Deadly Chase (13 page)

Sierra stood along with him. “You are not responsible for what Kevin does.”

“My badge says otherwise.” The room suddenly felt confining. “I need some air.” He strode past her, out to the balcony. The sun had set and lights in Shenandoah Valley twinkled far below. The brisk air filled his lungs, but did nothing to calm his restless soul.

Sierra followed him. She stepped to the railing and stared out at the night sky. “This isn’t about your job. This is personal. I can’t begin to imagine what you’ve been through with what happened to your sister. But, you can’t blame yourself.”

“Believe me. I can.”

“Kevin took Amber’s life. He’s the one stalking me and threatening
our
lives.” She appeared to study the ground below. “I don’t know about you, but I don’t know how much longer I can handle all this. I dread not knowing what Kevin will do next.”

Chase steeled his nerves. He’d have time later to be angry with himself. Right now, Sierra needed comfort. Careful not to aggravate his injury, he moved behind her and gently wrapped his arms around her, shouldering her into a cocoon. She fit snug, and he tucked her head under his chin, breathing in her warm vanilla scent. “Hang in there for me. This will all be over soon.”

Sierra turned and leaned against his chest. Hot tears seeped through his shirt. Once again, guilt overflowed; she wouldn’t be in this situation if he’d done his job in the first place.

He wanted nothing more than to reassure her. “Good things come from bad situations, God sees to that.” Surprised at his own faith-filled encouragement, he wondered if he’d lost as much trust in God as he’d first thought. Maybe he’d just needed someone like Sierra to come along and reawaken his dormant beliefs.

Sierra sniffed and looked up. The hotel room’s lighting spilled out the open door, highlighting her features. Not only were the rims of her eyes red and swollen, but every blood vessel within streaked red. “I know He does have a plan, but it’s hard to imagine something good in all this.”

Chase smoothed away a tear. “Well, we had the chance to meet, right? I think that’s a blessing in itself.” There it was again—another reference to God pouring out of him.

“You know, for someone who doesn’t pray anymore, you seem to have a lot of faith.”

“I did pray again, for the first time in months. In the hospital.” Part of him felt guilty for waiting until desperation set in to ask God for help, while another part was glad he’d finally taken a step back toward Him.

“You must’ve been pretty scared waking up not knowing what had happened to you, or how bad you’d been injured.”

“No. I was scared not knowing what had happened to
you.”
Chase closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers.

He hadn’t known the degree to which he craved her touch until Sierra smoothed a hand over his jaw and down along his neck. He savored the sensations, knowing this moment couldn’t last. He had a job to do. He had a criminal to catch. It didn’t matter that his attraction to Sierra was growing, turning into something deeper. It didn’t matter that he’d begun to imagine a future with her—if he didn’t keep her safe, there would be no future.

He reluctantly opened his eyes and took a step back. “We need to get some rest. The sooner we can get back to Washington, the better.”

The warmth in Sierra’s eyes went out like he’d thrown ice water on smoldering embers. He hadn’t meant to bring back her fear. “It’s going to be OK—”

A rustling sound came from the trees. Instantly alert, Chase tensed and peered over the railing. Darkness swallowed the surroundings, revealing only vague impressions of trees and foliage.

A twig snapped. Leaves crunched. Insects quieted.

“Let’s get inside, Sierra. We have a visitor.”

18

Sierra despised cowering inside like a vulnerable child while Chase scouted the area, chasing away her ghosts. What if Kevin was out there? Chase was injured and unarmed. He’d be an easy target.

Decision made, she dug out the pepper spray she’d bought when she’d arrived in Shenandoah Valley. She’d used this type of self-defense weapon once, she could do it again. Ignoring the night air’s cold chill, Sierra made her way down the stairs and around the building. She kept close to the wall, blending into the shadows, and willing her eyes to adjust. She’d never been afraid of the dark before Kevin’s attack, but now she had to fight panic. Something was out there lurking, and not being able to see beyond a few feet terrified her. Only the thoughts of Chase being a possible target kept her moving.

She crept around the building until she was directly beneath their balcony. The area was eerily quiet, making the crackling branches seem exceptionally loud. She didn’t see Chase anywhere. When a noise sounded to her left, her finger twitched on the pepper spray’s trigger.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Chase moved in on her, appearing out of the inky darkness like an apparition. But, there was nothing phantom-like in his grip as he disarmed her. “I asked you to stay inside.”

Sierra didn’t like the way he’d so easily taken her only means of defense. “You didn’t ask. You told,” she snapped.

“Either way, the end result should’ve been the same.” He moved closer, crowding her against the building’s cold, unyielding wall.

A branch cracked, again. “What’s out there?” She strained to look, but couldn’t see past his wide shoulders.

“It’s only a couple of deer.”

“Are you sure there’s nothing else?” She shivered at what might be nearby, just beyond sight.

“Nothing of the two-legged variety.” His gaze held steady on her.

“Good.” Although relieved, she kept up her guard. “Can I have my pepper spray back?”

“Not if you’re going to use it on me.”

“You came out of nowhere,” she defended.

“Yes, I did. And, I could’ve been Eason.” Chase braced his arms on either side of her. “Mind telling me why you didn’t stay inside?”

She’d left the room without a jacket, and her arms felt the chill, but it was Chase’s icy stare causing her to shiver. She fought the urge to duck out of his reach. “I wanted to…protect you.” Looking at him now, with his tall, well-built physique towering over her, the gesture seemed unwarranted.

“You’re the one needing protection”—he looked around—”and I can’t do that very well out here.” He stepped back, took her hand in his and kept her close as he led the way back.

Sierra had a feeling Chase wasn’t finished scolding her. She didn’t have to wait long before he confirmed her suspicions.

“What were you thinking coming out here?” He took the steps two at a time, dragging her behind him.

“I told you. I was thinking about you.”

He made an indiscernible noise, used his motel key to enter their room, and tugged her inside. After securing the door, he faced her. “You’re not trained to handle this. I am.”

“I know Kevin. I know how he thinks. I can help.”

“Not if you’re dead.”

Sierra swallowed. The inflection in his tone indicated he knew exactly what could happen. “I guess you’ve seen some horrible things as a homicide detective, haven’t you?”

He nodded. “Things you couldn’t even imagine.”

“That doesn’t mean they’ll happen to me.”

“You’re right. Because next time you will listen and do as I say.” Authority rang through his voice as he closed the distance between them. “Got it?”

Chase wasn’t playing around. Sierra’s mouth dried, and her breathing hitched. She had no doubt he would protect her using any means necessary. A part of her warmed at the prospect, but another part rebelled. “Kevin used to order me around. He’d get angry when I made my own decisions.”

“Is that what you think I’m doing? Ordering you around?”

“Well, isn’t it?”

“If you can’t tell the difference between controlled manipulation and what I’m trying to do…” His voice trailed off and he shook his head.

Heart thundering, Sierra’s pride warred with her common sense. Moments passed before she dared to speak. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think you’re at all like Kevin.”

Sierra’s attempt at diffusing Chase didn’t work. His features remained stoic, and his gaze locked onto hers as if he would not relent until she admitted her actions had been foolish. She nipped her lower lip. Although it stung to apologize, she understood his concern. “I’m sorry.”

“Does that mean you’ll obey me next time?”

“Obey?” Just the sound of the word made her want to balk. “How about I promise to take your opinion into consideration?”

He lifted his brows so high they blended into his forehead. “How about you take into consideration my decade of experience in law enforcement, and do what I ask without hesitation?”

Sierra tilted her head and swallowed. “Those are some hefty demands.”

Chase slowly exhaled. After a moment, the exasperation in his features melted away as if he’d thought of an ideal solution. “I could always use my handcuffs.”

Her blood drained to her toes. Although she’d yet to see them, it made sense he would have a set stashed away somewhere. “You wouldn’t dare.”

He widened his stance, making him look like a warrior ready for battle. “Try me.”

The mere idea of being restrained raised goose bumps. She shivered as she remembered the last time she’d been held against her will. Kevin had been so strong, and so angry. She wrapped her arms around her middle and took a step back as if she could distance herself from the awful memories. “I’m not the enemy.”

Chase’s hard expression faltered. “I never said you were.”

“Then why the threats?” Sierra craned her neck to look up—she didn’t want to lose sight of his mesmerizing emerald eyes as he stepped close.

“Because”—he curled his fingers around her chin, traced her lips with his thumb and whispered—”I want you...safe.”

She would’ve sucked in a breath if she could’ve coaxed air into her lungs. But his heartfelt words paralyzed her. She’d known he’d begun to care about her. He’d even kissed her. But his statement held raw emotion and made her knees tremble. “What’s happening here? Between us?”

“I think we both know the answer to that.”

She did know, but where could a relationship with Chase lead while Kevin threatened their every move? Fears that she’d never have a chance at a normal life again sent uncertainty washing through her. “But how—”

A booming knock sounded. Sierra jumped and Chase stiffened. He positioned himself between her and the front door. His hand reached for his side, as if his gun was there. He let out a whispered curse, his body rigid with sudden tension.

“It’s Sheriff Nelson.” A voice called from outside. “Open up.”

“Stay here.” Chase moved to look through the peephole. He looked back at Sierra. “It’s OK. It is him.”

Relieved, Sierra struggled to gain her composure. Her conversation with Chase was enough to rattle her, and the abrupt knock had sent her heart racing.

Chase opened the door and stepped aside, nodding. “Sheriff.”

The man shuffled in, and a gust of cold air followed. His features looked drawn and weary, as if the long day had taken its toll. “Detective,” he replied and then addressed Sierra. “Ma’am.”

Chase allowed the sheriff plenty of personal space, but blocked the way into the main room as if preserving a semblance of privacy. “What brings you here?”

“We’re finished with this.” Sheriff Nelson handed over Chase’s Glock. “I thought you’d want it back.”

Chase took the weapon, and then checked the ammunition and the safety before tucking it into his waistband. He looked more at ease with his firearm, as if it had become a necessary appendage.

“There’s something else.” The sheriff cleared his throat and smoothed his moustache. “We have reason to believe Eason’s on his way back to Seattle.”

“What makes you think that?” Chase crossed his arms.

“We found the stolen motorcycle abandoned near a small, local airport.”

“An airport?” Sierra gasped. “But there’s a warrant out for him. How could he get on a plane without being arrested?”

Chase looked at her. “The operators are required to check the Transportation Security Administration’s no fly list, but with only a warrant out for Eason, he wouldn’t be in that database, which is used to prevent terrorists from boarding flights. It is possible Eason could’ve chartered a jet to the west coast.” He focused on the sheriff. “Can you trace him?”

“We’re looking into it. He didn’t use a credit card so it won’t be easy. Several planes took off within the time frame Eason could’ve been there, and no one matching his description boarded.”

“He could’ve changed his appearance.” Sierra voiced her thoughts. “And used a fake ID.”

“Which makes it difficult to pinpoint which plane he’s on,” Chase added.

“If he’s even on a plane. He might be trying to fool us into believing he’s gone.” Uncertainty settled on Sierra’s shoulders, another weight added to her already heavy burden.

“It’s possible. But, not likely.” Sheriff Nelson took one more step into the room, and held out a set of papers toward Chase. “I’ve taken the liberty to book a red-eye flight for you and Ms. Malone from Shenandoah Regional Airport to Seattle.”

“Why Seattle? What makes you think he’s headed there?” Chase shifted, but kept his gaze trained on the sheriff.

Sheriff Nelson hesitated, suddenly looking as if his years fighting crime had dug him into some deep, dark recess. He slipped out an envelope and held it toward Chase. “This note had your name on it. It was left attached to the motorcycle.”

Chase took the envelope, but when he felt its contents, he stilled and made no move to look inside. His face paled, and his lips formed a razor-edged line as if something ignited his fury.

The sheriff cleared his throat. “As far as I’m concerned, this whole mess can go back to Washington with you. I’ll write up a report and fax it to the SPD.” He nodded, tipped his hat. “If you two head our way again, I hope it’ll be under better circumstances.” He exited and shut the door behind him.

Sierra’s mind barely registered the sheriff’s departure. She’d recognized Kevin’s handwriting on the envelope and a sense of foreboding washed over her. “What is it?”