Loved by Darkness

by Autumn Jordon

  Jolene, taken by surprise, let go of the lifebuoy and retrieved the little girl before she went under.

  In desperation, the girl wound her arms tightly around Jolene’s neck, stealing her breath, and they both plummeted away from their help and sank under the roiling waves.

  Jolene sealed her lips tight and kicked furiously, struggling to gain the surface while she held the child tightly against her. If she let go, the girl would surely drown. The little one was too weak to hold her breath for long if she did go under.

  Jolene felt the sea’s power and knew she was fast losing the battle. The undertow constantly pulled her downward. The girl grew heavier. Her legs moved more slowly.

  Her lungs burned. Would all this be for nothing?

  No. From deep within her a force surged and she lashed out at the sea, demanding to be released.

  A second later, strong fingers dug into the tender underside of her arm as they reached to secure her. Immediately her descent ended and she and the girl were yanked back up into the sunlight.

  Before she could draw breath or think about keeping her tight hold on the child, she felt the little girl pulled from her arms. The girl howled.

  “She’s fine and I’ve got you.” Norris’ deep-toned whisper filled Jolene’s ear.

  Clinging to his wide shoulders, Jolene gulped in more air. She blinked the stinging seawater from her eyes and then saw the worry in his.

  “Better?” Norris asked. He had one arm wrapped around the lifebuoy and the other held her close.

  She nodded, still unable to speak because a fire burned in her chest.

  She heard the child’s continuing cry and turned toward the lifeboat. “She’s alive. Easy honey. You’re safe now.”

  The guardsman confirmed her words with a nod.

  “She’s going to be okay.” She smiled at Norris.

  “Because of you.” He returned her smile.

  “Because I jumped.”

  “We’re going to talk about that later, remember?” He kicked them closer to the lifeboat. “Let’s get you on board.”

  “Give me your hand,” the guardsman said, extending his arm over the side and helping her aboard.

  She rested against the warm, hard vinyl and let her heart rate normalize. Her head dropped back and once again she enjoyed the warmth of the sun on her face.

  A second later she startled when the little girl scrambled out of the Guardsman’s embrace and crawled onto her lap.

  Jolene took the blanket the man offered her and wrapped it and her arms around the small shivering body. She rested her chin on the girl’s head and smoothed her long, wet ringlets back over her thin shoulders. The child’s contentment actually made Jolene’s racing heart relax.

  When Norris was helped from the water he slid headfirst into the lifeboat’s belly. He quickly told the Guardsman he was the Chief of the Cape James Police Force. Then he crawled on his knees to the raft’s end and sunk down next to Jolene. He was offered a blanket but waved it off. He wiped the water from his face and looked at her.

  “So you’re on vacation?”

  She felt relieved, fortunate and happy all at once and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yeah. And you’re off duty today?”

  “I am.”

  “Are you having fun yet?”

  “Not yet, but I think the day can only get better from here.”

  “Copy that.” She smiled.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  They arrived with sirens blaring at the hospital. Wearing a thin white blanket draped over his shoulders and with his semi-dry shorts clinging to his balls, Norris stalked up to the nursing station. “May I use your phone?”

  He reached for the receiver and a hefty hand cut him off.

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you use this phone,” the nurse sitting behind the desk replied. “Hospital rules.”

  He frowned as his patience was tested more with each second ticking off the bold-faced clock on the wall behind her. “It’s official police business.”

  “Right. I don’t think so.” She scowled. “And before you also tell me you have pastoral duties”—she flicked a wary eye over his bare chest— “I’ll let you know right now, I won’t buy it.” Then she resumed studying her computer screen, picked up her cup of coffee and took a calm sip.

  Norris pulled the blanket over his chest. There was nothing about his attire that screamed law enforcement. He likely appeared more like a surfer dude without his shirt or shoes.

  “Look. I was off duty today. I need to make a call.” He’d have flashed his badge but it was still on Tony’s boat along with his wallet and phone.

  Within the moment, snappy footsteps slapped the vinyl floor, cutting through the emergency room’s din. Norris turned. Warren Pickett was headed his way, wearing his official bicycling officer’s uniform, a neon Cape James Police Department shirt and shorts. And his unofficial Designer L sneakers. He was returning from a shift riding the boardwalk when Norris’ call reached him.

  Pickett was Norris’ first hire as chief. He’d been right out of the academy, his badge and attitude untarnished. Despite Pickett’s lazy gaze, he showed acute sharpness and insight during the interview, and in the ten months they’d worked together, Pickett had proven his value to Norris.

  He met his officer in three long strides, tossing the blanket into a laundry bin nearby.

  “Where have you been?”

  “Retrieving your stuff. I brought you a force-issued shirt like you asked.”

  “What took you so long?” He pulled on the navy Cape James Police T-shirt over his head.

  “They docked twenty minutes ago. I got here as quickly as I could, Chief.”

  “Didn’t you learn how to walk on water yet?” Norris accepted his wallet and stuffed it into his back pocket.

  “You haven’t taught me that lesson yet, sir.”

  At Pickett’s quick retort, Norris chuckled and accepted the badge. He turned and held it up for the nurse to see. “Told you I’m a cop.”

  The woman was taking a call and only nodded.

  He felt bad resorting to flashing his badge, but he was under pressure and in his current state of mind every mishap and miscommunication perturbed him. He took his own phone when it was offered and headed down the hallway to room number eight. “Thanks,” he said over his shoulder to his deputy.

  Pickett fell in step beside him. “I assigned Jacobs to take the statements from the passengers before they disembark the boat.”

  “Good. Did you hear back from—?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Norris stopped by room three which was empty and stared at the younger man. “How do you know what I was going to ask you?”

  “Hunch.”

  Norris arched his brow. “What was I going to ask you?”

  Pickett eased back on his heels. “You were going to ask if I heard back from the Beach Operations Sergeant.”

  “And did you?”

  “Yes. All missing children reported today have been found and returned to their guardians.”

  Norris shook his head in frustration and waited until a medical team wheeled an elderly man past them on a gurney. They maneuvered it into room four before Norris and Pickett started the trek down the hall again. “All stations were contacted?”

  “He assured me they were,” Pickett replied.

  “Did you check with central dispatch?”

  “Yes. No one has reported any child missing. I even checked with Heaven’s Port.”

  Heaven’s Port was the closest beach community north of Cape James. Was it possible for the child to float on the currents seven miles between communities? It had been a relatively calm day until just before the rescue...

  He stopped outside the room where Jolene was keeping the little girl company.

  “Then where are this child’s parents?”

  “Could they...um...be missing too?” Pickett fiddled with his belt loop. “Just a thought.”

  “Not a bad one.” Norris contemplated
that notion for a moment. Then he stepped through the doorway, held up his phone and snapped a picture of the little girl who slept peacefully beneath white sheets as if she were tucked into a fine vellum envelope.

  The watchful eye of Jolene Martinez turned his way.

  He snapped a second picture, this one of the U.S. Marshal who now wore hospital socks with the non-skid bottoms and blue scrubs over her bikini. She sat at the child’s bedside, index finger stroking the girl’s pinky.

  Norris gave her a thumbs-up and a reassuring smile before stepping back into the hall.

  Outside, he stared down at the picture of Jolene’s exhausted face. In the photo, the woman still held the child who had refused to let go of her during the entire ride to the hospital—until the sedatives the doctor gave the girl took hold. Only then were they able to place her in a bed, remove her swimming suit, examine her, and after several attempts—because she was so dehydrated—insert an IV into the tiny vein in her forearm. All procedures had been recorded and done under Jolene’s and his charge.

  Despite everything Jolene had dealt with in the last several hours she still appeared pretty.

  He went back to the girl’s photo. Hydration had brought some fullness and color back to the little girl’s cheeks and her eyes didn’t appear sunken any longer. Thank God Jolene spotted her, otherwise... Who knew what would have happened to her. Likely she wouldn’t be alive.

  He tapped his phone’s screen. “I’m sending you the child’s picture, Pickett. Check with the local marinas and see if anyone recognizes her. On second thought, we’d better include all marinas within twenty miles up and down the coast.”

  Pickett pulled out his phone and started tapping notes into his notepad app. “That’s going to take time.”

  “Get help. I’ll handle the mayor if he questions paid overtime. I’m sure he isn’t going to squawk. Bad news isn’t good for the tourist trade and our busiest weeks are ahead. I want this wrapped up before the July Fourth holiday week starts.” Norris swiped his nails under his left armpit and ignored the looks he received from the pair of female techs who passed by. “Hand off the info and her picture to the other local departments. Also, ask them to report any boats that don’t return to port tonight. And, check with the Coast Guard to see if they received any distress calls last night.”

  “Are you thinking she was on a boat that went down?”

  “We found her sitting in a child’s blow-up raft and not even wearing a life jacket, so I’m still leaning toward a beach incident, but let’s cover all bases. I’ve seen people do stupider things than sit their kids on an inflatable and think they’ll be safe.” He scratched an itch at the nape of his neck. “Have our boys comb the shore for any signs of wreckage too.”

  “How far?”

  “All the way to Haven’s Port.” He grazed his fingers over his stomach. “Is this a new shirt?”

  Pickett shook his head and then glanced up from his phone with his brows knitted together. “Yes. I didn’t have time to launder it.”

  “Damn.” Norris pocketed his phone, feeling the cool dampness of his shorts graze his abdomen while his skin above his waist felt on fire. He was having an allergic reaction to something on the shirt. He grabbed the back of the shirt and pulled it over his head. “Why the hell not?”

  “You didn’t specify you needed a laundered shirt.”

  Norris tossed the shirt to Pickett. “You read my mind about everything else.”

  “Concerning the job. Not about your personal preference on attire and hygiene.” Pickett rolled the shirt up and tucked it under his arm. “But, I’ll make a note.” He tapped his phone.

  Norris grimaced and between tight lips said, “Damn it. Don’t make a note.”

  “Shhh.” Jolene rushed out of the room. “What is going on out here?”

  “Police business,” Norris grumbled, reaching behind to his back where he swore an army of ants crawled up his spine. He bit down on his lip.

  Jolene glared at him. “Do you normally strip on the job?”

  “I brought him a new shirt, right out of the package. He doesn’t like it.” Pickett stepped forward, smiling, and extended his hand. “Officer Pickett, at your service. You can call me Warren.”

  Warren held Jolene’s hand a little longer than necessary. “Let’s keep it professional,” Norris said pointedly.

  Jolene’s attention shifted to him. “That coming from the near-naked guy standing in a public hallway scratching himself.” Looking at his chest, her lips parted. “Ah...What’s going on? You’re covered in red blotches.”

  When she reached out to touch him he stepped back.

  “I have an allergy to the packing stuff or the sizing the manufacturers use to ship the new clothing.”

  “I didn’t know,” Pickett declared, putting up his hands.

  “I’ll find a doctor and get you a Benadryl, and a scrub shirt,” Jolene offered.

  He grabbed her by the wrist to stop her and was surprised by the softness of her skin. A wave of possessiveness surged through him and he was reluctant to let her go. Probably an aftereffect of their close call. He didn’t want her exerting herself.

  “I’ll find someone in a moment, when I’m done with Pickett,” he told her.

  “I need to find the restroom anyway.” She smiled demurely and the gesture softened her face. She pointed down the hall. “You’ll stay here in case she wakes up?”

  “No problem.” He had no idea how he’d handle the child if she did wake up, but knew he could always call a nurse.

  “Nice to meet you, Warren,” Jolene said, before walking quickly down the hall.

  Pickett watched her. “So... She’s the U.S. Marshal?”

  Norris frowned. “That’s what I’ve been told.”

  “U.S. Grade A. Is she married?”

  “She’s out of your league.” Norris’ words surprised himself and he hesitated to think why he’d blurted that out. He sounded like he was staking territory. Claiming his woman.

  Ridiculous. Maybe Pickett would let it go. But that was not in Norris’ cards for today...

  Pickett chuckled. “But not yours. I got it.” He slapped Norris’ shoulder and quickly backed away. He held up his phone. “I’ll get on to my to-do list a.s.a.p. while you”—cough, cough. Wink, wink— “work the case from here.”

  Knowing Pickett had read his mind concerning Jolene, his jaw tightened. “You’re an ass, Pickett.”

  “I’m learning from the best.” Pickett laughed again and back-peddled a few yards before he turned and headed toward the exit.

  Norris looked to where he’d last seen Jolene, but she had disappeared.

  Jolene stopped and peered inside room number eight. True to his word Norris sat next to the bed and watched over the little girl who still slept. Did he feel that protective energy rush after a rescue, like she felt? He likely sat there watching over the little girl out of kindness or because she’d asked him to. And if her instincts weren’t out of whack too, he wouldn’t leave until he had a chance to question the child.

  Where were her parents?

  She tapped on the window to gain his attention and his electrifying gaze snapped her way, causing her heart to skip a beat. She motioned him to her before turning and sucking in a deep breath. Trying to rein-in her totally inappropriate attraction to him, she pushed a fist under her rib cage. The attraction was likely heightened because he risked his life to save her and the child. She noted the blue scrubs he’d been given were pulling across his broad chest and that coarse curls filled the V-neckline.

  “I see they brought you another shirt,” she said when he came out of the room.

  “Yeah. It’ll do until Pickett gets back here with one of my shirts from the office.”

  “How is she doing?”

  “Sleeping like a baby.” He smiled and with those words and that smile, his appeal rose even more.

  He pinched the thin material above his waist between his fingers and tugged but it didn’t have much g
ive.

  She forced herself to look up and met his enchanting eyes. “Ah... About something for your reaction to the shirt sizing... Even though you’re their chief of police, the nurse told me they couldn’t issue you anything, including Benadryl, unless you’re admitted. But it’s just over the counter. I can run out to a pharmacy and pick some up if you like...”

  “I already managed to get some.”

  “How?”

  “I have my ways.” He smiled down at her with a sly lop-sided grin. “One of the doctors here is a poker buddy of mine.”

  Her radar went up. Was Norris one of those lawmen who bent the rules for himself and his friends. A doctor giving away drugs and...“Isn’t gambling illegal in Virginia?”

  “I didn’t say where we played.”

  “Right.” She looked at him questioningly.

  “Thanks for trying though.”

  “You’re welcome.” She knew she was about to step on the chief’s toes, and this time he wouldn’t take it lightly, but she had to ask. Not asking was irresponsible. Impulsive she was; negligent she wasn’t. “Your doctor friend, does he usually distribute the hospital’s drugs at will?”

  Norris’ smile faded. It was the reaction she’d expected. With her chin notched higher too, she waited for his response.

  Norris’ sharp gaze never wavered from hers. He shook his head.

  “Always on duty. I get it,” she said.

  “No, that’s not it. Tim is allergic to cats so he carries it with him, in case he treats a patient who has cat dander on them.”

  Jolene nodded, accepting his explanation. She’d find out soon enough what type of Johnny Law he was because she was determined to remain involved with this case. Until the little girl’s parents were located and took her home, Jolene would be close by.

  She pointed toward the window. “Did you locate her parents yet?”

  “No. And as of this moment, there are no open missing children cases.”

  “How can that be? She has been gone at least four hours.” She felt the hairs on the nape of her neck bristle and rubbed a hand over them. “It’s a miracle she didn’t tip that raft over before we found her.”