Page 64 of His Gift
"Will they? I dug deeper than Irene did. When did you two meet?"
Fuck, fuck, fuck. I glance at Conrad, but he doesn't look scared. I am. Shitless.
"A few weeks before Harper got attacked."
"Right. And during those few weeks, Ms. Harper's uncle died in a gruesome accident. A man on the police radar because he was suspected of being a potential pedophile. And her ex-husband reported a home invasion. Nothing was stolen, but he had to be hospitalized."
I'm starting to panic. I shouldn't have been here. Conrad is showing nothing, but just looking at me, Levy must know he hit the mark. I want to say something, to protest, to defend Conrad. Instead, I follow his cue and keep my mouth shut, concentrating on breathing. When he sees neither of us is going to talk, Levy fixes his eyes on me. I have decided. I don't like him. At all.
"And here comes the part that made me ask for a private meeting, Mr. Sinclair. But so be it. I have my suspicions. I guess it's pretty obvious. But if you did it, you covered your tracks well. You showed you have it in you, but it's not proof. So why I'm telling you this? Because Ms. Schmidt is our—my—primary concern, and I'm not sure she's fit to make a choiceabout your presence here. She made the choice not to tell you where she was going and Agent Vance shouldn't have accepted her change of heart at face value."
Silence hangs over us once more. This time I can't help myself. "I told Irene, and I just told you: I'm happy Conrad's here. What proof do you want? My uncle wasn't a nice person, but I haven't seen him in twenty years. And my ex-husband was fooling around even before our divorce. Most likely, he dated the wrong woman." I'm proud of myself. All I want is to cry, but I won't. I'll show him 'not fit to make a choice.' I shouldn't be so pissed; Levy is looking out for me. But he doesn't know the first thing about Conrad and me.
I sustain his scrutiny, concentrating on Conrad's hand on my thigh, on his body beside mine. On his apparent calm. And finally Levy relaxes back in his chair.
"Understood. There's still the matter of hacking federal data, but given what happened, we're willing to close an eye. We'll ask you to stay here for at least a month. The trial is starting, a lot of pieces are moving, and we can protect you best here. When we are sure the situation has calmed down, we'll discuss the next steps. Your things have arrived. It will take longer to get back your electronics—we need to make sure they're safe—but the rest is waiting for you outside the door."
He stands, and Conrad stands with him. "Thank you, agent. For what it's worth, I'm not a threat to Harper, or to anyone else who's not set oncausing her harm. And I agree. A month will be needed for both of us to recover, and we can use some quiet." He turns his head toward me and I nod.
Levy offers his hand and Conrad takes it in a handshake. "A pleasure to have met you. And for what it's worth, I believe you. I hope you'll leave the protection part to us, though, unless it's strictly needed. There's so much I can ignore."
And with that, he turns on his heel, and he's gone.
"What the hell happened?" I stand up and wrap my arms around Conrad's neck. I was sure he'd be arrested.
"You've been amazing, my gift. That's what happened. And to be honest, now I trust Levy a little more. I understand you care for Irene, but I have in mind just your safety, and Levy showed he does, too. Now, what do you say we check the boxes and make this place ours? As I said, we can use the quiet. And I look forward to finally sharing a home with you."
"Agree." I need a longer hug, though. And to let go of the tears. But I know Conrad is here for that too.
fifty
Conrad
"Are you sure this was cleared by the Feds?"
I glance at Harper and smirk. "Yes. If it was for me, we'd be on a Caribbean beach. But Martha's Vineyard will do. You were tired of being cooped up, weren't you?"
She nods and smiles, going back to look out the window at the ever-changing landscape. It would have been way faster to take a plane, but I agreed with Levy: by car is way more discreet. I just can'twait to reach up-island and the place I rented. It's ocean front and secluded, and I hired private security. They won't make themselves known unless necessary, so there's no need for Harper to know.
The whole point was to finally feel free again. We've completed the two long, interminable months of FBI oversight—an extension from the originally agreed-upon one month that I've conformed to only because I respect and trust Levy more now. Levy has promised that the oversight is finally over. And that after these two weeks' vacation, we'll be able to start our new life. There's been a change in power and the new Pakhan, or whatever the Russian's boss is called, wants to leave everything behind and get a fresh start. We're still moving far away, and the Feds will keep an eye out, but it's way better than what I thought it would happen. I will not have to move Harper abroad. Staying in the U.S. will give Harper the option of returning toheroldlife.
The GPS gives the last instructions, and the cottage peeks out between the trees. I'd rented a bigger place, but I know it's not Harper's style. "We're here, sweet girl. I promised Levy we'll stay put, but we won't be stuck in an apartment anymore."
"I like it! And being away from everything… Thank you, Conrad. I needed it."
I park the car and turn to her. "I needed it too. Plus, walking on the beach and swimming in the ocean will be therapy for both of us." I need it more than she does, to be honest. My damn shoulder is getting better, but slowly.No matter what the doctor says about me being overly impatient. "Ready to go in?"
As I exit the car, I look around. They're discreet, but not invisible if you know what to look for. I hope they won't be necessary, but knowing there'll be five armed men watching our house at all times gives me peace of mind.
Latching my fingers with Harper's, I lead her up the steps and inside the small cottage. Sunlight streams through the floor to ceiling windows of the open space, hitting the simple kitchen and the comfortable lines of the living room furniture. Last there's the bed, almost tucked away in its own alcove, the dark wood frame giving it a sense of quiet privacy in the otherwise open room. The only door is the one leading to the bathroom.
"It's so… nice! And so not you." Harper turns to me with a questioning expression, and I bend down to give her a quick peck on her cheek.
"I'm happy you like it, and it's ideal for me, too. Simple, uncluttered, and I can see you no matter where I am."
A broad smile opens up on her face, and then she rolls her eyes. She's smiling more and more with every passing day. It's a stunning view every fucking time.
"You're impossible!"
