace.

  “Traffic’s too heavy to try to lose him,” Darcie said, her focus fixed ahead. “I can’t go any faster.”

  The Jeep roared closer. Skyler braced for the impact she knew was coming. Her pulse throbbed in her head, the blood sounding like a rushing freight train.

  His bumper rammed into them, shooting their car across the lane and toward the curb.

  Darcie jerked the wheel hard and hit the brakes. Tires screeched against the road. The car slid, skidding wildly.

  “Hang on! I can’t stop.” Panic carried Darcie’s voice high.

  The Jeep fell back. Sped up, roaring closer. He slammed into them again. Metal twisted and groaned. Their car jumped the curb and Skyler was thrown forward. Her seat belt locked in place, cutting into her chest with an agonizing slice. Their car bumped the curb, and flew across the sidewalk, barely missing two pedestrians.

  A massive pine loomed ahead in their path. No, oh, no. A lump of fear lodged in Skyler’s throat.

  Time seemed to slow.

  Tick. Tick. Tick.

  The tree grew larger. Seconds felt like minutes.

  Skyler threw out her arm to protect Darcie from the jarring impact, then prayed for God to watch over them as they hurtled toward the enormous pine.

  ELEVEN

  Fairly vibrating with frustration from the hour spent with Paul Parsons, Logan pulled out of his parking space at the television station. He jerked off his tie, tossed it on the seat and snapped on his scanner for distraction. He’d given a full sixty minutes of valuable time to the interview and would need to hit the ground running when he reached the office.

  He should be thinking about his to-do list, but Skyler’s earlier comment about letting go to find peace kept nagging at him. If he’d had the presence of mind to respond rationally instead of letting her closeness muddle his thoughts, he’d have told her that her kind of peace was too hard to pin down. The kind of peace he was seeking could be had by making his father proud.

  Simple. Measurable. Something Logan could obtain through hard work—had almost obtained. Would obtain if he stayed the course.

  The scanner crackled, grabbing his attention. A harried dispatcher reported a single vehicle accident near the sheriff’s office.

  Skyler and Darcie?

  Logan’s heart squeezed.

  “Relax,” he told himself. “You were with Parsons long enough for Skyler to get home.”

  Or not.

  She’d mentioned stopping to pick up a new cell. Phone companies were notoriously slow in finalizing transactions. He had to follow up or worry would distract him. He punched Jake’s number on his screen.

  “Seriously, you heard about the accident already?” Jake’s irritation radiated through the phone.

  “I heard there was an accident but not who was involved.”

  “Darcie and Skyler were run off the road. They crashed into a tree, but they’re both okay. I’m on my way to pick them up now.”

  Logan exhaled in relief, but worry trailed behind. “Marty?”

  “Looks like it.”

  Despite Jake’s assurance that Skyler was fine, Logan had to see her to believe it. “I’m on my way. Should take me twenty minutes or so to get there.” He ended the call before Jake could tell him to stay away.

  He wound his car through traffic and soon caught sight of the crash scene. In a steep ditch, the bumper of Darcie’s SUV had collapsed against a thick pine. Scanning the area for Skyler, he pulled to the side of the road.

  When he spotted an ambulance and couldn’t find her, his simmer of anxiety moved to a full-fledged boil. He bolted from the car and dug out his credentials, flashing them at a deputy protecting the scene. He rounded the ambulance and caught sight of Skyler sitting on the bumper, deep in conversation with Jake.

  He’d expected to be concerned, but tightness in his chest and the inability to breathe surprised him.

  Calm down. Now. Before you let her see how upset yo
u are.

  She’d wonder if he still cared and might think he planned to start something with her again. That would be the worst thing he could do to her.

  Composed and professional. That’s how he’d approach.

  As he moved closer, he searched for any fresh injury. Her face was cherry red, likely from the air bag, and he could see she was barely holding back tears. A bruise was forming on her jaw, and she looked like she needed to be held. He longed to pull her into his arms and never let her out of his sight again. At least not until Marty was behind bars.

  Jake shoved a pen into his pocket and flipped a small notepad closed while casting a quizzical look at Logan that said he obviously didn’t have as tight of a control on his emotions as he’d thought.

  He drew in a breath and buried his feelings as he’d done a million times with his father. Then he stepped up to Skyler with a renewed commitment to keep this professional.

  “Any of the witnesses ID the driver as Marty?” he asked, pleased he’d managed a dispassionate tone.

  Skyler’s shoulders suddenly deflated, and she gave him a wary look.

  Right. As he suspected. Her body language proved she didn’t want him here, and he was right to keep things detached.

  Jake pulled his shoulders back in a hard line as if protecting her. “All the witnesses can tell us is the driver was a white male with dark hair. Could be Marty. Or a million other guys.”

  “What about the vehicle?” Logan asked.

  “The crash left red paint on Darcie’s car.” Jake scrubbed a hand over his face. “We’ll collect it for analysis. If the Jeep still has the original paint job, the manufacturer can give us the model year and we can run a DMV search.”

  “Good,” Logan said. “You put out an alert on the plates?”

  Jake nodded. “No plates on the front or rear. Which might turn out to be a good thing. Even if the Jeep isn’t pulled over from the vehicle description, the lack of plates should ensure a stop.”

  “If he stays on the road,” Skyler added.

  “Guess all we can do is wait then.” With Skyler’s near brush with death, Logan couldn’t even raise an inkling of excitement over the possibility of this crash leading them to Marty.

  Jake tucked his notepad away. “We were about to head back to the office to discuss this latest development. You’re welcome to join us.”

  Skyler scowled at the news, but her frustration wouldn’t deter Logan. She didn’t know it yet, but he wasn’t about to leave her protection to her squad for another minute. They could man the detail at her house, but if she stepped out her front door? He’d be right by her side until they put this crazy killer behind bars—no matter what he had to do to convince her.

  * * *

  While everyone took a seat in the conference room, Skyler tried to wrap her head around Logan’s apparent lack of concern for her welfare at the accident scene. She wasn’t surprised by his behavior. Not really, anyway. She’d expected him to put the investigation first. At least, logic said he would. Yet she’d thought he cared enough to ask if she was all right. Nope. Not once. He’d barely spared her a glance. Not even a single “how are you?”

  And it hurt even worse than she’d expected.

  The only hint that he was at all uneasy was his appearance when he’d arrived. Collar undone. Tie missing. Something must’ve really troubled him—though he’d hidden all signs of it by now. He’d buttoned up his shirt, put on his tie and looked in charge and in control. The consummate agent once again, standing at the end of the table ready to discuss the accident with the squad.

  Cash dropped into the chair next to her and reclined. “Anyone ever think Marty might not be the one after Skyler?” His relaxed pose didn’t fool Skyler. He was strung tighter than a guitar string. Though he loved adventure, he tried to control everything at work, and she could see he was feeling the same strain as she was.

  “What do you mean?” Brady sat across from them. “Who else would do this?”

  Cash clasped his hands behind his head. “From what you all tell me, Skyler’s negotiated many cases where the outcome hasn’t been favorable to the suspect. One of these suspects could be seeking revenge.”

  Jake perched on the end of the table. “She’s received threats. We all have.”

  “So maybe it’s time to start considering the people who’ve threatened her as potential suspects,” Cash said.

  Logan planted his hands on the table and fired a look at Cash. “Splitting our focus won’t make it any easier to catch Marty.”

  “Thought you didn’t want our help with that.” Archer smirked.

  Logan scowled at Archer. “You know what I meant. Don’t try to distract us from the real point here.”

  “Ah, the point,” Archer replied, his eyes never leaving Logan. “You want the focus to remain on Marty because you’re hoping if he’s after Skyler, you’ll find him faster.”

  Logan seemed stunned as if Archer’s comment might hold some truth. Frowning, he shook his head and made eye contact with each team member, ending with her. “I wouldn’t put you in danger even if it meant Marty was served to me on a silver platter. If you think it’s worth a look at prior negotiations, then I suggest you do it and do it now.”

  Skyler couldn’t stop the warm feeling Logan’s comment brought. And it wasn’t just empty words—she could tell. She watched the rise and fall of his chest as he wrestled to calm his emotions.

  Actions speak louder than words, she’d said to him in the car that morning. His actions were telling her he cared. He may not have asked about her at the accident scene and may not have been able to make a commitment to her, but he did care.

  “Reviewing the cases sounds like a good idea to me,” Darcie said, bringing Skyler back.

  She nodded her agreement. “In fact, if Jake will let me stay for a few hours, I’ll start on them right now.”

  Jake frowned. “Need I remind you that you’re on medical leave? And the accident didn’t improve anything.”

  She resisted crossing her arms and taking a stand that would make him dig his heels in deeper. “Sitting here looking at the files is nearly the same as sitting in front of my computer at home.”

  “You shouldn’t be in front of your computer. You should be resting your eyes and that stubborn brain of yours.” He lifted his hand as if he planned to thump her head, then let it drop.

  “How about a compromise?” she suggested. “I’ll review files for a few hours, then go home and rest.”

  Shaking his head, Jake groaned. “I’ll give you two hours just to get you off my case. Two hours, Skyler. That’s all. In the back conference room where no one will see you or I’ll catch heat for letting you stay. Got it?”

  “Got it.” She smiled sincerely.

  Logan took a step closer to the table. “Since the schedule for your protection detail isn’t finished yet, I’ll hang around to give you a ride home.” He paused and made eye contact with her as if he expected her to argue. “I’ll also stay with you until someone else can arrange to take over.”

  “I really appreciate your freeing me up, Logan,” Jake said before Skyler could comment. “I’d rather not get behind today if it can be helped.” He got to his feet, signaling the end of their discussion, but Jake’s change from calling Logan Suit to using his real name lingered in Skyler’s mind.

  Was Logan earning Jake’s trust? Or was she simply hoping for that so she didn’t feel bad about how she was letting him get to her?

  He crossed the room, his phone in hand. “I just got a text from my office. They found a receipt in Nicole’s pocket for a local makeup store, and Wagner is emailing a picture of it to me. Once I receive it, I’ll head over to talk with the shop owner while you’re still safe here.”

  Did he really think she’d stay at the office to search files for a long
shot when they had a sure lead? “Since this is about makeup, wouldn’t a woman’s perspective be helpful? I’d like to come with you.”

  Something unreadable shimmered in his eyes, but he didn’t speak.

  She expected him to refuse her request, so she rushed on. “If you’re worried about another attack from Marty or whoever ran us off the road, it’s unlikely he’ll try anything again so soon.”

  “I’m not worried about that.” He took a step closer, his gaze warm and personal. “You keep claiming you’re fine, but I’m concerned you’re hiding pain to keep working. You may not believe me, but I really do want what’s best for you, Skyler. If that means staying here, then that’s what I want.”

  She did believe him. A smile slipped out before she clamped down on her lips and forced her mind onto the job. “I’m fine. Can I come with you?”

  He peered at her closely. She worked hard not to squirm under his scrutiny and waited him out.

  “You can come along.” He dug his car keys out of his pocket. “First, I need to grab my computer from the car to print a few things. Is there anything I can get for you while I’m out? Maybe a cup of green tea.”

  “No, thanks,” she said. She watched him walk away, feeling surprised but pleased that he remembered the kind of tea she loved.

  Frowning, Darcie got up and crossed over to Skyler. She was thankful color had returned to Darcie’s face after the accident. She made several trips back to her native Florida each year, and she never had that pasty-white complexion of most Portlanders. But when the car crashed...

  The thought of almost losing her best friend made Skyler feel ill. She grabbed her in a hug, not caring about the deep bruise from her seat belt.

  “I’m so glad you didn’t get hurt in the crash,” Skyler whispered.

  Darcie returned the hug, then pushed back and appraised Skyler. She thought to turn away, but she knew that would make Darcie search even harder.

  “What?” Skyler asked after Darcie remained mute for long uncomfortable moments.

  Darcie stepped back. “That look in your eyes has me worried. You’re obviously more than attracted to Logan.”