Page 31 of The Fragile Truth
Ian waited until the onlookers were out of earshot before he spoke. “Tell me what happened in your words.” His gaze moved from Sadie to Effie and then Talon.
Fury tightened Talon’s features. “We said goodbye to Effie’s family and saw them off at the ferry. We stopped by here to grab lunch. We were leaving the restaurant. I got a call from my dad. I paused where we’re standing now to take it. Effie went on to the car. I heard her scream, and then Sadie pushed her out of the way as the car sped by. Like the man said, it was a black Sedan. Maybe a Nissan or a Toyota.” Talon grimaced. “I should’ve paid more attention.”
“Don’t beat yourself up,” Effie countered. “You had no way of knowing what would happen.”
Ian looked across the parking lot to the far edge where Talon’s Nissan 300 ZX was parked. Effie would have needed to walk across the lot to get to it. “Did you recognize the driver?”
“No,” Talon said regretfully. “I was too caught up in my phone conversation. Dad and I were discussing the credentials of the bodyguards Casey Wilcock recommended.” Irony hung heavy in his voice.
Ian looked at Effie and Sadie. “Did either of you see the driver?”
“I’m sorry,” Effie said numbly as she clenched her hands. “It all happened so fast. I was walking across the parking lot and saw movement out of the corner of my eye. I realized the car was coming at me and screamed. Sadie sprinted and pushed me out of the way.”
“Where were you when you first saw the car?” Ian asked Sadie.
She pointed to her car, which was parked near the restaurant. “I was on break and had gone out to my car to get my lip balm. When I saw the car coming at Effie, my instincts kicked in, and I reacted.”
“You saved my life,” Effie said, gratitude shining in her eyes.
Ian wanted to reconstruct the accident so he could picture it in his brain. “Effie, can you show me the exact spot where you were when the car came by?”
Nodding, Effie walked roughly six feet from where the cars in the front row, nearest the restaurant, were parked.
“Sadie, where were you?”
“I was going to my car. I was here.” She stopped five feet away from where Effie was standing.
Ian shook his head, the miracle of the situation overtaking him. “It’s a good thing you came out to get your lip balm,” he said to Sadie.
“I know,” she agreed. “I usually keep it in my pocket, but I forgot to grab it this morning, so I came out to get it while I was on break.”
They returned to where they had been standing initially.
“I would bet my last dollar that Lina’s behind this,” Talon fumed.
“I’m afraid you’re right,” Ian agreed, a futile outrage boiling in his gut. He hated being put in a defensive position where Effie was a sitting duck. Ian could only hope that Talon or one of the other Chasings would hire someone to hunt Lina down. Or perhaps the US Marshalls would get to her first. Ian didn’t care who apprehended Lina. He just wanted her caught.
Effie’s expression turned grave. “I guess I’ll need that protection, after all.”
Talon’s jaw was set in a steely determination as he turned his attention to Ian. “Do you have a plan ready?”
“I do,” Ian answered with more confidence than he felt.
“Good,” Talon punched out. “We can discuss it at my office at 3:00 p.m.” He turned to Effie. “Let’s go. I’ll feel safer when we have you back on the island.”
“Not so fast,” Ian interjected. “A lot can happen between here and the island. I’d like to send one of my deputies to accompany you back to the hotel.”
Talon nodded. “Smart idea.”
Effie’s expression grew forlorn. “I don’t know how I’ll stand having people watching me 24/7.”
The muscles in Talon’s jaw twitched. “Better to be watched than to get killed.”
“You’re right,” Effie sighed in acceptance. She reached for Sadie’s hand and squeezed it. “I owe you a great debt.” Her voice caught. “Thank you.”
“It was nothing,” Sadie answered. “I’m just glad that I was in the right place at the right time.”
“Me too,” Talon piped in. He looked at Sadie. “If there’s anything that you need, please let us know.”