“I must admit, I'm glad you're on the case, Agent Parker. The situation has taken a toll on the Ashtons and the Rahmans. I know most FBI agents get assigned locations, so are you familiar with this area and the politics of it? I know, as an outsider, that it’s done a little differently down here. Horses worth millions of dollars and deals based on handshakes are not the norm.”
“Yes, ma’am. I understand it all very well. I'm from a town outside of Nashville, Tennessee, called Murfreesboro. I graduated with a B.A. in government studies from Centre College in the small town of Danville, Kentucky. I obtained my Master’s in Criminal Justice from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky. I was first assigned to the D.C. office. When the position here became available two years ago, I put in for the transfer. Between the years I spent at Centre and EKU, I'm very familiar with the workings of small towns and the horse industry. But, I'm not sure the attacks are actually because of the horses.” With that mysterious announcement, he stood up and zipped up his jacket.
“Just one more thing. I can provide you a detail for one night if you’d prefer it to Mr. Rahman’s man. I don’t want to alarm you, but Ahmed does have a certain reputation in the law enforcement world as a very dangerous man. If you’d feel safer, I can provide one of my men for the night.”
Kenna thought Ahmed would be proud of his reputation and then finally understood the disbelief Mo showed when Ahmed admitted her success in interrogating him. “Ahmed has been very kind to me and I consider him a friend. I'd actually feel more comfortable with him here than with one of your men. But, if you don’t mind my asking, what is he known for? Does he have a last name? I don’t think I've heard anyone use it.”
“No last name that we know of. He travels on diplomatic papers. Even though the government has asked for it, we haven't been provided it. He has a reputation among our overseas operatives as a man with no conscience when it comes to interrogation. It’s a good thing you’re a friend.”
She smiled at Agent Parker and pulled up the blanket to her chest as he left. Before she could think further about the conversation, she felt her eyelids fall and was asleep before the door closed behind Agent Parker.
* * *
“Ahmed, don’t you do it.” Kenna swatted at his arm, “I'm perfectly capable of getting out of the car myself and walking to my room. There's nothing wrong with my legs. I'm just a little bruised.”
Ahmed’s eyes narrowed. “You will not climb up those stairs and that is the end of it.” He reached again for her but she shoved his hand away. She twirled around in her seat, opened the opposite door, and got out of the car.
“There. See, I'm perfectly fine.” She walked toward Ahmed, but when things got a little blurry, she had to place her hand on the trunk to steady herself. Before she could hide the wobble, Ahmed was around the car and she was lifted up into his arms. She gave him a light punch when she saw the I-told-you-so look on his face.
Miss Lily hurried to open the front door and led Ahmed upstairs. “You just settle down right here and I'll get you something to eat. I bet you're starving.”
Ahmed laid her in bed as she heard Paige shout from downstairs that she was here. Ahmed said his good-byes and handed off care duties to Paige and Lily. Paige took out a pair of soft cotton pajamas and fuzzy socks from her store. Miss Lily came upstairs with some corn chowder, crackers, and a roast beef sandwich. Kenna took a sip of the cold pink lemonade and decided being pampered for one more day wouldn’t be too horrible.
Two hours later, Kenna decided being pampered was horrible. She wanted to be left alone, but people where constantly stopping by. They brought pies, casseroles, flowers, three copies of the weekly gossip rag they called a newspaper, and four copies of the latest Southern Living. Though she really did enjoy the newspaper, one copy would've been enough.
“Okay, everyone. Our patient needs her rest. Shoo, shoo. I’ll see you all tomorrow at church and give you an update.” Miss Lily ushered people out the door, thanking them for the gifts they had brought. Kenna reached for a snickerdoodle and realized the room was finally quiet. Paige went back to check on her shop and finish a custom order Derby hat. Miss Lily was still talking to people downstairs. It was glorious.
She stretched her legs and raised her arms over her head. The dizziness was better, and she decided to risk getting up to get her computer. She was happy when no blackness came and everything stayed in focus. Logging into her email, she was feeling pretty optimistic. For a while, she had to admit to herself that she had thought the mad trucker was someone hired to kill her.