Chapter 10

Alan looked at Rosa over the top of the jar of canned tomatoes that sat between them on the kitchen table. "I appreciate your stopping by," he said, "listening to me rattle on about the boys."

She smiled. "I enjoyed it," she assured him. "And I was just so sorry to hear about Don and Charlie."

"It was kind of you to drive all the way in. When you called this morning, I was so disappointed that it wasn't them, that it wasn't Megan with some news…I'm afraid I was rude."

"Not at all, Alan, not at all." Her voice was soothing, and she reached a hand across the table to rest on his. "As soon as you told me what was happening, my heart went out to you. I wanted to see you, to offer my support." She flashed a smile again. "I'm sure you'll see them again soon."

Her eyes wandered to the clock on the wall, and she stood. "I should leave now," she said. "You'll want to be calling Don's friends at the FBI."

Alan stood as well, rubbed his face with one hand. "Yes, I'm sure I will — even though I know they will call me as soon as they know anything…"

She touched his hand again. "Still…you need to check."

He offered small, tight smile. "Right. I'll walk you to your car." He looked back at the table. "And thank you again for the tomatoes."

She blushed. "It was silly, really, I just wanted to bring something, and the greenhouse crop has been so good this year. I just canned those a few weeks ago."

Alan opened the kitchen door, took Rosa's elbow. "I'm sure they're delicious," he remarked, as they reached the car. He stood and waited while she turned the key in the ignition. The engine did not so much as turn over.

She lowered her head to the steering wheel. "Not again," she moaned. "I just got this out of the shop!"

"Would you like me to look at it? You could pop the hood…"

"No, Alan, thank you. I know what the problem is. I'll just call for a tow back to the auto shop."

Alan opened the door. "That's ridiculous. Obviously they don't know what they're doing. I have a mechanic who comes to my home to work on my car, let me call him. He's very good, and usually can come right away. In the meantime, I can give you a ride home."

She stepped delicately from the car, fingered the distributor cap in her purse. "If you're sure you don't mind if I leave it here for a few days, I would really appreciate that. I just know so little about cars, I'm sure everyone takes advantage of me."

Alan smiled, patted his pocket. "Not a problem, Rosa. I have my keys right here. Just let me run up and lock the kitchen door, and we'll be on our way."

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He placed the last bag on the table.

"Thank you so much for stopping at a grocery store for me," Rosa said. "I feel the complete fool."

He smiled. "I don't mind, Rosa. After all, your car's not running — I could hardly leave you all the way out here without supplies!"

She smiled as he looked down at his watch. "I really do need to get back, though. I'm just going to go by Don's office, talk to them in person."

"Of course. Thank you, again."

When he turned to go, her voice stopped him. "Alan? I'm sorry, but while you're here, could I just show you something, very quickly?" She blushed, looked down. "No, you're anxious to leave, I'm sorry."

As she had known he would, he turned back around. "It's all right. I can take another minute…but then I really do have to go."

"Oh, thank you, Alan, really, I appreciate it. It will just take a moment. It's this way."

She led the way, then, into the room that held the monitors. She was so excited. It was finally going to happen. He was going to see, now. As they left the kitchen her fingers reached up to the alarm system mounted on the wall, and she locked them all in.

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He entered the room, saw the computer equipment. He was about to ask her what she wanted him to see when he…heard Don's voice.

"There are some granola bars here. You should eat one, and then take some of the pain reliever."

Was that Charlie's voice answering? "She sent me a clean t-shirt."

Rosa turned to him and smiled, indicating the monitors, and he forced himself to look at the screens. Don and Charlie, somewhere, on a thin mattress on the floor. Don and Charlie. Oh, dear G-d. Don and Charlie!

He looked up at her frantically. "What…Where…"

"Sshh," she soothed, placing her hand on his arm, "it's all right now." She looked at the monitor herself. "You see, they're safe. I've been taking care of them for you. They're good boys, Alan, you and your wife did an excellent job…but I needed you to see, for yourself, I can take care of them for you, now that Margaret is gone. I know you worry about them, especially a son who works for the FBI, but see? He won't be going to work, anymore."

Alan just stared, his blood freezing in his veins, eyes darting between the vision of his sons on the monitors and the still talking Rosa before him.

"You see, now, right? I'm showing you what a good mother I am…you can trust your boys with me. I'll take care of us all, Alan. We can all stay here. We can be a family."