Page 10 of Witness To Murder
“None.” She shrugged. “I mean, I never get flowers.” Never had, but there was no need to repeat that sad fact. Owen had likely already told the detective as much.
“The building has security cameras,” Lambert said. “We were able to see the delivery person stopping the van on the street and bringing the flowers inside, then him exiting the building. Unfortunately, he wore a baseball cap with the bill pulled low, shadowing his face. He seemed quite aware of the security cameras. There were no markings on the van, on his clothing. He may have been a hired driver and had no idea there was a bomb.”
Just like last night…except this time the results of the incident were undeniable.
“What do I do now?” She glanced once more at what remained of her apartment. “I understand I can’t stay here, but how in the world will you figure out who is doing this and why? It all started with what happened at the restaurant, and I am quite honestly completely at a loss as to what to expect next.” She hated that she sounded as if she was at the end of her rope, and she hated even worse that tears were burning her eyes. If she cried now, she would just crumple into a heap on the floor.
Keep it together, Leah.
“These things take time,” Lambert said. “Fortunately, the quick reaction time of the building manager, Mr. Bolling,prevented any real damage beyond the door. Even so, you and your roommate cannot go into the apartment until the forensic work is done. I’m sure Mr. Bolling will have the door repaired as quickly as possible. But for now, if there are items you need from your room, one of my officers can pack a few things for you.”
Leah nodded. “That would be very helpful. Thank you.”
She’d wanted to complain. To demand why she was being cast out of her home because someone else had decided to do a bad thing. But it wouldn’t change the situation. There were rules, and she had to obey. This whole episode—the past thirty-odd hours—had been mind-boggling. She kept expecting to wake up and realize it was just a bad dream.
Detective Lambert went to one of the uniformed officers and spoke quietly to her before returning to his conversation with the fire marshal. Then Officer Brant—a woman, thankfully—took notes on her cell phone of what items Leah needed and where they could be found in her bedroom. Once Leah had told her everything she could think of, Brant moved the crime scene tape aside and disappeared into the apartment.
“I’ve spoken with Victoria,” Owen said. “I’m to take you to one of our safe houses until we figure this out—if that’s okay with you.”
A safe house. Dear God, she reallywasin a movie…only this one was far too real.
Leah attempted to work up a smile, but the effort felt entirely miserable. “Thank you. I am so grateful I found the Colby Agency and had the good sense to make that call. Jamie was incredibly helpful.”
“She’s pretty amazing,” Owen agreed. “She’s Victoria’s granddaughter. You may or may not have read the About section on the website, but Victoria is the one who calls the shots.”
“I did, and I also read several articles about Victoria. Her life story is astonishing.” Leah wondered how a person—a motherwhose son was abducted when he was seven years old, then suddenly returned twenty years later with the single goal of killing her—could survive such an ordeal. She couldn’t imagine the strength and fortitude Victoria must possess.
“Then you appreciate that one of her top priorities is protecting those who need it most. We will keep you safe, Leah, until this is done.”
She smiled, and this time it was real. “Well, maybe I’ll actually sleep tonight. Between worrying about what happened to Raymond Douglas and the person in the black car watching my apartment, I barely slept at all last night.”
“There’s been someone watching your apartment?” Concern flashed in the investigator’s eyes.
“I first noticed it late yesterday, and it was here this morning. When I told Detective Lambert about it—during his visit this morning—we checked, and the car was gone. But I think I saw it when we arrived here a little while ago.”
His jaw tightened. “We’ll have a look when we leave, after the officer returns with your bag.”
Thankfully, the officer ducked under the yellow tape just then, Leah’s overnight bag in hand, and made her way toward them.
“Found everything you asked for,” Brant said. “You gave very good directions on where to find what you wanted. I wish my bedroom was so orderly.”
“I’m a little obsessed with organization,” Leah admitted. Disorganization was a pet peeve of hers. The first thing she and Isla had agreed upon when she had asked Leah to share the apartment was the necessity of organization. They were both a little overenthusiastic when it came to everything being in its place. But living in such a small place essentially demanded it.
“Nothing wrong with that,” Brant said with a smile.
When the officer had gone on her way, Owen said, “I’ll check with Lambert and make sure we’re clear to go.”
While he walked to the other end of the corridor where Lambert and the fire marshal remained in deep conversation, Leah remembered that she’d forgotten her cell phone charging cord. Oh well, she’d just have to pick one up on the way to the safe house. She wasn’t asking the officer to go back into the apartment.
A safe house.She would be staying in a safe house. How in the world had this happened? Didn’t matter how many times she asked that question, the answer was always the same: she had no idea.
When Owen returned, he nodded. “We can leave now.”
As grateful as she was to be leaving, the lingering smell of smoke and the realization of what had happened were ramping up her anxiety. She couldn’t help feeling just a little terrified at the prospect of what might happen next. She’d seen lots of safe houses in the movies and in television shows, but she’d never expected to be staying in one herself. How long would she be expected to stay there? Would there be additional costs? Her budget couldn’t take many more surprises.
Outside, she scanned the street for the black sedan. Like before, when she wanted to show someone she wasn’t imagining things, it was nowhere to be seen. But it had been there when they arrived, she was certain of it.
“I saw it,” she said, suddenly feeling defensive. She realized how she sounded but, damn it, this was ridiculous.
