Protective Custody by Lynette Eason

breath and could only stare at Nick, her heart breaking at the harsh grief that stole his voice for a moment. Then he cleared his throat. “How do you know anything about that? Are you admitting to murdering my wife and sister?”
    A harsh laugh echoed in the room. “You’d be surprised at what and who I know, what I’ve done—and what I’m capable of doing.”
    The words slammed into the air. Nick shot Carly a haunted look and spoke into the phone,. “If anything happens to those kids, I’ll see you dead.”
    Another laugh. “Now, is that any way for a judge to talk?” The voice turned deadly. “I sent you a video. Either drop the case or be prepared to rule the way we want.”
    â€œI’ll rule according to the evidence.”
    â€œThat’s what we figured. Watch the video, then decide. It might change your mind. Especially when you see the little bull’s-eye on Lindsey’s head.”
    The loud click of the caller hanging up spurred everyone into motion.
    Carly hit the door to find Mason pacing, his phone stuck to his ear. She got his attention. “Did you get a trace?”
    In disgust, he shook his head. “They covered their tracks.”
    She wasn’t surprised. “What about Maria and Grady?”
    â€œThat’s who I’m talking to now. Maria said Grady went with Christopher to class. She’s with Lindsey and says everything is fine.”
    Carly looked back to see Nick standing in the doorway, listening. His relief was visible. She turned back to Mason. “This time the threat was made against the children. I want them away from that school.”
    â€œWorking on it.” He listened a few more moments. “They’re all four together now. Grady’s going to get the car while Maria stays with the kids in the shelter of the building.”
    â€œGood. Let’s get more officers over there. Tell Maria and Grady to stay put until they see the cars—if they can.”
    â€œCarly? I need you to see this.”
    Nick’s voice stopped her before she could issue the next order.
    She turned to see that the pallor in his face had been replaced with a sickly green color.
    She snatched the phone from his hand and pressed Play.
    The children’s school came into view, followed by video of the two marshals ushering Christopher and Lindsey into the building. The marshals blocked the view of the children, using their bodies as shields. She looked up at Nick, and he motioned her back to the phone. “Keep watching.”
    The next shot was through a window of one of the classrooms. Lindsey walked in, and for a brief moment, she was a target. Carly knew the person taking the video could have sent a bullet crashing through the glass into the girl.
    Nausea curled through her as Maria rushed over to the window and pulled the blinds. Carly would have done that before Lindsey had walked into the classroom. Doing it now could have been too late if the person with the camera had a sharp shooting rifle instead.
    â€œOkay, the kids have officially been threatened. No more school, no more regularly scheduled activities, until this trial is over,” Carly said.
    Her heart thumped and her breath caught in her throat at the dread she read on his face. She wanted to put her arms around him and offer him comfort. A fact that bothered her. She couldn’t let her desire to grow close to Nick, the man, get in the way of her job, which was Nick the assignment. She was here for one thing and one thing only.
    To keep him and his kids safe.
    Any feelings she might have for him would have to be shelved.
    â€œMason, where are the kids now? Are they in the car yet?”
    â€œNot yet. Maria’s still waiting.”
    She frowned. “He’s taking too long. He wouldn’t have been parked that far from the entrance. Can she see him?”
    Mason handed her the phone. “I don’t know. Here, I’m going