Target on the Mountain by Elizabeth Goddard (the chimp paradox .txt) 📕

anymore. You gave that up, remember? Your FBI credentials don’t change the fact that this murder case isn’t in your jurisdiction.” Nor would she be allowed to work it professionally because Sarah was her sister.

“Fine. I’m going for a walk then. I need to get my head together.”

Ryan grabbed her arm. “You’re not going anywhere.”

“Get your hands off me.”

He released her slowly but stayed close. “Tori, just calm down. You’re bleeding, remember?” He lifted the towel and held it out to her.

She scrunched her face and took the towel, pressing it against her shoulder again. She wasn’t thinking clearly, either, or else she would suggest looking at the rest of the house. Maybe the intruder had been in Sarah’s home searching for something. Was anything missing? But Ryan wouldn’t bring that up just yet. Tori needed to see the doctor again, and she’d only insist on looking through the house if he brought that to her attention. Discovering if something was missing could wait. Her well-being came first.

Deputies finally entered the home. Tori appeared pale and remained shaken, so Ryan stayed near as he explained what had happened. Her official statement could be given later. Ryan escorted her out of the house. “I need to take you back to the hospital so you can get that looked at.”

“I’m supposed to replace the bandage anyway.” She shrugged. “I’m fine to take care of it myself.”

He’d expected her resistance and knew the best method to counter it was to redirect the conversation. “I’m considering this more than a simple break-in.”

“You mean...”

He nodded. “Yes. I told you I don’t believe in coincidence. My working theory—which I’m hoping the evidence will confirm—is now that Sarah was the primary target, not Mason or any of the others. For now, I’m going to investigate as if the rest of them were in the wrong place at the wrong time or killed to throw off the investigation. Satisfied?”

She offered a tenuous smile. “Yes.”

Outside, he ushered her back to his SUV. “I’ll take you to the ER first.”

“Ryan, I was serious when I said I would be fine. My shoulder just needs a new bandage. There’s nothing more the doctor can do, really. It needs time to heal.”

“So let it heal and stop fighting criminals. Do we have a deal?” He tossed her a wry grin, and was rewarded with a half smile.

“If you stop insisting on taking me to the hospital.”

“Fine. Then is it all right if I take you to your parents’ for the night?”

She nodded.

“Once we’re finished processing the bungalow and release the crime scene, you can go back to staying there, but I wouldn’t advise it. Whoever broke in can try again. Next time you might not be so fortunate.” He hated saying those words. Hated that Sarah had somehow made an enemy, and Tori had put herself in the line of fire to find the person responsible.

Tori said nothing more, which troubled him. Normally she would have objected or put forth her opinion, but even the strongest FBI agent could become traumatized when they had lost a loved one and been personally targeted. A female officer would pack a small bag of clothes for Tori’s stay with her parents and deliver it. He drove the SUV from the quiet neighborhood where Sarah had lived to the Petersons’ home only a mile away. After parking in the driveway, he ushered Tori to the house.

Tori knocked softly and then opened the door, peeking her head in. “Mom? Dad? It’s me.”

She stepped through the door, and Ryan remained on the porch, unsure if he was invited. Tori glanced at him.

“Tori?” Sheryl appeared in the foyer. “I thought you were with—” Her eyes caught on Ryan. “Well, don’t just leave him standing there. Come on in, Ryan.”

He looked at Tori, searching her eyes for reasons he couldn’t explain. He should get back to his investigation. He couldn’t read her. Did she want him to stay or...

“Are you coming or what?” she asked.

He shrugged. “I can only stay a few minutes.”

Sheryl gasped when she saw Tori’s arm. “See, I told you they let you out too soon! We need to take you—”

“Mom, please. I just need some fresh bandages.” Tori headed down the hallway like she was a disgruntled teenager, Sheryl on her heels.

Arms crossed, Tori’s father stepped from the kitchen area and watched them go. “What happened?”

Ryan was glad he’d stayed for a few minutes, after all. He wasn’t entirely sure how much he was ready to share with her parents, but since it appeared that Tori truly was in danger, they needed to know what was going on for their safety and hers. He was glad for the opportunity to explain things to her father; then David could figure out the right way to tell Sheryl.

As Tori’s father listened to Ryan detail the events of the day, his face paled. Ryan almost regretted telling him, but he needed all the help he could get to protect Tori.

Tori and her mother stayed in the bathroom redressing the wound and Ryan bade David goodbye. He had work to do. On their porch he took in the surroundings of the middle-class neighborhood and hoped Tori would be safe here.

But he knew that once she was able, Tori would stay at the bungalow again—tracing Sarah’s steps, she’d said. Those steps could lead her right to her own death.

Ryan couldn’t let anything happen to her. For her sake, for her parents’ sake and for his own sake.

He was a homicide detective, but he’d give that up in a heartbeat to be her bodyguard. If she would let him.

He knew Tori would say she didn’t need him.

She never needed him—not in the past, and not now.

But this time, that wouldn’t stop him.

FOUR

The morning sun broke through the crack between the drapes, startling Tori awake and away from the grips of her nightmare. Heart pounding, she bolted upright and reached for her weapon—but it was gone.

Just calm down. She drew in a