Remembering the fear on Cameron’s face that day in her condo, Emily hugged herself. She wished he’d told her what he’d found sooner so they could have gone straight to the police. What had he and her father found that got them killed?
The thought terrified her.Do I want to know?
“I wasted my time looking for boxes rented in Cameron’s and your father’s names.” Ben held the key out to her. “This key goes to a box rented in your name.”
“Why did he put it in my name?”
Jake and Ben shared a somber look and Emily’s heart sank.Because Cameron knew he wouldn’t be around long enough to come back to it.She swallowed the tears that clogged her throat and fought to draw air into her tight chest.
Jake clasped her hand, and she hung on for dear life.
* * *
Jake pulledto a stop in the parking garage near the bank in Kennewick. He turned off the engine and looked out his window as Robert parked next to him. He hoped they didn’t need the back-up, but it was nice to know Robert was there.
He turned back to Emily. She’d been quiet during the drive here, and worry lines furrowed her brow.
Jake put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “You okay?”
She shrugged. “I’m scared.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be right beside you. I won’t let anything happen to you. And Robert will be here to make sure no one messes with my truck.”
“What if something happens to you? When we get out of this truck, we’re both targets. Whoever is doing this has killed twice to protect their secret. By asking you to protect me, I’m putting your life at risk. Besides, you won’t be able to take your gun into the bank.” Tears filled Emily’s eyes, and she tried to blink them away, causing a single tear to fall on her cheek. “I’m sorry for getting you mixed up in all of this.”
Jake wiped the tear away with his thumb. “Hey, don’t do this to yourself. In case you haven’t figured it out by now, I would do anything for you.”
“I know you would, and I feel like I’m constantly taking advantage of you.”
“You’ve hardly taken advantage of me, Em.” Jake studied her face. “Something else is bothering you. What is it?”
Emily looked away from his probing gaze. “I’m worried about what we’ll find in the safety deposit box. Did Cameron and my father get themselves messed up in something illegal? I don’t want to find anything disparaging about either of them.”
“I think you knew your brother well enough to know that’s not likely the case. Cameron would want you to have faith in him.”
“You’re right,” she admitted with a sigh. “If it is something bad, I’m sure he didn’t get involved knowingly.” She looked past Jake’s shoulder to Robert waiting in his Tahoe. “Robert probably thinks I’m such a basket case.”
“I can almost guarantee he’s thinking ‘kiss her already and get on with it.’” Jake leaned over and planted a quick kiss on her forehead, then he climbed out and walked around to her door.
She smiled as he helped her down. No doubt she’d seen the thumbs up signal Robert gave him.
Before they left the parking garage, Jake stepped to Robert’s window and had a quick word with him. “I’ll text you when we’re on our way out.”
Hopefully, that would be soon and with no complications.
* * *
Vince backedRalph’s Nissan into the far corner of the parking garage and lowered the window. The odor of rubber and oil combined with the noise of traffic outside the garage grated on his already frayed nerves. Perspiration pricked his brow, and his shoulder muscles bunched. He popped his neck, weighing his options.
He’d hated having to borrow Ralph’s car again, but his Excursion was too well known. He also hated conducting business in public. He didn’t have a choice anymore, though. He hadn’t been able to get close to Dr. Anderson on the ranch, but he’d tailed her and the rancher here easily enough, thanks to Ralph’s car.
If she handed the evidence in that box over to law enforcement, it was game over for the boss.
He couldn’t help the smile that pulled at his lips. In Vince’s opinion, the arrogant fool had gotten away with too much for far too long. He pressed his mouth into a tight line. But the pompous jerk wouldn’t hesitate to throw him under the bus for her father’s and brother’s murders, and he couldn’t have that.
He leaned forward in his seat to get a look at the sheriff parked next to the rancher’s truck. There was no way Vince could get his hands on the woman near the truck. And picking them off from across the garage was too risky. He couldn’t guarantee a clear shot. Besides, the sheriff would be on him before he could retrieve the evidence.
No. I’ve got to get them before they get back to the sheriff.
