The Good Samaritan

by Price, Melynda

  “Come on, Emma. I’ll follow you home.”

  Chapter 9

  “You don’t have to walk me inside. I feel guilty enough dragging you out in the middle of the night as it is. And you need to get off that leg.”

  Sawyer cast Emma a sidelong glance as he and Sam followed her up to the building. “I’m fine. Besides, if I don’t walk you inside, I’ll worry. I responded to a shooting a few weeks ago a couple of blocks away from here.”

  She remembered that. Something about a drug deal gone bad. It was one of the few nights she’d been off work or she probably would have met Sawyer under very different circumstances. Violence was a part of both their lives. She saw it every day in the hospital. After a while, one grew immune to it. Perhaps that was why it didn’t bother her to live here. “I think maybe I overreacted tonight,” she confessed softly, a little embarrassed she’d panicked on the phone.

  “Hey…” Sawyer took her hand and tugged her to a stop outside the front door. His grip was strong. Comforting. Warmth spread through her veins like an infusion of liquid heat, making her immune to the cold. “You did not overreact. You did the right thing. I wanted you to call me. I would have been pissed if you hadn’t.”

  He stepped closer, his heat radiating onto her. Was it possible to break a sweat in twenty-degree temperatures? With this man standing next to her? Most definitely.

  “I want to be there for you, Emma.”

  The sincerity in his voice, the honesty in his eyes, made her chest cramp with longing. She may not know him well, but of this she was certain; Sawyer Gerrard was a man she could depend on. It was tempting to reach out and take what it felt like he was offering, but she wasn’t sure she could open that door to her heart again. Could Emma Rhodes have the happiness that’d been stolen from Evangeline Larson all those years ago? Dare she hope? These were dangerous thoughts.

  “Maybe I should leave Sam with you tonight. Or, you could come home with me.”

  Her eyes shot wide at his offer. He must have seen her surprise, because he quickly amended, “I have a spare bedroom, Emma. I wasn’t suggesting you…that we…” He cut off his explanation with a deep throaty chuckle that rolled over her like a caress. “Don’t think I’m that easy,” he teased. “You’d at least have to buy me dinner first.”

  She let out an unexpected bark of laughter that helped to cut the sexual tension crackling between them. “I appreciate your more than generous offer, but I think I’ll be all right.” She entered the code for the front door and they stepped inside.

  “I don’t like the idea of you being here alone.”

  Taking their time, Sawyer used the railing to brace some of his weight as they headed up the stairs. She glanced back to make sure Sam was keeping up. “Sawyer, I’m always alone.” Wow she didn’t mean for that to sound as pathetic as it did. But Molly often worked the opposite schedule as Emma, and when she wasn’t at the hospital, she was with her new boyfriend.

  When they reached the landing, Sawyer turned to her and raised his hand, cupping her chin and tipping her face up to meet his eyes. “Is that by choice?”

  Of course it wasn’t. Who wanted to be alone? But Emma didn’t think she could stand to see the same judgment in his eyes that she saw in everyone else’s that knew the truth about her. “Yes, it is,” she forced the lie from her lips.

  He studied her with that sapphire stare until she couldn’t hold his gaze any longer for fear he’d see the truth.

  “I don’t believe you, Emma.”

  He was calling her out. She wished he wouldn’t tempt her, because she wasn’t sure she was strong enough to resist him. But Emma made a vow long ago that until Matt’s killer was found, she’d never put another person at risk again. As much as it pained her to admit, her future would be nothing more than it was right now. Vacant. “Sawyer, I…just can’t.”

  He acquiesced with a slight nod, letting the subject lie, though she had no doubt it wasn’t over.

  “Keep Sam tonight,” he told her, sounding decided. “He’ll watch out for you while you’re asleep. You look exhausted.”

  He moved his hand to the small of Emma’s back and walked her to her apartment. The press of his hand was light, intimate, and more comforting than she wanted to admit. Sawyer was right. She was tired, too tired to argue with him, and truth be told she was a little shaken up after what happened in that parking ramp.

  “Okay, thanks.” She opened the door and was greeted by her Chihuahua bouncing around the floor excitedly.

  “Who’s this little guy?” he asked, scooping the dog up from the floor.

  “His name is Paco. Wow…he usually doesn’t take to strangers.”

  “Seems friendly enough to me, aren’t ya, boy? I don’t know how Sam will be with him though. Maybe we should switch dogs for the night. His issues are with larger dogs, but he’s got some PTSD from what happened to him, so I’d rather not leave them together if I’m not here.”

  “Sure. That makes sense, I guess.”

  Sawyer hesitated, his gaze flickering to her mouth. Tension mounted between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. He stepped closer and she decided she liked having him invading her space. Her heart kicked inside her chest, ratcheting her pulse as he bent his head, closing the gap. Before she could convince herself what a terrible idea it was, her eyes flittered closed, her lips parting in breathless anticipation as she waited for his mouth to connect with hers.

  But the kiss never came. His breath brushed her cheek as he murmured near her ear, “Good night, Emma.” His low husky voice sent a warm shiver through her. It took her a moment to realize she’d misread the moment and disappointment mingled with embarrassment. For years, loneliness had been eroding her heart. What would be left of her when Matthew’s killer was finally caught, and she was free to love again?

  “Sam, protect Emma,” Sawyer commanded on his way toward the door with Paco tucked in the crook of his arm.

  Sam let out a woof of acknowledgement, but looked torn as he watched Sawyer walk away, leaving him behind. They were a team and Sam seemed a little uncomfortable with them separating. She felt bad for the dog and almost called to Sawyer to take him, but she knew her protest wouldn’t change his mind.

  “Sorry, Sam,” she told the dog, giving him a gentle pat on the head. “Looks like you’re stuck with me tonight.” It didn’t take her long to realize that “protect Emma” was an actual command, because he would not leave her side. Everywhere she went, he followed. It was like having a hundred-pound shadow with fur and sharp teeth.

  Once she got used to him dogging her every step, Sam’s presence quickly became comforting. After grabbing a quick bite, she cleaned up the kitchen then headed down the hall to the bedroom, and Sam was right at her side. Just to test him, she stopped abruptly. So did Sam. She took two steps back and he did the same. Turned right. He followed. Turned a circle. So did he. It reminded her of a game she used to play with her friends when she was little, though Sam was much better at it than they ever had been.

  Laughing, she reached down to pet him. “You’re a smart boy, aren’t you?”

  He woofed and she winced, shushing him so he wouldn’t wake the neighbors.

  “Come on, let’s go to bed.” After pulling on a nightshirt, she climbed under the covers. Sam sat on the floor beside her bed and faced the door. Watching. Was he going to sit like that all night? After a moment, she scooted over and patted the mattress. “Sam, come.”

  He gave her a questioning look. She wondered if Sawyer didn’t let the dog sleep with him. Well, if he was going to loan his dog to her, she was going to spoil him.

  “It’s all right. Come here.” She patted the mattress beside her and Sam jumped up. He settled in beside her but lay so he could still keep his eyes on the door. “Good boy,” she told him, patting his hip.

  Emma grabbed her phone off the nightstand and sent Sawyer a text. Thank you.

  Seconds later, her cell buzzed.

  You're welcome.

  BTW I
love your dog.

  Yeah, he's pretty great.

  You're not so bad yourself.

  Just doing my job. ;)

  But they both knew it was more than that. Police detectives didn’t come to the rescue in the middle of the night when someone’s car wouldn’t start. They didn’t give personal escorts home. And they sure as hell didn’t leave their partner behind for personal protection.

  She couldn’t resist snapping a picture of Sam curled up on the bed and sent it to him.

  You’re going to spoil him.

  Before she could send a response, her cell buzzed again.

  Lucky dog…

  Thought you said you weren’t easy.

  Rethinking my stance.

  She laughed, grinning at her phone like some silly schoolgirl with a crush. As much as she tried to deny it, maybe she was fighting a losing battle. Like it or not, she just might be falling for Sawyer Gerrard. Before signing off for the night, Emma couldn’t resist sending him one last message. Who’s buying dinner? ;)

  Definitely you.

  Chapter 10

  “I think I know how he’s taking them.”

  “What?” Peterson sounded groggy as shit, but then it was five a.m. so Sawyer could hardly blame the guy.

  “The women. I know how he’s grabbing them.” What happened to Emma had been gnawing at Sawyer all night. When she’d called him, fear had reached into his chest and taken hold of his heart. Sleepless hours later, it’d yet to let go, and he was starting to wonder if it ever would. He could deny it all he wanted, but there was a connection between them. It’d solidified the moment he picked up his cell and heard Emma’s panicked voice on the other end.

  What were the chances of a killer retuning to the same hunting ground so soon after an attack? Perhaps that would depend on whether he got his intended target the first time. The similarity in looks between Amanda Kennedy and Emma were eerie enough to cause concern. And if Sawyer’s hunch was right, he’d bet that bastard had just found his next victim. He wanted to get a look at Emma’s SUV to confirm his suspicion. But first, he needed to see those other cars. He just hoped the fires hadn’t destroyed the evidence he was looking for.

  “Meet me at the impound lot in an hour.”

  “Aren’t you supposed to be on couch duty? Captain is going to be pissed if he hears about this.”

  “Then don’t tell him. I’m taking a field trip. Just like the one I took with you the other night.”

  Peterson muttered a curse and Sawyer heard the switch of a lamp come across the line. The rustle of covers followed, and then a soft feminine moan of protest. Shit, Cade wasn’t alone. Sawyer felt mildly bad for cock-blocking his partner, but then again he was running on zero sleep for the second day in a row, so his pity level was only at a two and his patience wasn’t much higher.

  “I gotta go, baby,” he heard his partner whisper, then to Sawyer he said, “I’ll see you in an hour.”

  The line disconnected and Sawyer hit the shower. After getting dressed, he poured a cup of coffee and let Emma’s little dog out back. He stood on the porch, keeping an eye on the runty thing, and sipped the steaming brew. The freezing temperatures had Paco giving him a pathetic, squinty-eyed look when Sawyer set him in the frosty grass. The tiny dog instantly began to shiver and tried to follow Sawyer back up to the house. He pointed into the yard and gave him a look that sent the Chihuahua about-facing and scurrying back to the grass to do his business.

  He really was cute. There was something kind of adorable about those big bat ears and buggy eyes. Paco finished up and was struggling back to the house when Sawyer took pity on him and stepped into the yard, the frosty grass crunching beneath his bare feet. He scooped up the little dog and tucked him under his arm. He was walking into the kitchen when his brother caught an eyeful of them and almost choked on his coffee.

  “Sam shrunk. Except for his ears.”

  “Very funny, asshole. This is Emma Rhodes’ dog.”

  “The doctor that saved Sam’s life?” he laughed. “You must really like this woman to be toting around her little ankle biter.” Hunter glanced around and then pinned him with a suspicious scowl. “Where’s Sam?”

  “I left him with Emma. She had a scare last night and I wasn’t comfortable leaving her home alone.”

  “Must have been some scare for you to part with that dog. Either that, or you’re falling for his doctor.”

  “I’m not falling for her,” he scoffed. The little dog shivered against his chest and Sawyer tucked him closer. “I hardly know her.”

  Sawyer’s coffee cup was halfway to his lips when his brother’s remark had his arm freezing in the air. “When it’s the right person, sometimes you just know. That shit can have a way of sneaking up on you. Don’t let it bite ya in the ass.”

  Well, that was pretty profound for five a.m. and coming from his emotionally illiterate brother. It sounded like he was speaking from experience. Sawyer would have stuck around and ask him about it, but he was already running late. The impound lot opened at six, and he didn’t want to keep Cade waiting.

  * * *

  Rage licked through his veins like holy fire, burning up the last vestiges of his control. On the outside he appeared placid—ordinary. People liked and respected him, some even admired him.

  Even the cops were none the wiser to the sins that darkened his soul. But he would have to be careful moving forward. Detective Gerrard was a game changer, a Hail-Mary play in the final seconds of the fourth quarter that had saved Emma’s life.

  He hadn’t counted on the cop showing up and ruining his plans. Was she fucking him? He’d given Gerrard a free pass the first time he’d caught them together, one he sorely regretted now. He should have gutted that pig when he’d had the chance. Missed opportunities—though there would be others.

  He didn’t want to believe Emma was like all the others—dirty, filthy, whores. Of course she’d have to be punished. He’d saved her from impurity once, but now that she was tarnished, nothing but fire could cleanse her rotten soul. One would think she’d learn her lesson. She belonged to him. Maybe she needed another reminder.

  He sat in his car watching the white Colonial with the black shutters. He wasn’t sure he’d found the right house, but then the garage door opened and a black Charger backed out of the driveway. As the car pulled onto the street and headed his way, he ducked down waiting until the deep rumbling engine growled by.

  He started the tan Camry and pulled onto the road, trailing the Charger. Where was the cop going this early in the morning? Unless he was careless with his light, he hadn’t gone to bed. The lower level had been bright as a beacon all night long. Did the detective suffer from insomnia? Perhaps it was something they shared. The cop would probably be surprised to discover just how much they had in common. They both had the same taste in women. The general public depended on them. Some professions inherently garnered trust. It had certainly been a fatal error for Karen Spears, Hannah Madison, and Amanda Kennedy.

  * * *

  Peterson was standing outside the gate when Sawyer pulled up. As soon as he shut off the car, Paco went apeshit barking at the guy. The look on his partner’s face was pure amusement as he leaned down and put his face to the glass, studying the little yapper snarling at him through the window.

  “Sam shrunk.”

  “Ha-ha. First time I heard that one,” Sawyer grumbled, climbing out of the car and fishing his crutch out of the back seat.

  “What’d you do? Trade the big guy in for a compact model? Something a little more travel size?” Cade’s laughter echoed through the bitter cold air.

  “Not quite.”

  “That little thing sure has a mouth on him, doesn’t it? Something tells me his bark is worse than his bite, though,” Cade continued, chuckling at his joke.

  “Are you about finished?”

  “Okay, okay.” He held up his hands in surrender. “Seriously though, where’d you get that little rat?”

  “I’m watchi
ng him for a friend.”

  “Ah…a female friend?”

  “Why would you think that?”

  “Cuz no self-respecting man would own that dog.”

  Sawyer laughed. “True.”

  Cade came around the back of the car and clasped Sawyer’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “So, are you going to tell me what we’re doing here?”

  “Following a hunch.” Sawyer pressed the button on the gate to be let in and flashed his badge at the camera. The alarm buzzed, and the locks disengaged. Cade followed him inside and they headed over to the three burned cars in the back of the lot. It was turning into quite a gruesome collection. He pulled a pair of thin nylon gloves from his back pocket and slipped them on.

  “The point of origin for all three fires was the gas tank. I’m not sure what kind of shape the engine is still in or how closely forensics looked at it, but if I’m right, we’re going to figure out how this bastard got to these women.”

  They started with Amanda Kennedy’s Ford. Sawyer opened the driver’s door and reached inside, popping the hood.

  “What are we looking for?”

  Sawyer came around the front of the car and shined his mag light onto the battery. There it was, on the negative terminal, fresh scrape marks through the dirt and grease on the nut holding the battery cable to the post. He reached inside the engine, wiggled the black connection and it easily slipped off. When he tried the red one, it held tight.