Moving Target Read Online Free PDF Page B

the Witness Security Program were basically thugs. They'd been involved in organized crime, drug trafficking, and other criminal activities, and were now testifying against those higher in the organization, usually to save their own asses.
    But Ani . . . she was one of the few innocents forced into the program.
    In the two years he'd known Ani, he'd admired her intelligence, her bravery—hell, everything about her. He didn't know when it happened, but something about their relationship had gone far beyond program participant and contact. She was off-limits, but he'd needed to talk to her weekly. Needed to hear her sensual voice.
    He could still imagine her flowery scent and picture her full curves and vivid blue eyes. And her lips. He'd escorted her from the burn center, to rehab, then to different safe houses, including the one in Bisbee, where she'd been living up until now.
    With the feelings she stirred up inside him, being around her was a bad idea. A real bad idea. He'd have to get another Inspector to take over the case once he got her to New York City to testify.
    Without glancing down, Daniel slid his cell phone out of its holster on his belt. As he drove, he flipped the phone open and punched the speed-dial number for Ani without taking his eyes off the road. He'd pushed that button so many times he didn't have to look at his phone to call her.
    He brought the phone to his ear as he caught up to a pair of red taillights and switched lanes to pass the vehicle, then moved back into the right lane. In moments he came up on the exit to Benson. If he was going to do any kind of fast driving through the small towns from here to Bisbee, he'd have to use his lights.
    A ringing tone started on the other end of the line, but immediately the generic recording came on telling him to leave a message. Looked like she was listening to him in one regard—he'd told her not to talk with anyone.
    When he took the exit, he slowed down but switched on his flashing red and blue strobes. He went a bit faster than he should have through the forty-five-, thirty-five-, then twenty-five-mile-an-hour zones. All of the small towns on this stretch of highway were speed traps, and he couldn't waste time being pulled over.
    After the three small towns there was a long stretch of highway and a good thirty-minute drive to Bisbee. It felt as if he were driving a boat against a current.
    When he finally reached the Mule Pass Tunnel he should have felt some relief, but he remained as tense as a coiled spring.
    Ten more minutes and he'd be there.
    Agonizing minutes.
    Daniel finally reached the police department. He pulled out his credentials, shut off his flashing lights, then stepped from his SUV and headed into the department building.
    "U.S. Deputy Marshal," Daniel said to the officer manning the front desk and showed the cop his creds.
    After checking them out, the cop motioned him on.
    Daniel strode to the back of the building where he'd been directed. In one glance he saw Ani wasn't in the room. Only one woman was there, other than a female police officer. The civilian woman was talking with a paramedic.
    What the hell were paramedics doing here?

    And where the hell was Ani?
    His voice came out in a growl, carrying over the discussions in the room. "Where's Ani Carter?"
    "I'm right here, Daniel." The familiar feminine voice came from the left of him—from the woman sitting next to a paramedic.
    "Ani?" He narrowed his eyes, taking in the slender woman who looked so unlike the Ani he knew that he hadn't recognized her. But her crystalline blue gaze, her dark brown hair, small nose, and fair complexion were familiar even though her face was much thinner. What clinched it for him were her full lips. Lips he'd wanted to kiss way too many times.
    Goddamnit . He had to get those thoughts out of his head and now.
    She offered him a nervous-looking smile and he pushed his way past the officers in the room and past the paramedic. He crouched in front of