Love Inspired Suspense April 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Laura Scott (christmas read aloud TXT) 📗

It wasn’t even a minute before a squad car pulled in. Slade walked outside to chat with the female officer, leaving Duncan to sit beside Chelsey.

He pulled the chair close to the bed. “Stay as still as possible,” he whispered.

She didn’t answer, and he hoped that she hadn’t lost consciousness again. Were they doing the right thing here? Faking her death to help save her life seemed reasonable, but lying didn’t come naturally to him and he felt certain the same was true of Chelsey.

The minutes dragged by slowly, but Slade finally returned, bringing Colt with him. “Okay, we’re good for now. I’ve convinced the locals that Chelsey was a federal witness and that we are going to take care of getting her body removed from the hotel.”

Duncan stood and pulled the blanket off Chelsey. She blinked up at them. Shifted and winced. Duncan ran a washcloth under cold water and offered it to her. She placed it on the abrasion along the back of her head. “Okay, where are we going?”

“First we need a plan. I don’t know that taking the private plane we arranged is the right thing to do, if we’re faking Chelsey’s death,” Slade pointed out. He turned toward Colt. “Did you find anything on the shooter?”

“No, although there was a woman standing off to the side who seemed interested in what was going on. When I went over to talk to her, she took off. She was likely the screamer. I’m fairly certain the guy was set up on the top of the strip mall a few blocks from here.” Colt’s expression was grim. “They must have narrowed down the two possible locations as this place or the one across the street. The view from the strip mall encompasses both hotels.”

“How did they know that?” Chelsey asked. When she tried to sit up, he slid his arm around her shoulders offering his support. She leaned against him just for a moment, and he fought the urge to kiss her.

“I don’t know,” Colt admitted. “They must have had someone up there watching since early this morning.”

“No one is up there now?” Duncan asked.

Colt shook his head. “No, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t watching from somewhere close by.”

“We need to get Chelsey out of here, then.” Duncan didn’t want to give these guys another chance to get to her. She eased away from him, so he rose to his feet. “Does the plane you arranged for have the ability to have Chelsey lying flat in the back?”

“No, but I can arrange a different plane.” Slade pulled out his phone.

“Wait, where are you taking me?” Chelsey asked.

Slade glanced at Duncan. “I’m not sure yet, but I’ll figure something out.”

“I’m going with her,” Duncan said in a firm voice.

“You can’t,” Chelsey protested weakly.

“She’s right, it’s too risky,” Colt added.

He tamped down a flash of impatience. “First of all, it makes sense that I would go along with her body if she really was dead. Secondly, there’s no risk since I’m willing to give up my old life to create a new one with Chelsey.”

Colt and Slade exchanged a glance. Duncan was prepared for the argument, but it didn’t come.

“Give me a minute to arrange new transportation,” Slade said, turning away. “We’ll have time to make a plan once I have that arranged.”

Duncan let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. He smiled reassuringly at Chelsey. “Don’t worry, it’s going to be all right.”

She gave a slight nod, then turned to lie down on the bed.

“Cold?” He drew the blanket up beneath her chin.

She shook her head and closed her eyes. Understanding she needed to rest, he left her alone.

Giving her time to recover from her injuries was one thing, but those moments he’d believed she’d been killed were too fresh in his mind.

No way was he letting her go.

She needed a chance to talk to Slade alone. Ignoring the throbbing pain in her head and chest was easy compared to the impact of Duncan’s offer to give up his entire life for her.

She couldn’t let him do it.

When Slade returned, she reached out to grasp his hand. In a low whisper she said, “Don’t let Duncan give up his family for me.”

Slade offered a wry smile. “I’ll try, but he’s pretty stubborn.”

“Please, Slade. You need to find a way.” She released his hand and dropped the subject when Duncan came into the room.

“The sooner we get out of here, the better,” Duncan said.

“We need to carry Chelsey’s body out of the hotel and place her in the back of the SUV,” Slade said in agreement. “I recommend we cover her with a sheet, the way we would if she was dead.”

“Maybe we use the blanket to carry her out in a sling,” Duncan offered. “Use the sheet to cover her face.”

It felt odd to hear them talking about how to move her out of the hotel. She hoped Slade and Colt were wrong about the shooter hanging around to keep a watch on the place.

If he were smart, he’d be long gone.

Keeping her body limp as the men lifted her in the blanket wasn’t easy. She concentrated on not moving a single muscle.

Duncan and Colt gently set her in the back of the SUV. With part of the back seat lowered flat, she fit perfectly. Only after they closed the hatch did she take a deep breath.

So far, so good.

“Chelsey? The windows are tinted so no one is able to see in. Would you rather sit upright?” Duncan asked.

Her head still hurt, as did her ribs. “No, this is good.”

The ride to the airport didn’t take long, and she appreciated the way Slade drove with care, staying just under the speed limit.

From her position, she could see the airplanes taking off and landing as they approached the airport. She knew the Jackson Hole Airport was small with just six gates total. But that was for commercial flights. She didn’t