He tipped his head at the window. “Eryn’s got the entrance covered. I’ll be at your side, and Alex will stick close to us. And like I said, Riley’s up in the hills. You won’t see him, but he’ll be there.”

  They both got out and entered the subdivision. Eryn nodded as they passed her. She was stopping people and asking for identification and the purpose of their visit. Surprisingly, the volunteers didn’t question her, but simply provided the information. Eryn’s amazing confidence was likely the reason people believed she should be there and had a right to demand their ID.

  The search and rescue coordinator marched up to her. Roy McCall, a sixty-something male, shoved a hand into his thinning gray hair and looked like he might pull out what was left of it. “Thank goodness you’re here. We’ve finished two houses since you were here last, and we have a ton of fragments needing your review.”

  “Lead the way.” She gestured ahead.

  He stepped down the road to the fourth house on the right. Well—to the house’s ruins—before he veered off into the debris where Alex stood at the road, his feet planted wide. He wore mirrored sunglasses which hid his eyes, but his lips were in a tight line and his head was constantly on the move. His intensity scared Maggie as much as it comforted her. He remained at the street while she and Jackson followed Roy onto the property.

  About fifteen feet in, Roy’s team had erected a tent with a card table and chair, and next to it, they’d stacked bins holding bone fragments. Each bin was numbered, and a corresponding flag was placed in the ground where they’d located the bone fragments. A clipboard sat on the table with a list of the same information.

  “Thanks, Roy, I’ll take it from here,” she said dismissing him, as he tended to stand and watch her, making her uncomfortable.

  He departed, and she put down her things before sitting and picking up the first bin. Jackson settled sunglasses on his nose, the same mirrored kind Alex wore, and he came to stand behind her, far too close for her comfort. She thought he wanted to see what she was working on, but even more so, she suspected he wanted to watch the road.

  “What exactly is your job here?” he asked, his deep voice rumbling over her shoulder.

  She set down her bin and swiveled to look up at him. “The first thing we do is have the dogs search the rubble for human remains. When they light on something, the area is cordoned off, and I excavate the ruins. The search and rescue workers follow behind us and sift through other debris areas. They then put what they believe to be bones in a bin. But rocks and burnt clay can often look like a bone fragment, so if an item’s in question, they put it in a bin. I’m trained to distinguish bone fragments from other objects, and I either confirm or deny their findings.”

  “So each of these bins have potential bone fragments?”

  “Yes.” She took latex gloves from her bag and snapped them on.

  “Mind sharing with me what you find as you go?”

  She shot him a questioning look.

  “I like to learn everything I can. Never know when it might come in handy in my line of work.”

  “Sure, I’m glad to share.” She set to work, filling Jackson in on her findings as she went along. Time flew past, and he didn’t move from his location. He had to be getting tired of standing there. Alex, too, still out at the road in the blazing sun for hours. Maybe she should suggest a break.

  Her phone rang. She snapped off a glove and grabbed it from the table.

  “It’s Nate,” she said to Jackson before answering.

  “We received the dental records for one of the males that was reported missing in the area,” Nate said. “But they’re not a match to the victim you found.”

  Her heart dropped at the news. She’d been counting on a match. “And the other man?”

  “His records are coming from out of state. They’re actual films, not electronic files, so we won’t get them until tomorrow.”

  She’d just have to wait. There was no other choice. “I sent the DNA sample off to my friend, and it could be ready as early as ten tomorrow morning. If I haven’t heard anything from you on these dental records by then, I’ll follow up on the DNA.”

  “That would be great.” He paused for a long moment. “You finding anything else at the scene?”

  “I haven’t had a chance to work the area where we recovered John Doe yet. The search and rescue team needs me to process some fragments first so they can move forward. But I hope to finish the crime scene before leaving today.”

  “I really need to get my forensic staff on this.” He sounded irritated.

  “I know, and I’m sorry. I’ll do my best to finish the work. I promise.” The pressure of all the demands on her time was starting to get to her. Couple it with some lunatic trying to kill her, and she really could use a short break to hydrate and be able to focus again.

  She disconnected the call and relayed the information to Jackson. Standing, stretched. “I could really use some water. Maybe you and Alex would like some, too. Is it okay if we head back to the truck to grab a bottle?”

  He nodded. “Let me tell the team.”

  He pressed a button on his microphone. “Bravo one heading for recovery truck.”

  He suddenly shot a look around the area. “Let me know when we’re clear.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “Riley spotted a guy with binoculars in the hills watching us. We need to take cover.”

  Cover. Right. Like there was any in these ruins. Jackson hated their location. A little table wasn’t going to protect either of them, but he carefully cleared off the bins and tipped over the table. Alex backed toward them, his head on a swivel looking for any danger. Maggie stood watching, and Jackson grabbed her hand to pull her down behind the table with him.

  He didn’t know what it was with civilians in situations like this, but they often stood gaping as if the threat wasn’t real. On his bodyguard assignments, he’d experienced it far too many times to count. But today, his feelings brought it home like never before. He should’ve thought to make Maggie wear a vest. The rest of the team, too. If they got out of this alive, he would insist on it.

  He drew his weapon and waited for an update from either Riley or Eryn. She was the closest to the target and had gone to investigate. Thankfully, Gage approved extra staff for this protection detail. If he hadn’t, Jackson would’ve had to figure out a way to keep Maggie home. As it was, he should try to limit her exposure even more. Maybe she could arrange to have the bone fragments brought to her house.

  “Half a klick from the subject,” Eryn’s voice came over Jackson’s earbud.

  “Any sign of a weapon?” he asked.

  “Negative.”

  “What’s happening?” Maggie whispered, worry shading her usually bright eyes.

  “Eryn’s about a half klick away from binocular guy.”

  “A klick?”

  “Around a third of a mile.”

  “Does he have a gun?”

  “Neither of them has seen one. They’ll let me know if they do.” He worked hard to play things down, but the worry for her life made his gut hurt.

  “I’m sorry you’re in this position.” She met his gaze and held it. “Eryn, too. Going to check out a man who might be armed.”

  “Riley’s got her six. Ours, too,” Jackson said, but in reality, they were sitting ducks and he could do nothing about it with the danger coming from a long distance. “After Eryn neutralizes the threat, I want you to wear a Kevlar vest.”

  She nodded so obediently, it broke his heart. She was a spirited woman, and these recurring scares were erasing her confidence bit by bit. He was glad they were heading to Cold Harbor today. A night in one of the compound cabins where she was completely safe should help her relax and get a good night’s sleep.

  And when they returned tomorrow? Then what? Then he had to tighten things down. “When we get back here tomorrow, can you arrange to have the bone fragments brought to your house? Or any building for that matter. Somewhere where we can better protect you. The morgue maybe.”

  “Yes…yes…of course. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that. I would still like to work the area where we found John Doe before we leave today, but only if you think it’s safe to do so. Otherwise, I’ll call Dr. Owing to do it.”

  “Why don’t we hold off on deciding that until we know what’s going on with this guy?”

  “Sure, but I don’t want to stay if it means others are in danger.” She gently touched his arm, her gaze zeroing in on his and holding. “Thank you for all you’re doing for me. With our past, I wouldn’t blame you if you’d chosen to sit out this detail, and it means a lot to me that you didn’t.”

  “Oh, honey, don’t you know.” Volatile emotions tumbled through his words. “I could no more sit this out than I could stop breathing. You mean too much to me for that.”

  Her eyes teared up, and they sat that way, connected by an invisible thread, until Jackson’s earbud squawked.

  “Guy claims to be watching the progress with the ruins,” Riley said, drawing Jackson’s focus to where it should be. “Eryn’s detained him just in case. She’ll wait with him until a deputy can sort this out.”

  “Roger that.” Jackson shook off his concern and relaxed his shoulders. “We’re good. Just a neighbor watching the progress over here.”

  She exhaled a long breath and offered him a tremulous smile.

  He stood before he let that look suck him into a place he had no business going. He held out his hand to her. She slipped her slender fingers in his, and he tugged her to her feet. He should let go of her hand, but they locked gazes again.

  “Seriously, thank you, Jackson.” She pulled him closer and gave him a hug.

  It started out platonic, affectionate, but their connection morphed into so much more, and he clung to her like life itself. He remembered the feel of her from the days when he had a right to hold her so closely. The way she fit so well in his arms. The way he always liked knowing she was his. But she wasn’t anymore. Would never be again.

  The thought made him pull away. He caught sight of Alex in his peripheral vision. Alex lifted his sunglasses to stare at them with an I told you so look on his face.

  Regretting the hug even more, Jackson took another step back from Maggie.

  “So can I stay?” she asked.

  He picked up the chair for her. “Let me talk to Alex, and we’ll see where we go from there.”

  He lifted the table into position then stepped out from under the tent, the sun hitting him hard. Felt like the temps had shot up ten degrees since they arrived. Alex had to be suffering under the heat while the tent shaded Jackson. If Maggie stayed, he would offer for Alex and Eryn to switch places with him to get some relief. Maybe so he could get some relief from the heat sizzling between him and Maggie, too.

  “What’s the plan, boss?” Alex asked.

  “Maggie wants to stay to excavate the area where she found John Doe. It’s just as exposed as this spot, and I’m not sure I like the thought of it.”

  “We’ve been here for hours now with no real threat,” Alex said. “I say she’s good to do the work.”

  “We’ll set up at the other site, then. You stay with Maggie in the tent. Alternate with Eryn. I’ll spell you.”

  Alex watched him, but he didn’t say anything.

  “Thought you two might want a break from the sun,” Jackson explained.

  “Sure, man, if you can pry yourself from Maggie’s side.” Alex socked Jackson in the arm.

  He ignored it and turned back to Maggie. The moment he saw her, the warmth of her hug came rushing back. The feel of her body in his arms. The worry when Riley reported the watcher. Jackson’s heart constricted, and his mind clouded again.

  He wasn’t fooling himself, was he? He could step away for the afternoon and let Alex take over her immediate care, right?

  10

  Maggie lifted a trowel of debris onto her square sifting screen and watched as fine dust and particles fell through. She’d been following the same procedure for hours now under the watchful eye of either Alex or Eryn, while Jackson replaced them at the road and entrance.

  She had no idea why he changed from standing beside her, but she suspected it was related to his recent admission that she meant so much to him that he had to be by her side. Maybe he was proving to himself that he could leave her to someone else’s care. Or trying to show her that he could do so. Perhaps he was afraid she would fall for him all over again, and he didn’t want that to happen.

  The thought hurt, which was odd since she didn’t want it to happen again either. She feared she was too late on that, though. Or maybe she never stopped caring about him. Sure, she wanted him to be happy. To have a good life, and to that end, she cared. But her reaction to his moving away from her this afternoon revealed so much more.

  She sighed and turned back to her work.

  “Sounds like you’re frustrated,” Eryn said.

  Maggie nodded, but kept her attention on the screen.

  Eryn moved closer. “This devastation is something else. I’ve seen a lot of tough things in my career, but never anything like this.”

  “I haven’t either.” Maggie looked up at her.

  “You seem to enjoy your job, though.”

  “I’m not sure enjoy is a word I would use. It’s hard to say I enjoy this.” She gestured at the devastation. “Committed to helping people is more like it, and I enjoy the commitment.”

  “I’ve noticed that you like to help others outside your job, too.” Eryn smiled. “Like feeding all of us.”

  “I guess it’s just who I am. My parents were missionaries when I was younger, and they set a good example for me.”

  “So you’re probably like this super Christian, then.”

  “Hah! Not even close.” Maggie shook her head over her faith failures of late. “But I want to do better. Just not sure I can.”

  “You sound like me.” Eryn frowned. “I lost my husband before my daughter Bekah was born. Now I’ve got this crazy worry that I’m going to lose her, too. It’s completely sidetracked my faith.”

  Maggie set down her trowel. “I totally get the worrying thing.”

  “Seems like Jackson feels the same way, but I don’t know why. The guys are pretty closemouthed about their pasts.” Eryn shook her head. “Shoot, they’re just kind of closemouthed about most everything except the job.”

  “Is it hard working with all of them?”

  “Hard? Nah. They’re great. And since Hannah married Gage, there’s another woman at the compound, so that’s good.”

  “From everything I’ve heard, she sounds like a special person.”

  Eryn nodded. “She’s like the mother hen of the team. I fill that role on the job. Guys don’t much like it, but sometimes they need to be reined in.”

  Maggie imagined the team on a covert mission, and Eryn lecturing them about something like doing their dishes. “Do they listen?”

  “Of course, they do. I might be smaller than they are, but I’m fierce.” She chuckled.

  Maggie laughed along with Eryn, the lighthearted time with this amazing and unique woman renewing Maggie’s spirits. She felt able to return to work with enthusiasm and forget all about that tired sigh that had started the conversation.

  She dug in with her trowel and hit something hard. Felt like metal. She set aside the trowel and gently swept the debris to the side. She felt a small chain and lifted it from the soil to reveal a keychain with a single dangling key. The heat burnished the metal, but everything was intact.

  “Look at this.” She held the keychain up to Eryn, the key fob dangling and swinging in the breeze.

  Eryn squinted. “Is that a greyhound dog on the ring?”

  Maggie took a good look at the fob. “Looks like it.”

  “Do you think it belongs to John Doe?”

  “Could be. Or the killer could have dropped it, I suppose.” Maggie laid it down in the spot where she located it and got out her phone to snap pictures. She stood to take wide shots. “We need to get the deputy on duty over here so he can enter it into the evidence.”

  “I’ll tell Jackson.” Eryn repeated Maggie’s request in her microphone. “Roger that.”

  She looked at Maggie. “Jackson’s on his way, and he’ll bring the deputy with him.”

  “Jackson doesn’t need to come over here,” Maggie said without thinking.

  Eryn studied Maggie for an uncomfortable moment. “Is there a reason you don’t want him to join us?”

  “No…I mean…he…” She shrugged. “He’s the one who didn’t want to be here.”

  “Because he wanted to give Alex and me some relief from the sun,” Eryn said, keeping her voice low. “But if you’re thinking he doesn’t want to be with you, you’re wrong. It’s eating him up not being over here.”

  “Oh, I…”

  “Look, it’s none of my business, but I just want to say I hope the two of you can work through your past and get together again.”

  “Get together? No. We—”

  “Save it.” Eryn held up her hand. “The only people you and Jackson are fooling are yourselves. You’re clearly meant to be together.”

  Maggie was stunned into silence. Not only at Eryn bringing up this personal subject but at her statement.

  Maggie shot a look at the road where Jackson took long strides toward her, moving far faster than he needed just to escort a deputy over to the scene. Was Eryn right? Did he want to be by her side? Were they meant to be together?

  She always thought they were, but if they wanted to reunite, they’d have to work through their loss of Alison to move forward.

  Problem was, from what Maggie could see, neither of them seemed any closer to doing that than the day they lost Alison.

  Jackson was relieved to be at the morgue. A thought he never imagined would pop into his head, but he was glad to get Maggie out of potential danger. They’d stopped by her place to pack a bag and get the files for the ghost gun investigation she’d once worked on. Now, while she studied each bone under bright lights, he sat at a desk in the corner reviewing the files…stopping only to watch her when she didn’t know he was looking.