Chapter 12
12
Sisco waited anxiously in the kitchen, wondering when Lenore would appear.
“You're going to wear a hole in the floor,” Logan said. “I'm going to be pissed if I have to replace some of my planks.”
Sisco turned, seeing most of the other Keepers nearby with various expressions of amusement on their faces. Just when he was about to growl for them to fuck off, a noise at the entrance of the kitchen drew his attention. He turned to see Lenore and Vivian entering the room.
Lenore's hair was damp, combed back from her face. She was makeup-free, and other than the pale complexion and dark circles under her eyes, she was every bit as stunning as when he'd first laid eyes on her. Jesus, that was less than twenty-four hours ago.
Her gaze swept across the room, taking in the other Keepers before locking onto him. She let out a soft sigh, and he witnessed her expression morph from wary to relieved. That slight change meant the world to him. She knew him. She trusted him. And maybe, just maybe, they'd have a chance to get to know each other better.
She moved closer, and the subtle relaxation in her posture was a beacon of hope amid the uncertainty. He felt a surge of determination to protect and support her. In that instant, he knew their paths were intertwined and was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
She blew out another breath and lifted her hand to her forehead, wincing slightly. He immediately closed the distance and reached his hand toward her. “Come on. I have something to make you feel better.”
Her eyes widened at the IV pole set up next to a chair. “What is this?”
“It's a way to quickly get the anti-nausea meds in your system without overloading your already sensitive stomach. Plus, it will hydrate you.” He wondered if he would have to convince her, but she shrugged and nodded.
“Honestly, Sisco, I'll agree to anything if it makes me feel less sick. I want to be well for Evie when she wakes tomorrow.”
He ushered her to the chair and soon had her hooked up to an IV with fluids and the meds administered. She looked at the others in the room, and a touch of color stained her otherwise pale cheeks.
“This is a strange way to meet people,” she said, offering a rueful smile.
Sisco sat on a stool beside her as he monitored her condition and turned to the other Keepers. “You've had the pleasure of meeting Evie Keller. I'd like you to meet her mom, Lenore.” Turning to her, he continued. “These are my coworkers who all helped to get you home safely.” He called out their names, and each one offered a little wave or chin lift.
She blinked rapidly as she audibly swallowed, and her shoulders drooped. “I can't thank you enough?—”
The Keepers immediately waved away her thanks, but Landon walked over and sat in a chair near her and Sisco. “Ms. Keller?—”
“Please, call me Lenore.”
“Okay, Lenore. I'm Landon. I'm a former FBI agent and want to let you know that the FBI has been apprised of your rescue. They’ll want to interview you as soon as possible. I know you're exhausted and need food and sleep. We're holding them off until tomorrow, but?—”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I can do it now.”
Sisco looked down at her and immediately objected. “No, Lenore. No way. You need to take care of yourself.”
She turned her gaze to his, and just like in the cafeteria, the rest of the room faded to nothing. Once again, time stood still, and the world stopped spinning. He had no idea how long it would've stayed that way until she spoke again.
“Honestly, Sisco, when I finally crawl into bed, I think I'll sleep like the dead. And when I wake up in the morning with Evie, I just want to be mom . So if I can finish this interview tonight, that's fine with me.”
He didn't like her decision but couldn't argue with her logic. Glancing at Landon, he lifted a brow. “I want her for another fifteen minutes.”
Landon nodded and pulled out his phone, turning away from the others to place a call. A moment later, he returned to the kitchen. “Perfect timing. The two agents were already in Cut Bank. They'll be here in about fifteen minutes. I'll head out to the gate to meet them.” With that, he left the room.
“Okay,” Vivian said, rubbing her hands together. “Is there anything you think you can eat? Anything you can keep down? How about chicken broth and crackers?”
Sisco discontinued the IV and quickly placed a bandage on Lenore’s arm as she watched. He smiled, seeing more color in her face and her eyes losing the specter of pain.
“You’re really good at that,” she praised, smiling at him. She looked up at Vivian and offered another smile. “Broth and crackers sound wonderful. Thank you.”
Sisco disposed of the medical equipment, then planted himself beside her at the table. If anyone had questions about his movements, they wisely kept them to themselves. Soon, Lenore was sipping the soup and taking small nibbles of crackers. He watched over her carefully, pleased to see her finish what Vivian had placed in front of her.
Vivian remained in the kitchen and placed sandwich ingredients on the counter. The others soon jumped in and fixed their plates. Some sat at the table, others on kitchen stools, and some leaned against the counters while holding their plates. The conversations were light and easy, but Sisco kept his eye on Lenore. He was afraid she would regret agreeing to talk to the FBI because her energy seemed to be fleeing.
She turned to him, cocking her head to the side. “You also need to eat.”
“No, I'm good.”
She placed her hand on his arm, her lips curving, and he immediately covered her hand with his own.
“I know you're good, Sisco, but please eat,” she implored, then leaned closer. “I might nibble on a piece of toast if you eat a sandwich.”
He chuckled and squeezed her hand. “Are you bribing me?”
“If it will get you to eat, then yes.”
As if she'd heard the conversation, Vivian set a sandwich in front of Sisco and said, “Your toast is coming right up.”
The front door opened, and the group shifted to the side as Landon returned with a man and a woman in tow. Logan walked over to talk to them as Vivian plated the toast and set it in front of Lenore with a glass of apple juice.
Lenore sighed, then looked up at Sisco. “We can get started.”
“Are you sure? Because I don't want anyone wearing you out when you've been through an ordeal.”
“After all I've been through, this can't be that bad.”
Sisco half growled. “I'll make sure it's not.” He knew law enforcement interviews could be long, drawn-out, intrusive, and exhausting, and there was no way he was allowing the two agents to make Lenore's life difficult. If they tried those tactics, he'd shut them down and had no doubt all the Keepers would back him up.
Landon stepped forward. “I'd like to introduce Agent Everett Tomey and Agent Sheila Dundee. Agents, this is Lenore Keller.”
Sisco was surprised the two agents weren’t in their requisite suits, but considering the time of night, he figured they could be comfortable. Agent Tomey, in jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, and cowboy boots, was tall with the lean muscles of a runner. Agent Dundee was older, her short gray hair neatly styled. She was also casually dressed in jeans and a navy sweater.
Sisco had spoken to the agents on the phone when he'd arrived back at the compound with Evie. He'd given them his statement and some preliminary information but hadn't been able to offer any evidence as to where they might have taken Lenore. Not surprised when they also wanted to speak to him tonight, he nodded but warned, “Lenore has been through an ordeal. I can wait.”
The questioning followed what he expected, and he was impressed as Lenore gave careful, thoughtful answers.
After she described the initial kidnapping, which Sisco had been present for, she admitted that she had no idea where the helicopter took them or how long. “I was already motion sick but had noticed we were heading toward the northwest because of the mountain range I could see. But then they blindfolded me, and I became violently ill. I can ride in a car, but for air travel, I have to have medication, or I suffer horribly from nausea and end up with a migraine. I'm afraid that's what happened. I lost all sense of direction and time.”
Agent Dundee nodded. “What can you tell us about where you were held?”
“When the helicopter landed, they pulled the blindfold off, and I only had to walk about twenty feet to where they were hiding out. We came to what I thought would be a cave, but it was only an outcropping with a large boulder overhead providing shade and shelter. Raul wasn't doing well. He was very pale and sweating, and I didn't know how badly he might've been injured. At least, with him, I didn't feel personally afraid.” She winced and rubbed her head. “That's not true. I knew Raul was bad news, but the other man, Freddy, gave me the creeps.”
Agent Dundee nodded again, then glanced around as though she wanted everyone to leave.
Seeming to understand the agent's thoughts, Lenore quickly said, “I wasn't harmed or violated in any way. I didn't trust Freddy, but Raul threatened him to stay away from me. I wish I could tell you more about the area, but I was too busy trying to keep an eye on what was going on with them.”
Lifting a brow, Agent Tomey asked, “What was going on with them?”
“At first, Raul didn't want to take any medication that was stronger than over the counter. Freddy opened his bag, and it was filled with various medications and pills in bottles and baggies. He gave one to Raul and told him that it would get rid of the pain. He also gave him an antibiotic. I decided that as sick as I felt, as long as I pretended to be even worse than I was, they would leave me alone. I was able to watch them. They had water bottles and protein bars. They mentioned we would be picked up the following morning but didn't tell me where we were going.”
Sisco signaled to Devil, who stood closest to the kitchen. He returned with a glass of water and handed it to Sisco. “Drink something,” he encouraged softly.
She reached out for the glass and took a long sip. “Thank you,” she whispered in return, aiming a tired but genuine smile his way.
“How did you escape?” Agent Tomey prodded.
Setting the glass back onto the table, she heaved a sigh. “I knew there was no way I could escape them if they were functioning at their best. Or at least free. Certainly, I would've been able to get away from an injured Raul, but he had a weapon and could have shot me before I would have gotten past the first rocks. Having seen the drugs that Freddy carried in his bag, an idea hit me that if I could make them slower or even knock them out, I would have a better chance of getting away.”
“That was risky but good thinking,” Agent Dundee commented. “How did you manage it?”
“Raul needed to go to the bathroom and couldn't walk by himself. So, as I continued to gag and moan so that they wouldn't think I could go anywhere, Freddy walked Raul outside and out of sight. I took a chance and hurried to Freddy's bag, snatched several of the painkillers, and dropped them into their water bottles. I knew the plan was stupid and probably wouldn't work. I was afraid Freddy would notice they were missing or something was in the bottom of the water bottle. But I lucked out when the pills dissolved quickly, and when both men came back into the makeshift cave, I was back in my spot, continuing to gag.”
“I suppose I'm asking the obvious, but it worked?” Agent Dundee said, sounding both incredulous and impressed.
Nodding, Lenora then offered a rueful chuckle that bordered on hysterical. Her hands covered her face as her shoulders shook. Finally, she lifted her head and looked around the table before settling her gaze on Sisco. “I'm sorry. You must think I've lost my wits.”
His arm snaked around her shoulders and pulled her gently against his side. He felt the shivers running through her and leaned closer. “It's shock, Lenore. It's the physical and mental aftereffects of all the events that are now over, and you're trying to process them.”
She looked up through watery eyes. “So I'm not crazy?”
“Not even a little bit. You're braver than fuck, babe.” Her eyes widened slightly at the endearment that slipped past his lips, but he wouldn't have taken it back for anything.
She held his gaze, then finally filled her lungs with a deep breath of air and let it out slowly before turning to the agents. “It was only by sheer luck, but my ridiculous plan worked. They both ate a protein bar, then drank their water. Protein bars can have a chalky taste, which may have masked the taste of the drugs in the water. Soon, they got sleepy, and I waited until they both lay their heads down and they were out. Then I grabbed Freddy's bag, checked to make sure his phone was in it, and left the antibiotics and more pain pills behind. I took the bag and slipped outside to hurry away.”
Agent Tomey's brow furrowed, mimicking a similar expression as the other Keepers. Landon spoke up first. “Why did you leave the pills behind?”
“They were prescription. I didn't know what kind of injury he may have had, and I'd watched Freddy shoot somebody point-blank. I'm not stupid. I knew these men were dangerous, and I was scared. But I also knew that Raul was seriously hurt. I know it might seem foolish to you, but I couldn't in good conscience leave a man to possibly die from lack of medication.” Her shoulders lifted in a small shrug. “I honestly had no idea what I was doing. It was just instinctive.”
Her brow furrowed for only a few seconds before she added, “Don’t mistake me. I hated what they did and am horrified they killed someone with my child present, but Sisco protected her and kept her from seeing anything. But if they had touched one hair on my daughter’s head, I would have given them more pills, and if they didn’t wake up, I wouldn’t have cared.”
Sisco stared down at the woman tucked against his side. He'd been struck by her beauty, and then by her honesty. He'd watched her strength as a woman and a mother. And all that had hit him within the first hour of being in her presence. But now, he was also struck with the innate kindness she exhibited along with the tenacity of a mama bear.
With his free hand, he reached over and placed his hand on top of hers as they rested on the table. He didn't care what the others thought about his actions. Yes, he'd just met this woman, but in less than a day, he already felt a bond with her.