Person of Interest by Debby Giusti Read Free Book Online Page B

motion, he sat up and reached for the phone. “Special Agent Everett Kohl.”
    Natalie straightened her sweater and tugged at her jeans. Knowing dawn would come too soon, she’d slept in her clothes, which Everett had done, too.
    He scrubbed his left hand over his face. “What time will Lieutenant Jones’s flight arrive at Hartsfield?”
    The Atlanta airport. Wanda must have made a reservation.
    Everett glanced up. Even in the darkness, Natalie could see the concern in his gaze.
    “Roger that,” he said into the phone. “I’ll talk to her and let you know.” He disconnected.
    Leaning closer, Natalie raised her brow. “Didn’t we have a deal that you wouldn’t mention being with me until morning?”
    He pointed to the pinkish glow streaming through the window. “There’s light on the horizon. I call that morning, and we never had a deal. I said we would decide what to do after we both got some rest.” He glanced at his watch. “You caught an hour and a half of shut-eye. Not enough, but it’ll have to suffice.”
    Letting out a deep breath, Everett stood, looking tall and muscular and so very male. She took a step back and straightened her spine, unwilling to let down her guard.
    “Did you tell Frank about this cabin?” she asked.
    Everett nodded. “I called him after you went to sleep last night.”
    “What?” She wanted to stamp her foot and spout off a list of terms that would ease her frustration, but she’d left that part of her life behind in Detroit and was a better and more civil person these days. Instead, she glared at him.
    “Evidently—” she kept her voice low but firm “—I can’t believe a word you say.”
    “For your information, Chief Agent-in-Charge Craig Wilson heads the CID at Fort Rickman. He’s out of town, and Frank is in charge. I had to inform him about your whereabouts, Natalie. I also told him about the prank phone calls and Denise’s clandestine relationship with the nameless boyfriend. He notified the Freemont police and both agencies are investigating.”
    “Did you say Mason could be the boyfriend?”
    Everett nodded. “I mentioned that as a long shot, but one that needed to be on the table.”
    “But he still thinks I’m the killer?”
    Everett pursed his lips. “He considers you a person of interest.”
    She turned from him and hugged herself, unwilling to give in to the tears that stung her eyes. No one believed her.
    “I’m not going to desert you, Natalie. Getting answers is key to this investigation right now. That, and reuniting Sofia with her mother.”
    “I can’t go back to Fort Rickman. Not while Mason’s there.”
    Everett sighed. “I understand your concern, but that doesn’t change the fact that the baby needs her mother, although I’m not sure where we should meet.”
    “Wanda drove to the airport and left her car in long-term parking. She took a shuttle to the terminal. Meeting at the airport would be so public.” Her stomach twisted at the thought. “A better plan might be to connect in the parking lot. What time does her plane land?”
    “She’s scheduled to arrive at noon.”
    Natalie reached for her cell. “Then I should be able to reach her.” She pulled up Wanda’s name on her phone directory and tapped the listing.
    The cell rang when she lifted it to her ear.
    “How’s my baby?” Wanda answered.
    “Sofia’s fine. She’s sleeping soundly. We’re at your cabin.”
    Natalie hesitated, thinking of Denise and what had happened. Unwilling to share more bad news with Wanda, she didn’t mention her roommate.
    “My plane arrives at noon,” Wanda informed her, confirming the flight details Frank had provided. They made arrangements to meet at the long-term parking lot in Atlanta where Wanda’s car was parked before disconnecting the call.
    Natalie turned back to Everett. “I’d feel safer if we left the cabin now. If Frank knows I’m here, he might share the information with Mason.”
    “How’s coffee