agent will be assigned to you and will remain with you until the trial. He’ll help you every
step of the way, even help you build a new identity.”
Surprise had Terry trying to sit up. “A new identity? But I don’t want a new identity. I want to be me.”
This was always the hardest part, Jones knew. “You will be, on the inside. But outside, we’ve got to change your appearance
on the off chance that someone Sam Russo knows spots you. He has connections in several states.”
“But they think I’m dead.”
“Yes, they do, and we’re going to do everything we can at this end to keep them convinced you are. But nothing works all the
time and we don’t take chances. We’ll do our best to keep them in the dark as long as possible.” He turned toward the priest.
“That means, Father O’Malley, that we
must not
inform the Ryans or the rest of her family that Terry’s alive and Lynn Hartley died. For their protection, they need to believe
it was the other way around. Can we trust you, sir?”
He didn’t like deceiving people. It wasn’t his nature or his vocation. But he could see the necessity. Father O’Malley nodded.
“Absolutely.”
“Good.” Bob turned back to Terry. “Most especially since Sergeant McCarthy’s involved somehow, we need to let your family
believe as they already do. You’re our only hope at this time of putting these men behind bars, where they belong.”
Terry’s head was aching mightily by now. “How long will all this take?”
Jones raised a shoulder. “I wish I could tell you. A couple of weeks, a couple of months, maybe longer. Or it could go more
quickly. Cases take time to build, evidence has to be collected, court time assigned.”
Terry sank back. “What you’re saying is that I have to put my whole life on hold for God-knows-how-long.”
“Terry,” Andy stepped in, “Chief Jones has already stuck his neck out for you. Everybody who goes into the Witness Security
Program has to be authorized for placement by the Office of Enforcement Operations. He’s not empowered to act until he receives
notice that you’re approved for inclusion in the program. He’s rushing this along to keep you safe.”
“What if they don’t approve me?”
Jones touched her arm. “They will, Terry. After talking with Andy, I wasn’t willing to risk your life by waiting. I know this
will be difficult. It’s a damn shame you stumbled into such a heinous crime. But think of all the good you’ll do eventually
by removing these scumbags from society. Think of the kids who might not become addicted to drugs because of your testimony.”
He had her and he knew it. Besides, she was too weary to argue any longer. “All right, but… can’t I at least talk to my father?
To let him know I’m okay? He’s got a heart condition and….”
“I wish I could say yes, Terry,” Bob told her. “We can’t risk his life, or yours.”
“But won’t these men know something’s up when I disappear from the hospital? I mean, I know they think I’m Lynn, but aren’t
they watching, waiting for the person in this bed to either recover or die?”
Jones wished she hadn’t asked this particular question right now, but he had to tell her. “They will learn that Lynn Hartley
died of internal injuries.”
A horrified gasp escaped from Terry. “What about Aunt Julia? Will she be told the truth?”
“Terry,” Andy interrupted, “her daughter’s already dead. She just doesn’t know it yet.”
“Oh, God, this is brutal. It’s all so damn unfair. Innocent people are going through hell because…”
“Because men like Sam Russo have no morals, no ethics, no compassion. Life isn’t fair, Terry.” Bob stood and looked down at
her. “But you can put these particular men away where they won’t be able to do this to anyone else ever again.”
Her hand with only two fingers unbandaged moved up to press against her puffy lips. “All right, you’ve
step of the way, even help you build a new identity.”
Surprise had Terry trying to sit up. “A new identity? But I don’t want a new identity. I want to be me.”
This was always the hardest part, Jones knew. “You will be, on the inside. But outside, we’ve got to change your appearance
on the off chance that someone Sam Russo knows spots you. He has connections in several states.”
“But they think I’m dead.”
“Yes, they do, and we’re going to do everything we can at this end to keep them convinced you are. But nothing works all the
time and we don’t take chances. We’ll do our best to keep them in the dark as long as possible.” He turned toward the priest.
“That means, Father O’Malley, that we
must not
inform the Ryans or the rest of her family that Terry’s alive and Lynn Hartley died. For their protection, they need to believe
it was the other way around. Can we trust you, sir?”
He didn’t like deceiving people. It wasn’t his nature or his vocation. But he could see the necessity. Father O’Malley nodded.
“Absolutely.”
“Good.” Bob turned back to Terry. “Most especially since Sergeant McCarthy’s involved somehow, we need to let your family
believe as they already do. You’re our only hope at this time of putting these men behind bars, where they belong.”
Terry’s head was aching mightily by now. “How long will all this take?”
Jones raised a shoulder. “I wish I could tell you. A couple of weeks, a couple of months, maybe longer. Or it could go more
quickly. Cases take time to build, evidence has to be collected, court time assigned.”
Terry sank back. “What you’re saying is that I have to put my whole life on hold for God-knows-how-long.”
“Terry,” Andy stepped in, “Chief Jones has already stuck his neck out for you. Everybody who goes into the Witness Security
Program has to be authorized for placement by the Office of Enforcement Operations. He’s not empowered to act until he receives
notice that you’re approved for inclusion in the program. He’s rushing this along to keep you safe.”
“What if they don’t approve me?”
Jones touched her arm. “They will, Terry. After talking with Andy, I wasn’t willing to risk your life by waiting. I know this
will be difficult. It’s a damn shame you stumbled into such a heinous crime. But think of all the good you’ll do eventually
by removing these scumbags from society. Think of the kids who might not become addicted to drugs because of your testimony.”
He had her and he knew it. Besides, she was too weary to argue any longer. “All right, but… can’t I at least talk to my father?
To let him know I’m okay? He’s got a heart condition and….”
“I wish I could say yes, Terry,” Bob told her. “We can’t risk his life, or yours.”
“But won’t these men know something’s up when I disappear from the hospital? I mean, I know they think I’m Lynn, but aren’t
they watching, waiting for the person in this bed to either recover or die?”
Jones wished she hadn’t asked this particular question right now, but he had to tell her. “They will learn that Lynn Hartley
died of internal injuries.”
A horrified gasp escaped from Terry. “What about Aunt Julia? Will she be told the truth?”
“Terry,” Andy interrupted, “her daughter’s already dead. She just doesn’t know it yet.”
“Oh, God, this is brutal. It’s all so damn unfair. Innocent people are going through hell because…”
“Because men like Sam Russo have no morals, no ethics, no compassion. Life isn’t fair, Terry.” Bob stood and looked down at
her. “But you can put these particular men away where they won’t be able to do this to anyone else ever again.”
Her hand with only two fingers unbandaged moved up to press against her puffy lips. “All right, you’ve
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