She hurried into Noah’s room and locked the door, checking the hall door to be sure it was locked as well. Her life had turned into one of those dumb horror movies where everything happened too fast to comprehend.
She sank down on Noah’s bed and tried to stop shaking. The sheets were still warm from the imprint of his body. The faint scent of his cologne teased her senses and the vision of him coming to her rescue like some naked warrior refused to step aside for the raft of other thoughts waiting for her attention.
She needed to get control here. She had just been assaulted. She could not be attracted to Noah. She would not allow herself to be attracted to Noah.
It was the stress, she decided. Anyone would be stressed by all that had happened. Nothing had been the same in her world since the day Laura had introduced her to Jerome.
Jerome was dead and she needed to start concentrating on staying alive herself. It was time to draw on all that self-reliance she’d learned when it had been just Grandma and her. She composed her features and headed for the bathroom. Water soothed her thirst, and washing her face helped steady her a little, even if there was still a decided tremor in her hands.
At least she was starting to think again, though she didn’t like the thoughts she was having. The bank thieves had shown no hesitation when it came to shooting helpless victims. Yet twice now, someone had come after her and she was still alive.
“Why?” She stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, seeing no answers in the pale features staring back at her. Lightly she touched the reddened imprint where he’d struck her.
What did he want from her?
“Sydney?” Noah called out as he rapped on the door. She hurried to unlatch it for him.
“You okay?” Noah demanded. His eyes snapped angrily as he took in the red mark on her cheek. She was glad that anger wasn’t directed at her.
“Yes.”
“The police are on their way. Hotel security wants to talk to you. Are you up to it?”
Sydney nodded. “Did he get away?”
“More than likely.” Noah sounded disgusted. “They’re combing the building, but the elevator was empty when it reached the ground floor. No one noticed where else it stopped. He may still be somewhere in the building, but one of their people saw a man with dark hair take off on a motorcycle. Security, of course, didn’t get a plate number or a description.”
No wonder Noah was angry. She had a feeling he wasn’t used to losing at anything.
“Tell me again exactly what happened.”
As she did, his anger deepened and she realized it was self-directed. “I’m sorry, Sydney. I thought I could protect you.”
She laid her hand on his biceps, feeling the tension that practically vibrated from him. “You did. He left, didn’t he?”
“Only after you clobbered him. How’s your hand?”
She withdrew her touch and tried to smile. “It’s throbbing, but I don’t think I did any real damage. I just don’t understand why this is happening.”
Noah didn’t reply. His expression packed a volume of words in that simple look.
“Hey, I don’t know what he wants.”
Noah’s stillness was unnerving. Where another man might fidget or pace, Noah didn’t exhibit any of the usual mannerisms. He regarded her in motionless silence.
Sydney allowed her irritation to grow. “Look, if your attitude is supposed to intimidate me, it’s not going to work. I don’t have a clue what’s going on here.”
“Take it easy.”
“How am I supposed to do that?”
“You’re right. I’m sorry, Syd.”
“Sydney.”
“Sydney,” he agreed. “It would have helped if you’d gotten a better look at the guy.”
“Sorry. Next time I’ll ask him to pose for pictures.”
His lips quirked. “I’m the one who’s sorry. At least you got his ski mask. That should give the police something to work from. Maybe they can match hairs from the cap to the bastard.”
“They’ll have to catch him first. If it was the same man from the hospital, how did he know I was here, Noah?”
“There was a silver Honda outside Laura’s apartment. I thought I lost it, but I guess not. The good news is, I gave Wickowski the plate number.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“There wasn’t anything you could have done except worry.”
“Yeah, with good reason as it turns out. What about Laura?”
“He doesn’t want Laura. He wants you.”
“Why?” Uncomfortably, she began to pace, her thoughts tumbling faster than she could form the words. “Noah, what if…well, what if one of the men in the bank that day was more than just a thief?”
“What do you mean?”
She pivoted. “Let’s say they learned I wasn’t dead and decided to kill me. But what if the one who came after me wanted to rape me first?”
Noah swore. “He touched you?”
“Just my breast. It might have been accidental. We were struggling. But if it wasn’t….”
His expression was thunderous.
“I only wondered because he was practically on top of me before I scared him off.”
“We need to let Wickowski know about this. It might narrow down the search if they have a known bank robber with a history of rape as well.”
He rubbed his jaw, drawing her attention to the morning stubble on his cheeks, which gave him a decidedly dangerous look.
“I find it hard to believe he went after you in the hospital intending to rape you.”
So did she when he put it like that. “Then give me another explanation. Why didn’t he simply kill me?”
“I don’t know.”
“Me either, but I’m getting real tired of this. Let’s get out of here, Noah.”
“And go where?”
“I haven’t got a clue.”
Sidney sank down stiffly on his bed, aware of every ache in her body, including an expanding headache. She would not let Noah see how upset she was. She had never given in to public displays of any sort and she wasn’t going to start now, even if all she wanted to do was bury her head in his pillow and cry.
“Sydney, do you have a friend or some distant family member you could stay with?”
Sydney shook her head.
“All right.” His voice gentled. “Security will be here any minute to talk to you.”
“I’d like to change clothing first.” She was not going to face another inquisition dressed in rumpled clothing.
His brows pleated, but he didn’t argue or ask why. “Do you want help?”
“No.”
Not even if she needed it. Her emotions were seesawing all over the place, and the last thing she wanted was for Noah to touch her right now.
“Okay. I’ll direct the men in here while you go back in your room and change.”
“Fine.” She kept her mind as blank as possible, not looking toward the bed. Getting out of the sundress proved harder than getting into it, and the green dress was impossible. The zipper defeated her completely. She couldn’t close it one-handed no matter how she tried.
Frustration nearly brought tears to her eyes. She blinked them back furiously. All she needed to do was select another outfit from her suitcase, but childishly, she didn’t want a different outfit. She wanted to face Noah and the police looking calm and professional, instead of like some out-of-control victim.
She straightened her shoulders and marched to the connecting door. Masculine voices came from the other side. She cracked the door open and called out.
“Noah? Could I see you a minute?” Instantly, he appeared. She stepped back as he slipped inside, closing the door behind him.
“I can’t reach the zipper.”
She was proud of her matter-of-fact tone. Even prouder that she didn’t so much as twitch under his touch. Not even when his knuckles brushed her bare skin, sending ridiculous tremors right through her.
H
e nodded toward the white silk scarf lying on the end of the bed. “Would you like me to wrap that around your neck for you?”
“That depends. Are you still angry?”
He didn’t smile at her attempted humor. “Not at you, Sydney.”
She stood still while Noah carefully twisted the silky material lightly around her neck, draping the ends over her shoulder. She tried to keep her eyes glued on the picture hanging over the bed in an unsuccessful effort not to notice how good he smelled or how badly she wanted to throw herself into the security of his arms.
“Thank you.”
His gaze bored into hers, causing things to flutter that had no business fluttering. The pull of awareness between them was almost frightening because she clearly saw that it wasn’t one-sided. An answering flame burned in his normally controlled features before he extinguished the look with the blink of his eyes.
“You’re welcome,” he said calmly with no trace of the sensual volcano she had glimpsed churning beneath his surface calm. “All set?”
“Yes.” But she resented his control when her own was so shaky. His hand hesitated at her back, triggering more ripples of reaction low in her gut. She would get her crazy emotions under control if it killed her.
Noah had to give her credit. Sydney never once took a coy or flirtatious stance with him. She’d matter-of-factly asked his help getting the dress zipped and stood patiently while he’d fiddled with the scarf, trying to keep his hands as impersonal as possible. She looked cool, calm and serenely unapproachable.
Obviously, the intimacy of the situation didn’t bother her a bit. It was Noah’s mind that skittered away from thoughts of her incredibly soft skin everywhere he’d touched her. Sydney was having a terribly disturbing effect on him and he didn’t like it one bit. Protecting her was one thing. That was duty. But noticing her as an attractive woman was something else altogether. When was he going to get it through his head that she was off-limits?
Sydney’s emotions and the situation were getting to him. She hadn’t faked her grief yesterday. Or her fear this morning. And she seemed truly puzzled by the most recent events. As was he. None of what was happening made any sense.
Noah didn’t like things that didn’t make sense.
Men with enough smarts to pull off the bank heist and get away clean should have been much more adroit at killing the only eyewitness. Therefore, they didn’t want her dead. So what did they want?
He wasn’t buying into the security people’s explanation—not for a second. Maybe D.C. did have a rapist who had attacked several women inside hotel rooms, but the odds against that individual singling out Sydney right now were astronomical.
What bothered him the most was how the guy had found them. It was possible they’d been followed from Laura’s apartment, as he’d told Sydney. But that didn’t explain how the man learned which room she was in. The obvious answer was that he had bribed the night clerk. Leighton struck him as the sort who’d turn his head for a few bucks. If so, they’d probably never know. Leighton wouldn’t risk his job by admitting as much to the police.
The first police officer who arrived on the scene agreed with him, as did Agent Wickowski. Wickowski decided a trip to his office was called for and Noah was surprised when Sydney didn’t even object.
Once inside the building, the two of them were separated. Noah found himself in an interrogation room answering questions. Most of those related to Sydney and his brother. He responded stoically, knowing the men were simply doing their job, but as time stretched, he became increasingly concerned for Sydney.
“Look, I understand your questions and the reasons for them, but my sister-in-law is pregnant. She’s been through a lot the past few days. Do you seriously think she’s in collusion with the men who pulled that robbery?”
“No, sir, but we have to look at all the possibilities.”
“Understood, but the woman just left the hospital. She’s had one traumatic event after another. How much longer are you planning to keep us here?”
“It shouldn’t be long now, sir. Excuse me for a few minutes.”
There wasn’t much else he could do. He eyed the bitter coffee and the sweet doughnuts in disgust. He hoped they’d offered Sydney something more palatable. Everyone knew pregnant women should avoid caffeine.
Noah glanced at his watch, amazed to see how much time had elapsed. He’d give the agent five more minutes and then he was going to start issuing his own orders.
“Major? Sorry for the delay.” Wickowski stepped into the room, holding the door open in clear invitation. Noah walked forward quickly.
“Mrs. Inglewood is giving a formal statement right now,” Wickowski said as they entered the hall. “Would you like to go down to the cafeteria and grab a bite to eat while we wait?”
“What about Sydney?”
“We sent a tray up for Mrs. Inglewood. She’s being most cooperative.” He slanted Noah an odd glance. “She’s a strong individual. I’m not sure I’d be able to view these events with such equanimity.”
His words jarred, striking an odd tone. “Agent Wickowski, if you’re trying to ask me something, ask it straight out. I may not know Sydney very well, but I’ve observed her at close hand under some pretty extreme situations the past few days, and I’d stake my commission on the fact that she had nothing to do with that bank robbery.”
“I agree with you, Major.”
“Then why take that tone?”
Wickowski pressed the button for the elevator. “Your colonel speaks quite highly of you. Your record speaks for itself.”
Noah wasn’t surprised they’d been checking on him. If anything, he was relieved to see they were being thorough. The elevator doors parted to reveal a crowd already bent on the cafeteria. The two didn’t speak again until they stood in the noisy food line.
“Your training and military standing put you in a perfect position to offer us some insight into these events, Major.”
“And Sydney in particular?”
Wickowski smiled. “Exactly. She’s taking the death of her husband quite well.”
“Yes, she is.” Noah waited.
“Did you know she planned to file for divorce?”
If the man had intended to shock him, he was in for a disappointment. Noah had already questioned their relationship in his own mind. “I never met Sydney until after Jerome was killed.”
“And your brother didn’t suggest they were having problems?”
The line moved forward and Wickowski was diverted, placing his order. Noah had no appetite, but he ordered a sandwich and a soft drink.
“I’ve already told you everything my brother said to me, pretty much verbatim. However, Sydney told me she was staying with her friends and not at their apartment prior to the robbery.”
“But not that she planned to file for divorce,” Wickowski prodded.
“No. I suspect she felt that was none of my business as well as totally irrelevant, given the situation. What did you get on that plate number I gave you?”
“The car was stolen.”
Noah wasn’t surprised.
They paid for their meals and Wickowski led the way to a newly vacated table. “Your brother lived an expensive lifestyle, Major.”
“We’ve been over this already. I know very little about my brother’s lifestyle.”
Wickowski chomped on a pickle strip and waved it in the air. “Do you believe your brother could have been coerced into helping with this robbery?”
Noah didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
Wickowski choked on the pickle. After a hasty swig of his drink, he managed to control the coughing spell that followed.
“As I told you earlier,” Noah said calmly, “my brother was spoiled. He liked getting his own way. If he needed money and thought he saw a way to get some illegally without being caught, I think it’s possible he would at least consider the option.”
The man set down his glass, his expression intent. “Thank you for your honesty. I’m
going to tell you something, Major. Something I want you to hold in strict confidence.”
When he paused, obviously waiting, Noah agreed.
“There have been a series of these robberies. One in Maryland, one in the district and two in Virginia. In every case, only one bank employee was inside at the time. In every case, that employee died at the scene or shortly thereafter. Each victim tended to live over and above his means.”
Noah couldn’t summon any surprise over this news. “A lot of people do that.”
“True enough. We have no proof any of the victims were involved. In fact, we have no leads of any kind, Major. Until Sydney survived, we didn’t even know how many people were involved in these crimes. She’s our only link.”
“Then I would have thought you’d have taken better care of her from the outset.”
The tips of Wickowski’s ears reddened, but he didn’t rise to the bait.
“So, why haven’t they killed her?” Noah asked.
Wickowski leaned back in his chair. “That’s what we’re hoping you can find out for us.”
Noah narrowed his eyes.
“Mrs. Inglewood doesn’t want our protection, but she seems to accept yours. We want to use that.”
“You mean you want me to help you use her as bait?”
“I mean that if she won’t let us protect her, I want to know who comes after her. Because they will, Major. You’ve already seen that for yourself. They want something from her and we want whatever it is they want.”
“And what if she’s right that one of the robbers is also a rapist?”
“We’re looking into that. We need you to keep her alive.” He leaned forward intently. “Find out what the robbers want from her. Then help us get it first.”
Noah pushed aside his plate. “You don’t want much, do you?”
“Wouldn’t you do this anyhow, Major?”
The question still rankled hours later when he and Sydney were driven back to the hotel to collect her car and their luggage. Sydney had been uncharacteristically silent the whole time.
“Are you all right?” Noah asked, darting a glance in her direction as he pulled out into the heavy traffic.
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