by Laura Scott
Flintman went pale at the threat, and Isaac nodded with satisfaction.
The immediate threat against Vanessa was over, but that only meant Boyd Sullivan was still out there, somewhere.
And there was no way to know the identity of his next victim.
SIXTEEN
Vanessa wanted nothing more than to get back home to check on Aiden, but she had to wait until Justin had finished taking her statement.
“I need to make sure I understand his motive,” Justin said. “Did Flintman mention any details about why he was being blackmailed?”
She thought back to what he’d revealed. “He said he was set up by the Olio Crime Organization who encouraged him to gamble. He apparently won at first, then began to lose. When he got further into debt, they used that as a way to blackmail him. They threatened to end his career if he didn’t pay them back by writing prescriptions of Tyraxal.” It made her sick to her stomach to realize Flintman had saved himself at the expense of ruining young people’s lives. “When I noticed the pattern of Tyraxal overdoses, he decided he had to eliminate me.”
“Why go after your brother?” Isaac asked.
“Aiden overheard Flintman meeting with his contact within the crime ring on the same day I left him the message about my concerns regarding the Tyraxal overdose.” She swallowed against a tight ball of guilt. “Aiden did the right thing, putting distance between himself and Flintman by canceling his appointments. Until I forced him back.”
“Vanessa,” Isaac said, his voice low and husky, “it’s not your fault. You had no way of knowing Flintman was being blackmailed into writing prescriptions for Tyraxal.”
“No, I couldn’t know that. But I should have left Aiden alone. He was doing so well after not seeing Flintman for several days, but now...” She let her voice trail off, battling back the sting of tears.
It was her fault and that was something she’d have to live with for the rest of her life. Who knew how long it would take Aiden to recover this time? Remembering how Isaac had said he was rocking in the corner, suffering so badly, the adorable puppies hadn’t been able to break through his wall of despair.
She sent up a silent prayer that God would help Aiden find his way back to being healthy.
“Anything else?” Justin asked.
“Not that I can think of at the moment,” she said. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to see my brother now.”
Justin nodded, glancing down at his K-9, Quinn. “That’s fine. If I need anything more I’ll let you know. My next job will be to pry information about the Olio Crime Organization from Flintman.”
She wanted Flintman to be held responsible for the Tyraxal overdoses, as well as the multiple attacks on her, including the young cop’s. And she especially wanted him to be held accountable for the way he’d attempted to destroy Aiden’s mind, his very being.
It wouldn’t be easy to forgive him for what he’d done to her, to other innocent people and to her brother. God would want her to try, and she would, but not yet. It was too soon. Not until she’d talked to Aiden for herself.
Her brother had already been through so much.
“Oh, one more thing,” Justin said as she made her way to the doorway.
She glanced at him over his shoulder. “What?”
“Isaac mentioned that Flintman said something that triggered a memory about the night you helped Sullivan.”
“Yes, that’s true,” she reluctantly agreed.
“Tell me what happened.”
“When I knelt down to provide first aid to Flintman he said, ‘I knew you cared.’ Back when I treated Boyd, he said the same thing while trying to kiss my cheek. I instinctively shied away to avoid his kiss, and told Boyd that as a nurse, I cared about everyone. At the time, he seemed fine. He even thanked me for helping him out when no one else would.”
Justin nodded thoughtfully. “Interesting. Looking back at Sullivan’s pattern of killing those who rejected him, maybe he wasn’t as okay with the way you avoided his kiss as he seemed.”
She shook her head in amazement. “I assumed it was kind of a brotherly thing, because that’s how I felt toward him. He reminded me of Aiden, of how I had to take care of my brother after our parents died.” She knew that Aiden’s decision to follow her into the Air Force had been made in part because he didn’t want to be too far away from her. “It’s crazy to think that shying away from him was enough to target me as a person to kill.”
Justin’s expression went hard. “Trust me, most of the so-called transgressions against Sullivan were nothing more than a word or action that hurt his pride. The interaction you just described explains why he sent you a red rose, despite the fact that you helped him out by offering first aid.”
She felt foolish for not having mentioned the brief interaction sooner. “I’m sorry, but at the time, I didn’t think much of it. But when Flintman said the same thing, I instinctively shrank away, the same way I did that night with Boyd.”
“It’s not your fault, Vanessa,” Isaac said again. “But at least now we understand what drove Sullivan to seek revenge against you.”
It was incomprehensible to her that Boyd would send her a red rose just because she’d avoided his kiss. And if Boyd hadn’t sent the stupid rose, Flintman wouldn’t have had that threat to use as a cover for attacking her.
Her temple throbbed with the effort to think. She was exhausted, and her entire body felt as if she’d been battered by a group of ninja warriors. “I need to see Aiden.”
“I’ll take you home.” Isaac handed her Eagle’s leash and she took a moment to kneel beside the K-9, giving him a grateful hug for the role he played in saving her life.
She owed Isaac her gratitude, too.
She rose to her feet and followed Isaac out into the hallway. Isaac fell into step beside her, staying protectively close. Part of her wanted to lean on his strength and support, especially since he’d come running with Eagle to her rescue.
“Wait a minute. How did you know I was in trouble?” she abruptly asked, frowning in confusion.
Isaac waited for the elevator doors to open, then ushered her inside, hitting the button that would take them to the main level. “I called and canceled my meeting with the commander, so I could head back to your place to continue talking to Aiden.”
Had he really blown off a meeting with Base Commander Lieutenant General Hall?
“Oh, Isaac, I’ll feel terrible if you get in trouble over this.”
He shrugged, avoiding her gaze. “It was worth it.”
She was touched by his change of heart, then glanced up at him in surprise. “Are you saying Aiden talked to you?”
“Not right away,” Isaac said with a grimace. “I did all the talking, reassuring him that we’d be there to help him through this. I can’t remember everything I said, except that when I mentioned how you had gone to talk to Flintman, his fear for your safety helped bring him back to the present. He mumbled about blood and then finally told me that Flintman was a bad man.”
“Aiden actually said that?”
“Yes. He told me to get to you, to save you from Flintman.” Isaac put his arm in front of the elevator door, letting her and Eagle step out first. “I called Justin as I ran here with Eagle.”
“You ran?” she echoed in surprise. “I can’t believe you beat Justin here.”
“Part adrenaline and part God’s strength,” Isaac said as they walked outside. “I prayed the entire way.”
Darkness had fallen and Vanessa couldn’t stand the idea of her brother being home alone in the dark. She quickened her pace, heading straight for her SUV. She opened the back for Eagle, who knew the routine enough that he gracefully jumped in. She closed the hatch behind him.
“I’m thankful I made it in time,” Isaac added, opening the passenger-side door for her.
“Me, too.” She stood be
side him, offering a wan smile. “Thank you, Isaac, for saving my life.”
“Anytime,” he said in a low voice. He gently pulled her close and she hugged him, resting her cheek against his broad chest.
She ached to kiss him but knew there wasn’t time, so she reluctantly pulled away. “I’m sorry, but we need to hurry home. I can’t bear the thought of Aiden being there with a cop he doesn’t know.”
“Of course.” Isaac’s expression was troubled, but he nodded, taking her car keys and sliding in behind the wheel. Surprised that he’d decided to drive, she sneaked a glance at his handsome profile, wondering if they’d drift apart now that she was no longer in imminent danger.
Sure, Boyd was out there, somewhere, but the recent attacks had all been Flintman’s doing. Justin would no doubt get rid of the cop stationed outside her door, and honestly, she couldn’t blame him.
No point in wasting resources that could be better used to track down Sullivan.
Isaac didn’t say anything more as he drove her home. Plagued by a sense of urgency, she barely waited for him to stop the car before leaping out and rushing up the sidewalk past the cop at her door, to head inside.
She stumbled to a stop when she saw Aiden was sitting at the kitchen table holding Shenandoah in his arms, with Tango’s head in his lap.
“Nessa!” Aiden staggered to his feet and lurched toward her. She hurried over to meet him, wrapping her arms around her brother’s shoulders, making sure not to crush the puppy.
“Shh, it’s okay. I’m safe, Aiden, and so are you. Lieutenant Colonel Flintman has been arrested by Captain Blackwood. I promise you, he won’t hurt anyone again.”
“I was so scared,” her brother whispered hoarsely.
“I know, and I’m sorry.” She loosened her grip so that she could look into her brother’s dark eyes. “I never should have forced you into making another therapy appointment. I didn’t know he was doing bad things, Aiden, or I wouldn’t have made you go back. I was wrong, so very wrong. I should have trusted your judgment.”
“My judgment hasn’t been my strength this past month,” Aiden said in a low voice. “I thought what I’d overheard was nothing more than another waking nightmare.”
Her heart squeezed in her chest for everything he’d suffered. “Oh, Aiden. I’m so sorry for what that man did to you. Will you please forgive me?”
“Hey, there’s nothing to forgive,” her brother responded. He placed his free hand on Tango’s head. “In fact, I’m relieved Flintman has been arrested. It helps knowing that I wasn’t totally losing my mind. To know the heated argument and the blood was real.”
She nodded, giving him another quick hug before stepping back and subtly wiping at her damp eyes. Eagle came to stand beside her, as if sensing her distress. She glanced at where Isaac stood near the doorway.
“Thanks again, Isaac. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me and Aiden.”
He frowned. “Can we talk outside for a moment?”
She hesitated, glancing at Aiden. The way her brother had looped his arm around the golden’s neck, pressing his face against Tango’s soft fur, warmed her heart. Between Tango and the puppies, she firmly believed her brother would soon be back on the path to healing.
Although, it wouldn’t be long before Westley would want to reunite the puppies with their mother, especially since she’d heard during her lunch break that the puppy’s mother was doing better. No doubt he’d want to begin training the national parks as future K-9 military officers.
As she followed Isaac outside, she felt as if she knew what was coming. This was the goodbye speech. Isaac wouldn’t need to stick around. In fact, she realized they’d never spoken about the future.
She knew she would be on base for at least the next year, since she’d already done a tour overseas.
What was Isaac planning to do?
She knew he’d been through a lot in Afghanistan, suffering the loss of his copilot, his best friend, then Beacon. It made sense that he’d offered to protect her as a way of making a difference.
She only wished their closeness over the past eight days had been built on something other than Isaac’s desire to be needed.
That he cared about her the way she deeply cared about him.
Not just cared, but loved. She’d fallen in love with him.
No sense in worrying over things she couldn’t change. Isaac would always be a good friend. Nothing more, nothing less.
It was time to say goodbye.
* * *
Isaac stood for a moment, waiting for Vanessa to join him on the sidewalk outside her house. When she came over to stand beside him, he noticed how the glow of moonlight bathed her skin.
Her beauty, inside and out, took his breath away.
“I’m sorry,” he said, deciding to cut straight to the point.
She lifted a shoulder, shivering a bit in the cool night air. Vanessa hadn’t changed out of her thin scrubs, and he had to battle the urge to once again pull her into his arms. “It’s okay, I understand. Disobeying a direct order isn’t something to take lightly.”
“No, but it’s not just that.” He wasn’t sure how to explain that he’d initiated the meeting.
That it was his future on the line.
Her smile was sad. “I really do understand, Isaac. It took me a while to realize just how important it is for you to keep the people around you safe from harm. Perfectly natural after everything you’ve been through during your last deployment.”
Deployment? Now he was confused. “Everyone? Who is everyone?”
“Me and Aiden for starters. And I think there will likely be others. As soon as you find the next person who needs assistance, you’ll be there to step up in the role of protector.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “But obviously now that Flintman is under arrest, I don’t need your protection anymore.”
“You’re not making sense,” he muttered, wondering if his own fatigue and lack of sleep from the night before was getting to him. “It’s not just about helping people, it’s about having a future. A career. Don’t you understand? PTSD will always be a part of my life.”
She tipped her head to the side. “I’m a nurse, Isaac. I think that’s one thing I do understand. But this isn’t just about your illness. It’s about something more. I believe you have a hero complex. A deep, desperate need to come to people’s rescue.”
“Hero complex?” he repeated, feeling stupid. “How about a guilt complex? My best friend is dead because of me!” His voice seemed overly loud even to his own ears, so he did his best to calm down. “I witnessed someone attacking you and wanted to keep you safe. All of this—” he swept his hand out encompassing the space around them “—is a way to atone for my sins.”
“What sins, exactly?” Vanessa asked, her expression perplexed. “You were flying a chopper that was under fire by the enemy. Help me understand why that’s your fault. What sin caused your buddy’s death?”
A heavy pressure built in his chest, suffocating him. This was something he hadn’t admitted to anyone. Not his therapist, not his CO. Not even himself.
Until now.
It was time he faced the truth, no matter how painful.
“Arrogance,” he admitted. “My sin was arrogance.”
She arched a brow, her expression skeptical. “I doubt it.”
“It’s true. I heard distant gunfire, and should have immediately gotten us out of there, but I waited too long.” He tried to swallow but his throat felt as if he were being choked by a big black anaconda. “I thought I could steer the enemy in the wrong direction, before finding a way out of the tight spot we were in, the way I always had before. But that’s not what happened. The chopper took a direct hit, I crashed and my copilot and Jake died.” He was glad for the darkness that surrounded him when he added, “There were plenty of times I wished I’d died, too.�
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“But you didn’t,” she reminded him. “Beacon saved your life and you saved his in return. Not to mention the way you rushed to my rescue tonight. Don’t you see? This is all part of the plan God had in store for you.”
Was it? He wasn’t convinced.
“God forgives us our sins,” she went on. “Remember Pastor Harmon’s service? When he spoke about walking in the light and forsaking the darkness, he meant we need to believe in God’s word. To accept His truth. To follow His plan.”
The tightness in his chest abruptly eased as the truth sank deep. A sense of calm swept over him, making him relax.
She was right. He would choose light over darkness. God’s light.
“I’ll try to remember that,” he said.
“I’m glad. It means a lot to me that you found your way back to your faith and to God.” Her expression softened and once again, he wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms.
Yet everything that had transpired between them gave him pause.
It was time to be brutally honest with himself.
What sort of a future did he have to offer Vanessa? Especially now that he’d disobeyed a direct order from Lieutenant General Hall? No clue. He hadn’t touched the reenlistment papers on his kitchen table. And if he did decide to sign them and turn them in, he couldn’t avoid the possibility the Air Force would recommend a full physical that could easily end up with him facing a medical discharge based on his mental health issues.
He knew, better than most, that you couldn’t have a pilot flying choppers while suffering PTSD. Driving Vanessa home tonight from the hospital had been the first time he’d been behind the wheel since Flintman fired a gun at Beacon, and he’d sweated every second of the short drive.
Despite the strides he’d made in the past few months, and being reunited with Beacon, he couldn’t say that he was cured.
Quite the opposite.
There was no cure. Only a variety of strategies he could utilize in order to deal with his symptoms.
“Isaac?” Vanessa’s voice brought him out of his thoughts. “Something wrong?”