Forgotten Memories (SWAT: Top Cops Book 4) (17 page)

“Shut up,” he growled. “Shut up or I’ll shoot you right now.”

“No, you won’t. Not until I give you the account numbers,” she said, egging him on.

She saw the flash in the trees and decided Shane must have backup stationed outside. But they wouldn’t take a shot at Creighton as long as he had his gun on her. Now was the time to make her move. As soon as she was out of the way, they’d have a clear shot at Creighton.

Shoving back the chair, she slid down to the floor and dived beneath the desk.

The minute she hit the floor, the sound of gunfire and glass shattering echoed through the room. Gabby was tempted to cover her ears, just the way she had as a child, but she resisted, knowing she needed to listen.

Another gunshot made her cringe with fear. Shane? Had Creighton taken a shot at him? What if Shane was hit?

She poked her head out from beneath the desk, her heart lodging in her throat when she couldn’t see Shane.

But then she heard his voice. “Creighton’s down! He’s been shot twice, I need a paramedic team.”

Creighton was injured. Shane wasn’t hurt. It was over.

Her nightmare was finally over.

She awkwardly staggered to her feet. Shane was kneeling beside Creighton’s prone figure, holding pressure on his abdomen where she presumed Creighton had been shot.

Her trauma surgeon instincts kicked in. Despite everything Creighton had done, to her father and to all the people he’d killed since then, she knew she had to help.

“Can you get these cuffs off?” she asked, coming over to crouch beside Shane. “I need to be able to use my hands.”

He glanced at her, relief evident as he raked his gaze over her, as if reassuring himself that she wasn’t harmed. “Hey, Nate! We need handcuff keys in here, now!”

Nate materialized from the other room, crossing over to her. Gabby held her wrists out so he could use the key to unlock the cuffs.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” Shane asked in a gruff tone. “He didn’t hurt you?”

“I’m fine,” she murmured, glad when the cuffs dropped away from her skin. She hoped they wouldn’t notice the bruises around her throat. There wasn’t time to worry about them now. “Where is he hit?”

“He has an abdominal wound and a right-shoulder wound,” Shane said grimly.

“Keep pressure on his abdomen while I check out the chest wound,” she said, going around to kneel on the other side of Creighton’s body, facing Shane. “Nate, I need towels, lots of towels.”

“On it,” Nate said, jumping to his feet. She could see the entrance wound in Creighton’s shoulder and applied pressure the same way Shane was doing on the abdominal wound.

“Here,” Nate said, tossing down several towels.

“Thanks.” She folded several towels into thick squares. She pressed the pad over the entry wound in his shoulder and then leaned over to help Shane put the second pad over the abdominal wound.

“Nate, come here and hold pressure,” she instructed. “I want to be sure that he still has a pulse.”

Nate took over holding pressure on the shoulder wound and she found Creighton’s pulse. His heart was fast and thready. He needed volume, fluids and blood. She could easily imagine the damage the bullets had done.

“I’m so glad you found me,” she murmured to Shane. “I was doing my best to stall, giving you time to get here.”

A muscle ticked in the corner of his mouth. “You did a good job,” he said with admiration in his tone. “But if anything had happened to you—”

“But it didn’t,” she said quickly. “I’m safe and I have you to thank for that, and so much more.”

Shane stared at her and she could tell from the raw emotion glimmering there that he was still torn up at how close she’d come to being hurt. More than anything, she wanted to throw herself into his arms, telling him everything would be okay.

Even though she wasn’t sure that was true, especially after the painful memories that had come rushing back.

“Shane, I—”

“I hear sirens,” Nate said, interrupting them. “The paramedics will be here shortly.”

Gabby nodded, keeping her fingers pressed against Creighton’s pulse, knowing she’d need to do CPR soon if the paramedic team didn’t hurry.

A few minutes later the crew arrived, quickly getting to work inserting an IV and providing life-saving fluids. Once they had Creighton connected to the heart monitor and the fluids running, they picked him up and set him on the gurney.

The three of them moved back, giving the paramedic team room to get Creighton out of there.

“Make sure someone goes with him,” Shane directed to Nate.

“Will do.”

“We need to wash up,” she said, heading into the kitchen. Shane followed, and as soon as they were finished cleaning up, she turned to face him.

“I know where they are,” she said with a sigh.

He frowned. “What, you mean the account numbers?”

She nodded slowly, hating the fact that her father had started this more than two decades ago. Had gotten greedy and taken money that hadn’t belonged to him.

The pounding headache was gone, replaced by heartbreaking sorrow. So much loss...and for what? Money that her father hadn’t even been able to use.

Her father may have started this, but she intended to end it.

Once and for all.

SEVENTEEN

S
hane stared at Gabby, watching the myriad of emotions that flitted across her face.

Regret. Sadness. Grim resolve.

He wanted to pick up their conversation where she’d left off, but this wasn’t the time. He’d heard her conversation with Creighton and they needed to find out the truth.

“Where are the account numbers, Gabby?” he asked gently. He ached to hold her in his arms but forced himself to give her room. Those minutes that she’d been gone were the longest he’d ever been forced to endure. Worse than being on the run while undercover. He wanted to hug her for himself, but she deserved space. She looked so fragile, so lost.

“Tell me,” he said encouragingly. “Where are they?”

Her expression was weary as she turned her face up to his. “I remembered everything,” she said in a quavering voice. “You were right, as soon as I faced my memories, the headaches disappeared. I remembered what happened to my father, because I was there. I was hiding beneath my father’s desk when they killed him. And when they threw him to the floor, I could see his battered, swollen face against the carpet.”

The stark sorrow on her face was more than he could bear. Despite his earlier resolve, he moved closer and carefully drew her into his arms. He kept his embrace comforting as he tucked her head beneath his chin.

“I’m sorry, Gabby,” he murmured against her hair. “No child should have to see that. I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been through.”

She relaxed against him, wrapping her arms around his waist and holding on tight. “I didn’t want to believe my father was a criminal,” she said in a muffled voice. “After my mother married Richard, I built my father up in my mind, telling myself how wonderful our lives would be if he were still alive. But I was wrong. My father was a criminal who died for nothing more than greed.”

Shane’s heart squeezed in his chest, wishing there was something he could say to make her feel better.

“Subconsciously, I became a trauma surgeon, dedicated my life to helping those who were beaten or shot because of that day I listened to my father being murdered.”

“I’m sorry,” Shane whispered again. “But think about all the people you saved, Gabby. So many lives that you’ve touched.”

But she was still shaking her head, as if she hadn’t heard. “And you know what’s even worse?” she asked, meeting his gaze. “I took his name back...that’s how Creighton found me. He saw that news story about the airport shooting and came after me.”

“Because he thought you still had the money,” he said, picking up the thread of her thoughts. “But you had no idea what he was even looking for, did you?”

She shook her head. “Not until he slipped about the account numbers.”

He rubbed her back, trying to offer comfort.

“Guess my family genes aren’t the greatest,” she said with a weary sigh.

“You’re not alone, Gabby,” he said. “My dad was a great cop who died in the line of duty, but my mother had problems. After my dad died, I went a little crazy, getting into trouble, breaking the law. I got caught but was lucky the judge took pity on me, sending me to a school for troubled teens.”

She looked surprised by the revelation. “Really?”

“Yep.” He needed to tell her everything to help make his point. “I met Isaac there, you remember Leah’s husband, right?” when she nodded, he continued, “We both managed to turn our lives around, becoming cops who uphold the law rather than break it. But my mother spiraled downhill after my father passed away. She literally drank herself to death, and died while Leah was in nursing school.”

Gabby’s eyes filled with compassion. “Oh, Shane, I’m so sorry to hear that.”

“Thanks, but this just proves how much we have in common,” he continued huskily. “Our parents made mistakes, we both also made mistakes. But what counts the most are the decisions we made to turn our lives around. I chose law enforcement and you chose being a surgeon. Both admirable professions. It doesn’t matter where we came from, it only matters where we’re going. And knowing that God will help guide us.”

Her expression softened and she slowly nodded. “You’re right, Shane. What’s in the past doesn’t matter as long as we learn from it and move forward from here.”

“Exactly,” he murmured, aching with the need to kiss her.

But the moment was gone in a heartbeat. Gabby stepped away from him, straightening her shoulders. “Okay, we need to go back to the motel, to pick up my things. I’ll show you where the information is.”

Shane frowned, then remembered what she meant. “Your cedar box? But surely you would have known if the account numbers were in there.”

For the first time since he’d rescued her from Creighton, the barest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “I believe they’re hidden inside my mother’s charm bracelet. Remember the way she kept talking about the circus and the drum? There’s a drum on the charm bracelet, the gift my father had given my mother that day of the circus. I think there could be some sort of microchip hidden inside.”

“Incredible,” he muttered. “A microchip. Who would have thought?”

Gabby sighed. “If I had faced my nightmares earlier, maybe I would have figured this out sooner. I’m sorry, Shane. I’m so sorry I put you and your team in danger.”

“Remember what I told you right from the very beginning? This is Creighton’s fault, not yours. No one’s perfect, Gabby. We’ve all made mistakes.”

“This was a whopper,” she said with a frown. “But as you said, we’ll move forward from here. Let’s go. The sooner I get rid of that microchip, the better. I’m more than ready to put all of this behind me.”

She brushed past him, apparently in a hurry to get out of Richard’s house.

Shane’s gut wrenched painfully as he followed Gabby outside. This was it, the end of the case. He didn’t need to spend all his time with Gabby, since she no longer needed his protection.

And Gabby was already pulling away, putting distance between them.

Whatever feelings she may have had for him would soon fade away, just the way his fiancée’s had.

But his wouldn’t. His chest was so tight he could barely breathe. He loved her. More than he could have ever imagined possible. Completely different than what he’d felt for Linda.

Yet the kindest thing he could do for Gabby at this point was to let her go.

Even though he knew she’d take his heart with her.

* * *

Gabby sat beside Shane as he drove Nate’s police-issue SUV back to the motel. Tears kept pricking her eyes and she tried to subtly wipe them away.

Ridiculous to miss Shane when he wasn’t even gone yet. What was wrong with her? Must be the result of overwhelming relief at knowing that she was safe at last.

But the knot in her stomach didn’t feel like relief. It felt like abject sorrow. She didn’t want Shane to leave, to go back to his life.

Leaving her to return to hers.

She was humbled by what he’d shared with her, and knowing how he’d overcome his past to become a cop only made her admire him more. She cared about him so much, but he didn’t believe her feelings were real.

But she knew they were. Very real. She swallowed hard and fought back her tears, turning to stare out the passenger-side window. Protruding over the tops of the red, gold, orange and green leaves on the trees, she could see the tip of the church steeple where she and Shane had attended services. She took a moment to shake off her melancholy mood and thanked God for saving them. Every one of them.

Shane, Nate and Jenna had all come to her rescue. Plus other deputies that she didn’t know by name.

Nate’s phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. When he mentioned something about the FBI, she turned in her seat to look at him in surprise.

Nate disconnected from the call. “The FBI is sending two agents out to meet us at the motel. Guess they want that microchip very badly.”

“FBI?” Shane echoed with a frown. “When did Griff get in touch with the feds?”

“Not sure, but we shouldn’t be surprised. Execution-style shootings reek of mob influence.”

“Yeah, I know. At least they stayed out of our way this time,” Shane said. He reached over to give Gabby’s hand a squeeze. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.”

“Thanks,” she murmured, knowing he was right. She
would
be fine, especially with Shane by her side.

The trip to the motel didn’t take long. When they arrived, there were several police vehicles already there. She wasn’t too surprised to see Griff was waiting, standing beside a tall man and a slender woman both wearing navy blue suits, clearly the FBI agents.

“Dr. Fielding,” Griff greeted her formally. “This is Logan Quail and his wife, Kate. They’re both special agents with the FBI and have expertise with mafia-related crimes.”

She held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, but please call me Gabby.”

“Nice to meet y’all,” Logan said with a distinct Texas drawl as he shook her hand and then Shane’s. The way Logan tugged at the collar of his shirt, she suspected he didn’t wear a business suit often.

Once the formalities of introductions were over, Gabby gestured to the motel room she’d stayed in. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you where I think the account numbers are hidden.”

Shane stayed close by her side as she entered the motel room and crossed over to where she’d left her cedar box sitting on the dresser. She opened it up, looking down at her personal mementos, without experiencing the crippling pain she used to. After pulling the cedar box out, she set it on the dresser and opened it up. The charm bracelet looked innocent enough, but she knew differently. She picked it up and carefully inspected the charm that was shaped like a drum.

“There’s a seam all the way around it,” she said, glancing up at the group of people waiting patiently behind her. “I need a knife.”

“Here, I’ll do it.” Shane took out a small penknife and set the drum on the table before inserting the tip of the blade in the seam. With a crack, the drum opened, revealing a small microchip.

“Here you go,” Gabby said, gesturing toward it. “I hope you’re able to read the technology from twenty-one years ago.”

Logan and Kate exchanged a knowing look. “It won’t be easy, but we think we have the capability to read it,” Kate said.

“Take it. I hope it helps you in some way.” Gabby stepped back, glad to be rid of the thing that had caused so much pain and sorrow. She glanced over at Shane. “I’d like to go home.”

“I’m sorry, but the crime scene techs are still there,” Shane said with obvious regret.

“Then take me to the hospital,” she said firmly. “I need to let my boss know that I’m officially off my leave of absence.”

Shane nodded and Gabby was a little surprised when no one tried to stop them. Shane walked over to the car he’d borrowed from Nate’s aunt, so she slid into the passenger seat.

Neither one of them said much as he drove toward the freeway. Sneaking a look at his strong, handsome profile, Gabby wanted to ask when she’d see him again. But she feared he’d only tell her again that what she was feeling wasn’t real.

“Will someone let me know when I can go back home?” she asked, finally breaking the silence.

Shane glanced at her and nodded. “Yes, I’ll make sure of that.”

Would he be the one to follow up with her? Or was that just wishful thinking on her part? Gabby racked her brain, trying to think of a way to convince Shane that her feelings weren’t just gratitude. But love.

Real, heart-wrenching love.

When he pulled up in front of the hospital, she paused for a moment, turning to face him. “Thanks again, Shane, for saving my life.”

His smile seemed sad. “You saved mine first, remember?”

She nodded, knowing she’d never forget. Gabby leaned over to press a kiss against his cheek. “Take care of yourself,” she murmured, blinking back tears. She ducked her head, opened the passenger-side door and quickly got out of the car before she could beg him to let her stay with him.

Forever.

The moment she stepped inside the hospital, she was greeted by the familiar scent of antiseptic. She looked around, a little surprised to realize that things felt different.

Shaking off the sensation, she decided to look in on Brandon Johnson, her colleague who’d been attacked by Creighton.

But when she inquired about where Brandon was, she discovered he’d been discharged home. Which was good news, even though she wished she’d had a chance to apologize.

With nothing else to do, she went to check in with her boss, Jonathan Murray.

“Glad to have you back, Gabby,” Jonathan said. “We’re running a bit shorthanded, so if you want to pitch in and take second call tonight, I’d appreciate it.”

“Sure thing,” she said, forcing a smile. Second call also meant covering the ICU patients, so after changing into scrubs, she went up to check on the trauma patients there.

Joe Chasco was still a patient in the ICU, although things didn’t look good. His brain wasn’t functioning well and she knew that even if Joe survived, he’d never go back to being a surgeon.

She worked with the residents, making rounds and getting up to speed on what medical care was needed, but for some reason, everything felt off. Normally, work consumed her, making her feel as if she belonged.

But not today. A reaction from everything that had transpired? Maybe. But she didn’t think so.

Before she met Shane, she’d used work as a way to avoid her personal feelings. Maybe to make up for her father’s death. But Shane had exposed her to faith and church and so much more.

Love. She loved him so much, she ached with it.

And suddenly, she knew exactly how she could convince him to give the feelings between them a chance.

* * *

Shane finished up what seemed like a mountain of paperwork related to everything that had transpired with Creighton. But his mind kept wandering back to Gabby.

He must have picked up the phone a dozen times, intending to call her at the hospital. Just to hear her voice. But he forced himself to wait until Griff had informed him that the crime scene techs had finally finished at her house.

“Good, that’s good,” he muttered, suddenly nervous about calling Gabby now. The time wasn’t too late, just seven-thirty at night, but dusk had fallen and he wondered if it would be better to let it go until the morning.