Vickers stared defiantly back at them. “I’ll take my chances in court. No one in America gets away with this kind of vigilante justice. Certainly not some wannabe celebrity and his thugs.”
Patch shrugged. “Fine. We’ll see how that goes when we produce all the evidence against you.”
“There is no evidence.”
“Think what you like. The American people don’t have to know what really happened here. Your name doesn’t have to be tarnished for all of history. And it will be. Your family doesn’t have to suffer for your mistakes.”
He clamped his lips tightly together and walked toward the doorway.
“Don’t forget this.” Wyatt untied the shirt from around his leg, wiped down the derringer, and handed it to the man. “For once, make the right choice.”
When Vickers took the weapon and walked out of the room, Talia turned off her phone. She glanced at Scarlet. “Do you think he’ll do it?”
“He’s too much of a chicken shit.” She reached up to touch the side of Talia’s face. “You’re bleeding pretty badly. Those are some deep cuts.”
Behind them, running footsteps sounded from the entry, followed by a shot. A second shot reverberated in the night.
Talia sprinted around the side of the house and stopped. In the glare of the floodlights, Silas stood beside the fallen man. He gripped his arm where blood ran between his fingers.
“I didn’t have a choice. He shot at me.”
Patch stepped over the body and knelt to feel for a pulse. “Dead. His version of suicide by cop, I guess.”
In the distance, a siren wailed faintly. Presumably, someone had heard the shots and called the authorities. When Wyatt limped through the doorway and came straight to her side, she wrapped her arm around his waist and held on.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” He pressed a kiss to her bloody forehead. “You?”
“Just a few scratches.” She let out a long breath. “I was scared to death for you.”
“You and your team got here in time. Now what?”
“We need to get the hell out of here.” Patch pocketed his phone. “Sparrow will pick us up on the beach where he dropped us.” He glanced down at Wyatt’s bloodstained pants. “Should I look at that wound now, or can you make it to the chopper?”
“I think the bleeding has mostly stopped. Oh, I cleaned my prints off Brower’s gun and left it by his body.”
“I wiped down the shed where they held you while you were busy with the president.” Silas grinned. “Leave no trace, right?”
Scarlet nodded. “Great. Let’s go before the local cops arrive. I don’t want to try to explain this carnage.”
Holding tight to each other for support, Talia and Wyatt followed behind Patch and Silas. Hobbling up the beach, they left the nightmare behind.
* * * *
Wyatt sat beside Talia on a gold brocade couch in the Oval Office. Directly across from them, Wolf and his father occupied a matching sofa, while President Wright faced them from a wing chair.
“If anyone had come to me with this story but you John . . .” Cox’s former vice president ran a hand through his graying hair. A week after being sworn into office, he already looked five years older.
“But after reviewing all the texts and emails between my predecessor, Mr. Vickers, and Mr. Brower that Ms. Davis was able to recover from their secure phones, I’ve come to the conclusion the actions Counterstrike took last week were warranted.”
John Grant seemed to relax in his seat. “We felt you needed to know the truth, Mr. President, and I trust you to make the right decision about what to tell the American people going forward. At the moment, the whole country is still reeling.”
“I’ve thought long and hard about what’s best, and I don’t see any benefit in further dividing the nation by revealing Mr. Cox’s appalling behavior. Or, for that matter, Senator Gamble’s criminal involvement. I’d rather let the story we put out initially, while we got a handle on the situation, stand. That the president, his chief of staff, and the attorney general, along with two secret service agents, all tragically drowned while on a fishing trip.”
Wolf crossed his arms over his chest. “You trust the sheriff who arrived on the scene not to reveal the truth?”
“The sheriff is a good man. He didn’t touch a thing and contacted secret service immediately. He knew better than to try to handle a situation like that himself. After I spoke to him, he put out word that the gunshots neighbors heard that night were actually kids setting off firecrackers. I believe he’ll keep his mouth shut.”
“If that’s how you want to proceed, we’ll adhere to your wishes.” John leaned forward slightly to emphasize his words. “With the understanding that if you lose the upcoming election, the next president will be informed of the truth.”
“That’s fair. You have my word.”
“Good enough.”
“About the document signed by the founding fathers and the spoons . . .” Wyatt pointed to his copy of the executive order and the six spoons—his and Talia’s, along with the spoons Cox had stashed in his personal safe—laid out on the table between the couches. Only Benjamin Franklin’s was still missing.
“You have my blessing to tell your story, Mr. Stone. With one condition. Trying to cover up that document is what led to this tragedy in the first place. As long as you don’t discuss anything we’ve talked about here today, I feel you’re the right man to shed light on an important piece of our nation’s history.”
“I appreciate that, Mr. President.” With difficulty, Wyatt kept his composure. “I assure you I’ll be discrete.”
“Then I believe we’re finished here.” Wright rose to his feet, and the others followed suit. After shaking hands with the president and collecting the spoons and document, Wyatt followed the others as they filed out of the Oval Office.
No one said anything until they’d been escorted from the building. Once they exited the grounds, Wolf spoke quietly to his father and gave him a clap on the back as the senator’s driver pulled a dark SUV up to the curb. Once the older man got in, and the car drove away, the three of them strolled toward the Capitol Mall.
Talia laughed out loud.
Wyatt raised a brow. “What?”
“Your face when the president said you could do the story. I could tell you wanted to jump up and down and high-five everyone in the room. But you kept your cool. Nice job.”
He grinned. “You’re right. The only one who will be happier about this news than me is Rita.”
Wolf gave them a slow smile. “While we’re on the topic of good news . . . I’ve been meaning to talk to you, Luna. But until we got the final word from President Wright on whether or not Counterstrike would be dragged through the mud—”
“Thankfully, we’re in the clear, and there won’t be a formal investigation.”
He nodded. “Which means we can discuss moving forward with my new idea.”
She stopped walking in the shadow of the Washington Monument, her back straight, and her shoulders stiff. “Spit it out, Wolf. You’re making me nervous.”
“Don’t be. I think you’ll both be happy about this.” He tucked his hands into his pockets and stared upward at the towering monolith before focusing his attention on her. “Counterstrike is busier than ever, and we’re stretched thin, operating only from Boston. We’ve talked about hiring more people, but I feel like it might be beneficial to have a second base of operations on the West Coast. You know how critical time is to some of our victims.”
Talia’s eyes widened as she met Wyatt’s gaze, and hope flared in their depths.
“I believe you’d be the perfect person to head up a new office in the L.A. area. The team will miss you, but I know this is the right move—if you’re interested.”
Talia reached over to grip his hand, and Wyatt squeezed hard. His breath caught in his throat as he waited for her response.
“Did you know I was going to quit?”
W
olf glanced down at their linked fingers. “I figured it was only a matter of time. Instead, we can turn this into a win for all of us.”
“I’m honored by your trust in me.” She blinked back tears as she released Wyatt to hug the other man. “Thank you. You know how much I love my job.”
“And I know how lucky Counterstrike is to have you.” He took a step back. “I’ll leave you two to talk about it.” He turned with a wave. “See you in Boston, Luna. Wyatt, good job.”
“Bye, Wolf.” They answered in unison, glanced at each other, and grinned.
Wyatt reached for Talia as the other man walked away. Slowly, he drew her close and locked his fingers behind her back as she looked up at him. “Are you happy about this? It’s a big step. A huge move, and a lot of responsibility.”
“I know. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit my stomach is fluttering, just thinking about it.”
“You know how I feel. You know I want to be with you, but you have to do what’s right for you.”
She reached up and brushed her thumb across his cheek. “Moving to L.A. is definitely the right decision. For my career, as well as for my personal life. You matter to me more than anything.”
He bent to kiss her, his heart aching with love for this woman. Finally, he drew back. “And here I thought not being arrested for murdering the president and getting the story of the decade for No Stone Unturned would be the highlight of my day.”
Her laughter floated on the warm afternoon breeze. “I love you, Wyatt. I can’t wait to start a life with you in California.”
“I love you, too. You make everything right in my world.”
She stood on her toes and kissed him again. “I see a whole lot of happiness in our future.”
He picked her up and swung her around, as they held each other tight. “Damn right.”
Epilogue
Talia popped the cork on the bottle of champagne, and everyone cheered as the west coast Counterstrike branch was officially opened. Her new office space in Santa Monica couldn’t be more different from the classic brownstone in Boston. Beyond the third-story windows, the sun set into the Pacific in a fiery orange ball, casting a golden glow across the horizon. She let out a sigh of sheer happiness as she faced her friends and new colleagues, men and women with exceptional skills who would help her make this challenge a success.
Patch’s wife, Riley, took the bottle from her to supervise pouring the champagne as Wyatt appeared at her side. He slid an arm around her and hugged her tight.
“This place looks terrific. You’ve worked your ass off to get it ready for business, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Bree wandered past and grinned at them. “That’s a dollar for the swear jar when we get home, Dad.”
He rolled his eyes. “Ass isn’t on our list. Why don’t you help Riley pass out the champagne?”
“Sure. Can I have a glass?”
“Not a chance.”
Talia laughed as Bree made a face and walked away. “I love that girl. She keeps you on your toes.”
“She loves you, too.” He slid his hand down to her hip as she rested her cheek on his shoulder. “I’m glad most of your Boston team flew out to help you celebrate. I know it means a lot to you.”
“It does.” She stood quietly, her gaze skimming over the gathering.
Arden held her baby daughter in one arm as she laughed at something Scarlet said. Nearby, Scarlet’s husband, Eli, and Patch were involved in an intense conversation that involved animated hand gestures. When Riley strolled over to hand them champagne flutes, her husband dropped a kiss on her upturned lips. Near the windows, Wolf talked with some of her new colleagues. Catching her attention, he gave a subtle thumbs up.
She beamed in response. Putting together a west coast group had been an arduous task, and she was proud of the people she’d recruited. Knowing Wolf approved made all the weeks she’d labored to find the right men and women worthwhile.
“There’s a lot of satisfaction in having everything come together so perfectly.”
She smiled up at Wyatt. “Like your No Stone Unturned series blowing away the ratings and all Rita’s expectations?”
He laughed softly. “Yeah, kind of like that. For the moment, we’re both set professionally.”
“I’d say our personal life is right on-track, too.” She held up her left hand, and the dying rays of sunlight refracted off the sparkling diamond. “I love my ring.”
Opening the gift box on Christmas morning while Wyatt got down on one knee had been a moment she would never forget.
“I love you.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and ran his finger down her cheek. “Maybe we should get married now, while everyone is here. We don’t need to wait until spring.”
“You have family who probably wouldn’t be too pleased about that. And I’m trying to forge a relationship with my grandmother. I’d like to invite her to our wedding.”
“Fine. How about Valentine’s Day? That’s only a month away.”
She grinned. “We’ll talk about it after the party’s over.”
“Sounds good.” Humor and infinite caring warmed his gaze as he raised her hand to kiss it. “Whatever makes you happy.”
“You. You make me happy. I love you, Wyatt.”
“I love you, too.”
Coming Soon
A Deadly Game
A Short Story Sequel to A Deadly Love
In the heart of the redwoods, a madman plays a deadly game . . .
Deep in the redwood forest, a serial killer took the lives of three local women and devastated the small town of Woodvale. All in the name of love. Now, three years later, a delusional psychopath is determined to finish what his brother couldn’t . . . and punish the woman who betrayed him.
Sheriff Harley Boone is rocked to his core when the body of a young woman is discovered mutilated in the forest. Flashbacks to the gruesome murders that plagued his town won’t let him rest until he finds the man responsible—putting an end to the nightmare, once and for all. Because the killer is still out there, and his next target is the woman Harley loves.
Caroline Farnsworth didn’t believe she’d ever recover from the trauma of discovering her fiancé was a murderer . . . let alone dare to love again. But she’s back in Woodvale to make a new life with Harley—only to face the unimaginable. With a killer stalking her every move, she’s fighting for her future . . . if she survives.
About the Author
Write what you know. Jannine Gallant has taken this advice to heart, creating characters from small towns and plots that unfold in the great outdoors. A recent empty-nester, she grew up in a tiny Northern California town and currently lives in gorgeous Lake Tahoe with her husband. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Jannine enjoys hiking and snowshoeing in the woods around her home with her dog, Ginger. You’ll discover the beauty of nature woven into all her fast-paced romantic suspense novels. To find out more about this author and her books, visit her website or sign up for her newsletter.
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