Adam stood up and pulled Ryan to his feet. “Go put him in your car and radio in for those medics, please. I don’t want him to bleed out before he goes to court.”
Emma watched as Adam issued instructions, waiting for him to remember her. His gaze finally locked on hers as he walked toward her and pulled her into his arms. She turned her head so she could lean the uninjured side against his chest.
He held her tight, his arms around her making her feel safe and protected. “I’m so sorry.”
She pushed back and looked up at him. “Sorry? For what?”
“For letting that monster get ahold of you. I told you I’d protect you, and I let you down.”
Emma reached up and held his face between her palms so she could make him look at her. “I said it before, and I’ll say it again. None of this is your fault.”
He pulled her close again. “I knew something was off about Ryan but I didn’t listen to my instincts. If Dana from the lab hadn’t called about the cuff link, I might still be trying to figure it out.”
“What about the cuff link?” Emma asked.
“It had Ryan’s print on it. Pablo Vasquez’s too.”
An officer emerged from the mill with Pablo in tow. “This your assassin? Found him crying in the corner of that closet. Think he might have wet his pants too.”
“Not so tough now, are you?” Emma said as they passed by.
Pablo sneered at her but didn’t say anything. The big wet spot on the front of his trousers said enough.
“I want to make a deal. Call my lawyer,” Pablo demanded as the cops put him in a cruiser.
An ambulance pulled into the little field, working its way between all the police cars, and stopped near the building. A medic jumped out and went straight to Emma. “That’s a nasty bleeder you got there. What happened?”
Emma looked up at Adam and saw his worry. “I hit my head. I’m sure it looks worse than it is.”
“Well, we’ll get you fixed up in a jiffy,” the older man said as he led her over to the back of the ambulance. “Don’t worry, sir. I’ll take good care of your girl.”
The driver stepped down from the ambulance. “I thought we had two victims.”
Adam pointed to one of the police cars. “He’s in there. Gunshot wound to the upper arm. Don’t be gentle.”
“Adam! That’s not very nice of you.” Emma waved him over.
“I’m thinking God might give me a pass on that one.” He picked up her hand, wrapping his fingers around hers. “I’m so glad I found you in time.”
“Me too.”
The medic dabbed at her head with a saline-soaked gauze pad. “I think this wound’s gonna need some stitches. Hop on up into my limousine, my lady, and I will see that the ER docs fix you right up.”
“I can drive her myself.” Adam stepped between her and the medic.
“Sorry, Detective, but it’s policy. I’ve got to transport her in Big Red here.” He tapped the side of the ambulance. “You can meet us there though.”
Emma picked up Adam’s other hand so she held both of his in hers. “It’s okay. Go wrap things up here, and I’ll wait for you at the hospital. I’m sure I’ll be there a while.”
She could see the reluctance in his eyes but he nodded, slowly. “Fine. I did want to be there when they tossed those fools into lockup.”
“Go. Do your cop thing and pick me up later. Just know I’m starving. You’re gonna have to feed me Mexican or something. Lots of it. Getting kidnapped and held at gunpoint makes me hungry.” She leaned up and pressed a little kiss to the side of his chin. “I’m fine, Adam. Really.”
“Okay.” He looked at the medic. “Remember, you promised to take good care of her.”
“Will do.” He flashed Adam a mock salute.
They both watched as Adam walked away. “He’s in love with you,” the medic said.
“We’re a long way from love.”
“Nope. I’ve seen love a time or two in my day, and he’s long gone on the love train, darlin’. Now why don’t we get you to the hospital and get you fixed up so your man can take you out for that Mexican meal.”
He helped Emma into the back of the ambulance and got her settled. The other medic returned and climbed in behind the wheel. “You two all set to roll out?” he asked through the partition.
“Sure thing, Mack. What’d the other guy look like?”
“Oh man, Gary. Got a graze wound. He’s lucky. A fraction of an inch over and he’d have bled out in three minutes. That brachial artery was this close.” Mack pinched his thumb and forefinger together to illustrate, then put the vehicle in gear and headed to the road.
“You want to talk about what happened?” Gary asked her.
“No. I’m still trying to process it all.” Emma held a hand to her forehead. “It’s hard to think right now.”
“When you’re ready, you really should talk to someone you trust. You’re in shock now but when it wears off, it will help to have someone to talk to about it.”
Twenty
Adam appeared before the magistrate and explained the laundry list of proposed charges he had against Pablo Vasquez and Bill Ryan.
“This William Ryan is an FBI agent?” The magistrate looked at the paperwork, disbelief heavy in his expression.
“Yes, sir.” Adam’s entire body had begun to ache, his muscles and joints reminding him he was no spring chicken anymore.
“So, you set up a sting to nab a cartel assassin and ended up arresting an officer of the law.” The magistrate typed a few things into his computer.
“William Ryan confessed to being involved in the distribution of the cartel’s drugs and money. He’s also a kidnapper and an attempted murderer. Not to mention the conspiracy to commit murder and accessory to murder charges for a fellow agent. Vasquez is willing to testify against him.”
The magistrate just shook his head. “Pablo Vasquez, now that’s a name I’ve heard before. That man has so many warrants out on him. A real bad dude. He must be hoping for a deal if he offered to testify.”
Adam agreed. “Won’t do him much good though. With this count of murder and the attempted murder, he’s probably going away for a very long time. We have the murder of the agent on video.”
“I’d say this wasn’t his lucky day then.” The magistrate finished typing a few things, then waited for some papers to print that he handed to Adam. “Good job, Detective. You deserve a day off for this.”
He waved the pile of papers. “Maybe after all the reports and paperwork are done. Have a good one.”
Adam left the magistrate’s office and headed to the public parking where he’d left his SUV. As he pulled open the door, he heard someone walk up behind him. Grabbing his gun off his hip, he spun around.
“Easy there, Adam. I come armed only with the word of God.”
“Pastor Ben.” He holstered his weapon. “I’m so sorry. It’s been a rough day.”
Pastor Ben held out his hand, and Adam shook it. It had been many years since he’d spoken to the pastor. “Good to see you, son. I may have heard a rumor or two. Is Emma Thomas going to be okay?”
“She is at the emergency room now getting some stitches. I’m headed that way to check on her.”
“The whole town is already talking about the way you saved Emma and broke up the drug trafficking through Staunton. You’re quite the local hero now.”
Adam shrugged. “It was good police work by a whole team from several different agencies.”
Ben rested a hand on Adam’s shoulder. “Teams need leaders, Adam. You’ve always been a good leader. I figured you’d lead our youth group one day. The entire church was saddened when you stopped attending.”
Adam shifted his weight, uncomfortable with where the conversation was headed. “There were mitigating circumstances, as I am sure you remember.”
“What happened that night was a tragedy.
Miranda was a good girl but she definitely had a bit of a wild streak. She drove that car too fast even on good days. No one ever blamed you for that. Or for what happened to Leslie.”
“I guess maybe I just blame myself enough for everyone.”
All he wanted to do was get to Emma. “It’s been great seeing you, Pastor, but if you don’t mind, I really have to go.”
Ben stepped away, and Adam closed the door. As he did, he heard the pastor say, “God bless you and keep you safe.”
The unexpected conversation sat heavy on his mind as he drove to the hospital. He’d worked so hard for so long to lock away those memories and emotions and he just kept getting reminded of them over and over again. Heck, even Agent Ryan had known about Miranda’s accident and Leslie’s murder and tried to use both against him.
The lot nearest the emergency room was full, so Adam parked in the regular visitors’ lot and walked through the hospital to where Emma was. When he reached the desk, the nurse sent him to curtain twelve.
Emma lay on the gurney, her eyes closed and a bright white bandage wrapped around her head. A tiny crimson stain had worked its way through the gauze. Her chin and cheek were bruised, and a smudge of dirt ran alongside her nose. She looked absolutely beautiful, and it took all of his self-control not to pick her up and carry her off into the sunset, like one of those romance book heroes.
Except the sun had set hours ago and he was no cowboy or prince or whatever. Just a cop in a small town who’d fallen in love a long time ago with the one girl he’d never be able to have. Now that the case was over and Emma was safe, she’d head back to Richmond the minute her parents returned to town.
“You just gonna stand there and stare at me like some creeper or come on in?” Emma peeked at him from under her long, thick lashes.
“I’m not a creeper.” Adam walked in and pulled the curtain closed. “I just didn’t want to disturb you if you were asleep.”
“Not sleeping. Those fluorescent lights were making my eyes ache, so I closed them.” Emma leaned up on an elbow. “I don’t smell chimichangas.”
Adam chuckled. “I didn’t think I’d be able to smuggle them past the nurses. We’ll head there as soon as they spring you from the joint.”
“I’ve just been waiting on my ride.” Emma winked and smiled.
“Sorry. The magistrate’s office took longer than I thought.”
The curtain slid open, and a nurse walked in wearing a pink scrub top with images from Cinderella all over it. “Well, you must be Ms. Emma’s knight in shining armor come to take her back to the castle.”
“I don’t know about all that. I’m just here to give her a ride home in my police car.”
“Oh! How romantic! You gonna run the blue lights and everything?” The nurse pressed one of her hands over her heart and fanned herself with the other.
Adam held his hands up in the air. “We’re not a couple.”
“No,” Emma added quickly.
“If you two aren’t destined to be together, then I’m Miss Cindy-rella waitin’ on my prince.” The nurse winked at Adam as she handed Emma a clipboard full of papers and a pen. “If you’ll just sign here, you’ll be free to go.”
Emma signed and handed it all back to her. The nurse selected three sheets and folded them in half before handing them to Emma.
“Thank you,” Emma said, accepting them.
“Take it easy and get plenty of rest, ya hear?” The nurse disappeared through the curtain before Emma could reply. Adam helped her down off the bed.
Keeping an arm around her shoulders, he walked her out of the hospital and to his truck.
“Where did you park? West Virginia?” Emma poked him in the ribs lightly with her elbow.
“Very funny.” He pointed to the vehicle. “It’s right there, silly girl.”
Adam helped her into the passenger seat, resisting the urge to kiss her right there in the parking lot. Instead, he closed the door, and jogged around to the driver side. Once he was settled in the seat, he pulled out the necklace he’d found on the ground and handed it to Emma. “I thought you might want this back.”
Her eyes widened as she realized what he’d given to her. “Where did you find it?”
“On the ground near the old log. I can’t believe you were wearing it.”
“I never take it off.” She smiled as she held it up. The smile quickly turned to a frown. “It’s broken now though.”
“Don’t worry, we can get it fixed.” He reached over and lightly squeezed her hand holding the necklace.
Emma reached in the back and grabbed the purse she’d left there that morning. Opening a small zipper pocket, she tucked it inside. “For safe keeping until then.”
It took everything he had to not pull her into his arms right then and there. The realization of how close he’d come to losing Emma hit him hard in the gut.
He needed a distraction. Adam took his phone out of his other pocket and pulled up the number for his favorite Mexican restaurant.
“What do you want? I’m going to call in a take-out order.”
“One of everything?” Emma’s stomach let out a loud growl on cue. They both laughed.
“You got it.” Adam dialed and gave a large order of all his and Emma’s favorites. “There. That should satisfy us both.” He ended the call and put the phone down on the console between them. “Want me to take you home?”
“My stuff is still at your uncle’s cabin.”
Adam turned the truck on, put it in gear, and pulled out of the parking lot. “I can bring it to you tomorrow afternoon. Or we can pick it up when we go get the dogs.”
Emma nodded. “It might be nice to sleep in my own bed tonight.”
“It’s settled then.” They drove to the restaurant in comfortable silence. Adam reached over and took her hand in his. Emma gave him a sideways glance but made no move to pull her hand away.
When they made it to the restaurant, Adam ran in and grabbed the food, then drove them the rest of the way to the Thomas house.
Emma sighed when he pulled into the driveway. “Home, sweet home. All these years away I never realized how much I’ve missed this house. And Staunton.” She turned to look at him. “And you.”
“I’m just glad you’re here, for however long that is.” Adam opened the door and stepped out of the truck, grabbing the food from the back seat. Emma was already out of the truck when he made it to her side.
She didn’t say anything as she led him inside. Adam set the bag of food on the counter while Emma washed her hands. “I’m going to change real quick. These clothes make me feel grimy.”
“No problem. I’ll set the food out on the counter, and we can eat when you get back.”
“Okay. Won’t take me long.”
She disappeared down the hall, and Adam started opening containers. Everything smelled so good, his stomach began to rumble. By the time Emma returned, his plate was loaded with a towering pile of Mexican food.
“Feel better?” Adam asked as she grabbed a plate and started to fill it.
“So much. The doctor said I can’t shower until tomorrow so I’m going to have to deal with the dried blood and dirt in my hair though.”
Adam set his plate down and walked over to where Emma stood. He took her plate and set it on the counter, then pulled her in close. “I really thought I’d lost you today.”
Emma wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned into his chest. “I’m not that easy to get rid of.”
“I’ll miss you when you go back to Richmond.” He kissed her forehead.
“Why do you keep saying that? Are you trying to get rid of me? After our talk last night, I thought….” She let the rest of the sentence go unsaid.
Adam pulled back and tilted her head up so he could look in her eyes. “I guess I just assumed when your parents returned, you’d get back to your life.”
She shrugg
ed. “Maybe. Or maybe I don’t have anything in Richmond to go back to. Maybe I’m trying to start a new life.”
“Here in Staunton?”
She shrugged again. “Why not? I mean, if I had a reason to stay….”
No longer able to resist, Adam leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was gentle and sweet and everything it should be for two people falling in love. “Would there be any particular reason you’d stay?”
Emma rose on tiptoe and pulled his mouth back to hers. “I’m not sure.”
This kiss was full of promises and a future. She never wanted it to end. When they finally parted, Adam held her close. “I don’t want you to leave here ever again.”
“I don’t want to leave.” Emma ran her fingers over the soft material of his shirt. Her touch, gentle and sweet, gave him a glimpse of a future he knew he wanted.
He shook his head. “I don’t either. It’s time we faced the memories head-on, and I think we should do it together. Especially if we’re going to spend our lives together.”
Her green eyes widened. “Adam Marshall, if you just asked me to marry you—”
He reached for her again, but Emma stepped out of the way. “Come back here, Emma. Please. I wasn’t proposing. Yet. When I do, you won’t see it coming. But I want you to know that is the end game for me. You are it for me. I have loved you since the day we met. I’ve just been too hung up on my own issues to realize it. If I had, I’d have gone after you years ago and brought you back home where you belong.”
She put her hands on her hips and tried to look annoyed, but Adam saw something else in her eyes. “And if I refused?”
“You wouldn’t have.”
“You’re awfully confident, officer.” She relaxed her stance, and he pulled her back in once more.
“Not confident, just hopeful.” He kissed her gently. “I love you, Emma Thomas.”
“I love you too, Adam Marshall. And yes, I’ll marry you one day.”
“That’s all I needed to hear, future Mrs. Marshall.”
Murder on the Mountain: A Marshall Brothers Novel Page 18