“Yeah, that’s what I want to know from you. What about them, Brie? Remember me asking you if anyone had made any vague threats to you or John?”
Her temper was fraying. “Yes, I remember,” she said, pronouncing each word emphatically, matching his grim posture.
“I asked you if any of them had reason to get even with you. A vendetta. And you said no.” His knuckles whitened against the back of the chair he was resting them on.
Brie glared at him and turned away. “I gave you the list. What else did you want?” she snapped.
Linc’s nostrils flared, and his eyes turned thundercloud black. “According to your notes on these companies, Jameson has had to pay 1.5 million dollars in fines you leveled against them. Cordeman said 1.2 million, Bach 1.8 million. That is reason enough right there to want to wipe you and John off the face of this earth!” he said, walking toward her and gripping her shoulders.
A soft gasp escaped her, and she tried to twist free of Linc’s capturing grasp. His sudden explosion of anger and action stunned her. “Let me go!”
“I’m not hurting you. Now stand still.”
Anger warred with hurt in her as she stared at him. Suddenly, the man was a stranger to her. She felt the contained violence in him and thought it was aimed at her. He pinned her savagely with his eyes.
“Tell me about these three companies. In detail. Now.” He released her and stepped away, waiting.
Brie rubbed her arm. Linc hadn’t hurt her physically, but it felt like it. “You’ve got a problem, Linc,” she shot back, her voice shaking with anger. “Earlier tonight you were sneaking around like some damn cop, and now you’re giving me the third degree. Don’t you think I had enough of that when I was recovering in the hospital? Don’t you think I told those detectives at that time about those three companies you just mentioned?” Her eyes narrowed. “Just who the hell are you?”
Linc wanted to shake Brie, to tell her the truth. To tell her just how much danger he felt she was in. But he couldn’t. Not yet. Not until he was satisfied she was completely innocent. She had to be hiding something! She was doing it for John because of their special relationship. His voice came out low and guarded. “I’m going to drop over to the police department and do a little snooping around. The fines levied by the attorney general’s office against those companies are public record. Anyone can get the info if they’re a little persistent. I want to see if I can dig up any information the detectives might have overlooked.”
Brie had backed against the counter, standing up to Linc. “That still doesn’t explain your behavior. Tonight when we came back to the house, you acted as if someone was in here just waiting for us. And then you went around checking every window and door latch. You never did that before when you were here.”
“Yes, I did. Only you didn’t see me do it, Brie.”
Her eyes lost their anger. “Why are you trying to frighten me?” The words came out soft and strained. “Don’t you think I’ve suffered enough? I don’t need you jumpy and nervous, too.”
Linc closed his eyes and settled his hands on her shoulders. “Brie, I’m not doing this to hurt you.” He bit back so much of what he wanted to say. Instead, he continued on in a low tone. “More than anything, I want you safe. I think, in some ways, you want to forget that John was probably murdered. From the drawing you did for me of the wires from the explosion that killed John and from their color, it’s obvious they’re the kind used by the military. That stuff is not sold on the open market.” He raised his head, holding her wavering green gaze. “I know, because I’ve handled them in the Marine Corps. They’re highly reliable in any type of weather condition, and damn near foolproof. Whoever rigged that explosion either stole the wires outright or bought them on a black market.” His fingers tightened on her flesh. “Either way, Brie, it screams at me that the people who laid that trap for you were paid professionals who knew where to get the best equipment to do the job. There’s no doubt in my mind that John was murdered.” He dragged in a deep breath, watching his words strike Brie with force. “With Holcomb’s house being a target, I feel yours will be, too, if they didn’t find what they were looking for.” He grew desperate. “I can’t—won’t risk you being here alone when or if they come.”
Brie sighed, all the tension draining from her body. “My God,” she whispered unsteadily. And then, “Why didn’t you tell me about those wires before this?”
Linc wanted to bring her into his arms, needing her womanly warmth, her softness, some reassurance against an unknown future for both of them. But he remained where he stood. “I didn’t want to alarm you, Brie. I could be wrong.” He inhaled the sweet scent of her hair. “You’ve gone through enough. You didn’t need me yelling like Chicken Little that the sky was falling in.”
She stood uncertainly, suspicion in her eyes along with exhaustion. “Isn’t it?” she muffled.
He released a ragged breath. “Maybe. I don’t know yet.” He knew. Linc stilled his anger. Pulling Detective Gent aside, he tried to convince the policeman to release a squad car to keep a watch over Brie’s house when they were gone during the day, but the detective had refused. They could only spare one, and that one was going to keep watch over Carol Holcomb’s residence. Linc swallowed his frustration over the idiotic move of the police department. He drew Brie into his arms.
“I’m sorry,” he said huskily against her velvet cheek. “I didn’t mean to yell at you.”
Brie nodded, accepting his explanation. She leaned heavily against him, needing his strength right now. “It’s so unreal, Linc. It’s like a nightmare that never ends.…” Her voice died in tremulous silence.
He heard the terror leaking through her tone and held her as tightly as he dared. “I’m here,” he told her. “And until we get this situation resolved one way or another, I’m not letting you out of my sight, little cat. So don’t worry, you can sleep at night.”
Brie melted beneath his blue eyes, which were stormy with turmoil. “Somehow, I get the feeling you’re very good at being that watchdog you were talking about earlier.”
Linc nodded, feeling guilty over hiding the truth of who he really was. “You’re right,” he whispered thickly. “I’m very good at what I do. So don’t let this break-in tear you apart. We’ll be fine as long as we’re together.”
The tenderness of his look dissolved her tension. “For once, I’m glad you’re a chauvinist,” she admitted, trying to smile after he released her. “I think I’m in need of some cavemanlike protection. I’m feeling terribly vulnerable and naked.” She rubbed her arms slowly, frowning, thinking of the ramifications of Linc’s assessment.
“Hey, now, stop that,” he chided, placing his arm around her shoulder and giving her a squeeze. “We’ll go about our normal duties. You concentrate on haz-mat, and I’ll keep my eyes peeled.” He could have kicked himself for having to disclose information to Brie. He had done it in hopes that she would reveal what she might know about John or what he was hiding. It hadn’t worked, and in the end had only upset her more. Agitation and anxiety were clearly written in the depths of her jade eyes.
* * *
The phone was ringing. And ringing. And ringing. Linc rose off the couch in a stupor, stumbling toward the kitchen in the darkness. He crashed into Brie at the corner. Groggy, Linc stumbled, reaching out to stop her from falling. Myriad sensations rushed through him from the collision of her soft, rounded breasts against his naked chest, the warmth of her hand on his shoulder and the moist sweetness of her breath against his neck.
“You all right?” he mumbled, trying to orient himself to the present.
Breathless, Brie left his arms. “Y-yes…I’ll get the phone.” And she disappeared like a beautiful wraith. Linc stood dazed and touched his brow. What time was it? Three in the morning. He forced himself to the kitchen. He froze at the door, his sleep-ridden eyes widening as he drank in Brie with the phone in her hand.
The moonlight pierced the curtains at the kitchen window and ba
ck door, bathing her in a silver incandescence. The silky white nightgown clung to her body like a lover’s caress, and his breath caught in his throat. Her hair, pleasantly mussed, softened her already lovely face. Her full lips looked so damned provocative. When she looked up and realized he was standing there staring at her, her eyes widened.
Linc saw something he would never have thought he would see in a woman her age—shyness. There was pleading in her eyes as she was caught and held in his hungry gaze. Turning, Linc stumbled into the darkness of the house in search of her robe. He found it at the bottom of the brass bed and brought it to her. Brie was seated at the table, hastily scribbling instructions, her voice low and still husky with sleep. Linc settled the silk robe around her shoulders and stepped back, realizing Brie’s discomfort that he might have seen her twisted, red flesh a second time.
By now, the shock of running into her then seeing her clothed in that devastating nightgown was wearing off. Linc could see well enough in the moonlight and began to make them a pot of coffee. From the sounds of the phone call, he could tell it involved a haz-mat incident. The sandalwood scent of Brie lingered in the air, and he savored her scent. He leaned against the counter, allowing her honeylike voice to flow over him as she gave instructions to the caller. And when Linc realized she was staring at him, he cursed himself. Right now, all he wanted to do was walk those few steps, take her into his arms and press her length against him. He felt his body growing rigid and knew that evidence of his need would soon be visible. Concentrating on stopping this unexpected reaction, Linc pushed away from the counter and headed to the living room to dress in a clean uniform. The night was shot anyway.
Linc was sitting on the couch pulling on his socks when Brie appeared at the entrance to the living room. She had her robe on. Her arms were crossed against her breast and her face was sober. “We’re going up to Cleveland. The bomb squad from their police department just called.”
Linc rapidly put it together. Cleveland was where John was murdered. “What else?”
She shrugged tensely. “They got an anonymous caller telling them there were explosives in a warehouse out near the lake.”
Explosives, his area of expertise. He shoved on his boots and walked over to her. Brie’s face was shadowed with concern, and she was pale. “They find anything?” he asked quietly, coming to a halt inches from her.
Brie rubbed her forehead. She was achingly aware of how strong, confident and calm Linc was—and how devastatingly masculine. Her voice came out in an unexpected wobble. “Yes. A couple of bundles of TNT along with some jars with a crystal content.” She raised her chin, meeting his eyes, needing his nearness. “Probably picric acid or something. Anyway, they can’t identify the contents in the jar and they don’t want to move it until they have confirmation from us on what it is and if it’s safe to move. They can handle the dynamite easily. It’s just the other stuff they’re not sure about.”
He settled his hands on her shoulders. Brie was trembling. His fingers tightened slightly on her warm flesh. “It’s going to be all right,” he told her quietly, holding her wavering gaze. Her lips parted, and Linc groaned to himself. Oh, God, just to lean down and touch her wine-red lips and take away the pain he saw so clearly in her haunted eyes.
Brie swayed toward him, and she heard a soft gasp escape him as she leaned her head on his chest. His heart was beating strongly against her ear, while her heartbeat was erratic. A quiver raced through her as she felt his hands loosen from her shoulders and his arms gently wrapped around her, drawing her close to his seemingly indestructible body. Just for a second, she cried to herself, let me forget! “Linc…” she said in a ragged whisper.
Linc brushed her hair with a kiss, inhaling her warm, feminine scent all over again. Hot, scalding fire uncoiled deep within him as he felt her arms slowly go around him and she pressed herself against his hard contours. With one hand, he stroked her silky hair. “It’s going to be all right, kitten,” he whispered, his voice strained. “I know what’s going on inside that head of yours. I can see it in your eyes. This time, it’s going to be different. No one’s going to get hurt, I promise you.”
A shudder ran through her, and Brie clung to his dark, healing voice. “I—I’m afraid,” she said hoarsely. “It’s so much like the other call that got John killed.”
“Shh, I know that.” Linc managed a strained smile and gently drew her inches away from him. He didn’t want to, but if he didn’t he knew he’d overstep the boundaries of trust he was building with her. But he wanted to kiss those trembling lips.
“Now listen to me,” he said, his voice more authoritative. “My specialty is explosives. I know them like the back of my hand.” He gave her a slight smile and brushed away a strand of hair that had fallen across her brow, tucking it gently behind her ear. “I also know the kinds of wires used on that stuff. If it’s a setup, we’ll know going in.”
Her eyes rounded with terror. “But we didn’t last time, Linc.”
He gave her a small shake. “Neither you nor John was an expert in explosives, Brie.” His face hardened. “I am. I spent sixteen months in Nam finding and detonating all kinds of explosives under the worst possible conditions. Believe me when I tell you nobody can fool me when it comes to a setup with explosives. Now go on, get dressed. I’ll get the coffee in the thermos and have the van waiting for you by the time you’re ready.” Linc reluctantly released her, watching her closely. At first Brie swayed, then she seemed to draw on some reservoir of strength within her and stepped away. If she was a killer, this was the best act he’d ever seen put on for his benefit. It could be a trap to kill him, he realized. But one look into Brie’s eyes and Linc nearly rejected the possibility. Her voice was low and tortured.
“I won’t take long.”
The drive would take two hours. At three-thirty in the morning, the interstates were free of all but a few cars. Red lights flashing, the white haz-mat van moved at a steady sixty-five miles per hour toward its goal on the lakefront of Cleveland. Linc glanced at Brie. She had been silent since they had gotten in the van.
“Tell me one more time about those wires leading from the drums that you and John saw.”
Brie stared out into the darkness. “They were gray wires, four of them leading to the center drum. They had red things on them.” She rubbed her brow. “I drew a picture of them for the investigating officers and one for you.”
“Draw them again for me now?”
Without a word, Brie took a pen from her pocket and the clipboard from the dash and painstakingly drew him the picture he requested. Her lips tightened as she bore down on the pen. “I’ve always thought that, since John was murdered, I would be next.”
The admission came out so low that Linc barely heard it. He snapped his head toward her, his eyes narrowing. “What makes you say that?”
Brie shrugged. “Just a gut feeling, Linc. Nothing I can prove.”
Frustration curdled in his throat. “Who do you think did that to John?”
She closed her eyes and tipped her head back. “That’s like asking me to find the needle in the haystack.”
“Look, you’ve got to be more specific with me, Brie. Who holds a grudge against you? You leveled fines against a lot of companies. Certainly there has to be a specific company. Who’s really angry about being caught? Could they have put a contract out on you two? Have you received any threatening phone calls? Letters?”
“Slow down, Linc. I can answer only one question at a time.” Again, his eyes had that look in them, and Brie wasn’t sure if he was friend or foe. She hadn’t even had time to ask him about his odd and unexplained behavior over the break-in at Carol’s home, or the fact that the chief talked to him about it, and not her.
He grimaced. “Sorry. It’s just that I’m worried, that’s all.” He almost said I care so much for you, Brie. I’m not going to let anyone even get close to harming you. No matter how hard he tried to see her as a suspect, his heart kept insisting the opposite. H
e swallowed all that, concentrating on her halting answers.
“We never got threatening calls or letters. A few company officials hinted that we’d be sorry if we had the state attorney general go after them.”
“Are there any other names beside the ones on the list you already gave me?”
She gave him a disgruntled look. “Now you sound like those damned investigators.”
He ignored her sudden sarcasm, not understanding it. “Just think.”
Brie placed the clipboard on her lap and rubbed her temples gently. “Linc, I was barely out of my coma and in so much pain I didn’t know who I was, where I was or what happened, but those investigators were in there, hour after hour, grilling me the same way you’re doing now. And what has it gotten us? Not a damn thing.” Her eyes were bright with hurt. “John’s dead, and the Cleveland police are no closer to who did it than months before.”
Linc’s mouth flattened into a single line. “They shouldn’t have questioned you like that. With those kind of deep burns, you had to be almost out of your mind with pain.” He glanced at her, his eyes turning tender. “I’m sorry they did that to you, Brie, for whatever it’s worth.” The bastards were unprofessional in the worst way. If he’d been in charge of the investigation, he’d have waited until she was at least stabilized.
Her heart ached with humiliation. What was happening to her? Brie had never spoken about her three months in the hospital to anyone, not even her parents. She gave Tanner a confused look. “How do you know so much about burns?”
His smile was cold, matching the glitter in his darkened eyes. “Remember, I was in Nam.” His voice was lowered. “My best friend, Captain Dick Martin, got third-degree burns over fifty percent of his body from a booby-trapped line of explosives. I was the first to reach him and I rode out with him in the med-evac helicopter.” His tone grew hoarse. “My tour was up in two weeks. As soon as I made it to the Philippines, on the way home, I stopped by the burn unit at the Navy hospital there. Dick was like a brother to me. I decided to take my thirty days’ leave and stick it out with him. I saw his agony, Brie. I heard his screams as they soaked him in that water, filled him full of morphine then peeled that burned flesh from him.”
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