Chapter 28
28
Heart jackhammering, he laser-focused on the spot where Remi had disappeared beneath the chop.
She’d been standing when they hit the wave head-on, and then Cole had turned hard to port.
“Remi!” he shouted to the wind and rain, then slowed his boat as he approached. No time to drop anchor, he killed the engine. He risked the waves pushing the boat away from the spot where she’d gone in, but he couldn’t risk hurting her with the boat or motor.
His shoulders tensed as he searched the water on both sides of the boat.
She hadn’t come back up. He kept watch on Cole’s vessel. His brother could turn around and come back as soon as he realized Remi was no longer with him. Or Cole could keep going because the harbor police were out searching the waters now.
Hawk was going in after her. He grabbed the flotation device and jumped in. To dive, he’d have to leave the device and hope it was near when he came up with Remi. Because he would come up with her. He wouldn’t accept defeat.
He dove into the dark, cold waters and swam until he reached the calm below the chop. He could barely see in the murky dimness. He spotted her struggling to reach the surface. Struggling and failing. Bubbles rippling from her mouth. He had to reach her before it was too late. Kicking hard, he grabbed her arms and dragged her up, shoving her above the water. She gasped and coughed.
“What took you so long?” She didn’t smile with her question.
He was just happy he got to her. He’d wanted to find his brother and somehow fix him, and now, all he wanted to do was strangle him. But he let the anger go. They had to get to safety.
“Where’s the boat?” she asked.
Where was the life preserver? Both were washed well out of reach in the brutally rough waves. They couldn’t tread this for long. Except ... wait ... a Seattle Harbor Patrol boat sped toward them.
And slowed. Relieved, Hawk swam to the boat, pulling Remi with him since she was helpless with her wrists and ankles tied. A marine police officer assisted them aboard, cut off her plastic ties, then escorted them below deck, where it was warm. He offered them each blankets.
“Thanks.” Hawk used it to wipe his face off and wrapped it around his body.
Remi did the same and then she sat in a booth.
“Glad to be of assistance. I’m Sergeant Medford.”
“Hawk Beckett and Remi Grant. What’s happening?” Hawk asked. “You’re not letting him get away, are you?”
“Not letting who get away?”
“The man who shot John Marshall, and who abducted her.” Hawk’s voice hitched up with his anger.
“Why don’t you tell me your version?”
“I will, but I want to know you’re not letting him get away.”
“The Harbor Patrol officers are handling this. Now, your version. Your statement.” The man studied Hawk. “You’re that pilot with King County Aerial Unit, aren’t you?”
“I was, yes.”
“You can’t stay out of the news, can you?” He arched a brow.
Hawk shared a glance with Remi. “I guess not.”
“John. How is he?” Remi asked.
“Last I heard he was being airlifted to UW Medical Center. Still alive.”
“Where are you taking us?” she asked.
“We’re heading back to the marina and dropping you off. I need to get your statements, please.”
They each shared the events as they’d unfolded, but Hawk never mentioned that Cole was his brother, and the sergeant didn’t ask questions that would require him to reveal he even knew who Cole was. That made him curious about what John had said, if he’d said anything at all to them. Hawk had taken off after Cole and Remi as soon as he could. Cole was a ghost, and if he took Remi, she’d be lost for good. Hawk didn’t feel right about leaving John, but at the same time, he had to save Remi. Though that decision had been excruciating, it really wasn’t that hard to make. Remi needed him. His friend had remained strong, though in pain, and Hawk had done all he could do for him. John had also urged Hawk after Remi, even as he was already halfway out the door.
Hawk had exited the house in time to watch Cole speeding away in what Hawk had previously assumed was John’s boat.
“Why were you there to see Mr. Marshall?”
“He’s my old CO. A friend.” And that’s all Hawk would say. He wasn’t obligated to share more. Hawk half feared that he and Remi would be detained for more questioning.
Medford might have read his mind. “Marshall told us his version of what happened, and it jibes with yours.”
Hawk would share the facts as he knew them, but he wouldn’t answer questions that hadn’t been asked or volunteer information. The Harbor Patrol dropped Hawk and Remi off at the marina where Hawk had left his vehicle. The police were out in full force to capture Cole Mercer.
Hawk’s brother.
He’d seen Cole in action. Seen it with his own eyes. For John to tell them he’d been shot was one thing, but for Hawk to see it was another. Cole had fired at him as well, but he’d merely been throwing down cover so he could exit and escape with Remi. Hawk should take some comfort in the fact Cole hadn’t killed her and so he wanted her alive for the moment. But for how long?
Inside the vehicle, Hawk cranked up the heat and let it idle.
Shame flooded him. Shame and grief. God, I don’t even know what to think or do. His goal had always been to find his brother so he could somehow pull him back from the edge and save him. Then his mission had shifted to add keeping Remi safe as they searched for answers.
Hanging his head, he released a heavy exhale.
He felt hollowed out.
Maybe Hawk wasn’t the person to save Cole, and he wasn’t sure anyone besides God could.
God, are you listening? This isn’t who Cole is. Please, save him!
Because I don’t know what I’m going to do if he stays on this path or gets killed and is lost forever.
Remi had been quiet the entire time. She was likely in shock, and his concern for her kicked up. If only he could just take her back to the lodge and she could return to her life. The life she lived there in an effort to hide from all this.
Admit it. You have no idea what you’re doing. Hawk squeezed the bridge of his nose. Then he reached over and lifted her chin. Turned her face toward him so he could see her eyes. A bold move on his part. “Are you okay?”
But he knew she wasn’t. How could she be? He dropped his hand, but she kept her face turned toward him, her eyes locked with his. Her breaths quickened and his fear ratcheted up.
“What is it?” he asked. “What’s the matter?”
“We’re in a lot of trouble,” she said. “More danger than we thought.”
As if the news of Operation Blackout weren’t enough. “Why do you say that?”
“Because ... it’s all coming back to me.”