with the intern. There were other things, stuff he said, weird feelings I got from him, not to mention warnings from his staff. They all added up to a man who was guilty. As much as I tried to deny the truth, eventually I couldn’t. He’d killed her, and I knew it. I followed my conscience. I spoke first with my father about my suspicions, but he was in a bigger state of denial than I was. I’d get no support from him. I contacted the detective and admitted Darrin hadn’t been with me that fateful night. I was the last nail in his coffin. They arrested him the next day. He was convicted of murder and sent to prison. The five of us who testified against him feared for our lives. We had good reason to do so. At the urging of one of the other witnesses, who was a dear friend, I left everything and everyone behind and went underground, changed my name, and started over. I never contacted my family for fear he’d use them to get even with me or that they might slip up and reveal where I was. I moved to Seattle last fall, and that’s when you met me.”
“You were in the same city I was in? I thought you were living in Portland?” Why I fixated on this fact more than her other revelations was beyond me. Perhaps it was easier that way.
“Yes, I didn’t want you tracking me down, which you would’ve done if you’d thought I was in Seattle.”
I couldn’t disagree with her on that topic. I would’ve moved heaven and earth to find her.
“There’s more, the reason I left you without a goodbye. Months later, Darrin was released when the judge declared a mistrial. After two of the five witnesses disappeared, and my friend Robert warned me to run, I did. No witnesses, no new trial. I haven’t been in contact with anyone from my other life since I left Seattle. For all I know, the other witnesses might be dead.”
“Or they might all be hiding just like you are.”
“Possibly. I don’t know. I don’t dare investigate for fear I’ll call attention to myself.” She turned away from me, casting her gaze downward, and didn’t speak for a long while. I stayed still, waiting for her to continue, but she didn’t.
“You regret telling me,” I said, certain that’s what she was grappling with.
“Yes.” She kept her gaze averted. “I had no business dragging you into this. I’d like to blame the alcohol for playing a part, but I’m buzzed, not drunk. I knew what I was doing.”
“I’m glad you told me. No regrets, okay?” I pressed my cheek against hers and briefly closed my eyes, luxuriating in the softness of her and shutting out all the awful things for a short moment. I lifted my head. She met my gaze and searched my face, but I don’t think she found whatever she was looking for.
“Big regrets. Huge. Putting you in danger is selfish of me.”
“I’m not in danger.” I fought hard to keep the amusement out of my tone, even as I wanted to laugh. Perhaps I was stupid and naïve, but I wasn’t worried. This dumb shit might be without a conscience, but he had to know there were limits as to what he would get away with. Knocking off witnesses one by one, if that was what he was doing, would eventually cause him to make a crucial mistake or someone to talk. There were most likely others involved, unsavory people who weren’t trustworthy. Guys like Darrin rarely did their own dirty work.
“You’re awfully sure of yourself.”
“Confident but not careless. I’ll be fine, and I’ll make sure you are.”
Her pretty mouth turned downward, and skepticism clouded her delicate features. “You have no idea what you’re taking on. Darrin is a formidable foe with political clout and friends in high places.”
“Former friends in high places. You know politicians better than I do, but I bet they distanced themselves at the first sign of trouble. He’s a disgraced congressman. They don’t want any part of that.”
“You’re saying he no longer has the power or connections I give him credit for?”
“Yes.”
“That sounds like wishful thinking.”
“Maybe. What if I’m right? What if all this running and hiding isn’t necessary?”
She didn’t answer me. Merely stared at the water in the cove, her expression wistful.
Tonight, she was mine; tomorrow, we’d work things out. I was certain of it.
Chapter Fifteen
Aching
~~Delaney~~
I pondered Kaden’s words. Was