Dangerous Reunion (Love Inspired Suspense) (18 page)

A choking sob rattled in Kate’s throat. “Please don’t hurt my sisters. Emma’s just a child.”

Robert shook his head. “Sorry, Kate.”

Brock clenched his fists and took a step toward Kate but stopped when Robert held up the syringe. Robert shook his head. “It’s time to tell Kate goodbye.”

Panic sliced through Brock’s heart. “I’m sorry, Kate. I’m sorry. I never should have led him here.”

Her lips trembled, and a tear slid from the corner of her eye. “It’s all right, Brock. Remember what I said about who controls my life.”

God, where are You?
Brock’s mind screamed.

A splintering crash at the back door followed by a high-pitched screech shattered the quiet room. Robert whirled toward the utility room just as a gray ball of fur dashed toward him. Shrieking in the most unearthly voice Brock had ever heard, Rascal jumped over Robert’s feet and clawed at the floor for a footing as he skidded behind him.

With a startled cry Robert stumbled backward and landed on Rascal’s tail, which only enraged the cat more. He leaped up and clawed at Robert’s bare legs.

Brock lunged forward as Robert tried to kick free of the cat. Locking a grip around both of Robert’s wrists, Brock plowed his full weight into his chest. Robert’s breath fanned Brock’s ear, and he pushed harder until Robert stood pinned against the kitchen sink.

Austin Whitman, his gun drawn, appeared in the utility room door, sprinted across the kitchen floor and grabbed Robert’s left arm in a death grip. As he exerted pressure, the hand holding the gun opened, and the weapon dropped to the floor.

Robert fought like a cornered animal and struggled against Brock’s grip on the hand that held the syringe. Austin shoved his gun under Robert’s chin. “Drop the syringe.”

Robert twisted in one last attempt to escape, but he was no match for the two men holding him. He took his thumb off the plunger and loosened his grip. Brock reached up, pulled the syringe from Robert’s hand and laid it on the counter next to the sink.

Together Brock and Austin pinned Robert facedown on the floor. They had just slipped handcuffs on him when Brock heard footsteps running across the living room floor. The two backup agents appeared at the kitchen door. “Is everybody all right?”

Brock nodded toward the bedroom. “There’s a woman and a child tied up in there. Check on them.”

One of the agents hurried out of the room, and the other helped Austin pull Robert to his feet. Still on the floor, Brock raked his trembling fingers through his hair. Glancing up at Austin, he struggled to calm his racing heart. “I almost had a heart attack when that door crashed open and Rascal ran through here.”

A sheepish grin lined Austin’s mouth. “The door was locked. I didn’t have any other choice than to kick it in. When that cat jumped out of the laundry basket, it scared me so badly that I almost fell back out the door.”

Brock pushed to his feet. “The commotion diverted Sterling just long enough for me to rush him.” He came around the chair to face Kate. Her lips trembled, but she didn’t speak. He realized she hadn’t spoken since the struggle. He dropped to his knees and cupped her cheek in his hand. “Are you all right?”

She nodded and blinked back the tears he could see in her eyes. “I’m fine, thanks to you and Austin.” She glanced at Robert, who stood between the two ATF agents then back to Brock. “Will you cut this tape off me?”

He’d expected her to say something more personal. Especially after he’d bared his heart in front of her. No matter what she said, though, he was just happy she was alive. He rose. “Sure.”

When she was free and able to stand, Kate turned to the agents who still held Robert. She clenched her fists and stared into the man’s face. “You killed Doug O’Neil, a young man who only wanted to be a good police officer, and Russell and Rose Johnson, two of the nicest people I’ve ever known, and a man who just happened to deliver fireworks to Ocracoke. Then you threatened everybody I love. How could you be so cruel?”

Robert glared at her but didn’t answer.

Agent Whitman smiled at her. “Deputy Michaels, would you like to read the prisoner his rights before we take him to the station?”

She smiled. “It would be my honor.” She walked over and faced Robert. “You have the right to remain silent…”

Brock watched her, and his heart swelled. He knew as she spoke the words her thoughts were on those who had died and those who almost had. Robert Sterling had created havoc on the island, but his reign of terror had been brought to a halt.

As she finished, she turned and caught sight of her sisters standing at the kitchen door. With a cry she ran to them and locked them in a tight embrace. Betsy and Emma sobbed and clung to Kate. Kate tilted her head back and stared upward. Although Brock couldn’t hear the whispered words coming from her mouth, he knew she was offering thanks for the survival of her family.

The agents hustled Robert Sterling from the kitchen, but Brock lingered. He stared at the three sisters who didn’t appear to notice that he was there. As if she’d read his thoughts, Kate turned to him and smiled. Tears ran down her cheeks. “Thank you for saving us, Brock. If it wasn’t for you, we’d be dead.”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry I led Robert Sterling here. Doug and all those other people wouldn’t be dead if I’d stayed away.”

Betsy shook her head and frowned. “You can’t think that way. You’ve saved our family. We’re all together again.”

A sudden thought struck Brock. “You’re not quite all together yet.”

The three looked at him. Emma grinned. “What does that mean, Brock?”

He smiled at them. “I received a call from my investigator friend this afternoon. He’s coming to Ocracoke tomorrow, and he’s bringing your brother, Scott, with him.”

Their mouths gaped open. “He’s bringing Scott home?” Kate whispered.

He stared into her eyes and hoped that she knew he would have searched forever if it had taken it to find her brother. “Yes.”

The three burst into tears and hugged each other again. How he wished they would open their arms and invite him into their circle, but they didn’t. After a moment, he turned and walked from the house.

He stopped on the front porch and glanced around. Six years ago he hadn’t belonged here, and he had left. During his stay this time he had come to hope that now he could belong, be a part of Kate’s family, but it didn’t seem likely at this point that his wish would be granted.

Part of his mission had been successful, though. He’d come to Ocracoke to find peace for his battered soul, and he had. Down the beach a Black-crowned Night Heron called. He closed his eyes and smiled. The sweet sound of God’s whispers filled his ears.

He glanced up at the sky, which had now darkened into night, and sighed. It was time for him to leave Ocracoke and Kate, and he would. But first, he had to revisit the beach where Kate had first told him to listen for God’s voice.

K
ate sat on the couch in the living room, Betsy on one side and Emma on the other. Emma snuggled closer and laid her head in Kate’s lap. Kate’s right arm circled Betsy’s shoulders while her left stroked Emma’s hair.

“I was so scared,” Emma murmured.

Kate’s heart was pierced by the fear she heard in Emma’s voice. She crooked her finger and looped a wayward strand of Emma’s hair behind her ear. “I was, too, Emma.”

Emma pushed into a sitting position and stared at Kate. “But you’re a police officer. Why would you be scared?”

“Because there are bad people in the world who want to hurt good people, and you’re one of the good ones. I didn’t want you to be hurt.”

Emma smiled. “I prayed that everything would be all right. When I heard Brock’s voice, I knew he would save us just like he saved me the night of the fire.”

Kate nodded. “Brock was very brave. We owe him a big thanks.”

She leaned her head against the sofa back, and Emma did the same. Kate hadn’t been able to get Brock’s words out of her mind ever since she’d heard him tell Robert how much he loved her. She had expected him to stay and talk with her, but when she’d turned around, he’d disappeared.

Now she didn’t know what to think. Maybe he told Robert those things in hopes he might let them go. But he had seemed so serious. Had he really meant it?

“What are you thinking about?” Betsy’s voice brought her back to the present.

She opened her eyes and glanced at Emma. “I haven’t seen Rascal since he tried to climb up Robert’s leg. He may be scared and hiding. Why don’t you try to find him?”

Emma grinned and jumped from the couch. “I will.”

When Emma had run from the room, Kate turned to Betsy. “I need to talk to you.” For the next few minutes she told her sister all that had been said in the kitchen. When she finished, she reached for Betsy’s hand. “What do I need to do?”

Betsy clasped Kate’s hand in hers. “I can only answer that if I know how you feel. Do you love Brock?”

Kate nodded. “I thought I’d gotten over him, but I haven’t. I love him so much, Betsy, but I’m afraid.”

“Of what?”

Kate wiped at a tear that escaped her eye. “Brock wants a life in the city. I don’t. How can that ever work?”

Betsy smiled. “If you love each other, you’ll find a way.” She pulled her hand free and gave Kate’s shoulder a shove. “Why don’t you go find him and talk to him? Maybe things will turn out all right.”

Kate took a deep breath and pushed to her feet. “I don’t know where he went, but I suppose I should at least go thank him again for saving our lives. Maybe he’s at the station with Austin, or he could have gone back to the bed-and-breakfast. I’ll go look for him, but I’ll have to take our car. My cruiser is still at the corner of Oyster Road and Forest Lane.”

She grabbed the keys off the hook on the wall beside the front door and stepped on the porch. She was halfway down the steps before she noticed Brock’s car still in the yard. Hurrying to the driver’s side, she peered inside, but he wasn’t there.

Kate glanced around the dark yard but didn’t see him anywhere. Where could he have gone? The answer came to her, and she smiled. The only place she could think of was the spot on the beach where they’d spent so much time together.

The light from the house lit the path up the dunes as Kate climbed, but the beach beyond resembled an empty void in the dark night. It didn’t matter. She knew this beach well, and she knew where she would find him.

The sand shifted under her feet as she moved across the open beach toward the sound of the surf. She squinted in the darkness in an effort to find him. A form materialized in front of her, and she inched forward until she stood beside him.

“Brock,” she whispered. “Are you all right?”

The moonlight sparkled on the water and cast a glow across the sand. He glanced up and smiled. “I’m fine. Just sitting out here and listening to God.”

She dropped to sit beside him. “What’s He saying?”

His arm circled her shoulder, and with a tentative tug he pulled her closer. “He’s telling me that I’ve found what I came here seeking. I’ve found the peace He wanted to give me all along, and the woman I love told me a few days ago that she had forgiven me for the past.” He turned to stare at her. “Have you really forgiven me, Kate?”

She placed her hand on his cheek and moved closer. “You were no more at fault over our breakup than I was. I hope we’ve both moved beyond that terrible time and forgiven each other.”

He caught her hand in his and pressed his lips to her palm. He stared at her. “I love you, Kate Michaels. I’ve never quit, and I should have tried to work things out between us years ago.”

“Maybe it wasn’t God’s time for us to do that.”

He nodded. “I think you’re right.” He took a deep breath. “Will you marry me, Kate?”

Her breath caught in her throat. Before she answered, they had to climb one more hurdle. “I love you, Brock, and I want to marry you more than I’ve ever wanted anything, but there’s a problem. I’m more tied to Ocracoke now than I was six years ago. I can’t leave.”

He smiled. “I know, and I don’t want you to.”

“Then how can we work out that problem?”

He kissed her hand again and stared into her eyes. “I’ve been thinking. With Doug dead and Calvin off to jail, Hyde County has some job openings for deputies on the island. Do you think Sheriff Baxter might consider hiring me? After all, I’m a certified officer, and I have experience working in law enforcement.”

Kate laughed and threw her arms round his neck. “Maybe he will if I put in a good word for you.”

Her heart soared as he pulled her closer and lowered his lips to hover above hers. “I love you, Kate. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me forever.”

“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.” She closed her eyes and thrilled to the touch of his kiss.

The bow of the ferry carrying Scott Michaels slid through the harbor opening toward the dock. Twenty-four hours ago Kate and her sisters had found out that their brother was coming to Ocracoke, and now he was here.

From the parking lot Kate scanned the decks as she clutched Brock’s hand. Betsy, Emma and Treasury stood to her left. Their eyes held the same excitement that filled her. Brock turned his head and smiled at her. “It won’t be long now. When Don called before they boarded the ferry, I told him we’d be in the parking lot. He’ll pull in here as soon as they drive onto the island.”

Crew members onboard bustled about as the ship glided into its berth and stopped. Within minutes the ramp had been lowered, and the first cars drove onto the island. With each one Kate stood on tiptoe and strained to see inside. Most of them turned right at the end of the ramp headed into the village instead of left into the parking lot.

After several minutes a black car rolled down the ramp. As the car reached the end of the loading ramp, the left turn signal blinked. Betsy sucked in her breath and turned to smile at Kate. They clasped hands and watched the car pull into the parking lot and come to a stop a few feet away from them.

The driver stepped from the car and waved. “Hey, Gentry. We made it.”

Brock waved back. “Glad you’re here.”

Kate waited, but no one else got out. After a moment, she glanced at Brock. “What do you think is wrong?”

He smiled and released her hand. “Maybe he’s worried about seeing three long lost sisters. Maybe you should go to him.”

Kate nodded. “Come on, girls. Let’s go meet our brother.”

Emma, holding a framed picture in her hand, led the way. Before they reached the car, the door opened, and a man stepped onto the pavement. Kate gasped at her first glimpse of her brother. He stood erect, his muscular shoulders straight and his hands to his sides, just as she’d seen her father so many times in her life. His wheat-colored hair tumbled over his forehead, and he brushed it back. Deep-set blue eyes gazed at them. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he opened his mouth to speak. “I’m Scott. I’m so happy to be here.”

Tears filled Kate’s eyes, and she struggled to speak. “I’m Kate.”

“Kate.” He glanced at Betsy. “Betsy.” Then to Emma. “Emma.” The names rolled on his tongue as if he was savoring the sweet ness of each one.

Emma held out the frame in her hand. “This is for you.”

He took it from her, studied the picture and looked up at them. “Who is this?”

The tears spilled from Kate’s eyes. “That’s our father. We’re speechless because you look just like him.”

Scott’s eyes grew wide, and his trembling hands grasped the frame tighter. “I do, don’t I? I’ve always wondered what my father looked like, and his image was with me all the time.”

Betsy nodded. “We’re glad you’re here. Welcome home, Scott.”

Kate didn’t know who made the first move, but suddenly the four of them were wrapped in each other’s arms. As the tears flowed down Kate’s face, she wished her father had lived to see this moment. She’d promised him they would find the son he lost, and now they had.

Three hours later their happiness hadn’t subsided as she and Brock sat at the table on Treasury’s back porch. In the backyard, Scott, Betsy and Emma sat at a card table in the shade of an oak tree, a game of Chinese checkers in front of them.

The back door of the house opened, and Treasury came out carrying a tray with glasses and a full pitcher of lemonade. She set the tray down on the table where Kate and Brock sat, then sank down into a wicker rocker.

Brock rubbed his stomach. “That was a delicious meal, Treasury.”

Before she could answer, Rascal leaped onto the porch and settled at Treasury’s feet. She glanced down and smiled. “Well, there’s my little darling. I saved you a nice piece of fish for your supper.”

Kate and Brock cast surprised glances at each other before they burst out laughing. “I thought you hated Rascal,” Kate said.

Treasury shook her head. “Not since he helped save my girls. From now on he’s going to be the most pampered cat on this island.”

Rascal looked up at her and meowed before he jumped into Treasury’s lap and lay down. She patted the cat’s head and leaned her head against the back of her chair. Within minutes a soft snore drifted from the chair.

“Hello, everybody!” The greeting echoed in the quiet backyard.

Startled, Kate turned her head to see Grady Teach walking around the side of the house. His hand gripped the handle of a shovel, and the spadelike blade rested on his shoulder. He walked to the back porch, propped one foot on the bottom step and grinned at her and Brock.

Kate smiled. “Where are you going with that shovel?”

Grady pushed his straw hat out of his eyes. “I’m getting ready to go treasure huntin’ tomorrow. Anybody want to come help me look for Blackbeard’s treasure?”

Kate glanced at Brock, then at her sisters and brother, whose laughter filled the backyard, and at Treasury sleeping with one arm around Rascal. Kate had never been surrounded by so much love.

She reached for Brock’s hand, squeezed it and smiled at Grady. “No thanks. I have all the treasure I need right here.”