Hearts in the Crosshairs Read Online Free

seeing Jillian. How had she held up under the strain of the last two days?
    Yesterday, Lieutenant Wilson had updated her on the unit’s investigation, but today he’d given Dave the assignment as an ongoing duty. He would see her frequently to report their progress.
    He sent up a quick prayer for wisdom in fulfilling his responsibility. Detective Stephanie Drake met him in the doorway to the sunroom.
    “Hi, Dave. The governor just returned from the Capitol, but she’d like your update before she eats dinner. She asked me tosend you upstairs to her private office, and she’ll see you in about five minutes.”
    “Great. Thanks.” He climbed the stairs. No one was posted at the doorway to her office this evening, but farther down the hall, a guard stood watch between him and the rest of the family quarters.
    He entered Jillian’s office and went to the window, which looked down on the yard that fronted on Capitol Street, across from the statehouse. Dave pushed aside the curtain. He’d always thought the office would be more secure if it faced the backyard.
    He caught the sound of soft footsteps muffled by the thick carpet and let the curtain fall. An older woman crossed the threshold, carrying a small tray that bore a steaming coffee mug and a square of cake on a china plate.
    “Officer Hutchins?” Her skin wrinkled at the corners of her mouth as she smiled and held out her offering. She wore a matching skirt suit of thick, woven material, and her hair was neatly styled. She might have been an administrative assistant or a journalist, but the glint in her blue eyes reminded him of the face that had occupied his thoughts for the last two days.
    “I’m Jillian’s mother, Vera Clark.”
    “I’m pleased to meet you, Mrs. Clark.” He stepped toward her quickly and reached for the tray. “Is this for me?”
    “Yes. Jillian was just about to join you, when she received an important phone call. She asked me to tell you she’d be along in a few minutes. I didn’t think a cup of coffee could hurt a policeman who’s been working hard all day.”
    Dave grinned. “Thanks very much.”
    Free of her burden, Vera lifted her left hand to her throat and fingered the bright red and white beads of her necklace. “Would you like cream and sugar?”
    “No, black is fine, thanks.” He hesitated. She still stood there, watching him with some sort of expectation. “Uh…would you like to sit down?”
    “Thank you.” She wasted no time in claiming one of the leather chairs. “That’s blueberry cake. I baked it this morning and brought it along, but Jillian will only eat a sliver, to please me. She’s very strict about carbohydrates.”
    “You made this cake?”
    “Yes, with blueberries from the freezer. We picked them last summer.”
    Dave sank into the chair opposite her and picked up the fork, so as not to insult her. Beneath the streusel topping, the cake was bursting with plump blueberries. Just looking at it made his mouth water. He set the tray on the edge of Jillian’s huge desk and took a forkful.
    Vera watched him, her shoulders tense, her eyes questioning.
    He nodded as he chewed and swallowed. “Delicious.”
    She exhaled and sat back. “Thank you. So what are you doing to protect Jillian?”
    He blinked and reached for the coffee mug. “I’m involved in the investigation of the shooting, ma’am.”
    “And what have you got?”
    He sipped the brew carefully and set the mug down. “Actually, I’m not allowed to discuss that with anyone outside my department. Except the governor, of course.”
    “Oh, of course.” She tugged at the beads and looked away.
    Dave realized her real mission was not to deliver a message or coddle a hardworking officer. She had come to worm some information out of him. He studied her for a moment. Mid-fifties, discreet makeup. She kept her nails short but well manicured. She was frightened for Jillian’s safety.
    “You’re worried about your daughter,” he said.
    Vera