The Protector by Dawn Marie Snyder Page A

sun was sinking even more and I could see what she meant by the pink on the mountains. I could also see the vast stretches of land the encompassed the Airport. This was just not your normal airport. On its grounds, that butted up against mountains, sat one of the nation’s premier science and engineering facilities.  Everything from weapons development and assessment to the dismantling and storing of nuclear weapons was done at this location.  Security was of the utmost importance and since the bad publicity Sandia’s sister lab Los Alamos had received, they had been diligently trying to improve their security and importance with the American Public and Government. Their missions were critical and their importance to the Nations security unparalleled.
    I looked back at Alison, and the happy expression that she had worn on her face a few moments ago was now gone.  Seriousness washed over her.
    “You ok?”
    “You ask me that a lot you know, do I look that helpless?” she paused for just a second. “Because, really I’m not helpless. I usually handle stress better than this.” I only looked at her in dismay. She thought she was helpless? I hardly looked at her as helpless, just in a new and interesting situation. 
    “Worried that’s all.”  I was worried about her. I think I began to worry about her the first time I laid eyes on her. It wasn’t like she stumbled into trouble, or trouble sought her out. I just felt this urge to worry about her, and to protect her from all that was around her.  She was a lot stronger than I gave her credit for.              
    “I’ll be ok. I think I am coming to the realization of things.  I want this to be over with.  No offense, having you in my life is not what I envisioned.”
    “Ouch!” I flinched in pretend pain. I tried not to flinch too much at her words as the reality of them stung. I wasn’t sure why they bothered me so much. “Sorry and as soon as things are done I will walk out of your life and you can return to your normal happy little existence.” I said it with as much sarcasm as I could muster.
    She turned away from me and looked out the window. Her life was so altered at the moment I didn’t blame her for wanting me out of it.
    The plane pushed us both back in our seats as we landed. Within minutes we would be at the gate. The plan was to go from the airport to Alison’s townhome. I was going to stay there and be as discreet as possible in the process.  I didn’t want to leave her nor was I going to. Conway had arranged for a vehicle for us. It wasn’t a rental, it was an agency vehicle and one I would be free to use without complication or notice. Originally a friend of Alison’s was supposed to pick her up at the airport, but with her not coming home when she was supposed to, Alison had made that phone call to cancel the ride home.  I had felt sorry for her when she made the phone call because she had to lie.  And she would probably be doing a lot of that in the coming days; starting with the explanation of my presence. 
    In talking with her friend, she did find out that Tom’s funeral was set for tomorrow afternoon, which gave us little time to get our stories straight. I wanted her to go on with her life like nothing had happened, and I knew she would have to do some heavy duty acting personally and professionally to make it all work.  But I had faith she could do it.
    It didn’t take us long to get from the Airport to her Townhouse.  Alison grew increasingly antsy as we got closer and closer to her place. As I drove into the driveway, she let out a huge sigh of relief and immediately opened the door to jump out. I had to quickly grab her arm and stop her before she ran into the home.
    “Sonny, wait.”  She tried desperately to break free of my grip but I didn’t let her. “We don’t know who has been in there.” Her eyes grew wide as my words took hold.
    “Great,” she muttered. I turned off the vehicle and