Free Witness by Beverly Barton

lots.”
    â€œI’ll give the McCulloughs a call. Since he’s retired, they shouldn’t have any problem driving down from Decatur this afternoon.”
    â€œFine. And thanks for handling things while my life has been turned upside down lately.”
    Neil smiled, that widemouthed grin that showed all his teeth. “You know I’d do anything for you, Deb. Anything.”
    The door opened and Ashe McLaughlin walked in, making no apologies for interrupting. “Make time at lunch to go with me to see Sheriff Blaylock. I want to arrange for one of his men to keep an eye on you tomorrow while I do a little investigating on my own.”
    â€œI don’t think that’s necessary,” Neil said. “Whenever you need to do your investigating, I’ll be more than happy to stay with Deborah.
    â€œNeil—” Deborah wanted to caution her friend, but she didn’t get the chance.
    â€œLook, Posey, I appreciate the fact you’re Deborah’s friend, but you’re a realtor. I’m a professional bodyguard. If I can’t be at Deborah’s side, I want another professional to be there. One of the sheriff’s deputies.”
    â€œI can assure you that I’d die to protect Deborah.”
    â€œThat may be so, but once they kill you, what would keep them from killing her?” Ashe ignored Deborah’s pleading look that said not to crush Neil Posey’s ego. But Ashe didn’t give a damn about Posey’s ego. He simply wanted to make sure the man understood he wasn’t equipped to play hero. “Do you own a gun? Do you carry it with you? Have you ever killed a man?”
    â€œNo, I don’t own a gun and I most certainly have never killed another human being.” Neil shuddered, obviously offended at the thought.
    â€œIt’s all well and good to be willing to die to protect Deborah, but it’s just as important to be willing to kill, or at least maim an assailant, in order to protect her.”
    â€œI’ll arrange to go with you to see Charlie Blaylock,” Deborah said, her tone sharp. She wanted Ashe to know how displeased she was with him. There had been no need to humiliate Neil. “Thank you for your offer, Neil. I’d feel completely safe with you, but…” She nodded in Ashe’s direction. “Mother is paying Mr. McLaughlin a small fortune, so I plan to get our money’s worth out of him.”
    â€œYes, well…I understand.” With shoulders slumped, Neil slinked out of Deborah’s office like a kicked dog.
    She marched across the room, slammed shut the door and turned on Ashe. “How dare you make Neil feel less than the man he is! What gave you the right to humiliate him that way?”
    â€œMy intention wasn’t to humiliate Neil. Hell, I have no reason to dislike the man, to want to hurt him. My intention was to show him that he’s useless as a bodyguard.”
    â€œDid you have to do it in front of me?” She looked down at her feet. “Neil has a crush on me.”
    Ashe laughed. “That must be the reason Annie Laurie can’t get to first base with him.”
    Deborah snapped her head up, her eyes making direct contact with Ashe’s. She smiled. “I’ve done everything but offer to pay for their wedding to get Neil interested in Annie Laurie. He can’t seem to see past me to take notice of what a wonderful girl Annie Laurie is and how much she adores him.”
    Ashe stared at Deborah, his expression softening as he remembered another stupid man who had been so blinded by his passion for one woman that he’d allowed a treasure far more rare to slip through his fingers. Unrequited love was a bitch.
    â€œI’m sorry if you think I was too rough on Neil. Annie Laurie had told me he liked you, but I had no idea he fancied himself in love with you. I’ll tread more lightly on his ego from now on.”
    â€œThank you, Ashe. I’d