“Don’t be ridiculous,” the groom said, laughing in amusement at the very idea. “Jenny, tell him he’s crazy.”
Jenny didn’t answer. Instead, she stared at Stan, her eyes filling with tears.
“Jenny?” Joe Bosworth turned to her.
Stan’s eyes never left Jenny’s face. His smile was gentle, coaxing. He held out his hand. “Come on, Jenny. It’s time to go.”
A trembling smile touched Jenny’s lips. Without a word, she placed her hand in his and followed him down the steps of the altar.
The crowd watched their escape in stunned silence.
The pair had gotten about halfway out of church before the groom finally seemed to realize what was happening. Storming down the aisle, his groomsmen right behind, he bellowed, “Wilson, you bastard. You’re going to pay for ruining my wedding.”
The guests began to spill out of the pews, following the bridal party outside.
Maggie lingered behind by the altar. The church was now empty, and from outside she heard scuffling and the angry sounds of shouting. She’d had enough violence in her life. She was in no hurry to be a witness to more.
Jenny’s expensive bridal bouquet, lying on the floor, abandoned and forgotten, caught her eye. Maggie stooped to pick it up. As she rose, she heard footsteps on the marble floor in the aisle behind her. Half expecting, half hoping it was Jason, she smiled and whirled to face him.
Her smile faded. Her heart stuttered as she stared into a pair of cool, deceptively placid, blue eyes. Her worst fear had finally come true.
After all her months on the run, her ex-husband had finally found her.
Chapter 15
His fault. If anything happened to Maggie, it would be his fault.
The thought settled heavily on Jason’s shoulders. Guilt pressing hard against his heart, he tromped on the gas pedal, pushing the Jeep as fast as he dared through the evening traffic. Weekend tourists, as well as locals looking to relax and unwind with a night on the town, filled the streets, slowing his progress to the church.
Growling in frustration, Jason braked for a red light. Knowing that technically this was not an emergency call, he flipped on his lights and siren and nudged his Jeep through the intersection.
He had been the one who hadn’t trusted Maggie enough. Instead of simply asking her to tell him the truth, he’d gone behind her back and sought to slake his curiosity by using the contacts of his job. In doing so, he’d put her life, as well as Kevin’s, in jeopardy.
Unbidden, memories of his son’s death crowded his mind. The pain of losing him. The helplessness he’d felt watching him die and being unable to do anything to prevent it. The guilt he’d felt at still being alive and healthy and able to continue on alone, while his son’s life was cut short. All of these emotions washed over him, overwhelming him. It had taken him years to accept that he’d lost Scotty because of circumstances beyond his control.
This time things were different.
He’d be damned if he’d lose Maggie and Kevin because of his own stupid mistake.
The Jeep teetered precariously, threatening to roll over, as he turned the next corner too sharply. Straightening the wheel, he sped up again, keeping the church steeple within his sights.
Maggie’s beautiful face flashed before his eyes. Her sparkling green eyes, her shy smile, the dusting of freckles on her nose and cheeks, the strawberry blond hair that was like cornsilk to the touch—he couldn’t get the images out of his mind. His pulse quickened. Nor could he shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.
That Maggie was in danger.
A crowd jammed the front steps of the church, spilling out onto the sidewalks. A few people glanced his way when he pulled up to the church with his lights throbbing and his siren blaring. In the center of the crowd, the focus of the group’s rapt attention, was Stan Wilson.
Obviously Stan had taken his matter of the heart into his own hands. Literally.
Before him, a fist fight ensued involving Stan and the groom, Joe Bosworth, the son of the town’s leading citizen. No doubt there’d be hell to pay in the morning. Joe’s father was an alderman, one of the men who’d hired Jason, one who could also fire him. Mr. Bosworth was still displeased at Jason’s arrest of his youngest son for the possession of alcohol during the school’s Spring Carnival. If he stood back and did nothing to stop this fight, his job might be on the line.
But none of that mattered to Jason now. Stan’s battle for the woman he’d loved would have to go unassisted.
Jason had to find Maggie.
Cutting the siren, he threw open the door of the Jeep and stepped outside. He scanned the crowd, searching for Maggie’s sweet face. Instead, he spotted a familiar head of brassy blond hair, topped with a feathered purple hat. Weaving his way through the crowd, he reached to Maggie’s friend, Dot.
When he tapped her shoulder, she reeled around in surprise. Pressing a hand to her ample bosom, she exclaimed, “Chief Gallagher, you scared me half to death.”
“Sorry, Dot. I’m looking for Maggie and Kevin.”
“Why, Kevin’s right here.” She turned, frowning at the empty space beside her. “Well, he was here just a minute ago.”
Jason schooled his face, revealing none of his concern. “Have you seen Maggie?”
Dot shook her head, causing the feathers of her hat to billow in the air. “Well, not since the wedding was, uh, cut short. I guess she must still be inside. Maybe Kevin went in to find her.”
Jason nodded, turning to leave.
“Chief,” Dot called, stopping him. She waved a hand at the battling suitors. “Aren’t you going to do something about this?”
He glanced at the two men, watching as Stan ducked just in time to miss a blow to the chin. Recovering quickly, Stan rose and landed two sharp punches on Joe Bosworth’s jaw.
Jason shrugged, allowing himself a slight grin. “Looks as though Stan’s doing just fine without me. I don’t think he needs my help.”
Dot’s crimson mouth curved into a smile. Her throaty laughter followed him as he headed toward the church.
“Gerald,” Maggie whispered, staring at the man before her. Tall, blond and handsome, he hadn’t changed much since the day she’d first met him. He still possessed an aura of confidence, of power—of intimidation and danger. An impression that was reinforced by the gun he held in his hand.
“You still recognize me,” he said with a smooth smile. “I suppose I should be grateful for that...after all this time.”
“H-how...?” Fear tightened her throat. The words refused to form. She hated herself for feeling so scared, so weak.
His smile deepened. “How did I find you? I have to admit it wasn’t easy. It took me longer than I expected.” He chuckled, the hollow sound sending a chill down her spine. Despite the controlled tone of his voice, there was a maniacal glint in his eyes. She’d never seen him look more crazed. This time, she told herself, he would certainly kill her. “I had to wait until you slipped up. Obviously you trusted the wrong person. Someone was checking up on you, my dear. Your fingerprints were scanned through the police files in California. It didn’t take long for the word to get to me.”
Maggie’s heart stuttered. The church suddenly grew colder. She shivered, realizing it must have been Jason who had betrayed her. Who else would have access to the police files?
No, she refused to believe that Jason would do anything to harm her. There had to be another reason for her ex-husband’s appearance, she told herself, as her heart ached with uncertainty. She felt helpless, more alone than she had in months.
Pushing the troubling thoughts away, unwilling to go down without a fight, she shook her head, gripping the bouquet of arum lilies more tightly. “You’ll never get away with this, Gerald. We’re in a church. There’s a big crowd just outside the doors.”
His gaze sweeping the altar, he said, “If you’re waiting for an act of God to save you, I wouldn’t hold my breath. I’ve long given up hoping for His influence
in any way.” He inclined his head toward the entrance. “As for your friends, I believe they’re otherwise occupied. I sincerely doubt anyone will notice our departure.”
Unable to help herself, Maggie glanced down the aisle toward the entrance. Then she wished she hadn’t. A fear so great it nearly overwhelmed her trembled through her body. She wanted to shout, to cry out a warning. But she was afraid her calls for help would only aggravate an already explosive situation.
Instead, she watched, frozen to the spot, as Kevin slowly made his way toward them.
He wore a light blue suit and tie. His arm was still in its cast and sling. His face was pale. There was fear reflected in his young eyes.
After years of watching Gerald abuse her and being abused himself, Kevin’s self-esteem had been eroded. Only after months of being away from his father’s destructive influence, after the patient positive reinforcement with which she’d plied him and his fledgling relationship with Jason, had he regained some of his confidence.
In the past Kevin might have run away, too terrified to face his father.
But not tonight.
Even in his worst nightmare, Jason could not have imagined a more frightening scene.
Moments ago he had slipped into the church. Immediately he was struck by the eerie stillness of the building. It was a stark contrast to the mayhem outside. His heart sounded too loud as it pounded in his chest. His footsteps against the marble floor seemed to echo throughout the church. Reflexively he tiptoed through the vestibule, making his way quietly toward the altar.
He stopped dead in his tracks at the sight before him.
Maggie stood at the altar, facing him. A blond man stood a few feet away from her. In his hand he held a gun, which was trained on Maggie. Not far behind, inching his way closer to danger, was Kevin.
For God’s sake, Jason moaned silently, it was a disaster waiting to happen.
How was he supposed to save them both?
Forcing himself to move, he unfastened his gun, slipping it out of his holster. Quickly, quietly, he crept up behind the small group.
A flicker of recognition lit Maggie’s eyes. Their gazes caught and held across the length of the chapel. She drew in a sharp breath of relief, unconsciously alerting her ex-husband to his presence.
The man tensed, whirling around to face him. Simultaneously he spotted Kevin. Frowning with confusion, he raised his gun, pointing it directly at his son.
Outrage rose in Jason’s throat. The force of the emotion stopped the words from emitting. Hurling himself toward the pair, the world spinning around him, all he could muster was a single, bellowed word. “Noooo...”
Things happened very quickly.
Kevin, tucking his head down and raising his shoulders like a miniature football tackler, threw himself at his father, clipping him at his knees.
The gun went off, spewing its bullet in an upward arc, sending a shower of plaster and wood chips raining from the choir loft.
Gerald fell back, struggling to regain his balance as his feet were caught on the first step of the altar. All the while he reached out, trying to grab hold of Kevin.
With a grunt of exertion, Kevin rolled out of the way, scrambling to his feet.
Her son safe, Maggie raised the thick bouquet of flowers and swung with all her might, landing a blow on one side of her ex-husband’s head.
The blow stunned him but didn’t stop him. It did, however, give Jason the time he needed to close the distance between them. Just as Gerald whirled around to face Maggie with a livid, frenzied expression on his face, Jason moved in.
Tucking his gun in his holster, he clamped a hand around Gerald’s wrist, lifting the man’s arm and his gun out of harm’s way. With a strength he hadn’t realized he’d possessed, he squeezed his grip until he heard the other man’s cry of pain. The gun fell from Gerald’s hand, clamoring noisily on the marble floor.
Quickly Maggie bent to pick it up. Her hands shaking, she held the gun, pointing it at her ex-husband. Kevin used the distraction to clamber up the steps of the altar, finding safety behind his mother, watching, horrified, as he clung to her silky skirt.
Wishing he could spare the boy any more violence, but knowing he had to act quickly and forcibly, with his free hand, Jason landed a roundhouse punch to Gerald’s gut.
Gerald’s breath escaped in a whoosh. He bent over, gasping in pain. Taking advantage of his weakened state, Jason unhooked the cuffs from his belt and clipped them on Gerald’s wrists.
Suddenly there was a commotion at the entryway. Jason glanced over his shoulder and spotted Officer Schmitz and a handful of other policemen running down the aisle toward him. Frowning with confusion, he said, “How did you know?”
His face grim, Schmitz grabbed hold of one of Gerald’s arms. “When you left, you said you were going to the church. From the look on your face, I knew it had to be bad news. I figured it was about Stan, until Betty told me you’d just talked to that guy in California, the one whose phone calls you’ve been dodging all week. Then I knew there had to be more to it.” He shrugged his massive shoulders. “So I got a few guys to follow me, thought maybe you could use some help.”
“Yeah, I can,” Jason said, standing numbly, unable to move. The impact of what had just occurred, of what might have happened, struck him like a blow. His breath caught in his throat The strength drained from his muscles. All he wanted to do was take Maggie into his arms and hold her tight, reassuring himself she was safe.
“Chief,” Schmitz said.
Jason glanced at him, frowning.
Schmitz nodded toward the altar. “I think we’ve got another problem here.”
He whirled around to find Maggie standing at the altar. Her face was drained of color, causing her freckles to stand out. She looked lost, her expression distant, haunted. But that wasn’t what troubled him most. In her shaking hands, she still held Gerald Stuart’s gun.
And it was pointed directly at Gerald Stuart’s head.
“Maggie,” Jason said, keeping his voice soft, his tone nonthreatening. Slowly he stepped toward her. “Maggie, honey, give me the gun.”
“He was going to hurt Kevin,” she said, her voice trembling, her eyes never leaving her ex-husband’s face.
“Will somebody do something about her?” Gerald Stuart snapped. His face was red, his breathing harsh. “The bitch wants to kill me!”
Schmitz wrenched Gerald’s arm back, evoking a cry of pain. “Say another word and I’ll personally shut you up.”
Jason ignored the pair. He moved closer, stepping into her line of vision. “He can’t touch you now, Maggie.”
She shook her head. “He’ll find a way.”
“No, Maggie. This time he’s going to jail for what he’s done. His power over you is finished.” Jason stepped between her and her ex-husband. He lifted his hand, reaching for the gun. “He won’t hurt you or Kevin ever again.”
Moisture filled her eyes. She blinked, sending a stream of tears down her cheeks. She stared at him, as though seeing him for the first time. Then, looking down at the gun in her hand, her face crumbled and she released a pitiful cry of pain and suffering.
Jason took the gun from her limp grip, handing it over to a nearby officer. Then he pulled her into his arms, cradling her against his chest. Her tears, hot and damp, stained his shirt. Her warm breath fell in rapid puffs against his skin. Heart-wrenching sobs shook her slender body. And all he could do was hold her close.
Officer Schmitz led Gerald Stuart away, motioning for the other policemen to follow.
In the sanctuary of the altar, Jason continued to hold Maggie, rocking her gently until the sobs lessened. Until he heard a small voice say, “Mom?”
Jason loosened his hold on Maggie, turning to find Kevin standing at his side. His expression was one of fear mixed with concern.
“Kevin?” Maggie said, pushing herself away. She dropped to her knees, running her hands over her son’s face, his hair, gently touching his wounded arm. “Oh,
honey. Are you okay?”
He nodded, looking too upset to speak. Tears glittered in his eyes, magnified by the lenses of his glasses. Sniffing loudly, he swiped impatiently at the offensive teardrops.
Mindful of his broken arm, Maggie pulled him close, enfolding him in her arms. Together, mother and son, they formed a tightly woven bond of love.
Jason stepped away, feeling suddenly out of place, as though he didn’t belong. Because of him, Maggie and Kevin had been traumatized, endangered. If he’d trusted her, believed in her, he wouldn’t have called his ex-partner in California.
It was his fault that Gerald Stuart had found them.
It would have been his fault if Maggie or Kevin had been hurt, or worse.
He stared at the pair, thankful for their safety, wishing he could explain why he’d done the things he had, but knowing the words would be inadequate.
Once Maggie knew the truth, would she ever be able to forgive him?
Chapter 16
Ronald P. Evans, acting on behalf of the Meridia County District Attorney’s Office and representing the state of California, paced the floor of the judge’s chambers, making clear his impatience with the speed of the proceedings.
Judge Walter Homblower, a tall, thin man with a narrow face and beaklike nose, sat behind his desk and peered at him over the rim of his reading glasses. “Mr. Evans, would you mind sitting down? You’re distracting me.”
The attorney blew out an exasperated breath, but did as requested.
Maggie, sitting in a chair opposite Evans, glanced across the room to where Jason stood at the door. His smile was brief, but did not touch his eyes. The exchange did little to reassure her.
In the past three days, since the arrest of her ex-husband, the only contact she’d had with Jason had been of a legal nature. Even then, he’d seemed so formal, so distant. Not that she blamed him. As the chief of police for Wyndchester, he’d been placed in the tenuous position of having to deal with her status as a fugitive.
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