Reign of Fire

by Casi McLean

  “What’s the Medical Examiner doing here?” Not waiting for an answer. She unhooked her seatbelt and pushed open the car door, standing, hands on her hips.

  Responding to her reaction, Ash opened the driver’s side and popped out. Grasping the door with his left hand, he rested his right arm on the roof, leaving his right foot perched on the floor mat, while he watched Emily glare at Quint, a scowl infecting her features.

  “What’s going on, Mr. Brannon? Why are you at my sister’s house? Is someone else dead?”

  “Miss Rose.” He nodded, then, ignoring her question, he turned to Ash. “You were spot on, buddy.”

  Lips flattening to a thin line, Ash shook his head. “I knew Steel was covering something.”

  “What?” Emily tapped her foot in fast succession. “Will someone please tell me what’s going on?”

  After stepping out of the car, Ash gave the door a shove then approached Quint. “Is he okay?”

  “He will be. But he would have died out on that ledge if he’d been there much longer. How did you know?”

  Ash glanced at Emily, now grimacing about being left out of the conversation. He strode toward her then reached for her hand.

  She immediately withdrew. “What the hell is going on? Why are you two acting as if I’m not even here?”

  “Relax. I just wanted to check out some facts before I suggested a theory.”

  Her glare shot perfectly aimed daggers.

  Did she expect him to read her mind? He couldn’t. But he didn’t have to be a psychic to sense her displeasure about being left out of the loop. “Noted. I’m sorry. But I’m not in the habit of blurting out random thoughts until I know the facts…perhaps a detective trait. Although, I’m sure you wouldn’t print a story without corroborating the facts, first, would you?”

  She frowned. “Touché. But can you please explain why Brannon is here, and who was out on a ledge?”

  Ash placed his hand on the small of her back then turned to Quint. “Lead the way. I think Miss Rose deserves an answer.”

  Quint strolled toward the crime scene. “He’s around back. A little worse for the wear, but I believe we got to him in time. Be careful approaching him, though. He’s a bit groggy. I had to sedate him before I took out the bullet and stitched his side. He’s one lucky dog.”

  “Dog? You found Duke?” Emily’s stare flew to Ash. “Oh my gosh, he was shot and left to die on a ledge? Why would someone––” She scowled then raced toward the rear of the gatehouse.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Moments later, Emily stood behind a man with sandy-blond hair hunched over the injured German shepherd.

  He stroked the dog’s head, scratching an ear and coaxing him to awaken. “Come on, boy. You can do this. You’re okay now.”

  Emily cleared her throat, more to avoid startling either of them than reacting to an irritant. “Is he…is he okay?” She glanced at a jerry-rigged IV protruding from the animal’s leg then to the shaved area on his hind hip and stared at the zipper-like stitches. “Damn, the bastard must have shot him then left him here to die. That means this poor animal has been here since Alyssa––?” Her voice trailed off.

  “He’s a fighter.” The man peered over his shoulder. “Brad Miller. You must be Emily Rose, Alyssa’s twin.”

  “Yes.” She knelt beside the dog and, palm upward, offered her hand for Duke to sniff. When he stirred, lightly nudging his nose over her fingers, she gently ran a hand over his muzzle. He lifted his head and licked her knuckles. “That’s it, boy.” She shifted her gaze to Brad. “He responded as if he knew me.”

  “You look like Alyssa and he is still a bit dazed. Your scent can’t mimic hers, though. I suspect he recognizes you’re a friend here to help.” Brad peered over his shoulder at the approaching voices.

  Quint and Ash paused several feet from the makeshift operating room, which consisted of an open body bag laid out on the grass to serve as a clean table, a medical bag, and some bloody bandages.

  Emily sat onto her calves. “How do you fit into this drama, Brad?”

  “I can see my fame has not preceded me.” He offered a lame smirk then continued. “I’m the forensic photographer who was on the scene with Ash and Quint. We’ve been friends for a long time, Miss Rose. I’m fully aware of the situation.”

  She nodded. “Right. I remember Ash mentioning you.” She returned her gaze to Duke. “Do you think he’ll make a full recovery?”

  “He was pretty dehydrated and had lost a lot of blood when we found him. The bullet lodged in his hip. The discolored fur shows he licked the wound excessively, which might have saved his life.” Brad angled his chin toward the Coroner. “Quint says the timeline matches Alyssa’s murder and thinks Duke poised to or had already attacked the assailant. You’re right. Whoever shot him kicked him over the edge and left him for dead. The pup was lucky the fall only landed him on a rock ledge. Too weak to climb, he laid there most likely waiting to die.”

  “That’s so awful…but the Gunny Sergeant said he tried to help Alyssa. He never mentioned a gun…or the dog for that matter…until I asked him. This flies in the face of Steel’s entire confession.”

  “Exactly what Ash suspected.” Brad stood and offered his hand to assist Emily, to which she obliged. “The guy has a nose for crime like no one else I’ve ever seen. He called me and insisted Quint and I drop everything to come here and search for the missing dog. Damned if he didn’t nail the scenario.”

  Ash lifted his gaze and acknowledged Brad’s stare. “Are you telling tales about me again?” He nudged Quint then strode toward Emily.

  As Ash approached, Emily stood as if lured by a magnetic attraction. Was it his physique or perhaps his scent that completely swept Emily away and into an erotic fantasy that heated her cheeks as well as more intimate areas? Geez, how does he do that? The burn intensified as he drew close, and she crossed her legs to stifle her awakening.

  “Damn, Brad. You’re gonna tarnish my reputation before I have a chance to sweep her off her feet.” He whisked past her and knelt then patted Duke’s head.

  When he grazed her arm, the tingle caused a silent explosion to rumble through Emily’s limbs like hot lava rolling from a volcanic eruption. She spun her gaze toward the river, hoping to hide the yearning she was sure Ash could see in her eyes.

  Standing again, Ash touched Emily’s shoulder. “Did he besmirch me forever in your eyes, or do I still have a chance to ride off in the sunset with my true love?”

  True love? Of course, the quips between Ash and his friend displayed an ongoing repartee, but Emily couldn’t stop her visceral responses from reacting. She needed to change the subject before the urge to jump his bones tossed her caution into the wind. She cleared her throat before speaking. “What made you think Duke was on that ledge all this time…hurt and alone?” She peered at him over her shoulder. “Do you think Logan lied?”

  “The facts simply didn’t add up. I’m not sure Steel lied but I’m questioning the details of his story. He only told us what he decided we needed to know. My instincts tell me he’s still hiding something.”

  She snapped her gaze returning to Ash. “What do you mean? Why does finding Duke somehow prove Steel lied?” She paused, considering facts she knew. “If you’re right, I wonder why Alyssa told me to believe Logan? My instincts tell me his confession was totally authentic, and I usually have a good sense about things like this.”

  Quint began picking up his equipment and collecting the remnants of the emergency operation. “Trust, but verify, Miss Rose.”

  Yanking at her ponytail, Emily ripped out the band, tightened the grip on her hair then replaced it higher and tighter. Squinting, she shook her head and glared at Ash. “What else are you keeping from me?”

  “Emily, did you ever consider that maybe Gunny Sgt. Steel wasn’t the only person present when Alyssa died? What if someone else hid in the bushes and watched both Alyssa and Steel? What if, when Logan ran back to his car to find a rope, someone els
e pulled her up to safety…then pushed her into the river…causing Duke to attack? The additional person could have easily shot the dog and kicked him into the river to die with your sister, before Logan returned…only Duke was saved by a protruding ledge.”

  “Oh my God. I never considered someone else was there. But Alyssa didn’t mention” ––she paused and shifted a glance from Brad to Quint.

  “Don’t worry, we heard about your supernatural encounter. I don’t hold much stock in paranormal accounts, but Ash believes you talked to Alyssa and I’d trust him with my life.” Quint turned to Brad. “How about you?”

  “Hey, I’ve developed pictures at crime scenes that blew me away. I’m primed to believe in the supernatural. Bring it on.”

  Emily looked to Ash for a nod of approval, which he instantly offered. She drew in a deep breath then blew out before continuing. “Why didn’t Alyssa tell me someone else was there?”

  “Damn, your sister talked to you and you’re questioning the validity of what she said?” Brad coughed into his hand disguising his next comment.

  Emily shook her head. “I didn’t mean it like that…maybe she didn’t remember…or didn’t see. You’re right. Dying has to be a pretty big trauma.”

  “You think?” Quint smirked.

  “Okay, guys. Enough. Emily has been through too much already. The last thing she needs is your banter.” He wrapped an arm around her. “I don’t want to scare her off. I kinda like having her around.” Tightening his arm, he drew her into a hug then kissed her forehead. “I think they like you, Emily.”

  She forced a smile. Their jousting wasn’t foreign to her. In fact, Ash’s team reminded her of Wyatt’s Marine buddies. “Okay, guys. I caught what you threw. Now, can one of you offer any information that might help to solve Alyssa’s murder? If so, I’m all in. If not, then I’m assuming you agree with Ash’s hypothesis, and we need to look for clues to find out who else could have been here the night my sister died.” She waited for a long moment then continued. “Good. We’re on the same page. Did either of you find anything suspicious when you were looking for Duke?”

  They shrugged, shaking their heads.

  At the mention of his name, Duke stood and hobbled over to Emily then nuzzled his nose into her dangling hand.

  She gazed downward. “Ahh. Good boy.” Scratching behind his ear, she knelt on one knee. “How about you, Duke? Do you know where we can find some clues?”

  He woofed then gently took her wrist in his mouth and tugged. Limping again, this time toward the ledge overlooking the Potomac River, he dragged his injured leg to tend to her request.

  “Damn. Are you some kind of dog-whisperer, too? Duke’s responding like he really knows what you asked.” Ash smiled and offered a do-you-believe-this stare toward his friends. “I think I’m in love with this woman.” He grabbed Emily’s hand. “Come on. Let’s see what he comes up with.”

  Duke sniffed along the ledge, stopping now and then to scratch at the ground and sniff again before moving on, until he found something. Wagging his tail, he woofed again then scratched at Emily’s leg.

  Kneeling beside him, she scanned the ground, sifting through the brush. “Oh my gosh.” Her gaze flashed to Ash as she drew out a dark blue piece of cloth.

  A satisfied grin caused dimples Ash hadn’t noticed before to blossom.

  “This looks like a ripped shred of a cotton sweatshirt.” She held the fabric at eye-level and scrutinized her discovery. “And…if I’m not mistaken…caked with what appears to be dried blood.” Her gaze shifted to Ash––accompanied by an appeased smile––then back to the evidence, “Gotcha, you bastard.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  After bagging the evidence and giving the area one more thorough scan, Ash thanked his friends for dropping everything and rushing to the crime site to search for Duke and expedite the investigation into Alyssa’s murder. Rescuing the dog fell into the “beyond the call of duty” realm.

  Emily tripped over herself thanking Brad and Quint, the dynamic duo, for their quick-thinking and on-the-spot operation that saved the dog’s life.

  As soon as they waved goodbye, Ash called Harper and arranged for her to meet Quint at the morgue to pick up the evidence. She said she decided to run the DNA through a classified restricted NCIS scan to avoid a federal flag on the case should the results hit a governmental employee. With the wide array of corruption in D.C. they couldn’t rule out Fed tampering, and she could prioritize the results by going through NCIS.

  After updating Ash, Wyatt devised a strategy to keep eyes on the scheduled meeting between Gunny Steel and Deep Throat that evening.

  “The plan sounds solid enough, but we both know Emily will insist on being close by.” He glared adamantly nodding as she lifted Duke into the car.

  A moment later, she stood beside him, listening to the one-sided conversation she could hear. “Why can’t we be in a van close by when the meeting goes down?” Her loud whisper coaxed Ash to put the call on speaker.

  “I can’t in good conscious allow Emily to be anywhere near the meeting,” Harper said. “The situation is too dangerous. We don’t know what this guy is capable of doing.”

  He coughed into his hand to cover his amusement. “Clearly you don’t know Emily very well.” From what he’d seen, Ms. Rose would never tolerate being left out or coddled. He knew damn well not heaven nor hell could keep her from being within shouting distance. If Ash didn’t include her, Emily would come on her own volition, and he’d have no way to protect her in that scenario. Harper had a point, though. An untrained individual would be dangerous enough, but an emotionally charged woman with a vested interest in the outcome could put everyone at risk, despite Emily’s journalist background.

  When the call ended, she gazed at him through her lashes. “Where’s the meeting going down?”

  “You picked up on that, did you?” Ash raised a brow. “Battery Kemble Park, a tranquil, urban park off MacArthur Blvd and Chain Bridge Road in Maryland. Not far from here. The park was an artillery battery during the Civil War. Now, it’s a quiet respite used mostly by the residents in the area. Lots of trails and very unsuspicious…I don’t like it.”

  “I guess that negates our van idea. Why do you suppose Deep Throat wants to meet Logan there?” She leaned against the car and crossed her legs at the ankles. “For that matter, why does he want to see him at all? Can’t he just make demands over the phone?”

  “Exactly. I’m afraid The Association might think Steel has become a liability.” Ash watched her reaction, eyes wide and doused with fear. Battery Kemble made perfect sense––for a hit. In no way did Ash want Emily anywhere close by. But he didn’t want to lose Steel, either. Despite the circumstances under which they met, Logan’s record was clean, and his character, prior to the obvious, displayed that of a pristine soldier. For God’s sake, the man had a wife and a newborn son. Ash couldn’t let him walk into an ambush.

  “What time? At night, I’m sure.” Emily frowned and paused a beat. “The Association put a hit on him, didn’t they?” She glared at Ash.

  He leaned in close. “Looks like it. But we can’t let that happen now, can we?”

  Her gaze locked with his and for a long moment he considered what would happen if he let go of his resistance. He wanted her. Did he only imagine the passion burning in her as well?

  She lowered her head and gazed at him through her lashes.

  That coy flutter was all it took. His resolve melted. He drew Emily into an embrace. When he leaned in to kiss her forehead, she angled her head perfectly to receive the kiss on her slightly parted lips. He eagerly acquiesced, drinking in the heat of passion now swirling through to his core. He’d never wanted any woman like he wanted Emily. Her scent lured him closer…closer until he feared he might suffocate her with his need.

  Emily’s weight shifted against him, begging him to lift her and when he complied, she straddled his waist, her legs draping around and locking at the small of his back. Grinding
into him, she fed his thirst until his need exploded into a burst of hot desire. Her passion lured him farther. God…what this woman did to him should be illegal. He wanted to take her right there and sensed her compliance.

  No…she just lost her sister. Ash would not take advantage of Emily. He had to wait. Halting his response felt like the hardest thing he’d ever done, but he relinquished, edging her rear onto the trunk of his car. “Dear God, Emily. I want you. More than I could ever have words to describe.”

  “I’ve never experienced such sensations before. What you do to me. The slightest touch. And kissing you…I…I can’t explain the intense––”

  “Shhh.” He placed a finger over her lips. “I know. I feel the same way, like some magnetic force feeds a thirst I’ve never known. I can’t explain how or why, but I know we belong together. I don’t want to jeopardize this connection by rushing into a physical frenzy.”

  Emily’s soft smile furthered his attraction. “Thanks. You described exactly what I’m feeling.” Again, she draped her arms around him, this time in a measured embrace, relinquishing her resolve.

  After a long moment of content, Ash lifted her off the trunk and let her slide down his torso until her feet touched the ground. “Deep Throat told Steel to meet him at Battery Kemble Park tonight. We need to get to the compound to debrief Logan. This meeting might be our only chance to reveal Deep Throat’s identity and find Alyssa’s murderer.”

  Emily nodded. “Right.” She straightened her blouse and pants. “Any ideas about how to protect Logan? Wearing a vest might help, but if The Association sets up a hit, they’ll likely have a sniper hiding in the bushes who could easily target Logan’s head.”

  “That’s why we need NCIS agents in position at Battery Kemble early to secure the perimeter. Steel will be wired for sound and vision. Whatever goes down, we’ll be prepared.” Ash strode to the passenger side of his car then opened the door for Emily. Damn. How was it possible he only met this woman two days ago? In the past forty-eight hours, his entire existence had spiraled into a tsunami of emotion and purpose.