Cold Dawn

by Susan Sleeman

  “Describe the vehicle.”

  “It’s white. Full-sized. No plates. Griff thinks it’s a Ford F-150, current model.” She glanced at Griff who was checking out his truck, shining his flashlight on the undercarriage. She could see the wheel that hit the stump was twisted at an odd angle.

  “Dispatch has issued an alert.” Blake said, sounding the most serious she’d ever heard him. “And the shooter. What did he look like?”

  “Couldn’t tell in the dark. Tall, though, and muscular. I’d put him at over two hundred pounds.”

  “I’ll get the search coordinated and then come on out there.”

  “You don’t need to make the trip,” Sam said, as she wanted to check for evidence. He wouldn’t let her, but a deputy might not argue.

  “A shooting in my county? Like I’d ignore that. Don’t let your guard down until one of my deputies arrive.”

  “Of course not.” She disconnected and turned to Griff.

  “Truck’s not drivable,” he said.

  “I’ll call Gage. He’ll send someone to pick us and the records up and arrange to have your truck towed.” She met his gaze. “I’m so sorry about your truck, Griff. I know it’s important to you.”

  He turned off the flashlight and marched toward her, his gaze fixed on hers. He came toe-to-toe with her and cupped the side of her cheek. “I can get a new truck, but I can’t get a new Sam.”

  Without warning he lowered his head, and his mouth landed on hers. His lips were cool from the night, but they quickly warmed. She knew she should step back, but the adrenaline that still rushed through her body told her to risk this. To risk kissing him and falling in love with him all over again. She slid her arms around his neck and drew him closer. Deepened the kiss. Clung to him like the seven years had never passed and they were still together.

  A police siren finally broke through her brain fog, and she pushed free.

  What was she thinking? Didn’t she heed Blake’s warning? A shooter could easily have crept up on them while they kissed.

  Foolish, Sam. Real foolish.

  She took a quick look around then watched as Griff drew in long breaths, gaining control of his emotions and putting on that bodyguard mask from his SEAL days. “I’ll go meet the deputy and give him a description of the shooter.”

  “But the light behind him,” she said. “I couldn’t make out his face. How did you see him clearly?”

  “I didn’t, but I can give a detailed description of his build. And that’s the first step in stopping this guy before he attempts to kill you again.”

  Sam grabbed Griff’s flashlight and rushed up to the road without a word. Griff charged after her. His muscles ached with each step, and she had to be hurting from the crash, too, but was likely still running on adrenaline. He assumed she planned to talk to the deputy whose siren grew closer, but why the flashlight?

  She ran it over the area where their shooter had parked the truck and dropped down to the road. She poked something.

  “Still warm,” she said and bent even lower.

  Griff followed the beam of her light to see a cigarette butt laying in the gravel.

  “Can you grab my kit from the truck?” She didn’t even look up.

  “Sure.” He picked his way back through the scrub and found her kit wedged in the jump seat. He pried it free, and by the time he got back up to the road, the deputy was pulling up on the far shoulder.

  Sam took her bag and got out a tweezer and evidence bag. She quickly picked up the butt, bagged it, and dropped it into her tote.

  The deputy started across the street.

  “Keep him busy,” she said and grabbed her kit. “Hopefully our shooter didn’t police his brass, and I can recover a casing.”

  She jogged down the road, disappearing into the darkness.

  Griff didn’t like her moving out of his sight, but their shooter was long gone and wouldn’t return with a deputy present. Griff took a breath and introduced himself to the young deputy. The man asked pointed questions about the shooting, took copious notes in his small notebook, and repeated them when Sam returned. But soon, Gage arrived, and they carried Andy’s files to Gage’s SUV while the deputy continued his investigation and brought in their forensic team.

  Blake arrived, too, and Griff finally met the dark-haired sheriff with an intensity that matched Gage’s.

  “Tell me again what happened,” Blake demanded of Sam.

  She’d stowed her kit in Gage’s vehicle, likely to keep Blake from knowing she’d recovered evidence. Griff didn’t know if what she did would be construed as interfering with an investigation or if she could be arrested for it, but he wasn’t about to mention her actions to Blake.

  He swung his dark eyes to Griff. “And you agree with her story?”

  Griff nodded. “Plus I can tell you the truck was a Ford F-150. Looked new. No plates. And the guy was near six feet. Large build. Two hundred plus pounds.”

  “My deputies are watching for him, but no sightings yet.”

  “We gave your deputy a thorough statement, and I’d like to get Sam home,” Griff said, wanting to get Sam out of there both to rest and so Blake wouldn’t learn of her evidence recovery.

  He seemed a bit annoyed that Griff would interrupt the questioning, but gave a firm nod. “I know where to find you if I have additional questions.”

  Gage clapped Blake on the back. “Thanks, man. And keep us updated, okay?”

  Blake crossed his beefy arms. “You know I can’t.”

  Gage clenched his fists. “Ignore protocol for once. They tried to kill Sam again. Keep me updated.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  Gage looked like that wasn’t good enough but pointed to his vehicle. “Let’s go.”

  The minute they got in the SUV, Sam turned to Gage in the front seat and recounted her evidence recovery. “I know Blake could bring me up on charges, but there are other casings on the road, and his team will be able to collect those.”

  From where Griff sat in the back, he could see Gage looked like he wanted to throttle Sam. “If the cigarette butt returns different results than the casing, you’ll have to tell him about it.”

  “I will, and I’ll be sure to document chain of custody so it can still be used in court.”

  They fell silent, and at the compound, they stopped in front of Gage’s cabin. “I’ll get Pepper for you, and you can take my vehicle.”

  He slid out, and as he got to the front door, Hannah came rushing out. She whizzed past him and whipped open Sam’s door. “You really are okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You about scared me to death.” She gave Sam a hug and looked at Griff as he climbed behind the wheel. “And you, too?”

  Griff smiled at her to ease her worry. “Good to go.”

  She tsked. “Well you both look awful. Tired and hungry. Come inside, and I’ll fix something for you.”

  Sam chuckled. “Food is not the solution for everything.”

  “Tell that to my mom.” Hannah laughed. “She taught me everything I know.”

  Gage came out carrying a sleepy-looking Pepper. Hannah moved out of the way, and he handed the puppy to Sam. Pepper licked Sam’s face, and she snuggled her close while saying goodbye to the Blackwells.

  When the door closed, Sam looked at Griff. “You up for heading to the conference room to give these files a better look while we wait for Eryn to finish up the phone image?”

  “Absolutely,” he said, though he really wanted to take Sam back to her place to get some rest. But the gleam in her eye said there was no point in even suggesting it.

  At the training building, he backed up to the door. “Would you give Pepper a quick walk, and I’ll start carrying in the boxes?”

  “Sounds like I’m getting the better end of the deal.”

  He tapped the cartridge of little baggies clipped to Pepper’s leash. “You may not say that when you have to clean up after her.”

  She swatted a hand at him and go
t out. Pepper bolted taking Sam with her.

  Griff hauled the boxes into the conference room, wishing Eryn was waiting for them and hadn’t run into snags in imaging the phone. She promised she would be done within the hour. After the attack, Griff wanted to push her. To do something, anything, to get her moving faster, but she said there was no way to speed up the process. An image took as long as an image was going to take. She couldn’t make it go faster, any more than Griff could.

  He shifted the boxes, and his chest ached something fierce. A seatbelt bruise. No big deal. He’d had worse. Like taking a round to the chest while wearing a vest. Now that was something that literally took your breath away. This he could handle.

  Sam returned with Pepper and directed her inside the building.

  Sam seemed to be rolling with the punches, too. She was a cop and had likely been injured her fair share of times, as well. Part of him wanted to ask if that was so. The other part, the one that won out, didn’t ever want to know about injuries she’d sustained in the past.

  He grabbed the next box, and inside the room, he found Pepper drinking water in a small paper bowl while Sam made popcorn in the microwave like nothing happened. She winced as she reached to close the microwave, and then walked gingerly across the room.

  He swore under his breath. Because of his carelessness, she was hurting. This was just like Stretch all over again, except she didn’t choose this injury like Stretch did. Griff had failed to protect her. He wouldn’t let that happen again.

  He made another trip, and when he returned, the aroma of melted butter made his mouth water, but he kept at his task until all the boxes were stacked in the corner.

  “Help yourself.” Sam placed the bowl of popcorn on the table and reached for a box.

  “You want to talk about the accident?” he asked. “Or the kiss?”

  “What’s there to say?”

  He grabbed a box and set it on the table. “A guy tried to kill you again. Maybe we need to talk about that and figure out why.” He stared at her over the box. “Ignoring it isn’t going to make it go away.”

  “I’m not ignoring it. Just not talking about it. But trust me, I’m thinking about it. Big time.” She popped a few kernels into her mouth and chewed. “And the kiss. It was wrong. You know it. I know it. End of discussion.”

  “But it felt so right.”

  She sighed. “You want me to say kissing you is amazing? Yeah, sure. It is. That’s never been in question. But ultimately you want more than that. Something permanent. The wife and kids, and I can’t give you what you want. So we need to leave it alone.”

  They were right back where they’d been years ago, and until she was willing to tell him why she didn’t want the same things any more, he could do nothing. “You owe me an explanation.”

  “I know.” She lifted weary eyes to his. “But not now, okay? It’s been a really long day and the crash. I don’t think I can do it.”

  He wanted information, but he couldn’t badger her, especially when her current pain was all his fault. “Fine. We leave it alone, but I’m not leaving alone the fact that a guy tried to kill you.”

  “Us. He tried to kill us.”

  “Yeah, well, this isn’t about me. It’s about you.” He grabbed a few more boxes and set them on the table.

  “Maybe he wasn’t trying to kill me. Maybe he wanted these boxes.” She tapped the nearest one.

  “Maybe, but we weren’t tailed to the storage unit. I made sure of that. He couldn’t know what we had in the truck bed.”

  “Didn’t mean he wasn’t at the storage place. The attendant could’ve called him.”

  “You mean like the attendant was paid to watch for anyone accessing Andy’s unit?”

  “Exactly.”

  Griff had to admit she could be right. It hurt his pride, but that wasn’t important. Not at all. “Going forward we have to be more careful. Know that this guy is out there and hasn’t given up on trying to take you out.” He met her gaze over the boxes. “And we need to follow up on that report you requested from PPB on felons who might want you dead.”

  “I’ll give Yancy a call in the morning.”

  “No.” He locked gazes with her. “Tonight. You’ll call him tonight.”

  He expected her to argue, but she blew out a long breath instead. “Fine. Tonight.” She reached for a box.

  He didn’t wait to see which box she chose, but went to the refreshment counter and washed his hands in the small sink. Back at the table, he grabbed a handful of popcorn. He munched and watched Sam scan each box while she occasionally reached for popcorn. He had a feeling she should’ve eaten that entire sandwich, and now he also felt guilty about taking it. “I shouldn’t have eaten half your dinner.”

  “No worries.” She waved a popcorn-filled fist. “This has been my dinner more times than I can count, so I’m good.”

  “No you’re not.” Hannah’s voice came from the doorway. Her eyes were sparkling and she held a wicker basket. “You thought you were getting away, but I brought you some fruit, veggie sticks, and freshly made hummus.”

  She set the basket on the table and ran her gaze over Sam and then Griff. “You’re both really okay?”

  “Fine,” Griff said again and appreciated her concern.

  Hannah took Sam’s hand and pulled her into a hug.

  Sam moaned.

  Hannah leaned back. “So you’re not all right after all.”

  “Just a bruise from the seatbelt.”

  “It should be checked out,” Griff insisted.

  Sam waved a hand. “It’s not the first one I’ve had. I know it’s nothing more.”

  “Still, I’m going to check on you tomorrow.” Hannah started lifting containers from the basket. “If it’s worse, we’re seeing a doctor.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Sam laughed and opened the closest container. “Umm, my favorite. Spicy black bean hummus.”

  “I thought you could use some real food.” Hannah opened the carrots and celery.

  “You always think we can use food.” Sam dipped a carrot into the hummus.

  “And I’m usually right.” Hannah stood back. “Don’t be shy, Griff.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He followed Sam’s lead but added a salute.

  “Ah, good. You’ve figured out I’m the real commander in this compound.” Hannah grinned.

  “The woman behind the great man.” Griff grabbed a paper plate.

  “Who said anything about being behind?” Hannah chuckled. “Now tell me. Has your day been productive?”

  Sam nodded and recounted their many visits as she loaded a paper plate with veggies, hummus, and apple slices. “Eryn’s just about done with the phone, and Gage is calling someone in to look at the files.”

  “Actually, he’s putting the kids to bed right now, but then I know he’ll take care of it.” Hannah shifted her gaze to the boxes. “I’m not a forensic accountant, but my minor was in accounting. You want me to take a quick look to see what I think?”

  “Please.” Sam bit off a carrot dripping with hummus.

  Griff wasn’t big on hummus, but he’d never had it made with black beans, so he took a taste. “Hey, this is good.”

  “No surprise.” Hannah winked. “Everything I make is good.”

  “At least that’s what we tell her.” Sam laughed and shoved a celery stick into the black bean mixture.

  Hannah rolled her eyes and settled down at the table with a thick file.

  Griff gave Sam a pointed look. “So the cigarette butt and casing you recovered. What are your plans with that?”

  “I might be able to get a print from the casing, but more likely Emory can retrieve DNA. I can overnight them to her in the morning.” Sam’s phone dinged from where it lay on the table. “It’s from Alex. He got a sample of the dog’s hair.”

  “That’s great.”

  “Yeah, might not move the investigation forward much, but it’s added evidence. And who knows, it might not match my sample.”


  Griff hadn’t even considered that possibility. Just like she’d said. Reaching a conclusion when you formed an opinion. “That would change things dramatically.”

  Sam nodded. “The guys won’t be home until morning, so we should go pick up the sample after we review the phone data.”

  Griff agreed, but the last thing he wanted to do tonight was to take Sam out of the compound again. He’d go get the evidence himself, but he knew she’d insist on coming along. Maybe he could talk Gage into making the drive. But why? Griff would have to let her leave the compound at some point—not like he could really stop her or was even in control of her—so why not tonight?

  Because protecting someone was harder in the dark of night. It would be great if they knew if the driver was a past criminal who was hunting her down. Griff could form a plan then and do a better job of protecting her. “Now would be a good time to make that call to your PPB buddy.”

  She looked irritated at the reminder, but dialed her phone. She ended up leaving a message with Yancy and gave Griff a pointed look as she did so.

  “Thanks for trying,” he said and flipped through the closest file box, not seeing anything unusual until he spotted an unlabeled folder and removed it from the box. “Emails. This folder has emails.”

  Sam came around the table and leaned over his shoulder as he flipped through them. “They’re all from Oscar talking about the Zimmerman account.”

  “I saw that file.” Sam’s excited voice rang through the room. She pulled another box close and yanked out a file to hand it to Hannah. “Look at this one, please.”

  Hannah opened the folder, her gaze immediately zooming in.

  “Phone’s done.” Eryn rushed into the room carrying a laptop. “You can look at the image now.”

  “Hey, Hannah,” she said and grabbed a carrot to dip before taking a seat.

  Hannah nodded, but didn’t look up.

  Eryn opened her laptop and glanced up at Sam. “What’s she so engrossed in?”

  Sam explained about the files.

  Eryn looked around. “Wow. I didn’t even notice the boxes.”

  “But you did zoom in on the food,” Sam joked.