Two hours later, they were sitting in a large family room, and Tulli’s head was a chaotic mess.
She’d been introduced to a couple of dozen men, women, and children, and while she thought she recognised a few of the men from the rescue, they were now just blending into a sea of faces.
A couple of times the noise level had increased to the point where she’d thought she was going to have an anxiety attack. It had initially seemed reminiscent of the noise the men in the Castille camp would make, when they were having a drunken rampage through the camp, dragging the girls from the shack to inflict God only knew what kind of horrors on them. But Tulli had found that by concentrating on who was making the most noise, which tended to be the women and especially the kids, who were shrieking with laughter, she found she could regulate her breathing until it quietened down again.
Tulli glanced around and picked out the people she’d spoken to already.
Hannah had been sitting quietly, talking to a few of the women until her husband arrived, and Tulli had watched in amazement as he’d lifted her up, taken her seat, and then positioned Hannah on his lap, like that was the only place she should be.
For her part, Hannah hadn’t blinked an eye, and the women’s conversation hadn’t faltered.
The only acknowledgement Hannah had given that anything had happened, was a few seconds later, when Tulli watched her slide her hand over her husband’s and interlink their fingers.
Danny, for his part, was already in conversation with a couple of the men, but he lifted Hannah’s hand to his mouth and kissed it, before settling her back against him and wrapping his arms around her.
Watching such a big man being so gentle and loving with his tiny wife almost brought tears to Tulli’s eyes. She couldn’t help but wonder what it might be like to feel so protected and cherished.
She glanced to the man sitting next to her, engrossed in a conversation with Tuck, and the man she’d been introduced to as JT. JT was about the same height as Gregor, and just as dark haired, but the British accent was strange when pitched against Tuck’s American accent, and Gregor’s Russian/American hybrid.
They were having a serious conversation about the mission, and more especially about the Castille cartel.
Obviously, this wasn’t the first time Tuck and his people had come into contact with Castille, although from the tone of the conversation, they certainly hoped it would be the last.
“Tulli? Our friend Cole, from the FBI is here.” Candy squatted down in front of her. “Do you feel up to talking with him?”
Tulli’s muscles tensed instantly. Was she ready to talk to anyone?
She felt Gregor’s warm hand close around hers, and she glanced up at him.
“I’d be happy to come with you, if you think it would help.” He said quietly.
“Or one of the ladies could come in with you.” Candy offered. “Abbey or I, maybe?”
Tulli bit her lip. She didn’t want to offend her hostess, but she felt more comfortable around Gregor than her new friends.
“If you wouldn’t mind, I think it would help me if you were there.” She looked up at him and saw the relief and warmth in Gregor’s smile.
“I’ll stay with you as long as you want me to.” He reassured her.
They stood and followed Candy along a brightly lit hallway, the walls covered with family photos of every man woman and child in the Alpha-Stalwart family, at various parties, in a multitude of poses, but always smiling, laughing, and seeming to be having the best time.
“It must be wonderful having such a big family.” She murmured. “So many people to help give you strength when you need it.”
Candy slowed and looked over her shoulder.
“You know they’ll all be here for you both as well, don’t you?” She smiled. “If ever you need help with anything, we’ve got your back.”
“What?” Tulli stopped walking. “They don’t know us. Why would they want to help me? They’ve never met me before this week.”
Candy chuckled.
“I think they call it degrees of separation.” She explained. “All of the Alpha-Stalwart family are connected either by the links they formed in the military, or by marriage, or sometimes both. It almost seems like each year the family grows, as people are added.”
“But how do I fit in there?” Tulli shook her head. “I’m not military, and I have no connection to anyone else in the family.”
“Well, that’s not quite true.” Candy folded her arms, taking up an obstinate stance. “Alex and Sophia seem quite taken with each other, so if that relationship develops, it may be that Gregor and I could end up being related through them. You are living with Gregor at his house, that makes you family to him, which makes you family to us. See? Degrees of separation.”
“No! No, Gregor is allowing us to live there out of the kindness of his heart, but that doesn’t make us family.” Tulli blushed. “As soon as we’re able, we’ll be finding somewhere else to live, and he’ll be free of the burden he’s taken on.”
“Tulli, having you and your sisters living in my home is far from being a burden.” Gregor reassured her. “And the invitation to stay is open-ended, so there’s no rush for you to be going anywhere. I actually like Candy’s suggestion that we’re family. It helps define us.”
Tulli was going to argue, but realising she would sound ungrateful, she held back the protest that was literally on the tip of her tongue.
“Shall we go and meet with the FBI agent?” She forced a smile.
Candy returned the smile and led the way into a large office, where Tuck was standing with an older distinguished looking gentleman.
“Aah, Tulli, Gregor, thanks for coming in.” Tuck smiled and beckoned them forward. “This is Cole Arthurs, our good friend, who also happens to be head of the Philly Bureau. He’d like to ask you some questions about your experiences in Colombia, and find out what you know about the Castille operation down there. Is that Ok?”
Tulli nodded.
“That’s fine.” She whispered.
“I’ll make this as fast and painless as I can, Ms Mazur, but I do need to ask you some very difficult questions.” Cole Arthurs explained. “I’d like to film the interview if I may, and then I’ll let you have a copy of the transcription at a later date. Time isn’t our friend at the moment, so this needs to be done tonight.”
“That’s fine.” Tulli blushed, feeling more uncomfortable than she had all night. “I don’t mean to be rude, but do Candy and Mr Tucker need to be here? The more people listening, the harder it will be.”
“Of course not, sweetheart.” Candy reassured her. “We’ll leave as soon as you give us the word that you’re ready to get started.”
“I just want to get this over with, so I’m happy to start right away.” Tulli admitted.
“Ok, we’ll get out of your way. You know where to find us if you need anything.” Tuck stood up and led Candy from the room.
“Are you sure you want me to stay?” Gregor asked quietly. “If there are things that make you uncomfortable to discuss in front of me, you only have to say, and I’ll leave.”
“I think I’d rather you stay for now. If, later… well, I’ll wait and see what Mr Arthurs has to ask me.” Tulli hesitated. “Unless you’d rather not stay?”
“Tulli, I told you I’d be here with you throughout, and I meant it. There’s nothing you can say that will make me admire or respect you less, I promise you.” Gregor squeezed her hand, gently.
“If we’re ready, could you sit on the sofa, just here, Tulli? I’ll be filming with my phone, which as you can see, is propped up on the desk. It’s less intrusive than having a camera shoved in your face, and is fully encrypted, so you don’t need to worry about security.” Cole smiled at her.
Tulli took her seat, and Gregor immediately sat next to her, still holding her hand.
“Is this Ok?” He asked the FBI chief.
“It’s fine.” Arthurs nodded. “I’m zoomed in, so you’re out of shot, anyway.”
“Then let’s get started, shall we?” Tulli smiled nervously, rubbing her now clammy free hand on her jeans. “The sooner we start, the sooner we finish.”
Cole pulled a chair forward, and sat down, placing his glasses on the end of his nose so he could read from his notes.
“Can we start from when you were kidnapped?” He waited for her nod. “Tell me about that day…”