“You think she actually has any good sense?”
Willem chuckled. “I think every human being, even those lacking in common sense, harbours a strong survival instinct. If she truly feels herself in danger, she won’t cause you any problems, and if she doesn’t, it will be a short hiatus. It’s a win-win situation. You fulfill an easy contract and get away to where it is easier to think. My only concern is if you’re physically up to a personal protection detail.” He gave an apologetic shrug. “A year ago this would not have been an issue, but—”
“It’s okay, Wil. I get it.” Lee ruefully clutched the copious loose material of her jacket. “I’m not exactly the woman I once was, but if it makes you feel any better, I spent more hours than I could count exercising this last year. I’m sure I drove Eli and Liz crazy using the basement gym at all hours. And I’d slip out of the house when they were asleep and just walk for hours until I was tired enough to go back to bed for a few hours. I doubt I could run a marathon tomorrow, but I’m still up to fighting off a baddie or two.”
“If you quit smoking, I’m quite sure you could run a marathon.”
“I know, and I’ll get around to it. Just not today, okay?”
Willem nodded. “If this Donegal is as remote as Miss Britten indicates, then I suspect you’ll have much time on your hands. Use the opportunity to contemplate what you genuinely want from life. When you return, we will talk again, yes?”
“Let me think about it. I’ll get back to you before the end of the day, okay?”
Willem heaved himself to his feet and held out his hand.
Lee rose and took it. They shook firmly, and then, to Lee’s surprise, Willem pulled her in for a hug.
“Do what’s best for you, Lee. Base your decision only on that, because that is all your friends and family will ask of you. Yes?”
Lee gently pulled away. “Yes. And thank you. As always, I owe you.”
Instead of dismissing her remark with his customary jest, Willem shook his head. “Any debt you ever owed me you’ve paid in full. This time, you owe only yourself.”
Chapter 3
Lee pulled to the curb and turned off the engine. She eyed the bungalow. There was nothing remarkable about the exterior of the house, but having once been a frequent visitor, she knew it was a welcoming place, filled with warmth and love. For a moment, the longing for the home life she had shared with Dana almost overwhelmed her. But as she had done repeatedly that day, Lee firmly pushed the sorrow aside.
Marnie appeared in the front picture window. Lee grinned as the child started to hammer her tiny fists against the glass. When a familiar form arrived to scoop her squirming daughter away, Lee laughed aloud. Rhiannon beckoned to her, and with a lighter heart, Lee exited her vehicle and walked to the front door.
The door swung wide, and Rhiannon stood with Marnie in her arms. “You’re just in time. Marika texted that she’s on her way home. Supper will be on the table in about twenty minutes.”
Lee stopped abruptly. “Damn, I should’ve called. I thought you guys would be done with supper by now.”
Rhiannon grabbed Lee’s arm and tugged her into the foyer. “Nonsense. You know you’re always welcome. Marika had to work tonight, so we’re eating late. Actually, this works out perfectly. The tiny terror has been fed. I was about to bathe her and put her to bed, so we’ll have lots of time to talk.” Without waiting for Lee’s agreement, Rhiannon walked down the hall toward the bathroom.
Unsure if she should follow, Lee hung her coat in the closet.
“Grab an umbrella and c’mon in, Lee.”
Amused, Lee followed the sound of running water and Marnie’s high-pitched squeals of delight. After rounding the corner, she saw Rhiannon wrestling her daughter’s clothes off while Marnie tried to climb into the tub.
“Umbrella?”
“Yup. Marnie is a splasher. She likes everyone to share her love of water.” Rhiannon lifted the toddler into the tub and ducked when Marnie slammed her hands down.
Lee retreated to the doorway and smiled while she watched her old friend deftly shampoo golden curls. Rhiannon had changed so much from the scrawny, reclusive young woman Lee had first met more than a dozen years before. She still had some of the weight put on during her pregnancy, but it suited her. Lee couldn’t tell who enjoyed the bath ritual more as mother and child exuberantly splashed, rinsed, and laughed in equal measure.
When Marnie was clean, Rhiannon tossed some bath toys into the tub and leaned back.
Lee handed her a towel and got a grateful look.
Rhiannon dried her face. “Thanks. Usually we just get in the tub with her. It saves me doing laundry five times a day.” She leaned forward and tickled Marnie’s belly. “But Mama was late this time, wasn’t she, sweetie? So, no bath for us tonight.” Rhiannon winked up at Lee. “At least not until after one little girl is long asleep.”
Lee chuckled, then swiftly reached out her hand and snagged a well-chewed rubber duck that was launched her way from the tub. “Wow, that’s quite the arm she has.”
“Uh-huh. Terry’s already taught Marnie how to catch. We figure she’s going to have an arm like Dana’s in a few years.” Rhiannon’s face fell, and she glanced at Lee apologetically.
Lee forestalled her with a smile. “No, it’s okay, Rhi. I think it’s wonderful that Dana is remembered. She’d be thrilled to know our goddaughter is going to follow in her footsteps. Heck, if she were here, she’d have Marnie running bases already.”
Rhiannon leaned back against the side of the tub. She absently pushed toys toward Marnie and regarded Lee. “How are you doing? Did it go all right today? Being back at work, I mean.”
“Pretty well. Actually, I wanted to get your advice—yours and Marika’s.”
“About something work-related?”
“Sort of.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of the garage door opening, and Marnie instantly tried to stand up.
“Uh-uh, sweetie,” Rhiannon said while she wrapped the towel around the excited toddler and lifted her out of the tub. “I know you want to see Mama, but she’s not going to be happy if you have a big owie on your head.”
Marnie babbled and rocked in Rhiannon’s arms as footsteps sounded in the hall.
Lee stepped out of the way when Marika rounded the corner and stopped short.
“Lee! How wonderful to see you!”
Marnie lunged for Marika, who caught her and spun her around. “Who’s Mama’s big girl?” She leaned forward and kissed Rhiannon before returning her attention to Lee. “I hope you’re staying for supper.”
Rhiannon answered, “I already asked her, love.”
“And did she say yes?”
Both Marika and Rhiannon looked at Lee, who laughingly held up her hands in surrender. “I know when I’m out manoeuvred. I’d be glad to stay for dinner. I just wish I’d brought something.”
Marika hugged Lee with her free arm. “Having you here again is the best gift we could ask for.”
Rhiannon nodded emphatically. “Besides, you can help me finish getting dinner ready while Marika changes and gets Marnie into her jammies.”
Lee followed Rhiannon to the kitchen and was put to work setting the table for three. When Lee was finished, she sat down and watched as Rhiannon assembled a salad. “You’re happy, aren’t you?”
Rhiannon glanced up at the quiet words. “I am. How could I not be?”
“You don’t miss work at all?”
“Sometimes. But I’ll go back once Marnie is in school. For now we just really want to give her the love and security neither of us had.”
That didn’t surprise Lee. She was aware of the chaotic and broken youths both women had endured. She found the determination in Rhiannon’s voice reassuring. Her goddaughter would be raised with love and devotion. “Can’t ask for more than that.”
“Pardon?”
“Oh, nothing. Mind you don’t slice your fingers along with that tomato.”
Marika entered the kitchen with Marnie snuggled against her shoulder in bright yellow, footed pyjamas. “I most heartily concur. I’d prefer you keep all your digits intact.”
Rhiannon and Marika exchanged looks of knowing intimacy, leaving Lee feeling like an intruder.
“Um, maybe I should just go. I shouldn’t have come without calling first. We can talk later.”
“No,” Rhiannon and Marika answered at the same time. Rhiannon hastily dried her hands and reached for Marnie. “Just give us a few minutes to settle Her Highness, and we’ll be right back.”
Lee watched the family leave the room, then looked around the large kitchen. She and Dana had helped paint every room in the house when Marika and Rhiannon bought it five years ago. She allowed herself to get lost in the memory of the laughter and the mess as the four worked in concert. A wistful smile curled Lee’s lips when she recalled worrying about Dana standing on a wobbly stepladder to reach above cupboards.
I was afraid you’d sprain your ankle if you fell. Little did I know that should’ve been the least of my concerns, eh, sweetheart?
Instead of pushing the sorrow away, this time Lee allowed herself to feel it, to grieve for the carefree innocence of those ten years between Dana’s first victory over cancer and the beginning of her final fight.
When a gentle hand touched her cheek, Lee became aware of the tears rolling down her face. She blinked and looked up to find Marika watching her with glistening eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry. I just—”
Marika wrapped Lee in a fierce hug. “Don’t you dare apologize, Lee Glenn. This is what you should’ve been doing all along—letting us in, not shutting us out. Don’t think for one moment that we haven’t cried buckets for her—and for you, too.”
Lee let Marika’s embrace comfort her, slowly realizing this was the first time she’d allowed anyone to do that for her. When Rhiannon returned and immediately joined the group hug, Lee felt the first stirring of long-forgotten serenity.
“So, do you think this Britten woman is actually in danger from her husband?”
Lee shook her head at Marika’s question. “None of the research I did this afternoon turned up any evidence that Saberi has a violent background.”
“But didn’t you say she had blood on her face when Stu answered the door?”
“So Stu said, Rhi, but all she needed was a Band-Aid, so it was pretty minor.”
“I dunno,” Rhiannon said. “Remember my encounter years ago with that crazy Jordanian who was looking for his sister at Marika’s office? Middle Eastern men can be pretty controlling with the women in their family.”
“As I recall, that encounter jump-started the relationship between you two, so in a way, you owe that psycho.”
“You have a point, though we really owe you more than anyone else. If you and Dana hadn’t facilitated breaking the ice between us, who knows if we’d ever have gotten together.”
Lee shook her head. “No way, Marika. You two were meant for each other. One way or another, you’d have figured that out. But back to Saberi. I grant that given his origins, he’s probably not all that evolved about women’s issues. But he seems to be exactly what his bio says: the fifth son of a Middle Eastern oil billionaire, who was sent to all the best schools in Europe and who has spent his adult life dabbling in the arts and buying pretty things.”
“Including his wife.”
“Rhi, that’s not very nice.”
Rhiannon shot Marika an unrepentant look. “Maybe not, but I’ll bet it’s true.”
“It could be. I also researched Britten’s background this afternoon. From what I could tell, she was on the dwindling end of a very minor modelling career by the time she met Saberi. They dated for four years before getting married. She may have viewed him as a meal ticket and a way to stay connected, and he may have viewed her as a trophy wife. Who knows? I suspect Britten will rapidly tire of northern Saskatchewan and return to the gilded fold sooner rather than later, even if Saberi isn’t a perfect husband. Nonetheless, given Saberi’s resources, he could make things difficult for Britten if he chooses. So if I do accept this assignment, I won’t take it lightly.”
“And that’s it in a nutshell, isn’t it?” Marika said. “You know you could practically handle this assignment with your eyes closed; you’re just not sure if you want to.”
“That’s it exactly. It’s way below my pay grade, but Willem obviously thinks I should take it. I owe him big time for carrying the load this past year, and I’m inclined to take it for that reason, if no other.”
“It’s so good to see you animated about something again.” Rhiannon’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. “I think you should go. Shake off the rust, clear your head, and see some new horizons.”
“I don’t think there’s much in Donegal but horizons, so you’re right that it would give me an opportunity to clear my head.” Lee shot her friends an apologetic look. “God knows I need to clear my head after this past year. I’m so sorry for what I put you all through. I know how hard you tried to be there for me, and I just kept pushing everyone away. I don’t know how I can ever make it up to you.”
Rhiannon and Marika reached for Lee’s hands. “You don’t owe us a thing.” Marika spoke for them both, her voice choked with tears. “No, strike that. You do owe us something, but you mostly owe it to yourself and to Dana’s memory. You owe those who love you the joy of seeing you come back to life. And if that means exiling yourself to the boonies for a while, that’s what you should do. Go breathe some fresh air and walk under the prairie skies. It’ll be a vast improvement over your self-imposed exile this past year.”
“So you both think I should take it?”
“I think so. Marika?” Marika nodded her agreement, and Rhi continued. “Eli and Liz’s wedding is in July, right? That gives you three months to wrap up this assignment and come home a new woman.”
“Babysitting a spoiled ex-model is not my idea of a choice assignment, but I admit my gut instinct is to do this.”
“Then trust your instinct. We do.”
“You know what? You’re right.” Lee pushed back from the table. “Will you excuse me for a moment? I’m going to call Willem and tell him.”
Rhiannon clapped her hands and whooped.
Marika said, “Excellent. And hurry back, because I do believe my wife has your favourite ice cream in the freezer—that is, if she and Marnie didn’t finish it while I was at work.”
Lee left the room, grinning at the mock squabble echoing behind her. As she pulled out her phone and placed the call to her partner, she savoured the satisfaction of making her decision. It was her first resolution since Dana’s funeral, and she sensed that it was the right one.
Britten stared at Willem in dismay. “Are you kidding me?”
Lee watched the proceedings with a concealed smile as Willem projected his most soothing manner to their perturbed client. It was no skin off her nose if Miss Britten refused to accept her services. It wasn’t as if Lee was looking forward to a long drive in the company of the dismissive woman.
“You told me that Rick would be my bodyguard, Willem.”
“Actually, I didn’t. If you recall, I simply assured you that you would have a bodyguard for the duration of your stay in Donegal. Lee is not only a founding partner of the firm, but the best we have. She rarely takes such low-level assignments, but we feel your situation warrants it.”
Lee was amused equally by Willem’s diplomacy and the disdainful look Britten shot her way. Huh, guess she’s not impressed with my new suit.
“I assure you, if your husband’s people pursue you, Lee is the one you want by your side. If you wish to review some of her previous casework, you’re more than welcome to do so.”
“I don’t want to read a bunch of files; I want what you promised me. I want Rick.”
Willem adjusted and readjusted his tie, a clear indication that he had reached the end of his prodigious patience after calming and coaxing their client for fifteen minutes. “I’m
afraid Rick is on another assignment, Miss Britten. If you feel that our agency is not able to meet your needs, I would be happy to make a recommendation for one better suited.”
“No, it’s too much bother.” Britten heaved a heavy sigh. “Fine. We’ll do it your way. I’ll accept...um...”
Lee stepped forward and extended her hand. “Lee Glenn, at your service. Now that that’s settled, can you be ready to go in an hour?”
Ignoring Lee’s hand, Britten shook her head indignantly. “An hour? It’ll take me at least that long just to pack up my makeup.”
“Then shall we say noon? I’ll see you back here at twelve.”
Britten nodded sullenly and flounced out of the room.
Willem hit his intercom. “Sophie, would you see Miss Britten back to the safe house and ensure she returns with all her belongings by noon?”
“Yes, Mr. DeGroot.”
Willem turned to Lee with a sigh. “I’m so sorry, old friend. Perhaps I’ve done you no favour in urging you to accompany this...troublesome client.”
Lee chuckled and patted Willem’s shoulder. “No worries. I wasn’t under any illusions.”
“But what a way to get your toes wet again.”
“I’ve always found it’s best to jump into the deep end of the pool. I do have a couple of thoughts I want to run by you, though.”
“Of course, but you’re the field expert.”
“A rusty field expert after this past year.”
“Rust or no, you’re still the best, and that woman is lucky to have you.”
“You’d better be careful, or you’re going to ruin your carefully cultivated image. Who, besides Meena, knows what a softie you are underneath all that stoicism?”
Willem stiffened at Lee’s teasing, but she didn’t miss the amusement in his eyes. “Softie? I’ll have you know I was prepared to toss that irritating woman out on her ear.”
Walking the Labyrinth Page 4
