Sisters By Choice

by Lillian Duncan

  Jamie’s lover had freely used Rahmed’s name several times as they talked.

  Patti moved the puzzle pieces around and could only come up with one conclusion.

  Whoever this Rahmed was, he had hidden his real identity so well they couldn’t find him.

  Patti expelled the breath she’d been holding. Patti could finish the job for Jamie.

  She would call Carter and tell him where she was and what was going on. He would help.

  She grabbed her cell phone and flipped it open. The message icon flashed, but it was a number she didn’t recognize. No time now to listen. Instead, she scrolled through calls until she found Carter’s number. It was the same as the message number.

  Carter had called her.

  She heard the elevator moving. Who was it this time? Her purse was still in her hand. She slipped the phone in it, ignoring her racing heart.

  The elevator thudded to a stop and her sister’s lover walked out once again.

  Her heart sank.

  “You’re back.” She made the effort to sound welcoming. “I was afraid you were angry with me.”

  “I did not want to leave you alone when you are upset. You do not seem yourself today.”

  If he only knew.

  She nodded, too terrified to move or speak.

  “You haven’t started getting ready yet, ma cher. The party starts soon. Today we cannot afford to be late.”

  “I don’t know what to wear.”

  His eyes became guarded. “I thought that was what you bought the new outfit for. You look terrific in it.”

  She wasn’t good at this spy stuff at all. In spite of her insides shaking worse than a senior waiting to hear if he passed his final exam, Patti gave him a bright sunny smile. “I know. I was having second thoughts about the dress, but you’re right, it is the perfect thing to wear. I better go get ready. Make yourself comfortable, I’ll try to hurry.”

  She turned and walked through the kitchen and back to Jamie’s room, still clutching her purse. As she walked down the hall, she passed a door she hadn’t checked the previous night.

  It was locked, but when she twisted the lock popped up. She opened the door, hoping the man in the living room wouldn’t hear.

  More doors. One was marked stairs.

  Her muscles relaxed as she read the words. It was her way out. All she had to do was close the door behind her and leave. She could be far from this building before Jamie’s lover knew she’d even left.

  Patti stood between the two doors staring back and forth.

  One door led to freedom and her safety.

  The other door led back to a terrorist.

  26

  Carter unbuckled his seatbelt and stood. He needed to convince someone to let him off the plane. His cell phone wasn’t working and he had to get to a land line. Every minute he was stuck here became more dangerous for Patti.

  He walked down the aisle to an attendant. He spoke in a calm tone. “I know you’re really busy and things are hectic, but can I talk to you for a minute?” He ended the request with his best smile.

  She eyed him with suspicion, but smiled back. “Do you have a problem, sir?”

  “Actually, I do.” He pulled his badge out of his hip pocket and showed it to her. “I’m a police officer, and I’m working on an extremely dangerous case. I need to be somewhere else.”

  “I know. I know. Everybody needs to be somewhere else. I get it.” Frustration edged into the attendant’s voice. “I’m doing everything I can. We’re going to be cleared for takeoff soon, sir.”

  “I understand, but if I could get off the plane. I could call some other people who could help this woman. She’s in serious trouble.”

  “You can use your cell phone.” The flight attendant pointed out.

  “My phone’s not working. I asked a couple other people but theirs aren’t working, either.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” The woman looked past Carter, keeping a close eye on the other passengers. She turned back to Carter. “Nothing I can do about that.”

  “I’ve got to get out of here. It’s an emergency.”

  The flight attendant listened with a sweet smile pasted on her face, and then said, “I’m really very sorry, but it’s not possible. Federal regulations won’t permit it.”

  “But—”

  A man dressed in a jogging suit stepped up behind the attendant. “Is there a problem, Marcy?”

  The air marshal, no doubt. He looked capable enough.

  “No problem.” Marcy gave him a meaningful look.

  Carter stepped towards the man, showing him his badge. “Are you the air marshal?”

  The man nodded.

  Carter went through his spiel again, but with the same results.

  Frustrated, Carter marched back to his seat and looked at his phone. No signal.

  Lord, protect her.

  27

  San Francisco, California

  Patti stood between the two doors, searching for an answer. A spark of anger ignited inside her.

  These terrorists wanted to kill Americans.

  Jamie didn’t want that to happen. Her sister may have given the ultimate to prevent it. In spite of the danger to herself, Jamie had worked hard to meet this Rahmed. Jamie was fearless and relentless. If Jamie hadn’t wimped out, then neither would she.

  The spark kindled a fire of determination she didn’t know she had. How dare these people hurt her sister? How dare these people want to hurt her country? Patti choked back a sob. She wasn’t going to let them get away with it.

  She would go to the party and she would meet Rahmed. Once she learned his alias, she would slip away and find the nearest police station. It was a simple plan, but it would work. She would finish what Jamie started.

  One last glance at the exit sign and she stepped back into the apartment. She went to the adjoining bathroom and locked the door. She turned on the shower to muffle what she was doing. Slipping her phone out, she listened to Carter’s messages.

  She hit the send button to call Carter. He’d be able to contact Marcus and the FBI to help her. The phone rang, but in the next moment her sister’s lover called to her from the other side of the door. “Jamie?”

  “I’m in the shower.” She called back and slipped the phone back in her purse. Taking off her clothes, she jumped into the shower. She let the hot water pour over her.

  Things like this didn’t happen to people like her. Feeling overwhelmed, she prayed. A sense of peace descended over her.

  Patti would finish this. If she could, she thought with trepidation. She shook her head. No negative thoughts.

  She stepped out of the shower, dried her hair, and wrapped herself in a towel. Taking a deep breath, she opened the bathroom door. He sat on the bed waiting for her. Her heart thudded. She couldn’t let him see her naked. Jamie had a birthmark, she didn’t. He might not notice, but she couldn’t take the chance.

  “That was just what the doctor ordered. I feel much better.” She pointed at him and giggled. “And you need to go. The next time you see me, I will be beeeutiful. Now, out-out-out.”

  “You are always beautiful, ma cher.”

  She batted her eyelashes. “So sweet of you to say. In that case, I guess I’m going to be stupendous.” Putting a hand on her hip, she tilted her head.

  “OK, OK. I’m leaving.” He laughed.

  When he shut the door, she sank to the bed. Her knees shook. Taking a deep breath, she stood. No time to relax.

  Jamie’s closet was the size of a small room. Unlike the one back in Florida, this closet was filled with clothes of every sort. Casual, dress, or sporty and shoes to match.

  A testament to the differences in her sister’s two lifestyles.

  She searched through the clothes until she found an outfit with the tags still on. It better be the right one, or Mr. Hamed might think she’d lost her mind—again.

  It was a simple a-line dress but the silkiness of the blue flowered material flowed over her curves
, giving an elegance that belied the casual style. The soft halter top fit like a second skin and exposed more cleavage than Patti had ever shown.

  The dress fell to the mid calf area of her leg but made up for the modesty with a slit up the side. She went back to the closet and found a pair of matching blue stilettos. She stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself.

  She blinked with amazement. Gone was the school marm. Instead, an elegant partygoer stared back. Clothes did make the person. Stumbling, she walked back in the bathroom. No way could she wear those stilettos. She’d make a fool of herself.

  Searching the closet once again, she found a pair of white sandals-no heels. Not the pizzazz of the stilettos but she could walk in them. They would have to do.

  As she rooted through the make-up drawer in the bathroom, she gasped. A small gun lay at the back of the drawer. Her stomach turned. Why did her sister need a gun?

  After she’d put on make-up, she fluffed her new hairstyle with her fingers and looked in the mirror. The transformation was complete. She no longer looked or felt like Patti, the school teacher, but like Jamie, a woman who lived on the edge. She hoped she could keep up the facade well enough to not get herself killed.

  She opened up the make-up drawer once again. She hated guns. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and picked it up. Stuffing it in her purse, she prayed she wouldn’t have to use it.

  Footsteps warned her he was on his way back to the bedroom.

  He opened the door without knocking. His eyes widened in appreciation. As she stood there, feeling vulnerable, he came to her. His huge arms enfolded her. “You look beautiful.” His voice trembled.

  She didn’t understand.

  He seemed to love Jamie.

  She took a step back and smiled up at him. “How am I supposed to meet Rahmed at the party?”

  “It is simple. We will go to the party, and you will be introduced to Rahmed. You must act respectful of him at all times. Rahmed is traditional and believes women should always be respectful of men.”

  “How will I know it’s him?” If she could get him to tell her Rahmed’s current alias, there would be no need to go to the party.

  “You will know him. I have no doubt about that.”

  “Maybe, you should tell me his name, now. I want to make sure I don’t act disrespectful in any way.”

  “No reason to know now. You will meet him soon enough. He may want to talk to you in private for a few moments. That will be your opportunity to convince him you are loyal to the movement.”

  “Will it be dangerous?”

  “Not if you convince him of your true feelings.”

  That was the problem, wasn’t it?

  She wasn’t the born actress Jamie was.

  Patti prayed. She didn’t know how, but God would give her the words she needed.

  He brushed her hair away from her face. “You will do fine. Just be yourself. He will love you as I do.” He waited a moment and looked at her. “After all, Rahmed is my brother.”

  “Your brother?” Her shock as the words sank in was real.

  He nodded. His face was solemn. “Yes, I tell you this because I want you to know I do trust you. I trust you with all my secrets.”

  Patti put her head down, and then looked back up at him. “Thank you.”

  He patted her shoulder. “Soon, none of this will matter to us. This is my last assignment and Rahmed knows this. The movement will continue without me. I am one small piece. It will not stop our ultimate goal.” His eyes glowed with fanaticism. “We will succeed.”

  She forced a smile, but his words chilled her heart and soul.

  ****

  As they rode down the elevator, Patti was too terrified to speak for fear of saying the wrong thing. She had a feeling the man with her didn’t speak unless he had something to say.

  “How do you feel?”

  “Terrified.”

  He squeezed her hand. “Do not be afraid. I will take care of you.”

  As long as he thought she was Jamie, he would do what he could to keep her safe.

  As the elevator door slid open, Robert stood at the reception desk deep in conversation with the grocery delivery girl.

  They both looked up and stared at her.

  Even from across the room, she saw the confusion written on their faces.

  Patti felt her face flush.

  It was as if they knew she wasn’t Jamie.

  She dismissed the idea as her overactive paranoia.

  Robert turned back and said something to the delivery girl.

  She nodded, but continued to stare at Patti.

  Robert marched in their direction with a look of determination on his face.

  Her heart sank.

  If Robert voiced his suspicions in front of this man, it would ruin everything.

  “Ms. Jakowski, I need to talk to you for a minute.”

  She shook her head and begged him with her eyes to go away.

  “We have no time. We are in a hurry.” Her companion snapped in an impatient tone.

  Robert smiled amiably at the man, ignoring his tone. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Hamed. I’m sorry, but this will only take a minute. Miss Jakowski forgot to sign the grocery slip from last night again. She does it all the time. Carrie will be in big trouble at the store if she doesn’t get the signature right now.”

  Patti remembered signing. “No, I’m sure—”

  Something in Robert’s gaze stopped her from saying more.

  “We don’t want Carrie to lose her job. It’ll only take a minute, Miss Jakowski. I promise.”

  “Of course, it’s not a problem.” Patti gave a little shrug and smile. She patted Mr. Hamed’s arm. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of this and be right back. It won’t take but a moment.”

  Patti’s heart pounded as she walked over to Carrie at the reception counter. She wiped her sweaty palms on the dress, hoping it didn’t stain.

  Carrie’s eyes were filled with concern as she whispered with urgency, “Jamie, are you OK? Are you in some kind of trouble?”

  Patti fought the urge to scream no, I’m not OK. “Of course I’m fine, Carrie. Where’s the grocery slip?”

  Carrie handed her the slip from the night before.

  In an instant, Patti understood the confusion and concern. In big letters, Patti looked at her own name, Patti Jakowski. She was really bad at this spy stuff.

  “Oh, I see.” Patti looked at Carrie, tired of the deception. Making a decision, she took a deep breath and glanced back at Robert and Jamie’s lover. She whispered, “Look, I don’t have time to explain. Trust me, this is very import—”

  “But—” The girl handed her a new grocery slip and a pen.

  She gave Carrie a comforting pat. “Thanks for being worried. But I have a question for you. It’s going to sound strange, but please, I don’t have time to answer your questions.”

  Patti turned her back so her unknown companion couldn’t see her face. She didn’t want him to get suspicious.

  He was already scowling in their direction, ignoring Robert’s attempts at conversation.

  “Is the man I’m with Mr. Hamed?”

  Carrie nodded, even though she must have been totally confused. “Yes, of course. You know—”

  “Do you know his first name?”

  Carrie’s mouth fell open in shock. “I’ve heard you call him Joseph. Jamie, what’s going—”

  “Thanks, I’ll explain later.”

  Patti rushed back to Robert and Joseph Hamed. She refrained from doing a happy dance. “All ready, Joseph. Let’s go have some fun.”

  He nodded with a terse expression, but didn’t react to the name so Carrie must have been right.

  Robert held the door open for them.

  Patti squinted as she walked out in the bright afternoon sunshine, surprised to see a conspicuous white limo waiting. She turned to Joseph Hamed. “Is that for us?”

  Joseph appeared pleased she was impressed. “I saw no reas
on for us not to go in style. Everyone else will be.”

  She had no idea terrorists lived in such luxury. She tossed her hair as Jamie would. Instead of going to a party, she felt as if she were going to an execution. Her own. “Absolutely.”

  The driver of the limo stood at attention, holding the car door open for them. The man practically bowed to Joseph as they walked up to the car.

  Looking back, Patti waved at Robert.

  “Have a good day.” Robert said, waving them off. “You both look like you’re dressed to have some fun.”

  Joseph Hamed smiled briefly at Robert. “We are going to the yacht party for the Children’s Fund Benefit.”

  Robert nodded and gave a deprecating smile. “Don’t let me keep you, then. Have a wonderful time.”

  Robert turned and walked back to Carrie, who stood at the door still holding the sales receipt in her hand.

  Worry marred Carrie’s pretty face.

  Joseph nodded at the driver. “How is your family, Rakeem? I pray they are fine.”

  “They are, sir. I can’t thank you enough for helping to get them visas to enter this country. If ever I can do something for you…” The driver’s voice trailed off.

  Joseph Hamed held up a hand. “It was nothing. I was glad to do it. We will not speak of it again. You owe me nothing. We are friends, and friends do favors for each other from time to time, but you owe me nothing.” His last words were spoken slower and with more stress.

  Rakeem nodded, gratitude shining in his gaze as he looked at Joseph Hamed. Almost hero worship.

  Patti slid into the seat and Joseph shut the door.

  The two men walked to the other side.

  The driver held the door for Joseph while he climbed into the limo.

  Patti glanced back to find Robert and Carrie still staring.

  Both faces mirrored the concern Patti felt.

  Patti sat in the luxurious limo thinking about the words exchanged between Joseph and the driver. The dots connected and understanding dawned. It all made so much sense when she thought about it.

  Joseph Hamed helped his countrymen to get to the land of opportunity legally and then one day, Rakeem and the others would be asked to do some small favor for Joseph and his friends.

  Perhaps, to deliver a package, or let a stranger stay at his house for a few days. Whatever it was, it would seem harmless.