Chapter 2

By ten in the morning, Cody and Sabrina were on the train heading west. Cody had brought along two laptops, but Sabrina didn't bring hers in hopes they would be entertaining each other without the distraction of work. They were only two hours into the trip and she was bored.

"Cody, I thought you wanted to see the world you were missing? So far, all you've done is type. You've barely said two sentences to me in the past half hour," Sabrina complained, looking at him in annoyance.

Feeling guilty, Cody quickly shut the laptop. "I'm sorry. I guess I got a little carried away with the new program I'm designing. I really didn't mean to ignore you. I'll stop working and watch the cars, cows, and trees and..."

Sabrina put her hand up to his mouth. "You can stop with the list already. Tell me about the new program you're designing instead." She was interested in anything Cody did or said, especially if it involved computers.

Thinking back on her life, it was quite a hard road to her current existence. She had runaway at the age of 11 and lived on the streets. She had joined a group of older kids and they taught her to become a computer hacker. She was very good and would still be doing it if she hadn't been arrested when she was 16. The arrest changed her life, leading her to Cody. Computers are what Sabrina loved most, other than Cody.

"I can't, its top secret and if I told you…I'd have to shoot you." Cody laughed, which got Sabrina laughing. He loved hearing her laugh. She was becoming someone he wanted in his life for a long time. He had told her they would take it slow, but there were times lately he wished their relationship would move on to the next level.

Sabrina rested her head on Cody's shoulder and closed her eyes. "Cody, do you think I'll ever work with you on a big case? It would really be great to work with you all again."

Cody didn't know what to say. Sabrina was still on probation from her arrest and she was also given an extended probation by the bureau. She worked mostly with another SOU team nicknamed the TDHG's. When the TDHG's and Donovan's team joined together she and Cody met and hit it off as friends. They had worked well together and Cody had to admit in certain situations…Sabrina was better than he was. Even Donovan thought, given time, she would make a great agent.

"We already worked together remember?" He knew by the look on her face that she meant as equals.

"Maybe someday we'll work as partners…you never can tell."

"I can't wait for that day to come!" She hugged and kissed him until the whole train car started whispering and watching them.

"Sab, will you please control yourself? People are watching," Cody said, easing her back to her own seat.

"Cody, I have been thinking...why don't we rent a car at the next stop and drive to L.A. ourselves?" Sabrina suggested after noticing one couple in particular who seemed to be watching them closely.

Sabrina had noticed them when they had gotten on the train at the last moment. It was hard to miss them since the only seats available were across from her and Cody. Another thing that bothered her was that whenever she glanced over at the couple, they would be staring at her and Cody. They were making her uncomfortable, if not just a little paranoid.

"Why would we want to drive ourselves? We can get there faster by train. We can sleep and talk with each other without watching traffic." Cody handed the laptop to her and punched up the games. "If you're that bored, you can play games on my computer."

Although still uneasy about their neighbors, she preoccupied herself with the games. Before she knew it they were at their first stop and exited the train to do a little window shopping.

"Let's find some place to eat; I'm starving," Cody said when his stomach started to growl.

Sabrina laughed. "I told you it would be a long time between breakfast and lunch, but you didn't want to eat this morning."

Walking down the street, they spotted a small diner and quickly entered. They were seated promptly, and soon were greeted by their waitress who provided them with menus. While she went over the specials, Sabrina paid little attention since she caught sight of the couple from the train coming into the diner. "Is this a popular place to eat for people off the trains?" she asked the waitress.

"We get a few now and then, but they usually go to the fast food places." The waitress left to go tend to the new customers while they read the menu.

"Want to tell me why you would ask a question like that?" Cody asked curiously.

"The couple sitting next to us on the train…they've been eyeing us since we left Chicago. Now they show up here. I just find that a little …"

Cody stepped in to finish her sentence. "Paranoid on your part?"

Sabrina's brow puckered at Cody's hurtful statement. "I may be a little paranoid, but I just think it's creepy how they keep watching us. Maybe they see your laptops and are going to try to steal them. You should've only brought one. I don't see why you needed two anyway."

"I have my reasons, Sab. Don't worry. I'll keep my eyes on the computers. You can keep your eyes on the spies." Cody's smile would normally melt her heart, but this time he saw it made her angry. He decided it was best to change the subject and fast. "So what are you having for lunch?"

Sabrina ordered a sandwich and 7-up, as did Cody. She kept looking over to see the couple keeping watch on them all through lunch. When Cody and Sab were about to walk out the door, the other couple got up to pay their check. Sabrina told Cody she wanted to go back to the train station because her lunch was not settling well. She actually just wanted to see if the others would follow them. All the time they walked back, she would watch the windows for the couple's reflections so they wouldn't notice her spying on them. When they arrived back at the train station, she wasn't exactly surprised to see the other couple right behind them.

"Sab, you're starting to make me paranoid," Cody said when they reached the train station. "To prove to you they're not following us; let's go find a hotel and stay the night, then take the next train tomorrow. Would it make you feel better?"

Sabrina agreed. They went to pick up their luggage and call a cab. She wasn't sure, but while they got in the cab, she thought she saw the couple coming out, their own luggage in hand.

The ranch foreman, Hank Morgan, met Frank and Elaina at the airport in Laurel. The silvery gray haired man was sixty-three, but you'd never know it to look at him. He was still vibrant and active – even taking part in breaking the ranch's horses.

Hank wasn't just a ranch foreman, he was a friend of the family, as well. He and George, Elaina's father, had been great friends, so much so that Hand was the first person George had thought of when he started his business training horses for Police and Search and Rescue units. Hank even stayed on when the ranch was given to Frank and Elaina as a wedding present. Both considered him a second father.

"Welcome Home, Missy!" Hank said, hugging Elaina.

"It's great to be back in the fresh air." Elaina escorted him over to Monica. "Hank, I would like for you to meet Monica Davis. She works with Frank."

"Looks like you been thrown, little lady," Hank said with concern. "You gonna be okay?"

"I'll be fine. Looks worse than it is," Monica said, forcing a smile.

"Uh huh. I'll make sure I give you an easy ride home. I don't think you're as okay as you pretend to be," Hank said, winking at her while they walked toward the SUV.

"He's good at reading people, isn't he?" Monica asked Elaina.

"He's always been able to read me and Frank. He also talks to the horses like he knows what they're thinking. I guess it's just a sixth sense or something," Elaina replied while they got into the SUV.

After Frank and Derek stowed the luggage, they headed for the ranch. Monica was surprised to see how vast it was. Elaina explained that it had grown more since she and Frank had taken it over. She gave most of the credit to Hank for the business growing. Their Ranch home was a two-story house with a balcony on the second floor that surrounded most of the house. The porch was long across the front and extended to the right side of the house.

Elaina quickly showed Monica around the downstairs, then they went to the second floor to show her the bedrooms. Elaina helped her unpack, figuring she must be tired from the night before and the long trip. "If you need anything to make you feel more at home, please let me know."

"It has nothing to do with me feeling at home, but could you stay awhile and tell me about your family? It's just that we never knew Donovan…umm…Frank had a family," Monica quickly corrected herself. Frank had asked her to call them by their given names while on vacation.

"Frank has always been better at keeping secrets than me," she said while Monica sat down at the foot of the bed. "Well, for starters, Frank and I have been married for about five years, although we've known each other longer. I met him when he was around eighteen." Elaina walked to the windows and slowly slid the curtains open. "I was investigating a kidnapping that happened in a park where Frank and his family were camping in upper Montana," she explained, putting some of Monica's things in the closet.

Elaina noticed Monica trying to calculate her age. "I can see you're surprised I'm slightly older than Frank. I was his partner when he was training with the agency. That's when he became friends with my son, Derek, long before we started dating. I guess Derek is the one that brought us together."

"That sounds romantic," Monica said.

"Derek is the one that told us we should get married," she said, laughing. "Maybe I'll explain that another time. Anyway, last year we had Sarah. That's a long story in itself, the short version -- I had complications and almost didn't make it. Frank quit the justice department to stay and take care of me. He never thought twice about it. I had to talk him into taking the assignment of your team leader because didn't want to go back to work full-time."

"So…you're to blame for our headaches," Monica said, smiling.

"I guess you can say that. Now that I've taken over as Frank's superior, I guess he'll have just as many headaches from me...to pass along to the team," she said when Frank and Derek stepped into the doorway. She walked over, giving them each a kiss.

"Are you sharing our secrets again?" Frank asked, putting his hand over her mouth. "Never tell her a secret if you don't want it told." He flinched when Elaina playfully put her elbow in his ribs. "Derek and I are going riding; do you want to come with us?"

"No, I'm going to stay here and tell Monica all your deep dark secrets!" Elaina said. She knew her lack of expression made Frank wonder if she was kidding or not. "Go have fun; I'll ride with you tomorrow."

Frank said goodbye to Monica and kissed Elaina before he and Derek left the room.

Suddenly, they heard a loud whinny from a nearby horse. "That would be Black Velvet, Frank's horse. Elaina hurried to the balcony doors, swinging them open. "Come on over and check them out."

From the balcony they could see most of the ranch. A light Palomino and a black Arabian were saddled, waiting outside the gate. When Frank and Derek left the house, the Arabian started calling out, pawing at the dirt.

"That horse loves him, and the feeling is mutual. I gave her to Frank as a wedding gift; she was just a colt then. There were times when I was jealous of the amount of time Frank spent with her when he wasn't working."

"I can see why you would feel that way." Monica could easily see the connection between the horse and horseman.

Frank walked up to the horse and petted her while she nuzzled him. He didn't have to hold the reins when he mounted for she stood completely still for him.

As they watched the pair ride away, Elaina noticed a flash of light from the edge of the woods. "What was that? Did you see it, Monica?"

"See what?"

"The flash of light...over there in the woods." Elaina pointed.

"Maybe it was just the sun peeking through tree branches." Monica said, turning to her.

Elaina had her doubts; she would talk to Frank about it later.

"So Monica, is there anything else about my family that you're curious about?"

"There is one question, if you don't mind? What happened to Derek's biological father?"

He was one subject she didn't like to discuss in too much detail. "I'm not comfortable talking about my first husband, so I'll try to give you the short story."

"Am I being too nosy?"

"No. Just don't tell Frank we talked about him, which I'll explain too." Elaina sat next to her on the bed.

"I promise I won't say anything."

"Okay. Collin Turner was a park ranger. I met him while working on the case I spoke of earlier. He and Frank were close friends…almost like brothers, actually. Frank's family would go camping at the park every year and Collin became like a member of their family. After the case ended, I stayed for a while and started dating him; we were married within two months."

"Sounds like you had a whirlwind romance," Monica commented.

"Yes, it was. About four months later I found out I was carrying Derek, so I stopped working. A few months after Derek was born, I decided to go back to work part-time and only if I could stay close to home."

"They let you do that?"

"Yep, what can I say…they like the way I work." Elaina smiled and went back to her story. "Collin came to me one day with information that there was a group of men staying at a small campground on the far side of the park. He had watched them most of the day from a distance finding they were well armed. He suggested I have someone investigate them. I set up a team and they went in as hikers; if they were seen, they'd say they were lost and needed help. They were able to watch them undetected and identified them as bank robbers wanted in four other states." Elaina sat down next to her and continued.

"This didn't have anything to do with Sonny Walker, did it? I know he was in Montana once."

"No, he wasn't in this group. When it was time to take them down, Collin wanted to help. More like…he wanted to make sure I didn't get hurt. Everything was going pretty good until we had a runner. Collin and I pursued him into the forest. I went in one direction to circle around…he went directly toward him. The runner found Collin before Collin found him. They fought; I ended up where they were about the time he was going to shoot Collin. I was able to distract him and Collin got to his secondary gun. We both had guns on the perp, but he wouldn't give up. He suddenly turned on Collin...all three of us firing simultaneously. Collin's shot missed, but I managed to hit the target. Unfortunately, Collin took the perp's bullet in the head."

"Did he die?" Monica wondered.

"No, he made it through, but he had permanent amnesia. He no longer knew Derek, Frank, or me. He became a totally different person. After being released from the hospital, he gave me divorce papers and total custody of Derek; he then walked out of our lives. To this day, we don't know where he is," Elaina finished. "That's why Frank never talks about him, because he lost a great friend when Collin changed."

Monica started massaging her head. "I think I'll lie down for a while, if you don't mind. I've got the makings of the mother of all headaches."

"I thought I noticed you looking a bit tired. Another reason I kept that story short. I'll leave you now and come get you when it's time to eat. Sweet dreams."

When Elaina left the room, Monica curled up on the bed to think over all she just learned as she slowly drifted off to sleep.

Jake and Alex arrived in Billings about five in the afternoon, after their flight was delayed due to a security scare at the airport. Jake decided the best way to check out the person claiming to be his mother was to go first go to the local police to do some checking on her.

After renting a car, they drove to the Billings Police headquarters. Jake walked up to the desk Sergeant. "Excuse me, I'm Agent Jake Shaw, and this is Agent Alex Cross," he said while they showed their badges to him. "I was wondering if I could have you run a check on Allison Gaines? We need to find and contact her for a case we're working on."

The Sergeant thought it odd that FBI agents would come to locals to get information on a person. The FBI files were probably more indepth. "If she's involved in a case for you, isn't she in your files?"

Jake assumed they might ask that question. "We just found out about her a few minutes ago and we thought you could help us save time. If she has a record, it would be in your files too."

The sergeant went to his computer and typed in the name. "I have her driver's license and address. No warrants or arrest record."

"Could you print that out for us?"

Nodding, the sergeant printed out the information and handed it to Jake.

"We really appreciated your help." He and Alex walked away from the desk to compare the address to the letter. "It's the same. I guess now we visit Miss Gaines."

Alex took the copy of the driver's license from him and compared the picture of the woman to him. "I kind of see a resemblance…I think it's in the eyes."

Jake just shook his head; he wanted to know for sure. Pictures could be altered to make a person resemble another. Cody had proved that many times.

They drove to the house of Allison Gaines which was just outside the city limits. When they arrived, they saw a lady with short black hair standing in front of the house, water roses in her flower garden. Alex judged her to be in her forties when she turned toward her as she exited the car.

"May I help you?" the woman asked politely, if not warily.

Alex noticed that Jake had not left the car, instead just sat inside staring at the woman. Turning her attention back to the woman, she said, "We're looking for Allison Gaines…we were given this address." Alex quickly studied her features and knew from the photo she was talking to Allison Gaines.

"I'm Allison, how may I help you?" The glare from the sun kept her from seeing either visitor too clearly.

Alex was about to say something when she heard a car door open and watched while Jake exited the vehicle.

Although nervous about the meeting, he pooled all his energy and walked over. "This is Alex Cross and I'm Jake… Jake Shaw."

A look of surprise crossed Allison's face just moments before she let out a weak gasp and fell to the ground in a faint. Alex quickly opened the gate and went to check on her, but Jake jumped over the fence and reached her first.

"Do you have this effect on women a lot?" Alex asked jokingly while she patted Allison's face to awaken her?

Groaning softly, her eyelids fluttered open to see the two strangers that had come calling. Her eyes fell first on the woman named Alex, and then to one calling himself Jake...Jake Shaw.

"I'm sorry. It's just…I never dreamed you'd come here. I hoped, but this is a complete surprise to see you," Allison confessed while attempting to get up. She looked up when a strong hand circled her upper arm. Smiling uncertainly, she accepted Jake's help.

When she was on her feet once more, Jake was eye to eye with her. He stared for a moment; his heart was pounding inside his chest. "I have a lot of questions for you. Do you feel like answering them now? If not, we can come back at a better time," he said. He was actually hoping she'd say come back later, because he had no idea what questions he wanted to ask first.

"I have plenty of time right now. We can go in or sit on the porch…whichever you prefer," she said while they walked along the sidewalk toward the house.

Suddenly, Alex looked down when her hand was seized in a vice grip. With her free hand, she lightly squeezed Jake's arm and whispered, "You're cutting off the circulation in my hand."

Jake smiled apologetically then mouthed the words, 'I'm sorry.'

Not wanting to be the subject of neighborhood gossips, they decided to go inside. Because of their training, Jake and Alex could tell a lot about people just by their surroundings. Right off they noticed the antique furniture and knick-knacks around in the small living room. Lined with faded rose print wallpaper, the room contained a writing desk near the window and a sofa with two matching wingback chairs facing it. In the corner was a curio cabinet with more bric-a-brac. There were a couple of paintings on the walls, but what they didn't see were family pictures…no personal photographs at all.

Uneasy, Jake sat down on the sofa next to Alex. Allison sat in the wingback chair closest to him.

"I can probably guess your first question. Why did I give you up?" Allison asked, looking at the man who claimed to be Jake Shaw...her son.

It surprised Jake she would start with the question foremost on his mind. Whether she was his mother or not, she sure did think in line with him. "I think it's a good place to start."

"I'll apologize now if I get emotional," she said pensively. "It's been some time since I've talked about what happened."

"We understand...take your time," Alex said.

"All right. I was only 15 when I became pregnant." She heard a surprised gasp from Alex. "I come from a very prominent New York family. I was told from the moment I found out about the baby that I had to give it up for adoption. My father was adamant on the matter." Allison had to pause for a moment to calm herself. It still angered and saddened her recall what her father forced her to do. "He made me stay with my two aunts in Illinois until I gave birth."

"Do you want to stop?" Jake asked. It was easy to hear the grief and unease in her voice.

"No…I'm fine,' she said, smiling. "My father didn't want his high-class friends knowing his daughter was pregnant. I never ever wanted to give you up, but like I said…I was only 15 and I had no place to turn." Allison stood and walked over to a small table upon which sat a pitcher of ice water. "Can I get either of you a drink?"

"No, we're fine," Jake said. He waited for her to come back and sit with them again. "Where was my father? Couldn't he help you?" He was hoping she might tell him who his father was.

Alex observed Allison's posture stiffen. In addition, her hand shook so noticeably that the water in the glass she held was close to sloshing over the rim.

"I was kidnapped and raped," she blurted out, stunning both her guests. "The kidnapper demanded ransom, which was paid just two days after I was taken, but I was held for two weeks before being released. The maniac kept me to torture my family…and me." Nervously, she took a drink from her glass, and then sat it on the table. "You see, he was a janitor at my father's company and had been fired for stealing. I found out later he hadn't stolen anything." Her entire body began shaking and she could feel the sting of tears fill her eyes and spill over onto her cheeks.

Jake reached out and placed a comforting hand over hers. "You don't have to say anymore. I'm sorry I upset you and put you through this. Maybe I should leave. I don't…"

Allison put her fingers to Jakes lips to quiet him. She noticed that he too had tears wetting his cheeks. "I'm the one who's sorry. I wish I could make it all up to you," she said, brushing his tears away. "I want you to stay awhile longer. Please…there's much more I need to explain to you."

Alex brushed the tears from her eyes when Jake looked to her for guidance. "I think we should stay, Jake."

Allison went on to explain that she had tried to find Jake many times over the years. Her father made sure there were no ties leading back to the family. He even had the names falsified on the birth certificate.

"How did you know where to find me after all these years?" Jake was very interested in her answer.

"I've hired many detectives over the years in small and big cities…in every state. One of those detectives called me a few weeks ago saying he thought he had found you after all these years. I was amazed to be called out of the blue. The only thing I had to find you with was a copy of a birth certificate with the date of birth, size, and weight. I can show it to you." She went to the desk in the hallway and produced an aged birth certificate. It was torn and fragile looking. "I still don't see how he found you with only this."

Jake carefully took the document and looked at it. The date on it was his birth date, and it looked like the copy of the birth certificate he had obtained from the orphanage. He started to hand the paper back when he saw writing at the top. It was faded and hard to read. "What is this written at the top?"

"That's the name I chose for you…Robert Anthony Gaines. I wanted to name you." She took the paper back and held it to her heart. "I wouldn't have this certificate if it weren't for a nurse who felt sorry for me. I wrote your name on it when she gave it to me. Do you like it?"

Jake didn't know what to say or do. He never even thought he might have had a name by his birth mother. Now that he knew the name his mother wanted him to have, he had to admit he liked it. "I think it's a great name. I'd be proud to use it."

Alex thought they could use some time alone. She decided to go for a smoke while they talked privately. "Jake, if you want me, I'll be outside."

Jake nodded in acknowledgement.

Allison explained to Jake she couldn't bear to stay with her family after what they had done to her. She had her mother's help in getting her trust fund released without her father knowing about until after she had left town. However, when her father found out her mother, denied having helped Allison in any way. Allison thought it best to keep her father's wrath from coming down on her mother so she kept quiet about the details.

Once she had her money, she invested some and used the rest to travel and look for her son. She would move whenever her family found where she was, but after she turned 21, she stopped running. When her father found her, he demanded the money returned. Of course, she refused, which infuriated him and further drove a wedge between them. He then disowned her and she went on living a simple and somewhat happy life.

"Have you had contact with any of your family after all these years?"

"I have spoken to my sister a few times. She was the only one I stayed in contact with." A light frown creased her brow. "Actually, that's how they kept finding me. My father had her private line bugged. I always knew he just wanted the trust fund back...he never wanted me."

"I'm really sorry you had to go through all this. I guess both of us have lived through a lot of difficult times."

"We made it this far and now we've found each other. I think our lives might change for the better."

It was two hours later when Frank and Derek came back from their ride. Elaina met them at the gate that lead to the pasture. "Frank, I need to talk to you...privately."

"Derek, go help Hank with the horses."

"Sure thing."

Frank waited while Derek took the horses' reins and headed off to the stables. He placed an arm around Elaina's waist while they strolled toward the house. He could tell something was bothering her. "What's on your mind? Did you tell Monica something she could use against me and you want to confess?"

"I'd never confess to doing that," she said, giggling, but quickly sobered. "When you and Derek rode off earlier, I noticed a flash of light in the woods. Did you happen to notice it?"

"No, it was probably just the sun reflecting off something," Frank said.

"Nice try, but I didn't buy that explanation when Monica said it."

"Are you worried that Monica's attacker may have followed us?" Frank wondered. "I have my doubts he did."

"I'm not sure if it was anyone. I'm just worried. I don't want anything ruining our vacation."

"We have one of the best security systems around; there's nothing to worry about."

She knew Frank was right about the security system. They had developed it themselves with a little help from Cody's father. Everyone wore bracelets with tracking devices in them, and there were surveillance cameras in and around all the buildings.

"I wish we had more security. You know…something near the woods?"

"Why are you so upset about this? Is there something you're not telling me?"

"No! I'm just worried with the kids and Monica here. The last thing we need is someone rustling the horses or coming after one of us."

"Are there still horse thieves around?" he asked jokingly.

"Frank, I'm serious."

"I'm sorry, honey. I'll have a hand go check it out if you want," Frank said when they reached the porch.

"No. Maybe I'm just overreacting to what I saw. I'll let it go...unless I see something else that bothers me," she said, smiling.