Debbie ViguiГ© [ViguiГ© - Walk Through the Valley

Walk Through the Valley

Other Books by Debbie Vigui

The Psalm 23 Mysteries

The Lord is My Shepherd

I Shall Not Want

Lie Down in Green Pastures

Beside Still Waters

Restoreth My Soul

In the Paths of Righteousness

For His Names Sake

The Kiss Trilogy

Kiss of Night

Kiss of Death

Kiss of Revenge

Sweet Seasons

The Summer of Cotton Candy

The Fall of Candy Corn

The Winter of Candy Canes

The Spring of Candy Apples

Witch Hunt

The Thirteenth Sacrifice

The Last Grave

Circle of Blood

Walk Through the Valley

Psalm 23 Mysteries

By Debbie Vigui

Published b y Big Pink Bow

Walk Through the Valley

Copyright 2014 by Debbie Vigui

Published by Big Pink Bow

www.bigpinkbow.com

All rights reserved.

N o part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Dedicated to the fans who have loved and supported this series. Thank you all.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this book a reality, particularly Barbara Reynolds, Rick Reynolds and Calliope Collacott.

Church secretary Cindy Preston couldnt help but reflect that the most life-altering things in her existence happened on Sundays. It was Sunday now and as she stared into rabbi Jeremiah Silvermans eyes she knew that this Sunday was going to shake her more deeply than anything else since the death of her sister so many years ago.

They had known each other for almost two years now, and she had long suspected that he was keeping something about his past secret from her. The truth was, it was all of his past. She knew virtually nothing about his life before the day they had met over a dead body except for the fact that he had grown up in Israel. They were from two completely different worlds but every murder had brought them closer together.

And now he was looking at her with eyes that burned with an intensity that took her breath away. He had just told her that his name wasnt even Jeremiah Silverman.

She could tell he was waiting, expecting her to say something, but she in turn was waiting for him to say something more. Like why the Israeli equivalent of the CIA had given him a false name. So they stood, locked in a silence that seemed to go on forever. One of them was going to have to break it, and she realized it wasnt going to be him.

The Mossad gave you the name Jeremiah Silverman?

He nodded.

And you cant tell me your real name?

That is also correct, he said, clearing his throat a little. His accent, which was usually very faint, had grown incredibly thick over the course of the brief conversation. It made him sound so alien to her, like someone she didnt know.

But I dont know him , she reminded herself.

Why? Are they protecting you? Did you witness a crime or something like that?

He shook his head. Im not in some kind of witness relocation program.

Then what is it? Are you...are you a spy? she asked, her breath catching in her throat.

He hesitated and then said very softly, Not anymore.

She turned abruptly and sat down at the table, feeling weak in the knees. Shed known he was hiding something dark about his past. The first killer they had ever faced down together Jeremiah had shot. He had drawn a gun in the blink of an eye and only Cindy had seen it happen.

So, you were a spy?

He pulled out a chair and sat down gingerly, as though afraid if he got too close to her she would bolt like a skittish animal. Intelligence gathering is just a small part of the job and it doesnt... he stopped and looked closely at her. He sighed. Yes, I was a spy.

Deep down she realized a tiny part of her was relieved. She had often wondered with his secretiveness and his peculiar skills if he had been a criminal of some sort. Tell me everything.

He looked away. I cant tell you everything. I shouldnt even have told you that much. Im bound by an oath of secrecy and I cant break that.

But you already have, she pointed out.

You had to know that some of the attacks on Geanie were actually trying to target you and because of me.

You said someone was trying to hurt me because they thought we were a couple, she said, feeling herself blush as she said the last word.

He nodded.

Are they going to keep trying to kill me?

He hesitated and her mind went into overdrive. What was it he didnt want to tell her? Was she in mortal danger even now? Or had he somehow already killed the man who had been trying to kill her? This all felt so insane.

I do not know if you are still in danger, but I will do everything in my power to keep you safe.

Youve been thinking about leaving, she burst out, not knowing where the sudden flash of insight came from.

I have been thinking about it for quite a while, he admitted, looking intensely uncomfortable. I kept telling myself that our friendship was becoming too close, that it was dangerous for both of us because of my past. Ive been trying to make up my mind to leave for almost a year.

Whats stopped you? she asked, fear rushing through her.

You. Every time I made up my mind to leave, the thought of not seeing you again...it tore me apart.

And now? she pressed.

It would be safer for you if I did go. Those who have found me here are ruthless people, and I cant risk that more will come.

More will come . She marked his words and instinctively knew that meant that he had already killed the man who had been targeting her. She shuddered, but didnt feel the revulsion she expected to. Then again, why would she? It wasnt like he hadnt killed to protect her before.

Dont go, she whispered. I couldnt stand that.

All Ive brought into your life is danger and pain.

She shook her head fiercely. Thats not true. Youve brought friendship and joy. Youve helped me conquer my fears and live a fuller life. I have real friends, close friends, for the first time in my life and thats all because of you. Everything weve been through together, I wouldnt trade that for all the safety in the world.

And she realized that she meant that. Once upon a time being safe was the only thing that had ever mattered to her. Jeremiah had slowly changed that, helped her be more daring, bold. Maybe that was because when she was with him she actually felt safe in a way that she hadnt felt since her sisters death. She trusted him to make sure she was alright. She couldnt go back to the way things used to be.

She wouldnt.

Thats kind of you to say.

No, it isnt. Its selfish and true.

Dear, sweet Cindy, you are many things and selfish certainly isnt one of them, he said with a sad smile.

She was losing him. She could feel it. It was as though she could already see him packing up his things, slipping off into the night without a word, or a forwarding address.

Hed probably even have a new name so she could never find him again.

Panic seized her and she reached out and grabbed his hand. She realized hers was beginning to shake uncontrollably. Dont you dare leave, she half-pleaded, half-demanded.

But it would be for your-

If you say for my own good or my protection, I swear, I will hit you in the head with a frying pan until I knock some sense into you. She could hear the desperation in her own voice, could hear it cracking, and knew she was on the verge of tears.