Page 107 of Fatal Strike
Tears filled his eyes and he nodded. “We’re a pair, aren’t we? Your mother is the one who insisted I fly here. She wanted to come, and she will the next time.”
A catch in her throat forced control. Next time? “Can we put the ugliness behind us and start fresh? I understand rough waters are ahead, but I want my family back. Not on holidays and an occasional email, but permanently.”
“Absolutely.” Dad grinned. “If the guard out front hadn’t ordered me to leave my phone in the car, I’d show you photos.”
“Protocol, Dad. Know what? I’ve followed my family on Facebook for years.”
He studied her. “There’s something else you’re holding back. What is it?”
Dare she ruin the reunion? “I have this question burning inside me.” She gazed at his lined face. “Why did you keep my great-great-grandmother’s identity a secret, and yet you named me after her?”
“What?” He startled. “Her name was Leah?” When she affirmed it, he breathed in deeply. “I never heard about her.”
“She escaped slavery in Alabama through the Underground Railroad. Settled in New York City and started an orphanage for children. It’s a powerful story. I’m so very proud of her.”
Dad tilted his head. “My grandmother never talked about her family. Your mother named you Leah because we liked it. Neither of us had a clue, except my grandmother wasn’t happy with the choice.”
“I thought she was why you and Mom opted for adoption.”
“Your uncle’s tragic accident prompted us. When did you find out about your ancestry?” Dad said.
“About five years ago. On a whim, I did a DNA test anddecided to dig deeper. A book’s been written about Grandma Leah. I have it.”
“Wow. That’s amazing. Got to read it, and your mom will love the family history.”
“She was stubborn and fought for the orphans’ rights.”
“Now I know where our strong wills came from.” He swiped beneath his eye. “Thank you for telling me the story. Thanks more for seeing me.”
“I’ve dreamed of this, of us talking. How long are you in town?”
“Until tomorrow. Can we have dinner tonight?”
“I’d love it. I can look at your photos then.”
“Maybe a FaceTime with your mom too.”
His words brought her longtime dream to the surface. She’d relive this reunion time and time again.
A knock on the door broke the sweet reunion, and Jon stepped in. “Leah, I’m sorry to bother you. We have a signed search warrant for the Galveston site. Chopper’s picking us up in ten.”
She rose from her chair. “Dad, this is my partner, Agent Jon Colbert.”
Jon reached out to shake his hand. “It’s a pleasure, sir. Working alongside your daughter has made me a better man.”
“I’d expect nothing less,” Dad said.
She sensed the warmth rising up her neck and into her cheeks. She hugged her dad and promised to call him about dinner. “Dad, stay here. Another agent will have to escort you to the front.”
“I understand.” His face clouded. “Be careful. I don’t need a hero, just my daughter.”
68
BOARDING A CHOPPER ALWAYSgave Jon a twinge of apprehension. Not the flying so much as memories of hovering over a wildfire. Maybe one day, they’d vanish. With noise-canceling headphones in place to block the sound of whirling blades, he filled Leah in on what had transpired over the last thirty minutes.
“No one could raise the agents assigned to Rachel Mendez’s protection detail this morning, so when a couple guys drove to her house to pick her up, they found the two agents dead, execution-style. She’s missing.”
Leah’s gaze flew to his. “And her mother and children?”
