“No, which is why we need to find her and find her fast.”
Chapter 7
Thirty minutes after the explosion Grand Rapids police officials had cordoned off Cooper’s street, firemen had put out the flames, and agents from the FBI district office were assessing the damage. Investigative teams from each agency were processing the scene and asking questions. Cooper’s home had become command central, uniformed officers and suited agents walking in and out of the open door.
Alfie was wide-eyed and curious, trying to comprehend all the excitement. He clung to Kiely as if his life depended on it. She, Cooper and Officer Parnell had each relayed their memory of the event multiple times. One of Cooper’s neighbors reported seeing a figure dressed all in black cutting through her yard on a motorcycle.
Emmanuel, Tripp and Agent Claire Miller arrived like the cavalry, each barking orders. Kiely was feeding Alfie orange slices as Cooper filled them in on the phone call.
“We’re trying to trace it now!” Tripp said.
Claire shrugged. “If it’s a burner, you won’t get anything.”
“Anything on the traffic cams?” Cooper asked.
“Nothing,” Emmanuel said, shaking his head.
“Who is this woman?” Cooper snapped, tossing his hands up in frustration.
“We will get her,” Claire said. “For now, though, I think you should stay at the safe house.” She looked at Cooper. “We have that one spot you used for your witness protection case last year. It hasn’t been put back into available inventory yet. Your stay will be off the books so if this woman is somehow affiliated with the agency she won’t be able to find you through us. The only people who will know where you are will be me, Lieutenant Tripp and anyone you choose to tell.”
“You don’t think she’s with the FBI, do you?” Kiely questioned.
Claire shrugged her narrow shoulders. “FBI, CIA, local law enforcement, mercenary training, who knows. She just seems to be good at what she does, so until we figure out who she is, we can’t be too careful. I’d rather we be safe now than sorry later.”
Cooper nodded. “That’ll work.”
“We’ll make arrangements for your transportation.”
“I can help with that,” Tripp said. He began punching a message into his smartphone.
“A safe house?” Kiely looked concerned. “I can’t just up and disappear,” she said. “The case... My work...”
“You can work remotely,” Claire volunteered. “It’s a state-of-the-art facility with secure Wi-Fi and all the perks of a five-star hotel. You won’t even know you’re being protected.”
Cooper eased over to her side, leaning to whisper in her ear. “I will understand if you don’t want to do this, Kiely. I need to make sure Alfie is safe, but this is not your problem. She’s after me, not you.”
“Do you not want me to go with you?” Kiely whispered back. Her eyes skated back and forth across his face, as if searching for something that had yet to be defined or spoken.
He leaned closer, his hand resting against her waist. “I need you to go with me,” he said. “And I want you to want to come.”
Kiely nodded her head, her cheek brushing gently against his. Alfie giggled, reaching for his father. Lifting the child from her arms, Cooper gave her a caressing smile and nuzzled his face into the boy’s neck.
* * *
Kiely was in the master bedroom packing a suitcase for Cooper and Alfie when Sadie and Pippa barged into the room. The sisters all gave each other a look.
Pippa moved swiftly to her twin sister’s side, punched her in the arm and then threw her arms around Kiely’s shoulders. “You scared the hell out of me!” she exclaimed.
Kiely laughed as she hugged her sister back. When they finally let go, she rubbed the bruise rising against her skin. “Ouch! That hurt.”
“You deserved it.”
“I swear! Does that fiancé of yours tell you everything?”
“Emmanuel didn’t tell me this.”
“Well, how did...” Kiely started.
Sadie waved a hand. “Guilty! Lieutenant McKellar called me in.”
“You’re investigating?”
Sadie shook her head. “Transport. I’m taking you and your new family to the FBI safe house. He and Agent Miller thought you’d feel better about going if one of us took you.”
“Well, isn’t that special,” Kiely said. “All we need now is Vikki to show up!”
“Don’t think we didn’t call her,” Sadie said. “She didn’t answer her phone. She was in court today on a case. But I’m sure we’ll hear from her later.”
“So, this is where you’ve been working!” Pippa said. She sat down on the edge of the bed and began rifling through the suitcase her sister was packing. “And I assume these belong to your employer?” She held up a pair of black boxer briefs.
“Why are you packing for him?” Sadie questioned. “Are things like that between you two now, or is something wrong with his hands?”
Kiely rolled her eyes. “Someone tried to blow him up tonight. I’m just being helpful. Besides, Agent Miller is rushing us to get out of here and he’s trying to tie up strings out there. It just made sense for me to help.”
“You haven’t slept with him, have you?” Pippa questioned.
“I have not slept with him.”
Pippa’s gaze narrowed. She gave her sister a smile. “But you want to!” she said excitedly.
Kiely held up her index finger. “Shh! Don’t let him hear you!”
“I told you she liked him!” Sadie interjected.
There was a knock on the door. When Cooper opened it to peer inside, Alfie came running in, throwing himself at Kiely.
“Ki-Ki!” the little boy exclaimed as she swept him up into her arms. He gave the two sisters a look, staring at Pippa for a good few minutes. The family genes were strong and although she and her sister were fraternal twins they still bore a strong resemblance to one another.
“This is Alfie,” Kiely said, making the introductions. “And this is his father, Cooper Winston. Cooper, this is Philippa, my twin, and my sister Sadie.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” Cooper said. “I wish it was under better circumstances.”
“Please, call me Pippa, and the pleasure is mine.”
“Nice meeting you,” Sadie added. “Isn’t this sweet baby just a little doll! Hello there!”
Alfie was still staring at the two. He finally lifted his hand in a slight wave. “Hi! My name Alfie!” he said as he patted his chest proudly.
“Hi, Alfie,” Pippa said, teasing his chubby cheek.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt, but we need to get going,” Cooper said. “I came to see if you needed any help. And I really appreciate you helping me out.”
“I’m ready,” Kiely answered. She snatched his undergarment from her sister’s hand and tossed it back into the suitcase. “We’re all packed.”
* * *
Kiely appreciated her sisters not giving her a hard time, although she knew it would only be a matter of time before they did. The ride to the safe house was taking them through some heavily wooded areas as they headed about an hour’s ride out of the Grand Rapids city limits.
Alfie sat in Kiely’s lap, her seat belt wrapped securely around them both. His car seat had been collateral damage in the explosion, nothing but a blob of melted plastic. Sadie had promised to bring another when she came back to check on them.
Sadie drove, she and Pippa sitting in the front. Kiely and Cooper sat in the back with the baby. Nestled shoulder to shoulder the nearness of him gave her an abundance of comfort. His concern for her well-being had been admirable. She appreciated him wanting her opinion and asking her thoughts on what they should do and how they should proceed. His concerns had mirrored her own and he’d had no reservations expressing them.
<
br /> Pippa tossed her a look from the front seat, her smile slightly smug. Kiely rolled her eyes and her twin laughed.
“You look good with a baby in your arms,” Pippa said.
Sadie chuckled. “And a man by your side.”
“She does,” Cooper answered, a wide grin across his face.
Kiely sat up straighter, adjusting the hold she had around Alfie. He’d fallen back to sleep before they’d passed the first stop light and had been slumbering comfortably the entire ride. “My sisters can’t wait to have kids,” Kiely said. “And Sadie’s fiancé has vowed to impregnate her the minute she says I do.”
Pippa laughed. “Tate would impregnate her now if he thought our brothers wouldn’t kill him. Because they would kill him!”
Sadie scoffed. “Let’s not bore Agent Winston with our family drama, please.”
Kiely laughed, Cooper chuckling with them. She leaned her head against his shoulder and when she did, Cooper gave her knee a light squeeze.
* * *
The FBI safe house was a stunning log home nestled in a forest of mature sugar maple and red oak trees. It boasted a covered porch, large deck, landscaped firepit area and a walkout basement. As Cooper carried their luggage inside and checked that all was well before her sisters pulled off, Kiely was already planning excursions for the three of them when safety allowed.
“It looks very pretty,” Sadie said. “I wouldn’t mind being locked away up here with a handsome man.”
“Any handsome man in particular?” Kiely asked.
“She definitely doesn’t want to be stuck up here with Tate,” Pippa muttered.
“Now you’re just being mean,” Sadie snapped.
“But honest,” Kiely quipped.
“Do you need anything before we leave?” Sadie asked, annoyance creasing her brow.
Kiely shook her head. “It’s all good. I think we’ll be fine. I’ll get a message to you if I do.”
“You really do look good with that baby,” Pippa said. “You look happy. Even relaxed and every time you look at his father your face lights up.”
“Shut up, Pip!” Kiely snapped.
Her sisters laughed.
Kiely moved toward the entrance, Alfie in her arms and sound asleep against her shoulder. “I need to go lay him down,” she said. “He’s getting heavy.”
“We’re going to head back,” Sadie said.
“Don’t hurry off,” Kiely said, just as Cooper came out the door.
“Are you two leaving?” he questioned. “Don’t rush off.”
Sadie nodded. “Yeah! We need to get back.” She gave him a wave.
“If you let anything happen to our sister, we will come for you,” Pippa said. She was pointing a finger at Cooper. “Trust and believe, we will come for you.”
Cooper nodded. “I promise, I’ll take good care of her.”
“You better,” Pippa admonished.
Kiely laughed. “Go away, Pip, and leave Cooper alone.”
Pippa pressed her cheek to Kiely’s. She trailed her hand against Alfie’s back. “Be safe,” she whispered, “and make sure he wears a condom!” Then she turned, her expression smug, leaving Kiely and Cooper standing side by side.
Kiely giggled, appreciating that for once, Pippa had gotten the last dig.
They watched as Sadie pulled the car back down the length of driveway and when they could no longer see the Suburban’s rear lights, they turned to go into the house.
* * *
Claire had made arrangements for everything they could possibly need. A crib had been placed in the bedroom directly across from the master, an assortment of toys filling one corner. Kiely laid Alfie down and covered him with a newly purchased blanket. He stirred as if he might wake and then rolled into fetal position, continuing to slumber peacefully.
After a quick, self-guided tour of the house and the fully stocked refrigerator and cupboard, Kiely dropped down onto the sectional sofa and pulled a quilt around her torso. After everything that had happened she was feeling slightly squirrelly. The magnitude of how bad things could have been had suddenly hit. It had her feeling vulnerable and uneasy, fear and frustration not sitting well with her spirit.
Cooper came up from the basement. “Everything’s good. We can communicate over the secure server so you can stay in touch with your family.” He stopped short. The expression on her face made him pause. “Kiely? Are you okay?”
She shook her head, waving a dismissive hand. Tears formed and she struggled not to let them fall. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and held it, counting from one to ten in her head. She felt her bottom lip quiver ever so slightly. Minutes passed before she spoke.
“Does that fireplace work?” Kiely asked, gesturing with her head toward the stone structure that took up half a wall.
“I’m sure with enough firewood and a match we can get her working. I’ll get right on that,” he said.
Minutes later a fire was roaring in the fireplace. Flames crackled in vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow. Kiely pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs. Cooper dropped down onto the sectional, sliding up beside her. She lifted the blanket to share the covering and he eased gently against her, extending his legs out in front of him.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked, cutting a quick eye in her direction.
“It hit me that we could have been killed tonight. Thinking about it has me rethinking my entire life. The risks I take. The choices I sometimes make to get a job done. What I want going forward. What changes I may need to make. It’s just a whole lot. There’s so much going through my head right now I’m finding it a little overwhelming.”
* * *
Cooper sighed. He understood because he too had been lost in his head about what had happened. He also knew that he didn’t have the answers to make things better for either of them. Reaching for her hand, he entwined her fingers with his own. Kiely leaned her head back against his shoulder and he leaned his head against hers.
The crackling of the fire, a clock that ticked loudly, and a slow drip from the kitchen faucet were the only sounds through the room. The warmth from the fire wafted through the space but there was the hint of a chill in the air. Comfort came as they settled into the sound of each other breathing.
The morning sunrise found them both sleeping soundly, still sitting side by side. Cooper cradled her body with his own, his arms wrapped protectively around her. The fire had died down hours earlier and they were snuggled close together beneath the quilted blanket they shared. It was bliss that he knew he would not soon forget.
Chapter 8
Adjusting to their new surroundings was proving to be more of a challenge than either of them had anticipated. Alfie was temperamental and whiney from the moment he woke. Clearly, he was not having a good day. So maybe she wasn’t the kid whisperer she’d dubbed herself, she thought as Alfie threw his third, or maybe fourth, tantrum of the day and it wasn’t yet noon.
She stood with both hands on her hips as the little boy threw himself to the floor kicking and screaming. This time he’d wanted chocolates that he’d seen in a jar in the pantry. One hadn’t been enough and now he wasn’t at all happy with Kiely telling him he couldn’t have any more. Kiely watched him like he was an alien creature let loose in the middle of the room.
Cooper laughed. “And you said he was an angel!”
“I think he’s possessed,” she said.
“Just ignore him. He’ll tire himself out in a while.”
Kiely shook her head. “I don’t want him to hurt himself.”
“He won’t. Trust me. That kid knows exactly what he’s doing. Right now he’s playing on your feelings. Hoping you’ll let him have that candy.”
“Well, we’re not going to do that. It’s lunchtime anyway,” she said as she stepped over the child and moved to t
he kitchen.
Alfie revved his screaming up a notch.
“Do you need help?” Cooper asked, moving into the kitchen with her.
She shook her head. “No. Thank you for offering though. We’re having handmade pizza. There’s a baking stone!” she said, a hint of excitement in her voice. She punched down the dough she’d made shortly after their pancake breakfast.
“I think I’ve gained ten pounds since you arrived.”
Kiely laughed. “Well, it looks good on you.”
Cooper gave her a warm smile. “I’m going to take the munchkin for a walk. Hopefully he’ll be in a better mood when we get back. Once he goes down for his nap we need to get some work done.”
Kiely watched as Cooper scooped Alfie up off the floor and into his jacket, mittens and boots. He’d finally stopped screaming but the look he gave Kiely said he wasn’t quite ready to be her friend again anytime soon. As father and son headed out the door she blew a sigh of relief and savored the moment of quiet. She punched the pizza dough a second time.
Cooking calmed her and Kiely planned to cook until she felt like herself again. Lunch was personal pizzas topped with Swiss chard, sausage and fresh mozzarella. She thought about baking cookies to make amends to Alfie. Moving to the pantry she found enough ingredients to make a few chocolate chip treats.
An hour later the smells of chocolate and vanilla filled the space. When Cooper and Alfie came back through the door both paused in the doorway, taking deep breaths to inhale the scent.
Cooper hummed. “Mmm! Something smells good in here.”
Alfie peeled out of his coat and came running to her. “Ki-Ki!”
Kiely leaned down to give him a hug.
“I sorry Ki-Ki. Me was a bad boy. Alfie will be good, okay?”
She hugged him a second time. “Thank you, Alfie.”
“I lub you, Ki-Ki!” he exclaimed as he threw his arms around her neck and kissed her cheek.
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