Page 35 of Lethal Game

And her parents didn't, either. They had friends over for barbecues. They went to events at the school where her dad taught or at the library where her mother worked. And they were both book people. They loved to read, especially on Sundays, when she'd often find them on the couch, each curled up with a book.

That image in her head was followed by other images just as happy and so ordinary: her dad making pancakes on Sundays because that was his day to cook and eat a big breakfast; her mom planting flowers in the garden she loved; her father taking care of his mountain bike, the one he'd ride on the weekends, getting in his miles on Saturdays when he didn't have to work.

He'd always come back tired and sweaty but looking happy. And the first thing he did when he came in the house was to kiss his wife. Then he'd look for her to ask what she was doing, if she had any problems, if anyone was bothering her. He'd always been very interested in her life. He'd wanted to know all the details. Even when she'd grown up and moved out and started working at the hospital, he always checked in at least two to three times a week to catch up, sometimes more.

That wasn't the kind of man who would get involved with a terrorist. There was not a hint of violence in his personality. He was quiet and kind.

But the man she'd known would be here now, and he wasn't.

She was jolted back to reality by the vibration of her phone in her lap. She glanced at the screen, expecting spam since she didn't recognize the unfamiliar number. But as she read the message, her heart pounded in her chest.

The text was from her dad.

I'm sorry, Alisa. I know you must have questions, that you probablythink I've abandoned you and your mother, but I'm doing what I have to do to keep you both safe. I can't explain. I wish I could, but I need you to trust me, and I need you to help me out. I think your mother is being poisoned. Ask the doctor to check her blood and get her protection.

As for you, don't go back to your apartment. In fact, it would be better if you left town. I know you won't want to leave your mother, but you'll both be safer if you're apart.

Lastly, please don't tell anyone you've heard from me. Your life and your mother's life might depend on that. I promise to tell you everything as soon as I can. But please know that I love you. Whatever happens, know that.

Anger flared inside her as she read his words.Whatever happens?Too much had already happened. And how exactly was he keeping them safe from afar? They both could have been dead by now. Whatever he was doing to protect them wasn’t worth much.

At least she knew he was alive. He still cared. He hadn't just dropped off the face of the earth. But she didn't know where he was or why he'd left. Clearly, he'd guessed her mother was being poisoned, but what would have made him think that? And if he believed that, why wasn't he here? Why hadn't he called the doctor and told him what he thought?

She also didn't understand his demand for her silence. He had no right to demand anything, to ask for her trust. He wasn't here. She was in charge of keeping her mother and herself safe.

As the door opened, she jumped, instinctively clicking off her phone as she got to her feet.

Jason gave her a questioning look as he entered the room. "How's it going?"

"Same," she muttered, walking over to him so as not to disturb her mother. "Her lab results showed slight improvement, which is good. She was up for a little while, but she didn't want to talk to me about anything. She said her head was too foggy, and she couldn't make sense. Then she fell asleep. She'll probably be out until morning."

"Then why don't I get you out of here?"

"I don't really want to go somewhere and be alone. I'd probably feel safer staying here."

He gazed back at her with reassuring blue eyes. "You won't be alone, Alisa. I'll stay with you."

She swallowed hard at that piece of information. She felt safe with him, but she also felt other emotions that were probably a little dangerous. And judging by the way he'd kissed her, he had some of the same feelings. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. We'll talk to your mother in the morning. She'll be safe. I promise you that. We found a time-release capsule in the flowers. They were delivered by the orderly—who we’ve now confirmed was Victor Kashin. My guess is he went to your mother's room before he clashed with you in the garage."

She thought about what he'd said. "So, he just dropped off flowers with a toxin that would be released over time? Why would he do that? If he wanted to hurt her, she was probably pretty vulnerable when he went into her room with the flowers. She was asleep. Weak. He could have smothered her with a pillow." She shuddered at that thought.

"He wasn't there to kill her, just to poison her. And don't ask me why, because I don't know. All I can say is that someone did not want your mother dead, just incapacitated."

"But they were fine to kill me in my car."

He met her gaze. "Yes."

She let out a breath. "You don't like to make things seem better than they are, do you?"

"Not when it's important that you stay on high alert."

"Oh, I'm on high alert. I jump at every noise, every shadow. It seems unimaginable I'll ever feel safe again."

"You will," he said. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes." She grabbed her bag and followed him out of the room and downstairs to the lobby.

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