Forgotten Memories (SWAT: Top Cops Book 4) (14 page)

He bolted upright, and she reared back just in time to avoid getting smacked in the face. “Someone’s outside,” she whispered.

“Hide in the bathroom,” Shane commanded as he reached for his gun. “Don’t come out until I tell you it’s clear.”

She didn’t want to leave but sensed that she would only distract him if she stayed. Shane waited until she’d moved back toward the relative safety of the bathroom before crossing over to plaster himself against the wall.

Gabby peered around the door frame, watching with wide eyes as he moved the curtain a slight fraction of an inch. Then with a sigh of disgust, he reholstered his weapon and reached for the door.

“What are you doing, Nate? Trying to give us a heart attack?”

“I didn’t want to wake Gabby,” the detective said defensively as he entered the room.

“Yeah, because tapping on the window is so much less frightening,” she shot back as she crossed the room to where the men stood. Shane flipped on the small light, illuminating the room.

“Sorry,” Nate mumbled, rubbing his eyes wearily. “I’ve been up since yesterday. Guess I’m not thinking too clearly.”

Her brief annoyance quickly faded. “What happened? Did Eric show up at the hospital?”

“Not exactly,” Nate said, avoiding her direct gaze. “You’d better sit down. I have some bad news.”

Gabby sank onto the edge of the bed, her heart racing.

“What’s going on?” Shane demanded.

“Eric Ambrose is dead,” Nate said bluntly.

“What? How?” Gabby asked in confusion. “I thought you said you didn’t find him at the hospital.”

“We didn’t find him there,” Nate clarified. “But one of your neighbors called the police about a possible prowler. So I headed over.”

“To my house?” Gabby was still trying to assimilate the information.

“Yeah, to your place. I found Eric Ambrose’s body in your backyard.”

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Shane protested.

“There’s more. Ambrose had a can of gasoline and a bucket full of rags next to him. I believe he was planning to set fire to your home, but someone must have seen him there and stopped him.” Nate lifted his grim gaze to hers. “He was shot execution-style, just like the men who kidnapped you.”

“Creighton,” she whispered.

“That’s the only explanation,” Nate agreed.

Goose bumps rippled along her arms and she shivered.

Shane frowned. “So Ambrose wanted to set fire to Gabby’s house, presumably to destroy whatever notes she’d kept. But Creighton saw him there and killed him because he thinks that whatever he was searching for originally might be still hidden inside Gabby’s house.”

Gabby nodded slowly, unable to refute Shane’s logic.

“We let ourselves get sidetracked from the real culprit,” Shane said in frustration.

“Well, it’s not as if Ambrose wasn’t a threat,” Nate pointed out. “After all, he was planning to set fire to Gabby’s house.”

Gabby’s gaze locked with Shane’s. “So you were right all along. The kidnapping is related to my past.” Her stomach churned as the truth settled into her bones.

Nate and Shane exchanged a grave look. “It’s the only thing that makes sense, Gabby,” Shane said with a sigh.

She shook her head helplessly, wishing there was a different answer. Honestly, she would have preferred this be the work of Eric and Joe rather than someone she didn’t know.

She shivered again, knowing the danger wasn’t over. Far from it. In fact, they were right back where they’d started.

With nothing tangible to go on.

FOURTEEN

S
hane dropped onto the edge of the bed next to Gabby, putting a supportive arm around her waist. “I’ll keep you safe,” he promised in a low husky tone. He hated seeing the stark devastation in her eyes. If Nate hadn’t been there, he might have gathered her close and kissed her.

Probably a good thing Nate
was
there. He couldn’t afford that kind of distraction. Not when Gabby was still being threatened.

Her attempt to smile wrenched his heart. “I know,” she murmured. “And I appreciate that.”

“At least we know for sure that Creighton hasn’t found what he’s looking for,” Nate said logically. “And it must be pretty important if he killed Ambrose to prevent Gabby’s house from going up in flames.”

“Or he’s so callous he doesn’t mind eliminating anyone who gets in his way,” Shane muttered. “The three dead men who kidnapped Gabby is proof of that. He wants something very badly.”

“Yes, but what?” Gabby said in an exasperated tone. “We don’t have the slightest clue as to what he’s looking for. Right now, we’re flying completely blind.”

Shane knew she was right. But he also knew that the secrets locked inside Gabby’s brain held the key. But how to get past her crippling headaches to find them? He glanced over at Nate. “What if we ask Kristine Martin for help?”

Nate frowned, obviously puzzled. “Why would we need the sheriff’s department psychologist? Did I miss something? Neither one of us has killed anyone in the line of duty.”

“Not for us,” Shane said, understanding his buddy’s knee-jerk reaction. None of the deputies, or city cops, for that matter, liked having to talk to the department shrink after a shooting. The members of the SWAT team were sometimes given a little leeway, but not much. Rules were rules and that included a mandatory appointment with the psychologist for anyone who shoots and kills in the line of duty.

“Then who?” Nate asked.

“For Gabby.”

“Wait a minute,” she protested with a frown. “Don’t I get a say in this decision?”

Shane nodded, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Of course you do. I can’t force you to talk to Kristine. But Gabby, what’s the alternative? I think it’s clear we need to understand what memories you’ve repressed. Without that link, we won’t know what Creighton is after.” He cleared his throat. “And he obviously hasn’t found what he’s looking for yet, not if he’s killed Ambrose just to prevent him from torching your house.”

“Hawk’s right,” Nate agreed, scrubbing his hands over his face again. “But we can’t call Kristine until morning.”

“It is morning,” Shane said drily, looking at his watch. “But you’re right, I don’t think she’d appreciate being woken up at zero two hundred hours.”

Nate didn’t so much as crack a smile, his eyes dull with fatigue. “Call her whenever you want. I’m beat. I think it’s time to head home to get some sleep.”

“Stay here,” Shane advised. “There are two beds in my room, and quite frankly, you shouldn’t drive when you can barely keep your eyes open.”

Nate reluctantly nodded. “Okay. Griff has called off all the extra manpower he sent to the hospital, so everyone else will be using this time to recharge, too.”

“Good. That’s good.” Shane rose to his feet. “Take the bed closest to the bathroom,” he said to Nate.

“Thanks.” The deputy pushed himself away from the wall, making his way across the room toward the second double bed. “Oh, Shane?”

“Yeah?” He paused, turning to look at Nate.

“My police-issue vehicle is parked on the other side of the lobby.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out his keys and tossed them to Shane. “In case you want to move it.”

He caught the keys midair. “Thanks. Get some sleep.”

Shane followed Gabby through the connecting door to enter her room. “I’m willing talk to your psychologist as soon as possible,” she said in a quiet voice. “Just tell me when.”

“I will.” Shane knew Gabby was probably dreading the interview with the department shrink, but she was strong and courageous, willing to do whatever was necessary to find Creighton. “Try not to worry about that now. You should relax and get some rest.”

She grimaced and shook her head. “Not likely.”

“Do you want to talk?” he asked, sensing Gabby didn’t want to be alone.

She hesitated and then shook her head. “No need for both of us to lose sleep.”

Shane couldn’t make himself leave her alone, so when she sat down on the edge of her bed, he pulled out the desk chair to sit across from her. “I’m not that tired. I’ll stay, at least for a while.”

This time Gabby’s fleeting smile was real. “Thanks, Shane.”

“No problem,” he said gruffly. “I’m sure Nate’s snoring by now, anyway.”

She smiled again, brighter this time, and he was glad she was able to find a little humor in their otherwise grim situation. But then her brief smile faded. “It’s so frustrating. I wish I could be more help to your investigation.”

“What about memories that don’t cause a headache?” he asked. “Surely there are some happy ones.”

Gabby scooted back so that she was propped comfortably against the headboard. “Yes, but those memories won’t likely be of any help to us,” she murmured. “I wish my mother was still alive. Then we could simply ask her what happened.”

Shane lifted his eyebrows. “Do you think it’s strange your mother didn’t confide in you?”

Gabby shrugged. “Yes, a little. Especially once she knew that she was dying.”

“And you’re sure she didn’t give you any hints?” he pressed.

Gabby let out a pent-up sigh and spread her hands wide. “Not that I can recall. Toward the end, she was pretty confused...at times she called my stepfather Travis, thinking he was my father.”

He grimaced. “I bet that didn’t go over well.”

“No, it didn’t,” she said. “But that didn’t happen too often. There were other times my mother mumbled words and phrases that didn’t make sense.”

Shane leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Like what?”

Gabby looked thoughtful for a moment. “She muttered a lot about the circus and drums, repeating those words over and over like they were stuck in a loop rolling through her mind.”

“Circus? Drums?” he repeated with a puzzled frown. “What does that mean?”

“I don’t know for sure,” she confessed. “The only thing that makes sense is that she was remembering one of the last days we were together as a family.”

“Go on,” Shane said.

“When my father was alive and we were still living in Las Vegas. We all went to the circus together—me, my godfather, Leo Lewis, and my parents. We had an amazing time. It was a special day for me, and I think it was probably a special day for my mother, too.” A nostalgic expression filled her green eyes. “That was the day my father bought her the circus charm bracelet and she wore it all the time. Despite the fact that she married Richard so soon after we relocated, I know she loved my father. I know she must have been shocked and devastated when he died.”

He noticed Gabby wince a bit and understood that just thinking about her father caused her headache to return. “Did your mother say anything else?” he asked, trying to divert the subject from anything that might cause her to experience horrible pain.

“Nothing that sticks out as unusual,” Gabby whispered. “That was—a very stressful time for me. Made worse by the fact Richard resented my visits.”

Shane tried to tamp down a spurt of anger toward her stepfather. Richard Strawn was gone and no matter what he’d done to hurt Gabby in the past, he deserved forgiveness.

Odd how forgiving the people who’d wronged him was easier than forgiving those who had hurt Gabby.

Another indication of how much he cared about her.

“Do you really think your psychologist friend will help?” Gabby asked, interrupting his chaotic thoughts.

“I’m sure she will,” he assured her. “Even though I really hate the thought of making you go through that.”

She smiled and tucked a curl behind her ear. “I’ll be fine. And who knows? Maybe the headaches will go away once the secret is out.”

He nodded. “I think that’s a distinct possibility. And remember, God will be with you the entire time. He can help you fight through the pain.”

Her gaze turned thoughtful. “I hadn’t considered that before, but you’re right. I think praying could help get me through it.”

Shane was thrilled that Gabby was open to believing in God and prayer. Oh, he knew that she had a long way to go—praying with him and attending church once wasn’t going to make her a Christian overnight. But she was on the right path.

He wanted to be with her throughout the rest of her journey, too. By her side. Helping her. Supporting her.

Gabby yawned and he knew that she was relaxed enough to sleep. He rose and crossed over toward the connecting door. “Time for you to get some sleep,” he told her gently. “Good night, Gabby.”

“Good night, Shane.”

It took every ounce of willpower he possessed not to kiss her again. He slipped through to his room and made sure the connecting door wasn’t open more than a half inch to give her the privacy she needed.

He grinned wryly when he heard Nate’s deep breathing from the other bed. After pulling the keys out of his pocket, he considered moving Nate’s SUV but then decided against it.

Time to restrategize, and maybe even go to a new location in the morning. But only after setting up a meeting with Kristine to work with Gabby.

Shane drifted off to sleep, convinced that once they had the information they needed, they’d be able to track down and arrest Creighton.

Before he found Gabby.

* * *

Gabby woke up early feeling refreshed despite Nate’s late arrival and his disturbing news about Eric Ambrose’s death. For a little while she simply enjoyed the tranquil moment, opening her heart and her mind to prayer.

Thank you for this wonderful day, Lord, and help me follow Your chosen path. Amen.

Peace settled over her like a soft, comfortable blanket, making Gabby realize how important it was to believe in God and to have faith in Him. She owed Shane a debt of gratitude for showing her the way. She had no idea how she’d managed to exist before, without having faith or believing in God.

Maybe that was the whole point. That believing in God helped bring true meaning into her life.

Deep thoughts for so early in the morning, she thought with a rueful smile. She crawled out of bed and freshened up in the bathroom. When she finished, she made herself a cup of coffee with the courtesy coffeemaker provided by the motel.

Her stomach rumbled with hunger and she wondered if there might be a continental breakfast available in the lobby. When they’d arrived early yesterday morning, she thought she remembered seeing some food on the counter.

The more she thought about the possibility of breakfast, the more she wanted to walk over to get something to eat. Crossing over to the connecting door, she opened her side and listened for any sound coming from Shane’s room.

Total silence.

Knowing the guys deserved to sleep, she grabbed her plastic room key and eased outside.

The crisp autumn air made her shiver and she was surprised to see there was a dense fog hovering over the motel parking lot. So thick she couldn’t make out Nate’s car, which she knew he’d parked on the other side of the lobby entrance.

Her sweater didn’t provide much warmth, so she crossed her arms over her chest and hurried along the sidewalk toward the lobby. She ducked inside, grateful for the warmth.

The lobby was pretty much empty, but thankfully there was a platter of bagels and muffins, along with a large pot of coffee. There was also a mini juice bar. Gabby helped herself to a blueberry muffin and a small glass of orange juice before carrying her breakfast to one of the square tables.

There was a flat-screen television hanging on the wall, and the weatherman was talking about the fog being caused by their proximity to Lake Michigan.

She knew from experience the fog wouldn’t hang around for long. Lake Michigan was large, but it wasn’t the ocean, so they didn’t have the same problems that places like San Francisco had. Gabby took her time eating breakfast, feeling a little guilty when she added a cinnamon and raisin bagel to her plate once she finished the muffin.

The bagel was just as delicious, and she told herself it was better not to let the food go to waste, but just then two semitruck drivers walked in to eat breakfast, too, loudly complaining about how the fog would put them behind schedule.

She listened to them as she finished eating, feeling much better once she had food in her belly. From their conversation she knew they were headed south, toward Chicago, and they weren’t happy about the fog being a problem down there, too.

After finishing her breakfast, she debated taking plates of food back for Shane and Nate, but the way the motel clerk was staring intently at her from behind the counter made her uncomfortable. Was he upset that she’d eaten more than her fair share? Ridiculous, the two truck drivers had piled their plates high with baked goods.

She tried to ignore the clerk’s glare but decided against taking anything back for Shane and Nate. The guys could come here to get their own food, and if they didn’t hurry, there probably wouldn’t be anything left.

“Drive safely,” she said when she walked past the truck drivers to toss out her garbage.

“We will. Have a nice day, ma’am,” the older of the two replied.

Gabby went back outside, hunching her shoulders against the chilly air. She wasn’t particularly thrilled to go back to the stuffy motel room. Maybe Shane would allow her to go for a run. She hadn’t been able to exercise since this nightmare started.

She quickly shoved the wave of self-pity aside. What was
wrong
with her? She was lucky to be here at all. And she needed to remember that it was only due to Shane that she was still safe and sound.

As she approached the door to her room, she noticed that the maid’s cart was parked adjacent to the entranceway, about a foot from the side of the building. She was surprised the maids were up and about so early, it was barely seven in the morning. And why would the maid be cleaning her room? Her things were still inside and checkout time wasn’t until eleven o’clock in the morning.