Fading Into the Night Read online

  “Dash, I need you to step away from the car.”

  “A terrorist doesn’t need to show up at a park in a snow cone truck with a bomb. All he needs is a laptop and a programmer smart enough to hack into your systems and drop the grid.”

  “So why the bomb?”

  “To wake you up, and so you’d know that what I do next, I do not do lightly.”

  “You’re not going to do anything. It’s over.”

  “That bomb might have killed a few hundred, but when I hack into the electrical grid in the northwest or the dam controls at Hoover or the 9-1-1 system in New York, thousands will die, and that will be your fault, agent. You should have just paid the ransom.” And with his smile firmly once again in place, he reached into the pocket of his jacket.

  She didn’t even hesitate. She pulled the trigger.

  Chapter 7

  BEN STOOD BESIDE HER as two medics loaded Dash onto a stretcher, cuffed his hands to the sidebars, and walked his stretcher to the helicopter.

  “You didn’t kill him.”

  “You sound surprised.”

  “I am—a little.”

  “Maybe you’re a good influence on me.”

  “Or maybe you decided your agency could get more information out of him alive. Maybe your mind won out over your grief.”

  She turned and smiled at him. “You’re a pretty smart guy, Ben Lapp.”

  “Am I now?”

  “Seem to be.”

  She waved away the medic approaching her. The pressure bandage had come lose sometime during the last hour and blood once again seeped through her shirt, but it would keep. She wasn’t going to bleed out because of it. Once she saw Dash handed over to the director, she’d go to medical and have it stitched up properly. She did accept the bottle of water that Ben offered and slugged down half of it.

  “Thanks.”

  “Gem gschehne.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means you’re welcome.”

  They walked to the end of the alley, where they could see the park.

  “No one was killed? You’re sure?”

  “Several guys on the volunteer fire crew are Amish. They told me the worst of it was a broken ankle, two sprains, and a couple of near heart attacks.”

  “Not great.”

  “Nein.”

  “But not bad...” She raised her right hand and he slapped his palm against it. “We make a good team.”

  “Do we?”

  “You should think about coming to work with the agency.”

  His laugh was full, rich, enticing. “You should think about farming.”

  Someone called out to her, she turned toward the helicopter, raised her hand to indicate she’d heard, and then turned back to Ben. “Thank you, for everything.”

  “You already said that.” And then he surprised both of them by stepping closer, slipping his hand under her chin and kissing her ever so gently on the lips.

  “Wow.” She stepped back, unable to stop the smile that was spreading across her face and feeling like a teenager on a first date. “I didn’t see that coming.”

  “Take care of yourself. Promise?”

  “I always do.”

  She didn’t look back. She’d spent so much of her life leaving people. She couldn’t bear to look back. So instead she jogged to the helicopter, grabbed the hand reaching down for her, and felt herself being pulled up and in. She clipped into the harness, and as the helicopter rose, she glanced down.

  Ben remained at the end of the alley, one hand raised to cover his eyes against the setting sun, the other waving.

  They flew over the park, which was a jumble of left-behind possessions and crime scene tape and evidence waiting to be gathered. But no bodies, and for that she was grateful.

  The park area grew smaller until it resembled a child’s toy.

  BEN HEARD FROM HER only one time after that.

  He’d checked the recorder at the phone shack to see if his bruder had called. He was planning a fall trip to Maine to try the fishing and to consider a move. He’d held onto the past long enough. He was ready, even eager, to move forward.

  “This message is for Ben Lapp.”

  Just hearing her voice brought a smile to his lips.

  He sat on the single stool in the phone shack, staring at the recorder, willing her to make the message a long one.

  “Ben, this is Nora. I want you to know that what we did, well it stopped the others. He’d set up a cascading protocol—he wanted to be the first, the event that started it all. When he didn’t make the call, the others dispersed to the wind. We’ve caught about half of them.” There was a pause in the recording, and he could hear the sound of cars and busses and people behind her. “Thank you—again. And say hello to Molly for me.”

  Ben was tempted to replay the message, but he didn’t need to. It was good to know that it had ended well, that they had done what needed to be done. He was smiling as he pushed delete on the recorder. Settling his hat on his head, he walked out into the September sunshine and a new chapter in his life.

  The End

  Enjoy this story?

  I’d love to hear from you. Email me at [email protected]

  or contact me through my website, www.VannettaChapman.com.

  Watch for Book 2 in the

  Cyber Division Series:

  Midnight Strike

  Author’s Note

  This book is dedicated to my readers, who are quite patient with me when I stray off into other genres. To date, I’ve published Amish romances, Amish mysteries, Christian suspense, “clean” suspense, and dystopian novels. Many of you have faithfully read where ever my attention wanders. Thank you for honoring me with your time and your wonderful reviews.

  I’d like to thank my co-authors in Summer of Suspense, where this story first appeared. You were a wonderful group of ladies to work with and I’m still super proud that we made the USA Today Bestseller list with that collection. I also owe a debt of gratitude to my dad, who taught me to critically consider all things before I embrace them.

  As is always the case, I owe a large debt to my pre- readers: Kristy and Janet. Teresa, I am so glad that you are my editor, cover designer, and formatter on this one. You’re amazing.

  I’ve always been a fan of conspiracy theories— they’re simply fun to bat around. As far as technology, for me the verdict is still out. If I should decide to embrace an “off-the-grid” lifestyle, I’ll send you all a message via parchment.

  And finally ...always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20).

  Blessings, Vannetta

  About the Author

  VANNETTA CHAPMAN WRITES inspirational fiction full of grace. She is a PW and USA Today bestselling author of over 30 novels in a variety of genres, including Amish romances, Amish mysteries, romantic suspense, and dystopian. Vannetta is also an ACFW Carol Award winner for best mystery of the year (2012).

  She teaches college-level English and currently resides in the Texas Hill Country.

  For more information, visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com.

  Share your thoughts with Vannetta at [email protected].

  Read Vannetta’s blog or sign up for her newsletter at www.VannettaChapman.com.

  Also by Vannetta Chapman

  The Remnant Series

  Overshadowed * Deep Shadows *

  Raging Storm * Light of Dawn

  Defenders of America Series

  Coyote’s Revenge * Roswell’s Secret

  Jacobs Family Series

  Hidden * Protected

  Agatha’s Amish B&B Series

  Dead Wrong

  The Shipshewana Amish Mysteries

  Falling to Pieces * A Perfect Square * Material Witness

  The Amish Village Mysteries

  Murder Simply Brewed * Murder Tightly Knit *

  Murder Freshly Baked

  The Amish Bishop Mysteries

&
nbsp; What the Bishop Saw * When the Bishop Needs an Alibi * Who the Bishop Knows

  Find these and more at https://vannettachapman.com/books/amish- mystery/.

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  Did you love Fading Into the Night? Then you should read Hidden by Vannetta Chapman!

  When an embittered maniac seeks retribution against the people of Taos, Homeland Security Agents Dana Jacobs and Benjamin Marshall find themselves racing to protect the residents of this small town set against the majestic landscape of northern New Mexico.DANA JACOBS is the supervisor in charge of the Department of Homeland Security in Taos. Her team is prepared to handle any threat—biological, chemical, conventional, cyber, even nuclear. BENJAMIN MARSHALL is newly assigned to Dana's office. Straight from a six year military deployment, he is not what Dana wants or needs. Ben knows God has a reason for putting him in this place at this time—to help Dana. When a local school is threatened, they open a case which leads them on a chase through the Enchanted Circle and Carson National Forest, pursuing a man filled with a bitterness Dana can understand. She too is running from her past and a night of tragedy and violence that marred her childhood. But her anger is different. It's justified, it remains Hidden inside, and it hurts no one. Who can outrun their past? Dana and Ben must confront their own nightmares in order to work together as a team and catch the biggest threat the town of Taos has ever faced.A Christian romantic suspense by bestselling author Vannetta ChapmanWhat Critics Say About Vannetta Chapman--"The intense roller-coaster of a plot and sharply etched characters will appeal to readers. ~Library Journal--"a great addition to the world of romantic suspense!" ~Suspense Sisters Reviews"A lovely romance between a complicated woman and a big hearted man, tension that builds steadily to a fever pitch, and a story of faith rediscovered make Hidden an engaging read." ~Kelly Irvin, bestselling author.What Readers Say About Vannetta Chapman's Hidden:***** 'The plot is strong, original and scarily believable.'***** 'Read it if you dare!'***** 'Pulse pounding no stopping action adventure story'***** 'This book is a page turner.'***** 'Brilliantly written'***** 'Captivating and action-packed'***** 'Full of suspense'

  Also by Vannetta Chapman

  Agatha's Amish B&B

  Dead Wrong

  Cyber Division

  Fading Into the Night

  Midnight Strike (Coming Soon)

  Defending America

  Coyote's Revenge

  Roswell's Secret

  Jacobs Family Series

  Hidden

  Protected