Dangerous Lies (Badge of Honor #2)

Chapter 12

TWELVE

“I’m scared.”

Megan’s voice trembled as she clutched the phone to her ear. She was buried under a thick blanket on the couch, her knees tucked underneath her. Her father’s Bible rested on her lap. It’d been hours since the attack, but the tension in her muscles refused to ease.

The house was still and quiet. Her grandparents had gone to bed an hour ago. Exhaustion dragged at Megan’s body, but every time she closed her eyes, her mind betrayed her. All she could see was the drone, its flames streaking through the air, and the myriad ways the nightmare could’ve ended differently.

Unsettled and in desperate need of a lifeline, she’d called her sponsor Sandy McMillian. Thirty years sober and the definition of tough love, Sandy was the type of person who told you what you needed to hear, not what you wanted. Back when Megan lived in Fort Worth, they’d often meet for coffee or sit side by side at NA meetings, but even now, miles apart, Sandy was always just a phone call away.

“Grateful doesn’t begin to cover it,” Megan whispered, tracing her fingers along the worn leather cover of her father’s Bible. “No one was seriously hurt today, and that’s a miracle. But it feels like my life is spinning out of control, Sandy. I don’t know how far this person will go to kill me. What if…” Her voice cracked, and she took a shaky breath. “What if the next time someone gets seriously hurt?”

The silence on the other end of the line stretched just long enough for Megan to realize how tightly she gripped the phone.

Sandy sighed. “You’re scared, and you have every right to be, hon. What happened today was terrifying. But fear doesn’t get to drive the bus. You hear me? It’s a passenger. Let it sit there, sure—but you keep your hands on the wheel.”

“I know, but…” Megan’s thumb brushed over the gilded edges of the Bible. “It’s hard to block out the fear and worry, no matter how much I pray or try to focus on the positive. God’s in control, I know that, but…”

She didn’t know how to put into words everything she was feeling. It was all muddled together. All Megan knew was the last time she’d felt like this was when her mom died. Then again, after Oliver’s accident. Both times, she’d run away from her problems. The first time by using drugs, the second by leaving town. The instinct to run away again pulsed through her veins like a battle cry. It was difficult to hold it back.

“I want to face this head-on, but I’m not sure I have the strength to do it.” Megan finally found the words for her deepest fears. “What if I discover all this hard work I’ve done to better myself has been for nothing?”

“I don’t believe that for a second.” Sandy’s words were immediate and full of conviction. “You’re stronger than you know. And you’re not doing this alone. You’ve got your grandparents, your friends, and your coworkers. You’ve got that detective you mentioned. What’s his name? Jax? You’ve got me. But most importantly, you’ve got God. Lean on your support system. That’s what we’re here for.”

Sandy was right. In the past, Megan had shied away from asking for help. She’d been too prideful, too independent. Recovery had taught her that when struggles came, relying on others was essential.

She drew in a deep breath. “I don’t need to have all the answers.”

“No, you don’t. Focus on what you can control, and do the next right thing.” The older woman’s voice softened. “When life feels overwhelming, take it moment by moment. Breathe, pray, and remember, you aren’t fighting this battle alone.”

“Thank you, Sandy. I needed to hear that.” Megan drew in another deep breath and felt the tight knot of fear in her stomach loosen. “I’m sorry for calling so late. Thanks for talking with me.”

“You can call anytime, honey. I’m always here. And I know things are up in the air, but go to a meeting if you can. It’ll help ground you.”

“I will.” Megan was supposed to lead the NA meeting tomorrow night, but after the drone attack, she’d asked Douglas to fill in for her. She didn’t want to risk anyone else getting caught in the crossfire. But as soon as it was safe, she would go to a meeting. “Goodnight, Sandy.”

She hung up and let the stillness of the house seep into her. The blinds overlooking the backyard were tilted open, the outline of the charred boathouse visible in the faint moonlight. Nestled under the warm blanket, sleep beckoned. She was safe. Chief Garcia had posted a patrol officer at the front of the house to stand guard for the night. Nothing bad would happen.

Megan leaned her head back against the sofa cushion and yawned.

A shadow shifted in the yard.

She jolted into a sitting position, her heart taking off like a runaway jackrabbit. The blanket fell from her body, letting the cold air rush in. Goosebumps pricked her skin. She rose from the couch to peer through the blinds. Someone was in the yard. A man. Strolling past the boathouse toward the back door.

A scream lodged in Megan’s throat, and then a sliver of moonlight cut across the intruder’s face.

Jax.

She pressed a hand to her chest as if that would slow her racing pulse and dragged in a deep breath before whirling on her heel. Frigid air washed over her bare arms when she opened the back door. The porch boards were icy even through her thick socks. “Jax, what on earth are you doing here? You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

He emerged from the darkness, the harsh porch light casting a long shadow behind him. “I’m keeping watch. Sorry if I scared you.” Jax made a shooing motion with his hands, indicating Megan should go back inside. He followed behind her, locking the door and then securing the alarm. Only then did he turn back to face her. “I thought you were asleep.”

“Clearly not.” The words came out harsher than she intended, but her heart was still racing. She forced her tone back into neutral territory. “Chief Garcia posted an officer in the driveway. Isn’t Tucker still there?”

“Yes, but if there’s an emergency, he’ll be called away to handle it, leaving you unprotected. I didn’t want to take the risk.”

The last of Megan’s temper cooled. Jax was going above and beyond, and she’d been harsh with him. “I’m sorry for being short. Thank you for keeping an eye on us.”

“It’s nothing.” He shrugged.

But it wasn’t nothing. The overhead kitchen light was off, but the under-cabinet LEDs cast enough of a glow for Megan to see Jax’s bedraggled appearance. Whiskers coated his jaw and cheeks. Weariness drew faint lines at the corners of his eyes and the tip of his nose was red from the cold. Her heart softened even more, and she gestured to a kitchen chair. “Sit. I’ll make you some coffee.”

“That’s unnecessary?—”

“Sit, Jax.” She gently pushed him toward a chair. “Don’t make me wake up Nana.”

He chuckled and collapsed into the closest seat. “Your grandmother is a powerhouse.”

Earlier in the evening, Nana had plied every one of the police officers and firefighters with coffee and food. Perpetually in motion, with a warm smile for everyone, she’d refused to take no for an answer.

Megan smiled. “Everyone thinks Pops is the toughest in our family, but he doesn’t hold a candle to Nana. She has a way of convincing you to do her bidding without you even realizing it.”

Megan started coffee brewing and then noticed a pot of homemade hot chocolate on the stove. Nana had made it for the first responders. Megan touched the metal and discovered the pot was still warm. Turning on the burner, she used a whisk to keep the sweet drink from burning while it heated.

Jax’s gaze followed her every move. It was strange to have him in her kitchen, the house around them silent. Megan was suddenly very aware that she was dressed in pajama pants and a T-shirt. The clothing was modest, but also intimate. The memory of the way he’d plucked her from the lake and the feel of his arms holding her close rose, unbidden, in her mind. Heat climbed into her cheeks.

Embarrassed, she hid her face behind a curtain of hair. Jax was a law enforcement officer, and while he was undoubtedly courageous, it was his job to protect the citizens of Knoxville. He would have put himself in the line of fire for anyone. She wasn’t special, and it would be very dangerous to allow this spark of attraction to grow. They may have found an uneasy peace this afternoon, but Oliver’s death was an integral part of their history and always would be. There was no way to move past it.

Megan poured the hot chocolate into a mug and then some coffee for Jax. “Would you like cream? Or sugar?”

“Black is fine.”

She handed him the mug, careful not to let their fingers brush, and then claimed the chair across from him. The warm scents of chocolate and nutmeg filled the air as she sipped her hot cocoa. The warmth settled in her belly and fortified her for the conversation to come. “I’d like to know what the stalker left for me at the boathouse. Chief Garcia took my statement and asked questions, but before I could find out what kicked all this off, he was pulled away.”

Jax hesitated and then pulled out his phone. He opened the photo app. “Before I show you this, remember, it’s not real. It’s a mannequin.”

She nodded, sucking in a breath to brace herself.

He turned the phone to face her, and the crime scene photo came into view. Shock froze her muscles. The mannequin was shockingly lifelike, the blood coating its neck and clothing gruesome. Nothing could have prepared her for this. “She looks like me.”

A tremble rippled through her. This wasn’t just a decoy, designed to pull her out to the boathouse, so she was vulnerable to an attack from the drone. The mannequin was meant to scare her. Just like the emails. Megan didn’t specialize in criminology, but she’d taken some courses on the subject during college. “He wants me to be afraid. It’s not enough to kill me. He wants to terrorize me.” She breathed out. “This isn’t just about getting revenge for Oliver’s death. This is personal. Whoever is behind this hates me.”

Jax pulled his phone away and clicked it off. Then he reached across the table and touched her hand. “He won’t get to you. I promise. But we need to discuss the steps necessary to keep you safe.”

“I’ve already canceled my appointments for tomorrow.” Megan hated letting her clients down, but she wouldn’t risk putting them in harm’s way. The drone had shot at the boathouse, nearly killing Jax and Dawson in the process. This was bigger than her. She needed to play it smart. “I’ll try to stay home as much as possible. Of course, I can’t do that forever, but I told Chief Garcia everything I know about Zeke Russell. Hopefully, something will break in the case and this will all be over soon.”

Megan didn’t want Zeke to be behind this. She’d never liked the man, but it'd been ten years since she’d last seen him. People changed. God knew she had. Zeke could have turned his life around, and a part of her prayed that was the case. Then again, it wasn’t any better if Wesley was responsible for these attacks.

“The investigation may take time.” Jax’s tone was gentle. “I don’t want to scare you, but it would be smart to take additional measures. The police department is short-staffed, and while I know Chief Garcia will do all he can, a patrol officer can’t be stationed here 24-7. Based on the attacks, this perpetrator is smart and determined. I’d like for you to consider having the Special Forces guard the property and your grandparents.”

The Special Forces was a nickname given to a group of retired veterans who lived in Knoxville. Megan knew many of them and was friendly with their wives. In fact, the ladies had all texted or called to check in when word broke that Megan had been attacked. She was touched they’d be willing to protect her, but every member of the Special Forces was married now with a family.

“Do you really think it’s necessary?”

“I do. In fact, Tucker’s already been organizing the shifts.” Jax tilted his head. “I didn’t know you helped Tucker and Leah with Kaylee Ross’s disappearance.”

Megan shrugged. “I answered some questions, that’s all.” She’d been just as worried as Leah about Kaylee’s disappearance and was glad the case resolved happily. “No one owes me any favors for doing the right thing.”

“I don’t think they see it as repaying a favor. They want to help, and I think it’ll make everyone feel more secure to know the house and your grandparents are protected.”

She breathed out. He was right. It would make her feel a lot better. “Okay then. Thank you.”

“Good, that takes care of the house and your grandparents, but there’s still you. As you said, you can’t stay in your house forever. In the meantime, I’ve discussed the matter with Chief Garcia, and unless you object, he’s agreed to give me temporary leave from my duties so I can stay close to you.”

She blinked. Tonight had been one surprise after another, but this one might be the biggest of all. “But… what about the investigation?”

“It’s better for everyone if I’m not involved.” Jax drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “My brother is considered a person of interest in these attacks on you. I think Wesley is being framed, but what if he isn’t? Noah, Dawson, and Chief Garcia have to follow the evidence wherever it leads without worrying about how I’ll handle it. I need to put my faith in my team. And God. Right now, the best way I can help is by keeping you safe.”

Megan hesitated. “Jax… are you sure? I didn’t cause the accident that killed Oliver, but I was still driving the car. I’m still a part of it. No one would blame you for putting some distance between us, including me.”

He met her gaze. Held it. Buried in those dark blue orbs was a warmth that sucker punched her right in the stomach.

“I appreciate that, Megan. More than you know. But I need to do this. By keeping you safe, I give Chief Garcia, Noah, and the rest of the team the ability to focus on finding the man behind this. It’s possible the person responsible for these attacks on you is seeking vigilante justice, but my heart and my gut say it’s a lot deeper than that. I believe whoever killed Oliver is after you now. The quicker Chief Garcia finds him, the safer everyone will be.”

Jax’s gaze dropped to his coffee. “And the sooner my family will have the answers—and the justice—they need to put this all behind us.”