Christmas Witness Pursuit

by Lisa Harris

  * * *

  Griffin pulled his gaze away from the soft blush that had just registered on Tory’s face, one he was pretty sure didn’t come from the warm air circulating through the vent above them. What had he been thinking? Talking to her about spending time together when all of this was over. He might as well have asked her out on a date. The problem was, it didn’t matter that he felt attracted to her. He was a deputy working an FBI case and she was in his protective custody. He had a job to do and she was becoming a distraction.

  “You mentioned taking a train,” she said, pulling him away from his thoughts.

  “Yes...?”

  The stress of the past few days seemed to vanish from Tory’s eyes as she welcomed the memory. “I remember something about a favorite Christmas.”

  His brow rose slightly. “I’m assuming you weren’t on the naughty list like I was.”

  “Of course not.” She shot him a smile. “Anyway, I must have been... I don’t know, seven, maybe eight. I was with my parents and sister and we were celebrating my mother’s birthday on a train. It was Christmastime—her birthday was December twenty-fourth—and I remember we were in this restored dining car, eating on white tablecloths while all dressed up.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “There were lights out the windows, Christmas music played in the background, and we must have driven through a replica of the North Pole, because I remember snow and Santa’s village with all kinds of lights and a huge Christmas tree.”

  “Sounds beautiful.”

  “It was. I don’t remember what we ate, though I do recall my sister and I being told we could have as much hot chocolate and cookies as we wanted after dinner.” She held up the snowflake pendant he’d noticed her wearing. “My father gave my sister and me matching necklaces for Christmas that year.”

  He settled back into his corner of the couch, enjoying the chance to learn something new about her. His mom had told Caden she thought Tory was beautiful and charming. Both were true. And his brother had been right about another thing. Griffin had felt lost. For a long time. And it wasn’t just because he felt like there was something missing in his life...like a wife and a family. He’d been quick this whole time to dismiss the possibility of pursuing something with Tory, but why shouldn’t he? There were not rules against a sheriff’s deputy falling for a witness. Reality bore through him like a knife, because there was still something he could never forget, and that was Lilly and how he’d failed her.

  “What are you thinking?” she asked.

  He looked at her, knowing there was no way he could tell her the truth. “Just that you seem to finally be relaxing.”

  “I think it’s helping my memory, as well. I don’t feel as if I’m running for my life.”

  “I want you to feel safe.”

  “I do.” She grabbed the throw pillow between them and pulled it against her chest. “But I’ve also been thinking about how you and I both deal with trauma. We’re always the ones facing it head-on to save someone. But now, for the first time, I’m on the other side. This...” She glanced around the room. “All of this is so personal.”

  “I know it’s been hard.”

  “You probably still feel it with every breath. Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For being here. For listening to me. For making me believe I’m not losing it.”

  He smiled. “You’re not losing it.”

  “I know, but when you can’t remember who you are, down to the little details of what you like for breakfast, or where you shop for groceries, or even your favorite Christmas memory...it’s frightening. I’ve never felt so out of control as I do right now.” She looked up and caught his gaze. “And there’s nothing I can do beyond sitting back, waiting and trusting other people with my life.”

  “I can think of a few times when you’ve done a bit more than sit back and wait. You rappelled down a burning fire tower without a harness, worked to save a man’s life in the middle of a helicopter crash... You’re an amazing woman, Tory, and I—”

  He stopped midsentence.

  I don’t want you to leave after this is over.

  There was no way to ignore the fact that he was falling for her, which never should have happened. He never should have made this personal. Never tried to mix his work with his feelings. But he had. His gaze dropped to her lips. He wanted to lean over and kiss her, to tell her exactly what he was feeling. How the more he got to know her, the more he wanted to know the things that were still lost. But not now. For her safety, and that of his own, he couldn’t let his guard down.

  “I almost forgot,” he said, abruptly changing the subject. “I have something for you. Caden gave me a laptop to use in case we need to catch up on emails or Facebook. We can’t send messages or post anything for now, but at least it’s a way to check on things. And who knows? Maybe something will spark some more memories.”

  She hesitated, as if digging into an evasive memory. “I don’t think I have a Facebook account.”

  “Everyone has a Facebook account.”

  “I’m pretty sure I don’t.”

  “Why do you think that?” he asked.

  “I remember a conversation I had with my sister. We were arguing about how she thought it was such a great place to keep up with her friends—which I agree—but I told her I’d far rather keep up with my friends in person. She thought I was crazy.”

  “So no posting photos of your cat or what you had for dinner?”

  “Apparently not.”

  “You have email, don’t you?”

  She shot him a dirty look. “Everyone has an email address, and believe it or not, I think I even know my password.”

  He handed her the laptop. “Then why don’t you start? Caden will contact anyone who needs an update on you.”

  “I appreciate it. I’m sure my boss and my friends would want that.”

  He watched her read through her emails, content in the comfortable quiet that had settled between them.

  A frown settled across her lips as she studied the screen.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Just an overflowing amount of junk mail, like normal. I’ll deal with the rest later.” She closed the lid and set the laptop between them. “If you don’t mind, I think I’m going to go lie down. I didn’t realize how tired I was until it hit me just now.”

  “Of course. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Why don’t you sleep for a while? I’ll be here if you need anything.”

  “I know, and I appreciate it. Everything you’ve done.”

  Her abrupt exit surprised him. Before she left, he caught her gaze and tried to read her expression, but all he could see was the fatigue. Maybe she was just tired. He picked up the laptop as soon as the door to her room shut and tried to check what she’d been looking at, but she’d erased the browser’s history.

  What had she seen? What was she hiding from him?

  He tried to dismiss his apprehensions. She was a private person and certainly didn’t owe him an explanation of everything she did.

  Then why did his gut tell him something was very wrong?

  FOURTEEN

  Tory stepped into her room and quickly shut the door behind her. She drew in a deep breath and tried to steady her nerves. She’d only told Griffin the partial truth, leaving out the email she’d received from him.

  I have your sister.

  Somehow the unthinkable had happened.

  A flood of memories exploded to the surface. The image of red hair, freckles and a bright smile resurfaced. Days horseback riding in the mountains...violin lessons...pink ballet skirts...high school graduation....

  It was all coming back to her. Elizabeth had been with her that day. And if she didn’t find a way to stop them, she’d lose her.

  Tory replayed the messa
ge in her mind while a sliver of fear dug deeper. No police or FBI. Not even Griffin.

  Or her sister would die.

  She couldn’t let that happen.

  She’d memorized the address Jinx had given her because it was the only way to save her sister. Her life for her sister’s. She’d gladly pay that price. But what guarantees were there that he’d keep her sister safe if she showed up?

  She ran through her choices, thankful Griffin wasn’t there with her. She’d never be able to hide the truth from him. Her resolve waivered as she glanced toward the closed door. She should tell him what was going on. He might be able to find a way to locate Jinx and save her sister, but was that a chance she could afford?

  No.

  Jinx was smart. She’d seen how he worked and knew the hold he had on his men. They’d do anything he said and, because of it, he’d managed to arrange a prison escape, the takedown of an FBI detail and then later had them kidnapped out of Griffin’s house. So far, for whatever reason, the authorities continued to be a step behind. And for that reason, she couldn’t take the risk of anything happening to Elizabeth.

  She had to do what he said; her only objective right now was to protect Elizabeth. It was the reason her sister’s name hadn’t been mentioned in the FBI file. The reason Tory was here right now. And if there was a mole in the FBI, telling Griffin would only ensure the plan got back to Jinx. Another risk she refused to take.

  She grabbed the phone book from the desk drawer and looked up the number for a taxi. She still wasn’t sure how she was going to do this without Griffin figuring out her plan, or what she’d do once she got to the address Jinx had given her, but she’d deal with the problems one at a time.

  Memories of the day she’d witnessed the murders suddenly engulfed her. It was as if the places she hadn’t been able to breach had finally come into view. She could smell the pine trees and feel the sun as they’d hiked up the trail. Elizabeth had wanted to leave the path to get a better photo of the valley below. Then she’d seen it. The glint of sun on the barrel of the gun as the bearded man pointed it at the couple. She’d heard them plead for their lives. Heard him laugh. Heard the gunshot. That man had snatched away their lives then tossed them over the cliff like yesterday’s trash.

  Now that the floodgates had been opened, there was no way she could go back. She needed to get out of her room without Griffin knowing where she was going, but security was tight on this level. She glanced at the window, going through her options again. She quickly crossed the room, unlocked the window latch and pulled it up. Cold air rushed into the room, though the window would only open about four inches. She glanced at the parking lot five stories below. It didn’t matter. With no balcony and no ledge, it wasn’t an option.

  She was going to have to walk out.

  Tory sat at the small desk, called the taxi for a pickup two blocks away. She had fifty dollars in cash and a couple of credit cards in her wallet. She knew she couldn’t use the cards and hoped the fifty would cover the taxi fare. She searched her memory for the layout of the hotel as she glanced around her room and then pulled on her sweater. If she wore her coat, Griffin would notice.

  “I’m going to grab something sweet from the vending machine,” she said, stepping out of her room.

  He looked up from the book he’d been reading. “If you’re hungry I could order a pizza.”

  She shook her head. “Thanks, but I’m craving something sweet and can just grab something from the machine.”

  “Couldn’t sleep?”

  “A bit restless, I guess.”

  Tory shot him a smile and tried to look relaxed, hoping he didn’t notice that her palms were sweating and her heart was racing. Because she was anything but relaxed. Her heart was screaming at her to tell him exactly what was going on. That it was foolish to try to rescue her sister on her own.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yeah. My sweet tooth is just kicking in. Stress, I suppose.” She glanced at the clock. Every second that ticked by was another second her sister was with Jinx. “I’ll probably read a little bit then fall asleep. I’m exhausted, but maybe too exhausted to sleep.”

  “I found a deck of cards if you’re in a competitive mood?”

  “Thanks.” She forced another smile. “But I don’t think I have the energy for that.”

  “Okay.”

  She forced herself to pause at the door leading to the hallway. “Do you want any from the vending machine?”

  “No, thanks. Just make sure one of the agents goes with you.”

  “I’ll be fine, Griffin—”

  “Just do it for me.”

  She stepped out into the hallway where the two agents in suits were seated outside their door, arguing about chances of the Broncos winning this season’s Super Bowl.

  “Evening, gentleman. I’m just going to grab a candy bar from the vending machine and will be right back.”

  The heavyset one started to stand, but she waved him back to his seat.

  “It’s thirty feet away. I’m pretty sure I’ll be fine.”

  Her heart pounded as she started walking down the hall and then slipped around the corner to where the ice machine and vending machine were located. She shoved a dollar into the machine and pushed one of the buttons, not caring what it spewed out. She’d already decided that the stairwell was going to be her best and fastest option. She listened for footsteps, but clearly they didn’t seem to think anything was odd about her sweet tooth. They were still talking about football.

  As the candy bar thumped into the bottom of the vending machine, Tory pushed open the stairwell door then made sure it didn’t slam behind her. A second later she was running down the stairs to the lobby. She wasn’t worried about hotel cameras. It would only take Griffin a minute, maybe two, to realize something was wrong. That meant she needed to put as much distance as possible between them in the short time that she had.

  More memories surfaced as she made it to the fourth-floor landing. She’d sat in a small room with two FBI agents, talking to them about what she’d seen as they tried to convince her to be a witness. But there were questions she couldn’t ignore.

  What if they find out about Elizabeth? I’ll risk my life, but I won’t risk hers.

  Anonymity is hard these days with social media, but there are things we can do—

  I don’t have a Facebook account, if that’s what you’re worried about. She’s my stepsister so we have different last names and live in different parts of town.

  You don’t have a Facebook account?

  I know. I’m one of the few holdouts. I just never took the time to jump on the bandwagon.

  That will make it easier to ensure there is no connection. And on top of that, we can keep her out of any communication and reports. There won’t be any way for them to connect her to you. She’ll be safe.

  Tory shoved open the door and stepped into a hallway off the main lobby. The FBI had clearly been wrong. What she didn’t know was if Jinx knew the whole truth. Because after all this time, she finally remembered the secret she’d been guarding with her life.

  Her sister was the other witness.

  * * *

  Griffin glanced at his watch and frowned. Two minutes was more than enough time to grab a candy bar out of a vending machine. He tried to stuff down the ensuing worry, but he couldn’t help it. Maybe he was simply being paranoid, but she was his responsibility.

  He waited another fifteen seconds then headed out into the hallway where the two agents sat, guarding the room.

  “Where is she?”

  The men looked up from their seats. “She went to get a candy bar—”

  “And you didn’t go with her?” Griffin started down the hallway toward the vending and ice machines.

  “She said she’d be fine.” One of them scrambled down the hall behind him.
r />   Of course she did.

  He ran around the corner to the small alcove and froze. A chocolate bar sat in the bottom of the vending machine, but there was no sign of her.

  His heart plummeted as he shouted back at the agents. “Call it in. We need to find her. Now.”

  Agent Nevett started barking off a bunch of orders. “Head to the lobby, Deputy. Check with staff and camera surveillance. We’ll implement a search of the hotel.”

  Griffin nodded and started down the stairwell toward the lobby. He’d caught the flicker of fear in her eyes as she’d walked away earlier. Why hadn’t he asked her what was wrong? Whatever it was, all that mattered was finding her before Jinx did. Assuming the man didn’t already have her.

  He rushed past the third-floor landing. That Jinx was here, somewhere, was the obvious answer. But how would he have lured her out? There were only two real options. Either Jinx or one of his men had grabbed her or he’d found some kind of leverage that had motivated Tory to walk out of the hotel on her own.

  Her sister.

  It was the one thing that made sense. He’d seen the fear in her eyes. The excuse of needing something sweet...

  It was the one move that would have induced her to walk out of this hotel without telling him. He replayed what had happened in the hotel room as he made it to the second floor. She’d been going through her emails. When she’d given him back the laptop, she’d erased her history. That had to be the reason. Jinx had found a way to get to her despite the strict security measures they’d put into place. But that still didn’t tell him where she’d gone.

  At the bottom of the stairs, he pushed open the door that led into the busy lobby. The hotel was hosting two conferences over the weekend, a technology forum and a nursing conference, which meant the restaurant, bar and lobby were full. He searched the areas carefully, but didn’t see her anywhere. If Jinx was behind this, Griffin was certain the man would want to get her as far away as possible from the hotel. He’d know that they’d automatically start a thorough search of the facility, so his best option was to either transport her himself or have her meet him at a location.