The Grayce Walters Romantic Suspense Series

by Jacki Delecki

  Like the huddled crowd, she waited and stared down the hallway where Nick and Talley had disappeared. In less than a few minutes, Angie ran back to the crowd and said in low, commanding voice. “I need you to clear the building now.” One kid started to protest, but Angie leveled him with one look. “I said now!”

  Indecision and gut-wrenching fear kept Hollie motionless. Angie raced over, her tone sharp. “Hollie, get out of here, move as far away as you can from this building. Do you understand?”

  “What’s going on?”

  Angie lowered her voice. “Nick and his dog found a bomb.”

  The shock hit her like her father’s backhanded smacks across the face. “I’m supposed to call the bomb squad.”

  “I already called them.” Angie pointed to the door. “You need to get the hell out of here.”

  “I can’t just do nothing—let me help.”

  Already focused on the crowd, Angie turned and stopped. “No, you need to get out. It was Nick’s last instruction before I left him.”

  Hollie couldn’t breathe; for the first time in her life, she might faint. Although she was upright, she had the overwhelming feeling of falling into emptiness. “But what about Nick and Talley?”

  Angie grabbed her arm and pushed her toward the door. “Get going now. Let Nick do his job.”

  And with that command, Angie sprinted toward the meeting room.

  She couldn’t leave Nick and Talley. She thought of Nick’s face when he asked her to promise. Her heart thudded and she was abruptly cold with dread, nauseated from it. If anything happened to him… Wavering, she ran to the door. She had to trust Nick and believe in him.

  She ran outside into the bright sunlight. Mayhem had already broken loose. Sirens screamed as fire trucks and police cars rushed from both ways on Alaskan Way toward Pier 69. Two helicopters hovered. A patrol car careened around the corner of Broad Street and drove up the curb; the officers jumped out their vehicle and immediately drew their weapons.

  With all the focus on Pier 69, no one paid her any attention when she crossed the street and walked toward the entrance where she assumed Nick and Talley would exit. She wouldn’t think about any other possibility.

  She wasn’t moving any further away from the building until she saw him come out.

  Two Seattle Police vans blocked her view. The S.W.A.T. team armed with automatic rifles poured out of the first van. The other had its doors open bearing two men suited up in garb straight out of Star Wars with thick, puffy suits, high collars, and helmets. They were on the scene to protect Nick and Talley—what more could she possibly do? She’d let the pros handle it now.

  She watched all the boat passengers filing out of the other side of Pier 69, the ingress for the ferries to Canada. She would not move until she saw Nick. As the S.W.A.T. officers spread out and surrounded the building, there was an opening in the convoy of vans, fire trucks, and patrol cars. She scanned the group of responders, and spotted Nick, in his black T-shirt.

  Relief made her weak in the knees. He was safe. Thank the Lord. Although she hadn’t prayed in years, she whispered a prayer of thanks. She couldn’t imagine what she would do if anything happened to Nick.

  Nick spoke with a bulky police officer. Although his back was to her, a rush of tenderness filled her by the way he gestured and the familiar tilt to his head. How had she become so attached to him and his dog?

  The girl he chased was in handcuffs, and another police officer held onto her elbow. None of the officers were scurrying out of harm’s way. Had they already decided that an explosion wasn’t imminent?

  Should she call Nick and tell him where she was? He would have to answer a lot of questions, and she didn’t want to interrupt. She cracked her knuckles trying to decide how to proceed. It wasn’t every day she had to cope with a bomb threat. She wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. She could’ve used James’ warped sense of humor about now.

  Oh, shit. What about the boss? Nick was supposed to be back at the office, but he definitely was needed here. Davis was going to be pissed. She’d better call the boss and tell her they might be delayed. Since she came in Nick’s truck, she had no way of getting back to the office. And it sure didn’t look like an Uber would be able to get down here.

  She called the boss’ cell. The phone went to voice mail immediately. It was typical for her not to answer if she were involved with a patient. Hollie then dialed the office phone to check messages. She doubted the boss would hurry through her house call. She always took her time with Mrs. Leary.

  Hollie checked her phone for any voicemail. The boss hadn’t called her. She then left a message for the boss on the office voice mail and her personal cell to cover all bases. Something didn’t feel right. Maybe the acute anxiety pounding through was a reaction to the bomb, but she needed to know that the boss was safe. Her heart reeved up and the pit in her stomach grew. She texted the boss, trying not to sound desperate and waited. Nothing.

  She looked up from her phone and saw Nick and Talley crossing the street toward her. The sight of Nick and his dog made her stomach drop and flip like an upside down ride at the Pullayup Fair.

  Hollie gulped. She wanted to run to him and throw herself into his arms. The intensity of her feelings stunned her. His courage and bravery had her in awe and a bit overwhelmed.

  She ran her hands along her skirt to prevent herself from touching him. “Oh, Nick… I didn’t know if I should call you or what.”

  He gave her the smile that melted her into a heap. “I spotted you crossing the street, but I couldn’t leave. How’re you holding up?”

  Hollie was glad for his cool manner. If he showed any sympathy or concern, she’d be bawling like a baby. And she never cried. Never. “I’m good.”

  Nick examined her face. “Good, huh?”

  She wasn’t sure if Nick saw her fear. “The bomb isn’t going to blow up?”

  “They’re taking the threat very seriously especially with passengers arriving and departing to Canada. But with the amount of time that’s passed and jostling that the backpack received and the fact that none of us are convinced Teresa has the makings of a bomber, the risk has been lowered, but they’re following protocol.”

  She felt awkward and unsure. She bent down and rubbed Talley’s head. “You were amazing.”

  “Talley is pretty amazing.” He grasped her by her arms and pulled her against his chest. “But what about her handler? Do you think he’s amazing?”

  The warmth and security of his arms, was too much. All the feelings she had worked so hard to control came flooding out. “Nick, I think you’re more than amazing.”

  She wrapped her arms around his waist and talked into his chest. “I never want ever to have to watch you and Talley walk into danger again. It was the worst moment of my life; I swear, Nick. You can never leave me like that again.”

  She squeezed him tight, holding onto the safety of his heat and strength.

  “I’m not planning on leaving you.”

  She looked up and got snared in his loving look. Did he mean what she thought?

  He pushed the hair back from her eyes. “It’s not going to be easy to forget that I brought you down here into danger.”

  “Nick, I was coming no matter what. And you’re never going to leave me behind. Do you hear me?”

  He sprinkled light kisses along her face. “Is that right, honey?”

  She stepped back and gave her scary “don’t mess with me” look. “Damn right. Do you know how hard it was to not help you?”

  He played with her hair, twisting and smoothing the curls. “Angie told me that you wanted to stay. Thank you for keeping your promise.”

  “I’d never break a promise to you, Nick.” Hollie gulped. She wanted to say more, but she was cautious and unsure. She had never felt this way before and had no idea how to tell Nick she cared.

  “About promises, I’m worried about getting back to meet Dr. Walters. I’m going to be debriefed by everyone. Police, FBI, Home
land Security.”

  “I already left a message that we’re going to be late. I didn’t tell her why. I didn’t want to worry her with everything else going on.” Her voice quailed with distress. “But now I’m worried too. You don’t think the bomb is related to the threat against the boss, do you?”

  “I’m not sure, but I’m not going to take a chance. I called Davis, but he didn’t pick up, so I texted too. Keep trying to call him. I won’t have a chance. I’ve got to get back.”

  “I’ve got to make sure the boss is back from Mrs. Leary’s.” Her heart thundered against her chest. “I’m going to catch a bus and head to the office.”

  Nick took her hands into his. “Hollie, look at me.”

  “What?”

  “You and I will go to the office together when I’m finished.”

  “I don’t know Nick. I have this feeling something is wrong.”

  “You told me that Dr. Walters forgets about the time when she’s treating a patient. Most likely Dr. Walters is busy at Mrs. Leary’s and not paying any attention to her phone, right?”

  She nodded.

  “Will you take Talley and wait for me? It will mean a lot to me after today’s threat.”

  He wanted to make sure that she and Talley remained safe. She didn’t want to add to his worries with the questioning he had ahead of him.

  “By the time, I’m finished, I bet Dr. Walters will call you. And if not, we’ll go to the office, okay?”

  Holding her face between his hands, he took her mouth in a kiss that started slow, but quickly turned into a deep, soft reassurance. “I promise we’ll keep Dr. Walters safe.”

  Trying to pretend that his kiss and promise hadn’t affected her, she joked. “Our handler wants us both to stay, Talley.”

  Nick did a deep belly laugh. She felt the movement of his broad chest against her. “Trust me, honey. I’ve never thought of you in the way I think of Talley.”

  “Nick, you’ve got thirty minutes and then I’m heading to the office with Talley.”

  “Sounds fair. I’ll be back in less than thirty.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Nick dodged the crowds milling around on Alaskan Way to return for debriefing by Seattle’s police and, judging by the three black SUVs, the FBI. As people shoved and pushed, he realized he was alert and focused, but not hyper vigilant.

  All the same elements—noise, crowds, stress—were here, but he wasn’t reacting to the overload. Part of the difference was that he and Talley had been back at work. But the bigger reason for his clear focus was the safety of the woman waiting across the street with his dog. No question in his mind that Earthbro and Dr. Walters were connected. He didn’t want Hollie rushing off into danger when she discovered that Dr. Walters’ safety might have been compromised.

  He turned back to catch a glimpse of Hollie. He wanted to get her away from all this madness, away from the disturbing side of humanity. For someone who came from a shitty family, she was one sweet, loving woman. Her tough girl act was endearing, especially when she was feeling her most vulnerable.

  An FBI agent, with the trademark vest and jacket, approached him. Tall and confident of his place in the scheme of this scenario, he offered his hand. “Sergeant Welby. You and your dog saved a lot of lives today. The bomb had enough RDX to blow up half of the waterfront.”

  Nick swallowed hard against the anxiety seeping up his gut into his throat. What the hell? He hadn’t doubted Talley’s nose, but he started to have misgivings about Earthbro when the police had questioned the credibility of the World of Warfare connection coupled with Teresa’s genuine shock about her backpack.

  He twisted to check on Hollie. He couldn’t think of all the possible what-ifs. They would all come to haunt him in the middle of the night. “The bomb has been disabled?”

  “Yes, all is safe for the moment, until we understand the threat. I need to hear all the details of why you were on site.”

  “Yes, of course.” Nick had a feeling this was going to take a while. He hoped to hell it didn’t take longer than thirty minutes because he was leaving when Hollie did. He shouldn’t have had her wait on the street. But he needed to be able to see her, to know she was safe and close by if he needed to get to her.

  Twenty minutes of endless questioning by the FBI and Nick was finished. He gave Hollie a thumbs-up sign that he was ready to leave. He started to cross the street when he heard his name shouted.

  Angie and another woman were behind him and signaling for him to stop. He had totally forgotten about Angie and where she had disappeared when everything went down.

  “Sergeant Welby, wait up.” Angie and the woman followed him across the street. Hollie had spotted Angie and came forward with Talley.

  “Hollie and Sergeant Welby, I want you to meet Maddy.”

  A short, attractive blond woman spoke to Hollie. “It is great to finally meet you. Angie explained how you and Dr. Walters have gone to great lengths to search for Angie and me. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your efforts. And I’m really sorry for what I’m about to tell you…”

  Hollie’s widened eyes and the restless way she shifted her weight back and forth, were a sign that Hollie was as shocked as he was to find Maddy to be a well-spoken woman and not a strung-out druggie.

  “I’m confused.” Hollie looked to Nick.

  He shrugged his shoulders. He hadn’t a clue, but the Maddy’s serious tone and manner didn’t indicate any good news.

  “Of course you are, as is Angie. I can’t explain everything, but I’ve been working undercover. I couldn’t expose myself.”

  Hollie gasped. “What the F…?” She caught herself. Nick agreed with Hollie’s take. This whole state of affairs was getting too convoluted and bizarre.

  Right then Nick’s phone rang. He checked the ID. It was Davis. He stepped around the women and stood next to Hollie. He needed her close by. Hollie leaned into his side. “I’m going to put him on speaker.”

  The two Marines stepped back to give them privacy for the phone call.

  Nick tried to focus on the next problem. It was turning into one hell of a day. “Davis, I’ve been trying to reach you.”

  “Nick, what the fuck? Why haven’t you answered?”

  “We’ve got a situation, sir.” Nick tried for calm since obviously Davis hadn’t toned down since the last confrontation.

  “What the hell does that mean?” Yeah, Davis definitely wasn’t chill.

  Nick summarized the day’s events. “There was a bomb down on Pier 69, set to blow up the Port Commissioner’s meeting.”

  “How the hell would you know that?”

  “Hollie and I discovered in the World of Warfare chat room that something big was going to happen so we came down here with Angie. Talley discovered the bomb.”

  “Where is Grayce?” Davis’ voice got rougher and louder.

  “We’ve been trying to call her at Mrs. Leary’s to tell her about the meeting and that we were leaving the office. She hasn’t picked up. Hollie said she’s terrible about answering her phone. We’ve been calling her for the last hour. She should be finished with her house call by now. I then tried to call you, sir. And you didn’t answer. And since we got down here, all hell has broken loose. The bomb squad is here right now.”

  “Where is Grayce?”

  “I don’t know, sir. Hollie wants to speak with you.”

  “Davis.” Hollie’s voice was tremulous, the tough-ass street kid long gone.

  Nick was unnerved by the dramatic change in her.

  “She isn’t answering her phone, but we assumed she was still with Mrs. Leary. We were heading back to the office, but Nick had to be interviewed by the FBI.”

  “Give me Mrs. Leary’s number.”

  “I don’t have the number with me. I know we were supposed to guard Grayce, but I thought she was fine. Now, I’m afraid something happened to her with all the craziness here.”

  “Calm down, Hollie.” Davis shouted over the phone. Obvious
ly not following his own advice.

  Maddy touched Hollie’s elbow. “Wait a sec—you guys are talking about ‘Grayce’—as in Dr. Grayce Walters? I know where she is.”

  Angie, Hollie, and Nick turned to Maddy and said almost in unison. “You do?”

  “Yes, let me speak to him.”

  “Wait, Davis.” Hollie handed the phone to Maddy. “Davis, you still there? Maddy, Angie’s friend, wants to talk with you. She has information about the boss. Here she is.”

  “Sir, I’ll be brief. I’ve been working undercover with Hunter Hines, the man you know as Angie’s stepbrother. He also is a Marine on special assignment. We’ve been tracking the leader of an eco-terrorist group. This man has been responsible for several bombing threats at military bases. And I’ve been a member of his group waiting for him to act on a large purchase of plastic explosives. After today’s events, we now know that we’ve been tracking the wrong man.”

  “What does this have to do with Grayce’s disappearance?” Davis’ voice had gotten a lethal calm.

  “The man we believe planned the attack on Pier 69 is Brandon Billow, but we think that’s an alias. He’s been working with a guy named Gator.”

  “The guy Grayce believed tampered with her brakes?”

  “Yes, he is the same. I just notified Agent Hines of the bomb situation. He’s been tracking Gator. And sir, he observed Dr. Walters get into a car with someone he suspects might be one of Gator’s associates, possibly Brandon Billow, less than ten minutes ago. We don’t have an ID on him yet.”

  Ugly, gross fear shook Nick’s body. Dr. Walters had been taken on his watch. His mind reeled with the implications of how he failed to protect the doctor from the terrorists she had stumbled upon. Thank God, this Agent Hines was protecting her.

  “Why in the hell would Hines allow Grayce to get into the car?”

  Nick knew the answer before Davis asked. If the FBI were tracking a suspect, they’d want to glean as much information as they could before intervening.

  “Sir, Agent Hines is following Dr. Walters and has put the FBI on high alert.”