Love Inspired Suspense March 2015 - Box Set 1 of 2: Protection DetailHidden AgendaBroken Silence Page 32

  “You wanted to make sure I was trustworthy, in other words.”

  “In so many words, I suppose the answer would be yes. Last-minute changes to a person’s will can raise red flags,” A.J. explained.

  “When exactly did my father make changes to his will?” Ed asked, his eyebrows knit together.

  “About a month before he died. I believe you brought him over here on the ferry, Bailey, and he said he had some errands he wanted to do on his own.”

  Bailey nodded. “That’s right. I went into town to do some shopping and take care of my own business.”

  “Mr. Carter was here meeting with me.” He pointed to the seats again. “Now, I think you’d be more comfortable if you sat, but we can do this your way.”

  Ed led Bailey to a seat, and they both made themselves comfortable. Bailey’s mind was racing, though. Thank goodness Ed was with her now because she needed his wisdom. Quite possibly his protection, too, if she were to be honest.

  “All right.” The lawyer pulled out a file and opened it. “I won’t keep you in suspense any longer.”

  *

  Ed’s mind raced as they left the attorney’s office. There was something he didn’t quite trust about A.J. Andrews.

  He’d expected his dad to hire someone older, with more experience. Why had his father hired that man, of all people? Was his reputation so glowing that he’d overlooked the man’s age? Was this man connected in some way with the CIA?

  Neither he nor Bailey said anything after the meeting, except mentioning lunch. They found a deli down the street, ordered sandwiches and then found a corner booth to eat.

  “What do you think?” Bailey asked. She took a long sip of her iced tea.

  Ed shook his head. “I don’t know what to think. Something seems a little suspicious about all of this.”

  “You think your father was trying to send a message through his will?”

  Ed shook his head again, trying to let everything set in. His father had left him the entire estate, with the stipulation that Ed not sell the property. He’d left Bailey access to the widow’s walk whenever she wanted, as well as the golf cart and his collection of books.

  Access to the widow’s walk? What an odd bequest. If Ed owned the property, that essentially gave Bailey permission to use his property whenever she wanted.

  “I don’t expect to use the widow’s walk whenever I want,” Bailey offered, wiping her mouth.

  “I’m not opposed to you using it. The bequest was just strange, wouldn’t you say? Not at all like my father.”

  Bailey nodded. “Especially if you do settle down there one day. I certainly wouldn’t want to interrupt your time so I could use the upstairs—what’s rightfully mine.” She smiled, but her lips quickly flattened into a frown. “I don’t know what to say. I never thought of your dad as eccentric, but…”

  “My dad always did things on purpose. These things weren’t haphazard. He had his reasons—I just don’t know what they are.”

  The will had also mentioned something about letters he’d left for both Bailey and Ed that better explained his decisions. What he hadn’t said was where these letters were, and Ed had to wonder why he hadn’t just left them with his attorney.

  “Do you think the breakin at the office is connected with all of this?” Bailey asked.

  Ed bit down. Before they’d left, A.J. had said that someone had broken in three nights ago. Nothing had been taken, but the police hadn’t caught the person behind it, either. Whoever had broken in had tried to get to the attorney’s files, but had been unable to breach the locks.

  “It very well could be,” Ed said. “Nothing would really surprise me at this point.”

  And Ed still couldn’t wrap his mind around the equipment he’d found in the hayloft. The answers weren’t coming together nearly as quickly as he’d hoped. He almost thought his dad…was hinting that Ed and Bailey should be together. What other reason would he have to grant her unlimited access to the house? It was the only thing that made sense.

  Had his father known something that Ed hadn’t? Had he seen something in Bailey that he thought would be good for Ed?

  With every new answer he uncovered, the more tangled this web seemed to get. In the back of his mind, he wondered about Sanderson, as well. Was he involved with any part of this scheme? Had he discovered Ed’s real identity and decided to come after him?

  Ed was going to look into this attorney. Then he had to figure out how to honor his father’s wishes while preserving national security.

  *

  “Any idea what we’ll say to this James Taylor when we get there?” Bailey asked as they cruised down the road after lunch.

  “Just let me do the talking. Follow my lead.”

  She nodded, any hope she had of Ed just being a lawyer crumbling the more she got to know him. She had a feeling he was following in his father’s footsteps. Did he also work for the State Department? Maybe. But there was more to his story.

  They drove two hours up toward DC and finally pulled up to a country-style home located on several acres of property in the remote suburbs. The homes in this area were more than nice. They were luxurious and affluent.

  “Stay close,” Ed cautioned as they got out of the car.

  They approached the sweeping porch—Ed first—and rang the doorbell. Bailey observed the potted plants, the stained-glass window by the entryway, the cheerful welcome mat. At least the house seemed warm and welcoming.

  Bailey’s anticipation deepened. Would this man have any answers? Was that asking too much?

  After several minutes passed, it became apparent that no one was coming to greet them.

  “Should we head back?” Bailey asked.

  Ed’s eyes narrowed with the thought. “Not yet.”

  He started down the steps and began to skirt around the house. He peered into the garage window. “His car is here.”

  “Maybe he has more than one,” Bailey suggested.

  Ed shook his head in that way that made her think he knew something she didn’t. “I think someone’s home.”

  “Why would you say that?”

  “Because I can still smell the bacon they cooked for breakfast.”

  Bailey’s chills intensified. What was going on? Were they too late getting here? Had something happened to James Taylor?

  Before she could ask any more questions, a bullet whizzed past. Ed threw her on the ground just as another one buzzed by her ear.

  Someone was shooting at them.

  Which meant they were onto something.

  She only hoped they lived long enough to pursue their new lead.

  *

  “Who’s trying to kill us?” Bailey yelled.

  Ed pushed her head back down, sheltering her from the incoming bullets. “I don’t know. Stay down, though.”

  He reached into his jacket and pulled out his gun. He should have never brought Bailey with him. Of course, who would have known this would happen?

  “We need to get you back to the car.”

  “What about you?” Bailey asked, panic lacing her voice.

  “I’ll worry about me.”

  “Is there just one shooter?” She pressed her face into the house, almost as if she was trying to become one with the wall there.

  He lifted his head, trying to get a glimpse of something—anything. It was no use. “As far as I can tell, the bullet came from the garage.”

  Just then, more ammunition hit the ground.

  “Stay where you are,” Ed ordered.

  He raised his gun and peered around the corner. He couldn’t see anything. He had to get closer.

  He crept toward the garage, staying low. Cautious. On guard.

  He counted to three and dived toward a gazebo between the garage and the house. More bullets flew, barely missing him.

  When things went still, Ed peered up. Someone peeked around the window. He’d only seen part of the face, but the man looked familiar.

  Was that…? Could it be
…?

  “James? James Taylor?” Ed spoke loudly, trying to make sure his voice carried. “It’s me. Ed Carter. Bill’s son. We just want to talk.”

  Silence stretched, tight and thick. Finally, a man stepped out, still holding his gun, his face scrunched with distrust.

  James stared at him a moment before lowering his gun and nodding. “You have the same eyes.”

  “That’s what people always say.”

  James scanned behind them. “You may not be safe here. We should get inside.”

  “What’s going on?” Ed didn’t like the implications of what he was saying.

  “I’ll tell you once you’re inside. But I can’t promise my house will be safe for much longer.” He waved him toward the house.

  Ed reached for Bailey and kept her close as James ushered them inside. He quickly closed the door, turned three locks into place and pulled a safety latch shut. He wasn’t taking any chances.

  “Let’s go in the den,” James ordered. “There are no windows there.”

  They stepped into a dark room, located off the main entry. Deer heads, ducks, hunting caps and guns decorated the walls.

  Every part of Ed was on alert, waiting for what would happen next. He knew the gut-wrenching feeling of when danger lurked close by and that was what he felt now.

  James stood by the entryway, the pistol still in his hands. His gaze was tense, constantly scanning the rest of the house, as if he suspected someone might come bursting inside at any minute.

  “What’s going on, James?” Ed asked, standing on the other side of the doorway.

  He nodded warily at Bailey. “Who’s that?”

  “I’m Bailey. I was Bill Carter’s nurse.”

  “Can you trust her?” James looked at Ed.

  Ed nodded. “Yeah, we can trust her.”

  James peered around the corner again. “Someone’s after me. I’m sure of it.”

  “Why are you so sure?” Ed asked.

  “Elmer Martin stopped by about two weeks ago. He had some papers.”

  Finally! Maybe they’d get some answers.

  “Papers worth killing over?” Ed asked.

  James scanned the front of his house again. “Absolutely worth killing for. I told him he needed to turn the information over to the authorities. He told me he couldn’t.”

  “Why?”

  “He thought some of the higher-ups were working for the other side. He didn’t know whom he could trust. Then I heard he ended up dead. Not long after that, I started getting that feeling like someone was watching me. I knew your father’s death wasn’t from natural causes. I also know my turn is coming up soon.”

  “How’d you know my dad?” Ed asking, trying to gauge the man’s level of truth.

  “We worked together at the State Department. I retired a few years before he did.”

  “What did this information pertain to?” Ed asked.

  “It’s twofold. It implicates people at the CIA, but it also reveals intel about the hostage—”

  Just then, glass at the front of the house shattered.

  SIXTEEN

  “It’s a grenade!” Ed shouted. “Get down!”

  Ed covered Bailey with his body just as an explosion rocked the house. Debris rained down on them. When the flames ceased, smoke lingered in the air.

  Bailey waited to hear the sounds of men invading the house. Of gunfire. Of more grenades.

  Instead, she heard the sizzle of fire and the crackling flames in the aftermath of the explosion.

  Ed pushed himself off Bailey and glanced back. James lay on the floor, a section of the wall on top of him. Ed scrambled toward the man and put a finger at his neck.

  “He’s dead,” he muttered. “The blast got him.”

  “What are we going to do?” Panic threatened to overtake her, but she held the emotion at bay. She’d never survive this if she succumbed to her fears. Despite her attempted bravado, trembles shook her muscles.

  “We’ve got to get out of here. Stay where you are while I find a way out.”

  She grabbed Ed’s arm, the thought of being alone—or something happening to Ed—enough to shake her to the core. “Let me go with you.”

  He leaned closer, his chest heaving with exertion and adrenaline. He squeezed her arm, locking his eyes with hers. “It’s safer here.”

  “I don’t care. Please don’t leave me alone.”

  He finally nodded and motioned for her to stay close. Bailey kept one hand gripping his arm as they crept toward the entryway. Ed stayed against the wall, moving slowly, stealthily. He reached the window and peered around.

  “What do you see?”

  “Nothing,” he whispered, his muscles taut beneath her hand. “Absolutely nothing.”

  Bailey wasn’t sure if that was good or bad.

  “I don’t know what they’re planning,” Ed muttered. “We need to get out of here, though.”

  “Just how do you plan on doing that?”

  He hurried back toward James, reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys. “I have an idea.”

  Bailey stayed behind him as he rushed through the house. Ed slowly opened a door near the kitchen. Darkness stared at them from the other side. Carefully, Ed took his first step inside the room.

  The garage, Bailey realized. This was the garage.

  Ed reached for her hand and pulled her inside the room. The silence was almost scarier than the bullets had been.

  Bailey waited for someone to jump out, for someone to attack. Nothing happened. The only sound was that of their feet on the cement beneath them.

  Quietly, Ed unlocked the passenger door of the massive black SUV parked there. He ushered her inside and gently closed the door with barely a click.

  Bailey’s skin crawled as she anticipated what might happen next. Would they be ambushed? Were these bad guys just waiting for Ed’s next move, just waiting for another attack? She didn’t know, and not knowing had caused her blood pressure to spike uncontrollably.

  Ed silently climbed inside.

  “Put your seat belt on,” he whispered.

  With trembling fingers, she fastened it in place. She had no choice at the moment but to trust Ed completely.

  Quickly, he slipped the keys into the ignition. Then he cranked the engine, put the car in Drive and jammed his foot on the gas. The vehicle burst through the garage door.

  Bailey screamed. Her fingers dug into the leather upholstery of the seat as the momentum of the car jolted her.

  They sped past Ed’s rental car as bullets began flying through the air. Their assailants must have been hiding in the woods because no one was visible. But the danger was all too real.

  Ed drove full speed until they reached the busy metro area. “I don’t think anyone followed us.”

  Bailey said nothing, only stared at the street, partly terrified, partly in shock.

  “You okay?” he asked, squeezing her knee.

  She nodded, trying to pry her fingers from the seat and willing her breathing to return to normal. “Yeah, I’m fine. I think.”

  “It appears we lost them.”

  “Who are they?” Bailey asked, hardly hearing anything above the pounding in her ears.

  “Someone who wants that information.”

  “If they wanted it so badly, wouldn’t they have kept James alive so they could find it?” Bailey’s voice sounded squeaky and high, even to her own ears.

  “My guess is that once these guys realize James knew what those files said, his name went on a hit list.”

  Bailey’s throat went dry enough that she rubbed the tight muscles at her neck, willing herself to gulp in deep breaths. “So, you think anyone who knows what’s in those files will ultimately die?”

  Ed stared at the road ahead, dodging in and out of traffic. “That’s my guess. Someone doesn’t want anyone to know what’s in those files. They’re trying to stop the information from being spread.”

  “What’s so important?”

  “Matters o
f national security. Guilty parties. Ruined reputations of countries. Uncovering the names of spies. It could be any number of things.”

  “None of that is comforting.” Once she found the information, these guys were going to kill her, she realized. There was no happy ending in all of this for her, no matter what she did. “James said something about a hostage. What was he talking about?”

  “I have no idea. Not yet.” Ed glanced over at her. “Why do you look like you’re going to pass out?”

  She fanned her face for a moment. “I’m just feeling a little overwhelmed.”

  He reached across the seat and grabbed her hand. “I’ll watch out for you, Bailey.”

  His touch was surprisingly comforting and brought her a measure of peace she hadn’t expected. She squeezed his hand in appreciation. “Thank you. I’m not sure that’s going to be possible, though.”

  “What’s going on, Bailey? Is there anything you need to tell me?”

  She wanted to spill everything. After all, what were the chances that man would overhear any of the conversation here?

  But she’d seen what those men could do. They would kill her sister without thinking twice about it. The man’s threat hadn’t been empty.

  So, as much as she’d like to pour everything out to Ed right here, she couldn’t. She had to figure a way out of this mess on her own.

  “I’m just trying to sort everything out,” she whispered.

  Ed retracted his hand, and she instantly missed the warmth. Instead, he put both hands on the steering wheel as he maneuvered the vehicle through traffic.

  “I’m trained to tell when a person’s lying, Bailey,” he muttered.

  His words caused the blood to drain from her face. “I’m not trained, but I can also tell when someone’s not telling the truth. Maybe you should point that finger back at yourself.” She hated to sound harsh, but she wasn’t the only one hiding things. He was no DC lawyer. Or, if he was, there was more to the story.

  Silence stretched between them for the rest of the ride.

  Bailey tried to tell herself that she didn’t care, but she knew that deep down inside, she did. Against all the odds, she was beginning to care about Ed Carter, the last person she wanted to have feelings for.