The Doctor Prince and the Outsider by Cami Checketts

CHAPTERTWELVE

Steffan, Jensen, and Ray trailed Hattie and he assumed Franz. Jensen’s men were closing ranks around them, but Steffan’s gut was still churning. What was Franz’s play? What if he cut her throat? Steffan had clearly seen the glitter of the knife as her headlamp went spinning, and the threat rang in his mind.

Slice her pretty neck open.

He shuddered with revulsion and anger. As soon as they got Hattie safe, he’d have his hands around that spineless wimp’s neck. As a doctor, he’d always tried to adhere to the Hippocratic Oath and do no harm. Today, he was ready to break that mantra.

Fear for Hattie’s safety made him want to make sure Franz knew to stay far away from his girl. Even when the loser got out of prison, Steffan wanted Franz to feel a healthy amount of fear getting anywhere near Hattie.

Was Hattie afraid? She was so brave, but she had to be scared. He prayed in his mind for her to feel safe and soon to be safe. Safe and in his arms.

“Hold,” Jensen said in a harsh whisper.

Steffan didn’t know if Jensen was talking to him or his men, but they all paused. He peered through his night-vision goggles at a small, run-down cabin. He remembered this cabin. He and his brothers had found it and played around and in it as youths. It wasn’t very big.

The door was closed and there were no windows to see what was happening inside. Suddenly they heard a male voice yelling, but Steffan couldn’t make out the muffled words. There was a quiet thud, a screech, and then silence.

“Stay back,” Jensen cautioned Steffan with a hand on his chest as his men surrounded the cabin and tightened the circle, guns out.

Steffan glared at his friend. “No,” he whispered harshly. He wanted to be the one to rush in there and rescue Hattie.

“You’ll get her hurt,” Ray said from his other side.

That was a gut punch. His brother thought Steffan would hurt the woman he cared too deeply for because he wasn’t trained as a military man or a policeman.

He wanted to shove his brother and friend out of the way. Instead, he prayed for protection for Hattie and humility for himself. Jensen’s men were almost ready to bust the cabin wide open. What if they hurt Hattie? Made that crazy Franz stab her or hit her with a stray bullet?

The only thing he cared about was Hattie’s safety, even if it meant standing down and letting someone else step forward.

“Please,” Steffan whispered, staring at his brother who he trusted and loved. “Please save her for me.”

Ray nodded, serious as ever. He and Jensen pulled out their sidearms and rushed for the cabin, the men following their lead.

The front door of the cabin burst open and a medium-sized man staggered out. Older, distinguished-looking, in a ripped and rumpled suit. Definitely not Franz.

As Steffan stared at the man with the aid of his infrared goggles, recognition came like a smack to the side of the head.

It was William Rindlesbacher. Treven’s father. Nothing about that man being in the cabin or being here at this moment made any sense, but it did make terror explode in his gut. Everything was wrong right now. Hattie was in extreme danger.

“Help. Please help,” the man called. “Do you have a medic?”

“Hattie,” Steffan burst out. He raced past his brother, pushed through the police line, and dodged around William and into the small cabin.

Two forms were on the floor. Hattie was face-down on top of what had to be Franz.

“Hattie!” he yelled, rushing across the space to her. Franz had killed her. No! He dropped to his knees and frantically pushed her hair aside to feel for a pulse. It was there, and it was strong. “She’s alive!”

She stirred at his yell.

“I tried to stop her,” William said from behind him. “Franz begged me to meet him here, said the woman who’d killed Jane Presley was meeting him and he needed my help. Then she went insane and stabbed him. I knocked her out, but not before she killed him.”

None of the man’s words made any sense. Hattie wouldn’t stab Franz, and she hadn’t killed Jane.

Hattie rolled over and looked up at him. Her eyes were unfocused, pupils small.

“Steffan?” she whimpered. She struggled to sit up.

Steffan wrapped an arm around her and pulled her away from Franz. He cradled her protectively against his side. She was sticky with blood. Hers or Franz’s?

“Hattie, are you all right?”

“My head,” was all she said, clinging to him.

Jensen and Ray hurried to them and dropped to Franz’s side. A knife protruded from the man’s chest. Straight through his heart, if Steffan was any kind of doctor. Jensen rested his fingers against the man’s throat.

“He’s gone,” Jensen said quietly. Steffan could’ve told him that.

“She killed him,” William stated again, his voice full of emotion and anger. “They were arguing. He shouldn’t have stolen her money and credit cards and dragged her in here like he did, but that was no reason to stab him in the chest.”

“I didn’t stab him,” Hattie protested, staring at William and then at Franz. She shuddered in Steffan’s arms. “He had the knife and cut the recording device from my shirt. I tried to elbow him in the throat to get free. Then I felt somebody coming from my side, and I got knocked out. You have to believe me, Steffan.” She looked up at him so beseechingly. “I promise I didn’t kill him.”

Steffan was in shock. No way would Hattie stab a man. It wasn’t possible. Well, maybe in self-defense. She was feisty and brave, but William Rindlesbacher was part of the transaction, and that made everything suspicious in his mind. He claimed they were fighting. Had the man somehow killed Franz and framed Hattie just like his son had tried to frame her for Jane’s death?

“She killed Franz. Just like she killed Jane. Treven always said it was a woman that killed Jane. He was too trusting and didn’t get her name, but he found her on social media. Hattie Ballard. The woman who just stabbed Franz.” He glared at Jensen. “You didn’t believe my son and he’s wallowed in prison for this woman’s crimes, and now Franz is dead too!” William was becoming increasingly upset and he was yelling.

Men peered in through the door, looking to Jensen.

Jensen stood and faced William. Ray stood shoulder to shoulder with him. Steffan stood and helped Hattie up, keeping her in the protective circle of his arms. He refused to let her go. Jensen and Ray would prove Rindlesbacher’s accusations were lies. The man was trying to frame Hattie again, and possibly free his own son from prison in the process. Had he schemed this entire thing with Franz and then used the man for his own selfish purposes like the Rindlesbachers’ were wont to do?

Hattie clung to him, her body trembling. “You believe me?”

“Of course I do.” He brushed her forehead with his lips. “Ray and Jensen will sort it out. Don’t worry.”

They were close enough in the small cabin that William obviously overheard Steffan. “The general and the chief will have no choice but to do what’s right, and that is to prosecute you for this man’s death.” He pointed at Hattie, then at Franz’s lifeless body. “And for your previous murder and escape from lawful custody. I only hope nobody aided or abetted her.” He gave Jensen a significant look.

Jensen didn’t quiver, simply raised an eyebrow at the man.

Hattie trembled, but she bravely jutted out her chin and said, “I didn’t kill anyone. You knocked me out and then you killed him.”

“You were lying on top of his corpse with a knife protruding from it. You killed him. Take that knife and run the fingerprints,” he told Jensen. “The evidence will prove the truth.”

“All right, everybody needs to calm down. Hattie had a listening device on,” Jensen said. “We’ll find it and that will help us sort out the mess.”

Steffan studied William. It concerned him that the man didn’t appear upset by the news of a listening device.

“Turn off your infrared goggles and let’s light this place up,” Jensen said.

Steffan had to release one of his hands holding Hattie to turn off the goggles and lift them onto his forehead.

Light bars strapped to Jensen, Ray, and other men’s chests lit up the small cabin. Jensen looked at the hole in Hattie’s torn shirt and around the cabin. He had a man come with the proper equipment to take the knife as evidence. The fingerprints would lead to William being the murderer as well, right?

Was there any way William could’ve knocked Hattie and Franz out and manipulated her hands on the knife to shove it in Franz’s chest? It was possible, but Steffan’s mind was scrambling for crazy scenarios. He held Hattie closer. This entire situation was a crazy scenario.

Jensen and an older officer went outside briefly. William didn’t move, just glared harder. Steffan and Hattie clung to each other. How would this mess end? He prayed for heaven’s help and insight.

Jensen walked back in with the older officer. “Frank will escort Prince Steffan and Miss Ballard outside so we can search and speak with Mr. Rindlesbacher alone.”

Steffan complied as the officer gestured outside with his gun, but he didn’t like it. He met Ray’s gaze. His brother was uncertain as well, and that scared him more than anything else.

Hattie was innocent. He wanted to scream it to the mountaintops. Jensen would never allow her to take a fall for something like this. He hadn’t five years ago when she’d been framed for Jane Presley’s murder by this man’s son. Jensen would do the right thing, and so would Ray. He had to trust his friend and his brother.

They walked out into the chilly morning air. Hattie shivered, but he didn’t think it had anything to do with the cold.

He wanted to listen in as they questioned William. He was certain he could stab holes in the man’s fabricated story. But Hattie was more important right now, and he had to trust that Ray and Jensen could pull apart William’s story better than he could. They dealt with criminals like William all the time.

“You all right?” he asked Hattie softly.

“Not really, but I’d be a mess without you holding me up.” She tried to smile up at him, but her lips were quivering. In the darkness and the shadows from the open cabin door and the police lights, the smile looked distorted. “I can’t figure out why Treven’s dad would even be here.”

“It’s an obvious setup,” Steffan reassured her. “Jensen and Ray will poke holes all through his story and he’ll be in prison right along with his son.” He gained strength from the idea as he spoke. “It will make it even easier to clear your name for Jane’s murder.”

She laid her head on his shoulder, and his chest swelled. “I hope so. Thank you for supporting me, for believing me, for seeing the best in me.”

He saw only good in her. “It’s no hardship, believe me.”

She smiled again, and then she simply clung to him. The men moving around them, the sounds in the cabin that could decide this very important woman’s fate, all faded as he focused on holding her and savoring every moment.

Why did it feel fleeting? Nobody could rip her from his arms. Nobody.

Praying silently as they waited, he wanted justice for murdered Jane and murdered Franz, and freedom and no more worrying, looking over her shoulder, or staying away from Augustine for Hattie.

Ray strode out of the cabin and up to them. Hattie turned slightly to look up at him, but Steffan didn’t release her and she didn’t try to move out of the circle of his arms.

“It doesn’t look good,” Ray whispered.

“What do you mean?” Panic tightened Steffan’s chest.

Hattie’s heart thudded quickly against him.

“Franz is an old friend of Treven’s. Franz told William Rindlesbacher what he’d done, stealing all of Hattie’s money and things and setting up this elaborate adventure to get her here alone. He wanted to get more money out of her, but he was afraid she’d kill him like she’d killed Jane. Franz begged William to meet him at the cabin to help him. He said it was dark when Hattie and Franz came in. They were struggling and yelling at each other. Hattie came up with the knife, stabbed Franz, and then Rindlesbacher knocked her out before she could turn on him.” His voice was stating the facts, but Steffan could tell he didn’t believe William.

“That’s not true,” Hattie said. “Franz cut the recording device out of my shirt and I did struggle with him, but then somebody came from the side and knocked me out. I never touched the knife.”

“But that’s all you remember?” Ray pushed out a frustrated breath. “It was pitch black. Hattie, could you have fallen on Franz and the knife killed him then?”

“That’s highly unlikely,” Steffan said. “William is dirty, and we all know it. You’re in charge here. We have to prove the truth.”

Ray nodded, serious as death—or a prison sentence. “Steffan, if Jensen has to arrest her, you have to stay calm and trust that we’ll unveil the truth. That Jensen and I will make it right.”

“He can’t arrest her,” Steffan said too loudly.

“Please no,” Hattie said. Her voice tugged at his heart.

Jensen walked out of the cabin, William close on his heels. His gaze met Steffan’s, and the world upended. Jensen’s dark eyes were full of despair.

Steffan knew.

Jensen was going to arrest her.

William was a well-known, respected, and wealthy man in their country. Hattie wasn’t a citizen and had no one but Steffan to back her up. It was her word against William’s, and unless that knife had William’s fingerprints all over it, or the recording device was found and proved her story, she was going to prison.

“Trust us,” Ray muttered fiercely, obviously coming to the same conclusion from that look on Jensen’s face.

He’d always trusted his brother and Jensen. Always. But …

“The recording device is gone,” Jensen said heavily.

Where had the recording device gone? Slipped between the planks in the floor, hidden in William’s pocket, swallowed?

Jensen walked toward them. William stayed in the cabin doorway.

“Did you check William for the recording device?” Steffan asked.

“I did.” Jensen shook his head and met Steffan’s gaze. “I’m sorry, but he doesn’t have it.” He took in a breath. “Hattie Ballard. I’m going to need to take you in and keep you in a holding cell until we sort this mess out.”

“No!” Steffan wasn’t sure if it was him or Hattie that cried out the word.

“Steffan.” Jensen’s voice was level, but the look in his eyes terrified Steffan. “Release Miss Ballard and step back.”

“No,” Steffan growled at his friend, sheltering Hattie with his arms.

“Steffan.” Ray’s voice was a whip crack. “Release her.”

“No!” he yelled. He gazed down at her. “I won’t let them take you.”

“You are the most gentlemanly prince in this world,” she whispered for only him to hear, then she arched up and kissed him.

The kiss took him off guard with all the anger, fear, and emotion swirling through him, but he quickly responded and tried to convey to her that he’d fight anyone, including his brother and close friend, who had eons more experience at fighting than he did, and he’d win … for her.

Hattie pulled back. “You said I’d never pay you back for the tips and I’ll never make a dent repaying you for all you’ve done for me, but it’s time for me to take care of you now.”

“No.”

She dodged away as strong arms wrapped around him from behind and he was wrenched from Hattie. He tried to fight his older brother and two other policemen who each had him in their grip as well.

“Thank you, Steffan, for being so wonderful.” Hattie strode confidently to Jensen’s side as if no one could touch her. She jutted out her chin. “Let’s go.”

Steffan forgot to fight for a minute. She was gloriously brave, but she couldn’t just let Jensen arrest her.

He struggled to free himself and looked over at the cabin. William Rindlesbacher stood there looking very smug. Steffan wanted to attack the man. He’d never felt violent tendencies like this before, but this was Hattie.

Jensen took her arm and they walked away, accompanied by a whole bunch of men.

“Calm down, bro,” Ray whispered close to his ear. “Freaking out isn’t going to help her.”

“Letting her get arrested isn’t going to help her either,” Steffan flung back.

Ray released him and came around to face him. “Everything is darkest right before dawn.”

The pink of dawn was barely piercing the sky above the eastern mountains. Steffan recognized the quote as one their mum had liked. He didn’t see that dawn was going to come for Hattie, or for him.