She passed a T-shirt shop, paused, glanced at a sale sticker and entered. The friendly teen grinned. “Hi! Is there anything I can help you with?”
“Just browsing.”
She quickly assessed the racks and grabbed a baggy black T-shirt. It was on sale and she didn’t even take the time to look at what was printed on the front. She moved to the back of the store where they had men’s cotton shorts. She grabbed a medium that was marked down to ten bucks and strode to the counter. They had cheap flip-flops and caps. She snagged black ones, dropping everything on the counter.
The girl rang her up. Vanni winced, handing over most of the cash. “Do you mind if I change here? I’m running late for a workout session with my personal trainer. I can’t exercise in this.”
“Did you go to a funeral?” The girl gave her a sympathetic look.
Vanni looked down at the horrible shirt and skirt. “Yes.”
“I’m sorry. I lost my uncle last year. Who did you lose?”
She picked up her purchases. “Someone I barely knew.” That was partially true. She’d been wrong about Carl and he might as well be dead to her.
“There’s a bathroom right there.”
The skirt and shirt went into the trashcan and she put on the loose, ill-fitting clothes. Her hair was already up so she just pulled the cap over it, hoping it would help her blend. The heels followed the discarded outfit into the trash. She stepped into the flip-flops and exited the bathroom.
“Thanks!”
She didn’t wait for the girl to respond or comment if she noticed Vanni wasn’t carrying her things out with her. She checked the sidewalk, didn’t see the limo, Bruce or the driver. She tucked her chin, kept her head down and blended in with the crowds traveling in the direction of the park.
* * * * *
Smiley had been in Justice’s office arguing his case to search for Vanni when Flirt rushed in.
“Travanni Abris just called our main line.” He held a phone. “I downloaded the recording.” He hit play. Everyone listened to the exchange.
“We have to get her.” Smiley wanted to rush out the door and go to the helipad immediately. That was the fastest way to reach her. “Call the pilot to start the helicopter.”
Flirt glanced at him. “Already done.”
Justice frowned. “It could be a trap.”
“You heard the fear in her voice,” Smiley snarled. “Let’s get her. They held her against her will. It was just as her friend said. She is in trouble.”
Fury stood. “I’ll go.”
“No, I will.” Justice rose from his seat and opened his top drawer, withdrawing a holster and gun. “She briefly met me at the hotel. I want her to see a familiar face. You heard what Smiley had to say about what she may have overheard in the SUV on her way to Homeland. She might believe we have sent a team to arrest her if we just send them to her location. I don’t want her to run if she really is in trouble.”
“It’s too dangerous,” Fury protested. “I’ll go with the team. It might calm her just seeing a Species face.”
“I’m going.” Smiley surged forward.
Fury leveled him with a cold stare. “No. It could be a trap to lure you there. You going after her would make you appear guilty of their charges. They’ll say you arrived to prevent her from speaking to the press.”
“That’s another reason I’m going. I’ll handle the press if they are lying in wait to see if we show.” Justice clipped on the holster and yanked his jacket off the back of the chair. He stared at Flirt. “I assume you asked for a team to assemble at the helicopter?”
“Yes. I wanted them on standby in case you decided to pick up the female.”
“At least allow me to ride in the helicopter. I won’t get out.” Smiley needed to be there. Fury and Justice worried it was a trap but he didn’t believe that. She’d sounded so frightened in the recording.
“No.” Justice approached him and gripped his shoulder. “You’re too emotional and that’s the last thing we need. We’ll bring her here safely if her story checks out. You can see her then.”
He wanted to protest but Justice spoke again before he could.
“We can argue or I could go to that helicopter, getting it in the air faster to reach her. Which is it going to be?”
“Go,” Smiley ground out.
Justice and Flirt strode out of the office and Fury sighed.
“I hope it’s not a trap.”
“She’s in trouble.” Smiley was certain.
Fury’s gaze held his. “I hope so for all of our sakes. I don’t know the female but I really detest the Woods Church. Do you wish to go to Security with me? We’ll monitor the situation from there. The team will stay in constant contact with us.”
“Yes.” Smiley at least wanted a minute-by-minute update if he couldn’t be there.
Chapter Ten
Vanni craned her neck, peering around the large bear statue she hid behind. The street wasn’t too far away and the limo had passed twice. Bruce and the driver were hunting her and she was afraid they’d find her before the NSO arrived. She wished for a watch but had to guess at how much time had elapsed since her frantic phone call to Homeland.
What if they don’t come? It was a scary thought. What if they are coming to arrest me? That was a real possibility if Gregory made good on his threat to hand over that vial with her fingerprints on it. She leaned against the front leg of the large white statue and hugged her waist.
It all boiled down to her being more afraid to call the police. Bruce wouldn’t have bluffed about Gregory having a doctor on his payroll since he hadn’t known she was close enough to overhear the plan. She’d end up sounding as insane as the doctor would claim if she ranted about an entire church out to get her.
Her purse was still at Gregory’s vacation home. Though she had no money, no identification and no car she refused to risk putting Beth in danger by asking her to come pick her up. Bruce knew what her best friend looked like. She shivered, imagining how terrible it would be if he spotted Beth. He might shoot her on sight.Beth said she had talked to Smiley. She knew Beth wouldn’t have urged her to contact Homeland unless she thought it would be okay. What was said? She peered out at the street again. There was no limo but no SUVs were in sight either.
“Where are you?” It had to have been twenty-five minutes. It seemed as though it had been hours. It was the fear and adrenaline. She leaned back and looked up at the sky. It was growing warmer by the second. The shade of the big statue kept her out of direct sunlight but it would be a long day if the NSO didn’t show. She’d be too afraid to make her way across the park until it got dark. Bruce didn’t seem the type to give up easily.
Maybe he’ll bleed to death. It was something to hope for. At some point he’d need to seek medical attention. She doubted he’d go to a hospital though, unless he blamed her for being shot and wanted to cause her grief by reporting it. That was a grim concept. The police would be searching for her too. She pictured the headlines in her head. Deranged woman shoots poor bodyguard who was trying to get her help. She snorted.
A distant sound caught her attention and she peered up at the sky again. Her heart rate increased when she realized what it was. The helicopter neared and she spotted it over a line of trees. It was black with white lettering on the side. She squinted against the sun behind it but was pretty sure it spelled out three letters—NSO.
“They came,” she muttered and pushed away from the statue.
The helicopter flew closer and she lifted her arms, waving to get the pilot’s attention. He seemed to have spotted her since it changed direction. Her exuberance dimmed a lot though when the wind from the blades ripped off her hat and the loud engines almost deafened her when it lowered about a hundred feet away on the grass between the line of trees and the big bear. She threw up her hand to protect her eyes and waited until it touched the ground.
The side door opened and four black-clad, uniformed men jumped out. The assault rifles cradled in their arms didn’t bode well for a friendly welcome. They spread out fast, dropped to one knee and pointed the weapons outward as if they were expecting an attack. None of the muzzles were aimed at her though.
A figure in a suit climbed out last and he kept his head tucked until he passed the moving blades. Vanni recognized him and stumbled forward, unsure if she should approach Justice North or flee in the opposite direction. His dark gaze locked on her and she couldn’t miss the grim set of his mouth.
She paused and waited until he halted before her. “You came!” She had to yell.
He glanced around, speaking loudly enough for her to hear, “Come with me. You’ll be safe.”
She shifted a little to look around him at the helicopter. She had hoped Smiley would come to get her but he wasn’t there.
“We can’t stay on the ground long. We didn’t get permission. The police will arrive soon and probably news crews.”
She swallowed hard. They’d come at her request and it wasn’t as if she had any other options. A helicopter landing in a park would draw a lot of attention. She turned her head and looked at the street. Cars were stopping and people rushed out of the stores to stare. She faced Justice North and nodded.
He reached out his hand and she took it. He had warm skin that reminded her of Smiley. She followed when he tugged gently. Her legs trembled and the sound of the helicopter wasn’t exactly soothing. She’d never flown in one but Bruce could show up at any second if they were still in the area.