“Nothing in there you won’t find in any woman’s purse.”
“Um.” Eryn grinned. “I think that’s exactly what he means. You know, girlie things.”
As understanding dawned, Hannah’s face colored. “I’m good with you seeing everything, but will you be?”
Despite the tension in the room, Gage chuckled at her comment and dumped the contents onto his desk.
“Did you leave anything at home in Portland?” he joked as he pushed through keys, a small dinosaur, protein bars, hand wipes, sanitizer, Band-Aids, and on and on. He opened a few items, then ran his fingers over the bag itself for a hidden device. He looked up at Hannah. “Nothing.”
“Nothing here, either.” Eryn set Hannah’s phone on the desk.
Gage’s cell rang and, when he saw Blake’s number, he answered.
“We recovered the missing skull,” Blake said.
“Where?”
“Hidden in a hollowed-out tree in the woods close to where the boat was dumped. A pair of teens found it.”
“Interesting.” Gage’s mind raced over the implications of Hannah’s attacker discarding the skull.
“The reconstruction is destroyed, but the skull’s intact,” Blake continued. “I have to believe if Hannah’s attacker killed Jane Doe, he would have destroyed the skull to keep Hannah from continuing the reconstruction.”
“Sounds like you think her attack has nothing to do with the skull and is someone like Ellwood,” Gage said, drawing everyone’s attention, but it was the way Hannah lurched back that hit Gage like a punch.
“Yeah,” Blake replied. “We’re dealing with another motive here.”
“But what?”
“No idea, and if it’s not Ellwood targeting her, I have to warn you. We’re fresh out of leads, and it’ll be nearly impossible to find the guy before he strikes again.”
The team exited the office, leaving Hannah alone with Gage. She couldn’t seem to catch a full breath. She wrapped her arms around her stomach. Tried to calm herself. But how could she when they suspected the attacks didn’t have anything to do with Jane Doe and someone was specifically targeting her?
Her! The most basic, live your life as good as you can and mind your own business kind of person, targeted for murder. Murder—for goodness’ sake! She could hardly process it.
She took a deep breath but got little air. Her throat closed. Her chest convulsed.
Maybe she should pray. Odd. She hadn’t considering doing so for eons, but she had to remain levelheaded. She was the key to finding this man now.
“You need to sit.” Gage took her by the shoulders and settled her in a chair. He knelt in front of her and took her hands in his. “Just breathe, honey. Slow, deep breaths. Like this.”
He drew in a long breath. Let it out. She mimicked his actions. Over and over until the air filled and expanded her lungs.
“Better?” he asked.
She nodded and continued the breathing pattern until the tightness in her chest completely eased.
Her phone rang from the desk. Gage stood and glanced at the screen.
“It’s the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Department.”
Her heart lurched.
“A job maybe?” He handed it to her.
“I’ve never worked with them, but Nick fell at Smith Rock State Park in their county and they investigated. It must be about him.” She accepted the call and tried to hide her unease.
“Ms. Perry,” the male said. “This is Deputy Warner from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s department. If you remember, I’m the one who investigated your husband’s fall. We had a witness come forward a few days ago, and she’s shedding new light on his fall.”
“A witness? Really? Someone saw Nick that day?” Stunned, Hannah stared ahead, connecting with Gage’s wide-eyed interest. She couldn’t concentrate with him watching. She got up and walked to the window to put her back to him.
“Her name is Elyse Ramos. Do you know her?”
“No, but why didn’t she report this when he fell?”
“She didn’t know about the accident.”
“But if she’s a witness, how’s that even possible?”
“She’s from Mexico and was vacationing with family that week. She’d gone hiking and ran into Nick on a trail, but she left that afternoon to return home and didn’t hear the news stories about his fall. She came back this week to visit family again, and when she went to Smith Rock, another hiker told her about Nick.”
“What did she have to say about seeing him?”
“He wasn’t alone. He was with another climber.”
“Not alone?” Hannah’s heart thudded in her chest.
“No, and it’s highly suspicious that the other climber took off instead of reporting Nick’s fall.”
Hannah managed to stifle her gasp of surprise. “You think he might have pushed Nick?”
“It’s a possibility.”
Could it be true that Nick hadn’t fallen? That someone had murdered him?
She widened her stance to ground herself as she felt as if she was in some alternate world where everything she knew had turned upside down. “I don’t suppose after two years she remembers what this other man looks like.”
“Actually, she does. Apparently he’s quite handsome and a real flirt. She said she’d never forget his face. She also said he had a tattoo on his forearm matching Nick’s.”
“Nick’s was a SEAL trident.” Were they teammates? Brothers in arms and the other guy killed Nick?
Could this really be true? The muscles in her legs seemed to liquefy. She hurried back to the sofa before they gave out.
Gage cast a questioning look her way, but all she could think of was asking him to hold her as he’d done earlier and tell her yet again that everything would be okay. She turned her attention back to the call. “Do you think this woman is telling the truth? I mean you interviewed so many people who were in the park that day and none of them saw this other man with Nick.”
“Her story seems legit, and I’m reopening the investigation. If this other guy really did push Nick, he could have planned it in advance and met up with on a trail in hopes no one would see them together.”
“Then why flirt with Elyse and draw attention to himself?”
“Maybe he hoped he’d leave her too flustered to remember details.”
“Sounds possible, I suppose.” Did it? Did it really? She didn’t know. “How will you proceed?”
“We’re looking for a forensic artist to meet with Elyse and draw a sketch of this guy. But, as you know, there aren’t many artists in the area, and it could take time before we can get on someone’s schedule.”
“I’ll do the sketch,” she said before thinking about it. “And I won’t charge a penny, so your sheriff should be happy about that.”
“I wouldn’t think of asking you. Not with your personal connection to the case.”
“I’m doing it. End of discussion. If Nick was murdered, there is no one who wants to find his killer more than I do.”
Gage gaped at Hannah. He could hardly believe a witness had come forward now when Hannah was dealing with a death threat. He felt for her and didn’t care if he was thinking of her as a woman instead of a client. He wanted to ease her pain, but more importantly, he had to focus on her safety. He wasn’t about to let her run off to Bend to draw this man’s sketch when a stealthy killer was after her.
“You can’t go.” He reached out to take her arm—as if holding on would prevent her from leaving.
She stepped back. “It’s not up to you.”
“But your life is still in danger, and I won’t allow you to put yourself in a vulnerable position.” He planted his feet wide as if he could physically keep her here. “You have to drive over the Cascades to get to Bend, and you’d be a sitting duck on the mountain roads.”
She crossed her arms and held his gaze. “Nick was my husband, and now that it looks like he was pushed, I have to help. You would do it for Cass, ri
ght?”
His jaw clenched, but he reluctantly nodded.
“Besides, if Nick was murdered, maybe the same person is my attacker. If the deputy finds this guy, it could end my problems, too.”
Gage had been too busy worrying about her safety to consider the possibility of a connection. “You think Ellwood’s not our guy and this could be the man who attacked you?”
“It’s as likely as anything else.”
“But why now? Why two years after Nick died?”
“Maybe because the woman came forward.”
“But there’s no concrete connection, right?”
“Just that the hiker had a trident tattoo on his forearm like Nick, and we think the guy after me is—or was—spec ops.”
Gage thought about her comment and had to agree that the man sneaking into the compound the other night could easily have been a SEAL. But Gage didn’t want to believe a fellow SEAL was capable of committing murder. Sure, they all knew how to kill, but not an innocent person, much less one of their own. He’d much rather believe it was Ellwood.
But he had to consider all possibilities. “Say this is related to Nick’s death or Ellwood. Either way, leaving the compound puts you in too much danger.”
“Like I said, I have to do the sketch so Warner can locate this man, and we can all go back to our normal lives.”
Normal? Normal meant she would go home. Leave him. The thought felt like a knife to the gut, but he wouldn’t linger on this topic now and cloud the real issue. “Someone else can do the drawing.”
“Not on a timely basis. There are less than forty full-time forensic sketch artists employed in agencies across the entire country. Only one in Oregon that I know of. It could take weeks to get someone for the job. And what if Elyse has to go back to Mexico before then?”
“Then they can bring her to you.”
Hannah shook her head. “For the process to work best, she needs to be relaxed. What kind of impact do you think this crazy secure compound will have on her?”
“We’ll explain that this man is trying to kill you.”
“And then she’ll worry he’s trying to kill her, too. Again, not a good thing.” She planted her hands on her hips. “No matter what you say, I’m going. But… I can’t take David. I’d like to leave him here.”
“That goes without saying. I won’t let a child go headfirst into danger.” He scowled at her, hoping it would change her mind, but she tightened her arms and tilted her head in a stubborn stance. If she wasn’t directing it at Gage, he’d find it adorable. No way he was letting this woman who had somehow wormed her way into his heart step into danger alone. “I’m going with you. I don’t care what you say about that, but—”
She held up her hand. “No need to plead your case. I was hoping you’d offer to accompany me.”
“Well…good…good.” He blinked, caught totally off guard.
She smiled at him. A soft, warm smile that melted his concern and replaced it with awareness of her as a woman. Her curves. Her silky skin. Her full lips, soft and ready for kissing. He knew the feeling. The touch. Years ago. He wanted it now. Again. Couldn’t have it.
He forced himself to look away. “I’ll get to work researching the area and plan a safe route.”
He charged out of the room to head outside for a breath of air. The total darkness evaporated her smile from his mind, and the cold light of danger settled in.
He’d stay by her side, every second of the trip, that was for sure. He’d leave a team behind to protect David, have a forward team scout the trip, and a team bring up the rear. He’d pull out all stops to protect her—the woman he loved.
There, he admitted it. He was in love with Hannah again. No way he’d screw things up and lose her a second time.
10
The helicopter touched down at the Bend Municipal Airport, landing within the white circle painted on the asphalt, the hot afternoon sun radiating off the tarmac. The jarring bump raked along Hannah’s nerves, and her pulse raced. She’d been brave with Gage last night. But now? Now she could barely contain her fear of stepping out of the chopper where another bullet could come whizzing through the air and end her life.
“Stay here.” Gage leveled a warning look in her direction, then opened the door and jumped down. Coop shut down the chopper and joined Gage.
They both shielded their eyes from the sun and made a full circle over the unprotected area holding two other helicopters neatly nestled in round circles. Gage said something to Coop, who came back to the helicopter to grab their bags, including Hannah’s hand-held easel she’d designed for her work. Thankfully, she’d stored it in her car and didn’t have to travel to Portland to get it or improvise with something makeshift. The right tools at hand would help her be more at ease when she met with Elyse.
Coop toted their luggage across the tarmac to the hangar while Gage stood guard at the door. He widened his stance, his hand drifting to his sidearm and settling in place. She totally and completely trusted Gage to do his best to make sure she remained safe.
Her phone signaled a text. She glanced at it to find a message from Eryn with a picture of David and the new orange cast he’d received before Hannah had left Cold Harbor. The message read, David wanted me to send you a picture so you didn’t forget about his awesome cast.
Hannah smiled at his proud expression as he displayed the neon-colored cast already signed by Gage’s entire team. How she wished she were there with him, but Eryn and Opal would take good care of him as she helped find his father’s killer.
Coop returned and took over guard duty, his protective stance mimicking Gage’s wide-legged posture. What an amazing team she had on her side. It hit her then. Right between the eyes. She hadn’t been able to understand why God had put her in this situation, but now she agreed with Gage. God had arranged for this amazing man to protect her. Maybe God had been looking out for her all along, and when Nick died, she’d become blind to His presence.
She felt Him nearby now. His comfort. Even His love. Two years of wandering in the wilderness alone without God at her side had taken a toll. Now she wasn’t alone any more.
Thank you, Father. I’m so sorry for my doubt.
Gage approached the helicopter door. “We go straight to the hangar. No dallying. Stay by my side. Got it?”
She nodded and stepped to the door, her heart lighter. Gage took her hand to help her down and the shock of his touch had her pausing for a moment. When he eyed her, questions alive and pressing in his expression, she jumped down and quickly extricated her hand. He apparently hadn’t seen how his touch flustered her, as he put an arm around her waist and pulled her tight against his body. His other hand rested on his sidearm. She was snug and safe. Gage and God had her in their hands, what more could she ask for?
She mentally shook herself. She needed to keep her feelings at bay, as she still wasn’t ready for another relationship. Might never be. It wouldn’t be right to lead Gage on. She resolved to do her best to keep him at arm’s length and make sure Coop was with them as much as possible. She looked up at him, but he remained standing at the helicopter.
“Coop isn’t coming with us?” Her voice rose, giving away her dismay.
“Can’t risk sabotage to the chopper, so he’ll head straight back.”
What? No. “But we could be here for several days.”
“And your point is?”
“We’ll be alone.”
“And?”
“And you know that’s not a good idea.”
“I’m not a schoolboy, Hannah.” His voice vibrated with frustration. “No matter how attractive I find you, I can control myself.”
“No, I… I didn’t mean you couldn’t. I just—sorry!” Her face burned.
He gave a clipped nod, but he kept his gaze roving over the area, so she couldn’t tell if he was mad or simply focused on protecting her.
In the hangar, she pushed free. His eyes tightened, but he said nothing until they reached the door to the
parking lot. “I have a buddy waiting with a car. Same drill as at the chopper. Straight to the car.”
They hurried to an SUV where a redheaded man with startling blue eyes stood watching. His posture rigid, he wore a khaki uniform that molded to a very fit body. Hannah knew she’d met him before but couldn’t remember where. Gage ushered her into the backseat, not giving her a chance to figure it out. He slid in beside her while the man slipped behind the wheel.
“You and Trey met before, right?” Gage asked. “Back when we were together, he stayed with me for a weekend.”
“Right,” she said, the weekend coming to mind when the two of them were inseparable. “You’re a Green Beret.”
“Was a Beret,” Trey said. “Now a Deschutes County Deputy.”
“Thank you for helping out, Trey.”
“No problem.” He smiled at her in the rearview mirror.
She expected they’d drive straight to the sheriff’s office, but Trey headed away from the city and took a route over arid land dotted with sagebrush. Oregon’s high-desert area always amazed Hannah with its direct contrast to the rainy Willamette Valley and coastal regions of the state.
He soon turned down a long drive lined with bitterbrush and tall junipers. The clearing held a two-story home with rough-hewn siding and elaborate stonework. A patrol car sat in the brick driveway.
“I thought you might want to freshen up before going to the office,” Gage said. “But let us scope things out first. I’ll be right back.” He hopped out, not giving her a chance to argue.
Not that she wanted to. It would be good to clean up before meeting Elyse.
The men made a cautious search of the area, Gage remaining in eyesight at all times, and finally Trey retrieved their bags. Gage escorted her to the door, and the sound of running water came from behind the contemporary house. Through large windows, she discovered that the home looked out over the Deschutes River.
Gage fit a key in the lock. “Trey’s uncle owns the place. That’s Trey’s patrol car, and he’s headed to work.”
They’d be alone. Here in a secluded house. Together. The two of them. No. She wouldn’t think about that. She’d keep her focus on Elyse and on finding Nick’s killer, if indeed someone had pushed him off that cliff.
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