Page 49 of Shadow of Truth
“I guess that means you do too.” Megan tickled Ella, and she squealed with laughter.
Jessie smiled, seeming happier than he’d seen her in a long time.
Though enjoying the festive mood, Reid stayed vigilant and checked in with Russ and Micha on their comms unit. All was good.
A nurse pushed the last child out in a wheelchair and Santa trailed behind, tying a balloon onto the chair as it moved.
“Bye, Santa Claus,” Ella said and waved at the big man.
He winked at Ella, patted Jessie’s arm, and then saluted at Megan and Reid before sauntering down the hallway.
“I think Santa Claus likes me better than the other kids.” She glanced at Jessie. “Sorry, Jess, but…” She reached into her robe pocket and pulled out a business card. “He put this in my pocket. I watched, and he didn’t give one to anybody else.” She held it out to Megan. “See?”
She held a business card with the Willamette Bank’s logo on it.
Megan jerked the card from Ella’s hand.
“Don’t tear it, Mommy,” Ella protested.
Megan didn’t respond but studied the card and flipped it over to reveal a handwritten message. Reid read over her shoulder.
If you want to keep your child alive, you will meet my demands.
“He was here,” Megan whispered.
“Go after Santa!” Reid yelled to Micha.
Micha didn’t question but turned and bolted down the hallway. Reid alerted Sydney and Russ to be extra vigilant, and he pinned his focus on the hallway Micha’s departure had left unprotected.
“What’s wrong, Mommy?” Ella’s voice quavered. “Why does Mr. Reid want to stop Santa Claus? Did he do something wrong?”
“I just need to ask him a question.” Reid wrapped an arm around Jessie, then glanced at Ella. Her chin trembled so he moved closer and touched her nose with his index finger. “You, little miss, look like you need to take a rest.”
She peered at him, her eyes innocent and sweet. The urge to pull her as close as Jessie was and keep her safe—not only from Fowler but also from the cancer—was almost too much to ignore.
Please, I need Your help. I can’t get close to Ella. You know I’m not strong enough to handle it.
More importantly, he prayed that the cancer—and the man who sought revenge and seemed to outsmart them at every turn—didn’t get to this precious little girl and her mother.
13
Staring at her sleeping daughter, Megan sighed, releasing her distress as she searched for a positive attitude. But what was there to be positive about? Fowler had slipped through their defenses, and this time he’d actually interacted with Ella. Person to person. Up close. Touching her. Holding her on his lap.
A fist of fear pressed against Megan’s chest. She couldn’t let Fowler get near Ella again. He would try again. There would be another attempt to approach them. She knew that as clearly as she knew she had to breathe.
Reid and the others kept saying they would protect her. But despite their best efforts, Fowler walked right up to Ella today. Right up to her! What’s to say he couldn’t get to Ella again, even with these fine law enforcement officers’ training and skills?
She could never let Fowler anywhere near her daughter again. She had to be more proactive. If anything like attending a party was mentioned, she would shut it down fast. No matter what.
Not that she thought she was smarter than Reid or the others. None of them could’ve anticipated that he would’ve overpowered the guy who was to play Santa. That was why Ella would simply have to stay in her room until they departed.
She gently laid Ella’s hand on the bed, tucked her covers around her and Boo-Boo, and kissed her soft forehead. Tears threatened, but Megan swallowed them down and headed for the door. Outside the room, Russ stood alert, arms crossed and feet solidly planted, blocking the door.
Keeping his attention on the hallway, he stepped aside. “Everything okay in there?”
“Fine. The party wore Ella out. She’s asleep.”
“Must be hard for a little kid to be so sick.”
