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UNDERCOVER FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Bodyguard Ellie St. James has one objective: protect her client...without letting her know. Pretending to be Rachel “Winnie” Winfield’s assistant lets Ellie stay close, but there’s an unexpected complication—Colt Winfield. Winnie’s grandson wasn’t in on the plans, and the suspicious marine biologist isn’t easy to fool. When the truth comes out, so do more threats to Winnie’s life. Trapped on a Colorado mountain, Ellie and Colt must trust each other to guard Winnie and find the stalker. Before this Christmas becomes their last.

“What are you hiding, Ellie?”

“What makes you think I’m hiding something?” Ellie busied herself pouring the hot water into a mug.

“I get the feeling there’s something in your past you don’t like to talk about,” Colt murmured.

“I didn’t know full disclosure about all details of my life was necessary for me to get this job. Your grandmother seems satisfied.”

He dipped his head in a curt nod. “Winnie is a great judge of character.”

Meaning he had his doubts?

One of the reasons she liked being a bodyguard was that she could blend into the background. She kept a lock on her past—a past she didn’t want to take out and reexamine.

“If you must know, the short version of my life so far is—”

“That’s okay—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up something painful.”

“What did you mean?”

“To make sure Winnie was in good hands.”

She stared into his light blue eyes. “She’s in good hands. When I do a job, I do it one hundred percent.”

About the Author

MARGARET DALEY feels she has been blessed. She has been married more than thirty years to her husband, Mike, whom she met in college. He is a terrific support and her best friend. They have one son, Shaun. Margaret has been writing for many years and loves to tell a story. When she was a little girl, she would play with her dolls and make up stories about their lives. Now she writes these stories down. She especially enjoys weaving stories about families and how faith in God can sustain a person when things get tough. When she isn’t writing, she is fortunate to be a teacher for students with special needs. Margaret has taught for more than twenty years and loves working with her students. She has also been a Special Olympics coach and has participated in many sports with her students.

Christmas Stalking
Margaret Daley

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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For if ye forgive men their trespasses,

your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

—Matthew 6:14

To Shaun and Kim, my son and daughter-in-law

Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

DEAR READER

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

TEASER CHAPTER

ONE

In the dark, Ellie St. James scanned the mountainous terrain out her bedroom window at her new client’s home in Colorado, checking the shadows for any sign of trouble before she went to sleep. The large two-story house of redwood and glass blended in well with the rugged landscape seven thousand feet above sea level. Any other time she would appreciate the beauty, but she was here to protect Mrs. Rachel Winfield.

A faint sound punched through her musing. She whirled away from the window and snatched her gun off the bedside table a few feet from her. Fitting the weapon into her right palm and finding its weight comforting, she crept toward her door and eased it open to listen. None of the guard dogs were barking. Maybe she’d imagined the noise.

A creak, like a floorboard being stepped on, drifted up the stairs. Someone was ascending to the second floor. She and her employer were the only ones in the main house. She glanced at Mrs. Winfield’s door two down from hers and noticed it was closed. Her client kept it that way only when she was in her bedroom.

So who was on the stairs? Had someone gotten past the dogs outside and the security system? And did that someone not care that he was being heard coming up the steps? Because he didn’t intend to leave any witnesses?

The latest threat against Mrs. Winfield urged her into action. She slipped out of her room and into the shadows of the long hallway that led to the staircase. Having memorized all the floorboards that squeaked, Ellie avoided the left side of the corridor as she snuck forward—past Mrs. Winfield’s door.

Another sound echoed through the hall. Whoever was on the steps was at the top. She increased her speed, probing every dark recess around her for any other persons. Near the wooden railing of the balcony that overlooked the front entrance, she found the light switch, planted her bare feet a foot apart, preparing herself to confront the intruder, and then flipped on the hall light.

Even though she expected the bright illumination, her eyes needed a few seconds to adjust to it. The large man before her lifted his hand to shield his eyes from the glare. Which gave Ellie the advantage.

“Don’t move,” she said in her toughest voice, a husky resonance she often used to her advantage.

The stranger dropped his hand to his side, his gray-blue eyes drilling into her then fixing on her Wilson combat aimed at his chest. Anger washed all surprise from his expression. “Who are you?” The question came out in a deep, booming voice, all the fury in his features reflected in it.

“You don’t get to ask the questions. Who are—”

The click of the door opening to Mrs. Winfield’s bedroom slightly behind and to the left of Ellie halted her words as she shifted her attention for an instant to make sure the man didn’t have an accomplice already with her client.

“Winnie, get back,” the intruder yelled.

By the time Ellie’s gaze reconnected with the man, he was charging toward her. She had less than a second to decide what to do. The use of her client’s nickname caused Ellie to hesitate. In that moment the stranger barreled into her, slamming her into the hardwood floor. The impact jolted her, knocking the Wilson Combat from her hand. The thud of her weapon hitting the floor behind her barely registered as she lay pinned beneath two hundred pounds of solid muscle. Pressed into her, the man robbed her of a decent breath.

Her training flooded her with extra adrenaline. Before he could capture her arms, she brought them up and struck him on the sides of his head. His light-colored gaze widened at the blow. She latched onto his face, going for his eyes with her thumbs.

“Miss St. James, stop!” Mrs. Winfield’s high-pitched voice cut into the battle between Ellie and her attacker.

The man shifted and clasped her wrists in a bone-crushing grip.

Ellie swung her attention from the brute on top of her to her employer standing over them with Ellie’s gun in her quivering hand. Pointed at her!

“He’s my grandson,” Mrs. Winfield said. “Colt, get up. She can hardly breathe.”

The man rolled off her, shaking his head as though his ears rang. After her attack they probably did.

Sitting up, he stared at his grandmother who still held the weapon. “Please give me the gun, Winnie.” His soft, calm words, interspersed with heavy pants, contradicted his earlier authoritative tone.

Ellie gulped in oxygen-rich breaths while he pushed to his feet and gently removed the weapon from Mrs. Winfield’s hand. He dwarfed his petite grandmother by over a foot.

With her gun in his grasp, he stood next to her client and glared down at Ellie. “Now I would like an answer. Who are you?” Anger still coated each word.

She slowly rose from the floor. “Ellie St. James.”

He put his arm around his grandmother, who stood there trembling, staring at Ellie as though she was trying to understand what had just happened. “What are you doing here, Miss St. James?” he asked.

With a shake of her head, Mrs. Winfield blinked then peered up at her grandson. “She’s my new assistant.”

“What in the world are you doing carrying a gun?”

His question thundered through the air, none of the gentle tone he’d used with his grandmother evident. He glared at her, his sharp gaze intent on Ellie’s face. Although he’d lowered the gun, Ellie didn’t think it would take much for him to aim it again. Fury was etched into his hard-planed face.

“My dear, why do you have a gun?”

Mrs. Winfield’s light, musical voice finally pulled Ellie’s attention from the man. Her employer had regained her regal bearing, her hands clasped together in front of her to control their trembling.

“I’ve lived alone for so long in a big city I’ve always had a gun for protection,” Ellie finally answered.

Although Mrs. Winfield was her client—the person she’d been assigned to guard—the older woman didn’t know it. Her lawyer and second-in-charge at Glamour Sensations, Harold Jefferson, had hired Guardians, Inc., to protect her. Ellie was undercover, posing as her new assistant. Her cover had her growing up in Chicago—the south side—and still living there. But in reality, at the first opportunity she’d had she’d hightailed it out of Chicago and enlisted in the army. When she’d left the military, she hadn’t gone back home but instead she’d gone to Dallas to work for Guardians, Inc., and Kyra Morgan—now Kyra Hunt.

“You don’t need a weapon now. This isn’t a big city. I have security around the estate. You’re safe. I prefer you do something with that gun. I don’t like weapons.” A gentle smile on her face, Mrs. Winfield moved toward her as though she were placating a gun-toting woman gone crazy.

Ellie didn’t trust anyone’s security enough to give up her gun, but she bit the inside of her cheeks to keep from voicing that thought. She would need to call Mr. Jefferson and see how he wanted to proceed. Ellie had wanted to tell Mrs. Winfield that her life was in danger, but he’d refused. Now something would have to give here.

“I’ll take care of it, Winnie. I’ll lock it in the safe until she can remove it from here.” The grandson checked the Wilson Combat, slipped out the ammo clip and ejected the bullet in the chamber, then began to turn away.

“Wait. You can’t—”

He peered over his shoulder, one brow arching. “I’m sure my grandmother will agree that this will have to be a condition of your continual employment. If I had any say in it, I’d send you packing tonight.” He rubbed his ears. “They’re still ringing. You have a mean punch. Where did you learn to take care of yourself?”

“A matter of survival in a tough neighborhood.” That was true, but she’d also had additional training in the army.

“As my grandmother said, that isn’t an issue here. We’re on a side of a mountain miles away from the nearest town. No one bothers us up here.”

If you only knew. “I’m licensed to carry—”

But Mrs. Winfield’s grandson ignored her protest and descended the staircase.

Ellie rushed to the railing overlooking the downstairs entrance. Clutching the wood, she leaned over and said, “That’s my weapon. I’ll take care of it.”

“That’s okay. I’m taking care of it.” Then he disappeared into the hallway that led to the office where the safe was.

“I certainly understand why you got scared.” Mrs. Winfield approached her at the railing and patted her back. “I did when I heard the noise from you two in the hallway. I didn’t know what was happening. I appreciate you being willing to protect me, but thank goodness, it wasn’t necessary.”

This time. Ellie swung around to face the older woman. “Yeah, but you never know.”

“The Lord watches out for His children. I’m in the best care.”

“I agree, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be proactive, Mrs. Winfield,” Ellie said, hoping to convince Mr. Jefferson to tell her about the threats tomorrow.

“Please call me Winnie. Christy, my previous assistant, did. I don’t like standing on formality since you’ll be helping me.” She smiled. “Colt gave me that name years ago, and everyone calls me that now.”

“Was he supposed to visit?”

“The last I heard he wasn’t going to come back this year for Christmas. He probably heard my disappointment when we talked on the phone a few days ago. If I had known Colt was coming, I would have said something to you.”

She’d read the dossier Kyra Hunt had given her on Colt Winfield, the only grandson Mrs. Winfield had. She should have recognized him, but with a beard and scruffy hair and disheveled clothes he’d looked like a bum who had wandered into the house intent on ill gains.

“He was supposed to be in the South Pacific on the research vessel through Christmas and the New Year.” Mrs. Winfield gave Ellie a smile, her blue eyes sparkling. “Just like him to forget to tell me he was coming home after all for Christmas. Knowing him, it could be a surprise from the very beginning. He loves doing that kind of thing. Such a sweet grandson.” She leaned close to Ellie to whisper the last because Colt Winfield was coming back up the steps.

“I wish that were the case, Winnie.” Colt paused on the top stair. “But I need to get back to the Kaleidoscope. I managed to get a few days off before we start the next phase of our project, and I know how important it is to you that we have some time together at Christmas.”

Great, he’ll be leaving soon.

“Just a few days?” His grandmother’s face fell, the shine in her eyes dimming. “I haven’t seen you in months. Can’t you take a couple of weeks out of your busy schedule to enjoy the holidays like we used to?”

Please don’t, Ellie thought, rolling her shoulders to ease the ache from their tussle on the hardwood floor.

He came to the older woman and drew her into his embrace. “I wish I could. Maybe at the end of January. The government on the island is allowing a limited amount of time to explore the leeward side and the underwater caves.”

Mrs. Winfield stepped away. “You aren’t the only one on the research team. Let someone else do it for a while. You’re one of three marine biologists. And the other two are married to each other. They get to spend Christmas together.”

“I need to be there. Something is happening to the sea life in that part of the ocean. It’s mutating over time. It’s affected the seal population. You know how I feel about the environment and the oceans.”

“Fine.” Mrs. Winfield fluttered her hand in the air as she swept around and headed for the door to her bedroom. “I can’t argue with you over something I taught you. Good night. I’ll see you tomorrow morning. I hope you’ll at least go for a power walk with Ellie and me. Seven o’clock sharp.”

“Yes, Winnie. I’ve brought my running shoes. I figured you’d want me to.”

When her employer shut the door to her room, Ellie immediately said, “I need my gun back.”

“You do? What part of your duties as my grandmother’s assistant requires you to have a gun?” His gaze skimmed down her length.

Ellie finally peered down at the clothes she wore—old sweats and a baggy T-shirt. With a glance at the mirror at the end of the hall, she noticed the wild disarray of her hair. She looked as scruffy as Colt Winfield. She certainly wouldn’t appear to this man as a capable and efficient bodyguard. Or a woman who knew how to use a gun when she needed to. “Ask yourself. What if you had been a burglar? Would you have wanted me to let you rob the place or do worse?”

For half a moment he just stared at her, then he started chuckling. “Since I’m not and I’ll be here for a few days, you’ll be safe. Didn’t you wonder why the three German shepherds didn’t bark?”

“I know that dogs can be good for security purposes, but they can be taken out. It shouldn’t be the only method a person uses.” Which Mr. Jefferson was changing—just not fast enough for her liking. A new alarm system for the house would be in place by the end of the week. But even that didn’t guarantee a person was totally safe. Hence the reason why Mr. Jefferson hired her to guard Mrs. Winfield—Winnie.

“So you decided to bring a gun.”

“I’m very capable. I was in the army.”

“Army? Even knowing that, I’m afraid, Miss St. James, we’re not going to see eye to eye on this.” He swiveled around and went to pick up a duffel bag by the steps. He hadn’t had that when he’d first come upstairs. He must have brought it up when he put the gun in the safe. “Good night.”

Ellie watched him stride down the corridor in the opposite direction of her bedroom. When he paused before a door at the far end, he slanted a look back at her. For a few seconds the corners of his mouth hitched up. He nodded his head once and then ducked inside.

She brought her hand up to comb her fingers through her hair and encountered a couple of tangles. “Ouch!”

Moving toward her bedroom, she kept her eye on his, half expecting him to pop back out with that gleam of humor dancing in his eyes. When he didn’t, something akin to disappointment flowed through her until she shoved it away. She would have to call Mr. Jefferson to tell him that Colt was here. From what she’d read about the man he was smart, with a doctorate in marine biology as well as a degree in chemistry. Currently he worked on a research vessel as the head marine biologist for a think tank formed to preserve the world’s oceans.

His grandmother hadn’t ever questioned why Ellie was always around, even in her lab, but she had a feeling Colt would. Then he would demand an answer.

* * *

After traveling for almost twenty-four hours the day before, Colt dragged himself out of bed at a quarter to seven in his old room where he’d grown up. Winnie hadn’t changed anything in here, and he doubted she ever would. She would always think of him as her little boy. Although Winnie was his grandmother, she’d raised him when his own mother had died from a massive infection shortly after he was born. Thinking of his past brought both heartache and joy. Heartache because he’d lost so many people he cared about. But he’d rather not dwell on his past. Besides, he had Winnie. She had given him so much.

After dressing in his sweats to power walk in the crisp December air in the Colorado mountains, he made his way toward the kitchen and the scent of coffee. Just its aroma made his body crave caffeine. He’d need it if he was going to keep up with Winnie. At seventy-three, she was an amazing woman, owner of Glamour Sensations and creator of both women’s and men’s fragrances. Not to mention her latest development—a line of antiaging products rumored to revolutionize the cosmetic industry. This had been a dream of Winnie and his granddad for fifteen years. Although his grandfather was dead, Winnie was close to completing their vision with the development of a cream that faded scars and lines as though they had never been there in the first place.

Clean-shaven, Colt came into the kitchen to find his grandmother and her new assistant sitting at the table drinking mugs of coffee. “I thought you would be gone for your power walk by now, leaving me with the whole pot of coffee.”

His grandmother glanced at the clock on the wall. “As usual, ten minutes late. Did I not tell you we would have to wait on him, Ellie?”

The pretty assistant, dressed in a navy blue jogging suit with her long curly blond hair tamed into a ponytail, gave him a sugary sweet smile, a sparkle in her brown eyes. “I tried to talk her into leaving without you, but she insisted on waiting.”

He made his way to his grandmother, kissed her cheek then headed for the pot to pour some coffee.

“You won’t have time for that. I have a meeting with Harold at eight-thirty, and I’m sure he would want me to shower and change before we meet in the lab.” Winnie rose and took a last swallow from her mug before setting it on the table. “You can have some later.”

“What if I walk off the side of the mountain because I fell asleep?” He put his empty cup on the counter.

“Dear, if you manage to fall asleep while power walking with me, I’ll be surprised. Besides, we’re walking inside the fence. It would stop your fall.”

“Your power walking is grueling.” Taking up the rear, he followed the two women out onto the wooden deck along the back of the redwood and glass house that sat in a meadow with a high fence around the premises.

As though expecting Winnie at that time of the day, the three German shepherds sat near the door, their tails wagging. Rocket, the white one, barked his greeting.

His grandmother stooped over and patted each one, saying, “I’ve got a treat for you later today. A juicy bone. I know how much you like that.”

Lady, the only female, nudged his grandmother’s hand for more scratches behind the ear. Winnie laughed. “You always demand more attention than the boys here. They may be larger, but I have a feeling they do whatever you want.”

Standing next to Ellie and watching the exchange between his grandmother and the guard dogs, Colt said, “My grandfather bought Rocket and Gabe to be company and guard the place seven years ago. He was very attached to them. Winnie went out and purchased Lady from the same trainer. She wanted female representation. They love staying outside, but whenever the weather gets bad, she brings them inside, even though they have a top-of-the-line dog structure.”

“I’ve seen it. It isn’t your ordinary doghouse. I thought it might be a storage shed until I saw them going in and out.”

“That’s because nothing is too good for her dogs. When Granddad died, Winnie took over all three dogs’ care with her caretaker’s help.”

When she finished greeting each pet, Winnie went through some stretches. “Colt, I don’t want to hear any complaining on my walk. You’re in perfectly good shape.”

“I don’t complain. I tease.”

“I have a feeling you swim every day you have a chance on the job. Ellie, he can swim ten miles without tiring. Not to mention he can hold his breath underwater for two minutes. I think that’s from growing up here in the mountains. Great lung capacity.”

His grandmother’s remark to her assistant slid his attention to the tall woman who lunged to the left then right. “So you’re into power walking, too?”

Ellie brought her feet together, raised one leg behind her and clasped her ankle. “When I can get the chance, I usually jog, but I’ve been enjoying our early morning jaunts.”

“Who did you work for before this?”

Pausing, she stretched her other leg. “A small company,” she said finally.

Winnie didn’t seem to notice the slight hesitation in Ellie’s reply, but he did. Was something going on? When he got back from his power walk, he would catch Harold before he talked with Winnie. He didn’t want to upset his grandmother unless there was a good reason, but who exactly was Ellie St. James? A woman who carried a gun and, based on last night, wasn’t afraid to use it.

* * *

“I’m glad I caught you before you talked with Winnie.” Ellie shut the library door after the lawyer entered.

“Ah, I see you’ve made good progress with Winnie,” Harold Jefferson said. “She doesn’t usually have someone call her Winnie unless she likes you.”

“I think that’s because she appreciated my attempt to protect her last night.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Someone got in the house? Why didn’t you call me?”

“Because it turned out to be her grandson.”

His forehead wrinkled. “Colt’s here?”

“Yes, for a few days. I thought he was an intruder and I pulled my gun on him in the upstairs hallway. Without her knowing why I’m here, she doesn’t understand why I would have a gun. It’s now sitting in her safe in her office. That ties my hands protecting her. She needs to be told.”

“She will stress and shut down. She’s under a tight deadline with this new product she’s coming up with. That’s why I’m here to talk to her about the publicity campaign now that her former assistant, Christy, has agreed to be the new face for the company.”

“The Winnie I’ve seen this past week is tough when she needs to be.”

“It’s all a show. I’ve been through a lot with her. Years ago her company nearly fell apart because of her son’s death. Then she had a heart attack ten years ago, and we went through another rough patch. That was followed by her husband passing away five Christmases ago. Finally she’s close to going public with Glamour Sensations and offering stock as she brings out her new line, Endless Youth. She’s been working toward this for years. She feels she needs to fulfill her late husband’s vision for the business.”

Ellie placed her hand on her waist, trying to control her frustration and impatience. “If she is dead, she won’t be able to fulfill his vision.”

“That’s why you’re here. To keep her alive. The fewer people who know someone has sent her threats the better. She is the company. The brains and creative force behind it. We need the infusion of money to make a successful campaign for the new products in the spring that will lead up to the unveiling of the signature cream next Christmas.”

“If the company is going public, don’t you have to disclose the threats?”

“Yes. When we reach that part of the process, we’ll have to disclose the threats to the investment banker and lawyers. Fortunately, we have until right after Christmas to take care of the problem.”

“I can’t protect her without my weapon. It’s that simple.”

“What if we tell Colt and have him get the gun for you? She rarely goes into the safe. I imagine she’s too busy in the lab downstairs.”

Ellie looked out the floor-to-ceiling window across the back at the stand of pine trees. “Yes, but what if she does?”

She’d never liked the fact that Mrs. Winfield didn’t know about the threats and the danger her life was in. The former assistant had given Mr. Jefferson each threatening letter. They had become more serious over the past month, and one also included a photo of Mrs. Winfield out power walking. That was when he had contacted Guardians, Inc. He was hoping nothing would come of the letters, but he knew he had to put some kind of protection in place. That was when Ellie had entered as the new assistant to replace Christy Boland, who was going to be the spokesperson for Glamour Sensations’ Endless Youth line.

“On second thought, we probably shouldn’t tell Colt. I don’t want anyone else to know if possible. He might let something slip to his grandmother. It’s probably better that he returns to the research ship.” Mr. Jefferson snapped his fingers. “I’ve got it. I’ll get you a gun to use. I can come back out here this afternoon with whatever you want. Maybe a smaller gun that you can keep concealed.”

“Fine, unless I think there’s a direct threat.”

“I’m hoping I can catch the person behind the letters before then. The Bakersville police chief is working on the case personally, as well as a P.I. I hired. Winnie received another letter at headquarters yesterday.”

“Another picture in it?”

“No, just threats of what the person is going to do to her.”

Ellie thought of the sweet lady she’d spent the past week with—a woman who toiled long hours because she knew a lot of people who worked for her counted on her. “What in the world has she done to anger someone?”

“We’re looking into disgruntled employees, but she was never directly responsible for firing anyone. If she had her way, everyone would still be working for her no matter if they didn’t do their job. Thankfully I run that part of the business.”

Ellie sighed. “I’ll need you to bring me a Glock G27. It’s smaller and easily concealed. It will have to do, even though I prefer my own weapon. At least you were able to get Winnie to stay and work from home this month. That will help the situation, but this home isn’t secure.”

“Is any place?”

“No, but there are some things we can do.”

“Like what? I’m working on a better security system.”

“That’s good because the one she has is at least ten years old.” Ellie paced the large room with bookcases full of books. “We could use bulletproof windows. Security guards to patrol the grounds and posted at the gate. Also cameras all over the house and the property being monitored 24/7.”

“She won’t go for anything else. She didn’t even understand why I wanted to upgrade her security system. Told me the Lord was looking out for her and that’s all she needs.”

Ellie believed in the power of God, but Winnie was being naive. “What if someone gets to her? I’ve convinced her that I enjoy power walking, and she has graciously asked me to come with her, but she likes her independence. I’m running out of reasons to tag along with her when she leaves this house.”

“It’s only for a couple of more weeks at best. The P.I. on the case is tracking down some promising leads. If nothing changes after she has completed the last product for this new line, I’ll tell her. She’s fragile when she’s in her creative mode. Easily distracted. Even Colt’s visit will strain her schedule.”

“And Christmas won’t? I get the impression she enjoys the holiday.” The wide-open space outside the window made her tense. Someone could be out there right now watching their every move.

“That’s just a few days.” Mr. Jefferson checked his watch. “I’d better find Winnie. She starts to worry when people are late.”

“I’ve noticed that.”

“Five years ago next week, Thomas was on the way home from work and lost control of his car. It went off the cliff. The sheriff thought he’d fallen asleep at the wheel from reports by witnesses. So anytime someone is late she begins to think the worst.” He covered the distance to the door. “I’ll meet with Winnie in the lab then come back later with your gun.”

“So let me get this straight. You don’t want to tell Colt?” Another secret she would have to keep.

Looking back at her, Mr. Jefferson opened the door. “No, not right now.”

“Not right now what?” Colt stepped into the entrance of the library.

TWO

Mr. Jefferson waved his hand and passed Colt quickly in the hall. “I’ll let Miss St. James tell you.”

Ellie balled her hands at her sides. What was she supposed to tell Colt? Even worse, had he overheard anything they had been talking about? She started forward. “I’d better go and change for work.”

He gripped her arm, halting her escape. “What aren’t you telling me? Why were you and Harold talking in here?”

She schooled her expression into one of innocence. She would love to get her hands on Mr. Jefferson for putting her in this situation. “He wanted to know how my first week went with Winnie. Is there a reason we shouldn’t talk? After all, he hired me.”

“And how are you doing?” He stepped nearer until Ellie got a whiff of his coffee-laced breath. “Does he know about the gun?”

“Yes. I saw no reason not to tell him.” Her heartbeat kicked up a notch. She moved back a few inches until her back encountered the wall behind her. “Your grandmother and I are getting along well. She’s a special lady. Very talented. She’s easy to talk to. To work for.”

“Winnie?”

Hating the trapped feeling, she sidled away. “Who else are we talking about?”

“My grandmother is a private woman. She doesn’t share much with anyone.”

“I haven’t found her that way. Maybe something has changed, since you’ve been gone for so long.” There, she hoped that would keep Colt quiet and less curious about her relationship with Winnie. In some of her past jobs, she’d had to play a role, but it never was her favorite way to operate.

“Then maybe you can fill me in on what’s going on with my grandmother.”

“What we’ve talked about is private. If you want to know, go ask her.” Before he could stop her again, she pivoted away and hurried down the hall to the foyer.

As she mounted the stairs to the second floor, she felt his eyes on her. It was so cold it reminded her of the icy mountain stream they’d passed on their walk today. Unable to shake loose of his frosty blue gaze, she felt the chill down to her bones.

* * *

After dinner that evening Ellie followed the small group to the den, a room with a roaring fire going in the fireplace and the dark rich wood of the mantel polished to a gleaming luster that reflected the lights. She sat on the plush, tan couch before a large glass-topped coffee table. In the middle an arrangement of sweet-smelling roses vied with the fireplace for attention. She’d quickly learned Bloomfield Flower Shop in the medium-size town at the foot of the mountain delivered a fresh bouquet twice weekly because Winnie loved looking at them in the evening. Their delicate aroma wafted up to Ellie and surrounded her in their fragrance. Since working for Winnie, she’d become attuned to the smell of things. Like breakfast in the morning or a fresh winter day with pine heavy in the air when they were power walking. Winnie always pointed out scents wherever she went.

Colt took a forest-green wingback chair across from her. She caught his glance lingering on her for a few extra seconds while the others settled into their seats. She pulled her gaze away to finish assessing the placement of everyone, along with all the exits. Harold took the other end of the couch she sat on while Winnie eased down between them. Christy Boland, the face of the new line, and her fiancé, Peter Tyler, a Bakersville dentist, occupied the love seat.

“I can’t imagine living on a research vessel for months on end,” Christy said, taking up the conversation started at the dinner table.

“I have to admit it does take getting used to. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I don’t even have a place of my own right now.”

“You don’t need one. You’re always welcome here when you’re in the country,” Winnie told her grandson. “After all, you’ve done so much to help me with my new line, especially this last product, which will be the coup d’état.”

“How so, Winnie? I don’t remember doing that.”

“Your research on certain sea life sparked a breakthrough for me on this project.”

Colt tilted his head to the side. “Which one?”

Winnie smiled. “I’m not telling. Right now I’m the only one who knows. It’s all up here.” She tapped the side of her temple. “But this will keep you busy for years, Christy. Harold isn’t going to be able to count the money fast enough.” Her grin grew. “At least that’s what I predict. And all my predictions have been right in the past.” She sat back and motioned the servers to bring in dessert.

Linda and Doug Miller, the middle-aged couple who lived on the property and took care of the house, carried in two trays, one with coffee and the other with finger sweets. Doug placed the coffee down in front of Winnie while his wife served the petite desserts to each person in the room.

“I will say I miss your cooking, Linda. No one on the vessel can cook like you.” Colt selected four different sweets and put them on a small plate.

By the time the caretakers retreated to the kitchen ten minutes later, everyone had a cup of coffee and dessert.

Colt raised his cup in a toast. “To Christy. Congratulations again on becoming the face of Endless Youth. This is a big change for you from being Winnie’s

assistant to touring the country, your photo plastered everywhere.”

“Yes. I haven’t traveled like you have or Winnie. About as far as I’ve gone was Texas and California when Winnie did.”

“That will definitely change, dear,” Winnie said after taking a sip of her coffee. “I’m thrilled you agreed to do this. When you tested the product and it did such wonders for you, it became obvious you were perfect for this new job.” She slid a glance toward Harold. “Thankfully, Harold found a new assistant for me who is working out great.”

All eyes turned to Ellie. Never wanting to be the focus of attention, she pressed herself into the couch until she felt the Glock in its holster digging into her back. Harold had brought the gun when he’d returned for dinner. Having it holstered under her jacket was a constant reminder she was on a job. “I appreciate you helping me, Christy. Answering my hundreds of questions.”

Christy laughed. “I wish I had someone to answer my hundreds of questions. I’ve never been a model and don’t know one. Poor Peter has to listen to all my questions.”

“And I don’t have any answers for her. Actually, she’s been gone so much lately that I haven’t had to listen to them.” Peter covered Christy’s hand that lay between them on the love seat. “I’m looking forward to some togetherness at Christmas.”

Harold bent forward to pour himself some more coffee. “I just finalized some plans for Christy to start the filming of the first commercial in L.A. next week.”

Christy glanced at Peter then Harold. “But I’ll be here for Christmas Day, won’t I? It’ll be our first Christmas together.”

“Yes, but since we’re launching part of the line in February for Valentine’s Day, your time will be very limited.”

Peter picked up her hand and moved it to his lap. “We’ll work out something,” he said to Christy, his adoring look roping her full attention.

As Ellie listened to the conversation shift to the launch of Endless Youth, she decided to call Kyra, her employer, and have her look into everyone around Winnie, including Harold Jefferson, who ran the day-to-day operation of Glamour Sensations as the CFO. She’d learned quickly not to take anything for granted, even the person who hired her.

The threats against Rachel Winfield had started when news of Endless Youth leaked to the press. What was it about that product line that would make someone angry with Winnie? From what Ellie had learned, the development and testing didn’t upset any environmental groups. So did Endless Youth have anything to do with the threats or was its development and launch just a coincidence? Maybe it was a rival cosmetic company. Was the industry that cutthroat? Did this involve an industrial spy?

She kneaded her hand along her nape, trying to unravel the knots twisting tighter in her neck. Finding the person behind the threats wasn’t her priority—keeping Winnie alive and unharmed was. She needed to leave the rest to the police and Harold’s P.I.

* * *

Colt entered the kitchen that gleamed with clean counters, any evidence of a dinner party gone, but the scent of the roast that Linda had cooked still lingered in the room. The Millers did wonders behind the scenes for Winnie and had worked for the family for ten years. He wasn’t sure what his grandmother would do if they decided to look for another job. He didn’t worry about Winnie with Linda and Doug taking care of the property and house.

He raided the refrigerator to make himself a sandwich with the leftover roast beef. After piling it between slices of Linda’s homemade bread, he turned away from the counter ready to take a bite. But he halted abruptly when he noticed Ellie hovering in the entrance, watching him.

She blinked and averted her gaze. “I heard a noise and came to check it out. Winnie just went to bed.”

“She stayed up later than usual, but then when Christy and Harold come to dinner, she usually does. That’s the extent of her entertaining here.”

“I can see that. She spends most of her day in the lab.”

“My grandmother is one of the few people in the world who has a ‘nose,’ as they say in the perfume industry. She can distinguish different scents and has a knack for putting them together to complement each other. That comes easy for her. But this new product line is something else, more Granddad’s pet project. I’ll be glad when she finishes and doesn’t have to work so much.”

Ellie came into the room. “She’s being taken care of. Linda makes sure she eats healthy. Harold doesn’t let her worry about the running of Glamour Sensations, and I do all the little things she has allowed to mount up.”

“So she can focus on Endless Youth. I can remember when Granddad was alive. Those two talked about the line back then. He had already started the research. Winnie is just finishing up what they began in earnest eight years ago. I think he pushed her to help her recover from her heart attack. She loves a good challenge.” He held up his plate. “I can fix you one.”

Her chuckles floated through the air. “I think I’ll pass on that. I ate more tonight than I usually do.”

He put his sandwich on the kitchen table and gestured at a chair beside him. “Join me. I hate eating alone. When you live on a small ship with fifteen others, you’re rarely alone except in your tiny cabin. You would think I would cherish this time.”

“You don’t?” Ellie slid into the seat next to him.

He noticed she didn’t wear any fragrance and wondered if Winnie would change that. “I’m used to it so it’s strange when I’m not here. When I’ve come back here, I’ve felt the isolation I never felt while I was growing up here.”

“Well, it won’t feel isolated too much longer. Winnie has several evening events the closer we get to the holidays.”

“Let me guess. Most of them have to do with the business.”

“Yes, and she is the mistress of ceremony at the lighting of the Christmas tree in Bakersville in a few days. This year the town is naming the park after your grandparents.”

“They’ve been trying to get her to light the Christmas tree for years. I’m glad she finally accepted.”

A tiny frown made grooves between Ellie’s eyebrows.

“You aren’t?” Colt asked.

Her expression evened out. “I’m only concerned she doesn’t wear herself out. She has the big gala for Endless Youth and Christy’s introduction to the press a few days after that.”

“Yeah, she’s been trying to get me to stay an extra week.”

“I can understand the demands of work.”

“Is this job demanding to you? Is the isolation getting to you?”

“I love the isolation. Remember, I grew up in Chicago where everywhere I turned there were people.”

“How did you find out about this job?”

Ellie rose. “I think I’ll fix a cup of tea. Do you want any? Herbal, no caffeine.” She walked to the cabinet where the tea was kept and withdrew a tin of lavender tea.

“No, thanks.” He waited until she put the water on to boil then continued, “Harold said something about him finding you. How? Chicago is a far piece from here.”

“Harold knew my former employer. She suggested me for the job.”

“She let you go?”

“Not exactly. She knew how much I love the mountains and thought this would be perfect for me.”

“What did you do at your former job?”

She laughed. “I feel I’m being interviewed again, but since I already have the job, that isn’t it. So why the interest?”

“Because I love Winnie and have her best interest at heart.”

Gripping the counter edge with both hands, Ellie lounged back, except that there was nothing casual about her stance. Something wasn’t right. Colt lived in close quarters and had learned to read people accurately and quickly. It made his life much easier and calmer.

“What are you hiding, Ellie?”

THREE

“What makes you think I’m hiding something?” Ellie busied herself pouring the hot water into a mug and dunking the tea bag.

“I get the feeling there’s something in your past you don’t like to talk about. If it wasn’t that Harold is thorough when it comes to my grandmother, I would be concerned at your evasiveness.”

“But Harold is thorough.” She drew herself up straight, cupping her hands around the mug. “I didn’t know full disclosure about all the details of my life was necessary for me to get this job. Winnie seems satisfied. Is this something we should bring up to her?” Lifting her chin, she clamped her jaws together to keep from saying anything else that would get her fired.

He dipped his head in a curt nod. “Duly noted. Winnie is a great judge of character.”

Meaning he had his doubts? Pain shot down her neck from the tense set of her teeth grinding together. She strode to the table and took the chair across from him. Though she would rather drink her tea in peace, she knew escaping to her bedroom would only confirm that she had something to hide.

One of the reasons she liked being a bodyguard was that she could blend into the background. Most of her clients didn’t engage her in casual conversation. But Winnie had been different, and it seemed to run in the family. She kept a lock on her past—a past she didn’t want to take out and reexamine. No point in going over it.

“If you must know, the short version of my life so far is—”

“That’s okay—”

“I grew up in Chicago,” she interrupted, “in a part of town where I had to learn to take care of myself and stick up for my brother, too. People weren’t kind to him. He had a mental disability and talked ‘funny.’ Their word, not mine. When I could get out of the neighborhood, I did.” She sipped her tea, gripping the mug tighter to keep her hands steady.

“Where’s your brother?”

“Dead.” The word hung in the air between them for a long moment while Ellie relived the moment when Toby had slipped away from congestive heart failure.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up something painful.”

“What did you mean to do, then?”

“To make sure Winnie was in good hands.”

She stared into his light, gray-blue eyes. “She’s in good hands. When I do a job, I do it one hundred percent.”

Another long silence stretched between them as she felt the probe of his gaze, seeking, reading between the lines.

“Did I pass?” She raised her cup and drank, relishing the warm, soothing tea.

“This wasn’t a test.”

“You could have fooled me.” After she scooted back her chair, the scraping sound filling the kitchen, she pushed to her feet. “While I would love to continue this interrogation—I mean conversation—I’m tired and plan to go to bed. Good night.”

She left the kitchen. Out in the hallway she paused, a hand braced on the wall as images of her twin brother washed through her mind—running from the neighborhood bullies, falling and scraping his palms and shins, crying because he didn’t understand why they didn’t like him. But the worst picture was of Toby on the floor of their small, dirty apartment, taking his last breath. He looked straight at her. She held him while they waited for the ambulance. A light brightened his eyes, and a peace she’d never seen fell over his face. Then he went limp as the sirens came down the street. She’d been thirteen.

Tears crowded her eyes. She squeezed them closed. This was why she never dwelled in the past. She did not shed tears—hadn’t since she was thirteen.

She slowly crossed to the front door and checked to make sure it was locked and the antiquated security system was on. After Colt went to bed, she would make a more thorough check of the house before she slept. Until then she would prowl her bedroom, hating the situation she’d been placed in. This secrecy handicapped her doing her job.

* * *

Standing in the dark, Colt stared out his bedroom window at the yard in front of the house; the outdoor lights illuminated the circular drive. Usually by this time of year there was a lot of snow on the ground, but not so far this winter. Most Christmases as a child, he remembered it being white. This year he’d be in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with blue water as far as he could see. One morning at the beginning of the week, a day after he’d talked to Winnie, a strong urge had overcome him. He needed to see his grandmother if only for a short time. He couldn’t shake the feeling all that day. By nighttime he’d made a reservation to fly back to Colorado.

He glanced at his bed. He needed to sleep. Wanted to sleep. But he couldn’t. Winnie’s new assistant plagued his thoughts. Something didn’t fit. First, although she and Winnie seemed to get along great, Ellie wasn’t his grandmother’s usual type of assistant. Christy had fit the mold well for three years. Accommodating. Almost meek. A follower, not a leader.

But Ellie certainly wasn’t meek. He rubbed his ear, recalling her defensive tactic last night. And accommodating? Hardly. He had thought for a minute that she was going to tackle him for her gun. But mostly she wasn’t a follower. Although she’d done everything his grandmother had requested of her today, her mannerisms and actions spoke of a woman in command. A woman who wouldn’t admit to a vulnerability.

A couple of hours ago, though, he’d seen a crack in her defenses when she’d talked about her childhood, her brother. That was what he couldn’t get out of his mind. The glimpse of pain in her eyes he suspected she didn’t realize she’d shown. Or maybe she did and couldn’t control it because the hurt went so deep.

Staring at the play of light and dark surrounding the front of the house, Colt plowed his fingers through his hair. His skin felt as if he was swimming through a swarm of jellyfish, their tentacles grazing across his arms and legs, their touch sending pain through him.

Something wasn’t right. He couldn’t shake that feeling, just as he couldn’t deny the need to come see Winnie a few days ago.

One of the German shepherds that guarded the property pranced across the drive and disappeared into the dark. Squinting, Colt tried to follow the dog’s trek. Something white flashed out of the corner of his eye, so briefly he wasn’t sure he’d seen anything. He shoved away from the window and headed for the door. He wasn’t sure why. It was probably nothing. One of the guard dogs had white fur.

Still. He wanted to check.

* * *

A sound in the foyer caught Ellie’s attention. She’d just checked that part of the house. Was Winnie up? Colt? She crept down the hallway toward the front entrance, pulling her gun from the holster under her large sweatshirt. She found Colt crossing the foyer to the exit.

Relieved it was only him, she stuck the borrowed gun back into its holster and entered the entry hall. “Is something wrong?”

With his hand reaching for the doorknob, Colt jerked and pivoted toward her. “What are you doing down here? I thought you went to bed.”

“And I thought you did, too.”

“I did. Couldn’t sleep.”

“So you’re going for a walk dressed like that? Won’t you get cold?” She gestured at his sweatpants, T-shirt and bare feet.

He peered down. “I thought I saw something outside.” Taking a few steps toward her, he took in her similar attire except for her bulky sweatshirt to cover her weapon and her tennis shoes, in case she had to give chase. “I’m sure it was nothing now that I think about it. Probably one of the dogs. If anyone had been outside, they would be barking.”

Unless they were taken out, she thought, recalling her words to Colt earlier. “Dogs aren’t invulnerable.”

He paused. “True. I’d better check on it.”

“I can. I’m dressed for it.”

“Yeah, I noticed your tennis shoes.”

She started toward the front door. “I don’t have slippers, and I’m not accustomed to the cold.”

“But you’re from Chicago,” Colt said as she passed him.

“We are seven thousand feet up the side of a mountain in December, and, besides, I’ve never been accustomed to the cold, even being from Chicago.” Glancing at the alarm system, she noticed he’d turned it off. She grasped the handle and opened the door. As she stepped out onto the front deck, Colt followed her. “I’ve got this.” Leave it to a pro. The urge to say those words was strong, but she bit them back.

“You’re kidding. I’m not letting you come out here alone. What if someone is here? Who do you take me for?”

“Someone who only has pants and a T-shirt on and no shoes, not even socks. That’s who.” She ground her teeth together, wanting to draw her gun as she checked the area out. But he was probably right about it being one of the dogs.

“I’m used to the cold. I’m coming. End of discussion.”

Patience. I could use a dose of it, Lord.

“Fine. Stay close behind me.”

He chuckled in her ear. “Yeah, sure.” Skirting around her, he descended the steps, quickly heading into the wisps of fog snaking along the ground.

Where’s a stun gun when I need one? Ellie hurried after Colt who moved quickly from the cold concrete drive to the warmer lawn. “Wait up.”

He didn’t slow his pace, but she caught up with him about ten yards from the house. When she glanced back and spied the unprotected place, lit with security lights, she clamped her hand around his arm.

He halted, his face unreadable in the shadows.

“Go back and make sure no one goes into the house. I’ll finish checking out here.” Her fingers itched to draw her gun, but Mr. Jefferson didn’t want Colt to know why she was here.

“And leave you alone? This is my home, not yours. What kind of man would I be?”

“A smart one. What about leaving your grandmother alone?”

“Then you should go back and—”

Barking blasted the chilled air.

Ellie withdrew the Glock from its holster and started toward the sound to the left.

“Where did that come from?” Colt asked.

“Mr. Jefferson.”

“Harold?”

“I’ll explain later. Go back to the house, lock the door and don’t let anyone in until I check out what caused the dog to bark. Do not follow me.”

“Who are you?”

No more secrets—at least with Winnie’s grandson. “A bodyguard hired to protect Winnie.” She glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was trying to get into the front of the house. “Go. Now.”

In the cover of night that surrounded them, he stared at her, or at least she felt the drill of his gaze, then he whirled around and rushed back toward the deck. She moved toward where the sound had come from, retrieving her small pocket flashlight in case she needed it. Right now she let the half-moon and security lamps by the house light her path since it would be better if she didn’t announce her approach if someone was inside the fence.

In the distance she heard the cry of a mountain lion. She’d seen evidence of a big cat on one of her daily power walks with Winnie. Was that what spooked the dog? She’d gone into enough situations with incomplete intel to know the heightened danger that could cause.

Her heart rate kicked up a notch as she drew closer to the perimeter on the west side of the house where the eight-foot chain-link fence was. Another roar split the air. Closer. The sound pumped more adrenaline through her body. Every nerve alert, she became hyperaware of her surroundings—a bird flying away to the right, the breeze rustling the evergreen foliage.

Away from the house the only illumination was the faint rays of the moon. Not enough. She switched on her flashlight and swept it across the area before her. Just outside a cut part of the fence, its glow fell upon the mountain lion, its big eyes glittering yellow in the dark. Her light captured the predator’s menacing stance.

* * *

The rumble of a mountain lion nearby froze Colt as he mounted the last step to the front deck. He knew that sound from the many years he had lived here. He didn’t know who Ellie St. James really was, how capable she was or why she would be protecting his grandmother, but he couldn’t leave her out there to face a solitary predator by herself. No matter what she ordered him to do.

He rushed into the house to a storage closet where Winnie kept some of his possessions. He used to have a hunting rifle. Wrenching the door open, he clicked on the overhead light and stared at the mountain of boxes that he had stored there. He delved into the midst of the containers filled with his memories. Where was the gun?

Panic urged him deeper into the large, walk-in closet to the shelving in the back. There he saw something he could use. Not the rifle but a speargun, a weapon he was even more familiar with and actually quite good at using.

He snatched it up and raced toward the foyer, grabbing a flashlight on the way. Before leaving, he set the alarm, then locked the front door behind him. Another growl announced to anyone around that this was the big cat’s territory and not to trespass.

As Colt ran toward the west side of the property, he hoped there weren’t any trees the mountain lion could climb that allowed him access to the area inside the fence. Usually the eight-foot barrier kept dangerous animals out, but it had certainly sounded like it was close to the house, possibly inside the fence.

Then a yell pierced the night. “Get back. Get away.”

Those words from Ellie prodded him even faster.

* * *

Ellie never took her eyes off the mountain lion. It was still on the other side of the fence with his head sticking through the part that had been cut and peeled back to allow something big—like a man—through the opening. She waved her arms around. She didn’t want to shoot the animal because it was a beautiful creature. But she would if she had to.

Its snarls protested her order to leave.

Still it didn’t move back. Its golden gaze seemed to assess its chances of leaping the four or five yards’ distance between them.

Bracing herself, Ellie lifted her gun and shone her flashlight into its eyes. It continued to stare at her.

Behind her she heard something rushing toward her. Another mountain lion? But they were solitary animals that guarded their territory. One of the dogs? The one that had barked earlier? Where were the other two?

She was calculating her chances with the mountain lion, then the new threat, when she heard a war cry, a bloodcurdling sound. The mountain lion shifted its golden regard to her right for a few seconds, then stepped back out of the hole and sauntered away as though out for an evening stroll. Some of the tension siphoned from her.

She threw a glance over her shoulder and saw a light in the dark moving her way. Colt. An intruder wouldn’t announce his presence with a flashlight or a war cry.

She spun around and started for him. “What are you doing? You were supposed to stay at the house.” Her light found him in the night, carrying a speargun. “This time you need to stay here and guard this hole. I need to make sure Winnie is okay.”

When she passed him, he clasped her arm and halted her progress. “Hold it. Winnie is fine. I set the alarm and locked the door. What’s going on?”

She stared at his hand until he dropped his arm to his side. “Did you check on her?”

“Well, no. But we never went far from the house.”

“I’m going to check on her, then I’ll be back. Will you stay here and make sure the mountain lion doesn’t come back? And this time stay where you’re supposed to be. I could have shot you.” She peered at his speargun. “A bit odd to be carrying around on dry land, but it should stop the cat if it returns. That is, if you can use it.”

He pulled himself up straight. “I’m quite good with this. And it’s very effective if you know what you’re doing. Which I do.” Each word was spoken with steely confidence.

“Good.” She hurried away, at the moment her concern for Winnie’s safety paramount.

What if this was all a diversion? What if someone got into the house when they weren’t looking? Different scenarios bombarded her. All she knew was she had to lay eyes on Winnie to be reassured she was all right.

She unlocked the front door and immediately headed for the alarm to put in the code. Then she took the stairs two at a time. When she saw Winnie’s door open, she finally breathed.

* * *

A strong scent of urine—probably the big cat’s—pervaded the air as Colt neared the gap in the fence. He stuffed the flashlight through a chain-link hole, and its glow shone into the wooded area outside of Winnie’s property. After leaning the speargun against the fence within his quick reach, he pulled the snipped sides back into place, enough that he hoped would discourage the mountain lion from plowing its way inside.

Then he examined the ground.

Footprints were barely visible on the dry ground, but about five or six feet away, tire impressions in the dead weeds and grass were clearer. Someone had pulled a vehicle up to the fence.

He swung around and swept his flashlight around his grandmother’s property and then it hit him: Where were the dogs? Why weren’t they over here?

* * *

Ellie entered Winnie’s bedroom, her gun drawn but at her side in case the older woman was in the room unaware of what was transpiring outside. She didn’t want to frighten her with a gun being waved in the air—not two nights in a row. Halting a few feet inside, Ellie stared at the messy covers spilling over onto the floor, the empty bed. As she raised her weapon, she circled the room, checking for her client. After opening the bathroom door, she noted the spacious area was empty.

As much as she would like to rush back outside and search the grounds for Winnie or any clue to her whereabouts, she had to check the house first.

As she started with the room next to Winnie’s, prayers for the woman’s safety flooded her thoughts. When she reached Colt’s bedroom, she hesitated, feeling awkward to intrude on his privacy. But she had a job to do. She pushed open the door and looked inside.

This is ridiculous. If the man had followed her orders, she wouldn’t have to do this right now. She stepped inside and made a quick tour—noting his duffel bag on a chair, his shoes on the floor, keys and some change on the dresser, pictures on the wall from when he was young.

A picture of him coming out of the darkness with a speargun in his hand crowded into her thoughts. She shook the image from her mind and turned to leave.

“What are you doing in my grandson’s room with a gun in your hand?”

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