by Debby Giusti
“I found the information,” she said. “The symposium’s being held in Decatur. Due to a lack of parking, they ask everyone to use MARTA, the city’s mass transit system. The station’s not far from here.”
“What time should we leave?”
She glanced at another paper and pointed to a paragraph halfway down the printout. “Nancy’s scheduled to speak about CED at 1:00 p.m., immediately after the lunch break. Why don’t we leave here at eleven fifteen? We’ll arrive at the symposium ahead of schedule and grab lunch there before the talk.”
Zach checked his watch. “I’ll knock on your door in an hour. Don’t forget to engage both locks, and don’t open the door to anyone. I’m going to scout out the hotel. You can reach me on my cell.” He pointed to the printout with the schedule of events. “Mind if I take a look at where we’ll be later today?”
She handed him the information. “You take it. The dinner and program will be held in the Magnolia Ballroom, here in this hotel.”
“I’ll find it.” Stepping into the hallway, he waited outside her door until she had engaged the security bolt.
His own room was a mirror image of Ella’s. He left his luggage inside and then followed the hallway to the stairwell and went down to the third floor, where the ballrooms were located.
Once he knew the layout for the evening event, and the various elevators and stairways, he returned to his room and called Sergeant Abrams.
“Anything new on Daniel Fisher?” Zach asked.
“Nothing from Alabama, but we’ve got something on him from Florida. Guess he headed to the Sarasota area last year. Daniel rented a room and left without paying his bill. I’m still digging, but at least that gives me a reason to hold him. I’m counting on him coming clean about the attack on the doc. He’s got an angry edge and a sense of entitlement. The world owes him. Why, I’m not sure.”
“Let me know if you do have to release him.”
“How’s Atlanta?” Abrams asked.
“Crowded with people and overflowing with traffic. They suggest we take MARTA to the medical talk, which is probably a good idea.”
“I’m glad you’re with the doc. She’s probably safer in Atlanta than she would be at her clinic, but you never know. She needs someone watching her back.”
“I’ll call you when we return tomorrow.”
“Stay safe, Zach.”
“Right.” He disconnected. The most important thing was to keep Ella safe.
* * *
Why was she on edge?
Ella hadn’t expected the anxiety that welled up within her as she and Zach left the hotel. She glanced at her watch. They had plenty of time to get to the symposium and grab a sandwich or salad before the presentation.
Zach took her arm and guided her along the sidewalk. “There’s the MARTA station.” He pointed to an entrance just ahead.
They hurried down the stairs to the platform, which was awash with a mix of people, from men and women in business suits, to college students and blue-collar workers, to street folks, all of whom relied on MARTA for transportation within the city.
Ella pointed to a train that was loading. “Is that the one we need to take?”
Zach shook his head. “We’ve got about ten minutes before the Decatur train arrives.”
Ella weaved her way through the crowd and stopped not far from the edge of the platform. She peered over the drop-off and stared down, approximately four feet, to the tracks below.
“Better not get too close,” Zach warned, wrapping his hand protectively around her elbow.
“Just trying to see how the cars are powered. I went to school in Columbus, Ohio, but I still consider myself a country girl. I’ve never been around mass transit systems.”
Zach pointed to an outside rail covered partially with a metal sheath. “That’s the conductor rail, also known as the third rail. The trains have what’s called a ‘shoe’ that slides over it and transfers power to the engine’s electric motor.”
“Remind me not to walk on any MARTA tracks.”
“Folks have died who haven’t realized the danger, or who...” He looked at her as if he’d said the wrong thing.
...who wanted to end their lives. Mentally, she completed his thought.
Quin hadn’t taken his own life, no matter what the Memphis cops had told Zach. Frustrated, Ella pulled out of his hold and wrapped her arms around her waist.
Zach pointed to a train schedule posted on the wall. “We want the blue line heading east.”
His phone trilled. He checked the caller ID on his cell and shrugged. “No name, just a number.”
He raised the phone to his ear. “Special Agent Zach Swain.” His brow furrowed, and he turned his head to the side. “Could you repeat that?” He glanced at Ella and pointed to a corner alcove away from the crowd.
She nodded, knowing he’d be able to hear more clearly away from the people who packed the platform.
Ella again glanced down at the tracks. A group of kids holding skateboards shoved past her.
“Watch out,” she warned, for their safety as well as hers.
A swell of new arrivals hurried down the steps and filled the platform, forcing her dangerously close to the edge. Someone pushed against her. She struggled to keep her balance.
“Stop,” she cried, feeling propelled forward. Her heart lurched. Her arms flailed as another shove sent her over the lip.
She screamed and fell to the tracks below, her shoulder and hip taking the brunt of the fall. Gasping, she struggled to sit up, her hand coming close to the live rail.
“Someone’s on the track!” a bystander shrieked.
Ella looked up, dazed, realizing people were pointing at her.
A roar filled her ears. The ground rumbled.
She peered down the track and saw nothing, then, glancing over her shoulder, discovered a huge train barreling down upon her.
Her heart pounded at breakneck speed. She tried to move, but her body failed to respond. Knowing she’d be crushed by the giant rail car, she opened her mouth to scream again. The sound caught in her throat. She couldn’t breathe, and all she could hear was the roar of the train.
“Ella!”
Zach jumped from the platform. He grabbed her shoulders and rolled her away from the rail and into a narrow recessed area under the platform. Nestled in his arms, she heard the terrible rumble, louder than a bomb exploding around them. She closed her eyes and buried her face in his chest, too afraid to cry, too panicked to think or move or do anything but cling to Zach, who had pulled her from danger.
Just that quickly, the train passed.
“Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice husky with emotion. He pulled back ever so slightly to look into her eyes.
She shook her head, unable to speak and unwilling to leave the security of his arms.
“Hurry.” He helped her out of the protective area. “We have to get to safety before the next train arrives.”
People on the platform stood back, as if unable to believe they had survived.
“I need some help,” Zach demanded.
Hands reached down and pulled her to safety. Zach climbed up behind her. Trembling, Ella clung to him, unwilling to let go of the man who had saved her once again.
“What happened?” he asked.
She shook her head, unable to come to terms with what had just occurred. “Someone...someone shoved against me,” she finally said.
Her eyes scanned the crowd. Was the person still on the platform?
“Were you pushed?” Zach asked.
“I—I’m not sure. Pushed, or maybe it was the number of people. With the crowd moving forward, I was caught in the swell...”
He turned to study the crowd, just as she had done.
“It was a
n accident,” a man standing near them told his friend.
But Ella had felt the pressure on her back. Someone had wanted her to fall. Someone had known the train was approaching, and he’d shoved her off the platform.
FIFTEEN
Zach should have known the Atlanta police wouldn’t be convinced that someone had tried to kill Ella. At least the officer took down the information and seemed relieved that she had survived.
“You’re fortunate, ma’am,” he said, as if Ella didn’t realize death had been a breath away.
He turned to Zach. “Sir, you did the right thing. That space under the platform is an emergency area in case someone falls onto the tracks. Glad it offered the protection you needed. You know about the third rail?”
Zach nodded, thinking of how close Ella had been to the live power source. His heart pounded as he recalled hearing the shouts of the onlookers and realizing, almost too late, what had happened.
Seeing the approaching train, and Ella lying paralyzed on the track, he didn’t have time to think; all he could do was react.
As the memory flashed through his mind again, Zach put his arm around her and let out a stiff breath.
The cop stared at him for a moment. “You okay, sir?”
“It was a close call.”
“Yes, sir. You got that right.” He turned to Ella. “Regrettably, the security camera in this area of the platform is broken. Unless you can identify the person who shoved you, ma’am, there’s nothing the Atlanta PD can do at this point. I encourage you to be vigilant and on guard.”
He handed both of them his card. “Don’t hesitate to contact me if you think of anything else that might have a bearing on what happened, or if you feel threatened in any way.”
“Thanks, Officer.”
“Where are you folks headed?”
Ella told him the location of the symposium.
“I’m going that way. I’d be happy to drive you there. After what you just experienced, I have a feeling the last place you want to be is on a MARTA train.”
Zach appreciated the officer’s thoughtfulness and thanked him profusely when he dropped them at their destination.
“Let me know anytime you’re in south Georgia,” Zach said as he shook the man’s hand. “I’ll show you around Fort Rickman. We’ve got a nice museum, lovely Amish community and a friendly town, called Freemont. The fishing’s good in the river that runs through the area, as well as a lake that’s not far from post.” He gave the officer his card.
“I’ll take you up on the fishing,” the cop said with a smile. “You folks stay safe.”
As he drove away, Zach glanced at his watch. “It’s twelve forty-five,” he told Ella. “I doubt we have time to grab some lunch.”
“Not if we want to hear Nancy speak. We can wait until afterward to eat, but I’d like to clean up a bit in the ladies’ room.”
She patted her purse. “And I’m still grateful for the Good Samaritan who retrieved and returned my handbag.”
They hurried into the building. Ten minutes later, Zach ushered a freshly cleaned-up Ella into the presentation room and toward two seats on the far aisle, where he would have a clear view of both the crowd and the door.
The director was tall and slender and wore a wide smile as she hurried to give Ella what appeared to be a sincere hug of greeting.
“It’s wonderful to see you,” the woman said, her gaze warm and welcoming. “I know you probably think I twisted your arm, but I wanted to have Quin represented with the rest of the team. He did so much on this project.”
“Thank you.” Ella introduced Zach.
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
“You’re a friend of Ella’s?” Nancy Vaughn’s eyebrows rose ever so slightly.
“We met recently, and Dr. Jacobsen thought I might be interested in learning more about your Amish Project. I’ll be sharing the information with the commanding general when I return to Fort Rickman. He’s committed to improving relations between the military and civilian communities, especially our Amish neighbors. If there’s anything we can do to help you folks while you’re in Georgia, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you so much, Special Agent Swain. I’m having a gathering in my hotel suite before dinner this evening,” the director said. “It’s listed on the program Ella received. I hope you’ll join us.”
He smiled. “If Dr. Jacobsen is there, I will be, as well.”
“Wonderful. Now I’d better get to the podium. Why don’t you move closer to the front?”
Zach smiled again. “You’re so thoughtful, but we’ll be more than comfortable right here.”
Nancy waved to a man who had just entered the room. “Ella, be sure to say hello to Ross. He, probably more than anyone, has felt the loss of Quin’s passing, as you can imagine.”
Tilting her head toward Zach, the director added, “Quin and Dr. Underwood worked together. They were a good team. Losing Quin was like losing a friend and a brother, as well as a fellow researcher.”
The man approached. He was six-two, well built and handsome, and for half a second Zach was jealous when he put his arms around Ella and kissed her cheek.
“It’s been too long,” the researcher said.
“Pennsylvania is far from Georgia, Ross. I’m glad you decided to release your findings closer to my new home.”
“With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, we knew many of their scientists would be interested. The medical symposium was already scheduled, so we piggybacked on their event. Of course, they were most gracious about fitting us in, knowing the importance of the Amish Project. I just wish...”
He paused and smiled. “Well, you know how I felt about Quin. If only he could be here with us today.”
“That’s kind of you to say.” Ella seemed a bit flustered. Perhaps the mention of her husband brought back too many memories.
She introduced Zach.
“Nice meeting you, Mr. Swain.” After kissing Ella’s cheek again, Underwood joined the director near the podium.
Ella smiled at a number of people who streamed into the room. “You made points with Nancy,” she said to Zach. “But are you sure the commanding general would be interested in the Amish Project?”
“He’s a very philanthropic guy. His wife started a craft fair with the Amish, and they both love kids, so you never know. Plus I didn’t want the director to ask any more questions. I’d prefer her to think I’m here as a friend and not as a CID agent.”
“Thank you again, Zach, for protecting me. I’m losing count of the number of times you’ve saved my life.” Ella smiled at him, then turned her attention to the front as the director was introduced.
Zach followed the introductions and explanation of the preliminary work that had been done on the project. But when the director mentioned various enzyme deficiencies and how they played into the molecular and physiological well-being of the children, he turned his attention to their surroundings rather than the medical discussion.
He glanced at everyone who entered the room, and searched the audience for someone, anyone, who looked suspect. Ella was in danger, even in Atlanta, and he had to be on guard to keep her safe.
* * *
When Nancy Vaughn finished speaking, she was soon surrounded by many members of the audience, individuals who probably wanted to offer congratulations or ask follow-up questions.
“Let’s go,” Ella said to Zach.
“Did you want to talk to anyone else?” he asked, glancing around at the crowd.
She followed his gaze. Some of the people hurriedly left the room, perhaps moving on to the next presentation on the agenda. Others mulled about, chatting among themselves.
Ian Webb stood near the door. He smiled and headed her way. She extended her hand
as he neared. “Ian, it’s good to see you.”
“Ella, a pleasure as always. The director mentioned that she had dropped an invitation to you in the post. I had hoped to see you, but you left Carlisle before I had a chance to stop by.”
“I needed to move on with my life. I hope you understand.”
“Be assured that I do.” He glanced at Zach.
Ella made the introductions and again provided a reason for Zach accompanying her. “The military is interested in helping the Amish community where my clinic is located. I thought the symposium, and this talk especially, would shed light on the work being done with genetic diseases that impact Amish children.”
Ian nodded. “Our hope from the onset has been to increase public awareness.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m off to another lecture. I’ll see you tonight?”
“We plan to attend.”
“Till then.” The Brit made his way from the room.
Ella watched him leave. “Ian was my husband’s assistant,” she told Zach. “I think he’s a great guy, although Quin sometimes saw him in a different light.” She smiled sheepishly. “As you’ve probably picked up from the comments I’ve made, my husband was faint on praise.”
“Where’s Webb from? I noticed his accent.”
“Somewhere in the UK.”
“The assailant last night had a muffled voice, and you mentioned an accent. Could it have been British?”
Ella shook her head. Zach had jumped to the wrong conclusion. “Ian is a good man,” she insisted. “It wasn’t his voice I heard.”
“Are you sure?”
A chill settled over her. She couldn’t be certain of Ian. Couldn’t be certain of anyone right now.
Maybe coming to Atlanta had been a mistake, if danger had followed her here. She glanced at Zach, who had left her on the train platform to answer a phone call. Could he have returned unnoticed in the midst of the crowd? Could her protector also be her assailant?
She shook her head, unwilling to think such thoughts. What was wrong with her? She was seeing danger everywhere, even in a man who had warmed a place in her heart.
Not Zach. He was her protector, and he’d saved her life more than once. She owed him her gratitude and appreciation. But what about Ian? What motive would he have?
