Chapter 24
24
Brooklyn screamed, feeling as if she were out of her body in a nightmare.
She didn’t like Kane, but she didn’t want him to be mauled by a giant cat. And she sure didn’t want him to move on to Colin.
“Stop! Stop!” She waved her arms and charged the gate.
Sumo looked up at her, his eyes rolling back, and he suddenly collapsed, releasing Kane’s leg. Kane glanced at her, his face contorted in pain. He doubled up and moaned.
“Calling an ambulance and we’re in Sheriff Day’s jurisdiction, so I’ll give her a call too,” Dev yelled from somewhere nearby, but it sounded like he was moving their way.
While Brooklyn was focused on Sumo, Nick had come forward, gun in hand and had Luka pinned down. She looked around for Rocco. The giant of a man was tied up next to the trailer, with the rope she’d used to pull the gate closed as his restraint.
She continued to the gate. Lifted the latch to let Colin out.
He dropped to the ground. Went to Kane.
“How long does the tranquilizer work?” Colin asked.
“Not sure.”
“Then let’s get you out of here, but it’s gonna hurt.” Colin scooped under Kane’s armpits and dragged him out.
He screamed in anguish with each step. Brooklyn’s stomach roiled, but she got the gate closed. Locked the cat in. She took a long breath, then turned to stare at Kane’s mangled leg as it bled into the soil.
Colin whipped off his belt and secured it above the wound. Kane screamed and writhed in pain.
She felt bad for him. She really did, but he’d brought this on himself. Still, as her thoughts started to be more coherent, she offered a prayer on his behalf.
“We need a first aid kit or some bedding or towels to pack the wound,” Colin said.
“Got a first aid kit in the car,” Nick said, “but you need more than the little bit of gauze it contains.” He looked at Dev, who’d joined them. “Take over guarding this loser, and I’ll check the house.”
Dev stepped up to Luka and held his rifle at the ready. Overkill? Likely, but Brooklyn had to admit to finally feeling safe.
Colin whipped his shirt over his head, revealing a white undershirt. He turned his knit shirt inside out, balled it up, and pressed it on the wound. It was soon saturated with blood, but then the bleeding seemed to stop.
“Looks like the tourniquet is holding,” she said. “Is there anything I can do?”
Colin glanced up at her and searched her face, concern etched in every inch of his expression. “Just tell me you’re okay.”
“Shook up, but fine.” She didn’t bother to tell him about the ribs from Luka’s earlier mistreatment.
“So who are these two thugs?” he asked.
“Matteo Albertelli’s brother, Luka, and his associate Rocco.” She glared at Luka. “He and Kane were so sure they were going to kill me that they were very free with admitting their crimes. With the info they gave me, they’ll all be serving many years.”
Colin nodded at Kane. “If this guy lives.”
She took a look at his tortured face, pale and clammy. “Looks like he’s passed out from the pain.”
“He’s still losing some blood, so not surprising.”
Nick raced across the lot, towels in hand.
“Reid’s going to the road to signal the ambulance so they don’t miss the drive.” He tossed a towel to Colin, and he swapped it for his shirt. “You mind trading places with me?”
Nick dropped to his knees and took over pressing the fabric on the gaping wound.
Colin wiped his hands on another towel and stood. He moved to Brooklyn, placed his blood-stained hands on her shoulders, and ran his gaze over her. “You’re really okay? They didn’t hurt you?”
As much as she didn’t want to worry him, she couldn’t lie. “Luka might’ve broken a few of my ribs.”
“He what?” Colin spun to glare at Luka.
“It’s okay. Everything will be fine now that Kane will be arrested for trying to kill me, and of course, these guys for their crimes too.”
“We’ll get you to the ER right after the police and ambulance arrive.” He brushed a hand over her hair and straightened out a few strands. “And you should know Sierra found flash drives taped in a false bottom in the black box you located.”
She raised her chin and stared at Luka. “Guess the police are going to get your client list after all. How many of them will roll over on you? You’ll never get out of prison.” She resisted gloating and explained to Colin.
He gently ran his hands down her arms and took her hands. “I’d like to hug you, but not until those ribs are checked out.”
“Just be careful, and I’m good.” She didn’t wait for him to agree, but released her hands and slid them around his neck. Pain stabbed into her side. So what? It might’ve hurt to lift her arms, especially after waving them at Sumo earlier, but it would hurt more to miss this hug.
He still looked uncertain.
“It might be better if we kissed instead of hugging,” she said. “They didn’t hurt my lips.” She giggled.
He crushed his mouth to hers, silencing her.
His lips were warm and insistent. Everything she remembered from the first kiss and more. He deepened the kiss, and it went on and on and on until she was breathless and had to break free to gulp in air.
“You’re right,” he said and grinned. “Your lips were most certainly not damaged in any way.”
“Gagging here,” Nick said drolly.
She looked at her good friend. “You always said you wanted me to find a guy.”
“Yeah, but not on my watch.” Nick laughed.
She would’ve kissed Colin again, if for no other reason than to keep annoying Nick, but sirens sounded in the distance.
“I’m with Nick on this,” Dev said from where he stood still holding his rifle over Luka. “I’m glad you two finally are admitting how you feel, but no need for me to see or hear it.”
Colin gently circled his arms around her waist and drew her head to rest on his chest. “I don’t know what we’re going to do about these feelings, but I want to figure it out.”
“Me too,” she said, glancing at a pale Kane who would once and for all be out of her life. “More than anything I’ve wanted in years.”
Two days later, Colin wished he were alone with Brooklyn and free to talk about a future with her, but they were in his dining area with the whole team, along with Nick and Sheriff Day, crammed into the small space. His mom sat on the couch, pretending to watch Casablanca when he knew she was listening in to their conversation. Brooklyn had gotten his mother hooked on the classic movies, and they’d been watching this one together until Sheriff Day arrived.
The sheriff stepped to the head of the table and scrubbed a hand over tired eyes. She wore her usual uniform, badge at her waist, but even at eight in the morning, her pants were wrinkled, and she looked a bit disheveled. She’d been working nonstop due to staffing shortages. Looked like that meant overnight.
“I won’t take much of your time,” she said, “but wanted to confirm that, thanks to Nick here decrypting the flash drives, we were able to arrest twenty-five wildlife traffickers and break up a huge ring.”
The group started applauding.
“Way to go, friend.” Brooklyn put out her fist to Nick for a bump.
He grinned and tapped her fist gently, likely out of respect for her remaining rib pain. “You really should hold your applause until she mentions the charges Kane is being brought up on.”
“He’s right,” Abby said, her tone uplifted. “The other drive in the box gave the FBI and DA enough information to bring Tarver in on twenty-nine counts of mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. All of this is in addition to first-degree murder. Plus, we matched the gasoline from the fire to a local station, and they had a video showing him purchasing it. So we’ve added abuse of a corpse for Matteo Albertelli and arson charges.”
She paused and took a long breath. “And if that list isn’t long enough, the FBI is still investigating the stalking and attempted murder charges as relates to you, Brooklyn. The footprints outside this compound were a match to his shoes, putting him here when the alarm went off. And of course, you have the video with him at your home doorbell. The FBI has found other information on the drive, and they’re sure additional charges will be forthcoming.”
“Wow,” Brooklyn said, sounding the happiest Colin had ever seen. “Will he ever get out of prison?”
Abby rested her hands on the chair back in front of her. “If convicted of all of these charges, it’s unlikely.”
Brooklyn’s face split in a wide smile. “So I’m free, then? Able to go on with my life?”
Abby nodded. “Even though his leg had to be amputated, he’s under guard in the hospital. He’ll be transferred to lockup when he’s well enough. Bail has been denied, so he won’t be getting out. He can’t hurt you now. Oh, and Sumo has found a home in a wildlife refuge.”
“Now that deserves applause,” Nick said. “For all the work done, not just what I accomplished.”
“Amen to that.” Brooklyn started clapping and it traveled around the table.
“That’s all I have,” Abby said when the applause died down. “I’ll continue to keep you updated as time allows.”
Dev leaned forward. “Does this mean my time as your deputy has come to an end?”
“It does.” She eyed him. “But only if you want it to.”
“Sorry. Not that working with you hasn’t been great, but I need to go back to my real life now, where the biggest excitement is whether to have hot dogs or hamburgers on a client campout.”
She smiled. “Sounds real good right about now.”
Colin wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t seek reelection when it came up in the fall. That she might go the private route to get her life back, too, like so many law enforcement officers were doing these days.
He stood. “So unless anyone else has anything to add, this meeting is over, and our involvement in the investigation, other than testifying, is over.”
“My only thing to say is, what in the world smells so good, and can we have some of it?” Dev asked.
Brooklyn laughed. “Chocolate chip cookie bars that I just took out of the oven, and let me get a plate.”
She slowly eased to her feet and went to the kitchen.
Colin followed her to help. She shouldn’t be baking for them when she should really be on bed rest. “You don’t have to cater to everyone.”
“I’m glad to share so I don’t eat half the pan myself.” She cut into a cake-pan-sized slab of browned cookies. “This is one recipe I can hardly say no to.”
“They’re that good?”
“Wait and see.” She lifted out the first inch-thick bar and handed it to him.
He took a bite and moaned. “What’s that unique flavor?”
“Vanilla. Lots of vanilla. There’s a tablespoon in here when most recipes call for about a teaspoon in a similar bar.”
He took another bite, and the flavor seemed to explode on his tongue. “I take it back. Go ahead and cater to all of us all the time.”
She laughed and finished filling the plate. “It feels good to be living a normal kind of life. I forgot what it was like not to have to worry.”
“I’m glad Tarver is in custody. It makes me happy to see you happy.”
She picked up the plate and a napkin that she’d placed a single bar on. “Then follow me. Cooking for others is my love language, and I am about to love all over your brother and team.”
She laughed and the joyous sound trailed her out the door. She handed the bars to Dev. “Share with others, but don’t eat too many if you want to stay fit.”
He chuckled and took one, then passed the plate to Nick, who was on his computer. He grabbed one, but she doubted he would even taste it.
Dev swallowed. “Oh, man, there goes my girlish figure. I’m going to need another one. Give me the plate back. Or that one in your hand.”
“It’s for your mom.” Brooklyn jerked her hand back. “You’ll have to fight the others for one.”
She went to the living room and sat down next to Sandy. Colin followed to sit in the leather chair. He only hoped Brooklyn didn’t think he planned to follow her like this every day, but he couldn’t get enough of being with her. Of seeing her happiness and relief.
She handed the bar to his mom. “I’m sure you heard everything.”
“Oh yeah, but I had to turn the TV down to do so.” She laughed and took a bite of the bar. “Oh, Dev is right. This is wonderful. You are spoiling us, but you know that’s not really part of the job, right?”
“I do, but it’s my pleasure.” She smiled at Colin’s mom, and his heart filled with gratitude.
His mom held the bar but didn’t take another bite. “And you’re really going to stay here for a while?”
Brooklyn gave an enthusiastic nod, warming Colin clean through. “I contacted my favorite company I worked for in the past three years, and they’ll let me work remotely. So unless things change, I’m good to be here for you and still do some hacking.”
“I promise not to be too needy.” His mother took another bite of the bar, then set it and the napkin on the table.
Brooklyn took his mother’s hands. “That’s not possible. And don’t hide things from me just because I am hacking. Hacking can wait. You can’t.”
“But I?—”
“But nothing. Promise you won’t hide things from me, or I can’t stay. I need to know I’m taking care of you in the way you deserve.”
“I promise.” His mother’s eyes filled with tears, and she gently drew Brooklyn into a hug. “I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve you, but I am most blessed.”
Colin understood her emotions. He could get teary-eyed, too, if he let himself. He hated that Brooklyn had gone through such a terrible situation with Tarver, but it brought her to him and his mother, and for that he was forever grateful.
No matter how bleak things looked—like facing a jaguar that wanted to chow down on you for a snack—God could and would work everything for good. Colin just had to remember that. Let go of any residual issues from his time at the Bureau. Release his need to let his mother’s health consume him. Allow himself to follow these feelings for Brooklyn and fall for her.
No matter the situation, God would work it out. He always did.