Love Inspired Suspense June 2021--Box Set 1 of 2, page 47
She gathered a handful of the plump purple berries and held one between her fingertips, lifting it to Trey’s mouth. He hesitated, then accepted the offering, grazing her skin with his surprisingly soft lips.
The touch felt like a battery-jumper-cable jolt, and she fought not to jerk away her hand, instead giving him a shaky smile.
Had the contact rattled him in the same way?
Trey collected more of the berries, snacking on them. “I’d forgotten how good they are.”
Apparently not.
Justine joined him, filling her hands. “We could just eat mulberries all day.”
Trey chuckled. “Maybe after we meet with Susan.”
“Right. Almost forgot why we’re here.” Justine walked past him. Magnum trotted ahead. The fine red rocks crunched beneath their feet. “It’s hard to believe we were fighting for our lives less than twenty-four hours ago.” She inhaled. “I’d be content staying here and forgetting my cares for a few days.”
“The outdoors does that for me too.”
The irony that she and Trey enjoyed so many of the same things wasn’t lost on Justine, but the weight of the diary in her pocket reminded her that her feelings for Trey weren’t allowed. She wouldn’t do that to Kayla.
Or to herself.
The path curved around a bend.
“Before we go farther, let me do a little recon.” Trey pointed to a long line of trees ten feet to the right. The branches were wide and varied, perfect for climbing.
She followed him off the path through knee-high grass, the tip of Magnum’s tail leading the way. Trey’s easy climb up the tree made him look more like a young boy than a seasoned trooper. She glanced up and caught sight of him watching through binoculars and leaning out too far on a branch.
“Well?”
“There’s a sports car parking. Susan’s arrived,” Trey called.
“Is she alone?”
“Appears so.”
Trey moved down the tree. “She’s early, so let’s head to the bridge.”
The trio returned to the path, quickening their pace. “I wonder what she has to tell us.”
Justine slowed at the sound of rushing water. The rock path became wood and connected with a large steel bridge ahead. Trey and Magnum continued walking, not noticing her hesitation.
She swallowed against the dryness in her throat, willing her body to move until she reached the railing. Her hand clutched the warm metal, and she clung for dear life, fear rising like the waters flowing swiftly below. She peered over the edge, keeping as far back as possible, unable to take another step.
Lord, I can’t do this.
“Are you coming?” Trey called, but his voice sounded distant.
One step at a time. Justine lifted her one-ton-heavy foot. Forward.
Her pulse raced.
She advanced two more steps onto the steel-beamed floor and halted. Every muscle in her body locked up. She’d bit Trey’s head off at the house, declaring her competency. How could she tell him water terrified her? Rather, death by drowning.
Trey rushed to her, alarm written in his eyes. He lifted the binoculars, surveying the area. “What’s wrong? Did you see something?”
“I didn’t realize the river was so high,” she squeaked.
Trey leaned his hip against the railing and whistled for Magnum. The dog bounded to his side. Trey secured his leash. “At one time, the bridge was under water. Normally, the river is shallow enough to walk in, only up to your knees, but this part is abnormally deep.”
As if that was a comfort.
He pointed to the edges where a wall of jagged sand cascaded, leaving only a few inches between the riverbank and the waters. “It’s a great place for kayaking, although that wouldn’t be wise today. River’s moving a little swift.”
Justine held tight to the bridge, immobile, words eluding her. Say something. Anything.
“Not into water sports?”
She’d waited too long. And now you’ve done it. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. But she refused to voice her fears, instead opting to change the subject. “This is really pretty. Except for the graffiti someone so lovingly added.” She pointed to the beams marred with spray-painted words and images.
“People have to find a way to ruin things.” Trey sighed, turning to face the water again.
Magnum barked and tugged on his leash, sniffing the underside of the bridge.
Justine followed closely, grateful when her feet hit solid ground. “What’s he got?”
“I’m not sure. He’s on to something.”
Magnum sniffed vigorously, inching along the bank and moving toward the tree line. She and Trey trailed, their feet sliding on the bank’s shifting sands.
A rustle in the leaves made Justine pause.
She jerked and turned.
Only the sound of the water reached her ears.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. Thought I heard something. Probably just my overactive imagination,” she said, brushing aside a stray hair.
Magnum spun and lunged, barking at the tree-lined path.
“You’re not overactively imagining anything,” a man said, emerging from between the trees, gun aimed at them.
NINE
Trey gripped Magnum’s leash with one hand, reaching for his gun with the other. Magnum barked furiously, straining to attack the stranger.
“Touch your gun or make a move, and I’ll shoot your dog before I shoot her.”
Any other day, Trey would’ve unleashed Magnum, but his injury might delay his reaction time. He couldn’t risk losing his partner.
“Shut that stupid mutt up!” the man ordered.
“Nein.” Trey tugged Magnum back and shifted to cover Justine.
Justine gasped. “What do you want?”
Shadows hid the man’s face. “You’re smarter than that. Toss the diary to me.”
“The diary is police evidence. Why would we bring it along?” Trey inserted.
Magnum inched closer, a low growl rumbling.
“Nein,” Trey whispered again.
A click behind him had Trey twisting to investigate. A second assailant stood on the opposite side of the bridge, partially hidden by the trees. The sunlight glimmered off his gun. Had he been watching them the entire time?
“My friend would love to kill you where you stand. Then your body can float downriver. Along with your dog’s,” the first man warned.
“We can’t take you to the diary without moving, genius,” Trey said.
“No, but there’s no need to go far, is there? Your lady friend has it in her pocket.” The man fired. The bullet zinged off the metal bridge.
Justine hopped back, bumping into Trey. He steadied her, and his gaze moved to her khaki pocket above the knee. The diary bulged inside.
They were cornered. Unless...
Trey’s eyes traveled to the rushing waters, following the river into the low-hanging trees as it curved and disappeared from sight. If they jumped in and let the current carry them around the bend, they’d be hidden in the tall grass and could escape to where he’d parked the truck.
The diary would be ruined, but what choice did they have? Would Justine agree?
And how to get Magnum into the river too?
They’d need a running start to clear the sandy bank before diving. The guy had already threatened to shoot them, so turning their backs was unwise. But Justine’s body language on the bridge had told him she feared the water.
Justine faced Trey. “What do we do?”
“Walk up here, lady,” the man ordered again.
If Justine went first, Trey could grab his gun and cover her. At least, he prayed he would.
Right now, he needed a way to communicate the plan. “Justine, you know we can’t get away from them,” he said loudly. “It’s hopeless. What’re we going to do? Jump into the river? The current would drag us away.”
Her eyes widened with what he hoped was understanding. “You’re right,” she said, maintaining the ruse. Then she mumbled, “I can’t swim.”
So that was why she’d locked up on the bridge.
Magnum continued growling.
“He can,” Trey whispered.
Justine glanced down. “Okay.” She gave a slow nod and turned her back to him, facing the gunman. “Don’t shoot. I’m coming.”
“Yeah, yeah, hurry up,” the man said, annoyed.
“The ground is steep. Let me help,” Trey offered.
“I don’t need you. Just her.”
“True, but if she slips and falls, and you have to help her, you can’t do that and keep your gun on me.”
“That’s why I have a partner, genius.”
“Fine. Have it your way.” Trey leaned closer to Justine and whispered, “Take a step toward him, then turn, run and aim for the river. I’ll be right behind you.”
She shook her head. “I can’t.”
“Yes, you can. Don’t panic when you hit the water. Magnum will help you,” Trey whispered. “On three.”
“Knock off the whispering and get up here!”
“Okay, I’m coming,” she called.
Trey pressed Magnum’s leash into her hand. “One, two—”
Justine executed the plan perfectly. “Magnum!”
The dog jumped in beside her.
“Stop!” Curses accompanied bullets from both attackers.
Trey returned fire, his gaze ricocheting between the assailants and Justine.
He shot several consecutive rounds, then launched into the river, gun still clutched in his hand. Justine and Magnum had rounded the bend, taking them from sight.
Trey swam with fury, allowing the current to provide an extra boost.
The men continued shooting, forcing Trey underwater. The murky water was impossible to see through and he sprang to the surface. Algae stung his nose, and sticks brushed his fingers.
Ahead, the river forked. Justine and Magnum clung to a beaver dam made of twigs and branches on the right, but they had to keep moving downriver or the men would catch up.
Justine inched toward the edge, using a fallen tree.
Trey increased his strokes. “Wait.”
She turned, eyes wide with fear.
He reached for her. “I’ve got you. Kick your legs.”
“There!”
A barrage of hissing pffts surrounded them as bullets hit the water and sandy bank.
Trey pulled her toward the fork, aiming for the opposite waterway. “Keep kicking.”
Magnum swam with ease beside him, and they continued downriver and slid behind a marshy area with tall cattails.
After several seconds, the gunfire stopped. Trey lost visuals of the men and prayed they weren’t able to see him and Justine.
They climbed out and slipped into the brush. Magnum gave a thorough shake, flinging water from his fur.
Trey checked his magazine. Not enough ammunition for a second shoot-out. He holstered the weapon. “Stay silent and low.”
Hidden in the tall grass, they hunkered down while Trey used the binoculars still hanging around his neck.
The men searched for them on both sides of the river.
He motioned for Justine, and they crept along the tree line until the men’s voices faded completely.
Once more, they paused, and Trey exhaled relief at the shooters running in the opposite direction. No doubt from where they’d parked before ambushing the trio earlier.
“Think they’ve gone?” Justine whispered.
“Doubtful, but we’re not far from the pickup.”
Concealed by the thick mass of trees, they walked toward the north. Familiar rows of corn promised they were almost free. Entering the fields, they startled grasshoppers, which pinged in all directions. To her credit, Justine didn’t make a sound. Even Magnum seemed to understand the magnitude of the moment and remained quiet. Nearing the edge of the cornfield, they stopped. Trey’s truck sat parked five feet away.
But was it safe? Were the men watching?
“Wait here.”
Trey stepped out, binoculars raised, and surveyed the area. A soft wind rustled the crop.
Nothing.
He lifted his key fob, hoping it still worked, and pressed the button. The door locks clicked. Thank You, Lord.
One more check.
Trey rushed to the vehicle and searched the undercarriage, wheel wells and every place it was conceivable to hide a GPS or bomb. Convinced all had remained safe, he waved over Justine and Magnum.
They made record time getting into the cab and exiting the area. Trey used his patrol radio and called in the gunmen, giving the best descriptions possible with the little information he had. “They won’t catch the losers.”
“What about Susan? Do you think they hurt her?”
Instead of commenting, Trey withdrew his cell phone. The black screen of death, and dripping water confirmed the diagnosis. He dropped it into the closest cup holder.
“Rice,” Justine said.
“What?”
“Put the phone in a bowl of rice. That might fix it.”
“I appreciate your optimism, but there’s not enough rice in the world to help this. It’s insured and everything’s backed up to the cloud, so I’m not panicking yet. However, I need to borrow yours to call Slade.”
“Well...” Justine held up her cell, water oozing from the device.
“Probably should’ve left that in the truck too,” he teased.
“Right?” Justine leaned back and pulled out the diary from her pocket. She placed it on the console, open and soaked. “I should’ve listened to you.”
“I saw a show where books were recovered from sunken ships. Once the pages dry, they may be legible.”
“I love your optimism.”
“You’re a good influence. First stop, phone store.”
“Susan was in on the attack,” Justine said.
“I’m glad you’re seeing things my way. As soon as I reach Sergeant Oliver, I’m bringing her in for questioning.”
“I hate to agree, but I agree.”
“She set us up. The assailant on the opposite side of the bridge got there ahead of us or crossed the river farther upstream and walked down.”
“And the Nolans are the ones insisting on getting the diary. Have they been responsible for the attacks?”
“That’s my theory.” Trey accelerated, grateful as the highway came into view. “I want as much distance between us and those criminals as possible before stopping. And I’ll ask Slade to do recon at your place after we check the cameras.”
“No argument here.” Justine finger-combed her wet hair.
Within thirty minutes, Trey pulled into a phone store.
“We’re a mess.” Justine gestured at their rumpled clothes.
“Act natural,” Trey teased.
They purchased replacement phones and ignored the curious look from the clerk. Returning to the truck, they plugged the devices in to charge, and as soon as they came to life, message notifications chimed for both.
“Trey, Dr. Curtis returned my call.” Dread hung in Justine’s tone.
“Maybe he has good news.” He waited as she activated the voice mail on speaker.
“Miss Stark, I’ve reevaluated the evidence in Kayla Nolan’s case, and I do not believe an exhumation and reexamination are warranted. I apologize for the miscommunication.” Dr. Curtis’s tone was robotic.
Justine’s cheeks burned crimson. “Oh, that woman!”
“Susan’s very busy, and we’re about to fix that problem.” Trey dialed Slade, and before his brother said “hello,” Trey blurted out the day’s events.
“Unbelievable. What’s your next move?”
“Questioning Susan and charging her with multiple counts of everything I can find. In the meantime, would you run recon at the ranch?”
Slade exhaled loudly. “Oliver called me in to help serve a warrant.”
Trey’s stomach tanked. “Oh.”
“You’ve got the cameras set up, though, right? Maybe stay in Lincoln tonight instead? Or at the house with Asia.”
After all they’d endured, Trey wasn’t endangering his sister-in-law. “We’ll see.”
“If we finish early, I’ll head to the ranch.”
“I appreciate it.” Trey disconnected and called Sergeant Oliver.
“I love that we talk every day, Jackson. Don’t whine about Slade. I had no choice. We’re low on manpower.”
“Actually, boss, you’ll want to hear this.” Trey explained Susan’s luring them to the bridge and subsequent ambush.
“Whoa. Are you sure she was there?”
Trey reconsidered what he’d seen. “Susan drives a sports car, and a woman got out of the vehicle.”
“But did you see Susan Nolan?” Oliver pressed.
“Whose side are you on?” Trey bit out.
“Jackson, you’d better have evidence before you accuse her of ambushing you. I’ll call and request she come in to meet with you. Irwin’s handling supply duty, so he’ll be around and can run interference until you arrive.”
Great. Irwin the Vulture to the rescue. “Roger that. If she doesn’t have an alibi, that helps me.”
“Don’t hold your breath.”
“One other thing. Justine and I witnessed Susan talking with Dr. Curtis. Now he’s refusing to do the exhumation. At the very least, that’s impeding an investigation.”
“This is unreal. I hate bullies, and the Nolans are the quintessential example of bullies. I want that diary secured and this case solved! Whatever it contains has someone losing their mind.” Oliver grunted. “District Attorney Madeline Hansen owes me a favor. Never thought I’d be using it on this though.” He rattled off a phone number. “Tell her I sent you.”
