Dangerous Reunion (Love Inspired Suspense)

by Robbins, Sandra

  “I’ll take care of him. He’ll probably bend my ear telling me how wonderful you are.”

  Lisa’s words brought a smile to Kate’s face as she exited the station. For a long time, she had concentrated on Brock’s faults, but the time she’d spent with him lately had opened her eyes to what a good person he really was.

  Being with him again had stirred feelings in her that she thought would never surface again. The way he looked at her sometimes made her recall times in the past when he’d told her how beautiful she was and how she was what he had always dreamed of in a wife. Did he still think of her as a beautiful woman, or had she transformed into a tough law enforcement officer whose only appeal lay in her ability to overcome a fleeing suspect?

  She unlocked the squad car, slid behind the wheel and buckled her seat belt. As she reached to turn the ignition, she glanced at the interior of the car. There was nothing feminine about her car. A shotgun hung on the rack of the backseat barrier behind her and a mobile data terminal sat between the driver’s and passenger’s seats. She had the latest technology at her fingertips, everything she could want in her job. But there was something missing—a man who loved her for the woman, not the deputy, she was.

  She had thought for years nothing mattered but her job and caring for her sisters. That had become her life. Although she loved her sisters and her job with all her heart, she needed more. Brock had come back, and the part of her heart that had insisted she could never love again had been proven wrong.

  Tears filled her eyes. She couldn’t deny the truth anymore. She loved Brock. In fact she had never quit loving him, but it would do her no good. He would leave soon and go back to his life, and she would be left with the existence she’d made for herself on her island.

  Gritting her teeth, she cranked the car and drove toward the spot where the fender bender had been reported. Kate knew the intersection well. It wasn’t too far from her home.

  She drove through the village along the road that ran the length of the island. It only took a few minutes before she spotted the turnoff onto Oyster Road. She guided the squad car onto the gravel road and drove along it. In the distance she spotted a car parked at the spot where Forest Lane intersected the road.

  As Kate pulled to a stop, she saw only one car. Not two. Lisa hadn’t said this was a hit-and-run, but it must have been. She stepped out of the car and looked around. A man bent down as if looking at the front bumper. The hood of the car blocked her view of his face.

  “Hello,” she said. “I’m here in response to a call about a fender bender.”

  “Thanks for coming. I made the call.” The man didn’t straighten and face her.

  With an instinct forged from her years in the sheriff’s department, Kate touched the gun at her waist, took a step and squinted at the figure. The car’s hood hid his face, but she could see the orange T-shirt pulled tight across his back. “Can you tell me what happened?”

  “Yes, I can.” The man took a deep breath before he rose to his full height and turned to face her.

  Kate gasped, and her hand dropped to her side. She took a step back before she recovered from the surprise of facing Dillon McAllister. She arched an eyebrow and pointed to his T-shirt. “A teacher at the University of Arkansas wearing the Tennessee logo? What would your bosses think?”

  He smiled. “They wouldn’t mind. They’re Tennessee fans, too.”

  He stood there in his running shorts and T-shirt, muscles tensed, looking as if he might take off on a jog at any minute. Her skin tingled as the icy inkling she’d experienced before rippled up and down her spine. She wiggled her shoulders and glanced up and down the road. “What are you doing way out here?”

  He held one hand behind his back as he walked around the car. “Waiting for you.”

  The tone of his voice and the gleam in his eye set off a warning in Kate’s mind. Something wasn’t right. She glanced up and down the road again. “Where is the car that hit you?”

  He narrowed his eyes and stepped closer. “There wasn’t another car, Kate.”

  Danger. Danger. The word flashed through her mind like a blinking sign. She eased a step backward. “I don’t understand.” She reached down and placed her hand on the grip of the gun in her holster again.

  His gaze flicked over her hand and back to her face. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Kate.”

  She tightened her hold on the pistol to pull it out, but she was too late. He jerked his hand from behind his back and pulled the trigger of the Taser gun he held. Electrical shock waves pulsed through Kate’s body. She tumbled to the ground in a trembling heap. Paralyzing impulses surged through her body. Her mind told her to move, but her muscles refused to respond.

  Dillon leaned over her, took her gun and handcuffs from her belt, and flipped her facedown in the road. Kate felt the cuffs snap around her wrists, but she could only lie stunned and helpless in the dirt.

  She heard the door of Dillon’s car opening, and then he bent down with his mouth next to her ear. “When I woke up this morning, I knew the time was right. So here we are. The one thing I want to accomplish today is to Live and Let Die.”

  The words echoed in her pounding head and sent fear racing through her body. At last she knew the identity of the person who wanted her dead. The answer to why she had no idea.

  He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to her feet. Kate’s legs wobbled like limp spaghetti, and she sagged against him. He laughed, shoved her into the backseat of his car and slammed the door.

  Even with her head still vibrating from the electrical pulses, Kate knew when he climbed in the car and started the engine. Then they were moving. Where was he taking her? She tried to wiggle her arms, but they wouldn’t respond.

  She took a deep breath and willed herself to be still. The effects of the Taser would wear off in a few minutes. All she had to do was wait and watch for her opportunity to attack Dillon.

  They drove a short distance and stopped. Fear choked her throat. Had he driven her to a lonely place to kill her? The back door of the car opened, and he jerked her from the car and into a standing position next to him.

  Her wobbly legs threatened to collapse, and the fear she’d felt a moment ago escalated into full-blown horror when she saw where she stood—facing her own house. At this time of day her sisters would be inside. Panic swept through her. Her knees buckled, but his hand gripped her arm and steadied her.

  “Why, Dillon? I’d never seen you before last week. Why do you want to hurt me?” The forced words ripped at her parched throat.

  He laughed and gouged her in the back with her own handgun. “You’ll know before long. Now let’s go meet your sisters.”

  Some feeling had returned to her legs. She tried to dig her feet into the sandy soil, but it was no use. The black bag that hung on his shoulder jostled as he pushed her forward and propelled her up the front steps. Opening the front door, he nudged her into the living room and closed the door behind him.

  “Anybody home?” he called out.

  Footsteps from the kitchen made Kate’s heart almost stop. Betsy, a dish towel in her hands, appeared in the doorway. Emma ran from the kitchen and darted around Betsy. Emma’s face broke into a big smile. “Hi, Mr. McAllister. What are you doing here?”

  Emma started toward Dillon, but Kate took a step forward to block her way. “No, Emma. Stay back.”

  At Kate’s sharp words, Betsy reached out, grabbed Emma and pulled her backward. Her forehead wrinkled, and she wrapped her arms around the child. “Kate, what’s going on?”

  Dillon pulled the gun from Kate’s back and pointed it at Emma. “I’m here for a short visit, and you need to do whatever I ask or I’ll shoot your sister.”

  Betsy’s face paled, and her mouth dropped open. The dish towel in her hand drifted to the floor. She hugged Emma tighter.

  Kate’s heart pumped. She tried to kick at Dillon, but he avoided the blow and laughed. He ran the barrel of the gun down Kate’s cheek and pushed her a s
tep closer to her sisters but didn’t let go of her arm. He tossed the bag that still hung on his shoulder to Betsy and narrowed his eyes. “This is what I want you to do. Look in the bag and take out the roll of electrical tape you’ll find. Then put the bag on the floor. I want you to take Emma in the bedroom, wrap her feet together tightly, her arms behind her back and a piece of tape across her mouth. If you leave the tape loose, I will shoot Kate. Do you understand?”

  Betsy nodded and glanced at Kate before she did as he said. When she had the tape in hand, she led Emma to the bedroom. Dillon guided Kate to the door, and they watched as Betsy followed his orders. When she’d finished, she looked up. Tears rolled down her face. “All right. I’ve done what you said.”

  He took a step backward. “Good. Now let’s go to the kitchen.”

  Kate glanced at Emma, and her heart shattered at the fear in the child’s eyes. “Don’t worry, Emma. Everything’s going to be all right.”

  Emma’s wild-eyed stare jerked from Betsy to Kate. Nausea rumbled in Kate’s stomach. Betsy smiled through her tears and kissed the child on the face. “Kate’s right. You stay here. We’ll be back.”

  In the kitchen, Dillon hooked his foot underneath a chair at the table and pulled it into the middle of the floor. He positioned Kate in front of it, slid her arms over the back and pushed her into the chair before he looked back at Betsy. “Now do the same with Kate. I’ll be watching, and if you don’t make it tight, I’ll shoot Emma. Right now she’s a sitting duck.”

  Betsy dropped to her knees and began to wrap the tape around Kate. “I’m so sorry, Betsy,” Kate whispered. “I have no idea why he’s doing this. I wish I could have spared you and Emma from being involved.”

  Betsy looked up at Kate. Her lips trembled. “It’s all right, Kate. We’re a family, and we’ll face this together.” She pulled a piece of tape off and positioned it in front of her mouth. “I love you, Kate.”

  “I love you, too. Tell Emma I love her.”

  Muffling a sob, Betsy pressed the tape to Kate’s mouth.

  Dillon grabbed Betsy by the arm and pulled her to her feet. “Now it’s your turn.”

  Kate turned her head to get a glimpse as Dillon propelled her out of the room. She strained to hear what was happening. Tape was ripped from the roll with a sharp crackle, the sound drifting into the room. After a moment a bed creaked. He had tied Betsy up and made her lie down beside Emma. Now all three of them were helpless.

  She had to do something. Glancing around the kitchen, she searched for something that would help her loosen her bonds. A knife lay on the counter across the room. Could she get to it before Dillon returned? She tensed her body and jerked upward with all her might. The chair rose and thudded back to the floor less than an inch from its original spot.

  Rascal’s low growl reached Kate’s ear. Where was he? Her gaze darted about the room and came to rest on the door that led to the utility room just off the kitchen. Emma must have sneaked the cat inside when Betsy wasn’t looking, and now he probably lay in his favorite spot—in a basket of dirty laundry.

  Thoughts of Rascal vanished as Dillon ambled back into the kitchen. He tossed the tape on the table and placed his hand over his mouth to stifle a yawn. He spotted the full coffeepot on the kitchen counter and pulled a mug from the cabinet. After he poured himself some coffee, he sat down at the kitchen table, took a sip and smiled. “It’s been a long day, and that tastes good. I’ll have to tell Betsy she makes good coffee.”

  Kate glared at him. How she wished she could rip the tape from her mouth and tell him how despicable he was. He set his mug down and laughed. “You’re wondering about me, aren’t you, Kate? Well, I guess I should set your mind at ease about some things. As smart as you are, I know you’ve already figured out that I’m the man you’ve been looking for. The only thing you don’t know is why I’ve targeted you.”

  He got up and walked toward her. She didn’t flinch as he leaned over her. He brought his face close to hers. “You act tough, Kate, but I know inside you’re scared. What am I going to do to you and your sisters? You’ll have to wait a little longer to find that out.” He smiled, reached down and pulled her cell phone from its clip.

  Walking back to the table, he sat down in the chair and laid the cell phone on the table in front of him. He took another sip of coffee, laced his fingers behind his head and leaned back in his chair. “Now we wait for your boyfriend to call.”

  SIXTEEN

  Brock yanked his shoelaces into a knot and scowled. He hadn’t meant to sleep so long, but Treasury had insisted he stay up until she’d served breakfast. While they ate, Treasury had begged him to tell everybody about the latest developments in Jake’s murder case. It had been several hours before he’d been able to get to bed. With the curtains drawn and the room so cool, he’d dropped right off and hadn’t stirred.

  He glanced at his watch and groaned. It was already five o’clock, and Kate had probably arrived at the station by now. He needed to call and let her know he was running late. His cell phone lay on the dresser across the room, and he hurried toward it.

  Before he reached it, his favorite country music song vibrated in the quiet room—the ring tone for Don Bennett. His heart skipped a beat. There was only one reason the private investigator would be calling him. Kate’s brother.

  Brock pulled the phone from the charger and jammed it against his ear. “Hey, Don. I’m surprised to hear from you so soon.”

  A chuckle sounded on the phone. “You shouldn’t be. Don’t you know by now that I don’t mess around when I have a case? I get right on it.”

  Brock swallowed and closed his eyes. “Then you must have some news for me. Have you found Scott Michaels?”

  “I have. He’s sitting right here with me.”

  “And where is that?”

  “San Antonio.”

  Relief surged through Brock. “Does he live there?”

  Don hesitated for a moment before he spoke. “No. He’s been in the hospital here.”

  Brock’s relief melted. Concern laced Don’s words and sent goose bumps racing up Brock’s back. “What’s the matter with him?”

  Don took a deep breath. “Let me get Scott on the phone. He can tell you.”

  There was silence for a moment before a man’s soft voice spoke. “Mr. Gentry, this is Scott Michaels. Mr. Bennett tells me you’re a friend of my sisters’.” He paused for a moment. “My sisters. I can’t believe I’m saying those words.”

  Brock sucked in his breath. There was something about the man’s voice that reminded him of Kate. “Yes. I’m here on Ocracoke with all three of them—Kate, Betsy and Emma.”

  “This is the best news I’ve ever had. I’ve wondered all these years if I had family out there, but my aunt always told me my parents were killed when I was a baby. She never told me anything about where my father came from or if he had any family.”

  “And you never asked?”

  “I did when I was a child, but she convinced me that we only had each other. She died a few years ago, and now I find out she’d kept my father from me.”

  “Your sisters found out about you, and they’ve been searching for years. They want to meet you and be a part of your life if you want that. Would you like to come to Ocracoke to meet them?”

  He hesitated. “When Mr. Bennett told me I have three sisters, it was the happiest moment of my life. I thought I was alone in the world, and now I find out I have family.” He paused a moment. “I want to meet them more than anything, but they may change their minds about being a part of my life when they find out more about me.”

  Brock’s eyebrows arched. “Why?”

  Scott exhaled, and in it Brock detected an offer of rejection. “I’m not well, Mr. Gentry. I’ve been a soldier for the past ten years. I’ve spent time in places that most people have never heard of, and I’ve done things in battle that have left invisible but very real injuries to my mind and body. I’ve experienced a lot of horrors that have left me suffering fr
om PTSD—post-traumatic stress disorder. Right now I’m in a research program at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. I still have a lot of problems that my sisters may not want to deal with.”

  Brock hesitated. What should he say? If Scott had demons in his life he was facing, it might be better for Kate and her sisters not to meet him. Then he remembered how Kate had talked about her brother and how part of their family was missing. He also thought of her faith and how she placed everything in God’s hands. She had been teaching him that ever since he came to Ocracoke, and that same belief had slowly taken root in his heart.

  He smiled. He knew what he had to say.

  “Scott, your sisters want to meet you. They have a deep faith in God, and they’ll help you work through your problems.”

  A soft gasp tickled Brock’s ear. “They’re believers, too? This is more wonderful than I could have imagined. Then I’m coming to Ocracoke.” He chuckled. “It’s a funny thing, you know. I’d never heard of Ocracoke Island, but something about the name sounds like home. Tell my sisters that Mr. Bennett and I are taking a plane out in the morning. When we get to Raleigh, we’ll rent a car and drive to Swan Quarter. We’ve checked the ferry schedules, so we should arrive late tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Good. I’m on my way to see Kate right now. They’re going to be so happy to get this news. By the way, when you board the ferry, have Don call me so we can meet you when you arrive.”

  “I’ll do that, and thank you, Mr. Gentry. I appreciate what you’ve done for me.”

  “I’m glad Don was able to find you. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Brock closed the phone and gripped it in his hand. Should he call Kate and tell her the good news? He shook his head. This deserved to be delivered in person so he could see her face when he told her.

  He rushed from the room, down the stairs and out to the car. Within minutes he was on his way to the police station. He pulled to a stop in the station’s parking lot and glanced around. Kate’s car was nowhere in sight. Maybe she hadn’t made it to work yet.