Silent Night Standoff

by Susan Sleeman

  Jaw firm, his gaze kept going to the rearview mirror, reminding her that she should be more concerned with the potential danger to her life than with Logan’s mood or how she felt about him.

  She looked in the side mirror, and her heart sank. “Is that a red Jeep behind us?”

  “Yes,” he answered, not taking his eyes from the mirror.

  “Coincidence?”

  “I don’t believe in them. Plus the car doesn’t have a front plate. It’s too dark to see if there’s front end damage.”

  Skyler looked in the mirror again. Large water droplets ran down the glass, blurring her view. She searched over her shoulder through the water spitting from their tires. She couldn’t get a clear view of the front end. She did confirm the lighted spot where a license plate should be was empty.

  They continued on, but the Jeep remained at a distance until they hit the main road. Then it came gunning for them.

  Memories of the accident with Darcie rushed back. “This feels like this morning. He’s gonna ram us.”

  “Probably,” Logan said, his voice deadly calm. “At least he plans to try.”

  “Can’t you evade him?”

  He looked in the mirror again. “Not if I want to arrest him, no.”

  Right. Arrest him and get the promotion. The reason for Logan’s existence. “You’re really considering letting him ram us so you can get that job?”

  He gave her a confused look. “Call nine-one-one and hold on.”

  She made the call, then prepared herself for the wild ride that she knew was coming.

  THIRTEEN

  Unbelievable. Skyler really thought Logan would let the Jeep plow into them just so he could catch Marty. He’d simply wanted to make sure she understood evading Marty meant he’d get away—and probably come after her again.

  He searched ahead for an escape and spotted an alley on the left. He quickly changed lanes. The car slid wildly on the wet pavement for a moment. He saw Skyler put her hand on the dash to brace herself for another impact. Wouldn’t happen. Not if he had anything to say about it.

  “Hold on tighter,” he warned. “We’re turning left into an alley ahead.”

  “At this speed? In front of all this traffic?” Anxiety lifted her voice higher.

  “I can do it. You could, too. We’re both trained for this very thing, but Marty isn’t. He’ll never make the turn.” Logan squeezed her hand. “You trust me?”

  “I trust you to keep me safe.”

  He heard the hesitation in her tone, and didn’t like the implication that she didn’t trust him in any other area of life. He let go of her hand and gripped the wheel. “Here we go.”

  He cranked the wheel hard.

  The car responded with a lurch that unsettled him for a moment. The tires squealed across the pavement. The rear end fishtailed wildly before he wrestled the car into submission.

  Horns blared into the night. Cars screeched to a stop, but they needn’t have. He’d timed it perfectly and they were sailing down an alley while the Jeep continued down the main road.

  Blowing out a breath, Logan made a few more turns, leaving no trail for Marty to follow. He slowed and pulled to the curb. He looked at Skyler to make sure she was okay. She was shaken but holding her own. No tears or hysterics. She really was a strong woman.

  “I didn’t think you’d let Marty go like that. Thank you.” She let out a long breath and dragged in another. “I’m not sure I could’ve handled another crash.”

  Her words creased his heart. Her statement meant as a thank-you made him sound pathetic.

  Had he really sunk so low in her eyes that she thought he’d risk anyone’s life—particularly hers—to advance his career?

  If she did, maybe it was high time he took a long look in the mirror to figure out what she was seeing. Then he could decide if there was still time to change it before he actually turned into the pathetic guy she seemed to believe him to be.

  * * *

  “Now, what have I forgotten to get?” Skyler stared at the shelf in the party supply store.

  Logan gestured at the cart chock-full of party supplies. “With all this stuff, you can’t possibly have forgotten a thing. Of course, if you’d made a list...”

  She fired a testy look at him. Since Marty wouldn’t likely come after her again tonight, they’d agreed to forget all about the near crash and keep things light as they shopped. But bringing up an area they’d argued about in the past wasn’t keeping things light in her book. “You’re not seriously going there, are you?”

  His lips curled in a cute grin, instantly melting her anger. It had been so long since he’d teased her, she hadn’t recognized it at first. Or maybe she didn’t want to recognize it and let down her guard.

  She ignored the warning bells clanging in her head and playfully swatted a hand at him. “Oh, it’s that way, is it? Well, Mr. Buttoned-Down Suit, who needs a list and has to plan for every minute of the day, it wouldn’t hurt you to go with the flow every now and then.”

  He grabbed her hand and held fast. “Maybe you’re right, but the opposite is true for you, too.”

  His touch made her remember the way they’d usually cuddled to make up after their differences caused them to argue. Making up was almost worth the fights.

  “I really did love working on these events with you. We were a good team, weren’t we?” He let go of her hand.

  “You mean despite the fact that we’re extreme opposites,” she said lightly, though she took his comment very seriously.

  His gaze dug deep into her eyes. “But we were well matched, too. You were such a calming influence on me.”

  Despite her desire to stay detached, she had to agree with him. By putting them together, God made them each so much stronger. More balanced and whole. A thought that sent panic racing through her veins.

  He moved closer, his eyes still riveted on hers. Was he going to lean down and kiss her? Did she want him to? Her breath caught in her throat in anticipation.

  This was wrong—so wrong—and would end in more pain when he remembered his priorities, but in this moment, she couldn’t bring herself to stop.

  A loud crash boomed from the aisle next to them. He lurched back. His hand went for his weapon, his eyes alert and aware.

  “Relax.” She drew in a cleansing breath. “Sounded like someone knocked into a display.”

  “I’m not taking any chances. Stay here.” He crept to the end of the aisle, then disappeared around the corner.

  She doubted Marty was in the store, but the incident gave her time to pull her head out of the clouds.

  By the time he returned, her feet were firmly on the ground again, where she intended to keep them. No matter the temptation he provided.

  “You were right. It was a display.” His gaze still held a measure of interest for her.

  “We should get going.” She quickly turned away though it was the last thing she really wanted to do.

  “Skyler?” He stepped in front of her.

  She ignored him and started pushing the cart toward the checkout. “If I’ve forgotten something, I’ll come back.”

  “See, that’s where a list would’ve helped.” He huffed a quick laugh, but she didn’t find any humor in their verbal sparring anymore.

  “What fun is there in that?” she said. “If I have to come back, I could find something else that will make the party even more special. Or find something on sale or run into someone I haven’t seen in ages. Life’s an adventure. Live it like one.”

  “I prefer to think life’s a marathon. Train for it, set your sights on the finish line and succeed.”

  “Let’s agree to disagree, shall we, before we get into an argument for real.”

  “Okay,” he said, sounding confused by her about-face. />
  She helped him unload the cart, then paid for the party supplies. Under his watchful eye, they loaded the car and headed home. Though neither spoke, he kept glancing at her. He was probably trying to figure out why she’d clammed up, but there was no point in talking about this thing between them. It was going nowhere so why bother?

  They dragged her stash into the family room, and found the squad grouped around the TV watching the news.

  “Good.” Jake looked up from his large leather recliner. “The anchors have been teasing us about an upcoming story on the robbery. I was hoping you’d get home in time to see it.”

  She took a seat next to Darcie on the sofa. Logan perched on the arm beside her when she hoped he’d sit elsewhere.

  Each of her teammates checked her out in their own way. Cash, a direct, sharp stare. Brady, a quick glance before moving on to something else. Archer, from under eyelids that seemed to be closing. And Darcie, a squeeze of Skyler’s knee. They had different methods, but Skyler always felt loved around them.

  “So.” Brady’s Minnesota accent drew the word out as he gestured at the TV. “Here we go.”

  The story started out in a studio where Paul Parsons interviewed Logan. Skyler actually enjoyed the interview. Not only because Logan was well-spoken, handling or adeptly sidestepping Parsons’s questions, but because she could really study him without fearing he’d catch her in the act.

  “Good job, man,” Jake said when the interview ended. “I know how hard those things can be.”

  “Shh.” Darcie put a finger to her lips. “The story’s not over.”

  The screen flashed to Parsons in front of a video feed for the Salem robbery. “We discovered an interesting development today. Take a look at the footage from a prior robbery.”

  “How’d they get access to the video?” Archer asked.

  “We gave the local press a snippet hoping they’d play it and someone would recognize the robbers,” Logan replied.

  “Keep a good eye on the video,” Parsons said. “As you can see, Clyde is wearing a military-issue ammo bag on his belt. We’ve begun an in-depth investigation into the possibility that Clyde is former military.” Parsons raised an eyebrow and looked pointedly into the camera. “We can only hope the FBI is planning to do the same thing.”

  Logan groaned.

  “That Parsons is such a doofus.” Brady stretched, the sleeves of his flannel shirt staining from the effort. “If he’d taken half a second to investigate before this segment, he’d have figured out you can buy an ammo bag at any surplus store or even on eBay.”

  “Have you spoken to the FBI about this lead?” the female anchor, a brunette in a severe black suit, asked Parsons.

  “I’ve tried, but after my interview with Agent Hunter, he hasn’t returned my calls.”

  Logan scowled. “He makes it sound like I’ve avoided him when he only texted me once this afternoon.”

  “In an earlier story,” the anchor continued, “you mentioned a red Jeep in connection to the case, along with a threat to Deputy Brennan’s life. Might this be related to the military lead somehow?”

  “Seems to me it’s all related, and our viewers can be assured that I won’t rest until I figure out the connection.”

  “There you have it, folks. Excellent reporting by our own Paul Parsons, as usual,” the anchor said. “Let’s hope the FBI is being equally diligent.”

  Jake stabbed his thumb into the remote control, and the TV went dark. “I get so tired of the media second-guessing police work. It’s like they don’t think we know how to run an investigation. You’re doing everything you’re supposed to and jumping to attention every time some loudmouth reporter snaps his fingers won’t get the job done any better or faster.”

  “Tell that to my supervisor.” Logan blew out a frustrated breath. “He’ll be all over me for not getting back to Parsons the second he texted.”

  Instead, you spent time with me, Skyler thought.

  “Since you didn’t mention this lead,” Jake said, “I’m guessing you’ve already ruled it out.”

  Logan nodded. “After seeing the ammo bag in the Salem robbery, we started searching military databases. We looked for males from L.A. and the surrounding area who fit the right age and physical profile. No viable matches yet. And, of course, the recent search for Nicole’s prints told us she didn’t serve in the military.”

  Something about the military connection bothered Skyler, but she couldn’t seem to figure out what it was, so she sat back, pondering.

  Cash casually crossed his worn cowboy boots, looking relaxed, until he aimed one of his piercing looks at Logan. “Since you haven’t been able to confirm Marty’s from L.A. or even the West Coast for that matter, your limited database searches don’t rule out a military connection.”

  Logan met Cash’s gaze with a confident one of his own. He didn’t seem as upset with the squad’s questions as he had been yesterday. Was he starting to feel more comfortable around them—and vice versa? Jake, at least, seemed to be showing Logan more acceptance.

  “We’ve planned for that,” Logan said. “Each time a search fails to pan out, the team increases the search radius. Now that we have a first name, we’ve ruled out all Martins and Martys in the western U.S. We’ll search the entire country if we have to, but it’ll take a couple of days to get it done.”

  “A few more days with Skyler in danger.” Darcie started chewing on her thumbnail.

  Jake looked at Darcie. “If Marty’s even the one after her.”

  “What?” Skyler couldn’t control her surprise. “You don’t think it’s Marty anymore, either?”

  Jake shrugged. “I’m just keeping my options open.”

  Logan scowled at Jake. “My gut still says Marty’s our guy, and we need to keep our focus on him.”

  Jake sat up straighter. “I believe in trusting gut feelings in an investigation, but my gut is saying it might not be Marty. So where does that leave us?”

  “With two guys whose guts are hurting,” Darcie said, her expression deadpan.

  The squad erupted in laughter. Despite Logan’s frustration with this investigation, Skyler was pleased to see him join in. She hadn’t seen him laugh or even smile much since he’d come back, and his joy made her happy. Unreasonably happy.

  “Good one, Darcie.” Cash dropped his boot to the floor and leaned forward to bump fists with her. “Glad to see the real you for a change. You’ve been far too crabby the past few days.”

  She held a hand to her chest in mock offense. “Moi? Crabby?”

  “If the shoe fits.” Archer grinned.

  “Yeah, what he said,” Brady tacked on.

  Darcie held up her hands. “Okay, okay, I get it. Since you ladies are so sensitive, I’ll try to be more cheerful.”

  Laughter spilled through the room again. Instead of smiling along this time, sadness crowded out the joy on Logan’s face, making Skyler wonder about his thoughts.

  “In all seriousness,” Jake said, reining them in, “I recommend Skyler gets started on those old case files while Logan focuses on Marty.”

  “I agree,” Archer added. “It’ll keep her busy and stuck at home or in the office wh—”

  “Gee, thanks,” Skyler interrupted.

  “Let me finish,” Archer said. “I was going to add where you’ll be out of danger and hopefully you’ll find another viable suspect.”

  “That’s better, then.” She grinned at him. “With Jake’s permission, I’ll work on the files at the office in the morning.”

  Jake met her gaze. “Same criteria. Two hours. That’s it.”

  Logan looked down on her. His tight expression told her she wouldn’t like what he was about to say. “With the monster of a headache you had today, do you think reviewing files is such a good idea?”

 
Darcie shifted on the sofa. “You had a bad headache again?”

  “Earlier, but it’s okay now,” she said as she avoided Darcie’s gaze.

  “Look at me,” Darcie demanded.

  Skyler turned and wasn’t surprised to see the concern in Darcie’s eyes.

  “I’m fine, Mom.” Skyler laughed to lighten her friend’s mood, but it didn’t change her expression.

  Darcie crossed her arms. “I’m not so sure about that.”

  “Maybe a follow-up with the doctor is in order,” Jake suggested.

  “Wouldn’t hurt to get things checked out, squirt,” Cash weighed in.

  Logan opened his mouth to speak, but she wasn’t about to let him. She stood. “You can all stop worrying about me, okay? I may be on medical leave, but it’s just a precaution. I promise to heed any warning signs and rest when needed, just like I did today. But there’s no way I’m sitting on the sidelines for this investigation unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

  Logan raked his gaze over her, his frustration evident.

  “End of discussion,” Skyler said. She looked around the room until she was certain there would be no further talk of her sitting this out.

  This was her life they were talking about, and it was only right that she be allowed to take an active part in finding the person who was doing his very best to end it.

  FOURTEEN

  In the small conference room, Skyler closed another case file and sat back to take a few deep breaths. Her head had been throbbing all morning. Aspirin barely touched the pain. Plus her eyes were glazing over from looking at tons and tons of paperwork. But powering through the pain had paid off. She’d separated out a nice stack of former hostage cases to follow up on.

  She rubbed fingers into her temples and closed her eyes, putting all her concentration into relaxing. She wished she could do a few yoga stretches, but the headache left her so dizzy, she’d likely fall to the floor.

  “Headache worse?” Logan’s voice came from right beside her.