Restless, he walked around the corner to find Whit, Lieutenant of Ladder Seven, and Maclean in discussion. Whit nodded and climbed through the exit. What the hell? He had counted on having Whit watching his back while he dangled.
He couldn’t see Maclean’s face, but somehow he knew the man would be flashing his condescending smirk. He moved toward Maclean, ready for the confrontation.
Maclean stood in full uniform, his posture erect in his harness. He exuded his usual arrogance and confidence. Davis’ blood ran hard and fast through him. The bastard was up to something.
“This is it, Davis.”
Davis, set his feet apart, readying himself for the battle. He tried to hide his antagonism, his need to bloody Maclean’s face. “Are they ready for me to go over?”
“Not yet. We’re evacuating the observation deck. We don’t want the tourists upset by your fall.”
The hair on his neck and arms bristled in warning. “I was surprised you wanted me to participate in this drill.”
Maclean peered over the edge. “Quite a drop. 520 feet.”
Cold drips of sweat gathered under his arm pits. “Where’s Whit?”
“He’s coordinating the evacuation with the Needle’s security team.”
“Isn’t that your job?”
Maclean’s polished veneer of superiority disappeared. He squared his shoulders, and jutted his pointed chin. His voice was rougher. “Very good, Davis. Two years with the department and you’re ready to run it.”
“Whit’s my climbing partner.”
“After 23 years with the department, I decide who’s here and who’s not. Face it Davis, it’s finished.” Maclean’s face was harsh. “You’re in it up to your eyeballs for the shed fire and Benson’s death.” Maclean inched towards him, his dark eyes filled with contempt. “I wasn’t supposed to say anything, but the chief told me this morning that you’re dirty. You son of a bitch.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“The chief received a note from Benson, written before he died, pinning both fires on you. You hired him to burn the shed for the Russian’s drug dealing operation.”
Maclean’s accusation hit him like a kick to the groin. His stomach contracted and his lungs stopped moving. He was air-hungry, breathless although wind blew across his face.
“The only reason you’re part of this practice is because the chief didn’t want to cancel…too costly. You’re not to leave my sight, and I’m to escort you back to the department once we’re finished here.”
A cold draft blew down his neck, chilling him. The wind was picking up. “And where’s this note?”
He had been set up, but not by the assistant chief. Maclean’s rage was real. Maclean wanted to beat the shit out of him, as would the whole department once they heard he was a traitor.
“I’m sure the chief won’t mind sharing it with you. He knows it all, your association with Benson, your Russian connections and why the whole investigation came to a dead end. You didn’t follow protocol and report the drug trafficking to the feds because the Russians were paying you. The chief wants to talk with you before he turns you over to the police. Lucky for you, he’s more open-minded than I am.”
Davis had been prepared for a physical attack, not for this revelation. Maclean was innocent.
“What about the witness’ house?” Davis inched backward, positioning himself away from the edge. “Why would I burn my girlfriend’s house?”
“Maybe your girlfriend is in it with you.”
Pressure built in his chest. Grayce implicated in criminal activities caused a hot fury to consume his body. “Grayce mixed up with drug dealers? Have you gone crazy?”
Maclean showed no fear, stepping closer to the edge. “Then why is the little doctor here? She’s even brought your dog. She’s in it up to her bloody neck. I’ve got her locked up.”
“What? Grayce is here?” He took the two steps toward Maclean. His hands tightened. He had never before wanted to choke the life out of anyone.
“She had the nerve to say she and the dog were part of the rescue team. She has an urgent message for you.” Maclean smirked. “Can you imagine that?”
He stood closer to Maclean. “Where is she, you bastard?”
“She has it in her head that you’re in danger. Where would she ever have gotten such a bullshit idea?”
He grabbed Maclean by the arms. “Tell me where she is, or I swear I’ll…”
“How dare you touch me?” Maclean threw his weight forward against him. The sudden movement caught Davis off guard. He stumbled backwards.
Maclean, his face mottled with fury, shouted. “Who in the fuck do you think you are?” He suddenly moved to grab Davis. “Do you know what we do with dirty bastards in our department?”
* * *
Grayce threw her full 90 pounds against the heavy steel door one last time. Breathless, she paced the small room, struggling to contain the terror that she was too late, too late to save Davis.
She had tried to pry the lock open with the various tools that hung on the back wall. In desperation, she had even tried her credit card. She was trapped.
Mitzi waited, poised at the door. Her low whining was a constant reminder of the mounting pressure to find Davis. Grayce tried to control her breathing. She whispered, more for herself than Mitzi, “Don’t worry girl, we’re going to find him.”
Still “searching for service” flashed across her phone. Where was James?
She readied to shriek. Her cry might manage to draw Maclean away from Davis. The twist of the door knob stifled her shout.
An enormous firefighter opened the door. He stopped mid-stride and stared. “I wasn’t expecting anyone. I’m Lieutenant Whit Henley with Ladder Seven.”
Every instinct screamed for her to rush the door.
“Isn’t this Davis’ dog?” He bent down to pet Mitzi who was trying to find an opening around the firefighter’s legs.
“Yes, it’s Mitzi. Stay, girl.”
Mitzi dropped to her stomach and gave a low whimper. She felt the same frustration as Mitzi. The lieutenant, oblivious to her distress, continued to pet Mitzi.
“I’m Grayce Walters, Davis’ fiancée,” she fibbed. “He wanted me to watch the technical rescue.”
“Davis, the sly devil. He never said a word. I’m his climbing buddy, Whit.”
Her face heated with the blatant lie. “Do you know where Davis is?”
“You’re just in time. Davis is about to dangle off the halo.”
Her heart hammered against her chest as if she had run straight up the stairs of the Space Needle. “He’s going to do what?”
“He’s our volunteer. He just dangles, harnessed, of course. Didn’t he tell you? This is our favorite drill. Then one of my crew rappels down and rescues him.”
“What’s the halo? And how do I get there?”
“It’s the flying saucer part just above us, but it’s off limits—only the roped crew has access now.”
“Is Officer Maclean with Davis?”
“I just left them. Came to get my jacket, the wind’s picking up.”
She felt light-headed, as if she might pass out. Like her dream, Davis was on the Space Needle with Maclean, and she couldn’t get to him. Whit wouldn’t break protocol, wouldn’t be swayed by her explanation of Davis’ danger. He would never let her up on the halo, no matter what story she manufactured.
“You can watch Davis dangle from the Observation Deck. I’m going there now to clear it of all the tourists. For some reason, the assistant chief doesn’t want anyone watching this rescue.” The firefighter rolled his eyes. “Who knows what the brass is thinking?”
She knew why. Maclean was going to push Davis off, and he didn’t want any witnesses. “Thank you for the offer. It might be more than I can handle to watch my husband-to-be dangle.” Her heart felt like it was going into V-Fib, a rhythm that caused hearts to stop. She tried to shut out the vision of Davis hanging from the Space Needle.
She didn’t want to hear about Davis’ climbing exploits. “Mitzi and I will wait for Davis here. He’ll come here before he leaves?” Her mind searched for a possible escape. “Do you know if there’s a lady’s room on this level?”
“There’s one on the left just before the stairwell.”
“Thank you.”
She tried not to break into a run when she left the mechanical room. She had to get up the steps before the lieutenant came out of the room. Mitzi raced ahead of her. She saw the long narrow steps leading to an open hatch. “Mitzi, wait, you can’t go up there.”
She kicked off her Jimmy Choos and commanded Mitzi one more time to stay. Grayce had no idea how she was going to stop Maclean. Where was James when she needed him? Nothing mattered, not her acrophobia, nothing but saving Davis.
She climbed the metal steps in her bare feet. Cool air blasted down the stairwell from the opened hatch.
She was gasping when she got to the top, not from the exertion but from terror. With only the blue sky above, she climbed onto the glaring white platform. She didn’t need to look down to know she was high above the ground. Whit had said she had to be roped. She didn’t see any ropes.
The wind whipped at her ponytail. She stepped back toward the stairs. The uneven surface caused a new wave of unsteadiness. Her heart surged in a jagged pulse.
She managed a small step forward. Sudden shakiness began in her knees and proceeded to a trembling that shook her entire body. Waves of panic surged through her. Fear kept her glued in place, paralyzed.
She had blocked out everything but the battle she was fighting to overcome her fear of heights. Her fright made her body stiffen. She saw a flash out of the corner of her eye. She gingerly turned her neck, terrified by the slight movement.
Ahead on the edge, just like her nightmare, Maclean grabbed Davis. Her heart clenched.
Davis broke free of Maclean’s grasp. They fought on a tiny slope seeming oblivious to their danger.
She pleaded with Cassie for help then dropped to her knees and crawled. With each forward motion her hands trembled and the weak sensation hammered behind her knees. Neither man had seen her. Her body and mind were consumed by the need to reach Davis.
She kept her head down. It was at least another twenty feet to reach Davis. She was going to be too late. She focused on placing each hand forward. The wind blasted, the Needle swayed. Her heart thundered louder in her ears.
Mitzi rushed past her. The poodle jumped over Grayce and skirted the edge of the halo moving fast toward Davis and Maclean. Mitzi’s lips were pulled back, showing sharp gleaming canines.
Davis dropped his hands from Maclean. “Grayce? Mitzi get back.” With her teeth bared, Mitzi growled.
Surprised by the commotion behind him, Maclean turned quickly. His sudden response pitched him backward toward the edge. He flung himself forward trying to regain his balance.
Like a sport spectator, Grayce watched him try to regain his balance, swinging back and then forward. Time slowed. The momentum of Maclean’s waving arms had pitched him too far. He fell backward over the edge.
Davis jumped forward into the air and grabbed the falling assistant chief by his legs.
Maclean dangled upside down. His bellow shattered the silence.
Grayce leaned over to watch both men swing like a pendulum. Terror pulsed through her.
Whit and Toni, the rescue team rappelled down the halo. They landed in one powerful heave. Whit grabbed Davis’ rope and pulled Davis toward him. Toni jumped into the air wrapping herself around Maclean from behind. An upside down Maclean swung with Toni. The team worked in synchrony. Davis and Whit slowly pulled Toni back above the Halo. Whit grabbed Maclean and lowered him onto his side on the narrow ledge. Maclean didn’t remain lying down for more than a few seconds. He pushed himself upright.
Whit’s face was contorted with fury. He shouted at Davis. “What the fuck happened?” Davis shrugged his shoulders.
The wind prevented Grayce from hearing any more of the conversation between the team. Toni stood nonchalantly, as if she rescued dangling upside down men every day. She probably did. Maclean had his back to Grayce, so she couldn’t see his reaction.
In the next minute Maclean strode away from Grayce as if nothing unusual had occurred. She was able to hear him shout at Davis, something about headquarters. His last words she heard clearly, since he looked directly at her when he shouted. “Get your damn girlfriend and dog out of here.”
Mitzi barked at Davis. Davis shouted, “Stay there, Grayce, don’t move; I’m coming to get you.” The absurdity of the situation hit her. Didn’t he know she was too scared to move?
Whit and Davis moved toward her. Whit was in charge and wasn’t going to be directed by Davis. “Don’t move, Ma’am. I’ll have you off quickly.”
“Whit, I’ll get her off.”
“Why in the fuck are your fiancée and dog out here without being roped?”
Davis pulled Whit back. “It’s okay. I’ll get them down.”
Both men glared at each other.
“I’ll explain it all to you,” Davis said.
Whit nodded and then went over the edge. It seemed no one in the fire department ever took elevators.
Chapter Fifty-Two
Davis walked swiftly toward Grayce with Mitzi following behind. Grayce hadn’t budged.
“Grayce, I’m going to pick you up. Remember I’m secured to the safety line. Nothing can happen.”
She managed a nod. She was petrified. He felt a rush of protective feelings. “Keep your eyes closed. I’ll have you on solid ground before you know it.” Davis lifted her trembling body. She was freezing, shaking with fear. He pulled her close to his heat.
Tender feelings, newly discovered, pulled at him. He pressed her against his chest. “It’s okay. We’re almost there.”
A blond woman in a bright red blouse stood at the top of the stairs, fluttering hands adorned with sparkling rings. “Oh…Thank God, Davis. I thought you went over.”
The voice sounded familiar, but the woman wasn’t recognizable. She had layers of makeup, bright red lips and batted her eyelashes outlandishly.
“My God, Grayce, you went out there? And Mitzi?”
Grayce shook her head.
“Honey, are you all right? Grayce is terrified of heights. I can’t believe you did it.”
Why was Grayce, Mitzi and a girlfriend at the Space Needle? Davis wondered.
Grayce’s voice shook from the shivering he could feel against his chest, “Please James, can we have this discussion on the ground.”
“James?” Davis kept looking at the woman, trying to recognize James underneath the feminine clothes.
James put his hand on his hip in a seductive pose and batted his eyelashes. “Darlin’, I saw the way you were checking me out.”
“James!”
Davis had never heard Grayce so irate.
“No need to get testy, Grayce. I know you’ve been through a lot, but let’s get things in perspective. Davis didn’t fall off.”
He watched James climb back down the stairs in his tight skirt. Davis held Grayce close. He unhooked himself and carried her down the stairs. He hadn’t carried anyone for quite a while. Grayce made the task easy. She weighed less than Mitzi. “You thought I was going to fall?”
She murmured against his shirt. All he could discern was “Maclean.”
James was putting his shoes on when Davis got to the bottom. Red high heels, no less.
Grayce pushed against him. “You can put me down now. I’m fine. It’s just heights that scare me.”
James handed Grayce’s shoes to Davis. “Let the big strong firefighter carry you. You look terrible.”
Davis didn’t want to let her go. Mitzi jumped from the last steps and stood next to him. “You’re still shaking. Let’s see if we can find you a blanket or coat.” He felt James’ close inspection
.
“It looks like you’re in good hands, Darlin’.” James pecked Grayce on the cheek. “I’m going to sneak out of here. I don’t want to run into Dave, the security guard. It will be a great story with Grey Goose.”
“Thanks, James.”
James pursed his lips and threw a kiss toward Davis. “Honey, I’m available anytime to save Davis’ ass. I can still make it to Gay Bingo.”
“The police might need to talk with you,” Davis said.
“Men in uniforms? Send them over.”
“Don’t go out of town.”
James tittered. “And I thought you didn’t have a sense of humor. Ta-ta.” He waved his hands covered with chunky rings and red painted nails like a parade queen. He stepped into the elevator, pulling down his tight skirt.
Grayce pushed against his chest again. “Davis, I’m okay now. You can put me down.”
He ignored Grayce’s command and carried her into the mechanical room. Mitzi trailed close behind.
“I didn’t recognize James. What a guy. Or should I say gal?”
She pushed again. “Davis, put me down.”
He didn’t feel like releasing her yet. He knew he was holding her as much for his own needs as hers. The whole scene with Maclean had been hellish, and there would be a lot more to come. He kissed her head, inhaling her scent. He had missed her. He put her down slowly, feeling her small, lithe body move down his length. “I’m going to find something to warm you. He searched through the gear scattered throughout the small room.
She stood in the middle of the room, not moving or speaking. Davis wrapped the heavy regulation coat around her shoulders. He smiled down at her. “I think you should remain my fiancée.”
That shook her out of her despondency. “I had to give Whit some reason. Or he wasn’t going to let me stay.”
“And rightly so.”
She blinked, her large green eyes rounded. “You’re upset that I came?”
He pulled her into his arms. “Not at all. I’m trying to understand what you thought was going to happen today.”
The Grayce Walters Romantic Suspense Series Page 26