Page 67 of Protecting Silver
“What?” they both asked.
“Was Bruce taken when I was?”
“No,” Decker said. “He was left behind all alone in the house while Douglas and Anna were at the hospital, and Anna was giving birth to Daniel.”
“I was six weeks early, or Grandma and Grandpa would have been there. We can sit down after this to discuss everything.”
“I know, but what if Merrick was doing what he was back then, and a desperate couple wanted a two-year-old. I fitted the bill, but Bruce didn’t, so they took me, and left him.”
“Oh shit,” Decker said as he stared back at Patch. After several moments of silence, he nodded and looked at Daniel. “I could see that. They only wanted one child, and Patch fitted the bill. Without drawing suspicion to themselves, they left Bruce.”
“Shit,” Daniel said as he shook his head, and nodded to the man standing there holding a wire. Patch did as instructed by holding his arms out to the sides, and turned when he was told. Once the wire was taped to his body, he began to dress in the clothes he had been handed. At the bright white tee, he wrinkled his nose.
“I know, it’s for appearances, but I really hate wearing tees under my dress shirts. Hell, I don’t think I’ve worn a suit since my best friend got married almost three years ago.”
“Were you the best man?” Daniel asked, trying to get to know Patch better.
“Yep, I met Finn when I was twelve, and my last set of foster parents were going through rough times before the divorce. Now talk about someone rich, Finn’s richer than God, but he never lorded it over anyone, especially me when he found out I was in foster care. He’s been my best friend since the day we met.”
They finished having Patch dress, and set him up with his spy equipment, then they had him sit in a chair and a woman stepped up to him. “Do you mind if I leave your hair loose? I won’t cut it, but I can style it to be long, but out of the way. Sort of a rich bad boy look.”
“Okay.” Patch shrugged, then took the container another woman handed him. “What’s this?”
“Colored contacts. We’re going to change your eye color, and I want to thank you for not shaving for the last week. I’ll just trim your beard up a little.” Patch sat there and endured what he thought was torture, but when he took one look at Silver an hour later and saw her reaction to his new look, it was well worth the agony of sitting still for that long.
“Damn,” Silver said as she looked at Patch. She walked right up to him and placed her hand over his jaw, then leaned up on her toes, and kissed his mouth. “I like the green eyes.”
“Thanks, and you are absolutely stunning. Maybe dressed like this, we can give Finn and Ronnie a run for their money.” Patch grinned, and sighed in relief when Silver laughed.
“Okay then,” Daniel said as he rubbed his hands together. “Your appointment with Merriweather is in one hour. Another agent will drive you in a town car, while Decker, Tamara, Jackie and I will be monitoring surveillance equipment down the street in a parked truck.”
“Won’t it stick out like a sore thumb?” Silver asked.
“No, we’ve had undercover agents survey the area where the adoption lawyer works, and it’s in a less-than-ideal neighborhood. We made the truck to look like it belongs. The only thing that will stick out will the you, your driver, and the town car. Remember, we’re going for rich and desperate here. That’s the only reason why a couple like you would be seen in a place like that. Believe me, it’s a very run-down neighborhood.”
“Will I need my ankle piece?” Patch asked as he pointed to his ankle, and realized that no one had said a word to him earlier while he was dressing.
“I probably shouldn’t say this, but I read your military record, and know you know how to handle yourself. If it makes you feel safer while gathering information, and protecting Silver, then I’ll approve of it, but I don’t have to tell you to use it only if necessary. Remember, this is only the initial meeting. There may be several more in the days to come.”
“I understand, as long as you know that I will protect Silver at all costs.”
“Before we go,” Silver said as she held up her hand to stop any more discussion about Patch carrying a gun into this meeting. “What happens if there’s a fee for the lawyer?”
“Pay it with the checkbook we’ll give you before we leave. The Bureau will deal with it later. I have a feeling they’ll be asking for a fee for each visit.”
“When do we actually take them down? I know this is fact finding, and it’ll take some time, but what do we do in the meantime?”
“Wait, see what this Merriweather says. And Patch, don’t go ape shit on his ass if this really is Merrick. I’m counting on the two of you to be convincing that you’re a loving couple in desperate want of a child. We need to sell Merriweather on your acting abilities. I’ve never met the man, but from what I read, he’s the type that believes in the old adage of ‘money talks, bullshit walks’. Let him see the lengths you’d go to just to get a child.”
Silver drew in a deep breath, and let it out slowly when Patch put his arm around her. “Okay, we got this.”
“Good, now there’s only one thing left,” Daniel said as he took the box another agent handed him, and held it out to Patch. When he took it, he frowned down at it. “What’s this?”
“Your wedding bands. Can’t have you portraying a happily married couple without your wedding bands.”
Patch opened the case and wrinkled his nose.
“What?” Silver asked in confusion. She looked over and sucked in her breath, “Oh my, what’s wrong with these?”
