Agent in Training (16 page)

“He would have, but another agent came down into the garage and scared him off. That’s when I applied for the order of protection.”

Nick was relieved to know the man had been stopped from violating her.

“Why didn’t you tell me this? Did he threaten to get even?” Nick was mad at himself for not asking these questions days ago.

Her face reddened.

“I assume that’s a yes.”

She nodded.

“All right.”

Nick punched a number into his cell phone and waited. “Hey, Gary. Hank’s been shot. I need you to find out if a Grady Sheppard can be found in Seattle, Washington. And I need it—like yesterday. Hank’s counting on you. Call me as soon as you know anything. Thanks.”

He ended the call and re-clipped the phone to his belt. “Freeman’s on it.”

“We don’t know it’s him, Nicholas. It might be someone else.”

“No. My gut says it’s him, and when I get my hands on this guy, I’m going to hurt him.”

A nurse wearing a blank look chose that moment to approach them through the swinging doors. “Are you here for Hank Dawson?”

“Yes,” Nick responded.

She looked at the group, confused about who should receive her news.

“You can talk to me and I’ll relay everything to them.” Nick grasped her elbow and led her to a corner. He tried desperately to read her face, but wasn’t sure if the news would be bad or good. Was Hank gone? His father’s image flashed in Nick’s mind, and he held his breath. Would DNS have to bury yet another agent?

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Shiloh blamed herself for Hank’s injury that put him at death’s door. The shooter who’d brought him down had wanted her. Maybe she should just let him kill her. That way it wouldn’t put anyone else at risk.

She looked at Sandra and her throat closed tight.

How would she feel if Nicholas lay on the operating table right now? Could she deal with his loss if God chose to take him?

From the depth of pain in Sandra’s eyes, it was clear how much she loved Hank. Shiloh was glad Sandra had her parents with her for support. Shiloh knew, even with her father alive, she would never have that again. Her mother had been gone for so long now, and eventually her father would succumb to his disease. She’d learned from the research she’d done on Alzheimer’s there was no cure.

Soon she’d have no one to love, unless she could convince Nicholas to give her another chance.

She glanced back at Nick. It was obvious he loved Hank, too.

Pain ripped through her again. She should have never come to Washington DC. Should have passed up the director’s position and relocated with the CIA. That way she wouldn’t have caused so much pain—or fallen in love with a younger man.

A nurse in scrubs came through the surgery doors and escorted Nicholas to the corner of the room. What was she saying?

He nodded, and the nurse turned to go back the way she came. Nick looked at Sandra and smiled. Shiloh watched Sandra’s chest release a deep breath as Nicholas walked to them.

“Hank made it through surgery. They’re concerned about infection, but it looks like he should recover.”

Shiloh released a breath. “Thank God.”

Nicholas walked over to Sandra and pulled her into his arms. A stab of jealousy hit Shiloh hard. She wanted to be the one he was holding. A selfish thought, but she couldn’t help herself.

Maybe she was over-sensitive right now because of everything that had been brought up regarding Sheppard––something that had been festering silently inside her for too long now.

“Can we see him?” Sandra asked, drawing Shiloh away from those troubling thoughts.

“He’s in recovery. Once he’s moved into ICU you can see him, one at a time. The nurse said she’d let us know when that’s possible. Tell him I’m going to get this guy. That’s a promise,” he said.

Sandra clutched at his shirtsleeves, her eyes pleading with him. “Nick, you need to be careful. This gunman is obviously crazy.”

“I’ll be okay. You just worry about Hank’s recovery, so you two can make some plans.”

Sandra’s eyes lit with understanding.

Shiloh stood back, feeling like an outsider. It was time for her to leave. Obviously she wasn’t needed or wanted here any longer.

While the two talked, Shiloh slipped out the front entrance, her throat choked with emotion. She quickly hailed a taxi and climbed inside. “Oak Haven. Tenth and Reynolds.”

Shiloh rested her head against the seat and closed her eyes. Life was overwhelming at the moment, and she couldn’t stop the tears from taking over.

When the taxi pulled up to the nursing facility, Shiloh wasn’t sure if she should even go inside. Would she be any good for her father in this state?

Angry with herself, she wiped her eyes and paid the fare. It had been a few days since she’d seen him. Maybe a visit with her father was exactly what she needed.

She hesitated outside his door, trying to pull herself together. When she entered Mrs. Craig looked up and smiled.

“Miss Templar. I didn’t know you were coming. Your father hasn’t been very responsive today. He’s spent most of the day sleeping.”

“Is that normal?” Shiloh’s stomach dropped into her feet. Could this day get any worse?

“We’re watching him closely. If we get concerned, you’ll be the first to know.”

“You’ve dealt with this disease. What do you think?” Shiloh wanted the truth. She’d done the reading, knew the warning signs, but wanted Mrs. Craig to confirm it.

“Shiloh, you and I both know that every case is different. It could be that his mind just needs a rest right now. Or it could be that his body is shutting down. Only time will tell.”

Shiloh rubbed her forehead, knowing what the nurse said was true. No one could know.

The mind was so complex, and her father’s illness held such a mystery. No one knew why an Alzheimer’s patient’s brains produced the plaque that ate away at normal brain tissue. And the doctors didn’t have a clue as to why one patient deteriorated faster than another. But part of it seemed to stem from age of onset of the disease. The younger the patient, the quicker the plaque spread. Her father had been considered on the young side and had subsequently deteriorated at a fast rate.

“Could I have some time alone with him?” Shiloh asked, holding back the tears threatening her again. She was a ball of raw emotion. Feelings she’d held at bay for far too long bombarded her now.

She’d allow herself this moment of weakness. But somehow she’d have to get herself back under control before she fell apart completely. That was one thing she didn’t want anyone to see.

Nicholas couldn’t believe Shiloh just up and left. She was supposed to have protection at all times. Especially with Hank shot, she should know that wouldn’t change.

His temper threatened to boil over. When he located her, she was going to hear about it, too. Damn stubborn woman.

He jumped into his Mustang, trying to think like Shiloh. What would she do? She would go somewhere she felt safe.
Oak Haven
. To her father.

He’d seen the pain in Shiloh’s eyes when she’d watched Sandra with her parents. He could imagine what she was feeling. Jealousy. Regret. Hopelessness. He’d feel that same way if he knew his mother were dying. Shiloh’s mother had died during the time a girl needed a woman in her life.

He rubbed at the tension at the back of his neck, remembering the resentment he’d felt for all the boys in school that had their fathers with them at ball games. He couldn’t even remember his dad. His mother had tried her best to fill the void his death had left, but at times he was still lonely for the father and son relationship his friends had.

Maybe that was why he was so drawn to Shiloh. She had that emptiness in her heart too. A void only another person who’d lost a parent would feel and understand.

And he was going to try to fill that hole for her. To be there for her. He loved her and he wanted to take care of her.

Ten minutes later, Nick parked in the visitors’ area of Oak Haven and bounded toward the entrance, hoping his instincts were right and that she was inside with her father.

He took the elevator up, thinking about what he wanted to say. The last thing he intended to do was add to her troubles, and he could very well do that with his confession if he wasn’t careful.

On his way down the hall he ran into her father’s private care nurse.

“Mr. Trent. I’m glad you’re here. I’m worried about Ms. Templar. Her father isn’t doing well and I just don’t know how she’s going to deal with losing him.”

Nick pointed to the door. “Is she in there?”

“Yes. She wanted some time alone with him. When she came earlier she looked as if she’d been crying. Do you know what’s wrong?”

“My partner at the agency was shot this afternoon. She’s upset about that.”

“I’m so sorry. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

"Shiloh looks exhausted. You should take her home.”

He nodded and smiled. “I’ll do that.”

Nick walked into the room. Shiloh sat next to her father’s bed. Her quiet sobs were barely audible. His emotions tilted. It hurt to see her like this. He could deal with the cold Ice Princess––but with this Shiloh, he was at a loss. He walked over and caressed a strand of her auburn hair. She looked up, her eyes glassy.

“What are you doing here?”

“I was worried about you. Remember, you’re not supposed to be alone. You okay?”

“Perfect. I almost cost a man his life today. My father hasn’t responded to me at all since I arrived here, and someone’s trying to kill me. So I can honestly say my life’s just peachy.”

Nick couldn’t help but smile. She still had her spirit.

“Ah, I’ve had worse days,” he said, hoping to lighten her mood.

“Right. Probably the day you got a new director.”

Nick grimaced. “Yeah, that was pretty bad, but I’ve had a couple of memorable moments with her since.”

She sniffed, and fought the smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “I’m sorry about Hank. If I could take his place right now, I would.”

Nick shook his head. “Nonsense. This wasn’t your fault.”

“It was. If I didn’t have this lunatic trying to kill me, Hank wouldn’t be in the hospital.”

“You are not responsible for this nutcase, Shiloh. We’ll catch him, and he’ll pay. Now let’s get you home. You look wiped out.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine. Come on. My car’s out front.”

Though her shoulders slumped in defeat, she rose and grabbed her purse. Clearly the fight was all out of her. He’d take her home, and after a short nap he’d tell her what he intended to. That he loved her with all his heart and couldn’t do a damn thing to change that.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Shiloh pushed open her apartment door, feeling Nicholas’ warm breath on the back of her neck. Did he have to stand so darn close?

She wanted to put some distance between them so she stepped inside the foyer. But that allowed him to enter. Shiloh closed the door and turned on the security system she’d had installed after the break in. Hah! Security, that was a laugh. Who was going to protect her from Nicholas? He had the power to hurt her far worse than any physical pain someone else could inflict.

“Did you want to order something to eat? I may have some frozen dinners in the freezer.” She clasped her hands together to keep them from shaking.

He moved further into the room, looking a bit anxious. “Not right now. Why don’t you go lie down awhile? Get some rest. I’m going to call the hospital and check on Hank. Then I’ll contact Freeman to see if he’s found out anything on this Grady character.”

“I think you’re wasting your time, Nicholas. Sheppard wouldn’t be that stupid.”

He arched an eyebrow. “You’d be surprised how stupid a scorned man can be.”

Heat crept up Shiloh’s cheeks. Had he meant himself? Did Nicholas feel rejected by her?

Suddenly overwhelmed with discomfort, she pointed to her bedroom door. “I’m going to lie down. Wake me if you hear anything.”

“Will do,” he confirmed, then unclipped his phone. “Sleep well.”

Once in her bedroom, Shiloh kicked off her shoes, removed her jacket, then hung it in her closet. After she’d unbuttoned the top buttons of her blouse, she went to lie on the bed.

Her life was a mess. She was in love with a man she had no right to be in love with. Another man wanted her dead, and her father couldn’t remember who she was most of the time. Could life get any worse?

A few weeks ago she’d thought things were finally turning around. A new job. In a new city. She was starting over. Only starting over hadn’t been all she hoped it would be—just the opposite. It was a huge disaster and she had only herself to blame.

Closing her eyes, she dreaded her next confrontation with Nicholas. She had to tell him how she felt. Would he feel the same? And if he didn’t, then what would she do?

Nick was relieved Hank’s condition had been upgraded from critical to stable, but guarded.

He blew out a ragged breath.
Thank you, God
.

He punched in another sequence of numbers and waited, hoping Freeman had some information about Grady Sheppard by now.

“Freeman,” he answered, his voice raised above the noise in the precinct.

“Gary, it’s Nick.”

“Nick, how’s Hank doing?”

“He’s stable.” Nick heard him release a deep breath.

“Good to hear. Hank’s a good man.”

Freeman’s admission knocked Nick for a loop. Maybe he’d underestimated the man. Could there be a semi-caring person beneath that smart-ass exterior? “Did you find anything on Sheppard?”

“Yeah, I was about to call you. I contacted CIA’s Seattle office. Seems a mess with our director cost him his job. And rumors, his marriage too. It was blatant sexual harassment. They told me the director had just cause to bring the suit against him. He’d even harass her in front of everyone. It was like a game to him.

“Earlier, Gale Symms, an agent in Texas, had filed a similar suit against him. Same degrading stuff.” Gary took a breath. “He sounds like a real winner. Anyway, he even went so far as to try to rape our director in the CIA parking lot. They caught it on a security camera tape. The only reason he didn’t go to jail was a deal was struck. CIA didn’t want to look bad.”