Dani Sinclair - The Silent Witness

“You scared me, Matt. What are you doing out here at this hour?”

The youth gazed around nervously. He was rumpled and dirty. In fact, he looked like he’d spent the night in the dumpster. There were circles under his young eyes and she saw several old and not-so-old scratches on his arms.

“Are you okay, Matt?”

His head bobbed agreement. Only then did she realize how tall he’d grown. He had to be close to six feet already, though he hadn’t yet grown into that gangly body. His features belonged to a youth. A trace of hair was barely visible across his upper lip. He was going to be a big, good-looking man one day. In fact, he reminded her of her oldest brother, Gavin.

“Can I talk to you, Ms. Michaels?”

“Of course, Matt. You want to come in and have something to eat?”

“No. Thank you.” His eyes slid back and forth, scanning the area. The very alertness of his stance was making her edgy all over again. Matt had a hunted look about him.

“Is something wrong, Matt?”

“It’s all over town that you saw the shooting.”

Nicki grimaced. Why had she let Ilona talk her into that foolish admission? She wasn’t surprised that gossip was all over town, but hearing a reference to it made her feel increasingly guilty. She should have stuck to her instincts and refused to let Ilona put her in such a vulnerable position.

“Is it true? Did you see what happened too?”

Her heart jumped into her throat. “Too? You mean you saw the shooting, Matt?”

The youth looked poised for flight. Fear lit eyes that were much too old for his fifteen years. “Yeah.”

“Why didn’t you tell the police?”

“No way! I’m not gonna end up like him.”

“Him who? You mean Thorton Biggs?”

Matt didn’t seem to hear her questions. “You were smart not to tell them everything. The cops can’t protect us, you know.”

She thought of Thad Osher and understood immediately. The man was a cop, but he was also a jerk. She laid a hand on Matt’s arm and he jumped like a startled deer.

“It’s okay, Matt.”

“No. That’s why I came to warn you. We aren’t safe anymore. You have to go away. Someplace safe.”

“Matt, it’s okay.” But his fear had communicated itself just fine. She felt suddenly exposed, standing in the middle of the alley like this. “Let’s go inside and—”

The crack of the gun was shockingly loud. The shot must have passed between her head and Matt’s because it shattered the corner brick right behind them.

“Run!”

The boy was already taking his own advice. He sprinted to the dumpster with impressive speed.

Nicki heard the second and third shots ricochet before she followed his example and ran. She headed for the steps leading up to her apartment. Her fingers fumbled with the keys in her hand, searching for the one that would open the door. Another shot. Louder. Closer.

She reached the steps. Running footsteps pounded toward her. Too scared to scream, she started to climb. The keys slipped through her fingers.

“Nicki!”

She whirled.

Alex stood behind her, a gun in his right hand. It was pointed directly at her chest.

Her gaze riveted on the gun in his hand. Without taking time to explain, Alex spun around sweeping the alley with his eyes. Nothing and no one moved.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“That depends. Are you planning to shoot me?”

Her voice was tremulous and her face was pale, but Nicki stared at him without flinching. The alley was deathly quiet.

He bent to retrieve her keys. “Come down from there and let’s get inside.”

“Why?”

“Because someone is shooting out here!”

“I noticed.”

Still, she hesitated. Alex realized he’d scared her. Did she think he’d been the one doing the shooting?

“For crying out loud, Nic. Will you come down here and get inside? You’re a sitting duck on those steps. He may still be out here.”

“You’re just full of compliments these days, aren’t you?” But she wasted no more time coming down the steps. Her gaze swept the parking lot and worry lined her forehead. He handed her the keys and waited while she unlocked the back door to her shop. For an instant, he sensed her mental debate, but she didn’t slam the door in his face. He entered behind her and shoved the gun in his waistband.

“Tell me what happened.”

“Don’t you know?”

She flicked on an overhead light. The room was neatly organized with worktables and shelves. A bank of kilns stood against the outside wall.

“Did you think I was the one firing at you?” he asked.

She turned to regard him. “Were you?”

Alex sighed. “If I wanted you dead, you’d be dead, Nicki.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Nicki!”

“You’re the only one around here I’ve seen holding a gun, Alex.”

“What about the person you saw the other night?”

Her eyes darted away.

“Tell me what’s going on, Nicki.”

“You tell me. You’re the one with the gun.”

“Forget the gun, will you?” Exasperated, he glared at her.

The scream of an approaching siren halted her response. Alex swore softly. If Osher caught him in here with a weapon, he wouldn’t be given a chance to explain.

“Here.” He pulled the gun from his waistband and tried to hand it to Nicki. She backed right into a shelving unit filled with bisque. One piece fell to the ground and shattered.

“I don’t want it!”

“Hide it for me. If Osher catches me with it, he’ll throw me in jail and toss away the key. I don’t have time for that right now.”

“Of course not. How inconvenient. But as it happens, I don’t want to go to jail either.”

“Nic…”

The police car came to a stop out back.

“Are you going to help me or not?”

For a second, he thought she was going to refuse. Then she took the gun gingerly, holding it by the barrel. With a glance around, she walked over to a kiln and lifted the lid. Without ceremony, set the gun inside.

“Try to remember to pull it out before you fire that kiln,” he warned. “It’ll make a heck of an explosion otherwise.”

A loud rap on the door made them both jump.

Nicki stared in consternation.

“Take it easy. Answer it,” he whispered, “but don’t mention me, okay?”

“No. It is not okay.”

He kissed her forehead. “Thanks, Nic. I owe you.” He moved past her office and into the large bathroom. Leaving the door mostly open.

“Officer Jackstone!” she greeted.

Alex relaxed. He liked Derek Jackstone. The man was a good cop.

“We got a report of more gunshots here in the alley.”

“Oh no!”

“You didn’t hear anything?”

“I just came down. I must have been in the bathroom.”

Why did he keep forgetting how spunky she was, Alex mused.

“So you didn’t see anything?” Jackstone asked.

“I’m sorry. No.”

“Okay. Stay inside, Ms. Michaels. Away from the windows. I’m going to check around. Hold off opening the store for a few minutes, all right?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Lock the door behind me.”

“I will.”

Alex heard the sound of the deadbolt being turned in place. He stepped out to meet her. “Thanks, Nicki. You okay?”

“No!” She glared at him. “What are you doing here, Alex? Why are you carrying a gun? Who was firing at me? And why?”

“I wish I knew, Nicki.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the best I can do right now. I heard the shots, but I didn’t see who was doing the shooting.”

He rubbed his eyes, more tired than he could remember being in a long time. He was getting too old to stay up all night.