Key Witness (16 page)

“Elle.” He looked down at his hands and shook his head, the picture of regret. “You’re right. I did go up to D.C. I’m sorry that I lied to you.”

“You went to meet Nancy?” The words burned her throat as she said them.

He pulled up his gaze. “No, Elle, I didn’t go to meet Nancy.”

“Then why?”

“Someone has been trying to convince me to teach a class at George Washington University. We met to discuss the details. I didn’t want to mention it because I didn’t know what I should do.”

“Giving up politics is a big deal. Especially at this stage in the game. The election is only a couple weeks away. There’s no time to plug someone else in.”

He heaved in a deep breath. “I know. But sometimes what needs to be done simply needs to be done.”

“Think about it, Dad. I’ll support you either way.”

Her dad nodded, his expression still serious and his gaze heavy. “I know. Thank you, darling.”

Elle stepped away, one mystery solved but the biggest and most dangerous one still looming.

* * *

Denton gave his commissioned piece one last glance before snapping the box closed and placing it in his pocket. “Thanks, Will. This is perfect.”

The old man behind the counter smiled, raising the small optical magnifying glass attached to a band at his head. “Glad you like it.”

He patted his jacket, his eyes grazing the miscellaneous equipment and inventions Will had laying on tables, hanging on the walls, cluttering the floor. Despite the disorganization, Will was one of the most brilliant men he knew. They’d met when Denton was working for the CIA, and Denton had remained in contact with him since then. “Have I told you that you’re amazing?”

“You can’t tell me that enough. I’m considering making compliments a part of my fee.” He leaned across the counter, his loose, wrinkled skin distorting the tattoos he had emblazing every inch of his arms. “I guess I can’t ask what’s going on.”

“You could, but—”

“You’d have to kill me. Never gets old, saying that, does it?” He straightened and chuckled, grabbing a rag and wiping the glass surface of the counter.

Denton grinned. “Never.” He extended his hand. “It’s always a pleasure.”

“You’ve got a smile on your face that I haven’t seen in a while. Since Wendi, actually. Anything you want to tell me?”

Denton paused, his heart pounding erratically. “Just doing a job.”

Will raised a shaggy eyebrow. “Looks like more than a job to me.”

“Don’t get personally involved. I think you taught me that rule.”

“The heart sometimes dictates differently, now, doesn’t it?”

“I guess it does.” Denton nodded, pondering the wisdom in his words. Even if his words were true, there was a difference between what you felt and how you acted.

Will winked and clucked his tongue. “Keep that spring in your step. I like it. You deserve it after everything you’ve been through.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Did he really have a new spring in his step? Was he ready for a relationship? Would another woman in his life betray Wendi’s memory?

No, Wendi loved him. She would want him to be happy and not to spend the rest of his life alone. She’d even whispered that message to him shortly before breathing her last breath.

His heart clenched at the thought of that dreadful day. Even though Wendi knew Jesus and was going to a better place, the moment was still so heartbreaking. All the hopes they’d had for a life together had disappeared. Denton wasn’t sure how he would pick up the pieces of the life he’d built, which then lay in crumbles around him.

Thankfully he’d had good friends in his life—friends like Jack and Will.

He’d kept women at arm’s length since then. In all honesty, he hadn’t met a woman that he wanted to let closer.

Until Elle.

Elle had captured his thoughts. All he wanted was to be close to her—not just because of his job, but because she fascinated him. Her smile could light up a room. Though she could easily act spoiled or privileged or even arrogant, she was none of those things. She remained down-to-earth and approachable.

He climbed into his SUV, still oddly aware of the box in his jacket. How would Elle react to it? He wasn’t sure. He just knew this was the only thing he could think of to ensure her safety. When he saw the fire in her eyes, he realized she was exactly the type of person who might take matters into her own hands.

And, if she did, he’d be right there. Tracking her.

His cell phone beeped, and he put the device to his ear. Agent Duffield. Had they found the killers? He prayed that was the case.

“Bad news.”

Denton braced himself.

“The whole place was wired. As soon as my agents opened the door, the building went up in flames.”

Denton squeezed his eyes shut. No more pain or death. There’d been too much of that already. This had to end. “Was anyone hurt?”

“A couple went to the hospital with minor injuries. We approached with caution, fearing something like this. It’s like these guys have been two steps ahead of us for every part of the investigation.”

This supported Denton’s theory that the person behind this was probably working closely somehow with the police or the family.

“I’m on my way back now. Thanks for letting me know.”

“In all my years with the FBI, I don’t remember two guys this aggressive. I don’t know what it’s going to take to stop them.”

“Something will stop them. We’ll get them. Some way, somehow, we’ll get them.”

With each second, that possibility seemed further away, though.

But he had to hold on to the hope that the end was in sight.

He prayed it was.

SIXTEEN

E
lle wasn’t sure why she felt so anxious for a moment alone with Denton. She knew he was safe, that the explosion hadn’t injured him.

Since he’d been back at the house, he’d briefly told her hello and checked to make sure she was okay. Then he’d disappeared into the fray of agents in her living room. She could tell the urgency of the situation had been kicked up a notch higher. These guys were playing with everyone, trying to prove they were smarter than the authorities.

If there was one thing the authorities didn’t like, it was someone who thought they were smarter.

Had the FBI finally met their match?

The sun began to sink lower and a few of the agents slipped away, leaving only a handful. Eventually, the house quieted. Elle changed into some yoga pants and a long-sleeved T-shirt. She escaped into the library to read a book and decompress. She started a little blaze in the gas fireplace and dimmed the lights. The temperature had dropped along with the sun, and an autumn chill seemed to creep into the house.

Reading by firelight seemed relaxing enough. But in the quiet, her thoughts turned to Brianna, and tears began escaping down her cheeks. She wiped at them and leaned into the couch with her face toward the flames. She missed Denton. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, she did. She’d gotten used to their nightly chats here in the library, and she would have been lying not to admit to herself that she hoped to see him tonight, also.

Her heart sped when she heard a knock. She looked up from her book and saw Denton standing there, his trademark rakish grin spread across his face. Elle pulled herself up and lowered her book as Denton took a seat beside her on the couch.

“Taking a break?”

He shrugged. “A short one. These guys are really getting under the FBI’s skin.”

“Mine, too.” She leaned back and exhaled slowly. “Sometimes I don’t feel like this is ever going to end.”

“It will.” He shifted and his gaze locked on hers. He wiped away some leftover moisture on her cheeks, the action causing her to catch her breath. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

She shook her head. “No, some company actually sounds good right now.”

“Thinking about Brianna?”

She nodded. “It doesn’t seem real yet.”

He leaned forward. “Elle, I have something I want to give you.”

Elle twisted her lips in confusion and apprehension. “Okay.”

“Listen, I know how much that necklace your grandmother gave you meant to you. And I know the message behind the necklace made it even more special. The dove represented hope, and hope is something we all need. You especially need it right now with everything that’s going on.”

Her hand went to her throat again, as it often did when she thought about the heirloom. Her neck felt bare without the jewelry. “Aside from taking away the people in my life, that was probably the next worst thing someone could take from me. I don’t know if I’ll ever get it back, which just makes me heartsick.”

He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a jewelry box. “That’s why I wanted to give you this.” He opened the box and a replica of the necklace rested there against the black fabric.

She gasped, simultaneous to tears popping to her eyes. “Wow...that’s just beautiful.” She reached for it and let her finger trace the dove’s outline. “How...?”

He shrugged. “I have connections.”

“Denton, I don’t know what to say. This is one of the nicest things someone could have done for me. Thank you.”

He took the box and pulled out the necklace. He held the ends toward her. “May I?”

She swooped up her hair. “Yes, please do.”

He leaned forward and Elle was oddly aware of his closeness, of his familiar cologne. Her skin tingled as his fingers brushed her neck.

Finally, he clasped the necklace together and leaned back, a soft grin on his face. “Looks good.”

She touched the precious metal at her neck. “Thank you.”

“It’s the least I could do.”

“Why? You don’t owe me anything. You didn’t have to do this.” Her heart beat in her ears as she waited for his response.

“I wanted to.”

“Why?”

His finger brushed her cheek. “Because...”

Her heart stammered in her chest at his nearness. She wanted to reach out and touch him, also, to wrap her arms around his neck and pull him closer. She wanted to feel the scruff on his face and absorb his tantalizing cologne. “Yes?”

“Because I love seeing you smile.” His voice sounded husky and warm. He stroked her cheek again. “And hearing you laugh. And seeing your eyes light up with hope.”

“You’re sweet.”

His gaze looked smoldering. “Elle...?”

“Yes?” Every cell of her body seemed aware of Denton.

Before she said anything else, his lips covered hers. Tingles traveled down her spine and then back up again. Her hands curled around his neck.

Kissing Denton felt natural. It felt right. And it felt like something she’d wanted to do for a long time.

They pulled away and stared at each other a moment.

Finally, Elle cleared her throat. “The unromantic, pragmatic side of me feels the need to ask what that was.”

“Do I really need to explain?” His eyes sparkled.

“You know how I feel about relationships.” How they terrified her, how she’d rather work in politics the rest of her life than date the wrong man again.

“You’re cautious. Rightfully so.” He stroked her cheek with his fingertips, the motion gentle and sweet and causing shudders again.

But she had to get back to the matter at hand. “So what was that? A spontaneous mistake? An impulsive moment we should forget?”

Denton kneaded the tight muscles at the base of her neck. “How about the invitation to explore a relationship?”

“I just don’t like guessing.” Or taking risks.

“I can respect that. Sometimes you’ve just got to trust your heart. What’s your heart tell you?”

That you’re perfect, someone I could spend the rest of my life with, and a man I’d be content to grow old and gray with together.

Lingering beneath the giddiness she felt was fear. Could she really trust her heart? She wasn’t sure.

“Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you.... No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.”

The Bible verse repeated in her mind as Denton pulled her into his arms and they settled back on the couch.

“I’m not good at relationships, Denton.” The words croaked out. “They scare me almost as much as the men trying to claim my life.”

“How about we take it slow? If you start freaking out, then you talk to me about it. Can you handle that?”

I will not fail you or abandon you.
No matter where she went or what she did, she had to trust in God’s presence in her life. She nodded. “I think I can handle that.”

But even as she said the words, she knew they were easier said than done.

* * *

Denton slipped an arm around the back of the pew and rubbed Elle’s shoulder. He could tell by the way her chin trembled that she was trying to hold it together. Elle was good at that—trying to hold everything together even if she was falling apart. She’d always been there for other people, even if it meant giving up her own desires. More than anything, Denton wanted her to have the chance to pursue her own dreams and passions.

The pastor concluded his eulogy, wrapping up Jimmy’s life. His life wasn’t one that got much attention, but it was well-lived. He left behind a grieving family who’d obviously loved him, and a string of selfless acts that several people had stood at the pulpit and talked about.

That’s what Denton wanted one day. No matter how impossible the dream might feel at times, he wanted a family to go home to. He wanted to feel chubby toddler arms around his neck one day and have a wife to lie beside in bed at night.

He’d thought his dreams had come true with Wendi. But Wendi had just been one, wonderful part of his life. He still had open miles of future before him. He’d like Elle to be a part of that future.

The thought of her sweet smile, the tenderness in her gaze, the way she thought of others before herself, all tugged at his heart. But he also knew that there was fear simmering beneath the surface, fear over relationships and being hurt and picking the wrong guy again. He also knew her selflessness could get her in trouble. He wanted to do everything within his power to keep her safe—to shelter and protect her for a long time.

A tear drizzled down her cheek. He pulled a tissue from the box beside him and handed it to her. She dabbed her eyes. He didn’t have to ask to know her thoughts. First Jimmy’s funeral. Before long, Brianna’s funeral. She’d already been through both her sister’s and her grandmother’s.

Wendi’s funeral came to mind. It had been one of the hardest days of his life. Thankfully he’d had good friends at his side, supporting him and encouraging him. He hadn’t wanted to let Wendi go. He remembered her coffin being lowered into the ground. The memory still caused an ache in his heart.

It was a reminder that we weren’t promised tomorrow, so we had to make the most of today.

As the funeral wrapped up, he once again dragged his gaze around the room, looking for signs of anyone suspicious. He had other agents stationed around the perimeter of the sanctuary, and the FBI had a presence, also. Just in case.

Elle looked up at him and offered a fleeting smile, her eyes still red-rimmed. “He was a good man,” she mumbled. “He didn’t deserve to go like this.”

“No one does.” He wanted nothing more than to sweep her into his arms and soothe away her sorrows. But he couldn’t. Not here. Not now. Instead, he settled on rubbing her neck muscles. “You ready to go?”

She nodded. They’d already decided to skip the graveside service. They’d shown their respect and now it was time to let the family have some time to mourn, away from bodyguards and federal agents.

Denton led her to his SUV outside and cranked the engine. “You ready to go back to the house?”

“I’m losing my mind being there all the time.”

His hand covered her knee. “What’s going on, Elle? Talk to me.”

“Those men may not have harmed me physically yet, but they’re tormenting me emotionally. I’m letting them keep me locked away. They’re winning, Denton.”

“If you leave and live your regular life, you’re going to let them win because they’ll have you in their crosshairs.”

“I just keep having terrible nightmares, and I wake up and feel like I’m suffocating. They’re playing this psychological game with me, and I feel defeated. Everyone keeps on saying they’ll be caught soon. Well, they still haven’t been caught. Sometimes, I don’t think they’ll ever be caught, and that people are just going to keep on dropping like flies around me.”

Denton kept his hand on her knee and waited for her to continue, to get her emotions out. She closed her eyes, still wet with tears, and lowered her head. She used a rumpled tissue in her hands to dab her eyes again. Her strained gaze looked forward. “Sorry about that.”

“Don’t apologize for being real.”

She blinked and turned toward him. “What did you say?”

“To not apologize for being real. I want you to be yourself around me.”

She sucked in a breath before letting out a slow, half-hearted chuckle. “There’s only been one person in my life who’s ever encouraged me to be myself. My grandmother. Everyone else has always pushed me to be the person they want me to be. The cultured beauty queen, the poised politician’s daughter, the astute student. I’ve never felt like people want me to be who I am.” She reached forward and rested her hand on his cheek. Just feeling her touch caused lava to flow through him.

“Thank you, Denton.”

He shoved down the urge to pull her into his arms and drink in her scent. “I mean it, Elle. Don’t ever feel like you have to be someone you’re not when you’re around me.” He ran his thumb gently under her eye, wiping away the moisture there. “There is somewhere we can go to get you out of the house for a while.”

“Where?”

“Do you trust me?”

Denton sensed her hesitation, sensed the way she had to process his question. “Yes, I trust you,” she finally said. Would she ever fully trust him with her heart, though?

“Let me make a phone call, and then we’ll go. Deal?”

“Deal.”

* * *

Elle had it bad. Denton was the kind of man she’d been dreaming about...well, forever. She could seriously get used to having him in her life, to looking into those warm brown eyes, to smelling his aftershave. She had to remember to use her head, to keep her eyes open for signs that Denton was like the rest of the men in her life.

No, he was different. Or was he?

She couldn’t be certain. Not yet. Could she ever be certain?

Thirty minutes later, they drove down the road to a nearby beach called Sandbridge. Mostly locals knew of this beach, unlike the resort area, which was crowded with vacationers and high-rise hotels. “The beach?”

“You mentioned once how much you enjoyed it.”

Elle’s heart leaped in a way it shouldn’t—not if it wanted to stay safe. “That I did.”

They followed the shoreline until they came to a stop at a large house located on the beachfront. “Yours?”

“No way. I don’t get paid that well. It belongs to a guy I work with named Bradley Stone. He said we could use it.” He opened his door. “Wait there. I’ll come and get you.”

She didn’t have a chance to argue as he hurried around the vehicle to her door. He helped her out, his gaze surveying the area. Apprehension immediately gripped her as she exited the vehicle. Had the madmen followed them? Was she putting others in danger?

Denton’s hand went to her back and he led her up the external stairs to the second level of the home. He pulled out a key and quickly ushered her inside the lush beachfront home. Elle’s gaze scanned the place. “He must make some serious money at Eyes.”

“He works developing new products that he sells to the military. He’s brilliant and tough.” Denton shrugged off his jacket, pulled away his tie and rolled up his sleeves.