Deadly Christmas Duty Page 16

  She clasped her hands together, but he could see she was frightened. He didn’t know if it was because of him, or if she was too frightened to speak because she was afraid of Ray. He knelt beside her. “You were her friend, Robin. You were Melinda’s friend. But you lured her to that restaurant so your friend Ray Steele could plant that bomb, and you told him how to get his hands on her son, too, didn’t you?”

  She glanced at him and gasped, but remained silent.

  “Who else knew Susan was the only other person who could pick up Ramey besides Melinda? You knew and you told him, didn’t you? Did you know she’s dead? Murdered right in front of her son.”

  She sobbed but didn’t open her mouth to speak.

  “You may as well tell us the truth, Robin,” Peterson stated. “We’re going to find out one way or another, and you don’t want to add double murder to your charges.”

  “Double murder?”

  “He used Ramey to lure Melinda to him. He has her, and we need to find her before he hurts either her or Ramey. It’s already murder and kidnapping. Don’t make it any worse.”

  She glanced at them both like she wanted to say something, then shook her head. “I can’t. I have a family, too.”

  “We’ll protect them,” Peterson said.

  “No, you can’t. You can’t protect us.”

  “Tell them the truth, Robin.”

  Noah jumped to his feet and drew his gun at the same time as Peterson. Trey Danbar stepped from the back.

  He looked defeated and forlorn and repeated his instructions to his wife. “Tell them the truth.”

  Peterson rushed to him and patted him down for weapons, then led him over to his wife and forced him to sit beside her.

  “Tell me what happened.”

  Trey did the talking. “He showed up here in town six weeks ago. He came looking for me.”

  “Why? How do you know him?”

  “I don’t, but I did some work for another guy. Apparently, Ray met him in prison and told him about me.”

  “What kind of work?” Noah demanded.

  He lowered his eyes. “He hired me to launder money through my bank. He offered me a lot of money, and at the time we were in financial need. The bakery wasn’t earning its potential and our son, Caleb, had to have surgery. I was in over my head, and we were going to lose the house. This guy approached me and offered me the opportunity to make big bucks. I took it and laundered the money. But even after I had caught up on all the bills and things were looking up, I couldn’t get out. He kept wanting more and more, and I knew that soon I was going to be caught for what I was doing.”

  “I still haven’t heard how you got involved with Ray.”

  “This guy I was laundering money for got arrested for dealing drugs. He went to prison. I thought I was free and clear. Then six weeks ago Ray showed up. He said he’d met Cooper in prison and learned all about me. He said I owed Cooper, and helping him was my way of paying Cooper back.”

  “So you agreed?”

  “No. I flat-out refused. I was out. I told Ray to get lost.”

  “But he didn’t?”

  “No, he didn’t. I came home from work one day, and he had Robin and Caleb tied up. He said he would kill them if I didn’t tell him everything we knew about Melinda. We helped him only because he threatened our family.”

  Robin started to cry. “It’s true. I lured her to that lunch so he could plant the bomb. He kept telling me I had to get her out of the office, but she kept refusing to meet with me. I panicked and just kept insisting.” She put her hands on her face and sobbed quietly. “I didn’t want any of this.”

  Noah knelt beside her. “I understand why this happened. He threatened your family. Now I need you to be strong. I need you to tell me where he’s taken Melinda.”

  “We have a boat,” Trey said. “It’s docked down at the marina. He took the keys.”

  Peterson pulled out a small notebook. “Does this boat have GPS? I need the coordinates.”

  “I’ll get them,” Trey said, standing.

  Peterson followed him into the office while Noah waited with Robin. He felt sorry for her, but he understood she was looking out for her family. Now she and her husband would be in jail, and her child would be left parentless. Ray had managed to destroy another family.

  Peterson handcuffed them both to their respective chairs. “You’re both under arrest for multiple accounts of attempted murder and conspiracy to kidnapping. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say and do can be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney, and if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you. Do you both understand these rights I’ve explained to you?”

  “I do,” Trey stated.

  “So do I,” Robin said.

  “Good. I’ll have an officer swing by and pick you up.” He motioned toward Noah. “Let’s go.”

  Noah knew leaving them here until another officer arrived wasn’t proper police protocol even in a small town, but he was glad Peterson wasn’t going to try to make him wait until someone else arrived.

  “Isn’t Melinda afraid of the water?” he asked as they hurried to the car. “Would she go to a marina?”

  Noah knew the truth. “To save her son, she would do whatever she had to do.”

  And he would do whatever it took to bring them both home safely, even if he could never have a life with them.

  NINE

  Melinda parked the car at the marina and got out. She walked to the back and opened the trunk. She knew Noah kept weapons back here, and she dug through a bag until she found a handgun. She wasn’t going to face Ray Steele without protection.

  She hid the gun in her pocket then walked down the wooden pier, her heart pounding in time with her racing feet. Ray hadn’t told her which boat, but she knew he would make it easy for her to find him. He wasn’t hiding any longer.

  She slowed as she spotted a familiar figure on a boat at the end of the pier. She recognized the way he moved and his manner. She sucked in a breath. Noah had assured her Sean was dead, but this man, even from this distance, could be him. She didn’t miss the name of the boat he was on, either. Robin’s Nest. This boat belonged to Trey and Robin Danbar. How had Ray gotten his hands on it? Had Noah been right that they were involved in this somehow? Or had Ray killed them as he’d killed Susan Campbell and taken their boat keys?

  As she moved closer, the light hit his face, and she knew for certain. It wasn’t Sean, but someone who looked an awful lot like him. Ray.

  “I’m not sure we ever met,” he said sarcastically as she approached. “Allow me to introduce myself. Ray Steele at your service.”

  She didn’t flinch at his mocking tone. He could say and do whatever he wanted to her. All she cared about was Ramey. “Where’s my son?”

  “Down below.” He moved out of her way and indicated for her to step onboard. “Care to see for yourself?”

  Her knees nearly gave out, and she felt woozy as she glanced at the water between the pier and boat. It called to her like a lure, beckoning her to fall into its depths and be lost forever. On any other day, she might have run screaming from this sight, but she planted her feet. She couldn’t run. She had to summon up the courage to step onto that boat without falling into hysteria. Ramey was depending on her.

  She took a deep breath then stepped over the edge. She was shaking with fear, but determined not to let it stop her. She was no dummy. Ray couldn’t be trusted. A part of her wished she’d told Noah where she was going and what she was doing, but she pushed those thoughts aside. She couldn’t put her trust in another man, even Noah. Ramey had only her to protect him. She had no choice but to do everything Ray commanded.

  He stopped her and patted her down, finding the gun she’d taken from Noah’s trunk.

  “Nice try,” he sneered, tossing the weapon
over the side into the water. He also took her cell phone and tossed it in, too.

  Her heart dropped as she heard the splash. That gun had been their only means of escaping from Ray. Now they were truly at his mercy.

  She walked toward the cabin as he untied the boat and started the engine. Her heart stopped at the way it rocked in the water, and panic threatened to overtake her. She held on to the cabin walls as she pushed open the door and saw her son, her baby, tied up and gagged.

  “Ramey!” She ran to him and pulled him into a hug.

  “Mommy!” His mouth was gagged and his voice came out only as a grunt, but she knew he’d called her name, and she could see the relief in his face.

  She quickly unbound him, and he threw himself against her.

  “I’m scared, Mommy.”

  “I know, baby. Everything is going to be okay. I’m here now. I’ll take care of this.”

  But as she stared out the window and saw the land disappear in the distance and fog begin to roll in, she gulped and wondered if she would ever see land again.

  * * *

  Peterson drove him to the marina. It was nearly abandoned this time of night, but Noah spotted his rental parked. “There’s my car.”

  Peterson pulled up next to it, and Noah hopped out. He scanned the horizon, grabbing a pair of binoculars Peterson had on the seat. He spotted a boat pulling away in the distance.

  He handed the binoculars to Peterson and tried the door of his car. Melinda had left it unlocked, with the keys inside. He popped the trunk and grabbed his gear. He had a go bag complete with weapons, ammunition, night vision goggles and other assorted things he might need on a mission. “I’m going after them,” he said, hurrying up the pier. Peterson ran behind him as he found a small boat and hopped aboard.

  Peterson followed him. “What do you have planned?”

  “Whatever it takes.” Melinda may not trust him and would probably never want to be with him, but he wasn’t going to just let Ray Steele get away with murder. She and Ramey deserved a good life away from the chaos and evil that this world kept throwing at them, and Noah was determined to give them that life, even if he couldn’t be a part of it. It was the least he could do for them. He quickly hotwired the boat while Peterson untied it from the dock.

  “I’ll contact the Harbor Police,” he said as he hopped back aboard and took out his cell phone.

  Noah started the boat and took off after her. He had to keep an eye out for the boat. Fog had rolled in, making keeping up with the boat more difficult. He had to stay close enough to keep up with them without alerting Ray that he was being followed.

  All his instincts were on alert. He wasn’t leaving without Melinda and Ramey.

  Lord, guide my way and keep them safe.

  He was well trained and had performed several hostage rescues during his time with the SEALs, but he had several things going against him. He was emotionally involved in this rescue, and that could cloud his judgment, but it also made him more determined to bring them both home safely. Secondly, he was used to working as a team. He was alone on this mission except for Peterson. He’d proven himself trustworthy, but Noah had no idea what he was capable of. No, he was on his own for this mission.

  Except that he wasn’t. He’d never truly been alone. He had God on his side. Noah felt His presence beside him, keeping him calm in the face of tragedy and guiding his thoughts. Like Melinda, he’d never been one to trust others, but he’d never had something as important to him before as Melinda and Ramey. His skills alone might not be enough to save them, but God could. He had to trust in that. Noah still had no answers about why God would allow evil and chaos to reign, but that didn’t matter now. God had always been with him and given Noah the strength and ability to overcome the evil he encountered. He prayed this time would be no different.

  “The Harbor Guard is on their way,” Peterson stated as he put away his phone. He glanced at the ship in the distance. It had stopped. “What’s the plan?”

  Noah brought the boat to a halt, then unzipped his go bag and pulled out his air tank. “I’m going to swim over and board that boat. Melinda and Ramey might already be in danger.”

  He stripped off his jacket, overshirt and his socks and shoes. His go bag also contained guns, one of which he tucked into his waistband.

  He jumped into the water and swam toward the boat, his strokes long and sure. The water was cold, but he’d trained in colder. This was the moment he’d spent his life training for. He quickly closed the distance between them, and the closer he got to the ship, the less he heard—only the lap of the water. He started to hear voices floating over the air, and the more he heard, the faster his arms and legs pushed him.

  God, please guide my path. Keep them safe. Keep them safe.

  This moment was the fulfillment of his life’s purpose. He was alone in the water, fighting for his life, but he’d been preparing for this moment for so long. His childhood had taught him to stand up against evil, and the SEALs had given him the skills to do so. Even his time with SOA had given him the isolation and time he needed to know that he didn’t want to spend his life alone. He wanted a family and all the things that came with it. He wanted Melinda, and he wanted to teach and guide Ramey to be a man his mother could be proud of. He may never get the opportunity because even if he saved her, Melinda might never forgive him, but he would fight for them with his last breath if necessary.

  * * *

  The cabin door burst open, and Ray entered. He saw Ramey untied and curled into her arms and growled, then grabbed the boy and pulled him up the steps.

  Melinda screamed and ran after him. “Don’t, Ray! Please don’t hurt him! He has nothing to do with this.”

  Ray stopped and spun around to face her. “He shouldn’t even be here, Melinda. You shouldn’t be here, either. You took my brother from me. Now I’m taking your son.”

  “No! Ray, please, I didn’t mean to kill him. I was just trying to survive. I didn’t mean it. It was an accident.”

  Ray ignored her pleas and grabbed a roll of duct tape. He taped up the boy’s hands and feet. Tears rolled down Ramey’s face as he covered his mouth. She could see how his arms longed to reach out to her, and her own heart fell. Sobs racked her body. She tried to lunge at Ray and grab Ramey, but he easily held her off.

  “You think you can hurt my family?” Ray demanded of Melinda. “No one messes with the Steeles without paying the price.” He lifted Ramey, then tossed him into the water. Melinda screamed and ran for the edge, but Ray grabbed her, pulling her back.

  “No!” she cried, hitting her knees. She couldn’t hear Ramey’s cries, and that terrified her even more.

  Ray shoved her back away from the edge. She fell to her knees, her sobs coming harder than she could stop. Ray had taken everything from her. She fell to the floor and cried. He jeered at her, laughing at her pain. This had been his plan all along. To take everything from her and laugh at her suffering.

  She looked up at him. “Why would you do that? He was an innocent child. He never did anything to you!”

  Ray knelt beside her. “He was an abomination. My brother never wanted him here, so it’s better that he’s gone.”

  She shivered at the coldness in his face. She’d seen that same apathy in Sean’s eyes. He hadn’t wanted a child, but Ramey had been a gift, a blessing to her, the one thing that pushed her to keep going when life seemed so intolerable. Now, he was gone. It was unfair and cruel and wrong and nothing would ever be right in her world again. “What are you going to do with me?”

  “I’m going to kill you eventually. But first I’ll let you sit for a while with the knowledge that everything you’ve built is gone. You took my brother from me. Now I’ve taken everything from you, and soon I’ll take your life, too. First, I’ll make you suffer even more.”

  He tied her to the bar and walked back into the cabin of the bo
at.

  Melinda leaned against the edge and wept. What more could she suffer? Her world was gone. Ray had taken everything from her. She had no words to form to ask why God would allow such a thing to happen. She’d just watched her child die. What worse thing could Ray do to her?

  She slipped into a state where she didn’t care. Shock had surely set in because all she felt was emptiness inside. She was going to die. She’d lost everything, including the will to live. Then she remembered Noah. She’d lost him, too. She was going to die with him believing she blamed him. She didn’t. She never had. He’d just been a convenient sounding board for her grief. She grimaced at the terrible accusations she’d hurled at him. Her heart broke as she realized her last words to him would be words of condemnation and anger. She hadn’t meant it. She hadn’t meant any of it.

  God had sent her a warrior to fight for her, and she’d pushed him away.

  * * *

  Noah held on to Ramey as the noise from the boat grew quieter. The boy was doing great at keeping quiet so Ray wouldn’t hear them as they swam away. Noah hated leaving Melinda on that boat, but knew she would want him to save Ramey first.

  He whistled, and Peterson turned on a flashlight and shone it into the water. Noah lifted Ramey from the water, and Peterson pulled him over the edge. Noah climbed aboard, too. He pulled out his knife and cut the duct tape around his feet and hands and pulled it from his mouth.

  “Are you hurt?” he asked Ramey.

  The boy shook his head, but his eyes were wide with fear. “I want my mommy,” he whispered.

  Noah patted his shoulder. “I’m going back for her right now.” There was no way he was going to leave her with a madman who’d already proven that killing a child wasn’t outside his scope of evil. “While I do, you need to stay here with Chief Peterson and be very quiet. Can you do that for me?”

  Ramey glanced up at Peterson then back to Noah. He nodded. “I can be quiet.” Noah doubted he was in any mood to run and jump. He was too frightened for that.