Authors: Cate Beauman
“You’ve got it.”
Abby broke free of his hold, heading toward the cooler of drinks mere feet to his left.
He struggled not to pull her back and keep her at his side as he looked around at strangers perusing magazines or purchasing packs of gum. He’d grown accustomed to the quiet and safety he and Abby experienced over the last three weeks in Parker. For the first time in years, he actually missed the farm.
“Do you want something?” she asked as she grabbed a soda.
“Uh, just a water, thanks.”
She pulled a bottled water from the cooler and studied the small selection of crackers, pretzels, chips, and cookies, choosing a bag of pretzel rods. “Do you want a snack?”
“I need a real meal.” He took a pay-as-you-go phone from the shelf, noting the thirty-minute card included. “Are you all set?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s pay for this and get out of here.”
Jerrod paid the bored-eyed woman at the register, using cash. “You can keep the bag,” he said as he and Abby walked out, stopping next to the women’s restroom close by. “Go ahead, and I’ll get this taken care of.” He gestured to the phone he battled to pull from the thick plastic.
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Abby set her snacks on top of their carryons and hurried to the bathroom.
Several moments later, Jerrod finally freed the throwaway phone and entered the information from the card quickly, knowing he only had a fifteen-minute charge before he would have to plug in. The screen beeped, alerting him to a successful activation, and he dialed Ethan.
“Cooke.”
“It’s Quinn.”
“You’re secure?”
“Not yet. We’ll find a hotel until you can send someone to give me a hand. He glanced around, waiting for Abby’s return.
“I don’t have anyone until Saturday—Friday at the earliest.”
“That’s a long damn time.” He’d handled solo situations like this numerous times in the three years he worked WITSEC. Four days had never been a big deal. Hell, he’d been on his own for weeks at a time, relocating participants on the fly, but they had never been Abby. Of the thousands of witnesses he’d helped transfer, she was the one who mattered most. When they reached their final destination, he wouldn’t be handing her off to another Marshal. When all of this was over, he wouldn’t wave and walk away. He blinked as he realized he had no intention of letting her go.
“We weren’t exactly planning on your ex’s little exposé.”
“Yeah, I know.” He rubbed at the back of his neck, trying to concentrate on his conversation with Ethan instead of his epiphany.
“I’ll do my best to finagle coverage and get someone out there sooner. I know what’s at stake here, man.”
“We’ll be fine, but I’ll take the help as soon as you can send it. I’ll check in tomorrow.”
“I’ll have a better idea of who’s coming and when.”
“Thanks.”
“Take care.”
“Will do.” He ended the call, checking the time he had remaining until the battery went dead.
“I feel much better,” Abigail said as she came out of the restroom. Her cheeks still lacked color, but her eyes seemed brighter.
“Good. Let’s take a seat while I make one more call, then we’ll get food and find a place to stay.”
They picked up their bags and seated themselves against the wall, facing the crowds as he dialed Adam’s number.
“Hello?”
“It’s Jerrod. Have you heard anything more?”
“Not yet.”
“What the hell’s taking so long?” It wasn’t uncommon for surveillance to take days or even a couple of weeks, but he needed answers now.
“I’m sorry, man. You know how this shakes down. We can’t afford mistakes.”
He rubbed at his forehead as he steamed out a breath. “I know.”
“What the hell’s up? Are you in trouble?”
“You could say that.”
“Where are you?”
He stayed silent.
“I know. You’re not going to tell me. Fucking protocol.” Adam sighed. “Come to New York. Shane and I can help you out.”
The idea of giving Abby a secure location with men he trusted was appealing. “I don’t know.” They both knew he wouldn’t confirm or deny his plans over an unsecure line.
“Look. Maybe we’ll see you and maybe we won’t, but you know where we are if you want a couple extra sets of eyes.”
“I appreciate it.” The phone beeped, alerting him to his dwindling time limit. “I’ve gotta go.”
“Keep in touch.”
“I will.” He hung up as Abby swallowed her bite of pretzel, washing it down with a sip of soda. “Let’s walk.” Staying idle was never a good idea.
She shouldered her bag and purse and stood, walking with her snacks in hand. “What did you find out?”
“Well, we have a couple of options.” He slid his arm around her waist, keeping her close, talking next to her ear like any cozy couple would. “We can lay low here in Indianapolis until Ethan gets someone out to help, or we can head to some friends of mine. My old roommates.”
She slowed, her weary eyes meeting his. “The taskforce guys?”
He nodded, understanding Abby’s nonexistent trust for law enforcement and their agendas. He couldn’t blame her. The Baltimore Taskforce would have left her twisting in the wind if it hadn’t been for her sister. “This would be off the radar—just a couple of my friends giving us a hand for a couple of days.”
She shrugged. “What do you think?”
“I wouldn’t hate having the backup. And the anonymity of where we would be going is a big plus.”
She nibbled her lip. “You want to go.”
“I want you safe.”
“I trust you, Jerrod. If you think this is right.”
“These are good guys. I lived with them for two years.”
She sighed. “I guess we should book another flight.”
“I think this is the right move.” He gave her a kiss. “I’ll call Ethan.” He dialed Ethan with his remaining four minutes.
“Cooke.”
“I need flights.” He glanced behind him, making certain no one stood too close as they continued down the concourse. “LaGuardia. My service time is running out.”
“I’ll set it up right now.” Ethan’s fingers flew over the keys. “I can get you guys out of there at five-twenty on American. Flight 1727. It’s direct.”
“Set it up.”
“I’m halfway done.”
The phone beeped again. “I’ll check in tomorrow. We’ll be staying with some friends.”
“Got it.”
“Thanks.” Ending the call, he pulled the memory card from the phone as he and Abby stepped out of the busy path. He dropped the chip on the floor, crushing it under his heel as she stared into his eyes. He picked up the mangled pieces, tossing them in the trash as they walked by. “Looks like we’re changing carriers. Let’s go.” He wrapped his arm around Abby again as much for safety as comfort while they made their way to the American Airlines ticket desk.
~~~~
Abby snuggled her head on Jerrod’s chest as the cab drove toward the address in West Manhattan. She’d been to The Big Apple on several occasions, typically loving the edgy energy the city emanated, but not this time. Tonight the bumper-to-bumper traffic and noise was a shock after the quiet of the farm. Everything was crowded, and the buildings were so tall, closing them in, accentuating the frantic bustle everywhere they turned.
She closed her eyes, struggling to ignore the honking horns and bright lights. The familiar flutters of unease were back, turning into waves of panic as she yearned to be anywhere but here. Burrowing herself closer to Jerrod, she concentrated on the scent of his clothes and the steady beat of his heart, willing the worst of her fear away.
He wrapped his arms tighter around her, stroking a soothing hand down her back. “You okay?” he murmured next to her ear.
Not even a little, but she nodded. From the moment they’d landed she’d wanted to run. Something about being here felt
wrong
. She’d almost grabbed hold of Jerrod a dozen times while they made their way through the airport, insisting that they leave, but he had enough to deal with without her hysterics. He was under enough pressure; he didn’t need her making things worse. The best thing she could do was keep her mouth shut and let him do his job.
He kissed the top of her head and rested his cheek on her hair. “We’re just about there.”
“Okay.” She breathed him in, clenching her thighs, fighting off the trembling that wanted its way.
“This is good right here,” Jerrod said to the cabbie, freeing himself from her death grip to reach for his wallet.
The man pulled to the curb, taking the cash Jerrod handed him.
“Thanks.” Jerrod looked at her. “Are you ready to meet the guys?”
Her head was light with fatigue; her body ached with pent-up tension. The last thing she wanted to do was make small talk with a bunch of strangers. “Sure.”
He opened the door and got out, grabbing his bag and her hand, pulling her to his side as she shouldered her purse and carryon. He closed the door, and they joined the crowds as the frigid winds slapped at her face.
“Damn it’s cold,” he said, hunching his shoulders against the next nasty gust.
“Where are we going?” Her teeth chattered—and not just because she was freezing.
“Two buildings up.”
Thank goodness they were close. She needed to lock herself in the room they would borrow for the next week and shake and shiver away the worst of the dread settled in the pit of her stomach.
Jerrod slowed as they came to the dark green awning covering the ‘Riverside’ entrance. “Here we are.” He opened the glass door, letting her into the warmth of the lobby, smiling as they stepped into the elevator seconds before it closed. Jerrod pressed the button for the twelfth floor and took her hand, clasping their fingers, holding her gaze as he leaned against the glossy metal. “This is a good place, Abby. These are great guys.”
For the first time since he rushed out of bed this morning he seemed relaxed. Jerrod needed this time with his friends and the extra backup. If he said this was a good place, it was. “I’m looking forward to meeting everyone.” She smiled, knowing he would relax further if she did. “I hope they don’t mind that we’re coming.”
“Adam invited us. We can have Gavin’s old room, which isn’t much bigger than your bathroom back home, but you’ll be safe here—as safe as you were at the farm.”
Then why didn’t she
feel
like it? She nodded, giving him another smile anyway.
The elevator dinged as the door slid open, and they walked down the hall, stopping at apartment 12-3. Jerrod knocked loudly, competing with the football game blaring on the other side. The door opened, and a handsome, well-built man with black hair and brown eyes appeared in the doorframe, grinning. “Well, if it isn’t trouble,” he said in a heavy New York accent, reaching out, grabbing Jerrod up in a ‘bro’ hug.
Jerrod smiled, hugging him back. “Hey, man.”
“Good to see you.” The guy gave Jerrod a solid smack to the back.
“It’s been awhile.”
“Come in. Come in.” He opened the door wider, letting them in.
Abby stepped inside, glancing around at empty white walls, dark wood furnishings, and leather couches, admiring the excellent view of the city through tall windows.
“Adam, this is Abby. Abby, Adam.”
Adam’s hand swallowed hers as they shook. “Welcome to our castle. Make yourself comfortable.”
She smiled, staring at the white Immigration and Customs Enforcement insignia on the black t-shirt he wore, wishing she felt as relaxed as she did when Jerrod introduced her to Tim. “Thank you.”
“You guys want a beer or something?”
“Nah, I think we’ll pass.” Jerrod looked at Abby for confirmation as they took off their caps and jackets.
She shook her head.
Jerrod laid their stuff on the nearest chair and shoved his hands in his pockets, peering down the hall. “Where’s Shane?”
“Florida. Or he’s on his way. His team got a hot lead on some asshole who likes to traffic narcotics.” He looked at Abby. “You want something to eat? There’s not much in the fridge, but we can order in anything you want.”
“We grabbed something at the airport.” Jerrod held her gaze, studying. “Abby might want to hit the hay. It’s been a long one.”
“I am pretty tired.” She gripped the strap of her purse, desperately craving quiet.
“Like I said,
mi casa es su casa
.” Adam took a seat on the huge leather couch, grabbing his already opened beer. “Go catch some Zs, Abby. We’ll see you in the morning.”
“Gavin’s old room?” Jerrod confirmed.
“You know where it is.” Adam crossed his ankles on the coffee table.
“Come on.” Jerrod gestured with his head. “I’ll show you.”
“Thank you for your hospitality,” Abby said, following.
“Brothers take care of brothers. Isn’t that right, Quinn?”
“You’ve got it.” Jerrod started down a short hall, turning into a closet-sized room with just enough square-footage for a queen-sized bed and a dresser, which was jammed into the corner.
She stopped before she entered, staring at the single window in the small space—her saving grace.
“It’s pretty tight in here.” He set his bag on the floor. “Is this going to be okay?”
“Yeah. It’s fine.” She set down her carryon by the dresser and wedged her way around to the window, looking out at the buildings across the street, trying her best to ignore their drab, cramped quarters that reminded her too much of her room at the stash house.
“Abby.”
She turned, meeting his eyes.
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” She crossed her arms at her chest. “We’ve had a long day. I’m ready to rest.”
“Does Adam bother you?”
She shook her head, still trying to figure out what it was exactly that made her uncomfortable with this entire situation. “He seems very nice.” And he did. She just needed to adjust to their new space and the idea of being surrounded by men she didn’t know.
“He’s a loud son of a bitch, but he’s one of my best friends.”
The affection in his voice was unmistakable. She tried hard to relax her shoulders, hoping to convince him as much as herself that this was okay. “Really, Jerrod, I’m fine, just tired. I look forward to getting to know him better after I’ve caught up on my sleep.”
He glanced toward the hall as Adam shouted at the television. “Let me talk to Adam for a couple of minutes, then I’ll come in.”