Page 14 of Winter's Heart
“Polismyndigheten i Norrbotten,” he replied.“The main police hub for the area,” he amended with a smile.“The deputy commissioner will most likely be waiting there to talk to us.”She knew him well enough by now to understand his smile was forced; he was keeping it bright for her sake.There was something about meeting this deputy commissioner that was weighing on Jacob.
“Even at this time of the morning?”
“Yes, he’s expecting us.I kept him updated on our travel plans.”
“Oh, goodie.”But she wasn’t sure it was good.It didn’t sound like a bed and a soft pillow were anywhere in her near future.She would be secure at police headquarters; no one would be bold enough to assassinate her there.But would the deputy commissioner be able to help her?And did it mean that her time with Jacob was nearly over?Would he be sent away now that his job of saving her from immediate peril was over?Her lips formed a thin line of disappointment as despondency settled heavy in her stomach.
CHAPTER EIGHT
JACOB LIFTED HIS chin and drew in a soft breath before he raised his hand and rapped on the door.He wasn’t looking forward to this meeting.Hoped that he wouldn’t have to confront the deputy commissioner until after the inquisition was over and they had cleared him and Mårten of all wrongdoing.As it was, Deputy Commissioner Staaf would be more belligerent than normal because he’d had no choice but to use Jacob for this mission, and that man hated to be backed into a corner.The gall of having to call on Jacob—who had already come to his notice on more than one occasion for all the wrong reasons because of his tendency not to do things strictly by the book—would not sit well with the man.But Nikki’s safety trumped all of his feelings of apprehension, and he would just have to face the deputy commissioner with head held high.
“Come in,” a voice commanded, and Jacob opened the door, schooling his features into an impassive blank slate.This office belonged to Jacob’s boss, Chief Superintendent Rydberg.But the deputy commissioner had appropriated it for his impromptu late-night visit.Chief Rydberg had met them at the front desk, bleary-eyed and hiding a yawn, not happy to have been pulled out of bed in the wee hours of the morning.But he couldn’t very well refuse the deputy commissioner, especially when it was one of his officers conducting this poorly planned and highly clandestine operation at the deputy commissioner’s behest, even if he was on suspension.
The chief had given Jacob an understanding pat on the shoulder and told him he would talk to him after he’d seen the deputy commissioner.He was more sympathetic when it came to Jacob and Mårten’s failed mission than the deputy commissioner, who was a stickler for the rules.As their commanding officer, Rydberg worked closely with them and knew they were two of his best officers.Knew that both men had put themselves in the line of fire to save Tristan, who had disobeyed a direct order.But his opinion mattered less than the deputy commissioners at this moment in time, so Jacob straightened his spine and lifted his chin.
“Inspector Utsi.”Runar glared at Jacob through thick, black-rimmed glasses.He was a bull of a man with a neck as sturdy as a tree trunk and a full head of buzz-cut, iron-gray hair.If anyone looked the part of a police deputy commissioner, it was Runar Staaf; he’d earned his reputation as a take-no-prisoners type of guy.
“BiträdandePoliskommissarieStaaf,” Jacob responded, standing to attention in front of the desk.Nikki had followed him in, still hobbling on her sore feet, and he was acutely aware of her slight frame right next to him.“I’d like to introduce Dr.Nikita Winter in person.”He allowed himself one quick glance in Nikki’s direction.
“Pleased to meet you, Deputy Commissioner.”Nikki reached a hand across the table, taking Runar by surprise so that he had to shove his chair back in a hurry.Jacob smiled inwardly at her forthrightness; American women had such an air of self-confidence and weren’t afraid to speak their minds.
“I’m glad to see that you got here safely and in one piece,” he responded.But Jacob didn’t miss the slight side-eye Runar sent in his direction.Calm.He needed to stay calm.The deputy commissioner was well within his rights to doubt Jacob’s abilities right now.He just hoped that Runar chose not to bring up his failings in front of Nikki.“Please take a seat.”Runar gestured to the two chairs on the opposite of the desk.
Nikki pulled out the one closest to her and, gritting his teeth, he dragged out the other one and took a seat.
“Yes, I’m unharmed thanks to the heroic efforts of your wonderful inspector here,” Nikki said, giving the deputy commissioner her brightest smile.“If it weren’t for him, I’d most likely be lying dead in that holiday hut right now.So thank you for sending him.”If Jacob didn’t know better, he might’ve thought that Nikki was turning on the charm offensive.As if she could feel the tension in the air, and was doing her best to relieve it.Jacob had already ascertained that Nikki was a beautiful woman, but even armed with this knowledge, he was still almost blinded by the charisma of her wide, beaming smile.When he glanced at Runar, he was gratified to notice that the cool, battle-weary deputy commissioner wasn’t immune to her allure either, as he blinked owlishly at her for a few seconds, seeming unable to form a coherent answer.
Recovering his demeanor, Runar cleared his throat and said, “Hmm, yes, well.”He frowned and pushed his glasses further up his nose.“Inspector Utsi is very good at what he does,” he replied, barely able to keep the grudging tone out of his voice.“Usually,” he added, switching his dark gaze toward Jacob.“Anyway, I’m glad you escaped the hitmen.I believe there were two of them?”
“Yes, sir.And they were shooting to kill,” Jacob confirmed.“Clearly, the desire to pretend Nikki’s death was from accidental causes has been replaced by the urgency of wanting their last target dead.”
“Clearly,” the deputy commissioner echoed.“I’ve sent a team to the area to trace the two hitmen.They found their snowmobile tracks on the road out to your holiday hut, Dr.Winter.But they ditched the machines in Jokkmokk and traded them for a car, and our team lost track of them after that.”Runar lifted his head and stared hawk-like at Nikki, his professional demeanor back in place.“But do not concern yourself, Dr.Winter, we will find them soon.And in the meantime, we won’t let them get anywhere near you.We have every available officer in the vicinity on the lookout for them.You’re safe here.”
“Thank you, Deputy Commissioner.”Nikki copied Runar’s serious tone, her heart-shaped face tilted toward him earnestly.“That’s heartening to hear.”
“I’ve arranged somewhere for you to spend the night,” Runar continued in his officious manner.“You’ll be under twenty-four-hour guard.And I’m personally looking into an airplane to get you out of Sweden and out of harm’s way as quickly as possible,” he added.
Wow, that was news to Jacob.Runar was taking this whole thing extremely seriously, and it made Jacob wonder why.This thing must have international repercussions, and Runar was perhaps getting pressure from higher up to sort this out promptly, especially if he was expediting Nikki out of Sweden as soon as possible.Maybe it was as simple as him merely wanting her out of the country so she was no longer his problem.
“Thank you,” Nikki finally replied.“That…sounds wonderful.”Was Jacob imagining it, or did she just shoot him a look under lowered lashes?What was she up to now?“Will Jac—Inspector Utsi—continue to be part of my protection team?”Runar began to shake his head and opened his mouth to reply, but Nikki jumped in before he could say anything more.“I’m only asking because I feel safe with him.Without him, I don’t think I would’ve been able to make that terrible trek through the snow and ice to get away from those dangerous hitmen.And then when I thought I had frostbite, he treated me with such care and compassion.Always respectful and professional, of course,” she added quickly.“And, well…I trust him, and I’m not sure I could trust anyone else,” she finished, lifting pleading blue eyes to the deputy commissioner’s face.
Wow, it’d take a stronger man than Jacob to withstand that look.Jacob knew she was playing up his role in their escape, but as he watched Runar, wondering how the deputy commissioner would react to her entreaty, he admired her scheming mind.Nikki never blinked once or even twitched a finger, merely kept her imploring gaze fixed on Runar’s face.
The deputy commissioner coughed and shut his mouth with a click.He looked as if he’d swallowed a lemon; his lips formed a tight line, and his eyes narrowed dangerously.But then Runar surprised Jacob by replying in a strained voice, “If you think it’s that important, then yes, the inspector will remain with you until we can get you on a flight out of here, we hope as early as tomorrow morning.”
Jacob let out an inaudible breath.Runar might be displeased with him, but at least he was letting him finish out this mission, thanks to Nikki’s intervention.
“Thank you,” she replied, this time with a genuine smile.She didn’t look at Jacob, but he could feel the relief emanating from her.“Inspector Utsi further helped me to keep hold of my most precious asset, my computer.Once I catch up on a few hours of sleep, I’d love to start working on our team’s research.”She sat up straighter in her chair and pointed to the backpack at her feet.“I’m not sure if you know, but I downloaded all of Tammy and Antoine’s information from the cloud.”As she mentioned her two colleagues’ names, Nikki paled.But she lifted her chin and went on.“I also emailed it to Dr.Morgan at the institute, so by now lots of people have access to the data.Those bastards who were out to kill me have lost,” she added triumphantly.
Runar drummed his fingers on the desk.“That’s good news regarding your computer, Dr.Winter.”He held up a hand to forestall her when she leaned forward as if to say more.“But while data is important, those hitmen were not just after the facts and figures.”Nikki’s smile froze, and she sent Jacob a questioning glance.
“They’re also trying to stop you from testifying at this judicial hearing,” Runar said.“I believe you’re considered one of the world’s most renowned scientists; a specialist in your field.And after your colleague, Dr.Tammy Pittman, you would be the next most probable person in line to convey the truth to the court.A jury would listen to your testimony and be likely to believe you.”Jacob could see comprehension dawning in Nikki’s eyes.“Without you or Dr.Pittman to call on, it might take the prosecution team months to find a replacement to interpret your data.They’d probably have to ask for an extension to the trial.It might even cause the judge to call a mistrial.Even if they get a new hearing date, it could be years down the track before they reconvene.The fish company would be buying valuable time by getting rid of you.Could go for a lengthy period unchallenged, making millions more dollars.”
“Oh, I see,” Nikki said quietly.The vitality left her face as she sagged into the chair.Jacob’s heart went out to her.She’d been through so much already.She honestly thought she was no longer a target.Until now, she’d remained so strong, but few normal people could deal with this kind of sustained level of fear.Not when the blows kept coming with no reprieve.
He leaned forward in his chair to catch her eye, laying a hand on her knee, ignoring the deputy commissioner’s sharp look.“You’ll be fine,” he soothed.“I promise I won’t let anyone hurt you.”When he’d first met her, he’d refused to make this kind of pledge; Tristan’s death too fresh in his mind.But their enforced duration spent together had forged an unlikely bond, a bond that he couldn’t ignore, and this time he was unable to keep the words from leaving his mouth.
Faan.Now he was going to have to prove to himselfandto the deputy commissioner that he could do it right.Because he was a man of his word.
