34
Josh tapped his foot against the tiled floor of the interrogation room and stared at the door as if that would somehow move things along faster. Except for the night Olivia died, he didn’t remember ever feeling so out of control. They didn’t have the luxury of time if they were going to stop what was going on.
Two detectives had spent over an hour interrogating him on everything from his escape from jail to Caitlyn’s involvement in the situation to the file he’d turned over to them, but they’d focused primarily on his accusations of ADA Hayward and the planned attack on the consulate. He had no doubt that they had many more questions for him. Whether they believed him or not, he had no idea. So now he had no choice but to simply wait.
He let out a sigh of relief as Captain Thomas stepped into the room and dropped the file folder onto the table in front of him. “Sorry you’ve had to wait so long, but things are a bit crazy out there.”
Josh didn’t respond, just waited for the man to continue, hoping that the apology was a good sign he hadn’t decided to dismiss him.
“The evidence you gave us was pretty compelling, and I’ll be the first to admit that it looks like you were right.” The captain sat down across from him. “Since Braddock’s on the FBI’s most wanted list, we were obligated to loop them in. And thanks to your intel and a rapid-fire plan, he was arrested outside the consulate about forty-five minutes ago.”
“And the bioweapon he had?”
“In the course of our search we found an aerosol container that we believe, once tested, will contain the virus, but the building was evacuated successfully. Another hour and we would be looking at an entirely different outcome.”
Josh leaned forward. “Do you believe me now? All the evidence against me was nothing more than a setup. I didn’t kill my wife . . . or Quinton. This is about black-market sales of bioterrorism materials—that won’t end with this attempted attack—plus corruption in the DA’s office—”
“I know, and I owe you an apology. I was facing tremendous pressure from Hayward’s office to bring you in. They had evidence that supported what they were saying. If I’d had any idea of what was really going on, and the evidence that was planted . . .”
“Tell me how I can help.”
“For now, you’re going to have to be patient while we sort all this out. I’m still skating on pretty thin ice here. If we don’t do things right, this case is going to fall down like a house of cards, not to mention I keep being reminded that you escaped from jail and in the process broke at least half a dozen laws.” The captain shook his head. “You know I can’t just ignore that. If I want any charges to stick against Hayward and anyone else involved, I’m going to have to tread carefully.”
Josh nodded. This might be far from over, but at least they were finally moving in the right direction.
The captain pressed his palms against the table. “Why didn’t you just come to me from the beginning?”
“If I remember correctly, I did come to you, and you told me to let the case go, take a vacation, and in the meantime, get my head on straight.”
“Fair enough, but after you found out about Hayward’s involvement and the virus? You saw what going rogue did. I know about the hit on your life. You’re lucky we didn’t pull you out of that jail in a body bag.”
“It might not have been the best option, but in looking back, I don’t know that I would have done anything differently. Quinton told me to hold off coming to you. He suspected that someone higher up was involved. I didn’t know who to trust. But let me help. Please. I know what’s going on, and I can—”
“Forget it. I’ll make sure all charges are dropped against you and Miss Lindsey, but it’s going to take time. You’re still technically a fugitive who just escaped from prison, which means no matter what I think, you can’t be involved in this.” The captain sat back in his chair. “Though you might find this interesting. I just got confirmation that Hayward was found sitting in his hotel room with his mistress, exactly where you said he would be, waiting for the police.”
“Really?”
“What did you tell him?” the captain asked.
“I might have given him the impression that there was muscle outside the room and that he would be safer staying inside.”
“You threatened him?”
Clearly Hayward hadn’t disclosed everything that went on in that room. “I was just trying to save lives, and in the process, I admit, my own.”
The captain’s phone rang. He took the call, hanging up without saying anything, then turned back to Josh. “I don’t remember seeing Detective Adams on your list of those suspected in being involved in this mess.”
“He wasn’t.”
“Security footage has him leaving this building with Caitlyn as a hostage.”
Josh jumped up from his chair. “Where is she?”
“Just tell me she’s okay.”
“All I know is that she’s been injured, and Adams was shot. I’m heading to the scene now.”
Josh braced his hands against the table. “Let me go with you. Please.”
“What did I just tell you?” The captain headed for the door. “You can’t be involved in this.”
“Like it or not, I am involved.” He wasn’t going to back down. Not now. “But I just want to see her. Please.”
The captain stopped, then turned around. “If you promise to talk to her only, and no one else.”
Josh nodded.
Twenty minutes later, the captain pulled up at the scene of the wreck. Josh recognized Adams’s smashed-up vehicle. First responders were on the scene, including an ambulance and the county medical examiner’s van. The ME’s van could only be here for one reason. Someone was dead.
But Caitlyn . . . she had to be okay.
He followed the captain to where the officer in charge was standing near the crash. By the looks of the vehicle it was a miracle anyone had survived it.
As hard as it is, son, maybe it’s time to move on. I know what it’s like to lose a spouse. Loving someone new will never take away the love you had for her. And Olivia would want you to be happy again.
His father’s words played through his mind. But what if he’d lost Caitlyn before he even had a chance with her?
“Captain Thomas.”
“Detective Bower. What happened?”
“Witness says that their vehicle hit the truck from behind, causing it to flip. The detective then dragged his hostage—a Caitlyn Lindsey—toward that coffee shop. Deciding he was about to escalate the situation with more hostages, an HPD sniper took him down.”
“He’s dead?” the captain asked.
Bower nodded.
“And his hostage?” Josh spoked up, unable to stay silent. “Caitlyn Lindsey . . . where is she?”
“She’s on her way to the hospital right now.”
“She was injured?”
“Possible broken ribs and internal injuries. They’re not sure yet.”
No . . . He’d wanted to keep her safe. He thought that turning themselves in would guarantee that, bring this nightmare to an end, but now . . . how had this happened?
“Solomon?”
Josh turned to the captain. “I need to see her.”
He nodded. “I’ll take you to the hospital as soon as I’m done here.”
Josh followed the nurse’s directions to room 324, then hesitated in the doorway. Caitlyn lay on the bed, talking to the doctor. She had a nasal cannula for oxygen and an IV in her hand—reminders of how close he’d come to losing her. And of how grateful he was that she was alive.
“Josh?”
He stepped into the room, stopping at the end of her bed. “Hey . . . you’ve had us all worried.”
“I’m okay. Really.” Caitlyn nodded at the doctor. “He can explain better than I can.”
“She will be fine, but she has two broken ribs and a pulmonary contusion. The main treatment is rest, and barring any infection, the bruising on her lungs should heal within the week. The cracked ribs will heal also but will take longer.” The doctor turned back to Caitlyn. “I’ll check in on you in the morning, and if your oxygen levels are normal, you should be able to go home.”
Josh waited for the doctor to leave, then sat down on the edge of her bed. “Hey.”
“Hey . . .” She shot him a tired smile. “I can’t believe you’re here. I was worried they’d have you locked up in solitary confinement.”
“They’re dropping all charges against us.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re serious?”
He slipped his hand around hers. “Yes, but still I’m so, so sorry you had to go through all of this. Are you really okay?”
“I will be. Especially now. Funny how I was thinking that the only thing I had to worry about in turning ourselves in was going to prison. I guess I was wrong.”
He shot her a smile. “You really will be the life of the party with all this to add to your story—”
“Don’t.” She pulled her hand away, pressed it against her side, and groaned. “Please don’t make me laugh.”
“I’ll try not to.”
Her smile faded. “It shouldn’t be that hard, really. Adams is dead. They shot him.”
“I know.”
“What about Hayward?” she asked.
“He was picked up in his hotel room where we left him.”
“He actually believed your threat about not leaving the room?”
“Eddie can look pretty threatening. They also arrested Braddock.”
“So they stopped the attack?”
He nodded. “There are still some loose ends to tie up, but this is finally over.”
She reached up and brushed her finger across his jawline.
“I’m a mess, aren’t I?” he said.
“A few colorful bruises of your own, but you’re alive. That’s all that matters.”
But the sadness was back in her eyes. “I wanted to tell you how sorry I am about Quinton. I know you haven’t had a chance to grieve, but he proved that he was a good man. He gave his life to try and stop this. We owe him our lives.”
“Quinton is one of the pieces I’ve wanted to ignore dealing with until I’m forced to. I just don’t know how I’m going to explain what happened to his wife or his two little girls. He didn’t deserve this.”
“None of them did. Olivia . . . Dr. Abbott . . . Helen . . . At least no one else should get hurt now.”
He caught her gaze. “How are you? Really.”
“Besides feeling like someone is stabbing me every time I take a breath?” She shook her head. “I’m tired . . . Relieved . . . Sad. If you would have told me a month ago I was going to do even one of the things I’ve done in the past week, I would have said you were crazy. After today . . . I don’t know. I hope I’m never put in a position of feeling like I have to choose the wrong side of the law.”
He brushed back a tear from her cheek. “You have nothing to feel guilty about.”
“What happens now?”
“Well, for starters, you’re not to leave until you’re officially discharged.”
“What about you then?” she asked. “Have you been checked out by a doctor?”
“Not yet.”
“Promise me you will?”
“Fine . . . I promise. As long as you keep your promise.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “It’s a deal.”
“After that, I’m thinking about Chinese takeout, then sleeping for about a week.” He tried to read her expression but couldn’t. “Does it hurt bad?”
“Just every breath. A week sleeping sounds pretty good, though I have a feeling I’m going to be sick of resting before I’m better.”
“I’d say you deserve that. I’d say we both do, actually.” He ran his thumb down her cheek, wanting badly to kiss her.
She turned away. “Please. Don’t.”
“What’s wrong?”
She shook her head. “I’m thrilled that Hayward and Braddock and the others will pay for what they did, but as far as us . . . nothing has changed for me. I’m sorry.”
He fought to come up with a response that wouldn’t push her away further. When he’d kissed her at the beach house, despite her hesitation afterward, he knew he hadn’t imagined the longing in her response. “I know what it’s like to have your heart broken, but I also know what it’s like to love and be loved. What if it’s worth the risk?”
“What if it’s not?” She looked back at him. “Everything that’s happened these last few days—and especially today—has reminded me that sometimes, no matter how hard you try, people get hurt. Hearts get broken. People die. I don’t want to go there again.”
“Not even to take a chance in finding out that we could be happy together?”
“Josh, this isn’t some storybook tale where everything ends when the hero kisses the heroine. What about after that moment? Things don’t always work out that way in real life. They get messy. Men walk out, abuse their spouses, or they die. And hearts get broken.”
Like her heart.
Which made sense. It was why she was pulling away from him. Not because she didn’t feel the same way he did, but because she was terrified of what she might lose. And he couldn’t blame her. An abusive father who had killed her mother. A fiancé who had walked out on her. In order to guard her heart, she’d closed it off completely. And there was no way she was going to just let him in.
“You’re right,” he said. “But I’m not your father or your ex-fiancé—”
“That doesn’t matter. Anything that happened between us isn’t real. We barely know each other outside all of this. Whatever you’re feeling . . . it’s not going to last. It can’t.”
“Why not?” He shifted on the edge of the bed, searching for a response that wouldn’t push her away further. And deciding the only answer he could give her was the truth. “It feels real to me. When we drove up and I saw Adams’s car, I didn’t know if you were dead or alive. But I knew at that moment that I couldn’t lose you . . . And I realized how much I want you in my life.” He rushed on before she had a chance to interrupt. “I know you’ve lost a lot in your lifetime and you’ve been hurt, and I won’t be foolish enough to think I would never hurt you. Because I will. Even if I don’t want to. But I need you to understand that you are the reason that my heart is feeling again. You’ve made me want to open up and love again. To step out and take a chance. It’s all because of you. And just because your heart is telling you to run right now doesn’t mean you have to listen to it. Give it a chance, Caitlyn. Give us a chance. Please.”
She was crying now. “I can’t, Josh.”
He wanted to pull her into his arms. To tell her to fight against the fear that entangled her. To convince her that taking a chance was sometimes worth the risk. But that wasn’t his decision to make.
The nurse walked into the room. “I’m sorry, sir, but you’re going to have to leave. She needs to rest.”
“Caitlyn—”
She avoided his gaze. “Goodbye, Josh.”
He hesitated, then walked out of the room. After everything that had happened, he’d been so sure she’d be willing to make a fresh start with him despite all the baggage and hurt they both carried. But he’d been wrong. Instead of healing and moving on, he felt as if his heart had just shattered all over again. What did finding out the truth matter if he lost her in the process?