Rocky Mountain Revenge

by Rhonda Starnes

  “You need to go wait in the lobby, Wilkes. I’ll talk to you once I’m done here.”

  “I can’t do that. You need help rescuing Grace, and I need to know she’s okay. I won’t let you down. And I’ll explain everything once Grace is safe and James is in custody.”

  “See that you do.” Evan didn’t like his officer having secrets, but he read sincerity in the man’s eyes. He’d save judgment for later. Saving Grace was the priority right now.

  “Okay, guys, we have them in our sights,” Ryan said. “Grace looks okay, but she’s holding her arm funny.”

  “I’m not surprised. Her arm made a sickening popping sound when he jerked her up the stairs earlier,” Bridget chimed in. “Have a medic on standby, big bro. My guess is Grace’s shoulder is either broken or dislocated.”

  Evan’s gut tightened at the memory. “The longer we stand here chitchatting, the greater the chance she will be hurt a lot worse. Now, let’s move.”

  The trio charged up the last rise of stairs. Bridget and Wilkes had their weapons at the ready, having had them out since entering the stairwell. Evan pulled his service revolver from its holster and slowly opened the door. They stepped out into a small semi-enclosed area with a block wall obstructing their view of the roof.

  “Ryan, tell your men no one shoots unless I give the okay,” he instructed. Turning to Wilkes and Bridget, he added, “Stay out of sight. We don’t want to agitate him.”

  Evan stepped out from behind the wall.

  James was walking backward, facing him, while holding Grace tightly like a shield, the gun pressed to her head. “Don’t come any closer.”

  “What’s your plan?” Evan asked. “Do you expect me to provide you with an escape? Maybe a helicopter to take you far away?”

  James smiled. “You’re good at this, chief. That’s exactly what I want.”

  There was no way Evan was going to let Grace out of his sight. Instinct told him the other man only had one bullet left otherwise he would have fired at Evan when he stepped into view on the rooftop. His only hope was to redirect James’s focus onto himself, and maybe get him to release the last bullet, so Ryan’s team could take him without a gunfire exchange.

  “Remember, stay back,” he whispered to his team as he took a tentative step forward, his eyes locked on James.

  “I told you, don’t come any closer.” James pointed his gun at Evan, his hand visibly shaking.

  Good, let him keep it pointed at me and not Grace.

  Evan bent, placed his gun on the ground and then stood with both hands up, palms forward. “I only want to talk.”

  “If you want to talk to someone, get your phone out and call for the helicopter.”

  “I hate to say it, but I think you’ve been watching the same whodunit movies Grace has.” Evan snickered.

  “You think this is funny, Chief?” James tightened his grip on Grace and she winced, her arm dangling at her side. “Do you want me to kill your girlfriend in front of your eyes? Maybe seeing one woman you loved die wasn’t enough for you.”

  Grace gasped, but Evan willed himself not to react and kept his focus on James. “You know, Osborne, you’ve always struck me as being very intelligent. There’s no way you can think I’d send in a helicopter to whisk you away. But even if I did send one, do you really think I wouldn’t have a trained law-enforcement officer on board to take you out?”

  “Well then, I guess you signed her death warrant.” James turned the gun back to Grace.

  “You kill her, and you’ve signed yours.” Evan forced himself to keep his tone even and matter-of-fact while he slowly inched forward.

  James walked backward, getting closer to the edge. About four feet of rooftop and a three-foot-tall block wall was the only thing between Grace and the ground.

  “Uh, Evan, we’ve got a problem,” Ryan said in his earpiece. “There’s an incoming medical transport helicopter that needs to land where you’re standing. ETA four minutes. Or less.”

  He froze. James and Grace were standing on the edge of the landing pad, with Evan in the center. There was no way he was going to move back and put more distance between himself and Grace. But if he continued to move forward, James would keep moving closer to the edge.

  Dear Lord, help me end this showdown without anyone getting hurt.

  He forced air into his lungs and then puffed it out. “If someone has a clear shot, take it,” he said under his breath, praying James couldn’t hear but Ryan and his men could.

  Grace continued to struggle against James’s grip, fear etched on her face. Evan had to put a stop to this. Time was running out.

  “James, turn yourself in. Don’t make it worse,” Evan pleaded. “There’s an air ambulance helicopter coming. It needs to land—” he pointed to the helipad where they stood “—here.”

  “Well then, I guess they’re going to have to land on top of us, aren’t they?” James smirked.

  “James, no. Stop this. They’re bringing a criti—” Grace gasped as James dragged her backward by her injured arm.

  “Yeah, then let’s end this,” he said, backing closer to the edge.

  Evan rushed forward, and James turned the gun in his direction. “Don’t make me kill you, too.”

  The whirling rotor noise of a helicopter sounded in the distance. James turned toward the sound, loosening his grip on Grace.

  Evan watched, as if in slow motion, as she bent her arm, raised it and brought her elbow down on the inside of James’s outstretched arm. His hand jerked upward, and the gun went off, the bullet shattering a floodlight on the side of the building.

  Then she lifted her leg and brought her heel down on the top of her captor’s foot. Caught by surprise, James lost his grip on her, and she ran as fast as she could in Evan’s direction.

  James straightened, lifting his gun and pointing it toward Grace’s back.

  Evan yelled, “Get down,” but she couldn’t hear him over the roar of the helicopter drawing nearer.

  He reached behind his back and pulled his backup revolver from his waistband. But before he could get off a shot, a bright red circle appeared on James’s chest, and he slumped to the ground.

  Grace barreled into Evan, burying her head in his chest, tears soaking his shirt as a flurry of activity exploded around them. He slipped his arms under her, lifted her to his chest and ran to the stairwell. The helicopter hovered nearby, waiting to land, as a medical team and hospital security rushed to take care of James.

  SIXTEEN

  An hour later, Evan and Wilkes sat in a small room outside the surgical unit waiting area. The room, no larger than a broom closet with two hard-backed chairs, was a place for doctors to inform families how their loved ones did during surgery and what to expect for their recovery. In this case, Evan and his officer were waiting to hear if James had come through surgery.

  Grace was asleep in the ER, one floor below them. Her shoulder had been dislocated and the doctor had given her a sedative before popping it back into place. She’d fallen asleep soon afterward, most likely from a combination of an adrenaline crash and the sedative. He’d left Bridget sitting with her, with strict orders to call him when she woke up.

  He hated to be away from Grace even for a moment, but was glad for the opportunity to grill Wilkes about his connection to James.

  “Let me get this straight.” Evan leaned forward, elbows on his knees, as he studied Wilkes. “You’ve been working part-time as a bodyguard for James Osborne?”

  “Yes, sir.” Wilkes sat stoically, hands clasped and head bowed.

  “How long has this been going on, and why didn’t you tell me before?”

  “He approached me a month ago. Said he owed this guy, Antonio Torres, some money, and he was getting threats because he hadn’t been able to repay it. He said he only needed me for a month or two. Once his divorce was settled and the prop
erty divided, he’d be able to pay off Torres, and wouldn’t need me any longer.” Wilkes looked up, anguish in his eyes. “I didn’t tell you or the other officers because I didn’t want you to know I was having financial trouble, what with Martha’s medical bills and all.”

  Wilkes’s wife had been diagnosed with the onset of dementia a year ago, and he’d hired a nurse to stay with her while he worked. Evan felt instant remorse. He had checked on his officer’s emotional health numerous times since the diagnosis, but he hadn’t realized Wilkes might be struggling financially, too. Still, if there was the slightest possibility Wilkes had helped James with his plan to kill Chloe and Grace, there would have to be an internal investigation.

  “Did you know he planned to kill Chloe and Grace?”

  Wilkes gasped as if the words had slapped him. “No! I would have come to you immediately. I would never want either one of those girls hurt. Their daddy was a dear friend.”

  Evan hated to push further, but he had to know to proceed. “You didn’t know his plan, but did you help him in any way?”

  “Inadvertently, yes. He called to ask me to escort him home from the clinic Saturday afternoon. I told him I couldn’t because I was at Mountain View Ranch with Dr. Porter.” The older man’s shoulders slumped. “I’m pretty sure that’s how Avery knew where to find Grace.”

  “Anything else I need to know?”

  “He called around five this morning to ask my availability for today. I told him I was headed to the hospital to cover Officer Nolan’s shift because his vehicle wouldn’t start.”

  “Which we now know was due to tampering. Johnson told me a few minutes ago someone had removed the fuel pump fuse from Nolan’s car.”

  “Probably Osborne. He knew my work schedule, so he would have known I was off and would volunteer to come to the hospital in Nolan’s place, especially since Martha is still in Albuquerque.”

  Wilkes met his gaze. “I’m sorry, sir. I only put two and two together when you came in this morning talking about Osborne bringing Grace to the hospital. I should have told you then, but I was afraid he would know it was a setup if he didn’t see me.”

  “About that. How do you think he knew it was a setup?” Evan could not figure out where they’d gone wrong. He was eternally grateful that Grace was alive, but the scenario should have had a better ending.

  “Well, sir. When you look at the video footage, you’ll see Grace trying to signal me with her eyes—”

  “I’ve told that woman she watches too many whodunits.” Evan sighed.

  Wilkes smiled for the first time since they’d taken off chasing James and Grace up the stairwell. “It took all my willpower not to burst out laughing, but I felt sorry for her, so I tilted my head and offered what I hoped was an encouraging smile.” He sobered. “Only, Osborne looked at me and our eyes met and...” He bowed his head.

  It pained Evan’s heart to see his officer, and one-time mentor, looking so old and defeated. “I have to place you on administrative leave until an internal investigation has been conducted to make sure you didn’t break any ethics rules.”

  “I know...and after the investigation is over, I’ll retire.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “Yes, I do. It’ll be for the best. I can be home to take care of Martha and spend time with her before she forgets who I am.”

  Evan’s cell phone rang, and Agent Ingalls’s number displayed on the screen. “Bradshaw here.”

  “I thought you’d like to know, we found Avery’s phone in the wreckage. Antonio Torres tipped him off that when you left the diner, you turned in the opposite direction of the interstate.”

  “That’s how he was able to find us. Avery had to have known I’d take that route back to Blackberry Falls.” Evan sat up straighter. “Does this mean Torres is involved in the attacks on Chloe and Grace?”

  “No. According to the text, the information was given as a means to clear up a debt Torres owed Avery. You don’t have to worry about Torres any longer. The other reason I called was to let you know he’s disappeared.”

  “What? When did this happen?”

  “We’ve not been able to locate him since you and Grace saw him at the diner. The house where he was staying has been cleaned out.” A heavy sigh sounded across the line. “Unfortunately, this is his standard MO. When he feels like the authorities are getting close, he closes up shop and goes into hiding. In a few months, he’ll find a new location and start his operation up again. When he does, I’ll be there.”

  “I’m sure you’ll get him next time.” There was a knock at the door. “Sorry, I’ve gotta go. Let me know if you ever need my help again.”

  Evan disconnected the call as Ryan entered the room, a somber expression on his face. “James Osborne died on the operating table.”

  * * *

  The next morning, fumbling with the roll of masking tape, Grace slipped her thumbnail under the cut end, inched it along until she’d loosened a piece about three inches in length, and then used her teeth to tear the tan-colored tape. Success. Sliding the roll of adhesive into the sling supporting her right arm, she pulled the note announcing the clinic’s temporary closure from under her arm and one-handedly taped it to the glass door at the entrance of the clinic. The note was hung crookedly, but it would do.

  “Come on, Barkley,” she called to the Great Dane lying on the floor in front of the receptionist desk as she headed for the stairs to the apartment.

  She’d only taken a few steps when someone knocked on the glass door. Couldn’t people read?

  Grace turned. “I’m sorry, we’re—”

  Camden stood on the other side of the door grinning at her. “Grace, let me in.”

  Evan stood behind his son, a matching grin on his face and a picnic basket in his hand.

  Unlocking the door, she stepped aside to let them enter. “What are you guys doing here so early?”

  “We brought you breakfast. And flowers,” Camden said, pulling a bunch of wildflowers triumphantly from behind his back. “Dad said you got a boo-boo and we needed to make you feel better.” The child stared up at her with a hopeful expression on his face. “Did we?”

  She smiled and knelt beside him, his eyes melting her heart. “Yes, you did.”

  He threw his arms around Grace’s neck and she grimaced.

  “Careful there, buddy. You don’t want to hurt Grace’s arm.” Evan put his hand on his son’s shoulder and pulled him back a little.

  “I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?” Concern etched Camden’s face.

  “No.” Grace shook her head. “I tell you what. Why don’t you see if Barkley will follow you up to the apartment, and I’ll let you feed him? Then we’ll have breakfast.”

  “Oh, boy! Come on, Barkley, I’ll race you!” The child took off running, laughter floating behind him as the Great Dane followed close behind.

  Trying to stand, Grace wobbled and tilted backward. Evan dropped the basket onto the floor and rescued her, helping to steady her.

  “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure,” he murmured, his face so close she could smell the faint scent of his shaving cream.

  Her eyes widened. “You shaved.”

  “If I recall, you once said you preferred me clean-shaved.” He winked, turned and headed toward the stairs.

  Her heart raced, and she fanned herself with her free hand. She had said that—when they were sixteen. He’d grown a mustache, and it had tickled when he kissed her.

  “Are you coming?” he asked, smiling at her from the foot of the stairs.

  If he continued to look at her like that, she’d follow him anywhere.

  Thirty minutes later, Grace had eaten her fill of chocolate-chip muffins, fruit, and a ham-and-cheese quiche. “My dear Chief, I didn’t realize you were such a superb chef.”

  Camden giggled. “Dad didn�
�t cook. Grammy did.”

  “Hey, buddy, you’re not supposed to tell your old man’s secrets.” Evan smiled and playfully tickled him while he squealed with delight.

  A horn sounded outside. “Who could that be?” Grace asked, getting up to look out the window.

  “Grammy’s here!” Camden hugged Barkley. “Gotta go, boy. It’s field trip day!”

  She met Evan’s laughing eyes as Camden gave her a side hug, being mindful of her arm in the sling, and bounded to the door leading to the outside stairs.

  “I guess that answers your question. I’ll walk Cam out then I’ll be right back.”

  Evan opened the door and followed his son down the steps as she watched from the window.

  After Evan retrieved Camden’s backpack from his vehicle, he checked that his son was fastened into his booster seat. Then he kissed his mom’s cheek, turned and headed back in Grace’s direction. Pausing on the bottom step, he looked up at her with a smile and winked. He’d caught her staring.

  Grace turned and busied herself clearing the breakfast dishes, a difficult task with her heart racing and one arm in a sling. Other than the ride back to Blackberry Falls, she and Evan hadn’t been alone since she cried in his arms after escaping James. And she’d slept most of the way home after taking a pain pill the doctor had prescribed.

  The door opened, and Evan came over to her, taking the plate out of her hand.

  “I’ll get this. You go rest on the couch.”

  Before she could protest, he turned and began loading the dishes into the dishwasher, whistling a tune as he worked.

  Grace did as he suggested and settled on the couch. Tucking her feet under her, she pulled a lightweight floral-print throw across her lap, leaned her head against the cushion and closed her eyes. Her mind hummed with a myriad of thoughts. She had so much she needed to say to Evan. Could she string the words together into coherent thoughts? Was this how he’d felt on graduation day when he’d come to her, offering her his heart forever?