by Connie Mann
He looked over her shoulder at the flames raging behind them, and his expression hardened into one she’d never seen before. “I need to check on some things. EMTs are heading over to check you out. Will you be okay here for a bit?”
She nodded, a cough preventing her from saying more.
He strode away without a word.
Chapter 16
“I don’t need to go to the hospital. Please. I’m fine.”
The EMT ignored her and fitted an oxygen mask over her face. Josh wasn’t sure if it was because she needed it or it was an efficient way to stop her protests. Probably both.
“What the hell happened here, Hollywood?” Hunter said from behind him.
Josh turned. Hunter had obviously just crawled out of bed, too, but he looked a lot more pulled together than Josh, who’d barely thrown on a T-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops before he raced out the door. Hunter had taken time to don his uniform and wore the air of command like a second skin. He motioned Josh off to the side so they wouldn’t be overheard.
Pete hurried over, wearing the same unmade-bed look as Josh. “Is Delilah all right?”
They glanced over to where the EMTs were checking her vitals.
Josh voiced what they were all thinking. “After the zip line, this was no accident. Plus, I’d been outside her camper earlier and got pulled away on a bogus call no more than an hour ago.”
Hunter muttered a curse, and Pete scrubbed the back of his neck.
“Let me talk to the fire chief,” Hunter said. Thankfully, the flames had been contained. The recent rain had definitely prevented a huge forest fire. The fact that Delilah’s camper stood in a fairly large clearing had also helped.
Josh’s mind raced in multiple directions, but he kept circling back to the one question he didn’t have an answer to. Why Delilah? Was it because of Robert Black’s murder? Her research? Or did it have to do with her sister and, by extension, her family? Because even though someone had taken shots at her before, they’d deliberately missed. Locking her inside a burning camper took things to a whole new level.
“You okay, Brother?” Pete asked.
“Why wouldn’t I be? I’m not the one who barely escaped a fire.”
Pete just looked at him. “You can keep bluffing, but I’m not buying a word of your crap.” He planted his hands on his fists. “I’ve seen the way you look at her.” When Josh started to protest, he held up a hand. “I know. You don’t want to talk about it. Just be careful. From what I can see, that pretty lady is a lightning rod for trouble.”
Josh’s hackles went up, but he didn’t respond. He had more important things to do, like figure out how to keep Delilah safe while he hunted down the scumbag who was after her.
Hunter returned, expression grim. “There’s evidence of a generator malfunction that caused the fire.”
“From inside or outside the camper?” Josh asked.
“That was my question, too. From the outside.”
“So someone could have tampered with it.” Josh narrowed his eyes. “Any sign that the door was blocked in some way to keep her from getting out?”
“She couldn’t get out?” Pete’s eyebrows shot toward his hairline.
Josh glanced from one to the other. “That’s what she said. When the door wouldn’t open, she climbed out the window. And just in time, too.”
Josh scanned the area and saw Sanchez and Fish pull up in their separate vehicles. Both hurried over.
“Is Delilah okay?” Fish asked.
“EMTs are checking her over now.”
Sanchez scanned what was left of her camper and let out a slow whistle. “Damn, she’s lucky to be alive.”
As Josh scanned their faces, he couldn’t shake the certainty that if he didn’t do something desperate, and fast, Delilah wouldn’t survive. And that, he didn’t think he could survive.
Someone had painted a big target on her back, and until they figured out who, she had to stay hidden. “I say we put the word out that she died in the fire. That will buy us some time to figure out what the hell is going on.”
Surprised looks flashed across their faces, but Hunter’s turned speculative. “Tell me what you’re thinking, Hollywood. How would it help? You think this is tied to Black’s murder? Or her family?”
He’d told Hunter and the squad about the guns and money, and Byte was digging into the Atwood family’s background. “I don’t know, but we sure as hell need to find out. Until now, all the shots have felt like warnings, someone’s attempt to keep her away.”
“Agreed. But away from what? Her research?” Pete asked.
Josh filled them in on Mary’s situation but didn’t mention Delilah’s past. That wasn’t his story to tell. “She’s trying to find her sister and stop the wedding. My guess is someone in her family—either her father or her brother—have been trying to scare her off.”
“Whoever it is, they’re an excellent shot,” Fish said.
“Tonight was different, though,” Hunter said. “This was an outright attempt on her life.”
Sanchez chimed in. “Byte also found that evidence on Black’s computer about ties to some kind of militia here in the forest. We know her family has always been tied to them as well. Is she somehow the link between the two? The militia and Black’s murder?”
“She found her sister’s journals in the caves today. Mary mentioned something about an alliance but gave no details.”
There was a round of collective muttering and cursing before Hunter drilled Josh with a look. “Since you’ve got this all figured out, Hollywood, what’s your plan?”
Josh scrambled for a reply. He had been so focused on protecting Delilah, he hadn’t thought through logistical details. But then it came to him. “We borrow my folks’ camper, since they’re not going anywhere just yet, and I park it in the forest and go undercover as a guy looking to join a local militia. I’ll wear a disguise, see where that leads.”
“And where exactly will Miss Paige be during this time?”
Josh’s chin came up, and he met Hunter’s gaze. “She’ll be with me.”
The chorus of protests was instantaneous, with Hunter’s the loudest. “Have you lost your mind? We can’t send a civilian undercover. I won’t. That’s reckless.”
“From what I can tell, only Delilah’s family knows she’s back in town. She’s using a different name, and no one has seen her for eight years. And even when she was here before, the family moved around and kept to themselves. She was homeschooled. For her to wear a wig and a pair of glasses would not be a big deal. But it would allow me to keep her safe.” When Hunter opened his mouth to say something, Josh cut him off. “I can do this on the payroll or off. But I’m doing it.”
“FWC doesn’t do protection details, Hollywood,” Hunter reminded him. “I’ll see if she can stay with Charlee.”
“She stays with me,” Josh said again.
The two men faced off. Even though Hunter was going to be his brother-in-law, he was also his boss. And Josh had just directly countermanded Hunter’s decision. “You are treading on thin ice, Hollywood.”
“Yes, sir. I have time off saved up. I’ll take a leave of absence, vacation, sick time, whatever you want to call it.”
Hunter studied him, eyes narrowed. “Are you sure about this?”
Josh nodded. He couldn’t explain it to himself, let alone anyone else. He just knew he had to do it.
The silence stretched. Finally, Hunter said, “I can’t tell you what to do on your vacation, Officer Tanner. But I do expect an update twice a day. If I don’t get it, I’ll call in the cavalry.” He waited a beat. “We clear?”
“Yes, sir.” Josh released the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. He considered the fact that Hunter hadn’t fired him outright a plus. “Thank you.”
“I hope this doesn’t come back and bite yo
u in the ass. But either way, we’ve got your back.” Hunter eyed his squad. “The quicker we get this plan into action, the better the chances of keeping a lid on the truth. Hollywood, get Delilah and the EMTs on board. I’ll talk to the fire captain. Pete, keep things at the sheriff’s office need-to-know, and, Sanchez and Fish, you guys have a word with every single person here. If the press shows up, tell them I’ll make a statement later this morning. Make sure everyone knows not to talk to a reporter.”
Josh stepped up beside Hunter. “Thank you.”
“Don’t make me regret it. Let’s figure out who wants her dead.”
Chapter 17
Josh hurried over to the EMTs, who were still trying to keep Delilah from climbing off the stretcher. “Give us a second here, guys.”
They exchanged a look and stepped away.
He placed a hand on her arm, his voice low. “Stop fighting and listen for a minute. Someone almost killed you tonight, and you’re too smart not to realize it. We’re going to pretend you died. That will buy the squad time to figure out who’s after you.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ve got this. I don’t need FWC getting any more involved.”
Josh laughed. “Like it or not, FWC is already involved. When I said I’d help you, I meant it. You get the whole squad, too, no extra charge.” He grinned but then caught the look in her eyes. Now that the shock had worn off, she was furious. So was he, but he wasn’t letting her storm off to figure out who set the fire. Not without him.
When she opened her mouth to argue again, he leaned over and whispered, “Close your eyes and play along. I’ll explain more later.” He leaned back and shouted, “Delilah! Delilah! Wake up!” He patted her face as the EMTs rushed over.
“What happened? She was fine a few minutes ago.”
“She stopped breathing.” Then he leaned closer so only they could hear. “For her safety, we need to pretend she didn’t make it. Will you help?”
The EMTs exchanged a look and then nodded. “10-4.”
The older one raised his voice. “Start CPR. Let’s get her in the bus and over to Ocala Regional.”
When the EMT climbed onto the gurney and pretended to start CPR, Josh tossed his keys to Pete and climbed into the back of the ambulance with them. The other EMT started the bus and took off, lights flashing and sirens blaring.
* * *
Delilah blinked her eyes open and squinted against the sunlight streaming through old-fashioned curtains. She dimly remembered Josh carrying her into a house last night, right before the adrenaline crash knocked her flat. Her glance took in the quilt on the bed, the wicker chair, antique furniture.
The sound of voices from another room, mostly male, brought her to her feet. Every muscle ached, and as soon as she stood up, she started coughing again, her throat like sandpaper. She glanced down at the oversize T-shirt she was wearing, and a little zing slid over her skin. Josh must have put it on her. She buried her nose in the sleeve. It smelled like him, clean and woodsy.
Another T-shirt and basketball shorts were neatly stacked on the chair along with a note in a masculine scrawl. “Help yourself to these until we get you something that fits. Bathroom is down the hall.”
Delilah smiled despite the circumstances, grabbed the clothing, and padded to the bathroom where she stood under the spray until the water turned cool and she felt a bit less stiff and creaky. When she reached the kitchen, she found Fish at the counter, pouring coffee.
“Good morning. Did you get some sleep?”
Delilah gratefully accepted the cup Fish offered, added milk and sugar. “I did, thanks. And thanks for the coffee.”
Josh stepped into the kitchen, and his eyes immediately sought hers, grinning as he looked her over. “Glad you found the clothes, even though they are a tad big.”
She looked down. The T-shirt fell almost to her knees, and if not for the drawstring inside the basketball shorts, she would’ve had to hold them up with one hand. “Barely noticeable,” she drawled and enjoyed his laugh.
“The squad was here this morning for a strategy meeting. I didn’t have the heart to wake you.”
She stiffened. “You didn’t think I’d want to be there, tired or not?”
His smile faded, and he scrubbed a hand over the back of his neck. Fish took her coffee and beat a hasty retreat. “Yeah, when you put it like that, I should have woken you. I figured you needed sleep.”
The whole idea of someone doing things “for her own good” raised her hackles, but he was so genuine, she couldn’t be too angry. Still, ground rules needed to be set. “Don’t make decisions for me. Last night, you and the team didn’t give me a choice, just put a plan in motion and said you’d explain later.”
“It’s a good plan.”
“I’m not arguing that. But I’m part of the discussion. I won’t be ordered around.”
He huffed out a laugh. “I wouldn’t be fool enough to try.”
Her temper eased somewhat.
“I get that you’re used to being alone.” He stepped closer, took her hands in his. “But you aren’t anymore. I’ll be here. The whole squad will be, too. We’re trying to help.”
“Then treat me as an equal, and remember that I make my own decisions.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He sent her a grin and a wink, then reached behind him and thrust a newspaper at her. “Check out today’s editorial, Madam Researcher. Looks like Commissioner Benson has quite a bit to say about your study of the monkeys.”
“Do tell. Based on some of his earlier comments, I can’t imagine any sort of wholehearted support coming from his camp.” Delilah started reading the commissioner’s tirade and then looked up. “I just remembered my laptop. I didn’t think to take it with me last night.”
“You mean that wasn’t your first thought during a fire? Slacker.” He nodded to a laptop on the counter. “Feel free to use mine. Password is next to it.”
“Thank you. The café has free Wi-Fi, so I back everything up to the cloud. I’ll have to replace my laptop, camera, and all my gear, but I only lost the last batch of monkey photos.” She’d have to raid her meager savings, but it should cover all of it. She thought of Oscar. “Speaking of monkeys, has FWC hired anyone to cull them out?”
Surprise crossed his features. “No, why? No decisions have been made. I told you that.”
“Call me crazy, but I think some of the mothers in one of the troops I’ve been studying are missing.”
His eyebrows shot up. “What do you mean, missing?”
“As in, not there, with aunties taking care of their young.”
“Did you just overlook them, maybe? Or they were off on a girl’s day out?” He smiled, but his eyes were serious.
“I don’t know. But it has me worried.”
“Were the infants healthy? Eating enough?”
She thought of Oscar and ducked her head, embarrassed. “One of them had me worried, but he seems to be okay now.”
“Then I wouldn’t worry too much. You know they sometimes let the aunties take over for a while.”
He was right. She was making mountains out of molehills, as Mama would say. Still. “I got the feeling I was being watched the last few times I was out.”
He straightened from where he’d been leaning on the counter. “Did you see anyone?”
“No. It might have been an animal, too.”
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t go out alone until we figure out what’s going on.”
She raised a brow. Hadn’t they just had this conversation? “Really? And are you going into the forest with me?”
He grinned, totally surprising her. “Absolutely. Since I’m officially on ‘vacation’”—he made air quotes—“maybe you can convince me the monkeys should stay.”
“And you can keep an eye on me.”
“Two birds, one stone.”
S
he couldn’t stay annoyed with him, especially when he turned on the charm. “Is this your place? Where are we exactly?”
“This little cottage sits on the edge of the Outpost property. What, you don’t like my granny-inspired décor?”
“I sort of expected to see Aunt Bea from The Andy Griffith Show bustling about the kitchen.”
“Just me, but I make a mean omelet. You game?”
“You cook? Wow. Sure.” While he prepared breakfast, she sipped coffee and scanned the article, not really surprised at the ugliness spewing from Commissioner Benson’s editorial. Though to be fair, it wasn’t so much venom as opposition. She could handle that. “I don’t think Benson had anything to do with the fire.”
Josh looked up, frying pan suspended over their plates. “I agree. He’s against the monkeys, but I don’t see him trying to kill you over it.”
Delilah shivered at the reminder and focused on the excellent food instead. “Thanks for breakfast, but now I want to know what you and the squad talked about this morning, and don’t leave anything out.”
“I guess that means the social portion of the day is over,” he quipped, then sobered. “News of a suspected death from smoke inhalation will be posted on the newspaper website later today and will be headline news in tomorrow’s edition. We’ll carefully leak your name so even though it isn’t officially reported, people will believe you’re dead. That should buy us some time to figure out who’s after you.” He leaned forward, arms on the table, and pierced her with a look. “I did an online search, and there is no record of Delilah Paige Atwood ever getting married. I assumed you’d gone through with the wedding. Was I wrong?”
Delilah gripped her coffee cup, taken by surprise. “No, I didn’t go through with it.” She paused. “After my family moved again, without me, I left.”
“Can’t say I blame you. Who were you supposed to marry?”
His matter-of-fact response soothed more of the jagged edges of her heart, acknowledging that her actions had been perfectly logical.
“I need a name, Delilah.”
Her head snapped up. His expression indicated he was prepared to sit there all day.