Chapter 12
She woke up several times in the night, and each time she felt a strong hand reach out and stroke her arm. At one point, her arm was tucked under the covers, and the blanket pulled up to her neck. He still managed to find it with a reassuring pat.
“Just sleep. You’re safe.”
Realizing Rhodes was on watch, she tumbled back under.
When she woke the next morning, instead of feeling refreshed and wide awake, her body was heavy, resisting movement of any kind. It was the first full sleep she’d had since the kidnapping. And therefore, it was actually the day after the event, and everything hurt. She had to go to the bathroom in a big way, but just the thought of standing, let alone walking that far, made the throbbing pound even heavier and harder.
She rolled over slightly to see Rhodes sleeping atop the covers beside her. He was still fully dressed, in warrior mode just in case. A sleeping giant. But all alpha when awake. And she had to admit—she loved that. She lay there as long as she could before her need grew too intense to ignore.
She eased back the covers, slipped out from underneath them and straightened. She caught her breath, but she managed to get to the bathroom. She wished she had something for the pain. She didn’t really want to take anything chemical, but holy crap, she hurt. After she used the bathroom, she eyed the shower and wondered. She wasn’t sure she could stand long enough for that, but a soak would be lovely. She glanced back into the room to see Rhodes still napping.
Decision made, she filled the bathtub with hot water. Stripping off her clothes, she sank into the warm heat. And that’s when she realized she had more than just bangs, bumps, and bruises. There were several scrapes. They stung as she eased into the tub, and it took several moments of biting her lip until she felt she would not cry out. Finally, she lay there totally submerged—the warmth washing over her, easing deep into her sore muscles. This was more like it. She hoped this would give her flexibility to move easier.
Using the soap available, she did a quick shampoo and rinse, being careful with her head wound. Dried blood remained in her hair, but she did her best to get most of it. She soaked as long as she thought she could, then pulled the plug. She stood, still a little wobbly, and grabbed a towel. Dry and wrapped up, she headed back into the main room. It didn’t look like Rhodes had moved at all. She was sorry he’d had such a poor night looking after her. A good night’s sleep was so necessary for healing.
Taking her bag off to the side, she lifted it onto a chair and selected some clean clothes. She managed to pull on her underwear and then dropped her towel and quickly dressed.
It was light outside, and she was very hungry. She walked back into the bathroom and hung up her towel. While in there, she brushed her teeth, and feeling ready to start the day, returned to the room and found Rhodes sitting up in bed, looking as alert as she’d ever seen him.
“I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t wake you.”
He bounced to his feet and said, “I’ve been awake. Just dozing off and on.” He checked his watch, opened his phone and made a quick call.
Realizing it was business as usual, and hopeful maybe they could go home, she quickly repacked her bag and sat down on the bed to wait for him.
When he was done, he turned to her. “Robert wants to know if we can meet for breakfast.”
“I presume you said yes”—she nodded at the phone in his hand—“especially as the phone call is already finished.”
He laughed and took her gently in his arms. “I figured you didn’t want to meet him. But if we have to eat breakfast anyway, might as well combine the two.” He studied her critically, then kissed her gently on her temple. “You obviously had a good night. You’re looking so much better.”
“You are definitely right about not wanting to meet him. But if we can meet, eat, and then leave …” She smiled. “It’s the best of both worlds.” She stopped and said, “I’m starved.”
He shook his head as he reached for her bag. “You’re just rushing me along so we can get to the food faster.”
She grinned. He loaded the luggage in the truck, came back and went into the washroom. When he returned, he stopped in the doorway. “Ready?”
She nodded. “Absolutely.”
They were fifteen minutes away from the restaurant where they had arranged to meet. As they walked in, they found Robert already in a booth by the window. He waved at them, and they sat down on the same side, facing him.
“Good morning, Sienna,” Robert said in a low voice. “You’re looking much better.”
“Then it’s a facade,” she said with a half laugh. “I woke up this morning to find I had more muscles than I ever remembered feeling before, and every one was screaming.”
He nodded in commiseration. “You went through a lot yesterday. Take several days off just to rest and relax.”
“That’s all I plan to do for the next three days. I’m hoping to go home and crash on my bed and just do nothing.”
Robert turned his attention to Rhodes. “I wanted to thank you personally for getting me out of there yesterday.” He nodded toward Sienna. “For getting us both out.”
“Not an issue. I did what I could.” Rhodes laced his fingers on the table in front of him. “How did the armed gunmen situation downtown end?”
“Unfortunately, all six are dead.”
“Six?” Sienna shook her head. “I thought there were only two.”
“Two on the garage level,” Rhodes clarified. He turned to gaze back at Robert.
“Actually, four were in the main building. Plus, the two we encountered on the garage level.”
“I didn’t kill the men in the garage. I only knocked out one and shot the other in the shoulder.”
“Then somebody came along and put a bullet in both their heads,” Robert said.
Rhodes sat back. “Which means there was a seventh.”
Robert nodded. “That’s what we’re thinking.”
“Wouldn’t that be too obvious?” Sienna asked. “Why would he have done that?”
“Dead men don’t talk.” Rhodes reached over and covered her hands with his.
She sighed and gently unlocked her hands from the fists they’d become and held on to his instead.
Just then a waitress walked by, holding a full pot of coffee. “May I offer you some?” she asked with a smile.
Gratefully, they pushed their cups toward her so she could fill them up.
When done, she motioned at the menus in front of them. “Are you ready to order breakfast?”
“Absolutely.” Sienna hadn’t even looked at the menu. “I’m starving.”
“If you’d like our special, it’s a big breakfast. Three eggs, sausage, bacon, ham, pancakes, hash browns, and toast.”
“Sounds fantastic. I’ll have that.” She’d ordered a ton of carbs, but with her energy level right now, that was just what she needed.
“Make that two,” Rhodes said. They handed the unopened menus back to the waitress as Robert ordered just coffee.
Feeling much better with coffee in her hand, a meal ordered and Rhodes at her side, Sienna sat back to wait. She just didn’t know what she was waiting for.
*
So this wasn’t just a social call, allowing Robert a chance to give thanks. Not that Rhodes wanted or needed any. And it wasn’t exactly doing his job, but if he could help, then he would. He’d been capable of so much more, but he couldn’t leave Sienna alone. She’d been through enough already. They’d gotten lucky. He knew that. That didn’t mean he would be so lucky at the next encounter. And there would be one with the seventh man still free.
Had the killer seen them? Had he been in the garage level while they’d been there? If so, would he let them just walk away, somehow knowing they hadn’t seen him?
He glanced at Sienna. If he brought it up, it was just one more thing for her to worry about. That wasn’t exactly what he wanted. But sticking their heads in the sand wasn’t an answer either.
Sienna stared right back at him. “Are you going to say it or am I?”
He raised one eyebrow at her.
She looked at Robert. “Chances are very good whoever killed the men in the garage to silence them also knows we escaped. I’m pretty sure his plan is that we don’t live to talk about it either.”
Instead of answering, Rhodes squeezed her fingers gently. He glanced back at Robert to see him staring at the two of them in surprise.
“Were there any surviving hostages?” Rhodes asked.
“Yes. Our security people all lived through this. Thankfully, the other employees and visitors left the building early on.” He glanced back to Sienna. “As you see, the six gunmen didn’t shoot anyone.” Rhodes laughed. “So there’s a good chance nobody’s after us at all.” But even he didn’t sound convinced.
Sierra gave a half snort. “And if you believe that, I’ve got a bridge I want to sell you.”
Rhodes didn’t mention the two dead bodies he and Merk had found in the empty house that could possibly be somehow involved too. Probably killed by one or two of the dead gunmen. Just because they didn’t kill anybody in the downtown Dallas hostage situation doesn’t mean they haven’t killed people elsewhere. “The seventh man could have seen all three of us together in the garage,” Rhodes said calmly. He turned to look at Robert.
“It would be easy enough to see I was meeting with you,” Sienna snapped. Then she calmed down. “Look, I don’t want this guy to come after me, but I’m not exactly comfortable thinking he’ll forget about us either.”
“He still would have to know who you are,” Robert said. “Your names were kept out of the news release.”
“Right.” After that she didn’t say anything else; just sat quietly.
Rhodes glanced back at Robert and said, “Are you planning on staying around? Do you have a bodyguard? Do you have a security detail just in case?”
“Actually, I ran that by the department, but they think the chance of this guy coming after me is pretty low.”
“Of course they do. No budget money, I presume.”
He nodded. “I see you’re familiar with that department line.”
The waitress returned with hefty platters of food, then refilled Robert’s coffee cup. “I’ll be back in a few minutes with your toast.”
And she disappeared.
Sienna let the conversation drift around her as she began eating the food.
Rhodes was slower, taking his time. He contemplated how much danger they were actually in. The killer would likely already know who they were, and if not, it wouldn’t be hard to find out. But Robert was more likely to be in danger.
The waitress returned with their toast and they nodded their thanks. They quietly ate for several long minutes.
“Do you have the identities of the dead gunmen?” Rhodes asked. “I’m presuming it’s got something to do with the case Sienna was helping you with?”
“When I left last night, they were working on that. I haven’t seen or heard the names yet. I can forward them to you when I do.”
“That would be helpful. At least I can check them off my wanted list,” Rhodes said drily. “Plus, it may lead us to the seventh man. What about the laptop being bugged?”
Robert shook his head. “According to Bobby, they couldn’t find anything on it. Are you sure your results were right?”
Rhodes shrugged. “No. But are you sure no one in your office took the sheets out of the ledger? Same person could be bugging the equipment in your office.”
“We’ll open an investigation into the department, but as much as I could hope for answers, I doubt they’ll come fast.” He then gave them a sober smile. “We’re on it.”
That lightened the mood, and they finished the rest of the meal with other conversation. As he got up to leave, Robert collected the check and said, “I would like to have you come back to the office and give us a hand with this case, but I understand the need to go home and rest.”
They shook hands, and then Rhodes led Sienna out to the truck. He stopped outside the restaurant to look around the area. He could sense nothing wrong.
In a way this was a whole new day. Sienna stepped up beside him, slipping her hand into his and said, “Are we good to go?”
“Yes, we are.”