An hour and a hot shower later, Doug eased his aching body onto the couch. Bruises had blossomed on his back and torso, compliments of the explosion. His headache had dimmed to a dull throb after the two Tylenol he’d swallowed when he arrived home. He had the signs of a mild concussion that he refused to let control him, but he wouldn’t be careless either. He’d assured Dennis that he’d notify him if his condition worsened, and he intended to keep his promise.
Cassidy puttered in the kitchen while Beth joined him on the sofa. She sat with her chin down and nibbled on her lower lip. The woman kept every word, every reaction, in check. The entire time she’d stayed with him, she’d waited for an invitation to enter a room or add to a conversation and deferred to him or others on several occasions. He’d witnessed the effects of domestic trauma on the job, but never had it been as personal as it was now.
He clutched her hand and spoke low so Cassidy couldn’t hear. “You’re going to make it bleed.”
She jerked her gaze in his direction and licked her lip. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. You’ve done nothing wrong.” He squeezed her hand in an attempt to comfort her. Although he doubted that he succeeded. “I don’t like to see you hurt yourself.”
The look in her emerald eyes made him wonder if anyone had ever cared about Beth in her life.
A slight smile graced her face.
Butterflies chose that moment to flutter in his stomach. What about this woman had him tied in knots? Yes, he missed his wife, always would. But he’d moved beyond the heartache. The guilt—that was another story. He’d dated in the last couple of years, but no one had turned his head like the timid woman beside him. However, now wasn’t the time to explore the attraction or the reasoning. His focus had to remain on taking down Tommy Wade and stopping the drugs from flowing through Anderson County—and getting justice for his wife.
The front door opened. Kyle took care of the alarm, and the team streamed inside.
“Man, it’s hot out there. Sure could use a drink.” Jason fanned his face.
Kyle slapped him on the back. “Not very subtle, dude.”
Doug shook his head at his friends’ antics. When he’d moved to Valley Springs several years ago, the guys had pulled him out of his funk and became his best friends. He had no idea what he’d do without them.
“I heard that.” Cassidy poked her head out from the kitchen. “I’ve got the iced tea, boys. Be there in a minute.”
“Oh, bless you, Cassidy.” Jason grabbed a couple of chairs and joined Doug and Beth.
Kyle went to help his fiancée and returned with glasses filled with ice while Cassidy held the pitcher.
Sheriff Dennis Monroe waltzed in a few minutes later and secured the door. “Glad everyone is on time.” He took the offered beverage, lowered himself onto the recliner, and pinned Doug with a glare. “Before we start, I want an update on how Tabitha and Doug are doing.”
Doug decided it was best to get to the point. “I’m sore, and the head’s a little out of whack, but I’m good.” When Beth remained silent, he nudged her.
Her scraped hand went to her throat. “Oh, I’m okay. Nothing time won’t heal.”
The darkening purple on her neck from where the guy had wrapped his arm and dragged her to the waiting car had Doug’s blood pressure rising. The woman downplayed her injuries. Her throat and scrapes had to hurt. He thought about calling her on it but refrained.
Dennis grunted. Doug assumed the utterance was due to his boss not liking how they’d both glossed over their conditions. “Jason, what did you find out from the Sheriff’s Department security cameras?”
“Not a lot. Twenty minutes before the explosion, a figure, most likely male, in dark clothes and a baseball cap pulled low over his face, walked past Doug’s SUV, taking longer than necessary. The man then continued down the sidewalk. I speculate he circled back and hid in the trees along the parking lot.”
“No identifying features?” Kyle asked.
“Not that I can tell, but I’m not a tech guru. Beth, what do you think? Did you recognize the guy?” Jason asked.
“I’m not one hundred percent certain, but I’m pretty sure it was Clark, Tommy’s number two, that tried to take me. When I grabbed his arm, I felt a long scar. One that matches Clark’s from a knife fight. But I’m not one hundred percent certain,” Beth responded just above a whisper.
“I’ll let the lab rats know.” Jason took a sip of tea.
Dennis chuckled. “Your wife really started something.”
Beth’s brow furrowed. “Lab rats?”
Doug rested his hand on her arm, which didn’t go unnoticed by the sheriff. “Jason’s wife, Melanie, is a forensic anthropologist and our county coroner. When she first took the job, she tagged the lab techs with the moniker lab rats, and it’s taken on a life of its own.”
“And they’re okay with this?” Her pitch rose to almost a squeak.
How could he explain? “It’s not derogatory. We hold them in the highest regard.”
Jason straightened in his seat with pride. “My wife’s a force to be reckoned with. Her respect for them is beyond compare. And since she’s one of the best in her field, they like the nickname because it came from her.”
Dennis leaned back. “So, the lab rats have the footage, but until they study it, we have nothing concrete except Tabitha’s impression.”
Jason nodded. “That’s a fair assessment.”
“Kyle?” The sheriff shifted his gaze to Doug’s partner.
“At the mention of Tommy Wade, I did a cursory search and came up with nothing more than what we all know. Businessman who runs drugs on the side. Or should I reverse that? Drug dealer and businessman on the side is more like it.” Kyle shrugged. “Unless I have more to go on, I don’t know where to dig.”
“I spoke with the VSFD’s Captain Phillips. He’s had training in arson investigations, and according to him, the preliminary findings suggest that someone detonated the explosion remotely.”
“You mean I didn’t trigger it?” Doug hated that the whole thing happened, but the fact he hadn’t caused it... His shoulders sagged with relief.
Dennis shook his head. “Captain Phillips can’t confirm it without a full investigation. But they did find a good-size chunk of the detonator that has him convinced it wasn’t activated by the engine starting. I’m guessing the suspect either wanted to eliminate Doug or create a diversion to abduct Tabitha.”
“Or maybe both?” Kyle held up his palms.
“Kyle’s right. If I hadn’t turned and stopped to wait on Beth, I’d have been directly in the blast zone. And the masked man would have snatched her without an issue since the explosion would have drawn everyone’s attention.”
“Dude, you do know her name is Tabitha, right? It’s not like we’re in public, and you have to use her alias.” Jason waggled his eyebrows.
“Leave it alone.” He glared at his friend, then glanced at Beth. She sat paralyzed next to him. He didn’t like her pallor. Once the meeting broke up, he’d pull her aside and figure out what had caused her distress.
Jason took the hint and leaned forward. “Now what? We’re no closer to figuring out exactly what we’re up against. Sure, we’re looking at Wade, but he’s an ongoing dagger in everyone’s side. Nothing new there. Can you two tell us anything else?”
Doug hoped Beth would speak up, but she refused to make eye contact with anyone on the team. What choice did he have but to spill his secret? He’d allow Beth her silence for now. But he owed it to the guys and Cassidy to give them more information. His private search was about to become public.
He exhaled. “You all know that while I was deployed, someone broke into our house and killed my wife.”
Beth jerked her head up. Her wide green eyes stared at him. “What?”
Doug had forgotten that Beth knew nothing about his past. What a way to find out. He swallowed hard before continuing. “Five years ago, during my deployment overseas, my wife Christine witnessed a drug deal gone bad. Tommy Wade murdered a man in front of everyone on the street. But you know how that goes. No one saw anything. She was the only one willing to tell the police what had happened. They asked if she’d testify when the case went to trial, and she agreed. Two nights later, someone broke into our home and shot her—execution style.”
Beth sucked in an audible breath. “I’m so sorry.”
He patted her hand. “I’ve dealt with it. Mostly.”
Dennis pursed his lips. Realization that there was more to the story flashed in his eyes. “Go on. I know part of it, but I think I need to hear the rest.”
“A friend from my Army days, DEA agent Michael Lane, came to me six months ago. Said he was tired of Tommy Wade always slipping through the cracks of justice and planned to take him down once and for all. He asked if I wanted in.” Doug’s gaze met Dennis. “I said yes. Christine deserves to have her killer caught.”
The sheriff rubbed the back of his neck. “Olsen, you know I would have supported you to work with Lane. You didn’t have to go behind my back.”
Doug cringed at Dennis’s accusation. “It was never my intention to deceive you. And you know I trust you. But Michael asked me not to say a word about his secret investigation. Anytime he’d collected proof in the past, it never stuck. He worried that Tommy or his attorney received leaked information and fixed it before anyone could take him down. Not long after I agreed to work with him, Michael had someone on the inside gathering evidence who he had to protect.” He fought the urge to look at Beth. He now knew she was the one who had risked her life to get his friend that proof.
“Do we know who Michael’s source was and what he discovered?” Kyle’s gaze flickered to Beth then back to him. His partner had his suspicions, but refrained from asking outright.
Doug wiped a hand down his face. Here came the sticky part. “Not completely. I have a...lead, but can’t say yet.”
Jason narrowed his eyes. “Can’t or won’t?”
“Can’t. I trust all of you, and I need your help. But I’m not in a position to share that part of the story.” He prayed his coworkers understood. If things got worse, he’d have to share with or without Beth’s permission.
“I’ll allow the undisclosed information for now. When this is over, I want the whole story.” Dennis stated in an all-too-familiar, don’t argue with me tone.
Doug nodded. His phone chimed, and he pulled it from his pocket. “Why is the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department calling?” He tapped the answer button. “Detective Olsen.”
“Detective, this is Deputy Coleman with LCSD. My partner and I found a man in a remote cabin on our side of the lake. When the owners came home, they discovered him unconscious and bleeding. While they waited on the paramedics, the owners said the man came to for a moment and said your name before he went unconscious again. The guy’s in bad shape. I hope he makes it.”
Doug sat up straight. “Who is it?” He felt the team staring at him, but he focused on the deputy’s voice.
“Unknown. We hoped that you could tell us. He’s on his way to Valley Springs General Hospital since it’s closer. In fact, he should be there by now. It took us a few minutes to figure out who you were and contact you. Would you be willing to meet me there?”
“Of course.” Doug’s mind whirled with the information. Who said his name and why? One of his confidential informants? Maybe. He rubbed his forehead with his thumb and finger. But the distance didn’t compute. “I’ll be there soon.”
“I appreciate it. I hope you can identify our John Doe.”
Doug thanked the deputy and hung up.
“Want to fill us in?” Dennis scooted forward in his chair and rested his elbows on his knees.
Doug relayed the conversation to the others. “I have no idea who the guy is that they found, but I’m heading to the hospital to try and give LCSD a name to go with their John Doe.” His thoughts drifted to Michael. Could it be him? But if so, how had he ended up so far from the boat incident? He reined in his hope. And he definitely wouldn’t say anything to Beth. Because the probability was slim at best.
He locked gazes with her, debating what to do. There was no way he wanted to leave her, but he’d let her decide whether to stay or come with him. It seemed the woman rarely had the opportunity to make her own choices in life. He refused to follow that same path unless her life was at stake. “Are you okay coming with me? Or would you rather stay with Cassidy?”
She stared up at him with those uncertain green eyes of hers. “I’ll go with you if it’s all right.”
“More than.” Doug stood and groaned. “I’d forgotten how sore I am.” He helped Beth up. “Let’s head out. We’ll take my personal truck since my department vehicle is toast. Kyle, you’ll lock up?”
“I’ve got it, man. Go.” Kyle waved a dismissive hand.
“I expect an update. No more going through this alone.” Dennis said.
“Promise, Boss.” Doug retrieved his keys from the hook near the door, and he and Beth headed out. His instincts told him to hurry.
Cold air blew from the truck’s vents, tousling Tabitha’s hair. She brushed a few strands from her eyes and tucked them behind her ear. Doug’s confession about his wife Christine had stolen her breath. Tabitha had thought he cared about her. But arresting his wife’s killer topped his list. She understood—she really did. However, the realization that he needed her to complete his task sent her reeling. Just another person using her.
God, I thought he was different. Or am I wrong? I’ve been wrong about so many things. I don’t know what to think anymore. Why did Michael have to die? I trusted him. Sure, he wanted to put Tommy behind bars. But he offered me a way out whether I helped him or not. And he led me to You.
“Beth?”
She shifted to face Doug. “I’m sorry. Did you say something?”
“I asked if you’re okay. You seem awfully quiet, even for you.”
“Just thinking.” Tabitha returned her gaze out the window. “Do you have any idea who the mystery man is?”
“Not a clue. Deputy Coleman didn’t give me much to go on.” He entered the hospital parking lot and pulled to a stop. “Wait, I’ll come around. I want you to stay close. We don’t know who is after you.” His hand hovered over his weapon as he scanned the area. A moment later, he opened her door.
She slid from the seat. “Do you think he’s out there?”
“The guy who attacked you?”
She nodded.
“My guess? Yes. Either way, I’m not taking a risk with your safety.” He tucked her in close, and they strode into the hospital. “Please, don’t leave my side.”
The sincerity in his voice had her second-guessing her judgment of Doug’s motives. The man had done nothing but help her since last night, even before he knew her connection to Tommy and Michael. “I won’t. I promise.”
Doug led her to the receptionist’s desk and presented his credentials. “Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department sent in a John Doe and asked me to come make an ID.”
“Let me call and find out, Detective.” The receptionist lifted the phone when a nurse bustled through the door.
“Detective Olsen.” The woman in blue scrubs smiled.
Doug shook her hand. “Janie. How are you?”
“Good. Glad it’s not one of you boys here for treatment.”
He chuckled. “Not this time. Janie, this is Beth. Beth, this is Janie, nurse extraordinaire.”
“Nice to meet you, sweetie. These boys have kept me busy over the last year or two.” She patted Doug on the shoulder. “I’m guessing you’re here for the John Doe.”
Doug cringed at Janie’s touch. The poor guy’s injuries probably ached with a vengeance. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Come with me.” Janie motioned for them to follow.
Tabitha stayed in step with Doug as they trailed Janie through the double doors.
“The man you’re here for hasn’t regained consciousness. Although he’s shown signs of coming around, so we’re hopeful. The deputy stepped away for a moment, but said he’d return in a few minutes.” Janie pushed open the door to a room at the end of the hall. “Go ahead. Take your time. Please, let me know if you recognize him.”
“Will do. Thanks, Janie.” Doug placed his warm hand on the small of Tabitha’s back and escorted her into the room.
A broad-shouldered, tall man lay under the white sheets. A stark contrast to his bruised arms and swollen face. An IV ran from the pump to the back of his left hand. And the heart monitor beeped in a gentle rhythm.
Doug slipped away from her and stepped to the bed. He tilted his head, studying the man. A sharp inhale had her hurrying to his side.
“What’s wrong?”
Doug clasped the man’s wrist. “It’s Michael.”
“What?” She leaned closer to get a better look. Her fingers covered her mouth. A whimper escaped before she could stop it. “He’s alive.” She prayed he’d survived. Oh, how she’d prayed, but hadn’t expected her prayers to be answered.
“Stay here.” Doug hurried from the room, leaving her alone with the man who’d cared enough to get her away from Tommy and point her to God.
Tabitha laced their fingers together. “Michael? Can you hear me? I really need you to wake up and tell me what to do. I’m not sure who to trust.” Tears burned her eyes. She’d never had romantic feelings for Michael, only a growing friendship. And now, her friend lay in the hospital, injured and unconscious. She had to put an end to the damage in Tommy’s wake. Her courage wavered, but she owed it to Michael to finish what they’d started.
The door opened, and Doug strode in. He glanced at her and Michael’s intertwined hands. “I’m sorry if I interrupted.”
“Not at all. I thought talking to him might help.” She released Michael’s hand and moved to Doug’s side.
“Good idea.” His entire countenance shifted to work mode. She’d seen it happen before. “I only told Janie who he is but asked her to keep it quiet.”
“Shouldn’t his family and boss know he’s alive? And what about the deputy that found him?”
“For now, I’d like to keep Michael’s identity a secret.” Doug threaded his fingers through his hair.
She tilted her head and studied him. “Why? Don’t you trust the deputy?”
“To be honest, I’m not sure. It all comes down to the fact that if Michael’s name gets out, he becomes a target again. Someone tried to kill him once. I don’t want a repeat of that. Until we get a handle on the investigation and if there’s a leak, I want to keep his identity under wraps.”
She hadn’t considered that. “Will Janie keep your secret?”
He nodded. “I have full faith she’ll stay quiet, barring anything illegal.”
“What do we do now?”
“I’d like to stay for a bit and see if he regains consciousness, but searching for the evidence he hid is the top priority.”
Janie rushed in. “Detective, there’s a man out there acting weird.”
“How so?” Doug asked.
“He’s purposely hiding his face and wandering around the floor, peeking into rooms. I don’t like it. Especially after what you told me.”
Doug stiffened. “Stay here. Don’t let anyone come in but me.” He turned to leave, and the door flung up.
Doug drew his weapon and pointed it at the man who stood at the entrance of the room. “Police! Don’t move!”
The guy raised his hands in the air. “Whoa, there, cowboy. Don’t shoot a brother in blue. Name’s Coleman. I’m the one who called you.”
“ID.” Doug’s all-business countenance hadn’t wavered with the deputy’s announcement.
Coleman removed the credentials from his pocket and held them up.
Doug squinted at the proof and lowered his Glock but didn’t re-holster it. “Don’t let these three out of your sight.” He rushed from the room.
“Mind telling me what that was all about?” Deputy Coleman shifted his gaze from her to Janie and back.
Janie stepped forward and stood between Tabitha and Coleman. “He’s checking out a possible threat in the hospital.”
The detective’s forehead crinkled. “Right. You’re not telling me everything. But I’ll accept your answer for now.”
Tabitha released a long breath. God, I’m holding on to faith that all this will be over one day. But until then, please keep us safe from Tommy and his men.
Michael moaned.
She hurried to his side and caught herself before she used his name. “Hey, there. Go ahead and wake up.” Tears stinging her eyes, Tabitha leaned in and whispered in his ear. “I need your help. I don’t know who to trust.”
Michael’s eyelids fluttered and opened to tiny slits, then closed.
“That’s it. A little more.” She’d noticed that Janie hadn’t moved from her position, and Tabitha appreciated the protective gesture. It had to be hard not to go to her patient.
Footfalls echoed and stopped inside the room.
She pivoted to see Coleman level his weapon on Doug, then lower it.
“Did you find him?” Janie asked.
“No. But I need to get Beth out of here. I called Jason to come help with our John Doe. He’s pulling into the parking lot as we speak, he’ll be at the elevators in a couple of minutes. Seems the sheriff already planned for backup.” Doug closed the door and joined her at the bedside.
“I can stand guard until your man gets here if that’s what you need,” Coleman offered.
“I appreciate that, but I don’t know you. I know Jason.”
Coleman narrowed his gaze, studying Doug for a moment, then gave a quick nod. “Understood. Since this is under my jurisdiction, I want a full statement for my report. I’ll be outside the door until your friend arrives.” He spun and exited the room.
With Coleman gone, Doug returned his attention to Michael. “Anything?”
“Yes, he’s coming around. Do we have a few more minutes?” She wanted to talk with Michael and make sure he would be okay.
“A few, but not much more than that.” Doug placed his hand on Michael’s arm. “Come on, buddy. Wake up.”
Several minutes later Michael stirred.
“Michael, please.” Tabitha knew how ridiculous it sounded to beg, but she couldn’t help herself.
“Beth?” His voice was so soft she thought she’d imagined it.
She leaned in close to his ear. “I’m right here. So is Doug.”
Michael forced his swollen eyes open. His unfocused gaze wavered then pinned Doug. “You have to take care of her.” His words slurred.
Doug placed a hand on Michael’s blanket-covered leg. “I am, my friend.”
Michael’s gaze drifted back to her. His eyelids drooped. “I heard you earlier.” He licked his dry lips. “You can trust Doug.”
She swallowed the lump in her throat and squeezed his hand. “Okay.”
“Not...seems...eviden...” Michael lost consciousness again.
“Michael?” When he didn’t respond, she faced Doug. “What did he mean by all that?”
“I’m not sure. But I do know we have to go. The quicker we find that evidence, the better.” Doug joined Janie near the door. “He’s in danger.”
“I’ll take care of hiding him. New room. New name, if anyone asks.” Janie pulled out her phone and sent a text message. “Let Jason know, Nick Jackson. Room 303.”
Doug narrowed his gaze. “Wait. That’s maternity.”
Janie winked. “Exactly.”
“You’re a crafty woman, Miss Janie.”
The nurse laughed. “Now get out of here and distract Deputy Coleman so I can get our friend upstairs.”
Doug clasped Tabitha’s hand. “Ready?”
Was she? Not really. Michael said she could trust Doug. So far, the man had proven himself, so she’d listen to Michael—for now. “Whenever you are.”
They headed for the door, and her steps faltered.
Doug placed his hands on her shoulders, dipped his chin, and peered up at her. “What’s wrong?”
“Do you think he’s still out there?”
“The man Janie spotted?”
She nodded.
“Honestly, I don’t know. But we can’t assume he’s not.” He gave her a lopsided smile and jerked his head toward the exit. “Come on.”
She continued down the hall, tucked in next to Doug.
Had the suspicious man come for Michael, or had he followed her to the hospital, ready to try to abduct her again?