by Harris, Lisa
16
Rafael is dead.
Emily walked away from the uniformed officer outside the front of the school, still trying to process everything that had just happened. Nothing seemed real, even after giving a detailed statement, which had forced her to replay today’s events. Instead, it was as if she were trying to wake up from a nightmare where everything had gone horribly wrong.
And no one would tell her why.
The officer had assured her that he understood she’d been through something traumatic, but that anything she could tell them would be helpful in wrapping up the case. What was her relationship with Mr. Cerda? Had he seemed upset lately? On edge? They wanted answers, and she wasn’t sure why it mattered. With Rafael dead, the hostage situation was over.
A streak of sunlight broke through the dark clouds, but did nothing to take away the early afternoon chill. Emily fumbled with the top buttons of her coat. She should be relieved. She was safe. Her students—and Tess—were all going to be okay, including Philip. She crossed the parking lot in search of her father and Tess, but all she could think about were the final moments in that classroom.
God, I didn’t want it to end this way. There had to have been another way.
But nothing they’d done had made a difference. She’d tried talking to Rafael, begging with him to put the gun down and end it. Mason had tried to fix the problem. Tried to negotiate an end to the situation. But nothing had worked.
She’d tried to read Mason’s expression as he’d hurried her down the hallway, but whatever he’d been thinking at that moment had stayed hidden behind those piercing eyes of his.
A sick feeling spread through her as she stared at the row of ambulances along the school driveway, where medics were treating her students. Jackson had arrived to take Rafael’s body for autopsy while forensics swept her classroom, now cordoned off with yellow crime-scene tape. No matter what they found, they’d never find all the answers.
She hunched over, a dozen yards from Jackson’s vehicle, hands braced against her thighs. Forgetting was impossible. The sound of the gun going off, the closed body bag when they’d wheeled Rafael past her …
She tried to steady her breathing. Her students were reconnecting with their parents and siblings. Did anyone care that their freedom had cost a life? To them it might be worth the loss, but not to her. Rafael might have made bad choices by not getting the help he needed, but she still believed he hadn’t gone into that classroom on his own.
And then there was Elaine Cerda. She couldn’t imagine what Rafael’s mother would feel when she discovered she’d lost not one, but two more sons. One to the cartel and the other to an early grave.
She stared down at the sidewalk, unsure of what she should do. She needed to talk to Mason. She needed him to help her understand what had happened in those last few minutes. How they’d gone from trusting in Rafael’s safety to seeing him zipped up in a body bag. She needed someone to make sense out of what she’d witnessed. But maybe it was already too late for that. Maybe finding out the truth now really was going to prove to be impossible.
Emily straightened her back, looking for a familiar face. Security was still tight and police officers surrounded the school. She wanted to go home, but wasn’t sure she was ready to be alone. Grace would drive her home, or any of her teacher friends if she asked, but that would mean facing a barrage of questions that she didn’t have answers to. It was going to take a long time to process what just happened.
Mason stood near the school entrance, talking to the captain. She couldn’t decipher what her heart was telling her. In the classroom, he’d provided that one link of sanity and protection she’d needed when her world had spun out of control, but now she didn’t know what she felt about him. She started walking toward the parking lot again. She needed to find her niece, then get away from all of this.
“Miss Hunt?”
Emily turned around at her name and stumbled backward as a smartly dressed woman shoved a microphone in front of her face. She’d been so focused on getting away, she hadn’t even noticed the growing crowd filled with media pushing against the edges of the barricade the police had set up.
“Miss Hunt, I understand that you are to be congratulated. You’re being hailed a hero by many of the parents and staff for your bravery in a very difficult situation.”
Hero?
Emily’s mind spun at the word. She was no hero. “I … I’m just a teacher who did what I had to do. Anyone in my place would have done the same thing.”
“But you are the daughter of the city’s former police captain, Thomas Hunt. Isn’t that correct?”
The camera hovered in front of her. The reporter waited for her answer. All she wanted to do was bolt. “Yes, he’s my father.”
“I understand as well that the gunman was one of the students you’ve been mentoring. Tell us how you felt, knowing that your life was being threatened by someone you’d given so much to.”
Where did they dig up all this information?
“Miss Hunt. Tell us what happened inside that classroom.”
“You’ll have to speak with one of the officers.” Emily backed away. Anything she said would be twisted on tonight’s evening news. “I … I don’t have anything else to say right now. I’m sorry.”
She turned and spotted Tess standing with a group of students and rushed toward her across the wet grass. Emily had arrived at school today like any other day with little more than plans for house hunting, shopping with Grace, and Christmas vacation. Now all of that seemed frivolous.
“Tess?”
The girl turned and looked at her. It wasn’t Tess. Where was she? There was no sign of her father or sister either. Just a blur of familiar faces, but no family. Her father had to be nearby …
“Emily?”
She turned around, ready to fight off another reporter, then let out an audible sigh. “Grace.”
Her friend gathered her up into a big hug and held on tight. “Are you okay?”
“Numb.”
“Come on, we’re going to get you out of here.” Grace grabbed Emily’s bag, then slipped her arm around her shoulder. “They’re all desperate for another angle on the story.”
“They think I’m a hero. I’m not a hero.” Emily sucked in a deep breath and tried to stop the flood of tears that was about to erupt. “Philip was shot … Rafael is dead … I couldn’t stop any of it.”
“Most people here agree you are a hero. You kept the kids calm and, according to Principal Farley, found a way to communicate with the police.”
Emily’s hands were shaking. She needed to sit down. Needed to pull herself together.
“Oh, sweetie, I’m sorry. So, so sorry this happened. I … I just don’t know what to say.” Grace pulled back and caught Emily’s gaze. “It must have been absolutely terrifying.”
She wasn’t all right. She was shaking and unsure of exactly what she felt. “They shot him, Grace. They didn’t have to do that. I just don’t understand why they couldn’t have waited until after the transfer was made. They could have let the students go, then arrested him … not kill him. Nothing makes sense.”
“I know and I’m so sorry. I know how you cared about him. As a student and young man he’d come so far, but sometimes things just don’t make sense and maybe never will. Sometimes people are thrust into situations and they make the wrong decisions. That’s what happened today. And the captain did what he had to do.”
Emily listened to Grace talk, feeling as if she were watching the scene through the eyes of a bystander. Not a key player in some shocking headliner that was about to show up on the evening news. Maybe she’d been wrong about Rafael. Maybe he’d simply found a way to manipulate her. He was smart. But she’d been so convinced he would never have done what he did on his own.
Emily pulled her coat closer. She wanted to defend him, but Grace was right. You couldn’t ever really know someone.
She closed her eyes, not wanting to relive the last few
moments in the school again. Wishing there was a way to erase the past few hours from her memory.
“Mark thought it might help to bring over some sandwiches and brownies for the officers and staff,” Grace continued. “I know the hostage situation is over, but it’s going to take awhile for them to process the crime scene and get things back to normal.”
Grace sounded like her sister. They were processing the crime scene. Her school. Her classroom. How long would it take before coming to school felt normal again? How long before she wouldn’t think about what happened when she had to walk between the desks where one of her students had been shot, and another killed? How long would she worry that another student would decide to walk into the school and start shooting?
“I’m sorry … normal wasn’t the right word.”
“It’s okay, Grace.” Emily searched her memory for what they’d been talking about. Normal. Crime scene. Food. “I’m sure people will appreciate some of Mark’s goodies.”
“I could get you something. You need to eat.”
Emily shook her head. She hadn’t been able to eat the pizza in the room. There was no way she’d be able to eat now.
“Then why don’t you let one of the medics check you out before you leave? They’re looking at the students, and offering counseling—”
“I’ve already talked to someone.”
“At least let us drive you home.”
“I can’t leave yet. I need to find Tess. And my father. He’s supposed to be here somewhere, and I’m sure Avery is on her way as well now that this is over.”
“I haven’t seen Tess. Didn’t she come out with you?”
“Yes, but then the police needed a statement, so I’m not sure where she is.”
Emily heard the panic in her voice and tried to shake it. She scanned the edges of the school grounds again, trying to find her niece. Tess was safe. She had nothing more to worry about.
“I did see your dad a few minutes ago,” Grace said. “Maybe she found him.”
“There she is.”
Emily let out a sharp sigh of relief and felt some of the tension in her neck release as she hurried across the sidewalk to where Tess was standing.
“Tess.” She gathered her niece into a bear hug. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Are you okay?”
“Aunt Emily.” Her face was red, and she’d been crying. “Someone told me to wait here for Grandpa. That he was coming to take me home.”
“Good. And I’m sure your mother will be here soon as well.”
“They told me Rafael was shot. He’s dead, isn’t he?”
Emily nodded.
“I’ve never known anyone who died like that except for Uncle Michael, but even then I wasn’t right there. I can still hear the shot.”
“They were just trying to keep you safe.”
“I know.” Tess’s breath caught. “Grandpa.”
Emily let her father gather them both into his arms. It didn’t matter how old she was. Having him here made her want to disappear into his embrace forever.
“Emily … Tess.”
“Have you heard from my mom?”
“Yes. She …” Her father hesitated.
“Daddy, what’s wrong?”
“I just got a call from Carlos.” He tightened his grip on them. “She’s going to be okay, but she was injured during the raid to find Rafael’s brother.”
“Injured?” Emily felt the now familiar waves of panic sweep through her. “What happened?”
“They were able to track down Eduardo at a funeral home a few miles from here. While they were leaving, two men showed up and opened gunfire on the officers.”
“But she’s okay?”
Her father nodded. “Carlos said the bullet caused a deep graze across her thigh, so while she lost a lot of blood and is going to need to be patched up a bit, it didn’t penetrate deep and thankfully didn’t hit anything vital. They took her to the hospital, but knowing your mother, she’ll be out before things are even wrapped up here. Eduardo was also shot, but I don’t know his condition.”
“So can we go see her?” Tess asked.
“You bet. We’ll pick up your grandma, then go see your mom. Do you need a ride, Emily?”
“No, I’ll drive my own car, but I’ll be right behind you.”
Her father didn’t look convinced. “Are you sure?”
She nodded and forced a smile. “I’m sure.”
Grace rested her hand on Emily’s arm as her father and Tess walked off. “I really think you should let someone drive you.”
She looked up to where she’d last seen Mason. He might not have all the answers, but at least it was a place to start. “I appreciate the offer, but there’s someone I need to talk to before I leave.”
Mason held the two steaming cups of coffee he’d snagged from the teachers’ lounge and headed down the sidewalk to where he’d just seen Emily making her way toward the entrance of the school. He’d been surprised at the amount of relief he felt knowing she was safe. He wasn’t sure what her reaction would be toward him. He’d promised to protect her, but he’d also promised to help protect Rafael.
As frustrated as he was with the way things had ended, that wasn’t the only reason he needed to see her. Something had happened over the course of the past few hours that had managed to ignite a fire inside him toward Emily Hunt. Which was why he wanted … needed … to see her again, even if it were nothing more than to make sure she was okay.
“Emily.” He stopped next to the bench where he’d showed her the photos of Eduardo a few hours ago, and held out one of the drinks. “I wanted to tell you how sorry I am. You know this isn’t how I wanted things to end.”
“I know. Me neither.” She took the drink and nodded her thanks before taking a sip. “I still don’t understand what happened in there, but I guess you were right.”
“Right about what?”
He waited for her to take another sip of coffee and collect her thoughts. It was going to take awhile for her to work through everything that had happened in that classroom today, but talking about it was definitely the right step forward.
She looked up at him and caught his gaze. Her blue eyes were wide with question and hurt. “You were right about the fact that Rafael tried to play me. He played us both. I just … I just don’t understand why. Even if someone else had manipulated him somehow into walking into that classroom, he could have walked away. You’d promised to help him. I’d promised.” Tears framed her lashes, adding a layer of vulnerability to her expression. “I need answers, Mason. Whether or not he was guilty, why didn’t the captain wait until the transfer was made? The kidnappers would have what they wanted, and maybe Rafael would welcome the protection of the police then. Why go in there if there was a chance that someone else was behind this?”
Mason wasn’t sure how to respond, because he really didn’t know much more than she did. “I wasn’t in the room when Rafael was shot, so all I can guess is that Rafael’s emotions were running high, and he panicked. There are also some who believe Rafael knew about his brother’s drug dealing and might have even been involved.”
“No. I’ll never believe that.” Anger seeped through her. Just like she’d never believe Rafael should have died. “Why go in there in the first place? What changed between arranging to wire the kidnappers the ransom money and bursting through the door?”
“I’ll know more soon.” He wished he could give her the answers she needed. “The captain is giving a briefing in fifteen minutes, but something had to have changed. Something that forced them to make a decision to go in.”
Her hand shook, splashing coffee over the side of the cup. She reached down and set it on the bench next to them, then pressed her fingers against her temples. “I’m sorry. My head is killing me. I’m angry and frustrated …” She looked up at him. “But you don’t need to hear this.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about, and I don’t mind listening. You need to talk about it.”
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br /> “I just don’t know who to be angry at. Myself for not convincing Rafael to give up. The captain for going in there … No matter what Rafael was involved in, he didn’t have to die.”
Mason understood her frustration, because he felt it himself. His job had been to ensure the situation ended with everyone alive. Nothing he could say or do could change the reality that Rafael was now lying in a zippered body bag.
“You can add me to the list of people to blame.” Mason pressed his lips together. “I was convinced that I knew Rafael well enough. Believed he trusted me. None of it was enough.”
She looked away. A tear slid down her check. He set his coffee beside hers, gathered her into his arms, and let her cry. She leaned into him, her head against his shoulder, her heart pounding against his chest. He shouldn’t be the one holding her, but he was glad he was.
He wanted to tell her she had the most beautiful eyes. Even when she was crying. That being next to her did something crazy to his heart he hadn’t expected. That he found her brave, strong, and captivating, and wanted to get to know her better.
Instead, he just held her.
He pulled back a few moments later to brush away the tears sliding down her cheeks. “I know it sounds trite, but you’ve got your family, your friends, your faith … you’ll get through this. We both will.”
“I know. I’ve just never been so scared. I hate guns.” She looked up at him. “I hate the violence, and the fact that there can’t be a happily ever after in this. I wanted to fix this situation and I couldn’t.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about. It’s normal for a barrage of emotions to hit after the trauma is over.”
“Maybe, but it still hurts so bad.” She drew in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “What happens next?”
“Carlos and Griffin are in the process of questioning the men who were holding Eduardo captive. Hopefully it won’t be too long until we are able to track down Mrs. Cerda, along with whoever was behind all of this.”
She was close enough that he could see the slight tremble of her lip and smell the lingering hint of jasmine from her perfume. His heart was falling fast, but he still couldn’t help but wonder if some of his own feelings had been tainted by the situation. He knew how fear could manipulate emotions. Just because they’d gone through something traumatic together didn’t mean she owed him anything, or that she was even interested in finding out more about him. But there was something in her eyes, beneath those long, dark lashes, that made him believe she was feeling some of the same emotions he was.