Reluctant Witness. Kathleen Long

scowled. “They’re pros, Wade. They aren’t going to broadcast the identity of our only witness. Relax.”

      But as Wade stood amidst the ruins of Pine Ridge Estates a short while later, he couldn’t help but worry. Whoever had coordinated this devastation had also been a pro. A pro with an agenda.

      How much of a risk did Tom present as a witness? The kid had obviously had a clear view of the bomber’s face. Wade could only hope the suspect hadn’t had a clear view in return.

      If word of a witness got out, just how far would the bomber—hell, Project Liberation—go to keep him quiet?

      The ecoterrorists prided themselves on destroying only property, not lives. But now that they’d crossed that line, now that the inspector had died, what were they capable of doing to avoid paying the penalty for murder? To avoid getting caught?

      The stench of the fire hung heavy in the summer heat, and Wade silently cursed himself. Maybe he’d been wrong to involve Tom and Kerri. Maybe he should have left the investigation up to McCann and his team.

      He turned away from the burned-out shells of the luxury homes, back toward his dust-covered pickup.

      Kerri was wrong about being the only one responsible for Tom. Wade was responsible now, too. He might have failed John’s memory in life, but he planned to honor that memory now.

      By protecting his wife and son.

      KERRI BRUSHED a lock of hair from Tom’s forehead as he slept, pride welling inside her. He’d been such a little man today. Brave and confident.

      He’d had one heck of a day, and the excitement had caught up to him. He’d practically fallen asleep at the dinner table, his head bobbing dangerously close to his bowl of chili.

      She’d been amazed when he didn’t protest her suggestion that he get ready for bed early. She’d been even more surprised when he’d asked for his Uncle Wade as she’d tucked the covers around his shoulders.

      Kerri knew Tom was hungry for male influence in his life, knew he missed his father terribly, but inviting Wade back into their lives would be a mistake.

      She’d sat next to Tom’s bed until his breathing had grown even and steady, his features relaxing into peaceful sleep.

      Kerri flashed back on the feel of Wade’s hand on her shoulder earlier at the police station. His brief touch had ignited an angry tangle of fury and need inside her. There were times she wanted someone to lean on, wanted someone to help her navigate life without John, but allowing Wade to be that person wasn’t an option.

      He’d made his choice, and now they all had to live with the consequences.

      When the phone rang, she rushed to pick up the receiver, wanting to stop the ringing before the noise woke her son.

      “Hello,” she spoke into the phone.

      The only sound that greeted her was silence. She glanced at the caller ID readout. Blank.

      She hadn’t given the machine enough time to register the number, and she pressed the phone back to her ear.

      “Is anyone there?”

      The silence grew deafening, and just as she was about to hang up, the caller drew in a deep, rattling breath.

      “You should have minded your own business.” The voice was deep and gruff, and chilled her to the bone. The voice was obviously male, but not that of anyone she knew.

      “Who is this?” Kerri was barely able to push the words through the trepidation squeezing at her throat.

      “Don’t talk to the cops again.”

      The line clicked dead, and she froze momentarily, the receiver still pressed to her ear, her heart pounding in her chest.

      She dropped the phone and raced back to Tom’s room, releasing a relieved breath when she spotted his sleeping form, unmoved from where she’d left him. Safe. Unharmed.

      Returning to her own room, anger began to press through her fear, and she snatched the phone from the floor, dialing Wade’s number from memory.

      He’d promised her—promised Tom—he’d keep their identities a secret.

      He’d lied. Again.

      He picked up the phone on the third ring.

      “How could you do it?” Kerri heard the hysteria in her own voice and worked to calm herself before she spoke again.

      “Red?” Wade sounded groggy, as if the turmoil and emotion of the past two days had caught up to him, just as it had caught up to Tom.

      “They know, Wade. They know.”

      “Who knows? What happened?” His voice was sharp now, alert and focused.

      “I got a call. He told me not to talk to the cops again.” Tears shimmered in her vision as she spoke, and she blinked them away, willing herself to hold it together. “He said we should have minded our own business.”

      “I’m calling McCann.”

      “No.” Kerri’s voice boomed. “No more. Tom’s done helping you.” A tear slid down her face and she sniffed as she swiped it away.

      “I’m coming over. Don’t answer the phone or let anyone else in until I get there.”

      Before she could protest, Wade was gone. She took the phone with her into Tom’s room where she sat, in the dark, watching her son sleep, silently vowing to keep the voice on the phone as far away from him as possible.

      WADE DROVE LIKE a bat out of hell, sliding his pickup into the mouth of Kerri’s driveway. His pulse had pounded in his ears ever since she’d told him about her mystery caller.

      Damn. How had word leaked out about Tom’s involvement? Was McCann to blame? One of his men? Had someone from the media been lurking outside the station? Or did Project Liberation have someone on the inside?

      He shoved the truck into Park, cut the ignition and launched himself from the driver’s seat, covering the ground between the truck and the house in several long strides.

      Kerri yanked the door open just as he raised his hand to knock.

      “I heard you pull up.” Moisture glistened in her eyes, mixed with the anger that had taken up permanent residence there. She still gripped the phone in her hand, and Wade reached for it, prying the receiver out of her tense fingers.

      “Where’s Tom?” He pressed a hand to her back, and when she didn’t move away, a measure of relief eased through him.

      “Sleeping.”

      He led Kerri into the kitchen and pulled out a chair. She lowered herself into the seat then dropped her face to her palms.

      “I’m sorry. I never thought this would happen.” He squatted next to her, putting one hand on her knee.

      This time, she shoved him away, raising her gaze to meet his. “You didn’t think.” She scowled at him. “You didn’t think at all.”

      “McCann gave me his word—”

      “Apparently his word is worth just about as much as yours is.” Kerri cut him off before he could finish his thought.

      Wade opened his mouth to protest, but hesitated. “You’re right,” he said, instead.

      The surprise that flickered through her features was unmistakable.

      “I should have thought this through. I should have left you and Tom out of this. You’ve been through enough.” He cupped her chin in his hand. “I’m sorry.”

      Kerri blinked, visibly softening for a moment before she pushed away from him, standing, then crossing to the kitchen window.

      “Right now, I don’t care whether you’re sorry or not.” She spoke softly,