Devlin rubbed her eyes, drying the wetness. “Have the police found them yet...the ones who did this?”
“It just happened...thirty minutes ago, but the police have issued BOLO’s,” —be on the lookout— “for two men matching the description of the robbers.”
Devlin filled her lungs and blew out the air in one burst. “Let me speak to Cassie.”
“She’s upstairs. Your dad’s trying to get her to go to sleep.”
“Okay—okay,” Devlin pumped a hand, “let her rest.”
“There’s something else, Jess.”
The lump in her throat grew. There’s more?
“Gunshots were fired.”
Her eyes bulged.
“I think they came from a black SUV that I saw leaving the scene.”
“Did you get a license plate number?”
“No,” he faltered, “but...”
Devlin clenched her teeth. “Don’t try to protect me, Curt.” A second later, she heard a heavy sigh through the phone’s speaker.
“There was a black SUV following Cassie and me this afternoon...a black SUV with government plates.”
Standing erect, Devlin put a balled hand to her mouth.
“I saw it when I picked her up from school. I spotted it at the park...and at the ice cream shop. Jess, it had to be the same one I saw during the attack. That can’t be a coincidence.”
She looked toward the ceiling before glaring at the makeshift wall, her mind’s eye showing her an image of Randall on the other side. It’s NOT a coincidence.
“I don’t think this was a random mugging. My gut tells me we were targeted, but why...and by whom?”
Hearing Ashford’s voice through the phone, but not really listening, Devlin put her free hand on her hip and paced the room like a caged animal, a caged animal that was trapped and unable to get to her family, unable to keep them safe.
“You still there, Jessica?”
“I—” she swallowed, “I’m here.” Not saying a word, she made several passes over the same stretch of flooring.
“Jess, I’m sensing there’s something you’re not telling me. Is that true?”
She made a fist and bopped her puckered lips a few times. “Yes.”
“Okay, I’m officially worried now. Tell me what’s going on.”
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
She stopped pacing, yanked her hair free of the ponytail, and scratched her scalp. “The less you know the better.”
“And just what is that supposed to mean?”
Gaping at a mattress covering, Devlin jabbed a finger at the blanket as if her spouse were standing a foot away from her. “Listen to me, Curt. I’m up to my neck in it down here. I have to focus on finding a way out of this...” her mind had queued up the term ‘crap storm’ only to have another term, a vulgar type of storm, slip by her lips. “And I can’t do that if I’m worrying about my family. I need to know you’ll protect Cassie and my dad.”
“With my life, Jessica. You know that.”
Her chest swelled, “I know,” and she let out a long sigh. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply—”
“You have nothing to apologize for, sweetheart. You do what you need to do. I’ll take care of our family.”
One corner of her mouth lifted for a brief moment. He said ‘our family.’ He’s never said that before. “Thank you. I love you.”
“Love you too. Now, just make sure you get home to us.”
“I will.”
“And remember...you promised me you’d wear that push-up thing to bed.”
Envisioning the skimpy lingerie he had referenced, Devlin shook her head, aware of his attempt to ease her tension. “A promise I fully intend to keep.” A moment passed. “Take care of them, Curt.”
“You have my word.”
She laid the receiver on the phone’s cradle. Keeping her hand on the communication device, she hung her head, closed her eyes, and bit her lower lip. Twenty seconds passed before she drew in a long and slow breath, stopping when her chest had reached its apex. I know we haven’t been on speaking terms the last couple of years, but...she screwed up her face and squeezed the bridge of her nose...but I can’t take another loss. Please keep Cassie safe. If You take her from me...in her mind, Devlin saw her late husband in a hospital room; Blake Hawkins’ bullet-ridden body; Cassandra’s smiling face. Devlin exhaled and grabbed a couple short breaths through her mouth...I’m afraid it’ll break me. Please God, whatever bad I’ve done or good I haven’t done, leave her out of this. Just look after my little girl. I promise I’ll—
Standing tall, Devlin swiped fingers across her cheeks. “What am I doing?” Suck it up, Jess. It’s up to you to keep your daughter safe. Whipping her head toward the living room, she squinted while envisioning Randall in the out-of-sight space. Balling her hands, she stormed out of the bedroom.
*******
alexandria, virginia
Ashford disconnected the call and stared at the floor. What has she gotten herself into? His skin feeling clammy, he massaged the pain in his chest. Images and words flashed through his mind: the black SUV, the masked assailants, Cassandra, Devlin. The less you know the better...up to my neck in it down here. His world was zipping by him at a hundred miles an hour. I have to do something. What? You don’t know where she is, man.
“Excuse me.”
Ashford lowered hands onto hips and closed his eyes. Take care of them, Curt.
“Sir?”
Seeing his wife in his head, he heard his pledge to her. You have my word.
“Mr. Ashford?”
Ashford whirled around. “I’m...I’m sorry. What can I do for you?”
“I just wanted to let you know that we have everything we need. All patrol cars will be keeping an eye out for anyone matching the descriptions you gave me. I’ve also entered the black SUV into the report, but without a license plate number—”
“It’ll be difficult to find.” Ashford nodded. “I know. Thank you, officer.”
“If you think of anything else, be sure to contact the police department.”
“Of course.” Ashford escorted the officer out of the house, closed the door, and ran up the stairs. He found Cassandra and her grandfather in the girl’s bedroom. She was asleep. Ashford beckoned Mahoney.
The priest rose from his perch beside
