LITMIR.BIZ

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with him. Even after he’d joined the U.S. Marshals Service, and his future had been secure, that hadn’t changed. But he wasn’t going to do Judge Banks any good by standing vigil at his bedside. Not when the person responsible was still out there, maybe hoping to finish the job.

      “Thanks,” he said, “but if you’re ready to go, then so am I. The best way I can serve your father is to protect you.”

      For a moment, she looked taken aback. “You’re serious. You think my life is in danger.”

      “I have to make that assumption.” He gestured toward the bed. “But you can stay with him for as long as you’d like. I’m not going anywhere.”

      She shook her head “No, that’s okay. It’s getting late, and he doesn’t even know I’m here. I’ll come back in the morning. I think I’d just like to go home.”

      Jason knew she meant the house in Sea Cliff, where she had grown up. “I’m afraid that’s not possible,” he told her. “The house is an active crime scene, and the investigators are still gathering possible clues.”

      “Oh.” Her brows knitted together as she considered this. “Okay. Then I’ll find a hotel.”

      “I already booked a suite of rooms for us at the Fairmont. It’s close to the hospital, and the security there is excellent.”

      Jason saw something like panic flash in her eyes. “Us?” she repeated.

      “Until this thing is over, I’m your personal protection detail,” he reminded her. “Where you go, I go.”

      “Like a bodyguard? Is that really necessary?” Caroline clenched her hands at her sides, and her voice sounded a little desperate. “You said yourself that the security at the hotel is excellent. It’s my father who needs the protection, not me. Why can’t you just stay here, with him?”

      “Not an option,” he said grimly. “There are two men standing guard outside the room and two more downstairs. Your father is secure—my job is to ensure your safety. If you’re ready to go, we’ll leave.”

      “Oh, my God, this is crazy,” she muttered and rubbed a hand over the back of her neck. The movement caused her blouse to stretch tautly across her breasts, and Jason tried not to notice the faintest shadow of her nipples beneath the lacy fabric of her bra. After a moment, she sighed. “Okay, fine. I’ll stay in a hotel if you insist, but I’d like to stop by the house first. I want to see where my father was shot.”

      Jason hesitated. He was sworn to protect her at all costs. And not just from physical danger. Seeing her father fighting for his life in a hospital was bad enough. Witnessing the evidence of the violence that had sent him there, splattered across her front porch, was another thing altogether. He didn’t want her exposed to that kind of ugliness.

      “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

      He watched as her eyes narrowed and she tipped her chin up in a gesture that he remembered too well. “I’m not a child anymore, Jason.”

      He hadn’t even seen the crime scene, although he had a good idea of what to expect. But she had been sheltered and pampered her entire life. Neither her expensive education nor her law degree would have prepared her for the rawness of what he suspected awaited her at her father’s house. But he was beginning to understand that she was right—she was no longer a child, and there were some things even he couldn’t protect her from.

      “Fine,” he said in a clipped tone. “Let’s go.”

      With a satisfied nod, she pushed past him and strode into the hallway, leaving him with no choice but to follow her. Just outside the hospital room, he paused to withdraw a small surveillance earpiece from his pocket and insert it, ensuring communication with the rest of his team. As he adjusted the earpiece, he didn’t miss how the two guards sitting outside the hospital room followed Caroline’s progress with their eyes. Not that he blamed them. She was a beautiful woman, and her hips swung enticingly with each determined stride. She’d taken about ten steps when she stopped and turned.

      “Are you coming?” she demanded. “How are you going to protect me if you can’t even keep up with me?”

      Without waiting for a reply, she continued toward the exit. Jason exchanged a knowing look with the two guards before following her. As he reached her side, he acknowledged soberly that while he could protect Caroline from whatever dangers might lie in wait outside the hospital, he wasn’t sure he could protect her from himself.

      3

      AS THE CAR drew up in front of her father’s house, Caroline could feel Jason’s eyes on her. She knew that he was unhappy with her request to view the crime scene. She couldn’t explain to him her need to see where the horrific event had happened, to be able to visualize what had occurred when her father had answered the door. She hoped, too, that maybe she could help the investigators. Perhaps she would see something they had overlooked.

      But whatever she had expected to see, it wasn’t the police cruisers and unmarked vehicles parked in front of the house and in the driveway. Several news vans were parked along the street, and it was only the quick action of the police that kept the reporters from mobbing their car as they pulled up to the curb.

      Although it was just past six o’clock, it was still light outside, and Caroline could see the yellow police tape that surrounded the residence.

      The sight of so many law enforcement personnel seemed incongruous, given the affluent neighborhood of mansions and meticulously manicured lawns. Crime in this area was virtually unheard of, and Caroline couldn’t believe anyone would have the nerve to commit such a heinous act in full view of the street, the neighbors and anyone else who might be watching. Of course, it had been close to midnight when the crime had occurred, so the likelihood of any witnesses was slim to none. Her father had always preferred to stay up until the wee hours of the morning.

      “Maybe it was just a random act. He liked to stay up late, so maybe someone saw his light on and just chose him arbitrarily.”

      She didn’t realize she’d said the words aloud until Jason thrust the car into Park and turned toward her.

      “Everything indicates he was targeted.”

      “But why? He’s a good man—the best. Why would anyone want to hurt him?”

      He didn’t answer, shifting his attention toward the house. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

      Caroline followed his gaze to where several officers stood near the wide front porch, watching them. She recognized Deputy Black, who had followed them to the house in a separate car. Unlike the other men, he stood vigil near the sidewalk and scanned the surrounding area as if on alert for any unseen threat.

      “I need to do this,” she finally answered, reaching for the door handle.

      As she approached the porch, she was conscious of Jason’s protective bulk close by her side. The other officers stood back and allowed them to pass. Caroline climbed the steps slowly, aware that her heart was thudding hard in her chest. The front door was open, and she could see two more men standing inside the house. Nothing could have prepared her for the sight of the blood.

      The dark stain spread across the hardwood floor just inside the entryway and seeped into the edge of the Persian-style carpet. She had a sudden, vivid image of her father opening the door, only to be greeted by an explosive bullet to the chest. She envisioned him staggering back into the hallway and collapsing onto the floor as his assailant stood over him. The picture was so real, and so frightening, that for an instant, she couldn’t breathe. She heard a roaring in her ears, and black wings fluttered at the edge of her vision. She was only vaguely aware of strong arms coming around her as the floor rose up to meet her.

      * * *

      “PUT YOUR HEAD down and take some deep breaths.”

      Even if Caroline had wanted to refuse, Jason’s hand was at the back of her neck, large

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