Blind Witness (10 page)

“The guy is clever and he’s smart,” Todd put in. “He knows his devices. We’re checking the ex-military records in the area. We’re still running the name Aubrey. Personnel gave us three names that worked for the company in the last two years. Our psychologist figures it’s not any further back than that. So far, the only weakness he’s showing is Miss Harris.”

“She seems to be our best connection, but Dr. Lewis is getting concerned this guy might swing. She thinks your decision to stay away from her is wise but also says it may not matter. If he takes it in his mind she’s helping us, or you too much, he could flip.”

“And then?” Britt was afraid he already knew the answer.

“Then, he’d want to punish her. Miss Harris would become a target with you. The only problem is she is still our best source of leads. I think it would be a good idea if she talked with as many people as possible, if not with you, on her own.”

“No, I’m not giving him any reason to turn on her. Especially, if Dr. Lewis thinks he’s getting volatile.”

There was a knock on the door and it opened. “Mr.
Clairbourne,” his personal assistant stepped in. “I think you’d better see this? Darrell held out the morning newspaper, folded open to the society section. The set of photos caught Britt’s attention before the caption. The first was in the lobby after the press conference when he had pulled Rachelle to him. The next was when he caught her at the bus stop. His hand cupped her face. Looking at the picture, it looked like he was about to kiss her. The last showed him helping Rachelle into his car, her hand in his. Again her face turned up to him. The picture was classically beautiful even in black and white.

His eyes shifted from the pictures to the caption. ‘In Times of Trouble, Life is Going Good for
Clairbourne.’ The first line read, ‘Who is the new woman in Britton Clairbourne’s life? Could, in the midst of all the turmoil, one of the most eligible bachelors fallen? If it’s true, Mr. Clairbourne looks to be a lucky man.’

“A lucky man,” he repeated out loud. “Come on.” He came out of the chair and around the desk with the newspaper still in hand, letting the men follow. He knew Rachelle was in. He had already checked with security. They had followed her from the bus to her office.

Not waiting for the elevator, he ran down the two flights. “A reporter put some pictures of Rachelle and me together in the paper,” he said to the men behind him.

The noise in the large office room stopped as he came through the door, but several people had newspapers on their desk, and he knew he and Rachelle were the topic. Ignoring them, he headed down the hall.

“I told you, I wasn’t seeing things,” Lois said again. “It’s right here in black and white. No one’s going to doubt there’s something going on between you two.”

“He doesn’t even want to see me.” Rachelle couldn’t keep some of the pain she was feeling from slipping out.

“It’s not that he doesn’t want to, he’s protecting you.”

“Part of me believes that, but part of me−” She let it hang, but Lois finished for her.

“Thinks, he can’t possibly want you. That’s the jerk you were engaged to talking.”

“Maybe, but−” the phone rang halting her answer. “Clair−”

“You lied!” The words came sharp as daggers in her ear before she could finish the greeting. “You lied. You knew the flowers were from me. That’s why you gave them away. You lied.”

“No,” Rachelle gasped, terror filling her, but he wasn’t listening.

“You love him! You lied to me. Made me think you were innocent, but you’re not. You’re not an angel. You’re with him. You love him,” he yelled in the phone.

Rachelle couldn’t deny what she knew was true. “Please, you have to stop this.”

“I’ve just begun,” the man growled out cruelly, and then slammed down the phone in her ear.

“Rachelle.”

Rachelle jumped when Britt called her name from behind, and she turned reaching for him. She was caught, lifted out of the chair and into his arms. Shudders swept through her as she clung to him. “He saw the picture in the newspaper,” she mumbled against his neck.

“It’s okay,” Britt soothed, and she felt his lips brush her cheek.

“No, he’s crazy,” she cried, pressing tighter to him. “I think he’s going to do something. He didn’t say it, but I know he is.”

“
Shhh.” Britt rubbed his hands over her back. “We’ll face that when it happens.”

“Where’s the transcript?”
Laslow barked out, making her jerk. Britt sent him a glare over her shoulder, but she still pulled back.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t.
When he yelled, I … I.”

“It’s all right.” Britt pulled her back to him. “Just tell us what he said.”

“He kept saying I lied. That I knew the roses were from him. And that was why I gave them away. That I was helping you, that I loved you, and that I wasn’t his angel. He said that he had just begun. I know he’s going to do something.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll stop him. From now on you stay with me and we’ll try to find his voice, if you think that you’re up to it.”

“Yes.” There was a quiver in her voice but no doubt in her resolve.

“Then let’s give you a tour of
Clairbourne Industries.”

“I thought that you didn’t want me with you.”

“I want you with me. I just didn’t want you in danger. Now, I’m afraid you’re not safe no matter what. My first instinct is to send you away.”

“I won’t go.”

“I know, so I would rather keep you close, so I can look after you. I know that sounds egotistical and domineering, but it’s how it is.”

“All right,” Rachelle said simply, laying her head back down on his chest, while Britt continued to coordinate with the officers and security chief standing at the edge of the room.

Britt turned to the officers. “Where do you think we should start, here at the main office or where the first explosion was?”

“I’d say here. First, print a list out of all the male employees then mark them off as you eliminate them,” Todd suggested.

“With your permission,” Adams cut in, “We’d like to bring the dogs into check this building. I think Miss Harris is right. He’s going to do something, and he’s moving closer toward you.”

“Should we evacuate the building?” Britt asked, almost losing his train of thought when the hand that Rachelle had resting on his chest, slid down and around his waist.

“No, let us check it out first. If there’s something to worry about, we’ll let you know.”

“All right, Harlan can take you around.”

The security chief nodded and all three men left the room.

“I think I’ll get some fresh air,” Lois said, following the men out, leaving Rachelle and Britt alone.

“That woman deserves a bonus.” Britt’s voice dropped low, with a husky tone.

“What?” Rachelle tilted her head back.

“You didn’t even know what you did.” Seeing her confusion, he continued. “Maybe I can show you.” He moved one hand from her back to place it on her rib cage. He could feel her breathing pick up and it excited him. Letting his hand slide down, he let his hand linger there. Her breath caught as he slid it around her waist. A small gasp escaped her, and she trembled.

“Yes,” Britt tightened his hold.

“I’m sorry,” she said breathless. Her head rested back down. “I just wanted to feel …” She broke off as his other hand came up to cup her face. Tilting it up, he lightly kissed her lips.

“You don’t have to ever apologize for that. There’s this connection between us. It’s special.”

“Do you believe that?”

“Yes, I do.” He kissed her again. “We’d better stop this. We have people to talk to.”

Rachelle knew they caused a stir when they came into the cafeteria together. Most everyone had seen or knew about the newspaper, but obviously no one ever really put them together seriously. Now there was no way to miss how Britt kept in constant contact with her, either holding her hand, elbow, or his hand on her waist.

Britt stopped at each table greeting people and talking casually. Rachelle thought of what a diplomat he made. Unfortunately, none of the voices were the one they wanted to hear. After eating, they started going through the rest of the floors again. Rachelle was surprised how easily Britt talked to his employees and how many people he knew by name.

As the afternoon wore on, frustration set in a little. “I really thought this would work,” Rachelle said to him.

“Give it time.”

“I guess I just didn’t realize how many employees work here.”

“In this building, we have approximately seven-hundred and eighty people, but in the whole company, at this location there’s approximately two-thousand.”

“You know, I think I knew that, but it just didn’t seem like that many until I was trying to listen for one voice.”

“Do you still think you can pick out his voice?”

“Yes, but so far no one is even close.”

“Well, we’re done with the first and second floor. Do you want to head to the third floor or are you ready for a break?” His cell phone rang before she could answer.

“It sounds like you’re needed elsewhere,” she said, waiting while he answered the phone.

“I’ll be right there,” he said, a second later. “I’ve got to go upstairs.” He took her hand. “I’d like you to go downstairs and wait by the security desk in the lobby for me.”

“What is it?” She held him back as he started to go. “Britt?”

“The police found a bomb upstairs.”

“You can’t go up there.” She clutched at him, fear coursing up her spine.

“It’s all right. I won’t be near it. They’ve started evacuating the building. I want you downstairs before there’s too much confusion.”

“But?”

“Don’t worry.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll be down for you in a few minutes. Just wait there at the security desk.” He saw her to the elevator and then headed up as she headed down.

“Miss Harris,” Rachelle heard her name as the elevator doors opened.

“Yes,” she answered it hesitantly.

“I’m Dustin Warren from security. I’m supposed to see you to the security desk and wait with you until it’s safe.”

“Oh, that’s not necessary,” she tried to decline as people began to flow from the stairs.

“Mr. Clairbourne called down and insisted. If you’ll come this way.” He led her out of the crowd.

“That’s some cold you have,” she commented for something to say.

“Not a cold, allergies.”

“Sounds bad.”

“I’ve had them about two weeks. The medicine the doctor gave me makes me drowsy so I can’t take it while I’m on duty. Why don’t you have a seat here?”

“Thank you. Do you know what’s happening upstairs?”

“No, but there shouldn’t be anything to worry about, you’re safe down here.”

Rachelle felt a shiver ripple through her. “I don’t feel safe. I wish this would end.”

“I’m sure it will soon.”

“I hope so.” Rachelle fell silent, waiting anxiously as the minutes ticked by. She was so locked in her thoughts she jumped out of her seat when she finally heard Britt say her name.

“It’s all right,” he murmured into her ear as his arms encompassed her. “The bomb squad has removed the bomb safely. They’re checking the building over again, but it looks like it’s over. I’m sending everyone home. I just have to talk to the detectives a minute then I’ll take you home.” He let his hand slide down her arm, taking her hand.

“May I stay with you?” She held tightly.

After a second, he pressed his lips to her cheek. “Right by my side?”

“Yes.”

His lips slid over her mouth. “Let’s go.”

****

It felt good to be back in familiar territory when Britt walked her down the hall toward her apartment.

“Looks like you have a delivery,” Britt said, as they approached her door. “Are you expecting something?”

“No, who’s it from?”

“Matthew Harris.”

“Oh, that’s my dad.” She reached for the package.

“I have it.”

Inside the apartment, Rachelle turned on the light for him then followed him into the kitchen. “I wonder what it could be. My parents just left to go to a cousin’s wedding.”

Britt slit the tough tape and watched as Rachelle pulled back the packing. She started to reach inside, when he caught her fingers, pulling them back.

“Britt?”

“Don’t touch it, Rachelle.”

“What’s wrong? What is it?”

“It’s just broken and I don’t want you to get cut on the sharp edges.”

“What is it? Britt!” She stressed when he didn’t answer.

“I don’t think it’s from your parents.”

“What is it?” she repeated.

“A figurine.”
He paused then sighed. “It’s broken.”

“You don’t think it was broken by accident?” Waiting for the answer, Rachelle got a sinking feeling.

“It’s a porcelain angel.”

“Oh, I’ll call the police station and see about getting it picked up.” There was a slight tremor in her voice, but it was nothing compared to the trembling that ran through Britt as he looked down at the broken angel, smeared with red stuff that he sincerely hoped was not blood. The message was clear. Rachelle was on his marked list.

Thirty minutes later, the package had been sent to the lab. Detective Adams reentered the apartment after questioning people in the building that might have seen something. “No luck.”

Rachelle sat on the couch holding a flower stem with three bright pink blossoms on it. Britt’s arm encircled her.

“We know the package was placed there before noon. One of your neighbors noticed it there then,” the detective continued.

“So not long after the newspaper came out and the phone call.”

“No, if he does work at Clairbourne Industries, he probably did it on his lunch break. It would only take him about twenty-five to thirty minutes to get here and back.”

“He knows her address and her father’s name,” Britt said.

“He possibly has access to her file. It may help cut down the suspects, but if he’s good enough with computers, he could access it from anywhere.”

Britt nodded, “I still don’t like it.”

“We’ll have extra watches in the neighborhood tonight,” the detective assured.

“Good idea. I don’t like that the guy’s anger is focused on her.”

“I agree. We’ll do all we can to keep her safe.” With that he said good-bye. Britt saw him out. He returned to find Rachelle in the kitchen with a frown on her face.

“What’s wrong?” He came up, sliding his arm around her.

“I was trying to decide what to fix for supper. With everything happening, I forgot to call in a grocery order.”

“It’s all right. I was planning on taking you out.” He pressed his lips to her temple. “I think we need an evening out.”

“But−”

He cut her off, placing a finger over her lips. “You’re not going to say you can’t go. We’ve already proved your fine by going out with pizza and lunch today.”

She still looked like she would object, and then smiled brightly. “Do I need to change?”

“Well, I think you look gorgeous, but if you have some sexy evening gown you want to put on for me, I won’t object.”

“I don’t know about sexy but …”

“If it’s on you, it will be sexy.” He didn’t hold back the wicked tone from his voice.

****