by Terri Reed
“The intruder’s gone,” he told her. The relief that she was unharmed heated his core, lessening the throbbing pain in his injured arm.
Ignoring the curious stares of the others in the room, Chase tucked Ashley’s head beneath his chin and held her tight with his left arm. It felt good and right to hold her close. Part of his brain protested, claiming he was digging himself a hole he might not be able to get back out of. The other part of his brain, the one that acknowledged he cared for Ashley, had him placing both arms around her, despite the pain in his right forearm.
She drew back to stare into his face. Her eyes were red-rimmed and her expression troubled. “I was so scared for you.”
Her concern touched him deeply. “I failed to capture him.”
“He didn’t succeed in his plans,” she countered, gripping his right arm.
Her fingers dug into what promised to be a deep bruise and caused him to draw in a sharp breath.
Gasping, she quickly disengaged and stepped farther away from him. “You’re hurt!”
He flexed his fingers and moved his wrist. “Only superficially.”
Wrapping her arms around her middle, her voice dropped to a low whisper. “He’s going to keep sending men to kill me.”
“We’ll deal with them,” he assured her.
Pressing her lips together as if to prevent herself from saying something, she only nodded. But he could tell she wasn’t convinced. Only time would prove his words true.
SEVEN
The next morning, after stopping by Chase’s house for him to change into a fresh uniform, and rubbing some arnica cream that Lucinda had given him on the black-and-blue area of his forearm, Chase hustled Ashley into the conference room of the sheriff’s station. A TV monitor had been hooked to a laptop and sat facing a lone chair.
Though her insides still quaked with worry, she’d recovered enough from the ordeal of the night before to find her composure. As long as she didn’t let her mind dwell on the fact that Chase had been injured protecting her. Today she’d chosen to wear a pretty blue top borrowed from Leslie over her one good black pencil skirt and low heels. She’d tamed her hair a bit with a hair product she’d found in Leslie’s bathroom that smelled of vanilla, a scent that gave her some comfort.
Daniel, wearing the same brown uniform that matched Chase’s, was at the laptop. His head lifted as they entered. “Everything is all set on this end.” He gestured for her to take a seat. “The sheriff will be in momentarily. He’s on the phone with the district attorney in Los Angeles now. When they’re ready, I’ll conference in the DA. He’ll appear on the screen to talk to you.”
Daniel left the room as Ashley nodded and sank onto the chair in front of the monitor. She swallowed back the trepidation working its way up her throat. Nerves from the thought of giving her statement to the district attorney had her heart pumping with enough adrenaline to keep the fatigue from a sleepless night at bay.
Ashley, along with Chase, Kaitlyn and Leslie, had stayed up the rest of the night, finally resorting to playing board games to pass the time. He’d sat with an ice pack on his arm in hopes of reducing the swelling and bruising. And every time she’d looked at him, she wanted to cry but stifled the urge.
Now she couldn’t wait to get this deposition over with, so she could figure out what to do about the rest of her life and how best to keep anyone else from getting hurt. Once her story became public knowledge, there would be reporters hounding her. Not to mention the ever-present threat that one of Maksim Sokolov’s goons would manage to silence her before the trial.
She had no illusions that giving her statement would make her safe. Actually, she believed the opposite.
But she would keep her word to Chase and tell the authorities what she’d seen.
Chase stood at her side and placed a hand on her shoulder. His touch gentle and reassuring. “You’re going to do just fine.”
She hoped so.
A handsome stranger wearing a pinstripe suit with a red tie walked into the conference room. Of medium height with highlighted blond hair and piercing blue eyes, he surveyed them for a moment, pressing his lips together in apparent disapproval before striding toward Ashley.
Unnerved, she leaned closer to Chase.
“What are you doing here, Grayson?” Chase asked.
“The sheriff called to ask if I would represent Miss Willis,” the man said. He shook Ashley’s hand. “Donald Grayson.”
Panic flooded Ashley’s system. Was he here because she’d left the scene of the crime? Her gaze jerked to Chase as she extracted her hand. “Why do I need a lawyer?”
“You’re not in trouble,” Chase assured her. He turned his questioning gaze to the man named Grayson. “Isn’t that correct?”
Mr. Grayson nodded as he set a briefcase down on the conference table. “Miss Willis, you’re being deposed and this is a legal matter. The sheriff thought it would be good for you to have some preparation and, if the need arises, representation.”
“That makes sense,” Chase stated. He smiled at her encouragingly. “He’s here to help.”
Mr. Grayson sat down at the conference table and opened his briefcase. “I’ve read your statement. But there are a few things we need to go over in preparation for this deposition.” He glanced up at Chase. “My client and I need a moment alone.”
“I’d rather stay.” Chase angled toward Ashley. “If that’s okay with you?”
Uncertainty gripped Ashley as her gaze bounced between the two men. Finally, she decided she had nothing to hide from Chase. “I’d like Deputy Fredrick to stay, please. He’s promised to be with me through this whole thing.”
Mr. Grayson arched an eyebrow. “If you’re sure.”
“I am.”
“Then let’s get started.” Mr. Grayson pulled out a notepad. “First off, tell the truth. I know that seems like a ridiculous thing to say but it needs to be said.”
Wincing with guilt for having deceived everyone with her false identity, she nodded. “The truth and nothing but.”
Mr. Grayson smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. Though they were blue like the handsome deputy’s, Chase’s were warm and inviting, whereas Mr. Grayson’s were like a storm about to hit land.
“Also,” Mr. Grayson continued, “I want you to refrain from volunteering information. If you are asked a question and you can answer yes or no definitively, do so. If you don’t know the answer to the question, say I’m not sure or I don’t know. You can ask to have the question repeated. Take a moment to think before you answer. And I want you to refrain from arguing. Answer only the questions that are directly asked of you.”
A knot formed in her tummy as she absorbed his instructions. That was a lot to remember.
“I understand that Mr. Sokolov’s attorney will also question you,” Mr. Grayson said.
A stab of dread impaled Ashley. She thought she might be sick. “I didn’t know that.” Ashley turned her gaze to Chase. “Did you?”
“I wasn’t sure,” he said in a strained tone.
Anxiety spread through her chest. “You should’ve warned me.”
“Actually,” Mr. Grayson said. “You’re not allowed to have any coaching from law enforcement. Only from your lawyer. Which is why I find it highly irregular to have Deputy Fredrick here.”
“I’ll be quiet,” he said.
Grayson shook his head, clearly deciding that wouldn’t do. “I think it’s better for my client if you leave. We wouldn’t want any suggestion of impropriety on the side of the defense.”
Daniel poked his head through the doorway. “The video will be up and running in ten minutes.”
“I need to prep my client,” Mr. Grayson stated.
Chase took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “He’s right. I should go.”
Disliking the sting of abandonment stealing over her, she c
lung to him for a moment. Dredging up strength from someplace deep inside, she released his hand. She needed to be brave for what was to come and to stand on her own two feet. “I understand.”
There was no mistaking the reluctance on Chase’s face as he left the room. Ashley stared at the table, willing herself not to tear up. Her throat worked and her insides quaked. Why did she feel so alone when Chase wasn’t close by?
“Okay, then,” Mr. Grayson said, drawing her focus back to the matter at hand. After walking her through the process of how to answer questions directed at her from the district attorney and the defense council, he slid a piece of paper in front of her with a long list of questions. Her stomach dropped, thinking she was going to have to answer each one.
“The district attorney will ask you some basic background questions,” Mr. Grayson explained. “These are the most commonly asked questions. Take a moment to read through them and think about your answers. Be ready to respond if one is asked. I will let the sheriff know we are ready.”
“Wait, that’s it?” She didn’t feel prepared at all. In fact, reading the long list of questions that might be asked, she grew flushed with anxiety. Some of the answers would be embarrassing. Like revealing her lack of education or her lack of family.
“Just tell the truth, Miss Willis.” Mr. Grayson rose and walked toward the door. “I promise you everything will be okay.”
She didn’t take stock in promises anymore.
Staring at the paper in her hands, she decided the questions were pretty simple with simple answers. Her life until the night she witnessed Maksim Sokolov kill a man had been unremarkable in the grand scheme of things. Sure, she’d grown up on the wrong side of town, in a trailer near a refuse container, with a single mom whose desire to be a parent waxed and waned. Ashley had survived and had started to make a life for herself. One day, she hoped to again.
A few minutes later, the sheriff, Mr. Grayson, Chase and a pretty redheaded woman walked in. The woman went to the video monitor. Ashley remembered seeing her around town. But she didn’t know her name.
Chase put his hand on her shoulder. “Ashley, this is Hannah Nelson. She is our crime tech specialist. She’s going to run the camera and video feed. Daniel had to go out on a call.”
Hannah waved at her. “Just call me the jack-of-all trades.” She smiled kindly. “Maya and Leslie and Kaitlyn all said to keep your chin up. They’re rooting for you.”
Hannah’s words filled Ashley with warmth. It was good to know that these people had her back. She really wanted to trust them. There was a cold part of her that doubted any of them could promise her safety from Maksim Sokolov’s reach.
“Okay,” Hannah said. “We are live in one, two, three.” She flipped a switch and a man appeared on the monitor. Clean-shaven, graying at the temples with steel-gray eyes, the man regarded Ashley grimly. “Hello, Ashley Willis, I am District Attorney Evan Nyburg.”
Unsure if she should say a greeting back, she looked at Chase. He gave her a slight nod. She turned back to the monitor. “Hello. Can you hear me?”
“I can hear you just fine,” Nyburg said. He introduced his assistant, Sarah Miller, and the defense attorney, Amos Henderson. “All right. Let’s get this started.”
For the next hour and a half, Ashley answered question after question. The district attorney and the defense attorney grilled her to the point that she wanted to scream. But she did as Mr. Grayson had instructed and kept to short, simple answers. She took her time, she thought about her responses and she stuck to only what she knew. She did not elaborate and she did not guess. Her palms grew sweaty and the muscles in her neck knotted with tension but she maintained her composure much better than she’d anticipated.
“I have everything I need,” Nyburg stated with a satisfied nod. “We will be issuing a warrant for the arrest of Maksim Sokolov.”
“And he will be out on bail within the hour,” the defense attorney said. “Your witness is unreliable and will not hold up in court.”
Ashley’s fingers curled in her lap. Her heart rate tripled. What had she done wrong?
“We’ll see about that,” Nyburg bit out. “There isn’t a judge in the state who will let Sokolov go free. I’ll make sure of it.” The monitor went blank.
Ashley slumped in her chair. “Is what the defense attorney said true? Am I an unreliable witness? Will Mr. Sokolov not go to jail?”
Chase came over and helped her to her feet. “He was posturing. You did really well. The district attorney will do everything in his power to take Sokolov off the street.”
“Indeed, you did well, Miss Willis,” Mr. Grayson said with an approving smile that enhanced his good looks. He handed her his card. “If you need anything, call me. I understand you’re staying with Leslie Quinn?”
Taking the card, she said, “Thank you. And yes, I am.”
But not for long. Now that this part was over. It was time for her to leave. Tonight. If Mr. Sokolov had wanted her dead before, he surely would double his efforts now.
Somehow she had to go into hiding again. It was for everyone’s sake. With her gone, the danger that she’d brought to Bristle Township would also leave. Chase and the others would be safe. Her heart hurt at the thought of leaving, but she had to do what was right and best for them all.
He escorted her from the conference room with his hand at the small of her back. His touch was solid and warm and reassuring. She wanted to curl into him for strength.
“I don’t think you should go back to Leslie’s,” he said, his voice dropping low.
Surprise washed over her. Though she agreed, she hadn’t expected Chase to come to the same conclusion, that it was time for her to disappear again. But somehow she doubted that was what Chase had in mind. “Why not?”
He paused at his desk. “We can’t take any chances that Lucca Chinn or anyone else won’t leak your location.”
A shiver of fear worked over her limbs. “Then I should disappear.”
Would Chase help her? Hope spurted through her heart, stirring the affection she’d been trying hard to repress.
“Yes, in a way.” He guided her into the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff sat at his desk. His silver hair showed signs of him running his fingers through the thick strands, something he did when he was stressed. “Everything is all arranged.”
“What’s going on?” Ashley didn’t like this out-of-control, vulnerable apprehension steeling over her. Decisions for her life were being made without her input. She breathed deep, trying to let go of the need to have some semblance of control.
“You’ll stay at the sheriff’s house tonight until we can come up with a long-term plan,” Chase said.
Startled, Ashley stared at the sheriff. “Oh, sir, I couldn’t intrude on you.”
“No intrusion,” Sheriff Ryder said. “My wife will enjoy female company. And Chase will be on-site for extra protection.”
“That’s right,” Chase agreed. He captured her gaze and the intensity in his eyes held her enthralled. “I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
His words and the situation landed like a rock in the pit of her stomach. There was no way she’d be able to slip away and disappear with both the sheriff and Chase watching her every move. Now what would she do? Panic crept in. Staying was dangerous for everyone. And leaving had just become more complicated, if not impossible.
Chase touched her arm. Concern darkened his blue eyes. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you with my life.”
Didn’t he understand? That was exactly what she feared most.
It was bad enough to suspect that Gregor’s death was because of her. The guilt was nearly paralyzing. If anything happened to Chase...she didn’t think she could live with the blame.
* * *
Sunlight broke over the horizon, casting long shadows over the mountain. The creeping sensation of
darkness that was at odds with the light of day worked over Chase as he sat at the sheriff’s kitchen table drinking coffee, winding his nerves tight. He was thankful for fresh clothes, jeans and a chambray shirt that Lucinda had bought him a few Christmases ago. He had his holster on and his badge.
Sheriff Ryder and his wife had already had their breakfast and started their day. The sheriff had headed to town while Mrs. Ryder went to her Bible study, leaving Chase to wait for Ashley to awaken.
He was glad she was sleeping in. He could only imagine the stress she was experiencing. Living under the constant threat of danger and exposure had to wear on a person. Especially someone as sensitive and compassionate as Ashley. He admired her fortitude. She hadn’t crumbled yet. In fact, she’d done so well during her deposition, if he hadn’t known how nervous she was, he’d never have guessed. She’d been poised and forthright. He was proud of her.
Despite assuring her that the district attorney wouldn’t have any trouble putting Sokolov behind bars, Chase understood Ashley would have to enter witness protection, commonly referred to as WITSEC. The sheriff had already reached out to the US Marshals Service and arrangements were being made.
But until they could put her in the program, it was up to Chase and the Bristle County Sheriff’s Department to protect her. As they would, regardless. But she’d become important to them. She belonged to the community. And it pained him to know she would leave them all behind. He’d have no way to keep in touch. For both of their sakes.
The sound of his cell phone ringing broke the early morning silence. He grabbed his phone from his pocket, hoping the noise hadn’t disturbed Ashley. The call was coming from the sheriff’s station.
“Chase here,” he said into the device.
“I have some bad news.” Sheriff Ryder’s voice was grim.
Chase’s stomach plummeted. He braced himself. “What’s happened?”
