Chapter 50
SAVANNAH
Adjusting my legs on the gurney, I shift from side to side. Cop cars and other emergency vehicles surround the abandoned building as the first signs of morning light peek at the horizon.
An antiseptic swipes across my palm, and I wince.
“Sorry,” the paramedic apologizes.
“It’s okay.” I give the EMT a soft smile. I know he’s just doing his job.
He finishes bandaging me up and climbs into the ambulance to put away his supplies.
The police arrived quickly with two ambulances, and then they called the morgue. Rory gave them the version of events he, Hunter, and Luke concocted. Their next call was to the FBI. I’ve been anticipating their arrival because I don’t know who they’ll send.
A drop of relief pools inside me when I spot Agent Asher Dawson approaching, accompanied by Zane Kingston.
“Hey, how are you feeling?” Asher greets.
I dip my head. “Nothing that can’t be fixed.”
Which is true. The EMT told me that the cuts on my thigh and hands are superficial and don’t need stitches. It took a while to disinfect and clean my wounds, though. Dried blood is difficult to remove.
“Before we start, would you like your lawyer present?” Zane questions.
It takes me a moment to remember that they all know each other. “No, I’m okay.”
Zane exhales. “He wanted us to check before we started asking questions.”
Asher clears his throat. “With that out of the way, can you tell me what happened here?”
Luke starts, “We were made aware of Savannah’s location—”
“How?” Asher questions, but Zane elbows him, stopping that line of questioning.
“And we hurried right over. When we got here, John was pointing a gun at Savannah. He said he was going to shoot her, so I shot him first.”
Zane studies each of us closely. “That’s how it happened?”
Rory nods. “Exactly.”
Asher asks the next question. “What about the other guy?”
“That’s Jeremy Milton.” I take a steadying breath. “He was John’s attorney. He was the copycat.”
Asher frowns. “What makes you say that?”
“He told me,” I state plainly.
Zane scribbles in his notepad, then looks up. “Did he tell you anything else?”
“He implied that he’s the Ripper of Albany,” I add.
Asher’s eyes become impossibly wide. “Shit.”
“Wow,” Zane whispers.
Rory looks at me with a puzzled look. “You didn’t tell us that.”
Rubbing my eyes, I reply, “I just remembered.”
Asher turns to Zane. “I’ll make the call tomorrow.”
Hunter squints at Asher and Zane. “How did John escape a maximum-security prison?”
Luke glances around. “Yeah, I thought Green Haven was locked down tight.”
“Brad Gill, the prison guard,” Zane answers with a frustrated huff.
Rory’s jaw goes slack. “The one you thought was the copycat?”
Asher’s upper lip pulls to one side. “Yeah, him. He had made a copy of his keys and gave them to John. He even gave John one of his uniforms. John was able to walk out the front door.”
Rory scoffs. “You’re kidding.”
Asher shakes his head. “I talked with the warden myself.”
“Can I ask?” I start. “What happened to Agents Huntley and Cassidy?”
Asher tilts his head to the side. “Cassidy was transferred to San Francisco, and Huntley retired.”
My expression goes slack. “Retired? But he was only—”
“The move may not have been a choice he wanted to make,” Asher says with a knowing look.
Oh.
Hunter claps his hands and rubs them together. “Well, thank you for all of your help, but we’d better get going.”
Zane arches a brow at me and lowers his voice, stepping closer as the guys and Asher thank each other and say quick goodbyes. “I know that the story you all told was just that—a story. If you ever decide to officially change your story, there won’t be any repercussions from law enforcement.”
I swallow a gulp.
Zane’s expression softens. “I’m not going to tell anyone. I know you did what you had to do. Just give me a call if you change your mind.”
I do my best to muster up a ghost of a smile. “Thank you, Detective, but I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.”
Zane steps back, walking away with Asher.
“Let’s get you home. You have some presents to open.”
Sitting around the largest Christmas tree in the penthouse, I let out a big exhale as Rory hands me another present. I’m already surrounded by mounds of wrapping paper and various gifts.
I’ve made myself comfortable on the lush rug, Luke is situated close to me, Hunter relaxes on the couch, and Rory is running around like a puppy, handing out gifts.
My eyes widen. “This one too?”
“Yep,” Rory answers with a pop.
I glare at the three of them. “You’re all in the doghouse.”
It’s made clear that no one takes me seriously as Hunter responds, “Sure. Whatever you say.”
Holding the box in my lap, they wait for me to open it.
My vision blurs as I stare down at the perfectly wrapped present.
Luke leans forward, placing a hand on my ankle. “Why are you crying?”
Hunter jumps up from the couch and sits behind me, bracketing my body with his legs and pulling me into his chest. “What’s wrong?”
Rory freezes mid-step. “I’ll take the three diamond necklaces back if that’s the problem.”
“No, it’s not that.” I shake my head, smiling through the tears. “I’m just really really happy.”
Hunter kisses my cheek. “Get used to it, Heartbreaker.”