“We’ll continue to delve into these people’s lives. I’m just glad the police chief is handling it quietly and personally,” Harold said with a long sigh. “He’s trying to track down how the letters came to your office. There was no postmark. He’s reviewing security footage, but there are a lot of ways to put a letter in the interoffice mail at your company. Some of them aren’t on the camera.”
“Fine.” Winnie slapped her hands on her thighs and started to push up from her seat. “I’ve got a few more hours of—”
“Grandma, we have something else we need to talk to you about.” Colt’s words stopped her.
Ellie noticed the woman’s eyebrows shoot up.
“Grandma?” Winnie asked. “Is there something else serious you’ve been keeping from me? You never call me Grandma.” Her gaze flitted from one person to the next.
Ellie approached Winnie. “I’m strongly recommending that you not go to the lighting of the Christmas tree tomorrow night.”
“I’m going, so each of you better accept that. Knowing you, Harold, you’ve hired security. I wouldn’t be surprised if every other person in the crowd was security. I won’t let this person rob me of all my little pleasures.” She stood, her arms stiff at her sides. “Just make sure they don’t stand out.”
Evidently Colt was not satisfied. “Grandma—”
“Don’t ‘Grandma’ me. I will not give in to this person totally. I’m already practically a prisoner in this house, and after tomorrow, this place will be as secure as a prison.” She marched toward the exit. “I’ll be in my lab. Have Linda bring my dinner to me. I’m eating alone tonight.”
Quiet ruled until the basement door slammed shut.
“That worked well,” Colt mumbled and caught Ellie’s look. “What do you suggest?”
“Short of locking her in her room, nothing. I’d say strengthen the security and pray. I won’t leave her side. Harold, have you found a few people to monitor the TVs around the clock here at the house?”
“Yes. With the police chief and Sheriff Quinn’s help, I have four who are willing to start tomorrow. One is a deputy and two are police officers. They need extra money. My fourth one is the retired police chief. He’s bored and needs something to do. They will be discreet.”
“Perfect.” Although the police chief and sheriff vouched for the men, she would have her employer do a background check on them. She’d learned to double-check everything. “I’d like a list of their names.”
The sheriff jotted them down on a piece of paper. “I personally know all these men, and they will do a good job.”
“That’s good. Did you discover what kind of vehicle could have left those tire tracks?”
“The tire is pretty common for a SUV, so probably not a truck.”
“What was in the dart?” Ellie held her breath, hoping it wasn’t a poison. Winnie still thought there was a chance to get her dogs back.
Sheriff Quinn rose. “A tranquilizer. We’re checking vets and sources where it can be purchased. But that will take time.”
Time we might not have.
After Ellie escorted the two men to the front door then locked it when they left, she turned to see Colt in the foyer, staring at her. The scent of roasted chicken spiced the air. Her stomach rumbled. “I just realized all I had today was breakfast.”
“It looks like it will be just you and me tonight.”
The sudden cozy picture of them sitting before a roaring fire sharing a delicious dinner stirred feelings deep inside her she’d fought to keep pushed down. She’d purposely picked this life as a bodyguard to help others but also to keep her distance from people. She was more of an observer, not a participant. When she had participated, she’d gotten hurt—first with her family and later when she became involved with Greg, a man she had dated seriously who had lied to her.
Colt walked toward her, a crooked grin on his face. “We have to eat. We might as well do it together and get to know each other. It looks like we’ll be working together to protect Winnie.”
“Working together? I don’t think so. I’m the bodyguard, not you. You’re her grandson. You are emotionally involved. That can lead to mistakes, problems.”
He moved into her personal space, suddenly crowding her even though he was a couple of feet away. “Being emotionally involved will drive me to do what I need to protect my grandmother. Feelings aren’t the enemy.”
They aren’t? Ellie had her doubts. She’d felt for her mother, her brother and Greg, and ended up hurt, a little bit of herself lost. “Feelings can get in the way of doing your job.”
“It’s dinner, Ellie. That’s all. In the kitchen.”
“I know that. I’m checking the house one more time, then I’ll be in there to eat.” She started to leave.
He stepped into her path. “I want to make it clear. I will be involved with guarding Winnie. That’s not negotiable.”
She met the hard, steely look in his eyes. “Everything is negotiable.” Then she skirted around him and started her room-by-room search, testing the windows and looking in places a person could hide. She’d counted the workmen as they’d left, but she liked to double-check.
As she passed through the house, she placed a call to her employer. “I need you to investigate some law enforcement officers who are helping with monitoring the cameras I’ve had installed around the estate. The sheriff and police chief vetted them.”
Kyra Hunt laughed. “But you don’t know if you can trust them?”
“No. You taught me well. I can remember a certain police officer being dirty on a case you took.”
“I’ve already looked into Sheriff Quinn and the police chief. Nothing I can find sends up a red flag.”
Like the background checks Kyra did on Harold Jefferson, Linda and Doug Miller, and Christy Boland. She knew nothing was completely foolproof, but she would be a fool if she didn’t have these background checks done on people who came in close contact with Winnie. After she gave the four names to Kyra, she said, “Also look into Colt Winfield. He came home unexpectedly and is now staying.”
“Mrs. Winfield’s grandson? Do you suspect him?”
“No, not really, but then I can’t afford to be wrong.”
“I’ll get back to you with what I find.”
When Ellie finished her call, she walked toward the kitchen, the strong aroma of spices and roast chicken making her mouth water.
“Linda, I’ll take care of the dishes. Go home,” Colt said as Ellie came into the room.
Linda nodded. “I imagine Doug is asleep. Today was an early one, and with all that’s been going on, he didn’t have much chance to even sit.” She removed her apron and hung it up on a peg. “Winnie said she’ll bring up her dinner tray later.”
Ellie crossed to the back door and locked it after the housekeeper left. She watched out the window as the woman hurried across the yard toward the guesthouse where she and her husband lived. “I haven’t had a chance to tell her today that any guests she has will have to go through me first. I’ll do that first thing tomorrow.” She pivoted, her gaze connecting with Colt’s.
“We talked about it. She’s fine meeting anyone she needs in town for the time being.”
“Just so long as her car is inspected when she comes back.”
Surprise flashed across her face. “You think Linda might be involved?”
“No, but what if someone managed to hide in her car? Then when she drove onto the property they would be inside without us knowing. It’s necessary until we know how the new dogs are going to work out.”
“You have to think of everything.”
“My clients depend on it. As we speak, I’m having the men who are going to monitor the security system vetted by my employer. Nothing is foolproof, but there are some procedures I can put in place to make this
house safer, so Winnie won’t have to worry about walking around her own home. I’ve had everyone who comes into close contact with Winnie on a regular basis checked out.”
“Harold?
“Yes, just because he hired me doesn’t make him not a suspect.”
“Me?” Colt pulled out a chair for her to sit in at the kitchen table set for two.
“Yes, even you.”
“I’m her grandson!”
“I know, but some murders have been committed by family members.”
He took the chair across from her. “Do you trust anyone?” he asked in a tightly controlled voice.
“I’m paid to distrust.”
“How about when you aren’t working? Do you go around distrusting everyone?”
“I trust God.”
“No one else?”
Ellie picked up the fork and speared a slice of roasted chicken. Who did she trust? The list was short. “How about you? Who do you trust?”
His intense gaze snared hers. “I trust you to protect my grandmother.”
“Then why are you wanting to do my job?”
“Because I trust myself to protect my grandmother, too. Isn’t two better than one?”
“Not necessarily.”
After he scooped some mashed potatoes onto his plate he passed her the bowl. “You never answered my question about who you trust.”
“I know.” Her hand gripping her fork tight, she dug into her dinner. His question disturbed her because she didn’t have a ready answer—a list of family and friends she could say she trusted. Could she trust Colt?
* * *
The chilly temperature and the low clouds in the dark night promised snow when they arrived at the tree lighting. Ellie buttoned her short coat and checked her gun before she slid from the front passenger seat of the SUV. “Winnie, wait until I open your door.”
While Colt exited the car, Ellie helped his grandmother from the backseat. The whole time Ellie scanned the crowd in the park next to City Hall, her senses alert for anything out of the ordinary. Lights blazed from the two-story building behind the tree and from the string of colored lights strung from pole to pole along the street, but too many of the townspeople were shrouded in darkness where the illumination didn’t reach.
Ellie flanked Winnie on the right side while Colt took the left one. “Ready?” she asked.
“I see Harold waving to us from the platform near the Christmas tree.” Colt guided his grandmother toward Glamour Sensations’ CFO.
“No one said anything about you standing on a platform,” Ellie said. The idea that Winnie would be up above the crowd—a better target—bothered Ellie. She continued her search of the faces in the mob, looking for any of the ones the police were looking into as the possible threat to Winnie.
“Oh, yes. I have to give a speech before I flip the switch. I’ll keep it short, dear.”
Ellie wasn’t sure Winnie took the threat against her as seriously as she should. “How about you skip the speech and go straight to turning on the lights so we can leave?”
Winnie paused and shifted toward Ellie. “I’ve lived a long, good life. If I go to my maker tonight, then so be it.”
“Winnie,” Colt said in a sharp voice that reached the people around them. They all turned to watch them. Leaning toward his grandmother, he murmured, “I’m not ready to give you up. I’d care if something happened to you.”
Winnie patted his arm. “I know. But I want you two to realize I have a peace about all of this. That doesn’t mean I will fire Ellie—” she tossed a look toward Ellie “—because I won’t give the person after me an easy target. But, as I’m sure she knows, there is only so much you all can do. The only one who can protect me is the Lord.”
“But you know He uses others to do His bidding. I fall into that category. If I tell you to do something, just do it. No questions asked, okay?” Ellie wished she could get Winnie to take this whole situation more seriously.
“Yes, my dear.”
“If I see a threat in the crowd, I’m going to get you out of here. Then later you can chalk it up to a crazy assistant getting overzealous in her job if you need to spin it for the press. Let’s get this over with.”
Up on the platform as Winnie approached the podium and the cheering crowd quieted, Colt whispered to Ellie, “You make this sound like we’ve come for a root canal.”
“How about several? I don’t like this at all.” She gestured toward one area of the park that was particularly dark. “Why couldn’t they have the lighting of the tree during the daytime?”
Her gaze latched onto a man in the front row reaching into his coat pocket. Ellie stiffened and put her hand into her own pocket, grasping her weapon. But the guy pulled out a cell and turned it off.
Five minutes later when Winnie completed her short speech thanking Bakersville for the honor to Thomas and her for naming the park after them, she stepped over to flip the first switch. Suddenly the lights went out in City Hall and the only ones that illuminated the area were the string of colorful lights along the streets and around the park. Next Winnie flipped the switch for the lights on the twelve-foot Christmas tree and their colorful glow lit the area.
“That’s why it’s at nighttime.”
The tickle of Colt’s whisper by her ear shot a bolt of awareness through Ellie. Her pulse rate accelerated, causing a flush of heat on her face. Someone in the crowd began singing “Joy to the World” and everyone joined in, including Colt and Winnie. Ellie sang but never took her attention from the people surrounding Winnie. Harold had said he would have people in plainclothes scattered throughout the attendees in addition to the police visible in the throng.
Ellie moved closer, intending to steer Winnie back to the SUV. But before she could grasp her elbow, women, men and children swamped Winnie.
“Thank you for what you’ve done for Bakersville,” one lady said.
Another person shook Winnie’s hand. “When the economy was down, you didn’t lay off anyone at the company. We appreciate that.”
After five long minutes of the same kind of praises, Ellie stepped to Winnie’s right while Colt took up his position on the left.
Winnie grinned. “Thank you all. Bakersville is important to me. It’s my home.”
People parted to allow Winnie through the crowd. Suddenly a medium-built man stepped into Winnie’s path. Ellie inched closer to Winnie while she gripped her weapon.
Winnie smiled. “I’m glad to see you, Mr. Fairchild. I heard you were in town.”
“Yeah. Is there a problem with me being here?” He pulled himself up straight, his shoulders back.
“No, on the contrary, I meant it. I’m glad I ran into you.” She raised her voice. “I wanted to apologize to you for my behavior right after Thomas died. I was wrong. I hope you’ll accept my apology.”
The man’s mouth dropped open. The tension in his stance eased. “I—I—”
“I would certainly understand if you don’t, but I hope you’ll find it in your heart to—”
“I made mistakes, too,” Steve Fairchild mumbled. Then he ducked his head and hurried off.
“Let’s go, Winnie,” Ellie said and guided her client toward the car.
The closer they got to the SUV the faster Ellie’s pace became. Her nape tingled; her breath caught in her lungs. The person behind the threats was here somewhere—she felt it in her bones. Possibly Steve Fairchild, in spite of how the encounter had turned out. Not until Winnie was safe in the backseat and Colt was pulling out of the parking space did Ellie finally exhale.
“I thought that went very well, especially with Steve Fairchild, and nothing happened at the lighting of the tree,” Winnie said from the backseat.
We’re not at your house yet. Ellie kept that thought to herself, but her gaze cont
inually swept the landscape and the road before and behind the SUV.
Winnie continued to comment on the event. “The Christmas tree this year was beautiful. Not that it isn’t every year, but they seemed to have more decorations and lights on it. You were here last Christmas, Colt. Don’t you think it was bigger and better?”
Ellie tossed a quick glance at Colt. In the beam of an oncoming car, she glimpsed his set jaw, his focus totally on the road ahead.
“I guess so. I never thought about it.”
“Isn’t that just like a man, Ellie?”
“Yes, but I’ve found a lot of people don’t note their surroundings unless there’s a reason.” Ellie couldn’t help but notice that Winnie hadn’t said much on the ride down the mountain, but now she wanted to chitchat. That was probably her nerves talking. “You’ll be all right, Winnie. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I know that. I’m not worried.”
“Then why are you talking so much?” Tension threaded through Colt’s question.
“I’m relieved nothing happened and pleased by the kindness of the people of Bakersville. I even got my chance to apologize to Mr. Fairchild in public. I wish I could have stayed longer. I probably should call the mayor tomorrow and apologize that I couldn’t linger at the end. I usually do.”
Behind the SUV a car sped closer. Ellie couldn’t tell the make of the vehicle from the glare of the headlights.
“I see it.” Colt slowed down.
The car accelerated and passed them on a straight part of the winding road up the mountain. The Ford Focus increased its distance between them and disappeared around a curve. Ellie twisted to look behind them. A dark stretch of highway greeted her inspection.
She sat forward, her hand going to her gun. She took it out and laid it on her lap.
“Expecting trouble?” Colt asked.
Although it was dark inside the SUV, with only a few dashboard lights, Ellie felt the touch of his gaze when he turned his head toward her. “Always. That’s what keeps me alert.”
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