Witness in Hiding

by Lisa Phillips

  Later on, when she got out of this latest predicament—if she got out of it—she would have to figure out who the woman had been.

  Steven grunted and stopped.

  Then she heard Jude’s voice. “Put her down, Steve.”

  “Move, Brauer. Let me pass and I won’t kill her, but you have to let me go.” The desperation in his voice wasn’t something Zoe had expected. He didn’t want to do this?

  “Put her down and explain what’s going on.” She could hear the tightness of Jude’s jaw muscles in the tone of his voice. She didn’t want him to have to shoot his friend, but knew he would if the man refused to let her go.

  “Steve,” Jude barked. “Put. Her. Down.”

  * * *

  Jude stared down a man he’d considered a friend. How could he attempt to abduct Zoe, and from the Secret Service office of all places? He couldn’t understand any of this.

  Steve took a step to the side.

  Jude matched it. “This isn’t going anywhere. You’re done, Fronter. You’ve pushed too far, but you’re not getting any farther. And definitely not with Zoe. Now put her down. I’m not going to ask again. I’m just going to shoot you.”

  He hoped it didn’t come to a shootout. There was too much risk of Zoe getting seriously hurt. But if it came to that, he was ready. A good half a dozen agents were now peppered around the garage, hidden behind pillars and cars. Their SWAT guys had been called in.

  Jude didn’t want this to dissolve into a firefight. “Steve.” He barked the man’s name like it was an order.

  “Okay.” Fronter’s face flushed, and he lowered Zoe to the ground.

  Jude couldn’t stare at her; he had to keep his attention on Steve. But he wanted to. Was she alive? Unconscious? How badly was she hurt? While he wanted her to move, he also prayed she would stay put. He didn’t need her being more of a pawn in this than she already was. Zoe deserved better than to be treated as a bargaining chip for anyone who needed to get in the good graces of the person pulling strings here. He didn’t think that person was Steve Fronter.

  “Now pull your gun. Slowly. Drop it to the ground, Fronter.” He didn’t need the man armed when they had this conversation.

  Steve did as he asked, his face now contorted. But not in anger. It looked more like sadness, or desperation.

  “What’s going on?”

  When Fronter said nothing, Jude asked, “Why are you abducting my witness?” He could have called her something else, but this needed to be impersonal. Steve already knew Jude’s heart was involved. Neither one of them needed reminding of that fact.

  Steve looked up at the concrete ceiling, like he was studying the ridges of the design. “I had to do it.”

  Jude waited.

  “They said they’d hurt my family. It won’t pay off what I owe, but they’ll cancel part of my debt. I had to bring Zoe to them.”

  “Why does Reskin want her?”

  Steve shook his head. “How should I know? He just said bring her.”

  “How does he know about your debt?”

  “I don’t know,” he yelled. “It’s all online. I guess he found out I’ve been gambling, and he leveraged it. He threatened my family.”

  Jude winced at the desperation in his voice. “I’m sorry.”

  “I had to do this.”

  No, he didn’t. But Jude thought pointing that out right now might not be helpful. The agency could have helped him, but at the least they should have known this leverage over one of their agents was a risk. One they couldn’t afford.

  The agents behind Fronter had closed in.

  “What does he want with her?” He’d asked it already, but Steve might give him something now.

  The man sighed. “I don’t know. I can guess.”

  “Was he going to kill her?”

  “You think I’d have risked my career just for a chat? He said he’d tell Agent Daniels and my family about my debts. I’d have been ruined. My wife would leave me and I’d be out of a job.”

  “And that was worth Zoe’s life to you?”

  “I’m not noble like you, Jude. I’m not an all holier than thou, church guy. You pray about everything, and I just have to do my best. Okay? That’s all.” His gaze turned hard. Unrepentant about the fact that he’d put Zoe in danger and done it to save his own skin.

  The agents grabbed him, wasting no time with the cuffs. They walked Steve Fronter away, and Jude raced to Zoe. He crouched by her and saw that her eyes were open.

  “Ouch.”

  Jude shut his eyes and touched his forehead to hers. “Zoe.” She was all right. The relief that moved through him swept the thoughts from his mind.

  “Tyler?” The question was soft.

  Jude leaned back so he could see her eyes. “He’s fine.”

  She smiled. Lifted her chin.

  Jude touched his lips to hers for a brief moment and found there a promise that he held to himself. But now wasn’t the time for this. He leaned back and placed another kiss on her forehead, then gathered her into his arms and carried her to the elevator. Zoe’s grip on him was light, but the softness felt good. When he emerged on the right floor the office was in a frenzy. He dropped Zoe in the conference room with Tyler, glanced once into her eyes to assure himself that she was fine and then stepped out.

  He asked the closest agent, “What’s going on?” All this commotion wasn’t over Steve Fronter’s actions, was it? They were likely riled up by one of their own turning this way, but he couldn’t help thinking this might be more.

  “The two detectives were ambushed on the way to the police station. Terrence Willis was set free. He’s in the wind.”

  FOURTEEN

  Zoe waited until Jude rounded the car before she opened the door and stepped out, as he’d instructed. The house was huge, bigger than anywhere she’d ever lived before. “This is the safe house?”

  Jude nodded. He didn’t look at her, though. His eyes scanned the dark street around them. Could he see something she didn’t?

  She bit her lip. “Everything okay?”

  “Yes.” The word was clipped. “Let’s get inside, where it’s safe.”

  Tyler held her hand tight in his. She couldn’t decide if her son was freaked out or just tired. Probably a combination of both, considering. The pain in her shoulder had lessened thanks to the medication she’d taken. All that jarring meant it would hurt more, and for longer, but thankfully she hadn’t pulled her stitches out or she’d have had to revisit the doctor.

  She was supposed to be leaving town, but now the man who wanted to kill her was loose again. She was locked in indecision, unsure whether to stay or go.

  Inside the house was cool and sparse, all gray floor tiles and white walls. “It looks like a model home they spruce up extra fancy so you think your stuff will look that good when you move in,” she said. “Never does, though, I’d imagine.”

  Jude glanced at her, but didn’t smile. “We have enough bedrooms that you can both have your own, but...”

  “We’ll share.”

  “That’s what I figured. One has a king bed, so there’s plenty of room for you and Tyler.”

  She glanced at her son then. “You okay, kiddo?”

  He nodded, still clinging to her hand.

  “Want to see what’s on TV?”

  “Sure.” His usual enthusiasm for screen time was muted, but he flopped down on the couch and a moment later she heard a cooking show come on. Whether it was cable or satellite wouldn’t matter. Tyler was so technologically minded he figured out any complicated remote fast, whether he’d used it before or not.

  The memory of him figuring out how to clear off her email inbox when she couldn’t find the setting fell away and she went in search of Jude.

  He stood in the marble
-and-chrome kitchen, his head in a fridge bigger than she’d ever seen. Was everything in this house massive? She felt like Goldilocks, but hopefully no bears would try to eat her. Except now she’d thought that it would probably play a starring role in her nightmares tonight.

  Zoe sighed and settled on one of the bar stools. The leather top creaked like it was brand new.

  Jude shut the fridge and turned. “Spaghetti?”

  She nodded. “Tyler would love that.”

  “They stocked the fridge for us, so there’s plenty of food. There are also agents stationed out front and in the street behind us.” He paused. “It’s safe here, so you can rest.”

  He’d been like this, all business, since they’d gotten in the car. Zoe knew about Terrence’s escape. She’d overheard two of the agents talking about it. That agent had tried to abduct her at the same time. What did it mean? Why have two concurrently running plans? What kind of person had those resources? Even someone like the CEO of a major company couldn’t hide his activities for long if multiple people knew. The more who were informed, the greater the risk the secret got out.

  Perilous business, if anyone was going to ask her. But they hadn’t, because they were all federal agents and she wasn’t.

  Zoe felt like dead weight. Maybe Jude was keeping his distance because he didn’t want to have to keep saving her. He’d probably rather be out hunting for Terrence instead of here babysitting her. Was he tired of her? Zoe sucked in a breath and looked at the marble countertop. What if he didn’t want to be around her anymore? He probably thought she needed to learn some self-defense skills or something.

  “Spaghetti would be great, but you don’t have to make it. You don’t even have to stay, if you don’t want to.”

  “What?” It wasn’t exactly harsh, but his tone wasn’t superfriendly, either.

  “Oh,” she said. “Well, I mean...don’t feel like you need to stay here with us.” She glanced around and realized that with the open plan she could see the living room. Tyler’s head wasn’t visible above the couch, but he always lay down when he watched TV anyway. A cartoon was playing on the screen.

  When she looked back, Jude was frowning.

  Zoe continued, “I’m sure there’s an agent who could stay with us if you want to do something else.” The idea of leaving her protection to someone who wasn’t Jude made her stomach churn, but she could do it. Most law officers were good people trying to do a good job.

  She would rather Jude stayed here, but if he wanted to go how could she stop him?

  He opened his mouth to answer, and his phone rang. Still frowning, he answered it. Why did he look mad anyway? She was trying to give him an out. Wasn’t that a good thing?

  “Mom,” he said, his face immediately softening. “How is Dad?” He listened for a minute. “Good. I’m glad.” Pause. “You do? Oh, okay.” He held the phone out to Zoe. “She wants to talk to you.”

  Zoe took the phone. “Leanne?”

  “Hello, my dear. How are you holding up? The police officers who arrived here told us what happened.”

  “I’m fine now. Jude made sure the agent couldn’t take me anywhere.” He had saved her. That was why she figured he was sick of doing it by now. “We’re at a safe house—”

  Jude’s head whipped around from chopping an onion. “Don’t tell her where it is.”

  She shot him a look. As if she would, but didn’t he even trust his own mother? She said to Leanne, “How is Andrew?”

  “Sitting up, eating pudding and driving the nurses crazy.” Leanne chuckled.

  “And Ember?” When she’d called the hospital from the Secret Service office, Ember had mentioned Leanne’s visit. She wanted to see her sister for herself, but this was the next best thing. And safer for everyone.

  “I walked with one of the officers—they’re staying with us—over to see your sister. They moved her next door, and she has protection, as well—”

  Had Jude set that up because of what happened to her?

  “She’s getting some color back already.”

  “Thank you so much, Leanne,” Zoe said. “It’s really great to hear. Not that you all need police protection, though I’m glad you have it. But I’m happy to hear the patients are doing better.”

  “Me, too. Now, you stay safe, and give that little boy of yours a hug from me.”

  “I will.”

  She hung up, and Zoe set the phone on the counter. She hopped off the stool and went to look at Tyler. His eyes were closed, and his little-boy chest rose and fell with each slow breath.

  She ran her hand through his hair, thankful to God that he was okay. God had sent Jude to save her from Steve Fronter. Believing in God’s power, and His love, was easier now. Easiest of all was sending up a small prayer for God to watch over her son.

  Zoe wandered back to the kitchen, wanting to ask Jude about his relationship with God. That scowl was back on his face. Sure, he was cooking, but he probably wanted to be anywhere else. Maybe he even wanted to go be with his father at the hospital.

  “Jude.” Zoe cleared her throat. “Um, someone else can stay with us if you want to go.”

  “You mentioned that already.” He sounded mad.

  “Okay, so?” What was his answer going to be?

  “So do you want milk or water with dinner?”

  * * *

  Jude nearly threw the spoon at the wall. After everything he’d done for her, Zoe wanted him to go? He could hardly believe that after he’d saved her again and again, she just wanted any old agent to take care of her and her son.

  The fact that he was about to make dinner for them, and that they’d eat it together—like a family—had just hit him. Then Zoe had told him to leave.

  “Water.” The uncertainty in her tone bothered him, but he pushed it aside.

  Clearly they were on different pages here.

  “And Tyler?”

  “He’s asleep. Can we leave him a plate?”

  Jude nodded but didn’t turn. He got three plates from the cupboard and served the simple meal.

  “So, you cook.”

  “Only a few things. But a bachelor has to be able to feed himself or I’d be huge, eating fast food all the time. Or spending way too much money eating out good meals every day.” He saw her nod out of the corner of his eye. “Instead, I’m saving to get a house. I almost have enough for a down payment.”

  “That’s impressive,” she said, though there was a note of caution in her voice. “Most people live paycheck to paycheck, and never have enough to put down on a house.”

  Jude shrugged. “I know what I want out of life. A home, a family. A career I enjoy that gives me the opportunity to make a difference.”

  “That’s a good dream.”

  He handed her plate across the breakfast bar, and then took his and sat on the stool beside her. Didn’t she have dreams for what the future would be like? He could see her in a big yard, watching Tyler play with a dog. Something cool, like a husky.

  “Can I borrow your phone for a second?”

  He pulled it out, but before handing it over, asked, “You need to call someone?”

  Zoe shook her head. “The company put pictures from the picnic we had last summer on social media. I wanted to look at them and see if any of the staff looks like the woman I saw in the parking lot.” She flushed. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of doing that earlier.”

  Jude unlocked the phone and slid it over. “Don’t worry about that. You’ve been under a lot of stress. It’s good you thought of it now.” And he really meant it. She was helping them out, though most of her motivation was because she was getting herself in danger at almost every turn. The constant attacks were providing him and his colleagues with leads, even if she didn’t plan it like that. Jude just prayed they would get more usable
intel from Steve Fronter.

  Zoe scrolled through images on the phone screen. “Nothing,” she said. “There are blonde women, but none of them look like the one I saw.”

  He looked at the screen, at the last picture she’d studied. “Reskin was at the party?”

  She nodded. “I never talked to him. He probably didn’t even notice me. I haven’t worked there long, so it’s not like we socialize.” She stared at the phone, and absently continued to scroll through pictures.

  “I guess.”

  “I just wish I knew who the woman—” Zoe gasped.

  “What is it?”

  Her face turned white and she put her hand over her mouth. Jude slid the phone so he could see it. The picture on screen was of Alan Reskin and a woman. The woman was a blonde, and Jude knew exactly who she was. He said gently, “Is this the woman you saw in the parking lot that night?”

  Zoe sucked in a breath, her meal forgotten. His was going cold, as well. He wasn’t even all that hungry. “That woman...” She took another breath. “Yes, that’s her.” Zoe lifted the phone, turned it sideways and tilted the screen. She’d seen the woman lying down. Was she making sure?

  She nodded. “I’m pretty sure it’s her.”

  Jude bit down on his molars. “Zoe.”

  She turned to him, a frown marring the soft skin above her brows. “What?”

  “That’s Mrs. Reskin.”

  “It is?” She looked at the picture. “I knew she seemed familiar. Is she...missing?”

  “I don’t know.” Jude shrugged. “I can ask around, but I’d think if the man’s wife suddenly went missing he would probably report it to the police. We’ve been investigating his business. We’d have heard about it.”

  “That’s what I would do. Unless I was involved. Although, in that case I think I’d report it just to make it look like I was innocent. Isn’t that what they always do on TV, because the spouse is always the first suspect?”

  Jude nodded. “The police would look into everyone close to the victim. A spouse doesn’t get a free pass, even if they do seem really upset about the death or disappearance.”