Aboard the Wishing Star (24 page)

He knocked over a lamp, breaking it before he gained control again, pushing his anger back down.

Soon he'd have Kara. She'd regret running to another man.

He liked her scared, but she was supposed to run to him. All the time he'd invested in her, being a friend after her husband died. All wasted now, because she'd run from him and no longer trusted him.

He placed a tape in the VCR, hit play. He reached under the pillow for the pair of panties he'd stolen out of Kara's dirty laundry then brought them to his nose and inhaled sharply, filling his nostrils with her scent as he watched her naked image on the screen, and began to touch himself with his other hand.

The thought of what he'd soon do to her filled him with excitement and painful anticipation. Soon she'd be the one feeling pain. Then he'd do as he wanted with her. How dare she run from him? She was his.

His anger built but he found a different kind of release.

*****

Nate kept watch in the rear view mirror for the car that had followed them earlier but saw no sign of it. The police had finished at Kara's house and Nate was taking her to a large hotel, one with security.

Her stomach growled.

"Sounds like we'd better get something to eat first," he said.

"Can we order room service? I just want to stay in."

"Anything you'd like."

He wanted to make her as comfortable and safe as possible after what she'd been through.

The police had found no fingerprints, so there was nothing to tie Daryl to the surveillance installed in her home, but a search warrant of his home might turn up evidence.

She hadn't helped matters by deleting all Daryl's messages, but the officer in charge had assured her records could be obtained from the phone company, showing incoming calls and if they were lucky text messages.

In the meantime, until they locked Daryl away, Nate was taking no chances with the love of his life.

She didn't know it yet, but he intended to spend the rest of his life with her, if she'd have him. He'd held her last night as she'd drifted off to sleep and all through the night. Holding her next to him like that felt so good. Better than he would even have imagined.

*****

They'd just visited a different branch of her bank and she'd closed all but one account, her checking. She'd get all her bills written today and send them out. She didn't like the fact he had access to her accounts by working at the same bank. So she was opening an account at a new bank today. One that had branches in many cities, some in Florida.

Nate had suggested the bank he did banking at. What he hadn't said was he hoped she would move to Florida with him.

These errands took most of the morning and as Nate drove her around he kept an eye out for anyone who might follow them.

He had a bad feeling again.

When Kara had called a coworker to say she was taking a sick day today, the woman had said, "Oh, do you have the flu too? Daryl called in sick with it today."

The man was not at work and he was not at home. Yet his car sat in the drive. The police were keeping an eye out for him, but who knew where he was right now.

Kara watched Nate. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing I can't handle."

Nate glanced in the rear view mirror again, and she turned around and looked behind her into the truck bed. "Did something fall out?"

"No. I'm just keeping an eye on things. So, what are you hungry for? It's time for lunch."

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy."

Comfort food. Of course. What people ordered when they were upset
.
How could he lighten things up for her?

"How about something more fun. Like pizza?"

She sighed. "That sounds good. What kind of pizza do you like?"

"I like them all. But I haven't tried any Ohio pizza before." He smiled. "You can teach me about Ohio. Let's pick one up and take it back to the room."

"Okay. We could get a Cassanos pizza."

His hand closed over hers. "Sweetheart, that sounds good."

"Yes, sounds good to me too."

*****

After lunch and a long nap Kara asked if they could go to her house and pick up some things, since it looked like they might be staying in the hotel more than one night. She didn't want to sleep in her house even with Nate there to keep her safe.

"Of course," Nate said. "If you have bath stuff bring it along and I'll run you a hot bath, then if you'd like we can watch a movie together."

"That sounds good."

They'd enjoy a quiet evening together, just the two of them cuddled up in comfortable companionship watching a movie. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the seat of the truck.

"You deserve some pampering." His voice deepened. "I might even give you a back rub."

Her eyes opened. "Oh, that sounds wonderful."

"Come on."

It didn't take long for her to pack a bag with the things she wanted and to collect her mail. Soon they were headed back to the hotel.

Nate pulled into the parking garage, parked, then hefted her bag and they headed toward the hotel elevator.

The parked cars were empty, the garage silent.

A brown Ford sedan raced around the curve toward Nate, the man driving holding a gun out the open window.

Dropping the bag Nate reached out and hauled Kara behind him with one hand as he pulled a gun out of his coat with the other raised it and aimed.

Kara watched frozen in disbelief.

Shots rang out. A bullet hit the door of the car beside them. Nate's shot went through the windshield hitting the gunman in the forehead. The gunman slumped forward over the steering wheel. The car crashed into a minivan and came to a halt.

"Stay back," Nate held one hand out warning her to stay and edged forward, his gun pointed at the man who was surely dead.

Kara was glad Nate was taking no chances.

He checked to see there was no one in the back seat and then opened the car door. He reached in and took the man's pulse. Then he stood and turned to look at Kara. "He's dead. Call the police."

Pulling out her phone, she hurried over to him, "What should I say?"

"Tell them there's been an attempt on your life. Tell them exactly what happened."

In the distance they could hear a siren.

"They may already be on their way."

A cell phone on the floorboards started ringing. He reached down to pick it up.

"Daryl Swinford." The caller ID showed who was calling.

Kara gasped, took a step back and pressed her hands into her stomach.

Nate held up a finger to his lips. He pressed speakerphone and took the call without speaking.

"The money is in your account." Daryl said.

Nate remained silent.

"Hello?"

Nate coughed twice.

"Tell me the job is done."

Nate coughed again.

"Damn it, speak to me. Do you have the woman?"

Nate went into a fit of coughing then hung up. The phone rang again but he didn't answer. "Hopefully I didn't spook him. If he calls again maybe they can trace it."

Kara stared at the dead man. "I've never seen that man before."

"The police will figure this out." He tucked his gun into his belt and laid the phone on the seat as the siren sounded closer. "Let's step away from the car. They're almost here."

Her hands were shaky as she held out the phone. "Do I still need to call?"

His concerned brown eyes gazed down into hers as he held out his arms. "Come here, baby."

She stepped into his embrace and closed her eyes as his arms closed around her. His hand rubbed her back as he stood holding her and he didn't let go even when the police car pulled up, lights and siren going.

The siren turned off and two patrolmen stepped out of the squad car cautiously, guns at the ready as they took in the scene.

"There was a report of gunshots." The taller man spoke.

"Yes, sir," Nate answered as he released Kara. "That man made an attempt on her life." He nodded at the dead body.

"Ma'am, are you all right?"

"I am now, thanks to Nate."

The policeman eyed Nate. "Your weapon?"

Nate held his hands out and turned around placing his hands on the car to allow the policeman to step up and remove the weapon.

As the man patted him down for more weapons he said, "You seem familiar with this procedure."

"Just making it easier for you, sir. I'd appreciate you taking us both down to the station where Kara will be safer."

"You'll be there soon enough."

The other officer had called in to the station and soon police officers; yellow tape and crime scene investigators ready to do their jobs surrounded them.

Kara and Nate were transported to the station in separate cars and she did not see him again for several hours.

When at last they were both released, she ran into his arms. "Oh Nate. What a nightmare this is."

He held her close and said, "It's almost over, Kara. They'll find Daryl."

Just as they were ready to leave, another police officer approached them. "Mrs. Worth?"

She turned to look at him. "Yes."

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I have a few questions about your husbands death."

"What?"

"We have reason to believe this man is the same man who killed your husband."

She gasped.

After all this time if they could answer the questions that had haunted her so many nights.

As they sat down at the table the officer said, "I had a hunch." He tapped his pen on the table. "The man who shot your husband also drove a brown Ford sedan and the bullets were a match. Then when we checked his cell phone records we found calls made to and from Daryl Swinford just before and after your husband was murdered. We then checked his bank records. Large deposits were made to his account at the time and again this week. We believe Swinford paid this man to kill your husband."

"It wasn't a random act of violence?" Horror filled her. "It was a lie. Everything."

"Kara? Sweetheart," Nate reached for her hand.

"We believe Nate was next."

She shivered. "Oh, Nate, he would have killed you."

Nate reached his arm around her and rubbed her shoulder. "I'm not easy to kill. You wouldn't believe the near misses I've had."

She shivered again.

"We've issued a warrant for Mr. Swinford."

Kara gave him a nervous smile. "Will you call me as soon as you catch him?"

"Yes, ma'am. But don't worry. We expect to have him in custody soon."

Nate squeezed her shoulder, pulling her to him. "They'll get him. And I'll stay with you."

"Daryl is crazy. They'd better catch him soon."

"Come, Kara. We'll go back to the hotel and stay there until he's captured."

She nodded.

Later that evening, when things had settled down, he ran the bath he'd promised her. He added her bath oil, which was lavender scented.

"Smells good." He swished the water around as she watched him then announced, "Your bath is ready, my lady. Take all the time you need. I'll be right outside. Call if you need me."

He cupped her chin and looked down into her eyes. "You're going to be all right, Kara. You're safe here with me. I'm not going anywhere."

She nodded without speaking.

"All right," he stepped back with his hand on the doorknob. "Should I leave this open or closed?"

"Closed."

When he thought she'd been in there so long she might be turning into a wrinkled prune, he rapped softly on the bathroom door. "Kara?" When she didn't answer he eased the door open.

A vision greeted his eyes. Kara lay back against the wall of the bathtub; her face flushed pink, wet hair resting on her shoulders and her rosy breasts, which glistened with bath oil. She'd fallen asleep in the tub.

"Kara," he called to her softly as he stepped into the room, picking up a towel from the corner rack, not wanting to scare her awake and conscious of his immediate response to her beauty.

She opened her eyes slowly and looked into his for one brief moment then slid down into the tub and reached to cover herself with her hands as her cheeks blazed and her lashes dropped. Watching her only made his reaction intensify.

"You fell asleep. Ready to get out now?"

"Yes."

He held out a hand to her and she stood, water streaming down her body.

*****

The warm water and the floral scented oil had made her skin soft, warm, and slippery. Made her body long for his touch. For his eyes to gaze at her again with that look that made her feel every inch a woman.

Oh, how she wanted to be kissed and held and made love to by this wonderful man. The man she loved with all her heart.

He took the towel and dried her off. It wasn't long until they were kissing and moving toward the bed.

Lightly he fingered a loose tendril of hair on her cheek. "You're so beautiful." His eyes searched her face, reaching into her thoughts. "You were afraid." His soothing voice probed further. "And you've been afraid for a long time. But Kara," he looked deep into her eyes, "I'm hoping you won't be afraid any more. All that talk about randomness and bad things happening. What happened to your husband wasn't random."

She inhaled sharp. It was as if he'd been reading her mind, though it wasn't possible.

"It's no shame to be afraid. It's what you do with your fear that determines the outcome. And you, sweetheart, are brave. You walked out of your bank job and now you're ready to leave everything behind. Do you realize how much courage you have?"

"Maybe I have a little bit."

"More than a little, sweetheart." His thumb caressed her cheek and his eyes softened. "You're beautiful and brave. That's quite a combination."

A warm glow flowed through her. No man had ever spoken to her this way. He meant every word he said. Her confidence formed a solid rock in the core of her being where once there'd been only doubt.

She was brave. She felt it inside herself now.

Her eyes glittered up at him and he bent to kiss her. She reached up and wound her hands around the back of his neck, through his hair. She kissed him back, lingering, savoring each sensation. He was alive. Here in front of her, warm and strong, loving her. Joy filled her soul.