Page 139 of The Quiet Witness

“You don’t have to say anything.” He strode past her, holding the now slipping towel up with a hand as he stepped into the hallway. But not without a final glance in her direction. “You coming?”

Kate was left staring at the plastic card resting in her palm. And all the things it signified. She had a permit to drive the car. Had the skills to drive it too, could… drive herself to Mexico if that’s what she wanted to do.

But somewhere in the background a tiny voice whispered at her to hurry up.

I have to see if phase two of the plan will work. Even after what he just did for me.

She bobbed her head. “I’ll be there in a sec. I lost something last time I was in here.”

Drops were still racing down his tanned skin, and with a curse he folded the towel firmer around himself, leaving her alone with a last joke. “I better go and dress before I scar your eyes for life.”

His echoing chuckle gifted her with the possibility of pinpointing his location. Almost back to the door and… yes. It fell shut behind him.

The further the better.

Kate conjured up her ‘flat’ phone out of the back pocket of her faded jeans, forcing down the guilt that sat at the back of her throat. She bent down, grabbing the grey duct tape from inside her boots. That last one she’d managed to swipe out of the kitchen during Lucien’s shower.

One… she stopped, ears straining to pick up the slightest of sound, but only silence reigned in the house.

Thank God for small mercies.

two… bending down to her haunches, she bit off four long straps of the tape, sticking them to the desk’s edge, ready for use.

three… next was ticking in her old number on the new phone.

Fuck me. She typed in a wrong number. Pressing the red button, she stared out the hallway. Still no Lucien. Huffing, she released a breath through her nose, in and out. Better take a second to gather herself rather than fall to the ground because she’d forgotten to breathe.

four… ticking in the number again, she picked up her own call with the new phone. Desperately shoving her thumb over the little speaker to muffle the sound of the call before answering it. Grabbing a piece of tape, she had no choice but to shove it between her teeth, ignoring the way it made her tongue curl up.

five… She rolled aside his desk chair, craning her neck to fit below the desk. She held up the phone to the worn wood, tearing the grey strap from her teeth to plaster it over the device.

Almost there. Just a couple steps left…

Nearly dropping the next piece of tape, she swallowed a curse and ripped off the remaining pieces, using it to cover up the old phone. Checking with a hand to make sure it wouldn’t fall in the midst of their conversation.

“Found what you were looking for?”

Kate nearly bumped her head against the desk. Hallway, he was in the hallway.

She shoved herself up on trembling hands. Grabbing his chair, she whirled it around and threw her weight down in it to rest a hand on her chin. Pretending to stare out the large window all the while calming the heartbeat that was throbbing in her ears.

“We’ll be alright, Kate. It’s not healthy to stress yourself like this.”

She glanced over her shoulder with a demure smile. Lucien was fully clad in his usual black clothes, with the hood resting on his shoulders. The very same look as when they had first met. Only his eyes told a different story now.

Telling her that he mistook the flush on her cheeks and the nervous twitches in her fingers, luckily.

Chapter 59

Collegial Trust

The bottle of their preferred whiskey opened with a pop. The two new tumblers tinkled together in a joyous melody as Lucien generously poured the sloshing amber liquid, adding just the tiniest bit more to his guest’s glass.

It had been easier than anticipated to get Kate into safety. Maybe even a bit too easy, come to think of it. And whatever had she even lost in the study?

Did I… miss something?

Trey plopped down in the armchair, crossing one elegant leg over his knee while muttering. “You’ve caused quite the ruckus, hmm.”