Followed

RODRIGUEZ

               I tried to tell her. She didn't believe me.

               "Sam, please believe me when I tell you this," I told her.

               "What? Something wrong?" she asked.

               "Kind of. Well, yes. Ruth and Daniel are the shooters. They tried to kill us both," I stated.

               "How do you know?! Do you have proof?! They're our friends; they wouldn't," she told me.

               "If you knew them like I do, you would know it's true," I said. I wanted to reveal their identity, but then they'd tell mine. Yes, my name is Rodriguez Moralés, but I couldn't tell her that I'm her bodyguard and an agent for the SIU, the Special Investigative Unit. I needed her necklace before Ruth, Daniel, or Tod got it. All three are for the RIA, the Russian Intelligence Agency, and can put on a great American accent. So I needed to protect Sam but also get the necklace.

               "Is there something you need to tell me?" Sam asked sternly, "I know them just as much as you do." I didn't want her to get mad. So I tried to change the subject.

               "So you're sure you won't sell the necklace?" I nagged.

               "What do you need it for, a beauty contest?" she laughed. I faked a laugh.

               "Can I hold it?" I asked.

               "You're not gonna rob me, are you?" she asked, being funny.

               "Of course not," I rolled my eyes. Sam took it off and handed it to me.

               "Be careful with it. The cashier at the antique store traded it to me for another necklace I had. He looked relieved when I said I wanted it," Sam told me.

               "What was the cashier's name?" I asked, studying the necklace.

               "His name was Jason. You seem more interested in the cashier than you do in the necklace," She commented.

               "I am," I said quietly.