13
Patti sat in the hospital waiting room holding Sabrina.
The knife missed all of Anna’s vital organs and the surgeon expected a full recovery.
As Patti rocked Sabrina and hummed softly in her ear, Marcus and Carter sat in a corner of the room whispering.
Sabrina clung to Patti, her eyes haunted. ”I want Mommy.” She whispered once before the events of the day overtook her. She relaxed against Patti’s body in an exhausted sleep.
Patti lay Sabrina on a small couch before she went over to the men. “What’s happening?”
“That’s what we’re discussing. We’re going to put a guard with Anna, and we’re going to place you and Sabrina in a safe house.” Marcus told her.
“A safe house?”
“It’s a place—“
“I know what it is. I watch TV.”
“Jamie worked hard to keep her private life and her work life totally separate from each other. But it seems her two worlds have collided in a big way.” His eyes met Patti’s. “She understood it wouldn’t be safe for others so she made the decision to stay away from friends and...and family.”
The meaning of those words sank in.
Patti wiped away the tears. Her next words were barely audible. “Is that why she stayed away from me?”
Marcus nodded slowly. “She couldn’t bear to part with Sabrina, but knew it was safer if she stayed away from you for the time being. Her plan was to finish her current project and then leave the job permanently.”
“Was her plan?” Patti asked.
“I’m sure it still is her plan. I didn’t mean...” Marcus wouldn’t meet Patti’s gaze. His voice became all business. “Anyway, we need to make plans for the three of you.”
No one spoke.
Patti broke the silence. “I want to know what’s going on. What was she doing that was...is so important?”
Marcus didn’t answer.
Patti’s heart was breaking but she forced herself to say the words. She matched stares with Marcus. “You think she’s dead, don’t you?”
Marcus looked up at the ceiling. Long moments passed before he turned back to Patti. “I’m not going to lie to you. It’s a possibility, but at this point it’s hard to say. I haven’t given up hope and neither should you.”
Carter laid a hand on her back, and his touch calmed her.
“If she worked so hard at keeping her identity secret, why is she using her own name this time?” Carter asked.
“That’s a good question,” Patti looked back at Marcus. “And if she was so worried about me, why wasn’t she as worried about Sabrina?”
“She was, but Sabrina was her daughter. She couldn’t abandon her. We took every precaution we could to keep Sabrina and Anna safe. The house has an elaborate security system. She lived in a gated community. Her work was…was in another state. When she traveled, she traveled under other names and always took several flights using different names, before getting to her final destination.”
“But it wasn’t enough to keep her safe.”
“No, it wasn’t.”
“You didn’t answer the other part of the question.” Carter pointed out. “Why was she working under her own name this time?”
Marcus looked at Carter, then at Patti. “I can’t give you the details, but Jamie knew the man socially before he came under investigation so he already knew her real name. She happened to run into him, and she overheard something which made her suspicious.”
“What’s the story on him?” Carter asked.
“I didn’t want Jamie to get involved with him again,” Marcus murmured more to himself than to Carter and Patti. “I had a bad feeling. I told her to go home and forget about him, but she refused to listen to me.” He focused back on Patti. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not making excuses. I take full responsibility for…for the investigation.”
Her sister—an FBI informant—living a double life. The thought boggled her mind.
Carter interrupted her thoughts. “Marcus, you didn’t answer my question. Who’s this man, and why are you investigating him?”
“Can’t tell you.” Marcus’s tone was adamant.
“You have to tell us. How are we going to find Jamie, if you don’t?” Patti said through clenched teeth.
“The whole FBI is looking for her,” Marcus pointed out. “I’ll handle the investigation. In the meantime, I’ll arrange for you, Sabrina, and Anna, as soon as she is released, to go to a safe house.”
“You should do what Marcus says,” Carter agreed. “We can keep all of you safe. No more nasty surprises.”
“You need to arrange a place for Sabrina and Anna.” Patti shook her head. “But I’m not going into hiding. I’m helping with the investigation.”
“Absolutely not,” Marcus and Carter said in unison.
They all looked towards Sabrina but she was still asleep.
“Yes, I am,” she whispered. “My sister is missing, and I’m not leaving until we find her.”
“Not a good idea, Patti,” Carter said.
“Why not?” she demanded, furious the two men were forming a united front.
“It’s not safe,” Marcus told her.
“I won’t stay at the house. I’ll go find a hotel somewhere, but I’m not leaving.” She folded her arms across her chest to emphasize the point.
“Patti, Jamie is your identical twin,” Carter told her in a soft voice. “You can’t be running around here. It could cause problems for you.”
Patti’s eyes filled with tears. “But Jamie needs me.”
“You’re right, Jamie does need you.” Carter touched her arm. “She needs you to take care of Sabrina and Anna right now, and she wouldn’t want you to put yourself in danger. After all, she worked very hard to keep you out of this mess. You owe it to her to take care of Sabrina.”
She met Carter’s gaze. “Fine, I’ll go with them.”
Fifteen minutes later, the nurse came to tell them Anna was in her room and they could visit.
When Patti walked in, Anna looked tired and pale. “Sabrina?” But she didn’t need to answer because Patti showed her Sabrina, now sleeping on her shoulder.
Anna gave a weak grin. “She is safe.”
“Carter stopped the man from taking Sabrina.”
“What did the man want? Why...”
“I can’t tell you, Anna.” Holding her hand, Marcus flashed his badge.
“FBI.” Anna’s gaze turned panicked. “I thought you were a businessman.”
“I know. I’m sorry we deceived you, but Jamie didn’t want you to know how dangerous her job was. She didn’t want you worried and upset every time she left, because Sabrina might pick up on it. Her goal was to let Sabrina have as normal a life as possible.”
Anna bit her lip
“Are you in pain, Anna? Should I call the nurse?” Patti asked.
“No, just tired.”
“Well, you get your rest. Sabrina and Patti are staying with you. There’s an armed guard outside. No one’s going to hurt any of you again,” Carter assured her.
Anna’s eyes fluttered and a moment later, her breathing relaxed.
Carter turned toward Marcus. “Can you take me back to my car?”
“Sure thing. I’ll go get the car and pick you up by the emergency room.”
After Marcus left, Carter took Patti’s hand in his own and led her away from Anna’s bed. “Are you all right?”
She refused to cry. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am for you helping us. I can’t imagine what might have happened if you hadn’t been there.”
He moved closer and put his arms on her shoulders. “Don’t think all the things that could have happened. Stay focused on the fact you’re all safe. I’m glad I’ve been there for all of you.”
All of us, except Jamie.
His arms moved around her. She leaned against him, gaining strength.
After a moment, he broke the connection. “You’re safe here. There are two guards outside the door. If you need anything, one will get it while the other stays with you. I hate to leave you, but...”
“It’s OK, Carter. We’re safe and we’re together.”
“Is there anything I can get you before I come back?”
“Maybe some of Sabrina’s toys, if you want.”
He grinned and her heart melted.
He might be one of the bravest men she’d ever known.