Behind the Badge

by Susan Sleeman

  “Nikki’s older sister, right?”

  “Right. So she’s a deputy now and someone is trying to kill her.” Russ recounted the events of the past two days. “I was hoping you’d let her, along with Nikki and their neighbor, stay at Valley View.” Valley View was the family resort Reid had come home to manage after his wife, Diane, died so he was more available for his daughter.

  “They can stay at the lodge. It’s the easiest building to secure.”

  “Great…thanks. We need to get Nikki from school. She’s out at three. An hour or so for the traffic to clear. Then we’ll be there.”

  “I’ll arrange for a sitter for Jessie and head over to the lodge.”

  “Thanks, Reid. Keep your eyes and ears open.”

  Reid chuckled. “OPSEC advice from my little brother. How touching.” OPSEC—operations security—was one of Reid’s areas of expertise.

  “Okay, fine. You don’t need me to tell you what to do, but still be careful.”

  “This guy’s really got you freaked.” His tone had sobered.

  “Totally. He isn’t tailing us, but somehow he’s figured out our every move. Until I know how he’s doing it, I have to overreact.” Russ disconnected and headed for the cafeteria.

  They hadn’t eaten since early morning. If they were going to stay ahead of this cunning foe, they needed to keep up their strength. After he dropped off the meal with Sydney, he’d head over to the hospital administrator’s office to solicit his help in transporting Sydney to Valley View.

  Once the arrangements were in place, all Russ had to do was convince Sydney to go along with him.

  He could already see her jaw jutting out at a stubborn angle. Her arms crossed as he explained the details. Maybe a flash of independence as she declared she was strong enough to care for herself. No doubt about it—he had a tough job ahead of him.

  He let out a tired sigh.

  How would he ever convince a woman who fought so hard for her independence to follow his directives so that they could keep her safe and catch the killer?

  TEN

  Sydney sat on the edge of Kate’s bed, clasping her hand as she offered thanks to the Lord for keeping both of them safe and petitioned for quick closure to this mess. They sat together, the peace of God surrounding them, but Sydney’s heart still felt heavy.

  Why couldn’t she trust God and let go of this worry?

  Perhaps if this maniac was only gunning for her, she could. But he’d crossed the line and included Nikki and Kate, so the fear remained firmly lodged.

  After a squeeze of Kate’s hand, Sydney opened her eyes. “I’m really sorry this happened, Kate. Your chair is pretty much toast. When we get back to the station, I’ll arrange to have a new one delivered.”

  Kate arched a brow, directing Sydney’s eyes to the wide bandage circling her friend’s head. “Don’t do this, Syd.”

  “Do what?”

  “You’re focusing on the one thing in this mess that makes me different from everyone else.” She sighed. “If this criminal ran over another friend, what would you be doing?”

  “I’d hold their hand and tell them everything will be all right.”

  Kate held out her hand. “So be my friend and let me take care of the wheelchair.”

  “Okay, friend.” Sydney smiled back. Not a forced smile this time, but a genuine show of affection for the woman who’d overcome so much. Part of that strength came from not highlighting her differences, but from letting people see Kate the person, not Kate the handicapped woman.

  “So as my friend, why don’t you tell me what’s really going on.” Kate held up her free hand. “And before you protest, I’m not blind. I saw the looks you shared with Chief Morgan when he was in here.”

  “It’s nothing for you to worry about.”

  “Ha! Like I believe that. I got a good look in your family room before I hit the ground. I’m not a cop, but I’ve watched enough cop shows on TV to know that wasn’t a simple burglary.” A shadow crossed her face. “Someone was looking for something, and I’m worried about you and Nikki.”

  “You don’t need to worry about us. We’re safe.”

  She gave an irritated sigh. “I don’t believe you, Syd, and I won’t quit asking questions until you tell me the whole story.”

  She was asking for privileged information—something Sydney couldn’t give. “I can’t, Kate. Russ’s in charge of this investigation, and I can’t give out details without his permission.”

  “Russ, is it?” Her eyes lit with renewed interest. “I didn’t know you were on a first-name basis.”

  Sydney had blown it again. This was exactly the image she didn’t want to put into the ever-impetuous Kate’s mind. Or anyone else’s, for that matter. She needed to be careful in the future to use Russ’s title, especially around other officers.

  At least her little slipup had taken her friend’s mind off the other issue. “Don’t read anything into this, Kate. It’s pretty hard to change what you call a guy you’ve known for years.”

  Kate studied Sydney’s face, which grew hot under the scrutiny. “You’re not telling me everything again. Something else is going on here, too, isn’t there?”

  “You are the most frustrating friend in all the universe. Always trying to dig up something that doesn’t exist.”

  “I’m not digging up anything. Your face tells it all. Besides worry about the break-in there’s a healthy dose of respect for Chief Morgan, along with something else sparking in your eye. I think you’re developing a thing for our good chief.” Kate smiled softly. “I don’t like the circumstances, but, oh, how I hope something does develop between you two.”

  Sydney shook her head. “You of all people know men are off-limits until after Nikki is out on her own.”

  “Ah, but that doesn’t mean you’re not interested, does it?”

  Sydney let go of Kate’s hand. “What I want is for you to get some rest.”

  “The only way that’ll happen is if you get your Russ in here and make him tell me what’s happening.”

  “He’s not my Russ,” she insisted.

  “Fine, but I’m serious about wanting to talk to him. Will you please ask him to come back?”

  “If you promise to drop this whole matchmaking thing.”

  “Deal.”

  “Okay, then.” She squeezed Kate’s hand and went to find Russ.

  In the corridor, she stopped short before running into fellow deputy Tom Young. His arms were crossed over a massive chest, his eyes tight with concern.

  “What’re you doing here?” she asked him.

  “Morgan requested a protection detail for your friend.”

  She was surprised Russ asked for county help, but he’d probably stretched his staff as far as he could. “Where is the chief?”

  Young pointed down the hall to where Russ stood near a nurses’ station talking with a white-coated doctor. They had to be discussing Kate, and she didn’t like the grim expression on the doctor’s face. Kate’s MS could complicate things. Something more serious could be wrong.

  Anxious for an update, she headed toward the two men. On the way across the corridor, she thumbed through calls she’d missed while praying with Kate. She pulled up a text from Nikki.

  Who knew having a bodyguard could make you a rock star. :)

  Happy over the jubilant tone to the message, Sydney lightened up a bit. If only her sister could keep her spirits up until this horrible situation ended. She just prayed it ended without anyone else getting hurt.

  As she moved forward, she continued to watch Russ, memorizing his sparse movements. The doctor gestured wildly, but Russ held firm, like a strong tree that could withstand great gusts of wind. As if feeling her eyes on him, he looked up. His eyes telegraphed the same strength.

  Though he seemed to keep his emotions battened down due to something in his past, he’d proven that he was a man to count on. A man who would do his best to protect anyone who needed him. A man—if she ever forgot that men we
re capable of abandoning those they claimed to love—that she could see getting to know better. But men did bail when the going got tough. For all she knew, Russ was just like her father, or the other guys who’d taken off when they’d learned of her responsibility to Nikki.

  Before she reached them, Russ shook hands with the doctor, then came down the hallway and nodded for her to follow him.

  He stopped near the emergency-exit door. “That’s Kate’s doctor. He confirmed this overnight stay is only precautionary because of her other health issues and expects to release her tomorrow.”

  Tears of joy rushed out. As hard as she tried to stop them, they slipped down her cheeks.

  She swiped a hand at her eyes. “You must really think I’m a total failure as a police officer.”

  “Why…because you cry?”

  She nodded. “At least with your staff, you never have to deal with this.”

  “That’s true. Instead I deal with what happens when they keep things bottled up.”

  “If it was just me, I could deal. But when he threatened Kate, I couldn’t—” Her voice broke.

  “It’s really okay to cry, Syd. After you’ve worked in law enforcement long enough, you realize one of the hardest things we face is seeing bad things happen to good people. It’s harder when it happens to someone you care about.” His eyes softened. “It’s even worse when we feel responsible for what’s happening.”

  She let herself linger on his eyes. Then she saw the pain he’d buried rise to the surface and sit on his face like a weeping sore. She reached out, rubbed his upper arm. As soon as she touched him, the hard shell closed over like plated armor, and he looked away.

  She removed her hand, but she wouldn’t forget what she’d seen. He was too good of a man to live with this pain. She hoped somehow to repay him for risking his life to keep her and those she loved safe. Maybe she could do that by helping him work through whatever this issue was so he could take back his life.

  Russ tamped down the urge to tell Sydney what had happened to Willie Babcock and how it had sent him down the spiral of self-destruction. He knew how she was feeling.

  Helpless, angry, confused.

  All melded together in a rage that could consume her if she let it. But he wouldn’t let that happen to her.

  If he stayed strong, she’d have someone to rely on and keep her from feeling the sheer despair and hopelessness he’d felt. As vulnerable as she was right now, he’d redirect her focus by sharing his plan.

  He sought her eyes again. The compassion and caring nearly pulled him back into that place he avoided, but he shook it off.

  “I haven’t figured out how the killer knew you were here, but however he did it, we have to step up security.” He saw disappointment at the change of subject, but so be it. “We’ve swept this wing and posted a protective detail for Kate.”

  “What happens tomorrow? She obviously can’t go home.”

  “I’ve arranged a safe house for you and Nikki for tonight. Kate can join you tomorrow.”

  “No. Just take Nikki and Kate. The further they are away from me the better.”

  “And what about you? The killer isn’t about to stop until he gets what he wants from you. I can’t let you put yourself in danger.” He took a defensive stance and trained his eyes on her.

  “They’re better off without me.”

  “You really think it will be better for Nikki in a strange place without her big sister there to keep her from worrying?” The narrowing of her eyes said he’d hit a nerve so he continued. “Commit to one day. Just one, Syd. Then we’ll reevaluate if needed.”

  “Fine. But I won’t be left out of the investigation.”

  “I’ll be half of the protection detail, so you’ll know what’s going on the minute I do.”

  He waited for her to balk at the fact that he was part of her detail, but she gave a clipped nod and said, “Now we need to see Kate. The only way she’d agree to your plan is if she knows what’s going on.” She sighed. “I hate that we have to scare her like this, but I know how strong-willed she is. This is the only way she’ll cooperate.”

  He wanted to chuckle. Sydney could see the stubborn streaks in Nikki and Kate, but she didn’t have a clue she possessed the trait herself. This tenacity drew him like a magnet and he wanted to spend time with her. To get to know her better.

  Focus on the work, Russ.

  “I’ll break it to Kate,” he said. “You can stay out here.”

  She shook her head. “I won’t let Kate go through this alone.”

  “Then let’s do this.” He didn’t wait for her to agree, but strode toward Kate’s room. She might be lying in a bed from being attacked and confined to a wheelchair from MS, but she was a rich woman for having a strong protector like Sydney.

  He pushed open Kate’s door and let Sydney enter before him. She crossed the room, sat on the side of the bed and placed a protective arm around Kate’s back. Her face reminded him of a fierce mother cat protecting her kittens from an attacker.

  It left him feeling lonely, isolated.

  He loved his job and Zack was in his life again. Maybe he didn’t see him as often as he wanted, but as much as was possible after how he’d treated his family. He’d thought his life was good, but his time with Sydney made him want to let down his guard for once and find someone who cared about him as she did her family.

  He fisted his hands and joined the women.

  No use in wishing for things that never could be. He’d ruined his chance at that kind of life. It’d be so much easier if he kept his focus on reality. He had a great job that he loved, a son he saw on weekends, and that would have to be enough.

  With the final transport details nailed down, Russ knocked softly on Kate’s door before pushing it open. Kate slept and Sydney sat on a hard chair by the bed, her face peaceful as she gazed at her friend. A surprise to be sure.

  She looked up at him and smiled.

  How could she have achieved such calm? An hour or so ago when he’d left her with Kate, she’d been tense and overwhelmed. Now this?

  “We’re ready to go,” he whispered so as not to wake Kate.

  He held open the door and she joined him in the hallway.

  “I’ve been thinking.” She paused.

  He prepared for the inevitable argument by fisting his hands.

  “We need to reconsider not housing me with Nikki and Kate.”

  “This isn’t up for discussion, Syd.”

  “Please hear me out.” She laid a hand on his arm, the warmth of her fingers threatening to thaw his resolve. “I can stay at home. This guy won’t try to kill me. He thinks I have something he wants and if he kills me, he’ll never get it. But if he goes after me, maybe abducts Kate or Nikki, then he has the leverage he needs to force me to talk.” She sighed heavily. “Since I have nothing to give him, he’d kill them to prove a point. I can’t let that happen.”

  “You have a valid concern, but if you don’t lie low, he’ll snatch you and try to make you talk.”

  “At least I won’t lead him to Kate and Nikki.”

  Russ leaned back and looked at Sydney. She was arguing with him, but all emotion was absent from her voice and her body language. Almost as if she’d made some sort of decision and she was at peace. Maybe she’d decided she had to die to let Nikki and Kate live.

  Well, he wouldn’t have any part of that. “You already agreed to this plan.”

  “I know, but only for one night. Can’t we move them to another location tomorrow?”

  “Maybe. I’ll have Reid check with his friends at the Bureau to see if he can secure another safe house. Somewhere out of the area. Does that work for you?”

  Her beaming smile was more than answer enough.

  “Then let’s get this show on the road. First stop is the school to pick up Nikki.”

  “That could lead the killer right to her.”

  “As smart as this guy is, he already knows where Nikki goes to school. Besides, I have a pla
n to ensure he can’t follow us.” Hoping he could accomplish what he’d promised, he jerked his head in the direction they needed to go. “This way. Stay close.”

  She followed him without question to the service elevator. He hoped her willingness to comply meant she trusted him, not that she’d given up and would bail somewhere along the way. He’d rather think she’d based her compliance on trust. Liked the idea that she might trust him. It had been a long time since he’d felt anyone relied on him other than his officers.

  From the elevator car, he led her down into the bowels of the hospital until they reached a large storage room.

  “I didn’t want to take a chance that we were made in my cruiser,” he said. “So we’ll be transported in a delivery truck. You okay with that?”

  “Fine.” Another one-word answer.

  Had all of the fight gone out of her? She didn’t appear defeated, just calm. Serene, even.

  What was going on with her?

  She’d had the same easy peace early this morning, too, but had lost it when Kate got hurt. Now it was back and it was so foreign to this spunky woman that it worried him.

  He continued through the room to the loading dock, where a delivery truck had backed in. “One of my men will drive us. To determine if we’re being followed, he’ll make a few stops on the normal delivery route.” He pointed into the truck. “All the way to the front.”

  He followed her between stacks of boxes to a cleared section. “Have a seat.”

  When she’d settled on a pile of furniture pads, he secured cargo netting to metal tines and his officer stacked boxes to create a wall.

  He sat opposite her. “Once they finish loading we’ll be out of here.”

  “Thanks for arranging this.” She smiled softly. “I’m sorry for all the extra work I’ve caused by insisting on coming to see Kate.”

  “No problem.” He returned her smile and she settled against the wall.

  Her easygoing mood should have made him relax, but as his officer stacked boxes to the ceiling, the light in their small cave grew dimmer and the reality of their situation kept him on edge.