Page 41 of Lost Cause
“Roger that,” she said.
Burke turned to Abby. “Let’s move. Straight ahead to the patrol vehicle.”
As they walked toward the cruiser, Abby kept hold of Victor’s arm. Burke remained close to them, his hand on his sidearm while surveying the area. He really didn’t think they were in danger, but when a law enforcement officer relaxed from such thoughts, people got hurt.
He unlocked the vehicle and opened the back door. Victor slid into the middle, and Abby got in next to him, then closed the door. Burke sat behind the wheel and swiveled to face the others.
Abby took the trembling man’s hands in hers. “We’ll stay here until we have backup, and then we can go to the bank.”
“The bank?” Victor gaped at her. “I want to go home. Please take me home.”
“You feel like that now, but you’ve gone through so much to get this far. Don’t you want to finish your job?”
“I do, of course I do. But I don’t think I can.”
Burke tried to make sure he didn’t come across as demanding. “Don’t make a decision now. Take a minute. Let the adrenaline recede and calm down. Then if you still want to go home, we’ll take you there right away.”
Victor bit his lip. “Sounds reasonable, but can you arrange safer transportation than that bathtub toy we came here in to get me home?”
If only Burke had an alternative to offer. “The guy who tried to ram us is long gone, and his boat is beached, so you’ll be safe in whatever boat we use. I’ll station deputies at the dock where they can check identification for each person wanting to launch a boat. They’ll have orders to detain anyone who acts the least bit suspicious.”
“That’s comforting.” Victor’s shoulders sagged, and his eyelids drooped.
Ah, yes, his adrenaline was abating, and fatigue would soon threaten to take him down. Best to get him moving before the physical release following such a rush fully hit him, and he asked to go back to the island again. “So what do you say? Should we head to the bank? It’s just down the street, and after a quick visit, we’ll have you on your way home.”
“I… I…”
“I’ll arrange for a deputy to search the bank building for any threat, and additional officers to escort you.”
He suddenly firmed his shoulders. “Yes, yes, I’ll do it. But hurry before I lose my courage.”
“The added protection will be perfect,” Abby said, but gave Burke a look that suggested he move fast.
He turned to the dash and called Ryder.
“I’ll be with you and help you through this,” she said softly in the backseat. “I’d also like to pray for you. Would it be okay?”
“I don’t believe all that mumbo-jumbo, but it couldn’t hurt.”
Couldn’t hurt indeed. In fact, when someone with strong faith like Abby prayed, it not only couldn’t hurt, it could help immensely. Burke needed to observe her and take a lesson from her on faith in action.
In that very moment, he believed prayer and trusting in God was his way forward in life. If only he could let go of his distrust in everything—in everyone—and rediscover enough trust and faith to resume a regular prayer life. Then not only would he once again have his confidence back in his life, but maybe he could move forward in a relationship with Abby too.
11
Burke dropped the accordion folder containing the crown’s official certificate and bill of sale on the dining room table. They’d successfully retrieved it from the bank, then got Victor home without incident. He actually seemed calm on the boat ride. That changed the moment they’d reached the island and he charged up the stairs and into the house. Inside the door, he issued a warning not to be disturbed until he emerged from his nap. Period. End of subject. He didn’t wait for disagreements, but moved equally as fast up to his bedroom. And honestly, Burke was thankful for a break from the older gentleman, whose moods were as mercurial as a thermometer.
He turned his attention to Abby. She stood across the table, unloading the cooler she’d carried in that morning. When he first spotted it, he’d thought it contained forensic supplies. Not so. She’d thoughtfully brought lunch for the team, including him. He couldn’t be more thankful. His adrenaline had abated, and he was starving.
“Okay.” She looked around the room where Gabe and Sam had joined them. “I’ve got roast beef, ham, and turkey sandwiches, potato salad, chips, fruit, and cookies for dessert.Before you’re impressed and think I somehow made all of this for you last night, Reece took care of food prep for us. So have at it, and please thank her the next time you see her.”
“If Reece made it, I’ll double my number of sandwiches for sure.” Gabe stepped up to the food, grabbed a plate in one hand, and a wrapped sandwich in the other.
“Reece and I know you, Gabe. Two sandwiches are your requirement.” Abby wrinkled her nose at him, then looked at Burke and Sam. “Feel free to have two as well.”
“You don’t need to tell me twice.” Chuckling, Burke circled the end of the table.
“No way I can eat two and have a cookie,” Sam said. “And I definitely won’t miss out on one of Reece’s chocolate chunk cookies.”
