Page 17 of Ranger Bravery

An icy finger of dread touched the back of Piper’s neck.

No. It couldn’t be.

With trembling fingers, she called Derek on video chat. Her boss picked up on the first ring. He was in his office, a stack of paperwork in front of him. The top button of his uniform was undone and his sleeves were rolled up. He offered her a smile with his greeting, but it was strained with exhaustion at the edges. “What’s up?”

“Lionel Islip was the man who attacked me, right? You’re certain?”

Derek froze for a moment, the question obviously catching him off guard. “Yes. Why?”

“I’ll explain, but take me through it. Why are you so convinced?”

“His fingerprints were all over the house. He’d made threats against you several times, had a violent history with women, and was known for breaking into houses to steal things. Neighbors reported seeing him in the area at the time of the assault. We found your necklace in his bedroom.” Derek’s tone was gentle and reassuring. “It was him, Piper. I’m certain.”

She desperately wanted to believe him. Derek wasn’t just her boss, he was also her friend. He’d known her since she was a teen, and when her mother brought home another loser or began using drugs again, he’d rescued Piper from more dangerous situations than she could count. He was the epitome of a caring, thorough, and dedicated law enforcement officer.

But they’d never talked about her case. Not really. Piper had never needed to, but now those niggles of doubt in the back of her mind wouldn’t be silenced. “You didn’t get a confession.”

Lionel had pulled a gun on the police when they drove up to his house to arrest him. Derek had nearly been shot during the incident. She hadn’t known that at the time. She’d been trapped inside her own fear, running as far away from Rock Fort as her rusted-out Ford would take her. It was only later, after moving back home, that she learned how close Derek had come to losing his life to get justice in her case.

Piper forced herself to say the words lingering on her tongue. “Is it possible you got it wrong, Derek? Lionel’s fingerprints were in our house, but he had been my mother’s boyfriend for months before they finally broke up. He could’ve stolen my necklace at any time, and I never saw the attacker’s face since he wore a mask.”

Derek was quiet for a long moment. “Is there something you aren’t telling me?”

“Jackson is convinced Elena’s killer is coming after me because he’s afraid I witnessed something in the woods, but what if that’s not true?” She fumbled around in her laptop bag before removing a copy of Elena’s driver’s license photos. Piper held it up next to her. “Look at us. We could be sisters. Elena lived in my old neighborhood, was roughly the same age as I was at the time of my assault, and the perpetrator beat her before shooting her.”

The image of a masked man standing over her in the kitchen, the gun in his hand, flashed in her mind. Her heart rate increased.

Piper shoved the memory away and continued, “Yes, there are differences. He lured her to a field before assaulting her, but the perpetrator could’ve adapted his methods. There are enough similarities between my attack and Elena’s murder that I have a sick pit in my stomach. So, I’m asking because I need to be sure.”

Derek met her gaze. There wasn’t a trace of anger, only sympathy. The sheriff’s badge on his shirt shimmered in the fluorescent lighting and this tone was authoritative and confident. “I’m sure, Piper. The man who killed Elena is not the same one who attacked you.”

She let go of the breath she was holding. Her mind was conjuring theories and horrors that weren’t based in reality. It’d been ten years since her assault. The attacker wouldn’t have waited so long before striking again. Someone like this kept going until they were dead or in prison. So yes, there were similarities between her case and Elena’s, but two very different perpetrators.

Piper rubbed her forehead. “I’m sorry, Derek. I… well, there’s no reasonable explanation for my paranoia. Chalk it up to being shot at today.” She dropped her hand and gave him a weak smile. “It won’t happen again.”

“Never apologize for testing plausible theories. I know Jackson is worried about the attack today, and I understand his logic, but I’ve questioned Marcus and there’s nothing to indicate he purposefully targeted you. He was high and not in his right mind. I don’t think there was any rhyme or reason to what he did.”

His observation confirmed Piper’s initial theory. Some of the tension left her shoulders.

“Deputies questioned the gun shops in town,” Derek continued. “No one sold Marcus the Glock, which means someone must’ve given it to him. I’m working on figuring out who.” He tilted his head. “Get some sleep, Piper. You look worn out.”

“Pot meet kettle.”

“Yeah, but I’m the boss. Someone has to keep this department running.” Derek’s mouth quirked up. “I have an explanation for your paranoia. Finn must be driving you crazy with that piano music. He’s played the same notes fifteen times since we started this conversation.”

“Has he? I learned to tune him out.”

“Good for you. I’d go batty listening to that for hours on end.” Derek’s words were critical, but his tone was full of affection. “He’s determined. I’ll give him that.” He paused. “How’s Ava?”

Piper arched a slight brow. “She’s doing well. The doctor says she may be cleared to drive next week.” She glanced up to make sure her sister wasn’t within earshot. “You know, if you have a crush on Ava, you could ask her out. It’ll be easier than keeping track of her through me.”

Derek’s cheeks heated. “I don’t have a crush on Ava. I’m just being neighborly.”

“Of course you are. Just like you were being neighborly when you fixed the gutters last week. Or when you brought her flowers when she was in the hospital. And all those home-cooked meals?—”

“Cut it out.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m a nice guy. That’s all.”

“My sister could use a nice guy.” Piper couldn’t believe she was playing matchmaker, but Ava and the kids had been through a lot. They deserved someone solid and dependable. Someone who’d take care of them. Piper had seen Ava and Derek flirt from time to time. She knew her sister was interested, so she didn’t feel the least bit guilty in meddling.

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