Operation Breathless (8 page)

“You weren’t lying when you said you weren’t afraid of heights.”

She beamed him a smile. “Not in the least. This is
awesome!
” She cocked her head. “What made you think of it?”

“A challenge.”

“Oh, really? And what might that be?

“A challenge to leave you breathless.”

He was dead serious and intent. The moment between them built fast and warm. He glided his hand against her neck, beneath the billowing tumble of her hair. He drew her against the warm, solid line of his body, and she sank toward him in welcome. When she tilted her head back, he claimed her mouth and tenderly fed her soul just as surely as fire and air fed the dome of their balloon.

Weak kneed, her mind spinning like the air around them, Susanna held fast to his shoulders and surrendered. This was magic—irresistible. No matter what happened next, this man meant something precious and meaningful to her. She’d cling to this moment and tuck it into her heart’s memory forever.

His lips danced soft and light across her cheeks, against the trembling corners of her lips…and Susanna blinked hard, going stiff and awkward as she realized…

“Gabe...we’re hardly being discreet!”

Cal shook his head in response to her whispered exclamation. He gave them a broad smile. “Happens all the time. I blame it on the atmosphere.”

Gabe looked into Susanna’s eyes. “I blame it on you, Lovely Lady. I figured it would be pretty tough to beat our first kiss, but at least this gave me a fighting chance.”

“And then some, Handsome Man.”

After clearing his throat—or maybe covering a chuckle, Susanna couldn’t decide which—Cal began to cue them in on the sights. “We’re floating over the edge of Angelina National Forest. That’s the Sam Rayburn Reservoir below us, which is designed to provide flood control to the Angelina and Neches river basins…”

They drifted and Susanna remained happily cuddled against Gabe’s side. A spectacular, pastel-hued sunset kissed the edges of the hills, burnished the tips of the long leaf and loblolly pine trees. Cal executed a slow, smooth descent and Susanna’s tummy barely tickled and bumped when they landed in an open field painted gold by fast-fading light…a sight which filled her with promise and hope.

The chase team that followed their flight took care of the equipment details while Cal offered congratulations on a successful mission and filled out souvenir flight certificates. While concluding rites took place, Susanna tugged her cell phone from inside her purse and flicked it open to cycle through missed calls.

There were two—along with a text.

Both calls were from Layla; so was the text message that followed. Susanna’s heart plummeted when she read:

I didn’t do it! I swear! Plez help me! I’m at the Angel Falls PD. Plez help—ASAP! Layla.

7

“You have to believe me, Susanna. Please. You
have
to!”

Gabe tried not to sneer or roll his eyes.

Susanna sat stiffly on the edge of a metal folding chair behind a dented and scraped gray table in a holding area of the Angel Falls Police Department. She sat across from her young charge, and disappointment filled the room. The tender romance of their balloon ride had vanished completely.

“Do your parents know what happened?”

“You mean do they know what I’ve been
accused
of. What I’m accused of and what really happened are two very different things. And no, they don’t know. Why should they? I didn’t do anything wrong. That’s why I turned to
you.
”

Layla’s outburst didn’t even stir a flinch from Susanna. That surprised Gabe.

“I’ll call them as soon as we’re finished. I’m legally—and morally—bound to let them know about—”

With an almighty roar of frustration, Layla shoved back from the table and stalked to the farthest reaches of the small, cold room.

Gabe stepped in fast. “Explain again what landed you here. Tell us once more what you’ve been accused of.” Deliberately he emphasized the last two words.

Layla looked at him hard and shook her head as if already writing everything off. Gabe sat in an empty chair next to Susanna.

“I was out with some people from Wellsprings. We ended up going to Falls Park.” At Layla’s words, Gabe exchanged a swift glance with Susanna, thinking,
their
park. “It was getting dark. I wanted to leave. That’s about the time one of them talked about going on a spree…you know, destroying stuff and spray painting—that kind of thing. A couple of the older kids had been drinking, and it all sounded stupid to me, so I took off. Kaitlyn O’Dell had texted me about hanging out, and that sounded like a lot more fun, so I left.”

Layers of sadness shadowed Susanna’s eyes. “What happened next?”

“They trashed the place. They wrecked the park, spraying graffiti, slicing rubber swing seats, dumping trash cans.”

“Yet you weren’t there?” Susanna lifted her hands in defeat. “How in the world did you get roped into this?”

Tears stirred in Layla’s eyes. “They framed me.”

Susanna slumped back against her chair, openly and skeptically staring at the teen. Layla spun away from that condemning glare and slammed a fist against the wall so hard Gabe was afraid she’d broken her hand. He stood fast and took hold of her arms. “Hey…settle down, Layla. Keep talking. Let’s work through this.”

She didn’t look at Gabe even once. She remained secured by Gabe’s hold, but her gaze lasered onto Susanna. “After what I did to you, this must seem like a fair payback. Well, I need you right now—so much. Please help me. I’m
not
lying.”

“Layla, police officers caught four of the kids, and they testified that you were part of it but you ran away.” Susanna shrugged, seemingly at a loss.

“They lied!”

“Why
would
they? You’re all in the same boat. What would they have to gain?”

“The pleasure of messing me over. Plus, the cops saw my past record. Because of that botched-up heist I pulled on you at the drug store, they weren’t letting me go anywhere until someone was alerted.” All at once she crumpled; the bravado drained away. Gabe’s heart broke when Layla left his care and knelt next to Susanna. She rested her head on Susanna’s shoulder, crying. “I wanted you to help me. You know Chelsea and her group. They’ve been after me ever since that boating and hiking trip. Why? Because I’m
trying
. Because I want to start over and they’re jealous. I want a chance to have good things happen, not this crap! That’s why I called you, and not my folks.”

“So…Chelsea was involved?”

Layla looked a bit chagrined by the fact that she had dropped a name, but she nodded.

“Where did you go? Can Kaitlyn vouch for your whereabouts?” Susanna asked.

“No.” Layla sank in on herself, relying on Susanna’s physical support once more. Susanna covered the girl’s hand with hers, running a thumb against Layla’s fingertips. “She wasn’t home when I got there.”

“How did you get from the park to Kaitlyn’s house?” Susanna asked.

“My bike. It was only a few miles.” Layla sniffled and stood. From the tabletop she swiped her purse and started shuffling through the contents until she pulled out her cell phone. “After that, I wanted to just disappear. I went to a convenience store and bought a pop, then I tried calling Kaitlyn and texting her. No luck.”

Gabe’s ears perked up at that. “Do you have a receipt for the pop? It would verify location and timing. Plus, we could check their surveillance cameras.”

“No. I never take receipts.” She shrugged. “After that, I sat on a bench in front of the store and moped for a bit. Then, I tweeted.”

Susanna frowned. “What did you post?”

Layla gave her hair a toss and worked the buttons on her phone. Gabe watched over Layla’s shoulder as the social network came to life on the screen of her phone. “I wrote:
Why does trouble stalk me…even when I want to avoid it?
”

Gabe forced down a rush of adrenaline. Experience and a policeman’s instinct kicked in. First, he could petition police officers to question the clerk on duty at the convenience store, but chances were Layla would be a forgotten entity amidst a blur of daily customers. Another idea came to life that would vindicate—or condemn—her as well.

He focused on the youngster for a moment before deciding to take a gamble. “OK, you don’t have a receipt, but there may be another answer here. Give me your phone.”

“Why?” She handed it over.

Gabe took custody and gave her a flinty, challenging look. “If you’re telling the truth, this phone and your activity on it, will verify your alibi.” Next he addressed Susanna. “I’m going to need help. Have you got Ryne Calvert’s number? I want to run an idea past him.”

****

“Will it work?” Less than an hour later, Gabe was at police headquarters, seated next to a desk occupied by Ryne Calvert.

“Gabe, I think it’s a great plan. What you have in mind will definitely make her or break her.”

Ryne Calvert’s assessment fortified Gabe’s resolve. “Precisely my intent—and my gut tells me she didn’t do it. Layla and her parents have given the go-ahead, so I think we’re set to move forward”

Ryne leaned forward, his posture one of carefully leashed intensity. “Let’s get to work and make it happen. I’ll have some associates of mine make a few calls. Since we have unanimous permission, I don’t think we’ll have a problem securing localized phone data and GPS findings connected to Layla’s cell phone.”

A weight lifted from Gabe’s shoulders. “Thanks. The GPS app on Layla’s phone might answer everything. This means a lot to Susanna…and me.”

Ryne grinned at the addenda Gabe tacked on. Ryne was more than just a fellow enforcer of the law. Beyond shared backgrounds and being neighbors at Heart’s Haven, Ryne had become one of Gabe’s closest friends since returning home.

Home.

Despite the drama of Layla’s problems, the thought stopped Gabe short. Yes, Angel Falls reasserted itself as his home—in a number of ways.

“Where’s Layla now?”

Ryne’s question snagged Gabe’s attention. “Her parents came by. They took Layla and Susanna back to Wellsprings. The kid is under lockdown, and her parents are at the end of their rope. They’ve been cooperative, but they’re backing off. It’s like they’re relying on Susanna to step in as guardian.”

“Don’t weigh that decision too harshly. Sus is a lot more objective at this point. From what I’ve seen in my work at the high school, I can tell you influence like mine and Susanna’s is necessary. We shake up the status quo, and sometimes the work we do takes temporary precedence over family relationships. It’s all about objectivity and outside perspective. You’ve been a big part of that, too, Gabe.”

Gabe pushed out a deep breath. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his tired, gritty eyes. “That doesn’t make it any easier.”

“Nope. It’s never easy—but it’s worth it, so keep the faith.”

Faith.
Gabe thought of the key from Pia—the mysterious way he had been drawn to Susanna from the very beginning. “I’m trying.”

“I’ve seen that. I know Susanna thinks the world of you—and appreciates everything you’ve done.”

Gabe was smart enough to recognize a leading statement when he heard one. After a slight pause, he decided to confess. “I enjoy everything I’ve found here, Ryne, but if I quit my life back in Michigan, I’ll be letting the demons win. Does that make any sense?”

“Absolutely.”

“Leaving Detroit goes against everything I hoped to accomplish with my life.”

“As opposed to what you’re doing at Wellsprings?” The pointed remark hit home, and Gabe gave his friend a sharp stare. Ryne absorbed the vibe and kicked his legs into a stretch. “Sadly, the demons live everywhere. Stay here and you’d just be battling them in a new location is all.”

Gabe gave a snort. “Subtle, pal. Real subtle.”

“Honest, pal. Real honest.” Following a shared laugh, their meeting reached a conclusion. Ryne stood. “For the record, if you decide to stay permanently, just say the word. I’ll be glad to work a few connections and entice the top brass to recruit you to the Angel Falls PD.”

Quite an endorsement—and one Gabe appreciated. But permanence—in Angel Falls? That would require a lot of soul searching.

“I’ll think it over. Thanks for the support.”

“No problem. I think you could be really happy here.” Ryne clapped a hand against Gabe’s shoulder as they walked out of the conference room. “Say hey to Sus for me.”

“I will.”

While Gabe made the drive to Heart’s Haven, he forced himself to go still, turning within as he prayed in earnest.

What comes next, God? Not just with Susanna, but with my life.

Find the new and better pathway, Gabriel. Find Me once again in all that you do, and all that you feel.

God spoke, quiet but sure; the words swirled through his spirit. Susanna’s image dawned, fast and clear.

“Susanna. Wellsprings.”

The two words drifted into a silence interrupted only by the hum of his car. Could God’s plan, His will, be that simple—and that fulfilling?

8

“I really do feel different! This is so cool!” A brief shadow crossed Layla Thompson’s features. “I only wish I hadn’t wasted so much time being stupid.”

Kaitlyn O’Dell linked arms with Layla, and Susanna followed the pair from The Falls Tabernacle, watching and listening.

“You weren’t stupid,” Kaitlyn assured. “You were confused. Remember what Pastor David said. Keep moving forward. You’re forgiven. Jesus isn’t keeping a record of what you did before. Why should you?”

Layla beamed at her friend. “Katie, you
rock
.”

Susanna felt a lump form in her throat. She blinked hard a few times to clear her eyes of tears. Layla was radiant. She bubbled over with the kind of joy that could only stem from one place: the love of Christ. At services this morning, Layla had responded quickly when associate pastor David Myers had prompted parishioners to give up worldly battles and accept, instead, the unwavering and unchangeable love of the Lord. Joining others at the altar, she knelt, prayed, and surrendered herself to the God who loved her unconditionally.