To Love and Protect (7 page)

“What’s up?” she asked when she saw him.

“Maybe nothing. I’m not sure.”

He explained what had happened to Liz. The director, a small, balding man in his fifties, frowned.

“Why would someone want one of our orphans?”

The question surprised David. “You must know there’s a black market baby ring in the city.”

The man dismissed the statement with a wave. “There are rumors, but I do not believe them.” He picked up a folder. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to talk to one of the nurses.”

David watched him go, then looked at Maggie.

“I guess denial helps him sleep at night,” he said, even as he made a mental note to check up on the man.

Maggie raised her eyebrows. “I agree. Why isn’t he at least concerned?” She frowned. “Oh, no. Don’t tell me he’s a suspect.”

“He hasn’t been.”

“For the first time in my life I’m going to pray a man I work with is either naive or a jerk. We’ve had a great relationship with this orphanage. I would hate to see that change.”

David pulled out a wooden chair and sat. “Don’t jump to conclusions. Just because he’s not willing to listen to information on the black market doesn’t mean he’s involved in it. He’s not on any of the lists.”

Maggie leaned back in her chair. “You have lists?”

He shrugged. “Part of my job.”

“I don’t want to know what you do.” She stood and walked to the row of battered filing cabinets against the far wall. “What do you think happened this afternoon with Liz and Natasha?”

“I don’t know. Either she misunderstood what was happening or someone tried to take the baby.” He knew what he wanted the truth to be, but wishing didn’t matter a damn.

Maggie pulled open a drawer and began to flip through files. “Maybe something in Natasha’s records will give us a clue. I don’t think we know anything about her parents, since she was a straight abandonment case. She was dropped off a few days after birth. It happens a lot.”

“If she was just left here, how can she be adopted? There’s no paperwork.”

Maggie closed that drawer and opened the one below it. “You’ve been in Russia long enough to know that there’s always paperwork. After a certain number of days, forms are filed with the court. It’s routine. The orphanage wants as many children adopted as possible. Babies are the easiest to find homes for.”

“Where do they come from?” he asked.

“Everywhere. Most of the children left here are born to young women barely able to keep themselves alive. There are hundreds of teenage prostitutes in the city. Most of the time they terminate their pregnancies as soon as possible. Some don’t realize they’re pregnant until it’s too late, or they can’t bring themselves to have an abortion. It’s a big risk for them.”

“An abortion?”

“Staying pregnant. A big belly makes it hard to make a living. What’s the point in trying to have a baby while you’re starving to death?”

While David dealt with the seedy side of life, his contact was usually with those buying or selling weapons, information or political power. He didn’t deal with pregnant teenagers trying to survive.

“I’m guessing they don’t have anywhere to go,” he said.

“Of course not. If the girls give birth to a healthy child, they usually can’t afford to feed it. So the babies end up here, where they’re given a second chance.”

“Is that what happened to Natasha?”

Maggie pulled out a folder. “There’s no way for us to know, but probably.”

When she set the folder down on the table and flipped it open, David leaned forward to read the contents. But there was nothing inside.

Maggie sucked in a breath. “It’s all gone.”

David wasn’t surprised. “What was here?”

“Everything. Natasha’s medical records. Staff notes. The declaration that she was abandoned. Her entire file is cleaned out.” She raised her head and stared at him. “This is crazy. I just put in copies of her medical certificate myself a couple of hours ago. What happened? What does this mean?”

He didn’t have any answers. Why take the contents, but not the folder itself? Had it been left in case there was some kind of casual check? Would it be removed later, when the baby was taken? Was someone trying to erase any record of Natasha’s existence?

He didn’t like any of this.

“Someone on my staff deals with the black market baby cases. I’m going to get her involved in this. Maybe she can find out what’s going on.” David wrote down Ainsley Johnson’s name and handed the information to Maggie. “She’ll be in touch with you. I would appreciate it if you would cooperate as much as possible.”

The social worker looked shaken. “Of course. Is Liz going to be all right?”

“Liz isn’t the target.”

Was Natasha?

He left the orphanage and headed back to the office. He didn’t want to worry Liz by showing up in her room, but he wasn’t about to leave her unprotected. He made a few calls and arranged for discreet security at the hotel. Then he got in touch with Ainsley.

When she came on the line, he told her about the empty folder.

“Would the black market people take her records?”

“It’s possible,” she said, sounding more doubtful than sure. “Usually they simply have their own false documents. Nothing about this baby fits the profile, but I’ll do some asking around.”

“I appreciate that.”

They hung up and David sat alone in his office. Something wasn’t right, but what? And how did he keep Liz and Natasha safe for the next few days until they were free to leave the country?

Liz paced the length of the hotel room. When the phone rang, she jumped for it.

“Hello?”

“It’s David.”

Relief replaced fear. “What’s happening? Did you find anything out?”

He hesitated just long enough to make her wonder what he was holding back.

“Not much,” he said. “My contacts say it’s unlikely that Natasha was flagged by the black market baby ring. But until I’m sure what’s going on, I’m arranging for security on your floor. That should make you feel safer.”

“Are you sure it’s all right to do that?”

He laughed. “Yes. Part of my job is keeping Americans safe. That means you and little Natasha.”

“Technically she won’t be an American until we land in the States.”

“Close enough for me.”

Liz couldn’t believe he’d gone to all this trouble for her. “I really appreciate all of this. You’re amazing.”

“So are you. Now try to get some rest. I’ll be by in the morning to take you to the orphanage. I don’t want you going out alone for the next couple of days.”

She wasn’t sure about resting, but she was more than happy to wait for David. “We’ll be up bright and early.”

Vladimir Kosanisky kicked an empty cardboard box out of his way as he paced the length of the small warehouse.

“She’s only a girl,” he yelled in Russian to the three men standing in front of the worn desk. “Seventeen. Yet, she got away and you’re telling me you can’t find her?”

None of the men spoke. They knew better. Kosanisky glared at them. “Worse, you sent an amateur to collect the baby. What were you thinking? Now the woman is alerted. We don’t know who else she might have told. Do you want the police involved?”

They hung their heads but still didn’t speak.

He understood their silence, but it annoyed him.
They
annoyed him. “You are all fools.”

He crossed to the men and punched the middle one in the stomach. The man gasped and clutched his gut, but he still didn’t speak.

“We must get the child,” Kosanisky yelled. “Our American contact is expecting her. The baby has been paid for. She matches the physical description of what the couple wants and we don’t have time to get another child.”

He swore long and loudly. Sophia’s escape frustrated him. She’d defied him in too many ways and she would have to be punished. Then he would take her child. But first Sophia had to be found. She knew too much and he had to keep her from talking.

D
awn came early, turning the sky first light gray, then faintly pink and finally a clear blue. Liz watched the changing colors from her chair by the window in her hotel room. She’d done her best to take David’s advice and get some sleep, but she’d been too on edge.

She’d expected to be nervous about being a new mother. While she’d always loved kids, she hadn’t had much contact with babies. After deciding to adopt, she’d read tons of books on baby care, attended a few classes, even the counseling sessions offered by Children’s Connection. She’d done her best to prepare—and still she’d not been sure about handling Natasha on her own.

But she could deal with those insecurities. She knew that in time she would relax into her role and get better at the everyday chores of feeding and changing Natasha. But the thought that someone might be trying to steal her baby was more than she could handle. It wasn’t right. It wasn’t fair. She wanted all the bad stuff to go away so she could get back to worrying about things like having enough diapers and making changes in the baby formula.

She stood and stretched the kinks out of her back. After checking that Natasha was still asleep in her crib, she walked into the small bathroom and showered quickly.

The baby woke while Liz was still in her robe. She fed her and changed her and then they played peeka-boo until it was time for both of them to get dressed.

“It feels like a pink day for you,” Liz said. From her suitcase she pulled out a pair of pink cotton pants and a matching shirt covered with bunnies. She dug for a pair of darling pink shoes and held them up for the baby’s inspection.

“What do you think?”

Natasha waved her hands and giggled.

“I knew you’d like them,” Liz said with a laugh. “I’m deeply into shoes. I think it’s a girl thing. We’re going to have a good time shopping for them together.”

Assuming they both got out of Moscow.

Liz shook off the scary thought. She and the baby were fine, and they were going to stay that way. David was looking into things. While she might think falling in love with him was dumb, she trusted him to keep her and the baby safe.

She dressed Natasha, then herself, just in time for David’s arrival a few minutes later. He called from the lobby, then knocked on her door.

“Hey,” he said when she let him in. “Did you sleep?”

Liz took in the broad shoulders straining his suit jacket, the smooth-shaven jaw, the welcoming light in his dark eyes and wanted to wave the white flag of surrender. How was she supposed to resist this man when he was not only gorgeous, but nice, great in bed, terrific with her daughter and currently keeping them both safe from mysterious forces?

“I lay down some,” she said with a shrug. “I’ll be okay.”

His gaze narrowed. “I don’t like the sound of that. Nerves keep you up?”

“I kept waiting for someone to break down the hotel room door.”

“So my hallway security didn’t give you much peace of mind.”

“It helped. I was able to doze off now and then.”

“Uh-huh. Not good. You need your rest.”

She appreciated his concern, but knew there wasn’t anything he could do to change the situation. “I’ll catch up when I get home.”

“Sure. Because Natasha won’t be any trouble at all.”

She smiled. “You’re sweet to worry.”

“I’m more than sweet. I’m practical.” He crossed to the bed and pulled back the covers. “Get in there right now.”

“I can’t.”

“Of course you can. Is she fed?”

“Yes, but—”

“But nothing. Natasha and I are going to hang out together for a few hours. We’ll be back at noon to take you to the orphanage.”

He looked completely serious. Even as she watched, he loaded the diaper bag, then set the car seat in the chair and carried Natasha over to it.

She resisted the need to rub her eyes. “You’re really going to take care of her?”

“Do you doubt my ability?”

“Not exactly.”

“Which means you do.”

She shrugged. “Okay. Yes. You’re a guy.”

He pretended to wince. “Sexist much? Well, anything you can do I can do just as well.”

“At least you didn’t say better.”

“I’m not that stupid.”

He strapped the baby into the seat. Liz noticed that Natasha seemed just as content to be with David as with her. The kid had great taste in men.

David glanced at his watch. “Okay, you’ve got four hours. Sleep. I’ll tell the manager to hold off housekeeping until after noon.”

She sank onto the edge of the mattress and allowed herself to feel her exhaustion. “You’re wonderful for doing this.”

“Don’t I know it.” He bent over and kissed her forehead. “See you soon.”

Liz watched him carry out the baby. Then the door closed and she stretched out on the bed. She really should get up and change into her nightgown. Or at least remove her jeans. Everything would get wrinkled or…

Her eyes fluttered closed and she drifted off to sleep.

David walked down to his car and strapped Natasha into place.

“You’re going to change my morning plans,” he told the baby. “How do you feel about staff meetings?”

The infant giggled at him, then flailed her arms. He smiled back, then climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine. As he pulled out, he noticed his parking space was taken by a white van that had just rounded the corner. Lucky driver.

When he arrived at his office, his secretary took one look at Natasha and started to laugh.

“This is new,” she teased. “Are babies the latest in accessory?”

“I’m helping out a friend,” he said. “She’s actually a good kid.” He motioned to his secretary. “Mandy, this is Natasha.”

“Ooh, she’s a sweetie. Can I hold her?”

“Maybe. If you’re good.”

Mandy laughed. “So that’s how you’re going to do it, huh? Tempt me with the baby, but hold her just out of reach so instead of telling you that taking care of her isn’t part of my job description, I’m begging for the privilege.”

“Something like that,” he admitted. “Is it working?”

“Pretty much,” she said cheerfully.

She followed him into his office and helped him get Natasha settled. They turned a coffee table and two end tables on their sides to form an enclosed area for the baby to stretch out in. Mandy put several blankets on the floor, while David removed Natasha from her car seat. He’d packed plenty of toys in with the diapers and food.

Careful to keep the baby in view, he crossed to his desk and picked up the phone. When Ainsley answered, he asked her to stop by later that morning, then he went to work on his own assignments.

Ainsley showed up at ten-thirty.

“Nothing new,” she said as she crouched by Natasha and cooed at the baby. “Is this the one?”

“Yeah. She’s four months old. Too old, you said, for the black market baby ring.”

“The children have all been younger,” Ainsley said as she collected Natasha and carried her to the sofa where she sat down with the baby on her lap. The tall, thirty-something blonde seemed completely entranced by Natasha’s smile.

“Why risk moving such young babies?” he asked.

“They’re not in the adoption process yet,” Ainsley told him even as she pretended to nip Natasha’s little fingers. They both giggled.

Ainsley looked up at him and cleared her throat. “Sorry. She’s wonderful.”

“I know.”

So was her mother, he thought. But while it was safe to get attached to the infant, falling for Liz was much more risky.

“We have an assortment of problems in getting information,” Ainsley said. “First of all, this is an internal issue. The Moscow police don’t want our help. They barely acknowledge there’s a problem. They don’t cooperate. All my information comes to me from other sources. Here’s what I know. Rich couples who want a baby start out working within the system, just like everyone else. At some point, they’re approached by someone who says he can get them a baby more quickly.”

“For a price,” David said.

“Exactly. They’re shown photos of babies, given health histories. They make their down payment and the child is sent over. Whoever delivers the baby has all the right paperwork and has done his homework. We’ve yet to find a mistake in documentation.”

“So the rich couple gets a baby delivered, no muss, no fuss.”

“Something like that. If Natasha was one of those babies, she should have been delivered a couple of months ago.”

“Maybe the deal fell through.”

Ainsley nodded. “I’m sure it happens. But why not leave her in the system for a regular adoption?”

He looked at the baby. She had big blue eyes and brown hair. Her round face and happy smile made her a candidate for a baby model.

“Does she look like someone?” he asked, speaking slowly as the thoughts occurred to him. “Is it possible to get a baby to order?”

Ainsley frowned. “You mean the couple requests a certain kind of child in appearance?”

“I don’t know. It’s your department. Does that ever happen?”

“I suppose it could. The couple is already paying a huge amount for the baby. Why not get one special ordered?” She grimaced. “We’re talking about children here, not pizza.”

“I agree, but will our friends in the black market see it any differently?”

“Probably not.”

David considered the possibility. “So we don’t know who wants Natasha. Or if the attack was a fluke or not. But if it wasn’t, the ring could be after her specifically and not just any child. Can we confirm any of this?”

“I’ll have to ask around.”

“Do that and get back to me.”

“What are you going to do?”

He sighed. “Figure out how to keep Natasha and her adoptive mother safe without making either of them panic.” More security at the hotel for one thing, he thought.

“We could be wrong about all of this,” Ainsley reminded him. “Maybe it was just a freak thing.”

“Maybe, but until I’m sure, I want to take every precaution.”

“You don’t have to cart me around everywhere,” Liz said when David stopped his car in front of the orphanage.

“You’re not going anywhere alone until this is figured out,” he reminded her. “No arguments. I’ll be by around five to take you back to the hotel.”

He turned to her. “I mean it, Liz. You’re required to check in at the orphanage, but don’t go anywhere else without me. Don’t go sight-seeing or even to the corner market.”

He looked so stern and concerned that her heart did a little shimmy dance.

“I don’t think there is a corner store,” she teased.

“I’m serious.”

“I am, too. Really. I’m just trying to lighten things up to keep myself from going over the edge.”

“How’s that working for you?” he asked.

“Can I get back to you?”

He smiled. “Sure.”

They stared at each other. It was one of those moments where time seemed to stop and the world became a better, brighter place. She wanted to lean toward him and kiss him. She wanted him to kiss her back and touch her and maybe invite himself over for the night.

“I have to get back to the office,” he said quietly. “I’ll pick you up at five.”

“I’m sure Maggie could drive me back to the hotel.”

“I’m sure she could, too, but I want to do it. We’ll stop somewhere and get a quick dinner.”

Quick, huh? She wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that. “Do you have plans for the evening?”

“Unfortunately, yes. A meeting at the embassy.”

The melty feelings froze in place. Her mouth got dry and her throat tightened. “Is that a euphemism for another woman?” she asked, trying to sound interested rather than poised for heartbreak.

He leaned forward and brushed his mouth against hers. She enjoyed the brief contact while trying desperately not to go up in flames.

“It means exactly what I said. That I have a meeting.”

She could believe him or not, she told herself, and David had no reason to lie. Besides, they were hardly a couple.

“I’ll be ready at five,” she promised, and climbed out of the car.

He helped her with Natasha and escorted them both inside. After waving goodbye, he left. Liz headed for the nursery.

She settled Natasha for a nap, then went looking for Sophia. She hadn’t seen the teenager the previous day, which was odd. On Liz’s last visit to Moscow, the teenager had been with Natasha every day.

But instead of Sophia, she ran into Maggie.

“How are things going?” the social worker asked. “Are you feeling all right?”

“I’m good,” Liz told her, then shrugged. “I was terrified when that man tried to take Natasha, but I’m starting to wonder if I made a fuss over nothing.”

“Someone stealing your baby isn’t nothing.”

There was something in Maggie’s gaze that alerted Liz. “What’s happened?” she asked. More to the point, what hadn’t David wanted her to know?

Maggie led her back into the nursery, looked around as if checking to make sure they were alone, then spoke in a low voice.

“Did David mention anything about Natasha’s files?”

“No.” Liz’s stomach tightened. “What about them?”

“They’re gone. Everything. The folder is completely empty.”

Liz pressed her hand against the wall and fought not to throw up. “They can’t be. We need that paperwork to get her out of the country. How can I adopt her if there’s no documentation?”

“Hey, it’s okay.” Maggie touched her arm. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. As far as the adoption goes, I have all the paperwork I need with me. I keep all the babies’ files in a lockbox in my hotel room. We’re fine. I checked everything this morning. With the medical certificate we got yesterday, you and little Natasha are good to go. We just have the court hearing to deal with. That’s tomorrow afternoon. Once you’re cleared through the courts, I’ll take you to the embassy, you’ll get Natasha’s visa and then you can head home. In less than forty-eight hours you’ll leave all this behind.”

Liz tried to relax. Maggie was right. It was only two days. She could survive that.

“I’m thrilled you kept copies of everything,” she said earnestly. “If you hadn’t…”

“Part of my job,” Maggie said with a shrug. “I learned that one early. So we’re fine.”