Chapter 28

“I sent Jeremy on with Katie and Sadie. We’ll meet up. We need to go pick up Frank and Radar.” He had noticed her expression as she looked around the room. “Plus I wanted Jeremy to have a car to get them out of there if something comes down.”

“It makes perfect sense to me.” She put on her lightweight jacket over the vest and buttoned a few buttons. “Do I look like I can bench press a Buick?”

“You’re something…most girls would be totally freaked out now…I’m not sure how to answer your question?” He winked. “Other than to say you’ll be safer.”

“It’s this darn vanity of mine. I don’t want to look like I’ve gained weight.” She tossed her head. “I would rather look like I lifted weights a little too long. You look like you’ve been working out. I just appear, you know, lumpy.”

Matt chuckled. “Sometimes I’m a blockhead. Sweetheart, even with a vest under your jacket, no one will think you’re fat. I sure as hell don’t.”

“Since you’re the one that will have to walk with me, I can live with that.” She walked in front of him and out the door to the car.

****

Matt swung by to get Frank and Radar. Once on the main street, he pulled into a parking space just as someone was pulling out, near the café where they had arranged to meet Jeremy and the others for dinner. He had a feeling it was going to get crowded—the streets were already beginning to fill up with people. While they waited for their order, Matt watched the interaction between Jessie, her grandmother, and Katie. They were fun to watch. Jessie was a little more relaxed. He smiled. Sadie was telling a story about her and Jessie was laughing. Her eyes were lit up. Damn, she was pretty. He draped his arm possessively over the back of her chair.

“Do you think they’ll show up tonight with all these people around?” Frank asked.

Matt noticed Radar curled up at Frank’s feet. “No doubt in my mind. I think they’ll be here. Whether they’re stupid enough to try anything, I don’t know. I’ve found no matter how smart they are, a perp will risk it all by doing something dumb. Our stalker doesn’t think straight when it comes to Adriana. She’s his weakness, and Jessie is Mallory’s Achilles’ heel. I’m counting on them taking a risk and messing up, so we can catch them.” Matt’s fingers played with Jessie’s hair, where it hung over his arm.

“We had better prepare for any possibility. I was hoping it would be an enjoyable evening for her. She looks relaxed right now. It’s hard to believe she has had to face what she has. Between the dreams, and people after her, she’s stronger than I ever gave her credit for.” Frank leaned in a little closer to Matt. “Is she handling it okay?”

“For the most part, I think earlier the reality hit her when she put on the vest. The last time she wore one she was shot, and it was a rather painful experience.” Matt chuckled. “She told me, it bloody well hurt.”

Frank smiled. “I think that’s akin to cursing for Jessie.”

“I think you’re right. I admit I laughed.” He grinned at Frank. “Seriously, though, we need to keep our eyes open out there tonight. Who knows where it could come from, or if it will even come at all?”

“I’m hoping it won’t come at all.” Frank gave Radar a treat from his pocket.

Her hair felt like silk running through his fingers. She looked at him. “I’m sorry. Did I pull it?’

“No, what are you doing?” She changed her position slightly.

“I like touching it.”

“That’s sweet, but don’t get sentimental on me right now. I’m this close to falling apart.” She snapped her fingers.

“You don’t look it. What can I do, sweetheart?” He looked into her troubled eyes and swore under his breath.

“Make sure you keep them safe.” She looked at Sadie and Katie.

He understood. She was more worried about them than herself. “You’re something.”

“You keep saying that,” she teased. “I would like to know what this something is that you’re talking about.”

“All I know is it makes me want to be a better man.”

“If you must know, I kind of like you just the way you are.” She leaned in closer to him. “No need for you to change. You’re my big, strong, hunky cop.” She bit her lip.

“Jess, play fair, I don’t want to shock your grandmother.” Matt heard Frank laughing in the background.

She jabbed her finger into Matt’s chest. “Feeling a little bothered, are we?”

He grabbed her hand and put it in his lap, pinning it there. “If you’re not careful, I’ll tell you what I’m feeling.” He grinned as she blushed. “You’re playing with fire. I don’t embarrass easily. I wouldn’t try me, if I were you.”

“I’ll behave.” She turned her back to him and answered Sadie’s question.

“Chicken.” He liked this playful side to her. Matt looked at Frank, who was still chuckling. “I think she’s nervous.”

Frank grinned. “I’ve never seen her this way. Thanks, I’ve enjoyed watching the sparks flying between the two of you. I would say she’s more than halfway to being in love with you.”

“I wouldn’t mind.” He turned on his earpiece. Henderson wanted to follow their progress and bark out his orders most likely. Tony’s was the first voice he heard.

Finally, you turned it on. I have men in place along the route.

“We’re about ready to get going.” He gave the server his card.

Good luck out there. Stay safe.

“Thanks, Tony. Keep your eyes open.” He signed the receipt.

Matt leaned over and whispered in Jessie’s ear. “It’s show time.” He looked around the table. “Everyone knows what they’re supposed to do.”

“We understand. We’ve prepared for the worse but hoping for the best.” Sadie spoke up while the others nodded.

“My sentiments, exactly.” Matt smiled at her and stood. “We’ll go to the first few booths together. After a while, Jeremy, you take them on to another area.” He pointed at Sadie and Katie. “Frank will remain close by in the area, never out of sight. The others are already in place.” Matt’s jaw tightened. “If everyone is ready, let’s go.”

The city closed several streets of the downtown area for the fair known to the locals as the Villagefest. Booths filled with artwork, unique food items, and handcrafted items were all along both sides of the streets. The ad said it drew thousands of people and Matt believed it. The streets were full, and more than once someone in the crowd bumped into him. He didn’t like it. Matt maneuvered Jessie around an Army private with his petite, redheaded girlfriend on his arm that had stopped suddenly in front of them to look at some rings. He smiled at the besotted look on the private’s face. He knew the feeling. Matt halted when Jessie paused to look as silk scarves. They attracted Katie and Jessie both. What was it with women? They could shop anytime. He shook his head. His eyes scanned the crowd looking for anything that seemed out of place. So many things could go wrong. How could they ever see Irwin or Mallory in the sea of faces? “Tony, can you hear me?” Matt turned his head when someone bumped his side.

I hear you, Matt.

He grabbed Jessie, pulling her closer. “Have you seen anything?” A middle-aged couple strolled past him carrying several bags. They eyed his holstered gun warily until he pointed to his badge. They smiled and continued.

No, but there’s a lot of people to watch.

“I’m not sure we could pick them out until they’re standing right in front of us. I don’t like the vibe I’m getting.” Matt’s eyes tracked the area in front of them as they walked. He jerked when a young boy ran past him, hitting his arm. The boy’s ice cream cone fell to the ground with a splat. He watched Jessie give the boy some money to go buy another one.

Henderson’s voice came across the line. We are doing it as planned. Do you hear me?

“I hear you, all right. You’re not the one putting your life on the line. If I feel I need to abort the assignment, we will abort.”

I’ll back you on that, Tony added.

Matt motioned to Jeremy, who headed off in another direction with Katie and Sadie. Frank paused to look at something and lagged behind them a little but kept them in sight the entire time. Frank had an earpiece so Matt could call to him as needed.

Matt grabbed Jessie’s hand. “It’s just you and me, kid.”

“So I noticed.” She stopped to look at some artwork. “I wish I could enjoy looking at this for real. There’s some beautiful stuff here. Look.” she pointed at a sculptured piece. “That would look great in your house.” She took the man’s business card. “I think you should buy it. It’s only sixty-five thousand dollars.” Her eyes widened. “Only…”

“Sounds like a good bargain. I’ll take two.” He chuckled, pulling her along.

An hour later, Matt looked at a text on his phone. “Jeremy is taking Katie and Sadie home. Your grandmother’s getting tired.”

“Good, I’m glad. I want them away from here.” Jessie glanced at him.

“We’ll give it another thirty minutes or so and then call it a night ourselves. The fair is starting to wind down. Vendors are packing.”

They strolled on and the crowd began to thin out considerably. Jessie yawned. “I’m getting a little tired.” She shut her eyes and rubbed her temples.

He noticed a strange look cross her face. “Is everything okay?”

“Let’s turn around and start walking back,” she spoke softly to him. “He’s close by. I can feel him. I can hear him in my head. There’s something else, but I’m not sure what.”

“Did you hear that, Frank? We’re going to start heading back, so stop and fall in behind us. She feels he’s in the area.”

Okay, Matt. Frank paused to look at the wooden carvings on the table until Matt and Jessie passed his position.

“Tony, did you copy that.”

I heard. We’re watching.

Matt steered her back the way they had come. He felt the tension radiating from her.

“He’s getting closer, but I have no idea where to look.” She picked up her pace.

“Are you copying this, Henderson? She can feel him closing in. You guys keep your damn eyes open.”

I hear you, Matt, Tony responded. Henderson is the closest to your location, but he’s not responding. I’ll keep trying to reach him.

“Thanks, everyone, look alive out there.” Matt took her arm and picked up the pace.

“Matt, one of my guys found Henderson. He’s out cold. I’m closing in on the site, but still a little ways out from you.”

Matt swore under his breath. “It’ll be okay, sweetheart, we’re all looking.” Matt’s eyes scanned back and forth across the crowd.

****

Mallory kept his eyes on Irwin as he skulked along the edges of the crowd following Jessie with his beady eyes. He had seen Irwin hit the dumb mule. Out cold, Henderson never saw it coming. Mallory didn’t mind if there was one less of them. No cop was a friend. They’d never been there to protect him. What were they thinking? Irwin wasn’t an ordinary person. All of them were too far away to get to her in time. Irwin could outmaneuver them any day. Mallory moved quicker to keep pace with Irwin. The game was on.

Irwin was bearing down on Jessie, weaving through the crowd toward her. Suddenly he stopped. Mallory planted himself across from Irwin on the other side of the street, a few steps away from Jessie, but near enough to grab her if he needed to. Jessie knew Irwin was coming. Mallory could see it her eyes.

Standing behind a tall man where the cop couldn’t see him, Irwin opened his jacket slightly. The game was on. No more time to think! Mallory was about to change the game on them all.