by Ward, Alice
Oh, shit. She thought I’d ran off to be with Asher. She didn’t believe my note. And then, I didn’t answer my phone.
“I’m sorry, I should have stuck my head in your room before I left for the spa. I know it was silly to leave for something like that. I booked the appointment weeks ago and completely forgot about it. I’m still so sore from the accident, so when the therapist called to confirm this morning, I decided to go on a whim. Gabe and Mitch took me down to the valley and stayed outside the spa the entire time.”
“Well, I for one am glad you took a little time to take care of yourself,” Mom said, putting a gentle arm around my shoulder.
“Claire and I are making Dad’s favorite empanadas for lunch. Why don’t you let me draw you a hot bubble bath before we get started in the kitchen? I’ll set up your tray table and bring you some magazines and sparkling water. We can keep up the pampering theme of the day.”
As wonderful as the idea of a hot bath sounded, I was desperate to get to the office. My eyes darted to the messenger bag on the entryway table while I tried to think of a reason to decline Mom’s offer.
“Ellen’s right,” Kennedy agreed. “It’s important that you relax and take care of yourself as much as possible. The easier you take it, the faster you’ll heal. I wish I could stick around for the empanadas, but I have another meeting with the federal prosecutor.”
“Is it anything we should be worried about?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. I imagine it will be more of the same. He’ll grill me about Asher’s location. I’ll insist again that I have no idea where he is. Jackson’s going to meet me at the courthouse. He wants to show me a piece of property. We’ll be back in time for dinner.”
“Wonderful. I’m taking over tonight since Claire has an event,” Mom explained.
I turned to Claire with a grin. “I didn’t know you were catering tonight. This is your first job, isn’t it? Why didn’t you say anything? We should celebrate.”
Claire blushed and looked down at the floor. “It’s not a big deal. It’s just a small family reunion in the Mission district. I think I’m cooking for about thirty people, give or take.”
“Can I help?”
She shook her head. “No, I’ve got it all under control. I’ll be cooking on site, so I won’t be in anyone’s way.”
“Well, good luck,” Kennedy called over her shoulder. “I’ll see you all this afternoon.”
“Call me if you learn anything new,” I called back to her. She replied with a wave and disappeared out the door.
“So what do you say about that bath?” Mom asked.
“A bath sounds perfect,” I agreed. “But first, I need to send Deacon an email and let him know we’re all okay.”
“Can’t you do that on your tablet from the tub?”
I shook my head. “I could. But I want to send him a few web articles as well and they’re bookmarked on the desktop. Claire, will you need in the office in the next little while?”
She shook her head. “No, I’m good. Take as much time as you’d like. Ellen and I are about to get started on the pie crust dough.”
I rose from the couch and retrieved my bag. “You two have been cooking around the clock. Are you sure you don’t want to take a break?”
Claire shook her head. “Your mom’s been teaching me some kitchen tricks,” she explained. “I’m starting to think I should stop looking at culinary schools and just move into the bed and breakfast as her apprentice.”
“Oh, you flatter me,” Mom laughed. “We’ll be in the kitchen if you need us, sweetheart. I’ll take a break and run that bath as soon as you’re finished with your email.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
I retreated to the office and locked myself in. I ripped open the envelope and dumped its contents onto the desk. A small flip phone fell on top of a stack of paperwork. I was tempted to reach for it, but remembered Lindsey’s instructions. I pulled the top page from the stack, my heart dancing at the sight of Asher’s handwriting.
My Dearest Lauren,
There are no words for how sorry I am for leaving with no explanation. I can’t go into the details here, just know I had no other choice. I have arranged for you to join me, if that’s what you want. The phone I’ve included is untraceable. I have one as well and my number is saved under A in yours. Only call, don’t text or leave voicemails. And only call from my home office.
I’ve included a detailed list of everything you need to take care of to join me safely. I can’t stress enough how important it is that no one catch on to our plan. I love you, Lauren, and I want nothing more than to be with you again. But given the circumstances, I’ll understand if this is all too much for you to deal with.
Whether you join me or not, I need you to be very careful. Don’t leave the house without a guard and don’t trust anyone but our friends and family. I’m doing everything I can to neutralize the threat and I long to hear from you soon.
Your Loving Husband.
I flipped open the phone and dialed the only number in the contacts list. Asher answered halfway through the first ring.
“Lauren, thank God. Are you safe?”
“I’m fine,” I assured him, tears rolling down my face. “Are you safe?”
“Yes. I’m so sorry, Lauren. When you came to see me at Atwater, I wanted so badly to tell you what was going on. You have to know that I never would have run like that unless I had no other choice.”
“I know.” I was careful to keep my voice just above a whisper. “I want to be with you, Asher. I don’t care about the danger. I just care that we’re together.”
“I can’t promise this won’t last forever, Lauren,” he warned. “My dad and I are doing everything we can to neutralize the problem. He was close to having it dealt with before I got to Atwater, and then everything went to shit. The wrong people figured out what we were up to and they had every intention of dealing with us before we became a problem.”
“The wrong people? I know you mean—”
“Don’t say it, baby. The fewer specific details over the phone, the better.”
“Right, I’m sorry. But you’re safe now? These people, they’re not an immediate threat?”
“Not until they find us. Which is why it’s so important that you follow the instructions I sent you to the letter. My dad thinks this is a bad idea. Hell, I think it’s a bad idea. But I’m miserable without you. And at the moment, I don’t have the resources to keep you safe from a distance. I promise I’ll protect you with my life once you’re here.”
“When can I join you?”
“I have a very discrete pilot on standby for Monday morning. That should give you enough time to get the preparations in order. John Rogers will be in contact on your regular cell.”
“That reminds me. I managed to get some alone time in the office, but that isn’t always going to be the case. Claire’s living in here at the moment, and everyone else is spread out through the house. I would never call in front of anyone. But can’t I call from the grounds or our bedroom?”
“No, it has to be the office. It’s the only room in the house that I’m confident isn’t bugged. I spent quite a bit of money making sure it was a no eavesdropping zone. I understand it’ll be difficult. Just do the best you can.”
“I miss you, Asher,” I confessed, tears filling my eyes again. “And I hate the way they’re crucifying you on the news. It’s like the whole world is getting off on watching you fall and I hate it. I want to tell them all to go to hell, but Kennedy won’t let me.”
“Kennedy’s smart. I figured the twenty-four-hour stations would have a field day with the story. Is it really getting that bad?”
“You haven’t been watching?”
“Aside from this phone, I’m cut off from the outside world at the moment.”
“Oh, Asher,” I sighed. “There’s so much you need to know.”
“You can fill me in when you get here. I’m so sorry, baby, but
I have to go. Don’t carry this phone on you. Hide it somewhere in the bedroom and only check for missed calls when you’re alone.”
“I will,” I promised. I didn’t want to end the call, but I knew it was only a matter of time before someone tried to check on me. I didn’t want to explain why I’d locked the door to send Deacon an email.
“I love you so much, Lauren.”
“I love you too. I’ll see you soon.”
“That’s the only thought that’s keeping me going.”
***
I spent Friday and Saturday dodging my friends and family and carrying out Asher’s instructions. The paperwork explained that my new IDs would take the longest to get in order, so I started my journey to Asher by snapping a few pictures of myself with the web cam and sending them to John Rogers.
From there, I let Mom run me a bath. I soaked in the water and mentally ran through my wardrobe, deciding which pieces were versatile enough to pack and which should be left behind. I had no idea where I was going or what I would need, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to sneak much out of the house.
After my bath, I spent some time relaxing on the terrace with my dad, who was healing from the wreck on schedule. I offered to help Mom with dinner, but she insisted that I take it easy. I felt terribly guilty, but did my best not to show it. Just after sunset, I announced I was turning in early. Instead, I spent hours going through our closets. I filled a single duffle bag with practical jeans, safari shorts, and long and short sleeved t-shirts. I added my hiking boots and some of Asher’s favorite clothes before hiding the bag behind a tower of boxes.
I had an uneasy night, knowing that Saturday’s chores would be far more difficult. My day started with Kennedy busting through the bedroom door with a frantic look on her face. I did my best to mimic her uncertain panic.
“Lauren, you have to get up. Someone from the cybercrimes unit is on their way over. Something happened at your bank.”
I sat upright against the headboard and stared back at her, widening my eyes. “What are you talking about?” I gasped, tossing aside my blankets.
“I don’t know the details. They wouldn’t tell me because my name isn’t on the account. The agent I spoke with was at the bank. He’ll be here any minute. You have to get dressed.”
She threw open my closet door, grabbed a pair of jeans and a black blouse, and tossed them to me.
“I’ll be in the kitchen. I have coffee brewing and Jackson’s working on breakfast.”
“I’ll be right out,” I promised.
She left the room and I took a deep breath. I wasn’t worried about my money, because I knew exactly what happened to it. Asher had laid out his plan very thoroughly in the notes he’d sent. The feds would definitely notice if I drained the account myself. They’d assume I was helping Asher and probably arrest me for aiding and abetting. But if the bank’s entire system was hacked and I was one of many victims, then the authorities would be less likely to believe I was involved. I knew they’d still have their suspicions, but they wouldn’t have enough to charge me with anything.
I pulled on my clothes and studied myself in the mirror.
I can do this. I have to do this. My entire future rides on whether or not these people believe I’m surprised and devastated that the money is gone. It’ll probably be best if I cry a little. That shouldn’t be too hard. I have plenty of recent trauma to draw from.
I smoothed the hem of my blouse just as the doorbell echoed from the living room. I stepped into the kitchen at the exact moment the two detectives stepped into the house.
“Good afternoon, agents,” Kennedy greeted them. “I understand there’s been some sort of problem at San Jose Mutual.”
The taller, older agent nodded and extended his hand. “Yes, ma’am. I’m Agent Hammond and this is my partner, Agent Chitwood. Which one of you is Mrs. Reynolds?”
“I am,” I announced, stepping forward. “This is my attorney, Kennedy Montgomery, and her husband, Jackson.”
I had no idea where Claire and my parents were. I had a sneaky suspicion Kennedy had asked them to stay away in case the meeting got nasty.
“It’s very nice to meet you, ma’am. We’re sorry to be the bearers of bad news. Perhaps we should sit down,” he suggested.
“Of course,” I agreed, gesturing to the sofa. We took our seats and Hammond turned to me with soft, apologetic eyes.
“I’m very sorry to have to inform you that the bank experienced a security breach early this morning. Your account was one of many that was drained and funneled through a series of overseas banks. We were able to track it to Berlin, but the trail disappeared there.”
I let my mouth fall open and brought a hand to my chest. “My money is gone? All of it?” I cried frantically. “But that was everything I had. What the hell am I supposed to do now?”
Kennedy leapt off the couch and rushed to the kitchen. She fetched a bottle of water from the refrigerator and brought it to me, insisting that I take a drink. I obeyed, fanning myself as if I was having a hot flash.
“Mrs. Reynolds, I understand this is terrible news,” Agent Chitwood said, speaking for the first time. “I apologize for making this more difficult than it already is, but I’m afraid we need to ask you a few questions.”
“What could you possibly expect my client to know about a bank hack?” Kennedy demanded. “Lauren’s an artist. She knows nothing about computer security.”
“I understand that. But Mr. Reynolds is tech savvy, to say the least,” he countered.
I straightened my shoulders, pretending to be offended by his implications. “If Asher had anything to do with this, I certainly don’t know about it.”
“So you agree that it’s possible your husband was behind the hack?” Hammond pressed.
I snorted a little too loudly and waved my bottle in the air. “Agent Hammond, at this point, anything is possible. In the last month, I’ve been held at gun point twice, I saw a man die, and I was kidnapped by an unhinged maniac. I also got married, only to have my husband carted off to prison within days. Now he’s God knows where, with God knows who, doing God knows what. If you have proof Asher took the money, I’ll believe you.”
Kennedy shot me a quick, confused look and then turned to the agents. “Do you? Have proof, I mean.”
Chitwood shook his head. “We’re investigating multiple angles at the moment.”
Hammond smiled at us, clearly the good cop of the duo. “If it’s any comfort to you, Mrs. Reynolds, your husband is currently just one of a dozen suspects we’re looking into at the moment.”
“I apologize, Agent Hammond, but I’m having difficulty finding comfort in anything these days. As I’m sure you’re aware, my husband’s accounts were frozen weeks ago. With him missing, the money in my personal account was the only security I had. It was supposed to give me my fresh start. Without it, I’m not quite sure what I’m supposed to do.”
Tears fell freely from my eyes and Agent Hammond pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and passed it to me.
“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Reynolds. I can’t imagine how difficult things are for you at the moment. We’re working around the clock to find the hackers and the bank does have insurance. I can’t promise that all of the money will be returned. But you won’t be left with nothing.”
“Unless your husband does turn out to be the culprit,” Agent Chitwood added, his voice dry. I didn’t know if he saw through my forced tears, or if he was just an asshole.
I gave him a defiant glare. “Believe me, Agent Chitwood, if Asher is responsible I’d like to be the first to know. It’ll give me even more grounds to file for an annulment. Now if you don’t have any more questions, I’d like to lie down.”
I held my sore ribs and Kennedy helped me to my feet. The agents followed us to the door and stepped outside. Chitwood continued on to their car, but Hammond stopped and turned to hand me his business card.
“Mrs. Reynolds, I apologize again for your troubles. Please don’t hesita
te to call me if there’s anything I can do.”
“Just find my money, Agent Hammond.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He joined his partner and Kennedy and I returned to the sofa.
“Just what the hell was that?” she asked, her arms folded over her chest.
“What was what?” I countered, my tone a blend of innocence and exhaustion.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were planning to file for divorce after some of the things you just said. But I do know better. So I need you to tell me what the hell that was about. Do you know what happened to the money, Lauren?”
“Of course not,” I insisted. It wasn’t technically a lie. I knew Asher had set up the heist, but I had no idea how it actually went down.
“I wasn’t lying to the cops, Kennedy. I’m screwed without that money. I mean I can get a job and keep myself fed. But how the hell am I going to keep this house up? How will I pay the security team, or your bill for that matter? I’m fucked.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” She ran a hand through her hair. “I can’t believe this is happening on top of everything else. And the more I think about it, the less likely I think it is that Asher had anything to do with this. He’s on the run and he’d know that the authorities would follow the money. This is one hell of a coincidence though.”
“Tell me about it.”
“So did you mean the other things you said? Are you thinking about ending your marriage?” she pressed.
I sighed and looked to the rug. I knew if I had a prayer of Kennedy believing me, I couldn’t look her in the eyes.
“The last thing I want to do is abandon Asher. But what choice is he really leaving me? I feel so overwhelmed, Kennedy. And I’m so fucking pissed. He swept into my life and made me fall in love with him. Then he left me, and he hasn’t looked back. What if Asher isn’t the man I thought he was?”
“I’m not going to tell you what to do. But if you decide that leaving Asher is best for you, I’ll draw up the papers. We wouldn’t have any trouble getting a judge to sign off on an annulment, given the circumstances.”
