Running Blind (9 page)

No, she didn't have time to waste worrying about the way Nikolai made her feel. Feelings, after all, were fleeting and could change as quickly as the weather. Jenna had learned that the hard way, and she wouldn't forget it. Only God was constant, and it was He she needed to put her trust in. That was a lesson from childhood, and one she'd come back to over and over again while she'd fought cancer. She'd cling to it now as well, and it would be enough.

It had to be.

There was nothing else.

Sure, Nikolai was attractive and interesting. Sure he seemed caring and strong. Sure, Jenna could imagine depending on him. She could even imagine losing her heart to him.

What she couldn't imagine was doing any of those things and coming out unscathed. She'd had her heart broken once, and she wouldn't let it happen again. All she had to do was keep that in mind and she'd be just fine.

I
t took forty minutes to reach the airport, and by the time they arrived, Jenna had managed to push aside her misgivings. Nikolai could travel to Spokane with her or not. Either way, she'd be just fine. She was tough—she'd proven that over and over again. Whatever happened, she'd weather the storm and grow stronger because of it.

They parked in the long-term parking garage, and Officer Daniels motioned for them to get in the police cruiser. “I'll drive you to the terminal. There's no sense taking chances.”

“I thought you said Jenna was no longer in danger.”

“I said that we had good reason to believe the Panthers have lost interest in her. That doesn't mean we should throw caution to the wind.”

“You want to take the front or backseat?” Nikolai asked.

“I've never ridden in the back of a police car, so I guess I'll sit there.”

“You sure? I've been in the back plenty, and I can tell you for sure that it's not much to write home about.”

“Should I ask how you wound up in the backseat of a police cruiser?”

“Let's just say, I had a misspent youth. It's only by the grace of God that I didn't end up with a criminal record and a cell in the state penitentiary,” Nikolai responded as Jenna slid into the backseat. He leaned in and set her duffel bag on the floor, his arm brushing her leg, his masculine scent
surrounding her. Her pulse leaped, her heart skipping a beat as she met his eyes.

“A misspent youth? Now you've made me curious.”

“That makes two of us.”

“What do you mean?”

“Simply that there are things about you that I'd like to know, too. Fortunately, we'll have plenty of time to get to know each other on the way to Spokane.” He closed the door, and Jenna was sure she should say something when he got into the car. Maybe tell him that she knew everything about him that she wanted to know, or that he had no reason to be curious about her. But she wasn't sure either of those things were true, and she kept silent as he settled into the front seat and Officer Daniels drove them to the terminal.

Despite the late hour, the airport bustled with activity. People milled around ticket counters and stood waiting by doors. Flanked by Nikolai and Officer Daniels, Jenna felt safe enough, though she wondered how easy it would be for one of the Mexican Panthers to enter the airport with a gun or a knife or some other deadly weapon.

Just the thought was enough to send her heart rate soaring.

“Do you want to check your duffel?” Nikolai held her bag and his own duffel, and she shook her head.

“I'll carry it on the plane.”

“And you already have your boarding pass printed out?” Officer Daniels asked. “Yes.”

“Sounds like the two of you can go straight to the boarding gate. I'll walk you to the security gate, and we'll say goodbye there.” Officer Daniels sounded as anxious to get things moving as Jenna was.

“I appreciate your taking the time to escort us here.” Jenna offered a smile as she pulled the boarding pass from her purse, took her driver's license from her wallet and walked toward the security gate.

“It was no problem. Just make sure you check in with the Spokane Police once you arrive. They'll want to meet with you in the next day or two.”

It sounded more like an order than a request. Had they already searched Jenna's house? Had they found something? Just the thought made Jenna physically ill. She'd always believed that living an upright and law-abiding life would be enough to keep her out of trouble with the law.

Apparently, she'd been wrong.

“I'll do that.”

“We may have more questions for you. If you plan to move or to change phone numbers, please let us know so that we can contact you if necessary.”

“I'm not sure she legally has to do that, Officer.” Nikolai pulled out his boarding pass and ID, offering Officer Daniels a smile that was anything but friendly.

“She's a witness to a crime, Mr. Jansen. I'm sure you understand how important it is for us to keep in contact with her.”

“What I understand is that you suspect her of drug activities, even though you have no evidence to link her to a crime.”

“As I've said before—” Officer Daniels began, but Jenna didn't think she could listen to a rehash of the same tired points.

“I'll keep you informed if there are any changes in my contact information, but I doubt there will be.”

Officer Daniels nodded and fished a business card from his pocket. “If you have any questions or if you remember anything that you think will help our case, give me a call.”

“I will.” She shoved the card in her pocket, not sure what case he was referring to. Did he think she'd suddenly remember that Magdalena had been involved in drug trafficking? Or did he think she'd remember something about her time in Mexico that would help the police figure out why Jenna had been targeted for death?

“We'd better go.” Nikolai put a hand on her arm, his fingers curving around her biceps. He had large hands. Nice hands.
And hands were something that Jenna always noticed about people. Nikolai's palms were broad, his fingers long. There were calluses on his palms and scars on his knuckles. He worked hard, and his hands told the story of it. Ryan's hands had been much smaller, his palms rough and often moist.

And why Jenna was even thinking about them, she didn't know.

“Jenna!” A masculine voice called from somewhere behind them, and Jenna turned, surprised to see John rushing toward her.

“John, what are you doing here?”

“Thank goodness I caught you before you left.”

“Is everything okay? Is Benjamin okay?” Benjamin whose dark eyes and black hair were just like his mother's. Just the thought of something happening to him made Jenna light-headed. She swayed, clutching Nikolai's arm, and not caring about what that said about her and her needs.

“He's fine. I just had no idea you were going to leave today. I thought you planned to stay until Wednesday.” John frowned, shifting from one foot to the other, his eyes shadowed.

“After what happened today, I decided it was best to go home. I did call your house and left a message with your mother.”

“I know. I just got it. Today has been crazy, and I've barely had time to think.” He ran a hand over his hair, and Jenna was sure it was trembling.

“Is everything okay, John?” She took a step toward him, stopping when he held up a hand.

“No. How can it be?”

“Are you upset that I'm leaving? I thought that with your parents here…”

“Upset? Of course not. You have to do what's best for you. It's just that I'd hoped we could spend some time together. I'd like to know more about Magdalena's time in Mexico. There are so many questions I haven't been able to ask.”

“You can call me anytime. You know that, right?” She took
his hand, squeezing gently, her throat tightening as he offered a sad smile.

“You were her best friend, Jen. Having you around makes me feel as if a part of her is still here. I guess I was just hoping that would last a little longer.”

She hadn't thought of it that way, hadn't even considered that sticking around might help John adjust to the reality of life without Magdalena. “I thought that with your parents here, you were doing okay. Maybe I should have thought a little harder.”

“My parents knew Magdalena, but they were never as close to her as you were. I would have loved to spend a few days reminiscing with you. I'm sorry that the last few days have been too busy for us to get together.”

“You had a lot going on. I understood that.”

“Still, I should have made more time. I would have, if I'd realized we wouldn't have it after the funeral.” He smiled again, shifting from foot to foot nervously. In the years she'd known him, Jenna had never thought of John as anything but calm and cool. No matter what the circumstances, he'd always maintained an aloof distance and emotional detachment. Obviously, Magdalena's death had changed that.

“We both should have tried harder to connect, but I think Magdalena's death was such a shock that neither of us were thinking straight. Maybe in a few weeks, I can come back. I'd love to see Benjamin again.”

“A couple weeks would be nice, but my mother suggested another option.”

“Your mother?”

“I told her how bad I felt that I'd pretty much ignored you these past few days. She suggested that she and my father move into the spare room, and you could stay in the guest suite.”

“That's a nice idea, but I already have my ticket home.”

“We'll pay for a ticket out on Wednesday, as you originally planned.”

“I…” Jenna didn't know what to say. She'd had her heart set on returning to Spokane but she wasn't sure if she could look John in the eye and say no.

“I know there's been some trouble with the police.” He glanced at Officer Daniels. “It may be easier to answer their questions if you stay in Houston, and I'll be happy to hire a lawyer for you if you need it.”

“Lawyer?” The thought hadn't even occurred to her, but now that John mentioned it, she wasn't sure she could get it out of her mind.

“Maybe I'm out of line suggesting it.”

“If I need a lawyer, I'll hire one myself.” But she hoped she wouldn't need one.

“Understood, but at least let me give you some names, okay? I'd offer to represent you myself, but I think I'm too close to things, and I doubt I'd have the objectivity that is needed to win.”

Win what? Did John really think Jenna would be arrested and tried for drug trafficking? She wanted to ask, but didn't dare. Not with Officer Daniels standing a few feet away.

“Jenna, if we're getting on that plane, we'd better get moving.” Nikolai interrupted, his dark eyes focused on John.

“All right. I'll give you a call when I get to Spokane, John.”

“Fine. That's fine. There was one more thing, though. Another reason I'd hoped you would stay.”

“What's that?”

“Magdalena's lawyer requested that you be at the reading of the will. It's scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. I should have mentioned it days ago, but it slipped my mind what with all the funeral plans and police interviews.”

“The reading of her will? Magdalena had a will?”

“My wife had very specific ideas about what should happen to her home and her family if she died. She had a lawyer draw up a will last year, and I believe you're mentioned in it.”

“Oh.” That was all Jenna could manage.

“Of course, you don't have to be there. The lawyer can contact you at home, but I think Magdalena would have liked the idea of all the people she loved gathered in one room, listening to her last wishes. I could probably get you a ticket to Spokane the following day, so you really wouldn't be putting your trip home off for more than forty-eight hours.”

It was a trump card, and he knew it. Like John, Jenna could imagine Magdalena carefully planning the moment when those she loved most would gather to hear her last words to them. “All right. I'll stay.”

“Are you sure? I don't want you to feel pressured into it.”

“I do, but not by you. Magdalena would have wanted us to be together when the will was read.” And Jenna would respect her friend's wishes. Home would be there in another few days, but the opportunity to honor Magdalena one last time would not be.

“Are you sure about this, Jenna?” Nikolai asked quietly, his expression guarded. Whatever he was thinking about John's appearance and his plea was well hidden.

“No more sure than I have been of anything these past few days, but I do know Magdalena would have wanted me there.”

“And you'll stay at my place?” John seemed more relaxed now that he'd posed his question and gotten his answer.

“As long as your parents won't be put out.”

“Of course they won't be. As I said, it was my mother's idea. Come on. Let's see if we can retrieve your luggage before they put it on the plane, and then I'll drive you home.”

“That's all the luggage I have.” She gestured to the duffel Nikolai held.

“Great.” John reached to take the bag, but Nikolai didn't release his hold.

“I'll walk you out to your car.” He didn't sound happy, and Jenna wanted to ask what was wrong. She met his eyes instead, trying to read the truth there.

“I'm right outside these doors. Probably getting ticketed for parking in a tow-away zone.”

“I'll come along, too,” Officer Daniels said, and Jenna felt like a well-protected prisoner as she followed John to the exit.

A black BMW stood in the tow-away zone, and John opened the passenger door. “You can toss the duffel in the trunk, Nikolai.” He pushed a button on his key chain, and the trunk opened. Then he rounded the car and got into the driver's seat.

Jenna knew she should get in the car and let him take her back to his place, but she felt uncomfortable and just a little uneasy, and she hesitated, waiting as Nikolai put the duffel in the trunk and closed it.

“Are you sure this is what you want?” He moved close, and Jenna was sure she saw her uneasiness reflected in his eyes.

“It's what Magdalena wanted.”

“And as sad as it is, she's gone. Make the decision for you, not for her.”

“I'm not sure I can do that.”

“What is holding you here? Your friend or her husband?”

“I barely know John,” Jenna said, shooting a quick glance into the car. John had started the engine and was tapping his fingers to the radio.

“That's not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?”

“That John fed you a guilt trip, and you swallowed it.”

“He's beside himself with grief, Nikolai. Can you blame him for wanting to have someone who knew and loved Magdalena around?”