Chapter 14

The sky was dark and heavy, and Danny was reconsidering his decision not to bring an umbrella. It had been sunny during the service, a solemn event full of family, friends, and a crowd of people who wanted to be associated with someone who had money and power.

Jael had spoken well, saying nice things about a father who she would have struggled to love. But now that they were at the gravesite with dark clouds pushing across the sky to blot out the sun, a weariness sat upon her shoulders as she listened stone-faced while the minister read from the leatherbound Bible lying open across his palms.

She wore a long, straight black dress that made her appear sophisticated and sturdy. It was another wall he knew she would have erected to get her through the day. She rarely let her true self show. She’d only really let him in once, and he’d made sure at the time she never made that mistake again. As much as he never would have admitted it back then, it had hurt him to hurt her.

The crowd stirred as the minister finished, and Jael slipped her arm into Sofia’s, pulling the housekeeper forward so they could place a rose on the grave together. It was a thoughtful gesture on Jael’s part, to involve a woman who’d been a diligent employee of the Heber household for years.

Artus and Christopher followed along with a cousin Danny had met once and a woman he thought may have been a niece, although he’d never met Gregory’s sister.

A line formed, but Danny remained at the back until most had gone through. Then he moved up slowly, feeling the first pellet of cold rain on his cheek.

When he passed Jael, they made eye contact for a moment. He nodded, and her lips turned up in a sad smile, but she flinched when the rain hit her face, and she tilted her head toward the ground.

Danny tossed his flower onto the casket and moved to stand under a tree as the drizzle picked up and umbrellas were raised.

He watched as several people spoke quietly to Jael, but she was brief in her responses. Soon, only a few stragglers remained. Today, he wasn’t here as Deborah’s man. Today he was here as a friend, and he wanted to make sure that Jael understood that.

He waited until she’d finished speaking to a wide man with a grey handlebar mustache, then approached her.

“Thanks for coming,” she said formally. It was the first time they’d spoken that day.

“I wanted to say,” Danny started, but wished he had more substantial words to offer besides, “I’m sorry for your loss.” She gave him the same nod she gave everyone else, and he was surprised how that stung. He shouldn’t expect any different. He was no one special to her.

He turned to go but stopped when she said, “I was surprised you weren’t at the house with me.”

“At your dad’s?”

“When I found him…I thought you would have followed me there. I got a phone call after I discovered my—what had happened. I assumed it was you.”

“I wish it had been me. If I’d known, I would have been there for you.”

“Would you?”

He stared at her too long. It wasn’t a subject he should get into. “Your dad was a good man,” he said to fill the silence.

“No he wasn’t,” she murmured, and he wondered if he’d misheard her.

“I’m sorry?”

She looked more confused than sad or angry. “Why is it that, when someone dies, no matter how they lived their lives, they suddenly become a saint?”

His lips flattened. “I didn’t mean it that way. I know you two had your differences.”

“Differences. That’s a polite way to put it.”

“I don’t mean to upset you today of all days. But he was good to me.”

“Of course he was. You did whatever he wanted. He loved you for that.” She pressed a hand to her forehead. “I’m sorry. I’m not being very nice.”

“That’s okay. You’ve spent a lot of time being polite today. If you have to let off some steam with me, I can take it.” He looked at her, white knuckles gripping the umbrella. “I hope you’ll have time to rest.”

“I have the remainder of my life to rest. I can make it through today. It’s been a rough couple of days coming to terms with everything. But compared to my past, my future should be a breeze.”

“What does your future look like?”

She licked her lips and thought for a minute. “I haven’t figured that out yet. But it won’t be the one my father prepared me for. I’ll make sure of that.”

Danny smiled, but it was short-lived. Christopher came up beside Jael and put an arm around her waist. Danny watched her face for a balk, or a flinch, but all she did was give him a small smile.

“Danny,” Christopher said in greeting. “How are you doing?”

“I’m fine, considering the circumstances.”

“I’m sure Gregory’s passing is a hard one for you to get your head around. You’ll have to find another benefactor.”

“I guess so.”

“Good luck with that. Jael, are you ready to go?”

She nodded. “I’ll see you later, Danny.”

Every muscle was taut as he watched them walk away together. He wanted nothing more than to rip Christopher’s hands away from her. With her father out of the picture, she had the freedom to choose for herself. Why would she open herself to him now?

He didn’t feel the rain soaking through his jacket. All he could think about was that a marriage to Christopher wouldn’t benefit her in any way. And if Danny had any way to keep her from making that mistake, he would.

But he didn’t have time to waste stewing. He wouldn’t waste any more time. Deborah may not think they had another way to bring the Siseras down, but Danny would find one. It was the only way he could return to Kenya and know that his time here was worth it. But there was one thing that was necessary before he made another move.

Danny found a quiet spot on a rural road and parked his car. He walked slowly, following the gentle meander of the dirt path as he prayed.

“Evil men are prospering, Lord. I believe you’ve brought me here for many reasons, but one of them is to stop the Siseras from hurting anyone else. I know you care for Jael too, so please show me a way to keep her from harm as well.” His chest tightened, but he pushed the emotion aside. “Also…God, you know how I feel about her. I didn’t mean for it to happen, but it’s there. Don’t let my feelings for her cloud my judgement.” It was hard to see past wanting to protect her.

He stopped at a bend in the road and turned. His car was now a couple miles behind him, but as he headed back the way he’d come, silence was all that met him as he listened. Whispers of God’s disinterest in Danny’s prayers pushed into his mind, but he pushed them back. He didn’t have time to get lost in misery.

“God works for those who wait for him,” he said, repeating the verse in Isaiah that always steadied him when he struggled with his desire to take action. “I know you’re doing something. I’ll wait. I’m listening for your wisdom. Please help me not to miss it.”

He spent the rest of his walk back to the car praying for the boys back home, then got in his car and drove back toward the city, stopping at a small grocery store near his apartment to buy ingredients for dinner.

Cruising the aisle, he felt both hungry and not. The small selection of vegetables looked wilted and rubbery, so he changed his plans and decided to buy a couple of chicken breasts and make a stir fry that should last him several days, but when he noticed the gray tinge on the meat, he opted for a bowl of soup instead.

On his way past the bread stand, he grabbed a loaf, checking for mold before dropping it in his basket.

“Not a great selection here,” a voice said from behind.

“Agent Thomas Barak,” Danny said when he turned. “It’s been a long time. I was surprised when Deborah told me you were still hanging around.”

“The deputy director chose me specifically.”

Danny’s laugh was light. “Is that so? And yet, here I am doing your job for you.”

“Your barbs don’t hit home, I’m afraid. Not when I am positive that you know exactly why you’re here.”

“Do I?”

“You’re expendable.”

Danny nodded. It was the same thing Christopher had said. “If that’s what you need to tell yourself.” He should be more gracious. That would be the Christian way to act. “Love your enemies” and all of that. But he’d worry about that later. His patience was wearing thin, and Barak was the last person he wanted to answer to right now.

“What is it you want?” Danny said. “To rile me up? ’Cause you caught me at a bad time. It’s been a big day.”

“Oh yeah, that’s right, you had that funeral. How was it?”

“I take it that’s a rhetorical question? You would have had someone there.”

“We did. But I like to get more than one perspective. How’s Jael taking it, do you think?”

“As well as can be expected, I suppose. It’s hard to adjust to the passing of a parent.”

“Not that you would know.”

Danny’s laugh was a snort. “That’s a low blow, even for you.”

“Look, I know we never got along well.”

“We could have if you hadn’t undermined me at every opportunity.”

“You were an unknown quantity. You still are. Unfortunately, you’re the only man for the job, so I’ll concede in the interest of bringing the Siseras down. But it’s no secret to Deborah that I’m not happy with this arrangement.”

“Well then, thank you for your support. Is that all? ’Cause I’m hungry, and this soup will take at least five minutes to warm up in the microwave.”

“Sorry to cramp your style, but some of us have a job to do.”

“Was there anything else pressing?”

“Yes. The report I received from my agent on the ground said Jael and Christopher got chummy. You have anything to add to that?”

“Nope.”

“Nothing at all. The whole reason you are here is to direct Christopher and Jael’s engagement, and you have nothing to say?”

Danny pushed his tongue into his cheek. He hadn’t had to deal with his old aggression while in Kenya. The boys tested him, but in other ways. Here, he wanted to punch someone in the face nearly every day. “Nope.”

“Doesn’t matter. We all know how this is going to go. With her daddy gone, she’ll need to find another honey pot.”

Danny saw himself grabbing Barak by the scruff of the neck and booting him out the door. He kept the idea firmly in his head.

“She’s learned to do what’s necessary to survive,” he said. “And if she gets a considerable inheritance, it’s possible she can get rid of the men in her life and finally take control for herself.”

“If that was true,” Barak said, “then why was she so cozy with Junior?”

“If I knew, I would tell you.”

“Would you?”

“Yes. Frankly, I don’t know what she could see in the guy.”

“It doesn’t matter why. If she’s as keen on Christopher as she looked, then you had better get busy ingratiating yourself to her so she relies on you for her decision making.”

“And if no engagement comes?”

“There’s no plan B, if that’s what you’re asking. We’ve exhausted every other option. This is it, so you better make sure it happens.”

“What if I found another way?”

“There isn’t one.”

“What if there is?”

“Have you run your ideas by the deputy director?”

“Not yet, but I did do a job with Christopher the other day.”

Barak nodded. “I read the report. I didn’t sound promising.”

“It didn’t turn out how I’d hoped, but there may still be opportunity. I could still talk my way in.”

Barak looked skeptical. “How?”

“Christopher’s cocky, and he likes anyone he sees as a threat to know he’s in charge.”

“You think he believes you’re a threat?”

“Not now, but I can change that.”

“Won’t he just kill you if he doesn’t like you?”

“Not if I make myself valuable.”

“And how will you do that?”

“I’ll think of something. All I need is a little time.”

“You and I both know that Deputy Director Mills won’t settle for anything less than solid evidence to bring Artus and Christopher down.”

“I know. I’ll find it.”

Barak shrugged. “I guess you can go for it as long as it doesn’t interfere with our original plan.”

Danny didn’t expect him to agree so easily. He’d take an easy win, even if Barak only said it because he didn’t think there was any chance of finding anything.

“Great,” Danny said. “I’ll keep you updated.”

“But you had better tread carefully. If you put one foot out of line, you’ll have to answer to me.”

“Aw, Thomas, you sound worried about me.”

Barak stepped closer. “Don’t forget why she chose you.”

Danny narrowed his eyes. “My life’s not worth as much as yours. I’ve got it.”

“Good. See you around.”

“Always a pleasure working with you.”

Danny didn’t move until he heard the buzzer sound when Barak left the store. He lifted his eyes to the ceiling in a mock plea to God. He knew God was in control, but this added testing didn’t help.

“Is my anger that much of a problem that you have to give me so much opportunity to strengthen my self-control?” he mumbled.

But now, he had Barak on board for another plan. And once Gregory’s will was read and word of Jael’s inheritance made its way to the FBI, he was sure Deborah would give him whatever he needed to find the required evidence.