by Kathy Harris
“HGRC is a great place.”
“I agree,” she said. “It’s a reminder to all of us—not just to those girls but to every one of us—that we can move beyond our past mistakes. Right?”
He shook his head, finally understanding her point. “Yes, but some things can’t be so easily forgotten. Or forgiven.”
“Caleb! There is no qualifier in God’s grace. I know you can’t forget about what happened with your brother. I understand that. But,” she said softly, “it’s as far behind you now as the things those girls may have done before they entered rehab. Aren’t you willing to forgive them, to try to help them?”
“Of course.”
“God has given you that same grace.”
His jaw tensed, but he continued to look ahead.
They remained silent until they had reached the Rutherford. Caleb opened the massive entry door, nodded to the night guard, and escorted her to the elevators.
The lift arrived on the seventh floor, and the doors opened with a bang. Caleb scanned the hallway before walking her toward her unit. As soon as they reached her door, he turned to her. “My parents almost never got over it, Danni. I vowed to turn my life around then and there, but nothing . . . nothing can ever make up for that loss.”
Danni reached out to him, then thinking better of it, handed him her key. “I know.” There was so much more she wanted to say. But it would wait until another time.
He inserted the key into the deadbolt, the lock clicked, and the door drifted open.
Danni called for Sophie, but she didn’t appear. “That’s not like her. She’s usually here the minute I walk inside.”
Caleb stepped in front of her, secured the door behind them, and told her to wait in the entry. “Let me look for her. Where would she likely be?”
“Probably the closet, or in the master bathroom. End of the hall to the right.”
Spotting her phone on the entry table, he handed it to her. “Dial 911 if anything goes wrong.” He looked to his left and right, made a detour through her dining room and kitchen, and then headed down the hall.
She was pacing the foyer, weighing her options when Caleb emerged with Sophie by his side.
Danni exhaled a deep, shaky breath. “Where did you find her?”
“She had burrowed between two suitcases in the back of your closet. “Is that normal?”
“No.” Danni wrapped her arms around the dog’s neck. “Are you okay, girl?”
The dog leaned into her.
“She seems okay now.” Danni shrugged. “Maybe she was worried because I was gone so long.”
“Could be.” Caleb seemed to be convinced that everything in the condo was okay. “I’ve checked everywhere. Lock your door when I leave.” He stepped around her. “And don’t open it for anyone you don’t know.”
“I guess you know you’re scaring me.” She did her best to smile.
“Don’t be scared. Just be cautious.” He opened the door and started to leave.
“Caleb.”
“Yes?” He hesitated.
“Be careful. I don’t want anything to happen to you either.”
The muscles in his jaw tightened, and he took a step closer. Drawing her to him, he placed his lips on hers, then pulled away.
“Another stalker?” she asked.
“No.” He whispered in her ear. “I’m just not sure I should be doing—”
“This?” She finished his sentence and moved her lips toward his.
Dear God, please protect this man. I’m falling in love.
CHAPTER 35
Caleb watched the lighted numbers descend. What had he just done? This was not business as usual. By the time the elevator doors had opened and he stepped into the well-lit lobby of the Rutherford, he had replayed the last few minutes in his mind over and over again.
There was no doubt. He had crossed the line. He had made this case personal. And it could cost him everything. Even the case.
He cradled the back of his neck with his hand. Things had just changed between him and Danni. Between him and his confidential informant.
What would he tell Ridge if he found out? Hadn’t his supervisor already known that things were going in the wrong direction? He had seen it coming when he had thought about taking Caleb off the job a few weeks ago.
Am I really that transparent? And out of control? An agent has to be in control at all times or someone gets hurt. The case could suffer, would suffer, if he didn’t get ahold of himself.
This wasn’t about him. It was about serving justice to the jerks who had killed Jonathan. Or, if not Jonathan, hundreds of innocent kids just like him. The thought of losing that opportunity was unacceptable. Evans, Ramirez, Roman, and the man who attacked Danni tonight. All of them. They had to be locked away for a long time. If not forever. They had already caused too much heartache.
Caleb had collected files on local teens for years. Good kids who had stumbled into the drug scene and never returned. Some had been hooked, hopelessly, on meth or heroin and sold everything but their souls—sometimes even that—to get their daily fix. Others’ lives had ended far too soon, if not by an overdose then by a related car accident, a shooting, or a steady decline in health.
No one was immune from falling victim to a drug dealer’s wares. The streets were unsafe because of those thugs, and he had to do everything he could to stop them. But he couldn’t do his best if he let his heart go off leash the way it had tonight.
Off-leash? He groaned. Where had that come from? Danni Kemp, and her big, goofy dog had gotten to him. Big time.
He relived the kiss again. Why had he let that happen? Because she had been willing? There was no doubt she had responded to his overture, and because of it, their relationship had taken a mutually acceptable turn. But despite the guilt and pain that hitched a ride, he wasn’t about to stop the speeding train. He just had to slow it down for the sake of the investigation. It was his job to keep everyone safe. He had to put the bad guys behind bars first.
And then he could move on with his life.
He glanced at his watch, weighing his options. He could go home and change clothes, or he could go on into the office wearing water-soaked pants and shoes. He had made the decision to drive home when his phone rang.
“Where are you?” Ridge asked.
“Downtown.”
“Get to the office as soon as you can. We have breaking news coming in.”
“What is it?” Caleb hoisted his tired body into his Chevy.
“I’ll know more by the time you get here, but it sounds like something explosive is about to go down.”
Caleb closed his eyes and prayed to God there wouldn’t be a literal fulfillment of Martin Ridge’s prophecy.
“Let’s start shooting over here, Tom.” Cassia Noelle directed her photographer to a large stack of rocks. Then she turned to Rob. “If you would, please stand here.”
Rob tugged at microscopic wrinkles in his shirt and walked to the X Cassia had drawn in the dirt, pivoting toward her and her photographer.
A satisfied sigh fell from her lips. “Perfect. This is going to look fantastic!”
Rob relaxed. In the last few days, it had become apparent that Cassia Noelle’s work was stellar. She had shown him several of her finished projects, including photos she had art directed and stories she had written. Every one of them was top notch. His cover story was going to blow the roof off his profile in Nashville. It was about time he got some respect in Music City.
He grinned.
“Great! Show those dimples.” Cassia cooed. “Keep snapping away, Tom.”
Rob switched positions and tilted his chin down. He’d watched dozens of celebrity photo shoots, many for his own artists. He had the poses down. This was going to be fun.
“Work it, baby.” Cassia knew how to get the best out of him.
He laughed and blew her a seductive kiss.
“Now do that, but for the camera.” She winked and took a step behind the photographer
so Rob could react to her, but it would appear he was looking into the camera’s lens.
He threw out another kiss. This one even more impassioned. He trusted Cassia to cull out the bad shots and make him look great. Not just great but amazing. Just like she had done with her other features.
He took a break while the beautiful journalist and her photographer brainstormed more ideas for photos. This cover story would be one of the best hits he’d had in a long time. His peers in Nashville would be so—
His phone vibrated from inside his boot where he’d hidden it for the shoot. He bent to retrieve it and saw Ramirez’s number flashing on the screen. Not a convenient time.
“Hello.”
“You sound irritated, Robert.”
“It’s just not a good time—”
“If it makes you feel any better, I’m not having a good day either.”
Rob sighed. Now what?
“I’m losing my patience with that pretty little brunette of yours in Nashville. When are you going to take care of her?”
“It has only been twenty-four hours since I talked to you last—”
“The woman seems to have nine lives.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Let’s just say one of my men found her especially attractive and became impatient.” Ramirez laughed.
“Who? What did he do?” Rob stepped farther away from Cassia and her photographer.
“Am I detecting a bit of jealousy? El comal le dijo a la olla, que tiznada estás. Perhaps you need to look in the mirror, my friend.” Ramirez clicked his tongue. “You should be more concerned about that cop she’s cozying up to. He’s digging for information.”
“It’s nothing I can’t fix when I get home.”
“Then it’s time you go home.”
“My business is on the road, you know that.”
Rob heard breathing on the other end of the phone. “Robert. Robert. Robert.” Ramirez sighed. “You need to slow down and remember who’s in charge here.”
Rob bit his tongue, pushed his pent-up frustration aside, and waited.
“Perhaps you don’t understand me. This is a matter of life and death.” He paused. “Hers and yours.”
“Is that a threat?”
“Take it any way you want to take it but get your girlfriend under control, or I’ll do it for you. And you may not approve of my method.”
Rob’s heart climbed to his throat.
“Do you understand?” Ramirez prodded for a response.
“Yes.”
“Good. And if you want my advice, it’s time to marry her.” He cleared his throat. And the air. “Now, let’s talk business.”
Rob glanced impatiently toward Cassia. Thankfully, she was preoccupied.
Ramirez continued. “Are you serious about retiring?”
“Yes.” Now Ramirez had his full attention.
“I’ve been thinking about it, and I hate to lose you. But . . .” He paused for dramatic effect. “You’ve been such a good employee. I wouldn’t feel right standing in your way.”
Could it be this easy?
Rob envisioned warm sun, sandy beaches, and palm trees swaying in the breeze. No more cramped tour busses or small towns. No more surreptitious business transactions. For that matter, no more Music Row competition. He would miss the women on the road, but . . .
“But,” Ramirez broke into Rob’s thoughts, “I need you to do one more job. A big one.”
“The bigger the better.” Rob said enthusiastically. A little extra cash before retirement would be handy.
“Good,” Ramirez said. “I’ll be back in touch soon.”
The call ended, and Rob put his phone back in his boot.
“Is everything okay?” Cassia slipped up beside him.
He smiled. “Yes. I’m ready to get back to work.”
“Great. We have one more shot over here.” Her voice drifted off as she walked away from him, hips sashaying.
Rob shifted his eyes to the ground and thought about Ramirez’s advice. Why did he need to marry Danni right away?
Cassia looked back to see if he was following her.
Of course! If he married Danni, she couldn’t testify against him. Danni didn’t know much, but she knew about the money stash. And Ramirez had said something about a cop. Danni wouldn’t do anything stupid like talk to a cop. She had proven her loyalty over and over. Still, it appeared that he needed to get back to Nashville.
He hurried to catch up with the beautiful blond reporter, to finish the work at hand and get it out of the way. Then he would schedule an unexpected visit to Music City. He would get everything worked out. His dream of retirement would soon be a reality.
Cassia directed him to stand in front of the bus, which Hank had parked in the middle of a long stretch of road.
“The Endless Road,” Cassia said, gesturing wide with her hands. “That’s what we’re calling this shot and your feature.” She smiled. “Don’t you love it?”
“Very creative.” Rob nodded and assumed a pose. But it might not be completely accurate.
CHAPTER 36
The next day – April 18
Just as Danni had expected, Jaycee refused to leave work early. The two walked out of the restaurant together, locking the back door behind them.
Jaycee gave her a quick hug. “Be careful, Danni. Your hero isn’t here tonight.” She nodded toward Matheson and another agent who watched from the shadows.
“You be careful too.” Danni waved to her friend as they got into their respective vehicles to leave.
The idea that Jaycee’s life could be in danger, was in danger, because of Rob infuriated Danni. But there was nothing she could do about it except pray—and hope that Caleb was right. That it would all be over soon.
He had ordered twenty-four-hour security for Jaycee after last night’s kidnapping attempt. The new agent, dressed in motorcycle gear, hopped on his Harley to follow Jaycee home.
Matheson drove Danni home in her car. And, because security had been further tightened, he also escorted her to her condo, following her inside to be certain everything was okay.
When Sophie didn’t meet them at the entry, Danni had to search for her, finally finding her hiding in the closet, just as she had been when she and Caleb entered earlier that morning.
Did the dog know something Danni didn’t know?
After the agent left to spend the remainder of the night outside, Danni shared a late-night supper of peanut butter and crackers with the big Newfoundland. Then she changed into her pajamas, and as soon as she climbed into bed, Sophie jumped in beside her.
“What’s up with you, Soph?” It was completely unlike the big dog to hover. Danni threw her arms around her. “You need to relax, girl.”
Sophie pulled away and jumped off the bed.
“Where are you going?”
Sophie shook her entire body, as if shaking off water again, and then began pacing around the room. She walked out of the bedroom, down the hall, and into the foyer. Danni could hear the tap, tap, tap of her toenails on the foyer floor. A few minutes later, she paced back into the bedroom, made a U-turn beside the bed, and went into the bathroom. A few seconds later, Danni heard a bump, followed by the clatter of bottles, which had to be knickknacks hitting the tile floor. Then Sophie came pacing back into the bedroom.
“Hey, you . . .” Danni reached her hand out to the dog.
Sophie stopped, gave Danni a worried look, and walked back into the hall, reappearing again at the bedroom door in less than a minute. Danni called to her again, but this time Sophie ignored her and kept walking.
“Sophie? What’s the matter?” Danni patted the top of the mattress with her hand. “We need to get some sleep.”
The dog stopped, eyed Danni suspiciously, and then jumped up on the bed. She turned a counter-clockwise circle and plopped down with a grunt.
“Thank you!” Danni voiced to no one. Now maybe they could get some sleep.
Danni set the al
arm, switched off the lamp, and settled in, hoping Sophie’s disturbing behavior had stopped for the night. But the dog remained restless. It was time for a visit to the vet.
The next morning, Danni made a work-in veterinarian appointment. She called Jaycee to let her know she would be late getting to work.
Sophie seemed to relax once they left the condo. She stuck her big head out the window of the Escape for the entire three-mile ride to Dr. Bradley’s office. And once there they didn’t have to wait long.
“It’s always good to see you and Sophie,” the veterinarian said, closing the exam room door behind him. “What’s going on?”
Danni took a seat in the chair in the corner of the room. “This may sound strange, but she’s just not been herself. Several times when I’ve come home, she’s been hiding in the closet. Then, last night, she started pacing around the house and was unsettled all night. It’s almost like she’s worried about something.”
“Does she seem to be in any pain?”
“Not that I’m aware. And she’s eating okay.”
The veterinarian gave Danni a curious look.
“Anything changed in your routine?”
“Not really.”
The doctor reached for Sophie’s leash and pulled the big Newfoundland close to him.
About ten minutes later, after doing a quick, hands-on exam, listening to her heart and lungs, and drawing blood, he took a seat on a nearby stool.
“I don’t mean to get personal, but how about you? Are you anxious about something?”
How could she answer that? She finally shared. “There are some changes going on in my life right now.”
“Okay. Well, I’m not seeing any sign of physical illness in Sophie, so I’m guessing her anxiety may have been triggered by something in her environment. She could even be picking up on your anxiety.” He searched her face.
“How did you know that?” Danni asked.
“It’s more than a hunch.” Dr. Bradley raked a hand through his graying hair. “You seem to be stressed.”
Danni attempted a smile. “I am. And I hate that it’s affecting Sophie.” She focused on the dog. “I’m going through some hard things right now. At work and personally. Hopefully it will be over soon. I’m working on it, Dr. Bradley.” She stopped, not willing to share more.