Witness to a Murder

by J Hamilton-Fford

  'You're not going to faint on me again if I tell you?'

  'No, you can tell me... just give it to me straight,' I said.

  'Well, yes, Jon is alive and well... but...'

  'So where is that husband of mine?'

  'He's not here. He's involved in an undercover operation, working for us,' she said.

  'What! Where... who?'

  'He's in deep after worming his way inside the Carbinicci syndicate,' she said, passing one of the glasses of brandy toward me. 'He's still alive, or at least he was yesterday when I spoke to him.'

  'You've seen him? Did he ask about me, about the children?'

  'He said you'd react like this,' she said with a laugh. 'Yes, he asks every day about you and the kids... all the time.'

  'Oh goodness me, you have so made my day, my year, my life even,' I said. I rose from the chair intent on giving her a hug and had to sit back down again as the room tilted slightly. 'Thank you so much,' I said as the realization of what she'd revealed finally struck home and the tears began to flow like a waterfall.

  'There you go, just let it out,' Miriam empathized. She supported me as I released the pent up stress I'd kept hidden inside, finally mourning the death, and now the rebirth of my beloved husband. 'I thought this might happen. Here, take this tissue,' she said as she pulled a handful of tissues from a box on her desk.

  'So, you've got to tell me everything, Miriam,' I said, sniffling and blowing into the tissues. 'You know, the who, how and why,' I demanded.

  It was as if that dark cloud had finally been lifted, that veil of uncertainty that seemed to shroud everything I did. I'm not so sure which was the better of the two, burying him or knowing that he was working with the FBI on the Carbinicci case.

  'I can't tell you a lot,' Miriam said. 'When he came to New York to face Max Menotti, Carlos was waiting and gave him an ultimatum. So, Jon phoned an ex-military buddy who put him in touch with the FBI and, once we took a look at his Special Forces training and his background, we knew he would be perfect to infiltrate the syndicate. So, we faked his death, gave him a valid persona, orchestrated a doorway and he slowly became part of the whole scene reporting back to us at different increments and a variety of ways so his cover wouldn't be blown.'

  'Yes, well that does sound like Jon,' I said.

  'No one ever expected you to come to New York, though,' Miriam said. 'When Max told Carlos that you were coming, Carlos had to 'handle' you, too. He fabricated the murder you saw on the first day...'

  'That's why there was no news about it. But, fabricated it? How? I saw a man fall to his death.'

  'You forget Carlos' connections to the theater, construction, and police.'

  'Now, it all makes sense,' I said. 'When can I see him again?'

  'I thought you might ask that,' Miriam said. 'You'll have to wait a little longer. He is nearly finished with this mission and then we can reunite you.'

  'When?'

  'As soon as possible, I promise.'

  I sat quietly lost in my thoughts.

  'Louise, are you okay?' Miriam asked.

  'Yes. We need to get busy, don't we?'

  'If you're ready. Let's get to work on the new you,' Miriam suggested.

  'I'm ready.'

  Shifts

  It was already late afternoon when we all finally gathered together ready to go through the itinerary one more time before we would be an integral part of the program.

  There was no going back. This was it as far as our life was concerned. Anything beyond this point would be under an assumed name, a past created by someone sat behind a desk and with yet still more data to consume until it was ingrained on each of our memories, just as everyone would expect it to be.

  This was going to be harder than any of us first imagined. Both Faerys and Alasdair took to the new identities, birth years, dates, other significant points they were instructed to assume. I, on the other hand, kept reverting back to what I already knew and the skin I was supposed to have shed.

  'I will get there, somehow,' I promised Miriam as we hugged for the last time.

  'Oh, Wow! Mom, your hair,' Faerys said. 'I love the glasses, too! Now you actually look like a Mom.' She smiled.

  'Okay, this is the part where we say our goodbyes,' Miriam announced.

  'Listen, if you hear any news about... you know. You will let me know... remind him that I love him... dearly,' I said. I smiled and tried my hardest not to get all emotional again.

  'I will, I promise,' she smiled, clutching both my hands in hers.

  'What's that Mom?' Faerys asked. 'Are you talking about Poppa Jon?'

  I looked at her, bit my lip, nodded my head and tried my best not to cry.

  'Whew! I'm so glad you finally know,' she said.

  'What do you mean, finally know?' I asked. 'When did you know?

  'We knew before we joined you in New York,'she said. 'We were told loads before we left but we couldn't tell you because we knew your behavior would change and that couldn't happen if we were going to be able to be finished with Carbinicci.'

  'What was that, did I miss something?' Alasdair asked.

  'You missed the bit where you tell me that Jon's alive,' I said. 'Okay, okay... I don't blame you. I understand you were between a rock and a hard place and I was stuck between bigger rocks and in harder places so...'

  'Time to roll people!' Rajesh quietly shouted. He was eager to get the show on the road.

  'What about Rota, don't we get to say a final farewell?' I asked.

  'She's no longer here with us,' he said. 'She is already enjoying her new identity, en-route to a new start in life.'

  'Have a good trip,' Glinda said. The Assistant Director smiled and shook our hands before turning to walk away from us.

  'Okay, this way everyone and don't forget to leave your visitor passes at reception on the way out,' Rajesh said. He watched as we each unclipped our passes and placed them one by one on the desk. We left the confines of the office and then walked to the elevator that would take us down to the basement parking lot.

  The elevator doors finally opened to reveal the underground car park area and the black paneled van that would afford us a safe passage to wherever we were going. It seemed strange, surreal in fact. However, once the van doors were opened, the plush, comfortable, seating inside beckoned us to alight. Our bags were already loaded in the rear of the vehicle, something that I'd forgotten all about when we handed everything over to the agency. I smiled. At least we were not leaving empty-handed and with nothing to show for all the stress we had endured.

  I now know what it must feel like for those secret service agents who drive around in vehicles with blacked-out windows. I'm not too sure that they would appreciate having imprints of children's hands plastered all over the glass, or an impression of a runny nose that Philo delighted in extending with a finger.

  I must admit, my heart skipped a beat every time I saw a black Lincoln limo, fearing that it might contain Carbinicci's henchmen. Thankfully, it was just my own irrational fear. None of us, other than the agents, had the slightest idea of where we were headed and, after a brief drive through the city, we were soon heading west aboard a privately chartered Lear jet.

  'Can I ask where we are headed?' I asked Rajesh.

  'Did the Director not tell you?' he questioned. 'I'm sorry,' he apologized. 'We're headed toward Trenton, Missouri. That will be your new location until we can finalize the case against Carbinicci,' he said. 'It's going to be a while before we get there, so try and get some shuteye,' he added with a smile.

  I rested my head, adjusting my seat so that I could get comfortable. The last rays of the sun lit the horizon as I looked out of the window. The lights of the city reminded me of a spider's web glistening with the morning dew captured in its web. Beautiful! The sky was tinged a reddish-orange with golden shards of light. It made me squint slightly as the plane chased after the distant horizon.

  I woke refreshed and ready to face the next stage of the journey.
I was just glad to be free!

  I looked out of the little window to find that we were in an airplane hangar. It took me a moment to orient myself and, as my eyes adjusted, I sat up and looked around.

  Rajesh was keeping the children entertained and Faerys and Alasdair... er, Phoebe and Alex as they were now known, were still sleeping.

  'Lyla. Lyla,' Rajesh whispered.

  It took me a moment to realize he was speaking to me. 'Oh, yes, Rajesh?'

  'Good morning, Lyla. We've landed at a private airport just outside of Kansas City, Missouri and, as soon as everyone is awake, we will do the drive to Trenton. If you're hungry, there's some juice, a croissant and some soft fruit for you over on the sideboard,' he said. He gestured to the back of the cabin.

  'Thanks, Raj,' I said. 'What time is it?'

  'It's eight-thirty, Lyla.'

  'Really? I haven't slept that late in...'

  Raj laughed. 'Yes, it's good to have a lie-in, isn't it? Get some breakfast. We'll wake the others at nine if they aren't already up by then.'

  'Thanks, Raj.' I poured a glass a juice and picked up the newspaper. 'I could really use a cup of... Raj! What is this about?'

  Raj looked up at me from where he was seated. Noting the paper in my hand, he said, 'Oh, that. Nothing to worry about, Lyla. You will all need to see it to understand it fully and I'll explain once everyone is awake.'

  'I'm awake,' Phoebe said. 'Explain what?'

  'What's in the paper,' I said. 'We are all, apparently, dead and 'Julie MacKenzie' has been entrusted with our respective estates. Miriam never looked better.'

  'What?' Phoebe asked.

  'What's up,' Alex asked, as he rubbed sleep from his eyes.

  'Wow, when you all get going it doesn't take long, does it?' Raj asked. 'Why don't you all grab some juice and a croissant and fresh fruit. The kids are awake and, before we go further, I'll answer your questions about the paper and our next steps, okay?'

  'Fine by me,' Alex said. 'I'm going to go to the head and wash my face.'

  Phoebe grabbed a cup of juice and a croissant. She sat next to Lyla and began looking at the paper with her.

  'Wow!' Phoebe exclaimed. 'Look at that! Look Aunt Lynn is there and Jim, the sheriff, and...'

  'Yes,' Raj said. 'We brought in a contingent of family and friends to make it as real as possible.'

  'What? So, who died?' Alex asked. He grabbed a croissant and a cup of juice and joined us. I passed the paper to him.

  'We had to make it look as though you had all died in a terrible accident,' Raj answered. 'Julie, who you all know as Miriam, is handling your estates to make certain all will be well and you can all be cared for while you're in protection and then when you are subsequently released.'

  'So who really died?' I asked.

  'No one,' Raj answered. 'Those urns are full of dust and bits of concrete. We made certain there was no viewing of the bodies and told everyone that we had only DNA to rely upon for identification and reports from witnesses who saw the accident happen. Those witnesses are all federal agents.'

  'Cool,' Alex said.

  'I know our story and our back story,' I said. 'I don't know how or when this will all be put behind us. What are we looking at as a time line, Raj? I'd like to have a rough idea.'

  'These cases can take anywhere from one to five years to complete, give or take three to five years.'

  'That long, huh?' I said. 'Really?'

  'Sometimes longer, sometimes not. Lyla, I know that wasn't what you wanted to hear but it takes a while to get the hard evidence in hand and to make sure no stone is left unturned,' he said.

  'Right, we better get on and make the most of it,' I suggested.

  'Okay then,' Raj said. 'Gather your gear and let's decant to the van.'

  We descended the steps of the plane to a bevy of vans, trucks and a car. Hot coffee waited for us in the hangar office and we enjoyed a cup as we waited for the team to load up and get ready to mobilize.

  It was time. We had committed to a new life, a shift, a new start and a new home. Adventure was waiting!

  New Life

  'Where have you guys moved from?' she asked.

  It was the most common question we were asked and the answer was always the same.

  'Texas,' I said.

  'You don't sound Texan,' she said. She continued to pack the groceries into the bags as I explained.

  'We're not Texan,' I said. 'My husband is in the military, as is my daughter's husband. We're just setting up a place to call home once they are back from operations overseas. My son is joining us, too.'

  'Oh. Well, this is a good place for that... setting up home, that is,' she said. 'Not much happens around here and folks are friendly and pretty peaceful.'

  'That's what we're hoping for... a little peace and some good neighbors.'

  'Well you all are making quite a ruckus with all the goings on happening at the big house you bought,' she said.

  'I know,' I said. 'It won't be for much longer. We just have three households we're moving into one and getting the farm ready... well, we are being given plenty of help from our military family.'

  'Well, if you need anything, you can come right here to get it,' she said. 'I know everyone in this community and we're always happy to help.'

  'Thank you.' I stopped a moment to take her hands and look her in the eye. 'You've been so very helpful. I really appreciate it.'

  'Awww...' she said, blushing. She gently pulled her hands from mine. 'You better get on with your day if those little ones are going to get any dinner.'

  It wasn't long after that encounter that we began receiving invitations and one of our neighbors threw a hog roast to help feed our family and all the 'military friends' helping us get settled. Americans were good at that: making newcomers feel welcome.

  It felt so wrong to lie to them. Yet, it was so easy.

  What surprised me the most was that not one single person recognized me, not one. Don't the people around here read books for heaven's sake? I even went to the local library with Phoebe. Our books were there, as was my picture, on the jacket. Maybe it's a good thing no one recognized me. I'm being silly, I know. I could maybe have said, 'Oh yes, she does look a little like me.' But no, not even a whisper, even when I inquired about one particular book with the librarian. The woman was obviously blind. Blind as a bat!

  Thankfully, we had plenty to keep us busy. For the first few months, we had a bevy of agents around us and in the community.

  Once they were happy all would be well and once we had security measures set up in the house and on the farm, they slowly began to fade away.

  Of course, Rebecca, the agent who spoke with me at the FBI, popped in from time-to-time to clarify bits of information, retrieve memories and to update us on the case. Everyone in the community thought she was my niece. It worked.

  Miriam was too busy to simply drop by so that we could catch up on old times, but she did write. Rebecca delivered her letters to us directly. They were a source of encouragement and we were able to keep abreast with all that was happening in New York through the various newspaper cuttings she always included.

  We didn't have time to stop and take it all in as we were raising two very active children and immersing in the community. I took on a role as a teacher's assistant in the local elementary school. Phoebe stayed home and managed the household and the farm. Alex put his skills to use at a local manufacturing facility. He was helped them update their distribution channels and turn around their flagging sales. We had settled and had assumed our new identities with ease.

  A great thing about life on a farm is the experience of the seasons and the ebb and flow of life in a small and compact time capsule. We had been here for a little over two years. Summer had just arrived. Vegetables and animals grew and we watched nature settle into warm and languid days.

  We were, perhaps, unready for the news we received when it finally did come our way.

  'You've got to come home, now!' Phoebe ex
claimed. She had phoned me at work.

  'Are you okay?'

  'Yes, but you've got to come home, now!' she said.

  'I'll have to get cover and pick up the kids and...'

  'We'll pick up the kids when their school day is out,' Phoebe said. 'Just come home now.'

  'Okay,' I said. 'I'll be home soon.'

  I arranged for another teacher's aide to cover for the rest of my day and drove home. I noticed Alex's vehicle in the drive as I parked.

  'Phoebe!' I yelled, as I entered the house.

  'In here, Mom,' she said.

  I put down my bag and hung my jacket on the coat rack. I entered the kitchen and picked up a mug for a cup of coffee. 'What's up?' I asked.

  'This,' she said. She passed the newspaper my way.

  I put the mug down and took a look.

  Alex put a chair under me so I could sit down. A reassuring hand was placed on my shoulder as I read the headlines.

  I couldn't believe what I was reading. I didn't realize I was crying until Phoebe handed me tissues.

  'It's okay, Mom,' she said. 'It's over, now.'

  I couldn't say a word. I just stood up, dropped the paper and hugged them both close to me. We had a good cry together. It was such a release.

  'Thank you,' I said. 'Thank you for calling me and thank you both for being here.'

  'It's great news, isn't it?' Phoebe asked.

  'Yeah, we can go back to who we were now, can't we?' Alex asked.

  'It is great news,' I said. 'But I don't know how we will ever go back to being who we were.'

  Silence hung in the air as we reflected on possibilities.

  'Let's get cleaned up and look at what this article really says,' I said. 'There may be clues in it that we need to pick up. You know what Miriam is like. I'm sure she knew we'd see this.'

  'Good idea,' Phoebe said.

  I left the paper on the table and we all went to our rooms to wash our faces, cool off and breathe for a bit.

  The phone rang as I entered the kitchen again.

  'Hello,' I said, as I picked up the receiver.

  'Lyla?'

  'Miriam?'

  'I'm so glad I reached you,' Miriam said. 'It's been too long. Are you all there?'