by Susan Cliff
“I had something to tell you,” he said, wincing. “Before the crash.”
“Shh,” she said. “Rest now.”
“It was important.”
“We’re alive. That’s the most important thing.”
He closed his eyes, his breaths labored. “I thought...he was going to kill you.”
She donned her own parka, shivering. She was lucky Cam had intervened. If he hadn’t, she wouldn’t be here. Instead of dwelling on the close call, she grabbed the sleeping bag and covered them both. It was incredibly macabre to cuddle next to a dead man, with two other corpses burning in the background. She considered moving, but jostling Cam might exacerbate his head injury. Another trucker would come along soon.
“Why didn’t you run?” Cam asked.
She reached out to hold his hand. “I couldn’t leave you.”
Two truckers arrived a few minutes later. Then the police came, followed by a fire truck and an ambulance. They didn’t let her ride to Fairbanks with Cam. She watched as the EMTs loaded him into an ambulance. She’d barely stepped away before she was relegated to the backseat of squad car. Although she wasn’t cuffed, she felt like a criminal. She wasn’t given any updates about Cam’s condition on the way. As soon as they arrived at the station, she was taken to an interview room, where she recounted the pertinent events in vivid detail.
Her statements were honest; there was no benefit in lying now. She’d been caught at the scene of the crime. If she didn’t talk, she’d look guilty.
Guiltier.
She told the truth about Duane, because her story didn’t make sense otherwise. He was the reason she’d come to Alaska to hide. He was the reason for her arrest in Canada, and for her failure to appear in court.
She also told the truth about the two IDs she’d stolen, in the interest of full disclosure. She found out that she wouldn’t be extradited to Canada because the charges against her weren’t serious enough. Also, they confirmed she wasn’t technically a foreign national. Full-blooded First Nations members were allowed entry from Canada to the US and vice versa. It was similar to dual citizenship. She had the protection of both countries. She was supposed to return to Canada of her own volition to take care of her warrants, but no one would be tracking her down with a dragnet.
Several hours passed in the interrogation room. Two detectives asked her a thousand questions, many of which were repetitive. She wasn’t sure if they were trying to trip her up, or just being thorough. Either way, it was exhausting.
She received medical treatment for her minor cuts and scrapes. She was photographed, fingerprinted and given a hot meal. She was left alone to eat. She wanted to see Cam. They wouldn’t even tell her where he was or how he was doing. He might be in surgery, or in pain. Her eyes welled with tears of anxiety.
She pushed aside the tray and buried her head in her arms. Moments later, a third detective appeared. He was younger and better-looking than the others. He had an athletic build and dark, close-cropped hair. His rumpled suit fit him well.
“Can I make a phone call?” she asked.
“I’d like to ask you a few questions first.”
She wiped the tears from her cheeks, nodding her permission.
He took the seat across from her. His gaze moved over her in a measured sweep. She couldn’t tell if he was assessing her feminine attributes or judging her mental state. He had a pretty good poker face. A good face in general, with strong features. There was something familiar about them.
“You’re Cam’s brother,” she said.
“And you’re his damsel in distress.”
She didn’t argue with the description, though it rankled. “Is he okay?”
Cam’s brother passed her a card with his name on it. Mason Hughes, Seattle PD. “He has a concussion and a broken foot. The bullet wound isn’t serious.”
“He’s conscious?”
Mason nodded. “He says you saved his life.”
“He saved mine. More than once.”
“He’s a regular Boy Scout, isn’t he?”
Tala didn’t know how to respond to that. Mason’s flat expression made her nervous. “When can I see him?”
“They gave him some pain meds. He’ll be out for hours.”
“I want to be there when he wakes up.”
Mason studied her with interest. “My brother is infatuated with you. I’m sure he feels even closer to you now that you’ve braved death together, but I’m concerned about his judgment. Since he met you, he’s been behaving erratically.”
She bristled at the accusation. “Since he met me, or since he lost his wife?”
“He’s had a hard time dealing with his grief,” Mason acknowledged. “I’m glad you came along, because he needed a diversion.”
First she was a damsel, now she was a diversion. She narrowed her eyes at his wording. Mason Hughes was trying to insult her without being too obvious about it. He was one of those psychological cops, trained to mess with people’s minds.
“The problem is, he doesn’t know you’re a diversion. You’re a beautiful woman, and he’s been living like a recluse. He’s not equipped to discern between psychical attraction and something deeper.”
Tala just stared at him. She had her own poker face, and she could use it. He was an intimidating figure, tall and stern-looking. Before she met Cam, she’d gone out of her way to avoid men like this. Now she didn’t feel so helpless. She’d regained a sense of her former strength. She didn’t have to run from everything that scared her.
Mason leaned forward. “Do you follow what I’m saying?”
“You’re saying that Cam is too broken to know his own heart.”
“Exactly,” Mason said, pleased with her comprehension.
“What do you want from me?”
“I want you to let him recover in peace.”
“You think I’m disturbing his peace?”
“I think you have outstanding warrants and a crazy ex-husband.” Mason drummed his fingertips against the table the same way Cam drummed his on the steering wheel. “Cam doesn’t need that kind of stress right now.”
She swallowed hard. “Cam can make his own decisions.”
“I’ll buy you a bus ticket,” Mason said, undeterred. He removed several hundred dollars from his wallet and placed it in front of her.
Tala couldn’t believe he had the nerve to bribe her in the middle of a police station. Shady deals like this were the reason she didn’t trust law enforcement officers. The arrogance of his attempt galled her. “I don’t want your money.”
“Don’t do it for the money,” Mason said. “Do it for Cam. Don’t drag him off to Canada to fight your battles.”
She picked up the cash and threw it in his face. “Cam was right. You’re an asshole.”
Mason retrieved the loose bills from the ground, his brow furrowed. “Is that what he said?”
“He said you were bitter about your divorce.”
“Well, he told me you’re a firecracker in bed.”
She drew in a sharp breath. “He did not.”
Mason gave her an assessing look. “Okay, he didn’t. But I bet you are.”
“He’s going to be furious when he hears about this.”
Cam’s brother returned the cash to his wallet. “If you don’t tell him, I’ll take you with me to the hospital. They won’t let you see him without me. You’re not family.”
She nodded, curling her hands into fists. “Fine.”
“Think about my proposal while we’re there.”
“I don’t have to think about it. I wouldn’t ask him to come to Canada, and I’d never pit him against Duane.”
Mason shrugged, as if her intentions weren’t important. He didn’t seem bothered by her refusal to accept his bribe. Maybe he’d done it to test her loyalty to Cam—or to plant seeds of doubt in her mind.
/>
Mission accomplished.
Was she foolish to believe that Cam wanted a long-term relationship, like he’d claimed? That he might, someday, love her with the same intensity he’d loved Jenny? She didn’t know if she should stay and hope. She didn’t want him to get hurt again.
Mason Hughes didn’t think she was a good choice for Cam, and maybe she wasn’t. Maybe she should leave him alone. He was injured. He’d suffered from a concussion. He didn’t need any more grief or trauma in his life.
She followed Mason down the hall, her thoughts in turmoil. Mason was wrong about one thing; Cam wasn’t broken. He was strong. He could decide for himself. She had to give him a chance to make up his own mind. She wouldn’t give up without a fight.
And she wouldn’t, under any circumstances, leave without saying goodbye.
Chapter 20
December 15
65N
5 degrees
Cam drifted in and out of consciousness for several hours.
Tala was there, holding his hand. She kissed his knuckles periodically.
Mason was there, too. He didn’t do anything but lurk in the background and pace around. Cam appreciated his brother’s presence, though he was hardly a calming influence. He wanted to tell Mason to relax, but he couldn’t keep his eyes open.
When the drugs wore off, he woke to a bright room, a full bladder and throbbing pain. Mason was there, staring at him.
“Where’s Tala?”
“She went to the cafeteria.”
Cam studied his surroundings blearily. He was in a hospital bed, his busted-up foot propped on pillows. In addition to a gunshot wound, he had a sprained ankle and something called a “proximal fracture” in the bone on the side of his foot. Apparently those two injuries went together like peanut butter and jelly. They’d immobilized it with bandages and a medical boot. He wasn’t supposed to put weight on it—or drive—for several weeks. He took the pain pill by his bedside with water. Then he gestured for Mason to help him. “Bring me those crutches.”
“Why are you getting up?”
“I have to take a piss.”
Mason gave him the crutches with reluctance. Cam managed to make it to the bathroom and back without falling down. His sutured arm didn’t hurt as much as his foot, but it didn’t feel good. Neither did his head, for that matter.
“I called Mom,” Mason said.
Cam muttered a string of curse words.
“I had to. You’re in the hospital, and you almost died.”
“I didn’t almost die. I have a broken toe.”
“Metatarsal. It’s attached to your toe.”
“Whatever.”
“Also, you were shot.”
“You didn’t tell her that, did you? It’s a graze. It’s nothing.”
“She wants to book a flight. You have to call her and talk her down.”
Cam changed the subject. “How’s Tala?”
“She’s fine,” Mason said. “She answered all of the questions they threw at her. The detectives found her very credible, and your story corroborates hers.”
“They don’t think she was involved?”
“No. They’re more concerned about who the cop was working for. The guy they executed at the diner was a police informant. The cop might have been there to identify him for his buddies. Whatever they were up to, they’re all dead now. You and your girlfriend don’t have to worry about retaliation.”
“Are we supposed to stay in town while they wrap up the investigation?”
“Nah. This is open-and-shut.”
“What about her warrants?”
“She’s supposed to take care of it on her own. They won’t be detaining her. She’s not exactly a menace to society. The guys at the station were falling all over themselves to get her a cup of coffee.”
Cam was relieved by the update. He’d been interviewed in the ER early this morning, while he was waiting to get X-rays. He hadn’t known for sure if Tala would talk to the police. This was a big step for her. She’d set aside her fears and told her story to strangers.
She’d also shot a man and killed him, to save Cam. It was surreal.
“I’m in love with her,” Cam said.
“You’re on drugs,” Mason said. “Literally.”
“I was in love with her before the accident.”
“You were high on adrenaline then.”
A nurse entered the room breezily to check his vital signs. Cam was glad for the interruption, even though she scolded him for getting up on his own. “You need to keep that foot elevated as much as possible. Don’t make any major decisions today, because you’re recovering from a head injury. The medication will make you sleepy. You can do as much activity as you feel comfortable with tomorrow.”
“When will I be released?”
“Late afternoon or early evening.”
She took his lunch order and left, smiling at Mason on her way out. Cam’s phone was among the effects brought to him from the accident scene. He called his mother, who was “worried sick,” and wanted to fly to Fairbanks immediately.
“Don’t waste your money,” Cam said. “By the time you get here, I’ll be out of the hospital.”
“Where will you go?”
“There’s a hotel across the street.”
“Why don’t you come home with your brother?”
“I can’t fly,” he said. “I’m supposed to keep my foot elevated.”
“For how long?”
“I don’t know, Mom. I just woke up.”
“Someone needs to take care of you, and Mason can’t do it. You know he’s a workaholic.”
Mason, who could hear their conversation, rolled his eyes.
“I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself.” And if he couldn’t, he’d ask Tala to help him. He couldn’t wait to see her again.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“When will I see you next?”
“I’ll come home for Christmas.”
She inhaled a delighted breath. “You will?”
“Sure,” he said. He’d already promised Mason he would, and the holidays didn’t seem like a big deal anymore. Maybe he could convince Tala to come with him. Then his family could interrogate her instead of him.
“Call me later and let me know how you’re doing. I mean it.”
“I’ve got to go, Mom. Love you.”
“I love you, too, sweetheart.”
He hung up on that positive note. Tala entered the room with two coffee cups. She handed one to Mason, who nodded his thanks. Then she approached Cam’s bedside. Her hair was in loose waves, freed from the braids. He wanted to bury his hands in that hair and kiss her until they both lost their breath.
“Can you give us some privacy?” Cam asked Mason.
Mason took a sip of coffee and almost choked on it. He didn’t refuse to leave, though he seemed annoyed by the request. “Remember your patient instructions,” he said, glancing at Tala. “No major decisions.”
“You’re turning into our mother,” Cam said.
Tala ducked her head to hide a smile. Mason gave them both a dark look and continued out the door.
“Has he been rude to you?” Cam asked.
She touched her lips to his, making a noncommittal sound.
“I’ll tell him to cut it out.”
“He’s just being overprotective. He thinks I’m going to throw you in front of Duane.”
“I wouldn’t mind mixing it up with Duane.”
“I’d mind,” she said, holding his gaze.
He threaded his fingers through the rumpled silk of her hair. He wanted to immerse himself in it, and disappear in her. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”
“How do you feel?”
“Better, now that you’re
here.”
“What instructions was he talking about it?”
“I’m supposed to take it easy. No heavy lifting.”
“Or heavy thinking?”
“Something like that.”
“You called your mother?”
“Yes. I said I’d bring you home for Christmas.”
Her mouth fell open. “You didn’t.”
“You’re right. I didn’t. But I’d like to.”
She pulled away from him, her brow furrowed.
“You don’t want to meet my family?”
“That’s not it,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. “I just have to go back to Canada for a while. I have to get my life in order.”
“Alone?”
She nibbled on her lower lip. “Maybe that would be best.”
“Best for who?”
“You’re injured, Cam. You can’t even drive.”
“I can sit next to you.”
“You need to rest.”
“Exactly. This is the perfect time for a vacation. My truck is totaled, and I can’t work. We’ll stay here in Fairbanks for a day or two. Then we can rent a vehicle and take a road trip. You can drive, can’t you?”
“I can drive a sled, a snowplow and just about anything else.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I don’t want you to feel obligated to come with me.”
“I don’t feel obligated,” he said, grasping her hand. “I love you.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “What?”
“I’m in love with you.”
“You are?” she asked in a hushed voice.
He nodded, his throat tight. “I thought you were going to die last night. I know what that kind of loss feels like, and I can’t survive it again. That’s why I can’t let you go. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Tala.”
She blinked the tears away. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. Just stay.”
“Okay.”
He smiled at her easy acceptance.
“You’re not supposed to be making any major decisions,” she reminded him.
“We can talk about it again tomorrow. I won’t change my mind.”