“Marsheila, those cops are not going to be as forgiving as we are. If you let Jess go now, there is still hope for you to walk away from all this.” My entire body was shaking. I was watching a madwoman threaten the only woman I had ever trulyloved.
“Stop lying to me, Whistler. You always hated me. You made sure all of them knew how much you wanted Gavin to leave me, how happy you were when I left him. He was mine first. He should be with me,” she screamed at the top of herlungs.
Jess’s eyes were locked on mine as she continued to silently plead with me to take theshot.
One.
Two.
Three.
I exhaled and then did as Jess asked, pulling the trigger. I should have missed. I was way too damn nervous, but by some miracle, I got Marsheila right in the forehead. Blood and brain matter peppered the side of Jess’s face as shescreamed.
I ran to her, scooping her into my arms as our captain and Tomlinson rushed up the front lawn with a few other officers in tow. Captain MacDonnell called for a bus as I sank to the ground, rocking Jess in myarms.
Chapter 17
McBee
When I askedSean to take the shot, I truly had no idea what I was in for. The sheer terror of that experience was something I would never forget. It was a Christmas for the record books, if nothingelse.
After I took a shower, we all sat in Brayden and Karla’s living room with Captain MacDonnell. He got our statements as the coroner picked up Marsheila’sbody.
“Are you okay, McBee?” my captain asked as I stared down into the cup of tea I was clutching in myhands.
“Yes, sir. I’m just glad the situation didn’t escalate further and no one else had to be hurt.” It was the right answer, and mostly it was how I felt. I had just never had a gun held to me like that or seen someone die like that before. Even though we were trained for those situations at the academy, nothing compared to actually going throughit.
“Sir.” Sean sat up a little straighter, putting his hand on mine. “There’s something else you need toknow.”
“What is it, Whistler?” Captain MacDonnell started to gather the reports and notes he had sprawled out on the coffeetable.
“Jessica and I are together,” he blurtedout.
My heart started racing as I thought of all the things I was going to yell at him for outing us without even asking me about it or talking to me about itfirst.
“It’s about damn time. We’ve had a wager going down at the station for a few months, predicting when you two would finally admit to your feelings for each other. I thought it would happen monthsago.”
“So, does that mean we can remain partners?” I asked, naively wishing for a Christmasmiracle.
He shook his head. “We’ll discuss all that after the new year. Take this time off and get some rest, all of you.” He glanced around the room. “You’ve all just gone through a lot. Lean on each other and remember that there is nothing more important in this world than the people youlove.”
After the captain left, we sat in silence for what felt like forever, until Myla finally broke thestillness.
“I just wish we could know why she did it, ya know?” She sipped her hot cocoa, sitting in Gavin’slap.
He kissed her shoulder. “I guess there are just some questions in life we aren’t supposed to have answered,baby.”
“Let’s promise to never talk about this night ever again.” Myla looked around the room as we all nodded inagreement.
“This is a night I sure as shit would love to never bring up again.” I pulled a blanket over my lap as Sean tucked me into hisside.
“Amen to that, sweetheart.” He kissed my cheek before brushing some of my damp hair behind my ear. “I’m just glad no one gothurt.”
“Tell that to the dead chick outside.” Griffin sat up a little straighter in his chair as he ran a hand over his face. “I knew your ex was crazy, bro, butdamn.”
Gavin shrugged. “I don’t think anyone could have seen something like this coming, especially at this time ofyear.”
“Well, let’s not let this holiday go completely to shit.” Karla came in with a tray full of the pies and ice cream, all dished out on plates. Brayden and Crosby helped her pass them around before she took her seat next to me on the couch. “You’re one tough broad, McBee.” She gave me a little wink as she held up her mug of coffee and said, “To McBee and Whistler, two of New York’s finest inblue!”