He smiled over at her. “Yes. Pure as snow. I also love white. Such an innocent color.”
Tessa felt a nervous tickle wash over her but decided she’d become too suspicious over the last few years. This man was a priest, minister, or some religious cleric, so why be afraid? “I probably should go.” She sidestepped toward freedom.
The man withdrew long enough to pull on the coat folded across his free arm. “I’ll go with you. Your friend seems to have given you the slip. Maybe she, too, went for help.” He smiled with the kind of innocence she’d seen in her children when they were trying to avoid getting into trouble.
Security exited the restroom and, while two examined the housekeeping cart, another one talked on his walkie-talkie. They glanced her way then to the woman who had ratted them out.
Tessa slipped her arm back through the reverend’s and returned a warm smile. “That would be lovely. Nothing I like better than a guardian angel at Christmas to be an escort.”
They moved forward as he laughed out loud. “Then I am pleased to be your escort, Tessa Scott.”
She froze and stepped in front of him. “How did you know my name?’
He reached behind her neck and pulled off a sticker. “Says so right here. The sticker says Church of John the Baptist.”
“Oh. Sorry. Wore it last week at the live Nativity at our church.”
He smiled patiently. “Whew. For a minute I thought you discovered my ability to read minds.”
Tessa eyed him before glancing back at security who waved their arms and shouted to get out of the way. One uniformed guard held up the gun by a pencil through the barrel. It soon found its place gingerly into an evidence bag like it might be the baby Jesus. “And here I thought you might be an angel.”
“Well, Ms. Scott, Hebrews 13:2 says ‘Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.’ So maybe one of us is indeed an angel.”
“Let me put your mind to rest. I’m no angel, and neither is the woman who gave me the slip. I’ve got to find her.”
He patted her hand resting on his forearm. “She isn’t far. I’ll show you.”
Tessa moved along at a leisurely pace so she could steal glances back toward the chaos. “And how do you know that, Reverend—”
“I’m Angelo. You ask a lot of questions, Ms. Scott. I believe there are things you have to take on faith.”
“Okay. Now you’re talking to the right person.”
He beamed a smile her way. “Yes. I know.”
Chapter Seven
With one surprise neutralized, Chase glanced back at Tessa’s house to make sure there were no cherub faces watching at the window. He didn’t want them to see his violent side. Keeping the kids safe and protected remained a priority. The thought of Heather being afraid of him kept him a little off-balance. This was exactly what her mother did to him every day.
Shouldn’t the police be coming into the neighborhood by now? The security gates apparently hadn’t stopped these guys. Somebody had the code to open them and drive right in as if they belonged.
He decided the guy he took out was from the van a few doors down and had been waiting for these guys to finish up and help him burglarize the next house. The three remaining burglars exited the house, carrying electronics, a piece of art, and a box of undetermined objects.
“The police are on their way,” Chase announced in a calm voice as he approached.
The man with the box staggered backward then dropped his loot, spilling out jars of coins. They fell in the snow with a soft thud but didn’t break.
“Get out of our way, buster, or you’re liable to get hurt.” The shortest man spoke through gritted teeth. His complexion appeared ruddy from the cold; his bulbous nose hinted at a possible drinking problem.
“Yeah, I don’t think I’ll do that. Who gave you the gate code anyway? I’m impressed you didn’t set off the alarm in the house. Did your boss give you the codes when the system was installed? I’m guessing that’s how you broke into mine. Didn’t figure on someone coming home. I’d be happy to give you a recommendation to whatever clown school you’d like to join after seeing the way you tumbled over the fence.” Chase laughed. “That was hilarious.”
The three exchanged nervous glances. The two men who still held stolen goods walked to the unmarked van but kept a close eye on Chase. They were probably putting things away to keep them safe until they took care of him—a bigger problem.
“We’ll be going now,” the chubby guy announced when all three approached him. One held a sledgehammer in his hand, the other two carried crowbars. They meant business. “And you’re going to keep your mouth shut, or we might come back and take a look around your house again.”
When Chase didn’t move, they halted. Bullies weren’t used to being stood up to even when they got to be adults. “Since I don’t appreciate being threatened, that probably isn’t going to work for me. I hate lazy bums stealing from hardworking people.” He offered a lopsided grin. “Of course, that’s just me.”
“You are going to regret ever coming over here,” one of the others warned.
“I get that a lot.” Chase chuckled, reaching into his pocket. “Who wants to go first?”
All three stepped toward him again like he suspected they would. He held the switchblade close to his side, hidden from their sight, and pushed a button to flip open the blade. It wasn’t the first time he’d been outnumbered, but usually they were trained fighters, not knuckleheads with the IQ of a lump of coal.
“Halt!” came a familiar voice.
Chase jerked his head around to see Tessa’s three kids dressed in Star Wars costumes. Sean Patrick, the tallest, definitely was Darth Vader, and the other two were nearly invisible, dressed like storm troopers. They held nerf guns created to resemble white machine guns.
“What the hell?” Chase snapped.
“Well looks like you got backup, mister,” the leader snorted a kind of laugh.
“Join the dark side,” Sean commanded in a deeper voice than Chase thought possible. “It is futile to resist.”
Now all three burglars burst into laughter and pointed to the house. “You brats better run along before you get hurt. Wouldn’t want you to see what is about to happen to your—”
Immediately, all three kids unloaded their weapons at the men, hitting them square in the face. For some reason, the burglars grabbed at their eyes and hollered like little girls. This gave Chase time to swoop in and give each of them a blow to the head, knocking them to the ground. They rubbed snow on their faces and in their eyes. The knife was returned to his belt before he had to use it.
Sean Patrick took a few zip ties out from under his black robe and handed them to Chase. “Thought you might need these.”
Chase snatched them angrily from the boy’s hand and proceeded to secure the burglars’ hands behind their backs. A police car with lights flashing slid to a stop in front of the house. They exited with guns drawn but quickly returned their weapons to their holsters when they saw the scene had been secured.
“You again,” the older policeman declared. He recognized the officer from the church. “You are seeing a lot of action tonight.” He cast a suspicious eye toward him as his partner inspected the van before checking the three who had been tied up.
“There’s another one over there,” Daniel declared. “Chase thumped him pretty good.”
The policeman narrowed his eyes at the boy then shifted them to Chase. “Who are you again?”
“He’s our babysitter,” Heather announced, lifting her storm trooper mask. “He’s more fun than most of the ones we’ve had.”
“Was this your idea? Bringing the kids to help you?” The policeman put his hands on his hips and frowned.
Sean Patrick stepped up and lifted the Vader mask. “No, sir. We thought of it on our own.”
Chase pinched his nose and shook his head as the three bumbling thieves were jerked to their feet. Tears rolled down their
faces, and their eyes were blood red. “What did you put on the nerf darts?” he demanded.
Sean pursed his lips together in a show of resistance. But Heather smiled like an angel, willing to spill the beans. “Mommy has this—”
Daniel covered her mouth with his hand before elbowing his big brother. “Tell him.”
“We dipped them in cayenne pepper and onion powder,” Sean admitted as he raised his chin in defiance. “You looked like you needed a little help.”
The two police officers laughed as they called for assistance.
“You are in a lot of trouble,” Chase warned, pointing a finger at the kids one by one.
“But—”
“No buts,” he stormed. “You could have been hurt.”
“But—”
“Don’t interrupt me, Sean Patrick. You should be watching out for your brother and sister,” he scolded.
“Well okay. Can’t say I didn’t try and warn you,” Sean Patrick sighed.
Chase got a prickly feeling at the nape of his neck about the same time he heard the cracking of a limb. When he looked up, a pine bough dumped wet snow on his head and down his collar. Laughter erupted not only from the children but the police officers as well. He turned his head toward the kids then slowly removed the snowman appearance from his face.
“Tried to tell you,” Sean Patrick smirked.
“Get in the house,” Chase ordered. The boys scampered back across the street, but Heather remained. “You, too.” He tried to sound cross, but it faded when her little lip jutted out and quivered. He scooped her up into his arms. “What’s the matter, sweetheart?”
“Are you mad at us?” she whimpered. “I was scared you were going to get hurt. I didn’t mean to be bad. Really.”
Chase felt like a heel. “No. No. I’m not mad. I was scared, too.” He nodded at the police and told them he’d come in for a statement in the morning. “Let’s go home, little angel. Maybe we can make more hot chocolate. Would you like that? I’ll even let you help.”
“Can I have extra marshmallows?”
“Sure.” He carried her across to the house and set her feet on the steps. Instead of hurrying inside, she took his hand and smiled up at him. Now, he really was a goner.
He imagined Tessa like this when she was a little girl. His temper melted away and he felt an unfamiliar warmth rush in his chest when she tugged him toward the door.
“You know you remind me more of Princess Leia than a storm trooper.” Chase opened the door for her and bowed.
“My daddy says the same thing,” she beamed as she hopped into the foyer.
The mere mention of her father reminded him why he continually circled the fringes of Tessa’s life, playing the hero, the advisor, the buddy. It took everything in him not to question the kids about Robert and his possible split from Tessa. If that were true, why hadn’t she told him about it? It sounded a lot more serious and permanent than she’d let on.
He double locked the door and turned to observe the three kids sitting on the couch like little angels. Another bad sign. What were they plotting? Or maybe they were remorseful for getting involved across the street. Was it possible they felt guilty he got socked with the wet snow? Then he noticed Sean Patrick arch an eyebrow and realized the kid had only switched to stealth mode.
“I need to dry off,” he announced tossing his coat onto a nearby chair. All three kids huddled together and tried to stare at each other to hide their impish grins. With reflection and evaluation of the previous thirty minutes, the whole episode was slightly amusing. He disappeared into the powder room to wipe his face, neck, and hair before leaning against the sink to stare at himself in the mirror.
Creases showed at the corners of his eyes. Rolling his shoulders made stiff muscles ache a little more than they had in a long time. He wasn’t getting any younger. Keeping up with three kids made him feel less tough and in shape. At the same time, he felt like he’d never been more alive. What was Robert thinking, screwing up this little slice of heaven? Tessa’s image appeared in his mind, causing him to rub a spot over his heart. A heavy sigh escaped from deep inside him as he straightened and decided to see the evening through for her. Maybe he could do something fun with the kids, like a game, or read some books to them.
“You know…” He walked into the living room to find the kids gone. “Hey! Where are you guys?”
Silence.
Chapter Eight
The airport doors swooshed open, letting a mix of overhead heat and outside cold smack Tessa and her new friend in the face. Snow fell like a Hallmark movie. Parking lot buses pulled to the curb next to the casino ones with an occasional limousine driver assisting high rollers anxious to be on their way.
“I believe she’s crossing to the parking garage.” Angelo pointed then pulled his coat collar up around a thick neck.
Tessa smiled, even though she didn’t take her eyes off Honey. The woman still carried a backpack. She couldn’t help but wonder if that, too, had been left for her at the airport and what might it contain. A bomb? A dismantled rifle? What was the intended target?
“Thanks, Reverend—”
“Angelo. Please call me Angelo.”
Tessa nodded and waved goodbye as she took awkward steps across the slush to catch up with Honey. Several police cars roared up with flashing lights, along with an unmarked black Cadillac Escalade. She paused long enough to see a familiar face exit the sedan: FBI Special Agent Dennis Martin. He scanned the area until they made eye contact. When his head tilted in recognition and he squinted, she slipped behind a pillar. Why did the FBI show up? Did they know about Honey Lynch being back in the country?
Even though she’d stopped for seconds, the chance of Honey disappearing remained high. She pivoted carefully on the wet surface, afraid it may have frozen. Two rows over, Honey kept pressing her face against the windows of cars. It didn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out she planned to steal a car and make an escape.
“The pass over the mountains is closed if you’re planning on heading that way.” Tessa leaned against a small sedan before shoving her hands into her gloves. She had circled around and made sure she would block another escape.
Honey halted and narrowed her green eyes. With her nose in the air, she took a second to glance behind her. “You are a tad bit stupider than I thought. You know what I do for a living, right?”
“You get paid for not having a conscience.” Tessa matched the haughty attitude even though her knees were knocking.
“Well aren’t you the little diplomat,” she cooed. “Why are you here at the airport?”
“I was supposed to be picking up my parents. They were delayed, and now I can’t get home.”
“So, you have a car?”
Tessa straightened but remained silent.
“Where is it?”
“First, tell me why you’re here. Pretty risky for you. You had to know someone would find out. And for your information, the police are everywhere like ants at a picnic.”
Honey’s mouth turned up at one corner. “Cute. They aren’t looking for me. No way they know where I am.”
“Who is your target?”
“My target?” she snapped. “I don’t hurt anyone who doesn’t deserve it. You’d best be happy about that, or your handsome husband would be dead. Sometimes I merely watch and make suggestions. This time, I’m trying to warn a friend.”
“Ever hear of the phone? How about the Internet?” Tessa huffed.
“Couldn’t take a chance on being traced or followed. I thought if I got here first, I would be ahead of the game. Maybe lend a hand.”
“You’re talking riddles,” Tessa accused. “Just tell me. I won’t turn you in.” Honey started to walk off but Tessa rushed to cut her off. “Who. Is. The. Target?”
“Captain Chase Hunter,” she snarled.
Tessa tried to speak and couldn’t help but stagger backward. “Why?”
“He’s made a lot of enemies. I’m trying to warn him. If
I get to him in time—”
“No. That can’t be.”
“Such a silly woman,” Honey spat. “It is a preemptive strike. An old enemy decided to eliminate him before he caught onto what he’s up to.”
“This can’t be happening.” She put her palms on both sides of her face. “Come on. My car is over here.”
Tessa tried to turn away, but Honey reached out and jerked her around. “Why are you going to help me?”
“Because Chase is babysitting my kids.”
Honey paled. “Holy Mother of God.”
The SUV was located in short order, but the cars parked on each side of it had pulled in so close the women couldn’t even open the doors. Tessa clicked the rear lock and opened the hatch.
“I’ll crawl in. Give me the keys, and I’ll back it out.” Honey held out her hand. “Well, come on,” she demanded. “We don’t have all day.”
“How do I know you won’t drive off without me?” Tessa’s scowl furrowed her brow.
“Ya don’t know, so you best be trustin’ me, ’cause I don’t think ya have a choice.” She snatched the keys and shimmied up into the back, shoving aside the backpack she carried for emergencies and several blankets, to crawl over the seats.
The woman appeared to be a virtual monkey and managed to slip behind the wheel and start the ignition in no time. Tessa had decided to crawl in after her when Honey yelled to shut the hatch. She hesitated for only a second before following instructions then stepped aside right before Honey got a little too close to the car on the passenger side, taking off the side mirror of both cars.
She picked up momentum after the ripping sound and turned the car toward the exit. Tessa ran up to the passenger side. When she grabbed the door handle, Honey inched forward and leveled a condescending glare her way. The cat-and-mouse game continued for several more minutes until Tessa halted and slammed her palm against the window.
The Knight Before Chaos Page 5