Chapter 5

When Raelyn's cell phone rang, she frowned at the number on the screen. Spam call? She was about to ignore it, but then changed her mind. Hesitantly, she answered, "Yeah?"

"This is Isaiah." His voice was tense but calm. "The same large Black man attacked me outside the gas station a few blocks from your house."

"How did he find you?" She glanced around the area she and Grayson had staked out. There had been no signs of activity, despite the lead they'd gotten about those kids from the church living in the neighborhood.

She was determined to find Pinky and the others. But especially Pinky. She was hoping to convince him to rat on the others.

"I don't know," Isaiah admitted. "But I don't dare go back to your house."

She caught Grayson's raised eyebrow at that comment but did her best to ignore it. "Okay, meet us back at the precinct. We'll come up with a plan B."

"Okay." There was a brief pause, then he added, "I'm sorry, Raelyn. I never wanted to put you or anyone else in danger."

"It's fine." She appreciated his concern, but she was a trained cop. "See you in ten to fifteen."

"What's that about?" Grayson demanded as he put the squad in gear and pulled out of their parking spot.

She swallowed a sigh. "The preacher was attacked again. Head back to the precinct. It's clear this guy being in danger is related to whatever transpired outside the church yesterday."

"He's at your place?" Grayson asked incredulously. "What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking he'd be safe there." She grimaced. "It doesn't make sense that anyone from his neighborhood could have found him in Greenland."

"Are you sure he's being honest with you?" Grayson made a sharp U-turn to head back to the precinct. "You better talk to Rhy and Joe about this."

"I will." She had already spoken to Rhy, who hadn't been thrilled with her plan of having Isaiah stay with her, although he hadn't issued an order saying she couldn't move forward with the plan. Yet even so, he would not be happy to hear about this latest attempt against Isaiah.

Rhy and Joe were protective of their team. Her teammates were the only family she had, and she would have done anything to protect them too.

Her being in danger put those who worked with her at a higher risk. The situation made her angry, yet there wasn't anything she could do about it.

"I'm not waking Rhy up now," she said, belatedly realizing Grayson was looking at her expectantly. "He's likely sleeping, and I wouldn't want to risk waking Devon and Colleen." Rhy's daughter, Colleen, was only six months old. From Raelyn's experience in the foster homes she'd stayed in, she knew that once you woke a baby, there was no sleeping the rest of the night.

"Tomorrow, first thing," Grayson said in agreement. "What's your plan for tonight?"

"We'll need to stay under the radar for a bit." She knew there were plenty of motels who would take cash from police officers with no questions asked. "I'd try the American Lodge, but I would hate for Gary to suffer more damage."

"We've taken care of his broken windows, so he doesn't hold it against us." Grayson shrugged. "And since Gary knows us, that's your best option."

"I guess." She didn't relish the idea of using connecting rooms in the American Lodge, partially because she didn't have a lot of cash on her. Her ranch house was small, but it had taken a big chunk of her savings, and she pretty much lived paycheck to paycheck these days.

The other reason she'd intended avoid the American Lodge was because it seemed like danger followed them there on a regular basis.

"Do you need money?" Grayson asked, reading her thoughts a little too well.

"I'm fine." She refused to take cash from her teammates. She'd use whatever was left in her checking from the closest ATM. Even though that would likely only last a day or two at the most.

It would have to be enough. She needed Isaiah to help her figure out what was going on. The fact that they hadn't found Pinky, or the other kids for that matter, nagged at her. Isaiah must know more about where they lived, where they chose to hang out when they weren't at his church services.

They needed answers and soon.

Grayson pulled up to the precinct. She was glad to see her SUV was already there with Isaiah behind the wheel. "Look, I need to get him settled, then I'll head back out to finish our stakeout."

"No need." Grayson waved her off. "Our shift ends at eleven thirty. Take the comp time." He flashed a grin. "I figure you deserve to get paid for grilling the preacher."

She hesitated, then nodded. No point in arguing. Besides, if Pinky and the others hadn't shown their faces by now, she had to assume they were tucked in for the night.

But where? That was the question.

"Thanks, Grayson." She slid out of the squad and jogged over to where Isaiah waited. He had the windows open, so she approached the driver's side door. "I need to head inside to change."

"Okay." His expression was troubled. "Although I would rather you remained armed in case that guy manages to find us again."

"Trust me, I'll have my weapon." She wasn't about to go anywhere without it. Not after everything that had transpired over the past twenty-four hours. "Stay put."

"I will."

She could feel his gaze boring into her back as she headed inside. Like most cops, she kept a change of clothes in her locker. Technically, they weren't supposed to wear their uniforms while off duty, but that rule wasn't always strictly enforced. But since she was off duty for the next two days, having worked the previous weekend, she absolutely needed to change.

She couldn't help feeling a bit naked without the uniform, vest, and utility belt as she joined Isaiah. Stepping up to the driver's side door, she gestured for him to come out.

He flashed a wry smile as he slid out. "I'm a good driver," he said as he stepped aside.

"Yeah, but it's my car." She didn't add that she was well trained in evasive techniques if they picked up a tail.

Once they were settled, she pulled away from the curb. Traffic was light this time of the night. She pulled up to the closest ATM.

"What are you doing?" Isaiah asked.

"We need cash for the motel." She pushed out of the driver's side door and quickly accessed the machine. She had twenty-five bucks in her pocket, which wouldn't get them very far.

"You should let me help pay for things," Isaiah said. "I'm the only reason you're in danger."

"Cops are always in danger." She took the cash and stuffed it into the front pocket of her jeans. "You can buy dinner. I'm starved."

"What would you like?" He seemed eager to pitch in, and his willingness to help reminded her of working with her teammates. But the preacher was far different from the cops she worked with. There wasn't an officer on the force who would hold back key information on an active investigation.

And she had a feeling Isaiah hadn't told her everything he knew.

"Raelyn?"

His deep voice interrupted her troubled thoughts. She tried to think of something that would fill her belly without costing a lot. "A sub sandwich. But we'll have to hurry to get there before they close."

"Sounds good." He pulled cash from his pocket, ready to pay for their meals.

Getting the sandwiches and two bottles of water didn't take long. When she pulled into the parking lot of the American Lodge, Isaiah looked at the white two-story building with frank curiosity. "You know the owner?"

"Yeah." She threw the gearshift into park. "Gary is a former firefighter injured in the line of duty. He opened this place and gives special rates to cops and firefighters." She grimaced. "We've used his place a lot over the past year and a half. One added benefit is that he has several security cameras." She didn't point out that the security cameras had not prevented several shoot-outs from taking place at the motel. Poor Gary had been forced to replace several windows and repair drywall that had been damaged by bullets. The team had paid for the repairs.

But not tonight. She had not seen anyone behind them during the entire ride out to Brookland. She was confident they were safe here.

"Looks nice," Isaiah said, joining her.

A familiar clerk was at the front desk. "Hey, James. It's been a while."

"Officer Lewis," James responded with a nod. He looked curiously at Isaiah who still wore his black shirt and slacks. "I take it you need a couple of rooms?"

"Connecting rooms, yes, please." She dug for her cash. "Let Gary know we appreciate his support."

"Will do." James took the cash and handed over two room keys. "You can have the connecting rooms at the top of the stairs."

"Thanks." She knew exactly where they were, as Joe and Elly had used the same set of rooms in the past. She led the way outside and took the stairs to the second level. She'd purposefully parked in the center of the motel, away from the two sets of connecting rooms.

The more anonymity, the better.

"Open your side, okay?" She didn't wait for an answer but handed Isaiah a key to his room, then entered hers. These two rooms had been renovated last January and still held the faint scent of fresh paint.

Isaiah opened his connecting door at the same time she opened hers. She crossed the threshold, eyeing the sandwiches and water he'd set on the small table of his room.

She decided to wait until after they'd eaten to question him. Dropping into the closest chair, she kept her hands in her lap, knowing he'd want to say grace.

"Dear Lord Jesus, we are grateful for the protection You have provided for us. We humbly ask that You continue to keep us safe in Your care. Amen."

"Amen." It seemed impolite not to respond in kind. She unwrapped her sub and dug in. "Thanks for dinner."

"This is the least I can do." His dark eyes were troubled. "I hate knowing I placed you in danger."

"You must have gotten a better look at the man who attacked you tonight." She held his gaze.

"I did." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "I didn't recognize him, though."

She scowled. "You really expect me to believe that?"

His eyes darkened with anger. "Yes, I do. I am not protecting him, why should I? But you must know that he's not the type to attend my services. And as much as I try to mingle with the neighbors, it's not as if I'm automatically welcomed with open arms. There's a lot of distrust, despite the support I've gotten from the mayor."

She supposed that much was true. "Are you absolutely sure he's not a drug dealer like Donte Wicks?"

"No, I'm not at all certain of that. He very well could be." He set his sandwich down and reached for his water. "I wondered if the large Black man was the guy in charge, but then doubted he'd come after me himself."

She hated to admit his logic made sense. She abruptly straightened. "Your phone."

"What about it?" He looked confused.

"That's what you use to do your rideshare work, right?" She mentally kicked herself for being so stupid. "Shut it down, now. We'll need to get rid of it."

"I already powered it down," he admitted, pulling it from his pocket and showing her the blank screen. "Although I have no idea how anyone could have tracked my phone."

She sagged into her chair with a sigh of relief that he'd been smart enough to shut the thing off. "We'll pick up a replacement disposable phone in the morning. Does the church pay for the phone and your plan?"

"No, I do." He shrugged, leaving the phone sitting on the table between them. "The mayor offered to foot the bill, but since I do the rideshare thing on the side, I decided it was better if I paid for it myself. I can deduct it as an expense."

"Okay, so maybe someone has the skills to figure out you're a rideshare driver and was able to track you that way." She wasn't sure how that was possible. She'd have to ask their tech support expert, Gabe Melrose, about that tomorrow. "That means we're safe here tonight."

"I'm glad." He looked relieved, and she realized she'd been pretty hard on him. Maybe he was being honest with her. Maybe he truly didn't understand why he'd been targeted.

The problem was that if Isaiah didn't have any information to offer, they were right back to square one. Without a single lead to follow.

And that did not bode well for her ability to get to the bottom of this mess.

Isaiah knewhe shouldn't be hurt that Raelyn didn't have much faith in him. To be honest, if the situation were reversed, he'd have trouble believing him too.

"Raelyn, I would never willingly put you or anyone else in harm's way." He searched her tawny gaze. "Never."

She flushed and looked away. "I hear you, but the fact is that without an ID on this guy, we've got nothing."

There was a long moment of silence. He felt bad about the situation too.

"I know." She abruptly smiled. "I'll have you go through mug shots. The odds are in our favor that your assailant has a criminal record." Her amber eyes gleamed with anticipation. "I'd head there tonight, but it will take time to get the computer system to spit out suspects that fit the general description you have already provided, and I'll need Gabe's help with that. But for sure, we'll head back to the precinct to work on that first thing in the morning."

"I'm happy to do that," he agreed. His mission in life was to save the children, but the large Black man had already chosen his path of crime. "I'm sure you're right about him being in the system."

"I'd be shocked if he wasn't," she said with satisfaction. "I'm glad we have a plan moving forward."

"Me too." He wondered if she'd looked at his mug shot while she'd been out on patrol. It would be in the same computer system. For some reason, the idea bothered him, and he told himself not to be foolish. His past had made him the man he was today.

He couldn't regret being given a second chance. This was God's plan. He could only hope he was up to the task God had set before him.

"You know, I don't really think my home has been compromised," she said thoughtfully. "If the perp was tracking your phone, he wouldn't necessarily know where I live."

"Maybe not." He shrugged. "But I wasn't willing to take that risk."

She looked as if she wanted to say more but popped the last bite of her sub sandwich into her mouth. Then she gathered her garbage together and drank what was left in her bottle of water. "Thanks. That hit the spot."

"Of course." He didn't want their time together to end, but of course, she needed sleep. And so did he. "Good night, Raelyn."

"Good night." She rose and moved across the room, pausing at the open doorway between their rooms. "I would like you to keep your side of the connecting door unlocked, just in case. And I'll do the same."

"That's not a problem." He would never infringe on her privacy. "Thanks for everything."

She nodded, then crossed the threshold.

Isaiah washed up in the small bathroom, then slid out of his black dress slacks and shirt. He crawled into bed wearing his T-shirt and boxers. He told himself not to think about Raelyn sleeping on the other side of the wall.

He was a man, not a monk. And he hadn't spent this much time in close proximity with an attractive woman in what seemed like forever. His one and only girlfriend, Shondra, had left him for Beau Critten, the mayor's son during their senior year of high school. He hadn't dated anyone seriously in the ten years since.

But Raelyn was different. She made him wish for something he couldn't have. No way would he cross the line, though, so he would do his best to ignore the weird awareness that seemed to shimmer between them. Especially since she had not given any indication that she felt the same way.

The cop and the preacher, he thought with a wry smile. As if that would ever work.

He must have dozed because he abruptly awoke, his heart hammering in his chest. He'd been dreaming of the gunfire, only this time, the shooter had been aiming at Raelyn instead of at him.

For a moment, he forgot where they were, then remembered the American Lodge motel. He swung up into a sitting position, straining to listen.

Muted voices wafted toward him. The television? Or was Raelyn talking to someone?

He stood and quickly pulled his clothes on. Upon moving toward the connecting door, he could hear the voices louder now.

Not the television, but Raelyn.

"We'll be there shortly," she said. A brief pause, then, "Because I want to see the damage for myself."

Damage? He sucked in a harsh breath. Her house?

He pushed her connecting door open and stepped inside. She was dressed, her expression somber.

"See you soon." She slid the phone into her pocket and looked at him. "I didn't mean to wake you, but I'm glad you're up."

"What happened?"

"That was Grayson. Someone torched my house." She looked angry rather than upset, although he imagined she was both. She grabbed her weapon and keys from the nearby table. "Let's go."

He wasn't about to argue. "Give me a sec to grab my shoes."

Two minutes later, they were headed down the stairs to the parking lot. He noticed that Raelyn scanned the area carefully as they made their way toward her SUV. He remembered her comment about there being security cameras and wondered who watched them overnight.

Probably no one, he thought grimly. He slid into the passenger seat as she took the wheel.

"How did Grayson hear about your house?" he asked.

"Colin Finnegan is a firefighter, and he was called to the scene. He must have recognized the address and tried to call me, but I was asleep. Somehow, he got in touch with Grayson."

"Oh, are you and Grayson seeing each other?" The thought was depressing.

"What? No!" She shot him an exasperated look. "I would never date one of the guys on the team. I'm sure he called Rhy who let him know Grayson and I were on the evening shift."

"Oh, I see." She tossed the names around as if they should mean something to him, only they didn't. "Rhy is your boss, right?"

"Right." She scowled. "I guess I was wrong about my place not being compromised. I'm sure the guy who attacked you is behind this."

"Yeah." He hated to admit she was probably right. Yet the idea that his assailant would take out his frustration on Raelyn filled him with anger. He was the one the Black guy wanted. Then a horrible thought hit.

"The church." He reached over to grasp Raelyn's arm, keeping his voice even with an effort. "I think it's entirely possible this guy will target the New Hope Church next."

"I'll call it in." She used the hands-free function of the SUV to make the call. He listened as she spoke to the dispatcher on duty. "This is Officer Lewis. Someone has started my home on fire, and I need you to alert the third district to head straight over to the New Hope Church to make sure that building hasn't been hit too."

"Roger that, Officer Lewis," the dispatcher responded. "Contacting the third district now. I'll keep you updated."

"Thanks. End call." The screen went dark. She glanced at him. "I'm sorry. I hope the church hasn't been damaged too."

He could only nod in agreement. In truth, the church should have been the first target, not her home. But he had a bad feeling the assailant knew he'd be more upset at the damage to Raelyn's home. It was her personal space and shouldn't have factored into the assailant's plan.

Sure, he cared about the church, too, but that was a public meeting place. Technically, he could hold his services anywhere, had even held them in the local school's gymnasium when vandals had struck the church last year.

But her home? He hated that she'd suffer because of him.

Why, Lord, why?

God did not provide an answer.

Not that he'd really expected one. Except for the night he'd died and nearly went to heaven, God had not spoken directly to him in words.

But he often felt the Lord's guidance as he provided sermons for the congregation.

"Oh no," Raelyn whispered. He reached for her hand when he saw the flicker of flames coming from her living room window.

To his surprise, she gripped his hand hard. She slowed to a stop at the end of the road where a large fire truck blocked their way.

"It's going to be a total loss," she said in a flat, dull voice.

He swallowed hard, silently agreeing with her. Then she pulled out of his grasp and shot out of the car.

"Wait!" He scrambled to catch up. She pushed past the fire truck, then stood with her mouth agape as several firefighters battled the blaze.

She was right. The place was too far gone to save.

A man jogged over to them. "Rae, you shouldn't have come. There's nothing you can do."

She didn't answer, her gaze seemingly fixed on the fire. The homes weren't too far away from each other, and he hoped the blaze wouldn't move from her ranch house to the neighbors on either side.

"You must be the preacher." The man standing beside Raelyn held out his hand. "Grayson Clark. I work with Raelyn."

He vaguely recognized the guy from the day of the shooting. It was difficult to comprehend how a fatal shoot-out in the north side of the city had caused this cascade of events leading to a raging fire burning Raelyn's home.

His fault. He'd made the phone call that had started the entire thing.

"There's nothing you can do," Grayson repeated. "Colin told me they're asking Mitch Callahan to investigate since we all know this was likely arson."

She nodded. "That's good."

Grayson stood there for a few more minutes, then glanced at his watch. "I have to work tomorrow, so I need to hit the road. You should head back to the motel too."

She nodded without responding, her gaze still locked on the fire. The crew had battled it back, but the smoke was still thick in the air.

Grayson glanced at him, shrugged, and turned away. Isaiah moved closer to Raelyn, putting his arm around her shoulders. "I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault." Her voice cracked, and he realized with horror that this strong woman was on the verge of tears.

Then she turned into his arms, burying her face against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close and wishing more than anything there was a way to fix this.

But all he could do was pray.