by Tanya Stowe
Her lips parted then hardened as she faced forward, her eyes back on the road.
They drove for miles in silence.
Jared called himself several choice names. In her eyes, he’d just placed himself firmly in the camp of “those who can’t see God.” He couldn’t afford to be there. He and this woman needed to be united. To stand together.
He shook his head. “We don’t have time for this.”
“For what?”
“Airing our different beliefs or indulging our...insecurities. Out of all the people in the world, Sam chose you and me to be his friends. He put his faith in us. We need to rally, to work together to save his legacy and maybe life as we know it. If the Black Knights release the virus, it will destroy crops around the world. Economies will collapse. People will starve. It will be a disaster.”
“What can I do? You heard your boss, Kopack. I’m practically a suspect in Sam’s murder.”
Jared shook his head. “First, Kopack is not my boss. He’s FBI, and he was just doing his job, which is to find the people who murdered Sam and stop them. Now we have to do our job.”
She took a deep breath before asking, “And what exactly is our job?”
“I’m a border patrol officer. My job is to stop bio-terrorism. You’re a scientist. Your job is to find the problems and solve them.”
“What do you mean?”
He glanced at her quickly. “Kopack is focused on finding the Black Knights and stopping them. He might not succeed. Then what happens?”
“They create the virus and release it.”
“And it’s our job to stop that from happening.”
He saw her jerk before turning to stare at him. “You want me to find a cure for the virus.”
He nodded. “Let Kopack find Chekhov and the Black Knights. You and I need to work on the cure. Sam started the job and I have access to his notes on our server.”
“If you have the formula, you can put the best biologists on it. You don’t need me.”
He shook his head. “Yes, we do. After the breach to the computer system, Sam never trusted it. He refused to put the complete formula on our system.”
“Then where did he put it?”
“We assumed he put all his final findings on a private computer, one he didn’t hook up to the internet...ever.”
“That’s why Chekhov marched in and stole his computer bag. The formula is on that computer. But how did he know? If Sam was so careful, how did Chekhov know the formula was completed?”
“As far as I can tell, Chekhov didn’t know Sam had completed the formula. I’m not sure he even knew Sam was working with us. I think Chekhov decided that Sam’s trip to China was the perfect time to snatch June and then blackmail her husband into completing the virus. Once he kidnapped her and Sam alerted us, the FBI and Homeland Security came into the investigation. Information shot across multiple networks. That’s where we made our mistake. Until then, I don’t think the Black Knights realized Sam had the formula. Once they did, they changed plans rapidly and devised a way to snatch it.”
Sassa gave a little gasp. “June’s dead, too, isn’t she?”
“Kopack ordered a search warrant of their house as soon as he found out June was missing. Everything was in order. No broken furniture or anything else to indicate a struggle. We shouldn’t assume she’s dead.”
Sassa eased back in her seat with a shudder. “The Black Knights have no reason to keep her alive if they have the formula and Sam is dead.”
Miles and miles passed in silence. At last, Jared said, “You’re the closest person to Sam’s work. Now that it’s in the hands of those maniacs, you’re the only link we have to recreate it. You have to try.”
He glanced over and met her wide, blue-eyed gaze. “Sam had faith in you. So do I.”
Her lips parted in surprise. He kind of liked the look...a lot. The last thing he needed right now was to be distracted by pretty lips. He steeled his resolve and focused on the road ahead.
What he needed was to find a way to convince her he was right. To get her to agree—and that meant bridging the gap between them...the one he’d created.
They traveled the last few miles in silence before the Kingsburg water tower, quaintly formed in the shape of an antique Swedish coffee pot, came into view. It reminded him of Kingsburg’s heritage...and Sassa’s name.
“Your name...is it Swedish?”
She nodded but her voice was pitched low. “My family comes from a long line of Swedish settlers here in the valley.”
“Sassa... It’s very different. What does it mean?”
“It’s a nickname really...for Astrid. But my mom likes it just the way it is.”
“So do I. It suits you.”
She made no response.
Well, that went well.
Ignoring the small frown that wreathed her features, he pulled off the freeway. They passed through the small town. The main street boasted a ton of Swedish motifs. Peaked roofs. Signs with Swedish names in curly, blue, geometric patterns. Bakeries offering delectable, unpronounceable delights. They drove past houses and stores into a predominantly agricultural area. Miles and miles of vineyards were broken only by orchards of pale peaches, plump apricots and bright oranges, leftovers from the summer season. Just enough fruit left from the harvest made the colors stand out against the dark bark and green leaves. A beautiful sight—and a stark reminder of what would be lost if the formula was developed.
They drove for miles out of town before Jared pulled into a large horseshoe driveway in front of a sprawling ranch-style house. Even before he shut down the engine, a couple exited the front door. Jared had called ahead to let the Nilssons know he was bringing their daughter home.
Sassa leaped out of the car. Jared followed as she ran to her mother, who carried an infant. The instant Sassa took the child into her arms, all the tightness and hard edges eased from her features. She smiled and Jared almost stumbled. Her brilliant, beautiful smile transformed her. Golden sunshine slid out from behind a cloud and turned the somewhat dowdy, bedraggled creature into a glowing one. She exuded happiness and was more lovely than Jared had imagined she could ever be. He’d always heard motherhood did things to women, but he’d never witnessed it. Now that he had, he’d never forget it.
As he approached, the most beautiful small creature he had ever seen turned to look at him. Little blond curls nestled on top of her head. The biggest, bluest eyes peered at him with the kind of open curiosity only the very young can portray. He noted the pretty, pouty pink lips just like her mother’s...then she smiled at him with the sweetest, most innocent look.
Precious Keri. That’s what Sam had called her and now Jared understood why.
“Thank you for bringing her home to us.” Sassa’s father, Paul Nilsson, held out his hand.
Jared jumped to respond, trying desperately to shake off little Keri’s charming ways. “You’re welcome. It was the least I could do.”
The FBI agents parked Sassa’s car behind Jared’s SUV and the other government vehicle pulled up behind it. One agent exited her vehicle and carried Sassa’s luggage to where they all stood. Paul accepted the bag, stuffed the keys into his pocket, and thanked him. The man gave a terse nod then turned and headed back to the SUV. That was Jared’s hint to move on.
“We need to go.” He shook Paul’s hand once again and turned to Sylvie Nilsson. She looked much like her daughter except that her blond hair was pulled into a tight bun at the back of her head. She’d kept one hand on her daughter from the moment Sassa was close enough to touch.
That’s where Sassa gets her mothering instincts...from a woman who loves her unconditionally. A pang of something like envy swept through him.
Sylvie caught him staring and murmured her thanks.
Jared nodded and met Sassa’s gaze. “The agents in that SUV will be keeping an
eye on things around here. You’ll be safe. I’ll be in touch.”
Understanding sparked between them. She nodded her head. “I’ll be ready.”
Relief swept through Jared and he dipped his head in recognition. Sassa was on board. Now they could get to work. He turned and walked back to his vehicle, but as he climbed in, he couldn’t get the image of the three females—mother, daughter and baby—out of his mind. What would it be like to grow up in a loving family like this one? How would it feel to have such a rich heritage? He had no idea. But he knew one thing.
That kind of goodness needed preserving and he’d do everything in his power to make sure it happened.
TWO
“Mom, you absolutely have to go.”
Her mother tugged on Keri’s foot as the baby rested in Sassa’s arms. “I feel like I’m abandoning you two in your greatest need.”
Sassa felt the same way but she wouldn’t openly admit it. After returning to her parents’ home yesterday, she’d slept for a full twenty-four hours, waking just in time to pack and leave this morning. Her mother and father were flying to Florida for the birth of her brother’s first child. They had driven into town in Sassa’s car and were waiting for their Uber ride to pick them up.
This trip had been planned for ages and Sassa absolutely refused to be responsible for changing it now. She was one-hundred-percent certain her brother had taken the job across the country to get away from her ongoing issues. Not that he didn’t love Sassa. He did. But he had a life of his own and her constant “crisis mode” life consumed everyone.
Lars and his wife, Sherry, deserved her parents’ undivided attention for this big event. And besides, the farther they were away, the safer they’d be. If she could find an excuse, she’d send Keri with them. But if she did that, her mother would suspect things weren’t as safe as Sassa had claimed.
Still, they needed to go now, before she broke down and sobbed out the truth.
She sent her dad a pleading glance. Even though her mother seemed oblivious, Dad understood her need. Putting his arm around his wife, he gently pulled her away. “We will miss our plane if we don’t get moving. The Uber we ordered is here.”
Shifting Keri, Sassa wrapped an arm around her dad’s waist. “Thanks.”
He kissed the top of her head and murmured, “I’ve got your back, Sass, always.”
Her mother threw her arms around both her and Keri for one huge hug. “Watch that tooth in the front. I think it’s ready to break through. She’s been chewing on her fist like crazy. Be careful...and listen to Agent De Luca. I think he really cares. I’ll be praying for you.”
Sassa tried to get Keri to wave to Grandma as she hurried to the waiting car. The baby turned big blue eyes toward her as if to ask “what’s going on?” but she refused to wave.
“Mommy and Grandma are trying not to cry. Someday you’ll understand.” She waved one last time then nodded at the FBI agents parked in a car across the street.
Agent Kopack’s assigned men were still watching over her. Were they there for her protection or to make sure she didn’t run? She wasn’t sure but she was thankful for their presence.
She hurried into her small Craftsman bungalow and wrinkled her nose at the musty, closed-up smell. Despite the slight odor, Sassa released a grateful sigh. Being home felt good.
Her parents had helped her purchase the tiny, renovated Craftsman cottage close to the university. Built in the twenties, the house had been restored by the previous owners and now rested in a small enclave of older houses, all restored and in pristine condition.
She loved her little home with its front porch, big windows, wood floors and stained glass in the transom above the front door. This was her safe haven, her hope...a sign that she might finally be getting her head above the waves of insecurity that had almost swamped her.
But today she couldn’t slow down long enough to enjoy being home. She hadn’t told her parents, but she was headed to the university. The sooner she got to work, the better.
Grabbing diapers from Keri’s room and fresh bottles, she stuffed them into her diaper bag just as her cell phone rang. Jared’s name flashed on the screen. Apparently he’d programmed his number into it before he’d returned it to her.
“Hello?”
“Are you home?” Jared’s deep voice rumbled through the phone. Any other time she might have found it attractive...or not. She liked the sound of his voice, so she probably would have argued and used his abrupt manner to make a smart reply. But too much had happened. She took his urgency to heart.
“Yes. What’s wrong?”
“I’ll be there in five minutes.”
She hung up. Something was wrong—seriously wrong. Picking up Keri, she headed out the front door to wait for him on the porch.
He pulled the black government SUV alongside the curb in front of her house and exited. As he made his way toward her, she noted his broad shoulders again.
What was wrong with her? She went out of her way not to notice men, especially too handsome ones like her ex-husband, Erik. She suspected the officer was one of those charming guys who knew how to win a girl over. Besides, he was an unbeliever like her ex, and she wanted to be as far away from that kind of doubt as possible. These days, she coveted the comfort and companionship of people of faith.
Jared’s clouded features told her she’d been right. Something was wrong. A deep frown creased his forehead and his dark eyes seemed darker at a distance.
“What is it? What’s happened?” Neither of them had time for niceties.
He stopped in front of her and grasped her elbow almost as if to support her.
“They’ve found June Kruger, Sassa. She’s dead.”
She sagged and was thankful for his hand on her arm. Taking two steps back, she fell into her cushioned rattan chair.
“I knew it. I just knew it. Where did they find her?”
Jared bowed his head. “Floating in a canal.”
“Oh, no...no. How horrible!” She sobbed. Tears fell down her cheeks. Keri puckered and tears formed in her eyes.
Sassa sniffed and gave the little one a gentle hug. “It’s all right, baby. Mommy’s all right.”
But she wasn’t. She was miserable and frightened and of no use to her daughter.
Jared crouched in front of them. “It’s all right, precious Keri.” His use of Sam’s endearment made Sassa’s tears fall harder.
“It’s not all right! Everything is awful! What kind of animals would do that to June?”
Keri began to cry in earnest. Sassa made a sound and clutched her daughter to her chest. “I’m sorry, baby. So sorry.”
“Come on. Let’s go inside.” He helped Sassa from the chair, his arm the only thing keeping her up because her legs refused to work properly again. He led her to the sofa and eased her down, then hurried to the kitchen. Cabinet doors opened and the faucet turned on. He came back with a glass of water and a box of tissues. The house belonged to her, but she wasn’t even sure where he’d found the items. He knelt in front of her again.
Her thoughts were jumbled. Please, Lord. She didn’t even know what she was pleading for.
Her nose was running. Everything was a blur...except her crying baby. She wiped her cheeks. “I’m all right, sweetheart. See?” She smiled—a watery lift of her lips—and Keri’s whimpers eased but her poor little mouth stayed down-turned. Sassa snatched a tissue from the box and wiped Keri’s cheeks and then her own. Finally she took the glass of cold water from Jared and sipped. Keri reached for Sassa’s face, her gaze still doubtful.
“Come on, Keri, give us a smile.” Jared reached over and tickled a place under the child’s little chin. She shrugged her shoulder and the frown turned up—not much, but it was a glimmer of a smile. She studied Jared with an oh-so-serious gaze.
“That’s better. A few more minutes of those puckered lips
and I’d be crying, too.”
Sassa laughed. She couldn’t help it. The image of tall, wide-shouldered Officer De Luca in tears was too much.
Keri reached for the shiny badge on his shirt and he leaned in closer. A light aftershave, faint but still there, sifted through Sassa’s stuffy nose. Pine, fresh and clean. Suddenly, Sassa was all too aware of handsome, manly Officer De Luca’s closeness.
Reaching for his badge, Keri tipped forward and fell into his arms. Sassa couldn’t help smiling at the look on Jared’s face. He caught the baby and held her up for a single, startled moment before gingerly placing her on one broad thigh. Fascinated by the bright badge on his chest, Keri ignored the big man behind it, so Sassa took the opportunity to blow her nose and pull in a deep breath. But her momentary break didn’t last long. Keri looked up at Jared, pulled wet fingers out of her mouth and reached for his dark beard. Jared caught the slimy little hand midway and awkwardly pushed the baby back into Sassa’s lap.
Jerking to his feet, he wiped wet fingers on his pants. “Agent Kopack wants us over at the Kruger residence. We need to get going.”
* * *
Sassa looked like she had yesterday in San Francisco. Numb. Moving automatically. Her stunned features made Jared feel guilty, so when she lifted the baby’s bag off the couch, he took it from her and moved outside. He transferred Keri’s car seat to his SUV. Sassa’s car would probably stay parked until this was over. More than likely, Sassa would not be using it until then.
The Kruger residence wasn’t far away and would have been hard to miss even if Jared hadn’t been given the address. Black government vehicles blocked the quiet, upscale street. A group of neighbors stood outside a yellow-taped perimeter.
Sassa hopped out, pulled Keri from her car seat and slung the backpack over her shoulders. He was amazed at how quickly she had gathered herself. Still, her body seemed rigid and stiff, as if she was tensed for whatever lay ahead.
The guard at the front door stopped them until he received a signal from someone inside. When he stepped back, allowing them access, they moved into the house.
