by Clare Revell
“I’ll try.” She caught her breath as the doorbell rang, her heart leaping within her. “Is that her?”
“Let’s go see.” Luke carried her back down the stairs.
Sara balanced on the crutches she’d left in the hallway as Luke opened the door. She beamed and her heart leapt as her gaze fell on the familiar figure standing there. “Aunt Mary.” She moved over to her as fast as she could, dropped one of the crutches, and hugged her aunt like there was no tomorrow, tears of joy filling her eyes. “I missed you so much.”
Aunt Mary hugged Sara back. “I missed you, too, dear. Let me look at you.” She held Sara at arm’s length as her eyes dropped to the bulge growing by the day. “A baby?”
“Twins. I’m due in March.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful.”
Luke smiled and picked up Aunt Mary’s largest bag. “Let me take your bags upstairs. You and Sara can catch up.”
Sara had forgotten he was standing there. “I’m sorry. Aunt Mary, this is Leftenant Luke Nemec. Leftenant, this is Aunt Mary.”
Luke shook her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“I’ve heard nothing about you, but I’m sure that’ll change.”
Sara smiled at her aunt. “Come in the lounge.”
Luke gathered the rest of the luggage, and Sara smiled at him as she hobbled into the other room and sat down, putting her feet up on the stool.
Aunt Mary followed and sat opposite her. “He seems like a nice young man.”
“He’s my bodyguard, full of his brash American ways. Nothing more. Never mind the fact he rides roughshod over my feelings, and my opinions count for nothing. I’m a prisoner here. Can’t do anything or go anywhere.” Even as she spoke, Sara knew the ‘nothing more’ bit wasn’t totally true and her conscience pricked her hard.
“I see. Maybe you should cut him some slack. He’s doing his job and keeping you alive. Hiding your feelings won’t make it any easier. You like him, so you make things harder for him.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Is he married?”
“No.”
“Attached?”
Sara sighed. “No, you’ve only just met him, and you’re giving me the third degree over him.”
Aunt Mary smiled. “I know you too well, dear. You used to eye up Nicholas Channing the same way.”
“Oh, please, I was ten and didn’t know any better.” Sara squirmed under her aunt’s eye. “All right, I like him, but what am I meant to do about it? He’s a cop. He’s working, and to be honest, I resent what he stands for.”
“That’s understandable, dear.”
Sara took a deep breath. “Actually, he’d be easier to hate if he wasn’t so kind. Very gentlemanly. But he’s also drop-dead gorgeous, with a capital G. Perfect white teeth and fantastic hair that just asks to have my fingers run through it, but I can’t do it.”
But I would if I could.
Aunt Mary smiled. “I won’t tell him a thing.”
Luke appeared in the doorway. “Would you like to see your room?”
Aunt Mary stood. “That would be good.”
Sara smiled. “I’ll put the kettle on.”
Luke smiled back. “Sounds good. We won’t be long.”
Sara nodded. As they left the room she looked down at the floor, hoping the burning in her cheeks wasn’t obvious. How long had the leftenant been standing there? Had he overheard her rather lurid description of him? If he had, what must he think of her now?
****
Luke led Mary up the stairs. “What would you like me to call you? I’m afraid I only know you as Aunt Mary or Miss Daniels.”
“Mary will do fine. Miss Daniels makes me sound so old.”
Luke smiled. “You can’t be a day over fifty.”
Mary smiled. “Flattery will get you everywhere. So how has my niece been the past few months?”
“I’ve only been with her the past few weeks. I don’t know what you’ve been told, but as far as everyone here is concerned, Sara is my wife. You can’t say anything to anyone about Jamie, or Sara not being my wife. If the visit goes all right this time, perhaps you can come again for longer.”
“I understand. I’m grateful to you for letting me see Sara.”
“I’m hoping it’ll help her see I’m not all bad. I really do have her best interests at heart.”
“I know you do, dear.”
Luke winced. Just what were his interests? How far would he go to protect those interests? He’d heard the tail-end of the conversation, although he’d never admit it to anyone. The problem was, if she did suddenly run her fingers through his hair, or kiss him again for that matter, it’d be his undoing. He had to stay focused, not let his feelings get in the way. And speaking of his feelings? How deep were they? He was here to work, not fall in love.
****
Sara made the coffee and set it on the table. She glanced up as the others came in. “Are you all settled then, Aunt Mary?”
“Snug as a bug.”
Sara smiled. She felt a lot more at ease. Luke wasn’t such a bad guy after all. “Thank you for arranging this, Leftenant.”
He moved over to her. “You’re welcome.”
Sara gazed into his eyes for a long moment then looked away, heat touching her cheeks. She picked up her cup. “So, you’re cooking tonight?”
“Two weeks, as promised.”
She smiled. “Sounds good.” She turned to her aunt. “He lost a bet, and his punishment was cooking duty.”
Luke shook his head. “Why don’t you take out an advertisement in the local paper?”
Sara rolled her eyes. “Now that’s an idea. ‘Witness protection agent lost a bet and has to cook for the next two weeks, signed Sara, currently hiding in Tannoch.’ Nice one, Leftenant.”
Mary put her cup down. “Why do you keep calling him ‘Leftenant’?”
“I’m teaching him to pronounce his words correctly. It is the English language after all.”
Luke shook his head. “Is it ‘pick on Luke day’ or something?”
Sara smirked. “Yes, it is. Oh, speaking of which, bottom drawer under the long worktop. Something in there for you to wear.”
Luke pulled open the drawer.
“You have got to be kidding.” He held up the pink apron with an expression of total disgust.
Sara laughed. “Nope. Carole brought it over for me yesterday.”
Luke shook his head. “You, Sara, are a brat.”
She grinned. “Not a brat until you wear it, and I take a photo of you in it. I’ll post it on my social media page.”
“You wouldn’t dare…”
Sara laughed. “You don’t ever want to say that, my friend, because that’s asking for trouble.”
“Fine. I’ll wear it on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You don’t take photos, and you definitely do not go on that particular site. I don’t want to find your status is ‘currently hiding in Tannoch.’”
Sara grinned. “That’s two conditions.”
“You’re being pedantic.”
“I don’t make promises I can’t keep.” She paused. “Wear it every time you cook, and you have a deal.”
12
Sara and Mary sat in the kitchen. Luke wore the pink apron and cooked dinner. Despite her promise, Sara was tempted to take a photo anyway. Aunt Mary’s voice distracted her from thoughts of the man protecting her.
“Have you been here all the time?”
“No. I was originally in Winterton. Actually at the chalet park we used to go on holiday to years ago. It hasn’t changed at all. They moved me here last month. Austin found me.” Concern crossed her aunt’s face. “Nothing happened. It just shook me up a little.”
Luke scoffed. “A little? You were terrified.”
“Yeah, well.” Sara inspected her fingernails. “Bet you would be, too, if the guy who shot you once already suddenly appeared and pretended to shoot you
again.”
“True.” Luke turned back to the stove.
Sara looked at her aunt. “I saw Jamie, too, the night before they moved me. He was standing outside my bedroom window.”
“Jamie’s dead, and you know that.” Mary laid her hand on Sara’s wrist.
“What if he isn’t? What if that was really him?”
“Sara, dear, he died in your arms, and we cremated him. Do you think he’d let you be here alone if he was alive?”
“No.” Sara sighed.
“Well then. I know you don’t want to be here, but it’s the safest place to be.”
“I guess, but everyone assumes the leftenant is the father of my babies.”
“That’s only natural if you’re posing as husband and wife. It’s only for a few weeks. Once this is over…”
“Will it ever be? Aunt Mary, it’s December the fifth. I’ve been in protective custody since I got out of hospital in June. Longer if you count the guard on the door there. That’s five months. The waiting is ridiculous. Besides, even sparrows have a home for their young, right? What do I have—a fake husband, a fake life, and someone who wants me dead.”
Luke glanced over his shoulder. “You know very well God hasn’t abandoned you, Sara. He has a plan for you and this is part of it.”
“Well I just wish He’d hurry up.”
“You can’t hurry God,” he said firmly. “This is about ready to dish up.”
Mary smiled. “Good. I’m hungry.”
“Sara?” Luke studied her.
She shook her head. “Not hungry at all.”
“You have to eat.” Luke’s voice dropped an octave.
“Are you my mother or something, Leftenant?” Sara drew her brows together.
“No, but you need to eat for the sake of the babies.”
“None of us are hungry.” Sara stood.
Mary caught hold of her arm. “Sara Elizabeth Barnes, sit down this instant.”
Sara sat, her cheeks burning.
“Apologize for the way you spoke to Luke. I thought I brought you up better than that.”
“Sorry, Leftenant.” Sara squirmed in her seat.
“Apology accepted.” Luke gave Sara the smallest plate. “There’s more if you want it.”
“What is it?” She picked up her fork.
“Cowboy pie. It’s chopped sausages, baked beans, and mashed potatoes.” Luke grinned wide and winked at Aunt Mary.
“Together? In the same dish?” Mary’s eyes were round as saucers.
Luke’s eyes showed the smile he was trying to hide. “Kids love it.” He grabbed her hand and took Mary’s in the other. “Let’s say grace.”
His hand was warm in hers and her mind barely registered the words he spoke. He let go and she took a deep breath, trying to still her thudding heart. She picked up her fork and tried a bite. She ate slowly then smiled at him. “It’s lovely, Leftenant. Thank you.”
Luke smiled and started eating his. “You’re welcome, Sara.”
****
Just as they finished, the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it.” Luke walked into the hall and checked before opening the door. “Hey, Dave. Come in.”
“I was on my way home and thought I’d stop in and see if Sara’s aunt arrived all right.” He set down the box he was carrying.
Luke glanced at the box, more interested in that than anything else. “Yeah, come meet her.”
“Sure. Then I need tae show ye something.” He followed Luke through to the kitchen.
“Mary, this is Dave McArthur. Dave, this is Mary Daniels, Sara’s aunt.”
Mary smiled and shook Dave’s hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
Dave smiled. “And ye. Hi, Sara.”
“Hi, Dave. How are you?”
“I canna complain.”
“That’s good.” Sara hobbled over to the sink, using one crutch and carrying a plate.
Luke tutted. “Sara, should you be doing that?”
“You cooked, so I’ll wash. I can sit down on a stool and do it.”
Luke took her the stool. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Leftenant.”
“Luke, can I drag ye away for a few minutes?” Dave’s voice had an edge to it.
“Sure, Dave.” He followed Dave out into the hall.
Dave grabbed the box. “Can we take this intae the dining room? It’s papers, files, and so on. They turned up on my desk about an hour before I was going tae leave. I have nae had the chance tae go through them yet. I’m hoping they’re relevant tae this case.”
Luke led the way into the dining room. He pulled out a chair for the box and made space at one end of the table. It was a tight squeeze with the computer there, but sitting either side of the table, there was enough room for them to work.
Luke opened the box of files, pulled one out, and read the name on it. “Robert Foster? Who’s that?”
Dave shrugged. “Ah dinna ken.”
Assuming that translated as ‘I have no idea,’ Luke pulled another one. “Robert Foster.” He and Dave removed the other files, all of them having the same name across the top. “You heard of this guy?”
Dave shook his head. “Nae. Mebbe it’s no’ related at all.”
Luke grabbed the final file, shock registering on his face. The name James Barnes glared up at him. “James Barnes?”
Dave sounded as shocked. “Sara’s Jamie?”
Luke opened the file marked James Barnes. “This is Jamie all right. Sara has a photo of him upstairs.” He flicked through the pages. “There’s even a photo of Sara here, details of the wedding and so on. Question is, who is Robert Foster, and what is his connection to Jamie? And who put these on your desk?”
“I dinna ken. There was a note that indicated they were for the current case. I assumed the note meant this one, but it wasna signed. I figured someone would tell me later that they put it there. Everyone except emergency personnel had left for the day, so I dropped by here.” Dave opened one of the Robert Foster files. Taking a sharp breath, he slid it across the table. “Luke, look at this.”
Luke glanced at it. The photos of the two men were identical. “What is going on? Ring Shepherds and see if you can find out if he had the files sent to you.”
Dave pulled out his phone and speed dialed Shepherds’s personal cell. He spoke tersely for a couple of minutes, leaving a message, before hanging up. “He’s no’ picking up. There is nothing we can do now, except read.”
“Want a coffee? It’ll be a long night.”
“Sure. I’ll need to take all the papers back tae the station, but that can wait a couple of days. Is it all right if we store them here for now?”
Luke agreed. “Yeah, we’ll hide them in the cupboard under the stairs behind the recycling boxes. Sara won’t find them there. She doesn’t need to see this until we know what’s up and find out who left these on your desk.”
“Aye. When we get a grasp on things, we can see if there’s anything she can add tae our findings.”
“Maybe we’ll find something that’ll help us with Austin’s location.” Luke glanced at Dave. “Do you think the leak in the office left these?”
Dave held Luke’s gaze. “Mebbe, for some strange reason, but it’d be odd for him tae do so.”
Luke stared at the papers. “Odd. Right. Unless he’s in too deep and wants out.”
****
Three hours later, Luke closed the last file. “I don’t like it. Foster and Barnes, one and the same person. He’s got a criminal record as long as my arm, but if he was in witness protection, as this indicates, why wasn’t anyone told when he was killed back in June? This puts a new slant on this case.”
Dave shrugged. “I dinna ken, but I intend tae find out, and I’m going tae find out who left these on my desk. Whoever it was, mebbe they have higher clearance than us. Mebbe they’re even trying tae plug the leak while cluing us in.” He glanced at his watch. “I should go. Carole will be wondering where I am.”
“I’ll
see you out.” Luke followed Dave to the door. “I’ll hide the box for now. I want to go over these papers again, properly. Take notes this time. Why don’t you and Carole come for dinner tomorrow? We can work on these, and she can meet Mary.”
“Sounds good. I’ll come in around the normal time tomorrow. I need tae go tae the office first. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” Luke shut and locked the door and went into the lounge. A small figure sat alone on the couch. “You still awake, Sara?”
“Only just.” Sara pulled herself to her feet. “I was waiting for you to help me up the stairs. Aunt Mary went to bed an hour ago.”
Luke smiled and swung her into his arms. “For someone who’s five months pregnant, you don’t weigh much.”
“Thanks. So if I were a ten-ton elephant, what would you do?”
Luke started to climb the stairs. “I’d tie a rope around your waist and pull you up backwards.”
“You would do no such thing. Are you growing a beard?”
“No. Why?”
“You never look like you shave, that’s all. If it’s one of those stubbly ones, let me tell you now, I hate them.”
Luke raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
Sara ran her finger down his face. “Yeah, I prefer my men clean shaven.” She jerked her hand away. “I’m sorry, Leftenant. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
Luke carried her down the hallway to her bedroom. “It’s fine. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight.” Sara went into the bedroom and shut the door behind her.
Luke raised a hand to his cheek and touched it. He could still feel her fingertips there. If only…
He stopped the thought right there. He was on duty. Falling in love was not part of the job description.
****
Luke was woken from a sound sleep by Sara screaming. He ran down the hallway to her room. “Sara?”
He pushed open the door without knocking and ran over to the bed. Sara lay there, arms flailing, body jerking on the bed, caught in a nightmare.
Luke sat on the bed and pushed a hand through her hair. “Sara, wake up.”
Her eyes jerked open. “No.”