13
Luke carried her downstairs and into the kitchen. Sara gave her aunt a weak smile. “Morning.”
“Good morning, Sara. How are you?”
Sara sat at the table. “Sick, but then I always am.”
“Would you like some breakfast?”
She shook her head. “Too early, maybe later.” She twisted her rings. “Umm, the coffee you brought up to my room…”
Mary smiled. “It’s all right, dear. You don’t need to explain.”
“But I do because nothing happened.”
“Sara, it’s all right, really. I know nothing happened because the two of you are sitting there looking awkward and avoiding the elephant in the room.”
Sara glanced at Luke and then back down again. She only raised her eyes as she felt his warm hand on her cold one.
“Sara, it’s fine. Nothing happened, so there’s no need to be embarrassed, OK? I was intending to wait until you fell asleep, only fell asleep myself. No harm done.”
“All right.”
Luke smiled and got up to make breakfast.
Sara sat and watched him. “You know, you’d make someone a good wife one day, because you have this whole domestic routine going.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Seriously, you do.”
Mary chuckled. “Does he now? Do tell.”
Sara smiled. “Well, first he makes breakfast, and then he cleans the house while I sit in the lounge, being what he terms a lady of leisure.”
Mary laughed. “Your mum would call it a lazy toad.”
Sara shushed her. “Don’t tell him that.”
Luke grinned. “Too late. I heard.” He set the cups down. “Dave’s coming over this morning. We’ve got some files to finish reading. He’s also bringing Carole over for dinner tonight. I figured we could rent a movie or something. Dave said they’d bring a DVD with them.”
“That sounds good.” She smiled at him.
He smiled back. “Good. So what are you ladies doing this morning?”
“Catching up,” Mary said. “While I knit baby clothes and Sara paints.”
****
The morning passed quickly, with Luke making little progress on the files.
Dave came in just as they were about to eat lunch.
They ate together in the kitchen and when it was over, Luke cleared the table.
“What time is Carole coming over?” Sara asked.
“About six, and yes, I am cooking.”
Sara smiled. “That’s fine. We’ll leave you guys to it. We’re going to go watch the TV for a bit.”
Luke hid his smirk. “You and your soap operas. Have fun.”
“We will.” Sara left the room, Mary behind her.
Luke glanced at Dave as he started the dishes. “How was your morning? Did you find out anything more about Foster?”
“Aye. Barnes and Foster are the same person. According tae his lawyer, who I finally managed tae track down, he never intended for the fire he started when he was twelve tae kill his parents. He wanted tae pay them back for grounding him. Ye want tae know why they grounded him? He assaulted one of his teachers because he’d got an F on an assignment.”
“Nice kid.” Luke dumped more dishes in the soapy water.
“Oh, aye. Then he got in tae drugs in a big way. Addict turned dealer turned supplier. Got arrested several times. On the last occasion, he turned Queen’s evidence in return for immunity from prosecution and witness protection. He got a new life, a new ID, the works, and all at the taxpayer’s expense.”
“No surprise there. So his murder was no accident?”
“No. It looks like Austin caught up with him and made him pay. Shepherds is demanding tae know why he wasnae told this.”
“He’s not the only one.” Luke slammed the wet plate down.
“Breaking the plates willna help,” Dave said, unable to catch the plate before it hit the floor and smashed.
****
Sara shook her head from where she stood in the doorway. “You’re supposed to break them before you wash them, darling. Not afterwards.”
Luke scowled. “Any more helpful suggestions?”
Sara grinned. “Nothing comes to mind.”
He paused a minute. “What did you call me?”
“Darling. Slip of the tongue. It won’t happen again. Did you pick up the cups from the dining room?”
“No, I’ll get them.”
“I’ll do it. It’s fine.”
“Sara, I’ll get them.”
“I’m pregnant, not an invalid. I can manage a couple of cups. Besides, I’m getting quite good on these crutches.” Sara shot him a faint smile, turned around, and headed into the hall. She crossed over to the dining room. Balancing on one crutch, she picked up the two cups. A box of files sat on the table.
Wonder if it’s got something to do with my case?
She pulled one file out and read the name on it. “Who’s Robert Foster?”
Curiosity got the better of her, and she flicked through the folder from the back, lowering herself to the chair. She stopped as she got to the photo.
“No.” She gazed down at the eyes staring at her. Jamie’s eyes.
Sara studied at the writing beneath it, her brow furrowing as she read. Pulling one file after another, her shock grew as she read. She shook her head. Who was this guy? Why’d he look so much like Jamie? Why was all this stuff here?
She pulled out the last file. “James Barnes. James Barnes?”
She opened the folder with trembling hands. The same photo stared at her. The cover sheet listed Jamie’s date of birth. There was a photo of her, details of where they lived and money paid to him for services rendered.
There was a case number, and two words leapt off the page at her. Two haunting words she knew all too well. Witness protection.
The penny dropped, the truth hitting her like a ten ton truck. Jamie was Foster. Her husband was a drug dealer, an arsonist, a murderer, and a thief. No wonder he hadn’t told her anything about his background.
She stood, intending to go and ask Luke about them. “Luke?” Dizziness flooded her, the shock too much. She leaned against the wall, and then slid to the floor. “Luke…”
Luke ran into the dining room, drying his hands on the towel. He caught his breath and turned to the door. “Mary. Dave.”
He dropped to Sara’s side, letting the towel fall to the floor. He put a supporting arm around her. “Sara, are you all right?”
Tears filled her eyes. “He lied to me.” She pointed to the photo in the file. “Those files say Jamie was this Robert Foster. Was everything he told me a lie?”
“We’re checking.”
“Don’t give me that. Those are police files.”
Dave and Mary came running in, and Sara buried her face, not wanting to see them.
Luke didn’t let go of her. “Mary, can you get her a drink?”
“Of course.”
Dave started to put the files away.
“How long have you known?”
“The files turned up yesterday.”
Mary came in with the glass. “Here, sweetheart.”
Sara took the water and sipped it. “Thank you. I thought he loved me. If everything Jamie told me about himself was a lie, he probably lied about loving me as well.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Don’t I? He promised me no secrets. I’d say he broke that one big time. Were you ever going to tell me?”
“We haven’t heard back from the Metropolitan Police, but I was going to tell you.”
“When?”
“As soon as we were sure of our facts. Let’s get you in the other room.” Luke lifted Sara into his arms.
Sara didn’t argue as Luke carried her into the lounge and settled her on the couch. She could see the concern in his eyes, echoed in the face of her aunt. “I’m fine.”
“Let me call Doctor Scott.”
“I’m fine. Honestly, don’t bother him.”
“Sara, you fainted.”
“I didn’t faint. I fell against the wall. Big difference.”
“Sara…”
“Leftenant…” she replied in the same tone of voice. “It’s just the shock. Aunt Mary, tell him.”
“Sweetheart, it might be for the best.”
Sara sighed. “Fine, if you’re both still worried in the morning then I’ll go see the doctor. All right?” She leaned back against the sofa as Luke sat next to her.
“All right.”
Her lip trembled, and her stomach churned. “I don’t believe this.”
She leaned into Luke as he put his arms around her and held her as she cried. After a while, Sara pulled out a tissue, blew her nose, and wiped her eyes. “Sorry. I’m crying all over you again.”
“It’s all right. I don’t mind.”
“I thought I knew Jamie. I loved him, married him, and now I find I didn’t know anything about him. Apart from the fact he’s a lying scumbag.” Sara felt the color drain from her face. “Take me upstairs. I’m going to be sick.”
Luke picked her up, and ran to the bathroom, reaching it just in time.
****
Sara moved slowly down the hall to her room to find Luke and Aunt Mary sitting on her bed. She felt dreadful and hoped she looked better than she felt. “Has Dave gone?”
Luke held out a hand to her. “Yeah, he has. Are you all right?”
“Fine.” Sara made her way over to the bed and sat down between them.
“You’re not a very good liar,” he told her gently.
She shrugged. “My whole life is a lie.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“I was married to someone who doesn’t exist.” She glared at her rings, pulled them off, and then threw them across the room.
“Jamie was a liar and a murderer. He doesn’t exist. My name isn’t even Sara Barnes, is it?”
“Yes, it is.”
She shook her head. “I’m going back to my maiden name. Sara Daniels. Leftenant, please could you contact a lawyer and arrange it. As soon as possible.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you. My whole marriage to Jamie was a sham, and I don’t want his name any longer. I also want an annulment. Yes he’s dead, but I don’t want any record of being married to him.”
“Those twins you’re carrying aren’t a sham.”
“Maybe not, but the rest of it was. The twins are mine and will take my name. So what do we do now?”
“What do you mean?”
“This changes everything.”
“Wait until we hear back from the Metropolitan…”
“Met,” Sara said. “It’s abbreviated to Met. Much easier to say.”
“Thank you,” he said smiling at her. “Once I hear back from the Met, we can work through it together.”
“I’d like to be alone for a bit. Take it to God in prayer. Are the others still coming for dinner?”
“Are you sure you’re up to entertaining tonight?”
“I’m sure.”
“I’ll call him and let him know. If you empty your bin, I’ll put it out. Dave says the refuse collectors come tomorrow.”
“I’ll leave it outside the door for you.”
She took a deep breath as the others left. Glancing down at her swollen stomach, she frowned and rubbed her hand across it. “As for you two? It’s not your fault your father wasn’t who he said he was. It’s just us now.”
Sara glanced at Jamie’s photo. She shoved it hard, sending it to the floor. The glass shattered. Jamie was a lying toad, not worth thinking about anymore.
She crossed the room and picked up her wedding and engagement rings. She threw them into the bin, and then picked up the shattered pieces of glass and placed them there, too. Then she sealed the bag, and left it outside the door for Luke. Going back, she picked up the photo and slowly screwed it into a ball, before dropping it to the floor by the bed.
Sitting back on the bed, Sara closed her eyes and let the tears fall as she prayed. No longer was she crying for Jamie, but for herself, her unborn children and her shattered memories and dreams.