by Liz Bradford
Ross looked right at Gavin. His eyes narrowed. Ross recognized him. One speeding ticket. Gavin’s time to deliberate was over.
An employee stepped out from behind the counter with a tray full of food.
Ross grabbed the teenage girl. The tray crashed to the floor. Ross reached under his jacket and pointed a gun at the girl’s head.
One of the moms screamed.
Gavin pulled his sidearm. “Let her go, Ross.”
“I can’t do that.”
“You know there’s a warrant for your arrest.”
“I assumed. But I’m not going to let you take me in.” Ross stepped to the side and pulled the girl with him. “Back off, Officer. Let me walk and no one gets hurt.”
“Not an option.” Gavin hoped Becca would show up soon and come in behind Ross. God, give me wisdom here. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.
Ross turned his gun toward Gavin but kept his arm tightly around the girl. “Don’t make me shoot her.” Ross took another step toward the door.
The girl struggled to keep her feet under her. Ross yanked harder. If only Ross would let her go, or if she’d slip out of his grip, then Gavin would have a clear shot. “Ross, you have—”
“No!” Ross slid his finger onto the trigger.
“Don’t—”
Ross pulled the trigger.
Gavin threw himself to the ground. God, please don’t let anyone get hurt.
Dust from the ceiling tile rained down on Gavin.
Ross pulled the girl out the door.
Gavin jumped to his feet. “Is everyone okay?”
One of the moms emerged from under a table. “I think so. I’m a nurse. I’ll check on everyone. Go get him.”
Gavin rushed to the door. The girl was on the ground in front of the door rubbing her elbow. Gavin tapped on the glass. “Are you okay?”
The girl moved away from the door and let him open it. “I’m fine. He went that way.” She pointed into the trees.
“Thanks. More cops are on the way. Can you tell them I went after him?”
She nodded.
Gavin ran into the wooded area. A small grove of trees separated the McDonald’s parking lot from a retention pond behind a subdivision. The pond had a path around it. Which way did Ross go? A blue blur flashed in his peripheral vison. There he is!
After holstering his weapon, Gavin sprinted to his left. Ross was fast and had too much of a lead for Gavin to close before they reached the neighborhood. Ross left the path and ran into a backyard.
Gavin jumped a row of low bushes, attempting to close the distance, but his foot slipped in the wet grass, though it hadn’t rained in days. He caught his footing and busted into a full sprint. His toe slammed into something. He flew forward and slammed into the grass, his face inches away from another object sticking out of the ground. A sprinkler. That explained it.
Gavin slammed his hand against the grass, then pushed himself up. He ran in the direction he had seen Ross gone but no longer had eyes on him.
Ross wasn’t around the side of the house. Or in the front. Where did he go?
Gavin ran back around the back of the houses. There was no where he could have gone.
Gavin’s phone rang. Without looking at it he answered. “Riley.”
“Did you get him?”
Becca. Gavin tried to catch his breath. “No, I lost him. Send some patrols to the Swan Lily Subdivision. I lost him back here.” He wiped his muddy hand on his damp pants.
“I’m coming your way.”
Gavin hung up. His phone was covered in mud from his hand. He tried to wipe it off on his pants and slipped it back in his pocket. He rolled his neck and shoulders and searched for a spot where Ross could be hiding. He couldn’t have just vanished.
A squad car pulled up to the curb in front of one of the houses and Logan Jackson, a uniformed officer, jumped out and came his way. “Riley.”
“Jackson. I need y’all to start knocking on doors and see if this guy slipped into one of these houses.”
“On it. Then you’ll have to tell me what happened.” Logan pointed to the mud and grass stains on Gavin’s grey pants.
Gavin shook his head and walked back toward the field behind the houses farther down from the retention pond. He would have seen Ross run across the field, so where did he go?
The next afternoon, Gavin sat and scrolled through tips that had come in regarding Bender—none of which were helpful. He and Becca, along with a dozen uniforms, had never found Ross Bender. Gavin couldn’t believe he’d let Ross get away. Becca had spent hours trying to convince him it wasn’t his fault. But no matter what she said, he knew the truth. Ross Bender was still a free man because Gavin tripped on a stupid sprinkler.
Hopefully, the cleaners would be able to get the mud out of his pants. Gavin picked up the simple stone he kept on his desk and rolled it back and forth through his fingers. Its origin added to his mixed bag of feelings, but he chose to focus on the positive memories it held. He wasn’t typically so sentimental, but that day by the river had been so significant he had to keep the little rock that had occupied his hands that afternoon so many years ago. If God had sustained him during that time, maybe there was hope for him now.
“It is positively gorgeous outside!” Amelia Johnson exclaimed as she leaned back in her desk chair across the aisle. She had the window next to her desk cracked open, and the sweet spring breeze filled the squad room. “I think a Wednesday evening is a good day for a cookout. What do y’all think? Ya game?”
Gavin shifted in his seat. His plan for the evening was to wallow in self-loathing. His silently laughed at himself. But the weather was ideal for a barbeque. He should go.
Adam Jamison, Amelia’s partner, said, “Shouldn’t you ask your husband before inviting a bunch of rowdy detectives over to your house for dinner?”
“Who said anything about my house?” The teasing in her voice made it clear she had meant her house. “Anyway, it was Caleb’s idea.”
“Then I’m in,” Jamison said. “I’ll see if Ella can come too.”
Gavin spoke up, even though part of him still hesitated. “Sounds like a plan to me. I’ll pick up some watermelon.”
“Thanks, Gavin. Jared? You and Becca in?”
“We were going to have dinner with Becca’s sister and the kids tonight.”
Amelia clapped her hands together. “You know I love Amy. Invite them too.”
In a matter of minutes, the guest list to Amelia’s little cookout had filled up. Gavin glanced around the room. Where was Becca? He’d finished his report about yesterday’s manhunt and wanted her to read it before they called it a day and went to Amelia’s.
She was most likely in the conference room, where she always holed up when they didn’t have anything pressing to work on. He eased the door open.
“Hey.” Becca’s voice was soft. She turned from the white board.
He was tempted to ask if she saw anything new, but that was unlikely. He walked up next to her and scanned the board. A picture of Tom Davis, Becca’s brother-in-law, was in the top-left corner. He didn’t need to look at any of the words. They were permanently imprinted in his mind. Every gruesome detail of Tom’s murder, which could more accurately be described as an execution. But the case was colder than a cadaver. No leads. No witnesses. No murder weapon.
They talked circles around the case for about twenty minutes before Gavin was able to convince Becca to return to the squad room and rehash ideas of where to look for Ross.
Gavin pushed the front door of the station open a few hours later, once their day at work was done. Becca and Amelia had buzzed out as fast as possible. He strolled out of the station with Adam and Jared. They all three had already loosened their ties and rolled up their sleeves. He looked forward to spending the evening with these guys.
“May has to be the perfect month,” Adam said.
“Almost as perfect as San Diego was every day,” Jared said with a smirk.
Adam laug
hed. “I know you well enough to know that you prefer the seasons we have here in North Carolina.”
Jared shoved Adam’s shoulder. “True.”
Gavin smiled at his friends and pulled his keys out of his pocket. He was glad he decided to go. He needed the time with friends. “Gonna run some errands that can’t wait, but I’ll be there in twenty minutes tops.”
Jared replied, “I’m looking forward to the watermelon you promised.”
Gavin climbed in his pickup truck and rolled down the windows before he drove out of the parking lot. He turned the radio up and sang along to the upbeat country song. The sun was shining brightly, and the warm air felt good as it flowed through his truck. He ran his errands, and by the time he turned down Amelia’s street, his stomach was growling, ready for a big juicy burger.
But there on the street in front of Amelia’s house sat a dilapidated, red Jeep Cherokee. Adrenaline rushed through his body. What should he do? He slowed as he approached the house. But he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t stop. If she was there, he couldn’t be.
Through so much, she had been his best friend but not anymore. He kept driving. He passed Amelia’s house and caught a glimpse of Jocelyn climbing the front steps. Her brown hair flowed past her shoulders and shimmered in the evening sunlight.
He missed her. His soul ached for her. Heavenly Father, I need You. I know only You can fill the void Jocelyn left in my heart.
He wanted to enjoy a refreshing evening with his friends. Even more, he wanted to spend it with her. But she wasn’t his anymore, never really had been. And he couldn’t face her, as much as he wanted to. His heart couldn’t handle the weight of the guilt.
Jocelyn took a deep breath as she stepped over the threshold into Amelia and Caleb’s home. Her emotions were a jumble. A strange calmness was met with butterflies. She needed these friends, but how was she going to let them know the truth? And what if Gavin showed up?
Amelia greeted her, bringing Jocelyn into a hug. She and Becca had double-teamed her this afternoon to ask her to Amelia’s spur-of-the-moment cookout. “I’m so glad you came, Jocelyn. You look great.”
“Thanks.” Can’t you tell I’ve gained weight? I can’t possibly look great.
“How have you been? I’ve missed seeing you at places other than work.”
“I’ve…” She didn’t know what to say.
Ella, her cousin Adam’s fiancé, came around the corner with Amelia’s baby in her arms and saved Jocelyn from having to come up with an answer. “Jocelyn!”
“Hi, Ella.” She lifted her hand to the baby, and the little one gripped her finger. “Oh my, Jonathan, you have grown so much! He looks great, Amelia.”
Amelia smiled. “They grow so fast. I can’t believe he’s already four months old. He started rolling over.”
“Wow, already?”
Amelia nodded and beamed with motherly pride at her youngest.
“The other two adjusting to having a baby brother?”
“Molly is the best help a momma could ask for. And Carter keeps asking when Jonathan will be old enough to play Pokémon.”
The women laughed. And Jocelyn’s spirit lightened.
“Hey, ladies, the burgers are about ready.” Adam poked his head around the corner. “Jocelyn! Good, you came.” Her cousin crossed the entryway and pulled her into a hug. She wrapped her arms around Adam. When he pulled back to arm’s length, his eyes narrowed.
Her stomach tumbled. She knew that look. Adam, always the detective, was tuning into what was going on in her life.
“Are you”—he lowered his voice—“pregnant?” He was never afraid to ask what most people would be afraid to ask.
She pursed her lips and held his gaze without blinking. “I am.”
His eyes lit up, but they revealed him processing all the information. He knew Patrick had moved out, and that Patrick was sterile. “Congrats.” His smile settled her nerves a little.
Amelia stepped closer. “Did I hear that correctly?”
Jocelyn gave her a slight smile. “Yes, I’m pregnant.”
Ella clapped around the baby. “That’s awesome! How far?”
“About eighteen weeks.”
Adam said, “In months, please?”
“About four months.” Jocelyn watched more wheels turn in Adam’s head, but this time she had no idea what he was thinking.
Amelia squeezed Jocelyn’s arm. “Well, that explains why you’ve been so quiet the last few months, but you should have told us. I’m so excited for you.”
“Thanks.”
Finally, they all moved toward the kitchen and met up with Becca, Jared, Caleb, Amy, Doug, and Paige. Amelia announced that Jocelyn was pregnant, and everybody offered congratulations.
After Caleb prayed for their meal and for Jocelyn and the baby, they dug into fixing their plates and headed outside to the backyard to eat and enjoy the gorgeous spring evening.
Gavin pulled into his carport. But he didn’t want to go into his house. That little ranch held too many memories. Too much loss. Too much heartache. Too much guilt.
He got out of his truck and slammed the door shut. How had life come to this? It seemed as if every relationship he would ever have was doomed. And he only had himself to blame. If only he could tell his younger self not to be such an idiot. Why on earth had he let himself get so close to her last fall? He walked toward the creek that ran along the back of his property. It was still swollen from the heavy spring rains they’d had over the last couple of months, as if the sky wanted to cry right along with Gavin.
Disregarding his dress pants, he sat on the muddy bank of the five-foot-wide creek. He picked up a stone from the water’s edge and chucked it as far as he could downstream. “Please help me, God.”
His ringing phone interrupted his prayer. He unclipped it from his belt and checked the ID. Adam.
“Hey,” Gavin said.
“Where are you?”
“I had something come up. I can’t make it.”
“It can’t wait? We’re about to eat. There’s a big, juicy burger with your name on it.”
“I can’t, Jamison.” He picked up another stone and pitched it into the water.
“Are you okay, Riley?”
“Eat my burger for me.”
“I don’t have to stay here.”
“Yes, you do. I’ll be fine.” And make sure Jocelyn is okay for me? He wanted to ask but didn’t dare let her cousin know what he was thinking.
“All right. Let me know if you change your mind.”
“Will do. Talk to you later.”
He hung up and clipped the phone back on his belt, opposite his gun. Tonight, he needed to not wallow in grief. Maybe a trip to the range would help. Work off some steam, improve his aim, and focus his mind on something productive.
Jocelyn watched the moms try to get their kids to settle and eat dinner, and she smiled. That would actually be her one day. She had resigned herself to be the unofficial aunt, but that had changed. She was going to be a mom! Relishing the moment, she munched on her burger.
But only a few beats behind the joy was the overwhelming reality that her situation was far from picture perfect. Unless Patrick could accept someone else’s child as his own, she was going to be a single mom. How would she manage? Was it reasonable to think that maybe she and Patrick could mend their marriage?
“You okay?”
Jocelyn met Becca’s eyes. “Maybe. Do you think Patrick could accept this baby as his own?”
“I don’t know him very well, so I really can’t answer that question. But the only way you’ll ever know is if you ask him.”
“I really should tell him about the baby, huh?”
Becca nodded with a compassionate smile.
Jocelyn took in a deep breath. Her phone rang, and the breath caught in her throat. She leaned over to find her phone in her bag. She pulled it out and sat up. The name on caller ID froze her heart.
“Who is it?” Becca’s voice pulled her away from
the ringing block in her hand.
“Patrick.”
“You should answer it. Maybe it’s time to talk.”
Jocelyn nodded and pushed the green answer button. “Hello.” She walked over to a maple tree in an unoccupied part of the yard.
“Hey, Jocelyn. How are you?” Patrick’s voice was gruff.
“I’m… fine. You?” Why was he calling?
“Good. Real good. It’s nice to hear your voice. I’ve missed you.”
“Yeah?” She reached out and traced the bark of the tree with her finger.
“Of course. I’d like to see you.”
She moved her hand to her belly. “Umm… well, I’m not home right now.”
“Why not? Where are you?” His voice, scratchy from too many years of smoking, tightened.
She tried to keep her voice steady and relaxed. “Having dinner with friends from church.”
He grunted.
“How’s tomorrow afternoon? Unless I have a case, I should be home by four.”
“That works. I’ll be there at four-thirty.”
Click. He hung up without a goodbye. Why did he always cut conversations so short? He confused her.
She walked back over to Becca. Jocelyn’s stomach churned. There was no way she could finish her food now.
“You okay?”
Jocelyn shrugged. “He’s going to come over tomorrow afternoon. I guess I’ll tell him then.”
“Might be good to get it over with so you can figure out what moving forward will look like.”
She nodded. “I’m tired now. I think I’ll head home.”
“Okay. I’ll walk you out.”
Jocelyn said her goodbyes, and they strolled around the house. When they reached her Jeep, Becca turned to Jocelyn.
“I would love to see you at church on Sunday.”
“I guess I could think about it.”
“That’s all I ask. Can I pray for you before you leave?”
“Sure.” Jocelyn forced her body to be still despite the uneasiness that stirred in her soul.
Becca put her hand on Jocelyn’s shoulder and prayed, “Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness. Thank You for Jocelyn, and thank You for this little life You have formed in her womb. You know all the details of this situation, and You are God, the one who works good in the lives of Your children. Jocelyn is Your child, and I pray that You would help her to know how much You love her. Please hold her now. Give her the courage and strength she needs to tell Patrick about the baby. Open Patrick’s mind and soften his heart for hearing the truth of the situation. Place Your hand upon Jocelyn, Lord. Give her peace and wisdom. Fill her with Your Spirit. Make a way for her, make Your way clear. We love You so much, Lord. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
