The Wrong Woman

by Linda Warren

  “You love him,” he said.

  “Yes,” she answered without hesitation, meeting his eyes.

  “Well, I’ll be damned.” He smiled. “That Ethan’s a lucky man.”

  If only Ethan felt that way.

  “Thank you,” she said, not sure what else to say. “What did you want to talk about?”

  “The trial.”

  “Has something happened?”

  “Yes, we heard something from a snitch who brings us information from time to time. Sometimes what he says pans out, sometimes it doesn’t, but this isn’t one we can ignore.”

  “What did he tell you?”

  “Boyd’s hired someone to make sure Sarah doesn’t testify.”

  “What?” She could feel the blood draining from her face.

  “We have to take it seriously, so we’ll be moving you and Sarah to a safe place until she testifies. You’ll be guarded twenty-four hours a day.”

  “Me, too?” she asked in a puzzled voice.

  He waved a hand. “You’re identical. The hit man could mistake you for her, and we don’t want to take any chances.”

  “Oh.” She thought about that for a second, and her mind was in a short-circuit state. How much more could they handle? She couldn’t think about that; they had things to do. She turned to Daniel. “Do you want us to go now?”

  “Yes, I have a police escort outside that will take us to the station. From there you’ll go in an unmarked car to an undisclosed hotel.”

  “And you want me to tell Sarah?” she guessed.

  “Yes, ma’am, but be assured I’m gonna make damn sure nothing happens to either of you. We have an expert team that’ll guard you. They do this all the time, so they know what they’re doing.”

  She stood. “Thank you. I’ve already made arrangements at the school to take off two days to help Sarah through this.”

  “That’s good. She’ll need you.” He paused, then asked, “Is there somewhere your grandmother can spend the night? I’d rather she didn’t stay here, either.”

  “Yes, she can visit with one of her bridge friends.”

  “That would be best.”

  “Okay,” she replied. “I’ll tell Sarah and Gran and we’ll pack.” She was afraid to even speculate what Boyd might do. She just had to be there for Sarah.

  Daniel glanced at his watch. “I’ll give you an hour. Is that enough time?”

  “Yes,” she said briskly.

  “I’ll be waiting outside. Try not to worry.”

  Serena climbed the stairs on feet that felt numb. Just when she thought life couldn’t get any worse, it did. Oh, Ethan. Please come back. I need you.

  ETHAN WAS HAVING a bad night. He’d spent too many hours in a saddle today and his hip was bothering him. He turned onto his left side; that didn’t help. He lay on his back; that didn’t help. What he needed was Serena. One touch, and all his aches and pains would leave him. He closed his eyes and imagined her hands on his body, soothing, lulling him… With a deep sigh, he crawled out of bed and reached for his robe. He didn’t want to wake anyone so he didn’t turn on any lights as he walked into the den.

  As he settled into his easy chair, so many thoughts clamored in his head. Had Serena moved on with her life? Had she forgotten him? He had regular conversations with Daniel, who said the family was adjusting. He wanted to ask more but never did. God, why couldn’t he…

  He raised his eyes and saw Ryan’s picture on the wall. It was clearly illuminated by the moonlight streaming through the window. A smiling three-year-old with his hair neatly combed. His hair was never neat because he was too active—too alive. But he wasn’t alive. Ethan felt the pain as it ripped through his chest the way it always did when he thought of Ryan—but this time it was different. He was thinking about more than his death. He was thinking about his life, about the years he’d had with Ryan. Ethan wouldn’t change those for anything. He remembered how it felt to be a father, that wonderful all-consuming emotion. He’d loved it. He’d loved everything about being a father. So why—

  He heard a noise from Molly’s room and his thoughts stopped. Was she crying? He hadn’t heard her cry lately, but something was going on with her and he didn’t know what. It could just be that she missed Cole since he’d gone off to college. But he wasn’t far—in San Antonio—so she could see him anytime she wanted. No, that wasn’t it. He frowned. She’d missed another meeting with the contractor and couldn’t explain why. She said she’d just forgotten, but he didn’t buy that. Another thing—Bruce’s wedding was three weeks away and she hadn’t said a word. He knew this was hard for her even though she and Bruce were now able to talk. She seemed fine during the day, but at night she was probably crying herself to sleep.

  He got up and knocked on her door. “Molly, are you okay?”

  There was a muffled sound. He opened the door slightly and stared in complete shock. Molly was tying the belt on her robe, her hair in disarray. Bruce sat on the bed hurriedly trying to pull on his slacks. Ethan turned and walked back to the den, flipping on lights as he went.

  Molly and Bruce followed. “Let me explain,” Bruce said.

  Ethan sat in his chair. “I don’t think I want to hear it.” He looked at Molly. “He’s getting married in three weeks. Did you forget that?”

  “I called off the wedding,” Bruce explained quickly.

  “What?” Ethan was dumbfounded.

  “He told me this morning,” Molly said. “That’s why I missed the meeting with the contractor. We—” she glanced shyly at Bruce “—had lunch and—”

  “I don’t need to know.” Ethan raised a hand to stop her.

  “I couldn’t stay away from her so I came out here tonight,” Bruce mumbled.

  “He tapped on my window—just like he did when I was teenager—and I let him in.” Molly grinned like the girl she used to be.

  Ethan stood. “Well, I’ll let you two handle your own lives.”

  “Ethan, we made some stupid mistakes,” Bruce said. “But we found our way back to each other. Please be happy for us.”

  “I am, but what about your fiancée?”

  “Things have been rocky between us since I came back from Dallas and I finally had to be honest with her and with myself. I still love Molly.”

  Molly linked her arm in Bruce’s, and Ethan could see how happy they were. “Have you told Cole?”

  “No,” Molly said. “We’re going to the university tomorrow to tell him.”

  “He’ll be thrilled.”

  “We think so, too.” Molly leaned into Bruce and he wrapped his arm around her.

  “And Pop?”

  Pop came through the front door at that moment. “What about Pop?”

  Ethan stared at him, puzzled. Pop had gone to bed hours ago. Now he was waltzing through the front door in his dress shirt and hat. Where had he been so late?

  “What are you doing here?” Pop asked when he saw Bruce.

  “Now don’t get upset,” Molly begged as she went over to him. “Bruce called off the wedding and we’re getting back together.”

  Ethan waited for an eruption, but none came. Pop glanced from Molly to Bruce. “It’s about time. I’m not pleased that you hurt my daughter so badly, but I was wondering if you two were going to be foolish enough to throw away everything you had together.”

  Ethan felt the urge to check Pop’s driver’s license to make sure this man was Walt Ramsey. He was acting calm and…happy. That wasn’t like him.

  “Thanks, Pop.” Molly kissed his cheek.

  “From your attire, I take it Bruce is spending the night,” Pop mused.

  “Well, no.” Molly hesitated. “We plan to tell Cole in the morning, but Bruce came tonight to—”

  “Sneaking through the window again, Bruce?” Pop asked with a grin.

  “Yes, sir,” Bruce admitted. “But I’ll put the screen back on.”

  “You’d better.”

  Molly took Bruce’s hand, and they went back into the bedroom and cl
osed the door.

  “That’s great,” Pop said.

  “Yeah, it is.” Ethan rubbed his chin. “Where’ve you been tonight?”

  “That’s my business,” he snapped as he walked past Ethan.

  Ethan sniffed. “Aftershave. This is getting mighty interesting.”

  “All right!” Pop turned back quickly. “If you have to know, Alma Ferguson invited me over for apple pie and a movie.”

  Ethan eyes widened. “Really?”

  “Yes, really. I’m not too old to enjoy a woman’s company.”

  “I didn’t say you were. I just don’t understand why you had to sneak out.”

  Pop shoved his hands in his pockets. “I feel kind of silly.”

  Ethan threw an arm around him. “But it’s wonderful to be silly sometimes, don’t you think?”

  “Yeah, son, I do.”

  Ethan said good-night and went to his room, a smile on his face. His family could take care of itself. Now he had to think about his own future, and that meant…Serena.

  ETHAN GOT UP EARLY, had a bag packed and was ready to go in minutes. He thought he should call her first, but he’d rather see her in person. He couldn’t still the excitement inside him, nor did he want to. He heard the phone ringing, but he knew Molly or Pop would get it. It was probably Bruce, anyway.

  “Ethan, it’s for you,” Molly called.

  “Who is it?” he shouted back. He didn’t want to talk to anyone; he was in a hurry to leave.

  “Daniel somebody.”

  Daniel. Ethan immediately yanked up the phone, knowing in his gut that something was wrong. “Daniel, what is it?”

  “Calm down, Ethan,” Daniel said. “We have everything under control.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “We got news through a snitch that Boyd was gonna have Sarah taken out so she couldn’t testify, but like I said, we have everything under control. Serena and Sarah are heavily guarded in a safe place until Sarah gives her testimony. I thought I should let you know, since you have a personal interest in this.”

  “Why didn’t you call me sooner?” Ethan demanded.

  “Hell, Ethan, I’m not supposed to be calling you now. This is police business, and if anyone finds out I could be in a lot of trouble. But I owe you, and I know Serena wants you here.”

  “Has she asked for me?”

  “No, but I think she needs you.”

  Ethan closed his eyes for a brief second. “What time does Sarah testify?”

  “This morning. Probably around eleven.”

  “Dammit, I don’t know if I can make it. I’ll catch the first plane out.”

  “Okay, but don’t worry. There’s no way anyone can get to them.”

  He’d heard that story before. All too often, criminals found a way. “Daniel, don’t you let anything happen to them.”

  “I won’t.”

  Ethan hung up and called the airport. His luck was in. A plane was departing for Dallas in forty-five minutes. He took Pop with him so Pop could bring his truck back; he didn’t have time to bother with parking if he was going to make the flight.

  As they drove into the airport terminal, Pop said, “I don’t guess you’re gonna tell me where you’re going in such a hurry.”

  Ethan grabbed his bag. “To do one of those silly things we talked about last night.” He got out. “Wish me luck.”

  “Always, son. Always.”

  ETHAN MADE THE PLANE. His heart was in his throat the whole flight and time seemed to stand still. He knew Boyd would do anything to save his own life; once Sarah was no longer a factor, it would be hard to get a conviction. He, too, had heard Boyd confess to the murder, but his word wouldn’t carry as much weight as Sarah’s. And if Sarah’s life was in danger, so was Serena’s.

  By the time the plane landed, his stomach was one hard knot. He had only the bag he’d carried on, so he didn’t have to wait for luggage. He rented a car and headed straight for the police station, where he met Daniel coming out.

  “Wow, you made it here fast,” Daniel said in surprise.

  Ethan glanced at his watch. Ten o’clock. “Yeah. Have you moved them yet?”

  “No, that’s what we’re fixing to do,” Daniel replied. “And Ethan, you have to stay out of our way.”

  “I won’t interfere, Daniel, but I’m coming with you.” The tone of Ethan’s voice was unyielding.

  “Fine.” Daniel sighed. “I guess an extra pair of eyes and ears won’t hurt.”

  “What’s the plan?” Ethan asked as Daniel drove away.

  “We have them at an older hotel that’s being renovated. Several floors are empty so there aren’t a lot of people around. We’ll move them from the hotel to the criminal-courts building. The car will stop at a sally port to the courthouse and Sarah will be escorted to the Criminal Investigations Department and booked in as a witness. It’s heavily secured and everything should go off without a hitch. We’re gonna get them in as quickly and safely as we can.”

  It didn’t take long to reach the hotel, which had underground parking. Daniel waved to two men at the entrance. “There’s one way in and one way out,” Daniel said. “No one gets in here unless we know about it.” Daniel parked some distance from the glass doors that led to a foyer and a set of elevators to the upper floors.

  They left the car and surveyed the parking area. There were several cars and three men were walking through the garage. Ethan recognized them as police officers. Lights burned dimly from concrete beams, and the water pipes of a fire-prevention sprinkler system were visible. The massive garage was eerily quiet.

  “The cars have been checked and the place is secure,” Daniel said.

  Ethan nodded. “I figured that.”

  Daniel was on the radio. “Bring ’em down.”

  A car drove up and Daniel motioned for it to stop. He talked to the driver, another police officer. “They’re coming down. As soon as you see them, drive to the glass doors. I don’t want them out in the open.”

  “Yes, sir,” the man replied, and they waited.

  Suddenly a piercing sound tore through the silence.

  “What the hell’s going on?” Daniel barked into his mike, but Ethan knew it was a fire alarm. So did Daniel.

  “Goddammit,” Daniel muttered. “This isn’t a coincidence.”

  “No, it’s a diversion,” Ethan answered, knowing Boyd was pulling out all the stops. “We’d better do something and fast.”

  Daniel shouted into his radio. “Abort and go back. It’s too dangerous.”

  “Sorry, sir,” the officer said. “We’re in the elevator coming down.”

  “Is everyone okay?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Tighten your guard on the women. Don’t let anyone near them.”

  “Yes, sir. We’re proceeding with caution.”

  “Goddammit,” Daniel said again. “Those elevators will come directly to the bottom floor and shut down.”

  Ethan looked quickly around. Sirens mingled with the wail of the alarm. Uniformed and plainclothes police were waiting for Daniel’s order. The quiet now felt tense, and every officer was poised and ready.

  Daniel was on the phone talking to his superiors. “We have to abort,” he was saying. “It’s much too dangerous now.” Pause. “Yes, I understand. Yes, sir.”

  Daniel scowled. “We have to continue with the plan.”

  “This isn’t safe,” Ethan said. “Anyone can see that.”

  Daniel shook his head. “The D.A. wants Sarah to testify. He’s not gonna let Boyd win this thing.”

  “Daniel…” But Daniel wasn’t listening. He was on the radio shouting orders. This was going to happen one way or the other. Ethan had to get to Serena. He had to be there when she got off the elevator. That was his only thought.

  He knew Daniel was trying to keep everything under control, but he sensed things were spiraling in the wrong direction.

  “Everyone in position?” Daniel bellowed into the mike. “Okay, let’s do it.�
��

  Ethan removed his revolver, checked his clip, then released the safety. He kept his eyes on the glass doors, waiting and staying alert for anything unusual. Through the glass, he could see the elevator doors opening. Two armed officers stepped out, looked around, then motioned to the others in the elevator. Ethan started toward them, as did Daniel and several more officers.

  “Okay,” Daniel said into the receiver. “Bring the car up. Now.”

  Ethan got a glimpse of Serena and Sarah, two beauties, one in navy and the other in deep purple. The woman in purple was Serena. He knew it immediately and his heart beat a little faster at the sight of her. She was safe.

  As Ethan moved aside to let the car ease by, the sound of screeching tires vied with the clanging alarm. He glanced toward the entrance and saw the speeding car a split second before everyone else did. He also saw the automatic weapons sticking out of the windows.

  All his years of training kicked in and he leaped into action. “Serena,” he screamed as he made a dive for Serena and Sarah. They went down under a barrage of gunfire. Ethan felt something burn his arm, but he kept Serena and Sarah pinned to the concrete as the gunfire exploded around them.

  The impact of the car crashing into a concrete pillar echoed through the gunfire, then everything became quiet. Deadly quiet—even the alarm had stopped. Ethan’s left arm was on fire and he knew he’d been hit. Had Serena been hit, too? He wanted to ask. But he couldn’t move.

  He heard Daniel’s voice. “Everyone okay?” Then it all went black.

  Serena’s chest was locked tight with fear, but she realized Ethan was with her and the fear eased. She raised her head and stared at him. He lay so still—and then she saw his arm, the ripped flesh and the blood oozing from it. “Ohmigod!” she cried as fear renewed its grip. “Ethan’s been hit! Ethan. Ethan.” She scrambled to her knees, hands trembling against his pale face. Oh, God. No, no, no.

  Ethan lay on his stomach and Daniel checked his body. “It’s just his arm, thank God. Get Serena in the car. Now!” Sarah had already been whisked away.

  “No,” Serena said. “I’m not leaving Ethan.”

  The people and the voices floated around Ethan in a hazy mist, but one thing was clear—Serena’s touch, her voice. She was okay.