Free Never Look Back by Geraldine Solon Page B

was chasing her. She knew how this would all end—always be alone, surrounded by strangers, living a fake life, never getting close to anyone.
    What difference did it make? Her life was over.
    U.S. Marshall Collins unbuttoned his suit and sat across Dana. "I know this is a huge change for you."
    Dana glared at him. "Quit the small talk and let's get down to business. Just tell me what the next step is."
    "Very well." He folded his arms.
    Dana faced him, gritting her teeth. "And if I'm in this game, I need all the info I can get about this Vladimir—his job, what he likes, where he lives, and what keeps him awake at night."
    He crossed his legs.
    "For now, we are trying to track him down."
    "You mean you don't have any info on him?"
    The U.S. Marshall looked away. "We only recently discovered Anton had a son. There is no record of him, no paper trails."
    Anguish spat on her insides. "How am I supposed to protect myself?"
    He stood. "I can assure you will be protected."
    "So where are you taking me? What's my new name and my disguise?"
    He handed her another folder. "New Mexico. You're a librarian, married to a construction worker named Jake, and have a six-year-old daughter. Your new name is Lucy Mitchell."
    "And don't worry about Jake. He too is part of the WITSEC program so he knows the drill," U.S. Marshall Adams said.
    Staring at her new social security, driver’s license, and passport, Dana flashed her heart-stopping smile, her disguise. Something burning crept inside her then burst out as laughter. It felt good to laugh after days of trauma.
    The two U.S. Marshalls exchanged glances. She didn't care.
    ***
    Agent Felicia placed a fax on Agent Kerry's desk. "Check out what the media's saying, that Dana Simmons has been spotted and just needed time to grieve her father's death."
    Agent Wayne pushed the paper aside. "Heard about it on the news this morning. The WITSEC will have a difficult time pulling this off. She's famous, and it wouldn't be difficult to recognize her." He reached for the picture frame of his two daughters. Thank God they were safe. He wouldn’t wish that to happen to them.
    Felicia opened the window and stared out. "I feel bad for Rob Hanson. He's posted flyers on every block that she's missing. This is a man determined to find her."
    He rustled the papers on his desk and punched a number on the phone. "He's attracting more attention to the mob. We need to keep a closer watch on him, you don’t want the mob to harm him."
    ***
    Flicking his cigarette, Rob was disgusted to learn from the news earlier that morning that Dana wasn't missing. The media indicated that tourists in France spotted her recuperating from the death of her father. That certainly didn't sound like Dana, and he didn't buy it.
    He crossed the street, posted his last flyer, and entered Burt's cafe to meet the two FBI Agents.
    Agent Wayne raised his hand. Rob approached the table and removed his leather jacket.
    The waiter brought in coffee for the three of them.
    "Thanks for coming to meet us in short notice," Agent Wayne said.
    "My lawyer doesn't want me speaking to you guys without him." He lit a cigarette. "But I've nothing to hide and I know something's not right. I'm her agent.”
    "We’re aware of that." Agent Wayne said. "That's why we wanted to meet you."
    Agent Raymond showed Rob the note from Dana’s father.
    Rob read the note, his breathing becoming more ragged.
    "Is everything all right?"
    Rob bit his lip. "The day Dana disappeared, she told me about this note."
    "And why didn't you mention this to Officer Jones or Detective Schultz?"
    Rob cracked his knuckles. "Dana told me this in confidence, and I thought if I mentioned this to the police, her life would be in danger."
    "Her life already is in danger. You shouldn't withhold information from us."
    Rob grabbed his jacket and stood. "My lawyer was right. I should have never come here. You can't keep harassing me like I'm the bad guy here. You should be looking for the