Fugitive Pursuit Read online

  The door opposite their entrance opened.

  * * *

  Jamie clamped her eyes shut and begged for the arriving people to be anyone but—

  “In other words, we’ve got nothing new.” Drew’s voice stabbed into her ear.

  Dear God, if You’re there, please get Zack and me to safety.

  When she opened her eyes, Zack crouched before her, cool, confident and calm...ish.

  “Come on, Drew,” George began. “We’ve found her once before. We’ll do it again.”

  “Yeah, but before she makes my life even more complicated? She visited her sister so often, I wish she’d been at the house the day I shot Erin. Then I could’ve gotten rid of them both.”

  The man was talking about wanting to kill her. And he’d just admitted he murdered her sister.

  Jamie clenched her teeth together. Rage filled her. He was her main reason to fight. The world around them deserved to know how horrendous Drew Timmins was.

  Zack set a hand on her back and made miniature circles between her shoulder blades. His touch held her anger still.

  “When’s our next shipment coming in?” her brother-in-law asked.

  “Monday.”

  “And these crates?” Drew asked.

  When a rat or mouse squeaked as it crossed the room a few yards away, Jamie bit her tongue to keep from screaming. She inched closer to Zack, as though he were her knight in shining armor. But his sword was a rusted metal pipe a few feet from him.

  “The guys are picking them up tonight and distributing them by tomorrow afternoon,” George explained.

  “How about our payment?”

  “I’m meeting Charlie for supper tomorrow.”

  Footsteps thumped slowly across the floor. The sound of the shoes faded and the voices quieted to mumbles.

  Zack inched his head around the corner of the box. Jamie held her breath. When he turned back to her, he pointed over her shoulder toward the door they’d entered, mouthed something, then, with his hands, motioned her to move.

  But Drew was so close. “Wait,” she whispered as she held up her hands.

  Zack’s gaze turned to stone. Again, he pointed toward the wall behind her.

  Yeah, she had agreed to follow his directions before they’d entered the building, but there’d be a small window of no coverage. Was it worth running? As she pointed to the floor, she mouthed the word here.

  Zack scooted around her, grabbed her wrist and yanked her to her feet behind a pile of boxes.

  They started for the door.

  “Drew, hey! Over there!” George hollered.

  Drew grabbed the back of her shirt collar. Jamie screamed. George passed her and slammed Zack into the wall. The sound of disturbed metal echoed through the building. Her heart crashed into her ribs. Her brother-in-law whirled her around. In her side vision, Zack took punch after punch and only threw a few of his own. Drew yanked her away from the other two men and banged her backside against the metal wall. With poisonous fire in his eyes, he wrapped his hand around her throat.

  Panic set in. She clawed at his arm. Yes, at the moment she could still breathe, but the light pressure of each finger against her skin pushed away any sense of possible control she might have. “While your boyfriend gets his butt kicked, you will tell me what I want to know.”

  “You’ll never get your daughter back.” Her voice rasped.

  “I will.” He applied a bit more pressure with his fingers.

  Zigzag designs filled her vision. She kept her mouth shut. Tried to keep as calm as possible. The sound of pounding punches tunneled in her ears.

  “Tell me where you’re hiding her.” He tightened his hold.

  Jamie looked right into his dark, evil eyes. She refused to show fear.

  “Your confidence is...cute, but it won’t last.” He moved so close she could feel his coffee breath across her face. “You won’t last.”

  How long could a person survive without air?

  Resist, resist, resist...

  Drew’s fingers loosened a bit from Jamie’s neck as he glanced around.

  Jamie inhaled as much air as she could. Gathering what little strength she had, she jammed her knee into his body.

  A string of swear words flew from his mouth as he doubled over. He howled. Then struggled to grasp her again.

  She jerked away as Zack stood up straight. George lay on the ground. Was he dead? Had she turned Zack Owen, bounty hunter, into a killer? Her stomach rioted.

  “Come on!” He grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the door near their car. Jamie ran as fast as she ever had. Zack, she was sure, had slowed down so he could protect her from behind. Birds tweeted as though nothing had changed. Pockets of sun streaming through the darkening clouds covered her. But it wasn’t a normal, safe day. Her brother-in-law had—

  The metal door crashed against the building. She pushed herself harder. Her lungs burned, her heart knocked in her chest. She grabbed the car door handle and slid inside.

  Drew and George yelled. They were close.

  Then they disappeared back inside the building.

  “Where’d they go?”

  “Probably parked on the other side.” Zack shoved the key in the ignition.

  “Come on, Zack. Get us out of here.”

  “Working on it.” The tires squealed as Zack reversed the vehicle.

  Her heart kept beating rapidly. She and Zack passed the lawmen as they jumped into a nondescript sedan. No sheriff’s car, no uniforms. They must be off duty. They peeled out of the parking space.

  Zack sped up and rushed out the same way they’d entered the complex, through the strip of loading docks. In front of them, an eighteen-wheeler shifted into their path. Their vehicle wasn’t slowing down. “Zack, what are you doing?”

  “Losing our tail.” He pushed the accelerator down. The vehicle approached the truck, veering to the slim empty space on the left between the front of the truck and a wall. The truck driver honked his horn.

  God, I know I don’t deserve Your protection, but please keep us safe, for Zack.

  Another vehicle’s horn sounded as it slipped diagonally into their path. The rig jerked to a halt. Zack pushed through the empty space and did a zigzag motion to escape the second vehicle.

  She spun around to glance out the back window. Drew’s car was stuck. “We’re safe.” Giddiness rumbled through her.

  “Not yet.” Zack glanced out his side mirror. He didn’t slow the car as they rejoined the traffic.

  They traveled in silence for several minutes while Zack took turn after turn and shifted through the traffic.

  “What about the drugs? Shouldn’t we call and report them?”

  “Your brother-in-law will probably spin it so he and Linden look like they’re doing an investigation and maybe even claim you’re involved. Or they’ll have cleared the place before the police even arrive.”

  “I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

  He joined the traffic for I-95. “Now we’re safe.”

  “That was too close.” Jamie leaned against the seat, closed her eyes and willed her heart to slow down. She brushed her fingers across her neck. If she thought about it for too long, she could almost feel Drew’s hand around her throat again.

  No. She had to be strong. For Charlotte, for herself. For Zack, too? Yes, because she owed him.

  Boy, the list of people she could potentially hurt kept growing. First Greta, the woman guarding Jamie’s niece, then Charlotte and now Zack. To keep everyone safe dropped a serious amount of responsibility on her shoulders. Would she crumble under the weight again?

  * * *

  As they traveled along the highway, Zack kept to the speed limit and occasionally glanced in the rearview mirror to make sure the sedan wasn’t in sight. Jamie kept quiet and stared out the passenger
-side window. Did she see the clouds darkening in the distance? Or was her brain still on the moments when Timmins had her by the throat? Seeing her in such danger had caused two separate problems. One, Zack was distracted and got hit. A lot. Two, he felt helpless.

  Like he had with his sick girlfriend and the store clerk who’d got injured because he’d allowed his emotions to interfere with his day job. He ground his teeth. This was exactly where he did not want to be. Hadn’t he learned his lesson?

  Jamie had looked so terrified pinned up against the wall. “Are you all right? Timmins didn’t hurt you too much, did he?”

  Strands of her hair covered her fingers as she brushed her hand along her neck. She kept her gaze outside. “I’m okay.”

  If they had watched the building and taken pictures instead of breaking and entering... No, that wouldn’t have worked. They wouldn’t know about the drugs and Timmins’s plans to use them to make money. And they wouldn’t have heard the sheriff’s confession about killing his wife. Zack had trusted his gut that Jamie was telling the truth, but hearing the confirmation for himself changed the whole ball game.

  He shook his head. Too much to think about, too much to be in charge of, and yet his conscience wouldn’t let him just walk away. Please, God, guide me in the right direction.

  When they reached the motel, Zack parked and turned off the ignition. Desperation waged a war within him. Pressure threatened to crush his shoulders. Relief made him want to weep. They’d come so close to...

  He reached over, cupped Jamie’s cheeks and kissed her. Her soft lips tasted like the sweetest dessert he’d ever had. Energy surged within him. Strands of her hair dangled over his fingers, drifting against his skin. Letting her go was not an option. Through his mouth, he begged to hold on to the connection, to know she still believed in him. They’d survived the most danger they’d experienced so far. Together.

  She matched his intensity. Her palms pressed against his chest, not to push him away, but maybe to join with him on a different level. The warmth of her touch, the trust she surrendered bolted right for his heart. Maybe she did still have faith in him.

  He pressed his forehead to hers. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to protect you.”

  “But you did. You pulled me out of the real danger.”

  “Not without bruises.” Because he’d failed her, he had no right to kiss her.

  But he had. And he wanted to again.

  No, he couldn’t. His kiss had only been a reaction to the frightening events at the waterfront. Nothing more. He had no intention of pursuing a romance with Jamie, so his lips had no right being on hers.

  He pulled back but took his time removing his hand from her face. He liked the way she remained tucked into his palm, her gentle lips barely touching his skin.

  “We should go.” They were sitting ducks in the parking lot.

  Jamie sat up and pressed her fingertips to her lips. Almost instantly, her cheeks turned the color of spaghetti sauce. “You’re right.” Glancing down, she grabbed her backpack and exited the vehicle.

  Great. He’d made her uncomfortable, and if he tried to soothe her, he might be coaxed into kissing her again. Granted it would be a wonderful cycle to be in, but his first priority, his only priority, had to be her safety. Nothing more.

  Once he grabbed his duffel bag and caught up to her, they climbed the cement stairs to their second-floor motel rooms. Tomorrow they’d have to check out and move to another motel. When his skips were on the run, they often didn’t stay in the same place more than a night or two. Remaining here any longer wouldn’t be safe.

  Jamie’s hands shook as she opened her motel room door. Residual effects of Timmins’s assault or of their kiss?

  Once inside her room, Jamie rushed to take a seat at the table. As though blocking him out, she covered her face with her hands. Zack twisted the locks and set the chain in place.

  Through the doorway, voices hollered from somewhere close by. Outside the window, drops of rain hit the glass like tiny beads. A rumble of thunder cracked through the sky. A heavy coat of tension filled the room. His inner voice ordered him to move. He grabbed his phone out of his duffel, sat in the other chair and dialed his big brother’s phone number.

  “Kyle, we could really use your help,” he said as soon as his brother picked up.

  Silence brought about heightened nerves. Zack wasn’t sure what he’d do if his family wouldn’t back him now.

  “Are you two okay?”

  What a loaded question. Zack glanced over to Jamie, who still had her face hidden.

  “Zack? Are you in danger?” Worry laced his brother’s voice.

  “No, we’re safe at the moment.”

  “All right, then.” After a deep breath, Kyle continued, “Tell me what’s going on.”

  “This sheriff is bad news. Jamie was right about him.”

  “Do you have any specific evidence?”

  “None that will hold up in court, not yet.”

  “But...”

  “He’s selling drugs and admitted to killing Jamie’s sister.”

  “Do I want to know how you know that?” Zack could almost see his brother sitting in his office chair, massaging his forehead.

  “Probably not, but you need to hear it all.”

  Zack shared everything he and Jamie had come across since leaving the Second Chance office yesterday. He admitted to asking Jessa and Lily for assistance. Then he listened to his brother’s instructions.

  Kyle had reluctantly taken over the father-figure role when their own dad died. He’d been the strength of the family and Zack couldn’t be more thankful to be back in his brother’s good graces.

  When he set the phone on the table, Jamie turned to face him. Her arms remained crossed. “What’s the verdict? Will they help us now?”

  “Yeah.” He nodded. “With all we’ve uncovered, Kyle believes I was justified in breaking you out of jail. He’s going to ask our friend Logan, who’s a detective, to look into Timmins and Linden off the record. Jessa’s going to find out whatever she can about Beth’s disappearance. Once we go through the list of men on the other piece of paper from your sister’s envelope, I’ll call Kyle back and he and Parker will decide what to do next. In the meantime, they’re going to look into the McGinty’s building and find out who owns it.”

  “And your sister?”

  “She’s manning the office. We don’t usually include Lily in anything that could potentially put her in trouble.”

  “But you do with Jessa?”

  “Jessa’s a trained agent. My sister’s not.”

  Jamie nodded as she looked out the window. Her fingers drifted to her neck, caressing the spot where Timmins had tried to choke her. The look of despair shrouding her eyes cut like a knife through his insides. Add to it the guilt she forced on her own back... Oh, what he wouldn’t give to spend five minutes alone with Drew Timmins.

  No. He had to trust in God to take care of Timmins. Maybe Zack could coach Jamie into trusting the Father, too. Maybe that assignment was why He put Zack and Jamie together. Honestly, he couldn’t think of any other reason why he felt so connected to her.

  Zack set his hands on the table, palms facing up. “Give me your hands.”

  Without hesitation, she complied. The instant trust, for a change, warmed him. He curled his fingers around hers and lowered his head. “Father, please give us both strength and guide us on the path You’ve chosen for us. Help soothe Jamie’s heart and restore the hope I see in her eyes so often. Help me make good decisions to keep us both safe. Amen.”

  “You pray for me?”

  She hadn’t pulled her hands away so he kept hold of her delicate fingers. “Believe it or not, I’ve kept you in my prayers since we met.”

  “Why?”

  “Why not?” He rubbed his thumbs along her skin.

  �
��I was doing all right, Zack, keeping it together, but after today, after finding out so much more about Drew, then the run-in...” She closed her eyes for a few seconds, took a deep breath and then released it. “In my life, I’m supposed to be able to anticipate and fix problems before they become a big deal. As a teacher, it’s what I’m trained for, what I’m good at. But in this illegal and dangerous world, my skills fall very short. With each hour that passes, I feel less in control and less likely to ever get it back.”

  “I don’t know what to tell you, Jamie. I’m doing the best I can.”

  “I know and I’m not blaming you.”

  “Think twice before you say that. I almost got you seriously hurt.”

  “No, you didn’t.” She pulled her hand free and set her soft fingers on the side of his face. “Drew did. You stopped him. It may not have worked out as you wanted, but in the end, we both got away. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

  The scent of woman drifted off her skin and messed with his head. Her faith in him made him want to be...good enough.

  But being good enough at his job took all his effort. Getting caught up in a woman would mess with his focus, and he wouldn’t jeopardize anyone’s safety for foolish desires. No relationship was worth the risk.

  Although, this woman, a person he was supposed to be hunting, continued to open up little chunks of his heart. While his gaze drifted to her mouth, his brain remembered the intensity of their kiss. As much as he wanted to, though, he couldn’t kiss her again. It wouldn’t be fair to either of them. They could never be a couple. Yet the time they spent together made him think... What if he decided to take a chance?

  He reached down and pulled his laptop out of his duffel bag. “We should figure out what our next step is.”

  * * *

  Zack might be ready to move on, but the memory of his lips against hers, the gentle touch he used to caress her cheeks, had Jamie’s brain locked around their kiss. It had been better than she’d thought it could be, better than any kiss she’d shared before. Of course, it wasn’t about the actual kiss, although that had been wonderful enough. More important, she loved how he made her feel—strong, beautiful, cherished. The whole experience left her longing for more.