Shield of Refuge Read online

  “Amber Scott,” she said softly. She backed away. “I was afraid to try to stop him. I could’ve at least yelled…I should have backed my van into him, but I just had it painted….” She looked at it and shook her head. “Lot of good that did—look at it now.”

  Paintings of bright-colored balloons and streamers were crumpled and smooshed all over the front fender of the minivan. “It’s just a machine. It can be repaired.” His head started spinning. His shoulder burned. “You did the right thing not getting involved. If you had tried to intervene there may have been two women apprehended. Only thing you shouldn’t have done was follow him. How’re you doing? Are you hurt?”

  “No, I’m fine.”

  He gave her another once-over, concurring with her assessment. She looked mighty fine. He forced himself to process the accident as if he weren’t a victim. If he focused on the scene, maybe he wouldn’t hurt so bad. “We’ll let the paramedics check you out just as a precaution.” He looked at his police cruiser and shook his head. So much for his perfect record.

  “They really don’t need to do that. I’m so sorry about the accident. Are you okay?”

  “I’m sure it’s nothing serious,” he said, hoping that saying it would make it so. “So what kind of car was it?”

  “What kind of car?” Amber stared at him and shrugged. “I don’t know. It looked like a police car except it was white and didn’t have the logo and police stripes.”

  “A Crown Vic?”

  “A what?”

  “Crown Victoria…that’s the model of car used by the police around here. Huge boat, like your grandparents probably drove back in the seventies.”

  “Sure,” she said with a blank stare.

  He took hold of her arm and pulled her away from the overturned vehicle as she rattled off details he wasn’t going to be able to remember, let alone make any sense of.

  “A woman was forced into the backseat.”

  “A four-door sedan, then,” he said, stopping just inches from her.

  “Yeah,” she said. “I was trying to help, but…” She backed away from him and crossed her arms across her chest. “They’re still looking for the car, right?” Sirens came to a stop as more officers arrived, surrounding them.

  “Oh, no, I hit a cop,” she mumbled. She paced frantically, hugging her arms to her body.

  “That’s just dawning on you?” He could almost feel her pain. She stared at him, her blue eyes framed with long lashes.

  “Well, no…but…I think it’s just sinking in. Really sinking in, I mean.” She had a sick look on her face. “I’m so sorry. I was trying to find the car. It looked like he killed her.”

  “You didn’t tell that to dispatch.”

  She stopped pacing. “Didn’t I?” she asked, looking him in the eye. She sidestepped away from the two officers who were headed their way.

  “You okay?” each officer echoed as they approached.

  Amber didn’t respond.

  “Yeah, we’re doing okay,” Garrett answered. Despite his claim, the officers radioed for an ambulance and tow trucks, then dispersed to assess the damage.

  He turned back to Ms. Scott, staggering slightly. “So what makes you think he killed her?” he asked, trying to keep his balance. He couldn’t believe this had happened. What rotten timing. He had been in perfect health when he’d applied to the federal agencies. Becoming a fed had always been his dream. Now that he had a year of street patrol experience under his belt and his master’s degree, he’d been sure he’d get a call. Until now. Perfect health, perfect record—all gone in an instant.

  “The woman was fighting against him, then she just went limp. Like she’d just dropped dead. There was no noise, nothing.”

  Garrett studied the woman who’d run into him, trying to ignore her brilliant blue eyes—eyes that couldn’t tell a lie if she tried. He’d bet his life on it. “Did you see anything else? Blood? A knife? A gun?” He didn’t want to embarrass her by pointing out that a body went limp when someone fainted, too. Feeling a little light-headed himself, Garrett felt himself sway.

  Before the woman could answer, Lieutenant Chavez ordered him to sit down. “An ambulance is on the way, Matthews.” As Garrett looked for a place to collapse, the lieutenant addressed the woman who’d ruined his record. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I’m fine,” she insisted, pushing past the lieutenant and the other officer and closer to Garrett. “I didn’t see any blood. I was looking through the tinted glass, so it was too dark, and…” She paused. “I couldn’t see whether it was a knife, or gun, but I didn’t hear a gunshot.”

  “This is our RP, Lieutenant. Amber Scott. She was following the suspect…” The flashing lights of the squad cars were making him sick. “Could you ask them to turn off the flashers?”

  While another officer went to give the order, Amber started explaining why she’d been following.

  “Did you find the girl? The car?” she asked before she explained, again, what she had witnessed.

  Lieutenant Chavez brushed her concerns aside, suggesting she needed to calm down and wait for the ambulance to arrive. “We’ll handle…”

  She lifted her hand to her hip. “You’re not listening to me,” Amber insisted, clearly annoyed with technicalities of anything but the crime. “She was trying to scream and he covered her mouth with his hand, then suddenly she went limp.” Another officer approached and tried to lead her away. “But what about the girl? The car? Why are you all here, and not looking for her?”

  “Don’t worry, Ms….” Garrett said, trying to ignore the dizziness. He glanced at his fellow officer.

  Lieutenant Chavez shone his flashlight in Garrett’s face. “Garrett? You okay?”

  He didn’t answer.

  Amber turned and looked at him. She pressed her key fob, opening the sliding door of her van behind her. “Here,” she said. “Sit down while you wait for the ambulance. Just watch out for the cake box.” She rearranged things, then slid the box to the back of the van. “Oh, no, the shower. I’m going to be late. I need to make a phone call.”

  “I’m afraid you’re going to be more than late, Ms. Scott. Make your call,” Lieutenant Chavez said, then looked at him. “Sit down, Garrett.”

  He was in no condition to ignore an order. He sat in the doorway and took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet, nauseating aroma of a bakery mixed with gas fumes.

  God, don’t let this be serious. He fought off the nausea, eyeing the interesting mess inside—plastic umbrellas, a gift bag with satin spaghetti straps dangling from the front seat, and a small box of what he hoped had nothing to do with the rest of her assortment. He had to be seeing things.

  She must have seen his reaction to the contents, as she reached past him and tucked the flimsy fabric into a gift bag and apologized for the mess. “I was making deliveries on the way to a friend’s wedding shower…when I saw the officer…”

  “Officer? What kind of officer?” Chavez asked as he approached.

  “Police,” she whispered, looking more terrified by the minute. “It was a police costume, I think. The more I’ve thought about it, I don’t think it was real. The fabric was too thin and blew when she ripped it from his pants. It wasn’t made as well as yours.” She stole a glance at Garrett’s shirt. “Are you wearing a bulletproof vest?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Well, I noticed that the policeman’s shirt, the impersonator policeman…” she stammered, “his was too baggy, but it didn’t register until now. It’s probably because you all wear bulletproof vests, right?”

  If Garrett hadn’t felt like throwing up, he’d have laughed.

  “Yeah, what else did you notice?” the lieutenant asked, skepticism dripping from each word.

  “He covered her mouth with his hand. I’ve never seen any real officer doing that….” She looked nervously from Chavez back to Garrett. “Especially with a bare hand. I mean, some drug addict could bite you, right?” Her fear-filled eyes met Garrett’s again as a
state patrol officer arrived and introduced himself.

  Garrett wondered if she’d be half as gorgeous if he hadn’t hit his head. While a couple officers were cleaning up the gasoline with kitty litter, the others were simply staring at Amber Scott. Apparently her good looks weren’t his imagination. Her blond hair was pulled back into a clip and looked like she’d knocked the clip askew in the accident.

  He glanced back at the shower gift and cake as the state patrolman walked around the van, inspecting the scene with a raised eyebrow. “Interesting cargo, Ms. Scott,” the patrolman said, vocalizing Garrett’s thoughts. He pulled his ticket book from the metal clipboard. “May I have your license and registration, please?”

  She had to get into the van in order to find the documents, then dug through her purse for her driver’s license. “Have they found the car yet?”

  “I’m mainly concerned with Officer Matthews’s and your safety right now,” the state patrolman replied with a cocky smile. “Have you had anything to drink this evening?”

  “No,” she answered, then turned back to her glove box.

  The patrolman ran his gaze up and down Amber, then gave her a look of contempt. “Would you agree to a test?”

  Garrett didn’t like the way he was eyeing her.

  She propped her forearm on the steering wheel. “That’s fine, I don’t drink, and I don’t do drugs. I was…”

  Garrett intervened. “Colorado State Patrol is only here to process the accident,” he said, “because Fossil Creek Police Department can’t investigate our own accidents.”

  Amber slid out of the van and handed everything to the patrolman while one of the officers was measuring the skid marks and taking pictures of the vehicles, inside and out.

  The patrolman glared at Garrett, then turned to talk to the lieutenant. The two moved to look under the van, probably to verify how much fluid it had lost, he thought.

  She closed the front door, then leaned against the van next to Garrett. “What if it’s the rapist that everyone’s been looking for?”

  “We already caught him, and this wasn’t the same MO,” Garrett muttered before the lieutenant heard and got involved again.

  “Oh, I guess I missed that in the newspaper.” She began to wring her hands. “But this girl could be hurt.”

  “It’s okay, calm down—just answer the officer’s questions. Don’t offer more,” Garrett mumbled.

  Amber leaned closer and whispered to him. “Are the charges for hitting a cop worse than running into someone else?”

  “Not unless I mention the knife,” he said with a wink.

  “That’s not funny,” she said, a nervous smile twitching her lip. “I was only trying to help.”

  His gaze met hers and they both smiled. “No, hitting a cop is no different, unless it’s intentional.” He glanced at the geometric designs on her dress, then back to her alluring face. He’d never reacted this way to anyone on the job.

  “Well, if one judged by the dozen or so glowering stares I’m receiving from them, one would think so. Can’t some of these officers go looking for the girl? He’s getting away.”

  “He’s already gotten away,” Garrett said as he closed his eyes and rested his head in his hands. “Don’t be concerned about the officers. They…” They’re trying not to drool. The image brought a brief mental smile. “Don’t worry, the Fossil Creek Police Department will ask you about the crime you witnessed after the accident is processed,” he said quietly, hoping he didn’t sound as bad as he felt. I just wish you hadn’t hit me. He inhaled a breath of fresh air, propping his knees on his elbows.

  “What’s your name? Garrett or Matthew? I heard them call you both. I want to be praying that your injuries aren’t serious. If that’s okay, I mean. I guess God knows who I hit, but it would mean more to me to know I’m praying for you personally. I owe you at least that much.”

  “Garrett Matthews. I can use all the prayers I can get. Thanks.”

  “They don’t believe me, do they?”

  “They’ll look into it,” he mumbled, not wanting to admit there were far too many officers standing here, gawking like the civilians they made fun of for chasing emergency lights. They shouldn’t be here, but that wasn’t his call. He had just finished his rookie year.

  A compact car drove up and parked nearby. Another woman approached one of the officers, then spotted Amber and made a beeline for her. “Are you okay?” Guessing by the hug, Garrett figured she was the friend hosting the shower.

  “Yeah, I’m okay, but I’m not sure about the officer I hit. I’ll call you later.” Her voice got softer as she spoke. Amber carried the cake and the gift to the car. “Don’t mention my accident to Maya. No need to panic the bride two weeks before the wedding. I’ll figure out a way to get the cake to the resort. I don’t need her to worry about that, too—”

  The state patrolman interrupted. “Your van’s going to be in the shop for a while, so if you need any of the other things, you may as well send them with your friend now.”

  The women quickly moved everything from van to car and the friend left.

  When Amber returned to the empty van, Garrett smiled. “Handcuffs for a wedding shower?”

  “Handcuffs? Oh, no, those aren’t for the shower.” Her porcelain skin turned bright pink. “Parties Galore also has costumes and decorations. I was going to repackage them for costume parties. They were on back order and just came in. Police costumes are very popular, you know.”

  “I see. Bride’s name wouldn’t happen to be Sarah, would it?”

  “I’m afraid I can’t share my client’s information.” She quirked her eyebrow, trying to hide her smile. “Why? Is that your fiancée?”

  “My what?” He laughed. “No way.” Garrett shook his head. “Future sister-in-law,” he whispered.

  “Well, send her my way. I’m a party planner and owner of Parties Galore—used to be the bakery downtown. Weddings are my specialty.”

  “I see.” He forced a smile as he stood. Flashing lights caught his attention and he headed toward the ambulance. “I’ll be sure to pass along your name.”

  She studied him. “Are you okay? You look kind of pale. Maybe you need some food. I should have offered you a bite of cake.”

  “No,” he growled. “I’m not much for sweets, even when I’m feeling good.”

  Just as he started to weave, Amber stepped up next to him and wrapped her arm around his waist. “Here, lean on my shoulder,” she said, then called for help. The paramedics rushed to her aid with the gurney and took his vitals, then put a neck brace on. “I don’t need that. There’s nothing wrong…” he argued, even though he knew it was futile.

  Lieutenant Chavez reminded Garrett that it was a requirement that he get checked out in any on-duty accident.

  Garrett watched the fear escalate in Amber’s eyes and fought the inclination to be angry with her. While he didn’t feel fine, he knew he had to do something to ease Amber Scott’s guilt. It wasn’t as if she’d been rushing to make it to the wedding shower. She was after a kidnapper, just as he would have been under the same circumstances.

  A few minutes of oxygen in the ambulance and he’d be fine again, he was sure of it.

  Garrett looked at Amber and winked. “I’m going to be fine. It’s just a formality.”

  She didn’t look convinced.

  The paramedics rattled off numbers that indicated his heart was doing just fine, considering he’d just been in an accident and met an attractive woman. “Hey,” he said to the lead medic. “Give me a minute, would you?” He waggled his finger, motioning for Amber to come closer.

  She stepped to his side and stared at him, regret and fear washing the color from her face. “How can I ever make this right?” she asked.

  “You did all the wrong things for all the right reasons. I admire you for that.” He reached up and touched her hand. “That in itself is enough for me.”

  THREE

  Amber watched in fear as they loaded the officer
into the ambulance and drove away. God, take care of Officer Matthews, and help him remember how much I regret hurting him.

  “Ms. Scott, we need to get more information from you about the crime you apparently witnessed.”

  “Apparently?” She knew that tone and it snapped her right out of her pity party. Pretty blonde, just pacify her. “I didn’t ‘apparently’ witness anything,” she said, wishing she could sound more forceful. “I did witness a crime, and somewhere out there a woman’s life is in danger. So are you telling me you let a dozen or more officers stand here and glare at me over an innocent accident and no one was out there looking for the criminal? A police impersonator may have killed someone? That’s just frightening, Officer.”

  “Lieutenant Chavez.” He glared at her, reminding her why she disliked police officers. “If you’d have left the pursuit up to us, we wouldn’t be here now, and one of my officers wouldn’t be headed to the hospital.”

  “I can’t tell you how bad I feel about Officer Matthews. I never meant for anyone to get hurt. Why else would I follow someone that had already hurt one woman?”

  “I don’t know, you tell me why you’d put yourself in danger when it didn’t involve you? Did you recognize either of the people?” The lieutenant seemed as annoyed as Amber was.

  “No. If I did, why wouldn’t I tell you who it was?” She watched them load her van onto the tow truck and drive away, wondering how she was going to get home. She didn’t want to ask. The lieutenant wasn’t as cordial as Officer Matthews. Surely at some point they’d let her know. An officer was sweeping up the glass, but most were finally leaving, getting back onto patrol she hoped.

  The officer motioned to his police cruiser. “Get in and show me where you saw the crime take place. The officers can finish up here.”

  Amber suddenly froze. It wasn’t even intentional, though she was sure the officer wouldn’t see it that way. She knew from past experience, officers didn’t like their authority questioned. She certainly didn’t need another resisting arrest on her record. The first time she’d been sure the plain clothes cop was an imposter, until after he’d caught her and cuffed her. She didn’t need a repeat.