Love Inspired Suspense May 2015 #2

by Susan Sleeman

  “They’re so stiff from being tied and the cold.” She slowly moved her arms, groaning when she brought them up around his neck.

  “That’s my girl,” he said as he heard Brady approaching. He’d fished Summers out of the water and held him down in the boat with a boot lodged in his back.

  Brady pulled up next to them and grinned. “Need a ride?”

  Cash rolled his eyes and grabbed the boat. “Okay, honey,” he said to Krista. “Time to climb in the boat.” He maneuvered them so she could grab the edge.

  “If you don’t want to be a hood ornament for those rocks, you’d best haul yourself into this boat,” Brady warned.

  The rocks loomed in Cash’s peripheral vision. If Brady didn’t want to crash the boat and kill all the occupants, he would have to veer the boat sharply away in mere moments and head upstream. Cash couldn’t get them both in the boat in time, but he could make sure Krista made it. “We only have one chance at this, honey. I’ll give you a push on the count of three, and Brady will grab you, okay?”

  She nodded. He counted and shoved, his body submerging under the water until he felt her lift herself over the edge.

  He popped up in time to see a massive rock not five feet away. “Go!” he shouted at Brady. “Get us turned around and head upstream. I’ll hold on to the side.”

  Brady gunned the engine and turned the bow in a sudden shift. Cash’s arms threatened to wrench from the sockets, but he held fast. The edge of the rock caught his back, tearing his shirt and ripping through his skin.

  Krista fell to her knees and grabbed his wrists. She was so weak from the cold and the strain on her arms that she wasn’t helping much. But looking into the eyes of the woman he loved, he could do anything. No matter the challenge.

  TWENTY-FOUR

  One of Cash’s hands slipped from the boat.

  “Do something, Brady!” Krista screamed. “He’s losing his grip.”

  The boat suddenly stilled. Brady shuffled over her and planted a knee in Ian’s back before grabbing Cash’s hand at the exact moment his other hand let go. Brady groaned from exertion, but he soon had both of Cash’s arms over the edge. He grabbed Cash’s belt and hauled him in. Cash fell on top of Ian, who grumbled.

  Cash coughed out water, cleared his throat hard and stared at Ian. “I’d like to do a whole lot more than fall on you, buddy. If you don’t stop whining, I will.” He turned his focus over to his friend. “Get us to the dock, Brady,” Cash commanded as he slid back toward Krista.

  When he came up beside her, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. He was chilled to the bone, but just looking at her warmed his soul. “Otto’s at the house waiting for you. I found him in Summers’s car, and he’s fine.”

  Thank You, God, she prayed and suddenly felt so blessed. She looked at Cash. “What about Leo Ketchum? Is he the bomber?”

  Cash nodded. “He says he didn’t ransack your house, though. And obviously he didn’t take Otto.”

  “Ian confessed to breaking in and trashing the house in his search for the money.”

  “Then it looks like this is all over.” He grinned at her. “Just promise me, next time you want to go swimming, you’ll wait until summer.”

  She smiled up at him. “I love that you can joke at a time like this, and I love that you came to my rescue.” She touched his cheek that had somehow gotten a nasty scrape in all the action.

  He drew her closer. “We have to talk. But not with others around.”

  “I agree.” She scooted closer to him. “A talk is most definitely in order.”

  *

  At the stairway to the deck at the back of the house, Cash stepped closer to Krista and wrapped his arm around her. He needed to keep touching her as proof that she hadn’t been seriously harmed. She snuggled closer. A shock of emotions shot through his body and made his heart soar.

  This was right. She was right. They were right. So right.

  “Hey, Krista,” Brady called from behind.

  They both turned to look at him as he handed Summers off to a patrol officer.

  “I’m sorry,” Brady said. “I never should’ve let this creep in the house.”

  “We thought he was a friend. You couldn’t have known.” She smiled. “Besides, you saved my hide in the end and that’s all that matters.”

  “Okay, then.” He fired off a salute and they continued up the stairs.

  “I didn’t know what to think of Brady at first,” she said. “But he’s starting to grow on me.”

  Cash glanced back at his buddy. “He doesn’t pull any punches even if you want him to, but he’s as loyal and dependable as the day is long. I’m proud to call him my friend.”

  “You’ve got a lot of friends on your team.”

  “That I do,” he said and decided right then and there that he was done keeping them all at arm’s length. Life was just too short not to appreciate and enjoy good people.

  The door swung open, and Otto hobbled out. “Liebchen. You are safe. And you, too, Cash.” Otto lifted his face to the sky. “Thank You, Father, for Your protection.”

  Krista threw herself into Otto’s arms, nearly knocking him over. Cash couldn’t believe she had any strength left. “It was Toby’s friend. Ian Summers. He did it. Toby wasn’t involved at all.”

  “I knew my instincts about Toby were right on target.” Otto leaned back and smiled at her. “And might I remind you that I told you your judgment was sound all along, and Toby was a good man.”

  “I should have listened to you.”

  His smile broadened. “Say that louder, my strong-willed granddaughter, so Cash can hear.”

  They laughed together, and Cash’s heart filled with happiness as he watched them. What a pair. Otto was quite a man, and Krista was an amazing woman. They stood for everything Cash was aching for. A home. Family. Unconditional love and acceptance. Lifelong love and togetherness. He needed those things in his life. Needed Krista. Forever.

  A cold wind howled through the woods and whipped across the elevated deck. She shivered.

  Cash was over to her in a flash, a protective arm going around her and hugging her close. “We should change into dry clothes.”

  He escorted her inside and reluctantly released her so she could shower while he did the same thing in Otto’s bathroom. After he’d dressed in a pair of scrubs Darcie kept in the rig, he went to the family room. The FRS team had settled in, taking over the small room and making themselves at home. Otto was napping in his bedroom. Hopefully, this episode hadn’t damaged his health.

  Krista hadn’t come out of her room so Cash took a seat on the sofa next to Darcie where he could see Krista the minute she walked in. Veronica was near the door, packing up her equipment, and Brady was explaining to the other FRS team members how Summers had duped Toby.

  Cash wondered if learning about Toby’s innocence would ease Krista’s distrust of men or add to it. Toby hadn’t scammed people, but he’d still kept a big secret.

  Just as Cash was doing. He had to get time alone with Krista to tell her about his past. Unfortunately, it was looking as if it would take a bomb to get his teammates to leave.

  Krista stepped into the room wearing heavy fleece pants and a thick sweatshirt. Her hair was still wet, but her cheeks were rosy.

  “Here, take my spot.” Cash jumped to his feet and helped her to the sofa. He sat on the arm, staying as close to her as he could. All eyes were on Krista, and it wasn’t hard to see how uncomfortable she felt.

  She lifted her chin and pulled back her shoulders. “Someone might as well come out and say what you’re all thinking.”

  “Where’s the money?” Brady said with his usual grin.

  She wrinkled her nose at him. “Of course it would be you to speak first.”

  “You can always count on Brady for that.” Darcie winked at him. “But we love him anyway.”

  “So-o-o.” He fixed his gaze on Krista. “About the money.”

  Krista slid to
the edge of the sofa as if uncertain where she should start.

  “Hey, sweetie,” Darcie rushed in. “Don’t freak out. We don’t think you took it. We’re just wondering what you think Toby did with it.”

  “I have no idea.”

  “If it was so easy to locate, the detectives would have found it,” Skyler said.

  Chewing on her lip, Veronica approached them. “I hope you don’t mind, but I have an idea.”

  “Go on,” Jake suggested.

  She gestured at the desk in the corner with a computer and laser printer. “Was Toby tech savvy?”

  Krista nodded. “He kept up on all the latest trends, but Ian told me he already searched the computer.” She shivered and clutched her arms around her waist.

  Cash hated seeing her suffer from the memory. He squeezed her shoulder. She looked at him and smiled. Soft, sweet and—dare he hope—trusting?

  Veronica took a step closer. “Maybe what you’re looking for isn’t in the computer. Maybe it’s in the printer.”

  “I don’t understand,” Krista said. “You think there’s a jam or something? But it wouldn’t work then, would it?”

  “I’m not talking about paper. It’s not common knowledge, but many laser printers have internal hard drives. The drive writes images of items that have been scanned, printed or copied to the hard drive.”

  “If Toby knew that,” Skyler said excitedly, “he might have copied a page that gave the location of the money.”

  “Sounds brilliant to me,” Darcie said. “No one would think to look there, right?”

  “Um, Darcie.” Brady grinned. “Veronica just did.”

  She swatted a hand at him. “Obviously no one thought to look in the last four years.”

  “Can you check it out, Veronica?” Krista asked.

  “Yes, but not here. We’ll have to take the printer in where we can image the hard drive first.”

  “Like you did with the flash drive?” Cash asked.

  She nodded. “But before you get excited, not all printers have a hard drive.” She pulled out her phone. “If you give me a minute, I can find the specifications for this one online.”

  All eyes remained on Veronica. Time ticked by slowly and everyone sat quietly in anticipation. Even Brady’s foot had stilled.

  She looked up from her phone with a smile. “We’re in luck. It has a hard drive.”

  “Great. I’ll ride in with Veronica and put a rush on this.” Jake stood and looked at the other team members. “You’ll need to take the truck. I don’t care who drives, but you’d better bring the rig home in one piece.” He tossed the keys in the air. Darcie snatched them and the guys glared at her.

  Skyler tugged Darcie up and took her spot next to Krista. “I know you don’t want to relive all of this, but I should take your statement while it’s fresh in your mind. If you’ll give me a sec, I’ll call Logan for a ride home, then we can get started.”

  “The rest of us will get out of your hair.” Brady crossed the room and stood looking down on Krista. “I was wrong about you, Krista, and I’m not embarrassed to admit it. I thought my friend here wasn’t thinking clearly.” He clapped Cash on the back. “Turns out, I was the one who was missing the obvious.”

  “Not a stretch for you,” Cash said, earning a punch in the arm from Brady.

  Archer focused on Krista. “Don’t be surprised if you have some lingering emotional issues from today. I’d be glad to refer you to someone if you need some help.”

  “He’s right,” Darcie added. “No one will think less of you.”

  Krista smiled. “I appreciate your concern.”

  “C’mon, you two,” Darcie said to Brady and Archer. “First one to the truck gets to drive.”

  The guys bolted for the door, and Cash laughed. “It’s not often Jake lets anyone else drive.”

  “I’m sorry I’m missing out on it.” Skyler pulled her micro-recorder from her pocket. “Let’s get started with your statement, Krista.”

  Cash didn’t miss the fact that Skyler had stopped using Ms. Curry. A big step for her.

  Krista started her story and stayed strong like the trouper she’d proved to be. Cash, however, nearly lost it as Krista described Ian’s rough treatment. An hour later, Skyler was wrapping up the questions when her phone rang.

  “It’s Jake,” she said, then put him on speaker.

  “Are you all sitting down?” he asked.

  Could mean good or bad news and Cash had had it with the bad stuff. “Just tell us what you found.”

  “We not only have the banking information, but a spreadsheet Toby copied the night he died. It lists every scammed senior and the amount of money they lost.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Krista exclaimed. “We can pay them back.”

  “I’m sure there will be a bunch of legal mumbo jumbo to go through, but yeah, looks like the victims will be getting their money back. And you’ll be happy to know, Summers has made a full confession.”

  “Then Krista is completely in the clear.” Skyler smiled at Krista. “I hope you’re not upset that we had to keep you on our suspect list.”

  “Honestly, I was worried you were like Detective Eason, but you’re nothing like him.” Krista squeezed Skyler’s hand.

  “If you girls are done kissing and making up…” Jake’s voice came over the phone as the doorbell rang.

  “That will be Logan.” Skyler got up. “Do you need anything else, Jake?”

  “Nah. Go spend time with Logan. You worked hard on this investigation and you’ve earned it.”

  She disconnected. “Well, you heard the man. I’ve been ordered to spend time with my sweetie.” Laughing, she headed for the door, then turned. “FYI, Krista, I’ll be calling Eason. We’ll hold a joint press conference to make sure everyone knows your name is cleared.”

  “Which means I can go back to my legal name.” Krista smiled.

  “That you can.” Skyler stepped out the door.

  Cash dropped onto the sofa next to Krista. “Alone at last.”

  She peered at him. “I’m really starting to like your teammates, but I was hoping they’d leave.”

  He took her hand, closing his fingers around hers. His hand dwarfed hers, her skin soft. Her lips curved in a shaky smile, bringing out dimples he hadn’t seen before. The phone rang.

  “Let it roll to the answering machine,” Cash urged as he moved even closer.

  She didn’t get up to answer, but despite Cash’s efforts to keep her attention, she kept her gaze fixed on the machine. Disappointed, Cash cupped the side of her face to get her attention. She focused on him until the caller announced that he was Otto’s doctor wanting to report Otto’s latest test results. She jumped up and grabbed the phone, catching the doctor before he hung up.

  “You have the results?” she whispered, as if afraid to hear the news.

  Cash saw her pull in a breath and hold it. He did the same thing. Waiting. Hoping. Watching.

  She listened intently until a wide smile slid across her face. She thanked the doctor, and as she hung up, she twirled in a circle, her eyes alight with happiness.

  “Good news, I take it,” Cash said.

  “Opa’s responding to the chemo. The doctor is optimistic about his prognosis.”

  “That’s great.” Cash’s heart flooded with joy.

  Krista sat but instead of seeming open to him, she hugged her arms around herself.

  Was she protecting herself from him? From the chance of being hurt by another man?

  When he finally explained that he’d kept something from her, would she walk away?

  He drew in a breath to tell her, but all of a sudden he wasn’t certain he was strong enough to take the risk.

  *

  Something changed in Cash. He’d been alive and cheerful, as happy for Opa as Krista was, then suddenly the light had gone out as if someone had flipped a switch. She had to know what was going on.

  She made sure her gaze was soft and encouraging. “You can
tell me whatever’s bothering you.”

  He opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. “I…I’ve been thinking. About all you’ve gone through lately. Men have let you down a lot. Except Otto.”

  She hadn’t expected this topic at all, but she’d go with it. “I’ve had my share of disappointments. That’s why I didn’t want to get involved with anyone. I kept saying it was because I couldn’t trust my own judgment, but honestly, I was just afraid of getting hurt again.”

  “I’ll never hurt you,” he said almost in a whisper. “At least not intentionally.” He took her hand, engulfing it with long, strong fingers. “I’m not really keeping a secret from you like Toby did, but there’s a part of my life I haven’t told you about.”

  A moment of apprehension had her drawing back, but she was done running. If he revealed something horrible, she’d find a way to deal with it. “Tell me.”

  “When I was Delta…my team…we were family, you know? But then, one day…it was near Kandahar. We were charged with escorting a special leader and keeping him alive at all costs. There was this bridge.” He stopped and shook his head, his sorrow so obvious she knew something terrible was coming.

  “Once we crossed the bridge, we’d be home free. But then the Taliban attacked. Had us pinned down. Our only way out was to call in air support. It was risky because we were so close to the insurgents. A two-thousand-pound bomb falling that close…I don’t have to tell you what it could do, but it was our only option. I was the senior officer so I made the call.”

  He paused again and she felt him tremble. She clutched his hand and willed him the strength to go on.

  “The bomb went astray.” He looked up at the ceiling. “I’ll never forget it hitting. I was thrown in the air and my ears started ringing. Chaos all around me. The only thing that saved me was the mud walls. They’d baked in the hot sun for so long they took the worst of the blast.” His voice dropped lower. “The other guys on the team didn’t make it. I had a blown eardrum and a knot on my head, but that was it. I was fine. Our protectee survived. Mission accomplished. But the cost. Man, the cost.”

  “I’m so sorry, Cash,” she said and knew her words couldn’t possibly convey how badly she felt for him. “You must’ve been devastated.”