Safe from Harm (Protect & Serve #2)(63)
“That blows,” Mike said. “You know who it is?”
“Can’t prove it,” Gabe admitted, “but I have a feeling it’s a guy named Jeb Monroe.”
There was a slight pause before Mike ground out, “That’s the fucker whose son killed Chris.”
Gabe’s chest tightened at his words. “Yeah.”
“What do you need from us?” Mike asked. “I’ll talk to my captain, let him know what’s going on. We’ll give you whatever assistance you need to bring down that bastard. You just say the word, Gabe, and you got it.”
Gabe felt that familiar warmth that had nothing to do with the summer heat and everything to do with the brotherhood that existed in the law enforcement community. The various departments sometimes had their differences, but when it came down to it, he always knew he could count on the others serving behind the badge. “Thanks, Mike. Just let me know if you get anything at all or if you hear of any other suspicious incidents.”
“You got it, man.”
When Gabe went back inside, the blast of cool air that greeted him was a welcome relief. Jessica’s and Elle’s gazes snapped toward him, their expressions questioning, hopeful. “Mike’s going to keep me posted, but right now they don’t have anything.”
Jessica’s expression fell and she fought back tears. “Thank you, Gabe. I appreciate you trying.”
He resumed his seat and reached out to take Jessica’s hand. “Anything like this happens again, I want you to call me. You know you could’ve called me this time, too. I would’ve come right over.”
She lifted a brow. “Oh really? You would’ve? Because you’ve been so concerned about us since Chris was killed? I know I told you that I needed some time, but it’s been a year, Gabe! You haven’t even called.” As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she seemed to regret them. “I’m sorry. That was a shitty thing to say. I heard about what happened at the courthouse a few weeks ago.” She glanced at Elle. “To both of you. I’m sure it’s been rough for you.”
“No, you’re right, Jess,” Gabe admitted. “I promised Chris I’d look after you and the kids. I haven’t done such a great job lately. And I’m sorry for that. But I want to fix it. So anytime you need anything, you call me. I’m here.”
Her eyes welled up, tears slipping to her cheeks as she nodded. “Okay.”
“Honey,” Elle said gently to Jessica, “you mentioned a Bible verse that was on the note you received. Do you remember what it was?”
She sniffed and pulled a folded sheet of paper out of her shorts pocket. “I wrote it down.”
Gabe took the note and read aloud, “‘I myself will be hostile toward you and will afflict you for your sins seven times over.’”
“Sins,” Jessica echoed, her voice thick with tears. “Can you believe it? What the he—” She bit off her angry words and glanced over her shoulder toward the sliding glass door that led to her backyard, where the sounds of happy chatter and laughter could be heard. She resumed in a harsh whisper, “What the hell is this sick son of a bitch talking about? What sins would Chris possibly have committed against this person? He was the best man I’ve ever known! What sins could the kids or I have committed?”
Gabe took a deep breath and shared a glance with Elle. “Jessica, honey, the guy we think is behind this has some very extreme views on the government, law enforcement in particular.”
She looked at Gabe with a mixture of confusion and anger. “You know who it is? How?”
“I received a letter, too,” Elle told her. “But we only have suspicions. Nothing concrete.”
“It’s someone from Derrick Monroe’s crazy family, isn’t it?” she demanded, her fear quickly replaced by fury.
Gabe sent another glance Elle’s way. “I can’t say—”
“Why haven’t you arrested him?” she demanded. “Why are you letting him torture my family? For Chrissake, Gabe—Chris was your best friend! And you’re just going to sit there and let this bastard treat us this way? Why aren’t you doing something?”
“It’s complicated,” Gabe assured her. “We don’t have any evidence linking him to any of the harassing messages we’ve received.”
Jessica went completely still, staring at him in disbelief. Then her eyes narrowed, her lips trembling when she hissed, “Then find some.”
Elle cleared her throat. “Jessica, I promise—we’re doing everything we can. Even if we find evidence linking him to these threats, if we don’t do things by the book, he could walk on a technicality.”
Jessica began to shake with fury. “Screw ‘by the book’!” she spat. “How long has this been going on? How long have you known this bastard would be coming after my family?”
“We had no idea,” Gabe told her, keeping his voice level. “I never thought—”
At that moment, the sliding door slid opened and a little boy with dark hair and wide, brown eyes bounded inside, the Batman cape he wore billowing out behind him. “Mom! Are you coming outside yet? You’re gonna miss the whole party!”
“I’ll be out in a minute, Teddy,” she assured him, wiping at her eyes and forcing a grin for his benefit.