Love Inspired Suspense January 2014 (15 page)

“You haven't been doing things on your own. I've been in the background, making sure you were in safe locations, keeping my eye on the people who might want to harm you, offering you advice on how to stay secure and move under the radar. Have you forgotten that?”

“No, and I'm grateful for it. But when push comes to shove, I'm still the one who is responsible for Sophia.”

“True, but I don't think that your need to protect your daughter is the real issue.” He glanced in the rearview mirror again and exited the interstate.

“And I'm sure you're going to tell me what the real issue is.”

“Why not? We've got a little time,” he said.

If he'd been anyone else, she'd have thought he was joking, but he looked dead serious, his jaw tight, his expression hard.

“Well?” she demanded. “Go ahead. Tell me why I don't trust you.”

“You judge every man according to what your husband did. He lied, so we all must lie. He betrayed your trust, so obviously, we all are going to. You're so busy trying to make sure you're not fooled again that you're putting up walls that don't need to be there, protecting yourself from things you don't need to be protected from.”

That's not true,
she wanted to say.

But it
was.

“Nothing to say to that?” he asked quietly, the hard edge gone from his voice.

Maybe he regretted his words, but they'd been said, and he couldn't take them back. Besides, he was right. She
was
trying to protect herself and Sophia, guarding her heart because she was afraid to have it broken again.

“No,” she finally said.

“At least you're not denying it.”

“I'm not going to change it, either. I have a right to the way I feel, Hunter. I have a responsibility to myself and Sophia. It is
my
job to make sure that she's secure and safe. Not yours or anyone else's. That has nothing to do with what Joe did.”

“It has everything to do with it. If he hadn't died, you'd be living in the little house on Pine Street. You'd be tripping over the loose piece of linoleum in the laundry room every day and cooking on the stove that only had two working burners. You'd be tutoring in the evening and babysitting during the day, and doing everything you could to make something pleasant out of your life.”

“So what?” she snapped, angry because he'd made her former life sound petty and small. “I liked my life. I loved my little house. I enjoyed tutoring and babysitting.”

“Exactly,” he agreed. “And Joe took it all away. Like I said earlier, you have every right to be angry. But you can't paint every man with the broad stroke of your husband's betrayal. If you do, you may miss out on some great things.”

She stared out the window, her head throbbing with every heartbeat, her eyes burning with tears. She was angry, and no matter how many times she'd prayed that God would help her forgive and move on, she couldn't seem to do either. Not completely.

She pressed her forehead against cool glass and closed her eyes. Hunter was right, but she didn't know how to do things differently. She didn't know how to lower her guard and let herself go back to being the way she'd been before. Trusting and young and filled with dreams. She wasn't sure she wanted to go back to being that person. She might be jaded, but she was stronger. She might have learned some hard lessons, but she'd grown wiser from them.

The car stopped, and she opened her eyes, surprised to see trees and playground equipment. A park of some sort, the area around it dotted with baseball fields and volleyball courts. “Where are we?”

“The suburbs, about fifty miles from my place. I thought you and Sophia could use a little fresh air.”

“Is she here?” The thought of letting Sophia toddle around the playground lifted her mood, but the tightness in her chest didn't ease and the throbbing in her head didn't stop.

“She will be soon. I called Serena while you were meeting with Antonio. She's the only one who knows the location of the park. Josh will be with her, but I asked her not to tell him. The fewer people who know where you are, the safer you'll be.”

“I...don't know what to say,” she admitted. She'd expected to go straight back to his place. She'd thought she'd be spending the next couple of weeks locked inside. Going to the park with Sophia was a gift she couldn't quite believe she was getting.

“You don't have to say anything, but you do have to
do
something,” he responded. “Local law enforcement did a sweep of the area. Everything looks good, but while we're here, whatever I say goes. Don't question it, don't doubt it, don't try to do it your own way.”

“Okay.”

A dark sedan pulled into the space beside theirs, and Annie could see Serena in the driver's seat. She put her hand on the door handle, ready to get her daughter, but Hunter grabbed her wrist.

“That's an easy answer, Annie,” he murmured. “A quick one, but it's not going to be so easy to follow through if there's trouble. I want your promise. Whatever happens, you do things my way. Here. At my place. At trial. Wherever and whenever. No more playing maverick. No more trying to go it on your own.”

“So, you're bribing me with a trip to the park with my daughter? I promise or I don't get to spend some time outside with Sophia?”

He frowned, his eyes flashing with irritation. “You're getting your time at the park either way, but I want your word because I know it means something for you to give it, and because I don't want to spend the next two weeks worrying that something is going to go down, and you're going to run off half-cocked again.”

She could have refused. She knew it. Even if she had, he'd have let go of her wrist, allowed her out of the car. She'd have gotten Sophia and brought her to the swings, and spent a few precious minutes enjoying the sunshine and the cold, crisp air.

But the irritation in his eyes couldn't hide his concern. It couldn't hide the gentle caress of his thumb across the tender skin at the base of her hand. An unconscious gesture, she was sure, but she felt it deep in her soul, where all the dreams she'd built with Joe had lived. It begged those dreams to come to life again.

She couldn't let them, but she could acknowledge that Hunter cared. That no matter what, he wouldn't betray the trust she put in him.

“Okay,” she finally said, her throat clogged with emotions she didn't want to feel. “I promise.”

He nodded and released his hold.

It seemed as though there should have been more to say, but time was ticking and Sophia was waiting, the cold air and sweet sunshine begging to be enjoyed.

Everything else could be dealt with later.

Right now, all she wanted was a few precious minutes in the park with her daughter.

FIFTEEN

I
t had been worth it.

That was the conclusion Hunter came to as he watched Annie help Sophia down the slide for what seemed like the twentieth time. Sophia giggled, the sound ringing through the quiet park.

He'd had to pull some strings, ask a few friends from the St. Louis P.D. to help out, but seeing Annie relaxed and happy made it worthwhile.

“I've got to admit, I was a little doubtful when you told me about this,” Serena said, her hip resting against the car. She still wore jeans and a fitted T-shirt, her wool coat concealing her firearm. She looked relaxed and natural, but she never stopped scanning the area.

“And now?” he asked, signaling to Josh. Five minutes and they'd have to leave. A half hour wasn't much time, but it was better than being cooped up inside all day.

“It was a good idea. The kid has been fussy all day. I think she just needed some fresh air and sunshine.” She shrugged, tucking her hands into the pockets of her coat. “Of course, we all might freeze to death while she's getting it, but it's nice to see her happy. Annie looks happy, too. Dual benefits.”

“Exactly.”

“You're worried she's going to run before trial, aren't you?”

“I think she'll stick around. I'm just worried that things are getting to her.”

“What things?” Serena asked, her gaze tracking a man and his girlfriend who were jogging through the park.

“Being cooped up with a toddler for one. Being cut off from her family and friends for another.”

“She knew what she was getting into when she said she'd testify, Hunter. Everything was explained in detail.” Like him, Serena played by the rules, and she didn't have a lot of sympathy for the men and women in protective custody.

Do the job. Get them to trial. Move on to the next job.

“That doesn't mean it's been easy for her.”

“Maybe Burke is right,” she said, suddenly turning her attention to him, her brown eyes looking straight into his.

“About?” He didn't really need to ask.

“You going soft.”

“When did he tell you that?”

“Right after you left this morning,” she responded unapologetically. They were a tight-knit group. It went without saying that they would talk about each other, and it went without saying that no one would be offended by that.

“He could be right,” Hunter admitted. There was no sense in trying to hide the truth. As long as he played by the book, it didn't matter how he felt about Annie and Sophia.

Serena eyed him for a moment, her gaze steady and maybe a little surprised. “Is this going to affect the case? Do you want to hand it over to someone else?”

“No. On both counts.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

“Nothing. I may feel a little differently about this case than I have about others, but I'm going to conduct myself the way I always have.”

She nodded, her attention back on the playground and the area surrounding it. She didn't question him further. He hadn't expected that she would. They'd worked together for long enough to build the kind of trust that took a lot to shake.

He glanced at his watch. The half hour that he'd allotted was over, the sun just beginning to slide below the trees. It was time to go. No matter how much he wanted to let Annie and Sophia stay for a while, he wouldn't veer from the plan.

“I'd better get them so we can go back to the safe house,” he said.

“I'll warm up the car. They can both ride with me. That'll be easier than moving the car seat.”

True, but he would have preferred to have them both in his SUV. Discussing it would waste more time, though. Besides, Serena's plan was a lot more logical than his. As much as he hated to admit it, that was the truth.

Annie and Sophia were still at the slide, Sophia's excited chatter ringing through the quiet evening. There weren't many other people at the park. Early January was too chilly, the air heavy with winter.

Annie looked over her shoulder as he approached, her face bathed in gold from the setting sun.

She smiled. “I guess it's time to go, huh?”

“I'm afraid so.” He caught Sophia as she reached the end of the slide, lifting her high into the air and smiling as she giggled.

“Ready to go home, squirt?” he asked.

“Home!” she repeated, but he doubted she really wanted to go back to his guest room. She didn't have much in the way of toys or books there.

“Are you going to take a nap when we get there? Ms. Serena said you didn't sleep at all today,” Annie said as she took Sophia from his arms.

“No nap!” Sophia said. “Slide!”

“I wish I could let you stay longer, but a half hour is all we can do.” Hunter touched the small of Annie's back, urging her across the playground.

“I'm just thankful we got any time at all,” Annie responded. “It's been months since we've been to the playground. Sophia really enjoyed herself.”

“You looked like you were enjoying yourself, too.” She still did, her cheeks tinged pink from the cold, her eyes sparkling. Her hair had come out of its ponytail and hung in wild waves to her shoulders. He wanted to smooth the silky strands, let his hands tangle in the soft curls.

“I am. This is the most fun we've had in a while, isn't it, Sophia?” She smiled at her daughter, her expression soft and open. She looked young and sweet, and he thought it would be way too easy to hurt her.

“Once the trial is over, you'll be able to spend a lot more time doing things like this together,” he assured her.

“I hope so, but if there's one thing I've learned from Joe's death it's that there are no guarantees. That being the case, I'll just be happy with today.” She set Sophia into the car seat and buckled her in, then slid into the seat beside her.

“Everyone set?” Josh asked as he jogged toward them.

Serena opened the driver's door and got in without responding. Hunter wanted to think she hadn't heard, but he thought it was more likely that she'd ignored the question. He'd have to talk to her about it eventually, but they had more pressing things to deal with.

“Yes. We're set,” he said, closing Annie's door. “I'll follow you guys back to the house.”

“Why don't you ride along with Serena? I can drive your car to your place,” Josh suggested, glancing at Serena, a frown pulling at the corners of his mouth. He looked tired, his eyes deeply shadowed.

“Is there a reason why you want me to do that?”

“You're more familiar to Sophia and Annie. It seems like it would be more comfortable for them.”

Hunter didn't point out that both were plenty familiar with Josh. He'd just as soon be in the car if something happened, so he pulled out his keys and handed them over. “Don't scratch the paint,” he warned.

Josh laughed. “I'll do my best not to, but if there's trouble, I can't make any promises.”

“If there's trouble, I don't care what happens to the SUV. Just make sure that all your attention is on keeping Annie and Sophia safe.” He rounded the car and slid into the backseat.

“Buckle up,” Serena commanded. She didn't comment on Josh's offer or Hunter's acceptance. They were moving forward with the plan, sticking to the program. Just the way they always did.

Serena pulled out of the parking area. Hunter didn't have to look to know that Josh was following. He'd stick close as they made their way back to the house. Burke would be there waiting. Everything was running smoothly, but Hunter couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that trouble was just around the corner.

They drove through a residential area, then merged onto the interstate, heading back to the city. Dusk settled blue-gray over the road, the sun's last golden rays dappling the pavement and the buildings.

A quiet winter evening. If he'd been married, he'd be looking forward to getting home to his family. If he had a nine-to-five job, marriage might have been a possibility.

Sophia grabbed his sleeve.

“Hunt!” she said, her chubby cheeks still pink from the cold. He'd never pictured himself with kids, but if he had, he'd have probably imagined a little girl like Sophia.

“Did you have fun on the slide?” he asked.

“Yes!” she shouted, her high-pitched voice more familiar to him than the voices of his nieces and nephews were. He figured he could pick her out of a crowd blindfolded just by listening to her talk. Being around someone almost constantly would do that to a person.

“You ready to go home and have something to eat?”

“Cookies?” she asked, her eyes the same deep blue as her mother's.

“I don't think your mom is going to let you eat cookies before dinner.” He glanced at Annie. She was staring out the window and seemed deep in thought, but he was pretty certain she'd heard his comment.

He'd hoped that going to the park would cheer her up, help her relax a little, but she still seemed tense.

“Annie?” he said, and she met his eyes. Like her daughter, she had cold-tinged cheeks, the pink making her eyes look even bluer. “Sophia wants cookies for dinner.”

She touched Sophia's dark curls, her hand trembling slightly. She seemed scared, but he wasn't sure why. She was safer in the car than she'd been at the park. “I don't think so, sweetie. We'll have cookies another night.”

“No. Now!” Sophia crowed.

“You can help Mommy cook. We'll make macaroni and...” Annie's voice trailed off and the pink in her cheeks deepened. “Sorry,” she said, meeting his eyes. “I'm getting ahead of myself. All that fresh air almost made me forget that we don't have the freedom we used to.”

“You'll have it back soon enough,” Serena said before Hunter could.

Annie had been reminded of that a few too many times. She kept the thought to herself and looked out the window again. She'd enjoyed every minute of the time they'd spent at the park, and she wasn't going to complain that it was over.

She'd go home, feed Sophia and hopefully put her to bed early. She needed some time to unwind, to read her Bible, to pray and think about the future. There were so many possibilities opened up to her, so many places she could go. A shiver of excitement raced through her at the thought. As hard as it was to go on without Joe, she would soon have the freedom to make any decision she wanted, to go anywhere she felt led.

That was a heady feeling and a big responsibility.

“You okay?” Hunter murmured, reaching across the car seat and touching her arm.

She had no choice but to look at him, to see the deep dark brown of his eyes, the familiar angle of his jaw. She wanted to touch the stubble there, let her fingers trace the soft curve of his mouth.

“Just thinking about the future. About all the possibilities that are out there,” she admitted.

“Getting excited about leaving town?”

“That, too.”

“I can have some real-estate brochures brought in. You can look at places in some of the rural towns in the states you said you've wanted to live in,” he suggested, and that shiver of excitement shot through her again.

“I'll need a job before I get a house.”

“We'll help you work everything out,” Serena said, smiling into the rearview mirror. She had an easy manner and a kindness that Annie appreciated. If the circumstances were different, they'd be friends.

“I appreciate it, but after the trial, I want to—”

Hunter's cell phone rang.

“Hold on,” he said, taking his phone from his pocket. “Davis here.”

He paused, his gaze on Annie.

She couldn't hear the caller, but Hunter's eyes narrowed, his expression suddenly hard and tight. “All right. I'll swing by as soon as we get Annie and Sophia back to the safe house,” he finally said.

He shoved the phone back into his pocket.

“What's going on?” Serena asked before Annie could.

“There's been some trouble at Antonio's place.”

“What kind of trouble?” Serena frowned.

“An explosive device at his house. His wife saw the package on their front porch. It looked suspicious, so she called him. He called the police.”

“And?”

“The bomb squad was called out, and the device was discovered and disarmed without anyone being hurt.”

“Thank goodness,” Annie murmured.

“Yeah. The package contained low-level explosives. Probably not enough to kill someone.”

“Probably? That means it
could
have killed someone,” Annie pointed out. “It has to be connected to the explosion yesterday.”

“We don't know that,” Hunter responded, but from the look on his face, she'd say that he believed it. She'd also say that there was more to the story.

“Something else is going on,” she said. “What is it?”

“There was something inside the package with the explosives.”

“What?”

“A doll's head.”

Serena muttered something under her breath, but Annie was too stunned to speak.

“An evidence team is taking it to the lab for testing, but Burke is on-site, and he says it looks like it's a match for the doll body that was thrown into the safe-house yard.”

“Any note with this one?” Serena asked. Obviously,
she
wasn't haven't any trouble speaking.

“No, but if the match is confirmed, I'd say the message was pretty clear.”

“It might be clear now, but it would have been difficult to get if the doll head had gotten blown to bits.” Serena turned onto Hunter's court. The house was just a few hundred yards in front of the car. For the first time since she'd entered witness protection, Annie couldn't wait to be behind a closed and locked door.

“The evidence team would have found the connection. Whoever left the package was smart enough to know that.” Hunter rubbed the back of his neck, his scowl deepening. “He couldn't find Annie, so he made sure to get his point across in another way.”