by Alison Stone
“No disrespect meant, sir,” Zach said. “I was headed outside. Is there anything I could do for you?”
Her father seemed taken aback, an expression Bridget rarely saw on his face. He seemed to be debating, then finally he said, “The young men are carrying the benches out of the barn and rearranging them into tables on the lawn. Perhaps they could use a hand.”
“Of course,” Zach said, then to Bridget, “I’ll be outside if you need me.”
Before Bridget had a chance to form the right words, her father had slipped back out the door. A moment later her mother breezed in. “Everyone’s saying you saved baby Gracie. Is that something you learned in school?” Her mother’s voice sounded reverent.
“I didn’t mean to draw attention to myself. I was taking a walk when Katy came outside. Her baby was choking.”
Her mother surprised her by smiling. “Gott put you where you were needed.”
Bridget nodded, unable to speak as emotion clogged her throat. She wanted nothing more than to be back on her mother’s good side. Her father’s, too. But that would never happen if she wanted to become a nurse. And she’d never be able to become a nurse if she stayed in Hickory Lane.
NINE
Early Monday morning, Bridget and Zach headed into Buffalo. Bridget had hardly slept last night wondering if her dat would try to stop her at the door, if her things at the apartment had been damaged beyond repair, if she was naively putting herself and Zach in danger. If...if...if... Her worries nagged at her until the first signs of dawn dragged her out of bed. She stuffed her Englisch clothes into a cloth tote and almost made it out of her childhood bedroom before Liddie sat up and begged to tag along. Definitely not. Then Bridget said goodbye to her mem in the kitchen, promising she’d be back later today, and slipped out while her father was in the barn. She’d deal with his anger later.
From the passenger seat of Zach’s truck, Bridget stared at the stately buildings of the University at Buffalo’s Main Street campus on the way to the DEA office downtown. Apparently, Zach’s supervisor wanted a statement in person before they swung by her apartment. Bridget pressed a hand to her midsection and gulped air, hoping her nerve-induced nausea would pass. She focused hard on the college campus outside her window, imagining it buzzing with students, and she prayed by this time next week she would be one of them. It had been a long, hard road to get here, and she could not give up now.
Once the campus was out of view, Bridget shifted in her seat to face Zach. “Thanks for taking the long way downtown.”
“Yeah, sure, no problem. I enjoy taking Main Street downtown every so often. I love this city.” She would have heard the smile in his voice even if she hadn’t been looking at him.
The tension of yesterday began to fall away. Her father had barely spoken two words after his initial admonishment for daring to be seen, forget that she’d helped sweet little Gracie. His body language spoke volumes. He was brimming with agitation that he wasn’t able to control his older daughter. Yet she loved the man. He was her father. He was also a product of the community in which he lived, and he truly believed he was doing the best thing for his daughter and his family in the eyes of God.
Did he really think his tough love would bring her back for good? Would he ever accept that God was bigger than their small Amish community? That she could serve Him and be a nurse?
She rubbed her forehead, trying to stop the constant barrage of concerns that threatened to give her a headache.
“You okay?” Zach cut her a quick glance. The warm concern in his eyes softened the edges of her worries.
“I’m fine.” She fidgeted with the zipper on her hoodie. The morning chill signaling the approaching end of summer would burn off soon. They had stopped at a rest area outside Hickory Lane so she could put on Englisch clothes. She wished changing her mind-set was as easy as switching her plain black boots for her favorite sneakers.
“You know, I didn’t intentionally spring this trip to the DEA offices on you. It wasn’t a bait and switch.” He laughed, a mirthless sound. “My supervisor called me late last night. They want to get an official statement from you, and since we were already planning a trip into town, I set it up. Things are moving fast. We’ll head to your apartment right after. I promise.” Zach slowed at the red light.
“I know,” Bridget said quietly. “I trust you.” She did, even after only knowing him a few days.
A little while later, Zach pulled into a parking spot near a building with beautiful architectural detail. Bridget often found herself staring at the buildings in downtown Buffalo. The massive structures were unlike anything she knew growing up. They hustled toward the door and took the elevator up to his office and into a large conference room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. She took in the view. Beautiful.
A few moments later, a smartly dressed woman came into the room with a laptop tucked under her arm. She smiled, more businesslike than friendly and she offered her hand. “Hello, I’m Assistant Special Agent in Charge Colleen McCarthy.” She slipped in front of a chair and pushed it back with her knee, set her laptop down on the large conference table and sat down. She held out her palm to Bridget. “Have a seat. We appreciate your cooperation. This shouldn’t take too long.”
* * *
Zach closed the conference room door after Bridget asked to be excused following an intense interrogation. He turned and faced his supervisor with his hands on his hips. “Did you need to be that hard on her? She’s not involved. She’s the one who reported the activity.”
His supervisor, ASAC McCarthy, snapped closed her laptop and swiveled in her seat to face him. “First of all, you are supposed to be on leave. We talked about this.”
Zach pulled out a chair and sat down. He rolled it toward his boss and rested his forearms on his thighs. “I can’t leave this woman high and dry. She trusts me.”
“Listen—” Colleen leaned back, resting one elbow on the table next to her “—you delivered her to safety at her family’s Amish farm.” One brow dipped down at the word Amish. “She’s good. Now you need to take a break. I can’t risk losing one of my best agents.”
“She’s in danger. Her coworker was murdered.” He straightened and crossed his arms over his chest. “Any word on that investigation?”
Colleen hesitated for a moment. “Ashley Meadows was attacked on the running trail near the university.”
“Cause of death?”
“Strangulation.” She paused a beat, then said, “We’re going to get this guy. I promise.”
Zach scratched the back of his head. He should have done more sooner. He cleared his throat. “What about the Kevin Pearson investigation?” Kevin was his confidential informant who had been shot last week. Zach worked day in and day out in a stressful job, but the past few weeks had been the worst of his career.
“Nothing yet.” Colleen relaxed her posture and leaned forward. “You have to let it go. You’ll be cleared.”
Zach shook his head, deep in thought. Had he put too much pressure on the kid? Kevin had claimed he was getting clean and only hung around the bar because he felt like he had a purpose helping Zach take down his suppliers. That was the goal: get the little fish on the hook to reel in the big ones. Didn’t always work out.
“I should have pulled the plug,” Zach said, turning to stare out over the Buffalo skyline. He had regretted not getting the kid out, but that hadn’t been his decision, nor had it been his job. His job was to use the little guy to get the big guy. Otherwise, the Kevins of the world could just be replaced. He scrubbed a hand across his face. It still didn’t make it any easier.
“Don’t do this to yourself,” Colleen said. “You’ve got to take a break. Get your head straight. Put that incident behind you. I’m confident you’ll be cleared of wrongdoing, and I can’t have you coming back to work second-guessing yourself.” Half her mouth quirked up. “I need my
take-charge agent back here once you’re cleared. You have to take Bridget back to Hickory Lane and get out of there. That’s an order.”
Colleen must have read something in his expression, because she narrowed her eyes and leaned closer. “I’ve never known you to let a case get personal.”
“Kevin was just a kid. Maybe I pushed him too hard.”
“I wasn’t talking about your CI.”
“You’re talking about Bridget? It’s not personal.” He returned her unflinching gaze, proving he meant it. No one had ever accused him of not knowing how to play a role. Going deep undercover. Pretending.
“Are you sure?” Colleen tilted her head and paused before standing.
Zach studied the industrial-gray carpet. How do I really feel?
He had been stuffing down the feelings that had sparked the moment he first noticed Bridget sitting alone in the coffee shop. Ashley had sent him a photo. But he hadn’t expected to feel something. Her gentle nature was soothing to his battered soul. Most of the people he dealt with through work had a pent-up energy that kept him on high alert. Something about her threatened his carefully guarded heart.
Or maybe he really was simply run-down and vulnerable.
Colleen picked up her laptop from the conference table and tucked it under her arm. “You look beat.”
Zach’s smile sneaked up on him. “The haggard look is usually an asset.” Working undercover had been his primary gig the past four years. None of his druggie associates ever accused him of looking tired, probably because most of them saw the world through heavily lidded eyes.
“You don’t need to babysit Bridget.”
Babysit.
Zach ran the back of his fist across his mouth. “She’s pretty skittish. I’d hate to scare her off.”
Colleen shifted her laptop to her other arm. “She gave her official statement. I’m not sure how much more we need. We’ve been through this before. Far too often. Once the forensic analysts go through the records at the clinic, they’ll determine if they can issue an immediate suspension order. The good doctor—even when they find him—won’t have the ability to prescribe controlled substances. You know how this works.”
He did. “Any updates?” Hovering around the periphery of an investigation wasn’t familiar to him.
“Frank—” another agent in the office “—put a call in to the Philadelphia police department. The good doctor apparently doesn’t believe in cash. Lucky for us. He used his credit card at a hotel. So, unless he realizes his mistake and bolts, we should have him in custody any moment now.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this the minute I got here?” Zach asked.
“Because you’re on leave.” Colleen pressed her lips together and opened her eyes wide. “You’re one of my best agents. I need you back here whole once you’re cleared.”
Bridget needed him, too. “I think I should stick close to Bridget. Her friend was killed. Bridget was nearly run down. Her house was firebombed.” Zach ticked the items off on his fingers.
“Who’s going to find her in Hickory Lane?” She shifted her weight and gave him the “how many times do we have to go through this?” stare.
“Don’t we owe her something?” Zach bit out. “She came forward with her report.”
His supervisor’s expression was inscrutable. She didn’t get to where she was by being soft.
“Bridget deserves more respect than to be told to sit tight while we figure this out. She’s a college student. She wants to start classes next week.”
“Her safety is top priority. She’s going to have to be patient. But there’s no reason you have to stay in Hickory Lane, too. It’s a perfect safe house.”
When he didn’t answer, Colleen tipped her head. “Do you have any reason to believe she’s not safe in Hickory Lane?”
“No.” The single word came out clipped.
“Then there’s your answer. No need to take it personally, Zach.” Colleen tapped his forearm with a soft fist bump before opening the conference room door. Bridget was standing on the other side. Based on her flushed face, he didn’t need to ask if she overheard their conversation.
“Ready to go?” Zach stepped into the corridor, walls lined with photographs of long-retired agents.
“Sure.” She ran a hand over her ponytail in what he now recognized as a nervous gesture.
“We’ll keep you updated on the investigation,” his supervisor said, holding her laptop to her chest. “Thank you for coming in.”
“I had to,” Bridget said. “What they’re doing is wrong.”
When they reached the bottom of the stairwell, Bridget turned to him. “What now?”
“Let’s run by your apartment and get your things.”
“Do you really think it’s okay?” She dropped her hand from playing with her hair.
“You’re not getting cold feet on me now, are you?” He tried to make light of the situation.
“No, no,” Bridget said, not sounding very convincing.
Maybe once Bridget had her laptop and textbooks, she wouldn’t mind being left alone in Hickory Lane.
TEN
About a block from Bridget’s apartment, Zach pulled his truck over. He reached into the back seat and grabbed a Buffalo Bills baseball cap and offered it to her. “Do you think you can stuff your hair into this?”
She began twisting her ponytail into a high bun. “Can’t be harder than fitting it under a bonnet, right?”
“Yeah,” Zach said distractedly. He craned his neck to check his surroundings, it seemed. “Got it?” His attention landed on Bridget stuffing the last bit of hair up into the baseball cap. His steely gaze made a chill run up her spine.
“I’m all set.” She pulled the bill of the hat low on her forehead.
“Maybe I should run up to your apartment and leave you in the truck.”
Disappointment edged out her apprehension. “Please, I want to go in. I need to search for a few things, if that’s okay with you.”
His eyes stared, unseeing. His shoulders sagged a fraction, and she knew he’d relented. “We have to hurry.” The seriousness of his tone set her teeth on edge. Did he really think someone was waiting for her?
Bridget gave him a quick nod. With that, Zach drove to a parking lot across the street from her apartment complex, and they got out and walked the long way around to her unit. They both wore ball caps, looking like they were ready to go to the team’s home opener, not that she’d know from experience.
They strode through the courtyard. Her eye was drawn to the emergency-closure boards nailed to the frame of her bedroom window. In the middle of the day, the area was deserted. Most of her neighbors were at work, making it easier for her and Zach to sneak in and out unnoticed. Bridget jogged up the stairs, and Zach followed close behind. With key in hand, Bridget approached her apartment door. Her mind flashed back to the first time she had gotten the keys to her very own place. Her very first tangible evidence of freedom.
Poof. Gone.
The key slipped in her sweaty fingers.
You can do this.
The key slid into the lock, and she heard the solid click of the dead bolt retracting. She pushed open the door, and the dank air hung thick with smoke and dampness. It was a far cry from the scent of the lavender air freshener she loved.
Zach entered the room behind her. “Get what you need. I’ll wait here. And hurry.”
A lump of emotion made it impossible to speak. Bridget walked through the untouched family room to her bedroom. She opened the door and slid her hand along the wall, reaching for the light switch and flicked it back and forth. Nothing. The only source of light was from the hallway since boards covered the windows, leaving the room cast in heavy shadows and making it seem smaller. The cloying scent didn’t help.
“The electricity has probably been shut off because of t
he fire,” Zach called from the living room. “Do you have your phone on you? Use the flashlight app.”
Bridget directed the beam around the bedroom. Gingerly she fingered her pink comforter, now charred and damp from the fire and subsequent firefighting efforts. Suddenly she felt very tired. Exhausted. Had all the challenges she had faced to get here been for nothing? Tonight, she’d be back in her bed in Hickory Lane with no real timeline for returning to Buffalo.
“Did you find what you needed?” Zach hollered from the other room. “We should get going.”
Zach’s impatience made her nervous. She scanned the beam of light around the room. She peeled back the closet doors and found her backpack. It seemed to be mostly untouched by the flames, and the nylon had protected it from the water. She hoisted it onto her shoulder. She grabbed a couple textbooks from the top shelf of the closet. Then she found her notebook and favorite pens in her desk drawer. The pages of the notebook were a little wavy from the dampness. She shook her head to try to dispel the constant unease that made her skin buzz. She had her laptop and books. She’d be able to keep up with two online classes.
She backed out and scanned the room one last time, the light from her smartphone touching on the life she had made here for the past couple years after she moved off campus. The life that clearly no longer existed. Even if—no when—she returned permanently, this wouldn’t be her home. She’d never be able to live here again without reliving the explosive crash and fire.
She turned off the flashlight and balanced the phone on the textbooks in her arms. She pulled her bedroom door closed out of habit.
“Got everything?” Zach opened the outside door a fraction.
“Almost.” Bridget ducked into the kitchen to grab her migraine meds. Just then, a commotion sounded in the next room. She poked her head out of the kitchen to find Dr. Ryan pointing a gun at Zach and forcing him back into her apartment. Her heart dropped.