Chapter Fifty-One

Harnessed, roped, and tethered to a steel wire, Davis was perched on the edge of the flying saucer disc that surrounded the Space Needle. The crowd, five hundred and twenty feet below, looked more like scurrying beetles than people.

He waited for the signal to drop.

He wasn’t nervous about the dangle. The operation was an efficient, well-run drill. From years of climbing, he knew every detail of every sequence. His body was primed. His senses heightened. His heart pumped against his chest, his muscles were tensed, as if ready to climb Mount Rainier.

Hyper-vigilant, he decided to walk the halo one last time. He had already inspected the entire surface of the three-foot wide, angled platform. He paid particular attention to the tensile steel cable encircling the halo. The thin wire must support his body weight when he hung suspended. He had found no hint of tampering.

He had also checked his own equipment. Harness, rope, and the carabineer connecting his nylon rope to the safety wire were in perfect working condition. All appeared secure. He trusted Toni’s ability, assigned to rappel down for his rescue.

Tourists waved through the wire mesh and glass to Davis from the observation deck. Not feeling particularly social, he forced a smile and a nod.

What could Maclean possibly try with hordes of witnesses watching within a hand’s reach?

He stood at the outer perimeter of the halo, gusts of wind whipped through his hair. Nothing stood between him and the one hundred and forty yards of hard ground below.

He wanted this whole damn business to be finished, so he could get on with his life. When this case was over, he was ready to grovel, beg, do anything to have Grayce back. He was glad she’d remained out of the investigation and safely at home with Mitzi. Wait a second, Grayce was supposed to bring Mitzi to his office today. And he’d forgotten, what with his entire focus on this Space Needle practice rescue. He felt a sinking sense of helplessness at the thought of Grayce believing he had forgotten her. How was he ever going to be able to explain to her? He shook his head and forced all thoughts of Grayce from his mind. He couldn’t afford any distractions during this critical event.

Restless, he walked around the corner to find Whit, Lieutenant of Ladder Seven, and Maclean in discussion. Whit nodded and climbed through the exit. What the hell? He had counted on having Whit watching his back while he dangled.

He couldn’t see Maclean’s face, but somehow he knew the man would be flashing his condescending smirk. He moved toward Maclean, ready for the confrontation.

Maclean stood in full uniform, his posture erect in his harness. He exuded his usual arrogance and confidence. Davis’ blood ran hard and fast through him. The bastard was up to something.

“This is it, Davis.”

Davis, set his feet apart, readying himself for the battle. He tried to hide his antagonism, his need to bloody Maclean’s face. “Are they ready for me to go over?”

“Not yet. We’re evacuating the observation deck. We don’t want the tourists upset by your fall.”

The hair on his neck and arms bristled in warning. “I was surprised you wanted me to participate in this drill.”

Maclean peered over the edge. “Quite a drop. 520 feet.”

Cold drips of sweat gathered under his arm pits. “Where’s Whit?”

“He’s coordinating the evacuation with the Needle’s security team.”

“Isn’t that your job?”

Maclean’s polished veneer of superiority disappeared. He squared his shoulders, and jutted his pointed chin. His voice was rougher. “Very good, Davis. Two years with the department and you’re ready to run it.”

“Whit’s my climbing partner.”

“After 23 years with the department, I decide who’s here and who’s not. Face it Davis, it’s finished.” Maclean’s face was harsh. “You’re in it up to your eyeballs for the shed fire and Benson’s death.” Maclean inched towards him, his dark eyes filled with contempt. “I wasn’t supposed to say anything, but the chief told me this morning that you’re dirty. You son of a bitch.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“The chief received a note from Benson, written before he died, pinning both fires on you. You hired him to burn the shed for the Russian’s drug dealing operation.”

Maclean’s accusation hit him like a kick to the groin. His stomach contracted and his lungs stopped moving. He was air-hungry, breathless although wind blew across his face.

“The only reason you’re part of this practice is because the chief didn’t want to cancel…too costly. You’re not to leave my sight, and I’m to escort you back to the department once we’re finished here.”

A cold draft blew down his neck, chilling him. The wind was picking up. “And where’s this note?”

He had been set up, but not by the assistant chief. Maclean’s rage was real. Maclean wanted to beat the shit out of him, as would the whole department once they heard he was a traitor.

“I’m sure the chief won’t mind sharing it with you. He knows it all, your association with Benson, your Russian connections and why the whole investigation came to a dead end. You didn’t follow protocol and report the drug trafficking to the feds because the Russians were paying you. The chief wants to talk with you before he turns you over to the police. Lucky for you, he’s more open-minded than I am.”

Davis had been prepared for a physical attack, not for this revelation. Maclean was innocent.

“What about the witness’ house?” Davis inched backward, positioning himself away from the edge. “Why would I burn my girlfriend’s house?”

“Maybe your girlfriend is in it with you.”

Pressure built in his chest. Grayce implicated in criminal activities caused a hot fury to consume his body. “Grayce mixed up with drug dealers? Have you gone crazy?”

Maclean showed no fear, stepping closer to the edge. “Then why is the little doctor here? She’s even brought your dog. She’s in it up to her bloody neck. I’ve got her locked up.”

“What? Grayce is here?” He took the two steps toward Maclean. His hands tightened. He had never before wanted to choke the life out of anyone.

“She had the nerve to say she and the dog were part of the rescue team. She has an urgent message for you.” Maclean smirked. “Can you imagine that?”

He stood closer to Maclean. “Where is she, you bastard?”

“She has it in her head that you’re in danger. Where would she ever have gotten such a bullshit idea?”

He grabbed Maclean by the arms. “Tell me where she is, or I swear I’ll…”

“How dare you touch me?” Maclean threw his weight forward against him. The sudden movement caught Davis off guard. He stumbled backwards.

Maclean, his face mottled with fury, shouted. “Who in the fuck do you think you are?” He suddenly moved to grab Davis. “Do you know what we do with dirty bastards in our department?”

* * *

Grayce threw her full 90 pounds against the heavy steel door one last time. Breathless, she paced the small room, struggling to contain the terror that she was too late, too late to save Davis.

She had tried to pry the lock open with the various tools that hung on the back wall. In desperation, she had even tried her credit card. She was trapped.

Mitzi waited, poised at the door. Her low whining was a constant reminder of the mounting pressure to find Davis. Grayce tried to control her breathing. She whispered, more for herself than Mitzi, “Don’t worry girl, we’re going to find him.”

Still “searching for service” flashed across her phone. Where was James?

She readied to shriek. Her cry might manage to draw Maclean away from Davis. The twist of the door knob stifled her shout.

An enormous firefighter opened the door. He stopped mid-stride and stared. “I wasn’t expecting anyone. I’m Lieutenant Whit Henley with Ladder Seven.”

Every instinct screamed for her to rush the door.

“Isn’t this Davis’ dog?” He bent down to pet Mitzi who was trying to find an opening around the firefighter’s legs.

“Yes, it’s Mitzi. Stay, girl.”

Mitzi dropped to her stomach and gave a low whimper. She felt the same frustration as Mitzi. The lieutenant, oblivious to her distress, continued to pet Mitzi.

“I’m Grayce Walters, Davis’ fiancée,” she fibbed. “He wanted me to watch the technical rescue.”

“Davis, the sly devil. He never said a word. I’m his climbing buddy, Whit.”

Her face heated with the blatant lie. “Do you know where Davis is?”

“You’re just in time. Davis is about to dangle off the halo.”

Her heart hammered against her chest as if she had run straight up the stairs of the Space Needle. “He’s going to do what?”

“He’s our volunteer. He just dangles, harnessed, of course. Didn’t he tell you? This is our favorite drill. Then one of my crew rappels down and rescues him.”

“What’s the halo? And how do I get there?”

“It’s the flying saucer part just above us, but it’s off limits—only the roped crew has access now.”

“Is Officer Maclean with Davis?”

“I just left them. Came to get my jacket, the wind’s picking up.”

She felt light-headed, as if she might pass out. Like her dream, Davis was on the Space Needle with Maclean, and she couldn’t get to him. Whit wouldn’t break protocol, wouldn’t be swayed by her explanation of Davis’ danger. He would never let her up on the halo, no matter what story she manufactured.

“You can watch Davis dangle from the Observation Deck. I’m going there now to clear it of all the tourists. For some reason, the assistant chief doesn’t want anyone watching this rescue.” The firefighter rolled his eyes. “Who knows what the brass is thinking?”

She knew why. Maclean was going to push Davis off, and he didn’t want any witnesses. “Thank you for the offer. It might be more than I can handle to watch my husband-to-be dangle.” Her heart felt like it was going into V-Fib, a rhythm that caused hearts to stop. She tried to shut out the vision of Davis hanging from the Space Needle.

“Don’t worry about Davis. He and I have done a lot more dangerous ascents.”

She didn’t want to hear about Davis’ climbing exploits. “Mitzi and I will wait for Davis here. He’ll come here before he leaves?” Her mind searched for a possible escape. “Do you know if there’s a lady’s room on this level?”

“There’s one on the left just before the stairwell.”

“Thank you.”

She tried not to break into a run when she left the mechanical room. She had to get up the steps before the lieutenant came out of the room. Mitzi raced ahead of her. She saw the long narrow steps leading to an open hatch. “Mitzi, wait, you can’t go up there.”

She kicked off her Jimmy Choos and commanded Mitzi one more time to stay. Grayce had no idea how she was going to stop Maclean. Where was James when she needed him? Nothing mattered, not her acrophobia, nothing but saving Davis.

She climbed the metal steps in her bare feet. Cool air blasted down the stairwell from the opened hatch.

She was gasping when she got to the top, not from the exertion but from terror. With only the blue sky above, she climbed onto the glaring white platform. She didn’t need to look down to know she was high above the ground. Whit had said she had to be roped. She didn’t see any ropes.

The wind whipped at her ponytail. She stepped back toward the stairs. The uneven surface caused a new wave of unsteadiness. Her heart surged in a jagged pulse.

She managed a small step forward. Sudden shakiness began in her knees and proceeded to a trembling that shook her entire body. Waves of panic surged through her. Fear kept her glued in place, paralyzed.

She had blocked out everything but the battle she was fighting to overcome her fear of heights. Her fright made her body stiffen. She saw a flash out of the corner of her eye. She gingerly turned her neck, terrified by the slight movement.

Ahead on the edge, just like her nightmare, Maclean grabbed Davis. Her heart clenched.

Davis broke free of Maclean’s grasp. They fought on a tiny slope seeming oblivious to their danger.

She pleaded with Cassie for help then dropped to her knees and crawled. With each forward motion her hands trembled and the weak sensation hammered behind her knees. Neither man had seen her. Her body and mind were consumed by the need to reach Davis.

She kept her head down. It was at least another twenty feet to reach Davis. She was going to be too late. She focused on placing each hand forward. The wind blasted, the Needle swayed. Her heart thundered louder in her ears.

Mitzi rushed past her. The poodle jumped over Grayce and skirted the edge of the halo moving fast toward Davis and Maclean. Mitzi’s lips were pulled back, showing sharp gleaming canines.

Davis dropped his hands from Maclean. “Grayce? Mitzi get back.” With her teeth bared, Mitzi growled.

Surprised by the commotion behind him, Maclean turned quickly. His sudden response pitched him backward toward the edge. He flung himself forward trying to regain his balance.

Like a sport spectator, Grayce watched him try to regain his balance, swinging back and then forward. Time slowed. The momentum of Maclean’s waving arms had pitched him too far. He fell backward over the edge.

Davis jumped forward into the air and grabbed the falling assistant chief by his legs.

Maclean dangled upside down. His bellow shattered the silence.

Grayce leaned over to watch both men swing like a pendulum. Terror pulsed through her.

Whit and Toni, the rescue team rappelled down the halo. They landed in one powerful heave. Whit grabbed Davis’ rope and pulled Davis toward him. Toni jumped into the air wrapping herself around Maclean from behind. An upside down Maclean swung with Toni. The team worked in synchrony. Davis and Whit slowly pulled Toni back above the Halo. Whit grabbed Maclean and lowered him onto his side on the narrow ledge. Maclean didn’t remain lying down for more than a few seconds. He pushed himself upright.

Whit’s face was contorted with fury. He shouted at Davis. “What the fuck happened?” Davis shrugged his shoulders.

The wind prevented Grayce from hearing any more of the conversation between the team. Toni stood nonchalantly, as if she rescued dangling upside down men every day. She probably did. Maclean had his back to Grayce, so she couldn’t see his reaction.

In the next minute Maclean strode away from Grayce as if nothing unusual had occurred. She was able to hear him shout at Davis, something about headquarters. His last words she heard clearly, since he looked directly at her when he shouted. “Get your damn girlfriend and dog out of here.”

Mitzi barked at Davis. Davis shouted, “Stay there, Grayce, don’t move; I’m coming to get you.” The absurdity of the situation hit her. Didn’t he know she was too scared to move?

Whit and Davis moved toward her. Whit was in charge and wasn’t going to be directed by Davis. “Don’t move, Ma’am. I’ll have you off quickly.”

“Whit, I’ll get her off.”

“Why in the fuck are your fiancée and dog out here without being roped?”

Davis pulled Whit back. “It’s okay. I’ll get them down.”

Both men glared at each other.

“I’ll explain it all to you,” Davis said.

Whit nodded and then went over the edge. It seemed no one in the fire department ever took elevators.