Shadow of Suspicion

by Christy Barritt

  He wouldn’t be going anywhere for a while. As a safety precaution, she grabbed his phone.

  She took one last glance at him before continuing toward the house. She didn’t have any time to lose.

  She hurried toward the outside wall and pressed herself there. Carefully, she scooted around toward the window where she’d escaped. She could hear voices coming from inside.

  “What just happened?” Sol yelled.

  “Beats me.”

  “Don’t just stand there. Go find out!”

  Laney peered into the window.

  Her heart squeezed with pain. Mark sat in a chair, his hands tied behind him, while Sol paced in front of him. His lip was bloody, one eye swollen and a gash stretched across his cheek.

  It was just a matter of time before these men killed him.

  How was she ever going to rescue him?

  She heard someone coming from the side of the house and ducked behind a shrub. She let out a sigh of relief after they’d passed.

  Originally, there had been six men there. Mark had injured a couple during the earlier gunfire. How many more were left? Four?

  There had to be something she could do. She studied the ceiling for a moment and saw the metal pipe running there.

  Sprinklers.

  She had an idea.

  As soon as Sol paced away from the window, she aimed her gun toward the ceiling and hit the pipe. Water began raining down in the room. Any type of moisture would ruin their computer equipment.

  As the men scrambled toward the desk, Mark managed to jerk his hands free from the binds holding them together. He swung the chair he’d been tied to and knocked out two men, taking a third one in a domino effect.

  “Laney, go!” Mark yelled.

  She wasn’t going anywhere.

  Laney fired at another one of Sol’s men, and he went down. Mark brought the gun down on another man’s head, knocking him out before he could do any more damage.

  All the men were taken care of, except Sol. As Mark turned toward him, the man raised his hands in surrender. Mark pulled out some cuffs and put them around the man’s wrists.

  “Good job, Laney,” Mark told her.

  Just then, she heard cars behind her.

  She glanced back.

  The FBI was here. And all of this was over.

  It was finally over.

  EPILOGUE

  It had been six months since the whole incident with Sol. Six months.

  In some ways, it felt like a lifetime ago, Laney mused.

  She was so glad that part of her life was behind her. She was now working and using her skills for the local police department in their forensic technology department. That meant she got to see Mark every day.

  Truthfully, she was able to see Mark every day anyway. Soon she’d see him every night, as well.

  In a few hours, they were getting married.

  And Sarah would be at their side. Laney was in the process of officially adopting the girl, and she couldn’t be more thrilled. Neither could Mark.

  “Are you ready?” Tessa knocked at the door where Laney was getting ready before slipping inside. The two had become good friends after the incident with Sol.

  Laney smiled, unable to resist patting Tessa’s growing stomach. She was due in four months. “I am, Mama. Thank you for standing up with me today.”

  “I’m thrilled to do so. Trent was just saying the other day that he’s never seen Mark so happy. The old gang is out there—Trent, Mark and their friend Zach from the police academy.”

  “I’m glad they could all get together.”

  Tessa studied her again. “Mark is going to be blown away when he sees you. You look gorgeous.”

  Laney felt herself blush. “Thank you.”

  Tessa looped her arms through Laney’s. “Come on. Let’s get you out there.”

  Laney nodded, knowing without a doubt that this was the best decision she could make. There was no one else she’d rather be with than Mark—now and forever. Since he’d come into her life, things had changed—for the better.

  She never thought she’d find someone who’d come close to holding a candle to Nate, but she’d found Mark. Both men were remarkable, and for that she was forever grateful. But Nate was in the past. She’d always remember him. Always love him. But now she couldn’t imagine her life without Mark.

  The two had decided to have a small ceremony—only a handful of their closest friends. It was taking place at Mark’s church, which had recently become Laney’s church. She’d even gotten involved in bible study there and had made a few friends. It was a start. With Mark by her side, she felt like she could do anything.

  Sarah waited for her outside the sanctuary doors. She wore a lovely burgundy dress that came down below her knees. Her hair had been pulled into a twist, and a lovely diamond necklace that had been Laney’s grandmother’s hung around her neck. One of the few personal valuables she still possessed because, thankfully, she’d kept it in a safe-deposit box at the bank, along with her passport.

  “Laney, you’re gorgeous.” She pulled her into a hug and lingered.

  “Thank you. You look wonderful also.” Laney’s heart filled with gratitude that she had Sarah in her life.

  The two had always had a bond. Now she’d be able to ensure that Sarah had the kind of teen years she deserved—one away from her controlling “father.” Sol, for that matter, was now in jail and he’d be there a long time for the attempted cyber terrorist attack he’d almost set forth on the country.

  He and his men had all had fake driver’s licenses ready so they could escape in the aftermath. They’d been so close to making it happen. Even Captain Hendricks—Nikolae—had been found guilty on all charges. He would be spending the rest of his life in jail.

  Sarah, in the meantime, had researched her birth parents, but they’d both passed away in a car accident four years ago. The news was tragic but it had made the adoption easier. One day they’d go to Romania and see where she was born. But one step at a time.

  Sarah smoothed out the skirt of her dress and beamed under the compliment. She’d brought Danny with her as a date to the wedding, and she seemed truly happy, despite everything. It took a strong woman to get through what she’d been through. Both she and Laney would heal together.

  “Thank you,” Sarah said. “I feel like a princess.”

  Laney squeezed the girl’s arm, knowing the music was playing and that it was time for the ceremony to begin. But there was something she had to say first. “Sarah, I’m really sorry about everything that’s happened. But I’m so glad that you’re going to be a part of my family. You’re an answer to a prayer.”

  Tears welled in Sarah’s eyes, but she quickly brushed them away. “I’m sorry about the way things happened too. But I would have never gotten through all of this without you. You’re truly a lifesaver. God sent me to you, knowing I’d need you during this time.”

  “My thoughts exactly.” Laney looped her arm through Sarah’s. “You ready?”

  Sarah grinned. “Let’s do this.”

  Sarah gave Laney one last hug before gripping her flowers and starting down the aisle. She was the only bridesmaid that Laney wanted.

  Finally, the doors to the sanctuary opened wide, and Laney made her grand entrance.

  Mark stood at the end of the aisle, a huge grin on his face. The walk toward him seemed like both the longest of her life and like she floated all too quickly to the end.

  Thankfully everything had worked out. Sol and his minions were now behind bars. The US financial economy seemed steady and unaffected by Vechea Garda’s plan. Sarah had gotten through all of this amazingly well, all things considered. She’d have counseling for probably many years, and soon she’d like to go back to Romania to meet her bio
logical father’s family. Laney would go with her—and so would Mark. But she needed more time first.

  “You look beautiful,” Mark whispered as a soloist sang about a love to last a lifetime.

  “Thank you.” She squeezed his hands, the whole ceremony feeling surreal.

  When the song ended and, as Laney went through her vows, she couldn’t help but think how blessed she was to be able to find two good men in her lifetime.

  Thank you, Jesus.

  Finally, they said, “I do.”

  “You may kiss the bride,” the minister said.

  Mark leaned toward her and their lips brushed. When they pulled away from each other, both had huge grins on their faces.

  “I now introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Mark James!”

  Everyone cheered as the pianist played the recessional.

  Though they had a small reception planned at the church afterward, Laney wanted to grab a moment alone with Mark first. As soon as they reached the end of the aisle, she pulled him into one of the classrooms.

  He raised his eyebrows mischievously. “I can’t wait for a moment alone with you, either.”

  She giggled before turning serious. “I just want to let you know that I’m so thankful for you.”

  “I am too.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “Suddenly, everything seems right. All that pain from the past...it’s still there. But I finally feel like I can move beyond it.”

  She ran her finger across his cheek. “Me too, Mark. Me too. I feel like there’s nothing the future can hand us that we can’t handle together.”

  “After everything we’ve been through, I’d say that’s true.”

  “I love you,” she whispered.

  His lips met hers. “I love you too. Always and forever.”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from DESERT SECRETS by Lisa Harris.

  If you enjoyed this story full of suspense and romantic tension, pick up these other stories from Christy Barritt:

  KEEPING GUARD

  THE LAST TARGET

  RACE AGAINST TIME

  RICOCHET

  KEY WITNESS

  LIFELINE

  HIGH-STAKES HOLIDAY REUNION

  DESPERATE MEASURES

  HIDDEN AGENDA

  MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY

  DARK HARBOR

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  Dear Reader,

  I’ve always loved spy stories. I think because they’re so out of the realm of my ordinary life that they seem a bit like a thrilling roller-coaster ride—full of high-stakes adventure yet safe. The more dangerous, the better. Bring on the excitement—as long as I can stay safe in my little suburban house!

  I’ve gone through the Citizens FBI Academy, as well as my local Citizen’s Police Academy. People have asked me if I’d ever want to go into law enforcement. My answer is always a quick no—I’d be terrible doing those jobs!

  I hope you enjoyed getting to know Laney and Mark. Their stories certainly intrigued me and kept me guessing as I wrote. Laney was falsely accused and was desperate to both clear her name and to rescue her neighbor.

  Have you ever been falsely accused? Maybe your situation isn’t anything like Laney’s, but it’s not fun when people make assumptions about you. I’m comforted by the fact that God loves me and sees me as I am.

  I’d like to give a special thank-you to those who serve our country. From police officers to firefighters, to the military and even the CIA—you’re doing a job I could never do. For that, I tip my hat.

  Many blessings,

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.

  You enjoy a dash of danger. Love Inspired Suspense stories feature strong heroes and heroines whose faith is central in solving mysteries and saving lives.

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  Desert Secrets

  by Lisa Harris

  ONE

  Lexi Shannon winced at the sharp sting of her captor’s hand across the side of her face. She blinked back the tears, then reached up to wipe away the metallic taste of blood that had pooled in the corner of her mouth.

  “I’m going to ask you one last time,” the man repeated. “Where is your brother?”

  She looked up at his weathered face and forced herself to catch his gaze. “I don’t know.”

  He stood over her in his khaki fatigues, anger flashing in his eyes at her response. “Then we have a problem, because my boss isn’t going to like your answer. We know he was in Timbuktu with you.”

  She pressed her nails into the palms of her hands, determined not to cry. “He was with me, but like I’ve already told you, he left yesterday morning, and I have no idea where he is now.”

  He squatted down in front of her, his dark eyes boring through her. “Then tell me again. Everything you know about your brother’s visit.”

  Lexi glanced across the makeshift compound where they’d kept her the last few hours. Past the rustic tents made of animal skins toward the endless ripples of the orange Sahara shimmering in the late afternoon sunlight. There was nothing but the sand in every direction and the raging sun above them.

  “Five days ago, Trent came to visit me in Timbuktu,” she said, repeating what she’d already told them. “He told me he’d decided he wanted to see some of the world and I was his first stop. He never mentioned you, or your boss, or owing money to anyone. Never mentioned he was in any kind of trouble.”

  “And the last time you saw him?” he asked.

  A small lizard burrowed through the sand in front of her. Lexi drew in a lungful of air, wishing she could disappear as easily as it could.

  “When I woke up yesterday morning he was gone,” she said. “He left me a note. Said he was sorry, but he’d received an urgent email from someone in the middle of the night—some work-related emergency—and needed to take an early flight out of the country. He said he hadn’t wanted to wake me.”

  “And you didn’t find that...odd?”

  “Not for Trent.”

  Which was true. She’d never completely believed most of Trent’s stories. Her stepbrother had always been a challenge, tending to hang out with the wrong crowd and make bad decisions. But in spite of his shortcomings, he was still family, and no matter what he’d done now, she didn’t want anything terrible to happen to him.

  “Amar?” Another man called from the entrance of one of the tents where he stood holding an automatic weapon.

  Amar nodded at the other man before turning back to Lexi. “Just know we’re
not done yet.”

  He left her sitting in the partial shade, grateful to be alone again. From the moment they’d grabbed her from the site where she’d been overseeing the installation of a water well, she’d tried to pay close attention to her surroundings, looking for any means to get out of this situation. But as far as she could tell, there was no escape from this place. Beyond the four armed guards—and one other prisoner she’d only seen from a distance—all she could see was the unending desert sands surrounding them.

  A wave of fatigue washed over Lexi as the reality of her situation began to sink in. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, trying to slow her rapid heart rate, and trying to figure out her odds of getting out of here alive. Amar had threatened her repeatedly, trying to force her to tell him what he wanted to know, but how was she supposed to give him information she didn’t have?

  I’m out of options here, God.

  “Thirsty?”

  Lexi opened her eyes and looked up, surprised when she saw the other prisoner standing in front of her, holding out a water bottle. “It tastes pretty bad, but at least it’s wet.”

  She studied him for a brief moment. Faded Atlanta Braves T-shirt, cargo shorts and a ball cap shading his bearded face from the sun. She glanced back at her captives, but no one seemed to notice or care that they were talking. And why would they? It wasn’t as if they were going anywhere.

  “Thanks,” Lexi said, taking the plastic water bottle. She took a long drink. He was right. The water was lukewarm and bitter, but she didn’t care. “You’re an American?”

  “I’ve lived in the States for twenty years, but still hold a German passport. I’m Bret Fischer.”

  “Lexi Shannon,” she said, taking another sip. “How long have you been here?”

  “Fifty-seven days.”

  Her jaw clenched. From where she sat, fifty-seven days seemed like an eternity.

  I’m not sure if I can do this, God. Day after day of not knowing if the next moment will be my last...