Page 68 of Four Cards Exposed

“What are we doing here?”

“It’s a safe house,” Lorraine said from the front of the SUV. The agent in the driver’s seat hadn’t said a single word yet. “You’ll both spend the night here.”

Of course, the FBI would have safe houses everywhere.

“James needs a hospital,” Susan said.

Lorraine turned back and smiled.

“Don’t worry. A doctor’s waiting for us inside.”

Susan tensed. “He doesn’t need a doctor. He needs a hospital,” she insisted stubbornly.

“Relax, Susan. I’ll be fine,” James said.

Lorraine looked at her with an expression that seemed to say, See? He’s still alive.

“Come, Susan,” Lorraine said, opening the back door of the car. “The doctor will check you both out.”

“I’m fine,” Susan said, but stumbled, getting out of the car. It was only Lorraine’s grip on her elbow that kept her upright.

“I don’t know what—“

“That’s the post-adrenaline rush. It’s normal.”

Despite his objections that he was fine, the doctor saw James first.

Lorraine ushered Susan into another room, where a change of clothes waited for her.

“Are you hurt anywhere? Is there anything we should know?”

Two very different questions.

Susan chose to address the first one.

“I’m not hurt. Except for some blisters on my palm,” she said, pulling out her hands for Lorraine to see. “I’m not used to rowing.”

Lorraine nodded stiffly, then turned around as Susan stepped out of her wet clothes and into the gray tracksuit bottoms and T-shirt. Both were too big, but at least they were dry.

She wondered if somebody had given James dry clothes to wear as well.

“When did it start?” Lorraine asked quietly.

For a moment, Susan was tempted to pretend she didn’t know what the federal agent was talking about, but she didn’t think that would buy her more than a minute or two at most.

“I’ve seen the way you look at him,” Lorraine continued.

Of course you have.

“And I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

Susan’s head pulled up so fast her neck hurt.

Lorraine laughed. “I’m serious. He looks at you like you’re the first woman he’s ever seen—and in some ways, maybe you are.”

“I … it’s not … we’re not—“

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to tell anyone. I don’t think it has any relevance to the case, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I’d already noticed.”