Love Inspired Suspense June 2015 #1 (14 page)

“No, I need to stay in case he wakes up again. I want him to see a friendly face.”
And find out why he said, “I'm sorry.”

While Nicholas was gone, Selena sat in the chair close to the bed. She wanted to be right there when her uncle awakened again. How much had he overheard of the conversation with Nicholas about Jasmine?

Not long after that incident, she'd paid her uncle a visit because her mother had insisted Selena be the one to ask him for financial help. She'd watched Uncle Preston and Erin from a distance but never approached them. She couldn't bring herself to do it. He'd rejected her mother's attempts, and Selena couldn't take it if he rejected her. That was the day she'd resolved she would rise above her circumstances and prove to the world—to her uncle—she was a worthy person. She didn't realize until later that in the Lord's eyes she was worthy no matter her circumstances. Once she'd figured that out, her fight to prove herself changed. She'd wanted to make a difference in people's lives. As the White House Tour Director and assistant to the president, she'd found a way to influence policies that benefited the huge number of people and groups who wanted to visit the White House and also plan special events like the Easter Egg Roll for children.

Her uncle stirred, but his eyes remained closed. Selena reached out and touched his hand. He could have died today without knowing Erin's fate. She was going to do all she could to get Erin back safely and cleared of any suspicions concerning Michael Jeffries's murder.

“I'm going to make sure Erin comes home soon,” Selena whispered, coating her dry throat.

Her uncle squeezed her finger and rasped, “We both will.”

“Do you want some more water?”

“Please.” His eyes slowly opened and latched onto hers.

She felt his stare as she poured some liquid into the cup then brought it to his mouth, holding him up to drink. When he indicated that he had had enough, she put the water on the bedside table then turned toward him. “Anything else?”

He nodded slightly, swallowing hard. “Your forgiveness.”

Her heartbeat slowed. She never thought she would hear her uncle say that to her. Maybe he didn't know what he really was doing. “For what?”

“For letting my relationship with my sister...” His eyes slipped closed.

No! Please finish what you're saying
.

Her uncle looked at her again. “Affect ours.”

She wanted to understand why he had. What did her mother do to make him turn away from her? She pressed her lips together. This wasn't the time to talk about it, but she would later.

“Did they catch...who shot me?”

“No, not yet, but they're following several leads. Did you see anything?”

Silence dominated for a long moment, then he took a deep breath and let it go slowly. “Not much. A flash of black. It happened fast. I tried...” Again he shut his eyes.

“What?”

“To protect you.”

Emotions clogged her throat, and she tried to fill her lungs with oxygen-rich air. “Thank you,” she said in a hoarse whisper.
I don't care about the past. I forgive you
. But she kept those words inside, not quite ready to openly admit her need for a family.

“I wasn't going to let you get hurt...again.”

She smiled and took his hand between hers. “Do you know who knew you would be in the gazebo or that I was visiting?”

“If I'm at my estate, I usually eat my lunch at the gazebo on Sunday.”

“It's gorgeous, as are your gardens. Who knew about me?”

“My staff.” He frowned, his eyes drifting closed. “I think...that's all.”

She waited to see if he'd say anything else, but he didn't. He'd fallen asleep again. Selena slipped her hands from his and rose, stretching. Then she began pacing once more, pausing at the window to look out at the darkness descending. Where was Nicholas?

* * *

Before coming to the hospital, Nicholas had taken Max to Selena's house. He was glad he had because he would stay with Selena tonight in the senator's hospital room. He didn't want her alone that long, even with a guard on the door. He couldn't shake the sensation that she had been the target today. Before heading into the cafeteria, he stepped outside, where cell reception was better, to call Isaac to see if he'd discovered any clues to who was behind the shooting.

“Anything new?” Nicholas asked Isaac when he answered, inhaling the welcomed fresh air without the scent of the hospital infused in it.

“The motorcycle was found, stolen like the other one and left abandoned.”

“We need to check and see if anyone involved in the case has ridden a bike. This attacker wasn't a beginner, not from what I saw the night of the garage assault or today.”

“I'll have Fiona run a check in the morning. I just came from talking with Tabitha Miller. She doesn't have an alibi. She says she went for a drive. I had to wait until she showed up.”

“When?”

“An hour ago.”

“Did she say where she'd been? That she'd stopped for gas, something we can check?”

“She said she drove to Solomons Island where she walked along the pier. She didn't stop for gas or to eat. I'll do some checking on traffic cams and see if I can verify her whereabouts, at least her car's whereabouts.”

“I'm surprised she didn't eat or stop somewhere.” In the distance Nicholas saw someone who looked like Erin with a black wig on walking toward the hospital entrance. He took a few steps in that direction.

“That's what I thought. I can't rule her out yet.”

The woman stopped, stared at him then whirled about and ran toward the parking lot. “I've got to go.” Nicholas pocketed his cell and gave chase. If it was Erin and he could catch her, a lot of questions could be answered.

ELEVEN

S
elena checked her watch for the tenth time in half an hour. What if something had happened to Nicholas? He should have been back by now, even if the cafeteria was crowded.

The sound of the door swishing open made her tense at the same time that relief flowed through her. She pivoted toward the entrance. The sight of Nicholas with a tray full of food made her sag and ease down on the sofa, her legs trembling.

“It's about time. I was thinking all kinds of things happened to you.”

“Sorry, but I thought I saw Erin and chased her.” He set the tray on a table and pulled a black wig from his back pocket. “I didn't catch whoever wore this, but if you can get a shirt from Erin's place, I'll run a test with Max tomorrow. My plan is to let Max sniff one of Erin's shirts, then I'll hide the wig and command him to find it. If the scent of Erin's shirt leads him to the wig, it was Erin at the hospital earlier.”

“If it was her, at least I'll know she is alive.”

“We'll see if your uncle will help us tomorrow, unless you have a key to her home. I'm having Isaac pick the wig up and see if Forensics can pull hair with DNA from inside it.”

“I don't have a key to Erin's place, but I'm sure my uncle will give you access.” Selena removed the covers over the food and drew in a deep breath. “I'm so hungry. I could eat cardboard right now.”

“Save some for me. I'll be right back.”

“Where are you going now?”

“To get an evidence bag from my car for the wig.”

Selena was halfway through a club sandwich when Nicholas returned with the bag. “If you don't hurry, I might eat your food, too.”

He put the bag with the wig inside on a vacant chair and settled next to her on the couch. “The woman I chased earlier got away in a cab, but I couldn't see its number. Isaac is running down taxi pickups in the area. Maybe we'll be able to find out where she was dropped off.”

“Don't sound so excited. If it was Erin, she's innocent.”

“She needs to come in and tell her side of the story. It might help us make sense of what's been happening. If she was the one out in the parking lot, that means she heard about her father being shot. General Meyer made sure it hit the news big-time that it was touch and go with the senator.”

“So you were hoping Erin would try to see her father?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn't you tell me?”

He dropped his gaze.

“Nicholas?”

“I didn't want you to worry. The guard at the door knew, and a plant on the floor was here keeping an eye out for her. Also hospital security and another guy in the lobby.”

“If I didn't know better, I would think you planned my uncle's shooting.”

He glared at her. “I'll forget you said that. You do know me better than that.”

“Yes, but think about what Erin is going through right now. Not knowing how her father is doing.”

“We'll update the press first thing tomorrow morning. I'm sure she won't come back after seeing me.”

“How does she know you?”

“Remember, my grandfather was a senator and an acquaintance of your uncle's. I saw Erin at several events and we spoke a couple of times. She knows I work for the Capitol K-9 Unit.”

“Do you believe my cousin is innocent of Michael's murder?” Steel ran through her voice because she'd thought he'd gotten past the idea that Erin was guilty.

Nicholas twisted toward her. “Why is she running? Why doesn't she come forward and explain what happened?”

“Because the real killer is after her.”

“Then we can protect her. She should know that.”

The food in her stomach solidified. She rose and towered over him, anger churning in her gut. “I think you should leave before I say something I'll regret.”

“I'm
not
leaving. I'm guarding you.” When she continued to glare at him, he said, “I didn't say she was guilty. I think she's in trouble. If she didn't kill Michael and shoot Harland Jeffries, then I agree she's running from who did. She most likely has information we need to solve the two crimes. That's why I want her to come in. She may need to be protected, too.”

The appeal in his eyes tore down her defenses. She sank onto the couch next to him. “That makes sense. Then why are you helping me with the Littleton case if you don't think she murdered Michael?”

“Because you riled someone when you starting delving into the case. Did Michael, too, and that's what got him killed? Even if that isn't the motive for Michael's murder, I want justice served for Littleton—if he's innocent—and to find out who really did murder Rather. But even more than that, you're in danger. If something happened to you, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself for turning away from you when you needed me.”

His declaration soothed any remnants of her earlier anger. “Then we're going to continue looking into the Littleton case?”

“Yes. We know the person has access to the White House and knew that you were going to be at your uncle's today. Also, someone on Eagleton's staff hired the PI to keep tabs on Littleton's visitors.”

“That's still a long list. People in this town talk. It wasn't a secret we were meeting. I think I mentioned it to several at the White House.”

“Who?”

“For one, Ann, General Meyer's secretary. One of the president's secretaries and the nurse who was on duty the day of the Easter Egg Roll. So from there, no telling who heard. We were talking about our plans for the weekend.”

“In other words, anyone possibly in the White House or who visited recently.”

“Yes. I never considered someone was outright trying to kill me. I thought the incident in the garage was solely for grabbing my tablet for information like the one I had at my house. I was excited my lunch with my uncle might lead to a reconciliation. Ann and I are good friends, and I was telling her, when others joined us. For that matter, I'm sure General Meyer knew.”

“So since the whole world knows, it's futile to match the list of people at the White House when you were attacked in the parking garage with the ones who knew about the lunch date?” Sarcasm laced his words.

“No, go for it. It will probably take a few people off the list.”

His eyes gleaming, he chuckled. “You still have some of your sandwich to finish. I don't want you to say I didn't feed you while I was guarding you.”

With her appetite back, Selena finished her meal, comforted by the fact Nicholas sat next to her. He obviously thought that the shooter had intended to kill her, not the senator, confirming her own suspicions, which meant Erin could soon be able to come home—if Selena could stay alive long enough to find Saul Rather's real killer. That person could be the murderer of Michael, too.

* * *

The next afternoon Selena entered her uncle's hospital room after returning from the White House with some work she had to attend to. She wanted to be near if Uncle Preston needed her, and his chief of staff as well as General Meyer had insisted on it, especially when they weren't sure who the assailant was and if the person was attached to the White House.

“Where's your young man?” her uncle asked, sitting up in bed, alert and ready to go home.

“He brought me up here and is leaving to get his dog at headquarters and to check in with his captain on any developments in the shooting yesterday. Has your doctor been in yet to release you?”

“Not soon enough for me. Probably in the next hour. Sit. I have something to talk to you about.”

His serious expression set off alarms for Selena. She made her way to the chair by the bed and eased down onto it. “What's wrong?”

“You ask that question when someone tried to kill one of us yesterday? I'm worried about your safety.”

She hadn't expected him to say that. The fact he was concerned encouraged her that their relationship would develop over time. “I'm worried about yours, too. You've been hurt. The doctor said another inch over, and you would have been seriously wounded.”

He waved his hand in the air as if that didn't mean anything to him. “I want you to stay with me at my house. My town house in Washington, DC, has exceptional security, better than my estate. Carly had a consultant looking at it this morning to beef up anything needed to make it top-notch. I'll be staying there until my home in the country is as secured.”

“I appreciate the offer, but my home is fine, especially with Nicholas or Brooke there.” There was a part of her that wanted to jump at the chance to get to know him better immediately, but her cautious side caused her to hesitate. Any true change in their relationship had to come naturally if it was going to last.

“I won't be able to rest like I should if I'm constantly worried about your well-being. With Erin's disappearance, that's all I've been doing. Don't make me have to with you, too. Please.” That last word almost seemed torn from him.

Selena clamped her lips together to keep from grinning. He probably wouldn't appreciate it.

“Besides, I want your Nicholas to find my daughter. I know she's alive.” He laid his hand on his chest. “I know it in here. I heard you and him talking last night.”

“You eavesdropped on our conversation?”

Her uncle smiled. “Not exactly. It was my room, and you two were sitting there talking.”

“You could have let us know.”

“In my defense, I was going in and out of consciousness, but I heard enough to know you believe the Littleton case could prove Erin is innocent of killing Michael and shooting Harland. I'll help you two any way I can. All day I've been thinking about those months Saul Rather was an intern on my staff.”

“Did you remember anything that might help us?”

“At the young age of twenty-three, he was a Casanova. I may be busy, but I try to keep up with what my staff is doing.”

“One person we know he dated was Tabitha Miller, an aide for Congressman Harland. Anyone on your staff?”

“I frowned upon that, but it didn't stop him from flirting with all the ladies.”

“With Erin.”

“He tried, but she wasn't interested. So you see, you'll have unlimited access to me if you stay at my DC house.” His grin grew.

“Okay. Fine. Nicholas will be coming, too. He's been guarding me.” And something told her he wouldn't turn it over to her uncle and his staff.

“It will be interesting to see how he's changed since he was a boy.”

She wondered if this was the time to approach him about her mother, but as she was thinking about how to phrase the question, the doctor came into the room.

“Good. It's about time. I was ready to go home hours ago.”

As her uncle and his doctor talked, Selena wrestled with even saying anything to Uncle Preston. Should she accept that he was changing his attitude toward her and not delve into why he'd turned away from his only sibling? What if she didn't like what he told her? She was trying to forgive her uncle for his coolness toward her. She didn't want anything to ruin that. Their relationship was so fragile she didn't know if it could weather his reasons.

* * *

Nicholas paused at the entrance into the den at Senator Eagleton's town house and enjoyed watching Selena working on a laptop concerning plans for a big event at the White House in celebration of the Fourth of July. He'd noticed when she was thinking seriously she often twirled her hair. At the moment it was entwined around her finger, and her facial features were set in concentration, her forehead knitted.

Suddenly she glanced up from her computer screen and looked right at him. “How long have you been there?”

“A couple of minutes. I was debating whether to bother you or not. Then you took the decision out of my hands.” He moved into the room and settled near her on the couch. “I've got Max fixed up in the kitchen. He's met the guards at the back and front doors. I wanted him to be able to roam freely through the whole house.”

“When this is over with, he's going to need a vacation.”

“I totally agree. I'm going to take him camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains for a long weekend. Have you ever gone camping?”

“Me, camping? My idea of roughing it is a two-star hotel.”

He studied her then burst out laughing when he saw the mischief in her eyes. “Not you. I know the area where you grew up. Camping would be a step up.”

“On a more serious note, I don't like camping because you're vulnerable to all kinds of creatures, especially bears.”

“That's why Max goes with me. He's a great warning system.”

“That's what I love about Max. I feel safe with you and him here. I have a lot to do between now and the holiday, and it helps to be able to fully concentrate on what I need to accomplish.”

“I hope you aren't going to open the White House to the public as you did for the Easter Egg Roll.”

“Not the building, but the grounds will be used extensively. Besides, you can't see fireworks very well inside.”

“You've got a point there.” He wondered if the case would be solved by then. He hoped so. Erin was important to Selena, and he was discovering what was important to Selena was to him, too.

“Did your uncle talk about this Saturday night?”

“No, when he came home yesterday, he went to bed. Since he woke up this morning, he hasn't rested with the parade of folks coming to see if he's all right. It wore him, out and I finally persuaded him to rest.”

“On Saturday, even more people will be coming to see him. Before Carly left earlier, she told me about this fund-raiser your uncle is hosting at his estate Saturday evening. He insisted on going forward and forbade Carly from canceling the party. She thought it might be too much for him.”

Selena shut her laptop and set it on the coffee table in front of her. “And she's right. I'll say something to him. Maybe he can postpone it a couple of weeks. He isn't up for reelection anytime soon. Who's he raising money for?”