Amish Country Ambush (Amish Country Justice Book 4) Page 6

  She really didn’t want to say what she needed to say. Well, Elise wasn’t a coward. She straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath to brace herself.

  “Hey, guys?” She grimaced as both officers immediately turned to face her. Better just get it over with. “I’m afraid that I’ve already contaminated the scene.” She dropped her eyes, not wanting to see their disbelief. “I know, I know. I’ve been working as a dispatcher and alongside the police long enough that I know better. But when I saw the mess, I kind of freaked out. That’s my only excuse. All I could think of was that somebody was in Mikey’s room. Violating my house and destroying my nephew’s things. Sorry.”

  Elise blinked. Her eyes blurred anyway. She’d really messed up. What if she had damaged a clue that could have led to finding Mikey? How would she live with herself? She rubbed her chest as if she could soothe the pain away.

  A hand on her shoulder startled her. Flinching slightly, she looked up to meet Ryan’s concerned brown eyes. She saw no condemnation, only compassion. The urge to move forward just an inch or two so she could lay her head on his shoulder nearly overwhelmed her. She was so sick of having to always be strong. Instead, she gave him a weak smile and backed up a step.

  His arm dropped back down.

  Had she hurt his feelings? His expression gave nothing away. She was most likely overreacting. Again. Seemed she was doing that a lot lately.

  “Elise, you’re human. We’ve all messed up crime scenes before. Sometimes you just can’t help it. It happens.”

  Yes. It happened. She wasn’t naive. She knew that there were always circumstances out of one’s control.

  It was hard to be nonchalant, though, when the lives of innocent people were at risk.

  Jackson was muttering to himself, shaking his head.

  “What are you thinking, Jackson?” Ryan turned away from her, his gaze shifting as it moved over the destruction again. Even if she’d never met him, she would have known he was cop. It was in the way he held himself and in the way his gaze never stopped moving, constantly on the lookout for danger.

  “This doesn’t make sense, Parker. The timeline is weird.”

  Ryan tilted his head, furrows digging into his brow. Slowly he nodded. “I see what you mean. It does seem odd. And the motivation is off, too.”

  Frustration bit at Elise. “What’s off? What are you talking about?” It seemed to her that anytime someone targeted a child something was wrong. But wrong or not, it still happened. So what made this case different?

  “You were attacked at the hospital, right? So someone wants you dead.”

  “Yes. Hudson. I told you, he blames me for his problems.” Her shoes made staccato sounds as she tapped her feet.

  “And probably because you can identify him,” Jackson offered.

  What were they getting at? She already knew that Hudson had it in for her. He’d said as much before he tried to strangle her. Sending someone after her in the hospital had been added confirmation that he wanted her dead. As if she needed any more proof.

  “Elise.” This time she didn’t step away from Ryan as he put a hand on her arm. “The man who attacked you at the hospital wouldn’t have had enough time to come here and cause this much destruction. And I know for a fact that the crew who took over for Jackson and me were here for several hours after we left. They were told to photograph and search every nook and cranny of your house.”

  She shook her head, confused.

  “I would add that the destruction we see here seems at odds with the manner of the previous search,” Jackson threw in.

  Lord, what’s happening here? I’m lost.

  The hand on her arm tightened, the thumb rubbing in comforting circles. She wasn’t alone. God was with her. And He had sent her protection in the form of these two officers.

  She tried to speak. Had to clear her throat to loosen it. “What are you telling me?”

  It was probably going to be bad news and she didn’t want to know, she really didn’t. Unfortunately, she needed all the information possible if she was going to survive long enough to see Mikey and Leah safely returned.

  “What we’re saying is that it looks like Hudson isn’t the only one after you.”

  Her world fell apart completely. Stumbling back, she bumped into the wall. It was good it was there. Otherwise, she just might have wilted into a dejected puddle of grief in the middle of the hall.

  Strong arms reached out and gave a gentle tug. Elise didn’t resist as she was drawn forward. She was so tired of being strong. All the sorrow of the past three years, as well as the fear from the current situation, welled up and wouldn’t be held back. Giving in, she buried her face in Ryan’s shoulder and gave in, allowing the tears to flow from her very soul in a cathartic rush.

  * * *

  He’d never had a woman cry in his arms before. It wasn’t a comfortable feeling. In fact, it was awful. Every sob caught at his heart, making him feel helpless.

  This had to be a new record. The same house being attacked twice in under twenty-four hours. If he had any doubt about whether or not he needed to move Elise to a new location, it was erased now. There was no way anyone could stay here under these circumstances.

  Unfortunately, he had the feeling she wasn’t going to be cooperative.

  And he was right.

  The second he started talking about her packing a bag and getting ready to go to somewhere else, for even just a few days, she crossed her arms and glared at him so fiercely he would not have been surprised had she decided to take a swing at him.

  He didn’t blame her. Not really. She wanted the comfort of her own home after her whole life had been turned upside down. And from what she’d told him earlier, it wasn’t for the first time.

  But while he didn’t want to be callous, he had a job to do. And his job would be made a whole lot easier if he could count on her being safe. That wasn’t going to happen here. Not when Hudson Langor, or whoever else was involved, was so confident that he or they would break into her house twice. And if they’d do that, the odds were strong that they were to blame for the attack at the hospital.

  It was hard to believe that even one person, let alone two, had a grudge against the stunning woman standing so close. Again, he thought about the attack in the hospital.

  His stomach churned, but he didn’t feel sick. No, instead, hot fury shot through his system. If she hadn’t pulled the IV loose, the nurses wouldn’t have known to go to her room. It was very likely that the lovely, angry woman in front of him would now be dead.

  “How can I leave?” she demanded now. Under the hard, strident tone, he caught the subtle layer of anguish. That was a feeling he had too much personal experience with. He opened his mouth to respond, but she continued. “What if Leah comes back to look for me? Someone has to be here just in case she tries to contact me.”

  “Look, Elise, I get what you’re saying. I really do. But the simple fact is people are out to get you. People who have already attacked you personally not once, but twice, in under a day. I don’t think we can take any more chances. This house is not safe for you. I promise I will keep trying to find Mikey and Leah. We all will. They are a priority. But keeping you alive is also a priority.”

  She stepped closer to him and gripped his arms with her hands as she searched his face. He held still. Something in his face must have convinced her, for she sighed and nodded. The slumped set of her shoulders nearly tore him apart. It hurt to see her defeated. She’d been so strong up to now.

  “Hey.” He tapped her shoulder, willing her to look up. “Just because we’re leaving doesn’t mean we’re giving up.”

  “I know.” Her voice was just shy of a whisper. “But it feels so final. Still, I know that you’re right.”

  If only there was some way to make her feel better. The only course of action available to him was to stop those w
ho wanted to harm her, and to locate Mikey and Leah. He would do everything in his power to see that it happened. Even if it cost him.

  A cruiser arrived with more officers to process the scene. Within an hour, they had finished with the crime scene. They uploaded the information from their body cameras and sent the files to the precinct. Ryan stepped into the kitchen to update the chief.

  “What are your plans, Parker?” the chief asked.

  Ryan swiveled to look out the window. His whole system was on high alert. Every movement he saw outside was a potential threat.

  “Sir, Elise is definitely not safe here. We have no idea what we’re dealing with. Jackson thinks there are multiple threats, and I agree. Elise has no idea who else, besides her brother-in-law, would be after her. I plan to set her up in the motel in town. I would like to request that she be kept under surveillance.”

  “That is a reasonable plan, Sergeant. Proceed and keep me up-to-date on the case.”

  “Yes, sir.” Ryan disconnected the call and then went to find Elise and move out. He wouldn’t rest easy until she was somewhere more secure.

  As soon as her purple duffel bag was stowed in his trunk, they departed. Jackson gave a jaunty wave to him as he headed back to the station in his own cruiser. Unlike the day before, it was a warm sunny morning, the sky such a brilliant blue that Ryan was forced to don his sunglasses in order to see well enough to drive.

  The drive started out silent. Ryan attempted to break the silence with small talk, but he was a hopeless failure at it. Besides, he really wasn’t in the mood to talk, and Elise didn’t seem to be, either. He liked to have quiet to sort out his thoughts and to process all that had happened. And he always did his best thinking in the car. Something about the majestic Pennsylvania landscapes helped him focus on whatever problem he was trying to work out. Which meant that he had trouble giving his attention to conversation.

  Thankfully, Elise didn’t seem to mind. She sat beside him, staring out the passenger-side window, her profile pensive. Every few minutes, she’d hum a melody, a poignant sound that didn’t interfere with the reflective mood. Her voice was pleasant. Not fabulous, but restful. A voice meant for lullabies.

  And again his thoughts were on Mikey. He said a brief prayer in his mind for the boy’s safe return.

  The silence was broken by a loud gurgling sound. Startled, Ryan jerked his head in Elise’s direction. Her face was flushed. One hand was pressed tight against her flat stomach. It didn’t stop the second gurgle, louder than the first, from rumbling into the quiet. Ryan fought the grin that pulled at the corners of his mouth and lost. At least he managed to hold in the laugh that wanted to escape.

  “I take it you didn’t eat breakfast yet?”

  Elise buried her face in her hands. Then she laughed. “It’s pretty hard to deny it, with my stomach growling like that. How embarrassing.”

  He shrugged. “Nah. It happens.”

  Making a split-second decision, he pulled into a fast-food restaurant.

  “What can I get you?”

  Just for a moment, he thought she’d argue. Then she sighed and nodded. “I’m a vegetarian, so if I could get an egg-and-cheese muffin with no meat, that would be perfect.”

  He lifted an eyebrow in her direction. “I’m a carnivore. Does it bother you if I eat meat?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Of course not. I just don’t like it for myself.”

  He could live with that.

  Fifteen minutes later, hunger satisfied, they pulled up to the motel where she’d be staying. The U-shaped motel was all one level, the doors opening into the parking lot. Not much of a deterrent to would-be killers, he reflected uneasily, although, the parking lot had security lights and cameras. And there would be a police officer stationed outside her room at all times.

  “What about your job?” he asked. “Are you supposed to go in today?” Why hadn’t he thought about that earlier?

  Elise bit her lip. He had to look away for a moment. She was way too pretty for his peace of mind.

  “I’m off today, but I’m scheduled for tomorrow. Should I call them?”

  He debated with himself for a moment. If she went to work, it might help her to not dwell on the situation. And she should be safe enough there. “I think it would be okay for you to go back to work. But you need to be willing to call in at a moment’s notice if something happens.”

  A grimace flashed across her face briefly. “I understand.”

  Well, there wasn’t really more to be accomplished in the car. “Let’s get you checked in.”

  He led the way to the office. The manager of the small motel was very cooperative. Although he didn’t like the idea of a cruiser in his parking lot 24/7, he understood the need for it and agreed. Ryan signed Elise in under the name Emily Johnson.

  “If anyone other than the police asks about a guest who resembles Ms. Johnson, you need to call me right away. And don’t give away any information. Are we clear?”

  By now, the man’s eyes were starting to bug out of his head and his skin had gone a bit pale. No doubt he was wondering what kind of danger he’d brought upon himself. Nevertheless, he agreed to Ryan’s terms. Ryan helped Elise get situated in her room. Then he hung out with her until his replacement arrived.

  When he saw Lieutenant Willis pull in, he sighed, some of his tension leaving. Dan Willis was a rock-steady cop, one who took his job—and the protection of civilians—very seriously.

  “My replacement is here. I will be back tomorrow. And in the meantime, I will let you know if I find out anything.”

  The woman before him looked suddenly lost. It made his chest ache. And that’s when it hit him. He didn’t want to leave her. He had a million things to do: calls to make, people to interview, reports to complete. None of that changed the fact that all he wanted to do was stay and protect her.

  He had to be nuts. No way was he in any position to get so invested in her personally. Not only did he still need to build up his career to finally prove his calling to his father, but he had to find Mikey and Leah. He knew that Elise was merely surviving until that happened.

  Still, he couldn’t leave her looking so forlorn. Walking to her, he gently took her upper arms in his hands.

  “Elise, I will keep looking. You know I will.”

  When she moved forward and wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his shoulder, he was startled. But he realized she needed comfort. This is not romantic, Parker.

  It sure felt that way.

  He hugged her briefly, then released her. Bidding her to lock the door behind her and keep the drapes closed, he left.

  Determination settled over him. She’d been attacked twice now. It was only a matter of time before another attack was attempted. Hopefully, whoever was looking for her wouldn’t find her, but he knew he couldn’t count on that. He needed to be ready. Because she depended on him, and he wouldn’t let her down. No matter who was coming to get her.

  SIX

  The next day was not starting out as he’d hoped it would.

  Ryan popped open a can of Pepsi and took a long swallow, hoping that the sugar and caffeine would give his tired body a boost. After a frustrating day with minimal progress, he’d tossed and turned last night, unable to shut off thoughts of Elise and her situation. Even when he’d drifted into a restless sleep, she’d been featured in his dreams, always running from some unknown enemy while he ran to catch up.

  It was horrific. And he was paying for his restless night now. A yawn caught him off guard. He shook his head, then drained the rest of the can before tossing it basketball-style into the recycling bin against the wall.

  “Two points.” Lieutenant Jace Tucker stopped at his desk. “Are you coming down with something? Lookin’ a little rough today, man.”

  Rubbing his hands down his face, Ryan muffled a snort. That was putting it mild
ly. “I’ll cope. Hoping for a caffeine rush.” He jerked his head in the direction of the recycling bin.

  “Yeah, I can see that. You know, coffee would be a better stimulant.”

  Ryan shuddered in response. “Dreadful stuff.”

  Jace chuckled. “It is the way you make it.”

  “Then it’s a good thing I don’t have to taste it, isn’t it?” It was the department joke that Ryan’s coffee was comparable to motor oil. He didn’t usually make it, but he knew that some of the other officers, most notably Chief Kennedy, enjoyed the foul drink. So if he was the only one available, he made it on occasion. But he refused to drink it.

  “Any good news on the St. Clair case yet?” Jace unwrapped a stick of cinnamon-flavored gum, then offered the pack to Ryan.

  “No, thanks.” Ryan turned down the gum, then focused on the question at hand. “No real progress yet. No one has seen the girl or the child, and the picture of Langor hasn’t had any hits, either.” His voice had an edge. No doubt Jace had caught it.

  “What about the Amish girl’s family?”

  Ryan was already shaking his head. “Sergeant Thompson visited them yesterday. They haven’t seen Leah since she disappeared two days ago. I plan on stopping by today to check back.”

  Two hours later, he was standing at the door of the home of Leah’s cousin Ivan Byler. Ivan was pleasant, but it wasn’t hard to see that he was feeling uncomfortable. And that he wasn’t pleased to have an officer at his house. Again. Ryan had the feeling that if it wasn’t for the fact that his cousin was in danger, he would have politely asked the police to leave him be.

  “Leah ain’t been here since she left, like I said.”

  “I’m sorry to keep bothering you, Mr. Byler. We’re just trying to find everyone and get them home safe and sound.”

  “Jah, I understand. I want Leah home. She’s a gut girl and helps my wife. Our fathers were brothers, before hers was killed last year in an accident.”

  Ryan filed that bit of information away, just in case it became important later on.

  The Amish man hesitated. Something was on his mind. Ryan didn’t push, but it was hard. Finally, Ivan nodded to himself. “Another Englischer was here. Yesterday, while my family was eating, asking about Leah, too.”