Hunted: A Suspense Collection

by J. L. Drake

“Thank you for coming down here today, Doctor Miller. I understand you’ll be wanting to get this over with.” He paused briefly, looking again at Matt. “For certain reasons, I have been asked to conduct this interview due to the nature of your involvement with Detective Inspector Murphy.”

  Natalie blushed, mortified that Detective Hill knew about her and Matt’s night together. Who else knew? She shot Matt a dark look. He stared back at her with a stony expression, his jaw clenched. When she left this room, was she going to see the sly looks on his colleagues’ faces? The idea gave her pause and had her nibbling on her lower lip anxiously. Matt’s green gaze held hers and her breath caught in her throat.

  No man who had treated her so kindly and sweetly would ever laugh with his buddies over a conquest. It had to be the exceptional circumstances of the case that would’ve had an honourable man like Matt providing such personal information. Still, that didn’t answer her question about how he felt and Matt certainly wasn’t offering his feelings to her which left only one option. She was going to have to ask him. She internally shuddered. The very idea had no appeal whatsoever.

  His eyes told her without words that it had been necessary and she sent him an infinitesimal nod to say she understood. She wasn’t exactly thrilled that their relationship, such as it was, had become common knowledge. She’d barely had time to process how she felt let alone sharing what was an incredible and ground breaking night for her with anyone other than Matt. But she understood.

  Natalie turned her focus back on Detective Hill who was still speaking. Her mind fought to catch up with the conversation while piecing together what she had missed. To her immense relief it clicked inside her brain so she didn’t have to ask the detective to repeat himself. He wanted her to recount the events of that night as she remembered them with as much detail as possible.

  “Please take all the time that you need, Doctor Miller. If you require a break let me know.”

  Natalie nodded. She was grateful Matt had chosen to stay with her. He was the only one keeping her together. His sheer presence empowered her.

  Natalie listened as Darryl spoke formally for the record, identifying himself, her, and Matt. He read out the time and date and stated it was her official statement in regards to the events involving the Butcher.

  Natalie waited for her cue, then obediently began reciting the facts as she knew them. The call from Matt. How they’d talked about Linda Cavanaugh’s murder. She couldn’t bear to call Linda ‘the victim.’

  Her voice was stiff but her recount precise as she relived hearing the noise downstairs and how frightened she had been. Gary’s return. The baseball bat. She grazed lightly over their past to give context to the wrong assumption she’d leapt to and why he’d ended up with a concussion.

  She felt Matt give the bandaged hand resting on her thigh a comforting squeeze and she forged on. Detective Hill listened intently and gave Matt the occasional glance. After a while his features blurred and she was drawn into the memory of that night as if she was once again there. The man coming out of the shadows. The fear she had felt at that moment.

  “He was my patient. I spent time alone with him in my office,” she said, her voice sounding disembodied even to her. “I didn’t know who he was at the time. He used a fake name and a disguise. I learned then that he’d been toying with me.”

  “How so?” Detective Hill questioned.

  She wet her lips. “He mentioned women in his sessions. Occupations but never names. He found that amusing, to tell me all about the women who had come before me. He wanted me to know there was no hope.”

  “You talked to him?”

  Natalie nodded. Her free hand came up to blot away the tears that rolled down her cheek, using the bandage as a tissue. She made herself take deep calming breaths when she felt the cool blade against her neck again and told herself it wasn’t real. She was free. She was alive. Matt had saved her. Just like he had saved her from herself.

  “I angered him purposely. I knew he was enjoying my fear so I tried not to show it. I taunted him, pushed him to the edge. I know it was silly but I was pissed off when I thought I was going to die.”

  She felt Matt’s hand tighten painfully around her own and she knew he didn’t like the reminder of how close she’d been to dying. If his shot had missed the mark—she didn’t want to think about it.

  “You were extremely brave,” Detective Hill commented.

  She hadn’t felt brave. Even now she was shaking from fear.

  “I’ll be right back with your statement. Detective Murphy, may I have a word?”

  To Natalie’s ears, the request sounded more like an order. Apparently it had to Matt’s ears also as he stood. Natalie bit down on her lip to stop from making a sound of protest. He was her rock. If he left her now, she was sure she’d shatter.

  “I won’t be long.”

  Natalie put on a brave face and watched as he followed the other detective out. She felt as if he was walking out on her and stamped down hard on her insecurities.

  By the time Detective Hill returned alone, her hands were wrapped around a mug of coffee a uniformed officer had brought her. In the short period of time, her brain had bounced from Matt, to Harry and Helen and the lives that had been destroyed to finally land on Hallie. She really needed to see the girl and tell her everything she’d discovered over the last few days. Hallie would need her, would count on her to be there.

  Hallie deserved so much better than the raw deal life had thrown her. But it was what a person did with it that showed their character. Hallie could’ve easily given up but she’d chosen to fight. Natalie admired that. She admired Hallie. She was fierce and independent. Courageous and determined. The girl had fought so much in her short life. Natalie never wanted her to do so again. From that moment on, Natalie wanted to fight for her. She wanted to protect and nurture. She wanted to shower Hallie with affection and opportunities.

  Detective Hill slid a manila folder across the table to her. Natalie flicked through the pages and saw that her words had been transcribed onto paper.

  “Is Matt going to be in trouble?”

  “For shooting Harry Teller or for getting involved with you?” the detective asked.

  Natalie swallowed hard. “I doubt anyone is worried about Harry.”

  The man shrugged. “It depends on the Boss.”

  “I see.”

  “He knew what he was doing, you know,” the detective said. He continued when she raised her eyebrow. “About getting involved with you, I mean. He knew the score ahead of the game but it didn’t stop him.”

  She thought about that. Yes, Matt had known the score and still he’d slept with her, even though he could have been suspended or even relieved from the Butcher case. She desperately wanted to know what was going through his mind. Why were men so hard to read?

  Natalie turned her own mind to the file and skimmed through the document. With heartfelt relief she picked up the ball-point pen that had placed on the table for her benefit and neatly signed her name on the dotted line. She was glad it was all over. She felt raw. Her time with Harry wasn’t something she wanted to dwell over.

  She hugged herself, suddenly cold. “What about Harry?” she asked, remembering Detective Hill’s earlier question. “Surely it would be considered a necessary course of action?”

  Natalie thought her life had been turned upside down by Matt but it appeared she had brought havoc into his. In their short acquaintance he had risked his career by being with her, and had shot and killed a man to protect her. Matt was probably regretting the day he’d met her.

  Detective Hill’s face was a mask of stone. The expression similar to the one she’d seen on Matt’s face once or twice. “An investigation has been opened. Internal Affairs will determine the outcome.”

  Internal Affairs. Natalie didn’t like the sound of that.

  “They cast judgment despite not being there to witness the events?” she asked, harshly.

  “Matt’s statement,
and your own, will be sufficient evidence for them to be able to make an informed decision. I wouldn’t worry, Doctor Miller.” He stood. “You can wait for Matt at his desk if you like. He should be done soon with the Boss.”

  Her eyes widened. The Boss. Had she gotten him into deep trouble? Was he about to be reprimanded? What was the Boss likely to do to him? Surely he couldn’t be fired? He was a damn good detective and he loved his job. What had she done? Her stomach knotted.

  Natalie worried at her part in whatever punishment Matt received as she followed Detective Hill through the building towards the Detective Unit. He led her to Matt’s desk, which as she’d noticed previously on her last visit was slightly messy though she felt no need to clean it up. A person’s work space was private and she knew she would be mad if someone cleaned up her desk, moving things they shouldn’t. She thought a messy desk was a happy desk and she always seemed to find whatever she was looking for amongst the clutter.

  The bull pen—or as Detective Hill had called it the Pig Pen—was a large area and occupied most of the second floor of the building. In addition to the open-area pen, there were two interview rooms, a kitchen, two large conference rooms and two sets of toilets that took up the rest of the space. There were no cubicles, the desks each set a meter apart and lined facing one another like a classroom, Matt’s on the end. Of the ten desks, five were empty and the other four desks looked identical to Matt’s.

  Natalie gnawed on her lower lip as she sat down in the chair to wait for Matt. She had made a complete mess of everything. If he lost his job, would he end up hating her? How could he not? He loved his job and did it well. She would certainly hate someone who cost her the job she loved.

  The door at the end of the hall opened and Matt along with a gentleman in his late fifties stepped out of the office. Natalie felt herself suddenly standing, her feet moving of their own accord as if she was a passenger not the driver.

  As she approached, Matt turned towards her. His eyebrows furrowed as he looked at her face but he stepped forward and placed a hand on her lower back.

  “Superintendent Alec Harris, Doctor Natalie Miller,” he introduced.

  Alec held out his hand and shook her own. “A pleasure, Doctor Miller.” He glanced down as he felt the bandage and quickly released her hand. “I’m so sorry.”

  Natalie dismissed Alec’s dismay. “I’ll heal. I figure I got off easy. The night certainly could’ve ended much worse.”

  Alec’s cornflower blue eyes were solemn. “Yes. How are you holding up?”

  “Better, thanks to Matt. He has been my rock through all of this.” She caught the look Alec threw Matt. She wet her lips nervously and to her mortification tears sprang into her eyes. “Please don’t punish Matt. He doesn’t deserve it. He is a good cop and an even better man.”

  “Natalie,” Matt said softly.

  Natalie ignored him and focused on Alec. “Please,” she forged on. “He loves his job more than anything. You can’t take that away from him. I could never live with myself as I was the cause. He killed a man for me.”

  “He did, and the investigation will prove he had no other choice.” Instant relief filled her. “But he also broke the rules,” Alec pointed out.

  Her previous elation evaporated. “By sleeping with me, you mean?” Desperately, she continued, “It wasn’t his fault. I instigated that night.” She heard Matt release a deep breath and Alec’s eyebrows rose. Natalie blushed. “It was my choice. He shouldn’t suffer because of me.”

  “He made his own decision and must accept the repercussions.”

  Natalie’s heart stopped and she felt a hot tear roll down her cheek.

  “Alec, stop,” Matt ordered. His tone was authoritative and her damp eyes widened.

  Alec chuckled. “I’m so sorry, Doctor Miller, but your face was priceless. I couldn’t help but have some fun.”

  She frowned. “He’s not to be reprimanded?”

  “No. You were a consultant. Not that we encourage that sort of behaviour but it’s not as if you were a witness or a victim, at least not at the time,” he added, once again glancing down at her bandaged hands.

  Natalie let out a relieved breath and went limp. Matt drew her against his body. She went willingly.

  “So he’s not going to lose his job?” she clarified. She wanted to be clear on that point.

  “No,” Alec said kindly. “You have a good one here, Murphy. Don’t let her go.”

  “I don’t plan to.”

  “No, I don’t think you will.”

  Natalie heard ringing in her ears. Her relief was palpable. Matt wasn’t going to be punished for his indiscretion with her.

  “There’s one more thing I’d like to discuss with you, sir, if you have the time,” Natalie said as she snapped back to reality.

  “I’m at your disposal, Doctor,” Alec said and she heard the humour in his voice. He sounded as if he was enjoying himself.

  Why should he not? Her face was burning. She would’ve loved to have melted into the floor but what she had to ask was much too important to allow her embarrassment to have control.

  “I would like your support in removing Hallie Walker from Paradise Valley and into a stable home. I assure you, she is no danger to herself or others.”

  “Do you have a home in mind?”

  “Mine,” she replied firmly, as if the matter wasn’t up for discussion. It wasn’t. She had made up her mind. “Hallie is a good girl. She deserves a chance.”

  “Of course. I’ll advise them immediately. Good luck. I have a teenager and they are not for the faint of heart. Though, I think you’ll do just fine.”

  Natalie nodded. “Thank you. I appreciate your assistance.”

  “Any time, Doctor Miller.”

  “Natalie, please.”

  He acknowledged her with a nod before excusing himself.

  “Hope you know what you’re getting into. You’re going to have your hands full with that one,” he muttered to Matt on his way back to his office, snickering with amusement.

  Natalie froze. She had temporarily forgotten Matt had been there. She slowly turned to face him and smiled when she found him grinning at her as he rocked back on his heels in that adorably annoying habit of his.

  “I know.” She had made a fool of herself. Her embarrassment was still fresh. But she would do it all again if it saved him from trouble. Her gaze dropped to the carpet. It matched the floor of the interview room, she noted. “I’m sorry I interfered. I just couldn’t stand the thought of you losing your job because of me.”

  “Natalie?”

  He placed a finger beneath her chin and raised her head. She slowly made eye contact, afraid of what she might see. His beautiful eyes looked back at her kindly.

  “Yeah?”

  “I love you more.”

  Her heart stopped beating for a moment then began to pound. He loved her? She was overjoyed. He loved her. She couldn’t believe it. Her euphoria dimmed as she replayed his last words and her eyebrows furrowed. He loved her more? More than she did him? How could he possibly know that?

  “What?”

  He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I love you more than my job.”

  Her breath caught in her throat. “You do?”

  Was she dreaming? She had to be dreaming. It seemed like a dream.

  “How could I not?”

  Her face broke into a smile. He loved her. How could she ever have doubted that? It seemed so fast. They hadn’t know each other long, but it felt right. She felt a connection only people who have known each other for years had. Matt was special. The only one for her. Her entire life, she had been waiting for him. He was the only man she could trust with her heart, her body, and everything in between.

  “I love you too,” she declared. Her heart was so full. She was afraid it might burst.

  Matt drew her closer then lowered his head even as she raised her own. Their lips met and she felt his love as he poured himself into the kiss. His tongue swe
pt against her own and she felt the corresponding desire low in her belly. She kissed him back, matching his passion until she was no longer burning from embarrassment but from something entirely different and she was more than happy to be consumed by it.

  The kiss ended all too quickly for her liking but then she feared if they’d continued he would’ve been lifting her up onto one of the nearby desks and the idea wasn’t at all unappealing.

  “Later,” he murmured, obviously reading her thoughts.

  Several cheers and wolf whistles came from her left and she heard Matt swear. He turned her slightly and this time she definitely wanted the floor to swallow her whole.

  “Natalie Miller, I’d like you to meet my team. Amelia Donovan, Nicholas Doyle, and Dean Matthews,” Matt said. “You already know Darryl.”

  “You owe me fifty, Doyle,” Amelia said and held out her hand.

  Epilogue

  One Year Later…

  The wedding was a small, intimate affair. Natalie had invited Gary, and he’d wished them the best as he handed over a gravy boat. Alec Harris had brought his wife Caitlyn, both looking as much in love as if they’d only just met. Their daughter, Sophie, a perpetual troublemaker, had disappeared behind a thick hedge the moment she’d arrived. Her date, a young constable by the name of Cade Watson, awkwardly followed her.

  Natalie, dressed in a beautiful ivory dress with small pearl beads down the back, looked about the botanical garden which served as both the location for the ceremony and reception. A buffet had been set up to her right, catered by Jed Tanner. His daughter Glory happily played bartender and Natalie was thankful she had so many friends to make her wedding a day to remember.

  Matt wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her naked neck as they looked about the gathering. Her hair had been pinned to one side with a white satin clip, curls tumbling down past her shoulder. She felt like the beautiful princess her father had often said she was. A moment of sorrow filled her as she thought about how he and Aunt Maggie and Uncle Roger hadn’t lived to see her so sublimely happy. She hoped that they were looking down on her today and sharing this wonderful day that she’d been too scared to think was possible.