Love Inspired Suspense December 2015, Box Set 2 of 2 (15 page)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

J
ake held Rachel against his chest while she slept. The paramedic on the Coast Guard cutter checked her out and said she would be fine. Hypothermia hadn't gotten a good grip on her yet. He kept the blankets covering her even when she stirred and pushed them off.

Chance poked his head into the room. “We're nearing the harbor. How's she doing?”

“Getting restless. That's got to be a good sign. Did any of them talk?”

“Not a word. But I think I can crack Captain Martin.”

Jake clenched his jaws together, pain radiating down his neck. He hadn't been able to keep her out of harm's way. That was his job: to protect.

“She's safe. Don't beat yourself up over this. As a police officer you know you can't always anticipate every scenario. I'll be back when we dock.”

With Rachel in his arms, at least safe now, he leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes.
Thank You, Lord. You protected her
.
I don
'
t know what I would have done if she had died
.

Her eyelashes fluttered.

“Rachel,” he whispered, stroking her face.

She nestled closer, cushioning her cheek against his shoulder. Her eyes opened and locked with his. “I'm so tired.”

He held her tighter, never wanting to let her go.

“I think every inch of me hurts. I feel like I was put in a dryer and it was turned on high.”

He grinned. “Are you telling me you are hot?”

“No, but I've been bounced around so much, bruises must be covering me.”

He combed his fingers through her still-wet hair. “But you're alive. That's the most important thing right now.”

“Did we catch the drug-smuggling ring?”

“Didn't I tell you that there is no
we
in this?”

She tried to sit up, but he didn't want to let her go. “I didn't go looking for trouble. I was sent to the Sundance on the pretext of my job. I think Mrs. Cohen is in on the drug ring.”

“And she is in custody. She pulled a gun on me. I was faster.”

“Is everyone in custody?” Worry coated each word.

He assisted her until they both sat on the bunk, their backs against the wall. He grasped her hand between them. “Don't know. It'll probably be a crazy few days when we get back. And until the whole smuggling ring is rounded up, you are not safe.”

* * *

Rachel stared out the window as the sun came up on Wednesday morning. In thirty-six hours so much had changed. The drug smugglers were being arrested. If all went well today, Jake and Lawrence would return to their house for the rest of the time that Jake would be here. The thought saddened her. She'd loved having Jake back in Port Aurora. If he hadn't been here, she'd probably be dead right now.

A shudder zipped down her body when she remembered the men who would have thrown her into the Bering Sea to disappear forever. She'd seen the concrete block and chain they were going to use to weigh her down so there was no chance she'd be found.

All yesterday Jake and Chance had been investigating into who else had been in the drug-smuggling ring. Lawrence and a police officer had been guarding her when Jake wasn't there. They've not had any time really alone, and there was something she wanted to find out.

She'd missed Jake being around but understood why he wanted to be involved in the criminals being rounded up. He wanted to make sure she was safe before he left. Then they needed to talk. She just wasn't sure what she should say. She loved him, but she didn't want to live in Anchorage. It was bad enough being a police officer in a small town, but in a city like Anchorage, would she ever see him? He had admitted his work was his life, and because of that, she couldn't take him away from it.

She saw Jake walking with Mitch across the yard after visiting his grandfather's house. They were both expected in town at the police station before she went to work later. Brad had insisted she take Wednesday off, too. Her employer would be recovering at home himself for a few days. But she had the payroll to get out. The people who worked for the Port Aurora Fishery were depending on those checks, especially with it being right before Christmas.

Jake noticed her and waved. She smiled and watched him trudge through the new snow that fell the night before. It left a pristine white blanket over the terrain and reminded her how the Lord could change anything—the landscape, a bad situation into a good one, people's hearts.

As Jake stomped up the steps to the porch, Rachel made her way into the arctic entryway. He came into the house, shaking off the snow that clung to his clothes. Mitch did the same, then wanted her attention while Jake hung up his coat.

“I'm not sure why I'm even bothering. We need to leave for town soon. There's been a change in plan—they want you there for the meeting with the DEA. They also want you in the room when I interrogate Captain Martin. Do you think you can handle that?”

Rachel swallowed hard and nodded. She'd do anything that would help put this case to rest.

“Where are Gramps and Linda?”

“In the kitchen playing dominoes.”

“When did they start that?”

“About a year ago. Lawrence taught Aunt Linda how to play dominoes, and she showed him how to play chess. He has yet to win a game, though.”

Jake grinned. “So that's why he's been reading that book about chess. Are they going into town with us?”

“No. Lawrence wants to go cut down a tree for Christmas. She's going with him since he helped us with ours.”

“When he came for the holidays in Anchorage, by the second day I'd come home from work to find a tree standing in my living room, ready to decorate.”

“You wouldn't have it otherwise, I'm sure.”

“Nope. If Gramps hadn't been there, I would have worked extra to give some of the guys with families time off during Christmas. I've never taken longer than a week for a vacation, so these past few months have been hard on me.”

“And the last couple of weeks?”

“I have mixed feelings about that time. It was good to return to Port Aurora, and I can't say that I've been idle much. Of course, nearly dying isn't a great way to spend a holiday. But if I hadn't been here, I hate to think of what could have happened to you and Linda.”

Visions of the burning house paraded across Rachel's mind. “It all started because Aunt Betty asked for help. It's mind-boggling to think how one incident had such a rippling effect.”

Jake covered the small space between them and clasped her arms. “We're going to the police station, but when we leave, I'd like to put the drug-smuggling ring behind us at least for the last two weeks of my vacation. Randall and Chance have been interviewing the employees of the fishery while I covered every inch of it with Mitch. They think they have everyone. A couple of them are talking.”

“Yes, let's wrap this up so you can actually have a vacation, and I'll stop looking over my shoulder.”

“I like that.”

She relished his hands rubbing up and down her upper arms as though trying to warm her. “The new year is going to bring a lot of changes around town, but I want to wait until then to worry about what will happen to the fishery now that we know about the involvement with the Russian mafia.”

“I told you about my friends who own Outdoor Alaska. This afternoon we're going to talk about opening a store here and investing in the fishery. Brad approved the meeting.”

“I'm going to refill my coffee, then I'm ready to go.” Rachel walked into the kitchen as Lawrence pulled out the chessboard. “We're leaving. Do you need anything from town?”

He shook his head while her aunt said, “Lawrence says he needs more ornaments for his tree.”

“I'll have Jake pick some out at the general store.”

“I personally don't want him leaving your side until you are assured by Chief Quay everyone has been rounded up.” Lawrence set his pieces up. “And I'm going on record that I think we should stay until we know one hundred percent you two will be all right.”

“Know one hundred percent we're safe? That will never be, Lawrence. You know that. There comes a time we simply have to put our trust in the Lord.” Aunt Linda moved a pawn.

He harrumphed as he stared at the board.

Rachel hurried and filled her travel mug, then escaped before they started arguing. Lawrence knew how independent her aunt was, but it frustrated him because he'd been good friends with her aunt's husband. He once told Aunt Linda that it was his duty to watch out for them. He made a promise to her husband. But it was much more than that. Rachel was sure he loved her aunt, but she wouldn't marry again.

“Let's get out of here before the fighting starts over the game.” Rachel headed for the arctic entry. “My aunt threatened him the last time with bringing out her timer.”

“That's the way he is with dominoes. He carefully considers every move and its consequences.”

“Not really a bad trait.” Rachel donned her heavy coat, gloves and hat, then tossed the keys to Jake. “You drive. I'm going to enjoy this coffee.”

On the ride to town, Rachel brought up a subject she'd wondered about since he had returned. “Are you happy in Anchorage? With your job?”

“Why are you asking?”

“With Officer Bates arrested, there will be an opening at the Port Aurora Police Department. I know we don't have the same type of crime as in—”

“With the past couple of weeks, that has changed.”

“And it will continue to as more people come to live here. I don't know what will happen with the fishery, but the business was successful this past year. The drug money didn't go to pay people's salaries. It went to fatten a few criminals' pockets. The expansion was needed to compete with other ports and fisheries. Everything has been done except the additional processing center.” Rachel rubbed her sweaty palms on her jeans. “Chief Quay will be retiring in a few years. You could take over his job easily. I know he would recommend you to the city council.”

He slowed and glanced at her. “Why do you want me to stay?”

“Lawrence is lonely. He has missed you. I've missed you.”

Jake stopped in the middle of the road leading into town. “You have?”

“Well, of course. I think that's obvious the last couple of weeks. We've picked right up where we left off.”

“Not exactly. We're eight years older. A lot has happened in that time.”

Rachel thought about her life, and up until recently, it had been the same old thing. “Speak for yourself. You had a near-death experience a few months ago.”

“And you don't call getting trapped in a burning house a near-death experience? Or being hauled out to sea to be dumped?”

“Those things just happened. It hasn't shaped me yet. Your experiences have changed you, as well as your job. Again, I'm asking you, are you happy in Anchorage?” She held her breath, waiting for his answer. She wanted to tell him how she really felt, that she loved him, but didn't want to pressure him. He had to want to stay, or it wouldn't work.

“I have my job, my friends and I volunteer with Northern Frontier Search and Rescue, which has been fulfilling.” Jake resumed the drive to town.

“We have our share of search and rescues here, especially during tourist season. The big, bad world has intruded on Port Aurora. I want someone like you protecting this town.” That was the last she would say about it. He had to make up his own mind.

He pulled into a parking space in front of the police station. “I will think about it. I always wanted to make a difference in people's lives.”

“I'd say you've accomplished that in a short time here. You don't have to be in a big city to do that. I didn't like the feeling we couldn't go to the police.” She opened the door. “People trust you. I trust you.” She climbed from the Jeep and walked toward the police station, aware Jake was probably trying to understand why she brought up the subject.

Inside the building, people were crammed into the small space, which only had one interview room and the chief of police's office. Otherwise, it was open with a counter in front where the dispatch answered the phones and questions from anyone who walked in. The jail was at the back of the building. Officer Clark talked with a DEA agent while Chief Quay signaled for them to join him in his office with Chance and another man.

She peered back at Jake. “We've stirred up a hornet's nest.”

“I have a feeling the three cells are full. I see two DEA agents are here.”

“The only agency we're missing is the FBI.”

“They're coming, but Chance is taking the lead on this case for the state. The FBI and DEA agencies are working together to round up Peter Rodin and his employees in Seattle.” Jake reached around and pushed the swinging half door open.

When she entered the police chief's office, enough chairs for everyone filled the whole room. She squeezed over to the far one by the wall, figuring she wouldn't have much role in this meeting other than to answer a few questions. Jake sat in the one beside her and took her hand for a moment while his gaze captured hers. Through this whole ordeal, he'd been there for her. She couldn't have asked for more.

Chief Quay took his chair behind his desk and said, “I wanted to review what we've done so far and make sure all the loose ends are tied up. I don't want one of these people to get away because something wasn't done right. They came into my town and nearly destroyed it. We have never had a shootout in the middle of town, let alone murder, multiple assaults and kidnapping in such a short space of time. Jake, I understand you have worked with DEA agent Daniel Porter before.”

“Yes. I'm glad to see you here representing the DEA. The lady sitting beside me is Rachel Hart, the one responsible for uncovering this drug-smuggling ring.” Jake squeezed her hand, then leaned forward. “Who has been arrested?”