A Time to Protect (13 page)

“He is. He cares deeply about everything we’re going through.” Brendan helped her into the van, conscious of the kids and their protectors talking nearby. “You can know God very personally, Chloe, if you take the time to study what He says in the Bible and talk to Him. I could suggest a book that will help if you like.”

“Yes, I think I would.”

Brendan drove to the party thinking about what she’d said. Though he knew there were other agents on-site, he kept vigilant watch on Chloe while praying for her. If nothing else came of this, perhaps he could at least help her grow closer to God.

By the time they arrived back at Chloe’s, the sky was gray and dark. Ominous clouds scudded across the sky. The wind whistled over rooftops and around corners, its icy grip an unwelcome reminder that winter was past due.

Kyle and Madison seemed exhausted by the day and soon retired to their rooms. Chloe also disappeared to change into her uniform. Brendan checked with Darcy to make sure she was clear on things, then changed his own clothes for the night shift shadowing Chloe. But as he turned the living room blinds closed, he caught sight of a black sedan parked across the street. He decided to check it out, but by the time he had the front door open, the car had disappeared, its red taillights a faint glow through the tumbling snowflakes.

Dread dragged at his heels. Whoever they were, they weren’t giving up.

He checked with headquarters, informed Darcy and Fergus about the car. But as he helped Chloe into the van, Brendan said nothing to her. What was the point? She’d only worry more and tonight she’d need to focus on work.

He drove in silence, content to enjoy the solitude between them. Traffic was light, only a few motorists wanting to risk the first snowfall of the season.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she said, her voice soft, her face rapt as she peered outside. “Clean and fresh and—”

Brendan felt the crash right through his bones. Someone had rear-ended them.

“Are you all right?” he asked, concerned by her stark white face.

“I’m fine.”

“I’m going to get the guy’s number but I’ll be right back. You stay here.” She nodded and Brendan slid out of his seat. A man was struggling to get out of his oversized SUV. He slipped and slid his way to the back of Chloe’s van, his face half-hidden by a low brimmed hat.

“I’m so sorry,” he apologized. “I just couldn’t stop.”

“Are you hurt?” Brendan asked, striving not to show his impatience. He glanced over one shoulder, caught a glimpse of Chloe through the window. Reassured, he turned back to the man. “Sir?”

“No, I’m fine. Quite all right, thank you.” The man was staring at him and Brendan didn’t understand why.

“Good. Could I get your insurance information? I’ll need it for repairs.”

“Oh. Yes. Of course.” The man patted his pockets as if he weren’t sure where his wallet was. After a moment he turned back toward the car. “Must be in the glove compartment.”

Brendan checked on Chloe again. So far, so good. He made a mental note of the SUV’s license plate, noticed that several vehicles had stopped, presumably to see if they needed help. When the older man didn’t return, Brendan walked to his car.

“Do you have insurance, sir?” he asked, bending to look inside the vehicle.

The man was half sprawled across the seat, but he straightened when Brendan spoke. “Oh, yes. I have it. Here.” He held out a small brown wallet-type holder. “It’s inside.”

“Okay.” Brendan reached out to take it but a noise stopped him. “Wait here,” he ordered before he raced back toward the
van. There was no one in the passenger seat. He strode around the front. “Chloe? Chloe!”

She didn’t answer. She was gone!

With a squeal of tires the SUV that had hit him roared past. Brendan used his radio to call for help, gave the license plate number, then scanned the tracks in the snow. But there were too many and he couldn’t tell which were Chloe’s.

“Hey, mister. You gonna move that thing?”

“Yes,” he hollered back, scanning the area. “When I find my passenger.”

“She went that way.” The driver pointed to a darkened alley. “She was with some guy. Are you sure she wants to be found?”

A cold wave of apprehension washed over him. Brendan raced across the street, praying as he went. He’d just gained the corner of a building when he heard the screech of brakes and a vehicle pulled past him. A shot whizzed past but Brendan ignored it. He could see the white of Chloe’s coat now and he raced toward it, conscious of another person in the alley, someone who was trying to shove her into the black SUV that had hit them.

“Chloe!” She’d been fighting her attacker before but now she lashed out at him with a chop directly to his throat and a second to his groin. He shrieked in pain, reared back and Chloe broke free. “Come on,” he begged her silently.

Chloe’s long legs carried her toward him and she launched herself into his arms. The attacker scrambled into the SUV, which began moving even before the door was closed. He couldn’t believe he’d fallen for their hit-and-run scheme. He pushed that thought away for the moment, pulled Chloe close and hoped his heart would slow down as he tried to calm her.

“It’s okay, you’re safe now. Come on, let’s go back to the van. Can you walk?”

“Of course,” she insisted, her voice breathy. “I can run if I have to.”

“You don’t have to run, Chloe,” he chuckled, relieved that
she hadn’t lost her nerve. “At least not from me. You’re safe now.” He kept his arm firmly wrapped around her shoulders as he led her through the darkness, and out of the alley. Before they’d gone more than a few steps, several agents appeared.

“What happened?” he asked.

“I’ll explain as best I can,” Chloe promised. “But can we get out of here?”

“Yes.” With Chloe’s van damaged, Brendan and his boss helped her into one of the agency vehicles while the other agents remained behind to see that the van was towed and traffic unsnarled.

“A man yanked the door open and dragged me out. I didn’t even see him coming. He covered my mouth so I couldn’t scream, and said he’d hurt the kids if I didn’t keep quiet.” Her eyes were enormous in her white face. Her hands trembled and she gripped her pants to stop them.

“Your children are fine, Mrs. Tanner. They’re asleep at home. I just checked.” Duncan Dorne’s voice was gentler than Brendan had ever heard it.

“Oh. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. And you were where during this?” Dorne’s attention switched to Brendan, his mouth tight as he lifted one imperious eyebrow.

Brendan explained his part. “The driver didn’t ring any bells. But I had the feeling I knew him, something about his eyes. Chloe, did you recognize your attacker?”

She stared at him, slowly nodded. “It was the same man.”

“You’re certain? Same tattoo?”

She nodded at each question. “I’m positive it was the same man who attacked me in the mayor’s room. This time he said I’d be sorry I interfered.”

Brendan could have kicked himself. He was trained to expect the unexpected. Why hadn’t he recognized the trap? He’d endangered her because he hadn’t properly done his job, kept her in sight at all times.

“Maybe it would be better if I assigned someone else to this case?” Duncan suggested and Brendan couldn’t blame him. But Chloe objected.

“Mr. Montgomery makes my children feel safe.” Her big innocent eyes remained on him. “And me, too. This wasn’t his fault. I don’t want to start over with someone new.” They pulled up to the hospital and Chloe grabbed the door, paused. “I almost forgot about work—can we hurry?”

Brendan picked up the laptop he’d rescued from her van, glanced at his boss for the all-clear then helped her out. When they reached the ICU, Chloe’s supervisor lay in wait for them.

“I’m deducting time for your tardiness, Chloe,” Sylvester Grange told her, his eyes hard and cold.

“Mrs. Tanner was involved in an accident on the way to work. The FBI detained her so it’s our fault she’s late. This is Duncan Dorne, senior agent on this case. You can discuss it with him if you have questions.” Brendan stepped around the odious man and followed Chloe to the desk.

While she received the patient reports from Katherine Montgomery, Brendan moved to the corner. He needed to check out a hunch about that license plate but it was going to take a few minutes. The nurses bent over their station.

Kate was his cousin Adam’s wife. She took her job at Vance Memorial seriously. Kate wouldn’t leave until Chloe was apprised of each patient’s status. Brendan realized Kate would soon be going on maternity leave.

“Yes, hello.” Brendan related the information he wanted to an operative on the other end of the line then waited. It didn’t take long to learn that the license plate number he’d memorized belonged to deputy mayor Owen Frost, who’d reported his car missing, possibly stolen.

How did Owen Frost fit into this?

“You don’t look happy.” Adam Montgomery looked nothing like the accomplished surgeon he was. In his casual cords and loose cotton shirt, hands thrust into his jacket, he looked
relaxed. He waggled his fingers at his wife then leaned against the wall beside Brendan. “What’s wrong?”

“A whole lot of things actually. You look well.”

“I am.” Adam’s gaze remained fixed on Kate. “You?”

“Okay.”

Their discussion was cut short when Kate grabbed her husband’s hand. “Hi, Bren. Bye Bren. Let’s go, Adam. I need to put my feet up.”

“You should be on leave.” Adam draped his arm around her shoulders. “Nobody here needs you more than our baby does.”

“That’s not the impression I was given when I was called in,” she told him, glaring at Sylvester Grange, who was giving Chloe grief. “But it’s okay because I want to save every minute of my leave for after the baby arrives.”

Brendan watched them leave with a pang of envy for their obvious happiness. A moment later Alessandro Donato stepped from the elevator and headed toward the mayor’s room. He arrived there the same moment Lidia Vance emerged from the room with her son, Peter. The three spoke in hushed tones. A few moments later, Lidia and Peter left. Alessandro tried to step past the guard but was stopped. Brendan moved forward.

“What are you doing here, Alessandro?”

“Checking on Aunt Lidia’s husband, of course. Is that a crime?”

“Not so far.” When the other man tried to enter the room again, Brendan grasped his arm, drew him away. “You can’t go in there. They’ve a list of allowed visitors and you’re not on it.”

“But you are.” As usual, Alessandro kept his emotions masked.

“Me? No way. I’m just here to watch out for Mrs. Tanner. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?” he asked searching for some response.

“Tanner?” Alessandro shook his head. “I’m afraid I don’t know the name. I guess I haven’t met her yet. Perhaps you’ll introduce us.”

Not in this lifetime
. “You’ve been in town a while now, haven’t you, Alessandro?” He waited for the other man’s nod. “Why? I mean, what could the European Union want with a town like Colorado Springs?”

“I am sorry, I am not at liberty to discuss my business with you. But rest assured that I have done nothing wrong, Agent Montgomery.” Heavy stress on the “agent.” “I pose no threat to you and your bureau.” After an infinitesimal pause, Alessandro turned and left.

Brendan remained where he was. Was Alessandro the man in black? There was something behind those words, some hint if he could just pick it out. His thoughts were interrupted by his phone.

“Hey, buddy. Holly just passed on your message. What can I do for you?” His cousin Jake sounded like he’d just inherited millions.

“I need to talk to you. It’s about the Diablo crime syndicate. Can you meet me?”

“Sure.” The bubble had disappeared from Jake’s voice. He was all business now. “Where and when?”

“I’m keeping an eye on Chloe Tanner. She’s a nurse at the hospital, Intensive Care Unit. Can you come here?”

“Just so happens I’m at Vance Memorial now. Let me see Holly off and I’ll be up right away.” He appeared five minutes later. “What is this about, Brendan?”

“I’m not sure.” He laid out the facts as he knew them for Jake’s consideration. He had no worry about confidentiality. As an FBI computer expert, Jake had clearance. He also had firsthand knowledge of the drug cartel. “I’ve looked at Baltasar Escalante’s case again and again, trying to find some tie in to this new guy.”

“Ah, the Chief. Isn’t that what they’re calling this new boss? I heard someone might be taking over.”

“I heard that, too.” Brendan glanced up, saw Chloe preparing meds. “I’m missing something, I know I am. I just can’t figure out what. Do you mind running through the facts with me?”

“I don’t mind but I don’t know how it can help. Escalante went down in that plane crash a year ago.”

“There’s no doubt he died?”

“Well, we had visual confirmation he was on the plane.” Jake shook his head. “I saw photos of the scene. It was a mess. Things were so badly burned, forensics couldn’t even find a body. Escalante liked the high life and that plane was top of the line when it comes to luxury. It was destroyed by the crash. So, yeah, I think we can be pretty certain he’s dead.”

“Okay.” Brendan scribbled down a couple of notes.

“I can’t say I’m sorry Escalante’s gone. Hate festered inside him and if he’d lived I think it would have gotten worse. Nobody ever crossed the man without paying, big-time.”

“Known associates?”

“Not that many. You probably have a list already.”

“Ritchie Stark?”

“Low-life peon, ran some errands from Escalante’s hotel in Venezuela. I can run a new check on him when I go in tomorrow if you want, but he never rose very high in the organization.”

“How about a guy named Redding?” Brendan asked, wishing he could get rid of this nebulous feeling that something wasn’t quite right. “Did that name ever come up as a cartel hit man?”

“Not that I know of. Those guys keep that side of the business very close to the chest. Even if we had a name for their hit men, I doubt they’d be authentic. They’ve gotten very good at stealing identities to cover their tracks. How do you know this Redding?”