Protective Custody (15 page)

“There’s no one around to hear you, Megan.”

The door burst open, and he hulked in the threshold.

She picked up a clock from the nightstand and flung it at him. He ducked, and it hit the wall behind him. The rush of adrenaline sharpened her senses. Grabbing the bedside lamp, she yanked the cord from the outlet and lifted it over her head.

The man only laughed.

Tears ran down her cheeks. “What do you want from me?”

Another evil snicker.

She threw the lamp, but he batted it away like a pesky fly. The glass base exploded on the wood floor. “I don’t even know what you look like. Why are you doing this?”

He yanked off his mask, convincing her beyond a doubt that he planned to kill her. Blood pounded in her ears, as loud as an airplane engine.

His brown eyes bored into her, and she knew it was futile to beg him to spare her life. Those eyes had no soul. They held no guilt or regret for the life he’d already taken.

Get out!

He lunged at her, but she ducked and darted around him. She made it into the hallway, but he caught her by her hair and yanked her to him. His breath gusted on the back of her neck. She struggled and kicked and swatted at him. But he tightened his grip, and they stumbled into the living room together.

“Will!” she screamed.

The killer wrestled her to the floor, then closed his hand over her mouth. She flailed her arms, punched and tried to twist away, but it was no use. He was too big and heavy. She gasped for air as his weight pressed on her chest.

“This’ll be a lot easier on you if you shut up and stop fighting.” He moved his hand away from her mouth, and she screamed.

He backhanded her across the face, catching her below her right eye. “I’m going to have some fun with you before I kill you.” His sick laugh turned her stomach.

She struggled even harder, but he clamped his hand to her throat and pressed his erection against her leg. Nausea threatened. She gasped for air. If this animal was going to rape her, she’d fight him every second. When he shifted, she worked her arm free and clawed at his face.

“Bitch!” He tightened his grip on her neck. Stars floated in front of her eyes, and she knew she’d pass out at any second.

He grabbed her collar and tore, exposing her bra. Terror and disgust swirled inside her. A sadistic grin curled his lips as he stared down at her chest.

An earsplitting pop exploded around them. The murderer widened his eyes, and his lips parted. The pressure on her throat eased, and the man’s head dropped onto her shoulder.

She shoved out from under him and rolled away, shivering. He lay motionless beside her. Not trusting her eyes, she backed against the fireplace and grabbed the poker, wielding it as a weapon.

But her attacker hadn’t moved. And there was blood—lots of it—seeping from a wound on the back of his head. The smell of sulfur filled the air.

Then she saw Will on the couch, still lying on his back, with his gun pointed at the intruder. Their eyes locked. He lowered his weapon. “Are you okay?” His voice wasn’t much more than a whisper, but it was a sweet, wonderful sound.

Her throat was too sore for her to speak, but she nodded. Relief filled her like a tonic.

“It’s over, Megan. Thank God it’s over.”

***

Ed checked his watch as he climbed out of his car. Nearly midnight and Veronica’s car wasn’t in the garage. Had she neglected to tell him she had plans? Or was he so frazzled by the day’s events that he’d forgotten?

He mulled over his brief visit with Will and Megan, and bile burned his throat. He hoped to hell Will had survived whatever Jarity had done. Had Jarity killed Will’s girl? He pictured her face. Too bad, she was awfully pretty. But Will would be better off without her. Maybe he’d done the kid a favor.

He opened the trunk and lifted out his briefcase. On second thought, he put it back. He’d need something to carry all the cash Jarity would give him tomorrow. One more day and this whole nightmare would be behind him.

Entering the house through the kitchen, he inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. The money would mean a fresh start for him and Veronica, but things were going to be different in their relationship. She’d have to learn he was in charge.

He opened the fridge and grabbed a can of beer. He passed through the living room and stopped dead in his tracks. He gasped as he stared at the white wall where his giant-screen should have been.

He hurried to the bedroom. Veronica’s closet was open—and stripped bare except for a bunch of tissue paper and hangers on the floor. Her dresser and vanity drawers were also empty, a couple of them stacked on top of the dresser.

He rushed into the bathroom, which was in the same state of upheaval, as if she’d left in a great hurry. Everything was gone—her makeup, her clothes, her jewelry and the purses where she’d kept all that cash.

Unbearable pressure gripped his chest as he staggered out of the bathroom. He’d done everything for her.

And she was gone.

A ferocious ache started behind his eyes. How could she do this to him? Without a word.

Unless…

Maybe she’d left a note, given him a clue about where she’d gone. At least he could try to talk her out of it. He’d promise her a nice piece of jewelry. Hell, he’d promise her whatever the hell she wanted if she’d just come home.

He ran to the study, and his hopes plummeted. The desk was littered with papers—bank statements, credit-card bills, both checkbooks. Sinking onto the chair, he clenched his fists and, for the first time in his adult life, cried. Like a damn baby.

He’d been summoned to similar scenes through his work. Every time, the spouse who’d left had cleaned out the other. The money meant nothing to him, but it confirmed his worst nightmare.

Veronica was gone, and she’d never be back.

Chapter Twelve

Megan dropped Will’s keys into his palm.

He stretched in the passenger seat, still exhausted from the effects of the drug in his system. It hadn’t sunk in all the way that Ed could have slipped something into his iced tea yesterday, but there was no other explanation. The toxicology report was inconclusive, but the doctor was convinced he’d ingested several doses of a powerful sedative. “Feels like a lifetime since we left here, huh?”

“Whew, isn’t that the truth?” Her smile was the first she’d given him during the entire two-hour drive.

Of course, he’d slept most of the way. After his time in the ER, then at the Marion County Sheriff’s Headquarters near the cabin, he deserved a nap. “Let’s get your things inside.” He filled his arms with her bags, then ambled toward her porch.

Her hand shook as she unlocked her front door. Was she up to talking yet? She’d refused while they were in the ER, and he’d been too out of it for most of the trip back to Sebastian Springs. “Are you okay?”

“Fine.” Was her brow furrowed because she’d grown tired from all the driving, or was it because of something else?

He followed her inside. “Want these in the bedroom?”

She kicked off her sandals in the foyer. “You can leave them here.”

The cool vibes she put off were making him crazy. He had to know what the hell was bothering her. “Can we talk?” He set her bags on the floor.

A long sigh. “Mind if we put it off until tomorrow?”

He stepped closer. “Only if I can spend the night.”

Her downcast gaze answered before she said a word. “I don’t think so, Will. I still have a lot to do this afternoon, and I…I need some time to myself.”

“No. We
need
to talk. Something’s going on in that head of yours, and I need to know what.”

She bristled and started to say something, but he wouldn’t let her.

“What the hell changed between us in the last twenty-four hours? I’m sorry I let you down. I wish I could have blown John Jarity’s brains out before he laid one of his dirty fingers on you, but I was unconscious.”

Her tears started flowing. “No, Will. Don’t do this. You saved my life. I’ll be grateful for that forever. You did not let me down. I swear.”

“I don’t want your gratitude.” He grasped her shoulders. “Please, Megan, after all we’ve been through, don’t shut me out. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

Finally she met his stare. Her cell phone’s ring startled them both. Sighing, she dug in her purse, then narrowed her gaze at the display. Her face paled. “It’s the nursing home.”

From what he could hear of the conversation, her grandmother was on her way to the hospital.

Megan’s eyes filled, but she didn’t give in to her tears. The battle appeared to take an effort. “Yes, Mrs. Brooks. I’ll meet her there. Thank you.” She hung up, then switched into high gear, frantically searching for something in her purse.

“What’s going on?”

She didn’t look at him. “Gram’s had a stroke. I have to get to Springs Memorial right away.”

“Let’s go. I’ll drive.” He crossed the foyer to the door.

She held up her key chain. “This is what I was looking for. I’d like to drive myself. I have no idea how long I’ll be there.”

“It’s not a problem. I can follow you.” He set his hand on the knob. “Ready?”

Her lips flattened into a line. “I’d like to go alone.”

The punch stung. He swallowed back the hurt. “Megan, let me—”

“No, Will. Go home. Get some rest.”

He squared his shoulders. “Fine.” As he walked her to her car, neither of them spoke. Opening the door for her, he fought the urge to kiss her. “I’ll call you later.”

She gave him a blank stare, then backed out of the driveway. He watched her drive away and prayed she’d forgive whatever he’d done to hurt her. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing her. Not again.

Sitting in a hard metal chair beside Gram’s hospital bed, Megan stroked her grandmother’s thin hand. When had Gram’s skin gotten so dry, like crepe paper? She opened her purse and found a tube of lotion, then massaged some into her skin. Maybe the vanilla scent would somehow comfort Gram, who’d always hated the medicinal smell of hospitals.

A young Asian woman in a lab coat entered the room. “Miss Jackson?”

“Yes. I’m Hattie’s granddaughter.”

The doctor moved to Gram’s bed and opened the chart. “I’m Dr. Chen.”

“How is she?” Megan hugged herself to ward off the chill.

Dr. Chen pursed her lips. “Well, according to the CT scan, she’s suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. We’re giving her medication to keep her blood sugar down and to lessen swelling in the brain.”

Megan swallowed her fear. “Will she be okay?”

The doctor’s somber expression didn’t leave much room for hope. “I can’t answer that yet, Miss Jackson. But we’re doing everything we can to keep her comfortable.”

After Dr. Chen left, Megan found another blanket in the closet and spread it over her grandmother’s bed. Their last conversation replayed in her mind.

“Couldn’t you at least wait until I die before you break my heart?”

Guilt twisted around her insides. Could Gram’s emotional state have contributed to her stroke? Gram’s reasons for not wanting Megan to be with Will were antiquated and based on another man’s actions. As many times as Megan had pointed that out, Gram had held staunchly to her opinion.

But none of that mattered now. Truth was, she’d made up her mind to end her relationship with Will before Jarity broke into the cabin.
But I still love him.

Sometimes the fates line up against you and tell you something isn’t meant to be. The best thing to do is to listen.

Between Gram’s and Will’s parents’ objections, she ought to heed the warning.

Will had saved her life, and for the last few days he’d shown her tremendous kindness and love. But when he’d blown up at her after she’d confessed her reason for breaking up with him, all that love and kindness had fallen away. She could hardly spend her life with a man who didn’t trust her.

Gram’s hand stiffened, yanking Megan back to the moment. One of the monitors by the bed started beeping. Then Gram’s whole body began to shake.

Megan stood, her heart beating wildly. “Help!”

A man and two women in scrubs raced in, pushing equipment.

“You’ll have to step outside, ma’am,” the man told her.

She inched toward the door, panic coursing through her veins. “What’s happening?”

“Seizure,” one of the women shouted. “Wait outside, please.”

She was completely helpless and in the way. Summoning all her strength, she moved to the hallway. The bright, sterile surroundings left her cold and lonely.

I need Will.

She leaned against the wall and imagined his strong arms around her, cocooning her in his warmth and his familiar piney scent. Shutting her eyes, she pictured his face, heard his deep voice assuring her everything was going to be okay.

The noise and commotion inside Gram’s room quieted. Megan opened her eyes and waited.

The staff entered the hallway, pushing the equipment they’d brought. One of the women strode toward her, wearing a grim frown. “I’m sorry, Miss Jackson. We did everything we could.”

Megan nodded and blinked against the stinging tears filling her eyes. A heavy weight settled in her chest.

What will I do without Gram?

How was she supposed to go on without her family? She’d never felt so lonely. “Can I see her?”

“If you like.” The nurse followed her into the room. “Want some privacy?”

Megan stepped up to the bed and stared down at Gram’s lifeless form. She appeared so tiny for a woman who’d carried such weighty burdens on her shoulders. “Yes. Thank you.”

The door quietly clicked shut.

Could her argument with Gram have brought on the stroke? Pain gripped her. Gram’s final wish had been for Megan to break up with Will, and she’d died thinking Megan had refused. “I love you, Gram.” Her tears came in earnest, a rush of emotion that weakened her knees. She reflected on the best times they’d shared, all her grandmother had done for her. Gram had tried so hard to compensate for Megan’s absent father and dead mother.

Their last conversation hung in the air like a dark cloud of gloom over an otherwise peaceful landscape. She prayed Gram’s final thoughts of her hadn’t been tainted with anger or hurt. Doing what Gram wanted wouldn’t bring her back, but if Gram was looking down on her from heaven, maybe she’d have peace knowing Megan had walked away from Will.

Bending over the bed, she gently kissed Gram’s forehead and bid her a final goodbye.

***

Will put his shirt on after Kenny Horvath finished taping a wireless transmitter to his abdomen.

“Make sure you’re within eight feet of him, or we won’t pick up everything he says.” Kenny glanced toward the door of the interrogation room. “I still can’t believe Dawkins would have anything to do with a piece of shit like John Jarity. The guy was my training officer, for Pete’s sake.”

“He was mine too.” Will’s gut clenched every time he thought about Ed. “And the man has lots of friends here, which is why I don’t want anyone but you in on this.”

Kenny waved away his concern. “I get it, Will. I don’t want any of these schmucks tipping him off either. Whole thing just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”

“I know. But there’s no other possible explanation for what happened up there.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’m positive I was drugged. And Ed’s the only one who could have done it
and
told Jarity where to find Megan.”

“Honestly I hope you’re wrong. I hate to see a guy like Ed Dawkins switch to the dark side.”

“Yeah. Me too.” He took his jacket from the back of the chair and put it on. “Ready?”

Kenny nodded. “Let’s do it.”

With Kenny following in an unmarked car, Will drove his truck to Dawkins Security and Investigations. Kenny parked a block away.

Swallowing his apprehension and anger over Ed’s betrayal, Will strode into the office.

Ed looked up from his desk, and his jaw dropped, but he recovered in a split second. “Hey, you’re back. I…I figured you two kids would still be hiding out.” He put his pen down with shaking fingers, then moved his hands to his lap.

Will set his hands on his waist. “Jarity’s dead.”

Ed paled. “Dead? John Jarity? You’re kidding. Did he have a heart attack or something?” He shifted his gaze everywhere but toward Will’s. “Siddown. Tell me all about it. He’s one of our biggest accounts, you know?” He gestured to the chair opposite his desk.

Will wondered how long Ed would keep up the charade. He sat and scooted the chair closer. “It was Jarity who Megan saw strangle that young woman. He was the one who attacked Megan too. Tried to kill her at the cabin.”

Ed widened his eyes. “You must be shitting me. I mean, sure, Jarity’s an asshole, but a killer? I can’t believe it.”

The fact that Ed hadn’t even asked how Jarity knew where the cabin was cinched the deal. Much as he hated to believe Ed would be an accessory to murder, the omission was as good as a confession. “How do you think Jarity knew where we were? You were the only one I told, Ed.”

“Hmm. He probably followed you.”

“No way. Much of the way up was deserted highway. I know when I’m being followed, and I wasn’t.”

“So Megan’s okay?”

He could hardly stand to be in the same room with Ed. “A little shaken up is all.”

“Thank God for that, huh? So what happened to Jarity? How’d he die?”

“I shot him.”

“Did he say anything before he kicked? Tell you why he did it or anything?” Ed gripped the edge of his desk, probably to keep his hands from shaking. Or perhaps from the suspense of not knowing if Jarity had squealed about his involvement.

“He said all kinds of things.” He watched Ed squirm, and it made him sick to his stomach.

“Such as?” Ed chomped on a fingernail.

“He attacked Megan. Broke down the bedroom door to get to her. Do you have any idea how terrifying that was for her?” He leaned closer, hoping Ed would experience at least a fraction of the fear Megan had endured. “He would have raped and killed her if I hadn’t shot him.”

“So…” His voice came out a high-pitched squeak. He cleared his throat. “So you shot him?”

“After you left, I started feeling strange. Incredibly tired and dizzy. Like I’d been drugged or something.”

Ed coughed. “Drugged? Weird.”

“Yeah, very weird. Only thing I’d ingested for hours was that iced tea you brought.” He crossed his legs and folded his arms across his chest. “Only logical conclusion is there was something in that tea.”

Ed walked to the file cabinet and opened a drawer. “Doesn’t make sense. We all drank it.”

Will couldn’t see what Ed was doing when he rooted through the drawer, but he refused to take any chances. He moved his right hand close to his weapon. “We each had our own bottle. Apparently only mine was drugged. Like someone wanted me incapacitated.”

The file drawer slammed shut, and Ed spun around to face him with only a manila folder in his hand, much to Will’s relief.

“What are you saying, Will?” His expression was unreadable.

“What do you think I’m saying? Someone drugged me so Jarity could get his filthy hands on Megan.”

Ed’s Adam’s apple jumped.

“Who the hell would do that, Ed?”

He set the file on his desk but didn’t sit. “I don’t think I like where you’re going with this. Are you accusing me of something?”

Will said nothing.

“What, you think
I
was helping Jarity?”

“Were you?” He leaned back in the chair but didn’t let his guard down for a moment.

“What?” He staggered backward and centered a hand on his chest in a not-very-convincing show of shock and hurt. “You’re like a son to me, kid. How could you think I’d set you up? Ask any guy at the SO about my integrity. My record is spotless. Twenty-five years of ethical police work.”

“If there were any other conclusion to draw, I’d be your biggest defender.” He swallowed back the rush of emotion. “But I know you did it. And I know you told Jarity exactly where to find us.”