Promises of Mercy(Montana Promises-Book 1)

by Vella Day

  When he caught sight of Cade, his roommate was speaking with a doctor. Stone waited until they finished their conversation before he went over. Cade’s eyes were bloodshot and his posture less than straight.

  Cade nodded. “Hey. What’s up?”

  Why Stone was nervous to have this conversation, he didn’t know. “Got a minute to chat?” His roommate had said he was free, but his scheduled might have changed.

  “Sure. Our prime suspect has the day off. That doesn’t mean he can’t slip in here, but mentally I’ve lowered the alert from red to orange.”

  “How did the interrogation go yesterday?” Cade mentioned he would be speaking with Ben, Jamie, and two other nurses again. The others were to make it look like the cops were just being thorough.

  “Jamie acted nervous, and Ben was belligerent at first, then turned into a total mess, but he didn’t confess if that’s what you want to know.”

  Damn. “Did it help you narrow down your search?”

  “No. We have to catch the person in the act.”

  “You aren’t worried the real killer will lay low for a while?”

  Cade ran a hand over his head. “It’s possible. At this point, I’ve given up trying to guess the killer’s next move. It’s been close to two weeks, way longer than I thought he’d last.”

  “Want to grab a coffee?” Cade looked like he could use the break.

  “Sure.”

  The cafeteria was on the other end of the wing. Cade didn’t ask what this was about, but Stone bet his roommate could guess. Because Stone was about to head into work, he grabbed a coffee and a pastry. They picked a table along the wall and sat.

  Stone inhaled. “I want to talk about Amber.”

  Tension crossed Cade’s face. “What about her?”

  “I’m about to go in and ask my supervisor for the day shift. I want to spend more time with her, but I need to know your intentions.”

  Cade barked out a small laugh. “You her dad now?”

  That brought a smile to his lips. It did sound as if he wanted to make sure Cade had honorable intentions. Shit. He sucked at this. Stone wanted a permanent ménage relationship, and the three hadn’t even engaged in a real three-way yet.

  “Look. I know we’ve always kept what we do with our women casual, but Amber is different,” Stone said.

  Cade grabbed his mug with two hands and sipped the steaming brew. “I know. She’s special.”

  “So how serious are you?” They’d never had this conversation before and Stone feared he’d fuck it up.

  Cade cocked a brow. “As serious as you are.”

  That didn’t answer Stone’s question. “I think she might be the one for us.”

  A slow, tired smile spread across Cade’s face. “My thoughts exactly.”

  Relief washed through him. “Then you better catch the son of a bitch who’s taking these lives so we can get on with ours.”

  “Don’t I know it.” Cade leaned forward. “When this is over, we need to tell Amber we want her. All this last minute cancelling of dates along with only one of us being free for her doesn’t do anyone any good.”

  Stone couldn’t believe his ears. “I couldn’t agree more, but we do have jobs and that can’t be helped.”

  “I know, but we can work together to minimize the disturbance.” He looked away for a moment. “I want a family. A real family. Like what your parents have.” Cade leaned back, looking as if he’d needed to get that off his chest.

  Stone stuffed the pastry in his mouth and grinned. Amber had actually done it—tamed the great Cade Carter. He’d thought the day would never come.

  * *

  Amber wanted nothing more than to see her men, but Cade said he planned to spend every waking hour at work until the killer was caught. Stupid man. He’d put himself in an early grave if he wasn’t careful. However, it was his determination that she admired most about him. She loved his dedication, his concern for justice, and his never give up attitude.

  When Stone had texted her to ask if he could stop over in an hour for a few minutes, she said she’d love the company. He’d come by the hospital a few times this week, but that only served to add to the frustration. Not being able to hug and kiss him was driving her crazy.

  Now she had to hurry. She dumped a six-pack of ale into her already too full grocery cart. She’d been so busy she hadn’t had time to even shop. Her mind raced to what Stone and Cade might like to eat when they did come over. She immediately scratched pizza off the list. They needed something more nutritious like fish, chicken, or good old grass fed Montana beef. As she headed to the meat aisle, her cell rang. It was Jamie. This was a busy day.

  “Hey, girl.”

  “Amber.” Her voice came out shaky. “Is there any way we can meet?”

  She pulled the cart to the side of the aisle so she didn’t block traffic. “Sure. What’s wrong?” She bet Stone would be in and out in before Jamie could even stop by.

  “I broke up with Benny.” The sob that escaped ripped Amber up. Her mind jumped to all sorts of bad scenarios. Had Benny told her something?

  “Oh, honey. I’m at the store but can be home in fifteen minutes. Meet me there, okay?” Damn. Her kisses with Stone would have to be quick. Her talk with Jamie wouldn’t be.

  “Okay,” she choked out.

  Before Amber could extract more information from her friend, Jamie disconnected. Dear God. Even though Jamie had been acting a little distant lately, Amber hadn’t seen this coming.

  She wondered if Jamie suspected Ben of the murders, too. No. Jamie would have come to her with that horrible thought before she spoke with Ben—or so she hoped.

  Stomach churning, Amber rushed to the check out. It was just her luck it took eons to get through the line. One item didn’t have a label and the cashier had to send someone to check the price. Amber had been tempted not buy the can of peas, but the kid had already run off. Aargh. Murphy’s Law seemed to be in full force today.

  When she finally paid, she rushed to her car and stored her four bags in the trunk. When she reached her drive, she was pleased she’d beaten Jamie there. She grabbed one of the bags, and as quickly as she could, rushed up the steps. She opened the door, set her groceries on the counter, and raced back out again. Waiting this long between shopping trips hadn’t been smart. As it was, she’d have to go back tomorrow for the fish and chicken she didn’t have time to buy today.

  She loaded up both arms, traipsed back inside, and set the packages down. “One more to go,” she huffed.

  As she turned around, Ben was standing in her open door.

  “Hello, Amber.”

  Oh, shit. He was pointing a gun straight at her chest.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Amber covered her mouth with both hands. Her throat clogged as adrenaline zipped through her. She shook her head. This can’t be happening.

  Ben stepped into the living room, and she scrambled backward. When her leg bumped against something hard, her feet flew out from under her. Oh, fuck. Arms flapping, she landed on her ass, and pain tripped up her spine.

  Get out of here!

  Heels scraping against the floor, she tried to scoot away from him. Ben’s mouth moved, but the blood pounding in her ears prevented her from hearing anything. She had to escape. Had to get away from him.

  Amber flipped over and propelled forward on all fours as she tried to gain traction on the slippery hardwood floors. Needing to call for help, she made it to her feet and raced toward the counter.

  Footsteps pounded behind her. “Amber. Stop.”

  She’d heard his words but didn’t obey them and dove for the cell. With shaking fingers she dialed the nine and then the one.

  “Amber!” A shot sounded and a bullet hit the wall next to her head, sending sharp bits of plaster into her cheek. Blood dripped. Her ears rung. Then the pain registered, but she pushed aside the throbbing ache.

  Press the one again.

  Suddenly she was in the air, flying across th
e room. Heart in her throat, she couldn’t focus. She landed with a thump on the sofa and banged her head on the sofa arm. Fuck.

  “Give me that!” Ben ripped the cell from her hands and hurled it across the room. “Bitch.” A crash sounded.

  He backhanded her across the face and a streak of fire skated across her cheek. She tried to scream but only a croak escaped. Paralyzed with fear, she ran her gaze around the room, looking for a way out, but she kept coming back to one thing—the barrel of a gun pointed at her chest.

  “Get up.” He waved his weapon—a weapon that would kill her.

  No matter how much she urged her muscles to work, her body refused to respond. He yanked her up by the arm and a wave of pain twisted in her joint and then raced through her jaw. He shoved her back across the living room.

  She staggered to a stop and held up her hand. “Ben. Don’t.” The words erupted.

  Amber swiped the blood from her split lip. Looking down, she spotted red splotches splattered across her pants. She wiggled her chin to see if he’d broken her jaw. It didn’t really matter. She was going to die.

  Ben stepped toward her, and her heart pounded harder. Only now did she notice his bloodshot eyes, and that he hadn’t shaved in days. His wrinkled clothing implied he hadn’t slept either.

  Ben’s lips curled as he waved the gun. “You. Ruined. My. Life.”

  His words entered her brain and rumbled around. I ruined his life? That didn’t make any sense.

  When her back hit the doorjamb leading to the hallway, she hadn’t remembered moving. She rubbed her hands down her thighs. The stench of perspiration made her nose wrinkle.

  Then Ben took two more steps toward her, and her legs weakened. Unable to stop, she slid to the ground, tears streaming down her cheeks. This was the end. After years of not finding love, she finally met Cade and Stone. Now, she’d never get to love her men the way she wanted. A giant sob escaped. She wanted children, too, but that would never be. “Oh, God.” She hiccupped. She didn’t want to die.

  “Shut up.” Ben paced. “Just shut the fuck up. I need to think.”

  At least that was what she thought he said. A tidal wave of pictures, sounds, and laughter filled her mind of when she was little. Suddenly, all the arguments she’d had with her mom seemed petty. Really petty. Amber wished she could tell her mother she really did love her. But that would never happen. Not now. She slumped.

  Ben peered down at her and held the gun with both hands. “You convinced Jamie to leave me.” His words dripped acid, his eyes glassy and hard.

  She looked up at him, but he was no longer the Ben she knew. “Me? That’s not true.”

  Wait. The grocery store. Jamie was upset. When was that? Her brain remained fogged.

  He waved his gun again, his jaw hardening. Adrenaline accelerated her fear.

  Stop it. You’re a nurse.

  She drew on her training and forced her pulse to slow. She had to stay alive. If not for herself, then for the relationship she wanted to have with him men, and the child she wanted to raise. She gasped at what her death would mean to them.

  Her gaze shot to the splintered phone scattered on the floor and prayed the call had gone through.

  He kicked her foot, jarring her back to him. “Don’t lie to me. It was you who turned Jamie against me.” He nearly spat out his words.

  She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding.” With tremendous effort, she pushed against the wall and edged her body upward.

  He lowered his gun arm an inch. “Then you did talk to her?” He fisted his hand and walked back to the sofa. He spun around. “How did Jamie sound?” A hint of her old friend surfaced, which helped to lower her dangerously high blood pressure.

  Her knees wobbled and she grasped the molding behind her. What had he asked? It was something about Jamie. Was it how she’d sounded?

  “Good. I mean scared.” Fuck. That didn’t come out right. “Contrite.” She added that for Ben’s benefit.

  “No she’s not.”

  Damn. He didn’t believe her. She glanced toward the kitchen, judging whether she could make it out the back door before he shot her. She’d have to run through the dining room and kitchen first. She’d never make it.

  Come on, Jamie. Get here.

  “Don’t even think about it.” Then he charged.

  No! Her hand brushed against the side table and latched onto the painted rock one of her patients had decorated. Without thinking, she picked it up and hurled it at him. It hit him in the head and crashed to the floor.

  For that split second, power surged through her. Hope soared.

  He stopped and held his head. “You fucking bitch.” He waved the gun and squinted at her.

  Don’t ever look at me like that again. The fire in her blood exploded. “For God’s sake, Ben, put the gun down.” She pushed off from the wall and came toward him. “I don’t know what you think I’ve done or what I know, but you’re wrong.” Her heart continued to pound, and her vision turned white for moment as if she might pass out.

  “No. Get back!”

  He came at her again and shoved her with his palm, bruising her sternum. She stumbled but righted herself before she hit the wall again. Amber refused to go down. If she was going to die, she wanted it to be with dignity.

  Ben got in her face and leveled the gun at her chest. “She said she wasn’t in love with me anymore.” He stepped back and paced again. She couldn’t chance running because he kept glancing her way.

  His love probably smothered Jamie. Say something. “That’s not true. She told me she loved you.” But that was six months ago.

  “You poisoned her against me. You saw me with that woman and told her.” His chest inflated, as if waiting to learn what she knew.

  She needed to stall. “Your cousin? How is she?” She hissed in a breath, acting like she was waiting to hear the woman had passed.

  His hand seemed to waver. “You don’t get it. I needed to prove to Jamie that I loved her.”

  At first, she couldn’t connect the dots. Then reality sunk in. Oh, fuck. Please don’t confess. Then he’ll have to shoot me for sure. “I don’t know what you’re saying.”

  He tapped his chest with his other hand. “I wanted to show Jamie that only I could take away her pain.”

  “You always take her pain away. She knows that. Remember, Beau? The dog?”

  For a split second, his face softened and his gaze appeared unfocused. “Jamie was sad.”

  “Yes. And you helped her.”

  A creak sounded near the door. “Benny?” It was Jamie. A shot of hope soared through Amber’s veins.

  She prayed Jamie had heard Ben threaten her and had called the police.

  He twisted toward her. “What are you doing here?” There was little affection in his tone.

  “Benny, what’s going on?” Jamie moved closer to him and held up her hands. “Put down that gun so we can talk.”

  Amber wanted to tell her not to get near him, that he’d lost his mind, but she didn’t want to say those words out loud.

  Benny’s eyes went cold as he raked his gaze over Jamie. “Stop. Don’t get any closer.”

  Jamie’s shoulders sagged and her face paled. She stopped. “Benny? It’s me, Jamie.” She kept her voice low and soothing. “We’ll work this out. Together. Put down the gun.”

  Sweat dripped down Amber’s arms, mixing with the caked blood. She didn’t dare move, praying Jamie’s words would reach him.

  “No. It’s too late.” Bitterness colored his tone.

  Jamie probably thought he was talking about their break-up.

  “Talk to me, Benny. It can’t be this bad.” Jamie edged closer, and Amber let out a slow breath.

  She prayed Ben wouldn’t want to take her life with Jamie being a witness. He wouldn’t want to cause the woman he loved any more pain.

  “That woman was paralyzed.” He shook the gun and his eyes went all dark. “She begged me.”

 
; Now Amber knew Ben had truly retreated to another place.

  “Benny, please.” Jamie stepped close.

  “Don’t.” The gun shifted to Jamie.

  “I love you, Benny. You love me.”

  His eyes softened, and Amber thought he might relent. Then like a dark cloud passing over the sun, he swung the gun back toward Amber. “Jamie won’t tell, but you will.”

  Suddenly, Jamie sprinted toward Amber, ramming her shoulder into Amber’s chest. She slammed into the wall. Pain and surprise ripped through her at the intensity. A gunshot went off as shock ripped through her. No sounds seemed to register in her brain. Oh, no.

  Chapter Thirty

  Just as Cade finished his coffee, Ethan rushed into the cafeteria. “Good. I found you.” He glanced at Stone. “Hey.” He pulled up a chair. “Look at this.” Ethan shoved a piece of paper at Cade.

  His roommate studied it with intensity. “Holy fuck.”

  “Tell me about it,” Ethan said. “That pharmacy tech caved.”

  Not that Stone should be privy to any investigation, but if Amber was involved in any way, he wanted to know. If Cade couldn’t tell him, he wouldn’t press the issue.

  Cade glanced up at him. “Seems like Ben Ford paid Derrick Thompson to work for him, but sign in as Ben.”

  Stone shook his head. “I don’t get it.”

  “The times line up to the days and time of the murders.”

  Stone’s pulse raced. “So Ben did kill those people?” He kept his voice to a whisper.

  “Possibly. Shit, it’s not enough.” Cade turned to Ethan. “Where’s Ford now?”

  “Last time we checked, he was at home.”

  Cade pushed back his chair. “We need to find him.”

  Just as Cade stood, his cell dinged, indicating a text message. He pulled it out, and his face paled. “Fuck. It’s from Jamie. It says, ‘Ben’s at Amber’s. He’s got a gun. Hurry.’”