Forever Chance

by CJ Murphy

  Harley held up the warrant. “Then let’s make sure we do this right.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  FORTY MINUTES PASSED BEFORE Trooper Micah Livingston showed up. He swept the basement with sensors and looked for any trip wires or booby traps. The junk in front of the door was carefully removed. All that was left was to cut the lock and open the door. They didn’t know what was behind the peeling paint but were concerned enough with Petra’s signal of explosives that they were taking extraordinary precautions. Chance and Khodi helped Micah dress in his ‘turtle’ suit, while Harley worked the phones and confirmed their right to pursue their current course of action. The bomb protection suit could absorb a great deal of concussive force but offered no guarantee of survival. Micah was a tall, quiet, lion of confidence who’d done two tours in Iraq on an explosive ordnance disposal squad. He brought those EOD skills with him when he left the army to pursue his law enforcement dreams. Chance helped him put on the heavy Kevlar arm protectors.

  “We’ve got the go-ahead from Judge Arnold.” Harley held Micah’s helmet in her hands. “Okay, get everyone out of here. Is the fire department on scene?”

  Chance nodded. “They are. We’ve got everyone inside individual cruisers.”

  Harley placed Micah’s helmet on and tapped his head. “You good to go?”

  “I am, Sergeant. You guys get clear. I’ve got the throat mic on, so you’ll hear everything. This camera is set up so you watch too. Let’s see what’s behind door number one.”

  They left Micah and made their way outside the house and a safe distance away. Harley’s commander from Elkins had joined the group, and they were using Micah’s bomb truck as a command post to see the monitors. “All his radio and video equipment is intrinsically safe, meaning it won’t set anything off. A second technician is on standby if, after entry, Micah needs assistance.”

  They watched. Micah cut the padlock and removed it from the hasp.

  Chance had put Zeus back in her cruiser for his safety and stood beside Harley with her arms crossed, staring intently at the screen. “This is freaking nerve-wracking.”

  Harley nodded her agreement. “That’s why it takes a steady hand like Micah has. Guy’s got nerves of steel. I’ve stared down madmen with guns, but I couldn’t do what he’s doing.”

  They watched Micah stand to the side and use a long, fiberglass pole to open the door and push it out of the way. The helmet cam and light he used clearly illuminated the four-by-ten room. One side was lined with shelves of canned goods. The other side held the pay dirt.

  “Sergeant, are you seeing what I’m seeing?”

  Harley clicked her mic. “Are those pipe bombs?”

  The camera view shifted up and down. “If they aren’t, they certainly look like it. That’s not all, check this out.” They saw brightly colored spools. “Pretty sure that’s primer cord, and these are certainly blast caps. I think I’ve found what you were looking for when you stumbled on this.” Micah pointed his camera to two black sweatshirts, with the skeleton-hand logo. Motorcycle helmets, gloves, and a red hay hook sat at the end of a table.

  Chance grabbed the mic. “Are you finding anything that looks like narcotics?”

  The camera angle changed again. “I’ve got a set of scales, cutting material, and some kind of short straws. There are a ton of handguns. I’m looking at two AK-47s, with hundreds of rounds.”

  Chance grabbed her cellphone and called her newest deputy. “Khodi, can you come over to the command vehicle for a minute?” She hung up and began to fume. I’ve got you, you son of a bitch.

  Khodi appeared, his hands holding the neckline of his bulletproof vest. “What do you need me to do, Sheriff?”

  Chance pointed to the screen. “See anything familiar?”

  Khodi leaned in and closely examined the images being shown on the computer screen. “Mother fucker. Those look like those pixie stick straws we found up on Fairfax Avenue, where that little boy overdosed.”

  “That was my observation as well. I think we just found our dealer. Harley, this thing just blew up.”

  Harley winced. “Bad choice of words, my friend, given my trooper is in there with a bunch of what we assume are illegal explosives.”

  “Shit. Sorry.”

  Micah called over the radio. “I’m going to put these pipe bombs in a blast bucket. That will let you guys get down here and collect some evidence. I don’t want you guys moving around in here until I render them safe. Can someone grab the other can and bring it to the bottom of the stairs? I don’t want to put them all in one.”

  Khodi spoke up. “I’ll take it.”

  Harley moved up in the truck and handed Khodi the can. They watched him enter the house and eventually heard Micah tell him to leave it and get back outside before he started. For the next twenty minutes, they watched him delicately move materials off the shelves and into combustion chambers.

  “Okay, I think we’re safe to look at everything. You guys can come back in.” Micah called to them.

  Chance let out a long sigh. There were genuine reasons to be concerned for Micah’s safety. Within minutes, they’d reached him and helped him take off the heavy and stifling suit.

  Harley handed him a large Gatorade and a towel soaked in ice water. “Nice job, Micah.”

  “Thanks, Sarge.”

  Chance moved into the room and used her flashlight to illuminate the bench. A trooper entered with her and began cataloging evidence. She watched, as he held up the sweatshirt with the skeletal hand graphic. “No, Leland, fuck you.”

  Harley leaned in the door. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

  Chance stepped out of the small space and allowed Randy to enter with his test kit. He swiped the scale and inserted the detection strip in the box where the chemical reaction would help them identify the substances. Within a few minutes, he held the screen over in front of Chance.

  “It’s heroin laced with fentanyl. Looks pretty similar to what we found with those multiple overdoses during Leaf Peepers.”

  Rage bubbled through Chance. On two separate occasions, Leland’s actions had endangered the woman she loved. She needed to remove herself now, before there could be any question of compromised evidence. Quade stood with a digital video camera in hand.

  Harley placed a hand on her back. “Get out of here, Chance. I’ve got this. Jax is waiting on you, and if I remember right, you said you’re meeting the in-laws. It’s eight in the morning. I don’t know what time they’ll get there, but you might want to shower and clean up. First impressions are important.”

  Chance sighed. “I can’t argue, but a shower isn’t likely to make a difference. Her mother has disliked me since I was eighteen. I doubt smelling good will change that, but I’ll feel better. Thanks for everything, Harley. I mean it.”

  Harley looked at Chance long and hard. “No thanks needed. We did this for both of them. I’m hoping this will be the end of it, and they can have some peace.”

  Chance shook Harley’s hand. “From your lips to God’s ears.”

  ***

  Once Chance made it home, she tended the horses and Zeus, showered, and put on a clean uniform. It was likely she’d need to attend to official business later in the day. She loaded a travel mug with coffee and sent her mother a text asking her to let Jax know she was on her way.

  “Laden, Zeus.” Her K9 partner assumed his position and the two headed back in the direction of Garrett Memorial. A million things were going through Chance’s mind as she sipped her coffee. She’d broken down in the shower, allowing herself the realization of how close she’d come to losing Jax again. It reminded her of how Jax must have felt when she’d been in the shootout. Christmas can’t come soon enough. The wedding they were planning seemed like eons away. In reality, it was only a few months. Maybe they were waiting too long. Maybe they shouldn’t wait another day. No, Jax wants this wedding, and moms-squared would kill me. Their plans were simple but meaningful. Chance couldn’t imagine a be
tter Christmas present. They had no plans to go away for a honeymoon, needing only the finality of their commitment and their first night at home as a married couple.

  Chance listened to traffic over her radio as the miles of blacktop that separated her and Jax receded with every minute. Chance wasn’t looking forward to seeing Jax’s mother again. She’d never met Mr. St. Claire, though Jax spoke of him fondly. When she pulled into the parking lot, she was relieved to see Momma D’s vehicle parked beside Maggie’s. She’d known three incredible parents, first her father, then the two women who had made her who she was today. Some might not think so, but Chance counted herself incredibly blessed.

  Chance left Zeus in the air-conditioned and monitored vehicle. He needed some rest, and she wanted to remove some of the intimidation factors for this first adult meeting with Jax’s parents. There would be enough tension, and Zeus tended to ramp that up just with his presence. She pushed through the doors of the hospital and ran into the last person she truly needed to see, Faith. She closed her eyes for a moment. “Lord, give me strength. And patience, buckets of patience, please.”

  Faith held her hands up. “Truce, I promise. They’re releasing Lindsey. I promised Megan I’d check in with her later this evening after I get off shift. Their place is only about a mile from mine. I looked in on Jax and she’s resting comfortably. All her tests look good, Chance. She’s going to be okay.”

  “Thank you, Faith. I’m on my way up to her now.”

  “I know, I just saw Maggie and she told me you were on your way in. That’s why I waited here. I wanted to talk to you for a few minutes if you’ll grant me that.”

  Chance squeezed her temples with her right hand. “Faith, it’s been a long night. I just got off a pretty tense situation, and I really need to see Jax. If what you want to talk with me about is a single word about us getting back together, then no, I don’t have a spare minute. Honestly, this isn’t the best time at all. Jax’s parents are coming this morning, and I need to be there for her.”

  Faith let out a long sigh and looked up. Chance saw tears forming in her eyes. “I just want a little of your time. I understand not today, but sometime this week. Can we have lunch? No expectations, I promise. We used to be friends. I could really use one of those right now.”

  Chance gritted her teeth and clenched her jaw. “I’ll call you later this week when I see what’s going on with Jax. No promises to the lunch, but I will call. Jax is going to be immobile for a bit. Have no doubt that she’s my first priority.”

  Faith nodded, then turned and walked down a hallway. “She always has been.”

  Chance shook her head in frustration and walked over to the stairwell, too impatient to wait for the elevator and needing the physical exertion to calm herself some before seeing Jax. By the time she’d reached Jax’s floor, she’d cleared her mind of the encounter. Her boots squeaked on the tile when she passed the janitor mopping. “Sorry, I’ll try not to mess up your clean floor.”

  “It’s all right ma’am. Twenty minutes from now, a herd of people will come through here after you. We just try to keep it as clean as we can. Have a good day.”

  “You do a great job. Thank you.” Chance offered the man a handshake. He beamed and wiped his palm over his uniform before accepting.

  “You’re welcome. Stay safe, Sheriff.”

  Chance knew that the service personnel were rarely thanked, and she took it upon herself to let them know that they were an important part of what made being here a little better for everyone. At the door to Jax’s room, she paused and settled herself. Once inside, she observed the three women she loved. Maggie sat on the couch, with Dee asleep against her. Jax lay in the bed. Her face was slightly bruised and swollen. Her leg was elevated. Chance sat down beside Jax and took her left hand. She kissed her finger beside the ring she’d placed there.

  Jax stirred beside her. “Hey. I’m so glad to see you.”

  Chance sat back and pointed to her chest. “No holes.”

  Jax chuckled. “Good to know. Zeus okay?”

  “He is. I left him in the SUV to take a nap. How are you feeling?”

  Jax sighed. “You want an honest answer?”

  “Humor me with the truth, though I’m betting I know the answer.”

  “I hurt everywhere.” Jax pointed to the IV pump beside her. “They gave me a pain pump, but all it does is make me sleep.”

  Maggie spoke softly. “That’s because sleeping right now isn’t a bad thing. You should try it every once in a while. It does wonders for this one’s disposition.” She pointed to Dee, who snuffled and moved closer into her shoulder.

  Jax tipped her head. “You know that’s us in twenty years.”

  Chance shook her head. “I don’t drool like that.”

  “I do not drool,” Dee grumbled.

  “You do dear, but it’s only one of the things I love about you.” Maggie kissed Dee’s head.

  “Good thing, the paperwork says you’re stuck with me.” Dee drew Maggie’s arm around her tighter.

  Jax squeezed Chance’s hand tighter. “How’d it go? Any luck?”

  Chance put her forehead against Jax’s hand. “We found what we were looking for, and a whole lot more. Harley’s handling it. Nothing for you or Lindsey to worry about. Oh, by the way, I heard she’s going to be released.”

  Jax sighed. “I’m so relieved. I don’t know if I could have survived if something happened to her. This whole thing is so surreal. One minute we are inoculating goats, and the next we’re in the tumble cycle of a Toyota clothes dryer. I’m just relieved we both survived.”

  The door pushed open, and someone entered the room behind Chance.

  “Yes, that is comforting to know, though how you got yourself in this condition is still a question to me.”

  Chance turned at the new voice. An older version of Jax moved to the foot of the bed with a man two inches taller right behind her. Jacqueline looked at her daughter with more than just concern in her eye. There was an air of disgust that angered Chance. She stood to take exception to the tone of Mrs. Jacqueline St. Claire. “She didn’t do this to herself.”

  Jax tugged at Chance’s hand, pulling her closer.

  Jacqueline glared at Chance. “I see you are still getting my daughter into things she shouldn’t be in. Typical.”

  Chance felt Jax tighten her grip. “Understand one thing, Mrs. St. Claire, nothing you say or do will change how I feel about your daughter. For once, how about you see her for who she is, not who you wanted her to be. I do, and that’s permanent. This time we’re old enough to not need your approval.”

  Chapter Twenty

  JAX TRIED TO CLEAR her mind of the lingering drugs. The woman who held her heart was defending her to the woman who’d given birth to her. “Mom, if this is what you came here to do, you could have saved the trip and left me a voicemail. Chance is no more responsible for my injuries than you are. The man who did this is in custody, thanks to the woman I love. My God, you drove three hours, walked in, and I already wish you were gone.”

  “Jacqueline Elizabeth St. Claire, how dare you talk to me like this.”

  Jax chuckled. “Oh, just wait, I’m still doped up. When I have a clear head, I’ll have plenty more to say.”

  Jax watched as a large hand grabbed her mother’s shoulder and turned her around. Her father’s normally tan and shiny forehead was beet red.

  “I’m only going to say this once. Jacqueline St. Claire, if you can’t be civil to our only daughter, then you can wait outside. Not one more word. I mean it. Don’t test me on this.”

  Jax was stunned. In her entire life, she’d never heard her father raise his voice to her mother. She saw Chance relax slightly and was relieved when Maggie stood.

  “Jackie, it’s good to see you. It’s been too long. Seems like only yesterday we were running around in my Belaire.” Maggie placed a hand on Jax’s arm.

  Jax saw her mother visibly blanch. There was more to this story, and eventually, she’
d find it out.

  “Margarette, thank you for being here for my daughter. I’m sure she appreciates your concern. I’m here now, and I’ll make sure she has what she needs.”

  Jax watched the exchange between the two women. Two forces of nature, one destructive, one a confident diplomat.

  Maggie smiled. “I’m sure Jax is glad to have all of us with her during this time. If Jax needs anything, I have no doubt my daughter will make sure she has it. They’re completely capable of caring for one another without us. Mike, it’s good to see you as well.”

  “Maggie, it’s been a very long time. Nice to see you too, Dee.”

  Dee stretched and stood to come by Chance’s side with a hand on her shoulder. Mike reached out to shake Dee’s free hand. “Far too long. How’s retirement treating you?”

  Jax took in the conversation. There was something far too familiar about the group’s dynamics. She hadn’t put a finger on it yet, but Dee and her mother had yet to speak.

  “Jackie, seems you haven’t changed a bit in fifty years. Still carrying the weight of the world and refusing to bend.” There was something in Dee’s deep voice.

  “Dee Ann.”

  Jax’s pulse raced, and the monitor she was hooked to showed it. Jax’s mother stared at her, and it took everything Jax had not to laugh. She could see it as plain as day. Something had happened between the three women years ago. The other thing that was plainly evident was that her mother still wasn’t over it.

  Chance stared at the monitor and creased her brow at Jax. “Are you okay?”

  Jax let a small smile cross her face for her lover. “Oh yeah, I’m just fine.” Jax watched her mother fiddle with her pearls and fidget uncomfortably. “Uncle Marty will be here around ten. I told him not to jump up this morning. How was your drive? I heard you had a storm last night.”

  Jax’s father put a hand on her uninjured foot. “We had hail the size of golf balls and were under a tornado watch for a while. I wanted to get to you, but the weather was just too bad.”