by Laura Scott
In more ways than one.
“Yeah?” Nate answered, pulling Shane’s attention away from his distracting thoughts.
“Ambrose wasn’t the driver, Chasco was,” he said bluntly. “They must have swapped cars. We need to get an APB out on Chasco’s vehicle.”
“Will do,” Nate responded. “You’d better make sure to keep the doc safely out of sight.”
Yeah, no kidding. “I will. But we have to figure out what Ambrose’s plan is. And why on earth Chasco would go along to this extent.”
“Doesn’t make sense,” Nate muttered. “Unless Ambrose convinced Chasco that he had as much to lose if Gabby’s notes were published in a public forum as Ambrose did.”
“Maybe, but it still seems extreme. Chasco’s in rough shape,” Shane told him. “Gabby had to start CPR. There’s a really good chance he won’t make it.”
“Joe’s always been a bit reckless,” Gabby interjected. “When you mentioned Eric was involved in a high-speed chase, I was surprised, because that isn’t Eric’s style. He’s cold and calculating, to the point of being emotionless. Joe’s biggest flaw is that he’s arrogant, and I suspect he figured he could handle the chase, no problem.”
There was a moment of silence and he and Nate digested Gabby’s comments. “Where do you think Ambrose is headed?” Shane finally asked. “The hospital?”
“Maybe,” Nate responded. “Could be that he decided that hiring muscle wasn’t working so well and that he’s better off doing the job himself.”
Gabby reached out to Shane. “We need to warn the hospital administration,” she told him urgently. “Ambrose is a physician, he’ll know how to blend in.”
“Understood. Nate? I need you to apprise Griff of this latest turn of events. And I think we should beef up the number of deputies patrolling the hospital inside and out on the grounds. Give everyone Chasco’s license plates.”
“Okay, but Griff is going to want you there, too,” Nate said drily.
Shane knew his buddy was right. The fact that today was his normal day off didn’t mean squat when it came to situations like this. The SWAT team was always on call. In fact, he liked that part of his job, being a part of the team.
But no way was he leaving Gabby alone. Not with Ambrose on the loose. “I need someone to cover for me,” he said. “What about Isaac?”
“I’ll try, but I think he’s scheduled to work second shift tonight. Jenna was out of town for a couple of days, but she’s back. I’ll see if I can catch up with her.”
Jenna Reed was one of the few females to make the SWAT team, and was known to be one of their best sharpshooters, right behind Caleb O’Malley. “Okay, thanks. Keep me posted.”
“Be warned, you may hear from Griff even if I do get Jenna to cover for you,” Nate said before disconnecting from the call.
Shane fully expected to hear from his boss, so the warning wasn’t necessary.
Gabby glanced at him, her delicate brow puckered in a frown. “Please don’t get in trouble on my account,” she said softly. “I’ll be fine at the motel if you need to go in.”
Shane was already shaking his head before she finished speaking. “No way, Gabby. I’m staying with you, end of discussion.”
She was quiet for a long moment. “Thank you, Shane. It means a lot to me that you care so much about keeping me safe. But I hate knowing that you might get in trouble because of me. What if Griff fires you?”
He didn’t want to think about losing his job—the career that was so important to him—but nothing was more important than keeping Gabby safe.
Nothing.
And if Griff couldn’t accept that, well then he didn’t want the job after all.
“It will be fine,” he said reassuringly. “Griff will understand.” He hoped.
Gabby left her hand resting on his arm and he couldn’t help smiling as he drove, despite the rather grim circumstances they faced.
Yeah, he was in trouble as far as Gabby was concerned. Deep, deep trouble.
And for some reason, he couldn’t drum up the energy to care.
* * *
Gabby noticed that Shane made sure to take the long route back to their motel, just in case Armbrose had in fact been watching them. He kept shifting his gaze to the rearview mirror to be certain they weren’t followed.
“I doubt he’s behind us,” she said.
Shane glanced at her in surprise. “What makes you say that?” he asked curiously.
She shrugged. “The more I think about it, the more I believe Eric used Joe as a diversion. Something to keep the police preoccupied so he could be somewhere else.”
A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of Shane’s mouth. “You’re thinking like a cop,” he said with obvious approval.
Her cheeks warmed and she hoped he wouldn’t notice. “I also think there’s a strong possibility that he might have asked Joe to rent a car, rather than truly swapping rides.”
Shane’s eyebrows levered upward. “I had that same thought,” he said slowly. “Which is part of the reason I’m not leaving you at the motel alone.”
She didn’t say anything more as he finally pulled into the motel parking lot. This time, she knew the routine and hung back so that Shane could go in first, checking out both rooms to make sure they were clear.
“Let’s get these phones charged up and activated,” he said. “Then you can notify the hospital administrator about the possible threat.”
It didn’t take long, since she’d already started charging the first phone while they were in the car. She almost forgot it was Sunday when she picked up the disposable phone; those moments she’d spent with Shane in church seemed to have taken place a long time ago. She missed the sense of peace that had washed over her.
“Hospital operator, how may I direct your call?”
“I need you to page the chief medical officer for me,” she said. “I’ll hold the line.”
Gabby tried to think of how to convince the CMO, Andrew Beecher, of the very real threat. She had no doubt that Ambrose had picked a Sunday on purpose, knowing that there was only a skeletal administrative staff on during weekends.
But what did Eric plan to do? Simply look for her? Or was he planning something more sinister? She didn’t trust him one bit. After all, this was the same man who’d put patients in harm’s way just to discredit her.
“This is Drew Beecher,” a deep male voice said.
“Drew, it’s Gabriella,” she said. “I’m sorry to bother you on a Sunday, but there’s a serious situation you need to know about.”
“I’m here at the hospital,” her boss admitted. “What’s wrong?”
Gabby took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Did you hear about Brandon being attacked?”
“Yes, I’m the one who ultimately approved your leave of absence.”
“I’m in danger, and I believe a surgeon by the name of Eric Ambrose is behind the attacks. And the sheriff’s department thinks Eric is on his way to Trinity Medical Center.”
“What is this guy capable of?” Drew asked.
“Anything,” she admitted candidly. “I think he’s probably looking for me, but he is capable of hurting innocent people who might get in his way.”
“Are you sure?” Drew asked, his tone laced with skepticism.
She couldn’t blame him for his attitude; after all, she wouldn’t have believed it herself if she hadn’t experienced it firsthand. “Yes, I’m absolutely certain he’s unpredictable and dangerous. The sheriff’s department is planning to send out several deputies, but you need to help make sure every provider and staff member there is also aware.” She glanced at Shane, who was listening intently. “I’ll ask the deputies to get you a photograph of Eric and I’d like you to put it up everywhere you can think of.”
“All right,” Drew agreed slowly. “If you’re that worried, we’ll take all the necessary precautions.”
“Thank you.” She momentarily closed her eyes on a flash of relief. Thankfully, Drew Beecher was a dece
nt guy and had believed her. “I’ll give you a number where I can be reached.”
Shane frowned but didn’t say anything as she rattled off the number of her new disposable phone.
“I’ll let you know if we find him,” Drew said before ending the call.
She set her phone aside with a small sigh. “I hate that I’m causing so much trouble, for you and everyone at the hospital.”
“You’re not the one at fault,” Shane reminded her.
“I know it’s Eric’s fault. But I was thinking that it might be best if I destroy my notes.”
Ironically, Shane didn’t try to talk her out of it. “That is a possible solution, except that we would need to let Ambrose know or he’ll keep searching.”
She ground her teeth in frustration. “And I can’t get at the safe-deposit box until tomorrow morning. I shouldn’t have kept them after all this time.”
“There’s no point in beating yourself up over decisions you made a long time ago,” Shane admonished gently. “You could have destroyed his career back when the incidents happened, but you didn’t. But that does bring up a good point. Why do you think Ambrose came after you now? Just because of the lawsuit?”
Her head started to ache again, not the same stabbing with an ice-pick type of pain, but a throbbing that had everything to do with stress. “I guess so.”
“How did he know you were still here? I imagine physicians move around a bit.”
She lifted her shoulder. “I guess maybe he saw the news report.”
“That’s it!” Shane burst out. “The airport shooting! You were the trauma surgeon on duty that weekend—I saw you being interviewed on television.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Don’t remind me. I don’t know why they were interested in talking to me...it was the victims and their families that deserved the attention.”
But Shane didn’t seem to be listening. “That was a little over ten days ago, right? And the incident made national news especially since the airport had to be shut down for over twenty-four hours. That has to be it. Ambrose must have seen the news and realized that you were still a threat.”
“Maybe,” she acknowledged, although she didn’t see why the news report would have caused Eric to come after her. It wouldn’t be too hard to figure out where she was working if he really wanted to.
The exhaustion that she’d managed to ignore for the past several hours came rushing back.
“I think I’ll rest for a while,” she murmured, even though the very idea of sleep seemed impossible. “Will you come and get me if you hear anything about Eric?”
“Of course,” Shane assured her. “And I’ll be right here if you need anything.”
Gabby didn’t doubt it for a second. She remembered how he came barreling into her call room in the early-morning hours when he’d heard her screaming in the throes of a nightmare. Hard to believe that was just twelve hours ago.
So much had transpired since then, she thought as she crossed through the connecting door into her room. No wonder she was feeling so mentally and physically drained.
She crawled into bed fully dressed, just in case they needed to leave in a hurry. When she closed her eyes, it wasn’t the more horrifying memories that crowded her mind.
No—the one thing that flashed into her mind’s eye was the look of surprise and delight on Shane’s face when she’d wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Shane’s embrace had managed to banish the fear she’d experienced at being pinned beneath Damon. So much so that all she could think of was Shane. His strong arms, his woodsy scent. The way his kiss had left her wanting more.
Somehow she must have fallen asleep, because when she abruptly woke up, she was surrounded by darkness.
She sat up, shoving her tangled curls away from her face, looking around the small motel room. She frowned, wondering what had woken her up.
A noise? Throwing aside the covers, she eased out of the bed, taking a moment to slide her feet into her comfy walking shoes. She couldn’t hear any sounds from the other side of the connecting door, so she assumed Shane must be sleeping too. He certainly deserved the rest.
Heavy curtains shrouded the window, so she lifted a corner, peering out onto the parking lot.
Then she heard it again, a soft tapping sound.
She froze, her heart pounding in her chest. There was no one at her window, and the tapping sounded tinny, as if someone was rapping against glass rather than the hard, dense wooden door.
Shane’s room? She drew open her side of the connecting doors and then gently pushed at the door on Shane’s side. It swung open easily and she tiptoed into his room.
There it was again, a soft tapping on the window. Fear gripped her by the throat and she crouched over Shane’s prone figure to shake his shoulder.
He bolted upright, and she reared back just in time to avoid getting smacked in the face. “Someone’s outside,” she whispered.
“Hide in the bathroom,” Shane commanded as he reached for his gun. “Don’t come out until I tell you it’s clear.”
She didn’t want to leave but sensed that she would only distract him if she stayed. Shane waited until she’d moved back toward the relative safety of the bathroom before crossing over to plaster himself against the wall.
Gabby peered around the door frame, watching with wide eyes as he moved the curtain a slight fraction of an inch. Then with a sigh of disgust, he reholstered his weapon and reached for the door.
“What are you doing, Nate? Trying to give us a heart attack?”
“I didn’t want to wake Gabby,” the detective said defensively as he entered the room.
“Yeah, because tapping on the window is so much less frightening,” she shot back as she crossed the room to where the men stood. Shane flipped on the small light, illuminating the room.
“Sorry,” Nate mumbled, rubbing his eyes wearily. “I’ve been up since yesterday. Guess I’m not thinking too clearly.”
Her brief annoyance quickly faded. “What happened? Did Eric show up at the hospital?”
“Not exactly,” Nate said, avoiding her direct gaze. “You’d better sit down. I have some bad news.”
Gabby sank onto the edge of the bed, her heart racing.
“What’s going on?” Shane demanded.
“Eric Ambrose is dead,” Nate said bluntly.
“What? How?” Gabby asked in confusion. “I thought you said you didn’t find him at the hospital.”
“We didn’t find him there,” Nate clarified. “But one of your neighbors called the police about a possible prowler. So I headed over.”
“To my house?” Gabby was still trying to assimilate the information.
“Yeah, to your place. I found Eric Ambrose’s body in your backyard.”
“That doesn’t make any sense,” Shane protested.
“There’s more. Ambrose had a can of gasoline and a bucket full of rags next to him. I believe he was planning to set fire to your home, but someone must have seen him there and stopped him.” Nate lifted his grim gaze to hers. “He was shot execution-style, just like the men who kidnapped you.”
“Creighton,” she whispered.
“That’s the only explanation,” Nate agreed.
Goose bumps rippled along her arms and she shivered.
Shane frowned. “So Ambrose wanted to set fire to Gabby’s house, presumably to destroy whatever notes she’d kept. But Creighton saw him there and killed him because he thinks that whatever he was searching for originally might be still hidden inside Gabby’s house.”
Gabby nodded slowly, unable to refute Shane’s logic.
“We let ourselves get sidetracked from the real culprit,” Shane said in frustration.
“Well, it’s not as if Ambrose wasn’t a threat,” Nate pointed out. “After all, he was planning to set fire to Gabby’s house.”
Gabby’s gaze locked with Shane’s. “So you were right all along. The kidnapping is related to my past.” Her stomach churned
as the truth settled into her bones.
Nate and Shane exchanged a grave look. “It’s the only thing that makes sense, Gabby,” Shane said with a sigh.
She shook her head helplessly, wishing there was a different answer. Honestly, she would have preferred this be the work of Eric and Joe rather than someone she didn’t know.
She shivered again, knowing the danger wasn’t over. Far from it. In fact, they were right back where they’d started.
With nothing tangible to go on.
FOURTEEN
Shane dropped onto the edge of the bed next to Gabby, putting a supportive arm around her waist. “I’ll keep you safe,” he promised in a low husky tone. He hated seeing the stark devastation in her eyes. If Nate hadn’t been there, he might have gathered her close and kissed her.
Probably a good thing Nate was there. He couldn’t afford that kind of distraction. Not when Gabby was still being threatened.
Her attempt to smile wrenched his heart. “I know,” she murmured. “And I appreciate that.”
“At least we know for sure that Creighton hasn’t found what he’s looking for,” Nate said logically. “And it must be pretty important if he killed Ambrose to prevent Gabby’s house from going up in flames.”
“Or he’s so callous he doesn’t mind eliminating anyone who gets in his way,” Shane muttered. “The three dead men who kidnapped Gabby is proof of that. He wants something very badly.”
“Yes, but what?” Gabby said in an exasperated tone. “We don’t have the slightest clue as to what he’s looking for. Right now, we’re flying completely blind.”
Shane knew she was right. But he also knew that the secrets locked inside Gabby’s brain held the key. But how to get past her crippling headaches to find them? He glanced over at Nate. “What if we ask Kristine Martin for help?”
Nate frowned, obviously puzzled. “Why would we need the sheriff’s department psychologist? Did I miss something? Neither one of us has killed anyone in the line of duty.”
“Not for us,” Shane said, understanding his buddy’s knee-jerk reaction. None of the deputies, or city cops, for that matter, liked having to talk to the department shrink after a shooting. The members of the SWAT team were sometimes given a little leeway, but not much. Rules were rules and that included a mandatory appointment with the psychologist for anyone who shoots and kills in the line of duty.