Curveball

by Teresa Michaels

  “Excuse me,” he says and gets out of the car, shutting the door so we can’t hear their conversation.

  I look at Drew. “What do you think that’s about?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “Why do I have the feeling that we’re being investigated?” I ask.

  “I’m sure it’s their normal protocol, you know. Just ruling us out.”

  I stare out the window and wonder why Agent Patterson reacted that way. What if Mark was somehow tied to what happened to the plane? Or what about Cassandra? I never even gave her changing my ticket at the last minute any thought. No, she’s not that smart. Someone would have told her to make the change and all of this assumes that my being on the plane was planned. That seems ridiculous. Minutes later both men climb into the back of the mini-bus.

  “Ms. Sullivan, Agent Aarons called the Boston City PD regarding Sargent Dosdell. They have no one working there by the name Dosdell. We tried contacting him using the number you provided and it’s been disabled. Our initial feedback from the phone provider is that he was using a pre-paid phone so there is no way to track it,” Patterson says. “Once we get back to Boston we’ll need you to sit with a sketch artist.”

  Once again I feel light-headed and nauseous. What the hell? Drew must be right. He is connected to this mess. He is dangerous and I let him into my life. Tears roll down my face. He’s been in my house, possibly as recent as today. He’s been through Mark’s possessions. What have I done?

  “Also, our field agents went to the address you provided for the safe-house you were held in. There are no cars. There’s no blood and there are no bodies,” he says. “Are you sure you gave us the correct address?”

  He recites the address back to me and I confirm that it’s correct. He’s looking at me like I’ve fabricated the story.

  “I don’t know what to tell you. That is the address. They held us there and beat us. For Christ’s sake, just look at Drew’s face, and mine! The guy I stabbed is the person that broke Drew’s ribs,” I say.

  “Before we escaped we saw two more men pull into the driveway and Breanne didn’t recognize either of them as Dosdell. And, when we were on the train Dosdell called and said the house was empty and wanted to know what happened,” Drew chimes in.

  “What did you use to stab the man?” Agent Patterson asks, ignoring Drew.

  I pull the hair beak out of my bun and hand it to Agent Patterson as my hair falls down my neck and back. “This.”

  Agent Patterson grabs a plastic bag and has me place it inside. He hands the bag to Aarons and instructs him to run forensics when we get to Boston and search the database for a match with the DNA.

  “I don’t get it. How can blood and bodies just disappear?” I ask Drew who is clearly at a loss as well.

  “We will get to the bottom of this. Our investigators are scouring the area for witnesses. They will be questioning people about the cars you described and any suspicious people that have been in the area. We’ve also sent a team to the car dealership you described hoping to interview Carl. You should be aware that our forensics team will use Luminol at the safe house. In the event there was bloodshed it will be discovered. If you’d like to amend any part of your statement, now would be the time.”

  “Why would we amend anything? We’re telling you the truth!” I’m appalled and completely beside myself.

  “Good. Let’s move one,” Agent Aarons says.

  “On your way to the safe house did you notice anyone following you?” Agent Patterson asks.

  “No, I didn’t,” Drew says and then turns his attention to me. “Did you?” I shake my head no.

  “Did you pick out the car that Carl gave to you?” Agent Patterson questions.

  “No, he handed us a set of keys. Why?” I ask.

  Agent Patterson adjusts his posture so that he’s taken on a more laid back position in his seat. “I’m wondering if Carl had a tracking device on the key or key chain. It would be another possible explanation of why the two men were able to find you at the safe house,” he says. “But it’s just a theory.”

  I consider this for a moment. As much as I don’t want to have made a colossal mistake by letting a dangerous man into my life, I don’t believe his theory is correct. “I wish I could believe that…but the timing doesn’t make sense. There were two cars in the garage when we got there. Based on what Lucas told us, he and his partner did everything together. I doubt they drove separately.”

  “Like I said, it’s just a theory.” He leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees. “You two have been through a lot in the last two days. We get that. But you need to understand that we have an investigation of epic proportion to solve. An American aircraft was taken down and innocent civilians were killed. We’re going to investigate every possible angle. You’re going to have to tell your version of the situation several times so we can determine that you haven’t inadvertently omitted important information and to ensure that your story is credible. We’ll be respectful as much as possible but until we have all the answers we need, you will be at our beck and call.”

  I’m not sure if he’s told us this to ground us on our new reality or if it’s a warning. “Are we suspects?” I ask.

  He cocks his head to the side and watches me carefully. “Everyone is a suspect…though, you’re technically innocent until proven guilty.” He sits back and leafs through his notes. This is far from over. I glance at Drew, my rock, to get the reassurance I need. As always, he gives me that with a gentle kiss on my forehead. I don’t know if I can get through this without him.

  “Ok, Breanne. Now I want to start with you,” Agent Patterson has us tell our stories again, from the beginning.

  By the time we’ve finished the second round of the interrogation I am drained. All I want to do is curl up in my bed after a long, hot shower, and snuggle with my kids and go to sleep.

  “I think that’s enough for now,” he says. “I’m going to compile my notes and let you two rest a little before we get back. We’ll take you to our FBI headquarters in Boston where your families are being brought.” He looks at his watch and scrunches his face as if he’s working on a hard math problem. “We should be there in about two hours.”

  “How many more times do you think we’ll have to go over this?” I whisper to Drew.

  “I have a feeling this is only the beginning,” he says. I close my eyes and rest my head against Drew’s shoulder. He wraps his arm around me and rubs my side. “We’ll get through this together.” It’s a promise I’m counting on.

  “Hey,” Drew calls to me. “Wake up, we’re here.”

  Agent Patterson opens the door of the car and steps onto the pavement. Drew takes my hand to help me out and it’s a good thing he does. The flashing lights from the onslaught of reporters’ cameras are blinding. Always the gentleman, Drew holds his Red Sox jersey in front of me, trying to shield me as I hold onto his arm. Holy shit, my heart is racing.

  We walk into the precinct and are met by several agents, cheering to welcome us home. My eyes dart over every person in the crowd, searching for my family. Where are they? My heart races in anticipation as Agent Patterson walks us through a set of double-doors into a hallway. As the doors close behind us, a side door opens and my children rush out. Relief, excitement and disbelief are lodged in my throat. I fall to my knees and catch them as they slam into my body, nearly knocking me over. A larger set of arms encircle me from behind and I know instantly that it’s my father. Our embrace is filled with tears, laughter and above all love. Finally, I am home!

  We hold each other for what feels like eternity. I want to be magically transported home with them in my arms. I know I should move but I can’t. Eventually, though, my stiff body begs for me to move. My legs are falling asleep so I ask my father to help me to my feet. That’s when I realize that Drew has just helped my father stand and is also trying to help me get up with the kids.

  I introduce Drew to my family as the man who saved my life. Within
seconds all three of the kids latch onto Drew’s legs. He’s radiating pure joy as if he’s never been hugged before. When the trio finally releases him, he crouches down and shakes each of their hands. He tells them how grateful he is for them, that it’s because of them that we fought so hard to come back. I lean against my father and watch the four of them interact with ease. Drew is simply amazing. He’s the man who saved my life and the man who has become my dearest friend. A man who I hope will continue to be in my life. The man who has claimed a portion of my heart in a way I’m not ready to acknowledge.

  Agent Aarons enters the room and pulls Drew to the side. The kids come back to me and we take a seat as I’ve been reminded that I have to review my interview notes and sign off on them before I can leave. Thankfully, they are allowing me to meet with the sketch artist tomorrow.

  “Hey,” Drew says, returning to me. “I need to go with Agent Aarons but I’ll be back. He says I have visitors as well.”

  I hug Drew tightly, still not wanting to be away from him, and tell him I’ll be waiting.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Defining Moments

  Drew

  I really don’t want to leave Breanne but she needs this time with her family. Besides, by the way Agent Aarons was talking about my visitors I’m intrigued. Walking down the long corridor of the Boston precinct I try to imagine who it could be aside from Brett. Some of the Red Sox players are the most likely answer. Maybe my coach? Time will tell, I guess.

  Agent Aarons stops outside a door with a frosted window. “Here you go, Drew. I’m sure we’ll be in touch over the next few days. Agent Patterson has arranged for both you and Ms. Sullivan to have a security detail 24/7 for as long as is necessary. After you meet with your family, Agent Patterson will come by and make the introductions and you’ll need to sign off on your statement. Then, you are free to go.”

  I shake his hand and thank him for his help. I find myself nervous and hesitate from going into the room. The thought of answering more questions is exhausting. I should have slept those few hours when I had the chance. All I could think about was how I wanted to be awake for that time with Breanne, even though I only watched her sleep. I literally spent the entire ride thinking about how it’s going to suck not spending time with her. Who would have thought that I’d enjoy spending all of my time with one person?

  I look down the hall towards the room Breanne is in with her family and fight the urge to go back. I take out my phone to see if I’ve missed any calls – nothing. OK, I tell myself, let’s get this over with. I turn the knob and step into the room. The first face that I see is Brett’s, immediately followed by my mother. I’m speechless. I look to the left and also see my father. Damn it…I never called them. I would not describe myself as an overly sensitive man, but seeing my parents is overwhelming. I never expected them to be here.

  “Mom, Dad?”

  “Son,” my father chokes out and heaves me into a bear hug. It’s the longest embrace he’s ever given me. His raw emotions tug at mine. My mother wraps herself around my back and the three of us hold each other. I can’t remember a time when the three of us held each other this way. I hadn’t realized how much I’ve needed them until now.

  “I can’t believe you’re here,” I say to both my parents.

  My mother dabs at her eyes with a handkerchief. “Once we heard you were alive we couldn’t stay away.”

  “We jumped in the car and drove straight here,” my father says.

  “We love you so much, dear. Whatever you need from us, we’ll be here,” my mother promises.

  I know this must be hard for them. They are completely out of their comfort zone.

  “I’d like you to stay at my place for a few days, if you’re ok with that,” I tell them.

  “Son, we plan on staying until you kick us out. We haven’t been there for you the way we should have and we are going to change that,” my father says, his bottom lip quivering. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am for how we handled your sister’s passing. It wasn’t fair. We are the parents and it was wrong for us to put the responsibility on you to deal with it all. I’m so, so sorry, son.”

  I hug my father again. I want to tell him it’s all right, that I forgive him or that it doesn’t matter, except the words are locked in my throat. Instead, I hold onto him and hope he understands what I’d say if I could.

  As we wait for Agent Patterson to join us we talk about my injuries and I tell them about Breanne. I watch my parents beam at each other when I say her name and I’m aware I haven’t made any effort to downplay my feelings for her. I also realize that I can’t wait for them to meet her. I stand and tell them I’m going to get her, so they can meet her for themselves. My parents continue talking and the door opens behind me. I catch Brett’s expression and turn, curious. Amber?

  “Amber,” I say dryly. “What are you doing here?”

  “Where else would I be, Drew?” she replies, throwing herself into my arms.

  I look to my parents, who have no idea what happened with Amber and me, other than we broke up years ago. My mother takes my hand and gives me a polite smile. A smile that tells me she thinks Amber and I have things to discuss. Did she not hear me say I was going to get Breanne?

  “We’ll step outside and give you two a few minutes,” she says. For the love of God, don’t fucking leave!

  “No, mom,” I stutter, “you don’t have to leave.”

  “Nonsense, son. We’ll be right outside,” my father insists, patting me on the shoulder as he walks by.

  I glance at Brett to be my saving grace. He looks torn as my mother pulls him from the room. Before he abandons me I mouth ‘you’ll pay for this’ but my threat isn’t enough to keep him in the room. Fuck! When the room has cleared I put my hands on Amber’s shoulders and take a step back.

  “What are you doing here?” I repeat my question.

  “When I learned what happened to you I was devastated. It was like my world went dark,” she explains. She takes a step forward and I instinctively step backwards.

  “Amber, we broke up a long time ago. Actually the way I remember things ending between us was that you left me when my career was in limbo,” I say.

  Dressed in a fitted, low-cut, black button down shirt with red skinny jeans and three-inch heels, she looks good. I can’t deny that she’s an attractive woman. But she’s not Breanne. Not by a long shot. She’s an expert manipulator, I remind myself as she saunters towards me. I take another step back and find myself flush against the wall. Amber reaches me and presses her hands against my chest, followed by making her body flush with mine.

  “I’ve regretted leaving you. The way I treated you was,” she trails off. She has stopped talking – her hands, however, are roaming.

  “It doesn’t matter what happened, Amber. It’s in the past and we both know that us ending was inevitable. The only reason you’re here right now is because you think you have something to gain from the publicity.”

  “That’s unfair, Drew. I’m here because I want you back. Let me make up for how badly I messed up. I love you, Drew.” She presses her face against my chest and rises up on her tiptoes to kiss my neck as her hands travel around and squeeze my backside. “You can’t tell me that you don’t miss this,” she thrusts against me.

  I grab her hands and firmly place them at her side. I lean forward and stare into her eyes. “What I’m missing right now is the person that I do love – and it isn’t you.”

  Her eyes take on a mischievous appearance. “Playing hard to get is such a turn on,” she moans before launching herself at me, locking her lips with mine. She’s like a leach. I actually have to struggle to unlock my mouth from hers. Just as I think I’m in the clear she bites my lip. My mouth opens as I groan in pain. Shit, that hurt. She takes advantage of my stunned, open mouth and thrusts her tongue inside. Is she trying to choke me? I may actually gag. Finally, I break free. I pry her hands from either side of my head and push her to the side to gain distance.
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