Saving Brigit Read Online Free PDF Page A

they didn’t want her to go, but what was he supposed to do, lie down in front of the plane?”
    Thia shrugged. “She is nineteen, with a mind of her own. Surely she thought about what she was doing.”
    “Maybe.” July looked away, staring out the window. “That girl always was willful. Because of that, I had a special place for her in my heart. But she’s not careless or stupid.” Thia agreed. July directed her gaze to her employer. “I’m sorry, Thia, but Lacy is really upset. She says she asked your opinion because you and Brigit were so close, and now…”
    Thia blanched. She had reassured July and thereby, Marvin and Lacy, that Brigit was sensible and would be fine. What if something terrible had happened to the girl? She’d never forgive herself.
    July sighed. “I know you’re not responsible. Lacy’s just being very emotional right now. Steven told Marvin you’re dating a private investigator, and I told him I’d ask if you think Derek Hawkins can do anything.”
    Resolved, Thia rose. “Derek’s out of town on a case. But that doesn’t mean we can’t get some help.” She picked up the phone and quickly punched in numbers. “Michael Jackson, please,” she said when the line was answered. “Thia Williams calling.”
    Seconds later, Jackson, one of Derek’s top operatives, came on the line. He had helped Thia find a saboteur in her company months ago, and she’d been impressed with his methods and the manner in which he conducted himself. “Hello, Mrs. Williams. How may I help you?”
    Thia explained the situation as succinctly as she could. “So you can see why Mr. Thatcher is concerned.”
    “I certainly can. Let me see if I can reach Mr. Hawkins. I’m sure if he’s at all able, he’d like to handle such a complex personal problem himself. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.” He hung up, and Thia did the same.
    She turned back to July. “If anyone can help, Derek can. He has contacts all over the world, so try not to worry.”
    July’s eyes gleamed with unshed tears. “I can’t help it. I want to be doing something.”
    “I’ve always thought of Brigit as the niece I never had. Believe me, July, we’ll get her back.”
    An idea came to Thia, half-formed. “Listen. I don’t see why I can’t pop over to Pakistan and see what I can find out. Surely having someone at the embassy will do more good than making phone calls.”
    July’s expression was pure horror. “My Lord, Thia. You can’t go over there. Then we’ll have two of you to worry about. No. You stay right here and wait for Derek to figure something out.”
    The inference in July’s tone that she was as silly as Brigit or helpless without Derek’s help made Thia bristle. Okay, so she was trained as an accountant, not a secret agent. Still, she had worked with Derek undercover on an important DEA case and had acquitted herself quite well in the most dangerous situations. In fact, when the chips were down, she had risen to the occasion and even saved the day. After their adventure, coming back to the accounting firm, where the most exciting thing she found was a credit posted as a debit, had been a real letdown. The thought of traveling to an exotic land, even if only for a day or two of commuting from the hotel in Islamabad to the embassy and back, set her heart racing. She decided at that moment. She would go to Pakistan, with Derek or without him.
    “Don’t be a worrywart. It’s simply a matter of asking a few pertinent questions. I’m logical. I’m organized. I’m persistent. Those qualities have to be good for something more than accounting.”
    July opened her mouth to speak but the phone rang.
    Thia picked up. “Thia Williams.”
    “Mrs. Williams, Michael Jackson here. I’m sorry, but Mr. Hawkins is out of communication. I tried every way I know to reach him, but his contact says he’s deep undercover.”
    “That’s okay, Michael. I’ve decided to go to Pakistan myself.”
    He met her