“Grey, let her go!”
Lacy kicked out causing Grey to lose his balance. He fought to regain his perch on the ledge. Flailing his arms, he seemed to be suspended in midair for seconds before he fell hitting the rocks on his descent to the pool of water. Bleeding and bruised, he swam for the shore.
Lacy sat on her bottom and scooted against the ledge at the top of the falls. The look of fright on her face caused Dylan’s heart to ache. He raised his hands in the air and yelled, “Stay there, Lacy. Don’t move.”
Frantic, Grey swam for the shore. Dylan waded out into the water to meet him. He balled up his fist and hit Grey in the jaw with all his weight packed into the punch knocking him out cold. With fistfuls of hair Dylan dragged him to the bank and dropped him on his stomach. Dylan kicked off his shoes, dived into the pool of water, and swam to the other side. When he reached the rocks, Shadow licked his face and squirmed all over. He pushed him back. “It’s okay, Shadow. I’ll get Lacy.”
He gripped the ledge above him and began to navigate the rocks to the top. It felt like time stood still as he clutched at the rocks, small trees, anything that he could find to hold his weight. Careful not to look down, he kept his eyes straight ahead. Heights had always made him dizzy. The rocks cut into his hands. He gritted his teeth and continued the climb. He heaved himself to the top ledge and rolled to his back gasping for breath. Seconds passed before he sat up and gazed into Lacy’s frightened face. “I’m here, Lacy. Everything is going to be okay.”
Tiny whimpers shook her bruised and bleeding body. Pale as death, horror showed in her beautiful blue eyes. She took his offered hand and held it to her chest. Out of the corner of his eye, Dylan saw Grant, Nina, and Grace drive up in the heavy-duty Ford truck. Frantic with worry, Nina stumbled out of the passenger side and yelled, “Lacy!”
“She’s okay, Nina.” Still fresh, a bruise, red and blue mingled just under Lacy’s cheek. Dylan held her tighter. “It’s going to be okay, Lacy.”
Grant ran to the bank of the river, cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, “I’m coming up!”
Dylan shouted, “There’s not room for anyone else!” Do you have a rope?”
Grant ran to Nina’s old blue Ford and got a rope. He was still wearing his dress clothes. He slipped out of his dress shoes and dived into the pool of water with the rope looped around his arm. Leaning back, he attempted to throw the rope up to Dylan. It didn’t quite reach. Dylan stretched out on his stomach and leaned over as far as possible. Two more attempts and Dylan caught the rope.
Josh and Beth arrived on the scene driving the four-wheelers. Josh raced to the pool of water and dived in. Grant offered his hand and pulled his brother to the rocks. Together they waited at the bottom to catch Lacy when Dylan lowered her to their waiting arms.
Dylan took off his tee-shirt and shoved it over Lacy’s head to protect her exposed skin. She was so distraught he had to physically pull her arms through. The shirt would keep the rope from chaffing her bare skin. Then he tied the rope under Lacy’s arms.
On the verge of hysteria, she asked, “Is Michelle okay? Have you seen Michelle?”
“No, I haven’t seen her. As soon as you get down we’ll look for her. I’m sure Michelle is okay.” He’d tell her anything to keep her from panicking.
She gripped his hands, dug her chipped and bleeding fingernails into his skin. “What if Tommy killed Michelle? What if she is dead?” A large shudder escaped her.
He needed her to focus on herself. It was a thirty-five foot drop to the rocks below. If she fell on the rocks, she would be injured or worse. “I swear Michelle’s okay.” He cupped his hands to her face. Her lip was bleeding and swollen. He kissed her forehead. “I’m going to lower you down to Josh and Grant.” Nothing but silence. Again he explained, speaking softly, calmly as if she was a spooked horse. “Lacy, I’m going to lower you down to Josh and Grant.”
She nodded her head that she understood. He pulled her to her feet. When she got a little too close to the edge, he yanked her back and they fell against the rocks. She pressed her hand to his thudding heart. “You’re heart is beating too fast.”
He peered into her face. “I don’t like heights.”
She giggled. “A big, bad FBI Agent is afraid of heights. You have no idea how humorous I find that statement.”
In that moment he knew she was going to be okay. “Be careful. I’m going to hold the rope while you shimmy down. Sound like a plan to you?”
“Can’t think of a better one.”
Dylan wrapped the rope around his waist. He held Lacy’s hand while she took her position on the edge of the ledge. “Are you ready?”
“Do I have a choice?”
He smiled and gave her a little slack on the rope. She inched her way to the next ledge. The water droplets from the cascading water made the rocks slippery and it took a lot of effort to grip the rocks with her toes. He gave her a little more slack and she made it to the next ledge. Cold beads of sweat formed along his brow as he strained to keep a strong grip on the rope.
Chapter Nineteen
Lacy almost screamed when Hilda appeared on the ledge with her. She shouted, “I’m stressed enough here, Hilda! I don’t need you scaring the hell out of me!” Then she saw something. There was a hole about the size of her fist between the rocks. It looked like someone had used cement to seal the rocks together. It was beginning to chip and wear from time and weather.
“Wait!” There wasn’t enough room to stand on the ledge. She stretched out her hand and was able to pull away one of the rocks and then another. It was too dark to see inside, but then she didn’t need to. “This is where you are buried isn’t it, Hilda?”
Grant shouted, “What’s the problem, Lacy?”
She smiled and whispered, “Nothing is wrong. Everything is perfect.” Emotion swamped her. She had finally found Hilda’s tomb.
Dylan gave her a little more slack and she continued her descent. Strong arms grabbed around her waist before her feet touched the rocks. Spray from the falls washed away some of the blood from her feet and hands. Grant drew her into his arms and asked, “Did he hurt you?”
“No, I’m fine. Just a little bruised and battered.” She clung to him knowing the danger was over.
Josh placed his hand on her back. She turned and fell into his arms. “Have you seen Michelle?”
“No.”
She glanced up at the top of the falls and watched Dylan make his way down the rope he had tied to a boulder. Hard muscles flexed and strained along his bare back. For someone who hated heights he seemed pretty confident to her. He reminded her of a professional rock climber. She held her breath until his feet touched the bottom. They swam to the shore where everyone waited.
People swarmed all over her. She finally managed to wiggle free and go in search of Michelle. In the distance she could see the quilt. Almost afraid to approach, she took small steps. Then she saw her lying on the quilt unmoving. Sprinting the last few feet, she dropped down on her knees and started screaming her name. “Michelle!” When she didn’t answer, Lacy began gentle taps to her face. “Michelle! Speak to me!”
A tiny moan escaped her lips. Lacy fell on her and started crying. Grace pushed her out of the way. “Let me have a look.” She placed her head on Michelle’s chest. “Her heart is beating normally.” She pressed two fingers to her pulse. “She’s fine, Lacy. She’s been drugged but I don’t think she’s in any danger.”
Lacy stood between Nina and Beth both clutching a hand. “I found Hilda’s tomb. It’s on the ledge below the falls.”
Nina pressed her wet hair away from her face. “That’s wonderful, Lacy.”
“Lacy!” She turned toward Dylan. He waved her over.
Dylan was standing over Tommy. Look what Josh brought. “Do you want to cuff him?” He offered her the handcuffs.
“Sure I do.” Dylan pulled the still unconscious Tommy’s hands behind his back and she slapped the cuffs on his wrists just like they did on c
op shows. The sound of the metal locking caused her to smile. Never again would he be able to harm her or Michelle.
“His real name is Chad Grey. He stole Tommy Ross’ identity, a guy he went to school with in Arcata, California.”
She placed her hand over her churning stomach. “Bret told him to kill me so I wouldn’t be able to testify against him.” The weight of the day almost took her to her knees. “What am I going to tell Michelle? She loves him.”
“He’s a murderer. Michelle is lucky to be alive.” He took her hand. “And so are you.”
Grant grabbed a bucket from the back of the old Ford. He walked to the river and filled the bucket to the brim. He sloshed the water over Grey. “Get this trash out of here.”
Coughing and sputtering, the cold water revived him instantly. Dylan grabbed him by the cuffs and jerked him to his feet. As he read him his rights, he led him toward the old Ford. He let down the tailgate and none too gently shoved him onto the bed of the truck.
Josh came running from behind Grey’s vehicle. “Look what I found, Dylan!” He handed a shaving cream canister to Dylan. “It was in a duffle bag in the back.”
Dylan removed the fake bottom on the canister and a huge smile split his face. “Lacy, here is your cameo.”
Lacy peered at the contents tangled together in the fake bottom. She reached in to remove her cameo. He caught her by the hand. “Sorry, it’s evidence. You can get it back soon.”
“Tommy stole my cameo?”
“His name is Grey.” Lacy was so confused she couldn’t put it all together. It was hard to believe the sweet guy Michelle fell in love with was the same man that just tried to kill her.
“Just as you suspected, Robertson stole your cameo. Grey went into Robertson’s house and took the evidence before the authorities could find the jewelry. I don’t know the particulars, but I’m assuming Robertson and Grey were involved with Tiffany Swift’s murder. We’ll get everything ironed out in time.”
Still holding her hand, he gave it a firm squeeze. “Are you still angry with me?”
“No, you just saved my life.” He placed his hand to her cheek. She leaned into his hand and a tear slipped over her cheek. “But. . .”
“I don’t like buts.”
“I love you, Dylan.” It was all she could do to get the words out, but she knew they had to be said. “Nevertheless I can’t accept the life you lead.” She took several deep breaths to gain enough strength and courage to say what she had to say. “I’m sorry, I’m too possessive. Last night when I saw you with that woman, I wanted to scratch her eyes out. You can’t sleep with me and then turn right around and have wild, meaningless sex with women to gain information. Unless you can give up your current life, we have no future together.” How her knees supported her while she walked away, she never knew.
****
“That hurts!”
Nina dabbed at Lacy’s wounds with a cotton ball of medicine. “Sorry, honey. I know it hurts. But you don’t want to get infection.”
“It’s okay.” The shock of the violence was still with her. Like a sleepwalker, Lacy had struggled with all that had happened to her earlier that day. Michelle sat in a chair by the pool, Juan at her side, staring at the water as if she didn’t see anything. She had been inconsolable when Lacy told her about Tommy or Chad Grey. Whatever the hell his name is. It had been hard to wrap her mind around the fact the man she loved was an imposter. Nina had called Michelle’s mother and father and they were on their way to Twelve Oaks. They were going to take her home to heal for a few days. Home was the answer for a lot of ailments.
Grant was feeding the animals. Josh and Beth had gone with Dylan to take Grey to the FBI building in Raleigh to be arrested.
Grace and Richard brought out a tray of sandwiches on pretty State red plates. Grace offered Lacy a sandwich. “Sorry, Grace. I couldn’t possibly eat anything.”
Richard handed her a bottle of water. In a firm voice, he replied, “You need to eat something.”
She placed the bottle on the table. “I fear it won’t stay down.” The thought of eating almost gagged her.
Grace leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. She placed a ham and cheese sandwich, her favorite on the table. “Maybe just a few bites.”
Richard offered a sandwich to Michelle. As if in a trance, she took the offered sandwich and nibbled on the edge. He unscrewed the top off a bottle of water and handed it to her. She took a sip then placed the bottle on the table. It would take a while for Michelle to get back to her old self. She was strong and would survive the shock and pain. Both had lost the men they loved today.
Nina let out a loud sigh. “There, I think I got all your scrapes and cuts. I don’t think you’ll have any scars.” She placed the lid on the bottle of medicine and put it in her first aid kit. Nina touched her fingers to Lacy’s upper arm, the only spot on her body that wasn’t bruised or scraped. “Girl, you are covered with injuries.”
Grant had pressured her to go to the hospital to get checked out, but she flat out refused. Nina was a veterinarian and knew how to treat infections. She didn’t see any reason to see a doctor. Besides, she didn’t have the strength to leave the house.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather wait a few days before we retrieve Hilda’s remains? You’ll be even more uncomfortable in the morning.”
“No, I don’t want to wait.” Lacy had called Billy and told him she had found Hilda’s remains. Josh and Beth said they would pick him up in the morning so he could be at the falls when they retrieved her remains.
Hearing footsteps on the gravel, Lacy looked up and saw someone standing in the shadows as if not quite certain they wanted to come closer. Seconds passed before he stepped into the light. It took her a moment to recognize Dylan. He had cut off his long hair. The outside lights illuminated his freshly shaven face. Wearing a suit and tie, he had completely transformed into someone almost unrecognizable. His hands were shoved into his pants pockets as if he were nervous. His eyes melted into hers.
“Excuse me.” Nina scampered off with her first aid kit in tow. Suddenly they were alone because everyone had disappeared into the house, even Michelle.
He sat in the chair beside her. “How are you feeling?”
She reached out and feathered her fingers through his hair. “Why did you cut your hair?”
“Do you like it?”
She tipped her head to the side. “Yes, I do. You look dependable and respectful.”
Again he asked, “How are you feeling?”
She fought the tremor in her voice. “I’m sore. How did it go with Tommy?” She corrected herself. “Chad Grey.”
“He’s singing like a bird. Robertson drugged Tiffany Swift. He raped her and then shared her with Grey. It was like offering honey to a bear. Grey can’t control his impulses and he strangled Tiffany.” He hesitated. “Tiffany wasn’t the first young woman he had killed. The authorities in Arcata, California believe he murdered Kenley Gardner. She was an acquaintance from high school.”
“He’s sick.”
“Yes, very sick.” He took her hand and turned it palm up. He kissed the inside causing goose bumps to cover her body. “Robertson told him to kill you or he would tell the authorities Grey murdered Tiffany. Robertson claims he is a victim not a criminal.”
Panic spread through her. “Is Robertson going free?”
“No, he has been charged with murder also. He was with Grey when he strangled Tiffany. She visibly shuddered. She was almost one of his victims. “He’ll get life.”
Lacy sagged against Dylan’s rock hard body. “Thank God.”
He stroked his hands in her hair. “It’s over, Lacy. Neither will ever harm you again.”
Though his gaze remained steady, his voice shook. Sensuously, his hands raked over her arms. “I’ve told Tate I’m finished working undercover.”
She wiped a tear from her cheek. It was exactly what she had hoped for. “How’d he take the news?”
“Better
than I thought he would.” His lips moved to her shoulder and he gave her a soft kiss. “Now about us.”
“I have another year of school.”
“Can we move in together? We’ll get an apartment near campus. When you finish school, we’ll get married at the waterfall and build a house on the other side of Josh and Beth. Back in the woods so no one can see us making love on the porch under the moon and stars. You can obtain a position at the hospital in Taylorsville.” He kissed her neck causing her breathing to become jagged. “Four children should be enough.”
With a cry of happiness, she wrapped her arms around his neck and asked, “Do I get to make any plans?”
“Add anything that will make you happy.”
“I’m giving it careful consideration.” She cocked her head to one side and peered steadily into his gray eyes for any regrets. “Are you sure you’ll be content with me. I’m boring and I analyze everything.”
“There is nothing boring about you. As I’ve told you on other occasions, you’re the best lover I have ever had.” He kissed her on the tip of her nose before melding his lips to hers. “I need you, Lacy.”
“I need you also, Dylan.” She pushed at his shoulders. “Tomorrow we are going to the falls to get Hilda’s bones and bury them next to her mother and father in the family cemetery. Would you like to join us?”
“Yes.”
“You can spend the night because we are leaving at nine o’clock.” As he traced her lips with his finger, his eyes lit up. “Don’t get excited. Grant wouldn’t dream of letting you sleep with me.” She placed her hand on this thigh. “But just maybe I can slip into your bedroom.”
“Now, how can you call yourself boring?”
****
Too excited to sit, Lacy had been pacing the floor since she crawled out of bed that morning. Every step was painful because of her bruised body. Still, she couldn’t relax. A knock at the door startled her. Dylan poked his head in the door.
Secrets of the Falls (Twelve Oaks Farm Book 3) Page 24