Page 55 of Not the Bodyguard's Widow
Alex fisted his hands.The FBI driver activated his lights and waited for the van to come out of the lane before taking off after it. A separate FBI vehicle turned into the lane to block any cars in pursuit.
Andrew’s voice came over the listening equipment. “We need a closer rendezvous. Am I clear for the strip mall on the left or the park behind it?”
The technician behind Alex answered. “Pull into the strip mall. With the damage to the back of the van, we can cover it as a traffic stop. Make for the largest clear space you can.”
“Will do.”
“Two and three, meet us at the new location. Dispatch, arrange for a tow truck to pick up the van. I’ll send the address as soon as we stop.”
Alex watched Andrew park the van near the end of a vacant row of cars, their SUV pulling up beside it. Alex flung his door open before anyone could stop him and ran to the passenger side of the van. Kimberly had the door open and was leaning over the pavement. He stopped just in time to avoid getting vomit on his shoes and pants. The sliding door behind her opened, Agent Danes making a disgusted face as he exited.
Alex reached for Kimberly. “Are you finished?”
Kimberly didn’t answer but gripped his hand.
Elle exited the van and thrust a wipe into his hand. Alex handed it to Kimberly, and she wiped her face off. “I think I’m done.”
Alex studied the bilious puddle. “Sit back for a moment.” Carefully placing his feet on either side of the mess, he eased Kimberly back into the passenger seat.
Andrew still sat at the wheel. “Shall I pull forward?”
Alex stepped back and held on to the open door. “Four feet will do.”
The van rolled forward. The second it stopped, Alex reached for Kimberly.
She threw her arms around him. “I didn’t know. I wondered, but I didn’t know. It is so sick.”
Alex shifted Kimberly, lifted her out of the van, and set her on her feet. He pushed the anger at Hawthorn away and tried to comfort his wife.
“I didn’t know.” She tried to shake him.
Elle stood by, holding out an uncapped water bottle. “Kimberly, rinse your mouth.”
Kimberly took a drink, and Elle held out another wipe. Alex wondered if they’d done this before.
“Don’t think I’ll ever get that taste out of my mouth. My father-in-law watched me. I looked for a camera, but it was hard without being obvious. I stumbled upon the one in the studio, and I realized there had to be others, but my bathroom—that’s just sick.” Kimberly took another drink.
Agent Garcia approached. “We’d like to leave here as soon as possible. Kimberly and Alex, if you’ll get in that vehicle over there, we’ll debrief elsewhere.”
Alex helped Kimberly into the SUV. A thin sheen of perspiration coated her brow. “Do you need another minute?”
Kimberly shook her head. “Just aim the AC at my face.”
As Alex rounded the vehicle, Agent Danes stopped him. “Please don’t let her do that again.”
“You mean confront her father-in-law? Not my call. If you are talking about losing her breakfast, I think all of us wanted to do that listening to him. Believe me, she didn’t enjoy the experience either.” Alex pushed past the agent and into the SUV.
Agent Danes got into the driver’s seat.
“Agents I need to go to the hotel now.” Kimberly’s face had lost all color her voice was barely a whisper.
Agent Garcia turned in her seat. “We’ve arranged a safe house.”
“Hastings Security has also arranged a safe place for me. And right now, I prefer to be there.” Her voice was more firm.
The agents looked at each other.
Alex spoke up. “That was our agreement yesterday. It is obvious Kimberly needs rest. If you’ll take us back to the airstrip, we’ll escort her from there.”
