The woman collapsed, sobbing hysterically as she held her stomach.
Patti ran to them. “Go ahead. I’ll take care of her.”
Carter ran off in the same direction as the gunman.
Patti put her arms around the woman. She heard the wail of the police sirens as they approached.
“It’s OK. He’s gone. You’re safe, now.” Patti stared at the spot where Carter disappeared.
“Why did he do that to me?”
“I don’t know, but God sure was watching over us.”
The woman touched her swollen belly and nodded through her tears.
The police converged on the area.
Patti and the woman were helped to an ambulance.
An EMT worker slapped a blood pressure cuff on Patti while an officer asked her questions.
She answered the best she could, but her gaze stayed glued to the spot where Carter disappeared.
After an eternity, Carter came around the corner—alone.
Patti jumped up and rushed over to him.
A sense of safety and sanity returned as his arms tightened around her. She snuggled in closer, savoring the feeling.
Carter was alive.
She breathed deeply, but it turned into a sob as she exhaled.
Carter’s hand brushed over her head.
Leaning against him, she allowed her head to fall against his chest.
They stood that way for what seemed like hours.
Finally, she took a small step backwards and looked up at him with a teary smile. “I was so scared. I thought he’d shot you.”
“I couldn’t catch him,” Carter told her, failure in his voice.
“It doesn’t matter as long as you didn’t get hurt. I was sure he was going…never mind. I’m glad you’re safe.” Patti was trying not to cry. “It was all my fault. I saw that old man on the street and something seemed off. I should have known.”
With those words, he broke the bear hug he’d held Patti in. “Where are the envelopes? Did you lose them in all that craziness?”
She took a few more steps back, embarrassed by her display of emotion. She’d been so glad to see Carter she’d done what seemed natural. “I dropped them, but one of the cops gathered them up for me. They’re back at the ambulance.”
“Good. Let me go talk with the officer in charge and then we need to get out of here.” He flashed a grin at her. “Before my boss gets here.”
Patti stared at the pandemonium around her, but she only had one thing on her mind.
What would those papers tell her about her sister?
19
They pulled into Carter’s drive.
His house was a small blue bungalow in desperate need of paint. Flower beds adorned the front of the house but as they walked up, Patti could see as many weeds as flowers. The house was actually surrounded by a white picket fence.
It made her smile.
The moment Patti entered the house her gaze was drawn to the mantle above a fireplace where a huge portrait of Carter and his bride hung.
Her heart sank.
He was married.
It hadn’t occurred to her he might have a wife. Her stomach clenched in a knot, remembering the closeness they’d shared only minutes before. And the thoughts and feelings she’d had when he nuzzled her neck. A wave of nausea took her breath away.
“That’s Nancy.” Carter’s voice was soft. “She died a few years ago. In the line of duty. She was a police officer, too.”
Waves of relief, immediately followed by guilt, flooded her. “Oh, Carter, I’m so sorry.” Patti walked closer to examine the picture.
His bride’s long flowing black hair made a sharp contrast to the traditional white gown she wore. Her eyes sparkled with love and happiness.
“She was beautiful.”
“She never thought so.” His voice was tinged with sorrow. “Nancy always said she wasn’t a girly girl. That’s why I love this picture. She told me she felt like Cinderella on our wedding day.” His green eyes clouded for a moment, but he smiled as looked at Patti. “Of course, she was beautiful every day, but she wouldn’t believe me. Always said I was biased.”
“It must have been horrible when she died.”
“It was. I was so angry when it happened. Angry at everyone. Angry at the killer, angry at my boss, angry at God, but mostly angry at myself for not being able to keep her safe. I lost myself in my anger.”
“I’m sure it t wasn’t your fault, Carter.”
“I’ve come to accept that. Nancy loved being a cop, and she wouldn’t have been happy doing anything else. Except for being a mother, but it wasn’t in the cards for us.”
He flashed a grin, but the sadness remained in his eyes. He walked around the living room picking up the newspapers tossed on the sofa and gathered up a coffee cup and plate, as well. When he turned back to her the smile in his eyes had returned. “Are you hungry? Want something to drink?”
“I could use a soda.”
“Sit down and relax. You’ve had quite the day.”
“That’s for sure. It’s not every day I get shot at.”
“Good thing, huh?” he said as he walked out to the kitchen.
Patti flopped down on the sofa. She laid the envelopes on the coffee table. Her left foot and leg quivered. Pressing down on her leg didn’t stop the shaking. Opening what Jamie left for her would be an admission-one she didn’t want to face.
She lowered her head to her knees. Tears slid down her cheeks.
Oh, Jamie, where are you? How could I have wasted so much time being angry? I just want you back. I forgive you, really I do.
How was she supposed to go on living if Jamie was...was...gone?
She’d had years to forgive her, but hadn’t. Now, she might never have the chance.
Patti wiped away the tears and picked up the envelopes with trembling hands. Dates were marked on each one. The earliest was legal-sized. The last was addressed to her in Jamie’s handwriting.
She held it a long time. Finally, she set it back on the coffee table.
Carter walked in carrying a tray with two plates, two bowls, and two glasses of lemonade.
“Here,” he told her as he sat the tray on the coffee table. “You need to eat something.”
Tomato soup and a toasted cheese sandwich. It reminded her of childhood lunches...and Jamie. Her eyes filled with tears at his kindness. A wave of emotion threatened to overwhelm her. Her body shook.
“Are you OK, Patti?”
She couldn’t talk.
He sat down and his arms went around her. “It’s OK. You’re having a reaction to what happened. It’s normal.” He spoke in a calm reassuring tone. “Come here.”
She moved closer to him. Unexpected sobs rose up from deep inside her. He held her close and talked in soothing tones as she cried. When the storm passed, Patti looked up and gave him a watery smile.
His hand moved slowly to her face and made its way down her cheek in a gentle caress that made her heart yearn for more.
She wasn’t exhausted or overwhelmed any longer.
Fingers glided down her neck and came to rest on her shoulder.
Their eyes met and he pulled her close.
Patti was powerless to break eye contact or to move away from Carter. Her only desire was…
Carter’s mouth covered hers in a sweet, gentle kiss.
Her eyes closed, savoring the moment. She smelled citrus mixed with his own masculine scent, and tasted the tanginess of the lemonade on his lips. The gentle kiss turned to passion. Like waves sweeping the ocean floor, she let the emotions flow.
Patti moved her head slightly and as their lips parted the spell was broken.
Carter took a deep breath.
In spite of her anxiety over Jamie, a part of her wanted to sing.
He pointed at the food. “If you don’t eat something, you’re going to pass out any minute. You need to listen to Dr. Caldwell.”
She smiled and gave him a salute. “Yes, sir.”
Small talk evaporated as they finished lunch.
Patti couldn’t avoid it any longer. With shaky hands and a heavy heart, Patti picked up the brown envelope. She pulled out the papers and scanned them. A will.
She gulped back the tears and handed it to Carter without reading it.
Opening the next, several documents fell out. One was an insurance policy with Sabrina listed as the beneficiary. The second was a typed list of bank accounts with numbers and locations. In the margin, she’d listed names.
Patti assumed the names listed were the beneficiary of the accounts. Patti’s name was on a majority of the accounts, but Anna was listed on several, as well.
After she read each paper, she passed them to Carter.
Finally, there was only one left.
Patti’s whole body trembled. She closed her eyes and bowed her head.
“I’ll give you some privacy. I’ll be outside in the back if you need me.”
She nodded, but said nothing. Minutes passed before she picked up the letter. She unfolded it. Her eyes blurred. The words ran together. She touched the handwritten note.
Jamie had written these words to her.
She wiped away the tears and focused on the words.
Dear Patti,
First of all, let me say I love you. I haven’t done a very good job of showing you lately, but know that it is true. I do love you. I’m sorry I have been such a rotten sister. I didn’t mean to be. Life just got in the way.
Patti couldn’t believe it.
Jamie apologizing to her when it should have been the other way around.
I pray that as you read this, my precious daughter, Sabrina, is safely in your arms and your heart. Sabrina is a wonderful little girl and the light of my life. Having Sabrina was the best thing I’ve ever done. Take care of her and love her, and tell her that her mommy loved her very, very much.
Sabrina’s father doesn’t know about her. Please don’t ever let him know. It wouldn’t be safe for her or for you.
He is rich and powerful and has friends who can and will hurt anyone who gets in their way.
I guess if you’re reading this, it means things didn’t work out exactly the way I wanted. So by now, you probably know I got myself into another mess and this one was a doozey, sis.
I’m not sure how it all happened but I ended up being involved with some unsavory characters years ago. The FBI gave me a choice. I could help them or I could get arrested. I helped them arrest and convict these people. I thought that would be the end, but it wasn’t. I was pretty good at the undercover thing, so they gave me some training and I helped them a few more times.
Several months ago, I decided I was being unfair to Sabrina’s father (Of course, I didn’t know then what I know now.) Anyway, I went looking for him. Before I could tell him about Sabrina, I overheard information that made me suspicious. I couldn’t let innocent people die. I had to try and stop it.
All I need to do is find out the ringleader’s name, and then the FBI and Homeland can take over. So far, I haven’t been successful but I hope to know the name of the ringleader soon.
As soon as I do, I’m coming home. I stayed away from you because it was safer for you, and not for any reasons you may be thinking.
Patti, please don’t be hard on yourself. I know you love me. You are probably feeling guilty right now, but don’t. You may think it was you who kept us from having a relationship the past several years but it wasn’t. It was me and my job.
I know with every fiber of my being that had I come to you, you would have forgiven me, so stop feeling guilty.
Patti’s tears turned to sobs as she read those words. When she regained her composure, Patti turned back to the letter.
The fact you are reading this letter means something went wrong. I can only assume my lawyer has been in touch with you and that’s how you got this letter. I wrote this to explain that I was trying to do my best. I was trying to do what was right.
Please forgive me for all my shortcomings as a sister. I know I haven’t been there for you the way I should have been, but I have tried to be the best mother I could to Sabrina. And I’m trying to do the right thing for my country.
I want you to know I have found the most wonderful relationship. This relationship has given me strength and peace and joy. This relationship has sustained me like no other. No matter what I endured in the last moments of my life, don’t be too sad. I have found a personal relationship with my Savior and know that I’m with Him at this very moment.
Tears flooded Patti’s eyes again, but not from sadness.
Peace descended.
I know you will grieve for me, but don’t get stuck in that grief. Life is a wonderful thing and shouldn’t be wasted on too much sadness. Patti, I know you will take wonderful care of Sabrina. Please let her know that her mommy loved her so very much.
All my love,
Jamie
P.S. I’m sure the lawyer told you about my apartment in San Francisco at 1500 Santé Fe Boulevard. All you need to do is call the management and tell them I no longer need the apartment. It’s all been arranged and they will take care of everything, but someone needs to let them know.
I’m sorry I wasn’t the sister I should have been. Please take care of Sabrina and tell her that I love her. And know that I will see you again.
Patti felt a chill go up her spine. It was as if her sister was talking to her from the grave.
20
Carter sat at a patio table talking on the phone.
Green patches of grass mixed with brown sand dotted the landscape. The ocean was just on the horizon.
Patti took in the view, noting fluffy clouds and bright blue sky. Heat shimmered.
“I know, Marcus. It’s too bad I couldn’t catch him. He just disappeared. The man is obviously a pro. His disguise fooled me. Each time, he looked completely different. Who knows what the man really looks like.” A pause. “Patti’s fine, but shaken up.”
She tapped him on the shoulder. “I want to talk to Marcus.”
Carter looked up.
Her heart thumped at his expression.
He nodded in acknowledgement and grabbed her hand.