They stopped at Annie's favorite deli downtown, picking up lunch to go. Scott and three other agents were waiting for them at the house and they helped with the luggage. Finally, the two women sat down at the big oak table in the kitchen.

Annie dug into her food, watching Sarah, finally asking, "What do you have to do now? I have some time before the party to unpack or whatever."

"Go home, change my clothes, and have a quick meeting with the group that will be with us tonight. This is so important to the investigation. If we can get evidence, any evidence, we've got them, thanks to you."

"Then you'll come back, pick me up, and we'll go together?"

Sarah laid her fork down and looked at Annie, taking a deep breath before she spoke. "All I want to do is get tonight over with and get you away from here."

a 133 a Sarah finally smiled at her and Annie's eyes lit up. "I missed you, gumshoe."

"Annie, I'm sorry I'm cranky. Scenes like that at the airport make me crazy. There's no way to protect you. It was just me, without backup." She remembered the dark-haired woman's face in the crowd and thought about it for a minute. "I enjoyed the awards, but the network didn't send us the film, and I'd really like to watch it."

"It was a longer format, a documentary, so it wouldn't be in my regular reports. You didn't get any of my specials?" Sarah shook her head. "They're in my office, the shelf above my desk. Bill sends me a copy of them, and also I'll get a disc of this ceremony. Anytime you want to see it, just take it off the shelf, but I warn you, it's like the Annie Booker marathon. You'll get tired of them."

Never, Sarah thought. "I'd appreciate it, especially the one you got the award for, about the Navajo. Also, very pretty dress and nice speech." She paused and then grinned. "As a matter of fact, that dress, Annie..."

Annie started to laugh. "Oh, don't even say it. Ellen Kennedy, one of the senior producers, always does my shopping. More ame' than dress, right?"

"Are you tired?"

"No, I'm used to this. Always on the go."

"All right, don't get too unpacked. We're leaving right after the party tonight. We'll come home and change, then we're off. I'm going to be very strict with everyone, most of all you. We have to be very careful, please."

"Sarah, I just can't connect Jaish al-Basca or its Web site here in America, but if it's not them, who is it?" Annie looked upset. "I feel as if I'm back in Baghdad." She gave an exasperated sigh. "However, I promised myself in New York that I will do whatever you think I should. Let's get this over with."

"I need all the help you can give me."

Sarah hung the yellow dress in the closet, surrounded by Annie's light scent. She took a deep breath, then carried a small bag into the bathroom, spotting the gold statue sitting on the counter. She walked into Annie's office, holding it out to her.

Annie looked up. "Sorry. I meant to bring it in here. Just put it up there with those other things, please." She pointed to a shelf where a 134 a some plaques and statues were arranged. Sarah put it on the shelf and paused to read the awards.

"Look at all these things," Sarah said, "and golf trophies in the basement."

"Does that impress you?"

"No, but you sure do, and I have to get going or I'll miss the meeting. Scott and the others will walk the house and stay until we're ready to go." Annie smiled. "I left something on the kitchen table for you. It was stored at Sherry's, and I thought of you. I want you to have it, please. I'm glad you're home. I'll be back in less than three hours."

v Annie left the luggage out on the big bed, unpacking most of it into the dresser and into the closet. She stood and looked at the small getaway bag and repacked it into one bigger bag before finally wandering out into the house.

Annie talked to Scott and the agents for a bit and then made coffee.

The box that Sarah had left felt heavy as Annie carried it down the hall to start a bath. Sarah had written the word "Survivor" on the top of the box, and Annie slit the tape to open it. The business card taped to the inside of the flap said Rainbow's End. It was where Sarah kept her horses, her friend's business. Carefully pushing the packing aside, she pulled out a large carved wooden crow poised to fly, black with blue highlights. The wings were enormous. The delicate details on the bird were so realistic that Annie touched one to see if it was a feather. It was just like Sarah. Unusual.

She stretched out in the bath water and she closed her eyes. While in New York, she had run into Karin, the woman who had given them shelter in Switzerland after the hospital. They had talked for more than two hours over food and drinks, and Karin asked about Mary. Her kind eyes had asked more as Annie had explained the emotional tangle when they returned, and Karin had nodded and said, "I thought as much."

"But, Karin, Mary stayed there even when I wanted her to go. It would have been better to have ended it right then, not drag it out for three more years."

"She felt responsible for you, Annie. I could see it. I'm not sure she wanted the responsibility, but she couldn't stop it."

a 135 a "I should have ended it right there."

The last thing Karin had said to her was, "If you're still thinking about Mary, put yourself in her place. What would you have done?"

Annie let her body sink completely under the warm water, and she exhaled slowly, blowing bubbles up to the surface. Karin was right, she thought, sitting up in the tub. I would have done the same thing, tried everything to make it right and make it go away. What's a little cement in my arm, compared to that? Closing her eyes, she remembered the hospital. Mary's blue eyes, always wet with tears. The delicate lavender walls. Every day she had memorized the cracks and marks in the plaster, just trying to hold on. The color had melted with the drugs as each day was just another breakdown. They had locked the doors behind them as they left.

Annie shivered in the warm water. She had to talk with Sarah.

Tonight, on the way to Green Bay, would be a good time. She pulled in a ragged breath. Glancing up at the crow, she thought of the media crush at the airport today. She had enjoyed herself, until she had seen the unhappy expression on Sarah's face. I'll bet my life upsets her, just like it does Mary and Rebecca. I'm not making her job easy. This job is my choice, but it's pulling everyone around me into it. Maybe it's time for me to pull away from the job. Jack always said never duck the truth, look it right in the eye, but how can you look it right in the eye when you can't see it? He never saw the people who shot him, and they didn't care about his truth. Their truth is terrorism and how much money they could make off this war.

She thought of the possibilities. It's not the Web site. The FBI doesn't think it's anyone local, a stalker, and they don't think it's involved with the car bomb. She went through the last years in her mind. Almost every single piece she had done could be interpreted as controversial, especially the series she and Jack had put together two years ago. Sarah said the FBI had gone over every report that had generated feedback to the network, as had Bill Simpson from New York City. They even had a group on the East Coast working on domestic terrorism. Then what the hell is this? She groaned and clenched her fists.

She sat up, opening the tap for more hot water. This is crazy. I'm not going to give up my life for this, whatever it is. Bring it on, boys, I will win. I know fear as well as you do. It's like breathing.

a 136 a Annie reached up and angrily grabbed the shampoo, ducking under the water, soaking her hair, and then scrubbing it, hard.

v Sheikha hung her clothes in the closet, trading them for a dress.

She pulled it out and hung it in the bathroom. She had gone shopping with her mother when she had bought this. It was the last contact she'd had with her mother, the last time she'd been able to talk with her.

Smiling, she turned the shower on. Sheikha missed her mother's warmth, her bright mind. She missed her two little sisters. She adjusted the temperature of the water, then stepped inside. At least this country had dependable water and food. She worried about her family and knew they hadn't been getting the food or care they needed. They had tried for several years to get them out of Baghdad, but because of their father, they could not get a visa for the family. Finally, they had found a way. She would see them soon. The plan was already working.

The reporter had looked so happy at the airport this morning, and she thought about the government person that had spotted her. She wondered if she'd remembered her from the meeting on the street or the clinic. They'd probably have to kill her as well. She and Hamel had discussed involving the government in this directly. She wasn't as confident as he was, but if they could get their hands on the photos they could get on with their life and their business.

a 137 a a 138 a

ChAPTER FiFTEEN.

Sarah slid into her chair at the meeting, her mind focused on the evening ahead. Don had merged the illegal immigration with Annie's case so they could all work together tonight at Majer's party.

Sam Coates, her counterpart on the illegal immigration case, nodded and slid papers across the desk toward her. She read over the financial information on Dr. Majer, every muscle in her body feeling tight and tense. Rolling her head to stretch her neck and shoulders, Sarah finally straightened, exhaling slowly. She trusted Don Ahrens as much as anyone she worked with, but this still felt dangerous to her and she thought about the trip out of town after the party.

"How many people inside with me?" she asked "You're the point on this one, as you'll be with her most of the time, and there'll be four other people inside with you. Everyone got that?" Don looked around to make sure everyone understood. "Scott will be shadowing you, and I'll be outside. I'm sure some of the core people involved with our problem are going to be there." He took a long drink of coffee, "Okay, that's five people inside and four cars at the exits."

Don held up his hand. "Two things. This is not only our opportunity to get the evidence we need to finally shut this group down, but it's also a dangerous moment for Ms. Booker. Some of you have seen the photographs that tie her to a large player in Iraq, but we have to wait for Homeland Security to confirm. Whether they confirm or not, we know someone's out there, been around her, so be vigilant. Everyone."

He pointed out the exits marked on the maps. "If you get the word from anyone, seal everything immediately. No one leaves, and I don't care who it is, they stay. We've all done this before, so just be smart."

a 139 a He turned back to Sarah. "Tell the agents at Ms. Booker's to wait for me at the Majers', all right?" Sarah nodded and followed the others out of the room.

v Annie heard Sarah yell hello down the hallway. Still in her stocking feet, Annie walked from the bedroom. She caught Sarah's reflection in the big French doors. Annie stopped, unable to move her eyes. Sarah's new light gray suit, blended silk threaded with silver, shone in the light. The fabric held her fit body splendidly, black hair a perfect counterpoint to the lightness she created. A white silk top under the coat gleamed, and silver sparkled at her ears as she turned. Annie stood, spellbound at the sight.

"Am I early?" Sarah asked.

"No, I'm just not ready." Annie finally took a breath, walked toward her, and turned. "Will you zip me up, please?" Everything in her wanted to turn to Sarah and fold into her.

"What a pretty color, Annie," she said.

v The bit of moon that had hung in the midnight blue sky earlier was covered by dark clouds as they drove to Dr. Majer's. A powerful wind battered Annie's car. Blowing snow made driving slow. Rebecca was sitting in the back giving new meaning to the term "backseat driver"

as Sarah negotiated the city streets. Annie thought about the drive to Green Bay after the party, wishing she didn't have to talk to Sarah and tell her what she never wanted to talk about.

"Slider, Sarah knows where we're going," Annie grumbled.

"What did you call her?" Sarah asked.

"Nothing, she didn't say anything," Rebecca said, poking Annie in the back.

Annie grinned at Sarah. "It's just a nickname, Slider, but she won't let me tell her kids about it."

Rebecca started pulling on her gloves as they neared the house.

"You can tell them anytime you want, Annie, but I warn you that Shelly would love new bedtime stories."

a 140 a "Is this, what did you call it, lake effect snow?" Sarah asked.

Rebecca and Annie laughed. "No, this is the real deal, a good old- fashioned fast blizzard out of the northwest. If it was lake effect, it would be coming in from the lake," Annie explained. "This has been predicted for two days. I saw it on the news in New York City."

"How do you people cope with this every year?" Sarah said.

"It's just part of Wisconsin," Rebecca said. "When you grow up with it, you respect it but live with it."

Sarah pulled the SUV in behind a line of cars and cut the motor.

"All right, let's run over the story." The wind rocked the car briefly and snow melted down the window in silver streaks.

"I'm a friend of Annie's that you've just met, right, Rebecca? And, Annie, I work for the government but was just transferred to Milwaukee, and you're not sure what I'm doing now. How's that? If anyone presses, just have them talk with me."

"I could tell them that you catch bullets with your-" Annie started to say, but Sarah put her hand over her mouth.

"Don't even think of it, Booker," she said.

"Well, I for one would like to hear that story." Rebecca chuckled, getting out.

Annie and Sarah followed, both laughing. The snow pelted them as they struggled to open the door against a sudden hard gust.

The house was a warm contrast to the storm raging outside. It was filled with a low hum of voices mixed with music and a pleasant aroma. The professor and his wife greeted them, and Annie handed over the folder from Baghdad. The FBI had gone over each scrap of paper before they'd given it back to Annie. Sarah looked around, reviewing the background she had on the Majers. The financial report had shown money, lots of it, but just as it came in every month, a lot went out. He's just like a big bank, distributing money to terrorism in America, Sarah thought. He'd been a respected professor in Iraq, then Germany, and finally here in the U.S., but nothing that earned this kind of opulence.

He and his wife were gray haired, and Sarah knew their children were grown and gone, all into professional lives in the United States. She watched Dr. Majer disappear into a side room with Annie's folder and return moments later without it. The surveillance made Sarah feel more assured, but she was flooded with edgy adrenaline, wishing the evening was over and they were on their way out of town.

a 141 a They passed a trio playing classical music as they made their way to the bar. Sarah asked for a sparkling water, but Annie and Rebecca were drinking something amber.

"What is that?" Sarah asked, pointing with her chin at Annie's glass.

"Something very Wisconsin." Annie held her drink up. "Brandy."

Rebecca moved to Sarah's side and said, "Would you like me to point out people that I know or teach with?" Sarah nodded and watched a tall, distinguished man come out of the crowd toward Annie. "That's our university chancellor." He shook Annie's hand and they talked for a moment. "I hope he's trying to talk her into teaching here next year. We have an opening at a high level in our journalism school, and I'd like to see her consider it." Rebecca took a drink and looked at Sarah. "She's ready for a break. What do you think?"

Sarah studied Rebecca, remembering Annie's marriage proposal story. She shook her head. "The network loves her, Rebecca."

Rebecca frowned. "Her head's on sideways from the car bomb and the other thing. She's scattered."

"What do you mean?"

"It's like she's running in another gear. She's usually relaxed and low key when she gets home, but not this time. I understand that the injury and her house being broken into is not the most calming thing to come home to, but it's more than that."

"Rebecca, I don't know what to say. She's excellent at what she does and has quite a future. You should hear what the network says to us, and now the award. Have you ever seen her like this before?"

"I just want her to consider getting away from the danger. She's always been talented, and not just in this field. She could be every bit as good in another field."

Sarah turned to check Annie's whereabouts, but she couldn't see her.

"Did you see where Annie's gone to?" she asked Rebecca and they looked out at the crowd. Thinking of the slate blue suit with the pale yellow top that Annie was wearing, Sarah moved quickly toward the large living room, past tall candles burning in metal holders sitting on the floor. They left a delightful scent in the air as Sarah walked by, but they were practically the only lights in the room. She walked behind a long leather couch and took a sip of water, heart racing. Where the a 142 a hell is she? She scanned a group close to the fireplace and found her, speaking to a group of men and women. Sarah watched Annie morph from casual to professional as she talked about Iraqi politics, choosing her words carefully. What a talent Annie had, the ability to get attention immediately just by speaking. Sarah watched the people listen and lean toward her.

"Intriguing, isn't she?" a soft male voice said behind her, startling Sarah. She glanced over her shoulder. The accent was foreign and its owner was a somewhat familiar handsome young man. Sarah nodded at him.

"I saw you come in with Ms. Booker and Dr. Larsen," he continued.

"Are you here in an official capacity?"

"Pardon me?" Sarah turned toward him.

"I am asking, what is it you Americans say, are you Ms. Booker's caretaker?"

I wish, Sarah thought, holding out her hand. "I don't believe we've been introduced. I'm Sarah Moore."

The man ignored her hand but bowed slightly. "It is inappropriate where I come from to touch a woman's hand, or any part of her body, particularly when she is unattended. My apology."

"Unattended?" Sarah asked.

"Women in my country do not leave the residence without a male."

Sarah turned slightly away from him, looking back at Annie, who was now looking at her. "No, I am not her bodyguard, just a friend."

Annie said something to the group and started toward them.

"Have you met Prince Abdel?" Annie asked in a voice as cold as the wind outside, sending a tingle up Sarah's spine.

"We were just talking," Sarah said, unconsciously moving slightly between Annie and the man, into the unsettled air about them.