Chapter
Thirty-One

Batterson hung up his phone. “Well, they’re on their way down,” he told Mark, who sat in a chair across from him. It was late, but neither man had been willing to leave until they knew their deputy and their witness were safe.

“And Gerard is dead?”

Batterson nodded. “Seems like that local guy who helped Tony find O’Brien shot Gerard before he could hurt her. Thank God.”

“Wow. Good thing he was with them. But you haven’t heard from Tony yet?”

“No. The vehicle with Killian in it got down the mountain first. They’ve called for an ambulance to transport him to the hospital. DeLuca’s vehicle shouldn’t be too far behind. Should be getting a call from him soon.”

The phone rang and Batterson picked it up. “Batterson.” He nodded at Mark and smiled. “About time, DeLuca. I was about ready to come down there and pull you off that mountain myself.”

“Sorry about losing touch, Chief. No reception during the storm, and then I lost my phone. It’s on the mountain somewhere. I’m using Deputy Bennett’s phone.”

“Listen, get back to town, clean up, get some rest, and call me tomorrow with the details. And we need to talk about O’Brien. Gerard’s dead, so obviously she doesn’t need to show up in court. She has some decisions to make.”

“Yeah, she does. Thanks, Chief. To be honest, I’m beat. Can’t wait to get something to eat and crash. Thanks for getting us help.”

“A lot of those LEOs went against orders to go up there and rescue you. They’re the ones to thank. Not me.”

“Okay, Chief. Talk to you tomorrow.”

“Good-bye.” Batterson started to hang up but suddenly pulled the phone back up to his mouth. “Tony? Are you still there?” But Tony had already hung up.

“Something else you wanted to say to him?” Mark asked.

“Yeah, just wanted to make sure he got the information I sent to Deputy Bennett, but I guess that can wait until tomorrow. He needs to know the truth about Killian.”

“You believe he wanted to hurt O’Brien.”

Batterson nodded. “I assume that was it. Can’t think of any other reason. Like I said, Gerard didn’t kill his mother.”

“But it isn’t sitting well with you, is it?”

“No, but I’m tired and hungry. Maybe that’s the only message my gut’s sending me.”

Mark chuckled. “That could be. Why don’t you and I head to Bailey’s Range for cheeseburgers and fried pickles?”

Batterson sighed deeply. “Sounds perfect. Let’s do it.” He raised an eyebrow at Mark. “But what about your fiancée? Won’t she mind?”

Mark laughed. “No. She wouldn’t mind anyway, but tonight Mercy and her mother are going to their recovery group. I’m free as a bird.”

“Good.” Batterson turned off the computer, grabbed his jacket, and headed for the door. Before he left, he looked around the room. Another day’s work done. The darkness beaten back a little more. His mother would be proud. He hesitated for a moment, his hand on the door. So why was there still a knot in his stomach? Although he usually followed his instincts, he couldn’t find a reason to question the results they’d gotten today. He took a deep breath, closed the door, and walked away.

After Tony talked to Batterson, it took another twenty minutes for them to finally turn down the road toward Shelter Cove. Kate couldn’t help but look back at the mountain as they drove away from it. So many things had happened there. She’d faced her greatest fear and survived. She’d confessed her love for Tony, and she’d confronted her anger at God.

Something else had happened on that mountain. When Kate stood face-to-face with her greatest fear, it began to grow weaker and the knowledge that God loved her got stronger. It was as if fear had blocked her ability to connect to Him. She still had no idea why Kelly had died and she’d lived, but she knew God hadn’t abandoned her. No matter what happened in life, God’s love and grace were constant. The one thing that would never waver. Never change. For the first time in years, Kate felt peace.

She had no idea what would happen next, but she was ready for something new. Without the specter of Gerard hovering over her. She needed time to think. Time to plan. She’d spent six years living a life centered around Gerard’s actions. Now he was gone, and she was free. But who was she now? What did she want?

She glanced over at Bobby, who’d fallen asleep. He’d given up so much to protect her. She felt a rush of affection for him. How could she ever repay him? She knew Tony had wanted to take Gerard down himself. Frankly, she’d wanted to do it, too. To avenge Kelly and Bella. But it would have added to her scars. Given Gerard one more part of her soul. It seemed Bobby had accepted the new scars. No matter what happened next, she would never allow her friendship with him to suffer. It was all she could give him, but she knew somehow that it would be enough for Bobby.

She turned and watched the trees go by on the road back to Shelter Cove. Although she felt great peace, she still couldn’t accept that Warren was some kind of mentor to a serial killer. Maybe it was true. She’d been wrong about people before. Still, she’d always felt that Warren was someone she could trust. Someone who watched over her. How could she have been so wrong?

When they drove into Shelter Cove, Tony looked for the SUV that had carried Deputy Killian to town. He wanted a chance to talk to him before the ambulance arrived. When they pulled up near the café where all the LEOs’ cars were parked, Tony turned to look at Bobby, who had dozed off during the ride. He was blinking and looking around, as if trying to get his bearings.

“I have something to do. Bobby, will you walk Kate over to her house? I’ll meet you there, Kate, after I’m done.”

“Sure, Tony,” Bobby said, obviously trying to suppress a yawn.

“You can go home after she’s inside,” Tony said, smiling. “She’ll be fine.”

“I don’t understand why anyone needs to ‘walk me,’” Kate said. “I’m not a dog.”

“I know, I know,” Tony said. “I’m probably being overprotective, but there’s still something about Killian that doesn’t sit right with me. I want to talk to him before I feel you’re completely safe.” He noticed the look on Kate’s face. “Don’t worry,” he said, smiling. “Always a Marshal. Always a protector.”

“It comes with the territory,” Gil confirmed. “It’s in our DNA.” He nodded at Tony. “I can walk her home, Bobby.”

“No, I’ll do it,” Bobby said. “I want to.”

“Thanks anyway,” Kate said to Gil. “But I feel safe with Bobby, and I’m sure you need to check in with your team.”

“Yeah. It’s been a long day, and we still have to inform our chief about the results of our . . . insurgence.”

“You won’t get into trouble, will you?” she asked.

Gil shook his head. “No. We got results. It’s hard to argue with that. Besides, our chief was secretly cheering us on, I’m sure.”

“As was mine,” Tony said. “Don’t worry about us, Kate. Let’s just get you home. I’m sure you’d like a shower.”

Kate laughed. “Are you saying I’m dirty?”

Tony and Bobby laughed, too, looking down at themselves.

“Yeah,” Tony said. “I’m saying we’re all filthy. I don’t think I’ve been this dirty since I was a kid and my brother pushed me into a mud hole. Boy, was my mom mad.”

“Well, no one’s mad at you tonight,” Kate said softly.

Kate gazed around the vehicle, taking in all three of the men who’d saved her life. “Thank you. There aren’t enough words in the English language to thank all of you enough. If it wasn’t for you . . .” Her words trailed off because of the lump in her throat. All she could do was nod as tears slipped down her face.

Bobby reached over and awkwardly patted her on the shoulder. “Don’t cry, Kate. We’re just all glad you’re okay. And like I told Tony, this was the adventure of my life. My boring existence has been shattered forever.”

Kate laughed through her tears. “I’m glad we’re friends, Bobby.”

Bobby smiled. “I guess everyone has a destiny. I was just where I was supposed to be.”

Kate leaned over and hugged him. “I think you’re right.”

Tony got out of the SUV and then leaned back in and nodded at Kate. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”

Kate said good-bye and took off her seat belt. Then she opened the door and climbed out. It was a beautiful evening in Shelter Cove. The rain clouds were gone, and the stars twinkled brilliantly in the sky. She breathed in the night air and thanked God for getting her home.

Once Bobby got out, Gil said good-bye and drove over to where the rest of his team waited.

“Ready to go home?” Bobby asked.

“More than ready. Let’s go.”

She and Bobby walked away from all the flashing lights and emergency vehicles. All Kate really wanted now was a nice long bath and a hot cup of tea.