“Nevertheless,” she said, feeling more confident in the intimate chambers, “the hallway was lit enough that I could see his features, as well as his stature and build.”
“I think they’re fishing,” one of the other lawyers spoke up, “to see whether or not you could have been tainted by any photos you were shown. Simply identifying a photo is not nearly as damning since you didn’t pick him out of a lineup.”
“I was never shown any photos!”
“Is that right?” the second counsel asked.
The chief counsel was thumbing quickly through the investigative records.
“She’s right. She was in the hospital, and they brought the artist to her. Police used her sketch to identify him.”
“Perfect. Then, that’s what you tell them: the lamp cast plenty of light into the hallway. Then, if they ask you about seeing pictures, you never saw any pictures, and the artist was brought to you in the hospital. Short and sweet.”
She nodded her head, and her little entourage marched her back into the courtroom.
She reseated herself on the stand, and she was reminded that she was still under oath.
“Are you ready to answer my question now, Miss Donahue?”
“Yes, please, if you can restate it.”
The prosecutor looked irritated.
“All right, Miss Donahue. By your own admission, there was only one light on in the house, and you were not in the room where the light was. How then, since it was after dark, and you saw my client walking through the hallway, did you manage to see his features clearly enough to describe him to the artist?”
“The lamp from the other room provided adequate lighting for me to distinguish his features as he walked through the hallway.”
Clearly not satisfied with that answer, he proceeded. “Might it not be, Miss Donahue, that you were shown pictures of several cartel men, and that my client’s photo stuck in your mind?”
“I was never shown any photos.”
The prosecutor’s eyebrows went up. “Never shown any photos?”
“You might recall, sir, that I was wounded. Immediately upon rescue, I was taken to the hospital. Once it was ascertained that I was an eyewitness, an artist was brought to me in the hospital. I never saw any photos prior to working with the artist.”
The prosecutor checked his notes, then said, “That is all, then, Miss Donahue. Thank you.”
Audra breathed a sigh of relief.
When the jury was sent to chambers, Audra’s cadre came to her.
“Miss Donahue, we will now escort you to our headquarters where you will be issued your new identity, documentation, and instructions concerning your security.”
She stood, and they escorted her quickly through a side door and out to a waiting vehicle.
Lucas looked with anticipation as everyone exited the courtroom but realized shortly that she must have been taken out another way. He realized then that they would take her directly to headquarters. He called a cab and arrived shortly after they did.
The chief met him at the door. “Come this way, Roberts,” he said.
Lucas followed him into his office where he sat down.
“There’s no easy way to say this, but you’re suspended now until you can meet with a review board.”
“What does that mean?” Lucas asked.
“I think you know what it means. It means you won’t be going with Miss Donahue.”
Lucas came half out of his chair. It was simply something he had refused to consider. Now, he realized that being in denial about it had been foolish, and that he should have talked to Audra about it. Why do I continue to make such dumb decisions? he thought.
He sat back, looking into the corner of the room…anywhere but the chief’s face. He was trying to control his emotions. He wanted to say he knew that he had brought it on himself, but he wasn’t admitting anything this time. Honesty was what had landed him in psychiatric care before.
“Can you just tell me what’s being done about Michaelson?”
“I thought you decided that your interview with Michaelson was just a figment of your imagination.”
Lucas leaned over and handed him the piece of paper that Michaelson had written on.
“You probably have a sample of Michaelson’s handwriting around her somewhere. See if that matches.”
“Exchange? What exchange?”
Finally, Lucas stood, reaching out to shake the chief’s hand. “I think I’ve said enough for now. Thank you, sir, for all of your support during this detail.”
“I’ll need to know how to get in touch with you when we’ve scheduled the review board.”
Lucas gave him a grim smile. “I’ll let you know when I have a new cell phone.”
“Oh, one more thing, Roberts.”
Lucas turned to look at him.
“Someone handed this to me and said they thought it belonged to you.”
Lucas was startled as the chief handed him the rune necklace that he had bought for Audra.
40
Audra was numb. She sat there as they completed the last of her paperwork. They were sending her to Seattle. They gave her ten thousand dollars up front and a sixty thousand dollar a year stipend. Not much, considering the cost of living in Seattle, but it would be enough to sustain her until she could get her feet under her.
She had to say she was impressed with how thorough they had been about everything. They had reaccomplished her college records. Everything was now in the name of Elise Woodrow. Her transcripts, diploma, everything had been redone so that she could find work in graphic design. They had even retrieved her portfolio from her home and had redone all the identification associated with it.
Once she had everything together, they gave her an appointment for later in the week with a psychologist in Seattle. She hadn’t expected that, but decided it was probably a pretty good idea. They had set aside a separate fund for her to pay for her therapy.
The last thing was to see the court psychologist before she left. They had left the psychologist to be the bearer of bad news. “How are you feeling so far, Elise?” Audra was startled to hear her new name.
“A little overwhelmed. I didn’t realize that I was going today, but I guess it makes sense. I’m sure Arizona will be glad to see me go,” she said and laughed.
“So, you understand that once you get there, you will be on your own?”
Audra looked at her quizzically. “On my own?”
“Yes. I’m sure it will seem strange, and perhaps a bit frightening at first to be alone since you’ve been under 24/7 protection for several months.”
Audra swallowed. “But what about…?”
The therapist looked casually down at her desk to avoid Audra’s eyes for a second. “Deputy Roberts is on suspension pending a review.”
Audra just stared at her.
“Actually, that’s the typical procedure…given a new identity…sent far away where you can start a new life. You will contact the U.S. Marshals Service once every six months for the first two years, then after that, you’ll simply have to make an annual report. They will want to know that you’re working—”
“You’re avoiding the issue.”
“Yes. As I was saying, being alone is the typical procedure. Do you consider Deputy Roberts as family?”
Her response stuck in her throat. Suddenly faced with that question, she wasn’t sure. They had been together day and night since last September. They had come to know and love each other. But did they really have a relationship?
“I…I…”
“Here’s what I recommend. I don’t want you to have to make that decision today. Give yourself six months. Give Lucas six months. Let’s see how you both feel then.”
Audra’s mind was spinning. Isn’t a relationship as much about commitment as anything else? If we just make a commitment to each other, can’t we work everything else out?
“Let me be honest. Deputy Roberts was released from his prior care too earl
y. Now many things have compounded that. I know you probably don’t think the Marshals Service should have any say in your private affairs, but after reviewing everything, I think your relationship right now is built entirely on co-dependence. You are both going to have the chance to get some good counseling. Let’s see where you both are in six months.”
Audra nodded, tearing up. She reached for a tissue. “When I think of myself last May, then again in September, and how far I’ve come since then, I think I’ve grown up a lot, and that I can handle anything. But I…I guess I’ll find out.”
There was silence between them for a moment.
“I don’t know about being alone though. The cartel seems to have found us at nearly every turn. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder.”
“That can be part of your ongoing therapy once you get to Seattle. I don’t know that a witness like you ever gets over that feeling. Until, or even if Blanco undergoes the needle, there are those who may want revenge. But we’ve given you a great new start. You just need to always remember that even one phone call can give you away.”
Audra sighed deeply, expelling her sorrow and trying to feel raise her spirit. Somehow she knew that for right now, being without him was the best thing.
# # #
Lucas waited outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. He leaned against a pillar for quite a while, then walked to a coffee shop across the street. He should know better though. He had been on a few WITSEC details before, and he knew they didn’t just come walking down the front steps.
Fetsko had offered to put him up for a few days until he could find some place to stay. Fetsko lived in Yuma, and that definitely wasn’t somewhere Lucas wanted to stay, if for no other reason than because it was too close to Michaelson and Mexicali. However, he knew that at least it would give him time to finish recuperating and make a plan.
41
Audra felt the back of her neck as she sat in the seat of the private plane heading for Seattle. Before they had left Phoenix, a female marshal, Deputy Branson, had taken her to a salon to help her find a new look.
She considered cutting her hair pixie-style but couldn’t bring herself to do it. She did allow them to give her an up-do with a dramatic side bang. They showed her how easily it could be shaped back into her normal soft style when she wanted it. They colored her hair a golden brown with eye-catching highlights and gave her very natural-looking green contacts. They had reshaped her eyebrows, her gorgeous arched eyebrows, citing that it would help to change her face. She had reluctantly agreed but was pleased with the end result. They were still arched, but gently, giving her a somewhat softer look. It felt professional, and she was only too happy to leave behind the Goth inspired black hair-pale skin-look.
She walked to the bathroom just to look at herself in the mirror when she remembered her first encounter with Lucas. Even now her cheeks became scarlet thinking about it. It certainly set the tone for things, but how foolish!
She picked up her Kindle as she slid back into her seat, glad that she could now connect via wi-fi again and immersed herself in a book.
About three-quarters of the way through the journey, she plopped down beside Deputy Branson.
“Michele…” she began. The deputy had insisted at the salon that Audra call her by her first name.
The deputy looked up. “Yes, Elise.”
Audra smiled, trying to adjust to this new name.
“Do you know anything about my new place?”
“I do,” Michele said. “It’s a gorgeous studio in a classic Victorian on Queen Anne Hill.”
Audra’s eyes lit up at the mention of a Victorian. She didn’t know much about Seattle, but she had heard of Queen Anne Hill and knew it was one of the most beloved parts of the city.
“We’ve set you up in a three-month lease there, in case your job takes you too far away from that area, but it’s so convenient to Downtown and to the U that I think you’ll find it a great location.”
# # #
Audra pulled her sweater collar around her as the unfamiliar cold drizzle met her. They climbed into a warm cab though and drove through the city. It was already after midnight. She was delighted to see Christmas decorations everywhere. Good god, she thought, I didn’t even remember it was anywhere close to Christmas.
Thirty minutes after touchdown, she put the key into the lock of her new apartment. The other deputy came in, but stood by the door, as Audra and Michele took stock.
It was furnished with a few things, but she could see that she would have great latitude to decorate it according to her own taste. There was a Murphy bed with a brand new mattress, a funky easy-chair with a small table and lamp next to it, a small stand with a big TV, a bookcase, and a café table and chairs. The kitchen was outfitted with basic utensils, dishes, and pots and pans. Her favorite thing was the gas fireplace, but it immediately reminded her of their little apartment in the dome.
She put her bags down, opening the closet, the kitchen cupboards, and the refrigerator. They had even stocked it with some cereal and milk, jarred and tinned foods, and a couple of Amy’s Organic frozen meals. She giggled at that, realizing that someone had done their homework somewhere along the line to know that those were the only frozen meals she would eat.
Michele had lit the lamp next to the chair, but Audra gasped as she opened the drapes to see a gorgeous view of the lights of downtown Seattle, complete with the Space Needle. Outside the window was a tiny patio. The roof jutted out over it, and the rain dropped steadily from roof to railing.
She turned to see Michele grinning. “I picked the apartment myself,” she said. She stepped forward and stroked the back of Audra’s head. “You’ve been through a lot, Elise. More than anyone should have to endure in a single lifetime. Be kind to your memories of Audra…but take this as an opportunity to leave it all behind.”
Audra smiled through tears welling up in her eyes. She appreciated the warmth in the wake of the cold process she’d been through today, but now came the letdown, and she realized how incredibly tired she was.
“Okay,” Michele said, returning to her deputy marshal demeanor. “In six months, go to this address and ask them to make contact with the Phoenix headquarters for you,” she said, handing her a card. “Please do not try to contact anyone from your old life. Anyone. I know you’ve been told that over and over, but we seriously have never lost anyone who kept that rule.”
“I understand,” Audra said.
Michele shook her hand, and the two of them walked out. Audra followed them onto the landing and watched as they got in the car and headed out of the parking lot.
She returned to the apartment, flipped on the fireplace, set the timer for it, and stood in front of the window, amazed again at her view. She turned off the lamp, angled the chair toward the fireplace, and sat down, leaning back and allowing the tension of the day to resolve itself.
Being alone for the first time in months felt so strange. She recalled how devastated she had been on the flight to San Francisco all those months ago. Life before that seemed so far away, and yet life before today seemed a world away as well.
Lucas. Was it really less than 18 hours ago that I last saw him? We hadn’t talked about anything pertaining to what would happen after the deposition; we hadn’t said goodbye. It all seems so surreal. Was he really just a “phase” in my life? Was it just because of all we had been through together? Was it just the incredible sex, the tenderness, the pregnancy? But why am I saying “just”? For the second time that day, she found herself questioning what a relationship really was.
She decided she would give herself some time to regroup and explore the city some. She needed a whole new wardrobe, but she wasn’t going to do that in a day. For now she would just find some practical but stylish things, and then she’d start looking for work clothes.
She looked around the apartment and realized that if she was going to pursue her graphic arts career, the first thing she needed was
a computer.
She pulled down the Murphy bed and was relieved to see four sets of new sheets, still in their ribbons. Two of them were cotton percale and two of them were yummy cotton flannel, all in Victorian patterns. Flannel sheets! She laughed. She knew they existed but growing up in Tucson, she had never experienced them. They were going to feel good tonight.
42
Audra quickly discovered the next morning that she would need some rugs for the wood floor—and some bedroom slippers, too. But, for now, double socks would have to do. She turned on the fireplace and adjusted the heat setting.
She opened the drapes and was surprised to see a white world of fog, something else she had never experienced. Only a few lights were visible below, a nearby stoplight and a few others. She opened her patio door, wanting to know what it felt like out there, and heard a sound her mind sought to place. Foghorns! Foghorns, she decided. Wow! Am I really so close to water that I can hear them so clearly?
She closed up quickly. Damp. Cold and damp. It would take some getting used to, but she thought she just might like this totally new sensation.
She fixed herself some breakfast and sat down at the table with her Kindle. It would have to be her guide for now. Michele had told her she would have free wi-fi here. She looked around to see if she could find anywhere the security key might be for it and found it on a card stapled to the wall in the closet.
When she looked at an online map and found her location, she became excited at all there was to see and do nearby. She thought about calling a cab, but she forced herself to pull up the transit authority map and schedule. Might as well start getting used to it right away. I have a feeling that five thousand a month isn’t going to go as far as I would like.
She stopped to think. She had never had to make out a real budget. Sure, she’d done it in high school, with made up numbers, but this would be a whole different can of beans.
She went back and looked through the cupboards again and was delighted to find a coffee pot and some trial-sized organic coffees. She chose a hazelnut and set it to brew.
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