Chapter 6
Chapter Six
During the drive to the police precinct, Clay phoned Cooper to tell him about this new wrinkle and that his cover had been blown. Cooper had dived deep into the chief of police, based on Sheriff Malone’s assessment.
“There are no open federal investigations into Dean,” Cooper explained. “But there have been reports of excessive force used in the department, along with wrongful arrests and two civil-rights violation lawsuits, both of which were dropped or settled during his time as chief.”
“So Sheriff Malone’s suspicions were probably right. You don’t think he’s involved in this hit on Darby, do you?”
“I can’t say for sure, but I looked up the case Darby mentioned.
The homeowner posted a video on social media, clearly showing the female suspect pocketing jewelry.
According to her statement, she removed it after a visit from Dean.
He also refused to press charges against the woman, Suzanne Crompton, but the local prosecutor’s office intervened after seeing the video.
That’s when the original security feed was taken into evidence and soon vanished.
The prosecutor was forced to drop the charges.
When Crompton opened her own cleaning business, the homeowner wanted to let people know what had happened and not to trust Crompton, but her relationship with Chief Dean made her too fearful.
She said she was glad to have her belongings returned to her. ”
So, at the very least, Dean intimidated witnesses. At worse, he could be a killer.
Clay thanked him then ended the call as he arrived at the police station. He parked then followed Officer Massey through the front doors and down a long hallway. Massey knocked then opened the door.
Chief Dean stood as Clay entered the room, and Massy closed the door behind him. Clay sized up the chief, a man of above average height with broad shoulders, big arms, and a gun on his hip.
“Agent Walker, I’m Jeff Dean, Chief of Sheraton PD.”
Clay shook his hand then took the seat he offered. Dean chose to walk around to the front of the desk and sit on the corner so he towered over Clay. Clay had seen that move used before as intimidation.
Only he wasn’t intimidated. “Your officer said you had questions for me.”
“Yes, I did. After the break-in at the Holmes home, my officers reported that you were in town. I didn’t know of any federal operation happening here in Sheraton. It’s common courtesy for the FBI to alert local law enforcement of their presence.”
“Not always. I’m not in town for work.”
“So your interest in Darby Foster is…”
“Personal. We’ve been dating for two months.
When I discovered her life had been threatened, I decided to stick around for a while to make sure she’s safe.
” It was the story they’d come up with to explain his presence in town.
He didn’t mind spinning a tale to further a case, and having the chief know he was FBI could complicate matters.
If Chief Dean was involved in the threats against Darby, knowing a federal agent was involved might cause him to alter his course.
He decided to go on the offense. “I understand you, or rather your girlfriend, has had a recent falling out with Darby.”
Dean folded his arms as the muscles in his jaw tightened. “She accused Suzanne of something she didn’t do.”
“Despite the video of her rummaging through a client’s belongings?”
“That’s a lie. The video was a fake.”
“So neither you nor Suzanne hired someone to abduct and kill Darby?”
Dean scoffed at that idea. “Suzanne would never do that, and I wouldn’t condone that kind of behavior in my town.
Besides, Suzanne has her own cleaning company now, and it’s doing quite well.
Her beef with Darby Foster is history. But this is still my town and I’m the law here.
If Darby’s in danger, keep me in the loop.
I’ve already received the incident report and evidence notes from Sheriff Malone.
Please assure Darby that the Sheraton PD will make sure she’s protected. ”
Satisfied they seemed to have reached an understanding—both cautious of the other—Clay stood and reached out his hand. “I appreciate that, Chief.”
Dean shook his hand then walked back around his desk, signaling an end to the meeting.
Clay opened the door and headed to his pickup. He glanced at his cell phone, noting several missed calls and a text from Darby.
David’s hurt. On my way to the hospital.
His chest tightened. Something had happened during his meeting with Chief Dean. His mind flashed back to not being there for Jackie and Olivia. Now, he hadn’t been there when Darby needed him.
He ran to his pickup, heart racing as he jumped inside and took off after her.
Darby gave thanks when she saw the two-lane highway was not congested.
She did her best to stay calm and concentrate on the road ahead.
Her knuckles hurt from gripping the steering wheel so tightly, but it kept her from bursting into tears.
That wouldn’t do. She didn’t have time for a breakdown—not when David needed her.
The GPS showed she was heading for the closest medical center to the camp, and she was still forty-five minutes away.
God, please watch over him until I can reach him.
Her phone rang from its spot in the dashboard cradle. She hoped it was Jason, calling to give her an update on David. It wasn’t, but she was equally glad to hear from Clay. Darby gave him the details about David’s accident. “I’m on my way to the hospital.”
“I saw your text. Why didn’t you wait for me?” His voice sounded terse, angry that she’d left him behind.
“I couldn’t wait. I didn’t know how long you would be.”
“Where are you now?”
She glanced at her GPS and gave him the name of the intersection she’d just passed.
“I’m on my way to you. If I don’t catch up, I’ll meet you at the hospital.” He blew out an audible breath then added more calmly. “He’ll be okay. If he’s anything like his mother, he’s one tough kid.”
Her heart fluttered with worry, but she appreciated his attempt to reassure her. “Kids break bones every day, but after all that’s happened, this just seems like one more blow, you know?”
“I know.”
She barely knew this man, but she appreciated his kindness. She hadn’t received many kind words or actions in the past years. She’d shouldered it all alone. It felt good to have another person to share the load.
She wiped away and errant tear then glanced in the rearview mirror at a car fast approaching behind her. “Slow down, fella.”
“What?”
“Nothing. Just a car coming up behind me really fast. Someone’s in a bigger hurry than I am.” Yes, she was rushing to the hospital, but she preferred to make it there in one piece. “I’ll slow down and let him pass.”
She tapped her brakes. Since there was no oncoming traffic, the SUV shouldn’t have trouble going around her.
But it didn’t change lanes. Instead, it slowed down and rode right on her bumper.
Darby gripped the steering wheel even tighter as the car continued speeding up and slowing down as if toying with her.
The hairs raised on her neck. She spotted a turn coming up and quickly made it.
The SUV braked to turn too. “Something’s wrong. ”
“What is it?”
“I just made a turn and the SUV behind me turned too. It’s right on my tail.”
“Keep going. I’m on my way.”
Darby pressed her foot on the accelerator to speed up, but it was too late.
The SUV surged, slamming into her rear bumper.
“Clay, hurry!” She fought the wheel, knuckles white, tires skidding. Somehow, she stayed on the road.
The SUV backed off then pulled alongside her as if it would pass her. For a second, she felt a flicker of hope.
Maybe just a reckless driver. Maybe—
She glanced over. A man stared straight at her—and then he jerked the wheel hard.
Steel slammed into the side of her car. It launched off the road, plunging down a steep embankment.
Her scream fractured the air as trees whipped past. Metal crunched. The car slammed into a trunk. The airbag exploded.
Pain burst through her skull. The world tipped sideways.
Her body sagged against the seat, limbs heavy. Darkness crept in around the edges of her vision. A hissing sound rose from the engine.
Through the shattered windshield, she saw the SUV parked at the roadside. A man climbed out and ran toward her.
This wasn’t an accident.
He’d come to finish the job.
Her body refused to move. Her lips wouldn’t form a scream.
Clay’s voice echoed from the phone—frantic, calling her name, pleading for an answer. She wanted to let him know she was in trouble, but she couldn’t speak.
Darkness swallowed her whole.