CHAPTER 36
Back in the car, Tate pulled his cell out and punched in Martin’s number. Martin answered on the first ring. Skipping the hellos Tate said, “We’ve got it. Call Chad and Reva off the search and ask them to stop by my place before Chad takes Reva home. I want her to see the coin and confirm that it’s the same one she and Parker found.”
“Son of a bitch, Tate. That’s good news. I’ll get them on the phone now and then I’ll meet you at your house.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. This guy is probably already tracking us and I don’t want him to see you and for damn sure no cop cars at my place. In fact, I’m calling Julie and having her cancel all patrols in my neighborhood for now. We want to keep it as low key and quiet as possible around my place for now.”
“You’re right about him recognizing me, but I think we should have a couple guys out that way in plain clothes. No sense in putting you and Emma at any greater risk than necessary.”
A few minutes later Tate turned his anger on Emma, “You just had to take the damned thing, didn’t you Em? You should have let me have it, but no, you had to hold it up and make sure he saw you with it. Why? Why do you have to be the hero here?”
Pulling one leg up in the seat, Emma stared at Tate. “Just table it for now, Tate. What difference does it make which one of us got it? For God’s sake we’re going to the same house. And for the record, there are no heroes here. We both have a job to do and that’s what we’re doing. No contest, no heroes, just a job.”
Emma watched as Tate opened his mouth to speak and then clamped it shut without saying a word. With a sigh she turned away from him. Damn, he knows I’m right for once, she thought.
Pulling the car into the driveway, Tate got out, slammed the door behind him and walked to the porch without waiting for Emma. “You don’t have time to fight with her now,” he muttered under his breath.
Before he got the back door open, a tan Dodge truck pulled into the drive and Chad and Reva stepped out. Meeting Emma half way across the yard, the three of them walked to the porch together. Pushing the door open, Tate let them all inside where they followed him to the kitchen.
Emma went to the laundry room, opened the door and scooped the puppy up in her arms, his wet pink tongue lapped out at her face as she crooned to him. She let him out for a minute then returned to the other room, and she took a seat at the table next to Tate.
Tate spoke first, his eyes on Em the whole time, “Show Reva the coin.”
Emma reached into her jeans pocket and pulled the token out, laying it on the table in front of Reva.
Without touching it, Reva nodded. “That’s it. That’s the same coin that me and Saralyn found at the lake.” Overcome with emotion Reva buried her face in her hands before looking up at Tate and then at Emma. “Oh, my God, he’s going to come after you now. I know that’s what you wanted but….well…I guess it wasn’t so real until now.”
Emma dropped down in the chair next to Reva, placing a comforting arm around the other woman’s shoulders. “It’s okay, Reva. It’s different this time. Tate and I know that he’s coming, we’ll be ready and we’ll catch him. You don’t have to worry about us.”
Reva wiped at the tears forming in her eyes. “I know, Emma, but I keep thinking about Saralyn and how that could have been me. I don’t want anything to happen to you or Tate, either.” With a strangled sigh she whispered, “I’m afraid for you both.”
“You don’t have to be afraid,” Chad said. “Tate and Emma are both trained to handle situations like this and they’re going to be fine. Come on, let me take you home.”
With a nod Reva stood, giving Emma a quick hug. She turned to Tate. “Tate, you take real good care of the two of you. I don’t have too many friends and I can’t bear to think of losing another one.”
Tate gave Reva a quick peck on the cheek. “I won’t let you down.” Turning to Chad he said, “Can I speak to you for just a minute before you leave please?”
Tate opened the back door and the two men stepped out onto the deck, leaving the women in the kitchen. He needed some extra protection now that Em’s life was on the line.
CHAPTER 37
Just a few more hours, Gav and you’ll have your coin back, and a little fun too. Then my friend, it’s time for you to get the hell out of Pine Ridge for good. Grabbing his backpack and pushing his computer inside he walked to the back door of Walt’s house. It had been the perfect hiding place, completely deserted since Walt’s death. Gavin took the steps two at a time, making his way to the old barn in the back where he’d parked his car out of sight. Wouldn’t want the lovely Jewel coming by and finding you in her daddy’s house, now would you?
Dropping his backpack on a weathered work table in the barn, Gavin reviewed the items that he would need. Could need two needles, Gav. Chances are, wherever the hot chick went the guy went too. He pulled a pocket knife from his front jeans pocket, and then measured and cut four lengths of red cording from a spool stored in his backpack. Staring at the cording, he pulled two more lengths and cut them. Better to be over prepared than under, and that’s one a big dude.
Repacking his backpack, Gavin tossed it into the front seat of his car and then sat down in the driver’s seat without starting the vehicle. Laying his head back against the seat he closed his eyes and willed his body to relax.
I told you it wouldn’t take long, Mama. Just think, after tonight there will be five more people just like you, and these five are really special, Mama. They all live right here in Pine Ridge. That old man Walt probably lived here when you did. He probably looked the other way when you’d come to town all busted up, just like the others did. Now they know what it’s like. Now they’re all just like you, Mama . . . Just like you.
CHAPTER 38
Emma sat in the living room floor, playing tug of war with the puppy using an old sock. She watched Tate from the corner of her eye. “Why don’t you sit down? You know as well as I do that he’s not coming until dark. This is a well-populated area and he wouldn’t risk it. Save that energy for later, could be that you’ll need it then.”
Frowning at her, Tate flopped down on the couch propping his feet on the smooth wooden surface of the coffee table. Grabbing the remote from the arm of the sofa he flicked the television on and started surfing the channels.
The third time that Tate passed the same channel, Emma stood, bringing the puppy with her. Taking a seat next to him she bumped her shoulder against his, “Talk to me.”
He grunted, “And exactly what good would that do me, Emma? I don’t think you listen to me.”
Emma drew in a deep breath, “Tate, you’re not being fair. I listen to you when you talk. It’s when you try to pull some nonexistent rank and give me orders that we run into issues. I don’t want to argue, I just want to talk.”
Leaning forward, Tate rubbed his face with his hands before speaking. “You’re right. I know you’re right, but I can’t help myself. I want you to be safe. If you had listened and let me take the coin, you could be at the courthouse with Martin safe and sound right now instead of sitting here waiting for a killer.”
She shook her head, “I don’t think you’ll ever understand. I don’t want to sit at the courthouse safe and sound, with Martin or anyone else. A desk job would drive me crazy. I like what I do.”
Seeing that he was about to speak, Emma cupped a hand on his cheek silencing him, “It makes me feel good knowing that I’m helping the world be a better place when I take down a killer, a molester, a drug runner or any other criminal out there. I couldn’t get that from a desk job. You of all people know about the satisfaction that comes from being part of a field team.”
Looking into her eyes, Tate felt helpless. The anger drained from his body, deflating him like a left over party balloon. “I know, Em….I know.”
Opening her arms and pulling him into a hug, Emma sprayed tiny kisses on his neck. Tate buried his face in her hair, inhaling the freshness and the unique scent t
hat was all Emma. God, he wished they could sit like this forever. A tiny yelp broke them apart. Looking down, Emma pulled the puppy from the sofa between them, his little tail slashing back and forth as he tried to lick her.
With a playful growl, Tate rolled the puppy on his back, scratched his tummy for a moment, then carefully sat him on the floor. “You know he thinks you’re his mama, right?”
Emma turned to Tate and smiled, “I know, and maybe he’s right. I’m pretty fond of the little guy. You’re going to keep him, aren’t you Tate?”
“Don’t suppose you’d consider staying here and helping take care of him? Wait, don’t answer that. I already know the answer, and I don’t want to hear it out loud. Not yet.”
Scooting closer, Emma laid her head on Tate’s chest, one hand resting on his muscular thigh. “It’s almost dark. He’s coming soon.”
Tate ran his fingers through her long hair and leaned one cheek against her head. They sat like that for more than ten minutes. He finally said, “I guess we’d better get ready. We want the bastard to feel welcome when he shows up.” Tate stood and walked to the living room windows twisting the rod to open the blinds. “Turn the lamp on, Em. We want him to be able to see us if he comes from the front.”
Emma pulled her shoes on, switched on the lamp and then picked the puppy up. “I’m going to take the pup for a potty run before it gets crazy around here.”
“Okay, but don’t leave the deck and take your gun. It’s not really dark enough for him to be slinking around yet, but don’t chance it. I’m going to check the windows in the other rooms. When the bastard shows up, I want to limit his way in to the doors only.”
CHAPTER 39
Hunching in the bushes on the edge of the yard, Gavin adjusted his backpack and sat down. Did they really think he was too stupid to recognize a trap when it practically crawled up his leg and bit him on the ass? Next to him on the ground lay the unconscious body of the cop they’d posted to keep him out.
Kicking the man with one foot, Gavin muttered, “Good thing I brought extra cord. Once the K wears off, you’re going to have a hell of a headache man.”
Light filtering out from the back door of the house pulled Gavin’s attention away from the downed cop. The woman who took his coin appeared on the deck with a small puppy. “Damn, they really do think that I can’t get to them?” Stepping back into the hedge, Gavin pushed his way through the dense shrub, popping out in the yard next door. With his back to the brush he ran a few feet down the hedge row before pushing back through and jogging a short distance to the side of the house. Using the shadows for cover, Gavin peeked around the corner of the house and watched the woman as she sat the dog down on the ground where he promptly began sniffing the grass.
Crouching low, Gavin dropped to his knees. Hugging the shadows at the side of the house, he crawled, stopping only when house met deck. He practically smelled the bitch from here.
Just a few more feet. He fought to control the excitement bubbling inside him.
A voice from inside the house boomed and Gavin froze.
“Em, what’s the holdup out there?”
Turning the woman yelled into the door, “Just about finished. He has to find the right spot!”
Night was falling fast now, the yard was almost black. Fireflies flashed their blinking tails. Calling the puppy, the woman sighed in frustration when he just looked up at her then turned away to chase a bug in the grass. She stepped off the deck, moving quickly toward the pup. “Time to go in little guy, it’s too dark to be chasing bugs.” Bending over, she scooped the puppy up in her arms.
That’s when Gavin saw it. The gun wedged at the small of her back, reflecting the glow of the porch light.
Stupid bitch. Come to me. Just a few more steps and you’re mine.
Emma never saw the man coming. Lunging from the shadows, he knocked her down. Landing on her back, his body covered hers as he clamped a hand across her mouth. The fall had knocked the air from her lungs and catching a breath seemed impossible. Struggling, she tried to free herself. The puppy had yipped, falling from her hands and landing somewhere in the darkness.
Emma felt his hand slide around to her back, pulling her gun free from where it was tucked inside her pants.
Leaning close, he whispered, “I’m going to pull you up now, and we’re going to take a little walk. If you make even one sound, I will shoot you, got it?”
Nodding, Emma allowed him to pull her to her feet, the gun still pointed at her chest.
“Hold your hands out,” he hissed, pulling a piece of red cording from his pocket.
Gavin quickly tied her hands, one eye on the back door to the house. He then pushed the woman in front of him as they slithered around the corner of the house and ducked back through the hedge, making their way behind the house next door and out into the alley where his car was parked.
Her breath regained, Emma thought, You cannot get in that car. Think. If you scream, he’s going to shoot you and if you go with him, that will be even worse. You’ve got to stall and give Tate time to find you. Balking at the door of the car, Emma turned and kicked at her captor, striking him on the thigh. Damn, missed.
“You crazy bitch!” Gavin raised the gun, slamming it against her head. The last thing Emma heard before passing into oblivion was Tate’s voice calling to her.
“Emma! Emma, where are you? Damn it, I should have known you wouldn’t stay on the deck.” The puppy ran right up to him and sniffed his boot. Where was she? The slamming of a car door and an engine starting pushed Tate into a full-out run. Pulling his gun as he ran toward the sound, Tate stepped into the alley just as a car spun out, spraying him with gravel. Raising his revolver, Tate shot at the tires, but the car didn’t slow.
“Shit!”
Running for his SUV, Tate pulled his cell out and hit the last number called, “Martin, the bastard’s got Emma.”
“Whoa there Tate, slow down.”
“No time, Martin. He was parked in the alley that runs behind my house. A compact car, couldn’t get the make or model, but it’s a dark colored sedan. Maybe red.”
“What about Chad? I thought he was stationed in the backyard.”
“No sign of Chad when I came outside, so send someone over to search. This guy could have both of them, for all I know. The alley would have forced him to the right on Magnolia Street and where he’s headed, I don’t know. I’ve got to go.” Tate turned right from his driveway and punched the gas pedal to the floor.
He paused at the end of the street trying to decide which way to go. Deciding that the killer wouldn’t want to drive through the middle of town now that he knew he’d been spotted, Tate turned left. A mile down the road he slowed when tail lights appeared in the distance.
Just hang back, Tate, be patient, and let him show you where he’s going.
Gavin glanced at Emma slumped in the front seat. Reaching over he placed two fingers on her neck feeling for a pulse. The bitch is alive. For now anyway. Glancing in the rearview mirror, he spotted headlights about a quarter mile back.
“Shit. Just play it cool, Gav. They’re not gaining on you.” A mile down the road, Gavin took a right turn without breaking, dust billowed up behind the car as the rear end fishtailed. Almost there Gav, almost there.
Emma groaned, the movement of the car careening around a turn causing bile to boil in the back of her throat. Without moving her body, she opened one eye a sliver staring at the killer. She tried to see beyond him to determine where they were going. No luck.
Just stay still Emma. Make him have to carry you out and maybe you can get the upper hand.
Tate watched as the car ahead turned without hitting the brakes and saw the tail lights pull a fast back and forth pattern. “Damn, he’s going to Walt’s place, or back to the cache site where we found the coin…if he doesn’t wreck before he gets there.”
Without slowing, Tate drove past the road that the killer turned on, planning to double back once the coast was clear. Pu
lling his phone out, Tate called Martin. “He’s either going back to the cache site or he’s going to Walt Mabry’s place, there’s nothing else on that road. I let him go without following, but I’m turning around now. I didn’t want to spook him with Emma in that car.”
“I’m on my way. I’ll get some back up out that way too.”
“No, Martin, don’t come in with lights and sirens blazing. I don’t want to scare him or have him get in a hurry. I’m going to park and walk, hopefully taking him by surprise. The last thing we need is for someone to come up like the damned Calvary. If you get here in time, walk in and keep it quiet. Sound carries a long way out here.”
“I got you’re back on this one. You be careful out there and bring our Miss Emma home safe.”
Martin glanced at his wife standing in the doorway with his gun and hat in her hands. “You know me so well, sweetheart. I’ll be back as quick as I can.” Kissing her on the lips he slipped his hat on and pulled his gun belt around his waist. Martin hoped he hadn’t just lied to his wife and that they would all be back safe and out of harm’s way soon.
CHAPTER 40
Gavin jumped from his car, and ran toward the barn. He grabbed one of the large wooden doors and pulled it open enough to drive through. He killed the engine and stepped out to shut the barn door, glancing at Emma still slumped in the front seat. Must have hit the bitch pretty hard.
As soon as Emma heard the car door close and his footsteps moving away, she frantically twisted her wrists trying to free her hands before he returned. Damn it, she thought. They’re too tight. She heard his footsteps again and played dead.
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