Plain Truth (Military Investigations) (18 page)

EPILOGUE

E
lla opened the oven, and inhaled the rich aroma as she basted the turkey with butter one last time. Then she glanced at the clock and wiped her hands on a towel. Everyone would arrive soon.

“I’m impressed.” Wendy, her nurse, stood nearby and shook her head in amazement. “You’re cooking your first Thanksgiving turkey for all these people?”

“I wanted to share the day with special friends. Thanks for joining us and for coming early to help.”

After stepping into the dining room, Ella checked the table and admired the flower arrangement Zach had delivered ahead of time. The bouquet of mums and daisies interspersed with roses was gorgeous.

A tap at the entry caused her to giggle with excitement when she saw his car parked outside. “Happy Thanksgiving,” she said, opening the door.

“Don’t you look beautiful.” Zach kissed her lightly on the lips as he stepped inside. Once she’d closed the door, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her again, much more decidedly.

Her toes tingled, and she had a hard time pulling out of his embrace. “Wendy’s in the kitchen,” she finally teased, alerting him that they weren’t alone.

“You’re blushing.” His eyes twinkled with mischief. “She’s seen us kiss before.”

“And I hope she sees us kissing many more times.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He gave her a mock salute. “I can make that happened.”

Ella laughed and peered into a shopping bag he carried. “What did you bring?”

“Sodas and sparkling water, and some cheese and crackers to put out before the turkey’s ready.”

“Perfect.” She motioned him into the kitchen. “Wendy can get those ready if you’ll move some more chairs around the table.”

The rest of the guests arrived and filled the house with merriment and laughter. When the food was ready, Ella invited everyone into the dining room, and Zach carried the turkey to the table.

Levi and a very pregnant Sarah sat across from Tyler and his fiancée. Their Amish neighbors, Isaac and Ruth Lapp, also pregnant and soon to deliver, sat on the far end with their son, Joseph. His blond hair and big blue eyes reminded Ella of the Zook twins, who had been the breakthrough case for CED. A new director had taken over the Harrisburg Genetic Research Center, and Ian was one of the lead physicians on staff.

Zach carved the turkey while Ella and Wendy brought the other dishes to the table. Sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, summer squash and an array of breads, that Sarah had baked, filled the room with even more delicious smells.

“I’d like two helpings of everything,” little Joseph said, his eyes wide and a smile on his sweet lips.

“Joseph, you are growing so big now,” his mother chimed in. “But you need to eat one plateful of food before you ask for more.”

“It looks so
gut, Mamm
.”

Ella appreciated the boy’s compliment and the artful way his mother had used affirmation to build up her son before she corrected him.

Glancing at Zach, Ella thought of the many times he had affirmed her, which was so opposite from Quin. Sarah’s father had been faint on praise, as well. Concerned about the older man, she leaned closer to her neighbor.

“Sarah, have you heard from your father?” she asked.

“
Yah
, we received a letter. He is happy living in Alabama with my sister, and even his health is better. My sister said he is taking the medicine you prescribed.”

“I’m glad. What about your brother?”

“He is working for my brother-in-law to pay off the debts he owed. There is a widow with a young child who lives nearby. She has been a good influence on Daniel.”

Levi took Sarah’s hand and smiled lovingly at his wife. He and Mr. Landers had reconciled their relationship, and Levi had had an opportunity to see the twins before Mary Kate and Hugh moved to his new military assignment at Fort Riley, Kansas.

The guests passed their plates, and Ella filled them high with the delectable assortment of food. Before they started to eat, Zach tapped his water glass to get everyone’s attention.

“Ella asked me to say a few words of thanks. She and I consider all of you a blessing in our lives. Levi and Sarah are wonderful neighbors, and it won’t be long until their baby is here.”

“A very healthy baby,” Ella said from her seat next to Sarah. “Why don’t you tell them, Levi?”

“Dr. Ella got the results of the DNA tests not long ago. Our baby will be born healthy, without any of the genetic diseases we worried about.”

“And on that happy note, let’s bow our heads in prayer,” Zach said. “Father, God, we thank You for Ella coming South to open her clinic, and for all that has brought us together on this special day. Thank You for the land across the street that I was able to purchase and for Levi agreeing to help me farm the property. Thank You for Amish friends, and bless Tyler and Carrie as they prepare for their wedding. God bless this food and those who prepared it.”

He glanced up and smiled at Ella, causing her to blush with gratitude.

“And thank You for new beginnings,” Zach continued. “For affirmation and love, for peaceful settings and for all Your blessings. Especially those we love who are here with us today. Amen.”

Everyone ate their fill and then lingered at the table over dessert. Although Joseph had only one helping of the main course, he found room for two slices of pie.

After the guests left, Zach washed the dishes while Ella put everything away. Once the kitchen was tidy, they walked into the living room to the window that looked out upon the land Zach had bought.

“I don’t want to rush you,” he said, “but I’m feeling overjoyed today and so very grateful.”

She nodded and rested her head on his shoulder as they both gazed at the rolling fields and the falling twilight.

“You’re all I ever wanted in life, Ella, and I’m so thankful to have found you.”

“I feel the same way, Zach. Being with you brings me total joy and happiness that I want to have continue for as long as I live.”

He drew her closer. “Then maybe I’m not being too impatient.”

He dug in his pocket and pulled out a small box. “I know you needed time, but I hope we’ve waited long enough. You’ll have a lot of details to plan, so we won’t be rushing into anything too quickly, but...”

He looked expectantly at her.

“But what?” she asked, her lips twitching in a coy smile.

“Will you marry me and become my wife?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes, I want to be your wife, and I’ll go around the world with you, wherever you’re stationed.”

“How about right here? I’ll get out of the army in another year. Levi can teach me how to farm. We can expand our property and, hopefully, have a family. I can help with the management and upkeep of the clinic, while you treat the children who need your care.”

“Oh, Zach, that would make me so happy, but I’d be happy anyplace with you.”

“I love you, Ella, and I always will.”

“God knew what He was doing when He brought us together,” she reasoned.

“That’s why He’s God,” Zach said, before he kissed her again.

Twilight settled over the land and the stars twinkled overhead. A moon glowed in the night sky and showered the earth with shimmering light. Zach and Ella moved onto the front porch and sat wrapped in an Amish quilt, watching the moon rise even higher over the horizon.

Nestled together, they talked about their future, about the children they prayed God would give them and about their life together, joined by love and surrounded by the beauty of God’s bounty. Freemont, Georgia, and this Amish community would be their home, where they would raise their family and, with God’s blessing, live happily ever after.

* * * * *

Keep reading for an excerpt from
WITNESS PURSUIT
by Hope White

Discover the rest of the
MILITARY
INVESTIGATIONS
series by Debby Giusti

by picking up

THE OFFICER’S SECRET

THE CAPTAIN’S MISSION

THE COLONEL’S DAUGHTER

THE GENERAL’S SECRETARY

THE SOLDIER’S SISTER

THE AGENT’S SECRET PAST

STRANDED

PERSON OF INTEREST

PLAIN DANGER

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Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoyed
Plain Truth
, the tenth book in my Military Investigations series, which features heroes and heroines in the army’s Criminal Investigation Division. Each story stands alone, so you can read them in any order, either in print or as an ebook:
The Officer’s Secret
, book 1;
The Captain’s Mission
, book 2;
The Colonel’s Daughter
, book 3;
The General’s Secretary
, book 4;
The Soldier’s Sister
, book 5;
The Agent’s Secret Past
, book 6;
Stranded
, book 7;
Person of Interest
, book 8; and
Plain Danger
, book 9.

Pediatrician Ella Jacobsen never expects that opening her Children’s Care Clinic in the heart of Amish country, near Freemont, Georgia, will land her in the middle of a criminal investigation. But someone is after the pretty doctor, only she doesn’t know why. CID Special Agent Zach Swain tries to keep her safe...and alive. Zach holds a grudge against the medical profession, and the last thing Ella wants is to fall in love. The odds are stacked against them until they put their faith in God.

I want to hear from you. Email me at
[email protected]
or write me c/o Love Inspired, 195 Broadway, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10007. Visit my website at
www.DebbyGiusti.com
, blog with me at
www.seekerville.blogspot.com
and at
www.crossmyheartprayerteam.blogspot.com
, and friend me at
www.facebook.com/debby.giusti.9
.

As always, I thank God for bringing us together through this story.

Wishing you abundant blessings,

Debby

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Witness Pursuit

by Hope White

ONE

C
assie McBride got out of Ruby, her little red car, and froze.

The front door to the Whispering Pines cabin was ajar. That wasn’t right. Was the renter still on the premises? How awkward. The woman was supposed to have checked out by noon and it was nearly eight o’clock in the evening.

Cassie pulled out her phone to call Becca, her best friend. Becca had helped Cassie get the job as a property manager for Echo Mountain Rentals, which rented out private cabins to vacationers in the Cascade Mountains. Perhaps Becca had dealt with this type of situation and could offer advice.

No, if Cassie wanted people to think of her as independent, she needed to act more and ask less. She decided not to bring in the fresh linens and toiletries until she’d resolved this issue. Who knows, she might even have to call security.

“Be strong,” she coached, but she abhorred conflict. If she were to keep this good-paying job, she’d have to do the uncomfortable tasks like kick out renters who’d overstayed their welcome. She straightened her shoulders, marched to the front door and eased it open. “Hello? It’s the property manager.”

Silence.

“Anyone here?”

Nothing.

She sighed with relief. Perhaps the door didn’t latch properly when the renter vacated the premises.

Her gaze drifted to the picture window and the incredible view of the Cascade Mountains. She would miss these mountains when she left on her travel adventures overseas where she’d discover new mountains and beautiful places in foreign lands.

But she wasn’t there yet.

To get the cabin ready for tomorrow’s renters, she pulled her phone out of her purple bag and opened the checklist. She glanced toward the back of the house and noticed the patio door wasn’t locked.

“Not a very responsible renter,” she said to herself. She’d let Mr. Anderson know not to rent to that woman again. She crossed the room and locked the door.

Turning her attention to the kitchen, Cassie got busy with her assignment. Her report needed to be filed tonight, and if anything was damaged they’d send maintenance to fix the problem before the next renter checked in.

To help her focus, she plugged earbuds into her phone and hit Play. This was the perfect job for Cassie, and she couldn’t thank Becca enough for recommending her to her boss. The money earned during the high season would pad Cassie’s bank account so she could escape Echo Mountain sooner rather than later.

Starting in the kitchen, Cassie turned the appliances on and off—the toaster, blender and microwave. She checked the garbage disposal and oven. All seemed in working order.

During a break between songs, she thought she heard something. It sounded like scratching. Another song started, and Cassie hit Pause. Pulled out the earbuds.

Scratch, scratch, whine.

She followed the source of the sound into the master bedroom.

Whine, whine, scratch.

It was coming from the closet. Thinking a critter might have sneaked in through the open door, she grabbed a pillow off the bed, ready to shoo it out of the house.

She took a deep breath, counted to three and slid the door open.

A flash of fur dashed out of the closet.

Cassie gasp-shrieked, startled by the sudden movement of a little dog sprinting across the room. She caught her breath, her gaze trained on the terrier mix scurrying into the master bathroom.

“Where did you come from, Dasher?” The name seemed appropriate, although not so much his presence. Whispering Pines was a no-pet property. Cassie followed him, stepped into the bathroom doorway and froze.

A limp female body lay sprawled across the edge of the Jacuzzi tub.

“Oh no, ma’am?”

Cassie rushed to the fully clothed unconscious woman. As she knelt beside her, Cassie noticed blood trailing down the side of the woman’s face. Had she hit her head? Cassie felt for a pulse, but couldn’t find one. The dog barked frantically as if trying to revive its master.

“Gotta get help.” Cassie ran into the kitchen, the dog practically underfoot. She could barely think over the constant barking, so she picked up the dog to soothe him. “It’s okay, buddy,” she said, stroking his head.

She grabbed her smartphone off the counter, and with trembling fingers she called 911.

“911 Emergency,” the operator answered.

“My name is Cassie McBride. There’s a woman, she’s injured, maybe dead I’m not sure, in Whispering Pines cabin on Reflection Pass Drive.”

“What’s the address, ma’am?”

“I... I... Hang on a second.” Cassie fiddled with the phone, opening a map program. Becca had given her landmarks, not an actual address, when she’d asked Cassie to cover for her tonight.

The map program was taking too long to load. A woman could be dying in the next room.

She held the phone to her ear once again. “Just take the first right after Craig’s Gas and Grub on Highway Two, then a left at the blue bear mailbox and you’ll see the cabin up ahead.”

“Ma’am, we need an address.”

“I don’t have it. I’ll have to call my manager and call you back.”

“Ma’am, I need you to stay on the line. Give me your manager’s phone number.”

Cassie rattled it off.

“We’ll get in touch with him,” the dispatcher said. “Please tell me what happened.”

“I’m a property manager and was checking one of our rentals and I heard scratching. It was a dog and he ran out of the closet and into the bathroom and when I followed him, I... I found an unconscious woman. You need to send someone, quick!”

Cassie hoped she was making sense, but adrenaline flooded her brain and jumbled her thoughts. She took a few steps into the main living area, hoping the peaceful view would ground her somehow. She glanced out the window...

And spotted a man heading toward the cabin carrying a shovel over his shoulder.

She dropped to the floor, clutching the little dog.

“Someone’s here,” she whispered into the phone.

“Who’s there?”

“A man, he’s coming toward the house with a shovel. What is he doing with a shovel? Oh my God, he dug a grave, he dug a grave and he’s going to bury her.”

“Ma’am, please stay calm.”

“I need to get out of here. I’ll leave the line open, but I can’t talk. And don’t talk to me because he might hear you.” She pocketed the phone and crouch-walked across the living room, carrying the dog under her arm like a pro quarterback clutching a football.

She swallowed her panic, her fear. Maybe he wasn’t a killer preparing to dispose of a body. Maybe he was with maintenance doing a little grounds work. No, he wasn’t in a dark green uniform. He wore jeans, a black T-shirt and a leather jacket.

Cassie needed out of here. She needed to get safe. Glancing at the kitchen counter, she eyed her keys lying beside her bag. Just as she started toward them she heard the rattling at the back door. He was there, trying to get in. She’d locked him out, which meant he knew someone was inside.

She was inside.

And if she reached for her keys now, he’d see her for sure.

Dread gripped her chest. She was next.

She counted to three. Calmed her breathing.

She hadn’t survived a childhood fraught with illness to become a victim of random violence. She had things to do and places to explore, places on the other side of the world that she’d promised herself she’d visit once her health stabilized.

She stroked the dog’s soft fur, which both helped keep him quiet and calmed her fear.

The door rattled. More violently this time.

Maybe the police would get here before he broke in. Maybe—

A crash was followed by a click and footsteps.

Cowering in the entryway, she heard floorboards squeak as he crossed the room. The sound of keys scraping against the kitchen counter sent a shudder of fear down her spine.

He’d found her keys. He knew she was still here.

She had seconds until...

The pounding of footsteps sprinted toward the bedroom. Of course, where he thought he’d find Cassie, the intruder, potential witness to murder.

This was her chance.

She slid open the side window and climbed through, still clinging to the dog. Only then did she realize taking care of Dasher was keeping her somewhat sane.

Once outside, she sprinted in the opposite direction of the master bedroom, assuming the guy might come looking for her.

If only she could escape in her car, but that was impossible without her keys. She focused on her breathing, taking slow, calming breaths.

The dog released a quick bark. “No, Dasher, no bark.”

She spotted a trail up ahead leading to the next property, about half a mile away.

Half a mile. She could do it. She wouldn’t be the victim of circumstance, a victim of “wrong place, wrong time.” There were so many things she had yet to accomplish, things she ached to experience.

Like love.

As she ran steadily, the dog flopping in her arms, she scolded herself for losing focus and thinking about such trivialities. Yet with danger barreling down on her, she was haunted by her biggest fear: she would never experience romantic love.

Because her childhood illness had left her so damaged that no one would want her.

Knock it off
, she mentally scolded herself. This kind of thinking would not keep her alive.

She made it to the trail and clenched her jaw with determination, thinking what a great story she’d be able to tell her friends when this was over. When she was safe.

Towering trees reached for the sky on either side of her; the trail was well worn and easy to navigate. Which meant if she could navigate it, so could Shovel Man. She glanced over her shoulder. Didn’t see anything.

She turned back to the trail. Increased her speed.

A few minutes later he called out to her. “Hey! Stop!”

He knew she was there, running for her life. She skidded as she took a sharp turn, but caught herself and managed not to slide over the edge into the abyss below.

She peeked to her right, down into the steep drop, and it gave her an idea. If she could find a way down at the next turn, her pursuer might think she’d continued on the trail. Yes, that’s it.

Somehow she needed to disappear, and quickly. She uncoiled her scarf from around her neck and wrapped the dog in it, then secured him against her chest. Thank God he was a little guy, probably seven pounds soaking wet. This was not something she could do with a golden retriever like Fiona, her sister’s dog.

“Let’s go, Dasher.” Cassie peered over the edge. She needed to stay out of sight only until police arrived. “Emergency, this is Cassie McBride,” she said, speaking into the phone, still in her shirt pocket. “I’m climbing down the mountain to a safe spot, out of view.”

“Is the perpetrator following you?”

“Yes, I think so. I’m about a quarter of a mile south of the cabin. Send help.” She eyed the perfect spot to grab a tree root and lower herself.

“Deep breathing, doggie,” she coached, as if the dog understood her. She grabbed the tree root jutting out from the mountainside, and lowered herself until she found a firm rock on which to plant her feet. The next step would be landing on a small ledge, about ten feet below.

“Just like REI,” she said, referring to a rock-climbing class she’d taken months ago.

She took a slow, deep breath. She could do this.

With a grunt, she edged her right foot onto a thick tree branch sticking out from the mountain wall. She reached for another branch to hold on to.

The branch beneath her foot snapped.

And she dropped.

* * *

Police Chief Nate Walsh had a firm grip of one end of the stretcher, and Eddie Monroe had the other. As a search-and-rescue volunteer, a sense of satisfaction gave Nate the added strength necessary to make the final trek down the mountain carrying the injured woman.

It was a good thing they got to her when they did, since it would be dark soon. Darkness would have made the mission more challenging, even though her injuries weren’t life-threatening.

Although some folks in town had expected him to give up his SAR work when he was named police chief last year, helping people, saving them from the dangers of the wild, gave Nate a sense of control over the random chaos of life.

Random, like his partner’s death nearly four years ago on the Chicago PD. Perhaps if Nate had known where Dean’s head was at he’d still be alive, along with the witness Dean had been protecting.

The witness Dean had fallen in love with.

If Nate had only known, he would have convinced his partner to not let something like love cloud his judgment and ruin his career. Which was probably why his partner decided not to share.

Sometimes people considered Nate’s firm opinions as judgmental, yet he was about protecting family and friends. Besides, Nate wouldn’t be arrogant enough to pass judgment, since he was far from perfect.

These days he’d strive to be as close to perfect as possible for the citizens of Echo Mountain. Volunteering for SAR kept him connected with his community, even if some of these folks wondered how he had the time given his chief duties.

He and Eddie carried the wounded hiker, a twentysomething female named Sylvia, to the command center where an emergency vehicle waited.

“Thanks, thanks, everyone,” Sylvia said. “Thanks, Chief.”

“You’re welcome. Take care of yourself.”

“Chief,” SAR volunteer Luke Winters said. “Dispatch needs you to call in.”

“Thanks.” He shook hands with a few of the volunteers and went to his truck. When he’d taken over as chief, he’d directed dispatch to give him immediate updates on criminal activity calls, however minor. Kids in a small town had a tendency to grow bored and get into mischief.

He fired up his truck and pulled away from the command center, grateful for the successful mission. Another life saved.

“Dispatch, this is Chief Walsh, over.”

“Sir, there’s been a 911 call reporting a wounded, possibly dead body, and the female witness says the killer is still on the premises, over.”

Adrenaline rushed through his bloodstream. “Address?”