Cuff Master (38 page)

“Yeah, I feel it. I radioed in for a bus and crime scene
unit. Morgan’s text pointed us to the oldest tree in the orchard. How the hell
will we know the oldest tree?”

“Start digging, one tree at a time,” Sam answered.

Ethan glanced around. They’d cut the lights on the cruiser
when they’d parked to keep from startling anyone who might be around. Last ETA
for backup was about five minutes. That was five minutes ago.

Right on cue, headlights broke the darkness. The Concord
Police cruiser pulled in, dimmed the lights to the orange fog lamps and came up
behind them.

With backup arriving, Sam and Ethan got out of their vehicle
and headed over to the uniformed officer just as the cellphone in his pocket
signaled an incoming text. He silenced the thing. He’d check it in a few.

“Evening, Officer,” Ethan said pleasantly, showing his badge
and Sam did too. “Thanks for getting here fast.”

“On patrol, got the call and came on over. Name’s Thomas.
More help’s on the way from Lexington, the county sheriff and some state boys
too.”

“You have any clue why this farm’s shut down tonight?” Sam
asked.

“There’d been a call to the town hall earlier in the
afternoon to put out an announcement on the local radio stations that the farm
would be closed and hay rides cancelled for the day due to rain.”

“I believe the manager, Maura Andrews, lives here,” Ethan
continued, looking around. “We have a warrant to bring her in for questioning
regarding involvement in the murder and cover-up of the murder of Jennifer
Bailey. She’s also wanted for suspected arson in Danvers and Salem.”

The patrol car’s fog lights remained on, enabling Ethan to
see the gravel-covered parking area and barn. Beyond the barn there seemed to
be acres of apple trees, all old and gnarly.

“Damn,” Officer Thomas cursed. “She’s always been off, if
that makes any sense? When she was a kid, she used to set fires if she was away
from the orchard too long. Guess that’s why her folks made sure she lived
here.”

“Where’s Maura’s house?” Sam asked.

“She lives in a trailer that her sister’s husband bought for
her. Contractors came in and made it real nice, wouldn’t even know it’s a
double wide. It’s down the lane there about half a mile,” the officer answered,
pointing to where the parking lot opened up to a long winding road.

The rapid crack of gunfire split the air, echoing ominously
through the darkness. Ethan counted six cracks, six shots. Fuck!

“Shots fired,” Ethan shouted into the two-way radio pinned
to his shoulder. “We need more backup, pronto!” Dispatch returned notice of
Ethan’s call in a series of codes, urging all available units to the orchard
ASAP.

“Let’s move,” Sam urged. “Officer, we’ll need you to lead
the way.”

Ethan and Sam ran to their cruiser, climbed in and hauled
ass down the lane. When a quaint trailer came into view, he slapped a switch on
the cruiser’s dash and sounded the blue lights and siren. Thomas’ cruiser came
to rest first.

As Sam slowed due to the necessity of navigating the narrow
road, Ethan narrowed his eyes on the trailer. Lights were on inside. The place
looked domestic and cozy with its farmer’s porch, garden and potted plants.
That’s what gave him the chills.

The mom-mobile smashed into the back end of a black Mercedes
sedan scared the fuck out of him.

“Guess we know why Alisa didn’t make it to the station
downtown,” Sam said.

Ethan radioed to Thomas, asking the officer to run a plate
check on the minivan and the Mercedes. More shots rang out before the officer
replied.

“This is going to be a bloodbath,” Ethan declared. “We’ve
got to go now, Sam.”

Sam slammed their cruiser into park, keeping the lights
dimmed low to avoid blinding anyone who might come out of that trailer. Ethan
was the first out of the car, drawing his gun and slowly moving a few steps
forward, his eyes trained on the front door.

From where he was, he couldn’t tell if there was a back
door.

“Maura Andrews, Alisa Bailey? This is Detective Maddox
speaking. My partner, Officer Thomas and I heard gunshots. An ambulance and
more police officers are on the way. If able, come out now with your hands up.”

An eerily calm female shouted back. It wasn’t Maura. He
recognized Alisa’s voice because it haunted his dreams after Jenna Bailey’s
case ended so badly.

“Careful,” Sam warned. “Don’t move too fast. Someone’s coming
out.”

The front door opened and a porch light came on with the
movement. Alisa stepped out, covered in blood splatter. A gun was in her hands.

Jesus, that semi-auto was a serious piece of hardware for a
one-time soccer mom.

“I did it,” Alisa stated in an eerily calm voice. “I shot
them both. No one can save them.”

“Alisa, put your weapon down, please,” Ethan said. “Let
Detective Riley and I help you.”

Alisa shook her head. She was so calm, deadly calm. “Let it
be known that I got them back for what they did to my Jennifer. They bought
her. Did you know that? They fucking bought my daughter from that bastard Mills
and killed her when Spencer realized who Maura brought to him.”

“We believe you, Mrs. Bailey,” Samantha said quietly. “We
can’t get justice for your daughter if you don’t let us help you. Come tell us
what you know.”

“It’s too late. Spencer was going to lie again, same as he’d
been lying to me, to my sister, to everyone. He’s vile and Maura loved him
enough to do the unthinkable. Now it was my turn to do the unthinkable…”

Alisa turned her gun inward, aiming for her chin, a telltale
click warning it was about to be fired.

“No, Mrs. Bailey, don’t do this,” Sam cautioned. “Taking
your own life is not the answer!”

Ethan released the safety on his gun at the same time as
Alisa redirected her aim at Sam. “Fine,” Alisa said with such finality, it
crushed him. “One of you can send me to hell.”

With a two-handed grip, Alisa pulled the trigger, the
kickback sending her off balance until she caught herself and got off two more
rounds. In Ethan’s experience, once someone unfamiliar with handling guns
started shooting, he panicked and kept firing until no more bullets remained in
the clip.

On instinct, he jumped in front of his partner, taking a
direct hit to the chest. Despite the Kevlar vest, the pain was nothing compared
to the bullet that caught him in the thigh before he fell to the ground and
rolled to a halt.

Aware that he was shot and suddenly bleeding, Ethan couldn’t
breathe, couldn’t think. One more gunshot split the air.

“Officer down, shooter wounded,” Sam shouted. “Need a bus,
now. Right goddamn now!”

“Alisa?” Ethan whispered, pain becoming an excruciating
burn.

“She’s down. Fucking lot of blood, there’s too much blood.”
Sam grabbed his collar above the vest, turning him over with all her might.

Ethan couldn’t help. Blackness swarmed. In that instant, he
was sure he was looking death square in the eye.

If he was going to die, he was going out thinking of the
woman he loved. “Tell Morgan I love her. Always will.”

“No, no, no, too pale, you’re too fucking pale! You stay
with me, partner. You fucking
stay
! Tell her that yourself!” Sam ran
off, he had no idea where she’d gone or why.

Ethan closed his eyes, giving into blackness. Blackness gave
way to warmth and light. He smelled…home, Ma’s home cooking, Dad’s backyard
barbeques and tattoo ink. Here pain and fear faded.

Here he was safe, but Ethan was vaguely aware that Sam came
back. He heard fabric tearing. Someone cried out.

He did, he was bellowing at Sam to stop. The pain she put
him through threatened to destroy the peace he’d found by staying where it was
warm.

“Stay with me, Ethan,” Sam commanded over and over, her
voice a litany he tried to cling to. But that warmth, it was so nice and
tempting.

Sam’s demands faded. Another voice grew stronger, one that
was so familiar it made him long for the touch of his mother’s hand on his
forehead when he was sick.

His mother was with him. He knew it. She was real to him. He
didn’t have to see her to believe she was with him.

Listen to Samantha, Teddy Bear. You are a Maddox, a
fighter. We do not give up on life so easily.

Ma?

Yes, my son. Morgan sent me to you. Stay alive for your
wife, the mother of your child.

We’re not married yet.

Your father says if you don’t marry her as soon as you’re
well, he’ll have Phalen kick your ass six ways to Sunday.

Dad? He’s here?

We’re always with you and your brothers. Now do right by
Morgan and be the father that you’re meant to be.

She’s pregnant?

Didn’t I make myself clear? I do hate repeating myself
with you boys. The baby’s very tiny and not ready to declare himself to the
world. But his heart beats strong and steady already. Give him time to grow and
he’ll be every bit the Maddox male.

Morgan and I are having a son. How’s that even possible?

Do I really need to explain the birds and the bees? You
stay alive. You hear me? Your family is counting on you.

Don’t worry, I’ll stay. Morgan’s the love of my life,
being her husband and the father of our children is everything I’ve ever
wanted.

We love her too. Let her know her grandma is with her
son, Morgan’s father, right now. They are at peace. Oh be patient. Let her tell
you about the baby when she knows for sure. It’s her right.

I will. Are you leaving now?

Soon, I must.

Have I made you and Dad proud? Have I been a good son?

Every day, Teddy Bear, and every single day we love you,
Taran and Phalen more. You three are the best of us.

I miss you. We all miss you two. Will you or Dad come see
me again?

Your father and I are only a prayer away. I’m going to go
and check in on Cassandra for a while. She’s further along than your Morgan.
You’ll have plenty of time to practice changing diapers. You’re going to need
it, Uncle Ethan.

A bright light flashed in Ethan’s eyes, yanking him back to
reality. Pain of a gunshot still ricocheted through his entire leg. He was
still lying on the ground with a team of paramedics working him over, asking
him questions.

One declared that he was back. Back? Where the hell did the
medic think he went?

He tried to answer. But first he had to know where his
partner was. “Detective Riley, where is she?”

“She’s fine, Detective Maddox. She saved your life.”

Ethan tried to swivel his head, but someone had strapped him
onto something that made him stay still. “Can’t let you move until medevac
flies you to Mass General.”

Medevac was not good. But then, if he could converse with
the guy currently keeping him in the here and now, he’d do it.

He was going to fight. He had reason and purpose. A
soon-to-be wife and a son on the way, a son! Proud as a peacock, Ethan smiled
slightly even as he heard the roar of a chopper’s blades in the distance.

“Chopper’s landing,” Sam shouted. “Medic, get my partner in
your bus and to that chopper STAT.”

“Sam? Come here a sec,” Ethan insisted, unsure if she heard
him over the clicks and clacks of the stretcher the paramedics lifted him onto.

Sam jogged up to him. She was covered in blood. “What the
hell, Sam? Were you shot? Medic, get her to the hospital first.”

“This is your blood, partner. You damn near bled out on me.
Bullet nicked your femoral artery. I kept pressure on your leg until the medics
got here and took over.”

“How bad is it inside that trailer?”

“Can we cover this when you’re out of surgery? Don’t be an
idiot on top of being my hero, okay?”

“No, tell me,” Ethan demanded with a little more strength.
Someone had attached fluids to his veins, giving him the lifesaving energy he
needed to keep fighting.

“Maura and Spencer are dead and he’s missing his dick. Alisa
left a bloody confession on the kitchen counter and promised she’d be with her
daughter soon. She chose suicide by cop, me.”

“Oh fuck, Sam, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t curse now, Ethan. You’re out of here.”

“You’ll call Morgan for me?”

“Already done, your whole family is on the way to Mass
General.”

“Thanks for saving my ass, partner,” Ethan said.

“You saved mine first. You took a bullet for me. Don’t think
I’ll ever forget it.”

Sam turned away. Ethan swore he saw tears in her eyes. Sam
didn’t let anyone see her cry, even him.

Ethan was rushed into the back of an ambulance, a team of
emergency techs swarming all around him as they whisked him away from the
scene.

He thought it best to rest. There were going to be a lot of
sleepless nights and sick kids and making love with his wife in the future.

Thanking his mom for bringing him back to Morgan and his
child, Ethan slept.

Chapter Fourteen

Morgan couldn’t tell her right from her left. Massachusetts
General Hospital’s emergency center was a weird kind of organized chaos.

She hated hospitals because she could hear the fears and the
questions and thoughts of those who’d come through the ER. To avoid being
overwhelmed, she didn’t touch anything, forcing herself to compartmentalize the
voices coming at her from so many directions.

Nurses, techs and doctors were on constant alert. They knew
a helicopter was coming in and when it did, Ethan would be on it. The news
Samantha had relayed to Taran less than an hour ago was that Ethan had been
shot in the leg, nearly bleeding out because the bullet struck his femoral
artery.

Between Samantha and a team of paramedics, they were able to
stem the bleeding, get Ethan stabilized enough for medevac transport.

Morgan was relieved. But she was still scared. Ethan had
been shot.

Could she handle it in the future? How many other times
would she pace and worry because he was heading into something dangerous? It
didn’t matter. She loved Ethan. She had to accept everything about him,
including his job.

“Morgan, darlin’, if you don’t sit down, I’m going to get a
nurse to put you in a wheelchair and strap you into it,” Phalen warned.

Phalen stood five or six feet away. His arm was tucked
around Cassie protectively. Worry was etched into Cassie’s pretty face. Her
strawberry-blonde hair had been yanked back into a ponytail. Her glasses were
smudged.

Morgan had no idea what she looked like. She knew she wore
brown. It was the most basic and familiar of colors for her.

“I can’t, Phalen,” Morgan said, feeling slightly nauseous.
“I’m so damn scared for him. This is going to happen again, this agonizing
worry.”

“I don’t mean to sound callous, but being a cop is second
only to his love for you. As his woman, you’re going to have to deal with it,”
Phalen said.

“Haven’t you figured out Maddox women are strong enough to
handle anything?” Taran asked, getting up from an uncomfortable-looking waiting
room chair.

“I know I am strong enough for Ethan. It doesn’t mean I’m
not scared.”

She looked around. Police officers from Ethan’s precinct had
swarmed into the waiting room already. The place was packed. It was nice to
know he had the support of his comrades.

“You’re not alone in your worry, Morgan,” Alex promised. He
and Taran came up to her, giving her the hugs she needed right then.

“We’re here too,” Cassie assured.

“Is this about to end up in a group hug kind of thing?”
Taran asked, making room for Phalen and Cassie to add their strength to Morgan.

Just then, Dr. Ryan Hathaway pushed his way through the
waiting room doors. Alex rushed off to greet him head on. The two talked in
rushed words, then came over to Morgan.

Ryan gave her a hug and tried to explain what the doctors
would do once Ethan was brought in. It all sounded very scary to Morgan and she
found herself retreating some.

A gigantic arm caught her around the waist, bringing her
back to the fold.

“Don’t cry, darlin’, please don’t,” Phalen urged.

“Phalen hates when women cry, especially those he loves,”
Cassie told her. “It’s a Maddox trait.”

“Ethan’s going to be fine. Trust what Samantha told us,”
Taran added.

Morgan nodded. Her vision blurred anyway. Tears became
unstoppable when she heard an announcement in the ER to get a team to the
heliport STAT.

“Ryan, did I hear the overhead announcement right?” she
asked. “Ethan’s in critical condition?”

“Was, he’s been upgraded to serious and stable enough for
surgery right away,” Ryan answered. “They’ll get him into OR and get him
patched up. Be brave, okay?”

“Thank you,” she said. “I’m glad you’re here to help us
understand what’s going on.”

“Anytime, sweetheart.” Ryan kissed her on the forehead and
moved off to stand beside Alex.

A wave of dizziness hit her a second later, causing her to
wobble. Phalen quickly assisted her into the chair Taran had vacated and sent
his brother to a vending machine.

Taran brought back a couple packages of saltine crackers and
water. The crackers helped steady her nerves. The water was cold and
refreshing.

“That’s my girl, your color’s coming back,” Phalen said,
patting her knee. “How long since you’ve eaten more than crackers?”

“I ate half an omelet at the diner and a doughnut earlier in
the morning, before Sam found out about my store. Ethan and I had a big fight.
I wasn’t much interested in eating. And then I got sick when I knew he was in
danger.”

“Everything okay now that the fight’s done?” Phalen asked.

“How do you know it is?” Morgan replied.

“Ethan would never leave something unsaid or undone if
someone he cares about is upset.”

“He came back before leaving Salem just to let me know he
loved me and would always come home to me. I love him, Phalen. If I lose him
now, I’ll never be the same. It’s happened before.”

“What has?” Phalen asked.

“Losing men, my dad died, my boyfriends turned into
assholes, my stepfather sent me to a shrink when he heard me talking to
ghosts,” she said in a rush.

“You are not going to lose Ethan. Have faith in him. He has
it in you. Don’t let fear keep you from believing what you know.”

“I saw him get shot, twice, saw him fall, saw the blood and
Samantha covered in his blood. Ethan was dying.”

“Did you see him die?”

“No, he didn’t.” Recalling her vision, she turned in her
seat and crushed the big man to her. “And I owe it to Samantha and your mom.
They saved his life. He’ll be okay. He really will. Thank you!”

“My mother, wow. Any chance you can ask her to come see me
again sometime? She kept me sane in Afghanistan. I could use my father too,
going to need his advice.”

“I prayed for her to watch over Ethan. I figured he’d listen
to his mama.”

“Ethan was always very close to Mom. I’m glad you thought of
that.”

“Phalen, you do know your parents watch over their boys all
the time, not just when something’s wrong or you’re injured, right?”

“Yes, I do.” Phalen hugged her back so tightly that Morgan
thought she might faint.

“Easy there, big guy,” Cassie said. “Morgan’s had a rough day.
You hold on any tighter, she’s going to need oxygen.”

“I’m fine. Nothing better than a brother’s bear hug,” Morgan
said.

“Agreed,” Cassie stated, playfully poking Taran in the
stomach with her elbow.

“Hey! What did I do?” Taran grumbled, rubbing the spot
gingerly. “I’m the one who got us all here safely. Or did you conveniently
forget Phalen couldn’t drive because he was too busy threatening to kick every
driver on the road’s ass if they didn’t get out of our way?”

“I think she’s looking for a hug, Taran,” Alex suggested.

“Sorry, Cassie,” Taran apologized, easing down before his
sister-in-law to give her a hug too.

“Mind if I share some of those crackers?” Cassie asked
Morgan when Taran released her.

“You bet,” Morgan agreed, handing over the package.

“That does it. Taran, find them some food,” Phalen ordered.

“We’ll do it,” Ryan offered. He looked back and forth
between Cassie and Morgan, seemed to draw some sort of conclusion and stood up.
“Coming with me, hubby?”

“Sure, Doc,” Alex agreed.

The two went off to fetch them all something more
substantial than crackers and water. Except Morgan’s tummy felt off. The idea
of eating something from a hospital cafeteria did not sound appealing.

Alex and Ryan returned with bottles of ginger ale, coffee,
cokes and containers of vegetable soup and fruit cups. Morgan was able to eat
half of a bowl of soup, more crackers and took a ginger ale.

Cassie drank a ginger ale too. Phalen and Taran had the
cokes. Alex and Ryan took the coffee. One hour led into another, the longer
they waited, the tougher it was to just sit there and do nothing.

The ER doors opened again, this time Samantha Riley came in.
Unlike the vision Morgan had of Samantha earlier, she wasn’t covered in blood.
Instead, she wore a pair of jeans, sneakers and a gray sweatshirt with Boston
PD written across the front.

“Samantha,” Morgan called out when Samantha made a beeline
for her comrades.

Samantha switched paths and came over. “Morgan, thank God
you all got here safely.”

Morgan stood up, rushed to her friend and took her hands.
“Thank you,” she said. “Thank you for helping Ethan.”

“I couldn’t let him die. He’s the best damn partner I’ve
ever had.”

“I know. I’m still going to thank you, probably every day
for the rest of my life.”

“Stop it or I’m going to tear up in front of the guys.”
Samantha kept herself very stiff. “Can’t let them see me cry. I’m a mess as it
is. I took a life tonight.”

“Don’t be too proud to lean on us, doll, especially me,”
Taran interrupted from behind them. He reached out to her, tugging ever so
slightly on her ponytail, letting her know that he cared.

Samantha struggled silently until composure came over her
features. “I’m fine. Although you’ve got great shoulders to lean on, Taran
Maddox, maybe someday I’ll take you up on that offer.”

“Wow. You didn’t call me a pretty boy. I’m moving up in the
world.”

“Further than you know,” she whispered.

Morgan didn’t think Taran heard Samantha. She was too busy
being tugged out of Morgan’s grasp and into Phalen’s arms.

“If you don’t let me go, I’m going to put you on your ass
again, Phalen Maddox!” Samantha warned against his massive shoulder. She was
not small by any means, but compared to Phalen, she was a lightweight.

“Try it, sister. I’m waiting to take you on again.” Phalen
laughed and let go.

“I have to go talk to my captain. Alisa Bailey left behind a
stack of evidence and the combination to her husband’s wall safe. It implicates
Spencer Bailey and his lover, Maura Andrews, in a series of crimes that include
the murder of his stepdaughter, and the subsequent cover-up.”

“I can’t imagine what a mother would do after learning all
that,” Morgan said.

“Alisa chose suicide by cop. I wasn’t going to let her fire
off another round at Ethan. She knew one of us would take her out when she came
outside and aimed a loaded Glock at me. Weapon was registered to her now
deceased husband.”

“Never an easy thing to deal with,” Phalen commented. “We’ll
be here for you when you’re done, Sam.”

“Thanks, Phalen. Morgan, can I talk to you alone for a
second?”

“Sure,” Morgan said, following her friend to the opposite
side of the room. “What’s going on?”

“Just wanted to let you know that Ethan is a true hero, he
saved my life,” Sam said. “I’m the one who should be in surgery right now.”

“There’s no way in hell Ethan would let that happen.” Morgan
lowered her voice. “I admit that I saw it all happen as a vision and was
sickened by it. I wanted to stop you all or warn you from going to that
orchard.”

“Taran sent a message. We were out of our cruiser and I
didn’t see the text until much later.”

“Prayers saved the two of you, Samantha.”

“Will you keep doing that when Ethan and I are out in the
field?”

“Without a doubt. He’s a good man, you know.”

“Ethan’s the best.”

“I meant Taran. He’s watching you right now. You gave him an
opening. He’s going to walk in and take over.”

As surreptitiously as possible, Sam looked around, flushed
and briskly walked away.

Morgan turned, discovering that Taran was indeed watching
Samantha with an intensity that took Morgan back a couple of steps. Man, he had
it bad.

It was two in the morning when a doctor came down to speak
to an ER waiting room crowded with family and cops. Some of the officers were
in uniform, some in suits and others wore whatever they managed to pull on to
get to the hospital to stand by a detective shot in the line of duty.

Samantha stayed with an attractive fifty-something
African-American man. Morgan guessed he was Captain Morrison, though she’d not
met him formally.

The doctor first went to the captain and Ethan’s partner. Samantha
shook her head, pointing to Morgan, and the doctor walked toward her.

“Morgan Maddox?” the doctor asked.

“Um, not quite,” Morgan said.

“She’s a Maddox,” Taran supplied, standing close to them.

“Yes she is,” Phalen said. “We’re Ethan’s brothers, Phalen
and Taran. This is my wife, Cassie. Tell us Ethan’s going to pull through or
I’ll get someone here who can make it happen.”

The doctor stepped back a pace or two. Phalen could be
menacing on normal occasions, when his family was threatened or hurt, he was
dangerous.

“I’m Dr. Steve Gardner, Detective Maddox’s surgeon. Surgery
went remarkably well. His condition has already been upgraded. In fact, he’s
awake and demanding to see his wife.”

Morgan’s heart sped up. “He’s okay? He’s going to pull
through?”

“My surgical team repaired the damage to his artery, removed
the bullet lodged in the muscle and repaired the muscle tissue. He’s fortunate.
That caliber could have shattered the femur or worse.”

“Thank God,” Morgan said, silently thanking Abigael Maddox too.

“We’ll keep him for observation to be sure there’s no
further bleeding. With rest, recovery, PT, fluids, blood replacement and
following my orders, he should be released in a few days to a week.”

“Can everyone else come see him?” Morgan asked. “The officers
and his family need to know he’s all right too.”

“When he’s in his hospital room, yes, I’ll send word here to
the ER. You ready to come with me now, ma’am?” Dr. Gardner gestured for Morgan
to follow.

Taran and Phalen gave her a gentle push and she headed to
the elevator with the surgeon. Minutes later, Dr. Gardner showed her into
recovery.