WITNESS PROTECTION 02: The Baby Rescue

by Margaret Daley

  Lisette grabbed her purse from the locker assigned to her, noting that Hannah’s was two down from hers. Maybe later she would see if she could get into it and find out if there was anything that would help the case. In the meantime, she would pump Hannah for information concerning the clinic. Personal info would have to wait.

  Lisette followed Hannah into the café, choosing a salad and can of pop from the choices. This restaurant wasn’t anything like Maxie’s. It catered to busy medical staff that came in and often took their food and drink with them, but there were some tables and chairs set up for the ones who wanted to eat there. Hannah grabbed the one with a view out the front window onto the parking lot.

  “What I like about this café is that the prices are right and the food isn’t bad.” Hannah took the seat that faced the entrance, leaving Lisette with her back to it.

  Lisette avoided facing away from the door in an establishment. The vulnerable sensation of that position whipped down her length, making her go tense.

  “Relax. We have plenty of time to eat. This was a good suggestion, Lisa.” Hannah used the name Lisette was working under—Lisa Mills.

  Lisette scanned the ten-table restaurant and said, “Yes. It’s nice getting away from work. Breaks up the day. I saw the list of patients coming in this afternoon. I thought this morning was busy, but it looks worse after lunch.”

  “Yep.” Hannah took a sip of her Coke. “Thursdays are just as bad.”

  “Tell me about Dr. Vincent. We mostly seem to work for him. Do we ever help with Dr. Martin’s patients?”

  “Not usually unless there’s a shortage and we have the time to help cover. It happens a couple of times a month.”

  “Dr. Vincent was great with the patients this morning. He takes the time to listen to them.”

  “He’s trying to fulfill their dreams of having a child. He’s dedicated to that.”

  “It sure is needed. I had a good friend who couldn’t have a baby and desperately wanted one. She ended up adopting a little girl from Russia. Another one used the services of a fertility clinic like this one. I was excited to get this opportunity. I know how much it meant to them to be able to have a child.”

  “Personally I don’t see the lure of being a parent, but I’m glad others do. This is a great job working with Dr. Vincent.”

  “Thanks, Hannah. I’ve enjoyed this. It beats eating by myself.”

  “We’ll have to do something after work one day this week.” Hannah’s gaze latched on to something behind Lisette. Hannah stiffened and moved so Lisette blocked her view from someone coming into the restaurant.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Dr. Freeman just came in. His receptionist usually comes to get his food. He’s not too happy with me.”

  Lisette scooted her chair over to block Hannah better. “It’s not fun dodging someone at work. Who’s Dr. Freeman? What happened?”

  “I wanted to go to a masquerade charity ball and didn’t have the money to pay for the ticket. Dr. Freeman’s office is in this building and I’ve seen him around. He’s been asking me out for a while now, and I knew he was going so I accepted. But he isn’t the guy for me.”

  Lisette chuckled. “I’ve been there before. Once I went out on a blind date and had to cut the evening short with an excuse I was sick to my stomach.”

  “Were you?”

  “No, unless you call the roiling in my stomach from listening to his constant bragging being ‘sick,’ then yeah.”

  Hannah laughed and when she realized how loud she was, clapped her hand over her mouth and ducked farther behind Lisette. She once did have a blind date who sang his attributes all night long. She’d learned if she ever posed as someone else to keep what she told as close to the truth as possible. And so far she’d been able to.

  A minute later, Dr. Freeman stopped at the table, his attention focused on Hannah. “It’s nice to see you. Did you ever find your sheep?” A tight thread wove through his words.

  “Nope, still lost.” Hannah picked up her sandwich and took a big bite.

  Grumbling something under his breath, he turned to leave. Lisette dropped her head so he couldn’t see her face and stuff a forkful of lettuce into her mouth.

  When he disappeared, Hannah giggled. “I told him at the ball I went looking for my sheep I lost instead of spending the night dancing with him. Needless to say, I took a taxi home that night.”

  “You’re bad,” Lisette said with a laugh, hoping Dr. Freeman didn’t see her enough to recognize her from the ball. He was pretty drunk and probably didn’t remember her helping him. “What’s this about sheep? What did you dress as?”

  “Little Bo Peep. There weren’t a lot of costumes left that I could fit into. I’m tiny. So many things have to be hemmed when I go shopping.”

  “I have the opposite problem. I have long legs. If it fits on top, it often doesn’t in the length.” As much as Lisette would love to talk about the ball and more things involving why she was here, she didn’t want to press too much and raise suspicion, so the rest of the lunch, she and Hannah discussed clothes, then got on the subject of Denver as they were leaving.

  At the door Lisette halted. “I forgot to leave a tip.”

  “You don’t have to. It’s not like they wait on us.”

  “Yes, but the food was good and they will have to clean up the table. I used to work as a waitress and know how little they’re paid. I’ll catch up with you on the stairs.”

  Hannah shrugged. “Suit yourself. It’s your money.”

  Lisette made sure that Hannah left before she snatched up the soda Hannah drank from and stuck it in a paper bag and then into her big purse. Today was a success—there would be fingerprints on the can. Colton would be able to match it with the ones at the house.

  * * *

  “You two are becoming quite the regular customers. This is the fourth night you’ve eaten dinner here.” Maxie grinned. “Do you need these menus?”

  “Actually, I’d like to try something different this evening.” Colton took one from Maxie. “What Lisette ordered last night looked delicious so I’m going to have that but―” he paused, giving Lisette the menu “―she’s the more adventurous type and wants to get something new tonight, too.”

  Maxie winked. “My kind of gal. You can’t go wrong with anything here, but then I guess I’m partial to this café.”

  Lisette laughed and without looking at what was offered said, “Surprise me. After the long day I’ve had, I don’t have the energy to try and decide.”

  When the owner of the café left, Colton covered Lisette’s hand on the table. He studied her tired eyes. “You okay?”

  “It’s hard being someone you’re not, and today I couldn’t find out anything to help find Baby C. We were so busy, we barely had time to grab lunch, let alone talk. I did get to check Hannah’s work area when I went for a chart. I didn’t find anything to help us. Did you get a match from the soda can I gave you last night?”

  “Yes, Hannah Adams and Harriet Peabody are the same person. We altered a photo of Hannah to match what Harrison told us about the woman who hired him, put it in a photo array and he picked Hannah’s photo out. See if tomorrow you can get into her locker. We’re checking her phone records and financial ones. If I can find something we can use against her, she might turn on Saunders.”

  “How about the two doctors who run the clinic? Anything pointing to either one?”

  Colton paused for a moment while Maxie brought them decaf coffee, then when she was gone again he said, “Nothing so far and we’re digging into their records, too.”

  “It could be just Hannah. She has expensive taste. I know she gets a good salary with the clinic, but she’s living above her means from what I’ve gathered from the staff and Hannah. Sometimes I feel like I’m back in high school. Those ladies like to gossip.”

  “Josh McCall is coming tomorrow. They found a tracker in the car I drove to the airport in St. Louis, right where Saunders was sitting. It was
stuffed down in the cushion at the back of the seat. They took another look at the three guys involved in the crash. Two were cleared, but the man in the Mustang has disappeared. He thinks it’s the same person who turned out the lights in the ballroom. He’s bringing what they have on him.”

  “Can’t he email it to us?”

  “Yes, but I think Josh is upset they didn’t find anything wrong with the man when they checked into him the first time. He had a good cover. He did work at the hospital.”

  Lisette snapped her fingers. “Another medical connection. If he’s here, I wonder if Hannah knows the man. I wish we had a clear photo of him rather than a sketch. Other than the two doctors, we don’t have any males working at the clinic. But Shirlee is dating a guy who works in a medical lab in the building.”

  “Is Hannah dating anyone?”

  “She hasn’t indicated anyone, but she’s receiving calls and texts throughout the day.”

  “Saunders?”

  “Maybe.” Lisette smiled at Maxie, inhaling a deep breath. “It smells wonderful. What are you surprising me with?”

  “My beef stew.”

  “Not buffalo stew?” Lisette said with a chuckle.

  “No, this is beef. This will put some weight on your bones. You could blow away in a blizzard, child.”

  Lisette’s cheeks flamed. “I’ve been so busy I forget to eat, but I’m going to enjoy this.”

  Maxie placed Colton’s plate in front of him. “Here’s your chicken-fried steak with tons of gravy and mashed potatoes.”

  When Maxie left, Colton cut a piece of meat, slid it into his mouth and chewed. “Delicious. I’m surprised you didn’t order it again tonight.”

  “Contrary to you, I like variety at least in my food.”

  “But not where you live? Is that what you’re saying?”

  “For a guy who likes to eat the same thing over and over, I’m surprised you like to move so often.”

  His mouth tilted up in a grin. “I can’t be too predictable. That would be boring.”

  “Oh, I don’t think you need to worry about that.” Lisette scooped up some of the stew. “Let’s talk about something other than the case. I’ve been living and breathing it until it even occupies my dreams.”

  “Am I in your dreams?” Colton teased, but realized after the question was out that he wanted to know the answer.

  She ducked her head. “You’re part of the case.” When she lifted her chin and ate a bit of her dinner, a rosy tint brushed the tops of her high cheekbones.

  The fact he was in her dreams intrigued him. She’d been in a fair share of his dreams in the past week, but he wasn’t going to admit that because his never involved the case. One was with Lisette and him finding Baby C. She gave him the child to hold and suddenly he was staring at a baby who looked exactly like he did when he was an infant. When he peered at Lisette, he caught sight of her wedding band, a match to the one on his left hand. He woke up. He’d never dreamed of being married, let alone being a father.

  “Colton!”

  He blinked. “What?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing.”

  But the tug of her mouth downward shouted the opposite. “Sorry. I was thinking about...”

  “What?”

  “Nothing. Did you say something?”

  “It’s not important.” She concentrated on what she was eating as though that were the only thing that mattered.

  Sitting next to her, Colton touched her arm. “I’m sorry. I got sidetracked.”

  “A day off. What’s that?”

  “Something I plan to take when this is over. What were you talking about?” He focused totally on her.

  “I called my mother last night.”

  “You did? What happened? Did you talk long?”

  “No. I had to leave a message, but I’m going to try again when this is over with.”

  “Why not tonight?”

  Lisette picked up her coffee and took several sips. “Now that I think about it, there’s too much going on for the conversation I want to have with her.”

  “What if she calls you?” Colton ate some mashed potatoes drenched in cream gravy.

  “I don’t think she will. We parted on bad terms. I...” Her voice came to a shaky stop. She swallowed hard. “I was so furious with her that I actually think I did something I didn’t think I could. I hurt my mother’s feelings.”

  “You can’t hurt someone unless they care.”

  Lisette’s eyes grew round. “I remember that look she gave me before getting in the car and driving away. We’d just fought, so we were both angry, but that wasn’t what was in her expression. She seemed sad for a moment, then turned away. That’s the last time I saw her in six years. She tried calling a few times, and I didn’t return her calls.” She released the spoon she held, and it clanged into the nearby empty bowl. “I haven’t thought about that day in years because it always left me feeling upset...vulnerable. There was a time I thought my mom could do no wrong and I wanted to be just like her. She shattered that, and I couldn’t forgive her, but there are times I wondered if there was more to the story than I was told.”

  “You owe it to yourself to find out.” The ashen cast to Lisette’s features highlighted her anguish at the memory. Colton wanted to hold her, comfort her, but not in a restaurant full of people. “Let’s leave. I’ll take you home.”

  Tears glistening in her eyes, she nodded and prepared to leave while he paid the bill. In the short ride to her apartment, silence hung in the air. It took all his willpower to keep from pulling over and drawing her to him. He felt the hurt as if it were a palpable force swirling around in the car.

  After parking, he exited his Jeep and hurried around to open her door. She was halfway out by the time he arrived and lifted her gaze to his. She’d managed to gather her composure while he drove her home, but he knew from experience it was only buried beneath layers of protectiveness. He was an expert at that.

  He took her hand and headed for the front of the building.

  “We’ve been through this before. I can walk myself to my apartment.” There was none of the teasing tone from the night before.

  “I know. It’s not for you but me. I’d worry.”

  “Haven’t you said that you’re in God’s hands? So am I.”

  “For myself, I don’t worry. For others, I do.”

  She chuckled.

  He loved hearing that sound in the crisp winter night. At the elevator he punched her floor, and the doors immediately swished open. “Things must be going our way. No waiting.”

  A minute later Colton stood in front of her apartment and didn’t want to say good-night until he knew she was all right. “I normally don’t interfere in other people’s business, but I’m going to break one of my rules. Call your mother again. Maybe she was gone last night. Or maybe you’ll have to call her several times to get your point across that you want to talk to her.”

  One corner of her mouth lifted. “I’m stubborn, but my mother is twice as stubborn as I am.”

  “How important is this to you?”

  “I need to do it. The Lord has been right all along. I need to take care of my past, or I’ll never be able to be completely happy in my future.”

  “What if you do get ahold of her and you tell her you have forgiven her and she refuses to accept it? What if she’s still angry with you?”

  “Well, then at least I will have done what I needed to do. I can’t control her response, only what I do.”

  He framed her face, looking again into those glittering eyes. “It’s okay to cry. I’m not one of those men who can’t take a woman crying. It can be good for you.”

  “Who said I was going to cry?” Her voice quavered.

  He touched the corners of her eyes, and one tear rolled down her cheek. “That.”

  “What have you done to me? I don’t cry.”

  He folded his arms around her and pressed her against his chest. She wept softly. He kissed the top of her hea
d, trying to impart his caring. The sound of her tears cracked the stone wall around his heart, and one by one the blocks crumbled into dust. He stopped short at the thought he was vulnerable again. He’d promised himself he never would be after he realized he’d never find a family like he’d had before his mother died.

  She leaned back, staring up into his face. “You are bothered. You tensed.” She tried to pull away.

  He locked his arms about her and said, “No, it’s not you.”

  “Then who?”

  “Me. I want you, but I’m not a forever kind of guy. I’d better go.” He dropped his arms away and began to turn.

  She clutched him. “Wait.” Drawing his head around, she stood on tiptoes and whispered her lips across his mouth, then quickly swung around and moved inside.

  Colton stood frozen in the hallway, staring at her door. He reached up to knock, curling his hand into a fist, but at the last second changed his mind. This was better. What did he know about a long-term relationship?

  * * *

  Why in the world had she kissed him? Because she had wanted to all night. She’d exposed her emotions to him, more than she had to anyone. Why him? Why now?

  She tossed her purse onto the small table in the entry hall, then made her way to her phone to check her messages before she toyed with Colton’s idea of calling her mother again. He was right. She should.

  She had five messages on her answering machine—all from the same number, her mother’s. She listened to the last one. “Lisette, this is your mom. I’m returning your call. Please call when you come in.”

  Please. Her mother had rarely said that word, especially those last years before she’d been removed from the FBI. Has she changed? Or am I reading too much into a word?

  Her hand trembled as she picked up the phone and punched in her mother’s phone number. “Mom, I just got in.”

  “Lisette? You sound different from when I talked to you last.”

  The tears she’d begun to shed in the hallway returned, blurring her vision. She closed her eyes, hoping to keep them inside. “How are you?”

  “Good. I was glad to see you called me yesterday.”