Say Goodbye (Romantic Suspense #25) by Karen Rose

            Liza followed them to the restroom at the rear of the optometrist’s office, keeping her body between the sisters and the glass door. When they were safely inside, Liza speed-walked to the front and opened the door.

            “Agent Rodriguez. Top of that building, twelve o’clock. I saw a scope.”

            Rodriguez gave her a disbelieving look. “You saw a scope?”

            Liza met his gaze unflinchingly, keeping her tone level when she wanted to snarl. He was a good agent, she reminded herself. “Half my unit was killed by a rooftop sniper in Afghanistan. The rest of us got down in time because I saw the flash of a scope. I saw a flash. Just now.”

            Agent Rodriguez turned to scan the roofline. “I don’t see—” He stopped abruptly. “Fuck,” he muttered, one hand going to his firearm, the other to his phone. “I’m calling it in.”

            “You saw it?”

            “I saw a person,” Rodriguez said grimly, dialing his phone. “Just a glimpse. Where are Miss Callahan and Abigail?”

            “I sent them to the bathroom. It’s secure with no windows. Please bring the car to the back. I’ll escort them out through the rear door.”

            Moving his body in front of the door, Agent Rodriguez gave her a nod. “I’ll get the car, you get the ladies.” Through the door she heard him giving their location to whoever he’d called.

            Taking off the pink glasses she still wore, Liza quickly gathered the frames the sisters had chosen and took them to the counter, stepping far enough away that both she and the woman tending the store were out of the line of fire. “Can you make a note of these frames? You have the little girl’s prescription because she just saw the doctor. My friend and I will have our prescriptions faxed and we’ll call back with a credit card this afternoon. Something’s come up and we need to leave. We may need to have someone else pick them up for us.”

            The woman behind the counter nodded uncertainly. “Is everything all right?”

            Liza debated telling the woman the truth. If she didn’t and the woman got hurt . . . No more blood on my hands. “Can you take your lunch break in the back? Away from that glass door?”

            The woman paled. “Yes. Of course.”

            Liza tried to smile. “Thank you. And if you could make sure anyone else stays away from the door as well? Is the doctor still here?”

            “No. He went to lunch. It’s just me right now.”

            “Then take care of just you,” Liza said, making sure the words came out like a warm request and not a barked order. “My group needs to go out the back.”

            The woman managed a nod. “Of course. I’ll walk you out, then take my break.”

            Liza put her arm around the woman’s shoulders and guided her to the back. When she was standing outside the restroom, no longer in front of the window, she got out her phone and fired off a text to Tom.

            With Mercy and Abigail at eye dr. Agent Rodriguez on duty. I saw flash of a scope on roof across street. Taking Mercy and Abigail to Soko’s. Rodriguez calling 4 backup. Advise.

            She began to pace, wishing for her sidearm as she waited for Tom’s reply. It came ten seconds later. Send address of eye dr. On my way. Keep your head down.

            There was a pause, then a final text from Tom. Be careful. Call me as soon as you’re back at Sokolovs’.

            Liza finished texting him the address as the restroom door opened. “We’re going out the back,” she told the sisters with a smile that she hoped was carefree. “Let’s go, Shrimpkin.”

            Abigail regarded her with her old-soul eyes. “He’s back, isn’t he? Brother DJ. He’s back.”

            Yes, Liza thought, this child knows a lot more than anyone gives her credit for.

            Mercy’s mouth fell open in surprise. They’d all taken great pains not to discuss DJ Belmont or any of the Eden founders in front of Abigail.

            Liza took a moment to choose her words and decided to go with the truth rather than sugarcoating it. The child’s life could depend on her obedience, so she needed to understand at least some of the danger. “I don’t know, baby girl. I saw something outside. I could be wrong, but we’re not taking any chances, okay?”