Christmas Witness Pursuit

She bit back the question on the tip of her tongue.

“Honestly, I have no idea.” She shrugged, unable to avoid his grin or to ignore just how good-looking he was with those dark brown eyes. She shoved the ridiculous thoughts away.

“The good news is that you were right about one thing,” she said. “The bullet skimmed your arm and the blood’s already clotting. You’ll need stiches, but you’ll survive.”

He smiled again. “That’s a relief.”

She looked way, focusing on his arm as she disinfected her hands then started cleaning the wound. The routine seemed familiar. Comfortable. And was the first time she’d felt in control since the accident.

Or at least as much as I can feel in control in a situation like this.

The reminder sent panic flooding through her again. She might not remember why she’d been in that car, but she did know those men were still out there. And something told her that missing spark plug wires weren’t going to slow them down for long.

She opened a butterfly bandage to hold the wound together, trying to stomp out her anxiety at the same time. “They could have flagged down a car to follow us.”

“I know. But there aren’t a lot of cars out on these back roads right now, especially with the storm coming. Besides, backup should be there by now.”

“I hope so.”

“Which means we’re even now,” he said. “I saved your life and now you’ve saved mine.”

She shook her head. “Your life hardly needed saving. Anyone could do this, though it seems...familiar.”

A memory flashed to the forefront. She was running through a long hall with tiled white floors. Someone was calling a name.

Tory.

Her name.

His hand on her shoulder brought her back to the present. “You okay?”

She nodded, her hands shaking as she repacked the first-aid kit. “I remembered something. My name’s Tory.”

He pulled his shirt back on and started buttoning it up. “That’s wonderful. And it means your memory’s coming back.”

“Slowly, but I still feel like I’m fighting my way through this heavy fog.”

He smiled at her. “It’s nice to meet you, Tory. I’m Griffin, by the way.”

“It’s nice to meet you, as well.” His smile managed to erase some of her tension. “So we now know three things. My name’s Tory. I’m a witness in a case. And someone wants me dead.”

“Well, when you put it that way, it doesn’t sound quite so wonderful.”

“I guess there isn’t a nice way to put that, is there?” She laughed. “I’m just finding it kind of ironic that someone’s after me for what I know, but I can’t remember what it is.”

“Don’t worry.” He slammed the trunk shut then headed for the driver’s seat. “We’re going to figure this out, Tory... But for now, we need to get out of here.”

She climbed back into the front passenger seat, knowing he was right. She needed to find a way to fight the panic and stay focused on the fact that at least they were both alive.

Unlike the FBI agents.

“How are you feeling?” Griffin flipped on his blinker then sped back onto the highway.

“Seems like I’m the one who should be asking you that question.”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about me. I happen to have a really good doctor. In fact, she told me I’m going to live.”

Tory tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Are you always this funny?”

“My brothers would probably say no. That I’m the serious one of the bunch. But you didn’t answer my question.”

She smiled again, wondering how he kept doing that. Distracting her from the situation. “I’m okay for now. I just wish I could remember something significant.”

“Remembering your name’s pretty significant. That, and I think we might have figured out your profession.”

She leaned back against the seat. “Somewhere I must have picked up some medical experience.”

“I’m thinking a paramedic or maybe an ER doctor.”

“Maybe, but I’d suggest we don’t test that theory.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle. “I have to agree with you on that one.”

Even his smile couldn’t put her totally at ease. Two men had just died protecting her. She could not let that happen again.

Griffin glanced out his rearview mirror as he sped toward town, glad they’d finally made it onto the main highway.

More often than not, women made him feel nervous. As much as he enjoyed the small talk with the woman sitting next to him, he couldn’t shake the worry that whoever was after her was going to find her. On top of that, his arm felt as if it were on fire. But he couldn’t worry about that now. He was more concerned that the men who’d killed the FBI agents would find a way to pick up his tail despite his attempt to disable their motorcycles.

He was convinced they weren’t dealing with amateurs. The attack against the FBI escort had clearly been strategic. The drivers had known the route and had planned their assault. But at least Tory was safe for the moment. If she hadn’t escaped into the woods when she had, they’d either have her or she’d be dead now.

The other pressing concern was the weather. The news had been reporting for days that a huge storm system was sweeping in from the north. That meant he was going to need to get her somewhere safe before the roads became too dangerous to use.

Tory pressed her hands together in her lap then stared out the window. “It’s starting to snow again. How far out of Timber Falls are we?”

“Just a couple minutes.”

“Good. And it looks like the bleeding from your arm has stopped.”

His phone rang and he glanced at the caller ID. It was the sheriff’s office. He hoped they were calling with an update.

“What’s your ETA?” Sheriff Jackson asked as soon as Griffin answered.

“We’re almost to the Timber Falls exit.”

“Good. Just to be on the safe side, I’ve arranged for Dr. Swanson to meet you at the back entrance of the clinic. You should be able to slip the witness in without being noticed. Someone will also be there to sew you up if needed.”

“Thank you, but please tell me you found the guys who did this?”