Free The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood Page A

between you and me, okay?”
    “Yes, okay,” she said.
    “Don’t change your story,” he said finally.
    “What story?”
    “Your account of the shooting,” he explained. “Don’t change any of it.”
    “Why would I change it?” she asked, perplexed.
    “As this investigation progresses, you might be questioned again, either by the police or by the FBI, especially Agent Hughes. He may try to lead you or even coerce you to remember details you couldn’t recall before. Don’t tell him or anyone else more than you told Ben and me, that you didn’t see the couple well enough to recognize them.”
    Max had become so serious and his tone so persistent, Ellie wondered why he was telling her this. Her thoughts went back to the conversations they’d had in her apartment.
    “You haven’t told me much about this case or the people you’ve been chasing. You said their name was Landry, right?”
    “That’s right.”
    “And you said you’ve been trying to catch them for a long time.”
    “When the Landrys moved to Honolulu and started doing business there, Ben and I were brought in. They were arrested, and the case was solid. We had three witnesses, but as I already mentioned, the case never made it to court.”
    “You didn’t tell me why it didn’t make it to court.”
    “Two of the witnesses disappeared. We’re still looking for them, but no luck so far.”
    “What about the third witness?”
    “Killed in a hit-and-run.”
    Ellie felt a shiver run down her arms.
    Max let her absorb the information before continuing. “We need eyewitnesses who will testify against them, people who can positively connect them to a crime. But if those eyewitnesses come forward, we’ll have to guarantee their safety. And that’s why, if you have enough information to testify, you’ll probably end up in witness protection.”
    “Oh no, I won’t,” she replied.
    “I know how your life was turned upside down by Evan Patterson. You had to leave your home and your family for all those years. If you have to go into witness protection . . .”
    “No, I would never allow that to happen. Max, I’ve spent half my life in hiding,” she whispered. “I think I’ve reached my breaking point. Lately, I’ve felt frozen. I can’t seem to make decisions as to where I want to live, and the idea of signing a contract, even for one year, scares me.”
    “You’re waiting to find out where Patterson is, aren’t you?”
    Time to admit the truth, she decided. “Yes, I am. Even now he’s controlling my life. I hate that. And now you’re suggesting I might have to hide from the Landrys. Enough,” she snapped. “I’ve really had enough. I told you and Ben that I don’t think I can identify either one of the Landrys. Shouldn’t that keep me safe from them?”
    He nodded. “Maybe. Just be careful . . . and stick to your story.”
    “I will,” she answered. She studied him for a minute, thinking how thoughtful it was of him to try to protect her; then she asked, “Could you get into trouble for telling me about the other investigation that fell apart and about those witnesses?”
    “No, I’m not giving away confidential information. You would have to spend a little time on the Internet searching for articles, but you could find out all about that case. It was in the newspapers.”
    “Do you think those two witnesses who disappeared are still alive?”
    “I don’t know,” he said, shaking his head. “I think they may have gotten spooked when they heard about the hit-and-run, and they took off.”
    Who could blame them? she thought. She took a breath and said, “Thanks for telling me.”
    “Just promise you’ll be careful.”
    “I will.”
    He picked up his menu. “Are you ready to order?”
    “I’m not very hungry.”
    Max read through the menu, and when he glanced up at Ellie again, she was staring into space, lost in thought, absentmindedly turning her spoon over and over on the table. He should have stuck to his