Silent Night Standoff

by Susan Sleeman

  Her head shot up. “Do you always sneak up on people like that? You scared me.”

  “I didn’t sneak. You were too wrapped up in trying to tame that headache.” He sat on the edge of the table. “Is it as bad as yesterday?”

  She didn’t want to admit it, but her headache bordered on the same intensity. She wouldn’t lie, so she shrugged.

  “C’mon.” He tugged her to her feet. “We’re going to the E.R. to see Dr. Baker.”

  She planted her feet and eyed him. “I don’t remember telling you the name of the doctor who treated me.”

  “You didn’t. I did a little digging and called him yesterday while you were napping. He said if the headache didn’t improve, you should come back.”

  The urge to argue was strong, but it was countered by joy over him caring enough to call the doctor when he had so much else to do. And that hesitation made her madder. Not at him, but at herself for being such a fool when it came to him.

  “How many times do I have to tell you, I don’t need you taking over my life?” she demanded, taking her frustration out on him. She hated how bitter and mean she sounded, but even when she hit the mark, making him cringe, she didn’t apologize. Any rift between them was a good way of keeping her feelings in check.

  “I was only doing what I thought was best for you.” His voice was soft and tender, making her feel even worse. “What’s so bad about seeing the doctor?”

  “He could extend my leave.”

  “Then it needs to be extended. I know you want to help with the case, but maybe the headache is God’s way of telling you to stay put.” He took her hand.

  “Now you want to consider God’s plan? When it’s convenient?” She let her words fly without thinking and jerked free.

  He recoiled as if he’d been bitten by a viper. Which was exactly what she was acting like. She’d taken the strain of the past few days out on him when he didn’t deserve it.

  “I’m sorry.” She met his gaze and tried to transmit her sincerity. “That was uncalled for.”

  He shoved his hands into his pockets but didn’t look away. “It’s okay. You’re right. I haven’t been living my life by my faith. It’s hypocritical of me to involve God now. But don’t let anything I say or do stand in the way of letting the doctor check you out. Please.”

  It was the softly uttered please tagged on the end, the warmth in his tone when all she deserved was his anger, that got to her.

  “Fine,” she said and marched toward the door. Quickly, before she really started to believe that he cared enough about her to do something about it.

  * * *

  The pain—that heartrending pain another person could cause with simple words—had taken Logan by surprise. As he walked down the hallway behind Skyler, he could hardly breathe for the tightness in his gut. He’d felt like this hundreds—maybe thousands—of times with his father. But the only time Skyler had left him reeling was the day he’d told her he was leaving and she’d let her hurt and rage fly.

  His heart had ached that day and it was hurting now. Not from her comment about his faith. That he deserved. Not even from the finality in her tone when she’d said she didn’t need him in her life. No, the pain came from the way she said it. The coldness in her gaze. He felt in his bones how badly he’d hurt her. He doubted he’d ever be able to make up for it, and desperately wanted to make things right between them.

  “Skyler, stop!” He charged after her as she pushed open the exit door. He grabbed her arm, stopping her from heading outside.

  “Don’t run like that again,” he warned, his pulse beating double time. “You’ve had two attempts on your life, and Marty could be out there waiting for you.”

  “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” She blew out a breath, lifting her bangs. “I won’t do it again.”

  He was thrown off guard by her easy acquiescence and couldn’t think of what to say next.

  “What were you thinking, Skyler?” Cash’s raised voice came from behind them.

  Logan turned to find the muscle-bound guy striding down the hallway, his face red with anger. He was fierce and dangerous-looking, and Logan could easily imagine him as a soldier battling enemies of the country.

  Skyler took a step back. “I wasn’t thinking.”

  “Well, start,” Cash barked at her. “We have protocols in place for a reason, and we need to follow them all the time. Not just when we feel like it.”

  Skyler seemed near tears, but Cash didn’t back down. His anger seemed out of proportion for the situation, making Logan wonder what was going through the guy’s mind. Logan didn’t ask, though. It wasn’t really any of his business. And besides, Cash had definitely gotten Skyler’s attention. In the long run, the warning would serve her well.

  “We’ll clear the parking lot before you take another step,” Cash added.

  She bit her trembling lip and stood back. Logan almost stopped to give her a hug, but after their conversation just now, he knew that was the last thing she’d want, so he headed outside after Cash.

  Without saying a word, Cash went left and Logan right. They carefully searched the parking lot, then, with a nod of agreement, they returned to Skyler.

  “We’re clear, but stick close to him, all right?” Cash said to Skyler, his voice softer now.

  She nodded, the crushed look still on her face.

  Logan took her arm and was grateful when she didn’t cringe. He exited the rear of the building, keeping her close by his side. They were halfway to the car when a flash in the far trees caught his attention.

  “Sniper!” He jerked Skyler to him and tumbled to the ground.

  A gunshot pierced the air.

  Logan took the brunt of the fall on his shoulder and rolled them behind a squad car as the bullet whizzed overhead. The rough gravel bit through his shirt, but he held fast.

  “You okay?” he asked as he drew his weapon and came to his feet.

  “Yes.” Her voice was small, but her answer came without hesitation.

  He risked a quick look at her and caught sight of her face pale with shock. He couldn’t do anything about it. Not now. Now his focus needed to be on the shooter. He squatted behind the side panel. Skyler drew her own gun and slowly moved to a sitting position. He put a hand on her shoulder to keep her from rising into the line of fire.

  He quickly appraised her and didn’t like the lack of focus he found. “Are you really okay?”

  “Yes.” Her eyes were wide, her chin trembling. Though she was a strong police officer, she’d nearly lost her life again, and she wasn’t thinking clearly.

  “They’ll have heard the shot inside,” he said, turning back to the shooter. “We’ll sit tight until reinforcements come pouring out the door.” Adrenaline coursed through his veins, but he wouldn’t let it distract him. Breathing slow and deep to steady his nerves, he kept his focus trained on the trees.

  The door creaked open.

  “Skyler?” Cash’s voice rang out from behind the cracked door.

  “She’s fine,” Logan yelled. “I saw the muzzle flash. A single shot from the woods across the lot. About fifty feet in from the road. If the guy’s smart, he’ll know you’ll be swarming in on him and he’s bolted, but we’ll hunker down here until you give us the all clear.”

  “We’ll get into our tactical gear and clear the area.”

  Logan blew out a relieved breath and glanced at Skyler. Her jeans were ripped from the fall, and he supposed she’d scraped her knee. At the very least, she’d sustained another bruise. His anger flared at her additional injuries. At the creep who’d just tried to kill her. But Logan wouldn’t let her see that he was upset. Not when she desperately needed empathy.

  He softened his voice. “That tumble probably didn’t help your head any.”

  “Are you kidding?” A
nervous laugh slipped out. “The adrenaline has all but made the headache disappear.”

  For now. When the adrenaline abated, the headache would come back even stronger, but he kept quiet. There was nothing they could do about it while pinned down.

  “I’m sorry I got you into this mess,” she said.

  “You can’t take responsibility for Marty’s actions.”

  “You still think this is Marty?”

  “Yes.”

  “But why the change in M.O.?”

  “Everyone’s looking for his car, so it makes sense for him to change things up.”

  “But to attack right outside the sheriff’s office?” Her voice shot up. “That’s plain crazy.”

  “Or brilliant, if you think about it. He’s got to know you’ll let your guard down here.”

  She shuddered. “And I almost did. If you hadn’t pulled me back in or caught the flash just now...” Her voice broke.

  Despite a shooter in the woods, he reached back and took her hand.

  She started crying. Big fat tears rolled down her cheeks. “What kind of cop cries?”

  “A lot of them do.” He dropped down and pulled her to his side.

  Her crying intensified and despite her ongoing issues with him, he slid his arm around her shoulders. She moved closer and rested her head on his chest. He drew in her unique scent and felt at home for the first time in years.

  He was certifiably crazy. A sniper lay in wait for them and he was calm. Peaceful. The kind of contentment he’d often experienced with her. He wished there was some way he could have more of it. Much more.

  But there wasn’t. Not with the ways things stood now. Not as long as his job came first.

  FIFTEEN

  An hour later, Logan escorted Skyler into the sheriff’s office. He still held her snuggled under his arm, not a hair’s width between them. When she’d stopped trembling and her crying had stilled, he’d expected her to push away from him, but she’d stayed put. Warm and soft by his side. Shock still hanging firm in her eyes.

  Not the clinical version of shock, but the stunned amazement of nearly losing her life. She was fighting hard to control her reaction. He suspected it would linger and return full force tonight when she was alone. But now? Now she was trying to be a strong deputy. She just wasn’t quite able to achieve it, so she leaned on him.

  She probably hated relying on him and would rather turn to almost anyone else. But he liked it. Liked it a lot.

  Darcie stepped into the hallway. She appraised them both for a long uncomfortable moment. Nothing new. She was most likely upset with his arm around Skyler, but he didn’t care. Right now Skyler needed him. He cherished the opportunity to help her and wouldn’t release her.

  Darcie focused on Logan. “You’re the only one who saw the shooter’s location, so Jake wants you to join them outside.”

  Skyler glanced up at him, looking like his leaving was the last thing she wanted right now. “I’ll go with you.”

  He shook his head. “It’s not a good idea with the shooter still at large.”

  She gave a quick nod of acknowledgment instead of her usual feisty argument. For the first time since this whole mess started, he saw total defeat in her eyes. Jake needed him outside, but he couldn’t walk away with her feeling so down. He had to offer something to give her hope.

  “You can still help by going back to your files,” he suggested. “In case this isn’t Marty, we’ll have a head start on finding out who it really is.”

  “C’mon, honey.” Darcie linked her arm with Skyler’s and drew her away from Logan. “I’ll help you.”

  He watched the women, extreme opposites in size, moving as one down the hallway, before he turned his attention to his phone and dialed Wagner.

  “Glad you called,” Wagner said excitedly and rushed on before Logan could request help. “We got the files from the Rose City Rollers and finally have Nicole’s last name. It’s Hill. There’s also an emergency contact form with a Portland phone number. The contact’s last name is Hill, too, but we can’t make out the first name. We suspect it’s one of her parents.”

  “Is the phone number still active?”

  “No, but we’re getting a subpoena for the phone company. Hopefully after we get the account information, we’ll find a Hill still living at that address.”

  Logan tamped down the excitement that started to grow. No point in getting worked up now. It would take time to obtain the subpoena and more time to get the phone company to turn over the information. “Let me know if you need any help obtaining the subpoena. Otherwise, text me after it’s been served.”

  “What did you call about?” Wagner asked.

  Logan recounted the shooting. “I’d like an evidence recovery team out here stat. And not just any team. Our very best.”

  “That’d be Gary Watkins and his crew. You met him at the bank. I’ll get them on the road as soon as we hang up.”

  “Thanks, Wagner.” Logan made sure he sounded sincere as he’d come to rely on Wagner quite a bit. “You’ve proved to be invaluable to me on this investigation.”

  “I do my best,” he said flatly, but Logan still heard that his compliment had hit the mark.

  After disconnecting the call, Logan stepped outside, the cold wind biting his face. He crossed the parking lot to Cash, who stood near the woods in conversation with Jake. Though Jake was the squad leader, Cash held himself with such authority no one would know who was in charge from simply looking at the pair.

  “Let’s get started and catch this creep.” The eagerness in Jake’s voice spoke to his commitment to Skyler.

  A commitment Logan couldn’t make, and he appreciated Jake’s willingness to look out for her. “Any sign of the shooter?”

  “He’s long gone,” Cash said.

  “Any witnesses?”

  Jake shook his head. “A pedestrian down the street reported a pickup truck flying out of the alley that runs behind the woods. She saw a male with dark hair driving, but that’s all she could give us.”

  “Then let’s see what we can find out here.” Logan snapped on a pair of latex gloves and headed toward the spot where the muzzle had flashed.

  The scene played out again in his mind. Slowly. In glaring detail. Spotting the flash and recognizing what it meant. That instant bolt of fear. Reacting instinctually and taking Skyler to the ground. The bullet whizzing overhead.

  Close. Too close.

  He’d almost lost Skyler. His Skyler. The thought made him nauseous, and he felt what he suspected was a panic attack coming on. He’d never experienced one before, not even with his dad’s many tirades.

  Calm down. You’re no good to anyone this way. Keep it together and find the guy.

  Controlling his breathing to slow his heart rate, he stepped gingerly through knee-high grass and large ferns and halted for a moment when he spotted a green object discarded near a tree. He continued on until he could identify the item.

  “A rifle sling?” Cash said from behind, confirming Logan’s suspicion.

  Cash pressed around Logan. He picked up the sling and examined it. “The metal hook’s been ripped out.” He bent down and ran a finger over the tree. “Looks like the shooter took off in a hurry and caught his rifle on the tree.”

  “The sling military issue?” Jake asked.

  “Affirmative.” Cash circled the area, then suddenly squatted and picked up a shell casing. “It’s a 7.62 mm.”

  “Which likely means military,” Jake tacked on, probably for Logan’s sake.

  But Logan had studied weaponry and didn’t need to be told that ordnance for rifles listed in millimeters often signified military issue.

  Cash bagged the casing. “I doubt we’re dealing with a trained sniper. They’d never leave a casing behind.”
>
  Jake took the bag from Cash and pocketed it. “But the ammo and the sling could mean our shooter is more likely to have military connections.”

  “Or not,” Cash said. “The sling could have been purchased online or the shooter could simply have stolen it and the ammo in a burglary.” Cash held out the sling. “Either way, this sniper attack says our shooter means business and he won’t likely stop until he completes his mission.”

  * * *

  Thirty minutes later, Skyler gave up on trying to concentrate. She took a moment to pray for courage to face whatever was coming next, reminding herself that she wasn’t alone in this. Not only was God walking with her, so were her teammates. Logan, too, but that wasn’t something she was willing to analyze. Not after the way she’d sought his comfort when it was the last thing she should do.

  She needed her family instead. Not just Darcie, but all of them. They’d surround her with their warmth and compassion. They’d give her hope and bolster her spirits.

  She got up. The throbbing ache of new bruises made her want to drop back into the chair, but she kept going and tugged Darcie to her feet. “The guys should be coming in any minute. Let’s go down to the conference room to wait.”

  Darcie arched a brow but said nothing as she fell into step with Skyler. They passed by coworkers, whose gazes were blatantly questioning. Skyler ignored them and continued on to the conference room, where she found Brady and Archer sitting at the table. Brady was whittling as usual, Archer looking at his phone as they waited for the debrief.

  Thankful to see their friendly faces, she gingerly settled in the chair next to Brady. Despite the nearness of her trusted friends, the same sense of contentment she’d found with Logan outside didn’t materialize.

  Brady winked at her. “Glad to see you’re alive and kicking.”

  Archer fired him a testy look from the other end of the table. “As our not so tactful associate said, glad to see you’re okay, squirt.”

  “I can be tactful,” Brady argued.

  “Maybe in your sleep,” Archer shot back good-naturedly.