The Rules for Breaking (5 page)

The only thing I have to remember Tyler by is the strip of pictures from a photo booth that I kept buried in my go-bag. It was months before I could look at it again without feeling sad.

“I remember the first two, but I don’t remember Agent Webb.”

“He was the agent on the scene with me the night your mother was taken to the hospital,” Agent Parker says.

My stomach drops at the mention of that night. The night Ethan dropped me at home and my mother was unconscious on the front steps. The night I thought my mother had finally drunk herself to death. After they pumped her stomach at the local hospital, she was shipped away to some rehab facility where she remains today.

“So, what now?” Dad asks. He doesn’t want to talk about that night any more than I do.

Any minute my death sentence will be handed down—that’s exactly what it will be like to leave Ethan and everyone else here. And what about Mom? Witness Protection sucked the life right out of her last go-around. This is not the “positive home environment” the doctors at rehab are asking us to create for her.

“Well, Richard, that’s the tricky part. Until I can figure out which one of these guys is the mole, we’re gonna have to go off the books on this one. If I don’t know who to trust, then I won’t trust anyone.”

Great. Way to inspire confidence.

Dad’s face turns so red that I expect steam to pour out of his ears. “I want this bastard caught. He was right there, was within inches of her, and no one knew it. He put a damn flower in her pocket, for Christ’s sake. He’s been in this house. What’s next?”

Dad smacks the coffee table with a rolled up fishing magazine and Teeny jerks awake.

It takes her a few seconds to orientate herself with where she is and what’s going on. She seems fine when she notices Agent Williams but starts to panic when she sees Agent Parker.

“Oh God! We’re moving, aren’t we? Is she going to dye my hair again?” Teeny throws herself into my side and burrows under my arm.

“We’re not sure what we’re doing yet,” I whisper.

Agent Williams gives Teeny a small smile. “Elena, we’re going to try very hard to get this sorted out without moving you.”

I stiffen. It’s weird hearing Teeny called by her real name.

In addition to the extra wrinkles, the bags underneath Agent Williams’s eyes seem double their usual size and his skin is all pale and splotchy. He opens his coat and pulls out a big plastic bag. With gloves still on, he drops the journal and note inside. “Who, that you know of, touched this book?”

“I did, of course, and probably Teeny at some point. Dad and Ethan, too,” I answer.

“I have everyone’s prints on file except Ethan’s.” His eyes move to where Ethan is pacing behind the couch. “Do you mind if I get a sample of your prints so I can rule them out as Thomas’s?”

“Yes. Of course.”

Agent Williams turns to Agent Parker and asks, “Would you get my bag?”

She returns a minute later with his black briefcase, and the way she’s carrying it makes me think it’s very heavy.

She drops it on the coffee table and Agent Williams gets out what he needs. I recognize the white-card and ink set. It’s the exact same way they took our prints when we entered the program.

Ethan kneels down at the coffee table near Agent Williams.

“Just relax your hands, Ethan. That’s the best way for me to get a good print without any smudges.”

We all watch as Agent Williams presses Ethan’s fingertips into the ink then rolls them across the card, one by one, making a replica of his prints. Agent Williams drops the card in a plastic bag once it’s dry.

“I’ll be back in the morning. Agent Parker will remain here with you tonight to ensure you don’t have any more unexpected visits.”

Agent Williams stands to leave. He looks tired. And old.

“Sir, why don’t you let me take the journal to Shreveport,” Agent Parker says. “I can ask the local police to watch the house tonight and you could get some rest. I’m not sure if you should drive.”

“No. It’s fine. Sheriff Pippin is picking me up. I already requested a patrol to be parked outside. The state police have offered their helicopter since I’m headed to their facility.”

“Do you want me to come with you, then?” Agent Parker asks.

“No, not enough room. And I’d rather you stay here, just in case.”

I can’t help but ask, “If you’re afraid of this Agent X finding anything out, why are you involving the local police?”

“Good question, Anna. I haven’t given nor will I give the local or state police any details about what is happening here. All I’ve asked for is use of their lab and a squad car to be parked outside for the night.”

A knock on the door makes us all jump. Dad opens it up to find Sheriff Pippin. The sheriff and Agent Williams got to know each other pretty well after everything that happened last month and they greet each other warmly.

“Lock up and I’ll see you all in the morning,” Agent Williams says as he turns to go.

An awkward silence descends on the room once we’re left with Agent Parker. She forces a smile but she doesn’t look thrilled that she is being left behind to babysit.

It’s going to be a long night.

Rules for disappearing
by Witness Protection prisoner #18A7R04M:

Confine yourself to your living space as much as possible, especially at night. Remember, nothing good ever happens after midnight.

New rule by Anna Boyd:

After midnight can sometimes be the best part of the day. Just saying.

the first time in my life, Dad is letting a boy spend the night with me. Well, not “with me” with me, but in my house. Dad talked to Mr. Landry on the phone for a long time, about the break-in here and the possible break-in of Ethan’s truck. It was decided that Ethan would be safer here with Agent Parker and the patrol car outside just in case. There were many rules set down before Dad actually went to bed himself, but Ethan is here, sleeping in my room, while I’m bunking with Teeny.

Dad tried to give my room to Agent Parker, which totally creeped me out, but she declined, saying that she’d set up a spot in the den. I guess she’s like our night guard or something now.

It’s way past midnight and I’ve tossed and turned for the last hour. From the faint squeak I hear coming from the next room, so has Ethan. Inch by inch, I snake my way out of the bed. I creak open the door, listening for any sounds of Agent Parker, and I hear a faint snoring sound coming from the den. I can’t think about how much trouble I’ll be in if I’m caught.

Ethan jumps up in the bed as the door slowly opens. Even in the dim light, the smile that breaks across his face is hard to miss.

“Your dad will kill me if he finds you in here.”

I don’t answer, just tiptoe to the bed and crawl in under the covers. There’s only been one other night we’ve shared a bed, and that was in a questionable Motel 6 outside of Phoenix.

“He won’t come in here.” I hesitate for just a second before cuddling right up next to him. My head goes to his shoulder, his arm wraps around my waist and our legs tangle together.

We fit just right.

Ethan brings me in for a kiss and I lose myself in the safety that I have always found with him.

This is not the first time we’ve made out, not even close, but just like every other time—I feel desperate for him. Like this could be the last time he touches me…or kisses me.

And that’s the only excuse I have for things moving so fast between us…it always feels like he could be yanked away at any moment.

“Do you ever feel like this is too good to last?” I ask in a rushed breath.

Ethan looks around the dark room and laughs quietly. “Hopefully, your dad won’t come in here right now.”

I swallow hard and shake my head. “Not this exact moment…I mean us. This crazy thing between us.” He’s confused and I run a hand across his cheek. “I’m anxious when I’m not with you. I can’t keep my hands off you when we’re together. We haven’t known each other for long, but no one has ever known me better. Everything that’s been good in my life has disappeared and I’m terrified you’re next.”

My cheeks are red with embarrassment by the time I finish and I have to look away. But it’s true. My naïveté that the world is a kind place and nothing bad will ever happen: gone. My confidence that my mom will always be there for me no matter what: gone. Even my home that should always be a safe haven: gone.

Ethan guides my head back until our noses almost touch. “I know what you mean. We didn’t meet in the normal way. Hell, nothing we’ve done has been normal. But I’m not going to disappear.”

And if I have anything to do about it—I won’t disappear either.

Ethan wakes me up as the early morning rays start poking their way through my window. The last thing I want to do is leave him or the warmth of this bed, but the whispered reminder that Dad will be up any minute is all I need to get moving.

I tiptoe out of my room just as Agent Parker appears at the end of the hall. With an arched eyebrow, she shakes her head, then mutters, “I didn’t see anything,” before she moves out of view.

I race across the hall to the bathroom and start the water for a shower.

I’m making coffee when Dad and Ethan finally enter the kitchen. Dad looks like hell and probably didn’t sleep at all. Teeny drags in a few minutes later.

Agent Parker sits down at the table next to Teeny.

Teeny stares at her for a minute or two. “So you were brought in before we moved to Natchitoches because Agent Williams thought someone on the inside was leaking information?”

Agent Parker nods, looking a little confused as to where this is going.

“If an agent was the bad guy, why did you make us cut and dye our hair? Wouldn’t they know we changed our looks? We looked horrible like that, you know.”

An awkward smile breaks out on her face. “I know. And yes, they would know that. But since you were being relocated at an alarming rate, much more than any of our other families, we were trying to rule out that you were being recognized.”

Teeny seems to digest that then adds, “I don’t think it was Agent Mullins. He was really nice to me.”

Agent Parker sits down at the table across from Teeny and says, “I hope you’re right. I think Agent Mullins is a very good agent, too.”

An uncomfortable silence takes over the room. I think about how different things would have been if Mom could have held it together. She’d have thrown open the blue checkered curtains to let the light chase away the dark mood and made a strong pot of coffee to go with her legendary blueberry pancakes. Instead, we’re passing around a half-empty box of Cheerios and rationing off what little bit of milk is left in the carton. After a depressing breakfast, there’s not much to do except wait for Agent Williams.

The five of us settle in, occupying various spots in the family room. But the room feels empty—we’ve all checked out.

Teeny tugs on my sleeve. “Do you think we’re moving?” her voice catches as she asks.

“Not sure,” I answer.

“It’s gonna be fine.” Ethan keeps saying this over and over. Maybe at some point I will believe him.

She bats a few stray tears away and crumples against his side. “If we leave, we’ll never see you again,” she says to Ethan.

There it is—my worst fear spoken out loud. Even though I knew that was a real possibility, I didn’t realize it would physically hurt to hear Teeny speak the words.

Ethan strokes her head and watches me. I press my lips together so hard they hurt—no telling what will pop out if I actually try to speak right now.

Overhearing our conversation, Agent Parker says, “Relocation is not the automatic answer here. Agent Williams very much wants you to have a normal life, and he knows how hard the program was for you last time. Plus, there’s the situation with your mom. We would have to move her as well and that’s not so easily done.”

I take some comfort in her words but it’s hard not to assume the worst is going to happen.

We see Sheriff Pippin’s cruiser pull in the driveway and I brace myself for what’s next.

Agent Williams barely gets in the room and I can tell he is really pleased with himself.

“We found a print! It matched a name in the system and I’m waiting for the file to be sent over.”

I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath until it comes out heavy.

“What is the name?” Agent Parker asks.

“Daniel Sanders.” He looks at each of us. “Do you know anyone by that name?’

No one answers.

“Is that Thomas’s real name?” I ask. It sounds so…ordinary.

“No. The age isn’t right, but I believe this person can lead us to Thomas. This is the best break we’ve gotten. They didn’t have his picture uploaded in the system so we’re waiting for a copy to be sent over.”

“What is the plan?” Agent Parker asks.

Agent Williams drops down in the same chair he occupied last night. He looks exhausted.

“We’re going after Daniel Sanders and will hopefully have him in custody within the next forty-eight hours.”

Dad doesn’t look as confident. “How can I trust any plan that involves your agency? You think there’s a mole in your program, Thomas came in and out of here without anyone seeing him….”

“Valid points, Richard. I’m not going through my agency on this. I can’t say any more than that but I have full faith in the people I’ve entrusted with this information. I’m trying to figure out what to do with all of you, though. I want you tucked away somewhere safe while this goes down, but I don’t want to use any of our safe houses since, like you say, we still have not identified Agent X.”

I don’t want to leave, even if it is “just for a little while.” That’s what they told me when we left Scottsdale. The suits are known for telling you what you want to hear to get you to do what they want. “Agent Parker, what do you think about this?” I ask. She’s been quiet and her expression is not overly confident.

She takes a minute, as if she’s really thinking about how to answer me the right way in front of her boss. “Finding a print is wonderful news. I agree with Agent Williams that there is an agent passing sensitive information to Thomas and I think it is a good idea that you are out of the line of fire.” She takes a deep breath and glances at Agent Williams before adding, “But I worry about doing any operation without the full support of the agency.”

Dad surprises me when he asks, “Where do
you
think we should go?”

“I’ve been thinking about that. We need to be somewhere fairly close so we can get you there quickly but somewhere tucked out of sight. If Daniel Sanders is connected to Thomas in any way, he will go to great lengths to stop us from getting to him. Thomas went through this house so I don’t feel comfortable leaving you here for now. I can’t figure out what he wants. I don’t think it’s the journal, or he would have never given it back to Anna to begin with. For whatever reason, Anna is back on his radar and I just don’t want to take any chances.”

“We’ve got a place you could use,” Ethan says.

He’s been quiet up until now and I can’t help wondering what he’s thinking.

The new wrinkles on Agent Williams’s forehead deepen when he asks, “That place near the Gulf where you sent your friend? Everyone in the department knows where that is and will probably be the first place they think of.”

“No, it’s in Arkansas. Dad just bought into this hunting club. I went up there with him to check it out. It feels like it’s at the end of the world. It’s on an island in the Mississippi River. It’s very remote—the only way to get on the island is by barge.”

“What does that mean—by barge?” I ask.

“A barge,” Agent Williams says and looks at me like I’m crazy. He’s got his hands out in front of him, twisting around, like if he can show the shape of it I’ll get it. “You know, a boat that you drive cars on.”

Ethan chuckles. “It will take us from the mainland to the island. No one else will be able to get a vehicle on the island. And even if someone has a boat, the camp is miles from the bank. And that’s only if they know where to find the island, which very few people do. And it’s the off-season—should be deserted right now. It’s just a couple of hours from here.”

“When did you go there?” I ask.

Ethan squeezes my hand. “When you and Catherine went shopping in Shreveport.”

The Dress. The one I dreamed about buying and dreamed about wearing to the Mardi Gras Ball with Ethan as a normal girl. But that’s not why I got the hand squeeze. Catherine took me that day because I was so upset and she was trying to cheer me up with shopping. Dad was driving down to Baton Rouge to see Mom in rehab and I couldn’t force myself to go with him. He even offered to take me to New Orleans as an incentive, since it’s so close to where Mom is. I didn’t want to see her because I was still so mad at her for falling apart when we needed her the most.

“Ethan,” Agent Williams asks, “I really hate anyone else knowing where they’ll be. Are you certain no one knows you have this place? And would your father be okay with this?”

“He hasn’t told anyone about it because he knows everyone will be asking him to take them hunting when deer season rolls around. This place is just for us.”

“What about Ethan?” I ask. “Shouldn’t he go with us?” I hate to drag him away from here, but I don’t want to be “tucked away” somewhere without him.

“That’s probably not a bad idea. I’ll have to discuss this with Ethan’s parents.” Agent Williams turns to Agent Parker and says, “Let’s try to kill two birds with one stone. I want to catch Agent X if we can. We’ll say we’ve got an informant who knows Thomas and is willing to turn against him. Let’s see if any of them take the bait.”