Doug left his empty holster in the SUV before he and Kyle took over the Brentwood PD conference room. He felt bare without his duty weapon, but rules were rules. The coffee bar on the counter that lined one wall had called to him, and he’d made good use of it. An infusion of caffeine was what the doctor ordered. Well, maybe not, but it should have been. He dropped into a padded swivel chair similar to the ones at ACSD. The cushiness eased his aching muscles. A slight breeze from the air conditioner gave the room a touch of chill. He wrapped his hands around his cup and absorbed the warmth.
Ice pack to his face, Kyle leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
“How’s the jaw?” Doug lifted the mug to his lips and sipped the dark brew. Not bad for PD coffee.
His partner opened his eyes and peered at him. “The man caught me off guard.”
“I didn’t say anything about how you got the bruise, just asked how it felt.” Doug smirked.
“Sore, but I’m sure you can relate.”
He grunted. Oh, without a doubt, he could. “Think Brentwood’s finest will get anything out of Wade?”
“I certainly hope so.” Kyle lowered the ice. “Tabitha’s on her way?”
Doug nodded. “I talked with Cassidy when we got to the station.” He glanced at his watch. “They should be here any minute.”
The two detectives let a comfortable silence settle between them. The events of the day had taken a toll.
Kyle exhaled. “Do you love her?”
Doug snapped forward in his chair, instantly regretting it. He blew out a long breath, tamping down the discomfort. “Where did that come from?”
“I’ve seen the way you look at her. How you defend her.” Ice pack on his jaw, Kyle’s gaze met his. “Don’t let your guilt get in the way of a good thing. Take it from someone who’s been there.”
“What are you now, my therapist?” He settled back into his chair but couldn’t deny Kyle’s words. The man had allowed anger and guilt to consume him. He’d almost lost his fiancée Cassidy in the process.
“Nah, man. But I like seeing you happy. And she makes you happy.”
He couldn’t deny that Beth made his heart beat a little faster. That her sweet demeanor drew him in. And the protectiveness that boiled inside when he recalled the abuse she’d endured was off the charts. “I’m not sure it’s love, but yeah, I like her a lot.”
The door eased open. Cassidy and Beth stepped inside.
One look at Kyle and Cassidy strode to his side. “Did Doug finally get tired of your ridiculous self?” Her words belied the worry in her eyes.
“Wade might have gotten in a surprise punch before we took him down.” Kyle smiled at his fiancée and winced.
Cassidy shook her head. “I’d say.” Her fingertips traced the darkening bruise. “Are you really okay?”
Kyle grasped her fingers and kissed the back of her hand. “I’m good. I promise.”
The worry Cassidy had sported on arrival bled out.
Beth stood at the entrance of the room, hugging her waist. “Is he really in custody?”
Doug pushed from his chair and stepped in front of her. He ran his hands up and down her arms, trying to chase away the fear glimmering in her eyes. “He’s in interrogation as we speak. Dennis is listening and will bring us the information.” He guided Beth to the table. “Have a seat. It shouldn’t be too long before we hear something.”
He retrieved a water bottle for Beth and sat next to her while Cassidy poured herself a cup of java. “So, how’d it go with Miss Judith?”
The smile that graced Beth’s face made his heart soar. “She’s a wonderful lady. Not at all how you all portrayed her.”
Doug tilted his head. “What do you mean? That woman doesn’t pull punches with anyone. We love her to death, but man, can her words sting.”
“Only because they’re true.” Cassidy lifted her coffee in a salute.
“You have a point.” Doug chuckled. He adored Miss Judith and would do anything for the woman, but he couldn’t deny her words of wisdom and truth tended to lay a person’s heart bare for a thorough examination.
A smile blossomed on Beth’s face. “I’m not sure what all you are talking about. She was so sweet with me.”
The group stared at her. They all loved Miss Judith, but the word sweet had never crossed their minds.
“Seriously, she was amazing and so delightful.”
“This I’ve got to hear.” Kyle waved his hand in a rolling motion, urging her to continue.
Beth obliged and amused them with her time spent with the older woman.
Conversation ceased when Dennis strode into the room. He closed the door, tossed his notepad on the table, and collapsed onto a chair.
“Hey, boss man. How’d it go?” Kyle rested his ankle on his knee.
“PD is still talking with Wade, but so far, they haven’t gotten much out of him. His attorney Danielle Thompson is a piece of work. She definitely knows his business and is preventing him from answering questions that will incriminate him.”
Beth snorted. When all eyes turned to her, she ducked her head. “Sorry.”
“You obviously have an opinion. What is it?” Dennis’s tone softened.
“Let’s just say she’s very aware of what happens in that house.”
Doug shifted to face her. “What do you mean?”
“I might have been his possession, but she’s his mistress, and Spencer Hayes, the accountant’s, mistress as well.”
“Death wish much?” Kyle shook his head and mouthed, wow.
Doug had a hard time processing how anyone would willingly risk punishment and cross Wade like that. “Does Wade know about the accountant and his attorney?”
Beth shook her head. “No. Because if he did, the accountant would be dead.”
“Not the attorney?” Cassidy asked.
“No. She’s too important. She keeps him out of jail. He can’t afford to lose her.”
Dennis stroked his chin with his thumb and finger. “I want a deep dive into Ms. Thompson and the accountant.”
“I’ll take that assignment. As soon as we’re finished here, I’ll request a computer and workspace.” Cassidy made a note on her cell phone.
Doug’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the caller ID and answered it. “Hey, Keith.”
“I found something interesting in the accounting files.”
“Hold on. Let me put you on speaker.” Doug tapped the button and set his phone on the table. “You’re on with Dennis, Kyle, Cassidy, and Beth.”
“Like I said, I found something in Wade’s financials.”
“Go on.” Dennis rested his forearms on the table.
“I don’t know who, but someone is siphoning money from Wade’s accounts. It’s little amounts at a time, and since it’s going into the miscellaneous column, it probably isn’t alerting anyone. It’s disappearing between the ledger and the bank statement. Unless someone is looking for it, they might miss it with the high dollar amounts of Wade’s business we are talking about.”
“The accountant?” Kyle asked.
“Spencer Hayes? Possibly. I don’t see how he’d miss the discrepancy. Being how that’s his job and all.” A baby’s cry filled the line from Keith’s end. “Hold on... Okay, I’m back. Sorry, that was little Miss Stacey making her presence known.”
“No problem. Let me text Jason with the information. He’s with the team questioning the accountant right now.” Doug grabbed his phone and shot off the message.
Dennis stood and paced the length of the room. “Tabitha, you lived in that house. What do you think?”
Beth’s eyebrows rose. “Me?”
The sheriff nodded.
She chewed on her lower lip.
Doug laced his fingers with hers. “Beth, honey. It’s okay.” The timidness in her gaze tore him to pieces, but he knew his tiger was in there somewhere.
Her gaze locked on their entwined hands. “I can’t see Spencer stealing. He’s a bit of a weasel but no backbone.”
“And the affair with Danielle?”
“I didn’t say he was smart. But if I had to guess, that’s her doing, and he’s going along with it for obvious reasons.” Beth shrugged. “You have to admit, the woman is beautiful.”
Kyle grunted. “Looks are not a good reason to risk your life.”
Jason entered and made a beeline straight for the coffeepot. “Wade’s accountant, Mr. Hayes, was a wealth of information.”
“How so?” Dennis returned to his seat.
Coffee in hand, Jason joined the group at the table. “He confessed about redirecting the money. However, he swears it’s not for him but won’t say who’s benefiting from the cash. Unfortunately, BPD doesn’t have enough evidence to hold him, so they’re releasing him in the next half hour or so.”
“Do you think he’s responsible for Beth’s attempted kidnappings?” Doug hated for the man to go free until they figured out who had targeted Beth.
Jason took a sip. “Not sure. But it goes back to why. Kill? Sure. Eliminate a witness? I can buy that. But kidnap? I don’t think so. What’s the purpose of that?” The harsh inhale of air had the man jerking his head toward Beth. He cringed. “Sorry, Tabitha.”
She tucked her chin down and peered up at Jason through her lashes. “No need to apologize.”
Doug glared at Jason. At least the man had the decency to look remorseful. “We should look into everyone associated with Wade.” Doug placed his hand over Beth’s. “Please write down all the players in his organization, including his chef and housekeepers. I don’t want to skip over anyone.”
“I can do that. But I don’t know who he does business with.” Beth accepted a notepad and pen from Cassidy.
“Don’t worry about those, Tabitha. I have that information from the flash drive you supplied,” Keith said. “While Tabitha takes care of that, I’m going to drop the call and continue to examine the financials. Talk to y’all soon.”
When the call disconnected, Doug pocketed his cell phone.
As if on cue, Dennis’s phone rang. “Sheriff Monroe.” The man’s shoulders sagged. “Thank you for letting me know.” After hanging up, Dennis steepled his fingers and tapped his chin. “That was the officer on guard duty at Brentwood Community Hospital. Clark didn’t make it.”
Beth’s head jerked up. Tears swam in her eyes. Without a word, she returned to writing the list. At least she was free from the man.
A jackhammer took up residence in Doug’s head. He’d taken a life. Granted, he’d saved his partner’s, and Clark was scum, but still. He massaged his forehead.
“Doug, you did what you had to do. I wouldn’t be alive right now if you hadn’t taken that shot.” Kyle’s tone soothed the edges of Doug’s battered heart.
“Thanks, man.” The room grew quiet, except for the scratch of the pen Beth used to write names. He appreciated the silence to center his mind. A few moments later, he turned his attention to the woman beside him. Her shoulders slumped, and a mask of exhaustion covered her face. “If it’s okay with you guys, I plan to take Beth home to rest once she finishes the list.”
“I agree.” Dennis pointed at Doug. “You both need to take a break. We’ll call if we find anything important. Otherwise, I’ll see the two of you at the office tomorrow morning. We should have more detailed information about Wade’s businesses by then.”
Beth placed the pen on the notepad and slid it to Cassidy. “That’s everyone I can think of.”
Cassidy scanned the names on the paper. “Great. I’ll get on this list and make profiles of those we don’t have yet.”
“I guess we’ll see everyone tomorrow.” Doug pushed from his chair, his muscles protesting. He bit back a groan and held out a hand to Beth. “Shall we?”
She nodded and exited the room with him. They walked to the parking lot, both lost in thought.
Once in his SUV, she shifted to face him. “Do you really think I’m safe now that Tommy is behind bars and Clark is gone?”
“I honestly don’t know.” Doug’s heart plummeted at the thought of losing her. His pulse quickened. What if he lost Beth and her baby the same way he’d lost Christine and their son? He refused to allow that to happen. “But I can promise you this. I’m not leaving your side until we know for sure.”
Tabitha swallowed hard. Had Doug realized what he’d committed to? Her gaze drifted from the front windshield to the side mirror and back. Tommy was behind bars, and Clark died of his injuries. The two men she feared the most were no longer a threat—at least for the moment.
“I’m sorry I dragged you into my mess.” The guilt had piled on with each threat that had come her way. Doug didn’t deserve to suffer because of her poor choices in life.
He reached across the console and laced his fingers with hers. “You didn’t pull me in. I came after you, remember?”
“How could I forget? You pushed your way into my life and haven’t given up.” That moment in the parking lot after she’d seen Clark had given her hope. Michael had disappeared, and Doug had come to her rescue. “At the time, I believed you only wanted my help to get justice for your wife.”
He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. “While it’s true that I do want that. Christine did the right thing and unfortunately, paid the ultimate price. But you, Beth, deserve to live a life of freedom surrounded by those who care about you. Please don’t ever forget that we have your back—I have your back. You are no longer alone.”
His words, a balm to her aching heart. She squeezed his hand. “Thank you.”
He flashed her a smile.
The cars on the highway ahead slowed and came to a stop. Doug pressed on the brakes. “Looks like there’s an accident about ten cars up.” The crease in his forehead deepened.
“What’s wrong?” Beth strained to see what had worried Doug.
“I’m required to assist, but I don’t want to leave you alone.”
“Go. You need to help those people. I’ll be fine. Wade’s in custody. I’ll lock the doors and stay in the car. I promise.” His genuine concern for her tugged at her heart. He really did care.
“I don’t have much of a choice. Keep your cell phone handy. I’ll be back as soon as possible.” He glanced at her. The war between staying and going evident. He finally huffed and got out. He stuck his head through the opening. “Lock up.” And with that, he closed the door and strode toward the accident.
Beth pushed the button, and the locks clicked. Alone for the first time since Doug came into her life, she rubbed her small baby bump. Most wouldn’t notice, but she had. Her maternal instincts had kicked in the moment she’d found out about the little life inside her. “Hang on, little one. It’s almost over. Then we’ll be free.”
The truth knocked the air from her lungs. Once they had Tommy in prison and his drug business dismantled, Doug and the others would leave her life too. The thought disappointed her. She’d come to enjoy the tight-knit group. Especially the handsome detective that had stolen her heart. What if she told him that she wanted more? Was it too soon for him? And what about her horrible life choices? Could she trust herself?
“Argh!” She lowered her head into her hands and gripped her hair.
The driver’s side window exploded, and a bullet pierced the passenger window.
Tabitha’s body shook. Someone had shot at her. If she hadn’t leaned down... Her stomach roiled and threatened to empty. She hadn’t heard anything except the glass shattering. A suppressor? Why else wouldn’t she have heard the blast from the gun?
Tabitha peered up from her bent-over position. A figure stalked toward the car. The sun shadowed the person, making it impossible to identify the shooter. She’d promised Doug she wouldn’t leave the SUV, but staying wasn’t an option. Surely, he’d understand and wouldn’t punish her for disobeying. She gritted her teeth at the ridiculous thought.
She flipped the locks, flung open her door, and tumbled to the ground. Heart pounding, she scrambled toward the woods that lined the highway, keeping the vehicle between her and the shooter for as long as possible.
A ten-foot gap stood between her and safety. She inhaled. God, I need Your help. She sprinted across the open area. Her foot slipped, and she stumbled. She threw out her hand to catch herself, then half ran, half crawled the final distance. The hard thud of boots behind her pushed her faster.
A bullet pinged on a tree trunk near her head. Her cheek stung from the wood slivers that flew in multiple directions. A quick swipe of her face streaked blood across her hand. Great. More wounds to add to the mix.
She ducked her head and continued deeper into the woods, zigzagging through the trees. Praying Doug heard the windows breaking, she hopped over fallen limbs and slapped at branches reaching out to grab her. Her heart pounded, and she struggled to pull air into her lungs. Doug would save her like he’d done over the past few days. She just had to believe—had to stay alive until he came to her rescue. Five, maybe ten minutes later—she’d lost track of time—she tucked behind a thick bush. Her breathing came in short pants.
Twigs and branches meshed into a tangled wall hiding her from whoever chased her. She slid to the ground, tucking into a tight ball, and closed her eyes. The person who’d shot at her had a familiarity, same as the person from the cabin, but her mind refused to put the pieces together. Too small for Wade or one of his goons. A bit delicate, but muscular. Spencer. Brentwood PD had released him around the same time she and Doug left the station. But that didn’t make sense unless he was responsible for stealing the money and thought Tabitha knew about it.
“Doug, where are you?” she whispered. Tears filled her eyes. Wade was in jail, and her freedom remained out of reach. She bit back the sob that threatened to escape.
Footsteps crunched on the leaf-lined ground, moving closer to her hiding place. “Tabitha, you can’t run forever. You might as well give up now.”
That voice. She knew that voice. But it couldn’t be right. Why come after her?
The glorious sound of fire truck sirens signaled their approach. All Doug wanted was to get back to Beth, but he couldn’t leave. Not yet. He lay on his stomach with his legs sticking out from beneath an overturned minivan and patted the little boy whose screams had threatened to shatter Doug’s eardrums. “The firefighters are almost here. They’ll get you out. Hang tight, little man. I’m going to tell them to come get you.”
“Promise?” Tears and snot covered the young boy’s face.
Doug grabbed a blanket that stuck out from the child’s car seat and wiped the kid’s nose. “Promise. Can you be brave while I tell them where you are?”
The child’s lower lip stuck out in a pout, but his head bobbed up and down.
“Good. Everything will be okay.” Convinced the boy wouldn’t lose it again, Doug wiggled out from under the vehicle. The gravel on the shoulder of the road dug into his elbows and knees. Thankfully, the boy trapped in his car seat was scared but didn’t appear seriously injured. Doug stood and dusted off his pants.
“Sir!” A man jogged toward him.
“Can I help you?” The tension carved on the guy’s face sent a shiver of apprehension up Doug’s spine.
“Is that your sheriff’s vehicle?” The man pointed to where Doug had left Beth in his SUV.
“Yes. Why?”
“Someone shot at it, and a woman ran into the woods.” The man pointed to the thick of trees near his SUV.
Doug grabbed the man and gave him a gentle shove toward the wrecked car. “There’s a boy in there. Make sure the fire department knows.” Doug sprinted toward where he’d left Beth and skidded to a stop. Shattered glass littered the ground, and the passenger door stood wide open. “Beth!”
His hand flew to his holster and came up empty. He yanked his cell phone from his pocket and punched the speed dial for his partner.
“Howard.”
“Kyle, Beth is gone.” He spun in a slow circle, searching for any sign of her.
“What do you mean gone?”
“Someone shot out the windows in the SUV. Her door is open. She’s not here!”
“Hold up. Start from the beginning.”
Doug blew out a long breath. Waiting went against everything in his being, but he had to be smart. “We were on our way to my house, and there was this accident on the highway. I had to leave her to help...first responder and all that. And now she’s gone.”
“Yeah, I got it. Go on.”
“A man came running over and told me someone shot at my SUV. When I got back to the vehicle, Beth wasn’t there.” He ran shaky fingers through his hair. “Kyle, I need backup.”
“On it. Just a sec.” Kyle must have lifted the phone away from his mouth. “Hey, guys, Beth’s in trouble...yeah, on the highway...got it. Doug?”
“Yeah, man, I’m here.”
“We’re on the way. Ten minutes out.”
To make it ten minutes, they’d have to go lights and sirens. “Thanks.” He hung up. He had to pull himself together before his friends joined him. Steady and chill. That’s what they all tagged him as. So much for calm. His heart raced, sweat beaded on his forehead—and not from the August heat. While Doug waited for his friends, he examined the scene, talked to witnesses, and worried about Beth until his stomach twisted into a knot worthy of a Boy Scout.
Red and blue lights flashed in the distance, accompanied by the ear-piercing whine of sirens. He swallowed the fear creeping up his throat.
Doors slammed, and his friends raced toward him.
“Run it down again.” Dennis’s no-nonsense tone grounded Doug.
He paced a six-foot path while he repeated the series of events.
Kyle’s phone rang. “Hey, honey... Cassidy, we’re a bit... Okay. Guys, Cassidy has news.” His partner put the phone on speaker and held it in his palm. “Go ahead, Cassie.”
“I started my deep dive into Wade’s employees with the accountant Spencer Hayes and the attorney Danielle Thompson. I’m glad I did.”
“Is Hayes behind this?” Doug asked.
“Quit interrupting.”
“Sorry.”
“Anyway, Hayes is being threatened.”
“By Wade for an affair with Danielle?” Kyle asked.
“No. By Danielle. Either he does what she asks, or she’ll tell Wade that Hayes is embezzling his money.”
“So, it’s the accountant behind the attacks on Beth?” Doug clenched his fists.
“No. Quite the opposite. Hayes is only guilty of cheating on his wife out of fear, not attacking Beth.”
Doug wanted to scream at Cassidy to spit it out. They didn’t have time for dramatics. “Then who’s doing it and why?”
The voices and chaos in the background faded, and he hyper-focused on Cassidy’s voice. “I’m still digging, but from what I can piece together, Wade’s attorney is the one responsible for terrorizing Beth.”
Kyle’s gaze connected with everyone in the circle around his phone. “Cass, I know you’re good at your job, but give us a little more to go on than that. What are we up against?”
“And quick. Beth is out there, and who knows what’s happening to her as we stand around here chitchatting.” Doug’s patience wore thin. The detective in him knew they needed the information, considering the level of the previous attacks, but the man in him was desperate to find the woman he cared about.
“Keep your shirt on,” Cassidy huffed. “Here’s the thing. I’ve conferred with Keith, and from what I’ve uncovered, Danielle is stealing from Wade. She’s using the accountant to maintain her secret. And with the two of them sharing a bed, she has Hayes’s life in her hands. If Wade found out, he’d blame Hayes for seducing Danielle, not the other way around.”
Doug shook his head. “I’m not sold on that. Whoever tried to kill Beth had skills. Not everyone can handle weapons and make explosives. Plus, the person who came after us through the forest knew how to track. The attorney doesn’t strike me as having those skills.”
“Are you saying women can’t do those things?” Cassidy practically growled the words.
“Not at all, but Danielle seems too prim and proper for all that.” Doug had made Cassidy mad, but at the moment he didn’t care. He wanted answers.
The detective mumbled something about men. “That’s where things get interesting. Danielle, aka Danny Thompson, is a panther in a kitten’s body. Raised by her militia father, that woman has more weapons training and bomb-making skills than most law enforcement have in their big toe. That’s why I called. Be careful. Danielle is deadly, and I don’t want to see any of you hurt while rescuing Beth.”
Dennis rubbed the back of his neck. “Understood. Thanks, Cassidy. Keep digging. I want everything you have on Danielle Thompson.”
“Will do, boss. I’m out.” Cassidy hung up.
Kyle stuffed the phone into his pocket and turned his attention to Doug. “Now that we know what we’re up against, let’s get out there and find the woman you love.”
“I don’t—” Doug froze. He could deny all he wanted, but the truth hung in the air. “You’re right. I love her, and I’m terrified I’m going to lose her.”
“We’ll find her.” Dennis patted his back. “Do you have your personal backup weapon?”
“It’s in the glove box.”
“Get it. And I want vests on. If it is Ms. Thompson, and she’s as trained as Cassidy says, I’m not risking anyone’s life.”
“Yes, sir,” the men said in unison and followed orders.
Doug hurried to the SUV and retrieved his Sig Sauer. He donned his vest, then clipped the conceal carry holster to his waistband. He joined the team at the edge of the road. “What’s the plan?”
“If she’s as good as Cassidy claims, everyone be careful. Sheriff, why don’t you and I go left.” Jason drew his Glock, held it next to his leg, and gestured to the woods. “While Kyle and Doug remain partners and go right.” Jason and Dennis took off.
“Kyle, it’s been over twenty-five minutes since Danielle shot at her. I shouldn’t have waited to go after her.”
“And if you had, you might be dead. Then what good would you be to her? You did the right thing by waiting for backup.” Kyle backhanded Doug’s arm. “Come on, partner, get your head in the game, and let’s go get Beth.”
Doug strode next to his partner toward the woods. Kyle was right. He had to pull it together. He inhaled and blew air through pursed lips. Falling apart wouldn’t help Beth. And from what Cassidy had told them, he had to utilize every bit of his training to defeat Danielle.