Protective Custody (8 page)

Carly now walked the exterior perimeter while Mason plowed a path through the interior. The kids were finally asleep. Debbie had supper waiting for them when they arrived, and they filled her in on the details of the day.

Nick called Wayne Thomas, Debbie's father, and asked
him to take care of a few things since he was going to be out of commission for the next few days. Nick had a decision to make and needed to be able to think without worrying about the distraction of his job.

Wayne had blown out a sigh. “Nick, take this pressure off your shoulders. Let me have the case. I can rearrange my schedule and do this for you.”

And for the first time in his life, Nick had seriously considered giving in. The vision of Lindsey's terrified huddle in the woods wouldn't leave him. She still hadn't said a word to anyone. And Christopher had had a hard time letting Nick go tonight.

“I…I… Let me think about it, Wayne. I don't want to do anything to put you in danger, either.”

Wayne had laughed. “Look, Nick, you've got two small children to take care of. Debbie's a big girl and understands the situation. She can just move in with me and let the marshals do their job here. At least Christopher and Lindsey wouldn't be targets anymore. I'd hate to think what would happen if…”

“Yeah, yeah.” Nick sighed. “Let me sleep on it tonight. Giving in to these people is wrong. So wrong I can't even…” He paced from one end of the room to the other. “But putting Chris and Lindsey through this isn't right, either. I'll get back to you.”

“Sure, Nick. I got you.”

Nick thanked God every day for the friendship he had with Wayne. Nick cleared his throat. “Talk to you soon.”

He'd hung up then checked on the kids. Both had been asleep. Now he felt the need to check again. The back door opened and Carly came in, her brow furrowed, deep in thought.

Nick let her think. He couldn't talk to her at the moment.
She caught his eye before he could turn down the hallway. “Are you all right?”

“Yes. I'm just going to check on the kids.”

He felt her eyes on his back all the way down the hall.

Christopher lay sacked out on his back, snoring gently, his breathing deep and even, thank goodness. No hint of the wheezing that had been there earlier. The grip on the stuffed dog he was never without seemed tighter than usual, but for the most part, Christopher looked peaceful, untroubled by nightmares.

Soft steps took him to the room next door. Lindsey lay curled in a fetal position, her arms wrapped around a pillow, clutching it to her stomach. In her sleep, she flinched and frowned.

Nick stepped closer and laid a hand on her arm. He bowed his head and whispered a prayer. “Lord, please place Your healing and peaceful touch on Lindsey. Give her rest. Chase the bad memories and thoughts from her mind.” He kept his hand there and felt Lindsey give a small sigh and saw her brow smooth out.

“How do you do it?”

Nick jumped at the whisper behind him. Carly. He turned to look at her. “What do you mean?”

She had her eyes on Lindsey's more peaceful form. “How do you keep your faith in the midst of all of this? Why do you keep turning to a God who seems to have His back to you?”

He walked toward her and placed a hand on her arm. The little ripple of awareness that surged through him caught him off guard. But he had to admit, he liked it.

And that set off even more ripples. Ripples of a different sort. Warning signals that said, “Watch out, this woman could be a danger to your heart.” Clearing his throat, he said, “Let's go into the den.”

She turned and led the way. While Debbie packed up the leftovers from supper, Mason sat at the kitchen table working on the laptop, searching for information on the man who'd been killed this afternoon. Nick walked into the kitchen and said, “Thanks for supper, Debbie.”

The young woman smiled and gave a half-hearted chuckle. “No problem. What else am I going to do with my time? I guess I could have taken off for Europe or gone with Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson, but…” She shrugged. “I don't want to bail on the kids.” She rubbed her hands together, and Nick clasped them between his.

She'd been there when his niece and nephew needed someone the most. She and her father. He gave her a gentle push toward the hall. “Get some rest, Deb. I'll listen for the kids tonight.” He wouldn't be surprised if one of them had a nightmare.

Debbie smiled and raised up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “Sure, Nick. Good night.”

A ringing phone shattered the quiet, and Debbie gasped. Fishing in the pocket of her jeans, she pulled it out. Carly snatched it from her and clicked it off, then pulled the battery from it.

She and Mason exchanged looks.

“What?” The poor woman looked scared stiff. “I…I saw the number. It was my dad.”

“You can't have your own cell phone here. We can get you an encrypted one, but until then, this one has to stay dismantled.” Carly slid the phone into the kitchen drawer to her left. “I hope you understand.”

Concern stamped on her pretty face, Debbie nodded. “Yes, that's fine.” The frown lingered, and she looked like she wanted to say something else.

“What is it?” Carly prompted.

“I just…I hate to admit it, but I felt safer with the phone.
I mean, what if I'm with the children and something happens?”

“That's why we're here, Debbie. You won't have a need for it.”

“Well, it's just…”

“It's like a security blanket, huh?” Carly asked knowingly.

Debbie blushed. “Yes, exactly. Stupid, huh?”

“Not at all. I understand, but I still can't let you have it.”

Debbie's lips tightened. Then she shrugged. “All right, that's fine, but could someone call my father to let him know we're okay? I'm sure he just wasn't thinking when he called my cell. And the fact that he got hung up on is going to scare him.”

“I'll do it,” Mason volunteered. “Or better yet. Here.” He handed her his encrypted phone, and Debbie gave him a weak smile.

“I'll just go in the bedroom and bring this back to you when I'm done. I'm really sorry, Nick. You know I wouldn't do anything to put you or the children in danger.”

She blinked back sudden tears, and Nick patted her arm. “Don't worry about it, Deb. You didn't know.”

“Okay,” she whispered. “Thanks.”

Nick watched her leave and then turned to find Carly studying him, a funny look on her face. “What?”

“You don't have a clue, do you?”

“Clue?”

She bit her lip and shook her head. Turning to Mason, Carly asked, “Anything?”

Mason looked up from his task and shook his head. “Not yet. I'll find what I'm looking for, though.”

Carly settled on the couch and looked around. The house plan was a simple one. Open and airy on the inside,
nondescript on the outside. Situated on the outskirts of town on a little farm, the windows covered, shutting out the darkness of the night.

And any prying eyes.

Nick sat on the other end of the couch and leaned his head back against it. He stared at the ceiling, wishing he could just go to sleep and shut out the world. But since that wasn't an option, he waited for Carly to start.

It didn't take her long. “What is it, Nicholas?”

“You said I didn't have a clue. About what?”

“Debbie.”

“Ah. Well, that's not totally true. I have a small clue.”

“That she's completely in love with you?”

His lips curved in a rueful smile. “No, she's not.”

“Nick…”

“It's not love. Infatuation, maybe. A little hero worship or something like that. But not love. She doesn't know what love is yet.”

“And you do?”

A pause. “Yeah. I do.” He shut his eyes. “Love is patient. Love is kind. It doesn't envy, it doesn't boast. It's not proud or rude or self-seeking or quick to anger. It doesn't keep track of wrongs…”

“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” Carly finished the quote.

Surprised, he looked at her. “You know your Bible.”

“First Corinthians 13. I had to memorize it one year for camp. I've never forgotten it.”

“I thought you didn't believe in God.”

Carly sighed. “I believe in Him. I just don't understand Him. Don't even think I like Him very much.”

“Why?”

Carly shifted, obviously uncomfortable with the turn
in the conversation. “I don't know. Maybe I've seen too much, become disillusioned. I don't understand why He lets things happen the way He does. Why the bad guys seem to win more than the good guys.” She gave a self-deprecating smile and shrugged.

He raised his brows. “I have a feeling it's a lot more than that. But I know what you mean, and I understand where you're coming from. I've seen a lot on my end, too.”

She studied him. “But it didn't happen to you.”

“Oh, yes, it did.” Was now the right time to explain? Would she hear him, really hear him?

Interest lifted a brow, and she leaned forward. “But you still have your faith. You still pray to a God who let you down.”

Nick reached out and snagged the fingers that absently worked the fringe of one navy blue pillow. They stilled at his touch. “God didn't let me down. I just had to come to the realization that I'm not going to understand everything this side of heaven. Trying to understand the mind of God is exhausting. Trust me, I've been there.” He intertwined his fingers with hers and studied her hand. Strong fingers with short, blunt-cut nails. Soft hands that could soothe with a touch….

Stop it, Nick,
he ordered himself. Lifting his gaze to connect with hers, he saw the pink in her cheeks, and the longing in her eyes grabbed his heart. Longing for him? Or for the God she'd decided had let her down?

Not wanting to ask, he said, “But I do believe Him when He says He loves me. I believe He's who He says He is, but…” He looked away and swallowed hard. “I'll admit it's not always easy. Sometimes I really have to work at it. To remind myself of the times I've felt His presence, seen His hand working when I didn't understand the circumstances.”

She drew in a deep breath and said, “I thought you'd be really mad at me after what happened today with the kids.”

Her change of topic startled him. “Mad at you? Why?”

Her throat bobbed, and she spread her hands. “I didn't keep them safe. I saw the expression on your face at the scene of the accident… You were furious.”

Blinking, he recalled the emotions going through him when he saw Lindsey in the woods. He squeezed her fingers. “No, Carly, I wasn't mad at you. I was mad at me.”

She froze. “You were?”

“Yeah. Because I'd been so stubborn about moving to a safe house.” Remembered fear shuddered through him. “I was the one who put my kids in jeopardy, not you.”

“But I should have—”

“Carly, quit second-guessing yourself. You weren't anywhere near the children. There was nothing you could have done.”

“I should have insisted—”

“Hey, Carly, Nick,” Mason called from the kitchen. “I've got an identity on our dead guy in the woods. The captain at the police department just sent it to me. I've been reading his rap sheet for the last ten minutes.”

Nicholas realized he still held her hand in his and let it go—reluctantly.

Carly jumped up, the flush on her cheeks speaking volumes. So, she wasn't unaffected by him. He didn't know whether he was glad or not. As she went to stand and look over Mason's shoulder at the computer, he couldn't help but heed the warning his heart continued to beat.

He followed her more slowly, pondering his feelings, his thoughts. Okay, he would admit he was attracted to her, but that didn't mean he had to act on those feelings.
Because whoever he became romantically involved with wouldn't just affect his heart. He now had two children to consider.

Two children who'd already lost two women they'd loved, a mother and an aunt. What happened if he and the children fell in love with Carly and she was killed, not necessarily even on the job? What if she had a car wreck or…?

Did he dare take a chance on loving and losing her?

Did he have a choice anymore?

Loving and losing hurt.

So did living too carefully and not to the fullest.

He was close enough to breathe in the fragrance that was completely her own. Longing stirred, not just for the physical intimacy marriage offered, but for the companionship, the security in knowing the person he loved returned his affection, a spiritual equal….

And there lay another problem. Carly's lack of faith. Until she came to terms with God—

“Nick? Hello? Anyone there?” came Carly's voice.

He blinked, then flushed. “Oh, sorry, I was thinking.”

“About?”

“N-nothing.” He'd almost said
you,
and her intense gaze told him she knew it. He tore his eyes away. “What do you have?”

Skepticism greeted his avoidance, but she didn't press him. “Do you recognize this man? Terrence Brown?”

He looked at the face on the screen and felt the familiar tug of recognition. “I've probably seen him in my courtroom at one point or another.”

“He's the one who was killed today at the scene,” Mason offered. “He's got known ties to de Lugo. Strong ties.”

“Okay. Just more evidence to add to the man's already thick folder.”

Mason sighed. “These guys mean business, Nicholas. We need to make sure every precaution is taken. Because I've got to tell you.” He looked up and met Carly's gaze, then Nick's. “You don't want those kids falling into the hands of these people.”

C
arly swallowed hard. Mason's words punched her, bringing home the fact that they could have lost the children today.

Nick looked sick then covered the expression, hardening his jaw and balling his fingers into a fist. “I know. That's why I'm considering…”

He paused and looked away, swallowing hard.

Carly placed a hand on his arm, felt his muscles bunch under her fingers. Warmth immediately suffused her hand, and she snatched it away as discreetly as possible. Her cheeks felt hot, and she put some distance between herself and Nick. Mason had a bemused look on his face for a split second before he turned back to the computer.

Why was she feeling this way? What about Hank, her friend and mentor, who now lay in his grave because of this man? Somehow the argument had lost its punch. Getting to know Nick again, watching him with his children, had lessened the hurt in her heart. His faith had even made her long to find her way back to God.

Hank wouldn't blame Nick. He'd blame the man who pulled the trigger. And he still would have forgiven.

Drawing in a steadying breath, Carly asked, “What exactly are you considering?”

“Giving in.”

Shock made her flinch as she stared at him for a moment. Then she asked, “What? Are you serious?”

Nicholas slapped the back of the chair and stalked to the kitchen bar. He placed his forearms on the counter and bowed his head. “Yes. I can't let the children continue to live this way—and I can't send them away. It's not right, and I have to put them first.”

“No, you don't, Uncle Nick.”

Carly snapped her head around to the door. Lindsey stood there, barefoot, hair spilling around her shoulders. Dark circles rimmed her eyes. She looked so small, defenseless. Nick raised a brow. “Eavesdropping again, Linds?”

Lindsey blushed. “Sorry.”

Carly walked over to her and placed an arm around her thin shoulders. “Did we wake you, honey?”

“No.” She gave a wry smile that looked surprisingly mature on her young face. “
You
didn't.”

“Nightmares?” Sympathy tugged her.

“Yes.”

Nick walked over and pulled the girl into a hug. She slipped her arms around his waist and closed her eyes. “You can't do it, Uncle Nick,” she murmured against his chest.

Placing a finger under her chin, he lifted her head to look at him. “What do you mean? I thought you wanted me to pass the case to another judge.”

A tear dripped from the corner of her eye to disappear into her hairline. “I did…until today.”

Nick shot Carly a confused look. She shrugged, and he gazed back down at his niece. “Okay, you want to tell me why you've had a change of heart? I would have thought what happened today, the nightmares that just woke you, would have made you feel even stronger about it.”

Lindsey pulled in a shuddering breath. “I was so scared, Uncle Nick. I can't even put it into words…”

Nick's jaw went rigid, and he trailed a hand down Lindsey's unblemished cheek to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “I know, darling. That's why—”

“No, wait, let me finish.”

He nodded, and Carly inched closer. Lindsey heard her and turned to reach out and grasp Carly's hand. Surprised, Carly gave her a reassuring squeeze.

Lindsey said, “He put the gun up to my head.” She released Carly's hand to touch her temple then slid her fingers back into Carly's palm. “He…he said to tell you that you would die and that everyone would die just like…” She bit her lip and another tear escaped.

Nick wiped it away and whispered, “Just like…?”

Carly tensed. She had a feeling she knew where this was going.

“Just like my mama,” Lindsey finally whispered.

Nick just shut his eyes, struggling for control. Carly felt a mixture of emotions surge inside her. Hurt, anger, the desire to get back at the people doing this to this family she'd come to care about in such a short time.

Nick pulled back and grasped Lindsey's arms in his big hands. He looked straight into her eyes. “Linds, I've already decided to pass this case on to Debbie's father. I won't put you and Christopher in danger anymore.”

Carly watched Lindsey's jaw harden in an exact imitation of her uncle. She looked so much like him at that moment, it was eerie. “No. You have to do this. It's just like you said before. If you let the bullies get away with bullying, it gives them power they shouldn't have, and they just keep on being bullies. And it makes you feel weak for giving it to them. I'll admit that guy scared me when he pointed that gun at me…” She swallowed hard again. “But
it also made me mad, so mad I promised that if he didn't kill us, I'd make sure you didn't quit the case.”

Shock rendered him speechless. When he found his voice, it was low. “Lindsey, hon, I—”

“I mean it, Uncle Nick.” Her earnest face pressed closer to his. “You can't let them win. You have to put them in jail where they belong, or they'll go around doing this to other people. And that's just wrong.”

He cleared his throat. “Yes. Yes, it is.”

“So, you have to do this trial and trust that Ms. Carly and Mr. Mason and God will keep us safe, okay?”

Nick looked at Carly. When his eyes touched hers, she blinked, not even realizing she had tears swimming in them. One dripped down her cheek, and she gave it a quick swipe.

His gaze back on his niece, Nick raised a hand to rub his chin and blow out a sigh. “Lindsey…I don't know what to say.”

“Say you'll do the trial and not give it to Mr. Wayne.” She squeezed his hand. “When Mom died, you gave him a lot of cases, and some of the bad people went free, remember?”

“Some did, but I'm sure Mr. Wayne had good reasons. If I had handled those cases, I probably would have had to do the same thing. This is different. I can't stand to see you in danger. You're all I have left of your mom and…” Carly could see him struggling to control his emotions as he stood and breathed in deep.

Lindsey stepped forward and wrapped her arms back around her uncle's waist. “I know,” she said into his chest, “and she would want you to make the world a safer place for me and Chris. You've got to do this. I really believe that now. And everything you've been preaching about doing what's right and not giving in to bullies makes sense.” She
looked up at him. “So you've got to do your job and make sure they don't get off on some technicality or whatever, okay?”

Nick squeezed her shoulders. “When did you get so smart?”

“When you don't think I'm listening to you.”

Carly coughed to cover up a laugh. Nick smiled then sighed. “I'll think about it. Now go back to bed. It's late.”

She gave him a little smile. “Well, it's not like I have to get up and go to school, right?”

He laughed again, and Carly joined in, appreciating the attempt to lighten the heavy mood. “Right. But go to bed anyway.”

“Okay. 'Night.”

Before she could turn away, Nick placed his hands under her arms and lifted her straight up to place a kiss on her cheek, then lowered her back to the floor.

She grinned, surprised and delighted. “You haven't done that since I was a kid.”

“You still
are
a kid, Linds. Now scram.”

With a giggle, Lindsey darted down the hall to her bedroom, her steps lighter. Carly was sure her heart was, too.

She looked at Nick. “Wow.”

“Yeah. Out of the mouths of babes, huh?”

“I'll say. So…I guess you have a lot of thinking to do.”

“A lot of praying.”

“And that.”

Carly's phone rang, and she snatched it from her belt. “Hello?”

“Hey,” came a weak voice.

“Maria. How are you doing?”

“Better. I wanted to call. I figured you guys had some questions.”

“Definitely. Do you mind if I put you on speakerphone?”

“No, that works.”

Carly motioned for the guys to gather around the table and set her phone in the middle. “Okay, go ahead.”

“I know you found the children. I'm so relieved—and so sorry this even happened.”

Nick spoke up. “They're safe now. That's all that matters. That, and you and Grady getting better.”

“Yeah, I hear Grady's not doing too well.” Sadness thickened her voice. Then she cleared her throat. “Anyway, when we left the school, everything seemed to be fine, and then bullets started hitting the car from out of nowhere. The bulletproof glass couldn't hold up to whatever they were shooting.”

“They came prepared with armor piercing .308 slugs,” Mason said. “They put enough of them in the back windshield to finally shatter it. The bullet that hit Grady broke a rib, which pierced a lung. He was incredibly fortunate. In fact, I'd say it's amazing he survived.”

“Oh, I didn't know what we'd been hit with. It felt like an explosion. How are the kids?”

“Some bumps and bruises, but okay overall,” Carly said. “The back windshield held long enough for them to get on the floor. Thankfully, none of the bullets found them.” Just the thought sent her stomach churning. The look on Nick's face said he felt the same. She switched gears. “Maria, Christopher was able to tell us a little about what happened, but can you fill us in on the rest of it?”

“What do you need?”

“After you shot the perp—whose name was Terrence by the way—Terrence Brown—what happened?”

“Um, I saw the kids run off into the woods. I'd told them to hide. Then I saw the perp running after them. I tried to follow them, but guess I passed out.”

“Okay, that's basically what Christopher said.”

“But Carly…” She paused. “How did they know which route we were taking? They had to have been waiting for us.”

Carly froze. “Waiting for you? You mean they didn't follow you?”

“Um…no. No, they were waiting. Right when we passed, I remember a flash of something, then the bullets slamming into the back windshield.”

“Then they had prior knowledge.”

Her gaze shot to Mason, who nodded. “Yeah, I've already thought about that.”

“So what did you come up with?”

“Nothing, really. They could have been watching the roads, anticipating that we'd take the kids out of school as soon as Nick got the call and saw the video.”

Maria interrupted. “What video?”

Carly leaned in. “Nick got a call and a video of the kids. Then Lindsey entering the classroom. We could see her before you shut the blinds.” She tried to keep her tone accusation-free, but wasn't entirely successful.

Silence greeted her. Then a heavy sigh filtered through. “Lindsey pushed through ahead of me. I told her to wait in the hall, but she ignored me. By the time I got through the crowd, she was already in the classroom.”

Carly sat back with a sigh and looked at Nicholas. “All right. Well, things have changed since then. Lindsey's cooled it with the attitude and seems to understand the seriousness of the situation now.”

“Good.” Relief sounded in Maria's voice, and Nick
nodded in agreement. “I'm just glad she realized it before something—”

“Thanks for filling us in on the situation at the school,” Nick interrupted. He looked at Carly. “I think we can just keep this to ourselves. I'd talk to Lindsey about it if she hadn't come in earlier, but now…”

“I agree.”

A sound came from the other end of the line. Then Maria said, “I've got to go. Keep me posted.”

“Take care of yourself, Maria.” Carly hung up and rubbed her eyes.

“I'm all hyped up on caffeine,” Mason said. “Why don't you guys try to get some rest? I'm sure tomorrow's going to bring its own brand of excitement.”

Carly stood. “Great. I'll take you up on that. Wake me in four hours.” She looked at Nicholas and said, “If you have earplugs, you might want to put them in before you go to bed. You might not remember from two years ago, but Mason snores.”

“Hey!” Mason looked offended. “I do not.”

With a roll of her eyes and a pointed look at Nicholas, she headed down the hall to the room she'd share with Lindsey. Christopher, Nicholas and Mason would share another room. And Debbie had the third bedroom. She wondered if any of the adults would really get much rest. For more reasons than what happened earlier today.

However, she knew if she didn't force herself to sleep, she would lose her edge. And she couldn't afford that. So she slipped out of her shoes, shoved her gun under her pillow and closed her eyes.

Even as she drifted off, her brain worked over the problems the day had presented. One: How had the caller gotten Nick's private cell phone number? Two: How had the shooters known which route Maria and Grady were going to
take? Three: Why hadn't the shooter killed Lindsey when he'd had the chance? Or had he even really had a chance? Four: How was Carly going to keep her heart out of this assignment when she couldn't deny the intense attraction she felt for Judge Nicholas Floyd?

It was going to be a long four hours.