Grace (25 page)

They were barely able to see more than twenty feet in front of the car. The snow came down heavier and the police cars were getting stuck in the road.

"We're all going to get stuck,” Tommy complained as he slowed the car down to twenty miles per hour.

Max rolled his window down a little and could hear snowmobiles in the distance. He got an idea. He called in to dispatch and asked to be connected to the local highway department. Ten minutes later, a large plow truck was leading the way to Sullivan's house in the woods.

Max warned the snowplow driver to stop at the bottom of the roadway before Sullivan's house. He didn't want to tip off Sullivan that they had found him.

The large truck stopped.

"How the hell are we going to get up to the house?” Tommy pulled his coat tighter against him. “We're not exactly dressed for hiking in the snow."

"I'm not planning on hiking in the snow. Did you hear those snowmobiles in the distance? We're going to ride most of the way up, then hike the rest of the way."

"That's your fucking plan, Max? We'll freeze our goddamn asses off before we even reach the front door."

"No, we won't. We've got the extra police jackets and bulletproof vests in the trunk, and so do the other guys. All we need are the snowmobiles."

"You're crazy ... psycho! Thank God you're one of the good guys,” Tommy added.

Max was in serious mode as he got out of the car to tell the others.

Larry began to untie one of Grace's wrists. He left the other one tied to the bedpost.

Grace's head throbbed, and her mind was still a bit fuzzy from the chloroform.

As Larry poured the glasses of wine and smiled wide, she watched him.

"Our first celebration drink, darling, before the big night."

"What big night?” Grace asked, not being able to register Larry Sullivan's words or intentions.

He laughed softly as he placed Grace's fingers over the stem of the half full wineglass, helping her hold it. “Our first night together, darling."

Grace threw the glass at him, smashing it against his shoulder. Then she attempted to get up off the bed.

Her right wrist remained tied to the post and her legs were wobbly. Too late, she realized she had her back to the Master.

Larry grabbed hold of her hair, forcing her back onto the bed. With the additional pressure on her wrist, she cried out in pain, realizing the snap she heard was the sound of it breaking.

"That was expensive wine, Grace. You'll pay for that."

Blood showed through Larry's blue dress shirt. His eyes were dark blue, bloodshot and full of rage.

Grace recalled the Master having blue eyes but Larry had green eyes at the party.

Swinging at him with her good hand, she made contact with his face. He retaliated by grabbing her throat and straddling her hips. He was heavy on top of her.

She couldn't breathe. He was choking her so hard. Was he going to kill her? Suddenly, he released his hands from her neck and grabbed hold of her good wrist. His focus remained on the walls. Then she assumed he must have heard something, because he quickly pulled Grace up with him.

He untied her hand when she realized what the sound was.

Abruptly, he pulled Grace from the bed, grabbed his coat, then yanked it on. Pulling a gun from the pocket of his black parka, he wedged it against Grace's side.

"Let's go.” He walked through the bedroom into another room where a small light stayed on in the corner.

Pulling Grace along with him, he turned off the remainder of the lights.

They could hear the snowmobiles coming closer.

Larry pulled her toward the back door and small porch. There was nothing but darkness, and a full moon illuminated the night sky. The snowflakes were huge and falling fast. Grace could feel them covering her hair, her eyelashes and body. Instantly, she was cold.

They heard the snowmobiles coming closer, then they abruptly stopped. Soon there was nothing but silence and the sound of snowflakes hitting Larry's jacket. It was incredibly eerie to hear such silence and the fear of dying soon followed.

Grace tried to pull away, but Larry pulled her against him.

"Not a sound or I'll kill you, then your whole family."

Grace swallowed hard. He grabbed her broken wrist and held it tight. The pain was excruciating. She cried out, falling to her knees.

"Shhhh!” he demanded, pulling her back up and against him with his face against hers. He kissed her skin, then licked the snowflakes on her rosy red cheeks.

Grace shuddered in disgust. She tried to pull away, but he squeezed her broken wrist tighter. Grace couldn't help crying in agony against his jacket. Her teeth chattered. Her body shook. Then she felt his lips against her hair on the top of her head. “Soon, my special one ... soon we will be alone."

They listened while Grace felt nauseous from the pain of the broken bone. The cold snow numbed her whole body. She was only wearing a sweater, a pair of dress pants and black leather dress boots. Her toes were frozen. In her mind, she begged for warmth.

Larry pulled her along with him toward a shed.

Suddenly, he stopped. Footsteps were heard, then the sounds of voices and banging doors.

On the side of the shed, another snowmobile sat covered with a tarp.

Again, Grace tried to pull away from him, but Larry pistol-whipped her across the cheek. When she tried to knock the gun from his hands, Larry pulled the trigger. The shot rang out, missing both of them. Larry quickly started the engine to the snowmobile.

Inside the house, Max, Tommy, and the others realized Larry and Grace weren't there. Then they heard the gunshot.

Max ran through the back door just barely catching the sound of Grace screaming in pain.

"Over there, Tommy, come on!"

They raced through the snow.

He heard the roar of a snowmobile engine and he cursed when he realized Larry might escape with Grace as his prisoner.

Larry grabbed Grace and pulled her onto the snowmobile. She threw herself over the side, landing in the cold snow.

"Stupid bitch! Get up here!"

"Stop right there!” Max yelled in the distance.

"Police! Don't move!” Tommy yelled.

Larry pointed the gun in their direction and fired multiple times into the darkness.

Screaming in fear, Grace tried to grab the gun from Larry's hand.

Larry pulled Grace over his lap, then pressed the gas button on the handlebars. The snowmobile jolted forward and the gun fell out of Larry's hand as he tried to regain control of the snowmobile.

About to fall against the rotating tracks of the snowmobile, Grace screamed. The engine whined, and the snow splattered up against her cheeks, stinging her. Larry pulled her up. He still hadn't regained control of the snowmobile.

Using all her strength to pull herself up, Grace then grabbed the brake on the other side of the handlebars.

Larry wouldn't give in and he kept his hand on the gas button, determined to keep the snowmobile in motion. They were headed toward the woods and back in the direction of the house.

Screaming in pain, Grace pulled the steering wheel with all her might one last time. Larry tried to stop her and Grace flew off the snowmobile, landing in the snow on her arm. The loud roar of the snowmobile's engine filled the air as it turned to the right, lifted and flipped, landing on top of Larry with the rotating tracks still running.

Max screamed, watching the whole scene unfold as Grace landed in the snow and Larry was instantly killed.

Max and Tommy both rushed to Grace's side. Deep in the snow, she was bleeding and freezing.

The others ran toward Larry and turned off the snowmobile's engine.

"Her arm and her wrist are both broken,” Tommy said as Max tried to comfort Grace.

She was going into shock.

"Does it hurt anywhere else, Grace?” Max asked.

She was silent a moment and her eyes fluttered open.

"Yeah ... my ass,” she said weakly.

Max laughed.

"That's my girl. Lie still while we check you over to be sure there's no other injuries.” Max and Tommy checked her and began to move her.

"I bet the Master's angry that he didn't get away.” Grace's eyes closed.

"Yeah ... he's cut up about it."

Grace fell unconscious.

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The fire was crackling in the fireplace, green and gold beaded garlands decorated the wooden mantel and the sounds of Christmas music filled the house.

Grace could hear the laughter of everyone who gathered in the kitchen and dining room, preparing for the Christmas meal and celebration.

Her arm and wrist were in a cast and her face, bruised and swollen. She smiled as she looked at the pictures, identical frames sitting side by side on the mantel.

One was of Grace, her mother, Sherry, and her father, Carl. The other was of Grace, Nicholas, Leeann, and May, her family. The tears filled her eyes, but she wasn't overcome by sadness. She was filled with joy that her family was safe and a killer had been brought to justice.

She hadn't noticed that Max quietly entered the room until his arm was around her waist and his chin lay gently against her shoulder.

"Hey, baby, are you all right?” he asked.

Grace turned first to face him and then her family as they made their way into the dining area.

"I'm fine, Max,” she whispered.

He held her from behind. His loving embrace was addictive and had the power to heal her, comfort her and make her feel whole. She couldn't wait to love him forever and as he whispered words of love in her ear, she was certain Max felt the same.

"I guess it's time for dinner?” She smiled while she listened to the sounds of laughter and joy in the house. Leeann worked on the gravy and Nicholas opened the wine while May and Phillip brought the dishes of food to the table.

"Are you feeling all right?” Max asked.

Grace smiled. “Never better, Lieutenant."

Max turned her toward him.

"About this lieutenant thing.... “Max said and Grace laughed.

"Well, if we're going to be working together, I think it best I refer to you as lieutenant."

"I guess you're right, considering that I am your superior."

"Not exactly, Lieutenant. You're downtown and I'm uptown unless I ask for another transfer."

"I don't think that's a possibility. I have an in with the captain,” Max teased.

"Blood is thicker than water, though."

"I think it's safe to assume Nicholas will be keeping you uptown where he can keep an eye on you."

Grace rolled her eyes.

"He doesn't have to keep an eye on me and neither do you.” She held her good hand against Max's chest.

He covered her hand with his own and pulled her closer against him. “Well, can you promise me that you won't be throwing yourself off of any speeding snowmobiles any time soon?"

Grace smiled.

"I believe that's safe to say ... for now.” She giggled.

"Gracy...."

Grace looked at the two photographs again.

"I can't help it, Max, it's in my blood."

"I know it is. Your dad would be proud of you."

Grace looked into his eyes. “I love you, Max."

"I love you, too, baby. And just think this time next year, we'll be married and living in my place."

Grace lifted her left hand and looked at the stunning pear-shaped diamond sparkling in the light. Max had surprised her with it on Christmas morning.

"No, we'll be married and living in my place."

"Here we go again.” Max kissed her before she could respond.

"Will you two cut that out and get in here? We're starving!” Uncle Nicholas yelled and they all laughed.

Max took Grace by the hand and led her to the table. The sounds of
White Christmas
filled the house and positive thoughts of the future filled Grace's heart.

She was in love with Max and her family was safe. It was a Christmas to remember and embrace for the rest of their lives.

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Laura Marie Henion is an imaginative, dynamic author of suspense and romance fiction. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and EPIC Authors, and has obtained many of her ideas and accurate information from family members, friends, and law enforcement personnel. She has always had an interest in the law enforcement field and enjoys creative writing.

As a young adult, she created short stories and poetry to share with her family and friends. Laura integrated her creative writing skills in her professional career as both a sales center manager and a social worker. Laura is also the office manager for her husband's business and a mom of three. She loves working with people and believes this stems from both her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work as well as her strong law enforcement family background.

These factors add to the authenticity of her stories and the true to life qualities of her characters. She continues to work on multiple manuscripts including the new series
Cop's Daughter
. Laura Marie presently resides in Historic Hudson Valley, New York with her husband and three small children.