Page 106 of I'm Watching You

‘First things first,’ Warwick said. ‘Let’s get those blood tests.’

‘And after that, where does Nicole go?’ Lindsay said. ‘She can’t stay here. It’s only a matter of time before the press will spot her and word will get back to her husband.’

‘I know a place,’ Zack said.

‘Where?’ Lindsay said.

‘My folks’ house.’

Lindsay could see that Sam was upset as he drew her blood. Outside the curtained examination room Zack stood like a modern-day centurion. ‘I’ve never seen you frown so much.’

Sam took the vial of blood and laid it on the metal tray by the exam table. ‘Lindsay, the cops want me to do a full toxicology screen. What happened?’

The concern in his eyes touched her heart. ‘They think that whoever killed Harold on early Monday morning might also have drugged Nicole and me. My sleeping in put me about three hours behind; otherwise I’d have been at the shelter at the same time the murderer was.’

His jaw tightened. ‘I don’t like this. I’m worried about you.’

‘Hey, I’m okay. I’m always okay.’

He shook his head. ‘Don’t kid yourself. I saw the news reports. All this has to have churned up stuff from your past.’

‘I’ll muscle through it, just like always.’ That was a lie. She honestly didn’t know how she was going to see her way clear of this mess. ‘Look, I’ve got to go. I need to get Nicole settled.’

‘Right.’

‘Make sure you also run a pregnancy test on her.’ In two weeks Lindsay could very well be doing the same for herself.

‘Sure.’

Lindsay kissed him on the lips. Unexpectedly, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. The move was possessive, as if he was staking a claim. She let him hold her until she ended the kiss.

‘See you soon.’ She pushed back the curtain.

Zack shot Sam a hard glance and then escorted her to the elevators, where Warwick and Nicole waited. Next to the cop, her friend looked so pale and fragile. And if not for Nicole, she’d never had agreed to go to the Kiers’ house.

As Zack began the drive to Hanover, Lindsay stared out the backseat window, knowing she was about to face her in-laws after nearly a year of silence. She felt as if she were venturing into a lion’s den.

Zack slowed the car and pulled into a gravel driveway. The Kiers’ farm was located off a rural road in Hanover County about thirty minutes north of the city. Dust kicked up around the car and gravel popped under the tires as Zack continued down the driveway. At the end stood an old white farmhouse that her in-laws had purchased about ten years ago and were still renovating. Audrey had often joked that she’d be in her nineties before her husband would be finished working on all his projects.

Zack parked the car in front of the wide front porch and got out. He opened the door for Lindsay. Under better circumstances, she’d have kidded him about such chivalry. Today she wasn’t interested in any sort of humor.

Warwick opened Nicole’s door. She looked so small and delicate next to the detective, who stood a good teninches taller. Nicole held her shoulders back. If she was afraid, she was doing her best to hide it.

The screened door opened and out stepped Mr and Mrs Kier. They were smiling, but Lindsay saw the strain in their eyes.

Audrey Kier was a tall woman with silver hair, which she’d swept into a ponytail. Mr Kier’s dark hair had turned salt and pepper and the sun had left deep wrinkles around his blue eyes.

Audrey came straight up to Lindsay and gave her a hug. ‘It’s so good to see you, dear.’

Lindsay tried to relax but the unexpected contact felt awkward. ‘Thank you for having us, Audrey. I really do appreciate it.’

The older woman stepped away and let her gaze drift over Lindsay. ‘Ellie said you were too thin.’

Lindsay pretended she didn’t hear the comment or the genuine concern in Audrey’s voice. The less attached she remained, the better.

Audrey’s vivid gray eyes, so like her son’s, shifted to Nicole. Her assessing gaze took in a dozen different details in a split second. ‘Welcome.’

Nicole seemed stiff and nervous. ‘Thank you for having us, Mrs Kier.’

---