Dark Tide

by Susan Sleeman

  Instead of balking, he held tight to her hand, and they hit the water together as she heard another bullet pierce the railing above.

  The chilly water slapped her in the face. The force knocked the breath from her body and ripped their hands apart. She couldn’t get to the surface fast enough before she ran out of air. Panic settled in. She clawed for the top, her chest feeling as if it would explode if she didn’t find air. She kicked harder, but her strength was failing.

  Suddenly, she felt Derrick’s hand grab hers and jerk her toward the surface. His strong legs carried her the last few feet to break through the water. She gasped for air, her lungs painfully expanding. Derrick came alongside her.

  “That’s my girl,” he said as he ran his gaze over her. “Keep breathing. I’m going to wrap my arm around you and move us both under the pier.”

  He pulled her tightly against him and swam toward the pier using his free arm. She tried to relax and let him tow her body, but she still felt panic tightening her muscles. The boat motor, much closer now, stilled, and she knew a shot was coming.

  “Grab a deep breath,” Derrick said. “We’re going back under.”

  She barely had time to take a full breath when she felt her body dragged under the water. Fear climbed up her back, and she forced herself to think of surviving for Sophia. Derrick continued swimming toward the pier and she joined him, kicking with all her might.

  A bullet sliced through the surface, zipping past then slowing below them. As another one cut through the water, she forced her focus ahead to keep panic at bay. She spotted a pylon a few feet ahead and gave one final push with her legs before they surfaced again. Both of them sucked in life-giving oxygen as if it was the last they’d ever breathe.

  As Derrick assessed her, her legs gave out and she was no longer able to tread water. She grabbed the pylon, slick with slime and barnacles, and held tight. He planted a hand above hers but kept treading water.

  “Now what?” she asked.

  “We’re safe under here. I’m sure someone heard the gunshots and they called 9-1-1. We’ll wait for the police to arrive.”

  Now that her adrenaline had started ebbing, the cold seeped in deeper—as did the realization that they’d both come within inches of losing their lives. A violent shiver started at her head and worked over her body. She felt the urge to wrap her arms around her stomach, but she couldn’t let go of the piling.

  “Hey.” Derrick moved closer. “We’re fine.”

  “I know, but if...” She couldn’t even say the words.

  He watched her carefully for a few moments, his concentration intense. He suddenly shrugged and moved even closer. Treading water with his feet only, he took her in his arms.

  She knew she should move free so he didn’t have to work so hard, but the strength of his arms felt so good. So safe. She relaxed into him and rested her head on his shoulder.

  “You know I won’t ever let anything happen to you without giving my life first, don’t you?” he whispered against her ear.

  She leaned her head back and looked at him. “I don’t want you to give up your life for me.”

  “But I’d do it all the same.”

  What made him so willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for others? He’d done the same thing as a cop. Day in and day out, putting his life on the line for people who didn’t even appreciate his sacrifice. That was commitment. Something she didn’t think he possessed, but he did. Just not when it came to relationships.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked.

  Now was not the time to talk about his lack of commitment to her, but to celebrate his strong points. “That you’re an amazing man, and I’m lucky you’re so dedicated to protecting others.”

  A shy, crooked smile lifted the side of his mouth. “It’s just what I do.”

  She returned his smile. “At the moment, I’m very thankful that you do.”

  “And I’m...” he said then shook his head. He met her gaze, his digging deep for something she couldn’t name. He shifted, holding her with one arm and using the other hand to move her wet hair from her face.

  “I know I shouldn’t,” he said. “But I have to.”

  “Shouldn’t—” Her words were silenced by his mouth settling over hers.

  This kiss was nothing like the quick little peck on the pier. This one was filled with emotions. Filled with their past feelings for each other and—if she was honest— current feelings, as well.

  Her mind screamed to pull back. Especially if Kat was right and Derrick had confused his need to protect her with feelings for her.

  Yet instead of heeding her own warning, she twined her arms around his neck and drew him closer. No man had ever kissed her like Derrick. This felt so right. So perfect, just as it had back in college. As if this was meant to be and God brought them together again just so they could discover they were perfect for each other.

  Sirens sounded from above, ending her foray into a fantasy that could never be. The police would soon be here and this moment would be over. Needed to be over, for good. For both of their sakes.

  She pulled back and squirmed out of his arms to cling to the pylon again. He watched her, not saying a word. She’d done exactly what Kat had warned her not to do. She’d led him on.

  True, the stress of nearly losing her life had made her react, but there’d be no more weakness on her part. No more kissing. No more of anything between them except professional courtesy. She just couldn’t risk her heart again only to lose it.

  * * *

  Squatting next to Gina on the pier, Derrick watched her every move. He hadn’t taken his eyes off her since she’d pulled back from his kiss. Since then, the police had lifted her from the water and wrapped her in a blanket. He needed to know if she was okay. He also needed to know if the kiss meant as much to her as it did to him. He was almost glad to admit he still had feelings for her. It gave him a reason to want to finally discover the cause of his commitment phobia.

  Gina shivered, and her tight expression was devoid of the joy he’d felt in her kiss.

  Was it because of the police streaming on to the scene, or had she confused the joy of surviving with caring for him? He had to know, but crime scene techs scrambled around them removing slugs, and this was a private discussion.

  The lanky detective who’d introduced himself as Detective Vincent when he’d arrived approached them. His heavy shoes thumped hard on the wooden pier. Derrick and Gina rose to meet him. She wobbled and he reached out to steady her, but she stepped back as if his touch might burn her.

  Great. We’re back to being near strangers.

  “The salesman gave me his version of the incident.” Vincent tipped his head at Zeb standing by the showroom door. “He said you wanted to purchase a boat and someone started shooting at you. Not something that happens to your average married couple.”

  “We’re not married,” Derrick said.

  Vincent pulled a small notepad from his pocket but kept his focus on Derrick. “But you’re buying a boat together?”

  Derrick shook his head and decided to make light of the situation to alleviate the tension. “I can barely keep a goldfish alive, so owning a boat with someone is way too big of a commitment for me.”

  Vincent chuckled, but Gina drew in a sharp breath. Derrick took one look at the disappointment in her eyes and knew his comment had trivialized her feelings about his commitment issues. He needed to talk with her about it. Explain himself and make everything right.

  “I hear ya, man,” Vincent said. “The job doesn’t leave me much time for anything either.”

  “I was a detective in Portland for six years, so I get that. Now I work with my siblings in private investigations. That’s really why we’re here.” He explained the long saga of Gina’s situation, including the other detectives’ reaction t
o Gina’s attack and Sophia’s near abduction. “There’re plenty of witnesses who can corroborate our story about today’s attack, so I hope you won’t blow this off like the others did.”

  “Can’t speak for my fellow detectives, but whenever shots are fired, it gets my undivided attention.” He tapped the pen on his notepad. “Why don’t you give me a description of the shooter so we can put out an alert?”

  “I only caught a glimpse, but size and build says it’s a man. Tall, maybe six-two. Say one eighty or one ninety. The same size as Gina’s previous attacker. He wore a dark jacket and a ski mask, so I can’t give you much else.”

  “What about the boat?” Vincent asked. “Either of you catch a description?”

  “Not other than it being loud and powerful,” Gina said.

  “I didn’t either. Maybe Zeb got a better look at it.”

  Vincent smiled slyly. “He gave me a complete description down to the make and model.”

  “Care to share Zeb’s description?” Derrick asked, though it wasn’t really a question. “Before you say it goes against protocol, you know if you don’t tell me, I’ll just go over there and ask him.”

  “Former cops are the hardest people to interview.” Shaking his head, Vincent flipped through his notebook and described the boat.

  “Quentin’s boat,” Gina mumbled.

  “Come again?” Vincent said.

  “We’re looking into a suspect who owns a boat exactly like the one you described.” Derrick shared Quentin’s role in the investigation.

  “Not that we have any proof he’s done anything wrong,” Gina jumped in.

  How could she keep believing in Quentin?

  Derrick swung his head to look at her. “Nor do we have proof he hasn’t.”

  “So which is it?” Vincent asked. “You think he’s the guy or not?”

  “He’s a good friend, and I’m having a hard time believing he’s responsible.” Gina bit her lip and nervously looked around. “But I think he keeps his boat at this marina, so maybe it was him.”

  “And you’re just now telling me that?” Derrick flashed Gina an irritated look, but the irritation was aimed mostly at himself for not checking to see if Quentin had an ongoing connection to the marina before coming here.

  She tugged the blanket tighter. “I’ve only been on his boat once, so I’m not positive.”

  Derrick faced Vincent. “If he does moor his boat here, you can talk to him before he destroys any evidence.”

  Vincent closed his notebook. “Without a search warrant—which you know we have no chance of getting at this stage in the investigation—the best I can do is send an officer over there to keep an eye on him. If he’s on the boat, we’ll encourage him to let us look around.”

  He shouted for a nearby uniform to join them and tasked him with getting the location for Quentin’s boat from Zeb and keeping an eye on Quentin.

  Though this was helpful, it wasn’t enough. “I’m not encumbered by your rules, so the minute you’re finished with us, I’ll talk to Quentin.”

  Vincent stepped into Derrick’s path. “If he is indeed the shooter, I don’t recommend that. You especially don’t want to bring the little lady over there.”

  “Appreciate the warning. I’d have given the same one when I was on the force—but it’s not going to stop me.” Derrick fisted his hands.

  “Derrick,” Gina said softly. “I don’t want to stay here without you, but if it’s not safe for me to go with you...”

  He gave her a comforting smile. “Quentin won’t attempt anything in front of the police officer Vincent just dispatched, and he’s more apt to talk with you there.” Derrick turned back to Vincent. “Now, if you’re finished with us, I’d like to get going.”

  “I should detain you just to keep you out of trouble.”

  Derrick stood to his full height and eyed Vincent.

  “Fine.” Vincent held up his hand. “I get that you have a job to do and I won’t be able to stop you for long. So get out of here before I change my mind.”

  “Let’s go talk to Quentin.” Derrick pressed a hand on Gina’s back and started her moving forward.

  Gina dragged her feet. “But you don’t know for sure that Quentin keeps his boat here.”

  “I’m sure Zeb will tell us.” He marched down the pier a bit faster than was comfortable for Gina after the incident, but he wasn’t about to let Vincent change his mind and stop them from confronting the man who’d tried to end both of their lives.

  FOURTEEN

  Derrick breathed deeply to keep his anger in check. He’d had enough of this unknown foe taking shots at Gina on his watch. If Quentin truly was guilty, Derrick planned to drag a confession out of him if necessary. He parked close to Quentin’s boat slip and spotted Quentin polishing the sleek exterior of his boat while the officer talked to him. With Gina’s close connection to Quentin, Derrick had hoped not to find Quentin here, but the evidence spoke for itself.

  Derrick lowered the binoculars and looked over the seatback. “Quentin’s on his boat and the officer is with him, so it’s safe for you to go with me.”

  She sat up and appraised him. “Maybe I should stay in the car.”

  Derrick wondered where the trust she’d declared earlier had gone.

  Likely disappeared after you kissed her and then made the dumb goldfish comment.

  Great. He’d blown things with her again. Made him even madder.

  “Is there a reason you don’t want to talk to him?”

  She sat for a moment, her fingernail worrying over a callus. “I guess I’m afraid we’ll find out that he’s the one. I’ve lost so many people I care about lately, I’d hate to add him to that list.”

  Derrick felt like a jerk for being terse with her, so he tried to soften his tone. “If you’re right and Quentin’s innocent, then your best way to help him is to get him to tell us the truth.”

  “You’re right.” She reached for the door handle.

  “Hold on. Let me make one more check of the area before you get out.” He jerked open his door and made a complete circle then leaned back into the car. “You know the drill. Stay close. No stopping.”

  She didn’t slip under his arm as readily as she had earlier, so he pulled her close. Each step with her body stiff and unresponsive next to him ate at him, and he felt his ire rising.

  Keep your cool with Gina and direct it at Quentin where it belongs.

  The officer eyed them warily, but Derrick wasn’t going to let anyone stop him from getting answers out of Quentin.

  “What brings the two of you down here?” Quentin asked as he set down his polishing cloth. “Especially looking like drowned rats.” He chuckled.

  Laughing when Gina almost died. How dare he make light of nearly killing her.

  Derrick’s anger spiraled up, fast and furious. He planted his feet on the gently swaying boat and glared at Quentin. “Like you don’t know why we’re here.”

  Quentin jerked his head at the police officer. “Guess maybe you’re here for the same reason as Officer Brown.”

  Though Brown must recognize them from the boat dealership, Derrick introduced himself, making sure to tell Brown he was a former cop before turning back to Quentin. “Are you going to let Officer Brown search the boat?”

  Quentin came to his full height, his eyes narrowing. “Last I heard this’s a free country, and I’ve done nothing wrong, so no, I’m not.”

  Derrick surveyed the boat, looking for the rifle. Found none, but Quentin was smart enough not to leave it in plain view. He might have even tossed it overboard. “Where is it?”

  “Where’s what?”

  “The rifle you used to nearly kill us.”

  “Nearly kill you?” Quentin looked at Gina. “Are you all right?”

&
nbsp; She nodded.

  “Do you really think I took a shot at you?”

  Derrick let Gina go and stepped in front of her. “I know you did.”

  Derrick waited for another denial, but Quentin didn’t offer one. Derrick had interrogated enough suspects over the years to know Quentin was carefully weighing his response before speaking. Likely coming up with an excuse or a fake alibi.

  “Don’t answer. I’ll find the proof myself.” Derrick started around the boat, lifting cushions to access storage in the seats.

  “Aren’t you going to stop him?” Quentin asked Brown, who shrugged. This was the advantage of no longer being a cop—Derrick wasn’t required to provide a search warrant first.

  Quentin grabbed Derrick’s arm and spun him around. “My boat, my things.”

  Derrick jerked free. “Really?” Derrick stabbed a finger in Quentin’s chest. “You really want to play it this way?”

  “I’m not playing anything.” Quentin knocked Derrick’s finger away and widened his stance.

  Derrick had had enough of this guy’s attitude. With Gina’s life on the line, the time for talking was over—it was time to take action. Derrick grabbed Quentin’s T-shirt and slammed him up against the steering wheel. He was twenty pounds heavier and battled back, trying to dislodge Derrick, who planted his arm across Quentin’s chest, pinning him in place. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”

  “Hard?” A mocking smile slowly unfolded on Quentin’s face. “You don’t know hard until you’ve trained for the CG tactical team. You couldn’t even begin to dish out anything to compete.”

  He’s taunting me. Tempting me.

  Derrick saw red and pulled back his fist to erase Quentin’s sneering smile.

  “Do something!” Gina cried out to the police officer.

  “They’re grown men,” Brown said.

  “Wait.” Gina grabbed Derrick’s arm and pulled it back. “Quentin’s right. I know what they went through in training. If Quentin doesn’t want to answer, he won’t. No matter what you do. So there’s no point in hurting him.”