The Pieces We Keep(97)

“But ... it’s true, though,” she said, and caught her own half-hearted tone. She girded herself, battled against her doubts. “My father works for an American embassy. I would know if he were lying.”

Agent Gerard’s brows arched in slight surprise, then lowered. “Maybe your father can lend a hand then, to help you out.”

“He can’t. He’s in London. And we don’t have enough time.”

“I see.” After a quick glance at his watch, he crushed out his cigarette and came to his feet. “I do wish you luck, Miss James. And make sure, if this friend causes you any real trouble, you take your concerns to your local police station. You hear?”

Vivian went to stand, unclear what else to do, and only then remembered the evidence in her lap. How could she have forgotten?

She jutted her chin as she rose. “I have proof.”

Agent Gerard shed a small sigh. “Is that so?”

“He was given funds for their contacts, and also to aid their tasks. The majority of the stash was to be hidden until the other spies arrived safely onshore.” With that, Vivian unlatched the satchel. In a series of small shakes, she sent the contents tumbling onto the desk.

The agent gazed wordlessly at the bound stacks of cash, an uneven mountain of green. No training had prepared him for this kind of moment.

“What is this?” he breathed.

“A reason you have to believe me.”

In a slow, tentative motion he picked up a bundle, as if hastiness might prove it a mirage. He fanned an edge of the bills, each of them a crisp and clean fifty, perfuming the air with forty thousand dollars.

“Now will you help me?”

He was engrossed in thought. Vivian’s summary suddenly required focus, measurement, dissection. “Three days isn’t much time,” he said. Not a critical remark, a reflective one.

“I know,” she told him with regret. “With the article, I wish I’d thought of you sooner. I should have.”

He looked up at her. His eyes narrowed into a question.

“That’s what brought me here,” she explained. “The article about Trudy Beckam. It said that aside from her parents, everyone gave up. Except for you.” She lightly shrugged. “So, that’s how I knew ...”

“Knew what?” he said, a tad leery.

“That you’re willing to fight impossible odds.”

His gaze lingered on her before returning to the money in his hand. He didn’t speak but gave a nod, just perceptible enough to sustain Vivian’s hopes.





43


In the dimly lit office, Audra barricaded her thoughts to keep doubt at bay. She needed this to work. She sat by the desk in the corner to observe the session without interfering. A combination of curtains and darkening blinds eclipsed the Wednesday afternoon light.

Reclined on the whimsical couch, Jack followed each verbal instruction. He breathed in and out while focusing on the floral sticker on the ceiling. Dr. Shaw, on a neighboring chair, guided Jack into a mode of relaxation. The man swore it to be thoroughly safe.

He had further explained: If Jack were younger and his “veil” were more open, he could have regressed with casual prompting. In this case, hypnosis could serve as a nudge. Since children pass through trance-like states on any given day, induction would be relatively simple.

Hypnotherapy. One more concept Audra had previously scoffed at.

After the officers’ visit four days ago, she was willing to try even this. She had since contacted other apartment tenants, apologizing for the noise from Jack’s dreams. Most residents had been gracious, but a few had skepticism in their eyes.

Russ had assured her not to worry; if the policemen weren’t satisfied by the “welfare check,” Karly’s Law would have required them to arrange an immediate medical exam for Jack. The fact that they’d refrained implied acceptance of Audra’s claims. This, Russ had said, could help her on the custody front. Or, on the flipside, serve as proof that her in-laws weren’t the only ones reporting suspicions.

Dr. Shaw continued, slow and soothing. “Remember now, Jack, you’re the one in complete control of our journey. I’m going to paint you a scene, but it’s up to you to make any choices. Let’s start with a beautiful house. Imagine you’re inside that house, standing at the top of a staircase. The space around you is filled with warm, yellow sunlight. You can feel it on your hair and your face. Everything around you is quiet and peaceful.”

Audra pictured the setting herself. She felt the sun’s warmth, the room’s tranquility. Her tension dissolved as she sank comfortably into her chair.

“At the bottom of the stairs is a door, and beyond that door is another quiet and peaceful place. It’s full of light and love. But to get there, you’ll need to walk down the stairs. With each step, you’re going to become even more relaxed. Would you like to go, Jack? Good, let’s take a step. Ten, that’s the first one. Your body is already getting heavier. Do you feel how heavy you’re getting? In your arms, your hands, your legs, your feet. Now, we’re going to take a second step. Nine....”