Page 144 of The Quiet Witness

She’d been in Georgia’s room, faking a headache to get away from the bustling sanctuary and finding the solitude necessary to listen in to Lucien and his colleague’s conversation. And after, Kate clutched the passport and driver’s license he’d given her to her chest. Thoughts of escape had whirled around her brain, only… she wasn’t stupid.

If her death was signed, would be written as paid in full with bright, red letters on a picture. Going to an airport with the name Lucien had given her would be useless.

Kate took a deep breath, the cold burning her lungs as she tried to steady the silent terror flaring throughout her entire body. Because Lucien shouldn’t know, not yet. Not until having asked him straight up, and if he lied? I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.

Her breath stuttered in line with the thought. But she needed to give him a chance, for all he had done for her. Forcing her legs under her, she got up from the tiny bench beneath the willow tree. It creaked ominously behind her, swaying hard with the fierce wind that set the snowflakes whirling.

The tank of a Volvo stopped in front of her, and the window slid down soundlessly, revealing the driver with a cocky smile on his face and an eyebrow already lifted in amusement.

She steeled her heart, pulling on a face of bluff as she jerked a thumb over her shoulder.

“Out.”

Even more amused now, Lucien regarded her. She held still beneath his gaze, the wind ruffling violently through her loose hanging hair.

“I was just about to say you look good.” His head tipped up, giving her a questioning look. “Had expected a good afternoon, Lucien, too.”

Play the game. Just a little while longer.

She leaned over the window playfully, pointedly glancing at the keys of the still-rolling engine. “Out of the driver’s seat. It’s mine now.”

His rumbling chuckle washed up against her ears. “What hostilities.” But Lucien pushed the button, silencing the rumbling engine. “Okay miss, here is your ride.” He dropped the keys in her waiting hands and opened his door to give her the wheel.

Rolling her eyes, she stepped aside to let him pass, catching onto his low murmured. “Bossy.”

“I heard you.”

“That was intentional.” Lucien declared in a sing-song voice. His tone was so full of confident mirth.

He wasn’t going to tell, was he? Had he been playing her like a piano all this time? Smooth and effortless. While she was falling headfirst for the one that should sent her running in the opposite direction.

No. I refuse to believe it, because all of it felt so goddamned real.

It was all Kate could hope for as she slid in the driver’s seat, still warm from his presence. She pushed the key into the slot, rubbing her hands together to allow blood flow to do its work. Checking the mirrors she smoothly merged with the traffic that came bustling down the narrow street.

“Like a pro.” The man next to her murmured, glancing at her with a small, disarming smile.

Her hands clutched over the wheel, glad for the fact that at least she was the one driving now, giving her the slightest hint of control. If only anything else in her life was within her grasp.

“Soooo,” Rolling to a stop in front of the first intersection. She focused on Lucien. “You going to keep me in suspense any longer?”

One finger drummed on his thigh as he met her eyes. “I figured the cocky smile you like so much spoke for me.”

It did indeed. He was dancing around the truth, why not just blurt it out? Be done with it.

Please, don’t. She kept repeating the plea inside of her mind. No lying. Please, no lying. The light sprung to green. “I’d rather like to hear it from your lips.”

Silence. Hesitance for a split second.

“We’re in the clear. For now.” Another drum of his fingers as he stared out the window, keeping his attention fixed on the road as the car climbed in speed under her trembling feet.

Not the truth. Not a complete lie either.

That was it, his tell. She fiddled with her fingers, and Lucien… he drummed them over his thigh. She’d thought it meant he was nervous, or thinking deeply. But maybe, it was a tell that he was lying.

One last chance. For all he’d done for her. “So, your colleague visited… why?”

“So many questions today.”