Plain Truth (Military Investigations) (13 page)

She stared at Zach, knowing what he was thinking but couldn’t say out loud.

There would be a next time. She wasn’t safe anywhere, and if the police didn’t put the pieces together fast enough, the next time could be fatal.

Then a thought caught at her heart. What if the danger that confronted her turned on Zach? What if something happened to him when he was trying to protect her?

The assailant had to be stopped. Before he hurt Ella, and even more important, before he harmed Zach.

FOURTEEN

“Y
ou’ve been too gracious,” Ella said as she hugged Carrie goodbye the next morning, and then handed her bag to Zach.

“Anytime you need a place to stay,” Tyler’s fiancée said, “don’t hesitate to call me.”

Ella nodded and then hugged Tyler. “You and Zach did a good job keeping the ladies safe last night, but I don’t think either of you slept.”

He smiled and shrugged. “Zach and I are used to running on no sleep. Plus we spelled each other for an hour or two.”

As Zach placed Ella’s luggage in his car, Tyler added, “I needed to force him to grab a few
z
’s. I don’t think Zach’s slept in days. Keep talking as you drive to Atlanta to keep him awake.”

She laughed. “I’ll be a chatterbox. He’ll ask me to shut up.”

“I doubt that.” Tyler looked at her knowingly, as if he realized something special had developed between them. Was it that obvious?

After saying their goodbyes, Ella slid into the passenger seat, nodding her thanks to Zach before he closed the door and hurried to the driver’s side.

They both waved, and as they drove away, Ella turned to watch Tyler and Carrie fade from view. “They’re a great couple, and they had high praise for you, Zach.”

He smiled and turned onto the road that would take them into Freemont and then to the interstate. “They’re good people. I thought they’d be married by now, but they’re both taking their time and getting to know each other, which is probably smart.”

“Carrie said it wouldn’t be long.”

“Tyler insisted I get some shut-eye last night. You probably coerced him into taking care of me.”

Ella held up her hands and laughed. “I plead innocent. He recognized the fatigue lining your eyes. He’s a smart guy who wanted to help out. Friends like that are hard to find.”

“You’re right.”

She patted his hand. “I’m relieved you got some rest. I must admit that I slept, as well. Probably for the first time since the attack.”

She glanced out the window and then asked, “Have you learned anything new about Mary Kate’s condition?”

“She’s responding to treatment, so evidently there’s improvement.”

“Which is what we want. Did you contact Corporal Powers’s unit?”

“They’re keeping him under watch, although he’s allowed to visit his wife at the hospital. The main concern is that he might do something rash and hurt himself. They don’t seem to think that he’ll hurt anyone else.”

“That’s a tough way to come home from a war zone.”

“The counselors and medical personnel working with our PTSD soldiers are top of the line. I’m satisfied that he’s getting the best care possible.”

“What about Mary Kate?” Ella asked.

“The military hospital at Fort Freemont is staffed with highly competent physicians and other medical personnel. Mary Kate will pull through.”

Ella shook her head. “I don’t want to think of what could happen.

“They’re doing everything possible to ensure she improves.”

“I’m sure they are.” Ella glanced at Zach. “Before you, I had never known anyone who was career army.”

“What’s your assessment now that you know me?”

She hesitated, weighing her words. “You’re a great guy, Zach, with a big heart. Even though you try to put up a tough front, down deep you’re a softy.”

“Is that right?” He laughed, causing her heart to flutter. “That’s somewhat like the way I see you.” He flicked a quick glance at her before he turned his eyes back to the road. “You’re ever the medical expert, spouting information and speaking in long sentences.”

“Really?” Her cheeks burned.

“Maybe you feel the need to prove yourself. But...” He hesitated a moment. “I don’t see a medical professional when I look at you. I see a very interesting lady with a big heart who must love children and wants to make the world a better place. Your husband was the intellectual. You were the heart.”

Moved by Zach’s comment, Ella glanced out the window.

He touched her hand. “Am I right?”

She turned back to face him, seeing the openness of his gaze. “You said I was perceptive, Zach, but you seem to be, as well.”

“An investigator puts the pieces together. You’ve mentioned your husband a number of times. All I did was make the connections.”

“Just as you said, Quin was all head. I like to think that I am more heart. Unfortunately, we couldn’t seem to find a midpoint that worked for both of us.”

“I’m sorry.” Again, Zach reached for her hand, only this time he didn’t let go.

The highway stretched before them, taking them to Atlanta for a symposium that would highlight her husband’s work.

Zach was right; for all her attempts to appear strong, she was apprehensive about what the day would bring. She appreciated the warmth of his touch and was grateful for his friendship and support.

But wasn’t it more than friendship? Something much more? The special agent with the understanding gaze had wormed his way into her heart.

Confronting the medical research team who had worked with Quin would be a challenge. Thankfully, Zach was with her. No matter how strong she tried to be, she couldn’t have faced them alone.

* * *

Navigating Atlanta traffic made Zach realize he was a country boy at heart. Even early in the day, the connector that led into the heart of the city was sixteen lanes of bumper-to-bumper traffic.

At least the front desk personnel at the hotel were accommodating. He had requested a room across from Ella’s when he’d made his reservation, but he’d ended up on the twelfth floor, while she was on the seventh. Thankfully, the staff was able to make the change, which placed Zach three rooms away from her.

“You’re worried about my safety,” she said as they rode up in the elevator.

“I can’t turn off being a special agent,” he answered, although there was far more to it than that. Someone was out to do Ella harm. Even though she had left Freemont, and hopefully, the danger remained there, Zach wouldn’t let down his guard.

“Let’s stick together, okay?” he said with a smile. “Then I won’t have to worry quite so much.”

“Did you want to check my room to make sure no one’s hiding in there?” Her comment was offhand, but Zach realized she understood the importance of being cautious.

“Now you’re thinking like someone in law enforcement.” He took the key from her, swiped it against the sensory pad on the door and stepped into the room. Quickly, he checked the closet and bathroom and under the bed, before motioning her inside.

“Everything looks fine,” he assured her. “I’ll be three doors down on the opposite side of the hallway. Room 712. What time do we need to head to the symposium?”

“Let me check the welcome packet.” The large manila envelope had been waiting at the front desk for Ella. She pulled out a number of papers and searched through them.

“I found the information,” she said. “The symposium’s being held in Decatur. Due to a lack of parking, they ask everyone to use MARTA, the city’s mass transit system. The station’s not far from here.”

“What time should we leave?”

She glanced at another paper and pointed to a paragraph halfway down the printout. “Nancy’s scheduled to speak about CED at 1:00 p.m., immediately after the lunch break. Why don’t we leave here at eleven fifteen? We’ll arrive at the symposium ahead of schedule and grab lunch there before the talk.”

Zach checked his watch. “I’ll knock on your door in an hour. Don’t forget to engage both locks, and don’t open the door to anyone. I’m going to scout out the hotel. You can reach me on my cell.” He pointed to the printout with the schedule of events. “Mind if I take a look at where we’ll be later today?”

She handed him the information. “You take it. The dinner and program will be held in the Magnolia Ballroom, here in this hotel.”

“I’ll find it.” Stepping into the hallway, he waited outside her door until she had engaged the security bolt.

His own room was a mirror image of Ella’s. He left his luggage inside and then followed the hallway to the stairwell and went down to the third floor, where the ballrooms were located.

Once he knew the layout for the evening event, and the various elevators and stairways, he returned to his room and called Sergeant Abrams.

“Anything new on Daniel Fisher?” Zach asked.

“Nothing from Alabama, but we’ve got something on him from Florida. Guess he headed to the Sarasota area last year. Daniel rented a room and left without paying his bill. I’m still digging, but at least that gives me a reason to hold him. I’m counting on him coming clean about the attack on the doc. He’s got an angry edge and a sense of entitlement. The world owes him. Why, I’m not sure.”

“Let me know if you do have to release him.”

“How’s Atlanta?” Abrams asked.

“Crowded with people and overflowing with traffic. They suggest we take MARTA to the medical talk, which is probably a good idea.”

“I’m glad you’re with the doc. She’s probably safer in Atlanta than she would be at her clinic, but you never know. She needs someone watching her back.”

“I’ll call you when we return tomorrow.”

“Stay safe, Zach.”

“Right.” He disconnected. The most important thing was to keep Ella safe.

* * *

Why was she on edge?

Ella hadn’t expected the anxiety that welled up within her as she and Zach left the hotel. She glanced at her watch. They had plenty of time to get to the symposium and grab a sandwich or salad before the presentation.

Zach took her arm and guided her along the sidewalk. “There’s the MARTA station.” He pointed to an entrance just ahead.

They hurried down the stairs to the platform, which was awash with a mix of people, from men and women in business suits, to college students and blue-collar workers, to street folks, all of whom relied on MARTA for transportation within the city.

Ella pointed to a train that was loading. “Is that the one we need to take?”

Zach shook his head. “We’ve got about ten minutes before the Decatur train arrives.”

Ella weaved her way through the crowd and stopped not far from the edge of the platform. She peered over the drop-off and stared down, approximately four feet, to the tracks below.

“Better not get too close,” Zach warned, wrapping his hand protectively around her elbow.

“Just trying to see how the cars are powered. I went to school in Columbus, Ohio, but I still consider myself a country girl. I’ve never been around mass transit systems.”

Zach pointed to an outside rail covered partially with a metal sheath. “That’s the conductor rail, also known as the third rail. The trains have what’s called a ‘shoe’ that slides over it and transfers power to the engine’s electric motor.”

“Remind me not to walk on any MARTA tracks.”

“Folks have died who haven’t realized the danger, or who...” He looked at her as if he’d said the wrong thing.

...
who wanted to end their lives.
Mentally, she completed his thought.

Quin hadn’t taken his own life, no matter what the Memphis cops had told Zach. Frustrated, Ella pulled out of his hold and wrapped her arms around her waist.

Zach pointed to a train schedule posted on the wall. “We want the blue line heading east.”

His phone trilled. He checked the caller ID on his cell and shrugged. “No name, just a number.”

He raised the phone to his ear. “Special Agent Zach Swain.” His brow furrowed, and he turned his head to the side. “Could you repeat that?” He glanced at Ella and pointed to a corner alcove away from the crowd.

She nodded, knowing he’d be able to hear more clearly away from the people who packed the platform.

Ella again glanced down at the tracks. A group of kids holding skateboards shoved past her.

“Watch out,” she warned, for their safety as well as hers.

A swell of new arrivals hurried down the steps and filled the platform, forcing her dangerously close to the edge. Someone pushed against her. She struggled to keep her balance.

“Stop,” she cried, feeling propelled forward. Her heart lurched. Her arms flailed as another shove sent her over the lip.

She screamed and fell to the tracks below, her shoulder and hip taking the brunt of the fall. Gasping, she struggled to sit up, her hand coming close to the live rail.

“Someone’s on the track!” a bystander shrieked.

Ella looked up, dazed, realizing people were pointing at her.

A roar filled her ears. The ground rumbled.

She peered down the track and saw nothing, then, glancing over her shoulder, discovered a huge train barreling down upon her.

Her heart pounded at breakneck speed. She tried to move, but her body failed to respond. Knowing she’d be crushed by the giant rail car, she opened her mouth to scream again. The sound caught in her throat. She couldn’t breathe, and all she could hear was the roar of the train.

“Ella!”

Zach jumped from the platform. He grabbed her shoulders and rolled her away from the rail and into a narrow recessed area under the platform. Nestled in his arms, she heard the terrible rumble, louder than a bomb exploding around them. She closed her eyes and buried her face in his chest, too afraid to cry, too panicked to think or move or do anything but cling to Zach, who had pulled her from danger.

Just that quickly, the train passed.

“Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice husky with emotion. He pulled back ever so slightly to look into her eyes.

She shook her head, unable to speak and unwilling to leave the security of his arms.

“Hurry.” He helped her out of the protective area. “We have to get to safety before the next train arrives.”

People on the platform stood back, as if unable to believe they had survived.

“I need some help,” Zach demanded.

Hands reached down and pulled her to safety. Zach climbed up behind her. Trembling, Ella clung to him, unwilling to let go of the man who had saved her once again.

“What happened?” he asked.

She shook her head, unable to come to terms with what had just occurred. “Someone...someone shoved against me,” she finally said.

Her eyes scanned the crowd. Was the person still on the platform?

“Were you pushed?” Zach asked.