Shane

Shane’s heart ached for what Markayla was going through. But his selfish side held out the hope of her eventually coming to live with him. He’d been one of the undercovers to attend the funeral services held for Jack Seymour. Markayla still managed to look beautiful, even dressed in dark, dismal colors and wearing nothing for makeup but a very sad, lost and defeated expression. Jack’s family seemed like ordinary citizens who wanted to comfort his now widowed wife. In fact, they wanted to take Markayla down to New Mexico to live with them. Fortunately for Shane, though, he had to explain to them that Markayla would be in danger if she went with them because Angeles might try to locate the next of kin to see if she was with them. Shane, standing nearby, overheard snippets of the family’s conversation. Jack’s mother, a stout woman with snowy hair, sighed and said, “I guess it really would be too risky after all if you came back with us.” Markayla nodded at her mother-in-law and said, “I’ll be home someday, Mom.” Shane hoped she meant that only as a visit. “I guess for now we have to leave you here in NorCal.” The woman rubbed her meaty arms. “It’s chilly up here.” “Yeah, it is,” Markayla agreed. The family hugged, expressed how sorry they were, how much they would miss Jack, how they should always cherish and remember the fond memories they had of him, and to let them know if she ever needed anything. “I will,” said Markayla. “Thank you all so much.” Just then, Shane stepped up to the group, cleared his throat and said, “You’re probably already aware of this, but Markayla won’t be able to contact you while she’s in hiding.” “Yes, we were told,” said the sister-in-law, a shorter, thinner version of her mother. “I just don’t want you to worry about her or think anything’s wrong. She’ll be in very good hands.” The family smiled weakly at Shane. “Thank you,” the father said appreciatively, eyes the color of weak tea. “I’ll contact you as soon as I’m able to,” Markayla told them. Then the father stepped up to Shane. Shane’s blue-gray eyes studied him with a look of concern and seriousness. “You get that bastard and you nail his ass to the wall, you hear?” “We’re doing everything we can, Mr. Seymour. I can promise you that.” “Where are you taking my daughter-in-law?” the slender man asked, almost in the way a concerned father might ask a guy where he expected to take his underage daughter on a date. “She’ll be taken to a safe place. I’m afraid that’s all I can tell you for now, sir.” He hesitated a moment, then said, “Well, ok. Just as long as she’s safe and that murdering bastard is caught and hung by the balls.” “Yes, sir,” Shane said with a slight bow and a professional smile. Shane watched as Markayla bid her family farewell. They would head to their hotel and then fly home the following morning. He stepped up to her as they moved away. Willem also approached them. “How you holding up?” asked Willem. Markayla shrugged and said, “As well as can be expected.” A couple of uniformed officers approached them from a different direction. “Shane?” asked Markayla. “Mm,” Shane said with a questioning look. “Can someone take me to my house to get some of my personal belongings? Being in a stranger’s house or a hotel is one thing. Using their things is another. I’d like to have something of my own with me.” “I’m sure that can be arranged.” The uniforms were now just a few feet away. “Ready?” asked one of them. Markayla opened her mouth to speak and then glanced at Shane. “She’d like to stop at her house to pick up some things whenever it’s possible,” Shane said. “Sure thing. But first, we have orders to take her directly to the safe house.” Again, Markayla looked at Shane. Instead of eyes filled with strength and confidence, he now saw eyes filled with weakness and fear. He felt awful for her. “I just want to thank you for all that you’ve done for me.” Shane smiled warmly. “You know,” Markayla said with a shrug, “in case I never see you again.” “You’ll see me again,” Shane said with a wink and a confident nod of his head.