Under the Marshal's Protection

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Dominic glanced around, his weapon drawn, but seemed to calm down as he realized that nobody else had fired since the man near the door had gone down. Jessica guessed that meant the downed man was a lone shooter. Dominic returned his weapon to his ankle holster and turned his attention back to Jessica. “Hopefully, someone grabbed Michael on his way out. I don’t think he was injured.” He examined her bleeding arm, then pulled out a handkerchief and applied pressure to the wound. “Hold this on it. You’re going to need a few stitches, but the bullet just grazed you.” He gave her a smile. “It looks a lot worse than it is, I promise. You’re really going to have to stop trying to catch bullets with your arm.” He brushed the hair out of her eyes. “Will you be okay for a minute or two while I check in with everybody?”

Jessica nodded while Dominic spoke into a small microphone that he had clipped on his shirt and listened intently to the small earpiece that connected him to the other marshals outside. He reported Michael’s disappearance and Jessica’s wound, then sat silently for a moment as he listened to the other reports coming in. He gave her a piercing look. “It’s over. Michael escaped. Stay here and sit tight while we try to calm everybody down. Then we’ll get you to a hospital so we can take care of that arm.” He reached for her hand and squeezed it, then stood and started walking around the tables.

She watched as he went from person to person, identifying himself and reassuring them as he helped them get to their feet and settle down. She couldn’t help but be impressed by the care and concern he showed as he gently led them to the front door and tried to block their vision as best he could of the dead shooter lying on the floor. Every few seconds he glanced back at Jessica to make sure she was still where he had left her.

Chris and Jake were also talking to customers and the restaurant staff, and Jessica saw that the initial officers from the Tallahassee Police Department had arrived on the scene and were also interviewing people outside. Suddenly the alarm was silenced, and she could hear sirens outside just barely above the din of voices and other noise in the restaurant.

She looked over at Michael’s abandoned clothes and glasses. Upon closer inspection, she noticed what looked like a wad of hair and glue near the shirt. Apparently Michael had learned a thing or two about disguises, and the scraggly beard and mustache had been fake. After the first bullet had been fired, he must have changed his appearance and his clothing so he could slip out unnoticed during all of the confusion. She had to give him credit for thinking ahead and having an escape plan in the first place. Obviously, he knew his life was in danger and had prepared for that contingency. She, however, was not used to living in fear. Her hands started shaking as the full impact of what had just happened hit home and the adrenaline surge started to ebb.

Apparently someone had known Michael was going to be at the bagel shop today and wanted him dead right away. Did that mean Coastal had already found the disk, and his life was now worthless to them? Had the shooter been trying to kill her as well? She needed to talk to Michael and get some insight, but would he trust her again? Question after question came rushing to her mind. She tried to take a deep breath to calm herself, but she couldn’t seem to stop shaking.

Everything she knew in her life had come crashing down within the last forty-eight hours. She had never bothered anyone and had always lived a quiet existence. How could someone suddenly be trying to kill her?

Jessica had been wrong. She couldn’t handle this situation on her own, or even with the marshal’s help. Dominic was doing his best to protect her, but he was only a man and could only do so much. She needed more than just someone to keep her safe anyway. If nothing else, the last few hours had shown her with absolute clarity that she needed God back in her life, and the pull on her heart was strong. This time, she wasn’t going to resist.

Jessica closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her prayer was short but heartfelt. I know I was wrong to shut You out, Lord. I’m so sorry. Thank You for not giving up on me and for loving me, even though I’ve stayed away for so long. Please forgive me for my mistakes and come back into my life. She slowly opened her eyes and felt a warm, peaceful feeling come over her. For the first time, she finally understood that God wasn’t going to erase her problems, but that He would always be there to go through the problems with her. It was a very comforting thought.

Finally, Dominic returned to her side and strong arms lifted her to her feet. Instinctively she leaned into his strength, raising her head to give him a weak smile of thanks. He met her eyes and seemed to see that something had changed. “Are you okay?”

Jessica gave a small laugh. “Actually, I feel better than I’ve felt in years. God is good, did you know that? I just felt His presence for the first time in a very long time.”

Dominic smiled and squeezed her hand. “That’s really good to hear,” he said, beaming at her.

“Now, it’s time to get you to a doctor. Come on, let’s get you out of here.”

Dominic’s admiration for Jessica went up another notch when her spine noticeably stiffened and she gained control of her shaky emotions. This was one tough lady. It was horrible that something so violent had happened to her, yet he couldn’t help being pleased that it had brought her back to God. It was always amazing to him that what men meant for evil, God could use for good.

He led her out the back door of the restaurant so they wouldn’t have to walk past the dead body and also to avoid the gathering crowd that was filling up the parking lot. Chris was just getting out of the car he had brought around for them when they arrived. He tossed the keys to Dominic, gave him a nod and headed back into the bagel shop. The other marshals would be there for a while as they processed the crime scene with the local police. Even the FBI had joined the party and had sent over their liaison, since they were also working on the Coastal task force. But Jessica Blake was Dominic’s responsibility, and right now that meant getting her out of there.

“Stay safe,” Chris said over his shoulder.

“You too,” Dominic answered. He opened the door for Jessica, got her situated and then circled the car. A few moments later he got behind the wheel and pulled away from the parking lot, leaving the aftermath behind them. He constantly surveyed the road and surrounding area as he drove, keeping his eyes open for threats as they headed to the hospital.

“So what happened back there?” Jessica asked quietly.