Page 13 of Deadly Attraction
His roving gaze landed on her face, his eyes boring into her as if deciding whether she was being sarcastic or not. “We should get back to the house. I need to make contact with my boss and Director Dupé to let them know you’re not going to the safe house tonight, which I have to state for the record, is a terrible idea.”
His stare was too intense, sending a tiny shockwave up her spine. How long had it been since a man had looked at her like that?
Too long apparently because she couldn’t hold his gaze. She broke eye contact and patted Hope’s neck. “You’ve made that clear, and I appreciate your dedication to keeping me safe. However…” A deep breath helped her clear her head, steady the hand petting the horse. “Chris Goodsman has already taken something very dear from me. Something I will grieve over for the rest of my life. He’s not chasing me away from this ranch. He’s not taking anything else from me. Ever.”
Swallowing the tightness in her throat, she glanced up at the good agent. “Do you understand?”
He petted Hope too, his fingers brushing hers when the foal raised her head and whinnied. His pause hung in the air like electrically charged ions after a flash of lightning. “I’ll do my best to protect you, Dr. Collins, but there’s something I think you should see so you understand that this is no joke on Goodsman’s part.”
Her hand holding the shotgun tightened on the stock. “What is it?”
Removing his phone from his pocket, he stared at it a moment before turning the screen toward her. “My boss found this in Goodsman’s cell after he broke out.”
Red slashes formed words on a beige wall.
Her fate is death. Her destiny is death.
The Resistance knows.
Collins dies bloody.
Chills raced over Emma’s skin. The real Chris Goodsman—the man behind the charming persona everyone loved—was still hiding behind his role. What was he really planning? “Huh.”
“That’s it?” Agent Holden put an elbow on the railing and leaned toward her. “He leaves this message on the wall of his cell and that’s all you got, Doc?”
More shockwaves rippled up her spine—because of Holden’s closeness or because of the danger she was in? “Something has set him off again. He’s misleading everyone like he did before, wanting them to believe he’s had another break with reality similar to when he killed his fiancée.”
She tore her gaze from the phone’s screen. “Did they say what precipitated this? Did he have an argument with someone? Get into trouble? More importantly, did he know he was going to have an opportunity to escape and set this up ahead of time?”
Agent Holden shook his head. “Like I said, I don’t know the details, but I can find out if I can ever get through to Coop or Dupé.”
Cell service was hit and miss on a good day at the ranch. With the fires, it was mostly miss right now. “I have a CB radio if that would help.”
His face lit up. “That might. In the meantime, I really wish you’d reconsider the safe house at least for a night or two. You said you had a guy living here. He can take care of the horses and the dogs until it’s safe for you to return, right? But who will take care of the place if you’re dead?”
They were heading for the barn door when Will appeared, making an imposing figure in the doorway. He took in the agent, then dropped his attention to the shotgun in Emma’s hand. “Everything okay, boss?”
How to answer? “Will, this is Agent Mitch Holden from the SCVC Taskforce. One of my former patients broke out of prison and Agent Holden, here, came to check on me because there is a possibility the man may come here. Agent Holden, this is my employee, Will Longram.”
“It’s Mitch.” He held out a hand.
Will’s eyes narrowed. He ignored Mitch’s hand. Lady appeared, her old hips keeping her always a few steps behind. “Is Emma in danger?”
Holden nodded. “She won’t leave.”
“That true?” Will said to her. “How dangerous is this guy?”
Great, now they were ganging up on her. “The only thing that’s going to chase me off this ranch is the wildfires. If you’re worried, Will, you’re free to leave. No hard feelings. Either way, you’ll have a job when Chris Goodsman is caught and things return to normal.”
“Goodsman, huh? I saw a blip on the news about that waste of a human being. Heard he escaped. You think he’s coming after you?”
“Most likely he won’t,” Mitch said. “But we can’t take that chance.”
Will nodded. “I’ll take care of the horses, keep an eye on the barns and outbuildings. You need anything, Em, ring me on the walkie talkie.”
“I will. Thank you.”
He gave Mitch another once-over, then walked away. Lady took her time getting to her feet, then trailed after him.
“Charming guy,” Mitch said.
Emma smiled. He’d described himself the same way. “Apparently, I’m a magnet for them.”
