“Right this way, Ms. Erikson.”
Lane followed Suit past an official looking secretary and into an office just as sterile as the rest of the space.
“Mr. Donaldson.” Suit addressed the man sitting inside behind a desk.
The man peered away from his computer to look their direction. “Ms. Erikson, have a seat and we’ll get down to business.”
Suit patted her on the back and smiled. “Good luck, Ms. Erikson.”
She nodded and took a deep breath. She hated to see Mr. Suit go. Up to this point, he seemed to be the only semi-friendly face. He exited the office, leaving her stuck with Mr. Donaldson. She took a seat when he motioned toward the empty chair opposite his desk.
“I’m sure you have a lot of questions, so let’s get down to business.”
Her mind still raced with the events of the past twelve hours. She’d been in police custody since she had run screaming into an LA precinct sometime after midnight. Damn right she had questions, but she waited for fear her thoughts would come out in a jumbled up mess. All she knew was that she’d be going somewhere. That place had yet to be named.
“Ms. Erikson, I’m sure you already understand that your life is in danger. You’re a witness to a murder committed by a man the FBI has been investigating for some time.”
“Yes,” she said, and it was the only word she could manage. She had oodles to say in reality, but couldn’t form a coherent thought or sentence.
“Joe Reicher is under investigation for human trafficking—”
Lane waved a hand, already figuring out as much. All she wanted to know at that point was where in the hell they were sending her and when she could return to her life? “Skip it. All I want to know right now, at this very instant, is where on God’s green earth you are sending me? I haven’t slept in nearly twenty-four hours. I’ve seen a beautiful young woman dead—”
Mr. Donaldson interrupted. “I know this isn’t easy for you—”
“Isn’t easy, you say? You, the man sitting there calmly with a file folder opened up while I’ve had to pack my clothes to go…who in the fuck knows where.” She tossed her hands in the air with irritation. “Well, you, you apparently know. Meanwhile, my life has been upended. It’s going to hell in the blink of an eye, and you say, ‘I know this isn’t easy for you.’ Hell no it isn’t easy! In fact, it sucks and not in a good way!” Her nerves bunched up again and she began getting that nervous leg jiggling twitch she gets when worried. What about her life? What about her career? What about anything that meant anything to her?
“Ms. Erikson, I don’t mean to sound uncaring, but we have to expedite you away from the area until the investigation is complete.”
Lane rolled her eyes. “And how long will that be?”
Mr. Donaldson shrugged. “As with any investigation, there is no set in stone date for completion. The agency has been working on this case for a while. I cannot say with certainty when it will be completed. The important part, right now, is you. We need to keep you safe.”
“Why?” She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. “Because you care about my life, or because you care since I’m a witness?” She cocked her head to the side and studied him.
“Both.”
“Whatever.” She shifted in her chair. “I’m exhausted. I can’t form a logical thought. Every time I blink my eyes I get dizzy. So, tell me, where in the hell are you sending me, and when in the hell can I come home and resume my life?”
Mr. Donaldson pushed a folder toward her. “Inside is the location. I can’t say with confidence how long you will be there, could be months, years even.”
She sat upright in a fraction of a second. “What? Are you fucking kidding me? Years?”
He folded his arms over the desk and stared at her. “Yes, ma’am. This case is large with a huge criminal network—”
“Yeah, yeah. I don’t care. I have a life here. I’ve got modeling jobs next week!”
Mr. Donaldson stared at her for a moment. “You will have to cancel.”
“Can I opt out of this? I don’t want to leave. I didn’t ask for this!”
“Mr. Erikson, I know you didn’t ask for this, nor does any other person put into witness protection. We will need your testimony in the future, and we think it best if you’re alive to give said testimony. Of course, you can opt out. We can’t force you to take our protection, but the next place you may end up will be in a body bag like the young woman from the club.”
She swallowed hard. Body bag? Me? I don’t want to die. Would Joe kill me or have someone else do the deed?
As if reading her thoughts, Mr. Donaldson continued. “Yes, he would. I know what you’re thinking, and I’m telling you, Ms. Erikson, your life is in danger.”
Lane pulled the folder off the desk and lifted it up where she could focus through her bleary eyes. Blinking, she pulled it closer. Damn, it’s about time to have my eyes checked. “Where is this place?” She caught the name and realized she’d never heard of it. “Sunset Point Island?”
“It’s a small island located in the Pacific.” He replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
“You’re sending me to a small island!” All she could picture was Gilligan’s Island for some reason. She got to watch many reruns as a child. Small huts and no running water without the aid of the professor entered her mind.
“Ms. Erikson, this is the only place we feel with certainty you will be safe. There are only two ways on or off the island a couple times a day. It is a small place with a hometown feel.”
“Hometown feel as in we all share the same outhouse?” She’d like to think she’d be going to some posh resort island, like Maui, but since she had never heard of this particular place, doubted it could compare.
“Ms. Erikson, I think you will be quite pleased after living in LA.”
“I guess it doesn’t matter at this point. Does it? If I accept protection, I have to go where you say. Right?”
“Yes, that is correct. I mean, I could send you into northern Canada where the snow reaches six to ten feet during a single storm.”
Lane coughed and shook her head. “No, unknown island with outhouses will do.”
Mr. Donaldson offered a smile like he knew something she didn’t. Of course he does, she thought, he had the dart and threw it at the map for sport to pick out a place to hide her out. She began to wonder if they did that, just for fun and all. She turned the page while Mr. Donaldson narrated.
“The next page is your new identity. When you arrive at Sunset Point, you have to become Reece Wyatt. You are from Wichita, Kansas and the Wyatts of the island are your aunt and uncles.”
Lane looked at the picture of the three people. “But, I don’t know them.”
“You will. We have been in contact with them and worked out the details. Since the island is very picky about new residents, having relatives on the island will help you in and hopefully to blend in.”
“What kind of place can pick and choose who moves there?” Seriously? A place could do that? She suspected the place was smaller than Mr. Donaldson led on.
“Sunset Point can pick and choose new residents. It’s in their charter.”
The strangest feeling overcame her. She knew she must be dreaming, because she couldn’t make this shit up. A yawn echoed in the room. She was so tired she couldn’t even form a thought. The Skipper began to dance in her head with his goofy hat and grin. Would she be trying to build herself a boat, too, in order to get off of Sunset Point Island?
Chapter 2
The flight was long, so incredibly long, but Lane used the time to catch up on her sleep. She used the entire flight for that. The evidence lay on Mr. Suit’s shoulder in the form of wet fabric where she drooled on him. When she sat up and wiped her mouth, she noticed. She was embarrassed, worse, mortified. Hopefully she didn’t snore, drooling was bad enough. Her face felt hot from her humiliation. It was hard for her to look Mr. Suit in the eyes.
After they exited the plane, t
hey headed to pick up Lane’s luggage with the other three agents keeping their distance as to not draw attention. Mr. Suit stayed at her side and directed her to the door where an SUV was already waiting for them. They had landed in Miami, Florida and from what Lane understood, they were still a long way from Sunset Point Island. Mr. Donaldson had mentioned a ferry that ran twice a day. She suspected that was their next course for travel. How long that would take became another question that popped into her head. “I thought only one ferry arrived and departed the island each day. Surely the ferry ran earlier in the evening. What is it, eight o’clock already?”
“Actually, it’s after nine and you’re right, the ferry ran earlier from the mainland. The evening ferry from the island will depart later tonight.” Mr. Suit kept walking with his head darting from here to there.
“Are we taking a boat then?” she asked and tried to keep up with his fast pace. “How long will a boat take?”
“We’re not taking a boat.” Mr. Suit opened the door of the black SUV waiting and she slid in.
The other agents got into a car behind them, Lane noticed, and turned her attention back to Mr. Suit. “Well, unless there is one big-ass bridge to this place, I don’t understand how we’ll get there. It isn’t big enough for an airport. Is it?”
“The island has a small airport, but it isn’t big enough for commercial airliners.”
“So, we’re getting on another plane?” Lane scooted sideways in the seat so she could face him. Her body ached from sitting for hours.
“Yes, we are.”
She felt her stomach get queasy. Large commercial airliners were one thing, but small passenger planes, no, just no. “Do you know how many small aircraft crashes there are each year?” She buckled her seat belt. The drivers they had had so far scared the shit out of her enough.
“We’ll be just fine.” He nodded to the driver and they took off with enough velocity to toss her back in the seat.
“What is it with your drivers? I think I have whiplash.” She wasn’t a thrill-seeker in the sense she liked to put her life into the hands of others, especially up in the air.
Mr. Suit shook his head. “You have a large network of some of the worst criminals potentially searching for you, and yet you’re worried about an hour plane ride?”
“An hour! Geesh. I just got off a five hour flight.”
Mr. Suit chuckled. “There is never a boring day around you is there?”
* * * *
“Well, are you coming?” Liz Wyatt waited impatiently at the counter of the Sunset Point Police Department for her husband, the Chief of Police, Luther Wyatt.
“Hold on, hot stuff. I’ve got a call.” Luther rolled his eyes as he walked past Bannock Garrison. “Women, thank goodness I opted for one instead of two. They’d be the death of me. Where’s Jed? Oh yes, he’s off work and has been for hours. Why isn’t he here to take hot britches in there to the airport?”
Bannock laughed with amusement as he watched his Chief complain and shuffle around the office. The man doesn’t like to be rushed, never has. “Is she leaving somewhere?”
“No, hell no. Liz has no desire to leave the island.” Luther grumbled and stopped for a moment with a strange expression on his face as if lost deep in thought. “Liz is all excited about our niece coming to stay for a while.” He grinned and strolled in Bannock’s direction. “Say, I have a few matters to attend to. Would you mind taking the little lady to the airport to pick up our niece for me?”
Great. Bannock wanted to kick himself for engaging in conversation with the man. The Chief was notorious for passing off honey do’s to him.
“She’s awful pretty.” Luther used his best and sweetest schmoozing voice.
Bannock shook his head. Damn it, he knew better. All he wanted to do was go home, have a beer, and relax. “It’ll cost you, Chief.”
“It will, eh?” Luther scrubbed his jaw as if thinking of the possible repercussions.
“Yes, sir.” Bannock leaned back in his chair and smiled. He loved to aggravate his chief, as did much of the other officers.
Luther pointed at him with a sly smile. “I am your Chief, you know.”
“And I’m aware of that.” Bannock crossed his arms over his chest. In five minutes he’d be off the clock so this was more of a favor than a work related task.
“Fine.” Luther tossed his hands in the air, conceding the battle. “I’ll be at the poker game.”
“With cash this time?” Bannock raised a brow. “And?”
Luther grumbled under his breath. “Yeah, I’ll bring some money, and I’ll have Liz bake you a blackberry pie.”
Bannock pushed away from the desk, proud of himself as he did. “Thank you, sir. I haven’t had one of her pies in quite some time.”
“I hope you choke on it. You realize no one grows blackberries on this island? They have to be shipped here and cost a pretty penny at your mom and dad’s grocery store.”
Bannock nodded and tried not to be too smug about it. “And they appreciate your patronage, sir.”
“Get out of here before I change my mind.” Luther turned toward his office while mumbling.
Bannock grabbed his keys and met Liz at the front desk. “Evening, Liz.”
“The old bastard conned you into taking me again.” Liz put her hands on her slender hips and rolled her light green eyes. The woman was remarkable to look at even though she was old enough to be Bannock’s mother. Why Luther sloughed off honey do’s with her always surprised him. Outside of being a little hardheaded, Liz was sweet, and when she wasn’t trying to play match maker, she was witty and intelligent.
“I volunteered,” he lied.
Liz smacked him on the chest and grinned. “Good job, I’ll have that pie ready for you on Friday. By the way, Luther will be pleasuring himself for the next week.”
Bannock followed her to the entrance. “Ah, Miss Liz, don’t do that. He gets really cranky without sex.” If Liz followed through with her threat, Bannock and his fellow officers would have one hell of a week to look forward to.
“Yeah, I know.” She winked at him and walked out the front door.
How did Bannock wind up in this situation almost every week for one thing or another? He spent more time with Liz than Luther, the old fart. Although in thinking about it, he came out better this way and Miss Liz wasn’t too difficult to deal with. It didn’t hurt that she’s like family since his mother and her are best friends. Partners in crime, that’s what the old timers around the island say about the pair. Once upon a time, he’d heard they were once pretty wild. Now, Liz had become the mayor, operated the best damn cupcake shop in the world, and his parents owned the island grocery store. He was amazed every time he thought about his mother and Liz being young and irresponsible.
And just where is Jed anyway? The old shits leave me chauffeuring Liz around, he thought. He supposed he should, knowing his mother would have his ass if he didn’t. They got into Bannock’s patrol car and set out to the airport. “So, uh, I hear your niece is coming to stay for a while.”
“Yes, Reece is finally here.” Liz pointed at her phone and pushed back her light gray hair. “Just got a text.”
“I didn’t realize you had family off the island.” He immediately got the suspicion something wasn’t right. Liz, Luther, and Jed were born and raised on the island. They all attended school with Bannock’s parents. He had never heard mention of another sibling to Jed and Luther.
Liz offered a sarcastic laugh. “Oh yes, Jed and Luther have a brother that lives in Kansas of all the crazy places in the world to live.” She shook her shoulder length hair and seemed amused while thinking about it.
“I’ve never seen him. Does he come here often?”
Liz shoved her cell into her purse. “Goodness no. He hates the lifestyle of the island and always has. When he graduated a couple of years before me, he caught the first ferry off the island and vowed to never come back.”
“Wow, that is some serious hate.”
No wonder he didn’t know about this other brother. He wasn’t much of a fan where the island residents’ lifestyles were concerned either, but that didn’t mean he wanted to leave it all behind as a result.
“Well, to each their own. He claims to be happy in Kansas, fighting the snow and ice in the winter, living on a farm with his wife. Of course, their kids are grown now and out on their own.”
“So, this niece, Reece, is she just visiting with you for a while?”
Liz turned to look at him. “Yes, for a while.”
“I’m really looking forward to that pie.” He chuckled as he drove up and parked in front of the tiny terminal.
“You always are.”
As they pulled up to park, a plane descended and touched down on the runway not far away. Bright blue and red lights flashed in the night while the plane began to slow and taxi. Bannock got out and tried to get to Liz’s door before she could open it.
Liz stepped out and adjusted her skirt.
“Why won’t you let me get your door, Miss Liz?”
“I’m quite capable of getting out of a car without assistance, Bannock. Do you think of me as so old and geriatric that I’m not able?” Liz pulled her purse strap over her shoulder with an amused expression.
Bannock ruffled his hair in defeat. “No, not at all, but my mother wouldn’t be pleased.”
“Your mother has always been a little old fashioned. We just won’t tell her.” Liz patted him on the arm and walked away, leaving him standing beside his car.
When Bannock finally caught up, Liz was already pushing though the double doors leading out to the tarmac. “And again with the door.”
Tattoos and Cupcakes [Sunset Point] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 2