“Well,” Mr. Birch said. “Before everyone gets started today, my wife, Lanie, and I would like to tell you our plan. We know we can’t stay here forever. We’ve discussed places in the world where we can start over with our new identities, and we’ve decided on The Netherlands. Angela knows a little of the Dutch language already.”
Colin’s gut twisted. The thought of Angela moving far away grew a protective beast inside him. He would follow her wherever she went, unless the Birches requested otherwise. He wasn’t ready to let her go. He had to keep her safe.
“That sounds like a good choice,” Agent MacDonald said. “Do you have your new identity paperwork yet?”
“Yes,” Mr. Birch answered. “We received everything yesterday. We’d really prefer not to take Angela there until we’ve secured a place to live, so Lanie and I are leaving this afternoon to look for a home out there and get everything squared away. We’ll be back in a few days for Angela. Hopefully no longer than a week.”
He reached down for his daughter’s hand and she smiled shyly up at him. “This okay with you, pumpkin?”
“Yes,” she said. Her eyes briefly met Colin’s, making his pulse sprint.
Mrs. Birch caught the direction her daughter’s eyes had gone, and she looked up at Colin.
“And what are your plans, Agent Douglas, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Nae, I don’t mind. But I haven’t yet decided where I’ll go when I leave Scotland.”
“Of course,” said Lanie. “Well, we hope you’ll consider making your home in The Netherlands, too. It’d be an honor and a comfort to have you close by.”
He held back his grin. Agent MacDonald’s eyes nearly popped out, and as she opened her mouth to say something, Colin blurted, “You’re very kind. I will consider it.” This shut the psychologist up long enough to allow the Birches to rise and say their temporary good-byes.
Mrs. Birch took Colin’s hands and reached up on her tip-toes to kiss his cheek. “We’ll be back soon. Thank you again, for everything.”
“You’re welcome, Mrs. Birch. Angela will be safe here.”
“Lanie, please. And I know she will be.” She gave him a wink and squeezed his hands before leaving.
He liked that woman, though he knew she might not be as kind if she knew all he’d done and the thoughts he still had toward her daughter.
The afternoon was filled with packing and bustling. Colin could see Angela was stressed about her parents leaving. And Agent MacDonald was stressed about not being able to begin her question session with Angela straight away, which amused him, because Lanie Birch wouldn’t allow the Agent anywhere near her daughter. She and Mr. Birch probably kissed and hugged Angela a thousand times before they made it to the door.
The second Angela’s parents were gone, Agent MacDonald pounced.
“I trust you had a lovely day yesterday,” she said to Angela. “Follow me, and we’ll pick-up where we left off.”
Angela followed with her head down, and Colin frowned. He didn’t understand why the agency was forcing this woman down their throat. It didn’t seem like the best thing for Angela at the moment. He decided to stay near, in case there were any more incidences where Agent MacDonald felt the need to wield a needle.
He stationed a chair right outside the fucking door and opened the newspaper. At the sound of the rustling the door swung open and Agent MacDonald peered down at him.
“Exactly what do you think you’re doing out here?” she asked.
He leaned back, unruffled by her tone. “I promised her parents she’d be safe.”
“I’ve got a gun to protect her, as well, in case you’ve forgotten.”
“Double the protection. Excellent.” Colin went back to reading the paper.
“Let me do my job.”
“Nobody’s stopping you. I’m only sitting here.”
She hmphed and shut the door.
Colin grinned. Truly, he just didn’t want this woman’s personality to overpower Angela while her mindset was already of a submissive nature. Agent MacDonald was likely to push for the information she wanted, despite how it would affect Angela. He knew her type. She was more of an agency bully than a helpful shrink. Colin had dealt with many of her types when it came to Graham over the years. The difference was, Graham would shut down and clam up, giving no information whatsoever, while Angela would allow it to be painfully extracted.
He wouldn’t hesitate to put MacDonald out on her fancy arse.
Their voices inside were low, lulling. Colin didn’t try to make out what they were saying, though he would have loved to be a fly on the wall. Just to know Angela better and hear her thoughts and feelings.
Noontime came and went. Colin looked at his watch and shook his head. They should be stopping to eat. He’d give them one more hour before interrupting and demanding they take a break. His intervention ended up not being necessary, as forty-five minutes later the door opened and Angela slipped out, heading for the restroom without looking his way.