Читать книгу Christmas In Hiding - Cate Nolan - Страница 13

FOUR

Jackson awoke to a sound at the door.

He bolted from the bed and grabbed his gun. The sound came again, a soft knock, and he relaxed, realizing it was coming from the connecting door.

After he’d gotten Callie back in the car early this morning, they’d driven another hour before stopping for food and then finally settling into adjoining hotel rooms.

He’d lain awake long hours, replaying the scene she’d described, trying to see through the emotion to the truth. Had it happened as she said, or was she a stellar actress?

The taste of doubt was bitter on his tongue, but Jackson knew the price of false belief was much worse. He wanted to believe her, but if he was going to keep her safe, he had to be completely sure he understood every angle, every dynamic.

He’d finally dozed into a fitful sleep, but based on the slant of sunlight coming through the window, it hadn’t been for very long. He shrugged into his shirt before opening the door.

“What’s up, Callie?”

“Hope I didn’t wake you.”

Her distrust from yesterday appeared to have given way to a reluctant acceptance and friendliness. He supposed he could go along with that. If they were going to spend a week in close quarters, they might as well be friendly.

He yawned. “I wasn’t really sleeping well anyway.”

“Yeah, that was quite the bedtime story I told you.”

Jackson laughed, but the look they shared said they both knew it had kept him awake. “Let’s not talk about that now.” He could offer her that much anyway. “I’ll grab a shower and then we can go get some lunch, okay?”

“Can we walk through the Christmas Fair?”

“The what?”

“While you were sleeping, I read the local paper. Today is their Christmas Fair. It started with a parade earlier this morning, but there are activities all day—caroling, ornament making.” Her head dipped in resignation. “I know we can’t really do any of those things. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it after what happened yesterday.”

She was right. They’d come a long distance with no sign of a tail, but that didn’t make it playtime.

“I feel like I’ve been either sleeping or running for the past twenty-four hours. The past three months really. It would be so nice to do something normal.”

The shadows under her eyes reminded him of how hard this had been on her. Not as hard as being dead, though.

They’d run in so many circles and switched transportation so many times, it should have been impossible for anyone to have followed them. Jackson wasn’t taking any chances on should haves. Still, her sad eyes tugged at him.

He was known for being overly cautious, but maybe there was no real cause for concern since they’d gotten cleanly away.

“Let me check in with the office. If there’s no indication anyone followed us, then we’ll see. We have to eat.”

“Really?” Callie beamed at him and something inside him lifted. “I know you don’t like it, but...I just really need something normal today, you know?”

He didn’t know. Not really. There wasn’t much about his life that was normal—ever—but he did understand her need. Her life had just been turned on its head a second time. Normalcy was necessary, even if it was an illusion.

Jackson grabbed some fresh clothes and headed into the shower. He needed some time alone to rebuild the professional wall he’d breached when he’d held her in his arms last night. The embrace had been natural, an offer of solace to a fellow human in need. He hadn’t expected to be the one feeling comforted.

An hour later, with the car packed and ready to move at a moment’s notice, Jackson drove them into town. It was his concession to her desire to walk. He’d drive to town, then they could walk and catch a bite to eat. His office said there was no indication of trouble, no evidence they’d been trailed. He guessed they could handle an hour in one small town at Christmas.

There was a huge lunch smorgasbord at the Church Hall and Callie talked him into eating there. Up until yesterday she’d roamed freely around New York City, she reminded him. As Jackson watched her chat with the locals and drink in the festive atmosphere, he decided the change was good for her. She had a knack for making friends and fitting herself in, which would suit her well in witness protection. Whereas he would have stayed back, grabbed a burger at the corner diner and been on his way, she’d jumped right into the thick of the celebration. After the harrowing past twenty-four hours, it was nice to see her relax.

An hour became two, and Jackson was more than ready to move on. “Callie.”

She grinned at him, and it was such a contrast to her frightened, shell-shocked expression of yesterday that he found himself grinning back. But they were still leaving.

As they walked out to the car, she touched his arm to stop him. “Can you give me just five more minutes? There’s something I need to buy. The pastor’s wife told me I can get it in that little shop on the corner.”

“Callie, we really need to get moving.”

Her face fell. Jackson kicked himself. Maybe it was female things she needed.

“Five minutes.”

She ran off, promising to be back in four.

Jackson leaned back against the car and stared at the small shop she’d entered. No female things in there. What could she possibly need from a trinket shop like that?

Whatever it was, she was true to her word. He’d watched the numbers on his phone advance only three minutes when she came dancing out the door.

Jackson grinned looking at her. Ben was right. She was charming when she was happy. He watched her come down the steps of the gift shop, her cheeks rosy from the cold, her lips curved in a smile that hinted of happy secrets.

She started to cross. Instinct had him on alert, so he sensed the car almost before he saw it. He yelled a warning as a dark vehicle came barreling around the corner. Too late he realized it was coming directly between him and Callie. The wheels screeched as the driver skidded to a halt and two men jumped out.

Jackson charged across the street, yelling for help. He pulled his gun and tried to take aim, but he couldn’t get a clear shot. There were too many families to risk shooting. He ran faster, but it felt like concrete blocks were dragging at his feet. Everything moved in slow motion as one man grabbed Callie around the waist and the other one shoved her toward the open car door.

There was no way he could reach her in time.

* * *

Callie heard Jackson’s yell a split second before a black SUV cut to the curb in front of her. Tinted windows made it impossible to see inside. She had no time to react as men jumped from the car and grabbed her.

No! She hadn’t gotten this far just to let them take her now. At least not willingly. She screamed and kicked as hard as she could.

She may as well have been kicking cement for all the good it did. One man had his hands around her wrists like manacles while the other held everyone off with his gun.

Callie stopped struggling. There were too many children on the street. She couldn’t risk one of them being hurt. She heard Jackson yelling as they shoved her into the SUV. The door slammed behind her, the engine raced and the car leaped forward.

Facedown on the seat, Callie couldn’t see anything, but she felt the car gathering speed. Her heart sank. It was over. Despite all the precautions. She should have listened to Jackson, should have stayed in the hotel room. Now, because she’d wanted to celebrate Christmas, there would be no one to testify against the killers, no one to see justice done for Rick.

No. She wasn’t giving up. As long as she was breathing, there was still a chance. Rick may have made poor choices, but he hadn’t deserved to die for them and she wasn’t going to make it easy for his killers to dispose of her. Hopefully there would be time for regrets later, time to tell Jackson she’d do whatever he asked. First she had to figure a way out of here.

Callie held herself very still, not an easy feat as the car careened down the road. She tried to get her bearings, evaluate the predicament. There were three men—the driver, the one she thought of as the gunman and the one who had grabbed her. None of them was saying a word, but the tension in the car was intense. Was someone—possibly Jackson—following them?

The gunman fired a shot out the window, and Callie’s heart seized. Please, Lord, don’t let him hurt Jackson. None of this is his fault.

“Can you see who’s following us?”

Based on the direction of the sound, Callie attributed the question to the driver. She couldn’t make out the reply. Without moving her head, Callie eased an eye open. She couldn’t see anyone so she waited. When there was no reaction, she slowly turned, moving her head in minute increments until she could see ahead. Unbelievably, no one seemed to be paying attention to her. Maybe they thought she’d been stunned when they threw her in the car. The driver was concentrating on the road and the gunman held his head just inside the open window, his gun outside and aimed at the car in pursuit. The man who had grabbed her, and who was probably supposed to be watching her, had turned his back to play lookout. “Speed it up. He’s gaining on us.”

Sirens crowded the air and filled Callie’s heart with relief. The feeling lasted only an instant; it was replaced by fear as the driver hit the gas harder and the lookout pulled out his weapon and began firing. She was going to have to do something to improve her odds if she wanted to survive.

Callie took a minute to consider the possibilities. It would have helped to know the rules. Was she supposed to be taken alive, or didn’t it matter if they only delivered her body? Knowing that answer would improve her chances of making the right choice of who in the SUV to attack.

Because she didn’t know, she’d go with the one thing that was clear in her mind. Being taken—dead or alive—was not an option she was willing to consider.

The driver seemed the best choice. She had little chance against a man with a gun, but if she could take the driver by surprise maybe she could crash the car.

“How are we doing?” The driver barked the question at the man in the passenger seat.

Good. She’d like to know that, too.

“They’re falling back.” He took aim and let off another shot. “Got a tire. Another few shots, and we should be clear.”

Which meant she had no time to lose. The next time he took aim, Callie did, too. She launched herself between the seats and wrapped her hands around the driver’s face.

“Hey, someone get hold of her.” The driver shook his head violently, trying to free his face, but Callie hung on for dear life. Blinded by her hands, he lost control and the car careened off the road.

Callie felt the barrel of a gun connect with her jaw just as the car slid off the pavement.

Crash. The impact rolled her onto the floor. Stunned by the double assault, she lay there a minute. Pushing past the pain, she scrambled to her knees just as the door flew open. She could have cried at the sight of Jackson’s face. Never had there been such a sweet image. He pulled her free as police officers surrounded the car.

Jackson grabbed her, half carrying, half pulling her across the street to the safety of his car. Once she was safely inside, he rounded the car, got in and locked the doors. “Get down until we know the area is secured.”

His voice was harsh, just like it had been the first time she’d met him, and Callie had a flash of insight. This was his tense voice. The one that said the situation was not to his liking and needed to be controlled. Given his ability to control, that tone was reassuring to her. While sheriff’s deputies swarmed the SUV, Callie ducked down beneath the seat as instructed.

Within only a few minutes, Jackson gave the all clear and helped her up because the officers had all three men out and spread-eagled against the car. Callie could only stare in disbelief. It had all happened so fast. Less than twenty minutes ago she’d been shopping. It was terrifying to think how quickly things could change.

“I’d prefer to hit the road and get out of here,” Jackson said. “But I think we’d better stay and answer some questions. We don’t want the sheriff tailing us, too.”

Callie nodded. Her heart was still racing too fast for her to form an answer.

“Just stay here while I—”

Callie reached and grabbed his arm. Panic was beginning to settle over her now that the immediate danger was past. “Please, don’t leave me.”

Jackson’s gaze softened. “Don’t worry. I’m not going anyplace. I’m just going to stand outside the car so the officer can find me.” He got out and rooted around in the trunk before unlocking her door. “Here, have some water and try to relax.”

He crouched beside her seat. “You’re safe now.” He waited until she looked at him, until she let his assurances wash over her.

“Okay.” She nodded. “I’ll work on believing that.”

He winked at her. “That’s my Callie girl.”

She gave him a feeble smile, then winced as pain rocketed through her jaw. He tilted her chin and stroked a finger over the sore spot.

“We’ve got to get some ice for that bruise. Do you want a paramedic?”

“No. I’ll be fine.”

Jackson stood, closed and locked the door with his key fob, and leaned against the car, waiting for the sheriff’s deputy to come speak to him.

Inside the car, Callie forced herself to take deep, calming breaths, but this time her heart was racing as much from his endearment as from her near kidnapping. His Callie girl. No one had ever called her anything like that before.

It didn’t mean anything. He was just caught up in the moment of worrying about her and feeling protective. That was okay. It still felt nice to have someone care for her.

Once Callie calmed down, it didn’t take long for her to grow restless. She started to get out of the car, but seeing Jackson in the middle of a serious-looking conversation with the local police officer, she decided to wait. What were they saying? Didn’t they need to talk to her? She’d been the victim, after all.

But what should she say? What was Jackson saying? This was witness protection—not an ordinary crime. How much would a marshal give away in a situation like this? She’d have to remember to ask Jackson so she didn’t make any mistakes about it next time.

Next time. The thought hit Callie squarely in the chest.

She started to tremble as she acknowledged the simple truth. There was always going to be a next time. Despite Jackson’s reassurances, she wasn’t safe and she never would be again.

How many times did she have to be reminded?

Her breath came short and fast as waves of heat rolled over her. The air in the car was suddenly stifling. She lifted her hair and rolled it into a bun, trying to keep the damp mass off her neck. She tried to roll the window down, but the power switch didn’t work with the car off so she rested her cheek against the window, hoping the chilled glass would cool her. Please hurry, Jackson.

She closed her eyes a moment and concentrated on breathing slowly, in and out, in and out. She opened her eyes to check on Jackson just in time to come face-to-face with one of her kidnappers as he was dragged off by the police. Their gazes met for just one second—one interminable second of staring into the face of someone who wanted her dead. The look in his eyes was lethal. Heat switched to chills. Goose bumps rose along every inch of skin as Callie shivered uncontrollably. She let her hair back down and wrapped it like a shawl, huddling into the door, trying to curl in on herself as despair swamped her.

Lord, help me. Help me to find Your purpose in all of this. I am Your servant, Lord. I am Your servant. Callie whispered the prayers as she choked on silent sobs. Why was this happening? There had to be a bigger purpose. That was the only way any of this ordeal made sense. At least that’s what she kept telling herself. But what was that purpose? What was she supposed to do?

Is this Your plan for me, Lord? What do You want of me? I am Your servant, Lord. Maybe if she repeated them enough, the words would break through the despondency that cloaked her.

Jackson was still conferring with police officers, so Callie continued to pray. Gradually the words calmed her fears, and her agitation eased. God didn’t want her to be passive. She might not understand exactly what His purpose for her was, but she was pretty sure it didn’t involve being anybody’s victim. She continued the prayers, calmer now. Show me what to do, Lord. Lead me.

By the time Jackson got back in the car, she was settled and resolute. “What did they say? What’s next?”

“They took the men in on attempted kidnapping. The sheriff asked us to stop by the station to file a report. No need to go any further than that. There were enough witnesses. We can leave your sworn testimony and contact info. And get you some ice.”

“I can leave contact info?” She massaged her jaw as she waited for him to explain. “How does that work if I’m in witness protection?”

Jackson shrugged and waved it off. “Don’t worry. I’ll give my cell number and leave a number for the marshal’s service. If they have to call, we’ll get the message.”

Callie interlaced her fingers, running one thumb over the other as she struggled for composure. This was just one more reminder of how different her future would be. Even giving contact information required advance planning.

They drove in silence for a few minutes. As the car pulled up in front of the station, Callie turned to face Jackson. “I don’t know how to ask this exactly, but what am I supposed to tell them?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not supposed to tell anyone my real name, but I won’t lie.”

“You won’t lie?” He looked so puzzled by her refusal. Callie watched him mull over her words. She could almost see him rolling them around inside his brain. Finally he nodded. “No problem. It’s fine.”

“How so? I’m not kidding. This is important to me. I always tell the truth.”

“It’s not a problem, Callie. We gave you a new identity, so you might as well give them your real name.”

“Okay.” Her tension eased. “Thank you.”

He nodded. “And just so you know, Callie. You’re not lying when you tell people your new name. Legally it is your real name.”

She wasn’t ready to think about that.

“Okay.” She couldn’t think of anything else to question, so there was no postponing it. She was going to have to face the men who had just tried to kidnap her. The men who were somehow connected to the ones who had killed Rick. She closed her eyes a moment and drew on her strength. I can do all things in God who loves me. She opened her eyes and turned to Jackson. “Come on. Let’s do this.”