Chapter 19

The woman who'd caused Jack's father's obsession sat on a chair in the middle of the cabin's detached garage with a clear plastic tarp spread under her. Jack paced the length of the room. He'd used the old picture his father had had of the girl to search for the one that'd gotten away. For years he'd scoped out the mall and other known hangouts without any luck, until he'd finally picked up where his old man had left off. What choice had he had? He had to protect Sanford from those women.

He checked his watch. Three hours. The dumb broad was still out cold. He ran a hand through his hair and continued pacing. He'd planned to take care of business, clean up his mess, and get out so Sanford wasn't the wiser. With the cops and Dr. Harris in the mix, he'd avoided his normal workroom in case they found out his name.

After two more laps, he stomped to the chair. He slapped her face. "Wakey wakey."

Nothing. He did it again, a little harder this time.

She stirred, but her head drooped.

He squeezed her chin and lifted. "Wake up!"

Her lids fluttered and popped open. She whimpered and tried to pull away.

"That's right. It's me."

She squirmed under his hold. "What do you want?" Her words slurred from the effects of the chloroform that remained in her system.

"For you to die." Her wide eyes made him smile. "Dad never got over losing you. The one blemish on his mission."

"What mission?" she mumbled.

"Mom cheated on him. When he confronted her, she lied. The next day, she was gone. Dad always did have a mean streak in him, but Mom deserved what she got."

"But why me? Why any of us?"

Jack laughed. "You? Right place, right time. Plus, you look like her. The rest?" He shrugged. "Who knows where he found them? He took that secret to his grave. It doesn't matter. He rid the world of liars." He threw her chin to the side, whipping her head. His tools sat on a small table a few feet away. "I didn't have time to grab everything, but I have enough. Besides, dear ol' Dad already marked you."

He felt her eyes on him, watching every move he made. Good. He wanted her to know what he had in store for her.

"I don't understand."

Jack picked up the knife and studied the blade. "All my father ever wanted was the truth from my mother."

"That's why he tattooed the Chinese symbol for truth?" Her glazed eyes stared at him.

"Yes. Unfortunately, I don't have those skills, so I use a hot iron. It's fascinating how the skin sizzles and puckers against the heat. Too bad I can't show you. But my skills with the knife will do." He flicked the blade with his thumbnail.

She scrambled to push away from him, but he had her zip-tied to the chair with no way to escape. He chuckled. They always tried to get away.

His watch beeped. Someone had breached the perimeter. He tapped the tiny screen and checked the video from the cameras he'd strategically placed at the entrance of the driveway.

How had the cops found him?

Jack tossed the knife down, grabbed the gun from the small table, and threaded the suppressor onto the barrel of his weapon. They might be in the middle of nowhere, but he refused to take the chance of someone hearing a gunshot. "So much for all the fun I had intended for you." He shrugged. "But plans change." He lifted the weapon.

The woman bolted toward him, chair and all, tackling him to the ground.

He hit the ground, wheezing out a breath, and squeezed the trigger. He shook off the ringing in his ears and shoved her off him. Pushing up on all fours, he glanced at her still form.

Blood pooled on the floor next to her body. Good riddance.

It's done, Dad. I got the one that got away for you.

He took off out the back door, into the woods behind the cabin.

* * *

Jonah stared at the cabin with a detached garage. He itched to get inside. Who knew what horrible things Noelle could be experiencing while he and Matt waited on Decia? He leaned against the car at the entrance to the property, then pushed off and paced, unable to contain the jolt of energy shooting through him.

"You're making me edgy." Matt checked his weapon and holstered it.

In the distance, birds screeched and scattered.

Jonah's gut screamed at him that something was wrong. "We have to get in there."

"We will. Once we have backup." Matt flipped his wrist and glanced at his watch. "Decia will be here in a couple of minutes."

He ran his fingers through his hair. What if Noelle didn't have that much time?

"There she is."

Detective Slaton pulled her vehicle up next to Matt's and stepped from the car. "Ready?"

"Yes." Jonah answered for Matt. No way he'd let his friend delay finding Noelle any longer.

"You heard the man." Matt shook his head. "One thing before we go. Doc, you have to stay behind us. No rushing in before we get a read on the situation."

"Fine. Just move." His attitude toward his friends had turned snippy, but his patience had worn thin.

Matt and Decia took off toward the cabin.

Jonah sprinted after them. His thoughts ran wild at what he'd find when they made it inside.

Movement came from behind the garage. The trio veered away from the cabin, toward the other building.

The detectives stood to the side of the door and counted down. They breeched the side door in a synchronized fashion and ducked into the garage.

He plastered his back against the exterior. Come on. Hurry up.

"Doc, get in here!"

Jonah bolted through the door and came to a dead stop.

Noelle, still tied to a chair, lay on a plastic tarp that covered the ground, a growing puddle of blood underneath her.

Not again. He swallowed hard. Sweat popped out on his upper lip. The coppery smell coated his tongue.

"Doc!"

He blinked, shaking off the past. He wouldn't let his insecurities stand in the way of helping Noelle. "I'm on it."

"I'm going after Austin!" Decia hurried through the open door on the back side of the garage.

"Take care of her." Matt pointed to Noelle. "I'll cover Decia. An ambulance is on the way."

When had they called for medics? "Go." Jonah spotted the knife on the floor. He retrieved it and sliced the rope around Noelle's torso, then cut the zip ties on her wrists. He chucked the chair aside and rolled her onto her back.

"Hang on, honey. Don't leave me." He lifted the hem of her shirt and gasped. A bullet had entered her abdomen. He slipped his hand under her, felt for an exit wound, and found one. Two holes. And blood everywhere. At that moment, Jonah knew his own abilities would fall short. He'd watched Noelle fight through her past trauma with God by her side. He wanted that in his life again. That overwhelming soul-deep peace.

God, I never wanted to be in this position again. I need Your help.

He trusted God with Noelle. But unlike last time, he'd do his best work and accept the outcome. Oh, he might not like it and would give God an earful, but he wouldn't turn away from Him, no matter what happened.

The realization settled deep inside him, giving him the calmness he needed to do his job. Jonah jerked his undershirt and shirt over his head. He bunched the undershirt, lined it up with the exit hole, and rolled her onto the cloth. With his shirt against the entrance wound, he pressed down, stemming the blood flow.

She arched and cried out.

"Sorry, honey. But I refuse to let you die on my watch." He hoped—and prayed—his determination helped.

Her eyes fluttered open, then closed.

"Come on, sweetheart. Let me see those beautiful blue eyes." Jonah's hands cramped at the constant pressure, but he ignored the discomfort. It was nothing compared to the pain Noelle was experiencing at the moment.

Where was that ambulance?

Matt strode in, his breathing labored. "Decia got him. Tackled and cuffed him. It was a thing of beauty."

"Is everyone okay?" Jonah asked without taking his eyes off Noelle.

"We are now that Austin Nelson is in custody." Matt crouched next to him. "The ambulance is three minutes out. How's she doing?"

Jonah shook his head. The chances of Noelle making it to the hospital were slim.