Page 28 of Evidence of Deceit

Claire woke up to the sun glaring through the bedroom blinds. She stretched and stilled her body. She was physically healing—mentally, not so much. Staying at Mark’s and surrounded by people who cared about her made her feel safe. But in her heart, she knew Keith was scheming and waiting to destroy the tranquility she was hoping for.

She heard movement in the kitchen, smelled coffee. Time to get my lazy bones going.She got up and showered. Checked her meager wardrobe and put on her only clean pair of shorts and top. She made a note to wash her clothes later.

Claire walked into the kitchen. Froze.

Screamed.

The man dropped the container of milk he was holding and stared at her

Her heart was racing. Her body was weak as a kitten.

Mark raced in, a towel around his waist.

“Whaaat?”

Claire pointed at the man. She couldn’t get the words out.

“Shit, Hank. What are you doing here?” growled Mark.

Hank stood there with his mouth gaping open.

Mark went over to Claire, who was now crouching in a corner. “Claire. Honey. This big lug is Hank and works for Sam,” he said in a soothing voice.

“Oh, my God.” Claire could barely speak. How stupid she must look. “I’m so sorry. I saw a strange man, and I lost it.”

Hank rubbed his brow and looked between Claire and Mark with concerned blue eyes. “I’m so sorry that I scared you. Sam couldn’t make it this morning, and Joe is off until tonight. She asked me to come over and watch you while Mark went to work.”

The milk was puddling around the kitchen, and Hank asked Claire if it was okay for him to move.

“Of course. Again, I’m sorry. I guess I’m a little on edge,” she said, her face hot from embarrassment.

“No problem. I should have called Mark and let him know. My bad.” Hank turned to get paper towels to dry up the floor.

“Claire, why don’t you go in the living room, and I’ll bring you a cup of coffee,” said Mark.

Mark reached out his hand. Claire took it and pulled herself up. She watched Hank clean up for a moment, then left and sat down in the living room. She clasped a pillow to her chest, hoping to stop shaking. This episode was humiliating. Would the fear ever go away? She couldn’t go around screaming every time she saw a strange man.

Mark came in with a cup of coffee, handed it to her and sat on the opposite chair. “I’ll speak to Sam about letting me know if there are changes in security. I’m sorry that Hank scared you.”

“It’s okay. I feel so silly for screaming. I just wasn’t expecting anyone else to be here.” Claire bit her lip. She stopped twirling and picking at the fringe on the pillow. It was getting thinner and thinner.

Confession time. “Mark, I don’t have any money to pay for security, and this must be costing someone a lot. I would offer to pay the money back, but I don’t know when I’ll have a job or even get paid enough to reimburse anyone.” She took a deep breath, exhaled. “I think I should leave and go somewhere else where Keith can’t find me.”

Mark’s brow furrowed. Anger crossed his eyes for a second and was gone. “Claire, you are my flesh and blood. I will always protect you. Plus, you’re part of Sam’s family now, and she takes protecting her family very seriously.”

He leaned over, took her hand and patted it. “You are not going anywhere. You are not to worry about money. I, we, want to keep you safe. Please, I’m begging you, don’t leave. Let Sam do her job.”

Claire wanted to cry. It had been a long time since she had anyone in her corner except for Sheri. She would stay, but she vowed to pay Sam back. Somehow.

Mark was still staring at her, waiting for an answer. She nodded.

“Knock, knock.” Claire glanced over at the muscular man standing in the kitchen doorway. “Is it safe to come in and talk with you?”

She gave Hank a small smile. He came in and sat in one of the chairs.

“Again, I apologize for scaring you. I should have given you and Mark some notice that I was going to be here. Forgive me?”

She nodded.