The Innocent Witness (9 page)

“None. But Vivian's sure if her husband had something worth hiding it would be in the house safe.”

“Then the authorities would have it.”

“Viv doesn't seem to think so. She claims the safe is well-hidden. She's insisting we go to D.C. and check it out.”

“She can get into the safe?”

“So she claims.”

“D.C.'s risky.”

“Agreed. But it may be the only chance we have of clearing her name.”

There was a moment of silence on the other line. “I'll send a team to meet you.”

“Not sure that's a good idea. What if they're followed? I have someone in D.C. I can call for backup.”

“You make your call. Let me know if you need anything,” Trent said. “And Carlucci?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Protect your witness. And don't get yourself killed in the process.”

 

“So what have you decided?” Viv asked, anxious to know what their next move would be. Her nerves were tingling with a strange mixture of trepidation and exhilaration. She'd gone head-to-head with Anthony, arguing her point and demanding her way, but ultimately she'd left the decision in his capable hands.

He'd made two phone calls while he'd waited for the gas to fill. Had he made arrangements for someone else to complete the assignment of getting them to safety or was he going to hold the line and take her straight to Boston?

Anthony started the van and headed the vehicle back onto the interstate. “We'll head to D.C.”

A bit stunned, Viv sat back. She was gratified he'd listened to her and accepted her change of plans. And yet she was leery of returning to the scene of the crime. They
would
be taking a risk. She would be putting Mikey in danger.

She slanted a glance at Anthony. He had proven himself a proficient and skilled bodyguard. He wouldn't let anything happen to them. She was as sure of that as she was of her faith in God. Between the two, she and Mikey were golden.

They stopped for the night in Ohio. The motel had an indoor heated swimming pool. After a quick run to the nearest one-stop-shopping mega store for swimsuits and a few other necessities, Viv and Mikey stood at the edge of the pool. Anthony had first scoped out the pool, making sure they were alone and that there were no cameras in the pool house. She was thankful Mikey had been able to learn how to swim. They both needed the energy outlet right now. Viv was proud how well Mikey was doing on this road trip. She'd expected more fits from being confined, but he seemed content to watch videos and snack on the dried fruit she'd bought during one of their stops.

Anthony had declined getting in the water, but sat back on a reclining chair with his head resting on his folded arms, looking like an ad from a magazine. All male beauty clothed in snug jeans; a red T-shirt that showed off his muscular shoulders nicely. A five o'clock shadow darkened his strong jawline and made him even more ruggedly handsome. She doubted he was as relaxed as he looked because his alert gaze kept scanning the parking lot through the big picture window next to the pool-house door.

Mikey hung on to an orange-colored foam noodle provided by the motel. He laughed as he kicked, propelling himself forward to chase her. Hopping to the side through the water to stay just out of his reach, Viv
felt alive and safe. For the moment she refused to think about the impending trip to D.C. Instead, she concentrated on having fun with Mikey. They splashed around for a good hour before Mikey grew tired. While he floated on his back, she swam laps.

When she'd done a hundred reps, she stopped and found that Anthony had moved from his lounge chair to the tiled deck of the pool. He'd slipped off his shoes and socks, rolled up his jeans to his knees and put his feet in the water. Mikey bobbed up and down, going under the water and springing back up while hanging on to Anthony's ankles.

Viv's heart constricted tight. They looked so right together. Like they belonged to each other. Father and son. Like Anthony belonged with them. A family. Her husband. His wife.

She squeezed her eyes shut, blocking out the tender scene, and dove under the water where Anthony couldn't see the longing that had to be etched on her face.

Stop it,
she silently screamed at herself.

This man was here for one reason and one reason only. To keep them safe. Not become a father and husband. She didn't want a husband.

Mikey needed a father, her heart shot back.

Her lungs burned, forcing her to rise to the surface for air. Taking a gulping breath, she did the only thing she could. She sent up a silent prayer, releasing the burden of longing and need. God would provide what she and Mikey required in this life, when the time was right. Maybe God would put it on her heart to change her mind about remarrying. But for now, she'd settle for
being grateful for the blessing of Anthony's attention to Mikey and his willingness to protect them.

That was all that could ever be between them.

“You can hold your breath for a long time,” Anthony commented, his dark eyes searching her face. “I was about ready to come in after you.”

His concern was sweet and touching and made her feel special. “I grew up with a pool in the backyard.”

She climbed out of the water and dried off before slipping her clothes over her swimsuit. Anthony helped Mikey dry off and then the three of them went back to their motel rooms. Viv had insisted they get connecting rooms again so Anthony could rest and not have to sit in a chair all night. He would need his mind and reflexes sharp when they reached D.C.

She'd just finished putting Mikey down, rubbing his back until he fell asleep, when she heard a moan from the adjoining room. A spear of panic pierced her. Her heart jumped and her mind ran through possible disasters. She grabbed the Taser from her bag and then cautiously pushed opened the connecting door, ready to zap a bad guy.

Instead, she locked gazes with a shirtless Anthony. He sat on the end of the bed, his arm stalled over his head.

She froze. Her pulse skittered and then thundered in her ears. Her gaze raked across his well-defined chest and caught on the nasty-looking scar marring the flesh between his collarbone and left shoulder. Empathy flooded her at the physical sign of injury.

With a wince of pain, he lowered his arm. “You okay?”

She swallowed, her mouth as dry as the desert. “I heard you groan. I thought…I thought something was wrong.”

“Sorry. My shoulder's tight today.”

She lowered the Taser to her side. “How?”

He grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his head. “Remember I told you about the delegate from Kashmir? The bullet that killed him went through my shoulder first.”

Her breath caught. No wonder he felt guilty for the Kashmir official's death. But he'd done what he was supposed to. He'd tried to prevent a death at a cost to himself.

Admiration and respect spread through her along with something else, something powerful and consuming. Affection?

She could admit to that emotion easily enough, but that wasn't what had her head spinning. There was more, so much more, but she shied away from looking too closely. She couldn't. She didn't dare.

Because there was no future in feeling anything else.

And if she kept repeating that often enough she might actually begin to believe it.

She met his gaze again. The intense flame of heat lighting the dark depths quickened her breath. She recognized the look; acknowledged the same smoldering fire burned within her. She wanted to give herself over to the attraction arcing between them. For once in her life she wanted to take, to be impulsive and rebellious. She wanted what she couldn't have.

With a small, wistful sigh she turned and fled, shutting the door firmly behind her. For Mikey's sake.

But deep down she really knew she was doing this for her own sake. Safety.

Her spirit and her heart had been broken by her marriage. She'd survived thanks to Mikey. But she couldn't afford to have that happen again.

T
he next morning arrived in a brilliant display of sun shine and cloudless blue skies. After a hasty breakfast at a roadside diner, Anthony pulled out onto the highway that would take them to their destination. Seven hours and four-hundred-odd miles later they reached D.C. Anthony rolled his shoulders, trying to work out the knots driving had formed. He squinted. The late-afternoon sun had already started its descent toward the horizon, its shimmering golden rays bounced off the white stone of the Jefferson Memorial.

Bittersweet memories hit Anthony. He'd been so naive when he'd first hit town and caught sight of the many monuments and memorials representing everything he intended to protect. He'd been captivated by the history and sacrifice of the country he'd wanted to serve. Tried to serve.

He'd relocated to D.C. to fulfill a dream. He'd left ten years later in disgrace.

Would returning now with Viv and Mikey redeem him?

Would anything ever make up for the mistake that
had not only put an end to his dream but had cost the man he was protecting his life?

It's convenient and easy to blame God.

Viv's words bounced around his mind, making his soul ache.

I cling to Him.

Anthony fought the yearning to cry out to God. He wasn't ready to let go of his anger, to face the truth of his own guilt, the secret he held close.

The traffic signal turned red. As he brought the van to a stop behind a four-door sedan, he mentally put the brakes on his thoughts. Now was not the time to question his path. They had a mission to accomplish. Lives to protect. Being distracted with what couldn't be changed wasn't productive. He chanced a look at Viv in the passenger seat.

Her lush lips were pressed into a tense line. The emerald color of her blouse reflected in her eyes, turning the blue to a pretty shade of teal. She met his gaze, then her gaze quickly skidded away. The anxiousness he saw there tugged at him. She'd been jumpy yet reserved all day. The bruised hue under her eyes made him wince. She'd obviously had trouble sleeping. So had he. His mind had kept reliving those few moments when she'd been standing in the doorway between their rooms, her eyes devouring him, an expression of pure yearning on her lovely face.

His heart hammered in his chest at the memory.

There'd been no mistaking she'd felt the same magnetic pull that pulsed within him. It had taken every ounce of self-control to remain motionless, to not give in to the need to hold her, to wrap his arms around her
and draw her close. Thinking about that moment now…his heart picked up speed.

A horn beeped.

He dragged his attention back to the road and shook off Viv's allure. The light had turned green. He stepped on the gas.

But even when he wasn't looking at Viv, the scent of her shampoo wouldn't allow him to forget her. The close quarters and the strain of evading assassins were to blame for the fascination with this particular client. Once they proved her innocent and neutralized the threat to her and Mikey, Anthony knew all these intense feelings bouncing around inside of him would dissipate.

Then he could figure out his future.

For now he had to decide how best to proceed with the task at hand. Viv and Mikey were his responsibility. He wouldn't let them down.

“We'll drive past your house first,” he said. “Make sure it's safe.”

She looked over her shoulder at her son. “I'm having second thoughts about taking Mikey back there.”

Anthony glanced in the rearview mirror to see Mikey's reflection. He'd fallen asleep. His chin rested on his chest, a Rubik's Cube clutched in one hand and his tattered stuffed bear in the other. Tenderness expanded beneath Anthony's ribs.

The boy was holding up well considering he'd been strapped inside the van for three days. Mikey was a good kid, with a kind heart and a curious mind. Though he lacked most interpersonal skills, he wasn't dumb. He'd had no trouble with the many-pieced jigsaw puzzles Viv
had bought or with solving the Rubik's Cube time and time again.

“I don't know what other choice we have.” Anthony didn't want to see the boy hurt either, physically or emotionally.

Viv bit her lower lip. “We could take him to his teacher.”

“I don't—”

“Barb Jetton would never hurt Mikey. She's been working with him for the past five years.”

“Was her name on the list?”

“Yes. But she had little to no contact with Steven.”

Anthony changed lanes and pulled to the curb in front of a restaurant. Plastered across the brick side of the building was the face of a baby tiger as part of an advertisement for the National Zoo. Picking up his phone from the console, he said, “I'll check in with Simone. See if Ms. Jetton sent up any red flags.”

On the third ring Lisa the receptionist came on the line. “Trent Associates.”

“Simone Walker.”

“One moment please.” She transferred the call.

“This is Simone.”

Anthony recognized the sultry tones. “Carlucci here. I need to know what you found out about a woman named Barb Jetton.”

“Well, hello to you, too,” she said, with a note of humor.

Anthony grimaced. “Sorry. Hi.”

“No problem. Just a sec,” she said. “Okay, I ran a background check on all the names on the list you gave me. Yep, her name is here. She has no criminal record.
There's nothing to indicate she's involved in the senator's murder.”

“Okay, good. Any other names pop out?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

“Too bad.” Anthony pushed away the stab of disappointment. Of course solving this case wouldn't be that easy. “Thanks for checking.”

“Hey, we work together as a team here. Let me know if you need anything else.”

“I will.” He hung up and then handed Viv the phone. “Call the teacher. See if she's willing.”

Viv's eyes filled with relief and gratitude. “Thank you.”

“But Viv, you need to be prepared. She may believe the news reports and think the worst.”

She made the call. Barb was home, and Viv pleaded her case. From the relieved smile on Viv's face, apparently Barb wasn't as convinced by the news reports as Anthony had feared she might be. But more importantly, Barb was more than willing to spend some time with Mikey. Approval loosened his tense shoulders when Viv explained to the woman on the other end of the line they needed to be discreet. Clearly Viv had a supporter on the other end of the call.

Viv directed Anthony to an older, well-maintained high-rise apartment complex at the corner of Sixteenth and Spring Street. They were parked and nearly home free, so to speak, when the wail of a passing ambulance on its way to the nearby hospital startled Mikey awake with a cry before Viv could get him out of the van.

“Shh, sweetie, it's okay,” Viv said as she unbuck
led the boy. “We're going to see Teacher Barb. You remember Teacher Barb, don't you?”

As Viv got Mikey out of the vehicle, Anthony assessed their surroundings. The apartment complex had a doorman and security cameras near the entrance. His wary gaze roamed the tree-lined street and the small visitor parking lot, looking for threats. Or cops. He didn't see either.

“Story time,” Mikey said.

“That's right. Teacher Barb always reads you stories.” Viv took him by the hand and started toward the building.

Anthony snagged her elbow. “Remember, the doorman won't recognize you.”

She blinked and touched her now dark hair with her free hand. “Right. Thanks.”

When they entered the building the doorman rose from behind his desk. The guy was brawny and looked like he could handle himself. The name tag on his red sports coat read Emerson.

“Can I help you?”

“We're here to see Barb Jetton,” Viv said.

Anthony assessed the layout. There was a blind spot by the mailboxes. A small sign on the wall indicated the stairwell was around the corner out of the doorman's sight. There was a video screen on the desk showing the garage exit.

“Ms. Jetton just called down,” Emerson said. “She's expecting you.” He gestured to the hallway. “Take the elevator to the seventh floor. Apartment 708.”

“Thanks.” Anthony hustled Viv and Mikey to the
elevator. Viv coaxed Mikey inside with a piece of hard candy from her purse.

Once the doors slid closed, Mikey began twisting his index finger with his other hand and made a throaty whimper sound.

Concerned, Anthony asked, “Does he do that often?”

“When he's agitated. He doesn't like elevators.”

Anthony laid a hand on the boy's thin shoulder. “I don't much like them, either.”

As soon as the doors opened on the seventh floor, Mikey bolted, running full speed toward the end of the hall. Apparently, the kid knew exactly where to go. He halted in front of a door and then banged his head against the wood in two short raps.

The door swung open and a young woman with shoulder-length red curly hair and big brown eyes engulfed Mikey in a hug. Though Mikey allowed the contact without protest, his body stiffened and his expression of torture was almost comical.

“Oh, I've missed you these past few days,” Barb Jetton said as she released Mikey.

The boy would have darted past his teacher, but Anthony quickly caught him by the elbow. “Wait.” Mikey froze.

Two sets of female eyes turned toward him. To Viv, he said, “I need to clear the place first.”

With an understanding nod, Viv drew Barb out of the way so Anthony could enter. He made a quick sweep to be sure they weren't walking into a trap. No matter how much Viv trusted this woman, he wasn't taking chances.
“All clear.” He touched Mikey gently on the head. “You can go.”

The kid darted past him and disappeared inside.

Barb slanted him a worried look before turning her attention back to Viv. “Wow. I hardly recognized you.”

Viv touched the short dark ends of her new hair-style. The uncertainty on her lovely face stabbed at Anthony.

“I like it,” Barb declared decisively and pulled Viv into a hug. “Everyone at the school has been so worried. None of us believe what they are saying on the news.”

Viv eased away, visibly relieved by her friend's words. “Thank you. And thank you for taking Mikey.”

“Of course,” Barb said. Her gaze shot past Viv and eyed Anthony curiously. She held out her hand. “Hi. I'm Barb Jetton. And you are…?”

“Anthony.” He gave her petite hand a quick shake.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Does the doorman always vet the residence's guests?” Anthony asked.

Barb nodded. “Oh yes. He's a good watchdog.”

That was the answer Anthony hoped for. “Good. Where are the stairs?”

She pointed to her left. “Other end of the hall.”

“Any other outside entrances into the building beside the front door?”

“The parking garage entrance connects to the staircase. But you need a code. No one gets in or out without Emerson knowing. If he sees someone that doesn't belong, he's quick to call the police.”

“That's good.” Anthony handed her a Trent Associates business card. “If we aren't back in two hours, call this number. Ask for James Trent. He'll know what to do. And please, don't tell anyone else about this.”

“I won't,” Barb replied, her expression grim.

To Viv he said, “We should go.”

Viv stepped into the open doorway. “Bye, Mikey. I'll be back soon.”

When they were seated in the van, Viv leaned back and closed her eyes. For a moment he thought she was resting, but then he noticed her lips were moving. She was praying. An answering need rose in him.

Okay Lord, for her sake, for Mikey's sake, I have to trust You'll watch over them both. Please.

 

Vivian realized she'd slid lower in her seat as Anthony circled the block with headlights off even though twilight was making an appearance. The overhead streetlights shone on the wide sidewalks in round pools, leaving obscure dark patches of potential danger. They passed her and Steven's stately redbrick Georgian house twice before Anthony finally parked the van a block away. Viv felt nothing as she gazed at the lonely structure. This part of her life seemed so long ago.

She hadn't seen anything or anyone unusual in her neighborhood as they'd driven through. But she appreciated Anthony's caution.

And she was glad she'd heeded the inner urging to keep Mikey away from the house. At first she'd worried she was being double-minded, but the closer they had traveled to D.C. the more anxious she'd grown. But
now she had a sense of peace in regard to Mikey. She'd made the right decision to take him to Barb's.

“This is the plan,” Anthony said before she could climb out of the van. “We're going to go through your neighbor's backyard to get to your house. Do they have a dog?”

“No, but what if they're home? Mary and Len would freak out if they saw us running through their yard.” Her neighbors were getting on in years. She didn't want to frighten them unduly.

“We'll think of something. Just keep to the shadows. Hopefully, we can get in and out before anyone even realizes we've been there.”

“What if the people who've been after us, you know, the bad guys, are in the house? Or the police have the place staked out?”

Anthony checked his weapon. “We'll deal with it. I don't see any signs of a stakeout, and the crime scene techs would have released the scene by now, so there's no reason to think the police are around.”

She tried to hide her flash of doubt. He did this sort of cloak-and-dagger stuff for a living. She had to trust he'd keep her safe. Truth was she did trust him on so many levels. Seeing him with Mikey, watching him protect them on their journey east, she knew he would do all he could.

But the unknown was still the bad guys. Who knew what they were capable of doing? She gestured to his weapon. “You wouldn't happen to have another one of those, would you?”