Page 15 of Hunting Justice
“I don’t think so.” Jonah and Noelle responded on top of each other.
Noelle met Jonah’s gaze. “That SUV did not ‘accidently’ rev its engine and then jump the curb.” She used air quotes around the word accidently.
Jonah tilted his head. “Why would someone try to kill me?”
She raised a brow. The confused expression on his face had her biting the inside of her cheek to hide a smile. “Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten our conversation.”
Despair washed over his features. “You think?”
She shrugged. “I think it’s a good possibility.”
Arms crossed, Matt stared at them. “Want to tell us what’s going on?”
She waited for Jonah to answer, but he stayed quiet. She had a decision to make, and she needed to make it quick. His earlier words tumbled in her brain.
Decia’s gaze drifted from Jonah to her. “Noelle?”
How she handled this would affect her and Jonah’s relationship. He’d trusted her. The only thing that helped her conscience was the fact that she, along with her coworkers at EGA Savannah, had law enforcement privileges and were experts at investigations. True, her words would stretch the meaning, but Jonah had confided in her.
“Have Jonah give you his statement about the explosion and about the SUV that almost hit him.” She sighed. “As for my statement, I walked out of the café after paying and saw Jonah standing at the curb. An SUV picked up speed and jumped the curb, heading straight for him. I tackled him out of the way, and the vehicle sped off. I did get the license plate number.” She rattled it off, and Matt wrote it down. “The only thing I ask right now is that you investigate the owner of that SUV.”
Decia scowled.
“I know, Decia. But please trust me on this.” She held her friend’s gaze.
The woman seemed to study her, then nodded. “For now.” Decia returned her focus to Jonah. “Doc, you look like you could use a place to sit down. Since there isn’t a great place to wait while we take a few witness statements, why don’t you go back into Ricky’s. After we’re finished up with these folks, we’ll meet you there, and then you can give us your statements.”
Noelle jerked her gaze to Jonah. Why had Decia suggested he sit down? She sucked in a breath. His pallor concerned her, but it was the way he swayed on his feet that sent her heart racing.
She grabbed his elbow. “Come on.” Once inside, she steered him back to the booth they’d vacated a little while ago. She scooted in next to him and leaned in before Decia and Matt finished the witness statements and joined them. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
His gaze dropped to his lap. “About what? That I hurt and I’m ready to drop? That I’m scared you’re right and Ken’s fraudulent actions have put me in the middle of danger?”
“Yes, to all of that.” She gently nudged him. “Jonah, please don’t shut me out.”
“Truth?” His head lifted.
“Always.”
“Elle, you’re amazing. You’ve been through a terrible event in your past. Even though you’ve never told me what happened, and I wish you would, I can tell it was horrible. Yet you’ve pushed through the trauma, and now you’re this amazing bodyguard.” His shoulders drooped. “I don’t want you to see me as weak.”
Her jaw dropped. “I’d never see you that way. You’re Doc. I know that doesn’t explain it.” How did she make him understand? “To your friends, you’re larger than life. You’re not weak. You’re the man that shows up and does whatever it takes to help the people around you. Why do you think Ken called you?”
He shook his head. “I have no idea.”
The man’s lack of confidence shocked her. In all the time they’d spent together, she’d never seen this side of him. “Because Ken knew you’d help without judging him. He knew he could trust you—that you’d keep your promise, and you’d do your best to set the records straight.”
“Maybe.” His dejected tone not only hurt to hear but made her angry on his behalf.
“There is no maybe to it.” She inhaled. “Look, we know all the general things about each other and then some. No, we haven’t shared our deepest, darkest secrets. Like you said to me, I’d like to hear what’s caused you to be down on yourself. But know this: until that happens, I’m here for you.”
After a silent moment, Jonah placed his hand on the table and shifted to face her. “Thank you for not outing Ken. The man is—was—like a father to me. Losing him is like losing a piece of myself. After everything he’s done to help me, I owe it to him to keep my promise and figure it out first. I understand we have to tell Matt and Decia, but I’d like to see what my friend got himself into before I mention it to them. It’s not like Ken’s here to explain or defend himself. And with the bullet-hole evidence, it’s not like they don’t know the explosion was intentional. They’ll continue to investigate.”
“As long as you realize that it’s only temporary.” She squeezed his hand. “We’ll figure this out.”
She had no intention of letting Jonah go this road alone.
He didn’t know it yet, but once she talked with Alana and Juliette, he’d have a personal bodyguard twenty-four seven. He’d become an important part of her life. No way she’d allow anyone to hurt him—ever.