Christmas Protection Detail

by Terri Reed

  “Hey. Busy morning here. I can’t spare anyone to come get the flash drive. You’ll need to keep custody of it until one of us can get there,” Alex said. “I’d send Hannah, but she’s overloaded right now with processing the scene.”

  Her stomach clenched. She needed to be back on duty, helping to keep the town safe. “What’s happening?”

  “There’s been an accident on the highway into town. I’ve sent Daniel and Chase out to deal with it. I’m holding down the fort here. The Christmas celebrations are bringing in lots of tourists, and that always requires some monitoring even when we don’t have armed men in town looking for some mysterious flash drive.”

  “We really do need to hire another deputy,” she said. With Alex taking on the sheriff’s position, the department was left one deputy short.

  “I’ve assembled the mounted patrol,” he said. “They will take turns keeping the peace on horseback in town during the sidewalk craft fair this afternoon and during the Christmas parade this weekend. After the New Year, I’ll start searching for someone to fill the job.”

  She liked how methodically and strategically Alex operated. He was the right person to be the new sheriff. “Any new developments with the Feds?”

  “Nothing so far. I’ll let you know the minute there are.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “I’ll talk to you soon.” Alex hung up.

  Kaitlyn headed downstairs and followed the sound of voices coming from the kitchen. She found Nick, Rosie, Margaret and Collin gathered around the counter. Nick was eating a stack of pancakes while bouncing Rosie on his knee. He was really getting the hang of parenting.

  “Have a seat, Deputy,” Margaret said as she put a plate piled with fluffy pancakes on the table in front of a vacant seat.

  “Thank you.” Kaitlyn sat and poured warmed syrup over the pancakes. “You’re the best, Margaret.”

  The woman smiled with appreciation, then gave her husband a look.

  “If you need anything, just ring,” Collin said as he and Margaret made a hasty exit.

  Kaitlyn watched them leave. What had sent them scurrying out? Surely they hadn’t left the room to give her and Nick “alone” time.

  Nick smiled, his dark brown eyes soft as he met her gaze. “You’re looking fierce again. Did the sheriff have news about Agent Porter?”

  “Not yet.” She set her fork down. “The department is spread thin. No one’s available to come get the flash drive and take it to Hannah.”

  “You can take the flash drive into town,” he said.

  “I can’t leave you all here unprotected.” As much as she wanted to get back to her customary duties as a deputy, she wasn’t going to leave Nick and Rosie vulnerable to attack.

  “I arranged for some extra security measures after yesterday,” Nick said. “There shouldn’t be a problem with you leaving.”

  Surprise washed through her. “Like what?”

  “More cameras and motion sensors set up along the road leading to the main gate,” he said. “A crew came late last night and installed them. They were able to remotely patch the feed to the monitors we have here. The windows and door will be replaced later this week.”

  “Good thinking on the cameras and motion sensors,” she said.

  “Also, the private protection company I contacted called this morning, and they have sent operatives. I’m expecting them anytime now.”

  She blinked, a bit stunned and for some odd reason disappointed that her replacements would be arriving soon. She should be glad. It was time for this assignment to be over. Time for her to leave the Delaney estate. Despite how massive the house and grounds were, there was a confining aspect to being here. She couldn’t roam off for some quiet time; she needed to stay close to Rosie. To Nick. And that was messing with her, big-time. “I should stay to vet the security people.”

  He tilted his head and studied her. “Okay. I would appreciate that. And then I’ll head to town with you.”

  Kaitlyn shook her head. “There’s no need for you to leave.”

  “I have to make arrangements for Lexi. There’s paperwork that I’ll need to sign,” he said.

  Understanding engulfed her. Of course, he would take on the responsibility of seeing to funeral arrangements for Rosie’s mother. He was that kind of guy. A guy people could count on. Kaitlyn had to admit he was a guy she could count on. But she didn’t want to fall for this man. The quicker she returned to her normal routine, the better. “What about Rosie?”

  “She’ll be in good hands with Margaret and Collin.” He shook his head. “Those two. They’ve taken to being surrogate grandparents like ducks to water.”

  “I’ve noticed.” She was glad for Rosie’s sake.

  The distinct roar of a helicopter’s rotor blades echoed through the house. The bird was closing in fast.

  “Good timing,” Nick said. “That must be the Trent people now.”

  Margaret and Collin returned to the kitchen.

  “I’ll take Rosie upstairs and check her diaper.” Margaret held out her arms. Nick transferred Rosie to her. Then Margaret left the kitchen, humming to the baby.

  Collin handed them each their coats, then gave Nick some papers. “This is the verification code to confirm the identity of the new protection detail.”

  Donning her coat, Kaitlyn told herself it was a good thing to have bodyguards here. Now there was no reason she would have to come back or spend any more time with Nick. Why that thought upset her, she couldn’t fathom.

  She followed Nick out onto the porch. White clouds of icy snow swirled as a blue-and-white helicopter landed on the expanse of snow-covered lawn. The blades of the aircraft slowed. The door popped open and two people, a man and woman, both dressed in thick dark coats and winter boots, and wearing sunglasses, climbed out and strode through the snow toward the porch. As soon as the new arrivals were clear of the spinning blades, the helicopter took off with a roar, flying away over the mountain.

  When the pair reached Kaitlyn and Nick, the man, tall with tousled sandy-blond hair, held out a piece of paper. The woman stood with her back to them, her gaze on the surrounding area, her right hand resting on the holstered weapon at her side. She was also tall, with dark hair pulled back into a straight ponytail. The collar of her coat was pulled up against the chill. There was something familiar about the way she carried herself that took Kaitlyn a moment to pinpoint. Then it registered. This female bodyguard had at one time been in law enforcement.

  Nick compared the paper Collin had given him to the one he received from the bodyguard. “They match.” He held out his hand. “Nick Delaney.”

  “Kyle Martin.” The bodyguard grasped Nick’s hand for a moment, then turned a charming smile toward Kaitlyn. “You must be the deputy.”

  Wariness flared inside her as she shook his hand. “Deputy Kaitlyn Lanz,” she said. “How did you know who I was?”

  “I bragged about you when I talked to them last night,” Nick said. “I told them what a great job you’ve done protecting us. But it’s time for you to get back to your job.”

  He wanted her gone? It was one thing for her to need to leave, to resume her duties, but another to realize he was ready for her to leave, as well. Hurt spread through her. She tamped it down.

  “Shall we go inside?” The female bodyguard turned to face them.

  “Yes, let’s.” Nick retreated indoors.

  “After you, Deputy,” Kyle said with another charming smile.

  Kaitlyn entered the house with the two bodyguards close behind.

  Kyle removed his sunglasses to reveal lively sky blue eyes. “Let me introduce my colleague, Simone Walker.”

  Simone peeled off her gloves; however, she didn’t remove her sunglasses. “Mr. Delaney.” After shaking Nick’s hand, Simone held out her hand to Kaitlyn. “Deputy.”

  With a brisk sh
ake, Kaitlyn said, “Nice to meet you, Ms. Walker.”

  “Call me Simone,” she said. “Bring us up to speed on the situation.”

  For the next half hour, Nick and Kaitlyn tag teamed, telling the protection specialists the details of what had transpired over the past few days, showing them the security system and ending with the fact that, with their arrival, Kaitlyn needed to return to town and Nick would accompany her.

  “You can rest assured, Deputy, we have things handled now,” Kyle said.

  Kaitlyn appreciated his confidence. She noted the wedding ring on his finger. Were he and Simone married? “That’s good to hear.”

  “I’ll walk the perimeter.” Simone strode out the front door.

  “So, what’s it like to be a small-town sheriff’s deputy?” Kyle asked, drawing her attention.

  “I love it,” she answered honestly. “I can’t imagine living anywhere else. The people of Bristle Township are family. Serving the community is an honor.” She saw the doubt in his eyes. “I take it you’re not from a small town?”

  “No. West Coast, born and raised on the beaches, relocated to Chicago via Boston. My wife is a surgeon at Heritage Hospital,” he said.

  “Oh. So you and Simone aren’t a couple?” Nick asked.

  Kaitlyn glanced at him. He’d had the same thought. It was strange how in sync they were at times.

  Kyle laughed, clearly finding the idea amusing. “Hardly. But we work well together.” He glanced at his watch. “I need to update our boss. Let him know we arrived.” Kyle walked outside as he took his cell phone from his pocket.

  Once she and Nick were alone, Kaitlyn said, “I should gather my things.”

  “I need to grab my wallet,” Nick said. They ascended the stairs together. At the door to the room she’d stayed in, Nick said, “I’ll meet you back downstairs in five?”

  “Yes.” Remembering the night they’d arrived, she quickly added, “And don’t forget the flak vest.”

  “Right.” He frowned. “Do I need to put it on?”

  “It wouldn’t hurt.” And she’d put hers on, as well as being armed. Preparation could win the day.

  With a nod, he strode down the hall. Kaitlyn watched him disappear into his room before she hurried to pack. A strange mixture of relief and reluctance to be leaving the Delaney estate flooded her.

  * * *

  Nick could tell Kaitlyn was nervous on their drive down the mountain from the estate into town. She kept a vigilant eye on the road, her hands gripping the steering wheel with enough pressure to turn her knuckles white. The road conditions warranted caution, but he doubted it was the slickness of the fresh snow that had her so tense. As they passed the place in the road where Lexi’s car had rammed into a tree, his heart thudded with grief beneath the heavy weight of the flak vest.

  Learning of her death last night had been a blow he hadn’t expected. He’d hoped she’d recover from being forced off the road. That she was gone made him even more determined to provide a safe life for Rosie.

  Once the flash drive revealed its secrets, the threat to Rosie would be over and Nick would fight with everything he had for custody of the little girl. He understood why Kaitlyn insisted that Rosie’s biological father be contacted. The man, whoever he was, had the right to know he had a child. But it was obvious to Nick that Lexi hadn’t wanted the father to know about Rosie. There had to be a good reason.

  When they reached town, Nick said, “You can drop me off at Fulman’s Funeral Home. I’ll come to the station as soon as I’m done.”

  Kaitlyn pulled into the parking lot of the funeral home. “Don’t you want to know what’s on the flash drive?”

  “Of course I do,” he said. “But I’m sure it will take Hannah some time to decrypt the drive. And I need to get this taken care of. For Lexi and Rosie.”

  Kaitlyn nodded with a tender gaze. “I’m sure Lexi would have appreciated how much you are doing for her and her child.”

  Sorrow welled in Nick’s chest. “Thank you for that. I only wish she’d made it to me before the bad guys caught up to her.”

  “What happened to her is not your fault.” Kaitlyn’s tenderness turned fierce. “Don’t you dare take that on.”

  He reached out to tuck a strand of her blond hair behind her ear. “You’re right. I can only pray the men responsible will be brought to justice.”

  “One has already paid the ultimate price,” she reminded him.

  True—one of the two gunmen had been killed at the hospital. No doubt a hired thug. No, Nick wanted the person pulling the strings to pay.

  Kaitlyn popped open her door.

  “What are you doing?” he asked.

  “Coming with you.” She stepped out and shut the door.

  He met her in front of the sheriff’s department vehicle. “Why? You don’t have to deal with this. It’s more important you take the flash drive to Hannah.”

  “We will take it to her as soon as you’re done here.” She gestured toward the entrance.

  Odd. He’d have thought she’d jump at the chance to be rid of him. He was pleased to have her support. Maybe revealing his sordid past last night had been a good thing if it softened her toward him.

  A pickup truck sped into the parking lot, throwing snow and dirt into the air. Nick recognized the local mechanic’s logo on the side of the door.

  The truck skidded to a stop and the driver’s-side door was flung open. Agent Jim Porter hopped out.

  “Why’s he driving Steve Grimes’s truck?” Nick asked.

  Kaitlyn made a low sound that resembled a growl. “Beats me.”

  “Where is it?” Porter demanded as he came to a stop in front of them.

  “What?” Kaitlyn braced her feet apart and rested her hand on her holstered sidearm beneath the hem of her jacket.

  “I just came from the sheriff’s office,” Porter said. “You found the flash drive. Hand it over.”

  Surprise flashed through Nick. The sheriff must have verified the agent really was who he claimed to be.

  “We’ll meet you at the sheriff’s station,” Kaitlyn said.

  A dark blue utility vehicle pulled in behind the pickup and three men jumped out with guns. Kaitlyn shoved Nick behind her as she withdrew her sidearm. His heart jumped into his throat. He tugged her behind the front of her SUV where they would both be shielded.

  Agent Porter spun around, drawing his weapon.

  One of the men fired. The agent went down.

  Nick reacted on instinct. He grabbed Porter’s arm and dragged him through the dirty snow until he was safely hidden from the bad guys.

  Kaitlyn shot back. Bullets riddled the vehicle.

  “We’re too exposed here,” Kaitlyn muttered.

  Nick glanced behind them. The entrance to the funeral home was fifty feet away. Could they make it?

  TEN

  Hunkered down behind the department-issued vehicle, Kaitlyn’s gaze jumped between Nick and Agent Porter. Porter had been hit in the leg but was alive. And Nick had risked his own life to drag the Fed out of the line of fire and had taken off his jacket to press it against the other man’s wound.

  A stupid and heroic act that could have been costly. She praised God Nick hadn’t been wounded, as well. At least he had on a flak vest, but still. Later she’d chew him out for his recklessness. For now, she needed to stay focused on keeping them all alive.

  She, Nick and the Fed were pinned down. And she only had a few more rounds left in her weapon. There was no way they’d make the fifty feet to the entrance of the funeral home without being picked off like targets at a carnival shooting gallery.

  The gunfire ceased and the silence made the hairs at the back of her neck quiver. Were the bad guys closing in?

  “Deputy,” a man’s voice called out. “Give us the flash drive and we’ll let you live.”


  “We don’t have it,” Nick shouted.

  “Come on. Of course you do,” the same man replied. “You wouldn’t have left the safety of the estate if you didn’t.”

  “No,” Porter snapped. “You can’t let them take it. If you do, Lexi will have died for nothing.”

  Nick grabbed the agent by the front of his shirt. “What did you get her into?”

  “We don’t have time for this,” Kaitlyn said, despite how much she wanted to know the information.

  She flattened herself on the ground so she could peer under the carriage of the vehicle. The men were using the pickup truck as cover. She could see three sets of feet. Scooting back, she held out her free hand to Porter. “Give me your gun.”

  Porter released the Glock to her. “Call for backup.”

  “On it.” She grabbed her phone and dialed the station. When Carol, the dispatcher, answered, Kaitlyn explained the situation, then hung up. “We need to keep these guys at bay until help arrives.” She sent up a quick prayer that God would send the cavalry before it was too late.

  “What’s it going to be, Deputy?” The man called out again. “Toss the flash drive our way and we’ll leave.”

  With a gun in each hand, Kaitlyn positioned herself so that if anyone rounded the corner of the vehicle on either side of them, she had a clear shot. “Why should we believe you?”

  “You really don’t have a choice,” he called back, definitely closer now.

  A strange calmness descended over Kaitlyn. Part of the job was being prepared to take a life and give her life. She regretted that Nick was here and would also suffer her fate. She could take out two of the assailants, but she wasn’t sure she’d be able to get all three before one of them fired back.

  The wail of a siren rent the air. There was shouting and then the roar of an engine as the assailants scurried back into their vehicle and drove away.

  Cautiously, Kaitlyn peered around the edge of the front end of her vehicle in time to see the assailants escape. Relief washed over her, making her limbs shake. She holstered her sidearm and tucked Agent Porter’s weapon beneath her belt at her waist next to her holster.