Reluctant Witness

by Rachel Brimble

  “It wasn’t a man. It was a woman dressed to look like a man.”

  “A woman? Oh, my God, so all this time you’ve been looking for a man and it was a woman? You must want to thump me.”

  “Of course I don’t. You’ve always said you never had a clear look at the shooter. It was done as a decoy, Julia. None of this is your fault.”

  But his words didn’t matter, she felt entirely to blame.

  “It must’ve been someone that Derek knew, or at least an arranged trip, because the woman who gave the killer the keys to the boat that day said Derek was happy, relaxed. There was no sign at all that he felt under threat.”

  Julia closed her eyes and drew the picture of that day to her mind’s eye. The person with the gun was a woman. It made more sense now. The vanity, the struggle getting Derek’s body over the side of the boat. But still she couldn’t identify who it was. All she could see was the black clothes.

  She pressed her fingers to her closed lids. “I feel so useless.”

  He rubbed her shoulder. “Don’t. We’ll find him. But the most important thing right now is to get you out of here.”

  She looked into his eyes and nausea swept through her chest and into her mouth. “Marcus hasn’t finished with me, has he?”

  Daniel moved his hands and gripped her wrists. “No, but you’re going to stay with me until we find him. You can move into my house and then I’ll know you’re safe.”

  “You’re a detective, Daniel, not a police protection officer. I can’t let you waste your expertise babysitting me.”

  “Listen to me. He’s told me he wants you, and if he has his way he will have you by whatever means necessary.”

  “But how can I move in with you? What will your superiors say if they find out?”

  “It’s just one night, Julia. You’re leaving tomorrow, and to be perfectly honest, this trip is becoming a blessing in disguise. God knows I don’t want you to go but if it means putting miles of ocean between you and Lowell, so be it.”

  They left the club and jumped into Daniel’s car. He gunned the engine and headed back to Julia’s house. As they got out of the car and ran up the pathway, he put a hand to the base of her back.

  “Grab a few essentials and we’ll head back to my place. I can coordinate the team from there. The officers who have been working all day have gone home for some much needed sleep—the new team already know the main objective is to find Lowell. If it’s you he wants, he won’t have gone far.”

  She nodded and their gazes locked. He brushed a finger along her jaw before bending and pressing a soft kiss to her lips. “It’s going to be all right, I promise.”

  Julia turned and put the key to the lock, but the door swung open on its own. She turned wide eyes to Daniel. He put a finger to his lips and drew his gun from the concealed halter at his side before pushing his way in front of her.

  He pulled Julia behind him and they entered the house. Daniel walked ahead, slowly pushing open the door to the living room and kitchen, but each room was empty, nothing touched or disturbed. Julia kept her hand glued to his back, her entire body humming with adrenaline. Marcus had been there. His evil had leaked into the paint on the walls, permeated the fabric of the drapes and sunk into the pile of the carpets. She could feel him everywhere.

  Daniel turned and indicated they were going upstairs. Step by excruciating step, Julia followed him to the upper level of the house. But after checking the bathroom and the spare room, it became clear Marcus had already left. They walked into Julia’s bedroom and when she flicked on the light, Julia gasped, no doubt in her mind that Marcus had completely lost his mind.

  She fought from Daniel’s grip and ripped her parents’ photographs from the wall. Marcus had taken their pictures from the frames sitting at her bedside and pinned them crudely to the wall. He’d then taken a gun and shot each of them through the head.

  Tears burned her eyes and her hands violently shook.

  “Daniel, he’s going to kill them. We have to do something. He’s going to kill them!”

  But Daniel had already pulled his phone from his pocket. “Their address, Julia? I need their address.”

  She quickly told him.

  “This is DI Conway, I want officers sent over to twenty-five Harden’s Mead immediately. Marcus Lowell has been to Julia Kershaw’s home and left a clear message he intends to harm her parents. I am taking Miss Kershaw into protective custody right away. I want an immediate report of her parents’ status as well as having them removed from the house. Do I make myself clear?” He flicked a glance at Julia before turning his back to her. “I also want an officer put outside my house. There’s every possibility Lowell will come to my place looking for Miss Kershaw. What? No, she’s staying with me. Don’t ask questions, just do it!”

  He snapped the phone shut and turned to Julia, sitting on the bed, rocking back and forth. He dropped to his knees in front of her and took her hands. Gently, he pressed his lips to her knuckles.

  “We need to get out of here, Julia.”

  She lifted her head. “What if we’re too late, what if he’s killed them?”

  “Julia, listen to me.” He stroked the hair from her eyes. “Lowell has no gain from harming your parents. This is more for my benefit than yours. He’s obsessed and angry. He knows the net is closing in on him and doesn’t know how to stop it. Now come on. Let’s go.”

  She pushed his hand away and leapt to her feet. “I want to go to my parents’ house. I have to see them, make sure they’re safe.”

  She was about to push passed him when his cell went off. They both stopped.

  “DI Conway.” He flicked a glance at Julia. “They’re OK?” A small smile and a nod.

  Relief flooded over her, crippling her legs and pushing her to the floor. They were alive—for now. But there was no way Julia was risking Marcus killing them. The plan that had been manifesting in her brain had just been pushed forward a gear. She would go back to Daniel’s but once he was asleep, she would do things her way.

  What did it matter? So what if she pissed him off so much he never spoke to her again? It would be a blessing. It would be an end to her clinging to the desperate hope that they had a future together. A relationship with Daniel would hurt too many people, including herself. It was a job that involved guns, risks and heartache. Julia had seen her mother suffer over the loss of a child. How could she subject herself to losing the man she loved to a bullet one day?

  ****

  Julia cradled the phone between her ear and shoulder as she tried to calm her mother’s hysteria. She watched Daniel throw pasta into a saucepan and wondered how he expected her to eat when she had a huge lump of fear lodged in her throat.

  “Mom, everything is going to be OK. The police will find Marcus and arrest him. No, this is not your fault. Mom, you’ve got to calm down and listen to me.” Julia walked from the kitchen into the hallway. She lowered her voice. “I’m not going to let anything happen to either you or Dad, do you understand? I should have listened to that voice in my head telling me to get away from Marcus weeks ago.”

  “But it was me who kept on saying what a good match he was for you,” cried her mother. “How could I have been so blind?”

  “It’s OK, Mom. We’ll sort Marcus Lowell out once and for all. You’ll see.”

  “We? Who’s we?” asked her mother.

  “Daniel...I mean the police. Inspector Conway’s team is looking for him around the clock. They’ll find him and arrest him.”

  “Funny how they don’t just shoot scum like Marcus Lowell dead, like they did my son.”

  Julia squeezed her eyes shut. “Mom, please.”

  Her mother released a long breath. “And I suppose you’re still intent on leaving me within the next day or so?”

  “The cruise liner leaves tomorrow, Mom and I will be on it.” She paused. “There’s nothing I want to stay here for, Mom. Leaving Corkley Park is the best thing in the world for me right now.”

  S
he heard a shuffle of feet behind her. She turned to see Daniel watching her, a spoon of steaming tomato and basil sauce in his hand. He didn’t flinch when a drop splashed onto his bare foot. Julia swallowed, keeping her eyes level with his.

  “Are you sure?” her mother was saying. “Because I’ve heard the rumors, you know?”

  “What rumors, Mom?” Julia asked, quietly.

  “About you and that policeman.”

  Guilty heat surged in Julia’s cheeks and heart.

  “Nothing is going on between me and DI Conway, Mom. I would never date a policeman, you know that. Not after Phil.”

  The intensity in Daniel’s eyes mixed with her mother’s sad silence over the phone was more than Julia could stand. Dropping her gaze to the floor, she wiped a stray tear from her cheek.

  “I have to go,” she said, her voice breaking. “DI Conway has already said it would be best if we didn’t speak again until Marcus is caught. Do what the police say, OK? I love you.”

  “Julia?”

  “Yes?”

  “I was wrong about Marcus and although it pains me to say it, I could be wrong about other things too.”

  Julia lifted her head and looked at Daniel.

  “I’ll bear that in mind, Mom. I promise.”

  Sitting at the kitchen table, Julia and Daniel shared the simple meal of pasta and sauce Daniel had prepared. She managed to eat half a dozen mouthfuls before placing her knife and fork together on her plate. The food felt like lead in her stomach. She picked up her wineglass and took a sip while watching Daniel.

  Her nerves were stretched to breaking point and the reason wasn’t only due to Marcus’ disappearance. Daniel’s eyes when she’d been speaking to her mother had told Julia everything she needed to know. Her undeniable and very real feelings for him were entirely reciprocated.

  But she’d had to do it—had to say the things she’d said. How else was she supposed to walk away from him tomorrow unless she left him little choice but to turn and walk in the opposite direction? Hadn’t he said it would be best for her to be on the Princess II and away from here?

  To pursue their relationship felt useless, not to mention selfish. She had to bear in mind her parents’ feelings, and what about the circumstances in which she and Daniel had met? Feelings had been running high every moment since Derek was shot and killed. Who was to say their love for each other would be as hot once the problems around them had cooled?

  She’d convinced herself that a career beyond Corkley Park was what she needed, but as she looked at Daniel’s furrowed brow, she knew she’d be more than happy continuing to sing at the club, laughing with friends and spending her time with him. In fact, nothing seemed more appealing.

  “Are you all right?”

  She blinked and gave a faint, yet forced smile. “Sure.”

  “You were miles away.”

  “I was considering everything we already know,” she said, thinking it a better option to tell him what she’d been thinking earlier in the day, than now. “The fact that Marcus used Jacob’s boat business, that I witnessed the killing. Do you think Marcus might have planned for me to see it?”

  “He couldn’t have known you’d be there.”

  “God, I hope not. The thought he may have been planning Derek’s killing when I was with him makes me sick.”

  She took another sip of her wine.

  Daniel put down his own knife and fork. “Why don’t you go upstairs and have a bath. It might make you feel better.”

  She met his eyes and smiled. “That sounds so tempting. Are you sure you wouldn’t mind?”

  He pushed his chair back, stood and held out a hand. “Come on. I’ll show you where everything is.”

  They mounted the stairs and Daniel led her into his bedroom. It was masculine, yet not too much so. Julia was struck by the scent of him everywhere. It hung in the air around them—the perfect blend of sandalwood, fresh air and pine. She inhaled deeply as he wandered into the en-suite and the sound of running water filled the room.

  He handed her a big, fluffy towel. “Here. I’m sure you’ll want to use your own things but feel free to help yourself to anything else.” His eyes lingered on her lips. He blew out a breath. “Right then, I’ll leave you to it.”

  Don’t leave, she wanted to scream, stay with me. “OK.”

  He walked to the door. Stopped. Turned. “How about another glass of wine?”

  She smiled at his raised eyebrow and smiled. “That would be nice.”

  He gave her a wink and left, pulling the door gently closed behind him.

  Ten minutes later, Julia slipped beneath the water and let the water rise to her collar bone. Despite her futile attempt to distance herself from him, her body still craved Daniel like a tonic. She wanted to make love to him one last time. Her need wasn’t just physical, but emotional, spiritual, filling every part of her with a desperate necessity. She suddenly needed to be joined with him more than she needed oxygen.

  She heard a knock at the door. “Your wine, Mademoiselle.”

  She smiled at his courtesy. A lesser man would have barged in, hoping to catch a glimpse of a woman naked in the bath. “Come in.”

  He paused before he pushed the door open. Desire surged through her as he stepped into the room. The lack of feminine bubbles meant every inch of her body was visible to him and his attention lingered everywhere possessively. Neither of them spoke for a long moment before he blinked and finally met her eyes.

  He walked forward and placed the glass on a small side table. “Enjoy. I’ll be downstairs.”

  He moved to walk away but Julia shot out a hand and gripped his muscular forearm. “Stay with me, Daniel.”

  “Julia, this isn’t a good idea...”

  “Please. Don’t go.”

  He raised his eyes to the ceiling, muttering something incoherent before turning his gaze back to hers. “I love you, Julia. You can’t ask me to make love to you, touch you after telling your mother there’s nothing left for you here.”

  “I’m sorry. I had to say something.”

  “Not that. You didn’t have to say that.”

  The pain in his eyes pierced her heart, making her feel cold and ashamed. She could feel him tremble and softened her grip. “I didn’t think—”

  He closed his eyes for a second before opening them again. “There’s nothing more I want to do than lift you from that bath and take you right here, right now. Don’t think I don’t want to hold your soaking wet, beautiful body to mine and make love to you over and over again.”

  “Then do it, Daniel. Please.”

  He held up a hand and her breath caught in her throat to see his eyes shining with tears. He swallowed.

  “I can’t. Not when you still want to leave so badly.” He shook his head. “Not when you can walk away from me like I mean absolutely nothing to you.”

  “But you said my leaving was a good idea too.”

  “No, I said it made sense for you to leave, not that I want you to go. There is a world of difference between logic and love.”

  He turned and left the room. Julia stared at the back of the closed door for a long time before sinking beneath the surface and letting her own hot tears merge with the water.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Julia lay on her back, listening to the steady rhythm of Daniel’s breathing beside her. It was approaching two o’clock in the morning and she had feigned sleep for the last two hours while waiting for Daniel’s restlessness to settle into something close to slumber. Her heart thumped hard inside her chest and her fingers clutched the quilt. Their evening had consisted of stilted conversation and unspoken declarations. Finally, she’d gone up to bed at midnight. Daniel had climbed beneath the covers just half an hour later.

  When he’d brushed her hair softly from her face and kissed her temple, a solitary tear had dissolved into her pillow knowing she was about to betray his wishes so badly. She had no idea if her plan was going to work but she had to try. She had to do somethi
ng to ensure Marcus did not get away with Derek’s murder.

  She inched out of bed and tip-toed to the bathroom. Quickly she changed from pajamas back into her jeans. Her reflection pretty much summed up the way she felt. Dark circles stood out against her pale skin, her hair lay disheveled and unkempt around her head. Inhaling a shaky breath, she hitched the bag onto her shoulder and left the room.

  Knowing she had to dodge the policeman keeping watch outside the house, she crept downstairs and dropped to her knees in the den. She then crawled on all fours to the window and peered outside. He wasn’t around the back at that moment but knew he was continually circling the property. She slid the window open a crack and waited for the sound of his footsteps. It wasn’t long before they became louder and then softened as he rounded the side of the house for another circuit.

  She scrambled to her feet, then pushed the window open a few more vital inches before sliding over the sill on her belly and gently lowering herself to the soft grass beneath. In her bare feet, Julia sprinted across the lawn and over the hedge that surrounded Daniel’s small garden. She had a long run to her house and prayed she managed to get there without being followed by the duty officer.

  As she ran along the deserted road, her senses were on high alert to every sound and movement. Once she was a safe distance from Daniel’s house, she slipped on her shoes. Pressing a hand to the cramp in her side, she pulled out her cell. She tapped her foot up and down as the phone rang repeatedly in her ear.

  “Come on, come on. Answer it, damn it.”

  But the answer phone kicked in. “This is Marcus Lowell, I am unavailable right now but please feel free to leave a message.”

  Even the sound of his voice made her stomach lurch. She coughed. “Marcus? It’s me. Look, I’ve been back to my house and seen the pictures of my Mom and Dad. Why are you doing this? Please meet me and tell me what I have to do to make you stop. I’m begging you, please—”

  She heard a click and he was on the line. “Ah-ha. The wanderer returns. How are you, Julia?”

  Gripping the phone, she exhaled a breath. “Marcus, thank God.”