Hill, Gerri: Angel Fire

She felt the strength leave him as his hand loosened around hers. She didn’t know what to say to him, and she couldn’t stop her tears. But his fingers tightened around her hand once more.

“Don’t cry for me, Sam. I don’t deserve your precious tears.”

She wiped them away impatiently. “I’m sorry. I can’t help it.”

“No. I know you can’t. I’ve done such horrible things…yet the goodness in you…well, you’re still trying to find the goodness in me. It’s futile. I’m afraid there isn’t any.”

“I don’t believe that.”

He squeezed her hand again, then let his fingers loosen. “Thank you for being here with me…now.” His voice was barely more than a breath. “I’m not in pain, Sam. Not really.” He struggled to talk, to breathe. “It isn’t a…a bad way to die.”

She stared at him, tears still streaming down her cheeks. She watched as his eyes clouded over and he seemed to drift away. His hand went limp as he took his last breath…then nothing. He was still.

She wiped her tears away, embarrassed for having shed them. She reached out and closed his eyes, then moved away from him.

She pulled her shirt out of her jeans, using the end to wipe her face, her nose. Just like that, it was over with. She took a deep breath.

Angel was dead.

She picked up the flashlight and pulled her cell out of her pocket, intending to call Tori. But before she could, she heard a truck and saw headlights flash outside. Angel had been right. They had found her. She pushed the door open, recognizing Cameron’s truck. But to be sure, she held her hands up as she walked into the light.

“Sam?”

“I’m okay,” she called.

Tori was in the light, but Cameron stopped her before she could come closer.

“Angel?” Cameron asked.

Sam gave a quick shake of her head. “He’s…he’s dead,” she said, motioning inside.

Cameron let her arm fall from Tori, and Tori hurried over, wrapping her in her arms. Sam sank into her embrace, knowing that this nightmare was finally over with.

Tori pulled away, watching her. “Blood? What happened?” she asked as she wiped at Sam’s face.

“No. Not mine,” she said. “I’m fine. He was…he was wounded. Badly.”

She turned to Andrea, who met her gaze. Andrea shook her head slowly.

“I’m sorry, Sam. I should have—”

“No. You did everything right,” Sam said. She walked closer and hugged her tightly. “Thank you, Andi.” Then she smiled at her. “May I call you Andi?”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Cameron’s light flashed across the room, landing on Angel’s body, which was slumped against the wall. Blood soaked his shirt and jeans. She walked over and squatted down beside him, touching a finger to his neck. His skin was still warm, but she felt no pulse.

“So that’s Angel?”

Cameron turned, finding Tori in the doorway. She stood and nodded. “Yeah. That’s him.”

“I’m not sure what I was expecting,” Tori said.

“A monster, perhaps?”

Tori still stared at him. “Yeah. A monster. He looks like a normal, clean-cut guy.”

“He was still a monster.” Cameron went over to the duffel bags and opened one. “Jesus, Hunter…you ever seen this much cash?”

Tori shook her head. “How many people died for this?”

“Too damn many.”

Cameron zipped it back up and tossed it aside, then opened another one. It, too, was stuffed with cash. She assumed they all were. Her phone broke the silence and she snatched it up.

“Reynolds? How did it go?”

“We’re okay. Eric was right. They were locals. Angel gave them some cash to canvass the area and to run interference for him. When they spotted us, he slipped out a back window.”

“Any fireworks?”

“No. Hell, they nearly pissed in their pants.” He paused. “Sam? She okay?”

“Yeah, she’s fine. Angel is dead.”

“Good. And the money?”

“It’s here. Not that I know what three million dollars looks like, but there’s a hell of a lot here. We’re in a cabin of some sort, out in the woods,” she said. “I’ll have Rowan run GPS on us. Now that it’s over, Murdock will probably get the Albuquerque office involved again.” Or at least she hoped he would. She was ready to put an end to this case.

“You want us to come out there?”

“Yeah. And bring some pizza. I’m starving.”

Chapter Thirty-Nine

“I can’t wait to get out of here,” Tori said as she shoved what few clothes she had into the backpack Casey had left for them.

“Yeah? You’re not going to miss Cameron?”

“Hardly.” But she added, “I guess she did kinda grow on me, though. And I really liked Andrea.”

Sam nodded. “Yes. Andi’s nice. I think if we all lived in the same area, Cameron and Andrea would fit nicely into our little circle of friends.”

Tori laughed. “Casey would drive Cameron crazy. Of course, I can’t see them in a city. Can you?”

“No. They seem to be pretty much at home living out of an RV.” Sam raised her eyebrows. “What about you? Ready to be back in the city?”

“Yes. Aren’t you?”

Sam walked closer and looped her arms around Tori’s neck. “I’m just ready to be home. I’m ready to get our life back.”

Tori ducked her head, kissing Sam slowly, thoroughly. Yeah, she was ready to get their life back too. She pulled away, meeting her gaze. “Are you okay? I mean, with…”

“I’m fine. I knew what the outcome would be, Tori. I just didn’t anticipate being there when he died. It was…emotional.”

“I know he got inside your head, Sam.”

Sam nodded. “Yes, he did. But in a good way, Tori. And honestly, I’m glad I was there with him when he died. I understand him better.” Sam turned away from her. “I know he was a killer, I know what all he did. But I understand the why of it now.” She looked back at her. “It doesn’t make what he did right, of course.” Sam took a deep breath. “But I’m glad it’s over with. And I hope I don’t ever have to go through anything like that again.”

“You and me both.”

Sam smiled and nodded. “So? What’s the first thing we’re going to do when we get back?”

“I want to eat Tex-Mex. Let’s go to O’Connor’s favorite place and get chicken enchiladas and a Rios Rita,” she said, already imagining biting into the spicy enchilada. “I can’t believe we’ve been in New Mexico and have yet to eat Mexican food.”

“Tired of pizza?”

Tori laughed. “God, Cameron and her pizza. I think I’ve had enough to last me a year.”

Sam smiled at her again. “I spoke with Leslie earlier.”

“Oh, yeah? How’s she doing?”

“Good. She’s going back to work on Monday.”

“That’s great.”

Sam squeezed her hand. “She also said that Casey was hinting to Malone that you wanted to go back to Homicide.”

Tori rolled her eyes. “She wasn’t supposed to say anything.”

“Does this mean you’ve made up your mind?”

Tori tilted her head questioningly. “What do you think I should do?”

“Well, I know you haven’t been happy with the FBI, even though you never said anything,” Sam said.

Tori nodded. “I miss the team, yeah.” She met Sam’s gaze. “Do you think Malone would bring me back?”

Sam smiled and leaned closer, kissing her. “According to Leslie, they’ve already got your old desk ready to go for you. Besides, I can only imagine the trouble you and Casey will get into as partners.”

Tori laughed and pulled Sam into a tight hug. “You’re right. And yeah, I’ve already made up my mind. I want to go back.”

“Good. Then let’s go home.”