The Warrior by Sharon Sala

I’m also not certain if he’d believe me. I have this image in my head of trying to convince people of the truth while Dad finds a way to make me out to be crazy…claiming I’m trying to ruin himbecause he disowned me, or something. And I don’t want to wind up in some loony bin, drugged out of my mind to keep me quiet, or six feet under because I was nothing but collateral damage on his path to his personal goals.”
    John was listening, but he was also distracted by the fact that from where she was standing, he could tell she wasn’t wearing a bra. It irked him that he’d even noticed, and he chalked it up to the fact that it had been a while since he’d been with a woman. Maybe all he needed was to take another drive down to Savannah, although the last time he was there, he’d gotten mixed up in a bank robbery and shot for his troubles.
    â€œSo what do you think?” she prodded.
    That you’re not as skinny as I thought. “Uh…that it’s your call.”
    She groaned, then turned away and strode to the windows.
    John followed.
    â€œLook…if you really don’t trust the powers that be, there’s always the media,” he said.
    Alicia’s frustration shifted. “What do you mean?” she asked as she turned to face him.
    â€œYou know the newspapers…always ready for the next big scoop. I know a journalist who works out of D.C.—Corbin Woodliff.”
    â€œThe Corbin Woodliff who won a Pulitzer a couple of years ago?”
    â€œYes.”
    Alicia’s pulse skipped. That might be the answer. “Can you get me in to see him?”
    â€œIf he’s in the country,” John said, watching the play of emotions on her face.
    Alicia’s voice rose an octave, evidence of her excitement. “If he broke the news, then the authorities would have to follow through. They couldn’t ignore it. They couldn’t be bought off if there was a huge public outcry.”
    John nodded.
    A smile began in her eyes, then spread to her lips as she impulsively threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.
    â€œOh, John…I think you’ve just saved my life…again.”
    The first thought that crossed his mind was that he’d been right. She wasn’t wearing a bra. The second was that he’d managed to keep himself involved in her business by being the go-between for her source, which was good. He would do whatever it took to get to Richard Ponte. He wouldn’t let himself care that he was using her. His agenda had been going on too long for him to care about anything or anyone but the end result.
    Before Alicia had a chance to register what she’d done, an alarm began going off. She jumped back, startled, as she looked around for the source of the sound.
    â€œWhat’s that?” she cried.
    John’s eyes narrowed. “A security alarm. Someone just came through the gate at the end of the driveway.”
    â€œWas it locked?”
    â€œYes.” He didn’t add that he had additional security in place, in case anyone tried to bypass that lock.
    â€œIt’s not possible that it’s just a delivery…or a visitor?”
    â€œI don’t get visitors.”
    Alicia looked at him strangely. “Ever?”
    â€œEver,” John muttered as he headed for his office to check the security cameras, with Alicia right behind him.
    Within seconds of getting to the security screen, he recognized who had triggered the alarm—and so did Alicia.
    â€œIt’s Dieter! Oh God…he’s found me! That means Dad knows where I am again.” Panic set in as the ramifications began to unfold. “That means you’re in danger, too. I shouldn’t have—”
    John grabbed her by the shoulders. “Stop it! Stay here. I’ll deal with this.”
    â€œBut—”
    He gave her a slight shake. “No buts. Just sit here and calm down. I’ll be