Protected Secrets Page 7

  She drove the golf cart up the ramp, past the several other levels of the parking garage, until they reached the top floor.

  “Is this where we’ll be staying? Or do we have a hang glider waiting to take us to a different building?”

  Delaney fought a laugh as she unlocked the main door. “You jest, but it sounds like a good idea to me.” They walked down the empty, carpeted hallway until they reached 7A. She stuck the key into the lock. “Tomorrow will hopefully be the beginning of the end.” She replayed the words that came out of her mouth and realized they could be interpreted the wrong way. The clock would strike midnight in less than five minutes, and apparently her brain was in the process of turning into a pumpkin. “I mean—”

  A tired smile crossed his lips. “I know what you meant, Delaney. For better or worse, I think you’re right.”

  * * *

  “Either way, it’s time for some sleep,” Bruce added.

  “No sleep.” Winnie’s head popped off his shoulder, her eyes wide. Great. It was if she’d had another three-hour nap. Her schedule was so messed up.

  Bruce’s own eyes were beginning to burn from lack of sleep. “Almost-three-year-olds aren’t meant to go on the run.”

  “Is that what she needs to do? Run off the energy and try again?”

  Winnie wiggled in his arms, but he held on and didn’t let her down. “Toddlers, despite being so lightweight, somehow sound like an elephant stampede when they run. Aren’t there people living below this floor?”

  The door at the opposite end of the hallway opened. Before he could blink, Delaney’s gun was at her side, pointed at the carpet, and the keys were left dangling from the lock. A man who easily had five inches on Bruce stepped in the light, wearing jeans and a T-shirt with an olive green backpack slung over his shoulder. He raised his left hand.

  Delaney mirrored the greeting and reholstered the gun. “That’s Officer McCollins. He’s actually the reason we were able to get the entire top floor. He knows the owner.” The man made no move to approach them. He slid a key into the door at the opposite end of the hall and entered with another wave. “I don’t envy him. Not only did he hike from his house to make sure no one followed, but that unit is unfurnished.”

  “Doesn’t anyone live on this floor?”

  She returned to the door and opened it. “The entire level is considered the penthouse because it’s the only floor that has access to the roof, so all the units here are substantially more pricey. It’s all ours.” Her back straightened. “Actually, the roof would be the perfect place for Winnie to run off some energy before you try to get her to sleep again.”

  She threw the duffel bags on the suede couch inside the open living area. “There are three bedrooms here, so when we get back we can each have one. We’ll have another officer hike in shortly to take the sofa bed.” She grabbed her walkie-talkie and alerted McCollins where they were going. “Follow me. It’s the highest building in the area so we should be safe from any eyes.”

  Despite the exhaustion, he followed her upstairs to a door at the top that required a key. “I’m not so sure I want her to run on the roof. That sounds dangerous.”

  “Just wait and see.” Delaney opened the final door and flicked a light switch. A four-foot wall wrapped around the roof. Strings of lights attached on the borders cast dim but adequate light onto the flat structure. Camp chairs leaned up against the side wall next to the door. As far as Bruce could tell, there was no way Winnie could climb the wall. He set Winnie down. “Okay. You can run around.”

  “Look at the Christmas lights, Daddy.”

  “They’re pretty, but they’re not for Christmas. It’s still summer.”

  Winnie ran with her arms out and squealed in delight before she spun around. Bruce laughed. “I’m not sure an entire floor in between us and sleeping tenants will be enough.”

  “I’m sure enough for both of us.” Delaney crossed her arms, looking pleased. “I went to a party once here. I don’t remember why, but they shot off fireworks from the game.” Bruce looked over and spotted Jack Trice Stadium, partly lit up by the parking lot lights surrounding it.

  “You had a great view from here.”

  She smiled as if seeing the game all over again. “We did.”

  “I haven’t been to a game in ages.”

  “Too busy?”

  “It seems selfish to leave Winnie with a babysitter after a week in day care to go cheer for some guys fighting over a ball.” The words didn’t ring true. He used to love watching the Cyclones, but he didn’t even allow himself that indulgence at home these days, even though Winnie’s nap often overlapped a game during fall weekends. So focused on doing everything right, even more so since his marriage to Shannon and partnership with Trevor had gone so wrong, he wasn’t even sure he’d enjoy it anymore.

  “Well, I wouldn’t know about that.” Her chin jutted out as she stressed each word. Either she didn’t want to be a parent or the sudden change in demeanor had something to do with the past.

  “If you don’t mind me asking, why did you move away from here?” he asked.

  Her eyebrows jumped. “The short answer is that I decided to join the Marshals.”

  Winnie hopped from one rubber square to the next. “Seems we have time for the long answer.”

  Delaney glanced at him, her eyebrows raised, as if shocked he’d dared to ask.

  He laughed. “I believe you said it’s only natural for a witness to want to know more about their assigned protector. It’s true I’m at a disadvantage. You know a lot about me.”

  She broke into a sheepish smile. “I set myself up for that one, didn’t I?” She shook her head. “Well, it’s not the happiest story. I actually lost someone.”

  He’d suspected as much ever since that ride in the back seat of the police cruiser. And somehow, late at night, with the stars as a backdrop, it seemed the right time to ask. “From the force?”

  “Yes. There was an accident, and he died instantly. He was actually best friends with Officer McCollins.” She turned and faced away from him. “That’s how I knew about this place.”

  “I’m so sorry.” His voice was almost a whisper. Winnie seemed to be affected by the quiet of the night as she collected leaves that the wind had deposited. “Was he your—”

  “We were engaged. Well, unofficially. Looking back, I don’t know if he was dragging his feet because he was scared or just felt obligate—” Her shoulders pulled back. “Don’t want to bore you with details. I took a leave of absence and decided the Marshals was the place for me.”

  Something stirred inside his chest. Her words didn’t give him many specifics, but he saw in her the same expression he had worn after Shannon left. Had Delaney been left with the same question of whether she’d ever been loved? Her words seemed to hint at the question. “Do you mind me asking why the Marshals? You could’ve transferred to another police department, right?”

  “I needed a new challenge, something I could give my all. I felt, personally, more freedom to make a difference in the Marshals. Turns out, I’m good at tracking fugitives. I didn’t need to worry about collecting evidence or investigating crimes, I just needed to find the escapees and bring them in.”

  “Is that what you’d rather be doing now?”

  She spun around to face him. “I’m good at protecting witnesses, too, Bruce. It’s just not as easy of an assignment. Hear me when I say that we haven’t lost a single witness who complied with WITSEC.”

  “Except you said this wasn’t WITSEC.”

  She winced. “You’re right, I did. But the point is you’re safe.”

  “You’re trying to prepare me for a move to WITSEC, aren’t you?”

  “I always prefer to plan for contingencies, the worst-case scenarios, just in case.” Her kind eyes met his. “I assume other people would prefer that, as well.”

 
; He breathed in slowly. If it came down to the point where he’d need to enter WITSEC, he didn’t know if he’d be able to go through with testifying. Saying goodbye to his business, raising Winnie with a different name, on less money, still alone with no one to trust... He couldn’t do it.

  “Bruce.”

  She said his name tentatively, as if easing him into bad news. He knew that tone and tensed, prepared for the worst. “Yes?”

  “I really do think we have a solid, safe plan lined up for the morning. This time it’ll be different, but...”

  “I’m not changing my mind about Winnie, if that’s what you’re asking. I won’t testify unless she goes where I go. I’m not leaving her with anyone I don’t trust explicitly, no offense to the other marshals. I want the best protecting her and since you’re leading my detail, I assume you’re the best. If you can protect me, you can protect Winnie because they’ll have to kill me to get to her.”

  Delaney kicked at a loose piece of gravel. “Understood.”

  The sounds of cicadas in the distance calmed his thoughts.

  “You mentioned that you go to church weekly,” she said. “I hope I’m not out of line to say I hope you’re praying right now.” She looked up and the moonlight lit up her eyes. “I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. I’m confident we will keep you and your daughter safe, but I’m also a believer and wondered if knowing that would help you feel better, since where two or more are gathered—”

  “Absolutely.” He reached down and held her hand. She flinched at first, before her fingers wrapped around his knuckles. The softness of her touch flustered his thoughts for a moment. “Let’s pray.” He bent his head down and whispered a short plea for safety and peace, and the most pressing need at the moment, sleep.

  While Delaney said nothing, she gave his hand a squeeze, which he’d learned in the past year was the unofficial sign of agreement at the end of a prayer. He let go, though he’d be lying to himself if he didn’t admit he hesitated. Their fingers slid slowly apart. Was she hesitating, too? And, for that matter, was she lying to herself and to him about how safe tomorrow’s travel plan would be?

  She blew out a breath and swatted at a flying nuisance that he could only assume was a mosquito. “I’d hoped we were high enough to avoid being bit.”

  “I’ve heard they can still thrive in high-rise buildings. And on that note, I think it’s time to call it a night.” The last thing he needed was a hyper toddler who had itchy bites. “Winnie.”

  His little girl ignored him. “Winona Olivia Walker, come here now.”

  Winnie froze, her eyes comically wide. Bruce rarely ever used her full name because he never wanted her to get so used to it that she lost that priceless reaction when he did.

  “It’s time to go,” he said in a softer voice.

  She sauntered, arms swinging wide, in a slow walk. He met her halfway and scooped her into his arms.

  “I’m tired.” She rubbed her eyes for emphasis.

  Never had there been sweeter words. “Let’s go to sleep, then.” He followed Delaney back down the stairs, forcing himself to believe the worst of the danger would be over after tomorrow, despite every fiber of his being screaming otherwise.

  SEVEN

  Despite the exhaustion, the comfortable bed and an additional officer posted in the living room during the night shift, Delaney had maybe slept all of half an hour before her door creaked open. She flung her covers back as she sat upright.

  Winnie stood in the hallway, her hand on the doorknob. “Lights out.” She ran into the room and jumped onto Delaney’s bed. The comfort Winnie exhibited in being close to Delaney ripped off another protective layer of her heart.

  “My lights are out.” Delaney pointed to the lamp on the nightstand.

  Winnie pointed to the curtains where a weak stream of sunlight leaked in. Ah, so she meant that it was light outside. “Does your daddy know you’re in here?”

  “Daddy’s sleeping.” She pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows as if Delaney should be scandalized by the information.

  “Okay.” The clock read six in the morning, and while she’d hoped to sleep until seven, some extra time to get her thoughts gathered on such a big day wouldn’t be a bad thing. Despite her confidence in the travel plan, she hated not knowing exactly how the gunmen had found them the past two times.

  Bruce had said he wanted the best deputy to protect them. Please help me be the best. It was the first time she’d ever prayed such a thing without a competitive spirit.

  The little girl kept smiling at her. Winnie gave her hope. Hope that her own adopted girl was happy and smiling somewhere out there. Delaney blinked back the moisture collecting in her eyes. “If you wait here for a minute while I get ready, we’ll get you some breakfast. I’ll try to be super fast.”

  Delaney stepped inside the attached bathroom to wash her face, brush her teeth and change into the postal uniform she’d be wearing for the day. Thankfully, she’d showered the night before, but her hair was its usual wavy, unmanageable mess. She slipped on a nondescript blue hoodie over the uniform as the air-conditioning kicked on. A small knock at her door meant time was up.

  Delaney opened it and Winnie stepped inside with a shrug of her shoulders. “Whatcha doin’?”

  A wave of fondness almost knocked Delaney over. She battled the same thought that had kept her tossing and turning all night. Olivia was Winnie’s middle name. Delaney had almost demanded to know why Bruce had made her middle name Olivia. Logically, it had to be a coincidence. It was one of the more popular girl’s names, but Olivia had also been the name Delaney had chosen for her baby. In a burst of emotion at the hospital, she’d asked Harvey Jeppsen if he could suggest it to the adopting parents.

  Winnie reached over and grabbed Delaney’s brush off the countertop. “I’ll do your hair.”

  “That’s okay.” Delaney reached out to take it back, but Winnie hid it behind her back and gave her a look Delaney felt certain meant screaming if Delaney didn’t comply. “Okay, then. I guess you can do my hair.”

  Delaney pointed to the hallway and led Winnie to the living room, where she excused the officer who looked ready to fall asleep. He waved goodbye and Winnie took his place on the couch as Delaney started a fresh pot of coffee. “What do you like for breakfast?”

  “I like cheesy eggs.”

  Delaney had thought for sure the answer would be doughnuts or waffles, but eggs seemed surprisingly sensible. She picked up her radio and asked Officer McCollins to arrange for a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit delivery.

  With nothing else to do, Delaney sat down. Winnie scooted next to her and proceeded to brush her hair, if it could be called that. Winnie shoved the brush into her hair and pulled down forcefully. Delaney cried out before she could stop herself.

  Bruce burst into the hallway. He stilled and took in the scene of them on the couch. Delaney’s cheeks burned. “She wanted to brush my hair,” she explained.

  Winnie left the hairbrush dangling in Delaney’s locks but leaned over so that their faces were almost touching. She held up her own hair next to Delaney’s. They blended perfectly. It was almost enough to make Delaney cry out again.

  Bruce laughed, shaking his head. “She’s a force to be reckoned with in the morning before she’s had her breakfast. Winnie, you were supposed to wake Daddy up first.”

  A knock at the door prompted Delaney to leap to her feet. She checked to see who it was before working the tangled hairbrush out of her hair. Officer McCollins held a fast-food bag full of breakfast. She accepted and handed it to an eager Bruce and Winnie, who both devoured their meals without complaint.

  “Do children her age normally talk so much?”

  “No.” The emphasis on the word was so strong it was all she could do not to laugh.

  “She’s precocious.” He grinned at Winnie. “Started talking in
full sentences at eighteen months.”

  What Delaney really wanted to do was ask him all sorts of details about Winnie’s adoption, just to put her mind at ease. She’d been able to put every other fleeting suspicion to rest, but the Olivia thing still rattled her thinking. What if Winnie didn’t know she was adopted? Delaney would need to wait until she had a minute alone with Bruce to ask. “Hold on.” The realization hit her all at once and she couldn’t help but burst out, “Winnie Olivia Walker. Her initials are WOW?”

  He chuckled. “Yes. On purpose.”

  She frowned. While the information she had on him was minimal, she knew his middle name was Otis. “And your initials are...”

  “BOW. Yes. Together, we are BOWWOW.” His grin took her breath away. “That part wasn’t intentional.”

  She gulped down coffee and took a few bites of her sandwich. It was time to get her head in the game. “About Winnie...”

  “I consider myself flexible, but my daughter isn’t up for discussion. She stays with me.”

  “I was going to say I don’t have an outfit for her.” She pulled out a postal uniform and handed it to him. “Only one for you. But consider yourself warned. It’s not going to be the most comfortable ride for either of you.”

  He grumbled but shuffled off to his room. A few minutes later he stepped out in the postal outfit. The blue shirt and the navy shorts didn’t look terrible on him, but the white socks pulled up to his shins along with the black shoes had a certain comical quality. She clamped her jaw shut to keep from laughing.

  “It looks like a dad outfit,” he said.

  “Well, you are one.” Delaney tried to be discreet as she slipped two guns into the postal mailbag before she slung the bag diagonally across her torso. “It’s time to go.”