Credible Threat. Heather Woodhaven

sucked in a deep breath and nodded. “A teenager. He said he didn’t see me until it was almost too late, but he waited with me in the ditch until the police came.”

      The driver probably didn’t want to admit that he had been on his cell phone while driving. Kurt held back his frustration but hoped the cops who’d arrived on the scene had scared the kid enough with scenarios of what could’ve happened that the boy would never text and drive again. “And the attacker?”

      She shook her head. “No sign. The police didn’t find him.”

      Delaney walked inside the room from her spot at the door. “I received confirmation that the assailant turned off the security cameras at the front patio, so we don’t have any footage.”

      Kurt’s heart rate increased as he thought about the judge’s house. “He bypassed the security system?”

      “No alarm. The panic button did nothing,” Rebecca answered.

      He knew the security system well. Top-of-the-line wireless security system with cellular backup. He’d approved it last year with the chief deputy’s blessing before it was installed. They liked to keep systems up-to-date and replaced them at regular intervals. The kidnapping attempt was alarming by itself, but knowing how to disarm technology like that wasn’t normal for a run-of-the-mill criminal. He schooled his features as if it was an everyday occurrence. He didn’t need to upset her further. “Okay. Anything you can tell me about your attacker? Any recognizable features?”

      “He was in a mask. A black ski mask. He wore...” She licked her lips and looked up at the ceiling tiles as she blinked rapidly. “I can’t remember.”

      Shame filled her voice; an understandable sentiment but unnecessary. Victims often had a tough time remembering those details. “Don’t beat yourself up or try to push it. It’s been hours, you’ve had a bump on your head and—”

      “I’d recognize his eyes and his voice. I’m sure of it. He had a unique accent.”

      “Do you know what kind?”

      She shook her head. “Foreign. Not European. Someone who spoke Spanish but more of the Latin variety.” She shrugged. “I know it’s not very helpful, but it’s all—”

      “You’re doing great. What exactly did he say to you?”

      The door to the room swung inward and Justice Linn strode past Delaney and Kurt with two cups of coffee in his hands. He wore a colorful sweater that reminded Kurt of the early nineties, tan slacks and matching loafers. His hair, while thinning on top, was a blend of brown and gray that looked natural.

      It was no wonder Kurt thought he was younger. He nodded at the judge. “Chief Justice Li—”

      “Brock, it’s about time you showed up.” His forceful tone would make a less confident man feel nervous. The judge didn’t make eye contact, but handed his granddaughter the cup. “Here you go, sweetie.” He spun around. “I requested you. I want someone with experience on this, and I want it dealt with immediately.”

      Since they had only two deputy marshals stationed in the Coeur D’Alene office, and Delaney was a newbie fresh out of basic training, it seemed a reasonable request. Kurt hoped Delaney didn’t take it as a slight against her. “Sir, I’m afraid I haven’t finished interview—”

      “Someone attempted to kidnap my granddaughter last night.” The judge’s bloodshot eyes scanned the room as his lower lip quivered. “There’s no question about it. I want this treated as a direct threat to the court.” He pointed his index finger at the ground as if physically punctuating the sentence.

      The truth was that it was highly probable the threat was aimed at him. Judge Linn had served for almost forty years, mostly in the criminal court. All judges received threats, but the number had risen exponentially over the past decade. Many of those threats were specifically aimed at family members, though usually it was immediate family. “Sir, have you or Rebecca spoken about this with the police?”

      “They’re ill equipped,” Judge Linn answered. “You need to take over.”

      Kurt appreciated the man’s faith in him, but they were going to need to work hand in hand with the police. He gestured toward the door, where Delaney waited. “I was told that Miss Linn lives in Ohio.” Of course, when his boss had told him, he’d imagined her as a little girl whose parents were waiting back in Cincinnati, not a grown woman. “We could escort her to the airport once she’s discharged. We’ll continue investigating the threat from this end.”

      Judge Linn’s frown intimidated him more than any other superior officers did. “She’s staying here.” He turned back to Rebecca and his features softened. “Though I wish you’d change your mind. I know why you’re doing this. Don’t pretend you’re not staying for me.”

      Kurt marveled at the change in tenor when the judge spoke to his granddaughter. He didn’t understand all the undertones of their hushed conversation, but it seemed like the judge didn’t want to admit he’d rather have her back in Ohio, as well.

      She beamed. “No one is scaring me away. You know I have a job to finish here before I can go. Besides, I can help them identify the man. I would recognize his voice and his eyes anywhere. Plus, I hurt him.” Rebecca tilted her head so she could address Kurt around her grandfather. “He should have a cut along his arm or...” She closed her eyes and held up her right fist as if reliving it. “His right shoulder, to be more precise. I cut him with a letter opener.” She exhaled and looked past the judge. “I think I at least scratched his chest, as well.”

      Kurt didn’t want to admit aloud that he was impressed, but she would be an asset in catching the attacker quickly. “If you drew blood, we could run a DNA test off the letter opener.”

      She cringed. “It’s somewhere on the side of the road. Near the ditch I fell in.”

      “Delaney, please have some officers sent to locate the evidence.” He tried to keep his jaw from clenching. If the police had interviewed her last night, they could’ve nabbed the guy by now.

      Delaney spun on her heel and rushed out of the room.

      “I don’t want this in the papers, Brock,” Judge Linn barked. “I need to go to the Boise courts for trial, and I don’t want her fighting a media circus.”

      All of the federal judges within the state traveled between the three US courts in Idaho. But, if Judge Linn went now, the marshals would need reinforcements to provide for his protective detail. The deputy marshals stationed in Boise had their hands full. Many were out on fugitive cases like the one he just finished. They weren’t going to like the news. “Sir, we’re going to need police cooperation.”

      Judge Linn ignored him for a moment as he gently kissed Rebecca’s forehead. Her eyelashes fluttered and Kurt found himself wishing he could see her pretty eyes up close.

      The judge straightened. “Brock, a word alone.”

      Kurt may have imagined it, but he thought he saw Rebecca fight a laugh as if she knew he was in for a lecture. He supposed she’d warned him when she’d said her grandpa was used to getting what he wanted.

      Kurt stepped into the hallway as the judge rounded on him, finger in the air. “She refuses to go to Ohio because she’s scared she’ll lead the threat to her father—my son.” The judge shook his head. “If he hears a single word of this, he’ll never speak to me again. That sweet girl knows it and is determined to stay here until the threat is gone.” He narrowed his eyes. “Make sure there is no threat. Understood?”

      It wasn’t his job to sort out family drama, but Kurt wanted to eliminate the threat as much as he did. “We’ll do our best, sir. You have my word.”

      The judge frowned, nodded and took a step toward the elevator. “Oh...and, Brock?” He held up the same finger in the air but didn’t turn to look back. “I’m sure you already know that my granddaughter is beautiful and intelligent.”