Safeguarding Kelly(22)
Author: Zoe Dawson

 

“Yes, ma’am.” Eric’s voice dropped an octave. “Are you going to be all right?”

 

“I’ll be fine.” She kept her voice even. Jason had been right, and she could only feel relief that he had been forceful last night in suggesting staying the night. She had to admit that she had felt so safe with him in the house. “I appreciate your concern.”

 

“You might want to call the police.”

 

“Thanks, Eric. I work for the police. Don’t touch the car again. Someone from NCIS will be there to impound it as evidence in a possible abduction. Mine.” She disconnected the call.

 

He stood with his weight on one hip, his thumb hooked in the pocket of his jeans. And she could feel him watching her. Folding her arms tightly under her breasts, she made herself look up at him. His brows were pinched, the frown making him look distant and unapproachable. And solitary. Very, very solitary. His absolute stillness, his steady, level gaze, his unsmiling expression did funny things to her insides—things that didn’t make any sense—and she looked away, nerves making her heart race. She wondered what really lay hidden beneath that inscrutable exterior.

 

Jason had been a rescue swimmer, but now he was a CGIS agent. He carried a gun, and he knew how to use it. He was putting himself between her and a serial killer.

 

He pulled out his cell phone and pressed send. “Talbot, this is Hollow.” He explained what had happened. “I’m going to be staying with Kelly at night. There’s no need for a nighttime detail. Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”

 

“You’ll have two agents standing guard down here with you. One at the back and the other just outside until this threat is over. At night, I go home with you. I shadow you.”

 

She nodded. “Okay.” He pulled her close, his arm banding around her back and the sense of being both safe and on the edge of chaos rushed through her. She looked up at him and he cupped her face. There was no doubt in her mind that he would put his life on the line for her, just as he’d done countless times for strangers.

 

Guilt churned like acid in her gut, remorse making it all the worse. She could no longer keep this awful secret no matter what it was going to cost her. This man, this precious, brave, and sweet man deserved the truth from her.

 

She opened her mouth to tell him, right here, right now. But the elevator opened, and two agents walked out, briefly acknowledging them. One went to the back door and stood there. The other positioned himself at the elevator. Jason let her go and went to talk to him most likely about logistics. Experiencing the first cold fingers of panic, she stared at him, trapped in her own omission. She should have foreseen this. She should have dealt with it as soon as she saw him again. She was resolved to tell him the truth as soon as they had a moment of privacy.

 

She could only pray that he wouldn’t hate her.

 

For the rest of the afternoon, everything went by in a blur. She continued her autopsy on the body, then moved on to Carla Hudson. There wasn’t anything new to be found here. Her wounds and cause of death looked identical.

 

The phone rang, and Kyle picked it up. “Morgue.” He turned to her. “It’s for you.”

 

She walked over and picked up the receiver. “Dr. Hu.”

 

“Kelly, it’s Math. I have some results for you. The DNA for the Thompson pregnancy matches perfectly with Crouch’s. He was the father. The victims all had elevated markers for morphine in their blood, a lethal dose that would have stopped their breathing or caused heart arrhythmia. Looks like Crouch had a heart attack. They also all tested positive for Rohypnol. They don’t call it the date rape drug for nothing. They would have been putty in the killer’s hands, doing exactly as they were told.” He paused. “I tested those shavings you sent as well. Looks like it’s the same compound as a drill bit, most likely used with an electric screwdriver. Run of the mill. No leads there.”

 

“Thanks, Math.”

 

She walked out of the morgue to the elevator and the agent assigned to her followed. She smiled at him as she pushed the up button. Arriving on Jason’s floor, she headed to his desk.

 

“Hey Kelly,” Amber said as she passed the agent. Her handsome husband, Tristan Michaels, Nova’s brother, and their five-year-old daughter and two-year-old son smiled from a silver frame on her desk. Nova had been such a good friend to her. So had Neve Kaczewski, Nova’s twin sister. She had married Tristan’s business partner, Russell Kaczewski. Tristan and Russell had served in Marine Force RECON before going into business together. She, her husband, and her three-year-old twin boys had relocated to Elizabeth City, North Carolina where she was currently teaching at the Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer’s school. She hadn’t talked to Nova in a couple of weeks. Maybe it was a good idea to give her a call.

 

Jason looked up when she got to his desk. She told him the results and he leaned back in his chair. “That clinches it. Looks like old George was working on wife number three.”

 

“Sorry I couldn’t provide more to go on.”

 

He nodded. “How you holding up?”

 

“I’m fine. I work for the finest agency in San Diego.” She leaned on the desk and said, “And, I have you.”

 

His gaze warm and edgy, he leaned forward, his voice a rasp, “You’re damn right you do. I’ll keep you safe.”

 

“I know you will.”

 

He held her gaze, his face softened, the steadiness in his eyes making her think of a hunter’s eyes, the angles of his face accentuated by the golden stubble on his strong jaw. He was so still, so very still.

 

He held her gaze a moment longer, then covered her hand. “Let me know when you’re ready to go.” He squeezed.

 

Suddenly cold, Kelly slipped her hands into her lab coat pockets. She hoped he still regarded her with respect after she told him about Kiko. Suddenly it was the most important thing in her life right now.

 

Back down in the morgue, she continued her work on Carla Hudson. When she was almost done, her cell rang. She pulled off her gloves and answered.

 

“Kelly, it’s Jen. I just wanted you to know that Kiko had a great time at the zoo. I’m giving them a snack before you pick her up. Both of them should nap after that. Just a heads up she’s been a bit sniffly and a tad congested. Probably a little cold she picked up at school.”

 

“She’s all right?” Kelly heard laughter in the background.

 

“Yes, she’s great.”

 

“Jennifer, there’s an agent who will be watching the house. Something to do with my job. No reason to worry.”