Beyond the Call of Duty by Wendy Stone Page A

a big local story and one of the major television affiliates also picked it up. She had become some kind of superhero and groaned each time one of the news programs showed her picture on the screen. “I’m becoming more of a detriment to this case every time they flash that damn picture. How the hell am I going to be able to stay hidden with all of this publicity?”
    She glanced over at Jack who’d been on his cell phone since just after breakfast. She should feel better, knowing he was overseeing their case personally, but instead it made her feel worse. She could already see the stress building on him, and she worried about his heart. She got up and went into the kitchen, getting a glass of cold water and bringing it over to him, just as he hung up from the latest call.
    “Take your pills, Jack. You’re beginning to look a bit pale, and I’m not going to be the cause of your death. Suzy would kill me.”
    He smiled as she spoke his wife’s name. “She’s gotten very good at bossing me around; almost as good as you are Lexi. Don’t worry about me. I’ll take off after we get you moved and leave you with Joe and Gerald for the night.”
    “Good, because I sure as hell don’t want that promotion yet, Jack. You’ve got to stay healthy.”
    He reached into his pocket and pulled out a long pill-minder box. He flipped open one of the caps and poured the pills into his hands. Tossing them in his mouth, he took the glass of water she got for him and swallowed them down. “Thanks, Lexi. You just saved me from getting told off tonight.”
    “Anything for you, Jack.” She bent and kissed him on the cheek. “You know I love you.”
    He smiled, and then was interrupted from answering as his cell phone went off once more.
    Lexi went back to her place on the couch. She curled up and felt Gabe rest his head against her thigh. Luke brought her a blanket, and she could feel her eyes wanting to close. She sighed, fighting to keep them open, but it was no use. Her breathing deepened, her body grew heavy and relaxed and she was out.
    * * * *
    She woke to Gabe gently shaking her. “Time to get up, Sleeping Beauty. I would have woken you with a kiss, but I didn’t think your guard dogs would appreciate that.” He nodded to where Joe, Gerald, Luke, Molly and Jack stood watching them.
    “What’s going on?”
    “We’re getting moved, darling. You’re all packed up, and everything is in the truck. All we have to do is get you in there.” She put her feet on the floor, searching for her shoes. Gabe bent down, picking up her shoes and sliding them one after the other onto her feet. “Okay, Cinderella, your slippers are on, let’s go to the ball.”
    She couldn’t help but giggle at his silliness but quickly sobered up when she rose and took a step toward her teams. “Where do you want us, Jack?”
    “You and Gabe will be riding in the back of the SUV. We’ve got some empty boxes to stack around you and a blanket that we’re going to throw over you. No matter what you hear, you keep your heads down and stay quiet. You’ll have Luke and Molly with you, and Joe and Gerald will be in the car behind you. I’m going to follow behind them, just to make sure you don’t have a tail. We’ve done this a million times, Lexi, you know the routine.”
    “Yeah, but usually I’d be the one driving the car instead of the one hiding in it.” She glanced around at the counters. “Where’s my purse?”
    “It’s in the back of the SUV, and yes, your baby is in it as well.”
    “Then let’s get this show on the road.” She headed to the back door but stood back to let Luke and Molly go out first. When they gave the all clear signal, she grabbed Gabe’s arm. “This isn’t going to be the most comfortable way to travel, but it will be safe.” She helped him into the cargo area of the SUV, sliding in next to him. Finding her purse, she pulled her pistol and checked the load and the safety before dropping it back into her