by Vicki Hinze
“Two million dollars is a lot of temptation,” Sara said. “Greed is strong.”
Home to corruption too. Beth blew her hair back from her face. Sweat-slick, it was stuck to her cheek. “True, but dead men don’t need cash.”
“They’re gone.” Jeff sighed. “Our near-hit was a dud.”
Beth slumped on the seat, both relieved and disappointed.
Sara closed her eyes and let out a shuddering breath.
“What now?” Beth checked her watch. Nearly nine. “Clyde’s funeral is at two. If we’re late, Nora will flip out.”
“We can’t leave.” Sara took a drink from her water bottle.
Jeff draped an arm on the steering wheel. “We wait for the phone and watch the money.”
By ten o’clock, the heat in the Tahoe was stifling. Sara was dozing, no doubt due to the antianxiety drugs and sheer exhaustion. Thanks to the attack and continued stress, her stamina was shot. Beth was going stir-crazy, grumpy, and sticking to the leather seats. “Do you think it’s safe to step outside, Jeff?” She blew her hair back from her face. “I need air.” Even more, she needed to talk to Joe.
“Stay on this side of the building. We’ve got it covered. Everywhere else is vulnerable.”
Beth grabbed a bottle of water and her special phone, got out, and left the door cracked open to let fresh air inside. Hot and humid, the outside air still felt cool on her skin. She walked across the narrow parking lot to the little picnic area. Only the guy handling the rentals and a half-dozen tubers were around.
She sat on the table under the shade of an ancient oak and rested her feet on its concrete bench. A hot breeze feathering across her skin, she dialed Joe, hoping more than she wanted to admit to herself that he answered.
“Hi, gorgeous.”
Tension ebbed from her body. Excitement replaced it. “I wish you were here.”
“Tense, huh?”
“Beyond tense, but the meds have Sara dozing, so that’s good.”
“Have they picked up the money yet?”
“No.” She twisted the cap off the water bottle and took a drink. “This whole money-drop thing and waiting—it all feels wrong. I got an awful feeling and asked Sara not to let go of the tube. She said if she didn’t, something awful would happen.”
“Did she say what?”
Beth’s frustration bubbled. “No. But she knows more than she’s saying and whatever it is scares her socks off. She had that same look as at the club, staring at the wedding cake.”
“Its groom was missing and so was hers. That had to hit her hard.”
“You think they’re connected.” Beth sat straighter.
“Don’t you?”
Did she? Beth worried her lip with her teeth. Cryptic warnings. Lying to her. Acting strange. Wishing she could go back to before Robert. “Yeah. Yeah, I do.”
“Mark says the abductor’s having you wait for a pay-phone call.”
“Isn’t that weird? They have our cell phones. Why do they want us here? It doesn’t make sense.”
“I don’t know, but I don’t like it. If you didn’t have Class-A protection, I’d suggest you leave.” He shifted subjects. “Did you ask Sara about the hospital visits?”
The terrace messenger popped into her mind. She should tell Joe about him, and she would shortly. “Not yet. There’s always someone around. Since she didn’t tell me the truth about them, she obviously wants them kept private. I’m trying to respect that but, Joe, she did lie to me. I couldn’t believe it.”
“That’s significant. About what?”
“I’m not sure exactly, but Robert was in the middle of it. She was evasive—she’s been cryptic a lot lately.” She paused, then told him about the terrace messenger. “I think whatever is going on involves her and me and even SaBe. I’ve been racking my brain, but I can’t figure out what she could be hiding.”
“I’m looking on this end. I’ll keep that in mind too.” He hesitated. “Do you think Sara’s breached confidentiality on classified information? With her work at Quantico, she has access—”
“She’d die first.” About that Beth had no doubt.
“Would she let Robert die?” Joe’s voice went husky.
Beth felt sucker-punched. Uncertainty crept in. “I—I don’t think I can answer—”
“Never mind, gorgeous. I understand.”
Torn between loyalty and certainty, Beth stilled, swallowed a lump from her throat. Jeff and Sara had doubted her, and now she doubted Sara. Now she better understood. She didn’t like it, but she understood it. “You’ll look at everything on this yourself, right?”
“I will.”
Relief washed through her. He and his former Shadow Watcher team would find whatever there was to find. After working with them on Lisa’s abduction case, Beth didn’t doubt it. “Thank you, Joe.” Her throat went thick. “I’m overwhelmed right now.” A tear leaked out, fell down her cheek. “I know I’m supposed to be strong—I’m always the strong one, but …”
“Nobody can be strong all the time, sha. We’re human, we have limits—even you.”
“Shameful, but I think I hit mine.” Nora would cut out her tongue for admitting that. “Never admit weakness to anyone but God.” She’d said it a million times.
“Then you’re positioned to get stronger.”
“What?”
“When you exceed your limit and endure, you get stronger. Next time, your limit is more. Surely you’ve heard a sermon or two on that.”
Beth cringed. “Looking ahead to more trials and tests is supposed to make me feel better?”
“It’s supposed to reassure you that you can handle whatever comes.”
“Like faith.”
“You go as far as you can. God carries you the rest of the way.”
“Is that experience or faith in the abstract?”
“In my job? You tell me.”
Experience. He’d specialized in scrapes his entire career. She paused, sighed. “Do you think they’ll really release Robert unharmed?”
“It could go either way. Hard to hear, I know, but honest.”
“If they pick up the money, maybe. If not, I can’t see it.”
“They could be letting it float for a couple hours hoping the FBI agents get lazy and drop their guard. The current’s slow right now. It could take a couple days before the tube hits the bay and then longer to get to the Gulf.”
How did he know all that? Beth dusted a leaf from her knee. “A pickup in the Gulf sounds safer for them. They could use subs. NINA funneled in terrorists with minisubs. It’s not like they’re watching the clock.”
“Possibly. They have Robert and they’re watching you and Sara. You can bet they’re watching the money too. I’d say they’re more apt to retrieve it at night than in broad daylight.”
“It’s creepy, them watching us and yet we can’t spot them.” Squinting against the harsh sunlight glaring off anything shiny in the parking lot, Beth took a long drink of water, then poured a little in her hand and smoothed it over her face and throat to cool her heated skin. The temperature had to be hovering near a hundred. “That rattled Jeff.”
“I don’t like it either. Makes me wonder if someone supposedly on our side is reporting back to them.”
Beth frowned at a stone on the ground. “Seriously?”
“It’s possible. Roxy assures me they’ve run extensive checks on everyone out there—and I have to say, you look a little cooler on the bench than you did in Jeff’s Tahoe.”
Shock pumped through her. “You can see me?” He was here?
“Do you really think I’d let you come out here and not watch over you?”
He’d come. He’d dropped everything and come. Her eyes burned. A smile tickled her lips. “Why don’t you show yourself? Frankly, I could use a hug.”
“Later. Right now, that’s not a good idea.”
“Why not?” She casually looked around, seeking a glimpse of him.
“I’d put you in more dan
ger. I’m on NINA’s hit list.”
Her stomach knotted. NINA wanted to kill him? “Because of Lisa’s kidnapping case?”
“Among other things.”
Beth fixed her gaze on the Tahoe. “Then go away. You shouldn’t be here.”
“I have no choice, sha. You’re here.”
Her heart filled and some strange tenderness she hadn’t felt before settled inside it. “You really do care about me.”
“I’ve been telling you that for months, when you weren’t telling me I was being ridiculous.”
He had. But she hadn’t dared to believe it. Max defining, even now. Her mouth went dry and she forced the words out of her throat. “I really care about you too, Joe.”
“Finally.”
She squeezed her eyes shut. “Yeah.”
“Now that makes the risks worth it.” His smile sounded in his voice. “I’m hanging up.”
“Why?”
“Sara’s coming your way. Hide your phone.”
“Be careful, Joe.”
“You too, gorgeous.”
Beth thumbed the button and stuffed the phone in her pocket, then watched Sara approach. Her feet were still sore, gauging by her awkward gait.
“Anything new?” Sara sat primly on the bench next to Beth’s feet.
“Afraid not.” An uncomfortable silence settled between them. “Sara, we need to talk.”
“I know. But I can’t do it now.” She glanced out at the water, back at the pay phone. “Just know that if I could change things, I would. I can’t, so I’m doing what I can do.”
More obscure and cryptic. “Like what?”
“I talked to Dennis Porter. He’s put your money back into a holding account. You need to let him know where you want it.” Tears filled Sara’s eyes. “Thank you for doing that, Beth.”
“You don’t have to thank me. I told you, we’re family.”
“Yes. We’re family.” She squeezed Beth’s hand. “Without you I wouldn’t know what that means. I owe you and your folks so much.”
“You give as much as you’ve gotten and always have.”
“You didn’t have to take me into your circle. I’m grateful you did. I know it’s been hard—all the tension and everything—but don’t think for a minute that being part of the family hasn’t meant the world to me. It has.” She released Beth’s hand. “Just remember what I told you.” She swerved her gaze and looked Beth in the eyes. “Protect yourself from me.”
An awful feeling slithered through Beth, left a bitter taste on her tongue. “What are you doing to me that requires protection?”
Sara sank her teeth into her lip, blinked hard, and shook her head no.
“I’d have better odds for success if you’d just tell me the truth. Maybe together we could save us both and SaBe. We’ve always been a strong team.” She’d said all three were at risk.
“That would hurt you more.”
“Sara, that makes no sense. Would you please just talk to me? Whatever this is all about, we can figure it out.”
“Not this time.”
Beth bit back her disappointment. “Then at least tell me why you were in the hospital three times this year.”
“I had attacks. You know that.”
“I know that’s what you told me. Is it the truth?”
Sara clamped her lips and remained silent.
Shortly after noon, Jeff came over with a bag of burgers and fries. The wind shook the old oak’s leaves overhead and tugged at his damp hair. He had to be burning up in that suit, and with everyone else in swimsuits, shorts, T-shirts, and sandals, he stuck out like a sore thumb.
He passed the bag and two cups of soda with red straws. “We’re eyes-on and in position. The money is still floating.”
“Thanks.” Beth unwrapped a burger and took a bite. The tang of onion and tomato burned her tongue.
Ten minutes after eating, Sara started fretting. By twelve thirty, she was agonizing, and by twelve forty-five, tears flowed freely down her face. Terrified that she was setting herself up for another attack, Beth frowned at her. “Stop it. Just stop it.”
“I can’t help it.” Sara swept a hand over her forehead. “You don’t know—”
“That’s right; I don’t because you won’t tell me. If you don’t care about yourself enough to nix this, fine. Do it for me. Don’t put me through another attack. Frankly, I can’t take it.”
Sara looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. “What?”
“I’m worn to a frazzle and I can’t take any more. So woman up.” Close to losing her temper, Beth got down from the table. “I told you Joe said they were more apt to retrieve the money after dark. It’s a long time until dark. I’m going to the rest room. Get it together, Sara. For both our sakes.” Beth walked away without looking back.
When she stepped back outside, Jeff stood waiting. “Sara’s looking pretty frail. I’ve put an ambulance on standby.”
Beth nodded. “I spoke to her about it. Not sure how much good it did. She knows she won’t survive another attack right now.” While in the rest room, Beth had prayed hard, then called and asked the Crossroads prayer warriors to pray for Sara too. Now it was up to God and Sara. “I don’t know what else to do.”
“Being out here isn’t helping.” Walking back to the table, he joined Sara, still seated on the bench. “We’re forwarding the pay-phone calls to your cell, Sara. It’s time to go.”
“Has something happened?”
“We’ve deemed it too dangerous for you two to remain out here. We can’t continue to justify this kind of manpower without some kind of contact or development.”
She wouldn’t like that. Beth cringed. “We have to leave now for Clyde’s funeral.”
Sara squared her shoulders and didn’t move. “I’m not leaving.”
Beth lifted a hand. “You’ll get the call wherever you are.”
“Listen to me,” Jeff said. “They’re taking their time. It’s a delay tactic. You can’t be out here after dark, and that’s when we all think they’ll move in.”
Sara folded her arms over her chest. “I’m not leaving.”
“Sara, you’re not staying.” Jeff’s tone was sharp. “There are no security lights. Anyone could come through the woods from nearly any direction and kill you.”
Couldn’t argue that, and truth be told, Beth didn’t want to argue it. “He’s right, Sara. Let’s go.”
She still didn’t move.
Jeff’s face burned red. “Are you going to make me physically—?”
“Excuse us a second, Jeff.” Beth interrupted. The last thing they needed was Sara digging in her heels, and his was a surefire way to assure it.
Irritation flashed in his eyes. He nodded and walked out of earshot.
“He’s conscientious, remember? He will carry you out of here,” Beth warned Sara. “Spare your dignity. Get up off the bench and let’s go.”
Sara glared up at her and didn’t move.
“Look, maybe for Robert you’re ready to fight the professionals and risk your neck. But risking the necks of those protecting you is just plain selfish. These officers have risked plenty already, and I’ve risked all I’m going to. You can’t stay out here by yourself, you can’t drive if they should call, so get up and get in the car or I’ll help Jeff drag you, and I mean it.”
“I can’t believe you’re doing this to me.”
“I’m talking and not just leaving you here because we’re family.” Beth didn’t give an inch. “Staying and making everyone else a target is just plain stupid. Do you think Jeff, Roxy, and the agents should guard us or find Robert?”
Sara digested that, got up off the bench, glaring at Beth, and then joined Jeff. “Promise me if anything happens you’ll inform me immediately.”
Relief slid over his face. “I promise, Sara.” Sincerity shone in his eyes.
Beth might just forgive him his earlier transgressions for that. Liking and not liking him didn’t make a lot of sense, but since whe
n did any relationship make sense to anyone?
At the car, Sara got in on the passenger’s side.
“Will she go to the funeral?” Jeff asked about Sara.
“She will or I’ll have Nora send Nathara over to keep her company.”
“That’s cold, Beth.” Jeff shuddered. “You telling Sara that?”
It was cold. But justified. “If the need arises.”
“She’ll be at the funeral then. Makes my life a lot easier. I promised Nora I wouldn’t be late.” He rubbed at his earlobe. “You’re an effective negotiator.”
Something had changed. Did he not consider her a suspect anymore? “I have my moments.” No one wanted to disappoint Nora or to endure Nathara’s acidic attitude.
“I’ll follow you back, then to the funeral.” Jeff glanced at Sara’s car. “Her medical condition scares me, and frankly, I wouldn’t know what to do for her.”
“I know what you mean.” Beth had never felt so helpless as in Sara’s first attack. The memory of it still curdled her blood. “Harvey and Lisa will be there.” They were both fine docs and familiar with Sara’s condition.
“Mark and Ben will be at the service too. You’ll be well protected.” Jeff motioned to a second Tahoe parked three cars beyond his. “Roxy’s team will stay with the money.”
Beth nodded. “How long will you let it float?”
He urged her toward Sara’s car. “Until we’re convinced it’s a failed attempt.”
At least overnight. “Cover of darkness and all that.”
“We’re prepared for it.”
Everyone knew technologically the US ruled the night. “Be safe.” She slid into the Saab. Sara had reclined her seat and closed her eyes. Obviously, she was ticked and freezing Beth out. Needing the break, Beth grabbed the wheel, turned the key. The engine roared to life and the air-conditioning blast on her face was a slice of pure joy.
Sara slept—or pretended to sleep—all the way back to her house.
Avoiding you. Avoiding questions she doesn’t want to answer.
Beth pulled into the garage. God, if You could help me out here, I’d appreciate it. She says to protect myself—from her. What’s this about? Protect myself how? I need clarity, guidance—something.