CHAPTER 15

The plane touched down several hours later and Paul was the first one out, checking the car that was waiting for them, and speaking with the small group of law enforcement agents who were there to greet them. He had been surprised to see the kittens, but almost relieved. They gave Monica something to fret over and mother, and she clearly adored them. What was more surprising to him was the way she practically refused to make eye contact with either him or his partner, and the way she positioned the kittens’ box on the sofa beside her so that neither of them could get near her.

He knew that the horrible turn of events had to be terrifying and nearly unbearable for her. Her immediate reaction had not surprised him, but this new and strange detachment both perplexed and bothered him. It was obvious that she was just forcing her emotions out of sight, much as she had when she had worried that her nightmares would bother them. However, now she was doing more than just hide them, she was trying to pretend that they didn’t exist, and he had a horrible feeling that she would only be able to carry on the charade for a short while.

Inside the plane, Monica carefully gathered up the kittens, who had been roaming freely over the sofa, and placed them back into their box. “There you go,” she said sweetly. “Now don’t you worry, we’ll be at our new home in no time.”

Andrew almost winced at her words, wanting to shake her and then force her to open her heart to him again and stop her foolish act, but knowing that he couldn’t do either of those things. He was at least able to take some comfort in the fact that as misguided as he thought she was, her effort to remain strong and self-reliant was so far successful. She had been calm, if silent, through most of the flight, asking only the most perfunctory of questions, and keeping herself busy with seeing to the kittens’ welfare. He hoped, for her sake, that she was able to at least take her fears and distress to the Father, because she seemed determined not show them to anyone else.

The Irish angel remained quiet for the long drive out to the new safe-house, her eyes fixed out the window at the passing scenery. She saw how different it was then the rolling hills they had left behind, and hated the fact that as much as she had disliked being there, she was twice as unhappy to have been forced away. The new landscape was much more flat and open, and even though the car’s air conditioner was on high she could tell that the temperature outside was hotter than it had been at the farm.

She glanced into the front seat, where Andrew and Paul sat, each with pensive and vaguely distressed looks on their faces. She realized that her change in demeanor was at least partly responsible for those expressions. Turning her eyes to the window once more, she comforted herself with the thought that after a few days they would adjust, and she would be safe within her self imposed prison.

As Paul turned the car off the road, they immediately came to a gate and the agent rolled down his window to enter a code in the small metal box beside the car. The gate slowly opened and Paul pulled the car through and continued to head up the drive.

At first, all Monica could see were trees, shrubs and flowering plants, that brushed up against either side of the car as they slowly crept along. It almost seemed as if they were out in the middle of nowhere, until the large house loomed into sight. It was a two-story Cape Cod, the upper part of the house painted hunter green, while the first floor exterior was white stucco. What immediately caught the angel’s eye was the front porch. It was open and roomy, with two old wooden rocking chairs sitting on one side, while on the other was a porch swing. It all seemed very quaint, though she doubted she would be spending much time out of doors. Not now.

As Paul stopped the car, another man immediately came from around the corner and approached the car, laying his hands on Paul’s door to peer inside at the agent, “Everything is set, Paul.”

“Has anything been found at the farm?” He asked, his eyes holding a glimmer of hope that was quickly dashed as the man shook his head.

“Nothing, but they are still searching the surrounding area for any sign of him. If he’s there, they’ll find him.”

“We’re going to need some things from town. Clothes for Monica mostly and some cat supplies, enough for five,” Though Paul wanted to smile at his reference to the kittens, he just didn’t have it in him at the moment; not with the way Monica had so quickly and silently withdrawn.

“We’ll just need her sizes,” He assured, as he glanced into the back seat, though his gaze was not returned, “I’ll send Michelle, just in case anyone is watching,” He hesitated for a moment, clearly sensing the tension in the car, “Paul, we’re sorry about this morning. Wish it could have been avoided.”

“Me too, Russ, “ Paul replied with a weary sigh, as his friend and colleague patted the door with his hand and then stepped away, allowing Paul to drive up the house and then park the car, “This is it,” He announced, knowing his words were showing his keen grasp of the obvious but he felt like he had to say something to break the silence in the vehicle.

Andrew nodded his head as he opened his door and climbed out before moving to open Monica’s door. Once more she avoided his concerned, frustrated gaze as she gathered up the box of kittens and got out, and this time Andrew let the door close with a “Slam” before he had even realized he had done it. Not that it brought any reaction from his best friend as she followed Paul up the steps and to the porch, stopping as he entered yet another security code before opening the front door.

Monica glimpsed around at her new home, though she really took in little of it. She only wanted to know where her room was so she could retreat and she elected not to waste any time posing the question.

Paul turned to look at her, frustration clearly written on his face though he could do little more than answer her, “You can have whichever one you want, Monica. I’ll need your sizes though so I can give Michelle the information. You should have a wardrobe in a few hours.”

She nodded her head as she noticed a pencil and paper lying by the phone in the study. Laying down the box, she walked into the room and quickly jotted down the information he had requested. Handing the paper to him, she retrieved her kittens with a soft “Thank you” and headed up the steps.

Andrew watched her go; trying to calm his panic with the way that things were going and they weren’t going well at all. If she did this, it would all blow up in her face before long and he knew that. This wasn’t the first time the little angel had attempted to bury her heart as the pain was too great for her to manage and the repercussions had always been extreme. It would catch up to her sooner rather than later and then picking up the pieces would be no easy task.. Today had devastated her; that much was abundantly clear, but this complete disengagement was not what he had thought would happen, especially after the way she had clung to him in the car and now she wouldn’t even look at him.

“I really hope that this passes,” Paul commented as Monica vanished up the steps, “There isn’t anything healthy about what she is doing, though I know she must feel as if she is on an emotional roller coaster with how good yesterday was.”

“She’s trying to protect herself emotionally,” Andrew stated, feeling the hurt welling up in his heart all over again at not feeling her there, “But she’s going about dealing with this morning the wrong way.”

“But is there even a right way to handle it, Andrew?” Paul questioned with a shake of his head, remembering the horrible images he had seen in the barn that day, and knowing that it had been even more traumatic for her, “He’s taunting her and I’m afraid if it happens again that little thread she is clinging to is going to snap.”

“We can’t allow it to happen again,” The angel stated firmly, afraid it would shatter his best friend’s emotionally. Fact was, Monica had never been in a situation where someone wanted to personally do her harm. She firmly believed in the goodness of the human heart, even if that goodness was the smallest spark, and this time she had searched and come up empty. It was a concept she would be unable to wrap her mind around, no matter how much she tried or wanted to be able to. She was also an emotional angel, and the killer was playing upon those emotions in the cruelest possible way.

It still chilled him to think about the cat as he could only pray that this man hadn’t chosen an animal because he had been close enough to see what they meant to her, “I’m going to run up and check on her, Paul.” The need to see her suddenly felt overwhelming, even if she only shut him out once more.

As Paul nodded his head in agreement, Andrew sprinted up the steps, deciding that Monica had chosen the room at the end of the hall as the door was tightly closed, much like her soul was to him at the moment. He opened the door quietly, his heart aching at the sight.

She had fallen asleep on the bed, curled up tightly, her gentle face anything but peaceful. Above her head on the pillow, the five kittens slept as well, forming a small, furry halo above the angel. He approached softly, and took the quilt from the end of the bed, gently covering her with it, before he brushed a stray piece of hair from her face, watching with pain in his soul as she recoiled as if afraid, even in sleep. He was used to his touch bringing her peace, and the knowledge that she had closed herself from even that small comfort was heart breaking.

The setting sun cast long shadows through the room, and touched on Monica's hair, lighting up the reddest highlights. Her face was bathed in the last rays of light and Andrew marveled at her quiet beauty. He shook his head, unable to understand the mindset of a man who could want to hurt such a kind and innocent creature.

He thought about sitting down next to her bed and waiting for her to wake, but remembered that he was no longer her only protector, and Paul would no doubt wonder what was taking him so long. He let out a long breath and resisted the impulse to run the back of his hand along her cheek before turning and walking out of the room.

"How is she?" Paul asked as Andrew walked slowly down the stairs.

"She's asleep," he said. His expression was a cross between sadness and anger that Paul could immediately relate to.

The agent jerked his head once before looking back at the paperwork he held in his hands. "Probably better off that way," he said, a hint of cynicism in his voice.

"Not really," Andrew countered. "The longer she's like this the worse it'll be for her."

Paul looked up suddenly, his eyes hard. "You think I don't know that? You think I wanted it to come to this?"

Andrew's green eyes widened in surprise at the harshness evident in the words. "Paul…"

The agent waved him off, "I'm sorry, man… I'm just…" he took a breath. "Just don't pay any attention to me right now."

"It isn't your fault that this happened," Andrew said cautiously, not sure what Paul's reaction would be.

"It isn't? I'm the one who decided to take her into town. I just HAD to make her happy, didn't I? I should have settled for making her safe," he said, disgustedly.

The blond angel took a step closer and placed a hand on Paul's shoulder. "You did what you thought was right. If he was in the town then it only would have been a matter of time before he tracked her down, with or without seeing her." He pushed his own feelings aside in his desire to give comfort. "And I have a feeling that you aren't the only one who has a hard time not doing everything possible to make her happy," he said with a wry grin.

Unfortunately, Paul was not easily swayed. "Yeah, well not everyone is responsible for keeping her alive," he responded, bitterly, before turning and heading towards the study.

Andrew knew better than to try and follow him, and went to the living room instead. He looked out the window as the sun disappeared behind the trees and sent a prayer up to God for both Monica and Paul. He didn't know how he was going to be able to help either of them if they shut themselves off from everything.

The house was surrounded by the half-light of evening by the time a knock at the door roused Andrew and Paul from their respective rooms. Paul was the first one at the door and he opened it, greeting the agent on the other side with a handshake and an attempt at pleasant smile.

"Michelle got everything she thought your girl would need," Russ said as he handed over five full shopping bags, "and she grabbed the cat stuff too." He set a plastic litter pan down on the floor and looked up. "What kind of witness collects pets on the way, anyhow?" he asked with a grin.

"A very special one," Paul replied, the regret in his face evident only to his partner.

"Well, if she needs anything else, you know who to call. You two need anything?"

"No, we were prepared for this situation… sent things ahead before we even took her to the farm," Andrew said.

"I'll see you guys later then. Don't worry… this place is like a safe. No way is he getting past that gate."

"Yeah," Paul muttered, "and neither is she."