Game of Fear (Montgomery Justice #3)(34)

She couldn’t get over Ashley’s expression while she played that game. Her sister had looked so happy, so excited, so alive. About the game, and about Justin.

A whole side of Ashley she hadn’t recognized.

And that was all on her.

Ashley had everything to live for. Deb had to find her.

She sent a sidelong glance at Gabe as he pulled into a parking place. She didn’t know what she would have done without him. She could maneuver a chopper with finesse—it followed her every movement—but she was out of her element now. She’d needed Gabe. More than he knew.

Gabe shoved the gear into “Park.” “Neil will be able to justify Ashley’s investigation to the brass with Britney’s disappearance and the video connection. Let’s get Ashley’s things,” Gabe said. “Maybe there’s something in her stuff that will help since we know more of what we’re looking for.”

“I hope so. I’ve been through everything once, but maybe fresh eyes . . .”

Her voice trailed off as she stepped out of Gabe’s SUV. A few minutes later, they reached her third-floor walk-up apartment.

Gabe was limping slightly by the time they reached the top. “You must have a blast hauling in groceries from the car,” he said, a bit of strain in his voice.

Deb bit her lip and took in the tightness around his mouth. “Oh God, I’m sorry, Gabe. I forgot about your leg when I asked you to come up. I picked this place because, with my job, there’s not much chance to exercise. My legs need to be strong to handle the helicopter and lifting gurneys and wounded people. That kind of thing.”

Gabe’s expression tightened, and she cursed under her breath.

How stupid could she be? He used to do that kind of thing all the time as a cop. She’d just reminded him that his leg was no longer strong enough for him to remain in SWAT.

Way to make the guy feel good, Deb. She sucked at this. She wanted to say something to him, like how much she appreciated him, how much she couldn’t have survived the last days without him. Instead, she just unlocked the door. “Come on in. It’s not much, but it’s home. For now.”

“You need to change your lock. Anyone with a credit card could break in.”

Gabe followed her inside and she glanced around the sparse one-bedroom efficiency through his eyes. “The burglars would be disappointed. I don’t spend a lot of time here, and it shows. Ashley didn’t . . . doesn’t . . . visit me that often anymore, since she had . . . has no car . . .” Deb’s voice faltered. “I usually go to Colorado Springs to see her.”

Deb wrapped her arms around her waist. Yeah, the place looked like hell. Empty shelves. Her gear stacked in a corner. The lumpy couch and the red torture chair were accompanied by cloth-covered packing boxes used as end tables and a coffee table. She hadn’t put any personal touches in the apartment at all, except for one wall full of photos.

Gabe immediately walked over to the pictures. He studied one of a younger Ashley, complete with a silly beach hat and a sunburn on her nose. She sported a goofy face for the camera. “She’s a really pretty girl.”

Slowly Deb joined him, her heart aching as she took in the memories. “Ashley was so happy that day.” Emotions choked off the words in Deb’s throat. She put a hand to her mouth to stop the sob. “Oh God, Gabe, Ashley has to be okay.”

Gabe gently pulled Deb back against his body, folding his arms around her. For a moment she sagged against him, then she turned in his arms, her fists gripping his shirt. “I can’t . . . I need . . .” Her control was so close to shattering.

She stiffened. “Please. I need a minute.”

He kissed her temple, then turned his attention to a photo of three men standing in military uniform, one a two-star general. Deb struggled to regain her composure. She didn’t know how long it took, but finally she felt like she could speak without crying or screaming in frustration. She followed Gabe’s focus and cleared her throat. “My father. He was at the Pentagon, then near Colorado Springs for two years. They sent him to Kandahar about six months ago. My other brothers are in the Middle East, too. None of them can really keep in touch very much. E-mail and social media sites help when they can get access to the Internet.”

Gabe nodded. “My brother Seth is in the same business. Luke was in Afghanistan for a while, too. We almost lost him in an ambush. He was the only survivor and it still haunts him.” Gabe glanced at her. “Not that he says anything.”

“They can’t. When I was over there, at least I had a bit more information on where they were. Now, being a civilian, I get nothing. I just have to believe they’ll be okay.”

She studied an older picture, one of a dignified soldier, a smiling woman, and four small children.

“That’s your mom?”

Deb nodded, a wistful smile tugging at her lips. “She died of cancer when we were kids. A rare brain tumor. One minute she was there, the next she was just gone.”

Gabe placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “I’m sorry.”

“Thanks. I guess we’ve both lost parents we loved.”

She glanced at him over her shoulder, but a strange look crossed Gabe’s face.

“You’re right. It’s hard to lose someone you love. No matter how it happens.”

Odd choice of words, but Gabe didn’t give her time to ask. “We should probably head out.”