The Oaths We Keep

Chapter 4

Erin pulled into the parking lot of a local grocery store near downtown Warrenton. She hit the number of the only contact stored in the phone the people that she worked for gave her. She waited as the ringtone droned on in an endless cycle. When they finally answered, the cold voice that greeted her sounded far too deep for a normal voice. "Did you get the files we wanted?" he bluntly asked her.

"Yes, I have them. I've got the money, too. Just tell me where to...."

"Never mind that now," the man said, interrupting her. "Stay by the phone. I will call with further instructions." With that, the line went dead. A feeling of frustration overcame her as she continued clutching the cell phone. She couldn't understand the need for all the secrecy and why they needed to delay the drop-off. It should be simple: make the drop, and they both get what they want.

She slammed her hand against the steering wheel, cursing under her breath. Closing her eyes, she drew in a deep breath to calm herself. Nervously, she started her SUV and drove to the parking lot's exit. Pulling into traffic, she pointed the SUV toward the direction of home.

Erin and her husband, Conner, lived in an affluent suburb on the outskirts of Warrenton. Their home was lavishly decorated, which the Harper's owned free and clear of any mortgage. Even though there was a stylish guard station, there was no gate, and no security guard was ever on duty.

Driving through town, she rehearsed what she would say to her boss, Franklin Daniels, the CEO of Daniels, Morgan, and Steers Investments and Securities. She worked for the firm since she graduated college. She rose quickly through the corporate ranks to become an executive vice president overseeing investments and various customer accounts. The plan was to tell Daniels she needed the files for tax reasons and accidentally stuck them in her bag. Due to the nature of the files, they likely would not even reprimand her for such carelessness. She didn't think he would buy it, and it would cost her job. Still, it would be worth the risk if all went according to plan.

Erin tried to keep calm. She kept telling herself everything was going according to the plan and that it would work out. What worried her were the consequences if things went wrong. The fact that what she did was illegal weighed heavily on her. However, possible legal troubles were the least of her worries. The $200,000 in cash hidden in the back of the SUV worried her as much, if not more than anything. She would have never brought it along if she had known that her contact did not want to meet immediately. Knowing what she had to do to get that much cash was incredibly nerve-wracking.

Risks were nothing new to Erin and Conner. Conner opened his surgery practice about three years ago. During that time, he gained a reputation as one of the best up-and-coming plastic surgeons in the area. She likewise took some risks, doing what she could to avoid stepping on people on her way to the top. Surprisingly, they even had time for a couple of kids along the way.

Once this was over, she planned to drive up, get the kids, and wait for Conner to return home. Conner flew out to a medical convention in Chicago, and the kids stayed at her parent's place in Fresno. No one would be home to greet her when she arrived. Erin hoped he would understand why she was doing this and that it was not her idea. Perhaps she could also convince herself that this wasn't her fault. She could make it up to him later if he ever forgave her.

Her mind was in a hundred different places as she drove home. She was only about another five minutes or so from the house, but it did very little to calm her nerves. She was so distracted she completely blew through the stop sign at an intersection close to home. Thankfully, no incoming cars were going through the intersection at the time.

Erin continued to drive home, thankful that it was just an embarrassing mistake. At least that's what she thought until she spotted the tell-tale red and blue lights of a police car behind her. She cursed loudly to herself as she briefly considered accelerating away, but she decided that the odds of her escaping were not good. As she pulled the SUV to the side of the road, she told herself to relax.