Page 84 of The Hero
Kendric led her toward Chappy’s Jeep and turned her so her back was to the door. Then he took her in his arms and held her so tightly, it was almost painful. But she welcomed the slight hurt. She held him just as securely.
“I’m going to be just out of sight,” he murmured into her hair as he held her. “I’ll be patched into the audio feed, so I’ll be able to hear everything that’s going on. You’ve got this, Punky. I’ve got your back, and all my friends do too.”
She nodded and closed her eyes. It wasn’t until then that she realized how badly she was shaking. The hair on the back of her neck was standing up. She wanted to call this whole thing off, but it was too late. The chief had already set everything up. His deputies had beentaken off other jobs to assist. The other agency representatives were in town, leaving the physical surveillance to Chief Rutkey and his officers. Kendric’s friend Tex had overnighted the earrings.
So many people had done their part in what was about to happen. She had to suck it up and do hers.
Not to mention, Ian was almost there. The mysterious Tex had been tracking traffic cameras, letting everyone know his progress as he headed north.
“Bob? It’s time!” JJ called out.
Marlowe took a deep breath and let her arms loosen around Kendric. He held on for a beat longer before moving his hands up to cradle her face. “Whatever happens, know that I’m here,” he said earnestly. “If shit goes sideways, you just hang on, stay in your role. I’ll get you out.”
“It’s going to be fine,” Marlowe reassured him, only half believing what she was saying. “Ian will pull up, we’ll talk through our windows, he’ll give me a coin. Easy peasy.”
Kendric’s expression didn’t lighten in the least. “Tonight,” he said, “we move on with the rest of our lives.”
“Okay,” she agreed.
“We’ll start looking around here for a house with several bedrooms for our kids. I’ve got a ring that I was going to surprise you with, but you know I suck at secrets. It’s waiting for you back at the apartment. I’m going to put it on your finger, and it’s never coming off.”
She smiled at that. “All right.”
“You’re mine,” he said fiercely. “My friend, my inspiration, my love.”
“I love you,” she whispered.
“Not more than I love you. Now ... go kick some butt.”
“I will.”
Marlowe wanted to cry again, but she held back her tears. She needed to look tough, not greet Ian with a blotchy face and red eyes. She’d see Kendric again in less than an hour. They’d celebrate with thegirls back at Jack’s Lumber and go home, she’d get her ring, and then she’d show him exactly how much she loved and appreciated him.
It was eerie how alone she felt as she drove Chappy’s Jeep toward the park. Even knowing people were listening and watching her, she still felt as if she was the only person in the world at that moment.
Her heart beat way too fast in her chest and her hands shook as she parked the Jeep in the spot that had already been staked out ahead of time. She saw two men about fifty yards away, Newton officers, playing Frisbee in the grass. Their car was the only other one in the lot.
Looking into the trees, she couldn’t see any glimpse of JJ or Kendric, but they were there. She knew that down to her toes. She could do this.
Taking a deep breath, Marlowe removed her seat belt. Kendric had told her to do so, wanting to be sure she could bolt out of the car if necessary. Minutes seemed to go by like hours. Ian was apparently mostly on time, but there weren’t traffic cameras on the outskirts of Newton, so they were flying blind as far as his exact arrival time was concerned.
Just when Marlowe didn’t think he was going to show, that he’d changed his mind and turned around and headed back to Boston, a black older-model Honda Civic pulled into the parking area.
Her heart immediately started pounding once again as adrenaline shot through her. Marlowe took a couple of deep breaths, trying to calm herself. Ian parked to her right, backing into the spot. He rolled down his window, motioning for her to do the same.
Marlowe did as he asked, glad that things were going according to plan.
But that feeling disappeared with his next words.
“Get in,” he ordered, gesturing to his car.
Thatwasn’t part of the plan. She’d specifically been told several times not to get out of the Jeep. Not to goanywhere. To stay right where she was.
She shook her head. “No.”
“Do you think I’m stupid? You’ve probably got your car wired. I don’t trust you. Get in and we’ll go somewhere else to talk.”
“I don’t trustyoueither,” Marlowe said, feeling the same irritation and bravado that she’d had while talking to him on the phone.
