I'll Be There

by Deborah Grace Staley

  She looked at him, a wild, tortured look in her eyes that shook his resolve.

  “You should know. Who’s after you? Who are you hiding from?”

  “You know I can’t discuss that.”

  She tried to stand, slipped on a patch of ice, caught herself and took a step towards him. “Right. You can know all the details of my situation, but I shouldn’t expect to know anything about yours. I get it now—about twenty-four hours too late.” She pulled her hood up. “I’ll go to the police station, but I do not want to see you there.”

  “All right. I’ll go back to Miss Estelee’s and wait for you.”

  “No need.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I’m leaving tomorrow. No point in prolonging this, right?”

  It felt like a knife had just pierced his heart, but in his gut, he knew she was right.

  “Plus, you wouldn’t want to endanger me or yourself further, would you?”

  Her voice was cold, emotionless. What he felt at the thought of never seeing her again was far from emotionless. He wasn’t ready to lose her.

  He pulled her close and held on as she struggled. “Jenny, please. I don’t want things to end like this—don’t want you to leave angry with me.”

  When she stopped struggling, he pushed her hood back and touched her face. Her eyes had changed. The woman who had shaved him, who he’d made love to this morning, was already gone.

  “It doesn’t matter what we want. Choices are no longer part of our lives. This is the end.”

  “We have today,” he said softly, wanting to kiss her, but unsure of how she’d respond.

  “I’ll be going over the evidence with attorneys all afternoon, and then mentally preparing to leave and enter the program.”

  He took a step back. “Right, you have enough without adding us to the mix.”

  “There is no ‘us’.” She looked at him as if he were nothing, then added, “I don’t even know your name.”

  Jenny somehow managed to turn and walk away without looking back, even though everything in her screamed against it. At the end of the alley, she hesitated, her resolve wavering. A woman rushed by. If Jenny hadn’t skidded to a stop, they would have collided.

  “Excuse me,” she said.

  That voice. Jenny turned to her without thinking, and the two women’s eyes locked. “Frannie,” she breathed.

  Jenny’s sister wobbled on her feet and crumpled to the ground.

  Chapter 19

  “What happened?”

  Cord was at her side. Jenny had taken Frannie into her arms and was rocking her gently as she pushed her dark hair back from her beautiful, pale face. “It’s my sister. My sister.” She still couldn’t believe it.

  “Jenny, go. I’ll stay with her.”

  “I’m not leaving her like this!”

  “You have to. She can’t come to and see you.”

  “She’s already seen me! That’s why she passed out.” What if she wasn’t okay? Jenny patted her sister’s cheek. She had to be all right.

  “I can convince her she didn’t see what she thought she did. Go.”

  “Jenny...” Frannie moaned as she clutched Jenny’s coat. “Is it really you?”

  “Go,” Cord urged, but Jenny hugged her sister close.

  “It is you.” She frowned. “I don’t understand. You’re not supposed to be here.”

  Cord muttered an expletive. “We need to get you both off the street before you draw another crowd.” He stood. “Help me get her up.”

  “Frannie, can you walk?”

  Her sister nodded. Cord, or whatever his name was, took her sister’s arm and helped her stand. When he offered Jenny his hand, she ignored it and stood on her own. She took Frannie’s arm and said, “Let’s go.” She pulled up her hood, and together, they walked quickly to the rear of the sheriff’s office.

  Cord stopped her just inside the door. “Jenny, we need to talk.”

  “I can’t do this now.”

  “When?”

  Ignoring the question, she propelled her sister forward into an empty room off the back hallway. “Why don’t you go discreetly tell someone I’m here?” she said from the doorway.

  He looked at Frannie then back at her. “She shouldn’t be here.”

  “Get Grady and tell Kennedy I’m here. I’ll deal with my sister.”

  Cord stepped in close, too close. Her heart skidded and before she could find her resolve, he slid a hand to the back of her neck and kissed her—a gentle, but firm slide across her mouth that fanned the flames of the fire burning between them, reminding her that the feelings between them wouldn’t disappear easily or quickly.

  “Later,” he promised and was gone, leaving her to grab the doorframe for support.

  “Okay, we’ll talk about him later. For now, I need you to explain. How can this be? When they told us you’d gone into witness protection, we were told you would never be able to return to Angel Ridge.”

  She turned and looked at Frannie, her little sister she thought she’d never see again. Three steps and they were in each other’s arms. “I’ll answer all your questions, but give me a second. I’ve missed you so much.” She put her at arm’s length and looked at her. “How are you? You look like you’ve lost weight.”

  “This hasn’t been easy, Jenny, and I’m mad as hell knowing that you’re alive but we can’t be together.”

  “I know. I’ve missed you, too. Losing you has been the hardest thing.” Tears filled her eyes. “It’s just too much. I need you, Fran. When we had nothing else, we always had each other.”

  Tears spilled down Frannie’s cheeks and she squeezed Jenny’s hands. “I know.”

  “None of this makes any sense, Jenny. Why are you here? It can’t be safe.”

  “I know. Listen, I’m not sure how much I can say. I don’t want to make things worse for you.”

  “Worse?”

  Jenny shook her head. “I know it makes no sense, but you need to know that your being here with me right now is not a good thing. It isn’t safe for you or anyone to be near me.”

  “They’re supposed to be keeping you safe. That’s why you went into the program, and yet you’re out wandering the streets in Angel Ridge alone. I don’t get it.”

  She looked away, but knew her sister would read her like she always had. “All I can say is that things haven’t gone as they should.”

  “Jenny,” Grady came into the room without knocking, “this is a witch’s cauldron if ever I’ve seen one.” He paused when he saw Frannie in the room. “Ms. Thompson, you’re the last person I expected to find here.”

  “Sorry to disappoint,” Frannie said, clearly angry now. She stood, arms crossed, and faced Grady.

  Jay Kennedy came into the room, but pulled up short. “Who’s this?” he asked Jenny.

  “My sister.”

  “What have you told her?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Good.”

  “Excuse me,” Frannie said, “but if you think I’m going to leave this room without a full explanation as to what’s going on here, you are sadly mistaken.”

  “You’ll do as you’re told,” Jay said softly.

  “And who are you?”

  The tall, blond man stepped forward, hand extended. “Jay Kennedy, special agent-in-charge, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.”

  Frannie ignored the proffered hand. “That says a lot. From all I’ve seen, no one seems to be in charge of this circus.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Cord said as he walked in, taking up much of the remaining space and all of the room’s oxygen as far as Jenny was concerned. Frannie noticed the change in her immediately.

  “Honey, are you all right? All of you men need to step back! Give her room to breathe.”

  “I’m all right, Frannie.”

  “All the color just drained from your face.”

  “Why don’t we all take a breath,” Grady suggested. “Let’s sit and talk, noting that we are all
going to act like professionals,” he warned.

  Everyone took a seat around the small table except for Cord, who stood in the corner of the room, ever near the door, a dark expression on his face.

  Frannie spoke first. “Who would like to tell me what is going on here?”

  “It is indeed unfortunate that you happened onto your sister, Ms. Thompson,” Jay said to Frannie.

  “And you thought that no one would? With her living in Angel Ridge all this time?”

  Jenny started to speak, but stopped herself, unsure of how this was going to go. Would these people try to kill Frannie to get to her, even though Frannie wouldn’t know where she was being relocated? The more she thought, the worse the possible scenarios became in her mind. Jenny linked her fingers and rested her forehead in her hands.

  “She hasn’t been here,” Jay said. “She has been in a number of other locations.”

  “Why is she here now?”

  “A series of poor choices on the part of the Marshal Service and the weather brought her here.”

  “She has to be in more danger in Angel Ridge.”

  “Yes.”

  “Who are these people?” She looked at her sister. “Jenny, what did you uncover?”

  Before Jenny could answer, Kennedy said, “We can’t discuss the details of the case without exposing you to the same danger.”

  “Will she be permanently relocated soon?”

  “Yes. We expect the evidence she uncovered to be presented to the Grand Jury tomorrow.”

  “Mr. Kennedy,” Jenny said, “what will happen to my sister now that she’s seen me?”

  “That all depends on your sister.” He linked his hands and rested them on the table. “Can you keep this information confidential? Can you promise that when you leave this office you’ll go on as if you never saw her?”

  Jenny took her sister’s hands. “Please, Frannie. I don’t want you mixed up in this nightmare.”

  “It’s a nightmare either way,” Frannie whispered.

  “These people are dangerous, Fran. You have no idea.”

  “But these clowns don’t seem to be doing a very good job keeping you safe. It’s dangerous for you to be here, snowed in. What if they find you?”

  Jenny laughed. “It wouldn’t be the first time they’ve found me.”

  “She has nine lives,” Grady added.

  “I don’t find this at all amusing, Sheriff.” Looking at Cord she added, “And how does this person fit into all this?”

  “He’s been staying with me for the past few days.”

  “He’s some sort of officer, then?”

  “No...”

  Frannie sat back, a look of disbelief on her face. “Where are these marshals that are supposed to be protecting my sister?”

  “I found it...” Jay searched for the right word, “necessary to take over your sister’s care for the time being. Grady and I felt that Mr. Goins was the best person to see to her personal safety for the time being.”

  “How am I supposed to know that this isn’t another in a long line of mistakes you’ve made, Mr. Kennedy.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “What do you know about this person? Is he a police officer?”

  “No.”

  “A deputy? An agent?”

  “No,” he admitted reluctantly.

  “Then who is he to be given the care of my sister?”

  “Yes, Mr. Kennedy. Who exactly is he?” Jenny asked, her eyes never leaving Cord’s.

  When she at last swung her gaze to Jay Kennedy’s, he returned her look’s demand for complete disclosure, measure for measure. “Jenny, I can no more answer that question than I can your sister’s regarding the circumstances that brought you here.”

  Right. He was a protected witness as well. Sharing the details of his case would endanger her in the same way the details of her case would endanger Frannie. But Cord now knew the details of her case, so what did that mean for Cord?

  She had to admit, it was pretty ingenious. Placing him on a mountain, giving him the identity of a family member of a deceased couple who had lived on that mountain their entire lives. The story about him having Melungeon blood was a nice touch. He had the coloring to pull it off, too.

  “I am sorry to cut this exchange short, but Jenny, I need you to come with me now. I have a file of evidence I need you to familiarize yourself with before we begin the video conference.”

  Jenny nodded and squeezed her sister’s hand.

  “I’m afraid I’ll need you and your sister to say your goodbyes now. The two of you can’t be in the same location.”

  Jenny squeezed her sister’s hand harder, not ready to give her up. “Can you set up a time for me to see her one last time before you relocate me?”

  “It’s not advisable.”

  “We’re not asking you to do what’s advisable,” Frannie said. “I know the risks and accept them.”

  “With you in town, they’ll be watching you more closely, hoping that you’ll lead them to Jenny,” Grady said.

  “I understand.”

  “Frannie, I don’t want you taking the risk,” Jenny said. “If something happened to you—”

  “Nothing will happen,” Frannie said confidently. “Since Mr. Kennedy and the Sheriff believe they can keep you safe, I’m sure they can manage this small thing.” To Jay she added, “So you’ll set up a meeting between us?”

  He exchanged looks with Grady, then sighed. “We’ll do what we can. It all depends on the timing of the extraction.”

  “But—”

  Jenny squeezed her sister’s hand. “They’ll do their best, Frannie. Won’t you, Grady?” She gave Grady a long steady look. Finally, Jay and Grady both nodded. She thought she saw Cord smile.

  “Your mother and father must have had their hands full raising the two of you.”

  Jenny laughed. “You’ve got it all wrong, Grady. They raised us to be the women we are.”

  “And did a fine job,” Grady confirmed, changing his tact.

  Jay grumbled something about stubborn, difficult women before saying more clearly, “Jenny? Shall we?”

  She hugged her sister. It was all she could do not to break down, thinking it could be the last time she would ever see her. She was the older sister and had to be strong enough for the both of them. There’d be more than enough years ahead to mourn the loss. When she at last released Frannie, she gave her a smile she hoped communicated that she would be fine. And then Jay led her into another small, windowless room to complete the final step in her journey before she would begin her new life.

  “That went well,” Jenny said to Jay and Grady several long hours later.

  “Yes,” Jay agreed. “Now we wait for the presentation of the evidence and the Grand Jury’s decision.”

  “When will we know something?” Jenny asked.

  Jay considered. “Depends on how long the jury takes to deliberate, but I wouldn’t think it should take longer than a day.”

  “So, tomorrow or the next day.”

  “Yes.”

  “Have you decided on how you will move me?”

  “Yes. You should be prepared to leave.”

  “Lucky for you I travel light these days. Will I stay with Miss Estelee again tonight?”

  “I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t,” Grady said. “Your position hasn’t been compromised.”

  “What about the men you arrested last night?”

  “We questioned them individually, offered each a deal if they’d give up the location of others that might be coming in behind them. They wouldn’t talk.”

  “Do you think there are more coming?”

  “We can’t be sure.”

  Jenny folded her arms. “But the roads are blocked, so we’re fine.”

  “Absolutely,” Kennedy assured.

  “Weather’s warming,” Grady said. “Supposed to rain tomorrow.”

  That would cause more problems. If the roads began to thaw and people started ventu
ring out, the people looking for her would have an easier time getting into town.

  Another thing had been troubling her, so she asked, “Grady, how do you think they figured out I was at Cole’s farm?”

  Grady rubbed his jaw. “I’d like to think they just got lucky, but they’ve discovered your location too many times for it to be luck or coincidence.”

  “Do you think there’s someone on the inside?” Jay asked.

  “Someone in town?” Jenny’s surprise made her voice rise. “Who—”

  “I don’t know. It’s killing me to think it could be someone in the Sheriff’s Office. I’d trust anyone here with my life—have trusted my life to these people.”

  “If it is someone in your office, Grady—”

  “Right. I’ll stay with her tonight, just to be safe.”

  “Good idea,” Jay agreed.

  “Will Cord, or whatever his name is, be staying at Miss Estelee’s again?” Jenny asked.

  “So you know,” Jay said.

  “He told me he was in WITSEC too, but nothing else.”

  “Again,” Grady said, “no reason to do anything different. We need to be as low key as possible if we want to avoid arousing suspicion.”

  “You knew about him, didn’t you?” Jenny said to Grady.

  Grady looked away before answering. “Yes.”

  “Was he in the TBI with you?” she said to Kennedy.

  Jay paused, then said, “That’s not relevant. The important thing is Grady helped develop his new identity. They’ll do the same for you in the place where you will live. No one will suspect a thing.”

  Jenny nodded. She could only hope that people as clever as Jay and Grady would be waiting for her when she arrived at her new home.

  “Can we do anything for you Jenny? To make this easier for you?” Grady asked.

  Jenny stood. “I wish you could, Grady, but nothing about this is going to be easy.”

  Chapter 20

  “Come in, come in,” Miss Estelee said as Jenny entered the back door and walked into the kitchen. “You’ve had a long day. Sit, honey, and let me get you something to eat.”