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Erik gave him a mighty push to keep Vanhoutte from hitting Leah as she slumped to one side. He managed to knock the statuette from Vanhoutte’s hold. With his left hand, Erik grabbed tight onto the man’s lapel, and with his right, he put another hard punch into Vanhoutte’s face.

The sound of a commotion in the other room drew Erik’s attention momentarily. Did Vanhoutte have staff coming to his rescue?

Within moments, however, a rush of uniformed police entered the small room and quickly took charge of the situation. As they took hold of Erik and Vanhoutte, two dark-suited men stepped forward.

Randolph Vanhoutte pointed at Erik. “That man attacked me. Arrest him.”

Erik shook his head. “He drugged my fiancée. I don’t know what he gave her, but I’m a doctor and must see to her safety.” He struggled to point to where Leah slept on the couch.

“He is a doctor,” one of the officers said. “He’s Dr. Sjolander. I’ve encountered him many times at the charity hospital. He works with Dr. Turner.”

“And that is Dr. Roman Turner’s granddaughter Leah Garrison. Her father is Maxwell Garrison. Vanhoutte drugged her, and I don’t know if she’s even still alive.”

“Let him go,” one of the suited men commanded.

As soon as the officer released Erik, he rushed to Leah’s side and drew her upright. “Leah, wake up. Leah.” He patted her cheeks and was rewarded with her opening her eyes once again. But just as quickly, they closed.

She seemed to be breathing all right, and her heart rate was even and steady. Erik glanced over his shoulder. “What did you give her, Vanhoutte?”

Vanhoutte said nothing and looked away. One of the suited men stepped forward. “You’d do well to tell him. You’re already in enough trouble. You don’t need murder on your hands as well.”

“She won’t die. It was just sleeping powders.” Vanhoutte shook his head. “And what do you mean I’m in trouble? I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“We’ve been investigating you for some time now. We know about the money you’ve taken from the CRB funds. We know about your shipments to Germany and that you’re conspiring with enemy forces.”

“There are no enemy forces for America. We aren’t in the war.” Randolph Vanhoutte sounded more than sure of himself. “I want a lawyer. Get me Evan Turner. His family has fully supported me.”

“It’s funny, but Mr. Turner was one of the people who came to us regarding your questionable actions. I seriously doubt that he is interested in representing you, especially given this is a federal case that will probably result in you facing charges of espionage and treason.”

“You are mistaken. Now let me go. I have nothing more to say.”

“You aren’t being released until you answer for where the CRB money has gone and why you were shipping weapons to Germany, along with a few hundred other questions.”

Erik had heard more than enough. He wanted nothing more than to get Leah out of the house and Vanhoutte’s presence. “I’m taking her home,” he said, lifting her into his arms.

He didn’t even stop to find her coat, rushing from the house and into the cold. All the way over from Turner House they’d dealt with the snow, but now it was heavier and the wind was whipping it around in a blur of white. He could barely make out the car.

Thankfully, he’d allowed Vera to drive him over. The strong, Amazonian woman immediately saw the trouble and came to his aid. She guided him carefully, then helped position Leah on the back seat. She brought the blankets to cover her as Erik slipped in on the other side. He cradled Leah close to keep her warm and assure himself that she was still breathing.

Vera lost no time in getting them on the road. She glanced over the seat. “Is she all right?”

“She will be. He gave her something to make her sleep.”

They hit a bump in the road, and Leah opened her eyes once again. She looked at Erik and murmured something.

“What did you say?” He leaned closer.

She spoke again, muttering something, and all he could understand were her final words. “Marry me.”

A moan escaped her lips as they hit another bad patch, and she closed her eyes. Erik couldn’t help but smile and breathe a sigh of relief.

“The snow has gotten much worse since we drove over,” Vera declared. “I can’t go very fast because I can’t see. Ice is starting to cover the windows.”

“Do your best. We must reach safety.”

Vera looked over her shoulder. “If you need me to, I’ll give you my coat for Miss Leah.”

“No, just keep going. We don’t dare stop. We might get stuck.” Erik maneuvered out of his coat and pulled it over them both. “I’ll keep her warm.”