Covert Pursuit (13 page)

“Right.” She sighed. For two months now, ever since she’d come back to the station house after a month’s leave, half of which was spent recuperating in the hospital, she’d been assigned to desk work for the remainder of her forced light duty, while her partner, Gabe, had been paired up with some rookie.

Granted, she was still having trouble regaining movement back into her shoulder and being relegated to a desk was better than a bed. The bullet had ripped through the tendons and muscles and nicked the bone. Healing and physical therapy had proved to be arduous and painful.

Nowhere near as agonizing as not knowing where Jason was or how he was, though. Was he alive and safe? Had he found Picard? Had he done as he’d said he would do when he found him?

Her heart ached at the thought and she prayed he wouldn’t kill Picard, but would instead bring him to justice and let the courts decide his fate.

She sighed. No use spinning those thoughts around again and again. She didn’t have answers. Even though she’d tried to find out from various channels, no one would tell her a thing about Jason.
Classified
seemed to be the operative phrase.

Was this a glimpse of what a future with him would be like? Could she handle the not knowing?

Ridiculous questions since there really wasn’t a remote chance they’d have a future together. Even if she ever saw him again.

Forcing herself to concentrate, she flipped open the first file and read, making sure all the t’s were crossed and the i’s dotted.

“Hey, Carlucci!”

Angie glanced up at the sergeant’s bellow. “Yes?”

He grinned, his weathered face creasing in wrinkled amusement. “You have a visitor.”

She glanced at her watch. Early yet. Her parents usually didn’t stop by until close to lunchtime. So who could be dropping in to see her? One of her brothers?

“Send ’em back,” she called out and let her attention fall back to the file in front of her.

A moment later, a brush of movement announced
her visitor’s presence. She lifted her gaze. A wave of shock blasted through her and she dropped her pen. Jason, looking tan and healthy in chinos and a polo shirt, stood beside her. His handsome face, so dear and loved, held a tender, almost hesitant expression as if he weren’t sure of his welcome.

“Hi.”

She blinked her momentary stupor away, let out a squeal of delight and scooted back her chair. She jumped up and flung her good arm around his neck. “You’re here. You’re alive.”

His arms closed around her and held her. He nuzzled her neck with a laugh. “Yes, I’m here. Alive and well. But how are you?”

She drew back to stare into his face. “I’m good. Or will be. The doctors say I’ll get full use back of my shoulder in time.”

His gaze touched on her wounded area and his expression darkened. “I’m so sorry that happened. I should have protected you better.”

“Yeah, right.” She chuckled. “I was where I wanted to be, doing what I wanted to do. You couldn’t have stopped me. And you did protect me and you rescued me, just like a real Prince Charming.”

His smile turned wry. “I’m no prince.”

She grinned, though it felt forced as she tried to keep her mind from the questions that had been burning her brain for weeks. “But you are charming.”

“Some would beg to differ.” He sobered and said, “Can we talk somewhere private?”

Heart beating wildly, she took a quick breath. “Sure. Let’s take a walk through the park.”

She led the way, leaving her work undone and forgotten. As they wound their way through the station to the side entrance, she received encouraging looks from her fellow officers. Her cheeks flamed. Her adventure on Loribel Island had been hot news. There’d been no keeping out the detail of working with Jason. Gabe had teased her that she’d finally found a worthy match.

When they reached the beautiful park that was directly across the street from the police station, he motioned for her to sit on a bench beneath a maple tree. The refreshing early Boston fall air did nothing to ease the mounting tension and curiosity tightening Angie’s stomach. She bit her lip, tentative to broach the subject of Picard. And their future.

If Jason had done as he’d wanted to do, she’d be obligated to report it. But then again, he could lie to her and say Picard’s death was an accident. And how would she know any different? She hated this untrusting and negative feeling trying to rob her of the joy of seeing him. But years of being a cop had made distrust second nature.

“How long do you have desk duty?”

“Another month,” she said.

“I’d imagine that’s pretty frustrating for you. You really aren’t the type to sit on your hands while there are cases to work.”

He knew her so well. “Yes, it is frustrating. But I’ll survive.”

“Of course you will.”

His certainty warmed her.

He took her hand and brought her knuckles to his lips. “I’ve missed you.”

The admission sent ribbons of pleasure curling through her system. She tried to hold them back. She couldn’t let herself hope that a future with this man was possible. Not until she had some answers. Taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling, she decided the only way to proceed was straight ahead. “Tell me. Did you find Picard?”

He nodded as he turned her hand over and kissed her palm.

“Is he— Did you— What happened?”

Keeping a hold of her hand, he settled back as he told her of his three-month chase and finally finding him in the jungles of Costa Rica. “Now, he’s languishing in prison in Washington, D.C.”

A huge sigh of relief melted through her body. She leaned her head against his shoulder. He hadn’t killed Picard. He’d chosen the right path.
Thank you, God, for answering my prayers.

“I’m so glad to hear that. I kept praying for you.”

“And I felt your prayers. I’m not going to pretend I wasn’t tempted to end his miserable life, but ultimately, I couldn’t do it. I want to live a life of faith.”

Ecstatic to hear him actually say those words, she said, “I wish I’d been able to go with you. Cornering Picard must have been so gratifiying.”

Jason snorted. “I’m glad it’s over.”

She lifted her head and stared into his blue eyes. Chasing Picard had consumed him to the point of obsession. Could he so easily let revenge go? “Really? No regrets for not killing him when you had the chance?”

“No regrets.” He shook his head. “You were right. God wouldn’t want me to kill out of revenge. There’s no honor in that.”

Tenderness welled up inside her. “I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks.” He held her gaze for a long moment. “I’m ready for a change.”

“Meaning?” Her heart pumped wildly as scenarios played in her head.

“Meaning no more undercover.”

Surprised and yet thrilled, she tugged on her bottom lip with her teeth. Their lifestyles would be more aligned now. But how long would it last? The question dampened some of her enthusiasm. “So then what?”

“I’ve put in for a job here in the Boston office. I’d be running tactical and supervising missions remotely.”

Joy leapfrogged over the doubts worming their way into her mind. “Would that be enough for you? I had the feeling you liked undercover work.”

“I do, or did. But I’ve discovered something more compelling.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh, do tell.”

“I’ve spent too much time and energy chasing bad
guys and not having a life of my own. I want a life with a woman who will challenge me and keep me on my toes.”

Her breath caught and held for a moment. “You think you’ve find someone like that?”

Tenderness and passion smoldered in his steel-blue eyes. “Yes, if she’ll have me.”

She smiled coyly as her heart did little flips. “How will she know you’re sincere? That you won’t take off? Or try to smother her with your concern?”

He reached out to gently cup her face. “I love you, Angie Carlucci. I wouldn’t dream of smothering you. I love you just the way you are. Impulsive, rash, brave and smart. And I promise not to leave. Not unless you come with me. And I’m sorry I left for so long without any word. I just had to finish this with Picard before I was free to really live again.”

Happiness bubbled inside her, making her giddy. “I love you, too. And I’d gladly follow you anywhere.”

He drew her to him. “I’m so glad God brought you into my life,” he said right before he claimed her lips.

As she fell into his embrace and savored the sensations ricocheting through her system, her heart agreed.

Thank you, God.

Dear Reader,

Thank you for coming on this adventure to Loribel Island with Angie and Jason. I hope you had as much fun with all the action and suspense as I did writing it. Keeping these two out of trouble was a hard task, but I think they came out better people and found a lasting love.

Though Loribel Island is a fictional place, I loosely based the setting on Sanibel Island, in the Gulf of Mexico just off Florida. In doing my research I discovered there are many buried-treasure legends associated with the island that were fascinating to read about. Also, the beaches sounded absolutely breathtaking. One of these days I hope to visit this island paradise.

Until we meet again, may God bless you and keep you in His care.

Blessings,

1. What made you pick up this book to read? Did it live up to your expectations?
   
2. Did you think Angie and Jason were realistic characters? Did their romance build believably?
   
3. Angie had issues with people coddling her, especially her big brothers. Do you have siblings? What is your relationship like?
   
4. Though Loribel Island was made-up, could you “see” where the story took place?
   
5. Angie couldn’t relax on her vacation. What type of vacationer are you? Do you prefer to be active? Or do you relish sitting on a beach with a good book to read?
   
6. Though no one would believe her, Angie knew what she saw and pursued the truth regardless of the danger. Have you ever been in a situation where you knew something was true, yet no one would believe you? How did you pursue the truth in the face of opposition?
   
7. Angie had faith that God would rescue them in their dire time of need. Do you have that kind of faith? Has it ever been tested?
   
8. Jason felt betrayed by God because of his friend’s death. Have you ever felt this way? How did you come to terms with the feeling?
   
9. Angie wasn’t sure she could pursue a relationship with a man whose faith seemed questionable. Have you ever been faced with a situation like this? How did you resolve it?
   
10. Jason was faced with two choices—take his revenge or follow God’s word. Have you ever had to face such a choice? What choice did you make?
    
11. Did it surprise you to find out that Chief Decker was also Picard?
    
12. Did you notice the scripture in the beginning of the book? What application does it have to your life?