Witness Protection: Hide and Seek (17 page)

Jessica smiled and the look of
adoration she gave her husband made Madison's heart flutter. Jessica had been
worried about her husband and the safety of the child she was carrying.

She put herself in Jessica's
shoes. If she were carrying Cole's baby, she'd feel the exact same way.
Hmm. Carrying Cole's baby
… her mind
began to wander.

Cole walked over, put his hands on
her shoulders, and whispered into her ear.

"We'll figure this out, but I
don’t want you to leave."

"I know," she smiled.
"Neither do I."

****

From the outside of Jay's basement
apartment, anyone who passed by could hear the
boom-boom-boom
of rap music. He was inside pacing back and forth
and smoking a joint. Smoking weed while listening to loud rap music helped him
to think better.
 
There was a problem, a
big problem. He'd just gotten a call from
Q
,
his supplier. The shipment of 'smack' was going to take more than a few days to
deliver. There was suspicion that some of the mules were being watched by the
DEA.

It didn’t matter to
Q
that Jay had promised Castillo that
he'd have what he was asking for in a matter of days, or that Castillo's men
had threatened him with death if he didn’t deliver.

"I got a big deal going down
and I promised I'd have the product in a couple of days, Q!"

Jay recalled shouting at him over
the phone.

"Look, I told you. In this
business, you should never make any promises. I got a lot of people to look
after. This is a business, like any other, but you can't make those kinds of
promises Jay. I told you that!" Jay didn’t like being scolded. He held the
phone away from his ear while Q went on to explain the inner workings of his
job.

"Let me explain things to you
again. Say they send eight mules across the border and only five get through.
That's alright because five got through and as for the rest? Too bad, they knew
the risks." Q's voice was cold and calculated.

"What the hell does that have
to do with me?"

"Shut up and I'll tell
you," Q shouted over the phone.

"Now, this time we were only
going to send two, but with the DEA watching, we couldn’t take any chances.
They want me to lay low for a while until they can figure out a new route and
someone they can pay to look the other way."

"And while you're lying low,
where the hell does that leave me? I need to make money. If I'm not making
money, I'm not doing my job, Q. Do you know how many customers I'll lose?"

"Look man, I don’t know what
to tell you. You do what you gotta do. Double up on the powder or offer some
extra Molly. Just chill and when I get what I need, you'll get what you
need."

Jay didn’t start cursing until Q
abruptly disconnected the call.

There was no time like the present
and the sooner he made Castillo aware of the delivery problem, the sooner he'd
be able to hopefully offer something else, or at least work something out.
Summerbridge was his town and he was not ready to be chased out of it.

When Manny pulled into the parking
lot of a local hotel, Reggie looked at him.

"What the hell are you
doing?"

 
"Getting us a room, what the hell do you
think I'm doing?"

"But the boss wants us to go
all camo and shit and camp out in the woods."

Manny lit a cigarette and shook
his head. "Do I look like a fucking boy scout? Hell no. We're staying in a
room with four walls, not sleeping outside in some fucking tent."

"But what about the
boss?"

"Listen, what the boss
doesn't know won't hurt him. We'll still watch the bitch day and night. And
don’t forget, I've also got my new friend Robin who can find out all kinds of
shit for me. So there's really no need for us to have to sleep in the woods
like a couple of savages.

Besides, Carlos and the boss are
stuck up in the cabin for a few days with no vehicle. Trust me, he'll be none
the wiser. Unless of course, you plan on opening up your big mouth!"

Manny twisted his head from side
to side. "No, not me. I won't say anything if you don’t say
anything."

"Good answer." Manny
patted his friend on the back as they walked into the hotel lobby.

A day later, as they drove into town for dinner, Cole
pointed out some of the local attractions to Robert and Jessica. Madison smiled
as she listened. She could hear the enthusiasm in his voice. He was excited to
be there and he was obviously happy that his friend and former partner had
stopped by for a visit.

When they got into town and Cole suggested a smaller, more
intimate restaurant, Jessica told him no. She said that she'd been craving home
cooked beans and cornbread and Annie's Diner was well known for serving such
authentic meals.

"I really want to apologize for my behavior the other
night." Jessica sat across from Madison in the crowded diner.

Madison lifted her eyes up from the menu so that she could
make eye contact with Jessica. She couldn’t help but notice that her demeanor
seemed to change. It went from annoyed, and resentful to friendly and outgoing.

At first she thought it was just her imagination, but when
she felt Cole's body ease up, she knew that she was right.

Madison shrugged her shoulders. "I understand, really I
do."

Cole cocked an eyebrow and shot Robert a questioning look.

Robert just shrugged his shoulders, mouthed the word…
hormonal
, and smiled warmly at his wife.

****

Robin was so glad that she'd decided to take on an extra
shift at the diner tonight. At first she was bummed because it meant that she
wouldn’t be able to go ad hang out with her boyfriend Jay. But once she saw the
new sergeant and his friends come into the diner, she grew ecstatic.

She immediately texted Manny and when he responded right
away, she couldn’t stop smiling.

He told her that he and his friend Reggie were staying
nearby at the Summerbridge Inn and that if she could eavesdrop and catch
everything that the new sergeant and his group of friends were saying, he'd be
willing to compensate her. Not only with cash, he texted her. But in other ways
as well. If she was willing, that is.

And she was. Lucky for her, the group was sitting at her
station and no one took notice of her lingering behavior. Why would they? She
was their waitress, and she was just doing her job.

By the end of their evening, Robin had managed to find out
that the sergeant's so-called friend was still unsure about the length of time
she'd be staying. The other couple, Robin told him, were just there for a visit
and would be leaving in a few of days. She also found out that the two women
were making plans to go shopping the next day. Robin told Manny that the woman
who was visiting, was pregnant.

Manny forwarded each text to Castillo's cell and Castillo
could not have been happier. He'd gotten the news from Jay about his product
not arriving in time and before the texts from Manny arrived, he was all set to
send Jay a message, a very strong one.

Now, the plan had changed. He wouldn’t be able to drug
Madison and turn her into one of his whores, like he wanted. It was no worry
though, he came up with something better, something much, much better.

The more he thought about plan b, the more he liked the
idea. He knew that turning Madison into a whore to work at one of his brothels
would be difficult, because someone would always be looking for her. And
several of his brothels were already on law enforcements radar. If it wasn’t
for the shady politicians, he was sure that many of his brothels would have
been shut down.

All he had to do to set his plan in motion was to make a
couple of phone calls. He'd tell Manny and Reggie to head back to the cabin,
and get in touch with Jay. He needed to tell him that he'd forgive his careless
behavior if he took on a new task.

By the time he finished talking to Castillo; Jay was more
than happy to help. Castillo needed to get things rolling very quickly. He
wanted things done the following day. "It might be my only window of
opportunity," he told Jay.

Now can you do everything that I've asked?"

"Absolutely Mr. Castillo, sir. You just let me know the
time and place and I'll set everything up." The young drug dealer sounded
desperately excited. He was trying to make a good impression, but all he'd
managed to do was make Castillo laugh.

"Stop trying to act like a man," Castillo teased.
"You are nothing but a child trying to do a man's job. Just wait by the
phone and when I call, just do what I need you to do niño pequeño."

"Yes sir." Jay hung up the phone, wiped the sweat
from his brow and went to work fulfilling Castillo's demands.

Manny was packing up his things. When Reggie asked him what
was going on, Manny told him that there was a change in plans. Since Robin was
able to find out so much information, Castillo was able to come up with an even
better, more effective plan. A plan that would take care of Madison West, once
and for all.

"But what about Jay delivering the product in a couple
of days?"

"There's been some technical difficulties getting the
product. So the boss has come up with something better. Now pack your things
pendejo. The boss wants us back at the cabin, now!" Reggie nodded his head
and began shoving his clothes back into his suitcase.

****

"Anyone care for a moonlight swim?" Cole eyes
searched around the room.

Jessica shook her head. "No. I'm tired, I think I'm
going to turn in. Plus, I want to get up early for our shopping trip
tomorrow." She smiled at Madison.

"But you guys go ahead, have some fun."

Robert turned and faced his wife. "You sure you don’t
mind?"

"Of course not. Just be careful." She smiled again
as Robert helped her to the bedroom.

Madison had already gone into the bathroom to change into
her swimsuit. When she came out, Jessica, who was lying in bed reading, caught
a glimpse of her as she walked out the door with Cole and Faith. The coral
colored one piece hugged her curvaceous body in all the right places. There was
no sagging at the ass and no extra space in the chest area. Hell, even the
straps weren't slipping off her shoulders.

When Robert came into the room one more time, she smiled
flatly.

"Have a good time," she said and kissed him on the
cheek.

"Bitch," she mumbled as Madison shut the door
behind them.

Outside, Madison fell in step with Robert and Cole. She
breathed deeply and took in the night air. She had to admit, whether it be
Maine or West Virginia, she loved being surrounded by trees and all kinds of
wildlife. It far outshone anything that a city could provide.
But in a city, I could hide in plain sight.

"Everything okay? Cole asked.

After following a small path through the trees, they'd
reached the lake. Moonlight filtered through tiny streaks of clouds, dappling
the lake with silver.

"It's gorgeous." Madison let her towel fall onto
the dock while she stood, staring out at the water.

"I could get use to a place like this." Robert
stood next to her. "I think you made the right choice buddy." Robert
patted Cole on the back.

Cole turned towards Madison, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Oh I know I did."

"I wonder if it's cold."

"Only one way to find out." Madison let out a
shriek as Cole swept her up into his arms and stepped off the dock.

Robert followed suit and soon, all of them were laughing,
splashing and having a wonderful time.

 
Madison watched as Cole
and Robert took turns diving below the surface. "This was a great idea,
thank you," she said and kissed Cole on the cheek.

While the trio joked and laughed in the water, Jessica stood
alone in the woods, watching. She'd changed her mind and decided to join them,
but for some reason, she felt as if she was intruding. If she had told this to
Robert, he would have told her that she was being crazy, that pregnancy
hormones were making her do and say crazy things. And he would have been right.
But not at the moment. Now, she was angry. How dare she try to take Robert away
from her. Robert was her husband. Besides, Madison had Cole, wasn’t that
enough?

As she watched them, a strange feeling began to course
through her body. she wrapped her arms around herself and dug her fingers into
her forearms. Her heart was racing and her breath became audible and shallow.

Something made Madison turn and look towards the cabin.
"Someone's out there."

Immediately, both Cole and Robert grabbed the edge of a
wooden plank and vaulted onto the dock.

Cole crouched down and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her
beside him.

Robert charged his way through the path like an angry bull,
but stopped short when he saw his wife standing in front of him.

 
"Honey, what the
hell are you doing?"

Cole and Madison stopped too and now, all eyes were on her.

"Why are you all looking at me that way? I changed my
mind and decided to join you, that's all." The tone of her voice was shaky
and Madison noticed that her skin was riddled with goose bumps.

"You must be freezing, Robert said and placed his towel
over her shoulders.

"Come on, let's get you back inside."

Cole and Madison waited a few moments before following the
couple inside.

"What do you think that was all about?"

Madison shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not sure, but my
guess would be that she didn’t like the idea of her husband coming out for a
swim with us."

Cole drew his brows together. "Why not?"

Madison chuckled and shook her head. "You really don’t
know much about women, do you? And it's really a shame. I mean someone who
works with the public ought to know what a woman wants and how she
thinks." She teased.

 
"I know what you
want," he said.

"Oh yeah? And what's that?"

"Me." He grinned and drew her in for a kiss.

"Promise me that when you two
go shopping tomorrow, you'll be careful and extremely vigilant."

"We're just going into town.
I'm sure we'll be alright, but if you're that worried, then why don’t you come
with us?" She stood on tiptoe and gave him a kiss.

He gently pushed her away from him, just far enough to look
into her eyes. "Promise me."

"I promise," she said and leaned in for another
kiss.

When her hands caressed his chest, a low rumble emanated
from his throat.

Stealing a glance up at his face, she noticed that his eyes
were closed and he was whispering her name. The slightest hint of a smile
appeared on her mouth as she noticed the power she held over him. She became
involved in her current task. She loved the way his body seemed to quiver from
her touch.

Suddenly, Cole pulled her closer, crushing her against his
chest. He pressed a hot, sensual kiss to her mouth. "Do you know what your
touch does to me?" He ran his lips across her jaw, while his hands
caressed her breasts.

She moaned as he murmured in her ear. "It
 
makes me want to bury myself deep inside of
you."

Outside, under the moonlight, Cole slid his fingers into
her, groaning with approval when he found that she was moist and ready.

The feelings that were building inside of her was enough to
drive her crazy and she felt as if she could never get enough. But then, a
sound from nearby drifted into their intimate space.

Cole reluctantly withdrew his fingers from her and took on a
protective stance.

"I think we better call it a night," he said. His
breath warm against her face.

"I suppose you're right." Madison released a heavy
sigh before taking hold of his outstretched hand.

****

Although it was late, Marshal Spear just couldn’t fall
asleep. The results of the DNA test had been keeping him awake. Once he
obtained the results, he'd followed the correct protocol and went through all
the necessary channels. But still, nothing was being done.

A known criminal was now at large, yet there was no manhunt
being organized, no APB's being put out. It was as if the feds were trying to
keep everything hush-hush. And now that the results were out of his hands,
there was nothing he could do about it. His superiors had told him that
everything would be taken care of. But not before asking him if he'd shared
this information with anyone else. The whole thing seemed shady. There was
something going on and when he questioned his director about it, he was told
that his job collecting the results was done. That it would be in his best
interest to forget about it and move on to something else.

But that was just it, he couldn’t move on. Not when there
were innocent lives on the line. He'd already lost one witness. He wondered how
many more the feds were willing to sacrifice in order to protect a crime lord.