Silent Protector Read Online Free PDF

kind of protective custody, and if he was emotionally secure, he’d be more likely to talk. They’d do their best to reassure him.
    “Why couldn’t the police in Maine just tell me that he was in protective custody?” she asked. “That he was safe? And why did they lie to you and say there was no one who would miss him?”
    Ian’s expression softened slightly as he took some cotton wipes from a box on the desk. “We don’t tell people, relatives, friends, anything. Most of the time, it’s assumed that the person in protective custody has been killed or else the person we’re trying to prosecute may find the witness.” He inhaled. “As for someone lying to me, that’s an issue I need to deal with. And believe me, I will deal with it.”
    She leaned back against the wall next to the glass cabinet, feeling the cement wall press against her damp shirt. Despite the chill running through her, perspiration broke out on her skin. A cold sweat.
    “It’s not his safety you’re worried about, is it?” she whispered, shaking her head. “He’s your prime witness. As long as you can carefully guide what he says, and how he’s going to say it in court, you’ll get your killer.” Her voice rose. “Without a smidgen of care for what’s best for him!”
    Sighing, he shook his head. “That’s not true. His safety means more to me than his testimony.”
    “Really? Look around you, Ian. His father has just been killed in front of him. He’s with strangers. He’s lonely and scared. And who’s here to look after him properly?Just you? You’re busy planting a church and creating some antipoverty program. You don’t have time to be a guardian or a bodyguard.”
    “That’s why he’s staying with the Wilsons. They’re both retired from the U.S. Marshal Service and can help.”
    “More strangers!”
    She turned her head away, feeling the hot sting of tears. Out the window across from where she stood, all she could see was thick forest, vines and the occasional glimpse of shimmering water through the green tangle. The beach must not be far through the trees.
    Ian rubbed his jaw and then rubbed the back of his neck. He looked as disturbed as she did. “I know this is how it seems to you, but we’re doing what’s best for the boy. Now, we both need to shower. The water isn’t safe to swim in this time of year.”
    She nodded. As part of her job ensuring waterfowl safety, she’d once read about certain beaches on the gulf side becoming unsafe to swim in during the month of July. Something about a bacteria.
    Oh, goodie, another reason to be concerned for Charlie. She stood. “Charlie shouldn’t be here.”
    Ian continued to wipe down the disassembled pieces of his weapon. “There’s an old African proverb that says it takes a community to raise a child.”
    She folded her arms. “A community, not the government. And not here.”
    He straightened, turned his head and studied her. And as much as she’d like to turn away, she met his cool stare with an equal one of her own.
    In that moment, she took stock of his appearance. He was really quite handsome. He had a strong faith and a caring attitude, all wrapped up inside a handsome body. Hissandy hair was tousled now by the towel he’d used, adding to his trustworthy appearance. His blue eyes, flecked with white, matched the water beyond the trees perfectly.
    There was more than just this feeling of security here. In his eyes, she could so easily see an inner strength, a complete and utter belief that he was doing the right thing.
    Everything a Christian woman might want in a man.
    No. She wasn’t going down that path. She’d already seen what he was really like. Pastor or not, he was also a federal agent, and his only reason for wanting Charlie here was to extract a statement from him. This whole scenario was far too much of a strain on Charlie’s emotional health. The poor boy had just suffered a terrible loss. She wouldn’t gamble with his emotions because