The Protector by Dawn Marie Snyder Page B

was figured out.   
    I ignored Mike’s stare and focused on Alison’s breathing.  I handed her back her inhaler and placed my hand on her chest, above her breasts. She only stared out the window of the suburban.  The electricity I had felt earlier on the plane and when I had my arms wrapped around her was still there. But it didn’t shock me this time. Being next to her produced a warm calm feeling I had never encountered with anyone.  
    It was close to two in the morning and traffic was light. We were able to reach our destination in record time for the Washington DC area.  I knew she was safe for the time being, but it didn’t stop an uneasy feeling from settling in my chest.  We reached the red brick home and I helped Alison as she climbed out of the suburban.
                  “My bags?”
    “Conway is taking care of that. They will be here shortly.”  I grabbed her hand and led her to the door that was now open. We were greeted by a sweet middle aged woman in pajama bottoms and a sweatshirt. “Hello Jack,” she said with a sweet southern accent.
    “Hello Mrs.  Walker.”  I smiled at the lady I had seen more than a few times in my tenure at my job. Alison followed quickly behind me into the warm townhome, not letting go of my hand. She stood amazingly close as I turned and watched Mike follow us in. He was on his phone, obviously perturbed and reporting back to someone higher up that he did not have procession of the correct processor.
    Alison glanced nervously around the room.  Mrs. Walker closed the door and locked it, then hit a code on the keypad next to the door.  I squeezed Alison’s hand and lifted her hand and pointed with my index finger to the lady who now walked closer to us. “Alison, this is Mrs. Walker. She’s the caretaker. “
    Alison tried desperately to smile, but it was forced and definitely not a sincere effort on her part. Mrs. Walker only laughed at the young lady’s reaction to her.  I raised my eyebrows as Alison looked from Mrs. Walker to me.
    “Alison, I have a room ready upstairs for you. You can take a hot shower and get some rest if you would like.”
    Alison still didn’t say anything she just looked at me with eyes full of fear.
    “It’s ok,” I tried to reassure her. “I’ll bring up your bags when they get here.”  I let go of her hand and gently encouraged her to go to the stairs where Mrs. Walker stood. “I’m not going anywhere without you.” I turned to look at Mrs. Walker, “She needs a hot shower to clear her lungs. Asthma attack at the airport.” Mrs. Walker only nodded and started to head upstairs.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    8 Inquisition
     
     
     
    I looked from Jack to Mrs. Walker, not sure what to do, but Jack put his hand on my back and guided me to the stairs. I stopped at the foot of them, unsure of what was going to happen next.
    “You’re not leaving?”  I had to know. I barely knew this man but I suddenly trusted him.  I hesitated for only a brief moment. I looked him in the eyes and suddenly all the hesitation melted away. 
    “No,” he whispered. “I promise, I’ll be down here.” There was something in his voice I could not describe that made me want to trust him.
    I turned and followed Mrs. Walker up the stairs to the room at the end of the hall.  She opened the door and dim light from a lamp lit the small room. I could see a door on the other side of the bed.
    “You have a private bathroom.  Please take as long of a shower as you need. The steam will help your lungs.”  The sweetness of her southern accent was soothing. For a minute, I almost imagined I was listening to Paula Dean.  But her next words returned me to my stark reality. “There is a panic button next to the lamp.  Push it and someone will be here within seconds.”
    I walked past her into the room. It had a double bed and a television.  A clock sat on the side table and