The Only Witness

“Got several broken windows and a busted-up tablet in the kid’s room, but that’s about it. We won’t know if anything is missing until the owner comes in and does a walk-through.”

“I’ll pass that along, thanks.” Miles disconnected and stared thoughtfully out the window.

Robbery was not the motive here. The reason the shooter used a twenty-two rifle was so they could stay several yards back, shooting at Paige from a distance. Easier to kill people that way, than getting up close and personal with a handgun.

More accurate, too.

The twenty-two caliber bullet was one link between the two crimes, not counting the break-in at his place. But he still had more questions than answers. What did it all mean? Miles was glad he had his laptop with him, or the guys who’d tossed his house would have taken it. At least he could still work Jason’s case.

With a flick of his wrist, he started the car and drove away from their room, choosing to park around the corner of the building. With the stuffed elephant under his arm, he slid out from behind the wheel, then grabbed the computer case and his duffel out of the trunk.

After entering the motel room as quietly as possible, he wasn’t surprised to find that Paige was still awake, watching the doorway with wide eyes. She was stretched out beside her daughter, but didn’t look at all relaxed, her expression troubled.

“Are you all right?” he asked, closing the door softly behind him.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep.”

“I know it’s not easy, but you need to try and get some rest.” He was a fine one to talk, since he’d been up for eighteen hours straight. He set the computer and duffel bag down, then took the stuffed elephant over to her. “Here.”

“Thanks.” Paige tucked the elephant next to Abby, keeping the toy close at hand for when she woke up.

The little girl’s brow was furrowed, as if she was remembering bad things even in sleep. He stood for a moment, wishing there was something he could do to ease the child’s burden. It wasn’t right that an innocent little girl had to be caught in the middle of this mess.

“Every time I close my eyes, I hear gunshots.”

He slid his hands into his pockets, to prevent himself from offering comfort. “Try to think of something nice and soothing, like lying in a hammock or listening to the ocean.”

“Good advice. I’ll try praying.”

Miles lifted a brow, but didn’t comment. He and his siblings had been raised to have faith in God, but watching Dawn get sicker and sicker until she was nothing more than skin and bones had put a severe dent in his faith. Their church pastor had said it was part of God’s plan, but he didn’t understand that at all. Dawn was barely twenty-five years old, what was so important in God’s plan that she had to die? To never fall in love, get married, have children...

He abruptly pulled himself back from that train of thought and took a step back. Watching Paige interact with her daughter was bringing back memories better left buried. “Good idea.”

Miles stripped off his jacket and washed up in the bathroom. When he emerged, Paige’s eyes were closed, although he sensed she wasn’t asleep.

He left the light on in the bathroom for the child’s sake, but closed the door so it wouldn’t disturb them. Crossing over to the desk, he booted up the computer.

The sooner he found Travis Olson, the better. The man was either part of the reason Jason had died, or he was a target, as well.

So far Miles hadn’t found much to go on, but he was determined to keep trying. He wished he’d asked Jason more about what was bothering him at work, but then again, he hadn’t counted on his friend being murdered.

Miles had barely started his search when he heard the covers rustling on the bed.

Abby? Or Paige? He turned in his seat and saw that Abby was sitting bolt upright, staring at him as if he were some sort of monster.

Then she let out a shrill scream.

THREE (#ulink_1bd2e7fc-973b-5c10-8903-5157d673923f)

“Abby, I’m right here. Mommy is right here.” Paige cradled her daughter in her arms, trying to cut through the haze of Abby’s nightmare. “It’s okay, we’re safe. Shh...everything is okay.”

“Am I scaring her?” Miles asked softly. He shut the laptop and turned on the lamp so that Abby could see him more clearly.

Paige wasn’t sure what had set her daughter off, but Abby’s screaming abruptly stopped and she turned, burrowing her face against Paige’s chest, tears soaking through her shirt.

“It’s okay,” Paige repeated, feeling helpless as she stroked her hand down the child’s back. “We’re safe here. Miles will protect us from harm.”

“Maybe the glow of the computer made me look scary,” Miles offered in an apologetic tone.

“It was more likely a nightmare,” Paige whispered with a wan smile.

Abby abruptly shook her head, causing Paige to frown and look down at her.

“No? It wasn’t a nightmare?” she asked.

Head shake. No.

“Did you think Miles was a bad guy?” Paige asked, trying to understand what was going on in her daughter’s tortured mind.

Another head shake.

“What frightened you?” Paige looked around the room in confusion. It was your average motel room, nothing unique or strange about it.

“Was it the computer?” Miles asked. “Did the computer screen frighten you, Abby?”

Head nod.

Paige blinked, and lifted her gaze to meet his. “How did you know?”

“The tablet.”

Before Paige could say anything, Abby nodded again, then turned her head so that she could see Miles. Paige had the impression her daughter wanted Miles to figure out what was bothering her, that she was looking to him for help. But why wouldn’t Abby just tell them?

“You saw something scary on the tablet, didn’t you, Abby?” Miles’s voice was gentle. “That’s why you dropped it.”

Head nod, up and down.

“Oh, no,” Paige whispered. “Was it your daddy?”

Abby nodded, her face scrunching up as if she didn’t want to remember.

Paige’s stomach clenched with fear. “Why won’t you talk to me, Abby? Will you please tell us what you saw?”

Her daughter shook her head as two fat tears rolled down her cheeks.

“It’s all right, Abby,” Miles said in a soft, reassuring voice. “You’ve been a big help already. Don’t be scared. I’ll keep you and your mom safe.”

Paige swallowed past the hard lump in her throat, trying to imagine what her daughter might have seen. Obviously something through the ChatTime link that she’d had with her father, but what?