Read Online The Christmas Bell Tolls by Robin Caroll - Free Book Online

tattoos seemed more vibrant than ever under the
drug store’s weak lighting as he held out his hand. “I’ll load up the truck.”
    Eva opened her
mouth to argue, then realized it was moot. She dug in
her pocket for the keys.
    Ivan winked at
her, took the keys and then left.
    Eva let out a long
sigh before falling into step beside Peter. “Just shoot it to me straight,
Peter. What’s going on?”
    “I have to remove
you from the case.”
    They’d reached the
front door of the drug store. She stopped just short of stepping outside into
the biting cold and turned to face Peter. “You what?”
    “I’ve been
instructed to remove you from the case.” The tips of Peter’s ears were fire
engine red. “I didn’t want to, I don’t think it’s necessary, but I have no
choice, Eva.”
    Her pulse echoed
inside her head. “I don’t understand.”
    Peter leaned
against the block wall. “Because you dated Darren. That FBI guy Wilson demanded you be removed.”
    “Since when does
the FBI tell us how to run our program?” She fisted her hands into tight balls.
    “Since he called
the Director and raised all sorts of questions. The Director was quick to call
me. There’s no wiggle room here, Eva. I’m sorry.”
    This was
unbelievable. “All because I dated Darren?” She jabbed
her fists into her jacket pockets as the enormity of the accusation slapped
her. “Do they think I’m involved in Savannah’s abduction? That’s ridiculous!”
    “I know you
aren’t. I told the Director as much.”
    Eva shook her
head. “They think because I dated Darren but we aren’t dating anymore, that
makes me a suspect. Except I was at work today. All
day, which anyone can easily verify so I don’t see why they want to pull me and
keep from doing my job of finding Savannah. ”
    “I know, and I
agree with you, but Wilson reminded the Director that your job affords you
access to key case components.”
    “Now they’re
accusing me of tampering evidence?” Despite the frigid temperatures of the
December night, Eva’s face burned. “That I would jeopardize
my career, my life’s work, for what? To get back at a
guy who broke up with me?” She swallowed and held up her hand.
“Apparently they missed the fact that Darren and I are friends. We were before
we dated and we are after.” Her voice rose and quivered and she hated how that
sounded weak, but she just couldn’t help it. “For such accusations—”
    “I understand how
you feel, Eva. I do. I don’t agree with this at all. I just don’t have a
choice.”
    Eva went rigid.
“Maddie can’t work the case either, so who is going to run the tests, Peter?”
    “Luckily, Sarah’s
agreed to step in and help.”
    She wanted to hit
something—hard.  Sarah Newton … in her lab …
doing her job. “I can’t even.” Eva turned and stepped outside.
The blast of cold air barely registered against her flaming face.
    For the briefest
of moments, Eva wondered if she should call someone. Maybe an
attorney? She disregarded the idea almost as quickly as she processed
it. She had nothing to hide.
    Maddie’s
observation flashed through Eva’s mind:  You were falling in love with
him.
    Maybe she did have
something to hide after all.

Seven
     
    “Eva.” Darren
stared at her standing in the doorway, looking more than a little
uncomfortable.
    A push of arctic
air shoved against him. He moved out of the doorway. “Come in out of the cold.”
    She stepped inside
and he shut the door behind her. He turned to take her coat, and realized he
didn’t know what to say to her.
    “Guess you heard
I’ve been removed from the case.” She made the announcement without accusation,
to which he was grateful.
    “I’m sorry, Eva.
You have to know that I know you aren’t involved.”
    She smiled and
reached out, squeezing his hand. “I know.”
    SAC Wilson stormed
into the living room. “Ms. Langston, I presume?”
    The softness of
her face disappeared. “Mr. Wilson.”
    “You