Deadly Testimony (Safeguard #2)(30)
Perhaps Austin and Weaver were put off by her lack of deference but she also didn’t give respect before it had been earned. A sentiment he shared.
Wetting his hair, he grimaced at the idea of using the hotel shampoo but was slightly mollified to find it was a reasonable brand at least. Working up a lather in his hair, he dug his fingertips into his scalp in an attempt to massage away the headache he’d woken up with this morning.
He’d dreamed of gunfire. He’d fallen to the street with Austin and Weaver standing over him, looking down as he bled out onto the pavement. Decker had been nearby, making an impersonal report of his death. Isabelle Scott had been nowhere to be seen until he’d looked up and beyond them. She’d been up on the roof of a building, shooting at someone else.
All he’d been able to think was that he had others to keep safe. Lizzy would care about his family, protect them, if only he could ask her to.
But he hadn’t had a chance to tell her how to find them.
He ducked his head under the hot spray, rinsing away the shampoo.
It wasn’t necessary and there was no reason to mention it now. In any case, there’d be no need to remain in protective custody once he’d completed his testimony in the trial. Only a few days and this would be behind him. At least he hoped it would. Follow-up trials would take much longer and there’d been no mention of him remaining under witness protection. Perhaps if she continued to prove as effective a bodyguard as she already had, he would look into keeping her on retainer.
Even though he couldn’t imagine a reason for needing personal security, it never hurt to keep good resources in easy contact if unforeseen circumstances arose. He maintained a record of any number of services for the same reason. You never knew when you were going to need something, anything. And it was best to have an idea of who to call.
The heat of the shower had eased tight muscles in his neck and across his shoulders. He rolled his head to stretch, hearing a few pops as his cervical vertebrae adjusted on their own. Standing with the shower spray directly on the back of his neck, he rolled his shoulders to encourage circulation in the area.
He was carrying an immense amount of tension in his neck and shoulders, as well as his back. He doubted Lizzy would allow him to order a massage, even in the privacy of the hotel room. He was absolutely certain she would react in a definitively negative way to his asking her to give him one.
He grinned. Perhaps he would ask just to see the anger flare in her eyes. She was incredibly attractive when angry. Moved to action, she was magnificent. He could hardly be blamed for wanting to see it more often.
Finishing up his shower, he stepped out and toweled off. He studied himself in the portion of the mirror that had been treated to remain unobscured by steam. Usually, he was amused to see it because it tended to surprise any feminine company he might have with him. And it proved interesting if he did take a shower with a lady. Hot, steaming showers, plus the perspective a mirror could provide, made for added fun.
But today he was alone and he looked haggard, gaunt even. It wasn’t only because of the fear from yesterday. It was the result of weeks, months, of having to allow events around him to govern his decisions and actions. There’d been no one to work with and no way for him to take constructive steps.
All he’d been able to do was hide and swallow a hundred not-so-subtle indignities handed to him by police and the district attorney.
Well. He’d changed the game. And the person with him was a different kind of protector. Perhaps she could be convinced to become an ally. Otherwise, the next few days were going to be very, very long.
Wrapping a towel around his waist, he stepped out into the bedroom area. Lizzy was on the small sofa in the sitting area tapping away at her laptop. But there was a change in her appearance. Same clothes, but her hair was slightly mussed. A few more strands of dark hair had escaped from the knot at the back of her head. The skin of her neck glistened slightly with sweat.
She actually had taken the opportunity to exercise while he’d been in the shower.
He was disappointed he’d missed it. Then again, it was entirely possible and probably likely she wouldn’t have exercised if he hadn’t given her the relative privacy of going into the bathroom. Perhaps he should develop a longer morning routine in the bathroom to give her more time. It wouldn’t hurt him for a day or two.
Lizzy stood then. “I’m going to head out to check on a lead and grab some food. It won’t be long. Are you going to want restaurant takeout or would you be okay with fast food?”
She didn’t even blink at his state of dress. Or lack thereof. There hadn’t been a hitch in her voice or any sign of discomfiture, definitely no sign of interest. If nothing else, she was a lesson to his pride. He was used to women drooling, or stuttering at the very least.
“I’m going with you.” He reached for his clothes.
“No, you’re not.” Her tone was matter-of-fact.
He turned to face her, clothes in hand. “The last time you left, there was an issue shortly after you returned. Before you joined my protective detail, I was attacked while my police escort had left me in the hotel room.”
Her lips pressed together. “You were attacked in the elevator lobby, not where you were supposed to be.”
“And I doubt it would have gone as well if they’d found me in my hotel, as I’ve mentioned to many. Those men knew where to find me. It was only luck I encountered them in a public area.” He kept his voice reasonable, no added sarcasm. He got the impression she’d shut him down if he went his usual route. Besides, her own tone had remained reasonable thus far. “While staying here might be the usual policy, I respectfully disagree with the plan because it’s what seems to be the standard. I strongly feel I would be safer directly at your side at all times. I will follow your instructions when we are outside, you have my word, but I most definitely will not if you leave me here to my own devices.”