TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23
The relief was immense. Jaime had done the hardest thing she could imagine in testifying before the committee, and now after a late lunch with her friends, she felt so free. This was what all the hard work of counseling and coming to terms with Dane’s abuse had led to. His actions would always be a part of her story, but they no longer had to dictate her future.
With the help of her friends and this God she was just beginning to know, she sensed true freedom waiting around the corner.
When Jaime arrived at her apartment, she was ready to collapse on the futon with a book or movie. She might not even turn on the diffuser tonight.
Then she opened the door and froze. The air was already filled with the scent of lavender with an undertone of something that smelled musky. It was a smell she didn’t want to remember. The one that assaulted her when she’d confronted Dane at the ball. His signature scent.
Where was Simba, and why was the light she always left on over the stove off?
Something was wrong.
She stepped back toward the hallway and pulled out her phone. She had the phone to her ear, a call ringing to Chandler, when she heard a voice.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
The sense of freedom evaporated with that sentence.
Dane.
In her apartment.
How had he gotten in? Even her parents didn’t have a key.
She slowly lowered her phone but didn’t flick it off, praying he wouldn’t notice. “What do you want?”
He stepped into view. Loomed in the space. A hulking frame in the shadows.
Her breath hitched. She couldn’t think, couldn’t move.
He sensed the power he held. Stepped nearer. “What did you think you were doing today?”
His growl propelled her a step back.
“Telling the truth.” Her words squeaked. She needed to be strong. It was the only way she’d survive.
“Close the door.”
“No.” She couldn’t argue with a bully, but she didn’t have to obey.
“Have it your way. I can kill you and disappear before anyone knows I was here.” His words were so certain, so cold, she didn’t doubt he meant them. “I’m very good at my job.”
“What job is that?”
“That would be classified, need-to-know information, and you don’t have that clearance.”
She eased the door shut behind her without letting it latch.
“All the way.”
“It is.”
“One little twist and your cat’s dead.” She couldn’t see the cat in his arms but couldn’t risk her companion. “You’ll be next.”
She pushed the door until it clicked.
“Good.” Dane’s voice seemed disembodied, but then he called her closer. “I’ll take your phone.”
She wanted to whimper but refused to move or speak.
“You have two seconds until your cat is dead.”
She slid the phone toward him. “There.”
It was small, but that act of defiance felt important. “Why are you here?”
“Because we’re going to have a conversation. Then I’ll decide your future.”
She trembled in the darkness, feeling her old friend fear move in. “No.” She repeated the word, this time louder. “No.”
“We will talk. Have you seen the headlines, the tickers on the networks?” His voice grated with anger. “You told your lies, and now I’ll pay.”
“You should.” The words were defiant but her tone weak.
“That’s wrong. I never did anything you didn’t want. That you didn’t beg for. So you should pay.”
“I have paid every day of my life. I refuse to pay a moment longer for your sins.” She felt an energy rolling through her as she spoke. “I am done letting you control my life. How I feel and what I allow to happen.”
“Such noble words. Easy to say now that you’ve destroyed my career with lies.”
“You destroyed your career. I just made sure they understood who you are.”
“Oh no. Your lies won’t stick in a criminal court. Your evidence? Just your word against mine. It won’t stand up with the rules of evidence.”
“We have more.” No need to tell him specifically about the journal and counseling reports. He’d have those soon enough.
“Doesn’t matter. No jury will believe you over me.”
“But the senators did.”
“Not for long. I’ll fight back with the best attorneys money can buy.”
She startled as she felt a presence wind around her legs. Simba? Dane must have lied about having her cat, and she shouldn’t be surprised. He’d made a lifetime of lying, presenting one persona in public and another to her. The man stepped closer. She needed a weapon. Something, anything. But what? The knives were on the other side of the island, and her briefcase wouldn’t do much to him. Her thoughts flew in a torrent of desperation.
Then he had her in a headlock, his breath heavy on her face, and she thought she’d be sick. A flashback launched and she screamed. He squeezed her neck until she whimpered. She was tall, but he was taller. He was stronger and there was little she could do.
God? The word screamed through her mind. Where are you?
She bit down on his arm and at the same time she stepped on his insole.
Chandler held the phone to his ear, horrified. With his other hand he tugged out his work cell and called 911 as he ran to the security desk in the lobby.
“I need the key to Jaime Nichols’s apartment.”
The woman behind the desk just looked at him, then listened as he quickly described the situation to the 911 responder. Without another word she handed him the key.
He took off for the stairwell—no time to wait for an elevator.
Within moments he was at her door, barely turning the key before he kicked the door wide and called her name.
“Chandler, stay back!”
Jaime was backed against a wall, writhing to get away, her uncle pressed against her. Chandler reached for the gun he kept in a holster near the small of his back, but Dane spoke without turning.
“Make a move, and I’ll kill her now.”
Chandler slid his gun free, unclicked the safety, and yelled, “Jaime, now.” He prayed she would understand the order, because he didn’t have time to wait for the police to arrive.
He fired.
In an instant her uncle was gone. No chance the man survived the head shot.
Jaime’s scream, a sound that had no beginning or end, filled the apartment, and he raced toward her. “Don’t open your eyes. Trust me, don’t look.”
She shook hard as he helped her up and led her around her uncle’s body. “I didn’t want this. I didn’t want this.”
“I know, baby, I know.”
He led her out of the living area and into the hallway outside the apartment. “We’ll wait here for the police.”
She threw herself into his arms and sobbed. He held her and wished he could wipe the entire incident from her mind. She’d confronted her demon and won. But the cost would be high.