Sisters By Choice

by Lillian Duncan

  Big Burly Chest turned back at the same moment, a grin on his face and his arm arched back. “Yeah, a federal agent. Right. Like I’m going to believe that.”

  Enrique bobbed, but not quickly enough.

  The huge fist caught him on the side of jaw. Pain shot through his cheek and echoed in his head as stars swam before his eyes, but he shook it off. He didn’t have time for a bar brawl. He had to get to that girl before they left. He pulled out his gun.

  “He has a gun!” Someone shouted.

  Everyone froze and people near the door and restrooms started running.

  Fine. The fewer people in the room the faster he could do his job. Enrique held up his badge. “Federal officer. Now get out of my way.”

  The bartender cut the music.

  The crowd backed away.

  That left him a path to the empty table. His gaze swept the room.

  The guy was pushing the girl through an exit door at the side of the room, his arm in a protective circle around her shoulders.

  Enrique charged through.

  The crowd fell back as they figured out his direction.

  The happy couple was outside by the time he reached them.

  Creepy guy’s gaze met Enrique’s. His initial angry, combative look quickly changed to panic as his gaze landed on the gun still in Enrique’s hand. He pushed the girl at Enrique and took off running.

  The girl crumpled to the ground. She had a confused look probably from the drugs.

  A small crowd had followed.

  “Call an ambulance. She’s been drugged.” Enrique ran in the direction he’d seen the man disappear.

  Up ahead there was a clanging noise as if someone fell over a garbage can.

  He ran into the darkness and came out onto a sidewalk. Dim street lights lit the area.

  A shadow down the way lost his footing and began stumbling around.

  A few seconds later Enrique pounced on his prey.

  9

  Jamie glared at the door as she paced with the phone. She tossed the paper on the bed. “Marcus, this is why I didn’t want him to come along. He set back my investigation a few days at the very least. Maybe ruined it for all I know.”

  “What did you want him to do? Ignore the fact he saw some lowlife put drugs in a girl’s soda?”

  “No. Of course not. But that’s beside the point. We’re like oil and water. We don’t mix well.”

  “Look, girl. There’s no reason to talk with me about this. This is not my case and that means I got no juice to put Enrique on or pull him off the case. I’m not the one you should be talking with.”

  “I know. I just needed to vent.”

  “Did it help?”

  “Not really.”

  “At least you’re honest, Jakowski.” Marcus laughed. “I’ll give you that. Of course, it doesn’t help when you lose your cool. It only makes you lose your perspective even more. You need to work on developing more patience.”

  “I’m trying. I ask God to give me more patience all the time.”

  “Well, there you go. That’s your problem right there.”

  “What’s my problem?”

  “When you ask God to give you more patience He’s going to give you lots of opportunity to practice being patient. Apparently, Enrique is your teacher in this matter.” More laughter.

  “Such a wise man, aren’t you?”

  “Wise enough not to get involved in this.”

  Someone knocked on her door.

  “I hear you on that, Marcus. Someone’s knocking on the door—probably Enrique. I gotta go.”

  “Play nice, Jakowski.”

  “Yeah, whatever.” She clicked the phone off as she opened the door.

  Enrique had a large bruise on his lower jaw.

  A slice of sympathy cut through her anger. But she wasn’t letting him off the hook. If she played her cards right she might be able to get him to back off and let her handle this investigation on her own. “Oh, it’s the conquering hero.”

  “No need for sarcasm, Jamie. Let me explain what happened.”

  She held the newspaper up to him. “No need to explain. I read all about it, Mr. Hero. You’ve ruined my whole plan.”

  He closed the door. “I don’t see why you say that.”

  “Really? Are you kidding me? My plan was to buddy up to Ryan Mattson at the bar for a few days and then pump him for information. After last night’s escapade, he’s going to be suspicious of any stranger who shows up at the bar. He’ll know it’s a set-up. The paper even said you were an FBI agent.”

  “He might, but you’re so beautiful you’ll be able to break through any defenses he puts up.”

  “I doubt that very much.” Jamie refused to acknowledge the warm feeling his words brought. “If he does know anything about the whereabouts of Michael Zinkleman he’s been very tight-lipped. You don’t think he’ll be suspicious that an FBI agent came to his bar and then I show up wanting to be his buddy. He can’t be that stupid.”

  “It does sound bad when you put it that way.” He handed her a cup of coffee. “But I have confidence in you. You’ll think of something. I knew you wouldn’t be happy, but it couldn’t be helped. That’s why I ignored the offer of a hooker from the bartender.”

  “The bartender offered you a hooker?” She shook her head. “Sounds like a great place.”

  “Basically, but we didn’t get around to discussing the price. I didn’t want to have to arrest him for pandering. I knew that would ruin the plan. But when I saw the guy put drugs in the girl’s soda I had no choice.”

  “Yeah, but did you really have to pull out your gun screaming you were a federal officer?”

  “I did. There was a huge guy trying to pick a fight and…I had to get control of the situation quickly.”

  “Apparently not quick enough.” She touched his bruise.

  He reached up and ran his finger across her hand leaving a wake of heat. She moved away from him. “You look tired.”

  “Yeah, I haven’t been to bed yet. I spent most of the early morning hours at the police station, but the situation is under control.”

  “And the girl?

  “Treated and released and much wiser, thankfully.”

  “What did he slip her?”

  “Oh, you know. The traditional stuff. Some Rohypnol and GHB.”

  “The girl was lucky you were there. I thought you didn’t believe in that charging-in-on-a-white-horse stuff?”

  He tipped an imaginary hat. “Just doing my job, ma’am.”

  “Did he say where he got the stuff?”

  “Not yet, but Columbus police aren’t done questioning him. He’ll give it up when they offer him a plea.”

  “And then he’ll be free to rape some other unsuspecting girl.”

  “It’s not a perfect world, Jamie.”

  “Yeah, you can say that again. Sometimes it makes me wonder why we even bother.” She stared at him. “Any ideas what I should do next?”

  He pointed at his chest. “Are you talking to me? Really? You want my advice?”

  “Don’t push your luck, Ricky.”

  “OK. Well, you could go in looking for a job as a waitress.”

  “Too obvious. I’m sure I’m not the first person they sent in there to find out where Michael Zinkleman is.”

  “Not true. They didn’t even have his name before yesterday. They had no idea he had any connection to Michael Zinkleman.”

  They each sipped their coffee and sat on the bed in companionable silence.

  “Much better if I let him find me don’t you think?” Jamie asked.

  “How will you manage that?”

  “I’m not quite sure yet. I need his home address and if possible his work schedule.”

  “You didn’t answer my question.”

  She batted her eyelashes. “I didn’t. Imagine that.”

  10

  Jamie walked down the residential street dressed in a flowing, flowery skirt and a pink sweater. Sweet, but hopeful
ly sexy enough to catch Ryan Mattson’s eye.

  Enrique came through with the address and the work schedule.

  Now it was time for her to do her thing.

  Modest houses—modest neighborhood. A few dogs were barking somewhere. It didn’t look like the kind of a neighborhood where a scumbag like Ryan Mattson would live. Maybe he’d reformed, but more likely he lived with his parents. This looked like a neighborhood one’s parents might live in.

  Today, she was Barb Ackerman, a sweet young thing with a problem. Most men couldn’t resist a damsel in distress. She hoped Ryan Mattson was no exception. She checked her watch.

  According to Enrique, Ryan was scheduled to be at work in thirty minutes. The last time she’d walked past his house, his car was still there. She walked around the block for the third time—and hoped he wasn’t looking out his window watching her go past the house again.

  He should be leaving any minute. A door opened and a man cut across the lawn to a car parked in front of the house.

  Showtime.

  She pulled out the eye drops, showered her face with them yet again, and then kept walking down the sidewalk. Her feet slowed as she approached the house. She fell to the sidewalk with a loud yelp. Her hand moved out in an attempt to break her fall. Another yelp as she slammed into the concrete.

  Ryan Mattson hesitated.

  She moved to a sitting position, allowing a few sobs to escape. She rubbed her hand. It really was stinging. Her fall had been too realistic.

  “You OK?” He called from the driver’s side of the car.

  She held up a hand as if to say she was fine, but didn’t stand up. She lifted her skirt and looked at her leg, hoping he was doing the same. Another sob.

  “Are you OK?” Ryan came to her. His brown hair was short, but not too short. He was average height, but muscular.

  She wiped at her tears. “I’m such a klutz. Don’t worry. I’m fine.”

  “You don’t look so fine.”

  “Just having one of those days.” She smiled up at him. “Who am I kidding? Actually having one of those lives. I can’t do anything right. Nothing ever goes my way.”

  “I know what you mean.” He held out a hand.

  She reached and his hand wrapped around hers. He pulled her to a standing position. After letting her hand linger in his for an extra moment, she made a show of dusting off and examining her legs.

  His gaze moved downward.

  She straightened and gave him a half smile as she messed with her hair. “I’ll live. It was my own fault, anyway. I should have been watching where I was going.”

  “Where were you going? You don’t live on this street, do you?”

  “No, I don’t live here. The bus stop. That’s where I was going. I came over here for a job interview, but it was already filled. Like I said. One of those lives. Nothing ever goes my way.”

  “There’s no businesses around here. What kind of job?”

  She smoothed her skirt and straightened her top. “A personal assistant. Some woman with an Internet business needed help with mailing and packaging, but when she found out I didn’t have a car she claimed the job was filled.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ll just bet.”

  “Tough break.”

  “You know of any jobs around here?”

  “Not really. Sorry.”

  “That’s OK. I didn’t figure you did but it never hurts to ask. You never know when you might ask the right person. Well, I better get moving if I’m going to catch that bus. Thanks for stopping to check on me. Most people wouldn’t do that. It was very sweet.” She turned to go being sure her walk was sensual, but not obvious. She could feel his gaze as she walked away.

  “Hey.”

  She hid her smile and turned.

  “Where’s that bus need to take you?”

  “Oh, I have another place I want to put my job application in. Near High Street.” She pulled a slip of paper out of her pocket. “Yep, High Street.”

  “I’m going that way. If you want I can give you a lift.”

  “I don’t usually take rides from strangers, but I think I can trust you. After all, you did give me a helping hand when I needed it.” She cheered inside and smiled at him.

  He laughed.

  11

  Ryan pulled into the parking lot of the human resources building at Ohio State which wasn’t all that close to where he worked. A good sign.

  Jamie gave him a sweet smile and fluttered her eyelashes. “Thanks so much for the ride. I know there’s not much chance of getting a job here since I have no real skills but it’s worth a try. Don’t you think? That would make my Mom proud if I worked for a college.”

  “Yep. Gotta get out there and give it the old college try.”

  She laughed. “That’s funny—the old college try.”

  “Most people don’t get my humor.”

  “I’m not most people.”

  “Clearly not.”

  “Thanks again for the ride and for cheering me up. It’s so hard to come to a new city and not know anyone.” She extended her hand.

  He grabbed hold and squeezed. “Stop down at this bar afterward. I make a mean burger.” He handed her a tattered business card.

  “I might just do that. Thanks again.”

  Two hours later, Jamie walked to the bar. She lifted her face to the sun enjoying the warmth. The brightness of the day reminded her of Florida. Her heart twisted. She missed Sabrina, but she was sure her daughter was having the time of her life at the Bible camp.

  She got back into character and slumped her shoulders trying to look dejected

  There it was. Good Times Tavern.

  She opened the door of the bar and walked in. The sudden dimness was in sharp contrast to the bright sunshine outside. She blinked a few times to let her eyes adjust. She breathed in the scent of burgers and beer. Her stomach growled. It had been a long time since breakfast.

  “Hey, you showed up.” Ryan stood behind the bar. “Barbara, right?”

  “Barb is fine. I have to eat somewhere, and this place is as good as any. I hear the chef makes killer burgers.”

  “You did, did you?” He laughed.

  “That’s the rumor. I’ll take a cheeseburger and fries.”

  “And a beer?”

  She shook her head. No matter what the circumstances, she never drank alcohol. “Too many calories. A diet soda works for me.”

  “I doubt if you’ve ever had to worry about a calorie in your life.”

  “Thanks, but I’ll stick with the diet soda.” She rewarded him with a seductive smile.

  Customers drifted in. Some sat at the bar and others sat at the tables. Besides being a bar, it was apparently a popular choice for lunch.

  She picked at her food and chatted with Ryan between customers. After an hour or so she made a show of checking her watch while Ryan was standing near. “I need the bill. Gotta get moving.”

  “My treat.”

  Feigning surprise, she smiled. “Oh, well. Thanks.”

  “What’s your hurry? Why not stick around, and I’ll drive you home when I’m done? It’s not like you have a job or anything.”

  “Well, I won’t find one sitting on this bar stool. And I need money. Bad.” She smiled. “You don’t need someone here do you?”

  “Not my department, but I’m guessing no. I’ll check with the boss later.”

  “Great. Well, there’s a job out there somewhere for a girl like me. And I won’t find it sitting in here enjoying your company.”

  “Good point. At least give me your number.”

  She did and walked out.

  Quite satisfied with her day’s work Jamie had accomplished exactly what she wanted to do that day.

  Ryan Mattson believed he was the one doing the pursuing.

  12

  Ryan called Jamie the next day.

  They made plans for the following day.

  She hung up with a smile.

  “Why not meet him today?” Enrique sat on the b
ed in her hotel room.

  “Because men that age like the chase. Didn’t you know that, Ricky?”

  “And women like the chase just as much?” He arched a brow.

  She gave him an intentional glare. “Let’s keep this on a professional level. I don’t want to know about your dating life nor will I tell you about mine.”

  His chocolate brown gaze remained on her. He looked sad, but then he smiled. “Absolutely, you’re right about that, Jakowski. I got no time to tell you about all my women.”

  “Oh, really, Ricky. Just how many?”

  He winked. “As you said this is about finding Michael Zinkleman and nothing more.”

  “Actually, the only thing I’m concerned about finding is Andrew. Michael Zinkleman is your problem, not mine.”

  “You don’t care about getting justice? That doesn’t sound like the Jamie Jakowski I know.”

  “I’ve changed.”

  “So have I, Jamie. I left the faith for a while. But I’m back in it, now.”

  “You’re a Christian?”

  “Yep, and I’m learning more about God’s love and forgiveness every day. His mercies are new every morning even for a rascal like me.”

  “That’s nice. I’m glad for you.”

  “I want to talk about forgiveness, Jamie.” His tone told her he was sincere. He’d forgive her, but he’d only break her heart again.

  “Doesn’t sound very professional to me.” She stood up. “Besides, I’m hungry.”

  “Then let’s go get breakfast. On the agency.”

  “It’s bad enough you came to my room, but now it’s time for you to go. We can’t be seen together. You never know who will be watching me at any given time.”

  “First rule of undercover, but parting is such sweet sorrow, mi vida.”

  “I am not your darling.” She walked to the door and he followed.

  “How do you know what that means?”

  “I have a Puerto Rican nanny. Anna’s been with us since Sabrina was born. Sabrina speaks Spanish almost fluently, but I only know a few words.”

  “Ah, so you do, mi vida. How long will this take?”

  “Breakfast or the operation?” She shrugged. “Breakfast, about thirty minutes. The operation, I have no idea. It will take as long as it takes.”