Chapter 18


Natalie awoke from her nap, cold and disoriented. The airline blanket had slipped off her shoulders and bunched in her lap. The gunshot wound on her left arm throbbed. She rubbed it absently while studying the man beside her. The laptop was closed, as were his eyes. She assumed he was asleep.

His square jaw was darkened by stubble, giving him a slightly dangerous air. Who am I kidding? He is a dangerous man. He boarded an international flight with two weapons on his person. That air marshal barely glanced when he declared them at the gate. Who knows what he has in his carry-on.

Natalie shuddered. Paolo had turned out to be a more complex man than she would ever have imagined. He was honest, hardworking and dedicated to his career and close to his family. Certainly more than she could say of her fugitive husband.

Paolo exuded confidence and charm, not to mention sensuality. He was the kind of man women wanted to know better and other men could never hope to equal.

She leaned over to retrieve the antibiotic ointment from her purse. It was hours before they would reach Prague. Might as well try to get comfortable and go back to sleep.

She was fumbling with the cap when a hand reached across her and took the tube. "Let me help you." Paolo squirted some ointment on her arm. Natalie winced as he slowly massaged it in.

"It'll get better."

"I thought you were asleep," she mumbled. She was fascinated by his long fingers working on her arm.

He gave a little smirk. "I always keep one eye open."

She looked up and was held captive by hi's hypnotic blue eyes. Her mouth went dry as she forgot about the stinging in her arm. Paolo trailed his fingers down her bare arm, raising more goosebumps. He picked up her left hand and rubbed the tan line where her wedding rings were noticeably absent.

"Where's your rock?"

"I was cleaning the bathroom when you barged in. Then you hustled me out before I remembered my rings. Why would you notice that?"

"It's my job. Watch people, observe behavior, catalogue details. However small."

Natalie regarded him for a moment. "Is that what I am? A job?"

Paolo didn't respond, but kept holding her hand.

"What else do you observe about me?" She wasn't sure she wanted to know. He might say she had bad judgment, that she'd made a huge mistake in marrying Jeff or that she was stubborn and opinionated. She reached up with her other hand to stifle a yawn.

"You need to rest. We hit the ground running when we land." He lifted the armrest between them. "You can stretch out here and I'll move over there." He indicated the empty seats across the aisle.

Natalie did as he suggested and he tucked the blanket around her. She glanced up at him, her eyelids heavy. "Don't go too far."

"Never, cara." He pressed a light kiss to her forehead.

Paolo moved across the aisle with his laptop. He watched Natalie for several minutes. Finally, he opened the computer to check for updates from Miami. Sure enough, one was there. He opened it and a picture popped up.

From your description, we believe the man is Mtumbo Sobanji, forty-seven-year-old Nigerian national who's lived in the US for the past twenty years. Came over on a student visa and never left. Runs a construction business and a couple of restaurants in Miami with his brother and cousin. Had some tax problems five years ago. Appears clean on the surface, but the cousin was involved in an identity theft ring at one point. Eight months ago Sobanji took out a business loan from Jeffrey Jernigan's bank.

Paolo skimmed over the rest. No doubt Sobanji was the mastermind of the identity theft ring. Jernigan was supplying him with info and when he didn't deliver, Sobanji arranged the break-in at Natalie's to try and retrieve it. Somehow Sobanji had followed them to the airport and managed to get on the same flight.

Paolo thought back over their arrival at the airport. It was so crowded there was no way he could do a thorough surveillance. His goal had been to make this flight. Sobanji probably had lookouts at the airport who alerted him when he and Natalie arrived.

He replied to Miami:

Distraction needed to get Mrs. Jernigan away from airport.

He watched Natalie until a soft ding announced a new message fifteen minutes later.

Czech Secret Service will escort you to Interpol office. Sobanji will be detained at Customs. Some passport and/or visa problems will be uncovered.

Paolo breathed a sigh of relief and forwarded the info to Chuck He knew the marshal would check his e-mail before the flight landed.

**
Prague-Ruzyne Airport

The long flight landed without incident. Paolo glanced toward the front of the plane. "This'll take awhile." People leapt up from their seats and opened the overhead bins. Cell phones were pressed to ears and the noise level increased. Chuck caught his eye and nodded as he retrieved his bag. Sobanji was already on his cell and took on notice.

Finally, passengers began moving toward the front of the jet. Paolo and Natalie hung back until only the flight crew remained. Chuck was waiting for them in the forward galley and the three of them entered the jetway. When they reached Customs, they saw Sobanji waving his arms wildly. Two Customs officials pulled him from line and escorted him down a short hallway. Paolo and Chuck exchanged a satisfied smile.

"What was that for?" asked Natalie. "Are you guys happy to be in the Czech Republic?"

"Someone's cranky this morning," said Paolo. "Are you like this every morning?"

"You're not going to tell me, are you?"

"A problem was averted."

Natalie frowned. "Hmm . . . sounds like government double-speak."

"You'll feel like yourself once you get some caffeine in your system."

"Whatever. Can we just get on with this shit?"

An intimidating man with a "Chief Inspector" name tag steered them down a long corridor and into an elevator marked "Private." "This opens into the underground garage. Interpol and the Czech Secret Service are waiting for you."

A chill ran up Natalie's spine. The man's tone made it sound like she was the suspect. She blew out a sigh. Nausea and dizziness threatened to swamp her. She clutched at Paolo's arm. "I'm scared," she whispered.

"Don't lose it now. In a few hours this will be over." Paolo had received an e-mail confirming that tonight, or tomorrow at the latest, Jeff was being extradited to Berlin. German justice was swifter than the American legal system. The evidence against him was irrefutable and Jeffrey Jernigan might never set foot in the United States again. Paolo thought it best not to reveal that to Natalie. She was an emotional basket-case.

**

Interpol office, Prague

"What are we waiting for?" asked Natalie. She wrapped her hands around a large cup of coffee that an efficient secretary had placed on the table in front of her.

"They're bringing him up now," said Paolo.

The door on the other side of the one-way mirror opened and Jeffrey Jernigan shuffled in, accompanied by an armed guard. He was clad in a blue jumpsuit and his hands and feet were shackled. The guard pulled out the chair and motioned for him to sit at the table.

"Jeff!" gasped Natalie. She stared sadly and shook her head. "I can't believe it's come to this."

Two large, hairy agents who resembled gorillas came in and sat down. They began asking questions, but Jeff either said nothing or gave some sarcastic answer. He even laughed a couple of times.

Natalie's expression changed from sadness to utter disbelief. "This is not the man I married. This is a total stranger."

Eventually, the agents gave up and left the room. Jeff turned toward the window and smirked.

"I am NOT believing this. I'd like to shake some sense into that man!"

"Don't worry. You're up next," said Paolo. He had already coached Natalie on possible ways to approach Jeff that might elicit information.

Natalie stared coldly at Paolo. "Bring it on."

**

A second armed guard opened the door and followed Natalie into the room. He took up a position behind her while the other guard stood by the door.

"Natalie!" Clearly, Jernigan was surprised by this tactic. He tried to stand up.

"SIT DOWN!" barked the guards and drew their weapons. "You are not to approach her."

"She's my wife!" protested Jeff.

SMACK! Natalie slapped Jeff across the face. Jeff was stunned and so was Paolo in the other room. "I did not tell her to do that," he told the officials.

"What the hell have you done? Have you lost your mind? You're sitting here being a smart ass when you're being charged with murder! Oh, and let's not forget the identity theft and all your other sins. Do you understand the trouble you're in here and at home? Well, do you?" she demanded.

Adrenaline and far too much caffeine had Natalie wound to a fever pitch. "Don't you have anything to say for yourself? You had a good job. We had a good life. But you threw it all away! I guess being a bank vice-president wasn't enough for you."

Natalie paused, but Jeff said nothing. He hung his head and actually appeared contrite. Frustrated, Natalie slammed her fist on the table. "ANSWER ME!"

Jeff looked up and noticed the bandage on her arm. "Oh yeah, let me tell you about my arm. Thugs broke into our house looking for something YOU stole and I got shot in the process. That's been a real picnic. And I had to take a leave-of-absence from work to try to help the FBI figure out what the hell you're doing."

"It wasn't supposed to be like this. Things, well, things got out of control. I did this for us, Natalie. So we could retire early and travel, do all the things you wanted to do."

"LIES, ALL LIES! You did this for YOU. You are a greedy, selfish, arrogant bastard!"

Natalie waited to see if, or how, Jeff might respond. She glared angrily at him. "Oh, Mr. Big Talker has nothing to say? Well, I have this to say. You are a sorry excuse for a husband. Thank God I didn't have kids with you. I would hate for my child to have a murderer and a cheat for a father!"

**

The interrogations went on for hours. In the end, Jeff gave up some details, but overall showed little remorse for his crime spree.

"Could I see my wife again?" he asked.

The agent got up and left the room. He came to where Natalie and Paolo were and looked to Natalie for her answer.

"There's nothing left to say."

"Mrs. Jernigan, please understand that he's being flown to Berlin tonight. It might be a long time before you could see him again."

"I understand. I never want to see him again. He deserves everything coming to him."

When the agent told Jeff, he looked at the window, but his expression was blank.

**

Marriott Hotel, Prague

"I'm sorry, sir. Two single rooms were not available, so we upgraded you to a suite on the tenth floor. Here are your key cards. Elevators are to your left."

"Thank you. What are the restaurants in this area?"

The smiling clerk reached under the counter for a pamphlet. Paolo glanced to the lobby where Natalie sat immobile in an overstuffed chair. It had been a hell of a day for her.

Paolo thanked the clerk and went over to Natalie. "Come on. Let's go upstairs." Natalie stood and numbly followed him to the elevators. When they exited on the tenth floor she asked, "Which one am I in?"

Paolo hesitated. "We're together."

Natalie gave him a surprised look. "What?"

"It's a suite. Two bedrooms, sitting area in between."

"Oh."

"Here it is." Paolo opened the door and stood aside for her to enter.

"I'm so tired I can't think straight," said Natalie.

"You need food. All you've had today is about ten cups of coffee and a couple of sodas."

"Gee, thanks for reminding me. Now I need to pee again."

"Why don't we shower, change clothes, and then find something to eat?"

"Fine. If I'm not out in twenty minutes, I may be asleep."