Free Person of Interest by Debby Giusti Page A

long.”
    “But—”
    “I want to see the car as it passes by.”
    He disappeared into the woods. Seconds ticked by as she waited and listened. In her mind’s eye, she envisioned him approaching the highway and hunkering down in the underbrush.
    Brakes squealed.
    She startled. Her heart pounded even faster.
    Placing her hand protectively on the baby’s arm, she listened. Silence.
    Had she imagined the sound?
    The crack of a gun cut through the stillness.
    Her pulse raced. A lump of fear filled her throat.
    She saw Everett again in her mind, only this time he lay dead on the side of the road. Shaking her head, she tried to dispel the thought. Surely he hadn’t been injured. Then a new realization hit. Mason—or whoever had fired the shot—would be able to find the SUV by following the tire tracks along the path through the forest. She and the baby would be easy marks and totally defenseless.
    With trembling hands, she unbuckled the car seat and lifted Sofia into her arms. The baby sighed and snuggled close. Tears burned Natalie’s eyes as she thought of what could happen if Mason found them.
    After opening the door, she stepped from the car, not knowing where to go or where to hide. Her ears roared, and her pulse throbbed. An inner voice told her to run, but the undergrowth was too thick. Sharp thorns scratched her arms. She clutched Sofia even closer so the twigs and branches didn’t hurt the little one.
    Leaves rustled behind her.
    She increased her speed.
    Footfalls sounded, too close.
    Her toe caught on a root. She started to fall.
    Hands grabbed her.
    She tried to struggle free.
    “I’ve got you. You don’t have to be afraid.”
    He was too tall and muscular. Not Mason, but Everett.
    She gasped with relief. “What happened? I heard tires screech and a gunshot.”
    “A utility van. Pete’s Plumbing, according to the logo on the side panel.”
    “Then it...it wasn’t Mason?”
    “A deer ran in front of the van. The driver had to put the animal out of its misery.”
    “I... I thought—” She trembled even more thinking what could have happened.
    “The driver never saw me. I stayed undercover and watched it all play out. He took off after moving the carcass to the side of the road.”
    Everett rubbed his hands over her arms and peered at Sofia. “Is the baby all right?”
    She nodded.
    “Why’d you leave the car?”
    Staring into his eyes, she suddenly saw her own mistake. His face was drawn with concern, but there was nothing threatening in his gaze.
    “What’s wrong, Natalie? Are you all right?”
    His hands on her arms were strong, but his grip wasn’t forceful or menacing; rather, it offered support and understanding.
    “I...I thought someone was after us.”
    He pulled her close and wrapped both her and Sofia in his embrace. “I told you before, and you’ve got to believe me,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I won’t let anyone hurt you or the baby.”
    Tears blurred her eyes. She wanted to believe him more than anything, and for this brief moment, she leaned into him, drawing comfort from his strength.
    “I should have stayed in the car, but I was afraid.”
    “It’s okay,” he soothed.
    She pulled back ever so slightly and stared into his eyes. What she saw made her breath hitch, and for half a heartbeat she wanted to remain in his embrace forever. Too quickly, he slipped his arm over her shoulder and turned her back to the path.
    “Let’s head to the car. I want to get on the interstate and drive to Atlanta before traffic picks up. We’ll grab some chow once we get there. You’ve got to be hungry.”
    She didn’t answer him. She couldn’t. She was trying to make sense of the confusion that swirled within her. Natalie wanted to believe Everett Kohl would help her, and hopefully, he was who he seemed to be. Having someone on her side would be a welcome change.
    With his arm around her, they returned to the car. She settled Sofia into her seat and nodded her