25. Johnny On The Spot
Chapter 25
Johnny On The Spot
T hea snuggled into the safety surrounding her. Knox’s arms tightened, and he brushed his fingers over her hair.
“Good morning, warrior princess. How are you feeling?”
She snorted out a laugh at the name. “I’m warm and safe. Couldn’t be better.”
He chuckled. “I imagine there are a few aches and pains in there as well.”
She shrugged. “Nothing major. None of it matters because you found me.”
He rolled to his side and looked down at her, tracing his thumb over her face.
“I wish he’d put up a fight. He deserves to have his face smashed in for hurting you.”
This man was such a protector. “I’m glad he didn’t. He’s the kind of idiot to try to sue you because he doesn’t see that he’s done anything wrong. Do you think his mind snapped?”
Knox shrugged. “I’d say there’s some sort of issue along with a healthy dose of fear. Even in the first meeting, he didn’t show signs of actually hearing you. He seemed to believe his own bullshit. But he also yammered about needing to pay back someone.”
Thea nodded. It had been so weird. “He never said a name but he was afraid of the man. He sounded so jumbled, as if he knew he was kidnapping me because he needed money one minute. Then, saying he was bringing me home, that he was helping me.”
When she shuddered, Knox leaned down to kiss her, surrounding her with his presence. Reminding her she was safe. And loved.
“I love you, Knox.”
His eyes gleamed with emotion. “I love you, too, Thea. So damn much. I’ve never been so scared in my life as I was once I realized you were missing.”
This time, it was her offering the comfort. “It was a dumb plan to try to kidnap me when we had a dozen people helping us.”
“A dumb plan that nearly worked.”
“But it didn’t. You were smarter.”
He grinned. “And you were tougher. You were fighting with everything you had. I’m so damn proud of you.”
That filled her heart with pride. “I wasn’t letting him take me without a fight. Not when I have so much here to live for. I figured even if he got me in the trunk, once he had me back in Iowa, he needed my cooperation. I’d have found a way to get away.”
His smile grew. “You’re damn right you would have. I think you were wearing him down right there. My warrior.”
He kissed her again. Harder. Demanding. Then he lifted his head and shook it with a wry grin. “Change of plan. Your muscles need to recover. And while you don’t have a concussion, your head has to hurt. Later. We’ll celebrate all the things later.”
She wasn’t having any of that. “Hot water is good for aching muscles. How about a shower?”
His answering grin had shivers running over her skin. He rose from the bed and scooped her into his arms before she’d even blinked.
Once they were in the steaming water, he sank to his knees. Seeing this true warrior in front of her with love in his eyes filled her heart. Against all the odds, she’d found love and security. Things she’d never believed possible for her.
Knox coasted his fingers up and down her legs and then between them. “You’re amazing, Thea. I love you more than I thought possible. Now, hang onto my shoulders while I show you.”
It didn’t take long before stars swirled, and she was soaring into the universe.
A while later, they headed outside. She wanted to see the farm. Make sure Triple-A hadn’t screwed up anything.
Outside, she was surprised to see a few vehicles in the driveway. Along with Ford’s truck, there were two other vehicles.
As if sensing her worries, Knox’s arm immediately came around her. “Marcus said he wanted to come out in the daylight to check for more evidence. We also have to give him our statements.”
She hadn’t thought about that. She’d been so glad it was over and she hadn’t thought about the next steps in the process. “And the other vehicle?”
“Not sure, but I’m guessing the local doctor. Marcus said she’s a friend, and he’d bring her out.”
Thea didn’t remember those conversations. Either they’d had them out of her hearing, or she’d been too stressed to listen. If Knox wasn’t worried, she wouldn’t be either. It wasn’t like another criminal was lurking, trying to take her. Even if there was, he wouldn’t park next to the farmhouse.
Knox took her hand. “Take the truck?”
She shook her head. “I’d rather walk. I want to walk the farm without looking over my shoulder for Andy, without waiting for him to ruin things.”
He lifted her hand to kiss it. “He’ll never bother us again.”
She loved that he said us and not you . They were a team, and if she was in trouble, he took it on as his problem, too. Just like she would for him.
The rains of the previous night had left the ground wet and happy. Drops sparkled on the leaves from the late-morning sun. “It’s perfect.”
He squeezed her hand. “It is.”
As they moved deeper into the trees, Fox barked and loped toward them. Knox chuckled, knowing it was their first greeting of the day. “I’ll brace you.”
He wrapped his arms around her and held her steady as the Great Pyrenees neared. As if sensing her injuries, again, the dog slowed and then reached up to gently wrap her in his hug. His compassion had tears misting in her eyes. “Thanks, Fox. You helped Knox find me last night. You’re my oldest friend, buddy, and I love you, too.”
She held on tightly to the dog until he wiggled down.
Knox squeezed her again, then stepped back.
To Thea’s surprise, Fox turned to Knox and hopped up to put his forefeet on the man’s shoulders. He licked his face and then leaned into the same kind of hug he gave Thea.
She’d never seen him do this with anyone else, and the love in the gesture had her eyes misting again.
Knox closed his eyes, and hugged the dog, whispering his thanks for his help as well. When Fox wriggled free, Thea walked into Knox’s arms and hugged him hard. He squeezed her back, and Fox nuzzled his nose between them to be included.
When she’d swallowed the emotion, she stepped back and rubbed Fox’s head. “Thanks, Fox.”
Knox’s voice was thick and husky when he repeated her words.
Then he took her hand again, and the three of them walked deeper into the orchard.
M arcus used Thea’s cabin in the middle of the orchard to take their statements. Knox was glad when Thea agreed to have him stay for her interview. He wasn’t going to be comfortable with her out of his sight for a long while.
It didn’t take long to find that Marcus’s quiet style had them both remembering little things they might not have without his prompting.
Thea nodded when he questioned her about the initial attack. “I was mostly thinking how nice it was to have friends who were willing to help despite the rain while I returned the equipment to the shed. I’d already put the sticks away and I was winding up the hose, but I hadn’t touched the shovel. Hadn’t seen it while I was cleaning up.”
Marcus nodded grimly. “I suspect he used the shovel to hit you on the head.”
Anger coiled in Knox’s gut. “Coward. Waited until her back was turned, and she had nothing to defend herself with. He could easily have killed her.”
Marcus nodded. “Agreed on all counts. From our work session yesterday, I suspect no one regularly goes behind the shed. Only those with a specific purpose. The boot prints are deeper there, indicating he waited a while for his opportunity.”
Thea sighed heavily. “And I gave it to him. I wasn’t careful enough.”
Knox hugged her into his side as Marcus smiled. “You were human. It had been a few days without contact. You were surrounded by friends. And the rain caused a bit of chaos. That was probably the bit of luck he needed. Everyone was focused on cleanup. None of us were thinking about Gammon.”
Knox agreed. “I hate to admit he didn’t cross my mind much yesterday. With the excitement of the Worminator, I got preoccupied, too.”
She looked up at him with those gorgeous, deep eyes. “It’s not your fault. Not at all.”
Marcus leaned in. “The entire fault lies at Gammon’s feet. He’s the only one to blame in this situation. Don’t waste any time or energy blaming yourselves. He’s locked up, and you have better things to think about.”
Thea frowned. “Is he in Phail Jail?”
“He is. He won’t be alone in the building. One of the deputies is with him now. If I’m late getting back, the other will take over. He’s secured, and you don’t have to worry about him anymore.”
She nodded slowly. “Okay. What happens next?”
Marcus leaned back in his chair. “I’ve been in contact with the authorities in Iowa and with the FBI.”
He and Thea shared a look. “The FBI?”
The police chief nodded. “He attempted a kidnapping that would have crossed state lines. Because he didn’t succeed, I don’t think they’ll be involved for long. But they like to know the details of things like this. Our local contact is in New Hampshire. Shanice Williams is sending an agent this way to speak to Gammon while he’s here, to impress on him the seriousness of his crimes.”
That surprised Knox but maybe it shouldn’t have. Marcus had a reputation for being one of the best leaders in the special forces. It shouldn’t surprise him that he had connections throughout the area.
Marcus continued. “After they have their chat with him, I’ll have him transported to Montpelier. The cells here are holding cells. They’re a hundred percent secure, but in a town the size of Phail, we’re not set up for long-term incarceration.”
Thea’s shoulders relaxed. “So he won’t be staying here?”
“Not for long.”
Knox nodded. That was good. “Has he confessed to you?”
That had Marcus grinning. “The man likes to talk. I’ve got cameras recording his words and his movements. He doesn’t need an audience to spill his guts. It mostly sounds like he’s trying to convince himself that his actions were justified.”
“Asshole.”
Marcus laughed. “Yep. He’s stated several times that he hit Thea with the shovel so that he could get her to listen to him. He also said that placing her in the trunk was a really smart plan because it was the easiest way home. That once they were back in Iowa, he hoped she would forget all about Vermont and the farm here.”
Thea shook her head. “He’s a dumbass.”
Marcus nodded. “Not the smartest criminal I’ve encountered. He’s also very afraid of someone. Sounds like he owes that person a ton of money. He’s worried about retribution if he doesn’t pay him back.”
Knox nodded. “We both heard him say things about paying a man back yesterday.”
“From his ramblings, I’m guessing he’s accrued a shit-ton of gambling debts. He hasn’t dropped a name yet, but I’m betting the police in Des Moines will figure it out quickly. As time passes, Gammon’s fear is spiraling. He’s very afraid of this man.”
“He might be safer in jail.”
Marcus shrugged. “It’s a possibility. This kind of fear generally means there’s a criminal element involved. Maybe he was involved in illegal gambling and owes money to a loan shark.”
Thea frowned. “Do you think the fear had his mind snap? There’s no way he should believe I wanted to go back to Iowa.”
Another shrug. “I’ll leave that one for the docs, but I’m guessing it’s all connected. He’s a weak-minded man who got himself into trouble and he doesn’t want to believe it’s his own fault. My Iowa contact told me that Gammon’s business is in serious trouble. Most of the farmers have stopped working with him and his reputation is shot.”
Beside Knox, Thea smiled. “I wonder how he likes it.”
Knox squeezed her shoulders as he grinned. “Karma’s biting him in the ass, and he has no one to blame but himself.”
Marcus nodded. “He hasn’t even asked for a lawyer yet. We have enough evidence to keep him locked away for a while. I can’t say for sure until the lawyers get involved. Still, I suspect he’ll confess officially, and we’ll all avoid the need for a trial.”
“That would be great.” Thea leaned into Knox as she spoke. “It’s mostly over, then?”
Knox ran his hand up and down her arm as Marcus nodded.
After chatting for a bit more, Marcus said he’d type up their statements and then email them for their approval and signatures. Then he asked them to stay in the cabin, and he’d send in Lia.
They’d met the doctor briefly when they’d found Marcus at the compost area. She and her husband, a former FBI negotiator, were friendly and happy to drive out to check on Thea.
Lia arrived with a smile. “I was checking over the Worminator. It’s going to be exciting to see it in action. Anytime you need some help, Joe and I are only a phone call away. I know the other people at Midnight Lake are going to be fascinated as well. Tansy Cheveyo is a pro at reducing human footprints in the world and taking steps to heal the earth. She’s going to love everything you’re doing out here. Now, let’s get to business.”
It didn’t take long for Lia to check over Thea. She was thorough and efficient. “You don’t have any signs of a concussion, which is a bit of a surprise. I’d like you to take some precautions, anyway. Knox, you did a great job of tending the cuts on her wrists and ankles. Those will need some care for a few days, too.”
Lia smiled and packed up her bag. “When you’re outside, especially near the compost, keep those cuts covered for at least a few days. I’ll leave you a salve and some gauze. No overdoing things. I know you’ll want to work, but nothing that causes any strain. Listen to your body, and rest often.”
Then, her face became more serious. “You’ve both been through a trauma.”
Knox frowned. “Thea was the one who was kidnapped and hurt.”
Lia’s tone softened. “I know. And that was extremely traumatic for her, but from everything I’ve seen and heard, that would be equally traumatic for you. Trauma isn’t a contest and is often shared. One day, you should sit down with Joe and me and the others at Midnight Lake to talk about ways we’ve all learned to cope with situations like these. It’s a lot of stories. But we’re stronger because we’ve healed together. Don’t keep it inside. Talk to each other. Talking to a therapist is often a good idea as well. Having an unbiased opinion sometimes makes it easier to unload.”
Then the doctor grinned. “Okay, serious talk over. You’re going to feel a hundred percent in a few days. You’re going to talk to each other. And now, you’re going to take me and Joe on a mini-tour of the farm.”
When Thea grinned, Knox relaxed again. Not only was he reassured that Thea was going to be fine, but they’d added a new friend to their circle.