Fossen Delores - A Man Worth Remembering стр 4.

But they knew.

They likely knew everything about her.

Whats my name? she asked Sanchez. She wanted answers, and by God, she wanted them now.

Leigh OBrien.

That didnt mean anything to her. Only the water and Sanchez saving

her meant anything. For all practical purposes, her life had begun the moment she realized she was drowning. That wasnt a comforting thought. Where am I?

A private clinic near New Orleans.

So, they hadnt left the area. But it wasnt an ordinary clinic. She was sure of that. Are you a cop?

No.

Am I a cop?

The room went deadly silent. No, the blond man finally answered.

Leigh didnt like that hesitation. It sent a wave of panic through her. Am I a criminal then? And she braced herself for the answer.

These people might be here to arrest her for something shed done wrong. Had someone tossed her in that lake because of a drug deal gone bad? An organized-crime housecleaning? What awful thing had she done to make someone want to murder her?

The blond man took a step forward, placing himself slightly ahead of the others. Youre not a criminal.

She allowed herself a short breath of relief. Just one. And got down to business. Since these questions could go on forever, why dont you just tell me who you are?

The three glanced at each other before the blond man said anything else. Im Wade Jenkins. People call me Jinx. Special Agent Sanchez and I are with the FBI. Agent Teresa Walters is an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearmsthe ATF.

FBI. ATF, Leigh repeated. What about me? Am I some sort of agent, too?

Youre a concerned citizen. The blond man burrowed his index finger into his eyebrow. A concerned citizen with a rather large problem.

Obviously, Leigh snapped. Believe me, after everything thats happened, I can guess theres a problem. Now, other than a concerned citizen, who am I? If I dont work for an agency with initials, where do I work?

At a bookstore in Austin, Texas, Jinx answered.

A bookstore? A bookstore. That couldnt be right. Nothing about that felt right.

He didnt elaborate. Exactly what do you remember about being in the water?

A good question. Too bad she didnt have a good answer. Not much other than Agent Sanchez saving me. Before that, all I remember is struggling and sinking deeper.

Any idea who put you in the lake?

She tried to force the answer to appear in her mind. It didnt work. She had no more answers about that now than she had when Sanchez had first asked her. No. I have an image of someone on a bridge, but I cant make out any of the features. Someone wearing light colors. I dont suppose that helps you any?

No, Teresa Walters answered in a frustrated huff. But your amnesia is only part of the problem. This might not be over. Someone might make another attempt to kill you.

Leigh swallowed hard. She hadnt considered that. Yet. However, after her adrenaline fatigue wore off, it would no doubt have occurred to her. Amnesia or not, she still had common sense.

She hoped.

Leigh turned her gaze to Sanchez. Who wants me dead?

He lifted his shoulder. We dont know.

Can you at least tell me what it involves? What

The less you know, the better, Jinx interrupted.

Maybe thats your way of looking at it, but I see things from a little different perspective than you do. Someone tried to kill me, and I think I have a right to know why.

Jinx is right about this, Leigh, Sanchez spoke up. Even if we told you everything, it wouldnt make you safer. Thats why well provide you with protection.

She shook her head, already objecting. Now, wait a minute. I dont even know any of you, and you want me to place my life in your hands? How do I know youre not the people who tried to kill me, huh?

That doesnt make any sense, Sanchez answered. If we wanted you dead, I wouldnt have pulled you out of that lake.

But those two didnt pull me out. She pointed to Wade Jenkins and then to Teresa Walters. The way I see it, Im in a real mess here. What if some secrets trapped in my head, and you want me around just long enough to get it? What if you kill me the minute I tell you what you want to know?

Agent Walters threw her hands in the air. I give up. Let me know when you can talk some sense into her.

Leigh was about to tell the woman exactly what she thought of her when Sanchez broke in. You can trust me, Leigh. The offer had not come effortlessly. It came with a scalpel-sharp glare.

Why? Because you saved my life?

He didnt answer, but after a moment Jinx did. Not just that. You can trust him because Gabe Sanchez is your husband.

Chapter Two

of a storm when Leigh got going with her questions. No doubt about it.

My husband? she repeated.

He nodded but didnt add more than that. The details of their marital status were among a mile-long list of things he didnt want to discuss with her. Too bad hed probably have to do just that before this was over.

Is it true? she asked. Are we really married?

He eased onto the edge of the narrow gurney and stared down at her. No sense standing for what would basically be an interrogation. Ill answer that if youll tell me the truth. Is this memory loss all an act?