Midnight Disclosures

by Rita Herron

  “HELLO, CLAIRE.”

  Panic jammed the words in her throat. “Mark? What are you doing here?”

  “I work for the government now,” he said in a husky voice.

  But why? Mark had been so committed to the military.

  “Dr. Kos, do you mind if we come in and sit down?”

  Claire was so shaken her body temporarily went into lockdown. Her first instinct was to tell them to leave, to take Mark and his intoxicating scent and his big masculine presence away. But her voice refused to work, and her legs threatened to collapse beneath her, so she gestured toward the living area.

  “Certainly.” She turned and stumbled, then paused to reorient herself. Agent Devlin’s hard soles clattered on the wooden floor as he stepped inside, but Mark remained in the doorway as if he didn’t want to reenter the graveyard of their shattered relationship.

  “Claire.” His throaty voice echoed with emotions she couldn’t quite name. Shock. Anger. Bewilderment.

  “Come in.” She forced herself not to react to his voice, but he caught her arm and swung her around. Cupping her face in his hands, he tilted her head toward him. She released a shaky breath, and blinked to focus, aching to see him. She imagined his strong jaw covered in five o’clock shadow, his neatly clipped black hair, the small cleft in his chin, his broad nose and that tight military air. And then those big hands all over her, touching her, exploring, making her his, his guarded look fading, his eyes darkening with passion….

  One reason she hadn’t phoned him after the accident. She’d wanted him so badly it was scary. But she had to learn to stand alone.

  He ran his hands over her face, and she blinked, forcing back tears.

  “God, Claire,” he croaked. “What the hell happened to you?”

  Chapter Two

  Claire’s heart pounded in her chest. How could she answer him without confiding everything. He couldn’t know…

  “Claire, talk to me. What happened?” Raw shock hardened his voice.

  “I had an accident. Now let me go, Mark, and let’s sit down.”

  Instead of releasing her, his grip tightened. “What kind of accident?”

  “A car accident.”

  Still hanging on to her, his breath brushed her cheek, eliciting memories of a hot night between the sheets, their bodies moving together in a heated rhythm of passion that had left her aching for more.

  Forever.

  But that would never be. Not now.

  Agent Devlin cleared his throat. “Steele, the case, our questions?”

  She heard Mark’s feet snap together, imagined him standing rigid with anger. She knew him well enough to recognize that the ironclad control on his emotions had been shaken, and he was wrestling to regain his equilibrium.

  But erotic visions interceded into the darkness where she lived, resurrecting a longing for the past—the coarse stiffness of his short hair brushing her belly, his lips tracing a path along the curve of her spine.

  And his eyes—she’d never seen a man with eyes his color. They were almost en, rimmed in pale yellow. Filled with passion, they turned almost chocolate-brown, with laughter, the gold shimmered like sunshine.

  Although he’d hardly ever laughed.

  She’d wanted him to laugh more, had tried to ease the hardness in his eyes, take away the loneliness.

  Now she’d forgotten how to laugh herself.

  “Sit down,” Claire implored softly. “I’ll get us some coffee and we’ll talk.”

  His labored sigh heightened the tension between them, but he finally dropped his hands. “Fine.”

  Claire turned, so desperate to reorient herself that she ignored his clipped tone. The last thing she wanted was to make a fool of herself or give the image that she was helpless.

  She did not want Mark’s pity.

  Another reason she hadn’t informed him of her accident or condition. She’d been smothered enough by her sister Paulette’s well-meaning intentions.

  She recounted her steps to the den, thankfully bypassing the furniture without a bump. It was imperative that her belongings stay in place. If a table or stool were moved, she’d trip and fall on her face.

  Something she absolutely could not do in front of a strong man like Mark.

  “Have a seat, gentlemen, and I’ll get some coffee.”

  “I’ll help.” Mark moved up behind her.

  “No, I can handle it.” She didn’t bother to apologize for her own abrupt tone. She needed time to compose herself before facing Mark again.

  The current situation with the women who’d been murdered had already destroyed her peace of mind.

  She slipped into the kitchen nook, removed a serving tray, stacked three cups on it along with the coffeepot which she kept filled all day, then added sugar and creamer and returned to the den. Her hands trembled as she set it on the coffee table.

  “Please serve yourselves, gentlemen.”

  “Thanks, Dr. Kos,” Agent Devlin said from the big armchair.

  “Sit down, Claire.” Mark’s voice came from the love seat.

  She poured herself a cup of coffee, using two fingers to measure, then slid onto the sofa, feeling his scrutinizing eyes trace her every movement.

  “When did you have this accident?” Mark asked.

  An involuntary shudder passed through her. This was the question she’d dreaded most. The night you left, she wanted to scream. I was rushing to the airport to accept your proposal, to tell you about our baby.

  Now, he would never know. He couldn’t know.

  “A few months ago. I’m fine now.”

  “You’re not fine, you’re blind,” Mark said in a gruff voice.

  “That’s true,” Claire con“but thanks to the wonderful rehab program at CIRP, I’m learning to adjust.” She crossed her legs, determined to change the subject. “Now, Agent Devlin, why is Lieutenant Steele with you? Do you have news about the two women who were murdered?”

  Claire tightened her hands around her coffee mug to warm them. All night she’d lain in a pool of her own fear, a chill of helplessness engulfing her.

  She hadn’t been able to save her child. Or those women.

  She had to help the police find the killer.

  “I’m afraid we don’t have anyone in custody yet,” Devlin cut in. “That’s why we’re here. We need your help.”

  Claire nodded. “I’ll do whatever I can.”

  Devlin cleared his throat. “Good. The first victim, Dianne Lyons, was single, twenty-five, blond, a waitress at a local diner in Savannah. She lived with a cat and her boyfriend.” He paused. “The second victim, Beverly Bell, was married, thirty-two, a brunette and a professional architect. She lived with her husband and baby.”

  Claire twisted her hands together. That poor child had been left without a mother. It was all so senseless.

  “So far, you and the Calling Claire show appear to be the only connection,” Devlin supplied. “You didn’t know either of the victims, Dr. Kos?”

  “No.” Claire hugged her arms around her waist, the image of the young women fighting for their lives haunting her.

  “You’ve never treated either of them?”

  “No. Did you trace the calls or find any evidence at the scene to identify the killer?”

  “Not yet,” Devlin said. “We’re still waiting on the forensics report. The killer used throwaway cell phones you can pick up at any convenience store. We’re trying to pinpoint where the killer purchased them, but it’ll take time.”

  “But you think he’ll kill again?”

  “Yes.” Agent Devlin sigh was filled with weariness. “Do you have any idea why he’s calling you?”

  Claire shrugged. “The show. It’s his twisted way of announcing his crime. He wants the publicity, probably even wants help.”

  “You do believe the killer is a man?” Agent Devlin asked.

  Claire nodded.

  “He likes the attention?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you thin
k you could create a profile?”

  Claire nodded. “Yes, but I’ll need more information on the murders.”

  “We can give you access to police files.” Devlin paused. “We’ll also need to look at your patient files. It’s possible the killer knows you personally. He chose you because he wants to watch your reaction.”

  “Patient files are confidential,” Claire said. “I can’t let you see them and you know it, Agent Devlin.”

  Mark stood, his feet clicking across the floor impatiently. “Claire, how can you protect the sick bastard? Don’t you understand? He might be gunning for you next.”

  “First of all, we don’t know that the killer is one of my patients,” Claire said in a guarded voice, unable to admit her own fear that Mark was right, “or that he intends to do anything to me except use me to gain public attention for himself.”

  “It’s too dangerous,” Mark said. “Get someone else to cover the show.”

  “I’m not abandoning the show or running scared.” Claire stood, squaring her shoulders and angling herself to face him, although he was pacing so rapidly she couldn’t pinpoint his location in the room. “These women, the killer, they’re calling me for a reason. I have to find out why, and do what I can to help them.”

  “I don’t want you involved,” Mark said.

  “I’m already involved.”

  “But you’re too vulnerable,” Mark’s voice exploded. “For God’s sake, in your condition, I don’t know why you’re even on the radio.”

  Fury and hurt twisted in Claire’s chest. Mark had always been protective, a hero, but at one point he’d respected her work and viewed her as an equal. Now he saw her as a weak, handicapped woman.

  “I may be blind, Mark, but I’m not helpless,” Claire said, determined to prove she didn’t need his protection. And she certainly wouldn’t be controlled by a man. “I’m a professional, perfectly capable of performing my job.”

  “She’s right, Steele, she’s already involved,” Agent Devlin cut in. “We need her. The killer picked her for a reason. She may be the only one who can reach him or figure out his identity.”

  “Thank you, Agent Devlin.”

  “But he’s right, too,” Devlin said. “You are vulnerable, Dr. Kos. We don’t know if the killer has targeted you, so we’re assigning Agent Steele to work with you.”

  As some kind of bodyguard?

  Claire bristled at the silent implication. How could Mark protect her when he held the power to hurt her most of all?

  MARK HALTED, filled with a mixture of anger, fear and disbelief. Didn’t Claire realize the severity of the situation?

  Using a trained agent as a go-between or bait would be dangerous enough, but a vulnerable blind woman…

  It’s not just because she’s blind.

  Damn, the sight of her long, blond curls spilling over her shoulders and those emerald eyes that had once looked at him with passion, and now looked past him, empty and vacant, had totally wrecked his composure.

  He’d barely prepared himself tet her again, yet to see her like this, to know she needed him but refused to acknowledge their past or the chemistry between them…

  “You can’t be serious.” Claire crossed her arms defensively. “I don’t need his protection.”

  “For God’s sake, Claire, you can’t see. You might not even know if this maniac was following you.”

  She shivered slightly, and although satisfied he’d made his point, he hated to see her frightened.

  “Then why not have a local cop or CIRP provide their own security?” Claire asked.

  “You have a problem with my credentials?” Mark’s laser-sharp voice dared her to defy his professionalism and admit his effect on her.

  “No,” Claire said tightly. “But I am wondering why you left the army.”

  “My tour of duty was up,” Mark answered, unwilling to elaborate on his reasons.

  Devlin cleared his throat. “Dr. Kos, you want to help us find this man, don’t you?”

  Claire’s hesitation spoke volumes and gnawed at Mark’s pride. Of course she did. The feisty, smart Claire he’d known had not been destroyed by her accident. She simply didn’t want to be near him.

  Maybe that was a good thing. Maybe it meant that she hadn’t totally forgotten him as he’d once believed.

  “Of course.”

  “It’s an FBI matter now,” Devlin said. “But we will be working in conjunction with the local police and CIRP’s security.”

  Mark watched the sunlight catch the golden rays in her hair, the way she massaged her forehead with her long slender fingers, a gesture he’d seen so many times. He wanted to massage her temple, soothe away her worries, watch her eyes light up with passion the way they once had when he touched her.

  “Please review your files, Dr. Kos,” Devlin said. “If one of your patients fits the profile of our killer, you have to inform us.”

  “I’ll review them,” she said, although she didn’t commit any further.

  “We also need a list of any men you’re involved with,” Mark said.

  Claire swallowed. “I’m not involved with anyone at the moment.”

  A sharp pang of relief rifled through Mark, but he ignored it. “Anyone in the last, say, two years. That includes male employees where you work, neighbors, acquaintances—”

  “I get the picture.” Claire held up a hand. “Do you really think the killer is someone I know?”

  “We can’t say yet,” Agent Devlin said. “We’re gathering the same information on the victims. Who knows? We might get lucky and find a connection when we cross-check them.” Devlin’s coffee cup clattered as he placed it on the saucer. “If you think of anything, Dr. Kos, no matter how trivial, something one of the women said on the phone, something a client told you that strikes a familiar ch connection, please inform Agent Steele. He’ll be your contact.”

  Mark shook Devlin’s hand, agreed to stay in touch, then watched as he headed to the door. As soon as it closed behind him, Mark turned to Claire. She was facing the fireplace, her back to him, her posture rigid. He wanted to go to her, to hold her and assure her everything would be all right. But a wall had been erected between them, a wall he didn’t know how to breach.

  And he couldn’t relinquish the hurt that had consumed him those first few weeks when he’d gone overseas, thinking she didn’t want him.

  He had tried to understand. A military life wasn’t conducive to family. He should know, having grown up in one. Always moving around. A new city, strange people and faces. Never getting too close because there were always goodbyes. His life belonged to the army. There was no room for anything else.

  Now he’d left that behind, and he had to build a new life.

  “You should have left, too,” she said quietly.

  He had once. In fact, he hadn’t expected to return from overseas. Another reason he’d decided not to bug her with phone calls when she hadn’t shown that day. It had been unfair of him to pressure her for an answer before he shipped out or to ask her to wait for a man who might never return.

  And now he had, but he was an empty shell of a man. A man riddled with guilt and the dark shadows of death that only war could bring.

  He shut out the thought. Tried to focus on the case. “I don’t intend to leave until we catch this guy.”

  She turned then, that foggy look in her eyes almost too painful to tolerate. “Then I guess I’d better start on that list of possible suspects,” she said softly. “The sooner we catch this guy, the sooner you can go.”

  He ground his teeth, her message loud and clear. She didn’t want him back in her life. Just as she hadn’t wanted to marry him.

  The whisper of her shampoo tortured him as she walked past and claimed the desk chair in front of her computer. His stomach knotted as he realized the changes she’d made to her apartment, her computer, her life. He glanced around the small living area at the bookcase, surprised at its lack of hominess. In Atlanta, Claire’s shelves had been f
illed with books and brass horse sculptures, a collection she’d started with her sister years ago. Claire had loved riding, had often teased that she wanted to take him on a bareback ride in the mountains, or on the beach. He’d always joked that they didn’t need a horse to do that.

  They had never taken the ride.

  Apparently she hadn’t brought the sculptured horses with her when she’d moved to Savannah. Had she given up riding because of her visual impairment?

  He watched her compile the list and wondered about other changes. She’d once been full of laughter, full of surprises, and grit. The grit was still there, but the laughter had died.

  She’d also always been open, honest, giving, loving and passionate. She’d enjoyed sex, had not been shy about the act like other women he’d known.

  Had she changed in that respect now, too? Or hd she lied about not having another boyfriend?

  He clenched his fists by his sides at the mere thought of another man touching her, then reminded himself that he’d lost her long ago. “Why didn’t you send me word about the accident, Claire?”

  Claire’s fingers hesitated over the keyboard and his eyes were drawn to the special program she used. “Because we were no longer a couple, Mark.”

  The finality of her statement hammered reality home as she turned her back and resumed working at the computer.

  CLAIRE FELT Mark’s presence behind her as she assembled the list he’d requested, her emotions in a tailspin. How could he show up in her life and demand she walk away from her job? And how could he still have the power to affect her simply with the sound of his voice and his masculine scent?

  She had worked so hard to forget him, all the small details that made him special and had endeared him to her heart.

  Like the old-fashioned way he opened the door for her, and the way he pressed his hand to the small of her back when he led her into a restaurant. And the way he murmured her name as if it was a lover’s caress. The simple hoarse sound of his voice had caused a tingle to spread up her spine.

  He wouldn’t be murmuring her name in any kind of a lover’s caress now.