Page 60 of The Witness

“Aren’t we all?” Sabrina added as she gave Noah the suitcase to load into the car.

I remembered my lonely bed last night and couldn’t say I shared Sabrina’s sentiment. Staying in Cuba wasn’t realistic, but I’d missed sharing a bed with her. Not only the sex part but the quiet moments in the middle of the night when half asleep she turned into my chest and nuzzled against me. Her breath puffing over my skin. That I missed.

I added the big duffle to the growing cache of luggage in the rear of the SUV.

“Anything else?” John Smith asked. He scanned the area, his eyes not missing a detail. From the bird to the luggage, he took stock. His gaze stopped on me and he gave a nod that saidload up this circus and get on the road.

“Hugs!” Quinn raced across the parking lot to embrace Sabrina and Minerva, her low-heeled pumps clunking across the pavement.

“You are still coming for the New Year’s bridge tournament? I’m counting on you for my partner.” Minerva held both of Quinn’s hands in hers.

“Absolutely. We’re going to kick Morris and Janet Green’s asses! Anyone that doesn’t love Captain Morgan deserves it.” Quinn kissed Minerva’s cheek.

“Thank you for everything.” Sabrina pushed her sunglasses up so she and Quinn could see each other better.

“Your mom is awesome, and you are a seriously brave woman.” Quinn patted Sabrina on the shoulder. “I’ll be in touch in a few days. Sydney is organizing an FBI interview to satisfy the open material witness warrant. It will be in a few weeks, nothing to stress over. The interim Special Agent in Charge of the Miami office is an old contact of John’s from DC, and he’s personally vouched for your safety.”

“You’ve got all my contact info, right?” Sabrina checked her own phone for Quinn’s info.

“Yes. If you need any help with insurance paperwork for the vandalism claim, call. I’m your girl.”

“You’ve already done so much. I can’t believe that you scheduled the appointment with the claims adjuster already. Thank you again.”

“Paperwork is my bitch.” Quinn winked at them and turned on her heel to rush back inside, her cell phone pressed to her ear as she handled a Smith Agency call.

John turned to me and in a voice that only I could hear said, “Get out now while the getting is good. Or you’ll be stuck here until rush hour. Gunter and Kira will be back here any minute.”

“Sabrina, Minerva, let’s roll.” I opened the back door of The Tank and gestured them inside.

“Hold on.” Sabrina stood in front of John Smith. “Thank you. I’ve got my life back, and that’s not something I can ever repay you for.” She held out her hand to shake.

John took her hand. “You don’t need to repay me.”

“I’m still inviting you to opening night at Viande.”

“I look forward to it.” John brushed a kiss over her cheek and escorted her to the open car door. After Sabrina was inside, he offered Minerva his arm.

“I have nothing to offer a man like you, other than my gratitude. I’ve lost too many people in my life; no way I’d have recovered from something like that again.” Minerva closed her eyes and composed herself. “Thank you, John Smith.”

“You are most welcome.” He helped Minerva into the car with all the reverence reserved for a queen.

I took my place in the driver’s seat and switched on the radio station playing holiday favorites to lighten the mood. Our off-key sing-along made the drive across town to Sabrina’s bungalow fly by.

I parked The Tank behind another Smith Agency SUV that was already in the driveway. Simon and a few of his techs were hard at work installing the alarm and surveillance systems.

“First stop.” I turned downLittle Drummer Boyand put The Tank in park.

Sabrina gave her mom a hug while I got out and opened her door. She hopped down, and we both went around to the back to get her things. I hesitated before opening the hatch, gathering the words I wanted to say. She looked at me expectantly.

“Hey! How’s it going?” Derek, a machete in hand, strolled from the side yard, sweat dripping down his face and arms.

“Sawyer, what are you doing here?” I asked, curbing the desire to punch him in the face.

“Lee is working overtime at Oleander. Holiday jewelry buying season. So, I volunteered to come whack some bushes.” Hehefted the long blade menacingly. “Better than home alone on my day off.”

It was smart to trim some of those big branches back. I’d used them to sneak into Sabrina’s backyard a few days ago. The problem was, I wanted to rip the machete from his hand and tell him that I’d do it. And I’d do it later, after Sabrina and I had three minutes alone to talk. Frustrated, I jerked open the back of The Tank.

“Wow, thank you, Derek. I didn’t think lawn care was part of the Smith Agency package.” She gave Derek a kind smile. Sabrina pulled a small bag out of the SUV, and I took her duffle.

---