Witness Undercover

The man had slipped into the restroom, right past Griffin. What if he had arrived later? What if Laura had been hurt worse?

A greasy knot formed in his stomach. It wasn’t the same as what had happened in Afghanistan and if he quit right now, it never would be.

Sydney elbowed him, eyeing him with a certainty that said she knew he was blaming himself. “This isn’t your fault.”

“I think Boone should take over,” he said.

Joy and Laura walked up in time to hear him.

“Boone?” the older woman asked. She turned to Griffin. “Why do you think Boone should take over? Because that man managed to get to Laura in the ladies’ room?”

He nodded.

Laura shook her head. “But you got to me quickly. I’m fine.”

“See?” Sydney said quietly. “You’re the only one blaming you.”

Laura glanced from his coworker to him. “For what?”

Before Griffin could say anything, Sydney turned to Laura. “Would you like a different bodyguard? I’d be happy to step in. So would Boone.”

“No, I don’t want a new bodyguard. Why would I? Unless...” She looked at Griffin. “Do you have another client or another job?”

“No.”

She frowned. “Then do you have a problem with me?”

“No.” Griffin dragged a hand down his face. “Not at all.”

Sydney arched a brow as if to say “See?”

Laura stared up at him with confused blue eyes. “You probably aren’t used to babysitting someone. Is that the problem?”

“It’s not that.”

“Then what?”

“Like your aunt said, that guy slipped right past me,” he said through clenched teeth. “It shouldn’t have happened.”

“No, it shouldn’t have.”

Griffin mentally kicked himself.

“But,” she continued, “it’s not your fault that it did.”

Sydney nodded. “That’s right.”

Laura gazed up at him earnestly. “I’d prefer it if you would stay with me through the entire process, but it’s your decision.”

There was no blame in her eyes or her voice. No resentment, either. It took a second for Griff to process that.

She probably wanted him to continue because she was too shaken by the attack to realize she’d be better off without him.

“I know you can keep me safe.”

He wished he were half as sure as she sounded. “You do?”

“Yes.”

“All right, then.” He couldn’t deny the warmth he felt at her vote of confidence. “Let’s get back to my house.”

She hesitated. “No.”

“No?” Had she really just said that? Griff drew up short. “Why not?”

“I want to see my dad first.”

“Not after what just happened,” he said bluntly.

“This is the best time.”

“How do you figure?” He tempered his voice, cognizant of the people around them. “Didn’t you just say you wanted me to stay with you through this? That you thought I could keep you safe? The safest thing is to get out of here.”

“I don’t want to take a stupid risk and if you really think I am, I’ll leave. But whoever tried to hurt me is gone. And probably won’t try anything else today. Plus Sydney is here if you want or need any backup. I want to see my dad.” Her voice cracked. “I need to see him.”

Sydney had combed the hospital and grounds, looking for the assailant. There had been no sign of the guy. He was long gone.

“There might not be another chance,” Laura said quietly.

She had a point. Griffin didn’t like it, but Laura was right about this being the best time to see her father.

After the syringe incident last night and now this, it was plain that someone had tipped off Arrico to Laura’s presence. If they stayed here, Griff could observe any suspicious behavior, see if anyone hovered around or seemed too interested in Laura or her father. Especially Nurse Cheryl, who had been nearby after both attacks.

“All right, I agree. Under one condition.

“What?”

“If I say it’s time to go, then we go.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

He nodded. They were staying. And he was still Laura’s bodyguard. He hoped she didn’t regret her decision. He hoped he didn’t, either.

* * *

After agreeing to meet Aunt Joy and Sydney later at Griffin’s house, Laura and Griffin headed down the hall. Thank goodness he’d agreed to let her see her dad. Two attacks in the past two days told Laura she might not get another chance.

Griffin slid a look at her. “I’d really like to check out your neck and head.”