Chapter 6

Jason smiled. "I was secretly hoping you'd say that. I would never ask you to give up your life here, but I want you with me."

"Jase, my life is with you. I'm wherever you are."

Jason rose from the chair to go tap on the door. Agent Taylor entered and Jason nodded. "It's a go. She's in."

"Alright, Ms. McCall, are you sure you're ready to be a new woman?" he asked.

"As long as we're together, we'll be fine," she said as she gripped Jason's hand.

"Okay, here's how it's going to work. The execution will be held as planned, open to the public. Mr. Morgan has assured us that you can keep up the charade. We need you to show up and grieve appropriately. The day after the memorial service, we need you to make arrangements to leave town on the premise that you can't bear to be here without your fiancé. We will have a plane ticket in your new name waiting at the airport to take you to your new life."

"Wow," Sam breathed. "You've got it all figured out."

"Sam, if you don't want to do this…" Jason started.

"No, I want to, it's just a little overwhelming," Sam assured him. "So what will my new identity be?"

"You and Mr. Morgan will become James and Sarah Martin. I hope it's okay that you will be a married couple?"

"Absolutely!" Sam said with a laugh.

"You are a newlywed couple who is moving to Savannah, Georgia. James is a detective and Sarah is currently enjoying being a housewife. You chose Savannah for your mutual love of history and its proximity to the coast. We have arranged for bank accounts in your new names as well as offshore accounts to accommodate the large amounts of money that you possess. We will brief you further once the placement has transpired."

"One last question," Sam spoke up. "Since he made a deal with you, does Jason have to spend the next three weeks locked up?"

"No," Agent Taylor answered. "According to record, Mr. Morgan will be in solitary confinement until his execution. We have made arrangements for a safe house as well as a secure cell phone. Unfortunately, we cannot permit visits, but you may talk on the phone." He passed Sam a slip of paper with the number on it.

"Ms. McCall, please understand the gravity of this situation. I believe that this can be successful with your help."

"Don't worry, I can be convincing," Sam assured him.

"Thank you. I'll give you two a moment alone," he said as he left the room.

"I hinted to Diane that there was something in the works, but she doesn't know what. I'm sorry we had to go through all this," Jason said.

"Hey, it's all going to be okay. I'm glad Diane has a clue, though. She's been a really good friend and I know she'll be discreet. I don't want to leave you, but I'm glad that it's happening this way. I don't know how I'd leave here knowing that the next time I saw you…." She trailed off, not able to finish the sentence.

"I know. Now, it's show time. You have to pull out your old con-woman tricks," he said with a smile.

"I love you. I'll see you at the execution," she said with an inappropriate giggle. "I never thought I'd say that!"

"I love you, too. Now go, and I'll see you soon….Mrs. Martin," he said with a wink.

With one last kiss, they parted. Sam exited the room and went to Diane. She gave a slight smile and wink to signal that things would be fine. Then the show began.

"I hope you're happy," she said as she stormed over to Agent Taylor, who was talking to Ric.

"Ms. McCall, I do apologize. I'm just doing my job," he answered with a sympathetic look. 'This girl is good,' he thought.

"You APOLOGIZE? You're doing your JOB?" Sam was laying it on thick. "Taking the life of a man who did nothing wrong? Yeah, that's justice!" Tears flowed down her face as she berated the federal agent. "And you, Ric, I bet you're eating this up, aren't you? I bet right now you're jockeying to be the one to inject the poison! Well, guess what? Both of you can go straight to hell!" she yelled as Diane gently led her away.

"Good job," Diane whispered as they left the PCPD.

Sam wiped the fake tears away. "Thanks," she said with a grin.