Guarding the Witness

by Margaret Daley

  Angling toward Brody, Charlie grinned. “No. She was more concerned about my injuries. I’m definitely going to have to take the woman out to dinner when this all settles down.”

  “She’s a keeper, my friend.” Brody looked toward Arianna again, relieved she wasn’t injured. Her soft gaze trained on him lured him toward her. “Okay?”

  Her eyes gleamed. “I’m relishing the calm while I have it. We both know how quickly that can change. One minute we’re just riding along and the next we’re ramming a car.”

  “Don’t worry about that,” Gus interjected. “We’re almost to my friend’s place. You’ll be safe.”

  Her eyebrows rose, and she mouthed the word “safe,” as though in her world that wasn’t possible.

  Which Brody could see. They both were used to guarding people in trouble. What would it be like to not do something like that? To wake up each morning not worried about a security plan or if he had all the options covered?

  Arianna fully faced him on the seat and said in a soft voice, “We left a mess back there.”

  “Once you’ve testified I can straighten everything out.”

  “I hope I can tomorrow. The prosecutor has only one witness left, according to Gus. That’ll be cutting it close.”

  “But better in the long run. I’ll only have to keep you hidden in Anchorage overnight. Less time for Rainwater’s men to find us.”

  “Once I’ve given my testimony the easy part is over with.”

  “This is easy? What kind of life do you normally lead?” he said with a laugh, trying to coax a smile from her. He knew exactly what she was referring to and to him the aftermath of the trial would be the hardest part of all of this—reinventing yourself.

  “One I’m not sure how to let go. When you’re used to a certain kind of challenge and excitement, how do you live without it?”

  “Get excited about something else? Don’t let the circumstances you can’t control pull you down?”

  She did smile then. “Both good suggestions.”

  He bent closer to her and whispered, “Don’t forget tonight to write that letter to your parents. I’ll see they get it.”

  “But I can’t get a response from them. What if I refuse being in WitSec?”

  “You put yourself and anyone around you in danger. They would use your family to get to you. They know that when a person goes into the program, all contact is lost so there is no reason to use your family like that. It has to be that way for yours and others’ safety.”

  She sighed and closed her eyes for a few seconds. When she reconnected with him visually, there was a sheen to the gray depths, like light shining on silver. “I know. I would never put someone I love in danger.”

  A tall, redheaded man stood by a twin-engine plane at the end of a flat, grassy field. Gus slowed his car to a stop next to his childhood friend. “Hal thought this would be a better place to take off from than an airport—even a private one. He uses this field sometimes. It’s not far from his property.”

  Arianna started to open her door, but Brody caught her hand on the seat between them and held it for a second. “Ready?”

  “Yes,” she murmured, then slipped from his grasp and pushed the door open.

  No matter how tough Arianna was, this past forty-eight hours had taken its toll on her. She tried to put up a brave front, but occasionally when she didn’t think he was looking, he saw the sadness in her eyes. It ate at him. This wasn’t fair. She was doing the right thing by testifying against Rainwater, and yet she would pay the price as much as the crime boss. She was losing her family, her career, everything she knew and was special to her. Anger knotted his stomach. He shoved open his door and climbed from the car.

  The next twenty hours would be the hardest of the trip. He figured that Rainwater had a chokehold around all the ways into Anchorage with spies everywhere.

  Within ten minutes Gus’s friend took off with Brody in the backseat next to Arianna. She stared out the window, silent since getting out of the car. While Charlie carried on a conversation with Hal, Brody studied Arianna’s stiff posture, the tensing of her jaw as if she gritted her teeth. He wanted to comfort her with more than words. He wanted to hold her tight against him. He wanted to kiss her again.

  The revelation made him frown. He cared for her and that wasn’t smart at all. Although Carla had been a marshal, not a witness, he’d mixed his professional life with his personal one and that had ended badly. It was especially unwise to become involved with a witness. After his work was done, she would be whisked away. He would never see her again.

  He swung his attention to the side window next to him and stared at the ground below. Mountainous terrain spread in all directions. Patches of snow on the peaks. Blue lakes. Green forests. Beautiful.

  “Nearer to Seward, I’m flying under the radar. I’m going out over the water and coming in from that direction,” Hal announced, pointing due south. “It’ll take us a little longer, but I think that will be the best approach to the airstrip. If anything happens and we go down in the water, there are life preservers under your seats.”

  Arianna looked at Brody. “I always laugh when the flight attendants on the airlines go through the procedure for water landings when we’re only going over land. I know it’s some regulation that they must follow no matter what. But in this case, we may need to know the information.”

  “Don’t worry about it. We won’t go down. But if we do, the life preserver will hold you up until—”

  As she held up her hand to stop him talking, a smile danced in her eyes. “I’m not concerned. It isn’t rushing water. When this is over with and I get wherever I’m to live, I’m going to take swimming lessons. Dog-paddling isn’t dignified. I should be able to do better than that. It’s about time I conquer a childhood fear.”

  “Is that a challenge for me to conquer mine?”

  “Not with me. Only with yourself. I’ll never know if you conquered it or not,” she said in a detached voice, then returned her attention to looking out the window.

  His throat closed. He clenched his jaws so tight that dull pain streaked down his neck. He wanted something different for Arianna, for both of them, but her fate was sealed when she’d witnessed Thomas Perkins’s murder. He was thankful she believed in the Lord. He would be with her and give her the added strength she would need to start over.

  “Do you know of a helicopter company with the letters CAR?” Brody asked the pilot, wanting to concentrate on the present—not the future.

  “The only one I can think of is a small outfit called Carson Transportation. Why do you want to know about them?”

  “We saw them flying over the fire area.”

  “They fly tourists and sometimes reporters to different places around here. They have a good reputation in Fairbanks.”

  Arianna looked at Brody. “So it might have been innocent.”

  “Maybe. Or maybe they didn’t know who they were dealing with.”

  Nearing land, Hal turned toward the north. Brody spied the runway up ahead, not long enough for large airplanes. The next few hours would be dicey. Lord, we need all Your help. People like Rainwater shouldn’t get away with murder.

  Arianna clutched the edge of her seat as the plane touched down, only releasing her grip as Hal taxied toward the small terminal.

  When Brody climbed from the plane, he offered Arianna his hand, not sure she would take it. But she did. The feel of it in his caused him to thank the Lord for getting them this far.

  Charlie joined them. “Gus said a white Chevy would be parked in the lot near the main building.”

  * * *

  At the car, Charlie searched under the back tire on the driver’s side. Rising, he held up a set of keys. Both Brody and Arianna slipped into the backseat while Charlie settled behind the steering wheel and star
ted the engine.

  As Charlie pulled out onto Airport Road, Brody said, “We need to get a change of clothing. If those two back at the wreck have been interviewed, Rainwater’s men may know what we’re wearing and how we’re disguised.”

  “Good point. I know just the place. I’ve been to Seward a couple of times so far this year. Besides, this is tourist season and everything is in full swing.”

  “I suggest we also find a place with makeup. I’ve been thinking we should age ourselves. It might help,” Arianna said.

  “Have you had any experience in doing that?” Brody asked as he kept his attention trained on what was going on around them. He felt Arianna’s presence next to him deep down—an awareness that went beyond the visual. He could be in a totally dark room and know she was there. Maybe it was her scent, but something he couldn’t explain linked him to her.

  “Yes, two years in high school and one in college. I loved working behind the scenes in stage productions.”

  Surprised by this new bit of information, Brody briefly skimmed his gaze over her before returning to his vigil. “I never would have thought you’d do that.”

  Her chuckle peppered the air. “You probably envisioned me as a tomboy growing up.”

  “You do have three brothers, and you’re the only girl in a family steeped in the military.”

  “My mother and grandma, true Southern belles, had a strong influence on me. I liked girly things.”

  “And yet you went into the army.”

  “Warrior by day and diva by night.”

  “That I’d like to see. Wait, I’ve seen the warrior part.”

  Arianna laughed again. “Then I’ll give you an aging diva. That ought to throw people off.”

  * * *

  Later when Brody escorted her to the Chevy, Arianna felt like a new person in a flowered dress with added padding in a couple of places to give the appearance of an extra thirty pounds. Heavy makeup had changed her with a few age spots on her face as well as wrinkles. Wearing a wig of gray hair, she’d aged herself by forty years. She curved her shoulders to give the effect she was humped over and used a cane. Her shuffling gait carried her slowly to the car. She waited until Brody opened the door.

  Once everyone was back in the car—a Chevy with Aurora Tours painted in black on the sides—she admired the look that Brody had come up with. He wore a ball cap with blond hair sticking out, hiding his dark color beneath. He’d sculpted a big belly that flowed over his belt. Wearing a light jacket, black shorts with white socks almost up to his knees and sandals, he looked the image of a tourist who hadn’t read about the cooler temperatures in Alaska even though it was the end of July.

  “Now all I have to do is touch up your face a little.” Arianna opened the bag with her jars, tubes and brushes. “This makes me feel like I’m back in high school, but I’m the drama teacher.”

  Charlie rotated around, wearing a gray wig, too, and a long moustache. His attire was similar to Brody’s. “Ready to go. There shouldn’t be any roadblocks—at least from law enforcement. Good thing you thought to have Gus get the higher-ups to call off looking for Arianna with roadblocks.”

  “So if we see one, we’ll know they’re Rainwater’s men. I doubt they would do that so close to Anchorage. Too easy for the real state troopers to come upon them.” Brody closed his eyes as she put light color foundation around them.

  “But they’ll have lookouts watching all the ways into Anchorage.” Arianna darkened the skin under his eyes to give him circles, then shaded his nose to make it more prominent.

  “Yeah, we can’t act suspicious either,” Charlie said from the front seat.

  When she finished the makeup job on Brody, she inspected her work. “You look good for an old man.”

  He patted his fake large stomach. “One who is definitely out of shape. Won’t be able to run a hundred-meter race in ten seconds.”

  She whistled. “That’s great for an amateur.”

  Brody puffed out his chest, which looked funny with the belly. “I’ll have you know I was on the track team in high school and college.”

  “So while I was a drama geek, you were a track star.”

  “I won’t say the star, but I did pretty good.” His gaze brushed over her. “And I can’t imagine you being a geek anytime.”

  “Oh, but I was. We moved so much I never felt I fit in anywhere. I was quite shy in high school. Being in drama allowed me to make up characters and become them. I even toyed with being a drama teacher once. Briefly.”

  “What changed your mind?”

  “A Jackson serves his, or in my case, her country. That is the tradition. Even my mother was a nurse in the army when she met my dad.”

  As Charlie left Seward, he increased his speed. Arianna relaxed to enjoy the scenery. This area had been on her list of places to explore after her job two months ago ended. Seward Highway was a scenic road meant to be taken slow with many stops to see what Alaska had to offer. But she hoped they didn’t stop at all. She would breathe easier when she was in the safe house in Anchorage—at least until tomorrow when they would leave for the courthouse.

  I’m in Your hands, Lord. I know You’re with me.

  Those thoughts gave her comfort. She’d done all she could—prepare and pray.

  As Charlie drove through a pass, mountains surrounded them, hemming them in, while steel-blue lakes dotted the terrain. In the sky an eagle soared near the water’s edge. Beautiful. Tranquil. She shoved down the yearning to spend time here. That could never be.

  Charlie decreased his speed. Arianna looked out the windshield as the traffic got thicker and slower.

  “I think there’s a wreck up ahead,” Charlie said in a tight voice. “I don’t like it one bit.”

  In another half-mile, the stream of cars came to a standstill. Brody leaned forward. “It looks like a semi on its side. That’s going to block traffic for a while.”

  “I feel like a duck sitting on a lake surrounded by hunters waiting for duck season to open,” Charlie said.

  Charlie’s image said it all. “That is what we are,” Arianna said, scanning the area and cars parked around them. People began getting out, talking to their neighbors stranded on the highway with them.

  Charlie drummed his hand against the steering wheel as more people poured out of their vehicles. “It’s going to look strange if you don’t get out, stretch and view the magnificent scenery.”

  A frown carved more lines into Brody’s face. “I know. Let’s give it a little time. Maybe they’ll move the truck soon.”

  Charlie craned his neck. “I think I see two down and this couldn’t have happened more than fifteen or twenty minutes ago because we’re close enough to see the wreck. This is tourist season so the traffic is thicker at this time.”

  “Great. I don’t want us to stay out too long. If we do, we need to minimize our interaction with others.”

  Arianna peered at the groups of people forming, talking. A couple of people opened the trunks of their vehicles and dug into a cooler then began passing around drinks. “This may turn into one big party. I think we need to mingle with the crowd. Few are staying in their cars.”

  “You two mingle. I’ll stand back and watch. That’ll fit with my role as tour guide,” Charlie said.

  Arianna turned to Brody. “We’ll be Ethel and Bob Manley in Alaska for the first time.”

  “You’re enjoying this,” Brody said, his frown deepening.

  “No, but we can make the best of this situation. Our disguises are good. We just have to act the part of an older couple who have been married for forty years.”

  “Where are we from? You’ve got everything else figured out,” he said with a smirk.

  She playfully hit his arm. “Don’t be a grouch.” Snapping her fingers, she smiled. “Better yet, be
an old grouch. A good role for you. I’ve dragged you to Alaska, and you didn’t want to come. We live in Florida. You’re rather be on a beach.”

  “Anything else?”

  “No, just go with the flow. And keep things simple.”

  “Yes, Ethel.”

  Charlie left the car and opened the door for Arianna.

  When Brody rounded the back of the car, she took his arm and strolled toward the side of the road, “Isn’t this beautiful? A lot better than a hot sandy beach.”

  “No,” he grumbled. “I’m too cold. They should plaster all over those tourist brochures how cold it is here.”

  “It’s not cold, Bob. I told you shorts weren’t needed. Besides, you have such bony knees.”

  Brody stopped and stared down at his legs. “I do not.”

  Arianna patted his arm. “Dear, let’s not argue. It’s a gorgeous day.” Not far from another couple, probably in their forties, she gave them a smile. “Are you two from Alaska?”

  “No, visiting like you. We couldn’t help overhearing.” The blond-haired woman stuck her hand out. “I’m Laura and this is my husband, Terry.”

  After they exchanged handshakes, Terry asked, “Did you take a cruise here? We just got off a ship. We’ll be flying out of Anchorage in a few days after we see this place.”

  Brody rocked back and forth on his feet. “Nope. Get seasick. I put my foot down when Ethel wanted to take a cruise to Alaska. We settled on flying here. We’re leaving Anchorage next week.”

  “What are y’all doing?” Laura asked, looking Arianna up and down as though checking her out. The couple seemed harmless, but she knew this could turn into a dangerous situation if they let their guard down. She’d seen it in the Middle East with suicide bombers.

  “Seeing the countryside. A couple days ago we went to Denali National Park so today we went down to Seward. On our way back to Anchorage.” She leaned more on her cane. “All this walking is taking a toll on my knees.”