Free 2. Come Be My Love by Annette Broadrick Page B

own.
    "What is it?" she whispered.
    "I'm not sure." He sat up.
    Brandi hastily pulled her heavy sweater over her head, effectively covering her bare chest. Greg had tensed, ready to get to his feet, when Brandi heard something outside, as well. He moved swiftly into the kitchen on silent feet.
    A sudden pounding started up at the door, and Brandi discovered that her heart was pounding erratically somewhere in the vicinity of her throat. Glancing around, she saw her bra and undershirt where Greg had tossed them earlier. She quickly gathered them up and stuffed them beneath the sofa cushion.
    Brandi couldn't imagine who would be out on a night like this. Were they looking for her? What could she do? Where could she possibly hide? Then she relaxed slightly. Greg was there. He wouldn't let anyone harm her. She knew that with a certainty that needed no explanations.
    She stood in front of the fireplace and watched as Greg walked over to the kitchen door and opened it.
    When Greg saw the two snow-covered shapes standing on the deck, he stepped back and motioned them inside. They stumbled in. Whoever they were, the storm had gotten the best of them. Their ill-advised decision to be out had almost been the death of them.
    They could barely move, and Greg began to pull their overcoats and gloves off. As soon as their coats were removed, he saw an insignia on one of their shoulders. They wore uniforms.
    Glancing around at Brandi, he noted that she was still hovering by the fire. This was no accident, and he knew it. Something must have been very important for these two to have braved the elements. He only had a few minutes in which to decide how best to deal with the present situation.
    "Not quite the night I would have chosen for a stroll, gentlemen," he said quietly, watching as the men sank down heavily on either side of the kitchen table.
    "We got lost," one of the men finally said through wheezing breaths.
    "I see." Greg saw a great deal more. They wore state police uniforms. These were not military men after all. He relaxed fractionally. "How about a cup of coffee? And you might find it warmer in by the fire."
    "I need to thaw out a little before I get closer to any warmth," the other man said with a grimace. "My name is Pete Phillips and my partner is Jim Stanley. We're sorry to have disturbed you, Mr. — "
    "Duncan. Gregory Duncan."
    "Mr. Duncan. But believe me, seeing your light probably saved our lives."
    The two men began to pull off their snow boots, then briskly rubbed their hands, trying to improve their circulation.
    "What brought you men up into the mountains in weather like this?" Greg asked, placing a cup in front of each one.
    After taking a welcome sip of coffee, Jim replied, "We got an urgent communication from Denver to be on the lookout for a dangerous suspect."
    "Oh? And you thought he might be in this area?"
    "She. We were told that she'd been traced to this area, yes."
    Greg glanced across the counter that divided the main room from the kitchen and saw the apprehensive look on Brandi's face.
    "Who are you looking for? And what has she done?"
    "Her name is Brandi Martin. She's wanted for questioning. Once apprehended, she'll be returned to Denver."
    "I see." Casually leaning against the counter, Greg said, "What does she look like?"
    "We don't have much to go on at the moment—a description from a driver's license. Five-one, ninety-eight pounds, blue eyes, black hair. That could describe several people," Jim muttered. He glanced into the other room and saw Brandi standing in front of the fire. He froze.
    "Oh, please forgive my lack of manners," Greg said, straightening, knowing that he was taking an irrevocable step. "This is my wife, Beth. We live in Payton, Missouri. We come here to ski whenever we can find the time." Greg reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet and handed them a card.
    Pete studied it carefully. "An attorney, are you?"
    "That's right." Greg smiled.
    "How long have you and your