by DiAnn Mills
She attempted to slow her pulse, while everything about her was conscious of his hand on her tingling flesh. “What about the promotion?”
“The Shield will choose the agent best suited for the job.”
She leaned back against the rocker and stared out into the dark pasture—black except for agents guarding the ranch. “I wish I had night goggles.”
“Why?”
“So I could see where this is going.”
“Impossible. But we can take it slow. See if it works. Pray about it.”
He was saying all the right things. She didn’t want to think their remote location might be why he’d approached her. Her feelings were deep, and they’d be the same if their assignment were in the middle of DC.
“Meghan—” he cupped her chin and turned her face to his gaze—“don’t you think I’ve turned this situation inside out? The joke’s on me. A2Z is admitting he needs a woman in his life. Can you give me a chance?”
She wanted to. A lump rose in her throat. Now was not the time to cry. She felt vulnerable enough without adding tears to the mix. She needed time to think about Ash’s words. Today had been filled with too much emotion for her to make a logical decision.
The door slammed behind her, and her attention flew to whoever had caught them . . . talking.
“Hey, Victor.” Ash’s hand slipped from her chin, and he scooted back into his chair.
“Hi, Victor.” Meghan wanted to wipe the smirk off his cute little face.
“Thought I’d get some fresh air. But I see I’m interrupting. Must be a serious development.” Victor grinned at Meghan. “Pepper said you were back. Thought I’d check for myself.”
“I am.” She stood. “Guess I’ll put my things away and say hi to Lindsay.”
“Don’t let me break up a cozy conversation.”
“Very funny.” Ash’s dry tone didn’t miss Meghan.
How many years had it been since she’d sensed heat flooding her neck and face?
“Must be hotter out here than I thought.” Victor shrugged. “Both of you are red-faced.”
“No one’s laughing.” Ash’s tone lowered.
“You’re right. Looks like I need to step back inside.”
Meghan reached for her carry-on. “And to think I missed you, Victor.”
He laughed, but she refused to linger and fall prey to another of his comments.
“Seriously, I’m sorry about your sister.” Victor opened the door. “Good to have you back. Lindsay’s watching one of her classic movies, but I don’t think she’s paying attention. About an hour ago, she had a good cry. Dave couldn’t get a thing out of her.”
“I’ll check on her now.”
Meghan’s mind and heart seemed to be filled with more than she could handle.
Chapter 45
Meghan eased onto the sofa beside Lindsay. “What are we watching tonight?”
“Adam’s Rib, Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.” She didn’t make eye contact with Meghan. “It’s one of my favorites.”
“You say that about every Hepburn and Tracy film.”
Lindsay turned to her and smiled. “I guess I do. I’ve never seen so many movies in my life. But it helps pass the hours.” Her shoulders slumped, and she paused the movie. “I’m sorry about your sister. Didn’t know about her death until you left.”
“Thank you. How have you been?”
“Sad. Worried.”
“Can I help?”
Lindsay sighed. “I sound selfish after what you’ve just gone through. Dave’s tried. So did Carla. But my problems go far deeper than any of you could reach.”
“Have you tried God?”
“I’m sorry. The God thing isn’t for me.”
Meghan tossed around what she could say at this point. Shelley had resented mentions of faith too. “I’ve been praying for you.”
“Now it’s my turn to thank you. What’s . . . what’s going to change now that the media have found us?”
“I have no idea.”
“Do you know anything more about my dad’s meeting at Camp David with Uncle Scottard?”
“I’m blank there, too.”
“I heard the Middle East Peace Summit may be postponed until January. But I never believe what I hear on the news.”
Smart girl. “Once I learn something, I’ll let you know.”
“I missed you.” Lindsay resumed the movie. Her face looked like a mask of emotional battle scars. And her response to the president and VP’s disagreement was natural. Perhaps Lindsay simply needed more time to fight the dark cloud of depression. She’d been clean for over five weeks, and they’d all be at the Dancin’ Dust for at least five more. Lots of hours for Lindsay to work through the problems tormenting her life.
If only Shelley had stayed at the rehab . . .
Today had been difficult. Memories of Shelley and all the efforts made to help her shake the drugs had stalked Meghan all the way back from Abilene. Seeing Lindsay struggle for coping skills with similar issues was tough. Then Ash’s request.
Her cell phone rang. No ID registered. Probably a wrong number, but she answered it anyway.
“Shelley’s death was no accident,” a man’s muffled voice said.
Meghan sensed the blood draining from her face. “What do you mean?”
“Lindsay is poison to all of you.”
The call disconnected.
Still sitting on the back porch, Ash analyzed every word he’d spoken to Meghan, regretting Victor’s interruption before he could get an answer. His cell rang, and he noted it was Warrington.
“We don’t know who tipped off the media about your protectee’s location, but we think it was simply by deduction.”
“I figured that. Only a matter of time.”
“Any problems?”
“Not any more than expected. The agents have the situation in hand.”
“The president doesn’t want to move her. He still feels the ranch is the safest place to keep her from the drug dealers.”
“And what about Carlos Vargas?”
“Nothing at this point. His boss is our concern.”
“Unless he is the boss.”
“Doubt it. Not smart enough.”
Why couldn’t Warrington tell him what was really going on? “I understand this is all about power and how much damage the drug cartel can do to the president. But what else can you tell me?”
“Not yet, Ash. Another item on my list is the vice president has requested Victor and Bob for his protective team. However, the president wants them to remain on their current assignment until Lindsay’s stalkers are found and she’s healthy enough to return to DC.
“One more thing: per instructions of the president, Chip Leonard will be escorted to the Dancin’ Dust in the morning. He’s clean, and I’m sending you the report. The VP needs him running the ranch. Luke Skinner will continue on a part-time basis, Monday through Friday, 0800 to 1500, driving in and out as before.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Just do your job.”
He replaced his phone as Meghan stepped onto the porch. Her pale face instantly alarmed him. “What’s wrong?”
“Just got a call. A muffled voice told me Shelley’s death was no accident. Said Lindsay was poison to all of us.” She leaned against the door. “He hung up before I could ask any questions.”
A hoax? Ash couldn’t discard it. “I’ll get somebody on it right away.”
“Really? I think the problem’s right here. Who else knew about Shelley?”
Chapter 46
Friday morning, Lindsay watched Chip train a colt to lead in the corral. With the colt against the fence, he snapped a rope onto the left strap of the halter and urged the animal to walk alongside him. Now and then she heard Chip softly praise the animal. A lot of parents could do well by watching him.
Meghan stood beside her, offering little conversation. Lindsay appreciated the way the agent seemed to sense when she was deep into her own thoughts and
didn’t try to invade her privacy.
Lindsay waved at Chip. “Good morning.”
He ignored her. This was his third day back on the Dancin’ Dust, and they’d yet to talk. He was angry, and she supposed he had every right to avoid her. He’d been accused of being an accomplice to murder, and his father had died of a heart attack. Given the same circumstances, she’d be high and staying high.
Ever since Burnette had told her about the drugs in his tack box and the key to the liquor cabinet, she’d been determined to stay away from the stables. Despite the terror of what was happening around her, she valued being clean. She refused to sink to the drug-addicted level like before. But what choice did she have?
She studied Chip. Did he know what lay inside the tack box? If he worked for Burnette, wouldn’t he be quick to befriend her?
Other than the depression and restlessness of coming down from the drugs, she was stronger, felt more alive. Her body no longer ached, and the horrendous headaches had eased. Maybe Dave’s methods weren’t so radical after all. The incredulous amount of supplements were working, and she’d begun to enjoy her twice-a-day smoothies. While it all lasted.
Wrestling with reality had its drawbacks. If she dwelled on it for very long, the blackness grew in its severity. She wondered about her father and Burnette at Camp David. What did Burnette really want? Had he been the one to tip off the media? So many questions and no answers.
Perhaps she understood just enough to keep her frightened. Lindsay slowly walked to the house and Meghan joined her. Pepper had her raspberry smoothie ready on the kitchen counter. Taking a long drink, she wished life’s problems could be solved as easily as taking vitamins. The nation needed to be detoxed.
She set her glass on the counter and rubbed the chill bumps on her arms. The A/C in the house had been turned down to accommodate the hot-blooded male agents. But if she were honest, the ice cubes bumping into her veins had more to do with Burnette than the temperature setting inside the house.
Two and a half years ago, she realized he’d fed her full of lies and deception. And when she threatened to tell her father, he countered with a threat to kill her parents and Kelli. For a while she tried to figure out why. When nothing solid surfaced, she realized the only way to protect her family was to follow orders.
Here on the Dancin’ Dust, with her hours free of friends who used her and all the wasted time spent in activities that only hurt herself and others, the thought of freeing herself from Burnette and possibly saving others emerged again. Ironic, considering where she was held prisoner. If only she could trust someone enough to tell them the truth. Maybe someone smarter who could figure out how to stop him.
Tears brimmed her eyes, and she took another gulp of her smoothie to counter the overwhelming helplessness. With the lucidity that walked beside her each day, she wanted to believe she could make a difference. Were her aspirations a fairy tale?
The relationship between her and her parents could never be mended, but she had to try to keep them alive. And sweet Kelli had so much to offer the world.
Meghan had revealed much about her life before becoming a Secret Service agent. Teenage rebellion headed the list. But she’d survived. Then her sister died of an overdose. Like Lindsay’s family, Meghan professed to be a Christian. Although Lindsay had no use for a God who allowed monsters like Scottard Burnette to roam, she held no ill thoughts for those who chose to believe.
She watched Meghan, who reached inside the fridge for a bottle of water. Maybe the agent could be trusted. She’d never appeared like a woman who could be bought.
“Has my father called lately?”
Meghan smiled. “Every morning before he’s briefed for the day.”
How long would the man who held the most important job in the country stay alive? Could she do anything to stop the downward spiral?
Chapter 47
Lindsay glanced at the clock: 2:35. Wide awake, she walked to the window. Outside, armed agents protected her. Inside, agents would give their lives for her, not because they valued or respected her, but because they were committed to their role. How meaningless when they didn’t know who stalked the Dancin’ Dust. Who gave the orders. Who controlled so many people.
Today, while viewing Chip at the corral and deliberating why he avoided her, she saw he had the courage to stand in the middle of a horrible situation. Pushing aside the thought of his possibly working for the demon, she thought about Chip Leonard as a person. His father was gone. His reputation was marred. And yet he chose to return to the Dancin’ Dust and face those who, in her opinion, had destroyed his life. That took guts. Something she longed to have. She attempted it once and lost. So she curled up into a ball and became a pitiful drug addict who bowed to the one who’d started it all.
Granted, the reasons for the broken ties with her parents seemed irreparable, and her actions had embarrassed Kelli. But she didn’t want any of them hurt or worse. So did she fight and hope they stayed safe? She sensed he’d kill them no matter what she promised to do. Perhaps that’s what being off drugs for six weeks did to a person. But she’d been in this position before and cowered.
What she needed was proof that she could take to Meghan. Yes, Meghan. She feared Ash might be a part of the scheme. After all, he’d been a part of her life for over four years. If only she could get on a computer and check out a few things. But that was a useless thought.
She had to try before time ran out. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door. Victor sat on a chair outside her door. His attention flashed to her.
“Victor, I need to talk to Meghan. It’s important.” She willed her heart to slow down.
He nodded slowly and reached inside his pocket for his cell phone.
“Please, would you just get her? I don’t want anyone to know. It’s private, a woman thing.”
He glanced toward Meghan’s bedroom door.
“She’s just down the hall,” Lindsay said. “Have her come to my room.”
“Are you sick?” Victor peered at her. “You look pale.”
“I’m okay.” She took another breath. “I’m so sorry about Wade. I wish I’d taken the time to tell him how much I appreciate him—all of you. And I’m sorry for the many times I’ve abused you.”
He offered a grim smile. “All of us are committed to our jobs, and that means protecting you. They’ll find whoever killed Wade and stop the drug dealer.”
Lindsay wanted to say more, but emotion stopped her. In the past, she’d treated those who would give their lives for her with contempt—cursing, physical abuse. Shame filled her. The drugs and alcohol had masked the guilt, and she often longed for the escape again. Maybe Burnette was right. She was stupid, and her parents had never wanted her. Lindsay stiffened. Did she have the courage to do the right thing?
A few minutes later, a knock at the door told her Meghan had arrived. She invited the agent into her room and willed herself to tell the story, part of it anyway.
“Victor said you wanted to talk.” Without makeup, Meghan looked Lindsay’s age.
Lindsay nodded. “I’d like to go outside, if you don’t mind. Away from the house and anyone who might hear what I have to say.”
“Let’s go.”
Once the two had walked onto the back porch, Lindsay breathed a little easier. The house or even the pool area could be bugged. “Let’s walk to the corral, where we can talk privately.”
Once there, she anchored her hands on the gate, thinking again about Chip’s stubborn stand. The difference being he might not have anything to hide. Whereas she did.
“I need to tell you a few things about what’s going on—the threats made on my life and probably Wade’s death. Meghan, I have to be able to trust you.”
“You know you can. I’ve wanted to help you from the beginning.”
“Which is why I’m talking to you now. This involves more than a vengeful drug dealer.” She shrugged. “I wish all of this was that simple.”
“I’m listenin
g. Do we need to have Ash here?”
Lindsay sensed panic taking momentum. “I’m afraid of him. He could be one of them.”
Meghan didn’t offer opposition. “I’m sure this is hard.”
She nodded and glanced about to ensure they were alone. “You were given my history at the start of this assignment—about getting kicked out of boarding school four years ago.”
“Yes, I remember reading that.”
“I was a kid who looked for ways to get attention from my parents. So I smoked pot and deliberately got caught. I wasn’t addicted to anything then.” She couldn’t look at Meghan, not when her past actions had nearly destroyed her father’s aspirations. “One of my father’s friends came to see me under the pretense of helping me clean up my act for the good of Dad’s political career. Instead he faked sympathy, reinforcing what I believed about my parents and confirming my fears that they didn’t care about me. He told me I was a nuisance, an embarrassment.” Lindsay stopped. Dare she continue?
“I’m listening, Lindsay. I’m not going to judge you by anything you tell me.”
Lindsay tried to ignore a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. “I was miserable, and he gave me pills to help me cope. He said they would help me feel better. He said he loved me even if my parents didn’t. I swallowed every word.”
Meghan stiffened. “Are you telling me one of your father’s friends got you hooked on drugs?”
“Yes.”
“Who is it? The president needs to know.”
“It’s much more complicated. Since being here, I’ve tried to figure out a way to stop him, but each time I think I can go to my dad, a tragedy occurs. Like the bombing. And Wade.”
“Lindsay, help me understand.”
“The man is a liar and a killer. He’ll stop at nothing to accomplish his agenda.” She shrugged. “I don’t even know what he really wants.”
“Who would do this to you and your father?”
Lindsay couldn’t breathe his name yet. There were agents patrolling the area, and one of them might be reporting to Burnette. Rick strolled beyond the pool, but he could have a listening device. “I’m not sure of the whys, but right from the beginning he set out to discredit Dad’s name. That’s where I came in. In exchange for drugs, I did what he told me. I no longer cared about myself or what I was doing. All I could think about was how much I hated my parents for what they’d done to me, and how much I wanted them to suffer. The drugs and alcohol allowed me an escape.”
