Grady nodded. “I tried tracing the Chessmaster’s phone call along with the email he sent you, but like I said before, this guy is tech savvy. We’ve got nothing so far. Investigators will keep working on it, but unless something breaks free—”
“Avery will go through with the trade.” Weston’s teeth clenched. “It’s a trap. The killer understands police procedure. He’ll be counting on us to protect her, but I guarantee he has a plan around it.”
“Avery understands the risk. She accepts them.” Grady paused, his tone softening. “I don’t normally push into your business, Weston, but this time there’s no choice. I know you have feelings for Avery. Are they going to cloud your judgment during this operation?”
Heat flared in Weston’s cheeks as a mixture of embarrassment and pride wrestled for use of his tongue. He would never allow his personal feelings to interfere with his job. At least…not until today. Hadn’t he acted like a caged bear at the strategy meeting? Who was he kidding? Grady was right to ask.
Weston took a deep breath. “I have feelings for Avery and I’m worried about using her as bait, but I can handle it.”
Grady nodded. “We’re going to keep her safe, Weston.”
“I know we’re going to do everything possible, but nothing is certain.” Weston was gripped with the same terrorizing powerlessness as when Melissa’s cancer became terminal. It clamped down on him, making every breath painful. “I care about her, Grady, and it’s my own fault for getting in this deep. I knew better than to get involved with a cop. Avery walks into danger, not out of it.”
“So do you.”
“But…” Weston didn’t know how to explain. The devastation of losing his wife was a heavy scar on his heart. The pain had dulled, but the mark lingered, a reminder of the cost when he fell in love. “There’s too much risk.”
“People die in car accidents. From heart attacks. Aneurysms. I don’t think it’s Avery’s profession that’s holding you back.” Grady shoved his hands in his pockets and sighed. “Before she passed, Melissa told me to encourage you to date.”
“You never said anything before.”
“You weren’t ready to hear it. But now, it’s important you do. I know you loved Melissa and she loved you. But Weston, she wanted you to have a full and happy life. So does God.” Grady turned to face him. “From my point of view, you haven’t so much as looked at another woman since Melissa died. Until Avery. I don’t believe that’s an accident.”
Deep inside, Weston didn’t either. There was something about Avery that got under his skin and into his heart in a way no one else had.
“Love is a decision, Weston, just like faith.” Grady clapped him on the back. “Choose wisely, my friend.”
He nodded. Grady left, and Weston watched the ranger’s taillights fade. The quiet stillness of the night settled around him. His fingers went to the chain around his neck. He freed the wedding rings from under his shirt, his thumb tracing the familiar orbs.
Weston lifted his gaze to the starlit sky. Lord, I need help.
Eighteen
Avery paced her office, coffee mug in hand. She’d switched to water after her third cup of coffee, but nothing was taking the edge off her exhaustion. In theory, going home to sleep after the strategy meeting last night had been a good idea. In actuality, she’d tossed and turned. Her cell phone sat on her desk.
“We’ve got SWAT on standby and undercover officers as well,” Luke said. “Everyone is ready to mobilize when the Chessmaster calls. Technicians will outfit you with a camera and microphone.”
She nodded and took a drink of water. “I suspect he’ll arrange to meet somewhere on campus. Open house events are happening all day. The sheer number of people will make it difficult to trap him.”
Luke shoved his hands in his pockets. “It’s difficult to know what to expect. Debra Channing’s funeral is this afternoon. That may be the meeting place.”
“Nana’s at the church with Savannah, setting up for the funeral, and there are news crews already out front. It’ll be difficult for the Chessmaster to slip in with Rachel and escape without being noticed. Doesn’t mean he won’t try, but I think he’s smarter than that.”
He scowled. “Honestly, Avery, I don’t like any of this. There are too many variables we can’t account for.”
She didn’t know what to say. Avery wanted to get Rachel back, and she was willing to sacrifice herself to do it, but she didn’t want anyone else hurt in the process. Her hand tightened on the coffee mug and she glanced at her cell phone.
Luke followed her gaze and stepped closer. “No one would blame you for backing out.”
His tone was gentle and concern was threaded in it. She met his gaze. “I would never forgive myself if I didn’t try.”
He shook his head. “You proved my wife right yet again. Megan told me that’s what you would say.” Luke shrugged. “But I had to make sure.”
“Thank you. I’m lucky to count you and Megan as my friends.” She checked her watch. “Do you know where Weston is? He disappeared over an hour ago.”
“I’m right here,” Weston said from the doorway behind her.
Butterflies fluttered in Avery’s stomach. She turned. Weston’s expression was carefully blank and he carried a bag in one hand. Since the Chessmaster’s phone call yesterday, Weston had been…she didn’t quite know how to describe it. Not rude. No, he’d never be that.
Distant.
It was the only word that came to mind. Like there was a wall around him, preventing Avery from reaching him. It was a self-defense mechanism. Mentally, she knew that. But the loss of his support cut her, far more than she’d anticipated and so much deeper than if Weston was merely a boyfriend. It’d taken her most of the night to figure out why.
She was falling in love with him.
When
