Page 103 of Close Pursuit

If Dawn was being targeted, was Roman Koronov behind it? Except Alex was cooperating with his father. Why attack Dawn and risk making Alex so mad he quit playing ball? Also, Roman was the person who’d had the security system at the orphanage installed in the first place. Wouldn’t his guy know that it existed and, furthermore, know how to get around it? Or had the later upgrades to the system taken Roman’s man by surprise?

Fury erupted in her gut that an innocent baby would be pulled into Roman’s power struggle with his son. If that bastard did anything to hurt Dawn, he’d haveherto deal with.

Two police cars were parked prominently in front of the convent, but she was appalled to walk inside the facility without a soul challenging her. Thankfully, a cop was stationed at the door to the cloistered section of the building. He spoke into the radio at his collar, relaying news of her arrival to Sister Mary Harris.

In a few minutes, the elderly nun appeared at the door, and actually invited her in. Katie was under the impression the public was not generally let into this area. This exception to the rules alarmed her almost more than anything else, tonight. The nun looked exhausted and was showing every one of her eighty years this evening.

“How are you doing, Sister?” Katie asked gently. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“I think we’ve got things under control. Thankfully, that security system Roman Koronov installed did its job. All the doors locked when someone without a security badge tried to gain entrance to the orphanage. Fellow had to break a beautiful stained glass window to get out. Threw a chair through it. That window was nearly a hundred years old. Terrible loss…”

Katie was not particularly interested in the window. “How’s Dawn?”

“A little fussy with all the activity.”

“But she’s safe?”

“Yes, of course, dear. A thief wouldn’t bother the babies.”

Hah. Any self-respecting thief wouldn’t break into a freaking convent in the first place. “I’d like to see her, Sister.”

“I understand. A little cuddle would calm both of you. Wait here.”

Katie sank into a lovely bentwood rocking chair in a small alcove. The window overlooked a cheerful garden.

In a few minutes, Sister Mary Harris returned with a blanket-wrapped bundle. “She’s wide awake, the little rascal. I think she’s interested in all the noise and movement.”

“That’s my girl,” Katie cooed softly. “Smartandbeautiful.” She inhaled the sweet baby smell of Dawn, and all was right with the world. Nobody was hurting her baby girl while she drew breath. But she also couldn’t leave the baby here. Whoever had broken in had been surprised by the alarms, but the intruder would be prepared next time. Dawn mustn’t be here when the next time came.

“How about I rock her to sleep, Sister? I’d like a little time alone with her if that would be okay.”

“Actually, that would be helpful. All the children are upset, and my sisters could use some help getting everyone to bed tonight.”

“Go on, then. Dawn and I will be fine.”

Katie waited until the nun’s habit disappeared around the corner and then hurried to the exit. As she approached the door, she tucked Dawn inside her coat, laying the baby flat across her stomach. “Just like old times, eh, sweetie?” she murmured.

Thankfully, like old times, the sound of her heartbeat calmed and quieted the infant. She stepped out, nodding a greeting at the police officer. It was all she could do not to break into a mad dash for her car, but she forced herself to walk across the parking lot.

She didn’t breathe properly until the convent disappeared behind her car. Now what? Her car was known, and she knew the convent was being watched. She had to assume she was being tailed. And then there was her cell phone. Uncle Charlie seemed convinced it was being monitored. And if the FSB could hear her calls, they could also use its GPS function to track her.

What would Alex do in this situation? He would do the unexpected. Okay, so what was “expected” of her? She’d just taken Dawn. The logical thing would be for her to head home. To Pennsylvania.

She spied a homeless guy lounging in front of a closed store ahead and inspiration struck. She had a couple hundred bucks in her wallet. Hopefully, it would be enough.

She pulled into the alley about a half-block beyond the guy and pulled out her cell phone. She turned it off and stuffed it deep into the seat cushions before scooping up Dawn and hurrying back to the panhandler.

She asked him, “Do you know how to drive a car?”

“Yeah. But what I need is a buck for a cup of coffee.”

Right. Coffee. The guy stunk of drunk vomit. “I’ll do you one better than that. I’ll give you…” she opened her wallet to check the contents… “two-hundred-sixty dollars if you’ll take my car and drive it to Pittsburgh.”

The guy’s jaw dropped. “Pittsburgh?” he said blankly.

“Just head out of D.C. toward Pennsylvania. You have to leave right now, though. Here are the keys.”

“Are you crazy?”

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