A Shot at Redemption

by Liz Bradford

  Becca kept typing. “Searching police records to see if either Ralph or Ellen had any documented interaction with Patrick.” She stopped. “Well, I’ll be. Patrick pulled Ellen over for speeding last year. And for some reason it looks like he ran both of their licenses.”

  Gavin crossed his arms. “Well, that gives him a connection.” Gavin looked out the window. “Can we close those blinds?”

  That evening, Gavin knocked on the door frame of Jocelyn’s office. She turned from her desk. Her smile greeted him, filling him with warmth. He held up a pizza box. “Dinner?”

  “Yes, please!” She cleared part of her desk and took the pizza from him.

  He grabbed a chair next to her. “You doing okay?”

  She opened the box. “I guess. A little overwhelmed with it all and confused about how to feel.”

  I know how that goes. “Yeah.”

  She paused, a piece of pizza halfway out of the box. “I accused my husband of murder. That’s horrible. Who does that? But I honestly think he did it. I think my husband is a serial killer. How should I feel? I don’t even know.”

  He rested his hand on the back of her shoulder. “I hear you. I can’t even begin to understand what’s going on in your head and heart. I feel really weird about it, too. I’m proud of you for stepping up to say something.”

  “Did you think it was him before I brought it up?”

  “The suspicion crossed my mind, but I didn’t want to admit it could be true. Felt like no one would believe me.”

  “Like you had no place to say anything bad about him?”

  “Exactly.”

  Silence fell between them for a few moments as they ate.

  Gavin broke the quiet. “I’m excited for the ultrasound on Friday. Thanks for being willing to include me.”

  “This is your baby. I want you to be involved. One thing we have to decide is if we want to know if baby is a boy or a girl. Do you want to know?”

  “Hmm… I guess practically speaking it would be easier if we knew.”

  “True.” She took another bite of pizza.

  “Do you want to know?”

  “I think I do. But there’s something fun about the idea of waiting, and I know it would drive Becca nuts.”

  “That alone could make it fun.”

  “But I think I want to know. Like you said, it’s practical. If it’s a girl, I’d like to be able to dress her in little dresses, not plain, neutral baby clothes.”

  “Fair enough. Let’s find out.”

  She nodded with a toothy grin. His heart turned in his chest. He wanted this woman to be his wife. He turned his face away from her and closed his eyes. How were they going to do this?

  “Hey”—her hand came to rest on his back—“are you okay? What did I do? Did I say something?”

  He looked back at her. “No, you didn’t do anything. I’m fine.”

  “Clearly you aren’t. I see the water in your eyes.”

  “I… I’m just afraid.”

  “About the baby?”

  “No. Well, maybe a little. But I’m afraid about what could happen. What if I lose you? Or Patrick manages to shoot me?”

  “We have to trust God. And do our best to stay safe.”

  “But there’s more to it… I don’t know how to say it…”

  “Just say it. Talk it through, we’ll figure it out.”

  “But what if we can’t? What if God doesn’t want what I want?”

  “Then we pray for Him to give us the desires of our heart. Whether that means we get what we want or it means He puts His desires in our hearts. So our will is conformed to His.”

  “Wise words.”

  “It’s not from me. I had a late-night conversation about this very thing with Adam last night.” She smiled. “It’s from Psalm 37.”

  “I want His will. Well, I want to want it anyway. But… what if I can’t have you?”

  She looked dismayed. “I don’t know. But at this point you can’t have me. I’m still married.”

  “I know.” He dropped his gaze to the few slices of pizza that remained.

  “I’d like to think that one day…” She shook her head. “But I can’t think about that yet, not until the divorce is final or Patrick…”

  Her words trailed off, but he knew where her thoughts had gone. If Patrick really had killed those four people, he’d be facing the death penalty. Gavin’s emotions were totally conflicted.

  When someone knocked, they both turned toward the door to find Jared and Adam standing there.

  Jared said, “Time to get you two home. Well, Gavin, you aren’t going home. I’m not gonna risk it—whether or not Patrick is out there with you in his crosshairs. You’re sleeping on our couch tonight.”

  Gavin smiled. “Thanks, man.”

  A couple of hours later, Gavin set his Bible on Becca and Jared’s kitchen table but didn’t sit. The combat in his heart was exhausting, but he was also restless.

  Becca walked into the room carrying a handful of linens. “You gonna just stand there looking like a lost puppy? Or are you going to make yourself at home like I already told you to do five times?”

  He gripped the back of the chair in front of him and shook his head. “Hard to settle when you’ve got a target on your back.”

  Becca’s goofy grin faded. “I know. Not so long ago a killer was hunting me, and you rescued me from my bathroom.”

  “Yet it seems like a lifetime. At that point, I had no idea we’d end up partners.” He let go of the chair, walked around the table, and took the blanket and sheets from Becca. “Thanks for watching my back.”

  The compassion re-bloomed on Becca’s face. “You watch mine enough.”

  “You don’t think Patrick will figure out where I am, right?”

  “Doubtful. Even if he does, do you think he’d try something here?”

  Gavin rubbed the back of his neck. “I honestly don’t know what he’s capable of at this point. Maybe I’ll sleep in the bathtub.”

  “If you must, but I doubt he knows where our couch is. But I think we’re left trusting God to fight this battle.”

  Gavin shrugged.

  Becca pulled out a chair from the table. “Sit.”

  He put the blankets on the couch and took a seat next to Becca.

  “I was reading in Exodus earlier today. Pharaoh and his army were chasing down the Israelites. They freaked out, not much different than what you’re doing right now. And you know what Moses said?”

  “Dibs on the couch?”

  Becca shook her head. “‘The Lord Himself will fight for you, just stay calm.’”

  Calm? Yeah, right. “In Exodus, right?”

  “Chapter fourteen.”

  Gavin grabbed his Bible, flipped it open, and found the verse. He silently read verses thirteen and fourteen. Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm, and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Gavin ran his hand through his hair. “This version says ‘be still.’”

  “Can’t be still if you aren’t calm.”

  Jared walked around the corner. “Indeed. That makes me think of so many passages.” He took the chair across from Gavin. “‘Be still and know that I am God.’ I can’t help but think of the phrase still small voice whenever I hear the word ‘still’.”

  Becca gripped her husband’s hand. “Yes, First Kings…”

  “Nineteen. ‘…the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.’ Of course, in that passage, God tells Elijah to go.”

  Gavin leaned back. “But how am I supposed to know if I’m supposed to be still or go?”

  Jared rested his elbows on the table. “You listen. Stay in tune with God, constantly talking to Him. Keep reading His word. But you have to listen, and if you sense His voice, obey.”

  Becca nodded. “God knows better than anyone what’s going on right now. H
e knows your heart. You just have to trust Him with it.”

  Gavin swallowed hard. How was God going to fight for Gavin in this situation?

  Lord, help me to trust You. Help me to hear Your voice and to obey.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Patrick locked his scope into place. Today’s hide had been easier to get to and hadn’t required a complete dismantling of his sniper rifle like getting into the hospital. And it wouldn’t be as difficult a shot either, but the police station was still over five-hundred yards away. He’d made harder shots. Jeremy Fiat was dead, after all.

  Patrick turned off the large wooden sign that was on at the edge of the roof and set up his rifle. He situated himself in a prone position. No one would see him here on top of the vacant building that used to hold a K-Mart, and he’d be long gone before Gavin even hit the ground.

  Would Gavin sense his presence before the bullet ripped through his heart? It was something they had speculated about as they’d hunkered down in a desert hide in Afghanistan.

  His scope was set with its crosshairs fixed on the front door of the police station. Gavin’s truck hadn’t left the station last night. And, so far this morning, Jamison had arrived without Gavin, although Jocelyn had been with him. Fire flashed through Patrick’s veins. He closed his eyes and counted to three. Gavin’s partner, Rebecca Palmer, had also arrived without Gavin. It was just a matter of time.

  Jocelyn leaned forward in Gavin’s chair and picked up the rock on his desk. She twirled it in her fingers. Losing Nikki had been hard on both of them, but facing the idea that she could lose Gavin was more than Jocelyn could handle. God, please let him get here safely.

  “What are you doing up here?”

  Jocelyn looked up and found Becca standing next to her. “Thought that’d be obvious.”

  Becca chuckled. “Jared said they’re coming in the lab door. They should be here soon.”

  Jocelyn set the rock back on his desk and pushed herself up. Her stomach was twisted in on itself. “Guess I’ll meet them down there.”

  “Are you okay?”

  She had no answer for that. “I need to get downstairs.”

  “If you’d open the door for them, that’d be great. I promised Amy I’d spend a few minutes on Tom’s case before Gavin and I dive into today’s work.”

  “That’s fine. I’m fine. It’ll be fine.”

  Becca tipped her head. Her mouth opened for further questioning.

  Jocelyn turned and left Becca to ask her questions to herself. She should spend time on Tom’s case. Her sister deserved answers to his death. Images of Tom’s cold body lying on the damp cement threatened to empty her stomach. That had been one of the hardest scenes to ever photograph, second only to Nikki’s.

  She pushed open the squad room door and headed across the lobby. Her soul wouldn’t be settled until she knew Gavin was safe. She needed to hurry but moving down the stairs was still difficult. She gripped the handrail as tightly as she could to compensate for the ache her speed was causing her body. Why was she feeling like it was so urgent for her to see Gavin?

  “Jocelyn.” Mike stood at the bottom of the stairs.

  “Hey.”

  “So, I was looking at your measurements of the bruises…”

  Jocelyn fell in step beside Mike, and they walked toward the lab.

  “I think I agree with your analysis.” Mike shuffled along.

  “Good.” She tried to move faster, but her legs didn’t quite want to work, and Mike was not catching the hint. The urge to be at the back door pushed her faster.

  “What’s the hurry?”

  She glanced back at Mike but didn’t give him an answer. She scanned her ID card. Nothing. She swiped it again. Red light. “Oh, for the love.” Third try. Green light.

  GO!

  She yanked the door open. That last urging was not from within her mind; it came from somewhere else. Someone else.

  Gavin shifted in the front seat of Jared’s truck. Jared had grown quiet. He leaned over the steering wheel, looking out and up while he waited for the light to change to green so they could turn into the police station parking lot.

  “You do realize you aren’t going to see him if he’s out there? He’s been trained to hide.”

  Jared sat back and tapped his fist against the steering wheel. “I know, but…” His voice faded. He didn’t need to say anymore.

  Gavin understood. Frankly, he was surprised Jared didn’t have him lying down in the backseat of the extended cab.

  Jared drummed his thumbs on the steering wheel. “Finally!” The truck lurched forward.

  Jared’s nerves weren’t helping Gavin’s. He was ready to get inside and see Jocelyn. He had resisted texting her this morning, but instead had spent nearly an hour reading his Bible and praying. He had read Psalm 37 and verse seven had stuck out to him, so much so he had put it on his phone’s lock screen. He flipped his phone over and read the verse. “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.”

  What was with the word “still”?”

  Jared turned right instead of taking the left that would lead them to the detectives’ usual parking lot.

  “Where’re we goin’?”

  “I’m not stupid enough to take you in the front door.”

  Gavin let out a dry laugh. “Fair enough.”

  Through his scope, Patrick kept his vision focused on the police station. The roof of an extended-cab pickup truck obstructed his view for a moment. Is that Jared Johnson’s truck? Patrick shifted his scope to get a look at the driver. Yes, it was Jared. Was Gavin with him? Patrick shifted the scope farther. Gavin!

  The truck turned around the near side of the building, and he lost his clear view of Gavin. They must be headed toward the lab entrance. Patrick adjusted his rifle. At this distance it didn’t take much shifting to line up with the side of the building and the door down the hill from the main entrance. No one else was in the area.

  Jared pulled his truck into a parking spot on the far side of the door, putting Gavin out of his sights. It was just a matter of time.

  Patrick kept his breathing slow and steady. All he had to do was wait for Gavin to exit the truck and walk toward the door. Open the door, Gavin.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Gavin reached for the door handle. The hairs on his neck prickled. God?

  WAIT!

  Why? Gavin pulled the handle but didn’t push the door all the way open. He did a mental sweep of the area. Where could a sniper hide around here?

  “Jared, maybe we should send someone to the roof with a pair of high-powered binoculars. There are several buildings across and down the street that could be prime hides.”

  “Good idea.” Jared pulled his phone off his hip and placed a phone call. After only a minute, Jared hung up. “I’ll call Becca to come let us in.”

  Gavin nodded. The handless emergency exit next to where they parked opened, and Jocelyn appeared. His heart quickened, and he returned her wave. He tapped Jared on the shoulder and pointed toward the door.

  “Thanks, Becks. Jocelyn’s here.” Jared slid his phone back in its clip and pushed his door open. “Well, let’s do this.”

  WAIT, GAVIN.

  Gavin hesitated but shoved his open the rest of the way.

  Patrick inhaled slowly. Jared had emerged, but Gavin wasn’t in sight yet. Patrick could wait. It wouldn’t be long now, then the man he had once trusted with his life would be dead.

  Movement by the door caught his eye.

  Jocelyn.

  The sound of his own heart beating filled his ears. She was the reason all of this was happening. He never should have left her. Why had he been so wrong about how she would react to the separation?

  And to run to Gavin? Where was he?

  Patrick inhaled slowly. Still no sign of Gavin.

  The blood pounded through his veins. Should he just put a bullet in her head too?
After all, if he couldn’t have her… no, he had other plans for her.

  Movement.

  Gavin was in front of the van. Jared approached him quickly.

  The rifle shook.

  Steady. You haven’t missed a shot in a really long time. Don’t ruin that record today.

  Patrick inhaled slowly and pulled the trigger.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Jocelyn couldn’t take her eyes off Gavin. He moved quickly around the front of Jared’s truck, but Jocelyn wished he’d move faster. They needed to get inside. He was only five feet away. There wasn’t much cover on this side of the building. Three feet away. At least it was out of Gavin’s normal routine, but that wasn’t enough to settle her stomach.

  Two feet away.

  Jared collapsed to the ground behind Gavin, who smiled at her. She looked around him. Why had Jared fallen?

  Pkow. A loud snap echoed off the side of the building.

  Blood poured from Jared’s shoulder.

  Screaming. She barely recognized her own voice.

  Jared looked up at her. He wasn’t dead. “Inside!”

  She froze.

  Gavin turned away from her toward Jared, but she grabbed his arm. That shot was intended for him.

  “I’ll get him.” She shoved Gavin inside the door she’d been holding open and ran to Jared. She fell to her knees at his side.

  He lifted his hand from his shoulder and pushed her away. “Get… inside…”

  “Not without you.”

  She reached for him.

  Jared shook his head. “The baby—” He groaned.

  He had to get inside. What if Patrick was still… She tugged on him.

  He pulled his legs up underneath himself and leaned on her, and she helped him stagger into the building. They made it just inside the doorway, but she couldn’t support his weight. She let Jared slide out of her arms and into Gavin’s, and Gavin eased him to the floor.

  Several people appeared in the hallway, Mike among them. “I’m calling 911.”

  Jared reached his hand up to Jocelyn. She stepped closer, and he took her arm.