Debby Giusti - Stranded

Frank raised his brow. Surely he wouldn’t rescind the offer?

Her pulse throbbed and sweat dampened her back.

The SUV drew closer.

Colleen waved Frank off. “Stay here and help with the rescue operation. I can find my way up the hill.”

She lowered her head, wrapped her arms around her waist and started along the path with determined steps. Keeping her back to the approaching car, she was grateful for the descending twilight and the shadows cast from the tall pines. The path wound along the roadway for a short distance and then burrowed deeper into the woods.

If only she could reach the denser underbrush before the SUV got too close. She couldn’t let Trey see her.

Flicking a quick glance over her shoulder, she recognized the firm set of Trey’s jaw and the bulk of his shoulders as the car pulled to a stop.

No mistaking the man riding shotgun.

At that moment, he glanced up.

Ice froze her veins. Her heart slammed against her chest. If Trey recognized her, he would track her down. Not only did Colleen have incriminating photos, but she had also witnessed him shoot Vivian in cold blood.

She increased her pace and darted along the path.

“Wait, Colleen.”

The military CID agent ran after her, along with his dog.

Stay away from me , she wanted to scream, but reason won out. She needed Frank. She was stranded without a car with a killer on the loose. She needed the security of his sister’s house and his protection throughout the night.

Later, she’d return to the wreckage and retrieve her purse and the memory card. Tomorrow, she’d catch the bus to Atlanta. From there, she’d hop a flight for the West Coast and disappear from sight. She’d leave Trey behind along with the special agent who didn’t understand what she was trying to hide.

* * *

Frank wondered at Colleen’s rush to get away, but then, he wasn’t the best at reading women. Case in point Audrey, who said she’d wait for him. The memory still burned like fire.

“Wait up, Colleen.”

Frank ran after her. His hip ached, and his breathing was tighter than he’d like.

Before the IED, he’d never questioned his strength. Now he had to weigh everything in light of his physical stamina.

Drawing closer, he grabbed her arm.

She turned troubled eyes filled with accusation. “Let me go.”

Releasing his hold, he held up both hands, palm out. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

She glanced through the bramble to the triage area, where a cluster of rescue workers gathered. “I’m still shaky.”

An understatement for sure. “You’ve been through a lot today. The temperature’s dropped since the storm. You must be cold.”

“A little.”

He shrugged out of his windbreaker and wrapped it around her shoulders. “This should help.”

“What about you?”

“Not a problem.” He pointed to the path. “Let’s keep going while there’s still some light.”

“Are you sure your sister won’t mind taking in a stray?”

He almost smiled. “She welcomed me a few weeks back with open arms. If I had to guess, I’d say she’d enjoy having another woman in the house. She claims I get a bit snarky at times.”

“I’m sure she loves your company.”

“She loves Duke.”

Colleen almost smiled. “Who wouldn’t?” She patted his head, and he wagged his tail, enjoying the attention.

“You’ve got brothers?” Frank asked, hoping to learn more about the reclusive flight attendant.

She faltered. Her face darkened. “One sister. She passed away four months ago.”

“I’m sorry.”

“So am I.”

“Watch your step.” Frank pointed to an area littered with rocks. Taking her arm, he supported her up the steep incline.

“Thanks,” she said when they reached the top.

Stopping to catch her breath, she glanced over her shoulder. Frank followed her gaze. Darkness had settled over the small valley, but headlights from the response vehicles and flashing lights from law enforcement cut through the night.

A number of Amish buggies were on the street. Lights from additional rescue vehicles appeared in the distance. Frank needed to get Colleen settled and then return to the triage area and wait for personnel from post to arrive.

If anything good came from the tornado, it was the wake-up call that Frank had been lingering too long, nursing his wounds. He didn’t want to appear weak. Not to the military or the other CID agents. Most especially not to himself.

Colleen turned back to Evelyn’s house and paused for a long moment. Perhaps she was as unsettled about moving forward as he was. Frank could relate.

But that wouldn’t change the problem at hand. He needed to learn more about Colleen Brennan and the gunshot victim. Why were they on the run, and who was after them?

THREE

Some of Colleen’s nervous anxiety eased when Frank opened the door to his sister’s home, and she stepped inside. The dog followed.

A brick fireplace, painted white, drew her eye along with a beige couch and two side chairs, nestled around a low coffee table. An oil seascape hung over the mantel flanked by built-in shelves filled with books. She neared and glanced at the titles, seeing some of her favorites.

Frank came up behind her. “Did I tell you Evelyn is a librarian?”

“I’m in here.” A voice called from the kitchen.

He motioned for Colleen to follow as he headed toward a small hallway that led to a keeping area and open kitchen.

A slender woman, early forties, with chestnut hair and big blue eyes, stood behind a granite-topped island and greeted Frank with a warm smile. She was fair and petite and contrasted with her brother’s rugged frame and broad shoulders.

Colleen and her sister had shared similar facial structures, although Briana had been golden-haired like their mother, while Colleen inherited her flaming-red locks from her dad. Seeing the warmth of Evelyn’s welcome made Colleen long for her own sister.

“I’m baking a ham and making potato salad for the rescue effort.” She stirred mayonnaise into the bowl of boiled potatoes and sliced hard-boiled eggs.

As Colleen moved closer, Evelyn glanced up. The look on her face revealed her surprise at finding a visitor. She wiped her hand on a dish towel.

With a pronounced limp, she moved around the island and opened her arms to greet Colleen with a hug. “Welcome. Looks like you were caught in the storm.”

The sincerity of Evelyn’s voice touched a raw edge in the depths of Colleen’s self-control. Her eyes burned and a lump formed in her throat in response to the genuine concern she heard in the older woman’s voice.

Frank quickly made the introductions, his tone suddenly curt and businesslike and so opposite his sister’s soothing welcome. As if unsure of where to stand or what to do next, he headed for the coffeepot.

“Care for a cup?” he asked Colleen before glancing at his sister. “Decaf, right?”

“Always at this time or I’d never sleep.”

“A glass of water might be better,” Colleen said. “But I don’t want to trouble you.”

Duke nuzzled her leg. He held a tennis ball in his mouth and wanted to play. Before she could take the ball, Frank motioned him to the corner, where he dropped the toy and obediently lay down.

“Good dog.”

Frank turned to his sister. “Colleen’s car was damaged by the tornado. She lives in Atlanta and hopes to return home in a few days.”

“Preferably tomorrow,” she quickly added.

“You need a place to spend the night.” Evelyn’s eyes were filled with understanding. “We have a spare room. Of course you’ll stay here.”

Turning to Frank, she added, “Did you bring her luggage?”