Killer Reads: A Collection of the Best in Inspirational Suspense

by Luana Ehrlich

  Sara clutched her gown closer to her body, and muttered, “Just my luck to draw Robocop.”

  The delay cost Sara thirty precious minutes. At seven o’clock, Matthew Foley shoved through the door, fire in his eyes, hair disheveled as though he’d combed it with his fingers. His clothes lacked their usual pristine appearance as though he’d grabbed them off the floor.

  His voice raised a notch higher than usual. “Sara, what’s your all fired hurry? You need the doctor’s permission before you sail out of here.”

  “I’m sorry, Matt. I didn’t mean to get you out of bed. I feel fine. A release is a formality. And it could take hours. I don’t have time to wait for that. Today is the first meeting with the new management at Global. I can’t miss this meeting. It’s bad enough that my division was bombed without being a no-show at their first meeting. I must get home and dress. Please help me. Please.”

  Matt ran his fingers through his hair and locked gazes with Gaye. “Okay, I’ll drive you home. But I’m going to Global with you.”

  Sara headed towards the door. “Okay, but―”

  Matt removed his coat and helped her into it. “Don’t argue with me on this. It isn’t open for discussion. I’ll wait in your office until the meeting is over.”

  She expelled a deep breath. “Deal.”

  ****

  Matt dropped Sara off at Global’s entrance and she dashed straight to the conference room. Most of the staff stood in the hallway in small anxious clusters. Emily Dean disengaged herself from one of the groups when Sara entered. “Sara, I’ve been trying to reach you all morning. Roger postponed the meeting until ten o’clock. He wants to see you in his office. I’ll take you to him.”

  Roger never started a meeting late or rescheduled one. He hated indecision. However, this wasn’t his party. The new management must have thrown him off his game.

  Butterflies did a dance in her stomach as she followed Emily to Roger’s office. Still a little shaky from her ordeal, she braced for another meeting with the man.

  Passing a mirror in the hallway, Sara glanced at her reflection. Thankfully, her head wound hadn’t required stitches, but it had been tender as she’d shampooed her hair earlier. At least, she wouldn’t have to explain bandages or a bald spot to anyone. She had selected her red power suit from the closet. She needed all the help she could get today.

  Emily tapped on the door of Roger’s office then held it open. “Sara’s here, Roger.”

  The door closed behind Emily with a soft click.

  CHAPTER 30

  Global Optics

  Not once since Roger Reynolds removed her from her position had Sara considered another private meeting with him. Yet here she was, standing before a visibly shaken man. The second person in the room to capture her attention was…Adam Elliot. She did a double take. What was he doing behind Roger’s desk?

  “You’re not going to faint, are you?” Adam asked.

  Sara wasn’t sure, but she shook her head.

  Adam shifted his attention to Roger. “You can leave us now. I’ll see you at the meeting.”

  Roger gave a curt nod and left.

  Adam cast a concerned look at her. He walked around the desk and motioned for her to take a seat on the sofa. “I didn’t expect to see you here today, but I’m glad you made it. Lindsey and I were very concerned about you when we heard you were missing. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  Sara made her voice as reassuring as possible. “I’m fine, Adam. It was a scary experience, but thanks to our excellent police force, I survived.”

  “When we have time, I want to hear all about it,” Adam said. “It’s going to be a very busy morning. I guess you’d like an explanation.”

  Barely able to draw a full breath, Sara met his direct gaze. “Yes, very much. You’re the last person I expected to see today.”

  “I’m sorry to have kept you in the dark. It couldn’t be helped. My company purchased Global, and for reasons too numerous to go into, I wanted to keep a low profile.”

  Sara shook her head. “Wow, so your firm is Millennium Ventures.” She blinked. “Then why are you letting me go?”

  “I’m not. I want to offer you a promotion. It’s a new position. How would you feel about taking the helm as Global Optics’ first president? I’ll step into Rogers’s shoes as CEO.”

  A thrill worked its way through Sara’s chest. It took heroic effort to keep her mouth from forming a big silly grin. “Why me? I’m not looking for compliments, but I never expected this.”

  He leaned back against the sofa. “It’s simple, really. You impressed me when we worked together. You literally ran the division while I went off to get my masters degree. I need someone loyal who’s up to the job. That’s you.”

  She sat forward on the couch. She couldn’t take this job, at least not without an explanation. “Adam, there have been some changes in my life this week. I’m in the process of adopting two children. They’ll make additional demands on my time. Travel would be more difficult.”

  Adam’s smile lit the room. “I know about Poppy and Danny. I’m a family man, Sara. My wife and kids come first. I don’t want to talk you into something you don’t want, but I don’t think we have a problem. With teleconference capabilities, you can keep travel to a minimum, if at all.” He grinned. “It saves the firm a lot of money in air fare and hotel bills. So, what do you think? I’m ready to make the announcement if you want the job. I’ll postpone the news if you need more time to consider the offer.”

  She let what he said sink in for a moment, focusing on the unbelievable opportunity. She’d worked towards this goal most of her professional career. Before Poppy and Danny entered her life.

  The flash of doubt evaporated as fast as it appeared. “Yes. I want the job. If my career interferes with my private life, I’ll let you know in plenty of time to find someone to replace me. Thanks, for believing in me.”

  He slapped his hands down on his knees, stood, and shook her hand. “That’s all I ask.” He walked across the room and held the door open. “Shall we join the others and get this meeting underway?”

  Sara entered the conference room with Adam, Roger, and two partners from Millennium Ventures. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Charles Edwards. He drummed his manicured fingers on the mahogany table.

  Shock waves of nervous energy flowed around the room filled with management, afraid for their jobs. They’d probably thought of little else the past two weeks. The job offer she’d received confirmed the fact Adam wanted people around him he could trust.

  The positive thing the staff didn’t yet know was that Adam already knew the strengths of almost everyone in the room. An old adage she’d learned in college came to mind. “Make as many friends as possible, because tomorrow your coworker may be your boss.”

  A hush settled over the room. Most everyone in the meeting knew Adam Elliot. What they didn’t yet know was the purpose for his presence here.

  Adam stood at the front of the table. Sara took a seat along the wall.

  He introduced the two partners. “I apologize for starting the meeting late, but there were a few details we needed to work out. As you know by now, my firm finalized the Global purchase two weeks ago. Most of you know me, and I’m aware of the great talent assembled in this room. I can promise you some excitement in the days ahead.”

  He waited a five count, holding everyone’s attention, then continued. “Roger is being transferred to our pharmaceutical division on the east coast. We need someone of his quality to head up that division.”

  Sara glanced at Roger. He wore a strained smile, his eyes fixed on Adam.

  “I will assume the position of CEO. Sara Bradford will become president, a new position in the firm.”

  Every head in the room swung in her direction

  “There may be a few other personnel changes,” Adam said, “but none of you need to fear for your jobs. We’re a large corporation. We need good people. I run a trim ship. I believe in operating l
ean and mean. Fewer people, higher salaries. I don’t plan to lay off anyone. We will let attrition take its course. As associates leave the company, we won’t replace them until we have the personnel level we need. In the interim, if a department needs people, we will try to transfer from other departments that have more people than they need.

  “I’ll be happy to discuss your concerns. See Emily for an appointment. Just keep doing the great job, you’ve been doing.”

  With that, Adam closed the meeting. He shook hands with everyone before he left for the plant tour.

  Still dazed, Sara made her way through the crowd, amid congratulations, and headed to her office. She’d just been handed the job of a lifetime.

  Adam said he’d tried to contact her for the lunch they’d planned, but couldn’t reach her at the office or at home. No wonder. She’d been too busy dodging a killer. For now, she wanted to enjoy the glow of the promotion.

  The turmoil of the past weeks vanished until she found Matt Foley sitting at her desk.

  Jane followed her into the office. “So, what happened? Do we move up or move out?” She cast a wide smile at Sara. “I always wanted to work on mahogany row.”

  Sara plopped into the chair in front of her desk, unable to contain the smile that spread across her face. “We move up. Definitely move up. I still can’t believe it. I only found out an hour ago. However, we can’t move until Adam tells us which office will be ours.”

  “I’ll start packing,” Jane said as she walked out with an exaggerated twist of her hips.

  Matt lifted one eyebrow. “Who’s moving where?”

  “I was given a promotion.” She suppressed a squeal. “To president of Global Optics.”

  Matt laughed. “Congratulations. It appears a bombed division didn’t hurt you, although that’s an unusual career strategy. Are you ready to go home?”

  Sara looked across the desk at him. In the blush of success, she had forgotten her promise to leave after the meeting. A pledge made when she’d thought she no longer had a job. “Matt. I can’t leave. I must talk to Nancy before the grapevine tells her about the change. She’ll be concerned, and she deserves to hear it from me. Give me a few hours to take care of things here. Then I’ll be ready. I want to get home in time to pick up the children from school.”

  “Pick them up in what? We have your car at the station. Besides, I’m not letting you drive anywhere alone. You are still in real danger, Sara. Don’t forget that.”

  He stood and shoved the chair under the desk. “I’ll go home to shower and get breakfast. Call me when you’re ready.”

  “Thanks for everything. I mean that, sincerely. I promise to call when things are wrapped up here.”

  He gave a curt nod. “Do that. I’m tired of saving your hide.”

  Could he really be mad at her? She owed her life to him—not once, but twice—and she had acknowledged that more than once. Perhaps it was only temporary frustration. He’d get over it. She should have paid more attention to her mother’s admonition. Never press a man when he’s hungry. Something to do with low blood sugar.

  Sara found Nancy and brought her up to date. Afterwards, she walked through the warehouse, surprised at how well things were running. It looked as though the explosion never happened. No visible after-effects. A new high-rise lift had replaced the one they’d lost.

  The blinds were open when Sara returned to her office. She took a seat at the desk and turned the chair to face the bank of windows. Bright sunlight filtered through the pane, hopefully warming the cool morning air.

  Sara rested her head against the chair’s soft leather back. Now that the thrill of the new promotion had passed, doubts plagued her about the responsibilities of being Global’s first president, not to mention the first woman president.

  She would not, could not, let this distract from her commitment to Danny and Poppy. Both were still hurting from their loss and they were much in need of her attention.

  The threat of personal harm still hung over her. The danger wasn’t imaginary or exaggerated. As much as she’d tried to bury the fear, it was a physical presence that followed her.

  A light tap at the door made her swivel around. Charles Edwards stood in the entryway. “Hello, Sara. I wanted to tell you how pleased I am about your promotion. It couldn’t happen to anyone who deserved it more.”

  “That’s kind of you, Charles.”

  He leaned against the doorframe. “Need a lift home? I saw Chief Foley drop you off earlier, and his car isn’t in the parking lot.”

  “He’s coming back for me, but thank you.”

  Charles gave her a mock salute and turned to leave. “Don’t mention it. I’m trying to make brownie points with my new boss.”

  She picked up the phone and called Matt.

  CHAPTER 31

  Sara Bradford’s Home

  Sara had had a full day and she and Matt made the trip in silence. He pulled under the portico behind her rental car and killed the engine. His hands rested lightly on the steering wheel and he turned to face her.

  She waited. Apparently, he had something on his mind.

  “I think I owe you an apology.”

  “Matt—”

  He held up his hand, then rested it back on the wheel. “I need to say this. I put you through a lot of emotional pain, accusing you of Josh’s murder, because of circumstantial evidence and statistics.”

  “That’s been resolved, Matt. I don’t hold a grudge.”

  “You need to understand why I acted the way I did. To understand how cops think. Perhaps, if Mary hadn’t been sick, and I’d had my head totally in the case, I wouldn’t have jumped to the wrong conclusion. But then again, I might have reacted the same way. Law enforcement deals with statistics. Most of the time they are reliable. More times than not, those averages are dead on. As you said, it’s over, but I wanted to say I’m sorry.”

  “Apology accepted. Thank you for bringing my car home, and for the chauffer service.”

  His gaze lingered on her for a moment, and a shadow of a smile crossed his face. “Don’t mention it. I do this all the time. It’s part of my job description.” He got out, came around the car, and opened her door. “Remember, don’t leave without and escort.”

  She entered the foyer, glad to be home and anxious to see the children. They’d been getting ready for school when she got home this morning and she’d had little time to spend with them.

  Before she took three steps, a squeal from the second floor landing shattered the quiet.

  “Sara, you’re home!” Danny straddled the banister, slid to the bottom, then bounded into her arms. Visions of him sliding down the rail and busting his head open, flashed through her mind. The stairs were something they needed to discuss. Soon.

  Sara gave him a hug. “Why are you home so early? I’d planned to pick you up at school.”

  He wiggled loose. “Teachers’ half-day off. We got a nice policeman who’s gonna live with us.”

  Processing this new revelation, Sara’s gaze landed on two black leather suitcases at the bottom of the stairs. “Oh, we do, do we? And who is this nice policeman?”

  “That would be me.” Don Tompkins, still in his Global uniform, strode from the kitchen, Maddie followed behind him. Don reached out to tousle Danny’s hair.

  Sara cast a questioning gaze at her aunt.

  “You were in such a rush this morning, I didn’t get a chance to tell you. I hired Don as a bodyguard. At least until Matthew finds out who’s responsible for the attempts on your life.”

  “That arrangement okay with you, Sara?” Don asked. “We felt your situation demanded immediate protection.”

  Sara removed her coat and hung it in the foyer closet. “I don’t have a problem with it. In fact, I think it’s an excellent idea. Wish I’d thought of it. Where’s your car? I didn’t see it when I came in.” To Maddie she said, “Has Beatrice set up a room for him?”

  “Yes. He was just on his way upstairs to settle in. I told him to put h
is car in the garage.”

  “Great.” Sara turned to Don. “Then I’ll see you at dinner.”

  She took Danny’s hand. “Where’s Poppy?”

  “She’s makin’ dinner with Miss Beatrice in the kitchen,” Danny said. “I hope they hurry. I sure am hungry.”

  Maddie winked at Sara. “This kid is a bottomless pit. However, he’s a great hand in the garden. He’s been Pete’s shadow all afternoon.”

  Sara called to Don at the top of the stairs. “Dinner will be at six-thirty. Better be on time or Danny may not leave anything for you.”

  ****

  They gathered around the table at the bay window for dinner. The meal took on a festive atmosphere when Sara told them the news of her promotion.

  After dinner ended, Sara took the children upstairs for a bath, and got them ready for bed.

  Once the children were safely tucked in, she joined the other two adults in the library for coffee.

  “How are you holding up, Sara?” Don asked.

  “To be honest,” she confided, “I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. But I can’t stay in a cocoon or hide under the bed until Matt catches this guy. I can’t live that way. Your being here gives an extra measure of security at home. Be assured, I’ll be extremely cautious. I have no desire to meet this guy alone again.”

  Maddie shivered. “I can’t bear the thought that he’s still out there somewhere. Perhaps we should leave town for a while, take a cruise or something.”

  “That would only postpone the issue.” Sara shook her head. “Besides, I can’t leave work now, plus, the children have school. Don can take me to work. I won’t make myself an easy target again. We’ll be okay, Maddie. Truly we will.”

  She felt almost as confident as she sounded.

  Climbing the stairs to her room, she plumbed her memory back to the night Penny vanished. Something about the dark figure who loaded the sleeping bag into the van pinged at her subconscious. But the elusive shadow danced through her mind without revealing his identity.

  In her room Sara undressed, changing into pajamas and a warm robe. She pulled her laptop from the bedside table and opened it. The screen was dark.