Page 47

“By the time I left the courtroom, it was after two. I was achy and still nervous, but not about testifying. I just wanted a minute to myself.”

“So you walked out of the courthouse on your own.”

A soft laugh left my lips. “It wasn’t my intention when I went to the bathroom, but there was a commotion in the corridor outside only a couple minutes later.

When I opened the door, the US Marshals assigned to escort me to the airport were actively engaged in a confrontation.

Honestly? I reacted without thinking, heading away from the noise and confusion until I found an exit.

I’d worn a scarf around my head and sunglasses on the way in.

I guess that was their concept of a disguise.

I had them with me. With hundreds of people on the street, I easily caught a cab, headed for a rental company, and decided to make my way here.

I stopped for a change of clothes and some water, but that was about it.

All I could think about was getting here. ”

He didn’t react at first but finally shook his head. “What you did was risky.”

“I felt I had no other choice.”

“I get it. You were forced to use a credit card at the rental company. Right?”

I finally sat up, crossing my legs. “Yes. There was no other choice. I used one given to me under my new name, but the Feds likely already know I rented a car.”

“Yeah, they’ll find out, including where it was dropped off. They’ll eventually come knocking on my door as well.”

“They know your address?”

His grin was slightly evil. “No. I gave an old one, but Gray knows where I live. They’ll talk to him as well. This won’t have a good outcome.”

“You know what? I don’t care. No matter what I said inside that courtroom or to anyone else, I’m not a prisoner. I did my civic duty. I testified honestly to the questions they asked without perjuring myself.”

“I’m not worried about the Feds, at least not right now. Someone believes you know more. That could be Alfaro. That could be anyone involved in whatever alliance was formed. Let me get us something to drink while I think this through.”

Before he rose to his feet, I wrapped my hand around his wrist. “Thank you for believing in me.”

“It’s not about believing in you, Charmaine. It’s about keeping you alive and the only way I can do that is you place your trust in me and…” He allowed the statement to hang as he placed his finger across my nose and lips. “If you do what I say and follow the rules.”

“Rules, huh?”

“Believe it or not, they will help keep you alive.”

Hearing his words sent another cold shiver through me. I’d gravitated toward him because he was the single person I felt I could trust.

Now, even more so than ever.

After he walked away, I grabbed his shirt, pulling the dense material to my nose.

How long had I wished I could do nothing more than inhale his scent?

How many nights had sleep evaded me until thoughts of being in his arms finally lulled me in not long before the sun cast a beautiful glow across the horizon?

Just being here was everything, so much so my mind remained scattered about details from the long hours before.

With my eyes closed, I allowed my thoughts to drift to the two days spent in a foreign country. As crazy as it would sound to anyone, including to myself, the hours had been both some of the best and worst in my life. If I hadn’t gone off the deep end, I would never have met him.

Yet being here could place his life in danger.

Unable to help myself, I slipped into his shirt, sighing the moment the thick material was pressed firmly against my skin.

As soon as he returned to the room, he stopped short when catching sight of me. A wry smile crossed his face as he walked toward me. “You look better in that than I do, but it’s dirty.”

“It smells like you.”

His laugh was robust. As he handed me a glass, our fingers touched, the instant jolt of current affecting us both.

He sat down in the chair close by, shifting his drink from one hand to the other.

“Whoever threatened you will make good on the threat if possible. I’m surprised you were allowed to testify even in a closed-door hearing. ”

“I was assured I’d be safe. In truth, I wanted to do my part. I have a bad feeling the people indicted were low-level players meant to take the fall if anything happened.”

“What makes you say that?”

I took a sip of the drink, enjoying the slight burn as the liquid slid down my throat.

“While I realize the judicial system is hiding details of the case for obvious reasons, what you read in the news alone can be pieced together. Think about it. New to the system politicians. Department heads of large corporations and not anyone on the executive teams. I’d call them little fish in a swirling cesspool. ”

“I’d be curious if they’re going down with the ship willingly or were forced.”

“That I can’t tell you,” I said quietly as I reflected on what I knew.

“Do you have your phone with you?”

“Of course. Are you worried about the possibility whoever had the number used it to track me? Because I didn’t think of that.” I rose to my feet, grabbing my jacket and pulling the phone from the pocket.

He shook his head. “It’s possible someone from WITSEC placed a tracking system on the phone before they gave it to you. I’m uncertain of their laws. However, even if they did, the number would be kept private for few eyes only. That’s the point of the system.”

I pulled the screen to my face for recognition before handing it to him, watching as he navigated toward the text screen. “See?”

He narrowed his eyes. “What’s interesting about this is that it’s not exactly a threat.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Whoever sent this is warning you. Maybe they were cut off before being able to explain.” He slipped the phone into my hand once again.

“Huh. You’re right. I immediately thought someone was threatening me,” I said.

“I think whoever it was had full intentions of looking out for you.”

“Maybe one of the Feds.”

“Maybe. Or maybe there’s someone out there with more information than either one of us were led to believe.”

“Okay. Let’s go on that assumption. Do you still have the jump drive?”

“Of course I do. I’ve spent time with it, but I couldn’t decipher anything else that would cause alarm.”

How could I not smile after what he’d said? “You were worried about me.”

“Fuck, yes, I was. Your instinct had me keep the damn thing. The least I could do was try from time to time to figure out what the hell was going on. So what are you thinking now, Ms. Nancy Drew?”

Hearing him tease me brought another wave of happiness. How strange to think how relaxed and normal I felt anytime I was close to him. I bent my knees, wrapping one arm around my legs. “Maybe we weren’t looking at the right things.”

“How so?”

“Maybe there’s a different encryption.”

He nodded. “Maybe. I’m no expert.”

“Then we need to find one.”

“We?” he asked, grinning.

I shrugged. “If you don’t mind me staying for a couple days.”

“Mind? Lady, I’m thinking of tying you to the bed.”

“I’m not sure I’d mind.”

We both laughed, but his expression turned dark. “What about your parents?”

Sighing, I studied the fire for a few seconds. “I think they’re safe. They’ve already developed friends who seem to collect really big guns.” I was able to laugh for the first time in weeks and it felt good.

“Did you contact them after you left?”

I nodded. “Yes, but don’t worry. I didn’t tell them anything and they know better than to ask. But I do worry about them.”

“I know you do.” He glanced away briefly. “You don’t need to tell me this, but I’d like to know where you created a new life.”

“I don’t mind telling you. Durango, Colorado. A huge adjustment although my parents adore being there already. Even if they had a chance, I doubt they’d want to return to Illinois.”

“Where did you say?” Maddox leaned forward, studying me carefully.

“Durango, Colorado. Completely different than Chicago. Don’t get me wrong.

The city is beautiful with mountains capped in snow as the stunning background, but it’s so damn small.

At least I have a gorgeous, quaint cabin nestled in the woods.

But I have no clue what to do about a job.

I’ve got my savings, but…” I’d already lost him and I could tell by the look on his face something had triggered the man.

He took and held a deep breath, his upper lip curling.

“What’s wrong?”

“Were you offered choices of where to relocate to?”

“No. I didn’t know I could ask. Hawaii would have been preferred.” I could tell he was really troubled. “What is it? I don’t like the look in your eyes.”

His entire demeanor had shifted once again. “Have you spoken to Commander Gray Jenkins since you were accepted into the witness protection program?”

“No. Not once. As soon as I was handed off, I didn’t even hear his name mentioned. What aren’t you telling me?”

“Someone I know lives in Durango.”

That caught me off guard and I could tell it could be a significant issue.

“A trusted friend or an enemy?”

His laugh was bitter. “In truth, I’m not one hundred certain, but I am going to find out.”