Double Cross

by DiAnn Mills

  “The first place Morton visited upon his release was Pastor Emerson’s office. He expressed a commitment to make up for past crimes and vowed to help the FBI in any way he could. No matter the cost. And—” his gaze captured hers—“to show you he’d changed and encourage you to find God.”

  “He became a man of his word.” Her remorse surfaced through moistened eyes. Emotions were so hard for her to accept and dealing with them even more difficult. “Anything else?”

  “He confessed to Pastor Emerson that he never stopped loving you. He attempted to hate you but couldn’t. When he became a Christian, you were in the middle of his new faith as though he couldn’t go forward unless he forgave you. Laurel, I believe he set out to give his life to a worthy cause, and you were it. He knew God had forgiven him, but he couldn’t do the same for himself. He arranged for Jesse’s family to be taken care of financially and established funds for the kids’ college.” He reached across the table and took her hand, entwining her fingers in his. “How can I help you?”

  She pulled her hand back. “I have to figure this out.” She blinked back the wetness while despising her weakness. “I’ve been better. I’m in a fog, reliving times with him since his prison release. Can’t sleep. Can’t concentrate in the day. He and I had a good conversation Thursday evening.” She ushered in control. “When he tossed the grenade out the window, I realized I didn’t despise him anymore. But I couldn’t bring myself to trust him either. I reacted badly, pushed him away after he saved my life.”

  “I understand. We’re trained to be smart, cautious. With Morton, I never believed anything he said. Always looked for an angle, telling myself he and I played a stupid game. He said he wanted you to have the credit for the takedown, but I thought he was lying.”

  “The Chronicle printed a beautiful article about his life since the conversion. His time was short but he accomplished much,” she said. “Did you offer your perspective?”

  “Some. Pastor Emerson contributed the most.”

  “I’m glad. Morton liked you.” She paused for a beat. “Natalie Cayden was the one who surprised me. She was the mastermind behind it all.”

  He nodded. “She hacked into the users of dementia medications, obtained their health records, and accessed their bank information. The billing information was a gold mine. And that was only the beginning.”

  “I’m more aware of the real Morton every day. He suspected Cayden wasn’t working alone, but he couldn’t find the secret partner.” She took a sip of water. “Natalie gained entry into the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, set up a fake ID to help others obtain a national producer number online, and went to work. Beginning in Florida, she worked through Blue Cross Blue Shield and learned over three hundred thousand people didn’t have an NPN assigned to their health insurance applications. She assisted them in obtaining a number, and with a $25 per month fee for each application, that meant a nice monthly total of $7.5 million every month for the life of the policies. With insurance company red tape, it would take at least a year for the insurance company to flag why her NPN was receiving this incredible amount.

  “By then she’d established other fake bank accounts to handle the influx of cash. She set up another alias account to be a navigator for those seeking insurance, and she brought in $5 for every individual she helped secure health insurance. Given the number of new policyholders, she was paid another hefty check. All deposited in offshore accounts under her maiden name.” Laurel closed her eyes, weariness threatening to envelop her.

  “Nothing in either of their backgrounds triggered an alarm to law enforcement,” Daniel said. “Good thing no one was hurt in the car bombings. The vehicles belonged to guests, and one of Cayden’s men wired explosives to two of them. At least he confessed his part in the operation and gave the FBI the name of the accomplice who cut the power at the Junior League and used his phone to set off the car bombs.” He shook his head. “Who would have suspected that the bartender at the Instantaneous set off car bombs? And he also followed me to my grandparents’ hotel, then escaped the FBI.”

  “Will Erin ever recover?” Laurel identified with her. “I hope the system identifies her need for long-term counseling.”

  “Are you going to see her?”

  She nodded. “I have to. If I’m permitted.”

  The moments ticked by.

  He glanced at his watch. “I told Gran and Gramps I’d meet them early at the church. Do you mind?”

  “Of course not. How are they since returning home on Sunday?”

  “Gramps is the same, and Gran will do all she can to fight the Alzheimer’s battle. She wants to establish a relationship with Erin. At this point, there is no family to care for her.”

  She smiled. “Wonderful. Abby is a dear woman.”

  “My grandparents really like you. Looking forward to more visits.”

  The warm thoughts temporarily eased her troubled mind, and she basked in his family and their love for each other.

  “Can I see you later on, after the funeral?”

  Honesty held more importance than ever before. “Not yet, Daniel. I need space.” Her pulse sped. “I need time to think through my past and the future.”

  “To decide if there’s a future for us?”

  She forced herself to look into his milk-chocolate eyes. Tears threatened, but she would not dissolve into them. “Morton sacrificed his life for me and what he believed in. I’ve made a decision to honor him and search for the same truth.”

  He squeezed her hand, and she gently pulled it back. “After the services, don’t call or text.” She thought of Abby and Earl and how she’d miss them. “If we’re ever going to build a relationship . . . I need to go forward as a whole person. Right now I’m broken and not good for myself.”

  He nodded slowly. “How long?”

  She loved him, but the future was vague. “Maybe never. I don’t expect you to wait.”

  “But I will. You know that.” Daniel smiled with a sweetness she’d learned to treasure. But she also saw sadness. “Is this why you wanted to attend the funeral separately?”

  She nodded. “Don’t you need to get to the church?”

  He shrugged. “Guess so.”

  She trembled and reached deep inside for courage. “Then this is good-bye.”

  EPILOGUE

  FOUR MONTHS LATER

  6:30 P.M.

  Laurel checked her makeup for the umpteenth time. She strolled through her apartment, rearranging things, wiping invisible dust, listening to the clock tick the seconds.

  Daniel might have changed his mind.

  He might have decided her baggage wasn’t worth the investment.

  His feelings could have been the emotional high of two people working together and experiencing danger.

  He could have found someone else.

  But he wouldn’t have accepted her invitation to dinner if he hadn’t wanted to see her.

  She’d missed him from the moment he walked out of the restaurant on the day of Morton’s funeral. Not a day passed she didn’t long to hear his voice. Abby had become her lifeline, and they talked several times a week. Laurel drew strength from the woman as she’d done with Miss Kathryn. Several times they’d visited Erin at her foster home, where a wonderful couple who were childless had come to love her. She continued dance lessons and proudly showed Laurel and Abby new steps.

  Laurel sank onto her sofa, smoothing out the blue knit dress purchased yesterday for this occasion. Modest yet feminine. Her rehearsed speech would never work. Only the truth. He deserved to know where her exploration had taken her. Brought her. Pushed her to look deep where denial reigned for so many years.

  The doorbell rang and she startled as if she didn’t know who was calling. The scent of dinner wafted through her home. Daniel’s favorite, per Abby: pork chops simmering in gravy, scalloped corn with peppers, Caesar salad, rye bread, and apple cobbler with cinnamon ice cream.

  Standing on legs that threatened to
give way, she made purposeful strides across the room.

  Lord, don’t let me fall apart.

  She opened the door. Daniel balanced pink roses, a foot-long Snickers bar, and a miniature white stallion. Dressed in jeans, a dark-brown sports jacket, and a button-down shirt, open at the collar, he simply stole her breath. Especially his milk-chocolate eyes.

  “Do you need help?” She laughed.

  “Is this the woman of the house?”

  “It is. Are you the gentleman coming for dinner?” When he grinned, she melted into a pool of giddiness. “Come in.”

  “You are gorgeous,” he whispered.

  The sparkle in his eyes gave her hope. “Thank you. You look pretty incredible yourself.” She took the roses and inhaled deeply, smiling her appreciation. She touched the Snickers bar. “It’s frozen.”

  “I wanted dinner to be special.”

  “You made it special by accepting my invitation.” His presence spoke louder than anything she could have prepared. She pointed to the white horse. “Looks like my Phantom.”

  “My intent.” He set the steed on the table. “Those smells are making my stomach growl. But can I give you a proper hello first?”

  She laid the roses on the kitchen counter and placed their dessert in the freezer.

  His gaze captured hers. “It’s been a long time.”

  She stepped into his arms, and his kiss set her tingling all the way to her toes. Dinner slipped her mind. Only the two of them together mattered. “Hey,” she finally said. “The food will get cold.”

  “There’s always the microwave.” He stepped back. “Let me help you—to keep my hands busy.”

  She laughed. Did he have any idea how nervousness raced through her body? Once seated, she asked him to say grace and thanked him. A first. He claimed the meal was the best he’d ever tasted.

  “I’ve prepared it three times to make sure it would turn out.” She caught the merriment on his face. “I’ve never been a good cook.”

  “It’s wonderful. I searched four flower shops before I could find pink roses. We’re a mess.”

  Her face seemed to be a permanent smile, and she couldn’t taste any of the food. “How’s everything on the police force?”

  “Good. I’ve applied to law school,” he said. “Should know soon.”

  He’d never mentioned this. “Wonderful. I can see you as a lawyer, defending the innocent.” How she’d missed him. “Thatcher said you two were meeting once a week? How wild is that?”

  He laughed. “We haven’t killed each other yet. He contacted me after Morton’s funeral. Depressed. He faced discipline for not informing us about the setup at your apartment. Then his dad passed after suffering a stroke. Wanted to get together. I agreed. So we’ve been having breakfast on Saturday mornings. Early. I bring my Bible.”

  “He’s always been a private person. Guilty there too. Friendships can do wonders in a person’s life.”

  “Su-Min?”

  “She’s now working in Chicago. Contacted me after the arrests. A lot of issues between us. Not sure they’ll ever be resolved. But I’m trying.”

  He reached across the table for her hand. She touched his fingers, and electricity flowed. “Where have you been?”

  “Around the world and back.”

  “An adventure?”

  “At times it was not smooth sailing.”

  “Are you back to me?”

  “I hope so.” She must curb her emotions. “I’d like to tell you where I’ve been during the past four months. Do you mind?” She hesitated. “I tried to memorize this but gave up.”

  He squeezed her hand and she remembered the night at his grandparents’ home when she confessed her past. This wouldn’t be any easier.

  “I wanted to honor Morton and see if I could find the same truths as he did—and you. So I asked Abby if she’d help me, and she has been a remarkable mentor.”

  The look on his face told her he had no idea the two had spent time together.

  “She gave me Bible passages to read and answered my questions. Learned her middle name is Grace.” She smiled. Couldn’t help it. “I had to face my anger at Morton for the night Jesse was killed. In my rage, I blamed him instead of myself and the circumstances. In my heart, I was no better than him. Hard—very hard—for me to accept. May take years to deal with it.”

  “We all have regrets, Laurel. My life is filled with them too.”

  “I realize it’s a part of life, growing and changing us into better people. I also spent time with Pastor Emerson. Christmas Eve was the day I became a Christian. I waited to contact you because I needed time to work through more regrettable things.” She offered a slight smile. “It may take a lifetime.”

  “We can do that together,” he said.

  “Are you sure? There are so many things I’ve done. Things you should know. Things I’m embarrassed to discuss.”

  “We could start with my perfectionism and need to save the world, then move on to yours in fifty years or so. I need you in my life, Laurel. Beginning right now.”

  “Okay.” She nodded.

  He startled. “No argument?”

  “Nope. I’m ready.”

  “So am I.”

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  DEAR READER,

  I hope you’ve enjoyed Double Cross and the characters who played leading roles in the story. What I value from writing this story is what the characters learned from each other.

  Laurel couldn’t shake her past, the psychological repercussions drawing her slowly away from the world where she believed the hurt would no longer torment her. She had her home with her antiques, a career in the FBI, and Phantom. Laurel could have continued her downward spiral without Abby’s, Daniel’s, and Morton’s impressions on her life.

  Daniel thought he could save the world. His role as a police officer helped him step toward that goal, an impossible one. When he faced the truth about his mother and later Morton Wilmington, he discovered freedom and purpose.

  Abby believed in doing everything possible to keep her body, mind, and spirit in good shape. She understood the meaning of survival and the joy of living every day to its fullest. But when life zoomed out of control, she accepted assistance from those who could rectify the situation.

  Morton showed the characters how they could step into the waters of life and be clean.

  I think we all have a few traits of each character in Double Cross. The question is whether we can learn from those around us to grow our relationship with Jesus. I hope so. I know I’m trying.

  Sincerely,

  DiAnn

  Expect an Adventure

  DiAnn Mills

  www.diannmills.com

  www.facebook.com/diannmills

  EXPECT AN ADVENTURE

  CALL OF DUTY SERIES

  FBI: HOUSTON SERIES

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  CHAPTER 1

  PRESENT DAY

  MID-SEPTEMBER

  7:00 A.M. MONDAY

  Taryn’s perfect day melted in the heat of an early morning bottleneck. Houston traffic was a war zone during rush hour. Six lanes of bumper-to-bumper vehicles slowed to a crawl with a road construction crew flashing warning lights ahead. Six lanes narrowed to five, then four, then three, then two.

  Shep touched her arm, his gold-brown eyes expressing tenderness. “Babe, the driver will get us to the airport in plenty of time.”

  “I hate traffic.” She pulled her iPad from her purse, a habit when she needed to keep her mind occupied.

  “Taryn, our honeymoon starts today.” He smiled. “Do your new husband a favor and put away your gadgets. Didn’t the VP tell you to forget about work and concentrate on your husband?”

  “He did, and you have all my attention.”

  “Better yet, let me have all your toys, and I’ll keep them safe. The one thing I plan to do for the rest of my life is take care of you.”

  Oh, this wonderful man. And he was all hers. “Y
ou’re right. My life’s no longer a solo project. I’ve been single for so long—”

  “And a workaholic. Don’t worry. I have room right here in my backpack.” He chuckled, the rich sound reminding her of a thundering waterfall. “I’ll keep them for you, Mrs. Shepherd. But I doubt you’ll have time to use them.”

  She blushed, remembering last night. How could she argue with such devotion? “Can I at least keep my phone?”

  “I suppose.” He brushed a kiss across her lips. “I love the blush in your cheeks.”

  Would she always grow warm with his touch? “Comes with the hair.”

  “A gorgeous match.” He twirled a tendril of her hair around his fingers and let it fall against her neck, causing a shiver from far too many sources.

  Taryn knew what he was thinking, but she couldn’t respond with the limo driver listening to every word. She handed Shep her iPad, hoping he understood that until she met him, her first love had been designing software. Now, with bittersweet regret, she watched him tuck her technological lifeline into his leather backpack.

  “We’ll be at the airport in twenty minutes.” He took her hand into his. “Then we’re off to our San Juan paradise. We might never come back. Live in Puerto Rico forever.”

  She snuggled close to him. For the first time in years, she wouldn’t miss work—no software development projects or unrealistic deadlines. And to think she’d spend the rest of her life with this delicious man. Had it only been three months since they’d met and fallen in love? From the moment he walked into her life, he’d become her prince. They’d been inseparable, just the two of them, realizing they were meant for a lifetime. She’d dreamed of a man like Shep since she was a little girl, a man who wouldn’t care that she kept her nose in books. His entrance into her heart was like a golden path to a fairy-tale future.