Chapter Eighteen
Sara and Rafe knelt in the bushes, guns drawn and ready. Just in case. Earpieces enabled them to hear the discussion a few feet in front of them, and from what Sara could tell, Pirro had just puked.
“On my shoes! Man, what’s wrong with you?” Todd yelled.
“Gross.” This from Biff. Sara recognized their different voices.
“I’m sorry. I’m just nervous,” Pirro said.
Rafe met Sara’s gaze and winced.
She placed her finger over his lips in a silent shh.
“Let’s just get this over with,” Todd muttered.
“This is A—Lopez,” Pirro said, quickly catching his mistake.
Sara let out a long breath.
“I’m Biff, and the one with puke on his shoes is Todd.”
“A. Lopez.”
“What happened, your parents couldn’t think of a first name?” Biff laughed.
“He’s making fun of my name? Where’d yours get Biff? Wasps ’R’ Us?” Agent Lopez shot back.
The man brilliantly deflected. Sara stifled a laugh. From the look in Rafe’s eyes, he was doing the same.
They trained their gazes—and guns—back on their targets.
“Pirro here says you can get us the goods?” Biff asked.
Lopez needed them to talk specifics, and he couldn’t mention drugs or do anything that would smack of entrapment.
“Depends on what you want.”
“Oxy to start. If the quality is good, we’ll go from there. Do you have any on you?” Biff asked.
Lopez had the pills in a brown paper bag, and Sara heard the crinkling of paper.
“Looks good to me,” Todd said.
“How much?” Biff asked.
“Forty-five grand for one hundred pills.” Some more crinkling of paper.
“That’s small potatoes. If our boss likes the quality, we plan to use his trucks to transport a hell of a lot more for distribution in the city,” Todd said. “Can you handle the demand?” he asked Lopez.
“Of course.”
Sara heard the crinkling of paper again.
“Where are you going with that?” Biff asked.
“I thought you said it wasn’t enough,” Lopez said.
“It’s a start. We’ll take it, our boss will test it, and we’ll be in touch for more. Here.”
Sara envisioned Todd giving Agent Lopez the money.
The crackling of paper told her Biff had snatched the drugs.
“Freeze!”
At the sound of Lopez’s voice snapping out the command, Sara and Rafe pounced, surrounding the two men.
Sara’s knee popped under the strain of kneeling for too long, but she held her position, gun trained on Biff and Todd.
Pirro had long since dropped to the ground, crying in relief.
As Lopez read Biff and Todd their rights, Rafe and Sara cuffed the two men.
It was over as quickly as it had begun, a successful operation from beginning to end except for the painful certainty that Sara wouldn’t pass the rigorous exam necessary for her to return to active duty at the NYPD.
Following the bust, Coop was given his promised interview and was free to run the story after Agent Lopez vetted the information Pirro had given to make sure their case didn’t suffer from the older man’s embellishing.
Rafe and Sara finally arrived back at his place. “I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted,” Rafe muttered.
“Wiped out.” She collapsed, propping her leg on the arm of the nearest couch.
Eyeing her in concern, he headed for the kitchen, returning with an army of supplies, which he deposited on the table. “Scoot over.”
With an adorable smile, she wiggled herself closer to the couch, making room so he could sit beside her.
“Here.” He first handed her ibuprofen for the pain and obvious swelling, which she gratefully accepted.
“Thank you,” she said, swallowing the pills with the glass of water he also gave her.
“You’re welcome. Now, ice.” He held out an ice pack. “Want me to do it for you?”
She nodded.
He placed the ice pack on her knee, wrapping it around to cover as much of the swelling as possible. He tried to be careful and not put too much pressure on the already sore joint.
She winced at the initial contact.
“Cold or pain?” he asked.
“Both.”
He felt her pain directly in his heart. Rafe knew Sara was tough. She could handle physical discomfort and wouldn’t fight the medical necessities. It was the emotional turmoil that was so much harder, eating away at her day by day. More so now that she’d obviously seen how difficult fieldwork would be, especially in a place like Manhattan where the physical requirements to return might be more than her knee could handle.
He was smart enough not to mention it now. Instead, he sat with her in silence and waited twenty minutes for the ice to do its thing. Then he rose, held out a hand and helped her to the bedroom, where they could both stretch out. Once in bed, she curled into him, relaxed and immediately fell fast asleep.
She obviously felt safe with him. Trusted him when she was weak. If pressed, he’d say she loved him in her own way—which would be enough for him if he wasn’t always waiting for the end she believed was inevitable.
Rafe awoke feeling refreshed, considering he’d fallen into a deep sleep with his arms around Sara for the better part of the night. He didn’t think he’d rolled or shifted positions once. Since she was still out cold, he headed for the kitchen. After making coffee, he sat and drank his liquid caffeine. Though he tried to scan the newspaper, the phone began ringing nonstop. Family members wanted to talk about Pirro’s role in last night’s bust, and the slant they had on the story shocked even Rafe.
Pirro became an overnight hero and legend in his own mind. Apparently, he told the family he’d been an undercover police informant all along in order to catch big-time drug dealers in New York. And since Agent Lopez had left town along with his prisoners, Biff and Todd, there was nobody to dispute Pirro’s version, at least until Coop’s story broke in the Daily Post.
Except for Sara and Rafe.
And they weren’t talking.
If Pirro wanted to bask in the limelight, who was Rafe to steal his glory? Especially since Pirro had promised to get his Viagra legally from now on, and to never supply his friends again. Agent Lopez called to tell Rafe that Biff and Todd had panicked in lockup and had immediately named names in order to cut a deal.
With the stress of the drug dealer off his plate and his aunt’s marriage back on track, that left Rafe with the outstanding threat to Sara’s safety as his sole concern. But even the captain seemed convinced John Morley wanted to scare her and keep her from testifying, not harm her and add another murder to his long list of charges.
Even so, Rafe wasn’t taking any chances. He planned to stay by Sara’s side, a strategy that had already played into Coop’s agenda. With their public display of affection at Angel’s last night, this morning’s Bachelor Blog had proven Coop’s hunch. Because only someone in the room could have reported today’s blog contents—up-close-and-personal coverage of Rafe and Sara’s evening prior to the bust.
The Daily Post
The Bachelor Blog
Love blooms in a small upstate town. Bachelor hunk Officer Rafe Mancuso is recuperating from his injuries thanks to the tender loving care of fellow officer Sara Rios. At a small, intimate gathering, the couple could be seen entwined in each other’s arms. It even appears Officer Mancuso likes to cop a squeeze when he thinks no one is looking! Good thing the blogger has spies everywhere. An intrepid reader sent in the following picture. Ladies, this bachelor’s heart is taken. It shouldn’t be long now before our sexy bachelor pops the question and takes himself off the market. Stay tuned…
Below the text, the blog featured a photograph of Rafe’s hand slipped into the back pocket of Sara’s jeans, copping a feel.
He groaned and tossed down the paper. “Whatever happened to the concept of privacy?” he muttered.
“Coop did ask us to play things up,” Sara reminded him, joining him at the kitchen table. “Want me to freshen it up?” She gestured to his coffee cup with the carafe in her hand.
He nodded. “Thanks.”
She refilled his cup and sat down with her own. “So Coop was right? Amanda is the Bachelor Blogger?”
“Unless someone else at the party reported in. I only saw her photographer snapping pictures.”
Sara took a long sip of coffee before answering. “Seems pretty careless for someone who wants to keep her anonymity, if you ask me.”
He couldn’t help but stare. She was here, and he was grateful. And though he wondered how much longer this could last and knew he had little or no control over the answer, he refused to dwell on the negative. He might as well enjoy what he had now. While he still had it.
“I agree with you. It’s careless. But maybe Amanda figures we’ll never question who sent it in. It could have been anyone on their cell phone last night,” he said, trying to put himself in the blogger’s shoes.
“And maybe she doesn’t care if Coop figures out it’s her because he also works for the same paper?” Sara pursed her lips in thought.
“Could be.”
“How’s your knee?” he asked, glancing at the brace she’d put on again this morning.
“I’m hanging in.”
He nodded and changed the subject. “So, what’s on our agenda for today?” He glanced at the sun streaming through the kitchen window. “How about we go out on the boat?”
A slow smile touched her lips. “Can we do the same thing we did last time we were on the boat?” she asked, her smile turning naughty.
“We sure can.” He still had vivid dreams about making love to her on deck. His jeans grew tight at the thought.
He rose from his seat. Grabbing both mugs, he carried them to the sink, rinsed and set them on the rack to dry.
Then he walked over to where Sara stood and pulled her into his arms. “Have I mentioned that I’m glad you came here for protection?” He buried his face in her neck and inhaled her sweet scent.
“I don’t think you’ve mentioned it,” she murmured.
“Well, I’m telling you now.” And on the boat, under the sun, he’d show her just how glad he really was.
Over and over again.
Sara was beginning to hate the telephone. For as long as she’d been in Hidden Falls, the phone had been the bearer of bad news. Today was no different. No sooner had they packed up food supplies for the boat, when Rafe’s cell phone rang.
They stared at each other for a long time before he finally gave in and glanced at the incoming number.
With a groan, he hit the send button. “Hey, Captain. What’s up?”
Sara came up beside Rafe and waited as he listened to her superior.
“Uh-huh. Yep. I understand. I’ll let her know.” Rafe hung up the phone and turned to face her. “Morley’s making noises from his jail cell about how his lawyer is working on another bail hearing.”
Sara made a face. “So? No judge in his right mind will let that man out on bail.”
“The D.A. wants to make sure of that, so she’s filing a motion for an expedited hearing on the charges. If Morley’s willing to waive a jury trial, you may be heading home sooner than we thought.”
Sara’s heart sank. She wasn’t ready to leave this place just yet.
Or leave Rafe behind.
With a sigh, she shoved her hands into the pockets of her denim shorts. “When?”
“They’ll let you know as soon as they do. But the captain said to tell you they’ll arrange for police transport to and from the courthouse.”
Sara rolled her eyes. “Come on. You just called me a surprise witness. Morley won’t know when to expect me.”
“Precautions wouldn’t hurt,” Rafe reminded her.
“Okay, an escort is fine.” But she refused to dwell on something that hadn’t happened yet. “Now, can we leave before someone else calls and further kills the mood?” She picked up the shopping bag full of sandwiches.
He grabbed the cooler they’d loaded with soda, water and ice.
Sunshine and the soothing bobbing of the boat beckoned to her. Not to mention time alone with Rafe to do whatever they wanted to beneath the midday sun.
“Race you to the car,” Sara teased. She darted around him, grabbed the door handle.
And bumped right into Coop, who was about to ring the doorbell.
“Nooo!” Sara said, seeing her boat trip evaporate before her eyes.
“Nice greeting.” Coop eyed their package-laden hands. “I’m interrupting something, aren’t I?”
“Yes!” Sara said.
“Is it important?” Rafe asked.
“Unfortunately, it is.” Coop looked sheepish but firm.
Sara groaned.
Rafe shot her a look lit by disappointment of his own. “It’s okay. We can go on the boat later. Come on in,” Rafe said to Coop with a lot more graciousness than Sara was feeling.
But she knew Coop was only here for a short time, and if he was here, it must be important.
“Come in,” she said, pushing aside her disappointment, but shooting Rafe a look that warned him she’d hold him to their speedboat ride.
“What’s going on?” Rafe asked Coop.
“I’ve been thinking about something Sara said the other day. About how if Amanda really believes she’s doing a service with the blog, maybe she’d stop if she discovered she wasn’t.”
“What’s wrong? You couldn’t pinpoint her as the source of today’s blog?” Sara asked.
Coop frowned. “Pretty much. I’m sure you realized the same thing when you read it this morning.”
Sara nodded. “We had this discussion earlier. Any of Angel’s friends could have seen Rafe tuck his hand into my pants pocket.”
“And the photo? Could have been anyone discreetly using a cell phone, her photographer included,” Rafe added.
“Exactly. But I still believe she’s the blogger. So I want the three of us to appeal to Amanda’s human side to stop plugging your every move because she’s putting you in danger,” Coop explained. “I know Amanda, and I have to believe we can get through to her.”
Rafe shook his head. “Isn’t that—”
Coop held up a hand, halting Rafe mid-thought. “Before you call me idealistic or naive, Sara knows I’m anything but. I just don’t want to waste time playing a game with her when the truth could protect you faster.”
Rafe inclined his head. “That’s the smartest thing I’ve heard all day.”
“I also wanted you to read my article before I turn it in. Give you a chance to make sure you’re okay with how I laid out Pirro’s role.”
Rafe raised an eyebrow. “And I just might have misjudged you, as well.”
Coop shrugged. “I never let anyone vet my stuff before. Consider it a favor for a friend.” He winked at Sara.
She immediately felt guilty for being annoyed he’d shown up unannounced earlier. “Thanks, Coop.”
“No problem. Just leave me with Rafe’s e-mail. Now, can I steal you two to go talk to Amanda before she leaves town?” he asked.
Rafe nodded. “No time like the present.”
Coop started for the door.
Rafe grasped her wrist, and she turned toward him. “Rain check?” he asked.
She couldn’t contain her smile. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Sara believed in glomming the good because she never knew how long it would last.
Sara, Rafe and Coop caught up with Amanda outside Angel’s as she was packing her car for the ride home. Rafe and Sara held back while Coop asked her to stay, at least long enough for a talk.
From her nod, Sara assumed she was willing.
Coop waved them over, and they joined Amanda and Coop by the car.
“Coop says you all want to talk?” Amanda asked, sounding confused.
Sara inclined her head. “If you don’t mind delaying your trip for a little while.”
Amanda shrugged. “I’m in no rush.”
“Then why don’t we go back inside. I’m sure Angel won’t mind if we use her living room.” Rafe gestured toward the house.
Amanda walked down the path, her ponytail bobbing against her back as if she were a young kid, not a newspaper reporter who wielded power with the written word.
Once they were settled inside, Amanda spoke first. “So, where’s the fire? What’s the emergency and why do you all need to talk to me?”
Angel’s living room was a warm, inviting space and Sara hoped Amanda took her cues from the feeling. Considering the woman had already refused to stop her blog when Captain Hodges asked directly, she couldn’t imagine why she’d do so now.
“We want to talk to you about the Bachelor Blog,” Coop said to Amanda.
Sara studied the other woman intently.
Amanda met Coop’s gaze. “I don’t understand. Did you want me to talk to Stan about the blog?” she asked.
“That’s our editor in chief,” Coop explained to Sara and Rafe. “And no, it’s not Stan we want to talk to about the blog. It’s you.”
“Okay…?” What seemed like genuine confusion crossed Amanda’s face.
“We want you to stop writing about us,” Sara jumped in impatiently.
“But you’re making no sense. If you don’t want me to mention Rafe and Sara in the article that includes Angel’s B and B, you have nothing to worry about. But Coop, you know I have nothing to do with the Bachelor Blog.” She nervously tucked her hair behind her ear.
Nervous because she was lying? Or nervous because she was genuinely confused? Sara wondered.
“Actually, I know no such thing,” Coop said. “What I know for a fact is that the blogger is anonymous to everyone but Stan. My gut tells me it’s you.”
Amanda’s eyes opened wide. “That’s ridiculous. I’m the features editor!” She curled a long strand of hair around and around one finger.
Coop shook his head. “You could be the blogger, too. The blogger who heard from Angel directly about where Sara was staying and the features editor who is also doing an article about great summer escapes and happened to choose Angel’s.”
“That’s a reach,” Amanda said, her leg swinging back and forth in front of her.
Sara sighed. They needed to appeal to her more directly. Maybe if Sara personalized the situation, Amanda would confess her role and end Sara’s and Rafe’s stint in the blog.
Sara leaned forward in her seat. “Look, my boss already asked you to stop discussing our whereabouts in the blog because you’re jeopardizing my safety, and you said no. But Coop thought now that you’ve met me, you’d reconsider.”
A look of disbelief crossed her face. “Nobody asked me to stop. Nobody mentioned anything about anyone’s safety. I don’t understand,” she said, her voice shaking.
Sara met Coop’s gaze. That was as much of a confession as they were likely to get.
He rose and walked over to where Amanda was seated. “Stan didn’t tell you Captain Hodges called?”
She shook her head.
Rafe let out a low growl.
“Son of a bitch.” Coop was more expressive. “That bastard was willing to risk Sara’s life as long as his paper is making money.”
Amanda, gaze narrowed, looked from Sara to Rafe then back to Coop. “What do you mean? What exactly is going on?”
“Have you been following the news about the Morley case?” Sara asked.
“Other than the fact that he allegedly killed his wife? Not really.” Amanda blushed at her ignorance. “I don’t really follow hard news.”
“She’s more of a fashion girl,” Coop said fondly.
Obviously, now that he knew Amanda hadn’t deliberately refused to help, Coop had forgiven her. Sara understood why. All Sara cared about was making Amanda understand the situation.
She explained the Morley case and how Amanda’s blog had been inadvertently alerting Morley’s people to Sara’s whereabouts. “My apartment’s been tossed, and I’ve had direct warnings not to come back and testify since I’ve been in town.”
Amanda spread her hands wide. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.” She drew a deep breath. “I’ll stop posting about you immediately.”
Rafe rose from his seat. “That’s a start, but I was hoping you’d be willing to do more.” He took charge, and Sara couldn’t tear her gaze away.
“Such as?” Amanda asked.
“Yes. Such as?” She had no idea what Rafe had in mind, but she couldn’t wait to hear.
“Sara’s due to return to New York soon to testify. When she does, I want you to print your final blog about us. Tell the world we’re not only engaged, but we went to Bermuda to get married. Throw them off her trail so she can return to New York safely.”
“Brilliant,” Sara said in awe of Rafe’s idea.
Coop nodded. “I’m impressed.”
All three looked to Amanda for an answer.
The woman stood and paced the floor of the small living room. “I’m horrified Stan didn’t tell me the police called and asked me to back off.”
“Join the club,” Coop muttered.
Sara knew her friend and also knew he’d cemented his decision to leave the paper sooner rather than later.
Amanda turned to face them. “Of course I’ll do it. I owe you that much, if not more. You tell me when, and I’ll be ready to run with it,” she promised.
“And in the meantime?” Sara asked.
“I’ll finish up the bachelor who’s also featured now, run with your story when you’re ready…and call it a day. I can’t work for someone with no morals.”
Sara was satisfied. They had a deal. They had a plan. When the time came, she could go home.