Chapter 5
FIVE
Jesslyn shuddered. A deep fear that she’d carried with her since losing her family started to make its presence known in a way she hadn’t felt in years. Oh, it was always there, but right now, it snaked through her like a living thing, rearing its ugly head as if to strike.
He’s back.
The words were a hiss in her ears, a slithering in her veins. And his face—
“Jess?”
She jerked at Nathan’s quiet voice. She met his gaze, then looked away. No need to let him know how shaken and weak she really was now that the adrenaline was starting to fade. “I’m okay.”
She pulled in a ragged breath. He was not back. This arsonist had nothing to do with the one in her past. Just because paranoia wanted to invade her mind didn’t mean she had to let it.
Unless she wasn’t being paranoid.
What if he’d seen the news like everyone else and took her promise to catch him to heart? What if it was him?
“So,” she said, gathering her scattered wits and glancing at her watch for the time, “it’s just a little past noon. I’m going to head over to the church and do the inspection. From there, I’ll head to Lake City High School. I speak for the last forty-five minutes of the day. When the bell rings, I’ll be done. After that, I’ll go home and crash while I wait on Marissa to get back to me about any updates on the evidence. You guys are going to check the security footage and get that gun to the lab. Does that cover everything?”
Nathan blinked at her. “Yeah, I think that’s it.”
“All right. I’ve got to go.” And pray the headache throbbing through her skull would settle down. It really had been just a graze, not a full-on hit, but it still hurt.
She pulled out her phone. She had just enough time to get to the appointment at the community church on Main Street. She texted Mr. McClure that she would be there shortly.
Nathan’s hand closed gently around her bicep. “Hey,” he said. “I really think someone should follow you there and stay with you.”
“I really think that’s not necessary. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
“I know you can, but Jess, if someone’s stalking you—”
“We don’t know that for sure. I just said it makes one wonder. But I’ve got to go so I’m not late. I’ll stay in touch and let you know that I’m okay if that will help.”
“It’ll help.”
Jesslyn said goodbye to the guys and settled behind the wheel of her charcoal-gray Jeep Grand Cherokee. She’d traded in her Chevy Traverse to get it a while back. The Jeep was an older model, but she didn’t care. She loved the vehicle and its dependability. The eighteen-inch aluminum wheels had never gotten stuck on a muddy back road, and that was pretty much all she required in her choice of transportation. That, and the spacious back area that held a mix of her professional and personal equipment.
Her phone buzzed with an incoming call and she activated the Bluetooth. “Hello?”
A throat cleared. “Ah, Jesslyn, how are you?”
“I’m doing all right, Dr. Stover, how are you?” He was the principal of the high school and the one who’d lined up her appearance this afternoon. An afternoon she’d packed too tight. “Everything okay?” He’d been the assistant principal the year she graduated, and she’d always liked the man.
“Well, no. Not really. I’ve had a few parents express concern about your appearance at the school today.”
Oh. “I see. Because of my publicly televised rant?”
He hesitated a fraction of a second. “Yes. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. I understand. Would it be better if we rescheduled?” she asked, taking pity on the man.
“I think it might.” The relief in his voice tweaked her heart. Only because he obviously didn’t want to hurt her feelings.
“No problem. You just give me a call when you’re ready.” She paused. “Or I can recommend another fire marshal to do the program.”
“No, no. I want you to do it. I just think it will be better to do it at another time.” He paused. “Thank you for being so understanding and kind about it.”
“It’s okay, Dr. Stover. Have a good afternoon.”
“You too. I’ll be in touch.”
Jesslyn hung up, a sense of relief pounding through her. Disappointment flickered at the reason for the cancellation, but she wasn’t upset about heading home when she finished the inspection.
Ten minutes later, she pulled into the church’s parking lot and paused before opening the door. Using the mirrors and twisting her body, she examined every inch of the surrounding area before she convinced herself it was safe to climb out. She texted the group that she’d arrived safe.
Maybe she should have taken Nathan up on the offer to follow her, but it just galled her to let anyone else get sucked into her troubles. She’d handle this on her own.
She grabbed her iPad that held her checklist and hurried through the side door, down the short hallway to arrive at the room labeled the office. She walked through the open door. “Mr. McClure? It’s Jesslyn. I’m here.”
He stepped out from the side room with a smile on his face. “Jesslyn, glad you made it. Good to see you.” He shook her hand.
“Sure thing.”
“I was so sorry to hear about Chuck’s church—your church. What an awful thing. Do you know what happened?”
“We know what happened, just not why. We’re still in the midst of investigating.”
“Which means you can’t really talk about it.” She smiled and he patted her arm. “Well, do you need anything from me or are you just ready to get started?”
“I’ll get started. It’ll take me about two hours.”
“Then I’ll get out of your way. I have to leave in about ten minutes, but let me know if you need anything before then.”
“Will do. Will there be anyone else in the building?”
“No. Just us. I didn’t want anyone else in your way.”
“Got it. I’ll text when I’m done.”
She left him, pulled out her iPad and the checklist. She started with the smoke detectors, then moved to the sprinkler systems. The fire extinguishers were accessible and properly mounted. She checked service dates and found nothing wrong. Her phone buzzed and she stopped to check the text.
Nathan.
Security footage showed the guy coming into the restaurant and sitting near the back room. He was watching us the whole time. When you got up and went to the bathroom, he followed. Kept his back to the cameras as much as possible. Beanie and sunglasses covered most of his features. Marissa promised to get to the weapon ASAP.
Shocking.
I know. Sorry I don’t have better news.
It’s fine. Kind of what I expected. Any other unsolved cases that are similar?
None. And it’s a pretty bold move to attack someone in a public bathroom. Anyone could have walked in.
Agreed.
Are you free for dinner?
She hesitated. Was she? Technically. She switched to voice texting.
I am. After I finish here.
Would you be interested in getting some Mexican? You didn’t eat much lunch. If you’re tired, I understand. I can pick it up and bring it to your place.
This conversation would have been much easier over the phone. Her head hurt and she was definitely tired. Would be even more tired later.
But...
Can you be at my place around five?
Was it encouraging him when she didn’t want to—okay, couldn’t —take things any further than friendship? Was she making a mistake? Or seriously overthinking the whole situation?
Sure can. See you then. Text me what you like.
Jesslyn did so, then shifted her attention to the emergency exits, counting them and checking the signage as well as making sure the routes were free of obstructions. Her phone buzzed and she ignored it. If she spent any more time on her phone, she’d never get done. She moved to the next part of the new wing, hurrying down the long hallway.
A footfall from behind her sent her pulse skittering and she spun. Nothing. “Mr. McClure?”
No answer. So, it wasn’t him.
But she’d definitely heard a footstep.
Hadn’t she?
Her breath caught and goose bumps pebbled her arms and scalp. She’d never been afraid of being alone in a building she was inspecting.
Until now.
She slipped into a room off the hallway and listened. Nothing. Realizing she was near the nursery, she continued through to the connecting room and found herself in the hallway parallel to the one she just left. Keeping one ear tuned to the area behind her, she continued her inspection with her weapon freed from the restraint and ready for her to grab at a moment’s notice.
In the nursery, she found an area of wiring that needed some fine tuning, but other than that, the building was in really great shape. She finished her report and emailed it to Mr. McClure. Her phone continued to buzz. She glanced at the screen. Twelve texts. A quick scan said there was no emergency, just her friends checking on her. Sweet, but they could wait.
She then checked the parking lot. When she didn’t see anyone or anything other than a sky darkened and heavy with thick gray clouds, she set the alarm and stepped outside. The first drop landed on her cheek. She climbed behind the wheel, locked the doors, then checked her phone again.
Fourteen texts.
She sent a text to the group loop everyone was on.
I’m fine, guys. Thank you. I’ll let you know if I need anything. See you all later.
The sky chose that moment to open up, and the rain came down in sheets.
She turned the key and the engine clicked, then went silent. She tried again with the same result.
Jesslyn sat there for a moment, thinking. Hers was the only car in the parking lot. The pastor was gone.
But someone had been in there with her. If it wasn’t the pastor, who had it been? And where were they now? Her hand went to her weapon on her side, taking comfort in its presence.
She had a choice. Get out and try to see what was wrong with her vehicle in the downpour—she glanced in the back seat ... no umbrella—or call someone to come get her.
Thankfully, the church was on a main road at the edge of town. Cars swept past, wipers working. And it was midafternoon, so not exactly dark although the clouds made it seem like darkness was going to descend within the next thirty seconds.
She pulled her phone from her pocket and tapped Lainie’s name.
Voicemail.
She called Steph.
Voicemail.
Fine.
She dialed Nathan’s number. Just when she thought it was going to voicemail, he answered. “Hello?”
“Thank you for answering. I’m at the church and my car’s dead. I need a ride. Are you available?”
“Grabbing my keys and on the way. Where are you?”
She blinked at the rapid-fire response. “Wow—thanks.”
“What are friends for?”
Right. Friends. Friends were good. Perfect. Because she didn’t want anything more.
She was such a liar.
Movement to her right at the edge of the building caught her attention. The person dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt wore sunglasses and a beanie cap. Like her attacker from the restaurant. But he’d added a raincoat with the hood covering his head.
He lifted his hands, clutching a gun between them, and aimed it at her. She threw herself down across the seats and heard the crack of the shot.
The passenger window shattered a split second before the driver’s side did. Glass rained down on her. She heard Nathan shouting on the other end of the line. Another bullet followed the same path as the first.
With no time to be terrified, she stayed low and pulled her gun from the holster. Then she opened the driver’s side door and slid out onto the drenched asphalt. Wet soaked into her clothes, instantly chilling her. She’d left her coat in the car, not needing it in the church, and now she didn’t have time to grab it. She looked underneath the Jeep and saw black boots walking her way. She aimed, but the rain blurred her vision. And the slow traffic on the busy road behind him made her hesitate. If she missed, she could hit—
The gun fired again.
He was closing in. Nathan was on his way but wouldn’t arrive in time.
And closer still the shooter came.
It was now or never. Please let him be a bad shot.
She bolted for the opposite side of the building, shoulders hunched, bent at the waist to make herself as small a target as possible.
The gun cracked again. Jesslyn rounded the brick corner and aimed herself for the back road, patting her pocket. Rats. She’d left her phone in the car. The rain sluiced down her hair and face, blinding her, but she continued down the road looking for a place to hide. Another glance behind her and she could see him looking for her. She ran through the My Pie restaurant parking lot, tucked her gun out of sight, and ducked into the building.
As soon as she stepped inside, everything went quiet while the three patrons and two waitresses stared at her.
One of the waitresses stepped from behind the counter. “Goodness, girl, what happened to you?”
“Can I use your phone? It’s an emergency.”
The woman dipped her hand into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone, tapped the screen, and handed it to Jesslyn. Jesslyn stared at it. She had no idea of anyone’s number. She could hear the sirens in the distance and knew Nathan was on his way to the church. She dialed 911 and gave an abbreviated report of her situation and location. “Contact Detective James Cross with the LCPD while I hold, please.”
She waited. All eyes in the restaurant were on her and a few jaws were swinging.
Note to self. Memorize at least one friend’s number in case of an emergency.
A loud crack sounded behind her. A bullet had gone through the glass door. People screamed and ducked under booths.
“Get down! Stay down!” She set the phone on the counter, pulled her weapon once more, and looked around. She had to get out of there or she was going to get people killed.
She ran through the kitchen and out the back.
NATHAN PULLED INTO THE CHURCH parking lot and slammed the car into park next to Jesslyn’s Jeep. The Jeep’s shattered glass glinted like spilled diamonds and the driver’s door was open. He’d heard the shots, and when Jesslyn hadn’t answered his frantic shouts, he could only assume the worst. James, Kenzie, and Cole arrived. Cole was out of the vehicle before it stopped rolling and was immediately soaked. “Where is she? Greene and Otis are on the way, but they’re coming from another situation.” Sampson Greene was the handler for the K-9, Otis, who could find Jesslyn even in the rain.
“I just got here,” Nathan said. Jesslyn had called his personal phone and he was still connected to her line. He’d used his work phone to call the others.
Two more vehicles rolled in. Scott Butler climbed from one and Buzz Crenshaw from the other. The SWAT team had descended. Not because this was an official call, but because they were all friends with Jesslyn. He honestly wouldn’t be surprised to see Lainie and Steph show up once they learned of the situation.
The rain continued to pelt them all while red and blue lights bounced off the church window and rain-slicked bodies. Nathan leaned in to get a look at the front seat. Her cell phone, but ...
“No blood,” he said. Relief flowed for a brief second before he straightened and looked at the others. “That doesn’t mean she’s not still in trouble. Her phone is on the passenger seat.” He leaned back in, grabbed it, and opened the glove compartment. No weapon. “She has her gun most likely.”
Or the person who took her had it. Unless she’d run. His heart pounded. He turned, searching the area behind him, the direction she would have run if she’d been able. The torrential downpour seemed to mock his frantic efforts, blurring his vision and soaking him to the bone. He shivered and fear for Jesslyn pounded him.
“Put your comms in and spread out!” he yelled over the roar of the storm. “Look for any sign of her!” Thunder boomed and lightning split the sky. Where had this weather come from? It was January. Thunderstorms didn’t normally happen in January.
James and Kenzie were nodding, their rain-plastered expressions grim as they shoved in the earpieces. A drenched Cole moved like a shadow, determination on his hard features.
Nathan’s anxiety eased a fraction. If anyone would find her, it would be those who cared most about her. His gaze swept the area, every sense heightened. The rain muffled sounds, but he searched for anything that might tell him which way Jesslyn went—or was taken.
His sodden feet carried him to the edge of the parking lot to the area behind the church. He glanced back at her car and its open door. If she had run, she would have come this way. Away from the shooter.
“Hey,” James said, his voice coming through the comms. “She called 911. She was at the restaurant but ran when the shooter put a bullet through the front door. Keep looking! She’s around here somewhere.”
The woods loomed across the street, a dark, foreboding barrier. If he was a kidnapper, that’s where he’d go. Assuming he didn’t have a vehicle waiting.
“We need footage,” he muttered.
“Already called it in,” Cole said.
“Great.” Nathan glanced down the road. Lights shone through the rain and he changed course. She’d gone for people. A phone. At the nearest restaurant. Now where?
A flash of something—or someone—wavered at the edge of the thick foliage. Ignoring the lights, Nathan sprinted toward the trees, adrenaline firing his pulse. “Jesslyn!” The woods and the sound of the rain swallowed her name.
The muddy undergrowth beneath his feet made each step a battle. Branches whipped at his face, leaving stinging marks, but he pushed forward. Then, a sound—not the storm, but something else. A branch cracking.
He froze, listening. Straining to hear over the downpour. There. To his right. He turned, squinting through the rain, and that’s when he saw it. The shadow darting between the trees at a quick sprint. Then it paused and turned.
Nathan reached for his weapon, but before he could draw, a sharp crack echoed through the woods, a sound unmistakably different from the thunder. A gunshot.
He ducked behind the nearest tree, scanning the area. “FBI!” he shouted. “Put your weapon down!” He gave his location to the others, who hurried his way. Tate and two other officers indicated they were close by, but Nathan stopped, scoping the area. The person was gone. Nathan turned his footsteps in the direction he’d last seen him, using the trees for cover.
The rain continued to pour, a relentless cascade. Nathan steadied his breathing and scanned for the shooter.
“We’ve got her!” Kenzie’s voice in his ear spun him around.
“Where?”
“Back at the church. She found us.”
Nathan slowed. The shooter could have gone in any direction by now. “I’ve lost him.” With one last look around, he scrambled back through the woods while the others continued to search for the man.
When he rounded the corner of the building, he found himself back in the parking lot. An ambulance had arrived during his absence, and Jesslyn now sat in the back of it, wrapped in a blanket, with Kenzie and James at her side. He hurried over to join them. “Jesslyn?”
She met his gaze. “I’m okay. Once again. But I’ll tell you this. Whoever’s after me wants me out of the picture for some reason.” She lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes. “Well, that’s a mistake, because I’m not going anywhere.” She bit her lip, then sighed. “And I’m going to let you guys help me because I know you’ll insist.”
Nathan nodded. She was right about that.