The Nurse's Bodyguard

by Melanie Mitchell

  When they reached the apartment, Luke stepped aside, allowing Claire to enter first. As soon as the door was shut, he pulled her into a hard, clinging embrace. “I’ve wanted to hold you like this since we entered the orphanage. I want to make it better; to make up for, well, for your having to start your life there.” He looked at her so lovingly that her heart clenched. He smoothed his big hands across her face and his voice deepened. “Thank goodness you were ‘unadoptable’ by a Korean family, and I’m so thankful for your parents.” He paused and took a breath. “Now that I think about it, I’m also thankful to your mentor at Mayo who encouraged you to come here. I’m even grateful to the guys who mugged you—although I’d gladly throw them in jail. I’m just grateful—so very grateful—that you’re here with me and you love me as much as I love you.” He kissed her then.

  Claire stifled a sob as she returned his kiss. “Luke, thank you for taking me today and for understanding. I’m thankful for you! You’ve helped me, protected me, come after me and sheltered me.” She lightly ran her fingers across his lips. Fighting tears, she whispered, “I don’t know how I could love you this much, this quickly.”

  He chuckled. “I don’t really care. Just don’t stop.” He pulled her farther into the apartment and kept his arms around her, holding her tight.

  Finally, his arms loosened and he kissed her temple. “Unfortunately, I have to head back to work now.” His eyes searched hers. “In the meantime, if you’re willing, why don’t you go to Bridgette’s and collect your stuff and move back into Brad’s room.” He looked both contrite and expectant. “Since you think I’m cute when I apologize, I need to give you ample opportunity to admire my cuteness. To whit—I was wrong to send you away. I’m sorry.”

  She rolled her eyes and grinned at him. “How can I resist? Consider me moved back in.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  BY TEN O’CLOCK the next morning, Luke and Claire had picked up Tony and Jessica and the group was headed out of Seoul. Fortunately, Luke had been able to procure one of the larger vehicles in the base fleet, a fairly new Hyundai SUV. In consideration of his size, Tony rode shotgun in the front passenger seat and Jessica sat in back with Claire.

  Henry Kim had emailed Luke very explicit directions on how to find Claire’s foster mother’s home in the Korean countryside. Following the map and using GPS, Luke exited the freeway about an hour out of Seoul and continued on a winding, two-lane road into the lovely rolling, wooded mountains that made up the vast part of the country’s interior.

  Claire was delighted to spend time with Jessica, whom she hadn’t seen for almost a week, and to get to know Tony better. The swelling that had marred Jessica’s eye and the bruises on her face were mostly gone. What still remained was obscured by skillfully applied makeup. Jessica’s right arm was now encased in a hard cast that was suspended by a paisley print silk scarf. She seemed to have put the incident behind her and was as gregarious and outgoing as ever.

  Likewise, Tony seemed very much at ease. During the drive through the winding mountain roads, Claire caught him stealing glances at her friend, who never failed to smile back.

  “Jessica,” Luke said, interrupting one of those grins. “You’ve heard by now that Claire was born here then adopted to the U.S. We thought you might help us speculate—for lack of a better word—as to whether that might be the reason someone wants to kill her.”

  Jessica sat up straight, clearly interested. “Actually, I wondered about your ancestry from the beginning.” She looked at Claire. “Obviously, you’re bi-racial—Asian and Caucasian—and it just seemed logical that one of your parents was Korean. I had no idea you were actually born here.” She looked contemplative. “Since you called yesterday I’ve pondered it a little.” She took a breath. “Twenty-five years ago, South Korea was still pulling out of the ashes following the war. It was moving from a third world or developing country to what it is today, behind only China and Japan—economically speaking—in Asia. But at that time, the country was very conservative socially. It still is, but it was even more so back then. Out-of-wedlock pregnancies were quite scandalous.” She looked sympathetically at Claire and then explained. “It would have been particularly shameful, however, if the baby had not been a pure-blood Korean. In other words, giving birth to a mixed-race baby would be a dishonor beyond redemption.”

  “Okay, so you think Claire’s heritage—that her father was Caucasian—would have been this huge disgrace?” Tony said and then frowned. “But that was then... Baby got born. Baby got adopted. Twenty-five years pass...” He shrugged. “Why would someone care now?”

  “Well obviously someone does—big-time,” Luke said.

  Jessica looked pensive for a while. “The only thing I can think of—and this really is pure speculation—is that the woman who got pregnant and/or Claire’s father was someone of note.”

  “How so?” asked Claire.

  “Well, if your birth mother was in one of the higher social classes, she’d need to hide having a mixed-race baby. Depending on who she was, it might be necessary to keep the secret forever. My guess would be for position or money or both.” Jessica frowned. “You know, at that time, the only Korean women who would’ve had any interaction with non-Korean men would be the very wealthy and influential—like heads of industry, those in government, diplomats or maybe actresses—or the very lower class.” She bit her lip and looked at Claire. “Like a prostitute...”

  “I wondered about that,” Luke said. “But who would care if the child of a prostitute returned to the country twenty-five years later?”

  “I guess in that case, the focus would be on the father... Who was he?” Jessica frowned. “I think that scenario is much more far-fetched, because twenty-five years later, any diplomat or high-level military officer would be long gone and would have no way of knowing, even if he did care.”

  “You’re right,” Claire said. “That doesn’t make sense... So, if we are to believe that something about my heritage is driving the attempts to um...harm me, then the reason probably has to do with who my mother is, or, more accurately, who her parents are.”

  “Hopefully, your foster mother can give us some answers,” Luke said.

  * * *

  ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION Henry had gathered, Mrs. Sun lived on a small farm that grew fruit—strawberries and peaches—and ginseng.

  They arrived a little before one o’clock at the traditionally styled Korean farmhouse. The lovely structure was built from bleached wood, complete with a blue tiled roof and gently curving eaves. After considerable discussion they agreed that Jessica and Claire would approach the house and the men would remain in the SUV until they had Mrs. Sun’s permission to enter. Neither Luke nor Tony wanted to frighten the woman, who was likely in her sixties or seventies.

  Claire’s heart rate was high when she knocked on the door. It was immediately opened by a middle-aged woman with a dour expression, wearing the black skirt and white blouse of a maid. Jessica introduced herself and Claire, and politely asked for Mrs. Sun. The maid seemed curious about the blonde woman’s excellent command of Korean and the Korean woman with the odd eyes. After a short pause she mumbled something and stepped aside, allowing them to enter.

  The women slipped off their shoes, placed them on a rack just inside the door and followed the maid into the house. Jessica turned to Claire and said quietly, “She said that Mrs. Sun is expecting us.”

  In only a few steps they were admitted to a bright and airy room, which had wide, open windows. It was nicely appointed and the furnishings and art appeared expensive. A petite, white-haired woman was sitting on a low stool when Jessica and Claire entered.

  Jessica placed her hand on Claire’s forearm, stopping her progress. “Wait just a second,” she instructed under her breath. “Give her a small bow.”

  Claire smiled tentatively to the woman, then bowed, as inst
ructed. “Anyong haseyo,” she said politely.

  Mrs. Lee rose to her feet. Claire realized at once that she was quite stooped with osteoporosis, but she stood as straight as she could and regally walked across the room to stop in front of Claire. Her face was serious but curious as she stared at Claire for what seemed like a long time. Finally she said something. At first the words sounded harsh, but then she smiled, reached up and touched her gently on the cheek.

  Jessica smiled slightly and was forced to blink back threatening tears. “She commented on your eyes—she said the family called them ‘bad eyes.’ And then she called you ‘my baby’.”

  Claire felt her own eyes become damp and she swallowed hard. Finally she was able to smile at the elderly woman and she said, “Thank you, Mrs. Sun, for taking care of me. I am happy to meet you now.”

  She waited for Jessica to translate and she watched the old woman smile. She touched her cheek again and then she caught Claire’s hand and pulled her toward the low table in the center of the room. She said some words that Jessica translated. “She wants us to have tea.”

  “Should we ask to include Luke and Tony?”

  “Okay, but I’ll introduce them as our husbands.” She whispered under her breath. She relayed the information to the older woman and pointed toward the door.

  Mrs. Sun looked pleased and then clapped her hands, calling for the maid. She sent her to fetch the two men, and they joined the tea party only a few minutes later, minus their shoes. The living room seemed to shrink with the arrival of the two big men, who bowed respectfully and graciously thanked the elderly woman for her hospitality.

  The serving of tea and polite words followed. After everyone had finished at least one cup, Jessica finally broached the reason for their visit. She asked Mrs. Sun to tell Claire what she knew about her birth mother.

  The old woman said something but was interrupted by Jessica. It was obvious that what she’d said was a surprise. Jessica asked another question, was answered, and then she sat up straighter and turned to Claire. She took a deep breath and explained. “Well, this is already interesting. It seems that Mrs. Sun is actually your great aunt. She is your grandmother’s sister.”

  Claire was a little flustered by that revelation. “Oh, I’m not sure how to respond... I guess tell her that’s wonderful.” She managed a smile at the older woman and tears formed in her eyes once more.

  Jessica translated and asked another question. The back-and-forth continued for some time. Claire or occasionally Luke would ask questions, Jessica would interpret, Mrs. Sun would answer, and Jessica would interpret again.

  In the end, Mrs. Sun was very informative. She told them Claire’s mother was Lee Won-ji, a privileged, wealthy young woman who was twenty when Claire was born. Mrs. Sun was not complimentary with regard to the young woman. At one point Jessica looked at Claire and behind her to Luke and Tony and said, “Mrs. Sun said that she—Claire’s mother—was a stupid, selfish, greedy—well, um, she actually used a derogatory word... I think she didn’t approve of her. Also, interestingly, she lived here with Mrs. Sun during the pregnancy, which is how Mrs. Sun came to be your foster mother.”

  Claire nodded. Then her brow creased with a slight frown. “Where is she now?”

  Jessica asked the question and waited for the answer. When it came she bit her lip before turning to tell Claire. “Well, she said your birth mother died only a couple of years after you were born. She was only twenty-three. I’m sorry.”

  Claire wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting, but that news was somehow stunning. Finally she managed to say, “I’m sorry, too. What happened?” Her voice was quiet, and tears created twin tracks, dampening her cheeks.

  Following Jessica’s translation of the question, Mrs. Sun again seemed disapproving. Jessica looked pained when she repeated what had been said. “Uh, well, she was driving her car and had an accident. It seems she was—er—she’d had too much soju.” Jessica looked uncomfortable describing the young woman’s intake of alcohol. “Apparently, after your birth, she became very much a ‘party girl’ and, well...she killed herself in the accident.”

  They all took a few moments to digest that revelation and Mrs. Sun said something. Jessica nodded and explained. “Won-ji’s parents are also dead. Her mother—Mrs. Sun’s sister—died only last year. Her father died about five years ago from liver cancer.”

  Claire realized that with the exception of this great aunt, her Korean family members might all be dead. But what about her father? She caught Jessica’s eye. “Ask her if she knows anything about my father?”

  Jessica complied and waited a span while the old woman went into a fairly lengthy oration.

  “Hmm...Well, okay.” She gave Claire another concerned look, fortifying herself before sharing what she’d learned. “When she was staying here during her pregnancy, your mother eventually confided in Mrs. Sun that she met a very handsome man at the yearly American Embassy Ball. Your father was a career diplomat and the primary assistant to the American ambassador at that time. Evidently, he was fluent in Korean and was able to easily seduce your mother with promises of marriage. According to Mrs. Sun, it was all a lie, because when Won-ji informed him of her pregnancy, he confessed he was married and had three children in California. It seems he pretty much told her to ‘get lost’ and left Korea shortly thereafter. She never heard from him again.”

  Claire felt pity for the young woman, suddenly finding herself pregnant by the poor excuse for a man who was evidently her father. Once again she breathed a sigh of relief to have been adopted by loving, stable parents. She was also glad that she hadn’t previously known about the uncomfortable circumstances surrounding her conception and birth. She almost wished she didn’t know now. But that reality didn’t change who she was. She straightened her spine and silently said another prayer of thanks.

  Everyone was silent for a few minutes as they considered the latest revelations. It was Luke who asked the most pressing question. His voice was edgy and his anger was subdued, but evident to the Americans. “Jessica, ask her who from the family is still alive. Who would benefit from Claire’s death?”

  Jessica carefully considered how to phrase Luke’s question, then relayed it to Mrs. Sun. The old woman sat still for a moment, evidently contemplating how much to divulge.

  When she didn’t immediately reply, Luke repeated the question. “Who would benefit from Claire’s death?” His attention turned from Jessica to Mrs. Sun. Evidently his bitterness needed no translation and Mrs. Sun suddenly seemed more afraid of Luke than she was apprehensive about disclosing potentially damaging information. She finally answered. Her words were softer and spoken more hesitantly than before, but her confidence seemed to increase as she provided the information.

  Jessica translated.

  “His name is Lee, Min-sik. He is your birth mother’s only brother. Evidently he inherited all the family money—which according to Mrs. Sun was considerable.” She paused and glanced at Mrs. Sun. “He also inherited his father’s position. The elder Mr. Lee was part of the founding group of a Korean conglomerate—kind of like Samsung and LG. It seems that he’s now—”

  Mrs. Sun interrupted her, saying something under her breath that caused Jessica to pause. Stunned, the blonde sat up straight and turned to Claire. “Mrs. Sun thinks Mr. Lee actually brought about your mother’s death—because of you. He encouraged her drinking and allowed her to drive even though she was inexperienced. He hated the shame that she brought on the family because her baby was not Korean.”

  Mrs. Sun said a few more words that seemed sorrowful and these, too, Jessica translated. “She said to tell you that she is sorry, but Mr. Lee thought you were the ‘highest disgrace’—that is the term she used—to the family. He believed you should not be allowed to live.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  THE CONVERSATION WAS subdued as they drove
back down the curving, narrow road toward the highway. As before, Jessica and Claire were in the back of the SUV, with Tony beside Luke. After about fifteen minutes, Jessica patted Claire on the arm. “That was a lot to take in. Are you doing okay?”

  Claire managed a small smile. “Yes, actually, I’m fine. More than anything, it’s a relief to know who wants to harm me and why. I’ll never know more about my birth father, but that’s okay. I don’t think I would’ve liked him... Mostly, I feel sorry for my birth mother, and I guess for her parents. Honestly I’m thankful for how it turned out... Not about them, of course, but that I was adopted by wonderful parents.”

  “What’s the next step?” asked Tony.

  “As soon as we get back to Seoul, I’m going to drop you and Jessica off and take Claire to see Captain Choi. He’ll be able to take it from here with regard to dear Uncle Lee. I also want to get your passport released.” He glanced in the rearview mirror to catch Claire’s eye. “It’s time for you to go home.” His words were soft and authoritative.

  She nodded. “Yes. I agree. I think I want to go home.” A single tear slid down her cheek. “I’m a little overwhelmed right now and home is a good place to be.” Jessica reached over to squeeze her hand. Suddenly fatigued, Claire leaned back and closed her eyes.

  * * *

  THE QUARTET WAS SILENT for the next several miles, everyone focused on their own thoughts. Without warning, Luke looked askance at Tony and said, “Are you carrying?” His voice was low and without inflection.