“Information on offshore accounts,” Sterling said without hesitation. “We haven’t yet been able to verify their existence or the amounts they contain.”
“He told me there was money.” Her head shook. “I didn’t listen.”
I pushed one of the envelopes closer to her. “This one contains stock shares. Before I was born he made investments in two budding companies.”
“He was very good at what he did. He was so smart at finances. If only...” Her words trailed away.
“Annabelle, he was excellent,” Sterling said. “He invested in Walmart and Apple. His investments are now worth between four to six billion dollars.”
Her eyes widened as the recently regained color drained from her cheeks.
Sterling went on, “The shares were legally bequeathed to his child or children, or in the case of no children, to you.”
My mother stared at me. “We have to prove that you’re you.”
It was my turn to cry. “You don’t want it?”
“I don’t need it. I’m fine. I have everything I’d want, except you. Now that I have you, there is no amount of money that could make me risk that.”
I let out a long breath. “Mother, Rubio McFadden literally threatened me. He tried to kill me before I got back to Chicago. He also arranged the kidnapping of my best friend to get my attention and demanded we find the evidence. I suppose he decided that since I am alive, the hidden evidence must also be real. He gave us until Monday to produce it.”
Again, she looked between Sterling and me. “The judge in me wants proof. Can you prove this?”
“We’d rather keep the kidnapping out of the news and away from the authorities. We took care of it. Her friend is safe,” Sterling said. “The attempted murder was the crash-landing of a commercial jetliner that was supposed to hold Araneae. There is a money trail to the pilot, to his wife. The pilot died days later in a freak accident. That is all verifiable.”
“That money trail leads to Rubio?”
“Not directly but yes,” Sterling answered.
“I don’t want to believe this. I know what people think about me and him. It’s not...” She shook her head. “...friends—family. That’s what we’ve been to each other through the years as well as colleagues. At least, I thought we were. We enjoy one another’s company, but not in the way people think.” Her head shook again. “However, who you describe isn’t the man I know. And yet in the pit of my stomach, I do believe what you’re saying.”
Oh, was she saying that they weren’t romantically involved?
I hoped that was it.
“Over the years,” she went on, “I’ve been approached by federal law enforcement agents; really, ever since before you were born when Daniel supposedly had that evidence. That’s what they’ve wanted. I can give you the name of the agent from the Chicago field office.”
“Did Rubio know you talked to them?” Sterling asked.
“No. I didn’t have anything to share with them. I thought he’d take it wrong.” She turned her attention to both of us. “Most recently, I’ve been in contact with Agent Wesley Hunter.” She turned to me. “Araneae, you found the evidence. I can’t advise you on what to do with it.” She looked up at Sterling. “All I know is that I have my daughter. I don’t want to lose her.”
Araneae
Sunday~
With Winnie’s assistance, we contacted Agent Wesley Hunter, or I did. Before our meeting, I made the choice to hand him six CDs. While Sterling was set on exposing both sides, I couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t give the FBI reason to further investigate Sterling.
I met Agent Hunter at a busy cafe early Sunday morning on Division Street in a bustling part of Chicago. The place was lively with patrons. The outdoor seating was filled as coffee drinkers and diners enjoyed the remnants of summer.
Surprisingly, the location of our meeting was chosen by Sterling. He wanted it made public so I could be better watched. I knew Patrick was a booth away. I also knew Reid was seated on the other side of the restaurant. What I didn’t know was how many of the other patrons were Sparrows.
Technically, we were near our deadline with McFadden and anything could happen.
As I was sipping a cup of coffee, the man I’d first met as Mark approached my table.
“Ms. McCrie.”
“Agent Hunter.”
He took the seat opposite me in the booth. “As you can imagine, I was surprised to get your call.”
“I’m here out of civic duty.”
His head tilted.
“You see, I didn’t have what you wanted when you ambushed me. However, things have changed.”
“What has changed?” he asked as he leaned forward. “Are you ready to testify against Mr. Sparrow?”
Instead of answering, I went on, “I have been rumored to be the holder of evidence hidden by my birth father. As you probably know, I didn’t even know my true identity until recently. The idea that as an infant I was given evidence was ludicrous.”
“Yet you’re saying things have changed?”
I reached into my purse and pulled out the six CDs Reid entrusted to me. He knew which were against Sparrow and which were against McFadden. It didn’t take much convincing on my part for Reid to see my reasoning.
It saddened me that the Sparrow victims and their families would not have the closure they deserved. However, that didn’t supersede my desire to protect the man who protected me. I wasn’t brought into Sterling Sparrow’s life to shatter his glass tower. I was brought to reign beside him.
Lifting my wrist, I showed Agent Hunter my bracelet. “This was given to a nurse to have buried with me. When my birth mother handed it over, she believed I was dead. She had no way of knowing the bracelet would be given to my adoptive mother and then on to me. In this locket is a faded picture of the church where my parents were married.”
He lifted his hand. “The church in Cambridge has been thoroughly searched.”
“The lockbox was on a shelf in the minister’s office. From the spine, it looked like a book.”
I had his attention. “These were in the box.” I pushed the six CDs his direction.
Agent Hunter looked down at the half-dozen CDs. “Is this all that was in the box?”
“No,” I answered honestly. “There were four floppy disks.”
“Did you bring them?”
“Yes, but not really.” I reached into my purse and pulled out the mutilated floppy disks, now held within a plastic bag. There was no way to get information off of them. We will never know what they contained, but neither will the FBI. “They disintegrated upon insertion into a reader.”
“I’m surprised you’re willing to turn in your boyfriend,” Agent Hunter said.
“I’m not. Mr. Sparrow is unconnected to this evidence apart from his assistance in helping me find it.”
Agent Hunter looked from the CDs to me. “Then what is this?”
“It’s hard evidence against the man who ran the outfit you infiltrated. I know you must have more, but this...” I pointed at the CDs. “...is irrefutable.”
Indecision washed over his face.
I leaned forward. “Tomorrow he is announcing his candidacy for president. I have copies of the CDs. I expect the FBI to do its job and end not only his political run but also the ring if it’s still in existence. If it isn’t, these CDs should stop him from gaining further power. If the FBI doesn’t do its job, I’ll send copies to every news outlet in the country. Either the FBI can get the headline or be the headline for suppressing evidence on a political figure.”
“Are you suggesting I’ve suppressed evidence?”
“I’m suggesting that you were within the McFadden outfit as a man named Walsh for two years, and the outfit is still going strong. I’m not certain why you want Sterling, a real estate mogul, but I’m giving you Senator Rubio McFadden on a silver platter. I suggest you make the right move.”
He shook his head. “Sterling Sparrow is dangerous. You’re play
ing into his hands. You’ll never be safe as long as you’re with him.”
I reached for my purse and glanced to the side, my gaze meeting Patrick’s. “Good day, Agent Hunter. I’ll give you twenty-four hours. After that, FBI cover-up will be the trending hashtag.”
As I stepped out of the booth, Patrick stood and walked directly behind me.
Araneae
Monday~
* * *
The special broadcast began. McFadden had all the fanfare associated with a broad political statement. He had the red, white, and blue swags lining the constructed stage. There was a huge American flag behind the podium as well as an Illinois flag hanging by a pole to the side. As the cameras panned the park, the glistening water of Lake Michigan could be seen. The crowd was gathering.
Sterling squeezed my hand as he too glanced around the room.
“Thank you for including me,” Annabelle said. She forced a smile. “It’s my first time being blindfolded.”
I wanted to tell her it was mine too, but I had hopes for more. However, I didn’t think we’d gotten that far in our relationship.
“Purely precautionary,” Patrick answered.
Winnie sighed. “I can’t believe you included me in this.”
I reached out to her on my other side. “You’re in this now. You know what you do and we’re trusting you. Your assistance in getting Agent Hunter to meet with me made this happen.”
“Are we ever going to fill Louisa in?”
“She knows enough,” Sterling said.
“Did you tell Wesley about the drugs at the warehouse and distribution center?” Winnie asked.
I turned toward my mother. “Not belonging to anyone here,” I clarified.
She shook her head. “I’m done wearing blinders.”
“No, really,” I replied. “It’s a small operation using unknowing businesses.”
Annabelle lifted her hand. “I can’t know about it in case it crosses my bench.”
I looked at Sterling, most confident that the newly discovered ring would be dealt with without the assistance of law enforcement. I turned to Winnie. “I didn’t. More pressing matters...” I tilted my head toward the television.
A reporter was speaking, orating the attributes of Senator McFadden and discussing the unusual move to declare before midterm elections.
Sterling had sent word to Hillman that he would meet with Rubio tomorrow morning. It was enough to extend our deadline.
“He’s going up on the stage,” Reid said.
We all waited as Rubio McFadden took the podium with Pauline at his side.
As time passed and McFadden continued to speak, I grew more agitated. Looking at Sterling, I silently asked what was going to happen. With a slight shake of his head, he wordlessly told me he wasn’t sure.
“Oh!” Lorna exclaimed.
“That’s not Wesley,” Winnie said.
It wasn’t Agent Hunter who had stepped onto the stage. It was a man in a suit with four men in FBI swat gear behind him. McFadden seemed confused, as if perhaps this was part of their planned performance.
“Special agent from the Chicago field office,” Patrick said.
The reporters were scurrying and giving play-by-play on their microphones as the crowd grew loud and the man in the suit put Senator McFadden in handcuffs. As the cameras panned, Pauline came into view. Her expression was horrified as the color drained from her cheeks.
I looked to Winnie. “I’m glad she’s not wearing Sinful Threads.”
“Public humiliation,” Sterling said, leaning back on the sofa where we sat.
“How long until they release the information on his indictment?” I asked.
“It will depend,” my mother answered. “I’m sure his attorneys will be working to keep everything suppressed.”
The newsfeeds were abuzz with speculation for days until the charges were finally announced.
* * *
SENATOR RUBIO MCFADDEN OF ILLINOIS CURRENTLY HELD WITHOUT BOND HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY CHARGED IN CONNECTION TO AN ILLEGAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING RING. HE VEHEMENTLY DENIES ANY SUCH CONNECTION.
* * *
When I looked up from my phone, Sterling was standing on the edge of the back patio of the cabin. He wasn’t looking at me, but out to the shimmering waves on Paul Bunyan’s lake. His broad shoulders were straight and his long legs were covered in blue jeans. On his feet were his hiking boots. From his profile he seemed lost in thought.
Tucking my phone and hands into the pockets of my jacket, I warded off the chill as the cool autumn breeze rustled the changing leaves and pine branches surrounding the cabin. As I stood, the crisp gusts blew my long hair around my face. I went to him and placed my hand on his shoulder; as I did, he turned.
“What are you thinking?” I asked.
The tips of his lips moved upward. “I’m thinking that I don’t deserve what you’ve done.”
I didn’t think he was referring to what we’d done this morning as we awoke at this stunning cabin. How we’d made love while the sun rose over the treetops, showering our bedroom in red and gold hues. Or how we’d taken each other higher than the clouds and then lounged in one another’s arms in the afterglow of our union as the sky beyond the windows brightened to a crystal-clear blue.
“I love you, Sterling.”
Snaking his arm around my waist, he pulled me closer into his warmth and security. “Why didn’t you turn over all the CDs?”
“Because you’re not guilty. Rubio is. Your father was.”
“I’m guilty of many other crimes. If you only knew what I’ve done, what I’ll keep doing—”
I covered his mouth with mine, silencing his words. Soon his hands moved from my waist to my cheeks, holding our kiss in place, bruising my lips as his tongue sought entrance and our kiss deepened. My moans joined the autumn sounds, floating through the air.
Damn, I was ready to go back inside, back up to our room.
When we pulled apart, Sterling’s dark gaze searched mine. “I’ve done some awful things, but the best fucking thing I did was collect you. You’re mine. I don’t want to ever let you go.”
“Then don’t.”
My pulse quickened as without warning, Sterling fell to one knee before me and reached for my hand.
“Oh my. What?”
His dark gaze shimmered. At first, he simply turned my hand to palm up. As if reading my future, he traced the lines of my palm print. “I promised you that when this was over...”
Excitement coursed through me. “My palm print? The elevator?”
He looked up. “Yes, for emergencies. I still want Patrick or me...”
Yada, yada, safety...
I didn’t care about his stipulations. Just having my palm print work, allowing me access to the garage, to the outside, was what I’d wanted. Using it may never be on my agenda. Knowing I could was priceless.
Sterling’s gaze continued to deepen as his baritone tenor drowned out the breeze, and leaves swirled in cyclones around us. “Sunshine, I’ve known you were mine for nearly two decades. I never knew how you’d change me. I was afraid that after I took you, I’d dim your light. That still worries me. What I didn’t expect was that my cold black heart could ever know love.
“It continually amazes me that you see good in me, that you can see past what you know is present and see what I never realized was there. You make me want to be a better man.”
With a quirk of his grin, Sterling reached into the pocket of his jeans. As he brought the object closer, the center diamond glistened.
Tears prickled my eyes as my breathing ceased.
“I know you want to make Araneae McCrie your legal name.”
I did.
“However, I have another option for you.”
My lips curled as tears filled my eyes. “An option, that’s a choice.”
“Yes, another choice for you.” He swallowed, his dark gaze fixed on mine. “Araneae McCrie, will you consider a different last name? Will you marry me
and become Araneae Sparrow?”
Will.
I couldn’t answer, not verbally. The lump in my throat was too big. Instead, I nodded and nodded and nodded again as tears fell from my eyes.
After slipping the incredibly gorgeous ring over my finger, Sterling stood and again cupped my cheeks. “I love you.”
“You’ve changed my life in so many ways,” I said. “You showed me who I really am and who I can be. Because of you, I have my mother back. I have new great friends and my old friends are safe. You uncovered the secrets and lies, and through it all, you kept your word—your promises. I’ll be proud to be your wife.” I brushed my lips against his. “I mean we were always meant to be together. Isn’t that what you said?”
“And I’m always right,” he said with a smirk.
“My answer is yes.”
As he took my hand, we walked toward the edge of the hill, looking down at the lake. “This is yours, Araneae,” he said. “Chicago is yours. Whatever you desire is yours.”
I leaned into him, taking the strength of his arm now around me. As we stood, I tried to also give back—share my light—as our bodies melted against one another. Finally, I looked up with a grin. “You promised me a ride to the lake. Let’s get the ATV and this time it’s my turn to drive.”
“Oh hell no. Keeping you safe is my lifelong mission.”
As he reached again for my hand, I stared down at the diamond engagement ring. “Sterling, it’s beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as the woman wearing it, my fiancée.”
Fiancé.
I had one of those now too and this time it was real.
Sterling
Epilogue
Three months later~
Promises Page 29