Chapter 18
EIGHTEEN
Weak morning sunshine streamed through the curtains in Piper’s bedroom, barely breaking through the overcast day. A steady beat thrummed against the window. The rain had lightened up since last night but was far from over. More storms were predicted for this afternoon.
Piper buried herself deeper in the covers. Several layers of thick blankets were piled on top of her comforter, but it didn’t erase the chill in her bones. Her eyes felt gritty and sore from not sleeping. After coming home from the crime scene, she’d lain awake in bed, her mind twisting and turning and unable to settle. Not even prayer had soothed her raw nerves. And every time she started drifting off to sleep, her thoughts would return to the phone call. The killer’s words replayed on a loop.
Your hair was in a braid, the kitchen floor was yellow with a green floral design, and when I approached, you were putting milk in the fridge.
All of that was true. The last detail wasn’t common knowledge. Piper had told Derek, but he hadn’t included it in the official report. Some things were held back so investigators could identify the right suspect through questioning when one was arrested. Lionel never confessed. He’d pulled a gun on the police when they arrived to arrest him and was killed in the subsequent shootout.
For the last ten years, Piper believed her attacker was dead. That she was safe. It was over.
Instead, he’d been out there. Free to brutalize other women.
Free to kill.
She tossed the covers off and swung her legs over the bed. It was tempting to hide out. Jackson and Derek could work the case. They were capable and smart investigators who wouldn’t stop until the perpetrator was caught. No one would blame her for removing herself from the case. She didn’t have to keep going.
She could leave.
Piper had done it before. In fact, her instincts were to run. Get in her car and drive until she ran out of gas or the wheels of her truck fell off. Either that or hide under these covers until the case was solved. The whispers of self-preservation and protection were strong. It took a lot of strength to push them aside.
Piper wasn’t a terrified eighteen-year-old. She was a law enforcement officer who’d taken an oath to protect and serve. Running away hadn’t solved anything, and hiding out would only reinforce the notion that she was weak. Piper refused to be broken. No one—not even the threats of a homicidal maniac—would stop her from finishing what she’d started. Elena and Gerdie deserved justice. So did she.
It was time to get it.
She rushed through her morning routine. The doors in the hallway were all closed. Her sister and the kids were still sleeping, not surprising since it was dawn on a Saturday morning. A patrol unit was stationed outside the house and Jackson had insisted on spending the night on the couch. One of the first things that needed to be addressed was her family’s safety. The killer seemed fixated on Piper, but she was smart enough to know, a desperate man might hurt those closest to her.
The scent of coffee tickled her senses as she hit the last step on the stairs. Voices filtered from the kitchen. Male. Piper rounded the corner and found Jackson seated at the table with two other men. Texas Rangers, judging from the badges pinned to their shirts.
He rose. “Good morning. Piper, I’d like to introduce you to Ranger Cole Donnelly and Ranger Weston Donovan. Both of them work with me in Company A.”
Cole had short blonde hair and when he extended his right hand for her to shake, winced slightly. “Pleasure to meet you, Detective Jensen.”
“Piper, please.” She smiled. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Ranger Donnelly, starting with the fact that you were shot in the line of duty. How’s your recovery? ”
“Slower than I’d like, thanks.”
Weston rolled his eyes. “Don’t listen to him. He’s such a whiner. Cole acts like he’s the only one in our group who’s been shot.” His tone was teasing, and it was obvious he was good-naturedly picking on his teammate. Weston was built like a tank and towered over Piper. When they shook hands, his grip was firm but not crushing, and his smile warm. “Nice to meet you. Pardon our invasion into your home, but Jackson thought it was better to meet here than at the sheriff’s department.”
“Weston and Cole have volunteered to protect Ava and the kids until the case is solved,” Jackson explained.
Piper’s mouth dropped open. “But?—”
“But nothing.” Weston waved off her protest. “Cole is practically useless these days. He’s still on medical leave. And I’m technically on vacation.” His chest puffed out. “My wife, Avery, gave birth to our gorgeous daughter last week. I took some time off to be with them, but yesterday, her sister and grandmother arrived to help. Now there are three women fluttering around my sweet daughter, and I’ll be lucky to catch sight of her, let alone hold her.”
Piper laughed. “Do you have a picture of your daughter?”
Cole rolled his eyes. “He has hundreds. I’ve never seen so many photos of a newborn in my whole life.”
“That’s because she’s the most beautiful girl in the world.” Weston whipped out his cell phone and opened his photos app before turning the screen toward Piper. “Her name is Charlotte. ”
On screen was one of the cutest babies Piper had ever seen. Wispy dark curls framed a round face with a perfect button nose and a rosebud mouth. Charlotte was nestled in a pink blanket decorated with elephants. Piper smiled. “She is gorgeous. Congratulations.” She pointed to the woman holding the infant. “Is that your wife?”
“Yes. Avery. She’s the chief of police for Harrison University.” Weston clapped Jackson on the back. “Get this lump to invite you to one of our BBQs. I’m sure everyone would love to meet you, including my wife.”
“Aunt Piper.”
The tiny voice was filled with nerves. Piper turned to find Emma standing in the doorway, still in her pajamas, a scared look on her face. The little girl’s gaze shot from one man to the next.
Heart squeezed tight, Piper scooped up Emma into her arms. The little girl buried her face in her shoulder. Emma’s breath was hot against her neck. It must’ve been unnerving to find the kitchen full of strangers. Emma was an outgoing child, but like everyone, she had her limits. “Don’t be frightened. These men are Mr. Jackson’s friends. This is Mr. Cole and Mr. Weston.”
Emma peeked out from her hiding place.
The guys waved at her, and Weston pulled a silly face, which elicited a round of giggles from the kindergartener. Within minutes, Emma was plying the two newcomers with questions. Piper cracked eggs while Jackson chopped veggies for the omelets. Fresh coffee brewed, and along the way, someone turned on the radio. Gospel music filled the kitchen, punctuated by the low murmur of male voices and Emma’s frequent giggles.
Jackson set a full mug of coffee on the counter next to Piper. “You look like you need this.”
“That obvious, huh?” She whisked the eggs with one hand while grabbing the coffee with the other. Caffeine was a must if she was going to get through the day. “I didn’t sleep much.”
“Who could after what happened last night?”
She glanced over her shoulder. Piper’s heart melted at the sight of the two rangers teaching Emma how to make shadow animals. Then she focused back on Jackson. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. He hadn’t shaved yet, and the whiskers shadowing his chin accented the curve of his lips and the deep green color of his eyes.
Maybe it was tiredness. Or perhaps her heart couldn’t forget the passionate kiss they’d shared before the night turned horribly wrong. Whatever it was, Piper gave into the urge to lean forward and brush a kiss across his gorgeous lips. “Thank you for arranging protection for my family. Weston and Cole are great.”
His lips curved into a smile, and he brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “You don’t need to thank me. I care about Ava and the kids. I don’t want anything to happen to them. Or you, for that matter.” His expression darkened as worry filled his eyes. “What are the chances I can talk you into hiding out while we catch whoever is behind this?”
She hesitated and then pulled away under the guise of pouring the eggs into the frying pan. “I can’t. This is my job, Jackson. I have to see it through.”
He sighed. “That’s what I thought.”
“Good morning, everyone.” Ava limped in, a smile brightening her face. “I didn’t know we were having a party this morning.”
“Mommy, look!” Emma shouted. “I can make a dog!”
Piper laughed and introduced her sister to Weston and Cole. A few minutes later, Finn joined them. The kitchen overflowed with conversation, and once breakfast was ready, they all joined hands to pray. It felt as natural as breathing. Piper didn’t trust easily. Neither did her sister. But there was something about the men on Jackson’s team that broke through their embedded mistrust. It was a shared faith, yes, but it went deeper than that. Cole and Weston were kind and spoke lovingly of their wives and family. Their dedication to the people they cared about, including Jackson, shone through.
She could trust these men with her family. They’d do everything to keep them safe.
The doorbell pealed. Jackson, along with the other rangers, rose immediately.
Piper’s phone beeped with a text. She glanced at the screen. “Stand down, gentlemen. It’s the sheriff.” She strolled from the kitchen and crossed to the front door, but before opening it, confirmed Derek was standing on the porch. He looked terrible. His uniform was wrinkled and there were circles dark enough to count as bruises under his eyes.
She wasn’t the only one who hadn’t gotten any sleep .
“Derek, come in.” She instantly recognized the stiffness in his posture and the concern written on his features. Her pulse picked up. “What is it? Has there been another murder?”
“No, but we need to have the task force meeting here. I think there’s a leak in my department.” He gestured to the television. “Turn on the news.”