Shattered Silence

by Marta Perry

  “Good point. But there’s no doubt he’s done a disappearing act. It’s been three days since anything turned up on his ATM or his credit cards. And there’s money sitting in his bank account that hasn’t been disturbed. Why? People don’t leave valuable assets behind.”

  “No. Which makes it look as if he hadn’t originally intended to flee, but something made it necessary.”

  Clint didn’t like it. Paul wasn’t behaving the way he should be if he’d ripped off his employer. And yet they knew he had.

  Logan shrugged. “Could be that Attwood’s guess was right, much as I hate to admit it. Maybe Hartline turned the files over to his buyer, and said buyer found they were flawed. He might well think Hartline was trying to con him.”

  “If so, Hartline would have a good reason to disappear,” Clint agreed. “But if he’d planned it that way, surely he’d have made sure he had everything ready to get away.”

  It just kept moving in circles with no end in sight. Clint didn’t like it.

  “I suppose he might have been naïve enough to think the buyer wouldn’t notice. Or wouldn’t pursue him afterward.”

  “Maybe.” Logan sounded as unhappy about it as he felt. “And maybe this is one of those cases that drizzle off to an unsatisfactory conclusion. So we turn in our final report and back out as gracefully as we can. Unfortunately, it still leaves Rachel Hartline hanging.”

  “You think I don’t know that?” It came out as a snarl. “And there’s one strong reason not to make that assumption about the information on that flash drive. Someone was still looking for it very recently. Someone who wanted it badly enough to risk killing Rachel to get it.”

  “I haven’t forgotten. Just I guess that means we’re not going to close the file and walk away, no matter what Attwood says.” Logan’s response was mild, probably because he saw more than Clint wanted him to. “I was surprised you agreed to her going home today.”

  “Agreed? Who agreed? It’s not like I had a choice. We have no right to keep her away. At least I told her not to go until I could be with her.”

  His inability to sway her decision still irked him, leaving a residue of guilt and also of fear for her. And time was marching on. She’d be wondering why he hadn’t called.

  “I wish...” He stopped, not wanting to go there.

  Logan grinned. “Right. I know what you wish.”

  Clint threw a ball of crumpled paper at him. “It’s not like that. There’s such a thing as professional etiquette.”

  “And there’s also such a thing as being human. Face it. You haven’t exhibited a healthy interest in a woman in a long time. You’re overdue.”

  “Inappropriate.” He snapped the word, more than annoyed that he’d shown his feelings.

  Logan considered. “Not really. She’s neither a client nor a suspect. And once Attwood signs off on our report, we’re done. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not continue to handle security for someone who keeps us in the dark. Life’s too short.”

  Clint remained stubbornly silent. Maybe what Logan said was true, but it wasn’t everything that was involved here. He’d met Rachel when she was in a vulnerable place. And even worse, she was still carrying a load of loyalty toward her ex. He might be reasonably sure that Paul Hartline wasn’t worth it, but given Rachel’s family background, it wasn’t surprising that she couldn’t just let it go.

  He shot out of his chair. The only way to disrupt that kind of destructive thinking was to do something. He became aware that Logan was watching him, smiling.

  “What?” he growled.

  “Let me guess. You’re going over to see Rachel and try to talk her into staying put.”

  “Okay, yes. But it doesn’t mean what you think it does.”

  Logan didn’t even dignify that with a response. He just smiled. Clint slammed his way out of the office.

  * * *

  RACHEL WAS PUTTING the few dishes they’d used in the dishwasher when the doorbell chimed. She closed the door and wiped her hands on the kitchen towel. Lyn must have forgotten something.

  She actually had her hand on the lock when she woke to her actions. Just because Lyn’s visit had been a return to normality, that didn’t mean she could relax her guard. She looked out the window to find Clint on her doorstep, looking impatient.

  Or annoyed. He’d wanted her to wait for him.

  Unlocking the dead bolt, she swung the door open. “Coming to check on me?”

  He paused halfway through the door. “You sound like Logan.”

  So his partner had...what? Teased him about coming over here? She focused on relocking the door, wondering at a state of affairs that had such an idea warming her.

  When Rachel turned to him, Clint was frowning. “I thought you were going to wait for me. Do you know how I felt when I reached the hotel and you’d checked out?”

  “I told you I wanted to get over here because Lyn was coming. You didn’t show up.”

  “You could have waited. Or called me.” He glared at her, and she realized he really was upset. “After all this, don’t you trust me enough to do a simple thing like that?”

  Trust. That was the word she’d shied away from. “It wasn’t a question of not trusting you.”

  His expression treated that with the contempt it deserved. “Yes, that’s exactly what it is.”

  “That’s not fair,” she protested, even though she knew it was true. “I just... I wanted to do something on my own. I’m a grown woman.”

  “I’m aware of that.” Something intruded on the anger in his eyes. “The truth is that too many people have let you down—your father, your mother, Paul. Well, I’m not any of those.”

  “I know, but...”

  “You might think you have reason to believe otherwise, but whatever else happens, I won’t let you down.”

  Remorse was like a flood of acid through her. How hard was that for him to say, carrying, as he must, the weight of his partner’s death? If he said he wouldn’t let her down, it was no idle promise.

  “I’m sorry.” She wanted to reach out to him, but she wasn’t sure how. The chasm that had suddenly opened between them was so huge, so deep, that she was afraid she’d never span it. “I don’t doubt you. I know you’ll do what you say you will. But don’t you see? It’s important to me to make my own decisions to...to balance out all the mistakes.”

  Clint’s iciness seemed to thaw as she watched. “Not that many mistakes,” he said. “Just one big one.”

  She was shaking inside, but she had to keep going. “It seemed like the most important thing in the world at the time. You’d think I could have taken a little more care about it.”

  He shook his head, and the last of his anger flicked away. “Impossible. Nobody takes care when they’re falling in love. You just have to hope your instincts aren’t leading you wrong.”

  Rachel was finally able to smile. “In that case, I must have terrible instincts.”

  “I doubt it.” He took her hand, swinging it lightly. “But maybe you weren’t listening to them.”

  “Maybe not.” She felt a little breathless. Were they really past the anger that had flared up between them like a fierce summer storm? She wanted to believe it.

  Clint glanced around the room. “I thought you were having company. You said Lyn was coming over.”

  “Lyn came. We had supper and talked.” The memory of what they’d talked about gave her pause. “She left a few minutes ago. After all, tomorrow is a school day for her.”

  His left eyebrow lifted slightly. “And for you.”

  “You’re as bad as Lyn is.” She led the way to the sofa and gestured for him to sit. “I told you the same thing I told her. I’m not going back until I’m sure there’s no chance of any reflection on the school from what Paul did.”

  He waited until she’d settled before pullin
g a chair closer to her. “I’m glad to hear Lyn agrees with me. You’re letting your scruples carry you too far. You know you want to be back there, and it would be good for you.”

  “Yes, I do want to be back!” Her longing sought relief, and Clint was a handy target. “But I won’t let my own desire risk what’s good for the school.”

  “Sorry.” He reached across the space between them to enfold her hand in his. “I shouldn’t push.”

  She managed a smile. “That’s what Lyn said, too. But she admitted that she’s one of the world’s greatest pushers when it comes to people she cares about.”

  She stopped. Did that make it sound as if she assumed he cared about her? She hadn’t meant to. At least, she didn’t think so.

  “Okay, so you’re not going back until you feel it’s safe. Attwood did say he expected our final report on Friday. Once he’s signed off on it, the case is over as far as he’s concerned.”

  “It’d be nice to think it’s done with. But what if the file surfaces? Or Paul gets in touch? Or someone comes after me again?”

  “You haven’t heard anything from Paul, have you?” Clint was instantly alert.

  “I’d have told you if I had. But still...” She wasn’t sure herself what caused her hesitation. She’d be delighted to think this was finished, but she couldn’t quite accept it yet.

  “Logan and I were just talking about that.” He released her hand, leaning back in the chair. “Nothing at all has shown up to indicate Paul is still in town, and it should have. He can’t live on air.”

  “You’re convinced he’s run off, then.” She tried to assess what she felt about it. Relief, primarily. “That’s what James thinks, too.”

  “Seems likely, but...” Clint didn’t look satisfied.

  “But what?” Her heart seemed to sink. “You don’t agree?”

  “I can’t figure out why he’d leave money in his bank account if he was going to disappear. Can you?”

  That startled her. “Not a chance. Unless he’s changed a great deal in the past year, it’s impossible. I know he’d talked about turning over a new leaf, but in this situation... He’d be more likely to turn everything he owned into cash if he planned to leave. Anyone would.”

  “That was my thinking, too. We could be wrong. Or he might have had to change his plans in a hurry. There’s nothing to stop him from cleaning out his account here from a distance.”

  She tried to come up with an answer and failed. She just couldn’t imagine a situation in which Paul wouldn’t try to get his hands on every bit of cash he could.

  Finally she shook her head. “I’m out of ideas. How about some coffee? I made it for Lyn, and it’s still hot.”

  “Sounds good. Maybe it’ll clear my brain.”

  Clint followed her into the kitchen. When she turned back to him, a mug of coffee in her hand, she found him surveying the wine bottle Lyn had dropped on top of the trash.

  “Looks like you two had a party.”

  “I’m afraid that was mostly Lyn, though I had some, as well. She does like Pinot Grigio with Chinese food. Put that in the recycling bin, will you? Right next to the trash.”

  Setting his coffee on the table, she poured a cup of herbal tea from the pot under the tea cozy. “I can’t handle coffee in the evening, even decaf. I have enough to keep me awake.”

  “My mother always insists on hot chocolate for a good night’s sleep. I keep telling her chocolate has caffeine, but she won’t believe me.” He picked up the folder that lay on top of the trash can and looked at her, eyebrows lifting.

  “I decided it was time to get rid of those reminders.” She found she wasn’t meeting his gaze.

  “Anything in particular make you decide that now?” His voice seemed to have deepened, and it woke an answering hum along her nerve endings.

  “I...I don’t know.” She glanced at him and as quickly looked away.

  “Sure you don’t?” He covered the space between them in a long stride and took the tea mug from her hand, setting it on the counter before he put his hands on her arms. “Think hard,” he murmured.

  Rachel looked up at him, knowing she shouldn’t. Knowing she couldn’t stop herself. Longing shimmered between them. He drew her against him, and her arms slid around him.

  This was what she wanted. Why did she keep denying it to herself?

  Their lips barely touched when the doorbell rang, jerking them apart as if it had been a shot.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  IN THE INSTANT after the doorbell chimed, Clint was all business.

  “Are you expecting anyone?”

  “No.” She smoothed her hair back, her hand trembling just a bit. “I’d better see who it is.”

  “Don’t open until I say so,” he warned.

  Not necessary to tell her so. She didn’t feel particularly brave. But a quick look out the peephole told her it wasn’t anyone threatening.

  She took a few steps away from the door. “It’s Claire,” she whispered. “What’s she going to think of your being here at this hour?”

  “It’s not exactly the middle of the night. Anyway, she’ll have seen my car, so it’s too late. Better let her in.”

  Sure enough, as soon as she opened the door, Claire’s eyes went from her to Clint, standing now in the kitchen doorway.

  “Claire, how nice to see you. Please come in.” Rachel hoped she sounded cordial, but behind the words, her mind was questioning. Why are you here?

  “I just wanted to be sure you weren’t alone on your first night back home.” Claire obviously intended to stay, since she walked in and dropped her handbag on the sofa. “But I see you’re well taken care of by Clint.”

  She would not let herself blush. Or look guilty. Because she wasn’t.

  “Ms. Hartline has been allowing us to go through some old papers that belonged to her husband.” He held up the file folder. “I’m just clearing up a few details.”

  Claire looked from him to Rachel. “I don’t want to interrupt. I should go.”

  Since she didn’t move to pick up her bag, this was clearly meant only to embarrass.

  “That’s not necessary,” Rachel said, sitting down on the sofa. “Please, join me. We’ll let Mr. Mordan get on with his work.”

  “Right,” Clint said. “I’m working on the kitchen table, so I won’t disturb you. Nice to see you, Ms. Gibson.” He closed the kitchen door, leaving it ever so slightly ajar. So he planned to listen in on the conversation. Rachel wasn’t surprised.

  “May I get you anything? Coffee, tea?” She sincerely hoped this would be the last visitor of the evening.

  “No, no, I don’t have time to stay long.”

  In that case, why are you here? “It was nice of you to come by.”

  “When we heard at the office that you were coming back home, everyone was concerned. You had such a bad experience here with the break-in and the attack on you. I should think it would make you very nervous.”

  “I’m fine. I suppose these days we have to assume that we’ll be a victim at some point in our lives. It could have been much worse.” She gestured toward the scar on the wall where the intruder had flung a crystal vase that had been a wedding gift. “There are a few things I still have to fix, but fortunately most of the damage was cosmetic.”

  “But the attack on you.” Claire gave an elaborate shiver. “I should think you’d start reliving it the minute it got dark outside.”

  “Not a tremor.” She held out her hands in emphasis. If she wasn’t afraid, it sounded as if Claire intended to make her so. “How did you say you heard that I was moving back in?”

  Something disturbed the cool superiority of Claire’s face. “I’m not sure. Someone at the office mentioned it, I suppose. Everyone seemed to know. At any rate, we were all worried, so I said I’d stop over this evening and make sure you were a
ll right.”

  How? she wondered. How did everyone know? She couldn’t imagine that Clint would go out of his way to spread the word. But she didn’t think she’d gain anything by pressing Claire on it.

  “Well, if it doesn’t bother you, I’m sure you’re relieved to be back in your own house again.” Claire was quick to change the subject. “Were you staying with friends?”

  Rachel nodded. If Claire didn’t know about her family, she’d prefer to keep it that way. “But we always want to be in our own place, don’t we? And things seem to be returning to normal.”

  “I certainly hope so.” Claire looked genuinely concerned. “All this worry has been bad for James. Creative people like James do need to be shielded from distractions.”

  Was that what the disruption of her life and Paul’s disappearance were? Distractions?

  “James is fortunate he has you to handle such things for him.”

  “Yes. I have to remind him of that sometimes.” Claire gave a little laugh, inviting Rachel to share the joke, all girls together. Claire seemed impervious to sarcasm.

  “I hope you’re adjusting to doing without Paul at work.” Rachel began to think she’d shortly run out of polite, meaningless conversation.

  “I’m not sure it’s possible to do without him. We’ve all been together so long. I doubt that anyone new could fit in.” Claire shook her head. “I still can’t quite believe that this whole business is what it seems. You never had any hint that Paul was planning it?”

  “Certainly not.” If that sounded sharp, it was the way she meant it. “I’ve seen very little of him in the past year. And I was only at the company at the wrong time by accident. I’d been trying to get Paul to sign the necessary papers so that I can sell the house.”

  “Surely you don’t have to part with it.” Claire glanced around without any particular admiration that Rachel could see. “It’s such a sweet little house.”

  Any woman would know instantly how a comment like that was meant. Rachel wondered if Clint caught how derogatory it was.