Safe House Under Fire

by Elisabeth Rees

  “Yeah,” Goldie said with a raised eyebrow. “But he didn’t know that, did he?” The smile faded from her lips as she looked around the lot. “Where’s David?”

  Lilly stood shakily, her legs struggling to hold her weight. “He’s over there.” She pointed to the slumped figure, which by now was thankfully moving and groaning. “He got hit by the truck.”

  Goldie holstered her weapon and turned to the officers. “You two, go stay with your wounded colleagues until the ambulance arrives. I’ll see to David.”

  Lilly and Astrid followed Goldie to David’s position and all three knelt around him as he coughed and rubbed his chest. Lilly loosened his tie and wiped the blood from a cut on his lip with her thumb, while Goldie checked him over for broken bones.

  “It’s only scrapes and bruises,” he said, waving both women away. “I don’t know how I’m not dead, but I guess somebody’s looking out for me. Where’s Henderson?”

  “He ran when the truck’s engine seized, but I’m hoping the SWAT team spots him,” Goldie said, helping David to his feet. “We’ve got two officers awaiting ambulances, but they were smart enough to wear vests so their wounds aren’t fatal.”

  “What a relief.” David nodded slowly. “That’s a good result.”

  Astrid made a snorting sound and Lilly watched her face go from confused to sad to angry in a matter of seconds. And she knew what was coming next.

  “You can’t be serious?” Astrid said. “Two policemen have been shot, you were run down by a truck and the bad guy just escaped without a scratch. How is that a good result?”

  David smiled as if he understood where she was coming from.

  “We’re all alive,” he said, continuing to massage his ribs gently. “That was a ferocious attack, which could’ve killed any one of us, but we’re okay. I never thought I’d survive a collision with a thirty-ton dump truck, but I did, and I’m grateful.”

  “Grateful?” Astrid questioned. “I think you’re crazy.”

  By now, numerous police vehicles had arrived outside the apartment complex and officers were making their way through the huge hole in the wall, their faces showing disbelief at the carnage that had been created in the parking lot.

  “Now that the cavalry has arrived, I’d like to take a quick moment to give thanks for the fact we’re all safe and well,” David said. “If everyone is okay with that.”

  As expected, Astrid was very vocal in her objection. “Actually, I’m not okay with it.” She turned to her mother. “I’m gonna get in the car, okay?”

  Lilly led Astrid a few feet away. “You don’t have to say anything, honey. Just close your eyes and listen.”

  “If you want to say thank you to some big bearded man in the sky, then go right ahead, but leave me out of it.”

  “You’re in shock, Astrid,” Lilly said, wrapping her arms around her daughter and cradling her head. “And it might help you to be quiet and still for a moment or two.”

  Astrid pushed her mother away. “I don’t want to be quiet and still, Mom. I want to go home and go to school and see Noah.” Her shock and anger were clearly keeping the tears at bay for now. “Praying to God won’t make that happen, will it? It’s stupid and pointless.” She began to walk to the car. “I just want to go home.”

  Lilly glanced back at David and Goldie. “I’ll sit in the car with Astrid and calm her down,” she said. “Thanks for taking care of us today. I appreciate it.”

  She walked to the SUV, the adrenaline fading in her legs. She was exhausted, on the verge of tears and terrified of what might happen next. Astrid may feel that prayer was pointless, but in her position of fear and hopelessness, Lilly’s faith was the only thing sustaining her.

  And she intended to cling to it for all she was worth.

  * * *

  David sat gingerly at the table, holding his bruised ribs. After being checked over by a paramedic, he had been given painkillers and an ice pack for the swelling and told to rest. The painkillers and ice pack were certainly helpful, but resting was not an option. He would need to work harder than ever now to ensure they were not being tracked by a mole inside the FBI.

  Goldie removed the lids from numerous trays of Chinese food on the table in the new safe house apartment and handed everyone a plate.

  “I’m sorry to have to tell you that Henderson hasn’t yet been found,” she said. “But I’ve asked all the local businesses to hand over their security footage so our tracing agents can track his movements from the apartment complex. It’s weird how he manages to vanish into thin air.”

  “It’s even more weird to be eating dinner at ten thirty,” Astrid said, helping herself to the food. “But literally everything is weird lately.”

  “Hold up, Astrid,” David said, clasping his hands together. “Let’s say grace, first.”

  She put down her fork. “Oh, yeah, right. We have to talk to your imaginary friend before we do anything.”

  David bristled at her display of insolence. “Do you think you could show a little respect, just for five minutes? This is important to me.”

  He saw the pervasive roll of the eyes. It was little wonder that Astrid’s eyes were not permanently damaged from all the rolling. Lilly reached out and placed a hand on her daughter’s forearm to presumably quiet her. It didn’t work.

  “Just because it’s important to you doesn’t mean it has to be important to everybody.” Astrid picked up her fork once again and started to eat. “You can live your life by your rules and I’ll live by mine. Okay?”

  David rubbed at his forehead. How on earth did someone so young manage to get under his skin to this extent?

  He looked at Lilly. “Are you going to stand for this?”

  Lilly appeared exhausted, as if she wanted to sleep for a hundred years. “We’ve been through a terrible ordeal this evening and I really don’t want to fight.” She tucked her blond hair behind her ears and clasped her hands together. “Say grace and let’s eat.”

  “But Astrid has already started.”

  Lilly sighed. “Does it really matter?”

  “Yes, it does.” David didn’t want to fight either, but something propelled him toward that destination. “I asked her to wait.”

  Astrid stood quickly, causing her chair to fall to the floor behind her. “I’m going to eat in my room.” She picked up her plate and stalked off down the hallway. “I need some peace and quiet.”

  After her door slammed behind her, the three adults around the table remained silent for a few seconds.

  “Well, it’s nice that we’re all getting along, huh?” Goldie said, reaching down to right the fallen chair. When neither David nor Lilly responded, she followed up with, “Sorry. I have an amazing talent for making bad jokes.” She began to help herself to noodles. “Don’t let this food go cold, guys.”

  “Are you simply going to ignore Astrid’s behavior?” David asked Lilly, knowing it was not his place to demand that she return to the table but wishing he could. “She’s totally unacceptable.”

  “Yes, I know.” Lilly’s voice was small and defeated. “Astrid is rude and offensive and awful. But she almost got killed today and she’s dealing with some pretty intense emotions, so I’m going to let this one slide. I’ll speak to her before she goes to bed and explain why she needs to consider other people’s feelings before her own.”

  David knew that his own intense emotions were being influenced by memories of Chloe, but he couldn’t help himself. The regrets and concerns fueled his words.

  “Does she always reject God like that?” he asked. “Surely your church must give her guidance and support?”

  Lilly pinched the bridge of her nose. “Astrid stopped going to church a year ago. She says she doesn’t enjoy it.”

  David’s mouth dropped open. Astrid was exactly like Chloe, turning her back on church, deciding her own rules, thinking
she knew better than anybody else.

  “Why don’t you make her go?” he asked. “That would be the wisest thing to do.”

  “I disagree,” Lilly replied. “I can’t force her to believe the same things as me. Faith can only be true if it’s freely given, and Astrid isn’t quite ready yet.” Lilly smiled, yet it didn’t hide her pain and worry and vulnerability. “Give her time. She’ll see the truth soon enough.”

  A sense of dread sank into David’s stomach. He had thought the same thing about Chloe, assumed she would see sense and return to their church when she was ready. He had allowed her to skip the Sunday services and lounge in bed, giving her the freedom to make her own adult choices. He often wondered whether Chloe’s rejection of God had meant she’d lost His protection over her. And the results of her disobedience were all too clear to see.

  “What if Astrid doesn’t have time?” he said. “She has no idea what’s around the corner, so she could be placing herself in tremendous danger by refusing to accept God’s hand.”

  Lilly fixed him with a stare that was as steely as it was sad.

  “Astrid is a lost sheep,” she said. “And I think God loves the lost sheep just as much as the ones already in His care.”

  He was silent for a moment, hearing only the sound of Goldie’s knife and fork on the plate.

  “Come on, guys,” Goldie said encouragingly. “Stop talking and start eating.”

  But David wasn’t hungry. He couldn’t get Chloe and Astrid out of his mind. Was Lilly right? Did God also protect the lost sheep, as well as the found? He couldn’t be sure, not while Chloe was preparing to stock shelves in a grocery store rather than pull on a doctor’s white coat. He didn’t want the same thing to happen to Lilly’s daughter.

  “I still think you’re making a mistake,” he said, deciding to err on the side of caution. “You should lay down the law with Astrid and force her to attend church.”

  “Just exactly what happened in your life to make you so obsessed with setting rules for Astrid?” Lilly challenged. “I’m guessing it’s got something to do with your own daughter.”

  “Yes, it does,” he said. “But I don’t want to talk about it.”

  Lilly rose from the table. “Fine. Then I don’t want to talk about my daughter either. I’ll go sit with her while she eats. She needs my support after such a horrible day.”

  She lifted her chin and walked from the room, leaving David slightly shamefaced.

  “I totally messed that up, didn’t I?” he said to Goldie. “Why didn’t you stop me?”

  His partner laughed. “I tried my best, but you’re kind of hotheaded when you want to be.”

  “Yeah, I guess I am, but you know why.” Goldie was like a sister to him, someone who knew his entire life story. “I mean well.”

  “I know you mean well, David, but why would you expect Lilly to share her personal life with you when you’re not prepared to do the same with her?”

  He was slightly taken aback. “You think I should tell her about Chloe?”

  “Yes, I do.” She gave him one of her looks. “It’s obvious that you like Lilly. Why don’t you let her in a little bit?”

  “No way. I’m fine just as I am, thank you.” He took a forkful of noodles to busy himself. “Besides, I don’t like her in that way.”

  “You’re a terrible liar.” Goldie stood up. “I’ll go sit with the girls and give you some time to think about things. Pray about it, maybe.”

  Then she was gone and he was alone, dismissing her advice instantly. He didn’t need to think about things and he certainly didn’t need to pray about it. He was more than happy to risk his life for Lilly, but he absolutely, resolutely refused to risk his heart, as well.

  FIVE

  Lilly emerged from her bedroom the following morning to find David and Goldie carrying out yet another sweep of their new Pittsburgh apartment. Both agents had checked it thoroughly upon arrival the previous evening, but neither seemed able to fully relax without knowing how Henderson had discovered their former hiding place. In fact, nobody could relax. The atmosphere was tense for many different reasons.

  “Good morning, Lilly,” Goldie said brightly. “Did you sleep well?”

  Lilly rubbed her eyes. “No. Astrid had a nightmare so I climbed in with her and she’s not a great sleeping buddy.” Lilly held her arms horizontally at her side, poker straight. “She sleeps like a starfish.”

  “Is she okay now?” David asked. He appeared to be remorseful in the wake of their argument. “Does she need anything?”

  “She’s fine.” Lilly tucked her white blouse into the waistband of her jeans self-consciously. She didn’t know how to talk to David. She so desperately wanted him to admire and respect her as a fellow parent, but not at the expense of her principles. “I think you two should clear the air when she gets up. She might be ready to apologize for lashing out.”

  David took a step into the kitchen, motioning for Lilly to follow.

  “Actually, I owe you an apology too,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck beneath his shirt collar. “I should’ve been a lot more understanding after what happened yesterday. We all needed to recover after the incident with the truck, and I upset you and Astrid with my heavy-handedness. I’m sorry. I’ll try to be more laid-back from now on.”

  Lilly nodded slowly, indicating her acceptance of his remorse. The apology was certainly welcome, but she wasn’t sure that would be the end of it.

  “You’re going to be more laid-back?” Was this even possible for someone like David? “That’s a surprise.”

  He smiled. “Goldie thought I might benefit from being a little less uptight. And I think she’s right.”

  Lilly glanced at his FBI partner in the hallway. “You and Goldie seem close.” She was uncertain why she was heading down this particular avenue. “Are you two...um...an item?”

  The expression on David’s face told her everything she needed to know. He was obviously horrified.

  “No! I mean, Goldie’s a fantastic woman but she’s like family to me.” He laughed and whispered playfully, “And to tell you the truth, she terrifies me a little. She plays hardball.”

  Lilly laughed too, strangely pleased that there was no romantic connection between the two FBI agents. She had no idea why this news would be welcome, especially considering that she and David weren’t exactly the best of friends. So why did she want to reach out and run her fingers through his hair? Why did she want to straighten his shirt collar and trace her finger along the neatly trimmed line of his beard? Clenching her fist, she dug her nails into her palm to rid herself of these images, telling herself that she was simply being drawn to his protection in their dangerous circumstances. That was all. A man was bound to hurt her in the end, so why let down her guard?

  It was time to change the subject. “I’m guessing there are no more leads on Henderson’s whereabouts?” she asked. “We still don’t know where he is, huh?”

  “The SWAT team searched the streets through the night, but he’d vanished. We’ve got agents reviewing as much security footage as possible to try and track his movements, but it’s a slow process.”

  She thought of numerous agents sitting behind screens, working feverishly to pinpoint the villain’s whereabouts. “Are you sure of who to trust? You said there might be a mole on the inside.”

  “That’s a very real possibility. Henderson knew exactly where to find us yesterday, like he was tracking our location, and I have no idea how.” David took a deep frustrated breath. “That’s why we have to make sure that this apartment is clean. If someone has put a tracing signal here, we’ll find it.”

  “How many people know our location?” she asked.

  “Not many. Only a handful of the most trustworthy agents are responsible for sourcing our safe houses, which is why I can’t get my head around the possibility that one of them is betray
ing us.” His face grew darker. “But it wouldn’t be the first accomplice Henderson has had. When he first started his criminal career many years ago, he was in the Army and he worked with a partner, who supplied him with drugs to sell on military bases.”

  Lilly was disbelieving. “Are you telling me that Henderson served his country?”

  “The only person he truly wanted to serve was himself. After just one year in the Army, he was given a bad conduct discharge for possessing and supplying cocaine. When he’d completed his jail sentence, he turned to his drug dealing partner to help him create a more lucrative money-making enterprise.”

  “It sounds like they ramped up the stakes.”

  “Henderson’s partner was smart and had a clean record so he joined the Philly Police Department and used its resources to identify potential victims for Henderson to kill and impersonate.” David remembered the details as if it were yesterday. “They both took fifty percent of the profits and the dirty cop helped to throw the heat off Henderson during the subsequent murder investigations.”

  “You said Henderson works alone, so I guess something happened to his partner?”

  “Yeah. He eventually got sloppy and made a mistake, which gave us probable cause to arrest him on suspicion of being an accomplice in two homicides. When he realized how bad prison would be for a disgraced cop, he cut a deal with the FBI and turned on Henderson.” David dusted off his hands. “We thought the case was all sewn up. We arrested Henderson, assuming we had him bang to rights.”

  “What happened?”

  “The cop ended up dead before we got to trial. He was murdered by another inmate.”

  “Do you think Henderson set it up?”

  “I’m certain of it, but we had no way to prove it because no one would talk.” David clenched his jaw. “Henderson walked free with a huge grin on his face and I’ve been waiting ten years to arrest him again. But he knows we need evidence and he never leaves any behind. He didn’t show me his face when he ran your car off the road and he wore a mask yesterday. He gives us literally nothing to work with in terms of witnesses.”