Darby's Decision, page 10
“Ma’am, did you see the driver?” The officer turned toward her.
“No. As Gage said, it all happened very fast. But we were on this road in the first place because we’d followed the black Honda. I can only imagine the driver pulled off somewhere and waited for us to go past so he could try to kill us.”
“That’s one theory,” the officer said. “Or this could have been done by kids.”
“No way.” Gage was losing his grip on his own temper. “Call Detective Pride, I think you’ll learn this is one of many incidents aimed at causing me and Darby harm. My truck was run off the road in a similar event such as this last Saturday. Darby’s zip line cable was tampered with on Monday, and she crashed into a tree. Then we were targeted by gunfire at the Knotty Pine Motel, and just a few hours ago, we were nearly hit by a black Honda CRV while we were walking.” He glared at the cop. “This is no coincidence. No kids out for a joyride. This is deadly serious, and we already know who is behind these attacks.” He barely refrained from jabbing his index finger into the cop’s chest. “All you have to do is find and arrest them.”
This time, Darby reached out to put her hand on his arm.
The officers spoke in low tones to each other, then one of them used his phone to make a call. Gage hoped he was talking to Detective Pride. His suspicion was confirmed when the officer returned. “We’re going to drive you back to the station.”
“What about my car?” Darby asked.
“A tow truck is on the way.” The cop shook his head. “I’m sorry, but it looks to me like it’s totaled.”
“I know.” Darby tossed the key onto the seat. “Doubt anyone will try to steal it.”
Within minutes, Gage and Darby were sitting in the back of the patrol car for the second time in two days. So much had happened, and it grated on him to know the cops were no closer to finding Reyes or Archer.
Getting even one of them into custody would help. He had no doubt either Archer or Reyes would turn on the other if given the chance.
“Riding to the police station is getting old,” Darby whispered.
“I know.” Gage took her hand. “But we’re in this together, Darby. All the way.”
She glanced away, staring blindly out the window.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Just—nothing. So many different emotions are running through me, I can’t even name them.” She sounded exhausted, and he felt the same way.
“We’ll head back to the motel as soon as possible.”
She nodded but still didn’t look at him. He wondered if she was thinking of going into hiding, meeting up with Leo and Edith. He couldn’t blame her. It wasn’t that long ago that he’d tried to talk her into doing just that.
But now the thought of her leaving filled him with dread. He worried she might decide to take off with Leo, find another place to live. It wasn’t as if her job at the Great Outdoor Adventure Park was something that would hold her in Knoxville.
Leo’s friends, yes. But the boy was young enough that he could easily make new friends without a problem. Gage couldn’t remember much of his life at age five. He doubted Leo would either.
The terms of his parole, on the other hand, demanded he stay in Knoxville. At least for the next three months. The thought of her leaving without him filled him with dread.
Detective Pride was waiting for them at the police station. He did not look happy to have been brought in this late. He wearily gestured toward the same interview room they’d sat in earlier that morning.
Gage followed Darby inside, and they sat across from the detective. Pride pulled out his notebook. “Okay, start at the beginning.”
“Which beginning?” Gage asked. “I left you a message about the hit-and-run attempt on Wayland Avenue. The car that grazed me was a black Honda CRV. Same make and model as the vehicle we saw leaving the Knotty Pine Motel. I caught a good look at Niles Archer as he slid into the driver’s seat. That’s the car we followed through town and out onto Riverside Road. The same location where we were, once again, rear-ended and sent into the ditch.”
“Why in the world did you follow the Honda in the first place?” Pride asked. “What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking we could keep an eye on the car until the police could get there,” Darby answered. “The license plate was covered in mud; there was no way for us to get any other identifying information on it.”
Pride drew in a deep breath. “You took a big risk, as you clearly learned after ending up in the ditch.”
“You think?” Darby’s tone was laced with sarcasm. “Why haven’t your cops found this vehicle yet anyway? Don’t they pull over cars without proper plates?”
“They should, yes.” Pride eyed her warily. “I’m sorry this happened to you. We have BOLOs out for both of the suspects you’ve identified, along with the CRV with muddy plates. I’m sure we’ll find them very soon.”
Gage didn’t necessarily agree but kept his thoughts to himself. Darby was doing a good job of getting the point across without his help. “In the meantime, the attacks against us are escalating.” He stared at the detective. “The very least you could do is let us know when you have one or both of these men in custody.”
Pride nodded. “I can do that. Where are you staying?”
“A motel close by,” Gage answered evasively. “But you need to send officers to the Knotty Pine, Archer was staying in room six before he left in the SUV.”
“I have a squad on the way,” Pride said.
“The clerk appears to be a drug user,” Darby added. “You might be able to squeeze information from him. Reyes and Archer might be here to seek revenge against me and Gage, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t also involved in selling drugs again.”
Gage suddenly frowned as an idea occurred to him. “When are they both due to meet with their respective parole officers?”
Pride looked surprised by the question. “Reyes doesn’t have to report until Friday, but Archer is due tomorrow. We’ve put their respective parole officers on alert.”
“And you’ll have an officer there to grab Archer when he shows up, right?” Gage pressed. “For questioning at the very least.”
“Let me worry about getting Archer and Reyes in for questioning,” Pride said, evading a direct response. “You two should focus on staying someplace safe for a while.”
“Gee, that never would have occurred to me.” Darby stood. “Thanks for your time, Detective.”
Gage joined her as they left the police station. He could tell how disheartened she was by the whole ordeal. “I’ll order a rideshare to get us back to the motel.”
“That’s fine.” She rubbed her temple. “I need to call my boss. I was planning to call in sick tomorrow, but now that my car is trashed, I have no idea when I’ll be able to return. I just hope he doesn’t fire me for this.”
“I’m sure he won’t,” Gage said, although he didn’t know anything about the guy. “The zip lines are still down anyway, right? You’re probably helping him out by taking time off.”
She let out a harsh laugh but didn’t say anything more as their rideshare pulled up. Gage waited for the driver, a female this time, to call his name before heading over.
When they reached their motel room, he unlocked the door. Darby swept past him, disappearing into the bathroom.
Gage sank onto the edge of the bed and lifted his heart in prayer. Please, Lord, keep us safe from those trying to hurt us.
He felt good about the possibility of getting Archer into custody when he shows up for his parole meeting. And if he didn’t show, the cops would be looking for him anyway. Gage hoped he wouldn’t take the risk.
When Darby emerged from the bathroom, she seemed better. “Sorry for being a pain at the police station.”
He offered a crooked smile. “I didn’t mind.”
She blew out a breath. “I decided to just call in sick for tomorrow. There’s no harm in taking this day by day.” She hesitated, then added, “That’s how I made it through rehab. One day at a time.”
“I’m glad. And if they don’t arrest Archer tomorrow, I’ll drive you to meet up with Leo and Edith.” It pained him to make the offer, but it was the right thing to do. “I can stay back to continue searching for them.”
“Oh, Gage.” To his horror, she looked as if she might cry again. “I was going to ask you to do that, but it’s not fair to leave you here. We’re in this together, right?”
The way she repeated his words back to him wrenched his heart. “Darby.” His voice was husky with emotion. “What am I going to do with you?”
She smiled, and that was all he needed to pull her into his arms. This time, she went up on her tiptoes to kiss him. He welcomed her kiss, feasting on her sweet taste, knowing in that moment he would never muster the willpower he’d need to let her go.
Chapter Nine
Clinging to Gage’s broad shoulders and soaking up his strength, Darby wished they could stay like this forever.
But, of course, they couldn’t. This—attraction between them was heightened because of the danger surrounding them.
She reluctantly broke off from the kiss, burying her face in the hollow of Gage’s shoulder. This felt good, felt right. But it could also be nothing more than an illusion. She had no idea what a healthy relationship entailed. Sure, she and Gage had loved each other, had created Leo, but that was when she was using drugs while Gage was selling them. What they’d shared six years ago was hardly normal.
What would it be like to see Gage on a daily basis, or even every couple of days, when he wanted to spend time with his son? Deep down, she accepted she was a bit of a thrill seeker. She needed something to help make her feel alive.
That need was one of the reasons she enjoyed her job at the adventure park.
“Darby? Are you sure you’re okay?”
Gage’s low husky voice sent a shiver skating down her spine. Being with him like this was dangerous. Which might be exactly why she’d kissed him.
Reluctantly, she pulled out of his arms. “Yes, sorry. I’m not sure what came over me.”
“I’m not complaining,” he said wryly. “But I don’t want to rush you either. The fact is, now that we’ve reconnected, I don’t want to let you go.”
She felt certain Leo was a big reason he felt that way. And she couldn’t blame him. He’d handled the news of his son better than she’d expected.
And Leo was first and foremost in her mind too.
She turned to face Gage. “I’m thinking of leaving town to stay with Edith and Leo.”
A flicker of dismay crossed his green eyes, but he nodded slowly. “I understand. Are you leaving tonight or tomorrow?”
She blinked, surprised at his acquiescence. “Tomorrow. It’s too late to head there tonight. He’s sleeping by now anyway.”
“Okay, how do you plan on getting there?” His gaze turned thoughtful. “I can call a rideshare for you if the location isn’t too far away.”
That he would offer to do such a thing made her determination waver. Gage had never been mean to her in the past, unlike Aaron Dukes. Gage had never raised his hand to her or put her down. But Gage had been on a mission to make money for them to live off of. This new version of him was even more difficult to resist. “I don’t like leaving you to face this alone, Gage.”
“I’ll be fine. Leo needs you, and it’s only right that you should be together.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “We’ll work out the details in the morning. For now, I should take my turn in the shower.”
“Okay.” She stepped back to give him space. Once she was alone, she changed into shorts and a T-shirt and crawled into bed. Every muscle in her body ached, but she did her best to ignore it. One thing about the pain was that it reminded her she was alive.
Thankfully, Gage was alive too. The image of her badly smashed car flashed in her mind. She pushed it away. That was a problem for another day. In fact, once she was reunited with Edith and Leo, she could begin the process of getting her life back to normal. She’d have to notify her insurance company and see what her options were to obtain an affordable vehicle.
Still, the idea of leaving Gage behind to deal with Reyes and Archer on his own didn’t sit well. Gage was certainly capable, but he wasn’t a cop.
Neither was she.
It was infuriating that the police hadn’t found either Archer or Reyes. Scooping up Archer when he checked in with his parole officer was a strong possibility. But that didn’t mean Archer would immediately roll over on Reyes.
Shutting down her whirling thoughts seemed an impossible task. She heard Gage emerge from the bathroom and make his way over to his bed. His being there helped her relax.
The next thing Darby knew sunlight streamed through the window. She pushed herself upright, shoving her tangled hair from her face. Gage’s bed was empty, and she guessed he’d once again gotten up early to grab breakfast.
Despite the fact that it was her turn to pay for the meal.
Taking advantage of his absence, she used the bathroom and changed. The blisters on her heels from the two-mile run in her hiking boots had broken open. With a grimace, she pulled on fresh socks and the dreaded shoes.
Having blisters wasn’t the end of the world. And based on what had transpired in the past twenty-four hours, that minor discomfort didn’t even reach the top five on her list of concerns.
She paced the short length of the motel room, glancing frequently at her watch. It seemed as if Gage had been gone longer than usual. The restaurant was right next door. She told herself the place could be packed, even though it was only Wednesday.
Weekends would be busy, at least that was her experience at the adventure park.
Darby had left a message with Kent, using the car crash and loss of her vehicle for her reason for not coming into work. She hadn’t heard back from him and wasn’t sure if that was good or bad.
She couldn’t afford to lose her job. Not when she already needed to find a way to pay for a replacement vehicle.
When the motel door opened, she spun around, her senses on alert. Gage looked surprised by the apprehension on her face, and she offered a wan smile. “Sorry, I guess I’m still on edge.”
“Me too,” he agreed, setting the bag of food on the small table. “I went to a different place for breakfast, going out of my way to make sure I wasn’t followed.”
“Thanks.” It was incredible, really, that doing something as simple as picking up food could be dangerous. “Did the detective say what time Archer meets with his parole officer?”
“No.” Gage shrugged and gestured to the food. “We should eat before it gets cold.”
She came over to join him at the table. “Do you think he kept that a secret from us on purpose?”
“Maybe.” Gage didn’t smile, his expression serious. “But it’s nothing you have to worry about. As soon as we finish breakfast, we’ll get you out of here.”
In the bright light of day, she was second-guessing her decision. But then Gage surprised her by reaching over to take her hand.
“Dear Lord, we thank You for this food we are about to eat. We ask that You continue to keep us safe, especially Edith and Leo. Amen.”
She pulled her hand away from his without responding. “I’m surprised you still believe in God after all the attacks against us.”
Gage eyed her thoughtfully. “God has kept us safe, Darby.”
She shook her head. “If God was looking out for us, He should arrange for the police to grab Archer and Reyes.”
“I didn’t realize you were a glass-half-empty kind of girl.”
She stared at him in surprise. “I’m not.”
“You’re looking at this backwards. God is looking out for us. He is the reason we’re still alive and relatively unharmed.”
It was disconcerting to see his point. “I’m not sure about that.”
“I am, and if you open yourself to the possibility that God has helped each of us move beyond our past, I’m sure you’ll see it too.”
Was he right about that? Maybe. But she preferred to take responsibility for her own decisions. The good ones and the bad. It was something she learned in rehab.
While Gage had learned about God in prison.
“Darby, I know you’ve kept Leo’s location a secret,” Gage said, changing the subject as he unwrapped his breakfast sandwich. “But I’ll need to know the general location in order to get you there.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t trust you with that information sooner.” The past two days with Gage seemed like much longer. “Edith took him to a water park located in Asbury.” She paused, then added, “That’s where we went last month to celebrate Leo’s fifth birthday.”
“Really? I bet he had a blast.” There was no denying the hint of wistfulness in his tone. “Leo knows how to swim?”
“Yes, I took him for lessons when he was three.” She smiled at the memory. “He took to the water like a fish.”
Gage nodded, and she could tell he was bothered by all the experiences with Leo that he’d missed. Sure, their son would celebrate more birthdays, but that didn’t make up for the milestones he’d missed.
She batted down a flash of guilt. For one thing, she had no way of knowing Gage was out of jail or, more importantly, that he’d turned his life around.
If she had, she may have contacted him. Then again, to be honest, she hadn’t given Gage much thought. Her focus had been on working, raising Leo, and staying sober. Revisiting the past had not been high on her list of priorities.
In fact, she’d done her best to forget about the multitude of mistakes she’d made. To this day, she regretted taking off with Aaron while Hailey was stuck in juvie. Those years with Aaron were the darkest of her life AP, what she silently referred to as After the Preacher.
Not that rehab had been a picnic.
“You’ve been a great mother to Leo,” Gage said. “Thanks for taking care of our son.”
“Why don’t you stay with us at the water park?” The offer popped out of her mouth, but she didn’t regret it. In fact, she reached out to grasp Gage’s arm. “Really, Gage, this way we can stick together while the police find and arrest Archer and Reyes.”
