Deception (17 page)

“How do you feel?”

“Terrified.”

He squeezed her hand. “Do not be afraid. I will take care of you.”

As long as he thought she was Jamie, he would do what he could to keep her safe.

As the elevator door slid open, Robert stood at the reception desk deep in conversation with the grocery delivery girl.

They both looked up and stared at her.

Even from across the room, she saw the confusion written on their faces.

Patti felt her face flush.

It was as if they knew she wasn’t Jamie.

She dismissed the idea as her overactive paranoia.

Robert turned back and said something to the delivery girl.

She nodded, but continued to stare at Patti.

Robert marched in their direction with a look of determination on his face.

Her heart sank.

If Robert voiced his suspicions in front of this man, it would ruin everything.

“Ms. Jakowski, I need to talk to you for a minute.”

She shook her head and begged him with her eyes to go away.

“We have no time. We are in a hurry.” Her companion snapped in an impatient tone.

Robert smiled amiably at the man, ignoring his tone. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Hamed. I’m sorry, but this will only take a minute. Miss Jakowski forgot to sign the grocery slip from last night again. She does it all the time. Carrie will be in big trouble at the store if she doesn’t get the signature right now.”

Patti remembered signing. “No, I’m sure—”

Something in Robert’s gaze stopped her from saying more.

“We don’t want Carrie to lose her job. It’ll only take a minute, Miss Jakowski. I promise.”

“Of course, it’s not a problem.” Patti gave a little shrug and smile. She patted Mr. Hamed’s arm. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of this and be right back. It won’t take but a moment.”

Patti’s heart pounded as she walked over to Carrie at the reception counter. She wiped her sweaty palms on the dress, hoping it didn’t stain.

Carrie’s eyes were filled with concern as she whispered with urgency, “Jamie, are you OK? Are you in some kind of trouble?”

Patti fought the urge to scream no, I’m not OK. “Of course I’m fine, Carrie. Where’s the grocery slip?”

Carrie handed her the slip from the night before.

In an instant, Patti understood the confusion and concern. In big letters, Patti looked at her own name, Patti Jakowski. She was really bad at this spy stuff.

“Oh, I see.” Patti looked at Carrie, tired of the deception. Making a decision, she took a deep breath and glanced back at Robert and Jamie’s lover. She whispered, “Look, I don’t have time to explain. Trust me, this is very import—”

“But—” The girl handed her a new grocery slip and a pen.

She gave Carrie a comforting pat. “Thanks for being worried. But I have a question for you. It’s going to sound strange, but please, I don’t have time to answer your questions.”

Patti turned her back so her unknown companion couldn’t see her face. She didn’t want him to get suspicious.

He was already scowling in their direction, ignoring Robert’s attempts at conversation.

“Is the man I’m with Mr. Hamed?”

Carrie nodded, even though she must have been totally confused. “Yes, of course. You know—”

“Do you know his first name?”

Carrie’s mouth fell open in shock. “I’ve heard you call him Joseph. Jamie, what’s going—”

“Thanks, I’ll explain later.”

Patti rushed back to Robert and Joseph Hamed. She refrained from doing a happy dance. “All ready, Joseph. Let’s go have some fun.”

He nodded with a terse expression, but didn’t react to the name so Carrie must have been right.

Robert held the door open for them.

Patti squinted as she walked out in the bright afternoon sunshine, surprised to see a conspicuous white limo waiting. She turned to Joseph Hamed. “Is that for us?”

Joseph appeared pleased she was impressed. “I saw no reason for us not to go in style. Everyone else will be.”

She had no idea terrorists lived in such luxury. She tossed her hair as Jamie would. Instead of going to a party, she felt as if she were going to an execution. Her own. “Absolutely.”

The driver of the limo stood at attention, holding the car door open for them. The man practically bowed to Joseph as they walked up to the car.

Looking back, Patti waved at Robert.

“Have a good day.” Robert said, waving them off. “You both look like you’re dressed to have some fun.”

Joseph Hamed smiled briefly at Robert. “We are going to the yacht party for the Children's Fund Benefit.”

Robert nodded and gave a deprecating smile. “Don’t let me keep you, then. Have a wonderful time.”

Robert turned and walked back to Carrie, who stood at the door still holding the sales receipt in her hand.

Worry marred Carrie’s pretty face.

Joseph nodded at the driver. “How is your family, Rakeem? I pray they are fine.”

“They are, sir. I can’t thank you enough for helping to get them visas to enter this country. If ever I can do something for you...” The driver’s voice trailed off.

Joseph Hamed held up a hand. “It was nothing. I was glad to do it. We will not speak of it again. You owe me nothing. We are friends, and friends do favors for each other from time to time, but you owe me nothing.” His last words were spoken slower and with more stress.

Rakeem nodded, gratitude shining in his gaze as he looked at Joseph Hamed. Almost hero worship.

Patti slid into the seat and Joseph shut the door.

The two men walked to the other side.

The driver held the door for Joseph while he climbed into the limo.

Patti glanced back to find Robert and Carrie still staring.

Both faces mirrored the concern Patti felt.

Patti sat in the luxurious limo thinking about the words exchanged between Joseph and the driver. The dots connected and understanding dawned. It all made so much sense when she thought about it.

Joseph Hamed helped his countrymen to get to the land of opportunity legally and then one day, Rakeem and the others would be asked to do some small favor for Joseph and his friends.

Perhaps, to deliver a package, or let a stranger stay at his house for a few days. Whatever it was, it would seem harmless.

This sincere new American would probably never know he betrayed his new homeland.

An appalling thought.

Patti balled her hands into fists. In a country as large and as free as the United States, there could be thousands of innocent people like Rakeem being manipulated into helping with terrorist acts and not even be aware of it.

Only the inner circle knew the master plan, the ultimate goal.

She shuddered.

“Are you cold,
ma cher
?
”
She shook her head, but he put a hand to her forehead to check her temperature.

She struggled not to slap it away.

“You may indeed have caught something on your trip. Airplanes are notorious germ carriers.”

She nodded, but didn’t trust herself to speak.

Sirens blared from behind them.

A police car was following with lights on.

Had Carter figured out where she was and they were about to pull her out of the limo and ruin her chance to find her sister’s kidnapper?

Patti decided she was seeing this deception through to the end. She wouldn’t let these people blow her cover if she could help it.

Rakeem slowed and pulled to the curb.

Joseph muttered words in his native tongue under his breath, but turned to smile at her. “It is fine, I am sure. Rakeem is a good driver and he did not break any traffic laws. Just a minor inconvenience.”

Perhaps Carrie and Robert called the police. Told them some crazy woman was pretending to be Jamie.

Or the FBI had shown up and Robert told them the type of vehicle she’d left in.

Or maybe Carter or Marcus…there could be a thousand different things going on instead of a routine traffic stop.

She held her breath.

If the policeman tried to make her leave, she would refuse.

The cop walked up and bent down to stare at the window dividing them from the driver. The officer motioned at the window.

He was looking for her. She just knew it. Patti prepared for whatever was about to happen. She hoped he wouldn’t ask for an ID. Hers said Patti Jakowski, not Jamie.

Joseph pressed a button and the window slid down.

“Good afternoon, Officer. Is there a problem?” Joseph asked.

The officer stared at Joseph, then at Patti. “Not that I know of.” He turned back to Rakeem. “I need to see your chauffeur’s license and the city operating permit.”

Rakeem handed them to the officer as requested.

The officer took them and walked away without comment.

Joseph whispered to Patti. “This is the kind of harassment we are exposed to in this country.”

Patti bit her tongue but wanted to scream. She nodded with what she hoped was a concerned look on her face, but her mind raced with worry.

“Just ridiculous.” Joseph muttered.

The officer returned. He bent down and peered into the back seat.

It took every ounce of strength not to look away from him. She was sure she’d look suspicious if she did.

“Officer, we are in a hurry. We are on our way to a children’s benefit. We must arrive before—”

The young officer held up a hand and turned back to the limo driver. “Could you come with me, please?”

Anger seethed from Joseph.

Rakeem opened his door and walked to the back of the limo.

Patti fought the urge to twist around to see what was happening.

Patti and Joseph waited in silence.

Rakeem returned in less than ten minutes.

Joseph waited for them to drive away before he spoke.

“What was the problem?”

“J...just a broken tail light, sir.” Rakeem stammered. “Nothing to worry about.”

Patti breathed a sigh of relief.

“Did he ask you any questions?” Joseph’s tone changed from kind benefactor to interrogator.

“N…not really. Just made conversation, asked me questions. How I liked this country and why I came. He wanted to know how I got my visa.”

“And what did you tell him?”

“I told him I loved America. It is a great country.”

Joseph shook his head. “No, no. What did you tell him regarding your visa?”

“I told them I won it in a lottery held in my country once every year.”

“Good, good. Did they ask about me?”

“No.”

Joseph nodded his approval at Rakeem. “Very good, very good.”

Joseph hit the button and the glass slid up. Joseph turned his focus back to Patti. He picked up her hand and placed it to his lips. “You are trembling,
ma cher
. Are you all right?”

“A little nervous.”

“But it is what you have wanted for so long. Rahmed is my brother. No need to worry. He will love you as I do.”

“I know, but...” Patti’s voice trailed off.

This man seemed so confident that he could keep her safe and yet Jamie was missing.

Could she be on the wrong track? Perhaps Jamie’s disappearance had nothing to do with these people.

“He will meet you and everything will be settled. Then, I will complete my final assignment.”

Settled.

Perhaps, but not in the way Joseph expected.

If she had her way, Joseph and his brother would be in custody before the end of the night and Jamie would be home. If she didn’t have her way…well…Patti shuddered at the thought.

He patted her hand. He reached for her and pulled her close to him. “I haven’t seen you for such a long time.”

She allowed his arms to stay around her, though she was repulsed. She couldn’t risk his anger again. She changed the subject. “I know, Joseph. You are a good man.” She allowed herself to lean against him and hoped she sounded more loving than she felt. “It hasn’t been easy for you.”

“You helped me to become a better person, Jamie.”

The more time she spent with Joseph the more she believed he did love Jamie.

Could Jamie have truly been planning a life with him?

She squeezed his hand. “And you have done the same for me.”

“We will go to the party. Rahmed will meet you and see you are trustworthy. He will love you as I do. Stop worrying and have a good time. It will be a wonderful party.”

She turned and smiled at him, praying she’d still be alive at the end of the party.

28

Their limo slowed due to a long line of limos waiting to drop off the other partygoers.

Jumbled thoughts raced through Patti’s mind. How was she ever going to pull off this charade?

She had no idea if Jamie’s friends would be there. She could walk right past them without knowing it. Did Jamie know the host and hostess of the benefit? Would she be able to fool them? Her mind jumped from question to question.

And with each new question her heart raced faster. She thought she might pass out, or have a heart attack before they even arrived at the yacht.

Joseph laid a hand on her arm.

She forced a smile when she looked at him.

“You will like Kathryn and H.H. They do a lot of good with their money. They have donated their time, money, and yacht for this benefit.”

Relief flooded through her. One question answered. Perhaps, she could find out more information for the FBI. “Are they involved with you know…your other activities? Do they help fund those activities, too?”

Joseph’s hand rested lightly on her arm but as she spoke, it tightened into an iron grip.

Another mistake.

She needed to keep her mouth shut, or she’d never make it to the party.

His voice was low with irritation. “Why would you ask such a question? You know H.H. and I have been business associates only. You know this.”

Too late to do anything but bluff her way out of the situation. Patti shrugged. “Sorry. Of course. I was trying to make conversation.” She smiled at him in apology.

He didn’t smile back. Instead his eyes assessed her in a cold, clinical way. “I do not like when you talk of such things.”