Free Person of Interest by Debby Giusti Page B

thanks when Everett closed the passenger door and climbed behind the wheel.
    Leaving the underbrush, they gained access to the road again and, fifteen minutes later, entered the highway heading north to Atlanta.
    Natalie’s focus was on returning Sofia to her mother. She didn’t know what would happen after that. She had to figure out her next step and whether it would include Everett. Was he working with her or against her?

EIGHT
    T raffic was light as they drove along the interstate, which gave Everett time to review everything that had happened. He kept thinking about holding Natalie in his arms, which didn’t help his focus. He still needed to make sense of the conflicting information. Mason was a CID agent who had done well for himself and risen in the ranks until he was in charge of an entire department in Vilseck. His subordinates had relied on him for sound leadership.
    The military was a close-knit community. Surely if he’d done something wrong, the information would have followed him to Fort Rickman. Yet Frank and Everett had heard nothing that gave them pause.
    Until Natalie entered the picture.
    He glanced at Natalie sitting in the backseat. Her eyes were closed, and her head rested against the back of the seat. The tenseness in her face had eased as she’d fallen asleep.
    Attractive as Natalie was, he could too easily be swayed by her blue eyes and engaging smile. Although today her mouth seemed set in a perpetual frown as if she was haunted by what had happened. Trying to elude a killer came with a high price tag, one that didn’t lend itself to self-assuredness.
    Seeing the signs for the airport, he switched lanes and turned onto Camp Creek Parkway. Driving past the long-term parking lots, he crossed the outer belt, heading for the shopping mall on the far side of I-285.
    The sign for a mom-and-pop diner beckoned a welcome.
    “Where are we?” Natalie’s voice was thick with sleep as her eyes blinked open.
    “Just past the airport parking. I thought we needed food.”
    She stretched her arms and arched her back. Hair cascaded over her shoulders and begged to be touched.
    He tightened his grip on the steering wheel and turned into the diner parking area.
    “What about meeting Wanda?” Natalie asked.
    He glanced at his watch. “We’re ahead of schedule, with plenty of time to grab some chow.”
    The smell of eggs and bacon greeted them as they entered the diner. A waitress ushered them toward a booth. Everett took the baby carrier from Natalie and settled it into the booster chair before scooting it close to the table.
    Sofia opened her eyes and cooed. Everett’s heart soared. With her dancing eyes and cherub smile, the baby made him forget the danger for a moment.
    He laughed as her legs churned the air, and her tiny hands reached for him.
    “Your daughter’s adorable.”
    He looked up to find the waitress waving at Sofia. Her name tag read Rachel.
    She glanced at Natalie and smiled. “You’re a lucky couple to have such a precious daughter.”
    Natalie never missed a beat. “The baby stole our hearts the first time we laid eyes on her.”
    Glancing at Everett, she added, “Isn’t that right, hon?”
    He nodded. “That’s right, dear.”
    “Can I bring you folks some coffee?”
    Everett checked the menu on the whiteboard. “Along with two egg-and-bacon platters. Add biscuits and grits.”
    He turned to Natalie. “Sound good?”
    “Perfect.”
    “I’ll place the order and be back with your coffee.” Rachel hurried to the kitchen, and, true to her word, she returned with two piping-hot mugs, followed by their breakfast order.
    Sofia slept while they ate and then sucked hungrily at her bottle when Natalie fed her after the meal.
    Once the three of them had their fill, Everett signaled for the check.
    “More coffee?” Rachel returned to the table and raised the carafe over his mug.
    He held up his hand. “Just the check.”
    “It’s been covered.” The waitress glanced over her