Attracted to Fire (35 page)

Beyond the garden, the three watched the gray sky break into faint light.

“I'm ready, Ash. Don't waste my time.”

“All right, I'll get right to the point. Did anyone else have a key to Burnette's tack box?”

“Not to my knowledge.”

“Have you heard from Burnette?”

Chip stiffened. “How would I? You've taken everything that could link me to the outside world.”

“I had to ask. Part of my job.”

“So why mention the tack box? It's back in my dad's bedroom.”

“Meghan found a bag of cocaine in the bottom of it.”

“Now you're telling me Burnette uses coke? Get real.” He hesitated. “Or are you saying someone planted it?”

“We're wondering if someone else could have a key.”

“Makes sense. Planting drugs in the vice president's personal effects diminishes his position.” He looked at Ash, then Meghan. “What does this have to do with Lindsay?”

Meghan took a deep breath. “If someone can plant cocaine in the VP's tack box, then he can get to her, too.”

“I don't know a thing about this. I'm willing to help Lindsay, even if I can't stand the agents guarding her.”

“I'm sure you've had your fill of disruptions—and tragedies. I imagine the VP's guests are usually quiet.”

“Barely know they're here.”

“Does his daughter-in-law visit often?”

“Erin?”

Bingo. Meghan might have found something useful after all. “I've lost track of where she lives.”

“Ask her father-in-law.”

“Doesn't matter. We're just concerned about the key to the tack box.” Ash reached out to shake his hand, and Chip took it. “Thanks for your help. We'd appreciate it if you'd keep all of this to yourself.”

“You got it. Hey, Erin was here a few days before you arrived.”

Meghan's insides danced. “Was the vice president with her?”

“No, she left before Pepper got here.”

“Did Ethan cook her a fabulous dinner? I remember what he did for me.”

“No. She spent the afternoon in the house and drove off right after sunup.”

Ash watched the clock, anticipating Meghan's arrival during Lindsay's counseling session. What had Erin Burnette been doing prior to the Secret Service's arrival? Could Speaker of the House Randolph be involved in the plot too? How many others had fallen under Burnette's spell?

When Meghan entered the operation room, the two grabbed sandwiches and drinks before heading outside. This time they walked toward the front gate. Midway, he felt safe to relay his findings.

“What did you find out?” Meghan's breathless question caused him to tingle.

Oh, he did have it bad for her. She occupied too many of his thoughts, caused him to think about things like permanence. A family. Kids. “Hair-raising stuff.”

“Ash, what did you find out about Erin Burnette?”

He studied her, noting the intelligence in her brown eyes. “With what Chip told us today, I strongly suspect she's working with her father-in-law. But we need proof.”

“Tell me more.”

“Erin did her stint in the Marines. Sharpshooter in Afghanistan. Returned home about two years ago.”

“Where is she living?”

“Idaho. Elementary schoolteacher.”

“Most teachers take the summer off, and the extra hours provide an opportunity for other things.” He watched her ponder the information. He loved this woman's mind.

“Can we find out if she has close friends?”

“That means someone needs to go there. Someone we can trust.”

She released a deep sigh. “Who? We have no clue who's involved, and it's not safe for Lindsay if either of us request any time off.”

He felt the same dead-end emotions. “We're stuck here until we can find someone who's willing to risk a sniper's bullet.”

Chapter 59

Lindsay attempted to concentrate on the counseling session, but all she could think about was Meghan's dangerous mission for the following night.

“You've made tremendous progress.” Dave's words of praise were sincere. But unless Meghan and Ash could stop Burnette, more people would die. “What's wrong? You should be glowing.”

“I'm working hard.” She hesitated, moistening her lips as though the wetness would help find the words to blanket the truth. “Getting back into the real world will be a strain on my sobriety.”

“You aren't going back yet. We have lots of ground to cover first.”

She nodded. “My parents. My sister. Many things I haven't told you.”

“You've never told me what you're afraid of.” He studied her, as though he already knew the truth.

What if Dave worked for Burnette too? She trusted her counselor, and then she didn't. Dave admitted her parents had interviewed him extensively. So had Burnette, which meant the demon had time to offer the psychologist a larger fee to follow his agenda.

“Lindsay, you can trust me.”

Could she? Maybe not. “I'm afraid of sinking back into the life that got me into this mess.” That much was true.

“We'll keep talking about the tools to help you. When you're released, we can meet every day. But you'll have to do your part.”

She needed to tell him some of the truth, the reality of a recovering addict. “I know to stay away from old friends and make new ones. Avoid party situations and find other productive means of filling my time.”

“That's a textbook answer, but it'll do for now. You've already discovered new interests.”

“They aren't new, just covered up.”

“Your parents are churchgoers. What do you think?”

“Faith is something I've not found credible.”

“I don't either, but others find belief in a deity comforting, reassuring.”

Chip believed in God, and they'd discussed what it meant to follow Christ. She'd look into the whole thing more for him than her parents. Sad, but admittedly true.

Sometimes she hated that others took care of her while she floated from one scheduled event to another.

“Who found you, Dave? My parents or Uncle Scottard?”

“The president and First Lady. Your uncle wanted another psychologist.”

Hope crept inside. “How did my parents interview you?”

He laughed. “They must have had a hundred questions, and a copy of every case I'd treated.”

“And what is your success rate in helping addicts stay clean?”

He sat back, obviously surprised at her question. “75 percent.”

“How many fell under the category of coke and alcohol?”

He hesitated. “Both addictions? About 30 percent.”

“I'm a tough one. Do you think I can make it?”

“When it comes to the bottom line, it's all up to you. However, you understand the process.”

She nodded. Now to move on, to have something to report to Meghan and Ash. “What did Uncle Scottard have to say?”

Dave rubbed his hands. “He wanted to know how much freedom you'd have on the ranch. If I permitted you to take long walks alone, like a stroll through the stables or along the creek.”

“What did you tell him?”

He smiled. “You're asking strange questions today. I told him walks were encouraged, but you had to be accompanied by an agent. The only time an agent might not be present was during intense counseling. Even then I assumed one would be close by.”

Lindsay touched his arm. “Thank you, Dave. You've always been honest with me, and I appreciate it. The future looks better for me than the past, but every day will be hard if I'm to conquer the drugs.”

She hoped the future held promise. Thinking otherwise could drive her back to old habits.

Chapter 60

Friday night, Meghan put the finishing touches on her makeup—a few more layers and colors than she normally applied. Actually, a lot more. She took a long, admiring look at her reflection. Her budget didn't include these name brands, and she'd never owned clothes this expensive. But she liked the green knit top, sleek-fitting jeans, boots, and jewelry. Blinking, she added eyedrops to the blue contacts.

Picking up the highlighted blonde wig, she slipped it into a Walmart bag and positioned her SIG into the back of her jeans. If a cowboy wanted to dance, she'd have to refuse. Excitement brewed right below the surface of caution. Tonight's rendezvous had the potential to end Burnette's power play.

Lindsay planned to stay in her room tonight, which made Victor's job easier, since Ash had asked him to work a double. Victor Lee possessed all the outward traits of a loyal agent. For that matter, so did Bob. Heaven help them if either man had thrown in with Burnette.

Ash planned to follow her to the Silver Spur. The problem was Chip. He thought he was accompanying Lindsay to the bar. But she and Ash had worked out that hitch.

Let the games begin.
Meghan opened her bedroom door. She walked to the stairway that led to the family room, where Bob, Victor, and Rick played cards with Carla.

Carla saw her first. “Where are you going?”

“Out for a little while.”

Bob startled. “Does Ash know?”

“He's about to.”

Victor whistled. “Looks like you have a date.”

“I do.”

“With who?” Bob clenched his jaw. So he was loyal to Ash.

“Chip.”

Victor slowly nodded. “I see what you're doing. Good luck.”

Bob rubbed his jaw. “Be careful, Meghan.”

“I will.”

“You look real good.” Victor walked her to the door. “Ash does know, doesn't he?”

“Maybe.” She understood Victor and Bob could be dealing her a deadly hand.

Outside Ash was nowhere in sight. At the garage, she opened the door and groped around in the dark until she found the Mustang. If Chip had kept his word to Lindsay, he'd be waiting inside. The moment the light from the car door illuminated his features, Chip stepped out.

“What's this all about?” Anger creased his features.

Meghan slid onto the seat and shut the door. “Don't blame Lindsay. She's only trying to help us find Wade's killer. She's upset about deceiving you.”

“And you still think it's me?”

“If I did, I wouldn't allow you to spend so much time with her. I need transportation to the Silver Spur.”

“Why didn't you ask?”

“Would you have agreed?”

Silence ruled for several seconds. “So you want a ride. That's it?”

“Yes.”

He got back into the car.

“Thanks, Chip. We want Wade's murder solved and the stalker found who's been threatening Lindsay. I'd like to think it might happen tonight.”

“I feel like I'm living in a nightmare.”

He backed the car out and headed to the road, where an agent manned the gate. Chip rolled down his window, and the agent peered inside.

“Evenin', Agent Connors, Chip.”

“Hey, we'll be back later.” She flashed him a smile.

Once they were on the road, she pulled the wig from the bag and positioned it in place.

“You're impersonating Lindsay.” His words were flat. “Setting somebody up?”

“I am. I have another favor.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

“I need your car. Ash will pick you up in a few minutes.”

“Oh, why not. Never thought I'd be in a mess like this.”

“I hope you're not involved.”

“The only thing I'm guilty of is falling for a girl with history—including addictions.”

She hoped he didn't live to regret losing his heart. “For what it's worth, I think she really likes you.” Her cell rang, and she snatched it up while noting the headlights in the side mirror.

“I'm right behind you,” Ash said.

“We'll pull over at the next crossroad.” She glanced at Chip, and he nodded.

“Do you have the bug?”

Annoyance swept through her. “I'm an agent, Ash.”

“All right. Have to check on my girl.”

She grinned despite her irritation. “Are you trying to defuse me?”

“Worked, didn't it?”

The Mustang stopped, and Chip unbuckled his seat belt. “Be careful.”

“I will. Thanks.” She exited the car and rounded to the driver's side, while Chip got into Burnette's truck with Ash. How ironic that Burnette was helping them nail his own coffin.