Love Inspired Suspense December 2013 Bundle: Christmas Cover-UpForce of NatureYuletide JeopardyWilderness Peril

by Lynette Eason

“N-no.”

  “He turned me down without a second thought. I pleaded and told him it was a matter of life and death, but he called the guards in and had me removed from his office. When they were dragging me out of there, I told him he’d be sorry. And he was, when I put him in that wheelchair.”

  Grace’s legs wobbled, and she struggled to stand. “You shot my father?”

  He laughed. “Yes, and when I saw you on television talking about Landon’s father dying at the bridge, I knew I could hurt him even more if I killed you.” He eased closer and grabbed her arm. “So you see this past week, it’s been all about killing you.” He put the gun to her head. “And that’s what I’m about to do.”

  “Hold it right there, Caldwell. I have a gun pointed at your back.” Alex’s voice sent a shock wave of relief flowing through her. She’d known he would come. Before she could move, Mr. Caldwell grabbed her around the waist, whirled around, and held her in front of him with one arm while the other held the gun to her head.

  “Hello, Alex. I wondered when you would get here. As you can see, we’re at a standoff right now. You may shoot me, but you can’t stop me from killing Grace. Now back off, or she’s a dead woman.”

  Alex looked at her from perhaps ten feet away, and Grace held her breath. She sensed the hesitation in Alex, and she screamed at him. “Shoot him, Alex, before he kills us both.”

  Alex moved a step closer, his gun pointed at Mr. Caldwell. Suddenly, a police officer emerged from the darkness beside Alex, a gun in his hand. “What’s going on here?”

  Alex glanced over at him, but before he could say anything two shots rang out. Alex and the officer both hit the ground.

  “No,” Grace screamed and struggled to free herself.

  Mr. Caldwell’s grip tightened, and he laughed. “I should have told Alex I’ve been trained in how to handle a gun.”

  A surge of energy rushed through her body, and she slipped one arm free from the vise he held her in. Raising her hand, she gouged at his eye and then dug her fingernails into the side of his face and pulled downward.

  He screamed in pain, grabbed at his face, and released her. She drew her foot back and kicked him in the knee with all the force she could manage. He started to point the gun at her, and she kicked him in the other knee. He sank to the ground. “You’ll pay for that,” he yelled.

  Grace longed to go to Alex and make sure he was alive, but there was no time for that now. In case he and the policeman were still alive, she needed to get Mr. Caldwell away from them before he finished the job.

  She turned and ran toward the bridge and onto the walkway headed toward Arkansas. She’d only gone a few feet when she realized her mistake. She should be running back toward the streets of Memphis. There she could find hiding places and elude capture until she could get some help.

  She turned to head back the way she’d come, and then she heard the engine of a motorcycle crank. Before she had time to process what that meant, the bike roared to life, and she heard it coming up the bank toward the bridge.

  Mr. Caldwell stopped the motorcycle at the entry to the walkway and let the motor idle. He smiled and called out to her. “There’s no escaping me, Grace.”

  The lights on the bridge lit the Memphis sky, and she realized she would be visible to any passing car. She glanced helplessly around, but there wasn’t a single vehicle in sight. He revved the engine again, and she swallowed her fear. Slowly, the motorcycle glided onto the walkway and stopped. Breathing a prayer, Grace turned and ran toward the Arkansas side of the river.

  *

  Alex opened his eyes and saw the sky. The stars twinkled, and a peaceful feeling filled him. He blinked and tried to remember what had happened. The heavens appeared lit with a bright light, and he looked around to see where it came from. His gaze came to a stop on the lights outlining the bridge span between Memphis and Arkansas.

  He tried to move, but a pain in his left shoulder ricocheted through his body. He gasped and grabbed at the spot where the pain seemed concentrated. A sticky substance covered his fingers. Blood. He shook his head to clear it, and the memory of Patrick Caldwell holding Grace in front of him and firing at him and another officer who had appeared out of nowhere flashed in his mind.

  He pushed into a sitting position and closed his eyes to ward off the dizziness that had everything in his vision spinning out of control. After a moment his head cleared, and he opened his eyes and looked around. Where were Grace and Caldwell? From somewhere near the bridge an engine cranked, and a motorcycle roared out from underneath the abutment. He caught sight of Patrick Caldwell on the bike as it skidded across the dew-covered grass and sped up the embankment to the bridge walkway where it came to a stop.

  Alex patted the grass with his right hand until he touched his gun. He picked it up and pushed to his feet. From somewhere in the darkness a woman’s soft cries drifted on the night air. Grace? Where was she? On the walkway?

  He pushed to his feet and clenched his teeth to keep from crying out at the pain in his shoulder. Patrick Caldwell’s voice rang out from the top of the hill. “There’s no escaping me, Grace.”

  Alex took a deep breath and willed his legs to move. With his left arm dangling at his side and his gun clutched in the other, he staggered up the hill. Perspiration popped out on his forehead even though the night air was cold. Halfway there he stumbled but regained his footing.

  The engine revved again, and Alex staggered on. Grace must have gotten away from Caldwell, and he was the only one who could help her. Something warm trickled down his arm and dripped from his hand to the ground. He’d seen gunshot victims before, and he knew he was losing too much blood. His body screamed he didn’t have the strength to go on.

  Then words Grace’s father had spoken welled up inside him as if he stood there on the banks of the Mississippi River with him. When I feel like I’ve gone as far as I can go, I turn it over to Him, and He gives me the strength to carry on. He can do it for you, too, Alex.

  Alex looked up at the stars again. God, he prayed, help me save Grace. She’s the only woman I’ll ever love.

  The motorcycle eased onto the walkway, and with renewed strength Alex charged up the embankment. He arrived at the end of the walkway just as Caldwell accelerated and headed down the concrete path. In the distance Alex saw Grace running in the opposite direction.

  Taking a deep breath, Alex steadied his arm, aimed at the rear tire of the motorcycle and fired. The back tire of the motorcycle exploded in a blast that split the night air, and the bike skidded. Pieces of rubber flew into the air as the motorcycle crashed into one side of the walkway, veered across to the other side and hit the opposite wall. Caldwell struggled for control, but it was no use. The bike careened once more from side to side and jumped the barrier that separated the walkway from the highway.

  The motorcycle landed on its side in the middle of the highway and skidded across the asphalt with Caldwell pinned underneath. Sparks like those from a Roman candle shot up from the pavement as the metal scraped the surface and the bike slid to a stop.

  Alex climbed the barrier and stumbled across the road to where Caldwell lay unconscious. Behind him Grace’s voice called out from somewhere down the walkway. “Alex, are you all right?”

  She leaped over the barrier and reached him just as he sank to his knees. He laid his gun on the pavement, pulled his cell phone from his pocket and handed it to her. “Call 911. Tell them two officers and a suspect are down at the bridge. We need help right away. We have no way to stop traffic.”

  Grace nodded and grabbed the phone from his hand. He heard her speaking, but he couldn’t concentrate on what she was saying. He slumped to the pavement and closed his eyes. All he wanted was to sleep, but he needed to stay awake until the EMTs arrived.

  He licked his lips and swallowed. “Grace,” he whispered.

  She dropped to her knees beside him and grabbed his hand. “Help is on the way. Stay with me, Alex. Talk to me.”

  He stared up at
her and tried to focus his eyes. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine. Thanks to you.”

  “We’re in the middle of the bridge. Watch for cars.”

  She clasped his hand tighter. “Don’t worry about anything right now. I told the 911 operator. She’s getting word to the Arkansas Highway Patrol to shut off that end of the bridge.” She glanced past him and smiled as a siren wailed. “And here come our guys now.”

  A vehicle screeched to a stop near him, and then the sound of voices filled the quiet night. Alex closed his eyes and thought of the mighty river flowing so far below them. The muddy water stopped for no one, and it felt as if he floated with it. He reached for Grace’s hand and let the darkness carry him away.

  *

  Grace glanced at the clock on the wall as she paced the hospital waiting room. It was 3:00 a.m. Alex had gone into surgery two hours ago, and she hadn’t heard a word.

  The room and hallway looked like a constantly shifting sea of blue from the uniformed, on-duty police officers who arrived and then departed after checking on two of their own who had been shot. As Grace let her gaze travel over the assembled officers, she realized how fortunate Alex was to belong to such a brotherhood.

  The sound of the elevator opening in the hall caught her attention, and she looked out the door to see Police Chief Watson striding toward them. Captain Wilson, the officer who’d been at the bridge the morning Mr. Mitchell died, rose from the sofa where he was sitting and met the chief at the door.

  “Evening, sir,” he said.

  The chief nodded. “More like good morning, I’d say. How’s Detective Crowne?”

  “He’s in surgery, sir. The bullet hit an artery, and he lost a lot of blood. The EMTs said he was fortunate he got to a hospital so quickly.”

  “Good, good. And the other officer. How is he?”

  “Patrolman Grayson suffered a head wound, but the doctors are optimistic. He’s still in surgery, too.”

  “And the suspect? What’s his condition?”

  “Mr. Caldwell has a broken leg, a broken arm and multiple contusions. He’s in surgery down on the orthopedic floor. I have officers waiting there for him to come out of surgery.”

  “Have the families been notified?”

  Captain Wilson nodded. “Patrolman Grayson’s parents are on their way from Nashville where they live. I’ve talked to Detective Crowne’s father in Florida, but his friend Miss Grace Kincaid is here.”

  “It seems like you have everything under control, Captain. Good work.” He turned and smiled at Grace. “I understand you and Detective Crowne have had an interesting night. Not only have you solved a twelve-year-old cold case, but you’ve captured the killer of four other people and the man who shot your father. Would you like to tell me about it?”

  “I’d be happy to.” Grace walked to a sofa, and the Chief followed. When they were seated, she related the events that began the year she and Alex were in high school and ended in the middle of the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge that night. When she finished, she clasped her hands in her lap and glanced toward the door. “Now I wish someone would come tell me how Alex is doing.”

  The elevator opened again, and Brad and Laura Austin rushed into the room. Grace ran to Laura and embraced her. “We came as soon as we heard. How’s Alex?”

  Grace pulled back from Laura and looked from one to the other. Their faces mirrored the fear in her heart. She’d held her feelings at bay ever since she’d arrived at the hospital, but with the arrival of her and Alex’s two best friends her resolve flew out the window. She put one arm around Laura’s waist and one around Brad’s and dissolved into tears. They pulled her close and let her cry for several minutes before Brad pulled loose and led her to the couch.

  She sank onto the hard cushions, and Laura sat down beside her. Brad stood in front of them. “Would you like something to eat or drink? Some coffee maybe?”

  Grace shook her head. “No, thank you. I just want to know how Alex is.” She looked from Brad to Laura. “I thought we were both going to die on that bridge tonight, and all I could think about was how we’d wasted so many years when we could have been happy.” She burst out crying again.

  Laura put her arm around Grace’s shoulders and smiled. “It’s not too late. You and Alex can still have a life together if you love each other.”

  Grace looked up, her vision blurred by her tears. “That’s just it. I love him so much, but I have no idea how he feels about me. He still blames me for our breakup, and now he wants to move to Florida. What will I do if he leaves?”

  Brad’s eyes grew wide. “Move to Florida? He hasn’t said anything to me about it.”

  Grace sniffed and wiped at her eyes. “Well, he has to me. He knows I love him, but it’s like he wants to punish me and get as far away from me as he can.”

  Laura placed a hand on each of Grace’s shoulders and looked into her eyes. “And just how does he know you love him? Have you told him so?”

  “Well, no, but I’ve tried to show him with my actions.”

  Brad squatted down in front of Grace and smiled. “I think you and Alex have a communication problem. When you see him, tell him how you feel. Give him a chance to tell you his feelings. You and Alex have driven Laura and me crazy for years. We’re ready for you two to decide if you belong together or not.”

  Laura laughed. “He’s right, Grace. God has given you another chance with Alex. Don’t ignore it because of what you think he feels. Find out.”

  Grace reached out and clasped Laura’s hand, then Brad’s. “I’m so thankful God gave me friends like you. I remember when you were going through all your problems, and look at you now. You’re happy…”

  “And we’re going to have a baby,” Laura interrupted.

  “What?” Grace squealed. “Why haven’t you told me?”

  Laura smiled. “We just found out, and you’ve been busy the past few days.”

  Grace hugged her friend again. “Oh, I’m so happy for you and Brad. I knew you two were meant to be together.”

  “Just like you and Alex are,” Laura said.

  Before Grace could respond, she glanced up at the doctor walking into the room. She jumped to her feet, and all the police officers moved in to hear what he had to say. He approached Grace.

  “Miss Kincaid, I believe you’re the one who came in with the patient.”

  “Yes, doctor. How is he?”

  “He’s in recovery and doing well. He lost a lot of blood, but we were able to repair the damage. If all goes well, he should be able to leave the hospital in a few days.”

  A sigh of relief went up from the assembled officers, and they smiled and patted each other on the back. “We’re all relieved to hear that, Doctor,” Chief Watson said. “Detective Crowne is a valuable member of our force. Thank you for taking care of him.”

  The doctor nodded. “It was my pleasure.” He turned to Grace. “The patient is awake and is asking to see you. Do you want to go in?”

  “Oh, yes. I need to see him.”

  The doctor smiled. “I thought you might like that. Come with me. I’ll take you back.”

  At the door Grace turned and smiled at Laura, who gave her a thumbs-up. She returned the gesture and followed the doctor down the hall. A few hours ago she had climbed over a barrier on the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge and feared Alex would die before she had a chance to tell him she loved him.

  But he wasn’t going to die. Not tonight. And God had given her this time to make things right between them. And that’s what she intended to do.

  FOURTEEN

  Grace stopped at the entrance to the cubicle where Alex lay and took a deep breath. Her gaze scanned the tubes and machines hooked to his body, and her heart lurched. Had the doctor been honest with her about Alex’s condition?

  She spied a nurse coming down the hall and stopped her. “Excuse me. I wondered about all the tubes attached to Alex Crowne.”

  The nurse smiled. “That’s standard after surgery. Don�
�t worry. We’ll probably disconnect some of them by the time he gets to his room.”

  Grace sighed in relief. “That makes me feel better. Is he awake?”

  “He’s been going in and out. You can have a seat in there and wait. The effects of the anesthetic should wear off soon.”

  “Thank you.”

  Grace stepped back into the room and walked to the bed. Alex’s hand lay out from under the sheet, and she covered it with hers. She threaded her fingers between his and remembered how holding his hand had always made her feel so safe. She hoped he could feel the same from her now.

  His eyelashes fluttered, and his eyes blinked open. He stared upward for a moment but then turned his head to face her. “Grace.” Her name sounded almost like a croak coming from his lips.

  She smiled and bent over him. “I’m here.”

  His gaze took in her face. “Are you all right?”

  “I am because of you. I don’t know how you were able to walk up to the bridge. I thought Mr. Caldwell had killed you.” A tear rolled out of her eye, and Alex reached up with his free hand and wiped it away.

  “I knew I had to get to you before he killed you.”

  She frowned. “But how could you walk? The EMTs were astonished that you could go that distance when you had lost so much blood.”

  “It was something your father said to me that got me there. He told me when he didn’t think he could go any further, he asked God to take over, and He gave him the strength he needed. God did that for me, too.”

  She smiled and squeezed his hand tighter. “He’ll be so glad to know that.”

  “Over the past week I’ve come to realize what a wonderful man your father is. I look forward to getting to know him even better.”

  Her eyes grew wide. “Oh, that reminds me. You don’t know why Mr. Caldwell decided to add me to his list of victims.”

  He listened as she related what her old teacher had told her in the van. When she’d finished, he shook his head. “Your father told me there were people he’d been unable to approve loans for who hated him. I never thought any of them could be the murderer in our case.”