Risky Rescue, page 8
part #1 of Finnegan First Responders Series
“Where are we going?” Sami had noticed he’d switched directions.
“The doc mentioned being in familiar settings might help you remember.”
“Yeah, so? Where are we going?” she repeated.
“You’ll see. Just give me ten minutes or so.” He took the interstate to head down to the lakefront. Lakeshore Drive provided a great view of Lake Michigan. He and Sami had spent a lot of time on Bradford Beach too.
When he took the Lakeshore Drive exit, Sami straightened in her seat. “Oh, the lake is beautiful. So calm and peaceful today compared to last night.”
“Yeah, it is.” He was partial to the water, too, and knew she’d grown up near the lakefront. Her uncle had a boat, and after her parents had been senselessly killed in a carjacking, she’d eventually gone to live with him. And while she’d enjoyed spending time on the water, Sami had remained focused on becoming a cop.
“Lots of people out on the beach already,” she commented as they rode along the lakeshore. “I imagine the area will be packed in another hour or so. I see several boats out too.”
It made him wince a bit, knowing he wouldn’t be reporting in for his shift later that day. This time of the year, at the peak of summer, people fell overboard far too often. Excessive drinking played a role but so did reckless driving. Many boaters who were more accustomed to being on the smaller lakes scattered across the state did not appreciate the difference of boating on such a large body of water as Lake Michigan.
“Did we spend a lot of time here?” Sami’s question interrupted his thoughts.
“Yes.” He shrugged. “To be fair, we spent as much time here as possible while coordinating our different schedules.”
She nodded thoughtfully, her gaze going back to the water. “Makes me wonder why I left.”
“I can’t answer that one.” He tried not to sound hurt or angry. The danger dogging their steps was real, and far more important than their broken engagement. Or his heartbreak. “But keep in mind the city of LA is on the ocean. Maybe that’s what drew you to the coast.”
Her brow furrowed, but she remained silent.
He continued driving along the lakefront before turning to head back to the neighborhood where she’d grown up. So far being in familiar surroundings wasn’t working. She seemed curious enough, but there was no sense of recognition.
“Nice area,” she said as he headed away from the lake shore. “Is this where I worked as a cop?”
“Yes, this area was in your district.” That gave him an idea. “We’ll drive past the precinct shortly.”
“Okay.” She seemed more than willing to do whatever was necessary to help fill the void in her memory.
He slowed the vehicle as he went past her three-story apartment building on Milwaukee’s east side. He hid his despair when Sami barely looked at the building, seemingly more interested in the handful of restaurants and coffee shops. When that didn’t work, he drove past the house where she grew up along with the home she moved into with her uncle after losing her parents, just a few blocks apart from each other. The loss of their parents had been one of the things they’d bonded over.
Unfortunately, looking at both properties now, he silently acknowledged they’d been painted and generally updated, so they didn’t look anything like the way they did back when she was young. Her face registered absolutely no recognition as he passed by.
Zero for three.
She abruptly turned to face him. “You brought me here for a reason, didn’t you? I was supposed to remember being here before?”
“Yes.” There was no reason to lie. “You grew up in this area. I had hoped it would spark a memory or two.”
Her tortured expression hit him square between the eyes. For a moment, he wondered what it would be like to wake up not knowing your own name, much less your siblings, parents, or your friends.
Devastating was putting it mildly.
“Hey, don’t stress.” He put a hand on her knee, trying to sound reassuring. “I’m sure your memory will return.”
“I’m not sure of that at all.” Sami’s voice was a low whisper. She reached up to massage her temple. “I’m so afraid this is my new normal. That I’ll spend the rest of my life like this, remembering nothing.”
“Maybe we should consider making an appointment with a psychologist as recommended by the neurologist.”
“Yes, I think that’s a good idea.” Her easy acceptance of the proposal only reinforced how badly she wanted to remember. The tough-as-nails Sami he knew would not have jumped into therapy so easily.
He left the neighborhood where she’d grown up to drive past the police precinct. She sighed and shook her head when he sent a quizzical look.
“Nope. Nothing.”
“One last stop,” he said, turning to head back down to the lakefront. “I could use more coffee and a restroom break.”
“Me too,” she agreed.
The coffee shop at the bottom of the hill had been their early morning meeting spot. Especially when they were both scheduled to work the day shift. It was still early enough that there was available parking. Over the next few hours, though, the entire lakefront would be lined with parked cars in both directions as far as the eye could see.
Sami glanced around curiously as they got out of the car. “Looks like a nice place.”
“It is.” He swept his gaze around the area, then stepped forward to open the door for her. Another couple was just leaving their table, so he quickly snatched it. “You want to use the restroom first?”
She nodded and automatically turned to head toward the back corner of the shop where they were located. Interesting that she hadn’t had to search for a sign, instinctively knowing where to go. Granted, the coffee shop wasn’t that large, but still, most people had to search for a sign first.
Did this mean her memory wasn’t completely lost? This was the third time she’d known something without being told. It gave him hope that her memories weren’t buried too deep.
Ten minutes later, they both had fresh coffee. “Thanks,” she murmured. “This hits the spot.”
He had to smile at the phrase she’d used so many times before. “Do you still have the card the doc gave you? We can call the psychologist now if you’d like.”
“It’s in the duffel bag in the SUV.” She stared down at her cup for a moment, before meeting his gaze. “I really need you to buy me a handgun. I would offer to buy it myself, but I don’t have my ID.”
He grimaced and reluctantly nodded. If the situation were reversed, he’d want a weapon too. “Okay, that’s fine. I have a permit to carry, obviously, so it shouldn’t be difficult to get another one. But, Sami, you need to promise to only use it in self-defense. Without an ID or a permit, carrying a gun is illegal.”
“What makes you think I’d start shooting people willy-nilly?” she demanded. “Of course, I only plan to use it in self-defense. That guy in the dark-green SUV was shooting at us, remember? You fired at him in self-defense. But if you weren’t armed? We might both be dead by now.” Then she frowned and added, “Colin too.”
“I know, and I agree that you should be armed as it’s clear you’re in danger. But don’t try to make a complicated situation sound simple. It’s not.” He held her gaze. “We can’t contact the LAPD to get your ID replaced or your carry permit because they have you listed as being killed in the line of duty. If things go south, and you get arrested, I don’t know that we’ll be able to get you out.”
“Yeah, okay, I get that.” She sighed, then straightened. “Maybe I should call the LAPD, though, talk to someone in charge. It may help shed some light on what I’ve been doing.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. We don’t know how high up the chain you’d have to go.” He couldn’t get past the idea that she was pronounced dead to protect her. “Let’s hold off on that for now. We’ll try the psychologist first, then find a place to lie low for a few days. Rest may be the best thing we can do for you.”
“Rest would be nice.” She cracked a wan smile. “My head is still pounding. But the first item on the agenda is to buy a gun, remember?”
“Got it.” He sipped his coffee. “I take it this place doesn’t look familiar.”
She gazed around the quaint décor. “It feels comfortable to be here, Quinn. Like wearing a favorite pair of jeans. But does that come from a memory? Or is it just because this is the type of place I would normally go?” She shrugged. “I can’t answer one way or the other with any degree of certainty.”
“I understand. And remember, don’t push it. Better to let your memory return naturally.”
“If it does at all,” she said on a sigh.
After they finished their coffee, he led the way back outside. During the thirty minutes they’d spent inside, the lakefront had grown even more crowded. The coffee shop parking lot was full now, and several cars lined the streets.
A scream from the beach drew his attention. But it turned out to be a group of teenage girls screaming and laughing while playing volleyball.
As he turned back to unlock the SUV, a large gray truck coming down the hill toward the coffee shop caught his gaze. Why, he wasn’t sure, but when the passenger window began to lower, he shouted, “Get down!”
Sami instantly dropped to her knees beside their rental as the barrel of a gun poked through the window. Quinn pulled his own weapon as he knelt beside Sami, bracing himself as two staccato gunshots reverberated through the air.
Chapter Seven
She needed a weapon! This time, Sami didn’t reach for the nonexistent gun. Instead, she peered intently at the gray truck, trying to get a glimpse of either the gunman, the driver, or a license plate. Anything to help identify those goons.
But the truck quickly turned right, sailing through the intersection and nearly hitting another vehicle. Traffic moved at a brisk pace.
No! He was getting away!
Sami pushed against Quinn to jump to her feet. She quickly ran, chasing after the car, doing her best to see the license plate.
“Sami!” Quinn’s sharp tone cracked with anger. “Stay back!”
She ignored him, sprinting along the sidewalk to keep pace with the truck. Running did not help her headache one iota. The pain grew with each step. And really, it was no use. She couldn’t run at a pace of thirty miles per hour. The truck quickly vanished among the sea of traffic.
Bending over at the waist, she took several deep breaths. The pounding in her head was so bad she feared Devon’s breakfast would make an unwelcome return. Willing her stomach to settle, she forced herself to straighten and turned back toward Quinn.
He was running toward her, the duffel bouncing against his side with each step, his expression stern. “Come with me.”
If she’d felt better, she’d have balked at caving to his orders. He was treating her like a junior in the military rather than as an equal. Swallowing hard, she held on to her temper and her breakfast. “Did you call it in?”
“Yes. But our rental has a flat tire.” He scanned the area suspiciously. “I don’t want to stay here out in the open.”
“Let’s head to the beach.” She gestured across the street. “We can mingle with the crowd.”
He glanced at the beach, then abruptly nodded. “Okay. That’s as good a plan as any.”
“Gee, thanks.” His lack of confidence was not endearing.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean that to sound condescending.” The light changed, so they quickly crossed the busy street. Reaching the other side, she noted the marina wasn’t too far down from Bradford Beach.
“Maybe we need a boat. Seems like being out on the water is a good way to avoid more gunfire.”
“I’d like to know how they found us at the café in a rental.” Quinn scowled. “I don’t like it, Sami. No one is that good. They couldn’t possibly have tracked our rental that fast. There has to be something else going on here.”
She wasn’t sure what to say to that since she couldn’t remember what she was supposed to be doing. Rather than heading toward the beach, she grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the marina. “Let’s get a boat. That will make it easier to spot anyone coming after us. And we can move to another city if needed. The marina must have rentals.”
“They do, but it’s the middle of summer, and there may not be one available.” He fell into step beside her, still glancing around warily. “Besides, we rented the car, and that didn’t work out so well. I’m not doing that again. I have a friend with a boat here. I can call him and see if he’s willing to let us borrow it.”
“Good.” For the first time since Quinn had rescued her, she felt as if they were on the right track. That being on the water was a good idea.
Standing near the side of the marina facing the water, Quinn called his buddy.
“Shawn? It’s Quinn. I need a favor.”
It didn’t take long for Quinn to get Shawn’s permission to borrow his boat. The keys were in a lockbox, and thankfully Shawn hadn’t hesitated to provide the code.
“I have the key, thanks again,” Quinn said as he removed a key attached to a yellow foam float from the box. “I owe you one.”
Sami swept her gaze over the sea of boats bobbing on the waves. She doubted Shawn’s boat was one of the larger vessels but didn’t really care if it was little more than a fishing boat as long as it had a decent-sized motor.
Deep down, she couldn’t wait to get out on the water. Being on shore had only brought danger to her and Quinn’s family.
“This way.” Quinn took her hand to lead her along one of the many piers. “Slip number twenty-two.”
“Wow, a Malibu Wakesetter? She’s a beauty.” She scanned the navy-blue-and-cream-colored speedboat with admiration. There was even a small canvas top over the driver’s seat to protect them from the searing July sun. “I was expecting something a step above a fishing boat.”
“Oh, Shawn uses this for fishing at times too.” Quinn tossed the duffel inside, then helped her step down into the Malibu. “But his family was always big into waterskiing.”
She arched a brow. “Skiing on Lake Michigan isn’t easy. That’s a sport for smaller lakes.”
“Oh, he and his sisters manage just fine. They perform in boat shows all summer.” Quinn went over to check the gas tanks, then lifted the cover to inspect the inboard engine. Then he made his way back to the bow of the boat. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Aye, aye, skipper.” She jumped out onto the pier and untied the ropes mooring the boat in place. Then she quickly hopped back in and pushed away from the pier as Quinn started the engine. The low rumbling sound was music to her ears.
Dropping onto the passenger seat across from the captain’s chair, she let out a sigh. She trusted Quinn’s ability to navigate on the water, that was his job as a Coastie after all. Relaxing beneath the warmth of the sun, she let her eyes drift shut to help combat the thumping pain in her temple.
Between the gunfire and their mad dash from the coffee shop, they’d abandoned their plan for her to see a psychologist. Something she still thought was important for getting her memory back.
Soon, she thought. At some point, she’d be able to slow down long enough to try to regain her past.
After five minutes or so, the boat picked up speed. The jostling didn’t help her headache, but that didn’t prevent a surge of relief from washing over her.
There was no way the gunman could follow them from the truck onto the water.
They were finally safe.
“You’re heading south?” She frowned. “Why not north?”
He eyed her curiously. “I can go either direction, but I’m curious if there’s a reason you want to head north?”
“I—don’t know.” She glanced around at the open water around them, feeling the same nagging sense of urgency as she had last night when Quinn had rescued her. “I guess I just thought you’d head that way.”
With a tiny nod, he pulled back the throttle and turned the Malibu in a wide circle to head north instead of continuing in the direction he’d been going. “I think we’re better off trusting your instincts, they seem more reliable than your memory.”
He isn’t wrong about that. The few things she’d seemed to know had come without warning, not from a burst of memory.
“Any place in particular you’d like to visit?” His question was light, but she sensed the underlying tension.
“Not yet. But maybe something will come to me.” She wished she could be of more help, that she could easily identify where they should go and who was after her.
But that wasn’t the case, at least, not so far. For now, she’d try to enjoy this time on the water. Suddenly, she sat up straighter. “Wait a minute. What about the rental? And the police who responded to the call about gunfire? We should have stayed long enough to provide our statements.”
“I’ll give Rhy a call soon.” He shrugged. “One of my siblings will take care of the rental car, and giving statements will have to wait. My priority is to keep you safe.”
She appreciated having his protection, but it didn’t seem right to leave the scene of a crime. Especially when she’d been targeted by gunfire for the second time in a matter of hours.
How had they been found at the café? She couldn’t imagine a likely scenario where the gunmen from the dark-green SUV abandoned that ride, were able to obtain a gray truck, and then had come to the very location where she and Quinn had gotten a cup of coffee.
Unless . . . the person coming after her knew she and Quinn had frequented that coffee shop?
A shiver snaked down her spine. Okay, so the perp coming after them knew her on a personal level. Enough to know she’d once been engaged to Quinn Finnegan, not to mention being familiar with the places where they’d spent time together.
Who? The void in her memory had never been more frustrating. Why couldn’t she remember something so critically important?
She pressed her palms to her temples as if to stop the pounding in her head. Quinn must have noticed because he pulled back on the throttle, slowing their speed.
