She smiled sweetly but she kept her tone even and firm. Art’s eyebrows shot up but he nodded and pulled a stack of papers from his briefcase.
“First, here is the subpoena from the Grand Jury. It’s a moot point now since you’re here of your own volition, but you may want to read it over.” He handed her a set of folded papers, which she passed to Seth. She trusted him to look through them while she listened. Art didn’t miss her action and frowned. “You, of course, should not discuss your testimony with anyone.”
Seth held up his hand. “Excuse me, but she doesn’t have to keep her testimony a secret. There’s no law or obligation to do so. I’m not saying she wants to talk about it, but telling her she has to is a misleading statement.”
Art’s face turned a shade of red. “You are correct. I was asking as a courtesy.”
Presley’s respect for Seth grew exponentially. His law enforcement background made him a good ally. Evan leaned forward, his brows drawn together. “He’s right, Art. Presley’s here of her own free will, but let’s keep what’s legal separate from what we’re asking her to do as a favor. I didn’t encourage Presley to get an attorney since I thought this would be a friendly exchange. If it’s not going to be, she needs counsel.”
Art’s brows drew down even further. “Who’s Presley?” He shuffled through papers as if looking for the reference.
Presley placed her hand on top of the papers, the rifling grating on her nerves. “I am Presley. It’s my new identity. Katie Johnson was killed in a car bomb in south Tampa.”
It was quite freeing to say it. Katie was gone and even when she was free from Randall, she wouldn’t be coming back. Presley was alive, however. It was a watershed moment and she snuck a look at Seth, but he seemed to be unaware of the gravity of what had just happened.
Art shook his head and turned to the first paper on the pile. “Fine. This is a friendly discourse. I’ll just prepare you for testifying.” He picked up a picture from the file folder. “Answer the questions truthfully. Listen closely to the questions, and answer only the question I ask. Give no extra information. Don’t go off topic and don’t speculate. Keep your answers short, simple, and to the point. For example, if I hold up this picture and ask you if you know the person in the photo what do you say?”
“Yes.” She’d seen every episode of Law and Order ever made.
Art nodded approvingly. “Good. I didn’t ask you who it was, only if you knew him. Excellent. Keep that up and you’ll do fine. Now let’s go through some of the questions I’m going to ask you.”
An hour and a half and two more coffees later, Art turned over the last piece of paper in the stack. Presley sighed and rubbed her neck. She’d been sitting too long in one place.
“Are we done? When do I testify?”
Art’s expression was concerned. “We’re done.” He seemed to be looking for the right words. “Ms. Johnson, are you being completely truthful today? I asked you questions regarding documents and incidents that happened months ago, the only two months you were actually in Simon’s office. Yet you recalled them as if they were yesterday. No juror is going to believe your memory is that clear. You seem quite genuine, but I have trouble understanding how you could remember something from that far in the past. Most people can’t remember what they ate for lunch the day before yesterday.”
She felt Seth stiffen in the chair beside her and placed a soothing hand on his thigh under the table. “I understand your concern. I have an excellent memory. Better than average. My stepfather once had me tested for an eidetic memory.”
Evan pursed his lips. “Eidetic? That’s like a photographic memory, right?”
Presley shrugged. “Something like that. I didn’t score high enough on the test, but they did say I was close.”
Seth shook his head and smiled. “That’s why you’re such a damn good secretary. You remember everything. Every damn detail.”
“I’m good because I’m organized and know my job.” Presley sniffed in disdain. “Having an excellent memory simply makes it easier to get everything done.”
Art stroked his chin. “Can I give you some advice? Don’t answer so affirmatively when asked a question involving the past. Say something like, ‘as best as I can recall’ or something to that effect.”
Seth growled. “Maybe you shouldn’t ask her questions she shouldn’t be able to answer in the first place?”
Art stood and began shoving the papers back in his briefcase. “I do intend to edit my questions to Ms. Johnson.” He snapped the case shut. “Be ready to testify at two o’clock. You’re the last one to give your testimony. Remember, your role is to corroborate Mr. Simon’s links to illegal arms dealers that the other witnesses have already testified to.” He headed to the door, but paused before leaving. “Frankly, Ms. Johnson, I’m puzzled by why Mr. Simon singled you out to kill. There are several witnesses who knew much more about his business dealings than you appear to. You are, however, an expert in his home renovations, which you managed the majority of the time you worked for him. Architectural Digest would be happy to interview you regarding Simon’s mansion on the water. Today, I feel like this has been a waste of my time.”
Art hurried out of the room leaving only Presley, Seth, and Evan. Presley grimaced at her empty coffee cup. “That guy’s a real charmer.”
Seth scowled. “He’s a jerk.”
Evan chuckled. “He’s also one of the best Federal Prosecutors in the country. He’s lined up a star-studded gallery of witnesses. We’ve piled on the evidence so thick Simon’s expensive legal team is shaking in their Armani suits. It doesn’t matter how much money he has. He’s going down.”
“He’s still a jerk.” Seth stood and tossed his paper cup into a trashcan. “What do we do now? Just sit here for the next four hours with our thumbs up our asses?”
Evan grinned. “That’s what I love about you, Seth. You’re always so eloquent.” He stood up and pointed to another door in the back of the room Presley hadn’t noticed. “No, we are not going to sit here. We’re going to get some lunch in a private area of the courthouse.” Evan lifted his hand as Seth opened his mouth to object. “There are guards on both doors and there will be guards on her at all times. You are coming with her, don’t worry. The only time she’ll be out of your sight is when she’s actually testifying. No one can go with her.”
“Then what?” Presley asked.
“Then I take both of you back to the hotel,” Evan answered. “You’ll stay there in our loving embrace until the indictments come down. Once Simon is arrested, you should be safe from harm.”
Presley breathed a sigh of relief. They weren’t planning to send her away with a new identity again. She sagged against the back of the chair, her entire body relaxing for the first time in days.
“What if he runs?” Seth crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes narrowed. “A billionaire must have resources to get out of the country.”
“He’s surrendered his passport and a good portion of his assets are frozen.” Evan slapped Seth on the back. “Once we indict him we can freeze everything except the minimum he needs for his defense. We’ve already started talking to his defense team about a peaceful surrender to authorities when he’s indicted. He knows this is coming.”
Evan opened the door and ushered them into a hallway where three very large, fierce, and armed men stood waiting. Presley looked around her nervously, a prickle of fear in her gut.
“Is he here? Is Randall in the courthouse? Does he know I’m here?”
Evan led them down a long corridor. “No, he’s not here. The Grand Jury has been convened for several days. He may think you’re in the area, but he wouldn’t know which day or when. We’ve kept the security heightened all last week and this week as well so he wouldn’t be tipped off when you were going to be here.”
Evan opened a set of double doors and motioned for them to precede him. This room looked much more comfortable with leather couches, a television and a conference table in the
middle.
“I’ve got several papers here if Presley wants to catch up on the local news, and I’ve ordered from a nearby Italian place for lunch. It will be here in about forty-five minutes. There’s cable and video games. Make yourself at home.”
“Is there coffee?” Presley’s gaze ran over the room.
“There is.” Evan pointed to a fancy setup in the corner. “Help yourself.”
Presley headed straight for the caffeine. She was one step closer to having her freedom back, and a great cup of coffee would only make it better.
* * * * *
Seth rubbed the back of his neck. He was going stir-crazy stuck in the conference room with Presley and Evan but he wasn’t about to complain. Presley was obviously nervous about her upcoming testimony and didn’t need him bitching about a small inconvenience. Luckily, it was almost two o’clock. Soon she would be done, and they could start looking forward to planning the rest of their lives.
Just what they were going to plan was, of course, a mystery. Bringing two separate lives together wasn’t going to be easy. Shit, maybe they could split the difference and live in Kentucky. A discreet knock on the door had all three of them turning toward the sound. Evan stood and nodded. “It’s time. Are you ready, Presley?”
“Yes.” Her determined little chin lifted. He caught her hand in his and tugged her closer so he could wrap his arms around her.
“Good luck, honey. I can’t be there with you in body, but I’ll be there in spirit. This will all be over soon. I love you.”
She smiled up at him and his heart squeezed in his chest. Damn, he loved this woman. She made everything seem brighter. He’d never realized what a rut he was in until this tiny woman came into his life and dragged him out of it
“I love you, too. Lots and lots. I’ll be back before you know it.”
Evan stood at the door. “I’ll take her down the hall and come back here with you to wait. Give me a minute.”
Evan and Presley disappeared and it was all Seth could do not to run after them, his instinct to protect Presley strong and absolute. He had to trust Evan at this moment, and although Seth would trust Evan with his own life, Presley’s was infinitely more precious. He poured himself another coffee but Evan was back before Seth had a chance to even add cream and sugar.
“Relax, Seth. She’s going to be fine. They’ll start her testimony in a few minutes.”
“Is she safe?”
“I’ve got six agents surrounding her. No one’s getting to her unless they go through them. We’ve had bomb-sniffing dogs all week. She’ll be okay.”
Seth nodded reluctantly. “When do you think the indictments will be handed down?”
Evan grinned. “Anxious to get Presley back to Harper? I never thought the great Seth Reilly would be felled by something as basic as love.”
Seth smiled. “Have you spent any time with Presley? She’s something else. I’d be a fool to let her go. You might want to take some time and find a woman for yourself, Ev. I highly recommend it.” He gulped at the hot liquid. “I’m not sure we’ll go back to Harper, actually. Presley loves Florida. I may need to find a job down here. Got any openings?” Seth joked.
Evan’s eyes went wide. “Fuck, I’d love to have you down here. You could definitely get a job with the Marshal Service. Are you really thinking about moving?”
Seth shrugged. “Whatever Presley wants, Presley gets. That’s my motto. When she’s happy, shit, I’ll be happy.”
“For someone who has a killer after her, she looks pretty happy, buddy. She sure as fuck looks happier than the day I handed her over to you.”
Seth remembered that first day. He’d had no idea how that day was going to change his life forever. Evan’s phone started going off, and he jerked it out of his front pocket with a curse.
Evan’s expression turned from annoyed to disbelieving to incredulous. He glanced at Seth and shook his head.
“Got it.” Evan hung up and ran his fingers through his hair making it stand on end. “They’re bringing Presley back here. Her testimony’s been cancelled.”
Seth wasn’t sure his ears were working correctly. It sounded like Evan said Presley’s testimony had been cancelled and they drove three thousand miles and risked their lives for nothing.
“What did you say?”
“They’re bringing her back. She doesn’t have to testify.”
“Why the fuck not?” Seth voice got loud but he didn’t give a damn if everyone in the entire building heard him. Coming here today had been a risk to her life and now they’d decided she didn’t need to testify. They should have fucking decided that a few days ago when they were miles away from Randall Simon.
Evan looked slightly sick, his complexion pale. “They don’t need her testimony because they won’t be indicting Simon. The evidence was overwhelming and I guess he got scared.” Evan ran his hands through his hair again. “He’s turned state’s evidence. He’s rolling over on his partners and apparently singing like a bird. He also swears he never tried to kill Presley.”
Chapter Nineteen
Presley paced back and forth in the small living area of the hotel room she and Seth had been taken to after her aborted testimony attempt. Evan had ordered room service but she barely glanced at the tray of finger foods, too agitated to eat. Everything since the bomb had gone off, destroying her life and her car, had been leading up to this moment. A moment that had been abruptly taken from her.
“So he just gets away with everything? He goes free and I just have to suck it up and deal with it?”
Evan winced. “His testimony will hopefully allow us to go after even bigger fish in the arms business. It could save thousands of lives. He won’t go to jail, that’s true. Although a billionaire like Randall Simon isn’t going to find his new life in Witness Protection nearly as cushy or glamorous. He’ll be living a very small, quiet, ordinary life.”
“Not being rich is hardly a punishment,” Seth retorted. “He tried to kill Presley. Twice.”
Evan shook his head. “He says he didn’t. He told the prosecutor he liked Presley and didn’t want her caught in all this.”
“Why should anyone believe him? He’s a criminal.” Presley shook her head and evaded Seth’s hand that was trying to tug her down in the chair with him. She was too upset to sit.
“Apparently, he’s admitted to everything, giving them information we had no clue about. The one thing he says he didn’t do is try to kill you. Since he’s admitted to everything else, and has immunity, there’s no reason to lie about this, Presley. We believe he’s telling the truth.”
“Then who tried to kill me?” Presley cried in frustration. She didn’t have any enemies.
Evan looked distinctly uncomfortable. He fell into the couch with a heavy sigh. “Simon says the attempts on your life had nothing to do with the illegal arms business. It was personal.”
Presley stopped in her tracks. “Personal? Who hates me enough to kill me?”
Evan’s lips curled as if he was about to take a bite of something really distasteful. “Simon says your stepsister, Nora, is the one who wants you dead.”
The world seemed to tilt and Presley reached out blindly for something to hold on to. Suddenly, Seth was by her side, holding her in his arms, and she leaned against his strength, desperately needing him at this moment. He turned to Evan. “That’s quite an accusation, Ev. I don’t suppose Simon has any proof of this? It’s her stepsister for fuck’s sake. Family doesn’t bomb one another.”
“We’re checking out everything he’s telling us, but at this point, I think we have to give some credence to what he says. Early intelligence said Simon was making Presley the fall guy for everything. Then suddenly he moves her out of his office and assigns her to manage the renovations on his house. He says he got to know her and liked her. He couldn’t go through with setting her up.”
“Why do it in the first place?” Seth scowled.
Evan shifted his gaze to the windows, not able to look
Presley in the eye. “Simon said it was Nora Shefflin’s idea to use her sister as their fall guy. Apparently, she lured him into the scheme.”
Presley knew her mouth was hanging open but she couldn’t seem to close it. His words were thundering through her brain like the beat of horse’s hoofs.
Nora’s idea. Nora’s idea. Nora’s idea.
“Why—” Presley’s voice came out like a croak. “Why would she want me dead?”
Evan finally looked Presley in the eye. “Simon said Nora ranted about how her father married a whore and the daughter stole his love and attention. She said you deliberately set out to steal her father from her.”
Presley’s knees gave way under her. Luckily, Seth was holding on to her tightly and he swept her up in his arms and placed her gently in a chair, kneeling close on the floor and grasping her hand in his.
“Presley would never do that,” Seth declared.
Evan nodded. “We know that. Simon said when he met Presley it was clear Nora was delusional about the situation. That’s why he backed out and sent her to work at his home.”
“But he didn’t back out of arms dealing?” Seth asked, his hand stroking her arm. Presley was shaking with the effort to not scream. Everything she’d thought she knew was a lie. It was like being betrayed all over again and this time it hurt a thousand times more. This was her sister.
Oops. Stepsister.
She could hear Nora’s voice at the restaurant that day correcting Presley about their relationship. Could Nora really hate Presley enough to want her dead?
“Simon had this patriotic idea he was arming militias and keeping the checks and balances on the government. He swears he had no idea the weapons his company manufactured were being sent to foreign terrorists.”
Seth snorted. “Right, no idea. Maybe at the beginning, but when the money started rolling in did he honestly think it was from local militias?”
Cowboy Command Page 21