Key Witness (11 page)

Rachel tucked her legs under her and shrugged, glancing once more at her son as he played on the rug. “I probably wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for Jack and Denton. Believe me, I’d tell you the whole story but you probably wouldn’t believe me. It was crazy—and terrifying. But here I am, alive and in love. Things have a way of working out for the best.”

Elle traced the top of her coffee mug with her finger. “That’s a good reminder because sometimes it doesn’t feel like anything is going to work out.”

A knock sounded at the door, and Denton stepped into the room. “How’s it going, ladies?”

Elle sat up straighter at the sight of him. “Great. Rachel was just giving me some pointers on starting a nonprofit.”

Rachel flashed a grin and set her coffee cup on the end table. “Elle has some really great ideas. I hope she’s able to pursue them.”

Denton sat down beside her, and Elle was instantly aware of his close proximity. His familiar cologne simultaneously soothed and electrified her. His leg grazed hers in a way that she was all too aware of. She knew what all of the signs meant. They meant that she was way too attracted to Denton for her own good. She tried to tamp down her feelings to no avail.

He held out a grainy black-and-white photo in front of her. “Do you recognize this man?”

Elle took the picture and studied it. Had she ever seen this man? Her first instinct was no. She looked closer. “He doesn’t look familiar. Is this the man who planted the bomb? Is he a police officer?”

Denton shook his head. “No, he was dressed as a security guard, but his uniform is slightly different than the others. I feel pretty confident that he’s our guy. Now we just have to figure out who he is.”

“How are you going to do that?”

“We’ll run the photo through some databases and see if there are any matches.”

“Maybe this is the evidence we need to put these guys behind bars.”

“I hope so.” Denton looked at the picture and shook his head. “They’re pretty clever. I’ll give them that. Probably the only person who could have gotten an explosive through the front door was someone dressed as a security guard.”

“We’re dealing with two guys—three, if we count the driver—who are a lot smarter than I gave them credit for. Smart and deranged isn’t a good combination,” Elle said.

Denton grimaced. “You’re right. It isn’t.”

Rachel stood. “Aiden and I are going to find Jack. Nice to meet you, Elle.”

“Bye, guys.” Elle’s smile quickly faded as they closed the door behind them. She turned to Denton, feeling the strain across her back. “I still don’t understand why they’re targeting me. Because of the bank robbery? It just doesn’t make sense. I didn’t see them. I can’t identify them, so I shouldn’t be a threat.”

“I think there’s more to it than that, Elle.”

She bristled. “What do you mean?”

“I think you were the target of that bank robbery. I think someone is playing a terrible game and that bank robbery was just to throw us all off.”

Elle’s heart thudded, resounding all the way down to the depths of her soul. What if what he said was true? She licked her lips. “
Terrible
is an understatement. Three people are dead and eleven people were injured at the gala. Who would do something like that?”

“Someone sick, twisted, with a vendetta against you. Remember, we only have a potential picture of one of the men. There’s another one who’s still faceless. Maybe you would recognize him. Is there anyone who has a reason to be upset with you, Elle?”

“My father works in politics. Before that he was a judge and a trial lawyer. There are a lot of people with a lot of reasons to be upset with my dad and, by association, me.”

“Anyone who stands out?”

She exhaled slowly. “The man who kidnapped my sister was angry at my father. Of course, he’s in jail now.”

“He could have someone on the outside, some psycho who looks up to him and wants to finish his work.”

Elle shuddered. “You think?”

“We have to explore every option.” Denton’s eyes looked serious. “Can you tell me about your sister’s murder, Elle?”

“What do you want to know?”

“Tell me about the man who was arrested.”

“His name is Richard Clements. My father was presiding over a case where he was the defendant. While driving under the influence, he hit a man and crippled him. He had the nerve to blame the bar that let him leave while intoxicated. While he was out on bond, he disappeared. That’s when my sister was snatched.”

“How long did he have her?”

“A week.”

“Did he send a ransom letter?”

“He did, but the FBI advised us not to pay the ransom.” She glanced at her fingers. “I’ve been told that even if we had paid the ransom, she probably would have died anyway.”

Denton reached over and squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry, Elle.”

“Me, too.” She shook her head, deep in thought. “They could have killed me already. They’ve had the opportunity. At the bank. Even at the gala. They could have just shot me. But they didn’t.”

A thought slammed into her mind, and she flinched. One of the threats against her had read “Agony awaits.” A clear picture began to form as realizations settled in her mind.

Denton’s hand covered her knee. His eyes looked concerned as wrinkles formed in their corners. “What is it, Elle?”

She swallowed so hard that it hurt. “The note I found at the debate said ‘Agony awaits.’ I just realized that these guys want to cause me as much pain as possible, don’t they? This is all on purpose, all a means of ratcheting up my anxiety, trying to paralyze me with fear. And it’s all leading up to the moment where it’s my turn.” The color drained from her face at the mere thought.

Denton squeezed her knee again. “I’m not going to let that happen, Elle.”

Elle nodded. The even bigger question was: How many people would be hurt or killed before these men got to her? And could she live with herself, knowing that the path of destruction was caused on the killers’ way to her?

She closed her eyes. Agony—yes, agony—seemed to fill her.

These madmen were getting their way.

Lord, what am I supposed to do?

ELEVEN

A
s Denton and Elle headed down the road, Elle already missed the security that being at Eyes’s headquarters had provided. For a brief moment while there, she’d stopped looking over her shoulder and questioning everyone’s motives. She’d almost let herself forget about the trouble at hand.

Except that she would never really forget. It was always there, nagging her, causing her muscles to tense.

Could this be connected in some way to Emily’s death?

Denton had sent the picture over to the FBI’s Norfolk field office. Maybe they would have some answers for them before too long. The strain of living this way was beginning to get to her.

Maybe this was the time she should take a vacation to the Caribbean. Except—would she even be safe there? Was she safe anywhere?

As they rolled past the woods surrounding the road, Elle glanced down at her cell phone to see if Brianna had called her back yet. Nothing. Strange. It was unlike her friend not to get back with her.

“What’s wrong?”

She held up her cell phone. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of Brianna, but I haven’t heard from her all day.”

“Is that unusual?”

“She keeps that cell phone close like some women keep jewelry close.” Elle shook her head. “She’s going through a nasty divorce, and her emotions get the best of her sometimes. And I have a tendency to worry too much.”

“Did you try her landline?”

“She doesn’t have one. Just a cell.”

“Do you want to swing by her place and check on her?”

Her heart lifted. Just one visit and her fears could be alleviated. “Could we?”

“Sure. Just tell me where to go.”

Elle gave him directions and they detoured from the route back to Elle’s parents’ house. Her gaze roamed her surroundings, but nothing appeared out of place. What did she expect to see—men with guns on every corner? People dressed in black dodging behind signs? She shook her head, chiding herself. But, even with her doubt, she remained on edge.

She had to remain on edge for her safety. All it would take was one moment of letting her guard down and her life could be changed forever.

“How long have you and Brianna known each other?” Denton asked.

“Since high school. We went our separate ways in college but then reconnected afterward. She was into doing pageants and has more crowns and titles than I can count. We actually competed against each other for Miss Virginia.”

“And when you won, did it affect your friendship?”

Elle shook her head. “No, not all. Brianna’s a good friend. I’m sorry she’s been going through this divorce. It’s been really hard on her. Her ex...well, I guess he wasn’t ready to get married. That was no excuse, however, for being unfaithful.”

“So in the midst of their divorce, you hired her as your assistant?”

“She needed a job. I needed an assistant. So yes, I hired her. It’s been good for her to keep busy. As hurt as I was when Preston and I broke up, I’m glad I discovered his indiscretions before we were married.”

“Some guys give men a bad name.”

“A lot of guys.” She pointed to a road in the distance. “Turn here.”

A moment later, they stopped in front of her friend’s condo. Elle pointed to a red sedan in the distance. “Her car’s here.”

They walked to her door and rang the bell. After several minutes of silence, no one answered. Elle shook her head.

Denton turned to her, his hands on his hips. “Maybe she went out with someone who picked her up—and her cell phone is dead?”

Elle pulled out her keys. “Maybe. I’m going to check on things, just to make sure she’s not lying in bed, too depressed to get up.”

Denton wedged himself between her and the door. His closeness caused Elle to draw in a deep breath. She forced her eyes up to meet his, afraid that he might hear her stammering heart.

“I’ll go first,” he murmured.

His implications slammed into her heart, causing her to take a step back as horrid images filled her head. “You don’t think...”

“I’m not assuming anything, but I’m not letting down my guard, either.” Denton took the key from her and unlocked the door. He pushed open the door and quiet greeted them.

“Hello? Anyone home?” Denton called.

“Brianna, it’s Elle. I’m coming in. Denton is with me.”

“Stay behind me,” Denton whispered, his gun drawn.

They crept into the house. Elle kept her eyes open for anything suspicious or out of the ordinary. Her friend had never been much of a housekeeper and today was no different. Piles of stuff were stacked everywhere. But nothing that hinted danger or trouble.

She’s on a walk,
Elle told herself. Just on a walk. Maybe she dropped her cell phone and broke it, and Elle would talk to her tomorrow and discover how all of this was a huge misunderstanding. They’d have a big laugh over everything.

So why did her stomach still clench with anxiety?

“Brianna, are you home?” Denton stepped over a clothes basket as they walked.

Still no response.

Denton nodded toward the hallway. Elle stayed behind him as they edged toward the bedroom doors. Denton threw open the first door. The spare bedroom waited on the other side. Everything appeared untouched and in place.

He stepped across the hall and opened the door to her bedroom. Again, nothing.

Elle didn’t know whether to feel relief or fear.

Denton checked the rest of the house and the closets, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

A walk. Her friend had simply taken a walk. That’s all there was to it.

Denton put his gun into his shoulder holster as they walked into her living room. “Do you want to wait for a few minutes to see if she comes back?”

Elle nodded, relief washing through her. “Just a few minutes. I think everything that’s been happening lately is making me think the worst.”

Denton didn’t say anything. Probably because he didn’t want to lie to her, which Elle appreciated. He knew just as well as Elle did that anything was possible and that no one was out of reach for these guys.

Elle paced from her friend’s kitchen to the living room, trying to pass the time. She prayed as she walked.

Lord, protect my friend. Please. Let her be okay.

Just as she plopped on the couch, the doorknob rattled. Someone was trying to get in. Brianna? Or someone else?

Elle stood, wiping her sweaty hands on her jeans. Whoever was on the other side would either ease her fears or ignite them. She prayed for the prior.

How silly that she even had to think like this. A month ago, all of this would have seemed so paranoid. Her biggest concern might be that her friend met someone on her walk and was jumping into a relationship too soon.

Denton drew his gun again, and held out his hand to stop her. “Wait there.”

Elle nodded and watched as Denton crept toward the door. Before he reached it, the door swung wide. A man stood on the other side.

* * *

“Identify yourself.” Denton raised his gun.

The man—a stocky blond—threw his hands in the air and stepped back. “Whoa. Who are you? Where’s Brianna?”

Elle stepped from the other room, her eyebrows scrunched together in concern. “Alex? What are you doing here?”

The man’s hands remained raised in the air. “I was talking to Brianna on the phone when the line went dead. We were supposed to meet for lunch to talk but she never showed. I thought she was just being a jerk, so I decided to stop by her place to remind her that my time is just as valuable as hers.”

Elle crossed her arms over her chest, obviously aggravated with the man’s arrogance. “She’s not here, and she hasn’t been answering her phone. Did she say she was going anywhere else?”

Alex shook his head, beads of sweat sprinkling across his forehead. “No. Not that I asked.” He looked at Denton and tilted his head. “Could you put that gun down?”

Elle stepped closer and put her hand on Denton’s arm. “This is Brianna’s soon-to-be ex. He’s...harmless.”

Denton lowered his gun, wondering if “harmless” was Elle’s first choice to describe the man. “Do you always just let yourself in?”

He shifted as if caught in a lie. “Old habits are hard to break. This used to be my place, too, you know.” His gaze wavered between them. “What’s going on? Why are you two here?”

Elle wrapped her arms over her chest. “We’re worried about Brianna. We were just waiting around a few minutes to see if she returned.”

“I would like to speak to her when she returns, also.”

“Then please, have a seat and wait with us.”

Alex stomped over to the couch, looking put off by Denton’s take-charge attitude. Denton didn’t care. The only thing he cared about was keeping Elle safe—and keeping everyone around Elle safe. With each passing moment, that task was becoming more and more difficult.

He paced the room, biding his time until Brianna returned. Elle stood near the kitchen door, her face pale—too pale. If he didn’t have the self-control he’d learned over the years, he’d march over to her and pull her into a hug. But he couldn’t. Elle was his assignment, and protecting her was the only thing on his to-do list. Falling in love wasn’t an option, professionally or emotionally. The more he got to know Elle, the harder that restriction became, though.

Something beeped. Elle’s hand went to her pocket, and she pulled out her cell phone. She looked down at the screen, lines forming on her forehead. “I’ve got a text message.”

Denton stepped closer, still not dropping his guard with Alex around. “Anything important?”

“It’s from Brianna.”

Denton stood behind her, reading over her shoulder. The words there confirmed his worst fears.

We’ve got your friend. What are you willing to do to get her back?

Elle’s hand flew over her mouth as if she tried to restrain her cry of despair. “Is this real? The men who are after me got Brianna, too?”

“Text them back. Say you need to speak to Brianna.”

Elle’s hands trembled on the phone’s keyboard. Finally, she hit Send. The minutes ticked by as they waited for a response. Come on. Would Brianna’s captors let her talk to them? They had to.

Elle looked up at him, her eyes wide. “Why would they do this?”

“I don’t have any answers for you yet, Elle.”

“Are you saying that someone abducted Brianna?” Alex’s face showed his disbelief. His entire body looked tight. His mouth didn’t quite close. “What exactly is going on?”

“We’re trying to figure that out. You need to keep your cool.” Denton suspected that this man knew something he wasn’t telling them. He wasn’t sure what or if it tied in with Brianna’s disappearance. He intended on finding out, though.

“Should I text them again?” Elle’s voice rose in pitch until cracking. “What should I tell them I’ll do? Anything to get Brianna back safely.”

“No, you can’t tell them that. It’s the exact wrong thing to tell them. First, we need to talk to Brianna. They have to prove that they really have her and that she’s unharmed.”

“This is all my fault. Everything.” Tears filled her eyes.

“That’s ridiculous. Don’t blame yourself for the actions of evil men. They’re the only ones to blame.”

She squeezed the bridge of her nose. “This is a nightmare.”

He slipped an arm around her shoulders. “We’ll get through this.”

Alex stepped forward, fire in his eyes. “Your friendship with Brianna is why she was abducted?”

Denton took a step forward, feeling the need to shelter Elle from any more pain than she’d already endured. “Back off.”

“We need to call the police.” He began pacing.

“You’re right. Why don’t you call them on your cell? I don’t want to tie up Elle’s line, just in case.” Denton turned toward Elle. “Text them again. Tell them you need an answer. Keep the ball in your court.”

The trembles in Elle’s fingers had worsened to the point that none of the words she typed were understandable. Denton eased the phone from her fingers and typed the message himself. Another five minutes passed with no response. In the background, they could hear Alex reporting Brianna’s disappearance. Denton would have to get on the phone himself and tell all the proper authorities.

He put a hand on her shoulder. “The police will be here in a minute. We’ll wait until they get here.”

The strain in Elle’s eyes was enough to break his heart. She quickly wiped under her eyes, obvious in her attempt to remain strong. Her trembling voice belied her fear, though. “Why aren’t they responding? What does that mean?”

“It’s hard to say.”

“Oh, Denton.” She let a sob escape.

Against his sensibilities, Denton pulled her into his arms. It felt natural, as if they’d done it a million times before. Her sweet fragrance filled his senses, bringing him a temporary measure of peace. Only momentary, though. There were too many things to worry about for him to enjoy Elle’s company too much.

He pulled back, using every ounce of strength within himself to let go of Elle. “I need to make a few phone calls while we wait.”

Elle nodded, pain staining her gaze. She stared vacantly in the distance, her eyes red and rimmed with tears.

As soon as Denton pulled out his cell phone, Elle’s began playing a cheerful melody that contradicted the somber mood of the house. Her eyes widened as she looked at the screen. “It’s Brianna.”

He stepped closer. “Stay calm and answer. Listen carefully to any signs as to where she is.”

Elle nodded and put the phone to her ear. Denton leaned in close so he could hear. “Brianna, is that you?”

“Elle. You’ve got to help me.” Brianna’s voice teetered on the edge of panic. Every other syllable seemed to break with tension.

“I want to help you. Are you okay?” Elle’s voice broke. Her entire body looked tight with strain. “Where are you?”

“I don’t know, Elle. I don’t know where I am. It’s so dark and cold.” Brianna let out another sob. The sound was gut-wrenching, laced with pulse-pounding fear.

A masculine voice in the background growled, “That’s enough!”

“Wait!” Elle screamed.

A scraggily voice came on the line. “Think about what you’ll do to get her back. Think long and hard because you don’t want this case to end like your sister’s.”