Shield of Refuge

by Carol Steward

  “Would we…?” Amber’s voice faded away.

  Samantha Taylor smiled. “I noticed his Mustang out front. I presumed he was here. Maybe he’s down the block at the pub, though that’s not like him.”

  Amber froze.

  “What’s up, Sam?” Garrett said as he joined them.

  Sam tried to step inside, but Amber was in the way. Garrett took hold of Amber’s arm and pulled her toward him, allowing Samantha to come inside.

  Sam closed the door and smiled. “I’m a little puzzled about the investigation of the police impersonator case.”

  “They are investigating? Who’s working it?” Garrett asked.

  “That’s what I’m wondering. What do you know about it?” She pulled a notepad from her chest pocket. “I noticed that the SUV is still in the same parking place that it was when the crime took place, so I asked your brother about it. He said you might be here.”

  Amber crossed her arms over her chest and watched silently. He couldn’t help but wonder how Samantha would interpret Amber’s body language. It might be wishful thinking, but Garrett wanted to believe she was jealous.

  “I don’t know anything about it. I’m still on mandatory leave.” Garrett glanced at the beautiful party planner. Were his feelings for her obvious to anyone else? “I wanted to be sure Ms. Scott was doing okay.”

  Samantha smiled, and Garrett knew she understood not to ask. Garrett and Sam had gone through the academy together, so they’d already built a high level of trust, and he knew Samantha was head over heels in love with her husband. Sam turned to Amber. “I hope we can find this guy and ease all our minds.”

  He couldn’t imagine what had been said to give Amber the impression that Sam was interested in him. They were like brother and sister. “I know you gave Amber a ride home that night, but it sounds like you were at the crime scene, too, right?”

  “Yeah, good old Lieutenant Chavez asked me to go with him and Ms. Scott to the scene. There was plenty to check on, but Chavez didn’t think it was relevant. I tried to talk to Nick, but…with the investigation he went through, I’m guessing he doesn’t want to push the envelope quite yet. He suggested I talk to you before going to the chief. What’s going on, Garrett?”

  “I’m not sure, but something’s not right. That’s one reason I’m here, to see if Amber has recalled anything else that might open up a lead in the case. I wish I could get hold of the full report,” Garrett said, trying to avoid looking at Amber. “So what did you see that gives you reason to think they should have pushed…”

  “I’m not sure it’s enough to call the lieutenant on, but I’m pretty sure that there’s enough to investigate Amber’s report.” She pressed her finger to her earpiece and handed him a sheet of paper with her notes. “I’ve got to go. You have my cell number if you have questions,” she said. “If you think I need to take it to someone else, let me know.”

  By the time Garrett had read all her notes, Samantha Taylor was gone. She’d been asked to run the plates on the yellow SUV the night of the incident. Even though she’d given the lieutenant the name of the owner, he’d almost bet it wasn’t mentioned in the lieutenant’s report.

  He turned the page. The car was registered to Marcus Smith. According to her incident report, no one had even suggested contacting him.

  The anger in Amber’s voice caught his attention immediately. “What did she mean by she thinks there’s enough to investigate? Why didn’t you tell me everyone has totally blown it off as lies?” She stomped to the front door and opened it.

  “Because we didn’t,” he argued, pushing the door out of her hand and closing it tight. “Why do you think I’m here? And Nick and Sarah and Samantha? We’ve all told you directly that we believe you….” He studied her, wondering if he was imagining a tremor on her lower lip. “So why are you acting so guilty?”

  He hadn’t been on the receiving side of a woman’s lethal stare since he’d moved away to college…and that woman had been his mother.

  “Because every officer who responded that night made it perfectly clear, Garrett. I am guilty.”

  “It was an accident.”

  “You shouldn’t be here, Garrett. Let yourself out.” She pivoted on her heel and stomped back to the security of the kitchen.

  Garrett paused, closing his eyes and saying a quick prayer before taking off to find her. Before he got to the kitchen he heard a door close at the top of the stairs to her apartment. He waited a few minutes, mentally sorting everything out.

  Why didn’t she believe him? Could she really think that he’d lie to her? That all of them would?

  He looked around the shop and replayed the evening. She claimed she didn’t like cops, yet he’d seen no indication of that until after Sam had arrived. Maybe it was something Sam had told Amber that night.

  Or maybe she’d read between the lines and knew the chief had sent him to keep her quiet. He needed to come clean, tell her that the chief couldn’t be upset that he’d come here, that he’d sent him…. He couldn’t tell her that. He wasn’t here to keep her quiet. He was here to keep her safe.

  Garrett stomped up the stairs and knocked. “Amber, I’m not leaving without you. And besides, even if I wanted to, I can’t leave until you’re down here to lock the door behind me.”

  She finally opened the door, a look of frustration and fear on her face, “I’m sorry, Garrett, I know it’s not your fault that they aren’t investigating, but it’s so…” She paused, letting her voice fade away as she shook her head.

  “Wrong,” he suggested. “The police can’t expect the community to have faith in us when one person brushes things under the rug. I know.” He peeked into her apartment, wondering if it was still her grandmother’s decor, or if she’d taken time to put her own touches in it. “I wish I could explain all of this to you, Amber…but unfortunately, I can’t understand what’s going on, either. I need some time to look into it. Trust me.”

  Her eyes darted to him, then she quickly looked away. “I’m going to have to call it a night. I appreciate your family’s hospitality, but I miss my own place.”

  “Sure,” he replied, turning around on the small landing and heading down the steep steps. “Since I sent CiCi away before she could finish dishes, could I help you do them before we leave?” He had to clear the air now, before she believed his feelings for her were fabricated, too. “I feel like I owe you that.”

  She hesitated. “Well, I still have a lot to do to get ready for the wedding this weekend, and I’m running the shop with a small staff so it’s been really nice to have your help. We’re all putting in long hours. You don’t have to, but it would be nice to start the morning with a clean kitchen. Thanks.”

  Garrett turned to face her, hoping she meant that personally, not professionally. “It gives us a little more time to talk.”

  A tentative smile softened the seriousness that had dampened the mood after Sam’s visit. “I’m sorry I ran off, Garrett.” She took one more step down the stairs, “I’d like to spend more time with you, but I’m having a tough time sorting through the crime and the accident and my interest in you. And whether you should really be here at all. Personally, I mean.”

  “It is a bit complicated,” he admitted. “I want to assure you that I’m going to keep looking for this girl, but I hold no ill feelings about the accident. It’s been a mixed blessing, running into each other. I don’t much like being off duty, but I can’t deny I don’t mind that we met—however God had to do it.”

  Even in the dim overhead light he could see her blush. “Maybe we could plan to do something, a movie, or…”

  “You busy tomorrow night?” He leaned closer and paused, wondering if she could hear his heart beating half as clearly as he could. If he couldn’t control his reaction better than this over a woman, he’d better take sniper off his list of career goals.

  Amber rested her hands on his shoulders and smiled. “Maybe we should wait till the investigation is over?”

  He
looked into her eyes, hoping he was reading her correctly. “I was going to ask what investigation? But you might take me seriously.”

  “You have a warped sense of humor,” she whispered.

  “Goes with the territory,” he said, easing her closer. “I liked your hair down tonight, during dinner. I don’t think I’ve seen it down before. Even the night of the accident, you wore it up.”

  “Health Department regulations. Most days I forget to take it down.” She reached up and pulled the band from her head and let the hair tumble over his hands as he gently touched her chin and drew her face to his.

  He wasn’t sure how long they stood there on the stairs, kissing, but this time it was his cell phone ringing that ended it. He wanted to ignore it, but he figured it was wise for them to slow things down. He took a deep breath and answered, admiring the look of contentment on Amber’s face. She walked past him to the kitchen, trying to act as if nothing had happened.

  Garrett followed, trying to get a better connection in the old building.

  She drained the dirty water from the sink and started fresh, hot soapy water in the opposite side. As soon as she’d finger combed her hair off her face, she tied it up again.

  “What did you say?” he asked Nick, trying to focus on his brother’s voice instead of the racing of his heart.

  “I asked if you’re still at Amber’s.”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “There’s rumors that the Scorpions and the Snakes are going to face off downtown. I’d suggest you stay put for a while, for your protection, and to make sure Amber’s safe.”

  “Okay. Thanks for the warning. Be careful, and call if you need anything.”

  He checked his gun and made his way through the kitchen. “That was Nick. There’s some trouble brewing downtown.” He made a note to start bringing his Kevlar vest home with him.

  Amber watched as he tucked his Glock back into his holster, and turned away. “Is it really that bad? I mean, that they’d call you to help.”

  “No, they’re taking care of it. Nick suggested we stick around for a while. So why don’t we lock the front door and then you can let me help wash dishes.” He went to the front window and looked out, seeing little activity except a few stragglers leaving the pub.

  “Have they found any leads to who put the rock through my window?” Amber said, following him with the keys for the deadbolt.

  “The gang task force is getting a handle on it. I’m still hoping your window was caught in the crossfire of a gang fight. It’s not like the gangs of L.A., but it’s definitely a concern for Fossil Creek. This used to be quiet farming community. But when the police have to make an arrest at the Harvest Festival, with families all around, we all get a little concerned.”

  “Yeah, I was there. It was pretty strange to watch Nick and Sarah in action that night. Were you down here that night, too?”

  He nodded. “I know this was your grandmother’s shop, but surely there’s a safer area of town you could move the business to and find an apartment somewhere.”

  “I can’t afford to relocate,” she said, pulling the tables and costume racks back to where they were when he’d arrived.

  “Is business going okay?”

  She nodded. “Foot traffic is slower than it was back in Nana’s day, with conscientious people like you who are cutting back on their sweets,” she said with a smile.

  “Have you looked in the mirror recently? You obviously don’t eat much of your own baking,” he teased back.

  “I have my days, but I get tired of the sweets, too. That’s why I decided to combine the party planning with the bakery and whole party store idea. Most people are cutting back on sugar, but they are more interested in throwing elaborate parties. And for those who don’t have time, I’m here to help with the planning. I learned a few things from my business classes before I dropped out of college. Find something people want, that they don’t have time to do themselves, and give it a unique twist.” She spun around and looked at him. “Now, the bakery is only a small portion of my business, and the party planning is taking a bigger bite out of the pie. So, one day, I hope to spend less hours baking at 3:00 a.m. and more hours coordinating celebrations. Speaking of which, Sarah mentioned needing to talk to me about doing something for her on New Year’s Eve. Are they…?”

  “I’m not sure when the big day is,” he said with a shrug. “I know you have work to get done.” He headed for the kitchen just as they heard angry voices outside. Garrett didn’t like the sounds of them.

  Garrett pulled his weapon and headed to the front of the shop to look out the window. “You stay right there,” he ordered.

  Just as he walked into the front lobby, he heard gunfire in the alley and spun around.

  “Get upstairs into your apartment, Amber.”

  She grabbed his arm as he hurried to the back door and followed as he continued into the back entryway. “Don’t go out there, Garrett.”

  He pulled out his cell phone and called Nick, concerned when he didn’t answer. “Don’t worry, I’m not crazy enough to go out there without my gear. I’m going to make sure you go up the stairs into your apartment.” He heard sirens in the distance and said a silent prayer for the responding officers.

  She ran up the stairs and they both rushed inside.

  “Leave the lights off and lead me to the window.”

  She took his hand and directed him across the room, around a coffee table and onto the sofa. “Let me open the shade a little.”

  “I’d rather you not.” He looked out, seeing two squad cars pass each other, searching the area.

  From the corner of his eye, he noticed someone in one of the recessed entryways. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed 911. “This is Garrett Matthews, officer number 463, patch me through to the officers responding downtown to the shooting, immediately.” He paused for a few seconds while the dispatcher put the call out.

  “Go ahead, Officer.”

  “I’m off duty—in the apartment above the old bakery and can see someone hiding in the entry of the five-and-dime. He’s moving…wait, it’s one of the bartenders from the pub. Someone get him out of there.”

  He heard Amber yell to him from another room. “There’s someone laying down in the alley.”

  “Just a minute, there’s someone in the alley behind the bakery. Let me see what I can tell from here,” he made his way toward her voice, trying to avoid crashing along the way. “Amber?”

  “Back here. I think they’ve been shot.”

  TWELVE

  Garrett saw Nick and a friend, Jeremy Logan, get out of their cars and an ambulance waiting around the corner until the police had secured the scene. After the gang task force had responded, Garrett went out and shared what little he could with them.

  “What’s going on between these gangs? Isn’t this the third shooting this year?” Garrett directed the question to one of the gang task force officers.

  He nodded. “Third shooting, and there’s been one stabbing. That kid died. None of them are talking yet. They don’t seem at all interested in making a deal for relocation, either.”

  “So besides gang affiliation, anything else behind their recent fighting?”

  “The usual, wearing their colors, holding down turf, drawing the lines…” The officer lowered his head and shrugged. “I heard this guy mention TS—sometimes means ‘Texas Syndicate,’ a prison gang. We’ll look into it.”

  “We have TS ties up here?”

  “Thanks to the nation’s prison system, we never know whose family problems and whose gang loyalties are going to show up on our doorsteps. I’m sure your brother can shed some light on the ‘commerce’ their families bring with them.”

  He nodded. “Let me know what you find out. And I’m not sure if everyone knows, but we do have a fulltime resident living above the bakery. She’s a friend of mine, so if you could…”

  “We’ll make note of that.”

  When he went inside, Amber was watching fro
m her bedroom window, her arms wrapped around her. He stood in the doorway, concerned that crime had again, shattered her sense of security. “It’s clear. Why don’t we go downstairs and finish up the dishes so you can get some sleep.”

  She turned away from the window and walked toward him. “Is he, or she, alive?” she asked as she turned out the light and squeezed out the door, pulling him with her.

  “Yes, he’s alive. He was shot in the leg, looked pretty bad. Seems to be the latest ritual for gangs, maim but leave them alive. Amber,” he said as he turned her toward him and looked him in the eye. “Are you okay?”

  She rolled her head from side to side, then pulled her shoulders to her ears. “I think so. Could you stay here for a while longer…please?”

  “Awhile. If you’d like, but we should really get back to my parents while there are officers around. I won’t leave you alone, but I also don’t want anyone to get the wrong impression. It’s been okay at my folks, hasn’t it?”

  “Sure, but maybe all of this would stop if this creep knows you were here…” Her fear was apparent.

  “I’m sorry, Garrett, I don’t meant that. I’m a little shaky right now, but I need to get over this fear. I have to get used to staying alone. It’s not the first time I’ve heard gunshots downtown.”

  “Do you call them in?”

  She shook her head. “I haven’t wanted to make enemies, since I’m here alone. And there aren’t too many people living down here anymore, so if I call in, it’s rather obvious.”

  “That’s crazy.”

  “You’re out there chasing down armed gangsters, Garrett, and you call me crazy? Someone has to be here in the middle of the night to get the baking done. After Nick and Sarah’s warning, I knew it wasn’t safe to come to work in the middle of the night. This is my solution. I need to be ready for the morning customers with fresh baked goods or I’m out of business. With City Hall and the courts still downtown, I might just survive until my wedding planning is bringing in the money.”

  He couldn’t believe running her own business meant this much to her. “At least you have a comfortable place here so you don’t have to come and go alone at night, but your phones going out are the third major incident this week.” He looked around at the early twentieth-century architecture, amazed at how well they had been able to renovate it to keep up with all of her modern appliances. “And considering how old the building is, it’s pretty well secured.”