The Hero (Thunder Point #3)(82)

While there had been a couple of Trooper vehicles a couple of hours ago, now there was a small army. Floodlights were up, sirens wailed, radios chattered.

And Rawley said to Spencer and Cooper, “It’s always better when they don’t shoot back. I can’t believe we got ’em out that easy.”

Spencer and Cooper exchanged looks and said in unison, “Easy?”

He grinned, showing off his straight, white dentures. “You’re just pups. Spoiled little pups.”

* * *

Everyone in the rescue party was detained for questioning and because they were separated, Devon had no idea what had happened to Rawley, Spencer and Cooper. She was allowed to stay with Mercy and they were taken to the hospital together where Mercy was checked over by a pediatrician. It wasn’t long before she was reunited with her friends from the FBI, including Emma Haynes. She explained everything that had happened and urged them to call Deputy McCain to verify. They didn’t grill her like before—this time they asked her some questions, then let her join Mercy in a hospital room where she lay down with her.

In the morning Agent Haynes informed her that the fire had been stopped before it spread into the forest, but some buildings were destroyed. Jacob had tried to escape down a hidden back road that led out of the compound via the river, but when he reached a closed road and was met with armed police, there was an exchange of gunfire. He was killed.

And she cried. Sobbed against Emma Haynes’s shoulder.

She wasn’t sure if it was relief, that he could never threaten her or hold her captive again, or if there was something inside her that was a sense of loss.

Devon asked about the other women and children. Charlotte had rescued her son and little Liam, but Priscilla had stayed behind with Jacob. Her body was found in the house. Not even Laine could explain what had happened, but clearly Jacob shot her. Perhaps with Mercy rescued, he didn’t need her anymore. Of all the people in The Fellowship, she was the only fatality besides Jacob. She was also the only one completely loyal to him.

Hours later Devon was told that Laine had come out of a successful surgery removing a bullet from her shoulder and repairing the damage as much as possible. She had been able to give most of her story so the authorities understood that none of them were a part of any conspiracy—they had merely gone on a mission to rescue Mercy. After many hours of statements and many dire warnings about taking such measures without the police, Devon was told that everyone had been released. Devon was asked if she’d be willing to go over her statements again, add information if she could, help them to wrap up the entire investigation.

“Yes, but I think you’re going to have to come to Thunder Point with your fancy equipment and try not to disrupt my life too much. I’m the single mother of a child who has been through a lot and if I help you, you’re going to have to help me a little.”

Then Devon called Scott Grant and asked him if he’d come to pick her up and bring her and Mercy home.

Of course he wanted all the details, and he deserved them, but she was tired and almost limp with relief. She gave him the quick version and then told him that when she recovered, she’d tell him the whole story with all the little details. “Right now I just need a day of rest and some time alone with Mercy. Can I have a day off?”

He laughed and told her she could have whatever she wanted. “Spence went with you,” Scott pointed out.

“Yes, because he’s that kind of man. He’s a good friend. A good neighbor. But that doesn’t mean he’s sorted out how he feels about me. And Mercy. That’s a different story.”

There was a football game the next night and Devon didn’t go. She tried pretending she didn’t even know about the game, but she was completely aware and wondered if he looked into the stands, noticing she wasn’t there. And she wondered if it would matter to him.

She invited Rawley to come to her little duplex for Saturday night dinner. After they’d eaten and Mercy was occupied with one of her DVDs, they sat at the kitchen table over coffee and cookies and talked about their adventure. They exchanged information and filled in the blanks.

“The FBI has offered to get me some counseling,” she told Rawley. “I’m thinking about taking them up on that.”

“Might help,” he said. “Now that’s all a memory, you do what’s right for you.”

“And Mercy,” she said.

“I ain’t no expert, but if it’s right for you, it’s prolly right for her.”

“I’ll have to thank Cooper for his help.”

“Aw, I think he had fun, truth be told,” Rawley said.

“And Spencer.”

“That boy’s stronger than he looks,” was all Rawley had to say. “Carried that woman at a jog for darn near two miles.”

“He did,” she said. And right up until he decided he wasn’t ready to be serious, he had carried her a little bit, too.

Devon called Cooper to thank him for his help. It was no small thing, what he’d done. Not only could his life have been in danger, but then he had to suffer through at least twelve hours of questioning before he’d been allowed to go home. But being the kind of guy he was, he just said anyone would’ve stepped up just the same. “And if I hadn’t gone with Rawley, I’d never have heard the end of it.”

Nineteen