Betrayed by Trust (17 page)

Dan flipped the lock on the sliding door while I knelt and pulled the dowel out of the track. A second later, Barry was in the room, making sure the drapes were drawn. He looked from Dan, to me still kneeling on the floor. “I’m glad you’re dressed. We don’t have much time.”

“Barry, what are you doing here?” I asked.

“How did you find us?” Dan asked at the same time.

Barry’s glance touched on the weapon Dan held at his side. “Your car has a tracking device on it. A prototype that lets them locate you from a distance. When Marianne didn’t return home last night, the guys monitoring your house called the hospital to see if she was there, and found out you were missing. So they started tracking your car.” His brow furrowed as he looked at me sitting on the floor. “Do you need a hand up?”

I lifted both arms. “Please.”

He grasped my wrists and pulled me to my feet. His eyes widened as he recognized the effort required, but wisely, he didn’t comment on it. “I got the assignment to locate you and pull you back in, but I’m only the first of the team. The others will be here in less than an hour. You’ve got to go.”

“Why should we trust you?” Dan demanded.

Barry made a face. “If I wanted you caught, all I would have had to do is wait for the rest of my team. Besides, Marianne would have sensed some kind of warning if I meant you harm.” He looked back at me. “Did you?”

I looked at Dan and shook my head. “I only felt like I should get dressed.”

Dan considered Barry for a moment, then asked, “Can you remove the tracker?”

“That would take too long. I have a rental outside for you. You can drop me back at the agency where I left my car.”

“But the Trust will know it was you who helped us.” I protested.

“I know how to cover my tracks.” Barry’s half smile wasn’t quite humble. “Which reminds me, I have some new I.D.s for you, too.”

“Thanks, but we’re covered.” Dan tucked the gun in his waistband, and zipped up his bag. “But we’ll need some help with these.”

Barry picked up a bag in each hand and sidled out the door to the Cadillac Seville parked three slots down from the Mustang.

Dan pressed his lips together tightly as he stared for a moment at his blue convertible, then turned back to Barry. “Why are you helping us?”

“I’m not helping you, I’m helping Marianne.” Barry chewed on his answer for a moment, then met my eyes. “I don’t understand why you want to keep this baby instead of turning it over to Kincaid, but you do. I let you down before, and I don’t like the way that feels. Besides, I had a lot of respect for Foxworth, and I don’t like how Kincaid is changing everything around.”

Dan considered Barry’s explanation, then nodded. “Okay. But we’re not taking your car. I have another idea.”

Barry shifted the bags he held. “What’s the plan?”

“It’s better you don’t know.”

After Barry put our luggage in the Mustang Dan asked, “Do you want me to tie you up and stuff you in the Caddy’s trunk? So no one will suspect you helped us. I don’t mind.”

Barry responded with a tight smile. “Thanks. That very generous, but I’ll pass. I’ll just return the car and say you were gone by the time I got to the motel. They have no reason to doubt me.”

An hour and a half later, Dan and I were heading north on
US
95, to Lake Havasu City in a rental we’d picked up downtown. We’d abandoned Dan’s Mustang in the long term parking at the Yuma International Airport, purchased two tickets to Toronto, then taken a taxi to the rental agency. We hoped it would take our pursuers a while to figure out we hadn’t gotten on the plane.

Before we left the airport we called Janna and Jill. The Trust already knew we were in Yuma, Dan explained, so even if they back-traced our calls, they’d have no more information about our location than they already had. And we wouldn’t be there much longer, anyway.

It was hard to keep our conversations brief. Janna and Jill were both confused and alarmed that “something had happened at work” that was bad enough that we were going to “keep a low profile” for a while. They wanted details, and were angry when we wouldn’t give them any. Janna tried to argue with me, but in the end, both of them agreed to call our other friends and family and reassure them that we were all right.

Ringo was more phlegmatic when Dan called him, and their conversation was short.

“I have a situation,” Dan said, as a greeting. Then his brows rose in surprise and he glanced at me for a second before saying, “Yes.” Ringo said something, and Dan’s face clouded with anger. “
No
. And watch your mouth.”

I had a feeling I knew what Ringo had said, given his warning to me at the rehearsal.

“Someone wants me out of the picture,” Dan continued, “and I need you to take care of Marianne and the baby if they succeed.”

“
What?
” That was not what I’d expected Dan to say. I did not want to consider the possibility of him dying. Not again. Not so soon after almost losing him.

Dan raised his hand to quiet me so he could listen, and I bit my lips, fuming. He was going to get an earful when he hung up.

“Meet me at that pub we got drunk at last year. Four o’clock. I’ll explain then.”

Ringo must have asked, “Which one?” because Dan huffed a shallow laugh and answered, “The one where you fell in love with that bitch. Make sure you’re not followed.” Then he hung up.

Dan’s remark surprised me. I’d never heard him refer to a woman so rudely before, but then, guys said things to each other that they didn’t say to women.

“Come on. Let’s go.”

Launching into an argument about Ringo would be a great distraction from the anxiety shrouding us, but Dan’s expression was grim and strained. I wasn’t going to add to his worry for me by delaying our escape.

An hour later, Dan and I were racing north at sixty miles per hour through the bleakness of western Arizona.

I’d held my tongue as we caught the taxi and rented the car, then I’d been busy driving, watching to make sure no one was following us, and feeling bad that I’d put Janna in the uncomfortable position of having to tell my parents that I wouldn’t be calling them anytime soon. My folks would be out of their minds with worry. The news might have been easier to take coming directly from me, but it would have been too painful for all of us for me to refuse to tell them why I was doing this, and where I was going. It was better for Janna to call. She could honestly say she didn’t know anything.

Then I remembered Dan’s request of Ringo. My ire flared, and I embraced it. It was more comfortable to feel angry than guilty or afraid. I glanced at Dan. He was awake, and his color was much better than it had been yesterday. I reached over to turn the radio down. “I don’t need Ringo to take care of me,” I said without preamble.

“Normally, no. You’re very capable. But nothing about this situation is ‘normal.’ You’ve never had to evade pursuit, and you’ve never had a baby before, either. If something happens to me—”

My hands tightened on the wheel.
“Nothing is going to happen to you!”

Dan continued calmly, as if I hadn’t shouted. “But if it does, I don’t want you facing this alone. Ringo will protect you.”

“Ringo doesn’t like me.”

Dan paused for a beat. “Why do you say that?”

The memory of Ringo’s accusation twinged uncomfortably. “It’s nothing. Just a misunderstanding.” I bit my lip.

“Marianne?”

I needed to pee, so I took the exit for Ehrenburg, using the distraction as an excuse to avoid answering.

He wasn’t going to let me get away with that. “Tell me,” he insisted.

I didn’t want to say anything that would mess up his friendship with Ringo. They’d been tight for a long time. That was more important than my feelings. “Never mind. It’ll be good to know Ringo has my back, just in case.”

“What did he say?” Dan’s voice was cold and level, and I knew that if I didn’t tell him, my refusal to be open with him would fester.

“He said he knew I wasn’t in love with you.” I was glad I had to watch the road instead of see the hurt in his eyes.

Dan was silent for a moment. “That’s it?”

I shot him a quick glance. He wasn’t bothered by that? But why should he be? He’d known what he was getting into when we married. “Well, he warned me not to hurt you.” I drove slowly down the two-lane street. Ehrenburg looked like a one horse town.

He snorted. “That fits.”

“Fits with what?”

“Never mind.” He reached over and stroked my leg. “Listen, it’s not my place to tell you Ringo’s story, but he doesn’t trust women much.”

“I got that.”

“But he
will
watch out for you, if I’m not able.”

I didn’t much like the idea of someone who thought I was the spawn of Satan keeping an eye on me.

“Promise me that you’ll let him,” Dan demanded.

“But—”

“Promise me.”

I sighed heavily. “I promise.”

“Good girl.”

My temper flared again. “Oh! Could you be any more condescending?”

Dan laughed, then grabbed his ribs. “I could try.” He pointed to a sad looking diner up ahead. “Pull over there, woman.”

I rolled my eyes and did as he commanded. The little restaurant looked like the only place around that offered any hope of clean bathrooms.

On the radio Dennis DeYoung sang about “Babe” giving him strength and courage. I knew how that felt. I turned to face Dan. “It’s not true,” I said in a quiet voice. “What Ringo said. Not anymore. Not for a long time.”

Dan understood what I was saying. His eyes crinkled in a gentle smile. “I know, kiddo. I love you, too.”

D
an’s ribs were aching like a sonovabitch by the time they got to Lake Havasu, but although he had some serious drugs in the bug-out bags, he refused to take anything stronger than Tylenol. He had to stay sharp. Even though they’d ditched the Trust’s tracking device, he knew Kincaid would be putting a lot of manpower into finding Marianne. Dan would.

Dan directed Marianne to stop at the Motel 6 he’d stayed at before. He paid cash for one night, asking for a ground floor unit in the back, and tipping the manager for help with the bags. As much as he didn’t want to draw attention to himself and Marianne, he wanted his eight months pregnant wife shifting their bags even less. He probably could have managed it, but Marianne had threatened mayhem if he lifted anything heavier than a toothbrush and he knew better than to try.

Once settled in the room, though, Dan turned the tables on her. “Ringo won’t be here for a couple of hours. Lay down and get some rest.”

“I don’t think I can sleep. I have too many thoughts swirling around in my head, biting like flies.”

Dan was ready for her argument. “Just lie down for a while.” He pulled down the polyester bedspread, ignoring her glare. “You were up early and I feel bad that you had to drive the whole way.”

She harrumphed, but toed off her shoes and lay down, curling onto her side. “Aren’t you going to join me?”

He’d like nothing better than to wrap himself around her. He loved feeling Evan move within Marianne’s rounded tummy, but somebody had to keep watch. “No. I’m more comfortable sitting up.”

Her brow furrowed and she started to get up. “Are you in pain? Do you want me to get you something?”

“No, babe, I’m fine. Lie down. I’ll wake you later.”

It wasn’t long until her breathing shifted into the soft rhythm of sleep. Dan watched the tension leave her face, wishing it had never taken up residence there. She shouldn’t have to be dealing with all this uncertainty and worry. Not now. She ought to be feathering her nest, making sure all was in readiness for their son’s arrival—not be on the run from the very organization that had talked her into changing her life.

Dan quietly unzipped his duffle and got out his gun kit. He released the clip from his Colt .45, cleared the chamber, and began cleaning the weapon that years ago had grown to feel as familiar as his own hand.

Foxworth’s original plan had merit. Otherwise, Dan wouldn’t have agreed to participate, and he would have done his best to talk Marianne out of it, too. There’d been no reason to change it. But someone, probably Kincaid, had grown impatient. And now Marianne was cut off from her family just when she needed them most. And so was Dan.

He hated knowing that his grandmother and sister would worry about him. They’d worry about Marianne and the baby, too. If he and Marianne had accepted Kincaid’s offer, none of this would be happening. They would have given up the baby they’d spent nine months growing to love, gone their separate ways, returned to their former lives.

The thought of turning a child over to be groomed into the perfect tool made him sick. And he’d rather cut off his right hand than give up Marianne.

Dan smiled as he pushed the oiled rag down the barrel, remembering her shy confession of love. All the days spent picking out baby things, all the nights spent in each other’s arms, had told him the truth of her feelings, but he’d almost choked up when she finally admitted it. It had been all he could do to keep it light.

No, he couldn’t give her up.

He glanced over at her. Dark blond lashes feathered over the shadows of fatigue beneath her eyes, and one arm rested protectively over her belly. His throat tightened. She’d taken a long time to understand they were a real couple, but he’d committed himself to her well-being even before they’d spoken their vows. Marianne was his. No one would harm her or their child in any way. Not while he was alive.

Dan glanced at his watch. Ringo would be pulling into Havasu soon. He hated to wake Marianne, but he wasn’t going to leave her alone, so he rubbed her shoulder and murmured, “Time to get up, sweetheart.”

She blinked hard, trying to clear the sleep from her eyes. It was a testament to her muzziness that she let him help her sit up. The twinge from his ribs wasn’t too bad—he’d taken more Tylenol—easy enough to hide from his sleepy wife.

“Bathroom,” she said, and went in that direction.

When she returned, her face was damp and she looked more focused. “Did you get any rest?”

“I feel good,” he said, evading her question.

“You didn’t, did you? And yet you look cheerful.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “You don’t have to pretend with me.”

“Okay. Maybe not good, but better,” he admitted.

“It’s only been a day,” she chided. “Don’t push it.”

He liked the way she let her feelings show when she tried to boss him around. “Yes, ma’am.” He answered with false meekness.

She snorted softly and insisted on changing the bandage over his sutures. Fortunately, the wound looked clean and only a little swollen.

Satisfied, Marianne followed Dan’s directions to The Crown and Farthing.

The restaurant was the same one he and Ringo had partied at a couple years ago, an American interpretation of an English pub, decorated with dark wood and etched glass, but with a relaxed atmosphere. Ringo was already waiting on the outside patio when Dan and Marianne arrived. A medium-sized dog with huge ears lay at his feet. When they approached, man and dog both stood up. While Ringo rose to his usual impressive height, the dog didn’t get much taller.

Dan suppressed a smirk of amusement as Ringo’s gaze fastened on Marianne’s huge belly, and his friend’s expression grew somewhat alarmed as she hugged him. The big man patted her back gingerly, as if a firm touch might make her drop the baby in his lap. After a moment, Dan took pity on him and offered a distraction. “Hey, man. Thanks for coming.”

Ringo’s eyes widened as he took in the bandage on Dan’s forehead and the stiff way he held himself. “You look a little worse for wear.”

“Nothing I can’t handle.”

His wife rolled her eyes and sat down. Ringo’s buff and white dog stood on her back legs to put her paws on Marianne’s knees, wagging her tail.

“Maisie! Down!” Ringo commanded.

The dog looked over her shoulder at Ringo as if to gauge whether he really meant it, then dropped her front feet back to the floor.

Marianne reached over her stomach to fondle the dog’s bat-like ears. “So this was the bitch you fell in love with last year? What kind of dog is she?”

Dan suppressed a smile as Ringo’s face filled with light and he leaned over to ruffle Maisie’s fur. His rough, tough friend was really a big softie. “She’s a Cardigan Welsh Corgi. I found her last year, hanging around the parking lot. Can you believe someone just dumped her here?”

“That’s terrible! But it looks like their stupidity is your gain.”

“That’s right, isn’t it Maisie? You were a mess back then. But now you’re a beauty, aren’t you, girl?” Then Ringo looked sharply at Marianne as if to measure whether she thought he was silly for loving a dog.

She just grinned back, clearly liking him better for it. Dan relaxed a little. He wanted these two people he cared for to like each other.

Ringo turned to Dan. “So, what’s going on?”

“I need you to take care of Marianne if something happens to me,” Dan said.

Marianne sucked in a breath, but Dan raised an eyebrow and speared her with a sharp look to remind her,
you promised.
She got the message, even if she didn’t look happy about it. She pressed her lips together and leaned back into her chair.

Ringo gave a quick nod. “Done. I told you that on the phone. Now it’s time for
you
to tell
me
what the fuck has your knickers in a twist.” Ringo glanced at Marianne. “Uh, pardon my French.”

She waved away his concern, and Ringo turned back to Dan, but the waitress interrupted by asking for their drink orders.

When she’d gone, Dan continued in a low voice. “The company Marianne and I work for thinks we’ve taken something they want. They think if they get rid of me, they can pressure Marianne into giving it to them.”

Ringo frowned. “If you stole something—”

“We didn’t. It doesn’t belong to them.”

“And you can’t go to the cops.” Ringo made it a statement, not a question.

“These are powerful people, with long arms and deep influence,” Dan said. “They act first and don’t bother getting forgiveness later. We need to disappear until the major players move on.”

Ringo leaned back in his chair, lifting the front legs off the floor. “I seem to remember that when we were discharged you said you wanted to settle down and live a nice, peaceful life.”

Dan’s smile was part grimace. “I got bored.”

“Right.” Ringo regarded Dan from under his bushy brows. “So what is this thing your bosses want from you so bad?”

Dan looked at Marianne. His friend was taking a risk for them. He deserved to know, but he wouldn’t share the info if his wife didn’t agree.

Ringo turned his dark eyes on Marianne.

She didn’t hesitate. “Our baby,” she said.

Ringo dropped the front legs of his chair back to the floor with a hard thump, and Maisie jumped. “What the—” Ringo closed his mouth with a sharp snap.

“Here’s the deal,” Dan said. “You remember the stuff that happened in Cambodia? I know you didn’t really believe me back then—”

“Hey—” Ringo started to object.

“Don’t sweat it,” Dan waved his hand. “You were unconscious. I probably wouldn’t believe it either if I hadn’t seen it. But I did, and those … beings are real. And Marianne’s baby will have a special connection to those kinds of creatures. One, in particular. And because of that, these guys that are after us want to control him. They want to use our son as a tool, a weapon.”

Ringo looked from Dan, to me, then back again. After a minute, he said, “First you called it ‘Marianne’s baby,’ and now you’re calling it ‘our son.’ Which is it?”

Annoyance sharpened Dan’s tone. “
My
name will be on Evan’s birth certificate.
I’ll
be the one teaching him to ride a bike and throw a ball and drive. That’s all you need to know.”

Ringo stared back at Dan for a moment, then shrugged. “That’s good enough for me.”

Dan relaxed. “The baby’s due in a month. We need to find some place to lay low for a couple of weeks. It should be out of the way, but not too far from a hospital in case Marianne goes into labor early.”

Ringo nodded. “I know just the place.”