Knocking on Death's Door Read online

  “She’s keeping them safe?” Hunter asked.

  Cookie sighed. “It’s the story she keeps telling herself and anyone who might listen.”

  Simon started to thrash about, finally realizing his hands were zip-tied together. “I’m innocent,” he cried out, dropping the French accent. “You have to let me go. I didn’t do anything!”

  “Sorry, buddy,” Hunter said, staring down at him, his face hard and cold. “Looks like you’re headed straight back to prison.” He held out his badge. “I’m Agent O’Neil with the FBI. This will go a lot better for you if you cooperate.”

  “Son of a—” The sound of sirens cut off Simon’s next words and a moment later, two paramedics rushed in. After giving him a once-over, they got him on a stretcher and started rolling him out, but not before Hunter cuffed him to the railing and asked Zeke and Ned to go with the paramedics to watch over the prisoner.

  Once they were gone, Cookie helped Hunter move Alex and Keith to his rented Mustang.

  “You want me to ride where?” Keith asked, outraged when Cookie instructed him to get in the back. “My knees will be in my chin.”

  “Shoulda thought about that before you decided to defraud people out of their retirement money,” Cookie said as she shoved him in head first. He fell into the back seat, his legs still hanging out of the car.

  Alex snickered.

  “You could join him back there.” Hunter was standing beside the bookkeeper, his grip wrapped around her upper arm.

  “No, thanks. I’m cool.” She arranged her face into a bored expression, but not before Cookie saw a flash of unease in her dark eyes. Alex was worried, as well she should be. Embezzling was a big deal.

  Cookie waited until Keith crawled into the backseat, then held the passenger door open for Alex. “Your turn.”

  She got in without any fanfare. Cookie slammed the door and walked Hunter over to the driver’s side.

  “Thanks for coming and getting them,” Cookie said. “Honestly, I’m surprised you didn’t bring local law enforcement with you.”

  He shrugged. “I was going to use Zeke and Ned, but plans changed.”

  “Right.” Cookie glanced up into her former partner’s face and quickly turned her head when she saw concern staring back at her. “Don’t look at me like that. Rain and I will be fine.”

  “I know.”

  Silence filled the space between them.

  Finally, Hunter said, “You’ll let me know where you land?”

  “Eventually.” If Simon did talk, it would be common knowledge that she’d kept in touch with her old partner, and the mob would be watching him like a hawk, waiting for either of them to make just one mistake. If enough time passed, she might drop him a note.

  “Okay then.” Hunter gave her a sharp nod. “I assume it will take you a few days to get your life together before you skip town?”

  She gave him a solemn nod. If it was just her, she’d pack a bag and leave that night, get a really good head start on her new life, but she knew Rain wasn’t going to move that fast… not unless she absolutely had to.

  “Good. I’ll keep you up to date on what’s happening with Simon and these two. If you ghost, you know how to get in touch with me.”

  She nodded then threw her arms around him, emotions sweeping through her. She’d been through this before, and the second time wasn’t any easier than the first.

  “Take care of yourself, Charlie,” Hunter whispered. Then he let her go, jumped in his car, and sped off toward the ferry.

  She walked back into the sheriff’s office, took one look at Dylan and wanted to throw herself into his arms. How was she going to leave him? She knew he’d said he would go wherever she did, but how could she do that to him? It wasn’t fair to ask him to live a life on the run from the mob. He should be settled in the town he loved, married, with two kids and a dog. She just couldn’t let him tag after her and her crazy mother, no matter how much she wanted him to.

  “Everything all right?” Dylan asked as he shoved the mop bucket back into the closet. The mess had been cleaned up and the office was quiet again with just the two of them there.

  She wanted to laugh or cry or scream. Instead, she just nodded. “I have to finish the paperwork on Simon and send it over to Sheriff Watkins in Hancock. She’ll share it with Hunter, and then they’ll decide who has jurisdiction since he’s out on parole for federal crimes. Hunter is taking Alex and Keith there before having them transferred into federal custody. You can go if you want. Get some food or a shower.”

  Dylan just pulled out a chair and shook his head. “I’ll wait.”

  She was both relieved and disappointed that he wasn’t leaving. Cookie wanted to spend every single second with him that was possible until she had to leave the island. If he left, though, she would have the privacy to break down and let herself grieve the loss of her life on Secret Seal Isle. But she was an FBI agent at her core, and if there was one thing she knew how to do, it was how to bury her feelings. Taking a deep breath, she nodded and got to work.

  27

  It was late afternoon, and Cookie was exhausted when she walked into the inn. Scarlett and Rain were sitting at the table, coffee mugs in hand, both of them wearing sweat pants and T-shirts.

  Cookie raised both eyebrows. “Is it girls’ night in?”

  Scarlett nodded and stuffed a piece of donut in her mouth. Rain covered the other woman’s hand with her own and gave her a supportive pat.

  “I think that’s my cue to go.” Dylan kissed Cookie on the top of the head and added, “I’ll call you later tonight.”

  Sweats in the afternoon was never a good sign. Cookie knew Rain had had a hard day, but Scarlett was the one who appeared to need consoling. She nodded and wrapped her arms around him, holding on tighter and longer than normal. “Thanks for your help this week.”

  “Anytime, Cookie,” Dylan said.

  “See you tonight?” she asked, unable to imagine giving up even one night with him.

  “If you’d like. Just come on over when you’re ready.” He extracted himself from her embrace, waved at Scarlett and Rain, then took off out the front door at a good clip.

  Her lips twitched in mild amusement. He was definitely a man who knew when to retreat.

  Scarlett let out an exaggerated sigh. “Why can’t I have that in my life?”

  Her friend’s words made Cookie feel as if she’d been gut punched. She wasn’t sure how many days she had left with Dylan, but she knew they were limited. She pressed a hand to her abdomen and tried to keep her expression blank as she took a seat at the table. Even though it had been hours since she’d eaten, she poured herself a cup of coffee and then tore a bear claw in half as she asked, “What happened? Is it Hunter?”

  Rain nodded. “He’s dating someone up in Philly. Said he’s been meaning to tell her but thought he should do it in person.”

  Cookie sat back in the chair and eyed her friend. “You’re really upset about this.” It wasn’t a question. Her sadness was obvious.

  Scarlett waved a hand. “It’s not really about Hunter. I mean I liked him, sure. I’m not happy he decided to date someone else and didn’t tell me right away, but it’s not like we were exclusive or anything. I just…” She closed her eyes and shook her head a little. “I just want what you and Rain have. Is that too much to ask? To have someone I can count on to be my Valentine and my plus one?”

  “Of course not, dear,” Rain said, still patting her hand. “But it would probably help if he was in the same zip code.”

  Cookie let out a strangled laugh. “Yeah, that would help.”

  “Cookie?” Rain said, turning her concern to her daughter. “What’s wrong? Your face is all scrunched up and you have a wrinkle right here.” Her mother ran a finger between her brows just above her nose. “It’s the same look you’d get as a kid when you were either getting ready to throw a temper tantrum or burst into tears.”

  Mortified, Cookie blinked rapidly as the tears stung her eyes.


  “Oh, sweetie.” Rain jumped up and wrapped her arms around Cookie. “What is it? You’re not upset about Hunter, too, are you?”

  “What?” Cookie asked, pulling away from her mother. “Hunter? No. Why would I be upset about him?”

  “Well you did date him once,” Scarlett added.

  “Not really,” Cookie mumbled, though she had considered it and they may have gone out once or twice, but dated was overstating things. “No, I’m upset because…” A small sob got caught in her throat. She swallowed hard then said, “We can’t stay here. Our cover has been compromised.”

  Scarlett leaned forward, her expression serious. “What do you mean? Has DeMasi learned where you are?”

  Cookie shook her head and explained that Simon had recognized her and that there was no way to be sure he’d keep his mouth shut. “It’s just too dangerous. The sooner we pack up and go, the better.”

  “But…” Rain pressed her hand to her throat then shook her head.

  “Mom.” Cookie searched her mother’s expression and saw the disappointment shining back at her. “I’m so sorry. I know how much you love it here.”

  Rain grabbed both of Cookie’s hands and squeezed hard. “Not as much as I love you, sweetheart. If it’s too dangerous, it’s too dangerous. We’ll just find another place to make our own.” She turned to Scarlett. “Right, Scar?”

  “Right.” Scarlett rose from the table and hurried to Cookie’s side. “The Three Amigos. No one can get in our way.”

  Cookie’s chest tightened with emotion. “Scarlett?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Are you really going with us?”

  Her dearest friend chuckled. “Of course I am. Where else would I go?”

  “Back to your law firm in the city?” Cookie asked.

  Scarlett shook her head. “I’m done with that, for now at least. And the best part is if I sell my practice, I’ll be set.” She winked. “How about the three of us go into business together?”

  Cookie laughed, suddenly feeling a lot lighter. If she had to leave Dylan, at least she had her mom and Scarlett.

  “Hale will probably want to come, too,” Rain said. “He can be the muscle when we move our stuff.”

  “Hale?” Cookie asked, alarmed. “Does he know we’re supposed to be undercover?”

  “Of course not. But I know my man. When I tell him we’re moving, he’ll be on board.” She gave Cookie a wink and pumped her eyebrows. “He’s too addicted to the sugar I give him.”

  Cookie groaned while Scarlett cackled.

  “What about Dylan?” Rain asked. “I bet he isn’t gonna let you go without tagging along either.”

  Cookie fell silent for a moment. Finally, she shook her head. “I can’t let him do that. It’s not fair to him.”

  Scarlett pulled back and placed her hands on her hips, giving Cookie a hard stare. “So it’s okay for me but not for the man you love?”

  Cookie slumped forward. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it. Dylan has a house here, people he’s known his entire life, a business. He has roots we don’t have. If he leaves, he can’t come back without putting himself and the rest of us in danger. It’s too much to ask.”

  “Hale has roots,” Rain said with a shrug. “But I’d bet my last dollar he’ll be in the car when we roll out of here. What can I say?” She flipped her hair over one shoulder. “I’m worth it.”

  Cookie laughed. Even in the face of a major upheaval, her mother didn’t miss a beat.

  “And so are you, Cookie,” her mother said softly as she brushed a lock of hair off her daughter’s shoulder. “You need to talk to him and let him make his own decisions.”

  “Listen to Rain,” Scarlett added. “This has to be his choice. You owe him that much.”

  She knew they were right. And the conversation had to be sooner rather than later. She pushed her chair back and stood up. After grabbing another bear claw, she said, “Don’t wait up. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long night.”

  Cookie stood on Dylan’s doorstep, her fist raised and poised to knock. Her stomach was doing flip-flops, and she felt as if she was going vomit, repeating Rain’s performance from earlier in the day. She took a step back, turned around, and breathed in the cool air that was blowing off the ocean. She had to get her nerves under control, or this conversation was going to be a fiasco of epic proportions.

  Where is FBI Agent Charlene Jamieson? she asked herself. The one who buried her emotions and always got the job done? Clearly, she’d changed more than she’d realized since she and her mother had moved to the island and she’d become Cookie James. Or maybe, you’ve just never been in love before, the little voice in her head said.

  “Oh, boy,” she breathed.

  The door creaked as it opened, and footsteps sounded behind her. “Cookie? Are you going to come in anytime soon, or should I get you a jacket?”

  “Huh?” She whipped around and met his amused dark eyes.

  “You’ve got your arms wrapped around yourself. You look cold.” He pulled her closer to him and encircled her, wrapping her in his heat.

  She pressed her head to his shoulder and basked in his embrace.

  “Everything all right?” he asked, stroking her back.

  She shook her head. “No. Not at all.”

  He pulled back but didn’t loosen his hold as he said, “Tell me.”

  The pending conversation was the last thing she wanted to do, but she just had to force herself—rip off the Band-Aid, so to speak. “Let’s go inside.”

  He let go but grabbed her hand before leading her into his pristine home that he’d restored with his own two hands. He made a beeline for his couch and pulled her down next to him, keeping an arm wrapped around her shoulders. “Okay, out with it.”

  “Rain and I have to leave the island. There’s really no choice,” she said, staring him in the eye.

  He nodded. “I know.”

  “We won’t be able to come back. Not as long as DeMasi is a threat anyway. And that could be for forever.”

  “Right,” he said. “I knew that.”

  Irritation started to build in her gut as she searched his gaze. He didn’t appear to be upset at all. “We have to leave as soon as possible,” she snapped, frustrated that he seemed to be so cavalier about the whole thing.

  “I figured. That’s why I started packing when I got home.”

  Her mouth dropped open and for the first time since she’d entered his home, she glanced around. Two suitcases and a military style duffle bag were sitting near the front door.

  “You already packed?” she asked stupidly, still staring at his luggage.

  He chuckled. “I used to be in the military, remember? We like to be prepared. You let me know when you’re ready to leave. I’m all set.”

  “But what about your house? Your job? All your friends? You can’t just leave everything for me.”

  “Cookie James,” he said, his voice tender. “Haven’t you figured out already that you’re the one person I want? The house is just a house, and I can build porch railing anywhere. As for friends, sure, I’ll miss them, but I’d rather be where you are. Forget about trying to dissuade me. My mind is made up. Where ever you go, I go.”

  She stared up at him in wonder. Then she laughed. “We’re gonna be one heck of an entourage. Scarlett is coming with us, and according to Rain, Hale will too.”

  “Is that all? I was half expecting Winter and Blake to jump in the back of the truck, too.”

  Cookie sobered. “Oh, no. You don’t think Rain is going to drag them along, too, do you?”

  He just laughed. “Does it matter?”

  Cookie thought it over for a moment then shook her head. “You know, I guess it doesn’t.”

  “Come here,” he said.

  “Gladly.” Cookie tilted her head up and closed her eyes as Dylan’s lips met hers and all her worries vanished.

  28

  Cookie was standing in the middle of the inn’s offic
e, surrounded by moving boxes and packing materials. For the past two days, she’d made it her mission to pack up as much of the inn as possible. Rain was already talking about opening up another inn on the other side of the country as soon as their current one sold. The plan was to buy a box truck and haul as much as they could with them.

  Of course they had to get the inn packed and the truck filled without anyone noticing. It was a task easier said than done. But between the five of them, she was determined they could make it work. The only person who knew they were leaving was Winter, who was currently in the kitchen, supposedly helping Rain pack. But Cookie knew the pair of them were actually making special Mary Jane snacks for Rain and Hale to enjoy while they were on the road.

  Cookie knew she should discourage them, but she just didn’t have it in her. Rain was being a good sport, but Cookie knew she was going to miss her best friend like crazy. Winter had a shop in Hancock and a serious boyfriend who wasn’t prepared to uproot his life. They all had choices to make, and Winter had made hers.

  The sound of the packing tape ripping off the roll screeched through the room as Cookie sealed up what felt like the hundredth box of the day. In reality, it was probably more like the tenth, but she wasn’t counting.

  She’d moved to start filling another when her phone rang. Hunter’s name flashed on the screen.

  “Hey. Is there news?” she said into the phone as she dumped a pile of books into the box.

  “No hello? No howya doin’?” her old partner said, his tone teasing.

  She sighed, knowing they’d get nowhere until he humored him. “Hello, Agent O’Neil. Howya doin’?”

  “I’d be a heck of a lot better if I had my old partner back, but I’ll manage.”

  “I bet.” She opened a drawer full of pens, paperclips and other small items to empty it into the box. “Too bad she’s on the run again.”

  “Hold that thought,” he said.

  She froze, still holding the drawer in one hand. “What?”

  “I’ve got updates on Alex, Keith, and Secret Seal Isle’s chocolatier.”