I'll Be There Part 24

"And you thought that no one would? With her living in Angel Ridge all this time?"

Jenny started to speak, but stopped herself, unsure of how this was going to go. Would these people try to kill Frannie to get to her, even though Frannie wouldn't know where she was being relocated? The more she thought, the worse the possible scenarios became in her mind. Jenny linked her fingers and rested her forehead in her hands.

"She hasn't been here," Jay said. "She has been in a number of other locations."

"Why is she here now?"

"A series of poor choices on the part of the Marshal Service and the weather brought her here."

"She has to be in more danger in Angel Ridge."

"Yes."

"Who are these people?" She looked at her sister. "Jenny, what did you uncover?"

Before Jenny could answer, Kennedy said, "We can't discuss the details of the case without exposing you to the same danger."

"Will she be permanently relocated soon?"

"Yes. We expect the evidence she uncovered to be presented to the Grand Jury tomorrow."

"Mr. Kennedy," Jenny said, "what will happen to my sister now that she's seen me?"

"That all depends on your sister." He linked his hands and rested them on the table. "Can you keep this information confidential? Can you promise that when you leave this office you'll go on as if you never saw her?"

Jenny took her sister's hands. "Please, Frannie. I don't want you mixed up in this nightmare."

"It's a nightmare either way," Frannie whispered.

"These people are dangerous, Fran. You have no idea."

"But these clowns don't seem to be doing a very good job keeping you safe. It's dangerous for you to be here, snowed in. What if they find you?"

Jenny laughed. "It wouldn't be the first time they've found me."

"She has nine lives," Grady added.

"I don't find this at all amusing, Sheriff." Looking at Cord she added, "And how does this person fit into all this?"

"He's been staying with me for the past few days."

"He's some sort of officer, then?"

"No..."

Frannie sat back, a look of disbelief on her face. "Where are these marshals that are supposed to be protecting my sister?"

"I found it..." Jay searched for the right word, "necessary to take over your sister's care for the time being. Grady and I felt that Mr. Goins was the best person to see to her personal safety for the time being."

"How am I supposed to know that this isn't another in a long line of mistakes you've made, Mr. Kennedy."

"Excuse me?"

"What do you know about this person? Is he a police officer?"

"No."

"A deputy? An agent?"

"No," he admitted reluctantly.

"Then who is he to be given the care of my sister?"

"Yes, Mr. Kennedy. Who exactly is he?" Jenny asked, her eyes never leaving Cord's.

When she at last swung her gaze to Jay Kennedy's, he returned her look's demand for complete disclosure, measure for measure. "Jenny, I can no more answer that question than I can your sister's regarding the circ.u.mstances that brought you here."

Right. He was a protected witness as well. Sharing the details of his case would endanger her in the same way the details of her case would endanger Frannie. But Cord now knew the details of her case, so what did that mean for Cord?

She had to admit, it was pretty ingenious. Placing him on a mountain, giving him the ident.i.ty of a family member of a deceased couple who had lived on that mountain their entire lives. The story about him having Melungeon blood was a nice touch. He had the coloring to pull it off, too.

"I am sorry to cut this exchange short, but Jenny, I need you to come with me now. I have a file of evidence I need you to familiarize yourself with before we begin the video conference."

Jenny nodded and squeezed her sister's hand.

"I'm afraid I'll need you and your sister to say your goodbyes now. The two of you can't be in the same location."

Jenny squeezed her sister's hand harder, not ready to give her up. "Can you set up a time for me to see her one last time before you relocate me?"

"It's not advisable."

"We're not asking you to do what's advisable," Frannie said. "I know the risks and accept them."

"With you in town, they'll be watching you more closely, hoping that you'll lead them to Jenny," Grady said.

"I understand."

"Frannie, I don't want you taking the risk," Jenny said. "If something happened to you-"

"Nothing will happen," Frannie said confidently. "Since Mr. Kennedy and the Sheriff believe they can keep you safe, I'm sure they can manage this small thing." To Jay she added, "So you'll set up a meeting between us?"

He exchanged looks with Grady, then sighed. "We'll do what we can. It all depends on the timing of the extraction."

"But-"

Jenny squeezed her sister's hand. "They'll do their best, Frannie. Won't you, Grady?" She gave Grady a long steady look. Finally, Jay and Grady both nodded. She thought she saw Cord smile.

"Your mother and father must have had their hands full raising the two of you."

Jenny laughed. "You've got it all wrong, Grady. They raised us to be the women we are."

"And did a fine job," Grady confirmed, changing his tact.

Jay grumbled something about stubborn, difficult women before saying more clearly, "Jenny? Shall we?"

She hugged her sister. It was all she could do not to break down, thinking it could be the last time she would ever see her. She was the older sister and had to be strong enough for the both of them. There'd be more than enough years ahead to mourn the loss. When she at last released Frannie, she gave her a smile she hoped communicated that she would be fine. And then Jay led her into another small, windowless room to complete the final step in her journey before she would begin her new life.

"That went well," Jenny said to Jay and Grady several long hours later.

"Yes," Jay agreed. "Now we wait for the presentation of the evidence and the Grand Jury's decision."

"When will we know something?" Jenny asked.

Jay considered. "Depends on how long the jury takes to deliberate, but I wouldn't think it should take longer than a day."

"So, tomorrow or the next day."

"Yes."

"Have you decided on how you will move me?"

"Yes. You should be prepared to leave."

"Lucky for you I travel light these days. Will I stay with Miss Estelee again tonight?"

"I don't see any reason why you shouldn't," Grady said. "Your position hasn't been compromised."

"What about the men you arrested last night?"

"We questioned them individually, offered each a deal if they'd give up the location of others that might be coming in behind them. They wouldn't talk."

"Do you think there are more coming?"

"We can't be sure."

Jenny folded her arms. "But the roads are blocked, so we're fine."

"Absolutely," Kennedy a.s.sured.

"Weather's warming," Grady said. "Supposed to rain tomorrow."

That would cause more problems. If the roads began to thaw and people started venturing out, the people looking for her would have an easier time getting into town.

Another thing had been troubling her, so she asked, "Grady, how do you think they figured out I was at Cole's farm?"

Grady rubbed his jaw. "I'd like to think they just got lucky, but they've discovered your location too many times for it to be luck or coincidence."

"Do you think there's someone on the inside?" Jay asked.

"Someone in town?" Jenny's surprise made her voice rise. "Who-"

"I don't know. It's killing me to think it could be someone in the Sheriff's Office. I'd trust anyone here with my life-have trusted my life to these people."

"If it is someone in your office, Grady-"

"Right. I'll stay with her tonight, just to be safe."

"Good idea," Jay agreed.

"Will Cord, or whatever his name is, be staying at Miss Estelee's again?" Jenny asked.

"So you know," Jay said.

"He told me he was in WITSEC too, but nothing else."

"Again," Grady said, "no reason to do anything different. We need to be as low key as possible if we want to avoid arousing suspicion."

"You knew about him, didn't you?" Jenny said to Grady.

Grady looked away before answering. "Yes."

"Was he in the TBI with you?" she said to Kennedy.

Jay paused, then said, "That's not relevant. The important thing is Grady helped develop his new ident.i.ty. They'll do the same for you in the place where you will live. No one will suspect a thing."

Jenny nodded. She could only hope that people as clever as Jay and Grady would be waiting for her when she arrived at her new home.

"Can we do anything for you Jenny? To make this easier for you?" Grady asked.

Jenny stood. "I wish you could, Grady, but nothing about this is going to be easy."

Chapter 20.

"Come in, come in," Miss Estelee said as Jenny entered the back door and walked into the kitchen. "You've had a long day. Sit, honey, and let me get you something to eat."

"I'm not really hungry, ma'am."

"Something to drink then?"

Jenny would give anything for a shot of whiskey.