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Chapter Forty-three
Sophia drove to the house and let herself in carefully, not expecting trouble but still not comfortable in ignoring the chance someone might be waiting. Probably a good thing she was prepared, because when she saw the mess in her Yaya’s house fierce anger exploded.
Suddenly weak, she dropped into one of the only chairs standing upright, pounded her fists on her knees, and shouted a string of cuss words that gave her some relief. Bastards couldn’t help themselves. Had to trash the place.
Sons of bitches had messed with everything she held dear. They must have returned after she and Sam had taken Stasia and left. Good thing she decided they’d be safer at Barney’s after all. The creeps had torn the place apart looking for some hints as to where they might have taken the kid.
Oh shit! It dawned on her that her grandmother had her Quantico graduation photograph on her night table. Jumping over the articles strewn everywhere, she pushed aside overturned tables and crunched on broken lamps to get to the room that held her secrets.
Only the broken frame still stood there. The photograph was missing. She had no doubt who they took it to… Manos. If he didn’t know before that she was in any way involved in Stasia’s escape, he would know now.
Crap!!
And he’d be aware that she didn’t just work for the government, but that she was an FBIagent. The quiet in the house ended when her cell phone rang. She looked at the unfamiliar number and hesitated. Her finger hit the talk button and she said her hello in the way she normally did when at home in Washington. Hoping to still play him, she spoke in a businesslike manner. “AgentDunne.”
“Sophia? Is that you?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought it was my boss from Washington calling about my request for an extra week’s extension on my holiday. Is that you, Manos?”
“Yes. You’re an FBI agent?”
“Yes. Didn’t Ellie tell you? I work for the Federal Government in Washington. I’m PA to Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Bill Bruner. He calls me his glorified secretary, but since the man couldn’t tie his shoes without me, I had to clear taking an extra week with him. I can’t bear the thought of leaving Rhodes after what I found today.”
She listened closely to his voice and heard the steely tone hidden by politeness. “Why? What happened?”
“My grandmother’s house was broken into last night while I was with you at Barney’s. It’s been trashed. I think they were looking for a homeless girl who I found on thebeacha few days ago. I helped her, even let her stay with me, but she took off last night. The ungrateful brat didn’t say goodbye, kiss my ass or nothing. Just took the money from my Yaya’s stash she found and disappeared. Strange girl. You know, there were people after her. In fact, two guys broke into the house and the next-door neighbor who was having a nightcap on his back porch heard the scream, ran into the house with me, and we fought them off. Guess it scared the kid.”
“My goodness. You’ve had quite an eventful life since you arrived.” Did his voice seem less curt?
“I know. And all I wanted was to come to my favorite place in the world, settle my grandmother’s affairs, meet up with old friends and family, and have a holiday. I guess now that the kid’s gone, I can go back to living normally again. By the way, did you call me for something important? I’m sorry I’ve been rambling on about my business and forgot to ask.”
“No, no. I wanted to tell you how much I… ahh, enjoyed last night, and I’m looking forward to our dinner this evening.”
“Me too, Manos. That’s about the only silver lining to this day so far.”
“Did you need help with cleaning up the mess there. I can come if you wish.”
“Manos, that is very kind of you to offer.”
“I’m a kind man, Sophia. As you will learn after we spend more time together.”
Gagging silently, she chuckled. “I look forward to tonight. I have nothing else to do today so I’ll take my time and sort through this mess alone. I needed to clean out the house anyway. Goodbye until later. You said six, right?”
“Yes. That’s a perfect time. The twins are looking forward to your visit. They’ve been chattering nonstop about their outing with you tomorrow. See you later.”
Sophia hung up the phone and sat, replaying their conversation. Had she come across as authentic when her loathing for the creep churned in her stomach? Never having any acting ability, the undercover work she’d been involved with in the past had taxed her skills. But she’d also built a certain talent to bullshit when necessary.
Bringing her phone up to make another call, she hesitated. Should she tell Sam? Would he let her go tonight if he saw this mess? He might cancel the whole plan and take his men in to grab the kids, rather than go along with the original proposal.
She’d hoped that by telling some portion of the truth to Manos, it would relieve whatever questions arose if – or should she say when – they showed him her photograph. She’d admitted to being employed by the FBI. She also admitted to finding Stasia and trying to help her. Telling him that her neighbor helped fight offthe people who broke in the other night was another diversion. She didn’t want him to think she was involved with any other man. And most important, she couldn’t let him think her status as an agent was anydanger to him or his operation.
Did he still believe she was there to have a holiday? She’d find out in a few hours because she had every intention of following through with her original strategy. Therefore, it might be a better idea for her to keep this mess to herself. She lowered the phone.
But then she remembered a promise to a distraught mom.
“Hi, Sissy. I’m amazed at how easy it was to reach you.” Sophia asked for the governor and within a few seconds had been put through.
“I made sure your number was posted at the house and here at the office. That way, if any calls came through, I would be notified at once. Have you seen Jack and Casey? Please tell me they’re okay.”
