“Check your seatbelts. We’re going down.”
At Josh’s request, Tate hired an acquaintance to fly the chopper, someone not affiliated with the bureau. Convinced there was a rogue agent in the bureau, Josh wasn’t taking any chances. Again she closed her eyes and gripped the notepad in her lap until her knuckles turned white. She didn’t open her eyes until she felt the ground beneath the chopper.
The pilot put the chopper down in a field not far from the cabin where Kathy and David were staying. Josh opened her door and assisted her to the green grass. He leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Why didn’t you let me in last night?”
“I had work to do.” She looked over her shoulder at Tate. He had a look of puzzled wariness in his eyes. “This is not the time or place for us to be discussing our love life.”
“I’m glad to hear you admit we have a love life.” He tucked his arm into hers and led her across the field. She planned to go to the office after meeting with Kathy and David so she had worn her heels. It wasn’t easy to walk over uneven ground in designer shoes. Worse, the skinny heels kept sinking into the soft ground. A faint pink flush rose to her cheeks as she tried her best to walk without stumbling. A gentle breeze blew her hair into her face. She tucked loose strands behind her ear. The morning sun was cool but she felt warm against Josh’s side. She had to quicken her steps to keep up with his longer stride.
She tried to shake off her worries. If her bosses found out she was meeting with Kathy, she’d probably get fired. It was too late to fret now. They were almost at the cabin. In the distance she could see David and Kathy sitting on the front porch in the swing.
Huge smiles on their faces, they crossed the yard to meet them. “Hope the inactivity isn’t too mundane.”
David shook hands with Josh and then Tate. “Protective custody has its advantages. Yesterday we went fishing. Kathy caught a bass this big.” He spread his hands wide.
Kathy giggled and pushed his hands closer together. “That’s more like it. You shouldn’t lie to the FBI.” Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a thick braid that hung to the middle of her back. The sprinkle of freckles across her nose and cheeks were more prominent in the sun. Beth thought she was strikingly pretty. She looked natural and wholesome in the flannel shirt and snug jeans.
The couple seemed rested and at peace. David dropped his arm around Kathy’s shoulders and she leaned into him. They seemed perfect together. Even though he was a top ranked football player, he seemed down to earth. Beth liked them.
“Come inside. The preacher called and said you were coming. We have coffee brewing and Kathy baked some homemade sweet rolls.” He placed his huge hand on his stomach. “She’s been baking and I’m afraid I’m going to get fat.”
Everyone meandered to the small cabin and entered. The inside was rustic but neat. Wood walls held landscape pictures of various colors. Beth had never been inside the cabins. Grant and Nina had helped the preacher and other members of the congregation with the building of the cabins a couple of weekends so they knew the area well.
Delicious aromas wafted through the room. Kathy and David chatted happily as they poured steaming cups of coffee and arranged sweet rolls on little white saucers.
“We haven’t seen anyone in days. It’s nice to know the world still exists out there.” David handed Beth a white mug and a sweet roll.
“Thank you. Believe me, the ugly world is still there.” She never took her eyes off him as she lifted the mug to her lips and took a sip. “Perfect. You make great coffee.” Handsome and tall, his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled.
He gave her a nod and continued to fill the other two mugs in front of Josh and Tate. They all circled around the small table that was barely big enough for two, let alone five people, especially since the three men were big and burly. Beth squeezed in between Josh and Tate. She placed her saucer and coffee mug on the table. She should have been at the office an hour ago. “We need to find a connection to you and Powers.”
Kathy’s good mood faded. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves. “I have raked my brain and can’t fathom why he made an attempt on my life.” She interlaced her fingers and rested them on the table. Deep sadness reflected in her eyes. “Maybe he is a serial killer. That is the only possible explanation.”
Tate offered, “We don’t think so. Evidence points more toward assassin.”
Her eyes lit up with hope. “Or maybe I wasn’t the person he was contracted to kill. Could be he went to the wrong address.” She moistened her lips. “What if there is another Kathy Lassiter?”
Josh explained, “Powers is meticulous. He wouldn’t make that kind of mistake because he is too smart.”
Kathy blinked back tears of frustration. “That’s not possible. I’m an elementary school teacher. I live a quiet life.” Her eyes shifted to David. “Even though David is famous, we stay out of the limelight, preferring to spend our time in private.”
Beth leaned across the small wood table and placed her hand over Kathy’s. “I know you’re tired of the questions, but I want to go over everything again. I have read your file and cannot find anything connecting you to Powers.” Her mouth twisted into a frown. “We have enough evidence to put Powers away, but that doesn’t give us the person who put out the hit.”
“In other words my life will still be in danger even after Powers goes to jail.”
“Yes, we must find the person who paid him to make an attempt on your life.” We need to pressure him to talk. Without more evidence I’m afraid he won’t divulge anything.” Beth opened Kathy’s file she brought with her. She read through the first page. “Start at the beginning and tell me everything you remember leading up to the day Powers attacked you in your apartment. Tell me everywhere you went, everyone you had a conversation with a week earlier.”
Question after question and they had made no progress. After an hour, Kathy moved to the stove and poured herself another cup of coffee. She leaned against the stove and rubbed her eyes with the heel of her hand before she lifted the cup and took a sip. “I need a break.”
Beth dropped her pen onto her notepad, and felt like screaming. She pinched the bridge of her nose and concentrated until her head began to pound. “You mentioned David’s birthday being two days before you were attacked. Where did you go to celebrate?”
In a harsh voice, Kathy snapped, “It’s in the file. Everything we have talked about is in the file! I told everything to the other agent handling the case.”
Beth skimmed through the rest of the file. “No it isn’t. There is nothing here about David’s birthday.”
Josh asked, “Are you sure you told the other agent who questioned you what you did for David’s birthday?”
“Of course I did.” Kathy pushed away from the stove and moved toward David. He took her hand and kissed the back. “We went to The Red Diamond Bar in Raleigh. The whole football team and a couple of my friends had drinks and appetizers. We were there until about twelve o’clock.”
Beth’s heart took one, quick lurch. Randal Collins had owned the Red Diamond, the man that had kidnapped Nina and Juan. She looked directly at Josh. Neither said a word. They didn’t need to. Each knew what the other was thinking.
Too excited to sit, Josh stood and moved toward Kathy. He placed firm hands on her shoulders. “Tell me everything that happened while you were there.”
Her brows drew together as she concentrated. “Nothing really.” She pulled away from him and looked out the window. “We danced, we had a few drinks. I didn’t talk to anyone but our friends.”
Beth crossed the room and tucked her arm into Kathy’s. She looked out the window seeing the same gorgeous scene Kathy was seeing. A deer clopped out of the woods and moved to the creek to drink water. In the distance trees stood magnificent and tall. It was calm and beautiful, but Beth was anything but calm. The murder attempt had to have something to do with The Red Diamond. “Think, Kathy. Something must have happened.”
“
The only thing out of the ordinary was when I went in search of the bathroom and stumbled into the wrong room. Two men were sitting at a table talking. Both looked at me as if I startled them. I told them I was sorry and hurried back out. The agent that took my statement didn’t seem to be concerned.”
Beth squeezed tighter against her arm. “Did you recognize the men?”
“No, nothing seemed familiar about either man. But then I didn’t get a good look. I was embarrassed that I had made such a stupid mistake.”
Neither had heard Josh walk up behind Kathy. “Can you describe them?”
Recognition flashed across her face. After a moment’s hesitation, she answered, “One of the men was extremely handsome and tall. He reminded me of that man on the Mentalist.” She snapped her fingers a couple of times and closed her eyes in concentration. “What’s his name?”
David answered, “Simon Baker.”
“Yes, that’s who he looked like. I remember because he stood when he saw me standing in the doorway. Blond, shoulder length hair, thick mustache, he had perfect features. The other man had his back toward me. I didn’t get a good look at his face. He only gave me a brief glance before he looked away. Now that I think about it, he didn’t want me to see his face. All I really noticed was he had a head full of dark curls.”
“Did they speak?”
“No, Agent Wilson. I assumed I had interrupted a business meeting. They both seemed so serious.”
Beth whispered, “Randal is back in Raleigh. It has to be him. He could have let his hair grow out and grown a mustache to hide his identity.” She turned so quick she almost crashed into Josh. She sidestepped to avoid contact. If he tried to touch her, she would lose all hope of keeping her emotions under control. “Tate, do you have a photograph of Randal in your briefcase?”
Tate opened his briefcase and flipped through several papers before he handed the picture to her. “Is this the man you saw?”
Kathy snatched the photograph from Beth. “Yes, that’s him. As I described, his hair is longer and he’s sporting a thick mustache, but the shape of his face and eyes are the same. I’m sure it was him I saw. Why would he put a hit on me?”
Seized by panic, Beth gripped the table with both hands. Why was Randal back in Raleigh? Did he come back seeking revenge? She had to call Grant and Nina. She fished into her skirt pocket for her phone. Trembling, she punched in Nina’s number. When it went to voicemail, she turned and looked at Josh. “Nina didn’t answer. We have to warn her.” She drew in her breath and her lips trembled. She tried to block out the horrors of what Randal would do to Grant and Nina. It was too impossible to absorb. The man was as evil as the devil. “I’ll try Grant.”
Before she could punch in Grant’s number, he took the phone from her and placed it on the table. “Calm down, Beth. If Randal was here to exact revenge, he would already have done something to Grant and Nina. He must be here for another reason. Could be he returned to Raleigh because of his father’s death. Maybe he felt the need to see his mother or visit the grave.” His brow creased. “Matthew Collins said he had a partner. Maybe the other man Kathy saw in the room is the mysterious partner.”
He took her hands and rubbed them until her pangs and nerves began to sooth. The thought of Randal being so close filled her with dread. The man had caused them nothing but grief. It was unbearable to think he might have returned to finish what he started. He had paid someone to kill Grant. Thankfully, the man failed, but it had been a close call.
“I remember hearing about Randal Collins on the news last year. He was suspected of murdering someone. He had kidnapped a woman and a young boy.” David stood and moved to Kathy’s side.
In a hoarse whisper, Beth explained, “He kidnapped my sister, Nina and our housekeeper’s son, Juan. He planned to take them to Mexico as hostages.”
David took Kathy in his arms and held her. She buried her head in his shoulder as she began to cry. “I want this to end. I want my life back.”
Looking over her head, he asked, “Do you think Collins is responsible for the attempt on Kathy’s life?”
“No, he would have done the killing himself or gotten one of goons to do it. He wouldn’t have spent the money on a hit man like Powers. A man like Powers would be too pricy. The other man in the room is the culprit. It has to be Collins’ partner.”
Too weak to stand, Beth moved to one of the vacant chairs and sat down. “Don’t worry, Beth. Now that we know he is back in North Carolina we’ll find Collins.”
She fought to keep the look of doubt out of her face as she peered into Tate’s concerned eyes. Collins was wily and treacherous. He had given the FBI the slip before, he could do so again. If he finds out the FBI knew he was back in Raleigh, he could slither back to Mexico. Beth checked her watch. “I have to get to work. I need to see if I can get a delay on the trial.”
A strangled sound erupted from her throat as Kathy turned and snapped, “Delay! I want this nightmare over with now. No delays!”
On shaky legs she stood and touched gentle fingers to Kathy’s back. “We need to find out the identity of the man with Randal Collins. If he is indeed the man that put the hit on you, then Powers will have to testify against him to keep from getting the needle. Trust me, we need more time.” Things only got worse. It was bad enough to defend a murderer. Now just knowing Randal was in the area had her trembling.
“Please tell no one I was here today. If my law firm discovers I was here asking questions that could incriminate my client, I could lose my job. I’m constrained because of privilege. My first priority should be to Powers.” Worry mixed and merged in her mind. Not only could she lose her job, she could be disbarred.
Squaring her shoulders, Kathy faced Beth. She wiped the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand. “I wouldn’t dream of causing you any trouble. You have been instrumental in finding out why someone wants me dead.”
Josh angled his head. “We’ll send a sketch artist to draw a facial composite of the man with Collins. Try to remember any detail that will help us put this man behind bars.”
“Like I said, I didn’t get a good look at his face, but I’ll try to give a good description.” Her brow drew together in concentration. “He had dark hair and was tall. Other than that I don’t know if I’ll be of any help.”
“At least we have a motive. You saw someone you shouldn’t have when you entered that room.” Josh placed his hand on Beth’s elbow. “If you need to get back with me before I return with the sketch artist, call Pastor Hancock.” His eyes hardened. “No one but the pastor.”
Her scowl only deepened. “I miss my mother and brother. I haven’t spoken to them since we’ve been in protective custody.”
Beth handed Kathy her notepad. “Write their cell numbers for me and I’ll give them a call to let them know you are safe.”
The pen flew across the paper as she wrote the numbers and names. “I also put David’s mother’s number on the list. If you don’t mind, also call her. Tell them we miss them and that we’re okay.”
“No problem. It’s the least I can do.” Beth placed her hand on Kathy’s arm. “Everything is going to be okay.” Josh put some pressure on her elbow and led her toward the door.
She stepped over the threshold and took a deep breath of fresh air. She pressed her hand against her queasy stomach. As they walked, Josh talked. “I’ll let Grant and Nina know Collins is back in Raleigh. I’ll send our new evidence to your law firm so it’ll look like you have no knowledge of what transpired at The Red Diamond. You worry about the upcoming trial. Don’t let Collins get in your head.”
“Easier said than done,” thought Beth. Randal Collins scared the hell out of her.
Chapter Seven
After some internal debate Beth decided to speak with Phillips about her concerns of working a case that Randal Collins may be involved. In light of the new information he might let her beg off the Powers’ case. She balled up her fist and knocked on Phillips’ door. “Come in.�
��
She opened the door and stood in the threshold. “Can I speak to you?”
“Sure, please come in.”He stood and motioned to the chair across from his desk before he sat back down. As casually as possible, she walked to the chair and sat. With nervous hands, she smoothed her skirt before placing them in her lap.
A shadow of concern flickered in his eyes. “Are you okay, Beth? You look a little pale.”
“No, sir, I’m not okay. I have some concerns. Some new information has just crossed my desk. Kathy Lassiter told the FBI that she saw Randal Collins at The Red Diamond with another unknown man two nights before Powers tried to kill her.”
He cut her off. “Allegedly tried to murder Kathy Lassiter. As long as Powers claims he is innocent, we must also believe he is innocent. Our client is innocent until proven guilty. Remember his wife swears he was home with her the night of the attack.”
“The evidence says she is lying.”
“You already have in your head that Powers is guilty, Beth. It’s easier to defend a person if you don’t really think about their guilt or innocence.” He pushed away from his desk and moved in front of her. Leaning back against his desk, his eyes rested on her face. “I realize this is your first high profile case, but it is your job to defend Powers.”
She let out a shuddering breath. “Randal Collins kidnapped my sister and a friend. He was growing marijuana on our land. He murdered an undercover FBI agent and is suspected of murdering seven others.”
“I know the story. I’ve read the papers and seen the news reports. We knew all this before we hired you.”
“I think my association with Collins is a conflict of interest. It’s possible Mr. Collins or the other man that was with him put the hit out on Miss Lassiter. It’s the only connection the FBI has found.”
Shadows of the Falls (Twelve Oaks Farm Series Book 2) Page 12
