Safe House Under Fire. Elisabeth Rees

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      “If you know this guy’s identity, why not just arrest him?”

      “We have no evidence to arrest him.”

      “What? You must have evidence?”

      “You are the only evidence we have.”

      “Me?”

      “Yes. Henderson is careful to avoid security cameras, he doesn’t leave a trace of himself behind and he leaves no witnesses.” David realized that he needed to correct his words. “Actually, that’s not true. He can’t avoid creating one witness per crime, and that’s the bank clerk who performs the money transfers. He deliberately chooses banks where the staff won’t have met his victim and he’ll then interact with just one person during the entire transaction.”

      “I thought it was a little strange that he didn’t go to our bigger branch in Pittsburgh,” Lilly said. “But he said he was spending some time with friends in Oakmont and preferred the friendly service of our small-town office.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe I was actually flattered by the compliment.”

      “Con men are usually incredibly charming. It’s why they’re so good at manipulating people.”

      Lilly was obviously beginning to understand the gravity of her situation. “You’re saying I’m the only person who saw his face while he committed this crime?”

      “Correct.”

      “What about the documents he gave me? I took copies of his passport and driver’s license as part of the background checks.”

      “Those documents belong to the real Mr. Berger, so they’re no use to us.”

      Lilly was wide-eyed and unbelieving. “Really? I checked them thoroughly and the photographs matched the person.”

      “Henderson only ever selects victims who already bear a strong resemblance to him, and he’ll change his hair, wear contacts and false teeth if necessary. None of the bank clerks have spotted the lie so far.”

      “What happened to them?” she asked, her voice suddenly shaky. “To the other clerks who were duped like me?”

      David glanced at Goldie, reluctant to answer truthfully. He didn’t want to scare Lilly even more than she was already and, sensing his hesitancy, Goldie stepped into the silence, speaking softly and with concern.

      “The other four clerks were all found dead the day after the crimes. We weren’t able to save them in time, but we can help you now. We won’t allow any harm to come to you. With your witness testimony, we have enough evidence to finally issue a warrant for the arrest of Gilbert Henderson. We just need to find him first.”

      “Before he finds me,” Lilly said. “Because if I’m dead, then he walks free, right?”

      “Right,” said Goldie. “But that’s why we’re here. We won’t let him find you.”

      The color had drained from Lilly’s face, and David gently patted her hand, which was cold and clammy. “As soon as Henderson is in custody, you’ll be safe. He’s worked alone ever since his accomplice was murdered ten years ago, so he’s the only threat we need to neutralize.”

      “What happens now?” she asked him. “Do I have to go into witness protection?”

      “Yes, just for a short while.”

      She put her head in her hands. “What about Astrid?”

      “Can she stay with relatives until you return home?”

      “No, you don’t understand,” Lilly said. “Astrid saw this man’s face when he attacked us today. Won’t that make her a target too?”

      David caught sight of his partner’s stony expression. This was a complication that neither of them had anticipated, and Goldie led David by the arm into the kitchen.

      “Astrid is a witness to attempted murder,” Goldie whispered. “She saw Henderson’s face during the gun attack and that puts her in the firing line. He’ll want her eliminated too. You know he never leaves a loose thread.”

      The last thing David wanted to do was look after a teenage girl, especially one who would undoubtedly push all his buttons and remind him of his most serious failures as a father. But what choice did he have? Astrid was now in as much danger as her mother.

      Lilly appeared in the kitchen doorway. “Astrid has to come with me,” she said. “I won’t go without her.”

      David noticed that a bruise was appearing on Lilly’s forehead. “I agree. Can you both pack some things? Enough for a week to start off.”

      “Astrid’s not going to be happy,” she replied. “She’ll kick against it, but please try to understand that she’s only fifteen. She’s a child.”

      Chloe had been only a couple of years older than Astrid when the car in which she’d been traveling slammed into a tree and damaged her young brain. She had been just seventeen when forced to learn to walk and talk again, to use a knife and fork, to regret not listening to her father.

      “Astrid may be a child,” David said. “But she can follow orders and do what I ask. I’d like your support in ensuring she complies with my rules.”

      He saw Lilly’s jaw clench, her nostrils flare. This clearly wasn’t going to be easy.

      “I’m Astrid’s mother, and I’ll make the decisions on what rules she follows.”

      David took a deep breath. “From what I’ve seen of the interactions between the two of you so far, it doesn’t appear that your daughter respects your authority.”

      “Of course she does,” Lilly retorted.

      “No, she doesn’t. She’s willful, disobedient and challenging, and I need her to understand that I don’t tolerate backchat, not when your lives are in my hands.”

      Lilly blinked fast, her dark lashes moving so quickly that he almost expected to feel a breeze.

      “You don’t have kids, do you, David?” she said.

      “Yes, ma’am, I do—two daughters, both now in their twenties. Sarah is a lawyer in Philadelphia and Chloe currently lives in Penn Hills.”

      Lilly’s expression was one of surprise. “And did you demand total obedience from them, as well?”

      I wish I had, thought David. Maybe Chloe would now be a doctor like she planned, instead of residing in an assisted living complex.

      “Let’s stick to the current situation here,” he said, sidestepping the question. “Go talk with Astrid, pack your bags and we’ll discuss details afterward.”

      Lilly stalked from the kitchen, but not before he heard her mutter under her breath, “Control freak.”

      David leaned against the kitchen counter. He’d rather be accused of being a control freak than a weak parent. And no matter how hard he tried to understand her reasoning, СКАЧАТЬ