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have to ask you. Do you think Ms. Hughes even realizes what kind of target is on her back?”
    “If she didn’t before last night, I think she does now.”
    True to her word, Jessica walked back out of her room just a few minutes later.
    “Ms. Hughes,” Office Lewis said. “We just lost our cat of seventeen years a couple of months ago. My daughter is off at college, and my wife and I would be more than happy to pet-sit for you while you get through this ordeal. Tiger would be more than welcome at our place.”
    Zach watched her hesitate and protectively tighten her grip on Tiger, pulling him close to her body.
    “I know you want to be with him,” Zach said. “But it will actually be safer for him if he stays with Officer Lewis and his wife.”
    Jessica continued to hold on to Tiger. Zach was surprised when her eyes started to mist over. She’d been through a lot so far, but he hadn’t seen her get emotional. It was clear that her pet was special to her.
    “I can’t just give him away,” she said.
    Officer Lewis walked closer to her. “Absolutely not. As soon as you’re in the clear, Tiger will be ready for you. I wouldn’t think of taking him from you. This is just temporary.”
    She nodded. “Thank you for being so kind. And my hesitation isn’t because of you. I just don’t want him to think that I’m abandoning him.”
    It hit Zach at that moment that Jessica probably felt such a strong connection to Tiger because he was the only family she had. Given her childhood, she probably had totally understandable issues with abandonment. “Jessica, if it’ll make you feel better, we’ll work something out and take him with us to the safe house.”
    She shook her head. “No, Officer Lewis is right. I need to think about what is best for Tiger. Not my own feelings.”
    “All right,” Zach said. “But if you change your mind, you can just let me know.”
    She turned her attention back to the officer. “I need you to promise me something, though, and it’s a big promise.”
    “Sure,” he said.
    “If something happens to me, you’ll help find him a new home. A good home. You won’t take him to the shelter.”
    Officer Lewis’s dark eyes widened. “First off, nothing is going to happen to you. But secondly, you have my word that I’ll personally take care of Tiger. Don’t think another thought about it.”
    “Thank you.” She held the cat for another minute and then looked back at Zach.
    “All right,” she said quietly. “I guess we should go.”
    “Don’t you worry, Ms. Hughes. We’ll take great care of Tiger. And we’ll keep you updated.” He looked at Zach. “Any reason for me to continue standing watch here?”
    “No,” Zach said. “Just wait for us to leave, give it a few and you and Tiger can get out of here.”
    Jessica didn’t speak until they had been on the road a few minutes.
    “How exactly am I supposed to work on the case? Are you expecting me to prepare for trial out of the safe house?”
    “I’m afraid it’s gotten a bit complicated where that is concerned.”
    “How so?”
    “You should talk to your boss. But I think it’s a possibility that there may be some sort of postponement.”
    “No! Absolutely not. That’s exactly what they want to happen. We can’t give in to them.”
    “The trial and all surrounding it isn’t the FBI’s call. It’s your boss’s decision.”
    “This was just a setback. It’s not reason enough to call it quits. I can do this, Zach. I’m fully cooperating with you and whatever you want as far as security goes, but I need to try this case.”
    “I’ll do everything I can to help you.”
    “Thank you.”
    “I’m taking a circuitous route to the safe house to ensure we aren’t being followed.” He paused. “And, Jessica, I’m sorry about Tiger. I didn’t think the whole thing through.” He’d touched a nerve and needed to smooth this over.
    “Thank you, Zach. He’s all I have, and I’m committed to taking care of