Excerpt of Silent Witness by Mary Eason

He watched her carefully for a moment then closed the folder. “We can keep doing this if you’d like.”

She wasn’t expecting him to be direct. No doubt most people she’d made contact with in the past chose to ignore the clear evidence of trouble in her life that clung to her like a cloak. Most people wouldn’t want to get involved in her problems.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“I think you do. I was a detective for many years. Long enough to know when someone is running for their life. I see all those signs in you. I can help you but I need you to trust me.”

She was ready to reject his offer even before he finished giving it. “No, you’re wrong. I can’t—”

“You can. I know it’s hard but I promise I won’t let you down.” He got to his feet and knelt in front of her.

“No, you don’t understand. I…can’t.”

He’d expected this from her. People who were victims of domestic violence usually gave up on trusting their survival to anyone but themselves.

For the moment he let it go. “All right. But maybe I can help you out in another way.”

Her clear blue eyes met his. “I’m sorry but I don’t see how.” A little bit more of his resistance melted. He wanted to protect her. He couldn’t. He couldn’t let himself care about her. Caring about someone almost always led to pain.

“You need a job. I need a secretary. I think we can work something out, don’t you?”

“I’m sorry but I don’t think I can-can—”

“Can what? Can stick around long enough to learn the job? Can trust me? What are you really afraid of, Faith?”

“All those things,” she admitted at last. “I can’t give you promises. I can’t guarantee I’ll be here tomorrow much less long term. I can’t trust you. I’m sorry, I just can’t and it has nothing to do with you really. I’m sure you’re a good person. But you’re right. It’s all of those things.”

“I see.” His gut instinct told him to walk away from this woman’s problems before they became his but something that went deeper than gut-instinct urged him not to give up on her so easily. “Well, thank you for being honest with me. But I’d still like to help. We can take it one day at a time if you’d like. Just see what happens, okay? Don’t be concerned about the job. You’ll learn that soon enough. I’ll help you.”

“You just happen to have a position sitting around vacant waiting for me?” She sounded skeptical. He couldn’t blame her. He’d probably react the same way.

“No,” he acknowledged reluctantly. “But as it happens, my regular secretary left to have a baby and the girl whose been filling in for her walked out on me on Friday.”

She looked as if she didn’t believe him. She probably thought he was just being nice. She’d learn soon enough. Nice wasn’t part of his business decisions.

“I need someone who can start right away.”

“So you’re willing to settle for someone like me with very little experience?”

He considered his words carefully. “Look Faith, to be honest with you, I’m desperate. I know I’m not the easiest person to work for. If you have any doubts just ask the girl who quit. She said something about not being able to take the pressure anymore. Whatever that means. But I’m willing to give us a try if you are.”

She wasn’t. At least not right away. “Why are you doing this? You don’t even know me.”

“Maybe not but I do know some things about you that you probably don’t even realize. You have very expressive eyes. Did you know they give away so many things about you?” She didn’t like his answer. “For instance, I know you’re running for your life. I know you’re scared of something or someone. I know I can help you. And I’m hoping in time you’ll trust me enough to let me. This is what I do for a living. But for now let’s just concentrate on the present. Come into the office tomorrow and we’ll go over everything together. I’ll be patient, I promise. Ask me anything you have questions about. We’ll figure it out together.”

For a long time he believed she would refuse flat out. Probably keep right on running. When she slowly nodded, it felt as if he’d just passed some huge test with her. He’d won a little bit of her trust. Hopefully it wouldn’t be the last. Maybe she was just too tired to run anymore. She looked exhausted right down to her soul.

JT’s heart went out to her. “Good.” He got to his feet and pulled her up beside him. Before she had time to consider what she’d promised and change her mind, he started for the door. “I’ll see you in the morning, okay? The address for Wyatt Securities is on my business card. Don’t stand me up, Faith. I’m counting on you.”