Disclaimer: I don't own it or get paid for it : )
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The next morning Kay McCavoy had an early visitor. As she made her way down the stairs, she allowed herself to believe it was Stiles.
Lyn could see the disappointment on Kay's face as she opened the door. "Who were you expecting Theresa?"
"Oh, no one, I just-" Terri paused as Lyn's words sank in. "What did you call me?"
"Theresa. Theresa Stiles. That is real your name, isn't it?"
Terri wasn't sure how she should answer so she didn't. How did Lyn know?
". . . Except according to all of the information I could find, Theresa Stiles died four years ago. Kay, what's going on?"
Terri pulled Lyn into the house, looked to see if anyone was nearby then closed the door. "Keep you voice down! How did you know?"
"Kay, I'm your friend. I have been worried about you the past few weeks, you know that. When you told me about coming here five years ago, I was curious. You know how I am. Anyway, one thing led to another and before I knew it, I was having you checked out. Whatever it is, you can trust me. I hope you know that. I'm not trying to hurt you; I want to help, really."
"Before I tell you anything, I want to know how you found out. If you're checking up on me behind my back, how do I know I can trust you?"
Lyn had the grace to look ashamed, "I really am sorry about that. You know you can trust me. I am who I've always been. You, my friend seem to be hiding. My curiosity got the better of me."
Terri's face contorted in an unfriendly manner."
"I really am sorry I went behind your back. I was worried and I wanted to help. I care about you and I need you at your best."
Lyn smiled. She was very curious, but she really did care about her friend and partner.
"After you told me about your old boyfriend I became more curious. I had my husband use some of his connections. I kept a glass with your fingerprints on it and he had a friend run your prints. I've been too many crime shows." Lyn joked trying to ease the tension in the room. Terri wasn't smiling.
"When they found you in the system, but didn't find a criminal record they told me you are most likely in the witness protection program or you worked for the government or some other company that required its employees to be fingerprinted. I assumed the former was a stretch, but the more I think about it, that would explain a lot of things. It's obvious you need someone to talk to."
Lyn reached over and took Kay's hands in hers. "You can talk to me."
Terri didn't like the idea of other people being involved. She had kept a very low profile, leaving behind her husband and family for a reason, but Lyn was right, she did need someone to talk to. Terri was tired of keeping her secret and she really wanted to sort out what to do if Stiles really was on the island. She also knew she would need a shoulder to cry on if Stiles had remarried. Terri did trust Lyn; she just hoped Lyn's curiosity didn't ruin everything.
Terri took a deep breath and started talking.
"Okay, I'll tell you what I can, but you cannot tell anyone, especially not your husband or his friends. I'll think of something you can tell them. My family's life and yours may depend on your silence. Do you promise not to say anything? This is serious."
Lyn eagerly shook her head. She had no idea what she was about to hear, but she was dying to find out what Terri had to say.
"As you've already learned, my real name is Theresa, Terri to most of my friends, and obviously, I'm not dead. I worked for the government and I uncovered a traitor. I was sure there was a reasonable explanation so I went to him before telling anyone else. Unfortunately, my suspicions were right."
Lyn was riveted to her seat. She thought this kind of thing happened only on TV. She was about to find out that the real world was much worse.
"As a reward for my curiosity I was kidnapped."
Terri started tearing up as she began reliving things she had tried to bury-literally.
"Kidnapped!" Lyn was curious and she was fascinated, but beginning to understand that she'd stumbled about a secret that may have been best left unknown.
Terri composed herself and went on. "I was afraid they were going to take me out of the country or rape me, or worse. I got a gun and tried to escape, but one of the kidnappers shot me." Terri began crying harder as she began describing the next part of her ordeal. "I was four months pregnant at the time. The woman who shot me was a doctor. She kept telling me I was fine. The men who orchestrated the kidnapping didn't know I was pregnant when they decided to take me out of the country." Terri stopped again to compose herself.
"The leader of the group was angry. He said he wasn't running a maternity ward or children's home. He just wanted me for my knowledge. The last thing I remember about that night was him telling the doctor he wasn't raising a child and to 'get rid of the kid!'
Terri stopped. She was crying so hard she was shaking. Lyn was too shocked to say anything. As upset as Terri was, Lyn could tell she hadn't revealed everything.
"Kay, I'm sorry to bring this up. It's okay; you don't have to tell me any more. I'm so sorry."
Lyn felt awful for asking her friend to dredge up such pain. Terri tried to continue.
"A few days later, they sent me home, but they said they'd kill my family if I told anyone what I knew."
Terri left out how she got out of the country and why she had so much money. Lyn didn't need to know that Quinn had given her $5 million. He thought it best that he take care of her, if not emotionally, financially. He also wanted something else to hold over her head.
"Honey you don't have to tell me any more if you don't want to. I understand. What you told me won't leave this room. I promise."
"It cannot. Please make sure Max understands that. I had no idea my prints were still on file. It's possible that the man who sent me here is monitoring me."
Terri was exhausted. She hadn't relived those first months for years. When she finally composed herself, she had a smile on her face. Lyn was quite surprised.
"What's the smile for all of a sudden?"
"He's here Lyn. At least I'm pretty sure it's him."
"Him who?"
"Today is the anniversary I told you about. We were married a year after we came here."
"Oh Kay, I can't believe you had to leave your husband. How long were you married, before . . .? "
"Four months. I wasn't sure he'd remember. But I'm sure it was him. He's here."
"And he thinks you're dead? Wow." There was a long silence while the women considered thought about everything. Lyn had so many questions she couldn't help herself.
"Kay, or should I call you Terri . . ." Lyn suddenly somewhat embarrassed by the way she'd confronted her friend.
"Kay is fine."
"I can't believe it! No it all makes sense!"
"What?"
"The way you sign your paintings-with your initials. Why you looked over your shoulder when we first met. Who did you work for? Do they know where you are? I always wondered how you could afford this house. They paid for it didn't they, to keep you quiet? I just assumed some rich relative left it to you."
"Lyn! I cannot answer any of those questions. I'm sorry, but I've told you way more than I should have already."
Lyn was so excited that she barely heard a thing Terri said. "Wait, you saw your husband? Or at least you think you saw him? When, where?"
"Yes, last night. I was hoping it was him when I opened the door for you this morning. I saw him on my way to Sam's. Stiles" Terri sighed. It felt good to say his name aloud. "Stiles bought one of my paintings-the one you liked so much, with the house in it. After I left Sam's I went to the place where we planned to meet when we can back here on our anniversary. I left him a note with my address on it. If he's here, I'm sure he'll go tonight. If he sees the note he'll come here."
Terri said the last part more to herself than to Lyn. She didn't really believe it could happen.
"Sorry it was just me. I cannot believe after this gift has been dropped in your lap you're going to just sit here and hope he shows up? He's here, Kay. There is no chance he just happened to be on this island on date you planned to return."
"Lyn, he'd been here before he brought me here. He may have been here before and I just didn't see him."
Lyn was incredulous. "Really? Kay, you're one of the smartest people I know. You do not believe this is a coincidence."
"I want to believe that's why he's here, more than you know, but I cannot just show up at his hotel and say, "Hi Stiles. I know you were told I died, but I've been really hanging out here on this beautiful island."
"Kay-"
"How could he possibly understand why I've been away so long? I don't know what he would do or say. If the wrong people find out he knows I'm alive they'll kill him. I couldn't live with myself. He may be remarried."
"That's what's really bothering you, isn't it, that he found someone else?"
"Wouldn't you be?"
Lyn was a little on the dramatic side and she was a hopeless romantic- a lethal combination. "Yeah, probably, but you need to know. Any idea where he'd stay? If you don't want to go look for him, I will."
"You'll do no such thing! If he finds what I left for him and decides to come to the house, I'll speak with him. I will not interrupt his life. I want it to be his choice."
"He deserves to know-"
"Lyn, no!"
Lyn was relentless. She was too curious to let things remain as they were. "Kay it's been four years. Maybe the people who threatened you are retired, or relocated, or dead! You've been apart long enough. He could move to the island. No one would have to know. Where do you think he's staying? Let's go check it out!"
"Lets?"
"You don't think I'd let you go alone do you?"
"I don't know. " Then Lyn had an idea.
"Didn't you say you two were coming to the island to go somewhere specific? Why don't you go there when the time is right, or -"
"Whoa. Lyn slow down. I promised myself that I would let him go after today. But, -"
She paused.
"But what? don't clam up on me now!"
"I have an idea and I will need your help." Terri told Lyn her idea and waited with anticipation. When Lyn hadn't said anything after a few minutes, Terri couldn't take it.
"Well, do you like it or what?"