Witness in Hiding

by Lisa Phillips

  * * *

  Zoe clutched Tyler to her. She should have moved him the minute they were pulled over, put her son behind her so that he was shielded. Could it have made a difference? Her body wouldn’t give him much protection. Didn’t most bullets just punch through the person and hit whatever was behind? She didn’t want to be the real-life example of that.

  Either way, she couldn’t do anything to prevent it if this guy really wanted to hurt Tyler. She didn’t have body armor—for either of them. And she didn’t have the weapons or skills to save them in a fight. Only Jude could do that, and he wanted her to drive away.

  A shudder moved through her. Tucker was willing to kill Tyler just to get her to go with him. The idea scared her to death.

  “Move by me, baby.” As soon as she had Tyler’s attention she started to shift his body. When he caught her meaning, he climbed over her lap so she was between the gunman and her son. Instead of nothing.

  Jude couldn’t get out. Zoe had to do something.

  She cracked the door. “Tyler, stay here.”

  “Zoe.” Jude cracked his door, too.

  She climbed out, and he did the same. She couldn’t meet his eyes, though. She was supposed to be driving away. There was no way she could do that if it meant Tucker shot Jude.

  She shut the car door so Tyler stayed put, then lifted her chin and faced down the gunman. Even though doing it made her whole body jerk. She locked her knees and ignored it. “I’ll go with you.”

  When the alternative was Tyler dead? No question.

  Jude moved in front of her, his gun ready. “No way.” His body was taut, and she wanted to grasp the shirt at his waist and cling to him, to his strength, but what was the point in doing that? It wouldn’t get any of them out of danger. She couldn’t stand the thought of Jude getting hurt, either.

  “Yes.” She tried to shove him but he wouldn’t move. Strength or stubbornness, she didn’t know which but the result was the same. “Jude, get out of my way.” She met the gunman’s gaze over his shoulder, and said, “I’m going with you. Don’t hurt them.”

  “If you think he’ll keep that promise,” Jude said, “then you’re going to be disappointed when he proves you wrong. And he will prove you wrong. I have no doubt in my mind about that.”

  Why did that matter? She had to try. Didn’t he understand that?

  She stared at their attacker. “Take me with you.”

  His gaze narrowed. “Your fed here needs to stand down.”

  “Jude.” She didn’t want to leave him, not like this. But there was no other choice. She was getting entirely too attached to Jude Brauer. This was the better way. She would give this man what he wanted, and Jude could keep Tyler safe.

  “No.” He was unmoving.

  Gun faced down against gun. The only difference was that one man was sane, and the other was completely unhinged.

  Tucker Wilson lifted his gun and pointed it at Jude. The Secret Service agent did the same. “Move. She goes with me, and you walk away with the kid.”

  Jude shook his head. He took a step back, so that she pressed against the SUV. Zoe darted to the side. Jude tried to grasp her arm but she got out of reach. Now he was protecting Tyler, which was what she wanted anyway.

  Why did it feel like a loss?

  She wanted to cry at the look of betrayal on Jude’s face, but she moved...not closer to the crazy gunman. She couldn’t bring herself to do that. Instead, she stepped away from both of them. Now that she’d committed to going with him, she was wavering.

  “Zoe.” Jude looked and sounded mad. She could tell he didn’t like this at all. Well, neither did she, but she was taking the power back.

  She shook her head and stood her ground.

  The gunman moved to her and grabbed her arm. In a second she would be in his car and... He didn’t take her toward the car. No, he hauled her to the trees. She struggled. “What are you—”

  “Shut up.” He didn’t slow down, not even when Zoe tripped over her feet. “We’re ending this. No more messing around, no mind games. It’s done.”

  Dread settled, cold in her stomach. She wanted to look back, to see Tyler’s face in the car window. To see the love, and feel what was between them. Motherhood had given her so much and she was about to lose it all. God help me. She needed all the help she could get right now.

  The gunman held his weapon pointed at Jude, making sure he didn’t come over and try to help her. Within minutes they were deep in the trees, an overgrown part of the park. No one else was here.

  “Where are—”

  “I said, shut up.” He gripped her arm until she was sure he would leave bruises when he was done.

  More images flashed through her mind, and she saw herself laid out on a metal table ready to be autopsied. What would the medical examiner say about her? She put up a fight. That would be the strong thing to do.

  Zoe looked around for something to use as a weapon, but she knew nothing about weapons. And the only thing she knew about nature was that it was usually itchy. She much preferred her air-conditioned gym.

  He hauled her in front of him and lifted his gun.

  Zoe stared down the barrel and a sob caught in her throat. Tears rolled down her face. “I didn’t see anything.” Okay, that was a lie, but it was the first thing that had come to mind. “She looked dead, but it’s not like I checked—maybe she was just unconscious. He was standing over her, and I assumed he killed her but I don’t know that. I could be mistaken.”

  She wanted to laugh through the sob. She was going crazy, seconds before she was going to die.

  He grinned, more of a sneer. “Wrong place, seriously wrong time. And you just couldn’t let it lie. Well, turns out neither can they.”

  “I won’t say anything. I promise.”

  “Too late. You’ve drawn attention to yourself. Now she’s convinced you’ll blab, and that can’t happen. So instead of taking you to her I’m ending this. No more scare tactics. No more threats. Problem solved.”

  She? So there was someone involved other than just Alan Reskin. She didn’t know who—but now wasn’t the time to find out. Zoe ran as fast as she could.

  A shot rang out.

  Pain tore through her shoulder and Zoe hit the ground.

  TEN

  Tucker stumbled to one knee and clutched his thigh where Jude had shot him. Jude ran to crouch by Zoe, his gaze—and the aim of his weapon—still pointed squarely at Tucker Wilson. “Put your gun down.”

  He’d caught up to them not long before the man opened fire on her. Jude had no choice but to intervene.

  The guy moaned but complied, using his other hand to add pressure to his leg. Jude pressed his fingers to Zoe’s neck. A cold breeze through the trees cut to his bones as adrenaline dissipated, leaving shock in its wake. Her skin was warm under his fingertips and he breathed a sigh. The bullet had hit her shoulder, but she was out cold. Had she slammed her head when she fell?

  He didn’t want to leave her, but he needed to grab the man’s gun so it was out of his grasp. Her assailant grimaced, but didn’t attempt to run. Still, Jude said, “Don’t even think about trying anything.”

  He went back over to Zoe and pulled out his phone to call for an ambulance. Reality blew through him like a cold breeze, which wouldn’t let up. First her stepsister, Ember, then his father and now Zoe. The man in front of him had caused so much destruction, but now at least this part was done.

  Zoe moaned. She began to shift, so he said, “Try to lie still. The ambulance is on its way.”

  He felt more than heard her nod. Jude smoothed back hair from her face, keeping part of his attention on the man. “Everything is going to be okay. I got him, and he can’t hurt you.”

  “Jude!”

  At the yell, he looked up. Three members of t
he task force ran toward him, guns drawn. Milsner was in the lead.

  Jude hadn’t even had time to don his vest like these guys had. Thank You for protecting me, Lord. Zoe had been hurt, but it could have been so much worse—for both of them.

  “Hey, guys. I’m glad you’re here.” Wasn’t that the understatement of the century? He couldn’t arrest the gunman and get Zoe to the hospital by himself. Not to mention the gunman needed medical attention, as well. “Did you see a boy in my car?”

  Milsner nodded, holding aim on the gunman while another of his coworkers put on the cuffs. “Fronter stayed with him. Kid was pretty freaked out.”

  “His name is Tyler.” Jude was glad to hear he’d stayed put, but regretted the fact that Tyler had been pulled into this in the first place. The little guy had to be so scared, hearing gunshots and not knowing what had happened. He would need someone with him while his mom was patched up at the hospital. “This is his mom, Zoe.”

  Her eyes were open now, and he could focus on her without having to worry about what Tucker would do. He shifted and leaned closer to her. “Hey, how are you feeling?”

  She winced. “Hurts.”

  “I know. Tyler is good, and an ambulance is on its way for you and for Tucker. We caught him.” Something darkened her eyes, and he figured he knew what it was. “This isn’t over, but you aren’t in danger from him now. He can’t hurt you from jail.”

  She nodded, a tiny movement that seemed full of pain.

  “Ambulance is here.”

  It felt like forever before the first set of EMTs patched up Tucker well enough to take him to the hospital. Agent Milsner and Agent Carnes would ride along to make sure the gunman was secure. Zoe was hauled up by the second set of EMTs onto a stretcher. As they trundled to the ambulance she would ride in, he walked behind them. As soon as the SUV came into view Tyler jumped from the open back door.

  Agent Fronter yelled, “Hey, kid!” but Jude waved him off. Jude caught up so he was beside Zoe right when Tyler got there, and the kid nearly body slammed him. The EMTs didn’t stop.

  Jude said, “She was shot in the shoulder, but it isn’t bad.”

  One EMT shot him a frown. What, he shouldn’t have told the kid that? Tyler needed the truth, especially when it was his mom who was hurt. They walked with her, Tyler walking sideways so he could touch his mom’s arm.

  “Is she okay?” His pleading eyes moved to stare up at Jude and he grabbed Jude’s hand. He probably needed the reassurance of physical touch.

  Jude nodded, all thoughts in his brain eclipsed by the feel of those tiny fingers in his hand. This kid had been through so much, and he was still holding it together. Once Zoe was taken care of Jude needed to take him to see his aunt so he could see for himself that she was healing in the hospital.

  Tyler glanced at his mom. One of his sneakers hit a tree branch and he stumbled into Jude. Jude swung the boy up onto his hip, but Tyler crawled around Jude like he was a climbing wall until he was in a piggyback ride. Jude locked his wrists behind his back so the kid had something to sit on and Tyler leaned his cheek on Jude’s left shoulder, probably so he could see his mom.

  As they moved closer to the ambulance it didn’t go unnoticed by the other task force members that Jude carried a child on his back. They knew he was getting to know Zoe, but maybe they hadn’t read his report closely enough to know she had a son. Or they were simply surprised he was so close with them after such a short time.

  “Is my mom really okay?”

  Jude set Tyler on the ground and crouched. “She’s hurt, and that’s going to last a few weeks. But she’ll be a lot better after the doctors see her.”

  Tyler’s mouth twisted, like he was holding back the need to cry. Jude pulled him into a hug. “We’ll go with her, okay? Ride in the ambulance.”

  Tyler nodded against his chest and again Jude’s thoughts were eclipsed by the feel of it. Was this how every parent felt? He didn’t get many hugs doing youth ministry, as most of the kids were much older than Tyler. It felt equally strange as it did good.

  “Tyler.” Zoe’s voice was low, but the kid heard it.

  Jude nodded. “Go.”

  The boy ran to where the EMTs were loading her into the ambulance. Jude met Agent Fronter, the man who had waited with Tyler. He held out his hand. “Thank you.”

  Fronter nodded and shook it. “Sure thing. We’ll make sure the suspect is seen to at the hospital, and then get started on the interview. Unless you want us to wait for you?”

  Jude shook his head. “You guys go ahead. You don’t need me.” They were perfectly capable of doing the job without him. Jude was needed with Tyler and Zoe. “I still haven’t gotten to check on my father so it’ll be a while before I can come in.”

  His mom could probably watch Tyler if he needed to go to the office. Or maybe he would take the boy with him, to keep him safe. Tyler would probably get a kick out of seeing the inside of the field office.

  The man nodded. “We’ll keep you posted.”

  In the meantime Zoe needed to get patched up and on the road to recovery because Jude had some serious questions to ask her. She had promised she would finally tell him everything and he intended on making sure she kept that promise. The two assailants from the church were still out there, and Zoe and Tyler still weren’t safe. This wasn’t over.

  Jude had a lot of work to do before it was.

  * * *

  Zoe winced, though there wasn’t much pain. She was too numb for that. The doctor didn’t apologize; he just huffed a laugh. “All in your head.”

  “That giant needle you stuck in me was not in my head.”

  He grinned, still unapologetic. He was kind of cute, and younger than her, so it was endearing. Not nearly as good-looking as Jude, though. The doctor almost reminded her of Tyler, the time when he’d made her a “cake” out of mud and he’d been so proud of his creation.

  “Couple minutes and you’ll be good as new.”

  He’d already stitched the front. Now he was closing the spot on her back where the bullet had exited. Apparently having an exit wound was a good thing, though it didn’t feel that way. Her head swam at just the thought of the pain she’d felt lying on the ground. The only good thing had been Jude’s face right in front of her, talking in that calm-in-a-crisis voice of his.

  Now all she had was major discomfort—thank you, modern medicine—and no Jude. Where was he anyway? He’d disappeared with Tyler right before they cut off her shirt, whispering something about chips and candy bars. Her son would be delighted. But what about her?

  Maybe he thought taking Tyler away was helping her. And yes, her son didn’t need to see the gruesome extent of her injury. As it was, she was going to have nightmares for months. She didn’t need Tyler having them, as well.

  Still, tell that to her heart.

  “Whoa, you got all sad.” The doctor leaned back so she could see his face over her shoulder. “Wanna talk about it?”

  She shook her head, sick of people commenting on her being sad. Her life was her life, and she was dealing with it. Thankfully she was saved from any further pestering when Jude walked in. No knock. He simply strode in like he had every right to be here. Worse, she didn’t even mind the assumption he was welcome wherever she was. That was going to be a hard feeling to shake when this was all over. For both of them.

  His eyes narrowed, and he regarded the doctor with suspicion. “Everything okay?”

  The doctor lifted both hands, which gave her a look at that giant sewing needle he was using to stitch her up like she was a quilt or something. “Hey, man. It wasn’t me.” He paused. “I’m actually thinking it was you.”

  “Me?” Jude angled his finger toward the button-down shirt he was wearing. “What did I do?”

  “Guess you’d better ask your lady.”

 
Zoe rolled her eyes. “You don’t need to ask me.” She glanced back at the doctor. “He didn’t do anything.”

  “You hold grudges. First the needle. Now this.” He blew out a breath, exasperated. She also got the feeling he was trying to lighten the mood. Maybe it was part of his bedside manner. The doctor stood, tossing the tools of his torture on the tray with a clang. “All done. I’ll send the nurse in with your discharge information and a prescription. Okeydokey?”

  Zoe nodded, not quite sure what to make of the man.

  Jude shook his hand before he left, then made his way over to her. Before he could say anything she asked, “Where’s Tyler?”

  “I asked my mom to take him to see your sister. She needed the walk, and he said he wanted to. There’s a cop with them. The doctor said Ember is awake and that she was asking for you both.”

  Zoe hopped off the bed, turned her back and pulled her sweater up from where it hung down behind her back. She lifted it over her shoulder before zipping it up. It had done fine to cover her while the doctor worked. Now she’d have to make do as she didn’t have a shirt. She needed clean clothes.

  When she turned back to him he smiled gently. “Okay?”

  Zoe sat back on the bed with a sigh. “Don’t ask me to face down any more gunmen or do anything except nap, and I’ll be fine.” Jude’s look darkened in a way she didn’t like at all. So much for being able to take a nap. “What?”

  He sat beside her on the bed. So he didn’t have to look at her? “When we were in the car, you said you’d tell me everything you know about Alan Reskin’s business. I need you to tell me if this is related to the investigation the task force is currently involved in, or something else.”

  “I don’t know if I can answer that question.” She paused. “I already told you what...what I saw. But I don’t know why he killed that woman. Or if it has to do with Moose and whatever you’re investigating.”

  “I’m investigating BioWell Pharmaceuticals.” She gasped, but he spoke over it. “I can’t keep the team on your case if it isn’t work related. I’ll still protect you, of course.”