All or Nothing: A Trust No One Novel

by Dixie Lee Brown

  With considerable clumsiness, she finally got them locked. Two seconds later he was free. “You’re so fast.” She stared at him, amazed.

  “You will be, too, before we’re done.” He gave her the cuffs again and stuck out his wrists. Cara locked them quickly, the crisp snapping sounds loud in the quiet bungalow. Walker handed her the pick. “Aim the point toward the ratchets in the cuff and twist it around a bit. You’ll feel it when you hit the right spot.” As he said it, the first cuff dropped free. She smiled and went to work on the other one. It took a little longer, but soon the handcuffs lay where they’d fallen on the floor. He allowed her to cuff him and pick the locks until she sat back and threw him a satisfied smile.

  “Okay.” He held the cold metal cuff out to her. “Put one on your wrist.”

  Her breathing faltered as she shook her head and shoved his hand away.

  “I’m not going to make you do anything you’re not willing to do, but you’ve got serious issues with this hunk of steel. The only way you can change that is to face it head-on. You can do this. You know you can. If you panic, I’ll get it off. Okay?”

  “I promised myself. Never again.”

  “What you really promised yourself was that you’d never be that powerless again. Right? Learn this and you can keep that promise. These are just tools. They can’t hurt you. They can’t even hold you.” He held the cuffs out to her again.

  Knowing he was right didn’t make it any easier. Finally, after several false starts, she locked the cuff around her wrist. Her shaking fingers slowed her down, but within a minute she’d picked the lock and was free. Walker told her to put it on again, and again, and again, until she could free herself in two seconds flat. She should have known that wouldn’t be good enough.

  “Both wrists.” He held the handcuffs out to her again.

  This time she grabbed them and locked them around her wrists. She opened them once, then put them on again and kept picking the locks until she felt confident she could get out of them under any circumstances.

  When she finally glanced up, a grin of triumph lifted the corners of his mouth.

  “You can do the same thing with a bobby pin or anything else you can bend and fit in the keyhole. They can’t hold you.”

  “Thank you.” Cara returned his smile, though tears stung her eyes.

  “Forget it. That kind of makes up for the whole dynamite thing this morning. Maybe you won’t think to mention that to Joe.”

  “Deal.”

  “Let’s get back to work. I’m supposed to teach you knife fighting today. You’ll ace it after this.” He tossed the handcuffs into his bag, stood, and offered her a hand.

  Cara got to her feet. “Why do you have those?”

  He threw his arm over her shoulders. “I’m pretty sure it’s not the same reason your creepy ex-husband keeps them around.” As they came out of the bedroom, they both saw Joe at the same time. He stood silently, just inside the open front door.

  “I didn’t hear anyone knock, did you?” Walker’s tone held a good-natured ribbing.

  “He doesn’t really understand that concept.” She stared at Joe and her face warmed. She knew how this looked and could imagine what he was thinking. It angered her she felt guilty when she had no reason. Even if something was going on between her and Walker, it was none of Joe’s business. He had no claim on her.

  “Rayna said she hadn’t seen you for a while. I got worried.” Joe’s eyes searched her face and lingered on her bandaged forehead.

  “Uh-oh. Busted. I’ll give you two a minute.” Walker slid his arm off her shoulders and continued across the room.

  “Wait for me outside, Walker. I need a word with you.” Joe’s gaze still followed Cara.

  An awkward silence filled the bungalow, but the question in his eyes spoke volumes. He obviously had a problem with what he thought he’d seen, but it gave her an idea. She could use this to drive a wedge between them. If he despised her, surely he wouldn’t do something as foolhardy as trying to take on David. It was the best thing for him, so why couldn’t she look him in the eye?

  “I was worried when you didn’t answer your phone.” He stepped toward her.

  “I didn’t realize you had to know where I was every minute.” Her voice wavered slightly. The phone had vibrated twice while she and Walker were in his bedroom, but she’d ignored it.

  “It’s my job to make sure you’re safe. I have to keep track of you to do that.”

  She stared out the door at Walker, thirty feet away, standing with his back to the bungalow. The words that would anger Joe were on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t make herself say them. If he believed there was something between her and Walker, it would destroy their friendship. She wouldn’t lie to him… but she didn’t have to correct him if he came to that conclusion on his own.

  She skirted around him toward the door.

  Joe caught her arm. “Cara…”

  She looked down at his hand. “Now who has trust issues?”

  His grip tightened for a moment before he let her go, and Cara strode from the bungalow. Walker stared at her, his eyebrows raised, but she kept going without comment. Joe was close behind her until he reached Walker’s side.

  “What happened to her head?” Joe asked.

  “That little bump? She fell. It’s nothing. What the hell did you say to piss her off so bad?”

  Cara didn’t hear Joe’s reply, but she felt relieved. Walker would tell him, in no uncertain terms, there was nothing between them… that he’d spent the last two hours teaching her the art of picking locks. Still, she felt guilty and it didn’t help when Walker caught up to her, a frown knitting his brow. They entered the gym in silence.

  He was in full instruction mode as soon as they hit the mat. “The majority of women, who try to defend themselves with a knife, have it taken away and used on them by their attacker. So, never choose a knife if a gun is available. We’re going to concentrate on defensive maneuvers first and then we’ll work on throwing, until you can hit a target as well with a knife as you can with your 9mm.”

  An hour later he called a halt to their session, frustration written on his forehead. “Your head’s not in the game. This isn’t something you can sort-of learn.”

  “I’m trying.” As dissatisfied with her performance as he was, her words were practically a groan.

  “I need all of your attention.”

  “I know.” She glared back at him, in no mood to be bullied.

  He grabbed a towel from the sidelines and handed it to her. “Let’s try again tomorrow.” His voice was calmer. “What the hell’s going on with you and Joe?” He studied her as she wiped her face. Something in his tone said he knew what she was trying to do.

  “There is no Joe and me.” Cara handed him the towel before she walked away.

  At the edge of the mat her cell phone vibrated, startling her. She pulled it from her pocket, sure it must be Joe since he was the only one who had her number. If he thought she would pick up for him, he was mistaken.

  It wasn’t Joe. The caller ID listed a number she’d never seen before.

  Walker came up behind her as she stared at the phone, deciding whether or not to answer. When she glanced at him, he shook his head. He apparently didn’t recognize the number either. David had connections that could easily supply her cell number, and he would most certainly consider it a personal challenge to prove she couldn’t hide from him. It had to be him. Who else could it be? Walker must have come to the same conclusion. He held out his hand for the phone.

  “This is my problem.” Cara answered the call before Walker could grab for the phone.

  He swore as she turned and walked away.

  “Cara?” The voice was familiar, low, and friendly, full of humor. Definitely not David.

  “Who is this?”

  “The name’s Sam. You probably don’t remember me, but we met at the fair in Bozeman yesterday.”

  “Right. I remember you, Sam. How’d you
get this number?”

  “I was in the electronics shop when someone came in to pick up a phone for Cara. I figured there couldn’t be too many people named Cara in our little town so I took a chance. I realize that sounds kind of creepy, and I’ll understand if you don’t want to hear from me again.”

  “Why are you calling?”

  “I had to apologize after I realized how badly I must have scared you. I can’t believe I did that. You probably think I’m a stalker, or worse.”

  “Well, now that you mention it…”

  His laugh held sadness. “I’m sorry. It’s just that you remind me so much of my Emily. She and my daughter were killed in a car accident a year ago. I don’t know a lot of people here, so it’s been kind of lonely. When I saw you at the fair, I just had to talk to you. I guess I got a little carried away. I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot. I won’t bother you again.”

  “I know how that feels,” she said before he could hang up. Her heart ached at the sadness in his voice.

  “How what feels?”

  “Being alone in the world. I’m sorry about your wife and daughter. How long were you married?”

  “Sixteen years, and I miss her every day.”

  “Of course you do, Sam, but it will get easier.”

  Sam was silent for a moment and, when he spoke, his mood had lightened. “Where are you from, Cara?”

  “Oregon.” The word slipped out before she could stop it. Damn! That was stupid. Sam went on as though she hadn’t just screwed up.

  “When I came here from Florida, no one told me it was going to be so darn cold.”

  She laughed, his straightforward manner putting her at ease. “It’s hardly cold yet. How long do you plan to stay? Winter is coming, you know.”

  “I’m aware. I’ve got a project I’m working on right now. When that’s finished, I’ll probably head back to Florida, for the winter at least. Ever had a desire to see the Everglades?”

  That sounded more like an invitation than a question, but she pretended she didn’t get it. “Alligators, snakes, and poisonous bugs? I’ll take my chances with the cold winters.”

  “You’ve got a point there.” He laughed. “There’s always a trade-off, isn’t there?”

  “I have to go, Sam.”

  Rayna hurried toward her from across the compound.

  “Listen, you’ve got my number now. If you get lonely, give me a call. I’d love to hear from you.”

  “Bye.” She cut the call short just as Rayna reached her.

  “Who was that?” Rayna asked. “I thought you were trying to fly under the radar.”

  “I’ve got a few friends I need to keep in touch with. Joe wouldn’t have given me the phone if he didn’t expect me to use it.”

  “I think Joe would want to know who you’re calling.”

  “This doesn’t concern him. Does he really have to know?”

  Rayna studied Cara with a hard glint in her eyes. Then her expression softened and she smiled. “No, I guess not.”

  She and Rayna ate a late lunch before going back to the gym, to the mat with the heavy black bag hanging from the ceiling. They each pulled on a pair of padded gloves.

  “Tell me again what kickboxing is supposed to do for me?”

  “Strength, endurance, balance, coordination, flexibility, not to mention a full body workout,” Rayna said. “You’ll be sore after this.”

  Cara groaned. That first night was still fresh in her memory. Did she have any of Joe’s ointment left?

  Rayna demonstrated a series of quick kicks and punches. Then she let Cara practice the moves, while making notes. “Pivot your body toward the target. Bend your knees. Hit the target with the outside of your foot.”

  So many things to remember. If Walker thought she lacked concentration this morning, he’d have a coronary if he saw this. Luckily, Rayna didn’t have the same urgency he did, or maybe she’d never seen what could happen in a life-threatening situation without proper training. Rayna knew kickboxing and was doing the best she could to teach her, but suddenly Cara had a whole new appreciation for Walker.

  By the time their session was over, Cara’s breathing came hard and sweat soaked through the front of her T-shirt.

  “Tomorrow, same time,” Rayna said.

  With no breath to agree, Cara simply waved as she headed for the house to get cleaned up. Afterward, she’d find Walker and apologize for not taking today’s training session seriously.

  Tyler caught her just before she got to the house. “Ready for the high ropes?” His eyes crinkled with amusement.

  “I haven’t seen Joe. I didn’t know if he would still want to…”

  “Joe’s gone. He got a call from Murphy and flew to Portland. I thought you knew.”

  Emptiness washed over Cara in an instant and she frowned. Surely her life hadn’t become so intertwined with his she’d forgotten how to get by when he wasn’t around.

  “He’ll be back tomorrow. In the meantime, he asked me to take you up, if that’s all right with you.”

  “Sure.” What did it matter who took her up?

  The course got easier each time. If Joe was here, he’d think of some way to make it harder. Maybe he’d even have her do it without a harness, the way some of his students did.

  Walker showed up and manned the belay rope, helping them off the zip line afterward. Cara got her chance to apologize. He barely grunted in response and left without another word as soon as they were finished.

  Apparently, Walker was still mad at her. No doubt Joe was too. Rayna obviously didn’t understand why Cara was keeping secrets from Joe. It was only day six and already she’d alienated everyone who was trying to help her.

  She showered, changed, and went downstairs for dinner. The dining hall was well lit, with jovial banter and laughter spilling out into the foyer. The men usually enjoyed this time after a hard day and, suddenly, she couldn’t bring herself to go in. Disgusted with herself, the thought of exchanging snappy repartee with a roomful of carefree soldiers was more than she could stand. She went outside to get Dillon and returned to her room instead.

  Lying awake on her bed in the dark, she thought about Joe. A twinge of remorse jabbed her for allowing him to believe there was something between her and Walker. But, damn it, why was he so willing to believe the worst? He was so big on trust. Perhaps it was only a one-way street with him. On the other hand, if she hadn’t refused to explain, maybe it would have been different. Cara hated to admit, even to herself, she missed him. If he were here, she could explain. Would it make any difference now?

  Again, she was startled by the vibration of her cell phone. This time the caller ID flashed Joe’s name. “Hi. Where are you?”

  “Who was the call from, Cara?”

  She hesitated, surprised he knew about the call and angered by the suspicion in his voice. “There’s an awful lot of interest in my private life today.” Someone had sold her out… again. Obviously, loyalty ran deep with Joe’s strays.

  “This is all about your private life. It’s about keeping you alive so you can have one. I ran the number. It’s untraceable.”

  Walker. He was the only one who saw the number. “That could just mean he doesn’t like contracts and prefers a preloaded phone.”

  “Or it could mean he doesn’t want anyone to know how many times he checks in with Dennelli while he waits for an opportunity to grab you.”

  The angry words died on her tongue. Practically from the moment she met Sam, she’d thought stalker. After he told her about the death of his wife and daughter, she’d thought lonely old man, but not once had she considered Sam might work for David. A shiver ran down her spine, and she wished Joe was here even more.

  “I need a name.”

  “His name is Sam. I don’t know his last name. He said he was an artist from Florida.”

  “How did he get to you?”

  “We met standing in line at the fair.”

  “Son of a…” A crash on the other end ob
literated his expletive. “Description?”

  “Five ten or five eleven, two hundred pounds, mid-forties, blond hair, blue eyes.”

  “Anything else?”

  “He tried to pull me out of the line. He said he wanted me to meet his niece. It scared me, so I broke his hold. I think he might have seen you coming, and he disappeared pretty fast.” Of course, Joe would blame himself for taking her there.

  “Why in the hell didn’t you tell me?”

  “We were having such a nice time, and I honestly never once thought… I’m sorry.”

  “Did you give him your number?”

  “No. He said he overheard someone picking it up in the electronics shop. I really think he’s harmless. He’s just a lonely man who recently lost his wife and daughter in an accident.”

  Joe took a deep breath and when he spoke, his voice was calmer. “He may very well be, but wouldn’t you rather know for sure?”

  “I’m sorry, Joe.”

  “You’ve got his number. Are you going to call him back?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it.”

  “If you do, try to get more information. His name, where he lives, any friends. Don’t let him know you suspect anything is wrong. Like I said… maybe there isn’t.”

  “Joe, I’d like to explain about this morning.”

  “I talked to Walker. He explained.”

  If he knew what happened, why was his voice still so cold?

  “Is Dillon in your room?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Get some sleep.” He hung up before she could say anything more.

  Stunned, Cara stared at the phone. Her heart ached and it hurt to breathe, and all she could do was shake her head. She’d accomplished what she was after—driving a wedge between them. She should be happy. Now, all she had to do was learn to live with the loneliness that washed over her.

  Right now, however, she was going to see if she could trap a rat. She took her cell phone, scrolled to Sam’s number, and dialed. He answered on the first ring.

  “Hi, Sam. I couldn’t sleep. Is it all right that I called you?”