Fatal Transaction (Thriller & Suspense, Cyber Crime) (17 page)

Derry looked back down. Her words hurt, but maybe she was right. He could have tried harder. “After the cop let me go, I figured it was too late. You were gone, and I’d probably never see you again.”

“So you gave up?” She dropped the knife, and covered her mouth with the cloth napkin, her eyes filling with tears.

“Kind of. Yes.” He lost his appetite, but he still took a bite here and there to give himself time to think. In his mind, the restaurant became empty as the walls around him went out of focus. The only things his mind saw clearly were Sara and that day.

“And?” She dabbed her eyes with the napkin before dropping it in her lap. Squaring her shoulders, she picked up her fork.

“And I needed to think. I didn’t know where you were, or how to find you. So I pulled off the main road at the first place I saw. I got out of my car. I needed to walk around to clear my head, and plan what to do next. Then I heard a noise above me. The next thing I saw was you, sliding down the hill toward me.”

“So you were there just to think? It was a total accident?”

“Yes and no. I believe God put me there to help you.” He reached for her hand. She moved it to pick up some bread.

“So you didn’t know I’d be there?”

“No. I was thinking about you, looking for you, but I had no idea where you were.”

Sara took a nibble of bread as she peered into his eyes. Her focus went deep into his inner parts. She was searching for something.

“Did you know those men had guns, and would try to kill you?”

“No, but—”

“Would you have risked your life if you knew that?” She dropped the pieces of bread on the table as she tore them off.

“The guns didn’t matter.” Was he on trial here? Why was she asking these questions?

“Do you think you’re invincible or something?”

“No it’s not that at all.” How could he explain this to her? “I know all too well what guns can do.”

Sara’s tone showed disbelief. “Yeah, I’m sure you do. Seen it all on TV.”

Derry laid his fork down, and pushed his plate toward the center of the table a few inches. “I know first-hand.” He looked deep into her eyes. “Several years ago, my girlfriend was shot in the head. She died in my arms.”

Sara’s jaw hung open. Her gaze glued to his face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean— I never would have said that if I knew.”

Chapter 36

M
ike stepped into Levy’s office.

“What do you have?” Levy glanced up from his desk. This whole Sara problem had taken up too much of his valuable time, and he was falling behind in his work. The last thing he wanted right now was a useless interruption, but Sara had to be found.

Mike strolled to the center of the room, squarely in front of Levy’s desk. “Yes, sir. With Kai’s help, I’ve narrowed it down to three possibles.”

“Good. Who are they?” Levy trusted Mike more than any of his men. Which was to say, he trusted Mike as long as he knew exactly what he was doing at all times.

“First we ran background checks on each of the men Kai had identified, looking at where they’ve lived, gone to school, what they bought using their credit cards, hotels they’ve stayed in—”

“I don’t have all day. Get to the point.”

“One name came to the top. George Parks. He and Sara went to school together.”

“Good. What else do we know about him?” Levy rose.

“He lives in Boulder. Taking Highway Seven from Estes Park makes sense.”

“Good, what about the other two?”

“Our second possible, a Josiah Radcliff, was at the Scottish Highlands festival. He bought two tickets online. He lives in south Denver, by Chatfield Reservoir. Google Maps shows his house to be somewhat isolated. He’ll be harder to observe without being seen.”

“What’s his connection to Sara?”

“Another programmer. Works for a small bank headquartered in Denver.”

“And the last name?”

“Derry Conway. Kai tapped into his credit card accounts. He was at Jasper’s a couple of times, on nights Sara was running tests. I called Jasper and asked him if Sara was ever seen having dinner with anyone. He said she always sat alone.” Mike chuckled as he continued. “Jasper added that he couldn’t see anyone wanting to eat dinner with her. He called her a cold fish.”

“Keep Conway at the bottom of the list. Start with this classmate of hers in Boulder.” Levy sat down and leaned back in his chair. Things were looking up, finally.

“Want me to call Jarred and Ben back from New York?”

Mike better be able to handle this simple task. Ben and Jarred were making money for him right now. “No. Wait ‘til we have something more solid. See what Kai can dig up on these three. Their past, their family. Something I can use.”

***

Derry was tired after another long day at work. Another day without the opportunity to find the name of the bank for Lamar. Was he really that busy, or was he just putting off the inevitable? He knew the answer. He didn’t want to find the truth if it meant Sara could go to jail.

He was lying on the couch, dozing off, when he heard a knock on the back door. It was Sara. Rising, he had a mixture of feelings churning in his gut. During their talk the previous night, his meal turned sour. By the end of the evening, few words passed between them. She didn’t believe he would try to save her at the risk of his own life. Maybe he should have told her the whole story about Tami. Would that have made a difference?

Sliding the door open, he gave a half-smile. “Hey.”

Sara, on the other hand, smiled like nothing had happened. “Hungry?”

“I’m sorry. I stopped for something on the way home.” Had she cooked dinner for him in an attempt to patch things up?

“Good, come with me. That is, if you’re not too busy sleeping on the couch.” Her gaze shifted to the couch behind him.

“Saw that, huh?”

Sara spun around and headed back to the guesthouse without an answer. Derry followed.

Walking across the grass, he sniffed the air. Something smelled good. Like fresh baked cookies. Stepping into Sara’s home, he was assaulted by the fragrance. All his fears and anxieties were overwhelmed, and died at the sight of the small banquet. Sitting on the counter was a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies.

“I’ve been waiting for you to get home. The second tray just came out.” Sara stepped into the kitchen, and started removing the cookies from the baking sheet. Derry stopped next to the counter, close to the plate of cookies, as he observed her.

“Would you mind getting some milk?”

“Sure, do you have some? I thought you didn’t like milk.”

“I picked up some today. You can’t eat chocolate chip cookies without milk. It just wouldn’t be right.” Sara spooned the next batch onto the baking sheet.

Her slim form caught his attention again. The more he was around her, the less he believed she could possibly be a crook.

“Well?” She glanced over her shoulder, catching him staring at her. She paused with a smile before returning to her task. Was everything back to normal between them? Whatever normal was.

He stepped toward the refrigerator. Opening it, he found it almost empty. “I still need to take you shopping for food, don’t I?”

“I have enough for now. Milk?”

“Oh yeah.” He grabbed the carton of milk and then got two glasses out of the cupboard. Setting them on the table, he filled them. Sara joined him with the plate of cookies and set it between them.

Derry caught himself looking at her as she bit into a warm cookie. She looked so natural, like she belonged here, with him.

“Natalie asked me to come to church on Sunday. I said yes.”

It took a moment for her comment to register. “I gathered from our conversation last night that you didn’t believe in all that stuff?”

“I don’t, but I think I should at least thank the people who gave me the furniture, no matter what their reasons.”

“Even if their reason is that they just wanted to help?”

“Hey, if that makes them feel good, I’m okay with that.”

Derry saw the conversation heading down the same path as last night. He needed to change the subject. “These cookies are really good. Who taught you to be such a good cook?”

“It’s not hard. All you have to do is be able to read and follow directions.” Sara smiled. He caught the drift.

“So, are you saying I can’t read, or I can’t follow directions?”

Sara took a sip of milk then smiled at him over the rim.

An hour and half and way too many cookies later, Derry said goodnight and headed back to his house. His heart rode high as he made his way back across the yard. His only thoughts were of Sara and spending time with her. Stopping, he glanced up at the moon. Sara was wrapping her tentacles around his heart, and he wasn’t sure he wanted her to stop.

***

Turning the lights off after Derry left, Sara stood next to the window. He walked with his hands in his pockets. He was taking his time, stopping once and looking up at the night sky. He had a nice gait, full of confidence. If only she could stay here, close to him. If only her past had stayed hidden. If only Levy—

Turning away from the window, she knew a man like Derry could never really care for her. Three days, and she’d be gone. If she couldn’t have love, money would have to suffice.

Chapter 37

C
hurch was a mixed experience for Derry. He watched Sara put up a good front as she talked with several members of the congregation after the service. He was happily surprised to learn she knew parts of the Bible, but also disappointed. It was clear that she’d read the Bible, and rejected it.

Heading across his backyard toward the guesthouse, he wondered what other surprises this day might hold for him. A chilly wind blew at his back. Summer was quickly giving way to fall. Glancing at the tree in the backyard, he thought the leaves were changing color a little too early.

Stepping up to the guesthouse door, he tapped.

It took Sara several minutes to answer. “Ready?”

“Sure.” Stepping out, she closed the door behind her. The two walked in silence over to Kevin’s and Natalie’s home.

After Derry knocked on the Knights’ door, he shifted his gaze to Sara while keeping his head pointed at the door. She was very somber.

When the door opened, she gave Kevin a cheerful grin.

“Come on in. You’re right on time.” He glanced at Derry. “I hope the walk wasn’t too long.”

“Not if I get fed soon.” Derry allowed Sara to step in ahead of him.

She sniffed the air. “Mmm, that smells good.”

“Homemade bread rolls. I can never get enough.” Kevin closed the door behind them.

“Think Natalie needs any help?” Sara moved toward the kitchen.

“I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.”

After she left the room, Derry turned to Kevin. “Sara said you had some news to share?”

“We sure do.” Kevin spun around, and headed toward the dining room table.

Derry followed. Sara and Natalie brought food from the kitchen.

Natalie set down a bowl of mashed potatoes. “I heard you got a special treat the other day.”

Derry glanced at Sara. She was watching him. “Oh, yeah. I sure did, homemade chocolate chip cookies. They were delicious.”

Kevin gave a hurt look. “Hey, I didn’t get any cookies. I helped unload all that furniture. Not like this slacker, showing up when the work was done.”

Derry shrugged. “Would say I’m sorry, but I’m not.”

The four took their seats as the joking tapered off.

Natalie said she wanted to ask the blessing.

“Dear Lord, we thank You for this food and this opportunity to spend time with our friends. I ask You to bless the food to our bodies, and I ask a special blessing for the new life growing within me. Amen.”

Derry didn’t wait until the end of the prayer before his eyes popped open. He stared at Natalie. “You’re—expecting?”

She smiled from ear to ear, and Kevin answered, “That’s the big news I wasn’t allowed to share.”

“That’s terrific!” Derry exclaimed.

Sara didn’t say anything. The conversation rolled on without her.

Natalie added, “We’re so happy. We’ve been praying for a baby for over a year.”

Derry asked, “Are you going to keep working after the baby’s born?”

“No, I’m planning to quit in six months.”

Sara had an inquisitive look. “Why do you need to quit work? Won’t they give you time off? Don’t you like the money?”

“I like the money, but I want to stay home with our baby.” Natalie rubbed Kevin’s hand with her thumb as she smiled.

“But you’re going back to work once the baby’s old enough to be put in daycare, aren’t you?” Sara took a bite of potatoes.

Kevin cut into his steak. “We’re not planning to put our kids into daycare, or public school, for that matter. Natalie’s going to stay home and school them.”

“Homeschool them?” Sara glanced at Natalie for confirmation.

“Yes, I want to homeschool our children.”

Softly, almost too softly to be noticed, Sara mumbled, “I was homeschooled.”

It took a moment for everyone to register her comment. Natalie responded first. “You were? How’d you like it?”

“I don’t remember much about it. I was only homeschooled when I was young, before my father died.”

This was the first time Sara had shared any of her past. Derry turned his full attention to her. “How’d he die?”

Sara’s head was down. At this question, she raised her gaze briefly.

“He was killed in a car accident when I was almost twelve. After he died, my mother tried to continue homeschooling us, but it was hard. She worked the night shift, and tried to teach us during the day. It was very tough on her, but we were doing okay. That is, until a neighbor, who didn’t like us, turned my mother in for child abuse. It wasn’t true. My mother loved us, and we loved her. She never hurt us in any way.”

“What happened after she was turned in? Did they make you go to public school?” Natalie’s voice was soft, filled with compassion.

“A social worker showed up one day. Said that leaving us alone all night was too dangerous. My oldest brother told her he knew what to do if we had any problems, but she said fourteen was too young to take on that kind of responsibility. She took us away. They sent me to live with a foster family in south Denver, never to see my brothers or sisters again.” Sara’s body shook a little. “I still miss them.”

Tears ran down her face. She just let them flow.

Derry started to reach for her, but pulled his hand back. “What about your mother?”

“She came a few times to see me. Each time, I wanted to go home with her, but they wouldn’t let me. That made me mad. After a few visits, they told me she could no longer visit me. They said it was my fault, because I acted up too much after her visits. All I wanted was to be with her.”

Silence filled the room. Sara wiped her eyes with the palm of her hand.

“The Motovas, the foster family, were nothing but a bunch of liars. When no one was around, the boys—”

Natalie reached over and put her hand on Sara’s. Sara pulled away and tightly hugged herself, sobbing. Derry was unsure what to do or say.

It was clear Natalie had seen this before. “Sara, it’s okay. You don’t have to say anymore. Did you tell the social worker about it?”

Eyes and nose red, face wet with tears, Sarah peeked up at Natalie. “I told them, but they didn’t believe me. No one believed me. The father said I had an overactive imagination. How would he know? He was always at work. I think he worked all the time to get away from his wife. Playing with chemicals was better than being around her. I was all alone. After a while, I just kept my mouth shut. Telling others only made it worse. I tried to fight them, to keep them away from me, but I was too weak. Nothing I did helped.” Shoulders shaking, she reached for a napkin to dry her face. Kevin jumped up, and grabbed a box of tissues. He set them in front of her.

Anger rose in Derry. How could this happen? He wanted to find out who these people were. He wanted to punish them for what they did to Sara. Part of him was ready to jump into his car and track this family down. The other part of him wanted to take Sara in his arms, and let her know she was safe—that he would not let anyone hurt her ever again—but he controlled his anger, and let Natalie comfort Sara.

Natalie’s eyes filled with tears as she slipped out of her chair and knelt by Sara. Sliding one arm around Sara’s back, she used the other to hold her hand. “Hey, it’s okay. You’re safe here.”

Sara sat up a little, and looked at the table in front of her. “I did everything I could to stay away from them. I tried running away, only to be brought back. Those nights were the worst. By morning— I wanted to kill myself, but I was too afraid.

“I started spending as much time as I could at school or at the library, studying. The library offered computer classes. I took them all, and read everything I could get my hands on about programming. Computers can’t hurt you. By the time I was sixteen, I was teaching many of the classes. It gave me a reason to be gone all the time, and a way to earn my own money.”

“Did you earn enough to move out?” Derry asked.

Sara gave him a quick glance. All he saw was hatred and pain. Now he understood why she had never been willing to share her past.

She glanced at Natalie. “I got even.” The tears continued, but her demeanor changed.

“What’did you do, dear?”

“By the time I was seventeen, I was the top computer geek working at the library. I learned how to hack into any computer. I hacked into the Motova’s computer, and discovered why this family wanted foster kids and only took girls. They were recording everything they did, selling it on the Internet. I was so furious, so humiliated.”

Sara’s body shuddered again as she clenched her fists.

“There wasn’t anything those boys could have done worse than that. They stole my life, my innocence. I wanted to kill them and their mother.”

“You didn’t, did you?” Natalie pulled back a few inches and peered into Sara’s face.

“No. Maybe I should have, but I knew I’d get caught. Instead I looked at the camera angles, searched the house, and found them hidden in the walls. They were in my bedroom and the bathroom. Snooping around on their computer, I found I wasn’t the first.”

“Oh, my dear. I am so sorry.” Natalie gave Sara a hug.

Derry’s anger mushroomed. Who were these animals? If he could find them, he’d make them pay.

“That’s when I tried to get even.” In a flash, Sara’s expression went hard.“I couldn’t let anyone else see the pictures and videos of me. I felt that if anyone else saw them—” She broke down again.

“Shh, it’s okay. No one here’s going to judge you for something you were forced to do. What they did to you was their fault, their sins, not yours.” Natalie rubbed Sara’s shoulder.

“I destroyed every copy of me I could find. Then I took pictures of the hidden cameras, and tracked down the names and addresses of the other girls who had lived with this family. I made copies of all their pictures and videos to use in court, contacted a lawyer, and showed him what I had. He said he’d help me.

“But he needed money. To pay him, I tapped into the family’s bank account and learned they had made a lot of money by selling the pictures. They had a little over $26,000.”

Sara grew quiet.

Derry needed to know how this story ended. “What happened?”

“I got caught. The family discovered the missing money and took me to court, bringing a counter suit against me. They accused me of not only stealing their money, but of vandalizing their computer. Of cutting holes in their walls to plant false evidence. We tried to get the other girls to testify on my behalf. Most of them wanted to forget it ever happened, and refused to testify. A couple did step forward to help, but we couldn’t use any of the pictures or videos in court. Their lawyer was better than mine. He got all our evidence banned from the courtroom. They came up with their own set of witnesses who claimed they had lived in that house and nothing ever happened to them. They said the family was always loving and good to them. It came down to my word against theirs.”

“And?” Derry’s anger was growing again. He hated this helpless feeling and wanted to do something, anything, to make things right for Sara.

“My lawyer, the man who was supposed to help me, struck a deal. The other side agreed to drop all charges and allow the records to be sealed, if I turned over all the evidence to them and paid back the money.” Sara’s tears had dried up sometime in the last few minutes. “In exchange, the family would no longer be allowed to be foster parents.”

“That’s not right.” It was the first time Kevin had spoken since Sara started her story. “They should have been punished for what they did, gone to jail.”

“I gave back four thousand dollars, and kept the rest. They really couldn’t tell the courts that I still had more of their money. They would have had to explain where the money came from, and that would prove I was right. At that point, I left. I was seventeen.”

***

Sara ended the meal with most of her food untouched. She just wanted to go home. Derry offered to walk her. At first she declined the offer, but finally gave in. The walk was quiet. Derry was at a loss for words. How could anyone go through what she’d been through, and not hate the world?

Sara was a strong woman, much stronger than he’d realized. After seeing her tears and hearing her story, he was amazed she had survived at all.

As they approached the guesthouse, Sara slowed, stopping at the door. With her head still down, a soft “thank you” escaped her lips.

Reaching up, he pushed some of her hair back, touching her cheek. “For what?”

She raised her head, just enough for him to see into her eyes. “For walking me home. For not saying anything. For just being here.”

Before he had time to think, Sara stood on her tiptoes and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. Then she was gone.

Derry stood unmoving for a few seconds. Finally, treasuring the feeling of her lips on his cheek, he made his way back home. His anger over what had happened to her conflicted with the emotions set on fire by that one little kiss.

***

New tears flowed down Sara’s face. Tears of anger and rage. She’d told Derry and the Knights her deep dark secret. Something she swore she’d never tell anyone, ever. Now she had no choice. She had to run. They had power over her now. She was nothing but a throw-away toy in their eyes. Something to be used and dumped when their church project was done. There was no way she could stay, even if she wanted to.