Chapter Twenty-Five

The police station they took Blayne to this time was nicer than the one she spent most of a day in after Aldo Martinelli’s murder. Newer, with padded chairs in the interview rooms, and radically better coffee. And now she knew something of what to expect, the experience wasn’t quite so harrowing.

She was questioned for two hours by Chicago P.D. Detectives, and two hours more by FBI special agents she had never met before. Then Agent Dombrowski came to see her, with a large bag of cheeseburgers and fries and all sorts of news. He told her that Theodore Lang was missing, taken in his sleep from his bed. It was all over the T.V. and radio. The mob was suspected in his disappearance. Vittorio Cinzano would survive and face several new charges, many involving the attempts on her life, so she would now be testifying in several trials.

In other words, he said, it was more vital than ever that she enter WITSEC. She would remain under guard by U.S. Marshals in Chicago until the preliminary hearings. Then, like he’d said before, she would go through her orientation and be relocated with the Cluzets, coming back for the trials as needed.

“Where are Claudia and Philippe now?” she asked.

“In light of what’s happened, the guy who’s filling in for Theo decided they’re safer where they are, in Indianapolis, until the hearings. They’ll only be brought back here for their court appearance.”

“Will Alexi guard me until the hearings?” Blayne asked.

Dombrowski frowned. “No. Though she wanted to. Created quite a stink in there about it earlier, actually.” He rolled his eyes toward one of the other interview rooms. “But WITSEC is like the FBI. If a Marshal discharges their weapon, they’re put on temporary leave while there is an investigation. That can take some time in a case like this one. You’ll probably be relocated before she is returned to duty.”

The news sank in, and a cold dark cloud settled around Blayne. She and Alexi likely wouldn’t be spending any more time alone together. “Can I see her now? Is she down the hall?”

He shook his head. “Sorry, no. She’s gone to the WITSEC offices to see if she can help in the search for Theo.”

“When can I see her?” Blayne asked.

“I’m afraid I can’t answer that,” Dombrowski said gently.

Why the hell didn’t I get the number of her new cell phone? “Do you have her number?”

“Blayne, I’m sorry. I can’t give that to you. We’re not allowed to.” Dombrowski’s expression made it clear he wished it was different. “I know you two are close, and she probably wouldn’t mind. But it’s against the rules.”

Blayne felt a moment of panic. And she won’t know where I am, will she? Not if she’s off the case. So she won’t be able to contact me. Fuck. But then she remembered Vaso. The Fairmont, that was the name of the hotel. She’d be able to reach Alexi through Vaso, if through no other way.

“That’s okay. I’ll just call Vaso. Is there a phone here I can use?”

Dombrowski leaned over and laid a hand on her forearm. “You can’t make any calls until they’re done questioning you. And the calls you make after that will be screened, just so you know. So you can’t give out any information about where you are, what your new name is, or how you can be contacted.”

“Jesus.” I can’t even talk to her any more without someone listening in?

“Yeah, I know. A real bitch. And much as I wish I could help you get adjusted and everything, I won’t see you after today, either. You’ll be taken to a new safe house and under the exclusive protection of the Marshals from now on. Your new WITSEC Inspector is flying in today to take charge of you.”

Everything seemed to be happening incredibly fast. If I had known last night was going to be our last night together…for however long, maybe forever…I would have…should have… But then again, after some thought, she decided she would have done nothing differently. At least she had the kiss to remember. And remember she would. Damn, what a kiss. Best kiss ever.

“You know, I didn’t expect a smile like that at the news I’m not going to see you any more.” Dombrowski jutted out his lower lip in an exaggerated pout.

“Oh, George.” Blayne smiled at him. “I will miss you. And I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me. My mind was just on something else.”

“I know you have a lot to think about. Stick to the positive—you’ll see your friend Claudia soon.”

“Yes. And I’m really looking forward to that.”

Dombrowski stood. “Have to go now, I’m afraid. They’ll be in to talk to you some more.”

She got to her feet and gave him a hug, and he hugged her back. “I just want you to know, I think you’re a brave woman, Blayne,” he said. “And you’re doing the right thing agreeing to testify.”

After more questioning, she was introduced to her new WITSEC Inspector, a tall, no-nonsense ex-Marine, who formally briefed her on what to expect during her orientation. He said her relocation choices would be taken into consideration, along with Claudia and Philippe’s, but the exact destination would be withheld from all of them until they were moved.

After meeting with him, she was introduced to the three local U.S. Marshals who would take turns guarding her until the pretrial hearings—two men and one woman, a married mother of two. All seemed pleasant enough, and capable.

They arrived at the new safe house in mid-afternoon. It was a condo this time, with two bedrooms and modern furnishings. She was finally allowed to make a phone call, but one of the Marshals was seated on the other end of the couch, listening to every word.

She got The Fairmont and the front desk put her through.

“Vaso?” she said, when the phone was answered in Greek.

“Yes, who is speaking?”

“It’s Blayne, Vaso.”

“Ah! Blayne! How are you? I have been hearing all about it on the news!”

“I’m okay. It’s on the news?” She reached for the remote to the television and turned it on.

“Yes. On CNN and the local stations. How is Alexi?”

Blayne had started to surf through the channels with the sound muted, but at the mention of Alexi’s name she paused. “You haven’t heard from her?”

“No, should I have?”

“Well, I thought you would have,” Blayne answered. “But maybe she’s still at WITSEC headquarters. Dombrowski told me she went down there to try to help in the search for Theo Lang. Her boss,” she added. “He’s missing.”

“Yes, that is also on the news. Well, I have not heard from her yet. But I would expect her to call me when she is able to.”

“They won’t give me her cell phone number,” Blayne said. “So I can’t call her. Will you tell her…tell her…” She looked over at the Marshal, who was feigning interest in a magazine. Shit. What do I tell her?

“Tell her I hope I’ll get another chance to talk to her. Tell her… I’ll never forget her.” Blayne gripped the phone tighter. It wasn’t what she really wanted to say, but it felt wrong to say that now, with someone listening. Too important to be passed along, second-hand, but better second-hand than not at all.

“I will do that, of course,” Vaso sounded so much like Alexi that it almost hurt to hear her voice. “I am certain that she will also never forget you.”

I so want to believe you’re right. She worked up her courage. It needed to be said. She feared too much she might never get another chance, and Alexi would never know.

“And Vaso, please tell Alexi…that I love her. Very much. Will you tell her that?”

“I will be most happy to. As soon as she contacts me.”

Alexi appeared at Vaso’s door three hours later, looking haggard but acting like she was half wired on speed or caffeine. “Good thinking, getting a suite,” she said in Greek as she breezed by, suitcase in each hand. “Which?” She waited for Vaso to point toward the bedroom on the right, then continued on into it to get rid of her bags.

She re-emerged a minute later, and glanced around approvingly. “So I presume you have been listening to the news?” She said it lightly as she crossed to the bathroom.

“I am sorry about Theo Lang,” Vaso said. “Has there been any news?”

Alexi shook her head. “Nothing yet. And I doubt they will find anything. It is how Cinzano found us, I think. But I am certain Theo did not give it up easily.”

“I am sorry, Alexi. Were you close to him?”

“I am not close to anyone, Vaso,” she answered ruefully as she crossed to the couch and took a seat. “You know that.”

Vaso thought the statement very telling. She sat down beside her sister. “She called here earlier, looking for you.”

Alexi’s forced nonchalance evaporated, and suddenly, all of her loneliness and worry and anxiety could be seen on her face and heard in her voice. It was like a switch in her had been flipped. “What did she say? Was she all right?”

“She said she is okay. Disappointed that I had not talked to you. She wanted me to tell you that she hopes that she gets another chance to talk with you.”

Alexi nodded and a smile lifted one corner of her mouth. “I hope that too.”

“She also wanted me to tell you that she will never forget you,” Vaso added, gratified to see her sister’s smile grow at the news.

“Did she?”

“Indeed. I told her I was certain you would not forget her, either.”

Alexi’s eyes narrowed. “Taking liberties, are we not?”

“You have told me how you feel about her,” Vaso placed a hand on her sister’s shoulder. “And I am happy that you do. Because she also asked me to please tell you that she loves you. Very much.”

Alexi’s eyes grew moist at the news. “I…I had wondered…” she stuttered. “I mean, do you think she…”

“Yes, Alexi,” Vaso tightened her grip on her sister’s shoulder. “She meant exactly what you want her to mean. So what are you going to do about it?”

Alexi got up and began to pace. “I have not the first idea, Vaso. Not the first idea.” I just know the thought of being without her is excruciating.

Blayne tried the Fairmont repeatedly but Alexi was never there when she called, and Vaso seldom was either. Time dragged and she grew a little sadder by the day, with no word from Alexi and no idea of how her declaration of love really had been received. Her days were spent watching television, playing cards with the Marshals, or being prepped for her testimony. The only people she saw were law enforcement types or lawyers, and she was beginning to go a little stir crazy.

When she got hold of Vaso she learned that Alexi was staying there, but was out at that moment.

“How did she react to my messages?” Blayne asked.

“She was very pleased to get them. As I told you, Blayne, she feels more for you than she will acknowledge.”

“But she didn’t leave any message for me, did she?”

“I think she hopes to talk to you herself,” Vaso answered, staring pointedly at Alexi as she spoke. “Perhaps the next time you call she will be in.”

Alexi glared back.

“I hope so,” Blayne said. “I never know when they’re going to let me use the phone. Well, tell her I called again, will you? And that I miss her and hope like hell that I’ll get to see her again?”

“I will, Blayne.” As soon as she hung up the phone, Vaso punched her sister lightly in the arm. “I am going to make you wait awhile to hear what she had to say this time, as punishment for your cowardice.”