Blind Witness (5 page)

“You’re certain it’s from our guy?”

“Yes, when I felt the angel I knew.”

“Felt, you touched it?” He snapped.

“Yes, I’m blind, but it’s what he calls me, Angel Voice.”

“All right, ma’am, I’m sending someone right over to pick it up. Please don’t handle it further.”

“I won’t.” It was said with easy certainty. Rachelle put the phone down and stood a moment trying to still her breathing. Deciding some music would help calm her, she put on the CD her sister gave her for her birthday and went to fix dinner. She was interrupted by the arrival of the officer, who took her statement and the package.

After dinner she called her sister Joann, who she had missed talking to the day before. They went through the normal things; family, work. She didn’t mention the calls and attacks. Though her family had heard of the bombing on the news, she didn’t want them to know she had any involvement, and assured her sister she hadn’t been anywhere near it.

“So have you met any new and exciting men lately?” Joann teased.

“As a matter of a fact, yes, I have.” Rachelle couldn’t resist answering.

“You have! Tell!”

“Well, he’s tall, dark and handsome,” Rachelle started.

“Oh, come on, don’t tease. I want to know.” Joann almost pleaded.

“He is. He’s also very nice, though he does have quite a domineering side though.”

“Where’d you meet him? Is he safe?”

Safe wasn’t a word she’d use to describe Britton Clairbourne, but he did make her feel that way. “He’s a very good man, hard working. I met him at work. He came to my office because of some problems with a message.”

“You’re dating?”

“No, but we did go out to dinner.”

“You went out. This man must be something.”

“It’s really nothing.” Rachelle was beginning to feel uncomfortable. “He wanted to ask me some questions and offered me a ride home and we stopped for pizza.”

“That’s all?”

“Yes.”

“You sure you won’t be seeing him again?” Joann sounded so disappointed, Rachelle almost felt like crying herself. Especially after what Lois said, about Britt liking her. He probably did as an employee.

“He’s my boss.”

“Mr. Matthews, he’s not tall.”

“No, Mr. Clairbourne.”

“You had dinner with Britton
Clairbourne?” The air of shock hung heavy.

“Yes.”

“That man is a serious hunk. Wow!”

“What would Robert say to you talking like that?”

“I’m married, not dead. Besides Robert knows I think he’s the only hunk for me. But wow, you had dinner with one of the most eligible bachelors in the state.”

“It was nothing. He was being nice,” Rachelle insisted feeling a flush of warmth on her face.

****

Britt shoved a hand back through his hair. He wondered what Rachelle would say if he stopped by this late at night. Glancing at his watch, he realized she was probably asleep, snug in bed. He wished he was. He’d been so busy fighting damage control he had yet to eat.

Their guy had made his statement. This time the bomb was set on the sculpture in the quad. But the psycho had been wrong, someone had gotten hurt. A custodian coming across had got hit by a piece of flying cement. It was minor, six stitches, but the first blood was drawn.

Britt proceeded across the quad glancing toward what was left of the statue.

“We’re done here for now.” Detective Todd came toward him.

“Thanks,” he glanced at the group of reporters waiting on the other side of the police tape.

“Do you want an escort to your car?” Todd asked, following his gaze.

“No, I’ll hold them off with a promised press conference in the morning. Hopefully they’ll accept that and give us some time to think how to handle this.”

“That would be good. I’d like to go over details with you before you talk to them. I really don’t want a copycat.”

“I’ll second that,” Britt agreed. With a heavy sigh, he headed toward the group, blinking as camera flashes blinded him.

Rachelle stepped off the bus feeling a heavy sense of anxiety. She was late for the first time since she returned to work. Her night had been plagued with nightmares; from someone watching her, followed by going out with Britt and making a fool of herself, bumping into things and knocking them over while all around people laughed, and Britt turned away to a group of gorgeous women. Finally, she got to a sound sleep only to sleep through her alarm, so she missed her bus.

She felt awkward on the unfamiliar bus, especially when she almost sat in someone’s lap when the person didn’t answer her. Then, to top it off, the bus started before she was seated and she fell, snagging her nylons.

She hoped, as she pushed through the revolving door into the lobby, that the whole day wasn’t set to go that way. The loud hum of voices and confusion greeted her. She was tempted to follow the door around and back out, but forced herself to step out onto the marble floor only to lose her sense of direction when someone bumped into her. Several more people brushed against her, and she became completely lost. A wave of panic hit her, but she pushed it down. Forced to resort to groping, and having to make several apologies, she made it to the wall.

Frustration mounted as she moved, clinging to the wall. Thankfully she didn’t run into any more people. When she made contact with the drinking fountain, she stood for a moment thankful to know where she was. Taking a deep steadying breath, she turned her attention to the buzz of voices around her.

Someone yelled out a question about the latest bombing affecting business. While another asked about security at the same time. The voice that answered had her turning in that direction. Britton Clairbourne’s voice carried through the lobby.

“As I’ve said, we’ll be continuing business as usual, just with extra security. We’re cooperating totally with the police and government officials. They are doing everything they can. I have great faith in them. We’ll figure out who’s doing this. I want this company to be a safe and comfortable place to work.”

Work, she was late for work. Rachelle tried to move forward to the elevator, only to be pushed aside again as people suddenly shifted. She lost contact with the wall, then her sense of direction, as she once more was bumped and pushed around. She wanted to scream at everyone to stop. She wanted to drop to the ground and cry, to be out away from all the people. She wanted Britt to come take her into his arms as he did a few nights earlier and make everything all right.

She turned and a woman yelled, “Mr.
Clairbourne, Detective Todd,” right in her ear. She heard the bell of the elevator not far away and tried to head toward it, only to come up against the brick wall of a man’s chest.

“Excuse me.” She tried to shift around him unsuccessfully. Frustration changed to fear in two words she heard uttered.

“Clairbourne will …” That was all she caught as she was either pushed away or the man walked off, but it was enough to know the man who was after Britt was there. Right there in the lobby with her, security, the police, and Britt.

“Britt.” She turned in the direction she heard him talking to reporters. This time it was her doing the pushing. She forced her way through the crowd, trying to reach his voice while not
panicking. She tripped over a foot, but didn’t fall because the people were packed too tight. Her ankle twisted enough to bring tears to her eyes, but she didn’t stop.

“That will be all for now.” Britt was saying. “We’ll keep you abreast of any developments.” His voice was moving. She was losing him.

“Britt,” she yelled, pushing her way through.

****

Britt heard his name called and turned in time to see Rachelle push her way toward him. Panic showed on her face, she turned her head frantically as if looking for him. One reporter bumped her, and she stumbled barely keeping her balance.

“Rachelle,” he said, and she turned his way, reaching out. The crowd parted, letting him through. Ignoring all the other people, he caught her, pulling her close while wrapping his other arm protectively around her.

For a moment, she sagged against him, as if soaking up his strength. “We need to keep you out of crowds, then again,” he felt the pressure of her against him, “maybe not.”

Unfortunately she didn’t stay close long. Pushing back, she tilted her head up. “He’s here. He’s here in the lobby.”

“What?” It took a second to shift his thoughts from her pressed against him.

“He’s here, in the lobby. I heard his voice.” Panicked filled her voice.

“You’re certain?” His head shot up, looking over the crowd of people.

“Yes.”

“Todd,” he drew the detective’s attention, bringing him close.

“He’s here, Rachelle heard his voice.”

“Is she certain?” The detective started scanning the lobby. “Where?”

“I was over by the elevators. I’m not certain where. People kept bumping into me.”

“There must be a hundred men in here.” Todd didn’t hold back his frustration.

“Yeah, but that’s a lot less than we had earlier.”

“Right, I want you to walk around and try to talk to everyone, and have Rachelle see if she can identify the voice again.”

“Can’t you just have everyone held here?” Rachelle asked.

“Too many people, too many places he could duck out before we could get it closed off, and about half the crowd has thinned out already. Odds are he left already but it’s worth a try. We also don’t want to tip our hand. You might get lucky and find him,” Todd answered.

“But if we can get him.” Rachelle tried to protest.

“Then we will but I’m not sure I can arrest him just on the sound of his voice through a telephone. I’ll need more proof, solid evidence that will hold up in court.”

“But it was him, I know it.”

“All right, I believe you. Let’s cover the lobby the best we can.” The detective patted her hand.

Fifteen minutes later most of the people had left, and Britt had talked with all that remained.

“Well, that’s it,” the detective said.

“None of them were him,” Rachelle said dejectedly. “But I know he was here.”

“It’s all right, Rachelle.” Britt tightened the hold he had on her hand. “It’s not over. We can get copies of all the film then identify all the men here.”

“Then I can talk to them all,” Rachelle agreed.

“Well, in time we’ll work it out so you can hear them all, but I don’t want it to be face to face.” Britt tried to add.

“But then … I can help. I know I can identify him.”

“I know you can,” Britt assured her, “but for now why don’t I walk you upstairs?”

She was quiet a second. “It’s not necessary to see me up. If you just show me to the elevator I’ll be fine, and you can see about the video. I’m sorry I can’t give you a description.”

“Now, don’t do that. You’ve given us the only leads we have.” Britt knew he sounded stern, but he didn’t want Rachelle feeling inadequate. Most people in her position wouldn’t want to get involved, even if they weren’t blind.

“You know, we could have you go around and talk to all your employees, on the pretext of reassuring them, and take Rachelle to see if she can find the person,” Todd suggested.

“No,” Britt said quickly.

“You think it’s an employee?” Rachelle asked.

“It’s a possibility. Whoever it is seems to know his way all over Clairbourne. It’s easy to blend in when people aren’t expecting someone not out of place.”

“I could talk to people.”

“No,” Britt repeated.

“Maybe spend time in the cafeteria?”

“No!” This time his voice was sharper.

“But why?”
Rachelle was becoming frustrated.

“What I said before, I don’t want you near him. I don’t want you to become a target.”

“But what difference would it make? He already knows who I am.” Rachelle tried to point out. The man could be so stubborn.

“I don’t want to give him any reason to come after you.”

“But.”

“That’s final, why don’t I escort you upstairs now.”

“Don’t bother, just show me to the elevator. I’m quite capable of getting myself there.” Her steely tone said as much as her words.

As soon as the elevator doors closed behind her, Todd turned to him. “I think you made someone angry at you.”

“Yeah, well, it’s for her own good.” Though he tried not to let it show, it bothered him. Britt was unable to take his eyes off the elevator doors. He didn’t want Rachelle upset with him. He just hoped he would be able to fix it in the future, because he was certain now, he wanted a future with her.

“Most people would welcome all the help and support they could get at a time like this, especially wrapped in such a nice package.”

“With what that guy said, people around me could get hurt.” Britt turned with a shake of his head.

“Bad timing.”
There was sympathy in the detective’s voice. “That’s quite a lady.”

“Tell me about it.” Brett looked back at the elevator Rachelle had just stepped into.
“Real lousy timing.”

****

Rachelle was fuming as the elevator rose. Britton Clairbourne was impossible. She could find the man’s voice, she knew she could. It made sense for her to talk with everyone she could. The elevator arrived at her floor. She got off and made it through the main area, still abuzz with talk of the press conference. Rachelle followed the hall on the right. The farther from the secretarial pool she got, the quieter it became.

Rachelle welcomed the calm. Her insides felt anything but. Turning down the last hall she heard someone say ‘good morning Rachelle’ and automatically returned the greeting as she passed the doorway. Five more steps down the hall, she bumped into someone.

“Excuse me,” she apologized, her thoughts not leaving the man downstairs that infuriated and attracted her.

The man she bumped into said nothing, stepping aside to let her past.

“Sorry,” she looked back reflexively but couldn’t see the arm that came around her. One hand clamped over her month holding back her scream, as his other arm locked over her arms pinning them to her body. Taken totally by surprise, she was dragged across the hall before she could begin to struggle. Rachelle heard the door close behind them and began to fight. Kicking out, she twisted her head from side to side trying to dislodge the hand which tightened, pulling her head back. His fingers bit into her mouth.

“No talking, Angel Voice.”

The voice sent fear straight through her. He lifted her off the ground and gave her a shake that would have rattled her teeth if his hand wasn’t there.

Stay calm,
she said over and over again in her mind and forced herself to relax.

“You were very foolish. I warned you, and you went to
Clairbourne. I saw you go to him. You have to stay away from him.” He gave her another shake. “I can’t protect you if you don’t stay away from him.”

Rachelle tried to hold back a whimper as the hand squeezed down. The arm on her waist was hard muscle and felt like it would snap her in half. “You have to stay away from
Clairbourne!” The voice growled in her ear then the arm was gone. With all the air squeezed out of her and the support gone, Rachelle went down. Her arms went out to catch her but it was her head that caught something. A sharp pain knifed through her head, then faded as she dropped into nothingness.