Expert Witness: A Romantic Suspense Novel

by Luckourt, Nicole

  “It sounds like an option. But where would I go? I’m not putting anyone else in danger. My parents, family and friends… No, he could follow me, or worse, he may have some of this information already.”

  “What about our condo in Panama City Beach?” Mike volunteered. “If you’ve got to get out of town, might as well get away to somewhere beautiful.”

  “Hmmm. That could be a workable option.” Jordan considered his suggestion. It would mean leaving her house, her business, and her clients with little notice. But her ability to work was compromised anyway.

  As if reading her mind, Karen said, “I realize it’s hard to leave everything like this, but Mike’s right. If you have to do this, the condo is the perfect spot. No one would associate it with any of us, because the deed is still in my maiden name. Plus, it’s a good distance away from here.” Her forehead lifted and she pinned her friend with a stare. “You’re a great asset to this practice, but we’ll handle everything while you’re gone. No worries about that part, okay?”

  Derek turned to Chase. “Are you going, too?”

  Jordan’s eyes widened at the question. She hadn’t thought of that. When they’d first entertained the idea of hiring Chase, it was so she wouldn’t have to leave the practice while all of this was going on. Now, she’d be generating no income and the practice would still be paying for Chase’s protection. Though, given how reasonable his rate is, she was hoping to cover the cost herself.

  Karen weighed in before Chase could respond. “I think he should. It would be crazy to leave her alone.” She turned to Jordan. “No offense. You’re smart and tough, but you aren’t trained for this like he is. And I’ve felt one hundred percent better since we hired him.”

  “I agree. Not even a question as far as I’m concerned,” Mike said.

  “Absolutely,” Derek said. “I just wanted to make sure we’re all on the same page. Chase? Does the trip work for you?”

  Chase looked around the table. “I hate the idea of leaving, too. But at this point, until the PD is able to learn more about who it is we’re dealing with here, then I think it’s the best option.” His eyes met Jordan’s with an unspoken apology. “I know it isn’t what you’d wanted, but the objective is to keep you safe, and I think it’s the best way to do that. I can take precautions to make sure we aren’t followed, and Karen’s got a point about the lack of association—our current names aren’t documented anywhere in connection to the place.”

  Jordan nodded at him and then looked at the others. “Well, I guess it’s the best decision, then. I’ll pack up today, have Nancy rearrange my schedule, and we can leave any time after that.”

  There wasn’t much else to say. In a way it felt like she was running, but she trusted Chase’s judgment. She just prayed that the ordeal would be over soon.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Chase observed Jordan as the elevator rose to the fourteenth floor. A piece of her hair was falling into her face as she stared down at the lighted pushbuttons on the control panel. She was dressed casually in a cobalt-blue sleeveless dress made from some type of airy, gauze-like material. The outfit suited the warm weather they’d driven into that day.

  It had taken the good part of the previous day to rearrange her schedule and pack what she needed for the trip. Wanting to leave in the daylight when visibility was better and he could see any tails, Chase had made the decision to drive out early the next morning. He was glad her colleagues had decided to keep him on board because it had stopped him from telling them that he wasn’t going anywhere. He was involved now, and fee for services be damned—there was no way he was leaving Jordan before this guy was locked up for a long time.

  The elevator stopped at the tenth floor, and a young woman pushing a cleaning cart stepped in, mashing the button for the eleventh floor. Though he sensed no threat, he remained alert as they climbed up one floor. He’d taken numerous precautions to make sure no one had followed them up there, even checking his SUV for tracking devices. He could almost say with certainty that the perp hadn’t followed them by car.

  “You folks enjoy your stay,” she said, pulling the cart out behind her.

  “Thank you,” Jordan said, pushing the loose strand of hair out of her eyes. She chewed on her bottom lip as they continued their way up.

  He watched her worry on her full pink lip. She’d been restless and on edge until they’d hit the turnpike, then he’d seen her posture relax a little. Does she feel better since we left town? Jumping inconspicuously over the nonexistent button for a thirteenth floor, the number fourteen lit up and the bell dinged, signaling they’d reached their destination.

  As they exited the elevator to the front balcony, the winds caught Jordan’s dress, causing the skirt to swirl around her ankles. The material was no match for the wind tunnel, and the dress was now pressed tight against her entire body, accentuating every curve. His pulse revved up at the sight of her sexy silhouette, and dots of perspiration beaded along his forehead. Sweet Jesus. Prying his eyes away from her body, he hurried through the six-digit code and threw open the door. He tried to forget that it was now only the two of them. Maybe he was a masochist and never knew it?

  Shutting the door behind them, his heart rate became more regular as he fell into the comfort of his routine. “Wait here for a second.” He kept Jordan at the door as he cleared the first room, and then he took her with him to clear the master and the guest bedrooms. He didn’t find any targets, nor did he intend to, but he never took chances. Re-holstering his gun, he gave Jordan the all clear.

  “Wow!” Jordan exclaimed as she walked toward the view of the surf.

  Chase eyed the sparkling, crystal waters and white-sand beach when she spoke, but the woman standing in front of the expansive glass doors was the more breathtaking focal point to him. “Yeah, it’s beautiful, all right.”

  Her long hair fell down her back in waves, and her face was flushed with excitement as she looked out at the ocean. To him, her radiance rivaled the Florida sun reflecting off the waters below.

  “Have you ever been to this part of the coast before?” he asked, trying to keep his voice level.

  She looked back at him over her shoulder. “No. I had no idea what I was missing. Mike and Karen have had this place for several years, but I never took them up on the offer to stay here. They even suggested I come up with them a few times when they drove. Really dumb move, huh?”

  He sensed there was more to the story. “I’m sure you had your reasons,” he said, walking up to stand next to her.

  “I guess I thought I did.” She paused to watch a pelican swoop down to the water’s surface and swallow his thrashing catch. “Busy with work some of the times. Other times, I felt they needed the time away together. With everything that’s happened lately, I’m beginning to change the way I look at things…relationships, time, priorities.” The tenor of her voice was pensive. She turned toward him. “What about you? Doesn’t doing this kind of work ever make you want to reevaluate things?”

  Chase cleared his throat. She was a little too close to home. “Yes, I suppose it does. I probably haven’t given it as much consideration as you have. What is that called in your field? A lack of insight?” He gave her a crooked grin, but he hesitated before going on.

  Jordan nodded, returning his smile.

  He didn’t expect an answer. It was a rhetorical question. But the momentary silence that followed gave him time to contemplate his response. “I guess, hearing you say it now, I know that it happens. Or maybe that it should. Though the same hazards apply to this line of work as they do to yours—spending more time addressing your client’s needs, dealing with the crisis of the moment, you know…”

  He was tempted to say more. To tell her about his uncertainties and questions surrounding how long he wanted to live this lifestyle, but he stopped himself. Too many lines were getting blurry as it was. Lines he needed to be visible, if not for his own sake, for Jordan’s.

  “But enough about me,” he said in
a more relaxed tone as he clasped his hands together in front of him. “It’s your first time on Florida’s Gulf Coast. What do you want to do to begin with?”

  §

  “You make it sound like I’m here on vacation,” she said, conscious of his evasive response but choosing to let it go. She didn’t want to push him. Better a few slow steps forward than going back to where they’d begun. “Are you sure it’s safe?”

  “You’ll be fine.” He didn’t give a direct answer again. Though, if she were in his shoes, she probably wouldn’t have either. Neither of them seemed to be able to predict this guy’s next move with any precision.

  “I’m thinking about it,” she said.

  “Jordan, I’m here to protect you. And since I’m working, one of us needs to enjoy this place as much as possible under the circumstances. Or we can just hang out here all day if you’d prefer,” he said, the corners of his mouth twitching.

  He was obviously joking with her, but she inwardly groaned at how appealing she found the thought of spending the entire day with him in this condo…sans clothing, of course. A shiver of raw desire ran the length of her spine. Needing an immediate distraction from her fantasy, she opened the sliding glass doors leading to the balcony. A gust of wind sent her hair flying away from her face, and she was greeted by the salty smell of the ocean. She inhaled deeply, relishing the distinctive scent.

  “I can’t be this close and not out there,” she said, eyeing the shore. “Are you up for a run?”

  Chase leaned sideways and bumped his arm to hers. “With an oceanfront backdrop? For future reference, you never have to ask me that again,” he said with a wink. “Just tell me when.”

  She could still feel the tingles in her arm from where he’d touched her. Having him so close to her in this incredible setting was doing things to her she hadn’t anticipated. It was as if her body was hyperaware of his presence. She took a step back and reminded herself that the location was the only thing that had changed as far as she and Chase were concerned.

  “I’d better slip into something else first,” she said, looking down at her dress. “And I guess we should probably put away our luggage.”

  Chase gave her a nod and grabbed her suitcase from the hall. “I’ll carry this in for you.” Not bothering to pull the handle out to roll it, he lifted it effortlessly and led the way back into the master bedroom.

  Jordan tried not to be impressed, but she wasn’t one to pack light. His defined muscles flexed as he laid the suitcase across the luggage rack. Her mind wandered back to how it had felt when those arms had been wrapped around her and his competent hands had left a trail of heat across her bare skin…

  Gracious, she had to get him out of the bedroom. Out of the condo, period. Space. That was what she needed. “Thanks. I appreciate it,” she said, her tone clipped. She began unzipping her suitcase as she waited for him to leave.

  “Are you hot?” he asked as his eyes searched her face.

  “Hot?” Her hands froze on the zipper, now only halfway around. Had he somehow read her thoughts?

  “Yeah, hot. You look a little flushed,” he said, his voice laced with concern.

  “Oh, like without the air on?” She unconsciously fanned herself and then stopped as soon as she realized she not only sounded but also looked ridiculous.

  “Well, yes. What did you think I meant?” He didn’t attempt to hide his grin.

  Jordan shook her head. “Sorry. My mind was somewhere else. I’ll be fine.” She resumed unzipping the suitcase and purposely avoided eye contact with him. She was sure “flushed” wouldn’t even begin to describe the color of red her face was now. “Besides, we’re leaving soon anyway.”

  “Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I can turn the air on, but you might be cold when we come in off the beach.” He regarded her with a perplexed expression.

  “No, you’re probably right.” She pulled out her shorts and a tank top, thinking Chase would leave, but no such luck. Even without looking up, her body hummed with the tension his nearness created.

  “Mike and Karen did a nice job on this place,” he said, looking around the room, oblivious to her need for space.

  She exhaled with relief at the change in subject and followed his gaze around her new quarters. The walls of the room were a pale aqua, and the bedding was the color of sand. It wasn’t overdone with palm trees, fish prints, and the bright colors often used to decorate beachfront condos; instead, the only real art was a beautiful coral fan centered on one wall. She walked over to get a closer look.

  “I remember Mike telling me about a friend of theirs, a boat captain, who gave them this coral,” she said, gently touching the delicate extensions. “A couple of tourists pulled it up on their line when he’d brought them out to fish. They gave it to him, but he lived on his boat and didn’t have anywhere to keep it. Mike and Karen took him out the next night to celebrate his birthday, and he surprised them with it. It’s amazing how nature gives us some of the most awesome creations.”

  “Yes, it is,” he said, watching her. There was a thickness in his speech that made her pretty sure he was no longer talking about the coral. His words incited a flurry of activity in her chest. Before she could respond, he was turning toward the door. “I’ll give you time to change,” he said on his way out.

  Still rooted to her spot, she let out a frustrated sigh. He’d chosen now to leave. How he could send the blood rushing through her body with one comment both annoyed and astounded her.

  And he throws those comments out and then leaves as if he’d remarked on the weather. No wonder I’m a hot mess right now.

  She pulled the sundress over her head and replaced it with the tank top and shorts. Next time, she wasn’t going to let him off so easily. If he could dish it out, he could learn to stick around for her response. In truth, she’d never been good at these types of flirtations, always more content to say what was on her mind. Maybe that was how she would turn the tables on him. She smirked, imagining his reaction if she was brave enough to tell him what she was thinking in return.

  “You almost ready?” His voice came from the living area.

  She must have spent more time lost in thought than she’d realized. “Just a few more seconds,” she said. She threw her hair into a ponytail and grabbed her favorite running shoes. “Let’s go,” she said, walking out to meet him.

  After only a short walk down from the condo, they were standing in front of the ocean. The fragrant salty water was so clear she could see tiny schools of synchronized minnows darting in one direction and then the other. She and Chase set an easy pace, and she basked in the sound of the waves crashing down against the smooth sand shore. Every so often, a larger wave would break. Then a pool of water would creep up, dampening the dry, powder-like sand and expanding the shoreline. The entire process reminded her of clearing an Etch-a-Sketch. When the ocean drew the water back, the footprints and valleys in the sand were all erased, replaced with a pristine sand canvas. She found it soothing on some level, mimicking how the vast expanse of the ocean seemed to be wiping away the strain of the past week. This is truly heaven, she thought. If everyone could do this on a daily basis, it might put therapists out of business.

  “So, you never told me if you’ve been here before?” she asked him.

  “Not here exactly. I’ve been to St. George Island not too far from here. Actually, Mike and I used to go a lot when we were at FSU in Tallahassee. It was close, and the beach looks exactly like this. It was our getaway place.”

  “Oh, I keep forgetting you both were there at the same time. I can’t imagine the two of you together. Mike is an awesome guy, but he can be pretty adventurous all on his own.”

  “Yeah. We were a pair.” A smile crossed his lips. “We’ve tried to stay close over the years. The times we’ve drifted apart were probably my fault. I was busy with work, circumstances similar to the reasons you gave as to why you never came here until now.” He changed their course to avoid a family building san
dcastles in front of them. “Anyway, I’m going to try to be a little better about it. He’s a good friend.”

  After passing the family, Jordan looked up the shoreline and saw that it was deserted. They’d have the beach to themselves for the next stretch.

  “Do you think it’ll be easy? Sometimes, learning to be less busy is more difficult than people think. Myself included. You’d think, being a psychologist, I’d practice what I preach, but just because you know what the right thing is to do doesn’t mean you always do it.”

  “Hmmm…is it kind of like this?” he questioned, his eyes sparkling.

  “Like what?” she asked. Before she knew what was happening, Chase had swept her off her feet and was carting her toward the ocean.

  “I know I probably shouldn’t, but I’m going to do it anyway,” he replied as he carried her, one arm around her torso and the other supporting her legs.

  “What are you doing?” She attempted to sound firm, but from her current position the effect was lost. Then she felt the icy spray of the waves. “Chase, you’d better put me down!”

  He continued to trudge out farther. “Maybe you’re right.”

  Then the cold surf engulfed her as he stood her upright. She was waist-deep in the ocean in her running clothes.

  “Seriously, I cannot believe you just did that.” She tried to be indignant, except he was laughing so hard that she found herself unable to resist joining him. There were tears gathering in the corners of her eyes before she was finally catching her breath. “You should have thought this through a little more.”

  He managed to stop laughing long enough to reply. “And why is that?”

  “Because, my fearless protector, you’re as soaked as I am.” She eyed his running shoes through the clear water.