“Please, Dad. I want you and More to go. And I want you to take Amy
with you.”
“You know we never go to Maine after Labor Day.”
Sidney held the receiver away from her mouth and took a deep breath.
“Look, Dad, you read the paper.”
He started off again. “That’s the biggest bunch of bullshit I ever
heard. Sid–”
“Dad, just listen to me. I don’t have time to argue.” She had never
raised her voice to her father like that.
They were both quiet for a moment.
When she broke the silence, her voice was firm. “The FBI just left my
house. Jason was involved in… something. I’m not exactly sure what
yet. But if even half of what that story reported is true…” She
shuddered. “On the flight back from New Orleans a man spoke to me. His
name was Edward Page. He was a private investigator. He was
investigating something to do with Jason.”
Bill Patterson’s voice was incredulous. “What was he investigating
Jason for?”
“I don’t know. He wouldn’t tell me.”
“Well, I say we go ask him and we don’t take no for an answer.”
“We can’t ask him: He was murdered about five minutes after he left me,
Dad.”
Stunned, Bill Patterson could no longer find his voice.
“Will you please go to the house in Maine, Dad? Please. As soon as
possible.”
Patterson didn’t answer for a few seconds. When he finally spoke, his
voice was weak. “We’ll leave after lunch. I’ll pack my shotgun just in
case.”
Sidney’s hunched shoulders relaxed in relief.
“Sidney?”
“Yes, Dad?”
“I want you to come with us.”
Sidney shook her head. “I can’t do that, Dad.”
Her father exploded. “Why the hell not? You’re up there all alone.
You’re Jason’s wife. You could sure as hell be a target in all this.”
“The FBI are watching me.”
“You think they’re invulnerable? You don’t think they make mistakes?
Don’t be crazy, honey.”
“I can’t, Dad. The FBI probably aren’t the only ones watching me.
If I came with you so would they.” Sidney’s entire body shook as she
uttered the words.
“Jesus, baby.” Sidney could distinctly hear her father swallowing over
the phone line. “Look, why don’t I send your mother and Amy up there
and I’ll come stay with you.”
“I don’t want them or you getting involved in this. It’s enough that I
am. And I want you with Amy and Mom. I want you to protect them. I
can take care of myself.”
“I’ve never lacked for confidence in you, baby girl. But… but this
is a little different. If these people have already killed…” Bill
Patterson couldn’t finish. He had gone numb at the prospect of losing
his youngest to violent death.
“Dad, I’ll be fine. I have my pistol. The FBI are out there every
minute. I’ll check in with you every day.”
“Sid–”
“Dad, I’ll be fine.”
Patterson didn’t answer right away. Finally he said resignedly, “Okay,
but call twice a day.”
“Okay, twice a day. Give Mom my love. I know the paper must have
upset her. But don’t tell her about our talk.”
“Sid, your mother’s no fool. She’s gonna wonder why we’re suddenly
taking off for Maine at this time of year.”
“Please, Dad. Just make up something.”
Bill Patterson finally sighed. “Anything else?”
“Tell Amy I love her. Tell her that me and her dad love her more than
anything.” Wet clusters were forming around Sidney’s eyes as the one
thing she desperately wanted to do, be with her daughter, was now firmly
beyond her. In order to keep Amy safe, Sidney had to stay away, far
away.
“I’ll tell her, sweetie,” Bill Patterson said quietly.
Sidney devoured her lunch on the ride back home. She dashed through the
house and within a minute was sitting in front of her husband’s
computer. She had taken the precaution of locking the door to the room
and bringing her cellular phone with her just in case she had to dial
911. She slid the disk out of her jacket pocket, pulled the pistol out
and laid them both down on the table next to her.
She turned on the computer and watched the screen as the computer began