Читать книгу Striking Distance - Debra Webb - Страница 25

Chapter 16

“Where’s Lucas?”

“He’s on his way, ma’am,” Logan told Victoria. “I’ve checked the package thoroughly. It appears to be safe, but I’d rather you wait for Lucas’s arrival before we open it.”

Victoria looked to Ian and then to Simon. Both men looked as uncertain about this as she felt.

She hadn’t needed John Logan to rush in and snatch the package from her hands to know something was wrong. The young woman who’d delivered it had given her the undeniable impression that she should be afraid.

Victoria closed her eyes and tried to steady the spinning in her head. She wasn’t sure she possessed the fortitude to get through this. It was bad enough that an assassin was stalking her, but the ice cream...now this.

Leberman, the son of a bitch, why didn’t he just confront her face-to-face? Why all the subterfuge? All the games?

Because the sick bastard gets off on the pain he inflicts. She knew the answer. Understood perfectly why he was doing this to her. Still, she couldn’t fully come to terms with it.

Victoria opened her eyes and stared at the package. Her only regret was that she couldn’t kill the bastard here and now.

From his hotel only minutes away, where he’d set up a mini command post, Lucas arrived just then, his gaze going first to her, then settling on the package lying in the middle of her desk.

“That’s it?” He looked to Logan and then to Ian.

Both men nodded. Logan told him, “I can’t find any indication of explosives or poisonous substances. Scans indicate a nonmetal object.”

“Clear the room,” Lucas commanded. “I don’t want anyone in here when I open it.”

“Absolutely not,” Victoria argued. “The package is addressed to me, I’ll open it.”

“I’ll open it.” Simon stepped toward her desk.

Simon had a new wife. Ian had a wife and two children. And Logan had a wife, as well. Victoria looked to each of the trusted men and ordered, “Leave my office. I want to do this alone.”

Ian shook his head. “Not going to happen, Victoria. Either allow one of us to open the package, or we’ll stand here and debate the point all evening.”

She surveyed the determined male faces around the room. All were prepared to die to protect her. Every damned one of them was as stubborn as she was.

“All right.” She stepped back. “Open it.”

Simon quickly stepped in front of Ian. Simon had done time with the FBI and was fearless when it came to doing his duty. He was just one of many fine investigators Victoria employed. She prayed the evil that had followed her life for nearly two decades would not touch him now.

Using the gloves and utility cutter Logan had brought into the office, Simon carefully slit the packaging. He pulled back the outer wrapping and cut the tape sealing the lid on the small box. He dragged the package a little closer and cautiously lifted the lid.

He studied the contents for a moment before allowing his gaze to meet Victoria’s. She saw the uncertainty there a split second before he turned the box around where she could see what it held.

A small blue sneaker was the only item in the box.

She didn’t have to touch it or inspect it in any way. She recognized it immediately. She knew everyone in the room was waiting for her to say something...but she couldn’t speak. She could only stand there, as the tears spilled down her cheeks, and stare at the small shoe her son had been wearing the day he disappeared.