Deadly Christmas Duty

by Virginia Vaughan

  He rushed to her side. “Melinda, are you okay? I heard about the bomb.”

  “I’m fine,” she assured him. “This is Noah Cason. He was there when I found the bomb. He saved my life.”

  Jay reached for Noah’s hand and shook it briskly. “Thank you for what you did. I commend you. I’m glad no one was hurt. The police are saying the rest of the building was empty.”

  “I tried to check all the rooms,” Noah told him. “I didn’t see or hear anyone else there.”

  “What are we going to do now?” Melinda asked him.

  “I spoke with Judge Nicholson. He’s going to postpone our cases for two weeks. That should give us time to put them back together. I’m also having someone go through to see what evidence we had present at our office. If I’m right, we had fourteen active cases with evidence stored at our building. We’ll know more once we’re finished going through the rubble. For now, go home and hug your kid. We’ll deal with all this tomorrow.”

  “Jay, have you heard from Dawn Littlefield?”

  “Your assistant, Dawn? No. Why?”

  “I haven’t heard from her since she went to lunch. I’m sure she’s heard about the bomb by now.”

  “I expect so. It’s been all over the news.”

  “I just wish she would contact me.”

  “You don’t think she was inside, do you? As far as I know, the fire marshal said no bodies have been found.”

  “No.” Melinda felt silly for expecting Dawn to call her, but she thought she would have at least called to make sure Melinda was all right. It seemed out of character for her to be so aloof after such an occurrence. Of course, she didn’t have a phone any more. Maybe Dawn had tried but couldn’t get through. Melinda would try to phone her again later. I think you’re right. I’m ready to take Ramey home and get some rest.”

  “That’s a good idea. I’ll let you know when we’ve established a new place to work.”

  “My cell phone was destroyed in the blast. I’ll have to buy a new one tomorrow.”

  “No problem. If you don’t hear from me, I’ll leave a message for you here at the station.”

  “Okay.”

  She let Noah lead her outside as he walked to the car, carrying her son in his arms. Noah was good with Ramey, and she felt like she knew him after all the times she’d listened to Nikki rave about him. But now she wondered at herself. She’d allowed this man into her life and into Ramey’s life without hesitation or even checking him out. She’d trusted him completely after the way he’d jumped in to save her. But what did she really know about Noah Cason? And, most important, could she trust him?

  * * *

  Noah dropped Melinda and Ramey at their house and made certain all her locks were secured before he said good-night. He’d enjoyed spending time with Ramey, who seemed like a good kid with a happy disposition, but he was glad when her interview was over and he could drop them at home for the night so he could drive by his sister’s house. It was dark now and the lights were on inside. He parked and strolled past the house, observing every detail as surely as he was scouting out a target. In fact, he was. His target was inside at this very moment.

  He could see the man between the curtains going about his evening, eating in front of the television, while Noah’s sister was out there somewhere in the darkness, alone and discarded. The idea that her supposedly loving husband was lounging on the sofa while watching some sporting event burned him.

  Melinda had assured him there had been search parties and community efforts made to find Nikki, but it hadn’t been enough. His sister was still missing.

  He had no illusions that she would be found alive. Too much time had passed for that, and he’d seen too much during his career to believe that she could have survived this long. Rage bit him, but he tamped back every instinct inside him to bust through that door and beat the truth from his brother-in-law. He hated that he still had the urges for violence, but he supposed it was in his DNA. His parents had been violent people, and he’d inherited their disposition. In his youth he’d embraced those instincts, taking out his frustrations on anyone who’d wronged him. But he’d always felt terrible afterward.

  The SEALs had taught him to control that anger and filter it to help people, and it had been a service he’d enjoyed and was good at. He was still good at it even though he’d left the navy for private contract work with the Security Operations Abroad company. Now he used his skills to protect covert CIA operatives abroad. The pay was better, but he’d begun to miss the missions that had made a difference. Every time he’d been called to action in the SEALs, it was for a greater purpose. He’d begun to wonder why God had led him there, away from the SEALs and into private work.

  He’d gotten his answer three months ago when the US embassy three miles from the covert CIA base where he was working was overrun by locals bent on death and destruction. He and the other SOA operators assigned there had taken action, rescuing eight American citizens from a brutal attack. But they’d also lost two teammates. He’d been in briefings about the incident when the news about Nikki had finally gotten to him.

  He didn’t understand how a God he’d placed his love and faith in all those years ago could continue to allow such evil to win. Evil men like his brother-in-law, and the embassy attackers whose only aim had been to kill Americans, then continue to prosper and grow and be rewarded for their efforts. His own government was even sending aid to the very country who’d attacked them and crucifying Noah and his team for their response that night.

  He was proud of his teammate Rizzo for his courage in speaking up and telling his story to the press, and he’d heard just as he’d arrived in town that Quinn, another teammate, was joining him in opening up about the attack and their SOA unit’s response to it. They’d been told to stand down that night by their supervisor, but how could they? How could anyone sit back and watch others get slaughtered without at least trying to help?

  Noah spotted a black SUV with police markings stop in front of Wayne’s house. He saw Chief Peterson climb out and meet Wayne with a friendly handshake before walking into the house.

  He couldn’t help but wonder how well the police department had done their jobs, given that the chief of police was good friends with Wayne. Had they done a thorough search? Had they checked all the boxes in the investigation? Given the determination he’d seen in Melinda’s face, he thought she would have made certain they did. At least Nikki had one person in this town on her side.

  Daytonville reminded him of the place he and Nikki had grown up in, where the residents had turned their backs on the abuse the Casons had dished out to their children. His sister was innocent, the one innocent in their entire family. All she’d ever wanted was a normal, happy life, but this monster she’d married had ended her dreams. By all that was right and good, he wouldn’t allow this evil to win. He would fight it until Wayne Lassiter paid the price for what he’d done to Nikki.

  TWO

  Melinda fixed a breakfast of eggs and toast for Ramey the next morning, then sent him into his room to dress for church. Her ears were still ringing from the bomb yesterday, but she was determined not to miss. She loved her church, but some days it was hard to get up and go. Today was one of those mornings when the fear and worry of the past threatened to paralyze her. Logic told her Sean had nothing to do with yesterday’s bombing, but her fear just wouldn’t let it go. After a night of fitful sleep and pressing doubts, she needed to be at church being reassured by God’s promise that He had a plan for her life and that one day she would finally be free from her past.

  Ramey returned ten minutes later, pulling on a button-up shirt over his Power Rangers T-shirt. She smiled and helped him button it, then grabbed her purse and Bible as a knock on the door announced the cab she’d called to take them to church.

  She opened the door, surprised to see Noah standing on her porch. He’d driven them home the ni
ght before, clearing the house and making sure the locks were all secured before leaving. This morning he was dressed in jeans, a button-up shirt and boots, and carrying two cups of coffee and a small box.

  “Mornin’,” he said, his Southern drawl extending the word and dropping the g. He was clean-shaven and smelled like a delightful mix of coffee and Old Spice.

  “Good morning,” she replied, surprised to find she liked the way he carried himself.

  He handed her one of the cups. “I wasn’t sure how you liked it, so I just got black.” She took the coffee he offered. He opened the cardboard box to reveal a half dozen donuts and held it out to Ramey. “These are for you.”

  Ramey’s eyes grew wide and he stared up at her. “Can I, Mommy?”

  “Sure, but try not to make a mess.”

  He pulled out a chocolate-covered one and dug in.

  “Thank you for the coffee and donuts, but what are you doing here?”

  He frowned at her comment. “Did you forget you promised to help me with Nikki’s case?”

  “I didn’t forget, but I have a lot on my plate right now with the explosion. Nikki’s case is only one of several I’m going to have to restructure. Thankfully, most of the files are digitalized so they can be recovered, but the evidence is probably all destroyed. Even if it’s not, a good lawyer would argue it’s been contaminated by the explosion.”

  “So that’s it? You just give up?”

  She saw his frustration and understood it. “No, of course I’m not giving up, but it’s going to take some time to put a case back together.” She looked at him and saw the anguish he was suffering. His sister had been missing for months. They’d all gotten past the initial urgency and resigned themselves to the truth. Nikki wasn’t coming home. But it must be much harder for him to get there, having only recently learned of her disappearance. For him, it was all so fresh and new.

  “I’ll tell you what—this afternoon I’ll go by the police department. They can print off another copy of the original case file and you can go over their notes. That was the biggest part of my file anyway. At least it’s a place to start.”

  “Why not now? I’ll drive you.”

  “We’re on our way to church right now.” A car pulled into her driveway. “There’s my cab now. We really have to go or we’ll be late.”

  “Why don’t I take you, and then we can have lunch and talk about the case?”

  “I already have a cab.”

  He motioned for her to wait then strolled toward the car. He leaned into the window to speak with the driver, then pulled some money from his pocket and handed it over. A moment later the cab backed out of her drive and he hurried back to her.

  “Shall we go?” he asked, motioning toward his car.

  She had little choice but to go with him. She called to Ramey, and he hurried out the door. She was pleased to see the chocolate from his donut wasn’t covering his face and shirt as he hauled his booster seat into the back and she helped him buckle in.

  She should be upset with the way Noah had insisted on going with them, but she wasn’t. In fact, she found her heart beating an extra step faster as his hand touched her back while he led her to the vehicle then opened the door for her.

  Stop it, she commanded herself, forcing the smile she felt coming on to disappear. Yes, he was handsome, but she couldn’t go there. She wasn’t looking for romance, and she couldn’t afford to fall for anyone. How could she ever trust another man? And who would even want her after discovering her hand in her husband’s death?

  Yet as Noah Cason slid into the seat beside her, she couldn’t deny she was glad to be spending the day with the handsome soldier.

  * * *

  Noah was glad Melinda hadn’t tried to brush him off. He was intent on getting information about his sister’s disappearance, and he needed the details to start coming. He’d already seen some of the news stories online before he’d even arrived in town, but he didn’t want half-truths or rumors that the media often gave. He wanted to work off the facts, and he felt certain Melinda knew them with or without her case file. She’d told him Nikki was her friend, and she wanted justice for her. Besides, he didn’t like the idea of her going about her business like someone hadn’t just tried to kill her yesterday. He understood the danger she was in even if she didn’t.

  What he wasn’t sure of, however, was how he’d talked his way into attending church with her. It was the last thing he’d planned on doing today. He and God weren’t exactly on speaking terms as of late. just didn’t understand how a loving God could continue to allow evil to prevail. But staying beside Melinda was best for them both. She needed his protection whether she realized it or not, and he needed the information she knew about his sister’s case.

  He knew he was in trouble when they walked through the doors of the church and found it expertly decorated for Christmas. Melinda dropped Ramey off in the kids’ section downstairs, then led Noah into the sanctuary. Several people greeted her, all asking how she was and relating what they’d heard about the bombing. She received them all warmly and introduced Noah as Nikki’s brother, who was in town to investigate her disappearance.

  Everyone he met expressed sorrow about what had happened to his sister and insisted they prayed for her to be found safe. Outwardly, Noah thanked them, but inside he guarded his heart against their words and sentiment. He couldn’t be sucked in by their promises of prayer. He’d found it didn’t make a bit of difference in the outcome of anything. He knew because he’d tried it, praying like crazy when he was a kid for the abuse he and Nikki suffered to stop. It hadn’t...not until he’d ended it himself with a knife to the old man’s back as he was attacking his sister.

  He was glad when the music started and they could settle into their seats for the service. He tried to zone out the preacher’s words, focusing instead on the atmosphere in the room and telling himself he was just being thorough in protecting Melinda. Yet he caught himself focusing on words like savior and dying to save mankind. Images flashed through his mind of the attack on the embassy. The chaos of the night had been insane and the gunfire out of control. Those people had cared only about killing. Where had the Savior been then?

  Suddenly, he was gasping to catch his breath at the force of the memories spilling back to him. He stood and walked toward the back of the sanctuary, pushing through the double doors, ignoring Melinda’s curious stare that surely followed him. He exited through the front doors and leaned into his knees once outside. He needed some air. His throat felt like it was closing up. He did his best to push those memories of the attack away. He had to keep his focus on Nikki now. One crisis at a time was all he could handle.

  After several minutes he regained his composure and walked back inside. He stepped through the sanctuary doors and his stomach dropped.

  Melinda’s seat was empty.

  He glanced around, hoping against hope that she’d moved to sit with a friend when he’d left, but he didn’t see her anywhere. He hurried back to the row where they’d been sitting. “Do you know where Melinda went?” he asked a woman a few seats away, whispering so as not to disrupt the service.

  “She got a note passed to her that she needed to pick up Ramey from the kids’ church. She walked out right after you did.”

  He ran back down the aisle and out of the sanctuary. The kids’ church was one floor down, so he headed for the stairs they’d used earlier.

  Suddenly, the door slammed shut and Noah heard a scream from inside. When he opened it, a man burst through the door, barreling out of the stairwell and knocking Noah to the floor. His instinct was to chase the man, but he knew he had to make certain Melinda was okay first.

  He leaped to his feet and into the stairwell, spotting a figure lying at the bottom. She wasn’t moving. Her long, dark hair was spread across the tiled floor, and her face was bloody. He noticed with each step how solid and hard these
stairs would be for someone tumbling down them.

  He reached the bottom and touched her face. She was breathing normally. He checked for broken bones but found none. She opened one eye and peered up at him, then closed it again and groaned. “Noah, where’s Ramey? Where’s my son?”

  “He’s fine,” a man who appeared at their side told her. “He’s in children’s church.” He pulled out his phone. “I’ll call 911.”

  Noah glanced around and realized several people had emerged from rooms up and down the hall and were rushing to help.

  “What happened?” an older lady asked. “Did she trip?”

  He shook his head, anger and shame biting at him for leaving her side even for a moment. “This was no accident. She was pushed.”

  * * *

  Noah paced as the paramedic wrapped Melinda’s wrist in an ACE bandage.

  “You should really have that x-rayed,” she told Melinda. “And you need a CT scan since you lost consciousness.”

  “Only for a moment.”

  “You could still have a concussion.”

  “I feel fine. I’ll have someone take me to the ER if that changes.”

  The paramedic nodded then packed up her stuff and left, leaving Melinda sitting on a bench in the foyer of the church office. Noah had helped her walk to the office when she’d refused to get into the ambulance.

  Chief Peterson entered the office, followed by her pastor, Michael Greer.

  “Melinda, are you up to telling me what happened?”

  “I’ll do my best, but I’m not quite sure myself. Someone passed me a note saying I needed to go get Ramey from kids’ church. I should have known then something wasn’t right.”

  Pastor Greer nodded. “We use pagers to notify parents, not written notes.”

  “I know. I guess I wasn’t thinking clearly. When I approached the staircase, it was dark, which was odd because all the lights were on earlier. Then someone ran at me from behind the stairwell. I didn’t even have time to react before he pushed me.”