Key Witness

“Three thousand dollars is what the bank manager calculated,” the detective said. “You can’t put a price on a life. The K-9s are trying to follow the robbers’ scent now. We’re also checking all of the surveillance video from around the area. We’re going to get the sketches and description of the men out to the media in time for the evening news, we hope. Between all of those things, I’m hopeful that we’ll get these guys.”

Denton shifted in his seat. “I’m not so sure you’re going to catch them.” He shook his head, his eyes narrowed. “I don’t know. Something about the entire setup is bugging me. I mean, Julie cooperated with them. She gave them all the money she could, but they still shot her. That doesn’t make sense to me. Why would they shoot her? The dominant robber didn’t even hesitate.”

“What are you getting at?” the detective asked.

“It was almost like they went into the bank with the intention of killing someone.” Denton shook his head. “It sounds terrible, but that’s what my gut is telling me.”

An officer stepped into the room, his gaze focused on Elle. “Ms. Philips, your father is here to see you. I told him you were almost done, but he insisted on seeing you right away.”

Before Elle could even stand, her father rushed into the room. Two of his men shadowed him, remaining right outside the door. “Elle, sweetheart, are you okay? I was so worried when I heard what happened.”

She nodded and fell into his arms. “I’m fine, Dad. Just a few cuts and bruises.” She stepped back. “Dad, this is Denton—”

“Mark Denton,” her father interrupted, a grin stretched across his face. He extended his hand and pumped it up and down. “Good to see you again.”

“Senator Philips.”

Elle looked back and forth between them. “You know each other?”

Her father placed his hand on Denton’s shoulder. “Denton has worked security detail for me in the past.”

Elle’s gaze fixated on Denton. She realized there was so much she didn’t know about the man. “Security detail?”

A hint of a smile curled Denton’s lips. “I’m a private security contractor.”

Elle nodded as the truth seemed to settle over her. “No wonder you handled yourself so well during the robbery.”

Her father turned to her and nodded slowly—what Elle called his “thoughtful politician nod.” The senator added, “He’s the best, of course, because I only hire the best.”

Denton rubbed his five o’clock shadow before resting his hands on his hips. “Your daughter called 9–1–1 when one of the robbers dropped his phone. The operator heard what was going on in the background and put a trace on the phone. The police were just two blocks away when dispatch called them. I think we’re lucky that only one life was lost today.”

“That’s my girl. She thinks quickly on her feet, just like I raised her. She didn’t graduate at the top of her class from Yale because of luck.” Her dad’s eyes shone with pride.

Elle had to tell her father the rest of the story. “But Dad—”

“I know. The robber threatened you. He seemed to put it together that you were the one who found his phone. The detective filled me in when he called me.”

The detective called him? Of course he had. Her father had connections all throughout the state—the country, for that matter. An incident involving a senator’s daughter wouldn’t be taken lightly. “I was the only one close by in the area where he’d been standing. He must have put it together.”

“I’m used to getting threats. I don’t like it when my little girl gets them, though.” Elle could see the concern in her father’s eyes. But just hearing him call her “little” in public tore at the image she’d tried to build of herself as a self-sufficient career woman.

“I’m not little anymore, Daddy.”

Her father grinned. “You’ll always be little to me, no matter how old you are.”

Denton shoved his hands down into his pockets. “The good news is that these robbers can’t be the brightest bulbs in the socket. One of them did leave his cell phone at the scene of the crime. That alone should merit an article in the ‘Stupid Criminal’ section of the news.”

Elle sucked in a deep breath at the mention of an article. How could she have forgotten?

“What is it?” Denton leaned toward her.

She licked her lips, her gaze meeting her father’s. “There’s an article about me running in tomorrow’s paper. It’s a feature piece about my life and my work with my dad.” She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. “If the robbers didn’t know who I was today, they’re going to find out soon.”

* * *

Denton had seen Elle’s face go from pale to even paler throughout the course of the day. But as she remembered the article, her face went stark white. The article would apparently put everything out there about her and, if the robbers saw it, they’d have all they needed to track her down.

“You can stay with us tonight.” His father hooked his arm around her neck. “I’m sure they’ll catch these guys soon. You just lay low until then.”

“Can you call the paper and see if they can pull it?” Denton asked.

“I can try, but it’s late. The paper has probably already gone to press.”

“How big of an article is it?”

Elle shrugged. “I’m not sure. Hopefully it will be buried on the last page, right? After all, I’m not that interesting. What could they possible say about me?”

Denton was sure a reporter could find a lot to say about the daughter of a prominent senator who was up for reelection. Elle didn’t seem like the naive type, though. Certainly she realized that, also.

She extended her hand. “Denton, I wish I could say it was a pleasure to meet you, but under the circumstances...”

He grasped her hand, surprised at her skin’s softness. “I understand.”

Her father ushered her away. As soon as she was gone, Denton missed her. The woman had intelligent eyes, a courageous spirit and drop-dead gorgeous looks—petite and trim with an olive complexion, long, dark hair with just a touch of curl, and warm brown eyes. It wasn’t that he was looking for a relationship. No, he wasn’t ready for another one of those yet. But the woman was a nice distraction from the rather grueling hours he’d spent staring evil in the face.

Right now, as she left, Denton had the urge to go with her, to be that extra set of eyes in case the robbers—killers, now—somehow tracked her down. But he didn’t know the woman well enough to simply tag along. Besides, her dad was a senator. He could afford protection if she needed it.

An officer was waiting to take him back to his SUV, still parked in the lot at the bank. He needed to drive back to the Iron, Inc. headquarters. The organization, also known as Eyes, was an elite paramilitary security firm. They only hired the best—former special operations officers, FBI and CIA agents and other heroes of law enforcement. Denton was holding down the fort, so to speak, while his boss, Jack Sergeant, was on his honeymoon.

Every time he thought of Jack’s marriage, his heart panged with both joy for his friend and sadness for himself. How long had it been now since Wendi passed away? Two years? Sometimes it felt like decades, and other moments it seemed like just yesterday.

They’d been married only for three years when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She died two years later. They’d enjoyed every moment they had, holding on to the hope that they’d grow old and gray together. That dream didn’t happen, though.

No one had caught his eye since Wendi. So why couldn’t he get Elle out of his mind? What was it about the woman that intrigued him so much? The last thing he wanted was a relationship. He still hadn’t gotten over the heartbreak of losing Wendi, and sometimes he doubted he ever would.

His mind drifted to that article that Elle had mentioned. What unfortunate timing.

Buried. Yes, he hoped that article would be buried among others, and that the robbers didn’t bother reading the newspaper. Hopefully they could simply move on from this tragedy today, and Elle would piece back together her life as it was before she watched someone she knew get fatally wounded in front of her.

He prayed today would be the end of this nightmare. So why did he have the feeling it wasn’t?

* * *

Elle hadn’t even made it down the steps and to the breakfast table when her dad stopped her and held up the newspaper. There on the front page was a picture of Elle, smiling with her feet propped up on her desk and her dad’s picture on the table behind her.

So much for the story getting buried.

“Lovely picture, darling.” Her father kissed her cheek, but his eyes still wore a scowl. “This is great publicity careerwise, but terrible publicity in light of what happened yesterday.”

“Did they misquote me again?”

“If they did, they only made you sound better, if that’s possible. In fact, they made you sound quite genius. I only wish the article hadn’t come out now. I’m really quite worried.”

She took the paper and began reading as she walked to the kitchen for her first cup of coffee. The article profiled her work for her father as campaign manager, calling her the “brains” behind his reelection campaign. It highlighted her educational accomplishments, as well as her reign as Miss Virginia. Each of the carefully plotted-out details of her life, all which had run a smooth course thus far.

Too bad she was becoming more and more restless with each passing day. She wanted more than anything to help with her father’s reelection campaign, but a career in politics was something she was ready to put behind her.

Elle folded the paper as her mother—who already looked picture-perfect with her dark, chin-length hair carefully styled, her makeup applied and her business-casual outfit crisp—hurried into the room with a touch-pad computer in hand.

She squeezed Elle’s shoulder before sitting across from her. “Morning, darling.”

“Morning, Mother.”

She placed the computer on the table and an electronic version of Elle’s article stared up at them. “Nice article, dear. I’ve already gotten several emails about it. Bob Allen, eat your heart out if you think you’re going to win this election.”

“Bob Allen is behind in the polls by eight percent. There’s no way he’ll beat us.”

Her mother winked at her. “That’s the spirit.” She leaned toward her and squinted. “That’s a nasty bump on your cheek. You tried any concealer?”

“Not yet.”

“Be sure before your father’s debate tonight, okay?”

The debate tonight. Elle had almost forgotten. Images of Julie at the bank yesterday had squeezed out any other thoughts. How could life go on after a tragedy like that? How could her family talk as if nothing had happened?

She already knew the answer to that. If it didn’t involve politics, it didn’t involve her family.

Though her parents loved her, Elle was certain that their first thought after what happened yesterday, right after her safety, was “How can we spin this to our advantage?” Such was the nature of politics.

Elle finished breakfast and retreated to the sunroom. Work was the best distraction for her at the moment. She pulled up the email on her laptop, leaned back into the cushy wicker chair and took a sip of coffee.

Before she could get too involved with her work, her mind drifted to Denton. She’d enjoyed chatting with him every week at the bank. It was too bad that those memories would forever be scarred. But maybe it was better that way. Denton seemed like just the kind of man she could fall for—only he was the type that she shouldn’t fall for. The type who’d only break her heart. She knew the personality of someone with his job description—they always lived for the next adventure, always looked forward to taking the next risk. She’d learned the hard way that men like that weren’t the type to commit.

She sighed and began sorting through her messages, shooting off quick responses to several inquiries. Staying busy would be the best way to help her forget about what had happened yesterday.

The last message on her screen caught her eye. Spam, she assumed. That or someone from another country claiming they needed her help receiving a million-dollar inheritance.

She clicked on the message, ready to hit Delete when the words on the screen stopped her.

What do you think about dying a slow, painful death? Get used to the idea because it’s your fate. The fun is only beginning, Elle Philips. Prepare yourself for the adventure ahead.

She screamed and dropped her coffee.

* * *

Denton stepped into Senator Philip’s elaborate, stately study and saw Elle in the distance, dressed in a black business suit, clipboard in hand and talking animatedly to a group surrounding her. She didn’t hear him enter the room, so he took a moment to observe.

She had a slender figure. Tiny chin, big eyes, flawless skin and silky brown hair that fell below her shoulders. Not that he’d noticed.

He’d always known she was beautiful—anyone could see that. But it was the genuine kindness in her eyes that set her apart from all the other pretty women out there. Some females in her position would be snotty or unapproachable. But Elle was grounded, and she had a smile that would set anyone at ease.

He cleared his throat. Her head swung toward him, and her eyes widened in surprise.

“Denton?” She excused herself and walked toward him. The knot on her face had been nicely concealed, and Denton could hardly tell anything had happened to her yesterday. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m escorting you to the debate.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Escorting me to the debate?”

“That’s right. In light of the recent threats against you, your father has hired me as your bodyguard. He didn’t mention it?”

Her eyes narrowed further. “No, he did not. I’d say I don’t need a bodyguard, but I think we’d both know I was lying if I did.”

Good, she knew the reality of the situation. That made his job somewhat easier than working with someone in denial of the danger they faced. He had to admit that he’d been relieved when Senator Philips had called him this morning. Really, Denton should have assigned one of his men to this job so he could oversee operations at Eyes. But Denton knew he couldn’t trust this one to anyone else. Besides, Senator Philips had requested him personally.

The senator strode into the room. “Denton! Thanks for coming out at such short notice. I begged Elle to take a long vacation somewhere until all this passed, but she refused.”

“There’s a chance she wouldn’t be safe on vacation, either, Senator. We still need to figure out who we’re dealing with here, but my gut feeling is that these guys aren’t going to let anything stop them.”

Elle shivered, her cool confidence leaving her gaze a moment, replaced with fear. As quickly as it disappeared, her facade returned.

“I’m sorry to be so brutally honest, Elle, but you need to know who you’re dealing with here. My team of profilers has been—”

Elle placed a hand on her hip, eyes wide in disbelief. “Your team of profilers? Who are you guys, the FBI?”

Denton smirked. “We’re like the FBI, only better.”

Elle raised an eyebrow. “A little cocky, aren’t you?”

He shrugged. “I’m just telling the truth. We only hire the best.”

“And why would people want to work for you over an official government agency?”

“We pay better, for starters.”

Her father stepped forward. “He’s telling the truth. They’re the best. Former FBI, CIA, Secret Service, military special operations, you name it.”

“Excuse me for speaking about you as if you’re not here for a moment, but, Dad, you said yesterday that Denton has worked for you before. When was that? Why don’t I remember?”

“You were down taking care of your grandmother for that month before she passed. Almost two years ago. Remember we had that lobbyist making threats against me after one of my votes in the senate? I hired Denton then.”

Elle nodded slowly. “I see.”

Her father looked at his watch. “I must be going now. Denton will be driving you there.” He leaned forward to kiss his daughter on the cheek. “Be safe, now.”

As soon as he exited the room, Elle’s gaze fell on Denton. “Let me just gather my things.” She paused. “I really want to say that all of this is unnecessary. But it’s not, is it?”

Denton shook his head. “That man hardly flinched when he killed Julie yesterday. If he and his partner are after money and they now realize you’re a senator’s daughter, then my guess is that they’re seeing an opportunity they don’t want to pass up.”

Fear stained her eyes. “An opportunity?”

He nodded, knowing his words would feel like a slap in the face to Elle. “An opportunity they’d kill for.”

THREE

Denton saw Elle shiver as his words settled on her. He’d found that being direct was always the best tactic, especially in life-or-death situations. But he hated to see a woman frightened. He especially hated to see Elle frightened.

Elle seemed to brush off her chills as she grabbed a briefcase and leather jacket. “No need to dwell on that too long right now.” She nodded toward the front door. “Let’s go.”

Denton placed a hand on her back as they walked outside into the early autumn day. “I’m driving.”

“Bodyguard and chauffeur? So much for trying to live like a normal person.”

“I aim to please.”

The whiff of her flowery perfume drifted to him on the October breeze. He recognized the scent from their talks at the bank. It was just one thing he enjoyed about running into her each week. That, her smile and her subdued wit.

He directed her to his black SUV, opened the door and waited as she climbed inside before jogging around to the driver’s side. They were the last of the entourage to leave. As he started down the driveway, Elle waved at a guard stationed by a gate at the front of their house.

“Pull over a minute.”

Denton did as directed. She rolled down her window and smiled at the guard, a man probably in his early fifties with an almost completely bald head. “Happy birthday, Jimmy.”

“You remembered. You’re one in a million, Ms. Philips.” The guard grinned, obviously pleased at the attention. His grin faded, though. “Your father told me about everything that happened. You be careful, now.”

“Don’t worry. My father put the best on the job.” She nodded toward Denton.

Jimmy glanced at him, and Denton raised his chin, glad his sunglasses concealed his examination of the man. He appeared affable enough and truly seemed to adore Elle, in an almost fatherly way. Right now, though, Denton had to be suspicious of everyone.

“Take care of her, sir. The world would be a sad place without her.”

“I plan on doing just that.”

They pulled away, traveling down a lone country road that led away from the senator’s estate. Elle stared pensively out the window as they rolled along. “You know where you’re going?”

“The Virginia Beach Convention Center. The last of the debates between your father and his political challenger. About five thousand people are expected to come for the event, which will be televised on two of the three major networks and broadcasted to viewers in Virginia.”

The perfect opportunity if someone wanted to show themselves and make a statement, Denton thought. His only security detail was protecting Elle, he reminded himself. There were other law enforcement officers there in charge of providing security for the event itself. The fact that Senator Philips would be there meant amped-up security in general.

Senator Philips seemed nice enough, in a politician sort of way. He was warm, the kind of man you might want to kick back with for hot dogs and a baseball game. He was obviously affectionate toward his daughter. But Denton had always believed that charm could be deceptive and, for that reason, Denton remained cautious around the man. That charm had gotten Senator Philips elected, but it was his ability to manipulate situations that had kept him in office.

“It sounds like you’ve done your homework.”

“Don’t expect—or accept—anything less.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t.” Her grin softened her words a bit.

Denton glanced over at Elle. “So you’re the campaign manager for your father.”

“I am. You didn’t know that when you befriended me at the bank?”

“I just thought you were intriguing. I never expected to be your bodyguard or realized that I’d worked with your father in the past. He kept his family private. I was surprised he even approved of someone doing an article about you.” Some aspects of the senator’s family life were public—and purposely so. But many details were still kept as limited as possible, especially where Elle was concerned.

“The article was my idea. My father has had some rumors floating around about him recently, rumors that make him seem less than likable. I wanted to bring some positive PR to his campaign and make him seem more like a family man.”

“You mean instead of a womanizer?”

She blanched. “Yes. I thought if people could see the part of my father that I saw, maybe he could gain an even bigger lead in the polls. My father was actually against it, truth be known.”

“It was a nice article.” It confirmed most of what he’d already assumed about her. She was smart, talented, beautiful and accomplished. “You’re a former Miss Virginia, huh? Can you do the beauty pageant wave for me?”

She smiled and humored him with a little wave. He liked seeing the goofy side of her instead of the always poised woman that she liked to present herself as.

He chuckled. “That factoid did surprise me. I didn’t see you as the beauty pageant type.”

“I’m not. My parents encouraged me to do it. They said it would look nice on my résumé and give me good experience. And I agree. It accomplished those things.”

He glanced in his rearview mirror, checking to see if anyone was tailing them. Nothing suspicious caught his eye, but he still needed to remain on guard. Always watching, observing, calculating what-ifs.

“Is everything okay?” Elle’s facade cracked a moment as her worry showed through.

“Everything’s fine. I just have to keep my eyes open.”

“It could have been an idle threat.”

“Could be.”

“But it might not be.”

“Exactly.”

She sighed, her shoulders slacking ever so slightly. “Don’t people have better things to do than to scare or harm others? It makes no sense to me.”

“Don’t try to understand evil. It’s useless.”

“You’re right. I guess I shouldn’t even try. It’s just—why would someone steal money instead of simply working for it? Don’t people have enough to worry about in their own lives rather than making other people miserable?”

“I’d venture to say that most criminals aren’t psychopaths. These men most likely have a motive behind what they’re doing, a reason they’re using to justify their actions. It could be the money—maybe they feel entitled, think that they deserve more than they have—or they could be trying to make a statement of some sort.”

“Make a statement, huh? What kind of statement would they be trying to make with threatening me?”

“That’s what we’re trying to figure out.”

“You mentioned your team of profilers earlier, but I cut you off. What did your team conclude?”

“One of the subjects is the dominant personality and the other is submissive. The dominant’s emotions were tightly under control, while the submissive was taken by surprise by the murder. But even though the second subject seemed in the dark, we believe the crime was well thought-out, the murder perhaps even preplanned.”

“Impressive. And chilling.”

“The police are working the case right now. They’re looking at video feeds from everywhere around the area.”

“Did the K-9 unit turn up anything?”

“No, they lost the scent at about a block away. The suspects probably jumped into a getaway car.”

“Does that mean there are three? A driver also?”

“There’s always that chance.”