Deadly Christmas Duty

by Virginia Vaughan

  “There may be a reason for that. Did you ever meet his brother Tyler?”

  “Sure, I knew Tyler.”

  “Is it possible it was him attacking you?”

  Melinda laughed. “No, it wasn’t Tyler. Sean was big and broad. Tyler was always...well, Sean used to call him the runt of the litter. He was shorter and slimmer.”

  “A lot can change in seven years. He might have put on weight, grown a few inches.”

  “I don’t think it was Tyler, not the boy I remember anyway.”

  “I’ll check up on him regardless and find out what he’s up to.” He got up and knelt beside the fire, stoking it until it roared.

  “I still wish I had left Sean sooner. Maybe then, this wouldn’t be happening.”

  “We all have regrets, things we wish we’d done or not done.” He had a million of them, from not acting sooner to stop his father’s abuse to not preventing the deaths at the embassy. “I’ve seen and done terrible things, Melinda. It comes with the job.”

  “Being a Navy SEAL?”

  He shook his head and joined her on the couch. “I left the SEALs two years ago. It was supposed to be about rescuing people and taking out the bad guys, but it seemed there was always another bad guy on the horizon. They’re like weeds. You get rid of one, and six more grow. I guess I got disillusioned. It seemed the job turned more into taking out the enemy than rescuing.

  “I’ve been working for an organization called the Security Operations Abroad, the SOA. We do contract security for the CIA. My last station was in Libya. My team responded to an attack on the embassy there a few months ago. You probably heard about it on the news.”

  She nodded. “I did. That was you?”

  “Yes. We weren’t supposed to go. We never got an official okay from the higher-ups, but we couldn’t just wait around for people to die.”

  “Why wouldn’t the government give you the okay to help?”

  “They didn’t want to jeopardize their secret CIA base. If we went in, someone would have to explain how we got there and why. We didn’t care about all that politics. We heard the calls for help from the embassy and wanted to go.”

  She smiled up at him. “You’re a hero.”

  “No, I’m not. When the call came, I hesitated. I wanted to wait for official word. It never came, and finally my team convinced me we couldn’t wait any longer. I put my trust in my government to do the right thing. They failed me, just as I failed my team. I should have listened to them and not convinced them to wait. Because of my hesitation, two men in my team died, along with some from the embassy. Don’t you see, Melinda? I failed my team. I failed Nikki. Now I’m failing to keep you and Ramey safe.”

  “You haven’t failed me and Ramey. I’m still here because of you. And Nikki’s disappearance wasn’t your fault.”

  “I should have been here to protect her.”

  “I’m not sure it would have made a difference, Noah. She was stubborn, and she’d made up her mind to stay with Wayne.” She reached for his hand and held it. “I’m sorry for what you went through at the embassy. I can’t imagine all the things you’ve seen. God never planned for all this death and killing. It wasn’t the life He wanted for us.”

  “He hasn’t done much to prevent it.”

  “Of course He has. He’s sent people like you to do battle.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t fight for God, Melinda. I’m not even sure I believe in Him anymore.”

  “It doesn’t matter if you believe in Him. I don’t claim to have all the answers, Noah, but I have faith. I know God’s character, and it’s good and holy. If He allows us to hit rock bottom, maybe it’s to show us that He is The Rock at the bottom.”

  He looked at her, in awe of her conviction. “How can you have such faith, Melinda? Look at all you’ve been through. How can you still believe that God is on your side?”

  She gave him a small smile then squeezed his hand. “I’ll admit I’ve been very disillusioned recently. Then I realized something. God hasn’t abandoned me, Noah. He’s been fighting for me. He sent me you to protect me and Ramey. He sent me a warrior.”

  “I’m no one’s warrior. It seems lately I can’t protect anyone. Nikki. My teammates. I can’t save anyone, Melinda, and if I’m honest, I’m terrified of letting you and Ramey down. I’m worried I’m not enough to keep you safe.”

  She leaned over and placed a kiss on his cheek. “I believe in you, Noah. I believe in you.”

  She got up and went into the bedroom, closing the door behind her. He sat, the fire roaring and the room dark, staring into the flames. Part of him was thrilled Melinda believed in him. It gave him the affirmation he needed. But that tinge of doubt lingered. Was he good enough to keep them safe? And what would happen if he wasn’t?

  * * *

  The next morning, after dropping Ramey off at school, Noah took Melinda to the library where her makeshift office had been set up, then he headed for the police station. He wanted to talk to Peterson about what he’d found in Lakewater.

  “Sean has two brothers, Tyler and Ray. Ray’s been in prison for years, but Tyler lives in Atlanta.”

  “So you’re thinking it’s Sean’s brother who is responsible for these attacks against Melinda?”

  “It makes more sense than her dead husband, doesn’t it? The sheriff’s deputy in Lakewater is sure he drowned that day, despite the fact that they never found his body. Besides, if he was alive, I feel certain he would have come looking for Melinda a long time ago.”

  Peterson nodded. “I’d have to agree.” He sat down at his computer. “Okay, let’s see what we have on Tyler Steele of Atlanta.”

  Noah walked behind him so he could see over his shoulder as Peterson pulled up the information.

  “Looks like he’s lived in Atlanta for four years. Works at a car dealership. No criminal charges or arrests on file.” He pulled up his DMV file photograph. “And he looks nothing like his brother.”

  Noah examined the picture that popped up. Peterson was right. He looked nothing like Sean or even the man Noah had seen attacking him. Didn’t seem likely that Tyler was involved. “What about the brother in prison... Ray?”

  Peterson typed in some information, and Ray Steele’s inmate photograph popped up. Noah’s gut clenched. “That could be the guy who attacked us. How old is this photograph?”

  “This was taken six years ago.” Peterson leaned forward. “And look at this. He was paroled four months ago. He missed a meeting with his parole officer three months ago and hasn’t been heard from since. If this is our guy, it makes sense. He hasn’t been able to get to her all this time because he’s been behind bars. Now that he’s out, he wants revenge on her for killing his brother.”

  Noah agreed. “And he looks enough like Sean to freak her out and convince her that Sean isn’t really dead.” So it wasn’t some ghost back from the dead. It was simple revenge for the death of his brother.

  This news would shock her, but at least they had some answers now. And he knew who the bad guy was.

  * * *

  Noah picked up Melinda after lunch and drove her to her house to try to sort through the rubble. She nearly bawled at the sight of what was left of her home. Her Christmas lights were half hanging down, her lawn ornaments had been trampled and the water from the fire hoses had warped her floors.

  She pushed through the door with Noah close behind her. The small Christmas tree she’d purchased and decorated so precisely was gone. Her photographs were burned, and all her furniture was ruined. She kicked through the rubble and searched for any photo, any shred of something she could salvage. She found very little.

  The smell of smoke was everywhere, and she nearly gagged on it. She hurried back outside to the fresh air. Noah followed and pulled her into his arms.

  The horror of the situation slammed into her. Sean was destroying her life p
iece by piece. “He did this, didn’t he?” she asked, leaning into him. “Sean did this to me.”

  “No, he didn’t,” Noah insisted. “Sean is dead. Even the police believe it. There’s no reason to believe he’s not.”

  “Then who is doing this to me?”

  “This isn’t exactly the place I wanted to have this conversation, but Sean had a brother.”

  She shook her head. “I told you. It wasn’t Tyler.” She could never mistake Tyler for Sean. They looked nothing alike.

  “No, not Tyler. Ray.”

  “Ray? He’s in prison.”

  “No, he was paroled four months ago. He has the same build as Sean. Same coloring and looks. And you said you’d never met him. It’s possible you only thought it was Sean because of the similarities.”

  She gasped at the idea. She knew her own husband...didn’t she? She’d never met Ray before, but she supposed it was possible he looked enough like his brother to fool her. It had, after all, been seven years since she’d seen Sean. “Ray? Are you sure?”

  “It fits. I think he’s been here, watching you, learning your routine. He knows you’ve gotten on with your life, and he’s angry about losing his brother. This is his payback.”

  It was suddenly all too much. “I don’t think I can do this,” she told him.

  “Yes, you can. And I’m right here beside you. We’ll get through this together.”

  She stared up into his eyes. She could get lost in them, she knew.

  Melinda soaked in the presence of him. She’d longed for someone like Noah for so long. Yet she’d pushed those desires back for years, focusing on Ramey and building a life for him, but she’d never forgotten her dreams of falling in love with someone good and kind.

  To tell the truth, she’d never believed it would happen for her. She’d fallen hard for Sean, only to be disappointed and disillusioned with his kind of love. It had made her cynical and afraid to take another chance on love.

  Finally, she went back inside and did her best to sort through the mess that was her house and her belongings.

  It turned out that what she could salvage could be loaded into two boxes. Noah loaded them into the back seat of his car.

  “That’s it,” she told him. “That’s all that’s left of my life.”

  He sighed. “Maybe, but you can always rebuild. What’s important is that you’re alive.” He flashed her a mischievous smile. “I, for one, am extremely happy about that. I’ve grown to like you a little bit.”

  She liked his teasing tone. In fact, she liked everything about him, and he had become such an important part of her life in the past few days. Had it only been days since he’d first strolled into her office and demanded to know why Wayne wasn’t in jail? It seemed like forever ago.

  She didn’t want to live her life on the periphery any longer. If all this had shown her anything, it was that she didn’t want to be alone anymore. Yes, it was scary, but a good kind of scary. She didn’t know if she was making a mistake, but something about Noah made it so easy for her to fall for him.

  When he turned to her, she put her arms around his neck and leaned into him, pressing a soft kiss against his lips. She felt him tense, and his arms went around her, but then he pushed her away and stared into her eyes.

  “I can’t,” he whispered. “I—I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve you. I’m not a good person, Melinda.”

  She shook her head and touched his face. “You’re a wonderful person, Noah. You’re kind and brave and gentle. You’ve been there for me through all that’s happened. You’ve protected me and my son. I can’t even imagine what would have happened if you hadn’t come here.” She touched his face again, pulling it down to her lips. “You’re my hero, Noah Cason,” she said before their lips touched.

  He didn’t hold back this time, pressing into her and returning her kiss with all the love and passion inside him.

  Her old life had ended, but perhaps it was time to take a chance on a new life with him.

  * * *

  They headed to the school to pick up Ramey, a new exciting spark now floating between them. She intertwined her fingers with his as he parked. She felt like a teenager again experiencing first love, and knew she couldn’t wipe away the silly smile on her face even if she’d wanted to.

  Children were already running toward their respective day-care vans and buses as she stepped onto the sidewalk and looked around for Ramey. He always met her by the pole at the front of the building, but she didn’t see him anywhere. When the kids cleared out and Ramey still hadn’t appeared, she grew concerned and asked one of the teachers on duty if they knew where he was.

  She checked her clipboard. “It looks like he’s already been picked up.”

  “Picked up? By who?”

  “I don’t have that information, but I see he’s on the pick-up list. You can check with the office.”

  She glanced at Noah, trying not to let her panic show. The lightheartedness she’d felt earlier was gone. “Susan often picks up Ramey for me when I’m working a big case. Maybe we got our wires crossed today and she thought she was supposed to get him.” She hurried into the office and glanced at the list. Sure enough, Susan had signed Ramey out of school several hours ago. But under the reason for early dismissal, she’d written “sick.”

  “Was he ill?” she asked the school secretary. “I didn’t receive a call to come pick him up.”

  “I don’t think anyone called. She just showed up to check him out.” She seemed confused by Melinda’s alarm. “Mrs. Campbell is on his list of authorized people who can sign him out.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  “Is there a problem?”

  Melinda tried to hold it together, but inside she was screaming. She hadn’t asked Susan to pick up Ramey today. And she certainly wouldn’t have asked her to check him out early.

  She walked out with Noah by her side, his arm reassuringly on her shoulder. “I’m sure there’s a perfectly logical explanation,” he told her, trying to help her remain calm and not let fear drive her crazy. “Maybe he got sick and his teacher couldn’t reach you.”

  “That’s not what the secretary said. She said no one called.”

  “She doesn’t know everything. Call Susan. I’m sure this is all a misunderstanding.”

  He was right. She had to remain calm. If Susan picked up Ramey, then at least she knew he was safe. She took out her phone and dialed Susan’s number, her hands shaking as she held the phone to her ear. It rang three times then went to voice mail. “She’s not answering.” Melinda tried again, hitting the redial button. Again, the call went to voice mail. She glanced at Noah and shook her head.

  He opened the car door for her. “We’ll go to her house.”

  She slid in and tried Susan’s number again and again. She didn’t pick up, which wasn’t at all like her. Susan usually had her phone permanently attached to her hand. She was always on it, but for some reason today, the one day Melinda was counting on her being there, she wasn’t.

  Melinda immediately knew something was wrong when Noah pulled into Susan’s driveway. Her garage door was up, but her SUV was gone. She got out and ran up to the house. The front door had been kicked in.

  Her instinct was to rush inside screaming for her son, but Noah stepped in front of her and pulled his gun. He pushed open the door and looked around. Melinda followed him inside. Her first thought was that the house was too quiet. Two little boys made a lot of noise, but the house was eerily silent.

  “Wait here,” he told her as he moved through the house, clearing each room. He shook his head as he came back to her. “No one is here.”

  “Where could they be?” She was already fighting down hysteria, along with a thousand questions. Why would Susan pick up Ramey from school? And where had she taken him? And an even worse thought: Who had broken her front door in, and did it ha
ve anything to do with her actions?

  Noah pulled out his phone. “I’ll call Peterson and have him put a BOLO out for her car.”

  As Noah placed his call, Melinda walked into the playroom Susan had set up. Ramey loved spending time here, and Susan had always been so good to him. She didn’t understand what was happening. Where was her son?

  She picked up a stuffed rabbit she knew he liked to sleep with when he was here. She pressed it to her heart. God, please let him be okay.

  She was so weary of running and being afraid, but this was much worse. This was a knife through her gut and a stab at the only thing she had left in the world.

  Suddenly, a noise under the bed grabbed her attention. It sounded like a whimper. She dropped to her knees, her heart racing. Someone was hiding under the bed. Could it be Ramey? She leaned down and peeked under, spotting movement.

  “Hello? Who’s there?”

  A small head popped up and a pair of big blue eyes peered at her. It was four-year-old Jason, not Ramey.

  “Jason, honey, it’s Melinda. Come on out. You’re safe now.”

  He crawled out and went right into her arms. He was shaking and seemed so fragile.

  “Jason, can you tell me what happened? Do you know where Ramey is?”

  “He went with the man.”

  Melinda’s heart stopped, and all the breath in her lungs seemed to vanish. “What man?” she managed to ask him. “Did you know this man?”

  Jason shook his head. His eyes welled up and he started to cry. “He hurt my mommy.”

  “Where is your mommy?”

  “Gone with the man. She told me to run and hide, so I did.” He threw his arms around her neck and pressed himself against her. “I want my mommy,” he said as he began to cry.

  Noah must have heard him because he rushed into the room, his eyes wide with surprise.

  She lifted Jason into her arms and did her best to comfort him. “He was hiding under the bed,” she told Noah. “He said Ramey and Susan left with a man he didn’t know.”