Shielding His Christmas Witness

by Laura Scott

  Yet he was the one she’d miss the most. There were friends that she’d had much longer, but she suspected that they’d go on with their busy lives without missing her too much. She’d known Marc only a short time, but they’d grown close over the past few days. And no matter how much she tried, she couldn’t forget the warmth of his embrace.

  The heat of his kiss.

  “Kari? Are you all right?”

  The deep concern in Marc’s voice forced her eyes open. She tried, but failed, to manage a smile. “Not really. I feel terrible. I can’t believe Tomas is dead.”

  “I know.” Marc came closer and once again drew her into a tender embrace.

  This time, she buried her face against his shoulder, absorbing his strength. He held her gently, but firmly, stroking a soothing hand down her back.

  Despite the way she’d just tried to talk herself out of thinking about Marc as a man she could fall in love with, she snuggled close. Being held in his big, strong arms made her realize how much she longed for him to kiss her again.

  Kari gathered the courage to tilt her head back to look up at him. His gaze locked on hers, and she imagined she could see the same desire she felt reflected in the green depths.

  He hesitated and then slowly lowered his mouth to hers. His lips felt familiar now and she reveled in his kiss, sliding her hands up around his neck to hold on when her knees went weak. His sandalwood scent surrounded her and she knew she’d always remember him by it.

  Long after he was gone, she’s always remember this.

  The kiss was far too brief. Marc lifted his head and rested his forehead against hers. “Kari,” he whispered roughly. “You’re messing with my mind.”

  She couldn’t help but smile. “Right back at you.” Deep down inside, she was glad to know that he was struggling with their attraction as much as she was.

  “What we’re feeling right now isn’t real,” he went on, ruining the moment.

  It was for her, but what could she say? He obviously didn’t feel the same way.

  He loosened his grip and then stepped away, putting distance between them. She let him go, and leaned against the door frame until her legs stopped feeling like limp noodles.

  “I’d like to talk to you about the day of the bank robbery,” he said.

  Kari frowned at the abrupt change in subject and then made her way over to the small table. She dropped gratefully into the seat and gathered her scattered thoughts. If he wanted to ignore their kiss, then she would, too.

  “What about it?” she asked, her tone sharper than she intended. “I went through every second of that day countless times, months ago. With both you and Detective Barclay.”

  “I know,” he agreed, raking a hand through his dark hair. “But I keep wondering if we missed something.”

  “Like what?” She couldn’t imagine they’d missed anything about that day, especially since she’d been there as they went through the digital-camera images frame by frame.

  “Lee’s death makes me wonder if there isn’t another reason they want you dead. More than just the fact that you were able to draw the likeness of Jamison’s tattoo.”

  Dumbfounded, she stared at him. “I don’t know what else they could possibly want from me,” she said. “Watching the video stream of the bank that day didn’t reveal anyone out of the ordinary. Just Jamison and a car that was waiting outside, the one they used to drive away.” She wondered now if Tomas Lee had been the one driving the getaway car.

  And why he had to die because of it.

  “Okay, then think back to the time before the bank robbery,” he prompted. “Is it possible you saw someone hanging around? Anything out of the ordinary?”

  Kari slowly shook her head. “Not that I can recall,” she admitted. “I was pretty upset because Vince had disappeared with all my money the previous week. All I remember is how angry and frustrated I was.” The days before the robbery were nothing more than a blur. Marc was off base if he thought she’d remember anything of significance during that time frame.

  It was amazing that she’d been alert enough to draw the tattoo she’d glimpsed on Jamison’s chest.

  “Okay, anything unusual that happened afterward? Maybe someone hanging around the bank, or outside your house?”

  Kari closed her eyes and did her best to think back to those harried days after the bank robbery. She’d been interviewed by so many people, forced to repeat her story time and time again before the authorities were satisfied. She’d also been told to stay home from work on a paid leave for the rest of the week. Thankfully, her name hadn’t been given to the media so she hadn’t been forced to deal with reporters.

  At least until two weeks before she was scheduled to testify, when suddenly her name had appeared in the newspaper as the key witness at Jamison’s trial.

  “I can’t think of anything,” she said finally, looking up at him with despair. “I went for long walks in the park, passed a few people here and there, but nothing that stands out in my mind.”

  “It’s all right, I understand.” He hesitated, then pressed for more. “Can you remember any details about the people you saw in the park?”

  “What kind of details?” She couldn’t hide her frustration. “They were just ordinary people. Mostly mothers pushing strollers or surrounded by little kids. I remember thinking that one day I’d be able to take my baby there, too.”

  “So no one that struck you as out of place?”

  “Not really. There were some older couples I’d see, obviously retired. I did see one guy who wore a suit, which was a little odd since it was hot out that day, but he didn’t seem to be paying any attention to me.”

  Marc’s gaze sharpened. “What did the guy in the suit look like?”

  Kari spread her hands helplessly. “Like a guy! In his thirties or forties, brown hair. I can’t tell you anything more than that. Besides, I only saw him once, in the middle of the week. I doubt he’s involved.”

  “Could you draw him?”

  “No, I can’t. Sorry, but I don’t remember really looking at his face. I just remember the fleeting thought that he must be hot in his suit and tie. He was probably just taking a quick lunch break or something. He certainly didn’t strike me as nervous or anything like that.”

  Marc let out a heavy sigh. “You’re right, I’m grasping at straws. It’s just frustrating to think that you might be a target simply because the guy behind the robberies thinks you know something that you don’t.”

  “Tell me about it,” she muttered harshly. She wished she could remember something important because then they could put this guy behind bars.

  With the elimination of that threat, she for sure wouldn’t have to go into witness protection.

  Leaving her entire life behind.

  * * *

  The next day dragged slowly as Marc stared at his computer screen, trying to think of another angle to pursue to investigate the leak within the task force. Tomas Lee, their only lead, was dead.

  Maybe he should go back to the tattoo shop to see if Mikio had more information related to the second man. He’d have to risk facing the man and his razor-sharp sword, and doubted that pulling his gun would encourage Mikio to cooperate. Besides, if the tattoo artist only dealt with cash, then there wouldn’t be anything to link to the identity of the second man.

  Which left him with nothing.

  Except, of course, the need to keep Kari safe for the next two days, until she was needed to testify.

  “Why don’t you relax a bit?” he suggested. “Maybe watch a movie or something?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “There hasn’t been much to see. I don’t particularly like scary or violent movies.”

  “Come on, there has to be a Christmas movie in there somewhere,” Marc urged, drawing her up to her feet.

&n
bsp; “I’d love to see It’s a Wonderful Life,” she said in a wistful tone.

  Marc was ashamed to admit that he’d never watched the film. He wasn’t sure how he’d missed it, when everyone else on the planet had seen it, but he had. Obviously, Jess was right about how he’d worked too much.

  “Can’t hurt to check,” he said as they walked into her room.

  “I like the original version the best,” she said, stretching out on the bed and once again elevating her ankle. “No one plays George Bailey like Jimmy Stewart.”

  Marc picked up the remote and flipped through the channels. “Jimmy Stewart? Just how old is this movie?”

  “Old. Really old.”

  “Here it is, in the queue for movies on demand.” Marc pushed the button to start the show.

  “Isn’t there an added charge for that?” she protested.

  “I’ll submit it to my expense account.”

  That made her laugh, and once the movie began, he soon found himself engrossed in the story. He pulled up a chair to sit beside her.

  The movie was sad in parts, but thankfully had a happy ending with the theme that family was important. Marc had always known that, and the Callahan clan was a close-knit bunch. But he hadn’t always practiced that with Jessica.

  Until it was too late.

  Now he realized that the secrets he’d kept relating to Jessica’s affair and the resulting pregnancy had driven a bit of a wedge between him and the rest of his family.

  His fault, not theirs. His mom, Nan and siblings had given him room to grieve his wife’s tragic death. It had been easier to let them believe that than to tell them the truth.

  He couldn’t bear the thought of seeing pity reflected in their eyes.

  “That was wonderful, thanks,” Kari said on a sigh, wiping away a stray tear.

  “You don’t have to thank me. It’s the least I can do.” Marc tried to soften the edge that had crept into his tone. “We’re going to be stuck here for the next two nights, so go ahead and watch whatever holiday movies you like.”

  “To be honest with you, what I’d really like is to go to church,” Kari said, a hesitant expression in her eyes, as if she expected him to deny her simple request.

  He shouldn’t have been surprised by her desire to attend church services, after all, the next day was Sunday, but he was. His first instinct was to suggest the same church the Callahans always attended, but of course, that wouldn’t be smart. The last thing he wanted to do was to expose his family to danger; his brothers had gone out on a limb to help him enough already.

  “Which church would you like to attend?” he asked quietly.

  “The one I’ve been going to since Vince left me. It’s not too far from my house.” Her large brown eyes pleaded with him. “The people there are so nice, even knowing my situation. They’ve never once made me feel uncomfortable.”

  He didn’t like the thought of anyone treating her badly because of her situation, yet at the same time, he couldn’t agree to her plan. “I’m sorry, Kari. It’s not a good idea for us to attend a church you’ve been to before, and one located so close to your house. We can’t rule out the possibility that this guy is watching your place.”

  Her face fell, but she nodded. “Okay, I can understand that, but can we find one similar to the one I normally attend?”

  “Yeah, that should be okay. I’ll get my computer—you can do a search, see what you find.”

  Kari’s gaze was intense as she surfed the internet. It seemed to take a long time, almost a half hour, before she turned the screen to face him. “How about here?”

  The church was simple yet beautiful, with a tall brown steeple topped with a cross. He leaned closer, checking out the address. It happened to be located in the opposite side of town from her home and far enough from his family’s church that he had no concerns about being seen.

  “Looks great to me.”

  “Thanks, Marc,” she said with a misty smile. Then she wiped at her face. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’ve been so emotional lately.”

  “It’s okay. I don’t mind.” He lightly stroked her cheek, then pulled back, before he did anything stupid. He jotted own the address of the church on a slip of hotel stationary, then stuffed it into his pocket. “Are you hungry? We ate a late dinner, but I can still go out and get something else for you. Or we can eat what’s left of the pizza.”

  She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “No, thanks. I’m fine. I’ll try to get some sleep.”

  Oddly disappointed that they wouldn’t be spending more time together that evening, Marc nodded and returned to his room, carrying his computer.

  The investigation was stalled, and at this point there wasn’t anything more he could do to find the man who’d killed Tomas. He needed to focus his energy on finding a safe way to get Kari inside the courtroom to testify.

  He couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to her. He refused to lose another witness the way he’d lost Joey Simmons three years ago, during the five-mile drive to the courthouse in his own personal vehicle.

  No, this time, he’d have a better plan. For one thing, he’d be driving Kari to the courthouse in the truck, which no one would recognize. Or maybe he’d even ask one of his brothers to swap cars with him, so that they’d be in a completely different vehicle.

  And he’d use the underground parking garage, taking Kari past the concrete posts then up through the back stairwell. He could picture the route in his mind, and knew he’d need plenty of backup.

  He reached for his phone and called Miles again.

  “Something wrong?” Miles asked abruptly, giving Marc the impression he’d interrupted him in the middle of something important.

  “No, sorry, nothing like that. But I do need some help on Monday morning to get Kari safely into the courthouse.” Marc knew he probably should have begun planning the route sooner. “I hate to ask, but do you think it’s possible you can get off work that day? I’d like some backup, both before and after she’s finished testifying.”

  “I can call in a few favors,” his brother said with a sigh. “What about Mitch or Mike? Did you ask them to help out, too?”

  “I left them both messages earlier, but they didn’t call me back.” He knew his brothers were busy with their respective careers, but he’d hoped they’d get in touch before now. “I can try them again.”

  “No, don’t worry about it. I’ll fill them in on what you need,” Miles said. “Anything else?”

  “That’s all for now, but I’ll need to talk to all three of you later tomorrow, just for an hour or so, to go through the plan.”

  “We’ll swing by after brunch,” Miles promised.

  “Thanks.” Marc was touched by his brother’s willingness to drop everything to help him. Of course he’d do the same for them, but he couldn’t help thinking about the fact that Kari didn’t have anyone willing to step out on a limb for her. No parents, no siblings.

  Just him. The responsibility of keeping her safe rested solely on his shoulders. And he was determined to do his best for Kari.

  Or die trying.

  FOURTEEN

  Despite her bone-weary exhaustion, Kari didn’t sleep well. By the time light peeked in around the heavy curtains over the window, she gave up and crawled out of bed.

  Testing her ankle, she was surprised and pleased that she was able to bear weight with hardly any pain. The swelling had also gone down dramatically, but she still walked with care as she made her way into the bathroom.

  Thirty minutes later, she emerged refreshed and hungry. She crossed over to the connecting door and pressed her ear to the small opening, listening for any sound that indicated Marc might be awake.

  Silence.

  Glancing at her watch, she realized it was barely six thirt
y. Unfortunately, she had no idea how long Marc had worked into the night.

  Deciding to let him sleep, she went back over to the desk to page through the hotel directory for local restaurants. When she discovered the hotel offered a free continental breakfast, she blew out a sigh of relief. Now she wouldn’t have to go outside by herself. She could simply go to the lobby. At almost nineteen weeks along, her morning sickness had passed, but a hint of nausea remained in the early hours of the day, especially when her stomach was empty. It was as if her body was warning her to hurry up and feed the baby.

  With a wry smile, she quickly scribbled a note for Marc, in case he woke up while she was gone. She set it on her pillow, then scooped up the room key along with her prenatal vitamins and crossed over to the door.

  When she stepped into the hallway, a cold breeze caught her off guard, and she realized there must be an outside door open somewhere close by. She assumed someone had propped it open to make it easier to move luggage either in or out. She shivered and crossed her arms over her chest as she walked down the hall toward the lobby.

  The room was cheery and smelled good; the breakfast offerings lining the far wall were better than she’d expected. Her stomach rumbled loudly as she eagerly helped herself to fluffy scrambled eggs, toast and a yogurt.

  Several tables were set up and she took a seat, gave a quick silent prayer of thanks, and took a bite of the eggs. Not great, but certainly edible. When she’d finished eating, she took her giant vitamin with a glass of milk and sat back in her seat, feeling much better. She cleaned up her breakfast dishes, then debated whether she should bother with a cup of decaf coffee.

  Someone came into the lobby bringing a wave of cold air, so she went ahead and filled a coffee mug for warmth as much as anything. She sat back down, loath to return to the impersonal hotel room.

  There was a television mounted in the corner of the room where most of the patrons could see it. The local news was on and she nearly dropped her coffee when Jamison’s mug shot flashed on the screen.