The Right Woman Page 8

  “I agree. I’ll call for a guard on Miss Wallace and since we’re out of our jurisdiction here, the lieutenant will have to let the Fort Worth police know what’s going on. Then I’d like to talk to Ms. Welch.”

  “No,” Daniel said sharper than he’d intended. “She doesn’t know anything. She just came home and the letter was in her mail.”

  Russ frowned. “I’m lead detective and if I want to question her, I will.”

  “No, you won’t.” Daniel clenched his jaw, then added, “If you have a problem with that, call the lieutenant. Sarah’s been through enough and you’re not badgering her as long as I’m on this case. I’ll question her and you can be present, but that’s it.”

  Russ eyed him strangely. “You said there’s nothing between you and Ms. Welch. I think you lied.”

  “I saw what she went through with Boyd and right now she just needs a little understanding and compassion.”

  “And you’re more than willing to provide that, huh?”

  “Stuff it, Russ.” Daniel brushed past him and went back to the study to see if Sarah was out of the bathroom.

  SARAH WIPED HER FACE with a wet washcloth and stared at herself in the mirror. She hardly recognized the frightened woman looking back at her. Not again. Not again. Fear was not doing this to her again. She was stronger now and she wasn’t letting that emotion take control and debilitate her—like before. She was fighting back and she welcomed the anger charging through her. No way was she going to be a willing victim.

  She took a long breath and opened the door. Several police lab technicians were dusting for prints. The letter and envelope were now in a plastic bag. The techs nodded at her and she walked around them to the door, looking for Daniel. She saw him standing in the doorway.

  Daniel came toward her. “Better?”

  She bit her lip. “Yes.”

  He glanced at the people in the room. “Let’s go to the kitchen where we can talk.” Taking her arm, he guided her through the living area. He stopped at the built-in bar and poured something in a glass, then they continued to the kitchen. She saw Russ out of the corner of her eye, talking on the phone. The last thing she wanted was to have to talk to him.

  She sank into a chair at the table. Daniel placed the glass in her hand.

  “Drink it. It’ll help to calm you.”

  She sipped the dark liquid. It was some of Gran’s best brandy, only served on special occasions. She supposed this qualified.

  Daniel pulled up a chair. “We have to discuss some things.”

  “Okay.” She took a big swallow.

  “It’s not safe for you to be here now, so we have to put you in protective custody until we catch this guy.”

  “Like before?”

  “Yes,” he answered quietly.

  “But I have commitments, clients to see. I can’t just run away and hide.”

  “I’m sure Dr. Mason will take care of your clients until this is over.”

  Sarah fidgeted with her glass, remembering the seclusion and isolation of the hotel room as she’d waited to testify at Boyd’s trial. He’d threatened to kill her so she’d had to be kept safe. Even though she was being guarded, Boyd had tried to get to her. In the end his guys shot several officers and Ethan. She hadn’t been safe.

  She raised her eyes and, as if Daniel could read her mind, he said, “I know the last time ended badly, but this time no one’s getting near you. Trust me.”

  “You can’t make that promise because you don’t know who’s doing this.”

  Daniel looked away. “You’re right. I don’t and we’ve never found the snitch in our department.” She could see how heavily that weighed upon him. His gaze swung back to her. “I can only promise to do my best. If you can’t trust me…”

  “I trust you,” she said in a rush, and his eyes caught hers. In that instant, five years of tension and resentment came to an end. They both knew it.

  “Thank you,” he replied. “I’ll handle this personally. Very few people will know where you are.” He paused. “Now you have to call Serena and make arrangements for your grandmother. It’s not safe for her to stay here, either.”

  Sarah swallowed. “I don’t understand why this is happening.”

  “I don’t, either, but we’ll get through it.”

  She liked the way he said we. The last time she’d been under guard, she’d had Serena with her because they looked so much alike the police were afraid that Boyd’s goons would mistake her for Sarah. This time she would be alone. She’d relied upon Serena’s strength, but now she’d have to rely upon herself…and Daniel.

  She took another big swallow, the brandy burning as it went down. But it also bolstered her.

  Daniel handed her a phone. “Call Serena. I’ll be in the other room making arrangements.”

  “Thank you,” she said, gripping the phone.

  DANIEL WALKED INTO the living room and Russ poked a phone at him. “Lieutenant Tolin wants to talk to you.”

  “Yes, sir,” Daniel said into the mouthpiece.

  “I’ve talked with the Fort Worth P.D. and they’ll help us any way they can. I’ve also posted a guard at the hospital so bring Ms. Welch in and I’ll call Rob, who handles protective custody.”

  “No, sir. I’ll guard Ms. Welch personally.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “The last time this happened to her several officers and Ethan Ramsey were shot because there was a leak in the department. I want to make sure that doesn’t happen again. The only way to accomplish that is to do it myself.”

  “Lieutenant Bauer and I need you on this case instead of baby-sitting. We have qualified people to do that.”

  “But she doesn’t trust them. She trusts me and I think the police department owes her that. Besides, we still don’t know who leaked the location of her hiding place before Boyd’s trial.”

  “Daniel…”

  “We can’t put her through that again and we can’t guarantee her safety by putting her in the system. Bill, please let me do this.”

  For a long moment, Daniel heard nothing but silence.

  “This goes against all the rules and I don’t know why in the hell I’m even considering this. It isn’t protocol—we could both lose our jobs.”

  “Because it could save her life.”

  There was silence again, then, “Okay, Daniel, but I need you to help Russ during the day. Pick someone you trust to guard her during that time. And, of course, I’ll have to clear this with the chief.”

  “Thank you, sir.” His chest expanded with relief.

  “But, Daniel, I don’t want any screwups like before. No one, even myself, is to know where she’s being kept. This is a little unorthodox, but in this case I don’t see any other way. I’m trusting you implicitly. Just try not to get too emotionally involved with Ms. Welch.”

  Too late.

  “Yes, sir,” he answered instead.

  “Do you have an officer in mind that you feel is beyond reproach—someone you can trust?”

  Daniel thought for a minute and knew he didn’t want anyone on his squad or on the homicide squad. It had to be someone fresh without any connections to the first case. “Yes. Chad Thomas.”

  “He’s a patrol cop.” Surprise sharpened Bill’s words.

  “Yes, sir, but I’ve known him since he was a kid. I helped him get into the academy. He’s smart, reliable and one of the best cops I’ve seen in a while.”

  “Okay. You got him.”

  “Thanks. Could you send him to Sarah’s house?” Daniel gave the address. “And have him come in plain clothes, but bring a uniform with him. Cap, too.”

  “Sure.”

  “And can you make arrangements for me to see Rudy Boyd?”

  “What the hell for?” the lieutenant barked.

  “I have reason to believe that this note is a message from Boyd. The answer to everything that’s happening lies with him. I’m certain of it. He likes to brag and seeing me face-to-face will be an opportunity
he can’t resist. He might let something slip—something that will help us solve these rapes.”

  Daniel heard a long sigh. “Dammit. I think Boyd is somehow connected, too. I’ll make the arrangements, but wrap this up as fast as you can. We’re getting a lot of flack on this thing.”

  “I will.”

  “Keep me posted and try your best to get along with Russ.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “What did he say?” Russ asked as soon as Daniel clicked off.

  “I’m taking her to a safe place with one guard.”

  “Where?”

  “The location won’t be available to anyone.”

  “Why the hell not?” Russ objected.

  “Because of what happened the last time, I’m not taking any chances.”

  “Are you saying I can’t be trusted, Daniel?”

  Daniel sighed. “Put your ego away. It’s getting in the way of this investigation. If you have a problem with the way things are being done, call Lieutenant Bauer.”

  “You really piss me off.”

  “Yes. We’re both aware of that. Now let’s get back to work.”

  “Well, Daniel, since I’m not allowed to speak with Ms. Welch, there’s not much else I can do here. Joel and I are going to apply some pressure to Brian Colley and see what comes up.”

  “In the morning I’m making a trip to Livingston to see Rudy Boyd,” Daniel told him.

  “Because of the wording in the note?”

  “Yes. By talking to him, I think I can get a feel for how he’s involved in this thing.”

  “You’re probably right,” Russ conceded. “In the meantime, I’ll cover all the bases here.”

  “Good. Maybe by tomorrow night we’ll have some answers.”

  “Would you like for us to leave a guard at the door?” Joel asked.

  “No. It’s best if everyone left.” Daniel was hoping everyone would be gone by the time Chad arrived.

  “You’re taking a helluva risk,” Russ snapped.

  “Yes, Russ. I’m aware of that.”

  Fifteen minutes later, the techs and officers were gone from the house. Daniel walked into the kitchen and saw that Sarah was still on the phone.

  “No, Serena,” Sarah was saying. “You can’t come here. It’s too dangerous.”

  Sarah turned to look at him. “Daniel’s here. Why don’t you talk to him?” She gave him the phone, obviously having no luck convincing her twin.

  “Hi, Serena.”

  “Daniel, please convince her to come with Gran. She can’t go through this alone.”

  “She’s not alone. I’m here.”

  “Daniel.” He could hear the frustration in her voice.

  Ethan came on the line. “Sorry, Daniel. Serena’s not taking this well.”

  “I can tell, but assure her that it’s not safe for Sarah to be in Junction Flat with your family. It could endanger everyone.”

  “I’ll try to get that point across to Serena.”

  “Good. I’ll have Mrs. Farrell on the next flight out of Dallas. I’ll call back and give you an arrival time.”

  “Thanks, Daniel, and don’t let anything happen to Sarah.”

  “I’ll guard her with my life.”

  “I know you will.”

  Daniel hung up. “Serena’s a little upset.”

  Sarah tugged both hands through her hair. “Sometimes it’s hard to believe that someone loves me that much.”

  “Why?” he asked with a puzzled frown.

  Before she could answer, the door opened and Aurora walked in. She laid her purse on the table and smiled at Daniel.

  He smiled slightly, noting Mrs. Farrell’s elegance. Her white hair was coiled neatly at her nape. Her clothes were impeccable, as were her manners. Sarah would someday be the same, Daniel thought. She already possessed a grace unlike any woman he’d ever seen, except maybe Serena.

  “There were a lot of police cars at the intersection,” Aurora said. “Is something going on?”

  Sarah put an arm around her shoulders. “Let’s go into the living room. I have something to tell you.”

  Daniel stood behind the sofa as Sarah told her grandmother what had happened.

  Aurora threw her arms around Sarah. “Oh, no, darling. This can’t be happening to you again.”

  “I’ll be all right, Gran, but I have to go into protective custody for a while.”

  “You mean, stay in a hotel or something?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I’m going with you. I don’t want you to be alone.”

  Sarah was shocked. She never expected Aurora to make that offer. “You can’t, Gran. It’s too dangerous.”

  “I don’t care. You need me and I’m going to be there for you.”

  “Oh, Gran.” Tears sprang from Sarah’s eyes and she couldn’t stop them from rolling down her face. Earlier she’d questioned her motives for trying to keep this house, for trying to keep Gran comfortable, wondering if, in Gran’s eyes, she was a substitute Serena, Now she knew she wasn’t. Her grandmother loved her and any resentment that lingered from the past was completely gone. Because she knew for sure, the tears flowed faster.

  Aurora held her. “Darling, please don’t cry.”

  Sarah pulled back and wiped away tears with the backs of her hands. “I’m sorry.”

  “Now what do you have to be sorry for?” Aurora got to her feet. “Come on, let’s go pack our things and this nice man will take us somewhere safe.”

  Daniel stepped in then and his voice sounded hoarse. “Mrs. Farrell, that’s not possible. Arrangements have been made for you to visit Serena.”

  “Serena? She lives in a small country town. What will I do there?”

  “Visit with your granddaughter, Ethan and Jassy,” Daniel replied.

  “Yes, I would enjoy that. But no one plays bridge in Junction Flat.”

  Sarah chuckled through her tears. “Gran, I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Sarah.”

  For the first time Sarah believed that, really believed it. Through the turmoil, it made clear all the confusion inside of her. She wanted to be loved and she was. Now she could face this nightmare.

  “Mrs. Ferguson plays bridge,” Sarah reminded her.

  “Yes, she does, doesn’t she?”

  “See? It won’t be so bad in Junction Flat and Jassy will keep you entertained.”

  “But I don’t see why I can’t go with you. You don’t need to be alone at a time like this.”

  Sarah raised an eyebrow. “You can’t play bridge if you’re with me.”

  Aurora waved her hand, her diamond rings catching the light. “That doesn’t matter. As long as you’re safe, I’d give up bridge for the rest of my life.”

  Sarah bit her lip, unable to speak. Daniel stepped in again.

  “Then, for Sarah, pack your bags and say goodbye. Someone will take you to the airport soon.”

  Aurora looked at Sarah. “Is this what you want?”

  “Yes, Gran. Thanks for offering. It means more than you’ll ever know, but I want you somewhere safe.”

  “I want you safe, too,” Aurora cried, and the two women clung together. Sarah quickly gathered herself and took Gran’s hand.

  “I’ll help you pack.”

  While Gran called her friends to let them know she’d be gone for a few days, Sarah called Karen on her cell phone to apprise her of the situation. She was shocked, understandably so, but offered Sarah all the time she needed and promised to take care of Sarah’s clients, especially Brooke Wallace. Sarah told Karen she would be calling Brooke, though. She wouldn’t desert Brooke without a word. Sarah then called Celia, who became very upset, ranting and raving about the Dallas police and their incompetence.

  “Celia, it’s not their fault,” Sarah told her. “They’re doing everything they can to keep me safe.”

  “Honey, I’m just so worried. I may not be your real grandmother, but I do love you.”

  Sarah closed her eyes suddenly feeling so mu
ch love that she had trouble breathing. “I know, Celia. I love you, too. I’ll call you as soon as I can.”

  “Okay, honey, you be careful.”

  Sarah clicked off, staring at the phone. Aurora and Celia loved her, but in different ways. That difference didn’t lessen the strength—it only made these two women very special to her.

  Thirty minutes later, Aurora and Sarah were clinging to each other at the front door where two officers were waiting to take Aurora to the airport.

  Aurora turned to Daniel. “Take good care of my granddaughter, Detective Garrett, because if anything happens to her, you’ll have to answer to me.”

  “Yes, ma’am, I’ll remember that.”

  As Sarah closed the door she turned to stare at the man standing behind her. She would now put her life in Daniel’s hands, a man she’d resented for so long. It surprised her that it was so easy, but she trusted him—of that there was no doubt. After tonight, her life would never be the same again and neither would her feelings for Daniel.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  AFTER GRAN LEFT things happened so fast that Sarah didn’t have time to think. She had just finished packing a small overnight bag when a young officer arrived. Daniel introduced him as Chad Thomas. Tall, blue-eyed Chad didn’t look old enough to be a policeman, but after a few minutes Sarah could see he was all business.

  Daniel gave her a policeman’s uniform to put on. If someone was watching the house, he didn’t want them to see her leave. The uniform was big, but she made do, belting the pants tightly at the waist and tucking her hair beneath the cap. The three walked from the house to the garage where Daniel had parked his car. He got into the driver’s seat with Chad at his side and she took the back seat. They’d left some lights on in the house to make it look as if she was still at home. Daniel backed out and headed into the night.