Laura Scott - Shattered Lullaby

“Except for another police officer telling a completely different story,” she said. “And he’s had three years of lies about my sister to back him up.”

“Listen, the forensic evidence at the crime scene will speak for itself. The truth will prevail above the lies. You don’t have anything to worry about.” He hesitated, then added, “I need you to trust me on this, okay?”

Her expression was full of agony, and he felt so bad he almost gave in. But what other option was there? They couldn’t hide out here in a motel room indefinitely.

“Fine,” she reluctantly agreed. “I hope your boss is as good as you say.”

“He is.” Matt glanced at his watch. They still had almost twenty minutes before they needed to leave. He wanted to stop for warm clothes and maybe a car seat, but the stores wouldn’t open for a couple hours yet.

Lacy went over to pick up Rory and brought him to the bed. For a moment, the memory of Carly lying sick in a hospital bed flashed in his mind, and he pushed it away with an effort.

Nothing was going to happen to Rory. He wasn’t sick. And Matt would do everything in his power to keep the little guy safe from harm.

He left Lacy alone and checked his cell phone for messages. Then, since there was internet access in the motel, he decided to search for the closest big-box store, where they could get everything they needed for Rory.

The closest one opened at nine o’clock, so he figured they could stop there after talking to his lieutenant. It was tempting to call ahead to the department, to make sure Bill Gray would be there, but he restrained himself.

When it was time to go, he went back to Lacy’s room to help carry the baby’s things. He noticed she’d made a bottle for him, ready for whenever he became hungry. If she was intimidated by caring for her young nephew, she wasn’t showing it. He had to give her credit for thinking ahead.

When he had the baby stuff loaded in the car, along with Duchess’s food and water dishes, he went back inside. “Ready?”

Her expression was resigned, but she nodded. He opened the door and then escorted her to the SUV parked facing outward in the lot. Before she could get inside, the baby slipped down in the swaddling cloth. She’d bent over in an effort to hoist him back up when a loud gunshot rang through the air. He pushed Lacy down, horrified to see a round hole in the passenger-side window where Lacy’s head had been seconds earlier.

“Get in!” He shoved her inside and slammed the door. He jumped into the driver’s seat, determined to escape from the gunman.

More gunfire echoed, and Matt drove like a demolition derby driver, clenching his jaw, praying that the bullets wouldn’t find their mark. He headed toward the route that happened to be closer to the trees, hoping to use them as cover.

Thankfully, his ploy worked. They’d gotten away, for now. But he couldn’t rest or relax.

How on earth had Williams known where to find them?

Four

Her heart in her throat, Lacy clutched Rory close to her chest and silently prayed for God to keep them all safe. The gut-level instinct surprised her—she hadn’t really thought much about God in the years after her parents had died.

But right here, right now, with the wind whistling through the small round bullet hole in the passenger-side window, proof that David Williams hadn’t stopped searching for them, she wanted to believe that God was up there, watching over them.

That she, Matt and Rory weren’t completely alone in this.

“Are you all right?” Matt asked in a hoarse voice.

“Y-yes.” She and Rory weren’t hurt. Scared senseless, but not physically injured.

“We need a new plan.” Matt’s tone was grim. “Williams is always one step ahead of us, and I don’t like it. I can’t figure out how he knew where to find us. Regardless, I’m not going to risk taking you anywhere near the police station.”

The news should have been reassuring. She hadn’t wanted to go to the authorities, afraid that even with Matt’s support, his boss would lean toward believing David’s version of events over hers. At the same time, being here alone with Matt didn’t make her feel that much better. Oh, she trusted Matt, at least as far as his ability to keep her and Rory safe. But for how long?

Duchess woofed softly behind her. Okay, they weren’t completely alone, but still. Eventually, they’d need help of the two-legged variety. Someone to provide backup. It wasn’t as if traveling with a three-month-old and a K-9 was inconspicuous.

They were bound to attract attention.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

“For what? Almost getting you killed?” His harsh tone didn’t make her flinch because she knew he was upset with himself rather than with her.

“You saved us,” she corrected him. “And I can’t deny I’m glad we’re not going to the police station.”

He was silent for several long moments. “We need a place to go where we can hide off-grid for a while. I want to dig into Williams’s background a bit.”

The idea of hiding somewhere off-grid was appealing, but the thought of his investigating David made her blood run cold. “He’s a sociopath,” she said in a flat tone. “His entire world revolves around him. I’m not sure you’ll ever figure out the logic behind all this.”

His gaze met hers in the rearview mirror. “Try not to worry about it, okay? Duchess and I will protect you and Rory.”

She attempted to smile. “I know. But can we please stop at a store to pick up a few things? Rory needs clothes, baby wipes and extra bottles. Not to mention a proper car seat.”

He sighed. “Yeah, okay. But I’m going to drive to a store located on the opposite side of town, just in case. And once we have what you and Rory need, I’m going to call my brother Miles.”

The news made her tense up all over again. “Are you sure it’s safe? You said your brothers work in law enforcement. I highly doubt he’ll be thrilled with the idea of us going into hiding rather than to the authorities.”

Matt grinned. “You’d be surprised. Miles has done his share of breaking the rules. He’ll be supportive of our plan, don’t worry. Besides, I need a different vehicle and more cash.”

Duchess pressed her nose against the back of Lacy’s neck, making her smile. Between the K-9 officer and Matt’s ever-present confidence, she was feeling better already. “All right. I’ll trust your judgment.”

Matt nodded and fell silent as they headed across town. The traffic wasn’t too bad, and they reached a shopping area within thirty minutes. Lacy was relieved it was far away from the scene of her sister’s murder.

She tightened her grip on Rory and blinked away the tears. Jill would want her to be strong for the baby, so she needed to stay focused on being a good mother. Once they were safe, there would be plenty of time to make sure Jill had a proper burial.

And hopefully by then David would be behind bars, paying for his crime.

“Ready?” Matt asked. He’d backed into a parking spot, and she belatedly realized he’d done that just in case they had to make a quick getaway.

“Yes.” She unlatched the seat belt and curled her arm protectively around Rory as she pushed open the car door. Matt was there, offering his assistance. She put her hand in his, instantly aware of the warmth of his fingers curling over hers. As soon as she had her feet under her, she let go, uncomfortable about her odd awareness of him.

Matt was the complete opposite of the few men she’d tried dating in the past. One fellow teacher had expressed interest, but she hadn’t experienced even the slightest flicker of attraction toward him. Then there was the accountant who did her taxes, but that hadn’t been any better.