Page 133 of Surly Sheriff
The money part, Rae had informed him, had been taken care of after she traced the offshore account he’d been using and dispersed his funds to a series of charities. He stepped up to her, placed his hands on her shoulders, and peered intently at her. “He’s going to be convicted of first-degree murder and human trafficking and spend the rest of his life behind bars.”
“But still …”
“Don’t borrow trouble, baby.” He kissed her cheek and removed the mangled silk from her hands. “Let’s finish packing and make our way to Hartford.”
It took them two hours to drive to Hartford where they met with the U.S. Marshalls. From here on out, they were under the protection of the Marshall Service, but Ronan and Felicity were keeping watch from a safe distance.
Rae tossed and turned that night, and no amount of pacifying from him could lessen her anxiety. They both rose, wearyandwary, and barely ate the scrumptious room service breakfast.
They were hustled into the courthouse via a back entrance and escorted to a secure room where they would wait until it was time for her to take the witness stand.
When that door closed, leaving the two of them alone, she collapsed in his arms. He held her close, kissing the top of her head. “Love you so much, Rae-Bae,” he whispered.
A sharp knock on the door drew them apart.
It was Simon Barker. A very harried Simon. The man slipped in and shut the door, leaning his body against it. “Liminov was shot during his transfer from the holding cells to the transport van. He’s dead.”
“Dead?” Beau repeated.
“The shot severed his spinal cord at the base of his neck. Death was instant.”
Rae collapsed onto the sofa, hearing the words, but not quite believing them. The man was a snake.
“And you’re sure it’sVasily Liminovwho was shot and not some double?”
She gave Beau a grateful look for voicing her concern.
“Two of my agents are accompanying the body to the medical examiner’s office as we speak. Which is where I am heading after this. I asked the ME to schedule it immediately.”
“Who shot him?” Rae asked.
Simon shrugged. “The shooter is in the wind. It was from a distance, and a tough shot. Whoever pulled the trigger was an expert marksman.” He gave a lopsided smile. “At least you two have solid alibis.”
Rae swung her gaze from Simon to Beau, narrowing her eyes at his inscrutable look.
Did he have anything to do with the shooting?
He certainly had the connections.
No. That’s a crazy thought, Rae.
Felicity? Oh, God, she hoped it wasn’t her sister.
Looking back at Simon, she said, “I want to see Vasily’s body. I’ve wasted years waiting for an opportunity to face Mama’s killer. Not even death will rob me of that opportunity.”
“I can arrange that,” Simon agreed. “Later this afternoon. In the meantime, I have organized additional protection to escort you back to your hotel. Just in case Liminov’s shooting wasn’t an isolated event.”
Not that close protection would prevent another sniper shooting, but as Beau seemed to accept Simon’s decree, she didn’t argue. But his compliance watered the seed of her husband having knowledge of the shooting.
Their escort prevented any discussion until after the agents cleared their hotel suite and left to take position outside in the hallway.
She hustled Beau into the bathroom and turned the taps on. “Did you know?” she demanded in a low voice, having built up enough steam during their return to explode.
He folded his arms and leaned against the closed door. “No. You deserved your moment in court.”
And just like that, she deflated. “Dammit.” Tears of frustration accumulated. “After all we’ve been through. Why now? Whoever did it should’ve shot him the day he was releasedyears ago,” she wailed, swatting at the tears pouring down her face.
“Hey, sweetheart. Come here.” He pulled her near, and she dropped her head to his shoulder, sliding her arms around his waist. “It’s over. Over,” he repeated. “Andthat’swhat’s important.”
