Page 66 of Facing the Enemy
“It happened exactly like Dad said. What I don’t understand is why he didn’t try to stop the guy. But I didn’t do anything either.”
“Son, are you blaming yourself?” Ethan said.
“Maybe. Dad, do you remember the color and make of the pickup truck you switched to?”
“Agent Patterson asked me the same thing. White. Dodge Ram. Why?”
I took over the conversation and gave the short version of Risa and Carson’s encounter with someone who had tried to run them off the road while on the way back to Houston.
Ethan sank into his chair. His face seared with trauma. “This tragedy is worse than any nightmare.”
I took the lead on the conversation. “Security cams should confirm much of the testimony. Carson, your dad has offered to help the FBI bring in John Smith. In the meantime, your mother, brother, and you will be escorted to a safe house until arrests are made. Ethan, you will not be able to contact them or know their location.”
“That’s fine. Peace of mind means everything to me.” Ethan peered at Carson, obviously searching for a reaction. “I’m sorry I lied to you. I honestly felt like I had no recourse but to follow orders.”
Carson stared back. Emotions swirled silently around the small room. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Professor Jacobs and Agent Patterson. They saved my life. I’ll tell you everything one day.” He gulped. “Dad, I wish you would have told me the truth. I didn’t want to believe you were part of what I saw. I ... I—”
Ethan moved from the table to the other side and embraced his son. Both shed tears. “No matter how this ends, I love you, Son. My family is my life. Whenever I think of what those people have done to others, what they forced me to do, I’m ready to help no matter the cost.”
I turned away. Too private a moment to gawk. The reunion of father and son gave me one more reason to show up to work every day, why I vowed to keep people safe from predators. Not all of life was shadowed by dark corners. My phone buzzed with a call from SAC Dunkin, and I stepped outside to talk privately.
34
RISA
After drinking a full pot of coffee, I managed to shower and find a clean pair of jeans, for what I had no clue, but the effort gave me think time about Gage. Had I made a mistake in telling him I loved him? Kissing him back? When normal life returned, we’d talk and figure things out.
Where did I fit in the obscurity of Trenton’s death and the kidnapping case? Because somewhere I did. I sensed a mockery of all I believed in, like a nightmare where the world flipped upside down—bad was good and good was bad. I needed a ticket out of that world—before others were hurt.
I turned to reason, logic. Investigative mode picked at me to learn about what happened with Ethan Mercury’s and Carson’s interviews.
After digesting FBI updates—minus the morning’s interviews—I phoned the hospital to check on Jack. Good news. His condition had improved with a medical upgrade status of serious. No visitors were permitted without proper identification and then only five minutes on the half hour. I’d take those precious few minutes, and if whoever had threatened me last July disapproved, then so be it.
I grabbed my purse and ID, then evaluated my actions. My family and friends were in danger whenever I chased a suspect. Anyone withan ounce of sense could track down those whom I cared about. That had always been the reality of my FBI career. The blow of Trenton’s death and his incredible sacrifice had shaken the very foundation of my commitment to protect the innocent.
I texted SAC Dunkin.
I’m tired of hiding out. I’ll request my parents take a vacation.
Immediately he texted me back.That’s the spirit.
Thanks. I’m not cowering from bullies.
I called Dad and explained my change of plans. He’d need to talk to Mom. “How soon should we leave on this vacation?”
“ASAP,” I said. “Lots of good places to visit during the holiday season.”
“Who has your back, honey?”
“God.”
“I can’t argue with Him. Guess we could drive to South Carolina. Your mom loves Charleston at Christmas.”
Had she convinced him?
Fifteen minutes later, he called with confirmation of their road trip. “We’re prepared to do our part in ending the search for whoever has tried to destroy our family. Your mom’s making hotel reservations at this very minute. We’ll pack and leave in less than two hours. I’ll text you once we’re on the road.”
“Don’t tell anyone where you’re going,” I said.
