It had been a brazen attack, during daylight and out in the open. Although, if he hadnt happened to be walking down that alley when he had, it might have been very easy for her attacker to kill her outright or carry her and the child away in the van that had been waiting for him.
The big question was why. Why had someone gone after her today? Why had someone set a bomb under her car a couple of weeks ago?
Just how much danger were she and her niece really in?
I guess you know why I have custody of my niece now. Im all she has. Both sets of grandparents are dead, and Toby didnt have any brothers or sisters.
He nodded. Im very sorry about your sister and your brother-in-law.
They were killed in my car. She spoke as if she had to force the words from her lips. She was clearly dealing with some pretty hefty guilt about her sisters death. And he gave her points for being honest about the threat hanging over her head, too, even though it might be enough to scare a prospective nanny away in a heartbeat.
If youre trying to tell me there might be a little danger involved in this job, Id already gathered that much before I ever agreed to apply for the job.
Her sharp gaze met his. And yet, here you are. Even after you had to chase away another attack on us just today.
I did mention I was a Marine, didnt I?
For the first time since theyd met, a genuine smile touched the edges of Laceys lips. You did.
Danger doesnt impress me the way it might someone else.
Im not asking you to be a bodyguard, she said sharply. I dont need a security detail. I think that would probably make things worse, not better.
He wasnt sure why she felt that way, but he didnt want to start asking questions that would make her even more reluctant to hire him. Im just saying, Im not afraid to work for you. If you think Ill suit your needs.
She gave him another long, sharp-eyed look. Youd have to live with Katie and me at my late sisters farmhouse in Cherry Grove, Virginia. Its a small town about a forty-minute drive from here in Frederick. The house isnt completely renovated, but enough has been done for it to be a comfortable place to live. Her voice faded for a moment, and what was left of her faint smile disappeared completely, swallowed by a look of hard grief. Marianne and Toby were hoping to have it finished by this summer, but they ran out of time.
Jim felt a dart of sympathy. Were they living there when they died?
Lacey shook her head. No. Why?
I was just wondering why you choose to live there instead of in DC. I thought maybe it was to make things easier for Katie. Not wanting to take her away from the home she knows
No, thats not it. Just the opposite, actually. See, I was keeping Katie at my apartment when... That night. Marianne and Toby were celebrating their wedding anniversary. New Years Eve. Laceys lip trembled briefly before she brought her emotions under control. I dont want her watching my front door, waiting for them to come back and get her.
He looked over at Katie, whod slid off his lap and wandered over to play with a stuffed cat hanging by a red ribbon from the push bar of her stroller. He felt a rush of sadness for the child, and also for her tough but grieving aunt. Neither of them had expected to be where they were, the only family either of them had left.
Both of them in danger they couldnt predict or easily prevent.
I want the job if you want to hire me, he said flatly, meeting Laceys gaze. I think I can help you. And I need the work.
She didnt say anything for a long moment, and he began to worry that she was going to turn him down. It wouldnt be a complete disaster if she did so, he knew. There were other ways to accomplish what he wanted to do.
But it would be so much easier if shed just give him the nanny job.
She rose slowly, still looking at him through cautious gray eyes. Ill call your references today and see what they say. Ill be in touch, one way or the other. May I contact you directly?
He rose, too. My number is on the résumé.
She continued to look at him for a long, silent moment, as if trying to assess his character in that lengthy gaze. Finally, she extended her hand. It was good to meet you, Mr. Mercer.
Jim, he reminded her, taking her hand firmly in his.
She withdrew her hand. Thank you again for your help this afternoon.
Im glad I was there. Im sorry I wasnt able to catch the guy before he got away.
Two against one isnt good odds. Even for a Marine.
He waited for her to gather up Katie and settle her in the stroller, noting the way her hands shook slightly when Katie started to whine at being confined again.
She needed his help. A lot. And not just with Katie.
He was counting on that fact.
* * *
IN NO BIG hurry to return to the isolation of the Cherry Grove farmhouse, Lacey detoured southeast to Arlington, calling Detective Bolling with the Arlington County Police Department Homicide/Robbery Unit. As lead investigator into the car bomb that had killed Marianne and Toby, he was certain to be interested in what had happened to her in Frederick earlier that day.
He met her in a small café a few blocks from her apartment, smiling at Katie as they sat. Hows she doing?
Lacey shrugged. Hard to know. Shes not a big talker yet.
Bolling gave her a look of sympathy before he went into business mode. He listened intently as she told him about the ambush in Frederick, copying the name of the Frederick detective whod given her his card. Ill give him a call. You sure you and the little one are okay?
Someone came to our rescue. Chased the guy away. There were two of them, did I mention that? The one who pulled the gun on me got into a van waiting for him down the alley from the employment agency.
Bolling frowned at that. Sounds premeditated. Having a getaway vehicle in place.
Thats what I thought, too. I think they wanted to abduct me, Detective Bolling. Otherwise, why didnt he just shoot me right there?
Bollings brow furrowed as he considered that possibility. Thats a departure from a car bomb.
Do you think the situations could be unrelated?
Maybe. But it doesnt seem likely, does it? Bollings frown deepened. What were you doing at an employment agency in Frederick, anyway?
Hiring a nanny.
Bolling looked at Katie. Does that mean youre going back to work?
Why did everyone assume hiring a nanny equaled returning to her job at the network? What did they thinkthat all women just naturally knew how to care for a two-year-old when one was dropped in their laps?
Immediately, she felt guilty for the flash of irritation. Most women probably did have at least some clue how to care for a small child. Even those who werent in the position financially and professionally to take a sabbatical from work.
No, Im not going back to work yet. But I dont have a lot of experience caring for a child. She stirred her glass of ginger ale with a long red straw, not meeting Bollings gaze. She didnt want to know what he thought of that admission. Pity or disapproval would be equally unwelcome.
Did you find a suitable candidate?
Maybe.
Did you find a suitable candidate?
Maybe.
If youd like, we could run a background check before you hire her.
Not necessary, she assured him. She was as capable as the police to run a background check on Jim Mercer. Maybe more so, since her network connections gave her access to information even the police couldnt get their hands on. Not without a warrant, anyway. But Id like to stay in the loop if you hear anything from the Frederick police about my assailant. I didnt get the feeling Detective Braun was interested in keeping me updated.
I will tell you if anything important comes out of the investigation, Bolling promised. You sure you dont want something to eat? My treat.
No, but thanks. What she wanted, she realized with despair, was to go to her place in Virginia Square, sleep in her own bed and wake up to find everything that had happened in the past couple of weeks was nothing but a bad dream.
But that wasnt going to happen. Marianne was gone. She wasnt coming back. And Lacey couldnt shake the feeling that there might be worse yet to come.
Have you given any more consideration to hiring private security? Bolling asked.
Ive considered it. But Im trying to stay off the presss radar, at least for now. Hiring security guards would just draw more attention to me. She lowered her voice to a whisper after looking around to see if anyone was listening. Especially in Cherry Grove.
Youre afraid that instead of covering the story, youll suddenly be the story?
She nodded. Katie has enough to deal with as it is. I dont want her little face plastered all over cable news for the next few weeks.
You have enough to deal with, too. I get it. Bolling put a ten on the table between them and stood up. Come on. Ill walk you to your car.
The temperature had dropped by several degrees while they were in the café, Lacey noted. The snow predicted for the end of the week might come sooner than expected. Shed have to make sure they were stocked with plenty of firewood in case the power to the farmhouse went out in the storm.
Is this vehicle registered in your name? Bolling asked as he helped her settle Katie in her car seat.
No, she answered. It belonged to Toby and Marianne, so I guess it belongs to Katie and me now. I might as well use it until I can get another vehicle.
Just be careful, Lacey. Okay? I know its possible what happened to you today was random, but...
But it wasnt likely. She knew that already.
Ill be in touch, she promised.
Meanwhile, she had some background checking to do.
* * *
JIM HADNT FIGURED on hearing from Lacey Miles for a few days. He knew shed already talked to the references hed provided on his résumé, but he was pretty sure she wouldnt have stopped there. Hed been watching her reporting for a few years now. He knew she was smart, prepared, resourceful and very, very thorough.
So it was with some surprise that he heard her voice on the phone shortly after lunchtime the day after the interview. Mr. Mercer? This is Lacey Miles.
He put down the Glock he was cleaning and sat up straighter. Ms. Miles. Hows Katie? How are you, for that matter? Recovered from the attack?
She didnt answer for a moment, as if his questions caught her off guard. Were fine, she said after a couple of beats of silence. Just fine. Im calling about the job you interviewed for yesterday.
Yes. Have you made a decision?
I have, she said, her voice a little stronger. Id like to hire you to care for my niece. Were you serious when you said you could go to work immediately?
Yes, I was.
Then could you be here by four this afternoon? I have somewhere I need to go this evening. Somewhere I cant take Katie.
He frowned, not liking the sound of that. Youre not going out alone, are you?
I beg your pardon?
Damn it. Youre a nanny, not a Marine. Remember that. Shes your boss, not someone youre protecting. Im sorry. Youre right. I have no right to ask you such a question. I justAfter the bombing and what happened to you yesterday...forget I asked. Yes, I can be there by dinnertime. I just need the address.
Do you know how to get to Cherry Grove? East of Lovettsville, near the Potomac. Theres a big fountain in the center of town. Shaped like a cherry. She couldnt quite keep a hint of laughter out of her voice. Trust me, you cant miss it. If youll stop at the gas station across the street from the fountain, just ask for the old Peabody farm. Theyll tell you how to get here.
Got it, he said. Ill pack a bag and be there by four. Will that work?
Yes. Thank you. Well give this a try and see how it goes. She hung up before he could say anything else.
He punched in a phone number and waited. He got an answer on the second ring. Its Mercer.
Any news?
Yeah. Im headed to Cherry Grove. This evening. Shes going out and needs me to watch Katie. Says well give this a try and see if it works out.
Itll work out, the voice on the other end of the line said firmly. Youll make it work out.
Understood. He hung up the phone, picked up his Glock and started cleaning the weapon again.
Chapter Three
What do you say, sweet pea?
Katie gazed back at Lacey, her gray eyes bright with curiosity, as if she was trying to make sense of the question.
Lacey ruffled the babys blond curls and laughed self-consciously. Its okay, sweetie. If Aunt Lacey doesnt know whether shes done the right thing, she doesnt expect you to know.
Wacey, Katie said solemnly.
Lacey picked her up and gave her a hug. Apparently not in the mood for a snuggle, Katie wriggled in her grasp, and Lacey set her down on the floor again with a sigh. You sure know how to make a girl feel better about her mothering skills, Katie.
Katie flashed a lopsided grin and toddled off to the window, where shed left her favorite stuffed cat sitting on the windowsill.
Lacey looked around the small front parlor, feeling entirely overwhelmed. When shed decided to move herself and Katie out here to Nowheresville, Virginia, she hadnt realized just how little of the farmhouse had been renovated. Half the sprawling old Folk Victorian house was still trapped in limbo, somewhere between demolition and reconstruction, and she had no idea how or when shed be able to finish the work.
The contractor shed hired to assess the status of the renovation had assured her that the foundation had been made sound, the roof was new and there were no safety hazards to worry about, although there had been some question about the safety of an underground tunnel the contractor had discovered in the basement, which was the only remaining part of the antebellum home that had burned to the ground a few years before the farmhouse had been built on its foundation.
But most of the upstairs rooms had yet to be repaired and painted. There was a whole bathroom in the master suite that had been completely gutted. And the sprawling kitchen at the back of the house was only halfway finished, though most of the remaining work was cosmetic rather than functional.