Emergency Response (10 page)

“Yes.”

“I can see how painful this is for you. You've been through so much already with Tom and this...” He shrugged.

“Pity again,” she said as her lip curled.

“No.” He held up a hand. “I don't feel sorry for you. I simply...” He stopped talking because he didn't really know what he felt anymore. “We should get going.”

He ignored the hurt look on her face and dropped the client list he'd gotten from Wilson onto the console, then shoved the key into the ignition and got them on I-5 heading back to Portland.

Darcie picked up the list and started flipping through the pages. After rustling through a few of them, she stabbed a finger on the paper and held it out for him. “Here. This confirms Tom was an LK Design client.”

Noah glanced at the report to see Bikes on the Go. “Don't jump to conclusions. It still doesn't really tell us anything.”

“I know.” She set the report on her lap. “It's just...since Haley died and Tom left...” Darcie shook her head. “It's easier to expect bad things to avoid disappointment.”

He opened his mouth to reply, but she held up a hand. “And don't offer the platitude that God is in control. That He won't give us more than we can handle. That He knows what's best for us and what to allow in our lives.” She tapped her forehead. “I know that up here. I really do. But my heart? The heart that's been shattered by the loss of my child? That's a whole different story.”

He'd struggled with the same thing and his pastor had given him sound advice. Maybe he could share it. “Okay, this is going to sound harsh, but I don't know how else to say it. Is there anything worse that could happen to you than losing Haley?”

His statement made her flinch, but she leveled her gaze at him. “Trust me. I've thought about that a lot, and honestly, losing Haley wasn't the worst thing that could have happened. If she'd died without believing in Jesus, that...” She shook her head. “That would have been far worse.”

Noah felt the color drain from his face and he looked away before she noticed. He hadn't told her about Evan, but it was as if she'd read his mind and had discovered his greatest fear for his son.

“Not having been through something like this,” she continued, “I don't expect you to understand.”

“How do you know I've never faced something similar?” he challenged, even though he knew he should just keep quiet.

“I meant losing a child. You've never lost a child.”

“I...” he said, but the words wouldn't come.

“Noah?” The genuine interest and concern in her tone made his heart ache. Made him want to talk about Evan. Unburden himself. But he could easily imagine her concern changing to disgust. He didn't want to see that from her. Would never be ready for that.

His phone rang from the dash—saved by the bell. He glanced at caller ID. “It's Detective Judson with the gang task force.”

She sighed out a long breath. “Then you'd best answer.”

Noah punched the speaker button, greeted Judson and mentioned that he was on speaker with Darcie in the car.

“Good,” Judson said. “Glad I caught you. You'll be happy to hear we picked up Elonzo Perez in one of our sweeps for the Nuevo leaders.” Judson sounded hyped up on adrenaline.

Darcie shot an excited look at Noah.

“We questioned him and the other gangsters about Ms. Stevens's attack,” Judson continued. “But they all played dumb and lawyered up before we got them in the car.”

“So they're not talking,” Noah muttered.

“No, but if you're agreeable, Ms. Stevens, we'd like to arrange a lineup. If you can ID the guy as your attacker, then we can hold him while we investigate further.”

“Yes,” Darcie said with enthusiasm. “Arrange the lineup as soon as possible.”

“I was hoping you'd say that,” Judson said. “PPB's tactical team made the arrest so the lineup will be at your precinct, Lockhart. How soon can you come in?”

Noah glanced at the GPS. “We're heading back from Eugene, and it'll take us at least an hour.”

“Perfect. That'll give us time to get things set up. Call me if anything changes, otherwise I'll see you in an hour.”

Noah disconnected the call.

“This could be it.” Darcie's eyes lit with excitement. “The end to this nightmare.”

“Don't get too excited,” Noah warned. “Perez may not be the guy.”

Darcie leaned against the door and stared out the window. Noah didn't mean to burst her happy bubble, but he also didn't want to get her hopes up if this didn't pan out. He wanted Darcie to be out of danger more than anything, but for the first time he realized that meant they'd go their separate ways. Something he'd thought he wanted, but now? Now, he just didn't know.

They made the rest of the drive in silence, both lost in their thoughts. When they reached the Portland city limits, Noah radioed dispatch to request a uniformed escort through downtown. The officers would meet them a few miles from the central precinct and form a protective barrier around them.

“We can't risk Ms. Stevens stepping outside,” he said to dispatch. “Make sure the officers know we'll be using the sally port.” After her confirmation, he disconnected.

Darcie swiveled to face him. “You're scaring me by making this into such a production.”

“It's just a precaution.”

“But obviously one you think we need to take.” Her eyes narrowed. “I don't get why you agreed to let me go to Eugene with you as my only escort, but now all of a sudden we have to up the security.”

“This is different.” He glanced at her. “The Nuevo gang wouldn't have known about our Eugene trip so they couldn't have planned an attack. But if Perez is really your attacker and he thinks you can ID him, then you can be sure his attorney has told the gang about the lineup.”

“They'll know exactly when I'll be arriving and where.” Her face paled.

“It's a good possibility,” he said honestly. “If you want to reconsider doing the lineup, now's the time to say so.”

She shook her head firmly. “If this attack is personal, like Archer seems to think it is, then this creep will keep coming back. If he's not caught, then eventually...” Her words fell off and she shuddered.

“Hey,” Noah said. “Remember, I'll be right by your side.”

“Thank you.” A grateful smile claimed her lips.

He squeezed her hand and turned his attention to the road. They met the patrol cars as planned and the motorcade crept through the busy downtown streets toward the precinct. They hit every light green until a few blocks from Central, where they had to stop.

Feeling like a sitting duck, Noah scanned the sidewalk. A normal day in the downtown area. People walking. Families. Hipsters. Homeless. All mingled together. The MAX train humming past.

The light changed. The lead car started off. Noah advanced through the intersection, then slowed for a jaywalker coming from a tall parking garage.

“Come on, people, use the crosswalk,” he mumbled as tension mounted.

They were almost there, and Noah was getting antsy. He kept his gaze running up and down the street. Clear as a bell.

A sudden crash of glass breaking sounded from the roof of his car. Liquid rolled down the windshield.

“Noah!” Darcie clutched his arm. “What's happening?”

“I'm not sure.” He stopped the car and craned his neck around to see if he could figure it out.

“Molotov cocktail,” the officer to his rear said over the radio. “Get out now!”

Flames trialed down the windshield and slid under the hood. Darcie reached for her door handle.

“No.” Noah grabbed her arm. “Not yet.”

She tensed beside him. “We have to get out of here.”

“Not yet.” He shot her a quick look as panic raced up his back. “This could be a trap. To force us from the car so your attacker can shoot you.”

Darcie gasped and looked out the window.

Noah made another visual sweep of the area. No one looked threatening, but a shooter could be in the garage concealed behind a pillar. Rifle at the ready.

Noah didn't know what to do. Did he get out and expose Darcie to gunfire or stay in the car and risk it going up in flames? Either way, she could die.

TEN

T
he car was hot now. Flames licking all around them. Panic nearly suffocated Darcie. She wanted to bolt from the vehicle, but she trusted Noah. Even if he did look frozen in place.

“Move, Lockhart.” The officer's voice came over the radio again.

The voice seemed to spur Noah into action as he grabbed his door handle. “I'll get out first. When you see me leave, you'll want to bail, too. But wait for me to get around the car to your door so I can shield you from any potential gunfire when you get out.”

“No,” she said. “You can't risk your life like that.”

“It's not a risk. You're the target. They won't fire until they can get a clear shot at you.” There was an edge to his tone, belying the certainty of his words. He didn't really believe what he'd just said. How could he after the drive-by? They'd fired unrelentingly then, even though he was in their way. Why would this be any different?

He radioed the other officers of his plan, then asked them to provide cover. His gaze lingered on Darcie for a moment. She squeezed his hand and realized how much she'd hate to lose him.

He jumped out and started around the car. Time seemed to crawl by as if he was moving in slow motion. She held her breath. Waited for gunshots to sound. The other officers were out of their cars, heading toward Noah. They wore Kevlar vests, but Noah didn't.

“Please wait for them,” she whispered, even though she knew he couldn't hear her. The intensity in her voice scared her more than the fire that was growing larger. “Please. They can protect you.”

He hurried around to her side of the car.

Flames engulfed the engine area. Black smoke rose and filtered into the passenger compartment. Darcie took a deep breath and held it. She listened for a gunshot. Waited to see Noah fall to the ground. Worry consumed her. Each second seemed like an hour. A hot, burning, tortured hour.

Help him, Father. Please help him and keep him safe. The other officers, too.

Noah finally reached her. He jerked open the door. Flames licked along the edge of the frame, but he beat them back with his arm, allowing her to exit unscathed.

She smelled burning fabric. Hair. Skin. She knew the smell well from fire callouts.

“Your arm,” she cried out as she saw his shirt alive with flames.

“I'm fine.” He beat down the flames, then circled his other arm around her back. Drew her close.

“Fall in,” he commanded the officers. They surrounded her and the four of them quickly moved down the street to the lead car. Noah whisked her into the backseat and dove in after her.

A mighty explosion sounded behind them, rocking the car. Darcie shot her head around and looked out the back window. Noah's car was engulfed in a fiery inferno now, a total disaster. She vaguely heard the officer climb behind the wheel and request the fire department before he fired up his lights and siren and floored the gas.

She turned backed to Noah. Realized that they had nearly died in horrific flames.

“We could have been in there.” Her voice wasn't much more than a whisper.

“But we weren't.” Noah moved even closer.

She saw the fabric of his shirt melded with his skin and forgot about what could have happened to focus on what
had
happened. “Your arm. We have to get it treated.”

“Not yet.” He moved to hide the injury, but cupped the side of her face with his other hand. “Your safety is my only concern. Everything else can wait until you're safely inside the station.” He held her gaze and she didn't look away as the driver maneuvered through traffic, making the final few blocks in record time.

The car slammed to a stop and Noah jerked his focus to the window.

“Looks clear,” the driver said.

“Then let's move.” They quickly escorted her inside the building.

“I'll take it from here,” Noah said to the officer. “Let's not let the perpetrator get away this time.”

Noah didn't wait for a response and started down the hall, moving Darcie with him. She wanted to make him stop and let her check out his burns, but his steps were feverishly fast. Down the hallway. Around a corner. Into an elevator. The doors closed.

He sighed out in relief. Turned her to face him. Gently pressed her hair from her face. Grumbled something under his
breath
, then took her into his arms, hugging her with a strength she'd known he possessed. He kissed her hair. Kissed her cheeks. Then with a gaze so intense it burned as hot at the flames licking at the car, he settled his lips on hers and kissed her soundly.

She was aware of the softness of his lips, though they were demanding. Almost punishing. She warned herself to push him back, away from her. But when it came to Noah, she had mush where her brains should be. Despite the warning starting to fire in her brain, she wanted the kiss. Wanted it never to stop. She hadn't felt this way in years. If ever.

The elevator dinged, and he jerked back, then almost shoved her away before raking a hand through his hair and stepping into the detectives' bullpen.

He didn't say a word but stormed over to his desk, then gestured at a chair. He was acting mad. Like she'd done something wrong. Like maybe it was her fault they kissed. She didn't sit. Couldn't sit. Not with the adrenaline pulsing through her body.

He pointed at the chair again. She ignored him and remained standing, though her legs were wobbly, and she should probably sink down on the chair before she dropped to the floor. “What's wrong with you?”

He ignored her and picked up his phone. “Lockhart here. You ready for us yet?”

Yeah, he was mad all right. His terse tone made that clear. She stared at him. Memorized everything about him. His rugged stance. His broad shoulders. The way he ignored his injury to continue to do his job. He turned, but didn't look at her, just looked over her head.

She continued to stare at him. At the square jaw that reminded her of his strength. Of his willingness to risk his life for her. She moved to his full lips. The ones that had settled on hers and were ripped away almost as quickly. Too quickly.

She reminded herself that she was here to look at men. Criminals. Hopefully to pick one out of a lineup. And yet all she could think about was Noah and the kiss.

Her gaze fell to his arm. To the seared clothing. The ugly, raised burns that she ached to tend to so she could relieve the pain she knew he had to be feeling. He could have died protecting her. Worry nibbled at her brain. Worry for his safety. Worry that before this was all over he could be seriously, maybe fatally, harmed. That she'd lose him like she'd lost Haley. An ache as sharp as a knife pierced her gut.

She'd let him get to her. Let him find a crack in the fortress she thought she'd locked down. She was starting to have feelings for him. Honest to goodness feelings that she'd never thought possible again.

But it wasn't too late to protect herself. She wouldn't let that crack widen. Not now. Not with the danger he faced today. Faced every day.

She took a physical step back and a big step in her heart, too. She had to keep things professional between them. She had no room in her life for a relationship—for love. It only led to heartache and suffering. Led to loss. And what worse person to love than a police officer who could die in a heartbeat. That, she couldn't... No! Wouldn't do.

Ever.

* * *

Noah paced back and forth outside the viewing room. Pain screamed up his arm, but he didn't care. He'd have it looked at soon. It was Darcie he was concerned about now. She stood before six men and gave off a casual vibe, as if an event like this was no big deal. But it was a big deal. Perez was in that group. Perez, a big, burly man. Tough. Angry. Mean. Maybe the man who'd attacked Darcie.

Judson said something to her and her shoulders slumped. Noah wanted to step in to help. Instead, he curled his fingers into a fist and resisted the urge to ram it into the wall. He had every jurisdictional right to join Darcie in the room, but Judson hadn't wanted him in there. Judson was afraid Noah's presence would distract Darcie. Maybe it would have, but Noah would like to think his presence would also bring her comfort.

Or maybe not. Not after the kiss. He knew it was wrong the minute his lips settled on hers. But he couldn't help himself. Another attempt had been made on her life. He'd reacted. Let his emotions run wild. Then acted like a real bear with her. He'd likely ruined any kind of friendship they'd had.

She suddenly stepped forward and pointed. She'd ID'd one of the men, but which one?

Noah ran his gaze down the line. Eyeing each one. Waiting to see murderous intent. To see the man who did this. To lock him up. To throw away the key.

The door opened. Darcie stepped out. She looked wrung out. His heart creased. He wanted to hold her. To comfort her.

“Is he in the lineup?” Noah asked instead.

Judson stepped in to the hallway. “She ID'd Perez from the day he threatened her at the hospital, but she's not sure he's her attacker.”

Noah ignored Judson and focused on Darcie. “It's not him?”

“I don't know.” She shook her head as a tear slid from her eye. “I wanted it to be him—how I wanted it to be. But I'm not sure if I just
want
him to be my attacker so badly, or if it really is him.” Tears started falling faster. “I'm sorry. I know you were counting on me. But if I can't be positive, then I can't say anything at all.”

Noah turned to Judson. “What about an alibi for the time of Darcie's attack? Does he have one?”

“Nothing sound. He claims he was with fellow gang members, who you know will swear to anything Perez says. And before you ask, I went at him for the drive-by shooting, too. Same alibi. Plus he denies knowing anything about the Molotov cocktail. Though mentioning that particular item brought a grin to his face, he's claiming no knowledge.” Judson swallowed hard, as if clearing away a nasty taste. “Unfortunately, we have nothing to hold him on now, and we're going to have to let him go.”

“If only I could ID him, then this would be over.” Darcie bit her lip and swiped angrily at her tears.

Noah couldn't keep his hands off her any longer, but he had to react as any concerned friend might. Not as a man who was interested in her. He rested a hand on her arm and tried to communicate strength and courage.

“We'll get him another way,” he said, although, at the moment, he had no idea how.

His phone rang and he wanted to ignore it, but the call could be important. He glanced at the screen and saw Skyler's name. Thinking Darcie couldn't handle any additional bad news right now he stepped away and answered.

“I found a Ramon Flores,” Skyler said quickly. “He lives in Veneta, a small town west of Eugene.”

Noah let the information roll around in his head. “Leland King's from Eugene.”

“Exactly. And Flores has gone missing, too.”

Noah glanced at Darcie as she talked with Judson. How was she going to react when he told her that of the three people on the hit list, two of them were missing? She'd assume, as he was doing, that the two men were dead.

“You still there, Noah?” Skyler asked.

“Yeah,” he said, pulling his gaze from Darcie so he could focus and do his job. “Tell me about Flores.”

“He's twenty-six but he still lives with his parents while he finishes community college. When he didn't come home a few days ago, his parents called County.”

“Have you had a chance to check for priors and any gang affiliation?”

“He's clean.”

“What about a connection to Leland King? Anything there?”

“Not yet, but I'm looking into it. I plan to give Flores's parents a call after we hang up.”

“I got a list of LK Design's clients from Wilson that I can email to you. Maybe you'll see something there.”

“What about employees of LK Design?” Skyler asked.

“King worked alone except for contracted designers. Wilson is still working on locating them. As soon as I receive a report, I'll get a copy to you.”

“Perfect, and I've asked to have a copy of Flores's case file overnighted to your office.”

“At least that's something that might turn up a lead.” Noah hated how down he sounded. This could be a solid lead and he needed to grab on to it and hope for the best.

“Something going on that you want to tell me about?” Skyler's voice held concern.

Noah told her about the bombing and the lineup, forcing himself to recount the events like they had no impact on him when they were eating away at his gut.

“Sounds like things couldn't get much worse for Darcie right now.”

As Noah thought about Skyler's comment, his hand automatically drifted to his service weapon. “Unfortunately they can. We have no reason to hold Perez so he'll be back on the street in no time.”