God Said
Chapter 17
Kate and the others were exiting the plane and headed for baggage claim including Benson.
"Where are we?" Kate asked him first. She wanted to know, to see, how hard it was going to be to get out of here and get back to Rick and Alexis.
"Ted Stevens Airport," Benson answered now that they were there.
"Which is where exactly?" Kate had no idea where they were still.
"Anchorage, Alaska," Jim responded and was a little shocked.
"Alaska!?" Kate looked around since it didn't look like Alaska. At least not yet. "Doesn't it get thirty below here and is frozen and snows like eight months out of the year?" Kate queried but didn't get an answer.
"You couldn't take us someplace like Florida or Hawaii for example?" Kate was sure she was going to freeze to death here. Worse, she didn't even know how she was going to get out of here if he didn't come through.
oO{}O{}Oo
They finally had their bags and they followed Benson outside who located a shuttle service to take them. He gave the driver an address but it didn't mean anything to them.
As they drove they got a really good idea that it was cold outside because the road had ice and there was snow everywhere. And the glass of the shuttle van was really cold. The only good thing any of them could see was that it wasn't snowing at the moment.
oO{}O{}Oo
Their shuttle actually did finally stop after going up a long drive to reach a house and wow, what a house!
Benson had them all standing outside and looking at it. "Four bedrooms and five bathrooms, three car garage that houses one Jeep Grand Cherokee for you to use. It's four-wheel drive that you're going to need. Follow me." He pulled out keys and took them inside.
"This house was purchased by the United State Government. You pay all the bills, utilities and such like. The house, as you will see, is furnished. It's turnkey. You will need nothing else. As we already discussed, all of your things are going into storage. What you brought and what's here is all you have," Benson told them and then put down his briefcase and opened it.
"Here's your business. You're the proud owners of a bookstore in Anchorage called The Anchor Book Store. This provides you with everything you'll need to know. I suggest you go see it as soon as possible. You have just one employee at the moment.
"The refrigerator and freezer should be full. This is my number. I have an apartment in Anchorage. Call it if you need to. If it becomes necessary we'll extract you. Your only security is the fact that no one knows you are here.
"As discussed if you contact anyone anywhere for any reason your security will be compromised. I'm here to support you but not protect you. He finds out you're here and sends a killer, you die.
"I suggest that you get used to using your new names. You each have all the identification you will need. These are your bank account records. You have a business account and a personal account. Make sure the bookstore is profitable and you'll be fine.
"For you, here's all you need for your law classes. Seattle University has a satellite campus here for law school. You're already enrolled and are a sudden transfer. Your classes have been matched as closely as possible to those in Stanford. Today is Saturday and your first class is Monday. Find out where that is and figure out how you're going to get there and back home again.
"Questions? Good. My ride should be here by now. Remember you don't exist; keep it that way. You'll be here until the danger has passed, however long that is. I'll let myself out. Welcome to Anchorage." He left them standing there with their suitcases and folders full of data they were going to need.
"He's charming," Johanna mentioned but didn't get a comment which hurt.
"I'm going to go find my room and cry in my pillow," Kate told them. She picked up her suitcase and went in search of a bedroom she could claim as hers.
"I think I'll join her. Four bedrooms means there has to be a spare somewhere." Jim picked up his suitcase.
"Jim?" It sounded like he wasn't going to be sleeping in the master bedroom with her.
Jim held up a handful of folders. "This is your fault we're here. When I'm no longer angry at you for what you've done BEHIND MY BACK, I'll let you know. Just don't hold your breath." Jim walked away leaving a hurt and sad Johanna behind him.
She was in Anchorage, Alaska and didn't even remember her new name or any of their names. She thought she was doing the right thing and look what it got her. Her family hated her. A dejected Johanna Beckett picked up her suitcase and went in search of the master bedroom that she was going to be sleeping all alone in, it sounded like.
Johanna found it and it was huge and had this massive four poster bed in it. It was gorgeous. It was just she would be sleeping by herself.
oO{}O{}Oo
Jim sat on his bed and tried to think what came first. Screaming at it all or trying to figure out how to make this work? He made a decision and opened the folders. He came across the address for the bookstore and a set of keys. Just keys, no fob, taped to a piece of paper.
Jim had keys and went in search of his daughter who it turned out was right next door. The door was open and she was lying on her bed still in her clothes. "Katie?"
"WHAT!?" She was still angry like he was.
"I need you to find the address for your law school," Jim told her. "I'm going to go find this bookstore and take you to your new school. We might as well get started so let's go."
"Do we have to?" Kate wanted to wallow all alone in her misery.
"If you want to have a life with Rick and Alexis, yes. One to two weeks. Now get up and let's go." Jim stood there and waited till his daughter got moving.
"Are we taking Mom with us?" Kate asked as she put her coat on since it was freezing outside.
"Why?" Jim answered and walked toward what he hoped was the door leading to the garage.
"Wow, Dad. It's an antique." Kate saw this white Jeep Grand Cherokee that was their car.
"That explains why there isn't a fob, just keys. Push the button and open the garage door and let's see if we can keep from getting lost." Jim got in and started the car.
Kate slid into the passenger seat and decided to search the glove compartment. "I've got a city map, Dad. What's that address?" She had hers but meant the one for the bookstore.
oO{}O{}Oo
It turned out the bookstore had a white front, taupe colored trim, and a red door. It was an end unit with another store next to them. They shared a wall with their neighbor.
There was parking out front with a road that went down the side and probably to the rear of the building. Jim parked with the intent of going inside. "Let's see, what's my name?" Jim searched his paperwork. Since he was planning on going inside he needed a name to tell their lone employee.
oO{}O{}Oo
They had found out that she was a nice married lady who had grown children that still lived in Anchorage and she was very happy to see the new owners. She was off tomorrow so Jim and Johanna would be on their own. So she walked them through the place and gave Jim a lesson on how to use the cash machine.
She showed him everything including the break room with the refrigerator, the coffee machine, and snack machine meant just for her and them.
They did a count every month to determine how many books needed to be purchased and shipped out. Other than that it was simple.
oO{}O{}Oo
School was next and once again Kate was the navigator till they found it. They went inside so Kate could get a copy of her class schedule so they could plan since it was looking like Jim was driving her to school, then to the bookstore and back after the store closed. That or she'd have to take a taxi.
Once they found their way back home and Kate located the door opener in the car they drove into the garage, closed it again, and went inside.
The laundry room and two bedrooms each with their own bathroom were on this level. One was Kate's and the other was Jim's. Going upstairs they found the living room. They saw Johanna in the kitchen making dinner. A half bath, dining room, sitting room, and family room. Upstairs again was the master bedroom that had Johanna's suitcase in it so back downstairs they both went.
Johanna saw them pass her on the way to somewhere. "Dinner will be ready in about an hour." She did indeed find that the kitchen had literally everything and it all looked brand new.
"I'm not hungry," Kate told her and continued walking toward the family room.
"Katie, please? I said I was sorry. Once I knew how dangerous it was I created a plan," Johanna called after her but Katie didn't stop. "I suppose you're not hungry, either?" she asked her husband.
"You kept secrets and lied, Jo. I knew you were stubborn and did things your own way but I never imagined this. So no, I'm not hungry. I have some reading to do; I'll be in my bedroom." He had homework if they were going to make this work.
Johanna put everything back where she found it since now she wasn't hungry either and trudged all the way up to the master bedroom where she lay in bed and cried herself to sleep still in her clothes.
oO{}O{}Oo
Marshal Benson was gone along with all of the Becketts. That left Rick and Alexis in his hotel room with Marshal Holmes. "So what happens now?" Rick had a bottle and was feeding Alexis.
"We need to send a team to your place, pack everything up, and put it all into storage. The same for any cars. I get to go to this Black Pawn and talk to them. If necessary we'll kill you," Holmes told him and saw the shock on his face. "Not actually kill you but if they don't cooperate it will leave us with little choice.
"The part that's going to take the most time is giving you and Alexis a background. Where you went to high school. What college you attended. What classes you took. What jobs you had while a teenager. What both of your new names are. Getting you new identification papers.
"What I need from you is what you have in San Francisco so I can determine just how big a storage unit you require," Holmes said.
"The house is rented and the furniture is also rented. About the only real stuff is in the kitchen, clothes I left behind, two cars, and Kate's motorcycle and bicycle. Sadly that's about it." Rick really didn't have that much as sad as that sounded to him suddenly.
"I'll need all the keys to everything," Holmes told him.
"I have all the keys save for the key to Kate's motorcycle. I don't know where it is. It might be on her." Rick couldn't help him with her motorcycle. "So who wants Johanna dead?"
"Can't tell you that," Holmes replied as he made notes.
"Seriously?" They were making a mess of their lives and he couldn't tell them who was the cause?
"I said I couldn't tell you, not that Marshal Benson can't once you get where you're going," Holmes told him. "You'll be restricted to this room and this hotel so I suggest you get comfortable."
"Has your wife told you you could use some bedside manners?" Rick thought this guy was a real piece of work.
"No…she's dead. So is my son. Now if you'll forgive me I have work to do. You're an unexpected addition that's going to cost the taxpayers even more money." He went back to making notes.
Rick figured he just got told off and to shut up so he did just that. So long as he made it to Kate he could find out what the hell was going on. He did feel bad for the man, though. He had lost his family and he couldn't imagine what would feel like.
oO{}O{}Oo
Rick didn't have a kitchen naturally and had to go downstairs to get the hotel to heat up some water so he could feed Alexis. Alexis was actually doing her best to hold the bottle now and finishing each one was mostly not a problem.
It meant he used delivery and service to eat all of his meals. He was at least still Castle but that was going to change soon.
He hadn't seen Holmes in days till suddenly he was knocking on his door. "You need to pack, it's time to leave," Holmes told him.
"Finally, I think?" He was still living out of his suitcase and using the hotel to clean his clothes and while he was packed. He wasn't that packed.
A car seat for Alexis had mysteriously appeared in the back seat but he found out later it stayed and didn't go with him.
He found himself on a twin turbo-prop for a quick flight that to Rick, since he was paying attention, said they had just flown into Montreal, Canada. Next came a flight using his new name on Air Canada. Holmes, however, was still his stuffy silent self.
Unfortunately for him, Holmes, and everyone else in economy, Alexis showed everyone that she hated flying and Kate wasn't here to help him this time.
He finally gave up and just held her close till she cried herself to sleep. "Sorry, really sorry." Rick told everyone within earshot. He had even tried Kate's trick of yawning at her but she wasn't paying any attention to him.
It was a long flight so naturally she woke up and wanted to be fed. The stewardesses helped as best they could so it was at least a little warm. Besides if she was feeding she wasn't crying.
oO{}O{}Oo
"Sea-Tac." Rick worked out where they were and they moved from Air Canada to Alaska Airlines and waited.
The next flight was a lot shorter. Rick had already guessed where they were going. It wasn't really that hard. Anything south of Seattle and they could have just flown straight there. The US Marshals didn't have any jurisdiction in Canada so it wasn't that. So that just left Alaska.
He was even expecting another flight after this one and back into a small plane. This was Anchorage and he was expecting to move to Sitka, Juneau, or maybe even Ketchikan, but they didn't.
It was just outside of the airport when he saw Benson again. "This is where I leave you. I wish you luck," Holmes told him.
"I'm truly sorry about your family. I'd lose my mind if I lost Alexis or Kate. Both might just kill me." Rick shook his hand.
"I was sorry, too." He went back inside the airport to await his plane back out.
oO{}O{}Oo
"This is south, southeast Anchorage about twenty minutes from the airport. There are neighbors but you don't see them. And this is the house." He pulled into the driveway and kept driving. Rick didn't see much except trees until he turned right around a corner.
"Nice house," Rick commented. He'd been expecting something a lot simpler. This was a huge house and it was green and white. Right in front was a three car garage.
"I'll remind you. I live in Anchorage in an apartment. I'm here to help you exit in a hurry or answer questions. I'm not here to protect you from hired killers if you break your secrecy. Use your new name at all times and do not contact anyone you know for any reason.
"Black Pawn has finally acquiesced without having us kill you and Alexis. You can write but not send it to anyone till this is over. Your money has been moved to a new account that's in your paperwork. Do not for any reason blow your secrecy. It's all that protects you." Benson escorted him to the front door and even carried his suitcase for him.
"This is where I leave you. Be careful. Follow the rules and eventually you can go home alive." Benson left him and drove away.
"It's cold." Rick didn't have a coat for this weather and he was starting to freeze already. He had a key but chose to ring the doorbell.
It took a few moments for the door to open and he saw Johanna. "RICK!" Damn but she was happy to see him.
Rick corrected her. "It's Adam now."
"I'm April. Come in, it's cold out there. I'll take Alexis." Johanna reached for her.
"Her name is Wednesday." Rick hadn't picked any of the names and had rolled his eyes at the changes.
"Wednesday?" Johanna/April questioned, not sure she liked the name.
"I think someone was watching Addams Family at the time or something," Rick joked about it.
From there Johanna took him upstairs. "We'll take you to your place later. It only has an outside entrance even if it's connected to the house. It's a real mother-in-law suit complete with its own kitchen. We even went out and bought…Wednesday, her own bed."
"WOW!" Rick saw the living room and sitting room. Both rooms, especially the living room, were huge.
"There's still a family room, another sitting room, and a dining room that has its own fireplace. There's another one upstairs in my bedroom," Johanna said. "Six thousand three hundred ninety-three square feet."
"Your bedroom?" Rick asked her since she hadn't said their bedroom. Meaning her and her husband.
"My family's still angry with me. I haven't had anyone to talk to for the last eleven days except customers at the bookstore," Johanna told him as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"Bookstore?" Rick queried.
"They gave us a business to run. We seem to be doing okay, I think. Jim's there all alone today. Katie's at school."
"She has classes here?" He was happy for her.
Johanna nodded. "Seattle University has a satellite campus here for law school so she gets to keep up with her classes. She'll either stay and use the library for her homework and wait for the store to close and Jim will bring her home or she'll call for a taxi. We only have the one car."
"They put my two cars into storage. I don't really want another one." Rick might be willing if he had to but didn't want to.
"We'll make it work. How was she?" April noticed that Wednesday was asleep.
"She hates flying with a passion. It wasn't pretty." Rick shook his head and didn't want to ever do that again.
"Poor baby. I'm still really sorry Rick…Adam." Johanna kicked herself. "I got caught up in trying to do the right thing and everything seemed to be working out till I got that recording. Then it all went to hell so fast." She still didn't know why she had to die. She didn't know all that much yet.
"Let me guess, you don't have that recording any longer." He would love to hear it.
"Actually I have a copy of it. The FBI has the original now. I suppose you want a name?" Johanna asked him.
"More than anything," Rick admitted. He needed a name to blame for all this.
"United States Senator William H. Bracken. He represents the State of New York," Johanna revealed and watched his jaw drop open.
"And a Senator has access or is capable of calling for a hit on you?" Rick watched her nod. "What does he hope to achieve? Conquer the world or something?"
oO{}O{}Oo
Kate and Jim got out of the car, closed the garage door and went to their bedrooms to either change clothes or wash up for dinner. They might still be angry with her but she was still cooking for them.
If it wasn't for the fact that she was starving Kate was thinking of just staying in her bedroom. So she went upstairs and took a quick look into the living room before going into the kitchen to see if her mother was done yet.
"RICK!"She saw him sitting there with a laptop in his lap, charged at him, and landed in his lap. Rick/Adam considered himself lucky that he had time to move the laptop.
Kate proceeded to kiss him over and over again. "I love you, I love you, I love you," she told him over and over again and kept kissing him.
Johanna's eyes had brightened and her smile was wide as she watched these two. Maybe now her daughter would finally talk to her. She just needed to get her husband to talk to her again.