Silent Night Standoff

by Susan Sleeman

  “Skyler,” he called out. “Are you okay?”

  “Ha!” Marty sneered. “I did her in.”

  “No, he didn’t.” Skyler’s voice was scratchy and weak, but simply hearing it gave Logan’s body a surge of adrenaline.

  “Can you call for a uniform?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she said, her voice no more than a whisper.

  Logan jerked Marty to his feet. “We’ll book this loser. Then we can get to the bottom of this once and for all.”

  “In your dreams,” Marty said. “I ain’t saying a word.”

  While Skyler talked to dispatch, Logan pressed Marty’s face against the wall. Not because Marty would take off, but because the creep had assaulted Skyler and deserved this treatment.

  Pocketing her phone, Skyler joined them and looked Marty square in the face, a desperate fury in her eyes. “Well, William Anderson III.” She paused and Logan knew it was for Marty to process the fact that they’d learned his name. It didn’t seem to faze him.

  “You said something about deciding to let me live,” Skyler continued.

  “Did I?” Marty smirked.

  “You know you did.”

  He shrugged.

  She moved closer to him and Logan was proud of her strength. “Were you talking about your failed attempts to kill me?”

  “Who me?” He laughed.

  She planted her hands on her hips, looking like a fierce warrior. “Don’t play dumb, Marty. If you didn’t try to kill me, then why does your Jeep have front end damage with paint from my friend’s car?”

  Marty’s lips turned up in a sick smile, infuriating Logan, who shoved him harder. “It’ll be easier for you if you tell the truth now. Lie and I’ll make sure you pay all the more.”

  “I didn’t do nothing, man.”

  Logan knew he was lying, but he couldn’t force him to confess. Maybe he could catch him in one of his lies. “If you didn’t intend to kill Skyler, why stay in town?”

  “I was waiting for Nicole’s funeral.”

  “If that’s true, why haven’t you contacted Nicole’s parents?”

  His mouth dropped open, and his foul breath made Logan gag. “Are you kidding? They hate me, and they’d gladly turn me in. So I kept an eye on the internet, waiting for information about her service.”

  “And your car just happened to get banged up?”

  “Fine. I mighta accidently bumped into the dep-u-tee one day. Maybe followed her another day, but that’s it. I swear.”

  Logan figured Marty wouldn’t cop to the more serious bombing and sniper charges without a full-fledged interrogation at the office.

  Sirens screamed toward them. Perfect timing.

  Logan jerked Marty from the wall. “Let’s go.”

  Skyler led the way, and Logan pushed Marty toward a uniformed officer climbing from his car. Once Marty was secured in the backseat, Logan turned to Skyler. “You believe him?”

  “You mean about only ramming me?”

  Logan nodded.

  “No, but I do think he was being honest about sticking around for Nicole’s service.” She looked up at the rooms on the second floor. “It might help us figure out if he’s lying about the rest if we locate a rifle in his room.”

  “I’ll get the key.” Logan left Skyler with the officer. On the way to the office, he phoned Wagner and requested he hightail it over there so Logan could take Skyler home. The FBI office wasn’t far away and if Wagner ran his siren, he’d be there by the time they finished searching the room.

  Logan went inside and pinned the desk clerk with a don’t-mess-with-me look. The guy must’ve thought better of arguing and handed over the key Logan requested without a fight.

  Back outside, Skyler gave Logan a pair of latex gloves and booties for his shoes before heading up the stairs. The stench of stale food and dirty clothes assaulted him the moment he opened the door. He hated bringing Skyler into a place like this, but she simply slipped on her booties and snapped on her gloves, then started going through Marty’s things. Logan followed suit. She soon dragged a bag from under the bed and set it on the ratty floral bedspread.

  “That’s the bag he used in the robbery.” Logan went to stand next to her as she unzipped it.

  She pulled out three small stacks of cash. “Not much left. The rest of it probably went for living expenses and drugs.” She opened the bag wider. “His handgun’s in here.”

  “Then it’s pretty certain he’ll go away for this last robbery at a minimum.” Logan frowned. “But he needs to pay for hurting you, too. Let’s turn this place upside down for the rifle and any bomb-making supplies.”

  Logan let his anger fuel him and had the place thoroughly searched in record time, but came up empty-handed.

  “It’s not surprising we didn’t find anything.” Skyler frowned. “Makes sense that he wouldn’t want to be caught with the rifle or any bomb paraphernalia in the place where he’s living. Not that I think he’s clearheaded enough to behave logically.”

  Logan appraised her. “Are you saying you doubt he’s behind the bombing and sniper attack?”

  “No. I still like him for that, but I won’t let down my guard until we find concrete evidence.”

  “And until Roger’s apprehended, too,” Logan added. “C’mon. Let’s get out of here and let the forensic guys have at it.”

  On the walkway, she ditched her booties and gloves. They headed to Logan’s car, where Wagner waited for them. As Logan brought him up to speed, Skyler climbed into the car. She seemed to collapse onto the seat, worrying Logan.

  “She doesn’t look so good.” Wagner stated the obvious.

  “Marty nearly choked her to death. I’d make her go to the hospital, but she’d argue.” Logan would make sure Darcie completed a thorough exam though. “I want this entire place searched. Call me if you find anything.”

  Logan got behind the wheel, and sensing that Skyler didn’t want to talk, they drove to the firehouse without a word. Several team members’ cars were parked in the driveway, which meant once Logan saw her safely inside, he could leave.

  Leave for perhaps the last time. Sure, he might see her when Marty’s case went to trial, but that was it.

  He turned to her and she peered up at him as if she didn’t have the strength to go on. He took her hand. She didn’t fight him, and he couldn’t take his eyes from the woman who always managed to get through his defenses. He didn’t like the thought of a lifetime without her.

  He gently touched the red welts on her neck. “Marty will pay for this. I’ll make sure he goes away for a very long time.”

  She didn’t say anything. Just kept her eyes fixed on his.

  He lifted his hand to her face. Slid it into her hair. Drew her closer and waited for her to pull back. When she didn’t, he kissed her. Slow and gentle, yet filled with every emotion racing through his body.

  She pulled back, her eyes awash with concern. “I suppose this means you’ll be getting the promotion.”

  “Looks like it,” he said, wondering what caused her unease.

  “You’ll be moving back to Portland then.” She smiled. “I’m glad. That’ll be nice.”

  Was she hinting that once he moved, there was a chance that they could be an “us” again? And what about his father’s approval? Could getting the ASAC position finally allow Logan to let go of it all—to be free to commit to her?

  The possibility, even the tiniest of ones, that she might give him another chance was enough to make him want to lay his cards on the table. “We should get together to talk about what coming back here might mean for us.”

  She looked shyly at her lap. “I don’t have any plans tonight if you want to get together then.”

  His phone rang, and he decided to ignore it. “Tonight sounds good.” His p
hone kept ringing.

  “You should get that,” she said. “It could be Wagner with something he discovered about Marty.”

  Logan grabbed his phone from the dash. “It’s Inman.”

  “Maybe he’s calling to offer you the job.”

  Logan thought it more likely he was calling with a problem.

  “What are you waiting for?” She pushed the phone toward his ear. “Answer already.”

  He did without taking his eyes off her.

  “Congratulations. We’ve got our man.” Inman sounded cheerful, alleviating Logan’s concerns. “We might have a few loose ends to tie up, but the team’s already celebrating.”

  “Too bad I’m not there to see it,” Logan said, though honestly, he was content right where he was.

  “You’d just get a big head. The team’s singing your praises. Saying you managed the investigation like a pro and they’d be glad to work with you again. A real team leader, they say.” Inman paused for a long moment, but Logan didn’t know how to reply so he didn’t respond.

  Inman continued, “A man who’s out for himself alone would’ve held his cards close to the vest and not let the team participate as fully as you did. And that makes you a team player and a leader. Just what we’re looking for in an ASAC.”

  Logan mumbled his thanks, but he knew he’d probably let the team take so much on because he’d felt compelled to devote his time to Skyler.

  “So the promotion is yours.”

  Logan looked at Skyler and mouthed, “I got the job.” Her face beamed with the same happiness he was feeling. Did that mean she really was leaning toward giving him a second chance at a relationship?

  “I’ve scheduled a press conference for tomorrow at four o’clock to update the public on the collar,” Inman went on. “I’ll announce your promotion at the same time.”

  “Why wait?” Logan hated that he sounded so eager for the news to be announced, but he didn’t want to delay hearing his father’s excitement when he learned of Logan’s success.

  “Timing. It’ll put us on the six o’clock news to garner the publicity our team deserves.”

  “But why tomorrow?” Logan looked at the clock. “We could do a four o’clock press conference today.”

  “Down, boy.” Inman laughed. “There are those loose ends I mentioned, and I want them tied up first. The last thing I want is to make a premature announcement with the press and have it come back to bite me.”

  “Give me a list of what you want done. I’ll get on it immediately.”

  “We need conclusive proof that William Anderson and Clyde are one and the same. We’ll need a DNA sample from Anderson, and we’ll have to use a private lab to rush the comparison with the blood recovered at the bank.”

  “Okay.” Logan’s mind was already running through the possible labs he could call.

  “Same thing with the paint found on Marty’s car. I’d like to prove Marty attempted to kill Deputy Brennan. Though it’s not necessary for our robbery case, it’ll boost our public image to show how you saved the life of another law enforcement officer. I also want you to draft a press release. If you can manage to incorporate Brennan’s charity in the piece, it wouldn’t hurt to have the bureau appear in the same story as a charitable event.”

  Logan was surprised Inman even knew about the party, but then he was all about putting spin on his work so it shouldn’t surprise him. He felt like Inman was using Skyler for his own gain, and Logan didn’t really want to go along with that until he discussed it with her first.

  Inman must have picked up Logan’s reservation as he asked, “Is something wrong?”

  “No,” Logan said firmly.

  “Good. I want to get the press release out to the media first thing in the morning. Have it on my desk by ten tonight for my review. Also, plan to say a few words at the press conference tomorrow. Nothing elaborate but something befitting our new ASAC. Any questions?”

  “No.”

  “We don’t want to mess this up, Hunter. Call me if you think of any.”

  Logan immediately started running through everything he had to do before the clock struck ten. He’d have to work straight through dinner, and even then it might be a challenge to get it all done. But he wouldn’t fail Inman and risk losing the job he’d just gained.

  He stowed his phone and turned to Skyler.

  “Congratulations.” She sounded excited for him. “This makes our talk even more important.”

  “About that.” Logan looked at her. “I’ll have to put that off until tomorrow night. Inman’s given me a number of tasks to complete today.”

  “Of course,” she said quickly, but her smile vanished. “I’m not really up to it anyway.” She pushed open her door and climbed out.

  He hurried after her, having to slow down when the smooth soles of his shoes slipped on the snow covering the driveway.

  She opened the door and stepped into the foyer before turning back to him. “Thank you for getting me safely home. Now hurry on back to the office. I wouldn’t want you to screw up your new job.”

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, confused at the change in her mood.

  She glared at him and the day he’d left her years ago came back in a flash—along with the realization of why she was so angry. She thought he was putting his job ahead of her again.

  He was, but only for one night. “Skyler, I—”

  “Goodbye, Logan.” She closed the door in his face, and he couldn’t help but think this was a forever kind of goodbye.

  TWENTY-TWO

  Skyler spent the rest of the night and part of the next morning ignoring Logan’s phone calls and text messages.

  “You’re such a fool,” she mumbled as she looked over her garden in the light of day.

  Why had she considered for one moment that Logan might have changed? One call from the boss and he’d ditched her to go running to the office.

  She touched her fingers to her lips and remembered their kiss. The kiss, that at the time, she’d thought had cemented his feelings for her. She’d thought it was a new beginning for them—a start to having more in life than her job and friends.

  Suddenly she wanted it all.

  A husband. Family. Love. Everything that had always been out of her reach. She’d hoped this time with Logan it would’ve been different, but he’d let her down again.

  Too bad.

  She’d pick up the pieces. Move on. Find a man who loved her unconditionally.

  Yes, that’s what she’d do.

  Resolve straightening her shoulders, she headed for the kitchen. Before she even took a few steps, the anguish of losing him again took her down, and she sank onto the sofa.

  She was simply fooling herself. How would she ever move on when it was painfully clear that her heart belonged to Logan alone?

  She couldn’t give him another chance, and she couldn’t mope around the house all day, cringing whenever her phone rang.

  She had to do something. Anything to keep busy. Gardening always helped.

  Thankful her headache had abated, she pulled a jacket from a hook and jerked on snow boots. Even with the snow piling up, she grabbed a large pruner and attacked zebra grass, pushing away the fluffy mounds of snow and sheering it off at the base.

  She didn’t look up until the wind howled around her and whirlpools of snow whipped into her face, making it hard to see her work. She put her tools in the shed and trudged in the side door.

  She heard sounds coming from the family room, likely Darcie waiting to pounce again and discuss Logan. Skyler wished Darcie would just go to work, but with Roger still in the wind, Jake wouldn’t take any chances on leaving Skyler alone—even though being alone was exactly what she needed.

  She glanced out the window and decided to shovel the drive
way. So what if the snow swirled around her and filled the spots she’d cleared. It would keep her mind off Logan and Darcie at bay. She headed for the garage to retrieve the shovel.

  “I wondered when you’d come inside,” a man’s gravelly voice came from the shadows.

  She jerked back at the unfamiliar voice. A tall man with a linebacker build stepped from the shadows. He wore work boots, a tattered wool jacket and a ski mask that he lifted from his face. He was an older man, maybe in his sixties, and she didn’t recognize him.

  She started to back away.

  “I wouldn’t move if I were you, Deputy Brennan.” He pointed a handgun at her.

  He obviously knew who she was. That meant this wasn’t some random burglary.

  “Is this about Roger?” she asked, coming up with the only explanation that made any sense.

  “Of course. I should’ve expected it.” The man sneered. “You don’t remember me. It would take someone ‘warm and caring’ like the press claims you are to remember me.” He arched a bushy brow and looked at her for a long moment. “You’re not like they’re saying, are you, Deputy? You step all over people when it suits you, and you’re as far from a hero as they come.”

  “I don’t know what you mean. If this is about Roger—”

  “Doesn’t matter. We can talk about it on the drive.”

  Drive? “What drive? Where?”

  He lifted a satchel from the floor and dumped supplies on the hall table. Handcuffs, duct tape and rope spilled out. She noted his hand, which she’d first thought was covered in an odd glove, was a prosthetic hand. She searched her memory for a man with an amputated hand, but no one came to mind.

  He grabbed the cuffs and came toward her.

  “Wait,” she cried out, panic creeping over her like fingers from the grave. “What’s going on? What do you want?”

  “Sit,” he said.

  “No, I—”

  He jabbed the gun into her chest. “Cooperate or I’ll shoot your little friend I’ve tied up in the other room.”

  “Darcie?” Skyler called out.

  “I gagged her so she won’t be able to answer.” He laughed. “Now sit and put your hands behind your back.”