Blake rubbed his chin and picked up his coffee again. “You’re right. It was never my intention to deceive you, Dave.”
Dave gave him a rueful stare. “You see, when I hear a sentence that starts that way, I know I’m about to learn I’ve been deceived.”
“I’ve been working undercover as part of a DEA and DOJ task force. I came to town to ferret out corruption in the police department and take down a major drug manufacturing ring.”
Dave whistled and dragged his fingers through his hair. “Wow. I had no idea.”
“Mason discovered what I was doing. He tried to kill me. Then he tried to kill Holly.”
“Did you contact the police?”
“The force is corrupt, Dave. I don’t know who I can trust there. Besides, I reached out to someone already and now he’s dead.”
“And what about the girl?”
“What about her? She’s in trouble. I’m trying to help her.”
“And that’s all?”
He felt jittery and shrugged. “I can’t deny she’s beautiful. But she’s more than that, Dave. She’s also smart and capable and brave. I feel myself falling for her—but I know it could never work out between us.”
“You don’t trust her?”
“No, I do trust her. It’s just...” He hesitated, uncertain even of his own feelings. “I suppose I’m just so used to being disappointed in people that I’m having a hard time allowing myself to let down my guard with her.”
Dave shook his head then finished off his coffee. “You can’t go through life always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Learn to trust in the Lord. He’ll never steer you wrong.”
Blake wanted to believe that, but he’d already been let down once. Could he even trust himself to hear where God was leading? He couldn’t deny he was very attracted to Holly. Was that clouding his judgment?
Dave disappeared into the other room and Blake reached for the journal, intending to stretch out on the couch and read for a while, but movement in the hallway grabbed his attention and put him on full alert. He relaxed when he realized it was only Holly.
He tried to slow the beating of his heart as she entered the room, her hair rumpled from probably only a few minutes of sleep. “What’s the matter? Can’t sleep?”
She shook her head and moved farther into the room. Her face flushed guiltily and he realized she’d been listening to his and Dave’s conversation.
“I wasn’t eavesdropping,” she told him. “I didn’t mean to overhear.”
He felt his guard go up. How much had she heard? He cringed, realizing it must have been the part about him falling for her. Or that he had doubts about her.
“I have a confession to make.” She padded across the room and joined him on the couch. He watched as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear—a nervous habit he’d noticed before. “When Mason attacked me in the parking lot and you intervened...in the truck on the way out of town when you showed me your police ID, something fell out of your wallet.” She hesitated. “And so did the ring.”
His eyes widened and he suddenly realized what she was talking about. Miranda’s engagement ring. She’d seen it.
“Did it belong to her, your fiancée? I mean, you don’t have to tell me. It’s really none of my business. I guess I’m just curious about it and want to know you better.”
He nodded then opened his wallet and pulled out the ring.
“She’s the one who was murdered, isn’t she?”
“Yes, she is.”
“Like Jimmy?”
He shot her a curious glance. Did she know her husband hadn’t died in the line of duty? That Mason had murdered him? She seemed to, although he wasn’t sure how.
“I guess I’ve suspected it for a while. Something about Mason’s story didn’t add up and then when I found the journal...” She shuddered and Blake pulled her into his arms. She needed a strong shoulder and he could give her one. Who knew better than him what it felt like to have someone you loved killed in that way? But their stories weren’t exactly the same.
“There’s more to my story,” he admitted. “My friend Colton took a job protecting a woman from a powerful loan shark who wanted her dead. The loan shark offered a large cash reward to anyone willing to tell him where she was hiding out. Miranda, my fiancée, wanted that reward. She kidnapped Laura, drugged her and handed her over to a man she knew would kill her.”
Holly gasped. “How awful.”
“Only, instead of giving her the money he’d promised, he put a bullet in her head.”
Her mouth gaped open in surprise. “That’s terrible. I’m so sorry, Blake. That was the incident that made your friend suggest you were ready for a change of scenery, wasn’t it?”
He nodded. “I could hardly face anyone after that. I was supposed to be the law but no one respected me anymore.” He sighed and tossed the ring onto the end table, where it bounced then spun a few times before settling onto the wood. “I lost everything.” He rubbed a hand over his head. It was difficult reliving this, but he wanted her to know. It felt good to open up. He only hoped his sordid tale didn’t frighten her away.
“When I came to Northshore, I started going to church because I thought it would be a good way to insinuate myself into the community. Instead I found myself drawn in by the Scriptures the pastor was teaching every Sunday.
“If you had asked me a year ago about my relationship with the Lord, I would have told you it was good and that I had a strong faith. But I was so wrong. I realize now I wasn’t allowing the God I claimed to love to influence my life at all. I met Miranda and fell into a relationship with her without even consulting the Lord’s opinion. I look back now and see all the signs I wasn’t paying any attention to. I can’t blame God for my wrong choices when I made them all on my own.”
“Oh, Blake. I had no idea.” She stared around then sighed. “And now in trying to escape one mess, you’ve jumped right into another.”
“I guess I have, but this one is different.” He touched her face and locked eyes with her to drive home his point. “One thing I don’t doubt, Holly, is that I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”
She stared up at him and her breath caught.
Suddenly his attraction for her flared and he was drawn to her like metal to a magnet. He touched her face, stroking her lips, and felt her quiver beneath his hand. When his lips claimed hers, she leaned into him and kissed him back. His hands found her hair and pushed through her soft, dark curls. Everything about the moment felt right, but reality hit him hard and fast and he broke away, breathing heavy. It was too fast—way too fast—and he was letting the emotion of the moment get away from him.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
“I’m not sorry,” she whispered, then stood and padded back down the hall.
He fell back onto the couch, his heart pounding as much from her words as from her kiss. She wasn’t sorry. She shared his attraction. His mind spun at the idea that something was happening between them. He wouldn’t deny that he was attracted to her, but what he’d told her had been true. He wouldn’t jump into a new relationship headfirst without knowing it was part of God’s plan for his life.
Oh, Lord, guide my way.
FIVE
Blake watched Mayor Banks as she left her house the next morning and drove into town. He followed her in the old truck, Holly by his side. He hadn’t figured out the best way to approach her yet. Could they trust her? Gabriel had claimed to secretly be working with her, so Blake hoped she was someone they could turn to for help. But it wasn’t as if they could stroll into her office and make an appointment. Gabriel might have trusted Mayor Banks, but Blake was wary of everyone right now, especially someone he didn’t know.
He’d met the mayor before in passing and had seen
her in the precinct talking to Chief Waggoner. He knew the chief couldn’t stand her. Considering the chief was dirty, that was a point in the mayor’s favor. However, that wasn’t enough for Blake to just waltz up to her and tell her about a giant conspiracy to murder him and Holly.
Holly sat beside him in the pickup. She had that trusting look in her eyes again, like a lamb on the way to the slaughter, and he again hadn’t a clue how to proceed.
It didn’t help that Blake had spent the previous night reading through Jimmy’s journal and found several passages that indicated Jimmy had been investigating Gabriel, as well. That information made his mind spin—he didn’t even know how to process it. Had he known that beforehand, he might not have even turned to Gabriel for help. But maybe Jimmy suspected him because he’d been keeping his work with the mayor a secret.
“Did you find anything in Jimmy’s journal?” Holly asked, pulling him back to the present—her beautiful green eyes staring at him for answers. They hadn’t spoken about what had happened last night. What had seemed so right then felt slightly awkward in the light of day. Yet her words continued to haunt him.
I’m not sorry.
He pushed those thoughts away. He had to focus on here and now. “Actually, I found a lot. A number of names I’ve suspected as being dirty cops also appeared in your husband’s journal. Apparently he’d been investigating them, too. If I can compare our lists and look for overlapping names, it will probably give us a good indication of who we can trust on the force and who we can’t.”
“I’m glad it’s helping. Jimmy would like that someone is using the information to do good.”
He smiled at the innocent way she spoke of her husband and thought again about what Mason had told him.
He’d been trying to figure out a way to break the news to her. Finally he just decided he had to do it. She’d admitted she had suspected as much.
“Holly, do you remember last night when you were talking about Jimmy being killed? You said you thought he was murdered by Mason?”
She nodded. “I think he knew Jimmy was investigating him.”
“When Mason and I were struggling on the pier, he said something to me. He told me the last person who crossed him had an unfortunate accident. I think he was talking about Jimmy.”
Pain filled her face, but she managed to keep it in check. “I wish I could say I was surprised, but I’m not.”
He nodded and felt a wave of sympathy for her. She was taking the information well. Too well?
Oh, stop it. She’s only trying to hold on so she doesn’t fall apart.
He parked the truck a few rows down from where the mayor had parked. Holly pointed out the window at the woman approaching the coffee shop. “There she is.”
He pulled his gun, checked it then scanned the area around the coffee shop. “We still need to figure out the best way to approach her.”
“I’ll do it as she’s leaving the coffee shop.”
He saw Mayor Banks make her way toward the coffee shop, stopping a few times to speak with people on the street. Holly was right. She would blend in with the others better than he would. Everyone appeared to be in the morning rush, and no one was giving the others on the street more than a passing glance.
She pulled her hair into a bun then donned a pair of sunglasses she’d found in the glove compartment. “I’ll be right back.”
He wanted to stop her, pull her back inside—but they needed this connection with Mayor Banks. “Be careful,” he said instead. He wanted to get out and shadow her, but he saw no place to hide. Sitting in the pickup was the best choice.
Lord, please keep her safe.
She blended into the crowd and looked like just another woman hurrying along. She turned to give a quick glance back before opening the shop door and disappearing inside.
* * *
Holly took a deep breath as she entered. The aroma of coffee and muffins filled the room and people milled around, standing in line waiting or sitting at tables. She stepped in behind Mayor Banks. The woman was older with short dark hair and a conservative suit dress and heels. Although Holly had tried to put on a brave face in front of Blake, she didn’t know how to handle this. What if the mayor turned her in? Or was working with Mason, Chief Waggoner and whoever else they were in cahoots with?
She reached out and tapped the woman’s shoulder before she lost her nerve and let fear wrap her in knots. The mayor turned around and gave her a smile. “Good morning,” she said.
Holly responded similarly, adding, “I was hoping to speak with you privately.”
She reached for a business card and handed it to Holly. “My office is always open to the public. If you call this number, my assistant can tell you when I have an available appointment.”
“No,” Holly persisted. “This is important. We can’t wait for an appointment.”
The mayor glanced around again and her smile faded. “We?”
“My name is Holly Mathis.” She leaned closer and whispered, “One of the local police officers tried to kill me yesterday and we don’t know who we can trust. We went to Gabriel Butler for help last night. He said he was working with you to uncover corruption in the police department.”
Mayor Banks lowered her head, grabbed Holly’s arm and pulled her to the side. Her voice was low and concerned. “Gabriel told you about that?”
Holly nodded. “He was trying to help us—but they killed him.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “Gabriel is dead?”
“I’m afraid so. Mason Webber shot him last night on the pier as we were trying to get away. Then he set fire to the boat we were on and forced us into the water.”
The barista called the mayor’s name, but she didn’t seem to notice.
“I can’t believe Gabriel is dead. Are you certain?”
“I watched him get shot. He fell into the lake and didn’t resurface.”
The barista called her name again and Holly nudged her. “Mayor, your coffee is ready.”
A deep voice startled them both. “Mayor Banks? Is something wrong? Your coffee is ready.”
The mayor looked up and Holly glanced at the man who had addressed her. She felt the mayor stiffen as her own legs went as limp as two wet noodles.
However, Mayor Banks rebounded quickly and pasted on a smile. “Officer McDaniels, thank you. I guess I was so caught up in my conversation that I didn’t even hear my name.” She slipped easily back into her witty, charming personality, took her drink and raised it to him. “Thank you so much.”
Holly glanced at the man and wished she could become invisible. She recognized him and was certain he would know her, too. She turned her head, praying he wouldn’t look closely at her.
The mayor was quick to intercede, diverting the officer’s attention away from Holly. “I appreciate your concern, Officer McDaniels. It’s so good to know the NPD is looking out for its citizens.”
“Yes, ma’am. Whatever we can do to help.” He turned and glanced at Holly. “Have we met before?”
“I don’t think we have,” she said then quickly moved to the counter to feign examining the muffins in the case.
“We’re fine here,” the mayor insisted. “Thanks again for asking.”
He nodded then picked up his coffee and headed for the door. “Good to see you again, Mayor.”
“You, too.” She waved at him then glanced back at Holly. “It’s not safe here. We should arrange to meet elsewhere.”
Suddenly the bell on the door sounded and Holly glanced up. Officer McDaniels was back.
“Hey, I do know you!” he called, rushing toward Holly. He grabbed her arm, digging in his fingers deep. “You’re Jim Mathis’s widow who was kidnapped from the med center.”
She jerked her arm away from him. “I was not kidnapped. I was rescued.”
<
br /> He ignored her remarks and pulled out his radio. “I have a location on the kidnapping victim from yesterday. I’m at Rosie’s Coffee Café.”
“Roger,” came the voice on the other end. Then another advised, “Sending backup,” and a third added, “I’m on my way.”
Holly recognized the last voice.
Mason.
She tried again to jerk her arm out of his grasp, but he dug in tighter. “You’re safe now, ma’am.”
Panic rushed through her. “I know you mean well and you think you’re doing the right thing, but I have to leave now. I can’t be here when he arrives.”
“When who arrives?”
“Mason! He tried to kill me. I can’t be here when he arrives.”
The mayor stepped in and addressed the officer. “Maybe you should release her. I’m sure she’ll calm down then.”
“Excuse me, Mayor, but I’m just doing my job. This woman has been through a traumatic event.”
“Yes, I have,” Holly insisted, “but it wasn’t because of Blake. It was Mason. He tried to kill me.”
“I’m sure Officer Webber didn’t try to harm you. He was only trying to help you. He told me so himself.”
“He’s a liar,” she cried. “He’s going to kill me.” She didn’t know if Officer McDaniels was honestly trying to help her or if he was in cahoots with Mason. It didn’t matter. Either way, she had to get away from him before Mason arrived.
“Officer McDaniels, remove your hands from this young woman now,” the mayor insisted, but McDaniels didn’t budge.
Holly glanced around the café at the stunned faces of the patrons, who probably didn’t know what to think. “Somebody help me, please!” she begged. “Please!”
She scanned every face in the room, settling on each one, hoping for a smidgeon of help. They were all shocked and concerned, but no one was going to interfere with a police officer. That was until she landed on one familiar face in the room. How had she not seen him enter and take a seat? He’d blended into the surroundings and no one had spotted him, not even her.
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