Sisters By Choice

by Lillian Duncan

  “Didn’t you want to divorce him?”

  Zink stared off into space as if gathering her thoughts. “I don’t know. I was in such a fog back then. So overwhelmed. I did what my lawyer told me to get Andrew’s case moved up to a priority.” She wiped a tear away. “I…I loved him. I trusted him. But I was so wrong about him…about the man I thought he was.”

  Jamie knew the feeling. “You can’t blame yourself, Zink. Bad guys are liars and most of the time they are really good at it.”

  Zink stared.

  Jamie wished she hadn’t shared so much. Her past was nothing to be proud of. Sure, she’d taken some bad guys off the street so they couldn’t hurt anyone else, but at what cost to her?

  “I was so stupid.” Zink shook her head. “Who else can I blame? I’m a trained police officer. I should have seen something was wrong. Instead, I thought I was living the fairytale.”

  “You aren’t the first woman to be fooled by the man she loved.” Jamie pushed thoughts of her own failures away attempting to stay focused on Zink and her son.

  “I was at the station when the district attorney from Columbus walked in. When she introduced herself I had no idea my life was about to crumble right before my eyes.” Zink’s eyes clouded over with the memories. “She showed me the proof. How he took money from several accounts. Sent it to the offshore accounts.”

  “No doubts about his guilt?”

  “It was all there in black and white. My heart couldn’t believe it, but my mind couldn’t deny the truth. I would never have believed Michael would do something like that. I still have trouble believing it. I guess I didn’t know him at all.”

  “Had to be tough.” Jamie sipped on the soda and watched Zink’s reaction wondering if the woman had forgiven herself. Maybe Jamie would learn how to do that someday, too.

  Zink nodded. “But it got even worse. The district attorney asked me to put the final nails in his coffin. Wanted me to get his confession on tape.” Her voice broke. “He was my husband. But I was a police officer. It was my sworn duty.”

  Jamie could imagine the pressure Zink had been under. Stay loyal to her husband, the man she loved, or do the right thing—uphold the law?

  She’d faced the same scenario. Her choice saved thousands of Americans, but not the father of her child. Sabrina would never know her father because of the decisions Jamie had made. And even knowing the outcome, she would do it again. People called her a hero, but if they only knew the sins she’d committed along the way. “So, what did you do?”

  “I told her I had to have some time to think about it. She agreed.”

  Jamie laid her pen on the table. “You know that doesn’t sound right. I can’t believe she would come to you like that. Show you the evidence and then want you to help with a confession. You were his wife. It doesn’t make sense to me.”

  Zink looked up from the fingernail she was picking at. “See, you get that. I was too upset to figure that out. I wasn’t thinking straight. Of course they wouldn’t ask me to entrap my husband nor would they show me the proof. They wouldn’t take the risk that I would tip him off or even ruin the case in court.”

  Jamie nodded.

  “My mind was a jumbled mess or I might have figured it out. They had wiretapped our phones and our house, court-ordered and all legal. She gave me the information in hopes that I would confront him. Then they could get the confession from his own lips and on tape.”

  “Wow. That’s pretty sneaky.”

  “They were only doing their job. He called me at lunch like he always did. I didn’t say anything about the embezzlement, but he must have heard something in my voice that tipped him off. He left work, picked up Andrew at the daycare, and I haven’t heard from him since.”

  “Did they accuse you of telling him?”

  “Turns out the phone at the station recorded our conversation. Then they checked my cell records, computer, and texts. I’d had no contact with him except that one call. So they never blamed me.”

  “He’s never contacted you since then?”

  “Not once.”

  “What about his parents or family? Have they heard from him?”

  “The FBI says no. It’s not common knowledge, but they monitor his parents’ phone calls and mail. They haven’t heard from him either.”

  “The FBI has been known to be wrong.”

  “That may be true, but they’ve worked this case hard because of Andrew, and they haven’t found any reason to think Michael’s parents know where he is. I’ve seen them a few times since it all happened. His mom cries a lot, and his dad doesn’t seem to care one way or the other about it.”

  “Somebody has to know something. People can’t just disappear into thin air without a little help. Any close friends he might confide in?”

  “Even though Michael is from Columbus it might as well have been in another state. He didn’t want to spend time with old high-school friends.”

  “Still, people never cut all their ties. There must be someone he’s close with. Someone who helped him, and someone who could lead us to him.”

  Zink looked up.

  Their gazes met.

  “I hope that’s true, but with the money he stole he could be anyplace in the world with a new identity.”

  “I thought those assets would have been frozen.”

  “Cayman banking laws are not our friend. The money was traced to there, but disappeared after that. Never to be found again—at least, not so far.”

  Jamie nodded. She’d assumed as much. “Maybe, but people are people. And we all need connections in our life. I’ll need a list of anyone he’s close to. Anyone who might have helped him.”

  “How will that help? The FBI’s already done that.”

  “True, but they asked as FBI agents.” Jamie winked. “That’s not the way I work.”

  3

  Jamie looked at her reflection in the mirror. Wearing too-tight jeans and a flimsy T-shirt, she felt as cheap as the hotel room she stood in. No more Jamie Jakowski. Instead, Lauren Robinson stared back at her.

  Jamie didn’t know everything about Lauren, but it wasn’t necessary this time. Lauren would exist for a few short minutes, and here she had to look different from Jamie or any other character she might become during this job. She pinned her hair up and slipped on the black, long-haired wig.

  Just in case the parents compared notes with anyone else, she didn’t want to be recognized. She made a face as she stared at the mirror.

  Mmm. Not quite right. Lauren was a bit sexually provocative.

  She slipped off the t-shirt, took off her bra, and then replaced the shirt. Looking in the mirror, she nodded with satisfaction. Now it was right. Too little clothes and too much make-up. The perfect combination.

  Time to go to work.

  Jamie left the hotel room and walked down the street to the bus stop. Since Lauren was only in town for a few days, she had no car. That meant the bus. At the bus stop, she stood with two other people, one a man.

  He moved closer to her.

  Jamie resisted the urge to elbow him but just barely. She prayed for the bus to get there soon. When the bus arrived, she waited for the man to get on and then picked a seat as far from him as she could get. Getting off the bus, she headed to the elder Zinkleman’s house.

  As she neared the house, a man opened the door of a car near the curb and got out. “Hey, Jakowski. I wondered when you were going to show up here. Going for the easy, sleazy look, huh? You nailed it.”

  She glared at Enrique Rodriquez. His dark brown eyes sparkled as he smiled with perfect teeth. He must bleach them every night. “What are you doing here?

  “You didn’t think you could get rid of me that easily, did you? It was common sense you’d show up at the parents sooner or later.” He winked at her. “Almost didn’t recognize you.”

  She couldn’t believe he actually did recognize her in this getup. “We are not working together.”

  “Look, we can cooperate with each o
ther, or I can drive you nuts by following you everywhere you go. Your choice.”

  She put her hands on her hips. “What part of no don’t you understand?”

  “Oh, I understand all of it. But I also like my job. And I always follow orders.” He grinned.

  “Don’t I know it?”

  Enrique’s cheeks turned a bit red, but he kept smiling. “Following you is my order. So like it or not we’re stuck together. Of course, I didn’t know you’d show up looking like this. It’s a good look for you. I’m quite enjoying it.”

  She fought the urge to cross her arms over her chest and hissed through clenched teeth. “You can’t be here. Anybody could take one look and know you’re a cop. I can’t do my thing if they think I’m a cop.”

  “But you’re not a cop.”

  “Exactly.” She rolled her eyes. “Go away, please. The last thing I need is some cowboy riding in on his white horse to rescue me.”

  “Don’t worry about that happening. I’m no cowboy. I’m a city boy. Horses and me don’t get along. I won’t be dashing in on the white horse to rescue you.” He stared and his voice was quiet when he said, “But seriously, I think that’s exactly what you need, Jakowski.”

  Jamie ignored the flutter in her heart. “Don’t presume to know what I want or need, Ricky. I only have one chance to get the information. If you go with me, they won’t tell me a thing and you know it. Go away.”

  “I don’t know what to tell you. I’ve been given an assignment, and I plan to do it.” He shrugged. “Whether you like it or not. Now, if I knew you’d keep me in the loop I could sit back in my car with the AC cranked up high while you went in there without me. Otherwise, I’m your shadow.” His deep chocolate-brown eyes twinkled. He was enjoying this.

  “Fine.”

  “What does fine mean, Jamie? Could you clarify that for me?”

  “I’ll tell you what happened when I’m finished.”

  He held up his hand as if giving an oath. “Promise?”

  She rolled her eyes. “I promise.”

  “And you wouldn’t lie to me, would you? Since you are a Christian.”

  The nerve of him—to throw that in to the mix. “Don’t throw that Christianity stuff at me. I will not be manipulated by you because of my religion. I’m not one of those turn-the-other-cheek Christians.”

  He rocked back on his heels with a shocked expression on his face. “Really? I didn’t know there was any other kind. Those are Jesus’s words, not mine.”

  Shame burned. That hadn’t come out the way she’d meant it. “Never mind. I said I’d tell you and I will.”

  He held out his hand. “Wanna shake on it?”

  He obviously wasn’t the gullible rookie he’d been the last time they’d worked together. She smiled and stuck her hand in her jeans pocket.

  “Guess not.” He put his hand down. “I don’t know why we can’t be friends, Jamie. What happened was a long time ago.”

  “Not nearly long enough.”

  4

  By the time she made her way up the cracked walkway leading to the Zinklemans’ house, Jamie had calmed down.

  Enrique was dutifully waiting a few blocks away in the cool air-conditioning of his car. Apparently not trusting her, he’d given her a small microphone that she’d hidden in her purse. He claimed it was to make sure she was safe.

  She knew better. She knocked on the door, put a hand on her hip as she slouched just enough to give the impression of not caring about life and waited.

  The door opened.

  A woman stood there. Her streaked, gray permed hair stuck up in several directions and looked as if she hadn’t combed it. “Look, I’m not talking to no salesman or saleswoman. Or whatever you are.”

  “Mrs. Zinkleman, I’m not a salesperson. I want to talk about Michael.”

  The woman’s eyes widened. “Michael?”

  Jamie nodded. “Can I come in?”

  Michael’s mother looked around as if expecting a SWAT team to surround her house. “I don’t know where Michael is. I keep telling the cops that, but they don’t want to believe me. They won’t stop pestering us.”

  “I know that. That’s why I came instead of Michael.” She cringed inwardly at the indirect lie, but it couldn’t be helped. When she was undercover, lying and deception were part of her job. Maybe that’s why it was getting harder and harder to keep doing it.

  The woman’s eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh.”

  “Can I come in?”

  The woman stepped aside. “I guess. As long as you ain’t selling nothing and you ain’t a cop.”

  “Not me.” Jamie walked inside. The odor of smoke assaulted her. She turned and smiled at Michael’s mother.

  The woman’s eyes were wary. “I don’t know what this is about. I don’t want no trouble. I taught Michael right from wrong. He’s a good boy. He didn’t do the things they said. And I already told the cops I don’t know where he is.”

  “Relax. I already told you I’m not a cop, Mrs. Zinkleman. I’m not here to get you in trouble. Michael wanted me to give you something.”

  “Give me something? “ Her eyes narrowed. “You know where Michael is?”

  “It’s better if you don’t know the answer to that question.” As much as possible, Jamie chose not to lie.

  Mrs. Zinkleman’s face grew splotchy as she chewed on her lip. After a moment, she reached in her pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. Her hand shook as she took a cigarette. “How’s Andrew? I miss him.”

  “Another topic we can’t discuss. Can we sit down?”

  “Sure.”

  The living room was neat as a pin—except for the lingering scent of smoke.

  Jamie sat in a chair with faded flowers and frayed arms.

  Mrs. Zinkleman sat down in a matching chair across the room, the cigarette still in her hand, but not lit. She stared at Jamie and waited.

  Jamie said nothing for several long moments to build up the tension. Then she opened up her purse and pulled out a stack of cash. “Michael wanted you to have this money.”

  Mrs. Zinkleman’s mouth fell open and her eyes bulged. The cigarette broke in half. “For me. All that money is for me?”

  Jamie nodded but didn’t make a move to give it to her. “He wanted to make sure you were doing OK. He figured you could use the money.”

  Mrs. Zinkleman stared at the money. Her eyes glittered with unshed tears. “I guess this means he did those things they said.” Her chest heaved as she took a deep breath. “I never believed it. None of it. Everybody else did, but not me. I believe in my son. He’s a good boy. He wouldn’t do the things they said.” A tear leaked out and made its way down her wrinkled cheek.

  Guilt pricked at Jamie’s conscience, but there was nothing she could say without giving herself away. Very deliberately Jamie set the money in her lap instead of handing it to Michael’s mother. “He’s been worried about you.”

  Mrs. Zinkleman wiped away the tears. “Such a sweet little boy. He always was a good son. I still can’t believe he took the money. Or took his kid. Andrew was such a sweet thing. I miss him—almost as much as I miss Michael.” She sighed. “It really wasn’t like him at all. “

  That’s just what Jamie needed—more guilt. She couldn’t be responsible for the fact that this woman’s son was a creep. “I can’t talk about any of that. The less I say the better for Michael.” Jamie’s fingers tapped the stack of green bills.

  Mrs. Zinkleman’s gaze moved to the money.

  Good. Keep the focus on the money, not on her son or her grandson.

  “There’s just one thing.”

  “What’s that?” The woman was still looking at Jamie’s lap.

  More finger tapping as if hearing a tune in her head. “While I’m in town, I wanted to meet with a few of Michael’s friends. Just to take a few pictures so I could surprise him with a little piece of home. He misses everyone.” She pulled out her cell phone.

  Mrs. Zinkleman tore her g
aze from the prize and stared open-mouthed at Jamie. She looked confused. “Pictures?”

  “If you don’t mind, I’ll take a few of you and some of his friends. I thought you could tell me who his friends are so I can contact them.”

  Mrs. Zinkleman’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “I ain’t telling you who his friends are. You should know that already if you know Michael like you said.”

  “I do know, but I don’t have the time to go visit all of them. I just wanted to get a few pictures of his very best friends. It’s a surprise so I can’t very well ask him, can I?” Jamie touched the money still sitting on her lap. “I’m sure you want to help me, don’t you? As soon as you tell me, I can give you the money and be on my way.”

  Mrs. Zinkleman’s looked at the money, and then back at Jamie. “You sure that money’s from Michael?”

  “Who else would it be from?” Answer a question with a question. Always a good ploy to divert someone’s attention.

  Mrs. Zinkleman stood up wringing her hands. “I don’t know. It don’t seem right. Let me get my husband.” She walked out of the room.

  This wasn’t going to be as easy as Jamie had planned. She’d hoped Michael’s mother would be so dazzled by the money that she wouldn’t be suspicious of Jamie’s motives.

  5

  Mrs. Zinkleman walked back in the room accompanied by a man Jamie assumed was Michael’s father. He wore a dirty white T-shirt that didn’t hide the beer gut beneath it. His face was grizzled as if he hadn’t bothered to shave for the past few days.

  She stood up and made a move to shake his hand.

  He ignored it. “What’s this about Mikey wanting to give us money?” His gaze slipped to her cleavage, and then he looked back up at her with a leer. “That don’t sound much like Mikey at all. He never cared about helping out me or his mother. Got that fancy college degree, and then acted like he was ashamed of us.”

  “That’s not true,” Mrs. Zinkleman protested. “Michael’s a good boy and a good son.”

  The man glared at his wife.