Always Watching (21 page)

“No!”

Olivia blinked and coughed, heard the one-word cry of desperation through the roaring in her ears. Or was that the roar of the fire? She felt the softness beneath her, but the bouncing was making her sick. Finally, the movement stopped. The sheet was pulled back and an oxygen mask slapped over her face.

She shoved it away and winced at the pain in her palm.

The mask came back. “Leave it there a bit, will you? You've inhaled quite a bit of smoke.”

She didn't recognize the voice, but decided to obey for the moment. Get her scrambled thoughts in order. Take a physical inventory. It didn't take long to figure out everything hurt.

“Olivia?”

“She's not dead, Wade,” she heard Haley say. “They pulled the sheet up to keep the debris from falling on her.”

No, she wasn't dead. Had she passed out? Maybe for a split second. She'd fallen, though. She definitely remembered that. The pain had been too intense and she'd let go.

She forced her eyes open. Wade. She heard the commotion,
the firefighters yelling, the water pulsing. Clarity returned. She sat up with a gasp, shoved the mask off once more. “He shot at me!”

Wade laid a hand on her arm. “Bree and Quinn are after her.”

The paramedic took her right hand in her gloved one. “Keep the mask on for now.” She nodded to the hand. “Do you mind if I take a look?”

Olivia finally acknowledged the pain and looked down. Blisters coated her palm and fingers. She grimaced. At least it wasn't her gun hand.

While the woman doctored her hand, Olivia took another pull on the oxygen. She coughed when it hit her lungs. The paramedic didn't blink, just slathered some ointment on her wound and started wrapping her hand in gauze.

Olivia looked at Wade and swallowed hard. “Thank you.”

He nodded.

“You put yourself in danger.”

“I couldn't just stand around and do nothing.”

She pursed her lips. “Yes, I know.” And she did. She might be his bodyguard, but his male protective instincts wouldn't allow him to stay in a comfort zone while people put themselves in danger for him and those he loved. Unfortunately.

It wasn't a new twist. She'd come across this before with men, of course, but Wade put a whole new meaning to the phrase “actively involved.”

For those on the outside looking in, it might appear that Wade was acting foolishly. But she understood his type of personality and knew it was just part of his genetic makeup, his DNA. And something she'd have to take into consideration from now on. Instead of working against him, trying to fight him into submission, she'd have to include him in whatever plans they made. Or he'd include himself.

She looked behind Wade. Bree and Quinn walked toward her. She didn't have to ask. The looks on their faces were enough. “Do you know where she went?”

Quinn shook his head. “She had a vehicle waiting.”

Bree's lips tightened and she shook her head. “I've called in the location. Law enforcement has the vehicle description. They've already released a BOLO. Hopefully someone will spot the car soon.”

Olivia stared at the burning structure. She figured the neighbors on either side had been evacuated, the others stood on their porches and rubbernecked.

The medical examiner had arrived. Francisco Zamora looked like a cover model more than an ME, with his curly black hair and perfectly complected olive skin. He stood a fraction under six foot three and didn't let his profession spoil his good humor.

His eyes caught hers and he walked toward her. “You all right?”

His light Hispanic accent soothed her raw nerves. Kind of like being in Wade's presence. She frowned. “Peachy.”

“I see that. Glad I'm not going to find you on one of my tables.”

Her frown slipped into an outright scowl. “Trust me, I'm more glad than you are.” She sighed and with her good hand worked her cell phone from her pocket. She looked at it with a grunt of satisfaction. Her slam into Wade hadn't damaged it. “That LifeProof case was worth every penny.” She handed the device to Francisco. “Text yourself the last two dozen or so pictures. I'll have to hand them over to the authorities shortly.”

“You took pictures?”

“Yes.”

“When the house was burning?”

“Hm.”

He lifted a brow. “I don't know whether to be impressed with your bravery and quick-thinking or appalled at your stupidity.”

“I know which one I prefer.” She lasered him with a fierce glare. “Whoever is doing this is not going to get away with it. I had time to take the pictures.” Regret flashed. “I didn't have time to drag her body out.”

“Glad you knew the difference.”

Wade stood silent, his tight jaw indicating he was listening—and probably biting his tongue. He met her gaze. “How did the person know you were going to be here?”

“She didn't. She must have followed me.”

“You weren't watching your back?”

“Of course I was. I never saw anyone that set off my alarms.”

He rubbed his nose and nodded. A black van pulled into the fray. Olivia recognized the CSU vehicle. “Sarah's here.”

Francisco looked back at the burning house. “Doubt she's going to have much to work with.”

Olivia scowled. “Yeah.”

Francisco handed her phone back to her. She slipped it into her pocket. The paramedics started to close the doors. With her still on the stretcher inside the ambulance. “Hey, wait a minute.”

The young woman paused. “We're ready to get you to the hospital.”

“I don't need a hospital. I have a job to do.”

“Yes you do need a hospital,” Haley said. “I've got Wade covered, Katie's on Amy. You need to get checked out. When you're finished, text me and we'll go from there.”

“I've got a burn and some smoke inhalation.” Olivia held up her bandaged hand. “Got this covered. Nothing much they can do for the other.”

Haley's eyes narrowed. “They may need to monitor you.
There's no telling what you breathed in. We don't need you thinking you're fine and then collapsing.”

Olivia opened her mouth to protest, then snapped it shut when Wade climbed in beside her. He nodded to the paramedic. “Let's go.”

Six hours of waiting was taking its toll. Wade watched from the chair that had been positioned outside Olivia's room so Haley could keep an eye on him—and afford Olivia some privacy while the doctor checked her out. His gut burned. He felt like a child in time-out. But since he was working on his attitude and cooperating with those who had pledged to protect him at all costs, he kept his mouth shut and didn't ask if he could enter the room. Not yet. He needed to think anyway. Being in the room with Olivia would just be a distraction.

He leaned back to stare at the ceiling. The girls were fine, according to Martha, and occupied in Amy's room watching a video. Martha had said something about preparing a dish to take to a friend who'd had surgery. Haley was pacing like a caged tiger, checking and rechecking her phone with never a change to the scowl on her face. Since the initial report, no one seemed inclined to tell him anything more about Olivia's condition, so he simply sat and thought.

Someone had thrown his life into turmoil all because of what? She'd fixated on him? Decided he didn't deserve to live because he hadn't responded positively to her advances? Had targeted people he loved because he wouldn't concede to her twisted desires?

He mentally reviewed the women in his life and couldn't come up with one who might be capable of instigating the incidents he'd managed to live through.

Should he run? Find a place to hide out and pray the woman gave up? He shut his eyes. “What would that do to Amy, Lord?” he murmured.

The idea of running went against everything in him. He'd always stood his ground and fought for what he believed in. But what if the cost of fighting was too high? He sighed and rubbed his temples. He simply didn't know what to do.

He glanced at his watch, then pulled his cell phone from his pocket. He had one more person he could touch base with. He pressed the fifth number on speed dial.

“Savage Counseling Center.”

“Hi, Linda.”

“Wade, how are you doing?”

“I'm hanging in there, thanks. Any trouble canceling the appointments for the rest of the week?”

“No, everyone seemed to understand and I've already gotten them rescheduled for next week. You're going to be putting in a bit of overtime, though.”

“That's fine. I'm praying all this is over by next week. Actually tomorrow would be nice.”

“Wade—”

He frowned at her hesitation. “What is it, Linda?”

“You're not in any
real
danger, are you? I mean, this person wouldn't
really
kill you, would she? She just wants some attention or something, right?”

The concern and worry in her voice warmed him. Some days he felt so alone and then in the blink of an eye he was reminded he wasn't. He did have people in his life who cared. And while he
knew
that, it was nice to have it reinforced. “I'm not sure, but we're doing our best to make sure nothing happens to me or my family.”

“Oh me. Please be careful.”

“Of course.”

She cleared her throat. “All right, I'll send you the revised schedule and those patients who may be running low—or out—of their medications.”

“Thanks, Linda.”

“Stay safe.”

He hung up and blew out a slow sigh, his mind spinning.

He looked up to see Haley finishing a conversation with a nurse. She turned and walked over to him, much of the tension drained from her face. “They're releasing her.”

Olivia had passed all tests, had her bandage changed on her hand, and was waiting—albeit impatiently—to be released from the hospital. The doctor had grudgingly agreed to let her go with specific instructions on symptoms to watch for that would require her to return to the hospital for more treatment of the smoke inhalation.

Fifteen minutes later, while Haley was on her phone just out of hearing range, Olivia stepped from the room. Wade's eyes immediately went to her even as he stood. She had a red welt across her cheek. “What's that from?”

“A bullet, I think.”

He winced and lifted a hand, then stopped as though to drop it. “That was close.”

Olivia gave him a slow smile. “Thanks.”

“For?”

“For not asking if I'm all right.”

“Except for that welt, I know you're all right physically.”

“You're wondering about my mental state?” The idea seemed to intrigue her.

“Maybe a little. You almost died.”

“But I didn't.”

“Thank God.”

“Hmm. Maybe.”

He lifted a brow. “You don't believe in God?”

“I believe in him, I just don't like him very much.”

Wade frowned. Now she had him curious. “What's not to like?”

She looked away. “Not now.”

Haley stepped up and slid her phone in her pocket. Wade snapped his lips shut. But he'd bring the subject up again soon.

“So what's next?” Haley asked, her gaze bouncing from him to Olivia.

“Now we lock down Wade's house like Fort Knox,” Olivia said, “wait for labs to come back on the woman who was killed in Valerie Mathis's house—just to confirm it was actually her—and map out a plan for the next few days.”

“What kind of plan did you have in mind?”

“One that keeps Wade alive and puts a stalker behind bars.”

WEDNESDAY MORNING

Olivia's hand throbbed, but she refused to cave and take one of the painkillers that might dull her reaction time. Amy was safe at school with Katie and Lizzie to protect her should Wade's stalker try to get at her again. Charlie was on his way over. In the meantime, she needed to think. To plan. Last night had been quiet, but she didn't fool herself into thinking the woman—and man?—had disappeared. She figured they were just in the eye of the storm.

She knew Wade didn't want to rock Amy's world, she got that. She also got that he wasn't being deliberately difficult. He was naturally an independent, do-it-himself kind of guy who had to be in control. Figuring out he wasn't was hitting him hard. But at least he wasn't stupid. He recognized he was out of his element, and was willing to meet her
almost
halfway.

Olivia paced Wade's den and hung up the phone. It had been an intense and in-depth conversation with the head of security for the event, but worth the time she'd taken to have it.

Security was actually very good for the dinner Wade still
planned to attend tomorrow night, so that made her breathe a little easier. Local law enforcement would be in attendance as well as private security hired by Wade's father. Bruce wasn't taking any chances and had given carte blanche as far as doing what they needed. Katie and Charlie would remain with Amy, along with the officer assigned to the house, while Olivia and the rest of her employees worked the dinner.

When she'd arrived first thing this morning at Wade's home, he was already locked in his office making phone calls to patients, calming some, reassuring others, adding a personal explanation as to his absence.

Martha had rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath about his workaholic tendencies, then shook her head as though to rid herself of the worry over something she couldn't change.

“He really cares about his patients, doesn't he?” Olivia said.

Martha's irritation vanished in a flash and her face softened. “Very much so.” She had shot a fond look at the closed door, then turned her attention back to Olivia. “Joanna's on her way over,” she said. “No need to jump out of your skin when she rings the bell.”

“Thanks for the warning,” Olivia murmured.

Martha sighed. “You know, I told Joanna as much time as she spends here, she should just move in with me. That apartment above the garage has two bedrooms.”

“And she won't?”

“No. She laughed and said being roommates might destroy a lifelong friendship.”

“She could be on to something there.”

“True.” Martha slipped past her and into the kitchen. “Amy's birthday is coming up. I sure hope you catch this crazy person before her party.”

“I hope so too.”

Martha had clicked her tongue and started concocting some delicious-smelling breakfast while Olivia got on the phone.

Now she mulled over another topic. Justine.

“Everything all right?”

She looked up to find Wade in the doorway.

“All right as far as what?”

“Just . . . are you all right? How's your hand?”

She held it up. “It hurts.”

He frowned. “I'm sorry.”

“I'm not. If you hadn't caught me, I'd probably be a lot worse off.”

“Yeah.”

She studied him. “You shouldn't have been out there, you know that, right?”

“Um-hm.”

“So why were you?”

He tilted his head and cocked a brow. “I was with Haley. I knew you were in danger and I couldn't just sit by and do nothing.” He walked toward her and held her gaze. The look there caused a skip in her pulse. What was he thinking? “I know it's your job to put yourself on the line for your clients,” he said, “but that doesn't make you any less vulnerable than the average person. You can still get hurt.”

“I know that.” She didn't look away as he came closer. She just . . . couldn't. Instead, her heart picked up speed. Her stomach fluttered. She felt ensnared. Trapped. But in a good way. A new way. An emotionally terrifying way. Her mind screamed,
Run!

But her heart ordered her to stand still.

He lifted his hand and cupped her cheek. She stared up at him, saw the intent on his face, and couldn't back away. Didn't
want
to back away. They'd been attracted to each other from
their first meeting. He knew it and she knew it. Maybe it was time to stop fighting it. His head lowered, slowly, fraction by fraction. Olivia didn't move.

“Wade, could you—”

Olivia spun away, unable to believe she'd stood there as long as she had. She cleared her throat and pulled her phone from her pocket. When she turned back, she saw Martha's stunned gaze on her brother-in-law. Then she shot a puzzled, accusing look at Olivia.

“Yes, Martha, what is it?” Wade asked.

“Um . . . ,” her gaze darted between Olivia and Wade, who'd taken only one step back from Olivia, “I . . . uh . . . just wanted to know if you'd get the big mixing bowl down from the top shelf of the pantry. I never use it, but thought I'd mix up some pancakes and so . . . yeah.”

“Of course,” he said to Martha, although he never took his eyes from Olivia.

Wade didn't look in the least embarrassed. A tad shocked, maybe, a little bemused at his behavior, but definitely not embarrassed. He'd given them both something to think about. When he followed Martha from the room, Olivia let out a slow breath. Okay, she'd think about what almost happened later. Not now. Somehow he'd shattered the thick walls she'd spent years building. All in the space of a few days. Now she felt exposed. Vulnerable. Stupid. And a tiny bit thrilled. Because deep down, she wasn't sure she had the capacity to feel anything remotely like interest in a man. Not because she'd been hurt by one in her past, but because she'd been hurt, period. Trust didn't come easily for her. And now . . .

She blinked.

Later. Back to work.

“Focus,” she whispered.

One more thing preyed on her mind, taking over the moment she'd just shared—or
almost
shared—with Wade, and she punched in a text to Francisco.

Olivia

Would you let me see the autopsy report for Justine Harmon?

Francisco

Why?

Just because. I'm curious.

Her phone rang. She answered. “Please?”

“Anyone can fill out a request,” Francisco said, sounding slightly out of breath. “You should have an answer in a few weeks.” He gave a grunt.

“Are you doing push-ups again?”

“Yes. The paperwork can be found online.”

“Francisco . . .”

A sigh reached her. “Fine, I don't remember the name so I probably didn't do the autopsy. I'll pull the file, but you have to come here to read it. If I'm not going to go through proper channels with a written request, yadda yadda, I'm not leaving a paper trail.”

“I understand. I'll be there as soon as I can get there.”

“I'll have it ready.”

“How many?”

“I did ten thousand three hundred nonstop pushups this past weekend.”

“Awesome.”

“Not awesome enough if I want to break the world record.”

“You'll do it, you're incredibly close. I'm on the way.” Olivia hung up and stared at the floor for a few seconds. She heard Martha and Joanna in the kitchen, but wasn't sure where Wade
had disappeared to. She went to find Martha and stopped outside the door when she heard her name.

“He did what?” Joanna asked.

“Almost kissed her. I think,” Martha said, her voice low. “I'm not sure, but that's what it looked like.”

“That's . . . odd.”

“He hasn't shown any interest in a woman since Justine and now her?”

“Maybe you're wrong. Maybe it was just . . .”

“Just what, Joanna?” Martha snapped.

“I don't know.”

Olivia felt her cheeks burning. There was no way she could walk into the kitchen and face those two women. Not yet. She went back into the den and called Charlie. “Hey, how far away are you?”

“About ten minutes.”

She told him her plans, then called Bree. “What's up?”

“How much of a background check did you do into Martha Taylor?”

“The sister-in-law?”

“Yes.”

“A pretty comprehensive one. Went all the way back to her high school years. Hang on a sec.” Olivia waited. Wade stepped back into the den, saw she was on the phone, and turned to leave. She held up a finger to stop him. He waited. Bree came back on the line. “There's nothing that stands out. No red flags. She got into some trouble as a teen, but nothing since she turned eighteen and went off to college. Worked her way to the head of public relations for the hospital, then went to work for Wade.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

“Why?”

“Just . . . something happened this morning that made me want to take a closer look.”

“Anything I need to be concerned about?” Bree's voice sharpened.

“No. Not yet. I'll keep you updated.”

“You do that.” A pause. “How's Maddy?”

“Quinn hasn't been keeping you updated?”

“Somewhat. Every time I ask about her, his mood turns dark and stormy enough to rival Hurricane Katrina. I'm giving him some space and getting my information from other reliable sources.”

“Gotcha. Last I heard she was still in a medically induced coma, but healing.”

Wade leaned against the doorjamb and watched her, his eyes tracking her movements, his gaze just as intense as it had been earlier.

“. . . good news. Let me know if you need anything else.”

Olivia blinked and turned her back on Wade. “I will. Thanks.” She hung up and rubbed her eyes, thinking. She was going to be much later getting to the morgue than she'd planned. She turned to face Wade. He hadn't moved, just lifted a brow.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Just a few minutes ago, I overheard a conversation between your sister-in-law and Joanna.”

His relaxed posture didn't change, but his eyes sharpened. “And?”

“Martha was under the impression that you were going to . . . uh . . . kiss me.”

“I was.”

The heat immediately invaded her cheeks and she swallowed. “I thought so.” She pushed the embarrassment away. “She told Joanna, and I could hear the anger behind her words.”

Wade frowned. “Why would she be angry with me for kissing you?”

“She wouldn't be. Unless she felt threatened in some way.”

A silence stretched between them. He glanced over his shoulder toward the muffled sounds coming from the ladies in the kitchen. “You're not suggesting . . .”

“I don't know. I thought it a pretty strong reaction from someone who claims to have no romantic interest in you.”

The lines on his forehead deepened and his nostrils flared as he thought. “I think you're wrong, but I'll talk to her.”

“No, don't. If she's the one, then we don't want to tip her off that she's a suspect. Just play it cool.” Her phone buzzed and she answered. It was the officer watching Wade's house. “Yes?”

“Charlie Lee is approaching the house.”

“Thanks.”

Wade opened the door for Charlie and shook his hand. Charlie went into the den and Wade headed for the kitchen. He found Joanna and Martha huddled together at the table. He bought himself some time by grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator. When he turned, he found their eyes on him. Martha's accusing, Joanna's narrowed and cold. He sighed. Really?
Play it cool, remember?

“Okay, ladies, what is wrong with me taking an interest in someone?”

Martha blinked at him, all traces of ire or accusation gone from her gaze. “Nothing, of course.”

“Then why are you both giving me the stink eye?”

Martha dropped her gaze. Joanna looked over his shoulder. Martha finally shrugged. “It's not important, Wade. Who you're interested in is your business, not ours.”

“Yes, that's true,” Joanna said. “But . . .”

“But?”

Now her gaze was concerned. “Do you really think you should be developing feelings for anyone while you have a stalker after you? Especially feelings for the person who's been hired to protect you? What if she gets distracted? What if she's in danger and you decide to try to protect
her
? What if something happens then?”

Wade blinked. He'd already been placed in that situation and he realized he'd do it again if necessary. But he kept those thoughts to himself. He eyed both ladies. Was that all it was? Or was there something more behind their words? He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. He couldn't believe he was even entertaining those thoughts. He'd become suspicious of everyone in his life.

“And what if the stalker finds out you have feelings for Olivia and decides to go after her?” Martha asked. “But even more concerning than that, what if Olivia's distracted with her feelings for you enough that Amy gets put in danger?”