Lawfully Held

by Elle E Kay

  "Water would be great."

  He poured some from the pitcher on her tray and handed it to her.

  She drank deeply. "I think my head is going to explode."

  "We've had enough explosions for one day."

  "I hear you."

  "What's wrong with you that makes you want to work with live explosives?"

  "A great many things. Do you want a list?"

  "Yes. That will be your homework when you're well enough to complete it."

  ∞∞∞

  Justine hung up the telephone after calling the nursing home. "I'm not sure they understood why I couldn't bring my mother tomorrow, but they agreed to do her intake on Monday. I'm supposed to be back in Virginia by then, but considering my day my boss will understand if I take an extra day or two."

  "He took two of your days for work, so he owes you that much," Brady said.

  "How about you explain that to him?" She yawned and stretched.

  Brady stood. "I'll let you get some rest."

  "Can't you break me out of this joint." She whispered.

  "Not tonight. We'll see what we can do in the morning."

  Marc appeared in the doorway. "Hello, doll. I see you're not hurting for company." He slid a sidelong glance toward Brady.

  "Hi, Marc. You missed the excitement," she said.

  "So, I heard. You got yourself blown-up. I knew you needed me for more than my handsome face."

  "I didn't get myself blown-up. From what I understand, I was a little closer to the blast than was healthy, but the EOD suit did it's job and I'll be fine."

  "Glad to hear it. You gave us a scare. How's Lindy?"

  "Brady took her home with him and Blitz. She wasn't hurt."

  "Good to hear."

  "You need help getting packed up here, so you can get back to Virginia?"

  "No. I didn't bring much and it looks like I'll be here a few more days."

  "For what?"

  "I still have to get my mother into the home."

  "Can't her nurses take care of it."

  "It's something her daughter should do."

  "What about your siblings, can't they do it?"

  "I'd rather do it myself."

  Brady approached the bed. "I'm going to take off. Call if you need me."

  She smiled and squeezed his hand. "Thanks."

  Turning back to Marc, she asked. "What's this about? Why the rush to get me back to Virginia?"

  "There is no rush." He leaned closer to her. "I miss you. I miss us."

  "We can't keep having this conversation, Marc." She tried to sit up straighter, but failed. "There is no 'us' anymore."

  Marc sat in the chair beside Justine and watched her. She wondered if they'd ever be able to get back to the friendship they'd once had back before they'd decided to take a chance on a relationship doomed to fail.

  ∞∞∞

  Once inside, Brady slammed the truck door. Who was he kidding, he couldn't compete with a guy like Marc Jackson. Words washed over him, not audible, but clear as a bell. "You don't have to compete. Be yourself."

  He took a deep calming breath, and drove toward home, talking to God as he did. By the time he'd arrived back at the ranch house, he'd made a decision. Justine wasn't going to leave town without knowing how he felt about her. He wouldn't simply say the words. He would show her. Real men put actions behind their words.

  Heading out his back door, he watched as Blitz and Lindy ran together, played together, and herded animals together. It was bittersweet. For them, there couldn't be a happily ever after, Blitz belonged to the Arizona Department of Public Safety and Lindy belonged to the FBI. Training dogs was expensive, and neither department would allow an exceptional dog to retire early. If he moved to Virginia to be near Justine, Blitz would be forced to stay here and be assigned another partner. The thought hurt, but the idea of a life alone hurt more and Justine was the only woman he'd ever considered trying to make a life with. Maybe Blitz' new partner would allow occasional visits. He was thinking like a man standing on the high-dive about to plunge in. Would he slice through water smoothly or belly-flop on the surface?

  He filled the dogs bowls and called them in. He wasn't up for eating after the way he'd left the hospital. Letting Marc get the better of him was wrong. She'd told him they were over, so why did he let the guy get under his skin? Going back to the hospital would be a mistake. Justine needed her rest.

  A plan formulated in his mind. He'd fly out now and head back late tomorrow afternoon, if he could arrange it. She would hardly notice his absence. He picked up the telephone and left her a voicemail message, since she'd be expecting him in the morning. The desire to see her was overwhelming, but the need to find a way to give their budding relationship a chance was greater. He'd look into options in the morning. Make her believe he was serious.

  ∞∞∞

  Brady unfolded himself from the rental car and stretched his arms over his head trying to work out the kinks. The plane ride had been wearisome, but now it was time to enjoy a quick breakfast at Waffle House.

  He opened his laptop and read through the information Grayson had sent him about the company. Now was the time to make a move. It had only been a couple of dates, but the connection was real. He felt it and he was sure she did, as well.

  After paying his check, he got back in the rental and drove to the office building that housed Garrison Security. He was impressed when he got on the glass elevator. He could see indoors and out. The building was sleek and modern, glass and steel. The top three floors were rented by the security firm. When he arrived at the receptionists desk, devoid of anything, but a telephone and a computer, he advised the young woman that he had an appointment with Grayson Garrison. She disappeared into the back, returning moments later with Gray.

  "It's been too long." Grayson held out his hand.

  Brady shook it. "You don't have to break my hand to prove you're still stronger, Gray."

  The other man chuckled. "Why don't you join me in my office. I'll have Missy bring us some espressos."

  "Sounds perfect. I could use more caffeine. The flight had seemed endless."

  They chit-chatted about mundane matters while they waited for Missy to bring their drinks. Once she'd disappeared from sight, Gray leaned back in his chair and made eye contact with him."

  "So what brings you east to see the firm, Brady? I've been trying to drag you here for five years."

  "I may need a job."

  "You've got it. Can you start today?"

  "I'm thinking of asking a special woman to marry me and she works and lives in Virginia."

  "So what about the ranch? Your animals?"

  "I don't know yet. I'm hoping I can find a property an hour or so from town that will enable me to keep the best of both worlds, but if I can't. I may still do this. Chances like this only come around once or twice in a lifetime. Isn't that what you've been telling me?"

  "I knew immediately with Jenna. And wouldn't hesitate to do it all again, if I could."

  "Well, I might be pushing the limits of sanity even more than you did. Your three-month whirlwind engagement was long-term compared to what I have going on."

  "And what's that?"

  "We met this week."

  "You can't be serious?"

  "A lot has happened in that short-time. Enough to allow me to get to know her. And she'll be leaving town in a couple of days. Am I crazy to be considering this?"

  "Only you can answer that. Have you prayed about it?"

  "Of course I have. I'm not sure of the answer though. What if I'm following my own will thinking it's His will?"

  "Keep praying about it. Don't do anything until you're at peace with your decision."

  "Thanks Gray. Now let's talk salary and benefits, I don't intend to work for you for a pittance like I did in college."

  "We will come up with a generous salary and benefits package, but why don't you worry about getting the woman thing straightened out. I'll make some phone calls about
properties you might be able to purchase."

  "You're a good friend."

  "I better be the best man at your wedding."

  "I wouldn't dream of asking anyone else."

  ∞∞∞

  Disappointment threatened to overwhelm Justine when she got the voicemail from Brady. He'd called sometime during the night to let her know something had come up and he wouldn't be able to come to the hospital. She wondered what was keeping him away. Maybe it was work related.

  Marc had stayed late the night before. It took some convincing to get him to head back to Virginia instead of getting a hotel room. She needed to find a way to make it clear to him she wanted to remain friends, but that anything more was out of the question. For some reason, he was making it difficult. He'd been the one who didn't want to commit. She wondered where his sudden change of heart was coming from.

  She pushed her breakfast tray aside having only taken a couple of bites of cold scrambled eggs and a few sips of orange juice. Sometime soon a doctor should be by to let her know if she could leave the hospital.

  A knock on the door frame got her attention.

  "Come in." She adjusted the sheet around her.

  "Special Agent Gillespie."

  "Sir, what are you doing here? I mean, I didn't expect to see you all the way out here." She attempted to sit up straighter.

  "I had a meeting in Phoenix and thought I'd drive out and see how you were holding up after yesterday's events." SSA Harrison Reed cleared his throat. "There is something I wanted to discuss with you."

  "What is it, sir?" Her fingers almost twirled her hair, but she forced herself to still them. Folding her hands on top of the sheets, she took deep breaths and waited for whatever was coming.

  "It's come to my attention that you and Special Agent Jackson are romantically involved."

  "Not anymore, sir."

  "Be that as it may, in our line of work, when emotions get involved it makes working together dangerous. We're going to need to put the two of you on separate teams. I don't want this to come across as punitive, because it isn't. I'm only concerned for the safety of every member of my team."

  "Yes, sir."

  "You can call me Harrison, Justine. I'm no longer going to be your boss."

  Justine's heart sank. "Okay."

  "This isn't a demotion. You've been recommended for a supervisory position. They're looking for someone who knows the ins and outs of explosive ordinance work, as well as working with canines. You'd be required to visit other existing field offices regularly. Phoenix, Albuquerque, Las Vegas, and Seattle are a few that come to mind, but we'll be opening another office, possibly not far from here. It's not a guarantee, but I think you'd be a superb fit and Marc agreed. However, you should know, there are other candidates in the running."

  "That's amazing. Thank you, sir. I mean, Harrison."

  "Don't thank me. The Acting Director of Homeland Security is the one who tossed your names in the hat. She was impressed with yours and Marc's work at the nuclear power plant and wanted you both to be considered. Marc asked that his name be withdrawn from the running."

  "Why would he do that? He'd be great."

  "He claims he doesn't want to sit behind a desk. Needs the excitement of working directly with the explosives himself." Harrison moved toward the door. "I'd better get going. Keep me apprised of your recovery."

  "Will do. Thank you again, sir."

  He nodded and left.

  Chapter 5

  Justine smacked her palm to her forehead. "Mom, I need you to hear me."

  "I hear you fine, dear, but I'm not your mother. We haven't been blessed with any children."

  "A little help here, guys." She directed the question to her siblings.

  Elisa shook her head, a sadness settled over her features that Justine would give anything to erase. "I don't know how to help."

  Tony cleared his throat. "You're doing the right thing, Sis."

  A doorbell rang, interrupting the family meeting. Justine jumped at the chance to escape and strode to the door. She wasn't sure who she'd been expecting, maybe a nurse, but the sight of Brady Hall with Lindy caught her off-guard. He hadn't called ahead to let her know he was bringing Lindy home.

  "Thanks for keeping her." She bent down to give her dog some love.

  "Feeling any better?" He leaned on the door frame.

  "I'm okay." She moved aside, so he could enter.

  He stood there in the foyer shifting his weight from one foot to the other and back again. "Can we talk?"

  "Sure, I guess. I'm kind of in the middle of something, but I could use a break. Give me a sec, okay?"

  She let her siblings know she'd be a few minutes and then returned to talk with Brady. "Why don't you join me in the sunroom?"

  "Okay. Thanks." He followed her to the room with the wicker furniture where they'd shared a few intimate moments only days earlier.

  "What's up?" She plopped down in a chair and put her feet up on the table.

  Brady sat down on the loveseat. Leaning back, he rubbed his hands over his face.

  "Is something wrong?" Justine stood and took a step closer to him.

  "No. Nothing is wrong. Sorry about yesterday."

  "It's not a problem. Stuff comes up." She sat on the edge of the loveseat beside him.

  "Nothing really came up. I chose to fly out to Virginia."

  "Well that sounds like something."

  "To see about a job." Brady picked at the button at the wrist of his flannel shirt.

  "I didn't know you were looking for different work."

  "I wasn't."

  She reached out and turned his chin, so he faced her. "Would you please tell me what is going on? I'm confused."

  "Join the club." Brady took a deep breath. "This is going to sound crazy."

  "If you want to hear crazy, then you should join us in the other room. My siblings and I are trying to top each other in the wackadoodle department."

  "I'm sorry. I didn't know you had company. I'll come back later."

  "Brady, stop. What's up? Talk to me."

  "I want there to be an 'us'. You're probably going to run the other way, but I have to put it out there."

  "We've only known each other a couple of days." She chewed on the inside of her lip.

  "I know. I knew this would freak you out. Look, I'm going to go take a ride. Maybe we can talk later when you're not in the middle of something." Brady stood.

  "Okay." She stood and walked out with him. When they reached the door, she reached out and caressed his jaw enjoying the feel of his stubble under her hand. When a muscle twitched, she kissed the spot. "Brady, I like you. Maybe too much. But I need some time."

  "I understand."

  "When Marc and I broke up, it was because I wanted to move the relationship forward, but he only wanted to marry a woman who would stay home and take care of him and a multitude of children. That life is not for me."

  "That's okay."

  "It's not that I don't want a family. I do. But I don't want to give up my career. It's a huge part of me. What I do is important. It matters to people."

  "Justine, now who's rushing things? I'm asking for a chance to try a relationship. I didn't make wedding plans. But if that's what you want, it could be arranged. I hear an Elvis impersonator works on Sunday nights at the Hope Chapel two towns over." Laughter crinkled the corner of his eyes.

  "Does not. And you're now winning in the wackadoodle competition."

  He reached for her again and ran his hands up and down her arms. "You're an amazing woman, Justine."

  "I'm not so sure about that." She took his hand in hers.

  "Can I see you tomorrow? Or have I completely scared you off."

  "Probably not tomorrow. We're putting my mother in the home and then we'll probably spend the rest of the day fighting over stupid things."

  "Tuesday?"

  "I'll be on my way back home."

  "So, that's it then?"

  "A wise man once
told me, if we're meant to be, God will make it work. I'm paraphrasing but you get the gist of it." She leaned in, placing her lips against his.

  He pulled her closer and deepened the kiss. He leaned back breaking the connection. "I'll be waiting for Him to make it work because He brought us together for a purpose greater than bomb disposal." He whispered the words against her neck.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close again. After a minute or so of losing herself in the kiss, she pulled back. "Goodnight, Brady."

  He gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I think we have something worth exploring, Justine." The way he said her name was like a caress. Brady turned to go. She wanted to call out to him to stay, but instead, she trudged back to the room where her siblings and mother awaited her presence.

  ∞∞∞

  The drive to the nursing home was expectedly awkward. Justine didn't know what to say. The woman who'd raised the three of them was suddenly being torn from her home and placed with strangers. Of course, to her, everyone was a stranger, most of the time, anyway. The guilt ate at her stomach leaving her nauseated.

  Why did doing the safest thing, the best thing for her mom, feel so rotten? Her siblings were in her corner. There was nobody opposed to the idea, except for Mother, who didn't know anymore what was for the best.

  Once at the home, Justine walked around to the passenger door to help her mom. Taking her arm, she led her inside.

  The receptionist stood when they walked in. "Intake?"

  "Yes. This is my mother, Mrs. Hilda Gillespie."

  "A pleasure to meet you, Hilda. I'm Denise. I'm going to go get Margie and I'll be back in a jiffy."

  Twenty minutes later, her mother sat in a recliner watching birds outside the window of her room. It seemed peaceful. Certainly safer for her to be under the watchful eyes of the staff of the Sunshine Home. She'd noticed most of the staff referred to the facility by the shorter name rather than the Sunshine Canyon Assisted Living Home.

  A wave of sadness came over her as she said her goodbyes an hour later. It was time to head back to her mother's house and get her belongings in order. Elisa and Tony were meeting her there. Her eyes filled, but she kept the tears from falling. With a shaky smile pasted on her face, she gave her mom a hug and kiss. The smell of gardenias mingled with the antiseptic smell of the home. Justine scooted out of the room, fully expecting another sleepless night.