“With no memory of you or our marriage at all, it was hard to believe you.” Priscilla took a sip of coffee. “I’m glad I remembered meeting you at least—both in Vegas and on that summer mission trip when we were teens. That helped calm my fears somewhat, that you hadn’t been lying about everything. Perhaps, when this is over, I can have another session with Dr. Devins and can recall the rest. But the fact is, whether I do or not, I don’t see how we can stay married.”
Priscilla said the very thing he had been wanting her to say, yet the revelation didn’t fill him with relief. He didn’t say anything, sensing from her set shoulders that she had more to add.
“I thought about this all night. We hardly know each other. Even when Culvert is caught, there’s the trial that could last months. Then there’s appeals and sentencing. Culvert has already retained high-priced lawyers. There’s no doubt this could drag on for years. I’d have to stay in witness protection until it’s over and Culvert’s in prison.”
Her gaze dropped to the uneaten sandwich on her lap. “I couldn’t ask anyone to join me in such a life. Until it’s over, I can’t commit to anything, or anyone else either.” She raised her eyes to his. “I simply won’t have the energy to open up, to share all the things married couples should share, because my focus has to be on putting Culvert away for good and staying alive.”
The sadness in her eyes tugged at his heart, while the set of her jaw told him she had made up her mind. He wrestled with his own sense of loss at her words. She was right—their parting ways was for the best. But why did it leave him feeling empty inside instead of relieved? “It’s for your own good and safety,” she continued. “You were shot in the arm and nearly burned to death because of me. I can’t live with that on my conscience.”
A part of Luc was thrilled to hear that she had been thinking not of herself but of him in her decision.
But before he could reply, Mac walked up. “Come on—you can finish your breakfast in the car.”
“Where are we going?” Priscilla rewrapped her sandwich.
Luc grabbed his coffee and sandwich as well.
“To a new safe house.” Mac tapped his phone. “Luc will ride with Myers and Laura, while Priscilla will come with me and Aldrich. Dr. Devins will head out with Jarvis and Smith. We’ll take three different routes to the secure location.”
Luc didn’t like this plan at all. He still didn’t believe that Culvert was behind the attacks, and it made him uneasy to have Priscilla out of his sight. “Why are you splitting us up?”
“It’s safer for Priscilla. Laura will dress like Priscilla. If Culvert’s watching us, he won’t know which vehicle to follow.” Mac held out a John Deere baseball cap to Priscilla. “Put this on.”
Luc had no choice but to comply, but he didn’t have to like it. Priscilla tucked her hair up under the cap, and Laura did the same. With identical flannel shirts and jeans, the two women could pass for twins at a distance.
“Everyone ready?” Mac opened the door, conferred briefly with the agents on perimeter duty, then took Priscilla’s arm. “Let’s move!”
Luc tried to keep Priscilla in his sight, but quickly lost track of her as Myers took Laura’s arm and motioned for Luc to follow close behind. In the parking lot, the three groups headed to identical black SUVs. Luc climbed into the back with Laura, while Myers got into the driver’s seat. The other groups also loaded into the SUVs without incident.
Laura’s cell phone buzzed, and she hit Accept on speakerphone. “Ready to roll.”
“Good,” Mac said. “Everyone’s in place. Stay safe.”
“Will do.” Laura tapped Myers on the shoulder. “Let’s go.”
Luc tried to tamp down his unease but couldn’t. Something wasn’t right. He turned to say so to Laura when a trio of pickup trucks with snowplows attached to their grilles roared into the parking lot. Then the trucks split off, each one accelerating toward an SUV.
“What are those trucks doing?” Laura asked as Myers put the vehicle in gear.