“I believe you,” she said softly. “What happened?”
“I went into the warehouse. I was careful, because I knew someone would be there. One of the Barillo family. I didn’t see anyone, but he came up behind me. I felt...pain. Then...then I knew nothing, until I was looking at Maria’s body... I was dead, I knew I was dead, and Maria was gone, as well. People said I did it. I hear what goes on. I know someone said he saw me there, but...”
His voice trailed off just as Lara started to speak, and then he was gone. He was there—and then he wasn’t.
She felt a presence behind her and turned quickly, thinking that Miguel had returned.
But it wasn’t him. In the dying sunlight she saw the dark form of Agent Brett Cody, tall and broad shouldered and just standing back, waiting. She wondered if he had seen her talking to someone who wasn’t there.
And if he thought the kidnapping that had nearly cost her her life had in fact cost her her sanity instead.
He walked slowly down to the platform and reached down to help her up. When she met his eyes she was surprised to see him looking at her with a strange understanding. His hand on hers felt strong, and as the gaze continued, she suddenly felt as if she knew him far better than she should.
And that he knew her just as deeply.
She didn’t realize that she was still holding his hand until Meg hurried over to join them. “Lara? Are you all right?”
She really didn’t begin to understand how Brett Cody’s nearness seemed to give her strength, but somehow it did.
“I’m fine,” she said.
“I saw him. Miguel. I saw him here with you,” Meg said.
She knew that they were waiting for what she had to say, hoping he had said something that could help them solve the mystery.
She realized that Matt must have just arrived, because he was standing just behind Meg, and she saw Rick and Adrianna in the distance, walking toward them in the growing dusk.
“Did he say anything useful?” Brett asked.
“He said that he didn’t know from the time someone hit him from behind in the warehouse until he was in his house. He knew he was dead, and he knew that Maria was dead, too. He said he knows people think he did it.”
“Hey!” Rick called to them.
“Hey,” Lara echoed as he and Adrianna joined the group. “I’m going to head out with these guys. I just need to run up and get my things. Will you lock up when we leave?”
Adrianna smiled. “Of course. You were saying good-night to Cocoa, huh? If you have some time tomorrow afternoon, you can do a training session with her and me if you want to.”
“That would be great,” Lara said.
Rick turned to Brett. “Have you found out anything yet about what’s going on?”
“We’re working on it,” Brett assured him.
“You guys aren’t worried about being out here alone, are you?” Lara asked Adrianna.
“No, honestly, we’re not. Once you’re gone, we’ll set the alarms. You don’t think we should be worried, do you?” Adrianna asked.
“No, no, of course not,” Lara said. “Right?” she asked, looking at the others.
“I don’t believe that this facility or anyone here is in any danger,” Brett said. “But if you’re at all worried—”
“Lock and load. I have a licensed Colt,” Rick said. “We’re good. I have the cops on speed dial, not to mention our alarm buttons, which are everywhere, just in case we need them. We don’t have security personnel here, but our alarm system calls the police with the push of a button, and they can be here within minutes.”
“Okay, then,” Lara said. “I’ll be right back.”
Meg followed her back to her office. “You really okay?” she asked.
“Fine, honestly.”
“You seem anxious to leave.”
“I just talked to a ghost. That’s not a normal day at the beach for me.”
“Okay. You look rattled. I’ll drive your car. Matt has our rental and Brett has his own car, so they can follow us.”
“I’m good to drive, and I know where I’m going,” Lara assured her. “But I’ll be happy to take you with me.”
Meg studied her. “I guess you are all right. Let’s go, then.”
Lara was all right, and she proved it. She drove smoothly and competently to her house; the traffic had died down, so it only took a few minutes. Matt was right behind her, and when they’d parked and were approaching her duplex she said apologetically, “I haven’t really been here long enough to do much with the place, so...”
“I’ve been in my house for years and I haven’t done much with it, either,” Brett said. “And don’t worry, we’re not expecting you to cook for us. We’ll order some dinner—or am I the only one who’s starving?”
“Dinner sounds great,” Matt said.