“Wow, five years. What did you do before that?”
“I was in the police department in San Diego, and before that the Marines.”
“Is that where your dad was? The Marines?”
“Sort of.”
“You said that last time.” Laurie smiled into her coffee cup.
“He worked for the government.”
“I think you said that too.” She leaned forward over the table on her elbows.
Dante smiled at her. They stared at each other over their coffee.
Laurie could feel the tight, exhilarating current that ran between them as they sat in silence. Laurie looked away, her nerves jangling. He defeated her in more ways than one. She sighed.
“All right, fine.”
Dante laughed.
“Will you tell me about your mom then?”
“She was a secretary and a very good mother.”
“What made her a good mother?”
He flicked his eyes up at her with a grin.
“She made me French toast for breakfast.”
Laurie laughed. They heard a car door slam. His smiled faded, and his eyes snapped toward the front door. Every muscle in his neck and shoulders tensed.
“Stay here.” He walked toward the front door, and looked out the window.
“Who is it, boss?” David entered the kitchen. He reached for his gun, and Laurie held her breath.
“God damn it. It’s Evan James.” Dante turned to David. “It’s fine, David. I’ll take care of this.”
Dante opened the door and left, banging it shut behind him. David relaxed. He smiled nervously at Laurie.
She smiled back, releasing her grip on the table. Laurie picked up the plates and put them in the dishwasher. She tried not to notice her hand as it shook.
David went back to his usual spot in the living room.
***
Dante
Outside, Dante ambled toward the two men advancing on him from the car. On the right was Dante’s boss. Middle-aged and gaining new girth, Rick had aged himself out of fieldwork. He had gone bald long ago. His rotund face was very pasty given the number of years he had worked and lived in Hawaii. The man on the left couldn’t have been more different. Evan James was tall and lean, wearing a full suit, contrasting with Rick’s haphazard, stained, white button-down shirt. Evan’s brown hair was combed to the side, touched with grey. His face was still boyish, but his blue eyes were all steel. As Dante stopped in front of them, he took a wide stance crossing his arms over his chest.
“Rick. I didn’t realize you be dropping by today. Mr. James.” Dante nodded to him.
“Mr. Stark. Is the girl inside?” Evan buttoned his suit jacket.
“Laurie is inside, yes.” Dante tried to keep the irritation from his voice.
“Dante is the best man in the Marshals Service, Mr. James.” Rick put a hand on Evan James’ shoulder. “Dante will keep her safe.”
“I’d like to speak to her.” He addressed Dante, dismissing Rick entirely.
Dante shot Rick a look, but Rick looked back at him with a helpless shrug.
“I don’t think that’s advisable, Mr. James. Laurie is the only witness we have. This visit is highly unorthodox.”
“I realize that. I would still like to speak to her. Director Hilton approved the visit.” Evan James pulled himself up straight.
Dante looked at Rick.
“It’s true. The director confirmed it to me by phone himself.” Rick nodded.
Dante fought to keep his face expressionless and his exasperation in check.
“I need to enter first, then. It’s protocol so one of my men doesn’t shoot you.” Dante turned and led them toward the house.
He clenched his jaw. He did not like this one bit. When he opened the door to the house, Dante was relieved. Laurie wasn’t in the kitchen. He prayed she went up to take a shower, but he knew it wasn’t a realistic wish. He walked into the living room to find her reading on the sofa. David, recognizing Rick, stood up stick straight.
“Mr. James, this is David. I’ve been training him as a new team member. This is Laurie.”
Laurie got up off the couch and came to the side of it. She gazed at the man, hesitant. She flipped her book from hand to hand and back again.
“Mr. James, I’m very sorry about your wife and son. Have they been found?”
“No, not yet.” Evan removed his sunglasses and peered down his long nose at Laurie.
He regarded her warily. He didn’t offer her his hand, or smile at her. He stood there, his eyes burning holes into her. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days, dark shadows were wedged up under his eyes.
“Oh.” Laurie looked away. “And Kaimi?”
“No sign of him yet.”
Rick stepped closer to Laurie.
Laurie nodded.
Mr. James stern expression tightened. A muscle in his jaw twitched.
“Laurie.” Dante touched her elbow, pulling her toward him. “This is my boss, Rick. Rick, this is Laurie.”
She gave a wan smile.
Rick stepped forward, offering her his hand.
“It’s nice to meet you. They’ve been taking good care of me here.”
“Good, good.” Rick shook her hand like a well pump. “Dante’s one of the best men I have. I knew you’d be in good hands. Fantastic team here.”
Laurie’s smile turned from tepid to genuine, and she looked up at Dante.
A smile tugged at the corners of Dante’s mouth.
“Ms. Shelton, I would like to speak with you for a few minutes,” Evan interjected.
“Of course.” Her smile disappeared.
Laurie sat down on one end of the couch.
Evan James sat beside her in an armchair.
Dante stood behind Evan, settling himself against the mantel in a pose of feigned relaxation.
Rick sat down in the chair opposite the couch.
Laurie ran her hands over the hard cover book in her lap.
“You saw my wife and son, can you tell me about that?” He leaned forward in his chair.
“Sure.” Laurie looked away as she gathered her thoughts. “I was told Kaimi had checked out of his room—well, the guest in that room. I don’t remember what name he used but it wasn’t his own. I went up there to clean. No one answered when I knocked. I went in, and…”
She faltered, and looked up at Dante, unsure. He nodded yes to her. Laurie’s eyes dropped down to meet Evan’s level gaze. She proceeded to tell Evan everything from the time she entered the penthouse suite to the moment she ran down the stairs.
“Do you know where he was going after he left the hotel?” Evan asked when she finished her story.
“No, he only threatened me. That’s all he said while I was in the room.” She shook her head.
“Did you clean the room on any other days?” Evan clenched his fists on the ends of the arm rests.
“They didn’t want housekeeping service.”
“So during this incident you conveniently escaped from, you didn’t see or hear any indication of where he took my wife and child?”
Dante closed his hands into fists. He didn’t like this turn of conversation. He tried to catch Rick’s attention, but Rick was too busy staring at Evan James in shock.
“No, sir.” Laurie swallowed hard.
“If you did, would you even report it?” Evan gave her a pointed look.
“Mr. James, that’s uncalled for!” Dante pushed away from the fireplace. A stack of DVD’s sitting on the corner of the mantel clattered to the floor, spilling their contents. Dante didn’t care.
Evan James got up from his chair to turn on Dante, his eyes blazing.
“Well, I don’t know. I think it’s called for. This witness conveniently escaped from a known murderer, while my wife and son are carted off to God knows where. I think it raises some questions. I intend to get to the truth.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. James…I’m truly sorry.” The color drained from her face.