Christmas Witness Pursuit

by Lisa Harris

  “Agreed,” Caden said. “That means the only other real option is to have someone fly in and get them. Jinx has resources. We know that by now. He could arrange for an extraction, like we did with a helicopter. There’s an unpaved runway just south of the fire tower. It hasn’t been used for years, but the last time I checked it out, it was usable.”

  “Good. I’ll make sure we’re watching the airways,” Sheriff Jackson confirmed. “Are there any other routes they might take?”

  “There is one other option.” Griffin studied the map, trying to formulate what he’d do if he were Jinx. “We know two things about Jinx. One, he’s a risk taker. Not only did he manage to escape from his prison transport, he also has lots of outside connections. He wouldn’t have gone in there to find us if he didn’t have a way out.”

  “That makes sense.”

  “That means we have to assume he’s willing to take a risk if he believes it will get him out of there without getting caught.”

  Sheriff Jackson folded his arms across his chest. “So what would you do?”

  “If I were them, I’d head north across the land here.” He pointed to a spot on the map. “Like I said, it’s risky—it goes through some pretty rough terrain—but the trail is wide enough for a snowmobile.”

  “I think you’re right.” Caden moved to the other side of the bed to get closer to the map. “We used to take that route when we were teens. It avoids all the main roads and ends up at Beeker’s Crossing, which is on the border of the next ranch.”

  “Exactly.” Griffin nodded then turned to the sheriff. “Have you got anyone patrolling this section?”

  The sheriff shook his head.

  “There’s an off-road trail that connects the two properties and eventually leads to Highway 24,” Griffin noted.

  “Where we wouldn’t even be looking for them.” Sheriff Jackson’s frown deepened. “I didn’t think that road was very accessible this time of year.”

  “All they’d need is someone to pick them up in a 4x4, then they could easily disappear into the next ranch, head south and—”

  The sheriff concluded, “We’d lose him.”

  “Exactly. If he doesn’t decide to hunker down another day or so, which in my mind is unlikely at this point, he’s going to want to get as far away as possible. This route would work and Max would know about it.”

  Griffin glanced at Tory before looking back at the sheriff and adding, “There is one other thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I meant what I said. I want to help. I might be a bit sore, but that won’t stop me, and the doctor has cleared me. I’m just waiting for a prescription.”

  Sheriff Jackson frowned. “The doctor might have cleared you, but I haven’t. Not for fieldwork.”

  “I’ve got a few bruises,” Griffin said, “nothing more.”

  “I do have something in mind I thought you could handle, though.”

  “What’s that?”

  “It was your brother’s idea.”

  “I’m interested.”

  “I can put you on Tory’s protection detail. The FBI’s still stretched thin because of this storm. If you’re interested, that is.”

  He looked at Tory and smiled. “Like I said. I’m interested.”

  “Good—”

  “Wait a minute.” Tory took a step forward. “Griffin, you have nothing to prove to me or anyone else. I’d rather you take care of yourself. You need to rest—”

  “Forget it. There’s no way I can sit around waiting for the aches and pains to disappear. I need to be out there doing something.” He caught her gaze and winked. “Even if it means babysitting this feisty nurse I just met.”

  She rolled her eyes at him but there was something else in her expression that he couldn’t read.

  “Then it’s settled.” Sheriff Jackson folded up his map, interrupting Griffin’s thoughts. “A car will be here to pick the two of you up and take you to a safe house in the next hour. Thankfully the roads are being cleared, so you should be able to get there with no problems. In the meantime, I’ll coordinate with the team and make sure we’re ready.”

  Griffin waited until both the sheriff and his brother had left the room before turning back to Tory.

  “Are you okay? I know these past couple of days have been difficult, not just physically, but emotionally, as well. And while you might be trained to deal with trauma, facing it personally is entirely different. There’s a lot you’ll have to process.”

  “I know, and I plan to deal with it, but that’s not what I’m worried about right now.”

  His brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

  She stared out the window a few seconds before turning back around. “Having you join my protection team wasn’t Caden’s idea. It was mine.”

  “Really?”

  He was surprised and couldn’t help but wonder what the implications meant, but he wasn’t going to go there. Not yet.

  “I’m glad you asked.”

  “Because you like babysitting?”

  He shot her a smile. “Not particularly, but I like you.”

  She shrugged, as if dismissing his comment. A comment that had come out far too...personal.

  “You’ve done more than your part in all of this,” she said. “And now look what happened out there. You could be dead. We could both be dead.”

  “But we’re not.” He reached out and grasped her hands. “You have nothing to feel guilty about. I didn’t go into this blindly, and just because things got tough doesn’t mean I’m planning to walk away. And somehow, I don’t think I have much to worry about, hanging out with you in an FBI safe house.”

  “Jinx has done tougher things than track me down in a safe house—”

  “And if he tries, he’s going to regret the day he decided to mess with me.” He squeezed her hand before letting it go, wishing he didn’t notice the slight tilt of her mouth or the subtle scent of vanilla in her hair that still mingled with the smell of the fire.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like you, Griffin O’Callaghan.”

  “And I could definitely say the same about you. Besides...” He let out a low laugh. “I’m waiting for your memory to come back so I can get to know you better.”

  “Griffin... Tory...”

  Griffin’s attention shifted to the other side of the room. “Mom... Dad...”

  “The sheriff’s been keeping us updated. We’ve been so worried about you. Decided to come to work because there was nothing I could do.”

  He pulled his parents into a big hug, knowing that the worry never went away, especially with four grown boys who had a habit of putting themselves in the line of fire.

  His mom looked up and caught his gaze. “What happened?”

  “They were able to extract us from the scene, but somehow a bullet hit the helo and the pilot. We shouldn’t be alive, but the tactical officer managed to land the bird safely.”

  “And you’re sure you’re okay,” his father said.

  “I look far worse for wear. The doctor says I’ll be fine.”

  “What about you?” His mother turned to Tory. “I’ve been frantic the past few hours worrying about both of you.”

  “I’m fine.” Tory gave her a hesitant smile. “Still shook up over the experience, but I’ll be okay.”

  “And your memory?” Griffin’s father asked.

  “It’s slowly coming back, though I still have no memory of what happened the day I witnessed the murder. It’s blank.”

  “Your cheeks are red and you look so cold. We need to get you warmed up.” Marci pressed the back of her hand against Tory’s face. “And the men who took you both... They’ve proved they aren’t above stopping anyone who stands in their way.”

  “That’s why we’re making sure there is a protection deta
il around her at all times,” Griffin said.

  Sheriff Jackson walked back into the curtained room, interrupting their conversation. “I’ve got some bad news.”

  Griffin frowned. “Like things could actually get worse than they already are?”

  “We think your guess as to where Jinx and Max were headed was spot on.”

  Griffin hesitated before asking the next logical question. “Why?”

  “Because we just found Max’s body in a gully about three miles south of Beeker’s Crossing.”

  Griffin nodded. “And Jinx?”

  Sheriff Jackson’s jaw tightened. “Jinx has vanished again.”

  THIRTEEN

  Griffin set a plate of hamburger and fries on the coffee table in front of Tory before sitting across from her with his lunch. “There’s also potato salad and lemonade.”

  “Thank you.” She popped one of the fries into her mouth, grateful he’d agreed to be a part of her security detail. “I didn’t know I was so hungry, but you could probably hear my stomach rumbling from across the room.”

  “I’m just glad you’re eating.”

  “That’s not a problem. I’m pretty sure I tend to eat when I’m stressed.” She took a bite of the burger. “And this just might be the best burger I’ve ever had.”

  “Good.”

  She took another bite and felt a dollop of mayo fall on her chin. “Don’t even laugh.”

  “Trust me, I don’t want to. Laughing—and movement, for that matter—hurts too much.”

  He smiled at her as she grabbed a napkin, reminding Tory how much she liked the way his smile reached his eyes.

  She grabbed another fry. “Thanks for being here.”

  “I’m just relieved to know that we’re here and not out there in that freezing weather.”

  She glanced around the hotel room the FBI had escorted them to on the outskirts of Denver. While she might not be home, at least she felt safe. It was a typical cookie-cutter living room with a connecting bedroom, both with brown walls and dated pictures on the wall. But none of that mattered. All she really cared about was that it was far from Jinx and his men and the danger they’d been exposed to over the last couple days. And that Griffin hadn’t flinched at her request to stay on as a part of her security detail.

  She took a long sip of her lemonade. “There’s only one thing that’s stopping us from properly celebrating.”

  “Jinx.”

  She nodded.

  He was still out there. Somewhere. It was why they were sitting in the guarded hotel suite with two agents outside their door. Yet another reminder that this was far from over. A BOLO had been sent out to all law enforcement, but so far there had been no news of his arrest.

  “They’ll find him.” Griffin said.

  “Then I still have to testify,” she said, unable to separate herself from the fear. “He’s smart, though. What if he still gets away with everything he’s done, like he has so far? With all the hurt he’s caused people, if he’s set loose...” A shiver slid down her spine. “Men like him don’t just walk away from their lifestyle. It has to stop.”

  “The FBI told me they’re working on a deal with the men they arrested earlier today near the watchtower. If they can get enough evidence of what Jinx has done, then maybe you won’t have to testify.”

  “Part of that evidence will have to come from his men, but they’re loyal.” Tory still wasn’t convinced it would be over anytime soon. “Do you really think they’ll be able to turn them?”

  “I can’t answer that.”

  “And I need to protect the other witness who was with me that day.”

  “You still don’t remember who it was?”

  She shook her head. “The majority of my memories seem to be coming back, but that day—the day I saw the murders—I can’t remember. There’s nothing more than a few hazy flashes.”

  “Give yourself time.” Griffin reached out and squeezed her hand. “Trauma’s powerful and you’ve been through a lot. The rest of the memories will surface and you’ll have time to deal with them. Until then, just enjoy your hamburger and the company.”

  Like the calm before the next storm.

  She was enjoying the company, but she needed to change the subject.

  “You told me a few things about Christmas in Timber Falls. What’s your favorite Christmas memory?” she asked.

  Her own Christmas memories were nothing more than a blurry fog; she needed something normal to focus on. Something completely opposite from everything they’d just experienced.

  “Favorite Christmas memory... I definitely have one or two of those, but the best one was probably nine or ten.”

  She stuck a fry in her mouth and leaned back, grateful for the distraction.

  “I got up early that morning, because I was convinced my parents had bought us a Nintendo. I’d been reminding them for months what I was expecting that year, so I knew there was no way they didn’t know what I wanted. And, of course, I had hinted along the way every reason why they should buy it for me.”

  She shot him an amused smile. “So did you get it?”

  “I was up extra early that year. I ran downstairs and, while the lights were twinkling, there were no presents under the tree.”

  “Nothing?”

  “Nothing,” he confirmed. “Only our stockings hanging on the fireplace mantel. I figured there had to be something pretty spectacular in them, so I looked inside.”

  Tory grinned. “Of course you did. And?”

  His smile faded as he leaned forward to pick up his drink. “There was a lump of coal inside the toe.”

  “A lump of coal?” Now she couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Seriously?”

  “I quickly felt the toes of all the other stockings and didn’t have to look inside to realize what was there. No presents, just four stockings with coal.”

  “I would have loved to have seen the look on your face when you saw them.”

  “It was a sad Christmas morning, let me tell you, because, according to my mother—as I soon found out—all four of us had made it to the top of the naughty list that year with our constant bickering, complaining and fighting, and she’d had enough.”

  “Wait a minute...a lump of coal and no presents...that is your favorite Christmas memory?”

  Griffin let out a deep sigh. “Definitely one of the most memorable ones, though that’s not quite the end of the story.”

  “So what happened?”

  She took a sip of her drink, loving how he not only could distract her but make her laugh. That was exactly what she needed right now. A way to forget that they were sitting in the middle of an FBI safe room with an ongoing manhunt for someone wanting to silence her.

  “We ended up moping all morning until the four of us boys finally got together and decided we had about twelve hours to make things right before Christmas was over.”

  “You had to find a way to get back on the nice list.”

  “Exactly.”

  She sat back, plate of fries in hand, and tucked her legs beneath her. “This is going to be interesting.”

  “Without my mom saying another word, we started cleaning our rooms. Every inch. We vacuumed, dusted and worked to remove some old stain on the carpet. Then we moved to the bathroom, where I was reminded—not for the first time—how to use a toilet brush. Finally our parents sat us down and told us that there might be presents, if all four had learned our lesson.”

  “And had you?”

  “I know I had. Eventually my mom decided we’d earned our keep and brought out the telescope they’d bought for us. I was mesmerized from the very beginning.”

  “That explains your interest in stargazing.”

  Griffin nodded. “We spent all night glued to the sky, not caring that the temperature was hovering near freezing or that our fi
ngers were half frozen. And on top of that, we’d learned our lesson. All four of us.”

  “I had no idea that the town deputy had such a sordid past.”

  “I’ve tried to redeem myself.” He smiled at her comment. “And over the months that followed, I took to searching for planets, comets and asteroids. I even thought I might study aerospace engineering one day.”

  “Like the view from the tower last night, there’s something almost sacred about a starlit night.” Tory closed her eyes for a moment. “Another of God’s amazing creations that reminds me how small I am in comparison and yet with it comes the reality of both His vast power and His love for me.”

  “‘The heavens declare the glory of God.’”

  She nodded, reminded suddenly of how God hadn’t left her to go through this alone.

  “What about you?” he asked. “What do you want for Christmas this year? Besides getting your memories back and your life returning to normal, which in itself is a tall order. Just something for you.”

  She picked at a fry and contemplated her answer. “I can promise you my answer won’t be nearly as amusing as your story, but as crazy as it sounds, I’d love to spend my day vacuuming and doing laundry—all those boring things everyone tries to avoid. It seems so normal and so far away right now. Though I’ll leave the toilet bowl cleaning to you.”

  “Ha!” He took the last bite of his hamburger. “This will be over. I promise.”

  “I know.”

  “And when it is, I have an idea.”

  “What’s that?”

  He leaned forward and set down his plate. “I could be your tour guide around here for a couple days. A few walks in the mountains, a trip on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad and, if the stars are clear, I’ve still got that old telescope. It’s all simple, but far better than doing laundry to make you forget everything.”

  “I think I’d like that.”

  She felt her cheeks warm, imaging what it would be like to spend a day doing something fun with Griffin. Imagining becoming a part of his life. But once again the gaps in her memories and the fear of what she didn’t know tried to pull her back to a place of security—a place where she wasn’t sure she wanted to go anymore.