JT glanced around the great room at the unpacked moving boxes scattered around the room. “You said you’ve been here a month and yet you’re prepared to pick up and leave at a moment’s notice. What are you running from, Faith McKenzie?” he said, a challenge in his voice.
She drew in a shaky breath and did her best to answer without giving anything else away. “Nothing.”
Just the tiniest of smiles lifted the corners of his mouth. “I spent way too many years as a detective not to know when someone isn’t telling me the truth. Whatever this is, it won’t go away on its own.”
When she didn’t answer, he added, “Okay, I understand. You’re not ready, but when you are, you can talk to me.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s late and I should go, but if you need anything, anything at all, you can call me. I live just down the beach from you.” He reached inside his wallet and pulled out a business card. “Here are my numbers. The one at the bottom is for the house here but you can reach me on my cell at any time, day or night.”
“Wyatt Securities” jumped out at her in bold black lettering.
“I mean it, Faith. If you need anything, you call. Even if it’s just to talk.”
He walked over to the door before adding, “I’m going to give you a piece of free advice. Living on the island, especially out here along the beach, can be isolated. We are all neighbors here. We take care of and rely on each other. I don’t know what’s going on in your life, but if he’s bad enough to make you as scared as you clearly are, I hope he doesn’t follow you here to Hope Island for everyone’s sake.” JT lifted a finger in a final farewell then strode out her door and she could breathe again.
He had no way of knowing how much she desperately hoped for the same thing.
*
JT had seen the expression in Faith McKenzie’s eyes a hundred times before while working domestic violence cases. It never got easier and it always promised a bad ending. Faith McKenzie was scared to death. God only knew what kind of trouble lurked in her past.
He’d encountered a lot of desperate victims on the job, but the type of fear he’d seen in her tonight seemed fused to every part of her being. He couldn’t imagine what had happened in her life to bring her to this point.
JT tried to dismiss the unfamiliar stirring in his heart as he walked along the beach to his house. There was something about Faith that made him want to help her. No one deserved to live in such turmoil, and although she was clearly scared out of her mind, he couldn’t deny he found himself attracted to her. He hadn’t thought of another woman as beautiful since Emily’s death.
Even without a trace of makeup, Faith was a strikingly lovely woman. She’d twisted her raven hair up into a makeshift knot on top of her head. Several strands had worked loose and framed her oval face. She hadn’t been trying to impress anyone and yet she possessed the type of beauty that didn’t need enhancing. But it was her eyes that tore at his heart the most. They were the color of midnight blue and haunted by fear.
Without a doubt, she was one troubled soul and he didn’t know what to do about it.
You can’t help someone who doesn’t want your help, he could almost hear his sister saying. It was certainly true enough and it wasn’t as if he didn’t have his own set of concerns to worry about.
This had been the most stressful week in a long time and the upcoming one promised even more issues. One of Wyatt Securities’ potential clients, a global energy firm, had recently detected a major security breach in their servers and had come to Wyatt for advice on how to overhaul their systems and to ferret out any additional breaches. If Wyatt landed the contract, it would mean a huge amount of business for the company. With their already heavy workload, the additional business added up to a lot of overtime for the staff and for JT. While part of him welcomed the challenge, lately he was feeling a little overwhelmed and unfulfilled. There had to be more to life than work. Even for someone like him.
JT rubbed a hand across his jaw. He had enough on his plate figuring out his own life, so the last thing he needed right now was the kind of trouble Faith represented.
Lord, You help her. I can’t. His prayer sounded about as empty as he felt inside. Truth be told, he had stopped looking to God for help after his wife’s death. He wasn’t even sure he believed anymore. After all, if God was so all-powerful and loving, why had He let someone good like Emily die in such a brutal way? JT himself should have been the one to walk into that convenience store and confront the robber. He should have died that night. Not her. Yet for his sister’s sake, he still attended the small church they’d grown up in each week and pretended. But the pastor’s message, the scriptures he read—they didn’t reach into his heart the way they had in the past.
The house JT had been restoring here on the island for the past three years had become his only real source of contentment.
His father had been a local Hope Island police officer for more than twenty years and had taught JT how to find comfort in the simple things of life. After Edward Wyatt retired from the force, he’d begun restoring houses up and down the Maine coast. JT loved working with his father. He’d never felt closer to him than when they were working side by side to bring something on the brink of ruin back to its former glory.
JT reached the edge of his property and turned toward the house he’d just left.
Who exactly had been on the other end of that call to bring such terror to Faith McKenzie’s eyes? The way she reacted to his sudden appearance, even after she realized he posed no threat, pointed to someone who didn’t know her stalker’s identity. If so, then every stranger she met would represent a possible risk.
The detective in him wanted to know what she was hiding in her past. A woman so young didn’t move to an isolated town like Hope Island without just cause.
Whatever it was, it has nothing to do with you, he said to himself. He had offered his help. If she didn’t accept it, there wasn’t much else he could do.
Still, out of curiosity, JT grabbed his cell phone and called Derek Thomas, his good friend and one of the founding members of Wyatt Securities.
“Hey, I need you to do me a favor,” JT said without bothering to return Derek’s hello. “Can you do a background check on someone?”
It wasn’t unusual for JT to ask for Derek’s help in this manner. After all, he was a computer genius and could uncover anyone’s secrets no matter how deeply hidden. “Sure, pal, whatever you need. Who do you want me to check on?”
“Her name is Faith McKenzie. She rented the old Fitzgerald house down the beach from me.”
“I see. What’s your concern with her?” He could tell from Derek’s tone that he thought it odd JT wanted a background check done on his neighbor.
“I’m not sure.” He briefly filled in his friend on the chase that ensued after he stopped by Faith’s place to return her dog to her. “From her over-the-top reaction, I think someone is stalking her and my gut tells me this isn’t the first time it’s happened, either.”
Six months after his wife’s death, JT had left the police force because he couldn’t bear the constant reminder of how he’d let Emily down. He’d founded Wyatt Securities along with Derek and another close friend, Teddy Warren. He hadn’t been able to help Emily, but he was determined not to let such a tragedy befall another innocent person on this island.
“I want to know what she’s hiding. If it’s any help, she has a very distinctive Texas accent. She’s obviously lived there at some time in her past.”
After a slight hesitation, Derek said, “I’ll get started on it right away.”
“Good. What were you up to before I interrupted your evening?” JT could hear the TV in the background.
“Listening to the Weather Channel mostly. There’s a tropical storm building strength in the Atlantic.”
JT blew out a sigh. “Yeah, I heard.” The storm in question was all over the radio lately. Every time the Weather Bureau issued a warning, people up and down the coast went on full alert. With
everything going on at work, this was the last thing JT needed. If the storm kept gaining strength, he’d have to stockpile necessities and weatherproof the house just in case.
“If it keeps on the path it’s on now, the entire East Coast is within its strike zone. Who knows where it’ll hit. I’m still praying it will lose strength before it gets close.” Derek paused. “Well, I’d better get a move on. I’ll give you a call as soon as I have something on your neighbor.”
“Thanks, buddy. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” JT disconnected the call and unlocked the back door. As he stepped inside the house, his cell phone rang again. Liz’s number popped up on the caller ID. She worried about him; that’s what big sisters did. He touched the ignore button. He would call her back tomorrow. Right now, he couldn’t get his mind off the terrified woman down the beach.
Was he simply trying to find redemption for failing Emily by helping a stranger in need? Possibly, yet there was something different about Faith McKenzie.
Get her out of your mind, Wyatt. You have plenty of real concerns in your life to be worried about. He grabbed his laptop and cleared off enough space at the kitchen table to set up shop, while ignoring the reminders scattered around the house of things he should be doing. Like finishing the drywall in the great room, not to mention getting the cabinets hung in the kitchen so he could finally put dishes away.
Instead, he started brewing a pot of coffee and dove into work. In the security world, business was booming. On average, over the past year, the company had a couple of new clients sign on every month. If things kept growing at this rate, he would need to hire additional staff just to keep up.
JT was halfway through writing a proposal for the global energy firm when Derek called back.
“That was fast.”
As usual, his friend didn’t mince words. “It took some doing, but I was able to find a copy of her lease agreement for the house. Since the Fitzgeralds didn’t have any living relatives, the county commissioned a real estate agency to sell the house. In the current market, selling a house that size is next to impossible so the agency agreed to put it up for rent, which meant the agreement was on file at county records.” Derek cleared his throat. “Apparently, the leasing agent didn’t do a credit check, because the name McKenzie didn’t match up with the social security number on the application. That social corresponds to a Faith Davenport who was originally from Oklahoma City, but moved to Austin, Texas when she was a teenager.”
This bit of news wasn’t a surprise. “Figures. She changed her name because she’s running from someone.”
“Probably,” Derek confirmed. “Her past is sketchy. Parents died when she was ten and she ended up in foster care. She ran away to Texas when she was a teenager. It appears she turned her life around. Finished school and got an accounting degree from the University of Texas—all online. She doesn’t appear to have much of a presence online now. I’m still digging. I’ll know more soon.”
“Good.”
“So what are you thinking about doing?” Derek asked the expected question. He knew JT well enough to know he hadn’t wanted the information just to satisfy his curiosity.
JT stared out the kitchen window. In the darkness, all he could see was his own troubled reflection. “I’m not sure, but if anyone needs our help it’s Faith McKenzie.”
Copyright © 2014 by Mary Eason
ISBN-13: 9781460333877
OUT FOR JUSTICE
Copyright © 2014 by Carol J. Post
All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and in other countries.
www.Harlequin.com
“DON’T THINK YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH IT.”
Just when she started to feel safe, small-town librarian Lorie Narramore begins receiving threatening notes. They prove that her worst fears have come true—her dark past has followed her to Arkansas. And someone wants her to pay for what she’s done. As the threats turn into full-scale attacks, Lorie has no choice but to rely on deputy sheriff Matt MacGregor’s protection. But after her harrowing ordeal with the law, can she truly trust a cop? And can Matt trust her to tell him the truth when the threats claim she’s gotten away with murder?
Lorie’s cell phone rang.
Lorie checked the display, then looked at Matt. “I don’t know who this is.”
Matt flipped open the phone and hit the answer button, putting it on speaker.
“You have been a very naughty girl, haven’t you, going to the law like that. Shame on you.” The robot-processed voice was back.
Lorie turned pale. Matt put a finger to his lips.
“But then you know that, don’t you? I’m surprised at you, trusting a deputy. When he finds out the truth, you’ll finally be accountable.”
Combined with the call Gerhardt had fielded, all Matt’s dark suspicions came flooding back. Was she responsible for more than justifiable homicide? Lorie’s expression held no hint of guilt, just confusion and fear.
“Why are you tormenting me?” Lorie demanded. “What did I ever do to you?”
“Why, you killed Grayson, of course. You have to be punished for that, since the court let you go. You’ll finally get what you deserve. I hope your life insurance is up-to-date.”
MARION FAITH LAIRD
shares a house with her mom and a gazillion books. She plays assorted musical instruments, including the organ at her church, composes and arranges music, sings, acts, and occasionally indulges in artwork. She’s always had characters running around in her brain, and is glad she has a new way to share them with others.
In addition to the arts, Marion loves making things. She’d time-travel to the Renaissance if she could to study art technique, but she’d always come back home for her computer.
Growing up in a navy family, Marion has lived from one end of the U.S. to the other, and changed schools and curricula like some kids change shoes. Her peripatetic upbringing has given her a lifelong love of travel and learning, as well as awareness that while people’s customs may differ, their hearts are the same.
Marion is a member of Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers.
NO PLACE TO RUN
Marion Faith Laird
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
—John 14:27
For Mom, who inspired me to read because she always was, and to write because she wrote and told amazing stories! I’m glad she’s here to read this.
And for Dad, who always encouraged me to follow my dreams. I wish he could hold a copy of this book, but I’m sure he knows.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to my friend Anne, who introduced me to Love Inspired books back when they were Steeple Hill. I believe I can safely say that if it wasn’t for her, this book wouldn’t have been written. She’ll always have a special place in our hearts’ albums.
I’
m indebted to the generous writers who helped me fine-tune my first chapter and cover blurb entry in Harlequin/Mills & Boon’s annual So You Think You Can Write contest, especially Laura Hamby, Valerie Parv, Rachel J. Stevens and Kathi Robb Harris. I also thank Danica Favorite, who assured me that the editors would contact anyone whose work they wanted to see, even if the manuscript didn’t make it past the first round of voting. Many thanks to Tina James, who requested the full manuscript and a synopsis, Lynette Eason, who helped me improve my synopsis, and to Elizabeth Mazer, my editor, who called and bought the book! Through the revision process, she’s helped make it so much better than it was in its beginning!
Thanks also to Cheryl Wyatt. I’ve started many a story from her writing challenges (although not this one). I also appreciate the writing challenges on the Community Boards at Harlequin, and the interactive novel writing at PanHistoria.com. It’s been said it takes a village to raise a child. I’m beginning to think it takes a village to nurture a writer! Many thanks to all my “villages,” and to more of my “villagers,” (in alphabetical order) Diana Cosby, Margaret Daley, Nell Dixon, Rachelle McCalla, Shirlee McCoy, Camy Tang and Janet Tronstad.
Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Love Inspired Suspense June 2014 Bundle 2 of 2: Forced AllianceOut for JusticeNo Place to Run Page 43
