Secure Again
Page 38
"Not yet. I promise I will."
"I'm holding you to it. You need to talk it through.”
As they started moving forward down the path, he told Martin about Tighe and Lissa. "He has to go back to Brooklyn for a home inspection. Your family is going to let Lissa, Tess and Tighe stay until he has permission to bring her home."
"This is great. Jule..." Martin's train of thought derailed as they approached the barn. "This isn't right. The doors are all closed." Both men drew their weapons.
Julian pulled out his phone. "No signal."
A shot echoed. "Shit." Martin stepped off the path and edged to one of the windows. Peeking inside, he saw Irvin Lamb prone on the ground, a handgun in his right hand. His father's shotgun was off to Lamb's side. Martin held up two fingers and pointed to his left. Henrietta and Indira were aiming guns at his mother. Julian nodded and headed to the back of the barn.
From where he stood, Martin could hear Henrietta screaming at his mother, "Your son and Beth Reed ruined everything. I was set for life until they screwed it up."
Fay Bailey remained silent. Indira shouted, "Where are they?"
"I haven't a clue. Did you check her home?" Fay's voice was an octave deeper than usual. Martin recognized the tone as the one she used when she was furious.
He moved toward the office door and turned the knob. It was unlocked. From there Martin had a visual of the barn's breezeway. His dad was slumped against the far wall, bleeding from his head. To his right, he could see his mother standing with her arms crossed. Henrietta and Indira were sitting on a hay bale, keeping Fay in their sights.
Forcing emotion from his head, he opened the inner door. A line of sunlight flashed down the center of the open area. The only way for the light to enter was for the rear door to open and close. Julian was inside. Martin stepped into view and moved between his mom and the two women. "Hello, ladies, heard you were looking for me. Mom, get out of here."
Henrietta pointed a gun at Martin. "Don't you dare."
"Mom, go," Martin snapped an order.
Indira raised her weapon. A shot echoed through the hollow area—her head exploding in a mist of blood and bone. Before Henrietta could shoot, Martin fired one bullet. Henrietta dropped backwards to the ground.
"Clear," Julian checked Lamb and pocketed his gun. He removed the weapons and checked the pulses on the other two.
Martin and Fay knelt beside Dennis. Closer examination of his head showed a jagged cut from being struck. "Dad." Martin held his hand.
Dennis moaned, "Your mom."
"I'm right here, you old goat."
Julian opened the barn doors in time for Ian and Kieran to arrive on the run with Bravo team. Ian took in the carnage. "Everyone else okay?"
Wes had his arms full wrangling a wildcat, Elizabeth. At the all clear, he released her.
Patrick knelt beside Dennis. "Walk him to the house. You need a couple of stitches, and then you need a CT scan."
Elizabeth raised her fists. "Ian, Kieran, you said he would follow instructions."
Both men mustered as much shame as they could, biting their cheeks at the angry sprite. Julian walked over to her and muttered something into her ear.
Kieran, Wes, and Bravo team remained in the barn to deal with the arriving authorities, while Ian led the group to the house.
Holding on to the banister for support, Martin made his way upstairs. After a quick stop in the bathroom to wash up, he stripped to his boxers and sat beside Elizabeth at the foot of the bed, his heart still pounding from the adrenaline. He placed an arm around her, resting his palm against her belly. "Sunshine..."
"DO NOT SUNSHINE ME. Martin Aaron Bailey, you are the most exasperating man I know. How can I want to kick you and make love to you at the same time?" Elizabeth held his cheeks between her palms. "Ugh." She pulled his bruised face to hers and kissed him hard.
Epilogue
Sunday, September 10th
The sun glowed in the bright, cloudless blue sky over an air ambulance parked beside a Chase Group jet at the Silverton airport. After saying goodbyes and thank yous, Troy’s mother boarded the plane. The rear doors opened, and, in a coordinated effort, Patrick, Seth, Jonathan, and Judson removed the stretcher carrying Troy.
Seth monitored the transport ventilator controlling Troy's breathing. Elizabeth leaned over to kiss Troy's cheek. His fingers moved slowly to form THANKS.
"Troy, promise me we will climb a real mountain together." Elizabeth teared up when he gave her a thumbs up.
"Mon ami, I promise I will see you soon." Julian pressed his lips to his friend's head.
Martin leaned down and hugged Troy. The previous week, both men spent time and shed some tears together. "You have one job to do, and that is to keep getting better. I love you, remember that."
Troy grabbed Martin's hand. SOON. The Denver PAs said their goodbyes and rolled Troy toward the plane.
Martin commanded, "Viper, you take care of him."
"I will."
Moments later the air ambulance taxied out to the runway and took off, heading to Denver.
Eric hugged and kissed Elizabeth. “You take care of yourself.” He shook hands with Martin and Ford.
Julian pulled Elizabeth into a bear hug. "I will speak to you soon, chère. You take care of sweet Lola and those growing babies.” He faced Martin. “All right, mon frère, I will also speak to you soon." Julian pounded a fist to his heart and pointed at Martin, then he and Eric boarded the Chase Group plane to return to San Diego.
Watching the second takeoff, Martin and Elizabeth returned to the Navigator with Ford sitting in the driver's seat. The three headed back to the Bailey farm. "It's just you, Tess and Pete left," Martin said.
"As soon as I'm sure Austin and your dad are settled with the new surgeon and internist the hospital hired, we can go. Lola can travel, and so can you. My guess is by next week," Elizabeth announced.
"Tighe will be back tomorrow—Ian expedited the home visit. Boss, if she's interested, maybe transfer Tess to New York?" Ford looked at Elizabeth through the rearview mirror.
"Ford, are you playing matchmaker?" Elizabeth asked.
Martin chuckled, "Sunshine, if anyone is a matchmaker, you are. Joyce seems happy."
"She is. Her contract in San Francisco ends on September thirtieth, and she’ll head to Denver soon after. Patrick softens her."
"Tomorrow, we have the meeting with the realtor for your home and, well, your family house. If you aren't ready to sell, you don't have to." Martin reached behind him to clasp her hand.
Elizabeth stared out the window. "No, I'm ready. I'm sure a family will love my house, and as far as the mausoleum, I'd like to turn it into something for good use. Maybe to help women and children transitioning out from trafficking and abuse. Talbot would hate seeing his home used in that way." She had stopped referring to him as Daddy. Dennis Bailey was kinder to her, even when he believed she hurt Martin. “Marty, something else has been on my mind. Do you think your dad would mind if I called him Dad too?”
"I think that would be wonderful, and he would be thrilled. Have I told you how much I love you and how proud I am to call you my girl?"
At the farm, Austin and Janey were sitting on the front porch with Shaun Murray and his wife, Shelly. Shaun stood to shake Ford's hand and hug Elizabeth. "Glad you’re here, Shaun," Martin said, shaking his hand. “We good?”
“Yeah,” Shaun said. “I was just bringing Austin up to date on the news. Iowa State police are revamping the entire department."
"Sharpe stepped down, and they named Shaun the new chief. Those bastards, they doctored the promotional exam results. Shaun should have been promoted to captain two years ago," Austin angered.
"Congratulations," Elizabeth said.
"As soon as Austin comes back, he'll be my lieutenant in charge of the detective division. Paul Young has agreed to stay on as long as he’s able to help.”
"That's great." Martin smiled.
"Austin and I have
a lot of work to do. First, to win back the confidence of the people of Silverton. The State Police, thanks to a Governor's order, are going to let us hire off their recent exam. Until then, they will fill in our ranks, as well as the jail's."
"This is a win for the good guys," Ford announced.
After dinner, Elizabeth and Janey sat in the living room with Lola and Austy. Austin and Martin joined them after a short walk. Martin observed Austin as they sat on the couch. Each day, more of his stamina returned. "I'm going to miss you."
After Martin embraced him, Austin punched his brother in the shoulder. "You have heard of Skype and airplanes?"
Later that night, the farmhouse was quiet. Elizabeth's head rested on Martin's chest. "Sunshine, I promise you: I will never take this gift for granted. I don't want to wait. Before we head to Virginia, I'd like to be married. We can plan a party for all our friends and family at a later time."
Elizabeth intertwined her fingers with his. "I'd like that."
Martin lowered his head to kiss her. "I love you, today and always."
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The journey continues.
Read Julian’s story in Secure Heart, Book 3 of the Chase Security Series.
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About the Author
R.L. (Robin) Dunn resides with her family in the beautiful and artistic community of Sea Cliff, New York. After a twenty-five-year career in Emergency Medical Services as a provider, instructor, and regional faculty, illness changed her life path.
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Having always had a love of writing, Robin returned to creating stories. She is a member of the Romance Authors of America since 2016 and the Long Island Romance Writers since 2018. Her leadership training in the first responder community has served her well in her current role as Secretary for LIRW and her future role as President.
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Her first novel Blood Obsession, written in her college days, came off the shelf and was reworked at a time when she was given just a little chance of survival. The Chase Security Series books #1 and #2, Secure Desire and Secure Again followed after she assured her doctors there was no expiration date stamped on the bottom of her foot. Book #3 Secure Heart is due for an October 2020 release. Book #4 Secure Her is in draft form.
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As far as the future goes, Robin hopes she can continue to live a life worth living. She continues to use her professional background, medical contacts, law enforcement contacts and military contacts to write many more romantic suspense novels in the future.
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R.L Dunn loves to hear from her readers.
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Write her at RLDunnAuthor@gmail.com
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If you are someone, or someone you know is considering SUICIDE, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255
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If you are someone or someone you know is a victim of SEXUAL ASSAULT, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1- 800-656- 4673
Books by RL Dunn
Blood Obsession
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The Chase Security Series
Book 1: Secure Desire (Ian)
Book 2: Secure Again (Martin)
Book 3: Secure Heart (Julian)
Book 4: Secure Her—Coming Soon
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