Page 42 of Critical Strike

Claire wasn’t so sure. Ballard seemed to have the upper hand and now he was going to be looking any time she tried to access Digital Passage remotely.

She finished another stitch. She had to focus on what was in front of her; looking at the big picture was just going to overwhelm her. That was how she worked a computer problem, and it was how she needed to work this situation.

“How about your personal life? Ever been...married or anything?”

“No. A couple of boyfriends in college, but nothing serious. Trust issues, people issues, you know the deal. You?”

Her heart clenched as he waited so long, she was afraid he wasn’t going to answer.

“You and I are a lot alike in terms of people. I don’t necessarily avoid all contact with people, but my brothers all know not to send me in with clients. I’m way too gruff.”

“You’re not too gruff with me.”

“You’re the exception, Kitten. You always have been. And no, there hasn’t been anyone very serious for me, either.”

She finished the last two stitches.

“You vaguely resemble Frankenstein’s monster, but I think this will at least help it heal more quickly and keep out infection.”

“Thank you.”

She began cleaning up all her supplies on the table and put them in a trash bag. They’d have to take that out with them when they left in the morning.

“You got that because of me, so no thanks is necessary.”

He moved in front of her and cupped her cheeks.

“I got that because Ballard is a lying murderous bastard, not because of you. Because of your bravery and grit, I’m safe here in this apartment. I’m stitched up and better able to help protect us if we need it. That is because of you. Not the other stuff.” She didn’t know if she believed that, but at least for the moment, they were safe.

He chugged down a third nutrition shake and helped her finish cleaning. They found a couple of cans of soup and some crackers and Luke made a meal of it. Now that Luke was looking much steadier on his feet and strong enough to take on the world again, she found it difficult to stop staring at his very well-developed and muscular chest. Eventually they would have to find a shirt for him to put on, but for now she would enjoy the view. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to notice her embarrassed fascination, or if he did, he was too polite to tease her about it.

As a matter of fact, he may claim to be gruff, but he was charming and friendly to her despite her having tortured him for the past hour.

“I’m going to take a shower,” she announced after they cleared away the few dishes they had used. They were trying to clean up any messes as they went, just in case they had to leave in a hurry.

“Good idea. I’ll wash off the best I can after you.”

He flipped on the TV as she headed for the bathroom, but she stopped, turning in horror when she heard her name on the news.

“Local police this evening are asking for special assistance to find Claire Wallace.”

A picture of Claire filled the screen.

“Wallace was already wanted for questioning by the police for the murder of Julia Lindsey, a colleague and employee at Passage Digital. Now Wallace is wanted for the fire that destroyed Wars Hill library earlier this evening and for the shooting of a police officer. There is a reward for any information that leads to the capture of Wallace.” A phone number and email address floated across her picture on the screen.

Claire couldn’t stop the sob that escaped her. Luke was at her side in an instant. He reached out with the remote control and flipped the TV off.

“Hey.” He reached out to pull her into his arms, but she stepped back.

“Hey,” he said again. “This doesn’t change anything. We’re still going to figure out a way to clear your name.”

She nodded blankly. But how? How were they going to clear her name? Ballard had all the advantages, especially now that the cops thought she was the one who had shot that officer.

“I’m going to take a shower.”

She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed when Luke let her go. Once in the bathroom, she pulled her clothes off but brought them with her into the shower.

She used the body wash to try to get rid of some of the smoky smell on her clothes, then rinsed them thoroughly. Then she scrubbed her body from head to toe until she was almost raw.