He mourned and fought anger over the senseless taking of a life. Those emotions had seemed to choke him, sucking him into a reclusive little world. Not even his friends at Eyes had been able to break down his walls, though they tried. He still did his job—maybe with even more drive and excellence than before. He poured himself into his work to try to ward away the emotions that seemed so foreign to him.
After all, he was a soldier. He fought for what he believed in. He stood up for the men under him. He was diligent and trustworthy and hardworking. But feeling vengeance and heart-wrenching grief...those weren’t things he had to deal with, weren’t things that he’d been equipped to face. No one could prepare him to lose his soul mate.
“Do you think we should report the last night’s intruder to the police?” Julianne’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.
Vanessa’s picture disappeared from his mind. He already missed the warmth her memory had brought. “Probably won’t do any good. There’s no evidence. Just our word—my word, I suppose, since you didn’t see him.”
She nodded, that same heaviness seeming to return to her. What wasn’t this woman telling him? Her gaze focused out the window.
He cleared his throat again. “Tell me about your relationship with Darrell, Julianne.”
She swallowed and licked her lips. “What about it?”
“How’d you meet?”
She rubbed her hands against her jeans. “We met at a concert down at the beach. He was there with some friends. I’m pretty sure one of them dared him to come talk to me and, of course, he did. Told me he was a SEAL. I didn’t believe him, but he did charm me enough that I gave him my phone number. I didn’t think he’d actually call.”
“But he did.” That sounded like the Darrell that Bradley knew.
She sighed. “He did. We met for ice cream on the boardwalk. He told me that it was love at first sight and that he was going to marry me.”
“How’d you react to that?”
She shrugged, a sad smile curling the side of her lip. “I guess I was flattered. I mean, he was a good-looking guy. He had charisma and guts and a smile that knocked my socks off.”
“Come on, you’re no ugly duckling. I’m sure men have used a lot of lines on you over the years.”
She glanced at him, her eyes widening in surprise. Maybe he shouldn’t have admitted that she was beautiful, even if he’d said it in the most factual way possible. “I’d just broken up with a boyfriend of two years after I’d found out he was cheating on me. I was feeling pretty low and vulnerable. Darrell told me just what I wanted to hear, I suppose. It felt good to know that someone thought I was desirable.”
He didn’t know what to say. Guys stood in line to date a girl like Julianne. But past relationships could affect the psyche so deeply. The thought of men treating someone with such a sweet spirit so poorly made anger warm his blood.
“You know, I was always the type of girl who had a boyfriend, ever since I was a teenager. I didn’t know what it was like to be single.” She cleared her throat. “But my life’s totally different now. I like being single, for the most part, at least. It’s made me realize that I can’t find happiness in any man.”
“Wise words.”
“It wasn’t the easiest lesson to learn, but God brings us to the places we’re supposed to be. I guess I need to remember that now.”
It was a good reminder for him, too. He believed in God’s plan and purpose in his life, but he didn’t talk about God like Julianne did, with such a personal feel. Maybe he needed to start doing that.
He glanced over at her. “As soon as this is over, you’ll have your full independence back. Until then, I think it’s best if you lay low.”
“I don’t have much choice, do I?”
“You always have choices.” He slowed at a turn in the road. “If you think it would be better, I’d be happy to loan you some money so you can get out of here.” Now why had he offered that? And why did he hold his breath in fear that she might actually say yes?
“You would do that for me?”
He shrugged. “I don’t want you to feel like you’re being held against your will due to unforeseen circumstances. I could give you money to get a car and make it for a month or so until you get on your feet again.”
“That’s really generous of you, Bradley. Thank you, but I think I will stay put. I don’t know where else I’d go.” She sighed. “My best friend just moved to California, so I suppose I could go there, but I just feel like Darrell would find me there, too. That he’ll always find me.”
He wondered about her choice of words. The wistfulness by which she said them made Bradley think she’d felt like that for a long time now. Or was he reading too much into this?
They stopped in front of Eyes headquarters, passing the guard station and parking in front of the main building. If only he knew he could trust Julianne, it would make his day so much easier. But doubts still nagged at the back of his mind. What wasn’t Julianne telling him?
They walked upstairs to his office, calling out hellos to a few people as they passed. He paused at the desk outside his workspace. Diane, his secretary, wasn’t here...again. Where was the woman? Would he have another voicemail from her with some kind of excuse? The next time he saw her, they would sit down and have a serious talk about responsibility.
He paused and glanced over at Julianne. She stood there, looking at him with wide, doelike eyes that made him feel guilty for ever doubting her innocence. “Why don’t you have a seat and make yourself comfortable out here while I work? There are some magazines and books.” He pointed to two wingback chairs in the corner with a table crammed full of reading literature between them.
She nodded stiffly. “I’ll be fine. I need to call work and check in, anyway.”
He hesitated before going into his office and leaving the door open. To keep an eye on her for fear she’d do something she shouldn’t...or out of concern for her well-being? He wasn’t sure.
He sat at his desk and attempted to focus on the tasks at hand. He was only thirty minutes into his work when his phone rang. It was one of the guards stationed by the gate. What now?
“There are two police detectives at the gate. They need to talk to you.”
Bradley tensed. “Did they say about what?”
“About your secretary, sir.”
SIX
The serious undertones of Bradley’s voice pricked Julianne’s curiosity, as well as incited the all-too-familiar feeling of dread in her stomach. What was the phone call about? A moment later, Bradley stepped back into the reception area, and Julianne looked up from the seat where she’d been checking her emails on her phone.
The man always looked serious, but right now the hardness of his face seemed even more impenetrable. She had the crazy urge to go over to him and touch his cheek, to tell him that everything would be all right...which was ironic when considering that she herself didn’t feel as if everything would be all right.
Bradley stood in the doorway and swallowed hard enough that Julianne could sense his tension. “My secretary, Diane...she’s missing. Her son reported it to the police this morning. They’re here to ask a few questions.”
Julianne’s heart lurched. Another person in danger? Could this be connected with Darrell? That didn’t even sound reasonable.
She shivered and pulled her arms over her chest. All of these things happening at one time couldn’t be a coincidence. It just couldn’t.
Bradley’s gaze locked on hers. “Why don’t you join me? I’m meeting them downstairs.”
The tone of his voice held an edge to it. He couldn’t very well leave her in his office alone. She was sure there were probably top-secret files here and that she’d need some kind of clearance. So it appeared that Bradley was stuck with her.
They walked i
n silence downstairs where they saw Detective Spencer again, along with another suited man. Bradley greeted them both with a handshake and then nodded down the corridor. “How about we go into the conference room?”
The detectives agreed. A moment later, they were situated in a plain room with a large table and a dozen chairs. Bradley looked like his normal, at ease, professional self while Julianne wanted to crawl into a corner and hide.
Why did she feel guilty, as if this were her fault? She didn’t know his secretary. She didn’t even know what had happened yet. Still, sorrow pounded through her veins. She distanced herself from the rest of the people at the table, putting a chair between them and herself. Bradley glanced over at her, his gaze ever perceptive.
Did he hold her responsible for this?
“Mr. Stone, when was the last time you spoke to Mrs. Hewitt?”
“She didn’t come into work yesterday, but she’s had a lot of family issues going on lately, so I didn’t think much of it. It hasn’t been unusual for her to come in late or to leave early, or for her to make several personal phone calls during the day. I tried to give her some leeway since I knew she was going through a hard divorce.”
So the man did have a softer side. Maybe what Elle had told Julianne was true. Could Bradley really be one of the kindest people she’d ever meet? Was his compassion hidden behind his tough alpha-male exterior? She wasn’t convinced yet.
“Was the divorce ugly? Any signs that her estranged husband is capable of violence?”
Julianne gasped at the question. Men capable of violence against women... It was such a crime. A tragedy. A heartbreaking reality of which she was all too aware.
Bradley glanced at her again before looking back at the detective. “None that I know of. Every divorce is ugly but their kids are grown. As divorces go, it seemed pretty civil.”
“Is there anyone you can think of who’d want to hurt Diane?”
Bradley shifted. “No, not directly. However, I do know that the technology I’m developing is sought after by groups other than the Defense Department—groups who’d pay a hefty fee to get it into their own hands.”
“You mean terrorist organizations?”
Julianne listened in fascination. Just what was Bradley developing? She’d heard him talking about some urgent projects, but she had no idea of the exact scope of his work. A touch of pride and awe welled in her. The man may lack people skills, but he had a heart for keeping soldiers safe. Who wouldn’t admire that?
Bradley laced his fingers together on the table. “That’s correct. Perhaps someone thought if they could get to Diane, they could get to us also.”
Which might explain some of Bradley’s suspicions concerning her appearance here. In his line of work, he had to be cautious. The information and technology he was developing would certainly be a hot commodity in the hands of the enemy.
Detective Spencer and his partner stood. The lead detective offered a crisp nod. “I’d suggest keeping an eye on everyone surrounding this project, Mr. Stone. You’re a security contractor, so I’m sure you realize the risks.”
“We’ve been on heightened alert, and we’ll remain that way.” Bradley’s face tightened a moment as he rose to his feet also. “If you don’t mind me asking, were there any signs of struggle? Is there anything else you can tell me about Diane’s disappearance?”
Detective Spencer’s expression remained grim. “I can tell you that the last time she was seen was two days ago. A neighbor saw her come home from the grocery store. No one’s heard from her since then. Her car is in the driveway, but the groceries were still on the kitchen counter, never put away. There was no sign of struggle.”
Bradley nodded, still solemn as they all walked toward the door and into the lobby area. “What can we do?”
“Nothing. Just keep your eyes and ears open. If you hear anything, let us know.” The detective paused. “Could we take a look at her desk? See if there’s anything there that might give us a clue as to what happened?”
“Absolutely.”
As they walked up the steps, Julianne caught up to Detective Spencer. She rubbed her sweaty hands on her jeans as her nerves got the best of her. “Excuse me, detective. If you don’t mind me asking, how’s the mechanic?”
“He’s doing better. I think he’ll recover from this just fine.”
Relief filled her. But only for a moment. She quickened her steps to keep up. “Any updates on what happened?”
“The ignition was rigged. It could have easily been you in the hospital. Or worse—the morgue.”
They reached the second level and started toward Bradley’s office. “Were you able to get any evidence? Anything that might tell you who did this?” She was probably asking too many questions, but she couldn’t stop herself.
He paused and glanced at her, his eyes kind but weary. “We’re working on it. But nothing yet. Give us some time. I assure you, we’re doing our best to get to the bottom of this.”
Julianne nodded and crossed her arms over her chest. She remained in the hallway as the detectives checked Diane’s desk. They left several moments later.
When they were out of earshot, Bradley turned to her. His hands went to his hips. That, coupled with the sports jacket and tie he wore, made him seem even more dynamic than usual. The man exuded strength and bravado. “Julianne, I have to ask you a question.”
Dread pooled in her stomach, but she managed a nod. “Okay.”
His gaze fixed on hers with a look that would unnerve the most dangerous of criminals. “Do you know anything about Diane’s disappearance?”
His words—and their implications—slammed into her heart. She blinked, feeling as if she’d been physically hit. Then she raised her chin. “What are you suggesting?”
“I’m just asking a question.” His voice sounded softer, but she didn’t care. What would she have to do to prove her innocence? To prove that she was a victim here?
Julianne shook her head, fire running through her veins. She’d vowed that she’d never let herself feel small at the hands of a man again. Never. Bradley Stone was no exception. “What kind of fool do you take me for? There are serious implications behind that inquiry, Mr. Stone. And to answer your question...no, I don’t know anything. I don’t know Diane. I didn’t know she was going to disappear. I didn’t know any of this was going to happen.”
He stepped back, his gaze hot on hers. “I see.”
Her hand went to her hip. “You see? You really think I had something to do with all of this?” Her voice rose in pitch with each word.
“I have to explore every possibility.”
“Then explore the possibility that maybe you’re the link here. Maybe she was abducted because of her work for you.” She turned on her heel. “Now, if you’ll excuse me...I need to call my coworkers and tell them why I’m a no-show today.”
* * *
Bradley watched Julianne go. He regretted his words, but he’d felt as if he had to ask. None of this craziness started until Julianne showed up. Sure, there had been some threats and some intercepted communications that indicated his work was a hot commodity on the black market. But nothing had ever come of it.
Even more prevalent than his worry over offending Julianne, there was his worry over Diane’s safety. The woman had only worked here a few months, not long enough for Bradley to get to know her really. She’d always seemed nice enough and, until the past couple of weeks, she’d seemed efficient. She was fifty-one with two grown boys—one was in college locally and the other had just taken a job up in D.C.
D.C.
That’s where Julianne lived. Was that the connection? He didn’t know. He couldn’t put his finger on it yet; he just knew that something wasn’t adding up. He needed to figure out what. Diane couldn’t possibly be in on all of this, could she? No, Julianne had brought tr
ouble with her. He’d hired Diane long before Julianne showed up here.
As he went into his office, Julianne didn’t look up from her phone. She was upset, and rightfully so. She was going to have to face him again, though. She didn’t have much of a choice, especially not when her life and the lives of others were on the line.
He sat at Diane’s desk and glanced around. Were there any clues here as to her disappearance? He glanced at her calendar. Nothing out of the ordinary caught his eye. He opened a drawer, flipped through some papers looking for something—anything—that might offer a clue.
A phone number had been scribbled on a piece of paper. Why did the number look familiar?
“Julianne, can I see your phone?”
She glanced up sharply, and although he half expected her to refuse, she shrugged instead. “Go for it. I have nothing to hide.” She strode across the room and handed it to him—more like smacked it into his hand. She stood there and crossed her arms over her chest.
He looked at her call history.
There. There it was.
Darrell Lewis’s phone number was the one that had been stashed in Diane’s desk drawer.
So Diane and Darrell had been in contact?
And now Julianne had shown up here? He looked up at her, at the scowl on her face as she glowered down at him.
None of the puzzle pieces were fitting together. He’d thought it was because they were all from different puzzles.
But what if they weren’t?
What if somehow they were all connected?
* * *
“I have no idea why she would have the number. No idea.” Julianne wrapped her arms around herself. Could get this get any worse? She had a feeling she didn’t want to know the answer. Things were escalating, and now a woman was missing.
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