Her Baby's Protector: Saved by the Lawman / Saved by the SEAL

“I’m hoping we’ll find Hammer by then, but if we don’t, we’ll discuss it then. I’m thinking my younger brother, who is a police officer, could help with Jamie or I’ll check with my chief about assigning a uniform to be here with Rachel and your son. I could drive you to and from the courthouse to make sure you’re safe and to check in with the security guards there. That way I can work on the case. Todd is doing the legwork right now. We want to have enough evidence to charge Hammer and keep him in jail without bail. The photos at his house will help us a lot. And when we find his car, there might be more evidence to tie him to the attack.” He took her hand. “Don’t worry. We’ll get him. His photo has been circulated everywhere. The news network has picked it up and has shown it several times in the last twenty-four hours.”

Kate faced him, only a foot between them. Her brown eyes fastened onto him, and he felt a new and somewhat unsettling sense of connection toward her.

He dropped her hand and stepped back. He needed to remain detached and on guard. “I’ll stay until Hammer is caught,” he said to remind himself he was unofficially on duty.

* * *

“Jamie finally went down for a nap,” Kate said on Sunday as she came into the den where Chase was going through her list of cases from the last few years.

“I need your input. Did any of these people make threats against you or make you uncomfortable?”

Kate sat next to Chase to go through the files he had already perused. “Find anyone promising besides Hammer?”

“A couple we’ll look into, but most would do something not long after the event that angered them. That doesn’t mean a person can’t hold a grudge and wait, but it’s not as likely. Hammer still is our best option. Men with a known pattern of domestic violence, which is the reason you limited his visitation with his children, are volatile. Tempers flare easily, especially if he thinks he’s wronged.”

“The abuse was directed only at his wife. His children wanted to see their father so I came up with a supervised visitation plan with a case worker so the mother wouldn’t be involved. I feel both parents are important to a child’s emotional growth, but sometimes I’ve had to completely deny a parent visitation rights.”

“Any in the last year?”

“There was one last fall. Let me see if I can find his folder.” Kate dug through the stack until she found Dale Winn. “Here it is. Not a nice man.”

“I’ll have Todd check him out. I’ll put him at the top of my list of people requiring further investigation.”

“Where’s your list?”

Chase passed the pad he’d been using to Kate. She let out a sound of surprise. “It’s a long list.”

“You’re one busy judge.”

She nodded her agreement. “Sadly, my docket is full. I wish it wasn’t. James and I had a great relationship and wanted to have several children. We tried. I miscarried four times. We’d come to the realization that adoption might be the best option for us. Not long after James died, I discovered I was pregnant. I honestly didn’t know if I would make it past three months. But I did.” When she thought back to that long month wondering if she would miscarry again, her emotions were all over the place. “When I was six-months pregnant, I realized my dream of having my husband’s child might come true.” Her throat closed around that last word, and she looked away from the sympathy in Chase’s expression.

He laid a hand on her shoulder. “I’ve had days when I didn’t want to wake up and face the day. After the second surgery on my leg...”

His voice trailed off, and she blinked her tears away and twisted toward him. “What happened?”

He pulled his hand away. “I don’t like to talk about it.”

“I understand. I don’t like to relive the months I knew I was going to have a baby and James wasn’t there to celebrate with me. It was bittersweet. I was given the most precious baby, but I’d lost my husband. Finally, I realized by sharing with others I healed faster. We aren’t meant to go through ordeals alone. We were made to help and support each other.” She wouldn’t force him, but she hoped he would tell her. She might be able to help him. “I’m here to listen if you ever want to.”

“I appreciate the offer. What I went through was different.”

“How was it?”

“I lost my best friend. We’d served together for several years and had gone through a lot.”

“I lost my best friend, too. James and I went through so much together although not in a war zone. He was there for me when my father passed away, when I miscarried each time. I understand loss. The emptiness. The hole in your life that you don’t know if you can ever fill. How did it happen?”

“We were ambushed by the enemy. He was right beside me one second, helping me because I was shot—” he snapped his fingers “—then the next second, he fell against me.”

“That’s how you hurt your leg?”

He nodded, swallowing hard several times.

“What was his name?”

For a long moment he didn’t say anything, then whispered in a raspy voice, “T. J. Boone. He left a wife and two kids.”

“I’m so sorry. Did he live here?”

“No, Dallas. Afterward, his wife moved back to her hometown in Oregon. I talk with her on the phone every now and then to make sure she’s all right. Her family is very supportive and have helped her through her husband’s death.”

“But no one was there for you.”

“It’s not the same thing.”

“Yes, it is. Whether you lose a close friend or a family member, you still go through the stages of grief. You still have to deal with the fact you’ll never see him again.”

As she waited, hoping he would share more, the doorbell chimed. The sound surprised her, and she gasped. “I’m not expecting anyone.” She started to rise.

“I’ll answer it.”

She walked with him to the foyer, but she hung back while he checked the peephole.

The tense set to his shoulders eased. “It’s Todd and my brother, Chad.” He swung the door open. “What brings you all by? Have you found Hammer?”

“No, but his car was discovered in the woods outside town. Chad is gonna stay with Kate while you come with me. The patrol officer called to the scene said there is evidence in the vehicle. Clothes. A ski mask.”

“Go. You might find something that tells you where Hammer is.” Kate grinned at his younger brother. “Besides, it gives me time to pump—or rather, to get to know Chad.”

“Okay.” Then to his brother, Chase, said, “I’m counting on you. If Hammer dumped his car, he must know that we’re on to him. Desperation might make him attack.” He frowned. “On second thought, maybe you should go alone, Todd.”

“Chase, I’m not gonna let you down.” Chad stepped into the entry hall, his hand on the butt of his gun in its holster.

“You know what the attacker was wearing. You need to go. I’ll be okay with Chad.” Then Kate leaned closer and whispered, “I’d feel better if you were there while the car was processed. Please.”

“You’re right. Let’s go, Todd.” Chase paused by his brother. “I know you’re capable.”

The second Chase closed the door behind him mixed feelings surged through Kate. In a short time, she’d come to depend on him. What if something happened to him? Dumping the car where Hammer had to know it would be found very quickly seemed suspicious to her. Was it a trap? An ambush like three years ago?

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