by Hope White
“I was looking for the bathroom, sorry,” Matt said.
“Yeah, right,” the security guard, who appeared to be in his midtwenties, said. The cop was older, but not by much.
“Are you alone?” the police officer said.
“Yes, sir.” Because he was. At this moment anyway.
“Let’s go.” The cop, whose badge read Richter, pulled cuffs off his belt. The hair pricked on the back of Matt’s neck. Really? Officer Richter was cuffing Matt for trespassing in the stock area?
“He’s gotta be a part of the crew,” the guard said.
“Crew?” Matt asked.
“Save it,” the guard said. “You’re done stealing from us.”
What had Matt walked into?
“Come on.” Richter motioned to him.
Matt didn’t resist, not wanting to make a scene, and offered his wrists. The cop snapped the cuffs in place and led him through the store to the public exit. Heat rushed to Matt’s cheeks at the shameful march past young mothers who held their children close, and employees taking pictures with smartphones.
Great. Now his face would be plastered all over the internet, making him an easy target. Yep, it had been a good decision to separate from Jenna.
But was she safe?
Once outside, he glanced toward the spot where the truck had been parked. It was gone. He sighed with relief.
Then he scanned the lot and caught sight of it, the window down, Jenna watching as Matt was led to the cruiser. He shook his head slightly, warning her to keep her distance.
Officer Richter put Matt in the back seat and shut the door. He stood outside the car and called in on his shoulder radio. A good thing, since Matt could use a few minutes to strategize.
At first he’d thought this was related to the money-laundering case, but when the security guard accused Matt of stealing, he realized this was more likely a wrong-place, wrong-time situation. Talk about bad timing.
Didn’t matter. He had to talk his way out of this and get back to Jenna.
He’d promised to protect her and Eli, and he would fulfill that promise.
He debated what and how much to tell Officer Richter. Should he admit he was FBI? Continue his role as Matthew the janitor? Maybe a little of both? If he told this police officer he was undercover, maybe he could enlist his help in fleeing the county.
Not likely. Billings would probably reach out to cops statewide, making up some story about the janitor and the child kidnapper, Jenna North.
It had been a wise move to send Jenna away. Matt strained to look out the window. The truck was nowhere in sight.
Leaning back against the seat, Matt planned out his next steps. He’d tell Richter that he was undercover FBI, but couldn’t share specifics of his case.
The door opened and Officer Richter got behind the wheel of the cruiser.
“Officer, I need to tell you something,” Matt started.
“No, you don’t. You have the right to remain silent...”
* * *
Jenna paced the Millers’ kitchen, anxiously twirling her silver ring. She wrestled with panic that taunted her thoughts.
More than two hours had passed, and still no word from Matt.
“Jenna, please relax,” Nancy said, sitting at the kitchen table.
“I’m trying,” Jenna said, unable to stop her anxious pace.
Eli was still napping, and the bottle was warming for when he awakened. Ed had gone back to the Super Store, and Jenna had given him her emergency cash to purchase the items she’d left in the cart.
“It was a misunderstanding,” Nancy said. “They’ll figure it out.”
“We should have heard something by now.” Jenna stopped and looked at Nancy. “He told me to leave if he wasn’t back in an hour but...but I can’t bring myself to abandon him.”
“You care about Matt,” the woman said in a knowing voice.
The memory of their kiss made Jenna’s lips tingle all over again. It had been years since she’d let a man kiss her.
Years since she actually enjoyed kissing a man back.
That hadn’t been a real kiss, she reminded herself. It was a maneuver to keep them out of danger.
“He’s a good man. I can see why you’ve fallen for him,” Nancy said.
Jenna felt the need to correct her. “It’s not like that. He’s helped me so much. I owe it to him not to leave him behind.”
“You may stay here as long as you like. However, we do have new guests coming in forty-eight hours, which means more people will know your whereabouts.”
“True,” Jenna said.
“Matt explained your situation, how people are looking for you and that law enforcement from Cedar River are involved in something nefarious.”
“He told you what happened to Eli’s mother?”
“Yes.” Nancy patted the table. “Please, sit with me.”
Jenna collapsed in a kitchen chair. Nancy put her hands together and whispered something under her breath. For once, Jenna wished she could join her in prayer, wished she knew the right words to ask for help, to beg for Matthew’s safety.
“Amen,” Nancy whispered and smiled at Jenna. “Do you pray, Jenna?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
Jenna shrugged. A few seconds passed.
“Why do you pray?” Jenna asked.
“Because surrendering my worries to God gives me such peace. After all, God does not want us to worry.”
“How do you know that?”
“In Philippians it reads, ‘Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.’”
The woman’s faith was so pure, so sincere. If only Jenna could feel the same way about God—but He’d abandoned her far too many times for Jenna to have faith.
“Why are you afraid to pray?” Nancy asked.
“He’ll just ignore me again.”
“Are you sure He’s been ignoring you? Maybe you didn’t see the blessing.”
“I lost my baby because of an abusive husband,” Jenna said flatly.
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry.” Nancy leaned over and gave her a hug.
A tear trailed down Jenna’s cheek.
No, she couldn’t afford to cry. Tears meant weakness.
Jenna broke the embrace and stood. “I’d better pack. When Ed gets home with the supplies, I had better leave. That’s what Matthew would want me to do, to keep moving.”
“How about I put together some food for you and Eli?” Nancy stood and went to gather supplies.
She didn’t seem offended in the least that Jenna had brushed her off and shut down the conversation about God and prayer.
“That would be great, thanks,” Jenna said. “I’ll help.”
Because she had to do something to keep busy until she left. The not knowing, the worrying about Matthew, was tearing her up inside.
Please, God...
She caught herself reaching out to the Lord and quickly pulled the thought back. Being around the Millers must be affecting her better judgment.
“Oh, here comes Ed,” Nancy said, peering out the window. “And a police car. That’s curious.”
Jenna rushed to the window and spotted the Millers’ truck, followed by a police car.
“I’ll wait in Eli’s room until you tell me it’s safe.” Jenna grabbed the bottle.
Nancy turned to her. “Oh, okay.”
It must not have occurred to Nancy that the police car could be here for Jenna, that somehow Billings’s men had found her.
She rushed into the guest room, and shut and locked the door. Heart racing, she scanned the room for options. Didn’t make sense to climb out the window with Eli. She wouldn’t get far in the snow.
If he can
’t find you, he can’t hurt you.
Jenna scooped Eli out of the crib. The little boy fussed a little, but not much. She went into the oversize closet and shut the door. Eli started to squirm so she offered him the bottle.
She struggled to calm her frantic thoughts. What if this was it? What if the police were here to take Eli back to his father and arrest Jenna for kidnapping? Jenna scolded herself for not getting something in writing from Chloe about her wishes that Jenna be Eli’s guardian. But Jenna hadn’t sensed the danger was immediate, that she would, in fact, find herself Eli’s guardian within minutes of her conversation with Chloe.
And here Jenna was, cornered again. Hiding. Terrified.
No, she counseled herself. Nancy and Ed would surely protect her and Eli.
They’d do their best, sure, but they wouldn’t break the law. They were good people.
She was alone. With danger hovering in the next room.
“It’s locked,” a muted male voice echoed from the next room.
They were here. They were going to break into the bedroom and find her.
Hugging Eli, she whispered, “I won’t let them hurt you.”
Seconds stretched by. Then minutes. It felt like forever.
Three soft taps vibrated against the closet door. She bit back a soft gasp.
“Jenna?”
The closet door opened, and Matthew’s silhouette hovered above her.
“What are you guys doin’ in there?” he asked. “Playing hide-and-seek?”
Eli kicked his feet with delight.
“I thought... I wasn’t sure...” was all Jenna could get out.
“It’s safe. You can come out.”
She didn’t move, still processing his words.
“Here, I’ll take Eli,” he said.
She clung tighter to the child.
It’s safe.
She knew better. It was never safe.
Her body started trembling uncontrollably, and she wasn’t sure why. It felt like her mind had shut down and the rest of her was in survival mode.
“You wanna know what happened after you left?” Matthew said, sitting on the floor beside the closet. “First, I was handcuffed and marched through the store like a criminal. I guess I can say I know how that feels now. Then the local cop starts to read me my rights, even though I’m trying to explain that I’m FBI. Figured that might earn me a get-out-of-jail-free card. He wasn’t buying it. Apparently I fit the description of a guy they think is behind a theft ring at multiple retail stores. You know, tall, dark and handsome with a charming personality. What do you think? Does that pretty much describe me?”
Jenna glanced at him. Handsome? Yes, he was handsome.
He was also smiling. Smiling?
“Everything’s...okay?” she said. He wouldn’t be smiling if it weren’t.
“It’s all good.”
“But...you were arrested?”
“Taken in for questioning. Eventually managed to convince the local police I’m FBI. It helped that Ed showed up to confirm my identity and that I’ve got history with Millers’ farm. I explained that a case drew me to the Super Store and I was following someone when they found me in the back. Said I’m undercover and wanted to keep it that way, which is why I didn’t reveal my identity to the security guard.”
“They released you?”
“They did, and everything is A-okay.”
They weren’t coming to take Eli away.
They weren’t going to lock Jenna up.
She took a breath. “I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again.” It suddenly hit her how much she’d miss his company, his strength, maybe even...his faith.
“You know I’ll always do my best to get to you,” he said.
She nodded.
“I made you a promise, Jenna.”
“Yes, you did.”
“Come on out, sweetheart. It’s all good, for now.”
* * *
At first Matt didn’t think he’d be able to coax her out of the closet. He recognized that look on her face. He’d seen it before, both on abused victims...
And on Jenna.
This remarkable woman, determined to protect her friend’s child, still struggled with posttrauma issues.
Being thrown into this dangerous situation as Eli’s guardian was definitely not helping. He wondered what would help.
She was out of the closet, but chose to stay in the bedroom, while Matt joined the others in the kitchen. He could hardly blame her, considering Officer Richter’s presence. The fewer people who knew her whereabouts, the better.
It had been Ed’s idea to invite the cop to the farm as a gesture of thanks for contacting Matt’s supervisor to confirm his identity instead of locking Matt in a cell.
As Ed and Nancy chatted with Officer Richter about town happenings, Matt excused himself to call his boss. He stepped out onto the front porch.
“Pragge,” he answered.
“It’s Weller. Thank you for clearing things up with the local PD.”
“You’re welcome. You on your way back to Cedar River?”
“Not yet, sir. I won’t leave Jenna and the child until I’m confident they’re safe.”
“I’ll send an agent right away.”
Something told Matt that she wouldn’t be safe with just any agent.
“We tried that before at the hospital, and one of Billings’s men showed up.”
“What are you insinuating?”
“I don’t believe in coincidences, not where criminals are concerned.”
“They were probably listening to the police scanner. You said a trooper escorted you to the hospital?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then that’s how they knew.”
“I’m not convinced.”
“We need you back at the community center.”
“Sir, instinct tells me the Jenna North situation is related to the money-laundering case. Give me a few days to prove it. I’ll call my boss at the center and say I need a few days off.”
Silence, then: “You’ve got forty-eight hours.”
Pragge ended the call. Matt heard the inference behind the order—if he didn’t return to his post in forty-eight hours, his career with the FBI would be in serious jeopardy, if not immediately over.
He rolled his neck and called Mrs. Harris at the community center, leaving a message that he had an emergency and needed to take some personal time.
Two days. He had two days to figure this out.
He went back into the house and joined Ed, Nancy and Officer Richter in the kitchen.
“Want a warm-up, Matt?” Nancy started to get up from the kitchen table.
“I’ve got it, thanks.” Matt refreshed his mug of coffee.
“Officer Richter joined our local police department six months ago from...?” Nancy glanced at the cop.
“Seattle,” Richter answered.
“How are you liking it so far?” Ed asked.
“A lot more snow than I’m used to.”
“Yes, but not as much rain,” Ed offered.
“I don’t mind the rain.” Officer Richter turned to Matt. “How long have you been with the FBI?”
“Ten years.”
“Your supervisor sounds like a tough guy.”
“He’s feeling a lot of pressure to close a case.”
The cop finished his coffee and placed his mug in the sink. “Well, let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.” He handed Matt a business card. “Sorry about bringing you in.”
“You were doing your job.” Matt tucked the guy’s card in his shirt pocket.
“Ed, Nancy, thanks for the coffee.” With a polite nod, Officer Richter left.
“Such a nice young man,” Nancy said.
Matt went to
the window and watched him pull away. “I’d better pack up. Ed—” he turned “—what do I owe you for the supplies?”
“Nothing. Jenna gave me a bunch of cash. Here’s the change.”
Matt took the money. Old habits die hard, he thought. He assumed she kept a wad of cash handy in case she needed to make a quick escape.
“I wish you could stay a few days,” Nancy said. “We love having Eli, and I think Jenna could use a little TLP.”
“You mean TLC?” Matt said.
“No, I mean TLP. Tender loving prayer.” Nancy winked.
“That she could, but it’s better if we keep moving. You may like Officer Richter, but he might innocently mention my presence to a coworker and word could spread. I’m not sure who to trust.”
“Even on the police force?” Ed said.
“Even on the force.”
“Okay, well, I’ll bring the shopping bags in from the truck.” Ed grabbed his coat off the rack.
“And I’ll organize them for you,” Nancy offered.
“I can’t thank you guys enough,” Matt said.
Going back to the guest room, Matt hoped and prayed that Jenna was okay. A cold chill had rushed through him earlier when he’d opened the door to an empty room. The thought that she’d been taken...
But she hadn’t been kidnapped. She was huddled in the closet, clutching the little boy in her arms. Matt fought the urge to kneel down and pull her into his arms, to hold her until she no longer trembled with fear.
He knew Jenna had to come out of her traumatic moment on her own, by her own will and strength. That was the best way for someone with an emotional wound like that to heal.
And that’s what he wanted for the lovely Jenna North—he wanted her to heal and be at peace.
To feel safe.
The only way to accomplish that was to stay with her and protect her, because he wouldn’t abandon someone he cared about.
He...cared about her?
You’re never here. Your job is more important than our relationship.
Sarah’s words taunted him, reminding him how he’d failed, and how that failure led to her senseless death. He’d prayed to God to forgive him for not being there for Sarah, for not making her a priority. He wouldn’t make that mistake again.
Jenna would not die because Matt was distracted by his job. Somehow he had to protect Jenna and satisfy his boss. Time to take the offense and determine a connection between the money-laundering case and Chloe McFadden’s murder, because his gut was screaming that they were connected.