Jonathan met the operative's glare, and snarled. "You either move out of my way, or I'll move you."
Blue smiled coldly, her voice low and calm, belying the tension surging through her muscles. "What are you waiting for?"
Jonathan saw red. Who was this bitch to challenge him? She had to be stupid, but she'd asked for it. He viciously kicked his leg forward and simultaneously threw a left jab, only to find himself off balance as neither blow landed. A moment later he was doubled over grunting in pain and coughing, trying to catch his breath from the sharp blow to his solar plexus. Unprepared, he never saw the fist that connected with his chin, and he sank to the floor, dazed.
Blue looked on dispassionately, struggling to control the throbbing her quick movement had wrought in her own injured muscles. She cursed her weakness, and hoped Jonathan had had enough, having no illusions about maintaining a sustained assault in her condition.
She backed out of reach and quickly glanced at Shelby. "Are you okay?" she asked, before turning her attention back to her adversary.
"Yeah, but I'm going to call the police and file assault charges."
The operative nodded. If Shelby wanted to file charges, that was fine with her. Unfortunately, it would only be Jonathan's word against her partner's because she hadn't witnessed the incident, but Kris figured Shelby knew that.
"No..."
Blue glanced at Jonathan who was struggling to rise to his feet. "Why not, sleezeball? Afraid you might go to jail this time. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy."
Jonathan sensed there was no dealing with the tall woman facing him, and turned his attention to Shelby. He'd never get his record expunged with a new assault charge pending, even if she couldn't prove it. "I'll make you a deal. You know I have something you want."
Shelby glanced at Kris, and then assumed a good imitation of her partner's stoic façade. She returned her attention to Jonathan, shrugging disinterestedly. "Maybe. What's the deal?"
Sensing an opportunity to regain the upper hand, Jonathan pressed his advantage. "If you don't press charges, I'll tell you what I saw yesterday when you were shot at."
Smiling inwardly, his reaction exactly what she'd been hoping for, Shelby shrugged. "How do I know you'll be telling the truth? You've lied before."
"If I'm lying, you can always press charges."
Shelby nodded. "Okay, deal. I find out you lied, and the deal is off."
Suppressing her own smirk of satisfaction, Kris observed the interaction between her partner and Jonathan, once again surprised by Shelby's innate understanding of the human mind. She had played her stepfather like a well-tuned piano, and he'd totally fallen for it.
"Well..."
"The guy was tall, with dark hair. I didn't get a good look at him because he was concealed pretty well in a tree a couple of houses up from where your car ended up."
"That's all you know? Forget it. That could be anyone." Shelby looked at Kris. "Let me borrow your cell phone. I left mine in the car."
Seeing the resolute expression on Shelby's face as she accepted the phone from her partner, Jonathan interrupted. "Wait. There's more." Pulling out his wallet, he retrieved a small piece of paper and handed it to the analyst. "I got his license number."
Kris asked a question that had been bothering her since she'd overheard the conversation earlier. "How did you happen to be in the area and just happen to notice which car was his?"
The tall man shifted uncomfortably. He'd had plans for Shelby himself, but had been saved the trouble by the appearance of the other man and had initially watched him out of curiosity until it became apparent he was on a mission. "I was just hanging around waiting for you and Shelby to leave so I could go visit Lisa when I saw him take a bicycle out of his car. He was carrying a small black gym bag."
Kris' disbelief was clearly evident. "You were just hanging around?"
"It's the truth."
Kris glanced at Shelby. Truth or not, her partner was obviously satisfied with the information Jonathan had given them, so it was time to end this visit. She smiled at Shelby. "Would you mind waiting for me outside. I want to talk to Jonathan alone for a minute." She winked to assure the analyst that she really was only going to talk to him.
Once the analyst left, Blue glared at the tall man who was watching her cautiously. Knowing words alone would be ineffective, she removed her gun from a holster at the small of her back, holding it casually as she released the cylinder and made a point of checking to see that all the chambers contained rounds.
She smiled, and in a voice few had heard and lived, purred, "If you come near Shelby or make any attempt to harm her, ever, you're a dead man." Blue clicked the cylinder back in place to emphasize her words. "Is that clear?"
Jonathan looked into the ice-cold eyes and tried to back away, but was already trapped in place by the wall. He had no doubt that she meant exactly what she'd said, and for the first time in his life he felt a bone chilling fear. Finding his voice, he muttered, "Yes."
Blue growled, "Good. I'm glad we understand each other."
Watching her leave, Jonathan wiped the perspiration from his brow, bewildered over the depth of his fear of the bodyguard.
Turning in the passenger seat to face Kris as they departed the trailer park, Shelby asked, "What'd you say to him?"
"I just told him to stay away from you."
Shelby raised an eyebrow. "That's it? Why do I get this feeling you're leaving something out?"
Kris grinned. "Or face the consequences."
"I don't think I even want to know," Shelby joked, but was secretly pleased that Kris had cared enough to warn her stepfather off. She had a feeling the operative's message would be much more effective than any peace bond or court order could ever be. Jonathan only understood power and her partner was more than his match.
Shelby glanced out the window, her mind replaying the confrontation. She was pleased that she'd managed to stand up to her stepfather and outmaneuver him. The look of shock on his face had been priceless. She wondered if her bravery was fueled by the operative's close presence and decided that, while that may have been a factor, she hadn't felt like a victim. Shelby smiled, satisfied with the personal victory. She glanced over at her partner when the car began to slow.
Kris pulled off the road a mile beyond the trailer park, put the car in park, and turned to face Shelby. She reached over, gently touching the bandage covering her partner's upper arm before dropping her hand. "I know he hurt you. Are you okay?"
"Yeah. It doesn't hurt as much now." Shelby sighed. "I just can't believe he did that. I expected more from him. Shows what I know."
"I didn't think he'd do anything either, and if he hadn't had any alcohol in him, he probably wouldn't have." Kris looked out the window, wishing she hadn't left Shelby alone with Jonathan, but knowing she'd had little choice in the matter.
"Kris?" When her partner met her gaze, Shelby continued. "It was my decision to talk to him alone, so no second guessing, okay?" She reached for the operative's hand and stopped. "You hurt your hand."
Shrugging, Kris glanced at slightly swollen knuckles and quirked a half-smile. "Nah. It's fine."
"We could stop and get some ice..." Shelby trailed off when Kris raised an eyebrow, gazing at her pointedly. "It was just an idea."
The operative shifted the car into gear. "I want to stop and check out that tree Jonathan said the guy hid in. If he was a professional, he probably just left the weapon. There won't be any way to trace it if he did, but I'd like to get a feel for who we're dealing with."
"Okay. Want to stop and eat after that?"
Kris grinned and kidded, "You're not hungry, are you?"
"Oh, like you aren't? We never finished our sandwiches last night and we got up too late for breakfast..."