“This doesn’t mean we didn’t get the right guy.” Connor was staring at the screen. “I chased him down. I tracked him. I shot him. He had the rifle in his hand.”
“I thought the Secret Service took him out.”
“No.” Connor shook his head.
The supposed assassin had been a young man with schizophrenia who had tried to kill then-candidate Hayes because he’d thought Hayes was sent from Satan and had been using television to send him messages. The news had devoted hours to going over his crazy journals and talking to all his so-called friends who claimed they should have seen it coming.
Lara knew better.
“But Troy Hill has an airtight alibi for two of the three rallies. He was being held in jail for drunk and disorderly. His mother didn’t have the money to bail him out so they held him for seventy-two hours. I’m sorry. He wasn’t responsible. He was a patsy. Think about it, Connor. What type of rifle was used? A hunting rifle? Something he could have easily gotten his hands on?”
“It was a Dragunov.” Connor’s hands became fists at his sides. “It was a fucking Dragunov. How stupid am I?”
“That sounds Russian,” Gabe said, his gaze moving between the bathroom and Connor as though he couldn’t decide who needed his help more.
“It is,” Lara pointed out. “According to Freddy, it’s the preferred weapon of the Russian mob for long-range assassinations. It’s why I think Natalia Kuilikov is tied somehow to Joy Hayes’s death. The Russians are all over this thing. At first I thought the president might have hired a Russian assassin and Natalia had proof.” She winced at the outcry that brought. “I’m sorry. I don’t know him the way you do. I don’t think that now. I do think someone wanted Zack Hayes in office and they were willing to kill to get him there.”
Roman shook his head, his stare fused to the screen like he couldn’t believe what he’d seen. “I was right beside her during every one of those speeches. I was sitting right there and I didn’t notice someone was aiming a sniper rifle at her.”
“You were watching Zack, like you were supposed to,” Lara pointed out. Of all of the group left in the room, Roman seemed the most shaken. She was a little worried he would need the bathroom, too. He was a pasty white and she could see the way his hands shook. He couldn’t fake that. Roman Calder was known for being unflappable, utterly ruthless, and cold as ice. He didn’t look like any of those things now. He looked like a man who’d had his world upended.
“I didn’t even question it,” Connor said. “I killed that kid because I just knew he’d meant to kill Zack and had missed. I never thought to look back over any of the previous speeches for anything unusual. Why would I when they’d seemed to go off without a hitch?” He swallowed, shaking his head slowly. “I didn’t question whether or not that kid had pulled the trigger or whether Zack was the target. It seemed obvious.”
Gabe stood and turned to Connor. “That guy was running from the scene. Two witnesses saw him coming down the stairs and he was carrying a weapon. He raised that rifle your way, Connor. He seemed like the natural suspect. You had no choice.”
“I was behind you,” Dax said. “If you hadn’t shot him, I would have. I would have made the exact same call. Why would the Russian mob want Zack in office?”
“We don’t know it was the mob who wanted him there.” Everly took her fiancé’s hand. “We only know whoever did it very likely hired a Russian assassin. It’s more important than ever to find Natalia and figure out what’s happening here. It’s connected somehow. Perhaps Lara is right and Natalia knows who hired the assassin, or she can lead us to the man who pulled the trigger and he can tell us who hired him. We just don’t have enough pieces to see the whole puzzle yet. Lara, I would really like to see whatever your informant gave you.”
Zack stepped out, his face pale, but it was obvious he’d cleaned up and calmed down. He looked to Lara. “I did not kill my wife. My wife and I were friends, very close friends. I loved her. I won’t lie and say I was in love with her. Ours was a marriage of political convenience, but I cared for her deeply. The last thing I would have done was have her killed. I needed Joy. I didn’t want to do any of this without her. I tried to pull out of the race after she died.”
Roman stood, looking toward Zack. “I wouldn’t let him. It wasn’t what Joy would have wanted. I’m the one with every reason to have done this. I’m the most obvious suspect so you need to eliminate me. I’ll open all my records. Every file I have is yours. I’ll answer all your questions. Hell, hook me up to a lie detector or something else. Connor, surely the Agency has something.”
Zack shook his head. “I know you would never have done this.”
“Why not? I’m a ruthless bastard. I’m the asshole who wants to win at all costs.”
“You loved Joy. You would never have hurt her,” Zack said quietly.
Roman took a step back. “I . . . How did you know?”
“I always knew.”
“Zack, I never touched her. I never would have.”
There was an infinite amount of sympathy in Zack Hayes’s eyes, and Lara realized she would never question him again. This was the man with all his defenses down. This was the private man and all he seemed to want to do was comfort his friend. “But you loved her all the same and you’ve mourned her all these years. I believe she loved you, too. I’m not questioning you, Roman. I would never do that. If there’s one thing I know in this world, it’s that you have my back, no matter what. I know what you’ve sacrificed for me, so no one will investigate you. But there will be an investigation. Lara, I’m going to ask something of you I shouldn’t.”
“No.” Connor took a step toward her. “Zack, no. I want her out of this.”
The president wanted her to investigate. This mystery had caused her nothing but trouble and heartache. It was the most important investigation of her life and it dangled right in front of her. She probably should say no . . . but she couldn’t. “I’ll do it.”
“With my help.” Everly stood beside her, a united front. “Don’t even think of forbidding it now that it’s gotten a little dangerous, Gabriel.”
Gabe simply sighed and shook his head. “It’s only getting dangerous now? I seem to remember plenty of danger. But I won’t stop you. I’ll help you, love. We’re in this together.”
Together. She wasn’t together with Connor, but she could stay in his circle for a little while.
That shouldn’t have been appealing. She shouldn’t want to stay anywhere close to him. But she was ass deep in this investigation now and she had to see it through. “Mr. President, I want to find out what happened. I want to solve this. I’ll do it.”
“Thank you. Connor, I’m sure you understand this means I’ll need you to protect her.” Zack Hayes neatly sprung his trap.
Son of a bitch. He was a sneaky bastard.
Connor nodded and she couldn’t miss the relief she saw in his eyes. “I wasn’t planning on going back to work anytime soon. I’ll watch over the women. We’ll be in D.C. for a few days, but then we’ll head up to the city, and Everly and Lara can work on it from there.”
He would isolate her. One glance told Lara he intended to keep her close and try to work his charm on her.
Would he really go to all this trouble for a disposable woman?
“I would love to spend some time in New York. I think Everly and I will work well together.” She would figure out what to do about Connor later. She hated to admit that being forced to spend more time with him was almost a relief. “But Lincoln has to come with me.”
Connor shrugged. “I would expect no less. My place is on the Upper West Side. He can crap in Central Park.”
So he wasn’t going to fight her on bringing the dog. “I’ll need to find a good vegan grocery store.”
“You can find anything in Manhattan, Lara. And my place is a three-bedroom. You can have your own room. For however long that lasts.” His voice was a silky promise.
“Good,” Zack said, taking a
long breath. “That’s settled. I need some air. Don’t tell the Secret Service agents.”
He walked out to her balcony, the door closing firmly behind him.
“Is he okay?” She knew it was a stupid question the moment it left her mouth.
They were all looking outside.
“No. He’s not all right.” Roman sank down to the couch. “None of us are all right.”
Gabe sat down beside Roman. He looked up to Lara. “Do you have anything with a high alcohol content?”
Thanks to Connor, she did. “Scotch. It’s on the counter. I’ll pour everyone a glass.”
Connor shook his head. “No. You’ll go and pack.”
“I’ll get us all a drink,” Everly said, heading for the kitchen.
With a nod, Connor approached Lara. “I’m going to talk to Zack, but we’re leaving in fifteen minutes. I want to be in Langley before the traffic hits. We’ll call your father and tell him where you are, but no one else is to know.”
“All right. I have to run downstairs. Kiki has some of Lincoln’s treats. I know it’s stupid but . . .”
“They’re the only reason he poops. I’ll go with you to get them.”
Then she’d be alone with him in the elevator in which he’d first kissed her. Lara didn’t trust herself. Besides, Zack needed him now. “I’ll be fine. The Secret Service is here. I know you’re worried about Russians, but if anyone has entered the building, they’ll know. I’m only going down a couple of floors to a friend’s place. I’ll be fine.”
He sighed, then looked out at Zack on the balcony. “All right. Be back here in five minutes, Lara. I swear to god if you run . . .”
She shook her head. “I won’t. I want to solve this thing, for myself, for America, and for those grieving men. Besides, I know you’re really good at finding me.”
Connor crossed the space between them. “I’m serious about not telling anyone where you’re going. Don’t tell Kiki. It puts her at risk. Maybe I should come with you after all.”
“Stop. I’ll be back here in a few minutes, Connor. I’m giving you my word.”
He was silent for a moment. She could see that letting go of her was hard for him. He lived in a world of danger, where no one trusted. How would a man like that handle falling in love? Lara suspected she knew the answer.
“All right. I’ll be waiting up here for you. I was serious about the separate room. I’ve got a guest room at the house in Langley. I won’t ever deny that I want you, but I won’t force you into anything.”
She nodded, oddly disappointed. She brushed it off. Having time and space to herself would be good, smart.
She turned for the door, he caught her arm again. Suddenly, Connor loomed over her.
“Lara, I will do everything I can to seduce you. And you’ll tell me if we need to visit the justice of the peace.”
Her cheeks heated. “Connor, you can’t expect me to go through with that.”
He leaned in and brushed his mouth against her ear. “If you’re pregnant, I assure you we will get married. I had a singularly crappy childhood because my father was a disgusting bastard and my mother couldn’t handle the fact that her meal ticket left her. That will not happen to our child.”
“I might not be,” she said, forcing herself to look at him.
God, he was the most beautiful man she’d ever met.
“I can always hope otherwise.” He stepped back and his face became smooth and blank again. “I’ll be waiting for you.”
She practically ran out the door, brushed by the Secret Service agents, and hopped on the elevator, pressing the button for Kiki’s floor.
She felt utterly overwhelmed. She’d gone from suspecting the president of murder to agreeing to work for him. And Connor. God, what was she going to do about Connor? How could she ever trust the man again? He’d lied to her, used her. She couldn’t possibly marry him. The thought should have sickened her.
And yet there was a part of her that wasn’t ready to let him go.
The elevator doors opened and she hurried down the corridor to Kiki’s apartment. Her friend had moved into this building first. Kiki had tried to convince Tom to buy a unit, too. But he’d balked, saying he liked being closer to work. When Lara had purchased her condo, Kiki had rolled her eyes and shaken her head, commenting that, “Naturally Lara had to buy the nicest unit in the building.”
Sometimes she wondered if Kiki even liked her or if they’d just been friends for so long that it was natural to stay together. Like a married couple who didn’t want to divorce because it would be too much trouble.
She sighed and knocked on Kiki’s door. It opened, but not because she was there. It opened because it had been left ajar.
Had she gone out and forgotten to close the door?
“Kiki?” Lara stepped inside. “Are you here?”
She stopped when the door to Kiki’s office opened. She’d only been in the office once when Kiki had first moved in. Her friend always kept it shut up, claiming it was the only boring part of her eclectically furnished place. She’d told Lara once that the office was the sad part of her soul and she didn’t want anyone seeing it—or the sensitive job-related documents she kept inside.
But it wasn’t Kiki who emerged from the office. It was Tom.
And he clutched a knife in his hands.
FOURTEEN
Connor watched her go, his whole body heavy with the desire to drag her right back to his side and never let her leave. He’d almost been ready to give up before he’d seen that tape.
She needed him. She was getting into something even more dangerous than he’d first thought, and she had no clue how to defend herself. Zack had given him the perfect excuse to keep her close.
How was he going to prove that he was worthy of her? Hell, he wasn’t. Not really, but he was good for her. She just didn’t see it. She needed someone like him, someone who would burn down the world to make sure she was safe and happy. She never thought of herself, always putting others’ needs first. While noble, it could be dangerous if she fell for the wrong man, a guy who would use her and soak up all that sunshine for himself, never giving her anything in return. Connor intended to see to it that no one stepped on her or used her again.
Just him.
Damn it. Maybe that made him a selfish prick, but he couldn’t let her go. Deep down he prayed the times he’d had her without protection were enough. Hopefully, she would see reason and marry him and then he could show her the kind of life he wanted to give her.
“She left her phone behind.” Dax handed him Lara’s cell with its sunny yellow case. “She probably won’t run far without her phone.”
“I’m quitting the Agency.” He couldn’t be a good husband to Lara if he was constantly halfway around the world getting his hands dirty.
Dax put a hand on his shoulder. “Of course you are. You’re going to have a wife and kids. You’ve done your time, man. Let someone else step up.”
“Quit the Navy and come with me. We can build a business. Security solutions. Hell, between the two of us we know enough sad-sack ex-military and black ops dudes to form a small army.”
Dax frowned. “I wouldn’t know what to do with myself. I don’t have a girl. I think I’m just about ready to ship out again. I need a vacation from my vacation, if you know what I mean.”
“Go to her,” Connor suggested. “Talk to her. She’s not married.”
Dax scrubbed a hand through his hair. “You think I don’t know that? I’m practically that woman’s stalker. Thank god she doesn’t know it because she would kick my ass and likely get me discharged. I know she’s in New Orleans. She’s still the most gorgeous woman to walk the earth and I also know that she still curses my name.”
“Yeah, well, Lara isn’t too happy with me right now. I’m not going to let that stop me.” He liked holding her phone. It made him feel oddly connected to her. He looked behind him where Everly was handing Roman a glass of Scotch. “Did you know about that?”
/> “About Roman and Joy?” Dax shook his head. “Hell, no. That was a kick in the gut. I didn’t think Roman had ever been in love. One of us needs to go talk to Zack. Roman can’t do it right now.”
“I’m going. He’s got some hard decisions to make.”
“Knowing you’re hanging around should make him feel better,” Dax said. “I think I’ll hit Everly up for a drink, too.”
Connor looked back at his best friend. “Think about what I said.”