Sisters By Choice

by Lillian Duncan

  “With all the security in that development, how could this happen? We picked the place because of its elaborate security system.”

  “I might have a theory, Marcus,” Carter said. “The beach.”

  “The beach? It’s locked and gated even on the beach side.”

  “Last night we…took a walk…and found the gate wide open. Anyone could have walked in. The security camera was probably broken the night she disappeared. And there’s a marina not even half a mile from the beach entrance. They could have taken her to a waiting boat in a matter of minutes.”

  “It’s possible, but they would still need to get her to the beach without being seen.”

  “It wouldn’t have been all that difficult depending on the time. A lot of the residents drive golf carts. There’d been a report about a repairman in the area, but that checked out to be legit.”

  “I suppose it’s possible. I need to make some calls, and then we can talk. I’ll be back in a few.” Marcus strode off towards his front door.

  “We’ll be waiting,” Carter said.

  “So, you do think Jamie was abducted,” Patti said.

  “I didn’t want to alarm you, but the purse thing bothered me, too. I did a little investigating.”

  “Thank you, Carter. I don’t know…”

  He tipped an imaginary cowboy hat and tried to do a John Wayne imitation. “Just doing my job, Ma’am.”

  “Who is Marcus?” Patti asked quickly, touched by his attempt to put her at ease, but still wary of this too handsome man.

  “He’s an FBI agent and the liaison with our police department. When Anna said he was a friend of Jamie’s, I knew more was going on than a runaway mom.”

  “Why would an FBI agent know Jamie?” Patti knew nothing about Jamie anymore.

  Somewhere along the way, they’d become two strangers who shared the same DNA.

  Guilt knocked at her heart’s door.

  “Do you think Jamie works for the FBI, or what?”

  “It’s a possibility. Or Marcus might be investigating Jamie…”

  Investigating Jamie?

  “You’re probably right.”

  The door opened again, and Marcus walk down the steps towards them, his mouth set in a grim line.

  “What’s going on?” Carter asked.

  Patti waited to hear the words to make everything all right.

  Jamie was fine and would be home soon.

  There’d just been a mix-up and it was all a silly mistake—a canceled flight, a sudden illness, a last minute delay.

  She willed him to say the words.

  “Let’s take a walk around back.” Marcus motioned with his head.

  Patti’s hope flickered out.

  He led them to a garden lush with roses, begonias, ferns and other exotic plants. He motioned to a cast iron bistro set nestled in the garden.

  Once they were situated, Marcus’s fingers drummed on the table top. “Let me assure you we already have people searching for Jamie. When she didn’t check in with me yesterday as scheduled, I assumed she was just busy. It happens, sometimes. We’ll do everything we can to find her.”

  Patti’s heart sank.

  Jamie was in serious trouble.

  Patti couldn’t deny the truth any longer.

  “I don’t understand. Does she work for you or what?”

  Marcus’s gold earring glittered in the bright Florida sun. “Not exactly,” he said, but the hesitation in his voice told her there was more.

  “What does ‘not exactly’ mean, Marcus?”Carter asked. “How do you not exactly work for the FBI?”

  Marcus ran his fingers along the black laced ironwork of the table. “She’s an informant.” Marcus finally answered. “A really good informant. You won’t find her name on any official FBI employee list but, yes, she definitely works for us.”

  “An informant?”

  “I can’t go into all the details, but I’ll tell you what I can. Several years ago, I met Jamie during the course of an investigation. When I confronted her about the illegal activities of her then-current boyfriend, she was so disturbed, I believed her when she said she didn’t know anything.

  “Instead of arresting her, I asked if she’d help and she did. Within a few weeks, Jamie provided us with the proof we needed to arrest and convict the man.”

  He paused and stared hard at Patti and Carter. “This next part is privileged information. If you tell anyone, I’ll deny it. Understand?”

  They both nodded.

  “Because she was so helpful, I forgot to name her as a party to the investigation, and so the government didn’t confiscate the property, or money her friend gave her as gifts.”

  No one said anything for a few moments.

  Patti turned towards Carter and found him staring at her.

  He had come to the same conclusion.

  “Is that how she got the money for her house, for the way she lives?” Patti demanded, her voice getting louder with each word. “Being a paid—”

  Marcus cut her off. His eyes flashed with anger. “She is no such thing. She’s a patriot helping her country, but, yes that is partly how she got some of her money”

  “Partly? What do you mean partly?”

  “Your sister is a whiz at investing. It’s become quite the lucrative hobby for her.” He pointed at his house, which Patti now realized was more than most government workers could afford. “And for me. She took the paltry sum I gave her and turned it into some very serious money,” Marcus told Patti. “She also knew when to liquidate her funds.”

  “Are you trying to tell me she got rich from investing, and not from…from…” Patti searched for the right words. “Not from doing favors for the FBI?”

  “It was mostly from investing, but she helped us out a few more times over the years.” He paused, frowning. “It’s unorthodox, but she’s a born actress.”

  So, Jamie had fulfilled her dream to be an actress, just not the way she’d planned. And she’d become wealthy in the process.

  “Jamie’s helped us put away some nasty people.”

  Time slowed as the meaning of his words hit her. Aware of the fragrance of the roses, of the glaring sunlight, of the slight breeze blowing her hair, she played the words over in her mind.

  Her sister was in more danger than Patti ever imagined.

  “Any of them could have wanted revenge. Any of them could have kidnapped her or…or…worse.”

  Carter reached out and touched Patti’s arm.

  She gave him a grateful look.

  Marcus stood and paced around the garden, picking off a dead flower here and there. “They had no idea Jamie was involved with us.”

  “One of them found out.” Carter said in a quiet tone. “It would explain her disappearance.”

  “There’s a small possibility, but other than the original incident, we provided her with new identities.” He plucked off a dead flower from the hydrangea, and then walked back to his chair.

  “We found the stash of ID’s at her house,” Patti said.

  Marcus’s gaze met Patti’s.

  More bad news.

  Marcus ran his hand over his bald head. “She never used her own identity except for the first time, and the case she’s working on, this time.”

  “What’s she working on?” Carter asked.

  “I’m not at liberty to discuss that,” Marcus said.

  “Not at liberty,” Patti jumped up and yelled.

  Both men wore shocked expressions as her chair fell over.

  “My sister is missing, and you aren’t at liberty to discuss it with me? I don’t think so. This…this…isn’t right. I have a right to know. You can’t just say you’re hunting for her and expect me to not ask any questions.”

  “I’m sorry, but it has to be this way. I’ll keep you informed, but I can’t give you any details.”

  “Not good enough,” Carter said.

  “It has to be, Carter. I can’t tell you anymore. We are doing all that can be d
one.”

  “That’s it. I’m supposed to sit here while you claim you’re looking for my sister.” She moved back to the table, but didn’t sit down.

  “I’m not claiming anything,” Frustration edged his voice. “We are looking for your sister. Jamie and I are friends, close friends, in fact. She and Sabrina are a part of my family.”

  “Really. That’s why you set her up with drug lords and who-knows-what other criminals because you are such close friends.”

  “Your sister is a courageous woman who believes in doing the right thing. And, in fact, I tried to get her to give up this job, but she refused because she understood the importance of what she was doing.” Marcus said, and then paused. “Where’s Sabrina now?”

  “She’s at the house with Anna.”

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea for Sabrina and Anna to stay there. It might not be safe.”

  12

  Patti heard the words “might not be safe.” Her mind couldn’t grasp the enormity of their meaning. As the words soaked into her consciousness, her legs wouldn’t hold her up any longer and she sank back down in the chair. Her stomach churned. “You mean Sabrina and Anna could be in danger at this moment?”

  “It’s possible. We have to assume Jamie didn’t leave of her own free will.”

  Panic threatened to overwhelm her. Breathing went shallow and rapid. “I can’t believe this.” Her head was spinning.

  “Patti, put your head down. Take a deep breath.” Carter rubbed her back.

  Thoughts swirled around, threatening to drown her. Stop it. You aren’t the important one at the moment. Sabrina and Anna aren’t safe. Have to go help them. Keeping her eyes closed, she ran through the words of her favorite praise song. Her breathing slowed and she opened her eyes.

  “Thanks, Carter. I’m OK. We have to go get them. Right now.”

  “Carter and I will go.” Marcus stood. “You better stay here with my wife.”

  “I’m going with you.”

  “I don’t have time to argue. I’ll be right behind you. I have a couple of other calls to make. ”

  In seconds, Patti and Carter were in his car.

  Carter reached under her seat, pulled out a siren, and then plopped it on top of the car.

  “This isn’t a game. You do exactly what I tell you to do. Understand?”

  “I get it.”

  “You stay in the car. I’ll let you know when it’s safe.”

  “No way, she’s my niec—”

  “That’s my job, Patti.”

  She hadn’t been there for Jamie. She would make sure she was there for Jamie’s daughter.

  “I’m going with you.”

  “You stay behind me at all times. Got it?”

  He slowed as he approached an intersection, but swerved around other cars, fishtailed, and kept going.

  She clutched the door handle.

  Carter tossed her a cell phone. “Call Dolphin Cove and tell them to put up their gate because we’re not stopping. Hit send, the number’s right there.”

  “Shouldn’t I tell them to go to Jamie’s house? They could—”

  “They’re rent-a-cops. They could make the situation worse.”

  As she called the palm trees come into view. Hurry. Hurry. Please keep them safe, God.

  The car slowed slightly as they rounded the corner and fishtailed once more.

  Carter reached up and shut off the siren. “We don’t want to alert them.”

  “Makes sense.” She prayed this man was as capable as he seemed to be.

  As they sped down the palm-lined drive, the gate moved up and then they were through.

  Moments later, the car skidded to a stop in front of Jamie’s home.

  Carter was out of the car and moving towards the house before she’d unbuckled her seat belt.

  “Stay back,” he whispered, then sprinted toward the door.

  She caught up.

  He pulled out his gun. He opened the door inch by inch. He looked back and put a finger to his mouth.

  Her heart pounded. Please let them be OK.

  He moved through the door with the stealth of a lion circling its prey.

  She followed.

  No one in the living room. No one in the kitchen. Down the hall to the family room. An open door.

  Patti gasped as she entered the room.

  Anna lay on the floor bleeding and moaning.

  Sabrina wasn’t in the room.

  A soft breeze made her look towards the sliding door. It was open.

  Carter stopped and leaned over Anna, feeling her pulse. “Call 911 and get something to stop the bleeding.” He patted Anna, but her eyes were glazed over. “Anna, Anna. Where’s Sabrina?”

  No response.

  Patti stood rooted to the spot.

  Some monster had Sabrina.

  Her mind was blank, unable to process the horror.

  Carter stood and gave her a gentle push. “Get towels. Stop the bleeding. Remember your first aid classes. Apply pressure to the wound. I’m going outside to look for Sabrina.”

  Patti blinked. She nodded at Carter, to let him know she heard him. Speech was impossible right now.

  Sabrina’s baby doll blanket lay on the floor.

  She grabbed it and dashed back to Anna, knelt and put pressure against the wound. Wordless images flowed through her brain, silent snapshots of her little niece, her sister, imagined terror, heart-pounding fear. Tears leaked.

  Carter was gone.

  She grabbed her cell phone and dialed 911. She heard a noise from behind.

  Must be Marcus .He said he’d be right—The phone slipped from her hand. It wasn’t Marcus.

  The jogger from the beach stood there, holding Sabrina with a hand clasped around her mouth and a knife to her throat.

  Patti gasped as all the breath left her body.

  Sabrina’s little body shook with sobs, tears flowing over the man’s hand.

  Her pressure on Anna’s wound slipped. As she stood and faced him, he kicked out, connecting with her ribs.

  Patti gasped in pain, nearly doubling over.

  “Get up. I don’t have time for any nonsense. I’m just going to tell you once. If you do anything I don’t like, I will kill her. You want that to happen?”

  “No.” Patti gasped out, clutching her side.

  “Let’s go. Go to the kitchen and into the garage.”

  Her shoes felt as if they were filled with wet sand. Looking around, her gaze landed on the carving knives on the counter. Maybe, she could grab one, but what then?

  He had a knife to Sabrina’s throat.

  She couldn’t take a chance.

  One step at a time, she moved towards the garage door. There was no way she could save Sabrina from this madman. Hopeless despair washed through her body. Patti stumbled.

  He shoved her. “Faster. When you get in the garage, get in the car. You’re going to drive us. Got it? Grab the keys.”

  She took the keys off the hook by the garage door. Opening the door, she stepped through. Her peripheral vision caught a movement to her side.

  Thank you, God.

  Carter pointed in the opposite direction.

  She turned towards the left and moved fast to draw the jogger’s attention away from Carter.

  “Not that way, you stupid—.” The man yelled as he turned towards her, but in the next moment Carter’s gun was against the man’s back.

  “Police. Drop the knife and let go of the child.”

  The man dropped Sabrina and bolted.

  Sabrina ran to Carter.

  Carter peeled her little arms away, and then passed her off to Patti.

  “Take care of Anna and Sabrina.” Carter ordered and ran after the man.

  Patti squeezed the little girl to her. “It’s OK, sweetie. You’re safe now. The bad man’s gone.”

  “He hurt Anna.” Sabrina cried. “Anna.”

  “It’s OK, sweetie. Let’s go help—”

  Police cars and emergency
vehicles pulled into the drive.

  Marcus Hanks dashed into the garage. He pointed his gun towards the ceiling. “Where’s Carter?”

  “Chasing him,” she said, startled at her now calm tone. “Anna’s hurt.”

  “EMTs are here.” He waved towards the ambulance. “Which way did they go?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Marcus turned and ran in Carter’s general direction.

  Patti hugged Sabrina to her.

  Thank you, God, for keeping her safe.

  She was brought back to reality by Sabrina’s tiny voice.

  “I can’t bweathe, Aunt Patti. You’re squeezing me too hard.”

  ****

  Carter couldn’t believe the man, whom he recognized as the jogger from the night before, had disappeared. He’d known there was something wrong about him. And there must have been an accomplice waiting in a vehicle in case he needed to flee.

  Police officers of all types had descended on Dolphin Cove.

  Marcus stood in Jamie’s yard giving directions to one man, and then another.

  Carter walked up to him. “Sorry, Marcus. He got away.”

  “How’d that happen?”

  “I think he had an accomplice waiting.”

  “I’ll have someone check the security video. We might get a break and find ID of the car they left in.” Marcus turned back to a uniformed officer, answered his question, and then turned back to Carter. “Don’t worry about it, man. You did the important part. You kept Sabrina and Patti safe.”

  “Anna?”

  “On her way to the hospital. Knife wound. The EMTs said she should be OK.” Marcus pointed towards the house. “Sabrina and Patti are inside.”

  Carter went through the door.

  Sabrina sat in Patti’s lap sobbing.

  He folded both of them in his arms.

  Patti kept her voice low. “I didn’t know what to do when I saw you standing there.”

  “You were perfect. It was exactly what I wanted you to do. The whole thing shouldn’t have happened.”

  “What are you talking about? You saved us. If you weren’t here, he’d have taken both of us. You’re a hero.”

  “Some hero. I shouldn’t have left you alone in the first place.”

  Sabrina looked up and lurched toward Carter. Carter wrapped her in his arms and squeezed her tight.

  Patti and Carter’s eyes met over Sabrina’s head.