The Silent Witness

He’d hurt her again, and he hadn’t meant to.

“What did you say?!” she demanded.

She yanked on the sheet, holding it beneath her chin as she sat up straighter. The action only drew his attention to the womanly shape of her. He’d wanted her when she was jailbait. Pure poison for a boy whose father was labeled a thief and a murderer. And he wanted her now when he was perilously close to being branded himself.

“Why did you call, Nicki? What do you want from me?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I wouldn’t call you in a million years.”

He wished he dared turn on a light. Her words sounded so sincere. What was she trying to pull?

A possibility exploded in his mind. He hated the very idea. But. Was there the slightest chance Nicki had been trying to set him up?

His Nicki? No. She’d never do that. But she wasn’t his anymore. Hadn’t been his for a very long time. She’d been in love with him once. And what did they say about a woman scorned?

For crying out loud! Nicki wasn’t like that. Was he going to start seeing bogeymen around every corner?

But what did he really know about her anymore?

He couldn’t turn loose of that thought. Maybe she’d known Thorton Biggs. They could even have been lovers for all he knew. Hadn’t he wondered why the man had driven into that alley last night? So much would be explained if Biggs had come there to see her.

The truth was, for all Alex knew, she’d killed Biggs herself and set Alex in place to take the fall. He might not like the idea, but he couldn’t dismiss it on the basis of what had happened between them fifteen years ago.

“So you wouldn’t call me in a million years, huh?” Her taunt rankled. “Well, I’m sure the feeling is mutual, but the fact is, you did call, Nicki. You said we had to talk, and like a fool, I agreed.”

Tired from too little sleep and the stress of the last few months, he was suddenly angry. Nicki had been the only good thing he could remember about Fools Point, and she’d used their relationship to set him up.

“You asked me to meet you at five minutes after nine behind your shop,” he snapped. “In fact, you pleaded—quite fetchingly. Ring any bells?”

“No!”

He ignored her protest, warming to his theme. The memory of that phone call was sharp and clear. She had called him.

“I came early. Don’t pretend you didn’t see me standing across the street.”

He’d known the moment that she saw him. He’d leaned back against the rough bricks and simply watched her. Anticipation had brought him there early. Caution had kept him waiting. He should have paid more attention to the caution.

“The way you kept watching me, I figured you couldn’t wait for a trip down memory lane,” he said, waiting to see how she’d react.

“In your dreams!”

“Fantasies.” He lowered his voice. “You were always part of my fantasies, remember, Nic? I never forgot. I almost walked across the street early, but you said to meet outside. I figured it was shades of yesterday. You wanted to see me, but you didn’t want anyone in town to know it was me you were seeing.” And that still stung.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I never called you. And if you’ll recall, it was you who insisted we keep our relationship quiet fifteen years ago. I didn’t care who knew about us.”

Her voice sounded wounded, but he knew she was lying about the phone call. What he needed to discover was why.

“Except your father.”

Nicki winced.

“You’ve really perfected that innocent act, Nic. Only it won’t work. We both know just how innocent you aren’t.”

Her fist bunched on the sheet. “Yes, we do.”

Were those tears in her eyes? Anger drained away. What was he doing? This was all wrong. They shouldn’t be wounding each other like this.

“Get out of here, Alex,” she said with quiet dignity. “I never want to see you again.”

The calm words nicked his heart with another barb of guilt. He clenched his jaw and unballed his own fists. This was no good. They were dicing each other to ribbons. What if things weren’t what they seemed? Come to that, what in his world was what it seemed anymore?

“Don’t lie to me, Nicki.”

She stared at him in silence.

Alex ran a hand through his hair again. He wasn’t sure when he’d started hating his life, but he was damn sure things had to change soon.

“Did you know Thorton Biggs?”

She didn’t respond.

“Did you kill him, Nic?” That at least provoked a reaction.

“How dare you! I covered for you today. I was such a fool that I told them I couldn’t identify anyone. I should have told them the truth. I should have told them how you came running out of that alley. But I didn’t. I’m so stupid, I didn’t.”

Tears were thick in her voice. He reached for her, but she drew back against the headboard. With an oath, he walked over to her bedroom window, disgusted with himself. He pushed the hair back from his face and stared out at the night.

“I didn’t kill Thorton, Nicki. We were…acquaintances.”

“Fellow gang members?”

He didn’t look toward her. “Call it what you like. I ran behind your shop when I heard the shots. Someone had climbed over the fence right before I got there. He was disappearing into the trees when I saw him. I tried to go after him, but I got caught on the fence and he had too much of a head start, so I went to check Thorton. It was obvious he was beyond help. I knew what would happen if they caught me there, so I ran in the opposite direction.”

“Why tell me? Tell Sergeant Osher.”

Alex snorted. “Think he’d listen, let alone believe? Look, I’m sorry Nicki.” For so many things. “I don’t want to believe you set me up—”

“How nice of you.”

“—but you asked me to come or I never would have set foot anywhere near you.”

“You mentioned that fact.”

He cursed under his breath. She didn’t understand, and he was in no position to explain.

“Look, are you going tell me why you called me or not?”

“I did not call you.”

Nicki crossed her arms over her chest defiantly. The sheet slipped dangerously low. Distracted, he stared at her in the darkness.

“What the devil are you wearing?” he growled. He knew quite well that the large expanse of skin was angel soft to the touch. There was nothing wrong with his memory—or his imagination.

“Nothing.”

Alex cursed again. She knew just how to bait him. Her virginal body had been so softly lush, rounded in gentle curves that made a young man’s hands itch to explore. The last vestiges of baby fat had been starting to disappear. Those vestiges were completely gone now, but the curves were still there, honed and slimmed to a more mature, but no less desirable look. He had watched her figure last night, even when he told himself he was being a fool. Watched and wanted, when it was the last thing he should have been doing.

But any man would look at Nicki. The smart ones would go back for a second look.

“Go away Alex. I don’t want you here.”

Her words snapped his mind back to business. This was no time to let the past intrude. “Thank you for not telling Osher you saw me. If you had, I’d still be in jail.”

“He arrested you?” She snapped her mouth shut as if regretting that he’d provoked a response.

“Maybe you haven’t noticed, Nicki, but Thad Osher isn’t a real nice guy. He’s got a chip on his shoulder a mile wide. And that chip has my name on it.”

“Why?”

Alex paused. “Now, that’s a real good question.”

He hadn’t really considered it before. He and Osher had clashed from day one, but it hadn’t really occurred to Alex to wonder why. Now he thought about that. He was going to have to take a much closer look at Thad Osher.

Obviously, Nicki wasn’t going to tell him why she’d called. Maybe he was a fool, but he couldn’t believe that her purpose had been to set him up. She wasn’t that good an actress, and there’d be no reason. Just lousy timing all around. He’d better find Vic Unsdorf and see if Thorton’s murder was rumored to be a gang hit for some infraction.

Something brushed his leg in the darkness. Alex kicked out and spun, his hand going for a weapon.

“Don’t you dare hurt my cat!”

The small animal had sidestepped quickly. Alex was instantly relieved that he hadn’t injured the little thing. Undaunted, the cat came forward and stropped his legs a second time. He bent and lifted the animal, whose white furred areas stood out even in the dark. Eyes glowed from some reflected light source.

“Sorry, kitty. You startled me.” He scratched its head and it began to purr in his arms. “You always did want a cat. What’s its name?”

“Ginger.” Nicki said it as if she was reluctant to tell him even that much.

“Hello, Ginger.” He stroked its silky fur, reminded of Nicki’s soft hair. That thought sent him walking over to set the animal on Nicki’s bed.

Time to get out of here.

“I’m sorry, Nic. I never wanted to hurt you, but it seems that’s all I’ve ever done. Your dad was right about us all those years ago. We were way too young. And now it’s much too late. Have a good life.”

He strode from the room without waiting for a response. Funny how much regret was eating at his soul. The past should never be allowed to haunt a man like this.

Nicki bit her lip to keep from calling him back. She’d never felt more confused in all her life. Why did Alex insist she’d called him? And what did he mean about her father? The two of them had never even met.

What difference did any of it make now? Alex wasn’t the boy of her dreams or the man she’d hoped he’d turn into. He was a bitter, angry man who probably regretted ever giving her a second look.

Ginger butted her hand, mewing softly in a bid for attention. Nicki stroked her absently while she wondered how Alex had gotten inside her apartment. The question nagged her out of bed. She reached for her robe and went from room to room checking doors and even the small windows. All were still locked, yet Alex was gone. Had he materialized from her dream?

She lay down again, but it was a long time before she fell asleep. Her dreams had turned to nightmares.

IN THE EARLY morning hours, Nicki drove out to her father’s horse farm. The property lay just beyond the much larger, wealthier Huntington Horse Farm. For years, the Huntingtons had been trying to get her father to sell out to them, but Bernie Michaels had a streak of stubborn that ran all the way to the core of his being. Despite the heart ailment that had caused him to cut way back on his activities, he still managed the farm and his family with a will of iron.

Nicki found her sister, Hope, in the kitchen clearing away the remains of breakfast.

“Hey!” Hope greeted. “Did you find my bracelet?”

“Good morning to you, too. I forgot to look. The car’s out front if you want to check.”

“You forgot to look?” Hope’s eyes danced merrily.

“In case you haven’t heard, a man was shot and killed behind my store. The police had the area sealed off until yesterday afternoon.”

Hope gaped at her. “What man?”

“Someone named Thorton Biggs.” Nicki walked over and closed the forgotten dishwasher.

“I haven’t heard a newscast in days, Nicki. Do they know who killed him?”

“Thad Osher thinks it was Alex Coughlin. Osher arrested him for questioning.”

Her sister gripped the edge of the table. “Oh, no! He couldn’t have! Osher’s wrong. Alex wouldn’t kill anyone.”

Nicki eyed her sister. “Funny, that’s what Alex says. But why would you say that? You don’t even know Alex.”

“No, but you used to like him.” Hope wouldn’t meet her eyes. “So you did get to talk to him?”

“Briefly.” She wasn’t about to tell her sister about her discussion with Alex. While puzzled by Hope’s initial reaction, she didn’t have a lot of time this morning for prying answers from her sister. Hope took after her father when it came to sheer cussed stubbornness.

“Where’s Dad?”

“Getting Big Man ready to take over to the Huntingtons. He’s going to cover one of their mares. What about Alex?”

“What about Alex?”

Her sister shifted, looking uncomfortable.

“Why all the concern about Alex?”

Her sister wouldn’t meet her eyes. “You used to be in love with him. Remember when you’d sneak out and meet him?”

“Some things are best forgotten,” Nicki said firmly. “Alex is one of them.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“Yes. I do.”

Hope started to say something else, but ended up staring at her with a bewildered expression.

“You want to tell me what’s going on, Hope?”

“Nothing! Nothing’s going on.”

Her sister was lying, but why? “You didn’t try to set me up the other night by any chance, did you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Nicki recognized the stubborn set to her sister’s lips. She wouldn’t get anywhere with the direct approach.

“Hope, we need to discuss this.”

“I told you, I don’t know what you’re talking about and I’ve got to get going.”

She’d get nothing further out of her sister right now, Nicki realized, so she changed tactics before her sister could escape. “Hold on a minute. Why is Dad working with the Huntingtons?”

“You know Dad,” Hope said vacantly. “He doesn’t let personal issues get in the way of business.”

“But working with the Huntingtons?”

“Jeff Huntington wanted to buy Big Man. Dad and I argued for days, but he finally agreed not to sell. Big Man is going to turn this place around, Nicki. I told Dad he was a winner. Since Jeff couldn’t buy him, Mr. Huntington offered us a lot of stud money to cover some of his mares.”

“Oh.”

“Look, I’ve got to get outside and bring the rig around.”

“Dad lets you do that now?”

Hope nodded. They shared a look of sad understanding. “He’s letting me do a lot of the stuff now.”

“Are you okay with that?”

“Sure. I love this place and the business. It’s what I’ve always wanted. You know that.”

Nicki did. “I’m glad Dad’s finally accepted your abilities. What about your bracelet?”

“Huh? Oh. I’ll look for it later.”

“While you’re at it, how about returning those earrings of mine you borrowed a couple of weeks ago.”

“Huh? Oh. Right. I’ll give them back. Here comes Dad. I need to use the bathroom before I go to the barn.”

Nicki watched her sister skitter away. Hope was acting weird even for her, but Nicki would have to investigate the cause later. She wanted to know what Alex had meant last night when he said her father had been right about them. It had been her first thought on waking this morning.

“Thought that was your car I heard,” Bernie greeted her. “You in trouble?”

Nicki sighed. Some things never changed. “No, Dad. I’m not in trouble.”

Her father strode to the sink and washed his hands. He’d lost more weight that he couldn’t afford to lose and his surly expression was more pinched than usual. Was it just the light, or did his skin have a gray cast to it this morning? He didn’t like questions about his health, especially since he’d been diagnosed with that heart condition last year. If he’d just go and have the recommended surgery they could all breathe easier.

“Thought maybe that murder out back of your store was a problem for you. Heard they arrested that Coughlin boy.”

Nicki seized on the unexpected opening. “They let him go. But Alex said something that made me wonder. Did you know I was…sort of seeing him in high school?”

Her father studied her, his expression unreadable. “You and I have never been close, Nicki. My fault, I guess. We’re too much alike, you and me. Besides, you always reminded me of your mother.”

Nicki fought a sudden lump of emotion. Her father never spoke of his emotions. And he never spoke of her mother, who’d died in a car crash shortly after Nicki’s birth.

“But you’re my daughter and I’ve always done the best I could for you.”

“I know that Dad. I love you too. I—”

“You were barely sixteen. Alex Coughlin would have ruined your life. I told him as much. Knew you wouldn’t see it, but I made him promise to leave you alone. I’d do the same thing all over again if I had to and that’s all I’m going to say on the matter. Where’s your sister?”

“But Dad—”

“Here I am.” Hope came around the corner a little too conveniently. No doubt she’d been standing out of sight in the dining room listening. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah. Move the rig and we’ll get him loaded. It would have been easier just to sell him.”

“Maybe so, but we’ll make more money this way, trust me, Dad.”

Their father harrumphed and stomped toward the door.

“Hold it, Dad,” Nicki demanded. “Our conversation isn’t over. You can’t tell me you had a hand in an event that affected my entire life and just walk away.”

“Nothing more to say. It’s over and done, girl.”

“Well I have plenty more to say!”

“Naturally, but I don’t have time right now. We’ll talk later.” He opened the door and stepped outside.

“You’re darn right we will,” she called after him. “This conversation isn’t over.”

“We really do have to go, Nicki,” Hope said. “If you’re going to stick around, Brent’s coming out here today.”

“Why?”

“He didn’t say. Are you going to wait for him?”

“If he comes before I have to get back and open the shop.” Three years older than Hope, Brent’s MBA had landed him a prestigious job at a firm in D.C. that kept him constantly busy. Both of Nicki’s younger brothers had turned into fine young men with solid careers.

She waited as long as she dared for Brent, occupying her time by preparing a casserole for supper and running a mop over the kitchen floor. Hope never complained, but Nicki knew taking care of the horses and their father left her younger sister little free time. There were times when Nicki felt guilty for finally walking away, even though she knew she had nothing to feel guilty about. Her father had basically forced her out once Hope was old enough not to need her constant support. He’d wanted Nicki to resume her own life and she suspected he’d felt guilty himself for needing her all those years.

She drove back through town, her thoughts more muddled than when she’d left. She hated that she couldn’t stop thinking about Alex. Or the past. Her lips still tingled from his kiss this morning. Why had he been so angry? If anyone should have been upset, it was her.

What had her father done?

As she drove through the sleepy little town of Fools Point, she tried to eye it from a stranger’s viewpoint. Small, quaint, almost picturesque with Sugarloaf Mountain for a backdrop. Still, this wasn’t exactly a tourist mecca. What would have drawn a stranger behind her store? Why her place? And why last night in particular?

Could the man have had something to do with Ilona?

No, Ilona said she’d never seen him before. But it suddenly occurred to Nicki to wonder what Ilona had been doing outside in the first place. She’d been too scared to venture out of Nicki’s apartment since she’d arrived. Had she tried to leave because she’d seen Alex loitering across the street? That could be why she’d described him so well. Maybe in the trauma of seeing the shooting, her mind had become confused. Her memory might have substituted Alex for the real killer.

Okay it was a stretch. Nicki was still trying to make excuses for Alex.

If only Ilona would call her again. She needed to know her friend was all right.

Nicki decided to concentrate on Hope’s skittish behavior. She and her sister sounded a lot alike. Alex could easily have mistaken Hope’s voice for her own. And Hope had been insistent about Nicki going out to look for that bracelet right away. But why would her sister try to set them up?

Nicki pulled into the alley to park in her usual spot behind her store. The lot was mostly empty. The only cars around at this hour belonged to the people living over the stores. She knew everyone, of course, but this was the first time she’d ever paid attention to the cars parked around her. Strangely uneasy, she decided the lot had a deserted, spooky feel to it this morning.

Small wonder. A man had died here. The knowledge seemed unreal. Everything looked so normal. The tall chain-link fence separated the parking spaces from the woods behind the alley that ran the length of the block. She’d always known this area was isolated, but it had never been scary before.

Her imagination was running wild, that was all. There was nothing to feel nervous about today. Now if she could just convince her heart to stop fluttering so wildly.

As she started toward the store, a sudden movement caught the corner of her eye. Nicki whirled. A figure stepped from behind the large trash bin.

“Ms. Michaels!”

The fear-charged adrenaline dissipated quickly, leaving her feeling spent and foolish. Matt Williams, a local boy, ran up to her.

“You scared me, Matt. What are you doing out here at this hour?”

The youth gazed around nervously. He was rumpled and dirty. In fact, he looked like he’d spent the night in the dumpster. There were circles under his young eyes and she saw several old and not-so-old scratches on his arms.

“Are you okay, Matt?”

His head bobbed agreement. Only then did she realize how tall he’d grown. He had to be close to six feet already, though he hadn’t yet grown into that gangly body. His features belonged to a youth. A trace of hair was barely visible across his upper lip. He was going to be a big, good-looking man one day. In fact, he reminded her of her oldest brother, Gavin.

“Can I talk to you, Ms. Michaels?”

“Of course, Matt. You want to come in and have something to eat?”

“No. Thank you.” His eyes slid back and forth, scanning the area. The very alertness of his stance was making her edgy all over again. Matt had a hunted look about him.

“Is something wrong, Matt?”

“It’s all over town that you saw the shooting.”

Nicki grimaced. Why had she let Ilona talk her into that foolish admission? She wasn’t surprised that gossip was all over town, but hearing a reference to it made her feel increasingly guilty. She should have stuck to her instincts and refused to let Ilona put her in such a vulnerable position.

“Is it true? Did you see what happened too?”

Her heart jumped into her throat. “Too? You mean you saw the shooting, Matt?”

The youth looked poised for flight. Fear lit eyes that were much too old for his fifteen years. “Yeah.”

“Why didn’t you tell the police?”

“No way! I’m not gonna end up like him.”

“Him who? You mean Thorton Biggs?”

Matt didn’t seem to hear her questions. “You were smart not to tell them everything. The cops can’t protect us, you know.”

She thought of Thad Osher and understood immediately. The man was a cop, but he was also a jerk. She laid a hand on Matt’s arm and he jumped like a startled deer.

“It’s okay, Matt.”

“No. That’s why I came to warn you. We aren’t safe anymore. You have to go away. Someplace safe.”

“Matt, it’s okay.” But his fear had communicated itself just fine. She felt suddenly exposed, standing in the middle of the alley like this. “Let’s go inside and—”

The crack of the gun was shockingly loud. The shot must have passed between her head and Matt’s because it shattered the corner brick right behind them.

“Run!”

The boy was already taking his own advice. He sprinted to the dumpster with impressive speed.

Nicki heard the second and third shots ricochet before she followed his example and ran. She headed for the steps leading up to her apartment. Her fingers fumbled with the keys in her hand, searching for the one that would open the door. Another shot. Louder. Closer.

She reached the steps. Running footsteps pounded toward her. Too scared to scream, she started to climb. The keys slipped through her fingers.