Till Justice Is Served (20 page)

Rafe grabbed his socks and shoes, then followed her to the living room. A glance at his watch sent a chill of concern up his back. In reality, Linc should have interrupted their lovemaking. That she had to leave a message sent off mental alarms.

"I'll head over. He might've forgotten something and ran next door to his house. I wouldn't have moved the car either."

"I'm coming with you," she said with conviction.

The set of her jaw made him think she used that face on the teenagers at school. "Save that I'm-the-boss look for your students. No way was I leaving you here alone."

"Let me brush my hair." She darted out of the room before he could respond.

"Good idea," he said to no one. Taking her cue, he went to the guest bath, splashed cold water on his face, then ran his hands through his hair. He glanced in the mirror. "Close enough."

Erin was ready to go and waiting for him. He clipped on his holster and badge then opened the door. She braided her fingers through his, standing close as he locked up. He tucked her in his car and wasted no time getting in and starting the engine. Rafe would have liked to enjoy the warmth of her body for a while longer, but his personal satisfaction took a backseat for now.

Linc Hawkins might've been sidetracked, but why wasn't he answering his phone?

"Want me to try Linc again?"

"Now who's reading whose mind?" Rafe joked, trying to keep her from worrying. "Go ahead."

He pressed the gas pedal harder, picking up speed to blend in with the highway traffic. She left a second message. This time imploring Linc to call as soon as he could.

"Something's happened to him. You think maybe the word slipped out he's a federal agent?" Her hand gripped Rafe's arm, icy fingers tightening. "I'm just talking to hear my head rattle. You can't know the answer to that."

"I haven't heard that phrase in many years. Dad used to tell us boys that after he'd gotten tired of listening to us argue."

"Jeff says that, too. Figures they'd use the same slang." Erin turned her head toward the window and fell silent.

Rafe broke the speed limit a few times, but within twenty minutes, he drove into her neighborhood. Linc's car was parked in her driveway. Rafe called Colton and pulled him off surveillance. They wouldn't wait for him to arrive, but at least somebody knew where they were and what was happening.

"That's not a good sign, is it?" she said softly.

Rafe parked on the street and turned to face her. No way was he going to lie to her. "Hard to say. I don't want to take you with me, but I can't leave you alone in the car. I'll go in first but want your hand on my back at all times. Do not lose contact with me until I tell you it's okay. That way I won't wonder where you are."

She swallowed hard. "I understand."

"Did you bring the pistol Jeff gave you?"

"What? You know it's only legal if it's kept in the house."

One glance and he knew she'd lied. "I'll bet Dad took all of your money every time you played poker with the boys."

"Okay. Fine." She lifted a shoulder then reached for the leather satchel. "It's in my purse. If I get arrested it's your fault."

"I can bear the responsibility. Better a citation than a lifelong regret. And let me have your key to the front door."

She followed instructions. Then she removed the gun from her purse and jacked a shell into the chamber. Rafe was betting Jeff had taken her to the firing range more than once.

"Keep your pistol close."

"I will." She got out, holding the weapon nestled against her leg. "Linc should've heard the car doors close."

Rafe gritted his teeth. Erin was right, and he might be walking her straight into danger. She matched his stride, making it easy for him to maintain contact with her physically. They crossed the lawn, and Rafe quickly unlocked the door. He caught Erin and moved her behind himself before pushing inside. "Linc?" Rafe called out.

He'd hardly had time to say the name when he spotted the body on the floor. Erin cried out, but he caught her by the arm. "Not yet. Let me clear the house."

"Please, don't let him be dead." Her words were soft and low, as if she'd whispered in church.

"Call 911 and Beckett, but stick close to me for a minute." The quick glance Rafe had taken made him think it might be too late for Linc. Spatters of crimson were on the furniture, walls, and the briefcase that lay inches from his hand.

Rafe kept Erin close until he'd made sure they were alone with Linc. "We're clear," Rafe said. "Be careful where you step and don't touch anything."

Erin raced to the still form, stopping short of the pool of blood that spread across her carpet. Tears brimmed in her eyes. The color had drained from her face, but she leaned toward the body and pressed two fingers on his neck. She gasped. Hope flooded her face.

"He's alive. I feel a faint heartbeat."

"The scalp bleeds easily. Let's hope it looks worse than it is." Rafe had soft-pedaled his analysis of the situation for her benefit, and the steely glance she sent him said she wasn't buying. He liked that she expected the truth from people.

"Why would anyone attack him?"

"Lots of possibilities. Looks like rage to me." Rafe held out his hand, closing his fingers around her cool fingers as sirens screamed in the distance. "Let's get out of the way while I call Colton. Let the EMTs take over."

She slid her gun under her blouse and secured it behind her back. Rafe shoved his into his holster, snapping it in place, then led her to the porch. Police cars, a fire truck, and an unmarked roared in behind the ambulance. Wade Beckett emerged from the plain car and headed their way. He made quick introductions while the EMTs rushed inside the house.

"Tell me what happened." Wade removed a small notepad from his pocket. He lifted one shoulder. "I'm old school."

Rafe quickly explained Linc hadn't shown up as planned, so he and Erin had come to check on him. "He'd stopped here to pick up her briefcase."

"Think he could've walked in on a burglar?"

Rafe shook his head. "No. You won't either after you see Linc. He wasn't just knocked out. The side of his head is bashed in."

Wade stuffed his notepad into his pocket. "You two hang out while I check inside." He didn't wait for an agreement, just turned and walked away.

Rafe appreciated the detective's direct, pull-no-punches approach. The truth might be harsh, but it remained the safest way to avoid misunderstandings.

"Can we go to the hospital with Linc?"

"Sure. We'll stick with him for a while. But I have to come back and get inside his house as soon as possible. If he has any information on the drug investigation that he hasn't shared with me or Colton, I need to know what it is."

A gust of wind caught her hair, sending loose strands swirling around an interesting scowl. Her brows dipped, and a look of confusion clouded her eyes. "Now?"

"That might sound cold to you, but there's a killer out there who's not going to stop. Linc would be the first to understand. These cases need attention."

Voices from inside the house grew louder as the ambulance crew brought Linc out on a stretcher. Erin fell in step with one of the EMTs.

"Linc," she said as the gurney was lifted into the ambulance, "stay with us. You hear? Hang on."

Rafe stepped up and slid his arm around her waist. She leaned into him as he led her to the detective. The three of them waited in silence as the ambulance backed out and sped away. The crime scene unit arrived and entered the house.

"We can't go back inside." Wade broke the silence. "Erin, I need a brief statement from you."

Erin's gaze held a sadness that ripped at Rafe's soul. Pain radiated from her. He got it. Seemed everywhere she turned, people were dying. She nodded and glanced briefly at the fleeing ambulance.

"Take it easy with her," Rafe said, leaving no doubt of his sincerity in his tone. "There's nothing she can tell you except Linc was down when we got here."

"I believe you," Wade said. "You've already explained why you were here. But it's her house and I need to hear what she saw."

With the crime scene unit in possession of the house, Rafe and Erin followed the detective to his car. Erin entered first, scooting to the far side of the backseat.

Rafe slid inside and listened while Erin gave her version of why Linc had been in her house and what she'd witnessed upon entering. Her cell buzzed, causing her to jump.

"It's Jeff."

"We're done here." Beckett stuffed his notepad into his pocket while Erin got out of the car and took the call. His gaze scanned the outside of the house, eventually stopping on her. "Everything keeps coming back to Erin. None of this shit makes sense."

Rafe didn't figure the comment required a response, so he moved farther away and called his office. His boss would know who to notify in Linc's division. Colton had already called it in and Linc's family were on their way.

Colton's truck stopped across the street. Rafe waited at the curb for him, then identified Colton to the cop keeping onlookers at bay.

"How bad?"

"Hard to say." Rafe kept Erin in his line of sight as he shifted positions to speak with Colton. "Linc was caught off guard. He had no defensive wounds. Did you see any activity at Melanie's or Grace's houses?"

"No, but I'm going right back. It's my job to keep your ass safe. I just came by to do a visual on you."

"We're both okay. Erin's shaken up pretty bad." Rafe glanced at her.

As if she knew they were talking about her, she ended the call and made her way to them.

"Colton." She smiled, but Rafe could tell it was forced.

"Ma'am." Colton tipped his hat.

"Did you tell Jeff it was a good thing that he noticed Linc's car in your driveway?" Rafe asked her. He stuffed his hands in his pockets to keep from fixing the strand of hair that had worked its way to freedom.

"I did." She pushed the stray hair off her face. "Since I'm going back to work, Wade said I could pick up a few more clothes. Anything I take has to be cleared and documented. My house is a crime scene, so I can't move back if I wanted to."

"You're going back to work?" Rafe asked.

"Yes." Her smile broadened. "The head of the school board called right after I hung up talking to Jeff. I've been reinstated. I can go back to work tomorrow."

"That's great news." Rafe understood she'd be glad to get back to school.

"That takes care of the daytime," Colton said.

"What does that mean?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Means we'll know where you are during the daytime. I'm going to check in with the narcotics boys. They'll want to know about Linc," Colton added.

"Let's get your stuff together, and then we'll go check on Linc."

C
HAPTER 18

Hospitals had never been one of Erin's favorite places. She'd been in a couple of ERs back in her youth. Way back. Back in a time that she tried to keep blocked from her consciousness. But the smells and cool air washing over her sent a bolt of panic streaking through her.

Erin reached for Rafe when they neared the nurses' station at the emergency room. She found reassurance when his hand engulfed hers, folding her fingers inside his palm, holding her like a security blanket.

"You want to sit and let me ask about Linc?" Rafe's comforting tone gave her a smidgen of courage.

"No. Don't leave me alone. Okay?"

"I won't turn loose." His hand squeezed hers. "Not until you tell me to let go."

Two nurses lifted their heads to greet them. Both of them glanced at the badge on Rafe's belt. Erin figured he'd get more information than she would alone.

Rafe spoke first. "What can you tell us about Linc Hawkins?"

One nurse came out from behind the counter. "I was just in the trauma unit a minute ago. Mr. Hawkins is unconscious but stable. He'll have surgery as soon as his results come back from the lab."

"How bad is he?" Erin prayed Linc hadn't suffered a brain injury.

"The extent of Mr. Hawkins's injuries hasn't been determined, but I know his cheekbone is shattered."

"I was afraid his skull had been crushed," she said. Rafe's grip on her fingers tightened.

"You think that's not the case?" Rafe asked.

"I really can't say," the nurse responded. "One of the doctors will let you know as soon as possible. You're welcome to wait, but it could be awhile before one of them can talk."

"We'll be here." Erin couldn't imagine the pain Linc was going through or perhaps the long recovery he faced. Was he all alone? An FBI agent like Rafe, had he, too, shut out his family and friends?

  The nurse stepped closer. "We have one of the best reconstructive surgeons in Texas on our staff. He'll do everything possible to reduce scarring."

"Thank you. When can we see him?" Erin asked.

"I really can't say. It won't be tonight for sure."

Rafe guided Erin to the waiting room and to a back corner where they could wait. Finding a comfortable spot was impossible. She'd been in a few waiting rooms. In fact, she'd been in a few of those small ER rooms where they pull the curtain closed and tend to your wounds.

"Hey." He nudged her knee with his. "We both hate that Linc was attacked, but there's more going on with you. Walking in this hospital triggered something." Rafe's eyes were dark with concern. "You can tell me anything, you know. It won't change the way I feel about you."

Erin's breath caught. An ache started in her chest. He'd been undercover, had worked drug cases. Her past probably wouldn't shock him. He draped his arm around the back of her chair and gently massaged the rigid tendons in her neck.

"I'm surprised your dad never told you. I'm sure Jeff confided in him." She took a deep breath. "I made more than one trip to the ER when I was a kid. I used to bring my mother in to get patched up. That changed when I got old enough for my stepfather to turn his attention on me."

"The bastard beat both of you." Rafe's body stiffened with his statement.

"They both would get drunk. They'd quarrel, and he'd take his anger out on her. I tried to stop him once, and he broke my arm."