by H. L. Wegley
26
6:45 AM. Monday, November 4th
When the van pulled out of Forks, Lee and Jennifer sat in the second seat with arms intertwined.
Jennifer looked back at the girls, and then rested her head on his shoulder.
He rested his head on hers. Her hair was soft against his cheek. “You did it, Jenn. Mission accomplished. You got the FBI involved, stopped the exchange, and saved the three girls sitting behind us.”
“But we didn’t catch Trader. I’m afraid he’ll move to a new location and continue his business. Speaking of the girls, look at them.”
“They’re all asleep.”
“But look how they’re sleeping. Katie’s got one arm around Mel and the other around Kirsten. Both of them are leaning on her. Isn’t she amazing?”
“She is. She’s got a big, strong heart. But Mel was pretty incredible, too. I didn’t have a clue she could draw like that.”
Jennifer yawned and nestled her head against his neck.
He caught her yawn. “A week ago Trader was virtually unknown. But after Mel’s sketch, he’ll probably make the FBI’s ten-most-wanted list. They’ll catch him.”
“I hope so. But about the girls. Mel’s and Kirsten’s families will pick them up in Seattle, and they’ll go home. It looks like I can take Katie for a few days, thanks to Peterson pulling some strings. But what’s going to happen to Katie over the long haul?” She raised her head and studied his face.
“Why don’t we see how it goes for the short-term first, and then—”
“You mean for the short-term, when we’re planning a wedding and while we’re on our honeymoon?” She smiled and once again nestled her head against his neck.
He ran his fingers through her hair. “Maybe the honeymoon would be a good time for her to get to know her great-granddad. It’s a quick way to give him the great-grandchild he asked for. You do remember his stipulation about our courtship?”
“Her great-granddad? You mean you would really consider it? It wouldn’t be for all that long. In three years she’ll be off to college and the nest would be empty.”
“Listen to what you’re saying. Do you really believe that we’ll have an empty nest in three years?”
“No, probably not. Katie might have a little sister by then. But we can decide about that after the honeymoon.”
“Jenn?”
“Yes?”
“There might not be any decision to make after the honeymoon.”
“Oh.…” Jennifer’s head popped up, and then a drowsy smile formed on her lips. She snuggled closer, put her head on his shoulder, and leaned against his neck. Her breathing became deep, slow, and regular.
As the van rolled along Highway 101, the predawn twilight revealed the wind-battered forest and the road surface littered with broken branches. The events of the long, stormy night rolled through his mind, more as emotions than pictures.
The despair his storm-battered heart had felt twelve hours ago fled, chased away to some far corner of the universe by God’s mercy and grace. Love moved in where hopelessness had dwelt, filling his heart until there was room for nothing else.
His heart felt full, but the love filling it came from an Infinite Source, so wouldn’t it always have room for another person? A person like Katie?
****
“Time to wake up. We’re on Third Avenue, almost to the field office.” Peterson’s voice pulled him out of some strange dream and back to reality.
Lee raised his head. His neck felt as flexible as a steel rod. He massaged it with his free hand and glanced down at his watch. 1:05 PM.
Jennifer raised her head from his shoulder and kissed his neck. She glanced back at the girls. “Look behind us.”
Fully awake, Katie sat with her arms draped around Kirsten and Mel.
He smiled at her. “We’re nearly home, Katie.”
At the word home, a frown formed on Katie’s brow. It vanished after a glance at Jennifer’s smile.
Mel and Kirsten opened their eyes, but left their heads resting on Katie.
Peterson twisted in his seat. “When we get to the field office, there will be media people shoving mikes in our faces and asking all sorts of unpleasant questions. All of you should refer them to the FBI to get their questions answered. If they persist, tell them until this investigation is concluded, they must get their information from the FBI. Do you understand? No answering media questions.”
Five heads nodded.
“Katie?” Peterson smiled at her.
Katie’s chin rose and her eyes brightened.
“Your caseworker, Mrs. Barnes, will be there to meet you.” Peterson refocused on Jennifer and him. “Jennifer, you and Lee need to go with Katie. Mrs. Barnes will want to talk to Katie and Jennifer. Because of an imminent wedding, if I heard correctly, she will need to talk to Lee, too. Katie, I spoke with Mrs. Barnes about an hour ago. Unless she uncovers some well-hidden skeletons in Jennifer’s closet—not likely considering the security clearance Jennifer holds—your home for the immediate future will be with Jennifer.”
“Thank you!” Katie leaned forward and threw an arm around Jennifer. She extended her free hand towards Peterson.
He took it and gave it a firm shake.
Kirsten yawned. “We’re happy for you.”
“Yeah,” Mel added. “Kirsten and I get to go back to our mom and dad. You get to live with Lee and Jenn. But I hope we can see each other, sometimes.”
Katie’s expression morphed to a serious frown. “I’ve been praying that’s also what Mrs. Barnes will say.”
“Why don’t we all do that together?” Lee scanned their faces.
Kirsten frowned and cocked her head. “You mean right here, right now?”
“Right here, right now.” He stretched out his arms. “Let’s huddle up as best we can.”
Five seatbelts clicked open. As the van rolled down 3rd Street, their heads met and five pairs of arms draped around adjacent shoulders.
Peterson looked back at the commotion. “Great. Now we have five traffic violations to add to this case.”
When Lee finished the prayer, Peterson’s voice boomed out. “Brace yourselves for the media blitz, everyone. Let me go first and try to fend off the vultures.” When Peterson stepped out of the van, numerous mikes were thrust up at him.
Lee surveyed the scene and immediately thought of the quills of a porcupine.
Peterson scanned the media for a few seconds. “I’m Special Agent Peterson, FBI. And I’m pleased to announce the three abducted girls are here, safe and unharmed, thanks in a large part to a pair of civilians who risked their lives to save the girls. Because the investigation is ongoing, all information given to the media will come from the FBI. Please restrain yourselves, ladies and gentlemen. These girls have been through a lot. Let us return them to their families now.”
Reporters shouted questions at them from all around the van.
“We’ve heard one girl has no family. Is that why she was targeted?”
“Is one of the girls really only eleven years old?”
“Have you caught all the perpetrators?”
Peterson raised his hand, palm outward. “The FBI will give you a statement later today summarizing all of the information we can release. No more questions, now.”
But Lee heard more questions. Hundreds more were flung at Jennifer, him, and the girls. Jennifer kept one hand tightly clamped on Katie’s hand while Lee gripped her other hand.
Like an offensive lineman, Peterson opened a path for the five people following him.
****
Jennifer entered the conference room and sat down across the table from Mrs. Barnes. Jennifer’s hands trembled. There was so much at stake, and all of it was beyond her control. She prayed silently, committing her relationship with Katie to God.
Mrs. Barnes stopped writing and looked up. “Katie can stay with you for the next few days. But what about Katie’s next three years as a minor? Would you really be happy being a twe
nty-six-year-old mother to a fifteen-year-old girl?”
No nonsense. Cuts right to the chase. It was a good sign.
“Mrs. Barnes, you and I both know Katie is much more than a fifteen-year-old girl. She’s extremely bright, mature. She’s very special. If you give me permanent custody of Katie, I’ll commit my lifetime to being a mother to her. I can give her the love she needs.”
“How can you be so sure after knowing her for such a short time?”
Jennifer needed to relax and think. Take a deep breath, girl, and blow it back out. “As a wise man once said, shared danger has a way of compressing time. I know as much about Katie now as if she lived in my home for months. Besides, when you commit to someone, you don’t ever walk away from the commitment. If things aren’t going well, you fix the relationship and continue.”
“I see. Off the record, Miss Akihara, are you a Christian?”
Where was this going? She had heard about people who despised Christians so much they enjoyed making their lives miserable. Many held positions of authority, like Mrs. Barnes.
“I’ve been a Christian for the past seven and one half months. What I told you about commitment—”
“Miss Akihara, I understand the basis of your commitment. It’s the Bible. I can’t put that in the official record, but I can mention how you define commitment. For Katie, I believe you will make a wonderful guardian.”
“Thanks for your confidence in me. I—”
“But there is another person I need to consider. Since you and Lee intend to marry soon, would you please ask Lee to join us? “
“Yes, ma’am.” Jennifer stood. “Mrs. Barnes?”
“Yes?”
“The definition of commitment I gave you…I first learned it from Lee, before he showed me it came from the Bible.”
“Thanks, Jennifer. If you’ll bring Lee now, we can finish the preliminaries.”
“You mean these aren’t the finals?”
“Unfortunately, they’re not. The finals consist of reams and reams of paperwork. I’ll introduce you to it, and then let you take some of it home.”
“Excuse me, while I find Lee.”
In the lobby there were hugs being exchanged between the three girls. Final hugs? She needed to hurry. “Mel, Kirsten, wait for me.”
“Jenn,” Mel sounded excited. “Lee said we should celebrate each November 4th as our anniversary.”
That was good, but she wanted to give them something even better. “That sounds great. But if your parents agree, I have an idea that might bring us together a lot more than once a year. I’ll call your folks if it looks like a go. Now, I need a hug from both of you.”
After their final hugs, both girls lingered in front of her, teary-eyed.
“Thanks for coming after us, Jenn.” Kirsten managed between breaks in her voice.
Mel turned and cried.
“Hey, girls. I’ll be in touch. You take care, and I promise we’ll see each other soon.” She gave them both an extra-long hug.
Two couples came into the room. Kirsten and Mel turned and ran. The joyful greetings with their parents were noisy and tearful, but love and relief were also evident.
Jenn turned away, knowing the girls were in good hands. Now it was Lee’s turn in the hot seat. “Lee, Mrs. Barnes wants to talk to both of us…together.”
“That’s interesting. What about Katie?”
“Yeah, what about me?”
“You have to wait outside until Mrs. Barnes is through with us.”
Katie grinned at her. “Can I listen through the door?”
“I don’t know. What do you think?”
Katie’s grin faded. “That she wouldn’t want me to.”
“And I’d say you’re probably right.”
“But is everything going OK, Jenn?”
“Don’t worry, everything will work out fine.”
Lee took Jennifer’s hand as they walked together into the room where the caseworker waited.
Mrs. Barnes looked up from the forms. “Let’s cut to the chase so we can get you two out of here. I heard you’ve been up for nearly forty-eight hours.”
“Four hours of sleep in the last seventy-two, if you don’t count the catnaps while we rode home in the van,” Lee said, unable to stifle a yawn.
The short lady looked from Jennifer to Lee. “How soon do you intend to marry?”
“As soon as possible.” They replied in unison.
A laugh escaped and Jenn reached for Lee’s hand.
Mrs. Barnes smiled politely. “Realistically, when can we expect a wedding?”
“In about four weeks.”
Lee pulled her close to him. “After what we’ve been through, we’re not waiting a second longer than we have to.”
Mrs. Barnes folded her hands on the stack of papers. “Are you planning a honeymoon?”
“Yes, three weeks in Maui, immediately after the wedding.” Lee covered another yawn with his hand.
This was news to her. “But, Lee, you told me you could only get off for two weeks.”
“I know, but I’m going to demand three. After what we’ve been through, I think Dale and Jerry will sacrifice a little to make it happen. We need some time together with no one shooting at us, running us off the road, bombing our car—”
“Goodness! You experienced all of that?” Mrs. Barnes gave him a wide-eyed frown.
Lee pursed his lips and nodded. “In the last eight months, yes.”
Mrs. Barnes’ frown transformed to a smile. “Are you sure Katie will be safe with you two?” She paused. “Tell me this. What happens to Katie during the honeymoon?”
This part was a slam dunk.
“Mrs. Barnes, Katie is going to acquire a great-granddad who wants great-grandchildren in the worst way. When he approved our courtship he—”
“So you two are doing the old-fashioned courtship thing?” The little lady raised her eyebrows. “No living together before the marriage?”
Lee put his arm around Jennifer. “Yes, we are. Courting, that is. That means nothing inappropriate until we’re married, which will make everything appro—”
Jenn stuck an elbow in his ribs.
Mrs. Barnes grabbed her pencil and scribbled something on a form. “That answers several questions for me. But back to the great-grandfather. Tell me about him.”
Lee spoke first. “He lives about two hours south of here. He wants great-grandchildren as soon as possible. It was one condition of the courtship.”
“That you have a child now?” The caseworker’s eyebrow rose.
“No.” Jennifer laughed and shook her head, “Only that we don’t postpone having children.”
Lee chuckled. “He has a sixth-degree black belt in karate. He said he’d kick my head into orbit if I ever hurt Jennifer. If Katie wants to learn, he can teach her all the self-defense a woman needs in those three weeks.”
“How old is, uh, is it Mr. Akihara?”
“It is,” Jennifer answered. “And Granddad is seventy-two, but he hardly looks a day over fifty.”
Mrs. Barnes turned to Lee.
“Lee, tell me what is your general perception of Katie? Who do you think she is?”
“Katie’s a very intelligent young lady. She’s strong physically, strong in spirit, and she has a huge heart. She cares for people. She’s also a very beautiful young lady. That made her a target. It will probably create problems for her throughout her teenage years, but she’s a person I would trust with my life. In fact, I did that this weekend.”
The caseworker’s eyebrows rose at his last statement.
“Lee, tell me what you think Katie needs?”
“Katie needs to be loved by her parents and trusted enough to be given significant responsibility. She needs to be needed, and she thrives on coming through in the clutch. I’ve seen it. She also needs a father figure who will protect her from what I’ve already alluded to. And…Katie needs to know how much God loves her. I don’t think she knows that yet.”
; “Lee, Jennifer, thank you for your candor in answering my questions. Will you both please step out for a moment and send Katie in?”
He stood, took Jennifer’s arm, and led her to the door. When he opened it, Katie stood to the side of the door, out of Mrs. Barnes’s sight.
“Were you listening?” He grinned at her.
Katie smiled and mouthed silently back, “Would I do that?”
“Get in there, you rascal.”
What did Mrs. Barnes want to ask Katie at this juncture? Had she or Lee said something that alarmed her?
“Katie Lloyd, are you coming?” Mrs. Barnes’s voice called from inside the door.
****
Jennifer waited for Katie, her child, to walk out of the caseworker’s temporary office. This was a new kind of fear for her. No one was going to blow her away with an assault rifle, but they could blow away her hopes and dreams, or fulfill them, with a single document.
When Katie scampered out of the room, the joy on her face ended Jennifer’s fear.
“Mrs. Barnes said I can stay with you—soon with both of you. She said she’ll make sure I never have to move again, except with you.”
Lee squished both of them in a hug.
Peterson walked their way. “Looks like you three got some good news. Well, I’ve got some more good news for you. The Coast Guard stopped a freighter in American waters off the coast, near Lake Ozette. They boarded the vessel and found one container configured to hold human cargo. We think the ship’s captain may be involved in the trafficking operation. If so, we may be able to dismantle part of the international organization Trader worked with. Who knows, maybe we can find out what happened to some other girls.”
Thoughts of the trafficking erased Jennifer’s smile. “We’ll be praying for that to happen.”
“Yes, we will,” Katie added.
Katie praying? It was a good start.
Jennifer’s smile returned. No, it was a great start.