by Lynn Ames
“I suppose,” Sage said, not moving.
Vaughn sat on the side of the bed, forcing Sage to move over to avoid contact. Sage continued to stare at the ceiling.
“How’s your arm?”
“I’ll live.”
“Glad to hear it,” Vaughn said. “I know I was an ass yesterday. I’m sorry.”
“S’okay.”
“No, it’s really not. I should explain some things to you.”
“You don’t owe me any explanations. We had a night of hot sex. End of story. I get it.”
“That’s not true, Sage.” It was all she could do to avoid the urge to brush her fingers under Sage’s T-shirt.
“It doesn’t matter.”
Vaughn turned Sage’s face so that she could look into her eyes. They were swollen and bruised from crying. You’re an idiot, Elliott. “It matters a great deal to me. I told the truth when I said there were many things about me you don’t know. There are some that I can’t tell you, not because I don’t want to, but because that’s the way it has to be.”
“Like I said, you don’t need to explain to me.”
Vaughn kept talking as if Sage hadn’t interrupted her. “There was a woman once, my college sweetheart. I loved her very much. In fact, she’s the only woman I ever loved.” Vaughn swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. “She followed me into law enforcement. Assignments took us in separate directions, and we went long periods without seeing each other. Despite the physical distance, I never stopped caring about her, and I think it was the same for her.”
Vaughn was staring at a point on the wall, but she didn’t have to look to know that she had Sage’s full attention. “Anyway, last year she called me. She was going on a very difficult mission. I begged her not to go, and certainly not alone. I convinced her to let me come along.” Vaughn’s voice faltered, and she took a moment to compose herself.
“It’s okay, Vaughn. You don’t have to tell me, really. I can see this is painful for you.”
“No. Let me finish. I was supposed to meet her at a certain time, in a certain place, but I had a meeting with superiors that ran long. I got there as soon as I could, but…” Vaughn cleared her throat, which had gone very dry.
Sage turned onto her side and linked their fingers together. Vaughn avoided her searching gaze.
“She died right before my eyes—blown up by a bomb—and there was nothing I could do. I was too late. If I’d just…”
“I’m so sorry. That must’ve been awful. Watching you get shot and knowing you lived was hard enough. I can’t imagine…” Sage’s voice trailed off. “Is that where you got the scar over your ribs?”
“Yes. I took some shrapnel in the side, among other injuries.” Vaughn smiled sadly. “You remind me a lot of her.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t help that.”
“I know.”
“What was her name?”
“Sara.”
“She was a very lucky woman.”
“No, I was the lucky one. Until last week, I’d never been with anyone—never even looked at another woman. I couldn’t.”
“And then I came along and threw myself at you.”
Vaughn shook her head. “You didn’t, Sage. That’s the thing. I was attracted to you the second I laid eyes on you. Maybe that’s the reason I was so gruff. I didn’t want to let you inside. I didn’t want to let anyone close, and without even saying a word, you’d already gotten under my skin.”
“Was that really so awful?”
“Yes. When I lost Sara, I lost the right to have someone meaningful in my life…don’t you see?”
“No, I don’t. What I see is an honorable woman who had her lover tragically ripped away from her. I see a woman who’s been blaming herself for something that wasn’t her fault.”
“Sara died because of me.”
“You have to know that’s not true. You didn’t plant the bomb, did you?”
“Of course not.”
“Whoever did is the one responsible for Sara’s death, Vaughn, not you.”
Tears streaked Vaughn’s cheeks. “If I had been there when I said I would…”
“She could have waited for you to show up. It wasn’t your fault, and blaming yourself is just a convenient excuse for not having to live without her. You can just go on acting as though you died with her, because that eases your guilt.”
“What?”
“What would Sara say about you locking your heart away for the rest of your life?”
Vaughn opened her mouth to speak and clicked her jaw shut again. She would’ve been pissed as hell. “That’s not the point.”
“What is the point, then?”
“I’m not safe to be around. Bad things follow me. If something happened to you, I could never survive it. Don’t you see?” Vaughn didn’t bother to wipe away the tears.
“If something happens to me, it certainly won’t be because you didn’t do everything in your power to keep me safe. Let me in, Vaughn. I’m not saying you have to fall in love with me. Just give us a chance. Please?”
Vaughn looked into those earnest eyes filled with hope and pain. “I can’t promise you anything, Sage. Honestly, I don’t know what I have to offer.”
Finally unable to resist any longer, Vaughn gave in and ran her fingers along Sage’s cheek. She thought about everything this woman had been through in the past week, how worried she had been for her safety, how much she’d come to enjoy her company and the simple comfort of her touch. She leaned forward and brushed her lips lightly against Sage’s. “When we get through this, let’s see where we are, okay?”
“Okay,” Sage said, her eyes still closed after the kiss. “Thank you.”
Without another word, Vaughn rose from the bed and left the room. She was afraid if she stayed any longer, she would fall into Sage and never be able to pull away. There was still much to be done, and she couldn’t afford to give her emotions free rein just yet.
As planned, an airplane fuel truck idled out of sight behind the clinic. Abrim was in the driver’s seat. Salam climbed out of the back, where he had been loading supplies and luggage. The inside of the tanker portion of the truck had been converted into a seating and storage area.
Vaughn, Sage, Justine, and Nate stood just inside the back door of the clinic. The pilot walked past them and clambered into the back of the truck.
“I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done,” Vaughn said, shaking Nate’s hand. Relentless waves of pain forced her to hunch over. Perspiration dotted her forehead. “We couldn’t have made it this far without you.”
“You are most welcome. I was happy to be of service. Are you sure you are okay to travel?”
“Yes.”
Nate’s expression was incredulous, but he did not push the matter. Instead, he said, “Abrim will drive you into a hangar, where you will be able to board the plane away from prying eyes.”
“Perfect. Your meeting with Sielig is all set?”
“Yes, and five private flights are scheduled to take off without flight plans today. Two are already underway.”
“Excellent. Stay safe, my friend.”
“I will be fine. Please do not worry about me. I am well protected.”
Justine hopped up into the back and reached down to help Sage, who was having trouble negotiating the step with only one good arm.
When Vaughn moved to follow, Nate stopped her. “Let me help you.” He linked his hands together so that she could step into them and boosted her up into the truck, where Justine steadied her. “Good luck to all of you.”
“I am sorry to keep you waiting,” Nate said. In fact, he had let Sielig cool his heels outside his office for half an hour, until he was sure the plane was safely away. Now he stood in the doorway in full dress uniform, gesturing for Sielig to enter. “Please, come in.”
Once seated, Sielig stared unhappily at Nate from across the desk. “You said you have news for me?”
“Yes. I wanted to update you on our effo
rts. Flyers have been circulated at every border checkpoint. Every one of my officers has been given a full description of the fugitives, and they are canvassing the airports. We are doing everything possible to assist you in your search. If these women are in our country, we will find them.”
“I appreciate your cooperation.” As Sielig got up to leave, Nate put up a hand to forestall him.
“I thought, perhaps, since you believed one of the women to be injured, I would bring in the head of our major hospitals to brief you as well.”
Sielig appeared as if he would object. It was clear to Nate that he had little patience and less respect for his abilities. That would work to his advantage.
“I’m sure—” A knock on the door forestalled the rest of Sielig’s remark.
“Come,” Nate called. “Ah, doctor. You’re just in time. Dr. Jeantou, may I present Mr. Arthur Sielig from the United States State Department.”
“A pleasure, sir. I understand you are looking for several American women, at least one of whom you believe may be suffering from a gunshot wound.”
“That is correct.” Sielig pulled pictures from his briefcase and laid them on the desk for the doctor to study.
“I assure you, none of these women has been treated at any of my hospitals.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Several reasons. First, my personnel would have had to file a report, so I would have found out that way. Second, if, as you say, there was a gunshot wound involved, I would have been the one to operate. So yes, I am positive that none of these women has been treated in any of my facilities.”
“How many hospitals do you oversee?”
“Every major hospital or clinic in this city, and several in outlying areas. In short, Mr. Sielig, if these women were in Mauritania and injured, I would know about it.”
Sielig again rose to leave.
“Perhaps,” the doctor said, “it would be helpful if you could explain to me what you would have me do if your fugitives do present themselves at one of my facilities.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The house was in the foothills of the Alps and could have belonged to a business tycoon or a Hollywood star. It featured a wraparound deck with built-in benches, an upstairs balcony that overlooked a lake, five bedrooms, each with a private bath and Jacuzzi, a sunken living room, a game room, a gym, a formal dining room, and a kitchen that would rival the best restaurant kitchen in New York.
“I think I like your friends,” Sage said to Justine as they toured the house.
“They have their good points,” Justine answered with a wink.
Sage lowered her voice to make sure she wouldn’t be overheard. “Is Vaughn going to be okay? She looks so frail. I know she doesn’t want to be fretted over, but I can’t help it.”
For the majority of the flight, Vaughn had been doubled over and wearing an oxygen mask. She had spoken little and kept to herself, refusing to look at Sage or engage in conversation. Several times Sage had seen Justine bending over her, taking her vital signs and talking softly. At the moment she was resting in a bedroom down the hall.
“Vaughn had major surgery for a life-threatening injury. Frankly, it’s remarkable that she’s doing as well as she is. Normally, you would never let a patient with lung trauma get on an airplane. Unfortunately, we didn’t have much choice.”
“Did the flight do additional damage?” Sage asked, wide-eyed.
“I don’t think so, but she’ll need some time to recover.”
“We’re safe here, right? So we could stay until she’s better.”
“It’s not that simple,” Justine said. “We know we weren’t followed, but we also know that they won’t stop trying to find us, and that eventually, they’ll succeed.”
Sage’s stomach did a flip. “They will?”
“We don’t know what this situation is really all about. Until we do, we can’t determine how to turn the tables on them. If we can’t turn the tables, they’re always going to be a step ahead of us and we’re always going to be looking over our shoulders.”
Sage’s mouth formed an O.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to scare you, Sage. For now, we’re as safe as we can be.”
“Okay. I think I’ll go check on Vaughn.” She felt an overwhelming need for the comfort of Vaughn’s solid presence. Even in Vaughn’s weakened state, Sage felt a sense of security with her that she didn’t feel with anyone else.
She peeked around the door. Vaughn was awake and staring at the ceiling.
“Can I come in?”
“Of course.”
“How are you?”
“Ducky.”
“Really, Vaughn. You look so pale, and it seemed like you were in so much pain on the flight.” Sage didn’t wait for an invitation to sit down on the spacious bed next to her.
“I’m okay, Sage. Just tired.”
“Can I lie with you for a while?”
“Sure.”
Sage kicked off her shoes and stretched out on her right side, leaning her head gently on Vaughn’s left shoulder. “Is this okay? Am I hurting you?”
“No, it’s fine. But I can’t imagine it feels good for your shoulder to be suspended in mid-air like that.”
Sage shifted slightly so that her left forearm rested on Vaughn’s stomach. “I don’t want to jostle you.”
“That doesn’t hurt.” Vaughn wrapped her left arm around Sage’s good shoulder so that they were snuggled more tightly together.
Sage let out a contented sigh. It was the most at peace she had felt since the entire ordeal began. Within seconds, she was asleep.
Justine stood in the doorway smiling. Both Vaughn and Sage were fast asleep, clinging to each other in a way Justine imagined Vaughn would never allow if she were awake. Good for you, Sage, you’re just what the doctor ordered. Quietly, Justine retreated down the hallway to the living room. The best thing for both women at this point was rest. The flight had taxed Vaughn to her limits, and Justine feared that if she didn’t take this time, she would not have the strength to fight whatever battle lay ahead.
That thought brought the current dilemma fully into focus. They didn’t have any idea what had prompted this whole ordeal in the first place. They would have to figure it out soon.
“Five flights took off yesterday without any flight plans.” Arthur Sielig was pacing in front of Nate’s desk. “Isn’t that a bit unusual?”
“Were these commercial flights?”
“No. They were private aircraft.”
“Sometimes our air traffic controllers are a bit lax with the paperwork. Most often those are quick domestic flights.”
“But you don’t know that.”
“I am sorry, Mr. Sielig. Air traffic is not within my scope of responsibilities. I can make some inquiries for you, if you like, but it may take several days.”
Sielig leaned across the desk until his face was inches from Nate’s, but Nate did not retreat. “I don’t have days. I want answers, and I want them now.” His voice was deadly quiet.
“I understand your desire to find these fugitives, and I assure you we are doing everything we can to cooperate with your government. Now, if you will excuse me, I will get to work on your question. I will call you as soon as I have any information. Good day, Mr. Sielig.”
Nate waited until he saw Sielig exit the building and cross the street below. He pulled out his cell phone. “Justine?”
“Yes.”
“Nate. I thought you would like to know that I just had a visit from Mr. Sielig. He is most displeased with the speed of investigations here in my country.”
“Is that so?”
“He is demanding to know what the destinations were of the five planes that took off yesterday without filing flight plans. I told him that air traffic was not in my jurisdiction, but that I would look into it for him.”
“How much time do we have?”
“Perhaps two or three days at most.” He heard Justine’s sigh through the ph
one. “You had no difficulty on your end?” Nate asked.
“No. Everything went like clockwork. Thank you, again, for everything you’ve done. Please don’t delay Sielig any further if it puts you in jeopardy.”
“Do not worry about me. I will have no trouble stalling him for a few days. My concern rests with any detective work he might undertake on his own. I can keep an eye on him, but I cannot control everyone he might talk to.”
“That’s okay. We appreciate the heads up.”
“You are welcome. I will let you know if I find out anything more. At the very least, I will be able to tell you when he leaves the country.”
“Thanks. Be careful, Nate.”
“You too. I wish you well.”
“I’m being stonewalled here,” Sielig said.
“What’s the roadblock?” Fairhaven asked.
“It’s not a what, it’s a who, and he’s the chief of law enforcement for Mauritania. He’s either incredibly incompetent, or he knows things he’s not saying.”
“Perhaps you might need to be a bit more…persuasive.”
“As far as he and everyone else here is concerned, I represent the United States government. Are you sure you’re willing to raise this to a level that could arouse attention?”
Fairhaven snapped a pencil in half. This whole situation was spinning out of his control. “Do you believe they are still in Mauritania?”
“No. I think they were on one of those flights that slipped out yesterday.”
“By now, they could be anywhere.”
“I am tracking down the registrations of those planes and the names and addresses of the pilots. I will have more answers before the day is over.”
“You’d better.” Fairhaven closed the phone and tapped it thoughtfully against his chin. If they couldn’t locate, question, and eliminate Elliott and the others within the next twenty-four hours, they would have to make major adjustments to the plan. He hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
“Let’s review what we know,” Vaughn said. “The Tuareg took Sage, but they did so at the behest of an American of sufficient rank to order the ambassador to have her killed.”
“How do you know that?” Sage asked.
“Sabastien intercepted a phone conversation between someone with an American accent and the ambassador,” Justine said.
