10

Someone wants you dead.

Lucas heard Nikki’s words but couldn’t believe she was right.

“Did you hear me?”

“I heard you. I just…that doesn’t make any sense…Are you sure?”

The policeman stepped out of his cruiser.

“Oh, great.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle this.”

“Let’s get this over with.” Nikki was resigned.

They walked back to the scene.

“Oh, you decided to come back, didja?” The young man turned to the officer. “I want her arrested. She assaulted me.”

“I wasn’t trying to assault you. I was trying to keep you from getting shot.”

Lucas didn’t let his concern show. He needed to diffuse this situation fast. But she could have been killed. What was she thinking when she ran after a man with a gun?

“I didn’t see no man with no gun.” The kid brushed the hair out of his face.

“Well, I did,” Nikki countered.

“She’s just making that up so she won’t go to jail.”

The police officer said nothing.

“If that was the case, then why did I come back?”

He glared at Nikki. “I don’t know. Probably because you’re crazy.”

The officer looked at Lucas. “What about you, Congressman? Did you see a man with a gun?”

“My back was turned the other way. But if Ms. Kent says she saw a man with a gun, then she did.”

“You need to contact the FBI.” Nikki looked at the officer.

“FBI?” The officer raised his brows in inquiry.

“Lucas McMann is a US congressman. A threat to his life is nothing to minimize.”

“If you want me to contact them, I’ll be glad to do so.” The officer turned to Lucas. “She’s right. We don’t want anything happening to you. Even if you didn’t see the gun.”

“What? You don’t believe me?” Nikki asked.

“It’s not that I don’t believe you, ma’am, but there’s no proof.”

“He’s right,” Lucas said.

“So, you don’t believe me either.” Her jaw tightened.

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to. Do whatever you all want.” She walked away.

“Aren’t you going to arrest her?” The young man asked, outraged.

“How about I pay for you and a friend to go out to dinner and you walk away with a good story? Just think, you quite possibly stopped a bullet intended for a congressman and the gunman ran away.” Lucas kept his tone conciliatory as he pulled out his wallet and peeled off three one-hundred-dollar bills. “This will be enough to take your girl to a nice place and get a bottle of wine for your trouble.”

The young man paused, looking at the cop.

The officer’s face was noncommittal as he waited for a decision.

“OK.” The young man snatched the bills, stuffed them in his pocket, and walked away. A moment later, he turned back. “You’re a nice guy. I’ll vote for you in the next election.”

“Thanks.” Lucas looked at the officer. “Are we done?”

“Unless you want me to contact the FBI.”

“Not necessary. Thanks so much.”

Nikki was halfway down the block.

Lucas hadn’t meant to hurt her but he wanted to keep the stalking under wraps for now. In case it’s just me and I’m crazy. He couldn’t just let her walk out of his life feeling angry and betrayed. He jogged down the block. “Wait for me, Nikki.” He caught up with her as she reached her car and put a hand on her shoulder.

She shrugged the hand away. “Go away, Lucas.”

“I’m not going away, Nikki.”

“That’s OK. I am.” She rummaged for her keys.

“I didn’t say I didn’t believe you. And for the record, I do. I was only saying there wasn’t enough proof to get the FBI involved.”

“You hired me to protect you, and then you fired me.” She slid the key in the door lock. “I’m good at my job and you just allowed an audience to believe I am incompetent.”

“First of all, I didn’t hire you to protect me. I hired you to find out if I’m being stalked. And it seems you found that out today.”

“A man pointed a gun at you today.” She gave him a serious look. “Aren’t you concerned about that?”

“Of course I am. But there were three of us on that sidewalk. So technically, we can’t be sure I was the target.”

“Really. You think it could have been me or that kid? It was pretty obvious the officer didn’t believe I saw anything.”

“I believe you.” He smiled. “I know what it’s like not to be believed. I’ve been there. I’ve been living it for months. But we need to talk.”

“You fired me. We have nothing to talk about.”

“I wasn’t exactly honest with you back there in the diner.”

“Really? What a shock that is.” She turned from him. “We’ve been down this road before too.”

“Give me a chance, Nikki. I’ll tell you everything this time. No secrets.”

She glared at him for a time. Then she nodded. “Fine.”

“Your sister’s house.”

She shook her head.

“You want to come to my house?”

She shook her head.

“Then the lake house it is. It’s very private.”

She nodded and looked at her watch. “I’ll meet you there at four.”

“Let’s make it six and I’ll provide dinner.”

“This is business, remember? Not a date.”

“I know that.”

“Six is fine.” Her eyes scanned the area as if expecting to see another hit man. “Be careful. This is not a game, Lucas. Someone wants you dead.”