Page 3 of Isla by Any Other Name

“That’s him, the man in the suit!” Isla exclaimed. “He’s older looking now, but it’s definitely him.”

Suddenly, Detective Anders looked serious. He said, “Ms. Pierce, can you please wait here?” He directed her into the empty room again. Isla sat in the room for what seemed like hours until Detectives Anders and Barton returned. They sat across from her.

Detective Anders folded his hands in front of him and said, “Miss Pierce, the man you identified is Marcus Hernandez. He’s the head of a major Colombian drug cartel. Why he was at Jim’s Auto Body we can’t say, we’re still in the investigative stages of the case. But for him to be personally there means something really big. For him to take a chance like he just did—is reckless. Usually, he sends his muscle to take care of his situations.

“Miss Pierce, we’re not going to sugarcoat this, you’re in danger. You’re the only eyewitness that can bring one of the most notorious criminals in modern history to his knees. What you’ve witnessed can send him to death row. He’ll be looking for you and he’s got the power to find you. We can’t let you go back to your apartment. It won’t be safe. This has turned into a federal investigation. In the next few hours, a team of federal agents will arrive and take over. Unfortunately, you’ve got yourself in the middle of something really big. We’ll have to keep you here for your own protection. When the agents get here, they’ll fill you in on what they need to do to keep you safe.”

Isla’s mouth went dry. “You’re…scaring me, Detective.”

His mouth was a straight line. “I’m sorry, ma’am. But you need to be on your guard. These people don’t mess around. This is as serious as it gets. In the meantime, what can I get you to eat? You’re not going anywhere soon."

Chapter two

Isla waited four hours in Detective Anders’s office. Every once in a while, someone would come in and check on her. They were trying to be as courteous as they could, asking her if she needed anything. She could see the exhaustion in their eyes too. She’d finally put her head back against the couch and had dozed for a bit when the door opened. Detective Barton ushered four people into the room. Three men, and a striking woman with black hair and sharp green eyes.

“Isla, this is Agent Dirk Wentworth. He’s one of the agents on your case.”

Agent Wentworth, dark-skinned and muscular with a short beard, stepped forward and said, “Ms. Pierce, we’re sorry about your involvement in this case. I’d like to introduce my agents, Max Carson, Colton Garvey, and Lara Kendrick. You’ll be with us until this is all over, ma’am. You’re a key witness, the only one we have that can take down one of the biggest drug cartels in South America. You’ll be under our protection. We’ll be taking you to a safe house as soon as we acquire the paperwork we need.”

Safe house? She just wanted to go home. Isla stammered, “Will I be able to go back to my apartment and pack up a few things?”

“No ma’am, you won’t. They’re probably watching your place. We’ll provide whatever you may need.”

“Can I make a call to my family? They’ll be worried if they don’t hear from me.”

“You can make a call from here. After that I’m sorry to say that you won’t be able to let them know anything. Just tell them that you’re fine and you’ll be in touch. For now that’s all you can do. We don’t want Hernandez to know where we’re taking you. We’ll keep you safe. You have my word.”

Isla bit her lip. “Agent Wentworth, my adoptive parents are elderly. Do I need to worry about them? If these thugs find out who I am, they can be in danger too. Will they be protected as well?”

“We’ve got that covered, Ms. Pierce. After you’ve talked to them, we’ll take them to a safe house as well. As of now, they have nothing to worry about. But we’re taking all precautions to ensure their safety.”

“Can’t we be together?” She felt her eyes prickle. Her parents were all she had.

“It’s not a good idea,” said Agent Wentworth. He softened a bit and said, “They’ll be fine. I promise you.”

Isla dialed her parents’ house, and her dad picked up. “Hello?”

“Hi Dad, can you get Mom and put her on speaker? I need to talk to you both.”

“Sure honey, just a minute.” He yelled behind him. “Maeve, Isla’s on the phone. She wants to talk to both of us.”

Isla could hear her mother shuffling around in the background. Isla could imagine her, neat white hair in curlers and ratty pink slippers on her feet. “Hi, sweetie. This is a surprise— two calls in two days. What’s going on?”

“Mom, Dad, I’ve gotten myself in some trouble.”

“Oh dear, what kind of trouble?”

“I was walking home from work last night and I witnessed a murder.”

“Oh my God, honey, are you okay?” her dad asked.

“I’m…safe. But they say I could be in danger. Mom and Dad, because of me, you’re in danger as well. The FBI is sending people to your house. You need to listen to them. They’re probably going to take you to a safe house till this is all over. I’m so sorry. Please do what they say, I don’t want either one of you to get hurt on my account.”

Her parents had always been unflappable. They had to be to foster a teenage girl with anger problems—and keep her. Her mom’s first question was, “You’re sure you’re okay?”

Isla shook her head, but couldn’t bring herself to say no. She turned to Agent Wentworth. “Will I be able to call them?”

“I’m afraid not, but we’ll get letters to them if you write. It’s for your and their protection. Phone calls can be traced.”