by Laura Greene
Thank you for giving me a second chance. I hope you will have a second chance at life too.
She is opening a letter from Olsen Hunt when Dale walks in with two trays of food. “Did they have it?” Tina says excitedly, sitting on the edge of her bed.
“You’ll have to wait and see!” Dale says as he lays the trays down on the side table and unveils their dinner. It’s her favorite – grilled cheese and tomato soup. Tina’s face lights up with joy. The one thing Tina asks for when she is sick is a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup, and that is what Dale has brought her. The gooey cheese on freshly toasted bread, the buttery smell of toast and the smooth, richness of warm soup soothing her throat with each bite all calm her and bring back fond memories of her nannies caring for her as a child.
She jumps up carefully, making sure she does not overwork her body, and gives Dale a big hug. With a big smile planted on her face, Tina misses the papers flying off the bed and falling on the ground beside her.
When she lets go of Dale from her embrace, Tina notices that he holds her a while longer before he releases her. This is how he used to hold her when they were together and it meant so much to her then. She is flattered at Dale’s gesture; it wouldn’t have been a problem before, but now that she is trying to move on and Nick is in her life, or so she still thinks, the longer hug now makes her feel uncomfortable. Maybe my feelings for Dale have waned and I’m more into Nick now.
They eat their food and play a card game that one of the nurses brought in for them. The nurses really like Tina; they’ve made her stay very comfortable. Just yesterday, one of the nurses brought in an extra pack of Jello for Tina and, in the evening, the nurse gave her an additional pillow because she knew Tina wouldn’t bother her for one.
“So, any good letters today? I saw you reading when I walked in,” Dale says as he makes himself comfortable on the chair and picks up the stack of letters Tina was working on a while ago.
“Oh, those? I forgot all about them when I saw my grilled cheese,” Tina says while she makes a satisfied noise and rubs her belly. They both laugh as Dale reminds her that she is a foodie.
When Dale hands her the letters he collected from the ground, Tina picks up one of the letters and shows it to Dale, “This is from that kid, Olsen, I told you about. He can be a real sweetheart.”
“Isn’t he the one you thought was stalking you at the house?” Dale says, rather skeptical that she called him a sweetheart. “Are you sure they didn’t put something in your soup?”
“You tell me, you got it,” Tina says, then she chuckles. “He really is. I don’t think it was him stalking me though. I actually thought about what you said the other day, how someone might have been watching the house when you opened the garage? Do you think...” Tina asks Dale, with a telling glance that only he can interpret the meaning of.
“No.” Dale’s voice drops an octave as he says this. The idea is despicable to him. “It couldn’t be.”
“Do you think they may have followed us all the way from Boston?” Tina is still not convinced they are free from harm yet. She suspects the danger may have followed them.
“But how? They were all put in prison. There’s no way the Gangs of Boston could know where we are.”
“We were very careful to not leave any trail when we left. But they could have someone on the outside who found out where we went,” Tina says. She is concerned.
While she has told everyone that they left Boston for a quieter life together, the real reason they left was because they were in a sort of witness protection program. It was one that permitted her to remain an agent under a different alias in a different state.
“If you’re right, Tina, then we both need to be really careful. This may be far from over. Promise me you’ll be careful when I go back to Boston,” Dale says, as he looks at her with worry in his eyes.
“I will. And you, too. They could come after you as well,” Tina says with a slight reassuring smile. But neither one of them feels reassured.
Chapter 2
Tina is driving in her SUV. Earlier today, she was discharged from the hospital then accompanied from Oak Bluffs to Woods Hole by Dale. Though Dale fought relentlessly to accompany Tina to her home, she insisted that she would be fine. It was the assurance that two police officers were guarding her home that finally persuaded him to get into his car and make the long drive to Boston. Even though Tina still has some pain in her chest from receiving CPR at the hospital, she does not want to keep Dale away from work any longer – and they could both use the time apart. He needs to move on with his life and this is the best way I can offer that to him.
While break-ups can be hard and laborious, Tina thinks some distance will help heal both of their hearts. She hits a bump on the road and grunts as she feels for her ribs. The doctor warned her that the pain would linger for a few more days before it subsides.
The cold of winter hangs, crisp in the air, but the wind remains still. Tina has come to realize that strong winds in Newport indicate strife is on the horizon. She has learned to appreciate this forewarning and ready herself for trouble. Once, she read somewhere that, “The punch that knocks you out is the one that you don’t see coming.” With all the secrecy surrounding her in this small town, she has found this statement to be true on many occasions; and the last thing Tina wants is to be caught unaware. Her goal is to anticipate every move of the enemy. It’s how she cracked many cases in Boston and it’s how she plans to crack this one.
Several cars zoom past Tina’s car; they are probably rushing to finish their Christmas shopping before the kids arrive home from school. Above the hurried shoppers are majestic oak trees, standing tall in their greenery and sealing their beauty with large wreaths and signature red bows. They herald the townsfolk into the festive season and directly deliver them to the best shopping in downtown Newport.
She sees Mademoiselle’s just beyond the traffic light. Should I stop there? It’s been over a week since I saw Julia. She ponders visiting with Julia for a moment, then decides against it. The two times she has met Julia, she has had different men with her: first, Dale, then, Nick. Julia is smart enough to recognize that both men were interested in being more than friends with Tina, so Tina avoids drama for one day and drives past the chic cafe. She knows that if she stops by, Julia will not hesitate to ask her about the two men. And she is not in the mood to entertain small-town gossip about the men in her life.
Before long, Tina turns the corner onto Sharon Ave. She curves around the bend and up ahead she sees her home. It’s the only home missing Christmas decorations, and her two protectors are parked outside her home. Without getting out of her car, she waves hello at the officers and parks her car in the garage. A thought then pops into her mind, Maybe I could ask these officers to help me put my Christmas decorations up. It will, at least, give them something better to do than sitting out there twiddling their thumbs. As she imagines trying to explain to Barnes why his officers were on ladders putting up Christmas lights, Tina giggles.
While unpacking the few belongings she took with her to Martha’s Vineyard, Tina recalls how she wanted nothing to do with Newport when she first arrived. She had come here reluctantly and couldn’t wait to complete the case and move on. Now, after spending a week away from here, she realizes she’s actually missed it. Home is what you make of it, she thinks. I think I may end up liking it here after all.
There’s a knock at the door. One of the officers is standing there with a cellphone in his hand. Of all the officers she has been assigned, Tina remembers this officer because he barely exchanges two words with her. “It’s the boss. He wants to talk to you.”
Tina takes the phone and, before she can even make her presence known, a bellowing voice comes in, “Agent James, it’s your partner, Barnes.” Chief Officer Barnes chuckles and then wheezes. Tina can picture him sitting at his desk and twirling on his chair as he laughs. It gives his belly an optimal laughing range.
“Hello, partner. H
ow are you?” Tina is glad to hear Barnes’ pleasant voice.
“I’m darn well fine James, but I should be asking you how ya doing. My wife said she’s going to make you the best peach cobbler ya ever had for the holidays. That oughta getchya feeling better in no time.”
“Oh, that’s very kind of her. Please tell her thank you for me.”
“Alright, James, I hope you found your home okay. My men said they saw a car watching the house from a distance a few days ago, then the car drove off before they could talk to them.” The officer looks down sheepishly as Barnes says this and Tina realizes Barnes is speaking loud enough for him to hear, even though the phone is not on speaker. He continues belting through the phone microphone, “Now don’t worry, they got the plates and we’re running them now to see if we can land something. I just didn’t want ya worryin’ for nothing. You’re in good hands, James.”
“Thanks, Barnes. I appreciate it. Just let me know when the plates come in,” Tina says, and she hangs up but she is worried. Just a few days ago, she had a conversation with Dale about the possibility they were followed from Boston. She wonders if she really was followed. How could they find me? I was so careful to leave Boston without letting anyone know.
When her boss, Tim, gave her Newport, it was more than just an assignment; it was also protection. Tim didn’t even reveal it to Amy and her team, in order to protect Tina. If Tim didn’t say anything and the Newport staff didn’t know, then how did they find me?
Tina shuts her front door and the officer returns back to his patrol car. She, however, does not move from the door. Her palms are sweaty and her heart is beating fast. Calm down, Tina, she tries to console herself. Her back is against the door and she is breathing heavily at the thought of being followed to Newport. She is prey for her prowlers until Barnes can confirm who was watching her home. A simple process of elimination in her mind points in one direction. The only enemies in Newport that would despise her enough to do something do not seem like they would have enough of a vendetta against her to cause her harm. Which means that all the time she spent running may just be a waste of time. While she doesn’t want to jump to conclusions too quickly, like someone suffering from paranoia, Tina knows that if it’s really them, the Gangs of Boston after her, if they find her then more people may end up in danger.
She left Boston to avoid something like this happening, and now her old ghosts may have caught up with her. This thought sends chills down her spine.
Without giving it another thought, Tina picks up her phone and types a message to Dale. He is the only person in her life that she can express something like this to. Worse yet, he could very well be a target for the G.B. Before she sends the message, she wonders if she’s being too cautious or too fearful. Then, recalling what took place in Boston and how her life changed so dramatically because of this case, she decides it’s not possible to be too cautious when it comes to the G.B. She hits send and the message she just sent flashes on her screen. Reading it back to herself, Tina experiences a minor deja-vu moment. She feels like she is watching a playback of her life, like she has been in this situation before, only it’s not a dream that she wants to remain in – it’s a nightmare that she would much rather end right now.
And if her prediction is correct, then these words that she’s just sent to Dale are the best warning she can give him. Only he will understand it. The message reads:
You may have been right. Just watch your back; they may come after you.
Chapter 3
Walking in the hallways of Hartford Boarding School is just the distraction Tina needs. Being in her home was driving her crazy and she needed a change of scenery. Her pain is slowly receding, but with her friend and love interest, Nick, missing, Tina is prepared to go against doctors’ orders and find him. For once in her life, she is putting her heart on the line, and as scary as this new ground is for her, it’s a breath of fresh air from her old ways. Her fear had kept her reticent in her relationships and now she is finally breaking out of that shell. She hopes against hope that it will pay off when she finds Nick.
Tina is not the only one who appears to be gloomy, though. Even the students who are two days away from winter break walk the hallways with long faces. The absence of the face of hope is evident at Hartford today. Tina would love to reassure the students and restore their joy. It’s what Nick would have… she stops herself mid-thought and corrects her words, It’s what Nick will want. “I will find you, Nick,” she mutters into the air, hoping the air bubbles will deliver it to him.
The truth is, he is her one friend in the town and to lose him, especially when she has just found herself and figured out what she wants, is not a fate that she wants to leave to chance. She is determined in her heart to find Nick.
Amy’s office is her first stop. After her hurried visit to Martha’s Vineyard to tell Tina what had happened to Nick she is the one most able to assist her, and Tina needs to take the pithy route in finding Nick.
She walks into Amy’s office. “Tina, how are you?” Amy is uncharacteristically doting on Tina; she offers a comfortable chair, a glass of water about three times then hands her a cushion to put on her chair.
“Amy, do you have a bucket?” Tina says. Amy looks confused at the request. “If you keep fussing over me like that, I’m going to need it to throw up in.”
Amy leans back and sits on her desk, relieved to hear Tina’s sense of humor. “I am sorry for the way I left so abruptly. I shouldn’t have. I was just scared that I had placed your life in grave danger.” She says this and lowers her eyes. Genuine grief over her actions is plastered on her face.
Tina can only watch her pain for so long before she says, “Don’t worry, Amy. I needed the extra couple of days of rest anyway.” She says this with a consoling smile that lets Amy know she is forgiven. “I do need your help, Amy. You came to tell me about Nick and I’m wondering if you could walk me through how you found out he was missing?”
“Sure! After the messages I received of students complaining that the chaplain was involved in the deaths, I decided to go and see him before morning chapel. When I knocked on his door, I didn’t get an answer, then I used my master key to enter and saw that he was gone! It’s like one minute he was there and the next he was gone. It was strange.”
“Hmm...” Tina says, then she pauses to think for a moment. “I wonder, is Charlie here? I’d like for him to open up the CCTV room for me. Maybe there’s something on the cameras that could give us a hint as to how he left.”
“Oh, I have a key. I can let you in. Besides, I want to see for myself if you really are up to returning to work like you say you are.”
Tina is not sure how she feels about being mothered and she especially did not expect to receive it from Amy. Nonetheless, she appreciates that she is so caring and wants to know she is well.
Seeing this softer side of Amy is good for Tina. Many times she has suspected her involvement in the recent crimes at Hartford, but she is beginning to think that she may have misunderstood Amy’s concern for her students for malice or coldness of heart. As far as she is concerned, Amy may turn out to be a friend after all.
They arrive in the CCTV room and Amy gets right to work, turning on monitors and selecting camera angles to view. “Wait,” Tina says, surprise showing on her face, “you know about all this tech stuff?”
“Sure! When I’m not too busy in the office, I love to come up here. It’s kind of my playground.” Amy sets up two more monitors then says, “There. It’s ready for you.” Tina is both impressed and fascinated by Amy’s analytical brain. She sits down next to her and they begin their search for Nick.
“I see him leaving his apartment, there. Can you zoom in?” Tina points at the camera and adjusts in her seat for a better view. Something is not right about him. Usually Nick is calm and collected, but on the camera his body language is jerky and unsettled. “I can’t see his face, but something is not right. You can play it. Let’s see where he’s going.”
“Do you have cameras outside?” Tina asks, wondering why Amy has stopped at the most pertinent part of the recording.
“No,” Amy responds, “we only had funds to set up our in-house systems. We’re hoping to fundraise enough this year to finish the project with quality outdoor cameras.”
Tina gets up and walks around the room; she has begun brainstorming. Out of the corner of her eye she catches Amy following her closely, almost guarding her, and wonders if Amy may be taking her protectiveness too far. She is almost looking over her and it bothers Tina. While Tina may have just been discharged, she does not need a babysitter. She swings her foot around and faces Amy, almost causing her to stumble. Amy backs up, realizing she was too close for comfort.
It worked. One lesson being a detective has taught Tina is that, when addressing a problem with someone, to do so quickly and move on. Her director, Tim, used to make fun of her ability to say everything she needs to with just one look, but she knew it was really because he admired her for it. Tina, having made her first point clear, nonverbally, now moves on to her second point. “The way Nick is acting is strange. You said he left here without his car?”
