Accidental Eyewitness

by Michelle Karl

  “Are you all right?” Ellen gripped his shoulder and pulled herself in front of him. “Leo, did he hurt you?”

  There was no time for that. He couldn’t be hurt, not now. “Get in the car, hurry. We can drive after him.”

  Ellen’s worry morphed into frustration. “Oh, no you don’t. It’s the police’s job to go after him. The ones that actually work in this area, not you. Plus, I got the license plate number and it looks like you’re in no condition to drive.”

  Leo returned her glare with a fierce frown. “I’m fine. The guy managed to get a solid hit on my kneecap. It’ll bruise but I’ll be okay. We’re wasting time talking about it, though.”

  She placed her hand out, palm up. “The time isn’t wasted. We’re heading toward the police station as it is. When you ran outside, I told the servers to call the police, so they’ll probably come here once they’re done at the Fosters’ cottage, and then head back to the station. Where we’ll be, giving our statements. And I’m going to drive us there.”

  A growl rose in Leo’s throat, but when he finally met her eyes, his anger melted. He wasn’t upset with her. He was upset with himself for failing to keep her safe. “Fine. But there’s something you need to know. That reporter at the cottage identified you on local television, which is probably how that man knew to go after you in the washroom. One of the thieves knows who you are, can recognize you on sight and knew to put your name and face together. It might have been the man who just attacked you, or someone else in his crew. I’d suspect that the group of thieves is in close contact, and they probably left one of their own near the scene of the crime to see how the RCMP would respond. Hearing that news report in the diner tipped them off to your presence during their break-in. And the guy who just got away has probably already called the others and told them about you, if they don’t already know. You’ve become a target.”

  Her lips twitched downward as he placed his car keys in her outstretched hand. “He had a knife. I think he would have killed me if you hadn’t heard my screaming and burst in when you did. But why kill me? Isn’t that a little extreme?”

  “You said yourself, you may have witnessed a homicide. And you don’t know what they were searching for in the cottage. Maybe it’s something incredibly valuable. Only the homeowners will be able to clarify that.”

  She sighed as she unlocked the car doors so they could slide back inside. There was a little more color in her cheeks than there’d been when he first pulled into the diner, but she still didn’t look like she was back to 100 percent.

  “Are you sure you’re all right to drive?” He tried to hide his wince as he adjusted his leg placement. He needed to ice his knee before it swelled up and got any worse.

  She eyed him and raised one eyebrow. “No, but I’m less sure you’re any better than me right now. It’s not far into Fort St. Jacob. I’ll get us to the station in one piece.”

  They drove in silence the rest of the way into town. Leo tried not to stare, though he had so many questions—not only about what had happened between the cottage and the diner that had made it necessary to stop, but also about her life these days. Did she enjoy her cleaning job? Why had she never left Fort St. Jacob? Was Jamie still intent on protecting every aspect of her life?

  He knew it had been decades since the Bierses’ father had passed away, and that they’d lost their mother only a few years later, but Jamie had never seemed willing to offer many details about it—and now was not the time to ask Ellen for the full story. She and her brother had experienced enough tragedy, and Leo definitely didn’t want to pry and risk being a contributor of more emotional agony. Jamie had always implied his sister was a mite fragile. Leo had never particularly noticed this, but then again, he hadn’t spent nearly as much time with Ellen as he might have liked to when they were younger.

  At the RCMP station in downtown Fort St. Jacob, Ellen and Leo gave their statements and reports on both the cottage invasion and the diner incident. By the time they were done with everything, early evening had descended and Leo couldn’t help noticing the dark circles under Ellen’s eyes.

  “You should probably turn in early and get some rest,” he suggested as they headed to the front door of the station. “But I’m concerned about your safety now that your identity as a homicide witness has been leaked. Have you talked to Jamie yet about that?”

  She shook her head and rubbed at her eyes with the back of her hand. “No, but I’m sure I’ll be fine. We live in the same house and he’ll be home tonight, so it’s not as if I’ll be alone.”

  “Yes, but if the thieves were bold enough to send someone to attack you in a public place in broad daylight, do you think they’ll hesitate to break into the house of an RCMP officer? Something tells me they’d be willing to take their chances. But I’m not. I’d like to find a place for you to stay tonight that no one else knows about. Can you ask Jamie if he can suggest anywhere like that?”

  As if on cue, Ellen’s brother appeared in the corridor, accompanied by the detachment commander, Staff Sergeant Sherman Clyne. Jamie nodded at them both as the officers approached.

  “Everything sorted out?” Jamie asked. “And did you get ice on your knee?”

  “Yes, thank you. It’s feeling a lot better now. Paperwork is done, reports filed, all the important things taken care of. I can take Ellen home to get some rest, but I’m wondering if that’s a good idea.” He held up his hands at Jamie’s sudden frown. “I’m not saying you can’t protect her. But we don’t know where these thieves are, and her name is public. This is a small town where everyone knows where each other lives, yes?”

  Jamie sighed and rubbed his eyes in a way that was so similar to his sister’s, Leo might have laughed if the situation wasn’t so serious. “Yeah, you’re right. Not as small as Fort Mason, but small enough. What do you think, Clyne? Hotel? Or can we spare a patrol unit outside at our place?”

  Clyne glanced between the three of them. “I might say motel, to be frank. I can recommend a good place.”

  “Does anyone care to hear what I want?” Ellen waved her hands. “Hello, woman who has had a really bad day here. And I don’t want to stay at a motel. I’d rather sleep in my own bed.”

  Jamie shook his head. “It’s not safe.”

  “I can take care of myself,” Ellen retorted. “I’m a grown woman.” She seemed to realize they’d fallen into a sibling fight in the middle of a police station, and her cheeks turned pink. Leo bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling.

  “Tell you what,” Leo said, an idea suddenly springing to mind. “I might know someplace you can stay, and it will be as comfortable as home but as safe and anonymous as a motel. And if the detachment can’t spare an officer, I’ll hang around and keep watch overnight. Does that sound fair?”

  Jamie shrugged. “As long as you can promise me she’ll be safe.”

  Leo pulled out his phone and fired off a quick message to his younger brother Sam’s fiancée, Kara. “I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t believe that.”

  Ellen scowled at her brother as Leo gestured toward the front door. She followed after him, but there was no mistaking the hesitation in her steps. When they reached his car again, she paused with her hand on the door. “Leo, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me so far, but back there...you know I’m not sixteen anymore, right? I’m an adult and I don’t need to be micromanaged. I know my brother can get overprotective at times, but I’m trying to help him see reason. Please don’t fall in line with his way of treating me with kid gloves, like I’m a glass vase that will shatter at the slightest pressure.”

  His shoulders tensed at her admonishment. “I’m sorry if it seemed that way, Ellen. I don’t mean to side with him over you. And for what it’s worth, I’ve never thought you needed micromanaging at any age. Trust me, I noticed his overprotective nature a long time ago. So, if you’re not all right with my idea, we’ll decide on som
ething else, okay? Your safety is my primary concern.”

  She offered a worried smile in response. “Thank you. And I appreciate that. So if I can’t go home and I can’t go to a hotel...is there anywhere I can go where they won’t find me?”

  * * *

  Ellen tried to calm herself with deep breaths as Leo drove them across town, but her entire body was a jumble of nerves. It didn’t help that she didn’t really know the Parks, the people Leo had told her they’d be staying with. The Parks were the parents of Leo’s brother Sam’s fiancée, Kara. Leo was bringing her to spend the night at the home of virtual strangers—though he seemed to think it was a great idea, since that meant most folks wouldn’t draw a connection. When they arrived at the Parks’, they were welcomed with open arms, and Ellen smiled as she noticed a pair of Korean and Canadian flags hanging prominently in their front entrance.

  “It’s so good to meet you, Ellen,” said Mrs. Park. “I didn’t know your parents well, but we certainly crossed paths now and again all those years ago. Your brother is in the paper often for his police work, yes? So wonderful you’ve both made successful careers for yourself. Your parents would be so proud.” Mrs. Park patted Ellen on the arm, and the sincerity of her words warmed Ellen’s heart. “You’ll of course sleep in Kara’s room tonight. Leo, you’re welcome to the guest room in the basement.”

  “Thank you so much for your hospitality, Mrs. Park,” Leo said, “but I might sleep in my car to keep watch.”

  Mrs. Park frowned. “Nonsense. You’ll be exhausted!”

  “What about the couch?” Ellen suggested. She noticed another car pulling into the driveway behind Leo’s vehicle. “By the window. You’ll be close to the front door in case there’s an issue. But honestly, I don’t think it’s even necessary for you to stay here at all.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m staying and that’s final.”

  Another male voice drifted in from the driveway. “It’s because he’d have to sleep at a noisy cottage with a bunch of rowdy guys otherwise.” Ellen glanced over her shoulder to see a younger version of Leo, with messier hair and a lopsided smile. He was accompanied by a beautiful, dark-haired Asian woman who bore a strong resemblance to the people whose doorway she stood in.

  Rather than looking happy to see his brother, however, Leo sighed and shook his head. “What are you doing here? You should be enjoying your bachelor party at the lake.”

  “I told him that you’d called, and he wanted to come see for himself that you were both all right,” said the woman, who Ellen assumed to be Kara. “I’ll make him go back afterward.”

  “See what I have to put up with?” Sam rolled his eyes, but Kara playfully punched his shoulder and he kissed her cheek. “But seriously, are you two all right? The Parks will take good care of you overnight.”

  Leo winced. “Sorry about missing the party. I’d come, but I don’t feel right leaving Ellen alone. Only a few people, like her brother, will know she’s here, but I still want to keep an eye on her. It’s not like the local RCMP detachment has many more officers than we do in Fort Mason, so it’d be difficult for them to spare someone to keep watch outside. I’m acting as a stand-in bodyguard for the time being.”

  Ellen blinked, surprised to hear the official-sounding label. “Bodyguard?”

  “It’s a good idea,” Sam agreed. “Aaron and I are a phone call away if you need help.”

  “We’ll do something together later to make up for it,” Leo promised. “Before the wedding. Just the three of us.”

  “No worries. Nature of the job.” Sam waved and headed back to his vehicle while Kara stepped inside and gestured for Ellen and Leo to follow. The family drew all the window shades closed while Leo phoned Jamie to update him on their location, and in a short time, Ellen found herself tossing and turning in a restless attempt to sleep.

  She couldn’t help it. Memories of her mother and of Rod’s last moments flashed behind her lids every time she closed her eyes. Every creak of the house and rustle of leaves outdoors made her wonder if she was next. When light finally streamed through a crack in the curtains, she rose and made her way to the living room, only to find Leo already awake and on the phone.

  He ended his call and frowned at her. “Sleep well?”

  “Not particularly.” His features softened and she suddenly felt strangely bashful under his gaze. There was something in his eyes, something in the way he looked at her, which made her wonder whether he was asking as a cop, or as a friend, or because... Well, no, she was definitely imagining things. As handsome as the middle Thrace brother was, with his gently tousled espresso-dark hair and chiseled superhero jawline, he’d never see her as anything other than his friend’s little sister.

  “Sorry to hear that. And I’m not sure my next piece of news is going to be any better. The RCMP still haven’t managed to track down the guy who assaulted you in the diner, and the vehicle he escaped in had outdated, unregistered plates. But while we’re back to square one on that, your brother did some research overnight. Do you recall hearing about other vacation home break-ins recently?”

  Ellen chewed her lip as she thought. “I’m sure I’ve heard, but they’ve never affected the places I’ve cleaned. Why?”

  “Because after looking at break-and-enter reports from last year around this time and earlier this month, Jamie thinks there may be a pattern at play. Yesterday’s break-in was the third vacation home robbery this month.”

  “Third! Why didn’t the police say anything about that yesterday?”

  “Because the break-ins were reported by folks like you who care for the buildings in the off-season, but there’s never a sign of forced entry. And the break-ins aren’t noticed until the housecleaner returns, so significant time passes between the break-in and its discovery.”

  Ellen sank onto the edge of the couch. “You know how lengthy the driveway is at the Fosters’ cottage. It’s practically a street unto itself, and I left my car all the way back by the main road because it was such a nice day and I wanted to walk. But the landscaper’s truck was actually in the driveway, so they must have waited until he left and then made their move.” She sighed heavily and rested her elbows on her knees. “What were they after? I didn’t see anything in their hands. What was reported missing at the other places?”

  Leo shrugged. “That’s just it. None of these wealthy cottage owners have bothered to fly up here and look around their vacation home just to identify what’s missing. They’ve told the police that whatever’s gone, their insurance will cover it and they’ll get that figured out when they fly up for the season. Let’s face it, the thieves have been smart about this—taking from people who can afford to replace whatever they steal, and doing it during a time when the vacation homeowners will still be able to make an insurance claim. It’s what we’d call a victimless crime.”

  “Except for Rod.” Her throat grew thick. “Or maybe it was, until Rod. And until they came after me. So they must be making a lot of money off this scheme, or at least enough not to be willing to risk identification.”

  “Agreed.” Leo sank onto the couch next to her. “And just because it was victimless until now doesn’t make it any less wrong. I was thinking, though—it’s too bad the police don’t know what was taken during the thefts. If they had an idea of what’s been disappearing, they might be able to anticipate what location gets hit next—after all, someone knows about these houses and what’s inside. Normally, that’d make you the prime suspect since you have all the codes, but the attack yesterday at the diner certainly rules that out. And the whole attacking me with a bleach bottle thing.”

  Ellen’s stomach growled, reflecting a mixture of anxiety, hunger and a wave of returning fear that gripped her. “So the Fosters aren’t coming up to identify what’s missing.” It wasn’t a question.

  “I’m afraid not.” Leo’s hand landed on her knee, and she glanced at h
im in surprise. Warmth rushed to her cheeks, but he looked unaffected. “And I hate to be the one to tell you this, but until these criminals are caught, going back to work is inadvisable. You’re going to need to lie low, maybe even take a trip out of town. I can help you organize it. These people know your name and your face, and they’re not about to let your testimony take them down. Especially since they’ve now become suspects in a homicide investigation.”

  Homicide! A lump rose in her throat and she felt her mouth drop open in response, but she couldn’t find the words to ask the question that would clarify his statement. She wasn’t sure she even wanted to know, but Leo anticipated her train of thought and answered it for her with a single nod and three words.

  “They found Rod.”

  The tears came fast and furious. Leo’s strong arms wrapped around her torso as he pulled her into a tight embrace, and he held her until her sobs began to abate. When he drew back and wiped his thumb across her cheeks in a futile attempt to dry her tears, an idea formed in her head.

  “I can tell them what’s missing.”

  Leo’s thumb paused in its path. “Sorry, what?”

  “The RCMP. I cleaned the Fosters’ house yesterday. I remember everything clearly, because I was just there. I don’t have memories of other houses jumbling up the details, because I didn’t go anywhere else when I finished. You said the other break-ins weren’t discovered until long after someone had been there, so it was hard to identify any missing items. Well, I was literally just there. I can tell them what’s missing, I know I can. Just get me inside to look around.”

  Leo cupped her face between his hands, searching her features. “Ellen... I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. After yesterday, your brother...”