Page 103 of The Quiet Witness

“Nope, can’t do that. But… I do know a place near the chalet, the sole vegetarian and vegan restaurant in the area. I want to take you there.”

That sounded an awful lot like a date. Before she could respond, Lucien’s phone piped up with a shrill alarm. He frowned, digging into his pocket to fish out the phone. His eyebrows raised at what he saw.

Her gut tightened into a ball. News was never really good in their situation.

Before she could fire off a question, he shoved the phone over the table, turning it for her to see.

Luke, the young police officer stood in front of Lucien’s door, knuckles rapping over the door while his foot tapped the steps impatiently. With Ghost waiting in the car in the parking lot beside their window, the house was deserted. Quite obviously so.

Lucien rose a finger to his lips, motioning for her to remain silent as he leaned closer to the phone and turned up the volume. Right. His installation picked up sound as well. Kate leaned in too, straining her ears to hear something.

The officer’s knuckles rapped over the door again, then halted temporarily as he stood on his toes to glance in through the tiny window. His feet stomped over the steps as he walked down. “Fucking Lucien Alexander Evans.” They saw him clench his hand next to the gun on his hip. “Think he can rule the Montana roost.” The sound fell away, and she thought he’d leave. Instead, He rounded the corner to the large window, peeking inside with a hand beside his temple.

Luke finally seemed to get the message that no one was home. Slamming the door of his black-and-white patrol car with a harsh clang before leaving.

Kate narrowed her eyes. “Well, guess his day has been ruined a bit, huh.”

Lucien leaned his chin on a hand. “Why is he so determined… to go behind the back of his superior. This footage is enough to get him fired if Richard doesn’t know of his visit.”

“I wouldn’t get him fired.”

“Oh, no I won’t.” He regarded her with curiosity. “You’re right, it’ll only serve to light a fire under his ass. Best to keep him within sight. Even if it’s premature to say if he’ll be an… issue.”

Kate frowned. “Come to think of it, where has the zooming sound from the cameras gone off to?” One of those things you don’t notice until it’s finally missing.

Lucien pointed outside to the setting sun, drawing her attention to the brilliant orange rays taking over the dimming evening sky. He returned to ticking on his phone, fingers flying over the screen, not looking up as he said. “I noticed it bothered you, they’re angled toward the outside now.”

Kate wondered when it had happened. When her supposed place of doom had started shifting into a… home? When had constant threats changed to sharing laughter? She’d never know the exact moment it happened. But it was clear that things between them had undoubtedly changed.

“So, what do you say?” He looked up, the reflection of the sun bright on his face, lighting up the green in his eyes. “Dare to go on a dinner with me?”

She sipped from her water as if it was wine, pinkie pointing up. “Can’t be worse than the first one can it?”

Lucien chuckled, eyeing her up and down with disbelief. “This will be better than Christmas. That’s a promise.”

Chapter 42

Taking a Stand

The bell jingled again as Kate stepped out of the diner, leaving Lucien alone with Deborah to pay the bill. Judging from the waitress’s delighted smile, it could take a while.

She sucked in a deep breath and the cold nipped at her lungs as she let her eyes trail over her surroundings. There was nothing quite like this view. The sun spreading its orange glow over the towering mountains, slinking ever closer to the peak’s edge. A couple of houses dotted the landscape behind her, and the red neon blinking lights screamed diner. But in front, nothing but the lone highway curving through nature.

Kate closed her eyes, enjoying even the cold breeze brushing up to numb her cheeks.

The cop, whatever was going on between her and Lucien, and even her life being in danger from every angle she could think of. All these things that kept her awake at night, pressed down on her weary shoulders. Somehow, nature had always been able to lighten the load, as if it froze the feelings in time. If only for a minute.

A cry split through the silent air.

Kate froze, afraid to turn around.

A knife being yanked out.

Blood spurting out, staining the snow red.

Kate’s legs trembled. If she turned, what would she be seeing this time?

“No dad, please!”