The Perfect Victim

"If Bernstein had additional documents in his office, we'll need to get copies." Randall stretched, revealing his shoulder holster and pistol.

 

It was as if the gun was an extension of the man, Addison thought. Hard. Dangerous. Studying him, she realized she wasn't quite sure if she was relieved or dismayed that he'd decided to stick around. True, she needed his help. But on the other hand, she didn't like him telling her what to do. She didn't want him stepping into her life and telling her how to run it.

 

She'd called Gretchen and relayed the news of Jim Bernstein's death. Her efforts not to alarm her friend were in vain. Had it not been for Gretchen's baby-waiting assignment, combined with the fact that her son-in-law was out of town, she would have rushed over like a retired guard dog thrust back into the line of duty. The thought made Addison smile.

 

"How long will it be before Jack can tell us something?" she asked, shoving her plate aside.

 

Randall smiled, as if the thought of his brother tapping away on the keyboard amused him. "Computer crimes take time." A dimple appeared on his right cheek when his smile deepened. "He'll be at it all night."

 

Refusing to let herself be charmed, she rose and collected their plates. Now wasn't the time to start noticing dimples, for God's sake. It was bad enough that she was starting to like his smile.

 

He followed her to the kitchen, pausing at the door. "Addison."

 

She looked up from the sink. He was leaning against the doorjamb with his arms crossed at his chest, watching her.

 

Finishing the plate, she faced him, thankful she had the towel to keep her hands busy. What was it about Randall Talbot that had her acting like a nervous cat?

 

"You mentioned earlier that your parents were killed in a car accident," he said.

 

Apprehension danced in her chest. "That's right. It happened about ten months ago."

 

"Did your father or mother know who your biological parents were?"

 

The implication sliced her like a blade. The thought that followed was unfathomable. She leaned against the counter. "You don't think ..."

 

He approached her, placing his hands gently on her upper arms. "We need to talk about that. I need to ask you some questions."

 

"About the accident?"

 

He nodded. "How much do you know?"

 

''Enough.'' The old pain transformed into something much more terrible. Vaguely, she was aware of the heat of his fingers coming through her sweater. So strong and reassuring. How easy it would be to step forward and fall into his embrace....

 

"How did it happen?" he asked.

 

She stared at him, realizing with some discomfort that his dark eyes had seen things she couldn't imagine even in her nightmares. She studied his face, hating it that he was so shuttered, that she couldn't even begin to read him. She allowed him to guide her into the living room, needing that instant of contact before she uttered the words that curdled like old milk in her stomach. "Their car slid out of control on an icy patch in the road and went down a ravine. They were killed instantly."

 

"Had you been looking for your birth parents prior to the accident?"

 

"Not seriously. I dabbled mostly. I was always afraid I would hurt them ...." Her chest ached with the thought. "I never wanted them to think it mattered."

 

He looked uncomfortable for a moment. "I need to look into the accident."

 

"You don't think it was an accident, do you?" She sank onto the sofa.

 

''That's what I need to find out."

 

In all the months since their deaths, Addison had never considered any other scenario. She refused to believe her parents had been murdered. Not until it was proven to her. The consequences were much too painful.

 

Taking the loveseat opposite her, he gave her a sage look.

 

"I'll drive up tomorrow."

 

"I'll go with you."

 

"You'll only slow me down," he said. "Besides, Jack could use some help with the computer. He'll need social security numbers. Birth dates."

 

Anger snapped through her like a whip. "Don't you dare try to shut me out of this."

 

"You'll be safer with Jack."

 

"This is important to me. I need to do this."

 

"You need to stay alive."

 

"You work for me. This is my call. My decision. Dammit, I go with you." She hadn't meant for the words to come out so angrily. But she refused to be shut out of something so important, even for the sake of her own safety.

 

"We had an agreement," he said. "You agreed to abide by my terms."

 

"I agreed before you told me what you knew. That wasn't fair. I won't abide by that.”

 

"I'm not taking you with me."

 

"My parents were killed in that ravine, not yours. I'll be damned if I'll let you go up there without me. I deserve to know what happened."

 

Rising abruptly, Randall started for the door.

 

Addison watched him, apprehension pumping through her. "Where are you going?" she asked, appalled by the alarm in her voice.

 

At the kitchen door, he turned to her, hitting her with the full force of his stare. "I'm going to call Jack and ask him to find out what he can about the accident." His lips curled into a dark smile. "You didn't think I was leaving, did you?"

 

Linda Castillo's books