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Things turned to chaos in that moment and a gunshot rang out—the sound deafening as it echoed under the small space of the porch. Fear gripped me like it never had before, not even when I’d watched my last lover die by the hands of a madman. I couldn’t do this again. All I could think of was protecting Jack, and I flung my body towards him, knocking him back against the clapboard siding.
The blood rushed in my ears and black dots edged into my vision.
“Jesus, Jaye,” Jack’s voice finally came through. “Are you crazy? Look at me.”
I couldn’t listen to what he was saying. My hands ran over his body, checking for the wound I was sure I’d find, ready to staunch the blood and feel the life of him drain beneath my fingers.
“Where is it?” I begged. “Where is it!” Hysteria bubbled inside me, and Jack put his arms around me tight, holding me as close as he could until the only thing I could hear was his heartbeat, nice and steady.
“I’m okay,” he soothed. “Everyone’s okay. Look.”
“You’re okay,” I said, more to reassure myself than asking a question. Tremors wracked my body, but I made myself look over at Lorna. Carver already had her in cuffs and she was weeping softly on her knees, her head bowed as if in prayer.
“I’m sorry,” I said as I tried to push away and stand on my own. “I shouldn’t have interfered. I’m sorry.”
But Jack didn’t let me go far, and he kept an arm around my waist. I was still struggling to catch my breath, and I realized that fear was dictating every choice and action in my life. And if I wanted to survive and be happy, I couldn’t let the fear take over.
“I’m okay. I’m sorry,” I said again.
“I’ll let it go this once,” he said. “But if you ever try to step in front of a bullet for me again I’m going to bend you over my knee. You took ten years off my life.”
I realized then I wasn’t the only one trembling. I squeezed him and dropped my head to his shoulder. “That’s something we haven’t tried yet,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “Sounds kinky.”
His body shook with laughter, and this time when I pulled away he let me go.
“Why don’t you come over here and hug me?” Carver asked. “I’m the one that knocked the gun out of her hand.”
“My hero,” I said, fluttering my lashes.
“Carver is also a terrible poker player,” Jack said. “You guys have that in common. I knew he was waiting for Lorna to make a move, so I wasn’t worried at all. She shot right through her handbag and into the porch.”
“I’m glad someone is as bad at poker as me,” I said.
“Maybe not quite so bad,” Jack added, his smile giving me a glimpse of his dimple. “I told Lewis and Martinez to arrest William Vance and bring him in for questioning. And now with Lorna’s little stunt here we don’t have to wait for a warrant to search the premises.”
“I’ll stay here with her if you want to check it out,” Carver said. He lifted her up under the arms so she was on her feet, and he started moving her towards the cruiser.
Jack and I watched until Carver had her settled. She was still weeping softly, and I felt the first stirring of pity nudge me.
“Let’s go check out the barn,” Jack said.
“Let me get my bag. Just in case.” I didn’t know exactly whatjust in casemight encompass, but I was prepared for anything.
The walk to the barn was a trek, and by the time we got to the doors I couldn’t see where Carver was waiting with the car. Jack handed me a pair of gloves and I put them on while he decided the best way to get through the padlock holding the doors closed.
“Hand me that scraper thing in your bag. The one that looks like a dentist’s pick.”
“Since when are you proficient in breaking and entering?” I dug in my bag and handed over the tool.
“You learn all kinds of interesting things in the military. Move back some. You’re in my light.”
I took a few steps back while Jack worked his magic. The temperature was starting to warm up and I was regretting the added layers I put on early that morning. I dropped my bag to the ground and took off my jacket, tying it around my waist. I slapped at a fly that lighted on my arm, and then another that buzzed around my face. There were several seeking me out. I looked around until I saw a swarm of them above us.
“Jack,” I said.
“Almost got it.” His concentration was complete. “There we go,” he said. “It’s been awhile. Never used to take me so long.”
“Jack,” I called again.
