by Karen Kirst
Brushing lint from her snug black pants, she walked with him to the archway leading to the tiled living area with windows overlooking the pool and, in the distance, the navy blue waters of the river. Audrey recognized most of the guests. One, in particular, caused her to startle.
Chasity noticed. “Veronica overheard me talking about tonight and hinted that she had nothing to do. I had to invite her.”
“I’m surprised she’d angle for an invitation,” she murmured. Veronica stood on the outer edge of a group comprised of nurses and surgical residents. “She doesn’t usually socialize with work peers.”
“Maybe she was feeling lonely.”
“Is that Heather talking to David?” Audrey couldn’t understand the X-ray tech’s appeal. He gave her the creeps.
“They arrived together. Heather must’ve mustered her courage. Or maybe David recognized her interest and acted.” Chasity’s attention was diverted to one of two doorways to the kitchen, where a uniformed young man waited. “I have to oversee the kitchen staff. The catering company we chose is a new one, and they are second-guessing every decision.” Giving Audrey’s hand a squeeze, she said, “I’ll catch up with you later. Go. Mingle. Try and enjoy yourself.”
When Chasity had gone, Julian led Audrey to the nearest appetizer station, where food was spread out on an ornate buffet server. Positioned a few steps from where they’d entered, it provided an unobstructed view of the room.
“Sparkling water?”
His fingers brushed hers as she accepted the proffered bottle.
“What do you know about Veronica?” He perused the offerings, his back to the crowd, and appeared as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
“Very little. I’ve heard tidbits here and there. If they are to be believed, she married her high-school sweetheart right after graduation, only to lose him a year later in a car accident.” She took a sip of the bubbly, lemon-flavored water. “Her second marriage ended in divorce a decade ago.”
“Kids?” He popped a shrimp concoction in his mouth.
“None.”
Swallowing, he pointed to the tray. “You should try one.”
“No, thanks.” She was too worked up to eat.
“So, as far as you know, she’s single. It’s possible she receives spousal support. I’m not familiar with North Carolina’s divorce laws.” Turning, he scanned the crowd. “Has she given any clues she might be in trouble financially?”
“She doesn’t share that sort of information.”
“Her clothes aren’t designer-label. Costume jewelry. Of course, she could be taking pains to hide financial gain. What sort of vehicle does she drive?”
“I’ve never paid attention.”
He took a long draw from the bottle and inclined his head. “Let’s make our way over there without being obvious about it.”
“As a first-time visitor,” she said, playing along, “you’ll want to see the view.”
Approval lit his eyes. “Absolutely.”
On their way to the oversize windows, several people spoke to Audrey, causing her to have to pause and introduce Julian. They commiserated with her over her obligatory leave of absence, but their true focus was on her date. She’d been so focused on tonight’s goal that she hadn’t thought about the conjecture they’d arouse.
When they finally reached a spot with an uninhibited view of the river, Julian acted suitably impressed, commenting on the grounds and boats bobbing in the water. As dusk descended, lights began to twinkle on the horizon.
“You don’t make a habit of bringing dates around, do you?”
She cast a quick glance at his profile. “What makes you say that?”
“Easy,” another voice quipped. “Everyone knows Audrey still pines for her lost fiancé.”
They twisted around to face Veronica, who’d abandoned the other group. Her makeup looked slightly less garish paired with regular clothes. “The fact that she’s in public with a man other than her dad is headline news.”
Julian wrapped his arm around her waist and tucked her against his side. “Then I count myself a fortunate man.”
Veronica’s upper lip curled. “It’s a bit too poetic for me.” Her bloodshot gaze bounced between them. “Dating the nurse who saved your life.”
“Really? I think it’s romantic.” He smiled down at Audrey. The full force of that suave smile and accompanying warmth in his eyes made her weak in the knees. She liked being close to him. Liked the feeling, however fleeting, of being part of a couple.
It’s fake. A show.
Julian wasn’t her date.
“Romance is for lonely, weak people.”
“Then there must be a lot of lonely, weak people in the world,” retorted Audrey.
Julian’s hand navigated up her back and, settling warm and heavy on her neck, gave a gentle, warning squeeze.
Outwardly, he made a commiserating sound. “You’re married to your work, then?”
Veronica shrugged and her gaze pierced Audrey. “When you’re young and fresh, the job seems exciting and noble. After a while, it loses its sparkle. I had envisioned retiring early, but that’s out now.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said. “Did you have plans to travel?”
“Hardly. I was going to move to Sarasota.” A loud crash in the kitchen distracted her. “Sounds like dinner might be delayed. I’m starving. Who eats this late, anyway?”
With a parting word, she marched to the buffet server and began to fill a small plate.
Julian’s arm fell away, and it took several seconds for Audrey to respond in kind. It felt natural to lean against him. Her cheeks flamed. He was insightful. Had he noticed she liked being close to him?
“What’s the reason she can’t retire?” she asked to cover her embarrassment.
“And what’s in Sarasota? We need to do some digging into her life, see if there’s sufficient motivation for her to dabble in the narcotic industry.”
He threaded his fingers through hers. “Do you mind the show of affection? I thought it would give them something other than the recent mishaps to gossip about.”
Could he truly not detect her increased heart rate? See the blush on her cheeks?
“I don’t mind,” she said, her voice husky. “It’s a means to an end.”
“Good.” He nodded, his eyes holding her captive. A girl could get lost in those eyes. “Why don’t you introduce me to more people? There’s a chance the person who’s using you to cover up their criminal activity is in this room.”
* * *
Reconnaissance was an inherent part of his job. Working with a partner was also commonplace. Pretending to be a beautiful nurse’s date? Out of his comfort zone. Audrey wasn’t just any civilian, either. Julian had no doubt Trent Harris would run him through the ringer if he knew what they were up to.
He glanced at his watch. One hour in, and he’d met and dismissed ninety-five percent of the guests. While Veronica was a disgruntled character, he wasn’t fully convinced she was funneling narcotics out of Onslow General.
A frown tugged Audrey’s brows together. “Lincoln and Chasity don’t look pleased.”
From their vantage point beside one of three gleaming leather sofas, they had an unobstructed view into the well-equipped kitchen. The hired staff bounced from counter to counter, bumping into one another in their haste. The couple stood off to the side, observing the chaos and conversing with each other.
“The guests don’t seem to mind the delay,” he said.
“I’m afraid coming here was a pointless exercise.”
“It’s too early to call it a bust. We’re identifying possible players.”
“Everyone here acts like normal, law-abiding citizens.”
He got her frustration. “The key word is acts. You wouldn’t believe how many different faces evil assum
es.”
She readjusted the scarf again. The slight tremor in her hand had him questioning if bringing her here was the right thing, so soon after the attempts on her life. She hadn’t complained of fatigue or distress, but the signs were there. Shadows beneath her eyes. Fatigue bracketing her mouth.
“Let’s skip out early,” he said, smoothing an errant strand behind her ear.
Her eyes widened. Because of his suggestion or the uncalled-for caress?
“Why?” Her gaze dropped to his arm. “Are you in pain? You’re taking the prescribed antibiotics, aren’t you?”
“I’m good. I thought you might like peace and quiet, after all.”
“I’ll stick it out.” She gestured to the foyer. “I’m going to the powder room.”
“I’ll come with you.”
She arched an eyebrow in challenge. “Not necessary. It’s a few steps from the entrance.”
He weighed her desire for privacy against the potential for danger.
“No one is going to attack me in Lincoln’s home, especially not in the guest bath.”
Since he couldn’t be sure of that, he gave her a head start without informing her he planned to follow. When she passed through the archway and ventured left, he discarded his empty water bottle and made to go after her.
But Lincoln waylaid him. “Is Audrey all right? She looks distracted.”
That the surgeon cared about Audrey was obvious. According to her, Lincoln had included her instead of regarding her as a third wheel. “She’s holding her own.”
“She should be at home resting. I told Chasity not to pressure her into coming tonight. She wanted her here for the big announcement.” Setting his glass on the end table, he turned to face Julian more fully. “You obviously have some sort of stake in her life. Help her see the importance of taking care of herself. The strain she’s been under these past weeks is taking its toll.”
The fact that the other man had pegged the situation outright irked Julian. He’d known a couple of Special Forces guys who’d gone on to join the Secret Service. Their number-one rule—don’t get emotionally attached to the person under their protection. Surely, he hadn’t grown too close to Audrey already.
“I’ll talk to her.”
“I’d appreciate it. Audrey’s special to my soon-to-be wife, which makes her special in my book, as well.”
“Chasity relayed the good news. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
Julian gestured to the framed photographs on the end table. “Those your kids?”
A proud smile creased his cheeks. “Theo and Therese.”
“How old are they?”
“Theo turned eleven last month. Therese is fourteen.”
“Your son is the spitting image of you.” The girl, on the other hand, looked nothing like him.
“I hear what you’re too polite to ask. Therese is my biological daughter. She happens to take after her mother in every way save for her greedy heart. Therese isn’t driven to own the best of everything.” He waved a hand to encompass the home. “Before you label me a hypocrite, I would’ve been content with a simple farmhouse in Richlands,” he said, indicating the farming community not far from the Camp Lejeune base. “Gina had to have the upscale life that goes along with my career.”
Lincoln’s unresolved bitterness toward his ex-wife didn’t bode well for his new marriage. Julian wondered if Chasity was oblivious or merely an optimist. And why was Lincoln trying to convince him he wasn’t materialistic?
“What’s he doing here?” Lincoln scowled at someone behind Julian.
Twisting around, he recognized Frank Russo. “He wasn’t invited?”
“Not by us. Chasity isn’t a fan.”
Veronica separated from the crowd and went to intercept him.
“Perhaps Iron Nurse asked him to come,” Lincoln mused.
“Are they friendly outside of work?”
“I couldn’t say. Do me a favor, will you? While I’m busy soothing Chasity’s nerves and making sure everyone has enough to eat and drink, keep Russo away from Audrey.”
“Is he a threat to her?”
“He was an unhappy man to start with. The staff shortage has been an issue for months. This situation with Audrey has exacerbated the problem. He’s been complaining to everyone who’ll listen that the excess overtime is damaging his health and threatening his ability to properly care for patients.”
The man looked like someone who didn’t take proper care of himself. Whether that stemmed from extra hours and stress, Julian wasn’t prepared to say. Frank could be drowning his sorrows in alcohol or dabbling in drugs. That wasn’t his problem. His problem was that Frank blamed Audrey instead of the hospital. Someone nursing a grudge could potentially put thoughts into action.
Frank’s tight gaze punched through the room. Searching for Audrey?
Julian started for the foyer, dodging furniture and guests. She should’ve returned by now. He told himself she was probably lingering in the powder room, savoring the reprieve from prying eyes and not-so-subtle conjecture.
The grand entryway was vacant. Quickly spotting a closed door in the adjacent hallway, he approached and knocked.
“Audrey?”
He twisted the knob. The door swung inward, revealing a nicely appointed half bath. No Audrey. And there wasn’t a window, meaning no one could’ve breached the space.
He emerged into the hallway, his gut a knot of apprehension.
Where was she?
EIGHT
“Go past the home office and guest bedrooms. The master suite is at the end of this corridor.”
Audrey thanked the young staffer who’d informed her the guest bath was unusable and directed her to the master bath. She’d been in Lincoln’s home plenty of times, but she hadn’t ventured into his personal space.
The girl hustled back to her duties, and Audrey entered an airy, yet masculine bedroom. Airy thanks to tall windows and the high ceiling that was crisscrossed with beams, and masculine due to the heavy, carved furniture pieces and dark color palette. Feeling like an intruder, she hurried to the bathroom, not pausing to investigate the patio visible through the double doors.
She locked the door and, using one of the available hand towels, dampened and folded it into a rectangle. Removing her scarf, she perched on the soaking tub’s edge and pressed the cool cloth to her forehead.
Julian would come looking for her if she didn’t return soon. She needed five minutes to regroup. The party had been a bad idea. Everything that had happened—the patient incidents, the break-in, the attempts on Julian’s life and hers—had started to press in, making her heart throb and her throat constrict. She’d never had a panic attack before, but she knew the signs. It had felt as if everyone in the room was watching her. Either to gauge her demeanor after being barred from the hospital, or to decide if she’d finally braved the waters of the dating world.
Veronica’s comment about Seth, combined with Audrey’s reaction to Julian’s touch, had her battling a curious mix of guilt, regret and defensiveness.
I’m weak, God. I’m not as strong as I pretend to be. Please let this end.
Audrey didn’t understand why He was allowing her to walk through these troubles, but she trusted Him to walk beside her. Guide her. Protect her. He’d provided the best possible guardian, hadn’t He? Julian’s presence in her life presented its own unique challenges, but she was grateful all the same.
The handle turned before the door vibrated with a firm knock. “Hello?”
While the thick wood masked the voice’s timbre, she could tell it was a man speaking. Julian.
“Coming.”
She placed the towel into a hamper, grabbed her scarf, unlocked the door and jerked it open. “I’m sorry, I—”
The tall, lanky man in front of her was not Julian. His
outfit let her know he was part of the catering staff.
“Oh, I thought you were someone else.”
He didn’t speak. Chasity wouldn’t like his rudeness or the fact he hadn’t restrained his shoulder-length hair. Audrey moved to pass him. When he remained in place, uneasiness skittered along her spine. A split second later, he lunged for her. One arm came around her upper body like a vise, imprisoning her arms. Her hurt shoulder spasmed. His hand clamped over her mouth. Her scream was muffled. No one would hear her cries if she didn’t act fast.
She kicked out. Stomped his feet. Fought his grip.
He grunted but didn’t loosen his hold.
The patio doors flew open, and in strode two more men—identical twins of terror. They converged on her. Within a matter of seconds, they’d bound her ankles and wrists with rope and gagged her. No words were spoken. Their eyes were blank caverns, their features stark. Expert kidnappers and killers.
Julian, where are you?
Audrey squirmed and moaned, hoping the noise was enough to alert someone. Anyone.
The long-haired one produced a cloud of black material. As he came toward her, his intent became clear.
He was going to put that over her head. She wouldn’t be able to see what was happening or anticipate what was coming.
Panic clawed at her insides. She strained to free herself from the other two holding her up. Their strong fingers dug into her flesh. The black material whispered over her hair, then her face and neck.
She felt herself being lifted and carried outside. The sensation of being suspended above the earth, raised high and low and passed between rough pairs of hands, was the stuff of nightmares. Terrified, she screamed against the gag. Over and over again until her throat became raw.
When she was tossed like a laundry sack onto an unforgiving metal surface, she fell silent. What now? Where was she? Where were they taking her?
Movement registered beside her. A shoe jolted her hip, and she flinched.