Protective Custody (9 page)

C
arly sipped her coffee and watched the sun come up through the slight crack in the blinds. Cracked just enough for her to see out, but no one to see in.

Surprisingly, the night had been quiet, and she'd slept soundly for the duration of her allotted time. Exhaustion hadn't given her a choice, and she'd forced herself not to think about what could happen while she slept. She knew Mason was on duty and would wake her should the need arise.

He'd given her five hours, and she was grateful. She'd done the same for him before. No doubt he'd read her like a book, noting that her fatigue went deeper than the physical. She'd needed the rest to recharge mentally, emotionally.

Now she contemplated how best to keep the family safe. She could hear Mason's snoring from her perch in the kitchen. He still didn't believe her when she said he sounded like a freight train.

Movement to her right made her start. She turned to see Debbie pad into the kitchen and head for the coffeemaker. “Good morning,” Carly said.

“'Morning,” Debbie mumbled. She grabbed her mug, made her way to the table and set it down with a thunk.
She sank into the chair and looked at Carly with bleary eyes. “I need earplugs.”

Carly fought a grin but didn't think she was very successful. “I know. You get used to it after a while.”

“Never. I pity the woman who marries him.”

A laugh escaped this time, and Carly secretly agreed. “I guess I don't have to ask how you slept.”

More footsteps sounded. Nick. Looking rumpled, grumpy, sleepy—and very, very attractive in his sweats and muscle T-shirt.

“Good morning, Nick.” Tongue in cheek, she asked, “So, how'd you sleep?”

He glared at her. “You need a new partner—or I need a new roommate.”

This time she giggled. She couldn't help it. “I warned you. Earplugs help.”

“That man sounds like Joshua's pet pig, Uncle Nick,” Christopher declared as he scooted up to the table. “What stinks?” He coughed, then declared, “I want pancakes.”

Nick's lips curved. His eyes met Carly's, and she had to look away. He looked so appealing, so powerful, so…male.

He's a job, Carly. Stay focused on keeping him safe, not thinking about kissing him.
But it was hard, because the more she was around him, the more she liked him. And the children.

She felt her lips curl in a smile. She knew for a fact he didn't snore. Then she frowned. Or Mason's snores had drowned his out.

Huh.

Then her lips turned south.
What are you thinking, Carly? You have no right to consider a relationship with him, no matter how much the idea appeals to you—at least not until the trial is over. If he was interested.

But he was. She could see it in his eyes. But she could also see something that held him back, kept him from getting too close—even though he wanted to. There was a distance there that she couldn't explain. Maybe that was for the best. For now. She still wasn't sure she'd resolved the issue of Hank's death by a murderer Nick had released only hours before the murder.

Just the thought of that sent all romantic feelings skidding to the side. Sniffling, she decided Christopher was right. Something did smell. She frowned. What was it?

Her mind set off alarm signals, but she wasn't sure where the threat was coming from.

Nicholas examined the contents of the cabinet and turned to Christopher. “You're in luck. We've got the makings for pancakes.”

Debbie stood. “Oh, I'll do that, Nick.”

He smiled. “Thanks, but I've got it.”

For a moment, she looked unsure, then shrugged. “Fine. I'll go check on Lindsey.”

Carly stood, and her head spun. A wave of nausea hit her, and she gasped.

Nick caught her arm. “Are you all right?”

Pulling away, she grimaced. “Yes, I think so. I'm just going to take a look around outside.”

Christopher coughed again, and Carly shot a sharp look at him. “Is he all right?”

Frowning, Nick studied his nephew. “I'll keep an eye on him.” Without taking his eyes from Chris, he said, “After I finish the pancakes, I'm going to do some work. Is there an Internet connection here?”

“Yes, and it's encrypted, so you should be all right.”

Still feeling slightly ill and wondering what that odor was, Carly headed for the door while Nick pulled out the frying pan then turned toward the refrigerator.

Outside, the muggy heat hit her. Silence enveloped her in the early morning. Oppressive silence.

A disconcerting quiet that just didn't seem natural.

She pulled in a deep breath and immediately felt better. The nausea stopped, and the dizziness faded.

However, her nerves tightened and the hair stood up on the back of her neck. She'd just walked out the door and no birds sang, no early morning crickets chirped.

Nothing.

“Something's not right,” she whispered. But what?

No one was out there. No one knew where they were, and no one could be watching. Could they?

Keeping her expression neutral, her actions unhurried in case she was being watched, she turned and stepped back inside.

A spurt of laughter then a long breathless cough from Christopher greeted her. Debbie, looking wan and sleep-deprived, sat at the table making funny faces at the boy. Lindsey had yet to put in an appearance.

Nick turned from mixing the pancake batter, the smile on his lips sliding off as he sent a worried look at Christopher. Then he caught Carly's expression. Immediately, his eyes narrowed and his shoulders tensed. Voice low, he asked, “What is it?”

Not wanting to be an alarmist, yet knowing enough to listen to that inner voice that had saved her life more than once, she said, “I'm not sure, but I think everyone needs to get ready to move again.”

“They found us?”

“Like I said, I'm not sure yet. Let me get Mason.”

“I'm here.” His voice came from the doorway. “What is it?”

Lindsey stumbled into the kitchen. “Uncle Nick? I don't feel so good.”

“I feel kind of sick myself.” Debbie put her hands on her head.

Christopher yawned. “My head hurts. Why am I so sleepy again? It hurts to breathe.”

Carly noticed the headache starting behind her eyes. Outside, she'd felt fine. Inside…

She looked at the stove. Nick's hand reached to start the gas burner, and fear hit her. Carly yelled, “No! Don't touch that! Get Christopher and his inhaler. We all need to get out into the fresh air.”

He jerked back and stared at her.

“There's a gas leak somewhere. That's the smell. We need to get out.”

Mason stood and grabbed the keys. “They can't go outside. They'll be exposed. Everybody head toward the garage and get in the car.”

Nick raced toward the bedrooms. “I'll get our stuff.”

Carly tried to stop him. “Leave it. Just get out.”

His gave her a sharp look. “You're planning on grabbing stuff. I'm not leaving you in here to do that alone.” He looked at Debbie. “Get the kids and go, quickly.”

She looked down at her sweats. Nick read her mind. “Don't worry about changing. You need fresh air.”

Debbie nodded, raced to grab a few items from the kitchen counter. Carly almost yelled at her that they weren't important, but decided not to argue. Arguing took time, and one of the items was Christopher's stuffed dog. He'd need the comfort it provided.

In seconds, she'd gathered what meager belongings they needed and met Nicholas in the hallway. Debbie had already ushered the kids out to the car. “We need to go, now.”

“I need my laptop and Chris's inhaler, and we're out of here.”

He snatched the computer off the table, cord and all, and together they headed for the door. Carly picked up the inhaler from the kitchen counter, vaguely wondering why Debbie hadn't grabbed it.

Nausea swirled in the pit of her stomach once again. Her head ached, and her throat felt scratchy. Nick looked like he didn't feel so great, either. “As soon as we get into some fresh air, we'll feel better.”

“Gas poisoning?”

“I suspect.”

“On purpose, or a badly timed accident?”

“Good question. We'll treat it as a crime scene until proven differently.” She exited the back door, stepping into the garage. She saw everyone already piled in the SUV, kids in the back and Debbie in one of the captain's chairs in the middle, Mason at the wheel.

Carly climbed in the front, and Nick sat behind her. Mason hit the button to activate the garage door. When he backed out, Carly took a deep breath of the fresh air and snatched her phone. Already the headache was receding and the nausea had calmed down. A glance in the rearview mirror showed everyone else had perked up, too.

“I didn't want to take a chance on using my cell phone in the house. I didn't know if it would be safe or not,” Mason said. “But give me a minute to call this in.”

Carly said, “I'll do it.”

She punched in the number and leaned her head back to give a sigh of relief mixed with frustration. Relief they'd made it out without incident.

Frustration because it seemed like the de Lugos were able to stay one step ahead of them. It was like they had access to everything they were thinking.

Like they had inside information.

A chill seeped into her as she stared at the passing
scenery. While her mind processed that thought, her eyes automatically took in the details around and behind them.

Inside information.

Could it be possible?

But who?

The list of people who knew their whereabouts was very small. However, it must contain one person too many, and that person was doing his or her best to make sure Nicholas didn't make it to trial in three days.

Her boss, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Perry Chism, answered on the third ring. “Sir, we've got a problem.” Explaining the situation didn't take long. Then she contacted the captain of the police department and filled him in. A team would be sent to the safe house to process it as a crime scene.

Carly said, “Oh, I put a cell phone in the far left drawer in the kitchen by the stove. Be sure to get that—I need to return it when this is all over.” She looked at Nick. “Is there anything else they need to pick up?”

“I left one of Christopher's inhalers in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom.”

She passed the information on to the captain, who promised to retrieve the items.

Tuning back in to the conversation between Mason and Nick, she vowed to sit down with the two men and try to figure out who could possibly be the one on the de Lugo payroll.

“Where are we going?” Christopher's little voice pierced the tense silence after Mason hung up. Carly turned to look at him. He'd taken a puff on the inhaler and already looked better.

Before she could answer him, Nicholas reached back
and took hold of his small hand. “We're headed for another safe house, little guy.” He looked at Carly. “Am I right?”

She tried to paste a reassuring smile on her lips. “You got it in one.” Speaking to Christopher, she said, “You have a very smart uncle.”

This brought a long sigh, and, in all seriousness, Chris said, “I know. He must be, cuz he says I think just like him.”

Carly choked on a laugh. She watched the stress on Nick's face dissolve into laugh lines and humor. Even Lindsey smiled. Debbie gave a brief chuckle then closed her eyes and leaned her head against the seat rest before popping back up. “I left the inhaler on the counter!”

“I got it,” Carly reassured her.

“Oh, good.”

Nicholas squeezed his nephew's hand then turned back around to face the front. When his eyes met Carly's, she saw the laughter had faded to worry. His brow furrowed, and that muscle jumped along his jaw. His look said they needed to talk. And soon.

She gave a short nod. She needed to talk to him, too. They needed to compile a list of people who'd known about the safe house and figure out who'd compromised it.

Carly felt the muscles along her jaw and neck tighten. It was hard enough trying to keep someone safe when you thought you knew who the good guys were. But when one of them crossed over…

The results were often deadly.

A
t the end of the long, winding, dirt road sat a one-story ranch-style house. Set apart from other houses on several acres of land, there were very few trees and nothing else in the vicinity that would make a good hiding place.

No one could get near the house without being exposed. A good safety measure and landscaped that way on purpose, Nick was sure.

As he watched the house come into view, he debated whether or not they were doing the right thing. It galled him that he'd tucked his tail and run, depending on the marshals to keep him safe, putting the responsibilities at his office off on someone else.

And yet, what choice did he have? Lindsey's terrified huddle in the woods wouldn't leave him. Christopher's clinging and fear-induced wheezing haunted him.

Bottom line: he had to protect the children.

And if staying in a safe house meant giving them peace of mind, then—

Mason interrupted his thoughts. “We're here.”

He pulled into the garage and closed them in. Carly said, “Everyone stay in the car. I want to have a look around before we unload.”

Shoulders stiff, Nick watched her climb from the car and,
with gun drawn, enter the house via the closest door. He looked at Mason. “Does she know something we don't?”

The man kept his eyes glued to the door Carly had just entered. “Nope, don't think so. She's just being extra careful.” Mason met Nick's eyes. “It's a good thing.”

Nick leaned back. He didn't like it. This feeling of helplessness. Watching someone he cared about—and he knew he was caring more every day—possibly walk into danger while he sat in the car. He reached for the door handle and shoved it open. “Well, I'm not sitting here while she's in there.”

“That's her job, Nick. Just sit back and let her do it.”

The words hit him between the eyes.

It was her job.

One she did every day.

A dangerous job that came with risk and the real possibility of dying.

When he'd gone through the police-academy training, it had been drummed into them how dangerous the job was and how important it was to watch your back constantly. He'd done as instructed, taken precautions and hadn't really worried about himself. But Carly…

Yep. He cared about her. A lot. Amazing how that had happened in such a short amount of time. But he couldn't deny the attraction he felt, the almost magnetic pull she had on him. At first he'd wondered if there was something more than partnership between her and Mason, but he'd quickly realized that they were good friends and nothing more.

He had felt glad, relieved.

That same relief flowed through him now. He realized he was glad Carly was the one who'd been chosen for this assignment. Glad she was with him. Originally, he hadn't wanted her on the assignment simply because he'd been a
bit embarrassed. They'd shared some deep conversations two years ago and then hadn't seen each other since. It hadn't taken him long to realize that those conversations had laid a foundation that made it easier to care about her that much more now.

Watching her in action this time gave him a new respect for her and her abilities. Something to keep in mind when he considered the future. And if they made it out of this alive, a future with Carly was something he wanted to think about.

Seriously.

Less than three minutes later, Carly reappeared in the doorway and waved them in. “The back of the house looks good. There aren't any real windows in the back. I'm impressed. You have to look really close to realize it. Plantation shutters all around, so that keeps you from feeling boxed in. There's no way anyone can see in, so you can probably move around pretty freely back there. The front is a different story. A few windows that will have to be avoided, but we can do that.”

“What about if we need a safe place in a hurry?” Mason asked.

“There's a covered walkway to an outbuilding. We've got an emergency vehicle in the other garage if we need it. The keys are in it, so we can use whichever one is closest at the time of trouble—if there is trouble.”

“Hopefully, there won't be any more problems.”

Nick decided he wouldn't hold his breath on that one. With a sigh, he climbed out and helped Debbie and the children out of the vehicle.

Grabbing the bags, he trailed them into the house. Another house that wasn't his own.

After determining the sleeping arrangements, the adults
convened in the living area and set it up to serve as a headquarters.

Carly paced while Nicholas set up his laptop. Mason talked on the phone with his superior, and the kids acquainted themselves with the layout of the house. Debbie checked out the pantry and appliances.

At the stove, she turned with a raised brow. “Well, at least this one is electric.”

Carly gave her a smile, and Nicholas appreciated the attempt at humor. Carly nodded. “I'm just glad the gas company started adding that additive into the gas. Otherwise we probably wouldn't have known what hit us.”

Nick rubbed the back of his head and caught Carly's eye. She stopped her pacing and stared at him. “What?”

“What if we went back to my house?”

“Excuse me?”

“Seriously. That would be the last thing they'd expect us to do, wouldn't it?”

Placing her hands on her hips, she seemed to consider it, then said, “They probably have someone watching the house. As soon as we pulled in the drive, word would be out.” She paused. “And even if we sent someone to sweep the area, it would just alert them that something was up and you were possibly coming back.”

Nick blew out a sigh. “All right, I guess that makes sense.”

“Why don't you sit down and write down everyone you can think of that might have access to your whereabouts. I'll do the same, and we'll compare lists.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Carly rounded up some paper, and while Debbie entertained the children, Nick and Carly got busy.

After thirty minutes, Nick slapped his pen down. Carly jumped. “What?”

“I can't think of anyone else.”

She leaned forward, and the scent of peppermint drifted his way. He took in a deeper breath and savored the moment.

“Nick? You okay?” Looking into her eyes, he just studied her. She gave a nervous little laugh and said, “Hello?”

A slow smile crept across his lips, and in a voice for her ears only, he said, “You always smell so good. How do you do that?”

She blinked. Opened her mouth. Shut it.

He'd caught her by surprise. Well, he'd taken himself by surprise, too. He couldn't believe he'd let those words pass his lips.

But he had.

She became flustered. It warmed his heart to see her so unsettled. Not in a way that made him want to laugh at her, but in a way that encouraged him, emboldened him.

“Uh…well, I'm g-glad you like it,” she stuttered.

“I do.” He nodded, his voice sounding husky to his own ears. Clearing his throat, he said, “I like you, Carly.”

He wouldn't have thought it possible, but her face turned an even darker shade of red.

She popped up out of her chair to pace to the other end of the kitchen. Leaning against the stove, she crossed her arms. “What are you doing, Nicholas?”

He followed her lead and stood, too. “What do you mean?”

“Why are you flirting with me?”

For a moment, he didn't answer then decided to shoot straight with her. “Because you intrigue me. I've never met anyone like you before, and I'm not sure exactly how to handle that. How to handle you—and my attraction to you. I keep wondering what it would be like to kiss you, and then I think about your job and how dangerous it is….”
He breathed in. “And then I'm back to thinking about kissing you. You're making me crazy—uh…in a good way. I think.”

She drew in a deep breath then let it out. “Oh.”

He waited. When she didn't say anything else, he asked, “That's it? ‘Oh'?”

From the corner of her eye, she watched him, then smiled mysteriously. “Yeah. Oh.” She pulled his piece of paper in front of her and said, “Now, what do you have?”

So that's how it was going to be. Did he let her get away with it? Or push it?

“Carly? Am I seriously out of practice or just plain crazy, because I think you feel the same attraction for me that I feel for you. Do you?”

She didn't answer for a minute. Then she looked him in the eye. “You're not crazy.”

Joy flared in him. “Good, because—”

She held up a hand. “And that's all I'm going to say, because I have a job to do and I can't do that if I'm thinking about…” She waved a hand in the air and flushed. “You know…you thinking about me…in a way, that way…um…you know.”

Then she ducked her head and went back to her list.

He got the message. Subject closed.

For now.

 

Carly looked at the short list in front of her. “Wayne Thomas, your secretary, the marshals. That's it?”

“That's it.”

She grimaced. “Well, mine's not much better.” She handed it to him. “I've got my boss, Grady and Maria.” Then she frowned. “Wait a minute. Wayne Thomas? He knows where we are?”

“Sure. He'd be worried sick if he couldn't get in touch with Debbie.”

“Okay, I want background checks done on everyone.”

“Who is everyone?”

“Every person involved in this. People who know you, who have intimate knowledge of this trial and everything going on with it.”

Mason came into the kitchen to look at the lists, then rubbed his chin. “We can do that. Let me see what I can do on the computer. Give me some names.”

She hesitated, almost sick at the thought of what she was about to suggest. Nick stared at her. “Who?”

“Grady Fry and Maria Delucci.”

Mason's jaw dropped. “Are you serious?”

“I don't want to be, but stranger things have happened in this business where money has a dangerous pull.”

Her partner shook his head and crossed his arms. “I'm not doing background checks on fellow officers.”

Carly stood. “Look, I don't necessarily suspect them, but we've got to cover all our bases. That means starting with the people closest to us.”

“Then I suppose you want me to do one on each of us?” Mason quirked a brow at her, the redness in his cheeks telling her he wasn't happy at all with her suggestion.

Lifting her chin, she placed her hands on her hips. “Of course.”

His shoulders relaxed a fraction, and he gave her a small smile. “Fine.”

Mason looked at Nick. “We'll have to investigate Wayne and Debbie Thomas, too.”

Carly froze, and she stared at her partner. “You're absolutely right.” Her gaze shot to Nick. “Didn't you do one on her when you hired her?”

“No, of course not.” He punched a clenched fist into
his other hand then raked that hand through his already tousled hair. She tried to ignore the way it just made him more appealing. A little ruffled, a lot rugged. His attractiveness constantly seared her. She blinked and honed in on his defense.

“She's Wayne's daughter. I trust her with my life.”

“What about the lives of your niece and nephew?” she blurted.

That stopped him; the indignation on behalf of his friends receded. He let out a defeated sigh and hung his head. “I think it's ridiculous, but I guess we can't take the chance, can we?”

“I'd say not. We've got to nail this down.” A cold sweat broke out across her upper body. “As of right now we don't trust anyone, okay?”

Nick covered her hand with his and squeezed. “Don't worry, Carly. We'll figure it out.”

How did such a simple touch from Nick send awareness pinging through her nerves, making her hair feel like it must be standing on end? It just didn't seem possible. And yet it was. She felt it.

And if the look on his face meant anything, Nick did, too.

Mason beat an amused retreat back to his laptop in the den, and Carly took a deep breath. “Okay, so, any more ideas? Names?”

He spread his hands. “No. Unfortunately.”

“Mason?” she called. “What about you?”

“I'm sending the requests for all the background checks. I don't like it, but I think you may be on to something.”

“How long will it take to get a response?”

“Not too long.”

A knock at the door sounded, and Carly nearly fell out of her chair. She shot to her feet and palmed her weapon.
Mason followed suit and said, “Nick, stay here. I'm going to get Debbie and the kids where I can see them. If this is a trap, I don't want anyone in the back of the house. Make sure you stay away from any windows.”

Grim-faced, Nick did as requested while Carly planted herself on the side of the door. She called out, “Who is it?”

“It's Sandy Kessler from down the road a piece. I saw you drive up earlier and thought I'd welcome you to the neighborhood. Plus, I have a package for you. Someone dropped it off at my address by mistake. Happens all the time around here.”

“Just a minute,” Carly called out, buying Mason time to get the kids situated.

He appeared with the children in tow. Christopher clung to Debbie's hand while Lindsey's expression wavered between scared and mad.

“Get in the kitchen behind the island,” Carly ordered. “It's the safest place for now.”

The three hurried to do her bidding, and she waited for Mason to place himself opposite her. “Ready?” she mouthed. He nodded.

Nick appeared back in her line of sight. He had his gun drawn and ready. She motioned him back, and he stepped into the doorway of the hall bath.

“A package?” Mason mouthed back. Carly's heart thudded. They'd just arrived two hours ago. No one should be sending them packages. Especially with this address on it. A safe house that only a handful of people knew about.