Page 10 of Witness Protection

“Can I see her at least?” I ask, looking down at the floor again. I know that she abandoned me to this cruel man while she made her escape, but she is still my mother.

“All in good time, my dear. You tell me what I want to know and if my informant tells me that it is correct then I will let you see your mother. Otherwise things are not looking so good for you.”

The chill rides up my spine again. Craig had never been violent with me, but I had seen what he did to people that crossed him. He wouldn’t hesitate to be ruthless if it was necessary.

“I had nothing to tell them Craig. It is not as if we are confidantes. I told them you hosted parties for business associates and that I helped plan the parties. That I mingled with the guests and made sure that everything at the party ran smoothly. There is nothing wrong with throwing a party. I know nothing so I could tell them nothing.”

I held my breath and met his eyes. His cold watery blue eyes boring into me. I put every ounce of earnestness into that gaze. He turned and nodded.

“You can see your mother and I will get into contact with my informant. If he corroborates your story, I will take you with me into hiding. If he does not well if you are with your mother, it will be easier to kill you both at one time.

“You are going to kill my mother?”

A slow smile slides across his lips it is cruel his real nature coming out.

“Of course, dear, she crossed me. The only reason that she is still alive is so that I could use her as bait to lure you out. But because you have been such a good girl, I will allow you to say goodbye. Stephen will be here to get you shortly.”

He strides out of the room, and I sit back on the bed. I know that Jason will come after me. I hope he is careful because these men are dangerous. I know that I am in love with him and he is the one for me, I just hope that we both survive this ordeal and are able to see each other again.

****

“Mom it’s Elise can you hear me?” My voice trembles a bit as I take her battered hand and sit next to her on the bed. She opens one swollen eye and her cracked lips spread in what she can muster of a smile.

“Elise is that you?”

“Yes, Momma, it’s me. I am going to get you out of here and to a hospital. Help will come, I promise.”

“Oh, Elise, I am so sorry for all that I have done to you. I have been the worst mother and really I am getting no less than what I deserve.”

“Hush Momma don’t talk like that. We can work things out when we get out of here. You do have the worst taste in men.” I give her a little smile, trying to keep the tears that ache in my throat back.

How many years had I wanted to hear her say those words? To tell me that she was sorry for leaving me with Craig. Maybe after all this was over, she could come into witness protection with me we could work on our relationship. I hoped that Jason found us soon because if not we were both going to be dead.

“Help is coming. I met someone, and he is smart and strong, he is going to find us, and we are going to be just fine.”

A tear slips down her face, “You deserve a good man, I am glad that you haven’t followed in my footsteps.”

She closes her eyes again, and her breathing becomes even.

I sit by her bedside holding her hand. Jason would come through, I know he would. I just hoped that he was careful because Craig is dangerous and now that he is cornered, he is going to do everything he can to stay out of jail.

“Be careful Jason, I love you,” I whisper to the empty room.

Chapter Ten- Jason

“Archer we have a problem.” Chase leans over my chair and tells me in a low voice before straightening up.

“Hey Archer, I think I have found Elise’s location he says a little louder.”

I watch as Masterson’s head swivels around and seems to take an interest in our conversation.

“Come over to my computer and I will show you.” I try not to frown at Chase as I follow him out of the room and into the hall.

He pulls me aside, “We think Masterson might be a mole for Fortini. Someone saw a text over his shoulder wanting to know what the girl told him.”

“It could be nothing and if it is and there is a mole, we will blow our cover,” I tell him as we lean up against the wall.

“If he follows us out, it’s him,” Chase says confidently.

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