Hearts in the Crosshairs (12 page)

D
ave arrived at the Blaine House after dinner on Friday evening, almost three hours later than usual. Bob Caruthers met him on the stairs and directed him to the den next to Jillian’s office. Dave stopped in the doorway, surveying Jillian curled up in a recliner. Naomi sat on the sofa with a large bowl of popcorn on her lap. Both were watching television.

“Oh, hello, Dave.” Jillian lowered the footrest of her chair.

“Hello, ladies. Please don’t get up. It wasn’t my intention to interrupt you when you’re getting a little relaxation for a change.”

Jillian shook her head and stood. “I know you’re late because you’re putting in overtime on my case.”

Naomi kept her place on the couch, but smiled a greeting. Jillian led him to the connecting door and into her office. Dave noted that it was the first time he’d seen her in casual attire—black pants and a soft, powder-blue pullover. She looked great. But Dave thought she looked great no matter what she was wearing. He hoped today’s events hadn’t upset her too badly.

They sat down and Jillian gave him a weak smile. “I’m told you’ve questioned the man who made such a ruckus at the hearing this afternoon.”

“Yes. We let him cool his heels for a few hours while we did a detailed background check, and then let him go.”

“Who is he?”

Dave pulled out his pocket notebook. “Nathan Sedge. He’s worked on the Green Party campaign for the last three elections. He’s against oil drilling, wind turbines, river dams for electrical power stations—you name it, he hates it. And nuclear power plants are anathema to this guy.”

“Okay. How does he expect us to heat our homes and get to work? I’m sure he didn’t walk to the hearing this afternoon.”

“I think he wants someone else to bring oil and coal to the Maine-New Hampshire border and sell it to us there without stepping foot over the line. He envisions a pristine Maine in our future.”

Jillian put a hand to her forehead and sighed. “Would you join me for coffee?”

“Absolutely.”

She picked up the phone and spoke into it quietly. As she hung up, her brow creased in thought. “Do you think this man is harmless?”

“I think he intended to call attention to his cause today. In fact, he may even have gone to the hearing intending to get arrested.”

Jillian gazed at him. “Stephanie thought he might have been planted by the anti-oil lobbyists.”

“Sure. Anything’s possible. But you’re not really opposed to his cause. He tried to paint you as an out-and-out industrialist, but you’re not. My opinion is, he just wanted to stir up some media coverage.”

Coffee and dessert arrived. As Beth set out plates of cheesecake, Jillian rose and moved to a chair near the small table.

“I wonder if Naomi would like to join us.”

“I believe she’s retired, ma’am,” Beth said.

Jillian looked at the clock. “It’s later than I thought. After nine already.”

Beth left the room a moment later, and Dave studied Jillian as she poured their coffee.

“Are you tired?” he asked. “Don’t let me keep you up.”

“No. I’d like to discuss this a bit more.”

Her smile still enchanted him. If anything, weathering the trials of the past two months had enhanced her beauty. He imagined what it would be like to tell her so.

“I’ve asked my mother if she’d like to come live with me here,” Jillian said.

Dave accepted a mug and cradled it between his hands. “That’s great. You could spend more time together.”

Jillian shook her head. “She said no. She doesn’t want to leave her house empty.”

“I’m sorry.”

She turned mournful eyes on him. “She also says she doesn’t feel safe here.”

Dave looked down, groping for a comforting reply.

“In fact,” Jillian went on, “she’s pestering me to move home again. She thinks I have a better chance of living out my term if I don’t stay here.”

Dave set his coffee on a coaster. “Is that what you think?”

Jillian shook her head, clamping her mouth in a thin line. “No. It would just cause a lot of headaches for you and the rest of the EPU.”

“You’re right. It would be harder to protect you at your house in Belgrade, and the traveling back and forth would present greater risks.”

Her large, blue eyes held his gaze, and he wanted desperately to ease her mind.

“We’ll find out who was behind the shootings. Maybe then Mrs. Clark will come and stay with you for a while, if not permanently.”

She exhaled slowly. After a sip of her coffee, she glanced
up at him and smiled. “Our chef makes fantastic cheesecake. You’ve got to try it.”

He eyed the plate nearest him. “That looks positively decadent. Will you join me?”

“Why not? It’s been a stressful day.”

Dave nodded. “Comfort food. Dig in, Governor.”

Her eyes flickered, but she reached for her dessert. She took a bite, closed her eyes, chewed and smiled. “Perfect. Let’s talk about something else.”

“Not cheesecake?”

She laughed, and the sound set a flood of warmth through him. “I meant, not the shootings or today’s hearing or Mom. What are you doing this weekend?”

“Uh…I plan to go ice fishing with some buddies of mine.”

“Hmm. That surprises me.”

“Why?”

She shrugged and smiled at him mysteriously as she cut another piece of the cheesecake with her fork.

He popped a bite into his mouth. After a moment, he realized she wasn’t going to answer. Should he let her off the hook? He couldn’t resist—he had to know. “Why does it surprise you?” he asked again.

“I don’t know. I guess I figured you for skiing or taking a date to the ice show in Portland.”

“I’ve got a couple of friends who like to go ice fishing. One of them is handicapped. Getting out on a lake with his fishing gear makes him feel like he’s on a level playing field with the rest of us.” He took another bite.

“Isn’t it late in the season?”

“It’s been cold this winter. The ice is still good.”

Jillian set her plate aside and reached for her mug. “How long have you known this friend?”

“About five years.”

“Since Iraq?”

“You’re good.”

“Just call me Sherlock.” She smiled, then sobered. “He was injured there?”

Dave nodded. “He was in my unit. The only kid who got hurt.” He grimaced at the memory. “I thought we were heading home scot-free, but two weeks before our tour was up, a roadside bomb got him. He lost a leg at the knee.”

“How great that you kept in touch, and that you still do things with him.”

Dave looked down at the half piece of cheesecake on his plate. Why should he be here now, eating dessert with a beautiful woman? It wasn’t chance that had brought him home safe, twice, when so many hadn’t made it. God had engineered every day of his life. But he still felt unworthy.

“I try to keep up with the men who served under me.”

“You were an officer.”

“Sergeant.”

She nodded gravely. “And now you’re serving here.”

He smiled slightly. “I like my job.”

“I guess this is a piece of cake compared to Iraq.”

“Yeah. Cherry cheesecake.”

They both laughed. He looked intently at her face, and she didn’t look away.

“What are you doing this weekend?” he asked finally.

“I’m going to my mom’s tomorrow.” And I’ll probably go visit a couple of my law partners. On Sunday morning, I’ll go to church here in Augusta, then meet with a group of Swedish businessmen.”

“You have to work Sunday?”

She raised her shoulders in a helpless shrug. “I’m governor 24/7, and that afternoon is the only time our schedules would allow. I’m entertaining them in the reception room downstairs to discuss exporting some Maine products to Sweden.”

He wondered if so many plans in so many places on the weekend was a good idea, even with Stevenson gone. On the other hand, getting out of her routine and her usual territory—even with a couple of EPU officers in tow—might be good for Jillian.

“If you weren’t busy, I’d invite you to go fishing with us.”

“Ha. Sure you would.” Her laugh warmed him again—better than the coffee did.

Dave was surprised when Bob Caruthers tapped on the door.

“Yes, Bob?” Jillian smiled, remaining relaxed in her chair.

“I just wanted to let you know I’m leaving, ma’am. Ryan and Penny will be with you overnight.”

Dave looked at his watch, amazed at how much time had passed.

“Thank you,” Jillian said, and Bob closed the door.

Dave stood and stretched his arms. “I didn’t realize it was so late. Sorry I kept you up so long.”

Jillian’s pert smile set his stomach tumbling. “Hey, I’m not the one who has to get up at the crack of dawn and go sit in a freezing little shack on the ice.”

“For your information, ma’am, we’ll have a heater and plenty of coffee and sandwiches.”

“Ah.” She stood, grinning. “I wish I could go.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Sure I do. I like to fish. And the idea of being out on Messalonskee or Great Pond sounds very attractive right now.”

He gave her a sage wink. “I don’t think your entourage would fit in the shack with us. Maybe in another four years I’ll ask you to go ice fishing.” He headed for the door, struggling to get his goofy smile under control before he came face-to-face with Ryan or Penny.

“If you do, I’ll say yes.”

Dave stopped in his tracks. He turned slowly, his pulse rocketing. Jillian’s face was stone-cold sober as she watched him.
The look in her eyes drew him irresistibly. He took two steps toward her before he could stop himself. They stood a yard apart, eyeing each other. Jillian’s eyes flickered and she pulled in a quick breath.

He knew what he wanted to do, but duty wrapped itself around him stronger than the longing in her blue eyes.

“Jillian—”

“I know.” She raised one hand, but whether she meant to reach for him or signal him to hold his ground, he wasn’t sure. A soft tap on the door caused them both to step a few more inches apart.

“Come in,” Jillian called.

Penny opened the door, took one look at the two of them, and lowered her gaze to the rug. “I’m sorry, Governor. I didn’t know you had company. When I passed Miss Plante’s room on my rounds, she asked if I knew where you were.”

“I’m just about to retire,” Jillian said. “Please tell her I’ll be along in a minute.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Penny disappeared, but left the door open.

“Good night, Dave.”

Jillian held out her hand again, but this time there was no question of her purpose. He shook it, ignoring his desire to pull her into his arms.

“Good night, Governor. Thanks again for the coffee.”

He left without looking back. Ryan stood outside the office door. Bob must have told him where the governor was before he left and put Ryan on duty here. Why hadn’t Ryan told Penny that Dave was with the governor? Better yet, he could have simply told her the governor was still in her office and to mind her own business.

He raised his eyebrows at Ryan, barely pausing in the hall. Ryan shrugged, throwing him a silent it’s-not-my-fault plea before he looked miserably toward the open doorway.

It wasn’t worth hashing it over with Ryan, especially not now, with Jillian still in the room behind him. Dave hurried down the stairs. As he pulled on his coat near the security office, Penny came in from the game room.

“Awfully late for a briefing,” she said with a frown.

“Couldn’t help it.”

“Well, it looked as though you were both enjoying it.”

Dave stared at her. The idea that Penny was jealous shocked him. First off, he’d never given Penny any signals. Second, the idea of the elegant Jillian Goff falling for a working man like him was ludicrous.

Or was it? He pressed his lips firmly together as he zipped his jacket. The charged air in the office upstairs had nearly crackled between him and Jillian for a moment tonight.

No, he told himself. That was silly. He was just another member of her staff, like all the other EPU officers. They were almost part of the furniture.

“Good night, Penny.” He went out the side door and headed for his pickup, shaking his head. Even if he were so stupid as to try to initiate something with the person he was protecting—against EPU regulations, of course—Jillian Goff was far too smart to do something like that. She was determined to fulfill her office without making any foolish mistakes. Falling for one of her security team was the type of slipup a woman of her caliber just didn’t make.

“Y
ou’re off this case, Hutchins.”

“But, sir—”

“Off the case. What don’t you understand?”

Dave clamped his jaw shut.

Colonel Smith paced from his desk to the file cabinets at one side of the room and back. “And if you can’t behave professionally, you’ll be removed from the unit and demoted.”

Dave’s head swam. He couldn’t lose his job for eating cheesecake with Jillian at her request. Could he?

“Sir, there was no unprofessional conduct by either me or the governor Friday night.”

“Your colleagues say otherwise.”

“My colleagues?” Dave swallowed hard.

“Yes. I’ve spoken to several EPU officers assigned to the Blaine House. Apparently, this wasn’t your first cozy chat with the governor.”

Penny. She must have gone to Smith, and Smith had called in the others and grilled them. Ryan, for sure. Probably Bob and Stephanie, too. Maybe Andrew.

“Sir, if I may explain—”

“No explanation needed, Hutchins. She’s a beautiful woman. But a person hired to protect a public figure has a responsibility to keep the relationship professional.”

There was that word again. Dave stared straight ahead while the colonel continued.

“Members of this unit are the elite of the state police. It’s a highly coveted assignment, as you know. But the rules are clear. If a member of the Executive Protection Unit develops a personal relationship with a person he is responsible for protecting, it compromises his judgment. That officer cannot keep his position.” The colonel turned and glared at him.

“Sir, if I may—”

“You may not. Your duties for the next month are confined to state police headquarters. Lieutenant Wilson will give you your daily assignments. You will do whatever investigative research you can from within those walls.”

“Sir, that will curtail my usefulness to the—”

“If the other detectives have leads that you can follow discreetly, fine. But you are to have no personal contact with the governor. No phone calls, no e-mails.”

“Sir, I would never phone or e-mail the governor.”

“Good. I will review your situation at the end of one month.”

When he stopped talking, the silence hung heavy between them.

“Yes, sir,” Dave managed at last.

Thursday night Jillian entertained her old law partner, Margaret Harris, and her husband, Eric, with an informal dinner. Naomi had decided to go out with Beth’s cousin again, so only three sat down in the family dining room.

“This is all so elegant, Jillian.” Margaret surveyed the room with approval. “The food is wonderful, and I can’t see anything wrong with the service, either.”

“The staff is top-notch,” Jillian said. “I don’t have to lift a finger. Sometimes I wonder if I’m not getting lazy.”

“Lazy?” Eric laughed. “You’re working yourself to death.”

“I hope you’re not still stressed about everything that’s happened.” Margaret eyed her carefully. “You look wonderful, but if you need a break…”

“Yes, come and stay a few days with us anytime, Jillian. Get away from all this.” Eric lifted his delicate blue-and-white china cup bearing the state seal, part of the service designed especially for the governor’s residence, and sipped his coffee.

Margaret leaned toward her and lowered her voice. “You’re safe now, right?”

Jillian forced a smile. “The state police still hope to find a motive for the shootings.” She tried not to let distress show on her face.

Instead of Dave, Detective Carl Millbridge had come to the Blaine House to update her this week. Millbridge was about as cheerful and optimistic as a moose in the middle of the freeway. When she’d inquired about Dave, he had simply said Hutchins had been assigned elsewhere and would not be briefing her in the future. The session took all of five minutes. No coffee, no friendly conversation, no encouragement. No Dave.

“I think this whole thing about there being a conspiracy is crazy,” Margaret said. “The guy was nuts and now he’s dead.”

Eric shook his head. “You never know. He could have been a hit man. Best to let the cops do a thorough job of investigating.”

“Well, I certainly hope they find out for sure soon,” Margaret said. “What’s on your schedule for the next few weeks?”

A safer topic. Jillian gestured to Beth, who stood in the pantry doorway, and she silently removed their plates.

“I expect I’ll be closeted in my office at the Capitol all of next week with various committee members. We’re trying to cover a lot of ground with this session of the legislature. But I believe I’ll be let out for the opening of the Elder Exposition at the Civic Center on Thursday.”

Beth entered with a tray of pastries and fresh coffee. Jillian eyed the lemon tarts and éclairs.

“Please set that as far from me as possible after you serve my guests, Beth.”

“Yes, ma’am.” With a ghost of a smile, Beth offered the tray to Margaret and Eric, and then set it at the far end of the table within Eric’s reach.

“And there’s a memorial service Sunday afternoon for the trooper who was killed in the line of duty last week.”

“Tragic thing,” Margaret said.

“Yes. A terrible loss.” Jillian crumpled her napkin and exhaled. That would be one of her most challenging public appearances. She had labored hard over the words she would speak to the dead trooper’s family. She sent up a silent prayer for God’s peace and guidance.

She was all nerves today, feeling out of sorts. And she knew exactly why. She had come to look forward to her meetings with Dave, because he grounded her, he kept her calm. The thought of no longer seeing him regularly—or at all—was almost more than she could stand. She needed to see him and find out what had happened.

Dave saw Jillian across the large auditorium. She inched toward the front of the church, surrounded by clergymen and EPU officers. For a second a pain slashed through him. He should be one of those closest to her, ensuring her safety, ready to comfort her if the tragic situation overwhelmed her.

He shook himself—it was exactly that kind of thinking that got him in trouble. He took his place to one side of the door. Another trooper, also in full dress uniform, stood gravely on the other side. Several more officers formed an honor guard on the steps of the church outside.

He sent up a swift prayer for the slain officer’s family, and
another for Jillian.
Lord, she’s in Your hands. Please keep her safe. And help me not to think of myself as more important than I am. She doesn’t need me, and that’s a good thing. Thank You, though, for letting me get to know her.

At that moment, before taking her seat beside the deceased’s widow, Jillian turned and scanned the auditorium. Her eyes rested on Dave just for an instant. Then she looked away and began talking to someone.

Did she even know why he’d kept aloof all week? Why he’d stopped coming to the Blaine House? What had Carl told her about him when he’d gone to update her? Or had she even asked? Yes, she had. She must have. She would want to know.

He was determined to stop thinking about her for the next hour, and at all costs to avoid staring at her. Enough trouble had come his way. His career was at stake, not to mention Jillian’s reputation. He mustn’t give any indication that he cared about her in a personal way.

Sheer grit got him through the memorial service. Afterward, the church emptied, and the honor guard was dismissed to follow the hearse to the crypt. As he walked with several other officers toward the waiting car, Andrew ran across the snowy parking lot to catch him.

“Dave, wait up!”

Andrew wore plain clothes today, fulfilling his role with Stephanie as one of Jillian’s closest guards. His face was red from his exertion and the cold.

“What’s up?” Dave asked, stopping a few feet from the car and letting the other men go ahead without him.

“The governor.” Andrew cast a quick look over his shoulder. “She wants you to have tea with her and Miss Plante tomorrow.”

Dave looked past him. Jillian was already in the Lincoln. Stephanie slid into the backseat and closed the door.

“I can’t, Andrew.”

“Busy?”

Dave frowned at him. “Don’t you know? The colonel reassigned me. I can’t talk to the governor.”

Andrew’s puzzled look told him that word hadn’t gotten around the unit as quickly as he’d assumed it would.

“I’m not allowed to speak to her,” Dave repeated.

Andrew’s eyes grew round. “For real?”

Dave nodded. “Just tell her that I’m sorry, but I’ve been reassigned. Against my wishes,” he added. Looking closely at Andrew to make sure he understood, taking a risk.

Andrew nodded and extended his hand.

“Sorry, man,” he said. “I’m sure whatever this is will blow over.”

“Thanks. Let’s hope so.”

Lieutenant Wilson flagged Dave down after the EPU’s daily briefing two weeks later.

“Hutchins, I need you to fill in for Ryan Mills this afternoon.”

Dave smiled. “Sure.” Any change would be good. He was already sick of shuffling reports in the office and would be glad to get out into the fresh air.

Wilson hesitated and glanced toward the door. “Look, we both know what you’re in the doghouse for. But I’m desperate here.”

Dave stopped breathing for a moment.

“It’s just for this afternoon—I’ll assign someone else to take over Mills’s duties for the rest of the week. Somehow, his vacation schedule slipped by me. But if you can be at the governor’s office at quarter to five and help escort her home for the night, it will get me off the hook.”

“Sure.”

Wilson looked at Dave closely, frowned and rubbed his left eyebrow. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.”

“I assure you, I’ll stick to regulations, sir,” Dave said quickly.

Wilson gritted his teeth. “The colonel expressly said that he doesn’t want you on Blaine House duty.”

“With all due respect, sir, the only thing I’m guilty of is having a piece of cheesecake at the governor’s request during a briefing. That’s it.”

Wilson sighed and lowered the clipboard. “Okay, but keep this low-profile. Just stay with her until the night shift arrives, and then get out of there. And keep your distance. You drive. There’ll be another officer with you.” He squinted down at the list in his hand. “Caruthers. Once you get her home, let Caruthers stick close to the governor. You can make the rounds of the perimeter.”

“Thanks for trusting me, Lieutenant.”

Wilson sighed and shook his head. “I’ll probably take some flak if the colonel finds out, but it would take me an hour to switch everyone’s schedule around. That’s if I could find someone off duty who would come in. I’m counting on you, Hutchins.”

“I understand, sir.” Dave headed back to his desk, restraining himself from pumping a victorious fist in the air.

Vera Clark had come to spend a couple of nights in the mansion with her daughter. At dinner that evening, Vera and Naomi kept up a steady stream of chatter. Jillian forced herself not to look toward the doorway every few seconds. She firmly declined dessert, even though Amelia, the chef, had made her signature apple pie. She sipped black coffee as Beth served her mother and Naomi their dessert.

Dave’s appearance at the statehouse early that evening had surprised her. Lettie had come into her office and closed the door.

“Detectives Caruthers and Hutchins are here to escort you home whenever you’re ready.”

“Dave?” she’d said, sounding like an excited high school girl.

“That’s correct.” Lettie smiled and exited as quietly as she’d come.

Jillian was glad she’d had warning. It gave her a few minutes to school her features and get her pulse under control before she announced that she was ready to leave for the night. While Bob Caruthers seemed like a diligent civil servant, she couldn’t be sure he wasn’t the one who had made trouble for Dave. She’d ruled out Stephanie. Andrew had seemed stunned by Dave’s suspension. That left Bob, Penny and Ryan as candidates for “most likely to rat on your colleague.”

Unless one of the Blaine House staff had said something. Beth? The chef? One of the maids? Jillian was on good terms with all of them and couldn’t imagine any of them lodging a complaint. Especially when the “crime” was so innocuous. A cup of coffee and cheesecake with an EPU officer. Not even one on protection duty.

Okay, several cups of coffee, and a couple of heart-to-heart talks. She knew the protocol. Elected officials were not to advance personal relationships with those who served them. She had crossed a very thin line and embarked on a wonderful friendship with Dave, which had now been torn away from them. She missed him terribly. Knowing he was somewhere in the building made it extremely hard to concentrate on what her mother was saying.

“That will be charming, Naomi.” Her mother looked at Jillian. “Are you all right, dear? You look a little pale.”

“I’m fine.” Jillian placed her cup carefully on the blue-and-white saucer.