“But what Dom is saying is that a lot of people in his computer software industry can probably do that, right?” Raine asked.
“Yes,” Dom said. “I taught myself, so others could do the same. As Kendra said, it’s highly technical. That’s why I think Bartoli may have hired a hacker.”
“I’m too old for this,” Levy muttered. He raked his hands through his hair. “And I don’t like knowing the whole Sullivan family might be in danger now too. Maybe we need to consider a different alternative.”
“Like what?” Kendra turned to face the marshal. “Are you thinking of setting another trap for this guy?”
Levy made a face. “I was thinking more along the lines of helping Dominic disappear. For good.”
It took Kendra a moment to understand what Levy meant. “You mean, putting him into the witness protection program?”
“Exactly.” Levy spread his hands. “Why not? If Dominic disappears, the danger is over. Everybody can go home and live their own lives.”
Kendra’s chest tightened to the point she couldn’t draw a breath. Every muscle in her body rejected the idea of Dominic disappearing from her life, forever.
No way. There had to be another answer. Even if having a personal relationship with Dominic was out of the question, she couldn’t bear the thought of him being forced to cut ties with his friends, move to a new location, and take on a new identity and a new job. Leaving everything he knew and cared about behind.
It was the bad guys who should suffer. Not Dominic. Especially since Dom hadn’t done anything to deserve this.
12
“I’m not giving up my entire life.” Dom glared at Levy. He hadn’t liked the US Marshal before, and now it was all he could do not to slug the guy. “Besides, you can’t guarantee the danger to Kendra and her family would be over. The shooter hasn’t cared if he takes her out with me.”
“You’re the main target,” Levy insisted.
“You don’t know that.” Dom turned, raking his hands through his hair. “Helen Gingrass was killed because Stuart confessed to her. Kendra’s been with me since the beginning. If Bartoli is behind this, he’ll assume that everything Stuart told Helen was passed on to me and to Kendra too.” He flung his hand toward Justin, Raine, and Griff. “And that includes her extended family.”
“I agree with Dominic,” Justin said. “The gunman shot through the window at the house aiming at everyone sitting around the table. It wasn’t just Dom who was in danger. As far as I’m concerned, we’re all in this together.”
“I feel the same way,” Griff added. “This thing has gotten too big to think that relocating Dominic into WITSEC will stop the danger. We need to focus on getting this guy. We think he’s a hired gun, and if that’s the case, then we’ll convince him to turn on his boss.”
“I’m in agreement with that too.” Raine smiled grimly. “If anyone should be forced into WITSEC, it’s the gunman. Not Dominic.”
Dom was touched at how readily the Sullivan clan jumped to his defense. It occurred to him that if he hadn’t met up with Kendra to work the case with her, he may have been forced to make the same decision his father had made twenty-five years ago.
Thinking about that gave him new appreciation for how difficult that must have been for his father. Becoming a widowed father to a three-year-old and having to move across the country to a start a new life without any family support.
His father had done that and more for him, Dom knew. Given up everything for the child who deserved to be protected at all costs.
If Dom had a child, he’d do the same thing. And that thought gave him pause. If the only way to keep Kendra safe was to give up his life, the decision to enter the program would be easy. For a moment, he froze, staring blinding through the bullet-ridden glass of the living room window.
Was he being selfish? Did Levy have a point?
He abruptly turned to face the US Marshal. “Do you honestly think that if we faked my death, Kendra and her family would be safe?”
“I think it’s a strong possibility, yes,” Levy said.
“No, Dom.” Kendra rushed over to grasp his arm. “Don’t do this. I don’t want you to give up everything on the slim chance the danger will be over. Besides, that’s not justice for our parents. Why would you want Bartoli to get away with murder?”
He covered her hand with his. “I don’t want him to get away with it. But this is my father’s mess, Kendra. Not yours. Your safety is more important to me . . .”
“Hold on,” Griff interrupted. “We’re not going to do anything crazy. Let’s get out of here and discuss further when we’re at the safe house. Our first step is to come up with a plan that will draw the shooter out into the open.”
“I agree,” Raine said. “Convincing the shooter to turn on his employer is the best option we have. I think we need to leave, too, while the police are still hanging around outside. The shooter isn’t going to come back as long as they’re around. That being said, I don’t think they need to know the location of the safe house. The fewer the better.”
“Raine and I left our vehicle to the east a few blocks away,” Justin said. “Griff, I know yours is on the other side of the neighborhood. Kendra, you and Dom should give us a few minutes to get our SUVs, then head out. We’ll meet up with you to form our caravan.”
“That works for me.” Kendra’s expression filled with relief as she released his arm. “Dom, grab the laptop. I need my backpack too.”
