Pieces of the Past (Witness Security Book 1) (6 page)

Ethan grinned as he sat, but Peyton exchanged glances with her mother. Christine could only shrug and nod toward the table. She suddenly realized she knew very little about the marshal who was now in charge of her family
’s safety. The fact that he had a daughter was a total shock. She caught herself stealing a glance at his left hand, but there was no ring to be found.

Of course he doesn
’t have to be married
. Marriage had never been a requirement for having children. As she tossed some vegetables in a bowl with lettuce she wondered if perhaps he was divorced. Then she wondered
why in the world
was she even thinking about it?

She
placed the salad on the table and set two bottles of dressing next to it. “Hope you like French or Italian.”

Doug waggled his brows and smiled
at her as he passed napkins around. “French is nice.”

“
Eww, gross.” Peyton snatched a napkin from him and made a face.

“
What?” He blinked innocently and sat on the one empty chair.

“
Peyton!” Christine felt her cheeks redden and didn’t know what else to say. “Everyone just eat, please.”

“
What’s gross?” Ethan reached for the orange salad dressing. “I like French too.” He poured some on his salad and handed it to Doug.

“
Us men will stick together, then.” Doug nodded and flashed the boy a quick wink.

Ethan
dived into his cheese sandwich, grinning like it was the best meal on the planet.

It was all Christine could do to bite, chew and swallow.

Someone from the past had found them. Her family was in danger. The one ally she had in Kansas was laid up with a broken ankle, leaving her and the kids in the hands of a guy she barely knew.

Her stomach was a mass of knots.

“So,” Peyton asked between bites. “What’s the big excuse we’re going to use to miss school and work this week?” She licked cheese from her fingertips. She was obviously enjoying the sandwich but Christine knew her daughter would never admit it to Doug.

“
I was thinking about that,” he said. “It has to be fairly significant for you to pull up stakes and go.” He glanced at Christine. “I think we should say your mother died. You and the kids need to go stay with your father until—”

“
Grandma died?” Ethan jumped up, his face distorted in horror. The table shook as he bumped it, plates rattling.

Christine caught his glass of milk as it bobbled and
she righted it. She stood and grasped his arms. “Sweetie, no. Grandma is fine. This is a story we’re making up to tell the school and my job.”

His small body trembled as she pulled him close.

“It’s okay,” she reassured. “Grandma is fine.”

“
How do you know that?” He pulled back enough to look up into her eyes. His cheeks were tear-streaked. “Have you talked to her?”

Christine
’s heart ached. “Well, no…”

“
Then you’re not sure!” he insisted.

Doug stood.
“
I’m
sure. Witsec has protocol for that kind of stuff. If anything serious happened someone would get a message to Jordan or me.” He glanced at Christine then down at Ethan. “Look, I’m sorry I upset you. This is just more make-believe, all part of the mystique of Witness Security. I believe we talked about this when you folks entered the program.”

“
More lies.” Peyton’s voice held a note of disgust. “Isn’t it ironic, little brother? They tell us we’re not supposed to lie, then they build up this big ol’ web of secrets and call it our life story. And they wonder why we can’t remember half of it? Because it’s all lies.” She smiled grimly.

“
Peyton!” Christine felt mortified again. Her daughter was obviously bristling at the situation and taking it out on Doug.

He focused a cool gaze on the girl.
“When you get older, you’ll understand the difference between lying and the situational necessity to protect people.”

She opened her mouth to say something but no words came out. She closed it again, glaring.

He turned back to Christine. “How would you normally contact work and school? Phone call? Email?”

She thought about it.
“I can text their teachers but I’ll need to phone the school office in the morning. I should probably call my boss then, too.”

He nodded.
“Anyone you need to text, do it now. You won’t be using your phones where we’re at. You can use mine in the morning to make those calls.” He placed Peyton’s phone on the table and looked out the window. “Same with you. Calls or texts need to be done now. We’ll be going in half an hour.” He caught the girl’s eye. “Please stick to the story. Your grandmother passed away. You’re going back to the funeral, and not sure how long you’ll stay. Might not have cell phone service the whole time, so if he doesn’t hear from you, not to worry.”

She snatched her phone and rolled her eyes.
“Where could we possibly go that doesn’t have cell service in this day and age?” She tossed back the last of her milk and looked at her mom. “May I be excused?”

“
Sure.” Christine glanced at the remains of their dinner. They’d polished off the sandwiches but the salad had gone begging. After Ethan became upset, everyone seemed to lose their appetites. “If you’ve had enough.”

“
Quite enough, thank you.” Peyton flounced out of the room dramatically.

“
Stick to the story!” Doug called after her.

No response.

Christine removed her daughter’s plate. “I’m sure she will,” she added nervously.

“
Wish I could be as sure.” He turned to Ethan. “How about you? Are you doing okay?”

“
I guess.” He shrugged. “Since I don’t have anybody to call, can I finish my salad?”

“
Of course!” Christine rearranged things in front of him. “I’m sorry, sweetie. Go ahead and eat.”

Doug sat as well and dived back into his salad.
“Does she always call you ‘sweetie’?” he asked Ethan conspiratorially.

Ethan nodded as he ate.
“It’s a mom thing. You just get used to it.”

Christine cleared away her own dishes and stopped to chuckle.
“So there,” she told Doug and made a face.

He grinned and continued to eat.

Standing at the sink with her back to him, Christine forced herself to breathe normally. When Doug smiled like that, it set off something inside her that she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Too long.
  But damn it, she couldn’t allow herself to feel it now. They had serious issues to face, and she needed to remain focused. Their very lives depended on it.

* * * *

Doug helped Christine wash and dry the dishes after dinner. She sent the text messages they’d discussed. He heard Peyton on the phone in the other room but couldn’t hear what she was saying—
she
was the one that concerned him. Younger kids were easier to handle in Witsec. Peyton definitely reinforced his opinion that teenagers were a nightmare.

He felt a twinge of guilt for flashing his gun at her, but it had done the trick. She
’d cooperated since he reminded her that this was serious business, with no time for school-girl antics. Yet he still felt bad. They were a nice family, one who didn’t deserve to be here. He’d read the file. Larry had done a number on them. Doug didn’t buy the man’s ‘misguided thinking’ story, as if he didn’t really understand what he was doing. Larry understood. The easy money was just too hard to resist.

Christine moved next to him.
“I think I’m done. I’ll still need to make a couple calls in the morning.”

He nodded.
“I’ll need your phone.”

Her eyes narrowed.
“Really? You can trust me, you know. I won’t use it—”

“
Unless you need to, and then you will. Nope, sorry, I need the phone.”

She handed it over without another comment. Doug stuck it in his pocket. He wouldn
’t tell her or Peyton, but he was leaving their phones in the house. Unsure about how sophisticated their stalker was, he wasn’t taking any chances. Tracking cell phones was easy for someone with access to the right equipment.

Peyton joined them, he
r phone in hand. “I don’t suppose you’ll let me keep this.”

“
Sorry.” Doug added it to the one in his pocket.

“
What about my laptop? Can I bring that?”

“
We’ll have a computer where we’re going. It’s set up on a secure network. You’ll have some access to that.”

“
Some access. Great.” She turned and walked out.

“
Gee. This is going to be fun.” Doug moved to the front window and peered out.

“
She’s not normally this way, you know,” Christine defended her daughter. “With everything that’s happened…”

“
I understand. Her behavior just doesn’t make this any easier.”

“
Easy?” her voice bristled. “You think
any
of this has been easy? It may be just a job to you, but this is our life.”

He faced her.
“In my line of work, it’s never ‘just a job’. I get that. You need to get that I’m doing the best I can under less than perfect circumstances. Believe me, you and the kids are my top priority.”

She gazed at him.
“I do.”

Doug blinked.
“Excuse me?”

“
I do believe you. And I thank you. I haven’t said that yet. But I appreciate what you’re doing for us.”

He forced his breathing to remain even. The way she looked at him a moment ago, when she said
‘I do’, a world of other thoughts raced through his mind. Ideas that scared the hell out of him worse than the situation they were in. “You’re welcome.” He started to add
I’m just doing my job
but he wasn’t sure that was true anymore. Things were fast becoming personal, for better or worse. The unfortunate choice of words made him groan again.

Glancing out the window again, he focused on the black SUV which stopped in front of the house.
Doug turned back to Christine. “Are you ready? Because things are fixing to get interesting.”

Chapter F
our

Metropolitan Correctional Center

General Population

Chicago, Illinois

The noise was
interminable. Incessant banging of cells doors, arguing, laughing, television—there was never a quiet moment. Sometimes he wanted to curl up in ball and shut the world out. Other times he wanted to find something sharp and slice it across his wrists. If it wasn’t for the thought of his family, out there waiting for him, he would have done that long ago.

His lawyer said the trial was going to take place soon. There had been delay after delay, until he seriously thought he might lose his mind. A freaking year had passed but finally, finally, he’d get his day in court. That’s all he’d ever wanted, to be able to tell his story.

The prosecution said they couldn’t offer him outright immunity, but he knew in his heart once the truth came out he’d get a reduced sentence. And once the judge saw that he’d been a model prisoner, perhaps he’d be released in lieu of time served.

That small sliver of hope kept him plodding along, day after day.

Time dragged.

Twice a week he got to go outside, to an exercise area on the roof of the triangle-shaped building.

Twice a week he was allowed library privileges.

Besides his family, he missed his computer and phone most of all. He was given weekly, ten minute access to the prison phone line, but those calls went to his lawyer. He didn’t try to call his family any more. He understood why they didn’t take his calls. Once he got out, he’d explain it all to them in person.

He prayed his wife would come to the trial. He needed to see her face, to see that she still loved him. Still had faith in him.

It was all that kept him going.

His roommate stuck his head in the cell. “Cubbies are on TV, man. I got five pretzel sticks says the Dodgers kick their ass.”

He felt his jumpsuit pocket. “I got a stick of gum says they don’t.”

The black man’s face lit up. “Juicy Fruit?”

“Is there any other kind, Raymond?”

“You’re on!” Raymond motioned the way to the TV area.

They headed out and he glanced up at the large clock on the wall.
Lights out in two hours.
They wouldn’t get to finish the game, which was probably being played on the west coast.
Oh well.
Two hours of distraction never hurt. He’d take whatever small measure of solace he could get.

* * * *

Topeka, Kansas

Doug opened the front door
to the pretty, blonde-haired marshal from his office. “Hey Olivia. Thanks for coming.”

“
Anytime, cowboy.” She entered and glanced around.

He closed the door and locked it.
“Christine Scott, this is Marshal Olivia Newman. She’s going to drive your car to the airport and leave it in long-term parking. While she does that, I’ll pull my Expedition into the garage and we’ll load up.”

“
Oh.” Christine blinked, appearing surprised. “I guess that makes sense.”

He exchanged glances with
Olivia. “Every now and then, something we do makes some sense.”

“
Occasionally.” She nodded.

Christine rubbed her temples.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—oh, never mind.”

Doug smiled.
“Just yanking your chain. I need your keys, please. Then get the kids and your bags together. We’ll leave in just a few.”

She headed into the other room
, and he turned to Olivia. “Any questions on your end?”

“
Nope, I’m good. I’ll drop off the car and my ride will pick me up. I think we’ve got it under control.”

“
Keep your eyes open and call me if you see anything suspicious.”

Olivia
nodded as Christine returned, holding out her keys. “My house keys are on there.”

“
That’s fine.” Doug glanced out the window one more time. “She’ll leave them at the office where they’ll be safe. Olivia, you’re good to go.”

“
All righty folks. Travel safe.” She snatched the ring and tossed it in the air on her way to the garage.

“
Thank you,” Doug called after her, and watched his co-worker drive away.

“Why did she call you ‘cowboy’?” Christine asked.

He shook his head, not wanting to start a long story at that moment. “Later. Right now, it’s time to go.” He motioned to Christine to wrap it up. “I’ll pull into the garage, you bring the kids and the bags.”

She nodded wordlessly.

He hated seeing the expression on her face at that moment. As he jogged out to the driveway, he wondered how it would feel to pull her into his arms and kiss away all her fears.

Stupid, stupid, stupid
. He had to keep his head in the game. Wondering what Christine’s lips tasted like was not where his mind should be.

Doug drove in and parked, then hopped out to help her load the bags.
“Everybody in.” He lowered the hatch, watching as the kids got settled in the back, fastening their seat belts. Looking across the top of the SUV at Christine, he raised his brows. “Ready for this?”

She
nodded. “Ready as I’ll ever be.” They both climbed in and buckled up.

“
Where are we going?” Ethan asked, before they were out of the driveway.

“
To a safe house. The service keeps a few different places around town. It won’t be fancy, but it’ll have the necessities.”

“
Like air conditioning?” Peyton sounded irritated.

He glanced in the rearview mirror and saw her fanning herself. Doug turned
on the switch to send A/C to the back seat. “Yes, it’ll have air conditioning, and running water. Some gruel and hardtack to eat.”

“
Delightful,” Christine deadpanned.

Ethan piped up,
“What’s hardtack? Is it like beef jerky?”

Doug smiled at the boy
’s reflection in the mirror. “Hardtack is a type of cracker made from flour, water and salt. It’s non-perishable, so sailors used to take it on long sea voyages. Cowboys and soldiers packed it, too. It was easy to carry.”

“
Cool.” Ethan leaned forward, looking around, trying to capture every sight and sound.

“
Who cares?” Peyton muttered. “I don’t eat
hardtack
.”

Doug shrugged.
“Well, you’re not getting any of my Ho Hos or Ding Dongs.”

“
Oh for Pete’s sake.” Christine stared out her window. “You sound like another one of my children. I’ll bet you drive your daughter crazy.”

Doug blinked.
“My daughter?”

She looked at him.
“Daisy, isn’t that her name?”

He smiled.
“Daisy. Oh, yeah.” He thought for a moment about what to say, then decided not to let her off the hook so easily. If she assumed Daisy was his daughter, he’d play along. “Daisy and I have an understanding. She knows better than to stick her paws into my snack foods. We got that straight right from the beginning.”

“
But you give her Cheetos?” Christine’s expression was that of the perfect reproachful mother.

He almost couldn
’t keep from laughing. “Absolutely. She loves it when I toss them up in the air so she can catch them with her mouth.”

Christine
looked as if she wanted to say something, but Peyton leaned forward and spoke up first. “Did you flash your gun and badge at her, too?”

He winced.
That one stung
. But the girl was intentionally being a pain, and he wasn’t going to let her walk all over him. “No, Daisy has never seen my gun. She’s a naturally well-behaved individual.”

“
Well isn’t that special.” Peyton sat back.

He
waggled his brows at Christine. “Good breeding.”

She rolled her eyes and returned to looking out the side window.

Doug made a series of turns and drove until he was satisfied no one was following them. He hoped the Daisy conversation was over, but should have known better with a ten-year-old in the car.

“
How old is Daisy? Can I meet her?” Ethan asked excitedly.

Doug thought about that.
Three years old or twenty-one dog years?
“She’s three. We’ll have to see, maybe you can meet someday.”

“
What about her mother?” Christine said softly. “Is she still in the picture?”

He glanced sideways at her, amused that she wanted to know.
“Definitely not.” He added under his breath, “Maggie was a real bitch.”

Christine
’s eyes sparkled. For a second she seemed pleased at the answer, but it was almost like she forced herself to reprimand him. “What a thing to say!”

He shook his head.
“I only speak the truth. You need to know that about me. I’ll always be honest with you, Christi.”

She gazed at him
questioningly. “Christi?”

He grinned slyly before pulling into
the driveway of a small brown, single story house. He kept going, driving straight into the open garage. Doug parked and looked at her. “Trying it out.”

She nodded but didn
’t respond. Christine suddenly seemed tongue-tied, and a bit choked up.

It
’s the situation,
Doug told himself,
and the end of a very long day. She’s exhausted.
That’s all it is.

“
This is it?” Peyton asked, her voice monotone and sounding less than thrilled.

He glanced at Christine.
“Another one of those rhetorical questions.” To the backseat he said, “Yep, this is it. Everybody out, and grab your luggage. I’m no bellhop.”

The kids piled out of the car.

“What’s a bellhop?” Ethan asked, looking around the garage.

Doug and Christine exchanged glances.
He smiled. “Do the questions ever stop?”

She
shrugged. “Only when he’s sleeping.”

“
Then let’s go find him a bed.”

* * * *

Christine followed Doug and the kids into the house. Sparsely furnished, it did seem to have the necessities and thankfully felt nice and cool. She noticed groceries on the kitchen counter and paused to glance in the sink. Spotless.
A good start.

“
Three bedrooms.” Doug gave them the tour, leading them past the living room down the hall. “Peyton, why don’t you take this first one? Ethan can sleep here.” He paused in front of the last door. “Christi, this is the master bedroom, I believe it has its own bath.” He opened the door and glanced inside. “Yep. This would be yours.”

She looked around nervously. The room appeared nice enough, and clean. The bathroom sparkled
which made her feel slightly better. But something about the arrangement seemed off. She finally drew up the courage and asked Doug, “Are you, uh, staying?”

“
Of course. I’ll ride the sofa.”

“
You don’t have to do that. Peyton and I can share a room.” She felt guilty at the idea of him without a bed to sleep in.

Doug smiled.
“Ah, well, I appreciate that. But I’m happiest out here where I have the best vantage point. Sofa suits me just fine. Really.”

“
All right, then.” She hoisted her biggest bag onto the bed and gasped when he removed it, setting it on a nearby chair instead.

“
This isn’t the Holiday Inn. I wouldn’t suggest unpacking any more than you absolutely have to. If we need to leave in a hurry, I want us to be able to do just that.”

Her heart pounded. Just when she was starting to feel better, his comment raised her hackles again.
“That’s reassuring.”
Not.

He glanced
behind him, she assumed to make sure the kids were still in their rooms, before taking a step closer to her. So close, she caught a whiff of his sporty cologne. The tantalizing scent distracted her for a moment, until she shook her head to clear it.

“
I told you I’d always be straight with you, Christi. I’m doing everything in my power to keep you and those kids safe. We’re going to be in close quarters and it won’t be a cakewalk. But if everyone cooperates, things will be just fine.”

She struggled to pull her gaze away from his dark eyes. When her sights settled on his lips, she knew she was in trouble. Desperate for something to lighten the mood, she said,
“If you keep using words like ‘hardtack’ and ‘cakewalk’, Ethan will never leave you alone. He’s like a little sponge, soaking up everything around him. When he hears something new, he doesn’t simply let it go. He asks questions.”