Sisters By Choice

by Lillian Duncan

  “So you say.”

  “So I know. This isn’t my first job, Ricky.”

  “The name is Enrique…and…” He took a step back from her. “Ryan is dangerous. I don’t want to leave you alone with him. Do you even have a weapon with you? Come on, we’ll both go.”

  She considered Enrique’s offer. Was it time to leave, to give up? Ryan wouldn’t be happy when she rebuffed his sexual advances. “I’m not going and I have a weapon. Not that I plan on using it. If I leave now he’ll never trust me again. My cover will be blown. And we won’t have any leads to follow up on.”

  “I don’t care about your cover or any leads to follow. I care about you.” His tone softened as he stared at her.

  Her breath caught for a moment at the intensity she heard in his voice, but she shook it away. Her own voice sounded cold and distant. “I’ll be fine.”

  “He could hurt you. You saw his rap sheet.”

  “He actually doesn’t seem that bad. He said he’s trying to change. And you know what, I believe him. People can change, Ricky.”

  “And you fell for that old line. My goodness, you’re more naïve than I realized.”

  “I am not naïve, but I do believe in second chances.”

  “That’s news to me. When are you going to give me one?” His words sent an arrow straight to her heart. He must have seen the hurt on her face. “Never mind. I didn’t mean that. I want you out of here and safe with me.”

  “I’ve got it covered. Trust me.” She pointed at her arm.

  He stared at her arm, his expression confused. “What? I don’t get it.”

  “I’m sunburned. For real. And it hurts. For real. He’ll understand. He’s been a perfect gentleman all day. He won’t push it. Not yet. We’re still in the honeymoon phase, so to speak.”

  Enrique’s eyes widened, and then he grinned. “Way to take one for the team, Jakowski.”

  16

  As disappointed as Ryan Mattson was, he was gracious about Jamie’s sunburn and her no touching policy because of it. She gathered up their plates from the chocolate cake quite pleased with her gastronomic attempts. It was hard to mess up a steak, salad, and a baked potato.

  Ryan seemed impressed with her cooking skills.

  She hoped her stare was mistaken for longing by him. “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I got this horrible sunburn. I was just stupid to forget the sunblocker today.”

  “Don’t worry about it. It’s my fault, too. If I’d told you sooner where we were going you could have been better prepared.”

  “Oh, I’m not worried. More like disappointed.” She sighed. “Let me wash these few dishes and then you can take me back to the motel.”

  “You can stay here tonight if you want. I promise to be good.” His smile was more of a leer. “No touching.”

  Yeah, right. She giggled. “No way. That would be cruel and unusual punishment. For me. I can just imagine what I’m missing.”

  “More than you can imagine.” He arched a brow and laughed.

  Jamie finished the dishes, and then they left the house.

  “I need to stop for some gas,” he said, once they were in the car.

  “Sure, no problem.”

  “Can I borrow your phone? Mine’s dead. I forgot to plug it in last night. I need to call my mom for my weekly check in.”

  “Your mom? Really?”

  “I know. I know. But I promised her.”

  “Sure.” He handed it to her as he stepped out of the car. She put the phone to her ear and moved her mouth pretending to talk as Ryan pulled out the gas nozzle. She turned to the front as she continued the charade.

  When Ryan walked passed her window he pointed at the station. “Want anything?”

  “No thanks.”

  She could buy a little more time if he bought a few things for her. As he walked in, she called back. “Maybe a diet cola for the room. The pop machine at the motel’s broken. And a candy bar.”

  “What kind?”

  “Anything chocolate works for me.”

  “That chocolate cake wasn’t enough?”

  “You can never have too much chocolate.” Jamie scrolled through the stored numbers, glancing between them and the gas station door. No Michael. No Zinkleman. None that seemed the last bit suspicious. All of them had the same area code as Columbus.

  She looked up from the phone. Ryan was in line waiting to pay. Three people were in front of him. Good. More time.

  She scrolled through his recent calls.

  And there it was.

  A number with a different area code. It wasn’t much, but it might be Michael. Her gaze moved back to the station. Ryan was handing the clerk the money.

  Back to the number. She repeated each digit several times before hitting the button to return to the home screen. She set the phone on the seat beside her, and then laid her head back as if resting.

  Ryan hopped in and handed her a bag. “Two cans of soda and four candy bars.”

  “Four?”

  “I’m beginning to know how much you like chocolate.” He turned the ignition.

  “Thanks. You are much sweeter than you look. I think it has something to do with that scary tattoo on your arm.”

  “Yeah, not the best idea I ever had.”

  Remembering their earlier conversation, she said, “Well, God doesn’t care about tattoos.”

  “Oh, sure. Can you imagine what the little, old blue-haired church ladies would do if I walked into their nice little church on Sunday morning with this showing?” He touched the snake tattoo that looked as if it was slithering up his arm.

  “If it’s the right church they’ll say hello, glad to see you here.”

  “You really think so?”

  “No, I know so.”

  “Mmm. Gives me something to think about.”

  Funny, she’d never been much of an evangelizer, but with Ryan, she had this overwhelming desire for him to find God’s love. It was clear to her that he was searching.

  And she wanted him to find the answers.

  ****

  He shouldn’t have left the woman he loved alone with Ryan Mattson. If something happened, it would be his fault. He was her partner, and it was his job to protect her. Enrique wanted so much more than a superficial relationship with Jamie. He wanted to take care of her for the rest of her life. But she wouldn’t give him a second chance. He heard a vehicle approaching and lifted the curtain.

  Ryan’s car.

  He dropped the curtain and jumped into the closet just in case Mattson came in. He doubted Jamie would invite him in, but Mattson was a man. And Jamie was so beautiful.

  The closet smelled like mothballs. He kept quiet only his breath moving the air.

  ****

  Jamie’s mind sifted through the possibilities. Should she make the break with Ryan now in the hopes the number she found would lead to Andrew? But if she left, she wouldn’t have a second chance at getting information on Zinkleman’s location. She sighed and reached over to touch Ryan’s hand resting between them. “I got bad news when I talked with my mom. I’m going to have to leave.”

  “You’re kidding me. You just got here.”

  “I know, but it can’t be helped.”

  “What’s the problem?”

  “It’s my grandmother. She broke her hip and needs some help. Mama wants me to come home and stay with her for a while.”

  “But I thought you hated that place.”

  “I do, but I love my grandmother.” She gave a philosophical shrug. “Besides, family is family.”

  “I suppose.” He pulled in the drive and stopped. “So, what? This is it?”

  “My mother’s sending me the money to get a ticket. I’m going to take the bus home tomorrow. I’m sorry it worked out this way, Ryan. But you never know. I really like Columbus. When my grandmother’s better…well, you never know.”

  “Columbus, or me? “ He leaned over to kiss her, but she turned her cheek. “Call me if you decide to come back.�
�

  “Oh, most definitely.” She patted his hand and stepped out of the car.

  “Hey, don’t forget your candy bars.”

  “Hold on a minute. I want to give you something, too.” Before he could ask what, she ran to the motel door, unlocked it and slipped in. A moment later, she ran back out. She handed him the black book in her hand. “It’s the Bible.”

  His eyes widened.

  “First read John 3:16, and then Romans 10:9. If you need some more information, go to the concordance and look up the verses about God’s love and salvation. It will give you the answers you’re searching for, Ryan. I’m sure of it.”

  He stared down at the book. “I…I…I’m shocked. I don’t know what to say. Nobody ever gave me a Bible before.”

  “You don’t have to say anything. Just read it. I pray you find the answers you’re searching for.”

  “How do you know I’m searching for anything?”

  “It takes one to know one.” She smiled as she picked up the bag of candy bars and soda.

  “But it seems a little suspicious to me.”

  Her heart dropped. She needed him to believe her story about going back home to help out her grandmother. “What does?’

  “You won’t drink beer because of the calories, but it doesn’t stop you from eating chocolate in any form.”

  She almost sighed with relief. Instead, she smiled and gave him a wink. “That’s because you’re not a woman.”

  17

  Enrique had no idea what Jamie was doing.

  The door had squeaked open and she ran in as if the devil was chasing her. Before he could show himself, she ran back out.

  He waited to make sure she was alone and hadn’t invited Ryan Mattson in. Enrique refused to entertain thoughts about what such an invitation might mean.

  Jamie said she’d changed. He believed her.

  The door squeaked open for a second time. He only heard one person moving around and no voices. Light flooded the closet as he peeked through the crack of the door

  Jamie was alone.

  He stepped out. “Hi.”

  She swirled around, her foot aimed at his chest in a fighting stance.

  He jumped back. “Hey, it’s me. Don’t attack me.”

  Relaxing only slightly she lowered her leg as she glared at him. “Why do you keep jumping out of closets? What are you doing in my room?”

  “I was worried about you. I just wanted to make sure you got home safely. Not that you can call this room homey by any stretch of the imagination.”

  “How sweet, but you almost gave me a heart attack. I didn’t know you had a thing for closets. You’re lucky I didn’t have my gun.”

  “I guess I am, but you looked as if you could handle any situation without a gun.”

  “I’m glad you realize that.” She sat down on the bed. “Ryan was a perfect gentleman when I explained about the sunburn. I told you I could take care of myself. I’m all safe and sound.”

  “So you did. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “Then why were you in my closet?”

  “I was waiting for you, but I didn’t want to blow your cover if he came into the room with you so I hid.”

  Her eyes turned to slits, her voice angry. “Why would I invite him in?”

  “I don’t know. I just wasn’t sure what was going on. Besides, I wanted to be here in case he wouldn’t take no for an answer. After all, nice or not, he’s a man. And believe me, I know what men are like.”

  Her gaze moved up and down him as if assessing his truthfulness. “Hmm. Likely story.”

  “It’s true. I was worried. There was no way I could go back to my clean, beautiful-smelling hotel room until I knew you were back in this pathetic, smelly place, safe and sound.”

  “It does smell. I can’t argue that.”

  “So, did you find out anything?”

  “Not really.”

  Not really. Interesting answer. That was not a definite no. “Too bad. I guess that means another night in this stinky room.”

  “I guess so.”

  He’d give her another chance to come clean. “So, did you find out anything at all that might be helpful?”

  “Not really.”

  Mmm. There was that phrase again.

  “Actually, there was one thing,” She sighed. “He did mention he had a friend whom he’d gotten involved in a bad situation. I think he meant Michael. So you might want to check out Ryan and see what he’s into these days. It might lead to something nobody knows about. As far as I can remember his name wasn’t in any of the reports I read about Michael.”

  “He admitted that to you?”

  “Sure, why not? I’m not a cop. I’m just a chick he wants to sleep with.”

  “Kinda crass, don’t you think?”

  “Well, it actually was sweeter than that, but still…anyway, checking into Ryan might lead back to something they missed in the original investigation.”

  “We know he was busted for drugs. Maybe he got Michael involved in them, as well. It’s hard for some people to resist the easy money of selling drugs. Thanks, I’ll check into it.” He stood up to leave. “By the way, why did you come into the room, and then leave again?”

  “I gave him the Bible that was in the room. I’m sure the Gideons wouldn’t mind. That’s why they put them in there.”

  “A Bible?”

  “God came up in our conversation today and I…I wanted him to have a Bible. You know, so he could read about…God.”

  “Wow, I wasn’t expecting that. A Bible? You really do believe in second chances.”

  She nodded.

  “Only you would give your mark a Bible. Well, when will you see him again?”

  “I’m not sure. He probably wants to wait until my sunburn gets better.”

  “And when will that be?”

  “Oh, my sunburns have been known to last for weeks.”

  ****

  Jamie closed the door.

  Enrique hadn’t wanted to leave until he was sure Ryan was truly gone.

  She’d voiced the idea to walk to the ice machine to make sure Ryan wasn’t lurking around. He wasn’t. And now she was alone.

  Finally.

  Jamie knew she should have shared the phone number with Enrique. If the number did belong to Zink’s ex-husband, then she wanted to find the location and get there without any complications.

  Without Enrique. In the meantime, he could do more checking into Ryan and his friends. It actually could produce a lead.

  Guilt pricked her conscience. It’s not as if she’d actually agreed to work with Enrique every step of the way. Being undercover was difficult enough, but trying to stay undercover and stay in contact with other people was almost impossible and dangerous. The more people involved the more problems arose.

  Enrique had the impression that she’d agreed to a complete partnership. The only thing she’d agreed to was giving him the information she discovered at Michael’s parents’ home. Enrique might be a good agent, but he’d almost messed up her chances here.

  And then there was the emotional situation. It was obvious she wasn’t quite as over him as she’d believed. Stop over-thinking, Jamie. Stay focused. Finding Andrew is the only important thing. Her broken heart was irrelevant.

  Hopefully, this would be her last hour in this room. She went to get her luggage out of the closet. She’d be long gone before Enrique had an inkling that she’d moved on to stage two of her investigation—without him.

  ****

  Jamie walked down the aisle of the airplane looking for her seat number. She slid in, grateful to find the other seats in the row empty. If she was lucky, it would stay that way and she could sleep all the way to Wyoming.

  That was the area code of the number on Ryan’s phone. She wasn’t quite sure what part of the state since it covered a large area, but she could work on that later. For now, she’d decided to fly into Cheyenne. And for the next few hours she could relax. No compli
cations from Enrique. Of course, it was nice to have someone worrying about her. Someone to have her back. Making sure she was all right. Or it would be, if the person wasn’t Enrique.

  To be fair, he’d been sweet to her and even proven to be capable as a partner. She sighed. Why was she even thinking about Enrique? She checked her watch. Why hadn’t they left? The plane was scheduled for takeoff ten minutes ago.

  “Hi.” Enrique grinned down at her. “I guess you were going to call me in the morning to tell me where you went. You must have wanted me to get my beauty sleep. You are just too nice to me, Jakowski.” He slid a bag in the overhead bin, and then sat down in the aisle seat, leaving a space between them. “It was so thoughtful of you.”

  “What are you doing here?” Her voice actually squeaked in shock.

  “I could probably ask you the same question. You should be more careful about checking for tails when you’re working.”

  “I wasn’t driving. And the taxi driver was about eighty years old.” She tapped a finger on her watch. “I’m guessing you’re the reason the plane is running late.”

  “Being an FBI agent does have its perks.”

  “I cannot believe you followed me,” she hissed through clenched teeth.

  “And I cannot believe you didn’t share your information with me. That’s not very nice. Especially after we had an agreement.”

  “That’s not true. I only agreed to give you the information I got from the Zinklemans. I never said we were partners.”

  “I suppose that’s technically true, but still…”

  “How did you know?”

  “There was a definite twinkle in your eye in the motel room. Can’t hide that twinkle, Jamie.”

  “I suppose not.” She laid her head back against the seat. “I am definitely losing my mojo if you were able to figure that out from a twinkle in my eye.”

  “Not really. I’m just that good.”

  “If you say so. I’m sleeping now, so don’t bother me.” She arranged a pillow against the window.

  Enrique had followed her. He might have changed, but not enough. Enrique wanted to advance in the Bureau, and the only way to do that was to follow the rules. Rules worked, but not necessarily for undercover operations. And he would choose the rules over what was right.